Ocala Gazette | May 28 - June 3, 2021

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 48

Happy

$2

Memorial Day Remember & Honor

MAY 28- JUNE 3 2021

Heartbreaker

West Ocala supermarket plans revived

By Max Russell Correspondent

North Marion picher Hunter Jones reacts after the team loses 8-4. [Amanda Whittamore]

North Marion runners-up in state championship

By Ainslie Lee ainslie@ocalagazette.com

M

omentum is big in baseball.

North Marion seniors Deric Fabian and Jacob Walton touched on the importance of momentum being in your favor following the North Marion Colts’ semifinal win on Monday night.

“Momentum can win you a lot of baseball games,” Walton said Monday.

But on Tuesday, the Colts found themselves on the wayside of a momentum swing as the North Broward Prep Eagles put together a five-run rally in the fifth inning to win the Class 4A state championship 8-4.

Through the opening four innings of play, the Colts drew the upper hand.

Sophomore Jacob Gromberg, the starting pitcher for North Broward Prep during Tuesday night’s title game, struggled early. The lefty walked the bases full in the top of the first inning with just one out, giving North Marion senior Wyatt Campbell an opportunity to capitalize.

Campbell, who pitched a near-complete game no-hitter in the semifinal, cracked a two-RBI stand-up double to score seniors Gavin Miller and Eli Garcia and give the Colts a two-run lead in the first inning.

North Marion sophomore Hunter Jones started his outing on the mound with a five-at-bat first

inning, forcing two groundouts, allowing a base hit and giving up a walk before striking out North Broward Prep senior centerfielder, Ty Richman to retire the side.

In the top of the second, Gromberg led off with another free pass after hitting North Marion senior first baseman Connor Burks with a pitch. But a strikeout tossed to senior Donny Salguero and a pair of outs by Miller and Garcia, left Burks stranded.

In the Eagles’ second trip to the plate, freshman third baseman Gian De Castro roped a leadoff triple down the first baseline to put a runner on the doorstep with no outs. De Castro was later driven home by a sacrifice groundout off See North Marion, page A2

The end could be in sight for the on-again, off-again struggle to bring a full-service supermarket to an area in west Ocala often referred to as a food desert thanks to the lack of affordable, fresh and healthy groceries.

Fred Washington, an Ocala entrepreneur and community leader, recently announced a deal with a local ownership group to bring a Bravo Supermarket to the 2400 Block of West Silver Springs Boulevard.

The location is the same site where Washington and others have tried to build a multi-use retail center with the working title Paradise Park. Until now, no other supermarket has entered into a signed lease agreement, Washington said.

None of the nationally branded supermarkets in Ocala have a presence in the area planned for the center, which lies north of State Road 200 and roughly between Interstate 75 and US Highway 441.

Washington, who has championed a supermarket in the area for years, said the supermarket would occupy a 15,000 square-foot store in the shopping center. Bravo Supermarkets are individually owned and operated similarly to a franchise. Known as a grocery voluntary, the owners collectively share marketing resources but have more control over their own stores.

Bravo, which has more than 70 locations along the East Coast from See Supermarket, page A11

Experts predict busy hurricane season

By Ainslie Lee ainslie@ocalagazette.com The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season got off to an early start after Tropical Storm Ana formed more than a week ahead of the season’s official June 1 start.

While Ana didn’t threaten Florida or the U.S., it was the first named storm of what experts are predicting to be another abovenormal season.

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their official Atlantic hurricane season predictions on May 20 and are calling for a 60% chance of above-normal activity. Another 30% of forecasters predict a near-normal season, and just 10% believe 2021 will see belownormal levels of activity.

However, experts don’t believe 2021 will match 2020 which saw a record-setting number of

named storms.

Last season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with a record-breaking 30 named storms, of which 11 became hurricanes.

Marion County was largely spared last season.

Hurricane Eta, the season’s 28th named storm, had minor impacts on the Marion County

area as it dissipated through the Sunshine State in November.

According to the NOAA’s 2021 outlook, during the 2021 season — which runs June 1 through November 30 — the Atlantic is widely expected to see 13 to 20 storms, of which six to 10 could become hurricanes boasting winds greater than 74 mph.

The NOAA also believes, with 70% confidence, that three to five major hurricanes are possible in 2021.

See Hurricanes, page A3

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Inside: Development............................ A4 State News................................ A8 School Board..........................A10 Sports........................................ B1 Creative’s Corner.................... B3 Calendar................................... B5

A2

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From North Marion, page A1 the bat of North Broward Prep’s senior catcher Dylan Runsdorf to cut the Colts’ lead to 2-1.

Following the Eagles’ one-run inning, the Colts came storming back in the top of the third.

After Fabian, North Marion’s senior shortstop and Florida Gators’ commit, sent a pop out to centerfield, Walton, the Colts’ designated hitter, sent a grounder down the third baseline for a base hit.

According to North Marion head coach Dale Hall, Walton, who was recruited by Santa Fe College as a pitcher, put off Tommy John surgery to be a part of the Colts’ postseason run.

“He had an opportunity to have surgery a couple of weeks ago to be back possibly for his freshman year of college, but this just meant too much to him,” Hall said.

Following his single, Walton was driven home thanks to a triple from Campbell – his second extrabase hit and third RBI of the night.

Campbell, who is committed to play for Lipscomb University next season, scored on a wild pitch to extend the Colts’ lead to 4-1.

“What a player,” Hall said of Campbell. “I mean, these last two days for him have been amazing.

We just couldn’t ask for a better showing out of Wyatt Campbell.”

The Eagles scratched across two runs in the bottom of the third inning after Richman notched an RBI single, scoring junior designated hitter Yoel Tejeda, followed by senior first baseman Josh Steidl scoring on a throwing error at first to make it a one-run game.

The Colts’ offense began to stall in the top of the fourth inning as the Eagles’ relief pitcher, freshman Riley Luft, settled in. Luft sat North Marion down in order with two groundouts and a strikeout.

However, North Broward Prep was slow to answer the call as its offense also fell quiet in the bottom of the fourth frame after a

Wyatt Campbell. [Amanda Whittamore]

North Marion players Nate Fennewald, left, Cooper Jones and Jacob Walton celebrate runs scored in the third inning.

[Amanda Whittamore]

strikeout, groundout and He’s a great competitor. We popouts, one strikeout and flyout, stranded Runsdorf, feel that he gave us the best one hit by pitch. who led the inning off with a opportunity to win.”

“Just bad breaks,” Hall double.

Fellow sophomore said. “And that happens Another quiet at-bat Karson Smith took over in in baseball. I can’t say I’m from the Colts in the top of relief and inherited loaded disappointed in how we the fifth inning primed the bases with no outs. played. We just had some Eagles for an opportunity to Smith issued a basesthings that didn’t go our capitalize. loaded walk, to force in the way… some things you just With Jones still on the game-leading run for the don’t normally see in the mound, Tejeda jumped on Eagles. North Broward game of baseball. the North Marion pitcher Prep’s Runsdorf hit a two“Just bad luck. But these early, blasting a leadoff RBI single and another run guys have no reason to hang double deep into center field, scored on a fielder’s choice their heads.” where Eli Garcia failed to to lift the score to 8-4.

North Marion’s runnermake the grab.

The Colts’ offense up finish was the best in “He absolutely crushed dissipated in the sixth and program history and just the that baseball,” Hall said of seventh innings. In North second time the Colts’ sent Tejeda’s hit. “That’s out of Marion’s final seven at-bats, a team to a state title game any high school baseball the Colts combined for five across all varsity sports. park in the country.”

Following Tejeda’s big hit, the Eagles started torching the Colts.

Steidl walked, followed by backto-back hits from Richman and De Castro, to bring Tejeda home. The rally ended Hunter Jones’ night on the mound.

“Hunter is a bulldog on the mound,” Hall said of the sophomore, who finished with five strikeouts. “The kid’s got great heart. North Marion pitcher Hunter Jones. [Amanda Whittamore]

[Amanda Whittamore]

Council to reconsider pronoun proposal

By Ainslie Lee ainslie@ocalagazette.com After more than 100 people showed up on April 20 to oppose an Ocala city charter amendment to eliminate gender-specific pronouns from the 1970s-era document, the City Council ditched the proposal altogether.

But now, the proposal is back, with one important change. Instead of asking voters through a referendum to decide if gender-specific pronouns should be removed, the new proposal asks if voters would favor including both ‘he’ and ‘she’ pronouns in the document. Many of those opposed were concerned about erasing gender from the official document.

The tweaked proposed amendment will go before the city council on June 1 for a first reading. If approved, the question will go before the voters on the Sept. 21 city election ballot.

The reconsideration

came after the May 18 council meeting when the board heard from the original group that suggested the change and received a petition in favor of including ‘he’ and ‘she’ pronouns.

Apostle Brandon Cave Sr., representing the African American Pastoral Leaders of Ocala Marion County, clarified the group’s position.

“The context of the resolution, in our opinion, was intentionally manipulated to promote public outcry and discourage the ideas of others,” Cave told council members. “There was absolutely nothing in our resolution that used the words ‘gender-specific.’”

During the April 20 meeting, it was Cave who asked for the council to pull the proposal, which Councilman Matthew Wardell did.

On May 18, however, Cave said the proposal was aimed at “eradicating systemic racism, social and economic injustices

from our city.” It was not a move toward eliminating traditional binary gender pronouns, as some interpreted.

Sadie Fitzpatrick, who is an Ocala Gazette columnist, addressed the council while representing a separate group that penned a letter to council members on April 29.

“I’m here tonight to ask you to reconsider the proposal seeking to remove gender-specific pronouns from our city charter,” Fitzpatrick said. “And replace ‘he’ with ‘he or she’ to become more inclusive of the demographic make-up of our city government.”

As it’s written now, the Ocala city charter refers to all members of city government in the masculine pronoun.

Including the city manager, who is referred to as a “he” in subsequent references.

The city manager post is currently held by Sandra Wilson, a woman.

