O H V A Newsletter

OHVA MEMBERS:

2010-05-28T16:49:00.001-07:00

Sending you all the news from Jim Anderson on the map printing costs

2 color (like the Historical Homosassa map) .20 ea for a 20,000 run

Full color would be $.25 ea

This is the printing cost, no designing charge.

I have Bill looking at giving us his cost for designing

This if for your consideration

On another note: please remember our June meeting is Mon., June 14th at 5:30pm at the Museum Cafe

I must tell you that you that at that time I will be resigning from the OHVA as your chairperson

You will need to elect a new chair and secretary, so be thinking of new nomanties

The reason for my resignation is Bill and I find the sad news is we will be closing the Riverside Gallery in June. It was a rough decision. We hate to leave you all, hopfully Bill will still be able to set up for special functions and able to help with signs and artistic ideas for you all.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the 14th

Have a great Memorial Day weekend

Thanks

Judy Dickerson/Chairperson

meeting

2010-05-22T16:18:00.001-07:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

A BIG THANK YOU TO MITCH & LORAINE SIMMONS FOR THE HOSPITALITY AND GREAT FOOD FOR OUR MIXER

IN ATTENDANCE:

JIM ANDERSON, JUDY DICKERSON, SUSAN MITCHELL, ELAINE MOORE AND DENNIS FROM LAST RESORT, RANDY RAND, PATRICK & ANDREA SMITH, DANIELLE ACKERMAN, PAM & GATOR MC RAE

S[ECIAL GUESTS: RALPH RUSSO AND DR FRED HEROZ & JOAN FROM SCORE

DWIGHT & SANDY REDMOND FROM CLUB EPICUREAN

DWIGHT & sANDY PRESENTED THE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY WITH CLUB EPICUREAN, PLEASE USE THE ATTACHED FORM TO EMAIL YOUR DISCOUNT OFFERINGS TO TY MAY 26TH (IF POSSIBLE) IF NOT CALL THEM AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING. IT WAS EVERYONE PRESENTS OPPINION TO RUN SPECIALS MON THRU THURS AND THESE WILL BE GOOD UNTIL NOV. 1ST. THEN THEY WILL PUT THE NEXT MAGAZINE TOGETHER, YOU ARE NOT UNDER CONTRACT DO NOT NEED TO CONTINUE BEYOND THAT TIME IF YOU DON NOT WISH. YOUR ONLY EXPENSE WILL BE WHEN THE CLUB MEMBERS COME TO YOUR BUSINESS & SHOW THEIR MEMBERSHIP CARDS AND GIVE THEM YOUR FREE CRUISE, DRINKS OR ETC.. PLEASE SEND YOUR COPY TO DWIGHT ASAP THANKS

THE FLOOR WAS GIVEN TO SCORE- DR FRED HEROZ & RALP RUSSO

EXPLAINED MORE ABOUT FORMING ASSOCIATION AND NON PROFIT, MEMBERS STILL FEEL IT BEST TO TABLE THIS UNTIL A LATER TIME

IDEA THROWN INTO THE RING BY PAM MAC CRAE TO DO A MORE COMPLETE MAP OF THE OLD HOMOSASSA INCLUDING ALL BUSINESSES AND UP TO 19. WE WILL INCLUDE ALL BUSINESSES AND CALL ON EVERYONE FOR ADVERTISING AROUND THE MAP. BILL DICKERSON WILL DRAW AND ILLUSTRATE THE MAP AND SUMMIT HIS FEE AND JIM ANDERSON WILL GET THE COST TO US FOR PRINTING 5 OR 10,000

WILL SEND OUT COPY FOR APPROVAL AND WHAT IT WILL COST THE OHVA MEMBERS

RANDY RAND WILL CALL ON THE HALLS RIVER SIDE BUSINESSES AND SUSAN MITCHELL WILL CALL ON YULEE BUSINESSES. THIS WILL ENCLUDE THE WILD LIFE PARK ALSO THIS WILL HELP US ALL WHEN WE ARE ASKED FOR MAPS AND DIRECTIONS HOPE TO HAVE THESE AVAILABLE BY JULY

DISTRIBUTION WILL BE AT VISITOR'S BUREAU, CHAMBERS, & OTHER BUSINESSES

THE ARROW SIGN HAS BEEN INSTALLED- HOWEVER WE WILL BE MOVING IT TO THE OTHER BILLBOARD THERE, MITCH IS CHECKING ON GETTING US SOME DECALS OF OUR LOGO AND WE WILL ATTACH ONE TO THE END OF THIS ARROW. BILL DICKERSON SAID IT WOULD LOOK BETTER TO ADD A SNIPE BELOW THIS ARROW WITH LARGER LETTERS OF SHOP & VISIT - LET US KNOW YOUR IDEAS THIS SIGN WAS PAID FOR BY MITCH, JIM, CAPT MIKE AND BILL - THANK YOU GUYS

ELAINE MOORE SHOWED US COPY OF A SIGN TO BE INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED BY THE COUNTY, THIS WAS MADE FREE OF CHARGE BY WATERFRONT FLORIDA

SUGGESTIONS FOR SITE OF INSTALLATION WAS BY TAZ DOGS & SUDS, 2ND CHOICE WAS BRADSHAW & YULEE ELAINE WILL ALSO CHECK TO SEE IF POSSIBLE TO GET ANOTHER SIGN OF THIS SIZE AND COST

THANK YOU ELAINE FOR YOUR HARD WORK

PAM MC RAE BROUGHT UP FACE BOOK PAGE AND I AM HAPPY TO REPORT PATRICK & ANDREA SMITH HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT AND UP AND RUNNING ANY ADDITIONS WANTED PLEASE CONTACT PATRICK & ANDREA

THANK YOU BOTH

JIM ANDERSON WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THE 2ND ANNUAL LEVY DAY EVENT WILL BE JUNE 5TH, EVERYONE PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS A SUCCESS

ALSO IS COBIA WEEKEND LOOKING FORWARD TO BOTH EVENTS

ELAINE MOORE SHOWED US COPY OF THE FREE SIGN

NEXT MEETING HELD AT MUSEUM CAFE, 5:30 PM JUNE 14th MON NIGHT

Advertising opportunity

2010-04-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

I have info on a new advertising opportunity for all of you to consider.
Dwight Redmond from the Villages is introducing a Club Epicurean. He will be selling memberships to people in the Villages to be in Club Epicurean.
Your questions are what can Club Epicurean do for OHVA members:
Maintain 10,000 members all of whom dine out to 7 times per week (with 1 to 3 quests each, the meals total from 60,000 to 280,000 per week.
Help you create and supply exclusive incentives that will bring their club members to your establishment.
Publish your incentives on their web site, and in their quarterly magazine, which will be distributed to all club members and placed in other select locations.
E mail customers additional values.

