CF’s production of “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic”
6 important questions for voters in November
From abortion and recreational marijuana to partisan school board races and the right to hunt and fish, this year’s amendments could impact Floridians’ lives in numerous ways.
By Judy Johnson, Esq.
Special to the Ocala Gazette
Florida voters will be asked a series of questions on the Nov. 5 ballot ranging from hot-button issues such as abortion rights and whether to allow recreational marijuana use to lesser-known matters like whether the right to hunt and fish should be enshrined in the state Constitution.
Much of the public’s attention this election season has focused on Amendments 3 and 4, dealing with the state’s six-week restriction on abortions and the proposal to expand the current access to medical marijuana to allow adults to possess pot for personal use.
There are other significant matters to be decided, however. Many voters find themselves looking at their ballots in the voting booth or at their kitchen tables and reading amendment questions for the first time, often
The Ocala Arts Festival on Oct. 26 and 27 will bring more than 140 artists to town and the featured artist is Ocala’s own Jordan Shapot.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
It’s almost time for one of Ocala and Marion County’s best loved traditions, the Ocala Arts Festival. The event will take place Oct. 26 and 27 and will span numerous city blocks all around the downtown square. It is organized by the nonprofit Fine Arts For Ocala, or FAFO.
While the event will feature more than 140 artists from around the nation, in over 16 different media, the community can take pride because this year’s featured artist is
one of our own: Jordan Shapot.
“I’m truly honored to be selected as this year’s featured artist,” Shapot said. “It feels special to be recognized among so many talented individuals. This will be my fourth year exhibiting at the Ocala Arts Festival, which has become one of my favorite events of the year. It’s a humbling experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent Ocala.”
The artist, owner of Shapot Art Studio and Gallery in Ocala, is an alumnus of the Savannah College of Art and Design. He notes on his website that he focuses on
making bold and emotionally driven art.
“While my work continues to be heavily influenced by color and light, it has become more expressive over time, moving further away from realism. I’m intrigued by the idea of using my art to create atmospheres that invite the viewer to engage more deeply, encouraging them to become part of the visual conversation,” he explained.
Shapot said he plans to display between 20 and 30 pieces of artwork at this year’s festival.
“I’ve been hard at work on some new
“Fate, Goblins and the Mothership”
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra opens its 49th season with works by three diverse composers.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Members of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra invite you to join them for a “thrilling interstellar journey combining electronica with the orchestra” as they open their 49th season with Mason Bates’ “Mothership.”
During the “Fate, Goblins and the Mothership” concerts on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, attendees also will hear Dvořák’s “Water Goblin,” which weaves a tale of love, tragedy and a supernatural world beneath the waves while guests follow the story via supertitles above the orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s powerful, fate filled “Symphony No. 4” will round out the performance. The OSO is under the baton of maestro Matthew Wardell.
“This concert features three very differently constructed works that explore everything from dropping into an alien techno dance party and a Czech fairy tale to the concept of fate itself. In some ways though, all three pieces deal with abduction—either by a UFO, a mysterious water goblin or by our own destiny—and the different stories those experiences create. I’m really excited to go on a journey with our audience through these three incredible pieces,” Wardell said.
“For me, the Tchaikovsky symphony is very meaningful, especially at this time. It was written when he was trying to find happiness
INSIDE:
Ira Holmes Naming Ceremony A4
FEMA Assistance A7
Marion County’s
Artist Jordan Shapot, right, talks with Angi Grabbe in his booth at the FAFO Ocala Arts Festival in downtown Ocala on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.
[Title art added by Amy Crescenzo]
Maestro Matthew Wardell leads the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. The OSO will open its 49th season on Oct. 19 and 20 with “Fate, Goblins and the Mothership.” [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
Amendments
Continued from page A1
with little to no details to help them make an informed decision.
The following is a brief analysis of each of the six amendments on the general election ballot, including some of the arguments in favor and in opposition.
Amendment 1: Partisan election of members of district school
boards
This amendment would make school board races partisan elections. The rule would kick in on or after the November 2026 general election, but primary elections to pick candidates for the 2026 general election would also be partisan.
In favor: This would give voters more information about the political leanings and ideologies of school board candidates. Since it would be naïve to think political parties don’t already influence local races, this would create more transparency. Making races partisan could attract more voters and candidates to school board elections. Nonpartisan candidates could run under the no party affiliation (NPA) tag.
Against: Florida had partisan elections for many years before voters decided in a 1998 amendment that education should not be a partisan issue and party platforms should have no place in determining curriculum. Injecting partisan politics into school board meetings will make them more contentious, taking valuable time and focus away from what should be the core concerns: improving schools and educational opportunities.
Amendment 2: Right to Hunt and Fish
The amendment would preserve fishing and hunting, including the use of traditional methods, as a public right and make it the preferred way to manage fish and wildlife. The amendment would not limit the authority of the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In favor: While some states are trying to limit fishing and hunting, Florida does not wish to join them. Sportfishing is a major industry in Florida, attracting over 4 million anglers and adding $14 billion in economic impact annually while supporting 120,000 jobs and providing revenue to the state through licenses and tags and sales tax.
Against: This is a solution in search of a problem as the right of Floridians to hunt and fish already exists in state statutes. This would create a “public right” and not a “citizen’s right,” which could open Florida’s waters to massive foreign commercial fishing. On a smaller scale, it could embolden hunters to trespass on private property by citing their constitutional right to hunt. It creates a preference for lethal methods of wildlife management and authorizes
“traditional means” such as steel jaw traps, gill nets and other inhumane methods of harvesting fish and wildlife. Conservation and management should be the focus to maintain populations for the future.
Amendment 3: Adult Personal Use of Marijuana
People 21 years and older would be allowed to possess, buy and use a limited amount of marijuana products and accessories for nonmedical consumption through smoking, ingesting or any other means. It would allow Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other state-licensed entities to obtain, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell and distribute such products. This would apply only to state law and would not change or protect against violations of federal law.
In favor: Florida would join 24 other states, half the country, in legalizing recreational marijuana and would simply expand the state’s current medical marijuana availability and make recreational marijuana safe by establishing standards for production. This expansion of use could boost tax revenues by an estimated $4 billion by 2025; the proposal’s fiscal impact statement shows a more modest annual estimate of $195.6 million.
Against: Marijuana use remains illegal under federal definition, so this could create confusion among businesses and buyers. Some opponents consider marijuana to be a gateway drug to other, more dangerous substances. Critics say this initiative could raise profits for major national marijuana distributors while increasing Floridians’ costs for auto and health insurance as well as triggering higher taxes to pay for more law enforcement. With no clear information about the regulations that would be needed, it would complicate rules for both medical and recreational use.
Amendment 4: Limits Government Interference on Abortion
No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. The amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification of a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.
In favor: The amendment would overturn Florida’s law that restricts abortions to before six weeks, when a woman may not even know she is pregnant. Proponents say it is necessary because the state Supreme Court has recently overturned a 1989 decision that determined Florida’s constitutional privacy clause included a right to abortion.
All Floridians deserve the freedom to make their own medical decisions, and politicians should not interfere with decisions between patients and their healthcare providers.
Against: This amendment would overturn the state’s sixweek abortion provision. The language does not require an actual doctor to be involved in the medical decision, only a healthcare provider. Opponents consider this an attempt to legalize abortion up to the moment of birth and say it is designed to increase voter turnout in November to impact other races and ballot questions.
Amendment 5: Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Properties
This would require an annual adjustment for inflation to the value of current or future homestead exemptions that apply only to levies other than school district taxes. Every person who has legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains the permanent residence would be eligible.
In favor: This would adjust property assessments on homesteads each year based on annual increases in inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). As taxes continue to rise, some areas of Florida are becoming too expensive for people to continue living in their own homes.
Against: This would only apply only to the second $25,000 of the owner’s homestead exemption, a small portion of the assessed value of the property, meaning owners of lower-priced homes would not get much benefit. Local governments could lose an estimated $111 million in property taxes by 2029, depriving these entities of a major source of revenue. This could shift more of the overall tax burden to commercial property owners and businesses who, in turn, could pass this increase on to tenants and customers.
Amendment 6: Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement
This would repeal the provision of the State Constitution that requires public financing for campaigns of candidates for elective statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits.
In favor: Candidates should be expected to raise their own contributions to run. General tax revenues should instead be used for health care, water projects and education.
Against: Voters soundly defeated this question in an earlier amendment. Without this access to public funds for campaigns, candidates who are not wealthy and well-connected would be at a disadvantage. Public funding encourages a more diverse pool of candidates and levels the playing field for challengers to incumbents.
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Arts festival
Continued from page A1
paintings that I’m excited for people to see. And yes, they’ll be available for purchase—wink, wink,” he noted.
When asked what other things he is currently involved with, Shapot said, “I’ve been invited to exhibit at the Reilly Arts Center for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming season. I also have some public murals in progress, which will begin shortly after the festival.
“At Shapot Art Gallery,” he continued, “we have two exciting shows coming up: the group exhibition ‘Home,’ with an opening reception on Nov. 9 and ‘BLUE: A Not So Solo Show,’ curated by Malcolm O’Mari Davis, on Dec. 21. Additionally, we’re hosting the selfguided Ocala Studio and Gallery Tours every first Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the open critique, ‘Everyone’s a Critic,’ every first Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. I also have a few other exciting projects and collaborations that I’ll be announcing soon.”
