Ocala Gazette | September 10-16, 2021 by Magnolia Media Company

Still swinging at 74, page B1

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 11

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

PATRIOT DAY

How Marion spent the penny tax By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com From 2016 to 2020, Marion County collected more than $96.5 million in penny sales tax revenue. And while the percentages it allocated to different road and emergency services sometimes varied widely from year to year, in the end, the proceeds were spent roughly equally. Since 2016, the county has allocated more than $49.3 million to road and transportation projects and $47.2 million to emergency services. Within emergency services, the county allocated more than $17.3 million to the Sheriff ’s Office and almost $29.9 million to Marion County Fire Rescue, according to figures provided by the county. Marion County residents originally approved the One Cent Public Safety and Infrastructure Sales Surtax, also known as the penny sales tax, in 2016. The four-year tax program was targeted to pay for infrastructure and public safety projects. In 2020, voters renewed the tax for another four years. The tax adds a penny to the state 6% sales tax, effectively making it a 7% sales tax in the county. The money collected cannot go toward payroll or recurring costs, but county and city governments can disperse the funding across their agencies as they see fit. While in 2016, the county only received $4.1 million because the tax was collected

A lone firefighter moves through piles of debris at the site of the World Trade Center. [AP File Photo]

Ocala residents remember 9/11 attacks on 20th anniversary By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

anet Horton always preferred to focus on the heroic and caring acts she witnessed after a plane crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. Twenty years later, nothing has changed. The retired U.S. Army chaplain, now living in Ocala, said viewing the tragic events of that day through her spectrum gives her hope for humanity. “Most people remember this event as the terrorists showing their hatred for our way of life. When I think Janet Horton back on it, I [Submitted] think of the amazing things people did for each other to help each other,” said Horton. In 2001, Col. Horton was serving as the executive director of the Armed Forces Chaplains

Board in the Pentagon near where American Airlines Flight 77 would eventually hit the structure. The morning of the attacks, however, Horton was called to the dental department on the other side of the massive structure. She, along with others waiting in the dental clinic, watched the coverage after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower just after 8:46 a.m. They watched in horror as a second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the South Tower just after 9:03 a.m. But at 9:37 a.m., a Boeing 757 struck the west side of the Pentagon. The structure is so fortified, however, that Horton said she never heard or felt a thing. All three planes, and a fourth, United Airline Flight 93 – which eventually crashed in a field in Pennsylvania – were hijacked by Islamic terrorists. The next thing she knew, the Pentagon was being evacuated.

See Tax, page A7

Public school budget hits a record $746.5 million By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com A visitor at the 9/11 Traveling Memorial Wall located at Veterans Memorial Park is shown in the 2019 file photo. [Meagan Gumpert]

See Memories, page A4

Marion marks 20th anniversary with planned events Area organizations will mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks with several events during a weeklong commemoration. Ocala Marion County Veterans Memorial Park 2601 SE Fort King St.

[Meagan Gumpert]

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SEPT. 11

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Several hundred motorcyclists from veterans’ groups escort the 9/11 Traveling Wall from War Horse Harley Davidson to the park. The Wall will be on display through Sept. 19.

8:30 A.M. : Opening ceremonies, which will include an honor guard and the playing of the national anthem, will also mark the impact times for each of the planes in the attack.

10 A.M.: First Responders Chaplain Corps Service 3 P.M.: Performance by the Kingdom of the Sun concert band 6 P.M.: Concert by Joan Crowder and Friends.