What do they need from us:
An exclusive incentive for all of their card carrying members
Basic information to be displayed in their quarterly magazine and their customer web site.
Their goal is to increase our business and awareness to Old Homosassa and at the same time give their members real value.

He has proposed giving OHVA a 2 page spread in the magazine, featuring each member with their offer/ coupon, this magazine will run from May to Nov.
At "NO CHARGE" to OHVA MEMBERS make your own offers of discounts on certain days
Suggestions: Dine with us on Mondays and receive a free cocktail or beer. 10 or 20 % off jewelry sales , or $2.00 off Nature Coast Friends of Blues Concert.
If we have enough interest he will come to our meeting on May 10th. Please consider this as a great way to break into the Villages with no up front cost for the advertising with lots to gain.

I am going out on extend invitations to new possible members to meet with our SCORE counselors and get OHVA re-organized.
Look at the BIG picture, what advertising for Old Homosassa will help increase awareness for everyone and bring new customers for the whole area.
We have stumbled a little in our first year of OHVA, but don't give up on us now, we are a work in progress, and baby steps are better than no steps.
Please plan to attend and share on May 10th, Neon Leon's at 5:30 pm
Thanks
Judy Dickerson?Chairperson OHVA

Dinner Invitation

2010-04-23T16:23:00.000-07:00

Lorraine and I would like to invite everyone to an open house at our restaurant on Monday,May 10 at 5 pm....we will be serving a complimentary buffet and drinks will be available.. cash bar...The purpose is to re-establish an advertising co-op of local businesses. Please consider the value and importance this group offers for all of our businesses. Some volunteers from the SCORE program will be here to speak BRIEFLY about supporting us. They are specifically bringing in a gentleman that has experience in helping form groups exactly like ours. They were instrumental in helping form the Inverness Old Town Assoc. which now has over 150 business members. I must say I had very little interest in bothering with these folks until I met them and heard what they have to offer at NO COST to us. How many of you have people lined up at your doors to help you. I can't even get paid employees to help me! They simply want to help us organize and promote a very special place and they have experience doing this, without any agenda or personality conflicts. There are no 16 week classes required to attend. They will make some suggestions and be on their way. If we have future questions they are always available. They are retirees with the time and knowledge and DESIRE to do legwork that we don't have time to do.

Some of us recently spent a great deal of time trying to convince the Homosassa Rotary to hold their annual chili cook-off in Old Homosassa which has potential to draw many. The same Rotary who asks us all to support them financially all year, and whose members own businesses that trade with many of us decided to go to the mall parking lot in Crystal River with their event rather than here on the side of the Homosassa River. This is NOT a petty issue. With a united voice the members of the Old Homosassa Village Association who shared an opinion on this matter decided to send a letter to the Rotary, and rightfully so, letting them know that later on this year when they again need donations they can pass by our businesses and go back up to C.R. for help. I will not mention other names but myself and some others have terminated our relationship with a particular businessman who played a key role in this decision and we will transfer our accounts to a member of our organization. As we identify other businesses involved in the rotary we will consider further boycotts. That is simply how capitalism works.

Old Homosassa has been ignored and passed over because we are out-of sight- and out- of -mind. PLEASE, please, please, consider attending or sending a rep. on your behalf. This group was first organized with this purpose in mind and as we began to explore other potential purposes we got off track a bit and some felt the group may not fit their individual needs. We now have stream-lined the functions of the group and much can be done with e-mails. Together we can accomplish much with a very small amount of time and energy required from any one individual. Mostly we need to be able to "piggy-back" and look real tall when we need to. This meeting should not require more than an hour of your time and you have to eat somewhere. Thank you all in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely

Mitch and Lorraine

On behalf of THE OLD HOMOSASSA VILLAGE ASSOCIATION

April Meeting

2010-04-06T09:17:00.001-07:00

OHVA MEMBERS:
Just a short reminder that our Apr. meeting will be on Apr 15th at 6pm at the Museum Cafe (this is the 3rd Thurs) since I will be in Pa visiting my daughter.

I have extended our invitation to Ralph Russo and Fred Herzog of SCORE to join us in a round table discussion of our marketing of Old Homosassa.

Ralph asked me to have you all bring your concerns, questions and our thinking caps to brainstorm.

Ralph is very much in favor of our developing more awareness for our small community and all we have to offer. He has a great deal of experience in marketing and Fred has worked with many other groups like ours.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this meeting and let's join together in our mission for the good of all of us.
Have a great Easter, looks like spring may really here.

Thanks
Judy Dickerson/Chairperso

March Meeting

2010-03-19T17:04:00.001-07:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

WE HELD OUR DELAYED MARCH MEETING LAST NIGHT .
IN ATTENDANCE WAS: JIM ANDERSON, MITCH SIMMONS, AND JUDY DICKERSON. SORRY YOU ALL COULD NOT MAKE IT WE MISSED YOU

WE DISCUSSED THE PRICE AND AMOUNT FOR THE TRI FOLD AND DECIDED WITH OTHER COMMENTS AND IDEAS, WE WILL CHECK OUT THE PRICE FOR A RACK CARD AND GO WITH A LOWER AMOUNT OF PERHAPS 5000, TO START. JIM WILL CHECK THIS OUT FURTHER AND COME BACK WITH A PRICE FOR THESE.

WE DISCUSSED THE SIGN FOR YULEE DR. BELOW THE WILD LIFE BILLBOARD, JIM AND MITCH DECIDED TO SPLIT THE MONEY FOR THE SIGN BOARD AND HAVE BILL DICKERSON ORDER THAT AND BEGIN THE WORK ON THAT SIGN.