Festival organizers FAFO was founded in 1966 by a group of local people who wanted to bring art to Marion County. It was incorporated in 1972 and, ever since, has been bringing the Ocala Arts Festival to the community each year.
In 1988, FAFO added the Symphony Under the Stars event held each Mother’s Day, in partnership with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, which quickly became another much-loved local tradition. Proceeds raised from that event help to put on the art festival.
This year’s Ocala Arts Festival chairman is Teddy Sykes, with co-chair Ryan Neumann. Sykes is a local artist and IT professional who has lived in the Ocala area most of his life. Neumann is a resident artist with the local Magnolia Art Xchange and artist member of the Marion Cultural
Alliance. Recent achievements include his being one of last year’s FAFO Emerging Artists.
“We feature five to six artists annually through our Emerging Artists program, which supports new artists with no prior experience in large festivals by guiding them through the entire process. This year we have five artists in the Emerging Artists category, whose work will be exhibited alongside the others,” FAFO Administrator
Ashley Morgan shared about this unique aspect of the festival.
The judges
The festival judges this year are Robin Perry Dana and Victoria Billig. As an art consultant over the last 10 years, Dana has directed clients in building private art collections and represented dozens of contemporary artists. She also serves as creative director of NativeHouse Studios. Dana earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Agnes Scott College and a master’s in fine arts in photography from the University of Connecticut. She taught photography at the University of Connecticut, Agnes Scott College and the University of Georgia, as well as study abroad programs in Cuba, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and Italy.
Billig is assistant director of museum operations at the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida. She earned a master’s degree in interdisciplinary arts from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from the University of South Florida. Prior to joining the Appleton, she held positions at the Pelham Art Center in New York, the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale and the USF Contemporary Art Museum in Tampa. She is a board member of the Magnolia Art Xchange and sits on the Marion County Tourist Development Council. She has participated in panels and juried art shows and festivals across the south.
“Between the two judges,
we look for a variety of perspectives, career trajectories and demographics, and it helps if they’ve judged shows like ours before, so they know what to expect,” Morgan noted.
More than art
In addition to being able to wander city streets enjoying the many displays of art, festivalgoers also can see a wide variety of entertainment offerings at the gazebo stage on the downtown square and at the nearby Citizens’ Circle campus. Attendees can stop in at a number of local eateries all around the square and there also will be several food trucks and food and beverage vendors throughout the festival site.
Morgan said she and nearly two dozen volunteer board members have “worked tirelessly throughout the last year to ensure this year’s festival is even more successful and fun than ever.”
“Last year, we introduced several updates to the event that were well received by guests. While we have several new ideas in mind, we decided to concentrate on enhancing and expanding the aspects of the event that our guests already know and love before we move forward with introducing new features,” she said.
As for Shapot’s selection as this year’s featured artist, Morgan noted, “We wanted to take the opportunity this year to show appreciation and support of our local arts community here in Ocala. With so many talented local artists, many of whom have previously participated in the Ocala Arts Festival and won prestigious awards, it was difficult to choose just
one to be our featured artist this year. Jordan’s artwork is vibrant and fun and represents the energy and growth the Ocala arts community has been buzzing with in recent years.”
The Ocala Arts Festival is free to attend. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Pets are allowed and parking is available throughout the downtown area.
To learn more about Jordan Shapot, go to jordanshapot.com and find him on social media.
For more information about FAFO and the Ocala Arts Festival, go to FAFO.org and find the organization on Facebook and Instagram.
Opens October 19
Right: “Palm reaching for the Sun (Silver River).” [Courtesy Jordan Shapot]
Detail from “My parent’s street” (top); “My parent’s street” (bottom) [Courtesy Jordan Shapot]
OSO’s 49th season
Continued from page A1 amongst overwhelming feelings of depression. Symphonies usually have a way of stating a problem or issue and then finding some solution by the final movement and Tchaikovsky does it masterfully with his 4th symphony. Through the course of the work, he comes to the thought that he should strive to rejoice in the happiness of others—a lesson for many of us,” the maestro added.
“We are thrilled to kick off the 49th season of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra at the Reilly Arts Center. With nearly 700 new and returning season subscribers, we are so grateful for the community’s support of the symphony and our musicians. With so many new residents choosing to call Ocala/Marion County home, we also know that we will welcome many firsttime patrons as well. We are excited to host them at the Reilly and have them experience this special performance with us,” stated Natalie McComb, CFRE, Executive Director, Reilly Arts Center & Ocala Symphony Orchestra.
Wardell’s career as music director and conductor
of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra began in 2009.
Recent guest appearances include work with Chamber Orchestra Pittsburgh, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, New England Philharmonic, Gainesville Orchestra and Pioneer Valley Orchestra. He also helped raise more than $7 million in private fundraising and over $3 million in grant acquisitions for the creation and later expansion of the Reilly Arts Center. In addition to the OSO Music Conservatory, programs include Arts for Veterans, Symphony for Schools, the annual Young Artist Competition and more.
Speaking about the upcoming 49th OSO season, Wardell said it will include collaborations between the orchestra, the Ocala Symphony Chorus, the College of Central Florida Patriot Singers and renowned soloists.
“Those collaborations will reach their zenith with Beethoven’s monumental ‘9th Symphony,’ an ode to joy and brotherhood that promises to be a transcendent experience next April. Also not to be missed is our ‘Messiah Sing Along,’ inviting you to
lend your voice to Handel’s immortal masterpiece in a celebration of community and music,” he added.
“This season embodies our commitment to showcasing the transformative power of music, featuring both the celebrated classics and the innovative new. Each concert is an invitation to explore the depths of human emotion, the heights of artistic achievement and the communal spirit of musicmaking. Join us for this spectacular season. Whether you’re a lifelong orchestra enthusiast or a curious newcomer, there’s something in this season for you,” Wardell continued.
The 2024-25 season also will offer five more subscription concerts and six special events. For “Fate, Goblins and the Mothership,” the OSO will hold an open rehearsal at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, which is free to the public. The concert performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 3 p.m. Oct. 20. Tickets range from $15 to $58 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at reillyartscenter. com or by calling the box office at (352) 351-1606. The Reilly Arts Center is located at 500 NE 9th St. Ocala.
Season performances
“Pops! Goes the Holidays”
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, December 8, 2024 – 3 PM
“Vive La France!”
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, January 26, 2025 – 3 PM
“Sound and Fury”
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, February 16, 2025 – 3 PM
“Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis”
Saturday, March 8, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, March 9, 2025 – 3 PM
“The West Meets Scheherazade (and Godzilla, too)” Saturday, April 12, 2025 – 7:30 PM & Sunday, April 13, 2025 – 3 PM
Special Concerts
“METROPOLIS: Silent Film + Orchestra” Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 – 7:30 PM
“Messiah Community Sing Along” Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 – 5 PM
“Symphony Under the Lights” Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 – 7:30 PM
Young Artist Competition: Honors Recital Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 – 3 PM
Opera at the Reilly: “Puccini, Love and Laughter!” Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025 – 3 PM
“Ode to Joy: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony,” with the College of Central Florida Patriot Singers and Ocala Symphony Chorus Sunday, March 30, 2025 – 3 PM
CF to host rescheduled naming ceremony in memory of Ira Holmes
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The College of Central Florida, in partnership with the city of Ocala, will host a special naming ceremony on Oct. 29 to dedicate a humanities and social sciences classroom in memory of Ira Holmes. The event previously was set for Oct. 8. The beloved professor passed away on June 9 at the age of 90.
Holmes joined the CF faculty in 1962. He started the Ira Holmes International Film Series more than 60 years ago to share his lifelong passion with the community. The newly named Ira Holmes Classroom will be the location for series film screenings, which are open to CF students and the community.
Holmes, known for his love of art, travel, lifelong learning and cultural studies, led more than two dozen study tours to Europe. He was one of the first members of the Ocala Historic
Preservation Advisory Board, serving more than 40 years and assisting with numerous landmark projects including the Reilly Arts Center and Marion Theatre renovations.
The naming event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Ocala Campus, Building 8, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. CF President Jim Henningsen will deliver dedication remarks and Ocala City Manager Pete Lee will present a city of Ocala proclamation. Ira Holmes International Film Series director Wendy Adams will lead the sharing of memories plus a special presentation by Holmes’ daughter, Amanda Concha-Holmes, and, at 7 p.m., the 2024-2025 series will kick off with a screening of “The Seventh Seal.” The 1957 Swedish historical fantasy film was selected by Holmes as “a message of hope for us all.”
Guests are asked to RSVP at cf.edu.ira
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra opens its 49th season this weekend under the baton of maestro Matthew Wardell.
[Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra opens its 49th season this weekend with “Fate, Goblins and the Mothership,” under the baton of maestro Matthew Wardell. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
The late Ira Holmes. [Courtesy College of Central Florida]
City debates bringing back July Fourth drone show
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
The Ocala City Council has delayed deciding on whether to bring back the lighted drone show for the Fourth of July—with the mayor saying he “personally didn’t enjoy it.”
