Ocala Gazette | February 3 - February 9, 2023

Lawmakers propose ‘constitutional carry’

By Ryan Dailey Florida News Service

Calling the proposal an effort to “remove the government permission slip,” House Speaker Paul Renner on Monday announced legislation that would allow people to carry concealed weapons without licenses.

Renner, R-Palm Coast, was flanked by Republican lawmakers and county sheriffs who backed the 63-page proposal, which would create what supporters call “constitutional carry.”.

“Central to the idea of freedom is the right that we can defend ourselves against physical attack, as well as defend those that we love. The Constitution did not give us those rights, the creator gave us those rights. But it does put it down on paper in the Second Amendment. And the courts have interpreted that to mean an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense,” Renner said.

Under current law, people who want to carry concealed weapons need to apply to the state for a license and go through a process that includes passing criminal background checks. More than 2.62 million people had concealed weapons licenses as of Dec. 31, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which administers the program.

Lawmakers will consider the proposal (HB 543) during the legislative session that will start March 7. Under the bill, a person would need to “carry valid identification at all times when he or she is in actual possession of a concealed weapon or concealed firearm and must display such identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer.”

Also, current prohibitions on carrying guns at places such as schools and athletic events would continue to apply.

People who are not Florida residents could carry concealed firearms if they are 21 or older, according to the proposal.

Rep. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny,

See Gun, page A4

Deadline to register to vote in Special Election

Write-in candidate says he was tricked

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Robert “Foxy” Fox, a Republican whose candidacy effectively closed the March 7 special election for Florida House District 24 to Republican voters only, says he now realizes he was duped by GOP political operatives who led him to believe they represented the republican party but instead are tied to candidate Ryan Chamberlin.

Fox is one of six Republican candidates in the special election to replace Joe Harding, who resigned the seat

in December after a federal indictment charged him with numerous counts of fraud.

This is the second time Fox has filed to run for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Last year, he filed to challenge Harding, only to withdraw in May at the request of elected officials he declined to identify who he said called him to ask that he let Harding run unopposed.

Because no Democrat or third-party candidate filed, state election laws would have designated this a universal primary open to all voters in District 24, which encompasses a portion

of Marion County with high voter turnout along the Highway 200 corridor. When Fox entered the race as a write-in candidate, it closed the door to only republican votes in the primary election. If the race goes to a general election in May, all voters can cast ballots and their choice will be the winner of the primary or a blank line to write in Fox’s name.

Fox said he was approached by a friend, whose identity he declined to reveal, on Jan. 6 with an odd request:

“Would you do a favor for the Republican Party?” Fox said he would listen and consider

it, as long as what was being asked was not illegal.

That evening, Fox received a phone call from Brett Doster, who he believed at the time to be a representative of the Republican party. Doster, Fox said, asked him to be a write-in candidate to close the primary. Fox would later learn that Doster was a longtime political consultant for Republican candidates around Florida.

Fox told the Gazette that at the time, he thought it fair that only Republicans be able to vote since the other parties did not field their own candidate.

See Chamberlin, page A2

Unified effort Local and federal agencies report on their combined efforts to deter violent crimes.

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

Local and federal officials held a joint news conference Feb.

1 at Ocala Police Department headquarters to discuss progress in their combined fight against violent crime in Marion County, with a focus on crimes involving guns.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (Ocala Division) prosecuted 57 firearms cases tied to 60 defendants between July 2018 and December 2022. As of Dec. 31, 2022, 49 of the 60 defendants had been sentenced in federal court to a combined total of

388 years in federal prison, according to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ)/United States Middle District of Florida.

OPD Chief Mike Balken, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods and William “Bill” Gladson, U.S. 5th Judicial State Attorney for Marion and four adjacent counties, whose office is in Ocala, joined representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida for the press conference to discuss their collaborations to combat and reduce violent crime.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida serves 35 counties and has offices in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers and Ocala

Balken opened the press conference saying that local violent crime causes residents “fear” and interferes with their “quality of life,” according to a video supplied by OPD. Balken said he was “proud” of the success stories of the “unified and relentless” efforts by the local and federal partners’ joint efforts.

“I am extremely proud of the incredible work these partners are doing to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions,” Balken stated in the DOJ release.

Woods praised the joint local and federal effort and promised to “use every tool… every man and woman” in the office to deter and stop violent crime.

Woods said there were 124 shootings in 2022 and that 51 were gang related; nine of those were homicides. He said there were 12 homicides in 2020 and 15 homicides in 2021.

“We support, protect and defend the Constitution and have a great appreciation for those lawful gun owners that simply wish to live peaceably. But we will come together bringing all of our available

See Crime, page A6

Fox, along with campaign treasurer Mackbean, recount how political operative Brett Doster asked Fox to file while misrepresenting his position in the race to benefit candidate Ryan Chamberlin.

Robert Fox of Foxy Bail Bonds poses for a photo at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Marion County Democratic Party on closed primaries

By Diana Williams Chair DEC Marion Dems

The fact that Florida is a closed primary state (one of 13 plus Washington, D.C.) has given what seems like “unfair advantage” to the party in power. The Democratic Party is not in favor of a closed primary because it limits who can vote (our party promotes inclusion). Only the voters in the party have an opportunity to vote, thereby essentially allowing one party to choose the winner from their party.

What’s particularly interesting is that we have a huge contingency of No Party Affiliation (NPA) voters (almost 68,000) who often are not allowed to vote in the primary (unless there are non-partisan races such as the school board). That has got to be discouraging for NPAs!

With the Republican Party dominating the political scene in Marion County (and Florida, for that matter), and utilizing the write-in candidate strategy, this leaves both the Democrats AND the NPA voters unable to “select” their candidate, even if they wanted to vote for a Republican.

One wonders, then, whether our views are being represented or considered by our Republican representatives. Even the Republicans represent only about 47% of the voters in Marion County, but can easily dominate with the write-in candidate strategy.

What’s particularly frustrating is the write-in candidates name is not exposed on the ballot, their requirements to get on the ballot are minimal, and most do not even campaign. Do they file simply to skew the elections? Hat’s off to their shrewdness.

So then you say, how do we change it? There would need to be an amendment on the ballot and, at this point in time, the Republicans who are “running the show” have absolutely NO incentive to place an amendment on the ballot to change the status.

That is not to say the Democrats have not also used this strategy in the past, it is a game we all play. The Democrats simply need to have candidates on the ballot for every election, and it has been difficult to recruit candidates with less than 29% of the Marion County voters registered at Democrats. One cannot win a race with 29%, but surely at some point the Democratic candidates will appeal to a larger contingency as the Republican party becomes more extreme in their views.

The outcomes from the Republican dominance in the political arena has resulted in a concentration of power impacting decisions on growth management, water issues, school board policy (from library books to vouchers), voter rights, the criminal justice system and safety, tax laws, matters related to your health, insurance in general, and unsolved immigration issues.

What matters? EVERYTHING matters. Politics start in your own community, and it is my hope that parties will work together to solve issues for the best interest of “all the people,” not just their circle.

Status of the arts

The

During a closed meeting that followed the members’ event at the Brick City Center for the Arts, the MCA board named Saul Reyes, a professional photographer and vice president of enrollment management and student affairs at the College of Central Florida, as chairman of the board.

He expressed enthusiasm about the state of the arts and arts organizations in the community in his first statement.

“We have experienced so many ‘art moments’ that we can celebrate,” he said, reminding members that the mission of the alliance is to champion, convene, and create opportunities for artists and arts organizations.

By Julie Garisto

“There are numerous ways you can partner and engage in this work with us,” he added.

MCA President Jaye Baillie expressed enthusiasm about Reyes’ appointment and the group’s accomplishments over the past year.

“We vastly increased our programming each month and expanded to include multicultural exhibits, such as our events

centered on Indian art,” she said. “We had sari wrapping and henna. So, with every event moving forward, we’re trying to do some related programming. We also have added artist workshops in the mix.”

As reported in the Gazette earlier this year, the MCA has been designated with a Local Arts Agency status by the city of Ocala. Increased programming at The Brick has included artists’ workshops, live performances, and “Lunch and Learn” events. The Florida Department of Cultural Affairs awarded the alliance $25,000 in cultural grants, bringing the total awarded since MCA’s founding in 2001 to $435,000.

Increased diversity on MCA’s board of directors, staff and representation from artists participating in exhibits has marked some progress in an ongoing goal of inclusivity. New artists in attendance at the annual meeting included Pamela Fletcher, whose works are featured in MCA’s gift shop.

The organization staged three artsprofessionals “Happy Hour” gatherings and the 15th annual Applaud the Arts,

which presented awards for Service (Joanne Ohlman), Vision (Jessica McCune), Arts Education (Brittany Schofield), and Lifetime Achievement (Laurie Reeder). An uptick in membership, sponsorships, art, and gift shop sales also marked the organization’s progress.

According to the report, MCA’s board adopted “a very ambitious strategic plan” in 2021 and 2022 that “continues to drive our direction through 2023.”

As for the coming year, Baillie said the MCA is awaiting word from the National Endowment of the Arts on some additional funding that’s in the works.

“We received notice from the NEA for a sub-grant, which means we would get a grant from them and match it with our dollars, and that would virtually double the amount that we’d be able to give out in 2023 and 2024,” she said.

For more information about Marion Cultural Alliance events and membership opportunities, visit mcaocala.org.

Marion Cultural Alliance’s annual meeting celebrated new programming and funding over the past year, with anticipation of bigger things to come.

Saul Reyes [Supplied]

Crime front

Continued from page A1 resources to maintain that peace when the violent, evil person tries to disrupt that,” Woods stated in the release.

The ATF Tampa Field Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge, Richard Coes, spoke of bringing the power of the federal government to bear with local agencies and stated at the press conference that “(no) agency can tackle the issue of violent crime alone,” according to the release.

Sherri E. Onks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division, commented on the “team approach.”

“In today’s world, the threats we face are too diverse, too dangerous, and too all-encompassing for any of us to tackle alone. This is a team

approach, and the men and women of the FBI are committed to doing their part to help protect our communities across Florida,” Onks stated in the release.

The local and federal effort in Marion County is part of the overall Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, “a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening” that was launched May 26, 2021, by the Department of Justice to bring together “all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone,” the release noted. PSN is based upon the principles of “fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based

organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.”

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Roger B. Handberg, said combatting violent crime requires involvement by the entire community.

“Combating violent crime requires the commitment and cooperation from everyone in our community,” he stated in the release. “The partnerships displayed here today have existed for many years and we look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of these local, state and federal agencies and our citizens in making this community a safer place to live.”

Special Election Status

File photo: Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken during the City of Ocala Strategic Planning meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ocala on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Non-Republican voters in District 24 who wish to participate in the special election have until Feb. 6 to register to change their party affiliation.

Community meeting explores ways to combat violence

By Andy Filmore Correspondent

Community leaders and members of the public worried about the rise in youth violence in the Ocala area recently heard of a unique program in Jacksonville that is showing a possible way forward.

The Jan. 26 community meeting at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, sponsored by the Marion County Chapter of the NAACP, is the second one so far this year focused on youth and gang activity in the wake of a shooting incident on New Year’s Day in northwest Ocala that left two young men dead and four others injured.

Invited guest speaker Garland Scott, a clergy member and Community Outreach Manager with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, detailed a promising program focused on reducing gang-related violence that involves law enforcement, 30 or more Jacksonville pastors and others in the community.

