Ocala Gazette | April 12 - April 18, 2024

Ocala Civic Theatre to host performing arts camp

By Lisa McGinnes lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

Ocala Civic Theatre (OCT) is offering a robust experience for young people to immerse themselves in the performing arts by bringing back the popular Arts for All summer intensive.

Open to anyone age 9-17, the program gives students the chance to major and minor in two of four disciplines—drama, dance, art and music—plus take general classes in the other areas. Instructors will include teaching artists from OCT’s Academy plus guest artists from the community. The five-week day camp’s grand finale will be two productions presented for community audiences.

New this year, Arts for All Too will feature a less intense immersive to expose students age 6-8 to various techniques of live theater, from acting, movement and music to scene painting, lighting and props. The younger set will perform in a showcasepresented after workshops

Private insurers pulled more than 275,000 policies last year from the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and have taken nearly 115,000 this year, with Citizens President and CEO Tim Cerio saying Wednesday he thinks “we’re coming through to

THE “FIRST” OF THE

It’s time to honor our local 911 call takers and dispatchers.

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Imagine picking up your phone to assist a woman experiencing a miscarriage. “She’s in the bathroom and she’s worried she’s miscarriaging.”

Or this: “I see smoke coming out of my neighbor’s roof.”

And it’s your job to send help, knowing every second counts.

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Marion County residents call 911 with their emergencies, both real and imagined. On the other end of the line are trained public safety telecommunicators (including call takers and dispatchers) who direct law enforcement, fire rescue and medics.

These unsung heroes are recognized annually during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, in the second week of April.

Starting April 14, the call center crews will be recognized for their selfless work. Both call centers individually have festivities planned to commemorate the National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Sherry Gronlund, OPD’s communication manager, shared the “prom” theme to the city’s banquet plans with the “Gazette,” noting in her 24 years working in call centers, “Don’t ask me why, but I’ve found people in call centers usually like themes and they like to dress up.”

This year, the “Gazette” went behind the scenes at both call centers on four separate days to learn about those who have helped the county’s 911 operation earn the designation of an Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch.

From two call centers—one operated by the Ocala Police

Department and the combined communications center under the county based at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office—staffers work 12-hour shifts, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the dark in front of multiple large computer screens.

When a call comes in, a prerecorded response starts playing immediately, introducing the call taker and asking for the address for the call. Administrators always want to have enough 911 call takers so no one waits for a response.

Each center has a large screen showing how many calls are being handled and how many available call takers there are at any given moment. If that screen indicates zero available call takers, it goes red and reminds everyone in the room that nonemergency calls need to call back on the nonemergency number, which the center also answers after prioritizing emergency calls. Dispatchers watch the notes taken

on the calls across the room and, depending on the call taker’s notes, can start dispatching law enforcement or the fire department to addresses while information continues to be gleaned from the caller. Marion County Fire Rescue responds to all of the medical related calls for the entire county because it provides medical transport. In between their stoic, kind, but sometimes firm telephone conversations, the telecommunicators also take a lot of verbal abuse from callers. Some examples: “I pay for your paycheck; Do as I say!” In response to being asked for their address a second time, “Are you stupid? Do you have a hearing problem?”

And, yes, they have heard every expletive you can imagine. Call takers can’t hang up on the caller. They aren’t customer service. They are a lifeline to people in distress, and they know people don’t all react the same under stress.

Arts for All try outs

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conclude, and auditions are not required. Arts for All Too is limited to 20 students.

Registration for Arts for All is now open and is limited to 60 students age 9 and up. Although participants are required to take part in a placement audition, admission is not competitive and auditions will assist instructors in placing participants in their major and minor disciplines. Some financial assistance will be available for families who qualify for the Darrell G. Riley Memorial Scholarship.

Students interested in drama may audition with a prepared or provided 60-second monologue. Dancers will be taught a combination to perform at the placement audition. Musicians may bring sheet music and present a 30-second musical theater song, and artists are invited to bring any form of artwork created by them.

Both students and instructors loved the Arts for All program when it was offered from 1991-1995, said Greg Thompson, who came up with the idea to help the theater develop its educational opportunities for young people. Since he took over as OCT executive and artistic director at the beginning of 2023, he said people have requested repeatedly that he bring back the summer series.

“It focused young people in the community and gave them something specific to work on,” Thompson explained, noting that Arts for All “was meant to be the springboard toward having an education program,” which is now a robust slate of multigenerational classes and community outreach offerings known as The Academy.

“Arts for All really was a doorway for young people to come together, learn some skills, feel more comfortable, and be able to plug in and be a part of theater year-round,” Thompson said, adding that he conceived the idea after brainstorming how to involve more young adults in OCT productions.

Thompson revealed that six final performances will be held the last week of camp and will include two productions to be announced at the OCT Season 74 Reveal Party on April 15.

“One of the shows is a musical,” he said, “and it’s probably one of the most famous musicals. The other show is arguably the most famous play in all of history, but it’s an interesting take on it.”

Local dance studio owner and former Arts for All student Brooke Loftis has good memories of the summer intensive as her “first taste of drama and art and music” to enhance her foundation in dance. She would go on to perform in OCT’s “Grease” as a high schooler and said being part of the three-person choreography team for OCT’s 2023 production of “Newsies” was “a full-circle moment, being able to work with Greg [Thompson] professionally after being a student of his” in Arts for All. She believes the summer intensive is valuable for performing arts students of any discipline.

“All the performing arts feed off each other, so when you’re looking at the different genres within performing arts, being able to act helps you become more expressive as a dancer,” Loftis explained. “Understanding music helps your musicality and it all just feeds off each other. I would definitely recommend Arts for All to students who are interested in the performing arts.”

Miguel Ferreira, who grew up in Ocala and graduated from Forest High School before attending a four-year university theater program, fondly remembers attending Arts for All for two summers as a student focused on music and dance then returning as an intern. The professional theater artist with Broadway credits, now based in Massachusetts, said the OCT program was “pretty foundational” to his career.

“It’s greatly shaped a lot of my work in my career from what I learned there,” Ferreira said. “Arts for All actually inspired an entire generation of theater artists. The whole vibe of it was really great. OCT at that time was a really special place.”

Returning to teach dance this summer after serving as the original Arts for All dance director in the 1990s, Lisa Hamilton, a former professional dancer who now teaches at The Dance Company of Ocala, remembers students being “so inspired” and said she was “really astounded at the things the kids could accomplish.”

“They were so excited to be there every day,” she said. “It really opened the door to all the performing arts and kids were trying things they’d never tried and it opened up a new world

for them. It’s a chance for them to just focus on something they love all day, and they can jump in and learn a lot about what it’s really like to be a performer— everything from backstage to props to pulling the curtain. It’s like a big team effort and everyone learns how to work together for the success of the show.”

Nancy Atkinson, a retired Marion County Public Schools educator, remembers teaching music at Arts for All as “a complete joy” and noted that, more than 20 years later, she still keeps in touch with the other instructors and most of her students.

“The kids were so fantastic,” she said. “They were completely invested and so were the teachers. It was a great creative experience for the teachers as well as the kids.”

For registration and more information, visit ocalacivictheatre.com or call (352) 236-2274. Placement auditions will be held Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Arts for All classes for ages 9-17 will take place Monday-Thursday, June 10-July 18 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with no class July 1-4. Younger students age 6-8 may register for Arts for All Too classes, which will take place Saturday, June 15, 22, 29 and July 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Classes and performances will be held at Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

[Photos Supplied]

Citizens Insurance

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“We think the market’s going to continue to recover, capital’s going to continue to flow into the Florida market,” Cerio told the Board of Governors. “So we’re pretty optimistic. We (Citizens) have a lot of good policies. The market is interested in our business. And, again, that’s a sign that the market’s getting healthier.”

Citizens reached as many as 1.412 million policies in fall 2023 before seeing reductions because of the depopulation program. Nevertheless, Citizens remains the state’s largest insurer, with about 1.172 million policies as of Friday.

It also sees regular weekly increases in policy counts, which partially offset large batches of policies that exit through depopulation. For example, the 1.172 million total Friday was up from 1.167 million policies a week earlier and 1.162 million policies two weeks earlier.

Under depopulation, private insurers seek approval from regulators to assume certain numbers of Citizens policies. The large numbers of policies that have flowed into Citizens in recent years have created a situation in which private insurers can look for policies that they consider good risks.

