Hooray for the USA Page B1
Community conundrum
Why you should tune into Marion County budget workshops starting Monday.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
This upcoming fiscal year is poised to be one very interesting budget cycle in every community across Florida.
Local leaders are currently facing a community conundrum: figuring out how to fund the future and manage explosive population growth while Tallahassee actively restricts local revenue and autonomy.
Just last month, Gov. Ron Desantis signed legislation that he claims is “designed to increase transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline in local government while supporting ongoing efforts to provide property tax relief for Florida homeowners.”
As previously reported, the county is considering raising the millage rate from 3.09 to 3.35 or 3.48 for the 2026-27 budget year that starts in October, before these legislative restrictions kick into place.
The commissioners will begin sorting out their next fiscal steps at a series of budget workshops that start on July 13. County taxpayers who can’t attend the sessions in person can view them online at marionfl.legistar.com/ Calendar.aspx.
Here is some background information on recent legislation to keep in mind while watching the Marion County commissioners deliberate changes:
HOUSE BILL 1329: FORCED CUTS AND INCREASED TRANSPARENCY
House Bill 1329, the “Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act,” imposes strict new reporting and spending rules on counties and municipalities starting Jan.1, 2027. According to the Chief Financial Officer’s press release and the “Bill Analysis - Florida Senate,” the state enacted this law to “pull the curtain back on local government’s wasteful spending” and prevent local officials from using essential public safety services as leverage against state tax cuts. Under HB 1329, local governments and constitutional officers face several mandates:
See Community, page A8
Born to the saddle
Marion County’s 11-year-old Sean Miller is the 2026 Florida National Barrel Horse Association 1D Youth Champion.
Self-government requires truth
For six years, the mission of the “Ocala Gazette” has been to verify what government says, document how it serves the public and pursue the truth wherever the evidence leads.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Six years ago, on July 6, 2020, the first edition of the “Ocala Gazette” rolled off the press.
As I sat down to write this anniversary letter after our nation’s 250th
Independence Day celebration, I found myself returning to the Declaration of Independence. What struck me wasn’t simply the decision to separate from Britain, it was how the founders built their case before reaching that conclusion.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
If you trace the lineage of Sean Miller, it’s easy to see that the new Florida National Barrel Horse Association Youth Champion truly was born to the saddle.
Sean, 11, is the son of national barrel racing legend Angel Rae Miller; grandson of Norman Edwards, a professional rodeo announcer for 30 years; nephew of Callie Sue Edwards, who, with her partner Shane Kuhn, produces award-winning rodeo novelty and wild west acts under the banner of Banjo the Water Buffalo and Friends; and whose other relatives include an extended family of cowboy and cowgirl world champions and halls of fame members.
Sean’s recent 1D win came at the FNBHA Florida State Finals, held June 17-21 at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.
“This was part of the National Barrel Horse Association Florida State Show, with 617 entries in our open class and 301 entries in our youth class. Sean was first in this class,” said Statewide District Director Renee Kitching via email. The National Barrel Horse Association, headquartered in Decatur, Texas, is the largest barrel racing organization in the world. In 1992, the NBHA revolutionized the barrel racing industry by pioneering the divisional format, which allows riders of all skill levels a chance to win money and prizes in competition. NBHA has thousands of members of all ages across the United States and affiliates in a number of foreign countries, according to its website.
See Self-government requires truth, page A9 The “Ocala
Sean Miller, 11, races around a barrel at the reins of Spirit Ta Corona, a 5-year-old quarter horse, as they practice barrel racing at Fancy Fast Horses at Triple Cross Ranch in Shiloh, Fla. on July 7, 2026. Sean placed first in the Florida State National Barrel Horse Association Youth Class 1D Championship in Kissimmee on June 20, beating out 300 other competitors. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2026.
See Born to the saddle, page A3
Gazette” is celebrating its sixth anniversary.
MARION CLERK INSTALLATION
Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Gregory C. Harrell was installed June 24, 2026, as president of the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers board of directors. [Submitted photo]
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers recently installed its 2026-2027 board of directors. Led by incoming President Gregory C. Harrell, Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, the new board members will each serve a one-year term.
Harrell was sworn in by Sean Hudson, FCCC deputy executive director, on June 24 and his presiding term began July 1. During the conference, Harrell announced his presidential theme, “The Triple Crown of Excellence,” which will guide initiatives during his tenure.
CF ANNOUNCES NO TUITION INCREASE
The CF District Board of Trustees on June 24 approved the college’s annual budget, keeping tuition rates flat for all degree and certificate programs for the 2026-27 academic year in support of the state’s priority on no tuition increases.
CF consistently ranks among the top 7% of colleges in the nation for affordability, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The cost for associate level courses is $112.92 per credit hour, or approximately $2,710 per year for a student with a 12-credit course load for two
Public Notice
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION File No. 25CP002584AX Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF CATHERINE JOAN KILGOAR, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of CATHERINE JOAN KILGOAR, deceased, whose date of death was September 25, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Marion County Judicial Center, 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative is set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 3rd, 2026.
Personal Representative: ZENDA HAYES 17882 SE 131st Ave
Weirsdale, FL 32195
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
semesters. The cost for a bachelor’s level course is $129.27 per credit hour, or approximately $3,102.48 for a student with a 12-credit course load for two semesters. CF’s tuition is about half the cost of a public Florida university and 13% of the cost of a private Florida university, the news release stated.
For more information, visit cf.edu
LOTUS MARION IN OPERATION
The Marion County Sexual Assault Center began providing domestic violence services under the name of Lotus Marion, effective July 1.
The transition follows a coordinated plan in which Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) Marion transferred domestic violence services to the local organization, marking a shift toward locally led care.
The center was founded in 2023 to address a lack of sexual assault services in the county, after Creative Services, Inc., a local nonprofit that had provided services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for nearly 50 years closed.
Learn more at marionsexualassaultcenter.org
BRIDGE TO HOPE BREAKS GROUND
Bridge to Hope Adult Day Training Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, broke ground on a new facility on July 2.
Since opening its doors in 2017, Bridge to Hope has provided programs that promote independence, personal growth, life skills, social engagement and community inclusion for adults with disabilities. As the need for these services has continued to grow, the
organization has taken the next step toward expanding its impact by constructing a permanent facility, the news release noted.
The new center will provide additional space for educational programming, vocational training, life skills development, recreational activities and community partnerships that help participants achieve greater independence and quality of life.
To learn more, go to bridgetohopeinc.com
LEADERSHIPMCPS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Marion County Public Schools is accepting applications for Class V of its LeadershipMCPS program.
The program involves eight monthly sessions providing opportunities for community members to learn what it takes to educate more than 46,000 students each school day while better understanding the support operations happening behind the scenes of Marion County classrooms, according to the news release.
Sessions will be held at different school facilities each month starting in August and will cover topics including the concepts of how teachers teach and how students learn, School Choice, creating and supporting a safe and positive learning and working environment, Exceptional Student Education, transporting and feeding tens of thousands of students daily and how business partners and volunteers help meet critical needs throughout the district.
To apply, go to marionschools. net/news/what_s_new/ leadership_m_c_p_s_now_ accepting_applications
For more information, contact Jennifer Thomas at (352) 236-0566 or email communityengagement@ marion.k12.fl.us.
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Born to the saddle
Continued from page A1
Divisional barrel racing, using the 4D format, gives competitors from beginners to professionals, from youth to seniors, a chance to compete, learn and succeed. The format encourages riders to improve skills and work toward higher divisions. NBHA members compete at district, state, national and world championship levels, including the Youth & Teen World Championships the last week of July and the Open & Senior World Championships in October.
In the event in Kissimmee, Sean rode two horses, Paint Me Dark, an appaloosa, and Spirit Ta Corona, a quarter horse. He became the 1D Champion riding Spirit, with a time of 14.312.
“A special congratulations to all of our Youth Champions. We know this week was filled with unforgettable moments and we’re so proud of each of you,” the FNBHA noted on social media.
In 2024, Sean won the 4D Championship title.
The lanky young cowboy with bright blue eyes and a brilliant smile is right at home in the barns at the home of his mom and dad, Angel Rae and Chris Miller, in Shiloh in northwest Marion County. The expansive property, which was founded by the Rev. Norm Edwards and his wife Phyllis some 20 years ago, is the home of the Church at Triple Cross. It also is the base of Angel Rae’s Fancy Fast Horses operation, Chris’ trucking business and Callie Sue’s Stinky Flamingo Salon.
Angel Rae said the first time she was on a horse was the day her mom and dad brought her home from the hospital and she was cradled in his arms while he was mounted. It wasn’t long before she was competing in classes in cutting, reining, roping and jumping. Today, she travels all over the country for top-level barrel racing competitions and consistently is at the top of the scoreboards. She specializes in training and racing futurity horses, which are those of a younger age.
Like mom, like son, Sean also is adept at traveling and next is set to go to Perry, Georgia, to compete in the FNBHA Youth & Teen World Championships.
Barrel racing pits the horse and rider against a time clock and they must complete a cloverleaf pattern that uses three barrels. There are penalties for knocking down a barrel.
On Tuesday at the ranch, standing next to the two saddles he won for being the 1D champ this year and the 4D champion in 2024, Sean explained that competing in the 1D Division was more difficult than in the 4D Division.
“This one was harder,” he said.
According to the FNBHA website,
That means Sean was racing in the fastest division.
be competitive you need to know the difference between having an equine as a pet and working with them on discipline and proper management.
In working in the practice arena with Spirit for a photo session with “Gazette” staff photographer Bruce Ackerman, for example, Sean made a couple of trotting passes before he went into a speedy gallop around the three barrels. When Ackerman asked him to repeat the latter, Sean said no.
“Sean knew that was a perfect run,” Angel Rae remarked. “A lot of times people will say, ‘Oh, that was good. Let’s do it again.’ But it’s like Sean fully understood that it was perfect and so he wanted to stop and give the horse a treat. I think some people don’t understand that the training is all done slow and that being able to then handle the speed and pressure comes from having a solid foundation.”
Before they head to the world championships in Georgia, Sean, Spirit Ta Corona and Paint Me Dark will compete in a couple of local races. In Georgia, they will be among a pool of approximately 2,500 entries.
“They only take the top 20 in each division out of those 2,500 entries. Last year, he was the fastest in his division,” Angel Rae noted with pride.
In addition to being homeschooled and practicing his barrel racing, Sean also has been learning some trick riding maneuvers from his aunt Callie Sue.
She and Kuhn will be one of the featured acts in the July 24 and 25 Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival, which will take place that Friday at the Two Hawk Hammock Equestrian Center in Williston and that Saturday at the Canterbury Equestrian Showplace in Newberry. Learn more at visitgainesville.com/event/banjobuffalos-wild-west-revival/
After the “Gazette” interview and photo session on July 7, Angel Rae took to social media to share some thoughts about her son.
the four-division format means that all riders, regardless of ability, run in the same barrel race. The four divisions are determined by time brackets. The overall fastest time of the race is used to set the time brackets for the four divisions. The NBHA awards points to members in all divisions on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis for first place through fifth place.
The 1D riders are those with the fastest times, 2D competitors ran one-half second or slower than the overall fastest time, 3D competitors ran one second or slower than the overall fastest time and the 4D riders ran two seconds or slower than the overall fastest time.
Don’t miss a note
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s 202627 season will offer six subscription concerts and much more.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra is composed of seriously talented performers, led by longtime noted maestro Matthew Wardell. The OSO has hundreds of dedicated followers who are season subscription holders to ensure they don’t miss a single note.
