Issuu

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 7

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021

August 13

Marion reports record COVID-19 numbers By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Marion County, setting new all-time highs last week. The county reported 2,402 new cases for the seven days from July 30 through Aug. 5, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The number of cases was the most reported in the county since nearly 2,000 cases were reported during a week in January. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 245 patients admitted to local hospitals with COVID-19. That number was also a record and an increase of 30% over the previous week. Additionally, the positivity

rate for the county was 27%, again the highest on record since the start of the pandemic and higher than the state average of 18.9% for the past week. The local numbers prompted the CDC to list Marion County in the red for the level of community transmission. The majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, See COVID Update, page A3

Health care workers prepare COVID-19 tests in this June 2020 file photo. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Back on Track

Ivermectin COVID-19 use potentially dangerous By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

the gym, doing cross-training with basketball and other things to get my mind off track and field.” Then, on Aug. 4, Zackery got the call from Team USA. A spot opened up – and he would fly across the world to join his team in less than a week. He immediately shifted back to track and field training and

As COVID-19 cases spike, interest in non-traditional but potentially dangerous treatments are also surging. One medication, ivermectin, has gained traction as a potential COVID-19 preventative and treatment. But health care professionals and the Food and Drug Administration warn the medication is not approved for COVID-19 use and comes in differnt preparations that can be dangerous and even deadly if not used as directed. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug used for the treatment of certain conditions in humans as well as animals. In addition to being used to treat internal parasites, some topical forms are FDA-approved to treat head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea. In animals, it’s used to treat and prevent heartworms and some external parasites. But the drug can interact with other medications, like bloodthinners. You can also overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death, according to the FDA. For one Ocala resident, however, the warnings did not stop him from trying the medication recently after he tested positive for COVID-19.

See Zackery, page A2

See Ivermectin, page A2

Marshall Zackery will compete in 100-meter and 200-meter dash at the Tokyo Paralympics. [Dave Miller]

Ocala Paralympian will compete in Tokyo By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette

n Aug. 10, Ocala runner Marshall Zackery boarded a plane to Tokyo to join Team USA at the Paralympic Games. It’s a trip that just six weeks before seemed unlikely after the visually impaired sprinter

missed earning a spot on the team at the track and field trials in Minneapolis. “At that point, I thought my season was over,” Zackery said. “They told me, just train and run again next year. I didn’t give up, but what I did was decompressed myself from track and field. It was track and field for the last four years. I worked out, got back in

Schools open with mixed reactions to optional masks By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com School started this week in Marion County, with much of the focus on the record-setting COVID-19 surge in the area. At Osceola Middle School, Michaela Wingster was concerned about the resurgence of the virus. She was unsure if she was ready to send her 13-year-old son, Kaden, off to class. “I’m definitely hesitant about it,” said Wingster through a blue

mask. “But I do have faith that the school is doing the right things. I taught [Kaden] the proper precautions. Washing his hands. He will be masked up. That is our thing. We choose to do so.” Jami Harrer, a mother of three, is putting her faith in the vaccine. “All of my kids have been vaccinated,” said Harrer. “So, I think I’d be a little bit more worried if I had elementary school kids and they weren’t vaccinated.”

Harrer’s youngest son Sebastian, 13, an eighth-grader, waited in a long line of students that snaked across Southeast Fifth Street. The students were waiting for the bell to sound. He was wearing a mask, but he was in the minority. Most students were maskless; their smiles were on full display as they navigated the crosswalks. Many walked and laughed, side by side, with their fellow schoolchildren. See Back To School, page A3

Cassidy Bostic, 6, who is starting first grade at Eighth Street Elementary School, gets walked to school by her mother, Elizabeth. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Inside: Subscribers will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule. Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order to be included in the following week’s delivery. Starting at $10/month ocalagazette.com/subscribe

Commentary............................ A4 State News................................ A6 City Council Elections........... A9 Bakery Anniversary............... B1 Creative’s Corner....................B2 Calendar................................... B5

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Zackery, page A1 working with his coach, Tony McCall. “I’m ready. I stayed ready,” Zackery said. “It’s not a point of rushing to get back into shape because I’m still in shape. It’s more a fact of getting back and just doing the track and field movements and working with my coach. I just have to get back in the motion of doing track and field movements.” Zackery, a native of Ocala and graduate of the College of Central Florida (CF), first ran track as a high school student at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind in St. Augustine. It was not an instant love affair. Zackery confesses he hated track in high school. He took it up to stay conditioned for basketball. But he showed talent, making it to regional competition in his senior year. Then, in 2017, while attending CF, Zackery met Regas Woods, a Paralympian and world championship bronze medalist in the long jump. Woods and his coach McCall were working out at the CF gym. Suddenly, at age 23, the college student who hated track in high school now found himself training for the 2017 Desert Challenge Games in Arizona. He’s since run in two World Para Athletic Championships, in London in 2017 and in Dubai in 2019. “Ever since 2017, I always had my eyes on the Paralympics,” Zackery said. “I had to go to two world championships in the meantime. I just had a few barriers to get through before I got there. And now that I actually made it, it just feels great because now I’m a true Paralympian. I have that title under my name... If I bring home a gold medal, I will be happy. If I bring home a silver, I’m happy. If I bring home a bronze, I’m still happy. And if I don’t even medal, I’m still happy for the opportunity. I know I worked hard for four years to get this opportunity, so I’m going to do my absolute best.” Zackery expects to run the 100-meter dash on Aug. 30 and the 200-meter race on Sept. 3. The Paralympic Games will be broadcasted [Dave Miller] and streamed on NBC.

[Dave Miller]

From Ivermectin, page A1 “It was a friend that is a nurse practitioner that I was talking to that said ivermectin had more data than hydroxychloroquine, so that’s what I went with,” said Chris, who did not want to use his fullname for this story. Hydroxychloroquine is another anti-parasite drug that gained widespeard attention during the initial wave of COVID-19 in 2020. The FDA also issued warning about uising that drug for COVID-19 symptoms. Chris isn’t worried that it’s not FDA-approved to treat COVID or about the side effects. “Especially when you see the side effects, and you aren’t taking large doses, it shouldn’t be a problem. The adverse effects that they claim came from ivermectin was at a very high dosage. I’ll take diarrhea and headaches over blood clots, myocarditis and paralysis any day” he said. Chris isn’t alone in seeking out ivermectin, talk of ivermectin as a treatment seems to be everywhere. Recently, when Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant announced on Facebook her husband had contracted COVID-19 and asked for people’s opinion on different treatment options, more than a dozen of the over 100 responses were from people who gave anecdotal examples of taking ivermectin. Several claimed they took ivermectin bought at local farm and feed stores intended for animal use. Some even ordered it from overseas suppliers. The formulations and dosages between ivermectin for animal use can be vastly different, particularly those intended for equine usage, than human preparations. Heard it from a friend When it comes to matters dealing with health, those word-of-mouth approvals can carry more weight than government warnings, according to Kim WalshChilders a professor at the University of Florida’s

College of Journalism and Communications whose research focuses primarily on health and science communication and how health information is conveyed in news media. “My own research shows this, people tend to trust family members and interpersonal sources even more than they trust local media…..they kind of make the assumption that, well, no one that I know would deliberately give me information that’s going to hurt me,” said WalshChilders. She believes that while those sharing health and scientific information may be well-meaning, in many cases they might not possess the needed level of medical or scientific knowledge to properly vet the information. “There’s a reason we go to the doctor to set a broken bone and we don’t go to the plumber down the street. The plumber might be a really smart guy, but that doesn’t mean he knows how to deal with your personal ‘bodily plumbing’, it’s just not the same thing,” she said. Consider the source It’s not just interpersonal sources that may help spread incomplete or inaccurate information. Walsh-Childers also feels reporters covering healthrelated stories could do more to ensure the proper context is given. “Many reporters for local

media [outlets] haven’t been trained to read scientific research….so they’re not going to be able to, even if they take the time to look up the research, they’re not going to be adept at sifting the wheat from the chaff,” she said. According to a Pew Research Study, nearly half of Americans said they had encountered made-up or false information regarding treatments, origins, or risks of the virus since the pandemic began. And as quite a bit of information, health-related or otherwise, is shared online, WalshChilders cautioned it is important to know where the information comes from. “There is a whole disinformation/ misinformation industry… because let’s be honest there are entities out there who benefit from the United States being in chaos. There are entities out there, other states or actors…that they’re perfectly happy for the United States to have our COVID pandemic go on for the next 15 years. And it’s pretty well documented that that’s where this disinformation is coming from initially,” she said. Even data from seemingly reliable sources can end up being inaccurate or misleading. According to MedPage Today, an online medical news service, a recent Egyptian-based study on ivermectin that included 400 patients was pulled from pre-publication in a scientific journal because the data used in the study was found to be plagiarized and fraudulent. The pulled study had been used in other investigations showing the effectiveness of ivermectin, which in turn cast doubt on the subsequent research. Who do you trust? Amanda S. Bradshaw, an assistant professor with the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism &

New Media, whose research area is also in health communication, echoes the element of trust in known sources, especially interpersonal ones. “Really successful messengers of health information are people’s doctors, who they tend to lump into that interpersonal source category rather than maybe a large organization like the CDC or the FDA, especially if someone has a distrust of larger organizations,” Bradshaw said. And with research from Pew showing only 24% of Americans have trust in the federal government (the lowest point in history since they began recording in 1960, compared with a high of 77% in 1964), it might explain why Americans are so hesitant to heed warnings and directions from the governmental entities dealing with health and health-related matters. For Chris, who got a prescription from a healthcare provider friend, the drug was shipped to him from a compounding pharmacy. He takes 12 mg every other day. “I’ve been on it for like four, five days now... it’s hard to tell what’s made a difference but I was not feeling good before I started taking it and I feel like things have gotten a little better every day since” he said. When asked if he would recommend ivermectin to others, Chris said “definitely…[it] possibly could have saved me from a lot more issues. With the side effects being very minimal, I would definitely give it a shot, not much to lose.” Chris, who was not vaccinated, is still wary of the vaccine. “No, I can’t believe they are injecting people with that stuff still,” he said. UF’s Walsh-Childers can’t overlook the paradox. “People are saying I don’t want to get the vaccine because it hasn’t been studied enough. And yet, they’re willing to take a drug that hasn’t really been tested to treat COVID-19

hardly at all [when compared to the clinical testing the vaccines went through],” she said. The grain of salt Compounding the issue, however, is that while ivermectin hasn’t been cleared for use to treat COVID-19, there is some research into its potential use as a treatment. The drug is currently included in clinical trials to test its effectiveness. A clinical trial in Paraguay started in November 2020 and completed in May of this year found ivermectin to be ineffective in treating COVID-19, the results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to clinicaltrials.gov, a Malaysian-based randomized controlled clinical trial on the effectiveness of ivermectin for COVID-19 began in early June of this year. The study is expected to be completed in January 2022. Additionally, Oxford University has begun adding ivermectin to its clinical trial program as well. Progressing through the testing process is important, and WalshChilders believes it is imperative to let the methods in place do their thing, even if it takes time. “When you’re dealing with a novel virus….there’s going to be a steep learning curve, and things are going to change….but you have to follow the process [of testing and clinical trials],” she said. As for Chris, he’s going to continue his regimen of ivermectin. “I believe I take it until it’s gone is what [my friend the healthcare provider who prescribed it to me] said. I don’t know how many more pills I have though. Once I’m recovered, I’ll have natural immunity, the best immunity, and so no real reason to take it, until I need to. Hopefully I won’t, but at least it’s an option if I need to,” he said.

