Ocala Gazette | October 14 - October 20, 2022

PREPARING FOR BLAST OFF

Students prepare experiment for launch to International Space Station.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Several Marion County students made final preparations on Wednesday, Oct. 12 to see their very own experiment blast off into space on Nov. 15 for testing by astronauts on the International Space Station.

As a part of the Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP), students from Dr. N. H. Jones Elementary School won a competition to create a hypothesis that will be tested by astronauts on the ISS. The experiment poses the question of what effect microgravity will have on the amount of ethanol produced by yeast.

Former Dr. N. H. Jones students Aarya Seevaratnam and Anakan Gopalan first designed and implemented the winning experiment last year while in fifth grade under the supervision

of teacher Lisa Dorsey. Students from North Marion High School, Jacob Ridinger and Dalton Gentilman, were also part of the team under the supervision of teacher Dee Reedy.

On Wednesday, the younger students joined their project counterparts at NMHS to prepare and load the mini-lab experiment, which will launch on from the Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX rocket through SSEP.

The SSEP is a program of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) in the U.S. and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education internationally. It is enabled through a strategic partnership with Nanoracks LLC, which is working with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the utilization of the International Space Station as a National Laboratory, according to SSEP.

“It was the most challenging thing

I’ve ever done as a teacher, and I’m sure it was the most challenging thing the students have done,” Dorsey said. “They’re sending something to the ISS, like, who does that? We do that.”

The students must fit their experiment into a small tube that is 7 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. This tube will then be sent up to the ISS where astronauts will conduct the experiment to see how microgravity affects the fermentation of yeast. The project will be in orbit for six to eight weeks before returning back to Earth, and in the meantime the students will conduct the same experiment on Earth as a control. They will then compare the results from both tests and analyze them to finish the project, Dorsey said.

“They are just really excited about learning about science and possibly space,” Dorsey said. “There’s so much opportunity, especially in Florida with

the space program here.”

Dorsey said this project has given her students experience with the scientific method that is invaluable and doesn’t happen in a regular classroom. The students had to run trials and alter their research question based on those results, she said.

“We’ve learned that the scientific process is nothing like a science fair project because nothing ever goes right,” she said. “It took us 100 trials, no joke, to get an answer.”

Dorsey said her and her students’ excitement is palpable, and they can’t wait to see all of their hard work pay off, both on launch day and when the experiment is complete several weeks later.

“Perseverance—that’s what they learn,” Dorsey said. “It really does take a lot of hard work and you really do have to keep trying.”

A round of applause for local arts heroes

By Ocala Gazette Staff

Those who attended the Marion Cultural Alliance’s (MCA) festive and colorful “Alice in Wonderland”-themed Applaud the Arts gala, which took over the Reilly Arts Center on Saturday night, did their best not to be late for an important date.

MCA’s 15th annual Applaud the Arts event gathered arts movers and shakers to recognize individuals who went above and beyond to strengthen the area’s arts community. This was the sixth year that awards were presented in the categories of service, arts education and vision.

Guests and arts leaders dressed up as characters such as Alice, the Red Queen and the Mad Hatter as they convened to celebrate and pay respects to the people who worked hard to build connections and reach people all ages.

The following locals received awards of distinction for making a difference for those who need it most and improving lives through the arts.

SERVICE AWARD: Dr. Joanne Cornell-Ohlman

This award recognizes an exceptional individual for dedicated volunteerism in the arts and contribution to the arts community as a whole.

Dr. Joanne Cornell-Ohlman is a psychologist who spends her professional and personal time fostering personal growth and strengthening bonds through creativity.

As the director of the Fort King Presbyterian Church H.O.P.E. House, she fosters an inclusive and accessible vibe while sparking connections through creativity, healing workshops, study and shared experience.

The H.O.P.E. House

is currently home to the comprehensive monthlong arts, culture and history series, “The Water and Wildlife of the Ocklawaha River,” which offers free lectures and exhibits and the live creation of a new mural.

“We are paying homage and bringing awareness to the river, underscoring its colorful history and potential to nourish the ecosystem along with our local economy,” Ohlman said.

As a clinical psychologist, Cornell-Ohlman has served the Ocala Community for 34 years, specializing in working with children, adolescents and families. She has an undergraduate background in art and psychology, a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky and an internship and post-doctorate work at the University of Florida.

In her private practice and

Lisa

Anakan

Carla Reedy, the Biotechnology teacher at North Marion High School, left, connects on a laptop with Julia Wolfenbarger, a scientist, as Wolfenbarger assists students from Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary to load their mini-lab experiment for the International Space Station in a Microsoft virtual meeting in the Biotechnology Lab at North Marion High School in Citra on Wednesday, Oct. 12,

Ackerman/ Ocala

Lisa Fontaine-Dorsey, the Gifted Resource and STEAM Lab teacher at Dr. N.H. Jones, Aarya Seevaratnam, 11 and Anakan Gopalan, 11.

NTSB issues final accident report on Graham airplane crash

of fuel exhaustion.”

Around 10:51 a.m., the Cessna decelerated from about 94 knots to 47 knots.

It then suddenly rose to 1,025 feet, then began descending when data ended at 10:52. At that time, the report states, the plane was at 600 feet and traveling at 60 knots.

Graham was flying alone when his plane crashed in a pasture along Southwest 140th Avenue east of the airport.

preceded by a sudden and simultaneous drop in the airplane’s fuel flow rate and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) values, consistent with a loss of engine power.”

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

The National Transportation Safety Board issued its final Aviation Accident Report for the plane crash that took the life of Ocala’s police chief Greg Graham on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020.

Prior reports indicate Graham took off around 10:34 that Sunday morning from Back Archers Airport in Belleview in his 1966 Cessna 172H singleengine plane, flying over Lake Weir before turning west and heading toward the Marion County Airport, also known as the Dunnellon airport. He was flying at 1,250-1,300 feet when at 10:38 a.m.

Graham began a slow decent to 900 feet before climbing back to 1,000 feet, the report states.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the accident to be “a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.”

In the report’s analysis, the Cessna 172 piloted by Graham started decreasing speed about 20 minutes after departure. “Data from the airplane’s onboard engine analyzer revealed that this deceleration was

“Following the accident, less than 1 gallon of fuel was recovered from the intact right wing fuel tank, and about 1 cup was recovered from the left wing (which was breached from impact). About 1 teaspoon of cloudy water was found in the airframe fuel filter bowl and the screen was partially blocked with debris. A review of the airplane’s fueling and flight records, including data from the onboard engine analyzer, revealed there would have been about 1 gallon of usable fuel onboard about the time of the loss of engine power.”

Other than lack of fuel, the NTSB found “no other mechanical deficiencies

The report said that Graham “exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack (as evidenced by the low recorded ground speed during the final moments of the flight), which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.”

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, recovering from a spin typically requires “about 1,200 feet of altitude, making a spin initiated at or below pattern altitude unrecoverable even with perfect technique.”

There was no evidence that drugs or alcohol contributed to the cause of the crash; however, Diazepam (Valium) was detected in Graham’s system in post-accident toxicology test. The FAA considers an open prescription for diazepam disqualifying for medical

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Evelyn Anderson Account Executive evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com

Bruce Ackerman Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com

Caroline Brauchler Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com

Rosemarie Dowell Reporter rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Ron Eddy Account Executive ron@magnoliamediaco.com

Julie Garisto Reporter julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Greg Hamilton Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com

Amy Harbert Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com

Susan Smiley-Height Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Belea Keeney Reporter belea@magnoliamediaco.com

News tips tips@ocalagazette.com

Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Follow us @ocalagazette

Celebrating Hispanic heritage

The Appleton Museum of Art and the College of Central Florida hosted a Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, that included vendors and entertainment.

The all-day event, co-hosted by CF Student Affairs, offered free admission to the museum, art activities, music, face painting and a talk by oral historian, writer and podcaster Dr. Rebecca Dominguez-Karimi.

Many guests enjoyed the springlike weather and outdoor activities as well as the many permanent and special exhibits inside the museum, including “Sintiendo la Exposición.”

The exhibition of sculptures, photographs, prints, drawings and paintings debuts work by modern and contemporary Argentinian, Cuban and Mexican artists.

To learn more about all of the exhibits, go to appletonmuseum.org

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

ocalagazette.com

©2022 Ocala Gazette, LLC

Ocala Gazette is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.

Share your news

The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission. Letters to the editor: 200 words or less.

Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available.

• Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions.

News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.

Jessica Meyer, right, and her mother, Sherry Allen-Reeves, left, look over some of the artwork for sale in

Meyer’s JCreations booth during the Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

Emergency

Applaud the Arts

Continued from page A1

community work, Cornell-Ohlman strives to integrate evidencebased interventions with creative activities to strengthen resilience, improve self-esteem and strengthen family bonds.

Other community projects have included the permanent children’s tile exhibit at the Marion County Judicial Complex, a hands-on Art with Heart parenting skills program, monthly intergenerational ART 4 All workshops designed to connect families and community through creative opportunities and expansion of Art 4 All outreach to at-risk populations in Ocala and abroad.

“This third Sunday, Oct. 16, we welcome all ages, all faiths and all abilities to use their creativity to explore and express the beauty of our fragile rivers, especially the Ocklawaha,” Cornell-Ohlman said in a recent email.

ARTS EDUCATOR AWARD: Brittany Schofield

This award recognizes an arts educator who utilizes the arts as a tool for achieving excellence.

For the past nine years, Schofield has been inspiring young musicians as director of the Howard Middle School band.

“She works extremely hard and has dedicated many hours to raising the performance of the band to ever higher levels,” said Jaye Baillie, executive director of the MCA, in a press statement.

The Howard Middle School Band, under Schofield’s leadership, has received dozens of superior ratings over the years.

“Brittany’s drive and determination to give children the chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves make for great success,” Baillie added.

Schofield also strives to create a fun and enjoyable learning environment for all of her students.

A Howard Middle School alumnus, Elizabeth Graff, nominated Schofield.

“She gave me so many opportunities for success and also taught me many life lessons,” Schofield said. “She held me and my peers to the highest standards, knowing that we could accomplish whatever we set our minds to. She also showed me how to be a leader and set an example for me and my fellow students. She believes in every one of her students, encouraging them to be the best they can be.”

2022 VISION AWARD: Jessica McCune

This award recognizes an individual in Ocala/Marion County for outstanding advocacy of the arts.

Where some see problems, others see opportunities. Identifying places and opportunities where art can make a difference, including the healing modality of art in the medical world, helped earn McCune the Vision Award.

Examples of her efforts range from organizing Toastmasters groups at Florida Department of Corrections facilities and workshops at Hospice of Marion County that incorporate art, music, poetry, journaling and storytelling into bereavement sessions, in addition to other projects.

“Her vision as a founder of MCA and her stewardship of the organization, continuing as an emerita member, is just one example of her continued service to our cultural community,” Baillie said.