In 2023, Slide Insurance Co. assumed the most Citizens policies, with 82,781,

By Jan Cubbage Special to the “Gazette”

Anew state law outlawing the outdoor release of balloons is expected to set off celebrations among those concerned about the environment when the law takes effect July 1.

On March 5, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 321 that takes aim at protecting Florida’s wildlife, aquatic and ocean life and birds by shooting down the intentional release of balloons.

The release of balloons—often a staple at birthday parties, memorials and gender reveals— will now be regarded as a noncriminal littering offense punishable by a civil penalty of $150. The law reads: “It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to intentionally release, organize the release of or intentionally cause to be released balloons inflated with a lighter-than-air gas. ... exceptions being ‘governmental contracts for

according to Citizens data. Slide was followed by Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Co., which took 53,456 policies; SafePoint Insurance Co., which took 41,895; and Florida Peninsula Insurance Co., which took 37,586.

Citizens said 114,559 policies have been assumed by private insurers this year.

While the depopulation program has resulted in many homeowners getting private coverage, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will see lower insurance rates— and could face paying more.

Trying to spur depopulation, lawmakers in 2022 approved a change that required Citizens customers to accept offers of coverage from private insurers if the offers are within 20 percent of the cost of Citizens premiums.

scientific or meteorological purposes.’”

In addition to a civil penalty, “The court may require a person who violates this law to pick up litter or perform other labor commensurate with the offense committed.”

Notably, the law does not apply to a child 6 years or younger. Parents, guardians and adults overseeing children’s activities need to to be aware that a child 7 years or older can be charged with littering if that child engages in an activity in which balloons are released outdoors.

HB 321 does not ban the sale of balloons but rather the outdoor release of any balloons. Studies by wildlife biologists, marine and aquatic biologists have studied the detrimental effects of shredded balloons on organisms. Turtles and other reptiles, shore birds and aquatic wading birds and fish all have been found to ingest pieces of balloons that appear to be food and usually die from the action.

Foil balloons, often called “Mylar” balloons, are made from nonbiodegradable stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a thin layer of aluminum foil covering to give it a shiny

Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m.

Join photographer Martha Strawn for a free tour of her solo exhibition, “Across the Threshold of India.” This event is free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservation needed.

For example, if a homeowner received an offer of coverage from a private insurer that is 19 percent higher than the Citizens premium, the homeowner would have to accept it. If the offer was over 20 percent of the Citizens premium, the homeowner would not have to take it.

Also, people who remain in Citizens should not expect to see reduced rates as the market improves, officials say. That is because Citizens has long argued that a state cap on how much it can increase premiums each year has led to rates that are not actuarially sound.

appearance. Other balloons are plastic, vinylpolyvinyl chloride (PVC) and contain a carcinogen known as dioxin. Latex or “rubber” balloons are biodegradable but take 15 to 20 years to decompose in a landfill environment.

The Florida Legislature recently killed a proposed law (SB 498) that would have preempted local laws that ban the use of polystyrene plastic shopping bags. Studies by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection found that 12% to 13% of solid waste at Florida’s landfills are these nonbiodegradable polystyrene plastic bags.

Current municipal bans on use of these plastic bags will remain in effect. The cities of Sarasota, Gainesville, Coral Gables, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and other cities have ordinances in effect that restrict use of plastic shopping bags. Gainesville put their anti-plastic bag and plastic straw ordinances into effect in January 2020. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently vetoed a bill that would have pre-empted the ban on plastic straws that these same communities have put into effect.

911

“My wife would never guess I could listen and multitask like this.”

Joe Cooley Ocala Police Department daytime supervisor

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“There are no professional callers, only professional call takers,” said Kyle Drummer, the Public Safety Communications Director for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

Of course, the stress is not limited to just one side of the phone call.

Delia Beauvais, who has worked as a call taker for two and a half years at the Marion County Communications Center, said the support she gets from management and her teammates is what gets her through the tough calls.

“I had a really bad call my first two weeks. I think I probably would have quit if I hadn’t had their support,” she said.

But after handling one difficult call after another, Beauvais said call takers learn they have the strength to survive others. “You realize,” she said, “maybe I do I have it in me.”

“There is a rat in my house.”

“I want to report fraud. Someone is wiring me money and it feels suspicious, and I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“I’m going to commit suicide.”

Often, the call takers must coax critical details from frantic callers who don’t know what to say.

“Sometimes they are afraid to admit it’s an emergency and we have to pull it out of them,” explained Beauvais, following a call from someone asking how to get a restraining order.

Beauvais has had callers asking for practical assistance with an abuser nearby. “Sometimes it’s hard for them to admit they are under immediate threat,” she explained.

The call takers always ask for the address twice and their telephone number at the start of the call. Sometimes this annoys the caller, which was often obvious during the time the “Gazette” sat listening with the telecommunicators.

Nate, who requested that his surname not be published, has been a 911 call taker for Marion County for five years. He acknowledged that people often are annoyed but said, “Sometimes they realize when they say it again that they were confused the first time. In a stressful situation, an address is an easy thing to get turned around on. But we need the right one to get them help quickly.”

Both Ocala’s and Marion County’s call centers utilize a software program called ProQA, which guides the call taker through a list of medical questions to help them give the timeliest lifesaving advice to the person on scene and provides prearrival information to those traveling to the scene.

Sometimes, callers mistakenly become agitated by the medical questions and believe they may be delaying help. But the medics en route receive every answer the caller gives simultaneously.

After listening to a call from a granddaughter about a missing grandfather who was possibly being scammed from his home for money, Beauvais kept asking about any tracking features on his phone or vehicle. In that case, there were none.

But after the conversation, Beauvais told the “Gazette” that many of the call takers in the communication center track each other.

“I might have a dead phone, but they [her coworkers] may be able to see where I was last,” she said.

“I want to know how to get a restraining order against someone.”

“There has been an accident, we need medics now!”

“My neighbor just left their car in the road again.”

OPD’s Gronlund told the “Gazette” the department’s training entails months of intense practice before officials allow the call takers to work on their own. “And sometimes, even after that training investment, they can’t handle the pressure,” she said.

In order to find the perfect fit and always have personnel trained and ready to fill positions that come open, Gronlund said she’s interviewed people every week since she started in the department eight years ago.

Gronlund’s sentiment was echoed by Lisa Cahill, the Public Safety Communication Manager in the county’s Communications Center.

Cahill estimated it’s a $150,000 investment by the county to get each PST ready when factoring in the cost of the “trainer, the trainee, classes and certification fees.”

The county indicated they were staffed satisfactorily for the time being. However, the city indicated they’d like to add at least six more PSTs to their team. According to the city’s website, an entry level PST earns $40,000 a year.

Cahill, who is also the executive director of the Florida Telecommunications Accreditation Commission, told the “Gazette” that there is a shortage of PSTs across the country and agencies are also working hard at retention.

Team building is paramount for the leadership. A caring team is essential for making hard work a little easier for the call takers, who look out for each other as well as those calling in.

KarDasaty Davis, a nighttime 911 call taker supervisor at Marion County who has been at the job for five years, said although the calls can slow down at night and the center is quieter, “I know their [the 911 call takers] voices well so if I hear a certain pitch, I know to check with them on what is going on.”

Cynthia Hamilton, a 28-year-old call taker/county fire dispatcher, said the shared experiences help the team bond.

“When you are together 12 hours a day, under stress, and sometimes days on end if there is a storm, you end up close,” she said of her fellow 911 communication team.

The team and management look for opportunities to bring fun to offset the challenges.

Tami Hill-Lemus, a call taker/county fire dispatcher who has been in emergency communications for 11 years, invited the “Gazette” to return during the Christmas holiday season.

Hamilton said they do potluck meals on holidays and make stockings, host secret Santas, have ugly sweater contests and, rather than Elf on the Shelf, it’s Find the Grinch. She added that she is always willing to work night shifts because she doesn’t have children and wants to support her coworkers who want to be

there for their families.

Beauvais, who lives in Gainesville and commutes 35 minutes to work, said she happily makes the drive for a job with a good environment, despite the hard work. “Environment is everything,” she said.”

Hamilton, who has sat across the same large room for eight, years, agreed. “We support each other,” she said. “And those 911 call takers on the other side of the room are tough.”