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Back To School, page A1

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com

Carlos Medina, Managing Editor carlos@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com Matthew Cretul, Senior Reporter matthew@ocalagazette.com James Blevins, Reporter james@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Lisa McGinnes, Editor lisa@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Graphic Designer Brooke Pace brooke@magnoliamediaco.com Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Hinkle andrew@magnoliamediaco.com Account Executives Evelyn Anderson evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com Sarah Belyeu sarah@magnoliamediaco.com Ralph Grandizio ralph@magnoliamediaco.com Lee Kerr lee@magnoliamediaco.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

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

Sebastian hasn’t seen the inside of a classroom since the pandemic first hit full swing last summer, said his mother. She was more than ready for her son to return to the classroom. “I’m very excited that he gets to have a teacher again,” said Harrer. “It’s been really rough having him learn from home this last year and a half.” As the highly contagious delta variant races through unvaccinated populations at an alarming clip, many parents are worried that schools could return to remote learning if the current spike in cases continues to rise. Cases in Marion County topped out at 2,402 for the seven days through Aug. 5, according to the latest numbers available. That eclipsed the previous seven-day high of nearly 2,000 cases from January. COVID-19 hospitalization also hit an all-time high of 230 this past week. Almost all those hospitalized were unvaccinated. As of now, masks are optional in Marion County. An executive order signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis recently barred school districts from requiring masks for children. That order was followed by a State Board of Education ruling on Aug. 6, that would allow parents to apply for vouchers to move their kids to another school if they perceive any type of “COVID-19 harassment” against their child in connection to district rules on masking, testing and isolation due to exposure, officials said. The board also passed an emergency rule that gives students who do schoolwork while quarantined at home due to COVID-19 credit for attendance. The Marion County school board said they would revisit the mask issue if needed. In the meantime, they did give guidance to not allow visitors on elementary school campuses but allowed visitors at middle and high schools. Some parents preferred the choice being made for them like it was last year when masks were required. “They did a great job last year,” said Wingster. “I was very pleased with the school’s procedures. The only difference now is the mask. They were very precise before.” For other parents, they were glad to see a return to normality for their kids. “We’re thrilled to be able to have him back in school,” said George Garner, whose 11-year-old son Cameron stood nearby, waiting patiently for the bell to ring. “It’s his first day of middle school. We’ve met the teacher already and everything else. We’re happy to see that we were able to get everybody back into schools.” Garner agrees with DeSantis’ executive order. “I’m fine with it,” said Garner. “I support DeSantis on this issue.” Principal Matthew Koff spent part of his morning helping to direct lost students to their classrooms. He acknowledged his disappointment in starting another school year under the shadow of COVID-19. “I kind of thought it would be over at this point,” said Koff. “But it’s not. So, we’re taking as many precautions as we can. We have a very crowded campus, so we’re using all the mitigation strategies we have.” Those include lots of hand washing and hand sanitizer, Koff said. Since mask-wearing is optional, he and his staff stress the importance of social distancing among students. “We’re going to hit it really hard daily,” said Koff. “That’s how important it is. We all share that responsibility.” Despite it all, Keith Jarvis, the school’s Ocala Police

Gabrielle Wade, 11, gets a hug from her mother, Elsa. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Brady Boutwell, 13, waits for the starting bell at Osceola Middle School where he will start 8th grade. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Principal Matt Koff, right, directs Preston Nieland, 11, left, to his first class in the 6th grade. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Department resource officer, was determined to see the bright side. Standing near Osceola Middle’s ornate entrance, Jarvis beamed. “I’m excited about a new year and all of its possibilities for these kids,” said Jarvis. “I think everybody is excited about that. Let’s just get this ball rolling for these kids.”

1515 NE 22nd Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 352.732.0073 PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT INVERNESS, FL SECOND CLASS PERMIT #114280

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

Students wait outside Osceola Middle School. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

From COVID Update, page A1 according to Dr. David Kuhn of Trinity Clinic. Kuhn aggregates data from the DOH, the Agency for Healthcare Administration and daily hospital censuses and posts updates on the Trinity Clinic Facebook page. The hospitalization numbers fluctuate based on the timing of the count, said Kuhn. Among all those hospitalized in the county, 26% were in the hospital for COVID-19. In addition, COVID-19 patients occupied 27% of all the ICU beds at county hospitals, according to Department of Health and Human Services data. Rising trends in Marion County mirror Florida as a whole, as both new cases as well as positivity percentages, have risen since June 11. Florida reported 134,506 new cases for the week of July 30 through Aug. 5, and the positivity rate was 18.9%.

There were 4,507 new vaccinations in the county last week, continuing an upward trend the last three weeks. While both county and statewide vaccinations of those 12 and older are increasing, Marion County lags behind Florida. About 55% of county residents have gotten at least one shot in the vaccine series, compared to 63% in Florida. The DOH does not release deaths by county, but there were 175 deaths statewide last week, bringing the total number to 39,695. Despite the large increase in cases, Governor Ron DeSantis has resisted calls to reinstitute lockdowns or mask mandates for businesses or schools. “We are not shutting down,” he said earlier this week. “We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridian’s job in this state. We are

protecting people’s small businesses. These interventions have failed time and time again throughout this pandemic, not just in the United States but abroad,” he said. DeSantis recently signed an executive order banning local school boards from instituting mask mandates. Despite a few districts challenging the order, masks remain optional for students in Marion County. According to CDC data, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) accounts for 82% of the COVID-19 cases in Florida. It is unknown, however, how many of the new cases or hospitalizations are related to the Delta variant in Marion County, as the CDC does not track variant data by county. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Commentary

Get the shot to give others a shot available through a vaccine, close to 45% of our county’s population has yet to receive the shot that would stop the spread of this deadly virus in its tracks. When I think This vaccine of Ocala, I hesitancy coupled think of our with the more Sadie Fitzpatrick warmth. contagious Columnist We strive delta variant to be the quintessential has resulted in a staggering southern town of front 27% positivity rate for porches, open doors and cases in Marion County. neighborly chats. We want As of Aug. 5, there were you to feel welcome, to sit 230 hospitalizations for and stay awhile. We are COVID-19 with between hearty handshakes, bear 215-222 of those cases hugs and “How’s your mama unvaccinated or partially doing?” vaccinated, according to This neighborly warmth Trinity Clinic. was on full display during The vaccine not only quarantine in April 2020. protects you from getting Ocalans found ways to the virus, and if you do buoy each other’s spirits by get it, from experiencing hosting socially-distanced severe symptoms and happy hours in our local hospitalization, it also parks, throwing outdoor protects our most tailgate parties with music vulnerable citizens—the from local musicians and immunocompromised and shopping local from the children too young to receive restaurants and retail the vaccine. locations suffering mightily The more people who from the shutdown. We are vaccinated, the better made sure that we were all chance there is to slow being taken care of mentally, transmission. Increasing physically and economically. vaccinations will not only This warmth is my crush this recent surge, it favorite aspect of my will help to prevent more hometown, but I’ve recently aggressive variants from realized it has its limits. developing in the future. Though a solution I am both an ardent to curbing the rise of rule follower and a COVID-19 cases is readily thorough researcher. Editor’s Note: Sadie Fitzpatrick uses this space to explore the character and quirks that make Ocala uniquely wonderful and occasionally irksome.

Throughout every stage of the pandemic, I wore my mask everywhere, washed my hands incessantly and kept Clorox in business. I was intent on doing my part to keep myself, and most importantly, my two young children, healthy until I could receive the vaccine. As news of the vaccine’s development came, I dove into researching how it was made and what its effects might be. I read the conspiracy theories regarding reduced fertility, microchipping and government tracking. I called friends in the medical field to ask their advice. I did my homework. I received the vaccine on the very first day the governor allowed my age group to receive it. I was giddy with excitement despite my paralyzing fear of needles. I was certain this would be the end of this nightmarish year, and I could breathe a sigh of relief that I wouldn’t be bringing this deadly disease home to my children. It never occurred to me that my fellow Ocalans wouldn’t follow suit, and this pandemic would continue to rage on because of some of our citizens’ indignation. Politics, misinformation and an “It won’t happen to me” attitude have weaponized this miraculous antidote. For many, it has become

a symbol of governmental COVID. This is not fair tyranny; however, nearly to the employers or the every American has employees that have gotten mandatorily received the vaccine. And ironically, vaccines for polio, Hepatitis some of the same people B, Measles, Mumps and who complained about Rubella (MMR), Diphtheria, the government shutting Tetanus and Pertussis down the economy are now (DTaP) and Varicella shutting down the economy (chicken pox). with their stubborn refusal Our city proudly to get vaccinated. proclaims both our This situation Ocala finds patriotism and our love of itself in is truly a matter God, yet we have turned the of life or death. We cannot other cheek when it comes make this vaccine about to protecting our fellow politics—it has to be about citizens who cannot receive people. the vaccine because of age or Please, go get the shot. prior medical conditions. Encourage your friends and COVID-19 is not family to get theirs, too. just a problem for the Let Ocala be the center of unvaccinated. As cases swell welcoming warmth once in our county, our healthcare again—hearty handshakes system becomes incredibly and bear hugs with no masks strained. When our or social distancing in sight. hospitals are full, people can die from delays in treatment Have your own observations for heart attacks, strokes, about Ocala? Share them car accidents and surgical with Sadie at sadie@ emergencies. Vital medical ocalagazette.com resources may not be readily available because the system is so overworked. It also adversely affects our economy. Workplaces are staggering under the weight of absenteeism due to [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Letter to the Editor Too close for comfort Something just seems odd about this many contractors, being this friendly with one another and all running for Ocala City Council at once. I mean it is pretty much every office. They were asked the questions about bidding on city jobs at the forum

and said they still would essentially still do so. Is that their real motive for offering to “serve” us on council? I am by no means seeking to smear their reputations and I am sure they are qualified for the positions individually but

overall, 3 or 4 of these guys all visibly rubbing elbows and with their signs in same locations, even sharing signposts in town... this seems off to me. Don’t they have Sunshine Laws against this sort of thing? The last thing we need is a big builder having his

friends still vote “yes” on his profitable projects they might even be doing the subcontracted electrical work on... or since they might, now 3 members have to recuse a vote, leaving no quorum. I am not for the same faces we have had but I am not sure voting for this

cabal of contractors is a great idea even if I do want to vote for these gentlemen individually as I do. I just wish this weren’t the overall situation we are faced with. Al Henderson Ocala

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Church vandalized in weekend incident By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com The glass front doors of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church were found broken on Aug. 7. The damage happened sometime after 9 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the church at 718 NW Seventh St. Someone with the church discovered the damage just after 8 a.m. and called police, according to Ocala Police Department reports. Nothing inside the church was missing and the person who reported the incident believes someone may have been trying to get the golf cart that was parked inside the church’s foyer, reports state. Rev. Jeffrey J. Dove of the church wondered if the vandalism could have been motivated by other reasons. Dove said the church is very active in

politics. Others on social media also brought up the possibility. Police reports did not mention the incident being possibly politically motivated, however. Dove said there was nothing left behind and nothing was taken, though the police report did note the doors to the sanctuary, off the foyer, were ajar and it looked as if someone entered the church, according to the person who reported the incident. OPD searched the building with a K9 officer and found no one inside, reports state. The last vandalism to the church was about a year ago. “We have a courtyard in the middle and we kind of noticed that there was some kind of rearranging of the furniture and so that gave us clues that a couple of homeless people were hanging out. But then we had two sliding doors broke and shattered also,” Dove said.

