Ocala Gazette | November 26 - December 2, 2021

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 22

Holiday

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Volunteer Opportunity Brother’s Keeper soup kitchen NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

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The new fire fee lawsuit City attorney outlines new (and expensive) strategy for latest challenge to fire fee assessment

By Jennifer Hunt Murty Jennifer@ocalagazette.com During the Nov. 16 Ocala City Council meeting, city attorney Robert Batsel

outlined a strategy for responding to the latest lawsuit challenging how fire fees are assessed, initiated by representatives of Carlton Arms, an Ocala

residential apartment complex.

According to the complaint filed, Carlton Arms officials object to how the city assessed their

multi-family homes at the same rate they calculated single family residences, at $286.15 per unit, while non-residential units were assessed by square footage

with a cap.

Batsel assured the council members that the Carlton Arms case had nothing to do with the prior fire fee assessment first established in the 2006/2007 budget, which was amended many times and was challenged in court, resulting in more than seven years of

litigation and a recent order requiring the city to pay $80 million in refunds.

This new challenge by Carlton Arms to the fire fee assessment, Batsel explained, was on the fire fee assessment the council instituted earlier this year.

“We are coming to you tonight requesting that See City, page A3

Conservation Summit

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

TiAnna Greene poses with her adopted son, Jaxson, 21 months, at Ocala‘s Jervey Gantt Park on Nov. 20.

FAMILY

The holidays are a special time for single mom Tianna Greene and her adopted son Jaxson

J

ust ahead of this year’s Thanksgiving Day, single mom TiAnna Greene said she was expecting the holiday to be extra special. Greene recently adopted Jaxson, a child who came into her home two years ago and literally changed her life.

For a long time, Greene had given up on ever having a child of her own. After being diagnosed with endometriosis, she had a hysterectomy at the age of 23.

“It was very devastating,” Greene admitted. “I’ve always been happy about others when they announced they were going to have babies. I celebrated with family and friends each time. I always wanted to have kids of my own, but it just wasn’t in the cards for me.”

Greene said she and her former husband talked about adopting, but they never followed through. After they divorced, Greene, a juvenile probation officer supervisor with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, found See Family, page A2

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Charlotte Weber, the owner of Live Oak Stud, center, is awarded the Acorn Conservation Award by Bernie Little, the Horse Farms Forever President, left, and Mark Casse, a two-time Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Trainer.

Making a

By Marian Rizzo Ocala Gazette

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Jaxson Greene, 21 months, plays on a slide at Jervey Gantt Park in Ocala, Nov. 20.

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com Collaboration, growth, and a desire to conserve Ocala’s farmlands were some of the main topics at the 2021 Conservation Summit hosted by Horse Farms Forever.

The one-day event was held at Ocala Breeder’s Sales and featured keynote speaker John C. Malone, the CEO of Liberty Media Corporation, as well as a presentation from Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) President and CEO Kevin Sheilley.

Mr. Malone is billed as the largest private landowner in North America, owning 2.2 million acres across various states, including Ocala’s Bridlewood Farm.

During his speech delivered virtually from Virginia, Malone talked about what, in his opinion, makes Ocala distinct and worthy of preserving.

“So, when you look at the energy of somewhere like Ocala, which has this

great heritage in horses and Thoroughbred horses, it’s kind of a unique area when you think about areas that deserve preservation. There aren‘t that many places on the planet that are great for raising and training horses.

The best ones have deep limestone soils,” he said.

The soil Malone is referring to is only found in four places in the world.

In addition to being found in Ocala/Marion County, it can be found in Newmarket, England, Chantilly, France, and Lexington, Kentucky.

Also, during his speech, Malone highlighted what stood out to him about Ocala.

“We saw something quite unique in the Ocala area, which is rapidly filling in but still has a substantial amount of open spaces... it [open spaces] is a unique asset that once it gets developed, it doesn‘t become open again.”

Marion County Commissioner Michelle Stone was one of the two hundred or so in attendance, and she agreed with Malone’s comments.

See Horse, page A3

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Family Continued from A1 fulfillment by helping friends and family members raise their three daughters.

“I hadn’t even thought about foster care or adoption anymore,” Greene said. “I was single and getting acclimated to my life. I had been taking care of other people’s kids for so long, I was adjusting to my life of just being me.”

Then, out of the blue, Greene got a call from Ivan White, a local foster parent, who asked her if she’d like to adopt his newborn nephew. White had gotten to know Greene when she was president of the Marion County NAACP and he was treasurer. He said Greene immediately came to mind when he learned his niece was giving birth to another child. White and his wife, Dawn Marie, were already caring for several children, including the baby’s older sister and brother.

Green took the baby into her home when he was three days old and named him Jaxson.

“I think it was really a God thing,” White said. “It’s been over a year now, and when Jaxson does come over, his sister and brother know him very well. We’ve got his pictures on the wall, and his name is on our blended family board. That was what was important to me, to think we were able to blend the family and make sure these kids grow up happy, nurtured and loved.”

Greene spent two years fulfilling the required home inspections and background check, all the necessary steps to becoming Jaxson’s legal mother. On July 23 this year, the adoption was finalized through a ZOOM

meeting with a judge, a commonly used method during COVID-19 restrictions.

“It’s a tough process, I would not deny that,” Greene said. “You think that you would not be able to extend your love and home to someone who does not share your DNA. But at the end of it, the reward is so much greater.”

Greene’s mother, Audrey Clark, watched the finalization on a computer at home along with Greene’s sister, Kathy Pinckney. Now 21 months old, Jaxson is Clark’s first grandchild.

“I was crying because it was something I wanted for her so bad,” Clark said. “Once the judge called her ‘Mom,’ my heart just melted.

I always prayed for her to have her own.”

A lot of firsts began that day, said Greene.

“This was our first Thanksgiving together as a family,” Greene said in her pre-holiday interview.

“I lost a brother and sister about 10 or 12 years ago through illnesses, so our Thanksgiving has not been the same. We have not celebrated the holidays like we did when they were alive, so now with Jaxson we are building new traditions with him to celebrate the holidays. Jaxson will get to meet some of my aunts that he hasn’t met yet,” she added.

“I never knew that there was any more joy than what I’d already experienced being in a job that I love. I was doing what I could do for the community and then—Boom!— Jaxson came into my life. To be honest I’m still kind of in disbelief,” she shared “After all the praying and pining, I have my son. He’s changed our lives. It was the best decision I ever made for my life.”

“You think that you would not be able to extend your love and home to someone who does not share your DNA. But at the end of it, the reward is so much greater.”

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

TiAnna Greene pushes her adopted son, Jaxson, 21 months, on a swing as they play at Jervey Gantt Park in Ocala, on Nov. 20.

TiAnna Green

THINKING ABOUT ADOPTING? There are more than 1,600 children across the five-county area Kids Central serves who have experienced the trauma of abuse or neglect and have been removed from the home of their parents or caregivers. Those children need a safe place to live, sometimes for just one night and sometimes for a lifetime.

For more information, visit kidscentralinc.org

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

By the Numbers From June 2020 to June 2021 in Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Lake and Sumter counties, Kids Central assisted with 307 kids who were adopted and 239 children who were reunited with their families. They also licensed 70 foster homes.

REQUIREMENTS FOR FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENTS 1. Be a Florida resident age 21 or older 2. Be financially stable 3. Be able to provide appropriate sleeping arrangements 4. Be able to provide support, care and stability

MYTHS ABOUT FOSTER PARENTING AND ADOPTION

Foster and adoptive parents do not have to be a married, heterosexual couple. Approved homes may be a single dad, a single mom, a non-married couple who lives together or a same-sex couple.

Foster and adoptive parents don’t need to be wealthy. Foster homes receive a monthly stipend to assist with expenses. Foster children have health insurance coverage through the state. Foster Florida helps families who need financial support and resources including childcare. There are no adoption fees for adopting children through Kids Central. Every child adopted out of the foster care system receives a college education paid for by the state.

Foster and adoptive parents are not on their own—they have a broad support system. Kids Central partners with local organizations including Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and the Pearl Project, which provide services to children who have had to deal with trauma or abuse.

Kids Central provides free training and a foster club for foster youth and parents, and adoption services staff offer support services for the family until the child turns 18. Foster Florida connects foster families to one another.

Teenagers want and need to be adopted as much as younger children.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

1. Donate Kids Central is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and accepts both monetary and in-kind donations. New items always needed include dishes, silverware and plasticware; baby items such as diapers, wipes, shampoo and lotion; hygiene products for older children including deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and feminine products; and underwear and socks in men’s and boys’ sizes.

2. Volunteer Volunteers assist at Kids Central’s West Ocala Family Resource Center, in the Kids Central office in Wildwood and help with community events.

3. Spread the Word Follow Kids Central on Facebook and Instagram. Help raise awareness by liking or sharing posts that let our community know about the need for foster and adoptive families.

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

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we do what we considered doing with council back in 2007 and 2008 when Pat [Gilligan] recommended that we consider going forward with a bond validation proceeding then on the user fee. The bond validation under chapter 75 [of Florida Statutes] allows the city to basically go down to the courthouse, file a petition naming the state attorney as the respondent and anyone else who wants to intervene in this case. Carlton Arms would likely intervene,” he said.

“What you‘re asking a court to do is look at the fire assessment and look at the debt obligation - in this case it would be debt borrowed to fund capital improvements, fire trucks - which are in this year’s and next year‘s budget... and say to the judge, ‘The city intends to issue this debt to borrow to purchase these trucks and we need you to judge in this court to validate the city‘s ability to do that legally and also the pledged revenue that‘s going to repay the debt.’ In this case that‘s the fire assessment,“ he continued.

“There is an expedited process. It‘s not like a typical lawsuit that goes on and on. This is heard on an expedited basis” Batsel added. “The local circuit court makes a decision and a party who doesn‘t like that decision, if they want to appeal that, goes straight to the Florida Supreme Court on an expedited review. And so, in a matter of months, we can have finality.

I‘ve told you this before; I‘ll say it again - I have no concerns about the legality of our fire assessment. But it‘s been challenged and we will have this final adjudication of the legality of that fire assessment for good - in terms of any challenges, not only the challenge of Carlton arms, but anyone else who would like to challenge it.

“It comes with an expense, but there‘s a benefit in that our office won‘t need - in all likelihood - to continue litigating this existing challenge [with Carlton Arms] because it will probably be consolidated into the bond validation proceeding, if we do this.”

Directing council members to an engagement agreement and legal memo on the strategy for the suit from the outside firm Bryant Miller Olive, which Batsel recommended the city council hire, he acknowledged the cost.

“It is not inexpensive. We‘re talking about, you know, up to $300,000 in

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BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

attorney‘s fees paid outside counsel to do this. The reason we‘re having this discussion again is this was discussed at some level in 2007, 2008. We didn‘t do it.

And, I know we don‘t want to talk about Discount Sleep [the plaintiff that initiated the lawsuit that resulted in $80 million in refunds], but, at this point, it would have been nice if we invested early on to get a final decision and put the legality of that to rest moving forward. And, so we have an opportunity to do that.”

Batsel pointed to successful litigation results of the recommended firm on fire assessment fees through a bond validation strategy, but then acknowledged that “every fire assessment is different because we have to look very deep into the data and the methodology that we used to come up with the assessment that we ultimately arrived at.”

As he concluded, Batsel asked for any questions council members might have.

While no council member presented a question, Jay Musleh commented, “This seems like money well spent now. Do you need a motion on the matter?”

Batsel indicated he did not need a motion, only full consensus to move forward - which council members gave.

Following the meeting, Batsel did

not respond to inquiries asking him to identify when and by what means city attorney Pat Gilligan recommended this bond validation strategy to city council in 2007 and 2008.

Minutes of the meetings between the city’s attorney and the council members and city managers regarding fire fee litigation are not available to the public or to the Gazette until the case is concluded.

Historically, meetings between the city attorney and the city council discussing litigation are not open to the public and as a result commonly are referred to as “shade meetings,” since they are the opposite of normal city business held openly under Florida’s Government-inthe-Sunshine Law..

The only city employee who is included in shade meetings is the city manager, unless the city manager is unavailable and designates an assistant city manager in his or her place to provide information.

A review of the city council minutes associated with passing the fire assessment in 2007, however, do not reflect a bond validation strategy being presented. In fact, the assessment passed without any discussion.

Horse Farms Forever summit brings together groups focused on conservation, debuts quality of life survey results Continued from A1

1515 NE 22nd Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 352.732.0073

Fred Roberts, of Klein and Klein, LLC law firm, who was representing Carlton Arms of Ocala, voices his disagreement with the fire assessment fee during the Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala, on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The Ocala City council voted to approve the fire assessment fee during the meeting.

“So truly it was a pleasure to sit in the audience to hear the CEP as well as Horse Farms Forever come together in partnership, recognizing the better we all work as partners, the better community we‘re going to have. And that includes making sure that we continue to have open spaces in this special community.”

In addition to Malone’s remarks, CEP President and CEO Kevin Sheilley gave a presentation showcasing the economic aspects of Ocala and Marion County where he touched on the location as a logistical hub for product distribution as well as international companies such as E-1 and Signature Brands that call Ocala home in some way.

Sheilley also highlighted the growth the county is expected to see in the coming months and years as well as how the equine industry is an economic driver for Ocala.

“We‘ve had a great partnership with Horse Farms Forever the last couple of years because our missions aligned, but they’re separate,” Sheilley said after the event.

“We’re about attracting business and diversifying our economy and growing incomes, and Horse Farms Forever is about preservation, and so, we know they‘re watching very closely in a lot of these areas, in particular in the Farmland Preservation Area. They‘re really a great resource for us, we share information back and forth. We support their mission, they recognize that we‘ve got to have growth and infill in core urban areas,” he continued.

During his presentation, Sheilley also shared the results of a quality of life survey that was commissioned earlier this year.

20,000 on the next. It gives me great He reported that 29.5 percent of the concern...help us preserve it,” she said.

