Ocala Gazette | September 23 - September 29, 2022

Give4Marion nets record amount

City developmentmultifamilySaddlewoodcontroversialdenies

By Ocala Gazette Staff

From 10 a.m. Tuesday through 7 p.m. Wednesday, the leaderboards for the Give4Marion online fundraising campaign kept showing updated numbers of donations. The statistics were offered in the categories of Large Budget, Small Budget and Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers.

Across the boards, the steadily increasing numbers offered great news for numerous area nonprofits.

Give4Marion was started in 2020 by the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County to support local nonprofits in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as many were forced to shut down in-person giving events due to health and safety protocols. Now in its

third year, the campaign has become a staple of the foundation’s Nonprofit Resource Center and is an important annualAshleyfundraiser.Wheeler-Gerds, Director of Strategic Engagement for the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County who was instrumental in the effort told

See Give4Marion, page A3

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

The Ocala City Council on Sept. 20 voted 4-1 to deny a zoning request for a Georgia company to build a multifamily residential development consisting of up to 288 homes on 15 acres on Southwest 43rd Court, across from Saddlewood Elementary School.

The last time the development was considered and denied by the council was on May 3, and it was standing room only in the chamber and the lobby. Residents had packed the auditorium on March 1, March 15, April 19 leading up to the May 3 vote to voice frustration about overdevelopment in southwest Ocala.

The gist of their concerns surrounded two issues: poor traffic conditions that already exist in the neighborhood and overcapacity in the area’s schools.

In June, the developer, Catalyst Development Partners II, LLC, filed a petition disputing the city’s denial of R-3 multifamily residential zoning denial. According to the city’s

See Saddlewood, page A2

School concurrency continues to be debated

By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com

The first letter, dated Aug. 23, came from James Gooding of the law firm Gooding & Batsel, which represents not only the City of Ocala but numerous prominent developers in Marion County. It was sent to the commissioners, county staffers and Ocala staffers and noted the firm was not speaking on behalf of any one client but was following up on the board’s Aug.16 discussion.

Gooding’s letter stated flatly that the school capacity issues are “a result of inadequate planning by the school system. Further, they are irrelevant; under the current interlocal agreement, concurrency is supposed to be measured districtwide.”

Rather than punish developers for the school system’s mistakes, Gooding suggests adopting interim solutions that alert developers

of possible new school impact fees. He also states that School Board Attorney Jeremy Powers “lack any development experience” and has a “learning curve on concurrency issues,” while urging the board to “as soon as possible’’ get County Attorney Guy Minter and his staff be involved in the ongoing discussions to revise the 2008 interlocal agreement on Goodingdevelopment.also stated that he and his firm would no longer be working for the City of Ocala as its city attorney while also representing area developers as the firm has done for many years; that contract expires Oct. 31. He expressed a willingness to assist on the issue in the future.

Gooding stated: “Obviously,

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Jimmy Gooding, an attorney, speaks during the Planning and Zoning and DRC Waiver Requests meeting in the Marion County Commission auditorium at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

See Lawyers, page A3

THE DEVELOPER’S LAWYER PROMISES COUNCIL THEY’LL FILE A PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM THE CITY’S ZONING DENIAL.

The online giving campaign, which provides much needed support for area nonprofits, raised $771,075.

Lauren DeIorio, the president/executive director of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, celebrates as donations rise above $750,000 for the Give4Marion conclusion at the Marion Theatre in Ocala on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Continued from page A1

meeting agenda, the parcel was annexed into the city in 2005 pursuant to the owner’s request, but no city zoning was assigned, leaving the property in limbo for Freddevelopment.Roberts, attorney for the applicant, argued to the council the city had previously anticipated future land use for the property to be “Medium Intensity/ Special District,” which would allow for a minimum of five units per acre and a maximum of 30 units per acre. The developer’s proposal, he said, was well under that maximum.

In hopes of ending the dispute, the city staff and Council member Barry Mansfield presented to the council during its Sept. 6 hearing a negotiated draft development agreement that would allow the development to move forward. The modified development agreement reduced the number of units from 320 to 288.

Another change since the May 3 denial was that the city has received funding to widen the main artery that runs between the school and proposed development

from to lanes to four.

Since the current two-lane road is severely congested when school is in session, city staff and council have tried to figure out the best schedule to add the additional lanes and route the developer’s construction traffic.

City engineer Sean Lanier told the council the city could widen the road in six months, well before the developer started construction in about a year. Council member Jay Musleh voiced doubt about thatUltimately,timeline. that discussion between the council and Lanier about the timeline for the city to bid out and complete the NW/SW 44th Avenue Road extension project led the council to deny the rezoning request for the housing project.

Mansfield was the only council member to vote to advance the project, saying the road widening could be completed substantially before the housing units were built out. As to the school capacity issue, Mansfield told the council the magistrate who heard the initial hearing from the developer after the last denial told Mansfield he could not consider the issue

in the city’s decision.

As for overcrowded schools, there was no mention of any long-range plan for addressing school capacity by the council in their zoning consideration or developer agreement only confusion about whether the city council could factor it into their denial.

Musleh asked for guidance from attorney Clifford Shepard, with the law firm Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand, P.A., which the council just hired to handle land-use matters until the city’s new inhouse legal team is established. Shepard was there to answer council questions in place of Robert Batsel and Jimmy Gooding due to conflicts of interest.

“I’d like to ask point blank can we consider school concurrency in this decision?,” Musleh asked.

“I think the answer is “no” because I’ve done some research based on some information that was provided to me by the city and reading on where we stand,’’ Shepard said. “I don’t know how in-depth you want me to go, but basically what I understand to be the facts are that there is an existing interlocal [agreement] with the school board that this would not violate.

“And one of the problems that has been raised, and apparently a valid one about school capacity, has to do with the fact that not enough schools have been built. That is based on a decision that none of you all have made not to have impact fees to support building of schools,” Shepard added.

“Where that leaves you as a council in considering school capacity, which you ordinarily might consider, where there has been there an opportunity in good faith to build schools, you will be left writing the check to the developer who doesn’t get a properly approved project if at the end of the day the basis is schools that you have no control over building, and weren’t being built by the school board,” he said.

Shepard acknowledged that the parties were in the process of working on a new interlocal agreement. However, the Gazette has previously reported this agreement establishes no level of service or any of the required language or actions by local government to implement school concurrency or remediate the current over capacity

Muslehproblem.responded to Shepard’s explanation: “So that takes school concurrency off the table. Anybody who said we have school overcrowding issues, I hate to say this but it’s not on us. I don’t like that, but it’s the ballpark that we are in right now. I still have other issues, though. Number one the lack of the road being done and trying to have construction out there at the same time.”

Council member James Hilty echoed his agreement, “It doesn’t make sense.” “I would like to have the road done and

then the traffic study completed. Not a traffic study completed on a proposed road, but a traffic study completed on an actual road that has been built and that now all of a sudden people are learning new ways to traverse the city or county,” said Musleh.

When the development was denied in May, Saddlewood had 945 enrolled students, according to Florida Department of Education (FDOE) data, with 138 more students than capacity or 124.91% over Saddlewoodcapacity.Elementary currently has only 900 students enrolled; however, historically enrollment numbers increase as the school year progresses.

This year, Liberty Middle has 1,358 enrolled, 53 more students than projected this year by the district.

The high school that will service this additional development, West Port is well over recommended capacity with 2,931 enrolled, up 177 students from when council was last informed that the school was over Marioncapacity.County Public School projects the proposed development would house “27 elementary, 11 middle and 12 high school” students. The school district estimates are based on 2006 Educational System Impact Fee Study multifamily student generation rates. The district is working toward a new study that should be completed “mid-2023.”

At the May 3 council meeting, Tye Chighizola, director of Growth Management for the City of Ocala, showed a map to the council illustrating 16 projects in the corridor that Saddlewood Elementary is positioned within, equaling a possible 8,600 units, many of which multifamily or mixed-use.

Roberts promised the council that the developer would continue with their dispute, to which Musleh responded, “We know it’s not going away.”

Ocala City Councilmember Jay Musleh listens during an Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Jay Musleh

Lawyers argue school concurrency

density should not be approved unless it can be demonstrated that school improvementscapacityareplanned to serve the additional students resulting from increased density.”

The letter also pointed out that statutes require local governments analyze all longterm public facility needs, including for public schools. Accounting for “demand from all existing, approved and vested development; and forecasted future demand from long term growth through the Comprehensive Plan.”

in crowded parts of the county that are over capacity (West Port High, Saddlewood Elementary and others) are balanced out by schools in more rural areas that have capacity (such as Fort McCoy Elementary, North Marion High).

which “acknowledged that school concurrency was coming, agreed to take whatever action was going to be required pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement… provided, of course, that the property had not already been developed or platted.”

until we cease becoming City Attorneys, Rob Batsel and I are willing to assist the City of Ocala in any way we can. Further, even after I am no longer representing the City, I hope to be involved in the process both as a citizen and a representative of the development community.”

In response, on Sept. 6, the Tallahassee law firm Stearns Weaver Miller, which represents the On Top of the World development and Colen Built Development, wrote to the county commissioners, county staffers, the Marion County school superintendent, and City of Ocala staffers.

The letter directly rebutted

some of Gooding’s assertions.

“Mr. Gooding’s letter states that Commissioner (Michelle) Stone’s concerns regarding the lack of capacity at neighborhood schools are irrelevant because school concurrency applies on a districtwide basis. …We strongly disagree with Mr. Gooding that overcrowding and capacity limitations at nearby schools are irrelevant considerations.

In fact, they are legally required considerations for any proposed comprehensive plan amendment that seeks to increase density. His comment ignores the statutory requirement and legal standard to comprehensively plan for longterm school needs.

Simply put, comprehensive plan amendments that increase

The letter asserted that, “Marion County has not maintained a tracking system to account for students generated by approved and vested development. This is the same problem that’s occurred with the County’s failure to track cumulative traffic impacts.”

The letter concluded with an offer to assist further. “OTOW, CBD and SWM are available to meet with the Commission, Marion County staff and MCPS (Marion County Public Schools) to assist in addressing these important issues.”

At issue is the question of school concurrency, which generally means that governing bodies must take into account public school capacity when considering whether to approve a development.Partoftheproblem in Marion County is that local officials have chosen to consider school capacity districtwide rather than on a school-by-school basis. This mean that some schools

In 2011, the Florida Legislature removed the mandate from the statute requiring local governments to consider school concurrency in development decisions and instead made it optional. If the governmental body chose to continue considering school concurrency, it needed to have an interlocal agreement to set criteria for applying it evenly. Governing bodies in Marion County already had done this in 2008. But in 2011, following the Legislature’s action, the parties agreed not to enforce school concurrency. However, no new interlocal agreement was created then and no formal actions were taken to terminate the 2008 agreement. Both Ocala and Marion County have removed the school concurrency requirements for developers from their respective comprehensive plans.

County Commissioner Michelle Stone is working with the representatives of Ocala and the School Board to create a new interlocalGooding’sagreement.letternodded to historical context and noted the situation today is similar to what Marion County faced in the early 2000s with the housing boom and subsequent crash. He noted that the county and city began using developer’s agreements,

Funding for new schools is problematic. In a May 3 Ocala City Council meeting, Growth Services Director Tye Chighizola explained to the council that the school board has certain limitations—as does the city.

