[kittygilchrist]

I love that little agricultural town ripped to shreds by major highways. and that ugly industrial stuff and Amtrak, and us.
Really, 301 isn't small and zoom, there goes I-75 and the turnpike.
thoughts? commercial ideas? preservation notions?
I wish I knew what folks there think, hafta find out.

[chachacha]

about 1993 my husband and i took a wrong turn looking for inverness and ended up in wildwood...it was such a cute little town then, charming. we eventually bought a home in inverness and my husband would be happy that i am now living near wildwood! i hope the income into sumter county from our taxes will prove beneficial to restore the town a bit.

[kittygilchrist]

hello cha! happy to see you.

[USSGompers]

Hi Kitty,

Like you, I grew up in Florida. From age 12, my family have lived here. From Lakeland, Miami, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Chipley, Cottondale, Orlando-

To name a few. I adore Florida and in the 12 yrs I spent in the US Navy- I Always requested to be stationed here.

Now to respond about Wildwood. I remember so many times on my way to Lake City to see Aunt Mary- we would get off the Turnpike and get on I-75. That was the ONLY reason coming to Wildwood.

I live here now (since 1999) and I have not seen Wildwood change much. In fact, truth be told, it is not moving forward. Yes, a few new restaurants here and there BUT-

Hubby and I have always had ideas for Wildwood for years. One is to bring the Amtrak Auto-Train to Wildwood. Can you believe how many Village residents would use it?? Now it's in Sanford, I believe.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by USSGompers

Hi Kitty,

Like you, I grew up in Florida. From age 12, my family have lived here. From Lakeland, Miami, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Chipley, Cottondale, Orlando-

To name a few. I adore Florida and in the 12 yrs I spent in the US Navy- I Always requested to be stationed here.

Now to respond about Wildwood. I remember so many times on my way to Lake City to see Aunt Mary- we would get off the Turnpike and get on I-75. That was the ONLY reason coming to Wildwood.

I live here now (since 1999) and I have not seen Wildwood change much. In fact, truth be told, it is not moving forward. Yes, a few
new restaurants here and there BUT-

Hubby and I have always had ideas for Wildwood for years. One is to bring the Amtrak Auto-Train to Wildwood. Can you believe how many Village residents would use it?? Now it's in Sanford, I believe.

don't know, but let's meet soon, like next week, lunch and I'll buy and you give me a tour?. so happy to hear from you.
Kitty aka kittygilchrist@gmail.com

[USSGompers]

I would love to meet you. I forgot that I also lived in Jacksonville and Clearwater. I know, I know- crazy- right? Daddy was a hotel/ motel mgr.Sheraton, HoJo's, Day's Inn.

I have great story of The Ormond Hotel. I used to live there when I was 15. Daddy got a job there as the Mgr and we lived in a big room with a reefer. Room and board was included. Mom and Dad were 43 and my sis was 3 yrs old. She was a pain in the butt for the residents there cause she would RUN in front of them and almost trip people. It was considered an 'Old Folks Home' and we had to eat in the main dining room 3 x a day. mostly- creamed eggs on toast. YUCK.

I'll PM you Kitty.

[jblum315]

I remember when Wildwood was a major train station. That was before Amtrak. I think it was the Baltimore and Ohio RR. Anyone remember?

[jblum315]

No, I looked it up. It was the Seaboard Air Line RR and the train from up north to Tampa and St. Pete was the Silver Star. It was a mighty nice train.

[manaboutown]

Don't think this song had anything to do with the town although the Orange Blossom Special, the subject of another song, did pass through there. Wildwood Flower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_..._Special_(song)

In any case that town has a lot of history to it.

[shcisamax]

I would love to see Wildwood become an area of boutiques. It would be a great addition to this area. It is positioned to draw from both north and south and I can imagine stores with crafts, jewelry, FOOD - specialty items, art, decorating, beauty, clothes, home items, dog/cat services/stuff, etc. Who is the mayor there? Chamber of Commerce. Surely there is enough business and creative talent in TV that we could put together a strategic plan to attract change? It can only help the area and TV in general.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

I would love to see Wildwood become an area of boutiques. It would be a great addition to this area. It is positioned to draw from both north and south and I can imagine stores with crafts, jewelry, FOOD - specialty items, art, decorating, beauty, clothes, home items, dog/cat services/stuff, etc. Who is the mayor there? Chamber of Commerce. Surely there is enough business and creative talent in TV that we could put together a strategic plan to attract change? It can only help the area and TV in general.

YES! I have visions too. Strategic plan is exactly right.
I'd love to hear more ideas from everybody..
Kitty

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by USSGompers

Hi Kitty,

Like you, I grew up in Florida. From age 12, my family have lived here. From Lakeland, Miami, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Chipley, Cottondale, Orlando-

To name a few. I adore Florida and in the 12 yrs I spent in the US Navy- I Always requested to be stationed here.

Now to respond about Wildwood. I remember so many times on my way to Lake City to see Aunt Mary- we would get off the Turnpike and get on I-75. That was the ONLY reason coming to Wildwood.

I live here now (since 1999) and I have not seen Wildwood change much. In fact, truth be told, it is not moving forward. Yes, a few new restaurants here and there BUT-

Hubby and I have always had ideas for Wildwood for years. One is to bring the Amtrak Auto-Train to Wildwood. Can you believe how many Village residents would use it?? Now it's in Sanford, I believe.

I would like to think with all the new people moving to south of 466 a and all the way to 44,that business will spring up and good things will happen to wildwood. I hope so.

[DougB]

When did Wildwood ever ask our opinion of them or ask for any help changing?

[kittygilchrist]

Sumter County, FL - Official Website - History of Sumter County

First Wildwood City Hall, 1908
Don't I wish this building had been preserved..

[Mamaderby]

Originally Posted by DougB

When did Wildwood ever ask our opinion of them or ask for any help changing?

I agree......in order to have successful change and community development, the people who live there need to want it and embrace it. You absolutely need their buy-in.