Fitzpatrick went on to explain to members of the council that gender-specific references were removed

from the State of Florida’s statutes in 1996 after the Florida Supreme Court conducted a study that found that “gender bias in legal language cannot be ignored or trivialized.”

“We’re behind the times in terms of making this important change,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Ocala serves as a Sadie Fitzpatrick speaks during a recent City Counleader in so many cil meeting. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] areas – logistics, Fitzpatrick added. distribution According to an email and cultural arts, to name from Rob Batsel, the city’s a few. It is time that our attorney, to councilmembers, city charter reflects that by the revised proposal adopting gender-neutral calls to “revise masculine language.” pronouns to include the Heeding to the concerns feminine equivalent. The that surfaced in the meeting revision replaces the words on April 20, Fitzpatrick ‘he’ with ‘he or she’; ‘his’ assured that the change with ‘his or her’; ‘him’ with would not blur the lines of ‘him or her’; ‘councilman’ gender identity. with ‘council member’; “It is simply intended to ‘policeman’ with ‘police allow the titles in our city officer’; and ‘spokesman’ charter to accurately reflect with ‘spokesperson.’” who holds these jobs,”

A3

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Hurricanes, page A1

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”

- Thomas Jefferson Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com Carlos Medina, Managing Editor carlos@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com Ainslie Lee, Associate Editor ainslie@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Lisa McGinnes, Editor lisa@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

A season with average activity produces 14 storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, the NOAA says.

Experts attribute the jump in activity to warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures and a weaker wind shear in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Despite the expectations of increased storm activity in the Atlantic, the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office’s director of emergency services, Preston Bowlin, said it’s business as usual for the organization.

“As for preparations for hurricanes, it’s the same as we do every year,” Bowlin said.

According to Bowlin, those involved with the emergency services department, including the health department and school board, have already started their exercises and trainings.

A majority of the county’s emergency shelters are housed within the county’s public schools when storms threaten the area.

And in the case that a storm

forces shelters to open their doors, Bowlin says that his team still has the implications of COVID-19 in the back of their minds.

“We’ll take every precaution necessary with masks, sanitation and isolation rooms, if needed,” Bowlin said. “This is going to be the time of year, looking at our vaccine percentages, and we’ll take guidance from the health department. But we’re on track.”

While the County continues to take the steps to ensure that it’s ready to respond to a storm, Bowlin encourages citizens to do their part.

“Don’t rely on county or the state to provide essentials for you,” Bowlin said.

It’s suggested that citizens gather seven days’ worth of food, water and medication if a storm begins to close in on the area.

Being proactive in mitigation efforts is also encouraged, Bowlin adds.

Bowlin suggests making sure trees are cut back and that windows and roofs are intact, as

well as understanding the rating of your home.

“The big thing is making sure they know what their homes are rated for,” Bowlin said. “If they know their home is only rated up to a Category 2, well then if we know were getting a (Category) 3 or (Category) 4 hurricane, they need to be looking at sheltering elsewhere.”

Marion County announces the opening of its emergency shelters prior a storm threatening the area.

As the emergency services team begins tracking a storm, alerts will be sent out in plenty of time for citizens to take action, Bowlin says.

“Last year they didn’t expect to get into the Greek alphabet, but we did,” Bowlin said. “You just can’t predict what Mother Nature is going to do. You prepare for it.”

For more information on county resources and other preparedness tips, visit marionso. com/hurricane-preparedness or call the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office’s emergency services office at 352-369-8100.

BE PREPARED! Graphic Designer Brooke Pace brooke@magnoliamediaco.com Marketing Manager Kylie Swope kylie@magnoliamediaco.com Digital Editor Emily Papa emily@magnoliamediaco.com Account Executives Evelyn Anderson evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com Sarah Belyeu sarah@magnoliamediaco.com Ralph Grandizio ralph@magnoliamediaco.com Lee Kerr lee@magnoliamediaco.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

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Appleton Museum offers free admission for active military, veterans and their families

1515 NE 22nd Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 352.732.0073 PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT INVERNESS, FL SECOND CLASS PERMIT #114280

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[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, joins museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums program offering free admission to currently serving military personnel, veterans and their families.

The program is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and

participating museums across America. Free admission is available now through Labor Day (Sept. 6).

The free admission offer is available to members of the United States Military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA

Commissioned Corps, as well as veterans, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card.

Veterans may present an ID or discharge paperwork.

For more information visit arts. gov/bluestarmuseums

New hours for Ocala’s Aquatic Fun Centers The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks will implement new pool hours for the city’s Aquatic Fun Centers starting on June 1.

The Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center and the Hampton Aquatic Fun Center will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays. There will be two sessions each day: Aa morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an afternoon session from 2 to 5

p.m. Both centers will be closed Sundays and Mondays.

For Memorial Day weekend there will be a special extended operating schedule. The aquatic centers will open for the season on May 29 with a morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an afternoon session from 2 to 5 p.m.

The centers will be open May 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Memorial Day

for two sessions: A morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an afternoon session from 2 to 5 p.m.

The previously advertised hours for the City of Ocala’s Aquatic Fun Centers are changing due to a shortage of lifeguards needed to maintain proper coverage and ensure the safety of pool patrons.

For more information, visit www.ocalafl.org/aquatic.

A4

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

$20 million hotel set for On Top of the World Ocala Gazette Staff A new 125-room hotel will soon break ground just outside the entrance to On Top of The World on State Road 200.

The $20 million TownePlace Suites by Marriott will be developed

by HDG Hotels, according to a press release by the Ocala-based hotel group.

The company hopes to break ground in June, with construction expected to finish by the fall of 2022.

The four-story hotel will go up on about 3 acres just southwest of the Canopy Oaks Center, 8075 SW SR 200.

The hotel would be the first in that section of Southwest SR 200. Right now, the closest hotel to On Top of the World is located some six miles away near Interstate 75.

The hotel will be an

extended stay facility, and each room will include a stocked kitchenette. Some suites will feature multiple bedrooms as well, according to a press release.

Other amenities include a saltwater pool and a fitness center.

“We are confident this project will positively

impact this growing area of the county,” said Azim Saju, CEO and president of HDG. The hotel plan comes as On Top of the World continues to expand its development near SR 200.

In addition to its 55-plus community, the company is also developing an all-ages,

family community called Calesa Township on 1,500 acres east of Southwest 80th Avenue and south of Southwest 38th Street. The development will eventually include 5,000 homes. About 5,000 homes currently make up On Top of the World, and that community has a buildout plan of about

10,000 homes.

The late Sidney Colen founded the development company in 1947, which is still family-owned.

The TownePlace Suites property would be the eighth hotel for HDG in Marion County. The company has 20 hotels in its portfolio.

Downtown moves: Pi no more; coffee, crepes and macarons

By Ainslie Lee ainslie@ocalagazette.com Pi on Broadway is closing to make way for a new venue, while Symmetry Coffee and Crepes will move a few streets over to a new location with a new partner.

Pi, 110 SW Broadway Street, opened in 2009 and will serve its last customers on May 29.

The location hopes to reopen after extensive renovations as District Bar & Kitchen, a full-service, “elevated” sports bar featuring dinner service and live entertainment.

While current plans call for $1 million in renovations, it wasn’t clear if that figure took into account the recent news that the site

will need more intensive renovations than originally thought.

“Unfortunately, it looks like Pi is going to have to do a total rebuild,” Tye Chighizola, Ocala’s growth management director told members of the city’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Agency Board on May 18.

Matthew Larmoyeux, one of the principles behind District Bar & Kitchen applied to the CRA for a $25,000 grant to help in the renovations. That application was pulled, however, after the building’s issues came up.

When contacted, Larmoyeux said he would defer comment to Tom McDonald, who currently owns the property and

Above: Current photo of Pi on Broadway.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] Right: Rendering of the building after desired renovations are made. [Submitted]

is one of the operators of Pi. McDonald did not immediately return messages left for him.

Larmoyeux plans include the installation of a marquee above the entrance, a permanent roof over the patio bar – though it would remain open on the sides – and a stairway leading from the street to the patio bar. They hoped to open by November.

Meanwhile, on Southeast First Avenue, Symmetry Coffee and Crepes will move into space previously occupied by Sovereigns and Scoundrels, a tattoo shop at 56 SE First Ave. Currently located at 108 N Magnolia Ave. in the Sovereign Building in midtown, Symmetry’s move to downtown will come with

a new partner.

Soleil Confections, which is owned by Chris and Melanie Patrick, a husband-and-wife duo, will join Symmetry in its new 2,500-square foot space.

Melanie Patrick, who calls herself an avid baker, makes a variety of confections but is known for her colorful macarons, which she uses French, Swiss, Italian and Aquafaba methods to create.

According to Melanie Patrick, she’s currently a cottage baker operating out of her home. She’s been selling her creations at Ocala’s Downtown Market, where she met Mike Mills.

Mills, who owns Symmetry Coffee and Crepes, also owns Buzz and Grind, a beverage stand

downtown that serves coffee, craft beer and wine.

Melanie Patrick said customers often suggested she and Mills become partners.

“What goes better with coffee than macarons,” Melanie Patrick said.

However, before Symmetry and Soleil pack their bags and move into their new home, the space will have to undergo an interior facelift.

According to a grant application filed with the city, the space has no food service amenities and will need up to $150,000 in renovations.

The CRA approved an application for a $25,000 grant to help pay for the renovations. They hope to open by September.

A5

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Tears and Cheers

The graduating fifth-grade class after they marched through the halls and walked out of the school for the last time at Eighth Street Elementary School.

Third-graders EchoGracie Harris, 9, Kailynn Berg, 9, and Braelin McCandless, 9, left to right, cry with their teacher, Rachel Burrage, second from right, on the last day of school as they say goodbye to their teacher who will not be returning next year.

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Fifth-graders say goodbye to students in other grades as they march through the halls. Fifty-nine fifth-graders graduated at the school this year and the march has been a tradition for many years on the last day of school at Eighth Street Elementary School.

