Ocala Gazette | December 8 - December 14, 2023 by Magnolia Media Company

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 49

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023

Ben Marciano sworn in as next mayor of Ocala

Mellow Mushroom has grand opening in historic downtown

New mayor shares his priorities for the city.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano speaks after being sworn in during the City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

en Marciano was sworn in as the new mayor of the city of Ocala at Tuesday’s city council meeting, taking over for Kent Guinn,

who served as mayor for 12 years. “You have my commitment that as we continue to grow, we don’t lose who we are. In fact, I believe that in a world where there’s a lot of darkness, we can be an example of what’s right,” Marciano said at his

swearing-in ceremony. Marciano, who ran unopposed in the September election, shared his priorities with the “Gazette” the day before he was sworn in as mayor, naming the improvement of the mental and physical health of Ocala’s residents as one of his biggest goals. “My big focus as mayor is to improve the physical and mental health of our community—we are rated one of the worst cities in the state of Florida for overall health,” he said. The 2023 annual county health rankings survey ranked Marion County one of the least healthy counties in Florida, in the lowest 25%. Marciano’s passion for health comes from his long career in fitness and he said he understands those who have, like him, struggled with mental health and addiction issues. He is the owner of Zone Health and Fitness, which has two locations in Ocala. “To improve the physical and mental health of the community, I’m looking forward to partnering with organizations in the community, providing resources, building awareness, really addressing those issues and being a city that is known for their health,” he said. Marciano mentioned the Marion County Hospital District by name as an organization he hopes for the city to partner with, saying that he wants to raise awareness for the programs and free services they already have available, such as for See Marciano, page A2

Potential Jumbolair development meets opposition from area residents P&Z recommends denial in a surprise move, but nearby residents remain worried about air traffic, car traffic, noise and disruption to their rural way of life. By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com

acing strong headwinds of opposition from nearby homeowners, Marion County officials have for now grounded plans for a nearly 500-unit residential and commercial expansion of the storied Jumbolair Aviation Estates development north of Ocala. Robert Bull and various business entities have purchased multiple parcels in the area near Northeast 77th Street in the sprawling community and are requesting various land use and zoning changes. The Marion County Growth Services staff initially recommended approval of the Planned Unit Development but then reversed course just before a heated Planning & Zoning

Commission meeting on Oct. 30. “Since that report was written, there’s been more research, and we recommend denial,’’ Deputy Director of Growth Services Ken Weyrauch told the P&Z board. “We have to do a lot more research. And we’re willing to work with the applicant to reach common ground. We’ll get there and talk with the agencies.” Staff findings that the proposal is not consistent with Florida Statutes and the Marion County Comprehensive Plan and is incompatible with the surrounding area came as welcome news to the concerned residents who packed the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium. Since then, a neighborhood meeting with the Jumbolair development team was held Nov. 28 in one of Bull’s four airplane hangars

on Jumbolair’s north side, but the session did not reach common ground for the participants, and many angry residents walked away vowing to continue to fight the proposal. The demeanor of the audience at that meeting was wholly against the entire concept, reported one attendee. “If there were pitchforks and torches available, they would have been wielded,” said neighborhood organizer Jonathan Rivera-Rose Schenck. “From the start to the end, there was no love lost between the two sides.” The application was set to go before the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 5, but on Nov. 30, attendees from the neighborhood meeting began receiving emails from Bull’s legal team stating that they were See Concerns, page A4

Property of the week Horse Park Lane

Next door to the fabulous Florida Horse Park, a 500 acre premier equestrian competition complex and the Marjorie Harris Cross Florida Greenway, which oﬀers over 80 miles of equestrian trails and bridle paths. Centrally located to the World Equestrian Center, downtown Ocala, The Villages, Grand Oaks, shopping, restaurants, and even close to an I-75 ramp! This farm is suitable for multiple disciplines. Build your dream farm in this extraordinary Ocala location–The Horse Capital of the World!®

Valerie Dailey | 352-816-1080 | valerie@showcaseocala.com | showcaseocala.com

Mellow Mushroom’s new location in Ocala had its grand opening on Dec. 4. [Supplied]

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

he long-awaited Mellow Mushroom restaurant in downtown Ocala celebrated its grand opening this week, bringing crowds looking to enjoy the down-to-earth, groovy atmosphere of the restaurant chain—this time with a local twist. Even only one day after its grand opening, the restaurant was packed and lively just in time for lunch hour. The restaurant’s owner, Brad Harper of Swamp Dawg Restaurants, said he wanted to expand the franchise while also preserving Ocala’s rich history. “We just wanted something that we felt like the local folks in the community would really enjoy,” said Harper. The restaurant is at 2 W Fort King St. in the Goldman Peek Building, which was rebuilt from the 20th century Cloeman Building. Mellow Mushroom diners will find a lot of the menu showcases familiar classics including the restaurant’s signature stone-baked pizzas and a “buildyour-own” pie option to make the meal your own. Beyond the familiar menu items, customers will also see a “local to your mellow” section, which features options handpicked by the owner and management team special for Ocala. If you’ve ever wanted pizza for brunch, the Ocala location’s local section features a “breakfast spectacular pizza,” complete with bacon, scrambled eggs and sausage toppings. The bar features hand-crafted cocktails, plus 24 taps pouring beers from local brewery Infinite Ale Works and Florida breweries such as Swamp Head Brewery and Cigar City Brewing. Starting with a staff close to 100, at peak times on opening day the restaurant had a maximum of a two-hour wait. “We just tried to set up a great atmosphere,” Harper said. “The wizard is always a spot where people like to take pictures, because it’s kind of like a Mellow Mushroom thing; Whenever you go to a new Mellow, you want to take a picture with a wizard.” A large mural inside the restaurant features the theme of “See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil,” painted by the Miami-based artist Ruben Ubiera. Harper, who also owns Eggs Up Grill and three Zaxby’s locations in Ocala, is renting the entire Goldman Block and the rest of the vacant space in the building and plans to open two more restaurants: Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes on the first floor, the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar on the second floor and a rooftop bar on the third floor. The building was most recently occupied by the Brother’s Keeper thrift store and was demolished and rebuilt in preparation for the new restaurants. Harper said he and his team wanted to ensure that Ocala’s history could still be preserved with the building’s new use and showed off the common space, where he said he plans on displaying several historical items found below the building. Some of the items included a calendar from November 1918, a framed collection of needles from the record players sold by Goldman, an old newspaper clipping and an advertisement for a mattress sold for $19.75. “What we wanted to do is to pay tribute to old Ocala but create a really fun, lively space with great staff that people that in our community could really enjoy,” Harper said.

Get Ocala Gazette delivered right to your door! Subscribers will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule. Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order to be included in the following week’s delivery. Starting at $10/month ocalagazette.com/subscribe

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marciano sworn in

Ben Marciano is sworn in as mayor of Ocala by the Rev. Nathaniel Eixon of Redemptive Grace Ministries as his wife, Danielle, looks on with their children, Gia, Ben Jr. and Vincent, left to right, during the Ocala City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

Continued from page A1 diabetes and nutrition. “One of the things I envision as the mayor, especially with a fitness background, is having workouts in the parks,” he said. “Come visit these beautiful parks and have a day where you come work out with the mayor, and then you get access to see these parks and we get people out moving.” The mayor serves a term of two years. The position is mostly ceremonial but has authority over the Ocala Police Department. Marciano said he has already met with OPD Chief Mike Balkan a couple of times to establish rapport with the department. “I’m looking forward to working with our police chief… they’re doing a great job, I really want to just make sure that they continue to have the support they need and the resources they need to be successful,” he said. Marciano said he has met with members of both the city council and the county commission to establish a relationship between him and the governmental bodies and hopes to build a solid working relationship

that involved in. I need to learn more to be able to give you an answer on what side I would fall,” he said. “I want our kids to get the best education, I think it’s so important that we invest in our kids, but I also want to understand it fully before I make an answer on that.” The city of Ocala recently requested that the school board reconsider its schedule for reinstating impact fees, delaying the process by requesting that the school district’s consultant collect more data to inform how fees should be calculated for multifamily housing units. Marciano said he wants to support the city’s infrastructure to keep up with growth, saying he has sat in on Ocala Marion County Transportation Planning Organization meetings. “I’ve looked at myself as being a voice for the community, and sitting in on those TPO meetings, we have to continue to work on our infrastructure to support this growth. It’s imperative and we’ve seen it, we just need to stay in front of it, and we need to continue to move forward,” he said. As he steps into his new role as mayor, Marciano expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. “I feel like there’s an underlying feeling that everybody cares and wants to do good. I’m excited to come and be part of that and to utilize that to serve this community,” he said. “I think we’re going to do some great things together.”

with them. “I wanted to know what their vision was and what their plans are for the community, and the same thing for me, I was able to cast my vision and what I want to accomplish,” he said. “I look forward to building on that and continuing to work with them.” Marciano said he has not yet met with members of the school board, who are seeking to reinstate educational impact fees so builders will resume paying the one-time fee for each new home to support building schools so that the district can accommodate the rapid population growth being projected for the county. When asked about where he stands on reinstating the fees, Marciano said he could not yet answer. “That’s not something that I’ve Members of Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano’s family look on from the front row been necessarily in a packed Ocala City Council chamber.

Giving kudos to Guinn

ongtime Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn was honored during a “Job. Well. Done!” celebration on Nov. 30 at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ocala. Guinn, whose family has been in Ocala since the mid-1800s, served for 12 years as a city councilman before serving as mayor for another 12 years. Attendees spoke about many of the programs Guinn has been involved with over two decades in leadership, including oversight of the Ocala Police Department, and some presented him with commemorative plaques and other mementoes. Guinn chose to not seek reelection in 2023.

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com Evelyn Anderson

Greg Hamilton

evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com

greg@magnoliamediaco.com

Account Executive

Bruce Ackerman

Photography Editor

Editor

Amy Harbert

Graphic Designer

bruce@ocalagazette.com

amy@magnoliamediaco.com

Allen Barney

Susan Smiley-Height

allen@ocalagazette.com

susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Caroline Brauchler

Belea Keeney

caroline@ocalagazette.com

belea@magnoliamediaco.com

Kristine Crane

Lisa McGinnes

kristine@ocalagazette.com

lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

Rosemarie Dowell

Lauren Morrish

rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

lauren@ocalagazette.com

Reporter

Andy Fillmore Reporter

andy@ocalagazette.com

Editor

Reporter

Cheryl Specht

Client Services Guru

cheryl@magnoliamediaco.com

News tips tips@ocalagazette.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

ocalagazette.com

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

The Rev. Betti Gadson of Hope Outreach Ministry hugs longtime mayor Kent Guinn after speaking about his help fighting crime in Ocala during his “Job. Well. Done!” celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ocala on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

Ocala Gazette (USPS# 25590) (ISSN 2771-1595) is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, 1900 SE 18TH AVE STE 200, OCALA, FL 34471-8235. Periodicals postage paid at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.

Share your news

Longtime Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, second from left, poses for photos with three former mayors, Randy Ewers, from left, Gerald Ergle and Craig Curry.

Dozens of people listen during Kent Guinn’s “Job. Well. Done!” celebration.

Longtime Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn listens as Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken talks about him.

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

Left: Kent Guinn poses for photos with Tynira Scott, 4, from left, Roxy Kope, 4, Mercy Scott, 7, and Lena Scott, 2.

The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission. • Letters to the editor: 200 words or less. • Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available. • Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions. • News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

MARION COUNTY HCA HOSPITALS RECEIVE NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

More reasons to be merry PLATINUM

Your Visa® Wave Credit Card is waiting! Get more holiday shopping power.