Holidays are challenging. First, staffers know they are missing out on important moments with their own families but also the calls can be more heart-wrenching.

“People call (feeling) lonely,” said Hamilton, adding some ask to be taken into protective care under the state’s Baker Act because they feel they might be a danger to themselves or others. “They don’t feel stable. Families are having domestic disputes because it’s the first time they’ve been together all year.”

Storms are another challenge because the communications center workers need to have their own families prepared to weather the storm but also plan to stay for days on end at the call center. When winds get too high to send out help, they still take emergency calls and prioritize who will get assistance first.

And after a storm, the county often sends a Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce to impacted areas that need assistance.

“My stomach hurts.”

“There is a man outside our store asking customers for money so he can buy beer.”

“I want to place charges against someone who sent me a picture of their genitals.”

The call takers and dispatchers are everyone’s 911 team, even for those whose boots are on the ground responding to emergencies.

Dispatchers Lemus and Hamilton expressed concern for patient care but also for the care of the first responders to whom they are providing directions.

“Their safety is a priority” when it comes to telling field unit personnel when to stage nearby and wait for law enforcement to secure an area in a volatile situation.

Through information secured through the 911 communications, the dispatcher can advise/ equip/warn the fire and medical personnel, who are not armed, what to expect. This is important to know because in the “Gazette’s” experience reporting on dangerous incidents in Marion County, it is not uncommon for paramedics to arrive at scenes before law enforcement does, particularly in remote areas.

“There have been times when they come up to a scene and they tell me they are making the call and going in because the patient needs them now and they are using their discretion on the scene,” Hamilton explained, adding that those instances make her feel uneasy as she waits on the line.

The dispatchers also warn personnel about bad roads where rescue vehicles can get stuck so the first responders can take different equipment when they leave their stations. Hamilton

showed portions of the county where there are either bad roads or sugar sand.

If it’s a fire, the dispatchers also start looking for water immediately. Their maps show all available hydrants, and when hydrants aren’t close to the fire, water tankers are ordered.

Dispatchers stay in contact with whomever commands the scene and if and when it’s time to get everyone out of a burning structure, those fighting a fire inside will hear the voice of the dispatcher telling them to retreat.

For the most part, calls for help within Ocala are routed to the OPD’s call center, from which personnel dispatch Ocala Fire Rescue and OPD officers. All the dispatchers are OPD employees.

There is a lot of overlap between what is dispatched from the city and the Marion County Communication Center not only because of incidents that occur in county enclaves within the city or incidents that happen on the city line but because the city relies on MCFR to send ambulances for every vehicle accident and medical call.

The two centers’ computeraided dispatch systems “talk” with each other so that when calls come into one center accidentally, they can be transferred quickly.

“There are no professional callers, only professional call takers.”

Kyle Drummer Public Safety Communications Director for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners

The city’s much smaller department of 34 call takers and dispatch personnel take 184 calls a day on average, whereas the county’s center of

63 call takers and dispatch personnel take 462 daily calls on average

For county 911 calls, the MCSO dispatches its law enforcement personnel from the same room where the county’s 911 calls come in. The county has dedicated fire department dispatchers, who break the county up into north and south when sending out field units. Dispatch for fire and law are different in that law enforcement communications rely primarily on codes whereas fire communications utilize plain talk. Switching back and forth between the two types of conversations could be challenging, yet that is what OPD dispatchers are trained to be able to do.

Joe Cooley, a daytime shift supervisor at OPD who has been working for the department for nearly 10 years, recently dispatched police units in all four quadrants of Ocala while also supervising the other eight 911 call takers.

“My wife would never guess I could listen and multitask like this,” Cooley, a father of twin boys, acknowledged between dispatches.

The “Gazette” had a hard time following law enforcement dispatch because of the fast recitation of codes, but Cooley said their ears get trained to sort out certain words and codes. “Sometimes it’s hard with certain accents, though. I’ve

been told when I get tired toward the end of a shift my southern

Cynthia Leedy works at her station in the Marion County Communications Center at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Kyle Coburn, the Communications Supervisor, takes a 911 call.

Tami Hill-Lemus, a call taker and a Marion County Fire Rescue dispatcher.

twang increases,” he acknowledged.

Lauren Pozdol, a night shift supervisor who has worked for the department for six years, told the “Gazette” she was led to emergency communications after learning about the interesting role in true crime podcast.

Pozdol said learning everything in the beginning was tough but that good training over four months kicked in once she got in the seat. When asked how long it took her to become “comfortable” she quickly responded, “You don’t become comfortable per se; you become more confident with experience.”

For example, if there is someone suicidal on the phone, the ProQA system directs Pozdol to ask the caller why they have made

“We support each other. And those 911 call takers on the other side of the room are tough.”

Cynthia Hamilton Marion County Fire dispatcher

that decision. “I always feel uncomfortable asking that one question because they don’t know me, it feels like I’m being intrusive. But I have to ask it,” Pozdol shared.

“This work is not like it’s depicted in the movies,” she added.

What

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Depending on where you make a 911 call in Marion County, you’ll ring into one of two call centers: one operated by the Ocala Police Department or the Marion County combined communications center based at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The call typically will route to the center associated with the location of the caller. Sometimes, however, callers from unincorporated enclaves within Ocala will ring into OPD, but those calls can be transferred easily. Also, callers from outside Marion County at times will ring into the county centers due to their location and nearby cellphone towers.

From the trenches…

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which starts the second week of April, we asked first responders how 911 call takers and dispatchers help them respond.

Lt. Paul Bloom of Marion County Sheriff’s Department wrote:

In October 2021, MCSO’s dispatchers had a challenging call for a shooting. During the call, some dispatchers were working on communicating information about the shooting to other agencies, some were doing investigative work to help identify the suspect such as working with a third-party vehicle locating service and dispatching deputies on multiple channels. The success of any investigation begins at the point of dispatch. Due to the diligence these employees demonstrated that day, our investigation was streamlined, our deputies on the road were kept informed and our surrounding agencies witnessed the professionalism that the MCSO brings.

There are a lot of calls where dispatchers have information that they are passing along to the deputies while they are en route to a call. This happens daily. From personal experience, the deputy is responding to the call trying to get there as fast as possible. A lot of information is being sent to the computer in the deputy’s car but, to try and look at that information while heading to the call is impossible. So, we rely heavily on the information that they are giving over the radio. It’s true multitasking on the part of the deputy and dispatcher alike. Being on scene and dealing with all of the involved victims and offenders on any given call can be very challenging. The dispatchers know this. That deputy is trying to remain safe and keep others safe while breaking up a fight, arriving at the scene of a homicide, a car crash, or just investigating a call.

So, when a dispatcher “puts themselves on the scene” with that deputy by feeding them information, researching license plates or previous calls for service at that particular address, that takes a lot off of the deputy and allows them to focus on safety. The dispatcher becomes very invested into the call with the deputy, and it is a beautiful partnership. The “tip of the spear” cannot be effective without being one with the “handle of the spear.” Their jobs, just like that of a deputy, can go from mundane to madness in under a minute.

To be honest, with all that they are trying listen to and to speak to in the middle of a call, I don’t know how they could do that and even chew gum at the same time. It may be easier to juggle fiery torches.

From Ocala Police Department:

We had an occasion where our call taker used her protocol to talk a wife into helping her husband who was having a cardiac arrest situation. They were driving and pulled over and the call taker talked the wife through getting her husband out of the car and onto his back and started CPR over the phone.

The medics then arrived along with Ocala Fire Rescue and they felt if they had not started CPR immediately as our call taker instructed, the gentleman may not have survived.

Recently, after a terrible inclement rain, we were faced with roads with heavy water and, of course, car accidents. The dispatchers documented these occasions and used the information to help direct units around the roadway issues to get the responder to the citizen, to assist as fast as possible.

While landline phones automatically provide an address to call takers, cell phones offer a range for your location, and that range can vary in accuracy. Consequently, knowing one’s location is still vital when calling 911.

This is one of the reasons why the public safety telecommunicator (PST) will ask for your address and phone number twice. This is especially important to remember if the caller is reporting an incident that is not at their home address, such as an automobile accident miles away.

