Backyard chickens Pg B3
Ocala expected to approve budget of $1.06 billion for coming year
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
The city of Ocala’s budget is expected to surpass $1.06 billion for the coming fiscal year, as the Ocala City Council is set to vote its final approval on Sept. 11.
On Tuesday, the city council approved the tentative budget of $1,063,605,100 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year, which begins on Oct. 1. Of those funds, the city will be able to utilize a General Fund totaling $172,849,452.
The operating millage rate, the amount of tax that will be paid for each $1,000 of property value, has been set at 6.6177, which is greater than the rollback rate of 6.3257 by 4.62%, said Budget Director Tammi Haslam.
“Revenues are increasing to support the addition of public safety employees, as well as to assist with increasing cost pressures related to salary benefits and operating costs,” Haslam said.
The millage rate will allow for about $4.6 million more in property tax revenue than the previous year, for a total of $48,971,562.
With that increase of funds, $3,824,264 more will go toward the General Fund, $22,279 more will go toward road improvements, $174,093 more will go toward police and fire improvements, and $87,047 more will go toward neighborhood advancements.
The road improvement fund, totaling $9.5 million, includes funds for projects such as the parking lot improvement program, building a second downtown parking garage, the Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, new roundabouts and signaling.
Funds totaling $1.6 million will also go toward the design and build of a fire training center, resurfacing of the Jervey Gantt Trail, and the Fire Station 7 metal building.
Expenditures for the coming year are expected to reach $556,728,411, leaving the city with $506,876,771 in funds toward transfers and reserves.
The city will also use $150,000 in funds to provide community sponsorships to a number of nonprofit agencies; including $100,000 for the Community Foundation of Ocala/Marion County; and $10,000 each for the PACE Center for Girls, Marion Cultural Alliance, Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans, Marion County Children’s Alliance, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission Inc.
The millage rate has also been set for the three Downtown Development Districts; 1.7185 for District A, 1.6332 for District B, and 1.4699 for District C. The total FY 2024-25 budget for the Downtown Development Fund is $547,762
“Ad valorem tax revenues are increasing to support increased operating expenditures in the districts,” said Haslam. Before the final approval of the FY 2024-25 budget on Sept.11, a public hearing will be held at 5:01 p.m. and citizens will have the opportunity to deliver comments.
To estimate your property tax, visit pa.marion.fl.us/TaxPortabilityEstimator.aspx
OCT offers revamped classic fairy tale
“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will run through Sept. 22.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
There have been numerous iterations of the classic fairy tale “Cinderella,” which is said to date as far back as the sixth century. The most commonly recognized versions are based on the works of Charles Perrault and, much later, Walt Disney, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
In addition to theatrical versions that have graced stages around the globe, Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote “Cinderella” as an original musical for television in 1957, starring Julie Andrews. Later made-for-TV remakes included one in 1965 with Lesley Ann Warren and another in 1997 starring Brandy.
According to officials with the Ocala Civic Theatre, which will open its 74th season with “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” a “2013 revamped adaptation by Douglas Carter Beane premiered on Broadway, breathing new life
into the classic. As lovely as a glass slipper in the moonlight, this new version of the favorite fairy tale keeps the best of the beloved musical while updating it with a fresh and funny spin. You’ll fall in love with this charming romantic fantasy long before the stroke of midnight.”
Leading the cast of the production is La’Nya O’May Solomon in the role of Ella, described by OCT as, “In the glamorous 1950s ‘kingdom’ of Hollywood, poor Ella is beautiful, charismatic, funny, and full of hope—but she’s also overworked and mistreated, stuck in her own little corner among the ashes.”
Kiara Feliciano stars as Madame, the cruel stepmother, while Courtney Curtis portrays the brash stepsister
‘A living tribute’
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Heritage Trail Park on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, which pays tribute to pioneers and leaders from the African American community who helped mold Marion County, was formally opened with a special ceremony on Sept. 3.
The park, which stretches along the north side of State Road 40 from Northwest 9th Avenue to Northwest 11th Avenue, has a curved sidewalk lined by eight, 48-inch by 96-inch weather resistant art panels with portraits of honorees by local artist Charles Eady.
Sixteen, 12-inch by 18-inch plaques that describe the accomplishments and contributions of additional local honorees are placed on stands along the two-block Heritage Trail.
Ocala City councilman Ire Bethea welcomed attendees to the event.
“This has been a long time coming. The honorees are people who fought for justice, equality and inclusion,” he said.
Narvella Haynes of Ocala said the history depicted is “critical to know.”
The Heritage Trial was “conceptualized in 2018 by the Community Redevelopment
See Heritage, page A3
Clockwise from above: La’Nya Solomon as Ella, right, rehearses a scene with Kiara Feliciano as Madame, left, during a rehearsal of “Cinderella” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. La’Nya Solomon as Ella, Marilyn Lauryn as Gabrielle, Courtney Alyce Curtis as Charlotte and Kiara Feliciano as Madame, left to right, rehearse a scene. A cast member leaps in the air as he dances across the stage. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
See Cinderella, page A2
Black pioneers who helped shape Marion County are honored in the newly dedicated Heritage Trail Park in West Ocala.
Narvella Haynes, left, and Ruth Reed, right, hug each other during the Heritage Trail Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
“Cinderella” at OCT
Continued from page A1 Charlotte, with Marilyn Lauryn Shafferman as the quiet and kind stepsister Gabrielle.
Solomon noted in an email exchange with the “Gazette” that she “officially started drama in my sophomore year of high school. I joined the backstage crew at my school’s production of ‘Sleepy Hollow.’ I realized I loved seeing all the parts of a production come together. So that spring I auditioned for my first musical and I fell in love with theatre.”
She said when she considered auditioning for “Cinderella,” “I was originally aiming for Gabrielle but then I got a callback for Gabrielle and Ella. So, I aimed for Ella!”
As for what she hopes audiences will take away from her performance, she said, “I hope they get a nostalgic feeling that old movies have in my portrayal, as well as a bit of every version of ‘Cinderella’ throughout the years.”
Doing double duty for this production is Steven Flaa, as both director and choreographer.
“I have loved this show since I first saw the TV version with Lesley Ann Warren when I was 5,” he shared via email.
“This version has a necessarily updated script—women today have more aspirations than to only marry a prince—but it still has the timeless story and that gorgeous Rodgers and Hammerstein score. So, being able to share that with all of the enthusiastic young people in this cast has been such a joy,” he stated.
When asked what challenges and rewards he experienced in executing both duties, he replied, “A challenge I have had is teaching some lessthan-experienced cast members some graceful ballroom dancing. A lot of these kids have never even heard of a waltz or a polka, much less danced them. But everyone’s enthusiasm and willingness to try has been a joy to be around.”
Starring as Prince Topher is Hunter Freilich. Rounding out the cast are Brandon Crawford, Daniel Boodoo, Ashlyn Gibbs, John Larance, Jamille Lea Brewster, Janik Buranosky, Benjamin Burnette, Angelina Canter, Lily Capote, Cristian A. Cardoso, Chelsea Dellinger, Tom Ferreira, Valynn C. Flaherty, Adrienne Hebert, Janea King, Hunter Leary, Adrianah Lee, Michael David Lesousky, Joan Elizabeth
McDonald, Joshua Michel, Kaitlyn Nast and Josiah Naed Santiago.
The production shines under music director Jason Bartosic, scenic and projections designer Evan Frank, costume designer Amanda Jones, lighting designer Corey Whittemore, sound designer Jazmine Whipple, props designer Laura Bradford and stage manager Greg Doss.
“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” will run through Sept. 22. There will be 15 performances:
Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
To make sure you are not late for the ball, purchase tickets online or at the box office at 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To learn more, go to ocalacivictheatre.com or call (352) 236-2274.
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Funds from the American Recue Plan Act will be allocated toward the College of Central Florida’s new nursing facility as a means to address economic impacts of COVID-19.
Construction began on the two-story, state-of-the-art nursing education facility last October, with an expected completion date in November—just two months away.
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The facility cost over $20 million, with the newest allocation of $2 million coming from Marion County through ARPA funds, emergency funding intended to ease economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-story, 42,500-grosssquare-foot building will include six classrooms, three skills labs, six simulation exam rooms and a testing lab. It will serve 325 nursing students in associate and bachelor’s degree programs. The first classes
are expected to be offered in the building in January 2025. In total, CF has requested $13.6 million from the state to fund the project, and $2.3 million from the Marion County Hospital District. CF also received a $6.7 million Linking Industry to Nursing Education grant in the spring of 02023 from the Florida Legislature to expand its nursing program. Nationwide, ARPA funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
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Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Cast members rehearse a scene during a rehearsal of “Cinderella” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
La’Nya Solomon as Ella rehearses a scene with other cast members.
Heritage Trail
Continued from page A1
Agency’s (CRA) West Ocala Advisory Committee. The park boasts a decorative sidewalk, public art, and lush landscaping,” according to a city of Ocala press release.
City Manager Pete Lee called the ribbon cutting event a “great day” and said the park honors history that should not be forgotten.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano told those gathered that the Heritage Trail is a “living tribute to those who shaped West Ocala.”
Dr. N.H. Jones, a pioneering Black physician and namesake of a local elementary school, is depicted in one of the art panels, which are clearly visible off the shoulder of West Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40).
According to a biography on the Marion County Public Schools website, Jones was born in 1897, earned his medical degree in 1926, and began medical practice on West Broadway (Street) in 1928.
“Dr. Jones was the first Black doctor to become a staff physician at Munroe Memorial Hospital,” the biography states.
Carolyn Adams, who, with her late husband, Arthur, were the prime movers in establishing the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center in West Ocala, was one of the attendees at the event.
“He delivered me,” Adams, 77, said as she looked at Jones’ art panel.
Adams served as a member on the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee.
A number of family members, neighbors and friends of the honorees also gathered at the new park.
The honorees were educators, such as Thelma Parker, or religious leaders like Deborah Dorothy Brown, or businesspersons like Pearl Jackson, known as “Miss Pearl,” who served soul food to people from all walks of life at her downtown cafe.
Dr. Richard Hughes is honored with an art panel.
“In 1925, Dr. R.S. Hughes opened the American National Thrift Association Hospital, which was the only facility to treat African Americans for hundreds of miles,” according to the city’s website.
The hospital was located on West Broadway near Pine Avenue. A roadside historical marker has been placed at the site.
The Rev. Richard Howard of New Saint Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church said the history outlined at the Heritage Trail is “very important for the community.”
“I wish all the children could come see this,” he said.
Cherrietta Prince, Nene McIntosh and Gwen King were among those who attended the event. U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Vernon came to honor family members. Margaret
Spivey said she knew some of the honorees and enjoyed a close-up look at the art panels and plaques. Attendees remarked on the expressive eyes on the art panel portraits.