Khloe Files, 11, right, gets flowers and a hug from her mother, Stacey.

A6

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Jim Hilty looks to return to city council

By Ainslie Lee ainslie@ocalagazette.com

my financial industry and other things to different community aspects and help them.”

One of Hilty’s main topics of concern is Ocala’s hotbutton homeless issue.

When Hilty served his first term, the council was considering constructing an engagement center for the city’s homeless population.

The $500,000 project unraveled after Hilty left the council. The homeless pavilion was to include 15 picnic tables, a speaker system, bathrooms and shower rooms before the city balked on the idea, citing funding issues with the Marion County Commission.

“Since I’ve left, I’ve gotten more emersed in the different functions in Marion County and the city on the homeless issue,” Hilty said.

“So, I didn’t walk away from the problem. I got deeper into it during my hiatus, if you will.”

The council recently voted 3-2 to deny an ordinance change that would

Jim Hilty’s public service started when he was 17 and joined the Marines before he was drafted.

Now partially retired after 30 years as a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Ocala, Hilty hopes to return to the Ocala City Council seat he lost in 2017.

On May 14, Hilty filed to run for the District 5 council seat, the post he held from 2013-2017. Justin Grabelle beat him for the seat in 2017, but Grabelle announced he would not seek re-election.

The decision spurred Hilty to try another run.

Hilty currently serves as the president of Hospice of Marion County and holds seats on several boards, including on the Salvation Army, Saving Mercy and the Ocala Civic Theatre.

“You might call it my hobby,” Hilty said. “But I enjoy trying to pair what I’ve learned in life through

have allowed Interfaith Emergency Services to operate a temporary, openair shelter at its location at 435 NW Second Street.

Hilty, who was in Minnesota during the May 18 meeting, watched it unfold via Zoom.

And while Hilty supported Interfaith’s efforts, he admits the openair shelter wasn’t a perfect solution.

“I understand nobody wants it in their backyard,” Hilty said. “It’s a Band-Aid on the problem, and you need to try to fix the problem as best you can.”

If elected to council, Hilty hopes to toy with the idea of converting an old, unused downtown building into a low-barrier shelter.

Beyond working on the homeless issue, Hilty also hopes to put his financial experience to good use as the city’s fire fee lawsuit dwindles.

In 2006, the city added a monthly fee to city residents’ electric utility bills to pay

for fire services.

However, in June 2020, the 5th District Court of Appeals deemed the city’s means of collection unconstitutional, leaving the city on the hook for upwards of $81 million in refunds to those who paid the fee.

The parties are working to resolve the refund mechanism.

“Having been on the council while the issue was going through, at least I have Jim Hilty [Submitted] a better understanding Hilty faces Greg Steen of where and what could for the seat. It’s Steen’s first happen,” Hilty said. “There’s time running for public going to be issues coming office. Three other first-time along on that as to how we candidates also are running work with these people.” for seats.

The District 5 post is one “You could, theoretically, of four council seats up for end up with all new people election on Sept. 21. While on the council, which may District 1, 3 and 5 were or may not be a good thing... due for re-election in 2021, that’s someone’s opinion,” the resignation of Matthew Hilty said. “Is that what we Wardell forced a special need? Or do we need some election for the District 4 experienced people to come seat. back?”

Marion unemployment 5.4% in April adjusted 5.4% in March.

The year-over-year numbers include the fallout from the state’s shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic last April.

Locally, the labor force was 144,568 in April compared to 132,993 a year earlier. The number of people with jobs was 136,738 compared to 116,279 employed a year

Ocala Gazette Staff The Marion County unemployment rate was 5.4% in April compared to 12.6% a year ago, according to numbers released by the Department of Economic Opportunity on May 21.

The unemployment rate remained the same month-over-month from an

earlier. The number of people unemployed was 7,830 in April compared with 16,714 a year ago, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Ocala area’s leisure and hospitality industry grew at the fastest rate in the state.

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Manufacturing also added 900 new jobs.

The state’s unemployment rate was 4.8% in April, up .1% from March. The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.1%.

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the year Ocala has added 3,500 jobs, a more than 40% increase for the year for a total of 12,100 jobs. But the area continues to see the state’s fastest annual job growth in manufacturing, with 400 new jobs added totaling 9,800, according to a press release by CareerSource CLM. The Ocala metro area also grew the fastest in

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MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Peace Protest About 150 people came out to Tuscawilla Art Park for a peaceful protest for Palestine on May 21. The gathering was to protest the violence in Gaza between Palestine and Israel. Most of those gathers hoped for freedom and peace between Palestine and Israel. After days of violent conflict, the two sides agreed on a ceasefire on May 21.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Mahmoud Khelah waves Palestinian flags

Lareen Abu Tayeh, left, and her brother, Saleem Abu Tayeh, right, wave Palestinian flags as they the lead protestors out of Tuscawilla Art Park to march on the sidewalk

Lareen Abu Tayeh, right, waves a Palestinian flag as she stands with Marwah Khan, center, and Dunia Hamed, left.

Noor Hamed

Live on stage!

By Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux

May 27 – June 27 Sponsored by:

K-Country • Hiers-Baxley Ocala Style Magazine Elvis Presley. Johnny Cash.

Jerry Lee Lewis. Carl Perkins.

Great balls of fire, it’s a whole lot of fun!

Tickets $30 for adults $15 for ages 18 and younger

celebrating 70 years

4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470

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MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State News State ending federal jobless benefits

By Jim Turner News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Florida plans to stop providing $300 a week in additional federal unemployment benefits as it pushes for people to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced that starting June 26 the state will no longer participate in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

State and business officials have argued that, when added to state unemployment payments, the $300 a week in federal aid is keeping people from returning to jobs.

After a report showed that an estimated 487,000 Floridians were unemployed in April out of a workforce of 10.24 million, the Department of Economic Opportunity called the move “another key step to returning more Floridians to work,” dubbing it the “Return to Work” initiative.

“Transitioning away from this benefit will help meet the demands of

small and large businesses who are ready to hire and expand their workforce,” department Executive Director Dane Eagle said in a prepared statement.

The move came after the state also announced that new unemployment applicants will have to follow a “work search” rule that requires claimants to apply for five jobs a week.

That requirement will start June 1.

The state suspended the work-search requirement last year because of the pandemic.

Florida will become at least the 22nd state to end participation in the federal benefits program, which is scheduled to expire in September.

Florida pays a maximum of $275 a week in state benefits to unemployed people. Eagle has said people are taking advantage of the combined state and federal assistance, which is competitive with weekly pay at many restaurants and tourism businesses.

“You’ve seen restaurants that have had to close earlier or open later or close certain days of the week,” Eagle said during a recent

news conference outside downtown Tallahassee’s Metro Deli. “All over the Panhandle I’ve seen signs that say, ‘Welcome to the new pandemic.’ The 2021 pandemic is unemployment, not being able to hire. So, we’ve got to put an end to that.”

Since March 15, 2020, the state has paid out more than $28.3 billion to 2.37 million unemployment claimants.

But Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, quickly posted Monday on Twitter that ending the federal assistance is a “terrible idea that feeds into Florida’s already broken unemployment system.”

Since March 15, 2020, the start of the pandemic, the state has paid out more than $28.3 billion to 2.37 million unemployment claimants. The Federal Pandemic Unemployment

Compensation program has accounted for nearly $17.3 billion of the money distributed, while the state program has accounted for more than $5.9 billion.

The remainder of the money has come from two smaller federal programs known as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. The Department of Economic Opportunity said those programs will continue until Sept. 6.

In announcing the end of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, the department released statements from a list of business lobbyists and business owners discussing challenges in finding employees.

“Even though our industry is open for business, we are facing a dire labor shortage,” Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO Carol Dover said in a statement. “Strong demand, coupled with this staffing shortage, has left many businesses forced to limit operating days and hours

in addition to reducing capacity in both food service and lodging.”

During the legislative session that ended April 30, the Senate pushed to increase the maximum state benefits to $375 a week. But while Florida’s current benefits are among the lowest in the nation, the Senate proposal died amid opposition from House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Sprowls and DeSantis said their focus was on getting people back to work.

The state’s unemployment rate in April was 4.8%, up from 4.7% in March. The number of people employed increased by 59,000 from March to April, while the workforce grew by 73,000 in the same time.

In Marion County, CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, is ready to help those losing additional benefits by offering free employment services.

CareerSource works with federal, state and private partners to help residents find jobs and get training.

For information, call 800434-JOBS (5627) or visit careersourceclm.com

DeSantis approved third tax holiday

By Jim Turner News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Floridians preparing for the looming hurricane season can avoid paying sales taxes on many types of disaster gear starting late next week, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $196.3 million tax package on May 21.

Appearing at a Home Depot in Pensacola, DeSantis said the package, passed by lawmakers in April, reflects the state’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Along with a 10-day tax “holiday” for disasterpreparedness supplies, it also includes a tax holiday for back-to-school shoppers and a “Freedom Week” tax holiday designed to encourage people to participate in outdoor activities and entertainment events.

“We’re proud of being open. And we want taxpayers to be able to benefit if they’re participating in all these things,” DeSantis said. “No state has had more events than we’ve had over the past year.”

House and Senate leaders negotiated the tax package as they put together a $101.5 billion budget (SB 2500) for the fiscal year that will start July 1. The budget, bolstered by billions of dollars in federal stimulus money, has not formally been sent to DeSantis.

The tax package (HB 7061) has 22 separate parts. For most Floridians, the benefits will be found in the three salestax holidays.

Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, on Wednesday called the holidays generous for Floridians and retailers as the state continues to emerge from the pandemic.

“As we come out of COVID, and people are getting out and about, we don’t want them to forget about the fact that hurricane season is just around the corner,” Shalley said. “It provides a good opportunity for Floridians to prepare, but it also gives the local retailer a little infusion of business that they certainly need as we come out of a tough year.”

The disaster-preparedness tax holiday will run from May 28 through June 6 and is expected to save shoppers $10.5 million in state and local sales taxes.