As the symphony heads into its 2026-27 season, those subscriptions are now on sale.
The season kicked off on June 27 with the patriotic “Red, White and OSO Blue: 250 Years” concert. Subscription performances will begin in October, with this lineup:
“Pictures at an Exhibition,” Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 25, 3 p.m.
“Pops! Goes the Holidays,” Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6, 3 and 7:30 p.m.
“Enchanted,” Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 24, 3 p.m. -
“The Long Arc,” Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 28, 3 p.m.
“Fate Awakens,” March 20, 7:30 p.m. and March 21, 3 p.m.
“Famous Last Words,” April 17, 7:30 p.m. and April 18, 3 p.m.
The season also will offer signature events such as Disney’s “Aladdin in Concert” live-to-film, a symphonic Allman Brothers collaboration with Steeln’ Peaches and the beloved “Nutcracker” with Dance Alive National Ballet and live orchestra, a choral series and five chamber music performances.
“As we enter this new season, I keep coming back to a phrase that has guided my work for many years: Your Orchestra, Your Music. For me, that means creating programs that reflect the curiosity, passion and spirit of this community—music that honors where we’ve been, embraces where we are now
Angel Rae said her son practices a lot at home, usually bareback. She said that for about six years he was involved in a rigorous gymnastics program that helped him develop an ability to be highly focused.
“I think Sean has a really strong conviction naturally from being so involved in the gymnastics training that he had. It is so strict and you know exactly what you’re supposed to do and there’s no there’s no wiggle room with training,” she shared.
She noted that he also has grown up being around her training young horses and knows that in order to
“Oh geez… I spent the whole morning just sitting in amazement of my child, Sean Miller. We are so incredibly blessed with this kid,” she wrote. “Why do I get so emotional? Because watching your child work so hard, stay humble and chase their dreams is something words can barely describe. I’m beyond proud of Sean and his very own unicorn, Spirit. What an incredible journey these two have been on together. No matter where this journey leads, I’ll always be grateful for the memories, the lessons and the blessing of watching my son do what he loves.”
To learn more, go to nbha.com/state/ florida and fb.com/fancyfasthorses
and invites every listener to feel a genuine sense of connection and ownership,” Wardell, music director and conductor, noted in a news release.
“This season is deeply rooted in storytelling, from the vivid, imaginative world of “Pictures at an Exhibition: From Dalí to Mussorgsky” to the emotional depth of masterworks like Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique.” It’s a
season that celebrates tradition while embracing innovation and I am continually inspired by the passion of our musicians and the enthusiasm of our audience. I can’t wait to welcome everyone into the hall for what promises to be an unforgettable journey,” he continued.
The OSO also will offer open rehearsals and Coffee/Cocktails with the Conductor events, providing audiences with behindthe-scenes access to the musicmaking process and opportunities to connect with the orchestra.
The Reilly Arts Center is located at 500 NE 9th St., Ocala. In addition to serving as the home of the OSO, the venue hosts a wide range of other programming, and its leadership team also manages the historic Marion Theatre.
For details and listings, go to reillyartscenter.com
Sean Miller, 11, and one of his barrel racing horses, Spirit Ta Corona, and his parents, Chris and Angel Rae Miller, and his two FNBHA championship saddles.
Sean Miller, 11, sprints to the finish line with Spirit Ta Corona, a 5-year-old quarter horse, as they practice barrel racing at Fancy Fast Horses in Shiloh on July 7, 2026.
Sean Miller, 11, spends a moment with Spirit.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra performs Oct. 18, 2025, at the Reilly Arts Center during opening night for its 50th anniversary season. The 2026-27 season is underway, with the first subscription concerts set for Oct. 24 and 25. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Business-focused forum
CEP’s YouTube Channel offers at-home opportunity to get a glimpse of local candidates.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
With the Aug. 18 primary election fast approaching, the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) recently hosted a 2026 Primary Candidate Forum and, unlike other such events, the entire forum is available to stream on the CEP’s YouTube channel from the comfort of your home.
Rather than reiterate what each candidate said during the event, the “Gazette” is choosing to direct readers to watch the forum online and learn for themselves how each candidate responded to the questions. To view the event, visit the Ocala Metro CEP YouTube channel at youtube. com/ocalacep
A SYNOPSIS OF THE QUESTIONS
The nearly four-hour session saw the candidates tackling issues at each level of local and state government. Among the recurring themes for Marion County hopefuls were how each of them would handle the county’s rapid population growth and its massive budget constraints.
• Florida House (Districts 21 & 24): Candidates were pressed heavily on the impending 2026 property tax elimination amendment. They were asked how they would protect funding for essential services like public safety, parks and libraries if local revenue plummets, and how
they would balance tax relief without straining the budgets of small, fiscally constrained municipalities. They were also asked how they would protect Florida’s business climate and workforce amid these tax shifts.
County Commission (Districts 2 & 4): Candidates were asked to define “responsible growth” and to identify their top infrastructure priority. Like the state representatives, they were asked how they would prioritize county services if the property tax amendment passes and revenues fall short. Finally, they had to elaborate on what specific experience they bring to the task of managing the county’s $1.6 billion budget.
School Board (Districts 3, 4, & 5): Candidates tackled
the highly emotional issue of rezoning and consolidation discussions involving North end Marion County schools. They were also asked to demonstrate their financial competency to manage the district’s $1.3 billion budget and were questioned about their experience with, and plans to improve, the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.
QUESTIONS ABOUT CEP INTENTIONS
Following the candidate forum, social media chatter questioned both the intentions of the CEP hosting the forum as well as made implications that certain candidates were targeted or favored.
The “Gazette” reached out to the CEP to ask their intentions
directly and CEP President and CEO Matt McCormick stated the group’s intentions were to give “people in our community an opportunity to listen and learn about topics, to listen and learn about the candidates.”
When asked about community concerns raised over the past few years about the CEP’s role in local politics and government, McCormick explained the organization’s stance on candidate endorsements: although the CEP is legally allowed to endorse candidates as a 501(c)(6) organization, their leadership firmly chooses not to do so.
“That is not the direction that we want to go,” he said. “We want to stay focused on issues, we want to stay focused on pro-business policies... and not getting into the arena of endorsing candidates.”
McCormick agreed, however, that Marion County’s business leaders (many of whom are members of the CEP) are very active in politics and a multitude of community issues individually and through other organizations. He added that none of those activities are coordinated by the CEP, which is under contract with both the city of Ocala and Marion County government to provide direction for economic development. He also said the CEP’s political action committee was not involved in doing so.
Chairman of the CEP, Todd Rudyiani, echoed McCormick’s statement empathically.
SPONSOR SENTIMENTS
VS. NEUTRAL HOSTING
To help fund the streaming of the forum, the CEP signed on
a presenting sponsor, Progress Marion. During the opening remarks, Progress Marion’s David Tillman explained that his group is a business-focused organization independent from the CEP that was formed specifically because the CEP does not endorse or rate candidates on their merits. Tillman used his time to urge voters to research candidates carefully and beware of “socialistic ideas that will destroy the prosperity of our community.”
The CEP confirmed that Tillman’s remarks reflected the sole sentiment of the sponsor. The CEP said they tried to serve as a neutral host for the evening, maintaining an “unbiased platform” for all participants.
To maintain a sense of fairness among a large slate of candidates, CEP organizers said they tried to run a tightly structured event. Candidates were sequestered— waiting off-stage until their specific race was called—and were brought out alphabetically. Once on stage, strict time limits were enforced: two minutes to answer each question and one minute for closing statements, ensuring equal opportunity for everyone.
The organizers also said the questions were driven by concerns raised by the community. A QR code was heavily circulated for two weeks prior to the event to gather resident comments. CEP VP of the Foundation Jessica Gilbert and the team reviewed the submissions, boiling them down to the most pressing topics with priority for business-related issues a minute before the forum started.
Jessica Gilbert and Tom James of the
Marion County schools celebrate gains Florida calculates school grades by evaluating up to 12 components.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
The 2025-26 school year grades reflect academic improvements to Marion County Public Schools (MCPS), with traditional public schools eliminating failing grades. However, due to shifting state goalposts and the performance of independent charter schools, the district’s overall grade dropped from a “B” to a “C.”
HOW THE STATE CALCULATES GRADES
Statewide, Florida calculates school grades by evaluating up to 12 components—such as academic achievement, learning gains, graduation rates, and college and career acceleration—each worth up to 100 points. A school’s final score is determined by adding the points earned across all eligible components and dividing by the total possible points to calculate the overall percentage. To qualify for a grade, schools are strictly required to test at least 95% of their enrolled students.
Additionally, the grading scale is designed to adjust dynamically; by state law, if more than 75% of schools in a specific category earn an “A” or “B,” the state automatically raises the minimum point thresholds required to earn each letter grade for the following year.
HOW THE GRADING SCALE CHANGED THE DISTRICT’S GRADE
Despite the drop in the letter grade, MCPS increased the total number of
By Nancy Thrower School Board District 4
It is very disappointing and frustrating to miss anything by 1 point! Even if our Marion County Public Schools had maintained a B grade overall again this year by 1 point this still wouldn’t qualify for big bragging rights in my opinion. I’ll save THAT for when we achieve legitimate A - District status.
In the meantime, there is one gigantic but simple solution. Reduce the excuses, COME TO SCHOOL on time every day and do your best. Even great teachers can’t teach an empty seat!
Numbers don’t lie and great people are working too hard for this overall mediocrity to continue. It’s doing the simple things well, over and over and over again until they become good habits.
points it earned this year. The district’s grade decreased primarily because the Florida Department of Education raised the grading threshold.
Previously, a school district needed to earn 57 points to secure a “B” grade. Under the new, more rigorous state requirements, 60 points are now required to earn a “B.” MCPS scored 59 points, missing the “B” threshold by a single percentage point.
Superintendent Danielle Brewer praised the district’s momentum in an email to personnel, noting that 45.8% of graded schools earned an “A” or “B,” surpassing pre-COVID highs.
“The most important takeaway is that we improved across the entire district,” Brewer wrote. “More schools are reaching the highest levels of performance, while we have eliminated failing grades altogether.”
THE CHARTER SCHOOL IMPACT
While traditional public schools managed by MCPS saw zero “D” or “F” grades, the district’s overall grade was pulled down by the performance of local charter schools.
Charter schools operate under independent agreements with the Marion County School Board and control their own curricula. This means the district has little say over their dayto-day academic operations, yet charter school test scores are still factored into MCPS’s overall annual grade. This year, out of the five charter schools in Marion County, three dropped by at least one letter grade. One charter school, the Ina A. Colen Academy, spearheaded by local developer Ken Colen, has maintained an “A” since it started four years ago.
ATTENDANCE CORRELATES WITH LOW PERFORMANCE
Many of the Marion County schools that struggle with low grades (earning a “D” or “F” in either 2024-25 or 202526) are heavily impacted by chronic absenteeism. For example, according to statistics received by the district, McIntosh Area School dropped from a “C” to an “F” and struggles with a 44% chronic absenteeism rate.
Ocali Charter High School dropped from a “C” to a “D” while dealing with a 38% chronic absenteeism rate.
