Ocala Gazette | March 10 - March 16, 2023

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Chamberlin wins special primary election for House Seat 24

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox’s unofficial results for the special primary election held March 7 to fill House Seat 24 show Ryan Chamberlin the winner.

There are 61,421 registered voters in that district, but only 11,095 ballots were cast.

Five Republican candidates entered the race for the House seat: Charlie Stone, Stephen Pyles, Jose Juarez, Ryan Chamberlin and Justin Albright.

When registered Republican Robert “Foxy” Fox filed as a write-in candidate, it triggered a general election for May 16 and closed the primary to only Republican voters.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order dated Dec. 19, 2022, declaring a special election to fill the Florida House District 24 seat vacated by Ocala Republican Joe Harding, who resigned his seat Dec. 8, 2022, after

See Chamberlin, page A2

A clear directive

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

Rudy Lyons wanted to be a bush pilot in Alaska after he served with the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War in 1966 and 1967, but he said his dream was

See Veteran, page A7

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Athrong of springs advocates and conservationists are hailing a recent major court decision that will force the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to immediately rewrite its water quality restoration plans for the state’s endangered springs and waterways.

The 1st District Court of Appeals on

Feb. 15 ruled the FDEP violated Florida law by not allocating the pollutant load to categories of nonpoint sources when drafting Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), which are frameworks for restoration focusing on reducing pollution.

The victory was the culmination of a four-year legal brawl to hold the FDEP and polluters accountable for inadequately protecting 13 impaired Outstanding Florida Springs (OFS) of the Suwannee, Santa Fe, and Ichetucknee

rivers, as well as Rainbow, Silver, and Volusia springs.

The FDEP will also have to comply with the ruling when updating the remaining OFS BMAPs.

“It’s a big win, but it is frustrating; we’d rather have the DEP as a partner rather than an adversary,” said Ryan Smart, executive director of the nonprofit Florida Springs Council, which was joined in the lawsuit by Sierra Club

See Pollutant, page A3

CF debuts Allied Health Sciences Building

The former gymnasium has been transformed into a state-of-the-art training facility.

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

College of Central Florida staff and faculty joined local and state dignitaries March 3 for a ribbon-cutting at the revamped campus gymnasium, now redefined and outfitted

as the Allied Health Sciences Building.

The 24,000-square-foot former gymnasium was revamped in a $7.8 million project in less than 12 months and will serve as a state-of-the-art training facility for up to 200 students annually who are seeking an Associate in Science degree in the fields of Cardiovascular

Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology.

Student Rebecca Roe, a former certified nursing assistant, will complete her Surgical Technology studies in July.

See New, page A8

‘Agent Orange’ plaque dedicated

A ceremony took place March 5 to honor and remember veterans who were exposed to tactical herbicides during the Vietnam War.

FDEP to rewrite water quality restoration plans for the state’s endangered springs and waterways.

Dr. Jim Henningsen, the CF President, center left, and Rusty Branson, the CF District Board of Trustees Chair, center right, cut the ribbon as other dignitaries, CF associates and members of the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership look on during the ribbon cutting for the new Allied Health Sciences Building at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Friday, March 3, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Chamberlin wins primary

Continued from page A1 being indicted by a federal grand jury on fraud charges.

Chamberlin, a political activist and business consultant, received 3,985 votes. Chamberlin contributed $75,000 to his campaign and raised $70,935 from 140 other donors, according to the last financial reports.

Jose Juarez, a local businessman and political newcomer, came in second garnering 2,912 votes. Juarez raised approximately $55,000 from at least 98 donors and contributed $20,000 of his own money to his campaign, according to the last financial reports.

Charlie Stone raised the most out of the candidates, at $140,887 from over 175 donors as well as chipping in $50,000 from personal funds to his campaign. Stone, who served for eight years on the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, and who served out term limits in the House from 2012-2020, campaigned that his experience would make him more effective than his opponents and that he’d be able to hit the ground running if elected.

Stone received 2,483 votes.

Justin Albright, a local real estate broker, garnered 846 votes. Albright, also a political newcomer, contributed $22,000 to his own campaign and raised another $8,125 from donors, according to the last financial reports.

Dr. Stephen Pyles, a medical physician, had 854 of the votes and primarily funded his own campaign, contributing $60,000 to it. He raised another $15,630 from 61 other donors. This, too, was Pyles’ first political campaign, and he ran on the idea that legislators would benefit from having more physicians amongst their rank.

The only opposition Chamberlin faces in the general election is writein candidate Robert “Foxy” Fox.

Although a write-in candidate

has never won an election in Florida, Fox indicates that he has every intention of campaigning hard to beat Chamberlin and win the general election.

The special election for the Florida House District 24 House seat will cost taxpayers almost $500,000 for both a primary and general election, according to Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox.

Unlike other state and county officers, members of this legislative body take office on midnight of the day of the general election. In this case, the winner would take office after this year’s legislative session ends.

Representatives serve two-year terms and are limited to four terms. After sitting out a term, they can run again, as Stone did in this election.

Wilcox will conduct an audit and certify results by March 17 and complete the post-election audit by March 20.

they’d ever consider running again after this special election experience. Juarez replied, “This election process was very special for us. God delivered the most amazing group of supporters. It was overwhelming. I feel a responsibility to these people, so you just may hear from me again.”

Albright said, “I enjoyed running and meeting so many great people. I’m glad I did it as I learned so much. The Lord has something different in store for me. As for running again, if the Lord calls on me to do so then I will.”

Pyles was the only one of the three who expressed some reservation, but was quick to compliment his opponent, Juarez, who came in second. “He ran a great campaign and deserved to win.”

Stone remarked to the “Gazette” that despite running “a strong campaign with a great message,” ultimately, “the negative hit pieces took its toll on us.”

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Stone

Charlie

The “Gazette” asked political newcomers Pyles, Juarez and Albright if

“I hope Marion County gets the representation they deserve,” Stone added. Chamberlin could not be reached for comment.

‘CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON’ ACTOR RICOU BROWNING DIES

By the Associated Press

Ricou Browning, a skilled swimmer best known for his underwater role as the Gill Man in the quintessential 3D blackand-white 1950s monster movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” has died, his family told various media outlets. He was 93. Browning died Feb. 27 at his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida.

In addition to acting roles, Browning also collaborated as a writer on the 1963 movie “Flipper,” and the popular TV series of the same name that followed. He told the “Ocala Star-Banner” newspaper in 2013 that he came up with the idea after a trip to South America to capture fresh-water dolphins in the Amazon.

“One day, when I came home, the kids were watching ‘Lassie’ on TV, and it just dawned on me, ‘Why not do a film about a boy and a dolphin?’” he told the newspaper.

Browning directed the 1973 comedy “Salty,” about a sea lion, and the 1978 drama “Mr. No Legs,” about a mob enforcer who is a double amputee. He also did stunt work in various films, including serving as Jerry Lewis’s underwater double in the 1959 comedy “Don’t Give Up the Ship,” according to “The New York Times.”

But nothing would mark Browning’s Hollywood career like swimming underwater in an elaborately grotesque suit as the Gill Man, a character that would hold its own in horror movie lore alongside monsters like King Kong and Godzilla.

Browning did the swimming scenes in two sequels, “Revenge of the Creature” (1955) and “The Creature Walks Among Us” (1956). Other actors played the Gill Man on land.

Browning told the “StarBanner,” he could hold his breath for minutes underwater, making him especially adept for the

swimming part.

He was discovered when the film’s director visited Silver Springs, where Ocala’s Newt Perry, who performed as a stand-in for “Tarzan” actor Johnny Weissmuller, was promoting one of Florida’s first tourist attractions, where Browning got a job as a teen swimming in water shows.

Perry asked Browning to take the Hollywood visitors to Wakulla Springs, one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. They later recruited Browning to appear in the movie, which was partly filmed at the springs.

Perry also was the founder of the Weeki Wachee attraction on Florida’s West Coast, which featured an underwater theater and mermaids performing using an underwater breathing apparatus he invented. Perry and his wife Dot started the Perry Swim School in Ocala, which today remains under the direction of their daughter, Delee Perry. She recalls spending time in her youth around stars including Browning, Weissmuller, Esther Williams and W. C. Fields.

Ricou Ren Browning was born on Feb. 16, 1930, in Fort Pierce. He swam on the U.S. Air Force swim team.

Survivors include his four children, Ricou Browning Jr., Renee, Kelly and Kim; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. His wife, Fran, died in March 2020. His son Ricou Jr. is a marine coordinator, actor and stuntman like his father, according to “The Hollywood Reporter.”

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Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox, right, talks with canvassing board members, Craig Curry of the Marion County Commission, left, and Judge Robert Landt, center, as election results come in for the District 24 House of Representatives special election at the Marion County Election Center in Ocala on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

“I hope Marion County gets the representation they deserve.”

The Ocala Gazette staff contributed to this report.

Ricou Browning, who played the creature in “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” poses for photos for people during Florida SpringsFest at Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Sunday, March 4, 2018. Browning, best known for playing the Gill Man in the 1954 monster movie “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” has died. His family told news outlets Browning died Feb. 27, 2023, at his home in Southwest Ranches, Fla. He was 93. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Star-Banner via AP]

Pollutant accountability

Continued from page A1

Florida, Save the Manatee Club, Our Santa Fe River, Ichetucknee Alliance, Silver Springs Alliance, Friends of the Wekiva River and several individuals.

“The springs was theirs to protect,” he said.

Nitrate pollution is one of the biggest threats to Florida’s abundant freshwater springs and some of the main causes are stormwater runoff, septic tank systems, agriculture and fertilizers used by homeowners and landscapers alike.

The BMAP process requires the FDEP to meet water quality goals by allocating the necessary nitrogen load reductions to categories of pollution sources like those mentioned above, but the FDEP failed to include them in the BMAPs for Outstanding Florida Springs, the lawsuit maintained.

“It’s about accountability,” said Smart. “What the ruling means is that the DEP has to allocate the pollutant load. It’s complicated, but it’s not rocket science; you just have to put less pollutants in the ground.”

Each individual BMAP is supposed to show the number of harmful pollutants each polluter is loading into the respective basin and keep track of those that are achieving reductions to meet specific goals, said Smart.

“Without assigning responsibility you have no accountability, and without that you have no way to see if water quality goals were met,” he said.

Michael McGrath, Sierra Club Florida lead organizer, said in a press release following the court’s decision that the ruling makes it crystal clear FDEP’s current BMAP program is a failure.

“We can’t continue to throw taxpayer money at projects when it is stopping pollution at its source—regulation—that we desperately need,” he said. “It is time for Governor DeSantis’s DEP to stop fighting this and give us BMAPs that put our springs on the fast road to recovery.”

In 2016, the Florida Legislature identified 30 Outstanding Florida Springs requiring additional protections to ensure their conservation and water quality restoration, outlined in the BMAPs, according to the FDEP website.

The Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act addressed problems due to pollution, declining flows, ecological imbalances, and activities including agricultural and urban landscape practices, leaking septic systems, and or inadequate stormwater management near the springs.

In June 2018, the FDEP adopted 13 restoration plans, specifically addressing 24 nitrogen-impaired Outstanding

Florida Springs.

The years-long legal tussle began in January of 2019 when seven Florida Springs Council member organizations and three individuals challenged the ineffective springs BMAPs arguing that the plans did not meet the minimum requirements under the law.

The FDEP, however, maintained the plans didn’t have to achieve water quality goals, they only needed a target for doing so. They also claimed they didn’t need to assign pollution reductions to categories of non-point sources, and that they didn’t need to offset the inevitable increases in pollution from future growth in both population and agriculture.

An Administrative Law Judge later that year ruled in FDEP’s favor. The three-member panel of the 1st District Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s ruling in its Feb. 15 decision.

“The law says all these springs have to be restored and meet water quality goals by 2038,” said Smart. “For the past four years the DEP sided with polluters, and it took citizens groups and hundreds of thousands of dollars just to make them follow the law and protect the environment.”

“That’s not the way it should be,” he said. “There was no need for it.”

Other groups in the legal showdown heralded the decision as a major win for Florida’s springs and waterways in the press release.

“The ruling is a huge win for Florida’s springs and its manatees,” said Kim Dinkins, senior conservation associate for the Save the Manatee Club “Unfortunately, the four years we have spent fighting the ineffective BMAPs has resulted in not only delaying improvements, but in some cases, worsening water quality.”

“Healthy springs are vitally important for manatees and for the people of Florida…we’re hopeful this ruling will help turn the tide for springs before it’s too late,” she said.

John Jopling, president of the Ichetucknee Alliance stated: “We are grateful for the critical backing of the Florida Springs Council, for the commitment of the other plaintiffs, and for the financial contributions of the many Floridians that enabled this case to go forward. This is an important win not only for the Ichetucknee but also for all of Florida’s freshwater springs.”

Meanwhile, Smart said, precious time has been lost in the fight to restore and protect the state’s springs.

“Now that the DEP wasted all this time, we need them to act very urgently to get these new plans up and running and restore the springs,” he said.

Inspire Gala delivers inspiration

The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County’s inaugural event honored individual and corporate philanthropists.

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Nearly 300 locals answered the invitation from the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County for its first Road to Wine Country Inspire Gala at the Ocala Hilton. The March 3 event was organized to honor individual and corporate philanthropists and thank nonprofits for their work to inspire charity in the community. Honorees were nominated and the foundation outsourced the selection process to prevent any favoritism in naming recipients of the inaugural Inspire Gala awards.

Community Foundation President and Executive Director Lauren Deiorio and Ashley Wheeler-Gerds, the director of strategic and community engagement for the foundation, emceed the presentation.

Frank Hennessey, founder and chairman of the board of the foundation, presented the Golden Circle award to Robert Reilly. The award recognizes those who have donated at least a million dollars to the Community Foundation. One of Reilly’s generous contributions helped turn an old armory at Tuscawilla Park into the Reilly Arts Center.

Stan Hanson, founder of the Adam Hanson Better Communities Fund, presented two Youth Philanthropists of the Year awards in a male and female category. Brothers, Caleb and Luke Lombardo, ages 17 and 14, received recognition for organizing the Concert for Good to raise money for local charities.

Juliana Henningsen, now 15, was honored for creating the book, “Shop Pets of Ocala,” which was sold to raise money for the Humane Society of Marion County in 2021. The book featured a collection of photographs and stories of local dogs and cats that go to work with their owners.

Rusty Branson, Regional President of SouthState Bank, presented the Unsung Hero award to the city of Ocala’s Police Chief Michael Balken. Branson acknowledged that Balken was a wellknown figure in the community but said that so much of what Balken does in the way of sacrificing time and energy has not been publicly recognized. Branson spoke to the crowd of Balken’s remarkable “commitment to serving our youth, improving mental services in our community, and tackling the domestic violence epidemic facing so many families today.”

McKenzie’s Moment was recognized as the Emerging Nonprofit of the Year. Ryan and Kait Gray accepted the award. The couple co-founded a golf tournament to honor their daughter, McKenzie, who died in 2018. Kait was 29 weeks pregnant with their second daughter, McKenzie, when Kait suffered a placenta abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth.

“When McKenzie passed, we were just short of seven months in Ocala, but the love the community gave us was like we had lived here our entire lives,” said Kait.

Kait told the crowd that the tournament, now in its fifth year, had already raised $2.5 million for local charities.

Frank Deluca presented the Nonprofit of the Year award to Marion Senior Services. DeLuca said the worthy nonprofit “ensures that no one goes without a meal, misses a doctor’s appointment” and looks out for the mental health of the elderly during sensitive times like the holidays.

As Jennifer Martinez, executive director for Marion Senior Services, accepted the award and spoke of her team, an unknown but spirited audience member yelled, “You knock it out of the park, Jenny!”

“What we strive for every day is to preserve the dignity of aging,” Martinez told the crowd.

Danny Schofield presented the Corporate Partner of the Year award to Mainstreet Community Bank, saying that the organization always steps in during times of need, expecting nothing in return. Angie Clifton, senior vice president for the bank, accepted the award and praised the work of the Community Foundation.

Roseann Morton received the Board Member of the Year award for her work with the Humane Society of Marion County. Morton has worked with the nonprofit for 25 years.

Morton accepted the award and told the crowd that she had enjoyed watching the Humane Society outgrow its original vision when she started.

“The next chapter of the Humane Society is about to unfold. We are opening a clinic to help the community’s animals. So many people cannot afford veterinary care and we will attempt to address that obstacle,” she said.

Ken Ausley, CEO of Ausley Construction, presented the Philanthropist of the Year award to David Tillman, who Ausley said

personifies the Bible’s book of James admonition “to care for orphans and widows in their distress.”

The night ended with a tearful special presentation by the emcees of a new foundation award in honor of Frank Hennessey’s legacy.

Hennessey took the stage and recounted the vision of the Community Foundation when it was founded and encouraged the crowd to look for ways to come together and do good.

“I was thrilled to see people acknowledge the slow but steady efforts to build a strong community foundation. Had you told me it would be such a blowout night with 300 people and a waiting list- I wouldn’t have believed you,” Hennessey told the “Gazette” the morning after the event.

Pointing to important issues that need community attention with regard to housing, education and helping our youth, Hennessey felt hopeful. “Seeing that many people come together last night reassures me that we have the power to tackle anything.”

Bob Reilly, who received the Golden Circle award, left, poses with Frank Hennessey, who received the Legacy award, center, and Bill Nassal, right, during the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County Inspire Gala at the Ocala Hilton in Ocala on Friday, March 3, 3023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023. Juliana Henningsen receives the Youth Philanthropy award.

Caleb Lombardo, 17, left, and Luke Lombardo, 14, right, accept the Youth Philanthropy award.

Left: Ashely Gerds, left, and Lauren DeIorio of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County.

Florida pulls out of voter registration group

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Secretary of State Cord Byrd, through a statement issued on March 6, announced that Florida was withdrawing its membership from the Electronic Registration Information Center, known as ERIC, along with the states of Missouri and West Virginia.

Up until this point, the nonprofit membership organization, which is based in Washington D.C., consisted of approximately 32 states in the U.S. and District of Columbia. ERIC started with only seven states in 2012. Florida joined in 2019, with the support of both parties and unanimously by all 67 supervisors of elections in the state. The organization is funded by its member states.

Data matches by the center can identify voters registered in more than one state, people who have moved between states and people who have died. The matches can help county elections officials identify and remove people who are no longer eligible to vote from registration lists.

Mark Ard, spokesperson for the Secretary, would not answer the specific question pressed by the “Gazette” asking what other platforms, besides ERIC, could local elections supervisors use to check voter registration across state lines.

An inability to find another multi-state platform to switch to, such as ERIC, combined with a lack of information from the Secretary’s office, could lead one to believe it is highly possible that local election supervisors are without the resources they once utilized to maintain good voter rolls.

“Today’s announcement follows efforts led by Florida over the past year to reform ERIC through attempts to secure data and eliminate ERIC’s partisan tendencies, all of which were rejected. Withdrawing from ERIC will ensure the data privacy of Florida voters is protected,” Byrd wrote in the statement.

Byrd explained in his statement that a working group was formed and sought to increase protections of confidential voter information and to limit the power of ex-officio members of the ERIC board who “are not representatives of specific states and have undue influence over the organization and its decisions.”

The “Gazette” asked the Secretary of State’s office what specific concerns went unaddressed by ERIC and

Local Utilities Could See More State Regulation

received an email from Ard outlining the following “non-exhaustive list”:

1. Amending ERIC Bylaws to ensure that ERIC Membership consists only of Members who answer to the voters and taxpayers they represent.

2. Repealing non-voting seats on ERIC’s Board of Directors.

3. Permitting member states to use ERIC’s data-sharing services “a-la-carte,” in the manner which they believe best services their local interests. For example, members should not be forced to meet specific requirements, such as Eligible but Unregistered voter mailings or cross-state fraud analysis, if they do not deem those actions necessary or relevant to the needs of their respective states.

4. Strengthening list maintenance reporting requirements to more closely align with the National Voter Registration Act.

5. Enhanced confidentiality of Member citizens’ data, including restrictions on ERIC from sharing data outside of ERIC’s Members and imposing restrictions on Members from receiving another Members’ data outside of the listed reports.

6. The ERIC membership agreement prohibits the sharing of non-citizen information despite some Members allowing non-citizens to vote.

Shane Hamlin, executive director of ERIC, issued a statement to address “recent misinformation spreading about ERIC,” explaining how their service works and who stays in control of the data.

“We analyze voter registration and motor vehicle department data, provided by our members through secure channels, along with official federal death data and change of address data, in order to provide our members with various reports. They use these reports to update their voter rolls, remove ineligible voters, investigate potential illegal voting, or provide voter registration information to individuals who may be eligible to vote.”

“ERIC is never connected to any state’s voter registration system. Members retain complete control over their voter rolls, and they use the reports we provide in ways that comply with federal and state laws,” he added.

Hamlin also stated that their organization follows widely accepted security protocols for handling data.

Florida News Service contributed to this article.

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Florida House and Senate members last week filed proposals that would increase state regulation of many municipal electric utilities.

The proposals would ramp up the Florida Public Service Commission’s regulation of municipal utilities that serve electric customers outside of city boundaries. While the commission has oversight of certain issues for municipal utilities, it does not regulate their rates.

Under the bills (HB 1331 and SB 1380), the commission would have power to regulate municipal utilities with customers outside city boundaries more like private utilities such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. The commission has authority over the private companies’ rates.