Its timing is tied to the June 1 start of hurricane season.

During the period, shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on such things as reusable ice packs that cost $20 or less; portable radios, gas tanks and packages or batteries that cost $50 or less; non-electric food coolers that cost $60 or less; tarps that cost $100 or less; and portable generators that cost $1,000 or less.

State Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie encouraged Floridians to take advantage of the period to stock up on supplies.

“When a storm is approaching your area, that is not the time to build your kit,” Guthrie said at the Home Depot in Pensacola. “The time is now, starting next week during this sales tax holiday, to stock up on your critical supplies.”

The other tax holidays, meanwhile, are expected to have a bigger impact on state and local coffers.

State economists projected that the “Freedom Week” tax holiday, which will start July 1, will save $54.7 million for shoppers. During that week, people will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on tickets purchased for such things as live music, athletic contests, in-theater movies, cultural events and entrance to museums and state parks. Tickets could be purchased during the week for events that occur later in the year, including annual passes.

The holiday will also provide sales-tax exemptions for such outdoor equipment as tents, grills, bicycles, kayaks and fishing gear.

“We’re going to celebrate that freedom with a dedicated freedom week on salestax cuts on everything ranging from sunscreen to sporting goods to camping to state park admission to concert and sports venues,” House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, said. “Our message to our Floridians is very clear, and that is we want you to celebrate that freedom. We know that this year more than most families have been cooped up, sometimes their businesses were hurt.”

A 10-day holiday in August for backto-school shoppers is expected to provide a $69.4 million tax break. During the period, shoppers can avoid paying sales taxes on clothes costing $60 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less and the first $1,000 of the price of personal computers.

Florida governor signs bill for Seminole sports betting deal Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Seminole Tribe would be able to operate sports betting and add roulette and craps to its casinos and Florida would potentially receive $20 billion over the next 30 years, under legislation signed by the governor May 25.

Gov. Ron DeSantis had worked out the gambling compact with the tribe last month, and the Florida House and Senate approved the deal last week. It still needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees tribal gambling operations, and even lawmakers supporting the deal expect legal challenges.

Democrats opposing the bill have argued that the compact violates Amendment 3 passed by voters in 2018.

The amendment to the state constitution prevents the expansion of gambling outside of tribal lands without voter approval. Opponents questioned whether the compact will survive a legal challenge.

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that barred states from authorizing sports betting.

Since then, about a dozen states have legalized the activity, with more states poised to enact similar laws.

Under the agreement, the

Seminoles could begin sports betting Oct. 15 and sports wagering at horse tracks, jai alai frontons and former dog tracks for a share of the income. Online sports betting operated by the tribe also would be allowed.

Critics of the compact assert that it violates the state constitution, partly because bets on sports can be made off tribal land. Supporters argued that because the servers that process bets would be located on property owned by the Seminole Tribe, it would be legal.

Florida’s original compact with the Seminoles gave the tribe exclusive rights to slot machines and blackjack. In exchange, the tribe paid the state several billion dollars.

Payments stopped in 2019.

DeSantis also signed a bill Tuesday that will create a gaming commission to regulate pari-mutuels and investigate illegal gambling in the state.

Another bill signed by the governor allows jai alai frontons, dog tracks and a harness racing track in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to keep operating slots and card rooms without holding live events. Other pari-mutuels in the state will be able to continue operating card rooms without live events, with the exception of thoroughbred horse tracks, which would have to hold live racing.

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MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion projects on TaxWatch’s turkeys list

By Jim Turner News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – In a sign of how Florida’s economic outlook has changed over the past year, Florida TaxWatch isn’t emphatically calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto all of the “turkeys” it has identified in a record spending plan passed by lawmakers.

With the surprisingly flush $101.5 billion budget proposal expected to formally go to DeSantis soon, TaxWatch President Dominic Calabro said May 24 the 116 turkeys on his group’s annual list are “strong suggestions” for vetoes. The turkeys, a Tallahassee term for questionable spending items, total $157.5 million.

Two Marion County projects made this year’s list including $7.8 million to renovate the College of Central Florida’s gym to a nursing school facility.

The gym renovation plans come after the Legislature failed to fund a $43 million project to build a health science building at the college. The new construction was approved in 2017, but only $6 million was apportioned in the last four budget cycles. The planned four-story building would have encompassed nursing, emergency medical services, physical therapy and surgical support programs.

The 13,000-square-foot gym is no longer used for athletics after the college ended its basketball and volleyball programs in 2020.

TaxWatch flagged the CF project, because it was not on the list of highest priority construction projects for state colleges.

The list also included $1 million set aside for the Southwest 44th Avenue expansion. The road would connect State Road 200 to US Highway 27 with the northern extension of the Southwest 42nd Street flyover. The plan has been stagnant since for more than a decade after it was derailed by the 2008 great recession. TaxWatch pointed out that the project was not on the annual FDOT Work Program list.

The $1 million was in last year’s budget, but DeSantis vetoed the item.

The $8.8 million identified by TaxWatch was among more than $11 million included in the budget for Marion County projects.

The full report is available at floridataxwatch. org Last year, as the state’s economy was hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic, TaxWatch argued for the governor to cut everything on its list of 180 projects that made the budget.

Generally, turkeys are projects put into the budget without proper public oversight or that exceed publicly proposed amounts.

“Last year, we said absolutely (veto), because of the pandemic,” Calabro said. “He’s got a little bit of leeway here.”

The budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which lawmakers approved April 30, includes just under

700 line items pitched by individual lawmakers.

Those items would provide nearly $550 million for local projects and organizations.

Senators proposed 1,135 different projects that would have required $1.46 billion to fully fund.

House members submitted 1,060 funding requests that totaled $1.17 billion.

Projects that made it into the final budget range from $15,000 for a Bascom Museum and Cultural Center renovation project in Jackson County to $25 million for the Pasco-Hernando State College Center for Student Success and Community Engagement.

Last year, lawmakers approved more than 750

line items exceeding $400 million. But DeSantis, who has line-item veto power, eliminated $264 million of the “member” projects. Overall, he slashed $1 billion from the budget, mostly to address anticipated revenue shortfalls caused by the pandemic.

Requests were down for this year’s legislative session as Republicans leaders initially warned of likely budget cuts because of the pandemic. But the proposed budget for the upcoming year wound up being a record $101.5 billion because of a huge infusion of federal money and rebounding state tax revenues.

Calabro credited state

lawmakers for doing a “good” job with the billions in federal relief that have helped bolster the state’s finances during the past year.

“I think Florida’s been a better steward of those tax dollars, the federal funds … than other states,” Calabro said.

In putting together its annual turkey list, the non-profit TaxWatch says it doesn’t judge the merits of projects.

Instead, it looks at whether projects circumvented a public review process or were inserted into the budget during conference committee negotiations.

The Ocala Gazette contributed to this report.

Dominic Calabro, Florida TaxWatch president, talks about the 2021 TaxWatch turkeys list. [NSF]

Florida takes aim at social media

By Jim Saunders & Tom Urban News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Taking aim at Silicon Valley, Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 24 signed a measure to crack down on large social media companies that block users from their platforms.

DeSantis, who made the issue one of his top priorities during this year’s legislative session, described Florida as a “trailblazer” and said the bill would protect free speech.

“What we have seen in recent years is a shift away from internet platforms and social media platforms from really being liberating forces to now being enforcers of orthodoxy,” DeSantis said. “So, their primary mission or one of their major missions seems to be suppressing ideas that are either inconvenient to the narrative or which they personally disagree with.”

But critics contend it is unconstitutional for Florida to try to regulate how businesses determine what can be posted on social media platforms. They also pointed to DeSantis making the issue a priority after his ally, former President Donald Trump, was blocked from Facebook and Twitter after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

“The Republican lessgovernment crew is at it

again inserting government into privately-owned social media companies to placate one individual,” state Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said in a statement Monday.

“These enterprises take responsibility for what appears on their platforms and have the right to do so. Vulgarity and inciting violence are not their business model and our legislature should appreciate rather than legislate against such a concept.”

DeSantis signed the bill (SB 7072) at Florida International University in Miami during a news

conference that tried to draw parallels between big technology companies and dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela.

The bill, in part, will bar social-media companies from removing political candidates from the companies’ platforms.

Companies that violate the prohibition could face fines of $250,000 a day for statewide candidates and $25,000 a day for other candidates.

Also, a key part of the bill will require socialmedia companies to publish standards about issues such as blocking users and apply

the standards consistently.

In addition, customers could file lawsuits if social-media companies violate parts of the bill, which will take effect July 1.

As an indication of how the bill targets large technology companies, it will apply to platforms that have annual gross revenues of more than $100 million or have at least 100 million monthly individual “participants” globally.

DeSantis and other speakers at Monday’s news conference railed against Silicon Valley.

“I, along with the legislators and this great

governor, do not think that a handful of kids behind some desks in Silicon Valley get to be the arbiter of what free speech is,” House bill sponsor Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill said.

DeSantis said Florida will be the first state to “hold Big Tech accountable.” His political committee, Friends of Ron DeSantis, quickly sent out a fundraising email touting his approval of the measure.

“It’s time to step up and ensure that we the people, especially our everyday Floridians, are guaranteed protection against the Silicon Valley power grab,” DeSantis said during the news conference.

But along with facing opposition from Democratic lawmakers, the bill drew criticism from groups such as the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“The (bill) compels businesses to host speech that contradicts the terms and agreements to which users agree – which legal and First Amendment experts have claimed is unconstitutional,” Julio Fuentes, president of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said in a prepared statement. “In the same way that a grocery store can turn customers away for not wearing shoes or shirts in their store, social media companies have the right to turn users away for violating their rules.”

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MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

School board votes to close Evergreen Elementary

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com The Marion County School Board voted 3-2 on May 25 to close Evergreen Elementary School ending a years-long effort to keep the school open.

Wednesday will be the last school day.

Despite the vote, all five board members conceded the decision to close the school at 4000 W Anthony Rd. was the fiscally sound one.

