Ocala-area Girl Scouts enjoy campout and help raise awareness about new report
The ‘State of the Florida Girl Report’ measures the well-being of Florida girls in physical health, academic performance and emotional and social wellness.
By Jamie Berube Special to the Gazette
John Watzke ensures the grounds are clear at the Ocala Drive-In Theater on the first Saturday of December each year so local Girl Scout troops can gather for an adventure under the stars.
Dec. 7, 2024, marked the 10th time that Watzke, owner of the Ocala DriveIn, hosted the annual Girl Scout campout event where projectors played movies until 2 a.m. as the troop members sipped hot cocoa and watched from their tents.
According to local Girls Scouts of West Central Florida volunteer Raey Morrison, the first campout event in 2016 brought in 150 scouts. This year there were 502.
“The first year, just a small group of us camped, and John showed movies all night for them. The event is a fun, relaxing night that allows our girls, kindergarten to 12th grade, a safe camping experience,” Morrison said.
The troops get a meal voucher, free popcorn, drink refills, and breakfast on Sunday morning.
“There’s always coffee and hot chocolate until it runs out. This year, it was very cold, so hot chocolate was very popular,”
Morrison said.
To prepare for the event, Morrison shows up early.
“My team and I start showing up at noon to set up the check-in table. John and his team make sure the grounds are cleared. They look for glass and anything else from regular business nights to make sure it’s cleared up. At about 4 p.m., the troops start arriving,” Morrison said.
It is important to note, however, that events like this serve a purpose other than entertainment.
Marion County’s public safety planning and operations will remain in “Gazette’s” focus
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Following a year in which the “Gazette’s” focus on public safety challenges in Marion County has led to important improvements, readers can expect even more attention to be paid to local leaders’ efforts to meet these critical needs for our rapidly growing population.
Starting with the new year, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners will receive an analysis from Marion County Fire Rescue on how each proposed development will impact public safety infrastructure. This is an important move since it takes years to get a new fire station up and running, which makes anticipating where they are needed before the need arises key.
Marion County’s goal is to have a fire station within a five-mile radius of every home, but that is not the case now. This means that if an engine is on an emergency call and another call comes in, there could be a delay in getting a unit to the new call, even if the emergency is only a mile from the station.
Additionally, Marion County Fire Rescue has recently launched a digital dashboard of real-time analysis of response times and call volume so that leaders can monitor and move resources more nimbly. We will visit the agency’s headquarters after the first of the year to report on the new dashboard and update you on current stats. MCFR must monitor response times so officials can move assets around to increase efficiency. The agency stages units over the entire county daily and tries to meet national criteria of being en route to calls within 60 seconds of being dispatched, but with 1,660 square miles to traverse calls response times can vary. Recently, in response to our request, MCFR provided a report from their Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system showing what time each call for service was received, when the units were
Public
New year brings 10 new laws
By Jim Turner Florida News Service
Asmattering of new state laws will arrive with the new year, but the highest-profile change — restricting access to social media for children — will not be immediately enforced.
Ten laws passed during the 2024 legislative session will take effect Wednesday. They were among 299 bills approved by the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, the majority of which took effect July 1.
The social-media restrictions were part of a bill (HB 3) that was a priority of then-House
Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, and became one of the biggest issues of the session.
The measure seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on some platforms. Parents can give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts, but children under 14 would be barred from opening accounts. Renner argued that socialmedia companies have created addictive platforms that harm children’s mental health and can lead to sexual predators communicating with minors.
“In a nation that values the First Amendment, the preferred response is to let parents decide
In October, the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, whose members include tech giants such as Google and Meta Platforms, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the restrictions.
Subscribers will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule. Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order to be included in the following week’s delivery. Starting at $10/month ocalagazette.com/subscribe
Kam Knowles and Shannon Boyer get ready for the recent Girl Scout campout event in Ocala.
Public safety
Continued from page A1 dispatched and when the teams arrived on the scene.
To give you an idea of the magnitude of the call volume MCFR handles, the last report we received was for the first quarter of 2024. It contained over 24,000 individual calls, more than a quarter of which were inside the city of Ocala limits.
We’ve previously reported on the significant increase of calls this agency has responded to. For example, service calls from 2017-18 to the 2021-22 period increased by more than 30%.
Over the past year, call data and personal observations have shown that MCFR paramedics are often first on the scene, usually before law enforcement or any other fire department crews arrive.
However, this department has faced significant tragedy over the past few years while juggling personnel shortages with increased service demand due to our swelling population—all factors that impact its ability to respond to calls for service.
However, what we’ve witnessed in the way of MCFR’s resilience this year reflects the gritty determination we expect from the sort of people who chose careers that can involve running into burning buildings or pulling victims from car crashes.
Responding to the increased pressures the department faces, MCFR Chief James Banta told the “Gazette” last year officials there are working to handle the things they can control.
Banta has spoken frankly about MCFR’s challenges and has given the “Gazette” access to department personnel and information necessary to report on their efforts independently.
This department has been the most transparent of all the public safety agencies in Marion County, which is good news because MCFR, as the sole provider of ambulance services, is responsible to everyone in the county.
For example, “Gazette” reporters have observed union negotiations with the county; sat in on a town hall-style meeting for the department where the chiefs opened the floor for questions from the men and women who worked for them; spent 24 hours at the busiest fire station in the county; and sat with fire dispatchers as they handled emergency calls over three different days.
All the details gleaned have led to a better understanding of how MCFR leaders are developing and implementing strategies to improve their department’s efficiencies, which includes their readiness to respond when you call for help.
In May, we pointed out to the county that they were not publicly calculating how growth impacted public safety agencies. We pointed to specific development decisions where housing units were being approved that impacted fire stations, already running double the number of calls that are considered safe for the public and the health of the first responders.
The county government officials we spoke with responded to our observation with, “You are right, and we are going to make sure to figure out a way to include it.”
Deputy Chief Robert Graff explained in writing the process that is being put in at the start of 2025, “Marion County Fire Rescue has developed a template to provide input to the County Commissioners on the impact of planned urban developments of significant size during the permitting process.”
This information will be included with each development agenda item, which is an essential move for two reasons.
First, plans can be reviewed to ensure they can safely meet the increased need as the development decision is being considered; and second, count the cost of the development impact on public safety infrastructure.
Graff acknowledged in response to an inquiry that “there is currently not a set methodology for the developer to offset the costs of required enhancements to meet service demand.” However, impact fees are scheduled to be considered during a county workshop on Jan. 29, according to County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes.
But what about Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which also must meet increased demands for service?
Because of the agency’s lack of transparency, the answers are unclear.
For example, we were given access to observe dispatchers for the Ocala Police Department, Ocala Fire Rescue and Marion County Fire Rescue. The MCSO denied our request to observe how its personnel prioritize and dispatch emergency calls.
Sheriff Billy Woods has repeatedly told county commissioners he doesn’t have enough deputies to keep pace with growth. Commissioners have responded by doubling the sheriff’s budget since he took office in 2017.
We reported in October 2023 that Woods had increased both the number of personnel and their wages since taking office. The department has grown from approximately 716 employees to 900 since Woods was elected.
Despite working with the same CAD system as MCFR, and therefore arguably having the same ability to gather data and run reports, MCSO has told the “Gazette” it will not provide collective data in report form.
When asked whether the agency prepares any reports to Woods that analyze the department’s response times so that we could make a public records request for that analysis, MCSO spokesman Lt. Paul Bloom indicated that response times were analyzed on a case-by-case basis when the department deemed necessary. Not all calls are analyzed
but senior MCSO leadership talk about call trends during monthly meetings, he said.
In contrast, OPD prepares daily end-of-shift response reports to monitor their agency’s effectiveness, which OPD Chief Michael Balken says he reviews weekly.
Unless the “Gazette” chooses to sue the sheriff’s office for the CAD report of incidents we know they can gather with a few keystrokes, or unless Woods sees fit to release this public information gathered at taxpayer expense, we are unable to provide an accurate report on MCSO response times and how they have been impacted by growth since we last reported in 2021.
We are concerned about the lack of accountability for response times for this agency. This concern extends not only to the public but also to those unarmed fire/ medical personnel who often arrive at an emergency scene before law enforcement has secured the scene. Pulling individual CAD incident reports regularly over the past two years combined with personal observations on the scene have made us realize this risk looms large; however, it is not discussed publicly.
Additionally, how is MCSO strategically meeting the needs of this growing population and planning for more if it’s not preparing any formal analysis and being given no method for input on future county commission development decisions?
Bloom described a reactionary method to meeting growth, rather than one with a seat at the table before each development decision is made to ascertain the cost.
MCSO did give us recent call stats; to no one’s surprise, they have been increasing.
MCSO total calls for service
“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”
- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Bruce Ackerman Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com
Caroline Brauchler Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com
Chris D’Avonzo Marketing Specialist chris@magnoliamediaco.com
Dani Eskridge Director of Operations & Sales dani@magnoliamediaco.com
Andy Fillmore Reporter andy@ocalagazette.com
Greg Hamilton Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com
Susan Smiley-Height Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Belea Keeney Reporter belea@magnoliamediaco.com
Jane Lyons Account Executive jane@magnoliamediaco.com
Cheryl Specht Client Services Guru cheryl@magnoliamediaco.com
News tips tips@ocalagazette.com
Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com
Follow us @ocalagazette
Number of priority one calls (Lights and sirens for those calls that require the fastest response) Department goal: five minutes
Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.
ocalagazette.com
©2024 Ocala Gazette, LLC
Ocala Gazette (USPS# 25590) (ISSN 27711595) is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO BOX 188, OCALA, FL 34478. Periodicals postage paid at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.
Share your news
The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission.
• Letters to the editor: 200 words or less.
• Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available.
Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions.
News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.
File photo: Numerous agencies including Ocala Fire Rescue and Marion County Fire Rescue and the Ocala Police Department responded to the scene of a large explosion at the Classic Laundromat store on Northeast 25th Avenue in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
HOSPITALS AND FOUNDATION HONOR OCALA TEACHER
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, recently honored Erin Wheeler of Marion Oaks Elementary School as the latest recipient of the Thank a Teacher award. Wheeler, a third-grade teacher, was selected from a pool of nominees compiled
and judged by previous winners of the Golden Apple Award, a prestigious honor given to public school teachers in Marion County. She was recognized during an event at the school on Dec. 13 with PEFMC Executive Director Meghan Magamoll and representatives from the school district and HCA Florida Healthcare.