McCune uses the art of speaking and storytelling to create change.

“She is the ultimate storyteller, one of the oldest known forms of art,” Baillie added.

According to the MCA, she has embodied this through her passion and work to build, create, support and preserve the work that has been done and is being done in our community to create a vibrant cultural scene.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Laurie Reeder

This award is presented to an individual for selfless commitment to the arts

After beginning her career teaching theatre and directing musicals in her old high school, Laurie Reeder left Okaloosa County in 1987 and moved to Marion County, where she has been involved in some aspect of arts education ever since.

Her impact on arts programs has been noted from Dunnellon High School to the performing arts programs at Belleview High to West Port High, where she coordinated the Marion County Center for the Arts, Ocala/Marion County’s only high school arts magnet.

Her mission is to make arts more accessible to all students.

According to the MCA, “Reeder knows the joy students experience when they bring a song, a dance, or a painting to life; she also understands that as students learn to express themselves through their art, they develop a perspective on life to better help them navigate the paths encountered beyond high school.”

This year is Reeder’s 41st year of encouraging students to embrace the creative process.

MCA also recognized the following cultural grants recipients and awarded funding to: Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band: Veterans Light the Stars ($2,500)

The Appleton Museum of Art: Free First Fridays ($5,000) The Reilly Arts Center: Chris Botte-Live in Concert ($5,000) Ocala Symphony Orchestra: “Youthful Renderings” Performance Featuring the Winners of the 2023 Young Artists Competition ($5,000) Ocala Civic Theatre: Lit Light-Illuminating Story Telling ($5,000)

Marion Civic Chorale: Veterans Day Programs ($2,000)

The MCA annually invites organizations to submit applications for funding. This is a competitive process for grants up to $5,000. Since its founding in 2001, MCA has funded $440,000 to local arts organizations for programming and equipment.

The Applaud the Arts Gala featured music by DJ Karim, dancing and tapas by La Casella, enjoyed at tables draped with black-and-white-striped cloths reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat.

A VIP party kicked things off with the Mad Hatter’s Bourbon & Tea VIP Pre-Party, early entry to the event, reserved seating, a special Alice necklace souvenir, signature VIP cocktails, special Wonderland characters and an inside look at the art of Alice, starting with Lewis Carroll and ending with Disney Studios, presented by Patricia Tomlinson, executive director of Arts in Health Ocala.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman

People listen as Jaye Baillie speaks.

Heather Batchelor, left, and Susan Grzesiuk, right.

Ryan Hairston, left, and Staci Bertrand pose for a photo during the MCA Applaud The Arts at the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

Pride Fest returns to Ocala

Bright sunlight and moderate temperatures greeted the estimated 2,000 guests at the Ocala Pride Fest on Saturday, Oct. 8, on the downtown square.

The event, hosted by Ocala Pride, Inc., returned after a twoyear hiatus due to the pandemic. It included vendors, entertainers, a DJ, food trucks, artists and numerous booths with organizations providing information and support.

A goal of the festival is to provide an atmosphere in which members of the LGBTQ community can feel safe and accepted.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

The 2022 Fall Festival Season

dancing and activities for children. fafo.org/ festival

Trunk or Treat at Silver Springs State Park, Oct. 30, 2pm to 6pm. Park entry is $2 per person. Costumes are encouraged! silversprings.com/ events/

47th Micanopy

Light Up Ocala, Nov. 19, 4pm to 9pm. In beautiful downtown Ocala. More than 100 vendors, Sunshine Parade, Santa Claus and the much-awaited flipping of the switch to illuminate thousands of lights. There will be a crowd! ocalafl.org/government/ city-departments-i-z/recreationparks/events/light-up-ocala

activities and shows for children. gainesvilledowntownartfest.net/ Gainesville Craft Festival, Nov. 26 and 27, 10am to 5pm.

By Sandra Poucher Special to Ocala Gazette

Ah, Florida! The Sunshine State! Land of perpetual youth—and relentless heat—where we don’t actually have an autumn to anticipate. Instead, Floridians flee the hottest doldrums of summer to the springs, the beaches and our leafy neighboring Appalachian mountains.

We Floridians, however, do mark the changing of the seasons by going nuts on our autumn and Halloween decorations and by participating in the fall festival bonanza: arts festivals, food festivals and yes, fall harvest festivals. Here is a short list to pique your interests and draw you and your family out from your air-conditioned chambers into a land of color, taste and neighborliness.

A

Fall Festivities, Oct. 15 (Saturday), 10:30am – 12:30pm, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala. Crafts and activities with an autumnal twist. Free to attend. library.marionfl.org/ Home/Components/Calendar/ Event/61525/610

Two Rivers Music Festival and Food Truck Rally, Oct. 15 (Saturday), 5pm to 10pm, Dunnellon historic district, East Pennsylvania Avenue, 35 minutes west of Ocala. Free to attend. dunnellonchamber.com/ event/3922/

Lubee Bat Fest, Oct. 22, 10am to 5pm. Just over an hour north of Ocala on Interstate 75 at 1309 NW 192nd Ave, Gainesville. $8 ages 13 and up, $5 ages 5 through 12, free ages 4 and under. A family fall festival and bats! lubee.org/batfest

55th annual Ocala Arts Festival, hosted by Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO), Oct. 22 and 23, 10am to 5pm, all around the downtown square. Free to attend. Includes art, live music,

Fall Festival, Oct. 29 and 30, 9am to 5pm, Micanopy Historic District, 26 miles north of Ocala via US 441 or Interstate 75. Free to attend. Parking cost depends on location. micanopyfallfestival. org/

Fall. Chili! The Marion County Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Cornerstone School is always packed with people eager to sample various flavors of chili and check out the kids activities, car show and more. Nov. 5, at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 10am to 3pm. marioncountychilicookoff.com

McIntosh 1890’s Fall Festival Nov. 5, 8am to 4pm, all around the main streets of this historic small town 20 miles north of Ocala on US 441. Free to attend. Parking cost depends on location. mcintosh1890sfestival.com/ Ocali Country Days festival Nov. 12 and 13, 9am to 4pm. $8 per person, free for ages 5 and younger. See history come to life at the Silver River Museum campus inside Silver Springs State Park (Use the CR 35/Baseline Road entrance.). silverrivermuseum.com/ocalicountry-days-festival/

Inverness Festival of the Arts, Nov. 19 and 20, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Around the downtown courthouse square in Inverness, 45 minutes south of Ocala. Free to attend. inverness.gov/527/ Festival-of-the-Arts

41st annual Gainesville Downtown Festival and Art Show, Nov. 19 and 20, 10am to 5pm. Located in and around Bo Diddley Plaza at 111 E. University Ave., Gainesville, 38 miles north of Ocala via US441 or Interstate 75. Free to attend. Art, live music,

In the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Drive, 38 miles north of Ocala via US441 or Interstate 75. General public $6, University of Florida students $4, children under 13 free. oconnellcenter.ufl.edu/ craftfestival/

Even more festivals can be found by searching online and talking to your friends and neighbors. Local churches, farms and community organizations host trunk-or-treats, Oktoberfests, pumpkin picking, music festivals and other fallthemed events. Most are free to attend and are fun for the entire family, and they offer a chance to support local artists, crafters, entertainers and vendors.

Onyx Valentino, Kirk Davinci, Starr Shine and Vinson Ross, left to right, pose together as they get ready to perform in the drag queen performances during the Pride Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

Onyx Valentino performs.

Rihanne Thomas holds a Pride flag as she gathers with other people. Mistah Aphrodite dances for people.

People look over Pride flags for sale.

Marion County school leaders hear details of plans to raise school achievement

increase academic achievement. Each plan is developed based on individual school needs and is approved by the school’s School Advisory Council, composed of the principal, teachers, educational support staff, parents and community members.

This year, 49 Marion schools received grades from the DOE. Three schools--Eighth Street Elementary, Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts and Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary—received A grades. Ten others received a B grade, while 32 were graded at a C level.

Lake Weir Middle and East Marion Elementary received a D grade, and McIntosh Area School was the only district school with an F. Forest High received an incomplete grade.

Lake Weir Middle School is the only school in Marion whose SIP has not yet been finalized. The school has a new principal, Josh Jacobs, and two new assistant principals: Constance Carpenter, whose area is curriculum, and James Rowe, who focuses on discipline, according to the school’s website.

Once the SIP plans are approved, they will be available on each school’s website.

School Board member Don Browning raised concerns about the improvement process, saying the SIPs need to be revisited and that there are fundamental problems with the baselines set for the schools.

into it, and we’ve got to look at the reasons why were failing.”

School board Vice Chair Allison Campbell defended the SIPs, saying, “Without elaborating too much on some of that commentary, I need to express a couple of things. First of all, the definition of the word ‘baseline’ is a starting point used for comparison. We’re not changing the baseline because the baseline is what it is.”

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

As the first quarter of the school year draws to a close, Marion County school officials are reviewing steps each school intends to take to improve the services delivered to its students.

Earlier this year, Marion County Public Schools received an overall score of C from

the Florida Department of Education, falling one point shy of a B grade. The district’s grade is largely derived from the performance of the district’s schools, and members of the Marion County School Board on Oct. 11 reviewed the schools’ required annual school improvement plans.

The plans focus on implementing long-range objectives with specific targets to

Among the improvement plans reviewed, East Marion Elementary detailed significant changes to its administrative staff as Sarah Dobbs took over as the principal on July 12. The school brought in a new dean, Kristen Miller, and added a second assistant principal, Scott Wheeler. The school also added a content area specialist, Kimberly Mobley.

The SIP for East Marion noted that the school remains understaffed after starting the 2022-23 school year with 17 fewer teacher positions despite enrolling 17 more students.

School board debates procedure on recording minutes of meetings

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Approving the minutes from previous government board meetings typically is a perfunctory task. For the Marion County School Board, not so much.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the board spent nearly 45 minutes sorting out questions about the minutes, especially, how and whether their comments should be captured for the record. The discussion involved guidance from both Florida law and Robert’s Rules of Order.

At issue was whether the board secretary needed to continue recording the sometimes lengthy discussions or commentary put forth by the board members, and then include this content in the official school board minutes.

School Board Chair Eric Cummings and board member Kelly King were in the less-is-more camp.

“When we get into lengthy commentary or lengthy board comments, it gets to the point where you’re asking the person that’s taking the minutes to interpret all of the commentary,’’ Cummings said. “The person trying to take the board minutes is not a stenographer, that’s not their job. They’re supposed to take, according to the law, the minutes of those things we have voted on and that discussion.”

He continued, “If every board member wants to provide a written copy (of their comments), that’s the privilege that you’ve taken to make sure that your commentary is memorialized in the minutes.”

