The Village Journal by The Village Journal

GAINESVILLE'S

Difference Makers S P O T LIGHT O N NEIG HBO R S

The Ultimate Community Lifestyle Magazine

The Klein Family SUCCESS at

SIXTEEN JORDAN THORP & CASANA FINK Eating in Season with

Chef

Bert Gill

24 HOURS IN ANNA MARIE ISLAND

Vol. 11 No.2

2015 | Vol. 11 No. 2

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CONTENTS

local 24 Spotlight on Neighbors: The Klein Family

30 Gainesville's Difference Makers: Mika Vuto, Ron Farb and Danny Veilleux

life 42 Success at Sixteen: Jordan Thorp and Casana Fink 47 DIY Danna: Designing a Work Station

taste 52 Eating in Season with Chef Bert Gill

56 Harvesting

Your Local Produce

Lilly Pulitzer Whitney tank, $38; Worth skinny jeans, $158; Kendra Scott Rayne necklace, $80 > Pink Narcissus; gold hoop earrings and Peace of Faith bracelets > Down to Earth boutique

Lilly Pulitzer Issa tee in Coco Loco, $44; Kendra Scott Sky earring in white pearl, $55 > Pink Narcissus

TheVillageJournal.com | 77

wellness C ON T E N T S 60 Splash into Swimming Safety: Protecting Your Child from Water Dangers

64 Detoxing Your Cleaning Routine 68 5 Reasons You’ll Never Forget to Brush Your Teeth Again

explore

70 24-Hours in Anna Maria Island 77 Beach Side Bliss

IN EVERY ISSUE 16 Haile Village Center Directory 20 Market Square Directory 38 Real Estate Market Watch 40 Community Map 80 Calendar of Events 84 Snapshots 89 Register of Advertisers 90 From the Kitchen of Dean Cacciatore

ON THE COVER (L to R) Ron Farb, Mika Vuto and Danny Veilluex photographed by Footstone Photography. Makeup by Kara Winslow. Hair styled by Sabrina Johns of Sixth Street Station. Mika’s wardrobe provide by Pink Narcissus (Lilly Pulitzer Lindsay cardigan, Iona shell top, Luxury Capri in navy, Kristin wedge in natural, and Brighton Versailles Mercury bracelets). Danny’s wardrobe provided by Pennington & Bailes (see p.34). 8 | TheVillageJournal.com

We stand for your struggles, your victories and everything in between. We stand for

YOU.

We arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afraid to go to trial and fight for the compensation you deserve. From winning against big tobacco to medical malpractice and auto accident cases, we stand for you. 352-372-9999 www.avera.com Main Office Gainesville Gainesville | Ocala | Lake City Before deduction for attorneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fees and expenses. Results may vary.

E D I T OR ’ S NO TE

limbing Mount Everest is not something I have ever considered doing. Yet, when I listen to Ron Farb of the Climb for Cancer Foundation speak about why he has chosen to summit some of the highest mountains on Earth 15 times, it makes me pause. His selflessness, and consequently that of many others who have joined in his mission, has impacted countless lives of others battling cancer through the symbolic act of climbing mountains (p.32). I think we sometimes forget that acts of kindness, no matter how large or small, can make a lasting, and even life changing, impact on someone else. Whether it’s collecting donations for school uniforms as St. Francis Catholic High School senior Danny Veilleux has done through the Kids Dress 4 Success program (p.34), or bringing a community center to Gainesville for individuals with Downs syndrome and their families to learn, develop and succeed like Mika Vuto is establishing (p.30), making a difference for others doesn’t have to require large sums of money or high profile celebrities. It just takes one passionate person with an idea and the desire to make a change. We explore how these individuals, along with Miss Florida Gator’s Outstanding Teen, Jordan Thorp, and Miss Gainesville’s Outstanding Teen, Casana Fink, are touching the lives of children born with cleft palates and resurfacing the immense importance of organ donation, all at age 16 (p.42). These individuals serves as a subtle, but powerful, reminder that each of us has the opportunity to make a difference in this world if we choose to. Perhaps a 29,029 ft climb isn’t for everyone, but carving out a way to make a change in your corner of this world certainly is.

M AI L B OX Send us a note to share your thoughts and ideas about the magazine. If you know of someone or something that you think would be great to share with the entire community, let us know about it. We want to hear from you because after all, this magazine is for you! Write to us at TheVillageJournal.com.

TheVillageJournal.com 10 || TheVillageJournal.com

Beauty. Every Day.

PARIS

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photo credit: Sébastien Erome

The Original Since 1889. Laquered steel. High Protection Treatment for outdoor use. Anti-UV powder coating in fabulous colors.

Agapanthus & Aggie Lane

Tioga Town Center - 4 miles west of the Oaks Mall 13005 SW First Rd | Newberry tel 352.672.6004 | www.ShopAgapanthus.com wedding gift registry available in store & online

Check our Social Pages for upcoming specials & events like “Tuesdays on the Patio”

SOC I AL H A PPENING S

STAY IN TOUCH

pin, post, tweet and snap! Instagram Check us out on Instagram @villagejournal for an inside look at current happenings and events.

Behind the scenes at our Enjoying the beautiful shoot for the latest issue homes at Junior League’s Tour of Kitchens. of The Village Journal with the talented @footstonephotography!

Twitter Follow us on Twitter @villagejournal for breaking news updates, local happenings and interesting articles.

Pinterest From recipes to activities for the kids, we share everything you need for a fabulous summer. Follow our Pinterest page at pinterest.com/ villagejournal for all the tips you need to make your summer unforgettable!

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Thanks to everyone who participated in The Village Journal’s survey. Congratulations to our drawing winners, Megan Martin and Onesimo Guerra!

Having a great time at the #LillyDreamJob event this afternoon at Pink Narcissus!

Facebook Visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/ thevillagejournal for the latest on community news, local happenings and highlights from events we’ve attended. If you see your friends in our photos, be sure to tag them!

Investing our time in you, so your time is

spent doing what matters most. Our approach starts with a deep understanding of you and your goals. Whether you are planning for retirement, looking to minimize taxes, have recently sold an asset or are preparing a road map for business succession, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here. Learn more about our unique planning process, all focused on one thing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you.

352-373-3337 www.kossolinger.com

2700-A NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606 Securities offered through ValMark Securities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. ValMark and Koss Olinger are separate entities. Advisory services offered through Koss Olinger Consulting, LLC., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

C ON T R I B UT O RS

Chef Bert Gill has been working in restaurants since 1985. A graduate of New England Culinary Institute (NECI), he has been the Executive Chef of Mildred’s Big City Food since June of 1999. Bert and his wife, Tara Gill, now own Mildred’s Big City Food, The New Deal Café and Blue Gill Quality Foods. Blue Gill opened in June 2011 and was named “Gainesville’s Best New Restaurant 2012” by Florida Trend in the “Best of Florida” issue. Through their restaurants, the Gills are dedicated to supporting local farmers, locally grown food and sustainable agriculture. Bert is set to release his first cookbook in the fall, “Pickled, Fried and Fresh” published by University Press. Bert and Tara have three children, Austin, Jake and Kelly.

Mary Moore is the owner and manager of Green Clean Homes, Gainesville's Green Cleaning Service (www. greencleanhomes.com). She is a married mother of three. In her spare time, she helps others learn about the importance of green products. For more information on green products, visit www.bestgreencleanproducts. weebly.com

Dr. Paivi Samant Dr. Paivi Samant was born and raised in Savonlinna, Finland. She relocated to Memphis, TN where her journey to the field of dentistry began. She graduated from the University of Tennessee earning her D.D.S. degree and subsequently specialized in Prosthodontics. Dr. Samant has been in private practice in Gainesville, FL since 2006 and has an affiliation with the UF College of Dentistry. She is a member of American College of Prosthodontist, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Florida Dental Association as well as the ADA. Dr. Samant is married with two children. In her leisure time she enjoys attending the local art scene in Gainesville. TheVillageJournal.com 14 || TheVillageJournal.com 14

PUBLISHER:

Ryan Frankel EDITOR:

Channing Williams DESIGN:

Aníbal Rodríguez, Director Alexandra Villella, Graphic Design ADVERTISING:

Kilty Bryson, Senior Account Executive EDITORIAL:

Danna Miller, Columnist Annaleigh Bonds, Editorial Assistant CONTRIBUTORS:

Annaleigh Bonds Dean Cacciatore Coleen DeGroff Lynna Lawrence Dante Lima Kendal Norris PHOTOGRAPHY:

Footstone Photography Patricia Bishop Photography Robert Hedges DIGITAL:

Mehgan McLendon, Digital Coordinator ACCOUNTING:

Bonnie Rodríguez, Bookkeeper For advertising or licensing information call (352) 331-5560 or visit TheVillageJournal.com

105 SW 128th Street, Suite 200 Newberry, FL 32669 TheVillageJournal.com The Village Journal is published quarterly in Gainesville, Florida. Copyright 2015, all rights reserved by Frankel Media Group. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. Frankel Media Group is an independent entity, and neither it, its agents, employees, nor its publication The Village Journal, have any associations with The Haile Village Center, Haile Plantation, its developers, employees or tenants. Printed in the USA. ©2015 Frankel Media Group.

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Where locals dine global www.SaboreRestaurant.com Located in Tioga Town Center

H AI L E V I L L AG E CENT ER D IRECT O RY

ARCHITECTURE

EDUCATION

Jennifer Langford, AIA, CNU, PA . . . . 3 7 1 - 7 1 8 7

Abacus Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . . .376-1492

The Sustainable Design Group . . . . . . 327-3899

La Escuela Spanish Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514-4409

PHOTOGRAPHY Footstone Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . 562-3066

COMMUNITY Haile Equestrian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665-7433 Haile Village Farmers Market . . . . . . . 363-2233

DANCE Cameron Dancenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-7785

DINING

EVENT SERVICES Cacciatore Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692-0701 Plantation Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371-1600

FINANCIAL American Optimal Advisors . . . . . . . . . 505-5632 Cetera Advisors, Beverly J. Loy . . . . . 317-5269 Cetera Advisors, Pat Gleason, CRPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7 1 - 7 1 7 1 Holloway Wealth Management . . . . . . 337-8177

Cacciatore Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692-0701

Markey Wealth Management . . . . . . . 338-1560

Haile Village Bistro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378-0721

SunTrust Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375-6868

Limerock Road Neighborhood Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-6228

Tillman Hartley, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-9015

Patticakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376-1332 Queens Arms Pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378-0721 Volcanic Sushi & Sake . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363-6226 16 | TheVillageJournal.com

GET READY FOR

Spring & Summer with FURNISHINGS & GIFTS Marianne Coveney European Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-4290

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The Perfect Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375-8000

HEALTH & BEAUTY Cj's Plantation Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-0400 Haile Barber Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374-2005 Haile Village Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . 372-6550 Haile Village Spa & Salon . . . . . . . . . . 335-5025 Hang Ten Nail Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-5545 Salon PhD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 8 - 1 0 1 1 Sarah’s Hair Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226-6909 Serendipity Spa & Salon . . . . . . . . . . . 378-9088

JEWELRY Abazias Diamonds, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 264-9940 Sander’s Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-6100 The Village Jeweler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338-0015

LEGAL C. David Coffey, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-8442 Warner, Sechrest & Butts, P.A. . . . . . . 373-5922 Law Offices of Allan H. Kaye, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375-0816 Law Offices of Steven Kalishman . . . . 376-8600 Mark J. Fraser, Attorney at Law . . . . . 367-0444 Niesen, Price, Worthy, Campo, Frasier & Blakey, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373-9031 White & Crouch, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7 2 - 1 0 1 1

MEDICAL Aguirre & Sappington Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378-2545 Alix L. Baxter, M.D., P.A. Psychiatry and Psychotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373-2525 Benet Clinical Assessment . . . . . . . . . 375-2545

1261 N.W. 76th Blvd. [Newberry Crossing] Gainesville 352.332.5608 electronics-world.net Lic. ES120000333

TheVillageJournal.com | 17 17

H AI L E V I L L AG E CENT ER D IRECT O RY Burnell Acupuncture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367-0900 CFK Cardiac Tech, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332-3760 Haile Endodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374-2999 Galvan Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327-3561 Haile Medical Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367-9602 Haile Plantation Family Dental . . . . . . 375-6116 Haile Plantation Family Medicine (UF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265-0944 Infectious Disease Consultants . . . . . . 375-0008 Kelly Aissen, PhD, LMHC . . . . . . . . . . . 278-7008 Kent Wegner, M.D., Psychiatry & Neurology . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-1109 Kids Only Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-7777 Lori Libert Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . 222-1583 Linda Goodwin, PhD, LMHC, Counselor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373-0030 Options Medical, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317-6379

Speech & Language Center at Haile Plantation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284-3323 The Haile Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337-0551 UF Health PRC at Haile . . . . . . . . . . . . 265-0944 William E. Beaty PhD, Psychologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-5520

PET CARE Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue . . . . . . . . . 262-4232 Haile Plantation Animal Clinic . . . . . . . 377-6003 Shampoodles by Jan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336-7236 Sweet Paws Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264-8995

REAL ESTATE Bosshardt Realty Services . . . . . . . . . . 371-6100 Coldwell Banker, M.M. Parrish Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-4999 Haile Plantation Sales & Information Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-4999 Management Specialists Services . . . 335-7848

BERRIES ARE COMING!