On Tuesday, the council
was set to approve a two-year contract renewal with Sky Elements LLC, the company that was contracted to put on the show this past Independence Day but decided to postpone a decision until Nov. 5 out of concerns for Marion County’s contribution to the cost and any potential to instead host a fireworks show.
The agreement for the two drone shows would be for $300,000, $150,000 for each show. The past year’s contract only cost Ocala $71,415, but the city hopes to make the show longer and more dimensional if approved for the years to come—increasing the price.
On July 4, 2024, the city put on its first drone show in Tuscawilla Park. The show included 300 drones, lasted about 10 minutes of time in the air and displayed a variety of patriotic arrangements as a quieter, pollution-free alternative to fireworks.
The show drew a crowd of thousands and was accompanied by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, whose performance from inside the Reilly Arts Center was broadcast outside throughout the park.
“Last year, we had about 12,000 people attend the drone show event,” said City Manager Pete Lee. “We will continue to bring in corporate and community sponsorships for this in the future.”
Council President Barry Mansfield asked city staff for a comparison between the price of the drone show versus the
price of the fireworks show, for a definite amount of financial contribution from the county, and an assurance of the show location before approving.
“Fireworks are less expensive,” said Lee. “But it’d be really difficult to have a fireworks display downtown, if not impossible.”
Councilmembers discussed the potential hazards for putting on a fireworks show downtown, saying that the only place open enough to host one would be outside of the city’s jurisdiction.
A drone show would be the most plausible option, and one that the city hopes to improve if brought back.
“The thing we heard back was that the show was short,” Lee said. “We looked at a longer show and a three-dimensional show, and this is where we landed at about $150,000.”
If the council approves the contract, the show will last 18 minutes and include 600 drones.
The city has sent a request to Marion County that it contribute $75,000 each year to help offset the cost of the drone shows. The item will be placed on the County Commission agenda for Nov. 5. Last year, the
county contributed to the cost of the show after the city approved the contract.
Lee said the response from the public to the drone show was “overwhelmingly positive” and the city planned to address critiques on length of time and more visual impact.
Of the critics was Mayor Ben Marciano, who implored staff to do more research on whether fireworks at Tuscawilla Park would be feasible.
“We’re a hamburger, hot dog and firework community,” said Marciano. “I think we owe it to see if there’s an option to do fireworks there and look at the cost analysis.”
The drone show featured formations including an American Flag, a bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty and a military salute—and to commemorate Ocala, a galloping horse and the city’s logo.
“To me, I personally didn’t enjoy (the drones),” Marciano said. “What I enjoyed was being out there with people. I thought it was a great setting, but the drone show personally didn’t do it for me. I like fireworks and I think our community is looking for that, too.”
Youth group revises emergency plan following Oct. 5 shooting incident in parking lot
The MCYFL safety measures include increased security presence, security cameras and police patrols.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Officials with the Marion County Youth Football League have put revised safety and security measures into place in the wake of an Oct. 5 shooting with injuries that took place in a parking lot as an MCYFL game was scheduled to be played in a nearby city park.
According to an Oct. 8 Ocala Police Department Facebook post, Ewonye Jyiell Pinkney, 18, was arrested on charges including aggravated battery with a firearm, public firearm discharge from a vehicle, possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent and carrying a concealed firearm in connection with the incident.
OPD Detective Grosso determined that “(Pinkney) was riding in a vehicle driven by Kayla Jarrell, 19, when he fired several rounds towards a known subject. The rounds instead struck the innocent bystander,” the post indicated.
An OPD post indicated that a man suffered “non-life-threatening injuries to his leg” in the incident, which happened in a parking lot at Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Ave., Ocala.
MCYFL President Vince Arnold posted on the MCYFL Facebook page a few days after the incident.
“While it is reassuring to know that no children were injured and that the situation took place outside our gates, we understand that such events can be very alarming for our community,” Arnold wrote in part.
“I want to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our children and families remain our top priority. We commend the Ocala Police Department, and all the first responders involved, for their swift action,
which allowed us to implement our active shooter plan and successfully secure the facility during the lockdown,” he stated.
An Oct. 9 Facebook post indicated Arnold and the group’s vice president met with OPD officials to “review and update” their emergency plan and the post listed these steps:
• No Re-Entry: If you choose to leave the facility, there will be no re-entry. If you wish to come back inside, you will be required to pay again.
• Increased Security Presence: We will have additional officers onsite, including one at the entry gate and another on foot patrol.
Security Cameras: With the help of Ocala Parks and Recreation, security cameras will be installed outside the facility to monitor the parking lot and warm-up areas.
• Police Patrols: The Ocala Police Department will increase their presence outside our facility, with officers on foot, on bicycles and in patrol cars.
“We have established a crisis response team to support any football players, cheerleaders or parents who may have concerns stemming from the incident. A graphic with more information is attached to this message. You can also reach us through our website at mcyfl.us or our Facebook page,” the post stated.
Pinkney, who was listed with a Dunnellon address, was booked into the Marion County Jail on Oct. 7. As of Oct. 16, no release was shown. Pinkney is being held on a no bond status, according to jail records.
Jarrell, also listed with a Dunnellon address according to
online jail records, faces charges of principal to aggravated battery with a firearm and principal to assault with a firearm, according to an OPD post. Jail
records indicate she was booked on Oct. 7 and bail was set at $20,000 for each charge. The records show that she was released on Oct. 14.
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A large American flag displayed by drones waves in the sky during Patriotic Skies: A Fourth of July Drone Experience at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
How to apply for FEMA assistance for Hurricane Milton damages
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
If your home has sustained damage from Hurricane Milton, you could be paid a visit from FEMA or other officials as
investigators go door-to-door in Florida communities to assist residents in applying for aid.
Marion County is one of 35 counties declared as a disaster zone after Hurricane Milton made landfall on Oct. 9 as a
BIKER DIES IN OCALA NATIONAL FOREST CRASH
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Adirt bike rider died after colliding with a tree while riding in the Ocala National Forest on Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at about 11:10 a.m. on Sunday and resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man from Sorrento. The victim’s identity has not been released. The dirt bike rider was traveling northbound on a dirt road in the forest when he struck two trees. He was then thrown from the bike, according to FHP. The scene of the crash was in Lake County.
The man was transported to Advent Health Waterman Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. FHP is investigating the crash.
Category 3 storm and tore through central Florida, causing impacts through the majority of the state.
“After a flood disaster, expect multiple visitors who will want to help you recover. It’s common for multiple visitors to perform damage assessments on your home. No matter who’s knocking, always ask for identification and the purpose of the visit,” wrote FEMA.
Government officials who may visit include FEMA inspectors, SBA loss verifiers, local building and permitting officials, or local floodplain managers, according to FEMA>
You could also be visited by a flood insurance adjuster, homeowners’ insurance adjuster or auto insurance adjuster.
Marion County residents are eligible to apply for FEMA financial assistance. To date, FEMA has approved the allocation of $11.8 million to help Florida residents recover from Hurricane Milton.
If you are approved for FEMA assistance, you may receive $750-$770 initially for immediate needs. After that award, you may be eligible for more
financial assistance for temporary housing, basic home repairs or other disastercaused expenses,” wrote FEMA.
Applicants should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure their application continues through the process for additional assistance.
When applying, make the following information available:
Address with zip code
Condition of damaged home
Insurance information, if available
Social Security number
Phone number where you can be contacted
Address where you can get mail
Email address to receive electronic notifications
Funds can be sent by direct deposit to your bank account, so be prepared to provide your bank account type, account number and routing number.
To apply for FEMA relief, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app, call (800) 621-3362, call 711 or Video Relay Service.
The deadline to apply for assistance related to Hurricane Milton is Dec. 11.
OCALA PURCHASES OVER $8 MILLION IN VEHICLES TO REPLENISH CITY FLEET
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
The city of Ocala will be purchasing nearly $8.7 million in new vehicles in order to cycle out other aging, high-mileage vehicles in the city’s fleet.
The city’s purchase will introduce 104 new vehicles across the majority of city departments, excluding Ocala Fire Rescue, said Fleet Manager John King.
“The vehicles and equipment listed have been prioritized for replacement due to significant
repair needs and escalating maintenance costs,” King said.
The Ocala City Council approved the $8,696,281 in purchases at its Oct. 15 meeting.
About 5.2% percent of the city’s fleet will be replaced.
“The greater majority of these vehicles were approximately 12 years or more in age and had over 100,000 miles on them,” King said.
While OFR also needs vehicles replaced, the purchase of fire apparatuses will happen at a later date. City staff has not yet obtained quotes from the vendor under
the contract agreement for those vehicles.
“For an example, many of the vehicles that we have in Fire Rescue frontline service, we keep them approximately six or seven years. Then, we’ll put them on reserve status for spares, the the remainder of three to four years,” King said.
After this retirement cycle, the city liquidates the vehicles. The same cycle applies to Ocala Police Department vehicles each year, creating an annual return or recycle of 5 to 6% of the vehicles in the city’s fleet, King said.
Tree debris near Anthony on the morning of Oct. 10 following Hurricane Milton. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Education doesn’t need party labels
Florida voters approved non-partisan school board races in 1998, and there’s no reason to change, a Capitol Columnist writes.
By Bill Cotterell Florida News Service
Can you name any public office that used to be non-partisan and has been improved by having political parties compete for it?