“I do understand the fiscal reasons, but I cannot conscientiously vote for the closing of that school,” said Board Member Eric Cummings.

Board Chairwoman Nancy Thrower joined Cummings in voting against the closure, but she classified it as a protest vote, saying the closing was the prudent thing to do.

“I have to say there have been years of questionable decision making when it came to staffing and who the principals were going to be and turnover year after year.

That type of management doesn’t create success,” Thrower said.

But she also directed

her frustration to the state’s Department of Education, which sealed the school’s fate when it did not take into consideration improving school grades just before the pandemic broke out in 2020. The DOE canceled the spring assessment tests after schools closed due to COVID-19 and did not issue school grades. Practice tests signaled the school was poised to score a B, but the DOE would not accept unofficial results.

With no leniency from the state, the school was stuck. While the state gave assessment tests this school year, results are not expected until July or August, just as the 2021-2022 school year begins.

Presumably, if Evergreen did not score a C on this year’s assessment, it would have been ordered closed just as classes begin, leaving students scrambling to find a new school.

“They were on their way to earning it and got told no. It is as simple as that,” Thrower said.

The fate of Evergreen has been an issue since 2018 when then School Superintendent Heidi Meyers recommended

Members of the Marion County School Board during a recent meeting. The board voted 3-2 to close Evergreen Elementary. Wednesday was the last day of classes at the school. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

closure of the elementary school and suggested the campus transition to a magnet middle school. The school had a string of D or F grades based on assessment tests administered by the DOE. The board, however, decided to hire an outside operator to try and improve the school’s performance.

Things did not improve quickly enough, and in 2019, the board switched outside operators from Educational Directions to a company

headed by retired Marion County principal Jayne Ellspermann.

The board paid Ellspermann’s company $270,000 to oversee for the 2019-2020 school year.

Educational Directions charged $400,000 in 201819.

“I am disappointed in the Department of Education and the fact that when they could have used our data a year ago to help keep Evergreen they chose not to use the data,” said Board

Member Beth McCall. “This is not an easy decision for this board.”

Voting to close the school now would allow the roughly 200 students at Evergreen to have time to transition to a new school. The struggles had already taken a toll.

The school’s registration is well below its 700-student capacity, and many teachers already transferred from the school.

The board will decide how to use the school building in the future.

Questions surround school board members’ legal residences

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com Two Marion County School Board members face questions about their eligibility to continue serving on the board based on where they legally reside.

The issues came up after School Board member Beth McCall recently announced she moved out of her District 2 home and into a home in District 1. Meanwhile, District 3 representative Eric Cummings maintains a rental home in Dunnellon but has a home near Ocala, also in District 1.

School board members must reside in the district residence area they are elected to and “shall maintain said residency throughout her or his term of office,” according to

Florida Statute 1001.34.

When elected, both candidates signed residency affidavits that affirmed the address on their voter registration was their legal residence and swore they would maintain continuous residency in the district they represent throughout their term in office.

McCall’s last affidavit was signed on May 26, 2020, after she filed to run for a second term on the school board. She ran unopposed.

McCall, posted to social media on April 30 that she and her husband had moved to a new home that was not in District 2, but instead in District 1. Allison Campbell represents District 1.

McCall said their decision to move was not based on being a school board member but “because of my husband’s health. We

needed to downsize and move into town where we had family support.”

District 2 covers the Belleview and Lake Weir area of the county.

Cummings, who was first elected to the school board in 2018, used the address on his rental home in Dunnellon to qualify for District 3, which covers the northwest part of the county.

Cummings said he started renting the home in Dunnellon sometime in 2017 as a “place of solitude where he could recharge to do his work as pastor.”

It also allowed him to stay close to the Dunnellon community where he had served as pastor of Union Mission Baptist Church. He served at the church from 2006 through 2016.

Cummings’ family also owns a larger home in

Eric Cummings speaks during a meeting of the Marion County Public School Board in Ocala on March 23. Beth McCall is seen to his immediate left. The two board members face questions about their eligibility to continue serving on the board based on where they legally reside. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Ocala that they built in 2005. He would not provide the address to the Ocala home, citing an exemption from publicly disclosing his address due to his previous work as a corrections officer.

He said his wife does claim the homestead exemption on the home.

In 2016, Cummings became pastor at New Zion Missionary Baptist in Ocala but said he and his family primarily reside at the Dunnellon rental house “5 to 6 days a week.” Cummings has a child enrolled at Vanguard High School.

In a 1974 case, Askew, Governor of the State of Florida v. Barbara B. Thomas, a similar issue was raised before the Florida Supreme Court. The court considered whether a school board member could retain her office after moving from residence area from which she was elected.

In that decision, the Supreme Court held that “actual residence in area to be represented by school board member is required; thus, member could not continue to hold that office after moving.”

The school board member, Thomas, fought the governor’s removal on the basis that the residence requirement was “unreasonable.”

The Supreme Court disagreed. “There is understandable logic and reason for the residency requirement in this position; firsthand knowledge of conditions within a particular school board area are important to the service of the elected member. Perhaps it was felt in drafting the statute that the elected official would not be as responsive or as

informed or as sensitive to the needs of that area if she did not live there with the people and their problems with which she was elected to deal. Certainly, this is not an unreasonable prerogative of the electorate, nor an unreasonable requirement of the office.”

In that case, the Florida Supreme Court sided with the governor and declared the school board office “vacant.”

McCall said she does not plan to run for a third term but does intend to finish her current term, “unless the governor says I have to vacate the seat because of moving.”

McCall’s term runs through 2024.

Cummings likens his living situation to others “who have two houses, one in town and a lake house.” agreeing that he chose to primarily live in the one meant typically for leisure.

Marion County Supervisor of Elections, Wesley Wilcox, says he has “no authority” to investigate the residence of candidates and did not know if the school board had any authority to investigate.

Wilcox explained that concerns such as a candidate’s residence are usually addressed with the election commission, after filing a complaint.

Wilcox also pointed to the governor’s statutory power to suspend elected officials based on certain circumstances, but that it was his understanding that ultimately the senate would have to be involved in deciding for removal of an elected official.

Calls to the governor’s office and the school board were not immediately returned on Wednesday.

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MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Supermarket, page A1 New York to Florida, had a store in Ocala as recently as 2019. That store, located at 1929 SW SR 200, became Key Foods.

In addition to the grocery store, the Paradise Park center also will include a locally owned pharmacy and physician-directed basic health services, Washington said.

He noted that access to such services remains a challenge for many of the area’s residents, especially seniors.

Washington’s commitment to addressing the area’s food access issues began more than a decade ago when he served as youth minister at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.

“The kids were more interested in the pizza I brought in than my lessons, which wouldn’t ordinarily be a surprise,” he said.

“What did surprise me was how voraciously they were eating.”

After learning that the only nutritious meal many of the children had each

day was lunch provided at school, he said, “Jesus gave me a ministry—to put a grocery store in West Ocala.”

While earlier plans to locate a supermarket in the area, some dating back to 2013, have fallen short, Washington said this is the first time a lease agreement with a major grocery store chain has been finalized.

That cleared the way for moving forward rapidly.

Working in partnership with Steve Allen, owner of Allen Construction, Washington anticipates completing the necessary agreements with lenders and Ocala soon. Groundbreaking could happen as early as late summer, with an opening date anticipated for mid-2022.

A city-commissioned feasibility study, which considered factors such as accessibility, consumer spending and other demographics, suggested that the chosen spot is the prime location for such an undertaking.

Washington also suggested that Bravo’s

business model is ideally “situated for a food desert” because it seeks to draw customers from a broad socio-economic and cultural spectrum.

“Wherever you’re from in the world, if they don’t have the kind of food you want to buy, they’ll get it on the shelves,” he said.

While having access to fresh and nutritious food is a significant part of better health, Washington said he’s working with the local health department, University of Florida extension services and other health-related organizations on how to create a more comprehensive approach to

solving the problems.

He hopes the additional 72,000 square feet planned for the shopping center will attract a range of retail businesses and services.

Counting the supermarket staff, the

Citrus County Chronicle parent sold to Paxton The Associated Press PADUCAH, Ky. — Paxton Media Group is buying Landmark Community Newspapers, including several papers serving Marion and surrounding counties.

Landmark, based in Shelbyville, Kentucky owns 47 newspapers across the country.

The sale, announced Wednesday, will give Paducah-based Paxton about 120 publications in 14 states, including 20 in Kentucky. Paxton also owns WPSD-TV in Paducah.

The purchase includes Landmark publications in Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

In Florida, Landmark’s publications include the Citrus County Chronicle.

In Marion County, the company list the Riverland News, South Marion Citizen and West Marion Messenger among its titles. It also has the Sumter County Times and the Williston Pioneer Sun News.

“We are very excited to add these

Call for entries: mobile photography contest & exhibition

newspapers into the PMG portfolio,” Jamie Paxton, PMG president and CEO, told news outlets. “PMG believes strongly in the value of local newspapers and the vital role they play in the communities that they serve. We appreciate Landmark choosing us to be the new stewards of these important community assets.”

The purchase is part of PMG’s continued effort to acquire community newspapers near the company’s own papers, said Mike Weafer, publisher of the Owensboro MessengerInquirer and group publisher for the Kentucky-Indiana region.

“Landmark has a clustering of newspapers that are very geographically connected to Paxton papers,” he said. “So, there is a lot of synergy that can be had with that.”

Landmark’s Kentucky publications include Elizabethtown, Shelbyville, Shepherdsville, Lebanon and Bardstown.

Paxton Media Group will take over operations in early June, with a transition period regarding systems and procedures, Paxton said.

CF offers scholarships to first-time-incollege students College of Central Florida is helping high school seniors jump-start their college education this summer with free classes.

CF has received funds to support summer enrollment for 2020 and 2021 high school graduates impacted by COVID-19.

The $500 Fast Track Enroll Now Scholarship Program is offered on a firstcome, first-served basis.

The Fast Track Enroll Now Scholarships are limited to first-time-in-college students who enroll full time or part time in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree programs.

