Hello family, I got a lot of mixed feelings, is it at the island or the pond? Been waiting for a call but it has'nt come and I'm a little worried. Has anyone seen o.k.? Any help would be great.
Well, lets just say- not a good idea to go to the pond. Lots of bad vibes. The cops have ORDERED everyone out of the Duck Pond area by today or the cops will arrest everyone for holding an illegal gathering. I've tried posting on Welcome here, but everytime I try to post I get booted. There's going to be a council today, so hopefully there will be more info this afternoon. The feds and cops have offered up another site but you know how stuborn hippies are. SO for the meantime dunno. will get back to ya later. Go to Ocala Star Banner to check it out. However I wouldn't go to the pond. Loving you- Rose aka Mrs Jody
thanks for the heads up on the article.. for the computer challenged folks.. http://www.ocala.com/article/20080212/NEWS/802120331/1001/NEWS01 Rainbow Family warned to leave Forest campsite BY JOE VANHOOSE STAR-BANNER OCALA NATIONAL FOREST - Hundreds of Rainbow Family members started gathering deep inside the Ocala National Forest last week. Many who found their way down Paisley Road to a sandy path around a little spot called Duck Pond - some 10 miles south of State Road 40 - might have seen a notice posted high on a pine tree. "This is an ILLEGAL gathering of 75 persons or more without a permit," the notice put up by the U.S. Forest Service reads. "The max penalty is six months in prison and/or a $5,000 fine." But Monday came and went, and the Rainbow Family remained, determined not to give up the government land they settled on. "We've met here for 13 years, and now they're treating us like criminals," said a woman who identified herself by her Rainbow name, Indigo. She was keeping an eye out for any Forest Service Law Enforcement vehicles Monday afternoon. Sure enough, three Forest Service sport utility vehicles pulled down the path around 2 p.m. "Six-point-o rolling through the Rainbow land," she yelled out to alert her brethren. A SIMPLER LIFE The Rainbow Family claims to be the largest non-organization of non-members in the world. Walking the pine-covered paths in the Ocala National Forest, the claim seems to be true. Old vans and cars with license plates from California and Ohio park next to a makeshift tent shading Carolinians and Virginians from the sun. Senior citizens, college students and families sit around the same drum circle, building fires and playing guitars. Even infants and young children are here. Why? "A lot of people are here for spiritual growth," said the Rev. James William Middlestadt, who started a chapter of Loving Light Ministries. "We come together to gain enlightenment." "We're here to live simply, that's all," Loki said. "We want to be without the complexities of Babylon." Complex their lives are not. Aside from drum beats and guitar strumming, silence surrounds the three-mile stretch of makeshift settlement that weaves its way through woods and meadows. There isn't a power line, strip of asphalt or alarm clock to be found. The hippie-like group that professes love, the earth and mellow vibes, has at times run afoul of the law. Last year, a man was badly beaten at a campsite by a man known only as "Buddha." Arrests, sometimes on a large scale, have included charges involving drugs, nudity and traffic offenses, including driving under the influence. The family communicates via walkie-talkies and exchanging shouts, but everyone seems to know what is happening from one end to the other - especially when law enforcement officers show up. ILLEGAL GATHERING Many in the Rainbow Family have no plans of leaving Duck Pond, even if they get ticketed upward of $250 a day. A couple dozen in the family already have been ticketed for assembling illegally this week. "As of right now, this is an illegal gathering," Forest Service Officer James Watson said to the group, many of whom answered with a chorus of "We love you." "If you are here when we come back, we will be issuing tickets."Pat Tooley, the special uses administrator for the Forest Services, said a member of the Rainbow Family filed an application for a permit Monday morning. She drove the second Forest Service SUV as Rainbow Family members crowded around looking for an explanation. "It's regulatory that a group of 75 or more requires a permit," Tooley said. "We have to make sure the land here does not get overused. "That applies to anyone who comes into the National Forest. We will review the area for resource issues, but we have five areas designated for big groups. This isn't one of them." Many in the Rainbow Family questioned officers on where the regulations and rules were posted. "It's your responsibility to find out what's legal and what the rules are," Watson answered. "We have all the rules posted in our offices." After Tooley left, Forest Service officers came back to inform everyone that they had been approved to assemble at Syracuse Island, about 20 miles north. All Rainbow Family members must leave Duck Pond by 4 p.m. today and make the pilgrimage to the new location. That news and the officers were met with harmonizing choruses of John Lennon and Bob Marley songs. About 50 members banded together on fallen trees around the Forest Services vehicles, raising their connected hands high as they sang about peace and love. "I have the constitutional right to assemble," said Juniper, who added this was her first gathering. "That's why I'm still here. "They can write us tickets, but we don't need to leave. This is our home."
Just talked to Jody. Front gate moved to the Island. Fat Kids & Shut Up & Eat IT are still at the Pond. I would suggest the Island they have a signed permit for there. Less hassles is a good thing. Look for a post from Jody- Rose aka Mrs Jody
Those Kitchens can stay there. They are Feeding Kids BAD food. I am helping many who are sick from there bad cooking and POOR cleanliness! They are letting Sick, dying dogs roam kitchens and even leaving behind dead dogs. Shut up and eat it's GUS II Bus is puking Oil and water all over the ground and these kids dont care. Syracuse will be better without them. And I really used to like those kitchens. Mrs Jody - Did Jody bring Sarah? Lotsa guys want to know!!!!!! ;^) PR
The permit for Syracuse Island has been approved and is to be posted tomorrw at noon....Let the games begin!!!
No, Sarah stayed home for school. She's back in school and trying to catch up (UGH MATH). She is definately there in spirit. And she sends a big HELLOOOO and HUGE HUGZZZZ to everyone! Ummmm anyone good with fractions....her math has me stumped!- Rose- aka Mrs. Jody
Shoot I almost forgot... Ocala.com There is a pretty big segment on rainbow and slides of family. Check it out and then tell me what it says cuz I can't get my sound to werk =(
Thanks Mrs. Jody..... We didnt see Sarah and was kinda worried. Glad all is well. Tell her to STAY IN SCHOOL, she will need to know those fractions as the Govt dwindles more and more of the Pie away!!!!! PR