Scott is the executive director of Operation Safe Passage. In the program, pastors get information about gang members at risk to recommit violent crimes from the State Attorney’s Office. The clergy members, accompanied by a team of officers wearing SWAT-like tactical gear, then schedule visits—sometimes 12 a week-to the homes of the gang members or their families.

be monitored by law enforcement.

A related program, Operation Relocation, to date has helped 39 gang members move to safe areas. Three former gang members were lost when they returned to their original areas.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, Ocala City Council member Ire Bethea and at least two members of the Ocala Police Department were at the meeting. When asked if he would participate in a custom notification, Guinn replied, “in a heartbeat.”

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Eric Cummings, who is also a member of the Marion County School Board, urged involvement by the entire community and people speaking out about issues in their own neighborhoods.

“Culture is wrong (about noninvolvement),’’ he said. “If you see something, say something.”

Cummings said local gangs tend to be “neighborhood” in nature and the firearms the gang members are using mostly have been stolen from cars.

Rev. Eric Lightsey of Ocala said a ”plan of action” is needed and the community, government and law enforcement should “work in harmony.”

Before Scott’s presentation, Cummings led a question-and-comment period for two hours.

minutes of play. The key to the hot start was

Amari Kiner and Amar Young combining for three three-pointers. Alcarlos Richard, Jordan Gimenez and Tylique Christie all scored in the opening quarter as well.

Floyd scored the first seven points of the night for Forest and Matt Daniels drained two three-pointers in the first period. Forest closed the opening period with a 13-10 run to bring the deficit to seven points.

Daniels and Anthony Rivera both hit threes in the first two minutes of the second quarter to get their team within three, but then Lake Weir’s John Smith knocked down a McCoy scored nine points in the last three minutes of the first half, including a triple from left side. For Lake Weir, Kiner buried another triple from the right side before Tylique Christie heaved a perfectlyplaced full court pass to Gimenez for an easy transition layup to keep the Hurricanes up by one with 90 seconds left in the first half.

McCoy nabbed a steal on defense and found an open Floyd, who scored on a monster one-handed slam dunk that brought the crowd to a fever pitch.

Gimenez sank a smooth 11-foot jumper with 20 seconds left to bring Lake Weir within one point heading into halftime. Coming out of the break, Lake Weir took the lead on a layup from John Smith, but McCoy answered with a triple from the left side to give Forest the lead.

With 5:16 left to in the third quarter and trailing by four, Forest got a big boost from

Marion County School Board 2023-24 calendar still under consideration

Pastor Rocky Morris, director of operations for Operation Safe Passage and also a guest speaker, called the visits “custom notifications.”

Once contact is made, law enforcement leaves and the pastors and any community leaders offer support and social services, which might include job training or help with housing or school. The custom notifications have included instances of families with eight children allowing help to all and instances of mental health issues, which were addressed.

“We take it to them,” Scott said. He added that local governmental officials often accompany the pastors and have been visibly moved by the experience.

Scott told the audience about his upbringing in the Bronx, New York in a “dysfunctional family” and eventually becoming a debt collector for a gang who used violent force to collect. After he received death threats, he was sent by his family to Georgia and eventually he moved to Orange Park, south of Jacksonville.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

His experiences help him relate to youngsters who need direction.

Several attendees referred to past generations of youth who were monitored by adult neighbors and their activities were known. A woman explained how she helped her son pull away from gang involvement, and a local barber spoke of hiring a gang member as a barber in training.

members on Tuesday were having winter break start on Dec. 20 instead of Dec. 17, and the proposed 32 one-hour earlyrelease days for professional development, all on Wednesdays. The first would have been on Aug. 16, the last on April 24, 2024.

One attendee said some “kids are out buying $600 PlayStation controllers but can’t read,” while another asked who should the public notify “when we see 13 and 14-year-olds playing basketball” during school hours.

Dennis McFatten, Safe Schools director for Marion County Public Schools, said getting children from some households to attend school was a “never-ending battle.”

“We can have the bus stop in front of the house and the children still won’t go,” he said.

“Speaking from experience, one hour is not sufficient time for any meaningful professional development to occur,” said Cody Mays, a social studies teacher at Horizon Academy of Marion Oaks. “The current proposal could cost staff and parents up to four days of travel or vacation due to having classes on Monday and Tuesday.”

At least one attendee remarked it comes down to a “parent-to-parent” situation.

Veronica Hudson, a State of Florida Juvenile Probation Officer, said youthful offenders today are different from those in past years because “they have no fear.”

Vickie Treulieb, an English/ literature teacher at North Marion Middle School, expressed similar concerns.

Marion County public schools are required by state law to have at least 86 instructional days in the first semester. This puts the 202324 year into a difficult situation with a Florida Statute stating that Marion County cannot start school until Aug. 10.

The discussion led to multiple members stating that some time has to be taken away from either Thanksgiving break or winter break to allow the second quarter to end before winter break and not after.

“The challenge we have is that if we are going to do a full week at Thanksgiving, we are unable to do Christmas break like before. We have a perfect storm, Nov. 23 being Thanksgiving is causing significant issues,” Board Chair Allison Campbell said.

have done unless we extend our instructional days to include more minutes so that we can come to school less total days,” James said.

Ayres cautioned that the idea of extending days would require renegotiating the portion of the teachers’ contract that includes hours and time.

As the meeting was winding down, each board member gave their thoughts on the process and understand how important the calendar is to everyone.

“You can’t get them to put the gun down if you don’t have something to put in their hands,” Scott said. He noted that a rescued youth typically takes about six months to reach “normalcy.”

Scott stated his group had been involved in about 850 of the “door knock” custom notifications. When no one is home, a letter is left, and the program has a “40% call back rate.”

On Tuesday, the Marion County School Board rejected the proposed calendar for the 202324 school year, which presented a bevy of changes to the current calendar, notably the return of one-hour early release days.

More importantly, Scott claimed Operation Safe Passage has produced a 30% drop in measured violent crime.

Posted on the Marion County Public Schools Facebook page shortly after a work session last Thursday, the proposed calendar, referred to as Draft E, is the culmination of weeks of work by district officials who relied on hundreds of comments from parents and guardians as well as district employees.

After 90 minutes of

Scott, who has been in the community 34 years and built up “the power of integrity” with the gang members, said gang activity is “generational” and closely tied to popular music that glorifies violence as well as social media activity, which can

discussion, the board sent the mater back to the calendar committee and called for new options to be presented next week before the board decides on a calendar on Feb. 6. Any new proposals are expected to be made available to the public before the Feb. 2 work session.

A local educator spoke of the lack of involvement by some students’ parents even when tools like an iPhone app to connect with teachers are available, noting later, “If there’s no connection between parents and teachers, the students know that they will not be held accountable.’’

“Change be a scary thing, but I’m all for change in education,’’ she said. “We definitely need to do something to address our teacher shortage and the ability for our teachers to have proper training. This new (proposed) school calendar does not provide what we need, and it is shortsighted at best.

Board member Sarah James, the only member to vote in approval of Draft E, offered an idea.

“I can’t see another solution that gives all of Thanksgiving break, 10 days for staff and 11 days for students at winter break and gives teachers professional development time. I don’t see a solution outside of what we

“I know everyone is passionate about this calendar and I’m thankful for the work of our teams. I’m sorry it’s been such as struggle and I feel so sincere when I say every member of this board wants the best possible calendar that meets the needs of most of our community,” Board member Lori Conrad said.

For Vice Chair Nancy Thrower, the work put in over the past few weeks will be worth it and the recent conversations are a step in the right direction.

Cummings referred to a “fivepronged approach” to gun violence and proposed setting up a Gun Violence Task Force through the Marion County Children’s Alliance, both products of the first meeting held on Jan.11.

The calendar is the work of a committee including Board Vice Chair Nancy Thrower, Area Superintendent Dr. Annie Hembrook and Stephen Ayres, Director of School Choice and Student Records for MCPS.

The five-pronged approach consists of ongoing support for youth prone toward gang involvement from: family, community (and immediate neighbors), church, school, local government / law enforcement.

Draft E set dates for the start and finish of the school year, dates for holiday and spring breaks and teacher workdays. But the two elements that struck nerves among many audience

“When teaching, I think about the overall objective that I want my student to accomplish before preparing my lesson,’’ Treulieb said. “If your overall objective is for teachers to be able to be trained and have professional development, then you need to look at what they need to be able to have to achieve this.”

“(We have) faith,’’ Cummings said. “Now we need action.”

After public commentary, the board members spoke at what changes could be made.

“If we truly want to improve, and everyone does. It’s these raw conversations that are going to get us there,” Thrower said.

When it comes to your family, you want the best.

File photo: Nancy Thrower, left, and Lori Conrad, right, both of the Marion County Public School Board, talk to each other during a Marion County Commission Joint Workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

“Change be a scary thing, but I’m all for change in education. We definitely need to do something to address our teacher shortage and the ability for our teachers to have proper training.”

Vickie Treulieb

English/literature teacher at North Marion Middle School

Middle School, expressed concerns.

“Change be a scary thing, but change in education,’’ “We definitely need something to address our shortage and the ability teachers to have proper This new (proposed) calendar does not what we need, and it is shortsighted at best. teaching, I think about overall objective that I want student to accomplish before my lesson,’’ Treulieb your overall objective teachers to be able to be and have professional development, then you need to what they need to be able achieve this.” public commentary, members spoke at changes could be made.

significant issues,” Board Chair Allison Campbell said.

Board member Sarah James, the only member to vote in approval of Draft E, offered an idea.

board wants the best possible calendar that meets the needs of most of our community,” Board member Lori Conrad said.

For Vice Chair Nancy Thrower, the work put in over the past few weeks will be worth it and the recent conversations are a step in the right direction.

Florida Gun Expo draws crowd

“I can’t see another solution that gives all of Thanksgiving break, 10 days for staff and 11 days for students at winter break and gives teachers professional development time. I don’t see a solution outside of what we

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

The Florida Gun Expo, organized by Edward Valetin out of Boca Raton, was held Jan. 28 and 29 at the ED Croskey Center, a city-owned community center usually used for games, community meetings and concerts.

Adjacent to the center is the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, a 24-acre park that offers basketball courts, exercise equipment, grills, a playground, racquetball, tennis courts, a pavilion with picnic tables, a Little League/ Babe Ruth baseball field and a football/soccer field.

The city property is located in a neighborhood that of late has been suffering from an unusually high level of gun violence. On Jan. 1, six people were shot nearby, and two died.

The majority of attendees the Gazette spoke to while at the gun show found out about it through signs placed by the event organizer near intersections close to the community center.

At the door, there was a large sign that read, “Warning-All weapons must be unloaded before entering the building and no loose ammo in the show! This includes concealed weapon permit holders. All guns must be checked in at the security table.”

One attendee, Shannon Cowart, told the Gazette she had bought bullets at the gun expo.

“If we truly want to improve, and everyone does. It’s these raw conversations that are going to get us there,” Thrower said.

The event was held in a community center owned by the city of Ocala, in a neighborhood suffering from gun violence.

Cowart said she grew up around guns her whole life, but had obtained her carry permit in the “past year or two.”

Some were at the event to sell guns, scopes, or ammunition. One man, who refused to give his name, walked around the parking lot adjacent to the community center and park, where children played, with a sign that said “223 Ammo” “5.6 ammo” “4 sale.” He carried a scope in his hands and had a target rifle hanging from his shoulder.

Ocala Police Department Officer Robert Crossman watched from his vehicle. He explained that the parking lot for the gun show was used for the park also, so he was watching to make sure no prohibited transactions took place in the parking lot.

