Lanark News: Stop feeding bears, secure your cans

Hi Y'all

Well, I put away the Thanksgiving decorations and started in on the Christmas decorations. I don't put out near what I used to, but I have to do some. Even the little I put out now gives me that warm feeling.

I started my Christmas celebrating by going to the Crooked River Lighthouse. They had some neat items, nice Christmas things and yummy looking foods, including some wonderful Christmas cookies. Then on to Christie's Cottage Living in Carrabelle to their open house. I was able to find several Christmas gifts (buy local). Then on to some “Yard Sales are great on 98.” Well there wasn't many, but it was a good idea. It gave you something to do outside and maybe it can grow to an event. Who doesn't need a little Christmas money or the joy of finding that special gift? Sometimes buying that special, one of a kind gift is better than the gifts you buy at the big box stores.

Late afternoon, my good friends and I headed out, with masks in hand, to the Lighting of the Palms at St. George Island lighthouse. It was the first time I had been; usually I am at the Lanark Village Boat Club Christmas Party. I missed it, but did enjoy our masked, outside event. It was fun watching the little children.

The Lanark Village Association had their meeting Monday evening. Our attendance was not what we had hoped for; we actually had to call people to come so that we could vote on the board members for 2021. If you are a member or someone who cares about your community, please come to the meetings. I know that it is hard to get out to go to a meeting, but it is so very important and very informative. This is the time to let the community know if you have issues, to have discussions on solutions. We often have sheriff's department representatives to answer our questions and explain how issues can be handled.

County Commissioner Bert Boldt comes to almost every meeting, every first Monday of each month, October through April. He is always prepared to let us know what is going on and always willing to explain things that we may not understand. He is definitely not a “for me to know and for you to find out” kind of person. Speaking of which, he has been instrumental in having one of our roads, Delaware, resurfaced and having brush cut away which was blocking road view. Thank you, Commissioner Boldt.

Bears are just getting worse. Please, please get bear-resistant cans. Don't put your food garbage out until the day of your garbage pickup. A recent true bear story: Late at night/ early morning a bear entered a couple's second apartment next to them. It walked through the apartment, got some English muffins out of the refrigerator and ate it on the way out. They didn't hear anything. Couple nights before, the bear took their bear-resistant can and dragged it three lanes over, never did get it out. So let’s stop feeding the bears, they are really getting to expect to be fed.

Don't forget the Christmas Boat Lights this Saturday, Dec. 12, it will start with some fun things at 3 p.m. and the lights at darkish. I love these lights and the fun.

The LVA Bingo had a “soft” start up. They had a few people and the people were happy to be there. The hall is a large area, easy to social distance and masks are required. It starts at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Chillas Hall in Lanark Village on Heffernan Drive.

Coffee Time at Chillas Hall (masks required), has been temporarily been canceled except on Thursdays, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. when the representative from the VA comes. If they could get more volunteers to help with opening and closing, they would reopen.

Don't forget the wonderful hamburgers/cheeseburgers at the Lanark American Legion Post Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. Public welcome. Call ahead to 697-9998 or drive up to the pavilion to order.

Don't forget those Covid-19 tests. Call 653-2111 to set up an appointment.

Please try to stay strong, safe and kind. Love Lanark!

Lanark Village Ordinance of the Day: Ordinance #97-17 – #3. No garbage, appliances, trash or debris, shall be dumped, nor be emptied, or be permitted to flow on the property or any part thereof.

Please remember to send me an email or message me on Facebook if you have anything come up that you would like to see in print.

Pat Sewell Funderburk is the Times’ Lanark News columnist. Be sure to send news and society items about Lanark Village life to her at p.funderburk@yahoo.com

This article originally appeared on The Apalachicola Times: Lanark News: Stop feeding bears, secure your cans