Locala, May 2022, Ocala, FL by Lisa Anderson Media, LLC

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CHERRIETTA PRINCE

Adventure Is Out There: Trailblazing Marine Vet Counsels Young Entrepreneurs

JULIAN SINISTERRA

Only Opportunities: Navy Veteran & Business Owner Declares, “No Problems Here!”

PAUL TURNER

5, 3, 2: War, Friendship, & a 50-Year Search

Volume 01, Issue No. 12 • MAY 2022

LISA ANDERSON, PUBLISHER lisa@lisaandersonmedia.com senior copy editor JODI ANDERSON staff advisor CHAD TAYLOR

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Dear Ocala Tango Yankee (Thank You)

BREAKING SOCIAL NORMS

Only Opportunities: Navy Veteran & Business Owner Declares, “No Problems Here!”

F R O M T H E PA D D O C K

Falling in Love: It’s All About the Horses

FROM THE EXPERTS

A Pathway to Peace: Social-Emotional Learning

Honoring Educators: 7 Lessons in Leadership from the Classroom

THE CHEWS LETTER

ON THE COVER

A Better Way: Organic Farmers Work Towards Self-Sustainability

ARTIST CORNER

Finding Beauty: Artwork Inspires Sets & Costumes

Isaiah Pepper: Artist Q&A

TA N G O YA N K E E

5, 3, 2: War, Friendship, & a 50-Year Search

Show Up: Community Impact & Caring for Others

Semper Fi: Always Faithful

Integrity & Routines: Comfort in an Unstable Time

F E AT U R E

Adventure Is Out There: Trailblazing Marine Vet Counsels Young Entrepreneurs

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

LISA ANDERSON

Photo by Jackie Korpela

DEAR OCALA, Today, as I sit and write this, the sky is blue, and the breeze is relaxing as it soars through the warm air. It’s a day that makes me feel like all is right in the world, even if it is not. These are the times I truly appreciate my freedoms, and as I reflect back on the last few weeks of emotional interviews, I can’t help but feel extreme gratefulness for the sacrifices made by America’s military personnel and complete sorrow for what they have seen and lost. It occurred to me, during these interviews, how fortunate I was to be hearing their stories—a civilian who could never fully comprehend what they experienced. The accounts ranged from fond memories to heartbreaking experiences of loss and trauma. I engaged in moments of laughter, education, and sorrow, as tears choked their words. In the process, I had some “aha” moments about past relationships and friendships. In hindsight, it helps me to understand some reactions and behaviors from people in my life. While it can’t excuse the trauma inflicted on me in a few situations, it does help me to find a bit of sympathy for the experiences that led to their behaviors.

It is easy for those of us who are born and raised in America to take our freedoms for granted, but as the saying goes, “Freedom is not free.” I was nearly struck dumb when Parish Tanner told me an average of 22 veterans a day commit suicide. Twenty-two. He was the final interview of this series, and as I thought back about the stories of lost friends, health problems, and children, both innocent and manipulated to kill, it is amazing the number isn’t higher. While understanding this may be difficult, I want you to keep in mind that these extraordinary individuals are making a

difference for veterans, first responders, and those just transitioning back into civilian life. It is a fact that, as civilians, we will never understand military life or be able to fully process what our veterans have experienced, but it is my hope that these stories will inspire you to support organizations who help veterans and, as always, connect the thread of humanity and compassion. Most Sincerely,

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Connecting with Community FRIENDS OF MARION COUNTY VETERANS PARK LAUNCHES MASTER PLAN

s our Mission and Vision statements espouse, the Friends of Marion County Veterans Park/Exhibit and Education Center Foundation is comprised of an allvolunteer staff. The Foundation, formed in 2020, is blended with veterans and patriots, alike, who share a passion for not only maintaining Marion County Veterans Park, but for elevating awareness of the park as a historical and educational venue for all students and citizens in Marion County and beyond to enjoy.

of events so that we may help advertise them. Doing so maximizes the advertising potential, while enhancing group membership and elevating their finances. We’re all in this together; by communicating and collaborating with one another, more people will be aware of our activities and support them. The folks in Marion County have been so gracious to us, and our desire is to make them feel welcome, while thanking them for their unswerving support.

LAUNCHING THE MASTER PLAN

LEARN MORE

While maintaining the integrity of the park, the Foundation’s vision is to add much-needed amenities, as well as monuments, that will bring the park from 1975 into the present. The Foundation’s five-year Master Plan includes 12 new monuments, upgrades to the Exhibit Center, additional bathrooms for events, and educational murals and plaques with historical info about each conflict or war. These upgrades, to be made possible through the generosity of private donations, will pay tribute to the thousands of post-Vietnam-era veterans and their families.

COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORM

Our state-of-the-art communications platform is taking shape, and we are inviting anyone who desires to receive our weekly e-mail and monthly online newsletter to join us. (It’s all free.) Our “blind copy” emails are sent out every Thursday afternoon and contain a wealth of information and resources for veterans and their families, as well as the community at large. We are also spearheading a “Veterans Communication and Collaboration Initiative,” by inviting the dozens of Marion County Veterans organizations to send us their calendar

352.804.5355 marionvetpark.com/join-our-mailing-list

EXECUTIVE BOARD

• Ron Oppliger, Veteran, Chairperson • Pamela Fallen-Driggers, First Responder, Vice-Chairperson • Raymond Orlosky, Veteran, Treasurer • Ashley Miller, Veteran, Secretary

UPCOMING EVENT

Date: Monday, May 30, 2022 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park Visit the website to see more information and upcoming events. marionvetpark.com

BREAKING SOCIAL NORMS

Only Opportunities NAVY VETERAN & BUSINESS OWNER DECLARES, “NO PROBLEMS HERE!”

JULIAN SINISTERRA Story & Photo by LISA ANDERSON

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BREAKING SOCIAL NORMS

I don’t like to call them problems. I call them opportunities.