Eady, a 20-year resident of Ocala and art teacher at a Belleview High School, told the gathering that the art panels took about three weeks each to complete and that acrylic paint was used for durability.
“I was astonished,” Eady said about learning about his subjects’ work and accomplishments as he studied for the paintings.
Eady’s “The Unscene South,” a series of paintings depicting Blacks living as free people during the time of slavery, was on display at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala earlier this year.
A biography of Eady on the museum website states that the South Carolina native was one of five recipients of the State Teaching Artist Residency in 2022 and his work “Anna” garnered the Grand Prize at the 2021 ArtFields event in Lake City, South Carolina.
Local photographer and author Cynthia Wilson-Graham was on the selection committee subcommittee for the honorees. She said the selection criteria included choosing people who made a “significant contribution” to the community and that the process took several years.
Wilson-Graham found the portraits on the art panels very expressive. She said the art panel depicting Pickney Woodbury, described as a “community activist,” especially reached out to her.
Wilson-Graham authored “The LONG Journey,” a biography of Austin Long, who passed away in 2017 at age 92. Long, a west Ocala businessman and community advocate, helped many in the area around his store when they needed groceries and other essentials.
An amazon.com post about the book states that Long “forged a pathway for many people to follow. His entrepreneurial spirit has helped him become the person that he is, although he received only an elementary school education.” The book is available through the website.
Whitfield and Loretta Jenkins, both honored with plaques on the Heritage Trail, attended the event. Both have served as president the Marion County Chapter of the NAACP, Whitfield in the 1980s and 1990s, according to his plaque. He was recognized last year by the local chapter of the NAACP as the “Freedom Fighter of the Century.” The husband and wife were both moved Tuesday by the Heritage Trail tribute.
Edward D. Davis Sr. was a “hero of the Florida civil rights movement, specifically fighting for equality for Black students and teachers,” according to a plaque placed in his honor.
OFR TO GET NEW CHEST COMPRESSION MACHINES
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Ocala Fire Rescue will soon be able to utilize 16 new chest compression devices to provide patients with hands-free CPR.
The devices, called the “LUCAS Chest Compression System,” provide mechanical, consistent chest compressions for patients needing life-sustaining care, allowing paramedics to focus on other aspects of care.
The city of Ocala approved the purchase of 16 LUCAS devices, at a cost of $350,184. The funding was provided in total by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA.
“Automated chest compression devices provided the chest compressions, which enable
“As president of the all-Black Florida State Teachers Association, and principal of Howard Academy, he led a successful lawsuit for equal pay during World War II; but Davis, along with other activists, were fired from their jobs. Davis never returned to education but founded the Florida Voters League …,” the plaque states in part. The plaque indicates Davis was president of Central Life Insurance.
Davis, who passed away in 1989, has been inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
Daniel Banks of Ocala is Davis’ grandson.
“I’m so glad Ocala is finally honoring his contributions on the very street where he ran his business,” Banks wrote in part in a text.
One plaque honors Civil Rights leader Rev. Frank G. Pinkston Sr., a local pastor who served as president of the Marion County Chapter of the NAACP in 1963.
Pinkston is hailed on the plaque as the “Black Liberator of Marion County,” who, along with Sonny and Charles Washington, “started the local Civil Rights movement” with “secret meetings” to gather NAACP members. He was not deterred by threats to himself or his family and, according to published reports, members of the community, under the guise of a “hunting and fishing club,” provided armed security.
Pinkston, born in 1936, passed away in 1973.
Barbara Brooks, chair of the West Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee, was one of the speakers at the ceremony.
“This is a great day in the neighborhood,” she said. She touched on areas adjacent to the trail that are in need of storm damage repair or need improvement, which should be “beautiful.”
Ruth Reed, vice chair of the advisory committee, and Carolyn Adams, also spoke at the ceremony. U.S. Representative Kat Cammack sent a spokesperson.
Ocala natives Melissa Tolbert and Renee Graham, cousins and both registered nurses, came to see the Heritage Trail and the plaque honoring their grandparents, William B. and Dorothy (McMillian) Vernon.
William B. Vernon, a World War II U.S. Army veteran, was involved in constructing numerous commercial buildings throughout Marion County, according to the plaque. He passed away in 2017. Dorothy Vernon, on another plaque, is described as a “Civil Rights advocate” and recipient of the Frank G. Pinkston Humanitarian Award. She passed away in 2019.
“We honor them with all we do … and it is nice to see the city honor their contributions,” Tolbert said.
To learn more, go to ocalafl.gov
Art panels: Pinkney Woodbury
Dr. N.H. Jones
Austin Long
Dr. Robert Hughes
Lillian Bryant
Dr. James Ponder
Miss Pearl Jackson
Dr. Thomas Lloyd
Plaques:
Rev. Dr. O.V. Pinkston
Margaret Ann
Thomas
Edward D. Davis
Sr.
providers to focus on other critical patient needs during emergency medical incidents,” said Ocala Fire Chief Clint Welborn.
The devices can also help to ensure the safety of first responders during the care and transport of patients.
“The ambulance transport environment is inherently dangerous because of high-speed driving, risky maneuvers and hazardous road conditions,” according to LUCAS. “This poses a significant safety risk for the EMS crew who are often standing and unrestrained in a confined space while performing CPR.”
The devices allow first responders to instead fasten their seat belts and sit down during ambulance and helicopter transport.
Dr. Deborah Dorothy Brown
Mattie Shaw
Cohens
J.D. McDuffy
Loretta P. Jenkins
Judge James Dean
William Vernon
Whitfield Jenkins
Dr. Pamela Lewin
Reuben S. Mitchel
Dorothy Vernon
Thelma M. Parker
Rev. Frank G. Pinkston Sr.
Rev. Dr. Eugene Broxton
New US residential construction
Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Source: City of Ocala
City Councilman Ire Bethea tries to stay cool in the shade of an art panel of Austin Long by artist Charles Eady during the Heritage Trail Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on West Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
Dr. Pamela Lewin looks over her honorary plaque.
Support and advocacy
The nonprofit Marion County Sexual Assault Center has been working since January to provide services to local victims of sexual assault.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Alittle more than a year ago, Creative Services, Inc., a local nonprofit that had provided services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for nearly 50 years, closed its doors. In recent weeks, the Wear Gloves nonprofit purchased that agency’s former domestic violence center building and will use it to expand its Dignity House emergency intake center for unsheltered people.
In the meantime, the Marion County Sexual Assault Center has been working since January to provide services to local victims of sexual assault.
The “Gazette” did a question-andanswer session via email with some of the key people working to build awareness and support for the new center: Sara Lambert, Kali Stauss-Lourenco, Elizabeth White and Angie Clifton.
Lambert noted that she is a founding member of the MCSAC and secretary of the board of directors.
“I’m a prosecutor’s wife and felt called to do my part in ensuring these victims had somewhere safe and secure in Marion County,” she stated.
“I am a founding board member of MCSAC and attorney/owner of Stauss Law, PA. I, along with my founding board members, identified the emergency need for a Marion County-ran center to help victims of the heinous crime of sexual assault become survivor’s,” StaussLourenco said.
White also is a founding member of the board of directors.
“I am a prosecutor in the Special Victims Unit here in Marion County. I have been prosecuting sexual offenders for almost nine years and can attest to the profound importance of having quality services in place for victims of sexual
assault to heal,” White shared. Lambert, Stauss-Lourenco and White together curated the answers to these questions posed by the “Gazette.”
Who are the partners in this endeavor? The Marion County Hospital District, the United Way of Marion County, and Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties.
What steps/changes have occurred since your inception in January? Once we gained our nonprofit status and established a solid board of directors, our first step was securing a location. That’s where the Marion County Hospital District came in. Through a grant, they provided us with the space that is now our center, this can be considered our first big win. Our second big win was securing the funding through the United Way of Marion County. We’re excited that they chose us as one of this year’s funding partners. Securing those dollars wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Dawn Westgate and Brittany Cecil at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and we are beyond grateful for their guidance in this endeavor.
What are the next steps? At this juncture we have three primary areas of focus: engaging with community stakeholders, building a fundraising/donor base, and hiring an executive director.
What services are currently being offered? Services are currently being provided in partnership with the Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties. We are so thankful for their partnership and support as we get up and running. Services include individual counseling and therapy, a 24/7 crisis intervention helpline, assistance with injunctions for protection, and sexual assault forensic exams
Why are these services needed?
Marion County has 292 sexually motivated cases pending in its court system and, per the Florida Department
of Health, one of the highest rates of arrest for sexual assault. Those victims need somewhere to go where they can get a forensic exam instead of waiting in an emergency room for hours so they can get crisis intervention services and counseling because they experienced something deeply traumatic. And also, so we can educate our community and bring awareness to the realities of sexual violence.
What kind of response have you had from clients? Clients are relieved to have a clean, safe space to seek services. They have reported being treated with compassion and respect by the advocates and nurses, which makes a huge difference after a traumatic event.
What kind of response have you had from first responders? Local law enforcement has noted a huge improvement in the response to sexual assault in Marion County. From improvement in the physical space where sexual assault forensic exams are being conducted to the professionalism of the nurses conducting the exams.
How can the community help?
Donations and advocacy. We’re participating in Give4Marion this year and we’re hoping to use that as more than a fundraiser but a platform to make our official debut in Marion County.
Please share anything else you wish to add. Since we’ve started reaching out to the leaders in our community, we’ve begun to realize there’s some confusion between the Marion County Sexual Assault Center and CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) Marion. CASA Marion solely handles domestic violence victims in our community, and they do it magnificently. However, we do not operate under CASA Marion’s umbrella of services.
According to the MCSAC website, “It is a scary statistic, but 1 in 4 women and 1 in 26 men have experienced some type of sexual violence/attempted sexual violence throughout their lifetime.
Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.”
“I decided to join this board due to the emergent need in Marion County with all the changes to what was our sexual abuse center. If one victim is not served, we fail as a community,” stated MCSAC board member Angie Clifton, senior vice president and market president of MainStreet Community Bank.
“There are victims daily in our community who are ashamed of the crime committed against them and/or afraid of the person who acted against them. We must have resources and solutions to help them be safe and begin to heal,” Clifton said.
“And we need leaders who CARE about the well-being of others, who want to engage solutions to make things better and advocate for those who need help. We need donors to keep the ‘work’ moving as in any business. It costs money to resolve the needs of this community,” she added.
“The Marion County Sexual Assault Center is a safe place for anyone who has endured the heinous crime of sexual assault,” said Stauss-Lourenco. “Our goal is to guide victims through their time of need and help make them survivors.”
