Editorial: Miss Carrie is back on her bike, all's right with the world

Editorial: Miss Carrie is back on her bike, all's right with the worldPublication Date: 06/09/07
Miss Carrie's wave is unmatched even by the Queen's.
When word circulated that Carrie Johnson, the voice of Lincolnville, had her tricycle stolen recently, one wondered how many friendly waves she would not be able to extend throughout St. Augustine?
Even people who do not know "Miss Carrie" know her wave. Usually it is accompanied by a booming hello to the passer-by.
Within hours of a story in The St. Augustine Record about the theft of her Lamborghini three-wheeler, offers had come in to start a new bike fund as well as a donation of a new bike outright. Just as those surfaced, so did the Lamborghini. Upon its return, she deemed it ridable and headed off waving.
Queen Elizabeth, with the so-called palm up royal wave, has nothing on Miss Carrie's. Maybe the popularity of the two should be tested, side by side. Maybe not, for the winner, hands up, would be Miss Carrie.
Meanwhile, Miss Carrie wants to extend her thanks to everyone who was on the lookout for the bike and especially to the people who found it. Carrie believes that Jimmy (who wouldn't give his last name) was supposed to find it. That's because the bike was given to her after the death of her friend, Jim Kuhn, a benefactor of many causes here, especially ones that help children. Kuhn's mother, Jo Curtis, provided the money for the bike from Kuhn's estate.
We never underestimate Carrie Johnson's faith in people. It's written all over her face and in her signature saying, "Have a great day today and a better day all of your tomorrows."
We certainly will and you do, too.
No bill signing here for UF-St. Augustine transfer of historic properties
St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles invited Gov. Charlie Crist to St. Augustine to sign the legislation officially transferring the state-leased historic properties from the city of St. Augustine to the University of Florida.
He envisioned the governor performing the signing in the courtyard of Government House or, on the same balcony from which Spanish King Juan Carlos spoke in 2001. It seemed the perfect setting and doable.
But, by the time Boles's letter got to Tallahassee, it was too late. A spokesman in Crist's office told The St. Augustine Record, the bills had been signed. Obviously they were done without the fanfare that Crist has reserved for some bills.
When told this by The Record, Boles was his usual optimistic self. "We still want to get him over here for something this summer," he said.
Meanwhile, July 1 starts the official transition of the state properties and likely the new landlord, UF President Bernie Machen, will make an official visit.
Unlike the recent melodrama with Gator basketball coach Billy Donovan, who changed his mind within hours of signing a contract with the NBA's Orlando Magic, Machen doesn't have to worry about the city changing its mind. The buildings will get state funds as educational buildings. The city had compete for grants.
Will the signs on the state buildings have any hint of UF's official orange and blue colors? Probably not because they're not in the city's color pallet for historic district signs.
City getting head start on big celebrations
St. Augustine City Commissioner George Gardner on Monday will talk to the commission about starting early on two key anniversary celebrations in:
2013 -- the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Ponce de Leon, Florida's first tourist.
2015 -- the 450th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine by Pedro Menendez de Aviles.
Though these events are a few years out but it's not too early to get those costumes ready for the return of the glory days of St. Augustine's colorful 20th-century fiestas and Ponce de Leon celebrations. Get ready to party hardy. Click here to return to story:http://staugustine.com/stories/060907/opinions_4645579.shtml © The St. Augustine Record