Weirsdale man on lam for 30 years sentenced The Associated Press A man accused of fleeing a drug conspiracy charge in Nebraska more than three decades ago and living under a false identity in Florida has been sentenced to four years in prison. Howard D. Farley Jr., 72, was sentenced Friday in Ocala federal court, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in April to passport fraud, aggravated identity theft and operating as a pilot without a license. Farley was arrested in November at his Weirsdale. His wife, Duc Hanh Thi Vu, was also arrested and faces federal charges. Her trial is scheduled for October.

According to a criminal complaint, Farley applied for a passport in February 2020 using the name, birth date and Social Security number of a person who had died as an infant in 1955. He had previously used that identity in 2016 to obtain a pilot’s license, officials said. In 1985, Farley and 73 others were indicted by a federal grand jury in Nebraska. Prosecutors had alleged that Farley was the “drug kingpin” on a railroad line used to move narcotics throughout the U.S. Records show that Farley was the only defendant not apprehended in the case. Those charges were dismissed in 2014. Fingerprints confirmed Farley’s identity after his arrest, officials said.

Two men killed in Lake Weir plane crash identified By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com Authorities have identified the two people killed in a small plane crash on Lake Weir on Aug. 9. Joseph Hutton Jr., 64, and Scott Bingham, 72, both died after Hutton’s Pitts Model 12 plane crashed in the northeast section of the lake just before 1 p.m. Both Hutton and Bingham lived at Leeward Air Ranch and were next-door neighbors in the fly-in community. Hutton was piloting the aircraft during the crash. Records show he registered the plane, which was built in 2002, in March. Online tracking of the flight shows the plane approach Lake Weir from the east just before 12:45 p.m. The plane flies over the southern end of the lake before circling back and making a series of maneuvers over the lake. The plane then flies along the west end of the lake before turning west and flying over land to near the 5800 block of SE 132nd Street

Road. There, the plane makes a sharp turn back east toward the lake. Near the lake, the plane veers north and flies over the Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area before turning east over the lake. The tracking ends in the northeast part of the lake at 12:56 p.m. The plane’s altitude ranged from between 3,400 feet to 4,600 during the flight, which, according to witnesses, included some aerobatic maneuvers. The Pitt Model 12 is a high-performance aerobatic biplane. Just before the crash, however, the plane made a steep climb to about 5,400 feet. That’s when witnesses said the plane began to nosedive, and they saw Hutton jump from the plane. Boaters pulled Hutton from the water and brought him to shore. He was pronounced dead by Marion County Fire Rescue. The sheriff ’s dive team later recovered Bingham’s body from the submerged plane. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.

Marion County Sheriff officials investigate the plane crash in Lake Weir. [Submitted]

OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER, INC. OFMC Welcomes Jorge Fernandez, MD - Cardiologist! Dr. Fernandez is a bilingual Cardiologist, fluent in both Spanish and English! He just relocated from Buffalo, NY to be closer to family. He will provide comprehensive Cardiac care and has extensive expertise in managing arrhythmias and implanted cardiovascular devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, loop recorders, etc. We are very excited to have Dr. Fernandez join our Provider team here at OFMC and look forward to seeing his impact not only on our patients, but also in the community! Our highly skilled Cardiology team here at OFMC, Dr. James London, Dr. Yasmin Amin and Dr. Jorge Fernandez specialize in the prevention, treatment and management of various heart and vascular diseases.

Jorge Fernandez, MD

Yasmin Amin, MD, FACC

James London, MD, FACC

The focus of our Cardiology department is to develop treatment plans to help patients live heart healthy lives. Our Cardiologists encourage their patients to take an active role in their health and believe that preventing a disease is better than having to overcome one. We have in-house diagnostics that allow us to provide one-stop Cardiology care and treatment in one location! Our Cardiology services include, but are not limited to: • Preventive Cardiology • Coumadin Management • Permanent Pacemaker/Defibrillator Checks • Calcium Scoring • Echocardiogram (ECG) Studies • Electrocardiogram (EKG) • Holter Monitors/Event Monitors • Nuclear Cardiac Studies & Stress Testing • Cardiac Clearance for Surgery

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 352-237-4133! Ocala Family Medical Center 2230 SW 19th Avenue Road Ocala, FL 34471 www.ocalafmc.com

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State News Lawsuit challenges DeSantis facemask order By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – A Leon County circuit judge has scheduled a hearing for Aug 13 in a lawsuit filed by parents challenging an executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis that seeks to prevent school districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorneys for a dozen parents from Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Alachua, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties filed the lawsuit in Leon County, contending that the order violates parts of the Florida Constitution. Circuit Judge John Cooper will hear arguments Friday on an emergency motion for an injunction against the

executive order. The lawsuit, in part, alleges that the executive order violates part of the Constitution that requires the provision of a “uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system” of public schools. It contends that preventing school districts from requiring masks threatens the safety of schools. “The Florida Constitution requires that state entities and public officials, who are charged with overseeing the funding and operations of public education, ensure that Florida’s schools operate safely,” the lawsuit said. “Defendants cannot legally deny students, public school staff, their family members and the public with whom they come in contact within the public school system

their basic human needs for health and safety.” The 25-page lawsuit names as defendants DeSantis, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, the Florida Department of Education and the State Board of Education. Separately, parents of children with disabilities filed a federal lawsuit in South Florida arguing that DeSantis’ executive order discriminates against disabled students. DeSantis’ effort to prevent mask requirements for students has drawn national attention. He issued the executive order July 30. The governor argues that it should be up to parents whether their children wear masks at school. “It’s a parent’s choice in Florida, and government

can’t override the parents,” DeSantis said last week. The lawsuit filed in Leon County raises a series of arguments in addition to the contention that the executive order violates a requirement for safe schools. For example, it argues that the order violates constitutional home-rule powers of school districts. “As such, local school boards, elected by local citizens, have the power to operate, control and supervise public schools in the district under home rule powers,” the lawsuit, filed by eight attorneys from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, said. “Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment determining that the state government defendants have failed to abide by the requirements of the Florida Constitution by enacting

Vaccination rates for young children decline By Christine Sexton News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Vaccination rates of young children who rely on county health departments to provide shots dipped in 2021, with a top Florida health official describing a decrease in vaccinations of 2-year-olds as “alarming.” The statewide vaccination rate for children between 24 and 35 months old who rely on county health departments was 79.3% in 2021, a drop from 93.4% the year before, an analysis of vaccination records conducted by the Florida Department of Health shows. Meanwhile, the statewide vaccination rate for 1-year-old children was 67%, down from 73% the previous year. Carina Blackmore, director of the Florida Department of Health Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, in a June 4 memorandum attributed the declines to the impact of measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. The virus caused licensed day-care centers to close and parents to seek telehealth services instead of in-person appointments. “While these measures may have reduced the spread of the virus, they may have also contributed to parents postponing routine childhood vaccination,” she wrote. Blackmore in the memo called the drop in the percentage of 2-year-olds getting vaccinated “alarming.” She also acknowledged that public-health measures and reprioritization of county health departments toward COVID-19 activities “likely contributed to the significant decrease in vaccinations coverage this year.” Only county health departments that were primarily responsible for the vaccination of young children born between January 2018 and December 2019 were included in the department’s review. The state annually reviews the performance of county health departments to see if they are reaching vaccination goals. Florida has a 90% vaccination goal for 2-year-old children and an 80% vaccination goal for 1-year-old children. The vaccination report is one of three reviews the state health department conducts annually, along with a random review of

the executive order that precludes county school boards from enacting mandatory masking.” Several of the plaintiffs in the case are parents of children who are too young to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Two plaintiffs are parents of a Miami-Dade County child with severe asthma who, the lawsuit said, could lose a spot in a magnet school if he is unable to attend in person. The lawsuit describes Florida as the “nation’s hotspot for the present wave” of the pandemic and cites the highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus and increased hospitalization rates. The state had not filed arguments in the case as Aug. 10, according to a court docket.

Gov. cool to COVID-19 vaccine mandates News Service of Florida

[Stock Image]

vaccinations of randomly selected 2-year-old children to help determine county vaccination rates and a review of randomly selected child-care facilities to ascertain the immunization status of preschool children. The state has not updated the latter two analyses since 2019. Those analyses also would include children who are immunized at health-care facilities other than health departments. For the 2021 analysis, the state examined the performance of 36 county health departments that vaccinated 2,700 children between the ages of 24 and 35 months to ascertain vaccination rates for 2-year-olds. The Broward County Health Department, with 517 2-yearold children relying on it for vaccinations, had the lowest vaccination rate at 44.%. The state review showed 228 of the children had received the recommended vaccinations. Conversely, the Clay, Miami-

Dade, DeSoto, Duval, Lee, Pinellas and Santa Rosa County health departments vaccinated 100% of the children in that age group who rely on them for shots, according to the report. The state is reviewing whether 2-year-olds received the recommended doses for several diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and hepatitis. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Florida has seen a dramatic decline in childhood immunizations, leaving Florida’s children and most vulnerable populations at risk for vaccine preventable diseases,” Lisa Gwynn, president of the Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, said in a statement to The News Service of Florida. “The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children continue to receive routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis didn’t want Florida businesses to require customers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to get served or to enter establishments, so he swayed lawmakers this spring to pass legislation banning “vaccine passports.” Now, the governor says he also doesn’t support hospitals requiring their staff members to get vaccinated. DeSantis would not say recently whether he would ban hospitals from requiring staff to get vaccinated but made clear he’s not a fan of the idea. “It’s not something I support,” DeSantis said when asked about the issue during a news conference at Tampa General Hospital on Aug. 5. As the numbers of COVID-19 infections across the state spike and inpatient admissions soar, some hospitals are mandating vaccinations for staff members. Also, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs is requiring most of its medical staff to get vaccinated. DeSantis said front-line health care workers at Florida hospitals – as well as nursing homes – were among the first people who had access to shots after the federal government gave emergency-use authorization to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in December. While DeSantis said between 80%and 90% of physicians got vaccinated, he said the uptake among nurses wasn’t as great. Those comments were underscored by an AARP report last month that showed just 42% of Florida’s nursing-home workers were vaccinated. That was the second-lowest vaccination rate in the nation during a four-week review period and was significantly less than the 56% who were vaccinated nationwide. “How that is implemented,” DeSantis said of vaccine mandates, “and how people respond to that, there will definitely be some reaction to that.” DeSantis appeared at Tampa General as Florida’s COVID-19 death toll rises, infections spread and hospitalizations soar because of the highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus.