1,204 respondents listed preservation To preserve the natural aspects of the of land and natural resources as the county, the Marion County Commission most important issue facing the county, created the Farmland Preservation Area while 21.4percent said transportation (FPA) in 2005 to manage growth and and traffic, 19.3 percent mentioned protect the area’s valuable soils, water, population growth, 11.2 percent said affordable housing, and 8 percent said and spring sheds. economic development.

Additional results from the survey According to its website, Horse Farms pointed to its respondents believing the Forever’s mission since 2018 has been county should place a high priority on to “preserve the character and culture that horses, horse farms, and the 193,000 conserving local scenic land as well as acre Farmland Preservation Area bring placing a high importance on preserving local farmland. to Marion County. The organization is focused on raising awareness about The survey was done in partnership with the CEP, the College of Central protecting horse farms and advocating Florida, the Florida Thoroughbred for the protection of the FPA from the threat of unplanned growth and road Breeders and Owners Association, Horse development.”

Farms Forever, and other partners and measured the perception of Marion County residents and their future vision for the community.

Also during the summit, Charlotte Weber, owner of the 5,000-acre Live Oak Stud received the inaugural Acorn Conservation award for her significant contribution to preserving Marion County’s horse farms.

“Please protect our trees and our roadsides,” Weber said during her comments.

“I came here, as many of you did, because it was rural. It

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette was quiet. You could Sara Powell-Fennessy, the executive director of Horse Farms Forever, have a nice little place. speaks during the Conversations About Conservation Horse Farms Now? 10,000 houses Forever Conservation Summit at the Ocala Breeders‘ Sales Company in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. going up on this corner,

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Brother’s Keeper soup kitchen expects big numbers on holidays, needs volunteers and money

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com The Brother’s Keeper Ministries soup kitchen strives to fill as many hungry bellies in Ocala as it can every holiday season, and this year is no exception.

Currently located within the Interfaith Emergency Services complex at 435 N.W. Second Street, the soup kitchen generally serves about 150 meals per day.

That number doubles around the holidays.

“Last year at Thanksgiving, we [served] about 300 meals,” said Jason Halstead, executive director of Brother’s Keeper Catholic Outreach Ministry.

“Two years ago, we served 550 meals on Thanksgiving Day. I’ve only been in this position for about four years, but I’m pretty confident that’s the most we’ve done on a single day.”

Halstead predicted that this year’s holiday season will bring

out numbers closer to last year’s total—or around 300 meals.

“On Thanksgiving and Christmas, specifically, we will have an actual meal,” he continued. “We will have turkey with the additional sides like cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, a roll and some dessert. And then at Christmas, we will do a ham with sides.”

Brother’s Keeper Ministries, which serves hundreds of men, women and children in the Ocala/Marion County area with food and clothing, is run by Blessed Trinity Parish in Ocala.

For the last 25 years, the soup kitchen has served lunch to the needy every day of the year between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

The mission is simple, according to Halstead. The soup kitchen exists to make sure food is available to the people who need it the most.

“Prior to COVID, it was a traditional soup kitchen,”

explained Halstead, “where we would make a pot of soup or goulash, spaghetti with meatballs or casserole, and anybody who wanted to come could come in and eat as much as they wanted.”

Since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, Halstead said the soup kitchen has been forced to transition to and maintain a to-go style menu, consisting mostly of sandwiches, fruit and water. He added that financially the change in model— from soup to bagged lunches— raised the price for running the kitchen threefold over the last 20 months.

“Making a big pot of soup versus bagging 300 sandwiches every day…the costs of water bottles, bread alone…it just costs more,” he said.

Halstead made a point to explain to the public that buying food for the ministry alone won’t go as far as a donation. And the ministry is always looking for

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette Volunteers serve Thanksgiving dinners for homeless and needy people in the kitchen at Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen in Ocala on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Brother’s Keeper gave away hundreds of boxes of Thanksgiving dinners to people on Thanksgiving instead of letting them dine together inside due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

people to volunteer and help in the soup kitchen.

“The soup kitchen is on a dayto-day basis. We have one of our nuns from Uganda who runs the soup kitchen, Sister Concepta, and then anywhere from four to eight volunteers per day. They prepare everything. But because

of COVID, our core groups, who were primarily elderly, haven’t been able to participate as often.

So, at large, we really need volunteers.”

If interested in volunteering, email Brother’s Keeper Ministries at Jason@bkocala.org or call (352) 622-3846.

College of Central Florida nursing program ranked one of the nations most affordable

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com The College of Central Florida’s (CF) Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program was recently ranked 6th nationally for Most Affordable Online Nursing Programs in 2021 by EduMED. org, an organization that helps students connect with the best

and most affordable online degree programs in more than 60 medical and health fields.

CF President Dr. Jim Henningsen was excited about the ranking and said it’s a good recognition of what CF has tried to accomplish.

“It just goes back to one of our goals of being one of the most affordable colleges nationally.

We’re in the top 1% overall

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette The Ewers Century Center is shown on an empty College of Central Florida campus in Ocala, on June 30, 2020.

nationally, and to have the sixth lowest cost program in the nation with the quality we have I think is just a great opportunity for students,” he said.

According to Dr. Stephanie Cortes, CF Dean of Health Sciences, the program was started about seven years ago and has seen over 200 RNs earn their BSN. “The RN-BSN program began in fall 2014, graduating its first class in Dec. 2015,” said Cortes.

“To date, 214 students have graduated from the RN-BSN program,” she continued.

To qualify for the rankings, educational institutions were selected for the ranking based on governmentally-supplied data provided by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Once the data was compiled, schools were then ranked based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Of all the metrics, affordability received the heaviest weighting.

Henningsen pointed out that the groundwork was actually laid a few years ago for programs such as the RN-BSN to be successful today.

“Over the past three years, we’ve taken a hard look at programs that we may have liked, but that may not have been the highest in demand locally. They didn’t have great placement rates for grads, or they weren’t the best return on investment for the community. So, we allocated some of those resources into the high-demand programs that are producing graduates who are getting average salaries between fifty to seventy thousand their first year out of school.”

While plans for the RN-BSN program and others like it were laid a few years ago, plans are continually being made for the future of the nursing program at CF, as the school just secured local funding from both the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the Marion County Hospital District for an expansion of the program to include renovations to existing buildings as well as a new Health Science Technology Education

Center.

Henningsen pointed out local partnerships such as the ones CF has with the MCBOCC and the MCHD go a long way when getting state legislators to commit to moving forward on funding expansion projects, and accolades such as the new ranking don’t necessarily hurt either.

“What I can tell Tallahassee now is that we’ve got two multimillion dollar partners on the new nursing building…that goes a long way in terms of getting them [legislators in Tallahassee] excited about putting us on the high on the priority list.”

Currently, Cortes says there are 80 students enrolled in the RN-BSN program with space for more.

“There is no waitlist to begin CF’s RN-BSN or Associate Degree Nursing program,” she pointed out. “Applications are available online and are currently being accepted to start in the RNBSN program January 2022”.

General information, as well as information on the RN-BSN program, can be found here.

Disney pauses COVID-19 vaccine mandate in Florida

By The Associated Press Disney has paused its policy requiring Florida-based employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine following new laws passed by the state‘s legislature last week that limit employers‘ power to require vaccinations, according to a memo sent to employees.

The company informed employees in a memo sent Friday that it has paused the requirement due to the state legislature‘s action during a special session last week, and because of an appeal court‘s temporary delay of federal vaccination guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

“We believe that our approach to mandatory vaccines has been the right one as we‘ve continued

to focus on the safety and wellbeing of our Cast Members and Guests, and at this point, more than 90 percent of active Floridabased Cast Members have already verified that they are fully vaccinated. We will address legal developments as appropriate,” Disney said in a statement Monday afternoon.

Any Disney employees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear face coverings, and observe social distancing and other safety protocols, according to the memo.

In addition, the company has paused consideration of vaccine exemption requests, the newspaper reported. Also, employees who have not finished the vaccine verification process will be considered unvaccinated for the time being, the memo said.

The company had given non-union workers until Sept.

28 to complete the vaccine course. Union represented employees reached a deal with the company and were given through Oct. 22 to provide proof of vaccination.

The bills signed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last Thursday require companies to allow workers who agree to regular testing and to wear protective gear to be exempt from required vaccinations.

The new laws also allow religious or medical exemptions, which Disney had already included in its mandate.

AP PHOTO/JOHN RAOUX The Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is seen at the theme park, Aug. 30, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Disney has paused its policy requiring Florida-based employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine following new laws passed by the state‘s legislature last week that limit employers‘ power to require vaccinations.

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

MARION COUNTY A5 GROWTH SERVICES

Agricultural land rezoned for 54 homes, surrounding neighborhoods voice concern 210904Z 11/4/2021 Item Number

By James Blevins Ocala Gazette

At the Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) meeting held on Nov. 16, the commission approved the request of Todd B. Rudnianyn, owner of Highway 27 West, LLC, to rezone 11 acres located between Quail Meadow and Ocala Preserve neighborhoods, from agricultural use to planned development that includes 54 single family residences.

The application described the new development as a retirementage restricted, detached singlefamily, residential development, tentatively named “Quail Preserve.”

Residents from the neighboring developments came to voice objection to the development, primarily concerns related to traffic, and the damage that

construction vehicles would have on their roads.

“In 2008,” said a gentleman who lives at 4677 N.W. 31st Street, “the streets were resurfaced. Our streets are in good shape. Without stipulation, you are allowing our developer to damage our streets for his profit—leaving us to pay for the damage.”

Laura Fonde, secretary for the Quail Meadow Property Owners Association (QMPOA), said during the public portion of the meeting that “In compliance with [the MCBOCC], representatives of Quail Meadow attempted in good faith to negotiate a solution to satisfy the basic safety needs of our community and protect our residents from the exorbitant cost, which will be forced upon us by allowing this zoning change without stipulations that will be legally passed on to the builder.”

P&Z: 8/23/2021

BCC: 9/14/2021

BCC Cont.: 11/16/2021

[CDP-AR# 27028]

Members of the public also had concerns with Rudnianyn calling Type of Application theRezoning new planned development “Quail Preserve,” being that it Rezoning Request: would cause confusion to new From: A-1 (General residents of Quail Meadow Agriculture) as far as which roads to use To: PUD (Planned Unit traveling through each respective Development) – Quail community.

Preserve PUD The commission and staff Owner/Applicant: acknowledged a 2017 traffic study Highway West, LLC. /the report that27 substantiated Todd B.of Rudnianyn concerns the adjacent neighbors who complained that people were Location: 7120 and using their neighborhood roads to 7130 SW Hwy 200 get to a nearby shopping area- and that this new development would Parcel #/Acreage only exacerbate 21602-000-00 the (pt) problem / north more.

One ofacres the solutions ±11.31 of ±18.98proposed COUNTY DOCUMENTS Item Summary Here is an aerial shot of the PUD juxtaposed between Qual Meadows, right, and the Ocala Preserve left. to acres. address Quail Meadow’s traffic concerns was to privatize the Staff is recommending Approval with Development Conditions for a rezoning vehicle traffic another tentatively require 80% of the HOA to agree to (Planned Development from A-1 (General Agriculture) to PUD Unitthrough Development) community’s roads, adding gates, that action. piece of undeveloped land owned Agreement(s) – OR titled Quail Preserve for a retirement age restricted detached single-family so that the neighborhood would no by the applicant rather than using One of concessions of the NA Book/Page: residential development with up to 54 dwelling units, in accordance with Marion longer be used as a cut-through. access. 7 “Zoning Change.” was to direct construction Land Development Code (LDC), public Articleroad 2, Division However, that solution would County applicant Future Land Use The site is the northern portion of a larger parcel of land adjoining the Quail High Residential and Meadow Subdivision. On September 14, 2021, the Board continued this request Commercial

IFAS/County partnership Staff Recommendation Approval with Development Conditions

in order for the applicant and adjoining Quail Meadow Subdivision owners to discuss possible resolutions to traffic issues related the PUD and existing subdivision. On November 2nd, the applicant submitted information related to the discussions and other reference materials that accompany this application.

a valuable resource for Marion County

By Matthew R. Cretul, Sr. Matthew@ocalagazette.com

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners declared Nov 17-24 Farm City Week during their Nov. 16 regularly scheduled meeting in recognition of the significant contributions agriculture brings to Marion County. Lynn Nobles, the director of the UF/IFAS Extension – Marion County accepted the proclamation certificate and, in her remarks, highlighted the collaboration between the county and the University of Florida in running the Marion County UF/IFAS Extension office.

Creating a lasting educationalgovernmental partnership that benefits local residents is part of the role extension offices play around the county.

The history of extension offices

In 1862, Congress passed the Morrill Act, which established a system where federal support was provided and land was granted to post-secondary institutions, specifically those focused on agriculture and mechanical arts.

The land-grant institutions operate on three pillars: teaching, research, and extension.

Teaching and research are fairly selfexplanatory foci: the universities are charged with providing instruction to their students as well as engaging in research, particularly in agriculture and related fields.

The final pillar, extension, is designed to extend the research being conducted by the land-grant universities from their labs to the fields and pastures of local farms in the region.

Non-land-grant institutions also focus on teaching and research, but they do not have the extension component, a fact the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) extension services website highlights.

“All universities engage in research and teaching, but the nation’s more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities have a third, critical mission — extension.

Through extension, land-grant colleges and universities bring vital, practical information to agricultural producers, small business owners, consumers, families, and young people.”

Nobles echoed those sentiments in describing the role of extension in landgrant colleges.

“The land-grant universities collaborate with the counties to have the extension service come into the counties, and actually bring the information that the extension of…the research, the things that they were learning, and bring it to the counties for the people in the counties to be productive, and be able to do the best management practices in order to do a good job and to promote a culture of healthy living, healthy lifestyles, things like that. So, there’s an extremely good partnership between the county government and the University of Florida,” she said.

Today, the extension program is part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which falls under the USDA.

Public Notice

Notice of public hearing was mailed to ninety-eight (98) property owners within

P&Z 300 feet of the subject property. which zip codes actually have the highest fair activities, judging teams, leadership, The state of Florida has twoRecommendation: land-grant citizenship, community service, giving back number of deaths to nutritional disease and institutions: Florida A&M University Approval with Background to the community, things like that. They different things like that, so that she knows (FAMU) and the University ofDevelopment Florida.