“They just can’t go build a school. They have state requirements that they have to live by in terms of building a school,” he said, adding that there is definitely an issue in the southwest corridor of the county regarding school capacity and overcrowding.Chighizola then outlined the “Catch-22” position facing the school board in working to improve school capacity and overcrowding, especially, he said, “when all the development occurs in one“Wearea.”have 11 private schools. We have 4,000 seats vacant, when you look at the whole county,’’ he said. “A lot of that availability is in the northeast, in the southeast. There is plenty of capacity there. And that’s what hinders the school board. The state sees those vacant seats and says, ‘You still have capacity in your school system.’ You have to figure that out, redistrict and redo those things. That’s why they won’t give the money to build further schools.”

Give4Marion exceeds expectations

Continued from page A1

the Gazette, “Having the ability to bring nonprofits and donors together in one place to help better our local community is the greatest gift. We must all work together to create change,”

All through the 33-hours of the campaign, the Give4Marion website displayed data including numbers of donors and the dollar totals for the approximately 85 participating agencies.

In the final hour over $695, 000 was raised and nonprofits gathered at the Give4Marion Celebration Party held at the Marion Theatre Wednesday evening to watch the final numbers come in. Lauren Deiorio, President/Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County made a final call to help reach their goal of $750,000. For each donation, Frank Deluca had agreed to match up to one hundred dollars of the donation in the final hour.

At the close of the event, 2,537 individual donors had contributed $771,075 through 3,714 gifts to different nonprofits split into two categories, nonprofits who had budgets of more than $500,000 and small nonprofits who had less than $500,000 budgets.

The top three recipients in the Large Budget category were: Interfaith Emergency Services $48,015 Hands of Mercy Everywhere $44,288 Ambleside Ocala $40,000

The top three recipients in the Small Budget category were: Project Hope of Marion County $83,846 Marion County Literacy Council, Inc. $81,382 Sheltering Hands, Inc $23,645

The top three peer-to-peer fundraisers were: Diane Schofield raising funds for Hands of Mercy Everywhere $24,878 Mary Beth Anderson raising funds for Crossroads Academy $7,900 Adam Woods raising funds for Marion County Literacy Council, Inc. $4,680.00

Donors had opportunities to maximize their gifts by participating in 32 Power Hour events, during which prizes were awarded to the large and small nonprofits with the most donors within that hour. There also were scheduled Matching Moments, where donations were matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100.

During the run of the campaign, many of the nonprofits were extremely active on social media and through email, with some of them offering light-hearted appeals for solving serious needs in the community.

“Give4Marion is special for many reasons, but the thing I like most is the camaraderie between all of these extraordinary nonprofits. You might think this event would sow competitiveness or ill feeling among these organizations, but the opposite is true. I can’t tell you how many gifts have come in from leaders, staff, and Board members of other nonprofits. We’re all out here lifting each other up, because we know that Marion County is a better, more humane place when we all succeed. That’s an incredible thing,” said RJ Jenkins, Volunteer Executive Director, Marion County Literacy Council.

Karla Grimsley of Interfaith Emergency Services said, “When you live and work in a community so rich in worthy non-profits, it’s humbling to be one of the charities that donors choose to support. Every donation just motivates us to work harder to serve those who need our services. I truly feel blessed to be a part of a non-profit network that works together so beautifully. Marion County is truly a special place to do this work.”

In year one, Give4Marion raised more than $310,000, with 1,154 individual donors and 1,592 total donations. In 2021, $532,000 was raised for 75 participating nonprofits, with 2,267 individual donors and 3,251 donations.

To learn more, go to ocalafoundation.org or give4marion.org

Continued from page A1

Ken Metcalf, who said he was speaking for On Top of the World, makes a point as he speaks during the Planning and Zoning and DRC Waiver Requests meeting at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Lauren DeIorio, the president/executive director of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, left, looks on as Frank DeLuca speaks during the Give4Marion conclusion at the Marion Theatre in Ocala on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Ashley Wheeler-Gerds of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County talks during the Give4Marion conclusion at the Marion Theatre in Ocala on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala

City council enters multiple contracts for legal services

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Anticipating the departure of Robert Batsel and James Gooding as city attorneys on Oct.31. the Ocala City Council has finalized three attorney contracts, two of which will provide legal services until the city’s new in-house team is up to speed.

During the Sept. 20 council meeting, the council approved a contract for William Sexton to become the city’s new chief legal advisor with an annual salary of $200,000 plus benefits. The contract begins Oct. 1 and concludes on Sept. 30, 2024.

Sexton now serves as the attorney for Bradford County and the City of Hampton and the City of Waldo. The council gave Sexton 60 days to wind up representation of Bradford County and one year to continue also representing Hampton and Waldo. Under the contract, Sexton cannot represent any other entities other than those referenced in the contract and will serve only the Ocala City Council.

Sexton will be responsible for building the rest of the city’s in-house legal department and the city has estimated that department’s budget at $1 million.

Due to concerns about how long it will take to get the department staffed and functioning, the council has sought to contract with private law firms to fill gaps in the interim.

On Sept. 6, the council met with Clifford Shepard with the law firm Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand, P.A., on the recommendation of the departing lawyers. The council hired the firm to advise them primarily on land use matters until the in-house legal department is fully staffed. The hourly rate under the annual agreement is $325, and fees are not to exceed $150,000 annually.

The council also approved an annual contract with the firm of Gilligan, Anderson & Phelan, P.A. on Sept. 20 for up to $250,000 in fees at the rate of $325 an hour. The contract states that the firm will serve as “legal advisors to the City, City Council, City Manager and all City departments, offices and agencies, and shall represent the City in those legal proceedings currently pending and shall perform any other duties as prescribed by the Council, City Manager, City Attorney, City Charter or the City Code of Ordinances.”

The Gilligan firm has held the position of Ocala city attorney for the past 30 years. However, last March, the city council departed from its history of retaining a local law firm to provide legal services and instructed city management to start the process of building an in-house legal department.

The contract for the current city attorneys–Robert Batsel Jr., Jimmy Gooding and Patrick Gilligan—ends on Oct. 31. Batsel and Gooding had announced last year that they would be splitting off from the firm, now called Gilligan, Anderson & Phelan, P.A., and focusing primarily on representing their developer clients. They would continue, however, to share office space with their former firm and finish their contract with the city.

Their contract paid the law firm approximately $1 million per year. The city expects to spend $1 million annually on the new in-house team.

Conflict of interest clause

In recent months, the Gazette has highlighted potential and real conflicts of interest between the outgoing law firm and the developers the firm also represents, who often come before the council on business matters.

Two years ago, for the first time in its 30 years of representing Ocala, the firm had a conflict-of-interest waiver clause inserted in its city contract. At the time, there was no discussion about what that conflict-of-interest waiver entailed with the council or city staff.

Again, the Gilligan firm contract approved on Sept. 20 holds a conflict-ofinterest clause that states as follows:

8.1. Gilligan has advised City, and City is aware, that Gilligan and Gilligan Firm attorneys represent not only City, but also private persons and entities (collectively, “Other Clients”) 3 in the municipal limits of City and surrounding areas, and that occasionally, such Other Clients – and particularly developers or contractors – have relationships with, or seek approvals from, City.

8.2. Gilligan and Gilligan Firm attorneys may not, of course, represent any Other Clients in connection with their dealings with City as to any matter that would give rise to a conflict of interest between such Other Clients and City. By way of illustration, and not limitation, Gilligan and Gilligan Firm attorneys may not represent any developer in connection with any land use approvals to be provided by City, but may communicate with City staff concerning general development issues that are not the subject of pending requests for approvals. If Gilligan or a Gilligan Firm attorney deal with City staff in connection with such latter matters, Gilligan or the Gilligan Firm attorney shall remind City staff that he or she is communicating with City staff, not as City Attorney, but rather as a private attorney.

8.3. Gilligan and Gilligan Firm attorneys shall advise all Other Clients of their status as City’s attorneys, that it may not represent the Other Clients in matters involving the City, and that, if a conflict of interest arises between City and the Other Clients, Gilligan and the Gilligan Firm may represent City and Other Clients only to the extent permitted by the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.

8.4. In the event that any matter involving an Other Client is brought up at a City Council or City staff meeting in which Gilligan or a Gilligan Firm attorney is in attendance, and if any question is presented to such attorney or such attorney is asked to participate in the discussion, such attorney shall, to maintain transparency, first advise City that it represents the Other Client in connection with other matters but is representing the City alone in connection with the pending matter.

8.5. City Council may supplement the provisions of this paragraph 8 by resolutions or other rules.

When the new Gilligan contract came before the council for approval, there was no discussion about the conflict-of-

interest

Duringwaiver.previous interviews of the city attorneys, there was an attempt to delineate the duties and obligations they owed the city, with Gilligan primarily focused on the city’s litigation matters, Gooding on landuse issues, and Batsel Jr. the day-to-day legal considerations of the city.

They also attempted to describe selfimposed barriers that would allow Gooding to represent developers such as the Roberts family, principals behind the latest big development–The World Equestrian Center (WEC) –while Batsel Jr. could approve contracts for the city that benefited the developer and draft or negotiate interlocal agreements between the city and county government related to development.

What are the Florida Bar rules about conflicts of interest?

Rule 4-1.7 of the Florida Bar Rules & Standards, related to professional conduct of lawyers, states that a lawyer must not represent a client if 1. The representation of one client will be directly adverse to another client; or 2. There is a substantial risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the lawyer’s responsibilities to another client, a former client or a third person, or by a personal interest of the lawyer.

The exception to that rule is if the lawyer “reasonably believes that the lawyer will be able to provide competent and diligent representation to each affected client” and “each affected client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing or clearly stated on the record at a hearing.”

According to the rules, “informed consent” denotes the agreement by a person to a proposed course of conduct after the lawyer has communicated adequate information and explanation about the material risks of and reasonably available alternatives to the proposed course of conduct.

In the case of the city attorneys’

conflict-of-interest waiver, no specific clients were identified, only industries. No separate specific conflict memos could be identified by the attorneys or city staff.

On Sept. 21, the city manager’s chief of staff, Christopher J. Watt, Esq. responded to the Gazette’s inquiry about whether there were sperate writings that about the conflicts. “I am not aware of any memos explaining the conflict-of-interest clause in the Gilligan firm retainer agreement,” he wrote.

Other questions that remain

Although Sexton has been named the city’s chief legal advisor, his contract does not have him specifically supervising the work of the two law firms now under contract.

In fact, the contract with Gilligan states that the firm works as “legal advisors to the City, City Council, City Manager and all City departments, offices and agencies, and shall represent the City in those legal proceedings currently pending and shall perform any other duties as prescribed by the Council, City Manager, City Attorney, City Charter or the City Code of Ordinances.”

This contract seems to allow city staff and city council access to the Gilligan firm outside of the management scope of Sexton, an arrangement that could lead to complications and, perhaps more importantly, be outside of Sexton’s oversight to safeguard the council from potential legal conflicts of interest.