Yeah, neither can I. And it’s hard to imagine how injecting partisanship into public education—the most important and expensive thing state government does—will be good for the kids or the voters. Yet the top referendum on Florida’s Nov. 5 ballot proposes to make school board races partisan.
The Republicans who run the Legislature approved asking voters to pass what will appear on the ballot as Amendment 1. Their decision last year coincided with parental pushback in several counties where usually humdrum school board meetings were turning into prolonged and bitter spats over removing library books and forbidding classroom discussion of some sexual topics.
Some of the material was pretty raw, especially for the elementary grades, and Gov. Ron DeSantis happily seized on the culture wars as one element of his ill-fated presidential campaign.
Candidates for school boards used to run as Democrats or Republicans, but more than 2 million voters supported a constitutional amendment in 1998 to make the races nonpartisan. The change hasn’t caused a marked improvement in student reading or math scores, or attracted an apolitical breed of high-minded education experts to
serve on the boards or caused school taxes to go up or down—but it hasn’t done any harm, either.
There’s nothing stopping school board candidates from telling voters their party affiliations. Their voter registrations are public record anyway and anyone whose vote is swayed by the R or D next to a politician’s name can just ask that person in any public forum.
Having them run with a party label, though, invites a needless form of team loyalty that has no place in something so important as education. If you want to base your vote on irrelevant stuff— like supporting all the Gators on the ballot— that’s your privilege, but it cheapens the result.
Besides, if you pay attention to local races, you know which candidates are the liberals and conservatives. Identifying them by party is redundant.
The immediate impact of having school board members run in primaries, identified by party, would be to disenfranchise about 30 percent of the voters who register with no party affiliation. Those NPAs, as they’re commonly known, have kids in the schools and pay property taxes to support education, but Florida has closed primaries so they would be excluded from the crucial first round, when most races are essentially decided.
Making these races partisan would mean making them as nasty as the top-of-ballot races, like contests for governor of the U.S. Senate. With few exceptions, the farthestright Republicans would win primaries by
appealing to the Moms for Liberty crowd and other culture warriors, while Democrats would nominate the farthest-left contenders—probably slates backed by the teacher unions.
Moderation and compromise would be wistful memories. School boards would be split, with the Republicans using their customary fund-raising advantage to dominate agendas. Democrats might control in a few counties.
In other words, your county school board would start to resemble the Florida Legislature— or, worse, Congress— with members who value winning first and accomplishing anything a distant second in importance.
When faced with a complex and costly issue of education, do we want school board members thinking, “How will this improve learning?” Or should they be worrying, “The party executive committee will hate me if I vote for this”?
In Washington and Tallahassee, they call it “getting primaried.”
Stray from Democratic or Republican dogma a time or two, and the party will finance a candidate to challenge you in the next primary. If you make a show of putting public service ahead of party, you might as well switch teams—punishment is swift and severe.
Some lawmakers still say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” School board elections are working well and need no fixing.
Bill Cotterell is a retired Capitol reporter for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat. He can be reached at wrcott43@aol.com
City of Belleview supports United Way of Marion County
A recent community yard sale was the first in a series of planned fundraising efforts.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The city of Belleview hosted a successful community yard sale on Oct 12 at the Belleview Community Center, which drew several hundred people for a day of shopping, deals and connections.
The event featured a number of vendors, including local artisans, small businesses and residents selling personal items. Vendor registration fees, totaling $225, were donated directly to United Way of Marion County, marking the event as the first in a series of fundraising efforts by the city this year, according to Robert Vass, events and promotions manager for the city of Belleview.
“The yard sale was a fantastic start, and it’s only the beginning of what we have planned. We’re excited to announce that our city employees have already pledged over $2,000 in support of the United Way, and we’re looking forward to even bigger things ahead,” Vass stated.
“It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support both local vendors and the United Way. The yard sale was a great opportunity for Belleview to come together as a community, and I’m proud of the impact we’re able to make through this partnership. This event is just the beginning, and we are committed to doing even more to help our neighbors in need,” stated Angilia Pittsley, who oversees the United Way fundraising program for the city, in a news release.
The city’s other fundraising efforts include a candy sale currently running
at City Hall and the Public Works office.
During the Light Up Lake Lillian event on Dec. 7, various items will be for sale and donations will be accepted to continue supporting United Way of Marion County.
“One of our major fundraising opportunities will be the Gregg Smith Automotive Car Show, which will be featured at our annual Founders Day celebration in May of 2025. It’s shaping up to be a major event and we anticipate it will make a significant contribution to our overall goal for the United Way,” Vass noted.
United Way of Marion County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families in the community by addressing key issues such as education, financial stability and health. Through partnerships with local agencies, businesses and volunteers, United Way mobilizes resources to create lasting change and uplift those in need. The organization’s focus is on building a stronger, more resilient community by providing essential services, supporting programs that promote selfsufficiency, and offering assistance to vulnerable populations. By fostering collaboration and advocating for positive change, United Way of Marion County plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for all residents, Vass outlined in the press release.
To learn more, including how to get involved, visit belleviewfl.org, email rvass@belleviewfl.org and follow the city of Belleview on Facebook/ Instagram (@cityofbelleview).
Women United to host luncheon fundraiser on Nov. 7
The event is intended to raise awareness and funds to support local victims of domestic violence through CASA Marion.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
United Way of Marion County’s Women United group is inviting members of the community to join them for a “transformative event” to raise awareness and funds to support local victims of domestic violence through CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) Marion.
The luncheon, to be held Nov. 7, at the Klein Center, College of Central Florida, at 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, will feature guest speaker Dani Williamson. Williamson is a renowned family nurse practitioner and author of “Wild & Well: Dani’s Six Commonsense Steps to Radical Healing,” according to the news release.
“In ‘Wild & Well,’ readers dive with Dani into a discussion of the modern state of health in America and learn the six steps they can take into order to reclaim their health, relationships, intimacy with their spouse and faith in the fact that they are fearfully and wonderfully made,”
states the book’s information page on Amazon.com
With a focus on gut health, autoimmune diseases and the holistic connection between childhood trauma and long-term health, Williamson’s journey of overcoming chronic lifestyle diseases and Lupus through natural healing methods exemplifies her dedication to redefining health and wellness, noted the United Way release.
“We are thrilled to welcome bestselling author and functional medicine expert Dani Williamson from Nashville, Tennessee. With her vibrant personality and powerful insights on better health, she will inspire us with the message at our luncheon as we work together to raise over $40K in support of CASA Marion, helping women and children affected by domestic violence,” said Laurie Ann Truluck, Women United Chair, in the release.
CASA is the official domestic violence center for Marion County. The organization’s mission is to challenge the societal acceptance of all forms of domestic violence. “CASA stands up to silence through advocacy, prevention,
intervention and support services.” Those services include “emergency shelter outreach programs and prevention through education,” notes the agency’s website.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community as we come together to make a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence,” said Robert Haight, United Way CEO and president. “We are grateful to United Way of Marion County’s Women United, which is part of a national network that focuses on education, financial stability and health in communities across our nation. Together, we have a local impact throughout the country.”
Attendees at the luncheon will find tables showcasing local businesses, a photo booth, live music and raffles. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., with the luncheon and keynote speech from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon is being catered by The Fiery Chef. General admission is $100; VIP admission is $150, which includes a meetand-greet with Williamson and a signed copy of “Wild and Well.”
For luncheon tickets and more information, visit uwmc.org/women-united-annual-luncheon
To learn more about CASA Marion, go to casamarion.org
Shoppers peruse goods for sale during the city of Belleview’s recent community yard sale in support of United Way of Marion County. [Photo courtesy city of Belleview]
Vendors offered a variety of goods during the city of Belleview’s community yard sale in support of United Way of Marion County. [Photo courtesy city of Belleview]
Dani Williamson will be the keynote speaker at the Women United luncheon and fundraiser on Nov. 7 in Ocala. [Photo courtesy United Way of Marion County]
Groundbreaking date set for Marion County’s new animal shelter
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Marion County has set a date for the groundbreaking for the new animal shelter, which will allow for increased space and services provided by Marion County Animal Services.
The groundbreaking will take place on Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. Attendees can park at the Marion-Alachua Dog Training Association at 6600 NW Third Place, Ocala.
“Animal Services plans to modernize and upgrade its facilities at SE 66th Street to increase capacity and continue supporting Marion County’s no-kill initiative,” according to the county.
The new facility will also hold a high-volume spay and neuter clinic.
“This will support Animal Services’ mission of ensuring public safety through enforcement of animal control regulations and improving quality of life for Marion County residents and their pets,” according to the county.
The county has listed the new animal shelter as one of the funding priorities for the penny sales tax if it is renewed and would need to allocate about $20.4 million for the entire project.
The penny sales tax was first approved in 2016 to raise the sales tax to 7% to fund infrastructure and public safety improvements. It was renewed again in 2020 for four years and will now appear on the November general election ballot when voters will be asked to approve the tax for another 20 years.
In May, the County Commission allocated an initial $5,270,500 from the Infrastructure Surtax Capital Project fund reserves toward the project. Of the reallocated money, $4.75 million was intended for early start site work, such as clearing the site and doing other preparatory work for the beginning stages of construction.