To read prior reporting on what the district is doing to address chronic absenteeism, go to ocalagazette.com/ school-district-tries-to-tackle-truancyand-tardiness
YEAR-OVER-YEAR SCHOOL GRADE COMPARISON
MCPS garnered 46% more “A” and “B” schools compared to the previous year. Below is the comprehensive list of 202425 school grades compared to the 202526 results for every graded school in the county: Anthony Elementary: C C
Belleview Elementary: C C
Belleview High: B C
Belleview Middle: A A
Belleview-Santos Elementary: C C
Bridgeway Academy: (Not Graded) College Park Elementary: C C
Dr. N H Jones Elementary: A A
• Dunnellon Elementary: C B
• Dunnellon High: C C
• Dunnellon Middle: C C
• East Marion Elementary: C C
• Eighth Street Elementary: A A
• Emerald Shores Elementary: C C
OPINION ABOUT CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
The most impoverished schools with the most needy kids CAN EXCEL. That’s why I started an official Attendance Response Committee at Oakcrest and we invited Evergreen too, because when I joined the school board in November 2018, these schools had been failing for years and costing taxpayers $$$$$!
Other schools followed suit and now improving attendance is our #1 priority, because success begins with showing up! Let’s compare the numbers, and let’s work together even HARDER to make daily attendance and doing your best a community value for ALL! The difference WILL knock your socks off! Mine too! I’m on the School Board until November 10th and will leave it all on the field for our Kids, our Families and our Community!
My District 4 SchoolsWard Highlands Elementary
19% Chronically Absent Students
School Grade A (the norm)
Maplewood Elementary School
25% Chronically Absent Students School Grade A
Oakcrest Elementary School
29% Chronically Absent Students Was over 50% last year School Grade from D to B! Vanguard High School
31% Chronically Absent Students School Grade- maintained a B! Fort King Middle School
37% Chronically Absent Students Still a C, but improved by 6 points Now let’s look at some othersMadison Street
4% Chronically Absent Students School Grade- A (the norm) Dr. NH Jones
10% Chronically Absent
Fessenden Elementary: D C Forest High: B B Fort King Middle: C C Fort McCoy School: C C
Greenway Elementary: C C Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary: C B Harbour View Elementary: C C
• Horizon
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
School Grade - A (the norm)
Ina A Colen
7% Chronically Absent School Grade - A (the norm) Belleview Middle School
29% Chronically Absent School Grade- A (the norm) Dunnellon Elementary School
24% Chronically Absent School Grade - B (improved from C) I can mention more schools, but I hope you get my point.
Anyone else see a pattern? Get chronic absenteeism below 20% overall as the District average, maintain high quality instruction, and we WILL have an overall A District.
This message was posted on social media on July 5 by Thrower, who was elected to the Marion County School Board in 2018 and again in 2022.
A woman of ‘passion and compassion’
Lena Hopkins, a longtime senior manager with Community Legal Services, passes away in Ocala.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Many of those who have received pro bono legal services in Marion County over more than two decades may have Lena Hopkins to thank.
Community Legal Services of MidFlorida, Inc., which has several offices in Central Florida, including in Ocala, is a civil legal aid law firm that promotes equal access to justice and provides professional legal aid to help low-income people protect their livelihoods, health and families.
During a career with the firm, which spanned more than 27 years, Hopkins served as senior manager of pro bono services for most of that time.
Hopkins passed away in Ocala on June 29 at the age of 72.
In sharing the news of her passing with colleagues, Jeffrey Harvey, Esq., chief executive officer of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, addressed “dear volunteer attorneys” in a letter.
“It is with incredible sorrow that I share the passing of our beloved colleague, advocate, and friend, Lena Hopkins. For 27 years, Lena dedicated herself to the mission of Community Legal Services, where she inspired us all by embodying both passion and compassion. Many of you knew Lena personally. Whether she recruited you to take your first pro bono case, partnered with you on behalf of a client, or simply thanked you for your willingness to serve, she built genuine relationships that strengthened entire communities.
“Lena believed to her core that access to justice was a shared responsibility. With her authenticity and commitment, she inspired hundreds of attorneys to give their time and talents in service to those who otherwise would not have had access to legal representation. She understood that every attorney recruited represented another family helped, another crisis resolved,
another life stabilized. The impact of those collective efforts is immeasurable.”
According to her daughter Jackie Shuler, Hopkins was born in Daytona Beach and was raised in Ocala, where she came to live as a young child.
Among the many accolades Hopkins earned locally over the years was receiving the Community Service Uplift Award in recognition of 25 years dedicated to serving low-income and vulnerable Floridians and for her membership on numerous local nonprofits during the 2025 43rd annual Marion County NAACP Branch Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet in Ocala.
In an article recapping the event, Hopkins told the “Gazette” she was “privileged to make a difference for many in our community and will continue the good fight.”
Earlier that year, on Feb. 28, Hopkins, who was a graduate of the University
and photographer. She and Hopkins were friends and colleagues.
“Lena was a warm-hearted person who always seemed to see the good in everyone she met. I truly enjoyed photographing her because her beautiful smile and vibrant personality could light up any room; several pictures of her recently posted by Facebook users are from my collection of images,” Graham noted.
“She was also one of my trusted contacts while researching the history of Marion County, and she was always willing to share her knowledge and passion for our community,” Graham added. “Lena was a dedicated advocate for Community Legal Services, serving others not only while on the clock but often long after her workday had ended. Her compassion, kindness and commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on countless lives. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy of service and her radiant spirit will never be forgotten.”
of Florida, was mistress of ceremonies for the third annual Howard Academy Community Center Black History Awards Gala at the College of Central Florida’s Harvey R. Klein Conference Center.
On March 8, 2024, Hopkins was one of several local women in law and government who were honored during the International Women’s Day Celebration and luncheon hosted by Ollin Women International.
Organizers of the event shared to the “Gazette” at the time that Hopkins served “on the board of the National Association of Pro Bono Professionals and is a two-time recipient of the statewide Kay Myers Pro Bono Service Award. She also has served on the boards of Habit for Humanity, Central Florida Community Action Agency, Greater Ocala Community Development Corporation, Marion County Continuum of Care, Marion County Children’s Alliance Family Violence Prevention Workgroup and Community With A Heart.”
On Feb. 23, 2024, nine people, including Hopkins, were inducted into the Howard Academy Community Center Black History Museum Archives. In addition to the affiliations mentioned above, the program for the event noted that Hopkins also “has been involved with the Back 2 School Bash, a joint effort of the Marion County Children’s Alliance and the city of Ocala, which provides backpacks and school supplies to youth. She is a graduate of Focus on Leadership and Leadership Ocala/Marion. She is an ordained minister and elder elect of the Pressing Place Church.”
Shuler, who was Hopkins’ only child, and who is a graduate of Florida State University, recalled that some of her most fond memories of her mother were, “traveling, daily chats and text conversations, unspoken moments that only we understand.”
She said her mother taught her “to lead with integrity, treat everyone with kindness and respect, and the impact you can have by helping others,”
“Her legacy will be service, compassion and an unwavering dedication to others,” Shuler offered.
Cynthia Wilson Graham is a noted local author, historian, businesswoman
The annual Community With A Heart campaign is designed to help local people recover from challenges. The communitywide effort is administered by a volunteer board of directors, whose members review all applications for assistance. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida Inc. was one of the member agencies. The annual drive relies on donations from members of the community and businesses, and all of the money is used to help people in Marion County.
The longtime CWAH board chair is Monica Bryant, the Family Violence Prevention Coordinator for the Marion County Children’s Alliance, who was a friend and colleague of Hopkins.
“I’ve lost quite a few friends lately, but this loss hit differently. Lena was and meant a lot of things to people, but to me, for the past 20 years she’s been my 10/10 friend (our birthdays are 10 years and 10 days apart) sometimes my conscience and my partner in good deeds. We always did things on the buddy system. If I wasn’t going, neither was she,” Bryant shared.
“We talked almost every day, sometimes two or three times a day. What I miss most is being able to pick up the phone and call her and complain when people do ridiculous things—things that to us they should know better, but Lena would always say, ‘Monica, I don’t know what to tell you, you’re looking for logic.’ Although I’m glad God did not allow my friend to suffer, in this case, I’m still looking for logic,” Bryant said.
The viewing for Hopkins will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. July 10 at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, 606 SW Broadway St., Ocala. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. July 11 at Immerse Church of Ocala, 5105 N. US Highway 441, Ocala.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Hopkins’ honor may be made to Community with a Heart. To donate online, go to ocalafoundation.org/communityfoundation-funds/community-with-aheart/ or checks can be made payable to CWAH and mailed to P.O. Box 1777, Ocala, FL 34478.
In his letter to the volunteer attorneys with whom Hopkins worked, Harvey wrote, “As we mourn Lena’s passing, we also celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. Every client served through our volunteer attorney program, every partnership she cultivated, and every life touched through her work stands as a lasting testament to her impact.”
Lena Hopkins speaks after receiving the Community Service Uplift Award during the 43rd-annual NAACP 5114 Marion County Branch Freedom Fund Awards and Banquet in Ocala on April 25, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Thelma Edwards, Lena Hopkins Smith and Janet Behnke at the International Women’s Day Celebration in Ocala on March 8, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Cynthia Graham, Lena Hopkins and Monica Bryant at the Feb. 23, 2024, Howard Academy Community Center Black History Museum Archives gala in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Man wielding gun shot by MCSO deputy
The 39-year-old male later died at a local hospital.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on July 8 released the name of the man who died July 7 as the result of a deputy involved shooting and additional details about the incident. According to a MCSO
Facebook post on Wednesday, James Cherry, 39, died at a hospital after he was shot by a deputy at a residence in the 14900 block of Southwest 35th Avenue Road around 2:26 p.m. July 7 after he refused to drop a firearm he pointed at a deputy.
The Facebook post states MCSO has learned that Cherry
had “arrived at the residence to confront his estranged wife and tried to convince her to let him into the home, which she refused. A third party overheard the incident while on the phone with the estranged wife and then called 911 out of concern for her safety.”
“Upon arrival, our deputy made contact with Cherry to
gather more information about the disturbance. During this encounter, Cherry wielded a firearm, failed to comply with commands to drop it, and turned toward the deputy, who shot him to eliminate the threat.
After Cherry was secured, the deputy began rendering aid until Marion County Fire Rescue arrived. Cherry was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries,” the post stated. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting and the deputy involved is on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues, according to the post.
Utility regulators approve hurricane recovery refund
By Jim Turner
The News Service of Florida
Florida Power & Light customers will receive about $80 million in refunds stemming from charges imposed for storm restoration work from the 2024 hurricane season, state regulators determined on July 7.
The Public Service Commission approved the refund, which will result in a one-month reduction in base rates to reflect any “revenue over-recovery” charges from the Juno Beach-based FPL, which serves more than 12 million Floridians across 43 counties.
“Maintaining a reliable and
resilient electric grid requires continued investment and the commission’s review helps ensure customers pay only the reasonable and necessary costs of restoring service while supporting a reliable electric system for all Floridians,”
PSC Chairwoman Gabriella Passidomo Smith said in a released statement.
The state utility regulators approved the initial $1.2 billion repair charge in December 2024, which added about $12 to the average monthly bill during 2025.
The recovery package aimed to cover power restoration costs for Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. The money also
helped replenish a $150 million storm reserve fund.
Much of the projected costs, about $811.1 million, stemmed from restoring power after Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Oct. 9, 2024, as a Category 3 storm in Sarasota County before crossing the state.
FPL put its costs for Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm that hit the Big Bend region in early August 2024, at $113.5 million. Hurricane Helene, a Category 3 storm that ran up the west coast before making landfall Sept. 26, 2024, in Taylor County, cost $157.8 million.
The approved package was deemed “interim,” as the
commission noted in a release at the time that the charges were subject to a refund, with interest, pending further review once the total actual recovery costs were known.