The scholarship application must be filled out on the CF student portal by July 15 after the student applies to CF. For more information visit CF.edu/Apply.

Discover Ocala with your local Real Estate Experts

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, will present the seventh annual “Mobile Photography Contest & Exhibition,” with a call for entries from June 1-30.

Categories include: My Hero, Black & White, Adventure, and Horse & Hound. Photos will be juried by photographer Tino Grana. Prizes will be awarded in each category and all entries will be on view in an exhibition at the Appleton from July 13-Aug 8. Open to all ages; no experience necessary.

Photos will be accepted throughout the month of June; each participant may submit up to two entries in each category.

Categories and Instructions: Adventure – Outdoors or indoors, share your best photos that represent the spirit of adventure.

Black and White – Share your best black-and-white photos — all subjects allowed in this category.

Horse & Hound – Share your best photos that feature horses and/or dogs, two community favorites.

My Hero – Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Show who makes your life better, in big ways or small.

Email photos to AppletonMuseum@cf.edu; include the category in the subject line and your full name in the body of the email. Photos must be sent via email.

Entries submitted by mail or through Facebook or other social media will not be accepted. Send separate emails for each category; no more than two photos per category will be accepted. Winning photos will be selected based on creativity, quality, responsiveness to the category and overall impact. Winners will be notified before announcements are made on social media. All entries will be printed and displayed in the museum. For ease of printing, photos will be cropped by the Appleton to square or 4 by 5 inches. There are no guarantees for special printing of panoramas.

Exhibition Dates: July 13-Aug. 8. Museum admission fees apply. Visitors can enjoy free admission on Aug. 7, as part of Free First Saturdays.

For more information visit AppletonMuseum.org.

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ER Care Without the Scare Marion County’s Only Dedicated Children’s Emergency Department

When your child is sick or injured, it’s reassuring to know that our board-certified pediatric emergency physicians and ER nurses are nearby to provide expert treatment, on the spot. Even better is knowing that your ER is specially designed to be scare-free with pediatric waiting rooms and themed exam and treatment areas that ease the stress of a hospital visit. We’re here when you need us with trusted care for your whole family.

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MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Going Pro Destiny Lawson recently played in her first LPGA event

By Amanda Valderrama Special to the Ocala Gazette

O

cala native Destiny Lawson recently competed in her first Ladies Professional Golf League (LPGA) tournament.

On May 20-23, Lawson participated in the 2021 Pure Silk Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The tournament was held on the 72-hole par-71 River Course at Kingsmill Resort with a prize fund of $1.3 million.

Destiny’s made it into the tournament after she was invited by the sponsor to compete in a Monday qualifier the week of the tournament.

The 24-year-old professional golfer was grateful for the opportunity but had to pay her way.

To help cover her travel expenses, Lawson received donations from family, friends, and local sponsors such as Mackenzie’s Moment and members of the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club.

“It takes a team to go on this journey, and I am thankful for the support system that I have,” she said.

An ambassador for Mackenzie’s Moment, a non-profit organization that holds an annual charity golf tournament, Lawson takes a lot of pride in being involved in the community.

She started her golf journey after attending a few golf camps as a kid and going on golf outings with

her uncle during summer visits to Michigan. He paid for her first golf lesson and set of clubs.

During her sophomore year in college, Destiny took a break from playing basketball to further pursue a career in golf.

Having just turned pro in April, Lawson faced the challenge of not having a professional record. She relied on her collegiate performances and amateur golf credentials to show that she was ready to compete in a professional tournament.

Lawson has gained much confidence in her career pursuits now that she’s accomplished one of her lifelong goals of competing in the LPGA. “Being a professional golfer, I know I can step up on golf ’s biggest stage and compete with the world’s best players. Knowing that I do belong gives me the self-reassurance that I am meant for this,” she said.

Destiny is not resting on her laurels and hopes to continue to improve her game and participate in more tournaments. She knows it’s a lot of work. She spends most of her days working on areas of her game that will allow her to continue becoming a better player.

For Destiny, being able to compete at the highest stages proves that she can compete with the best golfers in the world.

“The best part for me is being able to see all my hard work pay off. I have the utmost belief in myself to be the best player,” she said.

Destiny Lawson is shown during the 2021 Pure Silk Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was Lawson’s first time competing in an LPGA event. [Jose Maria Saiz/submitted]

Gator Bites Gators 2-0 in SEC baseball tournament

Gators host Alabama on national TV

HOOVER, Ala. — Freshman Sterlin Thompson had a tworun double and a solo home run, and No. 6 seed Florida opened the second round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday with a 13-1 victory over third-seeded Mississippi State in seven innings.

Florida (38-19) was scheduled to play in the winner’s bracket on May 27, while Mississippi State (40-15) needs a win to stay in the double-elimination tournament. Results of the May 27 game were not available at press time, but are available at OcalaGazette.com.

On Wednesday, Kris Armstrong added a two-run double and a tworun single, and Jacob Young had three RBIs for Florida. Thompson, Young and Armstrong combined for five RBIs in the third inning for a 9-1 lead. Thompson’s double down the right-field line highlighted a four-run seventh.

Florida collected 18 hits, reaching the mark in a SEC Tournament game for the second time in program history.

Florida starter Hunter Barco (10-2) only allowed four hits and one run in seven innings. Barco got Lane Forsythe to fly out in the seventh to end the game on the 10-run rule.

Brandon Smith (4-3) gave up eight hits and six runs in a two-inning start for Mississippi State.

The Gators beat Kentucky 4-1 in the opening game of the tournament on Tuesday.

The championship game is scheduled for May 30.

Defending national champion Alabama’s game at Florida is scheduled to kickoff the Southeastern Conference’s game of the week slate on CBS on Sept. 15.

The network announced on Wednesday several kickoff times and dates for the upcoming college football season.

Air Force at Navy will be its first game of the season on Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The “SEC on CBS” begins the following week with the Crimson Tide traveling to The Swamp to face the Gators at 3:30 p.m.

Georgia-Florida on Oct. 30 is also scheduled for the 3:30 p.m. game of the week slot.

The remaining Saturday SEC games on CBS will be determined during the season.

CBS will have a doubleheader of SEC games at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 9. Alabama is scheduled to play at Texas A&M on that day. The Aggies finished last season ranked No. 4 in the nation.

The SEC championship game is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. and Army-Navy will be played Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.

UF men’s tennis team claims national title ORLANDO, Fla. — The top-seeded Florida Gators rallied to beat the Baylor Bears 4-1 on May 22 to claim a team national title.

No. 2 seed Baylor took a 1-0 lead when Constantin Frantzen/Sven Lah beat Florida’s Duarte Vale/ Johannes Ingildsen 6-2 and the Bears’ Finn Bass/ Charles Broom beat Brian Berdusco/Will Grant 6-1 to win the doubles point.

But the Gators won four consecutive singles matches to seal the program’s first national championship.

Ben Shelton, the son of Florida coach Bryan Shelton, clinched the title with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Broom at No. 5 singles.

Associated Press reports

B2

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things

Cast members from Million Dollar Quartet, from left: James Ray Taylor III as Johnny Cash, Jonny Williams as Elvis Presley, Scott Nadenik as Carl Perkins, Julia Pagh as Dyanne and Philip King as Jerry Lee Lewis, rehearse a scene from the play at the Ocala Civic Theatre. Million Dollar Quartet will be performed live on stage from May 27 to June 27. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Ocala Civic Theatre rocks season finale

By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette One magical night in December 1956 would go down in rock ‘n’ roll history for an impromptu jam session at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll dropped in on a recording session by the Father of Rockabilly, who was accompanied on piano by rock’s new “wild man.”

When the Man in Black stopped by, he completed what a Memphis reporter would dub the “Million Dollar Quartet.”

It was the only time Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash recorded music together.

The occasion was captured

in an iconic black-and-white photograph that five decades later inspired the smash Broadway musical “Million Dollar Quartet.” The play is now on stage at Ocala Civic Theatre (OCT).

“This play is a party!” exclaimed Katrina Ploof, OCT artistic director, who directs the production. “The music is so, so good, and the story is wonderful. If I had to guess, most of us probably need a good party right now, and this is the big party to come to – this is the final show of our 70th season, and we didn’t get to celebrate at all. So we’re throwing our party with this play. I hope people will be dancing in the aisles by the end of it.”

Don’t say she didn’t warn you.

From the opening “One for the money…” until the guitars strike the final chord of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” – and through the impressive 20 tunes in between – your toes will be tapping. You’ll find yourself clapping along to the beat and spontaneously hootin’ and hollerin’. And, if you’re moved to jump up and twist and bop in the aisles, remember, the director said it’s OK! Don’t – I repeat – don’t go to this play unless you want to have a good time.

It doesn’t matter whether you remember when rock was young. This extraordinarily talented cast of actor-musicians captures the essence of four icons with four distinctive sounds who made an indelible mark

on modern music. Sitting in the audience feels like a backstage pass to the year’s best rock concert. Getting a glimpse into their backstories and learning how each was discovered by their producer weaves a fascinating storyline through hit after musical hit.

Jonny Williams, as Elvis Presley, gives just enough of the hip swivel that made even the most proper ‘50s girls swoon. Scott Nadenik, in his blue suede shoes, picks the rockabilly guitar licks like Carl Perkins. James Ray Taylor III, in his black ensemble complete with silver collar tips, hits the low notes like Johnny Cash.

And Philip King’s flashy boogie-woogie piano riffs as Jerry Lee Lewis are truly spectacular. OCT newcomer

Julia Pagh, as Presley’s girlfriend Dyanne, adds a sultry spark to the show, belting out “Fever” and harmonizing with the guys on several numbers.

“Ain’t they something?” asks record producer Sam Phillips, lovably and authentically played by Alex Dagg. “That night was the first and last night me and my boys were all together. And it really was such a night.”

“Million Dollar Quartet” runs May 27 – June 27 with socially distanced performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and a 2 p.m. show on Saturday and Sunday at the theater, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Tickets are available at ocalacivictheatre.com or by calling (352) 236-2274.

