Ocala Gazette | October 6 - October 12, 2023

Be ‘Witch’ed

Ocala Civic Theatre’s new show, “Witch,” brings smart, snappy dialogue to an intimate, in-the-round setting.

By Lisa McGinnes lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

What’s your soul worth?

That’s the question weighing on the minds of four residents of the small, country village of Edmonton. Everyone’s hiding something, and devil himself is here to make deals.

The setting is, according to playwright Jen Silverman, “then-ish, but equally of our moment.”

For the audience, that means we get all the best parts of a Jacobean period piece—ornate costumes, from oversized Elizabethan ruff collars to brocade vests, lace cuffs and laced-up corsets, with the straightforward settings of a cottage and a castle, complete with silver chalices at the banquet table—with none of the “thees” and “thous” of Shakespearean dialogue. Instead, the 2018 reimagining of the 1621 play “The Witch of Edmonton” uses contemporary language to engage modern audiences with the original work’s timeless themes.

“I think it’s brilliant because it’s not just of our time, of the moment,” said Greg Thompson, Ocala Civic Theatre executive and artistic director and the play’s director. “She does this wonderful thing of putting one foot back in history and one foot in the present,” he said of Silverman. “She’s hitting on so many issues that are right now.”

Is Elizabeth really a witch? Or is she just the victim of small-town gossip?

OCT veteran Joan Elizabeth McDonald plays the lead female with a quiet strength, wry humor, and just a shred

See “Witch”, page A2

Sewer force main break causes construction, road closures in Ocala

Ocala International Airport project planning underway

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

The city of Ocala has just accepted a grant of more than $300,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation to conduct an environmental study for the Ocala International Airport taxiway project.

The Ocala City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to accept the grant at its Tuesday meeting. The agreement between FDOT and the city will last until June of 2025.

The $324,017 in grant funds will be spent on conducting an environmental assessment to see how the project to improve the taxiway at the Ocala International Airport will impact wildlife and a number of other environmental factors, said Airport Director Matthew Grow.

The project will also be funded $81,005 from the airport for a total project cost of $405,022. The scope of the project includes consultant fees, survey and data acquisition costs, and all labor required to complete the environmental assessment, according to the grant agreement.

“This FDOT grant will fund the environmental assessment for those projects on the west side of what we call runway 1836,” Grow said. “It’s Taxiway Charlie.”

This taxiway, which is a route that aircraft can use to move to or from the runway, is crucial for the airport’s need to move air cargo and accommodate large aircraft. A significant source of air cargo activity for the airport is moving horses, which is one of the main reasons for the improvements to the west side of the airport.

The tarmac, runways and taxiways all must be expanded to keep up with the level of activity from the county’s growth as a livestock hub and from the industrial park, according to the airport’s masterplan developed in 2014.

The environmental study will pave the way for construction, which can begin when the Federal Aviation Administration approves the project based on the study’s results.

“They look at noise. They look at the different traffic levels. They look at the birds and the bunnies and look at all the wildlife issues and look at groundwater. They look at any kind of stormwater impacts. They look at any endangered wildlife issues. They look at air quality during construction,” Grow said.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Asection of Southeast 17th Street in Ocala will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Oct. 15 to allow a contractor to replace an outdated and

leaking sewer force main pipe, according to a city news release.

The closure, which began on Oct. 1, is linked to a $645,000 project put into action after the sewer force main broke recently, according to city of Ocala spokesperson Ashley Dobbs.

“The pipe was in poor condition due to corrosion and had a leak approximately two months ago,” Dobbs wrote in an email. “The Water Resources Department evaluated the pipe and the decision was made to extend the 17th Street force main

Grow said he would come back to the city council with more details on the scope of the project at the next meeting.

“This is a full-blown environmental assessment that will take a full year to complete, so it’s a massive undertaking,” he said.

Joan Elizabeth McDonald as Elizabeth Sawyer rehearses a scene from “Witch” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala

among the audience at the Reilly Arts Center’s NOMA Black Box. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

detours travelers will take to avoid construction. [Courtesy of the city of Ocala]

Continued from page A1

of hope that women can achieve a more meaningful fate than the 17th-century standard. She’s witty, if not worldly, an intellectual equal to the uninvited visitor at her cottage, Scratch.

He’s a smooth-talking salesman who’s traveled the world, and OCT newcomer Brian Creary’s Scratch is devilishly handsome, powerfully persuasive and surprisingly sympathetic. But no matter how many “off the clock” conversations he’s willing to have, he’s here to close some deals.

Over at the castle, Sir Arthur has realized his only son, Cuddy, isn’t showing any inclination toward marrying and producing an heir. The show’s aristocrat, played by familiar OCT face Wayne T. Dilts, is doing his best to be a patient, single father. But the young dandy is more interested in folk dancing with his buddies than being fixed up with single girls and the old man is getting tired of waiting.

Returning OCT actor Christian Gonzales is an exuberant Cuddy, the spoiled only child who is struggling to be true to himself without disappointing his dad. It doesn’t help that he’s constantly being compared to Frank, who Sir Arthur also thinks of like a son. The tension between the two comes to blows, fueled by mutual hate, Cuddy’s jealousy and some even deeper feelings.

Fresh from OCT’s “Sweeney Todd,” Janik Buranosky plays Frank with impressive likeability for an unabashed opportunist who sees himself as “special” and holds nothing sacred, not even marriage or fatherhood.

The sweet but salty Winnifred is played by Cheyenne Dever, an OCT veteran. This servant girl has secrets—and standards.

Performed in-the-round at the Reilly Arts Center’s NOMA Black Box, “Witch” puts audiences up close to the actors for a unique perspective that OCT theatergoers have never before experienced. This is the first show in the Rattlebox series, which will continue in April 2024 with “Stage Kiss.” Thompson calls the new endeavor a “win-win for everybody on every level.”

“One of the things that is so good for actors is to do theater in different styles and also in different configurations,” Thompson said. “This is actually a great educational experience for our actors; it’s going to grow them. But then what a gift back to our community, our audiences, for our actors to grow their skills. We’re grateful to the Reilly that we have this opportunity.”

Two special events will allow audiences to dive deeper into the play. On Sunday, Oct. 8, attendees are invited to stay after the 2 p.m. matinee for a talkback, or Q&A, with the cast and director. On Saturday, Oct. 14, OCT will host Off Book at 12:30 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center. Billed as a “no reading required book club,” Off Book will be facilitated by R.J. Jenkins, board president of the Marion County Literacy Council.

OCT rates this show PG-13 and recommends it for those high school age and older.

“Witch” is live on stage Oct. 5-15 in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. For tickets and more information, visit reillysartscenter.com or call (352) 351-1601.

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

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

Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Evelyn Anderson Account Executive evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com

Bruce Ackerman Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com

Allen Barney Reporter allen@ocalagazette.com

Caroline Brauchler Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com

Kristine Crane Reporter kristine@ocalagazette.com

Rosemarie Dowell Reporter rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Andy Fillmore Reporter andy@ocalagazette.com

Greg Hamilton Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com

Susan Smiley-Height Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Belea Keeney Reporter belea@magnoliamediaco.com

Lisa McGinnes Reporter lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

Lauren Morrish Reporter lauren@ocalagazette.com

Jennifer Poole Senior Marketing Advisor jpoole@magnoliamediaco.com

Cheryl Specht Client Services Guru cheryl@magnoliamediaco.com

Amy Harbert Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com

News tips tips@ocalagazette.com

Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Follow us @ocalagazette

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

©2023 Ocala Gazette, LLC

Ocala Gazette (USPS# 25590) (ISSN 2771-1595) is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, 1900 SE 18TH AVE STE 200, OCALA, FL 34471-8235. Periodicals postage paid 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.

Janik Buranosky as Frank Thorney, Wayne Dilts as Sir Arthur Banks and Christian Gonzales as Cuddy Banks, left to right.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Brian Creary as Scratch, left, and Janik Buranosky as Frank Thorney, right.

Christian Gonzales as Cuddy Banks, Janik Buranosky as Frank Thorney and Wayne Dilts as Sir Arthur Banks, left to right, rehearse a scene from “Witch” at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

Cheyenne Dever as Winnifred, left, and Janik Buranosky as Frank Thorney, right

“One of the things that is so good for actors is to do theater in different styles and also in different configurations. This is actually a great educational experience for our actors; it’s going to grow them. We’re grateful to the Reilly that we have this opportunity.”

Greg Thompson

By Eric Meyer Editor and publisher Marion County (Kansas) Record

“Newspapers are dead,” a solemn but dubious audience of students heard. “In 10 years, they’ll be gone altogether.”

We’ve all heard the grim assessment.

But it didn’t come this year, when corporate greed downsized far too many newsrooms.

It didn’t come 15 years ago, when social media began to cocoon us into echo chambers that let us hear only what we believe.

It didn’t come 30 years ago, at the dawn of the Internet letting us browse multiple sources of information.

It didn’t come 45 years ago, when cable news channels began giving us talking heads, mouthing the same points over and over.

The grim assessment came 75 years ago, in a journalism class that my father, a 1948 graduate, attended as a college senior.

Newspapers, he was told, soon would be replaced by a new, hightech alternative: Facsimile.

Yes, fax machines.

As Mark Twain would have noted, reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated. And it’s not because we’ve been turned into unkillable zombies.

We haven’t died because democracy needs us, and smart people nationwide know it.

If you have any doubts, look at the more than 10,000 messages of support we’ve received at the Marion County Record from all over the nation and world.

Along with those messages have come more than 5,000 orders for new subscriptions—not bad for a newspaper that had a press run of only 4,000 before police attempted to intimidate us and a local politician with coordinated raids later found to have been illegal.

They came at us like a SWAT team going after a jaywalker who actually was in a crosswalk at the time.

Now that the dust of seizing seven computers and four cell phones has settled, the truth has become clear.

Their raid wasn’t to investigate any crime, which never occurred. It was to put us in our place like a bunch of 300-pound defensive linemen smashing into a quarterback after he releases a pass.

Eventually, the legal system threw a flag on the play. But before that, people all over the globe—a quarter of a million of them who read about the raid on our website, plus countless others who read about it elsewhere—gasped in horror and demanded justice.

Speaking truth to power— the goal of every decent news organization—is just too important to our democracy.

Our computers may have been seized, but our newspaper—along with the unvarnished truth it seeks

to impart every week—could not be silenced. If it had been, it wouldn’t have been a medium that died. It would have been democracy.