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

US officials approve Florida-Seminole sports betting deal

Alachua schools defy DeSantis school mask order

The Associated Press TALLAHASSEE — Federal officials approved a deal Friday that will allow the Seminole Tribe to operate sports betting and add roulette and craps to its seven Florida casinos, with the state potentially receiving $20 billion over the next 30 years. Gov. Ron DeSantis had worked out the gambling compact with the tribe this past spring, and it was later approved by the Republican-controlled Florida House and Senate. The deal needed final approved from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees tribal gambling operations. “The final approval of this historic gaming compact is a big deal for the State of Florida,” DeSantis said in a statement. “This mutually-beneficial agreement will grow our economy, expand tourism and recreation and provide billions in new revenue to benefit Floridians.” Officials said the agreement will generate an estimated $6 billion through 2030. The Tribe is not currently making any revenue payments to the state. “Today is a great day for the people of Florida, who will benefit not only from a $2.5 billion revenue sharing guarantee over five years, but also from statewide sports betting and new casino games that will roll out this fall and mean more jobs for Floridians and more money invested in this state,” Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. said in a statement. Under the agreement, the Seminoles could begin sports betting Oct. 15 and sports wagering at horse tracks, jai alai frontons and former dog tracks for a share of the income. Online sports betting operated by the tribe also will be allowed. Democrats opposing the deal have argued that the compact violates Amendment 3 passed by Florida voters in 2018. The amendment to the state constitution prevents the expansion of gambling outside of tribal lands without voter approval. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that barred states from authorizing sports betting. Florida’s original compact with the Seminoles gave the tribe exclusive rights to slot machines and blackjack. In exchange, the tribe paid the state several billion dollars. Payments Gov. DeSantis signs the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe. [News Service of Florida] stopped in 2019.

s e t a est R

t n e m e Retir ings Sav A’s & IR

Ocala (352) 671-5374

By Ryan Dailey News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Two school districts that faced pressure from Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran about their attempts to require students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have given vastly different responses to the state. Alachua County is moving forward with requiring students to have doctors’ notes to avoid wearing masks, while Leon County backed away from a similar plan and will comply with the state’s demands. Corcoran wrote letters to leaders of the Alachua and Leon districts on Aug. 9, accusing them of violating a new Department of Health rule that says parents must be allowed to opt out of mask requirements for students. Corcoran and Gov. Ron DeSantis contend parents should be able to decide whether children wear masks, rather than school districts mandating it. “The emergency rule does not require parents to submit medical documentation from a physician or a nurse practitioner in order to opt out, and any such requirement is inconsistent with the emergency rule,” Corcoran wrote in nearly identical letters to the two districts. Corcoran also threatened to “withhold funds in an amount equal to the salaries for the superintendent and all the members of the school board” if the districts moved forward with requiring doctors’ notes.

But in a three-page letter responding to Corcoran, Alachua County Superintendent Carlee Simon and School Board Chairwoman Leanetta McNealy cited a “twenty-fold” increase in local COVID-19 cases over the past six weeks and rising hospitalizations – even among children – in their decision to stay the course. “Previously healthy children are being hospitalized, including some who require intensive care,” the officials’ letter said. The Alachua school leaders also expressed concern about the impact on district staff members of the surge in COVID-19 cases, which has been fueled by the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus. The Leon County School Board voted on Aug. 10 to allow parents to opt out of the district’s temporary mask requirement for students without giving medical reasons, a reversal from an earlier decision to require doctors’ notes. Along with Alachua, at least one other school district is moving forward with a mask policy at odds with the Department of Health’s rule. The Broward County School Board voted Tuesday to enact a mask requirement with an exception only for parents with doctors’ notes – and subsequently received a letter from Corcoran demanding a change. Corcoran gave the district until 5 p.m. on Aug. 13 to provide a written response “documenting how your district is complying” with the Department of Health rule.

Ocala Shutters

Blinds

SERVING MARION-CITRUS-LAKE COUNTIES Financial Services

Since 1978

Lady Lake (352) 633-7019

Plantation Shutters

% OFF

INCLUDES FREE INSTALLATION

Ask about longer terms, bonuses and IRA’s including transfers

Verticals • Faux Wood Blinds • Shutters • Shades • Cellular Shades

First American Trust OCF provides Award-Winning Financial Services locating best accounts and rates nationwide. Rates and deposit amounts are subject to availability. Certain restrictions and penalties for early withdraw may apply. New customer bonus included to obtain APY. All bank accounts are FDIC insured.

Professional staff with 35 years expereince. Prompt delivery. To schedule a FREE in home consulation and on the spot quote, give us a call.

APPOINTMENTS RECOMMENDED

firstamericantrustofcentralflorida.com

352-816-3082

ocala.shuttersblinds@yahoo.com ocalashuttersandblinds.com

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County School board votes masks will remain optional By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

argued the county should require parents to opt-out of wearing masks. Recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order barring school boards from mandating students wear masks, seemingly tying school districts’ hands. A few districts, however, are pushing back on the executive order. The Alachua County School Board voted recently to require students to wear masks during the first two weeks of school. Under the policy, only students with a “documented medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask” could request exemptions. Under the executive order, districts that don’t comply will have state funds withheld. But Cummings’ suggestion of having parents

Public school students and employees started the school year on Aug. 10 with the option of wearing masks despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Marion County. The Marion County School Board did not officially vote on the decision during its Aug. 5 work session but offered guidance to the administration. The board has not voted on some decisions in recent months, opting to offer guidance instead. Of the three board members attending the work session, Kelly King and Allison Campbell agreed that masks should remain optional. Eric Cummings

Allison Campbell [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

opt out of masks was not seen as practical by King or Campbell. “It puts all the responsibility on the teachers to be mask police,” Campbell said. “They are going to have to track who has signed it or who hasn’t.” King agreed the opt-in strategy would take time away from classwork. “We made some decision a couple of weeks ago based on numbers. Things have changed. Things have really, really changed,” Cummings said. Through Aug. 5, Marion County has reported a record 2,402 cases of COVID-19 for the prior seven days, according to the Florida Department of Health. Hospitalizations during the same time frame are up to 230, also a record, the CDC reports. Cummings stressed he was not comfortable with the optional mask policy. “We pride ourselves on following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. If we’re going to follow CDC recommendations, we need to follow them to the hilt,” he said. In early July, the CDC recommended universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Campbell, however,

pointed out that masks have been optional all during summer school, and there were no reports of COVID-19 outbreaks. Summer school included about 7,000 students. Nearly 40,000 students attend during the regular school year. Through consensus, the board also decided they would not allow visitors at elementary school or plan field trips for at least a month, depending on how the COVID-19 numbers are trending. Visitors will be allowed at middle schools and high schools since most students are eligible for vaccinations, according to a school district release. Children 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Each school will decide if visitors on campus will be required to wear masks. That decision goes with the board’s agreed-upon policy to allow individual schools more autonomy in making decisions. School leaders will maintain social distancing and sanitation protocols similar to those from last year. District leaders will meet twice each week with the Florida Department of Health in Marion County to review the COVID-19 status. Each school will also have a designated COVID-19 liaison that will work with the DOH to coordinate quarantines and contact tracing when cases arise in school. The district will release weekly reports on cases and quarantines at schools every Monday.

Eric Cummings [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Join the CF Team NOW HIRING: Full-Time Trades Technician Other opportunities include —

FULL-TIME POSITIONS: Faculty – Respiratory Care, Program Manager Manager of Marketing and Public Relations Faculty – BAS Organizational Management

Gather Your Mates and Get in the Race! September 18th 9am-3pm Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area

FAMILIES, CLUBS, BUSINESSES...answer the call of the lake! With little or no experience your crew can build a seaworthy craft, from all kinds of materials. Designing, building and racing a boat together works wonders! Some crews will win and some crews will sink, but everyone will have a great time! So come on, get wet, have fun and help support Arnette House! For full boat-building rules and more information visit arnettehouse.org or call 352-598-3633. Sponsorships are available!

Enter by September 6! Sponsored by

PART-TIME POSITIONS: Conference Centers Assistant – Vintage Farm Conference Center Assistant II Dual Enrollment Coordinator Library Technician Custodian – Citrus Accountant III

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

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

D E F S S G R A OCALLY READISED

L • Y D L E L G R ALSO F A SC Pasture Raised | Human

RAIS

d | Hor y Treate

mone & A

ntibiotic Free | USDA

Angus Beef Pastured Pork Lamb • Goat • Gator Chicken • Duck Available at Local Farmer’s Markets, Butcher and Meat Shops WHOLESALE • RETAIL • FOOD SERVICE

www.floridafreshmeat.com

13770 S. Highway 475, Summerfield, FL 34491 (352) 566-8586

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Elections Q & A with the candidates Editor’s Note: Leading up to the city election, we’ll be asking candidates to weigh in once a week on a question about city government. The candidates are given almost a week to respond to the question in writing and we do not edit their answers. In February, U.S. District Judge James Moody ruled that arresting homeless people who don’t have access to shelters is cruel and unusual punishment violating the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. What should be the city’s options for responding to people who are violating the city’s open lodging ordinance? These candidates did not answer the question: Alex Everts, Brent Malever, Gregory Steen, Jay Musleh, Kevin Lopez, Lori Martin Gregory, Rusty Juergens