“Through the Thank
a Teacher program this school year, we are honored to recognize teachers who truly are an inspiration to their students and school communities,” said HCA
Florida Ocala Hospital CEO Alan Keesee, in the news release. “Ms. Wheeler’s commitment to her students and the respect she receives from other educators at Marion Oaks Elementary
School was evident in the many nominations she received.”
Throughout the 2024-25 school year, students, families and staff members are encouraged to share stories about a teacher’s inspiring actions, supportive words, creative lessons or overall positive impact.
To learn more, go to pefmc. org/thank-a-teacher
SHOWCASE PROPERTIES REALTORS ACHIEVE MILESTONES
oris Roche, a Realtor and Showcase Properties agent, has been selected to serve a four-year term as a global ambassador for the National Association of Realtors. Realtor Dawn Bowman is now a certified and licensed broker in Florida.
Roche is a fluent speaker of Spanish and will represent NAR in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Ambassadors serve as liaisons, building relationships with real estate communities in their assigned countries and facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices.
“This appointment is a testament to Noris’ dedication and expertise,” said Valerie Dailey, owner/broker of Showcase Properties, in the news release. “She will excel in her role as a global ambassador and make significant contributions to NAR’s international initiatives. Showcase is proud and fortunate to have such an amazing advocate on our team.”
Bowman devoted months of intense study and demanding qualifications to become a broker associate. She facilitated multiple transactions in high-end real estate as well as commercial deals and closed more than $2.9 million in sales during 2024, the news release noted.
“Dawn has a wonderful gift for mentoring,” Dailey noted. “She’s really good at building relationships and collaborating with people. I’m looking forward to the team she’ll create and seeing what they do for the community.”
Bowman also has worked at the Ocala Chamber and Economic Partnership since 2012 and is the director of the Ocala Downtown Market.
Presenting
Girl Scouts
Continued from page A1
THE REPORT
On Dec. 5, 2024, the Girl Scouts of Florida unveiled the “State of the Florida Girl Report.” The report assesses the unique and often unseen challenges facing girls across the state.
Mary Pat King, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida CEO, said the report spotlights where barriers for girls need to be eliminated.
“The Florida Girl Report elevates their voices and helps us to know where we need to eliminate barriers and create opportunities so all girls in Florida can reach their greatest potential,” King said.
In this year’s report, the unique challenges listed include eye-opening statistics about emotional wellness, social wellbeing, and physical health. Here is a look at some of the statistics.
• 52% of high school girls report feeling sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in a row, reflecting a 40% increase in depression over the past decade. Additionally, one in four girls seriously considered attempting suicide, showing a troubling rise of more than 60% in the last 10 years.
79% of girls spend more than three hours a day on screens. This growing dependency on screen time can contribute to mental health challenges and illuminates the importance of fostering healthier digital habits among young girls.
• One in eight girls miss school due to feeling unsafe, with girls being 1.5 times more likely than boys to stay home after experiencing bullying. Further, twice as many girls as boys are victims of cyberbullying, illustrating the significant online safety challenges girls face.
36% of girls believe they are overweight, despite only 32% meeting the medical definition of being overweight or obese, indicating a widespread issue with body image.
LOCAL OBSERVATIONS
At a time when Girl Scouts face such adversity, events such as the campout in Ocala can offer a healthy outlet for coping and socializing. According to Morrison, the issues reflected in the report hit home in Marion County.
She believes that bullying especially impacts girls locally, with some girls being singled out at school for what they wear.
“They tell us it is easier to make up the work and just miss school than deal with the way they are treated. I know one girl who became homeschooled because a set of boys kept at her and the school just told her to wear an oversized sweatshirt,” Morrison stated.
Bullying does not end at school, however. For some, getting online is a continuation of the battle.
“Kids in general, they can just be nasty, especially with social media. There are no filters and there are no consequences to the person saying the nasty stuff,” Morrison said.
“Cyberbullying is easier for people. It is dispassionate, you don’t have to face or physically see the damage or harm you are causing,” Morrison continued.
Local Girl Scout volunteer Tasha Herbert agreed that bullying is a problem.
“Bullying is a significant issue in Marion County. Many girls in my troop experience both in-person physical bullying and cyberbullying. It’s heartbreaking to witness. Almost every week, one of the girls shares a story about being bullied, and we take time to talk about it together,” she said.
According to Herbert, bullying is one reason girls feel unsafe and miss school as a result. She believes there are other reasons, too.
“Recently, two of my Girl Scouts shared that staff members at their schools had been arrested for crimes of a sexual nature involving students. Situations like these contribute to an environment where girls feel unsafe and uneasy about attending school,” Herbert said.
“The issue of body image has worsened with the rise of social media, which has become highly accessible to girls. Many feel pressured to present perfect Snapchat stories or Instagram photos and look that way all the time. Social media rarely reflects real life, making it difficult for girls to find authentic examples to relate to,” Herbert added.
According to Morrison, of the issues covered in the report, mental health and emotional well-being are most crucial to address locally.
“We are seeing a huge increase in mental and emotional health issues in the last few years. It used to be a one-off type of occurrence, but now it is commonplace,” she said.
With 79% of girls spending more than three hours a day on screens, this growing dependency can contribute to mental health challenges, according to the report.
Local volunteer Leah Nishwitz said she has witnessed how screentime can impact young people.
“I know from experience the more time kids are on screens
they have a bad attitude when they are asked to put them down,” Nishwitz offered.
POSITIVE STEPS
To combat the harmful effects of screentime, particularly with selfies and comparing images in real life to those online, local troops can participate in activities geared toward body positivity such as a Selfie Exhibit event for girls in middle and high school.
“We print the photos, then set them up in a gallery-like setting. The girls then leave something positive about the photo. We have discussions about how the media, magazines, online, etc. change the photos in a lot of their articles and ads to ‘enhance’ and change them to meet their views of what they think or want women to look like,” Morrison explained.
According to Herbert, two other events also help to support mental well-being.
“Worry Detective Academy and Destigmatize Me are two other events my Scouts love. Worry Detective Academy helps elementary-aged girls understand and manage their emotions. Destigmatize Me is for middle school and older Scouts, and it focuses on breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, reducing barriers to discussing mental health, and creating connections with fellow Girl Scouts about how mental health affects everyone,” Herbert explained.
When a scout member confides information about their mental health to a volunteer, they are supported and heard,
more than entertaining the girls.
“We had so much fun this year at the event despite the cold. This event just lifts the spirits of the girls,” she said.
according to Morrison.
“The girls know they can come to us, and unless we feel their life is in danger, we are not going to disclose what they tell us, but we’re going to help them find the resources that they need to be able to help themselves and get their families help,” Morrison said.
“We make it very clear to them that if we feel their life is in danger, all bets are off. At that point, we’re telling whoever we have to tell, and speaking to whoever we have to make sure that they are safe,” she continued.
CAMARADERIE AND BONDING
Local Girl Scout events such as the campout can help girls navigate adversities by giving them a chance to build life and coping skills. It also gives the girls the space to simply laugh and have fun.
“It’s great hearing all the girls and adults laughing and singing along to the movies. And just rows upon rows of tents set up where cars normally park,” Morrison said.
Nishwitz believes the value of the drive-in campout event is
Herbert said that as a coleader of two troops with girls ranging from kindergarten to 10th grade, she loves how the older girls teach the younger girls with tasks like rolling a sleeping bag or folding a tent pole.
“This helps the younger girls feel important and included, while giving the older girls meaningful tasks,” Herbert said.
While the State of the Florida Girl Report offers a shocking look at the realities many girls face at school and online, being a part of local communities such as the Girl Scouts can help girls bond in a healthy way.
“The Drive-In campout is an important event because it allows girls to practice these skills and for everyone to enjoy muchneeded bonding time with their Girl Scout sisters,” Herbert said.
To learn more about Girl Scouting in the Ocala/Marion County area, go to gswcf.org
To read the full State of the Florida Girl Report, go to floridagirlscouts.org/state-offlorida-girls-report
Photos courtesy of Raey Morrison
Troop 32820 members Campbell, Katie, Viola, Leah and Addie prepare for the Girls Scout camping event at the Ocala Drive-In.
Sapphire Gillam, Toni Knowles, Sydney Hennick and Shannon Boyer bundled up for the campout.
Manar Sarsour and Colleen Kurtz were on hand for the Girl Scout campout.
TWO FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASHES IN MARION IN TWO DAYS
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Two men died the last week of 2024 after being involved in separate motorcycle crashes in Marion County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The first crash took place at about 4:10 a.m. on Dec. 26 at Southwest 80th Avenue and Southwest 80th Street. The driver of the motorcycle was a 37-year-old man from Citrus Springs.
The 37-year-old motorcyclist, who was from Citrus Springs, was traveling north on SW 80th Avenue, approaching the roadway’s intersection with SW 80th Street.
An elderly woman was determined to have violated the motorcyclist’s right-of-way, after she entered the intersection and collided with the motorcycle, according to FHP.
The man and his motorcycle were thrown into the grass shoulder of the roadway. He was transported to HCA Ocala Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, according to FHP.
A 43-year-old man from Silver Springs was involved in the second fatal motorcycle crash at about 12:20 a.m. on Dec. 27. No other vehicles were involved in the incident, according to FHP.
“A motorcycle was traveling northbound on SE 183rd Avenue Road navigating a curve to the left just south of SE 26th Street,” according to the crash press release. “The motorcycle ran off the roadway to the right and collided with a concrete mailbox and fence. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene.”
The man was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. His identity has not been released. His next of kin was notified of his death, according to FHP.
OCALA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PUT ON ‘ODE TO JOY’ PERFORMANCE
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Marion Cultural Alliance has awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra to support its upcoming performance of Beethoven classics.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra will perform “Ode to
Joy: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony” on March 30th, funded in part by MCA’s endowment.
“Immerse yourself in the monumental grandeur of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a towering masterpiece that continues to inspire and move audiences around the world,” wrote the Reilley Arts Center.
The OSO is directed by Matthew Wardell, and the performance will include the
College of Central Florida Patriot Singers and Ocala Symphony Chorus, led by Joshua Mazur.
