Marion County School Board unanimously OKs agreement with Marion Education Association
By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.comThere was a sense of accomplishment and hopefulness during the Marion County School Board meeting held on Oct. 25 as the board unanimously approved its annual contract with the Marion Education Association.
Negotiations between the two sides have been difficult and tense in recent years, and officials on both sides said having an agreement in this early in the school is a promising step.
The new contract, which still needs to be ratified by the association members, includes raises and other improvements for instructional staff. But the focus on Tuesday was on the shared relief that an agreement had been reached early and without too much stress.
Helen Hamel, the Magnet program coordinator at Lake Weir Middle School, beamed with happiness as she addressed the school board members.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com“TOP SECRET” was the subject line on the email inviting people to a surprise gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Marion County Judicial Court
Building to honor Judge James “Jim” McCune for initiating the Mental Health Court in 2009 and the Veteran’s Treatment Court in 2012.
As people kept streaming into the jury assembly room, it became evident that a large number of people had not only kept the secret, but wanted to be there in person
to pay their respects.
McCune was an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit for 13 years before he was appointed a county court judge by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002. In 2004, 2010 and 2016, he
City’s plans to meet water demands
“I want to start off with a big thank you,’’ she said. “This is the first time in my career that I am able to sign and fully ratify my contract before the end of the first semester. This is amazing, thank you for the speed and efficiency with which both sides negotiated.”
As with all bargaining sessions, Hamel said, there were concessions and compromises made by both sides, but this is “a great start.” She said she hopes other issues such as planning time, the compression of salary of teachers in their first few years of employment, academic integrity and choice of materials in classrooms are discussed in the next negotiation.
Marion Education Association President Mark Avery pulled back the curtains to talk about the improved process that led to the new agreement.
“We spent a lot of time this year working on the contract,’’ he said. “Last year, a lot of members came in and spoke negatively about the bargaining process and how it works. I will proudly say that this year the district and the association worked diligently over the last six months to try and get this done. We look forward to continuing this progress in future sessions.”
Board member Don Browning said it is exciting that an agreement has been reached, but he said he wants to see more money put toward the instructional staff.
By Makayla Gray makayla@ocalagazette.comEfforts to ensure that Ocala residents always have clean drinking water took a major step forward earlier this month when City Council moved ahead with plans to build a
second water treatment plant.
The $52 million plant, located about six miles from the enchanting Silver Springs, is expected to be operating by 2030 to help provide drinking water for Ocala’s growing population while easing the load on the city’s one aging water treatment plant.
The council on Oct. 18 approved a $4 million contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., a longtime partner with the city, to design the plant.
The city issued a RFP to 393 vendors and kept the solicitation open for 63 days, 33 days longer than a usual solicitation.
Kimley-Horn was the only firm to submit a proposal.
The Gazette attempted to follow-up with Kimley-Horn via phone call, but they did not respond.
The City of Ocala will provide 50% of the estimated
“Pay really matters,’’ he said. “It’s almost $7 million, (instructional staff payroll) and its exciting. What would be more exciting is if we spent more money on our people.”
Board member Nancy Thrower, a former teacher, had high praise for the instructional staff and on the
Teacher’s union contract
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moment’s positivity.
“I’d like to focus on the historic nature of the negotiations and how everyone involved went to the mat to make sure that our employees, who are such a critical and valuable resource, need to know and have stability in what their school year is going to look like,” she said.
“This is very near and dear to my heart as an educator,’’ Thrower continued. “I intend that this will become the way we do things, and it’s a huge step forward for our district. Seventy-eight percent of our operating budget goes toward salary and benefits, and I can’t think of money better spent.”
Vice-Chair Allison Campbell was enthusiastic about the next round of negotiations.
“This board was adamant at the end of the last agreement, which happened at the end of the last school year, to get to work as soon as possible so that we could reach this point. I’m looking forward to the team getting started right now, as soon as we finish approving this, to get started on the 2023-2024 agreement,” she said.
The latest version of the agreement is 81 pages, and the document is available to the public online on the Oct. 25 meeting agenda.
The most notable changes include:
• There will be changes in the pay for instructional staff for the 2022-2023 school year. For employees who are grandfathered in (holding a professional service contract or continuing contract), their base salary will increase by $1,875, retroactive to July 1, 2022. This change moves the Marion County Public School minimum base salary from $47,000 to $48,906.
• An important part of their pay involves whether the employee is deemed highly effective or effective. Employees receiving an overall assessment under the Marion County Instructional Evaluation System (MCIES) of Highly Effective for the prior school year will receive an adjustment of $525, the previous total was $200. Employees receiving an overall assessment of Effective for the prior school year will receive an adjustment of $393, the previous total was $150.
• If a teacher chooses to not be in the grandfathered salary schedule, they could choose to have a Probationary Contract (PC) or an Annual Contract (AC). If an employee chooses to make the move to those contracts or the Performance Salary Schedule, there are different totals with an assessment of Highly Effective earning a $700 adjustment, instead of $250. The total for achieving Effective remains at $393 in this contract.
• The new employee matrix on page 64 of the document shows the chart of pay for teachers, depending on years in the system. For teachers with 0-19 years, the base pay is $48,906.
Beginning in year 20, the base pay rises to $49,656 and $50,456 for year 21. The most an employee can make is when they reach 30-plus years, when the base salary is $59,256.
• Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, department/grade level chairpersons will be recommended annually by the employees of the department/ grade levels. The principal will consider the recommendations and make a final selection. The grade/department chair will earn $500 for the position for the duration of the school year.
An employee with a reading endorsement will earn $1,500 for the school year under the new agreement.
• Subject to negotiations, all ESE Specialists shall receive an annual supplement of $3,000. All ESE Specialists must be fully certified to receive the annual supplement. The previous supplement for the position was $2,500.
• All optional professional development taken by employees outside the 7.75-hour day, or on non-contract day, that are related to the employee’s current assignment, will be paid at $27.50 per hour beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The previous hourly wage for such training was $25 per hour.
• Each employee shall have a supervisory-free lunch period of no less than 30 minutes, except in unusual cases. The previous agreement gave employees a 25-minute lunch period.
Board Chair Eric Cummings ended the discussion with a message for the instructional staff throughout Marion County.
“We were all on board in making sure that that our staff would not be working in the dark for a whole year. That was important to us because you are all important to us,” he said.
“We are looking forward to starting next year’s negotiations and moving forward,’’ he added. “This will not be an exceptional thing and it will be the norm to get it done earlier and that when the school year starts, you already know where you’re going to be.”
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By Morgan Ryan morgan@ocalagazette.comAn Ocala resident filed a report with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office stating that a firearm had been stolen from her unlocked vehicle on Oct 9. Eleven days later the handgun was found–inside Forest High School.
According to the school resource officer’s incident report, Forest High School went under a Code Red lockdown the morning of Oct. 21 following a student’s discovery of the gun inside a bathroom stall.
After School Resource Officer Jose Diaz placed the school on lockdown, he
confirmed that there was no immediate threat and was able to retrieve the gun from the stall.
“I took possession of the handgun, cleared it and ran the serial number through Local Government Review,” said Diaz in a police report. “I was advised that the handgun was reported stolen.”
No students or faculty were injured, and the sheriff’s office has not made any arrests related to the incident or the initial theft, according to Director of Public Information Paul Bloom.
Marion County Public Schools Superintendent Diane Gullett happened
to be on the FHS campus when the gun was found. In a press release Oct. 21, she assured community members that the school district staff and responding security agencies followed all safety procedures regarding the incident.
“Thank you to the parents, for your patience as we work through unfortunate situations like this,” Gullett said. “Safety is our top priority.”
The sheriff’s office declined the Gazette’s request to interview Diaz about the incident, stating that this remains an ongoing investigation.
The sheriff’s office redacted the name of the
white female who reported her gun and purse were stolen from her car the evening of Oct. 9.
“The victim requested Marcy’s Law protection and their info is redacted because of that,” said Bloom.
Year to date, the sheriff’s office has had 274 guns reported stolen. In 2021, 304 guns and 428 in 2020.
The sheriff issued a statement on the agency’s Facebook page about the importance of gun safety following the high school incident. “This is a poignant reminder of (the responsibility) of gun ownership. Please take your firearms inside and always lock your car doors.”
you consider relevant.
Judge McCune honored
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was elected to serve 6-year terms. He announced last December that he would not seek reelection when his term expires at the end of this year.
McCune was the presiding judge for five years over Mental Health Court and for seven years over Veterans Treatment Court. Mental Health Court is currently under Judge Thomas Thompson and Veterans Treatment Court is under Judge Lisa Herndon.
On Tuesday, there was nothing but admiration for McCune for his role in implementing the two programs, which are referred to as problem-solving courts.
Addressing the room full of court officials, elected officials, mentors and many others, Alina Stoothoff, Court Operations Consultant, Problem Solving Courts, 5th Judicial Circuit, said, “This is not Judge McCune’s retirement, this is out of gratitude for him having started two of our problem-solving courts in Marion County, of which we now have 11. The 5th Judicial Circuit now has 21 problem solving courts, more than in any other circuit in the state. A lot of that, at least in Marion County, is because of Judge McCune.”