The applicant is requesting approval a retirement agepersonalities restricted single-family Conditions workfor to develop the kids’ and which areas should have which topics The two universities are partners in the ofthem 54 dwelling units/lotscitizens. on a site consisting make good, productive ” discussed.”home community up to a maximum Florida Cooperative Extension Service, of agents two separate future land use designations – High Residential Planner While programs such as 4-H cater (north) and Extension are not only working and FAMU operates extensionProject offices in 18 Christopher Commercial (south). but Both futuretoland use designations enable residential uses to make Marion County healthier children, programs like the Master counties in Florida while the University of Rison, Senior Planner are also working up to on eight dwelling units per acre.

The applicant proposes a maximum of 54 ways to be both Gardener Program cater to a wide variety Florida operates in all 67. dwelling units or of the site’s eligible density dwelling of individuals, and theyof not90 only provide units. The environmentally conscious and60% fiscally a serviceof butthe canproperty also quantify just how beneficial when addressing a wide field rangewith of majority property is a vacant is vacant forested land At the University of Florida, the valuable they are. situations. except for two existing residences.

No flood zones, flood prone, or wetland areas extension is situated within the Institute “I just went to their banquet last week, “We’ve got a water resource agent 210904Z – Highway 27 West, LLC / T. B. Rudnianyn / Quail Preserve PUD Page 1 of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and we actually had a Master Gardener who works with the Florida-Friendly along with the College of Agricultural that had 30 years of service. And they Landscaping Program, which works with and Life Sciences (CALS) as well as the recognized her and the thousands of hours homeowners, different people like that, to Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. of service that each one of them puts in. In try to put the right kinds of plants in their Additionally, it is known as the UF/IFAS a year’s time, they can easily get close to yards, in their landscapes that will take Extension. less water and require less chemicals and $400,000 worth of actual labor they put in, The UF/IFAS Extension includes actual man-hours.” nutrients to better serve the community thousands of scientists, educators, faculty Nobles said the Marion County UF/ and be more environmentally friendly, members, volunteers, and administrative IFAS Extension office is available for all and save the community members money,” staff, all of whom work together to deliver Marion County residents, and if they are Nobles said. solutions to the problems their local interested, they simply need to reach out.

Agents work with local producers to communities are facing.

“Our facilities, the programs that we put come up with and implement best practices The UF/IFAS, according to its website, out, predominantly are free. Or, if there’s for long-term success in both plant and is “a federal, state, and county partnership a charge, it’s just basically for whatever animal science. dedicated to developing knowledge in material items that you might need or “We have a sustainable agriculture agriculture, human and natural resources, agent that works with small farms and crop whatnot. But as far as making money, and the life sciences and to making that we don’t make money on our programs. production,” Nobles explained. knowledge accessible to sustain and “So, he would work with some sunflower The programs are there for educational enhance the quality of human life.” purposes for the students,” she pointed out. producers…or citrus producers. He does a The Marion County UF/IFAS Extension lot of work with sweet potatoes and passion office doesn’t operate in a vacuum, as fruit. He also does some entrepreneurship, Nobles says the Marion County UF/ it relies on partnerships in order to be talking to the producers about how they’re IFAS Extension office is working a bit successful, and Nobles said the partnership going to market their products, that under capacity due to COVID, but it is with the MCBOCC is especially beneficial. kind of thing. Works with the farmer’s getting back to its full strength.

“There’s a really good relationship markets. And then, small animals like “We currently have eight agents, and between our county administrators and your goats, your sheep, hogs, any of those we have two that we’re interviewing this county commissioners and the University kinds of projects, or any of those kinds of month. We normally have 11 agents, of Florida as far as working together for a producers.” but we were a little bit behind because of The Marion County UF/IFAS Extension common goal or common good,” she said.

COVID.” For more information on the Marion office has an agent dedicated to larger Each agent typically works in a County UF/IFAS Extension office, visit animals as well. specialized area, and they can use data“We have our livestock agent, and she https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/marion/, or visit driven approaches when looking for works with horses and cattle,” Nobles their office located at 2232 NE Jacksonville solutions to problems. stated. “And all her programming is on, you Road, Ocala, FL 34470.

“We have a food and nutrition agent that know, maybe pasture management, health has just come aboard,” Nobles pointed out. issues, different things that are affecting the “She’s going to be doing heart-related industry.” health problems, diabetes [programs], In addition to programs designed different things like that. Nutrition, weight around improving the health and loss is a big problem in Marion County environmental conditions of North Central with diabetes and just people not eating the Florida, Nobles says they make sure to correct things that they should. So, she’s incorporate programs for children too. got some plans for doing programs there.

“We also have two 4-H She’s looked at a lot of data that’s come agents that work back from the different agencies within the with the youth county, and then, she’ll work with them to development make sure that she gets to the and do all the different areas youth and to the people that need the education.

She’s mapped out

UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS – Marion County

A6

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

COVID UPDATE

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

MARION COUNTY UPDATE

COVID numbers in Marion County held steady last week as the county registered 129 new cases according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health Friday evening. The county reported 128 cases two weeks ago.

Along with cases staying relatively even, both the county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 held as well.

The positivity rate stayed at 2.6% and the cases per 100,000 went from 34.4 to 34.6.

Trends in Marion County were also seen statewide, with the State of Florida recording 10,828 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, halting a downward trend in cases that began back on Aug. 13.

Statewide vaccines were up dramatically in children ages 5-11, as the state reported 97,499 doses of the vaccine were administered last week compared to the 54,919 doses given two weeks ago. The total

population of children ages 5-11 in the state is just under 1.7 million, and figures showed 6% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.

The state’s overall vaccination rates, however, dropped last week after reporting 460,278 doses given two weeks ago. The state recorded administering 394,524 doses during the week of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, bringing the population of the state vaccinated to 68% of those ages 5 and up.

Health and Human Services (HHS) data show 85% of all inpatient beds in Marion County hospitals are filled, the same percentage as last week.

However, the percentage of COVID patients dropped from 4% to 2%. ICU beds occupied dropped as well, with HHS data showing 87% of beds occupied, down from 89%, with 3% being COVID patients, down from 6%.

COVID Test FL is offering testing in Ocala at the Ocala First Baptist Church located at 2801 SE Maricamp Road.

COVID Test Express is offering testing in the Villages at 11714 NE 62nd Terrace. Both

students and two employees were confirmed COVID-19 positive by the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. The figures, released Monday morning, are similar to the 16 cases reported during the period of Oct. 30 –

locations are open MondayFriday 8am-4pm.

MCPS UPDATE

Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) recorded 15 total new cases for the week of Nov. 13 – Nov. 19, as 13

New reported Covid-19 cases per week Nov. 13 - 19

Nov. 12. The district has not seen more than 20 cases since reporting 41 the week of Oct. 9 – Oct. 15.

While cases held steady, students and MCPS employees in quarantine dropped drastically from the last report,

with MCPS reporting 67 students and no employees were quarantined due to direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19, up from the 195 reported last week.

Aug. 27:

3,500

3,228

3,000 2,500

2,000

Nov. 19:

129

1,500 1,000

June 25:

97

500 0

25

2

9

JUNE

16

23

30

6

13

JULY

20

27

AUGUST

3

10

17

24

8

SEPTEMBER

Source: Marion County Health Department

15

22

29

5

12 19

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

CHRISTOPHER SMITH/Ocala Gazette

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

City-owned golf course gets budget help Ocala Golf Course finishes the 2020-21 fiscal year under budget with the help of revenue from the sale of the old Pine Oaks golf course. playing and more people that did not usually play golf,” he

By James Blevins said. “So we didn‘t necessarily Ocala Gazette see a lot more golfers per se, but we did expand on the Across the country during kinds of golfers we usually see the pandemic, golf courses out there.” saw increases in requests Membership remained for tee times and rentals, steady throughout, according according to The National to Lenhart, mainly due to Golf Association. this influx of new golfers, And the Ocala Golf Course but he said that a decrease in (OGC) was no exception. “snowbirds” was still observed Ashley Dobbs, market and by the golf course, due to communications manager travel restrictions during the for the City of Ocala, said as pandemic. outdoor activities, especially The club has found ways to golf, were deemed a safe way draw new golfers to its driving to remain active during the range. Recently, it introduced pandemic, operations at OGC Toptracer units, which are moved forward. state-of-the-art in golfing “Precautionary measures technology. The units help were in place once reopened, track the flight path of every such as sanitation practices golf shot made and displays it and social distancing,” on a high-definition screen. explained Dobbs, “however, According to USAToday. no additional adjustments com, Topgolf leases the were really needed.”

“Toptracer” equipment During the height of “at prices starting around the pandemic, according to $180 to $190 per bay per Dobbs, people were looking month, depending on the for options that would allow configuration.” them to be outside, safely OGC originally budgeted social-distanced, while for $1.734 million in remaining physically active. operating expenditures, and Golf provided this outlet. at one point even adjusted Jason Lenhart, general that number up to $1.769 manager of the OGC, said he million. But in the end, the saw a lot of different people course spent $1.5 million for coming to the course during operating. the pandemic, outside of “We were a little frugal the loyal regulars he was because the mystery was… accustomed to seeing just well, every month was a about every day. mystery,” Lenhart said of “I noticed more women the last year and a half.

“Managing a business, you just had to pay a lot more close attention to everything you were doing. But we’re very proud of what we were able to do. We almost broke the $1.5 million gross revenue mark.

“Some of things that were put into practice because of the pandemic will remain for years to come,” he added.

“They’re just better for our business and should help us going forward.”

OGC budgeted $1.54 million in revenue for 2020-21 but realized $1.39 million in revenue collected from greens and cart fees, all food and beverage purchases, banquet hall rental fees, memberships, pro shop merchandise, and league and event fees such as tournaments.

The budget had help in that it received over $622K identified as miscellaneous revenue.

Dobbs said that the city “solid a piece of the Pine Oaks golf course to West Oak Developers, LLC and the net revenue from that sale [was] $622,489.” The principals of West Oak Developers are listed as Scott and Linda Siemens.

Public records reflect a sale of Pine Oaks golf course from the City of Ocala to West Oak Developers on Feb. 26, 2021, for $2,107,000.

Helping You Get On the Road

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Terry Christian, center, putts on the 18th hole as his wife, Ruth, left, and Ed Riemenschneider, right, watch at the Ocala Golf Club on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Eddie Carey blasts his way out of a bunker on the 18th hole at the Ocala Golf Club on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State News DeSantis pitches plan for ‘Gas Tax Relief’

By Jim Turner Florida News Service To confront inflation, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will ask lawmakers next year to temporarily “zero out” state gas taxes.

Continuing to contrast his economic approach to the Biden White House, DeSantis said the approximately 25-centa-gallon “gas tax relief ” proposal could save the average Florida family up to $200 over a five- to six-month period, while reducing state revenue by more than $1 billion. DeSantis wants lawmakers to approve it during the legislative session that starts Jan. 11.

“We’ve always been very strong on tax relief in Florida.

We did things like sportsmen’s relief (a sales-tax “holiday” around July 4). We’ve done back-to-school (tax holidays).

We’ve done all that stuff. And that’s good. But this is, I think, really, really big,” DeSantis said while at a Buc-ee’s convenience store in Daytona Beach.

Later at a Daily’s convenience store in Jacksonville, DeSantis said, “It’s clearly not going to eliminate all the inflation, because it’s gone up so much. But it will make a real difference in folks’ pocketbooks.

And I think we’re going to get a lot of good support for that.”

Arch “Beaver” Aplin III, owner of the Texas-based Bucee’s chain, called the proposal a “phenomenal idea” and said he

anticipates “most companies” will lower pump prices when the discount is enacted.

“If this, in fact, happens and they lower the tax, the day they lower it we’ll roll back the pumps the entire 25 cents instantly,” Aplin said.

Florida has deep financial reserves because of federal COVID-19 stimulus money, and DeSantis said the reduction in gas-tax revenue won’t hinder the state Department of Transportation’s annual road program.

“We’re doing infrastructure, not just roads, including roads, also the water resources, all that,” DeSantis said. “We probably have never had such strong reserves in the history of the state. So, we have the ability to provide relief for people, and I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat.”

Meanwhile, the AAA auto club reported the price of gas in Florida heading into the Thanksgiving holiday jumped 10 cents in the past week to an average of $3.36 a gallon for regular unleaded.

The mark is the highest for the state since September 2014.

Last year, as motorists cut travel because of COVID-19, gas was selling at an average of $2.03 a gallon heading into the holiday. Two years ago, the average was $2.44 a gallon.

“The good news is gas prices should gradually decline through the holiday,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a prepared statement.

“Crude oil and gasoline futures dropped last week, and that should restore some downward pressure on prices at the pump.”

Jenkin said crude oil prices dropped 6 percent last week to $76.10 per barrel, the lowest since Oct. 1, when the Florida average price for gasoline was $3.05 per gallon.

DeSantis isn’t the first politician to pitch temporarily reducing gas prices.

Last week, Congressman Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who are running to be the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2022, separately tossed out the idea of a “gas tax holiday.”

“After calling for Ron DeSantis to help Floridians at the gas pump, he’s finally getting around to helping our working families,” Fried tweeted on Monday. “The gas tax should have been suspended the second oil companies were running up their profits in spring, but better late than never.”

Crist also suggested President Joe Biden tap into the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help alleviate pump prices.

“Governor DeSantis is a day late and a dollar short,” Crist tweeted Monday. “Last week’s not-so-special (legislative) session should have addressed this issue instead of focusing on making COVID easier to spread. As a result, in the best-

FLORIDA NEWS SERVICE

Governer Ron DeSantis

case Floridians will be waiting months for any reduction in gas taxes.”

Republicans nationally are hammering the Biden administration on inflation issues, with DeSantis, for example, pointing to higher costs for Thanksgiving dinners.

The U.S. Farm Bureau on Thursday put the price of a “classic Thanksgiving feast” at $6.41 per person, or up 14 percent from last year, with the per-pound price of a turkey up 24 percent.