“The concert will open with the stirring strains of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, setting the stage for an evening of dramatic intensity and emotional depth. The highlight of the afternoon, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, stands as a towering testament to the triumph of the human spirit over adversity,” wrote the Reilley Arts Center.
Other financial supporters include the College of Central Florida and Avison Yong.
“Known for its groundbreaking inclusion of vocal soloists and a chorus in the final movement, the symphony culminates in the exhilarating ‘Ode to Joy,’ a universal anthem of hope and brotherhood,” wrote the Reilley Arts Center. “This performance promises to be a powerful and moving experience, showcasing the combined forces of the orchestra and chorus in a celebration of joy, unity, and the enduring power of music.”
To purchase tickets, visit bit. ly/3PbY3Q2
Ocalans visit war-torn country
THE RE-SCHEDULED HUMANITARIAN TOUR OFFERED MIXED BLESSINGS FOR THE SMALL CONTINGENT.
By Marian Rizzo Correspondent
Stirred to action by the strife in the Middle East, Rocky Shrable, pastor of Wings of Faith Fellowship in southeast Ocala, recently organized a humanitarian tour of the Holy Land. Shrable made the 10-day journey in November 2024, along with his wife, Rebecca, Shawn Smith, director of the Christian Homeschool Education Center, and Stanley Tyrell Scott, founder and president of Performing Hearts Inc., a performing arts ministry to youth.
Having been to Israel before, Shrable originally planned a tour for Oct. 9, 2023, with 10 individuals from his church signed up to join a group of 40. The attack of Oct. 7, that year, changed their plans.
“Everything got shut down, so I had to reschedule that trip,” Shrable said. “We had only four signed up this year. The others were still concerned about the ongoing conflict in Israel and were not feeling safe yet.”
Upon their arrival at Tel Aviv airport, the four teamed up with a tour group from the Philippines. Their itinerary included visits to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Qumran, the Dead Sea and the region of Galilee. Shrable said he was surprised by the welcome they received in that war-torn country.
“There were a lot of people with machine guns slung over their shoulders and adults with pistols, but they greeted us with open arms,” said Shrable. “We tried to love on those people and let them know there are people at home praying for them. Something meaningful to me was meeting a young lady named Ella, whose niece was kidnapped. Abigail was 4 years old and was one of the first hostages that was released. But her parents were murdered.”
Unlike in previous years, Shrable noticed there were fewer tour buses in the area. Most of the time, the group’s bus was the only one in the parking lot and they didn’t have to wait in line at any of the tourist sites, Shrable said.
Smith noted that the reduction in tourists has had a
definite effect on the economy.
“The people were really thriving on tourism, but the tourism industry has tanked,” said Smith. “Shops have closed down. Some of the common groceries have shut down.”
For the four travelers, the initial intent was to purchase food and other essentials for families affected by the attacks. But things changed once the variety of needs became evident, he said.
“It was supposed to be a humanitarian mission,” Smith said. “We went to a local grocery store to buy groceries, but we ended up purchasing more than $7,000 in food distribution cards. That way, the people would be able to go to the store if they needed specific items. It was unbelievable. People were crying because they felt hope. They know that President (Elect) Trump believes in Israel. They would cry out to us in a way that was just humbling and greeted us with hugs, with gifts, with thank you’s. They said, ‘Hopefully, this will be the start of more Americans coming to stay and be with us.’”
Although there was supposed to be a cease-fire while the group
was there, as they were departing northern Israel sirens started going off in the middle of the afternoon, Smith said.
“We just happened to be in the territory where the war was,” he said. “The driver told us we needed to get off the bus. Everybody lay down on the ground and put their hands over their heads. The first explosion hit. I thought, Wow! That was really close. Then the second bomb went off. I started looking for a man with a hand-held rocket launcher. I was looking for Hamas or terrorists. The whole street had stopped. Everybody was getting out of their vehicles in front of us. When it was over, everybody was praising God. When I got up, I could see the black smoke from the explosion, probably 100 yards above our heads.”
A former EMT/firefighter, Smith said the scene was unlike anything he had ever seen on the streets of America.
“I’ve never seen so many handguns in any city in my life,” Smith said. “There were a lot of handguns and a tremendous amount of AR’s (automatic rifles). It is mandatory to go into the Army at 17. When kids graduate from high school, they go into the
military. They carry a weapon with them everywhere they go.”
While in Jerusalem, Smith met an Israeli Army commander, Erez Hadary, who had just come off the battlefield and was decompressing at a hotel there. The commander was in full uniform and towered over Smith.
“He had to have been 6’ 3” or 6’ 4”. He was a big dude,” Smith said. “He told me his name means rooted tree in Hebrew. That big man gave me a hug.”
Smith said that after Hadary noticed his special ops backpack, Hadary gave him his own combat medal, given to soldiers who had come from the fighting.
Meanwhile, Scott’s main focus was on the young people. He said he used his ministry of dance to reach out to young people on the streets of Israel.
“With the young, I noticed over there they are dealing with hardship at a dark moment,” Scott said. “A group of young men saw us praying. They looked like they were giggling, but when I got up and danced, their countenance changed. I do interpretive dancing with hip hop elements— moon walking, a little Michael Jackson—I just made everybody clap. They set the rhythm, and I
Submitted photos
danced to the beat.” What struck Scott was the courageous attitude some of the young people displayed.
“I met a 17-year-old who was pretty much right from high school, and he has to go into the military,” said Scott. “His best friend was killed by Hamas. His attitude was ‘I’ve gotta protect my people.’ He wanted to go to the front lines.”
As president of His Compassion Food Bank, Shrable said his church is collecting non-perishable foods, clothing, toiletries, medicines, furniture and other essentials to be sent to the displaced families in Israel. With the assistance of Love Israel, an Ocala ministry to the people of Israel, Shrable hopes to be able to load and ship the container soon. Donations can be brought to Wings of Faith Fellowship at 5066 SE 64th Ave. Road, Ocala.
Shrable also is planning another humanitarian trip to Israel for some time in 2025. Anyone interested in going can call the church office at (352) 687-4600.
Israeli Army Commander Erez Hadary and Shawn Smith.
Rev. Rocky Shrable and his wife, Rebecca, at the Garden of Gethsemane.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
FOUR NEW ROTARIANS INDUCTED
The Rotary Club of IMPACT
Ocala welcomed four professionals into membership during an induction ceremony Dec. 5, 2024, at the Midtown Station in downtown Ocala.
Jennifer LeBrecht, of Thrive Home Therapy & Design, Mehul Patel, with HCA Healthcare, David Shults, from Northwestern Mutual, and Sam Cone, from Cone Farms LLC, took their pledges to uphold the values and mission of Rotary International. The ceremony was conducted by President-Elect Herb Silverman, with members of the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala and Rotary Club of Ocala-Sunset in attendance.
The Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala offers a membership experience tailored for individuals with busy lives and demanding schedules. The service-focused club empowers
members to serve the community on their own terms, blending flexibility with purpose. Rotary International is a network of 1.4 million people who unite to take action and create lasting change across the globe.
COALITION TO HOST PRESCHOOL EVENT
Vendors are sought, including those with trucks
The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County will host a Truckin’ It To Preschool event at the Silver Springs Shores Community Center on Feb. 1. The free event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A quiet hour for children with sensory sensitivities will begin at 10 a.m. Attendees will learn
about preschool options available in Marion County and can receive assistance applying for VPK, Florida’s free Voluntary Prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds.
A Help Me Grow Books, Balls and Blocks activity area will encourage families to complete free developmental milestone screenings.
For more information about the Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala, visit impactocalarc.com or email Silverman at impactocalarc@gmail.com.
A variety of trucks and emergency vehicles will be on display. Vendor opportunities are available for preschool providers, nonprofit agencies and organizations interested in displaying trucks. To learn more, email communityrelations@ elcmarion.org.
The event will cap off Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! which begins Jan. 27. An initiative of the Florida Department of Education’s Just Read, FL!, the week is designed to inspire students and families to make reading part of daily routines. The first 200 children at Truckin’ It To Preschool will receive a free book.
For more information, call (352)369-2315 or visit elc-marion.org
Stroll along the OTrak, shop local vendors, and enjoy live
Enjoy musical performances by: The Mudds Local students
CF APPLETON MUSEUM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR HONORED
WITH STATEWIDE AWARD
Victoria Billig, assistant director of the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, was recently recognized with the Florida Association of Museums 2024 Exceptional Leadership Award.
FAM’s annual Museum Service Awards Program recognizes outstanding contributions to the museum profession in Florida. The Exceptional Leadership Award recognizes Billig’s work in the museum field and her impact on the cultural arts, Florida’s museums and the lives of the citizens of Florida.
“Victoria’s decadelong commitment of service excellence at the Appleton has made significant contributions to the museum while simultaneously advancing Florida’s museums, both locally and statewide,” said Appleton director Jason Steuber, in the news release.
Billig leads a 15-person team composed of the Education, Marketing and Public Relations, Appleton Store and Visitor Services departments. She
is the managing editor and content designer for all the Appleton’s publicfacing engagement and marketing strategies, such as the trimonthly museum magazine, “Artifacts,” as well as the website and media communication platforms. Working with the Appleton team, she led the museum’s American Alliance of Museums reaccreditation in 2023 and the development of five-year strategic plans for 2017-2022 and 2023-2028. To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org
Fareeza Niño Castaneda David Smith Jr.
David Shults, Jennifer LeBrecht, Mehul Patel and Herb Silverman. [Photo Rotary Club of IMPACT Ocala]
Victoria Billig [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]
Off-duty paramedic performs highway rescue
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
An off-duty Marion County Fire Rescue critical care paramedic jumped into action on the morning of Dec. 30 to save a man from a car engulfed in flames on Interstate 75.
Stephen Cabrera, who lives in Spring Hill, was making his hour-and-a-half drive to work when he saw a vehicle on fire on the side of the highway by the tree line. Cabrera said the rescue differed greatly from a usual rescue call because he had to improvise using the tools on hand to save the passenger.
“In a life and death matter like that, take that couple of seconds to stop and breathe and kind of focus on what’s going on, because your safety has come first,” he said.