For more events, see Planned, page A4

The Marion County School Board approved a record $746.5 million budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year on Sept. 7. The board voted to adopt the budget unanimously with no discussion during a special meeting. The final budget eclipsed last year's by more than $94.7 million. Much of the increase came from more than $58 million from federal aid in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds came from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act which authorized $81.88 billion in support for education. The money can be used to prevent, prepare for and responding to COVID-19. The school system also increased the budget by an additional $31.2 million to fully implement the school’s See School Budget, page A8

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Commentary............................ A5 COVID Update........................ A8 Sports........................................ B1 Creative's Corner.................... C3 Comic Con................................C4 Calendar................................... C5

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 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 addition to electing the mayor and city council members, Ocala voters will approve or reject three City Charter amendments. One proposed change would update the 1970s language, replacing “he” with “he or she” and “policeman” and “spokesman” with “police officer” and “spokesperson” to reflect the many women working in city government. Do you believe the masculine references in the City Charter should be revised? These candidates did not answer the question: Alex Everts, Brent Malever, Gregory Steen, Jay Musleh, Kevin Lopez, Lori Martin Gregory, Rusty Juergens Manal Fakhoury: Yes, I believe the masculine references in the City Charter should be revised. The language needs to reflect the city we live in today. It has become even more important as we have a woman as our city manager and as we have more women leaders serving the city. The language that served our community half a century ago needs to be updated. Barbara Fitos: The exclusively masculine references in the City Charter are long overdue for revision. Thus, I will vote to approve this City

Charter amendment. The City Council made the determination to review the City Charter for needed logistical updates that became known during the City Election for the District 2 Council seat in 2019. During the public workshop for same, Council agreed to a request by certain black pastors to submit suggestions and recommendations for Council’s consideration. One of the several recommendations forthcoming was to change the Charter’s exclusively masculine pronouns/language out of respect and recognition of the many women, including our current city manager, holding such positions now described in the masculine. At the City Council meeting of April 20th, a second reading of the ordinance eliminating gender specific references was presented. The public outcry (public comment) speaking against the proposal was so great that the Pastors respectfully

requested that this particular proposal be rescinded due to a total misrepresentation of intent. At a subsequent meeting of City Council on June 15th, a second reading of a revised ordinance introduced an inclusive reference of the feminine, i.e., “he/she”. The revised ordinance passed absent any additional public comment, and it is this revision that appears on the ballot. This seemingly straightforward recommendation, presented with the best of intentions, was met with vehement disapproval and disavowal – only one citizen came forward in support of the original language. The City faces so many other challenges/opportunities, [including the suggestion for a more indepth review of the City Charter by an appointed Citizen Review Committee], that hopefully will encourage constructive dialogue, input, and continued engagement by concerned citizens.

Curtis Jones: Thank you for the question. Our history as mankind has always hinged our ability to adapt and evolve. The new amendment charter should reflect the process and progress of our society. I agree with the amendments. Kent Guinn: We will let the voters decide. Brent Malever: I feel the charter should recognize both men and women and needs to be updated.

Official City of Ocala General Election Sample Ballot / Papeleta Oficial de Muestra Elección General de la Ciudad de Ocala September 21, 2021 / 21 de septiembre de 2021 Marion County, Florida / Condado de Marion, Florida

Lookup your assigned voting location at www.VoteMarion.Gov / Buscar su lugar de votación asignado en www.VoteMarion.Gov This Sample Ballot was prepared in accordance with Section 101.20(2), Florida Statutes, and furnished by Wesley Wilcox, Supervisor of Elections This translation has been prepared in compliance with Rivera Madera v. Detzner, No. 1:18-CV-152-MW/GRJ, 2018 WL 4289625 (N.D. Fla. Sept. 10, 2018).

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Memories still fresh for those present The injured were brought to the interior courtyard of the Pentagon. Horton said security officials were only allowing medical personal into the courtyard, but she and two fellow chaplains who also happened to be in the dental clinic were determined to reach the injured. That’s where her baking skills proved invaluable. “I knew the head of security. I would give him chocolate chip cookies and bread I baked,” Horton said. “I said to him, ‘This is doctrinal. We have to be in there.’” The officer let them through. For the next 10

to feel pain in his legs. “We all put our arms in the air. He was feeling his legs again,” Horton said. Ward was back on his feet soon after. He was recognized for his actions, receiving a Purple Heart and the Soldier’s Medal for heroism. Ward died in 2011. He was 54. Horton also will remember the emergency workers who ran into danger to try and save the injured. Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, she bakes cookies and bread for the firefighters at a nearby fire station. “I can’t ever stop thanking the firemen,” she said. The Pentagon attack was the first time she performed her chaplain duties in a combat situation. “It was tough. Quite a number of the injuries were fairly severe,” Horton said. “I would kneel and pray with the evacuees as they laid them on the grass.” Hours flew by when she realized she had not called her husband. She was able to use a borrowed cell phone to let him know she was OK. It wasn’t until she got home that evening that she realized the enormity of the attacks. “We were too busy to realize what else was going on,” she said.