Democracy is, as Winston Churchill said, the worst form of government—except for all the others that have been tried.

Democracy requires truth and facts—and a willingness not just to listen to them but also to give voice to them.

That’s what newspapers do— asking questions when others are afraid to do so and providing truth that others seem reluctant to accept.

An old retort, intended as an insult, was that newspapers afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.

But what’s wrong with that?

Democracy isn’t about Barney the Dinosaur singing, “I love you; you love me.”

Putting up a false façade of everyone agreeing about everything might work if every politician, every bureaucrat, every person in power was a benevolent dictator, caring only for everyone else’s well-being.

Ask the survivors of Nazi Germany or Putin’s Russia how that worked out.

True democracy isn’t neat and tidy. It’s about disagreement— everyone presenting his or her personal truths in a public arena, then coming together to compromise on something that is at least minimally satisfying to the majority while protecting the minority.

By their very nature, newspapers are charged with finding hidden facts, speaking for the voiceless, and arguing for those who cannot easily be heard.

To some in the Barney generation, that makes us negative.

To others, it makes us patriots.

Returning to a weekly newspaper he purchased in 1998 with his parents and worked at from fifth grade through college, Eric Meyer, 70, is spending his retirement as majority owner, editor, and publisher of the Marion County Record in Marion, Kansas.

A veteran of two years at the Bloomington (Illinois) Pantagraph and 18 years at the Milwaukee Journal, where he was news, photo and graphics editor and a Pulitzer Prize nominee for coverage of computer hackers, he spent 26 years as a tenured professor or journalism at the University of Illinois before retiring in 2021.

While a professor, he also worked as a consultant to more than 350 online publishers worldwide, was a visiting professor of social media at the Dallas Morning News and created and eventually sold an Internet startup that was the online home of American Journalism Review magazine.

He is the recipient of more than 200 statewide awards for everything from investigative reporting and editorial writing to photography and design and national awards for projects focusing on campus crime, the identity of Deep Throat and student engagement in elections.

MEDIA SPONSOR

SATURDAY,

SUPPORTING

FRIDAYS: 5PM-10PM | SATURDAYS: 10AM-10PM | SUNDAYS: 12PM-6PM

INCLUDED!

• HUGE & SPECTACULAR WIZARD OF OZ MAZE

• YELLOW BRICK ROAD TODDLER & ELDER MAZE

• OUR FAMOUS PUMPKIN HOUSE,PATCH & GOURD WALK

• PETTING ZOO, INCL. GOATS, COWS & MINI HORSES!

• HAYRIDES, GRAIN TRAIN & BEE-LINE EXPRESS RIDES

• JUMPING PILLOWS, SLIDES, BARNYARD BASKETBALL

• BUBBLE STATIONS, GIANT CORN PIT, GAMES & MORE!

• TWILIGHT EXPRESS TRAIN THRU THE FIELD OF FRIGHT!

• VARIETY OF GREAT FOOD & DRINKS, ADULT BAR

FRIDAYS - $10

SATURDAY/SUNDAYS - $14.95

SPECIAL EVENTS

Road closures

Continued from page A1 replacement project to include this additional section of pipe.”

While the issue was brought to the city’s attention because of the leak, the system is regularly assessed and sees updates and maintenance as needed, Dobbs said.

“We routinely assess the condition of our system and replace those lines that have reached the end of their service life,” she said.

Travelers in this area can expect traffic delays, noise disturbances, dust and heavy equipment in the area while the work ensues.

Traffic will be redirected wherever

necessary. The following detours will be in place until construction is complete, according to a press release from the city: Traffic traveling east on SE 17th Street will be routed south on SE Seventh Avenue, east on SE 18th Street to Lake Weir Avenue, north on Lake Weir Avenue and back to SE 17th Street.

• Traffic traveling west on SE 17th Street will be routed north on SE 11th Avenue, northwest on SE 16th Street to SE Ninth Avenue, south on SE Ninth Avenue to SE 16th Place, west on SE 16th Place to south Magnolia and back to SE 17th St.

The work is being completed by Miller Pipeline, the city’s water resources task order contractor.

Wilcox to run for reelection as supervisor of elections

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Wesley Wilcox wants to continue being the person Marion County voters trust with their questions when election time rolls around.

Wilcox is seeking reelection in 2024 as the Marion County Supervisor of Elections, a position he was first elected to in 2012. He ran unopposed and was reelected in both 2016 and 2020. No other candidate has filed to run for the position next year.

He said that if reelected, his biggest goal is “to continue to be the trusted voice of Marion County elections.”

“If you ask us anything or want us to show anything election-related, you can rely on us to provide honest and truthful information,” he said. “That’s the goal.”

Wilcox, a Republican, said that if voters want to look at his track record, his and his office’s performance in past elections speaks for itself.

“I’ll point to both the general election of 2020 and the general election of 2022, because in both of those, this office performed exceptionally well,” he said. “We posted election night results before 9 o’clock in both of those elections.”

Wilcox has worked in the elections field for 32 years, is a nationally certified elections and registration administrator

and is a master Florida certified elections professional, according to the Supervisor of Elections website.

Wilcox said when voters have questions about elections, the best place for them to get reliable information is straight from the source.

“I am the person, or my office are the people, to actually ask election-related questions and not rely on your neighbor or your friend or something else for election information,” he said.

If reelected in 2024, Wilcox will serve for another four years as the supervisor of elections, for a total of 16 years in office.

“Over the last 11 years, we’ve provided what I feel to be very good service, and a real consistency on conducting elections in a very forthright and open process,” he said.

To learn more the Marion County Supervisor of Elections Office, go to votemarion.gov

Campbell enters race to be reelected to Marion County School Board

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Marion County School Board Chair Allison Campbell on Oct. 2 filed to run for reelection in the 2024 general election to represent District 1.

Campbell has served on the school board since she was first elected in 2020. She said her motivation in serving as an elected official was to be the “voice of a parent” on the board.

“I wanted to ensure that there was a mother’s voice on the school board,” she said. “Having firsthand experience, day to day, for my own children and what they’re experiencing…those perspectives coming from a parent are incredibly valuable.”

The school board election is a non-partisan race. As of Oct. 4, no other candidates have filed to run for Campbell’s seat or any other school board seat.

Campbell has two children in high school and one in middle school in Marion County.

She recently earned her doctorate in strategic communication from Regent University and said that being a “lifelong learner” and an ally of education validates her passion for education and benefits her work as a school board member.

Campbell said she believes that one of the school board’s biggest accomplishments while she has been in office has been getting student representatives on the school board.

Campbell said she brought the idea forward to the board, which they successfully made a reality

over the last quarter.

“The student representative on the board, that’s something that we’ve never had before,” she said. “Their voices over the last quarter have shown the value of having that perspective actually sitting on the school board with us in a nonvoting capacity.”

While Campbell has been in office, the school board has also updated the interlocal agreement among the school board, county and its municipalities. The school board also increased the starting salary for teachers and created a plan to accommodate for high growth in the district in the coming years.

Campbell said that if reelected, one of the biggest issues she anticipates tackling will be the need for redistricting as new schools are built.

“As we bring a couple of new schools online and add these new wings on to other schools, we will have to redistrict all elementary schools in Marion County in the next three to four years,” she said.

Campbell also places a high priority on continuing to improve security and safety, starting with adding surveillance cameras and hardening measures in schools. She said there may also be a possibility for electronic entry points at schools across the district to increase safety.

“Marion County is a great place to live, work and play,” she said. “I think the more we tell that story, the more people will want to be here working with our students.”

Campbell currently serves as the school board chair. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to serve in that capacity and is grateful to the rest of the board for unanimously choosing her to do so.

As for now, she has set her sights on getting reelected and continuing her work.

“I feel like there’s still work to be done to bring us to the full vision of what we can be,” Campbell said. “I still believe I’m the voice to get it there.”

Wesley Wilcox [Supplied]

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LAURA LYNN FERRIER, Deceased. CASE NO: 2023-CP-2245

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.

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RANDALL B. CROUCH, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2023-CP-2270 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.

The

including unmatured, contingent or

must file

The date

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: April 11, 2023. The date of first publication of this Notice is October 6, 2023.

for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300

Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

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

IHMC Lecture Series

Powered by:

Lori Marino

THE TALK: Changing the Scenery for Captive Whales: The Whale Sanctuary

Global Movement

www.ihmc.com

15 S.E. Osceola Avenue Downtown Ocala

Co-hosted by:

October 19, 2023

Reception: Begins at 5:30 p.m.

Talk: Begins at 6:00 p.m.

Seating is limited RSVP to ihmc-20230223.eventbrite.com or call 352-387-3050

Dolphins and whales are highly complex, large-brained social mammals. To date, thousands are kept in concrete tanks in marine parks and aquariums around the world. A growing body of scientific data reveals that these animals cannot thrive under these circumstances – in fact, they experience chronic stress, illness, neurobehavioral abnormalities, and, sometimes, death. The recent loss of the orca Tokitae at Miami Seaquarium is a tragic example. Almost all captive whales are born into the tanks and are not eligible for full release into the ocean. However, there is a growing global movement to provide an alternative to concrete tanks in the form of sanctuaries. Sanctuaries are large ocean enclosures where captive whales can feel the ocean for the first time in their lives and be free to explore a natural environment while under human care. There are sanctuaries for elephants, primates, big cats, and many other wild animals and whale and dolphin sanctuaries are now becoming a reality.

I will discuss the science behind the welfare of captive whales and the place, principles, and practices of an authentic whale and dolphin sanctuary. I will also present a description and photos of a seaside sanctuary for beluga whales and orcas being created by the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, its advisors, such as Jean-Michel Cousteau and Silvia Earle, and provide ways you can get involved.

Lori is the founder and President of the Whale Sanctuary Project. She is a neuroscientist and adjunct professor of Animal Studies at New York University and Executive Director of The Kimmela Center for Scholarship-based Animal Advocacy. Lori’s scientific work focuses on the evolution of the brain and intelligence in dolphins and whales (as well as primates and farmed animals), and on the effects of captivity on wildlife. She has published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers, book chapters, and magazine articles in these areas. Lori also works at the intersection of science and animal law and policy and is the codirector (with Professor Kathy Hessler) of the Animal Law and Science Project at George Washington University. She was also a senior lecturer in neuroscience and behavioral biology at Emory University for almost twenty years.