The accident occurred near Exit 341 in the northbound lanes of I-75. Firefighter paramedics were dispatched at 7:09 a.m. from the nearby Marion Oaks Station 24, but Cabrera happened to be in the right
New laws
Continued from page A1
what speech and mediums their minor children may access — including by utilizing the many available tools to monitor their activities on the internet,” the lawsuit said.
The groups are seeking a preliminary injunction to block the restrictions, and Attorney General Ashley Moody agreed in November to delay enforcement until Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Wilson rules on the injunction request. Walker has scheduled a Feb. 28 hearing.
“In order to obtain a full record and obtain discovery, Florida agreed to stay enforcement of its statute until the court rules on the motion for preliminary injunction,” Chase Sizemore, press secretary
for Moody’s office, said in a statement in November.
The bill did not name socialmedia platforms that would be affected. But it included a definition of such platforms, with criteria related to such things as algorithms, “addictive features” and allowing users to view the content or activities of other users.
The lawsuit repeatedly referred to sites such as YouTube and Facebook --- while also saying the restrictions would not apply to services such as Disney+. If social-media companies violate the restrictions they could face penalties up to $50,000 per violation. The measure also would open them to lawsuits filed on behalf of minors.
Moody, however, wants to move forward immediately with another part of HB 3 that
place at the right time and stopped at the scene first.
“I saw the occupant inside the vehicle actively getting burned on his right side because the right side of the passenger compartment was now on fire inside the vehicle,” he said.
Cabrera and several bystanders stepped in to remove the man from the burning vehicle, using only a pocketknife and a part from the crashed car.
“I had a knife on me, so I cut the seat belt and I cut the airbag that was keeping us from pulling him out, and then we were able to open the car door and drag him out,” he said. “At that point, we pulled him about 10 feet away from the car, and then we busted the rear window to try to look inside to make sure everyone was out.”
Cabrera has been a firefighter for nearly 20 years and said that firstresponders and civilians alike should stay focused in a crisis to ensure their own safety in order to assist others.
“Even I, sometimes, with the adrenaline hitting you can find the
requires age verification for access to websites with adult content. The Free Speech Coalition, an adult-entertainment industry group, and other plaintiffs filed suit Dec. 16 challenging that part of the measure on First Amendment and other constitutional grounds.
Supporters say the ageverification requirements are designed to keep minors from viewing pornography online.
Pornhub isn’t waiting for Walker to rule on the ageverification requirements, saying the adult site will be unavailable to Florida users starting Wednesday.
“Did you know that your government wants you to give your driver’s license before you can access Pornhub?” users of the site are advised when they log on. “As crazy as it sounds, it’s true. You’ll be required to prove you are 18 years or older such as by uploading your government ID for every adult content website
tunnel vision can creep up on you,” he said. “You still want to go back home to your family, so do what you can to save the other people, but you got to take care of you first.”
By 7:17 a.m., an engine and rescue from Station 24 arrived on scene, extinguished the fire and provided aid to the patient. The man was transported to a local trauma hospital.
“I definitely appreciate the recognition from the community and everything, but I don’t feel like I did anything out of the ordinary. I was just off duty,” Cabrera said.
Cabrera said he would have done the same thing outside of work as if he were on duty and extended his gratitude to the bystanders who stopped to help.
“I do think that the citizens who also stopped and helped are really the ones that were important there, because they’re not used to situations like I do in my career every day,” he said. “The fact that the community pulled together and assisted with saving the man’s life was a very refreshing.”
you’d like to access. We don’t want minors accessing our site and think preventing that from happening is a good thing. But putting everybody’s privacy at risk won’t achieve that.”
Among other laws taking effect Wednesday will be a measure (SB 184) aimed at preventing people from harassing or threatening first responders.
The bill makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to get within 25 feet of a first responder after receiving a verbal warning not to approach.
Supporters touted the bill as a way to help police officers and other first responders.
“While blue states vilify and defund the police, Florida will continue to be the friendliest state in the nation towards our law enforcement community,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in an April statement as he signed the legislation.
But in March, The Rutherford Institute, a civil-liberties
organization, warned the “no go zone” was unnecessary and could give police broad discretion to abuse the law.
“Riddled with vague terms and lacking explicit safeguards for protected First Amendment activities such as simply observing or recording the first responder’s actions, SB 184 not only stands to chill free speech activities but could also encourage government officials to undermine the very rights they are sworn to uphold and protect,” John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, wrote in a March 28 letter to DeSantis.
Also taking effect Wednesday will be a law (HB 135) that includes preventing changes to people’s political-party affiliations without their written consent and a law (HB 267) that requires the Florida Building Commission to change parts of the state building code related to replacement windows, doors and garage doors.
Submitted photos
Have your voice heard: Serve on a government advisory board
Staff report
With the new year here, maybe you’ve made a resolution to participate more in your community. If so, you can have a voice in local government by helping out on a volunteer board. Maybe you’re an expert in commercial real estate; maybe you know a lot about environmental regulations. That expertise can help you, your fellow citizens and local government if you want to volunteer on a board.
As of Dec. 16, 2024, here are the listings of vacancies for cities in Marion County and the county itself. The city of Ocala has numerous terms expiring in March, so there are plenty of opportunities to serve.
City of Belleview:
The city’s general link is here: belleviewfl.org/151/ Boards-Committees
The general application document is here: belleviewfl. org/DocumentCenter/View/39/ City-Board-ApplicationPDF?bidId =
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
1 expired term as of March 2024 for a city resident, 2 terms expiring March 2025
Description: The Planning and Zoning Board acts as an advisory Board to the Commission for planning and zoning issues. They also hear and decide variance and special exception requests. The Planning and Zoning Board is subject to the Sunshine Regulations and must file financial disclosure forms upon appointment and annually thereafter.
Members are appointed by the Commission for staggered three-year terms and the alternate is appointed to a one year terms. If a member leaves, the Commission appoints another citizen to fill the vacated term. Members must live in Belleview, be a registered voter, and not delinquent in the payment of city taxes.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30pm.
City of Dunnellon:
The city’s general link is here: dunnellon.org/ government/boardscommissions
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
1 term for general member ended Nov. 8, 2024; 1 vacancy for 2nd alternate member term already expired, 2 general member terms ending January 2025
Description: The purpose of the Historic Preservation Board is to promote and preserve educational, cultural and economic welfare of the public. The Historic Preservation Board has established uniform procedures to preserve the City’s historic resources by enhancing public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of such resources, including buildings, structures, monuments, and other historic resources. In keeping with its purpose, the Board has developed the Application for Historic Preservation Grant Facade Renovations. Interested person(s) should complete the application and submit to the Community Development Department for submission to the Board.
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm.
For more information, visit dunnellon.org/government/ boards-commissions/historicpreservation-board
PLANNING COMMISSION
1 member term expiring Jan. 11, 2025; 2 vacancies for alternate members
Description: The Planning Commission has an administrative review function whereby the Commission reviews all changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, by amendment, evaluation, addition and appraisal for consistency with the existing Comprehensive Plan, and reviews all landrelated/zoning ordinances to determine consistency to the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission holds quasi-judicial hearings with regards to land planning/ zoning cases, site plan reviews, variances, special exceptions, and review/appeal of administrative orders, and forwards its findings/ recommendations to the City Council.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm.
dunnellon.org/government/ boards-commissions/planningcommission
City of Ocala:
The city’s general link is here:
ocalafl.gov/government/citydepartments-a-h/city-clerk/ boards-and-commissions
The City Council appoints individuals to serve on over 20 boards, advisory committees, and commissions. These volunteers are from all over Ocala, and their experience, knowledge and expertise help influence decisions affecting the City by providing advice and feedback to City leaders and Council.
If you have questions, contact clerk@ocalafl.gov or call the Office of the City Clerk at (352) 629-8266.
The main page is ocalafl.gov/ government/city-departmentsa-h/city-clerk/boards-andcommissions and each board has its own page and application link.
All are welcome to submit an application for consideration to a board or commission.
Many boards have specific requirements, such as living within the city limits, being a qualified city voter, or owning real property within the city limits. These requirements, if any, are detailed for each board on their page.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Description : The Board of Adjustment considers applications for zoning variances and special exception considerations for business and residential construction projects within the Ocala City Limits. Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the building official in the enforcement of the zoning code (chapter 122), authorize special exceptions as provided in the zoning code authorize variances as provided in the zoning code.
Vacancies: 3 current vacancies, one runs through March 1, 2025; two run to March 1, 2028.
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Description: The purpose of the advisory committee is to promote and receive public comment on the identification, rehabilitation and redevelopment of identified Brownfield sites. The purpose of the advisory committee is to promote and receive public comment on the identification, rehabilitation and redevelopment of identified Brownfield sites. The advisory committee shall provide guidance in areas such as land use, employment opportunities, development proposals, community safety and environmental justice. The committee consists of eleven members appointed by the Ocala City Council from boards, committees and organizations primarily representing West Ocala.
Vacancies: 1 current vacancy, term from March 1, 2024 to March 1, 2028. 4 terms ending March 1, 2025.
Size: 9 Members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Description: The committee shall advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. The Downtown Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the CRA Agency and City Council from property owners and organizations representing Downtown Ocala.
Vacancies: 2 current vacancies for terms ending March 1, 2025.
Size: multiple members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
EAST OCALA REDEVELOPMENT
SUBAREA ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Description: The committee shall advise the CRA Agency and City Council on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea. The East Ocala Redevelopment Subarea Advisory Committee shall consist of nine members appointed by the CRA Agency and City Council from property owners and organizations representing East Ocala. Meets at least two times per year.
Vacancies: 3 terms ending March 1, 2025.
Size: 7 members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
FIREFIGHTERS’ RETIREMENT
SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Description: The sole and exclusive administration of, and the responsibility for the proper, effective operation of the Retirement Plan is vested in a Board of Trustees. The board of trustees shall consist of five persons; two firefighters elected by the firefighter members of the plan. Two trustees shall be residents of the City appointed by City Council. The fifth member of the board shall be chosen by a majority of the other four members of the Board and appointed by City Council as a ministerial act. Form 1 Financial Disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission.