“Several factors contributed to the increase in average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner,” Farm Bureau Senior Economist Veronica Nigh said in a prepared statement. “These

include dramatic disruptions to the U.S. economy and supply chains over the last 20 months; inflationary pressure throughout the economy; difficulty in predicting demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and high global demand for food, particularly meat.”

People are also eating more at home, which has increased supermarket demand, causing higher retail food prices, Nigh added.

Congressional panel launches probe into UF policy

By Ryan Dailey and Dara Kam Florida News Service A congressional subcommittee has launched an investigation into the University of Florida’s conflict-of-interest policy, after professors were told that testifying against the state in legal cases was “adverse” to the university’s interests.

In a letter to University of Florida President Kent Fuchs on Thursday, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties said the panel has opened a probe into the policy, saying it “undermines the academic and free speech values that are essential” to higher education.

“We are concerned that UF is censoring its faculty based on viewpoint, which would set a dangerous precedent that flies in the face of its own commitment to freedom of expression,” said the letter signed by subcommittee Chairman Jamie Raskin and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat who serves on the panel and is a graduate of the University of Florida.

The subcommittee “is investigating the extent to which your university’s actions have undermined the integrity of academic freedom and interfered with employees’ constitutional right to speak freely as private citizens on matters of great public concern,” the letter said.

The panel seeks “to understand the extent to which federally funded universities use conflicts-of-interest policies to censor employees who oppose the interests of the political party in power,” Raskin and Wasserman Schultz wrote.

The subcommittee is part of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which is the “principal oversight committee of the House of

Representatives and has broad authority to investigate ‘any matter’ at ‘any time’” under congressional rules, according to the letter.

The congressional probe is the latest development in the controversy over UF’s conflict-of-interest policy, which came to light in a legal challenge to a state election law that, among other things, makes it more difficult for Floridians to vote by mail.

A court document filed in the lawsuit in October revealed that the university told the professors their request was denied because “outside activities that may pose a conflict of interest to the executive branch of the state of Florida create a conflict” for the university.

After the university’s move to bar political science professors Sharon Austin,

Michael McDonald and Daniel Smith from testifying drew national headlines, UF leaders hurriedly took a series of steps to walk back the decision.

Fuchs announced that the tenured professors would be allowed to be paid to testify as experts for the plaintiffs if they did so on their own time and did not use university resources. Fuchs also quickly assembled a task force to probe the conflicts-of-interest issue.

Fuchs’ reversal came the same day the political science professors filed a lawsuit challenging the policy that gives the school discretion in blocking faculty members from testifying against the state in legal cases, accusing Fuchs and other university leaders of “stifling” their First Amendment rights. Three additional professors later joined the legal challenge.

The university’s attempts to stop professors from testifying came after initiating a “conflicts of commitment and conflicts of interest policy” in July 2020.

Thursday’s letter from the subcommittee asked Fuchs for detailed information about the creation of the policy and the individuals involved in its establishment.

The university intends to cooperate with the probe, UF spokeswoman Hessy Fernandez said Thursday.

“We have received the letter and have acknowledged receipt to the committee.

We are working to respond within the guidelines we received,” she told The News Service of Florida in an email.

The subcommittee asked for a log of all requests from professors to engage in “outside activities” that were denied dating back to 2015, along with a “detailed explanation for the denial” and the names, titles and roles of anyone involved in the decisions.

The congressional panel also asked for information about whether Fuchs, UF Provost Joseph Glover, or any member of the university’s board of trustees “were made aware of any request prior to denial, or were involved” in the decisions.

The subcommittee also is seeking all communications between university administrators, including Fuchs, and anyone in the executive office of the governor, the Florida Department of Education, or the Florida Legislature regarding faculty participation in administrative or judicial proceedings related to the state.

The university’s task force on the conflict-of-interest policy is holding a series of meetings this month and is

A9

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

US to require vaccines for all border crossers in January plan for ‘Gas Tax Relief’

Briefs ELECTION

RODNEY LONG WILL KICK OFF HIS SENATE CAMPAIGN FOR DISTRICT 8 IN MARION COUNTY ON NOV. 29

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Washington

By Zeke Miller The Associated Press President Joe Biden will require essential, nonresident travelers crossing U.S. land borders, such as truck drivers, government and emergency response officials, to be fully vaccinated beginning on Jan. 22, the administration planned to announce.

A senior administration official said the requirement, which the White House previewed in October, brings the rules for essential travelers in line with those that took effect earlier this month for leisure travelers, when the U.S. reopened its borders to fully vaccinated individuals.

Essential travelers entering by ferry will also be required to be fully vaccinated by the same date, the official said. The official spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement.

The rules pertain to non-U.S. nationals. American citizens and permanent residents may still enter the U.S. regardless of their vaccination status, but face additional testing hurdles because officials believe they more easily contract and spread COVID-19 and in order to encourage them to get a shot.

The Biden administration pushed back the requirement for essential travelers by more than two months from when it went into effect on Nov. 8 for nonessential visitors to prevent disruptions,

particularly among truck drivers who are vital to North American trade. While most cross-border traffic was shut down in the earliest days of the pandemic, essential travelers have been able to transit unimpeded.

Even with the delay, though, Norita Taylor, spokeswoman for the trucking group Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, criticized the vaccination requirement, calling it an example of “how unnecessary government mandates can force experienced owneroperators and independent truckers out of business.”

“These requirements are another example of how impractical regulations will send safe drivers off the road,” she said.

The latest deadline is beyond the point by which the Biden administration hopes to have large businesses require their employees to be vaccinated or tested weekly under an emergency regulation issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. That rule is now delayed by litigation, but the White House has encouraged businesses to implement their own mandates regardless of the federal requirement with the aim of boosting vaccination.

About 47 million adults in the U.S. remain unvaccinated, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Is travel safe during the pandemic this holiday season?

Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette

Photo courtesy of Rodney Long’s campaign Facebook page

Democrat Rodney Long will challenge Republican incumbent Keith Perry for the Florida Senate District 8 seat in 2022.

The Marion County Friends of Rodney Long will host its Campaign Kickoff event for the Democratic District 8 challenger on Monday, Nov. 29 at the Elks Lodge #286 located at 702 N.E. 25th Avenue in Ocala.

The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Long is running for the Florida Senate seat, currently held by Republican Keith Perry, which represents part of Marion County, and

all of Alachua and Putnam Counties.

“With over four decades of civic and elected office experience, Rodney Long is qualified, experienced and has a proven track record of accomplishments,” said Long’s campaign press release.

For more information, please contact Whitfield Jenkins at (352) 875-5071 or Loretta Pompey Jenkins at (352) 208-8666.

ELECTION

COTTON FILES TO KEEP COUNTY COURT JUDGE SEAT Lori Cotton has officially active-filed to run for the County Court Judge position she’s held only through appointment since May of this year, according to the website of Wesley Wilcox, Marion County Supervisor of Elections.

A longtime prosecutor, Cotton was first appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the judicial vacancy following the retirement of Sarah Ritterhoff on May 14. Previous to her appointment, she had been an assistant state attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit for 20 years.

Cotton currently reports to have neither monetary contributions nor any in-kind contributions to date. County court judges serve six-year terms.

County courts are often referred to as “the people’s courts,” probably because a large part of the courts’ work involves voluminous citizen disputes, such as traffic offenses, less serious criminal matters (misdemeanors) and relatively small monetary disputes involving $30,000 or less.

Cotton currently presides over the alternative DUI Court, small claims and civil infractions. She also rotates every four weeks presiding over first appearances and arraignments.

SUMBMITTED

Judge Lori Cotton

COUNTY

MARION COUNTY NAMES LIBRARY MEETING ROOM AFTER LIFELONG EDUCATION ADVOCATE

By Dee-Ann Durbin Associated Press Business Is travel safe during the pandemic this holiday season?

It depends. It can be safe if you‘re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but officials say people who haven‘t gotten the shots should delay travel.

Regardless of vaccination status, all travelers should keep taking precautions like avoiding indoor, unmasked crowds, says Dr. Keith Armitage, an infectious disease expert at Case Western Reserve University.

“The delta variant has really brought us back to an earlier time in the pandemic,” he says.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says not to travel if you‘re sick, or if you tested positive for COVID-19 and your isolation period isn‘t over yet — even if you‘re fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated people who decide to travel should get a COVID-19 test one to three days before travel and three to five days after returning.

All travelers must still wear masks on trains, planes and other indoor public transportation areas, the agency says.

Airlines say plane cabins are low risk since they have good air circulation and filtration. However, there is no requirement for vaccination or testing before domestic flights, and passengers can remove their face masks while eating or drinking.

Hotels aren‘t risky for the vaccinated as long as they wear masks around strangers, Armitage says. More fraught are family gatherings with unvaccinated individuals, particularly for those who are older or have health problems.

Health experts suggest looking at the case levels and masking rules in the place you are visiting before you travel.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners recognized Florence Pritchard for her help promoting literacy and public service in Marion County on Nov. 16.

In honor of her efforts, the county commission announced it was renaming the meeting room at Freedom Public Library in southwest Ocala the “Florence Fay Pritchard

Meeting Room.”

Prichard, 85, holds a doctorate degree in administration, supervision and curriculum development. She is also an author of short stories, plays and novels.

She joined the Friends of the Freedom Public Library after moving to Marion County in 2012 and is currently its president.

SUMBMITTED

Florence Pritchard, center, was honored during the Nov. 16 county commissioners meeting.

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Florida massacre families to get millions for FBI‘s inaction

By Terry Spencer Associated Press The families of most of those killed and wounded in the 2018 Florida high school massacre announced Monday have reached a multi-million dollar settlement with the federal government over the FBI's failure to stop the gunman even though it had received information he intended to attack.

Attorneys for 16 of the 17 killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland and some of those wounded said they have reached a monetary settlement with the government over the FBI's failure to investigate a tip it received about a month before the massacre. The 17th family chose not to sue.

The attorneys said the settlement's details are confidential, but a person familiar with the deal said the government will pay the families $127.5 million overall.

The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the amount.

"It has been an honor to represent the Parkland families who, through their immeasurable grief, have devoted themselves to making the world a safer place," their lead attorney, Kristina Infante, said in a statement. "Although no resolution could ever restore what the Parkland families lost, this settlement

marks an important step toward justice."

Andrew Pollack, whose 18-year-old daughter Meadow died in the shooting, commended the FBI for accepting responsibility for its inaction, comparing it to the Broward County school district and sheriff 's office, the school security staff and the psychologists who treated the shooter.

He believes they all failed to stop the shooter and have ducked responsibility.

"The FBI has made changes to make sure this never happens again," Pollack said.

Tony Montalto, whose 14-year-old daughter Gina died, said no settlement will "replace my bright, bubbly and beautiful daughter." He said that while other families celebrate Thanksgiving this week, Gina's chair will remain empty.

Both Montalto and Pollack said any money they receive will not replace their daughters.

Paul David Stern, the lead attorney defending the government, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

About five weeks before the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting, an FBI tip line received a call saying a former Stoneman Douglas student, Nikolas Cruz, had bought guns and planned to "slip into a school and start shooting the place up."

"I know he's going to explode," the caller told the FBI.

But that information was never forwarded to the FBI's South Florida office and Cruz was never contacted. He had been expelled from the school a year earlier and had a long history of emotional and behavioral problems.

Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty last month to 17 counts of first-degree murder. He will receive either a death sentence or life in prison after a penalty trial that is scheduled to start in January.

WILFREDO LEE/Associated Press

Law enforcement officers block off the entrance to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Feb. 15, 2018 in Parkland, Fla., following a deadly shooting at the school. The families of most of those killed in the 2018 Florida high school massacre have settled their lawsuit against the federal government. Sixteen of the 17 killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland had sued over the FBI’s failure to stop the gunman even though it had received information he intended to attack. The settlement reached Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 is confidential.

Judge Rejects Florida Sports Betting Deal

By Dara Kam Florida News Service Calling it a “fiction,” a Washington, D.C.-based judge late Monday ruled that a deal giving the Seminole Tribe control of online sports betting in Florida violates a federal law that regulates gaming on tribal lands.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich’s ruling invalidated a sports betting plan in one of the nation’s most highly sought-after markets and scrapped a deal negotiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Sports betting was included in an agreement, known as a compact, signed by the governor and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola, Jr. this spring, and approved by the Legislature during a May special session. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees Indian gambling issues, signed off on the deal in August.

But in Monday’s 25-page decision, Friedrich ruled that the deal violates the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or IGRA, which creates a framework for gambling activity on tribal lands.

The ruling centered on gamblers being able to place sports bets online from across the state, with the wagers run through computer servers on tribal property.

“Altogether, over a dozen provisions in IGRA regulate gaming on ‘Indian lands,’ and none regulate gaming in another location,” she wrote. “It is equally clear that the (Interior Department) secretary must reject compacts that violate IGRA’s terms.”

Although the compact deems sports betting to occur at the location of the tribe’s servers, “this court cannot accept that fiction,” Friedrich wrote.

“When a federal statute authorizes an activity only at specific locations, parties may not evade that limitation by ‘deeming’ their activity to occur where it, as a factual matter, does not,” she added.

Under the 30-year deal, the Seminoles agreed to pay the state at least $2.5 billion over the first five years in exchange for controlling sports betting and being allowed to add craps and roulette to the tribe’s casino

operations.

The “hub-and-spoke” sportsbetting plan was designed to allow gamblers anywhere in Florida --- except on other tribal lands --- to place bets with mobile apps or other devices, with the compact saying bets “shall be deemed to be exclusively conducted by the tribe.”

Owners of Magic City Casino in Miami-Dade County and Bonita Springs Poker Room in Southwest Florida --- which have been owned by the Havenick family for decades --- filed a lawsuit against U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and her agency alleging that the sports-betting plan violated federal laws and would cause a “significant and potentially devastating” impact on their businesses.