I BROUGHT TO THE MEETING THAT RALPH RUSSON AND FRED HERZOG FROM SCORE WOULD LIKE TO SET IN ON OUR APR MEETING AND HAVE A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION ABOUT OUR OLD HOMOSASSA VILLAGE ASSOC AND GIVE US SOME IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR PROMOTIONS. I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN (TO PATO VISIT DAUGHTER & GRANDSONS) ON THE SECOND THURS. SO I SUGGESTED THAT WE MOVE THE MEETING TO THE 3RD THURS. APR.15TH, THAT SEEMS TO BE A GOOD NIGHT FOR THE SCORE COUNSELORS ALSO. PLEASE RSVP AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR SO WE CAN HAVE A GOOD BRAINSTORMIN' TIME.

MITCH REPORTED ON THE CHILI COOKOFF AND HIS RECENT DISCUSSION WITH GREG OF HOMOSASSA PRINTING. HE WANTED TO ARRANGE A MEETING WITH GAIL OAKES SO WE COULD GET ALL OUR DUCKS IN A ROW AND HAVE SOME FIRMER ANSWERS FOR THE QUESTIONS THE ROTARY HAS COME BACK WITH. I WILL TRY TO SET THAT UP BEFORE I LEAVE FOR PA.

WE DISCUSSED THE APPEARANCE OF THE GREATER LIFE CHURCH SIGN ON THE HALL'S RIVER SIGN AND JIM ANDERSON WILL CALL THE PASTOR AND LET THEM KNOW THIS BOARD IS FOR OHVA MEMBERS AND THEIR SIGN IS OVER THE SIZE WE HAVE DETERMINED THEY SHOULD BE AND WE CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE ADDING ODD SIGNS ALL OVER THE MAIN SIGN.

WHEN I GET BACK FROM PA SUSAN MITCHELL AND I WILL HAVE A SIGN CLEANING DAY, WHERE WE ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND SCRUB ALL THE OTHER MULTI SIGNS AND GIVE THEM AN UPLIFT AND CUT THE BRUSH THAT IS BLOCKING THEM. WE WANT TO GIVE A BETTER APPEARANCE AND REPRESENTATION FOR THE OLD HOMOSASSA BUSINESSES THAT ARE REPRESENTED THERE. ANYONE WANTING TO HELP WITH THIS TASK WE WILL TAKE YOU UP ON THE HELP. WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THIS DATE IS SET.

WE KNOW EVERYONE HAS LIMITED TIME FOR MEETINGS AND OUTSIDE VENTURES, HOWEVER OHVA IS FOR FURTHERING THE EXPOSURE OF OLD HOMOSASSA AND WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US, IF WE CAN ALL TRY TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF OUR TIME AND IDEAS FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE BUSINESS.

THANK YOU
JUDY DICKERSON/CHAIRPERSON

Mar meeting

2010-03-08T16:23:00.001-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

OUR MARCH MEETING IS THURS: MARCH 11TH AT 6PM, MUSEUM CAFE

JIM ANDERSON HAS PROPOSED A PRICE FOR OUR TRI FOLDS FOR 2500 AT $.10 EACH

WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS AND BRING YOUR IDEAS FOR INFO AND LAYOUT TO THIS MEETING.

ANOTHER THOUGHT TO CONSIDER: MY SCORE COUNSELOR (RALPH RUSSO HAS ASKED IF WE WILL BE OPEN TO A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH A GROUP OF SCORE ADVISORS ON OUR MARKETING OF OLD HOMOSASSA, THEY ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF OHVA AND WANT TO HELP US WITH PUBLIC INTEREST STORIES AND OTHER IDEAS.

WE NEED TO BRING TO THE TABLE ANY ADDITIONAL IDEAS TO HELP WITH THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL FOR APR.24TH

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL THERE, IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS MEETING FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ANY IDEAS OR INFO TO MYSELF OR MITCH SIMMONS.

THANKS
JUDY DICKERSON/CHAIR

OHVA MEMEBERS:

2010-03-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

HOW MANY OF YOU CAUGHT MY OOPS YESTERDAY?????

COBIA TOURNAMENT IS JUNE 5TH & 6TH PLEASE MAKE THE CHANGE TO YOUR CALENDERS AND MY APOLOGIES FOR THE OOPS

WHERE THERE ANY OTHER OOPS IN THERE I HOPE NOT.

I GUESS I'M HUMAN AFTER ALL, OH GOODNESS

HAVE A GOOD ONE U ALL

JUDY/OHVA CHAIRWOMAN

update on events

2010-02-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

We are happy to let everyone know we are working on several events for 2010

THE CITRUS CTY BUILDERS WILL BE HOLDING THEIR FISHING TOURNAMENT ON APR 17 & 18TH

NEW THIS YEAR - REMINDER OF THE DRAGON BOAT RACE AND KAYAK FOR APR 24TH, THIS IS CAPT MIKE'S INAUGURAL EVENT AND ANYTHING WE ALL CAN DO TO MAKE IT MORE OF A FESTIVAL PLEASE LET US KNOW

YOUR IDEAS. MORE BOOTH SET UPS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND THE WATER ACTIVITIES ARE ALWAYS GOOD. I AM LOOKING INTO DRAGON NOVELTY SALES. PUT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON SO WE CAN

CHECK WITH CAPT MIKE AND SEE HOW IT IS COMING TOGETHER. LET'S MAKE A GOOD SHOW FOR ALL THE VISITORS COMING IN TO RACE.

ALSO NEW TO THIS AREA : MAY 8TH IS THE KING OF THE WINGS WITH THE CITRUS CTY BUILDERS ASSOC. ANYONE COOKING WINGS LET US KNOW, I HAVE SOME GREAT NEW SPICES CALLED BUCK NAKED FROM THE FL KEYS

WE COULD TRY OUT FOR THIS. I LOVE WINGS (NOT TOO HOT)

JUNE 10 & 11TH WILL BE COBIA TOURNAMENT AND GATOR, PAM, GAIL AND THEIR CREWS DO A SUPER JOB HERE, BUT IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING TO HELP OUT JUST ASK THE OHVA MEMBERS TO SEE

WHAT WE CAN DO

FIREWORKS FESTIVAL ALSO IN JUNE 26TH (I BELIEVE)

WORKING WITH THE ROTARY FOR THE CHILI COOK OFF AND FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL FOR OCT. 9TH & 10TH

GOOD THINGS COMING AND HARD WORK BUT WORTH IT

KEEPING YOU POSTED
JUDY

FEB 11TH, 2010 MEETING

2010-02-17T16:27:00.000-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

THE FEB 11TH, 2010 MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY JUDY DICKERSON.