Premier Management Associates, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379-4641 Henderson Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339-3478 Thomas Group Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226-8228

TITLE & INSURANCE AmeriLife Insurance Marketing . . . . . . 3 7 1 - 8 2 1 3 Brightway Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-7500 New York Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7 9 - 8 1 7 1

TECHNOLOGY Wet Hammock’s Farm, located in Citra just 30 minutes south of Gainesville, will be open for U-Pick blackberry harvest SOON! Visit www.facebook.com/WetHammock or www.WetHammockFarm.com for updates and other info. (352) 812-5462 www.WetHammockFarm.com 18 | TheVillageJournal.com

Advanced Turbine Support, LLC . . . . 302-2364 E-Tech Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-785-5993 Neptuno Data Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514-4215

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H AI L E M AR KET S Q UA RE D IRECTO RY

BEAUTY Great Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-1005 Venus Nail Spa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-3878 Salon 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505-3819

MAILING SERVICE Haile Mail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-4447

MEDICAL Archer Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 1 - 4 7 3 1

DINING

Haile Market Therapy &

Bamboos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-1522

Behavioral Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-0020

I Love NY Pizza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-6185

Kinetix Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . 505-6665

Subway.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332-1707 Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt . . . . . . . . . . 505-3352 Looseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-6620

DRY CLEANING On the Spot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332-9494

FINANCIAL Florida Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7 7 - 4 1 4 1 Wells Fargo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-8239

FITNESS Sweat Life Fitness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692-4926

PHARMACY Publix Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-1086

SHOPPING Haile Jewelry & Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-1905 Haile Kitchen & Bath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745-3456

SPIRITS The Spirit Shoppe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-7274

REAL ESTATE Allison Ables Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . 371-1828 Tommy Williams Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-8180

GROCERY Publix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 1 - 1 0 3 7

INSURANCE Bo Greene Insurance Agency. . . . . . . . 333-1123 20 20 | TheVillageJournal.com

Viking Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-9333

Dr. Alissa Dr

352.316.7400

Come visit our new location! 231 NW 137th Drive | Jonesville, Florida 32669

agstedt

L OC A L SPECIAL FEATURE

PROSTHODONTICS EXPLAINED WITH DR. PAIVI SAMANT OF SMART SMILE DENTISTRY Prosthodontics is a small but very important dental specialty that often goes unnoticed by the general public. Gainesville prosthodontist and owner of the Smart Smile Dentistry, Dr. Paivi Samant and her caring team work everyday to keep patients’ smiles beautiful and functioning well. “We really are the architects in dentistry and can build beauty and function whatever restorative needs the patient has, from veneers to custom dentures or implant supported full mouth restoration,” Dr. Samant explains. Prosthodontists like Dr. Samant are specialized in treating and handling dental and facial problems that involve more treatment than your general dentist can offer, such as restoration of complex dental problems with high esthetic demand, severely worn dentition or many missing teeth at the same time.

“When it comes to a person’s smile, there is no one-size-fits-all,” remarks Dr. Samant. It is her mission to keep smiles healthy by listening to patients’ needs and creating a treatment that will get each person back to optimal function. The Prosthodontic division at the Smart Smile Dentistry desires to deliver care on an individual basis, making the best improvements to the look of one’s smile and function. Prosthodontists have three years of specialization in high-end esthetic restoration and replacement of teeth, as well as an extensive amount of experience and advanced knowledge in materials science and technology. “We work with high-end laboratories and demand the finest esthetic quality and most precise work possible for our patients,” she explains.

or sleep disorders. “Our practice is well connected with several local sleep physicians and we fabricate intraoral sleep apnea appliances for patients who do not tolerate CPAP machines,” said Dr. Samant. She and her team are also trained to treat temporomandibular joint disorders with several treatment options that do not permanently damage teeth. Some of these options include therapy and exercise, pharmacologic treatment and occlusal devices. Not sure if dentures or implants would be the right move? A prosthodonist will be able to help determine which treatment option is best suited for you. Visiting a prosthodontist will improve your dental health, as well as your overall confidence at any age. If you think you deserve a winning smile and healthy teeth, it may be your time to talk with Dr. Samant at Smart Smile Dentistry.

Prosthodontists are also highly trained in state-of-the-art techniques and procedures for treating complex dental conditions. “We have recently added a head and neck CT imaging to our technology repertoire and can now do implant placements at our clinic using this technology,” explains Dr. Samant. Beyond caring for patients’ oral health, Dr. Samant also helps patients with snoring

(352) 376-5120 smartsmiledentistry.com

L OC A L

24 | TheVillageJournal.com

LOCAL S PO TLIG H T O N NEIG H B ORS

THE KLEIN FAMILY

By Kendal Norris | Patricia Bishop Photography

hen Haile residents Kirk and Michelle Klein married each other ten years and one day after they began dating, they entered the ranks of the fortunate few who find their one true love in high school.

Michelle’s foresight would come to fruition eventually, but not before both attended Illinois State University where Michelle earned a BS in Marketing and Kirk a BS in Finance and Marketing. After graduating, they both worked in Bloomington, Illinois in their chosen fields for a couple of years.

Natives of small Illinois towns, they met in the break room of a grocery store where each had a part-time job. It was at the end of Kirk’s junior year and Michelle’s sophomore year; Kirk worked in the produce department and Michelle as a bagger. “One evening I invited him over to my house to meet my folks and have pizza,” Michelle recalled, “and there was such a strong connection that I told my step mom, ‘I could see myself marrying this guy one day.’”

During that time, Kirk met his future business partner, Will Olinger, whose father, Bill, was Bill Koss’ partner in a successful Gainesville wealth management firm. The two established a friendship that later led to Kirk being offered a position at Koss Olinger. “When I flew down for the interview in January 1995, the weather in Chicago was minus twenty degrees with the wind chill factor,” Kirk remembered. “But it was seventy degrees in

THE FAMILY IN KIRK'S 1977 CADILLAC EL DORADO TheVillageJournal.com | 25 25

L OC A L

The Kleins enjoying some quality time at home.

Gainesville, and we were out on the golf course the next day. Weather can be a powerfully persuasive factor.” Strongly committed to their future together, Kirk and Michelle made the decision to relocate to Florida and arrived in April of that same year. In July 1997 they were married and three years later, built a home in Haile Plantation. Michelle continued her career working in the Florida natural gas industry for ten years before choosing to be a full-time mom to their children. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” she commented, “but with the birth of our second daughter, I decided it was more important to devote my primary energies to our growing family.” Today the Kleins have two daughters and a son: Shailey, age twelve, Mackenzie, age nine, and William, age seven. All are students at Oak Hall School and are involved in dance, flag football, basketball, cross country, tennis, and volleyball, as well as academic pursuits. Michelle enjoys volunteering in different capacities at the children’s school and noted with a laugh, “I don’t know how it happened, but I’m busier now than when I was working full time.” Finding a fulfilling niche at Koss Olinger, Kirk is a managing partner, CFP Practitioner, and Chartered Financial Consultant. Working with high net worth families and individuals with about half of the firm’s clientele in the greater Gainesville area and the remainder in over thirty states, Kirk develops comprehensive financial plans for wealth accumulation, preservation, and 26 26 | TheVillageJournal.com

transfer in terms of estate planning. He finds reward in simplifying complex concepts and situations for clients, creating a sense of security for them, and enabling them to have peace of mind regarding their financial well-being. “I’m energized by my meetings with our clients and endeavor to leave them with confidence, direction, and minimal worries,” he said. Kirk also makes time to give back to the community, having served on the boards of the Rotary Club and Leadership Gainesville. He’s currently deeply involved with Junior Achievement. This volunteer-based organization’s mission is to educate and mentor young people on ways to cope and thrive in today’s business environment. Entrepreneuroriented, Junior Achievement sends volunteers into schools (second to twelfth grades) to present and teach real-life lessons on how to enter the professional and vocational worlds and achieve their own goals. “I had some pretty rough part-time jobs as a teenager, so I know how hard it can be out there,” he noted. “What I’m passionate about doing through Junior Achievement is imparting some essential skills, knowledge, and encouragement to Gainesville-area youth. Every bit of information and support they receive becomes a tool to survive and thrive—an investment in their future.” The Klein family is also involved with several aspects of ministry at Trinity United Methodist Church, having been members there since 1995.

Since Michelle’s grandfather was a Methodist minister and Kirk a life-long Methodist, they agreed, “Faith is important to us, and we want to pass that along to our children.” Kirk has served on the Finance Committee, and most recently, Kirk and Michelle co-chaired a threeyear capital campaign that raised $3.4 million to pay off the church’s mortgage. It successfully concluded in June of 2014, “thanks to such a generous congregation,” Kirk noted. Bolstering that theme, last December Kirk, Michelle, and their two oldest children traveled to Jamaica for a mission trip. They spent two days at the Westhaven Children’s Home in Copse, Jamaica, an orphanage for the disabled, ranging in age from toddlers to young adults. While there, they assisted house mothers with caring and feeding of residents, cleaned playground equipment, and participated in singing and sharing in arts and crafts activities. They also helped to paint the interior and exterior of a medical clinic and delivered school supplies to local school children. “It was an amazing experience for our family, and we look forward to going back and doing it again when we can all go,” Kirk said. As a departure from their busy work and school lives, the Kleins return each summer to Illinois to visit family, where cousins abound for their children to play with. They also try to go skiing in Colorado each winter and make sure to find time to spend together as a couple. “Kirk and I feel it’s important to have some alone time together,” Michelle added. “So the grandparents very helpfully step in to care for our kids while we enjoy short, restorative getaways.” Having built their first home in 2000 and moved into a larger home in 2007 as their family grew, Kirk, Michelle, and their children take full advantage of the area’s amenities, including country club activities, the golf course, the athletic center, the walking/biking trail and patronizing the variety of local businesses within Haile Plantation. The Kleins have found here in Gainesville fertile ground in which to plant their strong, faith-filled Midwestern values. And through hard work, commitment to family, and dedicated service to their community, they are reaping a bountiful and rewarding harvest.