— Julian Sinisterra

ulian Sinisterra is the owner and agent of Legacy Insurance Consultants, director and co-founder of the Hispanic Business Council (HBC), and board member and cofounder of VetNet in Ocala, but he is also a husband, father, son, and Navy veteran. Born in Colombia and raised in Miami from the age of 10, Julian learned about the United States through the streets. “I really learned English defending myself on the playground, and through cartoons and Sesame Street®. I think my sister had it a lot tougher than I did. I came here young enough to adapt. She came when she was 15. That’s a critical age.” Every summer, until he was about 16 years old, Julian would travel to Colombia to visit his relatives. “We are considered first generation immigrants. A lot of us have our foot in two different cultures. I was raised with the Colombian culture, but at the same time, I’m growing up in the U.S. culture.”

FROM ART TO MILITARY

Julian graduated high school at 17 and received offers of full-ride scholarships to several schools across the country. “I was originally an art major. People don’t really believe that, because my world is business and I love it. But my first love was always art.” But he and his best friends wanted to do something a little different before heading straight to college. His friends suggested the military. After convincing his parents, Julian joined the Navy and headed off to boot camp in Orlando. It was his first time outside of Miami or Colombia. “I joined in July [1992]. Mind-blown is an understatement. It was rough. I thought I was the shit because I [was] from a big city. Now, I’m surrounded by some grown-ass men. You know? I wasn’t the shit anymore. What they did back then, especially Army and Navy, they did a whole psychological and physical dressing down of a person. Then, they build you back up again in their image. Obviously, it was needed because of the positions you are going to be in. I was cognizant of that, even as it was happening, but I actually took to it. Not everybody takes to it, but it was a fit for me. I was looking for structure, discipline, [and] mentorship.” Julian was sent to Virginia Beach and began his career as an airman. He worked his way up through the ranks and was doing quite well. He worked hard, played hard, deployed three times, and met his wife while they were both still in the service. Overall, he stayed for almost six years. “I was going to make it a career. Towards the end of my enlistment, there were a lot of changes that were happening. That’s where I really started getting a big taste of inequality—lack of diversity of the races within the armed forces—even from other minorities. It’s very easy to simplify a very complex issue. That’s what we tend to do nowadays. I was too young to really understand how complex of an issue it was, how I could get over it or navigate through that.” The Navy wanted him to stay and even offered him a higher rank, but Julian had made up his mind. He wanted out. “In hindsight, I should have stayed in.” Transitioning out was challenging for him. “You will never be a civilian again. Just like you will never be a soldier or sailor again. The proper term for that is actually a veteran. [It’s] a mixture between a soldier, an airman, or a sailor and a civilian. It has nothing to do with PTSD. That’s a whole separate issue. “I was never in a combat situation, but my job was very dangerous. I saw people get killed.” One of the common hazards of serving on a carrier was personnel getting blown off the flight deck, 100 feet above the Atlantic. If they were pulled out of the water, they may or may not be alive.

CIVILIAN LIFE

Back home in Miami, Julian took over the home. His parents had divorced, and his father had returned to Colombia. Julian went back to school, eventually shifting his major

from art to business. He flourished in his career, but as his family grew, he made a shift to insurance. He moved to Ocala seven years ago. Once again, Julian found himself needing to adjust to a new way of life. “I disconnected from the veteran community for a long time, [but] the challenges that [Ocala] was giving me, I found myself searching for some normalcy.” He began by volunteering at Veterans Helping Veterans, where he met Chad Walker. Together, Julian and Chad saw a need for the veterans’ business community, and they founded VetNet. Chad serves as vice president. “I have a real problem with people taking advantage of others. I don’t like to call them problems. I call them opportunities. I’m a big believer that words have a very powerful effect on yourself.” Julian not only helps the veterans’ community with business education and figuring out how to work with opportunities, he also has the same mission within the small business and Hispanic communities through the Hispanic Business Council. “[I] give with no expectation of return.”

LEARN MORE

Facebook: @VetNetOcala HBC Website: hispanicbusinesscouncil.com

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Matthew Wardell, Music Director

RED, WHITE AND

OCALA SYMPHONY BLUE: A SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS Sunday, July 3, 2022 | 3:00 PM

Sponsored by

Celebrate our nation’s 246th birthday with the Ocala Symphony as we present your favorite music that reverberates red, white and blue. Patriotic marches, film music from The Patriot, and a special salute to our troops are just the beginning! Tickets from $15 at OcalaSymphony.com

500 NE 9th Street, Ocala FL 34470 | Reilly Arts Center | 352.351.1606

Trip Green, Esq. U.S. Army Vet • Offices Ocala

TA N G O YA N K E E

5, 3, 2

WAR, FRIENDSHIP, & A 50-YEAR SEARCH

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TA N G O YA N K E E

PAUL TURNER Story & Photo by LISA ANDERSON

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TA N G O YA N K E E

aul Turner, 74 years old, sits across the desk in a crowded office. He’s wearing a Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) t-shirt and cap. The interview begins with a standard question, “Are you originally from Ocala, and if not, how did you get here?” Paul’s soft voice is accented with a light southern twang, muddled with midwestern tones, as he briefly describes his more than 30 years of living in Ocala. Slowly, we come to the heart of the interview. “I don’t know if we was prepared. I don’t know if anyone is. It seemed to me, well—me and talking with others—but most of us were scared to death when [we got] there. It’s unimaginable. You can’t explain it unless you were there. You just can’t. At first you’re scared. I mean, you settle in. You have to. Then, you get to a point that [at] the second stage you feel sorry. You feel sorry for the people. You feel sorry for the soldiers. Then, the third stage you develop hate. You just can’t imagine hating…” His voice cracks in a sob. He pulls a tissue from the desk to wipe his eyes. “You start losing friends. You stay about the same until you start getting close to the time to come home. I don’t think you get security. I actually think you just get worried.” Worried about catching a bullet. Worried he wouldn’t make it home.