While knowing the exact address will lead to quicker response, Lauren Pozdol, a night shift supervisor who has worked for OPD for six years, told the “Gazette” that callers can also share landmarks. “If someone tells me I’m near the rock that looks like a peanut, I know they are near the intersection of NE 28th Street and 14th Avenue,” she gave as an example.

For residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, both centers are equipped with TDD/TTY.

Furthermore, both centers support text-to-911 capabilities for those who cannot make voice calls during an emergency, although voice calls are recommended when possible for their immediacy and ability to convey more nuanced information.

When you call from a cell phone that only allows for outgoing 911 calls, the centers are unable to call you back.

Both centers phone back abandoned calls, however, we should note that if we call 911 from a cell phone restricted for that purpose PSTs are not able to return the call.

Residents are reminded that 911 is designated for situations requiring immediate assistance from police, fire, or emergency medical services. For nonemergencies, the public should call (352) 369-7070 inside the City of Ocala and (352) 732-9111 outside the city limits.

Children should be trained on how to use 911 effectively, ensuring they know their name, and address, and how to describe their location.

Here are some tips to help first responders find you quickly in an emergency:

* Clearly mark your house number. Well-lit numbers of at least 4 inches are recommended.

* If you live in an area confusing for others to find, write down driving directions from Ocala to your house so the call taker has a common point of reference.

* Test your directions and the visibility of your house numbers during the day and night.

* Keep a list beside your phone of relatives and close friends, particularly those who may be tracking you.

Once the PST has your address and telephone number, they will ask a series of questions to ascertain the nature of the call. Depending on the priority of the call, a dispatcher will start relaying that information to law enforcement and the fire department. Answers to questions from the PST also are relayed to first responders who may be en route.

* If you live in a gated community, always call 911 first.

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March Madness comes to Ocala... in April

By Tom O’mara Special to the Ocala Gazette

What NCAA sport now holds its National Championship in Ocala? Equestrian. Where else should it be but here in the Horse Capital of the World.

This will be the third year that the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) National Championships are held at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) with competition next week beginning Thursday, April 18 and ending on Saturday, April 20. Get ready to learn about it here, and come out and watch (admission is free, parking,

• An NCEA National Championship for Dual Discipline schools

too) as this is the best of NCAA equestrians battling it out for the title of National Champion right here in Ocala. The excitement and crowd enthusiasm during the Thursday quarterfinals and Friday semifinal rounds is palpable, but there is nothing like the enthusiasm on display from the jampacked crowds in WEC Arena’s 3 (Jumping Seat) and 5 (Western) for the finals on Saturday, April 20. It’s exciting and if you love horse sport, you’ll want to see this as the level of competition and the format are not your usual horse show.

Quick background:

NCAA Equestrian is designated as an emerging sport, which is a mechanism the NCAA set up in the 1990’s to help create more opportunities for women in collegiate athletics. The NCEA, which is the coach’s organization that oversees the day-to-day operations of NCAA equestrian while it’s emerging, runs the National Championship. NCAA Equestrian is one of the few sports that competes nearly the entire year, starting in September and running into the spring semester and culminating in the National

About the competition:

• Dual means they have both a Jumping Seat (english) and a Western squad.

• Top eight teams in the country are invited - seeded in order 1 through 8

• An NCEA National Championship for Single Discipline schools

o These schools only have a Jumping Seat squad

• Top 4 teams in the country are invited - seeded in order1 thru 4

• Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, Auburn University, Texas A&M University, the University of Georgia, Oklahoma State University, the University of South Carolina, and the University of California-Davis

Two events in Jumping Seat – Fences and Flat

o Lynchburg, Sweet Briar, Dartmouth, Sewanee

• 2 events in Jumping Seat – Fences and Flat

Two events in Western – Reining and Horsemanship

Four riders in each event

• 4 riders in each event

Championship here in Ocala. Many of the country’s former top junior western and hunter/jumper riders, often having honed their expertise training in Ocala during their junior careers, have gone on to earn athletic scholarships and ride for these NCAA teams. There will be many former junior national and world champions in the arena next week vying for the coveted NCEA National Championship.

Auburn University acts as the host school, and Head Equestrian Coach Jessica Braswell works diligently with her staff as well as all the NCEA head coaches to make this championship happen.

“Auburn University is excited to team up with the NCEA, World Equestrian Center and Marion County in hosting the National Championship for NCAA Equestrian in Ocala,” she said. “The atmosphere that Ocala brings for our student-athletes is unmatched. Ocala and the World Equestrian Center provide a championship experience for these collegiate equestrians that they can’t get anywhere else. Come out and see some incredible riding in a collegiate athletics environment next week in Ocala!”

What is the format? There are really two competitions going on based on the size of an NCAA equestrian schools’ program, a dual-discipline championship and a single-discipline championship, both being decided on Saturday. It’s a bracketed format where only the winning team in head-to-head competition moves on. It’s win and stay in!!

About the competition:

• An NCEA National Championship for Dual Discipline schools

• An NCEA National Championship for Single Discipline schools

o Dual means they have both a Jumping Seat (english) and a Western squad

• These schools only have a Jumping Seat squad.

• Top 8 teams in the country are invited - seeded in order1 thru 8

• Top four teams in the country are invited - seeded in order 1 through 4

o Texas Christian (TCU), Southern Methodist (SMU), Auburn, Texas A&M, Georgia, Oklahoma St, South Carolina, UC Davis

• 2 events in Jumping Seat – Fences and Flat

The University of Lynchburg, Sweet Briar College, Dartmouth College, and Sewanee: The University of the South.

• 2 events in Western – Reining and Horsemanship

Two events in Jumping Seat – Fences and Flat

Four riders in each event

• 4 riders in each event

• Head to head competition, same as in dual discipline… same horse, highest score ride gets the point for their school

It is a head-to-head format, meaning a random horse from the championship herd will be drawn, and a rider from each school will ride that same horse on the same course. Whoever scores highest wins a point for their school.

• Total of 8 points is up for grabs in the single discipline competitions

Total of 16 points are up for grabs in the dual-discipline competitions.

Head-to-head competition, same as in dual-discipline: Same horse, highest score gets the point for their school.

• Key to competition = head to head format, meaning a random horse from the championship herd is drawn and a rider from each school rides that same horse on the same course and whomever scores highest … wins a point for their school

Total of eight points are up for grabs in the single-discipline competitions

• Total of 16 points is up for grabs in the dual discipline competitions

Whichever school gets the most points wins the competition and moves on in the bracket.

• Whichever school gets the most points wins the competition and moves on in the bracket

• Whichever school earns the most points wins the competition and moves on in the bracket.

Flan

Anyone have some extra dog treats?

Flan wants to work for them. This guy wants to learn how to be the best dog, and he tells us treats will help tremendously. Only two years old, he knows there will be a lifetime of lessons, and he’s ready for the journey!

• Whichever school gets the most points wins the competition and moves on in the bracket

Current Adoption Specials:

“Ocala Gazette” regularly brings you three furry friends that are available for adoption from local animal rescue organizations.

Adoption fees are WAIVED this month with a donation of cat supplies; kitten food, litter, kitten milk replacer, etc. Adoption fee is $20 without a donation.

Frito Frito wants to know what you’re doing for the next decade or so. He’d like to know if you’d mind a buddy to go along for the ride. This two-year-old guy has been waiting for someone to pull up in his future family car—his bags are packed!

Visit MarionFL.org/Animal

Rudu

Four-year-old Rudu needs a change. Since living in a home with an excessive number of cats, he never received the quality one-on-one time that he needed to bond with most humans. This beauty will need a peaceful home, and a calming, sensitive person who will make him feel like the most loved cat in the world!

SMU riders with the winning trophy in April 2023. [Keagan Phillips]

APRIL IS WATER CONSERVATION MONTH

Time, odd-numbered addressed and properties with no address may only irrigate on Wednesday and Saturday. Even-numbered addresses may only irrigate on Thursday and Sunday.

FHP SEEKS SEMI DRIVER RELATED TO CRASHES

“The city of Ocala is calling upon each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by practicing water-saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water,” said Mayor Ben Marciano in a proclamation on April 2.

The city offers several tips to preserve water, not only in April but every month:

• Look for leaks: Keep an eye on any leaks that could occur in outdoor hoses, sinks, toilets, showers and other faucets. Ocala Electric Utility customers can sign up to receive notifications for potential leaks and monitor water usage.