GOOD THRU

Promo APR for 12 months on purchases then 17.90% APR1

The HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and the HCA Florida West Marion Hospital have attained accreditation from the American College of Surgeons. [Supplied]

“Accreditation under the ACS (COC) Accreditation Program demonstrates our commitment to the highest level of patient care. This is a signal to our community that our hospitals are the clear choice for quality cancer and surgical care.”

0 0

No balance transfer fees

No annual fees

PLUS, during December only, earn extra points:

on gas and groceries2

on all other purchases2

Alan Keesee

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

he HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and the HCA Florida West Marion Hospital have both received national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. This distinction shows that both hospitals have a commitment to improving on and maintaining a high level of care for patients with cancer. The ACS’s Commission on Cancer is a group of organizations that sets and raises standards for the survival and quality of

life of cancer patients. Both hospitals went through rigorous evaluation and reviews to earn this distinction. To maintain this accreditation, the locations must undergo a site visit every three years. “Accreditation under the ACS (COC) Accreditation Program demonstrates our commitment to the highest level of patient care,” said HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO Alan Keesee in a press release. “This is a signal to our community that our hospitals are the clear choice for quality cancer and surgical care.”

flcu.org/creditcard I 352-237-8222 1. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. APRs as of December 05, 2023. 0% offer for Visa® Wave, Visa® Reward and Visa® Rate card, Fresh Start not eligible for promotion. 0.00% Introductory APR for 12 monthly billing cycles following the issuance of the account. After that, your Wave card APR will be 17.90%, based on your creditworthiness. APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Promotion for new cards only, transfers and/or existing FCU cards or loans are not eligible. APR on purchases and balance transfers will be fully indexed APRs, which are currently the APRs set forth in the agreements at flcu.org/creditcard. Offer expires 12/31/2023. 2. Earned points will be posted to cardholder accounts within 4-6 weeks. Using your FCU Visa® credit card, earn quadruple the points on gas and grocery purchases and double the points on all other purchases. This offer is available for a limited time - Friday, Dec. 01, 2023 to Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Consumer credit FCUMKNP0553-1223 cards only. Excludes business credit cards. Points cannot exceed 15,000. Insured by NCUA Belleview Branch - 10303 US Highway 441 • Country Oaks Branch - 9680 SW 114th St. Maricamp Branch - 10 Bahia Ave. Ln. • Ocala Branch - 2424 SW 17th Rd. Silver Springs Branch - 3504 E Silver Springs Blvd.

e v i L

Dreyer and Bethea sworn in for second terms on city council

Scan to View the entire show lineup!

TICKETS FROM

Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea, right, is sworn in by Rev. John Brown during the Ocala City Council meeting at City Hall Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

JAN. 26, 2024

AIRSUPPLYMUSIC.COM

TICKETS FROM

FEB. 3, 2024

STARSHIPCONTROL.COM

Purchase tickets at CSCulturalCenter.com | 8395 SW 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34481 | (352) 854-3670 Ocala City Council Member Kristen Dreyer, left, is sworn in by Forest High School senior Bailey Sage and Bailey’s mother Bethany Crawford during the Ocala City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

ALL SHOWS BEGIN AT 7 PM & DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM (EXCEPT AS NOTED) | BOX OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY - SATURDAY, 11 AM - 2 PM | GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE Schedule and prices subject to change without notice. Reduced ticket prices for residents of On Top of the World Communities and Stone Creek apply to Circle Square Cultural Center produced shows only. (Resident ID required when purchasing at box office.) Ticket prices do not include sales tax. Refreshments available for purchase at events. To arrange for handicap seats, call or visit the ticket office. *Free tickets not available online. Tickets must be picked up at the Circle Square Cultural Center box office during normal business hours. Limit two per household. **Online tickets subject to a convenience fee. ALL TICKET SALES FINAL.

#15037 - 12/23

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Concerns over Jumbolair property Continued from page A1 requesting the application be tabled and taken up sometime in January instead.

The project outline

Bull is requesting several land use and zoning changes. They are: change from rural land to low residential on 289.08 acres; low residential to medium residential on 39.26 acres; and rural land to commercial on 30.28 acres. The proposal includes single family and townhomes totaling 446 units, between NE 77th St as the south border and NE 95th Street on the north, and west to West Anthony Road, with one parcel jutting east of the runway. All of the parcels surround the Jumbolair runway, noted as the largest private airstrip in the United States. The commercial portion would border Northeast 77th and 80th streets near current hangars and maintenance buildings and is listed as intended for “commercial construction/ contracting and metal buildings.” The Jumbolair property off Old Highway 301 has had an unusual history. It began as a racehorse farm and then was used as an exotic animal rescue, including elephants, in the 1980s when the name Jumbolair began to be used. In the 1990s, the property was developed under a different owner and became an aviation residential community with hangar space and access to its runway as key selling points. Its most prominent owner is reported to be actor John Travolta, who routinely flies in and out of the community aboard his private 727 jet. Bull owns dozens of antique and wartime planes and “constantly keeps up his fleet and flies each one at least monthly” attorney Rob Batsel, representing Bull, said at the P&Z meeting. For many neighbors, those flights are ruining the peaceful nature of the area. Brian Donnelly, a neighborhood activist and nearby resident, has been a licensed pilot for over 30 years and has lived in the immediate Jumbolair area for 14 years. At the P&Z meeting, he said, “The current owner is operating in a reckless and dangerous manner. This is

your opportunity to ensure that this space is safe. Not only for the people inside of Jumbolair but the people within a mile radius of this airport.” In a lengthy opposition letter to the board, Donnelly sharply criticized Bull’s use of the airport. “Either the current owner does not know the rules or doesn’t care–either way, he is flagrantly violating airport safety rules,’’ Donnelly wrote. “Flying Vietnam-era helicopters 200 feet over my house so everything in my house rattles (including my body and the bodies of the animals on my farm) is not cool. It is point-blank irresponsible, dangerous and selfish. The owner is tempting fate–something bad is going to happen around here because of a recklessness that is almost criminal right now.’’ Donnelly also said the airport should have a manned control tower regulated by FAA authorized staff and noted that airport regulations stipulate distances that homes can be built from the centerline of a runway.

County concerns about air traffic and vehicular traffic in area The county staff has also expressed concerns about the runway and uses of the airport noting that “commercial land use and uses would create a privately owned public airport” that “would bring outsiders in for maintenance, fuel and other services” and that the proposed 220 townhomes at the south end of the runway are not compatible with an airport. The staff is still researching the airport’s status with other agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation. The FAA generally regulates only publicly owned and public-use airports. The Development Review Committee report also noted, “This development will have significant traffic impacts and likely will … require the need for offsite improvement.” One of the county concerns was traffic, noting that County Road 326 and U.S. 441 to Jacksonville Road would fail at buildout, and the level of service designation would be D. Batsel and engineer David

“I want to assure anyone who’s here in the audience that’s concerned about a flight school or a flight center or students or any commercial activity going on here, that is absolutely false and not true.” File photo: City Attorney Robert Batsel during the Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Robert Batsel City Attorney

Tillman, who is also representing Bull, at the P&Z meeting countered the county’s concerns and what they characterized as misinformation on social media. “I want to assure anyone who’s here in the audience that’s concerned about a flight school or a flight center or students or any commercial activity going on here, that is absolutely false and not true,” Batsel said. He referred to proposed covenants for the new PUD that would restrict the property’s usage to Jumbolair owners only. Batsel also pointed out that the bulk of the PUD request is within the county’s Urban Growth Boundary and that is consistent with county development plans. “We feel the application in front of you is appropriate,’’ he told the P&Z. “This property owner is entitled to the highest and best use of the property consistent with his neighbors.”

mitigation. “This will impact a much, much bigger area than just the area around the runway,” he said. Other residents pointed out that overcrowding of schools is another factor to consider; that the Adena development to the east of the property is already approved and will impact the area; and that more air traffic presents safety issues. Resident Christina Larson spoke passionately about the planes and helicopters that currently frighten her horses. “My horses are scared s**tless of those Blackhawk helicopters flying super low over my property,’’ she said. “I wake up at 7 a.m. on a Sunday hearing choppers or the warplanes. I can’t even hear people on the telephone if I’m working. This is very, very bad.”

Airport noise and safety has residents worried

The nonprofit organization Horse Farms Forever initially opposed sections of the original application that requested 22 homes to be built on 40 acres within the Farmland Preservation Area. That plan, it stated in a position paper on its website and to Growth Services staff, does not allows for that density level in the FPA. The applicant agreed to comply with the FPA restrictions after HFF pointed out the conflict with both the FPA and Comprehensive Plan regulations. The position paper also stated, “Because the remainder of the proposed Jumbolair development was located outside of the Farmland Preservation Area and inside the Urban Growth Area, Horse Farms Forever took no position on it.” Area horse farm owners outside the FPA and within the UGB have little recourse to zoning and land use changes.

The P&Z board members asked about more airplanes coming if the development proceeds. Batsel explained that the runways, hangars and common areas would be part of the homeowner’s association amenities and would be available to all property owners. It’s designed as a “flyin, fly-out community” for residents who want that amenity, “the same as a golf course or a clubhouse,” he said. P&Z also asked about regulations for air traffic. Tillman explained the airport would be “self-reporting. There isn’t going to be a tower here.” Only homeowners would be allowed to access the airport, he said. Tillman added he would be going out to the area to look at traffic and road impacts, to audible groans from the audience. “We want to be a quality neighbor,” he said. That may be a tough sell for the development team. Public comment at the P&Z meeting was especially heated. James Nelson angrily told the commission, “This was a very quiet neighborhood and then the property was purchased by a noise bully. He came in there with his little private planes and runs around for a couple hours in circles around the airport. It’s all so the guy can just make more money. He’s going to take from us—our peace and quiet— from the neighborhood with no compensation just so he can make more millions. This will ruin the whole neighborhood!” Dave Clark lives in nearby Ocala Highlands Estates, just south of County Road 326 near the south end of the Jumbolair runway. He said, “We’ve got jet aircraft now, vintage aircraft, fighter planes from World War II, but it gets old, and it’s always loud.” Clark noted that there was no indication in the new proposal of any restriction on engine size or limits to the volume of new air traffic or any reference to noise

Horse Farms Forever weighs in

Neighborhood meeting did not win over nearby residents

The Nov. 28 neighborhood meeting with the Jumbolair team was a somewhat unusual tactic for developers in Marion County. Bull, Batsel, Tillman and Sarah James from the Marion County School Board were present to answer questions and listen to resident concerns. The goal was to “share the plans with you, listen to your input, incorporate your ideas, and address any concerns,” read the invitation letter sent by Batsel’s firm. Angry and passionate residents shared personal stories about the impact of the proposed development, including veterans with PTSD living nearby who have reactions to airplane and helicopter noise along with multiple horse farm owners concerned about spooking their animals. Footage of low-flying helicopters and planes from Jumbolair over nearby horse farms has been documented.

“There isn’t going to be a tower here. We want to be a quality neighbor.” David Tillman

File photo: David Tillman accepts the Philanthropist of the Year award during the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County Inspire Gala at the Ocala Hilton in Ocala on Friday, March 3, 3023. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2023.

