Ocala Gazette | November 11 - November 17, 2022

Judges clear way for redistricting case

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

As Florida Republicans added four U.S. House seats in Tuesday’s elections, a panel of federal judges refused to toss out a lawsuit that alleges a congressional redistricting plan is “intentionally racially discriminatory.”

The plan, which Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature during an April special session, was used in the elections amid constitutional challenges in federal and state courts.

In a 2-1 decision Tuesday, a panel of judges rejected a request by the DeSantis administration to dismiss the federal case, though it dismissed DeSantis as a named defendant.

The lawsuit alleges the redistricting plan is unconstitutional because it improperly reduced the chances of Black candidates being elected in districts in North Florida and the Orlando area.

In a motion to dismiss filed in June, attorneys for the state argued, in part, that the plaintiffs’ allegations “are insufficient to salvage claims of intentional discrimination. Legislatures are entitled the presumption of good faith. Redistricting is no exception.”

But Judges Adalberto Jordan and M. Casey Rodgers, in Tuesday’s majority opinion, disagreed that the plaintiffs had “failed to adequately state claims for intentional discrimination” and said the case should move forward.

“The defendants argue that the good faith of a legislature must be presumed, and they assert that the plaintiffs must ‘overcome’ that presumption and ‘show’ that the Florida Legislature ‘passed’ the congressional districting map because of its adverse effects on Black voters,” wrote Jordan, a judge on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and Rodgers, a federal district judge. “To the extent that the defendants are arguing about proof, their argument is premature. We are not at the evidentiary stage of the case, and our only task is to evaluate the complaint

Redistricting, page A3

Barnes wins county judicial seat

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

LeAnn Mackey-Barnes defeated Rene Thompson in their nonpartisan runoff race Tuesday to claim the Marion County Court Seat 1.

This was Mackey-Barnes third time running for a judicial seat after two unsuccessful attempts.

According to unofficial totals posted to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website Tuesday evening, Mackey-Barnes received 70,701 votes, or 54.91% of the total. Thompson received 58,057 votes, or 45.09% of the total.

This seat became open when County

County court judges serve six-year terms in what is often referred to as “the people’s courts,” mainly because a large part of the courts’ work involves citizen disputes including traffic offenses, lessserious criminal matters (misdemeanors) and monetary disputes involving $30,000 or less. That threshold will rise to $50,000 on Jan. 1, 2023, potentially bringing more complex civil matters to the county court dockets.

The job pays $172,015 plus benefits.

Mackey-Barnes collected $45,620 in cash campaign contributions and

expended $42,545, according to the last filed financial reports. Thompson raised $50,500 and spent $48,941.85.

Mackey-Barnes is a 2002 graduate of the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar the same year.

She is the chief attorney for Public Defender Michael A. Graves and supervises all of the office’s attorneys and staff. She has handled felony, misdemeanor and juvenile criminal cases, truancy and domestic relation injunction contempt cases, as well as Baker Act and Marchman Act civil cases.

City Council says no to golf carts downtown

A 3-2 vote put the brakes on a proposed ordinance recommended by city personnel, merchants and residents.

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

On Nov. 1, the Ocala City Council issued a proclamation for Mobility Week to be celebrated each year in October but failed to adopt Resolution 2023-7, revising the official

golf cart map to include the most trafficked portions of downtown Ocala.

The effort to allow golf carts to drive to locally owned businesses had been underway for the past few months and involved two downtown community feedback sessions and research by city personnel.

“The (city) staff recommends

approval of the expansion,” Tye Chighizola, Ocala’s growth expansion director, said while addressing the council, adding a recommendation that the ordinance wouldn’t go into effect until April 1, 2023.

“That would give us time to do the signage and do outreach again like we did the last time in terms of where people should be

parking, where people should be going, making sure everybody’s registered,” he said.

Residents who drive golf carts into city centers spend 40 percent more at local businesses, said Jessica Fieldhouse, executive director of Ocala Main Street, a downtown merchants and businesses organization.

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn

asked her to follow up later with him to provide more specifics about the national study she cited to the council members.

“When this was brought up a few months ago, we started having conversations with our downtown businesses and we did conduct a survey,”

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Court Judge James McCune announced he would be retiring when his term ends at the end of 2022.

Above: Leann Mackey Barnes hugs her great niece, Tayla White, 3, as she watches election results come in at J-Rocks Pizzeria in Ocala on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

Above Right: Leann Mackey Barnes, left, takes a selfie with her sister, Ebony Burton.

Right: Leann Mackey Barnes gets a kiss from her husband, Troy Barnes.

Giving back

The ‘Never Give Up On Country Concert’ in Ocala will benefit the Travis Mills Foundation, which helps veterans and their families.

Bammann said.

On Dec. 9, TMF is hosting its second “Never Give Up On Country” concert, again at WEC. It will feature Jimmie Allen, with special guests Colt Ford and Kidd G. A block party with Chris McNeil will begin at 4:30pm, with contests, a parachute show, food trucks and more. The concert will start at 7pm.

to rally and enjoy these moments… they don’t feel so alone.”

By Beth Whitehead Correspondent

Travis Mills, a military veteran who suffered serious injuries from a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan, “recalibrated” his life and started the Travis Mills Foundation (TMF) to help others like him, such as Matt Brady of Ocala.

Former Army SSgt. Mills lost portions of all four limbs in a roadside bomb explosion. After healing, he saw himself not as a wounded warrior but as a “recalibrated” one, meaning he had been wounded but now was living his new normal. He founded TMF in 2017. The nonprofit is headquartered in Maine and offers programs for veterans who are permanently disabled—and their families—to rest and heal through adaptive sports and in community with other injured veterans.

Ocalan Linda Bammann is a board member of the foundation. She wanted to introduce the organization to others in the region and in 2021 helped bring a TMF sponsored “Never Give Up On Country” concert to the World Equestrian Center (WEC).

“When the World Equestrian Center opened up, I just thought it was a perfect opportunity to bring the Travis Mills foundation to Ocala,”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation, which accommodates eight families each week and includes such activities as adaptive kayak, golf, fly fishing, a rope course and wheelchair basketball. Family members can join in for boat rides on the lake, visits to zoos or aquariums or just relaxing.

TMF seeks to give veterans a stressfree place to rest alongside other veterans with similar stories. The weeklong retreat is all-expenses paid and all-inclusive.

“He wanted to establish a place where veterans could go, live off the sidelines and enjoy that moment with their families,” said TMF Communications and Marketing Manager Molly Lovell-Keely. “They come here, they do the things they used to do, or they do things they’ve never done before. It really boosts

Brady decided to enlist in the U.S. Army in 2003, after he graduated from Vanguard High School. It was in Baqubah, Iraq, in 2005, when he was deployed with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, that 300 pounds of explosives in what he called a “suicide vehicle born improvised explosive device” hit his vehicle. As the machine gunner, he bore the brunt of the shrapnel, which pounded into his torso. He sustained a brain injury, a fractured jaw, burst eardrums and countless burns and cuts. He remembers crawling out of the Humvee, people running up to him and waking up later in a hospital. He finished his deployment but abandoned his goal of being a career soldier.

In 2006, at the age of 21, Brady returned home to Ocala. In 2018, he attended a TMF retreat and said that when he was surrounded by veterans who had been in his shoes, his healing from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) truly began.

“We had a fly-tying class and I watched the guy with no arm—and he had a big hook—tie a fly better than I could,” Brady said. “Holy smokes, you know, there’s guys with one arm, or no arms, shooting a bow and arrow.”

“I’ve got this network of veterans now,” he added. “And I’ve got people all over the country… just the bonds that you build with these other veterans that you’ve never met a day in your life is cool.”

To learn more about the Travis Mills Foundation, go to travismillsfoundation.org

For tickets to the concert, go to https://bit.ly/NeVerGiVeUp

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“We had a fly-tying class and I watched the guy with no arm—and he had a big hook—tie a fly better than I could. Holy smokes, you know, there’s guys with one arm, or no arms, shooting a bow and arrow.”

Matt Brady

Veterans Day Events

Nov. 11, Veterans Day Celebration, 11 a.m., Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E. Fort King St., Ocala – Annual event includes a wreath laying, student chorus performance, student poetry readings, gun salute and flyover. To learn more, call Marion County Veterans Services at (352) 671-8422

Nov. 11, Alter Eagles Concert, 6 p.m., Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E. Fort King St., Ocala - Eagles tribute band fundraiser for the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation; suggested donation is $15. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. For more info, marionvetpark.com

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Travis Mills and Linda Bammann [Courtesy of Travis Mills Foundation]

Jannell, Jase and Matt Brady [Courtesy of Matt Brady]

Redistricting

Continued from page A1

for facial sufficiency (i.e., plausibility).”

But the third member of the panel, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, contended that the lawsuit should be dismissed.

“Plaintiffs’ allegations do not plausibly show that discriminatory intent — and not race-neutral factors like political forces inherent in ordinary lawmaking — motivated the Legislature,” Winsor wrote.

The lawsuit, filed this spring by Common Cause Florida, Fair Districts Now, the Florida State Conference of the NAACP and individual plaintiffs, alleges that the redistricting plan violates the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment and 15th Amendment. The 14th Amendment ensures equal protection, while the 15th Amendment prohibits denying or abridging the right to vote based on race.

DeSantis called the April special session after he vetoed a redistricting plan that lawmakers passed. During the special session, the Republicandominated House and Senate quickly passed a map that DeSantis’ office proposed.

The map helped lead Tuesday to Florida Republicans increasing their number of U.S. House members from 16 to 20. The lawsuit focuses on changes that completely reshaped North Florida’s Congressional District 5 and reduced the percentage of the Black

voting-age population in the Orlando area’s Congressional District 10.

District 5 sprawled in recent years from Jacksonville to west of Tallahassee and elected U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat. Under the new plan, the district was condensed in the Jacksonville area. Lawson ran in another North Florida district and lost to U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla.

The lawsuit alleged that the redistricting plan “was adopted, at least in part, for the purpose of disadvantaging Black voters.”

“It blatantly flouts the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment’s prohibition on laws enacted with an invidious purpose, i.e., intentional discrimination on the basis of race,” the lawsuit said. “It likewise blatantly ignores the Fifteenth Amendment’s promise that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race.”

Tuesday’s panel decision does not resolve the underlying allegations in the case. Secretary of State Cord Byrd remains as a named defendant. Unlike other types of lawsuits handled by district judges, redistricting cases require three-judge panels with at least one appellate judge.

Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit is pending in Leon County circuit court that alleges the changes to Congressional District 5 violate a 2010 state constitutional amendment that set standards for redistricting.

Downtown golf carts

Continued from page A1

Fieldhouse said. She also mentioned that 80 percent of the businesses were in favor of the expansion of the golf cartpermitted areas expanded into downtown and 20 percent had some concerns.

The concerns regarded parking and safety, she clarified, and her team presented the businesses’ feedback to the city staff. When Main Street Ocala addressed the concerns during public meetings held in August, there were no additional negative comments coming from the businesses.