“Judge McCune worked with stakeholders and completed a community needs assessment and one recommendation was implementing a Mental Health Court,” explained Court Coordinator Regina Lewis. “It was also the consensus of some judges, treatment providers and attorneys that there was a part of the population that really needed to be treated, especially when the reason for their incarceration was due to mental illness. This population had much more difficulty navigating the criminal justice system and often stayed in jail longer, at a much higher cost due to medical needs.”
Stoothoff noted that many veterans were not assimilating back into society, had a high suicide rate and were ending up in the criminal justice system rather than being treated.
“After a grant was retained, Judge McCune accompanied a group from Marion County to Buffalo, New York, and observed the first Veterans Court team in the U.S. When they returned, they formed a management team to start and oversee a Veterans Treatment Court in Marion County,” she said.
Mental Health Court has a docket of non-violent misdemeanor defendants and closely supervises program participants while linking them to treatment, and social, financial and other supportive services. Veteran’s Treatment Court assists defendants with treatment needs associated with substance use disorder or dependency, mental health and other issues. It handles misdemeanor cases, felony cases, cases in pre-trial diversion and cases in which sentences have been imposed. A mentor is assigned to
each participant.
To date, the Mental Health Court has served more than 548 participants and the Veterans Treatment Court more than 192 veterans.
“Judge, it really is because of you that we have these problem-solving courts in Marion County,” said Judge Thompson, in addressing McCune.
“It’s easy now. We have statutory authority; the Legislature has recognized the value of these programs to communities,” Thompson said to those gathered.
“But back in 2008, 2009, when Judge McCune decided he was going to be the one to make this happen, this was not always an easy sell, to law enforcement, to other members of the judiciary.”
But, Thompson continued, “These are critically important programs.
When you talk about our combat veterans, our service veterans, the men and women who have served our country, when they come back, they are not always in one piece mentally or physically and they do find themselves in trouble. If we give them a chance to account for what they have done wrong and to have justice served and give these people a chance to fix themselves and to be productive members of the community so they can have stable families, a job, a future… and for the service they have given their country, maybe we can give back to them for a change. Well, we wouldn’t be able to do so if it wasn’t for Judge McCune.”
Thompson told McCune that he was grateful he came to him in 2014 and asked him to oversee the Mental Health Court.
“We serve a special population. For once, maybe the criminal justice system can try to change their lives and not just throw them back in jail. To get them medication, counseling, sometimes stable housing, which can be a game changer,” Thompson said.
“And you can look at the taxpayers, because if they’re not in jail and are getting the things they need to keep them from breaking the law and being back in jail, we don’t have to pay for incarceration, all the expenses to the taxpayers,” Thompson added. “But I like to think the criminal justice system should be about more than the bottom line, but about the big picture. And we think about the community holistically; what is best for everybody, not just offenders. These program, I think, are a shining example of what the criminal justice system can do … Judge McCune, thank you for the vision and for the perseverance and for being willing to take the slings and the arrows from detractors and naysayers. We should all be grateful for your leadership, your guidance and your hard work.
It wasn’t always easy, but these programs are a success.”
In presenting a plaque to McCune, Lewis said, “On behalf of everybody here, I just can’t tell you what a champion you have been, not just for developing and implementing these programs, but how you have
impacted so many people, the lives you have saved. You truly are a champion. You set a standard.”
During many of the introductions and remarks, McCune kept darting around the room to give greetings and hugs. When it was his turn to speak, he finally stood still at the front of the room.
“I’m deeply touched,” he said. “It’s about people: our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, the guy next door, the one you went to school with. They are fellow members of the community. And none of this can be done by one person, it takes us all together to just care… to be human and care for someone else, whatever their circumstance is.”
He shared some details about starting the Mental Health Court and said the team wanted to make a difference, “not just have words on an organizational chart.”
He said that upon implementation, “We knew we were being scrutinized, appropriately. We had a responsibility to be accountable.”
He said it was “really, truly devastating,” when he learned that one of the program participants had been arrested.
“So much of the rational we shared to get buy in was that this is about addressing recidivism … I said we failed, now they’re going to pull the plug,” he recalled.
“Alina said, ‘No, you are seeing this wrong, you are measuring your notion of success in an erroneous fashion.’ And I said, ‘What do you mean?’ And she said, ‘Well, you’ve got someone who has been arrested 10 times in six months and now they’ve gone nine months with just one arrest.’ And that kind of sunk in,” he said.
“And the point I want to make is, we can’t give up,” he said firmly. “If we’re talking about people and lives, and lives in our community and for the sake of our community, we need to persist. And that may mean a lot of bumpy roads.”
In a touching moment, McCune’s wife, Jessica, joined him in front of the crowd.
“She is a licensed mental health counselor and a nurse,” he said. “She used to challenge me. She said, ‘Why do you spend all this time, all these resources, on the mop up… why don’t you make a difference?’”
She immediately turned her face to him and replied, “Thanks for listening.”
Turning to the audience, she said, “When I first met Jim and was learning about what he did, he told me that the pillars of the community are capable of a heinous crime and the most hardened criminal incarcerated has many redeeming qualities. So, yes, the law and the courts are black and white, but there is lots of room for hope and for compassion and grace.”
“And the joy of collaboration, of working together,” he chimed in as he spread his arms wide and gazed around the room.
in new
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cost of $52 million, with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the St. Johns River Water Management District each pledging to contribute 25% of the construction costs.
In email correspondence with the Gazette, City Engineer/Director Sean Lanier explained that an Integrated Water Resources Plan in 2008 discussed the need for a second water treatment plant.
The new plant, to be built at 3744
South Pine Ave., will include four wells drilled 1,300 feet deep into the Lower Floridan Aquifer, according to the city’s website. The new wells will bring relief to the current plant’s wells, which will lead into the Upper Floridan Aquifer as well Silver Springs.
The city’s sole water treatment plant provides roughly 12 million gallons of drinking water each day to Ocala’s 60,000 residents, according to the website. The new plant is expected to help the city keep up with demand.
plant
“We are projected to have the flows double in the next 20 years to approx. 26 millions of gallons a day,’’ Lanier said, adding that the new plant will be designed to be 30 millions of gallons a day.
Another reason for building a new plant is the age of the current one.
“WTP#1 was built in 1972 and it has reached its life expectancy and is not expected to meet future regulatory requirements,” Lanier said.
With the new plant intended to supply all of the customers in the city’s water
service area at some point, Lanier said it may take some time for Ocala to recapture it initial capital outlay.
“After deducting operating expenses, the revenues generated by WTP#2 are expected to reimburse the construction cost within seven to 10 years,” Lanier said.
According to the preliminary plant layout, there are over eight phases of new development for the treatment plants, that stretches out to 2030.
Alzheimer’s brings supporters together for
Walk to
common cause
was different about him, but I didn’t know what. In 1997, Alzheimer’s was not a big word. Nobody talked about it or knew very much about it.”
About that time, Judy learned about a cognitive study that was being conducted in Tampa, only a two-hour drive from their home in Ocala. She made a call and Elmo was accepted into the clinical study at Suncoast Gerontology Center (now part of the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute). Patients received either a placebo or the drug Aricept (donepezil), Judy said.
“Even though it was a blind study, Elmo’s test scores over three years continued to improve,” said Judy. “By getting him in early, I saw changes in him that he wasn’t declining. He wasn’t jumping up and clicking his heels, but after three years we should have seen something negative and we didn’t.”
To Ocala neurologist, Dr. Jose Gaudier, successful treatment often depends on family members noticing the signs early.
however, they’re not always effective and they can be expensive, he said.
While studies are being done on a number of different drugs, Gaudier said the medicine more commonly used is donepezil (Aricept).
“It’s more commonly used worldwide for Alzheimer’s, even though the effect is mild,” he said. “The same way there’s not a cure for aging, there’s not a cure for dementia,” noted Gaudier. “We may be able to delay the onset, but we can’t stop the onset completely.”
Named for a German physician, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first described the disease in 1906, the malady destroys nerve cells, which causes memory failure and changes in personality, according to the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information.
By Marian Rizzo CorrespondentAWalk to End Alzheimer’s is expected to draw nearly 300 people to the World Equestrian Center on Saturday morning as family members, friends and members of the medical community rally to show their support for treatment of the disease.
The walk takes place annually in nearly 600 communities nationwide, said Carly Wille, senior development manager of the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida Chapter. The local chapter’s walk has raised a little over $63,000 in donations toward the goal of $115,000, Wille said on Monday. The fundraiser will continue until Dec. 31, she said, with 100% of the money going to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Among Saturday’s walkers will be
Judy Berthelot. Over the past 20 years, she said she has watched her husband, Elmo, gradually decline from a live-wire personality who enjoyed dancing, playing golf, and playing pool. Today, she said, he is listless and fragile, unable to even shower without assistance.
Elmo, who will turn 95 on Nov. 27, also has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and COPD. He goes to Blessed Trinity Elder Care Center two days a week, but he doesn’t play cards anymore. At home, he spends much of his time watching old reruns on television.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2000, Elmo started showing signs of cognitive impairment about three years before he was diagnosed.