School board attorney Jeremy Powers spelled out what state law says on the matter:

Under Florida statute 1001.42 in section 1(b): Minutes, Contents: The minutes shall show the vote of each member present on all matters on which the school district board takes action. It shall be the duty of each member to see to it that both the matter of his or her vote thereon are properly recorded in the minutes. Unless otherwise shown by the minutes, it shall be presumed that the vote of each member present supported any action taken by the district school board in either the exercise of, violation of, or neglect the powers and duties

imposed upon the district school board by law or rule, whether such action is recorded in the minutes or is otherwise established.

Powers then referenced Robert’s Rules of Order, America’s foremost authority on parliamentary procedure.

“Robert’s Rules of Order indicates that as to rules for minutes, the only things required and in fact recommended … are that we must include the title of the group, date, time, venue, names of attendees, the person recording and a copy of the agenda. The advice given … is do not record the debate or discussion, only the outcome.”

Powers noted that both Florida law and Robert’s are in agreement.

“I would advise moving away from a model which tries to record every aspect of every comment,’’ he said, “because that becomes unwieldy and it will necessarily be incorrect unless there is a direct wordfor-word transcription taken.”

School Board Vice Chair Allison Campbell questioned the timing of the discussion on changing the board’s procedures.

“After hearing attorney Powers explain, I understand it a bit more, but frankly I am interested in why the shift

“I was staggered when I saw it as a board member,’’ he said. “The starting baseline point on any of these items on this five-year plan or the goals are below what I would consider failure. Not that we’re not trying, striving for 100%, but if we’re no higher than say 57, 56, 60 or 63% achievement, I have a real problem with the plan itself getting traction without a complete rework of the baseline.”

Browning continued, “The numbers are so low … if we have a baseline of say 43% success and we’re trying to get to 60%, that would mean a complete failure of any operation. If it was in the military, you’d be in somebody’s prison camp. We have to dig back

She added, “We understand that our benchmark is something much higher in a level we’re wanting to achieve, but our baseline is what it is. The fact that our baseline is not where we want it to be is obvious, thus why we have a five-year strategic plan. I also want to stress that the fiveyear strategic plan that we are getting updates on was approved by this school board on Nov. 9, 2021.”

Campbell noted that all five members were present and voted in favor of the plans during that November meeting.

“We’ve been hearing updates in our work sessions and the team brought to us this past work session additional corrections and changes they wanted to make to it,’’ she said. “That’s what we’re seeing on a monthly basis, so I’m grateful we have a strategic plan and I’m grateful we have a baseline because we know where we need to go from there.”

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN HEALTH

now,’’ she said. “In my opinion, there has been value through the years of being able to see when something was originally addressed and how it became an agenda item or how it transpired throughout a process.”

Board member Don Browning indicated he saw no reason to make a change.

“This must not stand because it would meet the test of management vs mismanagement,’’ he said. “I am not in favor of scrubbing it. I believe this is a gross mistake for the board’s communication and that we must have a workshop on this issue and have it be decided in a considered way.”

After the lengthy discussion, the board voted to approve of the minutes from their meetings on July 26 and Aug. 9 and the work session on Aug. 4.

Board member Nancy Thrower was absent from the meeting, however, and the remaining four members were split on the matter of minutes. They will decide at a later date how to handle the board members’ comments and whether they will be placed in the minutes.

I

f you or a loved one is interested in working in a field that helps save lives and promotes wellness, the College of Central Florida will host an open house that centers on training for a career in health care.

Information about CF’s Health Sciences programs, such as dental assisting, emergency medical services, nursing, physical therapist assistant, radiography and surgical services, will be provided during the college’s Health Sciences Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Health Sciences Simulation Center, Building 16, on the Ocala Campus at 3001 SW College Road.

Access to the health sciences labs, classrooms and campus will be provided. A health sciences advisor will be on hand to help prospective students apply to the college and learn about financial aid.

File photo: Attorney Jeremy Powers listens during a meeting of the Marion County Public School Board at the MTI auditorium in Ocala on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Feds deny increased gopher tortoise protections

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Concluding that the animals are “not in danger of extinction,” federal wildlife officials Tuesday rejected listing gopher tortoises in Florida as endangered or threatened species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a 113-page decision that said gopher tortoises would continue to be considered a threatened species in parts of southwest Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana under the Endangered Species Act.

But it said increased protections are not warranted for gopher tortoises in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and other parts of Alabama, despite issues such as development moving into the animals’ habitats.

“Although the threats to the species of habitat loss and fragmentation due to urbanization, climate change, sea level rise, and habitat management are expected to persist in the foreseeable future and the effects of these threats on this long-lived species will continue at some level, some threats have been reduced and will continue to be reduced through implemented and ongoing conservation actions and regulatory mechanisms,” the agency’s decision said.

But the Center for Biological Diversity, which filed a lawsuit that helped spark a review of the animals’ status, sharply criticized the decision.

“Denying gopher tortoises the protection they need to survive is indefensible,” attorney Elise Bennett, Florida director for the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a prepared statement. “It ignores devastating urban sprawl that’s decimated the tortoise’s habitat and

will continue to drive the species ever closer to extinction.”

Gopher tortoises have long spurred debates in Florida, as development has spread and conservationists have pushed for habitat protections. Gopher tortoises are considered threatened by the state, which has a permitting process for capturing and relocating the animals.

The Legislature this year passed a measure that took steps to increase the sites where gopher tortoises can be moved. In part, the bill (SB 494) directed state agencies to consider using parts of certain public lands as gopher tortoise “recipient” sites. Also, it called for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to “streamline and improve the review of applications for public and private gopher tortoise recipient sites.”

But groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity have long sought increased protections for the animals.

In the lawsuit filed last year in federal court in Washington, D.C., the Center for Biological Diversity accused the Fish and Wildlife Service of “dragging its feet” on listing gopher tortoises and other species as endangered or threatened. A settlement in April led to the review.

The review included scenarios up to 80 years in the future. While it said gopher tortoises are “likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future” in the region that includes southwest Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, that was not the case in areas such as Florida.

“After evaluating threats to the species and assessing the cumulative effect of the threats … we conclude that the risk factors acting on the gopher tortoise and its habitat, either singly or in combination,

are not of sufficient imminence, scope or magnitude to rise to the level to indicate that the species is in danger of extinction now (an endangered species), or likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future (a threatened species), throughout all of its range,” the decision said.

But the Center for Biological Diversity said in a news release that development and habitat loss for gopher tortoises “limits food availability and options for burrow sites, which exposes them to being crushed in their burrows during construction, run over by cars or senselessly attacked by people.”

“This denial is a blow to the gopher tortoise and all the people who care deeply about this humble creature’s future, but we won’t give up,” Bennett said. “We’ll review this decision closely and fight to get the tortoise the protections it needs to survive.”

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.

RE: ESTATE OF PROBATE DIVISION FREDERICK WILLIAM POST, FILE NO. 2022-CP-1951 Deceased.

TO CREDITORS

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LINWOOD E. HILLSGROVE, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2191

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.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ERNEST JOSEPH NASSIF, JR. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2295

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. 1 st 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.

PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY

LIMITATIONS

DECEDENT’S DEATH.

of

ABOVE,

NOT BEEN

of the decedent

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: August 30, 2022

The date of first publication of this Notice is October 7, 2022.

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: JOY

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: August 11, 2022

The date of first publication of this Notice is October 14, 2022.

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: MARGARET J. NASSIF 4242 SE 17th Lane Ocala, FL 34471

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denied a request to list Florida gopher tortoises as endangered or threatened species.

Wikimedia Commons]

IHMC TALK ON “SCIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, BELIEF AND HUMAN NATURE”

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Asenior research scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), Dr. Jeff Phillips has made it his mission to illuminate others on the true nature of scientific inquiry.

Phillips will be the guest lecturer on Oct. 20 at the IHMC campus in Ocala. He will discuss “Science, Knowledge, Belief and Human Nature,” sharing with his audience an inside look at the modern laboratory and the commonly misunderstood and misused core principles of science.

The free event will begin at 6 p.m. preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m.

During his talk, Phillips will explore the core principles of the scientific method “and the foggy intersection between knowledge and belief.” While discussing this juncture, Phillips will reframe science as a set of tools with strict rules regarding their use, rules that provide a systematic approach to problem-solving and discovery.

“Science is imperfect and human, making it difficult to determine what is truly known versus what is a mere idea or delusion,” he said.

In his early career, Phillips was a research psychologist at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory in Pensacola, which is the headquarters city of IHMC. From 2006 to 2011, he worked on projects that ranged from motion sickness to fatigue and hypoxia mitigation as well as the relationship between cognitive workload and decision-making.

Before joining IHMC, the psychologist and University of Alabama graduate spent six years as a research psychologist at the Naval Medical Research Unit in Dayton, Ohio.

In his fieldwork, Phillips looks at the challenges of jet pilots, special-ops personnel and others in the military who are placed in extreme conditions. He worked almost exclusively on hypoxia in tactical aviation (when a person’s oxygen is in short supply and not reaching vital organs).

Phillips also served on a team that was instrumental in getting the F-22 Raptors back in operation.

The Navy recognized his contributions to the F-22 project with the 2012 Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers in the Navy award. The Department of Navy also awarded him its Superior Civilian Service Medal during his tenure at the Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton.

He and his wife, Jessica Warren, have two daughters, Gabby and Olivia. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys farming and the study of mindfulness.

IHMC, located at 15 S.E. Osceola Ave., Ocala, is a not-forprofit research institute of the Florida University System and is affiliated with several Florida universities. Created at the University of West Florida, IHMC has a main campus in historic downtown Pensacola opened in 1999 as part of the city’s urban core revitalization, and a branch campus in Ocala, which opened in 2010.

To register to attend the lecture in Ocala, go to ihmc. us/life/evening_lectures/ ocala-lecture-series

ROCK THE CRADLE AGAIN AT THIS YEAR’S NATURAL FOODS GALA

Jeri Baldwin and her cohorts at Crones’ Cradle Conserve are back after a long hiatus. Celebrate their return during the Natural Foods Gala on Oct. 22.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

The country store is shown at Crone’s Cradle Conserve in Citra on Monday, July 18, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

casserole and okra empanadas.

L

ifelong farmer, Marion County native and community activist Jeri Baldwin is back on the farm this fall after a long COVID hiatus and is celebrating with a revival of Crones’ Cradle Conserve’s popular annual celebration, the Natural Foods Gala.

The event takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the conserve, located at 6411 NE 217th Place, Citra, and will feature educational organic farming presentations, live music, artisan vendors and tapas-style samplings of farm-to-table cuisine.

“We’re going to eat lots and lots of food from the garden and cook it in all kinds of ways, some really special stuff,” Baldwin effused.

Admission is $1 and the food tickets for a 3-ounce portion are $2 each.

“We’re doing small portions so that people can try out a lot of things,” Baldwin said. “No one will have to settle for just one or two things. We priced the tickets so you can buy as much as you wish.”