Season Sponsors: Lecture Sponsors:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Ocala City Council has introduced the following ordinance(s) and will consider its adoption at the regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chamber, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Interested parties are invited to appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed legislation. Copies of the proposed documents may be inspected in advance at the office of the City Clerk, Ocala City Hall.

Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Ocala City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purposes, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made.

If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, please call 48 hours in advance so arrangements can be made through the City Clerk’s office at 352-629-8266.

ORDINANCE 2024-1

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING FROM PUD-0, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, TO PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SE 24TH ROAD AND SE 31ST STREET, OCALA, FLORIDA (PARCEL 29851-000-00) (CASE NO. PD23-45098); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ORDINANCE 2024-2

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING FROM B-1A, LIMITED NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS, TO B-4, GENERAL BUSINESS, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 424 SW 11TH STREET (28575-00201), OCALA, FLORIDA (CASE NO. ZON23-45299); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ORDINANCE 2024-3

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING FROM M-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, TO M-2, MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3100 SW 3RD STREET (22767-002-00), OCALA, FLORIDA (CASE NO. ZON23-45305); PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE

ORDINANCE 2024-4

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS REQUIRED IN SECTION 163.3161 THROUGH AND INCLUDING SECTION 163.3248, FLORIDA STATUTES; DELETING FUTURE LAND USE POLICY 18.3 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 5580 (LUC060002) FOR PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF NORTHEAST 14TH STREET (SR 492 ALSO KNOWN AS BONNIE HEATH BOULEVARD), BETWEEN NORTHEAST 19TH AVENUE AND NORTHEAST 22ND AVENUE, SECTION 09, TOWNSHIP 15, RANGE 22, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ORDINANCE 2024-5 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE II, ALARM SYSTEMS; AMENDING SECTION 30-31 BY ADDING A DEFINITION OF COLLECTION AGENCY AND DELETING THE DEFINITION OF BUILDING OFFICIAL; AMENDING SECTION 30-32 BY REVISING THE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS TO COLLECT FALSE ALARM FEES; AMENDING SECTION 30-35 BY REVISING THE PROCEDURES TO COLLECT FALSE ALARM FEES; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF;

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE BRIEFS

BOOK FILES ‘BUFFETT HIGHWAY’ BILL

A Senate proposal that would honor the late musician Jimmy Buffett is a drastic change in the latitude from a House measure filed last week.

Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, on Tuesday filed a bill (SB 84) for the 2024 legislative session that would require the Department of Transportation to establish the “Jimmy Buffett Highway” along the final stretch of the Overseas

CLAIMS PAID AFTER GAS CONTAMINATION

About 1,550 consumers were potentially affected after an incident last month at the Port of Tampa, where gasoline was contaminated by diesel fuel, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Thursday.

The department announced Aug. 27 that “human error” at the port a day earlier resulted in the “strong likelihood” of contamination of gas sold to numerous stations supplied by Citgo. Such contamination can cause engine damage or affect the operability of vehicles.

The department said Thursday that Citgo has closed 950 claims, resulting in more than $447,000 in auto repairs or reimbursements.

The company’s adjusters will continue to work on any new claims, the department said in a news release.

“All potentially impacted stations have received clearance to reopen full fuel sales operations,” the department said.

“Citgo has made the commitment to continue working with their wholesale customers (stations) who incurred costs for pumping out tanks at these locations so they can reimburse them for those costs.

Three wholesale customers have submitted claims to Citgo covering four total locations, and Citgo has paid their reimbursements.”

The contamination came as motorists in many areas filled up vehicles in advance of Hurricane Idalia.

The Category 3 storm made landfall Aug. 30 in Taylor County.

Highway entering Key West.

Book’s proposal would designate about a two-mile stretch of road to honor Buffett, who died Sept. 1 at age 76.

On Friday, Rep. Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, filed a bill (HB 91) that would designate State Road A1A as “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway” from Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, to Nassau County, north of Jacksonville.

JEAN BROWN

File No.: 2023-CP-1947

Division: Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BISRAM DOOSAN GHERAU, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2023-CP-2187

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.

If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the

ARGUMENTS SET ON MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 8 about a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow recreational use of marijuana by people ages 21 and older, the court said in an order Tuesday.

The Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is leading the initiative, needs the Supreme Court to sign off on the proposed ballot wording before the measure can go before voters in November 2024.

The proposal has drawn opposition from Attorney General Ashley Moody.

The Supreme Court reviews ballot

initiatives to make sure they would not be confusing to voters and address single subjects.

The Smart & Safe Florida committee, which is backed by Trulieve, the state’s largest medical-marijuana operator, has submitted enough valid petition signatures to get on the ballot.

The proposed ballot summary, in part, says the measure would allow “adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories” for non-medical consumption.

EXEMPTION SOUGHT FOR COUNTY, CITY ATTORNEYS

AHouse Democrat has filed a proposal that would provide a public-records exemption for personal information about county attorneys, city attorneys and their family members.

Rep. Kristen Arrington, D-Kissimmee, filed the proposal (HB 103) on Monday for consideration during the 2024 legislative session, which will start in January.

It would provide a records exemption for information such as home addresses, telephone numbers and dates of birth for county attorneys, city attorneys, assistant and deputy county and city attorneys and family members.

“The responsibilities of county

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of 352 COLLECTION intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee FL and/or Clerk of the Circuit Court of Marion County, FL. 352 COLLECTION LLC, PO Box 1834, Ocklawaha Florida 32183

attorneys, assistant county attorneys, deputy county attorneys, city attorneys, assistant city attorneys, and deputy city attorneys regularly involve legal enforcement proceedings in areas of neglect and abuse related to violations of codes and ordinances,” the bill says.

“Legal enforcement proceedings have led to retribution and threats by defendants and other persons on numerous occasions.

Such attorneys have received death threats and e-mails from disgruntled persons advocating the murder of other attorneys.

Other incidents have included the stalking of such attorneys and their spouses and children.”

COVID-19 DEATHS TOP 91,000

More than 91,000 Florida residents have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic started in early 2020, according to new data from the state Department of Health.

The data showed that a reported 91,178 residents had died as of Thursday.

That was up from a reported 90,740 deaths two weeks earlier.

Because of lags in reporting, it is unclear when the additional deaths occurred.

The Department of Health releases

COVID-19 data every two weeks.

The new data showed that 77.8 percent of the deaths involved people age 65 or older.

Also, 55.5 percent involved males.

The data also showed continued decreases during the past two years of reported COVID-19 cases.

The state had 10,925 reported cases during the week that started Sept. 15 and 9,540 reported cases during the week that started Sept. 22. By comparison, it had 23,980 cases during the week that started Aug. 25.

Blaze This three-year-old sweet boy arrived at Marion County Animal Services in need of medical attention. Suffering from a painful injury, our veterinary staff had no choice but to remove his tail. He is feeling much better and wants all the attention he can get— and we think he deserves it!

What You Like” adoptions fees all month!

Queso

Queso is a spunky, energetic German Shepherd mix. Although he is six-yearsold, Queso has a puppy’s spirit. With a little obedience training and some adventure, this boy can be the dog of your dreams!

Olivia Olivia’s dream life is one where she can feel confident and secure. She doesn’t love the shelter life, so she’s hoping she’ll only have a short stay , but a long life with someone who adores her.

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

is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. We’re celebrating by offering “Pay

Justices parse controversial protest law

JUDGE UPHOLDS GAINESVILLE UTILITY LAW

ALeon County circuit judge Friday rejected a challenge by the city of Gainesville to a new state law that overhauled control of the Gainesville municipal utility.

Judge Angela Dempsey issued a 29-page ruling granting summary judgment to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who were named as defendants in the case.

The law, approved this spring by DeSantis and the Legislature, created the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority to direct the utility system, known as Gainesville Regional Utilities.

The city commission has governed the utility, which provides electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and sewer services.

The law gave DeSantis power to appoint the authority’s board members, though it said the authority will operate as a “unit of city government.” Among other things, the lawsuit alleged that the law could unconstitutionally violate terms of already-issued bonds and contracts.

But Dempsey ruled, in part, that DeSantis, Moody and Byrd were not proper defendants and that the

city lacked standing to sue them.

“Neither the attorney general, the governor nor the secretary enforce the challenged law,” Dempsey, who held a hearing last week, wrote.

“Rather, the authority does.” She also wrote that the law “does not implicate the governor’s constitutional duties.

The governor does not regulate or oversee municipal utilities.” Under the law, the authority board is supposed to hold its first meeting Wednesday.

DeSantis’ office announced the appointment of three board members this week.

The overhaul emerged this spring after Republican lawmakers repeatedly questioned transfers of money from municipal utilities to bolster city budgets.

Those questions stemmed, at least in part, from many utility customers living outside the boundaries of the cities.

The House considered a bill that would have applied to municipal utilities throughout the state, but lawmakers ultimately passed the narrower measure focused on Gainesville.

GOP REGISTRATION EDGE NEARS 600,000

The Republican Party of Florida continued in August to widen its voter-registration edge over the Florida Democratic Party.

As of Aug. 31, the state had 5,206,774 registered Republicans and 4,617,844 registered Democrats, according to data posted Tuesday on the state Division of Elections website.

That 588,930-voter edge compared to a 568,051-voter lead at the end of July.

As of Aug. 31, the state had 3,785,907 voters registered without affiliation and 297,405 registered with third parties.

Democrats historically held a registration edge in the state, but Republicans overtook them in 2021 and have steadily expanded the lead.

Republicans hold all statewide offices, a majority in Florida’s congressional delegation and supermajorities in the Florida House and Senate.

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Jacksonville sheriff on Wednesday told the Florida Supreme Court that innocent bystanders and peaceful protesters are not threatened by a controversial 2021 law that seeks to crack down on protests that turn violent.

“Participating in a crime means more than mere presence,” Sonya Harrell, an attorney for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, said as justices tried to parse the meaning of a key part of the law championed by DeSantis after nationwide protests following the 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.

The Supreme Court heard arguments as an outgrowth of a federal lawsuit filed by groups such as the Dream Defenders and the Florida State Conference of the NAACP alleging the law violated First Amendment rights. The civilrights groups argued the law could lead to peaceful demonstrators facing charges when protests turn violent.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in 2021 issued a preliminary injunction against the law, describing it as unconstitutionally “vague and overbroad.”

The state and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, which is a defendant in the case, appealed. But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in January requested help from the Florida Supreme Court with what it called a “novel” issue— how to determine the meaning of the word “riot” in the law.