Kristen M. Dreyer: Homelessness is a complex social issue than cannot be looked at as a one-size-fits-all issue. We have many dedicated people and agencies devoted to ending homelessness. Some, such as Brother’s Keeper and Interfaith, successfully lead a coordinated effort. A 2019 a study by the Public Policy Institute of Marion County indicated the need to move to a housing first model with the goal of reducing homelessness in the county by 60% by 2024. The study not only addressed the criminalization of homelessness but also identified 8 key areas to addressing the needs of our homeless population. To date, to the credit of our community stakeholders, several of these recommendations have been accomplished. However, we still have a dire need for emergency temporary shelter that allows for a reduction in the barriers to obtaining emergency shelter. The Florida Housing Coalition talks about, “the current “services first” model that requires anything from sobriety to employment to receive services and, eventually, housing placement. These requirements and barriers created by provider agencies resulted in slow exits to housing, long lengths of stay in temporary or transitional shelter, and a backlog of people “stuck” in the crisis system. “ It’s time to take another look at whether our current model is accomplishing the goals as set forth by the Public Policy Institute and to bring the stakeholders back to the table to accomplish these goals once and for all, both for the betterment of our community and for the safety and stability of our homeless population. Manal Fakhoury: Sending people to jail for being homeless is not a solution or even a band-aid - it is a public policy failure. It is time to repeal the open lodging ordinance and shift our approach away from criminalizing homelessness to ending it permanently each homeless person at a time. First and foremost, we must follow a Housing First approach, a tight coordination between public, nonprofit, and private stakeholders, and a clear path for permanent and stable housing. The best way for cities to help their homeless populations is to house them and support them with services to help them find stable employment, health care, and child care services. Though this may be challenging for cities with limited affordable units and rising rents, these are the steps that must be taken to support these most vulnerable populations. I believe we need to create a system to identify the chronically homeless and match them to appropriate affordable housing. I plan to coordinate this service system to support long-term housing stability, and create enough permanent housing to meet the demand. As mayor I plan to spearhead the creation of a resource center to center this work and serve our homeless and transitioning citizens. In our efforts we must collaborate

with communities that have been successful in decreasing their homelessness rates - for example, Grace Marketplace in Gainesville - a success story for reducing homelessness and creating permanent solutions. Ocala has many invested community partners who will rise to the mission of helping alleviate homelessness, and as mayor I plan to use the office of the Mayor to work in coordination with all Ocalans to serve every Ocalan - including our most vulnerable - the homeless. Barbara Fitos: Progress has been made with the implementation of certain recommendations from the Public Policy Institute Study on Homelessness whose key components are plan-fundingleadership. Most specifically, the change in the governance model with the establishment of the Ocala/Marion Office of Homeless Prevention created the needed cooperation to begin coordinating the exemplary efforts of various programs and entities working with the homeless population. Still outstanding, however, is the critical need for low barrier entry programs to deal not only with daily services but emergency shelter. The number of homeless requiring daily overnight shelter far exceeds shelter capacity by a margin of more than 2 to 1 according to the attorney for the ACLU Florida representing the plaintiffs. Simply arresting and fining individuals on a revolving door basis without efforts to secure shelter and needed case management intervention will not lead to a solution and only further strains the stretched resources of law enforcement. Another proposed ordinance in May would have been the first step in creating the needed engagement center but only offered the temporary emergency open air shelter component at Interfaith. Hearing pleas for the need offset by equal pleas by citizens of the surrounding community impact, Council defeated the proposal. And the still pending lawsuits over the City’s open lodging/ panhandling/trespass ordinance(s) create ongoing barriers to an equitable resolution. In February following the judge’s ruling, the key phrase that a person “relates that he or she is otherwise homeless” was removed via an amendment to the ordinance but the prohibition still exists. A follow up suit occurred in April and as of June 15th, litigation continues. Continued, protracted, adversarial litigation fails to address the underlying causes and forestalls efforts toward viable solutions. Kent Guinn: What he actually ruled on were two important issues in regards to trespassing and open lodging. The City of Ocala is enjoined from arresting, citing, or otherwise enforcing the open lodging ordinance against someone identifying as homeless, codified at City code 42-10 prior to inquiring about the availability of shelter space. That language is per the order. Secondly The City of Ocala shall rescind plaintiffs trespass warnings and is enjoined from issuing future

trespass warnings without due process of law consistent with this order. So under this order we can still arrest someone for public lodging. Each morning we need to find out if there are beds available. If there are this person could have chosen to stay there and didn’t. The subject could then be placed under arrest. Regarding the trespass the person was issued a notice but never had the ability to have it revoked. They do now under the Chief of Police or their designee. Judge Moody has answered that question as to what our options are. We can’t just have people living in the streets and sidewalks. The filth, garbage, drugs, violence and the overdoses that occur on almost a daily basis can’t be allowed to grow throughout the city. For people that want help it’s there and I’ve helped many. With Open Arms Villiage a program that I spearheaded with the help of others we’ve served 184 men. When they leave our program they have thousands of dollars in the bank, a full time job and a place to live, from being homeless and on the street. They WANT it. Jim Hilty Sr.: Arresting the homeless for open lodging is cruel and unusual punishment. It also creates a strain on our police and fire services as some of these calls require both agencies to respond. The challenge is there is no engagement center nor low barrier shelter(s) available, therefore leaving the homeless no choice but to turn to the streets. An engagement center would provide services for the homeless population. A low barrier shelter provides a place for people to go where basic necessities can be met. Both of these go hand in hand towards getting the homeless off the street and back on the road to a productive society. Curtis Jones: I’m an advocate for the homeless and needy. I called TV 20 in Feb to expose the mistreatment of the homeless. The district courts enforced the law. Being someone who will be in a position of leadership it’s important to lead by example I believe every law should be respected and enforced, no matter your status in life. The 1st responders should not be forced to break a district court ruling violating the homeless civil rights. Barry Mansfield: I am a strong supporter of the constitution and want to avoid violating anyone’s constitutional rights. Arresting someone for being homeless is not the answer to any problem. However, we do have an obligation to our residents and taxpayers to ensure they can enjoy our city, that includes the downtown area. We must ensure a safe environment for everyone. We need policies in place that support all our residents and use our tax dollars wisely. From a policy perspective that balance will be hard to strike. From a humanitarian perspective we need to help people

help themselves. City council should be a conduit in putting government and private resources together to set up facilities and programs to help those in need. There will always be those who do not want our help, but we do need to have the opportunities and tools available for those that do. By working together to improve people’s living conditions it will produce an improved outcome for people to reestablish their permanent housing, contribute to the city’s economy and diminishes the likelihood of them returning to homelessness. That is a win for humanity and a win for our community. Ty Schlichter: The underlying topic here is homelessness. What we must first do is acknowledge that the problem of homelessness cannot be solved, it can only be managed. There will always be some level of homelessness in our country and in our city. We can however become better, especially in Ocala, with the programs we offer to help the homeless and provide a pathway out of homelessness for those that want it. While we need to better support our homeless population, we also need to support our Ocala residents. I did not draft the city’s open lodging ordinance but I believe it was created to protect our citizens and businesses from dangerous situations. The wording of the ordinance needs to be revised to remove the homeless clause and add a requirement for law enforcement to know shelter bed availability. This should bring the ordinance into compliance with the Judge’s Ruling. Safety of our downtown businesses, neighborhoods and of our citizens, is paramount. Safety for the homeless and the services that support them like Interfaith and Salvation Army is imperative. We must come together as a community to work together on solutions. If elected I will assemble a team of community leaders and service providers such as Interfaith and Salvation Army leadership to sit down and discuss how we can address this issue while maintaining public safety.

Did you miss coming to our forums? Visit ocalagazette.com to watch replays of the events.

Thank you to our sponsor

A10

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Carol Harris, renowned horsewoman, dies at 98 greet events with fans and made him world famous. But she never made Rugged Lark do anything he did not want to do and was always mindful of using only positive reinforcement when training. Dominique Powers, who met Harris in 2009, said she always respected Harris’ focus on stress-free, gentle training. “She loved her animals. She was always worried about animal welfare,” Powers said. “She had a deep understating of animal behavior.” Harris also bred whippets and Italian greyhounds. She produced dozens of champions. And she was just as generous with her time mentoring dog breeders as she was to those in the horse industry. Tom Power, Dominique’s husband, knew Harris for more than 40 years. “Carol was always a proponent of the natural way to train,” he said. As her prominence in the industry grew, she fought to include more animal friendly rules and techniques in the horse show business. Harris did not approve of keeping horse in stalls for extended periods of time. She allowed them to run in the pasture and enjoy the open air. “She was a big advocate of animal rights for horses

“A Higher Standard”

means we don’t outsource your care. RBOI is proud to be the only private facility in Central Florida that employs on-site medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, licensed clinical social workers, and nurses.

[Submitted]

in the show horse industry,” McDuffee said. She also broke ground when she became one of the first women AQHA judges. In 1981, she also was the first woman to judge at the AQHA World Championship Show. She helped establish the East Coast Cutting Horse Association, the forerunner of the National Snaffle Bit Association and the Florida Quarter Horse Association

Summer Hours June-September M-F: 10am-3pm Sat & Sun: Closed

Magnolia Bakery

MAGNOLIA CAKES, PASTRIES, COOKIES

L O

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home GY

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

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

A C

ED IL ITED FAC

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

Sausage & Pepper Sub or 12” Italian Cold Cut Sub

$799

$100 Off

Sharp Provolone Cheese

1lb. Italian Sausage Reg. $8.99/lb w/free loaf of bread

Pasta or Lasagna Dinner

$899

w/side of sausage or meatballs, bread roll & salad Reg. $9.99

Off $100 per/lb Reg. $13.99/lb

Famous Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding for 2

50ea.

Cannolis

Reg. 4 for$1000 $3.50 ea. 00 or 12 for $ 30

FREE

w/Any $7.99 purchase

w/Any $10.00 purchase

Pizza Dough

Italian Bread

1412 N Magnolia Ave | Bakery on corner of NE 14th St.

RSVP today for the

oundtrack of Your Life

with Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos & “The Paintman” an Evening of Entertainment Dance & Sing-along Thursday, October 7, 6 p.m.

Extension Auditorium • 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd Tickets: VIP $100 • General $35

Call (352) 291-5143 or email cmoody@hospiceofmarion.com

seating is limited

benefiting

Since 1941

only

4 for$1000

O N CO

(352) 207-2667

Now offering FREE home delivery!

Pastry

IO N AT

of which she also served as president. Harris was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1997. “She was well respected across the board in the horse business. When Carol showed up everyone would always take note,” Tom Powers said. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Italian Bakery & Deli

Cannolis, Napolean, Cream Puffs, Eclairs, Sfogliatella

Carol Harris, a renowned quarter horse and dog breeder and trainer, died on Aug. 8. She was 98. During her career, Harris used her horsemanship, charm and charisma to make her mark in the industry. She was among the pioneers that helped establish the quarter horse industry in Marion County. She also gave freely of her time and knowledge. “She is a legend. She was a pretty special woman. So much class. She gave back so much,” said Dean DeRenzo, who remembers Harris spending hours with him at her farm in the late 1980s. DeRenzo, who eventually transitioned to the thoroughbred industry, started breeding quarter horses. “She spent time with me when she didn’t really know me from a hole in the wall,” he said. “I was just out of school then.” Don McDuffee, worked with Harris for several years before establishing his own quarter horse breeding operation in Marion County. “I was proud to call her my friend. I was proud to call her a mentor. What she did for me and so many other horse trainers was invaluable. She gave so

many people their start, and she was happy to do it,” McDuffee said. Harris grew up in West Orange, New Jersey and had a variety of horses before she fell in love with the quarter horse in the 1950s. In 1963, Harris establish Bo-Bett Farm on about 400 acres in Reddick on a former thoroughbred farm. She began a stellar breeding program that produced multiple American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) champions. But one horse, more than any other, typified Harris’ career. Rugged Lark was a quarter horse, thoroughbred cross that transcended breeds and became an ambassador for the horse industry in general. Rugged Lark excelled in several disciplines including reining, dressage, driving and hunter. He won two AQHA Superhorse titles and sired two horses that also won the title. His Breyer collectible figurine was also one of the all-time best-selling. Harris recognized Rugged Lark’s intelligence and trainability and would give the colt free rein of the office at Bo-Bett farm. The stallion would famously lie at Harris feet in the office. She took advantage of his gentle nature to showcase him at meet-and-

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

A11

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Lane closures on Maricamp Motorists traveling on Southeast Maricamp Road, between the intersections of Bahia Avenue and Clear Road, can expect temporary lane closures through Dec. 1. The following side streets connected to Maricamp Road will also have temporary lane closures: • Pine Road from Bahia Road to Maricamp • Water Run from Bahia Road to Maricamp • Water Place from Bahia Road to Maricamp • Water Road from Bahia Road to Maricamp • Lake Road from Lake Court to Maricamp • Emerald Road from Spring Drive Place to Maricamp • Emerald Course to S.E. Maricamp Hartman Civil Construction will be extending the sanitary force main for Marion County Utilities. Workers and equipment will be located in the county right-of-way. Crews will place barricades and signs to direct traffic through the work zones. Travelers should expect delays and use alternate routes when possible. Adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances may affect schedules. For information, contact the Office of the County Engineer at (352) 671-8686.