In an agreement reached between FPL and the state Office of Public Counsel, the restoration work for Milton was later calculated at $774.4 million. The work for Helene came in at $167.6 million and the cost for Debby was $88.3 million.
A similar deal was approved in May for Duke Energy Florida to provide a $90.5 million refund for over-collections from the 2024 hurricane season.
The Duke refund, which
started to be imposed in the June billing cycle, was about 56 cents per 1,000 kilowatt hours of use. The payout will continue through September.
After Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton struck in 2024, Duke was approved to charge residential customers $33 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours starting in March 2025. The stormcharge was collected through January 2026. Duke has more than 2 million customers across 35 counties in Florida. The company collected slightly more than $1 billion for storm-related costs that ultimately came to $915.3 million, according to the PSC, spurring the need for the refund.
Hurricane season now envisioned ‘well below normal’
By Jim Turner
The News Service of Florida
Storm forecasters have further downgraded predictions a little more than a month into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which has so far produced a single named tropical system.
For a season initially anticipated to be “somewhat below-normal,” Colorado State University researchers on July 8 reduced their projections for the number of named systems and the duration of activity, stating they “now anticipate a well below-normal season.”
A day earlier, the private meteorological firm AccuWeather slightly reduced the range of named storms it predicted to develop in the Atlantic basin.
In both cases the forecast is tied to moderate El Niño conditions likely to intensify into a “strong” El Niño by the
mid-September peak of the sixmonth hurricane season that began June 1.
The term El Niño refers to a warming of the ocean surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and resulting low-level surface winds that can disrupt normal weather patterns across the U.S. and globally.
“Sea surface temperatures across the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic are near their long-term averages,” Colorado State University posted on Wednesday. “We anticipate the powerful El Niño being the dominant factor for the upcoming hurricane season, driving high levels of tropical Atlantic vertical wind shear.”
Vertical wind shear usually helps weaken or disrupt storms.
“El Niño conditions have always been the driver for why we’re expecting numbers near or below the historical average
this year,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. “The stronger the El Niño gets, the fewer named storms we’re likely to get. Back in 2015, we had a strong El Niño and got 11 named storms. I think that is the sweet spot again this year.”
An average storm season has 14 to 15 named storms, with seven reaching hurricane strength.
AccuWeather, which initially forecast between 11 and 16 named storms, now predicts the formation of eight to 14 named storms for the season. Unchanged is the forecast of four to seven hurricanes, with two to four becoming major systems. AccuWeather also forecasts three to five having a direct impact on the U.S.
“The northern and eastern Gulf Coast, the Carolinas and the northeastern Caribbean remain higher-than-average risk areas, where storms can
develop rapidly,” a release from AccuWeather stated.
With a caveat added, the Colorado State University release noted there is a “belowaverage probability” for a major hurricane to make landfall on the U.S. coastline before adding that “coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season.”
The school’s forecast now sits at nine named storms, down from 13 when the initial projections were released in April and 11 when updated in June.
Also, the July forecast has four storms reaching hurricane strength, with winds at or above 74 mph, instead of six as in the pre-season outlook and five when the numbers were revised in June.
The ocean and gulf waters are expected to be active with named storms for a total of 35 days, down from 45 days in the June forecast. A typical year
has 69.4 days of storm activity.
Meanwhile, the number of storms reaching major strength—Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with sustained winds of 111-mph or greater— was put at one, down from two in the prior forecasts.
As of Wednesday, the only named storm to arise was Tropical Storm Arthur, which brought flash flooding and tornadoes as it made landfall June 18 near Galveston, Texas.
In 2025, the Atlantic produced 13 named storms and five hurricanes, with four reaching Category 3, winds of 111 mph to 130 mph, and storm surge of 9 feet to 12 feet above normal tide.
None of the 2025 storms, though, made a direct landfall in Florida or the U.S.
From 2022 to 2024, Florida took direct hits from six hurricanes, including four that were Category 3 or stronger.
Federal court halts Florida law banning ‘woke’ instruction in universities
By Gray Rohrer
The News Service of Florida
Afederal appeals court on July 7 kept in place a district court’s preliminary injunction on Florida’s law banning “woke” instruction at public universities.
A 2-1 ruling from the three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Florida’s assertion it could control the speech of its employees, including college professors, to be “a breathtaking assertion of power to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse in the very places the state’s own statutes recognize as centers of inquiry.”
Judge Britt Grant, an appointee of President Donald Trump, wrote the opinion and was joined by Judge Charles Wilson, an appointee of President Bill Clinton.
“Florida seeks to strip public
university professors—and by extension their students—of the ability to fully engage with ideas that are, for better or for worse, very popular in some academic circles,” Grant wrote.
“The State asks us to consider its rules a means of targeting discrimination. But hearing an idea you disagree with is not discrimination; it is an opportunity to come up with a better idea, or maybe even change your mind.”
The case was brought by a set of university professors and backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
“We are thrilled the court has stopped the erasure of topics that have real implications for our students, allowing them to learn, discuss and develop tools for combatting the complex issue of racism in our country without being gagged by those who would dictate that only state-approved thought may be promoted,” LeRoy Pernell, a
Florida A&M University College of Law professor, and one of the instructors who brought the lawsuit, said in a released statement.
The ruling prevents Florida from enforcing part of the “Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees (WOKE) Act” passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.
DeSantis pushed for the law as a bulwark against “indoctrination” in university classrooms. It bars professors from endorsing precepts of critical race theory, including eight specific tenets.
For example, the law bans instruction that causes students to “feel guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress because of actions, in which the person played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, national origin or sex.”
Supporters of the law said they sought to halt
teachings that supported racial discrimination, while opponents in the Legislature, mostly Democrats, contended it was really an attempt to quash candid teaching about historic racial horrors in the U.S., including slavery and the Jim Crow era.
Other parts of the law sought to ban workplace training at companies regarding racial, gender and sexual orientation issues, but those provisions have been struck down by federal courts.
Judge Barbara Lagoa, also a Trump appointee, wrote a dissent arguing the state had the right to restrict the speech of professors in the classroom.
“To be clear, the First Amendment protects all viewpoints in the public square, whether they are conventional or controversial. But it does not compel all viewpoints to be worthy of state-sponsored endorsement,” Lagoa wrote.
“We need not agree or disagree with Florida that the viewpoints at issue here constitute racial discrimination; we need only acknowledge that the State is allowed to decide what is endorsed by its professors in its own classrooms.”
Before Lagoa was appointed to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, she sat on the Florida Supreme Court as an appointee of DeSantis.
In her decision Grant stated she agreed the courts shouldn’t choose the content of university classrooms, but argued they must intervene when the government unduly restricts speech.
“We share the dissent’s view that the federal courts do not police curriculum. But we do police the First Amendment,” Grant wrote. “And if the history of that Amendment tells us anything, it is that the government cannot forbid what it perceives as heresy.”
Florida case against federal higher education rules rejected again
By Gray Rohrer
The News Service of Florida
Afederal appeals court on July 6 rejected Florida’s push to throw out federal rules for accreditation agencies for public universities.
The unanimous decision of a three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2024 lower court ruling that found the federal accreditation structure to be constitutional.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration brought the lawsuit in 2023, when Joe Biden, a Democrat, was President, arguing Congress had unconstitutionally delegated its power to private accreditation
Community
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Mandatory budget cuts: Local governments must conduct a public “budget-cutting exercise” at least 14 days before final budget adoption. Officials must publicly identify specific strategies to reduce their tentative budget by 10% without compromising essential services like law enforcement or fire protection. Detailed financial disclosures: Governments must publish highly detailed, downloadable budgets online at least five days before public hearings, extending the old two-day requirement. They must also post quarterly employee compensation summaries that list the names, job titles and salaries of every local government employee. Editor’s note: The “Ocala Gazette” recently analyzed county worker salaries and that can be read here: ocalagazette.com/alook-at-marion-county-salaries/ Constitutional officer deadlines: Counties must
agencies.
“The accreditation requirement is neither a delegation of government power nor an unascertainable condition,” Judge Andrew Brasher wrote in the ruling.
Brasher, an appointee of President Donald Trump, was joined in the decision by Judge William Pryor, a George W. Bush appointee, and Judge Nancy Abudu, a Joe Biden appointee.
The argument from Florida that accreditation agencies were making decisions on eligibility for federal funds through the Higher Education Act of 1965 meant they were acting as agents of the federal government didn’t persuade the court.
“To begin with, private educational accreditors
publish an annual “budget development calendar” on their website by Jan. 30. The “Bill Analysis - Florida Senate” specifies that this calendar must explicitly outline the expected deadlines and timeframes for when independent constitutional officers—such as the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court and Supervisor of Elections—must submit their funding requests to the county.
THE SWEEPING PROPERTY TAX ELIMINATION (HJR 1F)
This forced fiscal discipline arrives just as voters prepare to decide on a sweeping property tax elimination amendment on the Nov. 3 general election. According to the “Florida Property Tax Elimination: DeSantis Plan 2026” guide, HJR 1F, known as the “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” amendment, would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and up to $250,000 in 2028. This measure effectively wipes out non-school
preexisted the Higher Education Act,” Brasher wrote. “Their power to accredit comes not from the federal government, but from their member institutions who voluntarily submit to their authority and by-laws.”
DeSantis has pushed to get Florida’s public universities out from the accrediting eye of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACS. In 2025 DeSantis announced Florida would set up a new accrediting body, in collaboration with other states, to review universities to ensure their quality.
Among his critiques of SACS was DeSantis’ allegation it insisted on incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools.
property taxes for roughly 60% of Florida homeowners and directs the state Legislature to develop a schedule to eventually phase out homestead property taxes entirely.
Historically, when a community added more households, it increased the ad valorem tax base that funded services they would require.
But what if the majority of those new residential dwellings claimed homestead exemption? What revenue source would the counties rely on to meet the needs of their new residents?
To prevent local governments from simply raising tax rates to cover the massive revenue shortfall, the state also passed Senate Bill 4-F. This law requires a two-thirds majority vote by the local governing body to raise millage rates up to 110% of the rolled-back rate and requires a unanimous vote or a public referendum to go any higher.
STRICT SPENDING
RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE NEW AMENDMENT
If the homestead tax relief amendment passes, it will place
He’s also alleged accrediting agencies aren’t accountable to the government.
“Who are these accreditors? Did you elect any of these accreditors to anything? No … these juntas kind of have developed where the Department of Education in the past has approved them to be accreditors, and so they basically don’t have accountability,” DeSantis said in January 2025.
As Brasher noted in his ruling, Florida has clashed with SACS several times over the last 15 years.
In 2013, then-Gov. Rick Scott said the president of Florida A&M University should be suspended as the school went through a scandal involving a hazing incident and
strict legal limits on how local governments can spend their drastically reduced ad valorem revenue. The “Florida Property Tax Elimination” guide notes that under Section 9 of the amendment, any remaining county and municipal property tax (ad valorem) revenue can only be used for seven specific categories.
These restricted spending categories are:
• Public safety (law enforcement, fire, EMS)
Education and public schools
Infrastructure (including roads, bridges, stormwater) Natural resource projects (including flood control) Local bonds and debtservice payments on existing obligations
• Retirement benefits for localgovernment employees
• Operations and administration of county and municipal government
Because community services like public libraries, parks and animal shelters are excluded from this list, local governments would be legally prohibited from using their remaining property
SACS threatened to withhold the Tallahassee institution’s accreditation if the school acted at Scott’s direction. And when then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, a former House Speaker, became a candidate for the Florida State University presidency when a vacancy occurred in 2021, SACS leaders wrote a letter noting his lack of qualifications in university administration. There were also concerns that as commissioner, Corcoran was on the State University System Board of Governors that would have to approve the FSU president pick. Corcoran didn’t get the job but was later picked to be president of New College of Florida in Sarasota.
tax revenues to fund them.
