Ocala Gazette | June 17 - June 23, 2022 by Magnolia Media Company

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 24

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022

State pursues ‘holistic’ approach to fatherhood

New charter school fosters individuality and inclusion

By Ryan Dailey Florida News Service

lorida is preparing to launch mentoring and outreach programs geared toward bolstering fathers’ parenting skills and, in turn, helping at-risk youths as part of a $70 million initiative. The initiative was included in a new law (HB 7065) approved unanimously this year by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April. Some state agency heads appeared at a news conference Tuesday to tout the effort, which DeSantis has said comes as the nation faces a “fatherhood crisis.” A significant portion of the money will go toward expanding mentorship programs for youths and funding grants designed to help fathers. Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall said providing fathers with resources and improving outcomes for youths go hand-in-hand, in part because roughly half of the children who interact with Hall’s department come from single-parent homes. “Unfortunately, in the Department of Juvenile Justice, we see too many of our young people coming from a single-parent home,” Hall told reporters. “What we are looking at is how do we engage those fathers that have an opportunity to be more engaged than what they are, or in some cases, how do we get male role models in the absence of a father?” Hall said increasing educational opportunities also See Florida, page A8

The Ina A. Colen Academy is shown in Calesa Township in Ocala on Monday, June 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Annie Avery, the new Principal at the Ina A. Colen Academy in Calesa Township in Ocala on Monday, June 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

s the staff of the Ina A. Colen Academy prepare for the school’s opening this August, they envision a place where “everyone belongs, works together and thrives.” The school will offer its students a project-based education, with an emphasis on Social Emotional Learning. The school will initially open for a population of 214 students in kindergarten through sixth

The school logo on the gymnasium floor at the Ina A. Colen Academy in Calesa Township in Ocala on Monday, June 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

grade, according to newly appointed Principal Annie Avery. Avery has been in education for over 25 years, and specializes in early childhood education, education leadership and specific learning disabilities. She has taught a variety of elementary school grade levels, classes for gifted students, and most recently worked in high school administration before being appointed as principal of IACA. “It’s just an incredible place that I have been chosen to be put in,” Avery

said. “I want to have a more family-like atmosphere that we’ve kind of steered away a little bit from lately in the public schools.” The tuition-free public charter school established by The Colen Family Charitable Trust will have a phased opening and will double in size capacity each year while increasing grade levels to include middle and high school. It will construct new buildings for the upperlevel grades on property that has been set See Colen, page A2

City explores new language to garbage facility ordinance By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

cala officials met recently with companies that haul and dispose of the city’s trash and recyclables to sort out several issues ranging from a revised definition of how certain facilities function to how waste may be collected in the future. The May 4 forum, which included Ocala’s Public Works and Growth Management departments and members of the solid waste community, provided information that will help city staff update ordinances dealing with waste management practices. Staff proposed a revised definition of an ordinance to include a Materials Recovery Facility, which is “a solid waste management facility that provides for the extraction

from solid waste of recyclable materials, materials suitable for use as a fuel or soil amendment, or any combination of such materials.” The current ordinance only defines recycling centers and C&D landfills. There is no mention of MRFs or solid waste transfer.

The Dispute

Jerry Laurenco, owner and operator of Friends Recycling Center (FRC) in Ocala, wants the city to recognize his facility the same way the state does, that is, as a Materials Recovery Facility, or MRF. Currently, Ocala only recognizes FRC as a recycling center. The dispute really starts with the green and brown receptacles that Ocala businesses and residents use. Brown containers are meant for recyclable materials, which are then

transferred to a recycling center. Green containers are for garbage. This content goes to the landfill. That’s how the city sees it. No gray areas, just green and brown. No matter what the state says FRC can do, Ocala officials say the city code supersedes the state. Laurenco insists state rules allow him to operate his recycling center as an MRF. This would allow him to receive both brown and green containers and sort out the recyclable items from both, since both kinds of containers typically contain a significant amount of garbage along with recyclables. This mixture, known as contamination, comes from people not differentiating between the receptacles they use for their recyclables and garbage. Laurenco wants the city to rewrite its code to include MRFs in the ordinance language, allowing him to operate his facility as designed, something it

cannot currently do within city limits. So far, though, the city has stood by its code.

Dirty and/or Clean MRF

Currently, FRC meets the city’s definition of a recycling center. But to the state, FRC also meets the definition of a “dirty MRF.” Under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, no more than 10% of the contents of each truck that enters the FRC site can be contamination. At that level, the site is considered a so-called “clean murf.” If the percentage is more than that, the facility is considered a “dirty murf ” and must be properly permitted by the DEP. Obviously, it is impossible to know whether a truck’s load has 10% or less contamination until the contents are dumped out on the floor and inspected.

Preferably, a MRF is designed and equipped to handle both clean and dirty levels of contamination at any given moment. To be a state-permitted “dirty” MRF, the facility must also have a leachate collection system. Leachate is liquid generated from rainfall and the natural decomposition of waste. A “clean” MRF doesn’t require a leachate collection system. FRC is permitted through the DEP to accept Class 1 garbage (defined as potentially toxic or dangerous waste) and Class 3 garbage (includes inert, insoluble material, e.g., rock, glass, bricks and dirt) as well as C&D (construction and demolition) debris, which commonly consist of drywall, concrete, wood and metal, as well as yard waste. Also in the refuse business are See Solid waste, page A2

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Colen Academy envisions place where ‘everyone belongs’ Continued from page A1 aside for development. The Colen family developed the retirement community of On Top of the World. However, the latest development venture, Calesa Township, is a residential family community being built at Southwest 80th Avenue south of 38th Street. The IACA is in the Calesa Township development and half of the school’s enrollment will be reserved for students from that neighborhood. The other enrollment half is open for any student to enroll. When enrollment is full students are then entered in a lottery system, which chooses students according to preferences such as proximity and relatives who attend or are employed by the school, Avery said. She said that the buildings already in place have a capacity of around 890, so in the next couple years alone the school will be able to take in hundreds of new students from nearby schools. “I think it’s totally easing some of the strain on schools and we can pull numbers on how many kids are coming from each of the schools that are overcrowded,” Avery said. “I wish we could take more [students] our first year but starting small is the way to go.” While it is part of Marion County Public Schools, the curriculum of the charter school differs slightly from other schools and includes a focus on projectbased learning to give students a chance to participate in applied learning. “Project-based learning is an alternative to textbook-driven instruction and has been proven to yield positive benefits for students of all ages. Students are more motivated to learn gain a deeper understanding of academic content apply skills through practical opportunities and across disciplines,” according to IACA. In addition to project-based learning, the school also places a great importance on Social Emotional Learning, a curriculum mandated by the state but prioritized more specifically at the academy. The school strives to be Valor

Compass approved, a certification that ensures students’ emotional well-being, by its fourth year open. Social Emotional Learning offers a way for students to learn the skills to effectively identify and communicate their emotions, show empathy, set goals and create good relationships, according to IACA. These approaches to learning help for students to receive a more comprehensive education beyond the standard of memorization and test-taking, said Kinley Rodgers, strategic partnership executive at Colen Built Development, LLC. “That is definitely the one thing that educational experience for all kids that will make it feel inclusive and innovative,” Rodgers said. “Having project-based learning and Social Emotional Learning focuses on the whole child, not just learning but their overall well-being…it’s definitely something that’s really unique to have in a school.” The curriculum isn’t the only unique aspect of IACA, it will also feature common areas with reading material based on age rather than a traditional library. To gather appropriate books for students to read while at school, IACA is hosting a book drive and will invite the community to donate secondhand, lightly used books. “We’re going to have what’re called ‘book nooks,’ so they’re little areas where kids can come in and check out a library book,” Rodgers said. “They’re going to have couches, so it’s a more relaxed setting for students to read.” Avery said that the school will release the information on how and where to donate books, and that students will be able to read according to the Accelerated Reader program that is used by most public schools in Marion County. While the development of the school has been a long time in the making, Avery says that it took a team effort to make it all come together. “It’s incredible how everyone works together, and we’re getting this done and building this massive, incredible school,” she said. “Marion County has had nothing like it before.”

Classrooms are shown from a hallway on the second floor at the Ina A. Colen Academy in Calesa Township in Ocala on Monday, June 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

A courtyard area is shown at the Ina A. Colen Academy in Calesa Township in Ocala on Monday, June 6, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Solid waste providers meet to discuss ordinance Continued from page A1 transfer stations, where garbage trucks dump their loads on the floor, front-end loaders scoop it up and put it into semi-trailers, which then take it to a landfill. Ocala’s codes don’t recognize transfer stations, either. Single Stream vs. Dual Stream Another topic discussed at the forum was single-stream solid waste disposal versus dual-stream. Laurenco described single-stream, which is the system that Marion County uses, as two bins at the curb: one for garbage and one for recycling. Dual-stream includes a number of other bins that further separate recyclables such as cardboard and paper, plastic and metal from each other, each receiving

their own respective bin. Dual-stream allows for a better separation of recyclable materials from garbage and cuts down significantly on contamination, said Laurenco. It is also more expensive. “It’s more labor intensive,” said Laurenco. “It requires more people to haul it and more trips, which is more expensive. It does enable recycling to be a lot cleaner, though, but labor wise, [the city would have] to pass that cost on to the municipality.” Ultimately, Laurenco sees that dual-stream might be a big part of Ocala’s future. “There’s no doubt about it,” he said. “As fast as this county is growing, and the city, you have to have a plan for managing these materials.”

Next Steps

According to city staff, neighborhood meetings are set for 5:30 p.m. June 22 and 23 at the Ocala Golf Club,

3130 E Silver Springs Blvd. A Planning and Zoning Commission meeting has tentatively been set for 5:30 p.m. July 11 at the McPherson Governmental Campus auditorium, 601 S.E. 25th Ave. From there, city staff aims to bring the issues before the Ocala City Council on Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. The agenda item requires two public meetings, according to Ashley Dobbs, marketing and communications manager for the Office of Strategic Engagement. “Staff will make a recommendation when it goes to Planning and Zoning in July,” said Dobbs. “Planning and Zoning adds to the recommendation and then it goes before city council.”

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Final roster of judicial candidates Seat 2

By Ocala Gazette staff

ll judicial candidates have qualified to run for the two county court judicial seats on the ballot August 23. According to the Office of the State Court’s Administrator’s website, “The majority of non-jury trials in Florida take place before one judge sitting as a judge of the county court. The county courts are sometimes referred to as the people’s courts, probably because a large part of the courts’ work involves voluminous citizen disputes, such as traffic offenses, less serious criminal matters (misdemeanors), and relatively small monetary disputes.” However, the threshold of monetary disputes is increasing from $30,000 to $50,000 on January 1, 2023, arguably bringing more complex civil matters to county court dockets.

This judicial seat became available upon the announcement by County Court Judge James McCune that he would be retiring and filing to run again when his term ends at the end of 2022. LeAnn Mackey-Barnes, a career public defender has collected $13,950 in cash campaign contributions and expended $13,512.44 according to filed financial reports.

Danielle B. Ruse, a career assistant state attorney has collected $31,550 in cash contributions and spent $13,338.40 according to filed financial reports.

Lori Cotton, a career assistant state attorney who was appointed judge last year by the governor to fill the seat left empty by the retirement of Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams. To date, Cotton has collected $43,530.88 in cash contributions and expended $5,345.91.

William Harris, a county attorney who has worked for the state attorney’s office and in private civil practice, has raised $35,775 and expended $20,241.33.

Seat 1

IT’S SCALLOP SEASON

County court judges serve six-year terms. The voter registration deadline is July 25. Election Day will be held on Aug. 23. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Early voting begins on Aug. 13 and runs through to Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The mail ballot request deadline is Aug. 13 by 5 p.m. (Mail ballots must be received by the supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. Election Day to be counted.)

Renee Thompson a civil lawyer and mediator has collected $23,000 in cash contributions and spent $12,981.05 according to filed financial reports.

File photo: The Marion County Judicial Center [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

File photo

he bay scallop season from the Fenholloway River through the Suwannee River opens June 15 and will remain open through Labor Day. This includes all state waters in Dixie County and a portion of Taylor County and includes the towns of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee. Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net. There is no commercial harvest allowed for bay scallops in Florida. The daily bag limit from June 15-30 in this area is 1 gallon of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 cup shucked bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 5 gallons whole or 2 pints (4 cups) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel. From July 1 through Labor Day in this area, and for the duration of the open season in other areas, regular bag and vessel limits apply. Regular season limits are 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) shucked bay scallop meat per vessel. Additional bay scallop season dates are as follows: St. Joseph Bay/Gulf County: Aug. 16 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark and St. Marks): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County to the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County. Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County to the Hernando-Pasco county line. Pasco County: Open for 10 days starting the third Friday in July (July 15-24). This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse, including all waters of the Anclote River.

DOH-Marion issues a health alert for Lake Weir By Ocala Gazette Staff

he Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Marion County issued a health alert on June 13, 2022, concerning the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Weir in Ocklawaha. The alert is in response to a water sample taken on June 7 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that indicated toxins were present. The sample was taken near the center of the lake. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Weir. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions: • Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is visible algae bloom. Do not get water in your eyes, nose or mouth. • Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water. • Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present. • Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate the toxins. • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water; throw out the

guts and cook fish well. • Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

What are blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors. Some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins.