“I saw and heard a different Elmo,” Judy recalled. “He wasn’t the same person. His speech and thought patterns showed lack of concentration. I knew something
SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
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“Alzheimer’s basically doubles its presence every five years after age 65,” Gaudier said. “By age 70, it is 5%, at 75, it’s 10%, at 80, it’s 20%. The most common presentation is when family members bring in the patient that is being forgetful. We couldn’t take care of patients without their families.”
The former president of the Marion County Medical Society, Gaudier has been practicing medicine in Ocala for 31 years and recently began limiting his practice to outpatient services. About 35% of his patients have some form of cognitive problems, he said.
Though there currently is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, Gaudier explained that ongoing studies tend to favor drugs that target microscopic clumps of the protein beta-amyloid. Testing can include spinal taps, blood tests, MRI’s, PET
According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80% of dementia cases. More than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the majority of patients are over age.
John Renyhart knows what it’s like to care for a family member who has dementia. Renyhart’s wife, Nancy, died in 2020 after struggling with Alzheimer’s for nine years.
A hospice volunteer, Renyhart established an endowment for dementia education in his wife’s name. He currently leads a support group for caregivers.
“The first time they walk through the door, they find out they’re not alone,” said Renyhart. “The best admonition we give to the caregiver is, ‘You need to take care of yourself first.’ They cannot be effective in their role if their own health is threatened.”
For more information about a caregiver support group, call (352) 694-7069.
County commission write-in candidates aim to make Marion County history
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has never had a candidate elected via write-in, but Gina Capone and Brian Donnelly intend to make history.
Capone and Donnelly, running for Districts 2 and 4 respectively, advertise themselves as “for the people” candidates. They both say they believe the current members of the commission do not prioritize the needs of Marion County residents, and both candidates are using issues such as over-development they say residents have brought to their attention as pillars of their campaigns.
Capone faces incumbent Republican Kathy Bryant in the Nov. 8 election, while Donnelly hopes to unseat Commissioner Carl Zalak III.
Capone and Donnelly chose to file as write-in candidates to avoid having to declare a political affiliation. Both stressed the importance of looking past party lines and voting for candidates that best serve the community, regardless of party.
Additionally, write-in candidates do not have to pay any fees or submit a nomination petition – but they do have to sacrifice having their names on the ballot.
Marion County residents can cast their votes for Capone and Donnelly by writing their names on the ballot within their respective districts.
More voting information can be found on the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website.
Capone, 64, has been an Ocala resident since 2021, but her love for horses and Florida’s natural beauty is that of someone who has lived here for many years.
She was raised in Virginia, where she owned and operated a riding school until 1998 when she moved to Wellington, Florida.
Wanting to stay involved with the horse business, Capone wrote about Florida horse sports under a pseudonym, and continues to write about her passion for the animals in her self-run publications to this day.
campaign is to preserve undeveloped land in Marion County.
“We could actually save our county from this destruction,” she said. “If we don’t do something now, we’re going to be eaten up by developers.”
Capone prides herself on running a smaller campaign and not taking money from developers and lobbyists. She has raised just shy of $3,000 for her campaign while Bryant has raised a little over $152,000 as of election week.
“I’m not going to take money from a developer, and then go vote on something the developer wants,” said Capone. “It doesn’t sit right with me, and it shouldn’t sit right with any of the commissioners.”
If elected, Capone intends to push for term limits for commissioners and re-evaluate the county’s yearly budget. She also would urge her fellow board members to agree to hold referendums for major issues, giving Marion County residents the chance to vote on matters that directly impact them.
More information about Gina Capone can be found in one of her three self-run newsletters, Ocala Florida News.
Donnelly is running a campaign similar to Capone’s despite having a vastly different background.
He was born in Boston where he served as a municipal planning official for nine years. This position gave him experience in zoning and development plans, which he said he hopes to showcase on the Marion County commission.
Donnelly, 67, has lived in Ocala for 13 years and he said he has a passion for the community and environmental preservation.
“There are seven food deserts in Marion County,” he said, alluding to locations where access to stores selling fresh food is limited. “I want to disassemble the landfill to make green energy, fertilizer and food.”
Donnelly is a self-proclaimed expert in waste -management, green energy and sustainability, and he hopes to maintain Florida’s natural environment.
Like Capone, Donnelly also wants to crack open the budget and reorganize the funding, placing more importance on schools, the police and fire departments
and the water and sewer systems.
“No one is following the comprehensive plan,” he said. “I think we have billions of dollars in unfunded needs.”
Donnelly is a member of the Global Goodwill Ambassador Foundation, which works to support marginalized communities all over the world. If elected, he says he will localize the work he’s been doing globally for the last 15 years.
He has campaigned traditionally, with signs and events, but Donnelly has placed a special emphasis on advertising himself on social media.
In addition to being the first write-in candidate ever voted into public office in Florida, he wants to be the first “social media candidate.’’
Donnelly has raised just under $12,000 for his campaign, while Zalak has raised over $160,000.
Donnelly says that while having his name on the ballot as a member of a political party would’ve made his campaign much easier, it was more important for him to remain nonpartisan and focus on the needs of the voters.
Donnelly said he believes Marion County is a special place, and he wants to leave a shining legacy for the next generation of residents.
“You talk to people, and they say they moved here for open spaces and the farms and animals,” he said. “I don’t think anybody moved here for the warehouses and convenience stores.
Benefits of Hospice Care
Each year Hospice of Marion County, along with many health organizations, provides increased education during November about National Hospice and Palliative Care month. Did you know that all Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to 180 days (six months) of hospice care?
Unfortunately, many that receive hospice care are not getting this benefit until it’s almost too late to realize its value. We often hear from patients and their families, “I wish I or my loved one had received hospice care sooner; what a difference it makes.” What could 180 days do for you or your loved one?
Hospice of Marion County provides compassionate, comfort/supportive care at end of life. We routinely provide that care no matter one’s ability to pay and wherever one calls home – be it at your own home, an assisted living facility, nursing home or at one of our three hospice houses. Starting hospice/ supportive care earlier allows time for hospice teams to provide medical, emotional and spiritual support focused on quality of life. It also allows the chance to address grief and helps patients and their loved ones find meaning and acceptance at end of life.
To learn more about the services and programs we provide, visit www. hospiceofmarion.com. To request a presentation to your organization about hospice/supportive care, call (352) 854-5230.
Submitted by: Hospice of Marion County CEO Rick Bourne Gina CaponeNewcomers to the local political scene hope to win without the help of political parties.Gina Capone and Brian Donnelly
“I’m not going to take money from a developer, and then go vote on something the developer wants. It doesn’t sit right with me, and it shouldn’t sit right with any of the commissioners.”
Florida-breds in Breeders’ Cup spotlight
Golden Pal seeks a record-tying third victory in horse racing’s championship event
By Michael Compton CorrespondentFlorida-breds are poised to add to their 30 total wins at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as racing’s marquee event is held for the 39th time on Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.
Topping the strong contingent of Sunshine State products entered in this year’s Breeders’ Cup is Golden Pal, already a two-time Breeders’ Cup victor having won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) and the previous year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) as a 2-year-old. On Saturday, Golden Pal will seek to write even more history as he will defend his title in the $1 million BC Turf Sprint at 5 ½ furlongs. Another win would provide him a recordtying third Breeders’ Cup triumph, joining Hall of Famers Goldikova (IRE) and Beholder as the only horses with three Breeders’ Cup victories. Golden Pal has been listed as the 2-1 race favorite on the morning line and he will start from post position No. 8.
Golden Pal has been a picture of consistency for owners Susan Magnier, (wife of John Magnier), Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, et al. and trainer Wesley Ward.
Bred in Florida by Randall Lowe, Golden Pal is a winner in eight of 12 lifetime starts and has placed in two others en route to career earnings of more than $1.8 million.
The 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo is coming off a facile score in the Woodford Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, and he will be ridden by his regular jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
“I was very happy with his post,” Ward said. “Post eight, we’re
out there a ways to where he can break and this way Irad will get a sense of what he wants to do. If he breaks as sharp as he usually does, he can kind of ease over to the rail.
Or, if somebody catches a flyer and breaks like him, Irad will be able to ride his race from there.”
Golden Pal has raced at six tracks during his stellar career, and he is unbeaten in four starts at Keeneland, where his trainer is based.
“We’re ready to roll,” Ward said. “He’s been pointing for this since last year’s race. This is a race that I asked Michael Tabor about right after the horse crossed the finish line (last year), as we’re heading to the winner’s circle, if we could get one more year. Before we got on camera, I kind of wanted to pin him down a little bit. He didn’t see why not, so here we are today.”
Florida-bred Hot Peppers, a 3-year-old daughter of leading Florida sire Khozan owned by Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso and bred by Brent and Crystal Fernung of Journeyman Stud, will contest the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).
A two-time stakes winner in 2022, Hot Peppers captured the Jersey Girl Stakes and the Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park and finished second in the prestigious Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in August. Hot Peppers was a two-time OBS graduate, originally selling at the 2020 October Yearling Sale and then was purchased for $16,000 at the 2021 June Sale out of the de Meric Sales consignment. Listed at odds of 30-1 on the morning line, Hot Peppers is trained by Rudy Rodriguez and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado.