I don’t know if we was prepared. I don’t know if anyone is. — Paul Turner

COMING HOME

Paul was raised in Tennessee from the age of five. When he was old enough to work, he headed to Detroit, Michigan where he met his wife in 1967 and got married. He was drafted in 1968. As he prepared for his deployment to Vietnam in 1969, his wife was six months pregnant. “My first son was 10 months old when I met him. “Five of us went over together. Three of us came home.” Shaking breaths force the words out. Coming home wasn’t a joyous occasion. “We had it a little rough. I blame that on the media. The American people was tired of the war, and I felt like a lot of them had turned against us because of the media. From what I have found out, I don’t think I’m the only one that felt that way.” The silence stretches on for a few moments. “They called us baby killers. I felt that was a poor choice of words. They could have told the American people that the draft age for North Vietnamese was 12 to 55. They could have said that a 12-year-old with an AK-47 would kill us just as dead as a 30-, 40-, 50-year-old.” There is no heat in Paul’s words, only the soft, slow cadence of his story. “They didn’t tell the American people that. I don’t blame, totally, the American people because of what was shown to them on TV. I just felt like, if they had told them the whole story, then, they probably would have looked at us different. Of course, I didn’t talk about it at all for many years. “I didn’t open up to [my two sons], until they went into the military. I had a real problem, and I couldn’t go to a funeral. I’d seen so much death. I didn’t go to my dad’s [funeral]. I couldn’t watch [a lot] of movies.”

THREE

“Like I said, five of us went, and three of us came back. When we came back, we was connected, and back then, if you moved next door, you had a new phone number. We lost contact. Anyway, we tried for 50-something years [to find each other].” In August 2021, Paul’s wife signed him up on togetherweserved.com, a U.S. military records search and veteran locator. A few months earlier, Larry, one of the three survivors with Paul, had also joined the site. Within two weeks, they had found each other; they reunited in Florida in October 2021. During Larry’s visit, they took up the search for their third friend, but they didn’t have any luck. Through coincidence, they discovered the alternate spelling of his name. Apparently, in Kentucky, their friend’s home state, the common spelling is Loyd and not Lloyd. They finally found the phone number and address.

Loyd and his wife had stayed in Michigan— never moving back to Kentucky, as Paul and Larry had suspected. When they called the number, Loyd’s wife answered. It was a tearful reunion as she informed Larry and Paul that Loyd, who had also spent 50 years searching, had passed away a year ago.

TWO

“I don’t know if you know much about Vietnam, but it was divided up into four cores. [Larry, Loyd, and I] just happened to be in Core Two, where the majority of the Agent Orange was sprayed. “VVA sends us a magazine every other month. They have what they call Taps for the ones that passed away. For the longest time, I would highlight everyone that was 69 or less. It was just name after name after name after name after name. I’m 74. There are some that are older, but Larry and I were lucky, because there were a lot that were exposed that haven’t made it. I don’t know how Larry and I have made it this far.” While Paul has yet to confirm this with Loyd’s wife, he suspects his friend’s passing had to do with side effects from Agent Orange. As for Paul, the current president of the VVA Chapter 1085 in Ocala, he has not had cancer but has collected an array of other medical problems. He spends a lot of his time navigating and finding the help veterans, like himself, need and are entitled to get.

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TA N G O YA N K E E

Show Up

COMMUNITY IMPACT & CARING FOR OTHERS

PARISH TANNER Story & Photo by LISA ANDERSON

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TA N G O YA N K E E

arish Tanner, owner of Ocala Car Audio since 2008, grew up in Springfield, Illinois. His father was a Marine, and he had other family who had served in the military, including his brother. So, no one was surprised when Parish decided to follow suit and join the Navy. He served on a submarine. “It’s a very, very closeknit community. You are going to fight with the guys on there like no tomorrow, but when you get to deck, they will not let anyone look at you funny. It is that brotherhood. “The things I got to see in the Navy, the good and bad, are still a part of who [I am].”

THE FOUNDATIONS

After leaving the Navy, Parish decided to join his mother in Ocala, where he found a job in the car audio industry. Eventually, he made his way to the wholesale side of the industry. He worked as a Product Specialist, until the recession hit, but Parish couldn’t find another job and didn’t want to leave the area. “The people of Ocala, the community, and everything around here, I fell in love with.” However, life without work was difficult. “At that point, I wound up being on Medicaid, food stamps, and unemployment. I was posting ads on Craig’s List. I remember making 50 bucks to move a refrigerator for somebody, just to be able to put food on the table. It was bred into us that you just go to work. That’s always held true to me. One of the really important things my mom taught me was [to] always take care of those around you.”

One of the really important things my mom taught me was [to] always take care of those around you. — Parish Tanner

His mother’s lesson wasn’t the only one that stuck and shaped his life. Parish’s dad also gave him advice, as a teenager, that Parish wouldn’t come to fully understand until many years later. “My dad was a nationally-ranked pool player. He was good! Not long after the movie The Color of Money with [Paul Newman] came out, I went [to my dad] and said, ‘I’m playing. Can you teach me the jump shots, the trick shots?’ He refused to do it. He said, ‘You haven’t mastered the fundamentals, yet. You need to learn the basics and master that before you can do those [other] things, because if you start getting too fancy, you’re going to fail. You will lose.’ It took me years to realize he was talking about my wife, my job, my kids, everything else, and not just a game of pool.” His mother, father, and the Navy inspired his business’ mission statement: “To build better men and to build a better community.” (Men meaning all people.)

WARRIOR WHEELS

“I met a guy named Ike Fretz, and he’s an Army soldier that came back from the sandbox [Middle East] disabled—permanently in a wheelchair. He took a bullet through the skull that damaged his eyes. [He] brought to my attention that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. That is the national number.” After learning this information, Parish began to think of ways to help. While he was on a motorcycle with a couple of friends in the fall of 2017, they came up with the idea to donate bikes to veterans to help give a sense of freedom. “In December 2017, my nephew decided to commit suicide. He was an Army veteran. So, that 22 veterans a day got extremely real for me.” Parish met Jason White, Director at the Birdwell Foundation of Florida, around this time, but it was when Terry Long, a 39-year-old Ocala veteran, joined the 22 in 2019 that Parish knew he needed Jason’s help to make Warrior Wheels a

foundation that could grow beyond the reach of Ocala. Parish has remained a part of the Warrior Wheels as the director, now that Jason has helped to create the foundation, because he is passionately committed to the mission. “If you think of a veteran that is homeless, what is their self-esteem? If they are unemployed and can’t provide for the family, what’s their self-esteem? That leads them down that path that could potentially lead to suicide. So, whether we give them a bike that allows them to step out, go forward, and get that brotherhood, or we provide them with a vehicle that can help with gainful employment or to go to their own doctor’s appointments. That gives a sense of freedom back to them, that’s why Warrior Wheels is freedom for veterans.” In addition to being passionate about helping veterans, Parish is also passionate about the next generation of military, healthcare workers, etc. It’s why, when he saw there was going to be a hole to fill, he decided to run for the Marion County School Board in District 5.