The bills emerged after a House panel in recent weeks raised concerns about municipal utilities that serve customers outside city limits, including whether cities are using too much money from the utilities to bolster their general funds. Residents who live outside municipal boundaries can’t vote for city officials.

“Obviously, the local governments really can utilize those funds that come in from the municipal utilities as a way to avoid raising taxes on their constituents because they’re raiding the piggy bank of the utility,” Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, said during a meeting last month of the House Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee. “But … ultimately the bill will come due because money that wasn’t spent on upgrading the utility ultimately will have to be spent from somewhere.”

Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, pointed to questions about financial management at Gainesville Regional Utilities, saying about 40 percent of its ratepayers live outside the Gainesville boundaries.

“The people that are funding this (electric system) bill, they’re beyond concerned,

they’re becoming angry with the lack of fiscal responsibility running the local utility,” Clemons said. “Where do they turn for help? That’s my question.”

Amy Zubaly, executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, said in a statement last week that her organization is “reviewing the proposed legislation that would add additional state regulation to municipal utilities to determine its impact on our communities and the affordability of customers’ rates.” The state has 33 municipal electric utilities, including in cities such as Jacksonville, Orlando, Lakeland, Gainesville and Tallahassee.

“Our member utilities are reinvesting utility revenues into the community through system hardening and resiliency, and they provide direct services to their communities, from employees who volunteer to collect charitable donations to hosting community events to lighting ball fields and playgrounds,” Zubaly said. “Everything Florida’s municipal utilities do is centered on making their communities stronger and the quality of life better for their family, friends and neighbors.”

Jody Finklea, general counsel of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, told the House panel in February that the Public Service Commission already regulates municipal utilities on issues such as storm-system hardening and what is known as “rate structure.” That involves how rates are apportioned between different groups of customers, such as residential and commercial customers — but does not include setting the municipal utilities’ rates.

Finklea said municipal utilities can impose service taxes on people who live within the city boundaries and equivalent surcharges on electric customers outside the boundaries.

While both newly filed bills would lead to stepped-up regulation for municipal utilities, the House version would go further than the Senate proposal. As examples, it would place restrictions on such things as transfers of money to city general funds and could affect cities that own water or wastewater utilities.

What does this look like for City of Ocala?

The move could leave supervisors of elections in Florida without a way to compare registrations across state lines and counter duplicate registrations.

Veteran initiative

Continued from page A1 derailed by Agent Orange.

Lyons, now 75, said he suffered three heart attacks and other health issues in the 1980s—traced to Agent Orange exposure—and eventually lost his pilot’s license. He had a career in the trucking industry and owned his own rig, which could be driven by others.

“I was a truck driver in the war. We would wash the spray off our windshields with our (bare) hands. The chemical was used to remove foliage alongside the roads where enemy soldiers would hide and ambush (U.S.) troops. They told us (the chemical) wouldn’t hurt us. We welcomed it at the time,” Lyons said.

“Wives lost a spouse, children grew up without a father and families struggled economically due to the effects of Agent Orange,” Lyons said.

Lyons, pastor of Little Dove Baptist Church in Ocklawaha and vice president of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1085 of Ocala, was one of several Vietnam War veterans on hand March 5 for the dedication of a newly installed memorial at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, which was dubbed the “Agent Orange plaque.”

The 32-inch square plaque, sponsored by VVA Chapter 1085, is set in a brick pedestal and reads: “Agent Orange: In memory of all those who died because of this chemical and pray for those who are still suffering.”

The plaque features an image of an airplane trailing an orange plume and the outlines of two soldiers kneeling in prayer. It is the first monument in the park to have a QR code on the face, which can provide visitors indepth information. The QR code is part of a program underway by the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation (FMCVPF), which hosted Sunday’s event.

According to Facts About Herbicides at the Department of Veterans Affairs website at publichealth.va.gov/exposures/ agentorange/basics.asp, “Agent Orange is a blend of tactical herbicides the U.S. military sprayed from 1962 to 1971 during Operation Ranch Hand in the Vietnam War to remove trees and dense tropical foliage that provided enemy cover.”

“More than 19 million gallons of various ‘rainbow’ herbicide combinations were sprayed, but Agent Orange was the combination the U.S. military used most often. The name ‘Agent Orange’ came from the orange identifying stripe used on the 55-gallon drums in which it was

stored,” the website states.

“The dioxin TCDD was an unwanted byproduct of herbicide production. Dioxins are pollutants that are released into the environment by burning waste, diesel exhaust, chemical manufacturing, and other processes. TCDD is the most toxic of the dioxins, and is classified as a human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency,” the site states.

The VA lists a host of cancers and illnesses caused by Agent Orange exposure, including bladder cancer, high blood pressure, Hodgkin’s disease, lung cancer and prostate cancer.

According to benefits.VA.Gov, the requirements for Agent Orange disability compensation include service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, on a U.S. vessel in Vietnam or within 12 nautical miles. An article on that site indicates that a class action suit (not involving the VA) against chemical manufacturers by veterans and families was settled out of court for $180 million in 1984.

Paul Turner, president of the local VVA chapter, served in the Vietnam War in 1969 and 1970. He suffers from diabetes and had triple heart bypass surgery in 1987. Brenda Turner, his wife, accompanied him to the plaque dedication. She said she was six months pregnant when her husband left for service in Vietnam.

“We had to live with (the effects of Agent Orange), too,” Brenda Turner said.

Lyons and Turner both receive VA disability benefits for Agent Orange exposure, but those didn’t start until 2016 or later.

Lyons said it took “many years” for the effects of Agent Orange on veterans to be recognized and Turner added that he hopes the plaque will help “raise awareness.”

Both Lyons and Turner praised the work of the VA medical staff and departments in treating their Agent Orange related illness over the last several years.

Ron Oppliger, a Vietnam War veteran and chairman of the FMVCPF, said that during the war he was “happy to see (spraying of Agent Orange because) it took away enemy cover.”

Steve Gallant of Ocala, on hand for the dedication, served in the Vietnam War in 1970. He said he suffers from Type II diabetes and foot and leg nerve damage.

Vietnam War and veterans of that era who attended the dedication included Kenneth Barrett, 72, who served in the “brown water Navy”; Navy veteran Ron Carignan, 88; Air Force veteran Jimmy Carter,

77; Larry Backensto, 75, who said he lost his best friend to a tumor; Ray Orlosky, treasurer of FMCVPF; Jim Mullins; and Army veteran William Ehrhart.

Ed and Diana Hancock were there and she signed a guest book for her brother, Vietnam War veteran Don Kincheloe, who has passed away.

The guests also included George Halstead, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, and Kimberly Erick, whose son,

Giancarlos Mendieta, recently completed boot camp at the Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot in South Carolina.

Lyons offered a benediction prayer and Hannah Stucky sang a touching rendition of “God Bless America.”

Todd Belknap, spokesman for FMCVPF, said the park support group has an initiative underway to bring monuments to the park to honor those who served after 1975. The interactive QR feature

is meant to educate visitors. Belknap said foundation plans include a landmark monument at the corner of Southeast 25th Avenue and East Silver Springs Boulevard that would rise at least 25 feet high and be bathed in red, white and blue lighting.

“The monument is also planned to play ‘taps’ every evening at sunset,” Belknap said. To learn more about the park, including upcoming events, go to marionvetpark.com

Members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1085 of Ocala prepare for the Agent Orange plaque dedication ceremony Sunday March 5, 2023 at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. [Andy Fillmore]

Paul Turner, left, and Rudy Lyons stand behind the Agent Orange plaque after a dedication ceremony Sunday March 5, 2023 at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park for the recently placed memorial. The local VVA funded the plaque. [Andy Fillmore]

New CF science building

Continued from page A1

She worked with fellow student Julia Corl on a mock leg surgery to treat a blood clot on Friday in one of the building’s labs. Roe said students learn the uses of at least 270 surgical tools and explained that she will get exposure to an actual operating room at one of several area hospitals.

Another student, Carlos Duran, said the facility will provide him “hands on” experience.

Uvonda Wilkerson, CF Program Manager of Surgical Services, worked as a surgical technologist at the former Munroe Regional Hospital (now AdventHealth Ocala) for 21 years. She said program graduates will work “hand in hand” with surgeons in operating rooms.

“(The technicians) need to know as much as the surgeons about the procedure,” she said.

Wilkerson said studies at the facility cover all types of surgeries from “head to toe.”

The building contains a surgical services lab, respiratory lab, sonogram lab, cardiovascular labs, classrooms and four mock operating beds with special mock patient mannequins. The rooms are stocked with training tools such as an electronic surgery simulator with monitor screen and an array of surgical tools.

The project was made possible by state and local funds, including a $1.4 million commitment from the Marion County Hospital District, CF President Jim Henningsen said.

Henningsen said “75% of our graduates stay in our community.”

He said the facility was “well-received by the Florida Legislature and Governor’s office” and that CF was asked to present our “innovative and cost-effective solution to the Florida House Education and Workforce Subcommittee as a best

practice for Florida.”

Henningsen called the facility a “game changer” for the college.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn called the facility “wonderful.”

Speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony included Rusty Branson, on the CF District Board of Trustees, and Kevin Sheilley, President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership.

Dr. Stephanie Cortes, Dean for Health Services, recognized members of the CF staff “who made the project possible,” including Associate Dean for Health Sciences Rod McGinnes, Director of Facilities Katie Hunt and Manager of Facilities Justin Mayer.

HuntonBrady Architects, Ausley Construction, Mitchell Gulledge Engineering, Kimley-Horne Engineering and Siemens Engineering were involved in the project.

Dr. Jennifer Fryns, Associate Vice President of Career and Professional Programs, provided details about the expected need and pay rate for trained technicians:

* Cardiovascular Technology - $49,000 average yearly salary; 14% job increase by 2028

* Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology$58,000 average yearly salary; 23% job increase by 2028

* Respiratory Care - $60,000 average yearly salary; 20% job increase by 2028

* Surgical Services -$45,000 average yearly salary; 15% job increase by 2028

To learn more about all of the program available at the College of Central Florida, go to cf.edu

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

House Takes Aim at Enterprise Florida

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

Enterprise Florida, the state’s business-recruitment agency, is again in the crosshairs of the Florida House as the 2023 legislative session opened Tuesday.

House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, called for the elimination of the public-private agency as he discussed priorities for the session.

“We will zealously guard taxpayers’ money, ensuring it’s not spent on programs or agencies that have outlived their usefulness,” Renner said. “Enterprise Florida has over-promised and under-delivered for years and drains funds from higher priorities. If this were Washington, D.C., it would live on forever, unchanged and unchallenged, but the Florida way requires us to retain only what works and eliminate what does not.”

A bill filed Monday (HB 5) proposes shifting Enterprise Florida’s funding to the state Department of Economic Opportunity.