Simplification, a Florida-bred colt by leading Kentucky stallion Not This Time, drew post position No. 2 in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Owned by Tami Bobo and Tristan de Meric and bred by France and Irwin Weiner, Simplification was on the Kentucky Derby trail earlier this season following a win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old finished third in the Florida Derby (G1) and was a determined fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the First Saturday in May for trainer Antonio Sano. All told, Simplification has won three of 11 starts and has earned $769,950. He will be ridden by jockey Luis Saez and his morning line odds have been set at 15-1.
A pair of Florida-breds will contest the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at six furlongs with C Z Rocket and Willy Boi carrying the state’s banner.
C Z Rocket is a classy 8-year-old gelding who has amassed earnings of more than $1.6 million in a 34race career. Owned by Altamira Racing Sable, Madaket Stables, Gary Barber, et al. and bred by Farm III Enterprises, C Z Rocket finished second in his most recent start, beaten just a nose in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) in Southern California.
An $800,000 purchase from the 2016 OBS June Sale, C Z Rocket is 20-1 on the morning line for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Flavien Prat will be aboard him for the first time on Saturday.
Willy Boi, bred by Ocala Stud and William Terrell and campaigned by Lea Farms, will begin from post position No. 10 in
the Sprint and will be ridden by Chantal Sutherland. The Jorge Delgado trainee won the Big Drama Stakes and the Smile Sprint Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park over the summer and most recently finished third in the A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at Saratoga. The 4-year-old son of Uncaptured sold for $40,000 at the 2020 OBS October Sale, and he has won six of 13 lifetime starts and banked $350,485.
Sunshine State products kick off Breeders’ Cup weekend on Future Stars Friday with undefeated Speed Boat Beach in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). A winner of his first
two career starts—a maiden special weight on the dirt at Del Mar and then the Speakeasy Stakes on the turf at Santa Anita—Speed Boat Beach is trained by Bob Baffert and will be ridden by Prat for owners Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. Bred in Florida by Caperlane Farm, Speed Boat Beach was a $200,000 acquisition at this year’s OBS March Sale. He drew post No. 11 and is 6-1 on the morning line.
“Hopefully, it doesn’t rain and it’s not soft,” Baffert said. “He’s a fast horse. He’s a really fast horse. Is turf his game? I don’t know. I think he is better on dirt, but I wasn’t going to run him going a mile and a sixteenth (in the Juvenile). Maybe down the road, but he’s not ready for it now.
“I saw him at the sale. He worked fast,” Baffert added. “He’s just a beautifully built horse. He looks like Bayern (his sire) and is fast. Bayern couldn’t stretch out until later as a 3 year old. I tried stretching him and he just wasn’t ready for it. With some horses you’ve just got to wait, and it will come eventually.
I think Speed Boat Beach was named right. He has a lot of speed.”
Atomically, winner of the FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl Stakes at Gulfstream Park Oct. 1, will break from post position No. 8 in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Friday. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred
Partners, Michael Bernard and Harry Colburn and trained by Todd Pletcher, Atomically is a winner in two of three starts and has earned $268,000.
Bred by Tracy Pinchin and Michael Bernard, the bay filly is a first-crop daughter of former Ocala Stud stallion Girvin, and she is listed at odds of 12-1 on the morning line.
Rounding out Florida’s contingent on Friday is Delight, a 2-year-old filly by Mendelssohn, who will start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Bred in the Sunshine State by Hickstead Farm and owned by Augustin Stable, Delight is trained by Jonathan Thomas.
A dominating five-length winner of Keeneland’s Jessamine Stakes (G2) in her most recent start, Delight is 6-1 on the morning line. The chestnut filly is a winner in half of her four starts, and she has earned $211,905. Delight is a two-time OBS graduate. She was sold by agent Stuart Morris at the 2021 October Yearling Sale and then was purchased for $400,000 out of the Paul Sharp consignment at this year’s March Sale.
As for the marquee race of the weekend, the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), undefeated Flightline puts his lofty reputation and spotless record on the line against a contentious field that includes Rich Strike, this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, and the impressive Grade 1 winners Life Is Good, Taiba, Epicenter, and Olympiad.
Flightline, who received his early training lessons in Ocala at Mayberry Farm along with Rich Strike, is owned by Hronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, and Woodford Racing, and trained by John Sadler.
“It was a great thrill Saturday when he had his last workout and you saw two or three thousand people out there in the dark to watch his last work,” said trainer John Sadler. “It’s been a great reception so far and we’re looking forward to Saturday. Good draw. We would have been happy with any draw. We think at a mile and quarter you have a good run into the turn to get your position, so for him, it’s just fine.”
Flightline, who figures to be the shortest-priced favorite over the two days of racing, is perfect in five career starts. He was a geared down 19 ¼-length winner of the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar in September and he won the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (G1) in June at Belmont Park by six lengths. Last year at 3, he won the Malibu Stakes (G1) in his stakes debut, and he has earned more than $1.3 million in his spectacular career. Approximate post time for the Breeders’ Cup Classic is 5:40 p.m. on Saturday.
Florida’s Breeders’ Cup Winners
Eillo 1984 Sprint Precisionist 1985 Sprint Cozzene 1985 Juvenile Tasso 1985 Juvenile Twilight Ridge 1985 Juvenile Fillies
Smile 1986 Sprint
Brave Raj 1989 Juvenile Fillies
Prized 1989 Turf Meadow Star 1990 Juvenile Fillies
Unbridled 1990 Classic
Gilded Time 1992 Juvenile Brocco 1993 Juvenile Hollywood Wildcat 1993 Distaff Cherokee Run 1994 Sprint One Dreamer 1994 Distaff Jewel Princess 1995 Distaff
Skip Away 1997 Classic Beautiful Pleasure 1999 Distaff
Miesque’s Approval 2006 Mile Ginger Punch 2007 Distaff Big Drama 2010 Sprint Awesome Feather 2010 Juvenile Fillies
Dubai Majesty 2010 Filly and Mare Sprint Musical Romance 2011 Filly and Mare Sprint
Little Mike 2012 Turf
Mucho Macho Man 2013 Classic Caledonia Road 2017 Juvenile Fillies
World Approval 2017 Mile
Golden Pal 2020 Juvenile Turf 2021 Turf Sprint
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARI ON COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS LYON BAI LEY, a/k/a TOMMY BAILEY CASE NO. 2022-CP002382
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 OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL JON MAKINEN, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2252
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 21, 2021 The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 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: DIANNA M. BENNIS 12325 S.W. 91st Lane Dunnellon, FL 34432
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursu ant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the un dersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Jenkins Sub aru of Ocala located at 4150 N US Hwy 441, in the County of Marion, in the City of Ocala, Florida 34475 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corpo rations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Ocala, Flor ida, this 21st day of October, 2022. Own er: DRJ VOL, LLC
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
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursu ant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the un dersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Jenkins Volvo Cars Ocala located at 4150 N US HWY 441, in the County of Marion, in the City of Ocala, Florida 34475 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corpo rations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Ocala, Flor ida, this 21st day of October 2022. Owner: DRJ VOL, LLC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CARMEN KURLAND, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-1883
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.
If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.
The date of death of the decedent is: February 22, 2022
The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 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: HELENA D. BIER 4047 SE 15th Street Ocala, FL 34471
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 RONALD R. NELSON, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2229
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 20, 2022
The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 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: TRACI SYME 5125 SE 26th Street Ocala, FL 34480
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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: September 2, 2022 The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 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: NANCY A. RESTIVO 230 E. Virginia Blvd. Jamestown, NY 14701
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF JACK DEAN HALL, JR., Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2349
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: August 5, 2022 The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 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: TYLER HALL 917 State Route 49 Homer, Illinois 61849
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ERNEST JOSEPH NASSIF, JR. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2295
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1 st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.
If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.
The date of death of the decedent is: August 11, 2022
The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 2022.
Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com
Personal Representative: MARGARET J. NASSIF 4242 SE 17th Lane Ocala, FL 34471
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PAUL CLYDE GUESS, Deceased. CASE NO: 2022-CP-2298
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.
If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: February 1, 2022. The date of first publication of this Notice is October 28, 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: PAUL WILLIAM GUESS 4073 S.W. 168th Circle Ocala, FL 34481
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
People, Places & Things
In toon with D.J. Reynolds
julie@magnoliamediaco.comThe colorful and campy artwork of D.J. Reynolds offers a refreshing break from the selfseriousness too often associated with contemporary art.
Born Donald James Reynolds in Ocala, the eclectic illustrator exudes positivity with an edgy irreverence, a distinctive convergence of sensibilities that distinguishes his cartoon-like artwork. He paints an assortment of animals, including menacing felines. In one illustration, he captures a floating head of black cat, mid-snarl, and captions it “100% Jerk.”
Reynolds draws with clean lines and popping colors, the types of illustrations you see in contemporary magazines such as “Wired” and on the covers of precorporate alt-newsweeklies.
Reynolds’ art pays homage to pop culture fetishes of today and past decades, including “The Creature from the Black Lagoon,” Wes Anderson movies, classic country, Joey Ramone, popstars incuding Childish Gambino and TV favorites such as “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill.”