The local opposition to the plans appears to be growing. Schenk, who has stepped into the role of neighborhood organizer, has hosted several meetings with neighbors to review their options. The first one drew over 75 people to his home on West Anthony Road. An online petition open since Oct. 30 has collected nearly 700 signatures as of Nov. 30. Also of interest about the project, on Monday, Oct. 30 the item was listed on the individual items section of the DRC agenda and heard the same day as the P&Z hearing. The agenda did not include notes normally used to briefly explain the project. Usually, projects move through the DRC review process first and then go to P&Z for further public comment and discussion. A request to county staff to explain this irregularity has not yet been answered. The application was slated to be heard at the Dec. 5 BOCC meeting and over 70 people attended the Marion County Board of County Commissioners to protest the project. The developer’s representatives said a new plan using only low-density residential zoning (1 dwelling unit per acre) is in progress. Attorney Batsel said they listened to the concerns from the neighborhood meeting in November and have come up with a revised plan that eliminates the multi-family homes. Four public commenters focused on security aspects of the private airport; the protection of country life; the use of eminent domain to install county water and sewer; and the revision of the county’s Comprehensive Plan to expand the airport overlay districts to protect those in a 5-mile radius of airports. The board agreed to postpone the hearing to Feb. 20, 2024.

NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY AWARDS Staff report

he annual Howard Academy Community Center’s Black History Awards Gala will honor and acknowledge people who made an impact and uplifted the community. Nominations are being accepted through Dec. 18. The induction award will recognize the accomplishments and achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to Ocala/Marion County in these categories: Art/music, business, education, faith, public service/community, athletics, medical and other. Criteria that will help the selection committee make decisions includes: Exceptional leadership, first Black in a respective field, must have dedicated time and talent to efforts within the Black community or should be distinguished in

their profession as being the first known and the impact they have made in their respective field, exhibit a high degree of commitment both professionally and civically, must have done so or is demonstrating/providing strong and effective leadership and service in the community, and special outstanding achievement. Nominees must have lived in and/or worked, or currently live and/or work in, Marion County. Selfnominations will not be accepted. The awards will be presented during the Black History Archives Celebration on Feb. 23 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala. Access the nomination form at form.jotform.com/233174121704042

To learn more, call (352) 671-4175.

Cynthia Graham, center, receives her award from Davida Randolph, right, and Theresa Brooks, left, during the Howard Academy Community Center’s Black History Museum Archives Gala in Ocala on Feb. 24, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala City Council elects new WREATHS ACROSS president, president pro-tem AMERICA COMES TO OCALA the city council after running unopposed in the 2023 election. Dreyer was first elected after winning the 2021 special election for District 4. The president pro-tem’s duties are to fill the responsibilities of president in the absence, disqualification or disability of the president. “I’m super excited to be serving for another four years,” Dreyer said at the swearing-in ceremony. Dreyer brought up Forest High Councilman Barry Mansfield speaks during the Ocala City Council meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. [Bruce School senior Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022. Bailey Sage and Bailey’s mother By Caroline Brauchler Mansfield has served on the city Bethany Crawford to swear caroline@ocalagazette.com council since his election in 2021. He her in, honoring the student’s is a graduate of Forest High School. commitment to her education and he Ocala City Council has “I assure you that I will serve community. elected Councilmember you and the city of Ocala and all its “Bailey and her mom truly Barry Mansfield as citizens faithfully and responsibly exemplify what it’s like to be a president and Councilmember for the next year to come,” citizen of Ocala,” Dreyer said. Kristen Dreyer as president proMansfield told the audience. “There’s no other people than the tempore for the 2023-2024 term. The president of the city two of you who I would have had Dreyer will take over for council’s duties are to sign all stand up with me today.” Mansfield as president pro-tem ordinances, contracts, agreements Dreyer, Councilmember Ire as he steps into the role to replace and paperwork; preside over Bethea and the new Mayor Ben former council President Jim Hilty. meetings; and fill the role of Marciano all took their oaths of “I certainly appreciate your mayor in the case of his absence, office Tuesday. Marciano won after confidence and faith in me,” disqualification or disability. running unopposed and incumbent Mansfield said after the election In addition to her election as Bethea beat opponent Reginald results were announced at the president pro-tem, Dreyer was Landers to be reelected and retain Tuesday city council meeting. sworn in for her second term on his District 2 seat.

File photo: Christmas wreaths are shown placed by gravesites during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. The National Wreaths Across America program honors fallen United States service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery and in more that 2,100 other locations across the U.S. and around the world. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

local couple, John and Lori Grimstead, are heading up an effort to place holiday wreaths on the graves of veterans as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America program. People can sponsor a wreath to be placed at Highland Memorial Park, 1515 NE 3rd St., in Ocala. A ceremony will take place there at noon on Dec. 16 before volunteers begin to lay the wreaths. As each wreath is laid down, the volunteer will speak the name of the person being honored. There are more than 1,800 veteran graves at Highland Memorial Park according to material provided by the Grimsteads. Wreaths will be placed at more than 2,220 locations nationwide on Dec. 16. The wreaths are made of balsam and are hand-tied with a red velvet bow in Columbia Falls, Maine. The cost for one wreath is $17. To sponsor a wreath, go to bit.ly/wreaths-ocala

To volunteer to help on Dec. 16, email waaf lhmpo@gmail.com or call 352-286-0021 or 352-816-6172.

ADULTS-ONLY ALL-INCLUSIVE

Join us for Bungalows Key Largo’s 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration Sunday, December 31, 2023 Featuring two live musical performances, County Wide Band and Patrick & The Las Vegas Band, an elegant beach dinner party, mesmerizing fireworks show, and much more! Don’t Miss Out – reserve your stay today!

866-801-0195 bungalowskeylargo.com

Grant Support by:

352.351.1606 | REILLYARTSCENTER.COM | 500 NE 9TH STREET OCALA, FL 34470

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Florida wildflowers and pollinators get a boost with two grants

Florida is home to several native and unique species of milkweed, including this pinewoods milkweed (Asclepias humistrata), which inhabits dry upland areas in North Central Florida and the Panhandle. [Florida Museum photo by Jeff Gage]

By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History

he Daniels Lab at the Florida Museum of Natural History was recently awarded two grants to help support pollinators in Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation has set aside $155,002 for the team to plant and monitor thousands of milkweeds along roads in North Florida and Duke Energy Florida will distribute $144,421 over three years to evaluate the establishment of pollinator habitat at its new solar site in Alachua County. Pollinators are declining on a global scale, the collateral damage of continued habitat destruction and urbanization, among other stressors. But according to Jaret Daniels, a curator at the museum’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, humans already have many of the resources required to stave off further declines—we just need to make better use of them. “We have a lot of conservation land, but not enough to maintain pollinator

populations and offset the losses from human impacts,” he said. “We need to look to environments that we, as humans, manage every day. That includes yards and neighborhoods, as well as the most visible landscapes that each of us encounter every day, such as roadsides, easements and other non-traditional spaces.”

Wildflowers are the new roadside attraction There are an estimated 4 million miles of roadways that crisscross the U.S., fragmenting natural spaces and creating barriers that restrict the free movement of pollinators. This maze of asphalt is surrounded by 17 million acres of roadside, an amount of land equal to the size of Ireland. More and more states are sowing wildflower seeds along these embankments, transforming them from barriers into corridors for pollinators. Current roadside management practices, such as periodic mowing, can even be beneficial to plants that rely on pollinators with little to no fine-tuning. Such is the case for milkweeds that are

adapted to dry areas prone to fire. “There’s anecdotal evidence that milkweed populations are decreasing broadly, but they’re often found outside of conservation land, primarily on roadsides and in pastures,” Daniels said. “Many of the upland species are surviving in these heavily managed areas because mowing and grazing are proxies for fire.” FDOT is in the process of expanding its support of pollinators through enrollment in the Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for the Monarch Butterfly on Energy and Transportation Lands. The agreement targets practices that benefit the imperiled migratory monarch butterfly (danaus plexippus). Through the grant, Daniels and his team will annually plant 3,000 juvenile milkweed plants along roadsides in North Florida for three years in an effort to enhance monarch breeding habitat. In a separate study, they’re testing out the use of remote sensing and AI to identify milkweed plants in the field. “It’s a lot of energy to do boots-on-theground surveys. We may be able to use images taken by drones to identify these plants and monitor the populations long term.”

Solar farms are a model for mixed-use land management

The expansion of solar farms across the U.S. is similarly creating an abundance of bright, open spaces that require regular upkeep. Unused areas near the solar arrays are increasingly being viewed as prime real estate for growing native flowering plants that support pollinators. Duke Energy Florida recently completed construction of a new solar site in High Springs, Florida, and approached Daniels to see if he’d be willing to conduct a feasibility study that would assess plant selection, establishment, survival, time to bloom, bloom abundance and overall cost. For this project, Daniels will be planting a variety of native wildflower species. In determining which plants to test, he’ll use a combination of previous experience,

cost-benefit analyses and a long list of potentially suitable species included in an upcoming solar toolkit published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. From there, Daniels and his team will find themselves in a somewhat unexplored frontier. There’s no end to available resources that aid homeowners in growing an effective pollinator garden. However, very few studies, especially in the Southeast, have tested how best to establish larger-scale pollinator habitat in this type of landscape. According to Daniels, most of the information that does exist is anecdotal and not broadly applicable to a wide region. Even the most basic questions, like how many seeds to sow and in what proportions, are still open-ended. By project’s end, Daniels’ team will help generate more rigorous recommendations that can be broadly applicable to the southeast U.S. “Duke Energy wants something they can apply not just to this particular solar site, but to other sites throughout their Florida service territory,” Daniels said. “We can give them something backed by data on how they can do this better and more effectively, to benefit the pollinators and also maximize their impact.” “Duke Energy is excited to work with the Daniels lab at the Florida Museum of Natural History to discover best practices for successful pollinators at our solar facilities,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Duke Energy is committed to environmental stewardship and ensuring we do everything we can to preserve and enhance pollinator habitats that are vitally important to our ecosystems and the health of our planet. This work will help us understand how to prepare our facilities to have a healthier and more thriving environment for the monarch butterfly and other declining species.”

To learn more, go to f loridamuseum.uf l.edu/science

Left to right: Daniels and his colleagues have planted native wildflowers across the state to help rare, and often critically endangered, pollinator species. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace] Duke Energy Florida recently opened a solar site in High Springs, Florida, which it hopes will double as a source of clean energy and a haven for native wildflowers and pollinators. [Photo courtesy of Duke Energy] The two grants will help ensure that land used for energy and transportation in Florida is managed in a way that also benefits native biodiversity. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]

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

Athena

Three-year-old Athena is ready for the holidays! Her Christmas wish is to have a family who will commit to her and take her for a daily walk around the neighborhood.

Blizzard

Blizzard wants to see your Christmas tree. He will try really hard not to knock any of the ornaments off, as long as you get him some of his very own toys. Someone make this sweet one-year-old’s dreams come true!

Freedom

December is Cat Lover Month!

Come by Marion County Animal Services to adopt one of our many feline friends! Visit MarionFL.org/Animal

Freedom is a four-year-old who knows what she wants. This cuddlebug will choose affection over a new toy any day of the week. If you’ve always wanted a canine companion who adores you, look no further than Freedom!

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

SHOLOM PARK RANKED NATIONALLY AS NO. 2 MOST PEACEFUL TOURIST SPOT

State Renner puts focus on energy, social media

Managing Director Robert Colen rakes in the Zen Raking Garden in the new Zen Garden at Sholom Park in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. The Zen Garden opened to the public on Wednesday. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

holom Park has been named as No. 2 on the “Most Peaceful Tourist Spots in America” list by the vacation property management company Casago. The park, at 7110 SW 80th Ave. in Ocala, is a privately owned nonprofit created from the vision of the late Sidney Colon, the developer of the On Top of the World community. “Sholom Park’s exceptional second-place ranking on Casago’s “Most Peaceful Tourist Spots in

America” list is a testament to the park’s dedication to providing visitors with an unforgettable experience of tranquility and harmony,” according to a press release. Casago ranked 20 of the nation’s most tranquil locations by analyzing TripAdvisor reviews for the most frequent use of the word “peaceful.” Scoring in first place was the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Florida.