The Supreme Court quizzed

attorneys Wednesday about sentence construction and grammar in the law, but at least some justices appeared critical of Walker’s interpretation.

“Some of us are not convinced that there is ambiguity here,” Justice Charles Canady said to James Tysse, an attorney for the groups that filed the lawsuit.

At another point, Chief Justice Carlos Muniz said he thought “this whole thing is bizarre.”

But in its January ruling, a threejudge panel of the federal appeals court said it was deferring a ruling on the state’s appeal of the preliminary injunction until the Florida Supreme Court could weigh in on the definition of a riot. The somewhatunusual move is known as certifying a question to the state court.

“The proper interpretation of the statutory definition is a novel issue of state law that the Florida Supreme Court has yet to address,” the appeals-court panel said. “After careful consideration, we exercise our discretion to certify a question to that (Supreme) Court to determine precisely what conduct the definition prohibits.”

Tysse asked justices to define a “riot” in a way that would maintain previous interpretations and ensure protection of rights of peaceful protesters.

“When the statute was enacted, my clients were understandably concerned that the law of rioting had changed to make it easier to sweep in those at protests who were simply exercising their First Amendment rights, without the intent to commit any acts of violence,” Tysse said after the arguments.

The Supreme Court typically takes months before issuing decisions.

The 2021 law says that a “person commits a riot if he or she willfully participates in a violent public disturbance involving an assembly of three or more persons, acting with a common intent to assist each other in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in injury to another person, damage to property or imminent danger of injury to another person or damage to property.”

The appeals court said plaintiffs, for example, have argued that the law does not define what it means to participate in a violent public disturbance.

In his 90-page decision, Walker pointed to concerns about vagueness.

“Though plaintiffs claim that they and their members fear that it (the law) will be used against them based on the color of their skin or the messages that they express, its vagueness permits those in power to weaponize its enforcement against any group who wishes to express any message that the government disapproves of,” Walker wrote. “Thus, while there may be some Floridians who welcome the chilling effect that this law has on the plaintiffs in this case, depending on who is in power, next time it could be their ox being gored.”

But Nick Meros, deputy general counsel for DeSantis, said during Tuesday’s arguments that a person would have to “willfully” participate in a violent public disturbance to be prosecuted under the law.

“A person can’t simply be present at a protest,” Meros said.

—News Service broadcast journalist Mike Exline contributed to this report.

Ex-President Gaetz to seek Senate seat

By Jim Turner and Tristan Wood Florida News Service

Former state Senate President Don Gaetz is seeking a return to the Legislature as his son makes waves in Washington, D.C.

Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who served in the Senate from 2006 to 2016, including as president during the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions, said Monday he was filing paperwork to run next year in the Panhandle’s Senate District 1.

“I can tell you that there is no sideline in the Senate,” Gaetz, a former hospice executive and Okaloosa County schools superintendent, said. “There are 40 members, and the way the Senate operates any one of those 40 members can make a significant contribution. And any one of those 40 members can stand in the way of bad legislation. So, I want to be the best freshman senator I can be.”

Former state Rep. Frank White, R-Pensacola, planned to run for the seat and, as of June 30, had raised $161,000 and put $200,000 of his own money into the campaign. But White agreed to step aside for Gaetz.

“Don Gaetz is a living legend for good reason,” White said. “His record speaks for itself. He has my

full support, and I will do what I can to secure his victory next November.”

Gaetz, 75 of Niceville, said he hadn’t contemplated a legislative run until a few weeks ago, when a Pensacola radio host asked him about “rumors” of a 2024 candidacy. Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, can’t run again in the district because of term limits.

“I said, I’ll listen, but I’m not trying to run,” Gaetz said.

He said he quickly received support from people in the district, a Republican stronghold made up of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and part of Okaloosa County.

Since leaving the Senate, Gaetz has had roles such as serving on the state Commission on Ethics and chairing Triumph Gulf Coast, which distributes BP settlement money from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

The Gaetz name has drawn heavy attention nationally as Gaetz’s son, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has battled with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Matt Gaetz was highly critical of McCarthy this weekend for working with Democrats to pass a stopgap bill to avoid a federalgovernment shutdown.

Matt Gaetz, a former state House member, also is widely rumored to be considering a run for Florida governor in 2026. Don

Gaetz said his son is focused on budget issues and getting a vote on term limits in Congress, not a run for Florida governor.

“He and I talk almost every day, and he has assured me that that’s what he’s focused on,” Don Gaetz said.

No other candidates have emerged for the state Senate seat, but Don Gaetz said he anticipates he will face competition. Don Gaetz faced only one opponent, an unaffiliated candidate, in his earlier Senate runs.

“The good thing is, I love to campaign. My family loves to campaign. We like to go doorto-door. We’re almost sick in our love for campaigning,” Gaetz said. “Matt has to run for reelection to the Congress in 2024. And so once again, we may have father and son knocking on doors together, just like we did when Matt was in the state House and I was in the state Senate.” Gaetz’ father, Jerry, was mayor of the prairie town of Rugby, N.D., near the Canadian border. Don Gaetz watched on television as his father, a candidate for lieutenant governor, died of a heart attack during the 1964 North Dakota Republican Party state convention. —Tristan Wood is a reporter for City & State Florida, a sister publication of The News Service of Florida.

Expert

Orthopedic Care

When joint or back pain begin to limit your life, you need expert care from a trusted team. Using the latest innovations and minimally invasive techniques, we provide nationally-recognized orthopedic and spine care – so you can live life pain free.

Take

People, Places & Things

An a-maze-ing event

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

If you have ever wanted to feel like Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” here’s your chance.

Starting on Saturday, Oct. 7, the Fall Fest & Mega Maze at Brown & Brown Farms will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 5. The festival has a corn maze that covers more than 12 acres and this year it is themed in honor of the 1939 musical fantasy film that remains an enduring favorite. “The Wizard of Oz” corn maze features a large main maze with intriguing twists and turns, as well as a smaller maze that’s a bit easier to navigate.

Other festival attractions will include the Bee-line Express and the Grain Train, hayrides, jumping pillows, a corn pit, barnyard basketball, human foosball, giant slides, a spider web, giant yard games, duck races, a petting zoo, Tiny Town and more.

There are special events, such as Uncle Willy’s Twilight Express, which will take guests on a train ride through the Field of Fright on Friday and Saturday nights, and Dazed In The Maze, which will allow adults to wander the maze to find free samples from local wineries and breweries hidden inside.

And if you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin, check out the pumpkin house.

Yes, house! It’s actually a pumpkin patch with a unique presentation. The frame of the house is filled with gorgeous, plump orange pumpkins that can be “picked” on the spot.

“The pumpkins are for people to buy, and we replenish them,” explained Brown & Brown Farms Director of Fun Suzanne Gilbert. “We also have a pumpkin patch that surrounds the house and pumpkins are available in our Country Store for purchase.”

The festival, at 13940 Highway 301 in Oxford, south of Ocala, will run 5-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Various fees

apply and some proceeds will support the Turkeys from Heaven nonprofit in Sumter County. There is no fee to visit Brown’s Country Store.

For more details about the festival, including special activities, and for ticket information, go to brownandbrownfarms. ticketspice.com/fall-festmega-maze

Preparing your garden for winter

predicted for early January and February. Depending on the size of your garden and how much work you want to take on, there are several tasks you can do in the fall that will ensure happier plants, better blooms, and healthy vegetables come spring. The following is a list of tasks to help keep you on track and organized, so you can get through as much as possible.

1. Weed – Fall is the perfect time to weed. The plants are starting to die off so you can find those weeds that were hiding under them. If you water your gardens a few hours before you start weeding, this will make it easier to pull the weeds out.

this past season, you should have your soil tested. New gardeners to Florida should have the soil tested so you know what you are working with. You can do this yourself by purchasing a home soil testing kit. Once you get the results and make the recommended corrections, cultivate the soil. This can be done by using a tiller, a garden fork or a garden claw. This will break up any clay in your soil, mix in corrective chemicals, as well as add air to the soil to aerate it. This will make it easier for your spring plant roots to grow and spread.

By Virginia McLoughlin Camelia Circle, Pioneer Garden Club

As the weather begins to cool off here in Florida, we need to start preparing our gardens and yards for winter. For newcomers to Florida, yes, we do get frost and

temperatures in the low 30’s, which are called a hard freeze.

October and early November are the best times to start preparations. We must be ready before the first frost. According to the “Farmer’s Almanac,” north-central Florida is going to have a wet, cold winter this year, with the coldest weather

2. Cleanup your gardens – Once the weeding is done, check for any old plant markers, temporary trellises, plant supports or tools that may have been left behind after a day working in your garden. Rake up the old bed and get rid of any plant material, weeds, and roots. Pull out any dead plants and check for diseased ones or any infested with bugs. It is very important that you do not put these in your compost bin. These plants should be placed in a commercial yard waste bin or burned.

3. Prepare your soil – If your plants, flowers or vegetables did not do well

4. Add mulch and/or compost – Tender perennials will need extra protection during the winter. Add 2 to 3 inches of compost or mulch to your beds any time before the ground freezes. Leaves, pine needles, grass clippings not treated with chemicals and any other organic materials are best. Do not use family pet feces. You want to add compost to the mulch so the soil can soak up the nutrients over the winter. This is also a good time to fertilize your garden. You can use a slow-release fertilizer, but it is best to use an organic fertilizer. Some organic fertilizers would be potato skins, banana skins, eggshells, coffee grounds and any other scraps from the

Brown & Brown Farms in south Marion County has a corn maze that spans more than 12 acres, making it one of the largest in Central Florida.

Map of the maze [Photos courtesy of Brown & Brown Farms]

Garden

Continued from page B1 kitchen except meat products. These organic fertilizers can be placed right in the soil without composting. If you buy fertilizer at your local store or nursery, read the packaging—you don’t want to fertilize to promote general growth. That will promote new tender growth that will get zapped with the first cold snap. Use fertilizers to promote root growth. Keep watering your gardens (unless we get a lot of rain) because the plants need some moisture for those few days when we get high temperatures during the winter. Keep this up until we get a hard freeze.

5. Preparing your vegetable garden

– If you plant winter vegetables, it is important to get this done before you plant your perennials and annuals. Clean out all dead plants and check for diseased plants. As with flowers, do not put these in our compost bin. Throw them away or burn them. This will prevent recurring diseases from breaking out. If you don’t remove these plants, they will lie in the ground and contaminate the winter vegetables causing a blight to form. Clean out the beds like you do for your flower beds.

