Blue Water Bay offers a casual yet elegant atmosphere, whether in the main Dining Room or in the Lounge. They are known for their regional seafood dishes to eat in or take out, plus cocktails.

This is where my brother had his first haircut, over 60 years ago. It was originally called Rudolf’s Barber Shop. Denise now owns and cuts hair at her grandfather’s first shop and she still serves Coke in a bottle! Located at 5916 Hampton St., Melrose.

Veterans of eight wars are burried here dating from the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) to the Vietnam War (1964-1973). The Civil War (1861-1865) account for six Union and 35 Confederate veterans graves. In 2007, my mom was largely instrumental in establishing a Veterans Memorial honoring veterans of all wars.

The 20 x 40 foot Trinity Episcopal Church was built entirely of local pine around 1886 in the Carpenter Gothic style. The history of the church began in 1881 when the first Episcopal service was held in Melrose.

Gatorbait is a place the whole family can enjoy unique food at a great price. They serve an array of food from giant salads to excellent sandwiches, burgers, and seafood. Try the fried pickles and Gator Tail

The Frozen Pelican offers 28 flavors of shaved ice, endless shaved ice flavor combinations, hand-scooped ice cream, 100% all-beef hot dogs with many toppings, Peli cheesesteaks, cheese and chili nachos, and Pete's Perfect Pucker fresh squeezed fair-style lemonade. All at an affordable price and in a fun, family-friendly beachy atmosphere.

It’s a Gas station restaurant in Keystone Heights, but you have to give it a chance. It’s only a couple miles away. The food is delicious, some of the best burgers ever!

Built in 1899, the historic store is a piece of Melrose history. It was the town's old general store where customers could shop for candy, cloth, groceries, patent medicines, and coffins, all in one stop.

Stepping into Williamson’s Food Store is like taking a step back in time, before the age of big-box supermarkets and mega-chains. It’s a good place to get your groceries and has become a local landmark.

In the 1940s, Ms. Maggie Steinert (my Aunt Maggie) owned this site and made it available to all as the Melrose “swimming hole.” In 1959, it was purchased by the Melrose Junior Women’s Club who deeded it in 1983 to the Melrose Business Association, Inc. which later was renamed the Melrose Business and Community Association, Inc. The MBCA continues to own and maintain the park.

Water access for canoes and kayaks to get out and paddle on Melrose Bay. This ramp is for launching of 12 hp. and smaller vessels only. Larger motorized vessels and watercraft (such as jet skis and wave runners) must be launched at Santa Fe Lake Park. Melrose Bay is designated as a idel speed/no wake zone.

Access for larger boats to launch on Santa Fe Lake is only 5 miles away. The Park has picnic tables, restrooms, and good parking. It is government owned for general public use.

Located in the heart of downtown Melrose, the gallery is a cooperative established in 1998. Housed in a beautiful early 1900s historic building, the gallery features work in a variety of media by Member and Guest Artists with monthly shows by Featured Artists.

Chiappini’s was founded during the Great Depression in 1935 by Chiappini’s grandfather, “Papa Joe.” A Gulf Oil station, the store was paid off at a penny a gallon by the early-1950s. It’s a watering hole and community gathering place. Visitors can buy beer, bait, cigars, candy, locally-made soap, beef jerky, and hot sauce.

This used to be the Vogelbach Drugstore. Dr. Herman Vogelbach built this structure circa 1886. It later became the Homemakers Club. This building was next door to my grandparents grocery store (Robinson’s) which was destroyed by fire years ago.