For more information about Sholom Park, visit sholompark.org

CF LAUNCES NEW DEGREE FOR FIREFIGHTERS

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

he College of Central Florida has launched a new degree in fire science for firefighters and other fire protection professionals to advance in their careers. The fire science technology associate in science degree “will prepare students for employment in firefighting and prevention supervision, to supervise or manage firefighters who control and extinguish fires, protect life and property, and conduct rescue efforts,” according to a CF press release. The program is fully online and intended to provide a scientific understanding of the hazards of fire and emergencies for

prevention, control and management for current firefighters, fire officers, fire protection professionals or prospective firefighters. “We’re proud to offer our fire science technology program and look forward to preparing both current and future fire service professionals for an expanded managing fire officer role,” said Daniel Garcia, fire science technology program manager, in the press release. The curriculum is tailored for certifications in Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Safety Inspector I and Fire Instructor II.

To learn more about the program, visit CF.edu/FireScience

DECEMBER ART TALK TO FEATURE GLASS ARTIST

File photo: House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, outlined priorities Tuesday for the 2024 legislative session. [Colin Hackley]

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

ouse Speaker Paul Renner said Tuesday that lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session will take steps to support energy companies and place limits on children’s access to social-media sites. The Palm Coast Republican said social media is having a “devastating effect on kids,” and lawmakers should be able to impose online regulations “in a meaningful way.” He did not provide a detailed proposal. “I want to hear from everybody on what that looks like,” Renner said during an appearance before the Capital Tiger Bay Club at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. “You know, the idea that we can be libertarians where our kids are concerned? We’re not libertarians with our kids on anything. Adults are a different story. They wanted to do all that stuff. That’s their business. And it’s a free country. But for our kids, we’ve got to protect them.” One possibility could be to require age verification in areas such as pornography, Renner indicated. With the 2024 session set to start Jan. 9, Renner said he also wants to ensure Florida utilities have enough power to keep the state from “brownouts and blackouts that places like California have suffered.” “Unfortunately, that works at cross purposes with an uber-aggressive timeline that climate activists have put us on where they want us to go tomorrow,” Renner told reporters. “If I had a magic wand, and I could say, ‘All energy is clean energy and we will never use fossil fuels again,’ and we could do that tomorrow at no cost, I would do it. Everybody should want a clean future. But that’s not realistic.” In April, President Joe Biden highlighted steps

aimed at reducing emissions by 2030, including driving down emissions from power plants and in transportation. Last month, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue turned down $320 million in federal money aimed at reducing tailpipe emissions, arguing federal transportation officials overstepped their authority in setting up the federal Carbon Reduction Program, a five-year, $6.4 billion effort focused on emissions that contribute to global warming. Renner, who called himself “agnostic” when it comes to climate change, said Florida needs to get out from “politically driven timelines.” Speaking of utilities, Renner said, “I don’t want to dictate anything to these people other than engage in fuel flexibility, what you think is best to deliver a low cost for our workers, our middle class.” Renner described his proposal as offering energy that is “truly safe,” “inexpensive,” and “delivers a reliable grid.” “I want clean energy. But is there an alternative?” Renner said. “Is it hydrogen? Natural gas? You know, is it nuclear? Do we need to revisit nuclear, which is being done in France, with no downside, no problems?” Renner also said he’s worked with Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, on her “Live Healthy Initiative,” which is designed to increase access to health care, including by attracting more doctors to Florida. Passidomo is expected to roll out details of her proposal on Thursday. “There’s things I’m really, really excited about,” Renner said. “There’s things that we would like to include. And we have included, in fact, in some of our initiatives already. So, some of that stuff is already in our input. And we’re continuing to give input, but there’s a lot of areas of agreement there.”

ABORTION MEASURE TOPS 621,000 SIGNATURES

Artist Newy Fagan’s collection “The Manipulated Horse Series” reflects not only her love for horses, but her personal journey through a number of artistic mediums. [Supplied]

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

arion Cultural Alliance’s art talk on Dec. 13 will feature artist Newy Fagan, a pioneer of kiln-formed glass art. Join Fagan at the Brick City Center for the Arts at 23 SW Broadway St. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to explore her personal journey in art and 50 years of glass art, while viewing several of her pieces

on display. The event is free and those interested in attending are asked to RSVP in advance. Attendants should bring lunch or purchase food to have with them during the event.

For questions, contact gallery@mcaocala.com or call (352) 369-1500. Submit an RSVP to bit.ly/3RqnkrM

By Florida News Service

ackers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure abortion rights in Florida have totaled more than 621,000 valid petition signatures as they try to meet a Feb. 1 deadline to get on the 2024 ballot. The Florida Division of Elections website Friday morning showed 621,690 valid petition signatures for the measure, which is sponsored by the political committee Floridians Protecting Freedom. The committee by Feb. 1 will need to submit at least 891,523 valid signatures statewide and

meet signature requirements in at least half of the state’s congressional districts to get on the November ballot. T The committee also needs the Florida Supreme Court to sign off on the proposed ballot wording. Attorney General Ashley Moody has challenged the proposed wording, contending that it would mislead voters—an argument that supporters of the measure dispute. The ballot summary of the proposal says, in part: “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by

the patient’s healthcare provider.” Floridians Protecting Freedom announced the initiative in May after the Republicancontrolled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a law that could prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The sixweek limit is contingent on the outcome of a legal battle about a 15-week abortion limit that DeSantis and lawmakers passed in 2022. Floridians Protecting Freedom hosts weekly call updates for those interested in helping coordinate the statewide effort. To join the calls, sign up at bit.ly/4814zAH.

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF File No. JEAN SANDRA MARTIN, 2023-CP2685

Deceased.

Division PROBATE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JEAN SANDRA MARTIN, deceased, whose date of death was February 15, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which 110 NW 1 st Ave. Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is December 7, 2023. SAMANTHA SHEALY TODD M. ABARE RAUBA Attorney for Personal Personal Representative Representative Florida Bar Number: 12805 SW 35 59503 th Ave. Rd. McGraw Rauba & Ocala, FL Mutarelli, PA 34473 Ocala, Florida 34478 Telephone: (352) 789-6520 E-Mail: Samantha@LawMRM.com Secondary E-Mail: Kathy@LawMRM.com

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF TIMOTHY R. MICHEL, Deceased. CASE NO: 2023-CP-2710 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: November 1, 2023. The date of first publication of this Notice is December 1, 2023. Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com Personal Representative: CINDY L. MICHEL 7716 SW 117th Street Road Ocala, FL 34476

Daniel P. Featherston** Brent C. Featherston* Jeremy P. Featherston

FEATHERSTON LAW FIRM, CHTD., JEREMY P. FEATHERSTON, ISB. 6098 Attorneys at Law 113 South Second Avenue Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 263-6866 (208) 263-0400 (Fax) attorneys@featherstonlaw.com Attorney for Petitioners IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF BONNER MAGISTRATE DIVISION In the Matter of the Adoption of

) ) WILLIAM COLTON CAMP, ) dob 02-02-2016 ) ) A Minor Child. ) ) and Termination of Parental Rights of ) CLINT CAMP JR., ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________)

The date of the first publication of this Notice is December 8, 2023. Attorney for Personal Representative: JANET W. BEHNKE Florida Bar No. 135969 P.O. Box 1237 Ocala, FL 34478-1237 500 NE 8th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 Phone: (352) 732-6464 Facsimile: (352) 867-5111 janet@behnkelaw.net cynthia@behnkelaw.net Personal Representative: THERESA MCTAGGART 19933 Grave Run Road Hampstead, MD 21074

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned desiring to engage in business under fictitious name of THE MAGNOLIA GROUP located at 4660 W Anthony Road, Ocala, Fl 34475 in the county of Marion in the city of Ocala , FL 34475 intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State. This date 12/05/2023. Holly Schmidt LLC

NOTICE OF SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Notice is hereby given that the School Board of Marion County, Florida, will meet on December 18, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., at the School Board Administration Office, 1614 E. Ft. King Street, Ocala, Florida, 34471. An agenda will be published seven days prior to the meeting. The agenda may be obtained at the Administration Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The agenda is also available from a link on the District’s website: www. marion.k12.fl.us. Persons wishing to address the Board should register with the Chairman prior to 8:10 a.m. Any person deciding to appeal any decision made by the Board at the meeting will need a record of the proceedings and, for such purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence on which the appeal is to be based.

SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION and NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE: YOU HAVE BEEN SUED BY THE PETITIONERS. THE COURT MAY ENTER JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE UNLESS YOU RESPOND WITHIN 21 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW: TO:

CLINT CAMP JR

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that in order to defend this lawsuit, an appropriate written response must be filed with the above-designated court within 21 days after service of this Summons on you. If you fail to so respond, the court may enter judgment against you as demanded by the Petitioners in the Petition. If you wish to seek the advice or representation of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your written response, if any, may be filed in time and other legal rights protected. The nature of this legal action is for termination of your parental rights.

113 S. Second Ave. Sandpoint, ID 83864 Phone (208) 263-6866 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGFax (208) 263-0400

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA *Licensed The Ocala City Council postponed thein Idaho & Washington ** of Counsel Case No. 2023-2510-CP second reading of the following ordinance Probate Division and will consider its adoption at the regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, IN RE: THE ESTATE OF DANIEL December 19, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in City MCTAGGART, Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chamber, 110 Deceased SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Interested parties are invited to appear at NOTICE TO CREDITORS the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed legislation. Copies of the The administration of the estate of DANIEL proposed documents may be inspected MCTAGGART , deceased, whose date of in advance at the office of the City Clerk, death was August 23, 2023, is pending Ocala City Hall. in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address Any person who decides to appeal any of which is 110 Northwest First Avenue, decision of the Ocala City Council with Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and respect to any matter considered at addresses of the personal representative this meeting will need a record of the and the personal representative’s attorney proceedings, and for such purposes, may are set forth below. need to ensure that a verbatim record of All creditors of the decedent, and other the proceedings is made. persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a If reasonable accommodations are copy of this notice is required to be served needed for you to participate in this must file their claims with this court ON meeting, please call 48 hours in advance OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE so arrangements can be made through (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE the City Clerk’s office at 352-629-8266. FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE ORDINANCE 2024-1 DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE All other creditors of the decedent and ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, other persons having claims or demands FLORIDA, CHANGING FROM PUD-0, against decedent’s estate must file their PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, TO claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT, FOR MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. NORTHWEST CORNER OF SE 24TH ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT ROAD AND SE 31ST STREET, OCALA, FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FLORIDA (PARCEL 29851-000-00) FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE (CASE NO. PD23-45098); PROVIDING FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOREVER BARRED. FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY AN EFFECTIVE DATE. CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