Notably, the Gilligan firm’s contract was passed without any discussion by the council of the ongoing process of refunding $80 million in illegal fire fees to Ocala Utility customers, the largest such tax refund ordered by the courts in Florida’s history. Nor was there any reference to numerous federal rulings during the last two years finding ordinances drafted and defended by the firm as “unconstitutional” and requiring millions in payouts to defendants and attorneys by the city.

Assistant City Attorney, Patrick Gilligan, speaks during an Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

New rabbi at Beth prepares for High Holy Days

moon and sun, Rosh Hashana, or Yom Teruah, is observed by Jews on the first day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.

This year is 5783.

The Days of Awe, the 10 days between the Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement, are a time for Jews to look inward and reflect on the past year, said Boxt, who received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia in 1999. He was ordained as a rabbi in 2012 after five years of rabbinical study through Hebrew Union

“It’s the tossing away of sins in the New Year,” said Boxt. “We used to use breadcrumbs, but it wasn’t good for the wildlife.”Temple Beth Shalom will host a Second Day casual and less formal Rosh Hashana service at 10 a.m., Sept. 27, he said.

A Yom Kipper or Day of Atonement service, the most holy of days of the Jewish year, will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the temple. Yom Kippur services will continue at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Oct. 5, followed by a healing service at 3 p.m.

There is prayer and fasting and atoning for one’s sins during Yom Kippur. Jews believe that during the High Holy Days God decides who should live and who should die in the coming year. It is a time to make peace with those you may have offended and ask for their forgiveness.

By Rosemarie Dowell rosemarie@Ocalagazette.com

Alocal synagogue will celebrate the holiest days of the Jewish calendar with a new spiritual leader for the first time in more than a Rabbidecade.Erin Boxt began his duties at Temple Beth Shalom July 1 and will lead his new congregants during the High Holy Days, beginning with Rosh Hashana Sunday, Sept. 25, and concluding with Yom Kippur on Oct. 4.

The South Carolina native replaced Israeli native Rabbi Ze’ev Harari, who retired in June after leading the Temple for 11 years.

“I have a great congregation, my kids

attend great schools, and we like the warmth,” said Boxt.

Temple members and Jews across the globe will observe Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, by eating traditional sweet foods including apples dipped in honey, and round challah bread. The blowing of the Shofar or ram’s horn marks the beginning of the religious holiday, he said.

“The apples and honey symbolize the sweetness of the New Year,” said Boxt, who has three children with his wife, Batya, daughters Carlie, age 16 and Danika, who is 7 and son Akivah, age 6.

“The round loaves of challah represent the circle or cycle of life,” he said.

Based on the Jewish, “Luni-Solar” calendar, established by cycles of the

“It’sCollege.aprocess of repentance and reflection and thinking about what we can do in the New Year to better ourselves,” he said. Boxt previously served as rabbi at Temple Beth El in Knoxville, Tennessee from 2017 until coming to Ocala, and formerly served as the associate rabbi at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta,TempleGeorgia.BethShalom, part of the Ocala Tree of Life Sanctuary at 6140 SW 78th Road, will have a first night of Rosh Hashana service beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 25. All Jewish holidays begin at sundown.

A Day One Service will take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 26, followed by a Tashlich ceremony during which Temple members will throw fish pellets into flowing water to symbolize the casting away of transgressions of the previous year.

“The Day of Atonement is the day when we are the most vulnerable; we are standing before God,” said Boxt. “We are standing at the gates of righteousness and repentance and begging God to forgive us and allow us through the gate and into the New“YouYear.”hope everything you’ve done before allows you to make it into the New Year,” he said.

Jews traditionally fast from the first day of Yom Kippur until the last service the following day, and Temple Beth Sholom will host a break-the-fast meal after its closing memorial service for the dead at 4 p.m. Oct. 5

Boxt said his family has enjoyed living in Ocala so far, except for one thing: the relentless storms over the past few months.“Wehave had a lot of rain and thunderstorms; we’re not used to that,” he said.

Details: high-holy-day-information-2/.https://jewishocala.com/

Roadster to stand at Ocala Stud

Thoroughbred won or placed in nine of 16 starts, with career earnings of $901,500.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and near-millionaire earner Roadster, a son of perennial leading sire Quality Road, will stand the 2023 breeding season at Ocala Stud, one of the area’s oldest and best-known thoroughbred farms.

Roadster is from the stakes-winning and stakes-producing Silver Ghost mare Ghost Dancing and is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and Keeneland trackrecord setter Ascend and graded stakesplaced Moro Tap. Roadster was sold by his breeder, Arthur Hancock III’s Stone Farm, at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $525,000.

Touted as a special colt early in his career for owner Speedway Stables and trainer Bob Baffert, Roadster delivered on the track, according to the news release. In his first appearance under silks at 2, the gray colt posted a 4 ¼-length score in a Del Mar maiden special weight event, earning TDN Rising Star status, followed by a third-place finish behind Game Winner in the 2018 Del Mar Futurity (G1).

In his second start at 3, Roadster won the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) in 2019, defeating stablemate Game Winner—the previous year’s Eclipse Award-winning 2-Year-Old Male Champion—with a sustained stretch rally after circling rivals threewide on the far turn.

Roadster finished second in the Malibu Stakes (G1) to Omaha Beach, second in the San Carlos Stakes (G2) and was runner-up to Grade 1 winner Mucho Gusto in the Affirmed Stakes (G3). All told, Roadster won or placed in nine of

16 starts and amassed career earnings of $901,500.Roadster entered Kentucky Derby 145 in 2019 as one of the top point earners but “an eventful and extremely wide trip on the First Saturday in May prevented him from contending throughout,” noted the release.

“Roadster is all class, and he was an exciting colt on the racetrack,” said Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell in a prepared statement. “He was an extremely precocious juvenile, breaking his maiden in his debut and then placing in a Grade 1 to eventual champion Game Winner in just his second start. The following year, Roadster proved he was a serious racehorse with a tremendous win in the

Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, turning the tables on Game Winner. He competed against the best of his generation throughout his career and we are excited to offer breeders the opportunity to breed to a top-class son of Quality Road who has the looks, pedigree and performance to be a leading stallion.”

Over more than six decades, Ocala Stud has bred and sold more than 155 stakes winners, most of whom are also by Ocala Stud sires, including a Horse of the Year and four Divisional Champions.

For more information, contact David or Joe O’Farrell at (352) 2372171 or visit ocalastud.com.

McIntosh Area School proposes crucial improvement plan

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Representatives from the McIntosh Area School (MAS) presented an improvementacademicplantothe School Board of Marion County during Thursday’s administrative work session after receiving a failing grade from the state for the 2021-2022 school year.

Anticipated goals for the school to achieve include improving test scores in reading and math among students in grades K-2, improving test scores in English Language Arts (ELA) and math among students in grades 3-5, and raising the overall school assessment grade from an ‘F’ to a ‘B’ in the next grading cycle, according to David Friedlander, principal of MAS.

“While we are extremely disappointed in the school achievement results, we are embracing it as an opportunity to rebuild,” Friedlander said. “We have undertaken a critical assessment over how to do a program staffing and review on assessment data from the last few years to chart a path forward that will make us stronger than we have ever been.”

The duration of the school day has been extended by 20 minutes to accommodate a 90-minute instructional block for ELA, 60-minute blocks for math and fifth-grade science and a 50-minute period of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for students of all grade levels, according to the academic improvement plan.

MTSS allows for teachers to intervene to identify areas in which students struggle academically or behaviorally so that issues may be addressed early and quickly. The school also has purchased and implemented new curriculum across all grade levels and subject areas to better meet Florida’s benchmark standards for learning.

After evaluating data from the previous school year, the school’s team found critical learning discrepancies in test scores for reading and math across

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all grade levels. The data reflects multiple points surveyed, including the Math Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) and iReady reading comprehension data, said“WeFriedlander.willprovide the resources opportunities for each child to meet or exceed their grade level potential and experience learning gains,” Friedlander said. “We expect our student performance will meet or exceed our goal of 54% of students achieving a score of at least Level 3 or higher on statewide standardized ELA, math and science assessments.”

The school also hired additional staff members, including Assistant Principal Colleen Beals. One of her responsibilities will be to strategize a Professional Development plan that will train staff to discuss student achievement data weekly, study instructional strategies, use new curriculum and best utilize small-group instruction.

MAS has and will continue to struggle with enrollment, as the school currently has a total of 55 students, which is 9% fewer than projected. The school has as few as five students in its fifth grade class and six students in its fourth grade class, according to Deborah McKay, president of the MAS Board of Directors.

“In October of 2023 it will be our 20th year of being established as the MacIntosh Area School,” McKay said. “The school is designed by class size from K-5 to support 108 students when it was initially instituted, but we have not in the history of the school been able to make thatMcKaynumber.”said that a huge contributor to the school’s poor enrollment is the nearby Micanopy Area Cooperative school, which opened 10 years ago

and sits just north of MAS over the Alachua County border, drawing in many of the students who formerly would have attended MAS as a school of choice. To combat low enrollment, she said that the school will continue to implement extracurricular and afterschool programs as incentives for those considering attending the school.

“We have been approved for a 4-H program, which our parents asked for, that has started. We have a running club, which is our highest popular club for fitness and it’s after school, and now Spanish and now the arts,” McKay said. “Our families not only want those enrichments, and we are planning to put them into the academic day this year, but we had to make them clubs to accommodate the student achievement grade that we earned.”

School Board Member Nancy Thrower remarked on the challenges faced by the school, most notably its remote location, which presents an obstacle in getting students to and from school and delivering the resources they need.

“McIntosh is a great little town out there. It’s isolated. It’s not easy to get to and the kids need services,” Thrower said. “You are part of our school system, and we want you to be successful. It’s important for your school board to hear what you need from us through whatever channels you’re to go through.”

The principal, assistant principal and board president all shared the same hope that if the school follows its improvement plan, that during the next grading cycle they may raise its grade not only to a passing grade but ideally up to a ‘B.’ The representatives from MAS were required to create the plan in accordance with Florida Statute Section 1002.33, which requires all schools that received failing grades create and implement strategic plans for improvement.academic“Wewelcomeany

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David Friedlander Principal of MAS

and all board members to come and visit our school to see exactly what goes on out there,” Friedlander said. “We look forward to that opportunity to meet with you.”

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Speedway Stable’s Roadster and jockey Mike Smith win the Grade I, $1,000,000 Santa Anita Derby, Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA. [© BENOIT PHOTO]

“We will provide the resources opportunities for each child to meet or exceed their grade level potential and experience learning gains.”

By Lisa Midgett

On Sept. 10, 2022, Ronald Wathan Decker II left this world. Ron was magical. He said I was his muse, but I laughed it off. Me, a muse? I looked up the definition of “muse”: it inspires an artist’s work. Ron was an artist, and I would be honored if I inspired him.

Ron Decker was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on June 2, 1973. Raised in a blended family, Ron was the only son. The family relocated to Ocala in 1985.

Ron went to the Academy of Creative Hair Design in Ocala and apprenticed with the late James

Manning of Neon and Salon 209. Ron was proud to have learned at the feet of a master and carried James’ lessons with him his entire life.

One day I was at the Southside Deli looking through a hair magazine. Suddenly, I heard this voice say, “I’m Ron of Ocala. I’ve been doing hair for 20 years. I’m the best, and I guarantee all my work.” I looked up to see blue, sparkling eyes and a huge smile. He plunked down a card and wandered off to order a pile of food from Ed.