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GAINESVILLE'S

Difference Makers By Lynna Lawrence | Photography by Footstone Photography Make up by Kara Winslow | Hair by Sabrina Johns

It only takes one to make a change â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our Difference Makers have truly shown that. These individuals dare to dream for a brighter Gainesville every day. With generous hearts, helping hands and unyielding energy, they have taken their corner of the world and changed it for the better. When Mika Vuto found there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any place for her daughter with Down syndrome to grow and learn, she brought that place to Florida. When Ron Farb learned of common barriers to cancer treatment, he rose above all obstacles. When a new dress code policy crippled struggling families, Danny Veilleux mobilized the community to outfit thousands of children for success.

MIKA & MIA VUTO

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE GAINESVILLE

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Mika Vuto

LOCAL

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE GAINESVILLE GiGi's Playhouse Gainesville is gaining speed to be the first Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Florida. With an ambitious dream, Mika Vuto spearheaded the creation of the center that will open its doors summer 2015. President and Founder Vuto first learned of the center shortly after her daughter Mia was diagnosed at birth. Desperate to learn about opportunities for Mia, she searched the Internet. GiGi’s Playhouse kept coming up in Vuto’s searches. The achievement centers are supportive communities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. GiGi’s Playhouse’s educational and therapeutic-based programs are offered free of charge in centers across the United States and Mexico. “I thought that would be really neat. I wish we had one of those here,” she said. GiGi’s stayed in the back of Vuto’s head as Mia grew. About a year ago, Vuto grew confident that she could build an achievement center in Gainesville from the ground up, using her business and Master’s in Special Education experience. “Somebody’s got to do it,” she said. “I’m just going to do it.” At the time, the closest GiGi’s Playhouse was located in Atlanta. As the first GiGi’s in Florida, Vuto hopes that the Gainesville location will serve families from all over the North Central region. GiGi’s stood out to Vuto because it embraces the whole family. Vuto said that raising a child with Down syndrome is like raising any typical child, just with a little more to do. She believes families need a haven to share their dreams and fears, especially during diagnosis. In particular, diagnosis can be a trying time. Many people only know the stereotypes associated with Down syndrome, said Vice President Lilly Bell. “When you get married and have a child, you have all these expectations – My child’s going to be beautiful. My child’s going to be smart,” Bell said. “When you get that Down syndrome diagnosis, you don’t think those things.” GiGi’s sibling and parental support programs help break the stereotypes and grow the families’ confidence. “It’s good to have a place like GiGi’s Playhouse when you’re going through the emotional processes,” Vuto said. “You have people to hold you up.” Bell said her journey with 3-year-old Elyssa has challenged her to see beauty in everything. She hopes GiGi’s will be a place for families to work through their initial fear and celebrate their family. “Now I look at her and I wouldn’t change anything about her,” Bell said. “She is perfect just the way she is.”

Prenatal diagnosis support is just one of the many services GiGi’s provides. GiGi’s offers more than 30 programs, including walking and crawling, literacy, social skills and career development. All programs are backed by research and are tailored to the way individuals with Down syndrome learn, emphasizing sensory and visual elements. GiGi’s Gainesville will initially launch select programs based on the needs of the area’s families. GiGi’s is also a place for adults with Down syndrome. The Gainesville location will offer social events and eventually a progressive career skills program called GiGi University. Spreading awareness is another huge component of the GiGi’s Playhouse mission. “We want our children to be accepted and included,” Vuto said. “That all comes through awareness.” GiGi’s has received phenomenal community support through monetary, time and in-kind donations. Vuto also credits the Board of Directors for being integral in transforming the idea of bringing GiGi’s Playhouse to Gainesville into a reality. The group just hosted their biggest fundraising gala yet in March named Believe in the Build. With the donation push from the gala, Vuto and her team are currently on the search for the center’s permanent location – set to open this summer. Vuto hopes that the center will serve as a model for future Florida locations and will inspire other families to open up GiGi’s Playhouses in their areas. “It just takes the one. Then, they can touch it. They can feel it,” she said. “They go – I need this in my community.” Vuto said it’s often difficult to contain her excitement about the center’s progress. GiGi’s Playhouse is her passion, and she wants everyone to know about the center. “When I meet just one mom or family that reaches out to us, it makes me want to cry. That’s what it’s about,” she said. “Of course I want it for my child, but I think about the other families out there and I want it for them too.” Vuto said that 5-year-old Mia is her inspiration. Having a daughter with Down syndrome has changed her perspective on everything, she said. “It opens your eyes to a different level of beauty… The dream that you had for that child is a different journey now,” Vuto said. “The challenge is to embrace that and take that path in a positive manner, which I think we’ve done embracing GiGi’s Playhouse.” To learn how you can support or participate in GiGi’s Playhouse Gainesville, please visit gigisplayhouse.org/gainesville.

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Ron Farb

CLIMB FOR CANCER FOUNDATION The Climb for Cancer Foundation runs on “no shortage of commitment or passion” from mountaineer and philanthropist Ron Farb. With his own two feet and a mission, Farb leads groups to summit mountains in the name of cancer patient support. The inspiration for the foundation was born 25 years ago when Farb spent a week volunteering at a camp for children with cancer.“It changed my life,” he said. “I knew I wanted to do something more than just write a check or volunteer that one week.” Farb officially began using his mountain climbing hobby as a vehicle for fundraising in 2001. His friends and family sponsored his climb to the top of the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua, with donations to the American Cancer Society. The following year, he summited the tallest mountain in North America, Denali, in the name of service. After receiving phenomenal support for these hikes, Farb founded Climb for Cancer to expand his impact and fund programs that Gainesville desperately needed. With the help of his wife and co-founder Dianne Farb, the organization received nonprofit status in 2003. Since its creation, Climb for Cancer has raised more than $1.5 million dollars to support cancer patients and their families. With the foundation’s blend of service and adventure, Farb soon found a quirky niche that attracted other aspiring climbers. Farb led his first group climb to Mount Kilimanjaro and now takes groups on climbs all over the world. He plans to return to Africa for his next climb to take a group of six up Kilimanjaro on July 14. Each climber is required to raise $10,000 to participate. Climbers’ personal fundraising allows them to realize their dream while contributing to the cause at the same time. Farb also takes groups trekking for donations to the foundation. He has lead two groups on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru and a group through the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. He plans to lead a group trekking in Patagonia in Southern Chile and Argentina this January. Through donations from climbers, trekkers and other supporters, the small foundation fills the cracks left by bigger charities. Instead of research and equipment that require immense funds to sustain, Climb for Cancer provides patient support programs for families battling cancer. 32 | TheVillageJournal.com

By examining the cancer population’s underserved needs, Farb has developed tangible ways to alleviate families’ pain and suffering. One of the foundation’s most successful programs is Harriet’s Helping Hand, named after Farb’s sister. Adventurous like her brother, Harriet became the first person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro while undergoing chemotherapy in 2008. Harriet’s Helping Hand provides food vouchers, gas cards and lodging to each cancer family that travels to UF Health Shands Hospital in need of assistance. Farb first realized the need for this service while taking Harriet to get an infusion at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The infusion chairs on both sides of her were empty. When Farb asked the nurse why, she told him the treatment room was supposed to be full, but many patients couldn’t afford to make the trip. The nurse said that many patients die because of cost barriers to receiving treatment. “That hit me like a sledgehammer,” Farb said. “I needed to do something about it.” Many families travel long distances to Shands on a regular basis. Harriet’s Helping Hand reduces the financial stress of the trip and hopes to ensure that travel cost is never a barrier to lifesaving treatment. This service specially resonates with the foundation’s donors, Farb said. Community members can see the direct impact of their contribution with even the smallest donation. Harriet’s legacy remains the inspiration behind the program. When she passed away, Farb spread her ashes on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Whenever he returns to the mountain, he visits his sister. His biggest dream would be to expand Harriet’s Helping Hand to cancer centers across the country. Until then, Farb plans to fight the battles as they come and continue to help Shands’ cancer families. “The Foundation has given my life purpose,” Farb said. “I wish I could give as much as I get back from it.” Learn more about the Climb for Cancer programs and how you can help by visiting cfc-foundation.org.

RON FARB

CLIMB FOR CANCER FOUNDATION

Ron and other CFC climbers often carry Tibetan prayer flags to the summit.

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DANNY VEILLEUX KIDS DRESS 4 SUCCESS

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LOCAL

Danny Veilleux KIDS DRESS 4 SUCCESS

Danny Veilleux first searched his own closet for old polo shirts that could help other kids his age stay in school. He never dreamt his generous hand would grow a vibrant non-profit, Kids Dress 4 Success, before he graduated high school. While he was in the eighth grade at St. Patrick Interparish School, his mother worked nearby at Howard W. Bishop Middle School. Every day after school, Veilleux walked to join the last 30 minutes of his mother’s class. He started to notice changes in the students. “I noticed they were all wearing polo shirts,” he said. “But there just weren’t as many kids.” His mom’s class attendance shrunk as a result of the new Alachua Country Public Schools Dress Code Policy for elementary and middle school students. The uniform required that every student dress in a collared shirt with pants, walking shorts or skirts for girls. With 1 in 4 students in Alachua County living below the poverty line, the new uniform was a burden that many families could not finance. Kids that couldn’t afford these items were sent home, stuck in in-school suspension and missed countless hours of instruction. Veilleux thought about the empty seats in his mom’s classroom. “Naturally I was worried that these kids were not going to pass any of their classes if they weren’t going to school,” he said. The dress code also created challenges for kids who had a few appropriate shirts, but not enough to last the week. Kids that repeated the same shirt were often made fun of and were ashamed to come to school, Veilleux said. “It’s a cycle of not learning and not being able to graduate,” he said. Veilleux went around the neighborhood asking for new or gently used polo shirts. He organized his neighbors’ donations with shirts of his own and gave them to his mom’s class.

But Veilleux quickly realized the problem was not isolated to one classroom – it affected every class at Howard Bishop. More importantly, there were kids in desperate need for shirts at every public school in Alachua County. To help reach all those other kids, Veilleux founded Kids Dress 4 Success and asked Holy Faith Catholic Church for donations. During the organization’s first year, Veilleux collected about 600 shirts and pants. After wining the Spirit of Gainesville Award in 2013, word spread about Kids Dress 4 Success and donations started pouring in. In 2014, he received more than 1,200 donations. “It doubled what I got, and everything just kind of exploded,” he said. Since then, Veilleux has established donation drop boxes across town at O2B Kids, Gainesville Country Club, Napolatanos, Sappington Orthodontics and several churches. He continues to share the mission of Kids Dress 4 Success by speaking at numerous churches and clubs in Gainesville. Veilleux works hard to continue to grow the nonprofit, while juggling school and playing football and baseball. “On weekends or during some breaks, I have to decide that the company is more important than sleeping in or messing around with friends,” he said. “It’s worth it.” When Veilleux graduates in June, he plans to still have a big role in the company, but trusts a handful of student volunteers to keep collecting muchneeded shirts. “My goal is that every student in Alachua County can get polo shirts and pants so they can not skip a beat, keep going to school… and get the best grades they can,” he said. To learn more or make a donation, visit kidsd4s.wix.com/kd4s.

“I would see them wearing the shirts at school,” he said. “Those really meant a lot to me.”