The remaining portion was for ordering a generator for $145,000, ordering main switch gear for $150,000 and ordering HVAC equipment for $225,000.
November 9–10, 2024 (9 am – 4 pm)
Admission $10 per person (children 5 and under free)
Cash or Mobile Pay only at gate.
Ocali Country Days is back this fall. The festival runs through the weekend of November 9-10 with live music, historic displays, vendors, great food, unique crafts for sale and more $10 per person with children 5 and under free.
Visitors experience the Florida of yesteryear with Living History exhibits highlighting life during the 1800s. See pioneer cabin tours, old time skills demonstrations, sugar cane syrup making, live music, tram rides through the state park and the Silver River Museum
This project is supported in part by Marion Cultural Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Silver River Museum is located within the beautiful Silver Springs State Park Visit us online at www.SilverRiverMuseum.com for more information.
Stephanie Nevada Broom Maker
We know your life is busy and on the go. That’s why we’re making it quick and easy for you to get your screening mammogram in 30 minutes or less this September and October. With online scheduling, convenient locations and advanced cancer-detecting technology, there’s no reason to delay getting this lifesaving screening.
People, Places & Things
The College of Central Florida stages a spooky-season satire.
Sarah Dowlah as Wayna Hopkins rehearses a scene from “Puffs” with other cast members at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Monday, 14, 2024.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Alayah Wilson, a Wizards/Ensemble cast member, left, and Jessica McKown, a faculty member playing Professor McG, right, rehearse.
Right: Cassy Pergerson looks on during a rehearsal of a scene from “Puffs” with other cast members at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Monday, 14, 2024.
Cast members rehearse a scene.
Kayla Stevens, Jack Raynor, Gianna Hess and Kayla Crump, left to right.
UF offers new archaeology field course based in Gainesville
“People
think of archaeology as something distant and exotic, but Florida has an amazing history within the city limits of Gainesville.” -- Charles Cobb, Florida Museum Lockwood Chair in historical archaeology
By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History
Archaeologists at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville want to remind students that the past is just beneath their feet. That’s the idea behind a new field course offered by the department of anthropology that lets students sidestep centuries of local history and travel back to a time when Florida was dotted with Spanish missions.
“People think of archaeology as something distant and exotic, but Florida has an amazing history within the city limits of Gainesville,” said Charles Cobb, the Florida Museum Lockwood Chair in historical archaeology and coinstructor for the field course.
Beginning in the 16th century, Spain established and maintained a loose network of Catholic missions in Florida, which it used to consolidate its power in the region and exert influence on Native Americans.
One such mission, called San Francisco de Potano, was thought to have existed somewhere in north-central Florida, based on historical records, but its exact location remained unknown until 1956, when students found remnants of the mission in Gainesville, just six miles northwest of the University of Florida campus.
Each week during the 2024 spring semester, Cobb and course co-instructor Gifford Waters packed up equipment and made the short drive to the mission site, where they taught students the fundamentals of archaeology by giving them firsthand experience.
“They take what they learn from books, and then, no pun intended, they get their hands dirty,” said Waters, who manages the historical archaeology collection at the Florida Museum.
Centuries before Christopher Columbus blundered into the Caribbean, current-day Gainesville was inhabited by the Potano people, Native Americans who maintained a thriving community by farming and harvesting food from the wild. The town of Potano was originally located somewhere between Paynes Prairie and Orange Lake, but its people were forced to abandon the area following an armed conflict with the Spanish in 1585. They reestablished the town near Devil’s Millhopper,
which was later converted into a Spanish mission in 1606.
For many of Florida’s current residents, this history can feel distant and intangible, but for students in the mission course, it’s something they can physically hold in their hands and directly inspect.
“In every plot they’ve set up, there’s been an interesting feature or something to excavate. It’s never boring,” said Liz Ramshaw, a student who took the course this spring.
The mission has sat undisturbed since it was abandoned in the early 18th century, and only a handful of archaeologists have conducted excavations of the site in recent years. The initial 1956 excavation lasted only two days, and none of the records from that work have survived to the present. This was followed by a month-long field course offered by the University of Florida in 1964 and additional surveys and test excavations in 2006 to establish the site’s boundaries.
Work at the site only began in earnest with the new course this spring.
“One of the great things about field schools is that the students get involved in all aspects of the archeological project. They worked on excavations, screening and mapping,” Waters said.
Students also helped carry out extensive metal-detecting, which turned up—among other things—a Spanish medallion that was likely used for prayer.
“This was one of the first, if not the only, systematic metal-detecting surveys on a Spanish mission site in Florida,” Waters said.
Waters helped organize and carry out the 2006 survey to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the mission’s founding. He hopes that the new field course, which will be offered again in the spring, will allow continued and consistent work at the site.
“We’re still trying to figure out the layout of the mission. It would have had a church, a friar’s residence and a kitchen area. Surrounding that would have been the Native American village. All of these structures, both Native American and Spanish, would have been made of wood,” he said.
Wood that isn’t attached to trees is notoriously short-lived in Florida, where the warm, humid environment accelerates decay. But students quickly learn to pick out subtle clues that hint at where things once stood. Though the posts that supported the mission buildings
have long since disintegrated, the faint stain they left behind in the soil is enough to give away their identity.
In other cases, what might seem innocuous on its own, like a hardened piece of clay or an animal bone, can be signs of human habitation when found in abundance.
“There was so much charcoal here that it was clogging up our filters,” said Sterling Reed, a senior student, as he sat on the rim of a waistdeep hole he’d helped dig on the forest floor. “If it was a trash pit, it was one where they threw charcoal and cooking refuse and broken pots and little pieces of flake.”
Sterling took the course because it was a local alternative to lengthy international field work.
“This is the first available opportunity in my four years that wasn’t a field school over the summer in places like Eastern Europe or South America,” he said.
Research on Florida missions has a venerable history of its own that goes back more than a century. It had its heyday in the early to mid-1900s, when archaeologists excavated numerous sites and pored over historical documents, painting a picture of what life was like for Spanish residents. But although the Spanish meticulously documented their own activity, they seldom included the experiences or perspectives of the people they displaced, Waters said.
“That’s something we can hopefully tease out through archaeology. We want a better understanding of the life of Native Americans on the missions, versus concentrating on the European presence, which so much of the early mission work in the southeast did.”
In the process of piecing together the site’s history, Cobb and Waters introduce students to the skills and techniques needed for a career in archaeology.
“They get involved in all aspects of the project. They work on the metal-detecting survey, excavations, screening and mapping,” Waters said. They also extensively participate in some of archaeology’s less glamorous tasks, Cobb said.
“We do everything in triplicate, and students find out that paperwork is half the job,” he noted.
To learn more, go to floridamuseum.ufl.edu
Students April Tilton (left) and Alex Keeran (right) sift through the sandy Florida soil for objects that have remained buried for hundreds of years. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]
Students examine and collect pottery fragments and other objects after excavating pits and sifting through the soil. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]
Many of the objects students find are small fragments that are easy to overlook with the naked eye. Processing soil through a sifter helps ensure no artifacts are missed. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]
Native Americans made tinkler cones out of copper alloy, which they used to adorn their clothes and add a light jingling sound to ceremonies and dances.[Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]
Objects made of iron, such as this key, were brought to North America by Spanish colonists. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]
Both Native American and Spanish pottery is found at the mission site. This fragment is from Spanish earthenware made in a style called majolica. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]
Young artists competition
Applications are being accepted until Oct. 28 for the OSO’s 34th annual event.
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra is accepting applications for its 34th annual Young Artist Competition. Instrument and voice students ages 12 to 25 are encouraged to compete. Applications and video auditions are due by Oct. 28.
Finalists will compete in front of a live audience on Jan. 12, 2025, during an honors recital at the Reilly Arts Center. Finalists from each division will receive a cash award of $200.
Winners will be chosen to perform their concerto live with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra at the Reilly Arts Center on March 8 and 9, 2025, during
the subscription performance of “Youth, Tricksters and Metamorphosis.”
The winners also will receive a cash award of $1,800 presented as a check at the performances.
One of the OSO’s missions is to motivate, encourage and enhance the musical careers of outstanding young musicians and to assist them by providing an opportunity to be a soloist with a professional orchestra. Support for the Young Artist Competition is provided by Duke Energy.
For application guidelines and the link to apply, visit reillyartscenter.com/symphony/yac
General Francis Marion Stamp Club display
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Members of the General Francis Marion Stamp Club created a display for the Marion County Public Library in observance of October as national Stamp Collecting Month.
Each of the panels feature topical themes depicted on postage stamps, including the Olympics, cats, authors and books, stamps with unusual errors and important people in history. One panel provides a brief history about children being sent through the mail via Parcel Post in the early 1900s, according to club members Diane and John Renyhart.
Stamp collecting is a timeless hobby for people of all ages, noted the Renyhart’s.
The display will be on exhibit until the end of October at Library Headquarters, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
According to the group’s website, the club meets at 12:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The first hour offers informal help with stamping needs and questions, along with stamps to purchase. A business meeting starts at 1:30 pm.
“We have auctions once a month, along with dealers selling stamps covers and supplies once a month,” notes the website.
For more information, go to ocalagfmstampclub.com or call Elliot Natale at (352) 304-5103.