Renner later told reporters that some adjustments will be made to the bill, but people and businesses have come to the state without incentives from Enterprise Florida. He said $13 million in funding this year for Enterprise Florida could be better used in other areas.

“The idea that it has delivered on its promises I think, in my opinion, is just not the case,” Renner said. “Do we really need a separate board, with people who are there, or can we more streamline what we’re doing and really not waste taxpayer dollars.”

House leaders targeted the agency in the past, including during highprofile clashes with then-Gov. Rick Scott over economic incentives.

Former House Speaker Richard Corcoran repeatedly referred to incentives offered directly to companies as “corporate welfare.” Corcoran’s successor as speaker, Jose Oliva, described incentive deals as going against the free market and favoring large corporations.

Enterprise Florida survived but with less funding.

Also, as a compromise with Scott, lawmakers created the Job Growth Grant Fund. The governor

can distribute money from that fund to regional infrastructure and jobtraining programs.

Gov Ron DeSantis has requested $100 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund next fiscal year, up from $50 million in the current year.

With the Job Growth Grant Fund in hand, DeSantis has shown less interest than Scott in Enterprise Florida.

In February, the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors elevated Laura DiBella as head of the agency.

Renner took aim at Enterprise Florida as he and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, outlined priorities on the opening day of the session. Both also praised DeSantis, who is widely expected to run for president in 2024.

“He has defended our conservative values, challenged the individuals and institutions who pose threats to others and introduced innovative solutions to better our state. It is often said that states are laboratories for democracy,” Passidomo said. “Under the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, Florida is more than a laboratory, we are the model.”

Passidomo promoted legislation on issues such as storm hardening and resiliency, border security, school choice and allowing people to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses.

Passidomo said the full Senate this week will take up bills to address affordable housing and a state wildlife corridor, two of her top priorities.

“With this legislation, all of the families, workers, law enforcement officers, teachers and so many others who are flocking to Florida from high-tax, lockdown states can live conveniently close to the communities they serve,” Passidomo said of the housing bill (SB 102). “I am confident this legislation will pass tomorrow with overwhelming support.”

Renner supported the housing proposal, which is called the “Live Local Act.”

The bill includes providing incentives for private investment in affordable housing, encouraging mixed-use development in struggling commercial areas, preempting local-government rules on density and building heights in certain circumstances and barring local rent controls.

What is Enterprise Florida, and what has been its impact on Marion County?

According to their website, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is the official economic development organization for the state of Floridalike how the Chamber for Economic Development (CEP) is the official economic development organization for Marion County and the City of Ocala.

The CEP is our county’s designee to work with EFI when coordinating economic development efforts in Marion County. We asked Kevin Sheilley to weigh in on how this relationship with EFI has impacted Marion County.

This is what he wrote back:

As I understand HB 5 (and at nearly 160 pages I have not read it thoroughly), it appears the intent is to revert back to a state Department of Commerce vs the hybrid which is Enterprise Florida. It is important that Florida have a state entity devoted to economic development and all its various parts.

The CEP has had a good relationship with EFI. Our structure and approach have been to predominantly drive our own activity on the business attraction side. That is an advantage that larger communities like Ocala have that many of Florida’s smaller communities do not. We coordinate with them on attraction projects but overwhelmingly drive our own activity. However, we do take advantage of several of their other programs and initiatives to assist our businesses and community. Like the CEP, their activity is far broader than just recruiting new businesses.

Here are a few examples:

• EFI operates more than a dozen international trade offices. We work with them on Foreign Direct Investment but even more on connecting businesses who are interested in exporting. Earlier this year, we had more than 50 businesses register for a session we hosted here with EFI reps to discuss exporting.

• Last month we took 10 small businesses to Tallahassee to participate in an EFI conference on learning how MWBE enterprises can do business with the state.

• The CEP along with the TDC works with the Florida Sports Foundation (part of EFI) to promote the World Equestrian Center and FAST.

Dr. Michael Torres, Michelle Stone and Charlie Stone, front, left to right, listen with other people during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Allied Health Sciences Building at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Nicole McCarroll, Clinical Coordinator of the Radiography Program, right, describes technology in the Cardiac Cath Lab to Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, Phil Kelton of 3D Precision Scanning and George Benger of ServPro and the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership.

Kevin Sheilley [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

Salvation Army recognizes its volunteers

Awards luncheon gives “ringing” endorsement of those who help with the annual Red Kettle campaign, among others.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

By Eadie Sickler Correspondent

The Salvation Army of Marion County presented three awards for top volunteerism efforts in 2022 during an appreciation luncheon on March 7 at the agency’s main building at 2901 NE 14th St., in Ocala. The awards ceremony was complete with a small quartet brass band and Advisory Board Chairman Wes Wheeler spoke words of thanks for all of the organization’s volunteers, who received trophies and other tokens of appreciation.

“Without volunteers, we couldn’t do anything in the community,” said retired Salvation Army Major Forrest McIntyre, who is the local volunteer coordinator and was emcee for the awards program.

Major Phillip Irish, current head of the local organization, along with his wife, Major Lynn Irish, said, “Volunteers are the community helping itself. We (the Salvation Army) are the hub helping that to happen.”

The three top award recipients were chosen from the service clubs or volunteers who ring the Red Kettle

Program bells during the Christmas season. The awardees are Charles Yandle, the Ocala/Silver Springs Rotary Club and Daniel Butler.

McIntyre commented that these “volunteers gave so much of their time and effort in different capacities throughout the year.”

He said Yandle took charge of one Red Kettle for the entire season by himself, which is a very time-consuming fete. The Ocala/Silver Springs Rotary Club was honored for being the top group from the Ocala area sponsoring Red Kettle locations. Butler, a first-time bell ringer, was named Rookie of the Year.

Additional awards were presented to Angel Tree Program coordinators Tricia and Bruce Claeys and their “emotional support dog,” Paris.

“Paris just calmed everyone down when things sometimes got tense,” McIntyre said, adding that the canine was awarded a prize as well.

Money counters for the Red Kettle campaign were at the Salvation Army location every day during the season, under the direction of Elliott Federman, and were recognized for their many hours

of donated volunteerism.

McIntyre also spoke of an anonymous donor who gave $10,000 to the local Salvation Army program last Christmas.

“The businessman, originally from Pennsylvania, has made the large donation for 25 years in his home state and recently moved to Ocala,” McIntyre noted.

According to McIntyre, the man said that when he was in the military during World War II and returned to the United States, he wanted a cup of coffee but had no money to buy one from the many people and vendors selling coffee on the pier to those returning from war. A little further up the street was the Salvation Army, where he was given a cup of coffee for free. It touched his heart and every year after that he has given $10,000 to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Program to show his appreciation.

One area of the program that is frequently misunderstood, McIntyre said, is about people who are paid for their work. He said 25 red kettles are placed throughout Marion County from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve.

“We are especially proud of our volunteers who man the kettles,” he said,

“however, we never seem to get enough volunteers. This means we must hire workers to man the kettles. This costs the Salvation Army about $2,000 per season for each kettle without volunteers. This takes funds away from helping the people of Ocala and Marion County who need help. For every two hours a volunteer rings the bell, it saves the Salvation Army $30.”

Those hired to help man the kettles are chosen from persons the Salvation Army currently serves, including homeless or otherwise needy families so they have some money to help provide Christmas for their own families.

Businesses can sponsor a kettle for $2,000 to help offset the cost of hiring people. The business can have its name placed at the kettle site they sponsor, including display of their company logo and phone number.

“We are very thankful for the businesses that allow us to place the red kettles at their locations,” McIntyre said.

For information about volunteering or sponsorships, email forrest.mcintyre@uss.salvationarmy.org.

People listen as volunteer awards are announced during the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Salvation Army on Northeast 14th Street in Ocala on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Dozens of awards were given to volunteers for money counting, the Angel Tree and Bell Ringers during the event called “Love Beyond.”

Retired Major Forrest McIntyre of the Salvation Army.

Majors Phillip and Lynn Irish of the Salvation Army.

Members of the Charmettes of Marion County pose for photos with their Bell Ringer award with Major Phillip Irish, left.

From left: Steve Forrest, Wes Wheeler, Major Phillip Irish and Father Don Curran, pose with Bell Ringer awards.

Carmella Mayer, left, and Gail Briggs, right, receive their money counters awards from Major Phillip Irish, center.

People, Places & Things

Emerging artists in the spotlight

Youth competition winners will perform with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra on March 18-19, with a concurrent local artist exhibit to benefit the Reilly Arts Center.

I’ve ever seen is always worth it.”

Tseng added that young people can benefit from the interpersonal experiences that come with the musician life.

“Sometimes, it’s just communication with the people you’re playing with,” she said. “Or, sometimes it’s a communication with a composer that’s alive now, but it’s a way to kind of live in someone else’s shoes or to kind of expand our viewpoint and mindset a little bit to learn more about the world,”

Julio hails from Uniondale, New York. A first-generation FilipinoAmerican, he began studying music formally at 14. Since then, the emerging classical musician has been recognized in national competitions held by the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Music Teachers National Association, and the YoungArts Foundation.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Budding musical talents and local visual artists join forces this month for a concert weekend at the Reilly Arts Center, demonstrating how mutually beneficial the two disciplines can be for one another.

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra selected winners of its Young Artist Competition during an honors recital presented to the public on Jan. 14.

Senior division winner Jay Julio, 25, and junior winner Isabelle Tseng, 17, dazzled audiences with their solos and will perform again in a showcase titled “Youthful Renderings” during the orchestra’s March 18 and 19 concerts, led by orchestra conductor and director Matthew Wardell.

Tseng will perform “Tzigane” by Maurice Ravel and Julio will perform “Viola Concerto” by William Walton before Luciano Berio’s “Rendering” closes the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s concert.

From up the road in Gainesville, Tseng has played violin her entire young life, since she was 4, performing in numerous festivals including the BUTI Young Artists Orchestra, All-National Symphony

Orchestra, and the Honor Orchestra of America. She won first prize at the New York International Young Musician Competition and top honors from the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, the Connie-Tuttle All-Performance award.

As concertmaster of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra, Tseng enjoys chamber music as well as her soloist projects. She is also an avid debater, composer, bike rider and journalist.

In a recent Vimeo interview, Wardell asked Tseng what advice she’d give young musicians.

“I feel like music is the best way to learn how to deal with failure and, in some regard, how to respond to it. At some point, you just start recording yourself and looking for your failures.

I think that’s one part of it, and it’s a lifetime learning experience that I think is always great to have. But also, I think music in almost any context that

“I love reading,” Julio said of his interests outside music. “I grew up being a bookworm. I read anything about science or other places. I love just learning more about the world, and I really do like exploring the outdoors. … I live in Manhattan, which is stereotypically a place that doesn’t have a lot of greenery, but uptown where I live, in Washington Heights, Inwood, these are actually very green spaces, and underratedly so.