6. Bulbs – Tender perennials and tropical plants will be killed off by freezing temperatures. After the plants are

killed off, dig up the bulbs and clean them up. Pull off the plants and put the non-diseased plants in the compost bin. Tender plants and tropical bulbs can be dug up and started in their dormant stages. Bulbs in containers can be brought in still in their pots—simply cut off the foliage and move the pots to a dark place.

7. Wintering plants indoors – There are many plants that can be taken inside and grown as house plants. Some plants are cold hardy and can be brought into the garage or shed over the winter. Bring tender plants inside the house; make sure you clean off and debug the pots before bringing them in.

8. Help your garden helpers – Keep bird feeders filled. Birds appreciate fatty, high-energy food (such as suet) during the cold weather. Establish a feeding routine, offer water, and clean feeders and bird baths.

9. General maintenance

• Empty all your outdoor containers upside down.

• Hang a basket in your tool shed or garage; use it to store hose nozzles and sprinkler attachments.

• Clean all your garden tools, dry them, and protect them with oil to prevent them from rusting. Place them in the shed or garage. Rake up leaves so they don’t lie on

the grass and get sodden. Rake leaves into small piles and run the mower over them to make mulch to put in your gardens. Cover your compost bin with a black plastic bag. Drain the fuel out of your lawn mower and/or any other power equipment.

• Check your yard to make sure there

THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO MAKE A DELICIOUS PASTA SALAD

is nothing left outside.

I hope these tips will help your garden survive the winter and produce happier plants, healthy vegetables and better blooms in the spring.

And please visit the Marion County Public Library Headquarters at 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd. to see the Pioneer Garden Club’s two fine examples of fall floral arrangements.

By America’s Test Kitchen

Looking for a recipe that yields a better, more worthwhile pasta salad? We’ve got you covered. These quick tips guarantee success: Overcook the noodles. Raid the pantry. Puree the dressing.

The pasta

We used corkscrew-shaped fusilli, which had plenty of surface area for capturing dressing, and we cooked the pasta until it was a little too soft so that as it cooled and firmed up, it would have just the right tender texture.

Pantry staples

Rather than toss raw vegetables into the mix, we took inspiration from Italian antipasto platters and used intensely flavored jarred ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and pepperoncini that offered a mix of textures that didn’t overshadow the pasta. For heartiness, we included salami, and to balance the salt and tang, we added chunks of creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and peppery arugula.

The dressing

To ensure that the pasta itself was just as flavorful as the rest of the dish, we made a thick, punchy dressing by processing some of the salad ingredients themselves—capers and pepperoncini plus some of the tangy pepperoncini brine—with olive oil infused with garlic, red pepper flakes, and anchovies.

Italian Pasta Salad

Serves 8 to 10 as a side dish

1 pound fusilli

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry, and minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup pepperoncini, stemmed, plus 2 tablespoons brine

2 tablespoons capers, rinsed

2 ounces (2 cups) baby arugula

1 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thin

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, quartered

8 ounces salami, cut into 3/8-inch dice

8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 3/8-inch dice and patted dry

1. Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until pasta is tender throughout, 2 to 3 minutes past al dente. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until chilled. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.

2. Meanwhile, combine oil, garlic, anchovies, and pepper flakes in a liquid measuring cup. Cover and microwave until bubbling and fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Set aside.

3. Slice half of pepperoncini into thin rings and set aside. Transfer remaining pepperoncini to a food processor. Add capers and pulse until finely chopped, 8 to 10 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add pepperoncini brine and warm oil mixture and process until combined, about 20 seconds.

4. Add dressing to pasta and toss to combine. Add arugula, basil, tomatoes, olives, salami, mozzarella, and reserved pepperoncini and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. (Salad can be refrigerated for up to three days. Let come to room temperature before serving.)

(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 athome recipe testers. The family of brands—which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country— offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)

File photo

Enjoying the Bohemian vibe of Budapest’s ruin pubs

What is bariatric surgery?

By Omar Ghanem, M.D., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve struggled with obesity for many years and have tried to lose weight through a healthy diet and exercise. My doctor recently told me that I could be a good candidate for bariatric surgery. What is bariatric surgery? And are there different types of procedures available?

ANSWER: Obesity is a disease, and overcoming it often is not easy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines overweight or obesity as a “weight that is higher than what is considered healthy for a given height.” We assess the severity of obesity by body mass index, or BMI, which is the weight divided by the square height. The higher the BMI, the more severe the case of obesity.

Obesity is a complex disease with many predisposing factors and causes. While eating unhealthy food and not doing enough physical activity contribute to obesity, other factors, including psychological, behavioral and genetic causes, play a significant role. Certain medications also can increase one’s weight and lead to being overweight.

By Rick Steves

Budapest, the cultural capital of Hungary and much of Central Europe, has no shortage of nightlife. You can go there for grand opera, folk music and dancing, a twilight boat trip, or live music in a nightclub.

But there’s also an edgy side to Budapest evenings—“ruin pubs” (romkocsma), which are ramshackle, cavern-like bars crammed with revelers having the time of their lives. To find them, you’ll have to leave the wide boulevards lined with bright, modern stores and delve into the older, more atmospheric streets of the city’s Jewish Quarter.

After World War II, this area was deserted, then resettled largely by members of the Hungarian Roma minority. It remained dilapidated under communism and was slow to rejuvenate even after the Iron Curtain fell. Today it’s a neighborhood of small shops and modest facades that hide ornate, spacious synagogues used by Budapest’s small but vibrant Jewish community.

The unusual combination of a central location and low rents attracted a funky breed of bars.

Their low-profile entryways look abandoned, but a maze of hallways lead to large rooms and openair courtyards filled with people and thrift-shop furniture. Enjoying a drink here, I’m reminded of creatures that inhabit discarded shells in a tide pool.

The last time I was in Budapest, I ended up sitting with Peter (who designs ruin pubs), Laura (who works at a hotel), and Sandra (whose father’s company introduced adult entertainment to Hungary back in the 1990s). I told them how much I like the shabby lounge atmosphere of a ruin pub, and Laura declared that this one, Szimpla Kert (which means “Simple Garden”), is the mecca of ruin pubs in Budapest.

Sandra agreed, but was distracted when Miss Hungary walked by. With a little disdain, she said, “There’s Miss Hungary—a beauty brat with a Gucci handbag, and nobody notices her.” Compared to the more polished scene in cities like Vienna or Milan, fashion here tends to be more personal and eclectic.

Peter bought a round of spritzes (rosé with soda water). He was excited about an event at a ruin pub called “Instant-Fogas,” and wanted us to go there. We trekked a few blocks and found a warren of rooms and alcoves in a historic-feeling, but appropriately run-down, building. Each room was decorated differently, but always creatively—I liked the upsidedown room with furniture on the ceiling.

I commented on how well the design worked. Peter explained how these clubs are the soul of underground culture here. It’s the anti-club club: flea market furniture and a mishmash of colors.

It’s pleasantly chaotic, designed to be undesigned. On hot nights, the pubs spill out into unkempt courtyards, creating the feeling of a cozy living room missing its roof...under the stars.

Outside, Peter demonstrated the different ways you can smoke a cigarette in a counterculture enclave. First he did the affected “Beauty Queen” smoke, then the calculated “Godfather” smoke. Finally, gulping the cigarette in the middle of his lips, he did the “Working Smoker,” saying, “You smoke with big lips.” In recent years Hungary has enacted strict laws against smoking, so tobacco is relegated to outdoor spaces.

Ruin pubs encourage a delightful sense of discovery. In one room dancers thump to an industrial beat. In the next, live jazz enhances an art display. In the next room, you and your partner find yourselves alone—perfect for an intimate conversation.

These bars also come with a bit of communist kitsch. Some who love these lounges were little kids during the last years of communism. Too young to understand its downside, they have fond memories of the good times, when the pace of life was slower and families were tightly knit. Ruin pubs even sell nostalgic “commie” soft drinks along with the cocktails.

Peter explained that the nostalgia is a reaction to what happened after the Berlin Wall came down. In 1989, with the “spontaneous privatization of the society,” the Communists in power had the inside track and grabbed up much of the country’s economic equity. Now, though, political power has flipped. Onetime reformer Viktor Orbán, now Hungary’s autocratic prime minister, has drawn his own accusations of corruption. Today’s discussions center on Hungary’s democratic identity and its (often contentious) place in the European Union. Since most younger Hungarians speak English, it’s not hard to strike up a conversation in ruin pubs about European politics – or simply about life in Budapest.

I love this city for its quirks and persistent personality as much as for its Old World elegance. You’d never see a ruin pub on Paris’s ChampsElysées, but that’s the point. Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere, it’s one of the easiest places in Hungary to make a memorable connection.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

OCALA SONIC EMPLOYEES WIN NATIONAL TRAINING COMPETITION

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

Workers at a Sonic restaurant in Ocala have won the 29th annual Dr Pepper Sonic Games, a national training competition to put employees to the test on efficiency, service, friendliness and more.

The team competed in the final three against stores in Krum, Texas and Mineola, Texas at the Sonic annual national convention in San Diego.

“The Ocala team has truly demonstrated an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest service and cultivating a positive team culture,” stated Kevin Knutson, vice president of operations training at Sonic, in a press release. “They have consistently

upheld Sonic’s core values throughout the competition, and their diligent work has undeniably paid off.”

Over the course of several months, Sonic teams from across the country competed against each other in a series of trainings, challenges and quizzes for teams and individuals. The top 12 teams moved on to have their knowledge and skills tested at the annual convention, where the Ocala team took first place, according to the press release.

“To further support the local communities that the Final 12 teams represent, Sonic donated $10,000 in each team’s hometown to directly fund local classroom projects submitted by public school teachers,” according to the press release.

Since the reasons behind obesity are complex, managing this disease is not simple and requires a multidisciplinary team to treat and cure it. While healthy diet and exercise are encouraged, these often need to be supplemented with other treatments to reduce weight and treat severe obesity. For example, your health care team might incorporate weight loss medication into your treatment plan, which has recently shown significant promise in reducing weight. However, weight gain is fairly common after stopping weight loss medication. Endoscopic therapy is also an option for patients with BMIs that fall in the low-risk or moderate-risk obesity categories. While these options are effective for some patients, weight relapse is a concern, especially if utilized in high-risk patients with obesity.