Food options include southern tomato gravy and homemade biscuits, homemade squash

“We’ve got a couple of games for children,” Baldwin said, assuring that the event will be family friendly.

“We will be moving people from the parking lot down to our farm store on a trailer towed by a tractor and the children can ride as often as they wish. They love it. They love riding through the woods,” Baldwin added.

The Natural Foods Gala celebrates four decades of the conserve’s mission to provide pesticide-free produce to North Central Florida. The 756-acre organic farm draws visitors daily to purchase a rotating crop of vegetables.

Baldwin, who turned 83 this year, has helped empower women over the past half-century through education and community support and has reaped the rewards of her efforts by creating a thriving farming community at Crones’ Cradle Conserve.

Find out more about Crones Cradle Conserve at cronescradleconserve.org and the Natural Foods Gala at facebook. com/Crones-Cradle-ConserveFoundation-278963442184626

State

Lower prices at the pump vaporize

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

Production cuts by OPEC and its allies last week have increased prices and eaten into savings Florida motorists initially saw from the state’s October gas-tax “holiday.”

After the holiday started Oct. 1, most gas stations in Florida posted prices reflecting the month-long suspension of the state’s 25.3-cents-a-gallon gas tax, a break approved this year by lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis in a broader tax package.

But the global action, which has also refueled the issue of gas prices just ahead of the midterm elections, put average pump prices Tuesday just 4 cents below where they stood at the start of the holiday.

“The jump at the pump came as a surprise, as this time a week ago it appeared that the state’s gas-tax holiday would pressure prices lower,” Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for the AAA auto club, said in prepared statement Monday.

The nations that make up OPEC+ agreed last week to reduce oil production by 2 million barrels a day, amid uncertainty across the globe that stems mostly from the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“This sent oil and gasoline futures prices back to five-week highs,” Jenkins said. “As a result, the price for retailers to purchase

gasoline jumped more than 30 cents, erasing any of the downward progress created by the 25-cent sales tax holiday.”

Florida motorists Tuesday were paying an average of $3.34 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, according to AAA. That was better than the national average of $3.92 a gallon, as prices vary widely across the country.

After the gas-tax holiday started, the average price fell from $3.38 on Oct. 1 to $3.17 five days later. As an example of how prices have fluctuated this month, the Pensacola area had the lowest average price at $2.98 on Oct. 5. It was $3.23 on Tuesday.

During appearances last week to discuss Hurricane Ian restoration efforts, DeSantis warned that he expected fuel prices to rise.

“You see what OPEC is doing,” DeSantis said Thursday while in the Sarasota County town of Nokomis.

“Unfortunately, I think that this is likely to go up between now and the end of the year and in the next year. I mean, that’s just what I would bet. I hope that’s not the case. But I think that there’s a lot of ominous signs on the horizon with that.”

On Friday in Daytona Beach, DeSantis put the blame on OPEC and “some of our policies in the United States.”

DeSantis isn’t the only Republican pointing to the increase ahead of the

midterm elections to attack Democrats and President Joe Biden, who had been able to enjoy nearly 100 days of declining fuel prices.

Florida Democrats have restarted an argument that DeSantis could have shifted the gas-tax savings to earlier in the year, when pump prices were over $4 a gallon.

To offset some of the impact, the White

Agencies tangle in concealed weapons ‘Quagmire’

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

In what it described as a “legal quagmire,” the state agency that issues concealed-weapons licenses has sued the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to try to obtain information about why a woman was flagged as ineligible for a license.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Leon County circuit court, involves the interplay between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and FDLE in issuing licenses and conducting background checks. It also focuses on a ruling last year by the 1st District Court of Appeal that required the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to have more information to back up the denial of at least some license applications.

While the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues licenses, FDLE conducts background checks of applicants through a federal database known as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS. If background checks show applicants are ineligible for concealed-weapons licenses, FDLE notifies the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The lawsuit stems from an application submitted by a woman, identified only by the initials M.S. After conducting a background check, FDLE notified the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Licensing that M.S. was ineligible for a concealed-weapon license because of “mental health” reasons, according to the lawsuit.

M.S. disputed the denial and requested a hearing at the state Division of Administrative Hearings. As part of the administrative case, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services sought additional information from FDLE about the mental health issues that would make M.S. ineligible.

But FDLE declined to provide the additional information, which it said was protected from disclosure under a federal rule, according to the lawsuit. Also, FDLE said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was not a law enforcement agency and that providing the information could jeopardize FDLE’s access to the federal

background check system.

In the lawsuit filed Friday, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services wants a circuit judge to require FDLE to comply with a subpoena that seeks the additional information.

While describing itself and the FDLE as “partners in processing applications for concealed weapon licenses,” the licensing agency said it could be “placed in the untenable position of being required to issue a concealed weapon license to an individual even though the top law enforcement agency in Florida has advised that the applicant is a firearm prohibited person for mental health reasons. It is a public safety issue.”

A key underlying issue in the dispute is a June 2021 ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal that said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services improperly denied a concealed-weapon license for a man who said his civil rights were restored after a 1969 conviction in Illinois.

The appeals court said the licensing agency should not have relied only on a check of NICS in denying the application. It described the NICS result as a “starting point” and said it “may be a sign that points toward prohibition, but it is not prohibition itself.”

With M.S. challenging the denial of her application, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says it needs more information to comply with the requirement of the appeals court ruling, which involved a man identified by the initials R.C.

The lawsuit said the licensing agency and FDLE are trying to comply

with state law, but the process has “become stifled by the newly evolved legal quagmire and has resulted in the present impasse.”

“Now that the Division (of Licensing) knows FDLE, the top law enforcement agency in the state, considers M.S. to be a firearm prohibited person, it produces an absurd result to require the division to issue the concealed weapon license only because FDLE will not disclose the information required by R.C. (the 2021 case),” said the lawsuit, which was assigned Monday to Circuit Judge John Cooper.

House, which has criticized oil producers, released 10 million barrels of oil from the nation’s reserves on Thursday, making 190 million barrels released this year.

In remarks on the economy and a September jobs report on Friday, Biden blamed the increase on “what the Russians and the Saudis just did.”

CITIZENS

CLOSER

POLICIES

By Florida News Service

The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. had more than 1.08 million policies as of Friday, as it added nearly 10,000 policies in a week, according to data posted on its website.

Citizens had 1,081,416 policies, up from 1,071,850 a week earlier. Citizens, which was created as an insurer of last resort, has seen massive growth during the past two years as private insurers have dropped policies, and in some cases gone insolvent, amid financial losses.

As a comparison, it had 521,289 policies as of Oct. 31, 2020. Citizens also is grappling with claims from Hurricane Ian, which slammed into Southwest Florida on Sept. 28 and crossed the state.

Citizens last week estimated it would have $2.3 billion to $2.6 billion in losses from the storm.

FLORIDA NEARS 82,000 COVID-19 DEATHS

Florida is nearing 82,000 resident deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic started in 2020, while numbers of newly reported cases continue to drop, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Health.

The data showed that a reported 81,661 residents had died of COVID-19 as of Thursday. That was up from 81,139 deaths in numbers released Sept. 26 by the department. Because of lags in reporting, it is unclear when the additional deaths occurred.

The new data also showed a continued slowing in reported COVID-19 cases. Florida had a reported 10,793 new cases from Sept. 30 through Thursday and 11,837 cases the previous week. As a comparison, it had 65,656 new cases during the week that started July 29.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS CAST TOP 130,000

With the Nov. 8 general election less than a month away, more than 130,000 Floridians have voted by mail, according to numbers posted on the state Division of Elections website.

As of a Tuesday morning count, 130,477 voteby-mail ballots had been cast, while 4.059 million ballots had been provided to voters but not returned. Democrats held a slight edge over Republicans in the ballots cast.

Registered Democrats had mailed in 54,158 ballots, while Republicans had submitted 50,021.

Unaffiliated voters had cast 24,125, while thirdparty voters had cast 2,173.

IAN INSURANCE CLAIMS TOP 400,000

A

s residents and businesses assess damage from Hurricane Ian, the number of insurance claims from the storm has topped 400,000.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation on Friday posted data that showed 408,078 claims had been filed, with estimated insured losses of $3.66 billion. Claims and estimated losses steadily increased throughout the week.

As an example, the Office of Insurance Regulation said Thursday that 375,293 claims had been filed, with estimated insured losses of about $3.28 billion. Of Friday’s totals, 294,871 claims involved residential property, with other claims for such things as auto damage.

The data showed 11,618 claims had been closed with payments made, while 14,611 claims had been closed without payments.

Group sues DeSantis over migrant flight records

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

An open government group Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to force Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to release additional records about a controversial decision last month to fly migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

The Florida Center for Government Accountability filed the lawsuit in Leon County circuit court and alleged that the governor’s office did not comply with requests to release a series of records about the flights.

Among other things, the group sought records, phone logs or text logs that could show communications by DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier about the flights, according to the lawsuit. Also, it sought any records that would show communications with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office about relocating migrants.

The lawsuit said the DeSantis

administration provided records Friday but that they were not “responsive” to requests made Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 under Florida’s public records law.

“None of the records produced by defendants are records sent or received by the EOG (Executive Office of the Governor) or governor,” the lawsuit, filed by Sarasota attorney Andrea Flynn Mogensen and Tampa attorney Matthew Farmer, said. “None of the records are within the timeframe of records sought in the first or second requests.”

The lawsuit said the DeSantis administration provided records that had been “sent to or received from another agency.” It did not detail those records, but the administration released documents Friday to the “Miami Herald” and other news organizations involving the Florida Department of Transportation, which helped carry out the flights.

In an email attached to the lawsuit, the governor’s office described the documents released Friday as the “first production” of records.

“The Office of Open Government (in the governor’s office) has been working to retrieve, review and produce documents responsive to the many public records requests we have received regarding the flights to Martha’s Vineyard,” the email from the office said. “In an effort to produce documents more efficiently, this office is retrieving, reviewing and producing any documents related to the aforementioned flights.”

The two flights of migrants drew national attention and came as DeSantis regularly criticizes the Biden administration on border policy and the handling of undocumented immigrants. DeSantis and other Republicans also have heavily criticized “sanctuary” communities, such as Martha’s Vineyard.

The flights of about 50 people, mostly Venezuelans, started in San Antonio, Texas, stopped at an airport in the Northwest Florida community of Crestview and then headed north to Martha’s Vineyard. The DeSantis

administration tapped into $12 million that the Legislature provided to transport undocumented immigrants from Florida — though part of the controversy has centered on the migrant flights originating in Texas.

Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami Beach, has filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court, alleging the DeSantis administration violated the state Constitution and a separate law. Meanwhile, lawyers representing some asylum seekers flown to Massachusetts filed a potential class action lawsuit against DeSantis, Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and unidentified people who helped recruit the immigrants in Texas.