Is it harmful?

Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals. For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit www. floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/ aquatic-toxins. Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting www.ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.

What do I do if I see an algal bloom? The DEP collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To report a bloom to DEP, call the toll-free hotline at (855) 305-3903 or report online at www.surveygizmo.com/

File photo

s3/3444948/Algal-Bloom-Reporting-Form. To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 1-(800) 636-0511. Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center. Call 1-(800) 222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately. Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae contaminated water. If you have other health questions or

concerns about blue-green algae blooms, contact the DOH in Marion County at (352) 629-0137 or at www.info.Marion@ FLHealth.gov.

Lifting the alert

A health alert is lifted once negative toxin analyses are obtained from DEPcoordinated resampling of the bloom, or 30 days have elapsed since the last sampling date. If a health alert has been issued, it can be rescinded at this time. For more information about the DOH, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

WOMEN’S EXPO FOSTERING EMPOWERMENT – INSPIRING PASSION 10am-3pm Saturday, June 25 Klein Center, College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

he Ocala Style Women’s Expo is designed to foster empowerment and inspire women to pursue their passions. And, with an eye to supporting our future leaders, ticket sales from the event will benefit PACE Center for Girls – Marion, which helps transform the lives of local girls. This one-day event will feature a slate of inspiring guest speakers, demonstrations, shopping, networking, food, giveaways and a chance to take home some awesome raffle prizes. Local vendors, who will be situated in “wings,” such as home and lifestyle, fashion and beauty, and health and wellness, will showcase an array of goods and services that may help you find your new favorite fashion statement or prompt you to sign up a for girl’s day out with your besties. In between perusing the displays and networking to make new friends, guests can sit in on speaker sessions ranging from insights about being in politics to tips for personal safety.

The speaker sessions include: 11:15am

Women in Politics: County Commissioner Michelle Stone & School Board Member Allison Campbell arion County Commissioner Michelle Stone and School Board District Member Allison Campbell will share some of the hurdles they’ve navigated and what to expect if you are thinking of entering politics.

Michelle Stone graduated from the Florida School of Banking at the University of Florida and earned a diploma from the American Institute of Banking. She has long been involved in community and civic service with numerous area organizations. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and long-distance running. Allison B. Campbell, APR, CPRC, was elected in November 2020. She graduated from Lee University (bachelor’s degree) and Regent University (master’s degree) and is a doctoral student at Regent. She is an adjunct professor at the College of Central Florida and Southeastern University. She has served with numerous community organizations.

1pm

Following Your Passion: Dr. Katherine O’Brien Veterinarian Katherine O’Brien, DVM, is the owner of Maricamp Animal Hospital. She and her staﬀ are committed to a positive culture and delivering more than clients expect. She believes people must take personal responsibility in order to succeed and that to grow into an industry or community leader, you must ﬁnd what “feeds your soul.”

1:45pm

Grow Your Small Business: Stacey Ansley Stacey Ansley is a business coach who helps business owners who are feeling overwhelmed, are on the brink of burnout and are wishing there were more hours in the day. She oﬀers personalized strategies to help owners recover time, have greater impact and build an asset. Thus, the name of her business is Build. Change. Impact.

12pm

Family Law/Wills & Probate: Mary Catherine Landt & Janet Behnke ttorneys Janet Behnke and Mary Catherine Landt will share some of the family law and probate situations they’ve helped clients navigate and the take away lessons from the experience.

Mary Catherine Landt has more than three decades of experience in family law and believes it is more nuanced than people realize. She has been chair of the Family Law Committee of the Marion County Bar Association for nine years. She is involved with several local nonproﬁts and women’s groups. Janet Behnke has practiced in Ocala for more than 40 years, in almost every area of civil law. She is a former Marion County judge and former president of the Ocala Marion County Chamber of Commerce and Marion County Bar Association. She has served with a number of regional and local community organizations.

10:15am

Women’s Safety: Ocala Police Department Major Angy Scroble ajor Angy Scroble of Ocala Police Department will be delivering practical ways women can make decisions that contribute to their own safety. “When I was 16 and just starting to drive, a caring adult took me to a seminar put on by local law enforcement about how to be street smart. I have no doubt that receiving such frank sensible advice from an adult other than a parent helped keep me safe growing up in a large city. I hope this seminar can provide that for women of any age who attend.” – Publisher, Jennifer Hunt Murty

Angy Scroble earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University and then attended Lively Law Enforcement Academy. She began her career with the Ocala Police Department in 1994. She has served as an oﬃcer and supervisor in a number of departments. She is currently a major in the Special Operations Bureau. Expo ticket sales will beneﬁt PACE Center for Girls — Marion, a nationally recognized organization providing girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The Ocala center is part of a network that includes 21 centers in Florida and one in Georgia. Carole C. Savage-Hagans, APR, CPRC, is executive director of PACE programs in Marion and Citrus counties. Tickets for the Women’s Expo are $5.46 in advance ($5, plus .46 cent processing fee) or $10.46 the day of the event and may be purchased at ocalastyle.com/ womensexpo Above photograph y by Meagan Gumpe rt

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

CF RECEIVES STATE FUNDING TO HELP BRING NURSING BUILDING TO FRUITION

By Ocala Gazette Staff

he College of Central Florida announced last week that it will be moving forward with plans for a new nursing education center, due largely to support from the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. The $109.9 billion Florida state budget approved by the governor on June 2 included $13.65 million for a Health Science Technology Education Center at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, as well as other financial support. “We appreciate the support of the Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Department of Education in providing funding that will support our students and community,” said Jim Henningsen, CF president. “We have been recognized and rewarded for leveraging resources from our partners and reallocating our existing resources to modernize and expand critically needed workforce programs.” “Our collaborations are ensuring win-win-win solutions for our students, team, business partners and community,” Henningsen added.

The new Health Science Education Center will provide modern classrooms and labs for the Associate Degree in Nursing program and allow the program to expand to meet workforce needs. Site work and infrastructure are in place, according to the press release, and building construction is scheduled to begin in mid2023 with anticipated completion by Fall 2024. The project has also been awarded additional funding by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the Marion County Hospital District. Additional funding approved by the governor will support operational expenses for new health science programs, slated to begin in 2023; new positions to support critical needs within the college; and maintenance repair and renovations projects which will provide for ensuring health safety and ADA (Americans Disabilities Act) compliance. In addition, the CF Foundation received $150,000 to support educational outreach at the Appleton Museum.

To learn more about CF, visit www.CF.edu.

DOH-MARION HOSTS FREE SCHOOL VACCINATION EVENT

By Ocala Gazette Staff

he Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Marion County announced on Monday that it is offering free vaccinations for school-age children. The drive-thru event is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 17, at the department’s main office, 1801 S.E. 32nd Ave. No appointment is necessary, according to the press release. DOH will offer the Tdap vaccine, which is required for entrance into 7th

AVERAGE GAS PRICES TOP $5 IN PARTS OF FLORIDA

Florida News Service

grade, in either public or private schools. That includes booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, otherwise known as whooping cough. Parents or guardians with questions about what vaccines their children have received may contact immunizations staff or obtain a copy of their shot records by visiting the DOH main office. For more information, contact DOH at (352) 629-0137 or at www.Info.Marion@FLHealth.gov.

he average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline has topped $5 in parts of South Florida, while statewide prices hit another record Monday at $4.89, according to the AAA auto club. The average price in the West Palm Beach and Boca Raton area was nearly $5.02. Statewide average prices were up 13 cents a gallon from last week and 42 cents from last month. “This is some unprecedented pain at the pump that we are seeing,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “We are setting new

records and not in a good way.” The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded was $5.01 on Monday. Jenkins said drivers shouldn’t expect prices to go down anytime soon. “We just don’t know what the next month holds, let alone what things are going to be like next week,” he said. “So, the fuel market is extremely unstable right now. It’s very volatile.” While the highest prices in Florida were found in the West Palm Beach and Boca Raton area, the least-expensive gas was in the Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola areas of Northwest Florida.

Capone, Posner and Donnelly file as write-in candidates in their respective county commissioner races By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

o far, three local entrants in the upcoming 2022 election cycle have active filed as write-in candidates, according to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website. Gina Capone has filed as a write-in candidate for the County Commissioner District 2 race, joining incumbent Kathy Bryant and Elizabeth Del Zotto, while Seth Posner and Brian Christian Donnelly are the write-in candidates running against incumbent Carl Zalak III, Keith Poole and Rachel Sams in the County Commissioner District 4 race. What is a write-in candidate exactly, and how does the whole process work? Read on for more information:

What You Need to Know

A write-in candidate may qualify for any office and run without party affiliation,

but also must qualify during the official qualifying period and must comply with the residency requirements of the office sought, said Starley Ard, public relations coordinator for the Marion County Election Center. The official qualifying period for county commissioner races began on Monday, June 13, and ended on Friday, June 17. Thus far, Kathy Bryant for District 2 and Rachel Sams and Keith Poole for District 3 have already qualified. Pursuant to Florida Statute 99.061, “a qualifying office may accept and hold qualifying papers submitted not earlier than 14 days prior to the beginning of the qualifying period, to be filed during the official qualifying period,” according to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website. Pre-qualifying began on May 30. Write-in candidates are not required to submit nominating petitions, according to Ard, or pay a filing fee, election assessment

fee or party assessment fee. They are not entitled to have his or her name printed on the ballot either. A space will be provided on the general election ballot for their name to be printed by the voter. It is up to the write-in candidate to educate voters to write in his or her name in the space provided. Additionally, write-in candidates are subject to and are required to comply with all campaign finance laws in Chapter 106 of the Florida Statutes. Despite not having their names printed on the ballot, write-in candidates are listed on the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website. This happens, according to Ard, because although they are not entitled to ballot placement in order to qualify they must first submit the required qualifying forms to the Elections Office and file financial reports, per Florida Statutes 99.061(b). “Although not extremely common, by definition, they can accept contributions,

and therefore make expenditures,” said Ard of write-in candidates, adding that they will need a “repository” for this information. Essentially, write-in candidates are held to the same standards statutorily as other candidates but are different by definition, said Ard. Write-ins are also only on the general ballot election. “The idea behind a write-in is it is a vehicle for someone who is unable to secure the financial backing to still have access to being a candidate,” Ard said. The voter registration deadline is July 25. Election Day will be held on Aug. 23. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Early voting begins on Aug. 13 and runs through to Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The mail ballot request deadline is Aug. 13 by 5 p.m. (Mail ballots must be received by the supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. Election Day to be counted.)

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCHOOL DISTRICT HOSTS ‘BUS BLITZ’ EVENT TO RECRUIT PROSPECTIVE BUS DRIVERS

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com James Blevins, Reporter james@ocalagazette.com Caroline Brauchler, Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com Rosemarie Donell, Reporter rosemarie@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Greg Hamilton, Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com Amy Harbert, Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com

File photo: Marion County school buses [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

arion County Public Schools needs more bus drivers, and to recruit them the district is bringing the buses directly to potential new employees. The “Bus Blitz 3” event will take place on June 23, when MCPS will drive and park buses at six different recruitment locations, where anyone interested in becoming a bus driver can fill out an application right then and there. “Locations include the Ewers Center parking lot at the College of Central Florida in Ocala; Marion Oaks Community Center in Marion Oaks; MCPS Employment Services parking

lot along Southeast Fifth Street in Ocala; parking lot at the former Kmart on East State Road 40 / Southeast 36 Avenue in Ocala; Pasta Faire Restaurant in Belleview; and Vanguard High School in Ocala,” according to an MCPS press release. Any person over the age of 21 with a clean driving record is welcome to apply to become a bus driver. The starting wage for the position is $16.65 per hour, and drivers can expect to work at least six hours each day. “Drivers also receive paid health insurance, gain accrued time off and are eligible for additional benefits,” according to MCPS. “They can sign up for temporary positions with fewer work hours of full-time positions with

opportunity for overtime.” The district has hosted similar events in the past and successfully recruited several new bus drivers in a time where they are needed more than ever. The size of Marion County places a constraint on morning and afternoon commutes to and from school, and the numbers speak for themselves. “Since January, we averaged 242 school bus routes, 224 school bus drivers, and approximately 18,000 student riders,” said Kevin Christian, MCPS public relations director. If prospective employees wish to seek additional information, they can contact the MCPS Transportation Department by calling 352-671-7050 or visiting www.marionschools.net/careers.