He also loves all things Old Florida, plants, animals and, perhaps, most of all, his pet Corgi, Scout. Gainesville punk shows and street-skateboarding sessions dominated his adolescence. He still has a board and rides it “a little bit.”
Scroll down on Reynolds’ Instagram page and you’ll see a snapshot of him with Jonathan Richman, who came into mainstream prominence as the troubadour in “There’s Something About Mary.” Richman’s acerbic observations and humor have been an obvious influence on Reynolds.
“He’s one of my all-time favorites,” Reynolds said of the famed singer-songwriter.
Skateboarding and counterculture music still inform Reynolds’ subjects and the wooden skate decks that he paints on. He also paints on plant pots.
“I like to use a lot of like skateboards and wood, and I’ve done items on guitars,” he said One of those guitars, which boasts a tribute to the country classic tune “Eastbound and Down,” was chosen and sold during the “Music Moves Marion” exhibit earlier this year at the Brick City Center for the Arts. The instrument bears the song title along with a painted illustration of its singer,
Bandit” co-star Burt Reynolds. “They’re heroes of mine,” Reynolds said affectionately.
The graduate of Vanguard High School works as a banker and financial advisor by day. He and his wife, Andrea Reynolds, don’t have kids, but they dote on their cherished pup, named after the plucky heroine of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Locally, he sells his stickers at downtown shops (information below) and he created a snazzy album artwork for the local band Glizzy Gillespie that boasts Hank Hill of “King of the Hill” dressed in a hat and loud shirt that opens up to a T-shirt with the band’s logo.
“I’d say 90 percent of what I do is acrylic paint, especially on canvas or the wood,” he shared. “The other half of my art is digital arts and a lot of people know me for my digital items.
… There’s always a bit of a stigma when you do digital work. People don’t know what it is. I actually used to think that way myself. Like, ‘Oh, it’s not really art. Well, blah, blah, blah.’ But, it very much is with the tools that are available to you today for electronic use.”
When trying to trace his idiosyncratic mix of pop culture sensibilities, Reynolds dated himself “on the tail-end of Gen X, an early Millennial,”
“I have always, always been fond of art,” he emphasized. “I painted all through school, and it’s funny, when I was in high school, I submitted a painting to FAFO, you know, 20 years ago. And it won first place in the high school division.”
FAFO stands for Fine Arts For Ocala, which is the group that organizes the annual Ocala Arts Festival, which took place recently in downtown Ocala.
Ironically, Reynolds’ Instagram handle is “Second_Place_Artist.”
“I did an art show about five or six years ago, and after I got all set up, the artist at the booth next to me asked, ‘What’s your art Instagram?’
In a panic, I created one with first name that came to mind and it stuck. And, as a footnote to that story, this year I submitted a piece to the emerging artist competition held at city hall and came in second place. So, now, it’s kinda official!”
To contact Reynolds and see his illustrations and paintings, visit instagram.com/second_place_artist. His stickers, buttons and planters are available for purchase at Marley Mae Market and Paperie, 16 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala, and Peacock Cottage, 2243 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
“I have always, always been fond of art,” he emphasized. “I painted all through school, and it’s funny, when I was in high school, I submitted a painting to FAFO, you know, 20 years ago. And it won first place in the high school division.”
The joy that D.J. Reynolds experiences as a Floridian and pop culture connoisseur emanates through his campy and
“Bugs” Acrylic on skateboard
“Wooden Menagerie” Acrylic on wood
D.J. ReynoldsBy Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation
Bring your friends, family and dancin’ shoes for this one night only Community Event and be ready to sing along!
For over a decade, The Alter Eagles have been astonishing audiences across the United States with their inspiring tribute to the number one selling band of all time in North America. Having performed over 2000 shows, making them one of the most prolific tribute acts today, Alter Eagles is comprised of 6 versatile vocalists who each play multiple instruments during the show. Whether it’s an outdoor show with 20,000 singing fans or an intimate venue with 100 “Friends of the Band”, Alter Eagles make every performance exciting and memorable. And now, they’re coming to Ocala to help pay tribute to Veterans of the
Armed Forces of the United States.
The Alter Eagles play all of the Eagles classics, as well as songs from the newer albums and solo careers. “Desperado”, “7 Bridges Road”, “Heartache Tonight”, “One of These Nights” and, of course, “Hotel California” (which boasts Rolling Stone magazine’s 8th greatest guitar solo ever) are just a few in their repertoire.
This is a fundraiser for the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park Foundation. As a non-profit organization, our primary Mission is to honor all Veterans and their families while offering an educational venue for current and future generations of Marion County and beyond. We are grateful, in advance, for your support in this endeavor by inviting family, friends and co-workers! 100% of your donations will go toward much needed upgrades and additions to the Veterans Park!
A FEAST FOR FOODIES AND MOVIE BUFFS ALIKE
See an Israeli film that shows how cooking can help broker peace while breaking bread with fellow Ocalans at a potluck dinner.
[Supplied] By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.comCineastes and foodies alike will enjoy this week’s screening of the College of Central Florida Ira Holmes International Film Series.
In the 2019 Israeli film “Breaking Bread,” Arab and Jewish chefs work side by side to create delectable dishes and foster social change. The documentary explores Israel’s groundbreaking A-Sham Festival, founded by Dr. Nof Atamna-Ismaeel, the first Muslim Arab to win Israel’s MasterChef, the festival invites Arab and Jewish chefs to celebrate their shared culinary history as they exchange stories, recipes and techniques.
“‘Breaking Bread’ delivers comfort food in every sense of the expression, from the mouthwatering Middle Eastern delicacies on view to the soul-nourishing displays of peacemaking compassion,”
said Thomas Floyd of “The Washington Post.
Two screenings of “Breaking Bread” will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8, the first at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art and an evening showing at 7 p.m. at the College of Central Florida.
The audience at the evening screening only is invited to break bread together with a potluck dinner; bringing a dish to share is welcomed but not required.
The screening will begin at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and at 7 p.m. at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110. Admission to both screenings is free. Note: If you’re not a museum member, you must pay admission at the Appleton. Films may contain mature content.
For information on upcoming screenings in the Ira Holmes International Film Series, visit CF.edu/filmseries.
Upcoming films in CF’s Ira Holmes International Film Series
Jan. 17 – “Victoria & Abdul”
Jan. 31 – “Parasite”
Feb. 14 – Scary Movie Date Night: “Get Out”
On Feb. 15 at 12:30 p.m., Dr. Gilbert Rodman will lead a “Get Out” Black History Month film talk at the CF Ocala Campus in Building 8, Room 110. The talk also will be live on Zoom.
Feb. 28 – “Neptune Frost”
March 14 – “La Ciénaga”
COURT FOR
IN THE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
RE: ESTATE OF
By Nancy Wininger Ocala Florida Stake Assistant Communication DirectorThe first Ocala Florida Stake Family History Conference was held on October 22, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ocala. The theme for the conference was “Forget Me Not” and was attended by 51 people of various faiths and backgrounds.
Primary aged children opened the conference by singing children’s hymns. They were followed by an opening prayer and comments by William Mahoney, First Counselor in the Ocala Florida Stake Presidency.
Five mini classes were taught in the morning session: “Merging in FamilySearch”, “Indexing for beginners”, “FamilySearch basics”, “Beginners guide to FamilySearch”, and “The importance of sources (because anything else is mythology)”. The classes were taught by Lydia Bridges, Gary Neuder ,Tom Moore, Carl Sheperd, and Walter Mills respectively. Finding classrooms was made easier by the use of color coding that matched the class with the classroom.
An especially fun interaction took place during the luncheon when attendees opened the “Relatives Around Me” app in familysearch.org. This app tells you how you are related to friends, neighbors, or anyone sitting or standing close to you. Mrs. Bridges won the door prize for being related to almost everyone there.
Temple and Family History Consultants Lorraine Sandeen and Paula Loe led the afternoon session. Mrs. Loe discussed the basics of DNA and showed attendees several websites that help people find their ancestors. Mrs. Sandeen gave instructions on the catalog search feature of the familysearch.org website. There was also a question-and-answer period and an opportunity for attendees to sign up to receive conference handouts by email.
The conference was evidence that family history and genealogy are labors of love, a treasure hunt of sorts, to find those people who might be forgotten but are waiting to be found. Family pictures, flowers and candles used for table decorations were also reminders that our way has been lighted and made more beautiful by those who have gone before. The second annual conference is scheduled for next year.
All
ALL
NOTWITHSTANDING
Hello, Ocala!
Meet your neighbor: Larry Kincaid
By Eadie Sickler CorrespondentLarry Kincaid remembers that when he was just 7 years old, he knew he wanted to be a police officer…and that from first-hand experience.
When he was just a little boy, he wandered away from his Dayton, Ohio, home. When his mother could not find him, she called the police. He was located in downtown Dayton by a police officer whose last name was Plummer. The officer pinned a badge on the boy, put his hat on him, gave him some candy, and drove him home in his patrol car. That experience so impressed him that Kincaid decided then and there that he wanted to be a police officer. His father was also employed in the police department at that time, in security work.