TheVillageJournal.com | 35

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MARKET WATCH Laurel Park | SW 50th Lane

The Links | SW 52nd Avenue Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1998 895

Sold Price

1/1 $99,000

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Haile Village Center | SW 91st Way

The Links | SW 52nd Avenue

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 1,088

Sold Price

2/2 $103,000

Sold Price

1984 1,380 3/2 $126,000

1998 1,431

Sold Price

3/2 $128,000

Plantation Villas | SW 97th Way

Plantation Villas | SW 97th Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1995 1,203 2/2.5 $109,500

Sold Price

1995 1,500 2/2.5 $130,000

Market Square | SW 87th Way

Chestnut Hill | SW 76th Terrace

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 1,310

Sold Price

2/2 $109,500

Haile Village Center | SW 91st Terrace

Founders Hill | SW 84th Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 1,103

Sold Price

2/2 $112,500

Sold Price

1986 1,308 3/2 $131,000

Sold Price

1984 1,258 3/2 $145,000

Plantation Villas | SW 52nd Road

Camden Court | SW 88th Terrace

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1995 1,203 2/2 $115,000

1993 1,656 3/2 $180,000

Plantation Villas | SW 97th Way

Sutherland Crossing | SW 55th Place

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1995 1,203 2/2 $117,500

38 38 | TheVillageJournal.com

Sold Price

1992 1,808 3/2 $184,000

LOCAL

Chickasaw Way | SW 51st Lane

Evans Hollow | SW 88th Court

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1997 1,764 3/2 $192,000

1985 2,632 4/2.5 $260,000

Southbrooke | SW 91st Drive

Southgate | SW 61st Avenue

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 1,469

Sold Price

3/2 $195,000

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Haile Village Center | SW 48th Place

Sable Pointe | SW 32nd Lane

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

2003 1,842 3/3.5 $197,500

2000 2,623

Albury Round | SW 40th Lane

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1999 2,013 3/2 $234,000 Laurel Park | SW 83rd Terrace Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1981 2,249

4/3

Sold Price

$255,000

Sold Price

4/3 $405,000

Ashleigh Circle | SW 34th Road Sold Price

Sold Price

1996 2,687 4/2.5 $400,000

Sold Price

1997 3,751 4/4 $625,000 A selection of single-family and attached homes sold in Haile Plantation, January 1st through March 20th, 2015. Provided by Coleen DeGroff of RE/MAX Profressionals.

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H AI L E P L ANT ATIO N CO MMUNIT Y MAP

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IND US T RY INS ID ER

TheVillageJournal.com | 41 41

LIFE

42 42 | TheVillageJournal.com

LIFE

Sixteen SUCCESS AT

Jordan Thorp and Casana Fink By Dante Lima | Photography by Footstone Photography Makeup by Kara Winslow | Hair by Sabrina Johns

hile most teenagers are sleeping in, goofing off or focusing on high school drama and social media updates, Casana Fink and Jordan Thorp are motivated, driven and focused on their future. They are early risers, community activists and dreamers, chasing their goals of making a difference in the lives of others. And these ladies are well on their way to accomplishing their dreams, beginning with the Miss Gainesville Scholarship Pageant. “Two girls so passionately committed to making themselves, and the world around them better, Casana is Miss Gainesville’s Outstanding Teen and Jordan is Miss Florida Gator’s Outstanding Teen. Both ladies will compete in the upcoming Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant, which is affiliated with the Miss America organization, and historically has empowered young women to pursue their personal and professional goals and provided them with a platform for expression.

In this instance, the pageant has succeeded in outstanding ways. It has prepared these girls for public speaking. Both Casana and Jordan are uncommonly thoughtful and well-spoken. They’re composed and polite young ladies, which are increasingly rare qualities in a 21st century-teenage culture that thrives on digital communication. It has introduced the girls to the concept of professionalism and what it takes to succeed. It’s given them self-confidence. But their voices brighten when they speak about their non-profit organizations. Yes, that’s correct “their” as in, non-profits they founded. More than the accolades of being crowned Miss Gainesville, Miss Florida or even Miss America, are the wonderful things the pageant inspires its contestants to do, and Casana and Jordan are shining examples of the fruits of that inspiration. Casana’s path to her non-profit organization, Give To Live – Donate Life, includes just one degree of separation: her father. In March of 2013, he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and put on a transplant list at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL.

TheVillageJournal.com | 43

LIFE

JORDAN THORP

Jordan knows the power of a great smile. She has been a cheerleader for most of her life, pumping up crowds with positivity and spirit. Almost eight years ago, her cousin Braiden was born with a cleft lip. At three months old he received surgery to correct his smile, which left an indelible impact on Jordan. “As a little girl, there was just something about Braiden’s smile that left me wanting to help more children like him,” the 16-year-old Oak Hall student said. Her passion led her to form The Smile Team, a collaboration of local, state, national and international organizations with one goal – to help children born with cleft lips and cleft palates in all parts of the world. Jordan’s involvement in the organization is rather extraordinary given that she juggles her non-profit, school, pageant competition, cheerleading competition, and family life all in one. “I decide where all the funds go and I meet with every person or organization that I give funds to,” she said. For Jordan, the travel can be difficult, but the accountability of where The Smile Team’s money goes is an indicator of her dedication, and work ethic. Jordan most recently paid a visit to international children’s charity Smile Train in New York City. “They have live feeds on these children and it was so cool to see everything that they do,” she commented. To date, The Smile Team’s fundraising efforts have reached $68,000, some of which has helped to correct 150 smiles in foreign countries, and also 150 smiles here in the United States. She has also purchased and donated 150 Cleftline comfort bears to children who have undergone corrective procedures. Jordan has visited with cleft teams throughout the state of Florida to provide financial aid for families who can’t afford to see specialists outside of their towns. It’s a feat Jordan speaks about as casually as her morning breakfast. “The normal teenager option has never really been me,” she said. “My parents have done their best to instill hard work in me.”

44 44 | TheVillageJournal.com

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CASANA FINK

LIFE

For Casana, the importance of organ donation didn’t just hit “close to home,” it kept her’s intact. “At first, the doctors were saying he wasn't going to make it through the night,” Casana, who is a 16-year-old student at Ocala’s Forest High School, said. “He was in the ICU for 5 weeks and in the hospital for 15 weeks, but he got his liver just a year ago. Someone saved my dad’s life.” After her father’s transplant, she decided her family’s story needed to be told, and that organ donation was a topic that deserved more public awareness. “My dad’s situation put organ donation in a different perspective for me. I wanted to show the public that it doesn’t have to happen to you to make a difference, and that you can help give life, even after yours is over,” Casana said. She is presently collaborating with Florida State Representative Charlie Stone to introduce a bill this session to encourage organ donation. “I travel around the state to promote organ donation, and I’m trying to get a bill passed to help increase the number of organ donors.” Currently, when anyone in the state gets a driver’s license they elect to become an organ donor. This bill will categorize drivers as mandatory donors and the individual will have to choose to forgo donation at the time they apply. Casana, in addition to her efforts to increase the number of donors, also uses Give to Live – Donate Life to give something far less tangible than organs. She gives hope. Through the fundraising efforts of her organization, she visits area hospitals to give inspirational mementos to patients on transplant lists. Her chosen memento is a Shamrock, which symbolizes good luck, faith and perseverance. “I am forever grateful for the individual who helped save my dad’s life, and I’m committed to helping save the lives of other individuals’ loved ones throughout our country.”

Up next for the girls’ busy schedule is the Miss Florida Pageant held in St. Pete, FL June 16-20. The winner advances for the chance to be crowned Miss America. Judging by Casana and Jordan’s outstanding efforts in the North Central Florida community, Florida would be lucky to have either one of them represent the state in such a meaningful way.

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To keep up with Casana and Jordan’s appearances and success, please visit missgainesville.com.

TheVillageJournal.com | 45 45

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UF HEALTH PEDIATRICS We’ve expanded the hours at each of our three primary care locations to better meet your family’s needs. Our physicians are faculty members at the University of Florida, certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and expertly trained to provide your children with a full spectrum of services, including well-child visits, sick-child visits, physicals, hearing screenings, vision screenings, immunizations, flu vaccines and disease management, such as asthma or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Call today to schedule an appointment at one of our three convenient locations below.

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To find a pediatrics location close to you, visit UFHealth.org/pediatrics.

Designing a

WORK

STATION by Danna Miller | Robert Hedges

DIY DANNA

In her column, the DIY expert shares innovative, approachable projects to spice up everyday items. For more, visit her blog: TrimmedAndTailored.com

Email questions for Danna to editor@TheVillageJournal.com

reating a dedicated workroom in my space is absolutely essential for my happiness and well being. DIY projects are a huge part of my life, bringing me joy and serving as a stress reliever, so it was a no brainer when I moved into a new place that a craft room was in order. While most people are not afforded the luxury of having an entire room in their home dedicated solely to a DIY, smart planning means you can still enjoy a flexible space that plays host to crafts and home projects.

LIFE

MATERIALS FOR THIS PROJECT: Ikea Kallax 4-cube units (2).............................. $35 each ————————————————————— Ikea Omar Wire Shelving (2 large, 1 small).....$140 total ————————————————————— Ikea Samla Plastic Bins (varying sizes)...........$2-6 each ————————————————————— Wood cut to size for the tabletop............................. $30

GOOD LIGHTING IS ESSENTIAL WHEN WORKING ON DETAILED PROJECTS

BOOKCASES PROVIDE A BASE FOR THE WORK TOP AS WELL AS STORAGE

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LIFE IND US T RY INS ID ER

A MIRROR MAKES A SMALL SPACE FEEL LARGER AND ADDS HEIGHT TO THE ROOM

STORAGE BOXES KEEP SMALL OR MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ORGANIZED AND YOUR WORKSPACE DECLUTTERED

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I started with two Ikea Kallax 4-cube units as the base and had wood cut to size at Home Depot as the tabletop. With the white base, I opted to keep the surface raw rather than staining or painting it to provide a nice juxtaposition of color and texture. This also made the space feel approachable and not too perfect. Proper organization is key in any craft space. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to take inventory of your materials and clean out the things you seldom use or no longer need. I opted to store all my craft/ DIY materials in varying sizes of clear plastic bins. This not only provides visual continuity, but also allows for specific categorization and organization, making project completion and cleanup a breeze.

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I used industrial wire shelving to hold the clear bins. In this case, I chose function over style, as these shelving units provide ample room for storage. I paired two of the larger units with one small unit to create a single piece that spans the width of the entire wall. The final step in making your craft room a truly special space is adding some personal touches such as a pair of favorite lamps, a special rug and a few picture frames. With the proper storage and organization in place and a craft table that can double as a desk, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m all set to tackle the many projects on my list.

EATING SEASON ————————————— IN —————————————

WITH CHEF BERT GILL

Owner and chef of Mildred's Big City Food, New Deal Café and Blue Gill Quality Foods, Bert Gill shares his favorite recipes using local, fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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TASTE

PAN SEARED GROUPER

with Stewed Green Tomatoes and Daikon Slaw with Peanuts GROUPER ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

4 6-8oz grouper filets 5 large green tomatoes, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks 2 leeks, halved, cleaned and sliced 2-3 medium sized green garlic shoots 1 small sweet onion, diced 1 13.5oz can coconut milk 1 tbsp toasted curry spice

SLAW ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Directions In large saucepan, sweat the onions, leeks, and green garlic with a little oil over medium heat until soft. Add the green tomatoes, and cook 5-8 minutes until they begin to soften. Add coconut milk and curry spice and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until liquid is reduced and mixture is thickened.

1 large daikon radish, finely julienned 1 medium head bok choy, shredded 1 small head napa cabbage, shredded 1 tbsp sriracha or other hot chile sauce 2 tsp sugar 2 tbsp whole grained mustard ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup cider vinegar ½ cup dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

Directions For slaw combine all ingredients, except peanuts and toss thoroughly. Allow to marinate for at least 1-2 hours before serving. Season grouper filets with kosher salt, and preheat large skillet over medium high heat. When pan is hot, add roughly 2 tbsp canola or vegetable oil to the pan, and place filet’s presentation side down in the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes depending on thickness until nicely browned. Turn filets and continue cooking until just opaque (3-5 minutes depending on thickness).