Case No. CV09-23-701

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION & NOTICE OF HEARING- 1

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Ocala City Council has introduced the following ordinance(s) and will consider its adoption at the regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chamber, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Interested parties are invited to appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed legislation. Copies of the proposed documents may be inspected in advance at the office of the City Clerk, Ocala City Hall. Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Ocala City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purposes, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, please call 48 hours in advance so arrangements can be made through the City Clerk’s office at 352-629-8266. ORDINANCE 2024-9 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS REQUIRED IN SECTION 163.3161 THROUGH AND INCLUDING SECTION 163.3248, FLORIDA STATUTES; DETAILING THE LAND USE CHANGE (CASE NO. LUC2345389) INVOLVED AND TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES FROM MEDIUM INTENSITY/SPECIAL DISTRICT TO PUBLIC FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 2500 BLOCK OF NW MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVENUE, OCALA, FLORIDA (PARCEL: 21448001-00); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2024-10 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING FROM R-1. SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, AND M-2, MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL, TO G-U, GOVERNMENTAL USE, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 2500 BLOCK OF NW MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVENUE (PARCEL 21448001-00), APPROXIMATELY 18.76 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON23-45390); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Have a legal ad you need to publish? Go to:

ocalagazette. column.us/place

Justices weigh Worrell suspension By Dara Kam Florida News Service

he Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in an attempt by suspended Central Florida prosecutor Monique Worrell to get her job back after Gov. Ron DeSantis ousted the Democrat this summer. A lawyer for Worrell told justices the suspension did not meet a high bar set in the Florida Constitution, warning that allowing it to remain in place would have a “chilling” effect on prosecutors statewide and undermine the will of voters who overwhelmingly elected Worrell in 2020. DeSantis’ attorney, however, countered that Worrell’s suspension as state attorney in the 9th Judicial Circuit in Orange and Osceola counties was justified and argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to decide the matter. The Florida Constitution gives the governor the authority to suspend elected officials for a range of reasons, including “neglect of duty” and incompetence, and gives the Florida Senate the final decision over removal from office. DeSantis issued an Aug. 9 executive order that, in part, accused Worrell of having policies that prevented or discouraged assistant state attorneys from seeking minimum mandatory sentences for gun crimes and drug trafficking offenses. Chief Justice Carlos Muniz noted that the court shows deference to the governor’s suspension powers. “Why is the concept of neglect of duty not broad enough … to encompass the kind of things that are talked about in the suspension order?” he asked Laura Ferguson, an attorney representing Worrell. Ferguson said the suspension order lacked specificity. “What’s critical is that there is no duty that Ms. Worrell is alleged to have neglected. Her duty … is to exercise her discretion within the bounds of the law and to look at each case on an individualized basis,” she replied. But Justice Charles Canady pushed back, saying the “scope” of the prosecutor’s duty was a political question the court should not address. “Reasonable people can disagree about that, but the governor and the Senate have a constitutional responsibility to make determinations about what falls within the scope of neglect of duty and, under our precedents, we don’t get into that,” Canady said. Justice John Couriel pointed to allegations in DeSantis’ order that Worrell’s office failed to charge juveniles as adults, a process known as “direct file.” Ferguson said that, since Worrell’s office did charge some juveniles as adults, her office had “no blanket policy” banning it. But Canady appeared unconvinced. “It seems to me, (the argument is if ) there’s not a categorical policy, then somehow, there can’t be a neglect of duty,” Canady said. “That just seems to be kind of something that would lead to playing games. We don’t have a policy, wink wink, we just don’t do it very often.” Jeffrey DeSousa, the state’s chief deputy solicitor general, said Worrell’s suspension was justified because her prison-

incarceration rates lagged far behind other Florida prosecutors.’ “The governor properly suspended Miss Worrell from office because her practices or policies she adopted as state attorney contravened legislative policy and simultaneously resulted in gross underperformance of her office relative to all other state attorneys in the state,” DeSousa said. DeSousa also argued that Worrell’s “policy judgment” was a “non-justiciable question” that should be left up to the Senate. “The Senate itself is the court that the people set up to decide these questions,” he said. The Senate has put the issue on hold while the legal fight plays out. Worrell, who is Black, was joined by dozens of Central Florida supporters who crowded into the courtroom for Wednesday’s arguments. Aramis Ayala, who preceded Worrell as state attorney but did not seek re-election after serving a single term, and her husband, David, traveled to Tallahassee for the arguments. David Ayala is executive director of a group that advocates for formerly incarcerated people and their families. Addressing reporters on the steps of the Supreme Court, Worrell accused DeSantis of suspending her to gain political points as he seeks the Republican nomination for president. “Justice shouldn’t depend on your political party, on the color of your skin, on the money in your pocket or in your bank account, on the connections or affiliations that you have. We come seeking justice. But as many people before, we understand that, sometimes, justice is denied,” she said. Worrell indicated she expected the Supreme Court—with five of seven justices

appointed by DeSantis—to side with the governor and likened her suspension to the plight of Black people as they fought for equal rights. “I want you to understand that regardless of the outcome here today, this is a fight for justice. I ran a platform on a new perspective, a fresh perspective, on justice. And that was not going to come without a fight. That was not going to come without pushback. And I stand still in that same fight because I believe that it is a fight worth having. Mass incarceration in this country is a problem,” she said. Worrell noted that DeSantis frequently has boasted while campaigning about suspending her and fellow Democrat Andrew Warren, a twice-elected Hillsborough County state attorney. She also emphasized that voters in her Central Florida circuit did not support DeSantis’ bid for re-election last year. “This isn’t about public safety. This certainly isn’t about the people of the 9th Judicial Circuit because, guess what, they didn’t vote for him. This isn’t about me being some sort of danger to the community, because while he discusses how I have managed to reduce incarceration rates, what he failed to discuss is how at the same time, I also reduced crime rates in my circuit,” Worrell said. DeSantis’ suspension stripped voters of the opportunity to have their voices heard, Worrell told reporters. She pledged to continue the battle to get her job back—if not through reinstatement, then by seeking re-election in 2024. “Our votes have been stolen. Our justice has been killed and our democracy is being destroyed. We have to fight. And I am fine to be one of the many individuals who will lead the fight for justice,” she said.

File photo: Monique Worrell, the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, speaks during the NAACP 5114 Marion County Branch 41st Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet at the Klein Conference Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Friday, April 28, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

“A Higher Standard”

Best Practices in Dementia Care

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 8:30 am-4:30 pm Circle Square Cultural Center 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala Order tickets at HospiceofMarion.org $35 (lunch included) Learn to develop verbal and nonverbal skills to improve communication with those living

Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA is an occupational therapist

with 40+ years of clinical and academic experience.

Sponsored by

• LifeVac • Ombudsman Program • Visiting Angels • Renstar

O N

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home

PA R T N E R S I N Q UA L I T Y

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR R A D I AT I O N O N CO LO G Y

A C

For more information call (352) 291-5138

O N

with dementia.

I AT

EHMM-23-0925

Teepa Snow

means we personally answer your call. All calls during business hours are promptly answered by an actual RBOI employee, ready to assist. No automation and no wait.

Public Notice

ITED FAC

The Villages 352.259.2200 Ocala 352.732.0277 Timber Ridge 352.861.2400 Inverness 352.726.3400 Lecanto 352.527.0106 RBOI.com

A10

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

When moments matter

trust the ER experts

From heart attacks and strokes to abdominal pain and falls, our team is ready for every emergency. And, with three locations in Marion County, we

EMERGENCY CARE 24/7 AdventHealth Belleview ER*

make it convenient to access expert emergency

6006 SE Abshier Boulevard Belleview, FL 34420

care when you need it most. So you can get back

AdventHealth Ocala

to the life you love. To find an AdventHealth ER near you, visit

TheERExperts.com

*AdventHealth Belleview and TimberRidge ERs are departments of AdventHealth Ocala. They are not urgent care centers. Their services and care are billed at hospital emergency department rates.

1500 SW 1st Avenue Ocala, FL 34471

AdventHealth TimberRidge ER* 9521 SW State Road 200 Ocala, FL 34481

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Ocala Civic Theatre’s Christmas cabaret features holiday hits and goodies galore. Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

The cast of “Tinseltunes: A Holidazzled Cabaret” rehearses a scene from the play at the Ocala Civic Theatre on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. The cabaret-style Christmas-themed play will be performed Dec. 9-10 at the theatre.

By Lisa McGinnes lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

hether or not you’ll be home for Christmas, even the Grinchiest among us is sure to find some festive feelings at “Tinseltunes: A Holidazzled Cabaret.” Ocala Civic Theatre’s (OCT) new family-friendly musical is merry and bright, with an exuberant cast of 11 teens taking the audience on a sentimental journey through swinging holiday standards, family favorites and modern showstoppers. The audience will enjoy an exclusive experience, seated at round tables on the stage, and tickets include an array of holiday treats such as gingerbread cookies, chocolates, Smallcakes cupcakes and hot cocoa. “Christmas is a season of nostalgia,” said Jessica Mongerio, who co-directs the show with Jason Bartosic. “You think of a show like this and you’re taking them on an emotional ride. So there’s something fun, and then we bring it back down to something contemplative and then bring them back up.” The song list spans decades of holiday favorites, from standards including “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” to the cartoon classic “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” The young singers, age 1317, shine brightly in modern numbers “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and “Never Fall in Love With an Elf ” from the 2010 Broadway musical “Elf.” The cast isn’t old enough to remember the popular variety TV shows of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, but their costumes, in shades of red and green punctuated by pops of plaid, were inspired by “The Lawrence Welk Show” holiday specials, according to OCT Costume Designer Amanda Jones. She called the sweater vests, brightly colored pants, scarves and midi skirts “very classic” and “super Christmassy.” “I was given the inspiration by Greg Thompson, OCT executive and artistic director,” Jones said. “And I started realizing how much these variety show Christmas specials have that vintage feel to them. I really love the vintage look, especially around Christmastime.” Cast members Estella Cavalier, Valynn Flaherty, Terryn Ginder, Suriana Im, Hunter Leary, Aaron Lowe, Maren Miller, Kaitlyn Nast, Harlem Nation, Jalis Redmond and Maiyah

Smith have been rehearsing since October in this collaboration between the Academy at OCT and the Brick City Cabaret Company. “We wanted to incorporate some cabaret classes and hope to do some for adults as well,” Thompson said. “It’s a way for them to get a chance to sing more, to build their musical skills and also their performance skills. This style of performance is very different than doing a musical, and giving them opportunities to do different styles of performance is really important to us.” “Tinseltunes” has been a fun, new experience for the cast, said 17-year-old Hunter Leary, who also is involved with musical theater at Forest High School. “It’s not often that students get to perform cabaret style,” he said, “and I love to sing Christmas music!” Maren Miller, also a 17-year-old student at Forest, agreed. “It’s really nice to be able to have an experience outside of the high school setting where we can grow and learn together with a bunch of people who also enjoy this art form,” she said. “We’ve done school cabarets in the past but nothing to this extent—the costuming and being in the theater with the sound and mics and everything we don’t normally get to experience.” Mongerio, the director of choral activities at Forest High School, and Bartosic, who serves as OCT’s resident music director, have been involved with Brick City Cabaret Company since its inception in 2006 and are the co-artistic directors for the company. Mongerio said they were excited to introduce youth to cabaret. “Cabaret is a storytelling art form,” she said. “At school, we sing in choirs, and I teach musical theater. But a lot of times, you have to show up as yourself as a performer. This requires them to step more into the spotlight in a more intimate venue. It’s sort of acting songs and really having to take that on themselves without a set, without a lot of props.” “Tinseltunes: A Holidazzled Cabaret” is live on stage Dec. 9-10 at Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. For tickets and more information, visit ocalacivictheatre.com or call (352) 236-2274. The cast also will present two shortened performances at Ocala Main Street’s First Night celebration on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at IHMC, 15 SE Osceola Ave.

Kaitlyn Nast, 15, rehearses.

Maren Miller, 17, Suriana Im, 15, Maiyah Smith, 15, and Estella Cavalier, 16, left to right, rehearse.

“It’s not often that students get to perform cabaret style, and I love to sing Christmas music!” Hunter Leary

The cast of “Tinseltunes: A Holidazzled Cabaret” rehearses.

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Parading for a good cause

he fifth annual Downtown Ocala Christmas Golf Cart Parade saw more than 100 gaily decorated vehicles roll from the Citizen’s Service Center near City Hall through city streets on Dec. 2. The Ocala Main Street sponsored event provided a $10,000 donation to Project Hope of Ocala, which was presented by members of the parade committee before the start of the event.