Water wisely: Irrigate only by necessity to reduce usage when watering your lawn. Follow irrigation restrictions and adjust controls to water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. on assigned irrigation days.

• Irrigation restrictions: During Daylight Savings

• Plant Florida Friendly: Choose plants that match the light, soil and water conditions of where you’re planting them. Adding mulch around your plants can also help retain moisture. Information courtesy of the city of Ocala

“The state and UF estimates that about 50% to 60% of all potable water use is used outdoors,” said Ocala Water Resources Conservation Coordinator Gabriela Sullivan. “So that’s something that we can all work together to help save our precious water resources.”

The city asks for citizens to be especially conscious of outdoor water use, saying that following irrigation restrictions is invaluable to conservation.

“Every business industry, school and citizen can make a difference when it comes to conserving water and can help by saving water and thus promote the healthy economy and community,” Marciano said.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking the public’s help in locating the driver of a semi tractor-trailer, possibly with the letters TELMP or TELPM, and a red or orange decal on the trailer door. Official say the driver left the scene of two crashes involving a death on March 20 on Interstate 75 north of Ocala.

According to the original FHP crash release, a gold colored van driven by a 71-year-old Ocala man crashed into the rear of the tractor trailer on southbound I-75 in the center lane on March 20 around 10:08 p.m., about four miles north of State Road 326 at Mile Marker 362.

The tractor-trailer driver pulled off to the shoulder but the disabled van remained in the

NEW EXHIBIT AT CF WEBBER GALLERY

he “Grafted Roots: Artists

TFlourishing in the Sunshine State” exhibit is coming to the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery, opening to the public on May 20 through July 18. The exhibit will showcase a collection of artworks that highlight the talent and diverse styles of artists from Ocala and beyond. The Webber Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free.

The showcase is curated by David Campo, who earned a master’s degree in art history from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in

roadway. Soon, the tractor-trailer driver “left the crash scene and continued traveling south on I-75, where the driver failed to report the crash or render assistance to the occupants of the van,” an FHP report stated.

The FHP release states that “moments later” the van was struck by a sedan driven by a 46-year-old Oviedo man, who was wearing a seat belt and suffered serious injuries.

The second crash caused fatal injuries to the van driver and serious injuries to all five passengers in the van, who were wearing seat belts, the FHP release stated.

The FHP asks that anyone with information about the two crashes, or who can help identify the tractor-trailer and/or its driver, call the FHP communications center at (800) 387-1290 or dial *FHP on cell phones.

museum studies from the University of Florida.

“As a guest curator, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to feature my dear friends and talented artists, across Ocala and Gainesville, in my show,” said Campo. “To have the chance to showcase the breadth of Florida artists by sharing

diverse stories though varied media is hopefully just the beginning of this budding relationship.”

An opening reception will be held Friday, May 31, 6-8:30 p.m., featuring live music and light refreshments. Admission to the exhibition and the opening reception is free.

Veterans honored and remembered

A ceremony was held April 6 in memory of the local veterans who died during the first quarter of the year.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

The Spring Memorial for Marion County Veterans held April 6 at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park saw 77 veterans memorialized for their service and sacrifice.

The ceremony, formerly called the Quarterly Reading, included the recitation of the names of veterans from Marion County who passed away in the prior three months. Several of those honored were active in the local veteran’s community.

Lewis Alston, a tireless participant in events at the park and a member of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, died in November 2023 and was one of those honored. Alston served in at least 500 honor guard military funerals and was regularly seen at park events proudly wearing his U.S. Marine Corps dress blues uniform and cheerfully performing a snappy hand salute.

Navy Senior Chief Don Kennedy, president of the MCMHG, spoke about all veterans and his comrade, Alston. He said veterans contribute “the most important years of their lives” to their country and often “carry the scars” of that service. He said Alston served in the Marine Corps from 1969 to 1971 and was recon with the 1st Marine Division. Alston was a Purple Heart recipient for shrapnel wounds suffered during the Vietnam War. Kennedy said Alston worked as a truck driver after his service and volunteered for the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard in his then hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, before moving to Ocala.

Kennedy said Alston served as a volunteer school crossing guard in Lancaster wearing his Marine uniform. A Sept. 2, 2014, article in the Lancaster area “Record-Argus” newspaper states that Cpl. Alston “noticed students crossing South Duke Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School without a crossing guard” and stepped up to help.

Bruce Hutchinson, a member of the MCMHG, who served on military funerals with Alston recalled his friend as “fun.”

Bruce Lamoureux, a U.S. Navy veteran and past president of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and Richard Baldwin, also a Navy veteran and longtime member of the Nautilus Base submarine veterans group here, were named and honored this quarter.

Antoinette Fucci and her son, Frank Fucci, attended the ceremony to honor husband and father, U.S. Army veteran Richard Fucci, who passed away on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2023.

Richard Fucci was a volunteer at the

Veterans Education Center adjacent to the park and played accordion with friend and fellow volunteer and Korean War-era veteran Ralph Mueller, who joined the family at the ceremony.

“I feel better talking about him,” said Antoinette Fucci, Richard’s wife of almost 68 years. The family has several members who are veterans and some currently serving, including Marcel Fucci, who is near retirement from the military.

The ceremony included the sounding of a bell with each name read by veteran Dave Bice and a drum roll by veteran Johnathan Hurst. A color guard was provided by members of the North Marion High School Air Force JROTC, with the pledge of allegiance by Samuel Coventry and the national anthem sung by Tim Lafferty.

Members of Cub Scout Pack 18 were on hand to help at the ceremony. Taps, played by a member of the MCMHG, a gun salute by the Ocala Police Department and bagpipe music by John Earl were also part of the ceremony.

Dexter Vance with Hospice of Marion County offered prayers and retired colonel Craig Ham opened the ceremony.

The memorialized veterans’ names were read by members of the Ocala Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Marine Corps League Marion Detachment 061 of Ocala. Renee Coventry, regent of the Ocala Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was recognized with a plaque by the Marion County Veterans Service Office for her work and “dedication” as recording secretary for the Marion County Veterans Memorial Park Events and Program Committee.

Jeffrey Askew, director of the Marion County Veterans Service Office, and park volunteers, hosted the event.

Staff and volunteers with Hospice of Marion County, who are regular supporters of the memorial ceremonies, provided flags, refreshments, social media notices and more.

Robert D. Charette passed away Dec. 30, 2023. His widow, Laura, and sons, Justin and Bryan, attended the ceremony to honor his service in the Army National Guard.

Norma McCoin and Jodeanne Moore came to pay respects to son and brother, Randy Joel McCoin, 68. A family member said he loved the Navy and served in an administrative job and onboard a ship.

Members of veteran Edward Whiden’s family, Louisa Whiden and Desiri Savage paid respects to the veterans named Saturday and made sure their loved one’s name would be added to the Summer Memorial.

About 150 people attended the ceremony. “(Veterans) deserve the recognition,” Kennedy said during his remarks.

Those honored and remembered were:

U.S. Army

Thomas H.Bolinski

Preston W. Brinkman

Larry C. Chesteen

Ralph “Bigfoot” Clovis

James A. “Jim” Dickbernd

Curtiss E. Dyess

Richard Fucci

William R. “Bill” Fugitt

Howard J. Girard

Robert L. Glass

Alphonso “Al” Gordon

Carl E. Gross

Robert M. Higgins

Hadleigh H. Howd

Gary Lee Huffman

Elijah J. James Elwood J. Latsha

Paul Lee

James W. Likens

David P. Maloney

James E. Merrick Jr.

Ralph. A. Messina

Michael Mikulak

Gregory A. Mullhall

Louis M. Nardella

Joseph Prego

Jack F. Reents

Bruce L. Stover

David Lawrence Tabit

Ronald C. Torri

Ron O. Velez

Harold N. White

Joseph Zawacki

U.S. Navy

Richard A. Baldwin

Edwin M. Carr Jr.

Stephen G. Crumley

Ruth M. Knutson

Bruce Lamoureux

Stephen M. Lazor

Harry J. Marchadie III

Randy Joel McCoin

Rolf Myhre

Robert O. Peddy

Joseph H. Strauch

William A. “Bill” Titus (multiple branches)

U.S. Marine Corps

Lewis Alston

Gerald J. Lemerise

John M. Pockalny

Samuel M. Trippe

U.S. Air Force

Lee E. Brown

Paul Collins

Michael T. “Tom” Croy

Lewis J. “LJ” Hall

Richard G. Perry

Laurence Puckhaber

John A. Scott, III

U.S. Coast Guard

William H. Backlinie

Army National Guard

Robert C. Breiten

Robert D. Charette

Army Reserves

Frank J. “Jack” Banning, Jr.