New book brings prehistoric mammals to life
The book includes new information about animals like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats and also features more recent discoveries that many people may not have heard of.
By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History
After the extinction of dinosaurs came the age of mammals. A new book brings readers into this world with well-researched species profiles by Aaron Woodruff, collection manager for vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. The book includes stunning illustrations by paleoartist Julius Csotonyi.
In “Prehistoric World: Over 1,200 Incredible Mammals and Discoveries from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic,” readers will learn about the warm-blooded animals that rose to prominence once the dinosaurs were gone. Woodruff offers incredible facts about each species, including what they ate, where they lived and how they behaved.
While the book includes new information about popular animals like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats, it also features many more recent discoveries that many people may not have heard of before.
“Bear-dogs are some of my personal favorite carnivores,” Woodruff said. “Before large cats evolved, they were the top predators across the Northern Hemisphere and Africa.”
The book also introduces readers to prehistoric mustelids, a family of
carnivores that includes weasels, badgers and wolverines. These ancient mammals were far larger than their modern relatives. Some species that lived during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs grew to the size of today’s wolves and jaguars and were able to hunt animals the size of deer and horses.
Illustrator Csotonyi recreated these animals and many more in consultation with Woodruff.
“The way [Csotonyi] brought these animals to life was really good,” Woodruff said. “I think the artwork will pull many people in and get their minds going.”
Woodruff spent seven months doing the research and writing for this book before finally completing “Prehistoric World” on his birthday. Throughout the project, he remained committed to his full-time job at the museum, often using his weekends and holidays to work on the book.
“This is the kind of book that 10-yearold Aaron would have been looking at all the time,” Woodruff said.
As a little kid, he was so enthusiastic about the dinosaur books his parents gave him that he would try to recreate them.
“I would draw pictures of dinosaurs and write little descriptions about them and staple the pages together at the end,” he said.
For a few of the mammals featured in “Prehistoric World,” Woodruff had very little information to work with. Some
species were first discovered centuries ago and were given scientific names without an accompanying etymology, leaving Woodruff to decipher their meaning with Greek and Latin dictionaries.
He also assigned common names to animals that didn’t already have one, using information discerned from the scientific name. The extinct cat Miopanthera lorteti, for example, is called Lortet’s cat in its description and the bear Tremarctos floridanus is called the Florida spectacled bear.
“For a lot of extinct mammals, all we have are just isolated teeth,” Woodruff said. “We’re lucky if those teeth are still connected to jaws.”
Fortunately, that is often enough for paleontologists like Woodruff to get an idea of a mammal’s diet, age and sometimes even sex.
Had he known that he would one day publish a book on paleontology, Woodruff says his “younger self would be over the moon with excitement.”
While “Prehistoric World” is officially marketed to children, Woodruff says readers of all ages will enjoy it. He hopes readers will come away with not only new information about prehistoric mammals, but also a deeper appreciation for those both living and extinct.
The book is available on numerous online sites.To learn more, go to floridamuseum.ufl/edu
Amphicyon ingens was the largest species in the Amphicyonidae family, whose members were colloquially known as bear-dogs. Its head-body length measured up to 10 feet long. [Illustration by Julius Csotonyi, courtesy of Applesauce Press]
Ekorus ekakeran was a large extinct mustelid that was similar in size to a small gray wolf. [Illustration by Julius Csotonyi, courtesy of Applesauce Press]
Ancient mustelid Megalictis ferox’s name means “fierce great weasel.” It was the size of a jaguar and preyed on horses and small rhinos. [Illustration by Julius Csotonyi, courtesy of Applesauce Press]
Tartarocyoon cazanavei is an extinct bear-dog whose name was inspired by Tartaro, a maneating giant from southwestern French Pyrenees legends. [Illustration by Julius Csotonyi, courtesy of Applesauce Press]
Bonisicyon illacabo was the last bear-dog to go extinct, right before the start of the Pliocene epoch. [Illustration by Julius Csotonyi, courtesy of Applesauce Press]
Ancient bear-dog Myacyon dojambir had teeth specialized for shearing, rather than tearing, flesh. This adaptation allows for more efficient meat consumption.[Illustration by Julius Csotonyi, courtesy of Applesauce Press]
Staff report
Young Artist Competition winner Jay Julio performs on stage with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
From left, with the General Francis Marion Stamp Club exhibit at the library headquarters in Ocala, are Bonnie Streeter, Bob Schelgel and Diane and John Renyhart. [Submitted photo]
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
Pied-billed grebe [MichaelWarren.com]
government
OCTOBER 21, 28
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion.fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
NOVEMBER 5
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am
The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
NOVEMBER 5
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
NOVEMBER 5
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes
NOVEMBER 20
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 S River Road, Dunnellon 5:30 to 7:30pm
Meets the third Wednesday of the month; Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.org/government/agendas-minutes
arts
OCTOBER 19
“All The World’s a Stage” Shakespeare Workshop Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
1 to 3pm Tim Mooney, the creator of “Breakneck Shakespeare” and performing “Lot o’ Shakespeare” at OCT, will lead an afternoon workshop for people ages 16-and-up. The session will cover the use of voice and physical movement by actors, as well as rehearsal techniques and other insights from Mooney as a classically trained performer. Tickets are available for the session only, as well as a bundle for both the session and the show. For more information, visit app.arts-people.com/index.php?class=ocal
OCTOBER 19
“Lot o’ Shakespeare”
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
7:30pm “Lot o’ Shakespeare” is a one-man show written by and starring Tim Mooney, the creator of the “Breakneck Shakespeare” series of plays, which are designed to “crack the code” on Shakespeare and make the work more accessible for modern audiences. Mooney tours the nation performing as part of his company The Timothy Mooney Repertory Theatre. This show will be on stage at OCT for one night only. Tickets can be purchased at ocalacivictheatre.com/ event/lot-oshakespeare
OCTOBER 22
CF Ira Holmes Film Series Presents “Psycho” Appleton Museum of Art and Marion Theatre
2pm at Appleton, 7:30pm at Marion Theatre
Starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, the 1960 film remains as haunting as it was when it was first reached theaters and to this day is a standard for the horror and thriller genres. This event will be presented by Matthew Wardell, conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, who will talk about the film’s musical score, and the collaborations between Alfred Hitchcock and composer Bernard Herrmann. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Only the 7:30 p.m. screening will include the film talk and admission is free. Learn more at cf.edu/filmseries
OCTOBER 26-27
Ocala Arts Festival Downtown Ocala
10am to 5pm The Ocala Arts Festival is presented by Fine Arts for Ocala and will feature the creations of more than 140 artists. The event is free to attend and will take place in downtown Ocala, featuring live music, food and beverages, local vendors, and more. Learn more at FAFO.org
MONTH OF OCTOBER
“Equine Impressions” Exhibit
College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
“Equine Impressions” has opened in the College of Central Florida’s Webber Gallery. Curated by 24 Hands Printmaking Collective, prints of all kinds will be on display highlighting the natural splendor of the equine world. To learn more, go to cf.edu
NOVEMBER 2
Free First Saturday Appleton Museum, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am to 5pm Entry to the museum is free for all patrons on the first Saturday of each month, typically with special programming or presentation for guests. This month features the documentary film “Finding Vivian Maire.” This film is a globetrotting true story of the life of Vivian Maier, a nanny in the vein of Mary Poppins, who took more than 150,000 photographs during her lifetime. After her death, her photography collection was recognized for how well it documented urban life in the 20th century. To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org/events/free-first-saturday-november-2024
community
OCTOBER 11 – OCTOBER 31
Ocala Pumpkin Patch
Ocala First United Methodist Church, 1126 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470
4 to 8pm
Gear up for Halloween by picking out your favorite future Jack-o-lantern. The annual Ocala Pumpkin Patch at Ocala First United Methodist Church is a fundraiser benefitting local organizations Compassion United Methodist Church and the Helping Hands Ministry of Ocala at First United Methodist. The 2024 edition will kick-off with a grand opening on Oct. 11, subject to change due to inclement weather. The Pumpkin Patch will be open daily; weekdays from 4pm to 8pm, Saturdays from 9am to 8pm, and Sundays from 11am to 8pm, through October 31, unless it sells out.
OCTOBER 21
Talking History: “Is That So?”
Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick
10:30am to 12pm
The final Talking History presentation of 2024, led by Annabelle Leitner, will cover facts about northwest Marion County that are little known or often forgotten. This presentation is open to the public and free to attend. The Talking History series are monthly presentations about interesting topics with ties to the community. While this is the last one of this year, stay tuned to fb.com/groups/1275520783838212 to learn more.
OCTOBER 21
Night Of Hope: Honoring the Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
5:30 to 8pm
Rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene. This event features keynote speaker Michael Neely, the senior pastor at New Millennium Community Church, an advocate for abuse victims, and even a survivor of domestic violence himself. Neely is the author of the book “Black Eyes and Sweet Talk: A Biblical Perspective on Domestic Violence,” which discusses coping techniques for victims based on scripture, from the perspective of a real survivor. Visit bit.ly/og-event-night-of-hope to learn more.