To learn more, go to ocalamainstreet.org/parade

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

More than 100 golf carts, all decked out for the holidays, roll along in the 5th-annual Downtown Ocala Christmas Golf Cart Parade from the Citizen Service Center near Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Members of the Golf Cart Parade Committee raised $10,000, which they donated to Project Hope before the start of the festive parade.

Left to right: Lynn Sorrentino poses with. her grandsons, Nico, 3, and Mateo, 5, by their “Santa and Suds” golf cart that placed second in the judged contest. Olivia Howland, 6, left, and Naomi Wells, 6, right, sit in their golf cart. More than 100 golf carts get ready to roll.

Golf cart committee members, from left: Brittany Bascom, Tim Bascom, Natalie Wells, Cody Wells, Matt White and Emily White, pose for photos with the $10,000 check they donated to Project Hope.

More than 100 golf carts get ready to roll.

Join the FULL-TIME POSITIONS

Give the gift of community.

off

annual subscription Coupon code: J2G7JP53

352-732-0073 • ocalagazette.com/subscribe

Faculty – Speech/Forensics Coach (Ocala/Levy) Faculty – Clinical Coordinator – Respiratory Care Faculty – Clinical Coordinator – Sonography Dean – Business, Technology and Agricultural Sciences Coordinator – Maintenance – Appleton Museum of Art Staff Assistant III – Health Sciences (Four Year Grant Project) Skills Lab Specialist

Team PART-TIME POSITIONS

Adjunct – Visual and Performing Arts Adjunct – Adult Education – Levy Campus Adjunct – Health Sciences – Nursing Adjunct – Communications Adjunct – English Adjunct – Clinical Dentist Instructor – Sonography – Medical Director Adjunct – English College Prep – Ocala Conference and Food Services Admissions Recruiter Public Safety Officer Plant Operations

HOW TO APPLY

Go to www.cf.edu/jobs Select one of the following online portals Administrative/Faculty/ Adjunct Career Opportunities or Professional/Career/Part-time Career Opportunities. Submit an electronic application, a copy of unofficial transcripts and resume online. A copy of transcripts from an accredited institution must be submitted with the application.

3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL 34474 CF is an Equal Opportunity Employer

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

All for fun, and mentoring

he fourth annual Community Fun Day sponsored by Kut Different, held at Central Christian Church in Ocala on Dec. 2, was a mix of all-out fun activities and messages directed at youth. The event included kickball games, bounce houses, a 3-point contest, a skills challenge, face painting, raffles, vendors and free food. Kut Different Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by brothers Jamie Gilmore and Eddie Rocker and is dedicated to school and community-based male mentorship/student support and youth development.

Learn more at kutdifferent.org Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Giovanni Galloway, 18, spins the kickball on his finger like a basketball before a game of kickball.

Savyion Jackson, 13, right, gets tagged out at first by Jacob Dieguez of the Planet Fitness team in a game of kickball during the Kut Different 4thannual Community Fun Day at the Central Christian Church on NE 14th Street in Ocala on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. The youth mentoring event featured kickball as the main event and bounce houses, a 3-point contest, a skills challenge, face painting, raffles, vendors, and free food.

Left: Zekeil Townsend, 2, knocks over bowling pins after not having any luck knocking them over with the ball as his mother, Asia West, and his aunt, Shanice Sutton, watch.

Right: Nancy Thrower of the Marion County Public School Board kicks out the ceremonial first kick in a kickball game.

Jamie Gilmore Jr., left, and Eddie Rocker, center, the cofounders of Kut Different, pose for a group shot with some of the kids they are mentoring.

Javion Dowdy, 10, practices his kick before a game of kickball.

Food drive sets record

he Bring the Harvest Home food drive, which will help many local families put food on the table through the holidays, collected a record 21,000 pounds of food and supplies, and $11,000 in monetary donations. The drive ran through the month of November and culminated with a collection event Dec. 1 on the downtown square. The drive will benefit Interfaith Emergency Services, Brother’s Keeper and the Salvation Army in Ocala, all of which help local individuals and families. Partners in the drive included numerous city and county agencies, businesses and others.

To learn more, see FB.com/MarionCountyFlorida Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Pallets loaded with food from “Bring The Harvest Home.”

Assistant Warehouse Manager Maxi Rodriguez carries a box filled with eggs into the cooler as she helps weigh the food and other items they received from “Bring The Harvest Home” at the Reuben Brawner Food Distribution Warehouse at Interfaith Emergency Services in Ocala on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. This year, the “Bring The Harvest Home” campaign collected 21,000 pounds of food and supplies, which was 1,000 pounds more than last year. The annual event that is held before the holidays benefits Interfaith Emergency Services, Brother’s Keeper and the Salvation Army in Ocala. Food Distribution Manager Steve Clem, left, and Bruce Reed, the driver, right, weigh the food and other items they received.

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

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.

Bird of the Week

Baltimore oriole [MichaelWarren.com]

By Michael Warren

hese gorgeous blackbirds visit Marion County in the winter where they can be attracted to backyard feeders with ripe fruit or jelly. Adult males are deep orange and black and get their name from the colors of the coat-of-arms of the English Baltimore family, while the females and young males are more yellow. This one was photographed at the home of an Ocala resident who has spent 30 years creating a thriving backyard habitat for birds. #46

Does the New Year have you thinking about your future? Turn those resolutions into reality at the College of Central Florida. At CF, you’ll find the programs and support to help you advance your career or explore new passions. From career-focused degree programs to flexible schedules that fit your busy life, we’re here to help you succeed. This is your year, and CF is your catalyst for change.

Spring semester starts Jan. 8. Apply today.

MARION • CITRUS • LEVY • ONLINE

-an equal opportunity college-

CF.edu/Spring 352-873-5800

Across

1 Kilauea flow 5 Clear dishes from 8 Jammies 11 Hosp. figures 14 Longest, as odds 16 Like many Berbers 18 *Occasion to pin back one’s coif? 19 Like village roads 20 Mediterranean country 22 Mixed martial artist Rousey 23 Girl of the fam 26 *Catchy part of a virtuous song? 29 Shortly 32 Arboreal marsupial 33 “You betcha” 34 Garage door opener brand 35 Org. that includes the TSA 38 *People born during the Era of Good Feelings? 42 Digs in the mud 43 Battery measures 44 Biblical mount 45 Bernie in his mittens, Keanu playing with puppies, etc. 46 “Yeah, that’s old news” 47 *Evening spent downloading the latest OS? 52 Manhattan option 53 Mind 54 Qualifying events 57 Calm 60 Social climbers, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have 64 Brings in 65 “You can guess the rest” 66 Put away 67 Keystone bumbler 68 Mauna __ 69 Monumental

Down

1 “Geaux Tigers!” sch.

2 High point of a trip to Europe? 3 YouTube clip, for short 4 Mine, in Montréal 5 Capital in the Levant 6 Many an election night graphic, for short 7 Direct 8 LAX setting 9 Yak 10 Limited autonomy, so to speak 11 Pipe cleaner 12 Internet stranger 13 Quarterback maneuver 15 The Colorado fourteeners, e.g.: Abbr. 17 Hana Airport greeting 21 Compares 23 Facial cavity 24 Unsuitable 25 Watched from the sidelines 27 Left 28 Locks 30 Letters in ancient history 31 “Tell me if this is too personal, but ... “ 34 Understands 35 Currency of Serbia and Jordan 36 White with frost 37 Biting 39 Large volume 40 Singer Campbell 41 Draw 45 Two socks, hopefully 46 Mississippi source 47 Linguistic practices 48 Violinist/singer Haden 49 Light rail stop 50 Slop 51 Aware of 55 Cell service letters 56 Appease fully 58 Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, e.g. 59 Super vision? 61 Set component 62 Tetra- minus one 63 __ bunt

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

holidays DECEMBER 8- 22

A Rockin’ Little Christmas

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale Days and times vary, see website The OBO band plays all your Christmas favorites with this magical holiday show that features classic country and Southern rock holiday tunes. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays; check their calendar for details. Tickets are $24-$39 from obopry.com

DECEMBER 9

Ocala Christmas Parade

SE Fort King/25th Avenue west on Silver Springs Blvd. to Tuscawilla Park, Ocala 5:30pm This year’s theme is “Hometown Christmas.” Adults and children will delight as dusk takes over and the Christmas lights dazzle on the floats in one of the nation’s largest and oldest nighttime parades. For more information, visit ocalachristmasparade.org

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Children will be able to have lunch, games and fun while adults eat and hear from local entrepreneur Rondo Fernandez of the Mojo Grill. The luncheon is free and pre-registration is required. Visit BetterTogetherUS.org/lunch-rsvp or call (239) 470-2733.

be open late. Donations to the Community Stages group are encouraged. For more information, visit communitystages.org

DECEMBER 15

Movies in the Park: “Home Alone”

DECEMBER 10 & 17

Central Florida Master Choir Christmas Concert

Tuscawilla Park Oak Grove, 800 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 7pm The city hosts free movies after dark, and this week it’s the modern holiday classic “Home Alone.” Bring blankets, chairs and snacks. It’s free to attend for all, familyfriendly and concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, see bit.ly/47Thq7K

Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW Highway 200, Ocala (Dec. 10); Dunnellon Presbyterian Church, 20641 Chestnut St., Dunnellon (Dec. 17) 3pm The choir celebrates Christmas with a variety of classic and new versions of holiday tunes. The events are free and love offerings are gratefully accepted.

DECEMBER 16

Drive-Thru Community Christmas Lunch

DECEMBER 12 & 14

DECEMBER 9 & 10

“Tinseltunes: A Holidazzled Cabaret” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm & 7pm Saturday; 2pm Sunday The OCT team partners with Brick City Cabaret Company with a lighthearted show that features holiday favorites like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and more. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 18 and younger, and include holiday treats, hot cocoa and cider. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com/oct-tickets to purchase.

DECEMBER 10

”There’s No Business Like Snow Business” Kids Musical Revue

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st St., Ocala 2pm A cast of students puts on this holiday musical with comedy, music, dancing and the Merry Misfits. This free production is part of the Community Stages program. The performance is free, and you can also donate for the Community Stages programs at bit.ly/3MNYaAB

DECEMBER 10

Santa on the Square

Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 6pm-8pm A special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and some holiday elves will make this a photo fest for families. The square is lighted for the holidays, and there is free parking in the municipal garage two blocks to the east. For more information, see bit.ly/47Thq7K

DECEMBER 14

Dunnellon Depot Holiday Open House

Dunnellon Depot, 12061 S Williams St., Dunnellon 6pm-8pm The Dunnellon Historical Society has an open house holiday party with a cookie exchange, festive decorations and more. Visit dunnellondepot.com for more information.

DECEMBER 14

Community Holiday Sing-Along

Better Together Christmas Luncheon Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1pm-4pm The nonprofit focuses on children and families.

Chelsea Art Center, 3305 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6:30pm-8:30pm The Chelsea Square shopping center hosts a sing-along with live musicians, holiday treats, a raffle, an Ugly Sweater Contest and the shops will

Kingdom Revival Church, 3318 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-1pm The church is offering free Christmas luncheons with “all the trimmings.” For information, call Rose at (352) 361-5044.