The viola player’s festival appearances include the Spoleto and Aspen Music Festivals and several others. He has a full scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School.

As far as other highlights of the concert, Wardell noted how Berio uses fragments from Schubert’s incomplete 10th symphony as the structure and basis of the inventive “Rendering.”

“Leaving Schubert’s original parts intact, Berio weaves them together with a harmonic and special texture that truly feels both a part of and something completely out of this world – you’re going to love it,” he said. Guests are encouraged to check

out a complete art exhibit in the NOMA Black Box before the concerts on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19.

All proceeds collected at an auction for the artist’s works — at 9:15 p.m. after the Saturday, March 18, concert — will go to the Reilly Arts Center.

The exhibit features the works of three artists all profiled in previous issues of the “Ocala Gazette,” David Kellner and frequent collaborators Esta Mann and Rich Schleicher. The pieces that will be auctioned off are all created from vintage fruit crates with the objective of taking something ordinary and turning it into an installation of art and beauty—not unlike the discipline and training that transforms a young student into a masterful musician.

Kellner donated his auction piece, “Uncrated,” to help the Reilly bolster young musicians and the arts.

“Helping support a

great nonprofit like the Reilly just secures more avenues for future artists and continues to grow my passion for making art,” he said.

His muse for “Uncrated”: “I was inspired by the individual pieces of the crate. I wanted to show how its past functionality could be deconstructed, flipped, stripped and transformed into a modern art piece. We all see something different; that is the idea.”

According to Schleicher, 30 percent of all sales are going to the Reilly Arts Center. Specifically, funds raised will go toward the scholarship program for the Community Music Conservatory. On Saturday, three specific items will be auctioned off. All of those sales’ proceeds go to the Reilly.

“It always feels good to give back to the community,” Schleicher said. “The Reilly has spectacular events, and Ocala is truly lucky to have such a wonderful venue and talented performers and staff.”

The “Youthful Renderings” concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. Visit reillyartscenter.com for details.

Isabelle Tseng, violin player, junior division winner of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s youth competition, also performs March 18-19. [Supplied]

Julio Jay, viola player, senior division winner of the 2023 Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s youth competition, will perform at an orchestra concert March 18-19. [Supplied]

Esta Mann, David Kellner and Rich Schleicher [Supplied]

Helping support a great nonprofit like the Reilly just secures more avenues for future artists and continues to grow my passion for making art.”

David Kellner

The Zugspitze: Germany’s breathtaking rooftop

shot up by Americans soldiers who used it for target practice in the late 1940s. What you see today is a modern replacement. And, on this side, the highest dining available is at a sleek, modern restaurant that comes with lofty views.

World War II left its mark on the summit as well. The Austrian side was higher until the Germans blew its top off during the war to make a flak tower that targeted Allied airplanes.

Both Germany and Austria use this rocky pinnacle for communication purposes. The square box on the Tirolean Terrace provides data for Innsbruck airport’s air traffic control system. A tower nearby is for the Katastrophenfunk (civil defense network), harkening back to the stressful years of the Cold War.

By Rick Steves

One of my favorite places to be in Europe is atop the Zugspitze –the highest point in Germany. Standing on this 9,700-foot peak, you can’t help but marvel at the thought that you’re the highest person in the entire country – number one out of 82 million. From here, facing south, I feel like a maestro conducting a symphony of snowcapped peaks as the mighty Alps stretch seemingly forever to the right and left.

The Zugspitze also marks the border between Germany and Austria. Before Europe united, you had to show your passport just to walk across this mountaintop.

Lifts from both countries meet at the top. As if waging an epic battle of alpine engineering, just a few years after the Austrians built a cable car to their Zugspitze station, the Germans drilled through the mountain in 1931 so that a cogwheel train could deposit nature

lovers on a glacier just below their side of the summit.

Today, whether you ascend from the Austrian or German side, you can straddle the border between two great nations while enjoying an incredible view. Restaurants, shops, a small museum, and telescopes await you at the summit.

There are two separate terraces –Bavarian and Tirolean – connected by a narrow walk which was the border station. Crossing used to be a big deal –you’d get your passport stamped at the little blue house and shift your currency from shillings to marks. While the border formalities are long gone, regional pride still shines here. You’ll notice no German or Austrian national banners but regional ones instead for “Freistaat Bayern” and “Land Tirol.”

The views are equally breathtaking on either side of the border. On the German side, the Zugspitzplatt glacier stretches before you. Is it melting? For many summers, a vast reflector was spread

out on the ice to try to slow the glacier’s shrinking due to global warming. From here, ski lifts fan out as if reaching for the ridge that defines the border between Germany and Austria.

Below you in the snow stands the “Hochzeitskapelle” – wedding chapel –which was consecrated in 1981 by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (a.k.a. the retired Pope Benedict XVI).

The German side has the oldest building up here – the rustic, tin-andwood weather tower, erected by the Deutscher Wetterdienst (German weather service) in 1900. The first mountaineers’ hut was built in 1897 but didn’t last. The existing one – entwined with mighty cables that cinch it down – dates from 1914. In 1985, observers clocked 200mph winds up here – those beefy cables were necessary.

Also on the German side is a golden cross that marks the highest point in the country. A priest and his friends hauled it up in 1851, but the historic original was

The Austrian station (which is much more visitor-friendly than the German one) has a fine little museum that tells the story of how the Zugspitze was first climbed in 1820. The museum also includes three interesting videos: a six-minute, 3-D mountain show; a 30-minute, making-of-the-lift show; and a 45-minute look at nature, sport, and culture of the region. Looking down the valley from the Tirolean Terrace, you can see the Austrian towns of Erwald and Lermoos in the distance and the valley that leads to my favorite overnight stop in the region, Reutte.

In the summer, it’s easy to actually “summit” the Zugspitze as there are steps and handholds all the way to the golden cross. Or you can just feed the birds from the lounge chairs of “the highest beer garden in Germany.” The yellowbeak ravens – who get chummy with anyone who shares some pretzels – seem to enjoy the views here as much as the humans. While the Germans glory in the Zugspitze, their nation’s highest point, their neighbors are less impressed. There are many higher mountains in Austria. (Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

A golden cross marks the top of the 9,700-foot Zugspitze – the highest point in Germany. The mountain straddles the border between Germany and Austria, and lifts from both countries whisk visitors to the top. [Rick Steves’ Europe]

By Virginia Mcloughlin Camellia Circle Pioneer Garden Club

Just as you give your house a good spring cleaning to freshen it up after the long winter, take a similar approach to getting your garden back in shape for the warmer months. When it comes to redesigning your home, you already know that updates and renovations take careful planning. This is also true for your gardens. While it’s tempting to wait until April or the first signs of spring to get your hands dirty, garden experts believe the important work starts much sooner. You’ll want to take stock of your tools and supplies, make a plan, and get everything ready for a successful growing season. Whether you’re starting your garden from scratch or revamping a mature plot, tips from the experts will get you started on the right foot.

Pruning - The first step should begin in mid-to-late winter with pruning trees, ideally after the coldest temperatures have passed but before the buds have formed. Shrubs can be pruned at this time, even many types of roses. Use sharp, sterilized shears, loppers, or a saw to cut away dead or damaged growth, remove crossing branches and shape plants. To sterilize your tools, use a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol or chlorine bleach to 10 parts of water. Soak the tools for several minutes before wiping them dry.

Inspect equipment - Before the growing season gets into full swing, it’s a good idea to inspect the tools and equipment you’ll need. Give tools a wash in mild soap and warm water. Hose down large pieces of equipment like rakes and shovels. Use a wire brush and damp cloth to clean wooden handles, then treat clean, dry handles with mineral oil to keep them in good condition. Note any tools that need to be repaired or replaced. Don’t purchase inexpensive tools. Good quality gardening tools will last a lifetime. Key essentials include a garden trowel for digging holes and trenches, a cultivator for loosening the soil and a trowel for planting bulbs.

Inventory seeds and supplies - It’s easy to get excited about buying new seeds as you prepare for the growing season, but it’s important to inventory any seeds, bulbs or other propagation materials you saved from previous seasons. When it comes to buying seeds for your garden, consider the old adage that less is more. Rather than planting all of your seeds in one season, try implementing your garden’s growth in stages. It’s so easy to go overboard and end up with too much product. Take time to organize your stash, take inventory on paper and put aside seeds you’re not interested in growing this year. You can donate them, share them with friends, or swap them with fellow gardeners. Note the date on each packet and discard those that are more than a couple of years old, as germination rates decline the older seeds are.

Order or buy seeds - Once you’ve made your garden plan, it’s time to order seeds. If you prefer to shop in person, you can buy seeds at local plant shops, nurseries and garden centers. An added benefit of purchasing seeds locally is that shops will typically stock varieties that do well in your growing zone. You can order from seed companies and even buy plant starts online, although you’ll want to wait until the weather is warm enough to have any live plants shipped. Another option is to check local farmers’ markets and farmstands, which may take pre-orders for spring and summer vegetable starts.

Understand your zone - Before you start digging in your garden, make sure it’s the appropriate time to do so based on your agricultural zone. You’ll want to take your USDA hardiness zone, your space constraints, sun exposure and soil type into account, as well as the growth habit and needs of each plant. One tip is to site tall plants to the north of shorter ones so they won’t block the sunlight. It’s a good idea to plant spring crops together so you can harvest them and then plant summer veggies in their place.

Get outside

Editor’s Note: Because we’re all feeling the pinch of inflation, the Gazette has begun “More for Less,” a recurring list of budget-friendly things to experience and buy to help stretch your dollar a little further.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com.

This week, we’re scoping out ways to get outside and enjoy organized activities that won’t dip too deep into your savings (what savings?) or, worse yet, weekly grocery budget. Check out these Marion County activities that can help you work off stress and calories, and make the most of the area’s verdant landscapes and fresh air fun.

iStroll Ocala Fitness Boot Camp - Parents of preschoolers can get out of the house and get active by joining iStroll Ocala with their little ones from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Belleview Community Center Pavilion at 5615 SE 110th Place. The first class is free; the rest are $5 a session. Belleviewfl.org.

Birding - From habitats that include shorelines by lakes, rivers and springs, to scrub and densely forested areas, Marion County overs a diversity of avian excitement. Grab some binoculars and head to the trails of the Ocala National Forest, Carney Island, the Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area and other birding hotspots. For

Clean up garden beds and plantersAs planting time draws near, you’ll want to tidy up your plots, raised beds and planters. Remove fallen sticks, leaves, dead vegetation and other debris. Keep an eye out for old plant tags, broken stakes, missing tools and trash that may have blown into the garden.