A second event that cemented his desire to be involved in police
work also came when he was still a young boy. While working his route as a newspaper boy when he was 11 or 12 years old, Kincaid was accosted by several older boys.
“They took my newspaper money,’’ he recalled. “That is a cold case I am still working on.”
Born in Dayton in 1937, Kincaid had one brother and one sister, both of whom are deceased. He graduated from high school there, and decided to enlist in the Air Force, where he served for six years. He explained he was in active duty for four years and in the reserves for two more.
Basic training took him to Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York, and after that, he was transferred to Montgomery, Alabama. “That was in 1956,” Kincaid said, “and segregation was in the spotlight there at the time. Black and white people were separated, having to use different restrooms and not eating in the same restaurants.
It was very pronounced and different from the situation in the northern states.”
He served in Korea for one year. Upon returning to the states, was stationed for two years with the Strategic Air Command at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. “This base was for the B-52 bombers, and the KC-97 and KC-135 refueling aircraft. It was home base for the 42nd Bomb Squadron,” he recalls.
In the reserves, Kincaid was able to return to his hometown. His father told him that the City of Dayton was accepting applications for the police department. He wanted to work with the public, so he took the test, was accepted, and trained at the Dayton Police Academy for 11 weeks.
During his ensuing 30 years with the department, he spent 22 years in the detective section in the Criminal Intelligence Unit. That included work with
Concert Series Announced
By Marion Civic ChoraleThe Marion Civic Chorale community chorus, established in 1986 to bring beautiful choral music to the north central Florida area, is pleased to announce the dates and venues for the Christmas concert season. The program will feature delightful favorites and inspirational songs to celebrate the holidays.
Please join us for an enjoyable afternoon of music at the following dates, times, and locations:
Sunday, December 4 at 3:00 pm
St. George Anglican Cathedral 5646 SE 28th St, Ocala, FL
Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 pm
Fort King Presbyterian Church 13 NE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL
the Homicide/Robbery Squad for 16 years, where he became supervisor of that division, the auto theft squad and other assignments.
“I was in the Internal Affairs Unit for a while, where we ‘police the police.’ No one likes those people,” he quipped. During his last three years with the police department, he was supervisor of training at the police academy.
Ironically, 13 or 14 years after he started working with the police department, he once again met the police officer who had “rescued” him as a little boy. Mr. Plummer was working as a jailer at the time. “I never forgot him or his name,” Kincaid said.
During his time in Dayton, Kincaid graduated from Sinclair Community College with an associate degree, and then from the University of Dayton with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.
“I was 40 years old when I got my degree,” he proudly exclaimed.
Following his retirement from police work, Kincaid owned a private detective agency for three years, after which he worked with a national security agency doing drug undercover work, time studies, executive protection. He was also the director of investigations.
Kincaid and his wife, Barbara, celebrated 36 years of marriage on Nov. 1. They both brought one child into the marriage. Kincaid has a daughter Rhonda, who lives in the Dayton area. Barbara has a son Michael, who also lives in that area and has two children, Garrett, who lives in Dayton, and Kristin, who lives in Texas.
The couple lived in Sarasota for five years when Barbara, who was a certified public accountant, was offered a job in Dallas. She could not refuse the position, and they lived there for five years before deciding to move back to Ohio. The pair bought and lived in a motor home full time, traveling all over the United States and Nova Scotia. Returning to Ohio, Kincaid began working as an investigator with the Cold Case Unit of the Miami
(Ohio) Valley Regional Crime Laboratory.
During that time, the couple lived in their motor home in Arizona during the winters and spent summers in Ohio before they bought a house in Arizona. While living in Arizona, Kincaid volunteered as a cold case investigator with the Apache Junction Police Department for seven years and was awarded the medal of excellence by the department for his work in helping to solve a 25-year-old cold case.
Missing their family, the couple decided to move to Ocala in 2019 to be a little bit closer.
“We did not want to go back to Dayton,” Kincaid said, adding, “We are about 1,000 miles closer to our family than we were when we lived in Arizona.”
They researched the Ocala area before moving here. They live in the Stone Creek area in southwest Ocala, which is a Del Webb community. We lived in a Del Webb community in Arizona, so we knew what the area would offer.
“It is an active senior lifestyle that offers amenities we enjoy, including golf, bocce ball, trivia night and cornhole games,” he added. The couple enjoys walking at Shalom Park nearby and watching horse races and going to nearby casinos.
Kincaid is currently involved with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit, which he enjoys.
Kincaid was inducted this October into the Dayton Amateur Softball Association’s Hall of Fame. Over his 40-plus years of involvement with the group, he has been a player, manager, and an umpire and was the director of the National Police Softball Tournament from 1973 to 1985.
While in Dayton to receive the award, Kincaid said he was privileged to officiate the wedding of the couple’s grandson Garrett. He had also officiated previously at granddaughter Kristen’s wedding.
Concerts are free to the public. Donations to help fund the annual Grat L. Rosazza music scholarship are greatly appreciated.
We always welcome new members who love to sing and be a part of this wonderful chorus. We perform all types of music, from classical to sacred to show tunes. Rehearsals are held at 6:30 PM at St. George Anglican Cathedral, 5646 SE 28th St, Ocala.
Visit www.marionchorale.org for more information. You can also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/marioncivicchorale.
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
community
NOVEMBER 4
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 4
First Friday Art Walk
Downtown Ocala Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala
6pm-9pm
Art displays, food and snacks plus live entertainment by My Uncle’s Friend, The Allens, Sean T Music and The Mudds. Stores are open late for shopping. Free to attend. For more info, ocalafl.org
NOVEMBER 4-6
Ocala Food and Wine Festival
World Equestrian Center, Expo 1, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala Hours vary, check website
Celebrity chefs, drink masters, live music from Locash, Martin and Kelly and the Breezeway Band. Tasting options from local restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries. Tickets start at $155 and VIP weekend packages are available. For more information, visit OcalaFoodAndWineFest.com.
NOVEMBER 4-6
Ocklawaha River Raid/Civil War Reenactment
Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala
All day
With cannons, guns, authentic military uniforms and horse-drawn wagons, this event recreates the battle between Union soldiers and the 2nd Battalion that took place at the Marshall Plantation in east Marion County. Admission is $10 per carload; lots of vendors. See facebook.com/7thFlorida for details.
NOVEMBER 5 & 12
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 5 & 12
Ocala Farmers Market
Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala
9am-2pm
A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.
NOVEMBER 5 & 12
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.
21 inches and taller swim from 1-2:30 pm. Proof of rabies, DHLP and Bordetella vaccines required. $10 per dog. Concession stands will be open. For more info, ocalafl.org
NOVEMBER 5
McIntosh 1890s Festival
All around downtown McIntosh 8am-4pm
Step into the charm of yesteryear. Nearly 300 vendors will offer arts, crafts, plants, jewelry, gifts, antiques and more. Food vendors as well. Free entertainment. There will fees for parking in certain areas. See mcintosh1890sfestival.com or friendsofmcintosh.org for more info.
THROUGH NOVEMBER 6
Coon Hollo Farm Fall Festival
NOVEMBER 5
Marion County Chili Cook-Off & Car Show
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala
10am- 5pm
This is the 41st annual fundraiser for The Cornerstone School. It features food, craft beers, vendors, live music, a kids’ zone, car show and more. Sample chili and vote for your favorite; check out the cars and vote too. For more info, marioncountychilicookoff.com/
NOVEMBER 5
Prostate Cancer ABCs: A Conference for Patients & Caregivers
Brownwood Hotel & Spa, 3003 Brownwood Blvd., The Villages 8:30am-4:30pm
This free conference for those dealing with prostate cancer will offer 16 different learning sessions with expert speakers from Duke University, Florida Cancer Specialists and more. Attendance and luncheon are free but registration is required. To register, Nov5Conference.eventbrite. com or call Jan Manarite at (239) 208-4400.
NOVEMBER 5
Veterans Benefits Education Series
Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick 10am-12pm
The Marion County Veterans Services team offers these free briefings about the benefits available to area veterans. Bring your questions and enjoy coffee and an information session.
NOVEMBER 5
First Saturdays Market in the Park Ernie Mills Park, 11899 Bostick St., Dunnellon 8am-2pm
A variety of vendors set up booths at Ernie Mills Park and many Dunnellon stores offer Saturday Specials.
NOVEMBER 5
Inaugural “Soggy Doggy” Swim
Jervy Gantt Park Pool, 2200 SE 36th Ave., Ocala
10am-2:30pm
It’s splash time for canines. Dogs 21 inches and smaller have the pool from 10am-12:30 pm; dogs
Coon Hollo Farm, 22480 Highway 441, north of McIntosh Fridays 4pm-7pm; Saturdays 10am-7pm; Sundays 12pm-7pm
Pony rides, archery, a crop maze, hay fort and farm animals. Tickets are $13. Food and drink for sale. For more info, coonhollo.com
NOVEMBER 6
Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band
Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St., Ocala 7pm
The 11th annual Veterans Light the Stars concert takes place in this free event to honor area veterans. Enjoy music, fireworks and more. Bleacher seating is available, or bring your own chairs and blankets to enjoy a fall evening under the stars. For more info, kingdomofthesunband.org/performance-schedule
NOVEMBER 10
Senior Support Education Series
Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon 12pm
Monthly meeting presented by the Dunnellon Caregivers with education information for seniors, caregivers and family members about available resources in the area.