Veteran’s Park unveils Wall of Faces Memorial features faces and bios of local Vietnam vets killed in action

By Beth Whitehead Special to the Ocala Gazette A new monument at the Ocala-Marion County Veteran’s Memorial Park honors the 47 Marion County veterans killed in action during the Vietnam War. The Wall of Faces was unveiled on May 27 at the park located at 2601 E Fort King St. The new monument measures approximately 7 feet by 5 feet and presents the faces, names, and bios of the fallen 47 people embossed into the tile structure, according to Ron Opplinger, chairman of the Friends of Marion County

Veteran’s Park (FMCVP) and a Vietnam veteran.

After the Vietnam and the 9/11 Traveling Memorial Walls visited the park in 2018 and 2019, several of those moved by the installations formed the FMCVP foundation with the vision of designing a permanent monument honoring Marion County’s fallen Vietnam War veterans.

The late Steve Johnson, a former student of Ocala High School and friend of fallen servicemen, inspired the wall. In 2017, Johnson started researching the classmates that shipped out to fight in the war and discovered that 47 Marion

County soldiers were killed in action during the conflict.

“It took him probably a year or two to figure out where everybody was...”

Opplinger said. “He got their birthdates, their KIA dates, where they were killed in Vietnam, all the medals that they got and put that together in a bio.”

The park displayed the paper bios until the wall was ready. Located on the east side of the park’s office, the Wall of Faces was made possible through community donations. Materials for the wall were donated by area businesses, Opplinger said.

“It’s a good community… they give from their heart,” he said.

Marion County Veteran’s Park is a non-profit park, which means that the funds, labor, and materials for the various memorials have all been donated. The six-acre park, complete with more than 5,000 commemorative bricks, 200 benches, and 100 plaques, was founded in 1997 by a group of local veterans headed up by late Thomas Needham, said Jeffrey Askew, director of Marion County Veterans Services.

Opplinger said the park honors conflicts from all eras.

“What we’re doing in the future is adding all these new conflicts to represent all the young veterans’

brothers and sisters that have been in conflicts or been in the service in that time,” he said.

Opplinger estimates there are nearly a dozen projects the FMCVP hopes to complete within the next five to seven years, including a largescale monument near the corner of Southeast 25th Avenue and Silver Springs Boulevard. Three granite spears will thrust 20 feet into the air and will be lit by red, white, and blue lights after dark. An American flag will punctuate the spears.

Monuments for other actions, including Afghanistan and Desert Storm, as well as the Korean War, are also planned.

B3

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner

Blown Away

James Whitehurst works at his home to create a spin out bowl using a 2,300 degree Glory Hole (bottom right) and wet newspaper (left). Whitehurst has been a glassblower for 32 years. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Glassblower skills honed through decades of trial by fire

By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette Standing in front of a 2,300-degree furnace is James Whitehurst’s happy place.

The glassblower recently set up a studio in the garage at his Dunnellon home, where he creates beautifully colored, handblown glass works of art.

A lucky break right after high school gave Whitehurst the chance to begin learning his craft 32 years ago. The Tampa native’s father had a friend who was a glassblower. The glassblower needed a helper for his demonstrations to tourists at Medieval Times in Kissimmee.

“That’s where I first started blowing glass; all we did were demos,” Whitehurst remembered. “So there was a little bit of learning and then a little bit of making vases and making glasses to entertain the people.”

Whitehurst continued to apprentice in Ybor City, helping his mentor fill wholesale orders for blown glass ornaments.

“It was just production work for years,” Whitehurst said. “In glassblowing, you need a lot of time of handling the glass to get comfortable and be proficient at it. So it was repetitive work, but it gave me good glass handling skills.”

The most exciting part, he recalled, was selling his first piece just several months after starting.

“He would give me time to do my own work so I could explore and do vases and that sort of thing. When I sold my first piece, I said, ‘This is what I want to do.’”

Before moving to Dunnellon in 2012, Whitehurst spent a decade working in St. Petersburg with well-known Florida glass artists, including Duncan McClellan and Chuck Boux. He also

learned a lot working with Romanian master glassblower Vasile Loznianu.

“He would always say, ‘More practice, more better,’” Whitehurst remembered with a smile. “I was getting paid to work with him, but I was just blown away the whole day watching him.”

Now, with his workshop just steps from his home, Whitehurst is enjoying exploring artistic design and developing his signature

style. In addition to creating delicate bowls, goblets and vases, and the colorful blown glass fish that are popular at the Rainbow Springs Art Gallery, he is experimenting with the Swedish graal technique, which allows him to create a complex artistic design and sandblast it onto a blank glass vessel.

He’s also developed a niche working with collectible uranium glass, popular in the late 19th and early

20th centuries. The glass is slightly radioactive and glows under black light.

“I’m looking forward to the next 15 or 20 years of just doing my own work,” Whitehurst said. “I have visions of what I want to do; I have the picture in my mind. I feel very blessed that it all fell into place that I could learn this craft. It’s very satisfying to make glass, really any kind of craft, for your living.”

Some of the glass artwork pieces that James Whitehurst has created, including a graal vase, center. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette]

Current Adoption Specials: FREE adoptions for dogs who’ve been at the shelter for six months or more.

View more adoptable pets at www.marioncountyfl.org/animal Adoption price includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.

Bentley

Zeus

Big Personality Handsome, 3-year-old mixed breed male dog seeks a fun-loving home with no cats.

This charmer is full of personality and is always ready to play.

Young at Heart Sweet and spunky 8-year-old mixed breed male dog seeks a loving home. This cuddle bug can’t wait to snuggle up and shower you with kisses.

352.671.8700

B4

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Then....and Now

As part of the Depression-era work programs instituted by President Franklin Roosevelt, Ocala set about in 1934 to construct stone pillars made from native rock to mark the entrances of Ocala and promote Silver Springs, the popular tourist destination.

Before U.S. Highway 441, Magnolia Avenue was the only north-south road to cross through Ocala. Each entryway to the city received one of the gates, which included sidewalls like those seen in the 1930s photo shown. [State Archives of Florida] Over the decades, one gate after the other was torn down. Of the six originally built, only one remains.

The only remaining gate is shown in this photo located on what was the southern limit of the city. The road is now known as Southwest First Avenue.

The sidewalls of the original are no longer there. The gates were designed by local architect Frank Parziale, according to research by the late Marion County Historian David Cook.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

WORD FIND

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Sydney Harbour

© 2021 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

Solution: 20 Letters

Airport Applause Beauty Black tie Blue Boat Bridge Busy Calm Comedy Crowded

Culture Design Dinghy Drinks Duet Elation Encore Famous Finale Fish Formal

Handel Hotels Interval Kirribilli Mezzo Music Saga Sails Seats Sharks

Solo Song Spheres Steps Surf Swim Tenor Tour Windy Zoos

B5

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

Now -7/3

Magnificent Magnets

5/29

Aquatic Fun Centers Opening

5/28

Friday Talks

5/29

Native Plants for Landscaping

5/28

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

5/29

Highland Memorial Day

5/30

Classics and Cocktails

5/31

Memorial Day Remembrance

5/31

Celebration of Veterans

6/1

Tuesday Talks

6/1

As the Page Turns Book Club

6/2

1 Million Cups Ocala

6/2 -8/6

Summer Kids Film Series

6/2

Wednesday Midday Market

6/2

Crafternoons

6/3

Farmers Market

6/3

Activate & Motivate in the Great Outdoors

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. 10am-4pm The new exhibit offers opportunities to discover the awesome science of magnetism and how it is used in everyday life as well as cutting-edge experiments. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org for more information.

Virtual 8:30am Bonnie Hays of the College of Central Florida will present “Recruiting, Retaining and Hiring: Tools that Connect Graduates and Employers.” Email andrea@ocalacep.com to register.

Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane 9am-12pm Fresh vegetables, artisan food products and handmade crafts.

5/28

Marion County Friday Market

5/28 -31

Eyes of Freedom Memorial

5/28 -31

McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils and seafood.

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 11am-8pm This interactive traveling tribute includes life-size portraits of 23 fallen Marines and Navy Corpsmen as well as a bronze sculpture, educational kiosks and a multimedia display. Free parking and admission. Visit limacompanymemorial.org for more information.

Stuff the Bus

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 11am-8pm The Marion County Veterans Council will be collecting school supplies and donations to help needy students. They will also have a silent auction for a one-of-a-kind photo collection of all 13 Triple Crown winners with a Secretariat photo signed by jockey Ron Turcotte. Free parking and admission. Visit wec.net for more information.

5/29 -30

Dressage Under the Oaks

5/29

West Ocala Wellness Community Garden Day

5/29 5/29 5/29 -30

Grand Oaks Resort, 3000 Marion County Road, Weirsdale 8am Spectators are welcome to watch this equine competition organized by Orlando Dressage, which showcases horses and riders performing a series of prescribed movements. Visit thegrandoaks.com for more information.

West Ocala Community Garden, 2200 W State Road 40 8:30-10:30am Community members are encouraged to replant their crops for the summer and garden plots are available for newcomers. For more information, or to reserve a garden plot, visit ocalafl.org/ garden.

Ocala Downtown Market

310 SE Third St. 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, arts and crafts, rain or shine. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

Brownwood Farmers Market

2726 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood 9am-1pm More than 70 vendors offer fresh produce and crafts. Visit thevillagesentertainment.com for more information.

Spring Festival

Coon Hollo, 22480 N US Hwy, Micanopy 9am-7pm Families can enjoy wagon rides, farm animal feeding, old fashioned games, locally grown products and U-pick miniature sunflowers. Visit coonhollo.com for more information.

Jervey Gantt, 2390 SE 36th Ave. & Hampton, 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 10am-1pm & 2-5pm Monday-Saturday, 1-5pm Sunday The City of Ocala’s aquatic fun centers, featuring sprays, waterfalls and water slides, will be open through the summer.