Prepare the soilA few weeks before planting time you’ll want to prep garden beds and containers. Rake off any mulch you may have used to cover the soil for winter, like straw or shredded leaves. Pull any early weeds that may have sprung up. While tilling or turning over the soil with a fork or shovel was long considered necessary to work in fertilizer, gardening experts now recommend a no till approach. Instead, add organic compost to the soil surface of raised and inground beds. Refresh pots and planters with fresh potting mix or top-dress them, spreading a thin layer of compost over the soil.

Springtime flowers - With the change in weather, you may have noticed that a lot of our plants and trees are starting to bloom. The following are spring plants you can put in the ground as soon as you have the beds cleaned out and ready for planting.

Agapanthus – Agapanthus

africanus

Agapanthus give an eye-catching flower display, shooting up a stalk that’s topped with a ball-like cluster of blue or white flowers. Each blossom is 1 to 2 inches long. When not in bloom, the plants provide dark green foliage year-round. These can be added to the

perennial flower bed or spot them among shrub plantings through the landscape. Some gardeners like to grow the plants in containers for the patio, balconies or entrance areas.

Gardenia – Gardenia jasminoides

The gardenia is a slowgrowing evergreen shrub with textured dark-green leaves and fragrant white flowers in the spring. They send an intoxicating perfume across the heavy air. The gardenia has a virginal white flower that are large, most often double, and roselike in appearance. “Miami Supreme” has the large flowers, is extremely fragrant, and also grows in partial shade. Gardenia “Radicans” is a dwarf species.

Azalea – Rhododendron spp Nothing heralds spring’s arrival better than azaleas. There are many different varieties. Azaleas have been a Florida favorite for only about 75 years. Most plantings bloom for three to four weeks then fade into the background as a space divider or transition plant. They come in four main colors; red, pink, white and purple, and can grow from 2 to 6 feet high and 2 to 6 feet wide.

References

• “Revised Edition FLORIDA Gardener’s Guide” – by Tom MacCubbin and Georgia B. Tasker

• The Spruce – “8 Simple Ways to Get Your Garden Ready for Spring” – Story by Alaxandra Jones – Feb. 22

• MARTHASTEWART.COM/GARDEN

– Complete This Spring Gardening Checklist as the Weather Warms Up –by Lauren Wellbank March 15, 2022

recommendations, visit bit.ly/BirdinG. The Marion Audubon Society offers information and guided nature walks. Visit marionaudubon.org to learn more.

Fort King Tennis Center Beginners ClinicThe beginners program is for those who have never played or are coming back from an absence from the sport. Six weeks of one-hour clinics cost $60. At weeks four, five and six there is an additional 30 minutes of Tennis Ambassador led practices immediately following the clinic. Clinics meet Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at 3301 E. Fort King St. For more information, email vacocala@gmail.com or call (352) 572-7157.

Horseback riding - There are workarounds to affording one of the most expensive hobbies in the U.S. You can work for a stable, check out Groupons or gather some friends and take a group lesson. According to the blog Savvy Horsewoman, group lessons with a talented trainer is a more affordable way to approach the relatively expensive pastime and you get the benefit of working with a skilled teacher. It’s also a great way to make friends with other thrifty horse people. Since we’re in the “Horse Capital of the World,” there are abundant options for group horseback training experiences. Each group lesson includes a minimum

of 30-40 minutes of instruction “in the saddle” and a minimum of 15 minutes pre- and post-ride for grooming and tacking the horse. The Ocala Equestrian Academy offers a group class for intermediate riders at 8000 W. Highway 326, Ocala. For more information, visit ocalaeq.com.

Ocala Mountain Bike Association & Santos Fat Tire Festival - If you love mountain biking and helping give back to the community, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association maintains mountain bike trails on the Cross Florida Greenway and hosts meetups and events such as the Santos Fat Tire Festival this weekend, March 9-11, at the Santos Trailhead. Presented annually each March by the association, in partnership with the Florida State Parks and Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the festival features the Epic 50 Ride on Saturday, camping at the adjacent Santos Campground, a vendor village with bike booths and food trucks, and skills clinics. Proceeds from benefit trail maintenance and building, safety patrol training and equipment. For more information, visit santosbikeshop.com.

Bird of the Week

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

By Michael Warren

These little zebra-striped ducklings at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park grow up to look quite different. The adult ducks are colored chestnut and black, with a pink bill and legs. They are common year-round in Ocala. In flight, the adults can be recognized by their white wing stripe as well as their silly whistling calls.

OBITUARY Judith Dyson Packard

9/10/1945 - 2/11/2023

Judith Dyson Packard, 77, of Ocala and formerly Latham, NY, passed away in Hospice Care on February 11, 2023. She was born in Orange, TX, on September 10, 1945. She is survived by her three children Allen David Packard III, John D. Packard (Caroline) and Mary Elizabeth Phifer and her four grandchildren, Jeffery John Pedersen Jr , Cameron Friedman, Ashley Friedman and Josslyn Packard.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Per her wishes, her body was donated to science.

Black-bellied whistling ducks [MichaelWarren.com]

MARCH 10

Kayak & Koffee

Brick City Adventure Park, 1211 SE 22nd Road, Ocala

8am-12pm

The second Friday of each month you can meet at the park, then trek to either the Rainbow or Silver River for kayaking. $50 per person to rent a kayak; $25 per person if you bring your own. Coffee and snacks afterward. Learn more at parks.marionfl.org

MARCH 10

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th

Ave., Ocala

9am-2pm

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

MARCH 10-12

Santos Fat Tire Festival

Santos Trail Head & Campground, 3080 SE 80th St., Ocala

9am-1pm

This annual bike fest celebrates and rides the fantastic trails on the Greenway. It will offer a vendor village, the Epic 50 Ride on Saturday, camping, food trucks, live music and skills clinics. Proceeds go toward trail maintenance and building. Tickets range from $5-$150 depending on meal and camping choices. See santosfattire.com for more info.

MARCH 10-12, 15-19

2023 Winter Spectacular Show

Series

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

8am-4pm

Weeks 10 and 11 of this hunter/jumper festival culminate in the Grand Prix with $100,000 prize on Saturday evening. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

MARCH 11

Cherrywood Estates Spring Craft

Show

Cherrywood Estates Neighborhood, 6253 SW 100th Loop, Ocala

9am-2pm

Crafts for sale along with a raffle, bake sale, hot dogs and chips for lunch.

MARCH 11 & 18

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

9am

Free yoga classes at the stage area; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

MARCH 11 & 18

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

9am-2pm

Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more info.

MARCH 11 & 18

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

Chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available, along with horse tack, home-grown plants,

civic

MARCH 10 & 17

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala

10am-12pm

produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary, with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

MARCH 11

City of Ocala Splash Pads Open

Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave. and Lily’s Pad, 2200 NW 17th Place, Ocala

Daily The splash pads open for the season on Saturday. Daily hours of operation are sunrise to sunset. For more information, contact the Recreation and Parks Department at (352) 368-5517 or visit ocalafl.org/aquatics.

MARCH 11

Furniture Collection Event

Citra Recycling Center, 17780 NE 19th Court, Citra

7am-5pm

Take advantage of this chance to drop off large and small furniture items. Bed frames, sofas, mattresses, box springs, dressers, tables and more will be accepted.

MARCH 11

Home Improvement Expo

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala

9am-1pm Vendors will offer information about windows, flooring, home security, insurance, remodeling, solar power and more. Free to the public. For info, (352) 854-8707, ext. 7533.

MARCH 11-12

Master Gardeners Spring Festival

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

8am-4pm

You can find native plants, flowers, shrubs, tree, houseplants and more among the dozens of vendors on site. The KidZone includes bug and critter displays, educational events and a live butterfly encounter. Admission is $3; free ages 12 and younger. Bring your own cart or wagon. More info from bit.ly/3IH1qL6

MARCH 12

Bark & Brews Lazy Dog Days of Spring Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

2pm-5pm There will be canine focused vendors, a play area, a doggie spa and a training area with an agility course. Proceeds will benefit the Williston Community Animal Shelter. For more info, homesteadparks.com/events

MARCH 12

Get Growing with Sheldon

Marion Oaks Public Library, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala

2pm

Sheldon Giant of the Master Gardeners program will offer tips for growing plants, vegetables, perennials and annuals. Free to attend. For more info, library.marionfl.org

MARCH 12

Ocala Youth Symphony Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW Highway 200 Ocala

3pm Marion County musicians ages 10 years to adult will present a concert featuring a salute to Louie Armstrong, Lantana and “Chit Chat Polka” from Strauss. The Ocala Youth Symphony is in its 24th year, under the direction of Cindy Warringer. For further information, call (352) 237-4633.

MARCH 12 & 19

Ocala Polo Club Winter Games

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala

1pm Free polo matches takes place every Sunday through March. Bring 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

MARCH 15

Medicare Classes: Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare Part C

Online

10am & 2pm

The SHINE organization is offering free classes for anyone wanting to learn more about Medicare. Future classes will cover navigating Medicare and long-term care. For more info, email shine@ agingresources.org or call (352) 692-5209.

MARCH 16

OTOW Farmers Market

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

9am-1pm

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.

MARCH 16

3rd Thursday Downtown Sip and Shop

Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala

5pm-9pm Downtown merchants get together and offer discounts to evening shoppers every month. Free parking at the municipal garage. For more info, see ocalamainstreet.org

MARCH 16

Park After Dark: Japan

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th St., Ocala

6pm

Part of the World Tour Entertainment and Concert Series, this month hosts Japanese guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto, who combines world music, jazz and folk influences. The food truck is Royal Hibachi, serving authentic Japanese cuisine. Bring blankets and chairs. Tickets are $15 from masterthepossibilities.org

MARCH 16-19

Live Oak International

Live Oak Stud, 2215 SW 110th Ave., Ocala

8am-last class

This world-class competition combines driving dressage and obstacle classes, a presentation from the Grandview Clydesdales, and stellar show jumping competitions. With food vendors and an appearance by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, this is always a terrific part of the spring horse show season. Tickets range from $10 daily for general admission; tailgating spots start at $250; reserved seating and VIP packages that include brunch, dinner and dancing are also available. For more info and tickets, liveoakinternational.com/buy-tickets

MARCH 17

Parade of Senior Services College of Central Florida Klein Conference Center, 3003 SW College Road, Ocala 10am-2pm Agencies and services for seniors is the focus of this expo, with information and educational opportunities about insurance, long-term health

and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

MARCH 15

care, services for the blind, general social services, onsite health tests and more. Free to ages 50+. For more info, call the city of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at (352) 368-5517.

MARCH 17-18

Southeastern Pro Rodeo

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

5:30pm, gates open

The 30th annual Southeastern Pro Rodeo returns to the Ocala area with breakaway roping, saddle and bareback bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and the most dangerous eight seconds in sports-bull riding. Tickets are $22; $10 for ages 6-11 on Friday only. For more information visit, ocalarodeo.com

MARCH 18

Abbacadabra: Tribute to Abba

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale

2:30 pm & 7:30pm

The club vibe for these disco hits make for an energetic and danceable evening out. Tickets are $43-$58. See obopry.com for more info and tickets.