Also honored (branch affiliation not clarified)

Thomas Allison

Donald Bayliss

Robert Bibb

John Fiveash

Paul Francis

George Green

Robert Huffman

Lanny Lambert

Alfred Middleton

Tilden Mills

George Ooley

Perry Rhoads

Charles Silva

Miyako Simmons

Jon Stoterau

Rahan Uddin

Albert York

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Cadets with the North Marion High School U.S. Air Force JROTC Honor Guard cast long shadows as they march together after posting The Colors.

Dave Bice rings a bell to remember each veteran who passed

SLIONS CLUB MEMBERS SUPPORT YOUTH FAIR

The annual Southeastern Youth Fair draws thousands of participating 4-H and FFA students. The event this year was held Feb. 22-March 2.

On Feb. 28, member of

the Ocala Lions Club were on hand for the Dave Baillie BBQ Contest, named in honor of a longtime SEYF supporter. The Ocala Lions Club Charities Foundation Inc. was a sponsor.

The

hours to prepare and serve their dish, which was then judged on taste, appearance, controlling the fire, sanitation, cleanliness and skill in the art of barbecuing.

HUNGER RELIEF CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY

S“To make Zach’s journey to Slovakia possible, we are on the lookout for sponsors. Zach is also doing his own fundraising with a goal of $4,000,” noted the news release.

To make a donation, go to bit.ly/3VLNPud

pecial Olympics Florida –Northeast Region has announced that Marion County athlete leader Zachary Deonath has earned a spot at the Challenge Samorin Championship Sprint Triathlon in Slovakia on May 18 and 19. Deonath is among three athletes to represent Florida. The competition includes categories of professional, individual and relay (male, female, mixed).

econd Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida distributes enough food for 300,000 meals a day through its network of more than 750 community feeding partners across Orange, Osceola, Lake, Marion, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties. But, according to an agency news release, it’s still not enough to meet the daily need. For the 11th year, U.S.

Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs are participating in the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign. Since its inception in 2014, the campaign has generated more than $186 million and helped secure nearly 1.9 billion meals for the Feeding America network of local food banks, the release noted. The campaign will run in stores and online through April 29. Shoppers can

donate at check-out in stores or clubs or round up at walmart.com and the walmart app; purchase participating products instore or online at walmart. com or samsclub.com; or donate at feedingamerico. org/walmart or feedingamerica.org/samsclub

To learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank, visit feedhopenow.org

Zachary Deonath, left, is shown training with Jeff Meister, his former Unified Partner, who has since moved into a coaching position for the Special Olympics Florida Triathlon Team. [Photo courtesy Special Olympics Florida – Northeast Region]

contestants had three

4-H students are shown with Ocala Lions Club member Bill Thomas. [Photo by Randie Duretz]

People, Places & Things

“The first play-within-the-play is set in the 1930s and it’s meant to be a little bit cliché. And then the second play-withina-play is vaguely vintage and badly done, and that is intentional.”

Ocala Civic Theatre’s new black box show features a slew of smooches.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

The story of scrub mints

These plants evolved in Florida millions of years ago; they may be gone in decades.

By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History

Scrub mints are among the most endangered plants you’ve probably never heard of. More than half of the 24 species currently known to exist are considered threatened or endangered at the state or federal level, and nearly all scrub mints grow in areas that are being rapidly developed or converted to agricultural pasture.

In a new study, researchers analyzed a distinct type of DNA marker, which shows there are likely more scrub mint species waiting to be scientifically described. And at least one species has been left without federal protection because of a technicality.

“The Titusville balm is currently considered to be a recent hybrid,” said lead author Andre Naranjo, who conducted the study while completing a Ph.D. with the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. “When you describe something as a hybrid, that implies that it’s not a true species, and it can’t be protected under the Endangered Species Act.”

Naranjo found no evidence for recent hybridization in Titusville balms (Dicerandra thinicola), and his results suggest that a group called the calamints may contain cryptic diversity that requires further study.

Scrub mints evolved during a period of rapid climate change

Naranjo and his colleagues conducted the study to learn about the evolutionary history of scrub mints. The group is native to the southeastern United States and originated during a turbulent time in Earth’s past.

Three million years ago, during a period called the Pliocene, temperatures were 2-3 degrees celsius warmer than they are today, and sea levels were up to 30 meters higher. At the time, the central and southern half of Florida was an archipelago. But as temperatures cooled over the next several million years, the waters receded and the Florida Peninsula took on its modern-day dimensions.

Much of this newly surfaced habitat wasn’t exactly prime real estate. Where soils did exist, they were primarily composed of sand and the cooler temperatures resulted in less rainfall. This was particularly true of the elevated areas that had been islands before sea levels fell.

What’s left of these ancient shorelines is now located near the center of the Florida Peninsula and is often referred to as sand pine scrub. Plants and animals that moved into these vacant spaces had to contend with little water, few nutrients and rampant wildfires.

The species that managed to survive tended to do well within this narrow framework of harsh conditions but lost the ability to live just about anywhere else. Today, 40-60% species that live in these areas are endemic, meaning they can be found only in southeastern scrub habitats. Scrub mints are among the few plants that staked a claim in the new Florida frontier. Originating in the panhandle, the ancestor of modern scrub mints dispersed south as soon as there was land to grow on.

At the height of the ice ages during the Pleistocene, when much of the planet’s reserve of water was locked away in massive glaciers, Florida was up to twice the size it is today, and scrub mints flourished.

“These plants had a much wider range in the past and were readily sharing DNA with one another,” Naranjo said.

But their habitat soon shrank. There were at least 17 ice ages during the Pleistocene, when scrub mints were evolving, and each cold period was separated by warm intervals in which much of Florida was swallowed by the sea.

Widespread scrub environments were repeatedly reduced to islands, severing the connection between mint populations. They began to grow apart, and soon each scrub island contained its own unique mint species. During the cold periods, when sea levels fell, scrub mint populations again overlapped, and these unique species hybridized with each other. This ancient intermingling created the scrub mints as they’re known today.

The storied history of scrub mints cut short by development Naranjo sequenced nuclear DNA from scrub mints for the study. Unlike the plastid DNA often used to study plants, which is produced by structures called chloroplasts, the DNA from plant nuclei is especially useful for scientists trying to tease apart historical interactions between species.

According to his results, annual scrub mints in the genus Dicerandra, which grow north into South Carolina and die back

during the winter, originated from a back-to-back hybridization event between the ancestors of perennial scrub mints, which have a distribution further south and grow year-round.

Hybridization is a common form of diversification in plants, so much so that nearly every group of plants you might come across has had a hybridization event occur at some point in its evolutionary history.

Crucially, Naranjo’s findings indicate the scrub mints that currently exist have been on separate evolutionary trajectories for hundreds of thousands of years. When modern humans diverged from Neanderthals around 500,000 years ago, scrub mints were already well on their way to becoming separate species.

The study also suggests that calamints are genetically diverse, so much so that new species designations are likely warranted. This is especially true for those with large ranges in the southeastern U.S., including the scarlet calamint (Clinopodium coccineum) and Georgia calamint (Clinopodium georgianum), neither of which is considered to be endangered.

Even if additional species are afforded protection, Naranjo fears it may not be enough to stave off declines and eventual extinction. Lakela’s mint (Dicerandra immaculata), for example, is listed as critically endangered and only grows along a three-mile stretch of scrub, almost all of which is privately owned.

Conditions that once allowed these plants to thrive, such as periodic wildfires, are now impractical, due to nearby urban areas that would be negatively affected. And invasive species are encroaching on what little pristine scrub is left. Work to remove invasives is often done by volunteers, if they’re removed at all.

“If we continue with business as usual, this entire group of plants could go extinct within the next 100 years. And we won’t just lose these species. We’ll lose the scrub, one of the most truly authentic and formerly ubiquitous Florida habitats will just go away,” Naranjo said.