There are questions about what could be included in these seven categories. For example, economic development is funded primarily from the general fund in Marion County and it’s questionable whether it would fit into these seven restricted categories. Currently, the county pays $300,000 to the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership annually for that service.
General human services, similarly, do not neatly fit into the allowed buckets of public safety, education or infrastructure. Payments to support organizations such as the Early Learning Coalition or Marion Senior Services could not be funded from ad valorem taxes.
However, the county has multiple revenue streams other than property taxes. In the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, ad valorem property taxes (residential and commercial combined) only make up 24.7% of the county’s total revenues (accounting for $341,924,159 out of the roughly $1.31 billion total budget).
An illustrious career and a ‘thanks’ to the ‘Ocala Gazette’
Photojournalist
reminisces about more
than 35 years on the job, including six with this publication.
By Bruce Ackerman bruce@ocalagazette.com
If you do what you love, you never really feel like you’re working, although sometimes you have to endure hardships along the way.
As the “Ocala Gazette” celebrates its sixth anniversary, I find myself feeling grateful for everything.
I have been fortunate to spend more than 35 years working as a photojournalist in Ocala. Along the way, my photographs have appeared everywhere from college photography textbooks to international magazines, newspapers and books. If you look on your refrigerator, you might even find one of my photos on a magnet.
More important than where my work has appeared is the trust I’ve earned. My honesty, integrity and ethics have always meant everything to me. Throughout my career, I have tried to treat people with respect while documenting history as it unfolds.
One compliment I have never forgotten came from a law enforcement officer who simply said, “Bruce is one of the good guys.”
Another favorite came from a former “Ocala Gazette” coworker.
“When we come to ask tough questions, people see us as the police. When Bruce comes, he is the fire department and everyone is glad to see him,” I recall him saying during a staff meeting. That comment has always meant a great deal to me. I have always hoped people see me as someone who treats them fairly, whether I am photographing a championship celebration, a community festival or someone’s
worst day.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to work not only for the “Ocala Star-Banner,” but also as a stringer for AP Photos, Reuters, the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, United Press International and the Richmond Newspapers. Before coming to Florida, I also worked on Long Island and in Manhattan, where I grew up.
When I was laid off from the “Star-Banner” in 2019 after nearly 30 years, it was one of the most difficult periods of my career. Many talented coworkers lost their jobs as well.
I never imagined I would have the opportunity to continue doing the work I love.
That is why I am especially grateful the “Ocala Gazette” was started in 2020 and that its leadership believed in me and gave me that opportunity.
I have also been blessed to receive recognition from my peers at the local, state and national levels. It is always an honor to have your work judged by fellow journalists, but they have never been the reason I do this work.
The greatest reward is knowing that my photographs have helped tell the story of our
community.
A photographer captures images. However, a photojournalist is a journalist first—a reporter with a camera. Our responsibility is to document history truthfully, accurately and without bias. The photograph should tell the story, whether it captures the joy of children playing at a splash pad, a championship barrel racer, the beauty of Marion County or the heartbreak of tragedy. Every assignment deserves the same commitment to fairness, accuracy and respect.
One of the rules I have always followed is that I never get in someone’s face during moments of grief. You can tell the story without invading someone’s personal space. I have been doing this long enough to know that compassion and good journalism can go hand in hand.
Those same ethics extend to every photograph we publish.
At the “Ocala Gazette,” we do not manipulate news photos beyond standard cropping and tonal adjustments, and we will never publish AI-generated news photographs or videos as if they were real.
Which means our community
can be assured that they are looking at photos that are an authentic portrayal of our community when they read the “Gazette.” And, if you ever have a question about one you know how to reach the guy who took them as my email is in every edition we print. And, just to clarify, when the “Gazette” publishes photos we didn’t take or may have obtained from an agency, we make readers aware by giving appropriate credit.
Another part of photojournalism that people often overlook is the cutline. A photograph without an accurate AP Style cutline loses much of its historical value. The who, what, where, when and why matter just as much as the image itself. Years from now, those details help preserve our community’s history.
As I look back on my career and celebrate the “Gazette’s” sixth anniversary, I am simply thankful to my coworkers and, most of all, to the people of Ocala and Marion County who have welcomed me into their lives and supported our work for so many years.
It has been an honor to document your stories, and I look forward to sharing many more.
Knowing the community, telling its story
As the “Ocala Gazette” celebrates six years, a longtime editor reflects on the value of community journalism.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
We are celebrating the sixth anniversary of the “Ocala Gazette.” It was on July 6, 2020, that our publisher, Jennifer Hunt, made the bold decision to start the weekly paper, in part because she felt there was a need for local accountability. And she was right.
For 14 years, starting in 2005, I was part of the team at the daily paper, the “Ocala Star-Banner,” first serving as its magazine editor and then on the city desk as the local news editor.
When I came to the newsroom, there were 62 people working there. When I was laid off in late May of 2019, along with photo chief Alan Youngblood, photographer Bruce Ackerman, editorial page editor Brad Rogers
and news assistant Lauren Thompson, there were five people remaining.
You have to know that when you send the local news editor home, there goes a lot of your close to home coverage.
The “Ocala Gazette” is continuing to provide coverage that includes reporting on local government, digging into disturbing incidents at the Marion County Jail, sharing news about area nonprofits and the ways they help people, sharing good news and more.
My favorite part of being a journalist of more than 30 years is the latter. Nothing makes me happier than reporting good news, whether it is writing about Sean Miller, Marion County’s 11-year-old Florida National Barrel Horse Association 1D Youth Champion or letting people know about things such as new art exhibitions featuring local artists.
Self-government requires truth
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The Declaration doesn’t begin with outrage. It begins with principle.
It reminds us that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” It explains that government’s purpose is to secure the rights of the people. Then, rather than asking readers to accept those claims on faith, it spends the bulk of the document laying out specific grievances against King George III that the founders believed demonstrated a government that had failed in its duty.
It reads remarkably like investigative journalism.
The founders didn’t simply accuse the king of abusing his power. They documented a pattern of conduct, presented evidence and trusted the public to judge for themselves.
Even more telling is a passage that receives far less attention than the Declaration’s famous opening: “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes.”
In other words, don’t rush to judgment. Don’t be driven by emotion or rumor. Examine the evidence. Look for patterns. Reach conclusions carefully.
That idea feels just as relevant today.
We live in an age when information travels instantly, while verification often struggles to keep pace. Social media rewards outrage. Public relations campaigns are increasingly sophisticated. Government agencies, corporations and
advocacy groups can now communicate directly with the public, often with communication staffs that outnumber local journalists.
There is nothing inherently wrong with that. Every institution has the right to explain its decisions.
But explanation is not accountability. Journalism exists to test those explanations.
The Declaration gave Americans the philosophy of self-government. The Constitution created the framework for that government. The Bill of Rights, and particularly the First Amendment, recognized that self-government cannot survive unless citizens remain free to question those who hold power. The constitutional protection of a free press was never intended as a privilege for journalists. It exists because an informed people are essential to a free society.
For six years, that has been the mission of the “Ocala Gazette,” not to oppose government, but to verify what government says, document how it serves the public and pursue the truth wherever the evidence leads.
Your support has allowed us to challenge official narratives, fight for public records, investigate deaths inside our county jail, examine the treatment of people experiencing mental illness, report on threats to our water resources and shine a light on issues affecting children, seniors and taxpayers.
Every day, my phone is buzzing with calls and texts from people in the community and my email in-basket is always full. Those are ways I stay in the “network,” as well as having developed numerous connections in my 21 years in journalism in Marion County. I have depth of knowledge. In “insider” language, that could be construed as “knowing where the bodies are buried.” Not really. But you get the idea. Institutional knowledge about a community can have a profound impact when it comes to reporting and editing, helping clarify, avoid errors, give context, etc.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be a writer and editor with the “Gazette.” I believe we have an important role in the community, in part to shine a light into dark places but also to highlight the many wonderful stories and people that make us who we are in Ocala and Marion County.
That work isn’t about proving anyone wrong.
It’s about following the facts. Sometimes government officials appreciate those efforts. Sometimes they do not.
Last month, many of you watched Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods publicly berate a reporter for asking a question he didn’t like. Moments later, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier smiled and remarked to reporters, “You’ve got a death wish pissing this sheriff off.”
Those comments were troubling— not because journalists deserve special treatment, but because asking difficult questions is part of the job. Government should never expect comfort from an independent press. It should expect scrutiny.
A free press is not measured by how comfortably it coexists with those in power. It is measured by its willingness to continue asking fair, factual questions when those questions become uncomfortable.
Fortunately, that is not the whole story.
Marion County is also home to many public servants and community leaders who answer difficult questions with professionalism and respect, even when they disagree with the premise. They understand that transparency is not a
favor to the public. It is part of public service. We are grateful for each of them. Self-government requires more than elections. It requires transparency, accountability and a public willingness to seek facts before reaching conclusions. That is the work of local journalism. It is also the work of an engaged community.
Self-government is not something we celebrate once a year.
It is something we practice.
Every vote cast.
Every public meeting attended. Every difficult question asked.
Every public record requested. Every citizen who chooses evidence over rumor.
Six years ago, many wondered whether a community our size could sustain an independent newsroom devoted to producing journalism that gives the public information to hold the powerful to account.
Because of our readers, advertisers and members, the answer has been yes.
Thank you for believing that this work matters.
Thank you for making the first six years possible. We hope you’ll continue investing in this work as part of your own participation in self-government.
Help us make our anniversary fundraising goal of $10,000.
If you believe an informed community is essential to self-government, please consider making a tax-deductible anniversary gift. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help fund Marion County’s sole source of investigative reporting. Visit ocalagazette.com/donate
“Ocala Gazette” photographer Bruce Ackerman at work. [Photo courtesy Jeff Gold]
“Ocala Gazette” editor and writer Susan Smiley-Height, left, shares a hug with Jenny Goodson, a teacher at Hillcrest School, while Smiley-Height was there to write about retiring principal Lori Manresa. At one time, Goodson worked with Smiley-Height and photographer Bruce Ackerman as a news assistant at the daily paper in Ocala. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2026
Trusted Care in Ocala
Before Nichole’s heart attack, her physical and mental health had not been her priority. But in an AdventHealth ER, the exceptional care that quickly saved Nichole’s life was delivered with such compassion that it restored her health — and her entire outlook.
“AdventHealth set me free,” says Nichole. “I’m living the life I was always meant to live.”
Find your nearest location.
People, Places and Things
Hooray for the USA
July 4 events countywide celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
It was all about the red, white and blue over the July 4 holiday in Ocala and Marion County.
In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the city of Ocala, Marion County government and several other entities hosted a number of patriotic-themed events.
The city offered Celebrate America 250 at Tuscawilla Park, with food trucks, a kids’ zone, music by Cliff Dorsey and Emma Forgette, games, giveaways and more.
“From pool parties to STEAM exploration to family fun in the park, the day was filled with excitement, music and plenty of patriotic spirit,” the city posted on social media the afternoon of July 4.
Veteran groups, businesses, the Marion County School Board, municipalities of Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon, local law enforcement and others worked together to stage a patriotic parade that began at the Marion Technical Institute and ended at the McPherson Government Complex.