City OKs $6.1 million in COVID-19 relief spending

Call to artists: Art in City Spaces The City of Ocala has announced a call to artists for the Art in City Spaces exhibition program for a new gallery space at the Ocala International Airport The city program is looking for art exhibitions in various mediums that are appropriate for a municipal public space where work will be viewed by citizens and guests of all ages. Proposals are currently being accepted for shows in any two-dimensional medium in the areas of abstracts, landscapes and aviation. Applications are available online at www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces. To be considered for the first available show date beginning January 2022, artists must apply by 5 p.m. Oct. 1. Applications will remain open with selections made on an ongoing basis for this quarterly exhibition. For information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts office at (352) 629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org

[Meagan Gumpert]

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com DR. JOHN BORCHERS, DDS. PA DR. MICHAEL T. MCKEE, DDS MS.PA. DR. WALTER VANNESS, DDS 3300 SW 34th Ave., Suite 136 Ocala, FL 34474

EMERGENCY EXAM & X RAYS

CROWNS or BRIDGEWORK

$1900 $69500 New Patient Special

0110, 00272, 00330, 00150

352-873-4844

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm www.flgentledental.com

DENTURES

20%

CLEANING, X RAYS & EXAM

per unit

OFF

Reline or Repairs

$2900

Porcelain & Noble Metal, 006242

D5751, D5750, D5761, D5760, D5619

0110, 00272, 00330, 00150

New Patient Special

EMERGENCIES & WALK-INS WELCOME The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or to be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment specials available with this coupon only. Not valid with any other offers.

The Ocala City Council unanimously approved a plan to spend more than $6.1 million in COVID-19 relief from the federal government. The money - received on June 1 - is half of the approximately $12.2 million the city is getting as part of the American Rescue Act. The act was approved in March by President Joe Biden. The city will receive the second half of the money in June 2022. As part of the plan, the council approved portions of the money for water projects, replacing lost city revenue and helping local non-profit organizations. About 10%, or $600,000, will go to the Ocala Marion County Community Foundation to be distributed to local non-profit agencies. Just more than $2 million will replace lost city revenue caused by the pandemic in 2020. The rest, nearly $4.85 million, will help replace a water main and other water and sewer work. Several non-profit agencies spoke at the Aug. 3 city council meeting, urging the councilmen to vote for the plan. “We’re seeing massive, massive numbers of depression and anxiety, and we want to be able to help those people,” said Joyce Urban, who runs a counseling organization. Rick Hensley, who spoke for the Estella Byrd Whitman Wellness Center, said the money could help the center continue COVID-19 testing and vaccination, as well as expand other services. “We’re hoping that this transition of funds will help expand those services so we can go deeper into the Tucker Hill community. We know we’re just scratching the surface,” he said. The clinic provides health care and health education and is located at 819 NW Seventh St. The council eventually voted 5-0 to approve the spending plan as submitted. “The timing of this couldn’t come at a more appropriate time given the increased

rate of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations we are seeing in our state and community,” said Thomas Harrington of the community foundation. The city and foundation will establish an application process for those interested in receiving some of the money and will announce when applications will open, according to the foundation. The $4.48 million for water projects will pay for two specific jobs. The largest portion of the money, more than $3.5 million, will help replace an 18-inch water main along Southeast 17th Street from Pine Avenue to Southeast 25th Avenue. Another more than $1.3 million will help pay for water and sewer utilities, including a new lift station on Northeast 35th Street from Old Anthony Road to Northeast Jacksonville Road. The money can only be spent on five categories: • To support public health expenditures. • To address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency. • To replace lost public sector revenue. • To provide premium pay for essential workers. To invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure. Marion County is set to receive $71 million under the relief act. They also received half or about $35 million on June 1. During a June meeting, county staff suggested the commission consider a plan that would spend the bulk of the money, upwards of $49 million, on water and sewer infrastructure projects, followed by $12 million to replace the county’s lost revenue and another $10 million to assist local businesses and non-for-profit organization. But commissioners preferred keeping dollar amounts out of the recommendation and instead directed county administration to bring back specific projects and their associated costs. The plan is pending review. The county must submit a preliminary spending plan to the federal government by Aug. 31.

105 acres of excellent deer and turkey hunting property with highway frontage off State Rd 126, Georgia. $1250 per acre. Owner financing available if needed. Please contact James Strickland

229-539-8495

Flag Riding Friday The Central Florida Deplorables and the Conservative Watch of Marion County met at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park Aug. 6. The group gathered to do some flag riding to support former President Donald Trump, the Second Amendment and Blue Lives Matter and planned to drive around the Ocala Downtown Square before driving to the Ocala Drive-In Theatre south of Ocala, where they planned to have a tailgate party. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Annie Marie Delgado, president of the Conservative Watch of Marion County, and Dominick Territo

Chad Scroggie

Shannon Schlenk

Chad Scroggie flies flags from the back of his truck

There are more than 250 joints in the human body.

We’re here to keep them moving smoothly. The human body is truly incredible – especially yours. That’s why your bones and joints require the care of an expert orthopedics team highly experienced in providing innovative, whole-person solutions, to get you back on your feet, fast and help you feel whole.

AHO-660

FloridaOrthoExperts.com

AHO-660 OG Ortho 10x10.125.indd 1

5/24/21 1:01 PM

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things

Linda Castello poses with a variety of freshly baked breads at the Magnolia Bakery on North Magnolia Avenue. The bakery is celebrating its 80th anniversary and Castello and her husband, Sal, have owned and operated it for the past 45 years. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Daily Bread

Magnolia Bakery celebrates 80th anniversary By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

he site of the Magnolia Bakery was part of a pecan orchard in 1941 when George Moeller built a little bakery near the corner of North Magnolia Avenue and what is now Northeast 14th Street. Over the decades, the site has been built up, burned down and rebuilt again. All the while, the original bakery building survived. This year, the building and the bakery celebrate their 80th anniversary. For 45 years, Linda and Salvatore

Castello have owned the business. They bought the bakery in 1975 after Moeller died and have dutifully continued the tradition of baking bread, cookies and pastries fresh daily. “I’m part of where Ocala edges into the modern era,” said Linda Costello. “There are a lot of good feelings in here.” She said they bought the bakery after her husband saw it advertised in the New York Times. They lived in the Bronx at the time. “Sal said, ‘I’m going to go down and take a look at it.’” she said. “He saw [the

bakery] and loved it, and he bought it.” They hope to mark the anniversary soon. “We’re going to do something big,” said Linda. “I’m not sure what yet. But we’ll do something. I do crazy stuff. I’ve done that for years.” She might be referring to the time she baked an 8-foot-long cake for the ribbon-cutting ceremony after a North Magnolia road project was completed in the early 2000s. The project took nine years to finish. The cake copied the stretch of the affected road, which ran for 1.1 miles

including in front of the bakery. No one saw that cake coming, said Linda. And no one, she teased further, will likely see what she has planned to celebrate this milestone either. “That’s all part of the fun,” she said. Since its heyday, the bakery has downsized significantly. But when the idea of relocating comes up, Linda is quick to downplay the suggestion. “I can’t move,” she said. “If I move two doors down, it’ll throw everybody off. It won’t be the same nostalgia. It just doesn’t make any

sense for me to move.” Nostalgia plays a huge role in the relationship the bakery has had with its customers. Recently, a customer buying pastries asked Linda if she recognized her from when she was a child. “It happens all the time. It’s so nostalgic for them, this place. It brings them back and makes them feel good,” she said. She said the nature of the bakery’s products helps make those memories. “They’re celebrating one way or another,” she said. See Bakery, page B4

Pastors offer community a place at the table By Rosemarie Dowell Special to the Ocala Gazette The area around Ocala’s St. Mark’s United Methodist Church is hardscrabble and humble, with many of its blue-collar residents grappling to pay bills and put food on their tables amid a still lingering pandemic and rising inflation. Now, the church’s colead-pastors, the Revs. Michael and Jill Beck have started a free new weekly community outreach in the hopes of easing some of their burdens. The outreach, dubbed, “The Family Table,” takes place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the church, 1839 NE 8th Road, and features a hot meal, live music, story sharing and activities for kids and youth. All are welcome to attend. “The Family Table was born out of a mission that Michael and I saw such a need for especially during this prolonged pandemic,” said the Rev. Jill Beck. “A lot of people are living paycheck to paycheck if they have a paycheck coming in at all.” “It’s a place where they can come and gather

around a table and be fed both physically and “It’s a place where they spiritually,” she can come and gather said. “Sacred things can around a table and be happen around fed both physically and a table; the church in the spiritually.” Books of Acts was founded -Rev. Jill Beck around one.” The Becks, both natives of Ocala, took over as lead pastors of St. Mark’s in July 2020. The church had been struggling with a serious decline in membership for several years and was facing possible closure. For the ministering duo, who had been lead pastors at Wildwood United Methodist Church for nearly ten years, it was a coming home. “It was the church where I grew up and was baptized; I was certainly going to do something before I let the church die,” said Michael Beck, who overcame drug and alcohol addiction and incarceration in his Co-pastors Jill Beck, center, and Michael Beck, right, talk with Viola Lacey, left, during the Family Table outreach at teens and twenties before St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The Family Table is held every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. [Bruce Ackerman/OG] earning a Master of Divinity “St. Mark’s is in a substance abuse issues.” United Theological from Asbury Theological poor area,” he said. “The “But that’s why I love Seminary, cultivator of Seminary. neighborhood is on the it,” said Beck, who also Fresh Expressions for the Michael Beck, 40, had lower socio-economic serves as director of Florida Conference UMC, previously served at the rung and most people are the Fresh Expressions church as an associate experiencing poverty and House of Studies at pastor. See Family Table, page B3

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner

Seth Benzel describes his artwork, “Cala Cortina,” a 48 x 36 inch mixed media on wood. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

“Unspoken,” a 30 x 24 inch acrylic on canvas. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

International Art Ocala artist finds opportunity, parallels in Middle East By Lisa McGinnes

Ocala Gazette

Throughout his career, Seth Benzel has always felt he had to sacrifice one passion for another. When he was working with horses, he missed doing art. When he left the equine world to focus on art, he missed the horses. Then, last September, Benzel accepted the position of assistant horse trainer for Jebel Ali Stable in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Just a few weeks into the new job, the owner called him into his office. Sheik Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum recognized his artistic talent and offered Benzel his dream opportunity: Assistant horse trainer/art curator. “It just so happens that those same people are involved with the arts, and now, literally for the same employer, I’m working with horses and art,” Benzel said. “I couldn’t map out a more perfect job to have. Throughout my life, I’ve always had to make

concessions in one or the other. I’ve had to say I’m in horses now, and my art’s going to suffer. Or I’m in art, and I’m going to lose touch with the horse game. Now, somebody understands and appreciates me for both of the things I do. It gives me goosebumps.” When he was offered the trainer position, Benzel had spent 2 1/2 years working full time as an artist, opening 8th Ave. Gallery in Ocala in 2019. His duties as art curator for A.R.M. Holding include advising Al Maktoum on acquisitions for his art collection. He also formed an art residency with the Jumeriah Creekside Hotel, which owns one of the largest collections of artwork in Dubai. “The local talent in Dubai is fantastic, but I just feel like if they open up to international artists, overnight it will become more of an international scene,” he explained, adding that it’s very similar to what he’s trying to do in Ocala. Through 8th Ave. Gallery

“Yellow Composition,” a 41 x 58 inch oil on wood. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

and his Artsy website, Benzel represents seven other international artists. Currently, 25 of Benzel’s art pieces are on exhibit at Ocala’s Reilly Arts Center for the next year. The diverse collection includes “Cala Cortina” from his Spain series and several pieces from his Dubai series, as well as “Unspoken,” a COVID-inspired piece he created last year.