While the Gazette spoke with the officer, people walked by with guns and children crossed paths to and from the park and the gun show.

Inside, one shopper, David Martin, who recently retired and moved to Dunnellon, approximately a year ago from Georgia, told the Gazette he liked gun shows because shoppers could see the “latest and greatest-all in one place.”

Martin spoke in favor of recent legislation proposed to institute a constitutional right to carry. “Everyone who is able, physically and mentally, should have a gun,” he said.

According to the contract between the city and the event

organizer, the organizer was given use of the premises under an agreement with the Ocala Police Chief, Michael Balken, to provide officers for security at the rate of anywhere from $50 to $75 an hour depending on the “risk factor.”

According to the city’s code of ordinances, the use of city facilities is available for the following groups and purposes: Civic, educational or community service group meaning any group primarily devoted to the advancement of civic, educational or community service purposes. Nonresident civic, educational or community service group-meaning a group primarily devoted to the advancement of civic, educational or community service purposes whose current membership, as of 30 days prior to the date on which the facility is requested to be used, is comprised of less than 66 percent of citizens of the city. Political activities--meaning activities engaged in by candidates for public office, political groups, political party activities or political committees. Resident civic, educational or community service groups-meaning a group primarily devoted to the advancement of civic, educational or community service purposes whose current membership, as of 30 days prior to the date on which the facility is requested to be used, is comprised of more than 66 percent of citizens of the city.

“Change be a scary thing, but I’m all for change in education. We definitely need to do something to address our teacher shortage and the ability for our teachers to have proper training.”

Vickie Treulieb English/literature teacher at North Marion Middle School

David Martin, Dunnellon resident, shops at Florida Gun Expo on Jan. 29. [Jennifer Hunt Murty/ Ocala Gazette]

COMMENTARY

On being woke

DeSantis pitches $114.8 billion budget

and the dark, ugly sides to Black History are revealed because it deals with the oppression of an entire race. High school students who sign up for any AP course are prepared for these discussions, and the state has no place impeding on their individual right to knowledge.

WARREN ASKS DESANTIS FOR REINSTATEMENT

This is not the only attack on our schools.

There is a political agenda to privatize our public-school systems with the filing of HB 1. This bill uses taxpayers’ money to grant vouchers for people to switch to a private school. Money that should be going toward strengthening our public schools is instead going toward incentivizing people to transfer to private schools – a ploy that will ultimately divide Florida students, transfer taxpayers’ money without accountability and ultimately create the freedom to defraud the citizens of Florida.

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Dubbing it the “framework for freedom,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday proposed a nearly $114.8 billion budget for next year that includes a variety of tax cuts and more money for such things as teacher pay.

MORE BONUS MONEY SOUGHT FOR POLICE RECRUITING

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year during the legislative session that will start March 7. The budget for the current year, which started July 1, totaled $109.9 billion after DeSantis signed it and issued vetoes.

By State Representative Yvonne Hayes Hinson

Ihave said this before, and I will say it again: Florida is not the free state and “Woke” will never die; not in Florida and not in the world.

We are only a few weeks into 2023 and already several attacks have been launched on educational freedom, especially regarding Black History, but also regarding public schools and viewpoint diversity on college campuses.

By Florida News Service

On January 20th, the Governor released a statement saying he rejected the new AP African American History class proposed by the College Board. His reason was that it violated Florida laws by imposing a “political agenda” on students.

Saying “the facts do matter,” suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren on Wednesday asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to rescind an executive order that ousted the prosecutor. DeSantis’ Aug. 4 order accused Warren of “incompetence and willful defiance of his duties.”

Moving toward private education for students is not sustainable to give all our children a free and enriching education. This bill is disguised as a “school-choice” bill, but it is not a choice for students or their parents.

Private schools can choose who they want to admit, who teaches their courses, and what content to teach their students. Private institutions – who control almost all aspects of how they want their school operated – are bound to only admit students who meet their school’s image. Where are the provisions in this bill that say that private schools cannot discriminate against students for their race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, or religion?

“The record includes not a hint of misconduct by Mr. Warren,” Hinkle’s 59-page ruling said. In a letter to DeSantis on Wednesday, Warren pointed to the judge’s conclusions and asked for reinstatement so he can serve the nearly two years remaining in his term.

Should a voucher student choose to go to a private school, there’s a possibility that they can be dismissed from the school at any point. If those students return to the public school system, there is no way to assess if they are on grade level or following a curriculum that meets state standards. That is a burden on our teachers, who are already severely underpaid, to help those students catch up to their peers.

As he released the new proposal Wednesday during an event at the Capitol, DeSantis touted the state’s economy and large budget reserves that could help clear the way for tax cuts and increased spending on programs.

TAX CUTS: DeSantis said the proposal includes $2 billion in tax relief, though that includes $500 million that was approved by the Legislature in a December special session to give bill credits to frequent users of toll roads. Other parts of the package include a permanent sales-tax exemption for baby and toddler needs, such as clothing and shoes; a one-year sales-tax exemption on certain household items, such as laundry detergent and toilet paper; and two back-to-school sales-tax “holidays.”

After distributing over $6.2 million to recruit new law-enforcement officers from across the country since July 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is seeking $30 million to continue the effort next year.

DeSantis’ proposal is buoyed by higher-than-expected tax revenues, while the state also received a flood of federal stimulus money during the COVID-19 pandemic. That combination has helped build reserves that DeSantis and lawmakers can tap.

The proposal is part of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s funding requests for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which will start in July. Lawmakers will consider the requests during the legislative session that will begin March 7.

Meredith Ivey, acting secretary of the department, told members of the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that 1,245 new officers have been awarded after-tax bonuses of $5,000. Lawmakers approved the bonus program during the 2022 legislative session.

“This is a big deal, in terms of this budget,” DeSantis said. “I think it is going to meet the needs of the people of Florida. It’s only possible because we have been a state that’s been able to thrive over these last few years, and we are going to continue those policies going forward.”

Ivey also said the department, working with lawenforcement agencies across the state, continues “to identify eligible recipients.”

For example, DeSantis this week announced a four-year, $7 billion proposal to speed completion of 20 highway projects, with $4 billion coming from the surplus.

Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, suggested lawmakers expand the program to other first responders.

Here are some key issues in the proposal:

“There’s been some questions of myself, from various agencies, wondering if we might want to consider something for our fire departments that we’re already doing for law enforcement to increase people moving into the state,” Wright said.

Warren, a twice-elected Democrat, filed a federal lawsuit seeking to get his job back. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Friday ruled that DeSantis’ suspension violated the First Amendment and the Florida Constitution but that the federal court lacked jurisdiction to reinstate Warren.

The political agenda is the mass incarceration of Black Americans, critical race theory, Black Queer Theory, Black Feminism and the Movement for Black Lives and “Woke” ideology. What he is dismissing as political agenda is the harsh reality of Black History and American History. It is not a political agenda when it involves human rights. Limiting Black History is akin to limiting our civil rights. As someone who has stood up to racism during the Civil Rights Era, I know when our history is being subverted. I have picketed against segregated buildings. I have stood up to lunch counters who refused to serve Black people. This is nothing short of the same mentality of the ‘60s and its attempt to disguise racism by claiming that a course in Black history “lacks educational value.” Creating a legal pretext by passing unjust, unconstitutional laws of choice by one man does not make it legal nor just.

“Duty requires you to accept the court’s findings that the executive order is illegal, even if that finding is perhaps unwelcome,” Warren wrote. The Columbia Law School graduate noted that, following “exhaustive discovery” and the trial, the governor now has more information than he did when he issued the suspension.

“The facts are now known, and the court’s findings are clear: I

The bill claims that low-income students will receive these vouchers first. However, these vouchers may not cover the full cost of tuition. Students are not permitted to receive vouchers over $24,000*, and often, the tuition of a private school exceeds that. If these vouchers really give preference to low-income families, how would these families be able to afford the remaining balance to put their child in a private school? Moreover, there is no outreach plan on how they may promote these vouchers to low-income students. This bill is not meant to bring students of different backgrounds together; it is meant to divide them.

engaged in zero misconduct; the allegations in the executive order are false; and the suspension violates federal and state law,” Warren wrote. DeSantis, however, isn’t budging. In a statement provided to The News Service of Florida, DeSantis’ press secretary Bryan Griffin said Warren’s fate is in the hands of the Florida Senate, which has the authority to remove suspended officials from office and blasted Hinkle’s ruling.

EDUCATION: The proposal would earmark $1 billion for public-school teacher salaries, a $200 million increase from the current year. DeSantis also would not raise tuition for state college and university students and wants to spend $100 million to recruit and retain faculty members.

The one-time payments were part of broader law-enforcement legislation that DeSantis signed in April.

But while DeSantis on Wednesday touted increased spending on priorities, the Florida Education Association teachers union criticized the proposal for not doing more to raise pay for educators and deal with a teacher shortage. The union said the proposed additional $200 million for teacher pay would translate to about a $20 a week increase for each teacher.

“We do not agree with the court’s dicta, which are merely opinions, and need not address them since the court ultimately determined it lacked jurisdiction and thus ruled in favor of the governor,” Griffin said.

ENVIRONMENT: The budget includes $1.1 billion for Everglades restoration and water-quality issues, including $614 million for the Everglades, according to the governor’s office. As an example of other projects, the proposal includes $100 million for a program to help clean up the Indian River Lagoon, where poor water quality has resulted in such things as hundreds of manatee deaths.

“We want to incentivize really strong, highquality people to pursue law enforcement as a vocation in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said in signing the legislation at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. “That may mean that you leave Seattle or Chicago or some of these places and come to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. But it could also mean that you’re somebody that’s in Florida trying to determine what you want to do with your life.”

As the bill moved through the Legislature last year, Democrats unsuccessfully pushed for employment-record reviews of new hires, including reviews of disciplinary actions, complaints or investigations into conduct, and for recruits with military backgrounds to pass psychological examinations.

“An approximately $20 per week increase will do little for many teachers who are struggling, like so many Floridians, with rent that has doubled under this governor, homeowners insurance that has doubled under this governor, health care costs, which have shot up under this governor, and other increased expenses,” union President Andrew Spar said in a prepared statement. “The professionals who serve Florida’s children deserve salaries that will support their own families.”

AP US History is the only other Advanced Placement level course that mentions Black History. However, the content in that course pertaining to Black History is shallow and only explores it through a colonial lens. Students deserve a chance to learn about the African diaspora and examine Black culture in greater depth. Black children who still experience racism and microaggressions in classrooms today deserve to have a course that thoroughly explores their background, the history of racism, and the nuance of systemic discrimination.

Advanced Placement courses are meant to be college preparatory, discuss heavy topics

Vouchers should be applied on case-bycase basis. Using taxpayer money to create universal vouchers and remove almost all provisions of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program would allow virtually any family to use state funds to place their children in private education programs.

As Black History Month approaches, we ought to be celebrating Black accomplishments over the years and teaching our children about the hard work of people who fought against oppression and made their voices heard. Instead, our history is being limited, the right to public education is being limited, and our rights, teachers’ rights, colleges’ and professors’ rights and our children’s rights are being limited.

Stay Woke!

STATE WORKERS: The proposal includes 5 percent across-the-board pay increases for state workers and additional money for targeted jobs. For instance, the proposal seeks to increase starting pay for correctional officers to $23 an hour, as the state tries to curb high turnover among prison workers.