“We know that this could become an economic driver for our downtown hub,” Fieldhouse added. “Obviously, our initiative as Ocala Main Street is to connect our full district. So, this is the first phase. We know that it needs to be implemented properly and safely.”

After hearing endorsements from Chighizola and Fieldhouse, council member James Hilty vehemently derided the proposal.

“Oh, I think it’s the dumbest idea,” Hilty said. “I’ve witnessed people (in golf carts) cross Fort King (Street) before. They’re not supposed to be on that side of Fort King; just so they can go to a hairdresser. These people are not gonna take the right respect of what we need

downtown and we’re just setting ourselves up for a disaster.”

Council member Kristen Dreyer asked Hilty for facts to back up his dissent. “Do we have any crash data right now that says that we’ve had that happen?” she asked.

“No, we haven’t had one that I’m aware of,” he responded. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Council member Barry Mansfield voiced disagreement with Hilty.

“It’s the car’s responsibility,” Mansfield said. “It’s the same thing with people riding bikes and if we’re going to do this and we have this attitude, ‘Hey, you know, I don’t think golf carts (should be downtown),’ well, let’s just go ahead and stop the bicycles and stop the walking.”

Responding with the nays in the 3-2 vote, council President Ire Bethea and council members Hilty and Musleh voted in the majority. Dreyer and Mansfield voted for the ordinance.

The existing golf cart boundaries are Southeast 17th Street to the south, East Fort King Street to the north, Northeast 25th Avenue to the east and Third Avenue to the west.

The council approved amending some of the regulations listed in the ordinance from 2019 that outlined the current map. Now, drivers 16 and older must possess a

FLORIDA NEWS BRIEFS

SCHEDULE SET FOR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Florida lawmakers will hold committee meetings during seven weeks leading up to the 2023 legislative session, according to a memo issued Wednesday by incoming Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, and incoming House

Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast.

The meetings will be Dec. 12 to Dec. 16; Jan. 3 to Jan. 6; Jan. 17 to Jan. 20; Jan. 23 to Jan. 27; Feb. 6 to Feb. 10; Feb. 13 to Feb. 17; and Feb. 20 to Feb. 24. The legislative session will start March 7.

SUPREME COURT JUSTICES EACH TOP 60 PERCENT

Five Florida Supreme Court justices each received more than 60 percent support as they won merit-retention elections Tuesday.

Justices Charles Canady, John Couriel and Jamie Grosshans received about 64 percent support, while Justice Ricky Polston received 63 percent and Justice

Jorge Labarga received 62 percent, according to unofficial results posted on the state Division of Elections website.

Under the merit-retention process, Supreme Court justices appear on the ballot every six years but do not face opponents. Instead, voters are asked if they want to retain the justices.

ARGUMENTS SET ON ‘SANCTUARY CITIES’ LAW

A federal appeals court will hear arguments early next year in a battle about a 2019 Florida law that banned so-called sanctuary cities. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals posted a notice Friday that said arguments will be held the week of Feb. 27 in Miami. It did not give a specific date.

The state appealed to the Atlanta-based appeals court last year after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom struck down key parts

of the law. Bloom ruled that two parts of the law violated constitutional equalprotection rights and issued a permanent injunction against them.

The law was a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis and was touted as a way to improve safety in communities. But opponents contended the measure was unconstitutional and designed to pander to Republican base voters.

driver’s license to operate golf carts in the approved areas.

“We would love to be able to see a connection even all the way up to the Reilly in future years,” Chighizola

recommended during the meeting, speaking about the Reilly Arts Center a few blocks north of the downtown square, but said that aspiration may be realized much later than he anticipated, if at all.

Zalak and Bryant win fourth terms as county commissioners

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Republican incumbents Carl Zalak III and Kathy Bryant easily prevailed against two write-in candidates on Tuesday to win their fourth terms on the Marion County Board of County Commissioners in districts 4 and district 2 respectively.

According to unofficial totals posted to the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website Tuesday evening, Zalak, received 115,779 votes, or 90.10 % of the total. He faced write-in candidate Brian Donnelly.

you have for the county and community grow. That through your efforts you will make the right decisions based on the preservation of our land, wildlife and aquifer. The residents that you serve are important and deserve the best from you. My hope is that you encourage the residents to be part of the conversation and invite them to have a seat at the table.”

Bryant and Zalak were both first elected to the board in 2010.

262,500 275,000 223,478 162,632 216,012 121,510

Year

230,839 177,168 243,088 156,307

264,614 205,540 271,032 156,285

Commissioners serve four-year terms and there are no term limits. Commissioners are paid $89,764 plus benefits.

Bryant, meanwhile, received 120,683 votes, or 93.06% of the total. Her challenger was write-in candidate Gina Capone.

The exact number of votes Capone and Donnelly, the two qualified writein candidates, received was still being tabulated late Tuesday. Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox said the exact number of votes for Capone and Donnelly will likely not be finished until Thursday night.

Wilcox explained to the Gazette that when the digital scanners detect ballots where voters filled in the oval for the write-in choice, a snapshot of what name as written in the blank spot and those digital images are manually sorted over the days that follow the election. Only votes for qualified writein candidates are counted.

Capone offered her congratulations to Bryant and Zalak following their win and offered this advice to them, “I hope in the next four years that we can see the love

Bryant also holds a real estate sales license and Zalak works as a sales representative with Waste Pro USA.

Bryant, who faced no opponent in the primary, raised $152,140 during this local election cycle, and expended $23,306.57, according to the last campaign records filed.

Zalak, who faced two opponents in the primary, raised $171,430 and spent $164,985.22, according to the last campaign records filed.

In a statement to the Gazette following her win, Bryant wrote, “My passion for serving Marion County and its citizens is just as strong today as it was the first day I accepted the role of county commissioner in 2010. It is amazing to see how far Marion County has come in the last 12 years, and to know that I’ve been trusted with another term in office is humbling beyond words. I look forward to working together to continue to make Marion County a great place to live, work and play for future generations.”

Zalak could not be reached for comment.

[Amy Harbert] Marion

Marion County again approves tax to support school budget

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Marion County voters decided for the third time to approve a referendum adding one mill to their property tax rate to generate additional dollars for Marion County Public Schools’ budget through 2027.

94,214 or 64.95% voted in favor of the measure, and 50,843 against it.

The one-mill property tax increase via referendum was first passed in 2014, and again in 2018 by 72% of voters. The one-mill tax increase initially

County’s state and federal representatives decided

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Marion County voters saw changes this election cycle to their districts on the state and federal levels because of redistricting. But one thing remained the same: Marion County will continue to be primarily represented by lawmakers who are members of the Republican Party.

Here are the unofficial results of Tuesday’s general election.

against by Republican Hollye Merton. Hinson prevailed winning 27,569, 60.2% of the votes cast.

According to campaign finance documents, Hinson raised $81,315 and Merton raised $5,144 since filing to run in April.

provided $15.9 million to the school district’s budget. Due to increased property values and a larger tax base, this year the revenue will total almost $28 million.

The funds raised were used to “fully restore art, music, library media services; physical education and vocational programs; to meet classsize requirements; to retain certified teachers and paraprofessionals; and enhance school security.”

In 2018, projects to improve school safety were added to that list for additional funding.

State House

With the redistricting, Marion County gained a fifth state representative.

Republican candidates Bobby Payne in District 20, Ralph E. Massullo, Jr. in District 23, Joe Harding in District 24, and Stan McClain in District 27 all won reelection unopposed.

The only state representative facing a challenge was Democrat Yvonne Hayes Hinson in District 21, who ran

State Senate

Due to redistricting, Marion County reduced its number of senate seats from three to one.

Incumbent Republican Keith Perry was challenged by Democrat Rodney J. Long in District 9. Perry beat Long with 135,469 votes, or 65.6%%.

According to campaign finance documents, Perry raised $335,463, and Long raised $65,716.

U.S.

House

Marion County reduced its number of congressional seats from three to two due to redistricting.

In District 3, incumbent Republican Kat Cammack was challenged by Democrat Danielle Nicole Hawk and Linda S. Brooks (NPA).

Cammack won a second term by receiving 62.53% of the votes. Hawk received 36.27% and Brooks received 1.20%

Cammack received $2,201,411 in contributions, whereas Hawk raised $76,482 and Brooks, $131,433.96.

In District 6, incumbent Michael Waltz, a Republican, was challenged by Joseph “Joe” Hannoush (LPF).

Waltz won a third term, receiving 74% of the votes. Waltz raised $3,004,127, but how much Hannoush raised was unavailable at the time of publishing this report.

U.S. Senate Incumbent Republican Marco Rubio was challenged by Democrat Val Demings; Dennis Misigoy (LPF); Steven B. Grant (NPA) and Tuan TQ Nguyen (NPA).

Rubio won the election receiving 4,469,218 votes. Demings received 3,196,266; Misigoy received 32,107.

Demings raised $73,285,353, while Rubio raised $39,436,360. Misigoy reported $11,807; Grant reported $24,301; and Nguyen $51,933.

File photo: Carl Zalak and Kathy Bryant.

Neighbors say neigh to six horses in residential area

By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com

The Marion County Planning & Zoning Board approved a Special Use permit on Oct. 24 for a property owner to have six horses in the Forest of Golden Hills community in a 7-0 vote over objections from neighboring landowners, one of whom, Bernie Little, is the president of the group Horse Farms Forever.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will next vote on the permit request for the property at 4698 NW 84th Lane, which sits on the west side of the Sandlin Woods subdivision, also known as the Forest of Golden Hills. At the time of publication, the first hearing for the project had not yet been set.

Little owns two parcels totaling about 214 acres that abut to the south, west and north of the property. He wrote in a letter of opposition to the planning commission, “While I am an advocate for conservation of horse farms, especially in the Farmland Preservation Area, approving a Special Use Permit to allow horses on a residential parcel within a quiet, well-established residential community is not consistent

with the Comprehensive Plan and is not a compatible use.

“Horses belong on rural property, not within R-1 residential subdivisions,’’ he wrote. “While this subject parcel is listed as 5.48 acres, an overlay of the various restrictions noted above significantly reduces the usable space. If a house, barn and other impervious surface are constructed, the acreage for horses is significantly reduced. There is no space to ride or exercise the horses and there is not enough pasture to support the requested 6 horses. In other words, this is not going to be a horse farm, but rather a horse feedlot.”

Little’s objection also included documents from the 2003 developer’s agreement; a drainage easement plan from 1983; his contention that the parcel was once used as an effluent spray field for sewage treatment; and that the property is subject to numerous agreements and covenants that would significantly restrict the actual acreage that could be used.

Another set of neighbors, Charlie Cantrell and Rachel Wagner, who own property to the south of the parcel, are also horse owners and objected as well. They wrote in an email to the board that they

keep their horses on a 150-acre farm of their own “away from our home in Golden Hills, where they have the land necessary to thrive in a proper environment.”