IN ATTENDANCE WERE: CAPT MIKE MILSAP/SUNSHINE RIVE TOURS, MITCH SIMMONS/NEON LEONS, JIM ANDERSON/MUSEUM CAFE, TERRY JOHNSON/NATURE COAST DRAGON BOAT ASSOC, BILL ANDREWS/HOMOSASSA BLUE PRINT, SHELLY SMITH/ SHELLY'S SEAFOOD, AND JUDY DICKERSON.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS A TREASURER'S REPORT; WE ARE AT $25.00 IN OUR ACCT.

THIS OPENED THE FLOOR ABOUT DISCUSSION ON YEARLY DUES OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT FUNDS. THE MAJORITY FELT WE SHOULD KEEP OUR ASSOCIATION FOR ADVERTISING MEANS ONLY. MEANING WHEN WE DECIDE ON AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN WITH MAJORITY MEMBERS APPROVAL WE WILL DIVIDE THE COST BETWEEN THE MEMBERS EQUALLY.

FROM THERE MITCH PRESENTED SOME DIFFERENT PRINT MEDIA HE HAD LOOKED AT SUCH AS THE HERNANDO TIMES IN THE ENTERTAINING/DINING SECTION VERSUS THE CHRONICLE AND OUR PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN. HE ALSO CHECKED ON THE DAILY SUN FOR LEESBURG AND LADY LAKE AREAS. THESE HAVE SOME MORE REASONABLE RATES THAN THE CHRONICLE.
SHELLY SMITH BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF PERHAPS CONSIDERING DOING A FULL COLOR TRI FOLD BROCHURE, WITH SOME INFO ON BUSINESSES AND MAP FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OTHER AREAS. CAPT MIKE GAVE US SOME INPUT ON WHAT IT TOOK TO PUT HIS TOGETHER AND THE AMOUNT HE PRINTS AND THE COSTS.
WE DECIDED TO HAVE JIM ANDERSON WORK UP SOME PRICES FOR 25,OOO AND IDEAS FOR OUR MARCH MEETING. WE WILL LOOK OVER THE OPTIONS FROM THERE AND EVERYONE AND GET SOME IDEA OF WHAT THEY WOULD WANT INCLUDED FOR THEIR BUSINESS. WE WILL THEN PUT A SAMPLE OF A FRONT PAGE TOGETHER AND HAVE IT FOR APPROVAL VOTES AND WHEN WE COME UP WITH A WORKABLE IDEA AND THE COST FOR PRINTING WE WILL DIVIDE THE COST AMONG THE MEMBERS FOR OUR NEXT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FOR OLD HOMOSASSA. WE WILL CONSIDER HAVING HEADINGS WITH DINING/ENTERTAINMENT,SERVICES AND ETC.
WE WILL KEEP THE OHVA AS AN ADVERTISING ASSOCIATION.

DISCUSSION ON NEW BUSINESS; WE COVERED LUMINARY NIGHTS MAR. 5TH 7 6TH 6 TO 9PM AND WHAT IF ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ADD TO THE EVENINGS
APR. 24TH IS THE FIRST ANNUAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL AND KAYAK RACE. CAPT MIKE FILLED US IN ON WHAT IS SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME AND WE AGREED TO HELP IN ANYWAY WE CAN TO MAKE THIS AN ANNUAL EVENT AND MORE FAMILY FESTIVAL TO ATTRACT MORE. ADVERTISING HAS ALREADY BEGUN AND SIGN UPS ARE STARTED FOR TEAMS. MORE TO FOLLOW. TERRY JOHNSON AND CAPT MIKE GAVE US MORE INFORMATION ON THE ALREADY EXSISTING RACES AND EVENTS.
MITCH COMMENTED ON THE PROGRESS WITH THE ROTARY AND THE CHILI COOK OFF SCHEDULED FOR OCT. WE ARE TRYING TO HAVE THE ROTARY SELECT OUR AREA TO HAVE THIS EVENT. BETWEEN THE CIVIC CENTER, THE HOMOSASSA RESORT FIELD, AND ANY ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES WE CAN INCLUDE.
JUDY DICKERSON UPDATED THE DATE FOR THE CITRUS CITY KING OF THE WINGS, NEW DATE IS MAY 8TH, 2010 TO BE HELD AT THE RIVERSIDE RESORT. CAPT MIKE OFFERED HIS BUS FOR SHUTTLE SERVICES FOR ALL THE THESE EVENTS TO AND FROM OTHER PARKING AREAS.
WE WILL BE LINKING OUR WEB SITE WITH THE NATURE COAST DRAGON BOAT CLUB.ORG AND ALSO ADDING HOMOSASSA BLUEPRINT WITH A LISTING OF SERVICES TO OUR WEB SITE.
WE ADJOURNED THE MEETING WITH LOTS OF HOMEWORK FOR EVERYONE TO WORK ON.
MARCH MEETING WILL BE THURS, MARCH 11, 2010 AT 6PM AT THE MUSEUM CAFE
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE..... IF YOU CAN'T COME PLEASE EMAIL ANY IDEAS OR INFO YOU WANT TO ADD

THANKS
JUDY DICKERSON/CHAIR

OHVA MEMBERS:

2010-02-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder of our Feb meeting, Thurs, Feb 11th at 6pm at the Museum Cafe

One suggestion has come in on yearly dues:
That they be $120.00 a yr. but be paid by quarters. That would be $30.00 for each quarter
This will be to continue our advertising as OHVA
Mitch Simmons & myself had a meeting with Gail Oakes and Carrie Lawson and Fred Clark from the Homosassa Rotary to discuss the possibility of hosting their annual Chili Cookoff here on our side of the river. Getting everyone involved and making it more of a Family Festival in Oct. We gave him proposals for how the OHVA members would be able to make it a festival where we all have something to offer for their success. Proposed dates are Oct 9th & 10th, 2010. We hope to keep it here in Old Homosassa and expand on the activities offered. More info will follow as we proceed
Hope to see you all at the Feb meeting and if you can't make it email us your ideas and votes on issues.
Thanks
Judy Dickerson/Chairwoman