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

ARC Marion gets new leadership

The ARC Marion building [Ocala Gazette] Left: Sean McLaughlin [Supplied]

By Rosemarie Dowell Rosemarie@Ocalagazette.com

arion County’s oldest nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities has hired a new leader after an extensive months-long search and interview process. The Board of Directors of the Advocacy Resource Center, or ARC Marion Inc., officially announced the appointment of Sean McLaughlin as its Chief Executive Officer earlier this month, but he arrived at its helm in March. McLaughlin replaces Frank Sofia, who led the agency since 2016. Sofia is planning to retire at the end of June after 14 years as its chief financial officer. In its announcement, ARC Marion’s Board of Directors wrote its desire for a

new CEO was to “find a person with strong leadership and organizational capabilities, a visionary who will take us forward into a new and rapidly changing world.” “More importantly,” it also read, “We wanted a leader who is committed to creating opportunities and demolishing barriers, so that people with disabilities in Marion County, can be seen, heard, and valued.” “In Sean, we found that his passion is infectious, and, we believe that you will too,” it concluded. McLaughlin has already implemented major changes during his short tenure at the organization, founded by a group of parents in 1959 as the New Hope School for Children, and brought in much-needed funds to bolster its coffers. “We’ve been able to bring in over $2 million since March either through

fundraising efforts or government grants that came in,” said McLaughlin, who has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Northeastern University. “We tapped into those donors that want to be a part of the narrative of change here,” he said. “Our overall revenues are up as well.” Like other non-profits, ARC Marion, which offers Adult Day Training (ADT) and operates two group homes at its SE Maricamp Road campus, grappled with a drop in donations and the cancellation of major fundraisers due to the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021, although it did receive government stimulus relief funds. It also struggled with keeping or hiring staff during the pandemic, while also dealing with a state-mandated gradual increase to a $15 an hour minimum wage for direct care employees by 2023. “I think everyone struggled throughout COVID; I’m glad we’re through with it,” said the Army and National Guard veteran. “The bigger the agency the higher the overhead.” McLaughlin’s changes at ARC Marion have included an increase of staff through a hiring campaign and a major rehaul of the agency’s ADT program, which will now fall under four unique umbrellas instead of focusing on contract or piece work. “In talking to our ADT clients, we found out they wanted a more meaningful day and didn’t want to do contract work,” said McLaughlin who formerly served as the Chief Operating Officer of The Loveland Center in Venice from 2018 to 2021, an organization similar to the ARC Marion, and has owned Lolie Consulting, which helps individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities access supports and services in Florida, since 2014. He also previously served as an Independent Support Coordinator for the Children’s Home Society in Fort Myers from 2010 to 2017. The 60 clients currently in ARC

Marion’s ADT program (up 23 percent since March, McLaughlin said) can now choose either a Recreation track, which centers on movement, recreation, and socialization, or an Independent Living track for those who live outside the family home that focuses on employability, social, shopping and cooking skills. There’s also an Education track aimed toward helping clients learn skills to be as independent as possible and become productive and valued members of society, and a Contract or piece-work track that allows clients who value working, even at sub-minimum wage, to continue to do so. McLaughlin said all ARC Marion’s ADT clients will now also be able to enjoy a variety of specialty programs, including music, theater, art, social media, and more. “We want to figure out what they are passionate about and build life skills around that,” he said. In the meantime, ARC Marion’s two group homes, one is a men’s residence while the other houses people with higher medical needs, are once again fully staffed and profitable, with a waitlist of potential residents, said McLaughlin. “I’m more of a cheerleader and not all doom and gloom,” he said. “I try to get people motivated and excited.” McLaughlin said growing up with his Aunt Nancy, who had Down syndrome and passed away two summers ago, greatly impacted his life and nudged him towards a career in helping people with disabilities. “I think everyone in this profession had someone like her that touched them and brought them into it”, he said. “She was a major part of my life.” McLaughlin said his initial thoughts in making the move from South Florida to the Ocala area was that it would be temporary and not permanent, but that’s not the case now. “I thought I would be here for four or five years and then go back home,” he said. “But now I’m all in and I’m sticking around wondering if I’ll have a park named after me one day.”

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Información Importante para Estudiantes, Empleados y Visitantes El College of Central Florida ofrece acceso por igual a oportunidades de empleo, inscripciones y actividades educacionales. El colegio no discriminará en base a raza, color, etnicidad, religión, género, embarazo, edad, estado civil, nacionalidad de origen, información genética o discapacidades, orientación sexual, identidad de género, condición de veterano en sus prácticas laborales o en la inscripción y trato de sus alumnos. Reconociendo que el acoso sexual constituye una discriminación en base a género que viola lo establecido por esta política, el colegio no tolerará dicha conducta. El College of Central Florida es un colegio de igualdad de oportunidades y manifiesta su creencia en la igualdad de acceso y oportunidad para todos los estudiantes, empleados y visitantes de la institución. Si usted tiene alguna preocupación sobre discriminación o acoso, por favor contacte a: Dr. Mary Ann Begley, Directora de Diversidad e Inclusión – Coordinadora del Título IX, Ocala Campus, Edificio 3, Salón 117H, 3001 S.W. College Road, 352-291-4410, o Equity@cf.edu.

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Men, women split on equity gains since Title IX, poll shows By Collin Binkley The Associated Press

sk a man about gender equality, and you’re likely to hear the U.S. has made great strides in the 50 years since the landmark anti-discrimination law Title IX was passed. Ask a woman, and the answer probably will be quite different. According to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the National Women’s History Museum, most U.S. adults believe the country has made at least some progress toward equality for women since 1972. That’s the year Congress passed Title IX, a one-sentence law that forbids discrimination based on sex in education. But there are sharp differences in opinion over just how much headway has been made and in what facets of life. Some of the widest divisions are, perhaps unsurprisingly, between men and women: 61% of men say the country has made a great deal or a lot of progress toward gender equality, while 37% of women said the same, according to the poll. Women were more likely to point to only some progress — 50% held that view — while 13% said the country has made just a little or no progress. “We’ve fought a lot, we’ve gained a little bit, but we haven’t really gained equality,” said Brenda Theiss, 68, a retired optician in Vinemont, Alabama. Progress that started in the ‚70s seems to have stalled, she said, with continued wage gaps and battles over women’s reproductive rights. Passed in the wake of other seminal civil rights laws, Title IX was intended to expand protections for women into the sphere of education. Today it’s often known for its impact on women’s sports and the fight against sexual harassment and assault. As the nation approaches the law’s 50th anniversary, most Americans have positive views about it. Sixty-three percent said they approve of the law, including majorities of men and women. Only 5% did not approve of it, while the rest said they were neutral or not sure. But Americans are split along several faults when it comes to assessing advancements. Along with men, Republicans are also more likely to see a great deal or a lot of progress, with 65% holding that view. Among Democrats, 39% said the same. Among women, those 50 and older are more likely than their younger peers to see a

great deal or a lot of progress in specific facets of life, such as in leadership, employment and education opportunities. Milan Ramsey, 29, said it’s “remarkable how far we have come considering how unequal it still feels.” She says sexism is hard to avoid in today’s society, whether it’s in unequal access to health care or in everyday slights like getting catcalled. But she knows it has been worse. Once, looking at her mom’s childhood photos, her mom pointed out a pair of pants that she said was her first pair ever. “She remembers that because they weren’t allowed to wear pants until she was like 7 in public school,” said Ramsey, of Santa Monica, California. As a young girl growing up in the ‚70s, Karen Dunlap says she benefited from Title IX right away. Soccer leagues for girls started springing up for the first time, she said. Her mom rushed to sign her up. “I really felt the immediate difference as a kid,” said Dunlap, of Vancouver, Washington. “But at the same time, it didn’t stay that way.” Dunlap went on to compete in swimming and water polo at Pomona College in California, and she credits Title IX for the opportunity. It also ensured the school gave enough money for racing swimsuits and a team van, she said. But in the classroom, some male professors referred to her as a “coed,” and some seemed to look down on female students, she said. Later, when her daughters went to college, Dunlap was disappointed to see them fighting familiar battles. When one of her daughters applied for a job at a campus dorm, she was told she was too much of a “typical cheery girl” for the position. She ended up leaving the school and graduating elsewhere. “The push for equality has been around long enough that it should have worked,” Dunlap said. “There should be some difference.” According to the poll, Americans think the impact of Title IX has been stronger in some areas than others. More than half said it has had a positive impact on female students’ opportunities in sports, and about as many said that about opportunities in education overall. But just 36% said it had a positive impact on addressing sexual harassment in schools, and 31% said it had a positive impact on protecting LGBTQ students from discrimination. At the same time, there’s

evidence that not all Americans clearly understand the law. About a third said they were unsure whether Title IX has had an impact on them personally, and about a quarter or more were unsure of its impact in other areas. The law is commonly misunderstood in part because its application is so broad, said Shiwali Patel, senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center. In addition to its role in sports, it also has been used to protect against discrimination and harassment in college admissions, financial aid, campus housing and employment, among other areas. “I don’t think people really understand the full breadth and scope of Title IX,” she said. “It’s only 37 words long, but it’s extremely broad. It covers so much.” Patel said it’s important to acknowledge Title IX has brought meaningful advancements. More women are getting scholarships, participating in college sports and landing faculty jobs. But there has also been resistance to continued improvement, especially in the fight against sexual harassment and violence, she said. “We are at a moment of real challenge, and we still haven’t

gone far enough,” Patel said. The law’s anniversary approaches as the Biden administration prepares new rules detailing how schools and colleges must respond to sexual harassment. The regulation, which would serve as an extension of the 1972 law, is expected to roll back a set of Trump-era rules and expand the rights of victims of sexual harassment and assault. Among other findings, the poll also revealed Americans don’t think all women have felt progress equally. About half of respondents said white women have seen a great deal of progress, but only about a third said the same for women of color or LGBTQ women. Only about a quarter said there’s been great progress for low-income women. Still, to 67-year-old David Picatti, it feels like the push for gender equality has largely succeeded. When he was an engineering student in college, he remembers his program “clamoring” to recruit women, who are underrepresented in many science fields. More recently, he has had female cousins receive full scholarships to play college sports. “I think there have been a lot of strides and it’s a fairly equal playing field,” said Picatti, of

Yakima, Washington. Sarah Brown says it’s far from equal. The 70-year-old in New Orleans acknowledged some progress — her daughter earned a master’s in business from Harvard University in the 1980s as the program was recruiting more women — but she still sees discrimination. A retired accountant, Brown has been discouraged by recent battles over abortion rights, and she has been appalled by sexual assault scandals at Louisiana State University and other colleges across the country. It seems like progress made in the past is being eroded, she said. Still, Brown isn’t surprised that men see it differently. “Of course not,” she said. “Women know how it really is to be a woman and men don’t. Men think that women have it better than they truly do.” ___ The poll of 1,172 adults was conducted May 12-16 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.

Florida prepares to launch mentoring and outreach programs Continued from page A1 is a large part of the measure, which provides the juvenile justice department with $3.7 million to help support access to postsecondary education. “The one thing we do know is that if we can close academic gaps and get them on a pathway into postsecondary education and training and get a credential that helps them accomplish their goals and their dreams, that’s how we change the life trajectory for them and their families,” Hall said. Some of the grants funded through the law will be aimed at helping fathers find employment

and pay child support, part of what Hall described as a “holistic” approach to solving larger problems. Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle said his agency will help carry out portions of the measure, including working with CareerSource Florida

and local programs to help noncustodial parents. “Let’s help noncustodial parents become better fathers and be present. Help them establish gainful employment, help them with child support so they can be better fathers and be present,” Eagle said. Officials described the

initiative as requiring extensive collaboration between state agencies. But local organizations will largely determine whether the initiative makes an impact. Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon stressed the importance of working with local groups in helping the thousands of fathers

“Unfortunately, in the Department of Juvenile Justice, we see too many of our young people coming from a single-parent home.” Eric Hall

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who come home after being incarcerated. “We release around 8,000 individuals a year who are fathers,” he said. “So, it’s us working to provide the resources and partnering with local communities and the faithbased and civic organizations to provide those support structures that we need.” The state Department of Health, meanwhile, is responsible under the law for facilitating “engagement activities” for fathers, “such as providing individualized support to fathers to increase participation in services that strengthen family and child well-being.”