“What I think is interesting is I’m connecting Dubai and Ocala. They both have these two things: They’re really at a high level in horses, and I think both are coming up and growing in art as well. I don’t think it matters, necessarily, whether it’s a small city or international city attention to art and the expression and growth of art are

important to both. And we can enjoy this process. We can enjoy the sharing of ideas. Even in the time since I opened the gallery in 2019, I’ve seen such an explosion here in Ocala of the arts in different ways, so many talented people. I think it’s really exciting. What I am trying to do is take the philosophies of the gallery here and bring them to Dubai.”

Current Adoption Specials: It’s Clear the Shelter month. ALL adoptions are FREE in August. Adoption includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.

Sassy

Lap Cat Sweet 2-year-old female calico cat seeks her human best friend. She loves to curl up in your lap for long conversations and is always up for a treat.

View more adoptable pets at Marion County’s website: MarionFL.org/Animal This database is updated every hour. 352.671.8700

Dugger

He’s Got Skills! Friendly 2-year-old mixed breed male dog wants to show off his skills. He learned obedience and socialization in the STAR Pack program and is ready for a forever home.

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Black box buzz

Construction on the addition to the Reilly Arts Center is shown recently. Many have commented on the unique shape of the roofline of the black box theater portion. [Maven Photo + Film]

The Reilly Arts Center addition was designed to show “movement” By Susan Smiley-Height

Ocala Gazette

A picture is worth 1,000 words—and it can generate considerable buzz on social media. The leadership team at the Reilly Arts Center (RAC) posted photos recently that had people wondering—and asking online—about an element of construction that looked askew among the linear walls that are part of the expansion of the center. And the roof looks kind of tilted too. Not to worry, those are deliberate design elements for the new black box theater that is part of the nearly 16,000-square-foot addition. “It’s a really cool multiuse space. It’s 60 by 60, and it’s really tall,” said Matt Wardell, CEO and musical director of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, which makes its home in the RAC. “A lot of folks asked, ‘Why isn’t the black box nice and square with the rest of the building?’”

Wardell said that he and Andy Copeland, the project architect, who is with KP Studio Architect, talked a lot about that “and we thought if everything was exactly in line, it looked a little municipal, kind of boring.” “It’s an art center and Andy wanted it to have movement,” Wardell added. “There are some elements that will not only enhance that twist, but also the height changes from corner to corner. I give credit to Andy for doing that; he could have put it right in line and called it a day, but he didn’t.” He also said that depending on which direction someone enters the RAC campus, the view of the black box theater will be different. Wardell noted that the theater, which will accommodate meetings, luncheons, receptions and more intimate performances, is expected to open a host of new business development opportunities to help sustain the center. “We’ve had a lot of

comedians in the current space and it worked well when we filled up the 700 seats, but when we’ve got a great regional comedian or a local comedian that’ll bring 150 to 200 people, they feel really empty in the big hall,” he explained. “And you don’t get the traditional comedy show vibe, like with cocktail tables. We can set it up like a jazz club. We can

do theatre in the round. For some concerts, people want to stand up and dance, they don’t want seating, so we can do that. It’s provides ultimate flexibility and alleviates a little pressure off the main stage. From a business perspective, it sort of helps the place keep working while we’re working.” Additional components

of the expansion, many made at patrons’ request, are an expansive new lobby and more restrooms. Construction started in January, with Dinkins Construction as the general contractor. It is expected to be finished in late November. For more information, visit www.reillyartscenter. com.

In addition to the unique roofline, the black box theater portion sits askew of the main building. [Maven Photo + Film]

From Family Table, page B1 and as the director of Re-missioning for Fresh Expressions US. “It gives us a chance to show and share God’s love with our neighbors,” he said. The couple, parents to a blended family of eight children, and who still serve as pastors at Wildwood UMC, didn’t waste time implementing changes at the church. The church already housed the Open Arms

Village, which provides shelter for homeless men, and operated a food pantry. The Becks started a drivethrough meal distribution program, welcomed pastor Betti Jefferson Gadson and her congregation from A Chance for Hope Outreach Ministries Inc. to share worship space on Saturdays, and turned the church’s parsonage into a residential sober house. “We didn’t need the

parsonage since we already had a home in Ocala,” said Jill Beck. “We are also turning another house located on the church property into an extension of Open Arms.” Michael Beck said the pandemic prevented the church from having inperson worship services until April, but once it opened worshippers began to fill the pews once more. “We had our first in-

Shaterica Burton, right, and Pastor Betti Gadson, center, serve food to Henry Alexander. [Bruce Ackerman/ OG]

person worship service on Easter in April and that’s when things started to kick off here,” he said. So far, the Becks are encouraged and feel the church is experiencing a revival. Regular attendance is up to roughly 70 worshippers each week, up from less than 20 a year ago. “It’s tremendous growth for this church and we are encouraged,” he said.

“There’s a resurgence taking place here.” As for the future, the couple hopes to reach out to other struggling areas of Ocala, especially where gun violence, homelessness and poverty is present. “We feel that God brought us back to this community that we love so much for a reason,” said Jill Beck. “We’re not sure what the answer is, but we want to be part of the solution.”

Pastor Betti Gadson, Shaterica Burton and Barbara Grimshaw, left to right, serve food to Dolly Riley. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Bakery, page B1

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.

WORD FIND

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 18 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

“And if they’re not celebrating, they need sugar. This is the place where all that happens.” Linda has been happy to provide the raw materials for that nostalgia. “This place has so much of something. I don’t know what you’d like to call it, but it has so much of something, something that draws people in,” she said. “It’s slow. It’s summer, but people still come in to see me and tell me what’s going on in their lives.” But back in 1986, it was the Magnolia Bakery that needed help after part of the bakery suddenly caught fire and quickly burned to the ground. The structure was particularly susceptible to this, said Linda, being that it was made of wood—wood from the 1940s. After the fire, the community came together and helped Linda and Sal rebuild. Some families even brought them fruits and vegetables picked from their gardens. “I was choked up,” recalled Linda. “It was heartwarming that people really felt bad for us. It was a big disaster, a four-alarm fire.” In November 2018, the bakery survived yet another fire scare after a power surge affected several businesses on the same block. Fortunately, the flames were caught in time and promptly put out by the fire department. “I’m telling you,” said Linda of the incident. “This building had angels flying over it on that day. Almost lost it again.” The bakery means a lot to Linda, to say nothing of Ocala. She’s dedicated most of her life to making it successful. With that said, she’s the first to acknowledge that all great things, even beloved things, must someday come to an end. “I can’t see Magnolia Bakery going much longer really,” Linda said. “Because I want to retire my husband from the bakery business.” The bakery starts humming in the wee hours of the morning, every day. “I know the customers don’t want me to let go,” she said. “But he (Sal) hasn’t had a vacation in 12 years. And in the restaurant business, you work holidays. You work, and you work, and you work. And he’s tired.” While she knows the end will come one day, she said they have no immediate plans to retire. “We’ll have to let go one day, which is okay. Everyone lets go of something at some point. It won’t be tomorrow or nothing. But what a ride we’ve had. To be here 45 of those 80 years is really something.”

Feeling sleepy Solution: 18 Letters

Castello decorates eclairs. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Accommodate Beds Berth Blanket Bunk Chair Cots Couch Cover Cradle Crib Dead to the world

Deep Divan Dormancy Doss Doze Dream Drift Drowsy Fatigue Floor Hotel Insomnia Lethargic Loaf

Lodge Lounge Lullaby Recline Rest Revive Rhythm Rise Sheet Shut eye Snore Sofa Tired Torpor

n: Having an early night

Creators Syndicate

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

[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

First Friday Art Walk returns Sept. 3 First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala on Sept. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. The First Friday Art Walk runs from September through May. The following activities will be included in September’s event: • Hands-on art activities and demonstrations for all ages provided by local non-profit arts and cultural organizations. • Local artists selling their works throughout downtown. • Participating businesses with extended hours. • Buskers (musicians) stationed throughout the downtown area, including My Uncle’s Friend and Prestine Allen playing ambient music. • Live musical performance will return to the Downtown Square, featuring Taylor Rich. In the event of inclement weather, the First Friday Art Walk will move to the Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. For information, please contact the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Department at (352)629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org; or visit www. ocalafl.org/artwalk

Date: 8/13/21

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

8/13

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

8/13

Marion County Friday Market

Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane 9am-12pm Fresh vegetables, artisan food products and handmade crafts.

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

8/13 -15

Show Your Horse Extravaganza

8/13

Interview Strategies That Get You Noticed

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 9am-6pm Spectators are welcome at this multi-breed Western dressage show. Visit wec.net for more information.

Virtual 10-11am CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion will present strategies to stand out from the competition in behavioral interviews at this free workshop. Visit careersourceclm.com to register or get more information.

8/17

The Shores Market

8/18

Exceptional Mornings

8/18

Drive-Thru COVID Testing

8/18

1 Million Cups Ocala

8/18

Navigating Medicare.gov

8/18

Novels at Noon Book Club

8/18

She Swims With Alligators

8/18

Wednesday Midday Market

8/18

Medicare Part C

8/18

Ocala Cars & Coffee After Dark

8/19

Farmers Market

8/19

Medicare & COVID-19

8/19

Equine Engagement Initiative

[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

8/13

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

McIntosh Civic Center, 5835 Avenue F, McIntosh 3-6pm The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will offer vaccinations for residents age 12 and older. Call (352) 6442590 for more information.