Visit ocalafl.org/recpark for more information.

Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St. 10am-12pm Learn which native plants are best for your landscape at this free Classroom in the Garden program presented in partnership with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Visit ocalafl.org/recpark for more information.

Highland Memorial Park, 1515 NE Third St. 10am-2pm This flag-filled event to honor our soldiers will include a free car show, open to all makes, models and years, with food available from Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue. Visit fb.com/ highlandmp for more information.

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave. 4:30pm This month’s classic film is “An American in Paris” and the specialty cocktail is “My Talented Girlfriend.” Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

Ocala Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 SE Fort King St. 10am The program to remember our fallen will include guest speaker retired Army Col. Craig Ham and music by Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band. Call (352) 671-8425 for more information.

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 3pm A presentation and wreath ceremony to honor fallen veterans will be followed by patriotic songs. Visit wec.net for more information.

Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership, 310 SE Third St. 8:15am Reese Bourgeois of Flow Consulting will present “Strategic Planning to Grow your Company in a Healthy Way.” Email andrea@ocalacep.com to register.

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St. 2:30pm Join a discussion of Lisa Genova’s “Still Alice.” Call (352) 4382580 to register.

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave. 10 & 11am The Marion will show kids’ movies on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings throughout the summer, beginning with “The Little Mermaid” and “WALL-E.” Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 1-6pm Shop a selection of produce, meat, natural and handmade products and food trucks. ocaladowntownmarket.com

Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd 4:30pm Adults are invited to create felt constellation animals. Call (352) 671-8551 to register.

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm Locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, plants and more. Visit circlesquarecommons.com/farmersmarket for more information.

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave. 10am This Lil’ Leaf event, recommended for children ages 4-10, will include fitness instructors who can help kids learn outdoor activities that feel more like fun than fitness. Registration required at sholompark.org.

Now Art of Aging -5/29

Arts

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 11am-4pm The annual exhibition in partnership with Marion Senior Services celebrates aging through art, stories and education.

Opening reception May 7, 5–6pm; exhibit open Tuesday-Saturday through May 29. Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

Now -6/21

People

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12th Ave. 9am-4pm This exhibit of works by artist Shirley S. Wulff celebrates her memories, feelings and thoughts about collaborations with others. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

B6

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Now The Audience -6/25

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration, 828 NE Eighth Ave. 9am-5pm A new exhibit featuring the paintings of Ocala-based Emmeline Basulto, artistically known as Embot, reflect herself in representational and abstract forms. Her works are also on display at the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center at 830 NE Eighth Avenue. Both locations are open Monday-Friday. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

Now Million Dollar Quartet -6/27

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd.

2 & 7:30pm This high-energy, smash-hit musical featuring more than 20 songs is based on a legendary 1956 jam session with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com for show times and tickets.

Now Luminous Worlds -6/27

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

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm An exhibition featuring the large abstract canvases of Kristin Herzog, a Naples, Florida-based artist and former civil engineering draftsman. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now -7/7

Spectrum of Creativity

Now -10/24

Highlights from the Equine Collection

Now -1/22/ 2022

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

6/1

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. 9am-5pm This student and emerging artist competition features the work of high school students and artists with less than 10 years’ experience. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd.

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This exhibit of works from the permanent collection highlights more than 60 pieces which relay Arthur I. Appleton’s love of horses. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd.

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This exhibit of printed works curated from the Appleton’s collection showcases Alison Saar, an internationally acclaimed artist who incorporates spiritual and political themes. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

6/1

Teaching Tuesday: Tessallations

6/1 -8/5

Summer Spotlight XXIV

6/1

Drawing in the Galleries

6/1 -19

Spike Heels

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road 10am-4pm Monday-Thursday The Visual Artists’ Society presents the 24th annual juried exhibition of works in a variety of mediums Central Florida artist members. Call (352) 873-5809 for more information.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd.

1-3pm Bring pencil and paper or borrow them at the museum for a self-guided drawing session with optional instruction, facilitated by artist Vanessa Fuller Brown. No registration required. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St., The Villages 7pm The opening play of the Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol’s fifth season is a contemporary comedy exploring a four-sided love triangle in 1990s Boston. Visit thesharon.com for tickets and more information.

Government

6/1

Marion County Board of Commissioners

6/1

Marion County Public Hearing

6/1

Ocala City Council

6/1

Belleview City Commission

6/2

Marion County Public Hearing

6/3

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

6/3

Ocala Municipal Arts Commission

Appleton Artspace Reopening

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd.

10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-5pm Sunday After a temporary closure, the drop-in, hands-on creative area of the museum will reopen with Legos for building, a glass wall for drawing, plenty of painting supplies, children’s art books and a toddler play area. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Virtual 10-10:30am The Appleton Museum presents a live streaming art project that the whole family can make at home with basic art and craft supplies. Online at fb.com/appletonmuseum.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am Call (352) 438-2323 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 10am A public hearing on Heather Island Market Center. Call (352) 438-2650 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5pm Call (352) 629-8401 for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/446885807 to participate online.

City Hall Commission Room, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 2pm A public hearing for Bluefields road improvement. Call (352) 438-2650 for more information.

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with county review staff prior to meeting formally with the Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Magnolia Arts Xchange, 531 NE First Ave. 4pm Call (352) 629-8447 for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 28

5pm Strolling Piano Show

28

World Equestrian Center Grand Plaza

28

6pm Jeff Jarrett

7pm Alex Centeno

28

7pm Charity Cox

28

7pm Stephen Lopez Off-Duty Tavern

29

8pm Gary Helfin

29

5pm Nicholas Marks

29

6pm Charity Cox Shuckin’ Shack

7pm Grass Campers

7pm The Music of Willie Nelson

29

8pm Fareeza

30

2pm The Big Bad with SidePiece Gator Joe’s

5pm Gary Lovini World Equestrian Center Grand Plaza

30

5pm Gilly & the Girl Bank Street Patio Bar

31

The Corkscrew

30

1pm Charity Cox The Crazy Cucumber

Orange Blossom Opry

World Equestrian Center Grand Plaza

29

30

Charlie Horse

The Corkscrew

Horse & Hounds

28

7:30pm John Johnson

7pm Tom Sartori World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

American Legion Post 101

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

28

29

Orange Blossom Opry

Locos Grill

28

7pm Friday Night Live

4pm The Vocalitas World Equestrian Center Grand Plaza

6/3

7pm Orange Blossom Showcase Orange Blossom Opry

B7

MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Good Deed On May 22 members of Boy Scouts of America – North Florida Council Five Rivers District Marion County - Troop 692 volunteered to help clean up a dressage facility in Citra. They spent more than six hours removing fallen tree limbs, debris and brush from the area and mowing the overgrown property. The facilities owner was dealing with physical issues that left him unable to keep up the property. The scouts included David Hall, Nathan Wood, Zander Barthlow, Dillon Fales, Wyatt Fales and Jacob Haynes. The adult leaders were Teresa Lanning, Mike Haynes and Ernie Moore. [Donna Murphy/Submitted]

Marion’s free plant clinic a gardener’s treasure chest

By Jennifer Odom Contributor Maybe you’re a local gardener with a single question. Or you’ve recently moved to Florida—but, oh dear, nothing is the same down here. Back home, all your flowers, grass, weeds, and even the soil were so different.

Who can you call for gardening advice?

Well, never fear, the Master Gardeners are here. Each weekday, these volunteers answer calls like yours at the Plant Clinic of the Marion County Agricultural Extension Office at 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd in Ocala.

To a newcomer, the differences here can be quite shocking at first.

“The Florida soil was just sand,” said Gloria Hebert,

who moved from Maryland years ago. “It had no worms and was pretty terrible. And this Florida grass does not look like northern grass at all.”

She has since adjusted and is now a five-year veteran of the Master Gardener program helping others.

But the retiree still longs for certain things from back home, especially one.

“I’d love to have some lilacs,” she said.

And wouldn’t we all?

When you call the clinic, volunteers will either answer your questions or will track down an answer for you— one based on UF research.

According to Maxine Hunter, the Marion County Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator, “the aim of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program,

(sponsored by IFAS, or the Institute of Food and Agricultural Science– University of Florida) is to increase or extend the service and output of information offered by the Cooperative Extension Service. Master Gardeners will make recommendations to homeowners based on information generated by the University of Florida/ IFAS Extension.”

“When I first came here, the Master Gardener Plant Clinic ‘hot line’ saved me hundreds of dollars in gardening mistakes. It’s a gem, and it’s free,” said Gloria Oest, who came from Vermont.

Clinic callers will frequently end up joining the program. Oest retired, fell in love with the program and is now a 14-year veteran with the Master Gardeners.

Maybe like Oest,

you’d enjoy the same opportunity—a chance to learn about many gardening subjects, be around other gardeners, and help others learn. That’s the life of a volunteer Master Gardener.

There’s no need to be an expert. Just be a willing learner.

If that sounds like fun, this is your once-a-year opportunity—with a June 25 deadline.

The Plant Clinic is not the only place Master Gardeners can serve.

They volunteer in the greenhouse and learn plant propagation, serve in the demonstration gardens, the vegetable gardens, serve on the speakers’ bureau, the public schools, participate in Florida Friendly Gardening tours, take informational classes and field trips, work events such as the Spring Festival and more. There is

no end to their fun.

But if all you want is the answer to a question, there’s no need to sign up for anything. Just realize, you are not alone. People at the Plant Clinic are there to help.

So, dial them up at 352671-8400 and see what they have to say. If they don’t have the answer, they can track it down for you.

Those interested in applying to join the Master Gardener Volunteer program can visit http:// bttr.im/ta6ec. Explore more at Master Gardeners - UF/ IFAS Extension (ufl.edu) Jennifer Odom is an avid gardener and an Ocala-based author. Her novels “Summer on the Black Suwannee and “Stranger with a Black Case” are available now. For information visit jenniferodom.com

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Answers for pages B4,B5

Ocala Gazette publishes fond remembrances of your loved one Visit ocalagazette.com to submit an obituary