Every Minute Matters

Know where to go in an emergency.

From stopping a heart attack in its track to treating a stroke at the first sign of symptoms, our team is ready for every emergency. And, with three locations in Marion County, AdventHealth makes it convenient to access expert emergency care 24/7. So when minutes matter most, you never have to delay getting the care that can save you or your loved one’s life.

To find an AdventHealth ER near you, visit

EMERGENCY CARE 24/7

AdventHealth Belleview ER*

6006 SE Abshier Blvd.

Belleview, FL 34420

AdventHealth Ocala

1500 SW 1st Ave.

Ocala, FL 34471

AdventHealth TimberRidge ER*

9521 SW State Road 200

Ocala, FL 34481

*

emergency department is

AdventHealth Ocala. This is not an urgent care center.

care

services

hospital emergency department

People, Places & Things

The Equine Essence

Dunnellon-based artist

By JoAnn Guidry Special to Ocala Gazette

Bold, bright and beautiful, artist Bridget Hanley’s horse paintings emerge from primeval acrylic pours.

“The great thing about acrylic pouring is that you do it with no particular image in mind,” said Hanley, a lifelong horsewoman and artist. “Once the pour dries, then the image will start to talk to you. It’s all in how you see things and that’s how the painting reveals itself.”

Acrylic pours consist of acrylic paint with additives to make it more fluid. The mixture is then poured from cups onto a smooth surface canvas like Luan board, which is a tropical hardwood. The paint then needs to dry for a week before it can be worked with to produce a painting.

“I generally mix three colors in my pours and, once it dries, I then use an acrylic marker to sketch an image. From that, I’ll use brushes, spatulas, art knives—whatever it takes to tease out the painting,” said Hanley, whose kinetic energy infuses her art. “I don’t see in lines, but rather work from color against color. The law of art is light against dark and dark against light. Keeping that in mind leads to something wonderful.”

Equines & Art Growing up, horses and art were an integral part of Hanley’s life.

“I started riding as a child and began taking art glasses in grade school,” said Hanley. “Both were so important to me and led to who I became.”

Through high school, Hanley drew in pen and ink and painted in oil. Surprisingly, horses weren’t her main subjects then.

“My friends and I were very much into rock and roll,” said Hanley. “I would paint rock and roll album covers and posters. It was great fun.”

Hanley attended Salem University in Salem, West Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in equestrian studies. She even took nine months of horseshoeing classes and became a farrier.

“In addition to riding and showing, I began giving hunter lessons while in college,” said Hanley.

But art was also a big part of her curriculum and even became a way for her to earn extra spending money as a college student.

“While in college, I did move on from oil painting to trying other mediums like watercolor and acrylic,” Hanley explained. “I found that I really liked working in acrylic. I love the color palette and that it dries fast. It’s also a medium that you can layer other mediums into, and I like that versatility.”

When her fellow students discovered Hanley’s art talents, they hired her to produce pen and ink sketches. And she used her calligraphy skills to create dorm room signs. Hanley noted that “it was a great way to make some extra money.”

Another skill Hanley acquired in college that complemented her art was picture framing.

“For me, how a painting is framed is very important,” she said. “I see picture framing as an art medium in itself. It just naturally

became part of my art.”

After graduation, Hanley and her now husband Jim, a farrier, moved to the Philadelphia area, where they established their businesses.

“Jim did his horseshoeing and I set up a show hunter farm. I bred, sold, trained and showed warmblood crosses,” Hanley shared. “I also set up my picture framing business.”

Hanley’s days were split between working with the horses in the mornings and running her picture framing business in the afternoons. Weekends were devoted to horse shows.

“We had a great life. But, after 35 years, we decided it was time for a change; time to get away from the Pennsylvania winters,” said Hanley. “We moved to Dunnellon in 2017. My husband retired from horseshoeing but I have continued on with my custom picture framing business. And while I do still give private riding lessons, without a major farm to deal with, I can also concentrate on my art.”

Finding Her Niche

After the move to Dunnellon, Hanley quickly became involved with the area art scene. In 2020, she became the president of Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon. And, about the same time, she began experimenting with acrylic pour.

“I found that medium to be very intriguing,” she said. “The more I did it, the more I liked it. And I found that painting horses in that medium really spoke to me. It allows you to be so creative as the horse comes to life.”

Having done a wide range of acrylic pour horse paintings, Hanley came upon her particular niche of “Skinny Horses” by fluke.

“Jim had built drawers for my artwork station desk and I had these leftovers of long, thin strips, five inches wide and 18 inches long, of smooth Luan board,” said Hanley. “As I looked at them, I saw horse profiles. So, I did acrylic pours on the strips and painted horse heads on them. Those became what I call my ‘Skinny Horse’ series.”

Each “Skinny Horse” is a unique equine character study. The color combinations, the tilt of the head, the flow of the mane and forelock, the ear set and particularly the eye, all reveal each horse’s personality.

“I took my first group of ‘Skinny Horse’ paintings to the Micanopy Art Festival two years ago and I sold out,” said Hanley. “I was both surprised and delighted. I’ve been doing them ever since.”

Hanley has expanded into “Skinny Horse Minis” that are 3-inch x 8-inch paintings.

She also does “Skinny Horse” triptychs, where each of the three 8-inch x 20-inch panels can also be a stand-alone painting.

Her latest line is “Skinny Critters,” which feature cats, dogs, birds and other animals.

“I am really in a good place with my artwork,” said Hanley, who also teaches art classes at Rainbow Springs Art in acrylic pour, watercolor, pen and ink and abstract.

“I love being able to combine my love of horses with my art. It is very gratifying.”

For more information, go to bridgethanleystudio.com and rainbowspringsart.com

Bridget Hanley captures the spirit of horses through acrylic pour art.

“Grazing Horse”

“Sunset Pony”

“Rainbow”

“I found that I really liked working in acrylic. I love the color palette and that it dries fast.”

Bridget Hanley

Florida

Calling all Libras! It’s our month and if you’re fortunate to be one of us (born between September 22 and October 23), you are blessed with these desirable qualities: You are well-balanced, you love symmetry, you’re an idealist, a diplomat and a great listener. (Sounds good to me.) To celebrate, let’s focus on some October people, places and events around Florida.

1. This Florida A&M grad from Jacksonville was dubbed the “World’s Fastest Man” when he won the gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He is:

A. Carl Lewis

B. Usain Bolt

C. Michael Phelps D. Bob Hayes

2. In October 1883, he became our first sitting president to visit Florida when he went bass fishing in Reedy Creek, 88 years before Disney World. He is:

A. James Buchanan B. Chester Arthur

C. John Tyler

D. Abe Lincoln

3. This month an internationally known household company celebrates 69 years of headquartering in Kissimmee. The company is:

A. Rubbermaid

B. Amway C. Tupperware D. Farberware

4. In 1873, after she wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” Harriet Beecher Stowe came to Mandarin where she wrote this memoir that became a Florida travel guide. It is:

A. “Leaves of Glass”

B. “Palmetto Leaves”

C. “Our Town”

D. “Florida on $1.00 a Day”

5. Considered the brainchild of the famous Olympic swimmer Newt Perry of Ocala, this Florida attraction celebrates its 75th anniversary in October. It is:

A. Weeki Wachee Springs

B. Cypress Gardens

C. Legoland

D. Six Gun Territory

6. He was born October 20, 1950, he died on October, 2 2017, a park was named for him in his Gainesville neighborhood in October 2019.

He is:

A. Bo Diddley

B. Ray Charles C. Jim Morrison

D. Tom Petty

7. In October 1965, Gatorade, the world’s first sports drink, was used for the first time by the Florida

Gators, whose head coach was:

A. Bobby Bowden

B. Bob Woodruff

C. Ray Graves D. Doug Dickey

8. He became commanding general of the US Army in the Civil War, but in October 1841, he was a green lieutenant in the Seminole Wars. He is:

A. William Tecumseh Sherman

B. U.S. Grant

C. Kirby Smith D. Robert E. Lee

9. It was exactly 60 years ago that thousands of U.S. troops were deployed to bases in Florida for this major Cold War confrontation.

It is the:

A. Mariel boatlift

B. Cuban missile crisis

C. Tet offensive

D. Bay of Pigs

10. Although he didn’t graduate from Florida, this Libra is a great benefactor to UF who named the stadium after him. He is:

A. Reuben Askew

B. Ben Hill Griffin

C. Steve Spurrier D. Charlie Crist

Hello, Ocala!

Meet your neighbor: Retired U.S. Air Force Captain Kenneth Featherling

By Eadie Sickler Correspondent

When Kenneth Featherling graduated from his East Saint Louis, Illinois, high school in 1969, and joined the U.S. Air Force so he could see the world, he embarked on a career path that would see him succeed in both the military and later law enforcement.

Featherling’s Air Force career covered 22 years, taking him to Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, California, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Hawaii. In addition, he has traveled to Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Kuwait.

His first assignment was in Columbus, Ohio, working as a mechanic on C130 cargo planes. He then was sent to Vietnam, then Thailand.

While progressing through various duty stations, he was able to further his education, earning a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration. Featherling rose up the ranks in the Air Force and became an air traffic controller, later an instructor in that area, then a combat controller.

Following the air traffic controller career path, he was stationed at Kincheloe Air Force Base in Sault St. Marie, Michigan, where the B-52 planes there were loaded with nuclear weapons on board.

This was during the cold war in the early 1970s, he said. In explaining the intensity of that assignment, he said the pilots lived in dormitories right next to the airplane hangars. When alarms sounded, the pilots had 15 minutes to get into their gear, into the cockpit, and to taxi onto the runway, ready for takeoff. His job as an air traffic controller was to immediately order the runways cleared of any snowplows or anyone and anything else, because the planes were going to take off, no matter what. Asked if he was nervous about being around the nuclear weapons, he said “After being in Vietnam, that wasn’t scary.”

Featherling applied to be an air traffic controller instructor, and he eventually was stationed at the Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. He then was chosen by the administrator at the school to teach Air Force combat controllers. “I liked the action of being a controller,” he said. The controllers persuaded him to become a combat controller himself. “I’m an adrenalin junkie,” Featherling confessed.

On a temporary duty assignment in Seattle, he was trained to jump out of airplanes in addition to learning escape and evasion, survival training, water survival and POW training. In combat control training, the service members were taught to eat snakes and bugs for protein.

“You just skin the snake, cook them and eat them!” he said.

“They are not bad. You just have to get used to doing that. It has

been proven bugs and crickets and snakes have more protein than beef. Asian people eat them all the time. You have to have that mind-set. Americans do not have that mind-set. If you want to survive, you eat them.”

On one of the night jumps, he landed wrong, and broke his back. He decided he did not want to risk becoming paralyzed if something else were to happen on another jump, so in 1980, he separated from active duty and went into the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) as an officer cadet.