Among other funding requests for the upcoming session, the Department of Economic Opportunity department is seeking to double to $100 million the amount of money going to the Visit Florida tourismmarketing agency and to maintain $50 million in funding for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. fiscal year and $80 million, including $30 million in federal stimulus money, in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. for regional infrastructure projects and workforcetraining programs. DeSantis has the authority to determine how the money is spent.

— News Service Assignment Manager Tom Urban contributed to this report.

October approved $1.3 million for infrastructure improvements in Marathon that will help in the development of a 110-unit resort spearheaded by the founder of the Bass Pro Shops retail chain.

Ronald Carpenter 1/1/1930 - 1/10/2023

Ronald Carpenter died in January of 2023. And is survived by his son Michael. He lived in North Florida and died at his home.

This combination of Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 photos shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, and Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren during separate news conferences in Tampa, Fla. On Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, Warren vowed to fight his suspension from office by DeSantis over his promise not to enforce the state’s 15-week abortion ban and support for gender transition treatments for minors. [Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP]

Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson speaks during the Marion County Delegation at the Klein Conference Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2022.

File photo: Gov. Ron DeSantis [Supplied]

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AdventHealth Belleview ER* 6006 SE Abshier Blvd. Belleview, FL 34420

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People, Places & Things

Feeding the mind and body

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

The Fort King National Historic Landmark is not only an iconic destination in Ocala, it also serves as place of learning through hands-on classes such as Cast Iron Cooking and Historic Homesteading.

On the evening of Jan. 28, a group of eager participants gathered behind the park’s visitor center to prepare meals outside using cast iron Dutch ovens and a cauldron, heated by charcoal briquettes and a wood fire. They then enjoyed the repast under a cool evening sky, punctuated by the song of a barred owl nearby.

There will be three more sessions of the Cast Iron Cooking class, on March 18, Sept. 16 and Oct. 21, each with a different menu. The class is just one of the many offered through the city of Ocala’s Recreation and Parks Department.

On Saturday, Robert Wilson, a noted gunsmith and avid Florida history re-enactor, who often can be seen demonstrating and discussing pioneer and native crafts during such events as the annual Ocali Country Days, brought a trailer full of his own cast iron utensils, and his expertise, to the class.

Wilson, along with Kathleen Ramirez, the city’s Outdoor/Historical Resource Program Coordinator, kept up a fast pace as the students prepared a menu that included vegetable stew, lasagna, biscuits and gravy, and chocolate/cherry lava cake.

The pavilion behind the visitor center has a wood-fired oven, around which is an expansive counter, which served as one work/prep area for the class. From his trailer, Wilson brought out three long metal tables and an array of cast iron vessels, leather gloves, tongs and metal lid lifters. He kept three charcoal “chimneys” filled with briquettes in various stages of burning, sometimes stacking one on top of another to stoke the flames. Off to one side was a small wood fire over which was suspended a cast iron cauldron, hanging from a sturdy chain.

As he welcomed the students, Wilson offered explanations about varieties of cast iron, cleaning, seasoning, and more.

“This is just scratching the surface,” he said, motioning to about a dozen different cast iron cooking pieces, especially noting the variants in the lids, handles and bottom surfaces.

“Dutch ovens were probably the most used items back in the 1700s. The one with the flanged lid came about in the 1770s. Paul Revere, the midnight rider, was a silversmith by trade but he also knew how to do foundry work. With all the influx of people coming in from Europe to the United States, many didn’t have chimneys or fireplaces or ovens to cook out of, so they needed something they could bake in. It was his idea to put this flange on the lid,” Wilson said. A Dutch oven would typically have coals heating the bottom. With a flanged

lid, which has a raised edge around the perimeter, the cook could also put coals on the top to create radiant heat.

“These are good for baking biscuits and bread, stews, roasts… You could cook about anything in the Dutch oven. It’s very versatile,” Wilson explained.

He pointed out a number of styles of cookware and told the students how they best could be used, including turning a lid upside down and using that surface area to cook pancakes or eggs.

“Just figure out what you’re going to cook and then you’ll know what you need, and then you’ll go crazy like me and have more than you need … I’ve probably got 100 pieces of cast iron,” he said jovially.

Wilson advised class members to buy “good quality” cast iron to avoid disappointment. He said collectible pieces can fetch “thousands of dollars” and that good places to get cast iron are yard sales and thrift stores. He also said to inspect the pieces for consistency in the casting, which will keep the heat even, and to pay attention to such things as ill-fitting lids.

If you have a piece of cast iron that needs to be cleaned, there are a number of methods for doing so, he shared.

“And you can get in more arguments about how you work with cast iron,” Wilson said with a grin. “You have two main methods, one is mechanical, which is elbow grease and some type of abrasive, so you can either remove the carbon or remove the rust. You can use heat, but when you use heat to remove the carbon, you can warp the cast iron and get it out of shape, and it won’t cook properly. Chemically, you can do lye or acids. Tannic acid comes from trees and bark; it’s concentrated enough to remove rust. You can use lye, which comes from ashes, and it removes carbon.”

Wilson also talked about using wood briquettes versus charcoal. He said different types of wood burn at varying temperatures, which most people learn how to cook with through trial error. He recommends that those just starting to cook outside with cast iron stick to charcoal for the best consistency.

With that, Wilson and Ramirez asked the students to break into groups by recipe.

Annette Brinton and her husband, Danny, were the first to go to work as the chocolate/cherry lava cake would need the most cooking time. Danny put eight burning charcoal briquettes on a metal table and put a large Dutch oven on top of them. They lined the oven with tin foil for easier cleanup. Annette poured a can of cherry pie filling on the bottom of the pot, then sprinkled dry chocolate cake mix over that. She poured 12 ounces of Sprite over those layers and then he sprinkled a bag of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips over the top. They put the flanged lid on, and he put 16 burning briquettes on the top and set his cellphone for one hour.

Annette said she decided to take the class as “something different to do for my birthday.”

She said at home, they prepare eggs every morning in a small cast iron skillet on a gas stove.

“I have a giant piece of cast iron I got from my dad, that I have used a lot. It’s more like a wok. I’ve done everything in it, like a stir fry; it works really well for that,” she added.

Another group browned bits of Italian sausage in a large Dutch oven, which sizzled nicely in the crisp evening air. They removed the sausage and began to layer jarred spaghetti sauce, oven-ready noodles, ricotta cheese, grated cheese and sausage, then repeated that until the pot was full. They also had briquettes on the bottom and top of their vessel.

One student placed frozen biscuits in a Dutch oven and got them to baking while the sausage cream gravy simmered in another oven nearby.

The most active team had to chop up the vegetables for the stew – onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms and potatoes. They added a small amount of cooking oil to the hot cauldron and dropped in the veggies, which immediately began to pop and sizzle. As one man stirred the pot, others added tomato paste, vegetable stock and seasonings. It wasn’t long before the stew was bubbling nicely over the open flame. Later, the team raised the cauldron so as not to burn their creation.

The biscuits were done first, so everyone quickly split them open and slathered on the creamy gravy. The “oohs” and “aahs” were loud and abundant.

“Everything just tastes better cooked outside,” said Steve Alexander.

Before long, all the dishes were ready for taste testing, and the students happily obliged.

Ramirez said the cast iron cooking classes initially were part of the Historic Homesteading series but were so popular they pulled them out into their own series. The skill also is sometimes showcased during various Fort King events.

“On April 15, we will have an all-day free school of the soldier event where people can come learn about 1830 soldiering. We’ll have wooden rifle drills for kids, hard tack cooking, how to put up canvas tents and take them down, cannon and musket firing demonstrations, reenactors, maybe even some cast iron cooking,” she said.

Ramirez, who has two degrees in history and wrote her master’s thesis about a Marion County pioneer, also teaches the Historic Homesteading series, which offers instruction in rug, candle, atlatl (spear throwing lever) and broom making.

The landmark is located at 3925 E. Fort King St. The visitor center and archaeological resource center are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

To learn more about all of the classes offered through the city, including at the fort, go to ocalafl.org/government/citydepartments-i-z/recreationparks/ and click on the “Spring 2023 Activity Guide.”

The city of Ocala’s Cast Iron Cooking class at Fort King provided valuable information and a delicious meal.

Coals flame up as Robert Wilson and Kathleen Ramirez teach people how to cook during the Cast Iron Cooking Series at Fort King National Historic Landmark in Ocala on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Danny, center, and Annette Brinton, right, talk with Kathleen Ramirez, left, as they prepare chocolate cherry lava cake.

A cast iron cauldron is heated up over flaming oak wood.

Lasagna is cooked.

Vegetable stew is cooked.

Weaving culture and connectivity

Author/poet Rubie Boddie crafts a lyrical narrative in her new novella, “Mama’s Hair,” and has launched a nonprofit for local creatives.

“Our national music is the Calypso,” she said. “I came to respect the Calypso as a form of poetry, the rhythm of it, and this is what I bring to my poetry. And I feel that that is my strength. And it’s my strength because of what I had been hearing since a child.”

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

As with an intricate braid, Ruby Boddie has woven a vivid sense of place, intergenerational dynamics and immersive, poetic descriptions into her first novella, “Mama’s Hair.”

The poet and author, who wrote judgments for labor claims and settled sexual harassment suits in her Trinidad hometown, has also written poetry and short stories throughout her lifetime of 60-plus years. She enjoys connecting with the local arts scene, belongs to the Marion Cultural Alliance and has formed the nonprofit group Read2Reel, which will meet monthly to share verse, prose, media and other creative work.

Musicality is at the heart of Boddie’s muse. Her prose is as lyrical as her gracious conversational style is melodic.

Recognizing connections is another superpower for Boddie. She values her interactions with others and upholds them, treating her fellow creatives with the same awe and wonder she feels when she is at play with words.

In “Mama’s Hair,” Boddie infuses tenets of African-inspired syncretic beliefs. The book muses on the consequences of Cuba’s colonial history and the religious and social traditions of wider Afro-Caribbean culture.

The novella follows Love, formerly known as Lavinia, who later on in life earns the title of Mama Grancy. The protagonist endures the travails of personal sacrifice that all immigrants face as well as the bond that endures with her native country and her clan. She fashions her own authentic path forward in the absence of family matriarchs.

According to Boddie, “Mama’s Hair” is a work of literary fiction, but it’s informed by women of all ages she has come to know across her lifetime.

“I’ve encountered some very strong women,” she said. “My mother was one

Bird of the Week

of them. She immigrated from Trinidad, and she sent for her children. She was not unique, in that respect, because the women that she worked alongside were in similar situations. They were sending for their families and their husbands….

“So, a lot of the characters and scenes, the feeling of the book, are based on these women whom I met during the time that I was in high school in Brooklyn, observing my mother, observing my dance teacher, observing my mother’s friends, observing the big Caribbean carnival parade that they founded and it has become one of the largest cultural events in New York.”

“The story depicts the inevitable clashes arising from expectations and labels imposed by class, identity, immigrant status and even by motherhood,” Boddie added. “Ultimately, her reward is to engage the world on her own terms.”

Inspired by the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, the book’s title, Boddie explains, is a metaphor for the blessing that the older generation imparts to their children.

“It delves into the inevitable clashes arising from expectations and labels imposed by class, identity, immigrant status and even by motherhood,” she said.

What’s next on the horizon for Boddie?

“I’m working on another book,” she

said. “It’s going to be fiction; there will be a lot of facts behind the fiction.”