2010

2010-01-07T18:24:00.001-08:00

OHVA Members:
Happy New Year
Hope all are staying warm in this new year
Just a short reminder our first meeting this year is Thurs, Jan 14th at 6pm at the Museum Cafe
Look forward to seeing everyone and you all should bring your ideas for advertising and promotion for the new year.
We can make decisions are our undertakings.
Let me know if you have something special you want added on the meeting agenda or guests
Thank you
Judy Dickerson/Chairwoman

OHVA MEMBERS:

2009-12-21T15:27:00.001-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

A busy couple weeks coming up, so I wanted to be sure to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Let's join together and make this New Year a prosperous one for all & OHVA members & Old Homosassa

From the responses and also lack of responses I guess the 501C3 will go to the way side for now.
We want to introduce a new mission statement and have a membership drive, come to a agreement on yearly dues and what event or mission we will work towards as a powerful unit. I am looking forward to 2010 and our united efforts.
So have a Merry Christmas
Eat & drink, party hardy and enjoy family times
Judy Dickerson/Chairwoman

mins. Dec 10, 2009

2009-12-13T17:26:00.001-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS:

Our Dec. meeting was called to order by Chairwoman, Judy Dickerson
In attendance were members: Jim Anderson- Museum Cafe, Capt Mike Milsap-Sunshine River Tours with guest Terry Johnson-Dragon Boat Races, Don & Karen Franklin- Fl. River Tours, Susan Mitchell-Nature Coast Friends of Blues, Louise Whitney-Glass Garage, Mitch Simmons-Neon Leon's, and guests Diane Toto-Civic Club and John Clardy, P.A. from Crystal River.
Skipped over the treasurer's report to John Clardy, P.A. to fill us in on info for the 501c3. Diane Toto was also informative with this info and felt it was a lot of work and accounting follows with this status. After a lengthy discussion, John Clardy will further look into this for us and felt non-profit was how we should be consider. We are advertising and bringing more awareness to Old Homosassa as a destination. That is how our ads have been titled with our businesses being part of the places to discover and enjoy. We read over a sample mission statement for review, consensus was it was too lengthy?
I am throwing this out to all members: What is your vote on this issue? The filing of the not for profit. Our marketing of Old Homosassa is for the awareness of the community and what we have to offer. So email your vote.
We will need officers, board of directors, and by laws.

As Diane Toto filled us in on the Civic Club's agenda. We agreed to maintain the OHVA separate and offer our help to the Civic Club on different venues. Keeping our focus on the marketing of Old Homosassa as a destination.

Capt Mike introduced Terry Johnson and showed a part of the video on the Dragon race events. He gave us info onthe forming of a crew to man the Dragon boat (need 22 for each crew). It is $10 to sign up and $1 for each practice. This goes to maintaining the boat.
Where else can you go out on the river for 2 hrs and get exercise for that price? Get more members so we can form crews and put together a race event here in 2010. Nationals are in Tampa in 2011. This is a World Wide Event.
For more info contact Capt Mike at 628-3450 or myself at 503-6317.
We still need more crew members for the Christmas Boat parade, as we will be entering in the parade Dec. 19th, and help decorating.
Lend a hand or an oar or both.
Motion was made by Jim Anderson to donate $100 to the Civic Club for sponsorship of the Christmas Parade. OHVA will be listed as a sponsor (community businesses). Motion was second by Karen Johnsonand carried by majority vote. Thank you

Mitch Simmon's gave us a short accounting of our funds left over from the advertising dollars on our campaign.
We have pretty much agreed we need to have a membership drive in 2010. We will discuss membership dues (some suggestions were)
$120 per year, $10 a month, where else can you get the joint advertising we do for that price?? Please give some thought to what you what included in our mission statement and invite others to join in our efforts. We all benefit by creating new awareness to our community. Mitch will do some looking at other advertising avenues such as the Tampa Tribune and others for OHVA.
Our red arrow is now in place on the Chamber sign on 19 with our logo (across from the Sun Trust Bank) Check it out
We will now focus on one for corner of Yulee (across from Burger King)
OHVA has operated 6 months as we are and achieved great things- local maps for visitors, web site, advertising campaigns, membership in the Chamber. Thanks Jim for the bigger map and the printing will now be on a 8 1/2 by 14 sheet.
I believe we can keep growing and turn our map into a great brochure/advertising tool to benefit everyone. It will take more members and more workers to achieve these goals in 2010.
Diane Toto also gave us some info on the restoration of Blue Bird Springs as a swimming area. They are still in needof funds to finish this project. OHVA members should keep this in mind. This would be great to have operational for residents and visitors.
We received our first fan mail and was read for everyone. Good to know we are being recognized in our community.
Alicia Lowe brought up the subject of our local post office and its need for our support as businesses. Our post office is very valuable to our community and we would be lost without it. Please stop in and talk with Debbie and see what we can do to support her and keep our post office open.
Meeting was adjourned Jan meeting is January 14th 6pm Museum Cafe

Give some thought to this:
Inverness has Cooter Festival, Races, Dog Show Parades etc.
Crystal has Heritage Days, Market Days Manatee Festival, Stone Crab Jam
Floral City has Heritage Days and Festival, walking tours of Historical Homes
Dunnellon has Heritage Days, Boomtown Days and Market Sats.
Old Homosassa Seafood Festival, Raft race, Christmas Parade, 4th of July Festival, and Cobia Tournament
WHY can't we fill in with more new events Scallop Festival, Fall Festival, Dragon Boat Races, Jr Fishing Tournaments with the Elementary School and fishing guides
I believe we can work together as a powerful group and select 2 new projects for 2010
Let's Make It Happen It takes good men to make a great 2010
Thanks
Merry Christmas & Happy NewYear
Judy Dickerson/Chairwoman

DRAGON RACES

2009-12-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS

CAPT MIKE HAS CALLED A MEETING TOMORROW ABOUT SIGNING UP FOR DRAGON BOAT CREWS.
MEETING AT HIS SHOP LOCATION ON CHEROKEE WAY, 3PM
SIGN UP ,SEE VIDEO ABOUT RACES, AND HELP US ORGANIZE A HOMOSASSA CREW FOR THIS ORGANIZATION AND UPCOMING RACES.
OUR HOPES ARE TO ORGANIZE AN EVENT HERE IN HOMOSASSA FOR 2010.
THERE IS ALREADY MANY EXSISTING CREWS FROM ORLANDO, TAMPA, AND MORE.
IT IS A NEW IDEA AND A GREAT ONE FOR A NEW EVENT FOR OHVA AND HOMOSASSA TO HOST.
TURN OUT TO SEE WHAT ALL THE EXCITEMENT IS ABOUT AND JOIN IN THE FUN.
THANKS
JUDY

Happy Holidays

2009-11-28T17:56:00.000-08:00

From all of us members of the "Old Homosassa Village Association" want to wish one and all.