LEARN MORE

Birdwell Warrior Wheels Foundation birdwellfoundation.org Parish Tanner parish-tanner.com

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TA N G O YA N K E E

Semper Fi ALWAYS FAITHFUL

JASON WHITE Story & Photo by LISA ANDERSON

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TA N G O YA N K E E

“I

say I’m a sentimental Marine,” says Jason White, Director of The Birdwell Foundation for PTSD of Florida and President of Warrior Wheels Foundation. Born with a heroin addiction, Jason—also a product of the foster care system—has always been an advocate for mental health awareness. However, it was his experiences in the Marines that have prominently led him to his current path.

MAKING THE DISTINCTION

“I served right around 10 years. I went in as a Motor T 3531 [Motor Vehicle Operator]. I deployed really quickly after I went in. I’ll never forget the day: September 28, 2004. I got out February 1, 2014. “Middle of ‘05, I deployed for my first time. So, it was very quick. I was over there [to Iraq] for Christmas. That was a difficult process. That led to a lot of different exposures. I was in a city called Hīt. We did what was called the Raid of Hīt. It was a city that was very isolated on the river with [semi] expansive drives to any other civilization. We had to take over that area. We cleared and assisted in the evacuation of the insurgencies out of Hīt City and supported in the capture of individuals. “I was injured on my second deployment, physically. I make that very clear— distinguish between physically and psychologically. Did I know the difference then?” Jason hesitantly answers his own question. “Yes, but I didn’t realize [how] that exposure played a part in my life.” In Iraq, Jason witnessed and experienced several traumas that would take him years to recognize as psychological injuries. This included an incident with a child, who became lost during a gun fight and died as a result. “That was hard to deal with, being an innocent individual.” Jason drew a connection between the loss of innocence for that child to his own childhood. “Seeing that and being involved in that capacity, it affected my internalization between my innocence and what was happening.” On his second deployment, Jason, his lieutenant, and his gunner were headed to an Army Forward Operating Base (FOB). The communications were down, and Jason noted a discrepancy with spacing in the tires. Despite his protests, Jason was ordered to go to the FOB. As he was leaning out of his door to inspect the tire, the bomb exploded. The door slammed his head into the vehicle, knocking him unconscious, even with a Kevlar helmet. The lieutenant was also knocked out; the gunner caught the majority of the shrapnel. “We didn’t seek physical treatment, until we came back from combat. So, the most physical treatment we had was wiping the blood off our bodies. It was the blood coming out of your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Then, just kind of stumbling around and someone making sure you’re staying awake. That’s it.” The next day, Jason and the others were convoyed to a large airbase to be seen by a doctor. They were all cleared to return to work. “In the midst of that, your internal organs are twisted and messed up. Your brain is messed up, but you’re hyperfocused, and all this adrenaline is pumping to offset these things.” He returned home shortly after the incident. “I couldn’t tell my wife what had happened. I was alive! I was messed up mentally pretty bad.” He was set for re-enlistment and deployment, but someone was looking out for him. Instead of heading to California, where he would have certainly redeployed in a few months, he was sent to Virginia. That’s when a lot of his symptoms began to show. “I was stuttering bad, then. I was bouncing into walls. The behavior obviously changed, too.” About a year later, the behavioral issues became noticeable. He still performed his duties well, but he began to be more argumentative. He didn’t care about much of anything. He spent the last year and a half in the Marines going through a program for mental health, before he was medically retired.

TRANSITION

Returning home was not an easy transition for Jason, his wife, or his two children. He would often sleep on the floor, the couch, or on the floor next to his kids. Both of his children had medical issues, and Jason’s heightened Marine training meant he spent

most of his time in fear for them. He didn’t know how to explain himself to his wife, and since she had never lived on base to immerse herself in the culture, she wasn’t able to fully understand what was happening to her husband. Eventually, the couple divorced. Jason managed with unhealthy coping mechanisms, which meant he wasn’t able to see his kids. “That was a struggle.” When a fellow Marine noted Jason’s behavior, he and another friend helped him to find Camp Hope, a facility run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Jason spent over four months at the camp from 2017 to 2018. “It changed my life. It was faith-based. I never went through that hardcore of treatment. I was able to express things I was never able to verbalize my entire life.” Through this camp, he met Mr. Birdwell. Later, Jason and a few others approached Mr. Birdwell about starting a foundation. Now The Birdwell Foundation for PTSD is nationwide and provides services to veterans, first responders, and their families, who are suffering or affected by PTSD. “We are the first responders for the vets and first responders.”

LEARN MORE

The Birdwell Foundation for PTSD birdwellfoundation.org Warrior Wheels Foundation Facebook: @birdwellwarriorwheels

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TA N G O YA N K E E

ASHLEY MILLER Story & Photo by LISA ANDERSON

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TA N G O YA N K E E

Integrity& Routines

COMFORT IN AN UNSTABLE TIME

shley Miller was getting ready to deploy, when she received devastating news. She was only 22 years old and still finding her way into adulthood, but that year, she went from child to adult essentially over night. She is a mother of three and a driving force behind Miller and Sons Plumbing—a company she and her husband CJ built from the ground up. But before there was the structure of her home and business life, there was the Army, welcoming her into both comfort and tragedy.

HUMBLE EAST COAST ROOTS

Ashley grew up in Andover, New Hampshire, a small town whose high school students shared a joint school with approximately eight other towns. Her childhood was sheltered and, perhaps, a bit troubled. “I dropped out of high school, believe it or not. I moved in with my [now] adopted sister. Between her and my [adopted] mom, they basically forced me to graduate. I was very young. I was 16 when I graduated and 17 when I went to college.” Her adopted mom is her aunt, but Ashley, adopted only a few years ago, affectionately refers to her aunt as “Mom”—an “awesome” mom, to be exact. Life before moving in with her sister was very sheltered, and heading off to college at 17 was a bit of a shock. In 2009, at age 19, Ashley left college—and her criminal justice major—to move back home. “I had no idea what to do. So, I just joined the military. It was actually very welcoming to me, because I was raised so sheltered. It’s very comforting for people like me, because there’s very strict boundaries, so you can’t really step outside of [that] too often. I liked it.”