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

State FLORIDA ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR OF NEWLY REACTIVATED STATE GUARD

By The Associated Press

lorida’s governor announced the first director of a newly reactivated Florida State Guard on Wednesday to bolster the state’s National Guard with a focus on responding to disasters in the hurricane-prone region. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said the director of the re-upped force would be retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chris Graham, an Iraq veteran and former intelligence and anti-terrorism officer. “I think this unit has a particularly important mission,” Graham said at a news conference in Madeira Beach, Florida. “As Floridians, you guys know, the last hurricane’s behind us, the next hurricane’s on the horizon. Anything we can do to help, I want to help.” Graham said he would also like the new force to contribute the state’s defense capabilities. He said there were 1,200 applicants already for 400 volunteer positions with a stipend for training sessions, but welcomed more volunteers to reach out. The Florida National Guard,

in comparison, has about 12,000 members. About half of the U.S. states have active defense forces under the sole authority of the state governments, including big states such as California, Texas and New York. Florida’s state guard was created in 1941 to backfill National Guard members deployed in World War II, but was disbanded in 1947. DeSantis proposed to reactivate it three-quarters of a century later, and the Legislature this year authorized $10 million for that. The head of the Florida National Guard, Adjutant Gen. Jim Eifert, said the National Guard has allocated to Florida nearly the lowest level of staffing per citizen among U.S. states and territories, leaving the state’s National Guard stretched “razor thin.” The “trained civilian volunteer work force” of the new state guard might help relieve the “wear and tear” on the National Guard following a busy couple of years responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, civil strife and storms, Eifert said.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT SKEPTICAL OF CHALLENGE TO GUN LAW

File photo

By Brendan Farrington The Associated Press

Florida law that bans local governments from restricting gun and ammunitions sales goes too far because it also calls for fines against elected officials who seek to enact such restrictions, a lawyer told the state Supreme Court on Thursday. But Justices on the conservative court seemed skeptical of the arguments made on behalf of several municipalities and Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Our cases are very clear about the superiority of legislative power in this arena,” said Chief Justice Charles Canady. “That’s why this whole case is kind of

mystifying to me.” Lawyer Edward Guedes, representing the municipalities, agreed the Legislature has the authority to preempt local laws, but argued that a provision that could lead to fines for elected officials as individuals if they vote to enact gun and ammunition sales restrictions overstepped the Legislature’s authority. “The is a legislative firehose to put out a birthday candle,” Guedes said. The preemption law was revised in 2011 to include the penalty provisions and later challenged by several local governments who wanted to enact gun safety measures in the wake of the 2018 Parkland high school shooting that left 17 dead. Fried, the only statewide

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elected Democrat and a candidate for governor, later joined the local governments in fighting the law. The case was heard as Democratic lawmakers are calling for a special legislative session on gun safety following recent massshootings in Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; and elsewhere. But that’s highly unlikely to happen. The Legislature is dominated by Republicans and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has dismissed the idea. “With all do respect to these leftists, they just want to come after your Second Amendment rights. Let’s just be honest,” DeSantis said at a Wednesday news conference. “They view you as a law abiding citizen as the target.”

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

LADAPO OPPOSES COVID-19 SHOTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

South Florida Jewish congregation has challenged a new state law that blocks abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, contending the measure violates privacy and religiousfreedom rights. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Leon County circuit court by Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor, seeks to block the law from taking effect July 1. Abortion clinics also filed a lawsuit this month in Leon County challenging the constitutionality of the restriction. Both cases include allegations that the law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April, violates a privacy right in the Florida Constitution that has long played a pivotal role in abortion cases in the state. But the lawsuit filed Friday by the Palm Beach County congregation also contends that the law violates religious-freedom rights. “For Jews, all life is precious and thus the decision to bring new life into the world is not taken lightly or determined by state fiat,” the lawsuit said. “In Jewish law, abortion is required if necessary to protect the health, mental or physical well-being of the woman, or for many other reasons not permitted under the act (the new law). As such, the act prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and thus violates their privacy rights and religious freedom.” The lawsuit also said congregation members and other people who “do not share the religious views reflected in the act

will suffer … irreparable harm by having their religious freedom under the Florida Constitution violated.” “This failure to maintain the separation of church and state, like so many other laws in other lands throughout history, threatens the Jewish family, and thus also threatens the Jewish people by imposing the laws of other religions upon Jews,” the lawsuit said. The 15-week abortion limit was one of the most-controversial issues of this year’s legislative session and came as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a similar Mississippi law. A leaked draft opinion in the Supreme Court case indicated justices could use it to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision. When DeSantis signed the bill, he held an event at a Kissimmee church, with screens displaying the message, “Florida protege el derecho la vida,” or “Florida protects the right to life.” “We are here today to protect life. We are here today to defend those who can’t defend themselves,” DeSantis said. The law prevents physicians from performing abortions after 15 weeks, based on the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period. It includes limited exemptions, such as in circumstances when physicians certify that abortions are needed to save the lives of pregnant women. The lawsuit filed Friday names as defendants DeSantis and numerous other state officials. It has been assigned to Circuit Judge Layne Smith. The other case filed June 1 by abortion clinics is pending before Circuit Judge John Cooper.

By Florida News Service

s the federal Food and Drug Administration weighs approval of COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is opposed to the potential change. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is slated to meet Wednesday to discuss amending emergencyuse authorizations for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. Ladapo, who has long criticized vaccination requirements for adults, said Tuesday he would not support vaccinating young children against the coronavirus.

“From what I have seen, there is just insufficient data to inform benefits and risk in children. I think that’s very unequivocal,” Ladapo told reporters in Tallahassee. The surgeon general, who also is secretary of the state Department of Health, said his opinion on vaccinating infants and young children is “consistent” with the department’s other guidance on vaccines. “We expect to have good data that the benefits outweigh the risks of any therapies or treatments before we recommend those therapies or treatments to Floridians. That is not going to change. I don’t think that is particularly radical. I think it’s very sensible,” Ladapo said.

STATE BOARD CARRYING OUT CONTROVERSIAL SCHOOLS LAW

By Florida News Service

he State Board of Education has scheduled a meeting this month to craft a rule related to carrying out the controversial new “Parental Rights in Education” law, known to critics as the “don’t say gay” bill. The law (HB 1557), which will take effect July 1, will prohibit instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. It also will bar such instruction in older grades if the lessons are “not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate” in accordance with state academic standards. The measure also is designed to ensure that schools cannot keep information from parents related to “critical decisions” about students’ well-being. Parents are allowed under the law to sue school districts for violations. But the measure also provides an alternative process for resolving disputes through hearings

before special magistrates. The state board is scheduled June 29 to discuss a rule related to special magistrates. “The purpose of this rule development is to craft a rule describing the process for a parent to request the appointment of a special magistrate when a parent’s concern for his child’s welfare under the provisions of (the law) have not been satisfactorily resolved at the local level by the school principal or by the school district,” a notice of the meeting said. Gov. Ron DeSantis touted such education laws during a press event Wednesday in Madeira Beach, saying that they give parents “recourse” when schools do not follow state standards. “Elementary school kids should not have woke gender ideology injected into the curriculum. That is inappropriate, that’s not what we want in our school system,” DeSantis said.

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

DeSantis sees net worth dip By Jim Turner Florida News Service

ov. Ron DeSantis’ net worth dropped just over 8.5 percent in his third year as the state’s chief executive. Listing the $134,181 he made as governor as his only income, DeSantis reported a net worth of $318,987 as of Dec. 31. DeSantis filed the financial disclosure last week at the state Division of Elections as part of re-election campaign documents. Last year, DeSantis reported a net worth of $348,832 as of Dec. 31, 2020. That was up from $291,449 at the end of 2019. State candidates and elected officials are required to file annual disclosure reports that typically detail their finances as of the end of the prior year. The forms require disclosure of estimated net worths, assets

valued at more than $1,000, liabilities of more than $1,000 and information about income. DeSantis listed assets at the end of 2021 of $202,980 in USAA checking and savings accounts; $89,066 in a thrift savings plan, a type of retirement savings and investment plan; and $48,226 in the Florida Retirement System. The Florida Retirement System account grew by $17,923 from the previous year, while the USAA total fell by $32,020 and the thrift plan decreased by $16,689. DeSantis also continued to pay down a Sallie Mae student loan during 2021, with the balance going from $22,225 in at the end of 2020 to $21,285 as of Dec. 31. DeSantis, who lives in the governor’s mansion and listed no real-estate holdings, sold his Ponte Vedra Beach home in March 2019 for $460,000, according to St. Johns County

property records. When DeSantis ran for governor, his reported net worth for 2017 stood at $310,971. It fell to $283,605 the next year. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, a congressman from St. Petersburg, posted a net worth of $1.956 million as of Dec. 31. When Crist last ran for a statewide office in 2014, his net worth was reported at $1.25 million. In a disclosure report filed Monday, Crist reported just over $2 million in investments and money in bank accounts, along with a 2005 25-foot Trophy Fisherman Center Console boat worth $45,000. Crist listed as income congressional pay of $174,000, $57,493 from the Florida Division of Retirement, and just over $50,000 from investments. His only liability in 2021 was

$35,000 for rental property in St. Petersburg. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is competing with Crist for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, had not filed a new disclosure report as of early Tuesday afternoon. Reports from Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody, both seeking re-election, also had not been posted on the Division of Elections website. Senate President Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican running for agriculture commissioner, filed a disclosure that showed a net worth of $22.5 million as of Dec. 31, down nearly 28.6 percent from a year earlier. Simpson has seen his net worth fall more than 32 percent since becoming Senate president in 2020. In the new report, Simpson

listed assets including Simpson Farms in Trilby, worth $10.934 million. He also listed a onethird ownership in the limited liability company Belly Wadding as being valued at $592,179. Belly Wadding’s major source of income is listed as NOSNAWS Corp., which owns IHOP restaurants in Florida. Simpson’s money-market accounts and other intangible property totals fell from $6.9 million in 2020 to just under $6.3 million at the end of 2021. In addition to $39,021 in income from the state, Simpson reported drawing $1.65 million from Simpson Farms. $1.25 million from environmental safety company SES Hold Co. and $22,058 from Belly Wadding. Simpson’s home is valued at $602,073, while a Plaza Tower condominium in Tallahassee has an appraised value of $270,870.

Higher room rates could put damper on tourism

File photo: The Hilton Garden Inn in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

otel room rates pushed up by demand during the past year might now be hindering tourism amid increasing inflation, state tourism officials said. As the Visit Florida tourism-marketing agency celebrated record first-quarter tourism numbers while meeting last week in Orlando, staff and board members also expressed concern that increasing cost of hotel rooms is slowly affecting occupancy rates. “I think we’re starting to see, just over the last couple of weeks or so especially, inflation actually starting to catch up with

us in most markets,” said Jacob Pewitt Yancey, Visit Florida director of consumer insight and analytics. “Now, overall room revenue is still up in every market statewide, because the growth in rates has been more than enough to overcome the decreased level of demand,” Pewitt Yancey said. However, he added, “I think we’re starting to enter a time period where that might not be able to continue to be true anymore.” Hotel occupancy across the nation slowed as expected following Memorial Day, according to STR, Inc., which provides data to the hotel industry. STR did not show any of the top 25 U.S. markets with occupancy increases during the May 29 to June 4 period over the

same time in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Occupancy nationally was at 63.2 percent, which was down 12.1 percent from a similar time frame in 2019. Meanwhile, the average daily rate was up 11.3 percent, to $147.35, from the 2019 period. Even with the increase, revenue per available room was down 2.2 percent. In STR’s weekly survey, Miami posted the largest average daily rate increase nationally --- up 37.8 percent from 2019 to $209.55. With occupancy at 68.9 percent, Orlando was the closest of any national market --- off 2.5 percent --- from its prepandemic mark. The numbers also come as business travel remains far behind pre-pandemic totals. Outgoing Visit Florida Board Chairman Danny Gaekwad, owner of MGM Hotels, said hoteliers and other businesses must make rate adjustments. The question is finding a balance with daily rates that maintain profits. “We did the profit-taking when the ADR (the average daily rate) and occupancy both were rising,” Gaekwad said. “And now the inflation and whatever is the other reasons, the gas prices or whatever you want to say it is, we need to adjust the rates or we’re going to have a lower occupancy.” Last month, when Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a record 35.98 million total visitors --- mostly domestic travelers --between the start of January and end of March, his office said Florida’s average daily rate was up over 38 percent from the same period in 2021 and the occupancy rate increased by nearly 24 percent. Those gains might not be matched in

the second quarter of 2022. For every 10 percent that room rates increase, demand is down 6 percent now in Florida, Pewitt Yancey said. Until the past couple of months, total room demand in the state had been above 2019 levels, and in many weeks was above 2021 levels, Pewitt Yancey said. However, demand wasn’t evenly distributed. “Up until about a month ago, what was going on is that demand everywhere other than Orlando was just crazy, particularly Sarasota,” Pewitt Yancey said. Orlando’s lag could have been attributed to business travel not being back to pre-pandemic levels, Pewitt Yancey said. But in the past month, the demand for rooms in Orlando is outpacing 2021 numbers, but the rest of the state has dropped. “Every market in the state, in terms of room demand, is down. But Orlando now is so up, compared to what it was, that it’s keeping the statewide numbers positive,” Pewitt Yancey said. The drop-off outside Orlando isn’t just below the 2021 tourism resurgence. Pewitt Yancey said it’s “starting to fall back down below 2019 levels in about a third of the markets in Florida.” Board member Lino Maldonado, president of BeHome 247 Technologies, said Airbnb operators who were in major demand during the pandemic are trying to find a balance between rates and occupancy to determine profitability. “We’re still north of 2019 numbers, but certainly ADR I think is going to be coming down,” Maldonado said.