The Marion County Sexual Assault Center 24/7 Crisis Hotline number is (352) 633-5563. In an emergency, always call 911. The center is located at 1121 SW 1st Ave., Ocala. Visit the website at marionsexualassaultcenter.org
State VS County Sexual Assault Rate
“There are victims daily in our community who are ashamed of the crime committed against them and/or afraid of the person who acted against them. We must have resources and solutions to help them be safe and begin to heal.”
Angie Clifton MCSAC Board Member
[Image courtesy Marion County Sexual Assault Center]
[File photo]
Kyla Lucas, the sexual assault counselor, left, and Amira James, the program director, pose for a photo in an exam room at the Marion County Sexual Assault Center on Southwest First Avenue in Ocala on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
Lawmakers should close loophole, but won’t Florida lawmakers won’t get rid of the “write-in loophole” because it sometimes benefits them, our Capitol Columnist writes.
By Bill Cotterell
If there’s one thing that every public officeholder, both political parties and all candidates at every level of state and national government agree on, it’s the importance of voting. Vote for the candidate of your choice, they urge us, but vote! We owe it to brave Americans who’ve suffered and died for our right to choose our leaders and voice our beliefs at the polls. It’s a cherished privilege, bordering on a sacred obligation.
They pronounce such pieties with a straight face, but what they really mean is, “You need to vote our way.” If you’re not likely to support their side, the politicians aren’t so eager to get you the polls; in fact, they’ll even try to stop you.
Florida has just had party primaries in which an estimated 2 million eligible residents were barred from voting in some state and local races by an indefensible little gimmick commonly known as the “write-in loophole.” It’s a legal fiction both parties refuse to fix because, every now and then, it comes in handy for them.
We have closed primaries. Only Democrats can vote in the Democratic primaries, only Republicans vote in the GOP contests, and everybody else has to wait until the November general election. That works well enough, mostly, when Democrats and Republicans square off in races for the big offices like governor, Cabinet seats, congressional seats and state legislative offices.
But sometimes — usually when a district or a whole county is bright red or deep blue — one party won’t bother putting up even a token candidate for a legislative seat or a down-ballot office.
So then we wind up with two or three, or more, hopefuls from the same party running. The winner of the primary will, therefore, become the sheriff or property appraiser or tax collector — whatever.
In 1998, Floridians approved a constitutional amendment providing that when only one party has candidates for an office, all voters may cast ballots in that race. The idea being, since the nominee is going to get the office, everyone should get to vote.
Ahh, that’s when the write-in loophole makes its mischief. The state Division of Election issued a legal opinion saying that write-in candidates
are real candidates, even though they don’t appear on any ballot. So instead of having an open primary, in which all registered voters of a district may vote, you or I could simply sign up as a writein candidate and close the primary that’s going to decide the whole race.
The law, in its majesty, views us all equally and these offices belong to the people. Legally, you and I have as much right to run as the most entrenched incumbent, or a challenger hand-picked and financed by a political machine. But, you and I not being stupid, we don’t waste a few thousand bucks paying a qualifying fee for a race we’re bound to lose.
Some of us, though, will run as a write-in to close the primary for a friend in a one-party race.
Imagine a district in which 45 percent of the voters are very conservative, so I run to the right of my fellow party members. But about 55 percent of the people are moderate to liberal, and I don’t want them voting in our primary. I simply get someone to register as a write-in candidate, and only us right-wingers get to vote in the primary — which I win and am home free.
It works the same on the left, in areas with a lot of liberals. Which is why neither Democrats nor Republicans will try to eliminate the write-in loophole.
Closing that loophole would have the welcome effect of moving both parties toward the political center. If millions of independents and members of third parties could vote, Republicans would have to edge away from the Trump cult and Democrats would be less captive of their looney left.
The Florida Trident, a publication of the nonpartisan Florida Center for Government Accountability, reported that ghosting by write-ins occurred in 20 counties during the recent primaries. It estimated 2 million voters were shut out of casting ballots in races.
Surely some write-in candidates are sincere. Maybe they want to make a moral statement or offer their neighbors a choice at the polls but can’t afford the qualifying fee.
So let them all run. Just don’t let them close primaries for millions of Floridians who’ve never heard of them.
Bill Cotterell is a retired capitol reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat and United Press International. He can be reached at wrcott43@aol.com
Caption: Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, won an Aug. 20 primary that was closed because of a write-in candidate. [Colin Hackley/File]
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA THE FAIRWAYS AT SILVER SPRINGS SHORES CONDOMINIUM NO. 5, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION, Plaintiff, VS. WILLIAM E. JEFFERSON, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF PHILIP MORRISON, MEGAN E. CARDWELL, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF JANE FOX, ELLEN CARDWELL, PETER MORRISON, STACY YANKELEVITZ, AND SAMANTHA MORRISON, Defendant(s). CASE NO.: 2023-CA-3470 NOTICE OF ACTION-CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE TO: ELLEN CARDWELL AKA THE ESTATE OF ELLEN CARDWELL AKA THE UNKNOWN SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, CREDITORS, OR OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST ELLEN CARDWELL; PETER MORRISON AKA THE ESTATE OF PETER MORRISON AKA THE UNKNOWN SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, CREDITORS, OR OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST PETER MORRISON; AND TO ALL PARTIES CLAIMING TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY HEREIN DESCRIBED, TO WIT: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to enforce a lien (aka lien foreclosure) on the following property in Marion County, Florida: Building 3, Unit 205-D, THE FAIRWAYS AT SILVER SPRINGS SHORES CONDOMINIUMS NO. 5, together with an undivided interest in the common elements, according to the Declaration of the Condominium filed March 8, 1978 and recorded in the Official Records Books 870, Pages 0435 through 0510, as amended from time to time, Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Marion County Property Appraiser Parcel ID No.: 90495-03-205.
Physical Address: 763 Midway drive, Unit B, Ocala, Florida 34472. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Bradford J. Tropello, Esq., of Judicious Law, P.A., the plaintiff's attorney, whose address is P.O. Box 369, Ocala, Florida 34478, within 30 days after first publication of this notice, and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint.
WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court this 23RD day of AUGUST, 2024.
GREGORY C. HARRELL As Clerk of the Court By: Deputy Clerk
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and cor-
rect copy of this pleading was furnished via US First Class Mail on this 23rd day of August 2024, to: Megan E. Cardwell, as Personal Representative of Jane Fox, 27 Ash Hill Road, Carmel, Maine 04419; Stacy Yankelevitz, 2804 Snow Goose Lane, Lake Mary, Florida 32746; Samantha Morrison, 2880 Tulane Avenue, Long Beach, California 90815; William Jefferson, as Personal Representative of Philip Morrison, 23 Curtis Street, Wakefield, Massachusetts 04401; Ellen Cardwell
aka The Estate of Ellen Cardwell aka The Unknown Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, Creditors, or Other Parties Claiming by, Through, Under, or Against Ellen Cardwell, 763 Midway drive, Unit B, Ocala, Florida 34472; and Peter Morrison aka The Estate of Peter Morrison aka The Unknown Spouse, Heirs, Devisees, Grantees, Creditors, or Other Parties Claiming by, Through, Under, or Against Peter Morrison, 763 Midway drive, Unit B, Ocala, Florida 34472.
JUDICIOUS LAW PA By: Bradford J. Tropello, Esquire Florida Bar No. 42694
bit@judiciouslawpa.com
ma@judiciouslawpa.com Post Office Box 369 Ocala, Florida 34478 Telephone: (352) 509-5015
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: ESTATE OF PROBATE DIVISION
JIMMY NEAL PRICE, File Number: 24CP1970 Deceased. Division:
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the Estate of JIMMY NEAL PRICE, Deceased, whose date of death was November 1, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, FL 34478. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative for said Estate and the Attorney for said Personal Representative are respectively set forth below.
All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent's Estate upon 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 PUBLICATION OF 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 the Decedent's Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The Personal Representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the Decedent’s death by the Decedent or the Decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in Florida Statutes Sections 732.216732.228 applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under Florida Statutes Section 732.2211.
The date of first publication of this Notice is September 6, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: Personal Representative:
BARRY A. DIAMOND, #471770 Jacqueline Fleck LAW OFFICES OF BARRY A. DIAMOND, P.A. 4660 SW 166 th Court Road
Coral Springs Professional Campus Ocala, FL 34481 5541 N. University Drive, Suite 103 Coral Springs, Florida 33067 Telephone: (954) 752-5000
NOTICE OF A SCHOOL BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEFING AND WORK SESSION
Notice is hereby given that the School Board of Marion County, Florida, will meet in a work session on September 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the MTI Auditorium, 1614 E. Ft. King Street, Ocala, Florida, 34471. An agenda will be published seven days prior to the meeting and may be obtained at the Administration Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The agenda is also available from a link on the District’s website: www.marionschools.net.
IN THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
CASE NO.: 24CP000297AX
IN RE: ESTATE OF IVETTE S. PETERSON, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
1. The administration of the Estate of Ivette S. Peterson, deceased, whose date of death was March 15, 2023 , is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 24CP000297AX ; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1 st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in Section 90.5021, Florida Statutes, applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative.
2. All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmature, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
3. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE, or as otherwise provided under Section 733.702, Florida Statues. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
4. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS September 6, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative:
Juanita Solis, Esq.
Jeck, Harris, Raynor & Jones, P.A. 790 Juno Ocean Walk, Suite 600 Juno Beach, FL 33408
Phone: (561) 746-1008
Florida Bar No. 1018205
Personal Representative: Roger W. Peterson 3212 SW 130th Pl. Ocala, FL 34473
Southwest Florida Water Management District located at 7601 Highway 301 North, Tampa,FL 33637-6759 permits@ swfwmd.state.fl.us
NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION
Notice is hereby given pursuant the requirements of Section 50.031, F.S.) within the affected area in accordance with Sections 373.116, F.S., 373.118(3), 373.146, and 373.413(3), F.S.
Your Space Self Storage of Ocala, LLC is proposing to install an onsite storm water retention system facility to provide water quality treatment and attenuation for the increase in impervious area. Project is located at N 29°05'41.88" W 82°14'31.58". The site is not located within an Outstanding Florida Water or aquatic preserve. Your Space Self Storage of Ocala, LLC SWFWMD Application # 896573. The application can be inspected at the SWFWMD.
Public Notice
IN THE 5th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.
IN RE: The Estate of AVA BEVILLE, Deceased. PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 2024-CP-001985 DIVISION: NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Formal Administration) TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: The administration of the estate of AVA BEVILLE, deceased, whose date of death was November 4, 2023, and whose social security number is ***-**-3153, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other 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 WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF HELEN PEARL JOHNSON a/k/a HELEN J. JOHNSON PROBATE DIVISION, Deceased.