After completing his degrees at that time, he advanced to the rank of 2nd lieutenant, and went to Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, to train to be an air weapons controller.

“You use a radar scope,” he explained. “You can see our pilots and planes and can pinpoint enemy plane locations. You tell them (the pilots) where to go to get them!” With this training, he was stationed in Germany for five years. “The Berlin Wall was still intact then,” he related, adding “That was very interesting.”

While stationed in Germany, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, what was then part of the Soviet Union, blew up in 1986. “The radiation cloud blew right over the top of our base,” Featherling recalled.

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, was his next assignment. There, he worked with the Army as an air weapons controller for three years.

Featherling said he was then offered his choice of being stationed in South Carolina or

Hawaii. He chose South Carolina because the commander there had asked for him by name. They had a good rapport from having served together in a previous military situation. Before he was to leave for South Carolina, the commander died, but Featherling still went to South Carolina in 1990.

His stay was not long, however, because soon after he arrived, the Desert Storm war broke out in Kuwait, and he was immediately sent there. He and his fellow service members were told they were leaving the same day and they were not even allowed to tell their families where they were going.

Featherling said he was chosen to go because he had been to Saudi Arabia several times before in his career and understood the political system and the culture.

“They had ‘religious police’,” he said. “They had lots of cultural rules and they enforced them.” He was there for the duration of the war, being the “first one in and the last one out.”

It was 130 degrees there, Featherling remembers, adding, “I didn’t want to go back.” In 1991, he decided to retire, having advanced to the rank of captain. His superiors encouraged him to stay in the service and earn the rank of major, but he stuck with his decision to retire.

Featherling, however, said he “wasn’t very good at retirement.”

“I always wanted to be a cop,” he said. “I liked the uniform.”

He returned to the Columbus, Ohio, area, and began working as a patrol officer on the street, advancing to the rank of supervisor. He was with the police force for 16 years and was occasionally injured on duty.

There were difficult situations where fights ensued, he said, adding that this affected his previous injuries incurred in the military. “The older you get, the longer it takes to heal,” he added.

While in Columbus, Featherling received an award from the Ohio Attorney General for his work in the area of missing and exploited children. In his last several years there, 77 arrests were made of sexual predators.

“So many people, and especially children, are scammed and lured by many methods used by criminals in the world,” he said.

“People need to be very careful who they are talking to today.”

He retired from police work as a sergeant in 2007.

Medals Featherling has earned include a Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, one Army Commendation Medal, and “lots of medals during my Vietnam and Desert Storm assignments” he related. In police work, he received three life-saving medals and three for

outstanding service.

“I’m used to doing things,” Featherling said, and he joined the Crime Scene Investigation Unit in San Antonio, Texas, for about six months before requiring a hip replacement, and had to stop that work. “As I said, I’m not good at retirement” Featherling said, explaining he then moved to Hawaii where he joined the FBI. That lasted only about four months. “You could drive around the entire island in five hours. Nothing changes. There were too many tourists, it was expensive,” he said, explaining his ensuing move to work with the FBI in Salt Lake City, Utah, for several months. The cold weather there hurt his bones, he said, and he could not stand to stay there.

Featherling is married, and asked what his wife, Maureen, thought about all of his adventures, he said, “She thinks I’m crazy!”

She agreed. “We’re like rolling stones,” she said. “We were never in one place for too long.”

The couple met on Featherling’s first duty assignment in Columbus, Ohio, where she lived. He was working on gunships at that time.

They have two sons, Kenneth Jr., who works with the FBI in Washington, DC, and Adam, who works for Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in charge of the seven OSU Police Department extension campuses. “They have their dad’s DNA.” Maureen exclaimed.

The pair moved to their son’s home in DC for a couple of years and traveled for enjoyment to South America, Australia, Argentina, and Chile.

In talking of her time as a military wife and mom, Maureen said, “We both had the wanderlust, and it was perfect for us at the time.”

The pair researched many areas in which to live in their retirement, choosing Ocala because they like the weather.

“It’s not as hot as Texas,” they shared. A sister-in-law lives in Tampa but they found it is more expensive than in Ocala, they said. “There are fewer alligators here, and a lot less possibility of hurricane devastation here,” they said, adding “All cruise ports are nearby, too, and we love to take cruises.”

Despite a 100% disability rating from both the military, and from his police work, Featherling still is not taking life lying down. He volunteers with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit, the SO Citizens Police Academy, CERT (Civilian Emergency Response Team), and he has taken classes at the Master the Possibilities facility at On Top of the World where the couple lives. He belongs to the fishing club and the woodworking club at OTOW.

TO CELEBRATE 35TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A DOUBLE FEATURE

The College of Central Florida will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Appleton Museum of Art with Oct. 25 screenings of two vastly different films, but which share in common a connection to Ocala’s premier museum.

One is a B-horror flick in time for Halloween and the other is a classic Danish drama that sinks its teeth into a banquet of haute cuisine and delicious ruminations on altruism and the fortune that comes with having an artistic spirit.

“House of Dracula” (NR, USA, 1945, 67 min.) features the starlet, Martha O’Driscoll Appleton, museum co-founder and wife of Arthur Appleton. The couple founded the museum along with Arthur’s sister, Edith Appleton.

The Hollywood-Ocala icon

stars with Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man and John Carradine as the famous vampire. It’s an unintentionally campy B-movie that has all the staples: a creepy house party, frightened guests, a host who opts for blood as his bevy of choice and, for bonus frights, a young man who turns into a growling canine hybrid in the glow of the full moon.

“Babette’s Feast” (G, Denmark, 1987, 102 min.) was released the year the Appleton Museum opened. The Danish classic centers on a French housekeeper who wins a lottery cash prize and spends it on a lavish meal. Over the many courses of her meal, we learn there’s something more to Babette, something that belies the apron and her rank in society, something that confounds her guests, a

gathering of pious villagers in 19th-century Denmark.

A personal favorite of Pope Francis and Alton Brown, “Babette’s Feast” won the 1987 Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and the BAFTA Film Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The double feature begins at noon at the Appleton Museum and 5 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, 3001 S.W. College Road. Films at the CF Campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission.

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

community

OCTOBER 14 & 21

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala

9am-2pm

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

OCTOBER 15 & 22

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

9am

Stretch out by the Sholom Park stage; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

OCTOBER 15 & 22

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

OCTOBER 15 & 22

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, homegrown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

OCTOBER 15

Family-Friendly Pumpkin Carving and Painting Event

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 10 am-12 pm

The Marion Cultural Alliance and Signature Brands invite families to learn tips and tricks for carving a pumpkin. First 50 families will receive a free Pumpkin Masters carving kit and a pumpkin. Professional artist David D’Alessandris will inspire young and old to create a painted pumpkin. For more info, go to FB.com/events/626045655442887 or call (352) 369-1500.

OCTOBER 15

Two Rivers Music Festival & Food

Truck Rally

Ernie Mills Park, 11908 Bostick St., Dunnellon 5pm-10pm

Multiple live bands will appear, along with vendor booths and food trucks. For more info, FB.com/ tworiversmusicfestivaldunnellon

OCTOBER 15

Ocala Cars & Music Show

Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 11am-4pm

Enjoy food trucks, music from Left on Broadway, Glass Onion and the Kimber Davis Band, and more. Part of the event proceeds will benefit the new Community Music Conservatory. See reillyartscenter.com for more info.

OCTOBER 15-16 (RESCHEDULED)

Ocala Home Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Building Expo 2, 1598 NW 87th Court Road, Ocala 10am-5pm

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

OCTOBER 14-16

Ocala Dog Ranch Dock & Disc Ocala Dog Ranch, 440 SW 110th Ave, Ocala 9am-5pm Dogs, run, jump and dive into pools of water in canine athletic feats. See northamericandivingdogs.com or ocaladogranch. com for more info.

OCTOBER 15

Bunco Babes Ocala Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Banquet Hall, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 7pm

This fundraiser has a Roaring ‘20s theme for the “Prohibition of Cancer,” with dinner, dancing, raffles, a costume contest and more. Tickets are $25 and available from Ocala Lady Jeweler, www. ladyjeweler.com/

government

OCTOBER 17 & 24

Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala

9am Reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

OCTOBER 18

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon

5:30pm

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

OCTOBER 18

OCTOBER 16

Bark in the Park Doggy Expo

Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala

1pm-4pm

The Senior Resource Foundation sponsors this dog fest with vendors, food trucks, music and demonstrations. Proceeds will benefit Marion County Animal Services and Meals on Wheels. Free to attend. For more info, see srfofocala.org/events/

OCTOBER 19

CF Entrepreneurship Academy Info Session

College of Central Florida, Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

12:30pm

Check out the new academy, with classes starting in Spring of 2023. Information about classes, registration and CF admittance. For more, see CF.edu/entrepreneurshipacademy

OCTOBER 20-23

Ocala Dressage Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

All day

Check out the fancy steps, pirouettes and piaffes at this USDF rated dressage show. Tests for youth riders, pony classes, para dressage and up to Grand Prix level riding, plus freestyle tests done to music. Food and drink options onsite, free parking. For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

OCTOBER 21

LEAF Series: From Flower to Honey

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 10:30 am

Beekeeper Rubbin Loos will give a honey of a presentation and explain how beehives work together and thrive. Registration is $5, in advance only, and includes a taste of honey and the chance to win two pounds of the golden nectar. Limited space available; see sholompark.org/events/leafseries-from-flower-to-honey/ for more info.

OCTOBER 21-22

Junior League Ocala Autumn Gift Market

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala Friday, 6pm-9pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm Start your holiday shopping with arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, home décor, specialty items and more Tickets are $5-$15. See ocala.jl.org for more info.

OCTOBER 22

Hospice of Marion County Arts & Crafts Fair

The Elliott Center, 3231 SW 34th Ave., Ocala

9am-2pm Artists, crafters and other vendors. For more info, hospiceofmarion.com/calendar/hmc-arts-crafts-fair/

OCTOBER 22

Natural Foods Gala & Sustainability Festival

Crones’ Cradle Conserve Foundation, 6411 NE 217th Place, Citra 10am-3pm

Learn about sustainable living and agriculture with hands-on workshops, speakers and samples of home-grown foods. Crafts and vendor booths. Admission is $1; food sample tickets are $2. For more info, cronescradleconserve.org/

OCTOBER 22

On Top of the World Craft Fair

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 10am-3pm

Unique gifts, from jewelry to home décor, artwork to clothing, will be on display and for sale. Entertainment by Fred Campbell. Shops will be open with food and snack options. See ontopoftheworldinfo.com/annual-craft-fair/ for more info.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 5

Diaper Drive Publix markets

The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Publix Supermarkets and United Way Success By Six are hosting a diaper drive Oct. 15 through Nov. 5. Unopened packages of disposable diapers and baby wipes can be dropped off at any Ocala, Belleview or Dunnellon Publix Supermarket location. For more information, call (352) 369-2315 or visit elcmarion.org.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

Coon Hollo Farm Fall Festival

Coon Hollo Farm, 22480 Highway 441, north of McIntosh Fridays 4pm-7pm; Saturdays 10am-7pm; Sundays 12pm-7pm

Pony rides, archery, crop maze, hay fort and farm animals. Tickets are $13. Food and drink for sale. For more info, coonhollo.com

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall, 5342 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm-8pm

Meets the first and thirds Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

OCTOBER 18

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

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

9am Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

OCTOBER 18

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Planning & Zoning Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 2pm Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month after the regular morning meeting. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

OCTOBER 18

City of Ocala City Council Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala

4pm Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

civic

OCTOBER 13 & 20

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome.