So began the adventures of Lisa and Ron. I wanted to help this fantastic talent but I wouldn’t say I liked the shop, so, I bought it and rebranded it in 2013 as the Proper Tease Salon, with one caveat: I told Ron he would own it in two years. And he did.

We worked together nearly every day during that time. Ron’s personality was magnetic. He pulled you into his orbit. He was a pro at communicating his vision, and our clients left smiling and happy.

But not always. Ron was an addict. He was kind, compassionate, funny, thoughtful and loving when he wasn’t using. But when Ron was using, he was the opposite of his authentic self. He hurt people, and unfortunately, too many people only knew that side of him.

His sister Amy Decker Flingos summed it up for me. She said, “Ron loved everything to excess. If it made him feel good, he would partake in it. Friendships, favors, even the drugs he did. He never did anything halfway. It was always the best, often to his Idetriment.”wasonarollercoaster ride with Ron for many years, which was sometimes heartbreaking. He suffered from debilitating social anxiety and used drugs as a lubricant to mask physical and emotional pain but, I think, he used drugs to hide his loneliness. More than anything, Ron wanted love.

In 2019, he was using again, and getting my hair done was no longer a joy. I said, “Ron, I can be your client or friend. I can’t be both.” He asked me to remain his friend, and I did until the day he died.

Ron died from a combination of complications

from a compromised immune system that never fully allowed him to recover from a blood infection from a chemo port, combined with other maladies. I saw him on his last day at Hospice of Marion County’s Ted and Diane Brandley House. He could only raise his eyebrows and meet my eyes. I did what one does for the dying—I swabbed his mouth, moisturized his lips and put lotion on his hands, which were scarred from scissors. But I couldn’t get him to see me. Finally, I knew what would work. In my best “boss” voice (he hated boss voice), I said, “RON, IT’S LISA. WAKE UP!” I got an eyebrow raise and an eye lock. I started talking. I moved his hands through my hair. I told him I loved him. I told him he had done it all. He achieved his dreams. He owned his salon, he did Miss America’s hair, he did what he wanted.

We cried. Ron wanted to speak, but it wasn’t necessary. He told me all he wanted that day with hisIeyes.told him I loved him, kissed him and walked out the door, leaving a part of me inside.

I still cry every day, and yet I can hear his obnoxious cackle of a laugh. A friend told me to take it as a sign that he’s happy and that comment brings meThosecomfort.ofus who truly loved Ron only ever wanted him to be happy. And I think he is. Ron Decker was too gentle a soul for this world. We have lost a light.

Ron’s legacy is important to me and I believe that my husband, David, and I investing in cosmetology education would have made him happy. We are creating the Ron Decker Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County and we invite you to donate at want—whichwillatfromyourfoundation-general-fund/—andorg/community-foundation-funds/community-www.ocalafoundation.besuretodesignategiftinRon’smemory.WewillalsohostaCelebrationofLifeforRon5:30to9p.m.onOct.14atNOMAGallery939N.MagnoliaAve.,Ocala(nomaocala.com).IdomybesttoplanthepartyIknowRonwouldmeansfun.Wehopeyoujoinus.

The Junior League of Ocala on Wednesday announced the launch of a diaper bank to help area families. According to the organization, one in three Florida families struggle with the ability to provide clean, dry diapers for their“Ourchildren.goalis to help raise awareness of diaper needs and close the diaper gap for local Ocala and Marion County families,” said Heather Deutsch Junior League of Ocala Community Impact Director in the release. “Diapers are a basic need for children, yet many area families have few resources to turn to for diaper assistance.”National Diaper Need Awareness Week is Sept. 24 – Oct. 2, with a goal of drawing attention to the issue of diaper need in the U.S.

The need for diaper assistance is growing as the affordability of products continues to rise. On average, it costs $75 to $100 a month to keep one baby clean, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Additionally, most area child care and early learning centers require a day’s worth of disposable diapers in order for a child to attend.

When parents run out of diapers, they are forced to withdraw their child from outside child care facilities. In fact, 57% of parents experiencing diaper need who rely on childcare said they missed an average of four days of school or work in the past month because they didn’t have diapers, according to a study provided by the“Wenetwork.want to help Ocala and Marion County become a place where all families have consistent access to the diapers they need to keep their children clean, dry and healthy,” said Kali Stauss-Lourenco, Junior League of Ocala President. “The Junior League of Ocala Diaper Bank will address community diaper needs through a variety of distribution and resource channels and help diapers get to families that need them most.”

For more information about the diaper bank and how you can help, visit ocala.jl.org or diaperbank@ocala.jl.org.email

Ron Decker [Courtesy of Amy Decker Flingos]

City council approves beer/wine sales for proposed Maricamp 7-Eleven

One was overheard saying, “Well, it’s time to Michaelmove.”Sizemore, the Woodland Villages Master Homeowners Association president said, “I was gaining confidence that they might overturn it and deny. The council was given good facts about the matters. I was disappointed. I don’t know how they can sit there and not give any response or reasoning or rationale [for their votes], just no reasoning on the matter. Their silence was striking.”

Public opposition during hearing

new roundabout on SE 25th Avenue and Maricamp Road. The site is just east of the Insight Credit Union and across the street from the Woodland Villages communities.

Public provided more evidence at meeting

Brad Tropello, another Woodland Villages resident, also spoke at the previous hearings and brought additional documents to be entered into the record.

store next to a residential neighborhood was reason enough to deny the zoning.

City ordinances allow council to deny licenses or zoning due to proximity to residential areas, increased criminal activity due to the alcohol location, the hours of operation, incompatibility, congestion and overcrowding of an area.

By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com

The Ocala City Council approved the sale of alcohol at a proposed 7-Eleven store at SE 25th Avenue and Maricamp Road during a Sept. 20 meeting, the fourth hearing on the question after two previous ones ran afoul of filing issues.

After city staff found the hearing on Aug. 16 didn’t meet the statutory requirements for sufficient public notice for affected area residents, a new

hearing was set for Sept. 6. That hearing was also postponed when staff confirmed errors for listed parcel numbers in various case documents as reported by the Gazette previously.

City council had approved the request in a 3-2 prior vote. This time, Council members Kristen Dreyer, Jay Musleh and Ire Bethea voted yes; James Hilty Sr. and Barry Mansfield voted no.

Residents of the nearby Woodland Villages community, some of whom spoke against the request during the hearing, were visibly discouraged after the vote.

Sizemore, several other Woodland Villages residents and an elder from the Maricamp Road Church of Christ spoke in opposition during the public comment portion of the hearing. Concerns focused on the 24-hour operation of the store, safety of nearby residents and the church’s daycare center, car traffic and possible pedestrian traffic from slated apartments already approved for development farther south on SE 25th Avenue.

Sizemore noted in the hearing, “These gas stations are sucking up a lot of police time,” citing over 1,700 calls in a 16-month period to one RaceTrac convenience store in Ocala. “We simply do not want that alcohol permit so close to our community,” he stated. “It’s about the people who live over there and their health and safety.”

The proposed 7-Eleven would be a 24-hour convenience store selling gas, beer and wine as well as general merchandise with access from a proposed

“A 7-Eleven makes no sense,” he said, situated next to a residential community. He pointed out that the Diamond Oil across the street and the WaWa convenience store, less than a mile down Maricamp Road, were easily available.

Tropello said the incompatibility of a 24-hour convenience

Sizemore said during the hearing that he felt the proceedings were always “weighted toward the applicant,” noting that developers have more time in discussions.

“Applicants are given all the time they want to take and there are no restrictions on applicants speaking to a council.” But for members of the public, “Boy, they quickly admonish you at the three-minute mark.”

School safety measures recommended districtwide security assessment

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

The Marion County school district is working to improve everything from fences and door buzzers to cameras and window tinting following a recent safety assessment of every school in the county conducted by a team from the state Office of Safe Schools.

Dennis McFatten, director of Safe Schools for the school district, made several recommendations to the School Board of Marion County on how the district should proceed with improving security measures after reviewing the findings from the annual assessment.

“What we want to do is complete fencing projects by the end of the 2022 calendar year, and we are on pace to do

that,” McFatten said. “Once we complete the final fencing projects, what we want to do is go back and upgrade fencing. There may be some small minor repairs and additions that we have to do at every school over time.”

The Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool is a platform used by the Florida Department of Education (DOE) to identify safety controls, threats and vulnerabilities in schools and to assess physical site security in each school district. School districts must conduct the risk assessments and submit them to the FSSAT by Oct. 1 each year, then report the findings of completed assessments from each public and charter school to the DOE by Oct. 15.

The state also requires first responders to be present for public safety tours by the end of the school year, but McFatten said his Safe Schools team anticipates completing the public safety tour within the next semester.

In addition to security fencing, other “school-hardening” measures, or physical defenses, include door buzzers and cameras. The installation of door buzzers across all campuses is projected to be 80% complete and security camera installation is projected to be 86% complete by the end of the current school year.

“We want to use our resources to complete door buzzers and camera projects before the previously anticipated completion dates in our strategic plan,” he said. “We have some completion dates of 2025 or 2026, but we are very confident that we’ll be able to get those in prior to Additionalthat.” recommended measures to ensure safety include electronic access control systems for entry points, antivehicle structures at school entrances, window tint for lower windows and entries and vestibule areas to limit access to other areas of school buildings as needed,

according to the assessment.

“We have to improve radio transmission signals within the buildings,” McFatten said. “We know and we’ve talked about how radio signal and cell phone coverage is not always the best throughout the county…we’re working on that.”

The camera installation part of the strategic plan also includes more exterior cameras so that school staff can have broader surveillance of the entire area, he said.

The district is also searching for vendors to provide “Knox Boxes,” which allow law enforcement and first responders immediate access into campuses in an emergency.

Projects to install school-hardening measures have faced setbacks, including material shortages, due to supply chain issues and limited staff available to complete installations.

“We have limited staff to complete installations,’’ McFatten said. “We looked at a third-party vendor to come out and do it, but we saw that would make it no quicker and would cost double or possibly triple the cost of having it done in-house ourselves.”

While McFatten shared the security recommendations with the board, specific information about security concerns at individual schools will be kept confidential for the safety of students and staff.

McFatten said that while implementing these measures is a crucial step to ensuring school safety, security begins in the community outside of the classroom. He emphasized the importance of monitoring mental health and behavioral wellness, and that “If you see something, say something.’’

“It is not just about physical schoolhardening measures put in place,” he said. “[It’s about] being vigilant, seeing what’s going on around you and reporting it. That starts with students, staff and family.”

Bradford Tropello of Blanchard, Merriam, Adel and Kirkland Attorneys At Law, speaks during an Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Ocala City Councilmember Barry Mansfield, left, speaks with City Manager Pete Lee, right, during an Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2022.

‘ROLLER COASTER RIDE’ CONTINUES FOR CITIZENS INSURANCE

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Barry Gilway, president and CEO of Citizens Property Insurance Corp., said Wednesday the state-backed insurer has been a “roller coaster ride” for the past two decades.