Friedrich’s ruling, which came weeks after the tribe quietly launched its mobile sports-betting app, injects uncertainty into the Seminoles’ future sports-betting activities. The tribe’s Hard Rock app was still accepting wagers Tuesday morning, and a spokesman did not say whether the Seminoles plan to shut it down.

“The Seminole Tribe is reviewing the judge’s opinion and carefully considering its next steps,” Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the tribe, said in an email.

The judge‘s ruling also denied the Seminoles‘ motions to intervene in the lawsuit and to have the case dismissed. On Tuesday, the Seminoles filed a notice that the tribe intends to appeal her decisions at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

But Magic City called Friedrich’s ruling a “victory for family-owned businesses like ours who pay their share in taxes and believe the free market should guide the business operations of gaming venues.”

“We look forward to working with the governor, Legislature and stakeholders to pave a path forward that ensures a fair gaming marketplace exists in Florida,” the pari-mutuel operator said in a prepared statement.

In a court document filed this month, lawyers for Haaland conceded that the sports-betting plan would allow bets to take place off tribal land but said the state had authorized the wagers, calling

FILE PHOTO /Florida News Service

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. signed a gambling deal in April.

it a “permissible hybrid approach” that complies with state and federal law.

But Friedrich, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, found that the government’s reliance on Florida law to defend the compact “misses the mark” because the agreement authorizes gaming off and on Indian lands.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Broward County, DeSantis said he negotiated the agreement with the tribe because he felt the state wasn’t receiving enough money under a previous deal with the Seminoles, whose Tampa casino is one of the nation’s most profitable. The governor, a lawyer, acknowledged that the hub-andspoke plan was an “unsettled legal issue.”

“They wanted to do the sports (betting), and so we said ‘fine.’ And the reason why I‘d said that is because it would probably pass on a referendum anyways. And then if a company gets it, the tribe gets it anyways. So, we felt that that made sense,” he said.

The governor said the state, which is not a party in the lawsuit, would support an appeal by the federal government.

The compact was structured to

allow the state to continue reaping revenues from the Seminoles’ gambling activities if the sportsbetting provision was struck down, DeSantis noted.

But Friedrich’s order vacated the entire compact, saying “the practical effect of this remedy” reinstates a 2010 agreement with the Seminoles that expires in 2030.

That deal gave the tribe the ability to offer banked card games, such as blackjack and baccarat, at most of its casinos. The tribe stopped making payments to the state in 2019 after a drawn-out dispute over “designated player” card games offered by pari-mutuels around Florida.

Friedrich also found that the new compact violated a 2018 Florida constitutional amendment that requires statewide approval for expansions of gambling, including sports betting.

But the judge noted that her decision “does not foreclose other avenues for authorizing online sports betting in Florida.”

For example, she wrote, the state could negotiate a new compact with the tribe “that allows online gaming solely on Indian lands.”

Friedrich also suggested that Floridians could approve a citizens’

initiative to allow online sports betting, an effort already underway that could get a boost from her ruling.

Online sports betting behemoths DraftKings, Inc. and FanDuel have poured more than $32.7 million into a political committee backing a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that would legalize sports betting at professional sports venues, parimutuel facilities and statewide via mobile applications.

As of Tuesday, the state Division of Elections had received 116,437 valid petition signatures from the Florida Education Champions committee sponsoring the initiative. The committee would need to submit 891,589 signatures to get on the November 2022 ballot.

The committee “is confident” that it can meet the deadline, spokeswoman Christina Johnson said in a prepared statement.

“Our effort was always mutually exclusive from the compact.

Florida Education Champions’ focus remains in securing the nearly 900,000 valid petitions to make the November 2022 ballot,” she said.

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Cyrus Rug Gallery

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People, Places & Things Light Up REFLECTIONS and PHOTOS

of Alan Youngblood

A

Ruth Fortuna, left, and Sandra Cubit

Jesse Greer and Hazel Greer, 1, enjoy the lights.

s a photojournalist in this community since 1988, I’ve covered Light Up Ocala many times. This year, as I wandered among the thousands gathered for our community’s holiday kickoff celebration, it felt joyous, with everyone especially happy, kind and smiling.

The people seemed to soak up the positive energy, pushing the specter of COVID-19 far from their minds. No one seemed to complain about having to walk from distant parking spots. Politics and discord were put away for one night.

The diversity of our community was on full display, with celebrants of many nationalities, cultures and lifestyles intermingling and socializing They were packed together, happily singing and dancing to familiar songs played by the band.

In one very touching moment, a couple got engaged on the square, under a glittering canopy of lights.

A lot of photographers were buzzing around, as usual, which is exactly how it should be when there is something unique to capture in our beautiful town.

Santa and Mrs; Clause were so popular they had to be escorted to his spot by an armed park ranger.

Little ones got better views of the lights atop shoulders during Light Up Ocala in downtown Ocala.

Robert Leverette, left, proposed to Destiny Espiona during Light Up Ocala, she said yes.

FROM LEFT: Timothy Clark , Jennifer Culotta and Matt Imperiale enjoy Light Up Ocala.

y a d i l o H

decorating TRADITIONS H

By Jean Rognstad and Susan Hudrick

oliday decorating that makes memories harkens us back to days gone by, and those memories begin at the front gate or front door. Welcoming guests during the holidays can be as simple as a wreath on the gate, or perhaps bright red, potted poinsettias on either side of the front door. Beyond the front door, the unique scents and colors of the holidays that make a nod to tradition let us know we’re home for the holidays.

Home for the holidays in Ocala covers many traditions.

See Poinsettias, page B2

SHUTTERSTOCK

A red Amaryllis flower in front of a framed mirror, with a reflection of itself and a large lit christmas tree behind.

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Jacqua Ballas, 2nd Vice President for the Pioneer Garden Club displayed poinsettias at the Downtown Ocala Farmers Market in 2020. Proceeds from the sale of poinsettias helps fund a scholarship at the College of Central Florida.

Continued from page B1 This year at the Silver Springs State Park, the Pioneer Garden Club will again decorate the iconic entrance.

This year’s nod to the Scottish tartan patterns is our first use of this theme. A variety of tartan color schemes representing different names and clans of Scotland make our

choice interesting for the history buff and those who appreciate color in holiday decor.

The traditional plaid tartan can be vibrant or subtle depending upon its history and meaning. The most common color combinations include red, green, blue and yellow. Prior to the 19th century, the red tartan was worn in battle so the blood wouldn’t show. The three other common tartan colors represented Scottish natural resources: green for forests, blue for water, and yellow for crops. Ultimately, the tartan kilt is symbolic of the culture and history of the Scottish people.

The Garden Club has chosen a red, white and black tartan pattern for decorating at the park this year. Red poinsettia will be featured around the entrance fountain with live wreaths and garlands to welcome holiday visitors at the ticket booth. The tartan color theme will continue with red hanging poinsettia baskets along the promenade to the glass-bottom boats and beyond to the gardens where you’re likely to see some of the early blooming camellias.

If poinsettias are part of your home decorating scheme, consider visiting the Downtown Ocala Farmers Market on Saturday,

Poinsettias‚ are a poppin

Dec 4 to purchase white or red poinsettias from the Pioneer Garden Club. Proceeds from this fundraiser provide scholarships to the College of Central Florida.

The poinsettia fundraiser by the Garden Club will also be part of the Dec. 18 Holiday Craft Bazaar at the Silver Springs State Park. During the park’s heyday as Florida’s major tourist attraction, the park was lit up for the holidays. With the more recent back-to-nature approach, holiday decorating themes allow the park’s natural beauty to shine. It’s just one of many ways the greater Ocala area celebrates being home for the holidays.

At your home, a classic look can be achieved using amaryllis flowers. A native of Africa, the genus Amaryllis comes from the Greek word amarysso, which means “to sparkle.” Bulbs were first introduced to Europe in the 1700s and have been known to bloom for up to 75 years.

Amaryllis may be purchased as bare or planted bulbs, and are prized for their exotic trumpetshaped flowers borne on one- to two-foot leafless green stalks.

They add dramatic color to homes and gardens and make

a wonderful gift for even the most novice gardener. Seasoned gardeners enjoy the challenge of seeking out new varieties for indoors and outdoors. Flowering in assorted red, white, and even candy striped tones, these plants are popular during the holiday season for a hostess gift or as a centerpiece for the holiday table.

A planted bulb usually takes 10-12 weeks to bloom. Use a container for planting that drains well; the plant should not sit in water. To care for your bulbs, water the plant when the top two inches of soil feels dry. Fertilize each time you water with a 10-2015 mixture. Move the plant out of direct sunlight when it begins to bloom. When the flowers fade, cut the flower stalk back to just above the bulb. You may repot after blooming period. Keep watering the plant until it goes dormant in the fall. Replant these bulbs to enjoy seeing them come back year after year. You can, if you choose, move the amaryllis outdoors for the summer, placing it in a partly shaded location in zones 8-10.

Mulch heavily to protect bulbs in winter.

The poinsettia as a holiday decorating tradition and

commercial enterprise escalated in the early 1920s due to the marketing efforts of horticulturist Paul Ecke. The Ecke poinsettia operations were based in Southern California, a perfect climate for growing the plants and for tapping into the Christian connection of the plant due to the area’s strong Mexican heritage presence.

The poinsettia plant as a religious reference harkens back to 16th century Mexico and is steeped in local folklore for celebrating the birth of Jesus. A young girl presented a handful of weeds at the manger of Jesus and, miraculously, the weeds bloomed into red stars. The plant we know as poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is native to the pacific coast of Mexico.

The trail of the poinsettia into the horticultural community of the United States appears to have begun with Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, United States Ambassador to Mexico (1822-1828). He fell in love with a beautiful red plant during trips to Mexico, and began bringing plants to his hothouse in Greenville, S.C. for cultivation. Plants were also

sent to Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia around 1828. Robert Buist, a Philadelphia nurseryman introduced the plant to the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Scotland around 1828. In 1834, Buist was officially credited with introducing the plant to Europe due to his successful career with the new scarlet plant. The poinsettia bloomed imperfectly in 1835 and in 1836 perfectly. The beauty of the plant was captured in drawings for Curtis’s Botanical Magazine and the euphorbia was renamed Poinsettia pulcherrima

by Robert C. Graham, Regius Professor of Botany at Edinburgh.

Poinsettias can be used year-round in Florida and the best selection of plants will be available during the holidays.

It comes in red, pink, and white varieties. A poinsettia used in a floral arrangement during the holidays should last up to three weeks if cared for properly. Keep your plant from extreme cold and heat when transferring it from store to home, and also within your home. Provide indirect light, water when top dirt feels dry, maintain temperatures above 50 degrees, and fertilize with lower nitrogen about ten days after blooming. A potted poinsettia will often grow into a bush when planted outside in the state of Florida. This was a pleasant surprise for several new club members from the North. You can enjoy your poinsettia inside for the holidays and year-round outside.

With their colorful leaves and flowers, amaryllis and poinsettias are the perfect way to add holiday cheer to your home for the holidays.

SIGN-UP TO BUILD AND SUBMIT YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE!

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Creative’s Corner

Nighthawk AT THE BRICK

The MCA’s current “Convergence” exhibit includes the sultry, nocturnal pics of promising newcomer Santiago Traverso.

By Julie Garisto Special to the Gazette new photographer is emerging from the foggy dead ends and neon lights of old motels and corner bars. Curators and aspiring models discaovered him first in the high-gloss virtual world of Instagram.

Santiago Traverso, 20, doesn’t have his own website yet. His online gallery only exists, for now, in the IG sphere (@travers_photos). Though he’s barely out of his teens, he is, by no means, a shady character. The most threatening thing he might do is hole up in his room and binge on foreign movies.

Polite, reserved and well-spoken artist with a Spanish accent, Traverso has been perceived as a revelation by art lovers and gallery owners across Central Florida. The 20-year-old photographer kicks it old school by shooting with an old FujiFilm camera, and his large format portraits and collages can be viewed in the diversity-centered art exhibition Converging Community & Culture at the Marion Cultural Arts Center’s Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala.

“I really like the feeling of loneliness in my photos, a melancholy type of loneliness.” Traverso shared during a visit to Brick City this month.

Traverso, born in San Francisco, California, grew up in Lima, Peru.

The political climate and a severe economic recession made life untenable in Peru, so his parents decided to relocate to their Ocala home permanently two years ago.

Since he was a child, Traverso expressed himself creatively and has felt out of sync with his preppier, athletic classmates. He was more apt to perfect card tricks than play futbol.

“I tried drawing but that wasn‘t my thing,” he said with a laugh. “I was, however, into kirigami that, unlike with Origami, you cut paper instead of folding it. So I was always kinda like finding something artistic I related to until I found photography.”

At 15, he came across photography by way of early entrepreneurship, photographing T-shirts for a clothing line he created with a school friend. It was then that Traverso discovered he could interpret his feelings through images and tell a story with a photo.

Nowadays, Traverso shoots magazine-beautiful models Kalax, an Orlando-based retro, “dreamwave” composer commissioned one of his photos for the cover of one of his recordings of ambient electronic music.

“Vacancy”

“The Open Sea”

“The End” Traverso says he identifies with the mystery and evanescence of nocturnal life. In his photos, you might notice clouds of smoke and impactful wideangle shots reminiscent of scenes from Blade Runner or noir films from the 1940s, but even more so, the films of Hong Kong director Wong KarWai. “Fallen Angels is my favorite,” he said.

The desolate intimacy of Edward Hopper paintings have also insinuated into Traverso’s portraits and collages, too. “He’s also one of my favorites,” Traverso said. Scenes of women alone at night recall the voyeuristic paintings of the late American painter.

The MCA will present a solo show of Traverso’s work at the Brick in December 2022, but anticipate more from the promising, mysterious photographer before then.

“Drowning in Nostalgia” “Light Me Up”

IF YOU GO Converging Community & Culture is on view through Nov. 27 Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 S Broadway St., Ocala The Marion Cultural Alliance gallery features an exhibition of fine artists celebrating diversity throughout November. Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

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

Ocala Edward Jones Offices Support

Toy Drive

The Ocala area Edward Jones financial advisors have joined together to support the Ocala Toys for Tots program by using their offices as drop-off locations for this year’s toy drive.