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T AST E

TARA’S BLUEBERRY PIE We go crazy for blueberries when they’re in season, both at the restaurant and at home. Everything from ice cream, to salads, to sauces, but everyone seems to always want one of my wife’s famous blueberry pies. The trick is keeping all of the crust ingredients as cold as possible, and using the most plump delicious blueberries available.

CRUST ■ ■ ■

■

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 ¼ teaspoon salt 2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces ½ cup ice water

BLUEBERRY FILLING ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Directions In a food processor pulse the flour and salt to combine. Add the small pieces of butter and pulse for approximately 12 seconds to combine, until the mixture forms coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining. With your food processor running, add the ice water in a slow, steady stream for no longer than 30 seconds, until the dough just holds together without being sticky or wet. Divide the dough in half; flatten and shape into disks, and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour before using. Roll half the dough into a 13-inch round, fit it into a buttered and floured 9-inch pie pan, and trim the overhanging dough to leave ¾ inch overhang all around, then place it in the refrigerator. Roll the other half of the dough into a 12-inch round for the top crust and refrigerate.

■

5 cups fresh blueberries, picked over ¾ cup sugar 4 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest ¼ teaspoon salt 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Directions Combine all the ingredients except the butter in a large bowl. Pour the blueberry mixture into the bottom crust and dot with the butter. Brush the overhanging edge of the bottom crust with cold water and cover with top crust. Trim the top crust to match the bottom crust, and press edges of both crusts together. With your thumb and forefinger, crimp around the edge to seal. Cut steam vents in the top crust. Slip a baking sheet under the pie and bake for 30 minutes. Then reduce the oven to 350°F and bake until thick juices bubbles through the vents, 25 to 30 minutes more. If the edges are browning too quickly, tent with a piece of aluminum foil. Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 425°F.

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T AST E

Harvesting Your Local Produce VISIT A U-PICK FARM by Annaleigh Bonds

Everybody loves their fruits and veggies in the summer time but most people don’t actually have any knowledge of where they come from. A trip to a local farm rather than the grocery store could make for a nice afternoon and an eye-opening experience.

Tavis Douglass, owner of Wet Hammock Nursery, said Fresh From Florida is perfect for teaching people about agriculture. “People can learn how food is being produced and get to pick food grown right from local farmers,” he said.

Fresh From Florida is a marketing organization operated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which maintains a list of U-Pick farms throughout Florida that allows visitors to hand-pick their own fresh fruit and vegetables while offering them the freshest produce at a lower price. The website does not have a complete list however, as farms are not required to participate in the program.

Wet Hammock Nursery is the U-Pick operation of the Douglass family farm located on Highway 318 in Citra, Fla. Douglass began working at a local commercial blueberry operation where he developed the skills to grow fruit crops. In the midst of a bad economy, he decided to refocus his family farm from growing landscape trees to growing edible crops for U-Pick, such as blueberries, blackberries and peaches. They are open to the public during the early summer months.

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TASTE He explained that although there are a variety of U-Pick farms in the Alachua County region, blueberry growing is one of the most popular. He said the Alachua County region is the largest blueberry growing area in the state of Florida because of the acidic soil type and climate type. Although there are a variety of crops grown on different farms, it is important to pay attention to which fruits and vegetables are in season. According to Douglass, crops seasoned for the summer include blueberries, blackberries, peaches, sweet corn, cucumbers and yellow squash, among others. Some other crops that grow in the cooler weather include strawberries and cabbages. Making a trip to a U-Pick farm will provide an enriching experience, while sending you home with the freshest produce available.

are available, while other select beans, peas, corn and okra are available beginning in June. U-pick is $1.50 per lb. but they also offer flats, half flats, quarts and pints that they will pick for you. Rogers has been selling produce at their main location, SR 121 and NW 156th Ave. for 32 years. rogersfarm.webplus.net/index.html

Brown’s Farm Brown’s Farm, located in Hawthorne, Fla., at 18120 NE State Rd 26, offers produce with “fresh and bursting flavor.” Visitors can enjoy a great atmosphere while also taking advantage of their wide selection of produce.

“The public is used to seeing their fruits in a clam shell in Publix. This way they are able to see where it really comes from.” —Tavis Douglass

“The public is used to seeing their fruits in a clam shell in Publix. This way they are able to see where it really comes from,” Douglass said.

Visit a U-Pick Farm Rogers Farms Rogers Farm is located on 1000 acres of farmland between Gainesville and LaCrosse. Six generations of Rogers have worked on land and they currently have 75 employees and 100 field pickers. Strawberries are U-pick, but a variety of other produce is also available depending on the season. Starting in April, green and roma bush beans, pickling cucumbers and yellow squash

U-pick strawberries are ready for you to pick beginning in March and are $1.50 per lb. In addition to strawberries, they also sell jams, jellies, peas, watermelons, sweet corn, squash, greens, tomatoes, blueberries, green beans, cabbage, okra, pecans, etc. depending on the season. Their hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. brownsfarmstand.com

Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm Gainesville Organic Blueberry Farm’s mission is to foster harmony in the community and help provide access to fresh local food, while working together to support and help preserve its historic neighborhood farm. The farm is located at 1621 SE 15th Street in Gainesville, Fla and offers organic blueberry picking mid-June through mid-July. (352) 222-0246

Jonesville Persimmons Jonesville Persimmons is a persimmon and fruit tree nursery located at 116 NW 170th Street in Newberry, Fla. It only offers picking for persimmons September through October, but has fruit trees available all year round. (352) 472-3928

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Oh Baby! Find all your favorites at Paddiwhack from Jellycat, 3 Marthas, Bunnies by the Bay, MudPie, Petitcollage, and Barefoot Dreams.

BlueBela Farm BlueBela Farms LLC is family blueberry farm in High Springs, Fla. It is run by a city family who decided to go simple and live as green as possible. They open their doors to local and state-wide families for U-Pick season mid-April through mid-May. BlueBela offers blueberries and beautiful scenery. It is located at 7650 NE 40th Street. Call for availability at (386) 454-3116.

Forest Grove Tree Farm Forest Grove Tree Farm is a tree farm in Alachua, Fla. that offers pecan and chestnut picking yearround. Although they are open anytime, chestnuts are in season late August through early November, while pecans are in season late October through the end of December.

1510 NW 13th Street Gainesville, FL 32601 352-336-3175 | Paddiwhack.com Hours: Mon-Sat 10-7 â&#x20AC;˘ Sun 12-5

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The farm is located at 24115 NW 94th Ave. Making an appointment is recommended. (386) 454-7587

Wet Hammock Nursery Wet Hammock Nursery is owned and operated by the Douglass Family, seventh generation Floridians. They specialize in U-Pick production of blueberries, blackberries and peaches, as well as seasonal production of vegetable and hydroponic crops. They are open to the public during the early summer months for picking. The farm is located at 4500 E Highway 318 in Citra, FL. Visit facebook.com/wethammock or wethammockfarm.com for more information. 352-812-5462

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C ON WE L LTNE N E SS TS

Splash into Swimming Safety Protecting your child from water dangers By Lynna Lawrence

ools, lakes and oceans are common playgrounds for kids in the Sunshine State. As you trade long pants for swim trunks, you should also be outfitting your children with skills to stay safe and confident in the water. Warmer days also bring a tragic increase in water accidents. In a state where a natural body of water or a home pool is abundant, Florida has one of the highest unintentional drowning rates in the nation. Drowning prevention programs are a priceless resource – especially for children who are too young to propel themselves through the water. Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) Self-Rescue programs help the most vulnerable children learn to save themselves from drowning. Instructors teach babies 6–12 months old to roll to their backs and float as soon as they enter the water. In case of an emergency, this lifesaving position lets youngsters find an

airway and breathe safely until help comes. It’s not easy to teach a self-rescue skill to an infant that can’t yet speak or swim. ISR lessons are carefully planned with the precise timeframe to build muscle memory. Certified ISR Instructor Jennifer Myer keeps her sessions less than 10 minutes long every day Monday through Friday at the Dwight H. Hunter “Northeast” Pool in April and the H. Spurgeon Cherry "Westside" Pool during the summer. Over the course of 4–6 weeks, the frequent repetition of short tasks is habit forming. Myer was inspired to learn ISR after experiencing her son’s lessons. Aaron started off scared and irritated. He hated getting into the cool water with a stranger, but his instructor stayed patient. As the lessons progressed, his comfort level grew and he began to respond to the training. Before Myer’s stubborn little boy could speak, he learned to stay afloat in case of an emergency. “Just watching that with your own child was – at the risk of sounding cheesy – almost magical,” she said. “Here’s this little person learning to save their own life.”

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W ELLNESS Aaron’s ISR skills came in handy while sitting on the pool steps playing with his toys. A few older kids were playing nearby in the shallow end, running around in circles to make a whirlpool in between them.

Gainesville based child advocacy group, the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, offers free swim lessons for toddlers and infants each spring through its Swim for Safety program.

As the waves grew, the whirlpool pulled Aaron off the steps. He immediately flipped to his back and floated as the current shot him into the deep end.

“As an organization invested in patient safety, we feel it is important to promote safe practices in all aspects of our children’s lives,” Lesley Cox, executive director of the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, stated.

Myer ran to help, but found her little one safe and unfazed. “I didn’t even have to go in the water. I reached over from outside the pool and just lifted him out,” she said. “He was smiling and thought that was really fun too.” Despite the remarkable skills learned in lessons, there is no such thing as drownproofing a child, Myer said. She recommends that parents set up “a multi-layer line of defense” for home pool safety.

Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A. has sponsored the Swim for Safety event every year since 2009. Adam Towers, attorney and managing partner of the Gainesville office, became passionate about swim safety after he lost his nephew to a pool accident the previous year. “He had not had swim lessons at that point and could have,” Towers said. “By sponsoring this event each year, we keep alive the hope that somebody could benefit from this program and avoid a tragedy in their home.”

At the least, protections delay young children and allow parents more time to run to the rescue. “In the pool, timing is everything,” Myer said. First, program your home alarm to beep or ring whenever a door is opened. You’ll know immediately if your child wanders outside unattended. Then, put a barrier between your child and the water, such as a locked gate or fence. Myer discourages against pool covers, as children can try to walk on top of them. Above all, nothing replaces parental supervision. Kids should never be allowed to enter the water without asking a parent first. Finally, if a child is missing even for a moment, check the water immediately. If all these safeguards fail, ISR should be the last line of defense to save an infant’s life. In the case of Aaron’s slip in the pool, his ISR training triggered a resourceful response in the dangerous situation. “Something that could have been tragic, or at least slightly traumatic for a child, becomes no big deal,” Myer said. “It’s just a part of everyday life.”

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Thorough training is essential to enjoying a safe season. After kids master the basics, the next step is having fun.

“It’s a family activity,” she said. “Everybody can do it. Everybody should do it.”

They take pride in their small classes and their child-centered management style. Troy tailors lessons to the individual child’s needs and makes sure every child is in the best learning environment for his or her abilities. “Some kids take to the water right off the bat and can progress through the levels very rapidly, whereas other kids are a little more timid,” she said.

SwimAmerica’s learn-to-swim programs build a strong foundation of skills and a love for the water. Unlike home methods, a trained instructor is able to teach techniques efficiently and set strict parameters for safety, Troy said.

In the beginning levels, students gain confidence by playing games, blowing bubbles and splashing. The youngest groups first acclimate to the water in a shallow teaching pool. As they refine their skills, they graduate and move into deeper water.