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

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JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Reddick-Collier teacher retires after 36 years of educating young minds

Bonita Wilkerson-Mack, who retired after teaching for 36 years, shows her retirement award as she poses for a photo at Reddick-Collier Elementary School in Reddick on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

onita WilkersonMack has spent the past 36 years as an educator celebrating that “aha moment,” when a struggling student makes a breakthrough—and her teaching makes a difference. Her first experience with teaching was at home, where she grew up as one of 17 children in her family. She spent her early days looking after her younger siblings and teaching them the lessons that only an older sister could. It was because of this that she knew she wanted to teach for the rest of her life. “What inspires me is when I can teach a struggling reader how to read,” said Wilkerson-Mack. “That’s the bottom line, just the love of students and that ‘aha

moment’ when they wake up and say, ‘I can read.’” She has been a teacher in the Marion County area for her entire adult life, focusing on early childhood and elementary education. While attending North Marion High School, she worked at the Montessori Academy of Ocala after school. She then worked at A Child’s Haven private school for 15 years before transitioning into teaching in Marion County public schools in 2000. She has spent the past nine years teaching English language arts and social studies at ReddickCollier Elementary School, from which she retired this school year. In all her many years of teaching, Wilkerson-Mack never grudgingly went into the classroom. Every day, she said, she felt a desire to see her

students, adding that teaching brought her as much joy as learning did for her students. “It wasn’t a struggle for me to wake up in the morning and go to my job site,” she said. “It was just the love of children, and to embrace those children and have them know that love.” When her youngest brother Marcus Wilkerson was a child, he was one of those struggling students who faced difficulty in learning how to read. He recalled his sister teaching him to read but catching him making up stories based off the pictures. She knew he would need a little bit of extra help and love to reach that “aha moment” where he could read proficiently. “She’s very patient, and that’s one of the things that I needed out of a teacher,” Wilkerson said. “I needed that extra help when I got home, and not just in school. I’d have to pull out my books and my paper and she’d take that time to help me.” Wilkerson credits his big sister’s attention to his education for helping him grow into a successful adult who runs his own business. He said she has always had a generous heart, and that reflects in her relationships with her students. “Everybody is not as fortunate as others, so a lot of times she’d provide shoes to bring, or pieces of clothes to school,” he said. “She’d bring some food and different things like that, because how can you teach a child if a child is hungry or getting picked on?” Wilkerson-Mack said she attributes her patience and generosity to her faith in God, and said she strives to treat each student with kindness because she is just doing what Jesus would do. She said she believes God called her to serve as a teacher and there is no doubt in her mind He gave her this vocation so she may help others. “There’s no maybe at all about it, I know it,” WilkersonMack said. “The reason I know that is because from the beginning this was my calling,

and He has confirmed His word throughout my life.” She comes from a Christian family and has been a faithful parishioner at United Holiness Church of Christ Deliverance Center, where her father has been the pastor for over 50 years. In the same way that she said God called her to teach, she said she also felt a calling to retire. “This past school year, back in August, is when I felt the compel, and I knew my chapter was coming to an end,” she said. “I knew that it was going to be my last year, because now it’s time to go into ministry in another phase of my life.” As much as she has loved working with children, she said she knew it was finally time to take a step back and transition into the most literal form of ministry—the church. She said it has always been her family’s dream to expand the church by opening a school, and that her experience in education would make her the perfect fit to help make that happen. The community formed around God has offered Wilkerson-Mack an invaluable support system, including her friend Jesalyn Rucker Norfleet. “By joining their church, we became friends. We sang in the choir, did devotions together and did mission trips and outreach,” Rucker Norfleet said. “We have been friends for over 25 years, and since that time I’ve known her to be a passionate, Godfearing woman.” Rucker Norfleet said that her friend’s dedication was not only obvious in church but extended to the classroom as well. “Each stage that she went through from A Child’s Haven where she was the director, to everything else she does, she does it wholeheartedly,” Rucker Norfleet said. “She’s very passionate about what she can do with the children and with everything in life.” Her ministry in the church and her ministry in education often overlap, and she also was able to share her love of God and

teaching with her coworker and friend Diana McCullough. “She expects nothing less than the best from her students, and nothing else will do,” McCullough said. “Not only does she expect that, she gets it, because they understand that she’s serious about her education.” McCullough works as a receptionist at Reddick-Collier Elementary where she regularly interacted with WilkersonMack and her third grade students. McCullough said the running joke among the students is that the two friends could be sisters—to which they respond that they are sisters in Christ. While WilkersonMack cultivates a happy, safe environment this way, McCullough said the students know she means business. “They understand that when she speaks, they stop to listen. She has great discipline and control over her students, and they respect that,” McCullough said. “So as a teacher, Bonita could teach my child.” Now that Wilkerson-Mack has transitioned out of teaching into working with her family in the church, she said she will also work with her husband in his business, Mack’s Repairs Home Improvement. She said she looks forward to being able to support and help him through his dreams, as he has for hers. “When you pass 50 and you’re working that hard, it really does some wear and tear,” she said. “I want to help him work smarter, not harder, as we’re going into our golden years.” Wilkerson-Mack said that even though she is retiring and moving onto the next chapter of her life, she’ll never forget the ability she had to make a lasting impact on a student and help in their development. “That’s why I keep going back to that ‘aha moment.’ I will just say thank God, I made a difference. Every day you wake up and it’s a different day, a different beginning,” she said. “And each one starts by saying ‘good morning, come on in.’”

“It wasn’t a struggle for me to wake up in the morning and go to my job site,” she said. “It was just the love of children, and to embrace those children and have them know that love.” Bonita Wilkerson-Mack

Bonita Wilkerson-Mack, who retired after teaching for 36 years, center, poses for a photo with twins Edmund, left, and Ethan Taylor, two students she taught, during a ceremony on Saturday, June 4, 2022. [Photo Courtesy Bonita Wilkerson-Mack] 2022.

Bonita Wilkerson-Mack, who retired after teaching for 36 years, shows the retirement award she received from Eric Cummings of the Marion County Public School Board. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Vacation bible school season starts By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@ocalagazette.com.

he Town of McIntosh is so small, its handful of churches put aside their denominational differences years ago to create a community Vacation Bible School for both young and old alike. The yearly ecumenical effort takes place at McIntosh Christian, McIntosh United Methodist, and McIntosh Presbyterian churches with assistance and support from McIntosh Baptist, Community Presbyterian and Evinston United Methodist churches. “It’s truly a community effort for everyone from kids in the nursery up to adults,” said Suzanne Sindledecker (cq), of McIntosh Presbyterian who, along with Eva Joe Callahan (cq), is co-facilitating the weeklong program slated for Sunday through Friday (June 19-24) McIntosh has a population of just 452 residents with four of the six churches located within its town limits, and the other two within a few miles. “None of us are large churches so this allows us to share our resources and volunteers, and work together,” she said. The community Vacation Bible School will officially begin with an opening ceremony, along with fun and games from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday (June 19) followed by dinner and registration from 5 to 7 p.m. on the grounds of McIntosh United Methodist, 20627 8th St. This year’s theme is, “Sparks Studio: Created in Christ for God’s Purpose.” The faith-based summer program’s kickoff has taken place on the third Sunday in June since its inception at least ten years ago and has now become a treasured tradition for town residents, attracting roughly 100 participants each year, nearly a quarter of the town’s population, although the Covid pandemic did cause a drop in attendance in 2020 and 2021. “We’ve been doing this for at least ten years and we always kick off Vacation Bible School on Father’s Day with fun activities and food,” said Sindledecker. “It’s a family affair.” The program will continue from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday (June 20-24), with dinner served each night in the fellowship hall of the Methodist church. “We feed everyone for six nights so families don’t have to worry about dinner,” she said. After the meal, participants, grouped by age, will either stay at the Methodist church or disperse to either the nearby McIntosh Presbyterian, 5825 Ave. F, McIntosh Christian, 5845 Ave. E, or the town’s Community Center at 5835 Avenue G (all addresses cq) for the nightly programming. Sindledecker said the community VBS is not the only time McIntosh’s congregations join efforts. “The six churches meet quarterly and take turns hosting community services at Easter and Christmas each year, she said. A bevy of other churches in Marion County are also hosting Vacation Bible School this year, here are a few of them:

• First Baptist Church of Summerfield, 14550 SE 65th Court, will have Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday (June 19-24). The church will serve a light meal at 6 p.m., as well as a snack during the VBS program. Details and registration: 352-245-2369 or fbcsummerfield.org.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

• Community Harvest Baptist Church in Summerfield will have Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday (June 20-24) for kids in Pre-K through Fifth grade. This year’s theme is, “Zoomerang: Returning to the Value of Life.” The church is located at 14915 SE 36th Ave. Details and registration: 352-245-9850 or pastor Daniel Giltner at danielgiltner@yahoo. com. • Fellowship Baptist Church, 10500 N U.S. Highway 27, Ocala will have its annual Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to Noon Monday through Friday (June 20-24) for children in grades Pre-K to 6th grade. This year’s theme is “Spark Studios” Details and registration: 352-629-5379 or fellowshipinocala.com, under the Upcoming Events, link.

The McIntosh United Methodist Church is shown in McIntosh on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

• Children in grades PreK-4 through fifth grade will travel to Biblical times and weave baskets from reeds, make clay pots and enjoy the smell of fresh warm bread during Grace Presbyterian Church’s Vacation Bible School taking place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 27-July 1. This year’s theme is, “Jerusalem Marketplace.” The church is located at 2255 SE 38th Street, Ocala. Details and registration: 352-629-1537 or gpcocala.org. • First Presbyterian Church of Ocala, 511 SE Third St. will host its annual Vacation Bible School from 8:30 a.m. to Noon June 28-30 for children in PreK-3 (toilet-trained) through fifth grade. This year’s theme is, “Rocky Railway: Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through.” Details and registration: 352-629-7561 or fpcocala.org.

Suzanne Sindledecker, left, and Eva Jo Callahan, right, look over banners as they decorate the Fellowship Hall for Vacation Bible School.

• Abiding Hope Lutheran Church will take participants in its VBS on a figurative road trip around the USA during its “Route 3:16,” program from 9 a.m. to Noon June 30-July 1. The two-day VBS is open to children ages four to ten. The church is located at 777 SE 58th Ave., Ocala. Details and registration: abidinghopeocala. com. • St. Marys’ Episcopal Church, 5750 SE 115th St (Babb Road) Belleview, will have Vacation Bible School from 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 11-15. This year’s theme is “Rocky Railway - Jesus’ Powers Pulls Us Through.” The church will provide dinner each night. Details and registration: 352-347-6422 or stmarysbelleview.org/vbs/.

Eva Jo Callahan, left, and Suzanne Sindledecker, right, work on putting up banners.

County promotes water conservation through annual calendar photo contest By Ocala Gazette Staff

arion County’s Office of the County Engineer is currently accepting photo submissions for its 20th annual Stormwater calendar photo contest, according to a June 14 press release. Photos must be images associated with this year’s theme—“Making a Splash!”—and consist of the many lakes, rivers and springs located in Marion County, which, according to county officials, contains more than 40 springs, 92 miles of rivers and 32,000 acres of lakes. Images can be submitted via email or mailed directly to the Office of the County Engineer and include the following information: • The photographer’s name • Contact information for the photographer • Location of photo • A brief description of each photo submitted (for example: “Shoreline at Lake Weir”) Photo quality and resolution must meet size, design and publishing standards (a minimum of 300 dots per inch or DPI). By submitting a photograph, photographers give Marion County the right to use the images in any future print, broadcast or digital media. Winning entries will be selected in July and published in the 2023 Stormwater calendar. All photo submissions should be sent to Stormwater@marionfl.org before 5 p.m. on July 1, 2022. Mailed submissions should be addressed to: Attn: Stormwater, 412 S.E. 25th Ave., Ocala, FL. 34471. For more information, call (352) 671-8686.

File photo: Rainbow River [Alan Youngblood/Special to Ocala Gazette]

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Spending some time with Amira Sims The professor and poet will perform at NOMA Gallery’s “Solstice: A Celebration in Verse” this Tuesday.