The study was published in the journal “Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.” Christine Edwards of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Matthew Gitzendanner of the University of Florida, and Pamela and Douglas Soltis of the Florida Museum of Natural History are also co-authors on the study. Funding for the study was provided in part by the National Science Foundation and iDigBio.

To learn more, go to floridamuseum.ufl.edu

Photo in text: Scrub mints moved into the southern Florida peninsula when it first rose from the sea. Now, their existence is jeopardized by development, climate change and the introduction of invasive species. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]

Scarlet calamints (Clinopodium coccineum) have red, tubular flowers that attract the attention of hummingbirds and butterflies. Some scrub mints, such as this Dicerandra cornutissima, have pollen-producing organs equipped with spring-loaded tips. When a bee presses against the tip, the covering rolls back like a bread-box, providing the bee with access to pollen. [Photos courtesy of Bill and Marcia Boothe]

Ashe’s calamint is a state-threatened plant in the genus Clinopodium, which researchers suspect may contain species that have yet to be described. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]

Scrub mints are critical for pollinators, including the rare blue calamintha bee (Osmia calaminthae).

Scrub mint flowers make a perfect landing pad for pollinating bees, with a lower petal on which to rest their abdomen, two flanking petals that they grip with their feet, called tarsi, and a hood that covers the pollen-producing organs. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]

SHERIFF’S K-9 FINISHES 4TH IN STATEWIDE ‘TOP DOG’ COMPETITION

After successfully reaching the final four to win the Florida Sheriff’s Association “top dog,” Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Rex” has been eliminated from the K-9 March Madness competition.

The German shepherd received 10,975 votes in the semi-final round of the competition but was ultimately beaten out by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Laura,” a yellow lab.

“Although we did not advance to the next round, we are truly humbled by all the love and votes for K-9 Rex,” said MCSO on Facebook.

The competition, put on annually by FSA, began with 30 K-9 officers from Florida’s 30 sheriff’s offices. The competition gathered over 500,000 votes from citizens across the state.

“We’re grateful for each and every one of you who voted and shared our posts. Your support is a blessing, and it means everything to our K-9 Unit and the entire Sheriff’s Office team,” according to the Facebook post.

Rex is one of seven K-9 officers in MCSO, handled by Deputy Roman West.

Rex’s successful run in the competition brings happy news after the department tragically lost one of its K-9 officers, Leo, in February.

Leo died after suffering gunshot wounds while responding to a call with deputies earlier this year. The dog was laid to rest and a ceremony was conducted in his honor in March.

OBITUARY

Nnamdi Gordon Okoye Rasbury

January 15, 1965 - April 6, 2024

Nnamdi Gordon Okoye Rasbury was born in Nigeria, W. A. on January 15, 1965, to Naida King Okoye and Ude Okoye Sr.

With the raging of the Biafra-Nigeria war in 1967, he and his brother, Stanley, and American mother, Naida, were evacuated to the United States where he assumed life as an American citizen. A er his mother’s remarriage to Frank Rasbury, Gordon assumed the Rasbury name.

Gordon later would have the unique experience of graduating from two high schools, one in Port Charlottee, FL and the other in Amityville, NY.

Following in the footsteps of his stepfather, a retired US Army O cer, and his brother, then a recent graduate of the US Naval Academy, Gordon enlisted in the Army and served in Germany.

Upon his discharge from the Military, Gordon undertook various forms of employment both in New York and in Florida until sidelined by numerous health problems.

He ultimately succumbed to cardiac arrest early in the morning of April 6, 2024, while living in Gainesville, Florida.

Gordon is survived by his mother, Naida, his brother, Stanley, stepfather Frank, stepsiblings Robbin and Eric and stepdaughter, Cecelia Smith. His wife, Rene, predeceased him in 2022.

MARION’S HCA HOSPITALS RECEIVE 2024 PATIENT SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARD

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital announced on April 3 that both locations earned the 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award.

The award comes from Healthgrades, a database of ratings and comparisons of hospitals, healthcare providers and physicians.

“Patient safety is a top priority for our hospitals and our colleagues are devoted to the highest quality of patient care,” said HCA Florida Ocala CEO Alan Keesee. “This award demonstrates our team’s ability to put patients first.”

This is the seventh consecutive year that both hospitals have received the award.

SADDLEWOOD PARAPROFESSIONAL CHOSEN AS FINALIST FOR STATEWIDE SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Saddlewood Elementary’s Edward Lanza has been named as a finalist for the statewide School-Related Employee of the Year award. Lanza, a paraprofessional who assists in the school’s media center, was selected as a finalist for the entire state of Florida after winning Marion County’s School-Related Employee of the Year honor in December 2023.

“I feel very proud and honored to be

selected for this, really,” Lanza said.

In the Saddlewood media center, Lanza works to check in and out books for students, manages the Chromebook computers, troubleshoots and fixes technology issues, he said.

Lanza previously worked at Sunrise Elementary School, and when Saddlewood Principal Heather Lipira saw Lanza’s application for a vacancy at Saddlewood, she said she “scooped him up” as soon as she could.

Lanza’s son Christopher Lanza works

as the media specialist at Ward-Highlands Elementary School. Christopher Lanza was a finalist for Marion County’s Teacher of the Year award in 2021.

“I just knew his son’s work ethic work ethic and knew that Mr. Lanza was very similar to his son, and so I got him over here to work in my inclusion classroom to work with my special needs students,” Lipira said.

Marion County Public Schools spokesperson Kevin Christian said the Florida Department of Education informed the district that the winner of the School-Related Employee of the Year competition will be chosen within the next few weeks.

Even with the statewide recognition Lanza is receiving, Lipira said that the paraprofessional is extremely humble and will continue his hard work.

“(I’ll) keep going every day,” Lanza said. “As our secretary Alice says, I’m like a dog with a bone—I just keep going on.”

Part of Lanza’s strong work ethic can be attributed to his military service. He served as an infantry soldier in Vietnam from 1970 until 1976, he said. Lanza also served as the deputy chief of a New York volunteer fire department.

“I think he’s a jack-of-all-trades and a master of all,” Lipira said.

For Saddlewood’s 1,034 students, the principal said the staff shares a common goal to “do what is good for the children.”

“We just want to have kids who are happy and safe and feel loved at school, and he does a really great job of making sure that he impacts them in that way as well,” Lipira said. “I’m very proud of what he does.”

After eight years of working at Saddlewood, Lanza said working with the students is what motivates him.

“Even if I get through to one child and have them succeed, it’s very satisfying,” Lanza said.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Rex” finished fourth in the statewide “K-9 March Madness” competition. [Courtesy of MCSO Facebook]

Edward Lanza (center) [Courtesy of Marion County Public Schools]

Bird of the week

Song sparrow

By Michael Warren

This winter visitor to Marion County is a terrific singer, as its name suggests, and one of its many songs sounds like the beginning to Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony.” Song sparrows learn songs from their neighbors and use the shared songs to distinguish familiar birds from strangers. The males memorize a set list of their favorite songs, then shuffle and repeat songs in a sort of custom mix tape to attract females. This one was photographed at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park.

IHMC Lecture Series

Co-Hosted by:

Thursday

April 25, 2024

Reception: Begins at 5:30 p.m.

Talk: Begins at 6:00 p.m.

Seating is limited

RSVP to ihmc-20240328.eventbrite.com or call 352-387-3050

Michael Larson

THE TALK: Enhancing Wellness Through Sensory Stimulation: An Application to Better Sleep

Dr. Larson will discuss some of the historical uses of sensory stimulation to alter various aspects of human physiology (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, stress levels, and pain perception) to achieve therapeutic outcomes. Recent advancements in understanding human anatomy and physiology, especially the brain and nervous system, along with progress in medical sensing technologies, have created new possibilities in this field. He will introduce a framework for leveraging intelligent sensory stimulation to prompt desirable bodily responses, potentially serving as complementary or alternative therapies to conventional medical treatments. Dr. Larson will discuss an example of applying this approach from his ongoing research into using structured sounds to enhance sleep.