WORD FIND

Toys Accepted through December 6 Ocala - Southwest

Christina L Ebey 2575 SW 42nd St. Suite 107 352-237-2029 Anthony Montemurro 8441 SW Hwy 200 Suite 119 352-327-2008 Kelly Moore 7668 SW 60th Ave. Suite 100 352-237-0379 David R Nettles 8960 SW Hwy 200 Suite 3 352-237-2430 Marc C Stalvey 4701 SW College Rd. Suite 104 352-512-9715 Brittani Tilley 2575 SW 42nd St. Suite 107 352-237-2029

Ocala - Downtown

Making changes

Nick Navetta 814 E Silver Springs Blvd Suite B 352-629-2165

Solution: 16 Letters

Ocala - Southeast Brian Wakefield 2157 SE Fort King Street 352-351-9482

© 2021 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

Colin A Barrett 4701 SW College Rd. Suite 104 352-512-9715

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direc always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you hav pleted the puzzle, there will be 16 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

John F Walker 3879 SE Lake Weir Road 352-351-0769 Justin Yancey 2157 SE Fort King Street 352-351-9482

edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Edward Jones cannot accept gift cards, cash or checks as donations.

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olution: A very slow process

Creators Syndicate 737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

we make sure banking isn’t one of them. We strive to understand the complexities of your business and we’re ready to partner with you to provide the banking services and insight you need to keep your business moving forward.

Rusty Branson, Regional President 1632 East Silver Springs Boulevard • Ocala, FL 352.368.6800 • SouthStateBank.com Member FDIC

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B6

Date: 11/26/21

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LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

holidays THROUGH DEC. 24

Photos with Santa

Nov. 18-Dec. 24 Santa is back at Paddock Mall “for a safe, fun, holly and jolly Santa photo experience.” While reservations are encouraged, walk-ins are also welcome. To reserve your Santa photos, visit paddockmall.com.

NOV. 26

AHAF Holiday Festival Show

World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 8am-6pm The Arabian Horse Association of Florida‘s regional and qualifying show will include sport horse, performance, halter, dressage and academy classes. Visit fb.com/ ahaflorida.com for details.

NOV. 27

MTRA’s 3rd Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Market

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, 6850 SE 41st Ct., Ocala 10am-3pm The market hosts 40+ arts and crafts vendors, direct sales vendors, live DJ, photo booth, car show, food, and fun activities for the entire family! This free event gives local artists and small businesses a way to showcase their arts and crafts. Enjoy your holiday shopping outdoors in the fresh air with social distancing in place! Visit ocalamarion. com/events or call (352) 732-7300 for details.

THROUGH DEC. 19

It’s A Wonderful Life

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Nov. 26-Dec. 19 The beloved Christmas classic is retold as a 1940s radio play through the magic of versatile voices, special sound effects, and your imagination. Thursdays and Fridays 7:30 pm, Saturdays 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Purchase tickets at (352) 236-2274, the box office, or ocalacivictheatre. com.

THROUGH DEC. 26

Winter Wonderland

The World Equestrian Center,1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala Nov. 26-Dec.26, 5-9pm The spectacular will feature holiday lights, photos with Santa, carolers, face painters, balloon artists, caricaturists, and elves. Special activities include ice skating, a live reindeer appearance, a performance by the Atlantic City Boys, breakfast with Santa, a mystical equestrian show, and more. General admission from 5-9 pm is free; parking is $20 per vehicle. Pre-purchase tickets at wecwinterwonderland. com.

THROUGH DEC. 31

The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular

Florida Horse Park, 11851 SW 16th Ave., Ocala Nov. 26-Dec. 31, 6-10pm Experience North Central Florida’s largest drive-through holiday light display at the Florida Horse Park. End the night in Santa Land with local food trucks and pictures with Santa. Visit facebook.com/ocalachristmas for details.

DEC. 2

Annual Lights of Love: Community Tree Lighting Ceremony

Ocala Citizen’s Circle, 10 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 6pm This season, remember those who filled your lives with light and love at the annual Lights of Love: Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. For a donation of $25 to Hospice of Marion County, the name of your loved one will be inscribed on a sign in front of a 14-foot tree with an illuminated blue butterfly tree topper on display throughout the holidays.

Call (352) 291-5143 or visit hospiceofmarion.com for details.

DEC. 2-21

Santa on the Square

Ocala Downtown Square Tue and Thu, 6-8pm Santa on the Square returns to the Ocala Downtown Square in a family-friendly holiday program on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 2-21, 6-8pm. Due to COVID-19, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be socially distanced. Guests are encouraged to wear face coverings, maintain a physical distance of 6-feet-apart in the queue line, and utilize hand sanitation stations supplied by the city. For more information, visit ocalafl.org/holidays or call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at (352) 368-5517.

DEC. 3

Symphony Under the Lights

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7pm Bring a blanket and some cocoa and set up your chairs at the outdoor stage for this free, family-friendly holiday favorites concert by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra.

Visit reillyartscenter.com

DEC. 4-5

Pop! Goes the Holidays!

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala Sat 7:30pm, Sun 3pm Back by popular demand, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will bring Howard Blake’s score to the animated short film, The Snowman, to life, live along with the film itself! You can expect sleigh rides, sing-alongs, and a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com

DEC. 4-5

A Christmas Prelude

Marion Technical Institute (MTI), 1614 SE Fort King St., Ocala Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm Join the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band under the direction of Les Muncaster for “A Christmas Prelude” performance, featuring musical selections such as “Prelude on Adeste Fideles,” “Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Babes in Toyland,” “Minor Alterations,” and “A Home Alone Christmas.” For more information, visit kindomofthesunband.org or call (352) 390-0491.

DEC. 6

Keeping the Holidays Light: An Interactive Grief Workshop

The Elliott Center, 3231 SW 34th Ave., Ocala 1-2:30pm Join The Monarch Center for Hope & Healing for an interactive grief workshop. Create a permanent memento in honor of your loved one. Bring 1-3 photos (4x5 or smaller) for this activity. RSVP at (352) 873-7456 to reserve your space.

DEC. 7-9

Santa’s Calling

Ocala Recreation and Parks has partnered with the North Pole to directly connect Ocala’s good little boys and girls to Santa! Schedule an evening call when Santa’s helpers will call your home, so your child can speak directly with Mr. or Mrs. Claus! To schedule a call with Santa, fill out an online application by Nov. 30 at ocalafl.org/holidays.

DEC. 11-12

Christmas in the Quarry

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 5:30-8:00pm Gather your family for holiday merriment during Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens’ annual walkthrough light show. Explore 20-acres of botanical gardens, filled with twinkling lit pathways, holiday caroling, a cookies and cocoa station, food vendors, and more. For more info, visit cedarlakeswoodsandgardens.com or call (352) 529-0055.

DEC. 14

The Nutcracker: Presented by Dance Alive National Ballet

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 4:30pm & 7:30pm It just isn’t the holidays without The Nutcracker! The all-time family favorite with beautiful dancing, sets, and costumes is here again. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit reillyartscenter.com.

DEC. 18

Wreaths Across America

Highland Memorial Park (FLHMPO), 1515 NE 3rd St., Ocala 12pm Wreaths Across America will be at Highland Memorial Park to remember and honor our veterans through the laying of remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. For more information or to register to volunteer, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

DEC. 18

Reindeer Romp Gift Giveaway: A Drive-Through Event

Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick 12-3pm Bring the kids, drive to the library, and pick up books and other holiday gifts. Children and teens must be present to receive gifts. For more info or to register for the event, call (352) 428-2566.

DEC. 18-19, DEC. 22-23

Christmas in the Quarry

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 5:30-8:00pm Gather your family for holiday merriment during Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens’ annual walkthrough light show. Explore 20-acres of botanical gardens, filled with twinkling lit pathways, holiday caroling, a cookies and cocoa station, food vendors, and more. For more info, visit cedarlakeswoodsandgardens.com or call (352) 529-0055.

DEC. 8

Santa Paws: Pet Portraits with Santa

Ocala Downtown Square 5-8:30 pm Join us at the Downtown Square for a wagging good time taking pet pictures with Santa! Adoptable pets, vendors, and hot cocoa will be available. All pets are welcome to the family-friendly event. $15 per photo includes digital and printed 5x7 portrait. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Marion County. Visit ocalamarion.com or call (352) 3685517 for more info.

government NOV. 29

Litter Task Force’s Ordinances & Enforcements Committee Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus – Conference Room A, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 3pm For information, email lacey.larramore@marionfl.org.

NOV. 29

Planning & Zoning Commission Hearing

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 5:30pm The Planning & Zoning Commission conducts hearings for zooming changes and special use permits. For more information, contact Growth Services at (352) 438-2600.

NOV. 29

Litter Task Force’s Fiscal Committee Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus – Conference Room A, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 2:30pm For information, email lacey.larramore@marionfl.org.

DEC. 7 & 21

Ocala City Council Meetings

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8401 two days in advance so arrangements can be made. For assistance accessing this meeting via Zoom, call (352) 629-8226.

DEC. 7 & 23

Board of County Commissioners

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am The Marion County Board of County Commissioners welcomes all to its regularly scheduled meeting held the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 am unless otherwise noted. The zoning portion of the meeting is also held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2 pm. All commission and zoning meetings are open to the public.

Visit marionfl.legistar.com for details.

JAN. 13

Tourism Development Meeting

Tourist Development Conference Room, 109 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am The Tourist Development Council makes recommendations to the county commissioners for the effective use of tourist development tax revenue to enhance, promote, advertise, and develop tourism in Ocala/Marion County. For more information, call (352) 438-2800.

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

community NOV. 26

NOV. 29

Marion County Friday Market

Monday Morning Books and Coffee

NOV. 27

LMS Network Breakfast Networking Meeting

McPherson Government Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2:30pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils, and seafood.

Small Business Saturday

Ocala Downtown Square Create big impact by shopping small. Support your local businesses and neighbors in downtown Ocala. Stop by the downtown square to pick up your shop small passport, visit participating merchants for a stamp, and turn your completed passport in by 3pm for your chance to win a prize. Visit facebook.com/ocalamainstreet for more info.

NOV. 27

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.

NOV. 27

Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE Highway 315, Ocala 10:30am Make new friends and talk about books. Visit library.marionfl.org.

NOV. 30

Equus Inn, 3434 SW College Road, Ocala 8:30-10:30am Connect with other local business owners and professionals, share ideas, exchange referrals, and help each other’s businesses grow! Complimentary breakfast. RSVP at lms-network.com/events.

NOV. 30

The Shores Market

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala 5-7pm The indoor farmers market includes farm fresh goods, artisan food products, and arts and crafts vendors. Visit fb.com/theshoresmarket for more information.

DEC. 1

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, and arts and crafts.

Rain or shine. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

NOV. 27

Family Fun Community Day

Central Christian Church, 3010 NE 14th St., Ocala 12-4pm Kut Different presents the 2nd Annual Family Fun Community Day at Central Christian Church. Enjoy the main event, kickball, as well as free food and food trucks, bounce houses, 3-point contest, raffles, face painting, vendors, and tons of other fun activities. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/151314700541939/ or call (352) 559-4997.

CF Open House

CF Ocala Campus, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 10am-2pm The College of Central Florida invites anyone thinking about college to an open house. Future students are encouraged to tour the campus and learn about more than 150 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs. Everyone who completes an admissions application at the event will have the $30 admissions fee waived and will be entered to win free tuition for a 3-credit-hour class as CF’s standard tuition rate. For more information, visit CF.edu/openhouse or call (352) 875-5800, ext. 1379.

DEC. 1

Crafternoons

Ocala Public Library Headquarters, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 4:30pm Enjoy crafting activities with fellow crafters. Registration required. Call (352) 671-8551 to register or visit library. marionfl.org.

DEC. 2

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 8th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Join us for a wonderful selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps, and much more! Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

DEC. 1

Wednesday Midday Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 1-6pm Browse organic produce, microgreens, fresh-baked breads, and more. Food trucks such as Tom’s Taste of Chicago, Jimmy’s Philly Cheesesteaks, and Kona Ice Ocala join the fun. Visit facebook.com/OcalaDowntownMarket for details.

DEC. 3

Bring the Harvest Home

Ocala Downtown Square 7:30am-1:30pm This local food drive event provides our community an opportunity to provide much-needed food for local families in need. Donated goods will help fill pantries for the Salvation Army, Interfaith Emergency Services, and Brother’s Keeper. Donations of dry and complementary goods, canned meats, canned vegetables and fruit, baby items, and toiletries may be dropped off at locations across Marion County as well as during the Dec. 3 event on Ocala’s Downtown Square. For more information and a list of dropoff locations, visit bringtheharvesthome.com or facebook. com/marioncountyflorida.

DEC. 3

Sunset Cinema: The War with Grandpa

Sholom Park: 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 5pm Enjoy an outdoor movie experience under the stars at Sholom Park. Bring your lawn chairs and pack some snacks for the featured presentation: The War with Grandpa (PG).

Advanced registration includes one freshly popped popcorn.

Other snacks will be available for an in-kind donation. For more information or to register, visit sholompark.org/events.

arts THROUGH NOV. 27

tonmuseum.org for more information.

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 S Broadway St., Ocala 7:30pm The Marion Cultural Alliance gallery features an exhibition of fine artists celebrating diversity throughout November.

Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

Double Rainbow: The Art of Justin Alsedek

Converging Community & Culture

THROUGH NOV. 27

Classics & Cocktails: The Third Man

The Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 8pm Writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) arrives in post-war Vienna at the invitation of childhood friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find him dead. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a “third man.”

Visit reillyartscenter.com for details.

NOV. 27

Let’s Hang On! – A Frankie Valli Tribute

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 2:30pm, 7pm Let’s Hang On! is a full-blown stage production complete with that Four Seasons sound, crisp choreography, and a live band. Four great-looking guys sing and dance their way through some of the best songs of all time. Purchase tickets at obopry.com.