NOVEMBER 10
Farmers Market
The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 9am-1pm
Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.
NOVEMBER 10
Paychecks for Patriots Job Fair
Marion County Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-12pm
A free job fair to help veterans, service members and military families connect with employers; members of the general public may also participate. Employers expected to attend
include AutoZone, Chewy, City of Ocala, Marion County Public Schools, Mojo’s Bar & Grill and World Equestrian Center. For more info, see veteran.employflorida.com
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 annual bazaar. 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. Donations of children’s toys are welcome to benefit local children in need. Event proceeds benefit local women and children.
NOVEMBER 12
7th annual Ocala Pet Expo
Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 10am-2pm
Ocala Fire Rescue K-9 Gracie makes an appearance and there will be booths and vendors along with lots of animal shelters and rescues. All attending pets must be leashed. Donations of pet food, toys and supplies will be accepted for area animal rescue groups. For more info, facebook.com/ events/649872929866315
NOVEMBER 12
Dunnellon Duck Race
Swampy’s Bar & Grille, 19773 East Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon
9am
The Dunnellon Chamber of Commerce sponsors their 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 festival boasts live music, arts and crafts for sale, historic displays, vendors and food. Crafters will show off historic 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.
government
NOVEMBER 7 & 14
Marion County Development Review Committee
Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
Reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plan, and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior.
civic
NOVEMBER 4
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.
arts
NOVEMBER 5
Free First Saturday at the Appleton Museum of Art Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
10am-5pm
Free admission for all to the permanent collection and special exhibits. Take this opportunity to explore this art-filled space and the garden atrium. Big Lee’s BBQ food truck is onsite 11am-2pm. For more info, appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH NOVEMBER 6
Invented Observations: Photographs by Steven Benson Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Benson’s work represents the human search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org for details.
THROUGH NOVEMBER 6
“Dracula: Live and Undead on Stage” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Showtimes vary, see website
The classic horror story, “Dracula,” is retold live on stage this month for thrills and chills. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger. (Note: this play is not recommended for children.) For tickets or more info, ocalacivictheatre.com
NOVEMBER 10
“Water” Concert College of Central Florida, Dassance Fine Arts Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
7:30pm
The College of Central Florida Wind Symphony
Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
NOVEMBER 8
City of Belleview Planning & Zoning Board
City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 5:30pm-6:30pm
Meets on the second Tuesday of the month; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at
belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes
NOVEMBER 9
City of Belleview Site Plan Committee Meeting
City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 9am-10am
Meets the second and fourth Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes
NOVEMBER 14
City of Dunnellon City Council Meeting
City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm
Meets the second Monday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/Agendas-Minutes
NOVEMBER 4
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
NOVEMBER 9
VFW Wednesday Dinners Angela S Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala 4:30pm-6:30pm
Weekly dinners for about $5-$7 with a variable menu. The dining room is open to the public, meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers and proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. For the menu info, call (352) 873-4781.
NOVEMBER 10
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
and the CF Patriot Singers present “Water,” a musical collection of pieces that celebrates the world’s connection to this precious resource. Guest composer Joshua Mazur is slated to appear. For more info, CF.edu
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 others. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. McFoodland food truck will be onsite for dinner. Popcorn comes with your 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 with a concert that showcases their blend of folk music, classic rock and Southern roots. Tickets are $25-$75; see reillyartscenter.com for more details.
THROUGH DECEMBER 9
A Floral Retrospective by Gregory Dirr Ocala City Hall, Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Dirr emphasizes environmental conservation in his interdisciplinary artworks. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces
&nightlifemusic
NOVEMBER 4 & 11
Courtyard Jams
MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St., Ocala
6-9pm Music, dancing, drumming, poetry and limbo. Free to all, Friday nights weekly.
NOVEMBER 4
Live Stream Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music, DJ Bingo, trivia games and karaoke.
NOVEMBER 4
Conrad Marcum
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment.
NOVEMBER 5
Mark Z
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
NOVEMBER 5
Torn Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm
NOVEMBER 6
Noah Hunton Music Video Shoot Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 5-9pm Hunton’s song “Guitar With a Million Miles On It” will get the rock-star music video treatment. Plus, dancing, food and drink.
NOVEMBER 6
Doug Adams Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm
NOVEMBER 9
Michelle Ingrham
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
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 works on display. For more info, appletonmuseum.org
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 9
Dave & Vicky Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm
NOVEMBER 10
The Mudds
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
NOVEMBER 10
Ryals Band Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm
NOVEMBER 11
Jeff Jarrett
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
NOVEMBER 11
Second Slice Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm
NOVEMBER 12
Rattling Rootz Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm
NOVEMBER 12
Veterans Salute Concert/Music Festival Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 11am-9pm All-day festival to honor veterans, flag pole dedication ceremony and after party with Cliff Dorsey. Dancing, food and drink.
NOVEMBER 12
Nate Mercado
The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm
Sports
Knox looks to start a winning tradition as he takes over St. John Lutheran boys basketball program
from New Haven High in 2008 and continued to live in the city until 2013 when he followed his father, Tim, to Florida.
Knox decided to pursue a career with the Florida Department of Corrections after seeing his dad serving in law enforcement throughout his life.
“Seeing my father as a cop and his gear and all that just made me want to go in the same field,’’ he said. “I wanted to join the military and I wanted to do infantry, but they told me I was too tall (6 feet, 7 inches currently),” he said.
compared to the assistant coach. It has its moments bouncing back and forth between work and basketball, but I am excited to get the year started and I know the kids are very excited,” he said.
Fortunately, Knox has a solid support system behind him with his wife, Nicole, and three daughters (Kaydence, Kalista and Kira).
is just a game that goes on record and that’s it,” he said.
He continued, “I’m trying to get them to buy into the program to where we can get them to where they want to go at the next level. By getting them to buy in and believe in themselves as a person and a basketball player, so that they can achieve any goal they set in front of them.”
Massachusetts, but to many people, Indiana is considered to be the center of the sport.
It may not be all that surprising that Indiana native Derek Knox became drawn to the sport at a young age. Granted, his height may have played a role; but make no mistake, Knox has always been enamored with basketball.
Knox and his family members coming back for more.
“I liked the competition part of it, and I enjoyed playing on a team with close friends,” he said.
After years of playing both football and basketball, his parents pushed for him to focus on basketball due to being 6 feet, 4 inches tall by his sophomore year of high school. Knox graduated
Knox put off the idea of coaching basketball for years before a friend landed the junior varsity head coach job at West Port High School. Knox joined his friend’s staff as an assistant and after one year at West Port, his friend was offered the same job at the varsity level for St. John Lutheran. Knox served as the assistant head coach at St. John Lutheran for the past two seasons.
Knox was offered the head coaching job in May, and he accepted the offer without hesitation. The promotion has led to him taking more on his plate as he prepares for his first season as a head coach at any level.
“There is a lot more responsibilities as the head
“They’re very supportive,’’ he said. “I get to come home and talk about how practice or games went, and they are all there to listen. They give me advice as far as how kids’ minds work these days and how I can be better at connecting with them. They are all super supportive of me.”
Fatherhood has taught Knox many lessons, but one stands out above them all.
“Have patience, not every kid develops at the same speed. You have to have patience with these kids,” he said.
Since Knox has been on the staff the past two seasons, there is plenty of familiarity with the returning players as he looks to improve the state of the program after a 3-17 record in 2021.
“I want to build the kids’ confidence up and I want them to be aggressive. I want them to be like basketball players and I don’t want them to think that this
Knox plans on having his coaching staff focus on each player individually and work on strengths and weaknesses throughout the season in hope of having more versatile players offensively and defensively.
Being a head coach in high school sports is an opportunity for Knox to be a role model in his players’ lives well beyond their playing days.
“No matter where they go after high school, I’m always going to be there for every kid that plays,’’ he said. “They will always have a way to get in contact with me. I’m always going to be right next to them in every battle they face in life, and I will always be there for them if they need it.”
Knox and his team open the 2022 season on Nov. 16 on the road at HEART Homeschool.
ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4
Sudoku
CrosswordJumble PIXEL COCOA STIGMA BUTANEWhen one of the barnyard animals got out, the other animals blamed the -“ESCAPE” GOAT
Hilton Ocala’s Famous Thanksgiving Buffet with Miranda Madison
For Reservations, Please Call (352) 854-1400. Thursday, November 24, 2022 • 11:00am-4:00pm
Entrees
Starters
Soup and Salad Station featuring Pumpkin Bisque, Assorted Salads and Charcuterie
Seasonal Fruit Station including Local Florida Berries. Jams and Jellies
Elaborate Pastry Display featuring House Baked Breads and Artisan Rolls
Raw Bar Station with our famous Chilled Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Salads and Smoked Salmon Platter
Carved Butter Roasted Turkey with all the Trimmings Herbed Stuffed with Giblet Gravy
Smashed Whipped Potatoes Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole
Hand Carved Prime Rib with au Jus and Horseradish
Aged Wisconsin Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Smoked Bacon
Cuban Spiced Pork Loin with Rum Raisin Sauce Blackened Mahi with Tropical Butter Classic Chicken Piccata
For the Kids
Baked Pasta with Marinara and Mozzarella Crispy Chicken Tenders
The Hilton Ocala 3600 SW 36th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474
Finales
Assorted Cakes and Pies
Dessert Shooters
House Made Cookies
Breakfast Breads Coffee Cakes
Viennese Display
Pricing is as follows and includes soft drinks: Adults - $56 | Seniors - $49 Children (5-12) - $29 *4 and under are free
Forest notches dominant road win versus West Port to keep playoff hopes alive
By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.comIt was not the prettiest win for the Forest Wildcats, but it got the job done against the rival West Port Wolfpack on Friday night.