They also listed concerns about the amount and type of traffic that a horse farm creates: veterinarians, farriers, feed trucks, manure trucks and similar.

“Taking into consideration that there would be a residence, barn, driveways, and parking areas, there would be very little space for one horse let along six. It would be cruel to house horses in such unrealistic conditions. This type of a horse facility would be nothing less than a hot dusty horse prison,” they wrote.

Marion County does have regulations about the number of horses (or other livestock) on acreage. Section 4.2.2 of the Land Development Code about residential usage of horses for personal use, states, “General requirements in RR-1 Zoning, RE Zoning and in any zoning classification permitted by special use: For the keeping of horses, the minimum square footage of pasture area not including the dwelling shall be 9,000 square feet [just over 1/5 of an acre] for the first horse and 6,000 square feet for each additional horse. The total number of horses shall not exceed

four per acre, except foals, which may be kept until weaned.”

For context, one acre is comprised of 43,560 square feet.

The parcel is 5.48 acres, and the application for the permit shows a conceptual drawing with a main home and pool; a six-stall barn; a guest residence; a storage building; and a shavings/manure bin area. The property also contains two county drainage retention areas and a lift station for which access would be granted to the county; these areas could not be used as pastures.

Most homes in the core of the neighborhood are on one-half to about three acres.

On the east side of the neighborhood, abutting horse farms accessed from NW 70th Avenue and just west of the Crownwood condominium development, there are several parcels that range from 5 to 10 acres. A drive through the street showed several homes with cattle in the yards but most appear to be undeveloped lots or single-family dwellings without livestock facilities. None of the 5-acre parcels currently have horses; two of the 10-acre parcels have horses.

Opposition to horses in the Golden Hills neighborhood has an ironic naysayer in Bernie Little, president of Horse Farms Forever.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration)

The administration of the estate of THOM AS LYON BAILEY, a/k/a TOMMY BAILEY, deceased, File Number 2022-CP002382 is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Ave nue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on October 25, 2022, and the name and ad dress of the person assigned the asset is THOMAS KEVIN BAILEY, 2335 S.W. 80th Street, Ocala, Florida 34476, the son of the decedent and his attorney is R. Wil liam Futch, R. William Futch, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Flor ida 34471.

The total value of the estate is less than $5,000.00.

All creditors of the decedent and oth er 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 de mands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliq uidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUB LICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERI ODS 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 NOVEMBER 4, 2022.

Attorney for Petitioner: R. WILLIAM FUTCH R. William Futch, P.A. Florida Bar No.: 0319856 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email Address: bill@futchlaw.net

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF PROBATE DIVISION DONALD R. STIEF File No. 22CP001991

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court, ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE PERIOD SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702, FLORIDA STATUTES, WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The case number and decedent’s name are: DONALD R. STIEF , File Number 22CP-001991

The address of the court where this probate is pending is: Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida. 110 NW 1 st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475 .

Date of death of the decedent is: March 2 nd , 2022 .

The date of first publication of this notice is: November 4, 2022.

The second week of publication is: November 11, 2022.

Personal Representative(s): David Stief Attorney for the representative(s): By: _/s/Matthew T. Morrison Matthew T. Morrison, Esquire Florida Bar No. 1005203 5121 S. Lakeland Dr, Suite 2 Lakeland, Florida 33813

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ANNE M. ARAYA, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2501

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

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

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is: August 30, 2022

The date of first publication of this Notice is November 11, 2022.

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

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: TERRI NISBET 150 Shoal Creek Drive Roswell, GA 30075

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BETTY MILLIMAN, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2022-CP-2565

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

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

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is: September 10, 2022 The date of first publication of this Notice is November 4, 2022.

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

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: LISA HOLLETT 7101 W Anthony Road, Lot 57 Ocala, FL 34479

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CAROLINA JOHANNA HOLTER, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2022-CP-2525

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

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

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is: September 2, 2022.

The date of first publication of this Notice is November 4, 2022.

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

Personal Representative: KAREN MUSKAT 422 Farmhill Cir Wauconda, IL 60084

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

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RAMONA WOODS, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2540

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

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

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The date of death of the decedent is: September 14, 2022

The date of first publication of this Notice is November 4, 2022.

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304

808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300

Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: ROBERTA "ROBIN" GUTTING 707 Citrus Lane Lady Lake, FL 32159

Name: William Rudolph 10954 SW 89th Avenue Ocala FL 34481

Signed: William Rudolph, Sole Proprietor Date: 8th November 2022

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Booze, nudity and censorship hot topics at Ocala Council meeting

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Alcohol and nudity kept popping up during the Nov. 1 Ocala City Council meeting. Discussions during the session honored law enforcement and the outgoing city attorneys, but the agenda and comments often returned to certain morality matters.

Ocala’s growth director, Tye Chighizola, submitted a proposed ordinance for review that would end the city’s prohibition on retail alcohol sales on Christmas Day.

ORD-2023-09 also adds the Mary Sue Rich Community Center to the list of publicly owned buildings and park/ recreation areas that would not require a public hearing to allow alcohol use for temporary or special events.

The proposed ordinance increases the provisional period for alcohol permits from three months to a year with a staffallowed one-time extension of three to six months. It also adds criteria to allow Ocala’s building director to approve an existing location to expand into an adjoining alcohol-serving unit without a public hearing.

“So, I can drink wine at a restaurant but not at my house?” asked Council Member Kristin Dreyer as she sought clarification on the current ban on buying alcohol on Christmas Day.

“You can buy it the day before -- just a thought,” responded Council Member James Hilty, whose father owned Sam’s Liquors and “enjoyed getting the day off.”

The issue of alcohol sales on Christmas Day and alcohol use permits come back before the council at their Nov. 15 city council meeting.

Later, the council recognized the decades of service provided by city attorneys Patrick G. “Pat” Gilligan, Robert W. Batsel Jr., and W. James “Jimmy” Gooding. The firm is stepping down after the city voted to create an inhouse legal department.

Gooding spoke to the council and waxed nostalgic, recalling a legislative scurry to prevent an influx of adult establishments in the city. In 2003, he remembered, the city’s attorneys tussled with Robert Tillander, the often-embattled owner of the now-defunct nightclub Midnight Rodeo.

“It had been owned by several people and held some sort of wet T-shirt or bikini contest or something,” Gooding said of the venue that closed in 2008 and hosted concerts by national headliners such as the rock group Molly Hatchet.

“They got a bit out of control,” he said.

According to the “Ocala Star Banner,” the feud between the city and the nightclub owner stemmed from a Jan. 30 arrest of nine women and a 17-year-old girl who

worked for Miss Ellie’s, a gentleman’s club owned by Midnight Rodeo Inc. They were charged with violating a city ordinance against real or simulated sex acts by nude or semi-nude dancers.

“He didn’t like it,” Gooding said of Tillander after the bust. “So, he hired a top-notch adult-use lawyer guy (Gary Edinger) who represented most of the adult-use establishments in the state, topless bars mainly, and he sued us to strike our ordinance down.”

Gooding effused pride remembering the City Council’s maneuver to convene an emergency meeting before the plaintiff could take his case to federal court.

“It was a great story because it’s one where … we acted really quickly,” Gooding said.

It’s unclear whether Gooding’s trip down anti-nudity memory lane was strategic somehow or coincidental, but synchronicity struck the proceedings during the ensuing public comments portion of the session as artist Phillip Bresky of Belleview voiced his disapproval of the city’s censorship of his nude photography at downtown Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk.

“Here we are again,” he said. “Two weeks ago, I stood here and made a statement about the censorship issues at the First Friday Art Walk. I was finally contacted last week to set up a meeting

with the city manager, the city attorney, and the chief of staff. That meeting was prompted, I was told by this Council.

“As of yesterday,’’ Bresky said, “none of the three city representatives had seen a written policy on nudity in the art walk. None of them were able to even identify where I might find such a policy. I cannot believe that none of the three bothered to look up the very policy we were meeting to discuss. So, I’m forced to consider that this policy simply does not exist, at least as of yesterday.”

Bresky said city officials told him his work would be allowed in this month’s art walk, adding that new City Manager Pete Lee asked if Bresky thought displaying the nude artwork in his portfolio was the right thing to do, given that the art walk is a family-oriented event.

“In response, I’d like to relate a short anecdote from an art show I was involved in a few years ago here in downtown Ocala,” Bresky said. “One of my prints of a nude model leaning against a tree was in front of my tent, visible from the end of the street. Early in the day, a mother brought her preteen son into the tent and stood him directly in front of the photo. She pointed to it and said, ‘You see this; this is art. Not that garbage you see on the internet.’”

School board approves additional funds for STEM teaching tools

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Marion County fifth-grade teachers and their students will soon be getting more customized tools and curriculum to encourage hands-on learning in the important science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subject areas.

The Marion County School Board on Tuesday unanimously agreed to amend an agreement with Accelerate Learning Inc. to would supply Hands-on Kits and professional learning for all fifth-grade teachers within the district.

The original agreement approved in September was for $125,000 for STEM curriculum that is more customized, hands-on and Florida standards aligned. On Tuesday, the board agreed to amend that agreement and increase the amount to $474,500.

The new deal allows for the purchase of more Hands-on Kits and STEMscopes

online curriculum that will help teachers adopt more effective STEM instruction practices. The Hands-On kits have reusable and consumable items for activities to increase student learning.

“The students will benefit from the STEMscopes curricula by engaging in real-world scientific hands-on activities that will assist and motivate them to become academically proficient in mathematics, science and technology,” according to the school district.

Board member Don Browning backed the amendment but said he wants to see more transparency moving forward with such monetary requests and not allow items to start out at one dollar amount and continuously increase.

“Going forward over the next 10 years, when we deal with items that start small and they get their foot in the door, we tend to have it expand and go into the consent agenda,’’ he said.

“It’s so important to have these things discussed by the personnel,” Browning

continued. “In the best world possible, they would make these presentations on these big-ticket items and then we can educate the public as to what we’re doing as we go along. So often these start small, and they grow large and it isn’t bad, other than it can be better in terms of transparency and leaving a lasting legacy.”

Board member Nancy Thrower said the board should be being patient and await the results of these new programs.

“We start with these curriculum kits and working so hard, but when you have 47% of all third graders in the state of Florida not reading on grade level clearly we have a problem. I’m glad to see that were not going all-in the first year,” Thrower said.

“It’s important with these curriculums that we see how responsive the kids are to it and how the teachers like it and how they see the benefit of the students being engaged,’’ she said. “What I loved about this one is the hands-on aspect, and that’s what makes kids enjoy learning.”

Board Vice-Chair Allison Campbell initially had concerns about the program due to its focus on digital learning but said she has come around to the potential of the program.

“I learned this is an actual tool for the teachers as opposed to something the students are using,’’ she said. “As Mrs. Thrower mentioned, I understand how this is almost a pilot program when you start it in the hands of a few teachers. You’re able to see the benefit of the results when they are utilizing these tools and resources.