8/14

Southeast Baroque Horse Show

8/14

Ocala Downtown Market

8/14

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 All day A dressage and working equitation show for all breeds. Visit southeastbaroque.com for more information.

310 SE Third St. 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, arts and crafts, rain or shine. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

North Central Florida Outdoor Expo

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave 9am-3pm Vendors and community organizations will offer products, information and giveaways for outdoorsy, adventure-seeking nature lovers. Free admission with a suggested $1 donation to 10 CAN, the Christian Adventure Network. Visit 937kcountry. com/events/ncfoutdoorexpo for details.

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

Church of Hope, 3233 SE Maricamp Road 7:30-9:00am The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership will host Kent Tyler presenting on “America’s Firetruck,” exclusively for CEP partners and their guests. Call (352) 629-8051 to register.

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road 8am-2pm For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 624-0137.

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 10-11:30am Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop offered online or by phone. Call (352) 692-5209 or email shine@agingresources.org for more information. www. floridashine.org

Marion Oaks Public Library, 294 Marion Oaks Lane 12pm Join a discussion of Spencer Quinn’s “Dog On It: a Chet and Bernie Mystery.” Call (352) 438-2570 to register.

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St. 1pm Brave or crazed? Florida author Diana K. Kanoy lets you decide. In her book, she uses prose, poetry and photography to share true tales of living on a lake. Books will be available for purchase and signing after her talk. Visit masterthepossibilities.org to register.

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 1-6pm Shop a selection of produce, meat, natural and handmade products and food trucks. ocaladowntownmarket.com

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 2-3:30pm Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop offered online or by phone. Call (352) 692-5209 or email shine@agingresources.org for more information. www. floridashine.org

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, 4414 SW College Road 6-9pm Enthusiasts of all forms of automobiles are invited to this auto show with live music, food vendors and more than 500 unique rides on display. Visit fb.com/occafterdark for more information.

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm Locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, plants and more. Visit circlesquarecommons.com/farmers-market for more information.

8/14

Yard Sale Blowout

8/14

Summer Sunset Polo

8/16

Job Specific Resume Development

8/19

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

8/17

Tuesday Talks

8/19

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

8/17

NonProfit Business Council

8/19

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

8/17

Today’s Job Campaign

8/19

Business After Hours

Sheltering Hands, 10397 N U.S. Highway 27 10am-3pm The nonprofit cat rescue will hold its annual yard sale to raise funds for low-cost spay/neuter and adoption services. Visit fb.com/shelteringhandsinc for more information.

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 6pm Spectators are invited to tailgate and bring chairs and a picnic for a family experience watching equine athletes playing the sport of kings at this week’s White Tree Farm Cup. Visit ocalapolo.com for details. Virtual 10-11am CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion will help you create a job specific resume in this free live workshop. Visit careersourceclm.com to register or get more information.

Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, 310 SE Third Street 8:15-9:30am Guest speaker Amy Roberts, LCSW will present “Managing Your Career While Facing a Health Crisis.” Call (352) 6298051 for more information.

Ocala Police Department, 402 S Pine Ave. 8:30am Guest speaker Jessica McCune will present “How to Tell Your Nonprofit’s Story.” Visit ocalafoundation.org for more information. CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 2703 NE 14th St. 9-11am Jobseekers can learn ways to enhance their skills and market themselves for their next job. Call (800) 434-5627 to register.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 10-11am Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop offered online or by phone. Call (352) 692-5209 or email shine@agingresources.org for more information. www. floridashine.org

Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, 310 SE Third St. 2pm Guest speaker Karl Zawoy will discuss equine wound healing and illnesses for CEP partners. Call (352) 629-8051 for more information.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 2-3pm Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop offered online or by phone. Call (352) 692-5209 or email shine@agingresources.org for more information. www. floridashine.org

Rainbow Lakes Estates Oberman Building, 4040 SW Deepwater Court, Dunnellon 9:30-11:30am The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will offer vaccinations for residents age 12 and older. Call (352) 6442590 for more information.

Marion Oaks Community Center, 280 Marion Oaks Lane 1:30-3:30pm The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will offer vaccinations for residents age 12 and older. Call (352) 6442590 for more information.

Florida Credit Union, 2300 SW 17th Road 5-7pm The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s signature networking event includes refreshments and door prizes. Visit cepocala.com for more information.

Now8/28

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Arts Creature Feature

Brick City Center for the Arts 10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday, 11am-4pm Saturdays A new exhibit of animal art by Marion Cultural Alliance member artists captures how and why animals — from house pets to mythical creatures — excite the human imagination. The opening reception will be August 6th at 5pm and will feature Molly, the SPCA of Ocala’s official ambassador of the Marion County animal abuser registry. Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

Now Summer in the Sun -8/27

NOMA Gallery, 939 N Magnolia Ave. 12pm-5pm Thursday-Saturday For this juried exhibition, artists were invited to submit works based on the theme “What Does Summer in the Sun Mean to You?” Visit nomaocala.com for more information.

Now Ready Set Go -9/25

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm This new, hands-on exhibit explores the many modes of transportation that move people and goods around the world with experimentation stations and activities including a toy engine auto garage and a kid-sized drag race strip with food-powered cars. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org for more information.

Now Countenance -9/26

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm A selection of works from the permanent collection examine the ancient tradition of portrait-making through a new lens. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now -10/2 Now -10/2

Classics and Cocktails

8/15

Art 4 All

8/17 & 19

Paint Your Pet

8/19

Coffee, Cake & Community

8/19

Artist’s Outlook: Andrew Grant

Works

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration, 828 NE Eighth Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm This art exhibit showcases the works of Aliye Cullu, a painter and graphic designer who specializes in plein air landscape oil paintings. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12th Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Artworks from Art Army Ocala were created by participants at the First Friday Art Walks during 2020-2021. Visit ocalafl.org/ culturalarts for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. Monday-Friday 8am-5pm This new exhibit features works by Jacksonville-based illustrator and painter Elena Øhlander, who explores identity, gender issues, individuality and pop culture with a Japanese context. Visit ocalafl. org/culturalarts for more information.

Now Highlights from the Equine Collection -10/24

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This exhibit of works from the permanent collection highlights more than 60 pieces which relay Arthur I. Appleton’s love of horses. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection -1/22/ 2022

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This exhibit of printed works curated from the Appleton’s collection showcases Alison Saar, an internationally acclaimed artist who incorporates spiritual and political themes. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36th Ave. 3-5pm Anyone of any faith is invited for free, all-ages art activities. Supplies are provided. Donations of food, toothbrushes and deodorant for St. Paul AME Outreach are gladly accepted. Call (352) 843-3046 for more information.

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 5:30-7:30pm In conjunction with the Creature Feature exhibit, Marion Cultural Alliance will host a two-day acrylic pouring and embellishing workshop. Visit fb.com/mcaocala for more information.

NOMA Gallery, 939 N Magnolia Ave. 1-4pm Need a new space for inspiration? Bring your current project and enjoy some together time with other creatives. Visit fb.com/nomagalleryocala for more information.

Virtual 7-8:15pm The Appleton Museum of Art will present a free Zoom talk with painter Andrew Grant, whose works are currently on exhibit in “A Breeze Through Fertile Gardens.” Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Government Marion County Development Review Committee

8/16

City of Ocala Board of Adjustment

8/17

Marion County Board of Commissioners

8/17

Marion County Public Hearing

8/17

Marion County Community Redevelopment Agency Board

8/17

Marion County Commission Planning & Zoning Final Hearing

8/17

Ocala City Council

8/17

Belleview City Commission

8/18

Marion County Parks and Recreation Advisory Council

8/19

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

8/19

Pine Run Estates Advisory Council

8/19

Rainbow Lakes Estates Public Advisory Board

A Breeze Through Fertile Gardens

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This collection of paintings and drawings by Andrew M. Grant are inspired by the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave. 2pm This month’s classic film is “West Side Story” and the accompanying craft cocktail is Riff and Bernardo’s Knife Fight. Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

8/16

ART-CALA

Now The Game of Life -10/18

Now -11/7

8/14

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 9am The DRC votes on waiver requests, drainage/site plans, subdivision master plans, preliminary plats, improvement plans and final plats. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5:30pm Call (352) 629-8404 for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/94696168190 to participate online.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am Call (352) 438-2323 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 10am A public hearing regarding non ad valorem assessments for Whispering Pines/Forest Glenn street lights. Call (352) 4382650 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 1:50pm Email dawn.phelps@marionfl.org for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 2pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5pm Call (352) 629-8401 for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/446885807 to participate online.

City Hall Commission Room, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Parks and Recreation Conference Room, 111 SE 25th Ave. 3pm Call (352) 671-8560 for more information.

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with county review staff prior to meeting formally with the Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Pine Run Clubhouse, 10379 SW 88th Terrace 10am Call (352) 438-2650 for more information.

Rainbow Lakes Clubhouse, 4020 SW Deepwater Court, Dunnellon 6:30pm Call (352) 489-4280 for more information.

AUGUST 13 - AUGUST 19, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 13

5pm John Mazz Morevino

6pm Conrad Marcum

6pm Stava Mala

6:30pm Gilly & the Girl

6:30pm Melissa Lee

8pm Dueling Pianos

4pm Jeff Jarrett

7pm The Big Bad

6pm Fareeza

Infinite Ale Works

6pm Theo Moon Shuckin’ Shack

7pm Tim McCaig

7pm Jeff Bates

8pm Michelle Ingrham

11am Becky Sinn

1pm Jeff Jarrett

6pm Jeff Jarrett Bank Street Patio Bar

6:30pm Cliff Dorsey World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

Terrace on the Square

7pm John Johnson Horse & Hounds

The Corkscrew

6:30pm Conrad Marcum World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

Orange Blossom Opry

Ocala Downtown Square

7pm Fareeza

6:30pm Chris McNeil

The Town Square at OTOW

Gator Joe’s

The Crazy Cucumber

8pm Becca

7pm Brandon Dull 100 Proof Saloon

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Lodge

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Corkscrew

La Cuisine

8pm Becky Sinn

6pm John Johnson Locos Grill & Pub

The Keep Downtown

Shuckin’ Shack

Orange Blossom Opry

Locos Grill & Pub

7pm Friday Night Live

7pm Orange Blossom Showcase Orange Blossom Opry

Swampy’s

8pm Jam Night with Adam Rountree The Keep Downtown

Then....and Now

The Ocala Union Station at 531 Northeast First Ave. was built in 1917 by the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line Railroads. It is shown in this 1920 photo. The station was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Place in 1997 and continued operating until 2004, when Amtrak took the stop off it routes. The main passenger area sat mostly empty for about a decade, although a portion of the facility was converted into a restaurant. [State Archives of Florida]

In 2015, the Ocala City Council approved a plan to turn the station into an art incubator. The Magnolia Art Xchange offers studio rentals for resident artists and holds special events and shows. The station also serves as the SunTran terminal. The city’s bus service started operation in 1998. While the restaurant at the station closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is seeking another operator to take over the space. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Answers for pages B4

Ocala Gazette publishes fond remembrances of your loved one Visit ocalagazette.com to submit an obituary