OCTOBER 26
Fall Maker’s Market
Cedar Street Boutique, 11875 Cedar St., Dunnellon
9am to 4pm
Sponsored by Grumbles House Antiques and Garden Shop, come see and purchase handmade crafts and other works of art by local artisans, in the lawn of the Cedar Street Boutique store located in downtown Dunnellon. Visit the website at grumbleshouseantiques.com
OCTOBER 30
College of Central Florida Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Anniversary Event
College of Central Florida Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 SW College Rd., Ocala
6 to 8pm
Join the team at CF as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of the school’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Guest Carolyn Jones, an award-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker, will lead a presentation titled “The American Nurse: Moving the Needle on the Most Important Issues of Our Time,” expanding on the concepts discussed in her film “The American Nurse.” Guests can RSVP at cf.edu/nurse
NOVEMBER
7-8
77th Annual Holiday Bazaar
Grace Episcopal Church, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
Fri from 5-7pm; Sat from 9am-2pm
Get into the holiday spirit with the 2024 edition of the holiday bazaar. A variety of items will be on sale, such as fall and Christmas decorations, handmade arts and crafts, homemade baked goods, and raffle drawings. On Friday, wine and cheese will be available for patrons at the special event preview, while on Saturday, vendors will be on-site for the morning and afternoon. Includes chance drawings for the 2024 bazaar quilt, themed baskets and more. Proceeds benefit local women and children in need. For more information call (352) 286-8536
things to do
OCTOBER 19 AND 20
Opening Weekend of the Symphony: “Fate, Goblins and the Mothership”
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
Oct. 19, 7:30pm; Oct. 20, 3pm Join the Ocala Symphony Orchestra for an electrifying program of music that spans from the cosmos to the depths of mythical waters and the impassioned human heart. Take off with Mason Bates’ “Mothership,” a vibrant, pulsating piece that invites you on a thrilling interstellar journey combining electronica with the orchestra. The adventure continues with Dvořák’s “Water Goblin,” a captivating piece that weaves a tale of love, tragedy and a supernatural world beneath the waves, holding you spellbound while you follow along with the story via supertitles above the orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s powerful, fate filled “Symphony No. 4” rounds out this performance. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com/events/fate-goblins-and-the-mothership
OCTOBER 26
“Metropolis”: Silent Film + Orchestra
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30 to 9:30pm Led by Maestro Matthew Wardell, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will perform the score to the classic 1927 silent film “Metropolis” live. Directed by Fritz Lang, “Metropolis” was one of the first feature length science fiction films. The version on-screen will be the 1984 remastered edition, featuring music by Brian Satterwhite, and performed in real-time by the OSO, timed to the on-screen events. For tickets, visit reillyartscenter.com/events/metropolis-silent-film-orchestra
NOVEMBER 11
K County Songwriters Showcase
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
7 to 9pm
Three up-and-coming singer-songwriters bring their talents to Ocala for a night of original music. Featuring Clint Daniels, Elvie Shane and Trea Landon, three Nashville-based performers. Daniels has written hit songs for country stars Joe Nichols, Montgomery Gentry, Eric Church, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn and others. Shane’s debut single “My Boy” was platinum-certified and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay charts in 2021, and No. 28 overall on the Billboard Hot 100 for all genres. Landon’s debut album “Dirt Road Dancin’” released in 2020 and has over 100 million streams. Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com/event/k-country-songwriters-showcase
NOVEMBER 13
Coffee with the Conductor
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
10am
Sit down with Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro Matt Wardell and Choir Conductor Joshua Mazur for a preview of the upcoming “Messiah” Community Sing Along. These monthly sessions give audience members an opportunity to meet with the conductor to learn more about the concerts, the process behind each piece’s selection, and some of the history behind each song. For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com/events/coffee-with-the-conductor-2
NOVEMBER 24
“Messiah” Community Sing Along Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St.,
Burgundy’s inviting wine and barge culture
By Rick Steves
One of my favorite corners of France is Burgundy, a region overflowing with edible, drinkable, scenic, and floatable delights. Its rolling hills and a handful of sleepy villages have given birth to the superior wines and fine cuisine that are so quintessentially French.
The city of Beaune, snug within its medieval walls, makes a handy base for exploring the region. You’ll feel comfortable right away in this prosperous and popular town, where life centers on the prestigious wines grown in the picturesque vineyards all around. Medieval monks and the powerful dukes of Burgundy laid the groundwork that established
this town’s prosperity. The monks cultivated wine, while the dukes cultivated wealth.
Beaune’s real charm is the town itself, which is especially vibrant on Saturday, the market day, when colorful stands fill the square. There is one must-see sight in town, the Hôtel Dieu des Hospices de Beaune, a medieval hospital. Six hundred years ago, concerned about the destiny of his soul, one of Burgundy’s wealthy sons attempted to buy a ticket to heaven by building this charity hospital. Rich and poor alike came here to die (or occasionally get better). The colorful glazed tiles on its roof established the classic style repeated on ancient buildings all throughout Burgundy.
In Beaune, every other shop
seems to be selling wine. The production and consumption of the famous Côte d’Or (“Golden Hillside”) wines is big business, and a good “nose” is a life skill worth developing. Your visit to Burgundy can include just about every aspect of the wine trade, right down to traditional barrel making. This time-honored craft is kept alive at cooperages, where crafting barrels is a mix of modern efficiency and traditional techniques. Workmen use steam and bands of iron to bend oak staves into wine-tight casks. The characteristics of the wood contribute to the personality of Burgundy’s wine.
Each bit of land in the region has its own terroir – a unique combination of geology, soil characteristics, exposure to the
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sun, and altitude. Aficionados say that the quality of wine can be different from one spot to another just 200 yards away. Visitors are sometimes surprised by the poor-looking soil. Struggling to survive in the rocky ground, the grapevines manage to produce fruit of wonderful character and aromatic complexity.
To the connoisseur, the lovingly tended fields of Burgundy are a kind of pilgrimage site. For those versed in this drinkable art form, roadside signs read like fine-wine lists. Sightseers are welcome to drop in at many wineries, enjoy a little tasting, and pick up a bottle or two. Drivers enjoy motoring on Burgundy’s lovely tree-lined roads, and bikers are happy here, too. Except for the rare farm vehicle, service roads are the domain of cyclists pedaling among the scenic villages.
An even more peaceful way to see Burgundy is by barge. Like much of France, Burgundy is laced with canals dug in the early Industrial Age. Two hundred years ago, these canals provided the cheapest way to transport cargo. With the help of locks, you could actually ship your goods clear across France, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Today, trucks and trains do the heavy hauling, and the canals are for relaxed barging.
In the country famous for super-fast TGV trains, this popular mode of travel has two speeds: slow and stop. Fullservice barges can be hired with a captain and crew who do the navigating, cooking, and guiding. Boats have fine staterooms with all the comforts you’d expect in a good hotel. You’ll invariably be
eating and drinking some of the best that Burgundy has to offer: bœuf bourguignon, coq au vin, escargots, and the celebrated local wine.
The French, who invented our modern concept of a vacation, are on to something good with barging. Whether on a luxury barge or a captain-it-yourself boat, the basic barging experience is the same: a lazy, intimate glide by pastoral yards and green fields. Barges come with bikes, and the pace is slow enough to allow for excursions. But what could be more enjoyable than sitting back in a deck chair and letting the sights come to you?
The Burgundy canal is 150 miles long, with about 200 locks. Your barge ride is punctuated by a lock every mile or so. By rising from lock to lock, boats can gently “climb,” step by step, over the rolling terrain. Each lock is a treat. Attendants who live in the historic lock houses are friendly and always ready to help out. Some locks are automated, while others involve a little oldfashioned elbow grease to ease the barge through.
In this calm and cultivated region, nature is as sophisticated as the people, and traditions are strong. If you’re looking for quintessential French culture, you’ll find it in Burgundy.
(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.)
The geometrically patterned tiles decorating the steep roofs of the Hôtel Dieu des Hospices de Beaune are an art form in themselves.
[Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves’ Europe)
Team members as they appear from left to right: David Hooper, Lisa Miller, Kathryn Thomas, Joe Vorwerk, Nick Blaser, Tom Ingram, Nataya Foerster, Patty Ingram, Josh Radeker
NAMIWalks Marion County
Organization’s first local walk had 18 teams registered.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Sunday, Oct. 13, post-Hurricane Milton, turned out to be a gorgeous day to take a walk for a good cause as NAMI
(National Alliance on Mental Illness) Marion County hosted its first ever NAMI Walks fundraiser in Ocala.
According to the local affiliate’s executive director, Deborah Cooper, “The weather couldn’t have been better.”
Cooper said there were 120 people signed up for the walk and that an estimated 80 or so participated. The walk took place at the Baseline Trailhead Park at 4255 S.E. 58th St., Ocala.
“In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we were truly inspired by the amazing participants and sponsors who made this day so special. Coming together to support mental health and NAMI Marion County shows the compassion and support that exists here in our community. Thank you to all participants, sponsors, and a special thank you to Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano for his dedication and commitment to better mental health for all,” Cooper said.
“We had 18 teams and raised $10,640 (53% of our $20,000 goal). The website will remain open until Dec. 13 for additional donations,” Cooper noted.