File No. 24-CP-001932AX NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Helen Pearl Johnson a/k/a Helen J. Johnson, deceased, whose date of death was May 9, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave. Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other 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 PUBLICATION OF 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 PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
A personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211. The date of first publication of this notice is August 23, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: Nathan L. Townsend Attorney Florida Bar Number: 0095885 1000 Legion Place, Ste. 1200 Orlando, FL 32801 Telephone: (407) 792-6100
Fax: (407) 982-1314
E-Mail: nathan@nltlaw.com
Secondary E-Mail: service@nltlaw.com
Personal Representative: Daniel Charleston 118 West Chicago Avenue Westmont, Illinois 60559
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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 THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITH THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. A Personal Representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death
IN
AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF HELEN T. BADER, Deceased. CASE NO: 2024-CP-2032 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SANDRA L. BARTLEY, Deceased. CASE NO: 2024-CP-2104 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: February 12, 2024. The date of first publication of this Notice is September 6, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com
Personal Representative: ALLISON ENGLAND 1230 W. Brooks Street Mitchell, IN 4744
Personal Representative: PENELOPE J. MCDONALD 8682 SW 116th Place Road Ocala, FL 34481
NOLAND'S ROOFING, INC., a Florida profit corporation, Plaintiff, VS. TAMARA L. GANT A/K/A TAMARA GANT SUMMERSETT A/K/A TAMARA SUMMERSETT, individually, Defendant. IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: 24-CA-912 TO: NOTICE OF ACTION – CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE - PROPERTY TAMARA L. GANT A/K/A TAMARA GANT SUMMERSETT A/K/A TAMARA SUMMERSETT YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following property in Marion County, Florida: Lot 4, Block 174, MARION OAKS UNIT ONE, according to the Plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book O, Pages 1 through 18, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida; Parcel #: 8001-0174-04 has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Christopher R. Turner, Esq., the plaintiff's attorney, whose address is Christopher R. Turner, PLLC, 2600 E. Robinson St., Orlando, FL 32803 within thirty (30) days after the first publication of this Notice, and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise
Loran Cole executed for horrific crimes committed in 1994 in the Ocala National Forest
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Loran Cole was executed at 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 29 by lethal injection at the Florida State Prison for his role in the brutal 1994 kidnapping of a brother and sister camping in the Ocala National Forest and the subsequent murder of the brother and sexual assault of the sister.
The execution was witnessed by seven reporters and 23 other witnesses, including Fifth Circuit State Attorney William Gladson.
Cole’s legal counsel had objected to the method of execution because Cole, 57, has Parkinson’s disease. They claimed his involuntary movements could affect the placement of the needle, creating unnecessary suffering.
When the shade was drawn back in the witness room at 6 p.m., witnesses sat cramped in a small room with only a 12-foot-wide window that was even with the execution room where Cole was strapped to a medical gurney, his hands restrained on armrests.
Cole’s team had filed a legal petition requesting the U.S. Supreme Court stay the execution so that an evidentiary hearing could be held on whether execution by lethal injection would be appropriate. Earlier Thursday morning, the Supreme Court declined to take up the appeal or grant a stay.
Once the witnesses were set, a member of the prison’s execution team called the Governor’s Office for a short call. At 6:02 p.m., Cole was asked if he wanted to say anything, to which Cole responded, “No sir.”
Cole then raised his head for a moment to look over at the witnesses.
Cole was first injected with etomidate, an anesthetic agent that sedated him, and
saline. He began having trouble breathing and trembled until 6:05 p.m. when the execution member checked Cole’s level of sedation by touching around his eyes and yelling his name once.
Confirming Cole’s sedation, they moved forward with injections of Rocuronium bromide and Potassium acetate, and witnesses observed continued labored breathing but no more trembles. By 6:07 p.m., Cole stopped moving and his breathing was no longer noticeable.
The witness room was silent except for the air-conditioner. At 6:14 p.m., a woman in a white lab coat checked Cole’s eyes and his pulse using a stethoscope.
The execution member looked at the witnesses and announced, “The sentence of the State of Florida vs. Loran Cole has been carried out at 6:15 p.m.”
Cole’s last meal of the day was pizza, ice cream, M&Ms and a soda, according to Ted Veerman, communications director for the Florida Department of Corrections.
Cole had two visitors the day prior to execution, his son, and his lawyer, Ali Andrew Shakoor.
Cole was executed for the death of John Edwards and the rape, kidnapping and assault of his sister at Hopkins Prairie in the Ocala National Forrest on Feb. 18, 1994. The brother and sister, both of whom were college students at the time, met there for a camping trip. The “Gazette” is not identifying the sister in accordance with its policy not to reveal the names of sexual assault victims.
Cole and another man, William Paul, walked into the pair’s campsite and befriended Edwards, according to court records. Paul then attacked Edwards’ sister and when Edwards attempted to defend her, he was overpowered and murdered. For the next two days, Edwards’ sister was raped and beaten. When Cole and Paul left the scene, they left the
woman tied to a tree. She eventually managed to free herself and, unable to find her brother, went to find someone to take her to call 911.
Cole and Paul were convicted in 1995 of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and other charges related to the attack on the siblings. Paul received a life sentence, while Cole was sentenced to death.
The victims’ family did not attend the execution, but the parents of the victims, Victoria and Timothy Edwards, issued a statement that was read by a spokesperson for the state following the execution.
In their statement, they thanked prosecutors for their efforts against Cole and reflected no mercy toward Cole, noting that their children begged Cole and Paul for mercy and received none.
In the statement, the parents said their family has struggled for many years to find a will to live following the loss of their son and the horrific ordeal suffered by their daughter. Three decades later, they said, their daughter has finished college and is now a professor, a wife and a mother.
Cole’s attorneys have previously argued that the abuse their client endured as a 17-year-old at the now-infamous Dozier School for Boys in 1984 was key evidence that was not presented to the jury as a reason to mitigate his sentence.
Approximately 55 people from Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church in Daytona Beach gathered outside the prison for a vigil for Cole and for the victims,
according to Tammy Shoemaker, who told the “Gazette” that the church members often hold vigils for executions.
“It doesn’t make sense to kill people who kill people so they can’t kill anyone else, and 30 years later?” Shoemaker told the “Gazette.”
Cole was the first execution in the state of Florida in 2024. Shoemaker said she has written to the governor’s office many times asking how he picks whose warrant to sign, but she has never received a response.
There are 275 men and women on death row in Florida; 168 white males, 94 Black males and two Black females.
According to the DOC, the following inmates who were prosecuted in Marion County are on death row:
• Ian Lightbourn, 65, on death row since May 1, 1981, for a murder committed on Jan. 16, 1981. Anthony Ponticelli, 57, on death row for a 1987 murder. He was sentenced to death on Sept. 6, 1988. Michael Bargo, 32, on death row for a 2011 murder. He was sentenced to death on Dec. 13, 2013.
• Michael Jones, 43, on death row for a 2019 murder. He was sentenced to death on April 28, 2023.
Team members as they appear from left to right: David Hooper, Lisa Miller, Kathryn Thomas, Joe Vorwerk, Nick Blaser, Tom Ingram, Nataya Foerster, Patty Ingram, Josh Radeker
This is a still photo taken from a video. [Photo provided by the Florida Department of Corrections]
IHMC Lecture Series
More police officers to be stationed at Marion County schools
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Marion County will now see additional School Resource Officers stationed at three schools to increase surveillance and safety for students.
The Ocala Police Department amended its contract with the school district on Sept. 3 to station two SROs at Marion Technical Institute, two SROs at Vanguard High School and three SROs at West Port High School.
Previously, MTI had one, Vanguard High had one and West Port High had two. The amendment will cost the district an additional $253,099, with the yearly salary of each SRO being $84,366. In total, the district will pay OPD $1,687,330 for the 2024-25 school year for 20 officers.
The district also has contracts with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Belleview Police Department to station law enforcement at every school in the district. The contract for the 40 SROs from MCSO costs $3 million per year, with the yearly salary of each SRO now being $75,000.
The move, first approved by the Marion County School Board on Aug. 27, comes soon after a fight among five students at West Port left Principal Ginger Cruze injured after attempting to intervene.
Adrielys Diaz, a West Port student who serves as a student representative on the school board, addressed the board about this incident and others safety concerns at the school.
“We recently had a fight where it escalated to injuring an administrator. And this is something that should never have happened to begin with,” Diaz said. “This fight had just escalated completely out of control, and I do believe that having an additional SRO, especially for my campus, is a way better thing to have.”
Diaz gave the estimate that there are about 700 students in each grade at the high school.
“It is a lot of students, and there is not enough security to rationalize the amount of students that we have compared to SROs and to administrators,” Diaz said. “There’s too many of us and not as enough protection.”
In addition to the additional SROs added to schools, all officers went through a crisis intervention training after an audit found the district was not in compliance, said School Safety Director Dennis McFatten.
“We worked with the College of Central Florida, (Marion County) Sheriff’s Office, OPD and Belleview Police Department to get all of those officers in a training class at CF,” said McFatten. “It was a three-day class that was mandated, and we were able to get every SRO that had not received the training trained over the summer.”
Diaz said she hopes the addition of an SRO will make her and her fellow West Port students feel safer.
“Unfortunately, the world we live in is a very dangerous place,” she said. “I believe that having an additional SRO would be able to help us on campus.”
Thursday Sept. 12, 2024
Reception: Begins at 5:30 p.m. Talk: Begins at 6:00 p.m.
Seating is limited RSVP to ihmc-20240912.eventbrite.com or call 352-387-3050 Co-Hosted
Zachary Graham
Dr. Graham has spent the majority of his time as an early career scientist looking into ways to preserve muscle health and function after traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). There are 300,000 individuals in the US with a tSCI. The unique physiological effects of tSCI make full or even partial recovery following severe injuries difficult and pharmaceutical therapies have been shown to be largely ineffective. Zachary will highlight some of these difficulties.
Recently, Zachary has developed in interest in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is starting to become widely accepted that PD may begin in the enteric nervous system where it causes disruption in digestion, gut homeostasis and even sleep, before entering the central nervous system. Outside of the traditional presenting symptoms of PD such as the development of tremor and changes in gait and speech patterns, PD is very much a mitochondrial disease as almost all tissues investigated in those with PD have shown markers of mitochondrial dysfunction. Dr. Graham has started collaborating with colleagues at IHMC to better understand how high-intensity resistance exercise improves clinical, performance, and molecular outcomes after long-duration training.