I don’t think I ever really transitioned to civilian [life]. I’m still very structured. I have my routines. — Ashley Miller

Ashley was stationed at Oahu Hawaii Military Bases across the “field” from Schofield Barracks, which is home to the 25th Infantry Division. During her time there, she built many friendships and even a romantic relationship. “We were past the point of dating, but not any further because I was super young. He was deployed to Afghanistan. His whole unit was, and he was infantry. I was scheduled to deploy about four months into his deployment. He ended up getting killed in Afghanistan in a convoy, three months into deployment.” In addition to her partner, Ashley lost a lot of friends through that deployment, and it became too much to process all at once. “I had a bit of a psychological breakdown. I think it was because I didn’t have much adult experience.” Her superiors determined the Army was probably not the best situation for Ashley. Needless to say, she did not deploy, and since her term was ending, they suggested she not re-enlist. She returned to New Hampshire about a month later.

CIVILIAN LIFE

In March 2012, Ashley called her mom, who lived in Ocala, and said she was moving down. It was here Ashley was able to find peace, but transitioning into civilian life is not easy. “I was out about three months, and I headed straight to

the recruiters office, as soon as I got to Ocala.” She had wanted to re-enlist, because she felt out of place in the “civilian world” but decided to end the process midway through. “Civilians are very odd. Wherever you go [in the military], it’s very structured. There’s no question of integrity or of morals. It just is what it is. In the civilian world, there’s just no respect. “I don’t think I ever really transitioned to civilian [life]. I’m still very structured. I have my routines.” Structure, routines, and a thick skin are all things Ashley retained from her military days, and they have benefited her in the business world. “In the construction industry, you have to have thick skin, especially being female. Some contractors don’t take you seriously, sometimes, because you are female. I don’t dress like a man, so that [makes] it worse.” However, her military background gave her the thick skin needed to be successful in her career and now in the family business. Ashley has been happily married since August 2015 and is a proud mom of three boys—the sons of Miller and Sons Plumbing.

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F R O M T H E PA D D O C K

Falling in Love IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HORSES

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F R O M T H E PA D D O C K

LAURINE FULLER-VARGAS Photos by JOSHUA JACOBS

“I

fall in love with them all; it’s always been about the horses for me,” says Laurine Fuller-Vargas. Thoroughbreds hold a special place in Laurine’s heart—in particular, off-thetrack Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) that have retired from racing. “I like horses, but I love Thoroughbreds! They’ve given me all my joy in life,” she proclaims. For this reason, Laurine created Run for the Ribbons, the non-profit organization she launched in 2014 dedicated to helping OTTBs transition into their next careers and homes.

RACING FAMILY

Laurine’s commitment rings true, given her family’s horse-centered focus. When she was growing up in Swansea, Massachusetts, her entire family was rooted in the Thoroughbred industry. “My dad was a jockey, and my mom, Lori Lockhart, won 500 races as a female trainer, which is impressive in itself,” says Laurine. “The woman inspires me every day to be as great as her.” Indeed, Lori Lockhart was a multiple stakes-winning trainer, with 505 wins to her credit and horses that earned a total of $5,697,901 at the track. “My grandfather, Lloyd Lockhart, was a breeder, trainer, and owner. He bought the farm in Ocala, when I was seven years old,” adds Laurine, now 34. “I feel thankful to have been mentored all my life by people in the racing industry, like my mom and Gramps, because of their value to always put the horses first and listen to what they say without words.” Cedar Lock Farm, her grandfather’s winter base in Ocala, has been Laurine’s home farm for 15 years.

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YOUNG START

Laurine knew early on that she wanted to be hands-on in the racing game. “I got my owner’s license at Suffolk Downs (East Boston, Massachusetts) in 2004. At 16, I was the youngest licensed owner in the state. I got my trainer’s license at Suffolk Downs in 2008,” she notes. “My mom and I were always business partners and had strings of horses at the track, up until I moved down here.” As much as she loved her family’s farm in Massachusetts, once Laurine discovered

Pictured with Laurine is daughter, Emelyn (8)

Story by CYNTHIA MCFARL AND

F R O M T H E PA D D O C K Ocala’s horse country, she was smitten. She became convinced this was the only place to spend winters. “As soon as I graduated high school in 2006, I left Massachusetts and came here. I loved the breeding and babies, seeing them go from being born to running their first race,” she says. “I love numbers. My plan was always to be a high school math teacher, if I wasn’t going to do the horses. I went to school for a couple years and was one class short of getting my associate’s degree. I thought I’d do both, but the horses became full-time,” expounds Laurine.

RUN FOR THE RIBBONS

In addition to rehabilitating and reschooling former racehorses through her non-profit, Laurine also rescues and rehomes OTTBs. While many Thoroughbreds are racehorses early in life, their racing careers don’t usually last more than a few years, if that. Most can go on to second and even third careers, living useful lives and bringing joy to new owners. Laurine founded Run for the Ribbons to create post-racing outlets and to help owners and breeders safely retire racehorses before injuries occur. She knows all too well that OTTBs can succeed in a wide range of disciplines, if they have the right training foundation. Run for the Ribbons has become a beloved Thoroughbred aftercare organization and hosts a popular schooling show series. The non-profit also hosts the annual Florida Thoroughbred Transformation Expo, which is exclusive to Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbreds. Designed to showcase the breed’s many talents, the event is held each December at the Florida Horse Park, with horses competing in eight different disciplines. “This was our fifth year for the Expo; we had $25,000 in prize money and over 120 horses entered,” Laurine says proudly. She knows that when it comes to Thoroughbreds, most people think “racehorse.” “But they’re so much more than that; they’re so athletic,” she says. “Shows like ours and our aftercare program have made people realize these horses really can do anything.” Laurine’s next goal is to launch the Full Strides Program for underprivileged youth in the community. “This mentoring program will allow kids who love horses but don’t have the money to get involved with them learn to care for the horses, ride, and show,” she explains, adding that participating youth will gain skills that can help lead to employment in the equine industry.