Sue Mosley, who has been the lead organizer of the annual Ocala Christmas Parade for many years also was a key player behind the patriotic parade. At 4:46 p.m. on Saturday she posted on social, “Parade is shaping up! 730pm weather’s actually not bad. Come on out.”
“Gazette” photographer Bruce Ackerman said he was very impressed by the turnout for the event.
The county offered four synchronized fireworks shows
in Belleview, Citra, Dunnellon and the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala.
On July 6, the county posted this message on Facebook: “This past Saturday, Marion County hosted its biggest Independence Day celebration to date! To mark America’s historic 250th anniversary, the festivities took over four locations across the county, bringing our community together like never before.
“From spectacular synchronized fireworks to family-friendly fun, the energy across every site was absolutely electric. We are overwhelmingly grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate, as well as the staff, vendors and volunteers who made this historic milestone a massive success. Thank you, Marion County!”
David Blackwell, dressed as Uncle Sam, waves to people as he carries an American flag in the patriotic parade.
A girl plays with a sparkler during the July 4 events.
Hundreds of people watch the 4th of July Parade.
Everliegh Balzer, 7, blows bubbles as she watches the 4th of July Parade.
Sharan Isabelle waves as the 4th of July Parade passes by.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and his family wave to people as they ride in the 4th of July Parade.
Noah Hunton and his band perform during the 4th of July parade and fireworks event.
The Ocala/Marion County first responder combined honor guard.
Remiah Balzer, 9, waves an American flag as she watches the parade.
Sunny Koplas, 3, with her American flag, waves to first responders in the 4th of July parade in Ocala, which was followed by a fireworks show at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on July 4, 2026.
Colorful fireworks burst in the sky during the 4th of July parade and fireworks show in Ocala.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
‘A joyful riot’
The Civic brings “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr.” to the stage July 17-19.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Ocala Civic Theatre’s Arts For All youth cast, composed of actors ages 9 to 17, is in full preparation to bring one of literature and filmdom’s most loved children—at least to some—to life on stage from July 17 to 19.
The youth production is “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr.”
According to his website, Dahl is the UK’s No.1 storyteller of all time. Before he became a writer, he was a spy and a fighter pilot in World War II. One of his first moments of inspiration came when he was at boarding school, when a local chocolate factory invited pupils to trial new chocolate bars—35 years later, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was published. He wrote more brilliant stories, from Sophie’s adventures with the BFG and James’ journey on the Giant Peach, to Matilda’s brilliant bravery against The Trunchbull.
In the Ocala production, Andie Williams will portray young Matilda Wormwood, a child whose mind isn’t just extra-clever, she can move things with it.
“But at home, her cruel parents (Jacob Demos and Summer Pineau) and dimwitted brother Michael (Harper Nieb) are unmoved by her special powers. Mr. Wormwood is too busy selling used cars and Mrs. Wormwood is much too occupied with her dance lessons with Rudolpho (Liam Ortiz) to pay much mind to Matilda’s brilliance,” according to the news release.
“And when Matilda goes to school, mean headmistress Miss Agatha Trunchbull (Kate Spencer) is just as unimpressed. Thank goodness for sweet Miss Honey (Sydney Stanley), the teacher who sees Matilda as gifted. One of Matilda’s greatest gifts is courage: to imagine a better life, inspire others, and rise up in rebellion with the other ‘revolting children’ at school,” per The Civic.
Some of the other children who revolt with Matilda are Bruce (Vivianna Shrable), Eric (Cora Lewis), Tommy (Lane Leedy), Amanda (Rebecca Andrews), Lavender (Adalynn Anderson), Alice (Tatiana Cevallos), Hortensia (Calli Embree) and Nigel (Liam Ortiz). There are also the big kids, (Emery Bikfalvy, Yovanni Borrego, Julia Embree, Carli Hutcheson, Amelia Hutto, Walter Oathout, Brooklyn Price, Aubriella Shrable and Josie Weldon) and the little kids (Emma Rose VázquezDíaz and Chloe West).
“Fortunately, there’s also kind librarian Mrs. Phelps (Isabella Valiente), who is enthralled by Matilda’s dramatic stories of the acrobat (Leighton Lightbody) and the escapologist (Caleb Shrable), with a glimpse of young Miss Honey (Rebecca Andrews). There’s a cook (Julia Embree) who can bake a chocolate cake like no other. And just maybe, Sergei (Joshua Demos) and the Russian Mafia (Yovanni Borrego, Brooklyn Price and Josie Weldon) might prove useful in the end.
From A to Z, this miraculous musical is a joyful riot,” according to the release.
The production is directed by Sarah Curtis,
Conserving fuel
Here are some ways to mitigate high gas prices.
Staff report
Fuel is a necessity for millions of drivers on the country’s roadways and summertime is often when people are highly mobile.
A News Service of Florida report on July 6 noted that gas prices showed little change in Florida over the prior week, dropping 3 cents over the holiday period. AAA put the average gallon of gas in Florida at $3.75 on July 6, around where the mark has settled the past few weeks. The state average stood at $3.79 on July 4, 68 cents higher than a year earlier. Still, for motorists the holiday prices offered some relief from the $4.52 a gallon
average reached on May 7, before the talks with Iran eventually allowed tankers to traverse the Strait of Hormuz.
When gas prices rise due to various factors, drivers are increasingly interested in ways to conserve fuel and stretch their dollars further. Here are some ways to mitigate rising gas prices.
Reduce your speed. Driving at moderate speeds increases efficient consumption of fuel. Some vehicles may feature an ECO mode that optimizes fuel consumption by restricting engine power, among other changes, or notifies the driver when they are driving in a manner that is using fuel wisely. Driving above 50 miles per
with music director Justin Davis, choreographer Lisa Hamilton, scenic and projections designer Babatunde Adebisi, costume designer Lydia Oesterich, lighting designer Cheyenne Dever, sound designer Jazmine Whipple and props designer Tara Oathout.
Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. July 17, 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 18 and 2 p.m. July 19.
The Civic is located at 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Get tickets at the box office, by phone at (352) 236-2274 or at thecivic.org
hour reduces fuel economy considerably.
Practice smooth driving. Drivers should avoid aggressive starts (gunning it) and hard braking, which can eat into fuel efficiency. Letting off the accelerator early and coasting to red lights or stop signs helps.
• Rely on cruise control.
Cruise control helps maintain a steady speed, which can save fuel on highway travel.
• Keep tires inflated.
Properly inflating tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI can improve fuel economy by roughly 0.6 percent to 3 percent for most drivers, offers the U.S. Department of
Energy. Driving on tires that are 20 percent under-inflated can reduce fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. Removing unnecessary heavy items from the vehicle also can help to reduce drag.
• Limit idling and combine trips. Turn off the vehicle when stopped for more than a few minutes. When running errands, combine short trips to keep the engine warm, which is more efficient.
• Skip the premium fuel. Unless a vehicle owner’s manual specifically recommends filling up with premium fuel, drivers will not see an increase in performance by choosing this more expensive option, offers Progressive Insurance. A person will just be paying more for premium, which is always more expensive than standard 87-octane fuel.
Drivers can use various strategies to conserve fuel when gas becomes more expensive.
Arts For All Too students (ages 6-8) will perform a quick sharecase to begin the 2 p.m. matinees on July 18 and 19.
Stock image
Illustration courtesy The Civic
Social media sensations live in concert
Stellar Stage Shows is bringing Raized Wrong to Lady Lake for shows
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Luanne “Annie” Hunt and Jim Bellacera are the leadership team behind Stellar Stage Multimedia Productions, Inc., a nonprofit entertainment company based in Weirsdale. They are committed to producing inspiring concerts, dinner theater, original productions and multimedia experiences that bring people together in joy, laughter, music and connection.
On Aug. 7 and 8, Stellar Stage Shows will present the social media sensation family band Raized Wrong during a special two-night event at North Lake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake.
The event on Aug. 7 is a Beach Boys Tribute called “Surf’s Up,” featuring Raized Wrong and their grandfather, Don Goldberg, a collaborator of Brian Wilson.
On Aug. 8, experience “Raized Wrong Live in Concert” as the viral family band with 5 million followers worldwide performs the 1960s and 1970s classics that have earned them an international following. Both shows will begin at 5 p.m.
Raized Wrong is a southern California band made up of young brothers Landon and Lyric Goldberg and their father Donny.
“Led by two brothers and their talented dad, this dynamic band delivers energetic performances and fresh renditions of classics
on Aug. 7 and 8.
spanning decades. From ‘60s hits to today’s chart-toppers, they guarantee a diverse musical journey. With original tunes showcasing their versatility, Raized Wrong is the perfect choice for a fun-filled experience appealing to audiences of all ages,” their website notes.
For the show on Aug. 7, the Stellar Stage website urges interested attendees to “catch a wave and step into the golden age of California harmony, sundrenched melodies and timeless summer fun.”
It notes that “Surf’s Up” will deliver the iconic sound that defined a generation, with
“lush vocals, rich arrangements and hit after unforgettable hit. From tender ballads to surfrock anthems, the music is pure nostalgia and pure joy. Adding to this special evening is acclaimed performer Don Goldberg, known for his work alongside Brian Wilson, bringing authenticity and heart to a celebration of one of America’s most beloved songbooks.”
On Aug. 8, the Raized Wrong “Live in Concert” show will include a buffet dinner.
“Get ready for a high-energy night of the songs you know, the hits you love and the kind of live music that turns strangers
into singing partners. Raized Wrong, the viral sensation with more than 5 million followers worldwide, brings their powerhouse musicianship and crowd-pleasing style to the stage for an unforgettable concert experience. Their shows are packed with classic rock and pop favorites spanning the decades—the soundtrack of road trips, first dances, summer nights and memories that never fade,” according to Stellar Stage Shows.
The promotional information notes that, “This is not a sit-backand-watch kind of evening. It’s clap-along, sing-along, relivethe-moment fun delivered by
performers who know how to light up a room and keep the energy soaring from the first note to the last. Dinner is included, so come hungry for great food and big entertainment.”
Staging such engaging acts for local performances is routine business for the dynamic husband and wife duo of Bellacera and Hunt. She is the artistic director and producer of Stellar Stage Shows and he is the managing director. Their backgrounds are filled with success stories. She is an award-winning recording artist, playwright, screenwriter and documentary filmmaker. He has been behind the success of some of the world’s fastestgrowing companies and training programs and is a renowned motivational speaker and bestselling author.
So, mark your calendar now to see what more than 5 million people are gaga about on social media—Raized Wrong—live and in person right here in Central Florida.
North Lake Presbyterian Church is located at 975 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake.
For “Surf’s Up,” tickets are $35 first two rows, $30 general admission, available at ticketstripe.com/ events/3345108607219740
For Raized Wrong “Live in Concert,” tickets are $60-$68 (VIP sold out), available at ticketstripe.com/ events/8560108605225738
Artist/curator issues call to artists
The “Freedom: The Spirit Within” exhibition will go on display in September at the Brick City Center for the Arts.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Freedom. What does it mean to you, especially if you are an artist? Local artist and arts educator Lisa Russo, in partnership with the Marion Cultural Alliance, is issuing a call to artists to express what freedom means to them in their own artistic perspective. Russo will be curating the “Freedom: The Spirit Within” judged exhibition in September at the Brick City Center for the Arts.