Ruby Boddie’s group Read2Reel convenes for its first meeting of the “Ocala Book Spot” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Marion County Literacy Council, 120 S.W. Fifth St, Ocala. The meeting’s objective will be to prepare for “Ocala Reads,” the group’s community project for National Poetry Month in April. Write to Boddie at read@read2reel.org for more information.

By Michael Warren

Painted bunting. Every so often a painted bunting descends like grace itself on some unworthy backyard feeder in Ocala. The male is ridiculously colorful, like an explosion of a box of crayons. The females and juvenile males, like many birds, are less dramatic. It doesn’t seem fair. This one was a brief visitor to the Ocala Wetlands Recharge Park, one of Ocala’s local birding hotspots.

Painted bunting [MichaelWarren.com]

Silver Springs: Yesterday and today

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Aformer swimsuit model

upstaged the ancient artifacts on display in the fourth-grade classroom of the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center last Saturday.

In the pictures and postcards spread out across tables in the Silver Springs State Park classroom, a fresh-faced blonde posed on land and underwater in Marion County’s famous patch of Old Florida paradise.

The model, Betty Haskins Kutz, known in the photos as Betty Frazee, paid a visit five decades later to the Friends of Silver Springs State Park’s monthly meeting to share memories of her brief time in the limelight, representing the park when it was a popular tourist attraction. She attended the meeting with her daughter, Jana Haskins Faulkner. Both are new members of the friends’ group.

Haskins Kutz reminisced about the park during its roadside-attraction heyday in the mid-20th century, when the Silver Springs attraction was the go-to for touristy fun in Florida and a decade before Walt Disney changed the game and detoured families to Orlando.

“It was in the olden days,” joked Haskins Kutz, “I started as a teenager, in 1957. A lot of people asked me how I got the job, and I was just lucky, I guess.”

As head majorette at Reddick High School (now North Marion High School), Haskins Kutz twirled a baton and danced with the high school band and choreographed numbers. When the band was invited to perform at the park with all the county schools, the wide-eyed performer dazzled with her routine and caught the attention of the park’s publicity director, William Blue Ray, who was known for bringing Hollywood celebrities and the TV show “Sea Hunt” to the park, among other TV and movie celebs.

The then 17-year-old model got consent from her parents to pose for pictures at the park. As “Miss Silver Springs,” she won the Miss Lake Weir contest that year. That contest was one of her many prizewinning competitions, including Miss Florida in Sarasota, for which she was second runner-up in 1958 and won a small scholarship to continue her piano lessons.

Along with modeling and appearing in the odd movie or TV scene, Haskins Kutz and her cohorts helped with clerical tasks in the park’s publicity department.

“We were well-trained secretaries out of Reddick,” Haskins Kutz said. “We had a wonderful teacher who taught us some great skills. We had Typing I and Typing II, and we had shorthand. So, when we were not outside or in the water, we were upstairs in the main offices.”

Haskins Kutz also talked about her days representing Jantzen bathing suits. She toured in a wagon, appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Buddy Hackett, posed in snow skis in Vermont and got to meet celebrities such as “Sea Hunt” star Lloyd Bridges and swimmer-movie star Esther Williams, who visited the park to pose for a publicity shoot.

“I did a layout in ‘McCall’s,’ which was a big magazine back then for women, and they did an article on underwater exercises,” Haskins Kutz shared.

“Oh, geez, like we needed to exercise at 17 and 18!” she added with a laugh.

Challenges and roles that typical teens don’t get the opportunity to take on highlighted the modeling gigs at Silver Springs. Haskins Kutz filled in as a stunt mermaid and wore a red wig in the Jerry Lewis film, “Don’t Give Up the Ship” (1959). She and the other girls had to learn to hold their breath and pose cheerfully underwater, subtly anchoring themselves by gripping underwater rocks or lodging their foot in a crevice.

Speaking of near-suffocating stunts— Haskins Kutz had to perform in a “Sea Hunt” scene that had her locked in a trunk at the bottom of the spring in an episode aptly titled “The Girl in the Trunk.” In a conversation later, her boss, Ray, joked that they almost killed her.

The aquatic beauty even wrestled an alligator once as a stunt double in an obscure action-adventure film, “The Wild Women of Wongo” (1958).

“Herpetologist Ross Allen, who was a big part of the springs then, gave me a lesson on wrestling an alligator,” Haskins Kutz recalled. “They actually put a pin in his mouth, but his claws and his tail were still active. So, I mainly had to just roll around with the gator … and, yes, I was still in my swimsuit.”

She also worked with Ricou Browning, the actor who played the creature in “The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Some film scenes were shot at Silver Springs, with the underwater shots filmed at Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee.

“He had worked underwater long before I did,” she explained. “So, they (he and famed photographer Bruce Mozert) taught me how to scuba dive, how to hose breathe and how to dive deep. We worked in the bottom of the spring.”

Mozert, born Robert Bruce Moser in 1916 in Newark, Ohio, learned about shooting young women from his older sister Zoe, a pinup model. While living with her in New York, he met a “Life” magazine photographer who hired him to develop his film. As a freelance photographer, he moved to Miami in the late 1930s and then to Silver Springs to shoot scenes for a Tarzan movie, “Tarzan Needs a Son” (1938).

Mozert stayed on in Ocala, creating specially constructed waterproof camera housings, popularizing a style of underwater photography used often in Florida advertisements. The park distributed his pictures of submerged beauties over wire services, which helped Silver Springs bring in hordes of visitors from 1940 to 1970.

“He was a great man and very, very talented,” Haskins Kutz said of Mozert. “He was good to work with and good to work for. He was always kind and professional. I really miss having him around. I went to his last birthday party down at Wolfy’s.”

As Haskins Kutz and the other bathing beauties worked in the office for Ray, they also were available to Mozert for on the spot modeling assignments. Mozert would ask the girls to stand on their tiptoes to make their legs look more slender and muscular, and because the girls were on the petite side, he’d shoot up at them from below to make them taller.

After her time at Silver Springs, Haskins Kutz became a stay-at-home mom to children Faulkner, a local business owner and Realtor, and Hayden Haskins, a Tampa attorney. Her late husband owned a well-known auto repair and glass business

in town. She remarried seven years ago. Haskins Kutz has volunteered for several Ocala-area organizations, many of which she still belongs to today. She was involved in the founding of the Fort King Tennis Center in the early 1970s and helped bring the Virginia Slims Tournament and 20-time Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King to the Fort King complex. She also was involved in the founding of the Fort King Women’s Tennis Association, which is now the unisex Ocala Tennis Association. Her lifetime memberships include the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, the Elks Club and St. John Lutheran Church.

Silver Springs’ segregated past

The classroom where Haskins Kutz gave her talk about modeling in the mid20th century-era of Silver Springs is located at the Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center, which is a program of Marion County Public Schools. The center offers students classes about local ecology, native culture and history during the week and is open to the public on weekends and holidays.

The facility spotlights the area’s cultural and natural history, including a late1800s pioneer Cracker settlement and a 1930s one-room schoolhouse where Black students attended classes during the days of segregation.

Though Black employees captained Silver Springs’ famous glass-bottom boats, African Americans weren’t allowed in the Silver Springs attraction until the mid-1960s. One of the young models shot by Mozert, Luresa Lake, posed for the brochure for Paradise Park, the Black-only beach attraction on the Silver River that drew crowds from across the Southeast U.S. from 1949 to 1969.

Lake, now 93, had been working in a county office that attended to the needs of Ocala’s Black residents when Paradise Park manager Eddie Leroy Vereen asked her to pose for promotional photos.

“My mother was a seamstress, and I was one of the best-dressed girls in Ocala,” Lake told the “Gainesville Iguana.”

Amenities at Paradise Park included a pavilion with a dance floor and jukebox, a swimming area with a sandy beach, tropical landscaping and space for softball and other games. Like Silver Springs, the segregated park featured glass-bottom boat tours that introduced visitors to the beauty of the Silver River. Children participated in Easter egg hunts, families gathered for baptisms and picnics were commonplace at the park.

During the winter holidays, Santa Claus would cruise down the river on a glass-bottom boat to pass out candy, nuts and fruit to kids. The American Legion sponsored beauty contests each Labor Day at Paradise Park, and herpetologist Ross Allen set up a reptile exhibit there, similar to the one located upriver at Silver Springs.

“If you were Black you knew you would separate, and you accepted that,” Lake said. “If you were white you went to the white side. We never mixed or had problems with that. We accepted what we were given in those days.”

Friends make a difference

Since 1878, when Phillip Morrell fixed a piece of glass to the bottom of a rowboat, Silver Springs has evolved from a roadside attraction to a movie and TV location

to the protected state park and beloved wonderland of nature it is today.

“When we became Silver Springs State Park in 2013 and the park system began managing the headsprings as well, Floridians agreed that the best thing to do was to enhance the protection that the private owners had provided in the past,” said park manager Sally Leib. “We maintained the policy of people in watercraft only and added a paddle launch to facilitate the experience of a truly natural spring-fed river.”

Helping facilitate and maximize the safe enjoyment of the park, the Friends of Silver Springs State Park operates as a Citizen Support Organization (CSO), a nonprofit volunteer organization, dedicated to preserving and enhancing Silver Springs State Park. They support the park by providing volunteers, educating visitors, hosting events and raising funds for specific projects.

“The friends really are three things,” explained Barbara Toeppen-Sprigg, president of the Friends of Sliver Springs State Park. “We’re cheerleaders because a lot of what we do revolves around helping the community know what Silver Springs is and that it’s here, and, two, we’re financiers. The park’s funds come from the general fund of the state and from the admissions, so the Friends are what can give the park management some flexibility and what they can’t get otherwise from the state, and that improves our community and what our options are here.”

Third, Toeppen-Sprigg said, the Friends act as the park’s protectors, making sure the public knows how not to disturb the area’s habitats and maintain its beauty.

The Friends of Silver Springs State Park have helped provide golf carts, hearing-impaired audio enhancements and a wheelchair-accessible glass-bottom boat experience.

You’ll also see them at local festivals and other events in the greater Ocala/ Marion community, providing brochures and information to the public to spread the word on the importance of protecting the park’s 4,000 acres of vegetation, crystalline water and array of wildlife. Talking points include that the park is a first-magnitude spring, which pumps out around 500 million gallons of water a day and nourishes the nearly 5-mile-long Silver River, where manatees winter with the snowbirds.

Marianne Marcoux, the Friends’ secretary, said members of the group serve as ambassadors to the state park and provides a trained river patrol that welcomes kayakers and helps people navigate the river and tributaries.

“But you don’t have to be a member of the Friends to volunteer and get trained for river patrol,” Marcoux clarified.

While Kutz waxed nostalgic about the peak years of Silver Springs, pre-Disney World, when up to 1 million visitors a year would pass through the park’s entrance, Leib said the park’s numbers are steadily climbing again.

“I think that you guys should be proud to know that we have already reached half of that at this point in our journey,” Leib said. “So, we get about half a million visitors a year now.”

To learn more, go to silversprings.com and thefriendsofsilversprings.org

A former swimsuit model chats up Silver Springs’ mid20th century heyday — plus a look at the park’s segregation years and present-day efforts to preserve a beloved patch of Old Florida paradise.