Supports vision health and diabetes prevention.

More info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl/

arts

OCTOBER 15

Phantasmagoria XIII: Poe

“Through the Tales Darkly” Reilly Arts Center, 900 NE 5th St., Ocala

2pm & 7pm

Using music, puppetry, dance and storytelling, this troupe presents Victorian horror with a modern-day celebration of Poe’s best work. Tickets are $25; see reillyartscenter.com for more info.

OCTOBER 17 & 24

Hope for the Ocklawaha Artist Talks

Hope House, 13 NE 36th Ave., Ocala 6pm

The “Water and the Wildlife of the Ocklawaha” mural, art exhibits and artist talks take place during October with a mural by Drake Arnold in progress. On Oct. 17, Arnold will speak about his mural art. On Oct. 24, Karen Chadwick will discuss her soapstone sculptures of the wildlife of the Ocklawaha River. Free to the public. Bring a chair or blanket; snacks and beverages provided. For more info, (352) 229-2887.

OCTOBER 22

Park After Dark: Music from Turkey Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 6pm

Guitarist Daryal Kafkasso shares his Turkish heritage with music. K&S 7 Spice will serve Mediterranean style entrees and desserts. Bring a lawn chair. Tickets are $15. For more info, sholompark.org/events/park-after-dark-turkey/

OCTOBER 22

“Nosferatu” Silent Film with Live Music Marion Theatre, 50 SE Magnolia Ave., Ocala 7:30pm

This is the 100th anniversary of one of the seminal horror film classics. Live music from renowned musician and organist Joshua Mazur will add to the creepiness and get you in the Halloween mood. Tickets from $25; see reillyartscenter.com for more info.

OCTOBER 22 & 23

Ocala Arts Festival

Historic Downtown Ocala, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 10am-5pm

More than 180 artists are slated. Local performers, hands-on activities, children’s art projects and more. Food trucks slated include Big Lee’s BBQ, Papa Pineapple, Curbside Cuisine,

OCTOBER 14 & 21

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala

10am-12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

OCTOBER 14 & 21

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala 12pm

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

OCTOBER 19

General Francis Marion Stamp Club

Public Library Headquarters, Room B, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1pm

The club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month and in October, the library features members’ collections on display. Newcomers welcome. For more info, elliotn27@aol.com.

Kona Ice and the Krafty Kettle. Free parking and admission. For more info, see fafo.org/festival

THROUGH OCTOBER 31

Halloween Films

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala Showtimes vary, see website

Scary movies all month long. Tickets $5; see mcaocala.org for more info

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

“DRACULA”

Ocala Civic Theatre

Times vary

Directed by Timothy Williams, “DRACULA” runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 6. There will be 15 performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger. (Not recommended for children.) Call (352) 2362274, visit the box office or buy tickets online at ocalacivictheatre.com.

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

Invented Observations:

Photographs by Steven Benson

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

Ocala

Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Professor, educator and artist Benson’s work represents the human search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org for details.

THROUGH DECEMBER 9

A Floral Retrospective by Gregory

Dirr

Ocala City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

Dirr emphasizes environmental conservation in his interdisciplinary artworks. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JANUARY 2023

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier

Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala

Hours vary per airport operations

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

& &music nightlife

OCTOBER 14 & 21

Courtyard Jams

Cliff Dorsey

CAROLINE

OCTOBER 14

Mark Outland

OCTOBER

Jeff Jarrett

North Marion defeats Vanguard

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

For years, North Marion and Vanguard has been one of the most intense rivalries in the central part of Florida because both programs are consistently good and have rosters full of collegelevel talent.

Friday night at Booster Stadium featured a reeling North Marion Colts team that had lost at home the past two weeks and the Vanguard Knights, coming off a heartbreaking loss to Buchholz on a last-second field goal.

The game had a defensive flavor in the beginning as the teams first four drives combined featured three punts and an interception by Colts cornerback R’Jayvious Johnson. After Johnson’s interception, Colts quarterback AJ Cussins connected with Titus Williams for a 59-yard completion, the longest play of the night for the Colts.

A few plays after the big gain by Williams, senior kicker Serguey Garcia nailed a 20-yard field goal to give the Colts a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. Vanguard was able to drive into North Marion territory on the ensuing drive but turned the ball over on downs after quarterback Fred Gaskin’s pass attempt on fourth down was incomplete.

On the next play, senior wide receiver Elija Walton, who did not play in North Marion’s loss to Eastside this past Monday, made his presence felt as he won a jump ball for a 28-yard gain on trick play pass thrown by Johnson. Two plays later, Cussins found Walton for a 14-yard gain.

Having Walton back in action played a huge role in getting the stagnant Colts offense back into gear after two weeks of scoring less than 10 points.

“I was ready to go tonight, I was missing out on Monday,” Walton said. He finished with five receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown.

A late hit out of bounds penalty by the Vanguard defense on third-and-long gave Cussins the opportunity to sneak up the middle for nine yards on fourth-and-one. Williams would score on a twoyard run on the following play, the extra point was blocked and kept the Colts lead to 9-0.

Vanguard had one more opportunity to score before halftime but a sack from junior defensive lineman Antwuan Hampton got the Knights behind the chains and would run out the clock.

The opening kickoff of the second half was the appetizer for a third quarter full of fireworks as junior wide receiver Tay Leslie returned the kick to the Colts 15-yard line. The great field position allowed Vanguard to get on the scoreboard with a 34yard field goal from senior kicker Matt Gomez.

On the following drive, the Knight defense stepped up and sacked Cussins twice to force a punt. The Colts defense were able to force a punt also but a roughing the punter penalty gave the Knights offense new life and Gaskin would connect with sophomore wide receiver Cameron King for a 28-yard touchdown just four plays later. The extra point gave Vanguard it’s first lead of the night with 51 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Colts answered at a lightning-quick pace with a 20-yard reception by junior wide receiver Kenyon Stocker and a 55-yard touchdown pass to Walton, who was left wide open down the left sideline on a busted coverage.

A mere 15 seconds left in the quarter was plenty of time for Vanguard senior wide receiver Josh

Rembert as he returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Knights a 17-15 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

North Marion was driving into Vanguard territory when a fumble, recovered by junior defensive end Jawarran Curtis, gave the ball to Gaskin and the offense. Unfortunately, the Knights could not capitalize as they fumbled on the very next play. Defensive end Andrew Zock came up with the recovery.

A sack by Knights senior defensive end Riley Smith put the Colts into a precarious situation with third and 14 at midfield. A seven-yard completion to Walton set up a fourth and 7. Cussins launched a pass down the right sideline and a defensive pass interference flag allowed the Colts to continue the drive.

Five of the next six plays were carries by Williams and Johnson, which set up the go-ahead 21-yard field by senior kicker Serguey Garcia with 3:07 left to go.

Garcia, in his first year of playing football, has never been in the situation of having to make a high-pressure kick that could give his team the lead. Even with the pressure, Garcia was not fazed by the moment.

“When I go up to kick, I just think about kicking the ball through the uprights. I just stay calm, have fun and I like the pressure,” he said.

With just over three minutes to play, Gaskin and the offense had enough time to drive down the field and take the lead. The Knights offense did just that as Gaskin found senior wide receiver Lenard Hill for a 15-yard gain, Rembert for six yards and then calling his own number for a six-yard run to get a first down.

The Knights had first and 10 on the Colts 20-yard line, but a holding call moved them back 10 yards. An eight-yard completion to King gave Gomez a 36-yard field goal opportunity. Gomez got enough distance on the kick, but it was wide left by a few feet and sealed the 18-17 win for the Colts.

It is the first time since 2015 that North Marion has won at Booster Stadium and head coach Greg Carr was delighted with his team’s efforts following a district loss just four days prior.

“We came out and played hard and I’m proud of my team and the effort they gave. We faced adversity, we came out and kept fighting to be in this type of situation. I’m proud of my guys and what we were able to accomplish tonight,” he said.

On the other end of the tough loss, Vanguard head coach Ed Farmer was in good spirits and is optimistic about the remainder of his team’s season.

“It was a great football game tonight; I didn’t expect no less. It’s just one of those things where it didn’t go our way,” he said.

He continued, “We got to get focused on districts, we have to win our district outright and we have two (district games) coming up. So that’s where were at right now.”

The Knights fall to 3-3 and will host Tavares Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Rembert and King were upset with the loss, and both said that the game was a wake-up call for the team and practice would be intense this week.

For the Colts, they improve to 5-2 on the season and will host West Port Friday at 7 p.m.

Walton was sure to express that he is happy with the victory but there is more work to be done.

“We’re going to work harder; we can’t settle, and we know what we are capable of doing. We just have to go out there and do it.”

Vanguard’s quarterback Fred Gaskin (4) battles for extra yardage as North Marion defenders try to stop him during a football game at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

North Marion’s Jaleighk Patterson (22) breaks up a pass intended for Vanguard’s Lenard Hill (11).

North Marion’s Titus Williams (4) pushes Vanguard’s Joshua Rembert (1) out of bounds.

Trinity Catholic rolls past Leon in volleyball

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

The Trinity Catholic volleyball team tuned up for next week’s district tournament by cruising past Leon (Tallahassee) in straight sets by scores of 25-9, 2511 and 25-15 on Tuesday night.

The loss dropped Leon to 5-18 on the season, while the win, on a night Trinity Catholic honored six seniors, was its 10th in a row and improved the Celtics to an impressive 14-3 on the season.

“We’re working really hard to try and compete at a level and stay at a level and whoever comes into our gym we’re trying to make sure we play the best we can that night, and tonight we did that,” said Trinity Catholic veteran coach Jeff Reavis. “It’s senior night with six seniors and you have tears and all of that stuff, but you still have to turn around and play a game and I thought we did a really good job of that.”

Trinity Catholic came out focused from the first point of match and jumped out to an

18-7 lead in the first set as senior outside hitter Kiana Laborde had four of her match-high18 kills.

Leon, which was paced by junior outside hitter Amelia Haggins’ six kills, tried to make a run, but Trinity Catholic kept the offensive pressure on as junior middle hitter Rose Gravel found the floor with a pair of spikes and teamed with senior Ameila Fitzpatrick for a block to give the first set to the Celtics.