“That’s the spark that lights the flame,’’ she continued, “so if other people can then say, ‘That is working well with your students and you are seeing these gains and maybe it would work for my students as well’. The hope is that once these tools and resources get in the hands of these teachers, then they can utilize it and it is not a recurring expense year-after-year in a consent agenda.”

Attention SW Ocala residents Voters give thumbs down to constitutional amendments

By Kathy Dale

ue to the rubber stamping of almost every zoning change requested by developers, we will soon be known as the concrete capital of the world instead of the Horse Capital of the World. Already along the St. Rd 200 corridor we have lost to development: Rosemere Farm, Dudley Farm, Bonnie Heath Farm, Tartan Farm, and Mockingbird farms to name a few.

Already approved for development on SW 60th Ave. are Ocala South Townhomes (288 units) Pointe Grand Ocala-South (584 units) Calesa (5000 homes) between SW 80th Ave. and SW 60th Ave. At SW 200 and 80th ST currently under construction is Laurel Commons (approx. 300) apartments. Also near SW 200 and SW 66th is The Keys Phase 1 and ll, (326 units). In total 1498 rental units approved. And, another proposed development named Calibrex asking for rezoning of an additional approx. 122 acres for 1750 rentals and homes .

We are objecting to the Calibrex rezoning of 125 acres from agriculture, single family, and residential mixed use to PUD (planned unit development). At this point, it is ambiguous what percentage of impact fees developers are paying towards schools and infrastructure.

For years, the same attorneys who represented Developers also represented the City of Ocala. How convenient.

All of the surrounding communities were single family homes and three, five and ten acre parcels adjacent to the Ocala Horse Complex. Our community at the end of the “easement” known as 59th St. is a quiet agricultural area where residents respect each other and their properties. This is a no crime area. This easement was paved at our expense -

$10,000.00 per parcel.

This developer contributes nothing to the cost but will be utilizing the paved easement for an estimated 5,708 daily trips on this 20 foot easement (80% of traffic generated-20% will use SW 52nd St. - another easement. This will add 7,136 cars to SW. 60th Ave in addition to the traffic generated by the 872 units already approved. This Calibrex project has no direct access on any county roads. And SW 200 at SW 60th is already a nightmare to traverse.

Marion County’s equine industry has a $2.6 billion annual economic impact, generates $1.6 billion in value-added contribution to the gross domestic product, and creates 22,000 full and part-time jobs. Through 2021, Mark Casse has won 3,236 races with purse earnings of $198,821,843 million (No. 9 all time). Mark Casse was also elected to the Racing Hall of Fame. His training center is located just over 1000 feet from this Planned Urban Disaster as we call it. His training track is at the end of the 59th St easement.

Compared with a year ago, home sales are down a staggering 23.8 percent. The pace of existing home sales continued its decline for the eighth straight month in September, according to the National Association of Realtors. So where is the need for this city in a rural community?

Please. We need a moratorium on high density development in SW Ocala. Keep this from happening to any and every current undeveloped parcel in this area. Come to the Board of County Commissioners Hearing Tuesday November 15 at 2:00 pm. If you can’t come, please write, call or email the County Commission. Enough is enough. United we stand. McPhearson Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala 34471

By Jim Saunders and Jim Turner Florida News Service

Florida voters late Tuesday appeared to have rejected three proposed constitutional amendments that would have provided property-tax breaks and eliminated the state’s Constitution Revision Commission.

The proposals, put on the ballot by the Legislature, needed support from 60 percent of voters to pass. As of 10:45 p.m., all were below that threshold after receiving little attention during an election dominated by races for governor and a U.S. Senate seat.

One of the measures, which appeared on the ballot as Amendment 1, sought to prevent properties’ assessed values from increasing because of improvements aimed at combating flooding.

The other proposed tax break, which appeared as Amendment 3, sought to expand the homestead property-tax exemption for teachers, first responders and military members.

Meanwhile, what appeared as Amendment 2 sought to repeal the Constitution Revision Commission, a panel that meets every 20 years and has the power to propose ballot measures. The commission drew controversy in 2018 because of some of its proposals.

The Constitution Revision Commission repeal proposal received about 54 percent support Tuesday, according to preliminary results posted on the state Division of Elections website.

The tax proposals drew more support but did not appear likely to reach the 60 percent threshold.

Amendment 1 was aimed largely at helping property owners who elevate all or parts of their homes.

Under the proposal, such improvements would not have been considered in determining assessed

values. A 2021 Senate staff analysis said the proposal would have reduced local government property-tax revenues by $5.8 million during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with the amount growing to $25.1 million annually.

Amendment 3 would have increased the homestead exemption for teachers, law-enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency-medical technicians, paramedics, child-welfare services professionals and active-duty members of the military and Florida National Guard.

The change would have saved $80.9 million for the targeted property owners next fiscal year, with the annual savings growing to $93.6 million in five years, according to projections.

Under current law, homeowners can qualify for homestead exemptions on the first $25,000 of the appraised value of property. They also can qualify for $25,000 homestead exemptions on the value between $50,000 and $75,000. Any higher property value is taxable.

Under the proposal, homeowners in the targeted professions could have received an additional $50,000 exemption, which would have applied to the property value between $100,000 and $150,000.

The 37-member Constitution Revision Commission drew the ire of lawmakers in 2018 after it placed a series of issues on the ballot that touched on issues ranging from new ethics standards for public officials to a ban on greyhound racing.

The commission’s members are appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, the Supreme Court chief justice and attorney general. In part, the 2018 controversy centered on it creating “bundled” ballot proposals that tied together seemingly unrelated topics, such as one proposal to ban offshore oil drilling and indoor vaping.

10 Takeaways from Tuesday’s Elections

in places such as Osceola County, where Democrats have a large registration edge.

— GOOSE EGG: In addition to losing the races for governor and the U.S. Senate seat, Democrats barely competed in the elections for attorney general, agriculture commissioner and state chief financial. The result is that, as of January, Democrats will not have a statewide office-holder for the first time in at least modern history. Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried decided against seeking re-election this year and unsuccessfully ran for governor.

recount, according to unofficial results, Republicans are expected to hold about 85 seats in the 120-member House. The GOP won almost every battleground race and unseated incumbent Democrats Carlos Guillermo Smith in Central Florida and Andrew Learned in Hillsborough County.

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

andslide. Red tsunami. Bloodbath. Call it what you will, Republicans overwhelmed Democrats in Tuesday’s elections in Florida.

Here are 10 takeaways:

— DESANTIS DOMINANCE: Gov. Ron DeSantis was a heavy favorite over Democrat Charlie Crist, but Florida hasn’t seen a whipping like Tuesday night since 1982, when then-Gov. Bob Graham won re-election by more than 29 percentage points. DeSantis won by more than 19 points and lost in only five Democratic strongholds — Alachua, Broward, Gadsden, Leon and Orange counties.

— RUBIO ROLLS: Through much of the campaign, U.S. Senate candidate Val Demings appeared to be the Democrats’ best hope for a big win. But then came the reality of election night. Republican incumbent Marco Rubio crushed Demings by more than 16 percentage points and lost in only six counties — Alachua, Broward, Gadsden, Leon, Orange and Palm Beach — as he won a third term.

— PENSACOLA TO MIAMI: The narrative has long been that Florida is a purple state, but Republicans, with a few exceptions (hello, Barack Obama), have regularly trounced Democrats since the 1990s. Tuesday took that to a new level. The highest-profile example was in Miami-Dade County, where DeSantis and Rubio won easily. But the GOP also won

— REDISTRICTING MATTERS: If national Republicans come out of the vote-counting with a slim majority in the U.S. House, they might want to thank DeSantis. He pushed a redistricting plan through the Legislature in April that helped lead to Republicans gaining four U.S. House seats in Florida. As another sign of the impact of redistricting, only one congressional race Tuesday was decided by fewer than 5 percentage points.

— SENATE SHUTOUT: State Senate Democratic leaders called them the five “frontline” candidates. But Sen. Loranne Ausley, Sen. Janet Cruz, Joy Goff-Marcil, Janelle Perez and Raquel Pacheco all lost their priority Senate races Tuesday by margins of 6 percentage points or more. The results mean Republicans will hold a 28-12 “supermajority” in the Senate that, for procedural reasons, gives the GOP near-total power to pass its priorities.

— GOP HOUSE PARTY: Like their Senate colleagues across the fourth floor of the state Capitol, Republicans cleaned up Tuesday in House races. With one race appearing headed toward a

— 2022 AND BEYOND: The New York Post didn’t waste any time. The cover of the tabloid Wednesday blared “DeFuture,” with a picture of DeSantis and his family. DeSantis’ rout Tuesday of Crist will only add fuel to the speculation about whether he will run for the White House in 2024 — and take on former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary. Trump could announce his candidacy as early as next week.

— THE END?: Crist has been a fixture in Florida politics since he was elected as a state senator in 1992. After getting elected as a Republican lawmaker, education commissioner, attorney general and governor, he has lost an independent bid for U.S. Senate in 2010 and Democratic bids for governor in 2014 and this year. It is unclear what, if anything, his political future might hold.

— REBUILDING JOB: The knives started coming out Wednesday morning, as the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida called for state Democratic Chairman Manny Diaz to step down. But, to put it mildly, the state party faces huge challenges if it hopes to be competitive going into the 2024 presidential election. Donors and the national party focused on other states this year, a good indicator of how they viewed Democrats’ chances in Florida.

Flood maps fall short, researchers say

which is mostly purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. But most Floridians don’t have flood insurance, exacerbating problems from Ian, which made landfall Sept. 28 as a Category 4 storm in Lee and Charlotte counties before crossing the state.

CoreLogic, a propertyinformation and analytics firm, estimated in early October that Floridians could have more than $10 billion in uninsured flood losses from Ian. Standard homeowners’ policies don’t cover flood damage.

Forecasters are predicting heavy rainfall and storm surge from Nicole, which was upgraded Tuesday morning to a tropical storm and could make landfall in Florida as a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning Tuesday from Boca Raton to the border of Flagler and Volusia counties.

damage for more than 1.01 million square miles across the country. That is substantially more territory than 221,000 square miles included in FEMA maps of the 100-year floodplain, according to the university.

“FEMA’s designation of highrisk flood zones can mislead communities about their actual risk and encourage development that borders the floodplain, resulting in greater damages when flood events exceed design levels,” Sanchez said in a statement.

FEMA is required to review communities’ flood maps every five years and decide whether to change them, according to a monthly report submitted in September to Congress. Areas in the 100-year floodplain are defined as having a 1 percent chance of flooding in a given year.

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

After crashing ashore in September in Southwest Florida, Hurricane Ian caused flooding across the state.

Now, Florida faces more flooding as Tropical Storm Nicole is poised to hit the East Coast and move up the state.

But North Carolina State University researchers say federal flood maps underestimate the risks of flooding in Florida and other

states. And that can lead many homeowners to ignore buying flood insurance — a decision that many people might be regretting as they try to clean up waterdamaged homes after Ian.