To learn more, go to namimarioncountyfl.org
Animal Crackers
Gasoline Alley
Broom Hilda
Middletons
Sophia Novaes, 4, takes a picture with her toy camera during the NAMIWalks NAMI Marion County fundraising walk for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at the Baseline Traihead Park in Ocala on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
From left: Helen Roehre wears a flamingo costume as she walks with other people during the NAMIWalks NAMI Marion County fundraising walk for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at the Baseline Traihead Park in Ocala on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. Natalia DeJesus, center, walks with her dog, Shyloh, a 3-year-old Staffordshire Terrier and Ariana Libby, right. Dozens of people walked together on the trails.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF JANICE KELLY a/k/a JANICE B. KELLY, Deceased. FILE NO.: 2024-CP-2152
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
(Summary Administration)
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: ESTATE OF PROBATE DIVISION
DANIEL AMBROSE, File Number: 24CP002336AX Deceased. Division:
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the Estate of DANIEL AMBROSE, Deceased, whose date of death was December 18, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, FL 34478. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative for said Estate and the Attorney for said Personal Representative are respectively set forth below.
All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent's Estate upon whom a copy of this Notice is required to
Public Notice
IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE FIFTH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 24-CC-000086
LUIS SANCHEZ, Plaintiff, V. BEATRIZ ELENA CAMACHO, Defendant. NOTICE OF ACTION TO: BEATRIZ ELENA CAMACHO
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for breach of contract and damages has been filed against you, and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to Isabella I. Limonta Ramirez, Esq., counsel for the plaintiff, whose address is The Law Office of Jeffrey D. Harper, PLLC, 3450 Dunn Avenue, Suite 302, Jacksonville, Florida 32218 (isabella@ harperlawpllc.com), on or before DECEMBER 2ND, 2024 and to file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the plaintiff's counsel or immediately thereafter, otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint or petition.
DATED: OCTOBER 14TH, 2024 H. Bibb CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT By: H. BIBB Deputy Clerk (COURT SEAL)
Extra
The administration of the estate of JANICE KELLY a/k/a JANICE B. KELLY, deceased, whose date of death was July 1, 2024; is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2024-CP-2152; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on September 5, 2024, and the name and address of the persons assigned control of the assets are MICHAEL K. KELLY , 1203 Oak Hammock Lane, Lady Lake, Florida 32159, the son of the decedent, and JANICE J. MERIANS, 3010 S.E. 38th Street, Ocala, Florida 34471, the daughter of the decedent, and their attorney is Davis R. Watson III, Davis R. Watson III, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Florida 34471. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS OCTOBER 18, 2024. Attorney for Petitioners: DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com
PROBATE DIVISION File No. 24-CP-2344 Deceased.
ANDREW LOUIS TARZIA
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
In re: The Marriage of: Michael Ecko Lee, Petitioner and Leslie Michelle Lee, Respondent Case No. 24DR000156AX
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR Dissolution of Marriage TO: LESLIE MICHELLE LEE 7550 Southwest 86th Lane, Ocala, FL 34476
YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of written defenses, if any, to it on MICHAEL ECKO LEE, whose address is 1971 W Lumsden Rd, PMB 135, Brandon FL 33511, on or before December 9, 2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 110 NW 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34475, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition
Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.
You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office.
WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
The administration of the estate of JOSEPH ANDREW LOUIS TARZIA, SR. a/k/a JOSEPH ANDREW LOUIS TARZIA, deceased, whose date of death was July 12, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM
Attorney for Personal Representative: Personal Representative: CHARLEY DEMOSTHENOUS, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 719331 MARIA C. PERINETTI, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 0013837 The Demosthenous Law Firm 306 Bullard Parkway, Suite 140 Temple Terrace, Florida 33617 Office: (813) 740-8899 (813) 377-4890
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA STEPHEN M. CHANCAS AND BARBARA J. CHANCAS, HIS WIFE, PLAINTIFF, VS.
CARPET CENTER OF OCALA, INC., A DISSOLVED
Purchases
HOW DO YOU MAKE THE ULTIMATE VERSION OF CLASSIC GARLIC BREAD? IT’S A PRESSING ISSUE
By Annie Petito America’s Test Kitchen
Garlic bread is simple to make but often a disappointment to eat, with either too much or too little garlic flavor and bread that’s steamed and unevenly browned.
For an evenly toasted version with garlic flavor that was prominent but not harsh, we briefly microwaved fresh garlic (grated to a paste with a rasp-style grater) and butter and combined it with garlic powder, which provided sweet, roasty notes. We then combined the melted garlic butter with solid butter and just a bit of cayenne and salt to make a spreadable paste that could be smeared evenly onto the bread.
We first baked the bread cut-side up on a baking sheet and then flipped it and compressed it with a second baking sheet. The panini-like setup pressed the cut side onto the hot sheet so that it evenly crisped and browned while also compressing the bread for a better balance of crust to crumb.
Really Good Garlic Bread Serves 8
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon water
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced to paste (1 tablespoon)
1 (1-pound) loaf soft Italian bread, halved horizontally
1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine garlic powder and water in a medium bowl. Add 4 tablespoons butter, the salt and cayenne to bowl; set aside.
2. Place remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a small bowl and microwave, covered, until melted, about 30 seconds. Stir in garlic and continue to microwave, covered, until mixture is bubbling around edges, about 1 minute, stirring halfway through microwaving. Transfer melted butter mixture to bowl with garlic powder–butter mixture and whisk until homogeneous loose paste forms. (If mixture melts, set aside and let solidify before using.)
3. Spread cut sides of bread evenly with butter mixture. Transfer bread, cut sides up, to rimmed baking sheet. Bake until butter mixture has melted and seeped into bread, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Remove sheet from oven. Flip bread cut sides down, place second rimmed baking sheet on top, and gently press. Return sheet to oven, leaving second sheet on top of bread, and continue to bake until cut sides are golden brown and crisp, 4 to 12 minutes longer, rotating sheet halfway through baking.
5. Transfer bread to cutting board. Using serrated knife, cut each half into eight slices. Serve immediately.
(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands—which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country—offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)
Knee osteoarthritis: When is it time for a joint replacement?
By Charles Hannon, M.D., M.B.A. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. When is a knee replacement appropriate?
ANSWER: Osteoarthritis is an extremely common condition affecting over 500 million people worldwide. The knee is the most frequently affected joint. Knee osteoarthritis occurs when protective cartilage in the knee wears down leading to inflammation and pain. Commonly, patients will have bone spurs, and the normal shape of their knee is disrupted.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis may develop slowly, or in some patients it may come on relatively quickly. The most common symptoms include pain with weightbearing activities, stiffness and decreased function.
Knee osteoarthritis has several causes, but the most common causes are genetic predisposition and activity level. Other risk factors include age, gender, obesity, prior surgery or prior trauma to the knee.
The diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis is made based on a combination of a thorough medical history, a detailed physical examination and imaging, which is most commonly performed with X-rays.
When diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, several treatment options are available. In general, nonoperative treatment is recommended first. The most common nonoperative treatments are oral pain medications, activity modification, use of gait aids while walking, or injections.
For pain medications, we typically recommend non-opioid medications such as acetaminophen, or not steroidal antiinflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen. The goal of these medications is to reduce the inflammation and subsequent pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Similarly, activity modification and the use of a gait aid are aimed at reducing the load in the knee that, subsequently, can cause pain.
The most common injection for the knee is a steroid. The goal is to reduce joint inflammation and improve symptoms. Some patients may get relief from these nonoperative treatments for months while others only get a good response for a few weeks.
Knee replacement is indicated when patients have tried several nonoperative treatments and they are no longer working. Knee replacement is most appropriate when the pain limits activities and quality of life. This may mean patients are no longer are doing activities that they love such as walking or exercising.
Many patients can live with their knee osteoarthritis without having surgery, as the nonoperative treatments are effective for them. Knee replacement is reserved for those who have both activity limitations and have failed nonoperative treatment.
During a knee replacement, the surgeon cuts away the damaged bone and cartilage from your thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia), and in some cases the kneecap (patella). These areas are then replaced with an artificial joint typically consisting of metal and high-grade medical plastic.
For a majority of patients, a knee replacement significantly improves pain and function and increases mobility. In some cases, however, complications do occur. This is why we recommend surgery only for patients who understand the risks and benefits of the procedure and are willing to undergo a surgery while understanding those risks to relieve their pain.
To help make the decision of whether a knee replacement is appropriate, a patient should see an orthopedic surgeon who can perform that careful history, physical examination and review the X-rays with the patient. The surgeon can then review the risks and benefits of the procedure and discuss through a shared decision-making process if surgery would be appropriate for the patient.
Although nonoperative treatments are effective for the majority of patients with knee osteoarthritis, they do not work for everyone. If you are interested in learning more about knee replacement, seek a full evaluation and consultation from an orthopedic surgeon who can review your condition and discuss what options might work best in your individual situation.—Charles Hannon, M.D., M.B.A., Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
(Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. This Mayo Clinic Q&A represents inquiries this healthcare expert has received from patients. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)
Adoption
The panini-like setup makes all the difference. [Carl Tremblay/TCA]
Cashew Cashew is a 6-month-old, little introvert who’s quiet, shy, and prefers to observe from the sidelines. She has lots of potential, she just needs a gentle home to help her come out of her shell.
Nami Nami is a 5- year-old sweetheart with the most soulful eyes. She can nearly melt your heart with just one look! She’s perfect for anyone who needs a little extra love in their life.