MARCH 18

Saddle Oak Club Spring Craft Show

Saddle Oak Club Neighborhood, 5620 SW 60th St., Ocala

8am-1pm

Crafts for sale along with residents’ yard sale, bake sale, breakfast and lunch items.

MARCH 18

Special Kids Classic Golf

Tournament

Country Club of Ocala, 6823 SE 12th Circle, Ocala

7am registration; 8am shotgun start

The tournament benefits the Transitions Life Center and its services for special needs clients. Prizes, raffles and breakfast. Prices start at $500 for a foursome, or upgraded foursome with perks at $600. For more info, tlcocala.org/eventsandnews

MARCH 18

Rainbow Springs Art Festival

Downtown Dunnellon, West Pennsylvania Ave. and Cedar St., Dunnellon

9am-5pm

The festival is a fundraiser to support scholarships for two high school seniors to study creative arts in college. A variety of media are represented: jewelry, textiles, pen and ink, watercolors and more. Food and drink vendors will be onsite, and there are eateries in the area. Free to attend. More info at rainbowspringsart.com

MARCH 18

Pine Run Spring Craft Show

Pine Run Neighborhood, 9219 SW 101st Place, Ocala

9am-2pm

Crafts for sale, including knitting, cards, paintings, woodworking and more. For more info, search13@ptd.net.

MARCH 19

Cynthia Graham-Wilson Presentation

Green Clover Hall, 319 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala

2pm

Graham-Wilson is a Marion County author and historian. The early history of area Black businesses will be the lecture focus. The presentation is free for Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology members; $5 for non-members. For more info, marioncountyarchaeology.com

MARCH 15

General Francis Marion Stamp Club meeting

Public Library Headquarters, Room B, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1pm

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

MARCH 10 & 17

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

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.

The club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month; newcomers welcome. For more info, elliotn27@aol.com

MARCH 16

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

government

MARCH 13 & 20

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

MARCH 14

City of Dunnellon City Council Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon

5:30pm

Normally meets the second Monday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/ Agendas-Minutes

arts

MARCH 10

Almost ABBA

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

7:30 pm

Almost ABBA recreates the magic and nostalgia of ABBA in a costumed, choreographed and interactive audience experience. Tickets from $20. Go to reillyartscenter.com for more info.

MARCH 11

Church of Cash

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

7:30 pm

The Church of Cash brings fans the music of Johnny Cash with style and energy. Tickets from $25. Go to reillyartscenter.com for more info.

MARCH 14

Ira Holmes International Film Series: “La

Cienaga”

College of Central Florida, Bldg. 8, Room 110, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

7pm

This comedy-drama focuses on a family’s vacation on an Argentinian country estate with deft takes on social class, political turmoil and nature. Free to attend. For more info, CF.edu/filmseries

MARCH 18

Saved by the ‘90s Party

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

8 pm

This dance party and band performance combines the best of ‘90s music with songs from the Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Beastie Boys and a DJ after the performance. Tickets are $20-$35 from reillyartscenter.com

THROUGH MARCH 19

“Outside Mullingar”

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala

Showtimes vary, see website

This live stage play is a charming romance that takes place in rural Ireland when neighbors feud after a family farm is inherited. Tickets are $30 for adults; $15 for ages 18 and under. See ocalacivictheatre. com for more info.

THROUGH MARCH 31

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

Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Part of the Art in City Spaces program, 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

MARCH 14

City of Belleview Planning & Zoning Board

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview

5:30pm

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

MARCH 15

Land Development Regulation Commission

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

5:30pm

Meets on the third Wednesday of the months. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

MARCH 21

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

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, displays her handmade dolls and tapestries, 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

Part of the Art in City Spaces program, 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

13

Aerial Dream Views of Land and Sea

Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala Airport hours

Part of the Art in City Spaces program, artist Maggie Weakly shares her ocean-themed collection. Free to the public. 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 three-dimensional 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

MARCH 21

Marion County Board of County Commissioners

Meeting

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

9am & 2pm

Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Planning & Zoning portion is scheduled for the 2pm meeting. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

MARCH 21

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

& &music nightlife

MARCH 10 & 17

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St., Ocala

6-9pm

Music, dancing, drumming, poetry and limbo. Free to all, Friday nights weekly.

MARCH 10

Retro Express

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment.

MARCH 11

80s Festival & TJ Brown

Homestead Park

1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

6-9pm Live music, line dancing, food and drink.

MARCH 11

Justin Lee Partin

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6-9pm

MARCH 15

Zach Maruniak

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6-9pm

MARCH 16

Michelle Ingrham

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6-9pm

MARCH 17

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6-9pm

MARCH 17

Seth Dukes

Homestead Park

1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

6-9pm

MARCH 18

Uptown Music

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

6-9pm

MARCH 18

The Mudds

Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

6-9pm

OUR MISSION IS TO INFORM AND UPLIFT OUR READERS BY REPORTING ON THE EVENTS, ISSUES AND STORIES THAT SHAPE OCALA WITH ACCURACY, FAIRNESS AND PASSION.

MARION CULTURAL ALLIANCE TO RECEIVE $40,000 GRANT

The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to receive a Grants for Arts Projects award of $40,000. The grant will be matched by MCA dollarfor-dollar, allowing MCA to fund $80,000 to local arts and cultural nonprofits. This grant is one of 1,251 such awards, totaling nearly $28.8 million, that were announced by the NEA as part of its first round of fiscal year 2023 grants.

“MCA has been a funder for the arts since 2001, allowing our local arts and cultural organizations to apply for grants through a competitive process. We are thrilled to receive the NEA’s grant allowing us to more than double the amount we award in the 2023-2024 grant cycle. With this award, MCA will have provided $525,000 in general support for arts nonprofits in the Ocala metro,” said Jaye Baillie, MCA executive director,

in a news release.

Arts and cultural organizations may apply for grants up to $12,000, $7,500, or smaller grants up to $5,000. The guidelines, timeline, process and application are located at mcaocala.org. The application portal opens April 1 and the deadline for submission is July 15. MCA offers a courtesy review between April 1-June 30. For questions, email jaye. baillie@mcaocala.com or call (352) 369-1500.

CF STUDENTS NAMED TO ALL-FLORIDA ACADEMIC TEAM

Seven outstanding students at the College of Central Florida have been named to the Florida College System 2023 All-Florida Academic Team and will be recognized at a team ceremony on March 31.

Ebony Baxter, Jessica Diers, Sydney Henninger, Mindy JeanGilles, Kaleb Leslie, Krishma

Patel and Stephen Ward are members of the CF chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education. They were selected based on academic performance, leadership and community service.

“These CF student leaders consistently excel,” said Allan

MILLING FOUNDATION OFFERS STUDENT LOANS

The Milling Foundation is a trust fund designated for graduates of Marion County schools attending the University of Florida. A Marion County Superintendent of Schools designee and Marion County public high school principals serve as the members of the foundation’s board of directors. The board determines loan amounts on a case-by-case basis.

Students can use loans for tuition and other educational and college living expenses. As long as students are enrolled at

Danuff, associate vice president of Arts and Sciences and Phi Theta Kappa advisor, in a news release. “Not only do they maintain the highest academic performance, they also serve our community and contribute to CF’s supportive, high-quality learning environment.”

For more details, visit CF.edu.

LIBRARY SYSTEM TO EXTEND HOURS AT SOME BRANCHES

The Marion County Public Library System will expand evening hours of service until 7 p.m. Monday - Thursday at its HeadquartersOcala, Belleview, Dunnellon and Freedom Public library locations, effective March 11. Friday hours will be 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday hours 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and closed on Sundays. At this time, there will be no changes to the hours of service at

the other public library locations.

During the summer, the library system will provide opportunities for the public to offer feedback regarding service hours through surveys and social media.

To learn more, go to library.marionfl.org and follow the Marion County Public Library System on Facebook.

SHINE OFFERS VOLUNTEER TRAINING

SHINE (Serving Health

Insurance Needs of Elders) is hosting an in-person basic training session for volunteers on March 24 at the Elder Options office in Gainesville.

Those interested in attending must visit floridashine.org and complete a pre-screening process. Additional requirements include viewing the online

IHMC Lecture Series

Powered by:

orientation and completing the online application at the floridashine.org website. Contact the SHINE team at shine@agingresources.org or 1-800-262-2243 to learn more.

Morgan L. Cable

THE TALK: Exploring Ocean Worlds

www.ihmc.com

15 S.E. Osceola Avenue Downtown Ocala

Co-hosted by:

April 20, 2023

Reception: Begins at 5:30 p.m.

Talk: Begins at 6:00 p.m.

Seating is limited RSVP to ihmc-20230223.eventbrite.com or call 352-387-3050

Season Sponsors:

Our solar system is host to multiple ocean worlds - planets and moons that contain oceans of liquid, usually water, either on their surfaces or underneath icy crusts. These worlds are prime targets of exploration due to NASA’s quest to ‘follow the water’ and may contain all three ingredients for life as we know it - water, chemistry, and energy. Could life exist in the oceans of Enceladus or Europa? Could even stranger life have emerged in the liquid methane lakes of Titan? Dr. Cable will cover our current state of knowledge of these ocean worlds, and discuss some current missions and future mission concepts to explore their plumes, surfaces, and ocean depths.

Morgan L. Cable is the Co-Deputy PI of the Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) Instrument aboard the Mars 2020 (Perseverance) rover and the Science Lead for the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) Project. She has worked on the Cassini Mission, is a Co-Investigator of the Dragonfly mission to Titan, and is serving multiple roles on the Europa Clipper mission. Currently Dr. Cable performs laboratory experiments to study the unique organic chemistry of Titan. She and colleagues were the first to discover minerals made exclusively of organics that may exist on Titan’s surface. Morgan also conducts fieldwork in extreme environments on Earth, searching for life in places such as the Atacama Desert, ice fields at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, nutrient-limited lakes at the base of Wind Cave (the densest cave system in the world) in South Dakota, fumarole-generated ice caves of the Mount Meager stratovolcano in Canada, and lava fields of Iceland.

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He thought he could pick up the heavy box by himself but was -SORELY MISTAKEN

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Sports Kelley takes over Forest softball program after years as assistant coach

sports can teach quality lessons that people can keep with them for the long run.

“It teaches you discipline; you have to be on time. You get to a point where you are burnt out and think you can’t do anymore, but you find that you can,” he said.

After living in Columbus for 43 years, Kelley and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, due to his wife Patti’s career in manufacturing management. It was there that Kelley found a booming softball scene and decided to get into coaching with his three eldest daughters, Danielle, Muriel and Blair, all playing the sport.