Vacancies: 1 term expired
October 2024
Size: 5 Members
Term Length: 2 years
Term Limit: n/a
GENERAL EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT
SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Description : To construe the provision of the System and determine all questions arising there under, to determine all questions relating to eligibility and membership, to determine and certify the amount of all retirement allowances or other benefits hereunder, to establish uniform rules and procedures to be followed for administrative purposes, benefit applications and all matters required to administer the System, to distribute to Members, at regular intervals, information concerning the System, to receive and process all applications for benefits, to authorize all payments whatsoever from the Fund, and to notify the disbursing agent, in writing, of approved benefit payments and other expenditures arising through operation of the System and Fund, to have performed actuarial studies and valuations, at least as often as required by law, and make recommendations regarding any and all changes in the provisions of the System, to maintain Fiduciary Liability Insurance, to perform such other duties as are required to prudently administer the System.
Membership Qualifications
The board shall consist of five trustees, three of whom unless otherwise prohibited by law, shall be appointed by the Ocala City Council. Upon receipt of the elected members names, the Ocala City Council shall as a ministerial duty, approve the elected members. Members can be outside of City limits. Form 1 Financial Disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission. Meets quarterly. Vacancies: 2 terms ending March 1, 2025 Size: 5 Members Term Length: 3 years Term Limit: n/a
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD
Description : The Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board oversees the historic resources of the City and advises City Council and City departments on matters relating to these resources, as well as manages Certificates of Appropriateness for properties located within the Tuscawilla Park and Ocala Historic Districts. Make recommendations to City council for matters relating to historic resources in the City changes to designated resources; attend pertinent informational or educational meetings, workshops and conferences; advise on development of goals, objectives and policies for historic preservation; advise city departments on matters relating to historic resources in the City; advise individuals on preservation of historic structures; educate public on economic benefits of same; and submit annual report to SHPO covering annual activities. The Board approves Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior alterations to properties located in the local Tuscawilla Park and Ocala Historic Districts.
Vacancies: 2 current vacancies with varying terms
ending 2025-2027; 1 term for an architect, 1 term for general member. One term ending March 1, 2025.
Size: 9 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Description: The Code Enforcement Division enforces codes that pertain to zoning laws, nuisance abatement, contracting, and permitting requirements of the City of Ocala and the State of Florida, occupational licenses, sign codes, alcohol location permits, and many other local ordinances and State Statutes. The Municipal Code Enforcement Board hears cases relating to code violations. Examine code violation cases presented by City Code Enforcement Officers. Empowered to levy fines and place liens on property if, violation is not corrected.
Vacancies: 3 current vacancies, 1 regular and 2 alternates; 1 term ending March 1, 2025
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
NORTH MAGNOLIA REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Description: The committee shall advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes.
Vacancies: 1 current vacancy to March 1, 2027; 3 terms ending March 1, 2025
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Description: The Planning & Zoning Commission is responsible for advising City Council on current and longrange planning, review and permitting of land development within the City of Ocala. Makes recommendations to City Council relating to zoning and land use and ensures that changes proposed are consistent with City’s Comprehensive Plan. Members must be qualified voters of the city, and Form 1 Financial Disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission.
Vacancies: 2 terms ending March 1, 2025
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
POLICE OFFICERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Description: The Police Officers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees is responsible the administration and operation of the Retirement Plan for the City of Ocala Police Officers.
Vacancies: 1 citizen term expired Aug. 6, 2024
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 2 years
Term Limit: n/a
RECREATION COMMISSION
Description: The Recreation Commission advises City Council on matters relating to parks, recreation, and volunteer programs within the City of Ocala. The Recreation Commission shall advise and See Advisory board, page A9
Advisory board
recommend to the City Council on the use of public facilities for recreational programs, and shall act as liaison with the board of county commissioners and the county school board regarding availability and use of county and school facilities. The commission shall advise and recommend to the City Council on the use of public facilities for recreational programs.
Membership Qualifications
A majority of the member of the Recreation Commission shall be citizens of the City. Holders of other public or City office of employment shall be eligible for membership on the Recreation Commission.
Vacancies: 1 city resident term ending March 1, 2025
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
TREE COMMISSION
Description: The Ocala Tree Commission is responsible for the development and administration of a plan care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting and removal of trees on governmental properties within City limits. It shall be the responsibility of the Tree Commission to develop and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting and removal of trees on property owned or controlled by the
City and on property owned or controlled by all other governmental entities when this property is located within the City limits.
Membership Qualifications
All of whom will be licensed tree surgeons, licensed landscape architects, licensed landscaping contractors or other interested citizens chosen for their knowledge of, concern about and participation in issues affecting the city’s urban tree population. Two regular meetings per year.
Vacancies: 2 arborist terms ending March 1, 2025
Size: 5 Members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
WEST OCALA REDEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Description: The committee shall advise the CRA Agency and City Council on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea. The West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee is appointed as an advisory board to the Community Redevelopment Agency for the area defined as the West Ocala Redevelopment Subarea. The committee shall advise the CRA on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. Meets at least two times per year.
Vacancies: 4 terms ending March 1, 2025.
Size: 9 members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
Marion County Marion County shows vacancies on the following boards: Code Enforcement, the Industrial Development Authority, the Land Development Regulation Commission and the WellFlorida Council. These are volunteer positions and have specific qualifications and criteria depending on the board’s focus. The county commission appoints members in regular BOCC meetings.
An online application can be downloaded here: marionfl. org/my-commissioners/ advisory-boards and can be printed or saved as a PDF. Please email completed forms to commissionadmin@ marionfl.org upon completion. Applications can also be obtained at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners’ Office located at 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, Florida or by calling 352-4382323.
CODE
ENFORCEMENT
(2 alternate members – Terms expire February 2026 and November 2027)
Qualifications/restrictions : Members shall be residents of Marion County.
Responsibilities: Members shall be residents of Marion County and should have experience or interest in zoning and building control, and shall, whenever possible be in the field of architecture, engineering, general
contracting, or subcontracting.
Members shall have the power to adopt rules for the conduct of its hearings; subpoena alleged violators & witnesses to its hearings; subpoena records, surveys, plats & other documentary evidence; take testimony under oath; issue orders having the force & effect of law, commanding whatever steps are necessary to bring a violation into compliance and establish and levy fines pursuant to county ordinance. Members are required to e-file Form 1 (Statement of Financial Interest) with the Florida Commission on Ethics.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(2 full members – Terms through November 2028)
Qualifications/restrictions: Members shall reside within the boundaries of the district.
Responsibilities: Members shall participate in the preparation of the annual budget, review and comment on programs, activities, operations, goals and objectives of the district. As requested by the BCC, review all expenditures of district funds and provide comments thereon.
LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION COMMISSION
(1 full member – Term through November 2028)
Qualifications/restrictions:
Members shall be qualified electors in Marion County.
Responsibilities: Members shall preferably have knowledge in the areas
of planning, environmental science, agriculture, and the development industry, as well as in technical fields related to land development regulations. They should have the ability to evaluate and recommend specific regulatory standards and criteria to the County Commission regarding the adoption and amendment of the Land Development Code and Zoning Code. Additionally, members are responsible for preparing an annual report recommending amendments to the Land Development Code or Zoning Code.
WELLFLORIDA COUNCIL
(1 full member, provider – Term through November 2026)
Qualifications/restrictions:
Applicants must be a Provider of health care services including physicians, dentists, nurses, health facility administrators and members of governing bodies of health facilities.
Responsibilities:
Well Florida Council is a resource for county health departments, community-based organizations, government agencies and healthcare facilities. Well Florida is known for producing the county health needs assessments. Members oversee Well Florida’s budget, advocate for Well Florida’s services and may advise County Commissioners on health planning for their county, the region and the state. Meetings are held once a month at Well Florida Council in Gainesville. (Specific information may be provided by Well Florida Council.)
People, Places and Things
Ocala couple honored for six decades of service to church
The former owners of Parramore Music have been involved in numerous ministries at Fort King Presbyterian.
By Marian Rizzo Correspondent
When it comes to church volunteers, few can compare with the legacy of Ben and Jo Ann Parramore, longtime members of Fort King Presbyterian Church of Ocala.
During the regular Sunday service on Dec. 8, the Parramores were recognized for 60 years of faithful dedication. Members signed a handmade plaque that bore the words, “Our Angels!” and presented it to the Parramores along with individual gift cards.
The Rev. Bob Scott, who has been serving as interim pastor for the last six months, said the Parramores have been involved in the church since its founding.
“We wanted to thank them for all they have done, especially as founders, builders, and sustainers of the church,” Scott said. “They have done so much to keep the property in repair. Ben has been charing the property ministry and has served on it much of the time for 60 years. Jo Ann was one of the founders and one of the few who are still left. They are there every Sunday and are still very active.”
Besides Sunday morning services, the Parramores attend Wednesday Bible study and committee meetings.
“It’s been their church home,” said Scott. “In the short time that I’ve been there, they are at the church all the time, meeting with contractors, carpenters, electricians, not just for the property, but they help out in the church office, and they help out with audio/visual (technology) on Sunday mornings. They also are part of caregiving in the church. They literally know everyone and, of course, everybody knows Ben and Jo Ann.”
The original owners of Parramore Music store in Ocala, the couple also made time to help out in the community and their interest in church activities continued to grow after they sold the downtown business to a relative, Scott said.
“They have been an Ocala institution for a long time,” Scott said. “It truly is humbling how much Ben and Jo Ann have done. They love the Lord, but they also love Fort King and all it stands for. They just poured their heart and soul in it for 60 years.”
Jo Ann Parramore modestly shrugged off the recognition.
“It was an honor, but it’s
what we do,” she said. “We do it because we want to, and we love to.”
Jo Ann was one of the charter members, having moved from First Presbyterian Church when the Fort King ministry started. She said Ben came over five years later, but they both wanted to be involved from those early years.
“We were on the property committee,” she said. “Ben’s been on the finance committee, and we were both elders. The property committee is the biggest challenge because there’s always something to fix. You think you’ve got it all lined up and then the toilet breaks or the roof leaks.”
One of Jo Ann’s favorite projects is Congregational Care, which requires being in touch with people who are sick or in the hospital and helping with the reception after a funeral. Then there are the behind-the-scenes jobs that also attracted her.
“They call me ‘the closet cleaner,’” she said. “I go in and anything worth giving, I give it away, if not, I throw it away. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever worked on. I like projects like Hope House. It’s a little house on our property. At one time we used it for Sunday school and the pastor had an office there. We use it for a lot of things— book club, slow stitch class, and just a place to sit around and chill out. We’re family.”