Both teams are led by first-year head coaches who have seen tremendous gains after both teams endured a combined record of 4-16 in 2021. With Forest at 4-4 coming in and West Port at 4-5, the winner guaranteed at least a record of .500 or above.
Accomplishing that feat has not been done by West Port since 2020 and 2017 for Forest.
The game got off to an inauspicious start for Forest as they fumbled the opening kickoff and gave the West Port offense great field position. West Port’s offense had a new starting quarterback for the game because the original starter, Brittin Stevens, was out with a knee injury and the backup quarterback moved out of county.
The scenario left West Port head coach Greg Harper with limited options, he would turn to senior defensive back Eli Graham to play the position. Graham has never played quarterback in a game in high school and made his first mistake on third down of the opening drive when he threw an interception to Forest defensive back Isayah Osbourne.
Following Osbourne’s interception, the Forest offense went three-and-out, West Port followed suit and the Forest offense turned the ball over on downs to end in a scoreless tie after one quarter.
“I feel like we had a bit of a hangover from last week because we came out really slow tonight. We did not come out with the
energy I wanted us to.” Forest head coach Eoghan Cullen said.
The third drive of the night for the West Port offense was fruitful as Graham connected with AJ Weaver for a 25-yard completion. An offsides penalty by the Forest defense, an 11-yard run by Graham and a 15-yard completion to Demetrius Brown put the offense in the red zone.
Graham would call his own number and grinded out the last 14 yards of the drive on three carries before plunging into the endzone for a three-yard touchdown to put West Port ahead 6-0.
“The kid did a great job, his teammates rallied around him and it’s good to see. I just wish we could have made a few more plays for him,” Harper said.
Vimel Poole and the Forest offense went into attack mode on the ensuing series and Poole would find a wide open Ryan Jackson running down the right sideline. The junior quarterback hit him in stride and Jackson was in the endzone with a 70-yard touchdown.
After Jackson’s touchdown, Forest kicker Colin Scroggie perfectly placed the kickoff in a spot where it was tough to West Port to get to and junior linebacker Cayden Pittman would recover the ball.
Three plays later, Poole connected with Matt Hart for a 25-yard touchdown, Hart had slipped by the defense and was all alone in the endzone.
West Port would not answer and had to punt but their defense stepped up when cornerback Kaiden Brown intercepted Poole and put his offense at the Forest 15-yard line. The drive got off to a bad start with a holding penalty and would end in a punt.
The remainder of the first half was
scoreless and Forest had a 14-6 lead at halftime.
“I challenged the kids at halftime and told them we’ve got to pick it up. This is there senior night and they want it just as bad we do,” Cullen said.
The Forest defense would answer the call first when defensive tackle Timarius Mickens sacked Graham and forced a fumble. Mickens would pick up the loose ball and return it 25 yards for a touchdown to give Forest a 21-6 lead.
“It was great, everyday on defense we just practice, practice and practice on fumble recoveries. I blacked out and all I heard was ‘touchdown’,” Mickens said.
West Port could not answer, and Hart would come up with the second interception and third turnover of the night for the Forest defense.
The Forest offense were stuck in a tough position thanks to holding and false start flags. The two penalties made it third-and-28. The distance did not matter for Poole as he hit Jackson in stride down the left sideline for a 52-yard touchdown. Jackson’s two touchdowns combined for a team-high 122 receiving yards.
“VJ (Poole) is my guy and it was just on me to catch it, he will always put it there. It’s great having a quarterback lead us and throwing amazing passes,” Jackson said.
The last three minutes of the third quarter and the first seven minutes of the third quarter featured punts or turnover on downs from the offenses. Forest edge rusher Tae Floyd set the school’s single season sack record last week and added to his total with a sack in the fourth quarter.
Forest, up 27-6 with about seven minutes left, decided to bring in backup quarterback Brooks Boutwell and the sophomore would connect with running back Amadrick Hope for a 14-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 34-6.
The Forest defense would get one more turnover via an interception and run out the clock on the win. Cullen was pleased with the result but said he worries that a slow start next week will be much harder to come back from.
Forest will face their archrival, the Vanguard Knights, and need a win to have a shot at an at-large bid for the playoffs. Cullen said his team will be ready and intensity will be on another level in practice.
“It’s going to be very detailed, there won’t be a lot of wasted time. We’re going to be moving and trying to get in as many reps as possible,” Cullen said.
Poole, who threw for three touchdowns and over 200 yards passing said that Vanguard is their biggest rival and they need to lock in at practice next week. One aspect of this season that has taught Poole a great deal is learning how to become a consistent leader that can be depended on when needed most.
“It’s a big step, they depend on me and go off however I am acting so I have to watch my emotions and keep them straight,” Poole said.
For West Port, a 4-3 start to the season had them feeling like the playoffs and setting the school record for most wins in a season was achievable. Unfortunately, Harper’s squad dealt with a ton of injuries down the stretch and lost their final three games to finish 4-6.
Although it is not the result his staff and team wanted, the three-win improvement is a step in the right direction for the program.
“Being a very young football team, it’s a step in the right direction. We just have to build off that, four is not what we wanted and I have a lot of upset guys in the locker room but winning and learning how to win is a process,” Harper said.
He continued: “Most of the time you don’t go from not winning to winning the state championship, it’s a process. We got to get in the weight room, get stronger and get better at everything we do.”
A majority of this team’s starters should be back in 2023 as they started nine sophomores on the offense most of the season. The defense is heavy with juniors and could continue to be a strength after posting four shutouts this season.
Forest is focused on the present and their matchup with Vanguard looms as they look to gain respect.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us, a really good challenge. We’ve been working and it’s time for us to come to the plate and show everybody what we’re made of because people count us out and don’t think we are good, so we have a lot to show,” Mickens said.
Belleview posts impressive shutout win over Tavares on senior night
By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.comIt was a special night at the Strike Zone at Brent Hall Field as the Belleview Rattlers hosted the Tavares Bulldogs, a district foe, on senior night.
The Rattlers struck early and often as senior quarterback/ safety Ernest Flythe returned an interception for a touchdown to put Belleview up 7-0. Less then three minutes later, senior running back Eric McLaughlin scored on a 15-yard touchdown run.
After a scoreless second quarter, Belleview came
out swinging to start the second half as Flythe found Davonte Welcome for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
Freshman quarterback Matt Dial has been the starter in recent weeks but Belleview head coach Brian Lane wanted his seniors to be heavily involved on Friday night. Flythe also contributed on defense with two pass break ups and multiple tackles.
Senior running back Jaheem Shannon had two touchdown runs of 40-plus yards and senior wide receiver Andrew Lanctot caught a 12yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to put
Belleview up 42-0. Shannon and McLaughlin were a force and looked like the dangerous combo that terrorized defenses during the first month of the season.
“They played well and were able to get some great runs tonight,” Lane said.
The Belleview defense was dominant as they posted their second shutout of the season.
Junior linebacker Jacob Dyer also had an interception. Lane said he was pleased with the defense being aggressive by forcing turnovers.
With the win,
Belleview moves to 4-5 on the season and a road win at Trenton would give them back-to-back records of .500 and above.
Lane said he so proud of how the defense has performed all year and continued to fight when times seemed bleak for their offense.
A win at Trenton next week still leaves Belleview on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff bids. Regardless of that outcome, Lane is happy with where the program is headed and just to focus on beating Trenton next Friday.
BOARD
Dennis Dennis is a big-headed fl uff y guy and he has perfected his napping skills. If you love to take an aft ernoon siesta, this four-year-old cuddler would love to lay right beside you and keep you warm.
FOOTBALL SCORES
VOLLEYBALL SCORES
19-25, 25-21)
October 28
Class 3A Region 1 Semi-Final Florida State University HS 0 Trinity Catholic 3 (25-19, 25-22, 25-10)
Class 2A Region 2 Semi-Final Brevard HEAT
St. John Lutheran
(25-8, 25-23, 25-10)
Current Adoption Specials:
October
Class
Region
Semi-Final Vanguard
Choctawhatchee
(25-11, 25-20, 25-19)
Ocala Gazette regularly brings you two furry friends that are available for adoption from local animal rescue organizations.
Adoption fees are waived in November with the donation of non-perishable items for #BringTheHarvestHome, an effort to restock local food pantries. For more information about adoptions please visit MarionFL.org/Animal
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