Right now, it is continuing to pick up speed.Citizens last week reached 1.055 million policies — more than double the number two years ago — as private insurers drop customers to try to curb financial losses. Meanwhile, the industry continues to grapple with underlying problems, including costs of critical reinsurance and large amounts of claims-related litigation.

Gilway briefed the Citizens Board of Governors during a meeting Wednesday and said private property insurers are projected to have $1 billion in losses this year. Five insurers have been declared insolvent and placed into receivership since February, with tens of thousands of customers of those companies turning to Citizens for coverage.

“If the (financial) numbers remain in the red, and companies aren’t put in a position where they are making a reasonable rate of return, you’re not going to have a stable market,” Gilway said.

A key issue for the market is reinsurance, which provides backup coverage for carriers. It is particularly important in Florida, which depends heavily on Florida-based insurers rather than larger national companies.

Gilway said 40 percent to 50 percent of policyholders’ premiums typically go to reinsurance costs, and Florida carriers are expected to continue facing a tight reinsurance market.

A commentary released last week by the AM Best ratings agency pointed to reinsurers seeing losses in Florida, “despite moderate hurricane seasons, further suggesting that current prices are not adequate to cover the claims inflation and fraud in the market. Consequently, reinsurers have been pulling back from the Florida property market or significantly raising prices.”

“Pricing will continue to impact business plans and companies’ ability to use reinsurance structures with adequate limits to protect against severe storms,” the ratings agency said. “AM Best expects reinsurers to remain selective in the risks they reinsure, placing further burdens on the Florida homeowners market, which has seen four property insurers, along with a Louisianabased insurer that wrote policies in Florida,

declared insolvent since late February.” Florida lawmakers during a May special session approved spending $2 billion in tax dollars to provide another “layer” of reinsurance to insurers that otherwise might not be able to buy it in the private market. But that was a stopgap move to help insurers, many of which needed to have reinsurance contracts in place in June.

Lawmakers also took steps to try to curb litigation costs, but Gilway and many other industry officials argue that more needs to be done to address lawsuits and attorney fees. The issue, however, is always controversial, as groups such as plaintiffs’ attorneys contend that lawsuits help hold insurers accountable for properly paying claims.

“For the third year in a row, the private industry really is going to show a $1 billion loss, with no storms to speak of,” Gilway said. “This is driven by litigation.”

Citizens was created as an insurer of last resort and has seen wild swings in its numbers of policies during the past two decades.

After Florida was hammered by a barrage of hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, Citizens’ policy count topped 1 million and remained above that mark until early 2014, according to data on the insurer’s website. But the policy count dropped below 500,000 in 2016 and remained under that level for more than four years.

In September 2020, Citizens hit 511,055 policies and steadily increased to 1,055,366 policies as of Friday, with thousands of customers a week flowing in. Gilway said Citizens insures about 13 percent of the market and is expected to be at 15 percent by the end of the year.

In certain areas of the state, however, it is a far-bigger player. For example, it has 39 percent of the residential market share in Miami-Dade County and 30 percent in Broward County, Gilway said.

State leaders have long sought to hold down the number of policies in Citizens, in part because policyholders throughout the state could face additional costs — known as “assessments” — if Citizens runs deficits after a major hurricane or multiple hurricanes. Citizens policyholders would be hit hardest by assessments, but other insurance policyholders could also face additional costs if deficits are large enough.

“The entire state’s on the hook,” Citizens board member M. Scott Thomas said during Wednesday’s meeting.

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

All creditors of the decedent and oth er persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLI CATION OR THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUB LICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORI DA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER NOTWITHSTANDINGBARRED.THE TIME PERI ODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 16, 2022.

Attorney for Personal Representative: SUSAN SULLIVAN, ESQ., 4752 Coun ty Road 466A Wildwood, FL 34785, (352)689-0045 (352)689-0046 FAX, Flor ida Bar No. GEORGE E. RUSSELL JR, 448 Gurney Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044

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What’s Spanish for versatile jazz man?

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Birds of many a feather flock together in Nino Castañeda’s musical repertoire. The jazz guitarist has become a selfstyled specialist in Spanish/Latin styles, from bolero to rumba to cumbia to Afro-Cuban jazz.

He also plays rock, blues and even some folk music. Genres from around the world inform his nimble fingers as he works the frets of his acoustic and electric guitars.

While Castañeda deftly proves his musicianship while performing, he also knows how to set the mood for whatever occasion he’s playing, whether he’s gently strumming instrumentals at an art

show, such as the recent “Arte Hispano” opening event at the Brick City Center for the Arts, or ramping up the crowd with the rum-bum-bum and clang-clang-clang of timbales, congas and cowbell.

He plays solo shows with his acoustic and tracked recordings, in a jazz trio and a six-piece band for concerts and festivals such as the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

“We do some vocals, but not a lot,” Castañeda clarified. “I do sing a little bit, but it’s mainly instrumentals.”

Castañeda moved to the Ocala area around 17 years ago. The consummate musician earns a living as a real estate broker in his other, more buttoneddown life.

An avid fanbase shows up for his weekly Tuesday night gigs from 6 to 8:30

p.m. at Morevino in downtown Ocala, where he performs bossa nova, jazz standards and other swaying styles with his trio, which includes Richie Skraybar on bass and Jonathan Hurst on drums.

He’s also working on a new record featuring original music. To get a sense of his mix of jazz and Latin styles, check out Castañeda’s shimmering “Dance of the Tainos.” The sinewy tune evokes dance parties by the Caribbean surf with island rhythms complemented by melodic jazz guitar licks. The tune can be heard on Castañeda’s Soundcloud page at castaneda-343436775.soundcloud.com/tim-ThemusicianwithMexican roots

grew up in Chicago in a musical and artistic family.

“We had a big family, nine kids,” he

reminisced. “Thank God my parents took us out with them. … whether it was weddings or concerts, we would go.”

Having started out young, he was already playing live gigs at 15. He attended a fine arts school in Milwaukee and was heavily influenced by his jazz-guitarist instructor and later moved to New York, where he got to perform with headliners such as Cuban-born singer and actor Maria Conchita Alonso, now-deceased 20th-century legends Leonardo “Kike” Vega from Ecuador and the “Cuban conga king,” Carlos “Patato” Valdez.

What makes Castañeda’s sound distinctive?“Ithinkthe fact that I like all these styles — jazz, rock, country, blues,” he said. “I combine ’em all together and mix them into something new.”

Tmaking this their home.

Anderson Vasquez said that he, his brother Julian and their parents moved from Colombia

In 2004, the rest of the family moved there. He said he was 13 years old at the time.

The family stayed in Miami for

rural than what they had been used to, Vasquez said.

“Route 200 was built, but it wasn’t very busy,” he remembers.

The family moved to Ocala when Vasquez was 15 years old and they loved it right away, he said.

He graduated from West Port High School, where he was on the varsity soccer team in 2002 when the team won the county championship.Becauseofthe moves, Vasquez said he has become fluent in three languages: Spanish, which was the predominant language spoken in Colombia; Portuguese, which is spoken in Brazil and he had several Brazilian friends in Colombia; and English, in which he became more fluent while a student at West Port.

“Spanish and Portuguese languages are a lot alike,” he said.

Vasquez attended F.I.R.S.T. Institute, an entertainment and digital media school in Orlando for a semester, studying music production and sound engineering. After he injured his back in a car accident, he could not work and had to stop his schooling. He said it was a difficult time for him until he was able to regain his health.

Vasquez is the single parent of daughters Sofia Marie, 10; Anaey, 8; and Keilani, 4. His parents share a home in southwest Ocala with him and his children, along with an unusual dog Vasquez received for his birthday last year.

in from 40 to 50 pounds; and the extra-large, which can weigh up to 120 pounds. Their dog is the standard hybrid and, at 8 months old, already weighs about 50 pounds, Vasquez said.

“He has a very good personality,” he said, adding that the dog’s coloring is tan and white, he has a large head, is of fairly short stature and is very strong. “I can’t let my girls walk him on a leash anymore. He is stronger than they are!”

The family loves the area, Vasquez remarked, because “there is so much to do here. The potential of Ocala is so good. Both coasts can be reached in only about 45 minutes and Orlando is only an hour away. Tampa only an hour and a half. There are great beaches in Clearwater and Daytona, and Crystal River is great.”

Vasquez cited the geography of the area as being a benefit, too, in that the elevation and central location seems to lessen flooding and hurricane damage.

Vasquez describes himself as a people person who enjoys helping others.

“And I like to laugh,” he added.

His hobbies include music and spectator soccer, and he loves history and geography.

Another family member lived in Ocala and invited them to visit to see the area. It was much more

The dog is an American Bully, which is a hybrid of the American bulldog and a mastiff. The breed, Vasquez explained, can be one of three categories: the exotic, which as an adult dog would grow to 20 to 30 pounds; the standard, which will weigh

He is a realtor for Calesa Township, being developed by Colen Built Development, which also developed the On Top of the World Communities in Ocala. Calesa is a

Castañeda serenaded the crowd at the MCA’s “Arte Hispano” opening reception at the Brick City Center for the Arts earlier this month. [Photo by Julie Garisto]

IHMC Evening Lecture series resumes

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

In her youth, Dr. Gwen Bryan remembers limping off the field as a soccer player. Now, she is working with people all ages confronting all degrees of debilitating injury.

The Stanford University graduate and researcher at the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) has merged her technical talents with her love of helping others, developing a device that enables mobility when it is either extremely difficult or impossible.

IHMC has a main campus in Pensacola and a branch campus in Ocala. The IHMC EveninOn Sept. 29, at the Ocala branch of the research facility, Bryan, a New Mexico-born mechanical engineer, will give a talk titled “Improving Human Performance Through Wearable Robotics,” which will highlight her work in developing an augmentative exoskeleton.

“We’re targeting two different areas,” Bryan explained. “One is able-bodied individuals, Department of Energy workers who have really heavy PPE (personal protective equipment) such as air tanks somewhere between 20 and 50 pounds, and we’ve designed the device to offload that warm mass.”

So, the device is carrying that weight instead of the person, Bryan added.“The other area that we’re looking at is for people with spinal cord injury—that’s historically what IHMC has focused on, and the exoskeletons assist people who are paralyzed from the waist down. We’ve been developing a device to help them to be able to walk.”

According to Bryan, lower-limb exoskeletons have the potential to assist a wide range of patients, of all ages, in myriad locomotor activities.Thedevices can improve human capabilities or rehabilitate individuals with limited mobility or chronic injuries. Performance augmentation devices could reduce the strain felt by those in high-intensity professions, such as laborers, military personnel or athletes. Meanwhile, rehabilitative exoskeletons are well-suited to assist patient populations, such as those with spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.

Bryan has been working on getting the device to help a pilot who is paralyzed from waist down achieve a more natural gait pattern.

“He is able to walk easier,” she said. “He’s been able to speed up his walking pace quite a bit with the gait change on the device.”

The IMHC researcher is also

seeking more real-time user feedback.“So,looking at, say, muscle activity and then tweaking what the device is doing to reduce how much shoulder activity he needs to use,” Bryan said. “For example, when walking with the crutches, we’re seeing if the exoskeleton can minimize how much crutch force he has to use.”

Bryan and her cohorts at IHMC are investigating both augmentative and rehabilitative exoskeleton technology by leveraging their expertise in both robotics and human performance.

