CAN-AM DAY
Saturday, March 1 was Can-Am days here at Forest Lakes. It is a celebration of patriotism and the close ties between the US and Canada. Everyone wore patriotic clothing for the day. There were shuffle and horseshoe contests, games, food and music provided by "Dinky".
The national anthems of both nations were sung, followed by dancing 
and merriment.
and merriment.STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Sunday, March 2 Bill & Jane traveled to Plant City with Ray and Ernie to visit the Strawberry Festival. 
Plant City was found to have a perfect climate for the cultivation of strawberries and it has developed into the leading production spot for the red fruit in the country. 15 % of all strawberries in the US are grown in Plant City, so they launched a 10 day festival to celebrate harvest time. Jane and Bill expected something on the order of a Fireman's Field Day, but instead found the Strawberry Festival nearly as large as the Florida State Fair. There were vendors selling all types of merchandise, midway rides, expos, contests and row after row of delicious foods, and of course strawberries served in dozens of ways. The entertainment provided is actually better than the NYS Fair. That night Alan Jackson 
Plant City was found to have a perfect climate for the cultivation of strawberries and it has developed into the leading production spot for the red fruit in the country. 15 % of all strawberries in the US are grown in Plant City, so they launched a 10 day festival to celebrate harvest time. Jane and Bill expected something on the order of a Fireman's Field Day, but instead found the Strawberry Festival nearly as large as the Florida State Fair. There were vendors selling all types of merchandise, midway rides, expos, contests and row after row of delicious foods, and of course strawberries served in dozens of ways. The entertainment provided is actually better than the NYS Fair. That night Alan Jackson 
performed before a sold-out crowd of about 12,000 country fans. 
He sang "Gone Country", "Don't Rock The Jukebox", "Amarillo", "A Woman's Love", "Chattahoochee", "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" and "A Love Like That" to name just a few of the hits he performed. It was an awesome concert, and made you feel good about being an American. The Strawberry Festival should be on everyone's "bucket list" when visiting central Florida in March.
He sang "Gone Country", "Don't Rock The Jukebox", "Amarillo", "A Woman's Love", "Chattahoochee", "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning" and "A Love Like That" to name just a few of the hits he performed. It was an awesome concert, and made you feel good about being an American. The Strawberry Festival should be on everyone's "bucket list" when visiting central Florida in March. THE BUCKET LIST
Bill and Jane went to the movies in Zephyrhills to see the movie, "The Bucket List". It is a movie that everyone should see and start themselves a bucket list. The movie theatres have large rocking type chairs with at least 2-3 feet of leg room. Very comfortable.
THE MOOSE LODGE
John & Carol Schiltz of Strykersville, NY arrived at Forest Lakes Estates during the Can-Am Festival. They have camped here on and off for the last ten years. They invited Bill & Jane to the Zephyrhills Moose Lodge for dinner on Italian Night. 
The Moose Lodge is quite large, with a smoking and non-smoking section and two full bars. The food there is awesome and the drinks are about half-price. The two couples went there again on Friday for the fish, and after several drinks Bill was approached to join the Moose Lodge. Suffice it to say Bill & Janes are now moose and moosette.
The Moose Lodge is quite large, with a smoking and non-smoking section and two full bars. The food there is awesome and the drinks are about half-price. The two couples went there again on Friday for the fish, and after several drinks Bill was approached to join the Moose Lodge. Suffice it to say Bill & Janes are now moose and moosette. TARPON SPRINGS
Bill & Jane invited John & Carol to a day in Tarpon Springs, Fla. to do some sight seeing. 
Tarpon Springs is located right on the Gulf of Mexico about 35 miles north of Tampa. Back around 1870 the locals discovered that the seafloor around Tarpon Springs was covered with sponge. They began to harvest the sponge utilizing two-man rowboats and long hooks but this proved very inefficient. The town fathers reached out to the country of Greece which at the time was the center of the sponge industry in the Mediterranean. The result was a massive influx of Greek immigrants to Tarpon Springs which rapidly grew into the "Sponge Capital of the World". A large fleet of sponge harvesting ships sailed out the harbor and fortunes were made. Due to the development of artificial sponges and diseases among the natural sponge population, the industry died off in the middle of the 20th century, but Tarpon Springs remains the largest concentration of Greek Orthodox culture in the United States. The area around the old sponge docks is punctuated with Greek restaurants and nightspots, sponge shops 
and tourist attractions. 
There is a Greek Orthodox Cathedral which is the largest in the world outside of Europe. A good time was had by all that day. 
On the way home the foursome stopped at their favorite Mexican restaurant in Wesley Chapel for a spicy supper.