When the time came to train Troy’s own kids, she passed the torch to her fellow SwimAmerica co-owner and director Jill Wilby. In turn, Troy taught Wilby’s kids to swim.

By taking baby steps to the big pool, kids begin a lifetime of self-confidence in the water. They learn to not fear bigger depths when they realize they can float there too.

“We joke because my kids would listen to her as a swimming instructor more so than they would listen to my husband and myself,” Troy said.

“There’s really no difference,” she said. “Even if they can’t touch the bottom, they can still swim.”

Kathleen Troy, the co-owner and director of SwimAmerica of Gainesville, LLC, believes that a swim lesson is a lesson for life.

Together, Troy and Wilby offer 10 levels of training year-round at the University of Florida and at the 300 Club in June and July. When they’re not in the water with their instructors and groups, they are almost always on deck monitoring lessons. 62 62 | TheVillageJournal.com

As students advance, they learn to increase their speed and agility. By the end of the program, students are proficient in all four competitive strokes and most want to join a swim team.

W ELLNESS Through leaving the basics to the instructors, parents can enjoy pool time with their kids and relax knowing they have the skills necessary to navigate the water. Most of all, the backyard pool should be fun, Troy said. “That’s were they can practice and show off what they’ve learned at swimming lessons,” she said. Above all, swim training teaches a lifelong respect for the water that can be applied anywhere you go. From infant recourses to competitive programs, a swim education is an investment that keeps your family safe and active. Whether you’re planning a big trip or a relaxing staycation, providing your child with the appropriate swim training is the first step to summertime bliss.

LEARN MORE Learn more about swimming and water safety or register for swimming lessons. Sebastian Ferrero Foundation sebastianferrero.org/events/swim-safety Swim America swimamerica.org Infant Swimming Resource infantswim.com U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthfinder.gov Search “swim safety quick tips” American Red Cross Redcross.org

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Detoxing Your Cleaning Routine by Mary Moore

With spring upon us, many people are anticipating a long held tradition to freshen and clean their homes. With that comes the choice of which cleaning products to use. While there are endless product choices available to consumers that all promise impeccable results, many people are unaware of the dangers involved in using these cleaning products.

Buyer Beware The average cleaning product, whether it is bleach, dish soap, air freshener, or an allpurpose cleaner, contains harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals, called "cancer causing agents" are linked to causing cancer. Other chemicals can cause eye irritation, damage red blood cells, cause chronic respiratory problems, headaches, asthma, allergies, disrupt hormones, and the list goes on. Federal laws are currently not in place to force manufacturers to disclose all ingredients used in the cleaning products, but some manufacturers do list some of their ingredients. However, a little research will reveal which ingredients

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cause harm. Even if you are away from home while the cleaning is being done, the chemicals resonate in the air and on household surfaces. This is why many people have chosen to utilize the ‘green’ products available on the market.

What Does it Mean to Be Green? Simply stated, green products are products that do not contain toxins that are harmful to your health or the environment. There is not enough space here to list all the harmful chemicals that can be found in most cleaning products, even some of the so-called "green" varieties. It is important to note that some of the green cleaning products on the market are not really green due to lack of guidelines that have yet to be imposed by the FDA. Consumers can research products listed and ranked at the Environmental Wellness Group (EWG) site, www.ewg.org, to see which products meet the true “green” standards. The EWG is currently one of the leading advocacy groups for green or natural cleaning products.

PHOTO COURTESY: sunandearth.com | www.purenaturaldiva.com iherb.com | BonAmi.com

Top Green Products I've spent a significant amount of time researching products, trial and error, and have found a handful of top quality products that truly are green and safe to use.

EcoSense product line by Melaleuca company. This line of products is sold by a private company (Melaleuca) and you will not find these products in stores. It is a company that ships directly to consumers. These are the highest quality products for the best price.

Bon Ami is a scouring powder like Comet. It's made from eggshells and ash and works great on tougher cleaning projects.

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure Castile Soap (Peppermint) is sold in most natural food stores and has a variety of uses. The EWG ranks this as a top soap to use for allpurpose cleaner. TheVillageJournal.com | 65 65

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a healthy, effective floor cleaner. (Note: there are varying opinions on using vinegar on wood and granite floors.) When using vinegar, be sure to use a 50/50 ratio of vinegar and water for window and all-purpose cleaner, otherwise it will be too acidic to use on your surfaces. The smell is... well, pretty vinegary, but it does dissipate as the cleaner dries.

Sun & Earth All Purpose Cleaner (Light Citrus) is an all-purpose cleaner that can be found in some natural food stores. Environmental Wellness Group gives this cleaner an A rating for being green.

Baking soda can also be used as a natural scouring product. Some people like to mix white distilled vinegar with baking soda to make a paste for tough areas like the oven.

DIY Products If you are interested in making your own products, white distilled vinegar works best. It is a great all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner and even disinfectant when used properly. To make it, pour one cup into your mop water and you'll have

Whether it is simply switching the products you use or hiring a cleaning services that specializes in green cleaning methods, the most important thing to remember is that care should be taken to protect the health of you and your family from any looming toxic cleaning chemicals.

Planning for the future of

YOUR WATER We are investing in proactive measures to protect the Floridan aquifer while keeping future water prices cost-effective. To learn more about our plans for recharging the aquifer, visit gru.com/waterreport.

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Practice Areas Business & Contracts Commercial & Residential Real Estate Corporations / LLCs / Partnerships IND US T RY Banking Litigation Wills, Trusts & Powers of Attorney Intellectual Property Law Probate & Guardianship Family Law Injury / Accident Law

INS ID ER

Local Representation. Statewide Reach.

Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A. Since 1979

Adam S. Towers

William P. Galione

Gregory T. Buckley

2700 NW 43rd Street, Suite C â&#x20AC;˘ Meridien Centre â&#x20AC;˘ Gainesville, FL 32606

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Philip N. Kabler

(352) 332-7688

Main Office in Orlando with offices in Clermont, Deltona, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Melbourne, Ocala, South Daytona and The Villages. The hiring of an attorney is a very important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisement. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

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5 REASONS YOU'LL NEVERFORGET TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH AGAIN. by Dr. Paivi Samant

reventing dental and overall health problems start with good care at home. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day is a simple but imperative task to keep your mouth and body healthy. While dental problems are an issue of their own, poor dental care increases the risk of harmful bacteria, which can cause diseases and infections that affect other areas of your body. Brushing should always be a priority in order to avoid complications with your health.

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W ELLNESS

Gum Disease (Gingivitis)

Gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, is caused by not keeping the gingival, or gums, healthy and allowing bacteria into the mouth. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. This bacterium can enter the bloodstream and cause systematic issues. Gum disease has been linked to low birth weight, kidney infections and cardiac issues.

Periodontal infections

Periodontitis means “inflammation around the tooth.” When gingivitis is not treated, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces that become infected. These infections cause bone loss due to the bacterial release of acids that irritate delicate gingival tissues and cause micro-ulcerations under the gum line. Your body tries to fight this infection and it is your own personal immune response that causes swelling, redness and bleeding. The tissue wants to pull away from the sight of infection and this causes reduction in the bone levels around the teeth and gingival recession.

Tooth loss

If infections are left untreated, tooth loss is the result. You cannot properly chew or eat, so nutritional health is affected as well. Some patients report changes in the taste of their food and those with dentures report not being able to sense food texture. Keep your real teeth as long as you can.

Bacterial colonies fester with high blood sugar

Bacteria’s food source is sugar, and high blood sugar levels equal a high bacterial load. In particular, changes in diabetic patients’ blood sugar cause bacterial colonies to skyrocket. This in turn leads to more gingival inflammation and bleeding. The capillary restriction that diabetes causes also delays the healing process and your body’s ability to fight harder to heal itself. This cycle then allows more bacteria to enter the bloodstream and more systemic issues will result down the line.

Swelling due to hormonal fluctuations

Hormonal fluctuations from puberty and menopause can also cause sudden changes in gingival health. The gums may become more sensitive and swell, thus trapping more plaque and food debris between the teeth, which leads to the cycle of bacterial infection and cavities. Again, proper twice a day brushing and flossing nightly will help to keep the bacterial counts down while the body adjusts to these changes.

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E X P L OR E

24 -HOURS IN

ANNA MARIA ISLAND by Annaleigh Bonds

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LYING BETWEEN THE TURQUOISE WATERS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND PENINSULAR FLORIDA IS A LAID-BACK AND NATURAL BEACH DESTINATION CALLED ANNA MARIA ISLAND.

It is located at the southern mouth of Tampa Bay near Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. What makes the island so quaint are the strict regulations that govern the type of buildings and businesses that are allowed on the island. However, some of its most thriving businesses are its dining options, offering seafood that is highly encouraged to try. Discovered by the local Timuncan and Caloosan American Indian tribes and later developed by George Wilhelm Bean and Charles Roser around 1898, the island makes you feel as if you have journeyed back in time.

EXPLORE

DINE IN THE BLUE

One of Anna Maria’s most beloved qualities is its food. It offers various options from beach casual to a more elegant dining experience. A few popular places to eat on the island include Sandbar, Beach House and Blue Marlin. While Sandbar and Beach House are located directly on the beach and offer beautiful views, they are two of the more touristy options. Blue Marlin is located in an original 1920’s cottage on historic Bridge Street where the first bridge to Anna Maria Island was located. It also has a courtyard, “The Trap Yard,” which offers live music on the weekends and a covered deck. Because Blue Marlin is so popular, reservations are recommended. Duffy’s Tavern is a hole in the wall kind of place with delicious burgers, while The Waterfront Restaurant is an award-wining restaurant with indoor and outdoor views of the Bay. Next, the Bridge Street Bistro in Bradenton is known for its spectacular views and seafood, and Ginny and Jane E’s is a quaint and unique island bakery, café and store that offers a look into the island’s history with every visit. If you’re craving some breakfast or dessert, Rod n’ Reel Pier offers breakfast over the water while Two Scoops is an island landmark that overlooks the Bay.

Blue Marlin's Sesame Crusted Tuna dish.

www.facebook.com/TheSandbarRestaurant

View from inside Sandar Restaurant

www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Marlin-AMI

Blue Marlin Restaurant

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SHOP ON PINE

Most of the shopping on the island happens on Pine Avenue, Anna Maria’s main street that runs from The Gulf of Mexico to the Historic City pier. It is has one-of-a-kind shops, boutiques, restaurants and “Old Florida” cottage style accommodations. Two of the most popular shops to check out are Island Cabana and Pink & Navy Boutique, which are both resort style fashion boutiques.

ISLAND LIFE

Besides embracing the island’s natural beauty and frolicking in its turquoise waters, there are a variety of other activities offered on the island to keep you and the family entertained. While golfing and fishing most commonly come to mind when thinking about the island, there is something offered for everyone. One of the island’s most treasured attractions is the Anna Maria Island Trolley. It is a great way to tour the island and transport you to all your favorite restaurants and shops. The trolley runs from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every 20 minutes from the Anna Maria City Pier on the north side to Coquina Beach on the south side with stops two to four blocks apart along the route. Another great way to spend time in Anna Maria is out on the beautiful water itself. Don’t have a boat to explore the waters with? No worries – Anna Maria Island Boat Tours offers an excursion to Egmont Key as well as a dolphin watch and sightseeing tour. Because Anna Maria is a seven-mile long barrier island surrounded by crystal blue waters, boating around the island is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself into the Anna Maria culture. For those interested in offshore deep sea fishing, take your own boat or board the Miss Cortez for a fishing trip just as the locals do. The Gulf of Mexico is a vibrant body of water for fishing with barracuda, grouper, snapper, king mackerel and sharks among many other species. Anna Maria’s Historic City Pier is also a great option for a more peaceful fishing experience. It dates back to 1910 and stretches over 700 feet into Tampa Bay. From the pier, saltwater fish such as cobia, tarpon, redfish, snook, grouper and more are commonly caught. 74 | TheVillageJournal.com

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Golfers also have plenty of options with 10 unique golf courses within a 30-minute drive from the island. The only golf course located on the island, Key Royale Club, is a members only club and requires a hefty guest fee for entry.