Figuring out what exactly different populations need and what would be helpful is at the heart of Bryan’s research.

“We’re starting to look into healthy aging and then also helping older adults to just stay more mobile,” she added. “That can be translated towards a lot of pathologies that people don’t necessarily know that they have.”

“Improving Human Performance Through Wearable Robotics”

Thursday, Sept. 29; reception at 5:30 p.m.; talk begins at 6 p.m. Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IMHC) 15 S.E. Osceola Avenue, Ocala

The events are free to attend but registration is required. For more information, call (352) 387-3050 or visit ihmc.us/life/evening_lectures/ocala-lecture-series

UF/IFAS LAUNCHES IN OCTOBER TO PREPARE WOMEN FOR AGRICULTURAL FIELD

Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) will host a Customer Appreciation Day Friday, Oct. 7 at Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., 6 to 8 p.m.

In conjunction with Public Power Week, which runs Sunday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 8, OEU will be providing food from the Mojo Grill and Catering Company during the customer appreciation event.

Meals will be individually portioned for grab-and-go convenience. This free event will also include entertainment, family-friendly activities, educational items, and giveaways. Appreciation prizes include bill credits to be used on customer accounts. Guests must have a City of Ocala municipal service account to qualify. Customers will spin the prize wheel to win utility vouchers with

randomly assigned monetary values. There will be a limit of one voucher per household and vouchers must be redeemed within 30 days. Customers are responsible for redeeming their vouchers with the customer service office.

“Public Power Week, along with our annual Customer Appreciation Day, help shed a light on OEU’s efforts as Ocala and Marion County’s hometown public power provider. These events are a sincere thank you to our customers that support us throughout the year,” said Doug Peebles, Director of Electric Utilities, City of Ocala.

For more information, please contact Ocala Electric Utility at 352-629-2489.

UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County in cooperation with Annie’s Project is offering a six-week course that is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in these agricultural areas: production, fiscal management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. Each session offers time for questions, sharing, reacting and connecting with presenters and fellow participants. The next class in the Ocala area begins on Oct 3, 2022, in Ocala.

Women producers of all levels of experience are welcome to participate to gain a better understanding the five areas of agricultural risk, knowing how to analyze agricultural spreadsheets and other necessary skills are vital.

The cost for the course is $75 per participant, which includes a workbook and supporting materials for all sessions. A light supper will be served before each class at 5:30 pm.

Linda, an Annie’s Project alum said, “I took the class to gain a better understanding about agribusiness and how financial decisions impact our farm

operation. I have a better understanding of balance sheets and the futures market. This class has improved communication with my spouse on concerns he works with on a daily basis.”

Annie’s Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women in agriculture to be successful through education, networks and resources. The organization provides agricultural risk management education programs for women involved in agriculture. Annie’s Project courses has successfully reached more than 18,000 women in 38 states and one U.S. territory.

For more information contact Lynn Nobles, UF/IFAS Extension director, Marion County at [352-895-5887] or noblesp@ufl.edu; or County Extension Office at 352-671-8400. Online registration is available at tickets-408008423177.www.eventbrite.com/e/annes-project-https://

More information can be found on the Annie’s Project website at www.anniesproject.org.

This month, learn about a robotic exoskeleton that remarkably improves mobility.

Dr. Gwen Bryan [Supplied]

“...the exoskeletons assist people who are paralyzed from the waist down. We’ve been developing a device to help them to be able to walk.”

Dr. Gwen Bryan

By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved proposed enhancements to the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in its Sept. 7 meeting, with new features designed to honor local veterans as far back at the Seminole IndianCommissionersWar. suggested some improvements themselves, primarily how to get more shade for visitors, especially during events held in the hot summer months. The presentation by Marion County Parks and Recreation Director Jim Couillard highlighted new monuments at the park, located at 2601 E Fort King St.,

at the corners of Fort King, SE 25th Ave. and State Road 40. The park is free and open to the public.

The plan shows more memorial wall space on the south end, a new memorial wall on the north side of the park and a new gate on the current pavilion to feature the emblems of the military branches. Several new monuments are proposed, including a kneeling soldier, a fallen soldier, one for aviation, the Korean War, and Fort King soldier monuments.

“This is a reflection to our first veterans here in Marion County. We worked closely with the Fort King Foundation on the development of that memorial,” Couillard said. The department also commended the input and assistance of the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation,

and the Marion County Veterans Council.

New park features include a donor recognition wall, renovation of the 50 Flags display, a meditation pavilion and signCouillardimprovements.saidmuch of the funding for the park improvements will come from the Veterans Park CommissionerFoundation.KathyBryant suggested offering tree sponsorships to help fund more shade for the park. Commission Chair Carl Zalak encouraged the foundation to also consider ways to add more shade for park patrons.

“Every event I go to, especially in the summer months … we set up the bleachers in the middle of the sun,” he said. “We need to be able to add temporary shade, put bleachers up with temporary

cover or some other solution.” Zalak expressed a desire to make park events more comfortable and present a nicer place for attendees. “We need to create an (better) environment when people come to celebrate those things,” he said.

Zalak noted that many of the park’s official activities--such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Sept. 11 remembrance events--take place during the hottest months. Among the suggestions from commissioners were fans, windsails and mobile bleachers with attached cantilevers.“Ithink(the park) is wonderful,’’ he said. “We’d like to see more participation. We want to celebrate our veterans and get younger people to honor them.” Park

community

SEPTEMBER 23

Spice Things Up Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Hwy 484, Belleview 10:30am

Discover ways to add flourish to your food with tasty seasoning techniques and ideas, how to make meals healthier by skipping the salt, sugar and fat, and how to decipher ingredient labels. Also find out how to grow and preserve herbs. Co-sponsored by the Florida Department of Health in Marion County and UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. Registration is recommended. Call (352) 438-2500.

SEPTEMBER 23-24

Paso Fino Horse Association 50th Anniversary Grand National Show

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

10am-9pm

Paso Finos are known for their smooth forward gait, quick stepping over sound boards to enhance that staccato effect in shows. Classes include youth and recreational riders and the always popular costume class, which takes place late Saturday. Free to spectators. WEC has onsite food and shopping options. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

SEPTEMBER 23 & 30

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala 9am-2pm

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

SEPTEMBER 24 & OCTOBER 1

Yoga in the Park 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 for details.

SEPTEMBER 24 & OCTOBER 1

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, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

SEPTEMBER 24 & OCTOBER 1

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St, Ocala

9am-2pm

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, 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.

SEPTEMBER 24

Summer Sunset Polo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm

The last game of the summer season. Free to the public. Tailgate next to the polo field and enjoy a unique evening out. For more info, ocalapolo.com

SEPTEMBER 24

4th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair

Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW Highway 200, Ocala 9am-1pm

More than 40 vendors are expected, selling handcrafted items, gifts and more. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Free to attend. Countrysideocala.org for more info.

SEPTEMBER 24

NPD Classic Car Show & Beer Fest

Downtown Square, 1 NE 1st Ave, Ocala 11:30am-4:30pm

Free to spectators. This show that combines more than 100 classic cars on display and a variety of beers from award-winning breweries. Includes a kids’ zone, music by Jeff Vitolo & the Quarter Mile Rebels, and more. Beer tickets are $5, and various packages are available, including a VIP party. See ocalamainstreet.org for more info.

SEPTEMBER 24

Havanatown “The Lost City” Walking Tour

Marion Cultural Alliance, 23 SW Broadway, Ocala 9am-11am

The lost stories from Ocala’s Havanatown will be retold in this unique walking tour that covers a culture of people and the cigar industry in this area. Enjoy the art of Latin American artists, music and a lesson in the art of cigar making. Tickets are $21.35; available from: site/buy/HM3H4EAGAXV67D5EF7T2EEC6.https://checkout.square.Tour is rain or shine.

government

SEPTEMBER 26 & OCTOBER 3

Marion County Development Review Committee Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave, Building 1, Ocala 9am

Reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

SEPTEMBER 26

Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, first hearing McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala 5:30pm

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

SEPTEMBER 24

September to Remember Arts and Crafts Fair Tuscawilla Park, 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala 11:30am-4:30pm

More than 60 vendors are expected, with a variety of wares such as jewelry, home décor, wood art, face painting, crafts, painting, plants and more. Musician Rob Burgess will play retro tunes. Ice cream and food trucks are expected. Free for all.

SEPTEMBER 24

Chili Competition for Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 N US Highway 441, Ocala 11am-4pm

The inaugural HOG chapter event will raise money for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and offer a chili competition, music by Brett Wellman and the Stone Cold Blues Brothers, cash bar and free bike washes. Free to attend; chili tickets or wristband donations required to sample the food. See warhorseharley.com for more info.

SEPTEMBER 26

Dr. Michael A Cadore Sr. College of Central Florida, Webber Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 12:30-1:30pm

Cadore’s inspirational speech will focus on his life motto: “If you don’t serve your community now, don’t expect your community to serve you later.”

A former law enforcement officer, NFL recruit and city councilman, his message is meant to educate and inspire. Light refreshments and giveaways; free to attend. For more info, CF.edu

SEPTEMBER 29

Builder’s Roundtable

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 7:30am-9am

The City of Ocala hosts this community roundtable for area building professionals to connect with city officials, share feedback and collaborate. Complimentary breakfast served; RSVP to (352) 629-8287 or email gmd@ocalafl.org

SEPTEMBER 29

Night of Hope Dinner College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 5:30pm-8pm

Keynote speaker Tahiera Monique Brown will be featured at this dinner honoring the victims and survivors of domestic violence. Survivor testimonies, giveaways, vendors and music combine to support the Marion County Children’s Alliance. Tickets are $35; see 2022noh.eventbrite.com

SEPTEMBER 29

Dr. Gwen Bryan IHMC, 15 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala 5:30pm-7pm

Bryan’s work with augmentative exoskeletons will be highlighted in her presentation about “wearable robotic devices aimed at augmenting human performance in clinical, occupational and military applications.” Complimentary reception and free to attend, but please RSVP to lecture-tickets-419148403157www.eventbrite.com/e/gwen-bryan-evening-https://

SEPTEMBER 30 & OCTOBER 4

Phoenix Rising Marion County

YouthBuild

CareerSource Center, 2703 NE 14th St, Ocala

10am

Students can receive classroom and hands-on training to help build a Habitat for Humanity home and develop workforce skills. Space is limited; two sessions. Call (352) 291-9550, ext. 1215, to register.

SEPTEMBER 30- OCTOBER 2

Just Between Friends Kids’ Consignment Sale

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

10am-7pm

A huge selection of kids’ clothing, toys, school supplies and more, all at bargain prices. No charge to attend; ticket is good for three days. Presale day is Friday for $15. For more info, eventbrite.com/d/fl--ocala/just-between-friends/https://www.

OCTOBER 1

Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale

Marion County Extension Office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

8am-12pm

Free admission. Bring your own wagon. All kinds of plants will be on sale—natives, perennials, fruit trees, herbs, pollinator plants and more. An onsite plant clinic will be open. No pets, please. Cash, checks or credit cards accepted. For more info, (352) 671-8400.