Betty Haskins Kutz is shown in photos from the 1950s from when she was an underwater model (Betty Frazee). [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Betty Haskins Kutz shows photos of herself from the 1950s and early 1960s from when she was an underwater model during a Friends of Silver Springs meeting at the Silver River Museum at Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH. REMEMBERING FORT MOSE. (moh-SAY)

Depending on the source, any of several dates are key when you’re considering the birth year for our great nation, but when it comes to Florida, the standout is 1565, the the founding of St. Augustine, our oldest town. The fact is Black History in Florida actually predates St. Augustine by decades. For it was actually 1526 when the first recorded slaves arrived here on a Spanish expedition by Luco Vazquez de Ayllon, nearly 40 years before St. Augustine and 94 years before Plymouth Rock. Today we focus on some interesting facts about Black History in Florida.

1. This noted African American agronomist-abolitionist gave a memorable speech on race relations in Gainesville on February 5 1903. He is:

A. Martin Luther King

B. Frederick Douglass

C. John Brown

D. George Washington Carver

2. Born in Miami, the first Black actor to win the Academy Award, for 1968’s “Lilies of the Field,” died last year. He is:

A. Sherman Helmsley

B. Robert Guillame

C. Sidney Poitier

D. Deacon Jones

3. Known for splashy-colored landscapes, these highly sought after artists earned their living by selling their works along Florida’s roadsides. They are the:

A. Miami Picture Machine

B. Highwaymen

C. Black Riders

D. Afro Renaissance

4. Started in 1738, Fort Mose (mo-SAY) is the first legally sanctioned free African American settlement in what would become the U.S. It is near:

A. St. Augustine

B. Pensacola

C. Ponte Vedra

D. Micanopy

5. Born in Greenville, educated at Florida School for the Blind in Daytona, this music icon is honored with a bronze statue on his hometown square. He is:

A. Stevie Wonder

B. Ray Charles

C. Barry Gordy

D. Jimmy Buffet

6. The new Dust Tracks Heritage Trail in Ft. Pierce is an homage to the author whose 1905 autobiography is called “Dust Tracks on a Road.” She is:

A. Zora Neale Hurston

B. Yolanda Moses

C. Janet Reno

D. Johnetta Cole

7. An honor student at St. Pete’s Boca Ciega High and Yale University, this celebrated actress spoke at the 2016 Democratic convention.

She is:

A. Angela Bassett

B. Halle Barry

C. Ruby Dee

D. Cecily Tyson

8. Our 38th president first recognized Black History Month as a national observance in 1976. He is:

A. Bill Clinton

B. George H.W. Bush

C. John F. Kennedy

D. Gerald Ford

9. Built in 1891 by Black architect Levi Alexander this church is the only surviving brick 19th century religious structure in Ocala. It is:

A. Mt. Zion AME

B. First Family Baptist

C. Rock Garden

D. Fellowship Brick Church

10. From 1949 to 1969, in the days of segregation that part of Silver Springs attraction that was open to Black visitors was called:

A. South Silver Springs

B. Paradise Park

C. Springs Adventure

D. Silver River

Answers are on page B7

COMING FEBRUARY 17: Celebrating Our Presidents.

Contact Bob Hauck: rhauck39@cox.net

Best Practices in Dementia Care

Teepa Snow

Wed, Feb 8, 2023

Church of Hope

$42.50 individual/$75 clinical - 7 CEs (includes meals)

Tickets: hospiceofmarion.com

This all day workshop demonstrates effective strategies for helping people living with dementia during interactions, care delivery and daily engagement.

Questions: Call (352) 843-2075 or email lshirey@hospiceofmarion.com

Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, is an occupational therapist with 40+ years experience.

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are

“squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

State runs up tab in Medicaid transgender case

By Dara Kam Florida News Service

FEBRUARY 3-5

AdventHealth Grandview

International

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala

Classes start at 12pm

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has authorized more than $1.3 million for legal and expert-witness fees in the state’s effort to ban Medicaid coverage of treatments for transgender people, a review of state records by The News Service of Florida shows.

This annual draft horse show brings the thunder as Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales show off their high-stepping power in a variety of classes. Tickets start at $20 online with free parking. Tickets are $25 the day of the event and VIP packages are available. See grandviewinvitational.com for more info.

FEBRUARY 3-5

Cirque Italia Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

Times vary

This unique circus combines aerial acrobatics, water works, tumblers, bike tricksters and more. Tickets are $10-$50, and parking is $5 (cash only). For more info, cirqueitalia.com/

The Agency for Health Care Administration, which largely oversees the Medicaid program, last year issued a rule banning coverage for hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgery, drawing pushback from the LGBTQ community. The treatments are used for people with gender dysphoria, which the federal government defines as clinically “significant distress that a person may feel when sex or gender assigned at birth is not the same as their identity.”

FEBRUARY 3

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

Four plaintiffs, including two children, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the rule, arguing that the prohibited treatments are “medically necessary, safe and effective” for gender dysphoria.

9am-2pm

Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

The state agency in July issued a nearly $1 million contract for legal services and costs in the litigation.

FEBRUARY 4

Great Florida Riverway Reunion

Ray Wayside Park, 9570 NE 28th Lane, Silver Springs

2pm-6pm

According to state records, the DeSantis administration also was willing to pay up to $322,323 for “expert witness” services from seven doctors and researchers who contributed to an AHCA report or appeared at a public hearing on the issue. The researchers received a total of $42,621.83 through purchase orders issued between May and August last year.

For those who love the Ocklawaha, St. Johns and Silver rivers, this day of fun and frolic on the water is for you. A free afternoon of fun is set, with arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities, snacks and beverages for purchase, and live music. Pontoon boat rides for a fee and kayaks for rent will be available. A dinner that evening includes more music, a manatee film, presentations and a jam session., with tickets at $20. See GreatFloridaRiverway.com/reunion for more info.

FEBRUARY 4 & 11

Many of the state’s experts are affiliated with religious organizations or have endorsed “conversion therapy,” which seeks to change sexual or gender identities of LGBTQ people. The practice has been discredited by major parts of the medical community.

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

The state’s highest-paid expert,

9am Sholom Park hosts free yoga classes at the stage area; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

FEBRUARY 4 & 11

Ocala Farmers Market

Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more info.

FEBRUARY 4 & 11

Farmers Swap Meet Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

California-based family physician Andre Van Mol, received $15,104.55 out of an approved total of nearly $70,000 for his advice. Van Mol has written extensively on treatment for gender dysphoria for groups such as the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. Van Mol also serves on the board of Moral Revolution, a group self-described on its website as “a team of passionate individuals who are called to promote God’s original design for sexuality.”

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

FEBRUARY 4

First Saturdays Market in the Park

Ernie Mills Park, 11899 Bostick St., Dunnellon

8am-2pm

The state agency paid Quentin Van Meter, an Atlanta-based pediatric endocrinologist, $12,417.28 in July, the records show. Van Meter is board president of the American College of Pediatricians, which says on its website that “transgender interventions harm children.” That group is different from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which supports gender-affirming care.

A variety of vendors set up their booths at Ernie Mills Park. Many stores offer Saturday Specials and you can pick up a map of participating merchants.

Van Mol and Van Meter both appeared as experts for the state during a July 8 hearing on the rule.

FEBRUARY 4

Free First Saturday Appleton Museum, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

10am-5pm

The state also paid $9,600 to James Cantor, an American-Canadian psychologist. Cantor also has worked as an expert for the Alliance Defending Freedom in helping defend a West Virginia ban on female trans athletes participating in girls’ school sports.

Continuing its tradition of free admission on the first Saturday of each month, you can view museum works, regular and special collections, and create your own art in the museum’s interactive Artspace. This month, artist Debora Greger’s exhibition “Pre Post Poetic” is featured, along with a talk by noted local educator, author and photographer Cynthia Wilson-Graham will give a talk on the successes and contributions of local, underrepresented African Americans. See appletonmuseum.org for more info.

FEBRUARY 4

MTRA Hearts & Horses Gala

CF Vintage Farm, 4020 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala

Another of the state’s experts, Patrick Lappert, also has links to the Alliance Defending Freedom, an organization that says on its website that it is a “leader in defending religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights, and God’s design for marriage and family.” The state issued a $34,800 purchase order for Lappert’s work but he has not received any payments, according to the records.

6pm-10pm

Psychiatrist Miriam Grossman received $5,500, according to the state records. Grossman “believes that every child is born in the right body,” her website says. Grossman’s research has been cited in conversion therapy efforts.

Dancing, dinner, live music, an art show and silent auction will all help support the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and its 40 years of providing equine-assisted learning and horseback riding to countless children and adults with physical, emotional and cognitive challenges. Tickets are $125, and VIP tables are available. For more info, contact Jenna Rovira at (352)732-7300 or development@mtraocala.org

FEBRUARY 4

First Saturday Markets at Homestead Park Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

FEBRUARY 5 & 12

Ocala Polo Club Winter Games

The state also issued purchase orders in the amount of $34,650 each for Romina Brignardello-Petersen, who is a professor at Canada-based McMaster University, and Gerard Kevin Donovan, a pediatrician who opposes gender-affirming care for minors. According to the records, neither expert was paid by the state last year.

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 1pm Polo matches takes place every Sunday through March. Bring your chairs, blankets and snacks. Tents are available for rent. Decorate your tent/ tailgate area, and you might win a prize. Leashed dogs are welcome. For more information, visit ocalapolo.com

Many of the researchers who participated in the drafting of the Medicaid rule are serving as experts for the state in the lawsuit challenging the regulation, but it is unclear how much they are being paid.

role in determining “generally accepted professional medical standards” for the state pushed back against the state’s study.

FEBRUARY 9

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala

9am-1pm

The study “did not come through the traditional channels and was not handled through the traditional” process, agency analyst Jeffrey English wrote in an email to Christopher Cogle, chief medical officer for Florida’s Medicaid program.

Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

FEBRUARY 6

African Americans’ Contributions

Mary Sue Rich Community Center, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

11am-1pm

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks will host “African American Contributions,” a new program in honor of Black History Month. It will focus on recognizing African American women in history and feature music, spoken word, dance performances and keynote speaker Darren Williams. Free. Light refreshments. For more information, visit ocalafl.org/recpark.

FEBRUARY 7 & 8

The expert witness costs in the case are being run through the Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinsky & Josefiak, PLLC law firm. The Agency for Health Care Administration in July approved a $950,000 contract with the firm to represent the state in the litigation. The firm previously inked separate contracts totaling $28,830 for “legal counsel and representation in matters including but not limited to Medicaid rulemaking and subsequent litigation.” The state has paid Holzman $220,938.50 thus far, the records show.

Job Fair Marion Technical College, 1014 SW 7th Road, Ocala

Tuesday 6pm; Wednesday 5pm

This job fair for welders, fabricators and CDL drivers will have employers such as Crom LLC, Dixie Metal, Fidelity Manufacturing, ABCO, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and McLane Company. Feb. 7 is for welders/fabricators; Feb. 8 is for drivers. Bring a current resume and be ready to interview. Pre-registration is encouraged at careersourceclm.com

FEBRUARY 8

The disputed rule followed the June 2 AHCA report, which included research by the state’s experts. The report said the Medicaid program “has determined that the research supporting sex reassignment treatment is insufficient to demonstrate efficacy and safety.” Treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy are “experimental and investigational,” concluded the report, which was condemned by national medical and legal researchers.

“To Succeed Where Others Failed”

Author Talk

Silver River Museum, 1445 NE 58th Ave., Ocala

4pm-7pm

A report issued by seven scientists and a Yale law professor blasted the state’s study, saying its “conclusions are incorrect and scientifically unfounded.”