FARM ACTIVITIES

Laurine remains involved in the Thoroughbred industry on multiple levels. “I am a strong advocate for the sport of racing to do right by the horses first,” she says. Her Cedar Lock Farm is an active breeding, breaking, and training operation. Currently home to about three dozen horses, it’s also a retirement farm and the site

of Run for the Ribbons aftercare program. The farm is home to Laurine’s own family, as well, which includes her children—Devin (4), Emelyn (8), and Noah (12)—and their three dogs. “Emelyn and Noah ride, show, and help at the farm. They’re part of the team,” says Laurine, who loves teaching her children about horses.

In addition to the responsibilities with her farm and non-profit, Laurine works part time at Tack Shack of Ocala. “My whole life has been around horses,” says Laurine. “I’ve always been living on the faith of horses and following my passion.”

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FROM THE EXPERTS

A Pathway to Peace SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING Story by CINDY GRIMES

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FROM THE EXPERTS

e have an expectation that, as our graduates set off on their path to adulthood, they will have the basic academic and literacy skills necessary to successfully navigate life. Yet, throughout their 12-plus years of formal education, it is unlikely these young adults will have been taught conflict resolution skills, how to intentionally create community, or even how to forgive a betrayal. Most will never have heard principles of non-violence or restorative justice. Few will realize the power of their breath to calm difficult emotions or truly appreciate the value of offering empathy to someone in emotional distress. In other words, throughout the most formative years of life, we are neglecting to teach future generations vital skills that will allow them to find peace within themselves, in their relationships, and in the world around them. The truth of the matter is current and prior generations have not passed along the skills of Peace Literacy, because most of us never learned the skills ourselves. One cannot teach what he or she has never learned.

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ABOUT CINDY GRIMES Cindy Grimes is co-founder of Circle Up Center for Practical Peacebuilding. Visit: circleupcenter.org

Photo by photographee.eu/DepositPhotos.com

There is an emergent social science called SocialEmotional Learning (SEL), which has become a movement in the past 25 to 30 years. I spent five years leading classes and conversation circles with incarcerated men at Marion Correctional Institution on SEL. In these classes, we discussed the foundation of healthy relationships—things like boundaries, trust, respect, and accountability. We practiced mindfulness and meditation. We explored how to use emotions to navigate life in the midst of difficulties and not get overwhelmed or “used” by strong emotions. We discussed anger, sadness, fear, trauma, as well as resilience and the protective factors that can help us survive and, ultimately, empower us to thrive. We practiced effective communication skills and ways to engage in restorative conversations that have the capacity to transform conflict into opportunities for healing, connection, and growth. Hearts, minds, and relationships were restored. We created a sense of community—a center of peace, learning, and mutual support in the unlikeliest of places. If this is possible behind prison bars and razor wire, what’s possible in our homes, schools, and workplaces? The words of the Dalai Lama were an epiphany when I was first introduced to the concept of Peace Literacy: “Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.” When we become as literate about peace as we are about war, peace may be possible.

Photo by Lisa Anderson

SEL IN PRISON

FROM THE EXPERTS

Honoring Educators 7 LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP FROM THE CLASSROOM Story by DR. MANAL FAKHOURY

lthough we might not always make the connection, educators are leaders. Educators develop principled teaching philosophies and visions for what they want their students to learn and set objectives that will govern our future. Earlier this year, we honored 13 local Women Educators for International Women’s Day. Each of them is truly a remarkable woman. Let’s take a moment to capture seven of the life and leadership lessons we can learn from educators.

LIFE IS WORKING FOR YOU

Hard work pays off in life. Educators understand that some people are naturally talented, while others have to work harder for the same results. The saying goes that as much as you want something, you must be willing to work equally hard for it. The end result of hard work is that life is always working for you in ways you may not even see...yet.

GIVE AND GET RESPECT

A great educator always leads by example. The same is true of a great leader. This allows each person involved in their interactions to be more humble and simple in nature.

Photo by michaeljung/DepositPhotos.com

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Photo submitted by Dr. Manal Fakhoury

TEAMWORK BRINGS GREAT REWARDS

Teams that work together truly achieve more. Teamwork is a major and valuable skill taught at every level of education and in the workplace. Being involved in teamwork lays the foundation for collaboration in the workplace.

MAKE SMART DECISIONS

Making solid decisions is an integral part of personal development. Educators (and leaders) allow others to make decisions and experience the consequences of each decision. With time, learning to make smart decisions is something we just do.

ALLOW FOR FLEXIBILITY

No one can control everything. Learning to adapt and be flexible is a vital life skill. Go for maximum flexibility.

LIFE IS DYNAMIC

Things are always changing in life. Educators have a gift for being mindful of the changes that occur around them and allowing others to adapt to constant change.

BELIEVE IN OTHERS

Offering hope and belief to others is a great lesson we could all benefit from. Most educators believe that their students have the potential to become anything they desire. This is why people have favorite teachers: Students love that someone thinks they are special and have something to offer. So whether you are an educator or a leader, embrace these key lessons in your everyday life. You and your world will be better because of it.

ABOUT DR. MANAL FAKHOURY For the past 35 years, Manal has been making a difference in Ocala with hard work, generosity, and outstanding leadership. Visit: myfli.com or vestechpartners.com

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adventure I S

O U T

T H E R E

Trailblazing Marine Vet Counsels Young Entrepreneurs Story by LISA ANDERSON

“You don’t need all the numbers! You really don’t need all the numbers,” jokes Cherrietta Prince, the Director of IMPACT Initiative at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP). Cherrietta was a Forest High School graduate at age 16. She skipped her senior year of high school and headed straight to the University of Florida (UF) at only 17. She was recently honored in September 2021 as Ms. Two Bits to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of women’s athletics at UF. Cherrietta participated in track and field and graduated from UF in 1974. “I am proud to be a mature woman,” she declares. However, Cherrietta has found that the younger generations feel she is a dinosaur. She doesn’t look anywhere near her age, which will not be named on these pages. “I’m glad for the road traveled, despite all of the pitfalls,” she states. Cherrietta has a long and rich history in her career: as a mother, her educational background, and her

Photos by JOSHUA JACOBS

military service. Besides being proud of her maturity, she is a very proud mother. “It’s better than money to have your children succeed and be self-sustaining, especially in today’s world.” She started with twin boys. Then, six years later, she had a daughter, and shockingly, six years after that, she had another daughter. “We lost our minds because the boys were 12 and my daughter was six,” she laughs, thinking back about the news of her second daughter.