OCTOBER 1 & 2

Ocala Home Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Building Expo 2, 1598 NW 87th Court Road, Ocala

10am-5pm

Check out the options for home improvements, indoor, outdoor and more. Cooking seminars all weekend. Parking and attendance are free. Use the State Road 40 entrance. For more info, ocalahomeshow.com

SEPTEMBER 27

Dunnellon Transportation Planning Organization Meeting City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 4pm

Meets the last Tuesday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/Agendas-Minutes

SEPTEMBER 28

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee Meeting

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd, Belleview 9am-10am

Meets second and fourth Wednesdays; agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

SEPTEMBER 29

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays. Supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl/

SEPTEMBER 29

Ocala Elks Lodge No. 286 Lodge, 702 NE 25th Ave, Ocala

7pm

Meets second and fourth Thursdays. Supports summer camps, youth scholarships and veterans. More info at www.elks.org/lodges/home. cfm?LodgeNumber=286

SEPTEMBER 29

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

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

12pm Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at www.ocalakiwanis.org

SEPTEMBER 24

George Trullinger

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale

7pm

Comedian, impressionist and musician George Trullinger recreates “The Ed Sullivan Show,” along with a variety of retro impersonations. You might see Buddy Holly, Mick Jagger, the Blues Brothers and more. Tickets are $26-$39. See obopry.com

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30

Julijana Prest Art Exhibit

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave, Ocala

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

“Transitional Moments in Nature’s Landscape” is hosted by the City of Ocala as part of its Art in City Spaces program.

For more info, www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

OCTOBER 1

Captured: The Ultimate Journey Tribute

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale

7pm

Expect to hear power ballads, Journey’s big hits and stellar guitar solos from this tribute band. Tickets are $33-$46. See obopry.com for more info.

OCTOBER 1

Free First Saturday at the Appleton Museum of Art

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

10am-5pm

&nightlifemusic arts

This month celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with free admission for all to the permanent collection and special exhibits. Take this opportunity to explore this art-filled space, the garden atrium, music, information booths for Hispanic-owned businesses, plus Big Lee’s BBQ

food truck is onsite from 11am-2pm. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH OCTOBER 31

Halloween Films

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala

Showtimes vary, see website Scary movies all month long. Scheduled are “The Birds,” “The Nightmare before Christmas,” “The Shining” and more. Tickets $5; see mcaocala.org for more info

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

Invented PhotographsObservations:bySteven Benson

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

Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Professor, educator and artist Benson has this exhibition of his photographs at the museum. His work represents humans’ search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org for details.

THROUGH DECEMBER 9

A Floral Retrospective by Gregory Dirr

Ocala City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave, Ocala

Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

Dirr emphasizes environmental conservation in his interdisciplinary artworks. Using paint, multimedia resources, fabric and glass, his work is a response to the world around us. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JANUARY 2023

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier

Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave, Ocala

Hours vary per airport operations

Dozier exhibits landscapes, abstracts, still life and animal portraits. This is part of the City of Ocala Art in City Spaces program. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

SEPTEMBER 23 & 30

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St, Ocala 6-9pm Music, dancing, drumming, poetry and limbo. Free to all, Friday nights weekly.

SEPTEMBER 23

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

SEPTEMBER 23

Tim McCaig

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

SEPTEMBER 24

Nathan Cox Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd, Williston 6-9pm Live music, line dancing, food and drink.

SEPTEMBER 24

Side Piece Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 7pm

SEPTEMBER 24

Chris McNeal

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 6-9pm

SEPTEMBER 25

Doug Adams Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 2pm

SEPTEMBER 28

Blues Jam Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 6pm

SEPTEMBER 28

Heather Lynne

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 6-9pm

SEPTEMBER 29

Donny Sawyer

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 6-9pm

SEPTEMBER 30

Adam Roundtree

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 6-9pm

SEPTEMBER 30

Ragin’ Woody Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 7pm

OCTOBER 1

Mark Z

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 6-9pm

Those who’ve grown up as firstgeneration Americans know all too well how conflicting attitudes can present confusion and, sometimes, embarrassing situations. As we age, we come to understand the nuances of our family’s cultural norms or those of our friends or

in-laws vs. views of contemporary 21stcentury American society.

The ins and outs of what to say when other do’s and don’ts are explored humorously and poignantly in “The Farewell,” screening in the College of Central Florida’s Ira Holmes

International Film Festival on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art and 7 p.m. at College of Central Florida, Building 8, Room 110.

Actor, hip-hop artist and comedian Awkwafina stars as Billi in “The Farewell,” a 2019 dramedy based on the real-life memories of director/screenwriter Lulu Wang.

Celebrated in pop culture for her irreverent and brash jokes and saucy raps, Awkwafina (“Crazy Rich Asians” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”) reveals a more thoughtful side to her persona, bringing impressive dimension and range to her role and aptly conveying the many realizations and bittersweet moments Wang experienced on her journey to her ancestral homeland.

The story begins with news about Billi’s beloved grandmother, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Billie returns to China for a family gathering, secretly planned to allow relatives to say goodbye to the matriarch, who is unaware of her own diagnosis. As one would imagine, Billi rediscovers the country she left as a child and grows closer to her grandmother while exploring the interpersonal dynamics

and inner conflicts of growing up Chinese American.Director/writer

Wang has received rave reviews for the film, revealing influences from some of her favorite directors, auteurs who muse authentically on the human condition, such as Mike Leigh, Ruben Ostlund and Lukas Moodysson.

The rated-PG/100-minute film scored 97 critic’s score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Ultimately, it’s all about balance, a yinand-yang of roots and identities, humor and pathos that comes together into a satisfying, bittersweet wedding banquet of a movie,” writes “The Guardian.”

All films in CF’s international film series are shown Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, and at 7 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, at 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110, unless otherwise noted. Films at the Ocala campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Films may contain mature content.

For a full series list and more information on the Ira Holmes International Film Series, visit www.CF.edu/filmseries.

Forest outlasts Belleview for first win of the season

in the middle and Sancho would break two tackles on his way to the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown reception to extend the lead to 25-7.Poole and his receivers had a great connection all night and made big plays when needed. “They did good, they were catching the ball and getting open, I love it,” he

“It lets me know that I can do it and I am capable of doing it. It lets me know that the team needs me at times, whether it’s using my legs or throwing the ball,” he said.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

It was a battle of two firstyear head coaches as the Forest Wildcats hosted the Belleview Rattlers on Friday night.

For the Wildcats, they were looking to get Eoghan Cullen his first win as head coach of the program.

Cullen’s defense got off to a fast start by forcing a fumble on the opening drive and eight plays later, the Wildcats offense took the lead on a two-yard touchdown run by senior tight end/linebacker TaeTheFloyd.biggest play of the drive came on third and 29 when quarterback Vimel Poole hit wide receiver Tramar Cave in stride for a 40-yard completion. The Rattlers would answer two plays later when freshman quarterback Matt Dial, making his first start, launched a rainbow down the left sideline for a 50-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Davonte Welcome to give Belleview a 7-6 lead with three minutes left in the first

Itquarter.wasthe first touchdown pass of Dial’s career and the early success gave him confidence and poise that he carried throughout the game.

“I felt good but kind of nervous at the beginning but once I got the first snap it was all good,” Dial said.

Rattlers head coach Brian Lane was pleased with Dial’s poise and sees a bright future for the freshman signal-caller. “Matt had a

real gutsy performance for his first start. He got thrown into the fire last week against North Marion and he showed us that he is able to get rid of the ball quick. I thought he did pretty good for his first start,” he said.

The Wildcats offense punched right back as Cave came up with a 13-yard reception on third and 3. Two plays later, sophomore running back Amadrick Hope scored from 13 yards out to give Forest a 13-7 lead.

On the first play of the second quarter, Rattlers running back Jaheem Shannon fumbled and Floyd came up with the recovery. The fumble recovery gave Forest great field position as they started on the Belleview 12-yard line.

After Poole converted a fourth down with his legs, he would score on first and goal from the two to give Forest a 19-7 lead. Both defenses forced a punt and Belleview got the ball back with five minutes left in the half. Floyd would have a monster drive with two sacks to get the ball back to his offense with two minutes left in the half.

Floyd, a transfer from West Port, is a two-way starter who made his presence felt on both sides against Belleview.

“It feels so great, knowing that I can help the team in as many ways as possible,” he said.Itlooked as if Forest may take there 12-point lead to the locker room but on fourth and 15, Poole found sophomore wide receiver DeAnthony Sancho open

Thesaid.Rattlers struck first in the second half after the defense forced a punt. On the ensuing drive, the Rattlers offense leaned on Shannon for three consecutive first down runs and Dial would connect with sophomore wide receiver JJ White for a 17-yard touchdown to bring the deficit to 25-13 after a blocked extra point.

The defenses stood tall and forced punts to keep the score the same. Belleview forced another three and out before getting a huge break that let them back into the game. On the punt, a high snap led to a scramble in the endzone for the ball and freshman wide receiver Hunter Schaller recovered it for a touchdown to make the score

During25-19.the first couple games, a bad play has snowballed into multiple mistakes for Forest in crucial moments. Floyd and other veteran leaders had to keep the team calm and remind them that the goal of winning is still attainable.

“Don’t give up, keep pushing on every play. We had to tell our team to not let that get them down, its just one play and keep the energy,” he said.

Poole and the offense would grab back the momentum and on third and less than a yard on the following drive, Poole rolled to his right and launched a perfect pass to an open Matt Hart down the sideline for a 68-yard gain. The quarterback would score a 1-yard touchdown on the next play to extend their lead to 31-19

As a junior and the starting quarterback, Poole has had to step up and become a leader this season. Plays like the third down pass to Hart shows he can be counted on in big moments.

Dial finished the night with 109 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Poole would finish with 262 passing yards, three combined touchdowns and an interception.

The fourth quarter was a defensive battle filled with punts and interceptions, with both teams picking off the opposing quarterback. Forest got an interception from junior Cayden Pittman while Belleview got one fromTheShannon.Wildcats would run out the clock after a turnover on downs to pick up their first win of the 2022 season and first win under head coach Eoghan Cullen.

“It feels great, after that loss last week we talked about focusing on the little things all week in practice. The kids did a great job, and they brought the energy to the game tonight,” he said.

As for the Rattlers, after a 2-0 start to Coach Lane’s tenure, they have lost backto-back games to county rivals and will head into a bye week. Despite the tough losses, Lane is optimistic for the rest of the season and knows his team will bounce back.

“We still have everything in front of us. We haven’t played a district game yet, so we can still be district champions. We’re going to go back to the drawing board and get back to practice on Tuesday and go from there,” he said.ForCullen and his team, the grind continues despite the win and its back to work on Monday to keep the“Wemomentum.gotDunnellon next week and then our first district game (South Lake) the week after. We want to keep this momentum going and build it up,” he said.

Belleview falls to 2-2 on the season as they head into their bye week before hosting Vanguard on September 30th at 7:30 p.m.

For Forest, they move to 1-2 on the season and will host Dunnellon next Friday at 7 p.m.

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DAMAGEANNULBLEAKSCREWY

Forest’s quarterback VJ Poole Jr. (1) scrambles away from a Belleview defender during a football game at Forest High School in Ocala on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Forest’s Ryan Jackson (21) is stopped by a Belleview defender.