Help!!

2009-11-25T16:18:00.001-08:00

Help: Boat parade, we have an offer of 2 boats to decorate, 1 from Gail and 1 from Don

We need ideas of decorating and helping hands from our members to put something together, PLEASE, give either ideas or hands so we can be a part of this years parade. I know most of us have our own boats, but surely we can pull this together
Mitch has offered some hands for decorating and will check on a generator. Will need a driver and members to ride
Let me know
Thanks
Judy

2009-11-25T16:17:00.000-08:00

OHVA Members:
Susan Mitchell just called me with some great news!!
She has arranged for attorney John Clardy to join us at our Dec. 10th meeting. He help Nature CoastFriends of the Blues with their non-profit filing and has agreed to help us. We will need to set up by laws and etc. Susan will bring her copy of the Nature Coast Friends of the Blues for a guideline.
We are making great progress.
Capt. Mike has suggested we have a membership drive in Jan. Perhaps set up like a mixer for this and tell the new prospects where we have come from and our future plans. Sounds like a great way to start 2010!!
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. If not possible to attend email me your ideas and recommendations and we will share them at the meeting.
Remember: "If it weren't for the last minute, a lot of things would never get done"- Michael S. Trayer
Thanks Happy Thanksgiving to everyone
Judy Dickerson/ OHVA Chairwoman

Nov. 12th mins. & news

2009-11-19T16:58:00.000-08:00

OHVA MEMBERS:
So sorry many of you were unable to make last night's ribbon cutting photo. We were able to have our photo with Jim Anderson, Mitch Simmons, Don Franklin, Capt. Mike, and myself. Along with Chamber Ambassadors. Then we headed to the Riverside Resort for the Chamber mixer put on by FDS Disposal. It was grand, good time to mix and I left some of our Old Homosassa Village Assoc. maps to share. Talked toFred Clark from the Homosassa Rotary Club and he will be inviting us to a meeting to let them know how we can accomandate the Chili Cookoff next yr.

Sorry so many of you missed our last meeting Nov. 12th. Mins are as follows:
Meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Judy Dickerson. Treasurer, Mitch Simmons gave his report and updates on our available monies. Our advertising campaign with the Chronicle (13 weeks) has ended and we had Bernadette Carithers was in attendance from the Coastal Angler. We all were able to look at her Nov. issue, where she has articles on the Old Homosassa Smokehouse and Riverworks Studio. We did remind her when she is writing about our members to also put member of OHVA. I see looking thru this issue that Shelly Smith from Shelly's Seafood also has an article in "A Day in the Life of a Stone Crabber". Great work Shelly!
We held a vote on doing an ad in the Dec. issue for $175.00. I might ad the Bernadette was here yesterday with a ad she put together, it looks good, our logo with the water featured pictures from our web site. Also in the Dec. issue she will be writing a feature on Dickerson's Riverside Galleries and she will be adding the OHVA membership. It was agreed upon that she would see what kind of rate we can get for a 1/4 page ad on a regular bases. Members agreed that keeping our names out there was the right way to get more awareness for Old Homosassa. We can choose to put these ads in different regions, reaching different guests and visitors to Old Homosassa. Capt. Mike added that rates in the St Pete Times were pretty reasonable also. These are things to be considered at future meetings.
Elaine Moore gave her report on her research on obtaining non-profit status and the different descriptions of regristration and were we fall. After much discussion, it was decided to check with Susan Mitchell and have her fill us in on her procedures with the Nature Coast Friends of the Blues. Susan came to the mixer last night and she will check with the attorney they used and bring updates to the Dec. meeting on this subject. Elaine also gave information on redefining the Waterfront Fl. council. We also discussed checking with the Civic Club, Diane Toto and the River Alliance and get a clearer picture of our mission for Old Homosassa. I have since thought more on this and perhaps we should steer our fund raisers towards restoring Old Homosassa's image. We are all for Old Homosassa, right and perhaps we can help the businesses that are in historical bldgs. to restore, or take on refurbishing other homes that can use this help.   I'm sure that all goes with the maintaining the Old Homosassa we all love and work in. More discussion in Dec.
Elaine also brought up our logo again. It has been decided that this logo is one that will maintain for recognition factors and the ads or info around it will be for the marketing and bringing visitors to Old Homosassa and the web site.
We all look at a sketch Bill Dickerson has made to be the subject of Capt. Mike's bus (new look) It will be a work in progress for the next few weeks. Then Capt. Mike will park it at Taz's Dogs & Scoops in his off season for an advertising tool to direct people down towards the river. Thanks Mike!!
Bill is still working on our arrows for the 19 sign and the Yulee Dr directing to Old Homosassa (should be up in a week or so).
Mitch brought up that his Dad will do some promoting for us in the Villages and neighboring communities. Thanks to Mr. Simmons.
We discussed with Jim Anderson the new maps. We have decided to try it on a larger scale and do a tri fold, so it can be displayed in brochure holders. I have started a new rack for brochures in our shop, just for members, please bring me cards and brochures to add to it. We will be dropping the coupon from the maps, as no one felt it was a benefit at this time.
Judy Dickerson brought to vote about a Christmas lighting contest among the members. We felt it would be an added attraction to the Wildlife Parks Lights and the boat parade. We decided to have the voting on line. I checked with Ron Bujok and he will set the web site up for votes. I hope we can have some voting stations set up in some businesses, like at Neon Leon's, Riverside Resort and others. Please let me know if you will be able to set these up in your business so we can advertise these voting sights. Good Luck on your lighting projects. People love to drive by lighted communities and it is time we join in on this vehicle of awareness.
The Christmas parade has been changed to Dec. 19th, because of the Rock Crusher Concert being on the 12th. We had some discussion about a decorated boat for OHVA. Don Franklin or Gail Oakes will donate a boat for us to decorate if we can get the help to do this project. Please let me know. This is the 25th year and it would be GREAT to be able to do this also.
I just had the opportunity to talk with Douglas Lobel from Inverness Old Town and he would be willing to come to a meeting and give us some pointers on our Association. I love their map and hope we can achieve something like this in the future. He did tell me when he joined the Olde Town Assn. there was only 22 members and they are now over 100. We may not achieve 100 but we can grow.
We did discuss also that in the past there has been some bad feelings between Chamber, Chronicle or the other side of the River even. Let's all decide to wipe all the old slates clean and use our OHVA as the instrument to begin anew. So we can all benefit and make our Old Homosassa flourish again.
Meeting was adjourned:    Next month plan to attend, keep the ball rolling Thurs. Dec. 10, 6pm at the Museum Cafe
Thank you
Judy Dickerson/Chairwoman