Michael Larson earned his PhD from MIT in 1992. After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, he spent over 30 years as a university professor, holding positions as the El Pomar Endowed Chair of Engineering and Innovation, and as Associate Chancellor for Research at the University of Colorado along the way. With funding totaling more than $8M from a variety of agencies, Michael has tackled a wide range of research projects from assessing the fracture and failure of advanced materials to creating novel surgical devices.

www.ihmc.com

15 S.E. Osceola Avenue Downtown Ocala

Michael has a passion for creativity and innovation. He has cofounded four tech start-up companies. While on the faculty at Tulane University, New Orleans’ City Business magazine named him “Entrepreneur of the Year”. He received the “Inventor of the Year” award from the University of Colorado on two separate occasions. Dr. Larson provides engineering design services for many clients and serves as an expert in legal cases. He has been the plaintiff in a patent infringement suit before the U.S. Supreme Court, piloted a jet aircraft, and steered a nuclear submarine.

Season Sponsors: Lecture Sponsors:

A Friend of IHMC

Song sparrow [MichaelWarren.com]

APRIL 15, 22, 29

Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of 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. The committee meets weekly on Mondays. See marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for agendas and minutes.

APRIL 16

Marion County Board of County Commissioners

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am

The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

APRIL 16

Ocala City Council

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm

The council meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

APRIL 16

Belleview City Commission

Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview 6pm

The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

APRIL 22

On Top of the World Rezoning Application Public Hearing

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9 am

The meeting will determine a possible zoning change near the On Top of the World community, “from B-2 (commercial business) to PUD (planned unit development)”.

community

APRIL 13

Fort King Presbyterian Church Earth Care Fair

13 NE 36th Ave., Ocala

10am to 3:30pm

Spend a day of learning and fun highlighting things you, your family and church can do to care for the earth. Features of the day include a plant clinic, upcycled clothing displays and fashion show, a wildlife walk and talk about the 36th Avenue mural, earth friendly recipe sampling, art and conservation exhibits. Fort King Presbyterian Church is a designated Earth Care Congregation. The event is free and open to the public.

APRIL 13

Marion County Farmland Preservation Festival

Majestic Oaks, 17500 N U.S. Highway 441, Reddick

10am

The 16th annual event will include a farmer’s market, traditional farm and cottage crafts, farm animals, a petting zoo, hayrides and the popular horse and tractor parade. There will be live entertainment and food concessions. The event is organized by the nonprofit Save Our Rural Areas (SORA), which opposes urban sprawl on farmland, especially within the county’s designated Farmland Preservation Area. Admission is free; $5 for parking. To learn more, go to farmlandfestival.org.

APRIL 27

Historic Ocala Preservation Society Walking Tour

712 E. Fort King Street, Ocala

10am Walk through time with HOPS on a tour that will take you through six historic homes in Ocala’s Southeast Historic District, starting at the Bryant House. Tickets are available at bit.ly/a-walk-through-time

MAY 4

Connecting Y(our) Water with Gabi Sullivan Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am to 12pm Gabi Sullivan, water resource coordinator for the city of Ocala, will lead a presentation on the importance of water conservation. This event is free to attend as part of Free First Saturday activities. For more information, visit appletonmuseum.org/events/connecting-your-water

MAY 11

DEC Marion County Annual Fundraiser

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

4 to 7pm Festivities include speakers, silent auction, live music, and dinner and dessert. Individual dinner tickets are $100. Learn more at mariondems.org/fundraiser.

education

MAY 24

End of 2023-24 MCPS School Year

Marion County Public Schools students and teachers go on summer break after school lets out on May 24. The new school year will begin on Aug. 12.

MAY 28 - AUGUST 2

The Morris Center Summer Brain Camp

3019 SW 27th Ave., Suite 202, Ocala Times may vary. This summer program is designed to help children who struggle with learning disabilities, such as slow reading, dyslexia, ADHD/ADD, and more. Pricing begins at $200 per week for half-day sessions and $250 per week for full-day sessions. For more information, visit themorriscenter.com/services/summer-camp/ocala or call (352) 332-2629.

arts

THROUGH APRIL 27

Dig into Clay: Wheel Throwing

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St, Ocala 10am to 1pm

This six-week session offers potters of all skill levels a chance to practice and develop new skills and techniques in wheel throwing through fun and functional ceramic projects such as serving sets, vases, or your own creative expressions. Visit bit.ly/dig-into-clay to sign up.

MAY 3

First Friday Art Walk

Downtown square, 1 SE Broadway Street

This will be the last First Friday until September. Check out art displays, local creators, arts and crafts and other family activities, live music, and more. Free and open to the public. Weather permitting. Visit ocalamarion.com/events/first-friday-art-walk for more information.

MAY 4

Free First Saturday

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am to 5pm

Entry is free for all patrons on the first Saturday of each month. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org

MAY 7, 21

Museum & Me Class

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10:30 to 11:30am

Bring your preschoolers and introduce them to the world of art. This is a special class for toddlers and parents, with a short, guided tour and fun arts-andcrafts activities. To register, visit appletonmuseum.org/ education/museum-me-pre-k-program-6.

things to do

APRIL 12, 19, 26

Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series

Webb Field, 1501 W Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

7pm to 9pm

The Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series is a joint project from the city of Ocala, Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Juneteenth Celebration Committee and Marion Cultural Alliance to provide free family friendly public concerts. The April 12th show is headlined by Clover’s Revenge, a punk band with an Irish influence, with the Gainesville Dance Academy performing as the opening act.

APRIL 19

Travis Ledoyt: Sun the Stars Concert

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th Avenue, Ocala 6pm to 9pm

Travis Ledoyt has been dubbed “The World’s Best Young Elvis” by many who knew “The King” personally. See him live in concert at the Reilly Arts Center, performing songs by Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and others. Visit reillyartscenter. com/events/travis-ledoyts-sun-the-stars-tour/ for more information and for tickets.

APRIL 28

Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville Block Party

Downtown Ocala, intersection of SW Broadway & SW 1st Ave 3pm to 7pm

Visit downtown for changes in latitude and attitude as the Ocala Civic Theatre presents this block party. General admission tickets are $60. VIP tickets are $85 and include a front row section for the concert, separate bar and restrooms, and a special VIP location. Purchase tickets over the phone at (352) 236-2274, at the box office or at ocalacivictheatre.com

MAY 2

An Evening with Kenny G Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 8 to 9:30pm The prolific jazz musician will play a medley of hit

songs and tracks from his new album “Innocence,” his 20th studio album. In addition to original music, Kenny brings unique reworks of many recognizable songs, among them: “Rock-a-Bye Baby”, “Over the Rainbow”, and Frederic Chopin’s “Nocturne Op. 9.” For tickets, visit reillyartscenter.com/events/an-evening-with-kenny-g

MAY 2-19

Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville”

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

Expect changes in latitude and attitude as the Ocala Civic Theatre presents this show live on stage. Tickets are on sale now at $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger, and can be purchased online at ocalacivictheatre.com, or by calling the box office at (352) 236-2274.

MAY 4

Festivals of Speed-Derby Edition World Equestrian Center

World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 11am to 3pm Join Festivals of Speed to celebrate the 150th Running of the Kentucky Derby, with 200+ exotic, classic, muscle cars, motorcycles and luxury brands. The WEC hotel features retail space, restaurants, craft cocktail bars and more. Cars will be displayed in front of the hotel on pavers in the grand plaza. Join the fun and wear your best Derby attire. Get tickets at festivalsofspeed.com/events/derby-edition-ocala.

MAY 12

Symphony Under the Stars

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Gates open at 3pm; Concert begins at 7pm Celebrate Mother’s Day with Fine Arts for Ocala as they present the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s annual outdoor concert. Maestro Matthew Wardell will lead the orchestra as they play an array of songsfrom classics to

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Sunday, April 28 3-7 p.m. presents

Featuring Legendary Jimmy Buffett tribute band

Gary Roland and the Commemorative cup included with ticket and availableatallparticipating establishments

Downtown Ocala at the intersection of SW Broadway & SW 1st Ave.

Then, join us for the musical

LOOT ON SALE

Margaritas, cheeseburgers in paradise, and more!

GENERAL TICKETS: $45

VIP TICKETS: $65

VIP tickets include secured VIP Zone directly in front of the bandstand and access to VIP lounge at The Black Sheep On Broadway (separate bar & restrooms, first margarita FREE, $5 Cheeseburger in Paradise slider)

(352) 236-2274 • OCALACIVICTHEATRE.COM

RAFFLES: Custom guitar autographed by Jimmy Buffett • Margaritaville getaway vacation