“The show will be in September, being 25 years of Sept. 11 and 250 years of the USA. I am a local art educator for the Appleton Museum of Art and Belleview High School and felt that this will give local artists a chance to express their personal views of freedom,” Russo said via email.
She said the idea for the show came from her 83-year-old mother, “who was just talking to me on the phone before the meeting at the Brick. Always trying to encourage me, she said, ‘You should paint horses.’ I said Mom, ‘I’m a figurative painter.’ Then, in her encouraging way, she said, ‘You should paint flags, people love flags.’ I was about to dissuade her and then I said, ‘Mom, that is a great idea,’” Russo shared.
Russo noted that as she was thinking about the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, as well as the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,
her mother’s idea about painting flags resounded with her.
“My daughter and I weight train, and I knew she would be the perfect model to represent the strength of our country. In addition, when I went to Brick City to talk to them about a date for my personal work in February, they said they had September open. The phone call with my mom happened directly before the meeting at the Brick so the idea fell into place,” Russo explained.
She said she decided to curate the show since “there are very few opportunities for up-and-coming artists to show their work, other than festivals, which is a large investment of time and money.”
“As Belleview High School’s art teacher and an instructor at the Appleton Museum of Art, I tell my students that once they leave school they need to transition from beginner artists into professional shows. This is a great steppingstone for amateur, student and aspiring artists to get their work critiqued, judged and have an opportunity to sell their work,” Russo said.
According to the Marion Cultural Alliance call to artist page, “Freedom means something different to each of us. It can be found in our personal journeys, creative expression, relationships, beliefs, memories, aspirations and everyday lives. This exhibition invites artists to explore and interpret the concept of freedom through their unique perspectives and artistic voices.
“Artists are encouraged to consider
themes of self-expression, resilience, identity, hope, possibility, remembrance and the enduring human spirit. Works inspired by America’s 250th Anniversary and the 25th Anniversary of September 11 are welcome, but participation is not limited to those subjects. The goal of this exhibition is to celebrate the many ways freedom is experienced, understood and expressed.”
The show is open to local and regional artists working in all mediums, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, mixed media, digital art and fine craft. MCA membership is not required to enter. Entries must be submitted by Aug. 16.
“I will be judging the show since I have a Master of Fine Arts and Master of Education along with judging for Alachua County, Citrus County and the Art League of Daytona,” Russo said. “There is a monetary prize for Best of Show, and ribbons for first through fifth, along with honorable mentions.”
“Freedom: The Spirit Within” will be on display Sept. 4-26, with an opening reception set for 5 p.m. Sept. 4, which is free to attend. On Sept. 19, Russo will conduct a “Draw Like the Masters” workshop from 1 to 4 p.m., for a fee.
To learn more, go to sept2026.artcall.org and mcaocala.org
Find a previous “Ocala Gazette” feature article about Russo here: Lisa Russo, unmasked | Ocala Gazette
Raized Wrong, with young brothers Landon
“Freedom” by Lisa Russo. [Photo courtesy of the artist]
Celebrate summer with these traditional side salads
As a Seriously Simple cook, I develop ways to streamline and reinterpret classic dishes. Sometimes the traditional dishes don’t need much alteration. Case in point, these two classic salads are always welcome on a picnic or barbecue event. Little adjustments like apple in the slaw and celery seed in the potato salad are familiar tiny twists.
The slaw is threaded with crisp-sweet apple shreds and enhanced with the maple syrup. Citrus and vinegar counteract the sweetness creating just the right balance.
The rustic unpeeled potato salad adds celery seed to the creamy dressing along with hard boiled eggs for a slight spin on the classic.
Both salads would be welcome accompaniments to sandwiches, barbecued chicken, ribs, burgers, steaks or pulled pork. Easy to put together and can be made a day ahead, these chilled side salads are a happy tradition. Happy Fourth!
Cabbage Apple Slaw with Citrus Maple Dressing
Serves 8 to 10
For the dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the slaw:
1 Fuji, Honeycrisp or Envy apple, peeled, cored and shredded
2 (1 pound) packages shredded coleslaw mix
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, for garnish
1. Combine the dressing ingredients on the bottom of a serving bowl. Whisk until well blended. Add the shredded apple, raw coleslaw mix and toss evenly with tongs until all of the cabbage is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Garnish with parsley.
Advance preparation: The slaw can be made one day ahead, covered and refrigerated. Toss before serving.
Diane’s Classic Potato Salad
Serves 6 to 8
3 pounds medium red or Yellow (Yukon Gold) potatoes, rinsed
For the dressing:
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 celery stalks, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons celery seed
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Parsley sprigs, for garnish
1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the potatoes for 20 to 30 minutes, depending upon their size, or until tender but slightly resistant when pierced with a fork. Drain and cool. Do not peel. When cool, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and place in a medium bowl.
2. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, celery, chives, celery seed, parsley, chopped egg, Dijon, salt and pepper. Mix well.
3. Pour mixture over potatoes and mix gently until coated. Taste for seasoning. Refrigerate at least 1-2 hours or up to 8 hours ahead.
4. To serve, transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley. Serve cold.
Advance preparation: The potato salad can be made a day ahead, covered and refrigerated. Taste for seasoning before serving.
BUILD AND PROGRAM ROBOTS!
IHMC’s 2026 Summer Robotics Camp will offer students the opportunity to learn about computer programming and robotics. Campers will work in teams to master Lego Mindstorms challenges. They will further develop their teamwork skills, confidence in problem solving, and creativity. Campers will hear about state-of-the-art research at IHMC, and they will have the opportunity to eat lunch in a small group with a scientist, engineer, or other role model. The second session will include instruction in Python programming
SESSIONS
1
2
Ocala Session 1: Rising 8th & 9th Graders
July 13–16, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ocala Session 2: Rising 9th & 10th Graders
July 20–23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DETAILS
Each session costs $245. Students should select one camp session (only) based on grade level. Space is limited to 20 participants per session. Financial assistance may be available based on need. Priority will be given to students who haven’t attended in prior years. Please email before registering students who have attended previously.
Please register via EventBrite at ihmc.us/robotics-camp beginning March 2
Phone: 850-202-4462
E-mail: uschwuttke@ihmc.org
Mail and Camp Location: IHMC Robotics Camp, 15 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala FL 33371
Website: www.ihmc.us/robotics-camp
Tips for beating the heat in Europe
When I travel to Europe these days, I frequently encounter heat waves. Thanks to the impact of climate change, Europe is getting hotter and hotter. In the Alps, once-mighty glaciers have receded, "summer skiing" is just a memory, and new ski lifts routinely come with snowmaking equipment. Places that historically "never needed AC" — like Scandinavia, the Low Countries, and Ireland — are retrofitting old hotels to stay cool during heat waves. Heat records are shattered annually.
As formerly "extreme" weather becomes commonplace, and “storms of the century” trump each other year after year, Europe is doing its best to adapt — and it’s important for travelers to adapt, too. Here are some tips on beating the heat in Europe.
First, plan your trip with weather in mind, both in terms of location and timing. "Coolcations" — traveling to cooler climates during hot months — are trendy these days, but to me, that's just timeless travel smarts. Save July and August for the Alps, Britain, Ireland, and northern Europe. You’ll share outdoor patios with southern Europeans escaping soaring temperatures
back home — and locals, eager to stretch out in the rare hometown sunshine.
But for hot destinations — like the Mediterranean countries — visit at cooler times. Italy and Spain can be balmy even in shoulder season months like May and October. But in March or November, it’s pleasantly mild. Check the climate charts and, if your timing is flexible, consider pushing to the edges of the hottest times. You’ll be met with cooler weather and fewer tourists.
Be strategic about taking breaks for shade or airconditioning. You'll also gain an appreciation for why very hot climates like Spain evolved a "siesta" approach of taking a break in the sizzling afternoon hours. Be a temporary local and consider joining them. I long prided myself on not needing air-conditioning while traveling. But as things have heated up, I've been prioritizing it when choosing accommodations for summer travel. In general, however, Europe is less reliant on AC. Rather than cranking it up USA-style, Europeans use AC mostly for taking the edge off. You might notice that places like airports and shopping malls aren't refrigerated like back home — they're just
Public Notice
cool enough. So even if your hotel has AC, don’t expect it to be Texas-style, where’s-mysweater robust.
To help reduce their carbon footprint, some cities prohibit AC outside of the hottest summer months. Usually, you won't need it anyway — but if you encounter an out-ofseason heat wave, adjust your expectations. When you check into your "air-conditioned" Venetian hotel on a 75-degree day in October, your receptionist may just shrug and say, "Open the window."
These days, with America's “drill, baby, drill” mentality undermining the global fight against climate change, it’s bad style for a Yankee to complain about air-con. So if it’s still just too stuffy in your room, find ways to adapt. Many European cultures make the bed with a heavy duvet and no top sheet. If the front desk doesn’t have
sheets to borrow, make one yourself by stripping the cover off the poofy duvet. You can also ask reception to borrow a fan — but these are first-come, first-served, so don't wait until you're sweltering late at night. When you leave the room to go sightseeing, draw the blinds. It’s also customary to turn off the AC, to reduce energy consumption. (It may turn off automatically when you remove your key card from the power slot.) Meanwhile, time outdoor and exposed activities — such as exploring sunbaked ancient ruins or walking around the top of the town wall — for the relative cool of morning or evening. Either way, bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable bottle. Stay hydrated.
Above all, we travelers must reckon honestly with the role travel plays in contributing to the climate crisis. Transatlantic flights leave a serious carbon
footprint. Do your best to travel in a way that minimizes your impact, like taking energyefficient trains instead of gas-guzzling flights. And back home, look for ways to help. For example: At Rick Steves' Europe, we've innovated our Climate Smart Commitment — a self-imposed carbon tax, where we annually invest in a variety of projects that address the root causes of climate change and improve the lives of some of our planet's poorest people. We’d love travelers to join our commitment, if not make one of their own, to creatively mitigate the carbon you create by flying to Europe. Europe is a joy at any time of year. If you happen to be traveling during a heat wave, you can still create wonderful memories — just do what you can to be climate smart, and find ways to adapt when you wish you could just say “no sweat.”
MAYO CLINIC Menopause and perimenopause: Decoding the difference and symptoms
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I just turned 40 and was told some of the symptoms I’ve been having could be due to perimenopause. I am of course familiar with menopause, but we don’t talk about perimenopause enough. Can you explain the difference? I admit I’m a little nervous for both stages.
ANSWER: The difference between perimenopause and menopause can be confusing. Menopause is defined by the lack of a menstrual cycle for a year, while perimenopause is the period leading up to menopause. Perimenopause and menopause can happen at different ages for women.
Perimenopause may last a long time, even up to six to 10 years for some women. Menopause beginning at age 45 or after is considered normal, so perimenopause can begin as early as 35. This is when you start to have some fluctuations in ovarian function. The ovaries aren’t working as well as they used to, and you may begin to see some variation in cycle length, such as your cycles getting closer together or further apart. Many women will eventually start having some symptoms. We now know that women in perimenopause can have the same symptoms as women in menopause. Those symptoms can include night sweats, hot flashes, sleep disturbances and mood changes such as irritability, anxiety and depression. In addition, joint aches, heart palpitations, vaginal dryness, low sex drive and pain with sex are common in women during this transition. There is a wide variety of symptoms women experience during this time. I have had patients come to see me thinking there’s something terribly wrong with them because they’re experiencing all these different symptoms. They’re losing hair, gaining weight, waking up at night — it all seems confusing and worrisome. But once you hear enough times that it’s common for women in midlife to have these symptoms, it can all
start to fit together in a cohesive pattern.
