PAGE 2 - September 7, 2011
The Newscaster - Nature Coast News
A Healing Memorial Garden
Pet Patrol
Special to The Newscaster by Conny Pickett
Almost everyone can relate to the loss of a pet. Sometimes our pets have jobs: like
the farm dog that protects the hen house or the barn cat that catches mice and other times
they are little more than a houseplant with an attitude or couch potatoes, lap cat/dog, but of-
ten they are surrogate children. It is the latter category that my husband and I recently lost
and it was (and still is devastating). Senor Guapo (Mr. Handsome) was a magnificent, solid
black cat that sat at the end of the sidewalk at dusk and watched the comings and goings of
the neighborhood. That is where we buried him. For some reason I had laying around my
property the top of a broken tile mosaic bench. I decided to put that over the top of the grave
so no animals would dig him up.
The next morning as I looked out the window to that sad, lonely spot I had an
epiphany. Why not plant a memorial garden? We ran down to the local hardware store and
bought some quickcrete and some 4 x 4s to build an arch. Now I don’t want you give you
the impression that my yard is full of junk but I just happened to have some panels of lattice
work left over from another project. It would also be wrong for me to give you the impres-
Corky is a 5 year old Chihuahua that is
sion that the construction of the arch was a breeze so I will simply gloss over that part and
looking for a new home. Corky is a little
tell you what I planted.
shy and he was kept outside so it will take
In front of the arch on each side to “anchor” the entryway I planted Coontie, a
him a little time to get use to a new home.
native plant. If you are not familiar with Coontie they are Cycads and resemble large pre-
Corky is not fond of cats so it is probably
historic looking ferns or the top of a palm tree. They have dark waxy green fronds and are
best for him to be in a cat free home. He is
cold hardy; they develop beautiful, velvety brown cones which eventually produce large
Marlo is a 1 year old male Papillon mix. He
cute as can be and will make a wonderful
red seeds that look like corn kernels on steroids. They are attractive in mass plantings or
is very friendly and sweet and so cute with
companion. Adopt A Rescued Pet, Inc. does
as an anchor plant as described above. The Native Americans harvested Coontie and made
his little underbite. Marlo loves other dogs
home visits prior to adoptions, therefore, we
a flour from the root, sometimes it was called arrowroot. Coontie is the larval host for
and gets along with cats. Adopt A Rescued
can only adopt to the Citrus County and ad-
the Atala Hairstreak butterfly; the Atala is one of Florida s most beautiful hairstreak but-
Pet, Inc. does home visits prior to adoptions,
joining county areas. If you are within these
terflies with a red abdomen and iridescent blue patches on the hind wings, although it is
therefore, we can only adopt to the Citrus
areas, please, phone Adopt A Rescued Pet,
unusual for them to appear this far north.
County and adjoining county areas. If you
leave your name, number, and pet’s name,
Alongside the arch itself I planted Coral Honeysuckle Vine, also a Florida Native.
are within these areas, please, phone Adopt
for a return call from the foster mom, later,
Coral Honeysuckle tolerates poor soil and is a vigorous grower. The foliage is dark green
A Rescued Pet, leave your name, number,
at 352.795.9550. All of our dogs have been
with silvery undersides and the fragrant, tubular red flowers are irresistible to humming-
and pet’s name, for a return call from the
sterilized, tested negative for heart worm,
birds. I have already spotted a few even though the plants are not fully mature. It flowers
foster mom, later, at 352.795.9550. All of
on heart worm prevention, on flea preven-
through late summer and in the fall/early winter develops red berries that attract a variety
our dogs have been sterilized, tested nega-
tion, up to date on vaccines, wormed, ID
of songbirds. One of the employees at Wild Birds Unlimited in Millhopper Square reports
tive for heart worm, & ID chipped.
chipped and vet checked.
an Indigo Bunting visiting his Coral Honeysuckle. If that doesn’t sell you on Coral Honey-
suckle it is also a nectar plant for a variety of butterflies.
New Gulf Beach Restroombeen completed and were
Opens
Most importantly, I’ve created a pretty spot that attracts wildlife and reminds me of
a true friend.
The new restroom facility at Fort Island Gulf Beach has
officially open to the public on September 1.
R&M
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
Sal Viglione of SVIII General Contractors Inc., along with the county’s Road
Maintenance, Grounds Maintenance and Facilities Management Divisions was able to push
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
this project along in time for the Labor Day weekend.
Complete Auto Repairs
New Citrus Library Hours Starting in October
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
Beginning on October 3, Citrus Libraries will shorten closing times in the evening
Computer Diagnostics
by one hour, Monday through Thursday, at all locations.
Oil Changes While You Wait
The hour adjustment is the direct result of necessary staff reductions to balance the budget
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
for fiscal year 2012. The library system has worked to address the revenue shortfall through
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
staff retirements and by not filling open positions. With 12 positions now vacated, the li-
brary is reallocating staff resources to accommodate as many open hours as possible and
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
maintain services and programs at all five branches.
Accepted
Citrus Libraries will continue its mission of providing excellent public education,
Fax Line 447-6040
services, and materials for all the citizens of Citrus County. New library hours, effective
October 3rd, are as follows:
Central Ridge Library, Beverly Hills: Monday –Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday – Sat-
urday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Coastal Region Library, Crystal River: Monday – Thursday, 10
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