Following up on research published in February, North Carolina State’s College of Natural Resources released information last week that said the Federal Emergency Management’s focus on what is known as the 100-year floodplain does not adequately measure risks to properties.

“Following Ian, and many

other major hurricanes, we have observed serious flood damage beyond the boundaries of the 100-year floodplain,” Georgina Sanchez, a research associate at the university’s Center for Geospatial Analytics, said in a prepared statement.

“This suggests that there are communities across the nation susceptible to damage that our current flood management policies don’t consider.”

Residents who have mortgages on properties in federally designated flood zones are required to buy flood insurance,

An advisory from the center also warned about flooding outside of coastal areas as the storm moves through Florida into Georgia.

“Flash and urban flooding will be likely, along with possible renewed river rises on the St. Johns River, across the Florida peninsula on Wednesday and Thursday,” the advisory said.

The North Carolina State research published in February used artificial intelligence to predict where flood damage is likely to happen. Among other things, researchers found a “high probability” of flood

But the information released last week by North Carolina State said “FEMA’s flood maps underestimate the risk of flooding by failing to account for intense rainfall events and sea level rise. These conditions are becoming more common as climate change accelerates, increasing the likelihood and seriousness of flooding.”

As of August, Florida had about 1.64 million policies in the National Flood Insurance Program, the most of any state, data posted on the FEMA website shows. The program had received more than 44,000 claims from Ian as of Sunday and paid out $351 million to policyholders.

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File photo: Three ducks use a flooded section of Northeast Watula Avenue instead of Tuscawilla Pond at Tuscawilla Park during Tropical Storm Elsa in Ocala on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

People, Places & Things

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Like several other north central Florida artists, Janice “Jan” Tindall relocated from the northern U.S. and found her muse during the second act of life.

But Tindall’s backstory clinically contrasts with the bios of her more bohemian contemporaries.

A retired physician, Tindall was born and raised in northeast New York and attended college at the University of Rochester, where she met and married Bob Tindall, “the love of her life.”

The couple lived for four years in Wyoming before relocating to Pennsylvania, where they lived for 40 years and raised three daughters. Janice attended medical school and then practiced as a family physician and Bob became a psychologist.

“Self-discipline, persistence and noticing things” helped Janice Tindall become both a doctor and an artist.

When she and Bob moved to Florida, life began to take on a new swirl, enhanced by the delicate strokes of watercolors after she started attending art classes in The Villages. She picked up a new love in life, made friends and found encouragement after joining the

Ocala Art Group, The Villages Visual Arts Association and The Villages Art League.

She recently sold originals and prints at the Fine Arts For Ocala’s (FAFO) Ocala Arts Festival and has procured a regular spot in the Second Saturday Art Walk in Leesburg.

Works by the doctor-turned-painter benefit from the good doctor’s patience and precision, leaning toward realistic depictions.

“I find beauty in the world as it is,” she writes in her artist statement.

“There are infinite possibilities with watercolor,” she said, adding that she is beginning to move into more impressionistic territories “as a growth thing” and has become more discerning in composition. Besides watercolor and ink, Tindall creates art with graphite and Conte crayons.

She especially likes watercolor, “how it flows and mixes.” Most of her paintings are originals. Prints and giclees are available on Tindall’s website.

Some paintings are adaptations of works by other artists who gave permission for their work to be copied. Many are from photos taken while traveling, which is one of her favorite pastimes, along with boating and birdwatching. In one portrait, she captures the idyllic waterfall of Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, a Williston botanical garden created out of an old quarry.

Tindall also does portraits of children, adults and pets on commission.

The grandmother of six who once treated the sore throats of children and chronic conditions of adults said she now takes inspiration from just being in nature.

Looking at her works, you can’t help but get a tranquil feeling. Maybe it’s that old bedside manner, knowing innately how to soothe and heal. Maybe, Tindall is a natural when it comes to tranquility.

“If you’d ask my husband, he’d say ‘no,’” Tindall said with a laugh. “I’ve always been sort of a type A and painting is my getaway. I can lose myself in it, you know? As time goes by, I forget to start supper, things like that.”

Meet Tindall and see her works at the Leesburg Second Saturday art walk and at “Reflections,” the Ocala Art Group’s February show at the Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala. For more information, visit jansartworks.com.

Jan Tindall [Supplied]

“I can lose myself in it, you know? As time goes by, I forget to start supper, things like that.”

Cooking up a winner

The Marion County Chili Cook-off and

Thousands of guests kicked up the red dirt floor of the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion on Nov. 5 in search of their favorite chili during the 41st annual Marion County Chili Cook-off.

The event, which is a fundraiser for The Cornerstone School, featured local chili chefs serving up samples of their special recipe from inside brightly decorated booths. The guests rotating from booth to booth could place a ticket in a container to “vote” for their favorite chili.

In a special section of the grandstands, official judges tasted every entry (designated only by a number) in successive rounds until a final tally was achieved.

The event also included activities for children, entertainment and a car show, which also was judged.

As the dust settled in late afternoon, these winners were announced:

Judged Chili

Grand Champ - Florida Twirling Academy

First Runner-up - Brookdale Senior Living

Second Runner-up - Big Lees BBQ

Car

Judged Booth

Show continues to be a great fundraiser for The

Grand Champ - AdventHealth Ocala

First Runner-up - Happy Bubble Team

People’s Choice Chili

Grand Champ – Marion County Fire Rescue

First Runner-up – Ocala Fire Rescue

People’s Choice Booth

Grand Champ - Magnolia Homestead Realty 1st Runner Up - Marion County Fire Department

Trapper Ron Morgan Spirit Award

National

School

Junior Honor Society Cornerstone

Best in Car Show

Jon Kister, 1970 Chevy Camaro

People’s Choice in Car Show E.O. Zimmerman, 1966 Chevy Malibu

To learn more, go to marioncountychilicookoff.com

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Cornerstone School

Ocala Chess Club

By Eadie Sickler Correspondent

If you’re looking to join a group whose members enjoy exercising their mental prowess in a fun and welcoming environment, the next move is yours. The Ocala Chess Club is seeking new members, and all ages are welcome.

The group, which is social in nature, includes players with various degrees of expertise who meet to enjoy the game and each other’s company.

Chess is competitive in nature, but the members are not playing to attain tournament status, although there are some in the group who have accomplished various levels of success in the game. Group play, they emphasized, allows knowledge to be gained from

more experienced players.

Jonathan Sarfati, originally from Australia, has earned the title of Master in the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He has also been a New Zealand chess champion and has traveled all over the world to play in various tournaments. Among his achievements was once battling Russian chess legend Boris Spassky to a draw in a tournament.

Sarfati’s parents still live in New Zealand. He moved to America in 1977 and to Ocala only six months ago. He has grandchildren who live in Bartow, just south of Ocala.

Members Dan Hodne and Steve Kinney grew up together in New York’s Lower East Side and lived in the same building. Hodne said Kinney’s mother taught him to play chess when

they were boys. They have been playing chess for over 60 years and are still playing together at the Freedom Branch Library. Kinney’s parents moved to Ocala in 1977, and he came to Ocala in 2008 as a “snowbird,” he added.

Hodne has traveled all over the United States to play chess, once being in a tournament for the Manhattan Chess Club where Bobby Fisher – a wellknown name among serious chess players and a world champion, was playing. Hodne explained that most chess players know Spassky held the world championship before Fisher.

Hodne excelled in chess throughout his college years at the Baruch School of Business and at the City College of New York, playing in collegiate and also Canadian championship games.

Several members were not

at

Staley said the common misconception is that “you have to

be a genius to play chess. People say, you must be really smart! The truth is anyone can play chess. You just have to gain expertise from playing, and you have to win consistently to be ‘smart’.”

Carter said she loves to play chess because “it makes your brain work. It exercises your brain.”

The group has been together for about five years, but the group broke up during the COVID-19 pandemic and has gotten together again for about a year at the Freedom Library. They report that a larger chess group is in existence at the Main Library in Ocala.

There are clubs all over the country, the group emphasized, and many various levels of tournaments in Florida.

The club meets from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays at the Freedom Branch Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala. If you would like to join the group, the members emphasize that all you need to do is “just show up!”

People get their samples of chili at the Bob’s Elk Chili booth during the Marion County Chili Cook-Off at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.

Luke Gorman, 13, Delaney Peterson, 13, and Abrielle Arnold, 12, left to right, all of The Cornerstone School, dance together by their chili booth.

Warren Kopensky, 7 months, gets a sample of guacamole from his mother, Sherry.

From left: Marvin Davis, Brandi DuCoeur, Brett Ortagus, Brad Hardy and Eric Young, all of the Professional Firefighters of Ocala Local 2135 with a pot of their chili.

Amanda Damron, with her daughter, Jasmine, 1, serves chili with Les Coburn at the Needful Things Thrift Shop chili booth.

the Friday meeting, but attendees, in addition to those above, included David Levins, Carolee Carter, Tim Staley and Victoria Kelly. Richard Groh is the club president.

“...it makes your brain work. It exercises your brain.”

Carolee Carter

Above: Steve Kinney, front left, makes a move as he plays Dan Hodne, front right, as Carolee Carter, back left, plays a game of chess with David Levins, back right, during a meeting of the Ocala Chess Club at the Freedom Public Library in Ocala on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.

Left: David Levins concentrates as he plays chess.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Members of the Ocala Chess Club play chess.

Hello, Ocala!

Mark Bushfield greets people at the local restaurant where he works with a smile, a bit of comedy or even a magic trick. Even playing the part of a clown is in his repertoire. He is quite popular with his customers, and young and old alike enjoy his happy persona.

“I have loved humor my whole life,” he remarked. “I like to make people laugh.”

When customers pay their bill with a credit card, he sometimes tells them, “Tap the tip on the top, swipe the stripe, dip the chip. Now you can grip the chip and give it the slip!” He confesses to being influenced by Dr. Seuss!

Bushfield is full of one-liners, and after an encounter, some people have told him, “You made my day. Thank you!” When someone provides their name for their order, and proceeds to spell it for him, he often says, “Oh,

too!” Or if he asks, “How many did you want?’’ and they reply, “Aah, two,” he will sometimes remark, “Did you just sneeze?! I did not know if I should bless you!” If the customer asks if their food comes with sauce, he may respond, “No, sauce comes on the side. We let you ruin it!”

Children especially love Bushfield’s magic tricks, but older folks take delight in them as well. For example, when he is completing an order, he will point his index finger and thumb upward to make it look like a play gun, and it makes a squeaksqueak sound. He calls that one “the two-toot salute”! If people ask him, “How did you do that?” he responds by repeating it and saying, “I did it like this!” He has also been known to pull ketchup or other sauce packets seemingly out of mid-air.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the eat-in portion of the restaurant was closed, he worked outside in the drive-thru

an Army chaplain and a musician. He says his nine-year employment at Chick-fil-A is an avenue to share his love of humor and goodwill. He currently operates a camera at Meadowbrook Church during worship services. And he loves to sing.