The most effective therapy for obesity is bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery not only leads to significant weight loss, it also provides the most durable method for weight loss. Bariatric surgery can lead to 30% to 40% total body weight loss. Additionally, weight loss often is sustained for many years, and the risk of weight recurrence is lower. Bariatric surgery also can lead to the resolution or treatment of many other obesity-associated diseases. These include high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, sleep apnea and diabetes.

Bariatric surgery most often is recommended for patients whose BMI is at least 40 or above 35 if obesity is associated with other diseases, such as hypertension, reflux, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint issues or other medical conditions. Patients whose BMI is 30 to 35 may be eligible for surgery if they present with certain conditions.

The four most common types of bariatric procedures include sleeve gastrectomy; gastric bypass; modified duodenal switch, or SADI-S; and the traditional duodenal switch. Sleeve gastrectomy involves removing or stapling off about 80% of the stomach and leaving a tube-shaped stomach about the size and shape of a banana. This surgery restricts the amount of food you can eat and also prompts hormonal changes that decrease the hunger sensation.

The second commonly performed surgery is gastric bypass, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Gastric bypass involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting that pouch directly to the small intestine. The bypass also changes certain hormone levels that help you feel less hungry and induce weight loss.

Modified duodenal switch and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch are recommended for patients with higher BMIs. Both operations are highly effective, especially for patients with diabetes. However, you must strictly follow nutritional recommendations.

At Mayo Clinic, bariatric procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, either laparoscopically or robotically. Patients will have only a few half-inch incisions and can walk and drink within hours after surgery. Usually, patients can return home after spending only one night in the hospital. The multidisciplinary team at Mayo Clinic, which includes endocrinologists, dieticians, psychologists and bariatric surgeons, tailors treatment plans to each patient’s individual needs and characteristics, and provides support at all stages of the weight loss journey.—Omar Ghanem, M.D., Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

(Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)

The eclectic “ruin pub” scene in Budapest usually spills out of the bars and into courtyards. [Rick Steves]

Bird of the Week

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

By Michael Warren

If you hear the sound of a rubber ducky squeaking while walking through one of our local pine forests, be sure to look up. The brown-headed nuthatch is a tiny bird that spends its time foraging high in the tree canopy, sometimes running along branches upside down. This species has been known to use twigs as tools to forage for insects. This one was photographed at Silver Springs State Park.

Brown-headed nuthatch [MichaelWarren.com]

halloween

OCTOBER 6-15

“Witch”

NOMA Black Box at Reilly Arts Center, 900 NE 5th St., Ocala

Thursdays/Fridays 7:30pm; Saturdays 2pm & 7pm/ Sundays 2 pm

The Ocala Civic Theatre gleefully celebrates Halloween with this production of “Witch,” a “bewitching, dark comedy.” Enjoy a festive fall evening and the story of a witch, a devil and the village’s people as they all deal with diabolical shenanigans. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and under. See reillyartscenter.com for more information.

OCTOBER 6-30

Kirby Farms Scary Train Ride

Kirby Farms, 9630 NE 30 St, Williston

Weekends 7pm-10pm

This family fun event boasts a scary train ride through the haunted Clown Woods; Possum Holler and its mutant possum; the haunted Trailer Park, where tenants never really leave; along with a new Hearse Hunt game, and live rockabilly music from Roxie’s Molten Monstrosities. There are also games, food booths, wandering creatures and scares galore. Organizers note that this event may not be suitable for young children. Tickets are $20 and available at kirbyfarm.com/scarytrain.

OCTOBER 6-31

Haunted Homestead: The Swamp Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

Thursdays-Sundays 7pm

This new haunted house boasts enclosed and outdoor “haunt rooms” and promises lots of creepy moments with your silent guide through the

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

unsettling encounters. Ticket prices vary, depending on the day, and start at $25 with a Fast Pass option. Organizers note this is recommended for ages 12 and older only. See homesteadhaunt.com for tickets and more information.

OCTOBER 7

Not So Spooky Halloween Fall Festival

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, 6850 SE 41st Court, Ocala

10am-3pm

A day of fun with activities that include a horse costume contest, a car show, trick or treating, vendor booths and live entertainment. Familyfriendly and fun, the horses of the MTRA will welcome you to the farm. It’s free to attend. For more information, visit mtraocala.org.

OCTOBER 13

Gray Family Halloween Party Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

6pm-10pm

The Ocala Farmers Market hosts special events, and this is one of them, celebrating Halloween. For more information, see their Facebook page or call the CEP at (352) 629-8051, ext. 126.

OCTOBER 13

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

6pm & 8:30pm

From “Thriller” to the theme from “Psycho” to other classics, this musical program, all eerily staged amid candlelight, is sure to get you in the mood

community

OCTOBER 6

Ocala Electric Utility Customer

Appreciation Day

Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala

6pm-8pm

The city’s electric utility celebrates its customers with food on a first-come, first-served basis, entertainment, family-friendly activities and giveaways, including a prize wheel to win utility vouchers. For more information, contact OEU at (352) 629-2489.

OCTOBER 6 & 13

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th

Ave., Ocala

9am-2pm

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

OCTOBER 6 -DECEMBER 15

Coffee and English

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

5:30pm-7pm

Join the English Language Learners group each Friday as they practice and improve their English in a fun, relaxed environment. This is a great opportunity to improve upon a second language while building new relationships. See ocalafl.gov/recpark for more information.

OCTOBER 6

Bunco Babes Scare Away Breast Cancer

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

5pm

This annual fundraiser benefits Michelle-O-Gram, a local organization that helps women get needed mammograms. The fun includes dinner and dancing, a 50/50 raffle, the Pink Halloween costume contest and more. Tickets are $25 and the dice start rolling at 6:30 pm. See facebook.com/michelleogram for more information.

OCTOBER 6-8 & 13-15

Market of Marion Market of Marion, 12888 SE US Highway 441, Belleview

8am-4pm

A classic farmer’s market with lots of vendors. Open every weekend, with monthly special events like car shows on the fourth Saturday. See themarketofmarion.com for more information.

OCTOBER 6-NOVEMBER 5

Coon Hollo Farm Fall Festival

Coon Hollo Farm, 22480 Highway 441 North, north of McIntosh Times vary, see website Celebrate fall with pony rides, archery, a crop maze, a hay ride out to the feed the cows, a Wild West show, pig races and farm animals. Tickets are $14 and include all activities. Food and drink will be available for sale. For more information, visit coonhollo.com.

OCTOBER 7 & 14

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

9am Free yoga classes at this mellow park have started up again. All are welcome; meet at the stage area. This class recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

OCTOBER 7 & 14

Ocala Downtown Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

9am-2pm

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

OCTOBER 7 & 14

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A true farmers market where chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available, along with horse tack, homegrown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. The event recurs every Saturday, weather permitting.

OCTOBER 7

Oktoberfest

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Expo 1, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala

11am-5pm

This annual food and drink festival celebrates German-themed food and fun. Live music comes from the Swinging Bavarians, and a full menu of German fare includes beer cheese, bratwurst, schnitzel and more. Food is included in the ticket prices, which start at $42 for adults and $25 for children age 12 and under. See worldequestriancenter.com for more information.

OCTOBER 7

Master Gardener Fall Show

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 8am-12pm

The annual fall plant sale offers native plant options, herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, house plants and more. The festival also offers a mobile plant clinic, soil test kits and vouchers for melaleuca mulch. Bring your own cart and no pets are allowed. For more information, contact jeremy.k.rhoden@ufl.edu.

OCTOBER 7

Marion County Parks & Rec Annual

Carnival

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm

This is the fifth annual fall carnival and the county Parks & Rec teams hosts bounce houses, a variety of food trucks, costume contests, giveaways and lots of family-friendly entertainment and activities for the kids. For more information, contact (352) 671-8560.

for Halloween. This event is intended for ages 8 and older. Performed by the Listeso String Quartet, tickets are $42-$68. See feverup.com/m/137965 to purchase tickets.

OCTOBER 25

Howl-O-Ween Paw-ty

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 Jacksonville Road, Ocala

5-7:30pm

Kids and pets get in free for this fundraiser for the Humane Society of Marion County. Adults pay $5 admission. The event will include a trunk or treat for kids, vendors, games and costume contests for everyone. Each guest will receive a hot dog, drink and snack. To learn more, go to FB.com/ events/604731595093633/

OCTOBER 27

Trick or Treat at the Park & Adult

Halloween Party

Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6pm & 9pm Bring the kids and enjoy costumes, candy and trick or treating from 6pm-9pm. Then, DJ Bobby Laredo will play the hits you want at this adults-only Halloween bash. Dress up, get down and howl at the moon. See homesteadparks.com for details.

OCTOBER 28

Belleview Trunk or Treat at Lake Lillian

Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

4pm-7pm Belleview’s Trunk or Treat returns this year with free candy for children and families,

OCTOBER 7–NOVEMBER 5

Brown & Brown Farms Fall Fest & Mega Maze

Brown & Brown Farm, 13940 US 301, Oxford

Hours vary, see website

This farm boasts Central Florida’s largest corn maze and it has 10 acres of winding paths, twists and turns. The farm is family-friendly and the maze is wheelchair accessible. There are also special evening events throughout the month. Tickets start at $14.95. See bit.ly/brown-corn-maze for more information.

OCTOBER 10 & 11

Medicare Classes

Online Tuesday 1pm & Wednesday 10am

The SHINE organization is offering free classes for anyone wanting to learn more about Medicare. These are free and available by computer or phone. Two classes are offered this week: Medicare 101 in Spanish and Long-Term Care planning. For more information, email shine@agingresources.org or call (800) 262-2243.

OCTOBER 12

Florida Feast Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

5:30pm-10pm

This renowned fundraiser benefits both ARC of Marion County and Interfaith Emergency Services. The evening includes appetizers, drinks, an open bar, buffet, music by DJ, silent auction and raffles. Tickets are $1,000 for a table seating 10. Marion County Road Builders Association hosts this annual event. Check out arcmarion.org/latest-news/ for more information.

OCTOBER 12

OTOW Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala

9am-1pm

This week, special guest Tropic Steel plays live music to accompany the fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more. The event recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more information.

OCTOBER 12

Tot Time Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala

10am-12pm

This free program for tots ages 4 and under is designed to get kids interacting and playing with other kids. The activities will vary from inside play, pool time and playground time. Free to attend; the group meets weekly on Thursdays. See the Silver Springs Shore Community Center Facebook page for more information.

