Fort Mose

July 22, 2019July 7, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

On US 1 north, shortly before the City of St. Augustine, stands Spanish soldiers on each side of the route. These soldiers protect the entrance to one of my favorite places in the area, Fort Mose. A small, serene, and scenic state park, it holds much history. The area was established as a refuge for Negro slaves in 1688. Then in 1738, with St. Augustine then under Spanish rule the King freed the slaves and had Fort Mose created for their protection.

While my short summation does not describe the many nuances of this period, a trip to the museum at the park surely does. The interactive exhibits will interest and intrigue young children, as well as adults wishing to learn of this colonial history. Cost of admission is $2 for adults with children under 6 free. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.

Besides the museum there are trails to walk, places to picnic, and interesting vegetation to observe. Fort Mose also has several living history events throughout the year. In June there is a reenactment of the Bloody Battle of Fort Mose with uniformed soldiers and muskets firing. Then in February the Flight to Freedom reenactment has costumed participants explaining the journey to Fort Mose. Escaping slaves, bounty hunters, and priests tell their tale in blocking or assisting these individuals as they journeyed toward freedom.

Fort Mose is currently undergoing a $500,000. Capital Campaign to represent portions of the 1738 Fort and further develop their living history programs. I look forward to seeing the Park additions.

Donations may be sent to:
Fort Mose Historical Society
P.O. Box 4230
St. Augustine, Fl. 32085
Attention: TJ Jackson

Peaceful St. Augustine

July 21, 2019July 5, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Among all the St. Augustine hoopla there is a quiet place to take a stroll, and sit awhile. This place is the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, and is a stop on both trolley routes. Here shade abounds and there is no need to be a Catholic to enjoy the peace.

Spanish explorers established St. Augustine, the oldest city in America, on September 8, 1565, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first mass was celebrated on the shores of the Shrine.

Later Franciscans brought the La Leche image to the Shrine in 1609, and devotion quickly spread as local Indians were converted. The current Shrine has been the center of devotion to those wishing to conceive, mothers to be, and mothers.

On the grounds are burial plots of the sisters who came to St. Augustine to teach the freed black slaves. There are also many statutes of saints, and a small chapel. The large cross on the property was a gift from the Pope on the 450th anniversary of the City of St. Augustine.

Directly off the main street is a larger church which is a convenient respite for those unable to walk to the grounds. This comfortable church has much beauty with air conditioning and bathrooms. Next to the church is a museum of interesting religious artifacts.

This area was hit hard with hurricanes and remains under renovation. Near completion is a retreat center, a new gift shop replacing that which was destroyed, and several other upgrades.

Worth the visit. Tell the Lord I sent you. 🙂

Shelly

July 15, 2019July 4, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

My neighbor, Shelly, is going to be 80 soon. She’s my favorite neighbor in the condo complex. When I was looking for a first level condo I met her as she was walking her dog in front of the complex. She told me all about the area and how she enjoyed living here. Shelly had more information than the realtor.

My friend has been going through a lot of health matters this past year. As a nurse for 44 years I’ve become quite updated on all the new fangled medical things out there by listening to what they’ve done to her body and soul.

Today I called to check on her as she received another ghastly new procedure. In listening to her tale I cringed, but one thing about this lovely Southern woman is her spirit. As the conversation came to a close she said, “Call me tomorrow, I’ll be better then.”

We all need to think that way.

Ladybugs are good luck. Good luck, my friend.

Princess Place

July 14, 2019July 4, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

One of my 2 favorite spots in the St. Augustine area is Princess Place. This 1100 acre property was purchased from Spain by Francisco Pelletier in 1781, with ownership transferred in 1886 to Henry Mason Cutting, a man of wealth from New England. Located south of St. Augustine, Florida, on Kings Highway, it is maintained by Flagler County, and free of charge with donations accepted.