Zachary Graham is a Research Scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), a Health Science Research Specialist with the Birmingham VA Health Care System, and an Affiliate Assistant Professor in Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He received his BA in Spanish from The Ohio State University, and both MS and PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Kansas. He completed his postdoctoral training in muscle physiology at the National Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. He joined IHMC as a part-time investigator in 2021 and as a full-time investigator in 2024.
Season Sponsors: Lecture Sponsors: A Friend of IHMC
File photo: School Resource Officer Amy Walker of the Ocala Police Department, left, talks with Principal Ryan Bennett, at Eighth Street Elementary School in Ocala on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
Giving “4” Marion County’s Nonprofits
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County’s annual Give4Marion event raises money for nonprofit organizations and includes special challenges and prizes.
By Chris D’Avanzo chris@magnoliamediaco.com
This month, the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County’s Give4Marion event turns five. The annual giving event has raised more than $3 million for Marion County’s nonprofit organizations through a mixture of online/ offline donations, prizes and donor matches.
This year’s Give4Marion will be from 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept 17, to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 18.
Based on the giving day format held by other community foundations across the nation, Give4Marion started as a 24-hour, online fundraiser intended to help nonprofits recoup some of their lost revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many nonprofits were forced to cancel events due to restrictions and economic uncertainty during what is traditionally a time for year-end fundraising.
Since then, Give4Marion has grown into so much more, raising funds and bringing awareness to the county’s various nonprofits, helping connect them to new donors and volunteers and strengthening their relationship with the community.
“When I joined the community foundation, a lot of the groundwork for Give4Marion had already been laid,” said Director of Strategic Engagement Ashley Gerds. “We saw an enormous amount of potential to keep growing and make the impact greater and more widespread.”
Give4Marion makes giving more accessible by bringing the process online. Donors can give as little as $10 in a single convenient location, give4marion. org, where each participating nonprofit is listed and is able to receive donations. Nonprofits create their own unique webpage, often asking donors for amounts such as “$50 to buy a pair of work shoes for homeless veterans” or “$75 to administer a child’s therapy program.” These descriptions help donors understand where their money is going and, more importantly, how their support will make a difference. The nonprofit receives 100% of the donation.
Of the 5,854 total donations made last year, about 48% were for $50 or less, with many at the minimum amount of $10. This allows people to give regardless of their financial ability. With prizes and donor matching, these small donations can add up to something much greater.
“That was definitely our goal,” Gerds said. “I think about people who have benefited from an organization wanting the opportunity to give back [to that organization]. The donation levels make sure that it’s not geared toward any one type of donor.”
Of course, there are certainly some large contributions, as well as support from for-profit businesses. One special donor made a single contribution of $15,000 last year, the most in Give4Marion history for an online donation. Many businesses and donors commit large amounts as well, which are used to create bonus prizes. Other businesses have offered to give their customers free items in exchange for donating to any nonprofit.
Throughout the day, bonuses are awarded to nonprofits in the form of Power Hour prizes. Each hour issues a different challenge, such as most donors, most donations, social media challenges or random drawings. These prizes are intended to incentivize creativity and competition among the nonprofits, making sure everyone is working to maximize their reach.
Additionally, there are several Matching Moments, special short bursts of activity where donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by a single donor, sometimes at even double and triple the amount. Matches can range between $5,000 to $25,000 in total. During these matches, such as at the nonprofit luncheon and at the celebration party, nonprofits rush to get donors to give as soon as it starts, as the money goes quickly.
“We tell everyone to be ready before the clock starts,” Gerds said. “Be on a stable Wi-Fi connection, timed to the ‘world clock’ and ready to hit send as soon as it begins.”
During Matching Moments, the donations come pouring in. Even with a limit of $100 per match, the
entire amount is usually depleted within minutes.
Beginning at 10 a.m. on Sept. 17 Give4Marion will run for 33-hour consecutive hours, through the evening and into the following day, culminating in a celebration party for nonprofits and guests to commemorate their hard work and make a final push for donations. Then, the final totals will be tallied up and the last of the prizes will be awarded. Large and small nonprofits are categorized separately and the top nonprofit in each category receives a bonus, as does the overall leaderboard winner and the top “peer-to-peer” fundraiser. The donation portal will remain open for 48 hours after the event ends.
Give4Marion has grown from raising a total of
$310,000 for 81 nonprofits in year one, to last year breaking $1 million for the first time. Altogether, the event raised a total of $1,427,333.47 in just two days, for 103 participating nonprofits, thanks to the contributions of 3,923 unique donors. Many individual nonprofits have raised substantial amounts thanks to their extraordinary efforts.
“This event wouldn’t be possible if not for the nonprofits,” said Gerds. “They are the lifeblood of this community, and it just goes to show how above-andbeyond they work.”
To learn more, go to give4marion.org
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Home & Garden
Inventory and activity up; home sale prices stagnant in Florida and Ocala area
Staff Report
The Florida Realtors agents’ association’s July 2024 market report shows that statewide the median single-family home sale price in Florida rose slightly to $417,000, a 0.5% year over year increase, and townhouses and condo median sales price decreased to $315,000, a 1.3% decrease from July 2023.
The Ocala/Marion County’s July median sale price reported for single-family homes was $284,900, virtually unchanged from last year. Ocala/Marion County saw 779 closings of single-family home in July, a decrease of 0.8% from July 2023.
Brad O’Connor, senior economist for the Florida Realtors, a statewide agents’ reporting and professional trade association, said the market has significant variability throughout the state.
“It’s really important to keep in mind right now that we’re starting to see markets in different parts of the state exhibit different behaviors, statistically speaking. Inventory has remained well below prepandemic levels in South Florida, but in many parts of the state, inventory levels are a fair amount higher,” O’Connor said.
Single-Family Market Sector
O’Connor also spoke to the activity and inventory levels.
“New listings of single-family homes remained in line with what we would have expected in the pre-pandemic market, but there were almost 11% more new listings this July compared to last year’s unusually low count. Meanwhile, nearly 14% more townhouses and condos came onto the market in July compared to a year ago.”
Statewide, single family home sales in July were up 5.2% compared to a year ago. The active listing inventory for single-family homes is at 97,634, an increase of 60.5% over last July.
Regarding inventory, O’Connor said, “The inventory of single-family homes continues to rise. But over the last three months, this growth has slowed as each month has passed. I’d caution, however, that this slowdown may be, in part, just a seasonal effect. From 2014 through 2019, statewide single-family inventory levels generally declined in the summer months, with 2018 as the one exception. Remember that in late 2018, we saw 5% mortgage rates. That sure seemed high back then, but right now it’s looking pretty good.”
The association reported the supply of single-family existing homes statewide increased to a 4.6-months’ supply, a 64.3% increase from last July.
“Months’ supply inventory is a useful indicator of market conditions,” the report stated. “The benchmark for a balanced market (favoring neither buyer nor seller) is 5.5 months of inventory. Anything higher is traditionally a buyers’ market, and anything lower is a sellers’ market.”
Statewide, the number of cash sales for single-family homes increased by 1.2% with a total of 6,156 throughout Florida, which accounted for 26.4% of all sales, less than one-third of the overall market.
“Cash sales can be a useful indicator,” the report stated, “of the extent to which investors are participating in the market. Investors are far more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, whereas the typical homebuyer requires a mortgage or some other form of financing.”
Townhomes/Condos Market Sector
Locally, the market area of Ocala/Marion County townhouses and condos median sales prices came in at $227,500, an increase of 10.4% from July 2023. A total of 74 closed sales were reported.
Statewide, townhouses and condos median price was $315,000, and slight decrease of 1.3% from last July. The active inventory is 61,897, a 91.1% increase from July 2023. Overall, the market is moving toward more activity.
Existing townhouse and condo properties statewide were at a 7.4-months’ supply, a large increase of 105.6% over July of 2023.
For townhomes and condos, the number of cash sales statewide was 4,026 a decrease of 1.7% from July 2023. Those sales represented slightly under 48% of the market.
Recent real estate closings
521
12514 SW 140th Loop, Dunnellon
Seller represented by:
Tamara York with Engel & Volkers Ocala
Sold for: $1,809,000
Woodfield Crossing new construction
1929 SE 27th Rd, Ocala
Seller represented by:
Brandon Owen with Greater Ocala Properties, Inc
Buyer
4302 SW 55th Ave, Ocala
Seller represented by: Melissa Conway with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty Buyer represented by: Ashley Sexton with Crystal Snook Real Estate
Sold for: $290,000
• 2 bed • 2 bath
• 1,596sqft
• 0.24acre lot
Artist
Jeffrey Selker brings a wealth of experience to the Marion County art scene.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
ven at an early age, Jeffrey Selker was drawing and painting. At 16, he had a part-time job airbrushing vehicles after school, to the tune of about $500 a week, which was a lot of money in the 1970s. Over the years, the now 64-year-old artist has produced a wide range of art in several mediums, including trompe-l’oeil, gouache, digital imagery, lithography and more.
The works range from 8-foot to 12-foot-long diptych and triptych oils to goache on paper paintings a few inches in diameter. His canvasses include vehicles such as vans, cars, motorcycles and helmets. His works have been exhibited in Florida museums and galleries in Miami Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Ocala, Brooksville and Dunnellon, as well as New York, Cleveland and London.
On Friday evening, Sept. 6, Selker will display his colorful “Island Girl” airbrushed acrylic on canvas and another piece during the Marion Cultural Alliance’s opening reception for its new “Color Pop! Exhibit.”
Selker previously participated in the “Art of Aging” exhibit at MCA, the “Battle of the Brushes” fundraiser in support of the alliance and the Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX) and has exhibited at Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon.
As for what might be next, Selker said, “I’m in the process of rediscovering myself as an artist.
“I came up here not expecting to find any art community at all; just a backyard where I’d set up an easel and do small paintings; kind of like retirement without being retired, and, if I was lucky, there would be a local craft show that maybe I could afford a booth and sell a couple of paintings. I wanted to paint for fun. And I moved right near the Appleton Museum, and I found the Webber Gallery and the NOMA Gallery, MCA, the Rainbow Springs gallery, a show in Brooksville at their city hall,” he said. “I know everybody at FAFO, but I don’t have a body of work right now as everything over 2 feet was in storage since we sold our house. So, in the next year, I’ll be working on a new body of work, but I have no idea what I’m going to do.”
Selker was born in 1960 in North Miami. Six months later, his family moved to Miami Beach, or South Beach (SoBe), where he lived until he and his wife, Dawn, and son, Tyler, moved to Ocala in 2022.
As a youngster in South Beach, he said he was “a good kid for the most part, a bit mischievous in school. I did well in the classes I liked and found ways to get out of the ones that bored me and replace them with art or music classes.”