An email exchange released late Friday by plaintiffs in the lawsuit also showed that an Agency for Health Care Administration analyst who plays a

As part of Black History Month, the museum is hosting this presentation by Rev. Bruce Seaman, who wrote “To Succeed Where Others Failed,” the story of the Marshall Plantation Raid during the Civil War. There will be an open house 4pm-6pm and Seaman’s talk begins at 6 pm. Free to attend; space is limited. For more info, silverrivermuseum.com

FEBRUARY 9

Medicare Basics Class

Online

10am-11:30am

FEBRUARY 9-11

Grandview World Nights

World Equestrian Center, Arena 5, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

“I do not cherry pick data or studies and would never agree to if I were so asked,” English wrote. “All I can say about that report, as I have read it, is that it does not present an honest and accurate assessment of the status of the current evidence and practice guidelines as I understand them to be in the existing literature.”

4pm-7pm

Clydesdales, Percherons and Belgians compete in driving classes that include ladies cart, four-, six- and eight-horse hitches and youth cart. Tickets range from $35-$100 with VIP packages available. Also on tap is the World of Red Valentine’s Day party with live music, dancing, and cocktails. Party tickets are $75. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com or grandviewclydesdales.tours

The Medicaid rule is among a number of actions DeSantis, who is widely seen as a Republican presidential contender in 2024, and other state leaders have taken to target transgender treatment, especially for minors. State medical boards recently have moved forward with rules to ban doctors from using hormone therapy, puberty blockers or surgery to treat children who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

FEBRUARY 9-11

Brick City Anime Festival

World Equestrian Center, Expo 1, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

All day

Yale School of Medicine professor Meredithe McNamara, one of the authors of the rebuttal to the state’s study, called Florida taxpayers’ expenses in the Medicaid rule “a waste.”

With guest artists and actors such as Ray Chase and Robbie Daymond, a vendor alley and lots of artsy presentations, you can enjoy anime all weekend long. Saturday tickets are $45; Sunday is $35; or weekend passes are $60; all available the day of or online. More info and tickets from brickcityanimefestival.com

FEBRUARY 11

Cattle Drive & Duck Derby

Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala

10am-2pm

“It turns out, the manufacturing of lies is expensive. The DeSantis administration claims to target gender-affirming care because they say covering it is a misuse of state resources. But the lavish spending on a blatant anti-trans agenda shows the hypocrisy,” McNamara, who specializes in adolescent medicine, told the News Service in an email. “Evidence-based measures to protect the standard of care … is completely free … but manufactured disinformation is a bottomless pit that the state will pour public funds into until they’re held accountable.”

Cowboys will herd Florida Cracker cattle from Southeast 8th Street, through downtown past the square, then north to Tuscawilla Park. The party there will have live music, demonstrations, craft vendors, food trucks and kids activities. Then you can enter the Marion Rotary Duck Derby that raises money for the Discovery Center and other local charities. Adopt a duck for $5, a “quack pack” of 6 for $25 or a flock of 24 ducks for $100. For more info, duckrace.com/Ocala and ocalafl.org

Harris vows to ‘never back down’ on abortion rights

FEBRUARY 11

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every

Appearing on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ doorstep to mark the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade court decision, Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday vowed that she and President Joe Biden will “never back down” on abortion rights.

Harris, speaking from a stage at The Moon, a Tallahassee nightspot and concert venue, said the U.S. Supreme Court took away a “fundamental right” last year when it overturned Roe v. Wade and helped spur a cascade of abortion restrictions in states across the country.

“For nearly 50 years, Americans relied on the rights that Roe protected,” Harris told a crowd of supporters. “Today, however, on what would have been its 50th anniversary, we speak of the Roe decision in the past tense, because last June the

She

United States Supreme Court took away that constitutional right, a fundamental right, a basic freedom from the people of America, from the women of America.”

9am-1pm

An ever-changing array of local vendors set up booths under the covered pavilion. Shop local, organic, fresh and handmade. The market also hosts an axe-throwing venue, cornhole tournaments, food and drink options and monthly cruise-ins. For more info, see homesteadpark.com

While Harris’ appearance was tied to the Roe v. Wade anniversary, it also came as DeSantis is widely discussed as a potential 2024 Republican challenger to Biden. Democrats have made abortion rights a political rallying point after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 decision, which had recognized abortion as a fundamental right.

About four hours before Harris took the stage, the Republican Party of Florida sent a statement to reporters blasting the vice president and other Democrats.

“Democrats are proudly cheerleading barbaric policies to allow unrestricted abortions — including infanticide. That’s all anyone needs to know,” the statement said.

During her speech, Harris repeatedly focused on freedom, taking a not-so-subtle

The SHINE organization is offering free classes for those wanting to learn more about Medicare. These are free and available by computer or phone. Future classes will cover Medicare prescription coverage, Part C and long-term care. For more info, visit shine@agingresources.org or call (352) 692-5209.

shot at DeSantis, who has described Florida as “freedom’s vanguard.”

“Can we truly be free if so-called leaders claim to be quote, I quote, on the vanguard of freedom while they dare to restrict the rights of the American people and attack the very foundations of freedom?” Harris said.

Harris announced that Biden was issuing a memorandum directing federal agencies to look for ways to help ensure access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this month approved a change that would expand access to the drug at pharmacies. But the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has warned Florida pharmacists against dispensing the drug.

Harris’ appearance in Tallahassee came nearly a year after DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature

For more information about adoptions please visit MarionFL.org/Animal

Classic Cars and Bike Show

Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 11am-5pm

approved a law preventing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion providers have challenged the law, with the case pending at the Florida Supreme Court.

Cars, bikes, food and fun are on tap for this monthly day of fun. Enjoy open-air bars and eateries. For more info, homesteadparks.com

The vice president’s appearance also came as the Legislature prepares to start its annual session March 7. While DeSantis and some other Republican leaders have indicated they would support stricter abortion regulations, they have not released a proposal, at least in part because they are waiting for a ruling in the case about the 15-week limit.

In that case, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office has urged justices to reverse a decades-old legal precedent that said a privacy clause in the state Constitution protects abortion rights. If the Supreme Court goes along with that argument, it could help clear the way for the Legislature to more broadly limit abortions.

Corbin

Corbin

likes showing of his big, fuzzy belly. True cat lovers know not to fall for that trap–you can look at it, but don’t touch. This two-year-old has a loud motor and loves to cuddle–just don’t fall victim to that adorable belly trap.

Star Anise

is a big girl with a big heart. This threeyear-old beauty has been at the shelter for over a year. During that time, she has been treated for heartworm disease and completed basic obedience classes. Her adoption package comes with six additional weeks of training, to help her and the connection with her flourish. Come and find out why Star is a volunteer favorite.

Adoption Specials: Ocala Gazette regularly brings you two furry friends that are available for adoption from local animal rescue organizations.

government

FEBRUARY 6 & 13

Marion County Development

Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala

9am

The first step for new development projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans, and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/ Calendar.aspx

FEBRUARY 7

Marion County Board of County Commissioners

McPherson Governmental Campus

Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

9am

Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar. com/Calendar.aspx

civic

FEBRUARY 3 & 10

Chess Club at Freedom

Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St.,

Ocala

10am-12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Please bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

FEBRUARY 3 & 10

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave.,

Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

FEBRUARY 7

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview

6pm-8pm

Meets the first and third Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

FEBRUARY 7

City of Ocala City Council

Meeting City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala

4pm Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/ Calendar.aspx

FEBRUARY 13

City of Dunnellon City

Council City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon

5:30pm Meets the second Monday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/Agendas-Minutes

FEBRUARY 8

VFW Wednesday Dinners

Angela S. Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala

4:30pm-6:30pm

The post offers weekly dinners for about $5-$7 with a variable menu. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. For the menu, call (352) 873-4781.

FEBRUARY 9

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome. The club supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl

arts

FEBRUARY 4

Opening for “A Love Story”

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 W Broadway St., Ocala

6pm

The gallery will be open to the public during the First Friday Art Walk and features this new exhibit, “A Love Story,” from Inverness acrylics artist Ro Martinez. For more info, mcaocala.org

THROUGH FEBRUARY 5

“Into the Breeches”

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Show times vary Set in WWII, the story is about an all-female cast that takes on Shakespeare plays and is an inspiring dramatic comedy set in 1942 Ocala. Tickets start at $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger. See ocalacivictheatre. com for more info.

FEBRUARY 8

Legacies of Love

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala

7pm

Interfaith Emergency Services honors Whit Palmer, Caryle Ausley, Toro Townley, Doug Oswald and Nick Nikkinen. Tickets are $40, to benefit services and programs for those in need. For more info, reillyartscenter.com

FEBRUARY 11

Valentine’s Family Craft Day

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 W Broadway St., Ocala

10am-12pm

The Alpha Delta Kappa sorority is hosting this crafty day of fun for kids ages 3-10. Free for all; RSVP strongly encouraged. See mcaocala.org for more info.

FEBRUARY 14

Ira Holmes International Film Series: “Get Out” College of Central Florida, Bldg. 8, Room 110, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 7pm This psychological horror film was written and directed by Jordan Peele and tells the tale of a young Black man discovering shocking secrets about his white girlfriend’s family. It is renowned for its tone and message. Free to the public, this is part of an ongoing series of international films. For more info, CF.edu/filmseries

FEBRUARY 15

Film Talk with Dr. Gilbert Rodman College of Central Florida, Bldg. 8, Room 110, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

12:30pm

Professor Rodman from the University of Minnesota will lead a film talk focusing on Black History Month and Black contributions to film art and history. For more info, CF.edu/filmseries

THROUGH MARCH 31

Long Legs & Fragility by Cara Van Leuven City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala

Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Van Leuven paints horses full-time and uses her experience as a carriage driver for inspiration. Free to the public during business hours. For more info, see ocalafl. org/artincityspaces

THROUGH APRIL 9

Focus on the Essence

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tues-Sat; 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

The photography of Anne Noggle came from a donation to the museum and highlights self-portraits and those of her friends and family. Her photos are known for their composition and exquisite lighting. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH MAY 21

Big & Bold

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tues-Sat; 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

The museum goes big with large pieces of art in this collection, including historical, modern and contemporary art pieces. Works include a 10’ x 4’ painting by Valenkamph and Snyder’s “Florida Pink Ignition,” which is almost 7’ x 7’. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for youths. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH MAY 25

Revolutionized Textile & Fiber

Mary Sue Rich Community Center, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

Daily when center is open

Artist Ingrid Humphrey, a native Floridian, has her handmade dolls and tapestries on exhibit, which portray the sisterhood of women of color all over the world. Free to the public. For more info, ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JUNE 9

Blessed Be the Birds

Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala

Mon-Fri; 8am-5pm

Courtney Kravig-McGuire is a local artist with a special interest in showing the connection between nature and spirituality in her works. Her medium of choice is printmaking. Visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JUNE 18

Paper Thin & Shadow Deep

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tues-Sat; 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

The artworks from Hiromi Mizugai Moneyhun are threedimensional cut paper pieces that feel both lighthearted and alive. Moneyhun’s style combines traditional Japanese art forms along with modern elements from today’s Japan. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for youths. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

FEBRUARY 3 & 10

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St., Ocala

6-9pm Music, dancing, drumming, poetry and limbo. Free to all, Friday nights weekly.

FEBRUARY 3

FEBRUARY 3

Adam Rountree

FEBRUARY

Sports

Late goals and stingy defense lead Forest to win in district tournament quarterfinal

knew it was a great opportunity and I had to hit it in to send us to the next round,” Rodriguez said.