Contact me today at 352.871.4499, 352.505.0541 or email me at Helen@coachandorganizer.com! www.CoachandOrganizer.com

Another popular activity on the island is bike riding. Biking is the best way to discover all the small streets and avenues throughout the island. Bike rentals are available from a vacation rental company on annamariaparadise.com. While all the attractions mentioned above are wonderful ways to experience the island, the main reason most visitors come to the island is to relax and enjoy the leisure of a tropical lifestyle for a while. A trip to Bean Point beach is a must if lying on the beach with a good book and then going for a gentle swim in the water is what you consider to be a perfect day in paradise.

WHY ANNA MARIA?

Anna Maria Island’s purpose is to serve as an escape from the hustle and bustle and return to sweet simplicity, and will leave you feeling refreshed with its “Old Florida” lifestyle and scenic views at every turn. It a place to embrace paradise in your own way, by relaxing near the water or exploring all the adventures it has to offer. A 24-hour trip may just be your answer to letting go and taking that much needed break.

a lifestyle salon

Sabrina Johns www.6thstreetstation.com 352.372.4568 TheVillageJournal.com | 75 75

your on location makeup artist

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Now is a great time book your makeup.

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EXPLORE

BEACH SIDE

Bliss by Annaleigh Bonds

With Florida's warm sunshine and salt air breezes, there's no better place to get lost in a good read than on the beach. Try one of these books or blogs for a relaxing day at the beach.

Florida Authors Ship of Dreams by Rebecca Heflin “Ship of Dreams” is the latest novel written by Gainesville resident and author, Rebecca Heflin. It is about an advertising diva named Laura Armstrong who is after the biggest account of her career, Imperial Cruise Lines, which will lead her to becoming one of the most powerful women in advertising. However, sexy southern gentleman Nathan Maxwell is after the same account. Since it means a sizable bonus just in time to save his family’s farm, and the only stable home his sister’s ever known from foreclosure, he won't back down. The two of them end up on the same ship in the middle of the Mediterranean for a mission, and we find out whether Nathan will sink her ship of dreams or if the way to love will be smooth sailing.

TheVillageJournal.com | 77

E X P L OR E

Florida Authors (cont.)

Faith

Cuba Straits by Randy Wayne White

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Sanibel Island resident Randy Wayne White’s Cuba Straits is about General Juan Garcia who was in the business of smuggling Cuban baseball players into the U.S. He also made profits by buying historical treasures that he called HPC items, high-profile collectibles. He manages to obtain a collection of letters written by Fidel Castro to a secret girlfriend and the collectibles are not a matter of money anymore.

This novel is a true story about an international art dealer and modern-day slave from Louisiana who became friends after the art dealer is roped into volunteering at a homeless shelter by his saintly wife. It is a story bound by love and faith that consists of betrayal and pain followed by an unexpected life-changing love.

Comedy Drama Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells This classic novel written by Louisiana native Rebecca Wells, tells the story of an unforgettable mother-daughter team, Vivi and Siddalee Walker and their downward spiraling relationship. With passion and a rare gift for language, Wells moves from the resent to past, unraveling Vivi’s life, her enduring friendships with the Ya-Yas, and the continuing attacks on Siddalee. The collective power of the Ya-Yas, with each of them being totally individual and authentic, represents the story of a tribe of Louisiana wild women who are impossible to tame. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See Based on a true story, Shanghai Girls is about a twenty-one-year-old girl named Pearl Chin and her younger sister May who are beautiful, modern and carefree in 1937. However, their father gambles away their wealth and to repay his debts, he sells the girls as wives to suitors who have traveled from Los Angeles to find Chinese brides. As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out from the Chinese countryside to the shores of America. Along the way they make terrible sacrifices, face impossible choices and confront a devastating, life-changing secret. Through it all, they stay true to who they are — Shanghai girls.

78 | TheVillageJournal.com

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple This comedic novel is one about a woman named Bernadette Fox who is a fearlessly opinionated partner to her husband, a disgrace to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, a revolutionary architect to design mavens, a best friend and Mom. Then Bernadette disappears. It began with her daughter Bee acing her report card and claiming her promised award, a family trip to Antarctica. To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence, creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

Fiction Things You Won’t Say by Sarah Pekkanen This timely and provocative novel tells the story of a family in crisis and a marriage on the brink after a tragic shooting. Jamie Anderson’s husband, Mike, is a police officer who experiences a shooting at the police headquarters. After weeks pass and her husband’s insomnia and disconnectedness mount, another shooting happens, this time Mike being the one to pull the trigger. As Mike’s ex sees the tragedy as an opportunity for a second chance with him and Jamie’s younger sister faces her own losses to help her big sister, Jamie tries desperately to hold together her family, no matter what it takes.

EXPLORE

Blogs/Newsletters theSkimm

Smitten Kitchen

The daily e-newsletter gives you everything you need to start your day. People at theSkimm do the news reading for you and break it down with fresh editorial content. They also have a blog on their website that keeps you updated on those who work for theSkimm and their individual journeys. theskimm.com

Smitten Kitchen is a blog focused on relating to folks with small kitchen. It provides delicious recipes and sharable personal photos that are created in small kitchen. It is meant to be more â&#x20AC;&#x153;realâ&#x20AC;? than a typical cooking show with a giant kitchen and pre-chopped ingredients. smittenkitchen.com Nomadic Matt

Brooklyn Blonde Helena, the Brooklyn blonde, was born and raised in NYC and is currently living in Brooklyn with her husband Keith and their two dogs. Her blog discusses topics such as outfits, beauty, New York City, Wedding and Travel. brooklynblonde.com

Nomadic Matt has been traveling the world since 2006. He left his cubicle job and has found ways to continue traveling since then. His travel blog takes readers along on his journeys around the country and world. He provides experience tested tips and advice for traveling on a budget. nomadicmatt.com

TheVillageJournal.com | 79 79

C AL E N D AR

Let us know what’s going on! The Village Journal is always happy to help you spread the word about your community club or event. Please submit a description, including the date, time and location on our website TheVillageJournal.com. SUBMISSION DOES NOT GUARANTEE PUBLICATION.

ON-GOING Haile Village Farmer’s Market Every Saturday, 8:30am - noon Rain or Shine Haile Village Center hvcoa.com Tioga Monday Market Every Monday, 4:00pm - 7:00pm Tioga Town Center Town Square tiogatowncenter.com

Meadors Family Law, LLC attorneys at law

Laughter Yoga Club Every Wednesday, 10:00am - 10:30am The Links Clubhouse Summer Entertainment Camp Gainesville Country Day School May 26 – July 31 gainesvillecountrydayschool.org

APRIL Walk MS: Gainesville Saturday, April 18, 8:00am – 12:00pm Kanapaha Veterans Memorial Park walkfln.nationalmssociety.org Family Day Saturday, April 18, 1:00pm – 4:00pm Harn Museum of Art | harn.ufl.edu Hogtown Craft Beer Festival Saturday, April 18, 1:00pm – 5:00pm Tioga Town Center | tiogatowncenter.com

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80 80 | TheVillageJournal.com

ViVA! 2015 African Safari Saturday, April 18, 5:30pm Rembert Farm | havenhospice.org Spotlight on Youth Sunday, April 19, 2:00pm Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College | cdsfl.org Canines and Cocktails For A Cause Thursday, April 23, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Chop Stix Bistro | daytimedogs.com Bob Rose Gold Scramble Friday, April 24, 1:00pm Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club arcalachua.org/golf

The best drive you will ever have.

Spend the Day with John Spence Friday, April 24, 1:00pm Best Western Gateway Grand unitedwayncfl.org 5K & Kids Fun Run Saturday, April 25, 8:30am Tioga Town Center | tiogatowncenter.com Hot Rodding For Heroes Car Show Saturday, April 25, 9:00am – 2:00pm Haile Plantation Village Center Hotrodding-for-heroes.com Spring Book Sale Saturday, April 25 - Wednesday, April 29, Times TBD Alachua County Library | folacld.org

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4th Annual Team Dynamo and Cohen & Montini Orthodontics Wing Bowl Saturday, April 30, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Splitz Bowling Center childadvocacycentergainesville.org

MAY Hats, Hearts & Handbags Friday, May 8, 10:00am UF Hilton Conference Center | girlsplace.net

Uptown Art Hop Friday, May 8, Time TBD Thornebrook Village | thornebrookvillage.com Mother’s Day Gift with a Purchase Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, 10:00am – 8:00pm Monday, May 11, 10:00am – 5:00pm Pink Narcissus | lillypinknarcissus.com

Visit gru.com/ebill for more information. TheVillageJournal.com | 81 81

C AL E N D AR Farm to Table Dinner with Mark Newman of 706 Saturday, May 9, 5:30pm – 10:00pm Swallowtail Farm, Alachua swallowtailcsa.com Stop Children’s Cancer Fantasy Event: Gold Rush! Saturday, May 9, 5:30pm – 11:00pm Santa Fe River Ranch stopchildrenscancer.org

Canines and Cocktails For A Cause Thursday, May 21, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Chop Stix Bistro | daytimedogs.com Blue Crab Festival Friday, May 22, 5:00pm – 12:00am Saturday, May 23 - Sunday, May 25, 10:00am – 12:00am Monday, May 25, 10:00am – 5:00pm Palatka | bluecrabfestival.com Phoenix Fox Foundation – “Walking Poker-Run” Saturday, May 30, 4:00pm – 9:00pm Tioga Town Center | tiogatowncenter.com

Swim for Safety Sunday, May 3 - Saturday, May 9 Sun Country Sports Center suncountrysports.com May Day Glow Run Saturday, May 16, 2pm - 11pm Town of Tioga | tiogatowncenter.com

24-Hour Emergency A/C & Heating Service Our staff has been servicing Gainesville for over 20 years

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82 82 | TheVillageJournal.com

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JUNE Reeling for Kids Friday, June 5 - Saturday, June 6 Steinhatchee, FL | reelingforkids.com Farm to Table Dinner with Too Many Chefs in the Kitchen Saturday, June 6, 5:30pm – 10:00pm Swallowtail Farm, Alachua swallowtailcsa.com Canines and Cocktails For A Cause Thursday, June 18, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Chop Six Bistro | daytimedogs.com Father’s Day Special Sunday, June 21, 9:00am – 7:00pm or dusk, whichever comes first Kanapaha Botanical Gardens | kanapaha.org

Recipient of the 2014 American Adveritsing Federation ADDY Awards® Gold Addy Award® Overall Magazine Design Silver Addy Award® Editorial Design

LAUGH. SCREAM. SQUIRM.

r act!

UPCOMIN G H I P P O D R O M E PRODUCTIONS

THE TWO MUSKETEERS

SUMMER MUSICAL: HONKY TONK ANGELS

by Jon Jory

by Ted Swindley

APRIL 10-MAY 3

OPENS MAY 29

TICKETS & INFO AT 352.375.4477 & THEHIPP.ORG TheVillageJournal.com | 83 83

SN AP SH OTS Pink Narcissus Lilly Pullitzer Dream Job Event

Photography by Kara Winslow

FEBRUARY 11, 2 0 15

KNOW WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BELOW. Call 811 before you dig to have underground utility lines located on your property.