THROUGH NOV. 29

Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm New exhibit features vintage lithographs, original drawings, paintings, books, and other works by the man considered by many as the “creator of the Art Nouveau style.” Visit apple-

THROUGH NOV. 30

8th Avenue Gallery, 1531 NE 8th Ave., Ocala Hours by appointment only 8th Avenue Gallery has curated more than a dozen large works from local artist Justin Alsedek’s recent series “Uncertainty’s Rainbow”. Paintings from the past couple of years as well as a large selection of prints will be on sale.

The artist will open the gallery for open studio hours while he paints this weekend. Call (518) 681-9347 to schedule a viewing.

DEC. 2

The Wood Brothers with The Dead Tongues

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm The Wood Brothers and supporting act The Dead Tongues bring their Grammy-nominated and Billboard-topping folk music to the Reilly Arts Center. Per artist’s requirement, proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of this show date is required. Visit reillyartscenter.com for tickets and more info.

THROUGH DEC. 30

Fables

NOMA, 939 N Magnolia Ave., Ocala Thu-Sun 12-6pm Grace Netanya‘s exhibition features compelling mixed-media drawings that combine figurative art and interpretations of fables and fairy tales. For details, visit nomaocala.com.

THROUGH JAN. 2

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

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

Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale

Pottery ✽ Fabric Arts ✽ Painting ✽ Decorations ✽ Wreaths ✽ Soap ✽ Jams, Jellies, Candies ✽ Dolls

Friday, December 3rd & Saturday, December 4th 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Booths available

Food available for purchase

(inside and outside)

Lodging available

Supporting the ministry of The Retreat at Silver Springs, the camp and conference center of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Florida

6455 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL

|

theretreatatsilversprings.com

|

(352) 236-2302

Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Curated from the Appleton’s collection, Alison Saar‘s prints incorporate spiritual and political themes. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH JAN. 10

Art Remembers

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12 Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Hospice of Marion County partners with the Appleton Museum of Art to display works highlighting healing modalities of art in bereavement programs; details at hospiceofmarion. com.

THROUGH JAN. 22

Lisa Russo | European Elegance

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Bldg., 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Lisa Russo studied under a traditional oil painter to learn the techniques and methods from the 1600s. Fun fact: She also holds a U.S. patent for a convertible canvas that creates 3D effects. ocalafl.org.

THROUGH APRIL 24

Heart of the Horse

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm The beauty and complexity of horses is revealed through 40 black-and-white photographs by Juliet van Otteren. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH APRIL 24

Garden Party: Botanical Paintings by Susan Martin

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Florida artist Susan Martin’s photorealistic canvasses explore the botanical world by concentrating on small

ANSWERS FROM PAGE B4

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Symphony

SEASON The Ocala Symphony Photos by Dave Miller

Here is the lineup for the rest of the OSO season:

Orchestra‘s opening night

Pops! Goes the Holidays Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5, 3 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the OSO will bring Howard Blake’s score to the animated short film, “The Snowman,” to life, along with the film, sleigh rides, sing-alongs, and, possibly, a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

The FourTemperaments

Matthew Wardell, conductor.

A

fter an especially lengthy hiatus due to COVID-19, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra (OSO) opened its 2021 season last Saturday evening to an especially enthusiastic audience, grateful to gather again for a live performance.

Despite the interruption, some things felt like they hadn’t changed.

Conductor Matt Wardell’s jokes were still funny. Executive Director for the Reilly Arts Center Pamela Wardell’s welcome was still gracious.

All the familiar faces from the local art and music scenes were there. The performance

ambitious.

The Reilly Center used its downtime during the pandemic to expand, adding a black box theater and a new, larger lobby. Following the opening night performance, supporters of the symphony were invited to see some of the unfinished spaces of the expansion firsthand as the black box theater was converted into an after party venue.

If the experience of 2020 left anything good in its wake, it was a renewed appreciation for the privilege of being able to safely gather and experience a live performance as a community.

Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 30, 3 p.m.

Raymond Chobaz leads the orchestra through Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2, “The Four Temperaments,” a new work by award-winning composer, Paul Richards, and Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with special guest, Kevin Sharpe.

90 Years of John Williams Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 20, 3 p.m.

Celebrate John Williams’ 90th birthday with a review of his extensive film catalogue, including scores from “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter,” “The Patriot,” “Superman,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Indiana Jones,” “Jaws,” and more.

The Unfinished March 19, 7:30 p.m. and March 20, 3 p.m.

Winners of the Young Artist Competition take the stage with the OSO, along with Samuel ColeridgeTaylor’s “Ballade” and Schubert’s B-minor symphony, “The Unfinished.”

21st Century Anthology April 9, 7:30 p.m. and April 10, 3 p.m.

Maestro Wardell is often asked, “What works written today will be played in 100 years?” This concert is his answer and will feature Missy Mazzoli’s tribute to the city of Detroit, “River Rouge Transfiguration”; Michael Daugherty’s piece in memory of his father, “Reflections on the Mississippi for Tuba and Orchestra”; and Mason Bates’s “The Anthology of Fantastic Zoology,” which will showcase every section of the orchestra, as he musically illustrates the fantastical creatures of Jorge Luis Borges’s 1957 “Book of Imaginary Beings.”

SPECIAL EVENTS

Symphony Under the Lights Presented by Jenkins Auto Group Dec. 3, 7 p.m.

The OSO and Ocala Youth Symphony offer a joyful annual concert that is free and open to the public. Enjoy hot chocolate under the ancient oaks of Tuscawilla Park and bring a blanket or chair.

Bowie and Glass Return March 5, 7:30 p.m.

The OSO and Voltron Collective bring you Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 4 “Heroes,” juxtaposed with the David Bowie songs that inspired it. Originally presented in spring of 2019, this has been the OSO’s most requested repeat concert.

Handel’s “Messiah” April 24, 3 p.m.

Choirmaster and conductor, Joshua Mazur, returns to lead the combined orchestra and choir through “Messiah” and selections from “Water Music.

Samuel Peliska (foreground) Jacob Meyer (second).

Symphony

The Reilly Center‘s new black box was turned into an afterparty to thank supporters.

FANS

Robert Reilly, Bill Nassal, Judy Ballenger, Cindi Nassal and Ann Middleton

Shari Ausley, Angie Lewis and Avery Ausley Zach Lombart and Rebecca Stamm

Honorable Steve Rogers, Rebecca Rogers, Amy Perry and Senator Keith Perry

Xochiti JacquesSmith (left) and Lisa Midgett

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

OCT’s ‘Wonderful Life’ dials up the retro holiday charm

By Julie Garisto

amusingly performed commercial jingles add to on’t touch that the production’s charms. dial! This holiday A Foley artist (someone season, the Ocala who recreates sounds), Civic Theatre (OCT) brings Laura Bradley, deftly us the 1946 classic “It’s manipulates, shakes and a Wonderful Life” as a smacks all manner of objects mock radio play. The script to make sound effects--from borrows from the film a mini makeshift door to version starring Jimmy shoes worn on the hands Stewart as George Bailey, for footstep sounds to the all-American sweetheart glass, metal trays and other Donna Reed as his wife random items. Some might Mary and Lionel Barrymore want to watch the show as the greedy, curmudgeonly twice--once to absorb the financier Henry Potter. story and another time to For the few among us catch all the cool techniques who have never seen the used to make the radio play film, the story follows sound effects.

Bailey, a clever, persistent Onstage, a cast optimist born in early 20th portrays … well, a cast, century Bedford Falls. He so there’s a layer added to wants nothing more than to the performances as the leave the small town, but he actors shift in and out of squelches his ambitions and character as characters in yen for global adventure to the story and performers rescue his family’s savings of a radio show; a stellar and loan business. When his example of “meta” pre-Mark spirit is ultimately crushed, Zuckerberg. an angel comes to the rescue James Ray Taylor III, to show him a world without as lead performer Jake him in it. (Note: references Laurents, returns after a to suicide are part of the suave turn in OCT’s “Dirty story; discretion is advised.) Rotten Scoundrels” to OCT’s live retelling convey the gee-willikers is presented as a radio voice and cheerful mojo of program set at a snowbound George Bailey and young 1940s station, replete with George. capacitor microphones.

The lovely Megan An “On-Air” sign and Wager, as Sally Applewhite,

D

plays Mary Hatch and young Mary. Alex Dagg as Freddie Filmore is a human chameleon and man of many voices as Joseph, Potter, Uncle Billy and 12 others. Patrick Stanley, as

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

runs through Dec. 19. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger.

Order tickets over the phone at (352) 236-2274 or in person at the box office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information,

www.ocalacivictheatre.com.

Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood, nimbly juggles the voice roles of Clarence Oddbody, Harry, young Harry, Sam Wainwright and nine others. Joy Newkirk, as Lana Sherwood, spans generations as Violet, young Violet, Rose Bailey and Zuzu.

Director Trudy Bruner has spent 35 years working in theater in central Florida and elsewhere. Her leadership skills come to fore through her ability to showcase the wideranging talents of the show’s ensemble cast.

Scenic designer William Elliott blesses the production with an elegant set. Costume designer Eryn Brooks Brewer dresses up their characters in authentically stylish ’40s garb.

Expect production polish from lighting designer Erin Miner; sound, music and Foley props designer Jazmine Whipple; and stage manager Madison Raabe.

Dialect coach Lori Engler brings us back in time with the “Why I oughta” slang of the time period.

Going back to the origins of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” we sadly discover a troubled and complicated backstory.

Philip Van Doren Stern penned the original story, “The Greatest Gift,” in November 1939. The tale was rejected by several publishers but, in April 1944, RKO Pictures bought the rights to the story for $10,000, It experienced a series of rewrites and was

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The cast of “It‘s A Wonderful Life” rehearse a scene from the play at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala, Nov. 22.

shelved for a number of years until it resurfaced with the hopes of turning it into a vehicle for Cary Grant. After a conflictridden production, the film disappointed at the box office and languished in syndication for three decades.

But like the underestimated George Bailey, “It’s a Wonderful Life” can’t be kept down. The sweet holiday tale, regardless

KRIESTEN DREYER AD

of its implausibility and unabashed sentimentality, endears with relatable humor, romance and hearttugging melodrama.

When viewed as an American fable, the oncedeemed-lackluster tale takes on a shinier patina in our time and resonates even more strongly, especially as we contend with today’s exponential cost of living, low wages and a housing shortage... but who will be our George Bailey?

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports COMMENTARY

With Mullen out as Florida head coach, the search for his replacement begins

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com The Dan Mullen era at the University of Florida has officially ended.

On Sunday, Mullen was fired as the Gators head football coach. Special teams coordinator and running backs coach Greg Knox will coach the team as they host Florida State on

Saturday.

The Gators and Seminoles will kick off at noon on ESPN. In a statement to boosters, athletic director Scott Stricklin assured supporters that while there is no strict timetable in place to find a new coach, leadership would move as quickly as possible to name a replacement.

“There is no timetable for our

search, but we are going to move as quickly as possible,” Stricklin stated in the release. “We want to take the time we need to get the right coach who has high expectations and big aspirations that match the University of Florida.”

It was time for Mullen and the Gators to part ways. The last calendar See Replacing, page C2

TRAIL-BLAZING TIGER Trent Townsend leaves legacy at Dunnellon, excited for the next chapter

Coach leads Crusaders to historic turnaround

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

T

here’s a lot that can be said for a quarterback who started all four years of high school.

A lot can also be said for a quarterback who led his team to four-straight district titles during his career.

For Dunnellon Tigers’ quarterback Trent Townsend, he can say both.

As a prep player, Townsend threw for 5,595 yards and 54 touchdowns. He also rushed for 861 yards and 12 touchdowns, proving to be a true dual threat behind center.

During those four consecutive district titles with Townsend at the helm the Tigers never lost in regular season district play-going a perfect 15-0.

In those 15 games, Townsend threw for 28 touchdowns with only two interceptions.

Without a doubt, the kid is a gamer.

Price Harris, head football coach for the Tigers, will attest to that.

“What Trent has done in four years has been quite remarkable,” Harris said. “You sometimes don’t even realize what he’s accomplished because he has done it so quietly See Townsend, page C3

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Florida head coach Dan Mullen

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Dunnellon‘s quarterback Trent Townsend (15) throws a pass against Vanguard during a football game at Dunnellon High School in this Oct. 2020 file photo.

After a dismal 2020 football season which saw the Ocala Christian Academy Crusaders finish 1-8, the school hit the proverbial reset button on their program.

Not only was the decision made to shift from traditional 11-man to 8-man football, but the athletic department hired a new head coach to lead the program.

Jim Pierce, a youth coach and high school assistant with over 30 years of experience, was entrusted with the task of turning the football team into a success.

The results: a perfect 10-0 regular season.

For their efforts, the Crusaders earned a 3-seed in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) 8-man football playoffs.

Pierce said he felt a calling to mentor young people through coaching sports at a very young age.

“My life in sports began as a 6-yearold in a youth basketball program at the Hoosier Gym in Indiana,” Pierce said. “My youth coaches gave time out of their lives to teach and share with me about sports and life.”

When discussing his coaching influences, Pierce credits his youth coaches in Indiana.

“I discovered my desire to coach when I was in high school,” Pierce said. “I have always loved teaching and sharing (in an effort) to help others.”

The same gym that Pierce grew up playing basketball in was used to film the 1986 move “Hoosiers” that starred Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey.

The movie was based on the 1954 boys’ See Pierce, page C4

GAME OF THE WEEK

Florida State High @ Trinity Catholic

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

A BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Trinity Catholic‘s Beau Beard (20) picks his way past P.K. Yonge defenders as he runs in for a touchdown during the regional semifinal at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, on Nov. 19. Trinity Catholic won the game.

fter a convincing 35-7 victory over P.K. Yonge in the class 3A regional semifinals, the Trinity Catholic Celtics prepare to host the Florida State High School Seminoles from Tallahassee.

In the victory against P.K. Yonge, Celtics junior running back Beau Beard rushed for 134 yards on just 15 carries. Senior

quarterback Cole Gonzalez added 65 passing yards and a touchdown.

Florida State High rolled 55-7 in their semifinal match-up over Walton. The Seminoles were led by senior quarterback Tre Donaldson’s 172 passing yards and four touchdowns in the win.