Amira Sims [Supplied]

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

mira Sims, a full-time professor at the College of Central Florida, connects with people and heals with her words, whether at the classroom podium or onstage at an open mic. In the poem “Writing Endless Possibilities,” Sims writes: I find time to be me. I carve out a little space to write, to draw, to breathe, to exist. In these spaces, although time is limited, my focus and my belief in the ability to make things better are limitless.

people in their tracks with her expressive and empowering words. Between teaching, volunteering for nonprofits, participating in Spoken Word Ocala, and being a single mom to four, she manages to slow down and to take time to stop and reflect. Lately she’s been most active with Spoken Word Ocala, which formed when former Appleton Museum curator Patricia Tomlinson. She and a group of writers also meet once a month at local libraries to free-write and give each other feedback. On Tuesday, June 21, Sims is coordinating “Solstice: A Celebration in Verse” with NOMA Gallery and Spoken Word Ocala. Along with Sims and Tomlinson, artists include Tyler B. Stearns, Fabiene Augusta, Pamela Escarcega, K.D. Gates, Kathy Kuhns, E. Stanley Richardson, Amy Roberts, Barbara Fitos, Althea Smith and Cherone Bellinfantie. The night of spoken word by local poets happens during sunset on the longest day of the year, and the writers are drawing from inspirations about their place in time. History, Sims said, is a big part of our consciousness of time and identity, both individually and as a community. She participated in an advisory team with Dr. Patrick Coggins, a speaker on cultural competence and consultant from Stetson University. The committee, appointed by Marion County School Board members and headed by Frank Rasbury helped the local school board achieve exemplary status in the state for their curriculum. “We were trying to figure out how to

Art is in her soul Wherever she’s speaking, Sims stops

infuse African American and Latino history into the K-12 system,” she said. “We would meet and brainstorm ideas. … For me, it’s like there’s this continuation or this flow. And when you think about it, knowing history is helpful because you don’t want to make the same mistakes and have a recurrence of what happened in the past.” Sims has also volunteered for the local jails system, helping inmates write their feelings and find their creative inspiration through poetry and other creative writing. Though she has been a productive and celebrated participant in Ocala’s local culture, Sims has had to confront racism and recalibrate her resolve. In her poem, “Ode to Ocala,” she writes: Welcome to Ocala, where the sky is blue, the temperature is just right, and the work is meaningful Just as it occurs when you enter the prison, you must consent to being frisked, interrogated, to surrendering your i.d and driver’s license, but don’t’ surrender your dignity or your identity Allow them to look you over, to pat you down, to harass you Let them feed the piranhas in your stomach pool Let them be the compost in your garden Sims grew up in New Jersey and Atlanta, where she used to compete in poetry battles (and still does when visiting family). She married a military man and has lived in different cities across the U.S. It took a while, but Ocala is her hometown

now and an inspirational base for the 47-year-old to make her second act in life her best one yet. “I think just the moving around it’s made me more aware of time mainly because when you stay one place, it’s like you have people in your life that are just there forever, but when you’re moving you learn that if you don’t slow down and enjoy it, you won’t be fulfilled. … I’ve also lost several family members and friends. With moving often and because of death, coming to Ocala has really slowed me down. I’ve been kind of like in slow motion compared to when I’ve lived in other places.” Sims also feels like she was born to be a teacher. She teaches psychology classes at CF and is working toward a doctorate in educational psychology. “I want to ultimately be a public speaker,” she said. “I do a lot of motivational talks here and there and want to do more teaching on the everyday application of psychology.” Time for reflection is paramount above all. “Along with being in the present, you need to be aware of the future and the past,” Sims said, adding: “I have this Sankofa, it’s a principle and a symbol. It’s a West African picture of a bird, looking back over his shoulder and the message is it’s never too late to go back for that, which is lost.” “Solstice: A Celebration in Verse” takes place at NOMA Gallery Tuesday, June 21, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Visit Facebook’s events page or EventBrite.com for more details.

Kelley Batson has made some impressive moves in a relatively short time.

Kelley Batson set up her studio less than a decade ago and is making strides in the arts community. [Supplied]

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com elley Batson said that she’s always been an artist in her soul even if she began painting professionally less than 10 years ago. “There was no specific time frame or a date,” she added. “ I just knew it’s something that was inside that I could, should, would do. I can’t really explain it other than that,” Before going all-in for art, the Eustis resident was a marketing director for her family’s greenhouse business, which involved handling sales, producing graphics and other communication. Since 2017, she has been making a living as an artist and now does business as KBatsonArt (at kbatsonart. com). She has learned her craft, exhibited in a solo show, has experimented with a variety of techniques, from minimalist landscapes to abstracts, and recently placed in a juried competition, all in a shorter span than “Game of Thrones” aired on HBO. “I’ve discovered I paint from a place of emotion that I must share with the viewer,” Batson wrote in her artist statement, adding that she wants to elicit a “flashback to a memory, a place, a time, a feeling.”

Batson also keeps busy as a member of the Florida Women’s Art Association, Ocala Art Group, Marion Cultural Alliance, Art League of Daytona, Lake County Museum of Art and Leesburg Center for the Arts. The Alabama native (and University of Alabama fan) describes her works in descriptive ways on her website and talks about her process in a conversational, intimate manner. She shares her enthusiasm about her residency program at Leesburg Center for the Arts and writes that she willl be focusing on creating with oils and cold wax to widen her horizons and discover their many applications during the remainder of 2022. “Before we closed the business, I started taking some classes from an art teacher in Mount Dora and getting back into art and refreshing my mind,” Batson explained. “It had been so long since I’d done anything like that…it got to where my family would say, ‘Are you gonna paint today? ‘Cause you’re a little crabby.’” The emerging painter admitted to the Gazette that she had to work hard to learn the self-promotion routine as an artist, that she can sometimes feel a little bashful in crowds. “I don’t always like the video part of social media posting,” Batson confessed. “I think I should do more, but you hear this ACC-ent!“ One could argue that her Alabaman inflections are a charming asset, as with her directness. Batson doesn’t like small talk. She exhibits that enviable mix of confidence and sincerity and doesn’t take her self too seriously.

“We used to do trade shows and things like that, and you stand there on your feet all day and talk to people and, and you have to be quote-unquote “on,” ,..That’s what you have to do when you’re selling.” For art, however, there’s more to it, she says. “Talking about your art to clients is different, I still am incredibly in awe that someone likes or appreciates or has interest in something that I’ve created.” Batson likes to paint impressions in time, what she describes as “glimpses of memory, flashes of light and patterns, all using many layers of transparent paint and making marks into the paint. This month, she won third place for “March of the Drones in the “Summer in the Sun 2” exhibition on June 10 at NOMA Gallery. Her friend Cindy Vener won Best in Show for her painting “Summer Storm.” Mike Knapp won First and Alfred Phillips was Second Place in the exhibition. Appleton Museum Assistant Director Victoria Billig judged the works. As for other prospective artists waiting for that right time to take the plunge, Batson advises to listen to your heart. “When you follow the path, you’re supposed to be on, doors open,” she said. Batson’s work is currently on display in Ocala at NOMA Gallery’s Summer in the Sun II exhibition through Aug. 27 and the Ocala Recreation & Parks Administration Building City of Ocala Solo Exhibit, Journey to My Soul: Landscapes of My Mind, through Sept. 14. Visit kbatsonart.com for details.

“Indian Rocks Reminiscence”

Captures a summer sunset on Batson’s favorite beach in Tampa Bay.

“March of the Drones”

Currently on display at NOMA and recipient of third place in juried competition.

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

very Friday, James Blevins, this newspaper’s in-house reporter and poet—who has seen his work previously published in “Salt Hill Journal,” “Pretty Owl Poetry,” “Stoneboat Journal,” “Mud Season Review” and

“AZURE,” as well as numerous other outlets both online and in print—chooses one poem for publication. Additionally, Blevins will share a poem of his own, just for good measure, at the end of each calendar month.

WORD FIND

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

Volunteer heroes Solution: 20 Letters

[The city breaks in houses to the sea, uneasy with waves,] By Charles Reznikoff

The city breaks in houses to the sea, uneasy with waves, And the lonely sun clashes like brass cymbals. In the streets truck-horses, muscles sliding under the steaming hides, Pound the sparks flying about their hooves; And fires, those gorgeous beasts, squirm in the furnaces, Under the looms weaving us. At evening by cellars cold with air of rivers at night, We, whose lives are only a few words, Watch the young moon leaning over the baby at her breast And the stars small to our littleness.

In the vast open The birds are faintly overheard.

Charles Reznikoff, born August 31, 1894, in Brooklyn, New York, was a poet and novelist from the Objectivist movement, a movement of individuals who sought to study and advance Objectivism, the philosophy expounded by novelistphilosopher Ayn Rand. Reznikoff was

the author of many collections, including “Testimony: The United States (18851890): Recitative” (New Directions, 1965). He was awarded the 1971 Morton Dauwen Zabel Prize by the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He died on January 22, 1976.

Aide Apex Appreciated Babies Boats Caring Chat Committee Contribution Doctor Dogs

Drugs Effort Experience Family Fete Food Games Gang Green Hall Help

Image Join Mind Muster Offer Phone Radios Raffles Relief Retirement Risk

Rotary Sacrifice Scouts Share St John Task Time Train Visits Vocal Yarn

: Salt of the earth people

The slender trees stand alone in the fields Between the roofs of the far town And the wood far away like a low hill.

Creators Syndicate 737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

M lo g, ro in d U s K ifie le rt ar Ce Ch oard

Dr. King provides comprehensive and exceptional urology services here in the local Ocala area. He is board certified and has over 30 years of experience in male and female urology. st gi

Non-invasive treatment options Full range of diagnostic services including: • Urodynamics • Digital Cystoscopy

• Urinalysis • PSA Screening

Timber Ridge Medical Center 9401 Sw Hwy 200, Suite 403, Ocala, FL 34481

• Prostate Ultrasound • Image-guided Prostate Biopsy

Ocala Office 2850 Se 3rd Court, Ocala, FL 34471

(352) 310-8281 uicfla.com

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7

Date: 6/17

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

community JUNE 17

Plant Appreciation Class

The Peacock Cottage, 3243 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-7pm Learn about interesting plant books, get care tips and have a Q&A with a plant expert. This onehour class features local plant store owner Frank Perdomo. $15; includes a free African violet. For more info, see facebook.com/thePeacockCottage

JUNE 17-19

Orange Blossom Miniature Horse Show

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala All day With classes in a variety of disciplines, such as halter, obstacles, driving and liberty, check out miniature horses and Shetland ponies at their cutest. See selp.marionfl.org

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

and nonprofits, businesses and mentor groups. The event is free to attend. See facebook.com/pg/ OcalaJuneteenthCelebration

JUNE 18

Juneteenth Celebration R.A.M.A.L Dinner Dance Event

One Health Center, 1714 SW 17th St., Ocala 7pm-11pm R.A.M.A.L Educational & Social Services hosts its annual fundraiser with dinner, live entertainment, music, DJ and dancing, silent auctions and raffles. Proceeds will help provide employment assistance, affordable housing, tutoring and literacy effort and will benefit community projects, scholarships for at-risk and non-traditional students, tutoring and mentoring. African or casual chic attire suggested. $50 per person at Eventbrite.com. To learn more, go to ramalservices.org

JUNE 18 & 25

Yoga in the Park

JUNE 17-19, 21-26

Ocala Summer Series Weeks 2 &3 Hunter/Jumper Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala All day Enjoy horse shows sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation and see a variety of horses and riders work the courses. Shows run through August. Many take place in the indoor arenas, with Grand Prix events on Saturday nights in the outdoor Grand Arena. More than $3 million in prizes will be awarded. Spectators welcome. WEC has restaurants onsite and shopping options. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

JUNE 17 & 24

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Government Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

JUNE 18

Summer Daze Car Show

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 9:30am-5pm From custom-made to muscle cars to classics, check out the second annual car show and get admittance to the gardens too. Car entries are $10; spectator fee is $12. Awards ceremony at 3pm. For more info, cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com

JUNE 18

Ocala Juneteenth Celebration

Martin Luther King Recreation Complex, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala 10am-4pm The Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission and the city of Ocala will host a Juneteenth event to celebrate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. Includes entertainment, food and other vendors,

Sholom Park: 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am Snake into your cobra pose and get your downward dog going. Stretch out by the Sholom Park stage; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org

JUNE 18 & 25

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com

JUNE 18 & 25

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm A true farmers swap meet where chickens, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

JUNE 18 & 25

Summer Sunset Polo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm Once the sun goes down, the breeze kicks in. Free to the public, tailgate right next to the polo field. Saturday evenings through September. For more info, ocalapolo.com

JUNE 20-24

Discovery Center Summer Camp: Air & Space Week Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 7:30am-5:30pm Kids ages 8-12 can take part in the weekly summer camp series from the Ocala Recreation

government JUNE 21

Marion County Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am Takes place every first and third Tuesday.

JUNE 21

City of Ocala City Council Meeting City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm Every second and fourth Tuesday.

College of Central Florida, Citrus County Campus, 3800 S Lecanto Highway, Lecanto 3:30pm-5pm Large and small companies are hiring at this summer job fair including Auto Zone, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Caregivers, Key Training Center, Tri-Co Communications and more. Candidates are encouraged to dress professionally and bring print copies of resumes; job interviews will be held on the spot. Pre-register at careersourceclm.com/event/job-fair-citrus-county

JUNE 22-26

Elvis: The Summer Festival

Citrus County Auditorium, 3610 S Florida Ave., Inverness Times vary It’s an all things Elvis celebration with movies, impersonators and vendors paying tribute to The King. Each show features a different Elvis tribute artist showcasing concerts and songs from a certain period in his life. Tickets are $20-$35 for each show. See elvisthesummerfestival.com

JUNE 23

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com

JUNE 23

Friday Foodie Fest at Lake Lillian

Lake Lillian Park, Robinson Road north of SE Hames Road, Belleview 5-9pm Each fourth Friday, Lake Lillian Park and the city of Belleview hosts this celebration with food trucks, music, local vendors and kids activities such as rock painting, train rides and face painting. Familyfriendly; free. Check belleviewfl.org

JUNE 25

Retro Run 5K-Run Ocala Race Series Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 8am-12pm Put on your retro duds and run/walk this 5K through downtown and the historic district. You can wear your old high school team running shorts or maybe some Chuck Taylors (there’s actually a competition for those wearing them.) Awards include Top 3 overall and Top 3 for each age group. For more info, facebook.com/events/452299339640024/

JUNE 25

Guinness World Record AttemptMost Dogs at a Movie Screening

Downtown Market Square, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 5:30pm-10pm Hearts Healing Hearts, Inc., a local nonprofit is that trains therapy dogs, is attempting to beat the Guinness World Record for Most Dogs at a Movie. Dogs must be accompanied by a well-behaved human, be leashed and at least one year old. Clifford, the Big Red Dog will be shown. For more info, see the events page at H34Dogs.com

JUNE 25

Who’s in the Box?