The goal by Rodriguez kickstarted the Forest offense and Wigginton took the ball down the left side for a goal to put Forest up 2-0.

“If they can put that first 10 minutes of overtime into the first 80 minutes of the game, we can compete with anybody in the state. They’ve got to believe and it’s their choice to have that mindset,” Forest head coach Jason Wigginton said.

The two goals gave Forest all the momentum they needed as South Lake had no answer for the relentless defense effort from the Wildcats. Wigginton and Hardy both said the defense set the tone for the game and was a huge part of the win.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Overtime goals by Jadiel Rodriguez and Brantley Wigginton carried the Forest Wildcats (14-0-6) to a 2-0 victory over the South Lake Eagles in the Class 6A District 4 tournament quarterfinal on Jan. 26.

“It’s always a good feeling to win a playoff game. Hate to see it come down to extra time, but we came through. This was the first check mark, I thought we dominated throughout the game and we just need to work on being more creative towards getting goals, getting more shots on goals and testing the keeper,” Forest assistant coach Shawn Hardy said.

The game was a defensive dog-fight from the beginning as both teams showed frenetic energy towards taking the ball away from the opposing offense. Forest took the first shot on goal

in the eighth minute as Yari Vanegas Acosta nailed the kick from 20 yards out, but South Lake goalie Manuel Juarez made a fantastic diving save.

Forest had another opportunity moments later on a corner kick, but the header from Brandon Droese was just inches too high.

South Lake applied pressure twice in the span of 10 minutes, but Forest goalie Garrett Smith was able to notch a pair of saves. Juarez made another spectacular diving save with his left hand in the final 10 minutes of regulation.

The defensive efforts from both teams led the game into overtime. In the first 10-minute period of overtime, Forest got on the board after a free kick by Wigginton was deflected by Jaurez and Rodriguez scorched the back of the net from five yards out.

“I was nervous as I was running up to the ball because I

“Something I always tell them is you can’t lose if you don’t get scored on. So, if we can keep a clean sheet, we can almost guarantee a tie every night. That’s been a mindset every night for the boys and our focus is keeping Garrett bored back there and showing dominance on the ball defensively,” Hardy said.

For South Lake, a seasonending overtime loss on the road was tough, but head coach Kyle Rogers was optimistic after the game and shared excitement for next season with a big group of players returning.

“It’s one of the most complete games we played all season. We brought our best tonight. The boys gave everything they had and, unfortunately, we weren’t able to pull it out. There’s not much to say after a loss like this in the district tournament.,” Rogers said.

He added: “We put a couple of JV players on late in the game to get experience. We have a great class coming in and we are excited.”

South Lake finished the season at 7-5-1. Forest was headed into a matchup against Buchholz (7-3-3).

Florida FACTOIDS

COMING

FEBRUARY 3: Celebrating Our Presidents. Contact Bob Hauck: bobhauck39@gmail.com

7. A Angela Bassett

8. D Gerald Ford

9. A Mt. Zion AME

10. B Paradise Park

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

The deadline for the Jumble puzzle was fast approaching, so the creators -- SCRAMBLED

Crossword

1. D George Washington Carver

2. C Sidney Poitier

3. B Highwaymen

4. A St. Augustine

5. B Ray Charles

6. A Zora Neale Hurston

Forest’s Brandon Droese (15) and Collin Scroggie (5) battle for control of the ball with South Lake’s Sam Perez (11) during a soccer match at Forest High School in Ocala on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Forest’s Jaime Price (14) jumps for a header with South Lake’s Alex Dieguez (14) as he heads the ball downfield.

Forest’s Blaise Kemerson (7) looks for an open player as he makes a run towards the goal past South Lake’s Ivan Luna (17).

Forest’s Brantley Wigginton (8) makes it past South Lake’s Bryan Gamez (12).

Forest takes down North Marion in heavyweight battle

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Point guard Xzavion McCoy scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Forest Wildcats (17-6) to a 63-53 win over the North Marion Colts (15-6) on Jan. 27.

The energy at tip-off was at an all-time high as the two best boys’ basketball teams in Marion County tangled in a heavyweight battle.

“That was a good county matchup that had a big time feel to it. It was a cool environment and both sections were going back and forth, so that was cool for these kids to be a part of it and compete in this type of environment,” Forest head coach Mike Hoffmann said.

The first quarter featured body shots from both teams as Caleb Rollerson opened the scoring with a rebound and a left-handed layup to give North Marion the early lead. Matt Daniels followed with the first of his three three-pointers for Forest.

North Marion forward Elija Walton came up with the first highlight of the night as he grabbed a rebound from a teammates’miss and finished with a powerful righthanded slam dunk to tie the game at eight.

The game was tied at 13 until 1:22 left in the first quarter, when Xavier Kirkpatrick sank a three-pointer from the left side to give Forest a lead they would not relinquish.

After ending the first quarter with a 19-13 lead, Forest dominated the second period by a score of 142. McCoy, Tae Floyd and Karsen Steinbarger all scored in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 33-15 lead at half-time.

North Marion opened the scoring in the second half on a 10foot jumper from freshman point guard Jerdarrius Jackson. Tae Floyd gave Forest a 20-point lead on a layup with three minutes to go

in the third quarter.

North Marion answered with a 5-0 run, all five points coming from Sammie Yeanay. Forest guard Anthony Rivera scorched the net with a three-pointer from the left side in the final seconds of the third quarter.

Things were looking dire for North Marion as they trailed by 20 entering the final period, but the Colts fought back as Yeanay hit a three-pointer, followed by a three-pointer from Titus Williams. Yeanay kept the momentum with a steal and another five-point spurt before Kirkpatrick knocked down another three-pointer.

Forest held a 19-point lead with just over four minutes left in the game, but North Marion made one final push by going on a 12-0 run over the next 90 seconds.

Rollerson started the run with two layups and Jermaine Jackson followed with his first three-pointer of the night. Yeanay grabbed a steal at midcourt on the ensuing possession and drove for a tough layup. Brenden Barber ended the run with a steal and a three-point play following a foul.

With three minutes left to go, the lead for Forest had evaporated to seven.

In tense moments is when you see leaders step up and make plays when needed and McCoy did not disappoint as he sank four free throws in the span of 20 seconds to extend the lead back to 10.

“It was easy work because I practice free throws every day, so it was easy when it came time,” McCoy said.

Rollerson answered with a nice left-handed layup and a free throw before Floyd put the exclamation point on the victory with a vicious two-handed slam dunk with oneminute left to go.

Williams hit a last-gasp threepointer with 53 seconds left to pull North Marion within eight, but

Floyd made three free throws in the final 40 seconds to secure the 63-53 win for Forest.

Floyd and Kirkpatrick finished with 15 points and three rebounds each. Daniels ended his night with nine points and four rebounds.

Despite the big night from McCoy, he gave all the credit to his teammates and coaches after the game.

“My boys pulled a win out; it wasn’t just me out there. The coaching staff is great and we were all able to pull a win out,” McCoy said.

For North Marion and head coach Tim Yarn, it was a tough night as they finished 1-13 from the threepoint line in the first half and had to battle from a big deficit for most of the game.

“I loved the fight in the second half. We didn’t make shots to get us going and Forest was on fire. That’s the game; you have to make shots,” Yarn said.

“It was a tough environment and tough game but Forest is a really good team. We knew it was going to be a tough battle and we battled all night. This type of game is going to have us battle-tested as we move into postseason play,” Yarn added.

Yeanay led North Marion with 19 points and eight rebounds. Rollerson and Williams pitched in with nine points each and Barber added seven points with three rebounds.

Friday night was the final leg of a difficult trifecta for Forest as they also had wins against Vanguard and The Villages Charter.

“We talked about peaking at the right time and making sure we’re playing well towards the end of the season. We’re hitting that stride now and I got to give a lot of credit to these guys that work on climbing at the right time. These guys are really focused on districts and trying to make the state playoffs to make some noise,” Hoffmann said.

Forest loses nail-biter to Buchholz in district tourney final

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Buchholz Bobcats (9-9) beat the Forest Wildcats (13-5-2)

3-2 to capture the girls’ soccer Class 6A District-4 tournament championship on Jan. 31.

It marks the second consecutive district tournament championship for head coach Bryan Hantak and his program.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we just muscled through it. We’ve had a lot of injuries and illness, so players are starting to come back and they are not 100 percent. We played with incredible heart, and we had about 10 minutes of craziness, but they regained their composure to make things happen and I’m very proud of them,” Hantak said.

Neither team made a threat on the goal until the 20-minute mark in the first half, when Forest forward Janellie Castillo had a penalty kick opportunity that was snuffed out on a diving save by the

goalie.

Buchholz opened the scoring in the 30th minute on a breakaway goal by junior forward Zoe Torres; her 15th goal of the season.

Forest got a pair of solid chances to tie the game with the shots on goal, but both ended up wide of the net. Buchholz answered with a second breakaway goal from senior Kelisha Andre in the final moments of the first half to give Buchholz a 2-0 lead.

The situation was looking dire for Forest until the 20-minute mark in the second half. The Wildcats offense came to life as Castillo scored on a beautiful goal on the run for her 12th score of the season.

Just 20 seconds later, on a penalty kick, junior Klarissa Zawosky picked up her third goal of the season to tie the game at two with 20 minutes left.

With just over 10 minutes left in regulation, Buchholz senior Emily Sipple scored her first goal of the season at the most opportune

time, from 20 yards out, to give Buchholz a 3-2 lead.

“I saw that they weren’t covering me, and I got really excited. I saw the ball rolling to me and thought to kick it hard and keep it on the ground,” Sipple said.

Forest had one more opportunity to tie the game with about four minutes left after the Buchholz goalie chased the ball out and left an open net. Caroline Cook made a solid kick, but senior Jordan Pfaff

came up with a clutch save to block the shot.

“We talk all the time in practice about soccer IQ. Her awareness to see that play developing and get back was high soccer IQ. She did a great job and she saved us,” Hantak said.

Forest got back to the offensive side of the field, but could not get another shot on goal as Buchholz held on for the win. A fantastic season ended in heartbreak for the Wildcats, but there is

excitement towards next season as they will return 11 players from this year’s roster.

As for Buchholz, the postseason is just beginning as they await their state playoff matchup.

“We’ve got to get healthy and make sure our practices are high intensity. This is just the first step for us and is not our end goal. Last year we made it to the sweet 16; we’d like to make it back there and see what happens,” Hantak said.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Forest’s Zay McCoy (0) looks for a way to the hoop as he is defended by North Marion’s Andrew Zock (12) and Jermaine Jackson (3) during a basketball game at Forest High School in Ocala on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

Forest’s Matt Daniels (14) knocks the ball away from North Marion’s Brenden Barber (13).

Forest’s Matt Daniels (14) and Anthony Rivera (5) try to take the ball away from North Marion’s Caleb Rollerson (1) on the floor.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Forest’s Klarissa Zawosky (18) battles for the ball with Buchholz’ Kelisha Andre (10) during a soccer match at Forest High School in Ocala on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

Forest’s Jenna Maiorino (9) and Buchholz’ Kelisha Andre (10) jump for a header. Buchholz’ Cam Hayes (6) jumps for a header with Forest’s Jenna Maiorino (9).

“We played with incredible heart, and we had about 10 minutes of craziness, but they regained their composure to make things happen and I’m very proud of them.”

Bryan Hantak Buchholz head coach

GIRLS’ SOCCER SCORES

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SCORES

BOYS’ BASKETBALL SCORES