According to Jo Ann, Ben also plunged into his own special projects.
“He set up a Disaster Preparedness program to call people before, during, and after a storm to see what they needed,” she said. “Ben said that was one of the things he enjoyed the most.”
Longtime members Buddy and Anne MacKay have known the Parramores since the beginning and also helped with the founding of Fort King Presbyterian Church.
“They were just genuine is the way I would describe them,” said Anne MacKay. “You always want them on your side because they know what to do and they do it. They literally kept the church together. When there was something that needed to be done, they did it.”
The recognition ceremony came about when the session of elders realized the Parramores were going to step down from leadership positions for health reasons, said Joanne CornellOhlman, another longtime
member. Ben is getting ready to have hip surgery, she said.
“We realized they deserved some type of recognition,” Ohlman said. “We had the entire session—about a dozen elders— walk to the front of the church where they started talking about them. People had secretly submitted photos, and we had a slide show. They’re not the type that look for a lot of recognition. So, it was exciting that so many people wanted to show their appreciation for all they have contributed to the church.”
Photos submitted by Joanne Cornell-Ohlman
This plaque was presented to the couple in recognition of their longtime commitment to the church.
Jo Ann and Ben Parramore were recently recognized for 60 years of service at Fort King Presbyterian Church in Ocala.
Ocala water tank mural completed
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
The new mural depicting local natural wildlife on the downtown Ocala water tank has been completed, spanning over 300 feet.
In October, the city hired central Florida artist Christian Stanley, of C. Stanley Creative, to reinvigorate the existing mural on the water tank near the Downtown Farmers Market.
The mural, called “Marion Flow,” was painted on the water tank at Southeast Third Avenue and Southeast Fifth Street.
“It features a number of native plants and animals that reside in the Ocala National Forest. It was a pleasure working in Ocala and getting to be near our families that live there during the holiday season,” wrote Stanley on Facebook.
Stanley was paid $60,000 by the city for his work. The project was funded in part through partnerships with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, Fine Arts For Ocala and Ocala Main Street, according to the city.
The mural includes several motifs, such as an American alligator, red-eared slider turtles, blue heron, seagrasses, white tail deer and fawn, river otters, a mother and calf Indian manatee, American white waterlily, and a diving double crested cormorant.
Stanley is based out of the Orlando area and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2011 with a degree in graphic design. He was born and raised in Stuart, Florida.
The plans were first revealed on Oct. 26, when an unveiling event was held,
Submitted photos
and citizens had the opportunity to kick off the mural process by adding their own brushstrokes of paint.
Previously, the mural called “Natural Flow” was painted in 2016 by Eduardo Mendieta and depicted fish. The mural faded and wore away over time, and the water tower needed new artwork to bring it back to life.
Sudoku By The Mepham Group
Understanding encephalitis: Symptoms, causes and treatment
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Ever since I had my son, I tend to worry whenever he gets ill, so I try to educate myself on different viruses and autoimmune disorders. I recently came across encephalitis. What is it? What are some of the warning signs? And how is it treated?
ANSWER: It’s normal to worry as a parent. However, encephalitis is a rare disease. The word encephalitis means swelling (often inflammation) of the brain. Early signs can include the sudden onset of headache, fever and frequent seizures. Patients will often develop cognitive problems such
as memory loss, hallucinations and confusion sometimes not knowing what time of day it is or what year it is. A number of patients can develop problems walking, abnormal movements, fluctuating blood pressure and potential loss of consciousness. It can be a very challenging time for everyone involved.
What causes encephalitis is two-pronged. For some patients, infections from bacteria or viruses can cause their illness, which is called infectious encephalitis. For other patients, their own immune system causes the illness when immune cells attack the brain by mistake, which is called autoimmune encephalitis. Family history or genetic predispositions can play a part in autoimmune
encephalitis, but it is not spread from person to person.
Encephalitis is treated depending on the cause. If you have an infectious cause, you usually receive drugs that try to eliminate the virus, such as antiviral drugs. This can be very successful, especially if given early on. In patients who have autoimmune forms of encephalitis, the body’s immune system is overactive. Suppressing the immune system can greatly improve the patient’s symptoms.
Once immunosuppressive treatment has begun, especially if it can be started early in the diagnosis, many patients make dramatic improvements. However, despite those improvements, many patients are left with remaining
WINTER CLASSES
Start January 5 for ages 6+
Play Space: Creative Movement or Act Now (6-8) Act Up (9-12, 13-17) Afterschool or homeschool (daytime) Stage Combat (13-17)
symptoms such as memory problems and sleep disturbances. There are currently no preventive measures or vaccines for these illnesses, but there is hope in research.
Our research is essential because we’re trying to better understand how the patients present their illness to healthcare professionals and, therefore, how they can be diagnosed accurately. We hope to improve recognition of the disease, better understand how to measure the disease, how to measure improvement in an individual patient, and then be able to answer the ultimate question that all our patients want to know: ‘Why did this happen to me?’
Over the last 10 or 15 years of both doing research and
seeing hundreds of patients with autoimmune encephalitis, we’ve improved our understanding of which patients should receive which treatments at which times, and we’ve understood much more about how to begin to estimate and explain to the patient, their relatives and caregivers what we think might happen in the future. One of our main goals is for healthcare teams to be able to identify and treat patients earlier. Mayo Clinic is ideally positioned to be a center of excellence for these patients. We also are structured to have a clinical trial set up for many of these patients so that we can see these patients, understand their biology and then begin to use that as a way to offer them the right treatments at the right times.
RICK STEVES’ EUROPE
Rick Steves’ Europe: Finding peace among the crowds in Mykonos
I’ll never forget literally “jumping ship” in Mykonos: enjoying a glass of ouzo in a tiny taverna while watching my mighty cruise ship sail away and taking with it the 3,000 tourists that had inundated that charming port just an hour before. It seemed the locals were satisfied that they’d made their money for the day, they’d pushed away their postcard racks, and suddenly, a sleepy charm blanketed both the locals and the visitors who remained on perhaps the most famed island in the Aegean Sea.
Mykonos is the classic Greek-island stop and, along with Santorini, it’s the most touristy. But being on Mykonos that day reminded me how enduringly charming the Greek islands can be if you can avoid those crowds.
Mykonos’ port, Chora (more often referred to as ‘Mykonos town’ ), is a humble seafront village crouched behind a sandy harbor, thickly layered with blinding-white stucco, bright-blue trim, and bursting-purple bougainvilleas. Thank goodness for all that color, since otherwise this island — one of Greece’s driest — would be various shades of dull-brown. On a ridge over town stretches a trademark row of six windmills, overlooking a tidy embankment so pretty they call it “Little Venice.’
The sea, the wind, the birds, and the weather-beaten little whitewashed churches all combine to give the town a vibrant allure. Everyone gathers in the cafes and pubs to nurse an ouzo or other drink, and to watch the sun set to the rhythm of the sloppy, slamming waves.
While Mykonos town has some museums, they merely provide an excuse to get out of the sun for a few minutes. The real attraction here is poking around the streets: shopping, dining, clubbing, or best of all simply strolling. The core of the town is literally a maze, designed by the Mykonians centuries ago to discourage would be invaders from finding their way. That tactic also works on today’s tourists. But I can think of few places where getting lost is so enjoyable.
the
feels more geared toward families (and is therefore more crowded). And Paradise is Mykonos’ famous ‘meatmarket’ beach, a magnet for partiers in the Aegean. Located at the southern tip of the island, Paradise (a.k.a. Kalamopodi) is presided over by hotels that run party-oriented bars for young beachgoers.
My favorite beach is Agios Ioannis, a remote patch of pebbly sand tucked behind a hill that gives me the feeling of being on a castaway isle. It’s an idyllic Robinson Crusoe spot between Ornos and Kapari where two restaurants share a sandy beach.
All these beaches have comfortable lounge chairs with umbrellas out on the sand. Just take a seat they’ll come by to collect money. Be warned that in peak season July and August it can be difficult to find an available seat.
From Mykonos town, you can take a public bus to any of these beaches, or you can take a boat to Paradise, then beach-hop on the shuttle boat that connects Paradise, Super Paradise, Platis Gialos, and Paraga beaches. Another alternative is to rent a car, motor scooter, or All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). If I wanted to drive a scooter or ATV on a Greek isle, I’d do it here, where the roads are not too heavily trafficked (you’ll pass more fellow scooters and ATVs than cars), and idyllic beaches are a short ride away.
Classes at OCT or Academy West (Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place)
When you’re done exploring the town, it’s time to relax at one of the enticing sandy beaches around the island. Each beach seems to specialize in a different niche: family-friendly or party; straight, gay, or mixed; nude or clothed; and so on. (Keep in mind that in Greece, even family-friendly beaches have topless sunbathers.)
The low-key beach in Ornos, ideal if you brought your kids, is easy to reach and has an unpretentious charm. Or you might try Psarou and Platis Gialos two beaches along a cove to the east of Ornos. Psarou is considered a somewhat exclusive, favorite retreat of celebrities, while Platis Gialos
Popular as Mykonos is today, it was just another island centuries ago, and the main attraction was next door — the island of Delos. According to Greek myth, this was the birthplace of the twin deities Apollo (god of the sun) and Artemis (goddess of the moon).
Today Delos is reachable only by a 30-minute boat trip from Mykonos; it has no residents — only ruins and a humble museum. You’ll see the muchphotographed Lions of the Naxians’ a row of five sphinx-like lion statues — some nice floor mosaics, and a windswept setting pockmarked with foundations. Delos was a pilgrimage site for believers who came from all over to worship this ‘birthplace of light.’ Judging by the presentday sun-worshippers who scramble for the best patch of sand on Mykonos each summer, things haven’t changed much around here.
Strolling
maze-like streets of Mykonos’ main town, Chora, is a delight. CREDIT: (Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves’ Europe).
Call for volunteers, vendors and more for MLK events
The Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee has issued an appeal for members of the public, entertainers and others to become involved in local observations, coming up from Jan. 6 to Jan. 20.
By Susan Smiley-Height
susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Beginning Jan. 6 and running through Jan. 20, there will be a number of local events to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year’s theme is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365.”