Forest’s Dee Sancho (8) eludes Belleview’s Ernest Flythe (2).

Forest’s Matt Hart (28) runs away from Belleview’s Kareem Walker (9).

North Marion sweeps past Lake Weir in volleyball

kills, Nehemiya Smith added a spike and Hall had back-to-back serve aces as the Colts went on a 12-1 run to take a 13-4Lakelead.Weir took a time out and that seemed to settle the Hurricanes down as they pulled within 21-15, but North Marion’s Smith and Montoya drilled winners and the Colts eased to the first set win.

The second set was similar to the first as Lake Weir held an early 4-2 advantage before North Marion roared back to take a 23-17 lead as McCubbin scored several points with excellent serves and Kensey Thomas found holes in the Lake Weir defense with well-placed shots.

The Hurricanes got service aces from Mckenzee Adames and a pair of spikes by Smith to tie the score at 24.

Thomas ripped a cross-court spike and a shot by Lake Weir went into the net to give the second set to the Colts.

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

North Marion got solid net play by sophomore outside hitter Jadair Montoya and seniors Lainee Hall and Kendall McCubbin en route to a sweep of Lake Weir by scores of 25-18, 26-24 and 25-7 on Tuesday night.

The win gave North Marion a season sweep over Lake Weir and improved the Class 4A Colts to 5-8 on the“Itseason.wasa good match for us and I think we did pretty well considering the girls were coming off a five-game tournament over the weekend,” said North Marion coach Richard Guerrero. “Some of the girls were a little tired and sore but we were able to play everyone and that was good. I have to give it up to the Lake Weir

coach (Jenna Dupleffis) because her team always plays hard and she is doing a tremendous job.”

The loss dropped Class 4A Lake Weir, which has shown vast improvement during the course of the season, to 0-10.

“We’re a young team and the girls played hard,” said Hurricanes coach Jenna Dupleffis. “Especially in the second set when we had a chance to win. We’ve improved a great deal since the start of the season, especially our serve receive, and we’re just focused on trying to get better.”

Lake Weir showed it wasn’t going to be a quick match as the Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first set as senior Sanna King scored points at the net with perfectly placed shots.

North Marion got its offensive attack going as Montoya had a pair of

The third and final set was fairly one-sided as North Marion rode the momentum from winning the exciting second set and jumped in front by a score of 14-5 as Montoya had a pair of kill shots and Hall scored with a welltimed dink shot.

Despite the deficit, Lake Weir continued to play hard and battled North Marion with numerous long rallies that ended up going the way of theAColts.block and a kill shot by Hall and a dink shot by Brooke McConnell put North Marion on match point and a Lake Weir serve sailed long to give the set and the match to the Colts.

“It’s always good to win,” coach Guerrero said. “We’re getting better but we still have room for improvement.”

North Marion is back in action with a home match on Thursday night against West Port. Lake Weir is at Umatilla on Wednesday night.

Lake Weir’s Emma Hardy (19) and North Marion’s Keanti Henderson (4) battle at the net as North Marion travels to

Lake Weir in Candler on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022.

Lake Weir’s Layla Paulsen (20) and North Marion’s Jadair Montoya (8) battle at the net.

North Marion’s Jadair Montoya (8) tries to return Lake Weir’s Emma Hardy’s (19) return.

Photos By Alan Youngblood Special to the Ocala Gazette

Lake Weir falls to 0-4 after tough loss to George Jenkins

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Lake Weir Hurricanes were home for the second week in a row on Friday night as they hosted the George Jenkins Eagles from Lakeland.

The Eagles took the lead in the first quarter on a touchdown pass on fourth and goal from the 11. Hurricanes firstyear head coach Jason Roberts took the blame for the defensive call.

“I made a poor call by trying to make something up and the guy got open, and the quarterback scrambled to create extra time to find his receiver.”

The Eagles extended their lead to 14-0 right before halftime on a jump pass touchdown from senior quarterback Sincere Burroughs. The Lake Weir defense battled all night and kept it a two-possession game, but the offense could not punch it in.

Despite the struggles from the

running back group and their efforts, he mentioned Jackson Quick, Ishmael Hamilton and Allen Perry as having solid nights carrying the ball.

The next step for Roberts is to get his passing game going and not allow opposing defenses to key in on the run plays.

“We got to find that spark and find that passing game. We are super young, and our run game only works for so long before they start stacking the box and shutting it down. We have to find something to stretch the defense and open up more running lanes for us ”

Regardless of the offensive output, the Hurricanes defense fought hard and kept the Eagles off the scoreboard in the second“Defensehalf. played physical and were aggressive getting to the ball,” Roberts said. He mentioned outside linebackers Owen Stahl and Jamauri Jackson, inside linebacker Jerborie Steele and the secondary of Jacob Cooper, Walter Turner, Jahari Holt and Trenton Woods as standouts.

With his team now 0-4, it is crucial for Roberts and his staff to keep the players engaged and motivated to perform. The head coach is seeing progress from his team and feels the wins will start coming their way

“You would think it would be negative with the way things have started but they’re starting to come together as a team. They are starting to see progress and see that it is changing. We are going to win here, its not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” he said.

The Hurricanes will host the undefeated Palatka Panthers next Friday at 7 p.m. Jenkins’ Weir’s

Trinity Catholic tops Clearwater Central Catholic in volleyball

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

Playing a tough regular season schedule helps prepare the Trinity Catholic volleyball team for the rigors of postseason play. It also helps the Celtics get a firsthand look at their competition from around the state.

That was case in Thursday night’s clash, as Trinity Catholic hosted a very talented Clearwater Central Catholic team, and with both squads residing in Class 3A, a potential playoff opponent.

Trinity Catholic showed a lot of grit and determination by coming from behind in outlasting Clearwater Central Catholic in four entertaining sets by scores of 28-26, 25-21, 16-25 and 25-22.

The loss dropped the Marauders to 8-5 overall, while the hard-fought victory improved the Celtics to 8-3 on the “Weseason.knewwhen we invited Clearwater Central Catholic they were a good team and that it was going to be a good match,” said Trinity Catholic coach Jeff Reavis. “We’re old but we’re young in some places. So that mentality of understanding how to close and finish and how important it is to send a message is a process and something we’re working on.”

Falling behind against quality competition is not something Trinity Catholic wants to make a habit of doing.

“We talked about it during the week and again today about starting a match better,” coach Reavis said. “Right now we can’t seem to do it and we’re going to continue to work on Thethat.”first set was tight throughout and the score was tied 10 times, the last at 26 all, before a kill shot by senior outside hitter Kiana Laborde and a perfectly placed dink shot by senior outside hitter Ameila Fitzpatrick gave the Celtics the 2826 victory.

The second set was a carbon copy of the first set as neither team could string points together. Clearwater Central Catholic took a 21-19 lead as senior Brooke Green had four of her team-high 14 kills.

Trinity Catholic answered as junior middle hitter Elayna Johnson had two kills, Laborde added three of her match-high 27 kills, and a spike attempt by the Marauders went into the net to put the Celtics up “Kiana2-0. was a warrior tonight,” coach Reavis said. “It’s great to have her as part of our team because she does so many things that no one talks about.”

Clearwater Central Catholic shook off the two close losses and came out firing on all cylinders in the third set and jumped out to a 9-1 lead as Green and Taylor Bedinghaus took turns finding holes in the Trinity Catholic defense.

The Celtics got as close as 15-10 before the Marauders went back on

the attack and cruised to the 25-16 win to close withinTrinity2-1.Catholic fell behind in the final set by a score of 4-1, but rallied to tie the score at 18 all on a beautiful combination block of a Clearwater Central Catholic spike by senior Emily Hirst and Johnson.

A kill shot by Avery Campise, who finished with 12 on the night, and a cross-court spike by Laborde gave the Celtics a 20-18 lead and the Marauders called a time out.

Trinity Catholic stayed focused and finished with a flourish as Johnson drilled a pair of winners, Laborde hammered a kill shot down the line and a block by Fitzpatrick and Johnson put the Celtics on match point.

A long rally ensued before a perfectly place dink shot by Fitzpatrick, who also had a match-high 26 assists, found the floor to give the set and the match to Trinity Catholic.

“This was a good match and there are a lot of great teams in our class in the state,” coach Reavis said. “This was good for us because we need to see and play these teams.”

Trinity Catholic is back in action on Tuesday night with an away match at Buchholz (Gainesville). The Celtics host Bishop Moore on Thursday night. Bishop Moore (Orlando) has an excellent volleyball program and should provide Trinity Catholic with a stern test.

George Jenkins’ Sincere Burroughs (3) gets pressure from Lake Weir’s Jackson Quick (22) as George Jenkins travels to Lake Weir in Ocala on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.

Clearwater Central Catholic’s Taylor Bedinghaus (13) digs the ball.

Trinity Catholic’s

Amelia Fitzpatrick (0) and Hope Willis (6) jump to block a spike from Clearwater Central Catholic’s Waldon

Trinity Catholic’s Cole Crews (14) digs the ball against Clearwater Central Catholic during a volleyball match at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Photos By Alan Youngblood Special to the Ocala Gazette

September Dunnellon (25-17, 25-18, 25-17) Christian Academy (23-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21)

Meadowbrook Academy Saint Francis Catholic (25-23, 25-23, 25-11)

September Villages Charter (25-5, 25-11, 25-12) (25-11, 25-15, 25-14) (25-19, 25-18, 26-24) Academy Academy 26-24, 25-17)

September 25-10, 25-11) Lutheran 25-23, 26-24)

September 15

Belleview North Marion (26-24, 25-23, 25-16)

Clearwater Central Catholic Trinity (28-26,Catholic25-21,16-25, 25-22) (16-25,VanguardGainesville25-15, 25-9, 25-17)

NewForestSmyrna Beach (25-10, 25-15, 25-9) (25-12,WestDunnellonPort25-10, 25-19)

Countryside Christian Ocala Christian Academy Peniel Baptist (19-25,SevenRedeemer(25-15,MeadowbrookAcademyAcademy25-18,25-16)ChristianRiversChristian25-22,25-21,25-10)

September 16

Meadowbrook Academy Cedar Key (25-23, 25-12, 25-16)

Keswick Christian Tournament

St. John Lutheran Delphi Academy (25-9, 25-10)

St. John Lutheran Indian Rocks Christian (25-15, 25-14)

St. John Lutheran Northside Christian (25-16, 25-15)

JJVA River City Classic North Marion Williston (25-23, 25-20)

North Marion Beachside (25-12, Belleview25-10) Menendez (25-18, Belleview25-15)

Paxon School/Advanced (25-12, 25-17)

September 17

Keswick Christian Tournament

St. John Lutheran Keswick Christian (25-16, 23-25, 15-9)

St. John Lutheran Oak Hall (25-20, 20-25, 15-9)

JJVA River City Classic

North Marion Oakleaf (26-24, 25-16)

North Marion Glynn Academy (27-25, 23-25, 15-11)

North Marion Bishop Snyder (25-13, Poinciana25-17)

Belleview (25-12, Newberry15-13)

Belleview (25-16, Master’s25-18)Academy Belleview (25-16,

Forest’s Tramar Cave jersey pulled by Belleview’s Jacob Dyer (44) football game at Forest High School in Ocala on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] George

North