84 84 | TheVillageJournal.com

SNAPSHOTS Puttin' on the Ritz benefiting Children's Home Society M AR C H 1 4 , 201 5

Presented by Healthy Learning Academy

Photography by Kara Winslow

Just for the Health of it 5K & Kids Fun Run theofHealth of it Just Just for thefor Health it 5Kfor & Kids Fun Run Just the of it25, 2015Run 5KHealth & Kids Saturday, AprilFun 5K & Kids FunTioga RunTown Center Presented by

Healthy Academy Chip timed 5kLearning starts 8:30 am Presented by Healthy Presented 1 mile KidsbyFun Run 9:30 amLearning Academy

JUST FOR THE HEALTH OF IT Saturday, April 25, 2015 5K & Kids Fun Run Tioga Town Center Healthy Learning Academy

Saturday, April 25, 2015 Presented by Healthy Learning Academy ChipSaturday, timed 5k starts 8:30 am

April 25, 2015

Tioga Town Center Tioga Town Center 1 mile Kids Fun Run 9:30 am e Kids Fun Fest including:Chip timed 5k starts 8:30 am SATURDAY, 25 8:30 am Chip timed 5kAPRIL starts unce house, giant inflatable slide, 1 mile Kids Fun Run 9:30 am TIOGA TOWN CENTER

1Chip mile Kids 9:30 am timed 5k Fun starts Run 8:30 am

e painting, gym auction, Free Kids Funbus, Fest silent including: les, and much more!!! bounce house, giant inflatable slide, Free Kids Fun Fest including:

1 mile Kids Fun Run 9:30 am

Free Kids Fun Fest including: face painting, bus, silent slide, auction, bounce house,gym giant inflatable bounce house, giant inflatable slide, face painting, gym bus, silent auction, raffles, and much more!!! Free Kids Fun Fest including:

face painting, gym bus, silent auction, raffles, vendors and much more!

raffles, and much more!!!

giant inflatable slide, Registrationbounce on backhouse, or at Active.com at Active.com or at $25 5k painting, w/t-shirt* face bus, silentRegister auction, Registration on back orgym at Active.com Healthy Learning Academy Registration on back or at Active.com 5k t-shirt w/t-shirt* $20 5k $25 w/o raffles, much more!!! $25 5K w/t-shirt $25 and 5k w/t-shirt* $20 5k w/o t-shirt $20 5K w/o tshirt $15 Kids Run w/t-shirt* $20Fun 5k w/o t-shirt $15 Kids Fun Run w/t-shirt $15 Kids Fun Run w/t-shirt* $15 Kids Fun Rununtil w/t-shirt* *T-shirt option only available March 15 . *T-shirt option only available until March 15 . th

*T-shirt option only available until March 15

Registration on back or at Active.com $25 5k w/t-shirt* $20 5k w/o t-shirt

TheVillageJournal.com | 85 85

8LP Design 98.5 KTK Adam’s Rib Company Advanced Building Concepts, Inc. Allen Law Firm, PA Alter Ego Fitness Amelia’s Cucina Casalinga Aspect Beauty Backstreet Blues Catering Co. Barry Bullard Homes, Inc. and Dylan Thue-Jones, Realtor Beauty Counter by Amy Holman Bonefish Grill Charles Denny Charitable Trust Chiropractic Solutions Gainesville Chuy’s The Colorful Gator The Cookie Parlor Corks & Colors Crossfit Gainesville Crystal Air & Water, Inc. Dermatology Associates Embers Wood Grill First Magnitude Brewing Co. First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville Flagship Coffee Roasters Floating Lotus Spa Florida Skin Cancer & Dermatology Specialists, PA Forest Meadows

Formaggio’s Bistro & Wine Bar Gainesville Dermatology & Aesthetic Center Giggle Magazine Good Life Community Magazine Graetz Remodeling and Custom Homes, Inc. The Grande Event Haile Kitchen & Bath Hippodrome Theatre The Hyppo Ilene Silverman Kara Winslow, Makeup Artist Keith Watson Events Kim’s Custom Care KISS 105.3 Kitchen & Spice Kumon Law Offices of Stephen K. Miller Leonard Sprague Construction Liquid Creative Studio & Marketing Mud Margot’s Impeccable Pickles Marjorie Speer, gainesvillewineevents.com McKillop Family Megan Jansen Mi Apa Mick Hubert Mini Maid Mommy’s Little Secret Treats Oak Hall School Omi’s Elegant Catering

The Junior League of Gainesville is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving Gainesville through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. All proceeds from Tour of Kitchens are used to support our local community projects.

Partylite by Susan Winslow Perry Residential Pink Narcissus Pristine Clean Publix Sabore Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo Sarkis Family Showcase Enterprises Silpada - Erin Preston, Independent Consultant Simply F.A.B. Personal and Industrial Cleaning Stella & Dot - Amber Wilhoit, Independent Stylist Sun Country Sports Center Swamp Head Brewery Sweetberries Eatery and Frozen Custard Thirty-one by April Yancey Thomas Group Realty, LLC Thornebrook Chocolates Thymey Bubbles Soaps Tight Lines Gas Service, LLC VanDyke General and Implant Dentistry Vellos Brickstreet Grille The Village Journal WCJB TV20 White & Crouch, P.A. White Family World of Beer - Tioga WUFT-TV Yucht Family

www.gainesvillejrleague.org

SNAPSHOTS UF Performing Arts Gala JA NUAR Y 24 , 201 5

Photography by Kara Winslow

“We chose GRUCom because it’s instant service; it’s fast service.” – Philip Wagner, Managing Partner, Trimark Properties

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TheVillageJournal.com | 87 87

Join the fun at the 12th Annual

Support the mission of Girls Place and help raise important funds!

Friday, May 8th | UF Hilton Social Hour and Mimosas at 10 a.m. | Program & Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Hats, Hearts & Handbags is a signature event to help raise awareness and financial support for Girls Place, Inc. It focuses on the achievements of the women in our community and the promise of the girls and young women of our future. Reserve a table and decorate it with your friends to compete for awards, wear your best hat, and support the girls of Girls Place! Special Thanks to our Co-Chairs!

Kristen Bash Farrell

Sheila Crapo

Keynote Speaker: Autumn Doughton

Local author of young adult and new adult fiction and long time supporter of Girls Place

Special Thanks to our MC!

Featuring Table Awards created by sculpture artist

Storm Roberts

Leslie Tharp

Join our growing list of sponsors!

Baker duBois Group

GatorTec

Genius Entertainment

Renaissance Printing

Kara Winslow Makeup Artist

Allison Durham Photography

Tables of 8 to 10 and single tickets available. Contact us for more information: www.girlsplace.net | info@girlsplace.net | 352.373.4475 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Social! #GirlsPlace #GP1P

501(c)(3)

REG IS T ER OF ADVERTISERS

A Personal Elf (p. 79).............................271-1111

Hippodrome Theatre (p. 83)........... 375-HIPP

ACG Therapy (p. 39).........................372-0047

iDrive on Demand (p. 81).........904-999-4717

Agapanthus & Aggie Lane (p. 11)............................. 672-6004

Junior League of Gainesville (p. 86).............................. 371-4994

All About Women (p. 27)...................331-3332

Kara Winslow Makeup Artist (p. 76).................................. 321-356-3116

Allison Ables (Back Cover)............... 371-1828 Altschuler Periodontic and Implant Center (p. 55)......................... 371-4141 Artsy Abode (p. 29)............................332-2127

Kinetix Physical Therapy (p. 69)... 505-6665 Koontz Furniture & Design (p. 50).........................................(352) 622-3241 Koss Olinger (p. 13)............................ 373-3337

Avera & Smith, Attorneys at Law (p. 9)......................372-9999

Mark Hurm & Co. (p. 2, 82)..............378-9422

Bogin, Munns & Munns (p. 67).......332-7688

Meadors Family Law (p. 80) ............335-6178

Bosshardt Realty Services (p. 37)... 371-6100

Natural Order Coaching & Organizing (p. 75)...............................871-4499

Comfort Temp (p. 36)........................332-2665 Daytime Dogs and Friends (p. 28).................................... 219-4246 Dr. Storoe, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (p. 65).............. 371-4111 Electronics World (p. 17)...................332-5608 Footstone Photography (p. 51)...... 562-3066 Gainesville Country Day School (p. 67)............................. 332-7783

Paddiwhack (p. 58).............................336-3175 Pandora Store (p. 19)..........................333-3061 Patricia Bishop Photography (p. 74) . 225-3659 Pink Narcissus (p. 91)........................ 373-4874 Poser Plastic Surgery Center (p. 59)...................................... 372-3672 Sabore (p. 15)...................................... 332-2727 6th Street Station (p. 75)..................372-4568

Girls Place: Hats, Hearts & Handbags (p. 88).............. 373-4475

Smart Smile Dentistry (p. 22)...........376-5120

GRUCom (p. 87).................................334-3200

Sun Country Sports Center (p. 63)..................................................... 331-8773

GRU (p. 3, 66, 81, 84)........................334-3434

Tioga Town Center (p. 4)................. 331-4000

Grins & Giggles Pediatric Dentistry (p. 21)................. 316-7400

UF Health Pediatrics (p. 46)............ 594-7337

Haile Village Spa & Salon (p. 6).....335-5025

Uniquities Consignment Shop (p. 61).......................................... 672-6001

Healthy Learning Academy (p. 85).................................................... 372-2279

Wet Hammock Nursery (p. 18)......................................(352) 812-5462

TheVillageJournal.com | 89 89

F R OM T H E KIT CH EN O F D EAN CACC IATORE

SICILIAN STUFFED EGGPLANT If you like eggplant, you are going to love this recipe. My grandfather was born in Palermo and he would eat anything that contained eggplant. He especially enjoyed this dish with a nice bottle of wine on summer Sunday afternoon while he watched the Yankee game.

Buon Appetito! INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

• 2 large eggplants

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F. Set a large pot of salted water,

• 2 slices of white bread, crusts removed • 3 tablespoons milk • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 1/2 pound ground beef • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves • 1/2 cup diced fontina cheese • 4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped • 2 eggs, lightly beaten • 4 slices of asiago cheese. • 2 cups of homemade marinara

covered, over high heat to boil. Wash and dry the eggplants, then slice them in half lengthwise. Hollow out the center of each half with a spoon so that it resembles a "barchetta" (little boat). Finely dice the scooped-out eggplant flesh and set aside.

2. Tear the 2 slices of bread into small pieces. In a small bowl, set the pieces to soak in the milk. Set aside.

3. In the large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the eggplant halves until just tender, about 5 minutes. Gently remove the eggplant halves from the water and drain them thoroughly.

4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the onion and reserved diced eggplant and cook, stirring until both are softened and the onions are transparent, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the ground beef, salt and pepper and cook, stirring to break up any large chunks of meat, just until the meat is browned. Remove from heat and stir in the garlic and parsley. Squeeze excess milk from the pieces of bread and add it along with the diced cheese, basil and eggs. Mix well to combine.

5. Arrange the 4 eggplant halves in a lightly greased baking pan; season them with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Divide the filling evenly between the 4 halves and bake until the diced cheese is melted and the eggplants are browned, about 30 minutes, placing one slice of cheese on top of each eggplant half in the last 5 minutes of baking.

6. Serve topped with finely chopped fresh parsley and/or basil and drizzle with homemade marinara. 90 90 | TheVillageJournal.com

Sunshine is our main squeeze.

3730 SW ARCHER ROAD

GAINESVILLE

373-4874 TheVillageJournal.com | 91 91