In 1887, Cutting built an Adirondack Camp Lodge on the property with servants quarters, tennis courts, a caretakers home, horse stables, as well as Florida’s first in ground swimming pool. Many visited the lodge, hunting the area with Mr. Cutting, and socializing with his wife, Angela Mills Cutting. Sadly, in 1892, he died leaving his widow with 2 young children to raise. She later remarried an exiled Russian prince, Boris Scherbatoff, (later changed to Scherbatow for fear of his life), hence the name change to Princess Place.

Sit and rock awhile as you gaze at the view.

Descendants still live on the property which is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 6 pm. Fascinating tours of the home are given by park rangers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 pm. There is a movie about the property at the Visitor Center which is next to the Ranger Station on the side of the home. This is a must see.

Also on Kings Highway is the Florida Agriculture Museum, which is open Wednesday- Sunday 10-4. This is another fascinating trip in history telling the tale of the Cracker lifestyle. There is a charge, but worth the fee.

Tomorrow I will let you in on another St. Augustine area secret. Stay tuned.

Limelight Glows Again

May 24, 2019May 20, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

I attended the premier of the play Calendar Girls at the Limelight Theater in St. Augustine, Florida. It was nearly a packed house. Once again the Limelight actors knocked it out of the park with lines on cue delivered with precision.

Calendar Girls is a British comedy and the true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produce a nude calendar to raise money to replace the dilapidated couch in the local hospital cancer ward visitor room. Their efforts go on to raise much more.

Keep glowing Limelight. Look forward to your next play!

The Limelight: St. Augustine’s Finest

May 9, 2019April 29, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

11 Old Mission Avenue
St. Augustine
great parking available

This week I attended St. Augustine’s community theater, The Limelight, and took in Father of the Bride. Having seen both the Spencer Tracey/Elizabeth Taylor and Steve Martin/Diane Keaton versions I decided to give this a go.

It was a delightful community theater performance with actors and actresses alike on cue hitting their jovial lines with grace. The Limelight has much to offer and I wondered if any tourists were in the audience as it brings a welcome relief from the busyness of touring the historic city.

The story is based on the Banks family and their preparation for a June wedding. While set in a time frame of many years ago the sentiments and concerns remain in current day. Who do you invite to the wedding? How do you cut costs? And then there is the drama of love in the mix among all these decisions and concerns.

I look forward to the theater’s next performance, Calendar Girls. I’m sure it will enchant as well.

Is golf for me?

April 30, 2019April 21, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

I live on a golf course so why am I asking this question. I am surrounded by noises of carts and individuals grunting and raving about their putt. So, after 2 years of this I finally decided to visit the golf house or whatever it’s called.

Since trepidation was in my veins I brought Biscuit with me for protection. We were greeted by a charming woman who worked one day a week and while her information was limited she eagerly gave what she knew.

Leaving the clubhouse, ah yes that is what it is called, I held the information on the women’s league in my hand. Time will tell as I add up the costs of clubs, balls, perhaps shoes, lessons and fees. These costs verses a trip to Switzerland? Which money is better spent?

As Biscuit and I continued our stroll we past my condo on the way to his home. In front of my condo was a golf ball in an unlikely spot. Was this a sign? Switzerland verses golf is a hard choice. Perhaps they golf in Switzerland?

Easter Parade

April 24, 2019April 20, 2019 / youngretireeneedsalife / Leave a comment

Each year St. Augustine has an Easter Parade and for the last 3 years I have been lucky enough to attend. It is the highpoint of my Easter aside from church and every year it gets better.

Since St. Augustine has a Spanish history of over 450 years the parade begins with a tribute to its founders.

And then the Parade moved on to..

And of course mermaids dropped by from the ocean to visit.

But perhaps the best addition to this years event was the old cars.

Then came the fast cars..

And the Jeeps..

Happy belated Easter greetings to all and if you are in St Augustine at Easter please come to the Parade. It’s the Saturday before the big day at 9 and runs from Kings Street through downtown.

Dedicated to our former Mayor Nancy. Hope to see you at next years Parade.

Young Retiree Needs a Life

reflections of what a 60ish female thinks and does

St Augustine Florida