DECEMBER 16-29

Trains at the Holidays Exhibit

Webber Gallery, College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 10am-3pm A model train exhibit that features holiday scenes and moving trains is open at the Webber Gallery this month. It’s family-friendly and features local landmarks. It’s free to the public from the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society. For more information, call (352) 854-2322, ext. 1664

DECEMBER 17

Holiday Music Brunch Gala

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala 11:30 am-2pm This holiday lunch is a fundraiser for the Ocala Steel

critters & equine DECEMBER 8-10 & 13-17

Hunter/Jumper Show Series

World Equestrian Center Ocala, Grand Arena, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 8am-4pm This winter series continues its two months of hunter/jumper shows with a variety of classes for amateurs and professionals. Classes will be held in both indoor and outdoor arenas. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit worldequestriancenter.com

DECEMBER 9 & 10; 16 & 17

Grande Liberte Equestrian Theater

Grande Liberte Farm, 18552 NE 81st St., Williston 4:30pm Weekend days through December, former Ringling and Cavalia star Sylvia Zerbini will perform with over 20 horses in this show. Tickets are $35 -$60 and available at bit.ly/3TaAwSF

DECEMBER 8-10 & 13-17

DECEMBER 8-10

Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala All day This three-day competition highlights retired or unraced Thoroughbreds beginning new careers as hunters, jumpers, dressage horses, ranch horses and more. The park has food options onsite. Visit runfortheribbons.org for more information.

HITS Ocala Winter Circuit Horse Shows

HITS Post-Time Farm, 13710 US Highways 27, Ocala 8am-6pm This week opens the winter series that goes through January with weekly hunter-jumper shows, culminating in the show jumping Grand Prix on Sundays with grand prizes. Classes include youth riders, re-trained thoroughbreds, adult amateur riders and more. See hitsshows.com/ocala for more information.

Orchestra and helps celebrate the season with special guest speakers Ruth Ford Reed and Mary Sue Rich. Early bird tickets are $35; after Dec. 11 tickets are $45. Visit ocalasteelorchestra.org/events for more information and tickets.

DECEMBER 17

Breakfast with Santa

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala 9am-12pm Visit with Santa at this special meal for all ages. Tickets are $10 and registration is required. Visit bit.ly/47Thq7K for registration.

DECEMBER 18-20

Dance Alive Nutcracker Ballet

Reilly Arts Center, 900 NE 5th St., Ocala 7pm This holiday favorite has three performances by the Dance Alive National Ballet. The classic tale of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince comes to life. Tickets are $10 for students, and $15-$35 for adults. See reillyartscenter.com for more information and tickets.

THROUGH DECEMBER 24

Winter Wonderland

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 5pm-9pm An outdoor winter holiday celebration takes place Thursday through Sunday nights at the Grand Plaza. There will be photo opportunities at the 45-foot, walk-through Christmas tree, holiday décor, carolers, balloon artists, face painting, live entertainment and the chance to meet Santa. Parking is $30 and some experiences require purchase. See wecwinterwonderland.com for more information.

THROUGH DECEMBER 30

Christmas Light Spectacular

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm-10pm This annual drive-through Christmas light show takes place again at the Florida Horse Park. Ticket prices are $20-$25 per carload and include kids’ activities, live music, a train ride, slides, inflatables and a visit with Santa. Food trucks will be onsite for the walkaround area. Ice skating will be available for the first time ever this year. The experience is closed on Dec. 24 and 25. For more information, see ocalamarion.com/events/ocala-christmas-light-spectacular

DECEMBER 10 & 17

Winter Polo Games

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 1pm The Ocala Polo Club revs up the horsepower for their winter season with Sunday afternoon matches through March. Free to the public, you can tailgate right next to the polo field and enjoy a unique afternoon out. With food trucks, vendor booths and more, many matches have a charity component. For more information, visit ocalapolo.com

DECEMBER 13

Wildlife Wednesdays

Ocala Recharge Wetlands Park, 2105 NW 21st St., Ocala 5pm-6pm Put your ranger hat on and join park staff for this educational presentation and weekly hike at an area park. Free to attend for all, this is a great way to learn about native animals and their distinct habitats here in Ocala. The topics and park locations vary; see the website for more information at ocalafl.gov/recpark

government DECEMBER 4 & 11

Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala 9am The first step for new development projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. The committee meets weekly on Mondays. See marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agendas and minutes.

DECEMBER 12

Dunnellon Planning Commission

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

DECEMBER 12

Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 5:30pm Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

Ocala City Council

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 4pm The council meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

Belleview Planning & Zoning Board

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 5:30pm The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Belleview government agendas, minutes and video are available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

DECEMBER 11

DECEMBER 19

DECEMBER 13

Dunnellon City Council

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

DECEMBER 19

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am & 2pm The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. The zoning portion starts at 2pm. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE OCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTS

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

community DECEMBER 8

free class recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

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

DECEMBER 9 & 16

Marion County Friday Market

DECEMBER 8 & 15

Coffee and English

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala 5:30pm-7pm Join the English Language Learners group each Friday as they practice and improve their English in a fun, relaxed environment. This is a great opportunity to improve upon a second language while building new relationships. See ocalafl.gov/recpark for more information.

DECEMBER 8-10 & 15-17

Market of Marion

Market of Marion, 12888 SE US Highway 441, Belleview 8am-4pm This is a classic farmers market with lots of vendors. The market is open every weekend, with monthly special events like car shows on the fourth Saturday. See themarketofmarion.com for more information.

DECEMBER 9

Ocala 200 Lions Club Flea Market

Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW Highway 200, Ocala 8am-1pm The Lions Club hosts a flea market offering a variety of vendors and will be accepting donations of non-perishable food, eyeglasses, cell phones and hearing aids.

DECEMBER 9 & 16

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am All are welcome; meet at the stage area. This

Ocala Downtown Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, clothes, and arts and crafts. Check out local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

DECEMBER 9 & 16

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm A true farmers market where chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available, along with horse tack, homegrown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. This event recurs on Saturdays, weather permitting.

DECEMBER 9

Jeep Jamboree

Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 11am-4pm The park celebrates all things Jeep with a festival featuring food trucks, vendors, live music by Kash Erickson and “friendly competition.” For more information, visit homesteadparks.com

DECEMBER 9

Kiwanis Pancake Day

Eighth Street Elementary School, 513 SE Eighth Street, Ocala 7am-12pm This 60th annual event benefits the Kiwanis Club, which supports Marion County children and Camp Kiwanis. The breakfast

civic DECEMBER 8 & 15

includes sausage, pancakes and beverages. There will be raffles and organizers have invited a special guest from the North Pole. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at bit.ly/3GjrN9m

DECEMBER 10

Holiday Latin Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 12pm-5pm One of the market’s special events, this week is the Latin-styled market offering food trucks, vendors, artisans, a photo booth, free salsa classes and face painting. DJ Rocket spins the tunes. Visit kellygarciacreations.com for more information

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Highway 484, Belleview 10am-1pm The experts from the UF/IFAS Extension Service offer advice and expertise. Bring in a plant or photo for a diagnosis and learn more about your yard and ecosystem.

Better Together Parents’ Night Out Oakcrest Baptist Church, 1109 NE 28th St., Ocala 6pm-8pm The nonprofit hosts this free child care event to allow parents an evening out. For ages infant to 17 years old, dinner, games and fun for the kids let caregivers have a respite. To register, visit BetterTogetherUS.org/PNO-Registration or call (239)470-2733.

Oddities Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 6pm-10pm One of the special events markets, this monthly gathering features taxidermy, quirky artwork, bug art, antiques, jewelry, body art and more. Visit ocalaodditiesmarket.com/about for more information.

Headquarters Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am-3pm The club meets weekly on Saturdays and new members are welcome. Bring your own chess set. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/53070499106

DECEMBER 8 & 15

Toastmasters Early Bird Ocala

DECEMBER 9 & 16

DECEMBER 8 & 15

Arts and Crafts for Adults

Arts in Health Ocala Metro Headquarters, 507 NE 8th Ave., Ocala 10am-11:30am On Friday mornings, the organization is offering free art programs with Carmen Rojas Gines. All arts and crafts supplies are included. Register at aihocala.org/arts-and-crafts-for-adults

DECEMBER 10

“Jimi Meets Funk”

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th Ave., Ocala 4pm The music of Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers Band is celebrated with this tribute show from Roosevelt Collier and Steeln’ Peaches. Tickets are $20-55. For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com

DECEMBER 14

Park After Dark: Detroit

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 6pm The park hosts the All-American Music Tour and features Detroit’s bassist Eddie Watkins Jr. with his funk-based sound and five-piece band. A food truck will offer lamb or chicken gyros, chips and baklava, or you’re welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drink, along with chairs and blankets. Tickets are $15 and $25 from Master the Possibilities. See sholompark.org/events/park-after-dark-detroit to purchase tickets.

DECEMBER 14 & 21

Coffee and Cake

NOMA Art Gallery, 939 N Magnolia Ave., Ocala 1pm-4pm These weekly coffee (and cake) klatches bring together gallery guests, artists, patrons, creative types and more, and takes place every Thursday afternoon. All are welcome. See nomaocala.com/events for more information.

Marion County Literacy Council, 120 SW 5th St., Ocala 8am Newcomers are welcome. Learn to feel comfortable with public speaking and improve leadership skills. This club meets Saturday mornings for practice. Contact toastmaster.sherrivaughn@gmail.com or 6938954.toastmastersclubs.org for more information.

DECEMBER 17

Phantasmagoria: A Most Haunted Victorian Christmas

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 2pm & 7pm This unique holiday performance celebrates the ghostly side of Christmas with haunting tales and performances from storytellers, singers, dancers and more. Tickets are $25. See reillyartscenter.com for more information.

THROUGH DECEMBER 28

Newy Fagan: A Retrospective Art Exhibit

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala Daily Artist Newy Fagan opens her equine-focused retrospective exhibit with a reception. She has used media including wood cut prints, clay sculpture and kilnformed glass art. For more information and to RSVP, visit mcaocala.org/exhibits

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Beginning of Bolted Art Tickets

ocalafl.gov/boba Tickets for the upcoming Beginning of Bolted Art (BOBA) Brunch are on sale. The event will be held Feb. 24 and includes the sculpture stroll through Tuscawilla Art Park, live music from members of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and an artist panel. Tickets are $35 per person. For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/boba

THROUGH DECEMBER 12

“Patternz” by Kelsey Mahoney

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm The city continues its Art in City Spaces program with this exhibit by emerging artist Kelsey Mahoney. Her abstract work is filled with vibrant colors and mosaic themes. The exhibit is free to the public. For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces

THROUGH JANUARY 6

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am-4pm The Discovery Center has opened its new exhibit, “Exciting Explorers.” Learn about archeologists and preserving ancient finds, figure out navigation routes and participate in other handson science activities. Tickets are $8 per person for ages 3 and older, and $7 for seniors and veterans. See bit.ly/3ZHl029 for more information.

DECEMBER 17

Marion County Rose Society

Marion County Sheriff’s Office South Station, 3260 SE 80th St., Ocala 1:30pm This club promotes roses and offers discussions of their care and feeding. Meetings are held the third Sunday of each month. For more information, contact kathymporter@comcast.net.

DECEMBER 21

Ocala Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 12pm The Ocala Lions Club meets every Thursday. Newcomers are welcome; call Membership Chairperson Libby Marks de Martino at (352) 441-0073.

THROUGH JANUARY 4

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

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala Community center hours Couple Diana and William Lee exhibit work in sideby-side exhibitions, each with its own distinctive style and theme reflecting each artist and their different approaches. The exhibit is part of the Ocala Art in City Spaces program. See ocalafl.gov/ artincityspaces for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 7

“A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition”

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm The museum hosts the Urban family’s remarkable Christmas exhibition again this year, with extravagantly decorated trees, a Dickens Village display and a nutcracker collection. See appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 8

The Beauty of Nature and Recyclable Refuse

Florida Horse Park, West entrance, 11851 SW 16th Avenue, Ocala All day This competition features traditional Scottish games like Stone and Braemar, and Caber and Hammer, all to benefit the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. Free to attend, there will be food options in the park. For more information, see flhorsepark.com

“Exciting Explorers” at the Discovery Center

DECEMBER 15

DECEMBER 9 & 16

DECEMBER 16

Clan Kringle Scottish Athletic Games

DECEMBER 15

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala 10am-12pm The club meets weekly on Fridays and new members are welcome. Bring your own chess set. For more information, contact Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

arts

Headquarters Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1:30pm-3:30pm The Ocala chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrates the Boston Tea Party with a winter bazaar and family-friendly fun. Games, crafts, readers, tea and a book giveaway are planned. The event is free to attend for all.