He said he was a bit of a daredevil and enjoyed being at the beach, skateboarding, snorkeling and surfing, which may be where the self-professed “gearhead” got his early and lifelong affinity for vans.
He said he was always interested in not just art, but in being a “maker.”
“As a kid, my toys were always about making things, be it Lego’s, Lincoln Logs, Spiral Graph, building models, even Hot Wheels, making the track layouts, but what I remember my mom telling me was that I was the easiest of her three kids to raise because all she would have to do to entertain me was to sit me down with paper and crayons, pencils, whatever, and I would sit and draw for hours. My best friend/next door neighbor, I think we were 4 at the time, was the same way, whether at my house or his, we would sit at a table, listen to cartoons on the TV and draw away for hours,” he shared.
“In 1975, I was 15 and my dad was driving me after school to a van shop to work and then a year later I was airbrushing vans making maybe $500 a week working part time. I thought I was set for life, but I didn’t know what a trend was. When vans started to be unpopular and it was motorcycles and pickups, I just switched. Then I got my studio on Lincoln Road, and I started entering museum shows and was very fortunate,” he added.
Selker said in the 1950’s, “Lincoln Road was the Rodeo Drive of South Beach. That’s where all the finest boutiques and clothing stores were and in the ’70s, when Miami Beach had the reputation of where all the old people went to retire, they went out of business and these beautiful storefronts became vacant. Bums started sleeping in these wonderful marble entrance ways. Ellie Schneiderman had the foresight and started to rent these buildings. I was in an old art deco Burdines that was incredible.” Schneiderman’s obituary in the “Miami
Herald” noted that, “Lincoln Road Mall in the 1950s was a street where you ‘dressed up to shop.’ Its decline into the 1980s took it from ‘haute couture to ‘Secondhand Rose.’ That is, until 1983 when Eleanor Schneiderman got hold of $62,000 in federal money and convinced the Miami Beach Commission to trust her to convert three blocks of deserted storefronts into what would become the South Florida Arts Center—later renamed ArtCenter/South Florida.”
“We had 85 artists in three buildings,” Selker recalled. “Then the ballet, theatre and symphony groups all moved in; restaurants, Starbucks, and the price of property went way up. All the tourists would come there. All I had to do was open my studio doors and people would walk in and buy artwork. It became the place.”
Selker said he works in “a lot of mediums, but the most obvious would be acrylic. The funny thing is, if most people who know me were asked that question, they would answer ‘airbrush.’
I do a lot of work in oil and gouache. I am a muralist and very well known for my work on show cars, motorcycles and vans. I have done a few murals in buildings and homes, as well as trompe-l’oeil work. I’m a digital creator as well, as I work in pixel, vector and CAD programs to design art and 3D images. I use these tools to create/compose imagery for my paintings, design content for catalogs and websites, and design items to 3D print for various projects.”
A local mural project Selker has underway is a pro street van owned by Danny Mercantini. The 1985 Astro van’s exterior offers a highly detailed scene of a graveyard.
“He made a dream come true. I had this mural in my head since I was 15. I got the idea from a movie, ‘Phantasm,’ and ever since then I had this idea of what you see there,” said Mercantini, pointing to the van body mounted on a car lift in his shop. “And he gave me way more than what I had up here,” he added, pointing to his head.
Selker also is a collector of scale models and fine art.
“I have well over 1,000 unbuilt models and belong to several model building clubs. I probably have a couple hundred works of art: Paintings, sculptures and prints. Most of my art is local and regional pieces; a lot of artists I have met and want to help support. Other hobbies I have either given up on or have put on the back burner are playing guitar, collecting and keeping saltwater fish, gardening and martial arts.”
Selker said he and Dawn met at 15 and have been together ever since. Among the reasons the family moved to Ocala is that they have friends in the region and the traffic situation in the Miami area and continuing violence in their neighborhood got to be too much.
“We, as a family, my son Tyler, wife Dawn and myself, made a choice to finally get the heck out of South Florida. Moving to Central Florida has been in our eventual plans for Dawn and I for about 30 years, but the (COVID-19) pandemic put things in motion,” he explained.
Dawn is an accountant and Tyler works for a website development company. Along with Jeffrey, they quickly learned during the pandemic that they could work remotely from anywhere. Tyler checked out Ocala and the three of them soon headed north.
“He spent a week up here and he fell in love with it, so we found a house and bought it. We moved in November of 2022,” Selker noted.
Motioning around his large and jam-packed studio, Selker said of his next steps, “We’ll see what comes out. I refuse to paint with my hands tied behind my back. I want to paint however I want, whenever I want, on whatever I want. I will be doing a lot printmaking, and I want to learn to throw on a potter’s wheel. And I plan on teaching here, too. Everybody wants to know how to airbrush. There are several local artists dying for lessons.”
Leslie Hammond, ASA, founder and president of Artistic Eye Fine Art Services, who possesses decades of experience as an art historian, archaeologist and museum professional, including at the Appleton Museum of Art, recently said of Selker that while he is new to the Marion County art scene, he is “one to watch.”
To learn more about Selker’s art, find him on Instagram at selkerstudios
The opening reception for the “Color Pop!” Exhibit is open to the public from 6 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the Brick City Center for the Arts at 23 S Broadway St., Ocala. The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 28. For details, go to mcaocala.org
Artist Jeffrey Selker poses with an airbrush tool with “Island Girl,” right, and an untitled piece, left, both airbrushed acrylics on canvas, at his studio in Ocala on Thursday, August 29, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
Artist Jeffrey Selker is in the process of painting this mural on a van owned by Danny Mercantini. [Courtesy Jeffrey Selker]
Artist Jeffrey Selker talks about “23Magic,” an airbrushed acrylic on canvas, at his studio in Ocala on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
“Endless Dream” by Artist Jeffrey Selker, an airbrushed acrylic on canvas.
Right: An untitled airbrushed acrylic on canvas. Below: “Rainbow Springs” by artist Jeffrey Selker.
Chicken culture
Backyard
chickens can provide eggs, control pests, fertilize gardens and steal your heart.
By Marian Rizzo Correspondent
Tre Waiters wasn’t planning to buy anything the day he went to a farmer’s market.
“I was going there just to look around,” said Waiters, who ended up buying three baby chicks that day.
Waiters went back a couple more times and increased his backyard chicken ranch, eventually ending up with six hens, staying within the restrictions of the Marion County backyard chicken and fowl ordinance, which limits such ventures to six birds and only females.
The Waiters have a variety of breeds, including the popular all white American Bresse chickens, which they named Biscuit and Gravy; a Blue Saphire Gem named Morticia; a black Easter egger named Saline; and two Frizzle Orange Cochins, affectionately named Patty Melt and Rapunzel. Frizzle chickens are a gentle breed with feathers that curl outward.
For a shelter, Waiters constructed a 7-foot by 9-foot coop with two nesting boxes. Plus, his chickens have a large, fencedin backyard to run around in.
“They’re free range,” Waiters said. “When I come home, I let them run around the backyard and they eat bugs. Gravy was the first one to drop an egg. What was crazy, I thought there was something wrong with her because she poofed up, and then she dropped her egg right in front of me.”
Besides getting eggs every day, Waiters said having chickens has been educational for his children, 5-year-old Enzo, and Leilani, who will turn 1 in October.
“Enzo catches grasshoppers and feeds the chickens out of his hands,” Waiters said. “I’m definitely glad we have them. They are like my second babies.”
Both Tre and his wife, Tiffany, grew up in the country, so having animals is nothing new to them. When Tre brought the chicks home, they moved right into the house. But that wasn’t going to last, said Tiffany.
“They were inside for a while when they were babies,” she said. “Within a couple months, they doubled in size. I said, ‘We’ve got to get them out of here.’”
“We don’t plan on eating them,” added Tiffany. “We just get the eggs.”
According to farmcrediteast. com, backyard chicken breeding has gained popularity. In addition to providing a consistent supply of fresh eggs, chickens are a natural form of pest control, and their manure contains nutrients that can be used as fertilizer for gardens, the website notes.
Michelle Sheehan and her daughter Kylie are owners of
Feathered Manes, a local vendor of poultry and other animals.
Michelle Sheehan said her Easter Egger chicks sell for $5 each and they often sell out.
“Silkies are our best sellers,” said Sheehan. “They’re more of a pet and they don’t require as much space as other breeds of chickens.”
The more you handle chickens, the friendlier they are, she said.
“We have a Buff Orpington rooster. When my daughter comes home from work in the evening, he follows her around until she picks him up.”
According to thebackyardchickenfarmer.com, certain breeds are more tolerant of the hot and humid weather in Florida. Larger combs and wattles, plus lighter, less dense feathers, allow for better air circulation and help keep them cool. Besides needing ventilation and plenty of fresh, clean water, heat-tolerant chickens typically seek out shade and sometimes dig shallow pits in the ground so they can lay on cooler soil during the hottest parts of the day.
The top breeds of chickens recommended for places like Florida include Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Orpington, Plymouth Rock, and Brahma.
The downside of having backyard chickens is the cost of building a coop, fencing, feed, and the chickens themselves. It may be less costly to simply buy your eggs at a supermarket. Also, chickens can carry harmful germs that cause health issues, ranging from skin infections to more serious illnesses, the website stated.
Mali and Jay Payne’s Little Cluckers business tends to feature more hens than roosters because most of their clients live in residential areas.
Mali Payne has a long history in avian care. She said she earned a bachelor’s degree in avian biology and previously ran an avian vaccine lab at Charles River Laboratories in Connecticut. These days she grows chickens for other people.
“I switched because I got sick and couldn’t work,” she said. “I just needed something to do. It’s more of a hobby for me. I’m not really making money on it.”
Mali buys fertilized eggs and hatches them in an incubator. She grows the chicks in a brooder, which gives them a safe place that can be set to a certain temperature. When they’re 6 weeks old, they’re moved outside to a coop, and by the time they are 5 months old, they’ve doubled in size, she said.
“I’m raising them for other people to have a good quality chicken,” she said. “Most buyers live in residential areas. That’s why I focus more on hens. If you don’t want the males to fight, you’ve got to have 10 females.”
Payne spends time with her
By Bruce Ackerman
customers and gives them tips regarding the care and feeding of their chickens. There are just a few things to look for, she notes.
“They’re susceptible to parasites,” Payne said. “Always do parasite prevention and make sure you clean up after them often. There are products you can put around the coop as a preventative. And, when they’re roosting at night, it’s good to go in and pick them up. You know what they’re supposed to feel like. The first sign that a chicken isn’t doing well they typically lose weight.”
While most people acquire their chickens by going out and buying baby chicks, Rose and Mike Lee didn’t have to leave home to get theirs.