Tarpon Springs is located right on the Gulf of Mexico about 35 miles north of Tampa. Back around 1870 the locals discovered that the seafloor around Tarpon Springs was covered with sponge. They began to harvest the sponge utilizing two-man rowboats and long hooks but this proved very inefficient. The town fathers reached out to the country of Greece which at the time was the center of the sponge industry in the Mediterranean. The result was a massive influx of Greek immigrants to Tarpon Springs which rapidly grew into the "Sponge Capital of the World". A large fleet of sponge harvesting ships sailed out the harbor and fortunes were made. Due to the development of artificial sponges and diseases among the natural sponge population, the industry died off in the middle of the 20th century, but Tarpon Springs remains the largest concentration of Greek Orthodox culture in the United States. The area around the old sponge docks is punctuated with Greek restaurants and nightspots, sponge shops 
and tourist attractions. 
There is a Greek Orthodox Cathedral which is the largest in the world outside of Europe. A good time was had by all that day. 
On the way home the foursome stopped at their favorite Mexican restaurant in Wesley Chapel for a spicy supper.
SPACE SHUTTLE
Tuesday morning, March 12th at 2:20 AM Bill and Jane got up to see the space shuttle launch. They joined several other sleepy spacenuts wanting to see a night launch. Unfortunately it was too cloudy to be seen from the RV resort. Our friends Ray and Ernie went to Titusville to see it. They said it lit up the night sky as if it were daytime and the launch felt like an earthquake under thier feet. There is always next time.
BUSCH GARDENS
On March 13, Bill & Jane journeyed to Busch Gardens in Tampa to cash in the Christmas present tickets from Greg. They converted the tickets into season passes and are glad they did. Busch Gardens is a beautiful theme park with huge roller coaster rides, entertainment and shows at numerous venues in the park, incredible wildlife and breathtaking floral and plant scenes. They watched two shows that day - "Men of Note" featuring Mike Buck as tenor lead,
and
BUSCH GARDENS
On March 13, Bill & Jane journeyed to Busch Gardens in Tampa to cash in the Christmas present tickets from Greg. They converted the tickets into season passes and are glad they did. Busch Gardens is a beautiful theme park with huge roller coaster rides, entertainment and shows at numerous venues in the park, incredible wildlife and breathtaking floral and plant scenes. They watched two shows that day - "Men of Note" featuring Mike Buck as tenor lead,
and "Katonga" which was like a short Broadway show with singing, dancing and colorful costumes in nature themes. 
The animal life is nothing short of awesome. Alligators, 
Yes, it's alive!
rhinos, elephants, monkeys, zebras, figalopes, giraffes, wildabeasts, gorillas and dozens of species of birds all in their natural habitat are there to be viewed and admired. 
Miami Vice
The continent of Africa is the theme of this Busch Gardens and it surely seems like you are there when traversing the park. 
Bill asked for a tour of the brewery only to find out it had been torn down in 1995. However, they do have free beer samples (two a day) as well as beer tasting classes and Budweiser paraphernalia all over. It will take many more trips to Busch Gardens to see and experience all it has to offer.
RED HAT LADIES
On Tuesday March 11th, Jane went with several of her new friends to another Red Hat Luncheon. This time it was at a Country Club in Wesley Chapel. Within this Country Club are "mansions" where many famous people live, including Gen. Norman Schwartzkoff, John Madden, and golf and tennis pro's. The restaurant had all marbled floors, chandeliers, etc. It was a fun day.
On Tuesday March 11th, Jane went with several of her new friends to another Red Hat Luncheon. This time it was at a Country Club in Wesley Chapel. Within this Country Club are "mansions" where many famous people live, including Gen. Norman Schwartzkoff, John Madden, and golf and tennis pro's. The restaurant had all marbled floors, chandeliers, etc. It was a fun day.
Sybil, Jane, Roberta, Carla
NEW YORK YANKEES vs. DETROIT TIGERS
Bill & Jane got to see a spring training baseball game on Saturday March 16 at the Tigers spring training facility in Lakeland, Fla. They went with Ray & Ernie and several of their friends from Michigan. The Yankess came with a split squad as half of the team stayed in Tampa to play the Devil Rays. Joba Chamberlain was the starting pitcher and threw 98 mph fastballs, Jonny Damon played left field,
Jonny Damon looses up in left field
Robinson Cano played second, Melky Cabrera played right, and Jose Molina was the catcher. Ross Ohlendorf came in for middle relief. The rest of the Yankee players were minor leaguers. The Yanks batted around in the first inning and won the slugfest 11-7. It was a scorcher in the sun but a great game to watch, the attendance of 9660 was a new record for the stadium.
Melky Cabrera takes a cut
Joba Chamberlain looks in for the stretch
Yankees infield is ready
MEDICAL UPDATE
Jane had a slight accident slipping down the steps of the RV and turning her ankle. X-rays were negative for any breaks but the swelling, pain and bruising indicate a bad sprain. Bill continues physical therapy for his shoulder surgery and it continues to improve in flexibility and strength. Golf and softball are still a long way off.
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