Good news!!!

2009-10-30T18:12:00.001-07:00

OHVA Members:
Good news!!! Meridith Linley called from the Chamber and we have a date for the ribbon cutting photo
Wed. Nov 18th at 4:30, location is the SugarMill Ruins. Please mark your calendars and let's have a good turn out for this photo opp.
I have been on the phone with Kathy Turner Thompson at the Courthouse about non-profit status. She was happy with some of the ideas we have on our agenda and will go to the Historical Society to see if we can achieve a different status with them that won't cost as much as having a 5013C filed. We will check it out.
Don't forget to work on your brochures for Nov. 7th and drop them off here.
Hope everyone has their 4 things to bring to the meeting (what you want OHVA to work on) Nov. 12th, 6pm-Museum Cafe.
We will be hosting Citrus Cty Builders King of the Wings here in Feb
Think about another brain storm I had- Why don't we have a Christmas Light Decorating Contest. Let the public vote on their best of choice -etc. We could tie this all in with the boat parade and the Festival of Lights at the Wildlife Park.
I use to take tour buses to Olgeby, WV. just to view the lights, they started small and it grew like wildfire. I think it could be a possible yearly event. Bring your comments to the next meeting we would need to get it planned then.
Keep going, we are making progress!!
Thanks
Judy

November 7th

2009-10-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

OHVA Members:
Don & Karen Franklin/Fl. River Tours will be manning 2 booths at the Crystal River Mall on Nov. 7th for Veterans Week.
I have ordered a banner for 1 booth for Old Homosassa Village Assc.
Don & Karen will man the booth and hand out literature and brochures for members. All you need to do is drop off your brochures and materials at Riverside Gallery and Don can pick them up here.
I will have OHVA maps run off for the booth.
Please have your materials dropped off in time for me to get them to Don.
This is another good opportunity for awareness for all of us.
Thank you
Judy Dickerson

Quick update

2009-09-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

OHVA members:

    Well, Sat the 19th is almost here!!! Hope everyone has decided on a special or just a sign/ or balloons to add to Ebony's birthday celebration.
I know Scott at Taz Dogs & Scoops wants to offer $1.00 off banana splits during the day, Riverside Gallery will be offering discounts on Monkey shirts and merchandise along with balloons and banners for birthday wishes if nothing else just put Happy Birthday on your signs or a balloon to show our support.
    My hopes for OHVA was to be supportive of our fellow member's event (Homosassa Riverside Resort/Gail Oakes) and make it a day of celebration all the way to the Resort. Gail did invite me to sit in on the interview with the Chronicle and we hoped OHVA would be mention as a sponsor and get some press but it didn't work that way. We all know we are at the mercy of the reporters and what they deem as news. We can only keep trying. I hope you all know this is a mission for us all to help with and I am sticking to getting us out there.
    I hope we all bear in mind that we are not in competition with other members, we are a group to collectively support each other in our desire to draw more guests and business to Old Homosassa. So we all share in the piece of the pie so to speak with the awareness these events bring for all of us and our continued success.
    I talked to Marla Chancy today about events that OHVA can work on for next year and asked for her guidance, ideas and support. It will take work and cooperation from us all.
Thanks for all the help, support and great ideas.
Judy D

Sept. 10th minutes.