Let us go back to the beginning. Bushfield was born in Southern California and had one sister, who is now deceased. His father was a pastor, and his mother was a teacher in a Christian school. He attended a Baptist elementary school and a Lutheran middle school, prior to going to a public high school. In Sunday School, he learned Scripture memorization. That background, and a book by theologian C.S. Lewis called, “Mere Christianity,” along with his ever-growing awareness of God in his life, he said drew him into the ministry.

After high school, he attended the El Camino Community

College in Torrance, California, for two years; then California State University in Long Beach, California, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree, with a concentration in creative writing.

Bushfield earned a master of divinity degree at the American Baptist Seminary of the West at Covina, California. He spent two more years of studying, plus another year at the Berkeley, California branch of the seminary with the same name.

Bushfield served as youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Rolling Hills in Palos Verdes, California and also at El Segundo Church at El Segundo, California, and then Sunland First Baptist Church in Sunland, California, where he was ordained.

While living in California, he met and married his wife, NAME, who brought two sons into the marriage. The couple has one daughter, Annalese.

From 2005 to 2013, Bushfield served as pastor of the Burrville Congregational Church in Watertown, New York.

He became a missionary for Youth with a Mission (YWAM) for six years, during which time he served in Mexico, France, and Ukraine. For this endeavor, he spent three months in Discipleship Training and after six weeks was sent to Mexico, where his ministry included drama, evangelism and accompanying and helping medical and other professionals in the “Buildings Without Borders” and the “Doctors Without Borders” evangelistic programs. For four years, he was a trainer with YWAM.

During his missionary work, he was involved with primarily a clown ministry for children, writing skits, working with puppets, roles as a clown, testimonies, music and children’s sermons and Bible studies, always working with a local church, encouraging people to go there if interested in additional discipleship. Youth groups from various churches involved with YWAM, took part in summer short-term missions work including training in discipleship,

learning to hear the voice of God, divine healing, and evangelism schooling, after which they would spend six weeks in Mexico missionary work.

“What I liked about it,” Bushfield explained, “is that it was a very practical application of faith.”

Bushfield joined the Army as a chaplain assistant for two years, then was promoted to a regular chaplaincy for six years. He was assigned to Fort Polk at Polk, Louisiana, then Fort Drum, near Watertown, New York. He was sent to Bosnia twice, and later to Korea and Iraq.

Bushfield and his wife were divorced about the same time he left the military.

While he has worked for Chick-fil-A, he has taken a threeyear online course with Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, studying to be a marriage, family, and childhood Christian counselor. He completed all of the course work but not the practicum work required to be certified.

Bushfield wanted to be near to his daughter, now 24, who lived in Florida at the time. She is currently studying to be a nurse and living in Tampa. His stepson, Michael, 36, lives in Idaho and has two sons. Stepson, Robert, 34, is an art teacher in Sarasota.

For a time, Bushfield was housed at The Ritz, a home in Ocala for veterans, until he was able to move into his current home in Northwest Ocala.

Nearing retirement age, Bushfield is interested in podcasting, comedy, and ministry. He likes creative brainstorming and is open to other avenues of ministry, a pastorate, or an online church where he could also incorporate comedy.

During his work with Chickfil-A, Bushfield painted the horse that stands in front of the restaurant. That project took about two years to complete, he said.

Manager of the restaurant Jeromy Williams said, “Mark has received the most positive comments from guests in the nine years he has worked here. We are crazy proud of him! “

FAFO administrative coordinator announces departure

thousands of families and ends with the bang of fireworks.

Weakley, herself a noted artist, as is her husband Kent Weakley, has been FAFO’s administrative coordinator for eight years. The couple has a new grandchild and they want to spend more time with family, traveling and working on their own art.

In her case, she has been working on her “Into The Ocean” water collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry, original art and functional art, and notes that her mission “is to change the way we think about ocean pollution and how it will affect future generations.”

“It was a decision that was really hard to make,” Maggie Weakley said of leaving FAFO. “I’ve been contemplating it for a couple of years but then wanted to wait because of the pandemic. Then last year I wanted to be sure we could recover.”

She said that as things were going well with both the art festival and the symphony event, “things were going amazing with my artwork.”

“I couldn’t keep up the pace,” she explained. “And then the baby was born!”

feels comfortable in taking that to the next level. We are proud and pleased she is able to do that,” Cannon said.

“We will really miss her. She was the heart and soul and kept everything running very smoothly,” Cannon added. “We are looking to hire someone and while it’s a part-time position, it can be more full-time when it’s time for the festival and the symphony. We’ll offer adequate training, and this is a fantastic board, a very hard-working board that will be here for support.”

“It’s a little scary,” Weakley said. “One hundred percent of my art is freelance, and my husband is a freelance artist. We have to create our own income, so we have to work harder. But I’m up for the challenge. I have a lot of fun doing my water collection and my big focus is to get everything online. Then Kent and I want to travel. We want take a year to just enjoy.”

To learn more about FAFO, visit fafo.org

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

On the heels of the highest attendance ever for the annual Ocala Arts Festival comes news that Maggie Weakley, administrative coordinator for Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO), will leave that post at

the end of this year.

The 55th annual Ocala Arts Festival, which took place Oct. 22 and 23, drew more than 150 artists and over 25,000 attendees. FAFO also puts on the annual Symphony Under the Stars event each Mother’s Day at the Ocala Golf Club, in partnership with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. The event is a tradition for

“When you know, you know. And I wanted to leave on a high note,” she added. “I told the board about three weeks ago, just before the festival. And I’m leaving lots of notes and spreadsheets and I’ll still be around. It should be very easy for whoever takes over. It’s a well-oiled machine and the board of directors is great.”

Beth Cannon, president of the FAFO board, said Weakley’s announcement was “bittersweet.”

“But we are so proud of Maggie because she has been doing so well with her art and

“It was a decision that was really hard to make. I’ve been contemplating it for a couple of years but then wanted to wait because of the pandemic. Then last year I wanted to be sure we could recover.”

Correspondent

Maggie Weakley Administrative coordinator for

LET’S HEAR IT FOR VICTORIA WOODHULL!

To mark a noteworthy anniversary, in today’s quiz we celebrate a woman whose name you probably don’t know. Her name is Victoria Woodhull and it was 150 years ago this week (Nov. 5, 1872) she made history as the rst women to run for president of the U.S. Not surprisingly, U.S. Grant won all the electoral votes, but Ms. Woodhull made the history books. Now, some Florida women who are also making history.

6. A Cuba native, she is a winner of the Presidential Medal of Honor, seven Grammys, a billionaire entrepreneur and a major Florida icon. She is:

A. McKenzie Scott B. Gloria Estefan

C. Oprah Winfrey

D. Whoopi Goldberg

7. Known for her squiggly high pitch voice, this Tampa native’s first big break was as “Prissy” in the 1939 epic “Gone With the Wind.” She is:

A. Lena Horne

B. Doris Day

C. Butterfly McQueen D. Ethel Waters

All

Her signature hit was “Paper Roses,” but in the early 70’s she also sang “The Sunshine Tree” for Florida citrus. She is: A. Anita Kerr B. Anita Bryant C. Anita Baker D. Anita O’Day

Originally from south Florida, she graduated from Gainesville Buchholz High; she also played Kate Pearson in the NBC hit “This is Us.” She is:

A. Chrissy Metz

B. Mariska Hargitay

C. Kelly Cuoco

D. Sofia Vergara

5. With her Olympic gold and other championships she and her teammates have turned Ocala into a speed skating hotspot. She is:

A. Apolo Ohno

B. Sonia Henie

C. Bonnie Blair

D. Erin Jackson

8. A 2000 Gator grad, she is a network newscaster, sportscaster and actress who recently introduced a new clothing line named “Wear.” She is:

A. Marlee Matlin B. Hannah Storm C. Erin Andrews D. Phyllis George

9. For her work in children’s health, this Palm Beach resident and wife of a golfing legend has been named to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.

A. Barbara Nicklaus B. Amy Mickelson C. Paulina Gretzky D. Claudio Trevino

10. This public enemy met her demise on June 16 1935 at Lake Weir in Ocklawaha. She was ignobly known as: A. Aunt Barker B. Granny Barker C. Ma Barker D. Sister Barker

Amazon best-seller “Heaven’s Bell” has a profound impact on readers coping with loss. Meet the author at a lunch event:

Golden Ocala $30/per person Book signing and presentation by youth counselors from our staff.

Sponsored by Angie Lewis

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

NOVEMBER 11

Veterans Day Celebration

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St., Ocala

11am

This event will honor veterans with the playing of “Taps,” a wreath laying, a student chorus performance, student poetry readings, gun salute and flyover. All are welcome; free parking at the nearby library lot. For information, call Maron County Veterans Services at (352) 671-8422.

veterans day community

NOVEMBER 11

Alter Eagles Concert

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St., Ocala 6pm

This Eagles tribute band will honor veterans and entertain all in this fundraiser for the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation. The suggested donation is $15. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. For more info, marionvetpark.com

NOVEMBER 12

Veterans Salute Concert/Music Festival

Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston

11am-9pm

Enjoy an all-day music festival to honor veterans, with a flagpole dedication and then after party with performer Cliff Dorsey. Dancing, food and drink. Learn more at FB.com/homesteadparkwilliston

NOVEMBER 11-12

76th annual Holiday Bazaar

Grace Episcopal Church, 505 SE Broadway St., Ocala Friday Preview 5pm-7pm; Saturday 9am-2pm

One of Ocala’s oldest holiday traditions continues with this event. Shop for fall and Christmas décor; crafts; antique, vintage and new jewelry; artwork and more. Shop early Friday night, with wine and cheese, for a $5 donation; admission on Saturday is free. Proceeds benefit local women and children. Learn more at FB.com/GraceEpiscopalChurchOcala

NOVEMBER

12

Art 4 All Advent Market

Ft. King Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 13 NE 36th Ave, Ocala 8:30am-2pm

This advent market returns after a three-year COVID hiatus and will offer handcrafted items and more to raise funds for the 2023 Art 4 All programs and outreach activities. Offerings include handmade jewelry, baked treats, holiday ornaments and decor, fabric art and more. Donations of handmade items for sale are gratefully accepted. For more info, contact the church office at (352) 694-4121.