“One day a black chicken showed up in our yard,” Rose Lee said. “It just came to us. We started giving it food and Mike made a box for it to go into on our porch. She started laying eggs. We named her Isabelle.”
Sadly, the Lees came home one day to find Isabelle had been hit by a car. But word must have gotten around the chicken community, because the next day, a red hen showed up at their front door.
The Lees’ grandson, Max Minni, then 9 years old, named the new addition Princess Leian-egg.
“That chicken was awesome,” said Rose. “She would sit up on our air conditioner unit and look through the kitchen window, watching us.”
Mike constructed a coop with a nice perch. Princess Leian-egg immediately started laying two medium to large brown eggs every day. To enhance egg production, Rose did some research and started mixing broken oyster shells and chopped vegetables in with laying mash.
“I would shake the bag of vegetables, and she’d come running,” she said.
Sadly, Princess Leian-egg’s life was cut short when a raccoon tore down a barrier of cinderblocks, got inside the coop, and killed her.
To this day Rose doesn’t know why her property attracted two full-grown chickens.
“I don’t know where they came from,” she said. “Maybe they fell off a chicken truck.”
CHICKEN FACTS
• Chickens have memories and can recognize faces and other animals.
• Chickens form complex social structures within their flock.
Chickens have full color vision and can see better than humans.
Chickens have REM (rapid eye movement) which signifies they dream.
Chickens are the closest living relatives to a Tyrannosaurus-Rex.
• Chickens can travel up to 9 miles per hour.
• Chickens can fly.
Source: farmcrediteast.com
A chicken looks on outside of the chicken coop in the backyard of the Waiters’ home in Silver Springs Shores on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Photos
Ocala Gazette
Tre Waiters and his son, Enzo, 5, look over a chicken in the chicken coop.
Enzo Waiters, 5, looks over a chicken.
Tiffany Guida and her daughter, Leilani Waiters, 10 months, look over eggs that were hatched by their pet chickens.
Rose Lee feeds an apple to Princess Leian-egg. [Photo by Marian Rizzo]
High School Football Coverage is Sponsored By
Belleview miscues prove costly in loss to Fort White
Four turnovers doom Rattlers against talented Indians.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
When Belleview’s Nick Mills returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, hopes for a muchneeded victory over Fort White soared among the Rattlers’ faithful.
Unfortunately, that was the high point of the evening for Belleview, as the Rattlers committed four costly turnovers, three interceptions and a botched snap on a field goal attempt, which visiting Fort White turned into points in a 41-6 win on Aug. 30.
The victory improved the Indians to 1-1 on the season, while the loss, Belleview’s 11th in a row dating back to last year, dropped the Class 5A Rattlers to 0-2.
“We have to execute better,” said Belleview coach Josh Sigler. “We’re a young team that is learning and improving and we had some key mistakes on defense that turned into big plays. We have to get back to fundamentals and wrap up when we’re tackling instead of trying for big hits.”
Fort White won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Belleview made the Indians pay for that decision as Mills caught the kickoff on his 10-yard line, broke to his left and sped untouched down the left sideline for an exciting 90-yard touchdown. The point after by Brayden Jones was wide left but the Rattlers led 6-0 and had all the early momentum.
Fort White went nowhere on its opening possession and was forced to punt.
Belleview moved down the field as quarterback Derek Snyder completed a couple of passes and a facemask penalty against the Indians gave the Rattlers a first down on the Fort White 43. The drive stalled as a Snyder fourthdown pass fell incomplete.
Fort White marched 52 yards in 12 plays with backup quarterback Gavin Peterson capping the drive with a 9-yard scoring scamper on third down. The extra point by Max Eyjolfsson gave the Indians a 7-6 lead with 2:32 remaining in the first quarter. After an exchange of punts,
Belleview put together a nice drive as Mills ripped off a 26-yard run and running back Keondre Fillmore ran three times to move the ball to the Fort White 9-yard line. The drive stalled and Jones came on to attempt a 27-yard field goal that would give the Rattlers the lead. The snap was dropped and the Indians took over at their 21.
Fort White starting quarterback Jayden Jackson entered the game and made an instant impact by connecting with senior wide receiver Tafari Moe for a 67-yard touchdown pass. The point after made it 14-6 midway through the second quarter.
Belleview went three and out on its next possession and had to punt.
Jackson went to work with a 20-yard run and a pair of completions that moved the ball inside the Rattlers’ 15. Jackson scored on a nifty 13-yard scramble to put the Indians up by a score of 21-6. Jackson, who didn’t start for disciplinary reasons, completed five of eight passes for 103 yards and one score. He rushed six times for 64 yards in limited action.
Belleview’s next possession ended when Snyder had a pass intercepted by Fort White defensive back Desean Lally, who returned it to the Rattlers’ 23. Snyder completed eight of 15 passes for 62 yards with a pair of interceptions.
Fort White capitalized on the excellent field position as Jackson broke loose on a 12-yard run and senior Lecosta Byrd powered his way into the end zone from nine yards out to give the Indians a commanding 28-6 lead at the half.
Things didn’t get any better for Belleview in the second half as Fort White scored on its first possession on a 27-yard sweep around left end by Byrd to make it 35-6.
An interception ended the next Belleview possession and Fort White tacked on the final tally of the evening on a 13-yard run by Kiki Neal midway through the third period. With a 41-6 lead, a running clock was used for the rest of the
Belleview will look to earn its first win of the
on Sept. 4, when the
to Chiefland.
“We have to execute better. We’re a young team that is learning and improving and we had some key mistakes on defense that turned into big plays. We have to get back to fundamentals and wrap up when we’re tackling instead of trying for big hits.”
contest.
season
Rattlers will travel
Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Fort White’s Lacosta Byrd (0) runs away for extra yardage after knocking off Belleview’s #52 Draven Breada’s helmet with his cleat during a football game at Belleview High School in Belleview on Friday, August 30, 2024.
Josh Sigler Belleview Rattlers Coach
From top: Fort White’s Gavin Peterson (11) runs the ball in for a tochdown as he eludes Belleview defenders. Fort White’s Gavin Peterson (11) and Tafari Moe (7) break up
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Chloe Model - 8315 SW 46th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34476
2,260 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $334,990, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage
Millwood - 352-559-8403
Trevi Model - 3545 NE 38th Lane, Ocala, FL 34479
2,028 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage
Oak Hammock Townhomes - 352-562-7154
Lincoln Model - 3233 SE 37th Avenue Road, Ocala, FL 34480
1,707 a/c
Truman Model - 3221 SE 37th Avenue Road, Ocala, FL 34480 1,782
Ranch - 352-505-9605
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Weybourne Landing Model Center
Classic Series Sun ower Model - 8891 SW 75th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
1,967 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $334,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, breakfast nook, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Wisteria Model - 8895 SW 75th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
2,126 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $342,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Longleaf Ridge Model Center
Premier Series
Beaumont Model - 10458 SW 96th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
2,202 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $394,490 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage with workshop space, great room, breakfast area, ex room, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Magnolia Model - 10446 SW 96th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
2,493 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $413,490 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage with golf cart space, great room, breakfast area, ex room, den, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Ashford Model Center
Estate Series
Arlington Model - 9584 SW 82nd Street Road, Ocala, FL 34481
2,211 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $455,490, featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car garage, great room, breakfast area, workshop space, laundry suite, and a covered lanai.
Northampton Model - 9572 SW 82nd Street Road, Ocala, FL 34481
2,678 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $463,490, featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3 car garage, great room, breakfast area, library, ex room, laundry suite, and a covered lanai.
Aberdeen Model - 9564 SW 82nd Street Road, Ocala, FL 34481
2,907 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $491,490 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car garage, great room, 2nd master suite, breakfast area, ex room, laundry suite, and a covered lanai.
Move-in Ready Home
Willem - 10557 SW 98th Lane, Ocala, FL, 34481
2,536 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $477,000 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage with storage space great room, covered courtyard, ex room, laundry suite, and a covered lanai.
Reddick
McIntosh
Dunnellon
Ocala Belleview
Gainesville Buchholz tops West Port in volleyball Bobcats outlast scrappy Wolf Pack squad
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Gainesville Buchholz utilized its superior height at the net to good advantage as senior outside hitter Jovanna Pettigrew had a match-high 11 kills to lead the Bobcats to a hard-fought, four-set win over West Port by scores of 25-19, 2518, 19-25 and 25-15 on Sept. 3.
The win evened Class 6A Buchholz’s record at 5-5 on the season, while the loss snapped a three-game win streak for West Port and dropped the Class 7A Wolf Pack to 3-4 overall.
“It’s hard because we’re always undersized,” said West Port coach Mike Rasdall of his team’s lack of height. “We don’t traditionally get 6-footers here. We’re small and have to pass well and play good defense, which is our bread and butter. We have to do a better job of serve-receive and we have to be more consistent.”
The first set was tied at 3 as West Port senior Abbey McClinton found the range with a powerful kill shot. Buchholz began to steadily pull away behind solid play at the net by senior Lillian Logan, who contributed seven kills. The Bobcats increased their advantage to 18-12 as freshman Aaliyah Ray had a pair of blocks and a couple of cross-court spikes.
West Port battled back as Keylimar Mejias drilled a pair of ace serves and Gaveena Smith nailed two of her teamhigh 10 kills to pull the Wolf Pack within 22-18. But two well-placed
spikes by Addie Sixbey and a block by Ray sealed the first set for Buchholz.
West Port jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second set before Buchholz roared back behind freshman Aubrey Waters, who had three of her eight kills. Freshman Julia Almond had back-to-back service aces as the Bobcats took a 24-18 lead. Logan had a perfectly placed dink shot to sew up the second set for the Bobcats.
The third set was closely contested and, with the score tied at 9, West Port dominated play and stormed out to a commanding 19-11 lead. Buchholz took advantage of several Wolf Pack miscues to close within 2419, but Smith had a perfect block to end the set.
The final set was tight and well played, with Buchholz clinging to a 9-7 lead. Logan began to dominate at the net and Waters added several service aces to increase the lead to 18-9.
West Port made a final run, but it wasn’t enough as Logan and Pettigrew found open spaces with their kill shots and a spike attempt by the Wolf Pack sailed long to give the set and the match to the Bobcats.
“The girls played hard and we’re still looking for the right mix” coach Rasdall said.
West Port, which has a combination of young players and some veterans, will look to get back in the win column in a home match against Forest on Sept. 9. The Wolf Pack will host Dunnellon on Sept. 11 and entertain the Belleview Rattlers on Sept. 12.
“It’s
hard because we’re always undersized. We don’t traditionally get 6-footers here. We’re small and have to pass well and play good defense, which is our bread and butter.”