CAREER PATH

Cherrietta moved to Miami after earning a degree in public relations. She started her career in radio, TV, and newspapers. When she got a call from a radio station in Fort Myers, she packed her bags and worked as the News Director for many years. After another job offer came in, she left. “I was hired to be the District Information Specialist for the State of Florida

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Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, which is currently DCF.” She had 11 counties in her district, and she traveled to all of them, until she decided to join the Marine Corps in her early twenties. She was on active duty for three years and in the reserves for 10. Much of Cherrietta’s career and adventures overlap. She earned her master’s degree while in the Marines. She eventually moved back to Ocala, worked for the city, owned a daycare center for 14 years, taught in the prison system, and worked as a professor. “In 2008, I started a transportation business, and for almost 10 years, we transported for the Department of Veterans Affairs—transporting veterans around the North Florida/Georgia region for the VA.” In 2012, she became an ambassador with the CEP, which is how she became so involved with IMPACT Initiative; she now serves as its director. “The IMPACT Initiative was designed to outreach into the underserved communities. It was primarily designed to do outreach to Marion Oaks, Silver Springs Shores, and West Ocala, based on population demographics. It was determined

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that these three communities had no percapita income and were less historically businessed areas. There are lots of others we have identified since that time, but those are the primary ones.” Cherrietta loves her job. Her eyes light up and her enthusiasm quickens, as she talks about the programs and training. The CEP is also putting some focus on women-owned businesses in the area. “It is so good to see so many women [in business]. The women’s [category] is one of the fastest growing entrepreneurs.”

“OORAH”

But as happy as she is now, Cherrietta will always be a Marine. Cherrietta was a Public Information Officer. “I worked in radio, TV, and newspaper. I spent most of my time in Puerto Rico at American Forces Caribbean Network (AFCN radio). I was an overnight disc jockey for half of that time. The other half of that time, I was a camera person, news reporter, and quite a few things. It was such an adventure! From there, I came back to the States to Camp Lejeune, which is the largest Marine Corps

base on the East Coast. I worked in the newspaper at the Camp Lejeune Globe, which is one of the largest military papers. “Then, I became in charge of the radio side. That’s where I learned to appreciate country music, because I did a radio show every night for the Marine Corps base at a country music station. I hated country music, until I worked there. Then, I learned to appreciate and love it.” It was during her active three years in the Corps that Cherrietta got married to her first husband and had her twin boys. That’s when she decided to transition to the active reserves, where she remained for a decade. “I still miss it. I see a convoy, and I wish I could jump on.”

Ask her what she loved most about the Marines and she’ll tell you, “Adventure! Oh, my goodness! And all the people I met and places I went. My total time in the military, I probably went 10 different places. I met people from all over the world. And being in public affairs, I mean, that’s in everywhere. We were the media. I just got to do so

many things. I’ve done so many interviews with so many different people. But the military is really about discipline, and when we were at total peace time in the United States, I used to say everybody should go for two years to learn discipline. I used to say that, but there’s so much chaos in the world now. Then, having transported for the VA, I saw…” Her voice trails off for a moment. “We had our busiest time when they started coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. I had experienced it being a Marine, but I hadn’t seen the immediate ravages one-on-one. [There were] a few people in my family, but to see what it does to young people—what PTSD does to the young.” She shakes her head. Cherrietta’s life has been about many firsts, and many of them because she was a woman and a woman of color. She was one of the first two women to work at AFCN radio, and she was the first black woman. While there were several families living on base—raising the number of women in total—out of the 500 Marines stationed there, only five were women, and Cherrietta was among that number. Her life experiences have created a strong woman with a sense of humor, curiosity, and a positive outlook. Next time you are in the CEP Power Plant building, stop in to learn more about the programs offered. Cherrietta would love to chat with you about your new or young business.

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THE CHEWS LETTER

A Better Way ORGANIC FARMERS WORK TOWARDS SELF-SUSTAINABILITY

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THE CHEWS LETTER

THE KOMYATI FAMILY Story by LISA ANDERSON

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Photos by JOSHUA JACOBS

THE CHEWS LETTER

van Komyati and his wife Rachel are both Florida-born and -raised—he from Bradenton, she from Ocala—but they come to food production from different directions. Evan went into the restaurant industry before going into college and went right back into it after graduation. He worked as a chef for 15 years, including in Tampa and Sarasota. Rachel’s path was a little more indirect. “I’ve always loved cooking, providing food for people. I’ve never worked professionally anywhere.” Her interest in farmers markets began when she was a new stay-at-home mother. “I just had to get out of the house, so I started doing a farmers market in Alabama, where we lived for a little while,” after they came back from traveling the world. She inquired as to what the Saturday market was missing; the answer was bread. “I started practicing and trying to provide more bread every week. I was working on yeast-leavened breads— sourdoughs and French baguettes—which were difficult. I’ve gotten the hang of it since,” she laughs. Evan chimes in, “There’s definitely a trick to it.” The biggest “trick” the couple has worked hard to get the hang of is the balance between family and Kör Farm, the organic farm where they grow greens, bake bread, and conduct experiments with fruit trees, mushrooms, and bees. Evan, with his history in the kitchens, knew he could put in the long hours, but he wanted to be with his family. “You’re either married to the kitchens or married to your family. So, we were trying to find a better way...some different options.”

CIRCLING BACK

In 2017, the couple moved back to Rachel’s hometown to be near her parents and their extended family. “I never thought I would [come back]. Like, ‘I’m never moving back to Ocala,’ and here we are.” Her parents had six acres and allowed them to start gardening. Two years later, they partnered with a family, who owned an 80-acre horse farm, and established Kör Farm. The name was inspired by Evan’s Hungarian heritage: Kör means circle. Now expecting their third child, Rachel is grateful for the opportunity to raise her kids on a farm. “I just feel like they’re really well-rounded. They play in the dirt a lot [and] eat a lot of organic vegetables.” Evan directly involves his oldest son Bodhi in farm work. “Bodhi is about to start kindergarten. I’ve been having him with me up on the farm. It’s been really, really nice. He’s a great foreman on every single project,” says the proud dad. “The amount he’s learned and the questions he’s asked—it feels good to know that he knows so much about plants and how they grow and how they work. When we do our bee work, he puts on a veil, and he’s right there with our instructor. He’s less nervous about it than any of us.” Mom is just as proud. “[Bodhi] loves teaching people, showing them the things he knows.” Once Bodhi goes to school, Evan plans to do the same thing with their second child Jade, while Rachel takes care of their infant.