NOVEMBER 12

Forest High School Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser

Forest High School Cafeteria, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala 10am-5pm

This unique fundraiser will offer 30 different models of mattresses from Simmons, Beautyrest, Therapedic, Wellsville and more. Delivery and haul away are available and organizers say the selections will be priced less than retail stores. The money will be used to purchase new band uniforms. For more info, forestband.org

NOVEMBER 12 & 19

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am

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

NOVEMBER 12 & 19

Ocala Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm

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

NOVEMBER 12 & 19

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes

even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

NOVEMBER 12

7th annual Ocala Pet Expo

Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 10am-2pm

All attending pets must be leashed. Donations of pet food, toys and supplies will be accepted for area animal rescue groups. Ocala Fire Rescue K-9 Gracie makes an appearance and there will be booths and vendors along with lots of animal shelters and rescues. For more info, FB.com/ events/649872929866315

NOVEMBER 12

Dunnellon Duck Race

Swampy’s Bar & Grille, 19773 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 9am

The Dunnellon Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual duck race on the Rainbow River. Folks can “adopt” a duck and get a prize if your duck “wins” the race. Proceeds will benefit the Greater Dunnellon Historical Society, Believe in Santa Foundation, Family Hope Resource and Pregnancy Center and the Wil-Power Foundation. For more info, dunnellonchamber.com

NOVEMBER 12-13

Ocali Country Days

Silver River Museum, 1445 NE 58th Ave., Ocala 9am-4pm The annual fall festival boasts live music, arts and crafts for sale, historic displays, vendors and food. Crafters will show off historical homesteading skills, you can take a tram ride through the park and tour the Silver River Museum. Tickets are $8 per person; free ages 5 and younger. See SilverRiverMuseum.com for more info.

NOVEMBER 13

Marion Civic Chorale Concert Series

Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW Highway 200, Ocala 3pm

Free and open to the public, this concert will feature patriotic songs to honor our military veterans, past and present. Donations will help fund the Grat L. Rosazza music scholarship. See marionchorale.org for more info.

NOVEMBER 14

Let’s Talk Transportation

Ocala Breeders Sales, 1701 SW 60th Ave., Ocala 11am-1:30pm

Take advantage of this opportunity to get the scoop on local transportation issues with Jared Perdue from the Florida Department of Transportation and Tracy Straub of the County Administration Office. There are currently 42 projects in the works. The presentation is free and open to the public; lunch will be available for

government

NOVEMBER 14 & 21

Marion County Development Review Committee

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

9am

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

NOVEMBER

14

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 5:30pm Meets the second Monday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

NOVEMBER 14

City of Dunnellon City Council Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

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

NOVEMBER 15

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am

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

purchase. Sponsored by Horse Farms Forever and more info is at horsefarmsforever.com

NOVEMBER 16

Daughters of the American Revolution Event

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St., Ocala 11am

The Ocala DAR Chapter will dedicate and install an America 250 Revolutionary Patriot Marker. The ceremony will include presentations and recitations, rifle salute, bagpiper and military flyover. For more info, call (352) 895-9340.

NOVEMBER 16-20

Ocala Dog Club Specialty Dog Shows

Greater Ocala Dog Club Show Grounds, 10205 NW Gainesville Road, Ocala All day

Multiple specialty shows, rally along with junior and obedience classes, with the Seminole Dog Fanciers and the Greater Ocala Dog Club. All events are outdoors, RV sites available. For more info, greaterocaladogclub.org/

NOVEMBER 17

Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet

Rowan Agriculture Center, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 6pm Local farmer Terry Teuton will be inducted into the Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame, acknowledged for his lifelong farming work and commitment to the community. He was a member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and served on the board of directors for the Marion County Farm Bureau. For more info, contact Patricia Nobles at the Marion County UF/IFAS Extension Service: (352) 671-8400.

NOVEMBER 17

“Heaven’s Bell” Luncheon & Book Signing

Golden Ocala Clubhouse, 8300 NW 31st Lane Road, Ocala 12pm

Hospice of Marion County hosts this fundraiser with author Sherrie Barch signing her book about coping with the loss of a loved one, which includes a panel presentation. Sponsored by Angie Lewis State Farm. Tickets are $30 per person, available at hospiceofmarion.com or by calling (352) 291-5143.

NOVEMBER 17

Concert On The Square Downtown Ocala 7pm

Part of statewide representation as honor guard and pipes and drums perform a Walk of Honor through downtown streets. This is in advance of the annual Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service at the Florida State Fire College the

following day. Learn more at myfloridacfo.com/ division/sfm/bfst/florida-fallen-firefightermemorial

NOVEMBER 18

(NOTE: CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY)

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, flowers, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

NOVEMBER 18

Bids and Bites Fundraiser

Downtown Ocala Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 6pm-8:30pm

Interfaith Emergency Services hosts this fundraiser along with Tri Eagles Sales, featuring a catered dinner from La Casella and live music from Warren McCullough. Silent auction and raffle items like kayaks, TVs, jewelry, watches, gift baskets and more. Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 the day of. For more info, see iesmarion.org/events/ bidsandbites/

NOVEMBER 18

LEAF Series: The Roots & Branches of Zen

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

Dr. Mario Poceski gives a presentation on the practices of Zen Buddhism that intertwines spirituality, nature and culture. Get a virtual glimpse of the new Zen Garden coming to Sholom. Registration is $5, in advance only, and includes a chance to win an orchid. Limited space available; see sholompark.org/events for more info.

NOVEMBER 19-20

Sunshine State Open Pleasure Horse Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala All day

Two days of English and Western classes, including halter, showmanship, junior classes, ranch horse and trail. Food trucks Cora’s Kitchen and Squeezy Lemonade will be onsite. See flhorsepark.com for more info.

NOVEMBER 19

Light

Up Ocala

Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 4pm-9pm

Light Up Ocala kicks off the holidays with the 38th annual event that features more than 100 vendors with arts, crafts, jewelry, home décor and more, plenty of food options, live entertainment, a kids’ activities zone and a holiday parade to bring in Santa. The celebration culminates when the thousands of lights around the square and the tree light up. Family-friendly, fun and festive. More info at ocalafl.org/government/city-departments-i-z/ recreation-parks/events/light-up-ocala

NOVEMBER 15

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Planning & Zoning Meeting

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

2pm

Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month after the regular morning meeting. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar. com/Calendar.aspx

NOVEMBER 15

City of Ocala City Council Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 4pm

Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala. legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

NOVEMBER 15

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm-8pm

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

NOVEMBER 15

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission Meeting

City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

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

NOVEMBER 16

civicGeneral Francis Marion Stamp Club meeting

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

The club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month; newcomers welcome. For more info, elliotn27@aol.com.

NOVEMBER

16

VFW Wednesday Dinners

Angela S Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala 4:30pm-6:30pm Weekly dinners for about $5-$7. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. For the weekly menu info, call (352) 873-4781.

NOVEMBER 17

Ocala Lions Club Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 12pm

Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome. The club supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at e-clubhouse.org/ sites/ocalafl/

arts

NOVEMBER 11

Sunset Cinema: “Knives Out” Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

7pm Movies are more fun outside on a cool fall evening; this comical murder mystery stars Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Daniel Craig and more. Bring lawn chairs or blankets; McFoodland food truck will be onsite for dinner; popcorn comes with registration. Tickets are $12 per vehicle, up to eight passengers. See sholompark.org for more details.

NOVEMBER 11

Sister Hazel Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm

Gainesville rockers return to the area with a concert that showcases their blend of folk music, classic rock and their Southern roots. Tickets are $25-$75; see reillyartscenter.com for more details.

NOVEMBER 19

NOVEMBER 18

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala 10am-12pm Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

NOVEMBER 18

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala 12pm Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org/

Live & Let Die-The Music of Paul McCartney

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale

7pm

Tony Kishman, veteran of the Broadway smash hit musical “Beatlemania,” celebrates the music of Paul McCartney, in his solo and Beatle eras. Tickets are $36-$49. See obopry.com

NOVEMBER 19

Little River Band Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th Ave., Ocala

7 pm With several terrific vocalists, this band is known for stellar harmonies and mellow vibe. Tickets are $65-$120. See csculturalcenter.com/events/littleriver-band/ for more info.

THROUGH DECEMBER 9

A Floral Retrospective by Gregory Dirr

Ocala City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Dirr emphasizes environmental conservation in his interdisciplinary artworks. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH DECEMBER 11

BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm This exhibition shows off the whimsical and fun artwork made of inflatables. Eight internationally

renowned artists have work on display. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JANUARY 8

A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition

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

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm5pm

The Urban family’s premiere collection of Christmas decorations is on display on the first floor of the museum and includes trees, the popular miniature Dickens Village plus nutcrackers, handmade caroler dolls and Santa dolls. The second floor will display trees decorated by area community groups and businesses. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JANUARY 9

Looking on the Brighter Side by Jennifer Weigel

Recreation and Parks Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Weigel’s multi-media artwork includes drawings, fibers, installation, paint, video and more to explore themes of beauty, identity and memory. For more info, ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JANUARY 2023

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier

Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala Hours vary per airport operations

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

NOVEMBER 11 & 18

Courtyard Jams

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

NOVEMBER 11

Jeff Jarrett

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

NOVEMBER 11

Second

NOVEMBER 12

Rattling

NOVEMBER 12

NOVEMBER 12

Cliff

NOVEMBER 13

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

Vanguard rides dominant second half to win over Forest in season finale

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

It was the battle of Marion County’s oldest rivalry as the Forest Wildcats hosted the Vanguard Knights on Friday night at Mikey Kelly Stadium.

The stakes were high as Forest came into the game needing a win to improve their chances of landing an at-large bid for the playoffs. Forest came out with the energy and passion of a team fighting for its season as they would recover an onside kick on the opening kickoff of the game.

Starting at the Vanguard 40-yard line gave the Forest offense superb field position and would take advantage as Amadrick Hope scored from six yards out on the fifth play of the drive to give Forest an early 7-0 lead.

Vanguard struggled on offense in the opening quarter before senior quarterback Fred Gaskin would find wide receiver Dallen Ponder for a 10-yard touchdown on the second play of the second quarter. A missed extra point kept the score in favor of Forest at 7-6 until Matt Gomez kicked a 16-yard field goal with just over three minutes before halftime.

Both offenses were forced to punt in their final drives before halftime as Vanguard carried a 9-7 lead into the break. Vanguard had an opportunity to extend their lead midway through the third quarter but a 30-yard field attempt was wide left and kept the score at 9-7.

The Forest offense would break through on the following drive as Matt Hart took a short pass 62 yards to the Vanguard 3-yard line. Three plays later, on fourth-and-goal, quarterback Vimel Poole called his own number on a one-yard touchdown run that looked like a rugby tussle between the offensive and defensive lines.

Forest now had a 14-9 lead and all the momentum after their defense forced Vanguard to punt following Poole’s touchdown. On the first play of the drive, Vanguard defensive back Zamaryon McCray-Farmer came up with a huge interception that changed the complexion of the game.

“I saw it coming and he rolled out. I had to come in and make a big play and that’s what I did,” McCray-Farmer said.

Gaskin connected with an open Ponder in the middle and he would take it 24 yards for a touchdown just two plays after the interception to give Vanguard a 15-14 lead late in the third quarter. Ponder finished with two receptions, 24 yards and two touchdowns.

“Just had to be patient, trust the play calling and execute,” Gaskin said.

With momentum on their side, the Vanguard defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive. A short punt from Forest set up the Vanguard offense at the Forest 35-yard line and four plays later, Gaskin would walk in for a 5-yard touchdown run to give his team a 22-14 lead with nine minutes left in the game.