OCTOBER 14

Belleview Community Yard Sale Belleview Community Center, 5615 SE 110th Place, Belleview 8am-1pm

DJ Wolverine, a free hay ride and more. Explore a haunted house and zombie maze provided by the Arts District for $3 per person. Food trucks will include Cousin’s Maine Lobster, Backstage Grill & Concessions, Fat Tiki, K&S 7 Spice, Papa Johns and Poppin’ & Shakin’. For more information, visit belleviewfl.org or call (352) 233-2122.

OCTOBER 28

Hapi Harvest Day

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

1-4pm

The event is sponsored by the Horticultural Arts and Park Institute, Inc. The afternoon will feature a painted pumpkin hunt, trick or treating, food trucks and a Monster Mash Dance Party. Come in costume for a chance to win prizes. There will be interactive and educational trick-or-treat stations and live musical entertainment by the Ina A. Colen Academy Show Choir and country singer-songwriter Patrick Gibson. There is a $5 fee for parking. For more info, visit sholompark.org/events/hapi-harvest-day-2023

OCTOBER 31

Boo Bash

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Court, Ocala

5:30-7:30pm

The city of Ocala is calling all little ghouls and goblins, spooks and spirits, princesses and pirates to this celebration. It is a family-friendly indoor event with face-painting, creepy crafts, candy for children and more. It is free to attend. To learn more, go to ocalafl.gov/government/ city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks/ recreation/holidays

Booth spaces are $10 and $15 for a booth with a table. Shop early for the holidays or sell some items of your own. Proceeds will benefit United Way of Marion County. Contact apittsley@belleviewfl.org or (352) 245-7021, ext. 2119, to reserve a space or to donate items.

OCTOBER 14

Wear Your Wings 5K College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 8am race start

This fundraiser will benefit the Marion County Children’s Alliance. Early registration is $30 per adult and $10 per child under age 10. Shirts, medals and prizes will be awarded. To enter, visit wearyourwings5k.itsyourrace.com.

OCTOBER 14

McIntosh 1890s Festival

Spanning several town blocks, McIntosh 8am-4pm

Step into the charm of yesteryear in historic McIntosh for its annual 1890s festival. Each year, hundreds of vendors are expected, along with free music all day and a variety of food vendors. Booths include arts, crafts, plants, jewelry, gifts, antiques and more. See mcintosh1890sfestival.com or friendsofmcintosh.org for more information.

OCTOBER 14

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens

Fall Festival 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston

9:30am-5pm

The fall festival is a lovely day out among the stellar woods and gardens of this park, which will be filled with vendors, live music, food trucks and access to the walking paths. Adult tickets are $12, ages 5-13 are $5 and kids under age 5 are free. See cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com/upcoming-events for more details.

OCTOBER 17

Veterans Services Open House Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 1pm-4pm

A free open house offers educational panels and information about the variety of veterans’ services and benefits available in Marion County. Free to all, but registration is required. Sign up at masterthepossibilities.org or call (352) 861-9751.

THROUGH JANUARY 6

“Exciting Explorers” at the Discovery Center Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am-4pm

The Discovery Center has opened its new exhibit, “Exciting Explorers.” Learn about archeologists and preserving ancient finds, figure out navigation routes and other hands-on science activities. Tickets are $8 per person for ages 3 and older, and $7 for seniors and veterans. See ocalafl.gov/ government/city-departments-i-z/recreationparks/discovery-center for more information.

critters & equine

OCTOBER 6-8

Wellington Classic Dressage

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala

All day Shows of precision and partnership between horse and rider are on display in these dressage classes. The horse park has vendors and food options onsite. See flhorsepark.com for more information.

OCTOBER 6-7 & 13-14

WEC Open Schooling Days

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Arenas 1, 2, and 3, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am-3pm

WEC is welcoming those who want some practice time in the big arenas with schooling days for fall. Dressage rings, hunter and jumper courses are set in various arenas, all indoors. Ship-in only, and fees are $40 per horse, per day. For more information, visit worldequestriancenter.com.

government

OCTOBER 9 & 16

Marion County Development Review Committee

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

9am

The first step for new development projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. The committee meets weekly on Mondays.

OCTOBER 9

Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala

5:30pm

The commission meets monthly. Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx.

civic

OCTOBER 6 & 13

South Ocala Chess Club at Freedom Library

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

10am-12pm

The club meets weekly on Fridays, new members welcome. Bring your own chess set. For more information, contact Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

OCTOBER 6 & 13

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Central Christian Church, 3010 NE 14th St., Ocala

12pm

The club meets weekly on Fridays and supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More information is available at ocalakiwanis.org.

OCTOBER 11

Wildlife Wednesdays

Heritage Nature Conservancy, 2005 NE Third St., Ocala

5pm-6pm

Put your ranger hat on and join park staff for this educational presentation and weekly hike at an area park. Free to attend for all, this is a great way to learn about native animals and their distinct habitats here in Ocala. The topics and park locations vary; see the website for more information at ocalafl.gov/recpark.

OCTOBER 14

Horsey Yard Sale

Tack Shack, 481 SW 60th Ave., Ocala

9am-6pm

After a hiatus due to COVID-19, this world-famous yard sale features all things equine, with saddles, bridles, riding attire, boots, horse equipment, grooming supplies, horse clothes and more. Door prizes and stores savings. Food trucks will be onsite. The event is free to attend. For more information, contact tackshackprojects@gmail.com.

OCTOBER 10

Belleview Planning & Zoning Board

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview

5:30pm Belleview government agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes.

OCTOBER 11

Dunnellon City Council Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm Dunnellon government agendas, minutes and video available at dunnellon.org/89/agendas-minutes.

OCTOBER 7 & 14

Ocala Chess Club at Headquarters Library Headquarters Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

11am-3pm

The club meets weekly on Saturdays, new members welcome. Bring your own chess set. For more information, visit facebook.com/ groups/53070499106/

OCTOBER 7 & 14

Toastmasters Early Bird Ocala

Marion County Literacy Council, 120 SW 5th St., Ocala

8:15am

Learn to feel comfortable with public speaking and improve leadership skills. This club meets Saturday mornings for practice. Contact toastmaster.sherrivaughn@gmail.com or 6938954. toastmastersclubs.org for more information.

&nightlifemusic

Gasoline Alley

OCTOBER 14

Frontier Days/Extreme Team Challenge

Williston’s Horseman’s Park, 803 SW 19th Ave., Williston

12:30pm-10pm

The park hosts this benefit show to help Chad Smith, who was injured in a bull riding accident nine years ago. The rodeo includes bull riding, a corn hole tournament, live music from Cam Wheaton, bounce houses for the kids, a variety of vendors, food and drink options and more. See https://bit.ly/3LM1ZWp for more information.

OCTOBER 15

Bark in the Park

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

1pm-4pm

The Ocala Farmers Market and the Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala host this annual doggone good time. It’s a doggy expo with vendors, charities, food trucks, a dog costume contest and more. Free to attend, the event benefits Marion County Animal Services and Marion Senior Services. For more information, visit srfofocala.org.

OCTOBER 17

Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview

6pm

The commission the first and third Tuesday of the month. Belleview government agendas, minutes and video are available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes.

OCTOBER 17

Dunnellon Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon

5:30pm Dunnellon government agendas, minutes and video available at dunnellon.org/89/agendas-minutes.

OCTOBER 7

Blooming Violets of Marion County

Marion County Sheriff’s Southwest District Office, 9048 SW State Road 200 Ocala, FL 34481

10:30am-12:30pm

The club meets the first Saturday of the month to celebrate and enjoy African violets. The event includes refreshments, raffle, program and the meeting. Guests are welcome. Contact Laura for more info at (352) 624-0116.

OCTOBER 12

Ocala Lions Club

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

12pm

The Ocala Lions Club meets every Thursday. Newcomers welcomed; call Membership Chairperson Libby Marks de Martino, and (352) 441-0073.

Circle Square at OTOW 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7pm

OCTOBER 14

Glass Tower Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

OCTOBER 15

Shawn Manley Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

OCTOBER 15

KennaDee

Animal Crackers

Broom Hilda

Middletons

arts

OCTOBER 6

First Friday Art Walk

Ocala Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala

6pm-9pm

The Art Walk season continues, featuring artists, performers and craftspeople. This month, the square’s main stage hosts Ecliff Farrar, along with street buskers Diorella Dailey, My Uncle’s Friend, Prestine Allen and Sean T Music. A zombie flash mob performance comes from The Arts District team. Food and drink will be available from vendors and restaurants. It’s free to attend and there is free parking at the municipal garage on Fort King Street. For more information, visit ocalafl.org

OCTOBER 6

After Dark in the Park Movie Series Citizens Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala

7pm

The city of Ocala hosts free movie nights, and this month, to get into the Halloween spirit, it’s “Hotel Transylvania.” The movie showing is free and open to the public. Popcorn, drinks and other refreshments will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/recpark.

OCTOBER 7

Free First Saturday

Appleton Museum, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

10am-5pm

Continuing its tradition of free admission on the first Saturday of each month, you can view museum works, regular and special collections, and hear guest artists and lecturers share their knowledge. This month, architect Mario Cartaya discusses Cuban architecture at 1pm. The food truck this month is the Smoked Biscuit. See appletonmuseum.org for more information.

OCTOBER 7

Sister Hazel

Reilly Arts Center, 900 NE 5th St., Ocala

7:30pm

Gainesville’s renowned country/indie band

Sister Hazel comes back to North Central Florida. With chart-topping songs, stellar musicianship and a real connection with their audience, this band is one to see. Tickets are $30-$75. See reillyartscenter.com for more information.

OCTOBER 7

“Origin”: Opening Exhibition

NOMA Art Gallery, 939 N. Magnolia Ave., Ocala

7pm-10pm

This collaboration between Ralph Demilio and Mel Fiorentino premieres with their exhibit, “Origin.” The artists combine their artistic endeavors in oil painting and photography to create universal truths. Admission is free and light refreshments will be serviced. Check out nomaocala.com/events for more details.

OCTOBER 8

Jennifer Foster Concert Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala Call for time

Soprano Foster has performed all over the world. She is a performer and a teacher, and has released four CD collections of songs. She teaches voice in her Ocala studio and conducts group workshops for singers, actors, and public speakers. The event is free; a love offering is warmly welcomed. Learn more at (352) 237-4633.