I think another issue is that we don’t educate healthcare professionals enough in dealing with menopause — most have never had any training on menopause or menopause management. So, not only are women confused, but healthcare professionals also can be confused by what’s happening and how to sort out these symptoms. It can be problematic for patients.
During the menopause transition, women may have some breast symptoms. Breast pain or tenderness can be common in perimenopause because of spikes in estrogen levels. You may notice changes such as less support structure within the breasts. As in all parts of our bodies with aging, there can be some physical changes. It’s critical to remember to continue with breast cancer screening during menopause just as you did before We recommend annual mammograms and supplemental screening for women with dense breasts (50% of women in the U.S. are classified as having dense breasts).
When you think about it, the menopause transition is puberty in reverse. Women often get “the talk” when starting their periods because they’re of school age and the organization provides education. But there is no talk for women when they’re about to stop their periods.
The important thing to note about menopause is that it is not a disease. This is a normal life stage that 100% of women will go through. Some struggle more than others going through it, but the good news is that there are things you can do about it. You don’t have to suffer. There are many treatments available for menopause symptoms. The treatment might differ if you’re in perimenopause as opposed to menopause because you can still become pregnant and may need contraception (or control of bleeding) when you’re in perimenopause. Talk with your healthcare team about what is right for you so you can live as comfortably as possible.
Europe is getting hotter and hotter — meaning travelers need to find ways to stay cool on the road. CREDIT:(Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli, Rick Steves' Europe).
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
Government
JULY 13, 20, 27
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion. fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
JULY 14, 28
Marion County School Board
1614 E Fort King St., Ocala
5:30pm
The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at go.boarddocs.com/fl/marion/board.nsf/public
JULY 21, AUG. 4 AND 18
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview
6pm
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes
AUG. 12
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon
5:30pm
The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Community Arts
JULY 11
Semi-annual Memorial Reading
Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 E Fort King St., Ocala
9am
To remember, honor and read the names of Marion County’s deceased veterans who passed away between December 2025 and May. Open to families, friends and community members wishing to pay their respects to our local heroes. For more information, contact Marion County Veterans Services at (352) 671-8422.
JULY 12
2nd Sunday Makers Market
Heart of the Park, 516 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala
10am-2pm
The community-driven monthly market celebrates local makers, artists and small businesses. It features handmade goods, art and crafts, food trucks, live music and more in a family-friendly setting. Learn more at ocalamainstreet.org
JULY 18
Back to School Bash
E. D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala
8am-2pm
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is partnering with Who We Play For to offer optional electrocardiogram screenings (ECGs) to K-12 students at the event. ECGs are $20 and financial assistance will be available to families that qualify. Pre-registration is required. The Back to School Bash will offer no-cost services, including school readiness checks and services by DOH-Marion, physicals provided by the Estella Byrd Whiteman Community Health Center, bike helmet fittings and giveaways and more. Bring identification and student health and medical records. To learn more and pre-register, call (352) 629-0137.
JULY 25
Bob Kealing: Seventy Years of Elvis & Florida Headquarters-Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am
Kealing, the author of “Elvis Ignited,” invites you on a rocking journey. In 2025, Florida celebrated a remarkable milestone; seven decades since the King made his unforgettable debut in the Sunshine State. This moment in music history marked a lasting bond that continues to resonate, long after The King’s passing in 1977. Learn more at library.marionfl.org
JULY 10
Art in the Attic VIP Sip & Shop
Pre-Sale Party
Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala
5-7pm
Marion Cultural Alliance’s annual Art in the Attic yART Sale begins with an exclusive VIP Sip & Shop Pre-Sale Party. Browse an eclectic collection of original artwork, handmade creations, home décor, vintage finds, creative supplies and unexpected treasures. Public sale dates are July 11-25 during regular gallery hours (free admission). Learn more at mcaocala.org
Jake Hoot
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
7:30pm The Season 17 winner of The Voice and recent champion of the Season 29 All Star showdown brings heartfelt storytelling, powerful vocals and authentic country charm to the stage. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
JULY 10-12
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala
July 10 and 11, 7:30pm; July 11 and 12, 2pm
Presented by the Arts For All youth cast (ages 9-17), young Charlie Bucket is in luck. After a hard life with his poor family, Charlie finally unwraps a sweet surprise. He finds a golden ticket inside his chocolate bar, winning a magical trip to the mysterious Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. It’s an amazing adventure as Charlie meets the candy man himself and steps into a world of pure imagination, where fates of every flavor await. Get tickets at ocalacivictheatre.com
JULY 11
WindFM Rocks the Reilly: Nuthin’ Fancy – A Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala
7:30pm
Led by a dynamic frontman and backed by the legendary Guitar Army, the band brings soaring harmonies, powerful piano lines and all the swagger of Skynyrd’s prime. Get tickets at reillyartcenter.com
JULY 17
Not Fade Away: Rock ‘n’ Roll Re-ignited
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala
7:30pm
This young group has been taking the country by storm with their amped-up renditions of classic hit songs from legends like Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Ritchie Valens, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. Learn more at reillyartscenter. com
THROUGH JULY 16
“Constellation” exhibition CF Webber Gallery, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala
10am-4pm, Monday-Friday
The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents the work of local artists in the themed exhibition that explores traditional and non-traditional concepts of the word constellation. For information, visit cf.edu/webber
JULY 18
Chi-Town Transit Authority
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
7:30pm The ultimate tribute to Chicago, featuring an
eight-piece ensemble with powerful horns, dynamic vocal harmonies, and all the classic songs fans know and love. Learn more at reillyartcenter.com
JULY 24
250 for 250 Variety Show
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 7pm Travel back in time with Habitat for Humanity of Marion of County for a 1940’s-style variety show. It will be a toe tapping, star spangled night filled with magic, singing and swing dancing to celebrate Habitat’s 250th home build for a veteran family and the USA’s 250th anniversary. Get tickets at habitatocala.org/events/250for250/
THROUGH
JULY 24
Summer Kids Film Series
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala Times vary Movies will be screened every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am and 11am and 12:30 and 1:30pm. A summer snack pack is included for children 12 and under, with a small popcorn, gummy snacks and a Capri Sun. Attendees are encouraged to bring a book to donate to support the Early Learning. Purchase tickets at reillyartscenter.com/summer-kids-filmseries/.
JULY 25
Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1-2pm Join Keri Watson for a free talk. Titian Ramsay Peale and John James Audubon came in search of Florida’s native flora and fauna, followed by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Johnson Heade, George Inness, Winslow Homer and Henry Ossawa Tanner, who were lured by its natural beauty and warm climate. This presentation offers a succinct and engaging history of Florida’s landscape painters. Get details at appletonmuseum. org
“A Christmas In July Carol”
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 3pm
This is a staged reading of The Civic’s 2026 holiday show, “A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music,” hosted by Dave Schlenker. This stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic is by OCT Executive & Artistic Director Greg Thompson and includes favorite songs of the season. The audience will be seated onstage for this festive, family-friendly event. There will be a meet the playwright post-reading discussion. Learn more at thecivic.org
AUG. 1
“PoetiK Expressions”
Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-10pm The Ocala Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. event will blend live music, spoken word performances and live art centered around themes of Black love, culture and connection. It will feature a guest co-host and headlining performer. Guests will also enjoy entrepreneur spotlights, door prizes and more. Get tickets at zeffy.com/en-US/ ticketing/poetik-expressions
An Evening with Michael Allman
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
7:30pm Winding River Promotions presents the
son of Gregg Allman. Michael will be surrounded by Southern rock friends and family, performing the best of The Allman Brothers Band along with his own original music. Get details at thecivic.org
THROUGH AUGUST
Robert Varis art exhibit
Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Hours vary The Friends of Silver Springs State Park host a display in their welcome center and gallery. The artist will participate in a meet and greet from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 25. The exhibits are free to view. There is an entry fee of $2 per person at the park. To learn more, go to fb.com/ thefriendsofsilverspringsstatepark
THROUGH SEPT. 13
My Country, ’Tis of
Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
Hours vary
Drawn from the Appleton’s permanent collection, the exhibition highlights a wide range of American expression across time periods, subjects, media and functions. It also explores the role Florida and its natural wonders, including those of Marion County, has played as a source of inspiration for artists. For details, go to appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH DEC. 17
“Creative Voices:
Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists”
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place,1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala Times vary The exhibit features artwork created by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in visual art workshops facilitated by Arts in Health Ocala Metro at The Arc of Marion. The city of Ocala’s Art in City Spaces program offers rotating exhibitions in five indoor city galleries, all of which are free and open to the public. To learn more, call (352) 723-5444 or visit aihocala.org
THROUGH DEC. 31
Photography exhibit by Keith Sackin
Arts in Health Ocala Metro Healing Arts Gallery, 2880 NE 8th Road, Ocala. Office hours A native of Ocala, Sackin attended Emory University before a spinal cord injury in 2001 reshaped his path. His photography explores disability, embodiment, memory and human connection. AIHOM is a nonprofit organization that connects art and healing. Its programs include music, dance, performing and visual arts. To learn more, go to aihocala.org
THROUGH JAN. 24
“Life, Labor and Lens: Randal Levenson’s WorkingClass America” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Times vary Drawn from the 80 works by Levenson in the Appleton’s permanent collection, “Life, Labor and Lens” features 25 black-and-white and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. For more information, go to appletonmuseum.org or call (352) 291-4455.
COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, enjoy free admission to the Appleton Museum of Art throughout the month of July.
Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday, noon–5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala | AppletonMuseum.org
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.
ARIES
March 21-April 20
Aries,
TAURUS
April 21-May 21
Taurus,
GEMINI
May 22-June 21
Gemini,
CANCER
June
Your
LEO July 23-August 23
to tread carefully depending on how you want to see things go. Listen to your emotions carefully in the days to come.
VIRGO
August 24- September 22
This week you are compelled to use your influence to help someone directly or indirectly, Virgo. Figure out what you can do to affect change.
LIBRA
September 23-
October 23
Expect to meet people under unique circumstances, Libra. You may engage with someone who needs your help or can teach you something new.
SCORPIO
October 24-
November 22
Scorpio, enjoy spending time with friends and other groups because this is a feelgood time for you. If you feel affectionate toward someone, those feelings will become more passionate.
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 -December 21
People notice you more than usual, Sagittarius. This is an excellent time to enjoy the company of others, including, friends, your partner or spouse.
CAPRICORN
December 22-
January 20
Look for ways to help a coworker who could use some help right now, Capricorn. You have the power to give them what they need right now, more so than others.
AQUARIUS
January 21-February 18
This is a time for social outings and special dates, Aquarius. Figure out how to feel sensitive to the needs and feelings of loved ones as only you can do best.
PISCES
February 19-March 20
True generosity is giving what is needed, Pisces. Assist a relative as best as you can, even if that is simply serving as a sounding board.
Bird of the week
Blue grosbeak
than
See more at michaelwarren.com/birds
Gasoline Alley
Broom Hilda
Middletons
Animal Crackers
More
300 bird species have been recorded by birdwatchers in Marion County, according to eBird, the popular app from Cornell University. That includes extreme rarities as well as ordinary cardinals, crows and chickadees. The blue grosbeak is somewhere in between—not rare, but not a typical backyard bird. This handsome, big-beaked bird breeds here during the summer and typically hangs out at the edge of forests with low vegetation. The males are deep blue and the females are a warm brown. This one was photographed on the Florida Trail near the Rotary Sportsplex. Photo by Michael Warren.