Forest started out the following drive with a 13-yard run from Hope but Poole would be intercepted on the next play by linebacker Tre Stokes. The interception and a 25-yard run by Gaskin had Vanguard in the red zone with a chance to put the game away.

Gaskin and running back Tay Leslie did not have a clean transfer on a handoff and Forest came up with a fumble recovery at their own 20-yard line. Vanguard’s defense would hold and force a punt from the Forest offense with four minutes left to go.

On the fourth play of the following drive, wide receiver/defensive back Jamil

Watkins had the play of the night as he took a pass out wide to the left sideline and proceeded to go back across the field and break two tackles along the right sideline before scoring a 34-yard touchdown. In total, Watkins ran about 70 yards on the play as he showed impressive stamina and elusiveness on the way to the end zone.

Watkin’s touchdown came with just over three minutes left to give Vanguard a 29-14 lead and seal the win as the defense would force a turnover on downs to end the game.

Vanguard head coach Ed Farmer was pleased with the victory and the second half performance but said he wants to see his team pick things up earlier than the third quarter if they want to win a state championship.

“I told the kids we got to put it all together because in these situations, the team that makes the least mistakes wins. Got to stay focused because right now is the time you have to win,” he said.

Gaskin, who also plays safety, said the message at halftime was short and to the point.

“Come out with a little fire, play intense and don’t let anything slide,” he said.

As for Forest, it was an up and down season that ends with a 5-5 record. Firstyear head Eoghan Cullen was disappointed about the final result but is excited for the future.

“Proud of the kids, we led during the game twice and we went four quarters with Vanguard, that’s a huge step for this program. It’s only our first year, we will lose some kids but we have a lot of underclassmen coming back.”

He added: “I believe we can win here, I believe our community believes we can win here. As the kids learned this year, there is no shortcuts and winning is hard. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to beat teams like Vanguard. That’s where our focus will be this off-season.”

Senior defensive end/outside linebacker Tae Floyd is a leader on the Forest defense and leaned on a saying from the coaching staff to keep the defense energy level up as the offense struggled for most of the night.

“It’s a brotherhood, we all try to be on one accord. The saying is ‘one boat, one mind’ and we just did our best to keep us in the game,” Floyd said.

Floyd set the school’s single-season sack record a couple weeks ago and was thankful for the impact Cullen and his staff had on him.

“They changed my work ethic as a player. They made me realize what I can accomplish when I work hard,” he said.

Seniors such as Floyd are so important in helping a new coach, such as Cullen, get buy-in from players and Cullen was adamant that coaching goes beyond the football field.

“I told them that I’m always here for them, if they ever need anything at all. Coaching and being there for them doesn’t stop, we’re always there for each other,” he said.

Vanguard’s 2022 season doesn’t stop either as they await their playoff opponent, matchups will be announced on Sunday at 11 a.m. Gaskin is optimistic that the fourgame winning streak to finish the regular season is the start of a memorable run.

“We’re coming on strong and we are on a little streak. I feel good about the playoffs, and we can make a run,” he said.

Farmer said the team and staff have one goal in mind: a state championship.

“The thing is we can’t just get past the first round or second round, it’s a round at a time but we got to get to a state championship,” he said.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Vanguard’s Dallen Ponder (21) eludes Forest defenders during a football game at Forest High School in Ocala on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.

Forest’s quarterback VJ Poole (1) is stopped by Vanguard defenders.

Vanguard’s Joshua Rembert (1) reaches for a pass, but can’t hold on as he is defended by Forest’s Matt Hart (6).

Vanguard sweeps past Ridgeview in regional volleyball finals

By Mark Pinson Special to Ocala Gazette

After missing most of the volleyball season because of two stress fractures in her back, Vanguard senior standout Emma Ehmann was motivated to return to help the Knights make a run in the state playoffs.

A healthy Ehmann has returned with a vengeance and paced a potent Vanguard offense with a match-high 24 kills, while Ruby Owen and Lillian Hart added six kills apiece, and senior setter Sophie Reed had a matchhigh 34 assists to help the Knights beat Ridgeview by scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-19 in Wednesday night’s Class 5A-Region 1 finals.

Ridgeview (Orange Park), the number six seed, finished the season with a record of 18-12, while Vanguard, the number five seed, improved to 16-11 overall. The Knights will play in the FHSAA Class 5A state semifinals on Saturday.

“It means a lot to win the regional finals,” said Ehmann, who is committed to play volleyball at Nova Southeastern University. “I was really sad I had to miss the beginning of the season, but I made it my goal to come back and play the best I ever have and help us win a state championship. I’ve been playing with Sophie for years, we’re basically mentally connected and without her I wouldn’t have gotten this far.”

Vanguard, which overcame a slew of injuries and adversity during the season, has gotten healthy and the Knights, who won their sixth consecutive match in dispatching the Panthers, are playing their best volleyball of the season at the best possible time.

“It feels good,” said Vanguard coach Luis Perez of the regional championship. “We had our ups and downs during the season, but we worked really hard and it’s not how you start but how you finish that matters. We played well, I’m very proud of the girls and we’re two matches away from a state title.”

Vanguard came out firing on all cylinders in the opening set as Ehmann drilled 11 winners and Hart added a pair of kills as the Knights took a commanding 20-10 lead over Ridgeview.

Owen and Ehmann took turns drilling spikes past the Panther defenders to take the first set 25-14.

The second set was similar as Vanguard jumped out to a 20-13 lead as senior libero Adyla Kerley had a pair of service aces, Reed, who will play volleyball at Amherst College, had a kill and a pair of blocks and Ehmann continued to find holes in the Ridgeview defense with well-placed shots.

The Panthers, fueled by a pair of spikes by junior middle hitter Haley Robinson, tried to rally, but Vanguard closed out the set on a wicked cross-court

spike by Ehmann and a service ace by freshman Kaylee Ramirez to go up 2-0.

Ridgeview, deflated by the hole it was in, fell behind in the final set as Reed, who was honored before the match for reaching the 2,000 career assist mark, had a kill and a block and Hart added a pair of kills and teamed with Ehmann for a block to put the Knights on top by a score of 20-14.

The Panthers refused to fold and made one last run as Brianna Adams scored with a pair of kill shots and Katie Cole had a block and a spike to pull Ridgeview within 24-19.

But appropriately enough, it was Ehmann who ended the set and the match with a vicious kill shot to earn the Knights a spot in the state Final Four.

Ehmann was a freshman on the 2019 Vanguard squad that lost in the state championship game.

“I’m feeling really good now and this was my inspiration when I was injured and going through rehab,” Ehmann said. “It would mean the world if we could win the state championship. It would make all the work over the last four years worth it. I got a little taste of state my freshman year, now I’m ready for the whole thing.”

Vanguard will play in a Class 5A state semifinal on Saturday.

“We are regional champions and we’re going to enjoy this win tonight and then see who we’re going to play next,” coach Perez said. “We’ll look at some video of who we face and get ready to play on Saturday.”

Boomhower’s successful run at Blessed Trinity School leads to head coach opportunity at St. John Lutheran

the go,” he said.

The new head coach of St. John Lutheran girls’ varsity basketball grew up in Ravena, New York, a town with a population of just over 3,000. Boomhower was a multi-sport athlete in his youth and high school days.

He played Pop Warner football and AAU basketball before going on to be a part of the varsity football, basketball, bowling and track teams at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, he graduated in 2004.

A job opportunity in Florida led his parents, Mike and Kathleen, to the Sunshine state in 2003. Boomhower would stay in New York to finish his senior year of high school and following his high school graduation, he would attend Hudson Valley Community College for a year before moving down to Florida in 2005.

Boomhower, 37, would earn his associate degree in business administration from the College of Central Florida in 2006.

Coaching became an opportunity at a young age for the New York native as he was a youth bowling coach during his last two years of high school. Once his daughter, Sadie, started playing sports, Boomhower found himself coaching from the stands.

Realizing that coaching from the stands was not enough, he started coaching his daughter’s YMCA team for two years. From YMCA came an opportunity as the varsity middle school head coach for Blessed Trinity Catholic School, Anthony Christiano, offered him the junior varsity head coach job and an assistant position on the varsity middle school girls’ basketball team.

“My daughter was going to Blessed Trinity and it made sense for me to make the jump,” he said. She is currently attending Trinity Catholic and will be playing for either the junior varsity or varsity girls’ basketball team.

Success would come in waves at Blessed Trinity for Boomhower as his junior varsity team won two conference titles and his varsity team won three conference championships during his five-year tenure. During that period, Boomhower started an AAU team (Central Florida United Hoops) that has been in existence for six years.

All the success at Blessed Trinity Catholic caught the attention of St. John Lutheran athletic director Daniel McLeod and Boomhower took over the entire girls’ basketball program (middle and high school level) in September of this year.

With a short amount of time to get ramped up at St. John Lutheran, Boomhower has gone into high speed to get acclimated to the players and people around the program by attending volleyball and football games to get to know current players and possible future players.

Boomhower said the goals for this year are to build a complete program from middle school to varsity with the plan of having a junior varsity and varsity team for the middle and high schools at St. John Lutheran.

It will be a work in progress for his varsity team as they try to rebound from a winless 2021 season, Boomhower wants expectations to be clear from day one and to have communication be a strength.

“Having an open line of communication, we have to be straightforward. We have to get right to the point and be able to communicate my expectations, my staff’s expectations and what they are for the season,” he said.

Patience will be needed and Boomhower said he has learned the attribute through fatherhood and being his daughter’s coach at the same time.

“Patience is a big thing because I’m trying to get my points across and get them to understand what I’m saying. Some of them don’t catch on right away, so it’s about patience and that is key with all kids,” he said.

He continued, “If you’re not patient with your child, it becomes an issue. So, the same idea translates over to a team. If you’re not patient with the growth of your team, you can have unrealistic expectations and you’re not patient with the growth, which can lead to issues.”

Boomhower credits his wife of 16 years, Savannah, to having a major impact and supporter to his career, along with their daughter.

“My wife is my calming presence. When I get worked up, she calms me down and gets me focused on the right things. She is that calming presence in my life.”

Coaching at the high school level allows for leaders to make a lasting impression on their players and be someone to lean on beyond high school. For Boomhower, that sentiment rings true in his mind as he strives to be a mentor in life.

“I want to be someone they can reach out to and talk to. Not necessarily about basketball but life in general. I want them to be able to say Coach Adam was a big part of their life and he helped me get to where I am now.”

He added: “You want to build them up beyond the court to be a strong, young lady.”

Boomhower and his squad star their regular season on Nov. 8 at Winter Haven Christian.

“I’m looking forward to the season and I can’t wait to get into the gym to get started.”

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Vanguard’s Emma Ehmann (20) spikes the ball as Adyla Kerley (23) backs her up in their win over Ridgeview in the FHSAA Class 5A Region final at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.

Vanguard’s Lillian Hart (8) spikes the ball past Ridgeview’s Katie Cole (15).

Adam Boomhower, the new girls basketball coach at St. John Lutheran School, poses for a photo in the gym at St. John Lutheran in Ocala on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

November

November