ON THE GO

“It’s just go, go, go, always,” Rachel explains. “We’ve ramped up in the last two years.” Between the two of them, they vend at three farmers markets in the area: the Ocala Downtown Market on Saturdays, the Circle Square Farmers Market at On Top of the World on Thursdays, and in Gainesville. They have maxed out their capacity with just the two of them. Rachel says their dream is to be able to sustain their community. “Our big goal is self-sustainability, not having to work for anybody, and also being able to provide for our families and friends.” She adds, “The need to not have to work for anybody has been very fruitful. We’ve learned about ourselves and our capabilities.” Their partnership with Rainbow Rise Farm has given them more hands and more opportunities for growth. “In the next 10 years,” says Rachel, “we would like to have more events.” They want to host farm-to-table events and offer classes. Evan already

teaches classes in the area, including at Santa Fe College in Gainesville. And they are learning themselves: “Older farmers come around and teach us.”

MAKING IT WORK

But they know that they cannot keep up this blistering pace forever, nor do they want to. “We’re in a different place in our business,” Evan states. “Now, we need to learn how to ramp down things, because we have a lot of expectations from our customers. That’s not a bad thing. We have a very good customer base. We have a very high demand.” Rachel agrees. “Eventually, our goal is to take summers off, because that’s what a lot of organic farmers do.” Florida gets too hot during the summer months for the products that they grow, such as greens, cut flowers, and tomatoes. “You can grow sweet potatoes and okra,” says Evan, but that is not their niche. Instead, they’ll focus on getting their 300-tree orchard up and running, along with their half-acre of blueberry bushes, not to mention the chickens. It’s a “sink or swim type of thing,” Evan declares, referring to getting the balance right between what they need to do for the business and profit, versus their experiments and longterm goals. But their biggest priority is “making it work for our family.”

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ON VIEW APRIL 7, 2022 - MAY 26, 2022 NOMA Gallery 939 N Magnolia AVE Ocala FL 34475 Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm Visit:www.nomaocala.com

ARTIST CORNER

Finding Beauty

ARTWORK INSPIRES SETS & COSTUMES Story by VICTORIA BILLIG

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ver the past few years, the Appleton Museum of Art has embarked on a creative adventure full of magic with Ocala Civic Theatre (OCT). As next-door neighbors sharing the same property, both arts venues were inspired by Beauty and the Beast. On the theatre’s side, a full-scale, original stage version of the beloved 1991 Disney film is being produced, with performances scheduled May 12-June 5, 2022. OCT’s award-winning Costume Designer Eryn Brooks Brewer visited the museum, and for her costume designs, she borrowed patterns, colors, and motifs based on Rococo-style works in the Appleton collection. The Rococo movement originated in early 18thcentury Paris and is known for being ornate, elegant, and theatrical. Not just used to describe fine art and sculpture, the style also encompassed architecture and decorative arts, like furniture, glassware, textiles, and more. The term “rococo” is derived from rocaille, the French word for rock or rubble, and refers to architectural and interior design elements used during this time. From the Appleton collection, objects such as a Louis XIV-type clock and wardrobe, as well as fine porcelain objects and elaborate candelabra, were the perfect fit for OCT’s rendition of this epic, beloved tale. In collaboration, the Appleton’s Curator of Exhibitions Patricia Tomlinson created “Finding Beauty,” on view at the museum May 12, 2022-January 15, 2023. This engaging and interactive exhibition showcases the art objects that served as inspiration to OCT, along with

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costume sketches, photos of the set, touchable textile samples, and other surprises. There’s something for everyone! “Finding Beauty” also shines a light on the creative design process and how a static object, such as a clock, can eventually become the costume for a living actor to magically transform into a character such as Cogsworth. By looking at the objects and sketches side-by-side,

like the French clock and Cogsworth sketch pictured here, visitors will be able to see and appreciate how art has influenced design. After June 5, when OCT’s stage production ends, a selection of costumes will be installed in the “Finding Beauty” exhibition, along with video from the production, allowing visitors to truly see how the artwork “came to life.”

ABOUT THE WRITER Victoria Billig is Assistant Director at the College of Central Florida’s Appleton Museum of Art. She previously held positions at Pelham Art Center, NSU Museum of Art, and USF Contemporary Art Museum.

Photos submitted by Appleton Museum: Pierre-Guillaume Bausse (French, active in Paris 1802-1820), Gilt bronze mounts marked HPR (Henri Picard, French, active in Paris 1831-1864), French Mantle Clock, First quarter of 19th century. Wood, ormolu, enamel, bronze and brass, Gift of Arthur I. Appleton • Eryn Brooks Brewer for Ocala Civic Theatre, “Costume Rendering for Cogsworth,” Ink on paper. Courtesy of the Ocala Civic Theatre

ARTIST CORNER

Isaiah Pepper ARTIST Q&A

Photo by Ralph Demilio, submitted by Isaiah Pepper

What type an artist are you? I am a visual artist, working in all mediums to further my knowledge and skill. What types of art and culture do you like to consume? Tattoos and music are the main forms of art and culture I personally am drawn to. I don’t limit myself to just those forms, for I am constantly surrounded by art and artists that, whether they know it or not, shape my growth and skill level. Is there a connection between your message and the way you make your art? My current goals are to just create, so if I had to share a message it would be just that. I’m sure there is a bigger message to share to the world through my art, but I don’t believe I’ve found it yet. What are you besides an artist? How do you define your role in life? A life lived has made me many things that I now carry in my artistic tool belt, from mechanic and

craftsman to massage therapist, but my role in life, first and foremost, is being a father. How do you define success as an artist or person? What do you hope to accomplish? Success to me as an artist is to look back on my art and know that I’m better now than I was then. I feel I can say the same as to being a person. How can we support you? Instagram: @artistic_aberrations

WANT TO BE A FEATURED ARTIST?

Inclusion in the magazine is based on first come, first served. You must complete the questionnaire and submit a headshot to be considered for publication. Scan the QR Code or Visit localamag.com/artist-q-a

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forgiveness IS THE hardest thing