2009-09-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

    Our monthly meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Judy Dickerson. Members present were: Mitch Simmons, Capt. Mike, Susan Mitchell, Alicia Lowe, Jim Anderson, Pam MacRae, Linda Strong and Judy Dickerson.
    First item covered was our last Sat. event and it was very poor. Motion was made to cancel special event Sat. and just do our maps with coupons and feature special events at different times of the year.
    Jim Anderson has shown us where he has some requests for our maps in newsletters for Forest View (by Ozello) and the Sugar Mill Women Aux. This is an additional 400 maps for later this month. We have approved some help for Jim to cover printing costs for this
    Pam MacRae had some new suggestions to improve our coupon, Linda Strong will put those into effect.
    Alicia Lowe brought up the discounts or specials, it was decided to leave this to leave this to each member as to what they want to do. Judy would like to suggest we try to get emails on these coupons as they redeem them so we can develop a mailing list for future events.
    We gave the floor to Mike Provost and his golf cart issue. He updated us on his efforts. He has been to see Sheriff Dawsey and other commissioners. Suggestions to him were to seek out some points with the DOT. Perhaps to approach the issue for all walkers and bicyclists. We will support him as a group of businesses and concerned persons but feel he has more work to be ready for the presentation of his offer.
    Capt. Mike requested payment for Ron Bujok (web planner) for $38.50 which will pay us for 1 yr. Some have not seen the web page. We would like an updated photo of Monkey Island. Any additional suggestions on the write up will be appriciated, please email them to Judy.
    Alicia Lowe brought a different idea for OHVA members signage. Jim Anderson has only signs ordered at this time. He is trying to see if we can still get the lower price for at least 10. We want something that is uniform for all members with our logo and not a big price. We may need to check out other options. Any suggestions.
    Mitch Simmons is manning a booth at Cooter Fest. He will have a banner for OHVA and maps to hand out for more exposure for us.
    Judy Dickerson had information on a Wine Auction put on Sept. 19th by the Citrus Continuity Council. We have been asked to present a gift basket with something from each of us to make a "Day in Old Homosassa". Judy has put together a trip guide from each of us and will put the items together in a gift basket. Please let her know what you have to add to this, some have already given cruises and dinner coupons. She will need these by Tuesday so she can have this ready to go. Great advertising for us all.
    Judy also reported on a recent meeting she attended with the CCBA about their "King of Wings" event for 2010. She is trying to have them hold this event in Old Homosassa at the Riverside Resort and MacRae's. Pam and Gator will be under construction and are still not sure if they will be able to co-host this event. Jim Anderson's field was also offered as an option. Parking at the school was discussed with Pam Macrae and she was not sure the insurance issue would permit. This is a great way to show our combined strength as OHVA working together for everyone's good. Judy attended antother meeting with Gail Oakes, Carrie Lawson and CCBA members to look over the proposed sites and options. It is on the table. Dates would be Feb. 6th to 20th, 2010. Some suggestions were made to seek more involvement in the Civic Club and see if we can pull together for the good of all in the community.
    Sad news was given that we were loosing Mary Haufler of Hair by Mare. We are saddened with this news Mary. We hope you stay close. You are in our prayers and hearts.
    We discussed what we can do to celebrate Ebony's 18th birthday. Ebony is a native born on Monkey Island and Judy asked all members to help recognize this celebration with balloons, banners or specials. Scott from Taz Dogs and Scoops will give $1.00 off banana splits, Riverside Gallery will have monky merchandise on sale and monkey bread. Mitch Simmons will include the celebration in our weekly ad to bring more intrest. Alicia Lowe will give free pontoon boat rides around Monkey Island from 12 to 4pm (tip for Capt. is appreciated but no bananas please).
    Mitch would appreciate any ideas you all may have on our ads, contact him at msls1fan@yahoo.com.
    Let me ask all of you a question.. What do you want OHVA to do for you?? As we continue on our search for more members and events for our area. Let's ask ourselves this question and bring our answers to the next meeting on Oct. 8th at 6pm.

"One secret in life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks" .. Jack Penn

Meeting

2009-09-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

OHVA
Just a reminder that our next scheduled meeting is Thursday Sept. 10th at 6PM at the Museum Cafe.
I hope you all had a successful Labor Day weekend.
We need to bring some ideas for next month's map and etc.
One thing I have been asked to bring to you all. We have been asked to put together a basket of coupons/discounts for a day in Old Homosassa. This will be an item offered in a silent auction on Sept. 19th. I will have more information with on Thursday. So put your ideas together, I have a planned itinerary for you to look at what to include in the basket. We also need more thoughts on Ebon'y 18th birthday for Sept. 19th. of course we're all thinking about the Raft Race this Saturday.

See you all on Thursday, bring new members.

Thanks
Judy

New Maps

2009-09-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

OHVA Members:

I have just recieved the newest maps with the coupon for tomarrow (Sept. 5th).

You may pick up your copy at my shop or at the Museum Cafe. We are in a strange situation as the Beacon article said today we woud still have the scavenger hunt, so I propose we still copy and use some of the previous maps with the scavenger questions for our quests. If you want to wait on the coupon ones, you can hold those till next month.

They do have our new members on them and the Monkey Island landmark. I am going to have both printed up here for the weekend. If you are a member with a busy Labor Day weekend and the coupon will cause a rough time with servers etc. You may choose to hold off on it. That decision is up to you all.

Good Luck and lets have a BUSY weekend for all.

Judy

A reason to Celebrate

2009-08-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

OHVA members:

I can't wait to share a reason to celebrate:

Gail Oakes has just shared with me a terrific idea, an opportunity for OHVA members to share in hosting "Ebony's" the resident monkey on Monkey Island, 18th birthday celebration.
The celebration is set for Sat, Sept 19th from 2 to 4pm. She will be offering monkey brownies and punch at the resort and a contest to bring in photos of Monkey Island and Ebony, winners will be announced at our Sat Market Day Nov. 7th.
Perfect time for us to pull together as an association and make this special for all of Old Homosassa. We all use Monkey Island as a landmark. Guests can come make a day of it have lunch, shop and explore all day, we have a lot to offer.

This will be a great time for us to use our new A frame signs to give birthday greetings to Ebony on her 18th. Also let us put our minds together and come up with specials we can offer in our businesses. I have Monkey merchandise I will feature, someone might want to offer banana floats or monkey bread etc. I know you will come up with great ways to make this a fun day to host for OHVA.
Gail will put out a press release that we are hosting this celebration along with the Resort. We have enough time to really show our OHVA ingenuity.
Please let me know your thoughts and creative ideas to add further to the celebration!!!
Thanks
Judy

2009-08-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

Our group is dedicated to welcoming everyone to enjoy our hospitality here in Old Homosassa, Florida. We are a unique Florida Fishing village about 2 hours west of Orlando in the heart of the Nature Coast. We offer many fine restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood, gumbo, cuban sandwiches and all in between.
We surprise our first time visitors with our fine offerings of local artists from hand thrown pottery, metal works, nautical decor and more. Fishing is big here ranging from Cobia, Trout, Redfish and more. Old Homosassa is home to many of the most experienced fishing guides in all of Florida. You can buy fresh seafood direct from the fleets of shrimpers, fishermen & crabbers. Just want to tour the river? We just happen to offer narrated tours, or you may wish to take a ride on an airboat, on a manatee tour & swim, dinner and a cruise or a scallop tour.
Fall in love with Old Homosassa while you're here.
Specialty events offered here in Old Homosassa range with the biggest yearly Homosassa Seafood Festival, attracts over 60,000 people of the second weekend in Nov. River Raft Race in Sept for family fun, Cobia Tournament in June, Fireworks Festival or our Christmas Boat parade are all enjoyed by all. We have a Bed & Breakfast by the water, great resort accomadations and cabin rentals. You may wish to rough it in our RV campgrounds.
Just a short drive up Fish Bowl Drive you'll find the Homosassa Wildlife State Park, rated the best or near the best in Florida for many years. Offerings to help with your visit to our area are scooter rentals, bicycles and soon golf carts.
We have the Welcome mat out for you.