“I fell in love with the game of softball. Nashville was a whole different world with softball, and I began learning the game there,” Kelley said.

The time and dedication to the sport for his daughters paid off as Danielle played at Ohio University, Muriel went to Ohio Dominican University and Blair landed at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

After four years as the head coach of junior varsity softball and assistant coach at the varsity level, Dan Kelley will coach Forest High School varsity softball this year.

Kelley, 68, started the job in July 2022 after the previous head coach retired due to health reasons.

Kelley was born in Columbus, Ohio, and got his start in sports at young age by playing football and baseball in elementary school. He played varsity football and baseball at Bishop Ready High School in Columbus before he graduated in 1972. Kelley earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Ohio State University in 1999.

The Ohio native said his dad, Bill, is the reason he became interested in sports at a young age.

“My dad introduced and taught me football. I tried to play everything. My dad gave me the love for the game, and he was always the coach. I feel I enjoy coaching because I watched him do it for so long,” Kelley said.

The first-year head coach believes

“They all got to travel around and make lifetime friends. It’s pretty neat because they still contact people they played with years ago and they all got an education and jobs,” Kelley said.

His two youngest daughters, Blair and Ciara, played at Trinity Catholic High and Forest High respectively.

Kelley’s wife’s job led the couple and their daughters to Ocala in the early 2010s, where Kelley continued his career with the Veteran Administration before he retired in 2019.

Kelley has a head start in terms of relationships and familiarity with his players due to being on staff the previous four years.

“They know my process and how I do things. We played in the fall league, and it was good. I enjoyed myself. You got have the girls wanting to be there and the numbers are good. We had 26 show up for workouts recently, it shows they want to be there, and I consider that a positive,” he said.

Kelley’s goal as far as leaving an impact on his players is a lesson in life that can be applied to anything.

“I want to show them that the results you get depend on how much work you put into it. Just teach them how to work hard,” Kelley said.

Verduga brings pedigree and past success to Lake Weir softball

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Paul Verduga grew up in Weehawken, New Jersey, and played multiple sports during his youth and high school years at Hackensack High School.

He graduated from Hackensack in 1997 and started coaching softball and baseball in 2001, while working in law enforcement. The journey to coaching was a case of good timing as a colleague was looking for an assistant coach at the Hackensack Recreation Center.

“I went and knocked on his door and asked if I could help. It ended up being beneficial for me because I learned from him. I became assistant head coach and I’ve been rocking and rolling ever since,” Verduga said.

Verduga’s list of accomplishments in New Jersey include Hackensack Club Team Championship 12 and under travel ball in 2014, 2013 tournament champions for Monroe County and 2015 Lincoln Park County Champions in softball.

In 2018, Verduga and his family moved to Ocala. His daughter played softball at West Port High School before she earned a scholarship to attend and play at St. Thomas University in Miami. Verduga was an assistant coach at West Port from 2018-2022.

Parenting and coaching have similarities that allow coaches to apply what they have learned from raising kids into their coaching style. Verduga said his coaching style is considered old-school but can be effective if used correctly.

“I give all my kids tough love and anybody that knows me will tell you that I am firm but fair. When those girls get out on the field, it’s a job they have to do. I want them to have fun doing it, but they also have to understand that we abide by certain rules and regulations,” Verduga said.

Verduga was hired to be new head coach of Lake Weir softball in August 2022 and got to work immediately. He and his team participated in slow-pitch season in August and September, then followed that up by playing in the fall season during October and November.

Despite what he considered a successful fall season, Verduga said buy-in from the players did not come immediately and had to be earned over time.

“Everybody is skeptical and weary at first because they don’t know what to expect. Once you start showing these kids

that you’re about them and this program, everything changes. If you give them 100%, they are going to give it right back,” Verduga said.

Verduga has multiple goals in mind for his first season in charge of the program and will have his work cut out for him as the team has won a combined eight times in the past three seasons.

“The most important thing is for the kids to buy into the program. The second most important thing is to make sure that every single person trusts each other to turn it around and become a successful softball team,” he said.

He continued: “Everybody has to jump at the same time, and everybody needs to understand that they need to work for each other and with each other, and that’s what I’m trying to instill in this program. I’m trying to make us a force to be reckoned with.”

He said family is important to him and he wants his program to be as tight knit as his family by spending time with each other off the field.

“I’m family oriented and I end up treating my kids like they are my own. I am a big believer in we do everything together. We have gone bowling, skating and had our own Christmas party. I try to have the parents included as well. I just want everyone to succeed, and any program can be successful if everybody is willing to buy-in,” Verduga said.

A lifelong passion for baseball leads Theile to head coach position at St. John Lutheran

leading a healthy lifestyle, which works hand in hand with sports,” Theile said.

The new head of St. John Lutheran baseball grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and started playing sports such as baseball, football and basketball in elementary school. After moving to Detroit, Michigan, Theile attended Howell High School and played baseball all four years, his junior and senior seasons on varsity.

Theile, 33, attracted the attention of a few Division III colleges in Iowa because he was a left-handed pitcher. He graduated high school in 2007 and went to Lansing Community College with hopes of continuing his baseball career.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Sports and exercise have been a big part of Paul Theile’s life for as long as he can remember, thanks to his father, Marvin, stressing the importance of exercise and physical activity.

“He just wanted me to know the benefit of exercise, eating healthy and taking care of my body. He wasn’t pushy at all and he wanted me to succeed as much as I could and he was always there to support me. I did gravitate towards sports, but he was more concerned about

Unfortunately, an elbow injury led to Tommy John surgery after a year at Lansing. With the injury cutting his baseball career short, Theile joined the U.S. Navy and became a Seabee (construction builder) in the Navy Construction Battalion.

Theile’s father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as an 11C, Indirect Fire Infantryman, and drove an armored personnel carrier.

During his seven-year stint in the Navy, the younger Theile served two tours, one in Okinawa, Japan, in 2010-11 and in Afghanistan in 2012-13.

Theile said he learned many lessons during his military service and plans to instill the same core values with his players.

“The biggest takeaway was always

complacency. I tell my players you never want to get complacent with anything you do in life. I want them to try and learn new things from coaches daily and to promote them to getting better every day,” Theile said.

During his time in the Navy, Theile and his wife, Olivia, got married in 2010 and moved to Mississippi. After he finished his military service, Theile got a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018.

Currently, Theile is a recreation therapist for the VA North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. The new head coach and his family moved to Ocala in August of 2018.

Coaching is not always the kindest to family life, but Theile said he has the best support system in his wife and three kids.

“My wife has always been there for me, and I honestly wouldn’t be able to coach without her. Especially having our 1-year-old (Lucas) right now, she is the foundation of our family. She supports me 100 percent, from the military to coaching baseball. I’ve coached my son the past six years and my daughter likes me being a coach. I have a strong relationship with my kids and wife, and they support me in everything I do,” Theile said.

Along with Lucas, Theile and his wife have a 10-year-old son, Jacob, and an 8-year-old daughter, Hannah. The trials and tribulations of parenthood has taught the Missouri native to be patient and that attribute has carried over into his coaching style.

“Patience has to be number one. Nothing happens overnight, even though

you want it to. You always want a quick fix for everything. If you don’t have patience, you’re not going to have players that play for you. That’s something I’ve learned as a dad, you just have to make sure they understand what they are doing,” he said.

The turnaround for Theile has been quick as he was hired into the position in October and had to hit the ground running with his players to start gaining trust and buy-in.

“The hard part about buy-in while being a new coach is they want to know what’s your expectations. I’m going to give everything I can to help them succeed. That’s my job as a coach, is to get them better,” he said.

He added: “I don’t know if it’s about a buy-in so much as it’s about what I can do to help them out as a coach and succeed.”

As Theile embarks on his first season at St. John Lutheran, his goals for the players and program are clear and concise.

“My goals is to develop baseball players and student-athletes who are doing well in the classroom,” he said.

Coaches at any level of sports, especially the formative years, can leave a lasting impact on a child or young adult as they enter adulthood and Theile wants to be the type of coach who can be looked up to.

“I want to make sure that I was a good role model in their life and point them in the right direction. To be able to solidify discipline, building character and what it means to be a young man going forward in life after St. John,” he said.

Dan Kelley, the new coach of the Forest girls softball team, on the field at Forest High School on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Paul Verduga, the new coach of the Lake Weir girls softball team, on the field before their game against West Port at West Port High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Paul Theile, the new baseball coach at St. John Lutheran School, during practice at St. John Lutheran School in Ocala on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Vanguard blanks Lake Weir in softball

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

Vanguard sophomore Destiny Horcajo hurled a complete-game shutout and sophomore second baseman Hannah Davis had three hits and scored two runs to lead the Knights to a 7-0 win over Lake Weir on March 2.

The win improved Vanguard, which has seven sophomores on its roster, to 4-0 on the season.

“Definitely not our best performance, but we executed some things well that we have been working on in practice,” said Knights coach Carrie Vance. “Destiny pitched well and is a good ball player and an athlete. Hannah is very disciplined at the plate, is a really good hitter and knows which pitch she likes.”

The loss dropped Lake Weir to 1-4 overall.

“Vanguard is a really good team and I think we held our own,” said first-year Hurricanes coach Paul Verduga. “We are growing as a team and will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.”

Vanguard started the scoring in the top of the first inning as Davis lined a one-out double to center field, advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out infield error by Lake Weir to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.

Horcajo, who scattered six hits, gave up a leadoff single to Lake Weir’s Kyra Rigozzi in the bottom of the frame, but got a strikeout and a double play to escape the jam.

Vanguard went back to work in the top of the second inning as sophomore Kaylee Myers drilled a leadoff double to left field, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mariah Wynn and scampered home on a wild pitch by Lake Weir right-hander Harper Foote. Riley Arnold walked and scored on a two-out base hit by Horcajo to put the Knights on top by a score of 3-0.

Lake Weir’s Rigozzi, who went 3-for-3, smacked a leadoff double in the top of the fourth inning, but Horcajo got a fly ball and a timely double play to keep the Hurricanes off the scoreboard.

Vanguard, which banged out 10 hits, scored a run in the top of the fourth inning and tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning as Davis stroked an RBI double and Lilly Land belted a run-scoring triple to plate Davis. Land raced home on a wild pitch by Lake Weir reliever Beth Levy, who pitched the final four innings for the Hurricanes.

Lake Weir, a young team, battled in its final at-bat as Foote ripped a one-out double to right-center field, but Horcajo, who walked none and struck out seven, bore down and whiffed the next two Hurricane batters to seal the win and preserve the shutout.

“Destiny isn’t our main pitcher, but she stepped in the circle and pitched well,” coach Vance said. “Our defense was solid and held us in there. We’re looking forward to a successful season and we just need to come out and play hard.”

SOFTBALL SCORES

BASEBALL SCORES