Marion Technical Institute, 1614 SE Fort King St., Ocala 6pm-9pm The Ocala Police Department, along with various community , will present a dramatic story showing the real-life consequences of using violence to solve a problem. Community service organizations will offer services and conflict-resolution resources for future help, along with a snack and meal. Free to all. To learn more, call 352-369-7182.

JUNE 24

Aren’t We Fabulous? A Priscilla Queen of the Desert Screening/ Dance Party

Reilly Arts Center, NOMA Black Box, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 6pm movie; 8pm dance party To cap off Pride Month, the Reilly Arts Center hosts a movie and dance party featuring The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, starring Terence Stamp and Guy Pearce. Tickets are $15 for the dance only; $25 for movie and dance party. Find out more at reillyartscenter.com/events

Barbergators Chorus Concert

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm Classic barbershop harmonies and tunes performed by the Barbergators Chorus will include doo-wop, gospel, pop and comedy, all done in a capella stylings. Tickets are $10-$20 and available at ocalacivictheatre.com.

JUNE 25

Barkin’ Brunch

Downtown Hilton Garden Inn, 120 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-1pm The Humane Society of Marion County is sponsoring its first Barkin’ Brunch, which includes a gourmet all-you-can-eat brunch along with mimosas, musical entertainment, raffle prizes and animals available for adoption. Tickets are $50 per person, available at the Humane Society, 701 NW 14th Road, or by email to aburnett@humanesocietyofmarioncounty.com.

JUNE 21

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission Meeting

JUNE 21

JUNE 27

5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6-8pm

Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 2pm Final hearing meetings are held twice monthly; dates vary.

10 A.M. – 2 P.M. | Thursday, June 30 Southeastern Livestock Pavilion 2232 NE Jacksonville RD, Ocala, FL 34470

Join us and meet RASHAD JONES, owner of Big Lee’s BBQ and a star of the Food Network. Hear Rashad share how he found success by staying focused on his goals.

For information, visit Brazenbash.org or call 352-644-2687

Summer Job Fair

JUNE 24

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting

Reaching for the Top

Guest Speaker

JUNE 21

BRAZEN BASH ‘22

Rashad Jones

and Parks Department. This week focuses on air and space; future weeks will cover Florida nature, engineering, food science, spy science and awesome artists. Fees are $115-$130 per camper. Register at ocalafl.org/recpark

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 5:30pm First hearing meetings are held on the last Monday of the month.

Free event for kids ages 11 to 18 In addition to meeting Rashad, those who come can enjoy: • PIZZA & SNO-CONES • BUNGEE RUN • T-SHIRTS • OBSTACLE • AND MORE! COURSE • ROCK WALL

• MUSIC

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

arts JUNE 17 & 24

Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series

Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala 7-9pm Free music concerts sponsored by the city of Ocala and the Marion Cultural Alliance. A variety of music genres will get your toes tapping, your feet dancing and your heart pumping along with the rhythm. June 17 is band Natu Camara; June 24 band will be Melvin Williams. For more info, ocalafl.org or facebook.com/levittampocala

JUNE 18

Jeff Bates

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 7pm Recording for RCA, this country artist has hits including “The Love Song” and “Long slow Kisses.” This artist moves from Christian country to secular music and often performs Conway Twitty songs based on his “Me and Conway” album. Tickets are $25-$40. See obopry.com

THROUGH JULY 28

Summer Spotlight XXV: Town and Country

National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit appletonmuseum.org

College of Central Florida Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Mon-Fri 10am-4pm This special collection, by the Visual Artists Society, is part of its Summer Spotlight series that displays local artists’ works in a variety of mediums. Experience the creativity and see artwork done in photographs, digital media, paintings, 3-D objects and more. For more info, cf.edu/student-life/artsand-culture/webber-gallery

Recreation and Parks Administration Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm This free art exhibit showcases the work of artist Batson-Howard who creates abstract works to bring beauty to the world. Her work is variable, often colorful and full of whimsy. The City of Ocala hosts her work, and is open to the public. For more info, Kbatsonart.com

THROUGH JULY 31

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

A Strange and Picturesque Country: Etchings by Earl H. Reed

Invented Observations: Photographs by Steven Benson

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Prints from the permanent collection by Earl Howell Reed. Although a largely self-taught artist, Reed’s work can be viewed in the collections of the

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13

Journey to My Soul: Landscape of My Mind by Kelley Batson-Howard

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm The works of professor, educator and artist Benson represent the human search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org.

music nightlife nig ghtlife JUNE 17

JUNE 19

JUNE 24

Second Slice

Al Manfredi

Humans in Disguise

JUNE 17

JUNE 22

JUNE 24

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

TJ Brown

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

JUNE 17

The Stagers

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

Sandra & Alex

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 22

Cliff Dorsey

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

Jeff Jarrett

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

JUNE 25

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

West 27

JUNE 18

JUNE 23

JUNE 25

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

Dave Adam

Brandon Dull

Stella Beat

JUNE 18

JUNE 23

JUNE 25

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

3 For the Road Plus 1

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com

JUNE 18

Radlin’ Rootz

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com

Gilly & the Girl

The Mudds

JUNE 24

JUNE 26

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Slickwood

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Doug Adams

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4 Sudoku

Newsday Crossword

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

Kate

She has been featured on Facebook, television and regularly goes to events, but she remains homeless. She is eleven years old and has spent the last nine months in the shelter. She loves tennis balls and going for nature walks with her volunteer friends. Let’s change her life and ﬁnd a home for Kate.

Max

June is Adopt a Cat Month. Cats-$5 Dogs-$25 For more information please visit MarionFL.org/Animal

This little guy has a way of telling you to pick him without saying a word, doesn’t he? This two month old boy is ready to see what the world has to oﬀer.

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

AdventHealth Ocala installs garden tribute By Ocala Gazette Staff

dventHealth Ocala hosted a surprise unveiling of a garden plaque to commemorate the life of McKenzie Gray and her namesake Maternal Fetal Medicine Program on Tuesday, June 14. The MFM program is scheduled to launch this fall and will help local women dealing with high-risk pregnancies thanks to a $1.7 million donation from Ocala residents Michael and Kathleen Smith and $200,000 donation from the McKenzie’s Moment Foundation. McKenzie Kearney Gray Maternal Fetal Medicine program in honor of the late daughter of Kait and Ryan Gray, who passed away several days after she was born premature in May of 2018. Following McKenzie’s birth, mother and child were separated at two different hospitals, one providing care for Kait and the other having a neonatal intensive care unit where little McKenzie received care.

Ryan, Kait and Palmer Gray; AdventHealth Ocala President & CEO, Joe Johnson; and AdventHealth Ocala Foundation Executive Director, Jenna Krager. [Supplied]

The McKenzie’s Moment Garden Plaque and a bird feeder to attract cardinals, which represent loved ones who stay with us once they’ve passed away. [Supplied]

To brace or not to brace By Joel Luedke Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

EAR MAYO CLINIC: I love being active, playing tennis, bowling, hiking and shooting hoops with my grandkids. I have arthritis in my ankle and wonder if wearing a brace would prevent injury and maybe even relieve the aches and pains I have after activities. ANSWER: Braces, not only for the ankle, but also the knee and wrist, provide support, as well as compression and warmth. They also can help with pain and healing if you’ve experienced an injury. Often immobilizing and supporting a joint can calm it and relieve pain. Studies have shown that ankle braces can reduce injuries and don’t interfere with performance. You may have seen football defensive linemen wearing sleeves or even larger braces around their knees that are designed to prevent injury. A wrist brace can provide support and alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Any athletic trainer, physical therapist, or sports medicine or orthopedic health care professional can make recommendations for your situation. As with any joint issue, it’s best to address it early to prevent further injury and let you continue participating in the activities you enjoy most. Braces range from a simple neoprene sleeve to a complex hinged device. A wide variety of braces are available over the counter at pharmacies and sporting goods stores, and online. It’s important to choose a brace that meshes best with the level of activity you want to maintain or regain. For example, a simple neoprene sleeve on your ankle would be a good solution for lower stress, everyday activities like going for a long walk. But if you’re taking activity to the next level, such as yardwork or walking on uneven terrain, you may want to use a wrap-around ankle brace with Velcro straps that allow you to adjust the tightness. People involved in higher-intensity activities, such a basketball, volleyball or tennis, may find a lace-up brace with adjustable straps to be the best choice. If you’ve injured your ankle, like twisting it as you step off a curb, wearing a brace after the accident can provide support and stability. It also will give you confidence that your ankle will support you. But as the injury heals, you should gradually work away from wearing a more supportive brace to a lighter brace and then to not wearing a brace at all or only occasionally. This lets the ligaments and muscles around your ankle naturally strengthen and heal through lower-intensity everyday activities. You may want to continue bracing for more strenuous activities, like working out, shoveling snow or running. If you’re an athlete, save the brace for competitions and practices. Many of the same reasons to brace an ankle apply to the knee, too. However, injuries that cause knee pain often are related to muscle control at the hip or ankle, so bracing the knee potentially doesn’t have the same effect on healing. That’s why it’s important to consult with your health care team on the best way to treat a knee injury or pain. If you have early onset, mild arthritis in your knee, a neoprene sleeve can provide support, compression and warmth. These simple braces can be worn as long as they continue to provide relief. Some athletes wear a sleeve or tights that go below the knee for compression and comfort. However, if you’ve injured your knee, such as a sprained or torn ACL, rely on your surgeon’s guidance. Typically, a complex knee brace is worn for the first year. After that, a brace usually isn’t needed for less stressful activities. Keep in mind it can take up to two years to return to baseline stability following an ACL injury. Once you’re back to full function, you can stop wearing a brace. Wrist braces range from a simple Ace bandage or wrap to a hard plastic splint that stabilizes the thumb, as well. Basic braces provide support and compression for comfort and injury prevention. A hard-shell brace often is used for general sprains and pain. Those with carpal tunnel syndrome may wear one of these braces at night to prevent them from curling their wrists under as they sleep. This prevents pressure on the carpal tunnel. Certain sprains or breaks might require a spica splint, which is a special type of orthopedic splint that immobilizes the thumb but allows the other fingers and wrist to move easily. Braces can be used as part of your overall active lifestyle. Finding the right brace for your activity can relieve aches and pain, prevent injury and be the perfect complement to staying active. Combine the support of a brace with general strengthening to maximize your level of activity. -- Joel Luedke, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Onalaska, Wisconsin (Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)

Romantic Italy: Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri By Rick Steves

long the heights of the Amalfi Coast in Italy, every inch is terraced, connected by steep stony staircases that tempt visitors with twinkling -- but treacherous -- Mediterranean views. Climbing through terraced orchards of lemon trees, I’m hot and thirsty, fantasizing about freshsqueezed lemonade. And then, just like a fairy tale, I come upon the daughter of a farmer who seems to be waiting for a lost and parched American traveler. She welcomes me to her terrace to join her for a little slicing and squeezing. Then, as if teaching me a very important life skill, she demonstrates how you halve your lemon, stab it with a knife, and then -- cupping the fruit with one hand -- you wiggle the knife with the other, and watch the juice fill your glass. She adds lots of sugar, gives it a good stir, and hands me a glass of lemonade I’ll never forget. As I drink, she quizzes me about my journey. It’s one of those moments you travel for. I’m staying in Sorrento, a town wedged on a ledge between the mountains and the sea. An hour south of wild and crazy Naples, Sorrento feels like its opposite: calm and genteel. Crowding onto the early bus for the ride along the Amalfi Coast, I sit on the right, primed for the big coastal views and bracing myself for one of the Italy’s great thrill rides as we make our way to Positano. The trip gives me respect for the engineers who built the road -- and even more respect for the bus drivers who drive it. Maybe I’m just hyperventilating, but I’m struck by how the Mediterranean, a sheer 500-foot drop below, twinkles.