Master Gardener Plant Clinic

Ocala Chess Club at Headquarters Library

Elks Club, 702 NE 25th Ave., Ocala 12pm The club meets weekly on Fridays and supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More information is available at ocalakiwanis.org.

250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party

DECEMBER 15

South Ocala Chess Club at Freedom Library

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

DECEMBER 16

Recreation and Parks Administration Building and Adult Activity Center, 828/830 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala 8am-5pm Florida artist Albert Bevilacqua focuses this exhibit on recyclable items and he’s turned them into an artistic statement about protecting the environment. Free to the public, this is part of the Art in City Spaces program by the City of Ocala. See ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 9

Tony A. Blue, American Painter

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

THROUGH JANUARY 14

“Skylines to Hemlines: Art Deco Design”

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tuesday-Saturdays 10am-5pm This new exhibit from the museum’s permanent collections brings together an overview of 20th Century art, design, fashion, jewelry and more, focused on the unique movement of Art Deco. The collections include antique clothing, designed items, sculpture, posters, photographs and other artwork. For more information, see appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JANUARY 28

“The Unscene South” by Charles Eady

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday This new exhibit from artist Charles Eady focuses on the daily lives of “free Blacks” from the Civil War era. He is a contemporary mixed-media artist and author. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH JANUARY 28

“Caught Up in History and Captured on Film” by Randy Batista

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

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

music nightlife nig ghtlife

DECEMBER 8

DECEMBER 15

Food Truck Friday with Groove 41

Food Truck Friday with MPire

DECEMBER 8

DECEMBER 15

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

Rattling Roots

South Bound 41

DECEMBER 8

DECEMBER 16

Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

Gasoline Alley

Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

KennaDee

Rocky and the Rollers

DECEMBER 9

DECEMBER 16

Flying Boat Tap Room 9672 SE 58th Ave., Belleview 6pm

Boardwalk

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

DECEMBER 9

Jack Knife

Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

Middletons

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

Animal Crackers

Bag O Bones

Charlie Horse 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm

DECEMBER 16

KennaDee

District Bar & Kitchen 110 SW Broadway St., Ocala 6pm

Broom Hilda

Finn’s Removal

Recycle, Reuse, Refurbish Clean out house’s, attics, garages & storage units. Also do deliveries & demo hot tubs. Donations accepted

352-322-8154 ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4 Sudoku

Healthcare shouldn’t be difficult.

Receive the care you deserve when you need it. Schedule an appointment at your neighborhood VIPcare clinic!

(352) 204-0099

www.getvipcare.com

Jumble

Crossword AVOID EAGLE GOVERN MOTIVE

People thought Mary Shelley’s new Frankenstein character was a -NOVEL IDEA

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Lake Weir offense shines in win over North Marion Skyler Courtney’s 4 goals lead Hurricanes past Colts

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Lake Weir’s Eric Vogel (20) moves the ball downfield past North Marion’s Fernando Mata (2) and Walter Popoca (16) during a soccer match at Lake Weir High School in Candler, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette

ake Weir sophomore forward Skyler Courtney netted four goals and sophomore midfielder Magnus Jensen scored two goals and added a pair of assists to pace the Hurricanes to an 8-0 win over North Marion on Dec. 1. The convincing Class 4A-District 5 victory improved Lake Weir to 4-1 on the season. “The boys kind of came out a little flat, but we made some adjustments and got the result we wanted,” said Hurricanes second-year coach Jonathan Dominguez. “These games are tougher because when you play a team that’s lower in caliber then you kind of mirror the other side of the pitch. I have four returning players, three seniors and the rest are a mix of freshmen, sophomores and juniors. This is a great group of kids. Last year we had a lot of individual players; this year, I feel we have more of a team.” The loss kept Class 4A North Marion winless at 0-7. Lake Weir dominated time of possession to open the game and struck first when Jensen utilized some deft

ball-handling skills and rifled a shot past the North Marion keeper from 10 yards out to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead just minutes into the match. North Marion managed a pair of shots on goal, but Lake Weir senior goalie Michael Gonzalez displayed excellent reflexes in turning away the attempts by the Colts. Lake Weir increased its advantage in the 14th minute as Courtney took a perfect crossing pass in front of the North Marion goal and lined a shot into the lower rightcorner to make it 2-0. North Marion, which had eight shots on goal, had a pair of excellent scoring opportunities sail wide of their mark. Lake Weir continued to keep the pressure on the Colts defense with excellent passing and strong sideline runs. Courtney struck twice more after he gained control of the ball in a scrum in front of the goal and tapped it into the back of the net to give the Hurricanes a commanding 4-0 lead at the half. Lake Weir came out fired up for the second half as Courtney chased down a long pass and beat a defender and the Colts’ keeper before blasting a shot into the open

net to make it 5-0 in the opening minute. North Marion sophomore midfielder Sergio RomoRuvira had a couple of good scoring chances, but one attempt sailed over the crossbar and the other was stopped by Gonzalez. Lake Weir continued to attack, and the strategy paid off as Jensen drilled a shot past the North Marion goalie. Sophomore Eric Vogel added a nice goal of his own to give the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead with 24:04 left in the match. Each coach substituted liberally in the one-sided match, and Lake Weir sophomore JaenCarlo Mejia tallied the final goal to put the Hurricanes on top by a final score of 8-0. The match was stopped with 6:24 remaining because of the mercy rule. “It was a good win,” coach Dominguez said. “The thing is everyone underestimates Lake Weir and then they realize we can play the game.” Lake Weir is back on the pitch on Dec. 8 when the Hurricanes travel to South Sumter to take on the Raiders. North Marion will look to break into the winner’s circle on Dec. 7 when the Colts hit the road to take on the West Port Wolfpack.

Lake Weir’s JeanCarlo Mejia (10) and North Marion’s Fernando Mata (2) jump for a header.

“Last year we had a lot of individual players; this year, I feel we have more of a team.” Jonathan Dominguez

Lake Weir Hurricanes coach

Lake Weir’s Skyler Courtney (18) celebrates his goal as North Marion’s goalie Carlos Hernandez (1) lays on the turf after being scored on.

On View Through January 14

SKYLINES HEMLI NES t o

Art Deco Design From the Permanent Collection

Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store

-an equal opportunity college-

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL | AppletonMuseum.org

Revere Copper and Brass Company (American, founded 1928), “Skyscraper” Cocktail Shaker with Glasses, 1937. Chrome-plated Metal. Gift of Enrique Conill-Mendoza and AnaMari Goicoechea via Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) 2021 Transfer.

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCOREBOARD 28 SELECTED MARION COUNTY November Redeemer Christian

HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE

SPORTS RESULTS Class 1-Suburban State Semifinal Trinity Catholic First Baptist Academy 3

51 6

Class 3-Suburban State Semifinal Vanguard Mainland

12 34

BOYS’ SOCCER SCORES

November 28

36 5

Mount Dora Forest

22 69

First Academy St. John Lutheran

54 22

Lake Weir West Port

61 65

November 30 West Port Redeemer Christian 4

60 2

Results were compiled by Allen Barney

First Academy Meadowbrook Academy

53 61

Ocala Christian Academy St. John Lutheran 3

40 6

December 1

November 30

Lake Weir Belleview

Forest North Marion

8 0

Redeemer Christian 2 Legacy Charter

7 58

Dunnellon Newberry

0 8

Belleview Citrus

0 1

Belleview Lake Weir

37 83

Fleming Island 5 Vanguard

2 58

Rive Ridge Forest

40 71

Meadowbrook Academy Taylor

64 67

St. John Lutheran Hart 2 Hart Academy

49 35

November 30

November 27 Crystal River West Port

November 28

1 6

December 1

Forest North Marion

7 0

Leesburg Belleview

1 1

Dunnellon Vanguard

0 3

Trinity Catholic Vanguard

1 9

West Port The Villages Charter

5 2

West Port Belleview

8 3

Lake Weir Crystal River

0 8

November 27

Dunnellon Belleview

November 29

1 10

Trinity Catholic Lake Weir

5 1

North Marion Vanguard

0 8

BOYS’ BASKETBALL SCORES

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL SCORES

November 27 Vanguard Lecanto

41 50

Dunnellon Chiefland

66 24

Belleview Ocala Christian Academy

32 17

November 28

November 29

GIRLS’ SOCCER 0 1 SCORES

November 29

December 1

Belleview North Marion 5

NOV. 27 - DEC. 2

Lake Weir’s Derek Atkinson (17) steals the ball from North Marion’s Fernando Mata (2) during a soccer match at Lake Weir High School in Candler on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

FOOTBALL SCORES

Countryside Christian

62 27

Chiefland St. John Lutheran 3

55 9

Lake Weir Eustis

16 66

November 29 South Sumter Belleview

21 23

Vanguard Eastside

24 32

November 30 Lake Weir Vanguard

8 60

Dunnellon Bradford

57 52

Citrus Belleview

26 31

West Port Forest

61 54

First Academy Redeemer Christian

21 42

December 2 Forest St. Augustine

52 63

Williston Lake Weir

58 13

Dunnellon Gainesville

57 61

4 1

Forest South Lake

4 0

North Marion Lake Weir

0 8

Santa Fe Forest

0 5

Belleview Ocala Christian Academy

63 23

Leesburg North Marion

74 7

Buchholz West Port

5 4

Trinity Catholic The Villages Charter

2 4

Dunnellon Newberry

0 8

Meadowbrook Academy St. John Lutheran

71 46

Vanguard Menendez

11 65

SHOP

IN-STORE OR

ONLINE

up to 60 MONTHS FINANCING

BLOCKERSFURNITURE.COM

UP TO

SEE ASSOCIATE FOR DETAILS

Save $200 599

CARETTI Sofa Loveseat: $579

WAS $799

MERCADO Sofa

Save $200 799

Loveseat: $779

WAS $999

Purchase 5 pc bedroom set and get a NIGHTSTAND AT HALF OFF

SAVE 25 UP TO

20% OFF

PROMO CODE: HolidaySavings2023

% OFF

SELECT FLEXSTEEL GROUPS

KANWYN Queen Storage Bed, Dresser, and Mirror

HYLLMONT Power Sofa & Headrest

Save $600 999

Power Console & Headrest: $999

WAS $1599

Purchase 5 pc bedroom set and get a NIGHTSTAND AT HALF OFF

Save $500

STOREWIDE SPECIALS UP TO 60% OFF!

1499

WAS $1999

PORTER Queen Storage Bed, Dresser, and Mirror

Save $800 1499

WAS $2299

ACCESSORIES 30% OFF!

For even more

December 1

Savings and to view our Monthly Flyer, visit: BlockersFurniture.com

Trinity Catholic North Marion

10AM — 6PM *Payments shown based on 48-month financing estimates. Your payments may vary based on your credit approval. See associate for details. Prior sales not included. Due to early advertising deadlines, some items may be sold or out of stock. See or call store for details on total delivery area. Delivery is additional. Product photos are for illustration only, actual product may not be as pictured. Not responsible for typographical errors. Delivery and tax not included. Offer cannot be combined with any other special offers or sales. Excludes clearance items. Other restrictions may apply. See store for details.

B10

DECEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 14, 2023 | OCALA GAZETTE