The third Monday in January is a federal holiday to remember the slain civil rights activist, who served as pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, from 1954 to 1965, before he rose to international prominence as the leading voice for equality and social justice in America and around the world until he was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
All of the activities taking place in Ocala are organized by the Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for local high school students. The committee has issued a call for members of the public to join in, as well as an appeal for vendors, entertainers and volunteers. Below are details about each activity and who to contact to learn more.
VOLUNTEERS: A meeting for volunteers will begin at 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at 615 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. For more information contact Dwanette Dilworth at (352) 207-6036 or email drdilworth@gmail.com.
FOOD DRIVE: The drive will begin at 9 a.m. on Jan. 11 at the 2nd Bethlehem Association at
NW 4th Ave., Ocala. To learn more about the drive and ways to participate, call Ire Bethea at (352) 208-0819 or Eric Cummings at (352) 804-6871.
PRAYER BREAKFAST: On Jan. 18, beginning at 9 a.m., the annual Prayer Breakfast will take place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, at 1812 NW 21st Ave. The event will offer inspirational comments along with a delicious meal. For more information, reach out to Loretta Jenkins at (352) 3510824.
WREATH LAYING: At noon on Jan. 18, people will gather at Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Park at 500 SW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. for the annual laying of a ceremonial wreath. For details, call Cassandra Boston at (352) 209-2973.
YOUTH DAY: Just an hour later that same day, festivities for youngsters of all ages will
begin back at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. This event will offer numerous opportunities for area youth to have fun and learn about Dr. King’s history and legacy. To learn more, call Dilworth at (352) 207-6036.
ECUMENICAL SERVICES: The annual services will begin at 5 p.m. on Jan. 19 at New St. John Baptist Church at 2251 NW 2nd St. Shirley Wright may be reached at (352) 732-0097 for those wishing to know more about this activity.
HISTORIC MARCH: The showcase event will be the annual Historic March on Jan. 20. Participants may park their vehicles at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Complex at 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd. and take a shuttle to the downtown square. The buses will begin running at 7 a.m. and the lineup of participants will begin at
8 a.m. At 9 a.m., the march will step off from the square and participants will walk back to the MLK Recreational Complex. They will be greeted by numerous well-wishers along the way. For details, call Bethea at (352) 2080819 or Kelvin B. Richardson at (352) 207-9558.
DAY IN THE PARK: As march participants arrive back at the complex, the Day in the Park activities will begin, from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be speeches, live performances, family activities and vendors with a wide variety of offerings.
TeSha Jackson, who is lining up the performers, said there will be an “homage to the legendary Motown, Philadelphia, and R&B sound, brought to life by The All Stars Sensation Band.” Those interested in performing may call Jackson at (352) 426-0861 or email entconsultantbyteshaj@ gmail.com. Interested vendors can reach out to Dilworth at (352) 2076036.
“The committee has had some wonderful experiences
working with the city of Ocala and other organizations. As we celebrate our annual events each year, we get great support and donations from the community. We are thankful to be able to give scholarships to high school seniors in our public schools,” Committee President Paula Leahmon stated.
“We continue to live in a world filled with less than perfect days and unpredictable circumstances,” Leahmon offered.
“We can continue to say as Dr. King did, that ‘We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power of love. There is some good in the worst of us and evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.’”
She also noted that, “As we embark upon another year, we are recruiting new membership, which is very essential to our continued contributions and operation.”
To learn more about the committee, reach out to anyone listed in this article.
Sudoku By The Mepham Group
Gasoline Alley
Broom Hilda
Members of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Anthony carry a banner with a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as they march with hundreds of other people in Ocala on Jan. 15, 2024.
Members of the NAACP Marion County Youth Council walk along Silver Springs Boulevard on Jan. 15, 2024, during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March in Ocala.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
government
MONTH OF JANUARY
Marion County School Board meetings
Marion County Board of County Commission chambers, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
Public activities conducted by the Marion County School Board will temporarily move to a new home in January because of renovations inside the MTI Auditorium. The meetings include Jan. 9, 9 a.m., work session; Jan. 14, 5:30 p.m., board meeting; Jan. 23, 9 a.m., work session; Jan. 23, 4 p.m., quarterly meeting of the Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee; Jan. 28, 5:30 p.m., board meeting. See marionschools.net/school_board for more information.
JANUARY 6, 13, 20, 27
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion. fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
JANUARY 7, 21
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am
The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm
Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes
JANUARY 22
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr.
5:30pm
The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
community
JANUARY 20
Marion County MLK 2025 Ocala Historic March Downtown to MLK Recreational Complex, 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala 8am to 10am
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Commemorative Commission will the annual march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and in support of Dr. King’s legacy against injustice and inequality. Participants will first arrive at the MLK Recreational Complex with shuttles to downtown. Line up begins at 8 a.m., with the march back to the MLK Recreational Complex scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. There also will be activities in the park after the march ends there. For more information, visit bit.ly/mlkday2025
JANUARY 31
“Never Give Up on Country” Concert
Sheltair Aviation, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala 7:30pm to 9pm The Travis Mills Foundation will host its fourth “Never Give Up On Country” concert in Marion County. Headlining the concert will be country music artist Chris Janson, known for his chart-topping hits such as “Buy Me a Boat” and “Good Vibes.” Chris McNeil also will perform. The “Never Give Up On Country” concert, along with its sponsors and the community, has raised more than $1 million in support of the foundation, which supports “recalibrated” veterans. Tickets are $50, with the option to purchase a meal from Mission BBQ, and can be purchased at nevergiveuponcountry.eventbrite.com
JANUARY 3
First Friday Art Walk Downtown Ocala 6pm to 9pm Local artists and vendors will be found all around the square and there will be musical performances as well. Visit downtown restaurants and bars downtown to make it an evening out. Free to attend. Learn more at ocalafl.gov
JANUARY 12
Young Artist Competition: Honors Recital Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 1pm to 4pm The Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s annual recital will feature finalists in junior and senior divisions. The winners will return in March to perform as soloists at the OSO’s “Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis” concert. Visit reillyartscenter.com to learn more.
FEBRUARY 1
of
NAME OF AGENCY: The School Board of Marion County, Florida RULE
NAME OF AGENCY: The School Board of Marion County, Florida
NAME OF AGENCY: The School Board of Marion County, Florida
RULE TITLE: Elementary Rezoning for the Shady Hollow Area
RULE TITLE: Elementary Rezoning for the Shady Hollow Area
RULE NO.: Board Policy po5120
RULE NO.: Board Policy po5120
SUMMARY: Scheduled a work session to be held on January 23, 2025, to discuss the Elementary Rezoning for the Shady Hollow area.
SUMMARY OF RULE:
SUMMARY: Scheduled a work session to be held on January 23, 2025, to discuss the Elementary Rezoning for the Shady Hollow area.
SUMMARY OF RULE: Board action with current statutes governing general powers of the district school board.
SUMMARY OF RULE: Board action with current statutes governing general powers of the district school board.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST: There are no additional costs required other than that of advertising.
SPECIFIC
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST: There are no additional costs required other than that of advertising.
1001.41, Fla. Stats. (2024). Law(s) Implemented: 1001.41, Fla. Stats. (2024).
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.41, Fla. Stats. (2024). Law(s) Implemented: 1001.41, Fla. Stats. (2024).
A discussion will occur at the following School Board Work Sessions:
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.41, Fla. Stats. (2024). Law(s) Implemented: 1001.41, Fla. Stats. (2024).
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
A discussion will occur at the following School Board Work Sessions:
PLACE: School Board Administration Office, 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida
A discussion will occur at the following School Board Work Sessions:
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
DATE: January 23, 2025
PLACE: School Board Administration Office, 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
DATE: January 23, 2025
PLACE: School Board Administration Office, 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida
DATE: January 23, 2025
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING FOR THE SHADY HOLLOW AREA,
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING FOR THE SHADY HOLLOW AREA, CONTACT: Stephen Ayres, Director, Student Assignment and Records Marion County Public Schools PO Box 670 Ocala, FL 34478
REGARDING FOR
JANUARY 4
Free First Saturday Appleton Museum, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am to 4pm Entry is free for all patrons on the first Saturday of each month, typically with special programming or presentations. For more information, visit appletonmuseum.org
Ocala Art Group’s 75th Anniversary Reception, Painting Demo and Exhibition
Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am to 3pm
The Ocala ART Group will host a reception to commemorate its 75th anniversary and to open a new exhibition by one of the members. The reception will feature live art and music, an auction and information about 2025 classes and live events. For more information, visit ocalaartgroup.org
things to do arts
JANUARY 17
Theatre Rock: A Celebration of Broadway
Musicals
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30pm
Theatre Rock performs live concert versions of songs from hit Broadway shows, such as “Wicked,” “Hamilton,” “Jersey Boys” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Tickets are available at reillyartscenter.com/events/theatre-rock
Dixon’s Violin
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7:30 to 9pm Dixon is a world-renowned violinist. With the help of electric looping, Dixon is able to perform as an entire orchestra. Go to ocalacivictheatre.com for tickets.
JANUARY 18
Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm and 7:30pm Jeff Jablonski and Jeff Radi are a pair of musicians with a shared passion for classic rock, folk and the music of Simon and Garfunkel. Together, they form a collaboration worthy of their namesake duo. Tickets are available at ocalacivictheatre.com/ event/sounds-of-simon-garfunkel/
Hypnotist Show
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala
7:30pm to 9pm
The “Aliens Are Among Us and They’re Hilarious” show will feature Flip Orley’s unique act of comedy and hypnosis. For tickets, go to reillyartscenter.com
JANUARY 25-26
Viva la France! Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm & 3pm Guest conductor Raymond Chobaz will lead the Ocala Symphony Orchestra through a medley of great French composers, including Debussy’s “Trois Nocturnes,” Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Africa: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra” and Maurice Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2.” For details go to reillyartscenter.com/events/vive-la-france/
FEBRUARY 6-23
“Daddy Long Legs” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Showtimes vary Based on the 1955 film with Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, this clever two-person musical reveals the secret of happiness. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com for all the details.
AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN
Lan Lam
Whether you want to splurge or save, here’s how to make a cocktail that sparkles
We started our Champagne cocktail with an Angostura bitters-soaked sugar cube in the bottom of a chilled flute. Then we filled the glass with Champagne and garnished it with a lemon twist. These four ingredients interacted to form a cocktail that evolved from sip to sip. Bursting bubbles aromatized lemon oils from the twist to make the first sip bright and citrusy. Then the Champagne’s flavors and aromas took over, with whispers of warm spices and orange hinting at what was to come.
As the sugar cube dissolved, it created a bitters-infused syrup. Because this syrup was denser than the wine, it stayed at the bottom of the flute. The final sips delivered the flavors of the Angostura and balanced the bitters with the wine’s acidity and the sugar’s sweetness.
CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
Makes 1 cocktail 1 sugar cube 1/4 teaspoon Angostura bitters 5 1/2 fluid ounces (1½ cup plus 3 tablespoons) Champagne, chilled 1 lemon twist 1. Place sugar cube in a small bowl. Add bitters to sugar cube. Transfer soaked sugar cube to chilled champagne flute. Add Champagne and garnish with lemon twist. Serve.
This delicious drink evolves from sip to sip. CREDIT: (Carl Tremblay/TCA).
Young Artist Competition winner Jay Julio performs on stage with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.
[Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
Working and learning together
By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum
The Florida Museum’s Randell Research Center in Bokeelia, in Lee County, was hit by two major hurricanes in 2024. Helene rolled along the Gulf Coast in September and less than a month later Milton slammed into the peninsula between Tampa and Fort Myers at a nearly 90-degree angle.
The area was subjected to 120 mph winds and storm surge that flooded houses and cultural heritage sites. But the Randell Research Center has experienced many such storms throughout its long history, and when the skies cleared from Helene and Milton, people got to work.
“Our staff and volunteers conducted an onsite evaluation, identified and removed hazards, cordoned off damaged areas and removed storm surge debris, which was a huge effort,” said Michelle LeFebvre, curator of South Florida archaeology and ethnography at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville and director of the Randell Research Center.
“Scrubbing down flooring and decking from storm surge mud deposits that made it into the classroom and gift shop was another big task.”
The Randell Research Center was established in 1996 to ensure the preservation of a historically significant area. The site’s nearly 70 acres is located on Pine Island in Southwest Florida and encompasses several Indigenous shell mounds created over hundreds of years by the Calusa. Most of South Florida’s mounds were demolished and used as construction material for roads in the early 20th century. The mounds at Randell are among the few that remain.
Later in November, a team of GatorCorps members and UF Gulf Scholar students visited the center to lend a helping hand. GatorCorps is a branch of the AmeriCorps program with headquarters at the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) at the University of Florida. The program was established to create national service pathways through FIBER, bolstering preparations for natural disasters and helping communities adapt to climate change.
“Disasters are a disruption to the status quo, which presents an opportunity for change in a society,” said Jason von Meding, the executive director of GatorCorps and professor in the
Rinker School of Construction Management at UF. “Usually, there are companies and individuals that are ready to exploit that opportunity, and we want to support people who just want to help each other make the positive changes that are needed.”
The UF Gulf Scholars program accepts students from diverse backgrounds and provides them with the training and experience needed to address pressing issues facing the Gulf region of the United States. The program is housed in the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service and offers several resources to scholars, including Gulf-focused academic courses, internships and research opportunities, field excursions and professional networking.
“As hurricanes and other natural disasters intensify, we will rely on a wide variety of skill sets to adapt and plan for the future,” said Rebecca Burton, UF Gulf Scholars program coordinator. “We hope our programming will help students develop a strong sense of place and shared mission to ensure our state’s ability to support future generations.”
Both groups work in several locations throughout Florida, including Jacksonville, Cedar Key, Gainesville and Fort Myers, where they work directly with communities and local businesses.
“A big focus for us is resilience education and helping local organizations build capacity to use resilience tools and techniques,” von Meding said.
LeFebvre, who began her term as director this summer, sees parallels between resilience in today’s communities and those of the past. For over 1,000 years, Southwest Florida was home to the Calusa. Their capital city was located at Mound Key, 25 miles southeast of the Randell Research Center, and their towns dotted the coastline.
A large portion of their diet— and building material—consisted of mollusks. The thick-walled shells
of oysters, clams, conches and whelks were used to create massive foundations up to 30 feet high, on top of which they constructed vast halls and temples.
These mounds served several purposes. The elevated platform gave the Calusa a broad view of the sea, allowing them to spot visitors well in advance of their arrival. It also put them out of reach of mosquitos and other biting insects that prefer to fly close to the ground. Just as important, the mounds provided protection against hurricanes. Structures built on top of the mounds were well above the reach of floodwaters and the permeable shell base easily withstood gale-force winds.
As climate change continues to brew increasingly stronger and more frequent hurricanes, LeFebvre thinks protecting the cultural history of the Calusa is imperative, both to learn from their resilient tactics that allowed them to persist for a millennium and as a means of defining who we are and where we live.
“People from different walks of life and histories can visit the site and all of them will have
different insights into strength and resilience to take away with them,” she said. “There’s resilience in the everyday aspects of hurricane recovery, but there’s also resilience in realizing we’re part of a much larger history and legacy of living with and responding to climate change.”
GatorCorps students who visited the center echoed this sentiment.
“It feels really nice to be part of the same cycle. People built this to live on, and now we get to come back and restore it,” said Amaya Borroto, an undergraduate student majoring in Sustainability in the Built Environment at UF.
The team helped remove invasive vegetation that had grown up over one of the shell mounds. As they removed the thick mat of vines and shrubs, the shells appeared beneath them, where they’d been for hundreds of years. Many of the shells had small holes punched through them, a placeholder showing where someone had scraped out the mollusk.
“It’s intimate evidence of what daily life was like here,” said Hayden Germanis, a UF
student majoring in landscape architecture. “Coming out here has been really inspiring. Being from the area, I heard a lot about the Calusa my whole life, but I had no idea about the scale of their existence. It’s hard to comprehend, especially when you learn this is just a small part of what is left of it.”
Annisa Karim, operations manager for the Randell Research Center, said partnerships like these are crucial for building climate change resilience and strengthening communities.
“Hurricanes take a longterm mental and physical toll,” she said. “When you see people coming from somewhere else to help get your community back to normal, it shows the rest of the world is paying attention and cares. These students may not have the opportunity to come back here for years depending on where their lives take them, and for them to come as a group for a weekend and work on a site to get us back to normalcy means a lot.”
To learn more, go to floridamuseum.ufl.edu
The Randell Research Center’s nearly 70 acres of oak hammock and mangrove fringe needed to be cleared of debris following hurricanes Helene and Milton. From left are Sarah Mercier, Jeremiah Scoone, Andy Jendrusiak and Michelle LeFebvre. [[Florida Museum photo by Annisa Karim]
Shell mounds were a solid foundation upon which the Calusa constructed their homes and meeting halls. [Photo courtesy Florida Museum of Natural History]
Volunteer Jim Vonasek helped with cleanup efforts after storm surge from Hurricane Milton flooded the Randell Research Center’s visitor center. [Florida Museum photo by Michelle LeFebvre]
High School Football Coverage is Sponsored By
Colts edge Knights in triple overtime thriller
North Marion tops Vanguard in Kingdom of the Sun Tournament.
By Mark Pinson
Special to the Ocala Gazette
The fans who paid to watch the Dec. 27 night game between North Marion and Vanguard certainly got their money’s worth. The triple-overtime affair was the seventh game of the first day of the prestigious Kingdom of the Sun Tournament, which is celebrating its 50th year after being started in 1974 by former Vanguard basketball coach and icon Jim Haley.
North Marion sophomore power forward Lamont Sweeting Jr. scored five of his 13 points in the third overtime, including a key 3-pointer, and senior guard Coy Sizemore hit two clutch free throws to give the Colts a 52-49 win over the Knights.
The win improved North Marion to an impressive 10-1 on the season, while the tough loss dropped Vanguard, which has won this event three times, to 6-4 overall.
Between tenacious defense and poor shooting by both teams, points were at a premium. The game was close from the opening tip as North Marion junior point guard Jerdarrius Jackson scored four of his game-high 18 points and senior forward Elijah Lee knocked down a 3-pointer. Vanguard answered as Kevin Campbell scored four points and guard Dylan Harris added four points, including a floater in the lane at the buzzer to give the Knights an 11-10 lead heading to the second period.
Jackson continued to spark the Colts by scoring five points and Toure James drove to the basket for a layup.
Vanguard stayed close as Marcel Simmons scored in the paint and Derek Singleton buried a 3-pointer from the right baseline to tie the score at 22-22 at the half.
North Marion extended its lead to five points at the end of the third quarter as Jackson scored four points and De’marion Bentley banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Vanguard rallied and tied the game at 34 at the end of regulation on a strong drive to the basket by Brandon Haughton.
The teams struggled to score in the overtime periods and were tied at 38 after the first four minutes and again at 45 after the second extra period.
Sweeting began the third overtime by drilling a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Lee added a layup to give the Class 4A Colts a 50-45 lead.
Haughton scored for Vanguard to trim its deficit to 50-49. The Class 5A Knights were forced to foul and Sizemore calmly swished both free throws to put North Marion on top by a score of 52-49 with 12.2 seconds left to play.
Vanguard’s last-second shot failed to find its mark and the Colts celebrated the hard-fought victory over their county rivals.
The four-day, 16-team Kingdom of the Sun Tournament was set to continue through Dec. 30.
Photos by Mark Pinson
North Marion’s Jerdarrius Jackson heads up the floor as Vanguard’s Derek Singleton (2) defends during Friday night’s game in the Kingdom of the Sun Tournament.
Vanguard’s Dylan Harris (0) makes a move toward the basket during Friday night’s game against North Marion in the Kingdom of the Sun Tournament.
ocalagazette
Grandkid Cuddles
Pop-pop’s Movie Night
Trusted Expertise for Your Brain and Spine
Hidden within the intricate folds of your brain are the pathways that lead to your thoughts, memories and dreams — the very essence of your human spirit. At the AdventHealth Brain and Spine Institute, our experts are dedicated to protecting those pathways. With state-of-the-art technology and groundbreaking treatments, we care for the most complex neurological conditions, so you can keep moving, keep dreaming and keep being your whole self.
OcalaSpineExperts.com
Big Belly Laughs