Leon was much more competitive in the second set as Haggins and Sydni Hunter scored points at the net as the Lions trailed 14-10.

Trinity Catholic went on an 8-0 run behind three service aces from junior Cole Crews and excellent play at the net by junior outside hitter Avery Campise and junior Elayna Johnson.

Leon was able to stop the run momentarily, but the Celtics eased to the second set win.

Trinity Catholic made sure its seniors would have a memorable night by jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the third set as Fitzpatrick had a block and

Laborde drilled several kill shots past the Lion defenders.

Leon mounted a rally to pull within 13-8, but Trinity Catholic flexed its muscles and pulled away as Laborde had a dink shot and a pair of spikes and Johnson added a block and spike of her own.

Trinity Catholic finished with a flourish as junior Hope Willis had a block and a spike and senior Shyanne Marker had a service ace to give the Celtics the set and match.

Trinity Catholic closes the regular season out with a road match at state powerhouse Santa Fe on Thursday night. The Celtics begin defense of their Class 3A-District 4 championship next week.

“I’m really excited about this group,” coach Reavis said. “I haven’t talked about it very much this season but everyone is back and it’s just a whole different animal. It’s exciting and scary good sometimes. Santa Fe will be a good match for us and then we’re just going to concentrate on being competitive and see where it takes us.”

Photos By Bruce Ackerman

Gazette

Tallahassee Leon’s Amelia Haggins (5) spikes the ball past Trinity Catholic’s Emily Hirst (9) and Elayna Johnson (98).

Trinity Catholic’s Amelia Fitzpatrick (0) and Rose Gravel (2) combine to block a spike from Tallahassee Leon during a volleyball match at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.

Trinity Catholic’s Mckenna Yates (5) makes a dig.

Trinity Catholic’s Amelia Fitzpatrick (0) sets the ball.

Dunnellon picks up third win in a row following shutout of Belleview

“We’re proud of their effort. It was a long week for us; their resiliency, toughness and ability to strap it back up tonight. Just proud of their effort,” he said.

Sutton and his coaching staff are breaking in a freshman at quarterback in Dylan Curry and having a dependable rushing attack takes some pressure off Curry when needed.

“That’s what we hang our hat on, to be physical and run the ball. Dylan Curry is getting better and better but still have a ton of work on and he knows that. He’s leading our offense and doing a good job,” Sutton said.

The Tigers offense put the defense into a couple of tough situations due to two lost fumbles and an interception, but the defense held strong and pitched its first shutout of the season.

“We preach an attacking style defense, so every time we were able to take the field on defense, it’s an opportunity. That’s how we look at it, it’s an opportunity to show what we can be and do our job the correct way,” Sutton said.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Dunnellon Tigers and Belleview Rattlers faced off at The Strike Zone at Brent Hall Field in Belleview on Friday night.

Dunnellon, coming off a district win just three days earlier versus Hernando had to deal with a Belleview team playing for the first time in three weeks.

Despite the advantage in scheduling, the Rattlers struggles on offense continued and the Tigers used two rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Dylan Donahoe and a rushing touchdown from junior running back/wide receiver Lacodrick Brown to take home an 18-0 win.

Belleview had the tall task of replacing multiple starters out due to suspension from conduct detrimental to the team and an injury to their starting kicker. Rattlers head coach Brian Lane was adamant that there are no excuses and it’s about the next man up.

“We had a significant amount of players out tonight that could have contributed to the game. We had young players in positions that don’t have a lot of experience. It showed up offensively and we couldn’t get anything going. Hats off to the Dunnellon defense, but we have to find something to get the offense going,” he said.

Even with the tough loss, Lane saw some positives on Friday night. “Our defense played their hearts out and they

kept us in the game.”

When asked about the younger players getting experience, Lane was happy they showed up ready to play and battled.

“I think you’re going to take your licks. The seven freshman we played tonight, three years from now they will say that this game helped them. We’re going to be good. Its my first year here and we’re trying to change the culture. Lots of guys got an opportunity tonight to show us what they’re capable of doing,” he said.

For Tigers head coach Thomas Sutton, his team is on a roll with three consecutive wins and he was pleased with the effort the team gave after playing just three days prior.

The loss pushes the Rattlers to 2-3 on the season and they will start district play at Leesburg Friday at 7 p.m. Coach Lane is confident his team will respond and be prepared for battle.

“I expect them to respond how they usually do. We always come back ready to work. I told our guys tonight, our district play opens next week, and we still have everything in front of us.”

As for the Tigers, the win improves their record to 4-2 on the season and they will travel to face Crystal River at 7 p.m. Friday. The goals at practice this week were clear for Sutton and his team.

“The beautiful thing about what this place is built on is it’s about us. We worry about us Monday through Thursday. Obviously, we line up to what the other team does but we just focus on being the best version of ourselves,” he said.

Spend an evening getting to know IHMC’s very own Dr. Jeffrey Brooks Phillips as he pulls away the veil on the true nature of scientific inquiry. Popular culture has distorted the concept of science to represent a collection of irrefutable facts only questioned by the hopelessly ignorant. Dr. Phillips will set the record straight and provide his audience with an insightful glimpse inside the modern laboratory and the commonly misunderstood and misused core principles of science. Dr. Phillips will focus on reframing science as a set of tools, with strict rules regarding their use, that provide a systematic approach to problem solving and discovery. As such, there is no certainty in science nor any fact that is irrefutable. Jeff will show that experimental methods and statistical analyses are objective but interpretation and inference is often very subjective. Viewers will learn that the veracity of any scientific conclusion rests on the integrity of the practitioner, the skill with which they apply logic and reason, and their ability to maintain objectivity despite the risk associated with being proven wrong. Like scientists, science is imperfect and human, making it difficult to determine what is truly known versus what is mere idea or delusion. Join us as we casually explore the core principles of the scientific method and the foggy intersection between knowledge and belief.

Vanguard tops St. John Lutheran in volleyball

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

With postseason play beginning in a week and a half, the Vanguard and St. John Lutheran volleyball teams are focused on getting ready to play their best when it matters most.

The two squads got together on Wednesday night with Vanguard easing past St. John Lutheran by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 21-25 and 25-20 in a very competitive match.

The hard-fought victory improved the Class 5A Vanguard Knights to 8-9 on the season.

“It was a fun match and what I expected,” said Vanguard coach Luis Perez. “I have a lot of respect for St. John Lutheran and coach Brad Ewers because they played hard and fought for every point. We were looking to play someone that would make us work and they did. We’re focusing on finishing the season strong and being healthy for districts.”

The loss dropped the Class 2A St. John Saints to 17-4 overall.

“It was exciting to have Vanguard in here,” said St. John

Lutheran coach Brad Ewers. “They have a great program and we’re trying to play some really good teams to help us get better to prepare for the postseason. I thought we fought the entire match and kept battling even when we were behind. We got a lot of our hitters involved and that was exciting to see.”

The first set was tied five times, the last time at 13-13, before Vanguard pulled away behind the solid play of sophomore middle hitter Lillian Hart, who had three of her 14 kills, and senior outside hitter Ruby Owen, who added three of her team-high 16 kills.

A St. John Lutheran service error and a service ace by Vanguard’s Sachi Patel gave the Knights the 25-21 win.

St. John looked to be in control of the second set after building a 20-14 lead behind excellent play by sophomore outsider hitter Rylee Palmateer, who had several of her match-high 20 kills.

But Vanguard rallied as Owen found the floor with several powerful spikes and sophomore Sarah Beville had a block and

a spike to tie the score at 23. The next two points were long and exciting rallies with Owen finishing both with spikes to give the Knights’ the 25-23 victory.

The third set was the opposite of the second as Vanguard cruised to a 17-12 lead before St. John stormed back to tie the score at 20-20. Sophia Ochoa had two of her 15 kills and Palmateer added several more as the Saints took the third set by a score of 25-21.

Vanguard regrouped and came out firing on all cylinders in the fourth set to take an 18-11 lead. Once again St. John rallied to pull within 23-19.

Vanguard junior middle hitter Ronya Hamed drilled a winner and Owen nailed a cross-court spike to seal the victory for the Knights.

“This was a good win and it’s been a tough season with the injuries we’ve had,” coach Perez said.

Vanguard is at Santa Fe on Thursday night.

St. John is back in action on Tuesday night with a home match against The Rock (Gainesville).

Photos

Vanguard’s

John

Sophia

Vanguard’s Sophie Reed (28) battles at the net with St. John Lutheran’s Arisa Ford (6) and Rylee Palmateer (9).

Vanguard’s Sophie Reed (28) digs the ball against St. John Lutheran.

FOOTBALL

October 3rd

OCT. 3

BOARD

VOLLEYBALL SCORES

October 3rd

Redeemer Christian

Seven Rivers

John Lutheran

Saint Francis Catholic

October 4th

Trinity Catholic

West Port

(19-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-21, 15-13)

St. John Lutheran

Belleview

(25-15, 25-17, 25-16)

Lake Weir

Dunnellon

(25-27, 25-20, 26-24, 25-22)

Fountain Academy

Redeemer Christian

(25-18, 26-24, 25-12)

Meadowbrook Academy

Seven Rivers Christian

(20-25, 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 15-12)

October 5th

Vanguard 3 St. John Lutheran

(25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20)

Forest 3 West Port

(25-18, 25-16, 25-15)

The Villages Charter

North Marion

Lake Weir

South Sumter

(25-23, 25-22, 25-10)

October 6th

Trinity Catholic

Cardinal Mooney

(25-16, 25-16, 25-20)

Vanguard

Santa Fe

(25-12, 26-24, 25-23)

Chiles

Forest

(25-21, 25-19, 25-13)

North Marion

Belleview

(17-25, 25-20, 25-19, 23-25, 15-6)

Dunnellon

Wildwood

(25-15, 25-19, 25-17)

West Port

Redeemer Christian

(18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11)

Meadowbrook Academy

Hernando Christian Academy

(25-15, 25-8, 25-21)

October 8th

FCAL Conference Tournament Round 1

Ocala Christian Academy

Redeemer Christian

(25-9, 25-9, 27-25)

Vanguard’s quarterback Fred Gaskin (4) outruns North Marion’s Arkese Heath (44) for a large gain during a football game at Booster Stadium in Ocala

Vanguard’s

North Marion’s Mitchell Brown (3) runs for a large gain as he pushes off of Vanguard’s Riley Smith (16) during a football game at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

North Marion’s Caleb Rollerson (8) pulls in a pass as Vanguard’s Jamil Watkins (7) gets his hand on the ball during a football game at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Vanguard’s

North Marion’s quarterback AJ Cussins (14) loses his helmet as he is hit by Vanguard’s

Riley Smith (16) as Cussins drives for the end zone during a football game at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Friday, Oct. 7,

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]