OCTOBER 10

Ira Holmes International Film Series: “Utama”

College of Central Florida, Bldg. 8, Room 110, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

7pm

This week’s movie is “Utama,” the story of an elderly couple facing drought and devastation to their llama herd in Quechua. Free to the public, this is part of an ongoing series of international films. For more information, visit cf.edu/filmseries.

OCTOBER 10 (17 & 24)

Great Girls! Empowerment through

Art Workshops

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

4pm-5pm

The Arts in Health Ocala Metro group hosts artist Becky Hudson for a workshop series to build confidence and foster self-love for girls aged 12-16. The projects will include making empowerment bracelets, painting an inspired self-image and creating an affirmation painting. The workshops are free and all supplies are included. Workshops are limited to 12 girls, so register early at bit.ly/3EPuBdD.

OCTOBER 12 & 19

Coffee and Cake

NOMA Art Gallery, 939 N. Magnolia Ave., Ocala

1pm-4pm

These weekly coffee (and cake) klatches bring together gallery guests, artists, patrons, creative types and more, and take place every Thursday afternoon. All are welcome. See nomaocala.com/ events for more information.

OCTOBER 14

Hispanic Heritage Festival

Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala

11am-6pm

The College of Central Florida celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with this free festival downtown. Enjoy food trucks, kid-friendly activities, information about community resources, music, local artists, vendors and more. See cf.edu/hhf for more information.

OCTOBER 14

Two Rivers Music Festival

Ernie Mills Park, 11899 Bostick St., Dunnellon

5pm-10pm

The music festival and food truck rally is free to attend with lots of live bands playing a variety of music. This year, the Keith Caton Blues Band joins Palomino Blonde, the Rock City Misfits and Boneyard and others, along with vendors selling crafts, artwork, jewelry and more. For more information, see facebook.com/tworiversmusicfestivaldunnellon.

OCTOBER 14

Marion Cultural Alliance: Applaud the Arts

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

7pm-10pm

An annual celebration of Marion County art and artists, this year’s theme is “Soiree de Lumiere,” an evening under the lights. Cocktail attire or Paris

1920’s fashion is encouraged. Tickets are $35-$65 and include heavy hors’d’oeuvres, a cash bar, live music, live painters and more, plus the announcement of the recipients of Cultural Grant and Arts Award. For more information, see mcaocala.com.

THROUGH OCTOBER 26

Florida Watercolor Society Exhibition

Webber Gallery, College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala

10am-4pm Monday-Thursdays

The 52nd annual exhibition features watercolor media on all types of material, showing both traditional and experimental artworks. See cf.edu/webber for more information.

THROUGH OCTOBER 28

Halloween and Horror Films

Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala

Times vary, see website

All month long, the Marion Theatre plays classic horror movies. See titles like “Poltergeist,” “Ghostbusters,” “Psycho,” “Beetlejuice” and more. See reaillyartscenter.com for more information.

THROUGH DECEMBER 12

“Patternz” by Kelsey Mahoney

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

The city continues its Art in City Spaces program with this exhibit by emerging artist Kelsey Mahoney. Her abstract work is filled with vibrant colors and mosaic themes. The exhibit is free to the public. For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces.

THROUGH JANUARY 4

“Bold and Inspired: Native American Regalia” and “Abstract Island Expressions”

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala

Community center hours

Couple Diana and William Lee exhibit work in side-by-side exhibitions, each with its own distinctive style and theme reflecting each artist

and their different approaches. The exhibit is part of the Ocala Art in City Spaces program. See ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 8

The Beauty of Nature and Recyclable Refuse

Recreation and Parks Administration Building and Adult Activity Center, 828/830 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala

8am-5pm

Florida artist Albert Bevilacqua focuses this exhibit on recyclable items and he’s turned them into an artistic statement about protecting the environment. Free to the public, this exhibit is part of the Art in City Spaces program by the City of Ocala. See ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 9

Tony A. Blue, American Painter Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala Airport hours Blue’s exhibits include work in acrylics, mixed media and photographs. His colorful, abstract paintings are inspired by Florida’s tropical natural landscape. The exhibit is free and open to the public during airport hours. For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces.

THROUGH JANUARY 14

“Skylines to Hemlines: Art Deco Design” Appleton Museum, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

Tuesday-Saturdays 10am-5pm

This new exhibit from the museum’s permanent collections brings together an overview of 20th Century art, design, fashion, jewelry and more, focused on the unique movement of Art Deco. The collections include antique clothing, designed items, sculpture, posters, photographs and other artwork. For more information, see appletonmuseum.org.

THROUGH JANUARY 28

“The Unscene South” by Charles Eady Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

10am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday

This new exhibit from artist Charles Eady focuses on the daily lives of “free Blacks” from the Civil War era. He is a contemporary mixed-media artist and author. Check out appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 28

“Caught Up in History and Captured on Film” by Randy Batista Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday Batista’s work focuses on Florida and Cuba, two places that had profound impact on the artist. This exhibit features club members of The Spanish Center of Tampa and their daily lives. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE

OCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTS

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4

Sudoku

The book the sorcerer used to learn magic and new incantations was --

High School Football Coverage is Sponsored By

Florida State University High edges Trinity Catholic

A late field goal lifted the Seminoles over the Celtics during a night game

By Mark Pinson Special to The Ocala Gazette

Florida State University High School junior

kicker Cole Allbaugh booted a 20-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in the game to give the Seminoles a 31-28 win over Trinity Catholic High School on Sept. 29.

The winning field goal was set up by a Trinity Catholic fumble, the Celtics’ fifth turnover of the game, which Florida State University High took advantage of by driving 66 yards to set up the winning score.

The hard-fought victory improved FSUHS, one of the top teams in the state in Class 2S, to 4-1 on the season, while the disappointing loss dropped Class 1S Trinity Catholic, which has played a very tough schedule, to 1-4 overall.

“It seems every time we play Florida High it’s determined by three points or less and it came down to that again tonight,” said Celtics coach John Brantley. “We played another excellent team and I get criticized every now and then for playing all these good teams. But it’s only going to improve our football team and at the end of the season it shows. We just need to trust the process and stick together because it’s proven itself over the last four years. Nobody likes to lose, but I like what I saw from this team because I thought we improved in every area. If we quit turning the ball over and stop making silly mistakes, we’re going to be tough.”

Trinity Catholic, which has made a postseason run each of the last four years, took the opening kick and drove 65 yards in seven plays, as quarterback Preston Wright completed four passes, including a 17-yard scoring strike to sophomore running back James Pullings. The extra point by Cooper Badics gave the Celtics a 7-0 lead.

FSUHS answered with a four-play, 63-yard march with senior quarterback Jeremy Johnston hitting wide receiver Kelsean Inman for a 55-yard touchdown pass. Allbaugh drilled the point after to tie the score at 7 midway through the first period.

Trinity Catholic, which moved the ball consistently against a good Seminoles defense, reached the FSUHS nine on its next possession before a fumble short-circuited the drive.

After forcing a FSUHS punt, Trinity Catholic marched 75 yards and found the end zone on a 2-yard run by backup quarterback AJ Cussins, who took over when Wright was shaken up after a late hit. The extra point made it 14-7 with 9:56 left in the second period.

Florida State University High’s next possession ended with an interception of a Johnston pass by Celtics junior cornerback Jaiden Alverio at the Trinity Catholic 30.

Trinity Catholic was forced to punt, and FSUHS went 68 yards in two plays with senior tailback Micahi Danzy breaking loose for a 44-yard touchdown run. The point after tied the score at 14 at the half.

The Trinity Catholic defense stepped up in a big way on FSUHS’s first possession of the second half as Johnston’s pass was tipped and junior defensive lineman Gerrick Gordon plucked the ball out of

the air and rumbled 20 yards for a touchdown. The point after gave the Celtics a 21-14 lead.

Florida State wasted no time in answering as Johnston connected with Ashton Hampton for a 55-yard scoring pass down the right sideline. The point after tied the score at 21.

After an exchange of punts, Trinity Catholic turned the ball over on an interception by Seminoles cornerback Jessiah McGrew at the Celtics’ 39.

A pass interference penalty against Trinity Catholic moved the ball to the 24 and Johnston found Tyson Howard open over the middle for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Johnston completed 12 of 21 passes for 255 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The extra point gave the Seminoles a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter.

A good return on the kickoff and a facemask penalty against FSUHS gave Trinity Catholic excellent field position at its 43.

The Celtics drove 57 yards in 11 plays, with running back Jamarkus Starkes scoring from two yards out. The point after tied the game at 28 with 10:01 left to play.

FSUHS was forced to punt and Trinity Catholic took over at its 42. The Celtics picked up a pair of first downs as Wright hit Davon Jones for a 12yard gain and a first down at the Seminoles’ 45. Wright completed 19 of 28 passes for 214 yards with one touchdown and a pair of interceptions.

A fumble was recovered by FSUHS at its 32yard line to end the threat with 5:05 remaining to play.

The Seminoles calmly drove down the field with Johnston completing a key pass of 24 yards to Hampton. Jayden Threatts picked up 28 yards on a running play to give Florida State a first down at the Trinity Catholic 11-yard line.

The Celtics defense stiffened and forced a 20yard field goal which Allbaugh made to give the Seminoles a 31-28 lead with 25 seconds left in the game.

The kickoff went through the end zone and Trinity Catholic took possession at its 20-yard line. The Celtics hopes for a miracle ended when FSUHS cornerback Gabriel Miley intercepted Wright’s pass and returned it to the Trinity Catholic 3-yard line with 12.7 seconds remaining.

The Seminoles took a knee to seal the hardfought victory. Despite committing five turnovers, Trinity Catholic was in the game until the very end.

“I thought our offense moved the ball well against a good Florida High defense, but you can’t turn the ball over that many times and beat a good team,” coach Brantley said. “We were hoping to come away with a win tonight, but I’m encouraged by what I saw and I’m excited for this football team so long as they stay up and keep buying in.”

Trinity Catholic will look to get back on the winning track on Oct. 6, when the Celtics take on Calvary Christian in Clearwater.

“We’ll go back to work on Monday and see what we’re made of,” Brantley said after the FSUHS game. “We’ve got some good leaders on this team, so we’ll practice next week and get ready to play a talented Calvary Christian team on the road.”

Higher Standard”

FOOTBALL SCORES

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL SCORES