Mike Rasdall West Port Coach
Westport Gaveena Smith (4) with the hit at the net against Buchholz’ Victoria Trucco (8) and Lillian Logan (3) at Westport High School, Tuesday, September 3, 2024. [Cyndi Chambers/Special to the Ocala Gazette] 2024.
Westport Kiara Rivera (10)k digs the ball in set three against Buchholz at Westport High School, Tuesday, September 3, 2024. [Cyndi Chambers/Special to the Ocala Gazette] 2024.
From above: Buchholz’ Jovanna Pettigrew (2) with the hit at the net against Westport Kiara Rivera (10) and Joslynn Galvan (1). Westport Kiara Rivera (10) tries to hit the ball past Buchholz middle blocker Victoria Trucco (8) and Addie Sixbey (12). [Cyndi Chambers/Special to the Ocala Gazette] 2024.
Bird of the week
Yellow-billed cuckoo
Yellow-billed cuckoo [MichaelWarren.com]
By Michael Warren
Although they’re seldom seen, yellow-billed cuckoos breed in Marion County’s swamps and densely wooded areas where they love to eat caterpillars. They’re most easily found by listening for a knocking call. But they tend to sit still high in the canopy where they’re easy to miss. This one was photographed on the Marshall Swamp trail.
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Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
The City of Ocala has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy.
Last year’s property tax levy:
A. Initially proposed tax levy $ 46,736,271
B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assessment changes $ 38,189
C. Actual property tax levy $ 46,698,082 This year’s proposed tax levy $ 51,549,012
All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on: Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:01 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 110 SE Watula Ave., 2nd Floor, Ocala, Florida 34471
A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.
By Staff
America’s Test Kitchen
L ooking for something different to cook for a holiday weekend gettogether? Grilled pork
tenderloin is a wonderful choice. We pound the pork tenderloins into thin, uniform steaks for exceptionally fast cooking, so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare the meal and mingle with your guests.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Summer Squash with Chimichurri Serves 4
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper
2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins, trimmed and pounded ½ inch thick
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
4 yellow summer squash, cut lengthwise into ½-inch-thick planks
1. Combine 1/4 cup oil, the parsley, cilantro, vinegar, garlic, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl; set aside. Sprinkle pork with sugar and season with salt and pepper. Brush squash with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Place pork on the grill over a hot fire. Grill until pork is lightly browned and registers 140 degrees, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer pork to a carving board, tent with foil, and let rest while grilling squash.
3. Grill squash until charred and tender, 3 to 5 minutes per side; transfer to platter. Slice pork on the bias, 1/2-inch thick, and transfer to a platter with the squash. Top with chimichurri and serve.
(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands—which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country—offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)
BUDGET SUMMARY
CITY OF OCALA - FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
THE PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF OCALA ARE 6.3%
MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURES.
Any holiday grilling should include this quick, easy pork dish. [TNS]
NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
The City of Ocala/Downtown Development Commission – District A has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy.
Last year’s property tax levy:
A. Initially proposed tax levy $ 68,636
B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assessment changes $ 0
C. Actual property tax levy $ 68,636
This year’s proposed tax levy $ 74,345
All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on:
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:01 p.m. at
City Hall Council Chambers, 110 SE Watula Ave., 2nd Floor, Ocala, Florida 34471
A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
The City of Ocala/Downtown Development Commission – District B has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy.
Last year’s property tax levy:
A. Initially proposed tax levy $ 45,508
B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assessment changes ($ 25)
C. Actual property tax levy $ 45,533
This year’s proposed tax levy $ 52,632
All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on:
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:01 p.m. at
City Hall Council Chambers, 110 SE Watula Ave., 2nd Floor, Ocala, Florida 34471
A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.
NONPROFIT NEWS
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK CALL TO ACTION
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central distributes food and grocery products to more than 750 nonprofit feeding partners throughout Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties. September is Hunger Action Month and Second Harvest is encouraging actions such as donating, advocating or volunteering to raise awareness for the 1 in 8 adults and 1 in 6 children
experiencing hunger on any given day in Central Florida. The community can get involved by donating 30 non-perishable food items and/or $30 for 30 days of hunger, hosting a virtual food drive, wearing orange on Sept. 10 for Hunger Action Day, signing up to volunteer and more.
For more information, visit feedhopenow.org
NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE
The City of Ocala/Downtown Development Commission – District C has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy.
Last year’s property tax levy:
$ 21,644 This year’s proposed tax levy $ 23,317
All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on:
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:01 p.m. at
City Hall Council Chambers, 110 SE Watula Ave., 2nd Floor, Ocala, Florida 34471
A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.
government
SEPTEMBER 9, 16, 23, 30
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. The committee meets weekly. See marion.fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
SEPTEMBER 11
Dunnellon City Council Meeting
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon
5:30pm Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.org/government/agendas-minutes
SEPTEMBER 17
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am
The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
SEPTEMBER 17
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
SEPTEMBER 17
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview
6pm Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes
community
SEPTEMBER 16
Stearns Speaker Series: “Election 2024: Generational Change in Florida” College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
12:30pm to 1:30pm
The College of Central Florida Stearns Speaker Series returns with a discussion headlined by Susan MacManus examining the delicate balance of voting power between younger and older generations. Examples of trends in certain key areas among younger voters might be able to predict larger shifts in voting over time. MacManus is a retired distinguished professor of political science at the University of South Florida, with a Ph.D. from Florida State University. To register, visit cf.edu/event/stearns-speaker-series-election-2024-generational-change-in-florida
SEPTEMBER 17-18
Give4Marion
Online and in-person
10am on Tue. to 7pm Wed.
This nonprofit fundraiser benefits more than 100 Marion County organizations, serving all communities in areas of need. Nonprofits receive 100% of funds. Donations can be made online at give4marion.org or in-person at various special events held by the Community Foundation for Ocala/ Marion County. Visit ocalafoundation.org or give4marion.org for more information, or email Community Foundation Director of Strategic Engagement Ashley Gerds at ashley@ocalafoundation.org
SEPTEMBER 26
Night Of Hope: Honoring the Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
5:30pm to 8pm
This event features keynote speaker Michael Neely, senior pastor at New Millennium Community Church and an advocate for abuse victims and a survivor of domestic violence. Neely is the author of the book “Black Eyes and Sweet Talk: A Biblical Perspective on Domestic Violence,” which discusses coping techniques for victims based on scripture, from the perspective of a survivor. Visit bit.ly/og-event-night-of-hope or bit.ly/NOH2024 to learn more.
OCTOBER 5
Gentiva Ocala Metro India Fest
Ocala Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala
11:30am to 6pm
This is a free community-wide cross-cultural experience of India, brought to you by the Strategic Community Alliance, featuring a cultural celebration in Downtown Ocala, including a flash-dance mob at the downtown square, trivia competitions, a fashion show, Indian food and beverages, art on display, and activities for kids. This event is free to attend. For more information, visit scacommunities.org/events-news-and-activities
SEPTEMBER 5 - 22
“Cinderella” at OCT
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Showtimes vary
The classic fairy tale has been adapted many times in film, television, literature and more. OCT’s production is based on the 1957 re-imagining of the tale in the musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein. Tickets are $35 for adults/$17 for ages 18 and under and can be purchased online or at the OCT Box Office. Visit bit.ly/oct_cinderella for more information.
SEPTEMBER 6
First Friday Art Walk
Ocala Downtown Square
6pm to 9pm
Visit the Downtown Square on the first Friday of each month to see emerging local artists and musicians, as well as a variety of free art activities and shopping at vendor booths. September kicks off the lineup of 2024-25 art walks, running through May of next year. Visit ocalafl.gov/artwalk for more information.
SEPTEMBER 7
Free First Saturday
Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
All day
Photographer Theresa Segal will present a tour of her new solo exhibition “Common Thread,” on display this month. Tours will be from 11 to noon, and from 2 to 3pm, in the Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org
SEPTEMBER 21
Pints and Prints
Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Guests 21+ will be able to sample adult beverages, learn more about printmaking and take home their own block print, gel print and dry point etches. This seminar will feature E. Marie Fielding and Vanessa Zumba-Gonzalez. ID required. For pricing and tickets, visit appletonmuseum.org/events/pints-and-prints
things to do arts
SEPTEMBER 6
The Boss Project: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 8th St., Ocala
7:30pm
Come see this tribute to “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Called “as close as you can get to the real deal,” The Boss Project has spent more than a decade performing Springsteen’s greatest hits. For information and for tickets, visit reillyartscenter.com/events/the-boss-project-a-tribute-to-bruce-springsteen
SEPTEMBER 13
Sit Down for Stand-up
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala
7:30pm
This will be an oft-kilter, uncensored, adults only hour-and-a-half of comedy. The theme is “big.” It is headlined by Nik Macik and features Caroline Post, and is hosted by Big Joe Murray. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com/events/sit-down-for-stand-up-sep
SEPTEMBER 14-15
Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band: The Musical World of Disney Marion Technical Institute, 1614 Fort King St., Ocala 2pm on Sat., 3pm on Sun.
This is a family-friendly concert performance of Disney classics. Children are encouraged to wear Disney costumes and join the parade during the “Mickey Mouse March.” Featuring UNIQULELE, the opening act, performing 45 minutes prior to each concert. In partnership with Once Upon a Party, LLC. The event is free to attend. Visit kingdomofthesunband.org to learn more.
OCTOBER 3
Silent Disco at the NOMA Black Box
NOMA Black Box Theatre, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7 to 10pm
Dance to the beat of your own headphones. This event benefits Arts in Health Ocala Metro and the LILAC Foundation. Dance in a glow in the dark setup with shirt graffiti and facepainting, all to the tune of hits from the ‘70s to today. For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com/events/silent-disco
OCTOBER 5
Wear Your Wings 5K College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Registration at 7am
This 5K run and walk will benefit the Marion County Children’s Alliance. The first 250 participants to finish will receive a medal. The price to register begins at $30 for adults and $10 for kids, until Sept. 25. Registration and packet pickup will begin at 7 am, with the race scheduled to begin at 8 am. Visit bit.ly/ wearyourwings2024 to sign up.
OCTOBER 11-13
27th Annual Jeeptober Fest
Florida Horse Park, 11851 SW 16th Ave., Ocala Starts at 8am
This annual get together is one of the largest Jeep-only meets anywhere in the United States. Each day features a full itinerary of special events, from guided tours of the Ocala National Forest to off-roading, along with block parties and vendors. $70 for pre-registration and $80 for day-of. Admission for spectators is $10 per carload, cash only, and a portion of the admission proceeds will be donated to local charities. Visit ocalajeepclub.com/jeeptoberfest for more information.
Broom Hilda