The Seminoles will enter Friday night’s game with a stout defense that recorded a whopping 24 quarterback sacks. Junior linebacker Ryan Knight’s tallied eight

sacks on the season, and senior linebacker Jelani Hall contributed six for the Seminoles.

The winner of Friday night’s game will move on to the final four and play the Lakeland Christian/ Benjamin winner. That game will be played on December 3rd at 7:30.

The Celtics and Seminoles will kickoff their contest this Friday at Al Dunlap Field starting at 7:30 p.m.

C2

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

COMMENTARY

REPLACING FLORIDA‘S HEAD COACH Continued from page C1

year had been a disaster, with the Gators going 5-9 in their past 14 games.

Mullen appeared to be detached and disinterested, and once that occurs, it’s usually a quick fall towards disaster and departure.

Who’s Next?

After the news of Mullen’s departure hit the news outlets, rumors of the next coach to lead the Gators began to circulate. Whoever is hired as head coach in Gainesville must embrace the astronomical expectations of the boosters and fan base. Competing for SEC and national championships is the standard by which coaches at UF are measured. As of today, University of Louisiana head football coach Billy Napier appears to be the front-runner to replace Mullen. With Twitter actively tracking University Athletic Association jets and “insiders” saying the deal is all but signed, the rumors will continue to fly until the new hire is official.

Here are some potential candidates along with one or two may fly under the radar:

Billy Napier Napier seems to be the early front runner. Many have pointed to a handful of players, coaches and recruits who began following Napier on social media after Mullen was fired as a sign that the deal may already be done.

During his four years at the University of Louisiana, Napier has a 38-12 record with a Sun Belt Conference championship in 2020.

Napier served as Nick Saban’s wide receivers coach at Alabama from 2013-16 and previously spent the 2011 season with Alabama as an analyst. Coming from the Saban coaching tree should be a positive to UF supporters.

Napier is considered a tireless recruiter—a polar opposite of Mullen.

Many fans believe that Napier, who will turn 43 in 2022, is the young and energetic coach who can lead the Gators back to prominence.

Bob Stoops The former defensive coordinator under Steve Spurrier will get mentioned in a Gator football coaching search.

During his time as Oklahoma head coach (1999-2016), Stoops compiled a 190-48 record and won the national championship in 2000.

Stoops stepped away from coaching in 2016. After a short stint as head coach of the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, Stoops became an analyst for FOX college football coverage.

Stoops replaced Urban Meyer at FOX. Meyer accepted the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching position prior to the 2021 NFL season.

It may be wishful thinking to expect the 61-year-old Stoops to come out of retirement to coach again.

Lane Kiffin Many in Gator Nation would love to see the “Lane Train” pull into Gainesville.

Lane Kiffin has turned the Ole Miss football program into a top-25 power this season as the team enters the final weekend of the regular season with a 9-2 record.

Kiffin has a history of jumping from one coaching job to the other.

After being fired by the Oakland Raiders in his second season as head coach, Kiffin accepted the head coaching job with the Tennessee Volunteers.

His tenure as Vols head coach lasted one season, as the Southern Cal Trojans came calling. Kiffin accepted and was the head coach there from 2010-2013.

Kiffin served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator for two seasons under Nick Saban

before heading to Florida Atlantic as their head coach.

Kiffin accepted the head coaching position with FAU, going 26-13 in three seasons before leaving for Oxford, Mississippi.

A social media favorite among college football fans, Kiffin is witty and quick with a sly tweet on a regular basis.

Kiffin’s tendency to leave a job after a short stay may cause UF brass to think twice about bringing him to Gainesville.

Mike Leach Is there a coach in the country that gets the most from his players quite like Mike Leach?

Leach is in his second season as Mississippi State head coach. After a 4-7 record in 2020, Leach and the Bulldogs are sitting at 7-4 going into the last weekend of the season.

Under Leach’s tutelage, sophomore quarterback Will Rogers has thrown for 4,113 yards in eleven games this season, with 34 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions.

Leach runs the Air Raid offense, which is known for a fast paced, pass heavy system that features five wide receivers on most plays and a simple playbook.

Perennially, quarterbacks coached by Leach have gone on to record-breaking passing numbers. Gardner Minshew, who played quarterback for Leach at Washington State, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019 NFL draft after passing for 4,776 yards and 38 touchdowns during his only season under Leach.

While Leach is a long shot, some are intrigued by the coach’s history of producing astronomical offensive numbers and his penchant for raising the level of play in athletes with lower star ratings.

The Gator faithful love offense. They would get tons of offense with Leach.

One intriguing tidbit: Steve Spurrier, Jr. is the current wide receivers coach at Mississippi State.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Vanguard‘s Jyla Gunsby (0) drives to the basket as she is defended by Lecanto‘s Abeydee Rome (35) during a basketball game at Vanguard High School in Ocala, on Nov. 23.

LADY KNIGHTS

CRUISE PAST LECANTO

44-31

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

development of his senior guards.

“Rain Smith is continuing to do what I expect of her outside he Lecanto Lady Panthers, of merely being a shooter,” Lewis who finished 18-6 during said. “It’s paying off game by the 2020-21 season, game.” traveled to Vanguard to take Lewis praised Kingcade for her on the Lady Knights in an early stellar all-around play. season clash Tuesday night.

“JaDah Kingcade is building a The Lady Knights were able to good resume for her senior year,” upend Lecanto 44-31.

Lewis said. “This is the second JaDah Kingcade, a senior consecutive game she has come guard for Vanguard, shined in just shy of a triple-double early in the contest with 10 points, 7 the season.” rebounds and 10 steals against With the win, Vanguard moves Lecanto. to 2-1 on the season with an Senior guard Rain Smith led unblemished 2-0 record in district the Lady Knights in scoring, play. accounting for 17 points on the The Lady Knights will host night.

Wildwood on November 30 at Terrance Lewis, Vanguard 7:30 p.m. head coach, is pleased with the

T

Steve Spurrier Why not the “Head Ball Coach”?

Who knows Florida Gators football better than Spurrier, who won a Heisman Trophy as a Gator quarterback in 1966 and guided the team to its first national title as the head football coach in 1996?

Age plays a factor in the decision, with Spurrier turning 76 in 2022. But who better to guide the program through this transition than the creator of the Fun-n-Gun? The return of Spurrier would obviously not be the long-term solution. But when a potential coaching candidate already has an office inside the football facility, the move would be simple.

ABOVE: Vanguard‘s Rain Smith (12) looks for a way to the basket as she is double-teamed by Lecanto‘s Abby Harris (23) and Caitlyn McAboy (13). RIGHT: Vanguard‘s Jadah Kingcade (1) drives to the hoop. BELOW: Vanguard‘s Makiya Mitchell (2) splits Lecanto defenders Caitlyn McAboy (13) and Paige Harrison (12) as she drives to the hoop .

Photos by BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

C C3

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Townsend, successful student athlete looks towards college Continued from page C1

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Dunnellon‘s quarterback Trent Townsend (15) looks for an open receiver as he is pressured by West Port‘s Ryan Reid (44) during a football game at Dunnellon High School in this Nov. 2020 file photo.

and unassumingly.”

Townsend has quietly and unassumingly led the Tigers to two state semifinal appearances, in addition to those four district championships.

Even with his status as captain and starting quarterback, Townsend has been the consummate teammate and studentathlete.

“In four years, Trent has never missed a practice,” Harris said. “He’s never missed a summer workout, either.”

Whether the team needed a clutch throw or a big-time run, Harris said that Townsend was always there to do what was needed for the team to win.

“For four years, I never worried about who my starting quarterback would be,” Harris said. “I always knew what we would get every Friday night.”

“I will miss him,” Harris added.

Townsend was spectacular on the field, but equally tremendous in the

“For four years, I never worried about who my starting quarterback would be ...

I always knew what we would get every Friday night...

I will miss him.”

Price Harris Head football coach for Dunnellon High School

classroom, earning a 3.8 GPA during his four years at Dunnellon.

In the community, Townsend has found time to devote himself to outreach and volunteer work. He been a constant with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Dunnellon as well as

volunteering with youth football and baseball leagues.

Townsend has also spent time reading with elementary students in the “Tigers to Cubs” Reading Program.

College looms on the horizon for Townsend, who wants to be an engineer when he’s done with his football playing days.

“I would like to be an electrical engineer,” Townsend said. “My older brother is an electrician, so hopefully we can open a business together. Right now, I am focusing on getting somewhere to play football.”

Townsend’s recruitment is open to all potential college football programs.

“I have sent my stuff out and my coaches (at Dunnellon) have been great at sending my information and video to college programs,” Townsend said.

With the kind of student-athlete Townsend has been, college football programs would be lucky to have him.

Celtics crush Blue Wave, move on to 3A regional final

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Trinity Catholic‘s Beau Beard (20) picks his way past P.K. Yonge defenders as he runs in for a touchdown during the regional semifinal at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, on Nov. 19.

The night started off in an odd way for visiting PK Yonge.

Traffic between Gainesville and Ocala caused the Blue Wave team bus to arrive around 7 p.m. for the 7:30 kickoff.

Trinity Catholic would make sure the night did not improve for PK Yonge.

The Celtics dominated in all phases of the game, rolling past the Blue Wave 35-7 at Al Dunlap Field on Friday night.

Celtics junior running

back Beau Beard led the way with 134 yards rushing on just 15 carries, while senior quarterback Cole Gonzalez passed for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Celtics senior running back Marquis Jones started the scoring with a 2-yard run early in the first quarter. Jones would tally two rushing touchdowns on the night.

Gonzalez later connected with sophomore receiver Mekai Griffin on an 18-yard touchdown pass.

PK Yonge could never

get on track due in part to the loss of senior quarterback Aaron Small, Jr., to a leg injury early in the first quarter.

With Small on the sidelines, freshman quarterback Adrian Curtis entered the game and immediately felt the wrath of the Celtics defense.

While the Celtics offense was efficient, the defense was nasty from start to finish.

Curtis was sacked three times on the night, twice by senior defensive end Elijah Russell and once by senior lineman

Matthias Lafferty.

Junior linebacker Donathan Lecorn got in on the fun, intercepting a Curtis pass and scoring from 22 yards out.

The Trinity Catholic defense held the Blue Wave to under 100 yards for the game.

With the victory, Trinity Catholic advances to the FHSAA 3A regional final.

The Celtics host 3-seed Florida State High on Friday, November 26.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

C6

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

SELECTED MARION COUNTY

PREP FOOTBALL SCORES

Nov. 19

Vanguard 23 Lake Wales 14 Trinity Catholic P.K. Yonge

35 7

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

Nov. 15

Dunnellon 62 Cedar Key 25

Nov. 16

Vanguard 57 Belleview 39 West Port South Sumter

HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS RESULTS NOV. 15 - 20

63 19

Seven Rivers St. John Lutheran

50 13

BOYS SOCCER SCORES

Nov. 16

Trinity Catholic North Marion

Nov. 17

3 1

North Marion 65 Williston 34

West Port 4 Vanguard 1

Lake Weir St. John Lutheran

Belleview 3 Eastside 0

70 4

Nov. 18

Gainesville 52 Vanguard 33

Nov. 17

Forest 4 North Marion 1

Belleview 38 Mount Dora Christian 13

Belleview 1 Lake Weir 0

West Port 60 Forest 22

Nov. 18

Nov. 19

Lake Weir Mount Dora Christian

51 10

Dunnellon 78 St. John Lutheran 19

Nov. 20

Trinity Catholic 90 Forest 17

GIRLS SOCCER SCORES

Nov. 15

Freedom 2 West Port 0 Palatka 8 Belleview 0

Nov. 16

Forest 9 Belleview 1 Trinity Catholic Pine Ridge

PK Yonge North Marion

West Port North Marion

Nov. 18

6 1

Nov. 19

Vanguard 2 Forest 1 Belleview 2 Tavares 2

2 1

Vanguard 8 West Port 0

Vanguard 5 Lake Weir 2

7 0

Vanguard 8 Lake Weir 0 Belleview 7 Dunnellon 3 West Port Crystal River

Crusaders‘ head coach Jim Pierce during the game against Foundation Christian Academy at Ocala Christian Academy, in this Sept. 17 file photo.

Pierce sets OCA for success Continued from C1

Results were gathered from FHSAA.com and compiled by Joel Bronson

Lake Weir 53 Forest 33 Trinity Catholic 60 Leesburg 17

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

3 1

basketball team from Milan High School in Indiana.

“Milan was just a really, really small high school that won the 1954 state basketball championship,” Pierce said.

“This was back when all the high schools were in the same tournament in Indiana, no matter the size (of the school).”

“The original Milan High School gym burned down many years ago,” he continued. “The filmmakers used my childhood high school gym to portray the Milan gym.”

The challenge to turn the Crusaders’ football program around was daunting. Pierce credited his assistants, Jesse Bloom and Daniel Young, with keeping the morale positive and players bought in.

“Our assistants were key to our success,” Pierce said. “Jesse and Daniel allowed me to act as the CEO of the program on game nights. They were incredible.”

Pierce also made sure to recognize his family for all that they do to support his coaching and mentoring efforts at OCA. “My wife Robin, our six children and 12 grandchildren, and my sons and daughters-in-

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law have been so supportive,” he shared. “That support is greatly cherished and needed.”

In addition to being the head football coach, Pierce will also serve as head coach for the boys’ varsity basketball team for the 2021-22 season.

To Pierce, the true purpose of coaching is to mentor young people to be morally strong adults.

“I’ve taught many young people the fundamentals of different sports while also teaching them about God, life, working together, and to watch them grow to be young men and ladies that God designed them to be,” he said. “Teaching young people be better at basketball and football, but more importantly to be better sons and daughters and later to be fathers and mothers, friends and citizens. That’s what I’m proud of.”

Pierce draws similarities between a major motion picture being filmed in his old gym and becoming a head coach at 70 years old.

“Filming that movie in my old gym is pretty unlikely,” Pierce said. “Pretty much like a 10-0 season or me coaching at age 70!”

“With God, anything is possible!”