Cantilevered garages, hotels, and villas cling to the vertical terrain. Exotic sandy coves tease from far below, out of reach. Early the next morning, riding the 30-minute ferry from Sorrento, I head for the enchanting isle of Capri. I think of the rich and famous who’ve headed to the same island over the centuries. Today, Capri is expensive and glitzy -- and a world-class tourist trap. Landing on the island, I’m met with a greedy line of white convertible taxis, eager to sweep me away. Zigzagging up the cliff with the top down, I think that despite its crowds and commercialism, Capri is still flat-out gorgeous. Chalky white limestone cliffs rocket boldly from the shimmering blue and green surf. Strategically positioned gardens, villas, and viewpoints provide stunning vistas of the Sorrentine peninsula, Amalfi Coast, and Mount Vesuvius. To give my Capri visit an extra dimension, I take the scenic boat trip around the island. It’s cheap and comes with good narration. Riding through the pounding waves, I work on my sunburn as we circle the island, marveling at a nonstop parade of staggering cliffs and listening to stories of celebrity-owned villas. There are also some quirky sights: a solar-powered lighthouse, statues atop desolate rocks, and caves in the cliffs with legends reaching back to the time of Emperor Tiberius. The last stop is the highlight: the fabled Blue Grotto, with its otherworldly azure water. At the mouth of the grotto, a covey of dinghies jockeys to pick up arriving tourists, who need to disembark from their larger transports. The grotto’s entrance hole is small, so only these little rowboats can fit through. If the tide’s too high or the chop too rough, dinghies can’t get in,

Capri has attracted visitors since ancient times. [Cameron Hewitt/Rick Steves’ Europe]

and visitors are turned back. Nervous that the waves will close it down, I gingerly climb into my dinghy and my raffish rower jostles his way to the tiny entry. He knows enough English to explain to me ( jokingly, I think) that if I don’t scrunch down below the gunwales, I’ll smash my skull on the rock and, as I’ve already paid, that was no concern of his. Taking a moment to feel the rhythm of the swells and anticipating the instant when the dinghy reaches the low point, he pulls hard and fast on the old chain, and we squeeze -- like birthing in reverse -- into the grotto. Inside, it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the brilliant blue of the cave’s water (an effect caused by sun reflecting off the

limestone at the bottom). As my man rows me around, singing a little “O Sole Mio,” I enjoy the iridescent magic of the moment. Beaches, boutiques, blue grottos, and fresh-squeezed lemonade -- it all combines to make clear why, for centuries, holidaygoers have chosen this corner of Italy to make their Mediterranean travel dreams come true. (Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

JUNE 17 - JUNE 23, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

CRISPY TOSTADAS TOPPED WITH BEANS AND VEGGIES MAKE A GREAT LUNCH OR A SNACK YOU CAN SHARE!

Matthew McConaughey, Uvalde native, supports background checks, age minimum, waiting periods, but not ‘gun control’

By America’s Test Kitchen Tostadas are crispy, flat corn tortillas sold in the supermarket. They are a great base for lots of quick meals and snacks. In this recipe, they are topped with a flavorful combination of roasted tomatoes and corn plus refried beans. A sprinkling of queso fresco (a crumbly, mild Mexican cheese) adds creaminess and a slight tang, and cilantro brings freshness.

Roasted Corn and Tomato Tostadas Serves 2 to 4

2 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1/2 cup frozen corn 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, measured separately 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup refried beans 4 (6- inch) corn tostadas 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1. Adjust oven rack to lower- middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. 2. In a medium bowl, stir tomatoes, corn, 1 tablespoon oil, chili powder (if using), and salt until well combined. 3. Spread tomato mixture into a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Bake until tomatoes are soft, 20 to 25 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir refried beans and remaining 1 teaspoon oil until smooth. Use the back of a small spoon to spread beans evenly over tostadas. Place tostadas on a rimmed baking sheet. 5. Transfer the baking dish to a cooling rack. Use a large spoon to carefully spoon tomato mixture evenly over tostadas. Bake tostadas until the beans are warm, about 5 minutes. 6. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with cheese and cilantro. Use a spatula to carefully transfer tostadas to plates. Serve. (For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands -- which includes Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen Kids -- offers reliable recipes for cooks of all ages and skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)

Matthew McConaughey attends the New York photo call for “The Gentlemen” at The Whitby Hotel on Jan. 11, 2020, in New York City. McConaughey released a statement about this week’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. [Slaven Vlasic/ Getty Images/STXfilms/TNS]

By Carson Burton Variety

atthew McConaughey has called for gun owners to practice “gun responsibility” in the wake of the mass shooting that took the lives of 19 children and two teachers in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas. “I am a father, the son of a kindergarten teacher, and an American,” McConaughey writes in an editorial published in the Austin-American Statesman. “I was also born in Uvalde, Texas. That’s why I’m writing this.”

McConaughey, an ardent supporter of the second amendment, is clear in his editorial that he does not support gun “control,” which he sees as an impediment to his second amendment rights. The Oscar-winning actor, who had previously considered a campaign for Texas governor, instead vouches for gun “responsibility,” calling on gun owners in the country to support measures to protect both their rights and the lives of countless innocent people. “There is a difference between control and responsibility,” he writes.

“The first is a mandate that can infringe on our right; the second is a duty that will preserve it. There is no constitutional barrier to gun responsibility. Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people is not only the responsible thing to do, it is the best way to protect the Second Amendment. We can do both.” He adds, “Saving the unnecessary loss of lives is not a partisan issue.” In addition to his calls for increased responsibility among gun owners, the actor also included a four-point plan to promote gun safety. His plan includes background check requirements, an age minimum of 21 years old to purchase assault rifles, enactment of red flag laws and instituting a national waiting period for assault rifles. Through these measures, McConaughey believes that gun-bearing Americans can prevent unnecessary loss of life while keeping their constitutional rights. “I want to be clear,” he writes. “I am not under the illusion that these policies will solve all of our problems, but if responsible solutions can stop some of these tragedies from striking another community without destroying the Second Amendment, they’re worth it. He continues: “This is not a choice between guns or no guns. It’s the responsible choice. It’s the reasonable choice. It’s a quintessentially American choice: Where I have the right to be me, you have the freedom to be you, and we have the responsibility to be U.S.”

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Sports Stanley Cup Final pits Lightning vs. high-scoring Avalanche postseason is the lowest of any team that made it past the first round. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is a big part of that, but it’s a concerted effort by the entire team to lock things down. “We have enough skill and talent to score offensively, but we focus on our defensive game,” winger Alex Killorn said. “If we don’t let them score, we win 2-1, we’re happy with that. We don’t got to win by six goals or whatever it may be.” Here’s a look at how things stack up in the Stanley Cup Final, which begins Wednesday night at Colorado:

CONTAINING SKILL

Tampa Bay Lightning players skate during an NHL hockey practice before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Colorado Avalanche, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Denver. [AP Photo/David Zalubowski]

By Stephen Whyno AP Hockey Writer

o win the Stanley Cup each of the past two years, the Tampa Bay Lightning had to go through the stingy New York Islanders, defending Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens backstopped by goaltender Carey Price. To hoist it a third consecutive time, they’ll need to stop or at least slow down the highest scoring team in the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche present a unique challenge for the Lightning, but they already got past the offensively potent Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers

to reach the Cup final. “It’s funny how it works out that way, but the guys have found a way and we’ve just had to adapt our game and find ways to beat teams,” coach Jon Cooper said. “You have to play the game different ways at times. We have a belief in how we play, we have a system and we trust what we do, but you do have to tinker with it a little bit to combat especially these high-octane teams.” The Lightning in years past were that high-octane team, able to score virtually at will. Getting swept in the first round in 2019 after steamrolling the rest of the NHL in the regular season made them change their approach. Tampa Bay’s 2.41 goals against this

There’s no shortage of high-end talent in this series. The Avalanche have Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog up front and playoff MVP frontrunner Cale Makar on defense, while the Lightning feature Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos and could be getting first-line center Brayden Point back from injury. Tampa Bay’s recipe for containing talented opponents starts with shutdown center Anthony Cirelli and his linemates, who could find themselves matched up against MacKinnon and Rantanen. “We just have to try to play with our strength and try to find a way to get a couple goals there and also defend well because they can score, obviously, too, Rantanen said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The series features two Norris Trophy finalists for the league’s top defenseman in Hedman and Makar. And each one

dominates the ice in a different way. Hedman, a 6-foot-6 Swede, won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP in 2020 for how much of the game he controlled and the number of goals he helped create. He can do everything,” Makar said. Makar is a dynamic puck mover and smooth skater who can make almost anything happen by himself. “He’s got a great wrist shot, runs the power play and his edge work is phenomenal,” Hedman said. “He can change directions very quickly, so obviously two different type of players, I would say, him and me, but I don’t think any one of us is looking at that battle. It’s a team game and I’m sure both of us are going to do whatever it takes for our team to be successful.”

DIFFERENT PATHS

The Avalanche swept Nashville in the first round, then dispatched St. Louis in six and swept Edmonton in the Western Conference final. The Lightning went the distance to beat Toronto in seven, swept Florida and came back from a 2-0 deficit to knock off the New York Rangers in six. Colorado is going more than a week between games, while Tampa Bay is coming off the Rangers series that ended Saturday night. MacKinnon said he and his teammates are excited to play with some fresh legs and confidence. “We have our keys of why we’re here,” he said. “It’s not an accident. We didn’t just get a bunch of good bounces and win. We’ve been playing really well and earning all the victories we have, and we’ve earned our rest and we’re excited.”

Cole rebounds, Yanks expose shaky Rays’ D in 2-0 win By Jake Seiner AP Baseball Writer

errit Cole put a career-worst pummeling behind him, and the major league-leading New York Yankees began a critical stretch against their top AL East foes by widening an impressive lead in the division. “We’re up for the challenge,” the Yankees veteran ace said. Cole escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning to preserve a shutout before handing off to the bullpen, and the Yankees capitalized on shaky defense by the Tampa Bay Rays for a 2-0 victory Tuesday night. The AL East-leading Yankees won their fifth straight as they played the first of six games in nine days against third-place Tampa Bay. New York moved 10 games ahead of the two-time defending division champs and nine up on the Blue Jays, who lost to Baltimore. Toronto will host the Yankees for three games this weekend. New York had just five hits but improved to 45-16, the best 61-game start across baseball since Seattle in 2001. “We got a long way to go, and that’s not the end goal,” shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa said of the AL East. “The end goal is to get the big one.” The Yankees were without third baseman Josh Donaldson, who served a one-game suspension from Major League Baseball for comments to White Sox star Tim Anderson regarding Jackie Robinson. Donaldson’s ban was upheld on appeal. Cole (6-1) allowed a career-most five homers against Minnesota in his previous outing but bounced back with a mostly stress-free start. The right-hander struck out seven, walked one and allowed five hits, all singles. “Just on the corners a lot, unpredictable a lot,” Cole said. “Throwing four pitches, well executed, well located.” Ex-Yankee Corey Kluber (3-3)

countered Cole with six innings, allowing two unearned runs, four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Clay Holmes pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save, completing the Yankees’ six-hitter and their 10th shutout. It was Holmes’ 27th straight scoreless appearance, the second-best stretch in franchise history behind Mariano Rivera’s 28-game streak in 1999, per BaseballReference. “Once we see him jog out, we know the game is over,” Kiner-Falefa said. The Rays made two errors in the fourth that allowed New York to take a 2-0 lead. After Giancarlo Stanton’s one-out walk, right fielder Manuel Margot dropped Gleyber Torres’ routine popup near the foul line. Kiner-Falefa followed with a two-out single, and left fielder Randy Arozarena had a chance to throw out Stanton at the plate. Arozarena’s high throw sailed so far over the catcher that Stanton scored easily and Torres was able to follow him home. “You hate to see an outcome of a game turn that way,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “But at that point, that was a couple of big moments right there.’ Tampa Bay has allowed 40 unearned runs this season, second-most in the majors behind the Chicago White Sox. Cole bemoaned throwing too many pitches down the middle during his shellacking by the Twins last week. He adjusted Tuesday by essentially abandoning his cutter, throwing it a season-low three times. He largely cruised until loading the bases with one out in the sixth, but then he induced a 6-4-3 double play from the speedy Arozarena to preserve the shutout. Cole skipped off the mound, pointing at his middle infielders. Torres made a great play at second base earlier in the inning to keep his foot on the bag receiving Cole’s errant throw on a weak grounder. Kiner-Falefa also had a key

play earlier in the inning, knocking down Ji-Man Choi’s grounder up the middle to likely keep a run from scoring. Yandy Díaz was initially ruled safe on the play Torres made, and even the Yankees were surprised when umpires changed the call via replay review. “Bad call,” Díaz said via interpreter. “And I think it cost us the game.” Kiner-Falefa made a gem in the seventh from shortstop after Kevin Kiermaier’s grounder was tipped by reliever Wandy Peralta. Kiner-Falefa changed course, barehanded the ball between second and first base, and whipped it over in time for the out.

work Tuesday and is progressing well. ... RHP David Hess, who had treatment in the offseason for a cancerous chest tumor, went two perfect innings including three strikeouts for the FCL Rays on Monday against the Twins. Yankees: LHP Aroldis Chapman (Achilles tendinitis) threw a bullpen on the field, and he could face live hitters his next time on the mound. ... RHP Jonathan Loaisiga (right shoulder inflammation) has resumed throwing. ... RHP Domingo Germán (right shoulder impingement syndrome) will throw three innings to hitters Wednesday and then could begin a minor league rehab assignment.

TRAINER’S ROOM

UP NEXT

Rays: C Mike Zunino was sent for an MRI after his sore left shoulder didn’t respond to treatment as hoped. ... SS Wander Franco (strained right quad) did agility

Rays LHP Shane McClanahan (7-2, 1.87) and Yankees LHP Nestor Cortes (5-2, 1.96) face off in a showdown of surprising early season Cy Young Award contenders.

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) throws a strike in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday June 14, 2022, in New York. [AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews]

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