hours, Horton and the other chaplains offered comfort and prayer to the dozens of injured. On the 20th anniversary of the events, Horton plans to spend the day quietly, reflecting on the events that killed nearly 3,000 people. She will remember Lt. Col. Marion Ward, who jumped from a secondstory window in the Pentagon and, despite his injuries, broke the fall of others as they jumped. Horton prayed with Ward as emergency workers took care of him. Ward was distraught that he could not feel his legs. As they prayed, he calmed down, and soon he began

World Trade Center Henry DeGeneste was working near the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, when he got news about the first plane striking the North Tower. “I expected to see it was a private plane that somehow hit the tower,” said DeGeneste, then the director of global security operations for Prudential Financial in New York.

The World Trade Center is shown after the attacks in in 2021. [File Art/AP]

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

Henry DeGeneste poses with some of his memorabilia from 9/11. DeGeneste was the superintendent of the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey and was in his Manhattan office on Sept. 11, 2001. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

When he turned on the television, however, he knew something was seriously wrong. DeGeneste, a former superintendent of the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey, started calling some of his former contacts. Just as he confirmed that the first plane strike was no accident, the second plane hit the South Tower. He was on the street headed to another building housing the company’s computer systems when he heard what he thought was an explosion. “I thought it was a bomb. It was the tower collapsing,” said DeGeneste, who eventually retired to Ocala. Moments later, a massive cloud of concrete dust overtook him. “I was covered in it. People thought I was coming from ground zero,” he said. Later, he would make his way to the site. He learned that several of his former colleagues, many he worked with and knew, were inside the building when it collapsed. All told, 37 Port Authority officers died that day.

“I think about it all the time,” he said. The superintendent that replaced him, Fred Marrone, was one of those who died. Another officer, Chief James Romito, was at the office on his day off when the attacks happened. He raced into the North Tower and never came out. The World Trade Center attacks killed 487 first responders, including 343 New York firefighters. But DeGeneste said for hundreds more, the effects continue. “The residual effect of illnesses that have hit so many of them is amazing,” he said. “It’s really disturbing. The cases of cancer, emphysema keep affecting these people. It’s really disturbing,” he said. It’s why he feels it is important to mark the anniversary and never forget. “People tend to forget the further you get away. If we can only keep that alive, that people are still suffering from residual illness,” DeGeneste said. “It’s a day I will never forget.”

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SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

“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 Christopher Smith, Creative Director christopher@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.

Editorial

COMMENTARY

Literacy council transforms lives transformational work is done by just one paid staff member and a dedicated team of volunteer tutors. The Inside a plain, hallmark of concrete block the Marion building on County Sadie Fitzpatrick a bustling Literacy Columnist corner in Council’s downtown Ocala, lives program is its one-onare transformed simply one tutoring model. by walking through the Each student is tested to door. determine their level of At the Marion learning and then placed County Literacy Council, with the appropriate individuals seek help tutor who specializes learning to read, to speak in their area of study. English, or to graduate Students have twicefrom high school. Here, weekly sessions, 1.5 hours they can shrug off the old long. versions of themselves Students are asked and take the brave steps to pay $40 per semester. to improving their future. This allows each student Stigma and judgment to have a financial have no place within investment in their these walls, and all are studies. Those needing welcomed with open financial assistance will arms. never be turned away. The Literacy “We ask each student Council provides each their goals and what they of their clients with the would ultimately like to foundational building achieve by being here,” blocks that will aid them explained Yamila Acosta, in finding better jobs program coordinator and higher education for the Literacy Council. through earning their “They can move at their GED degree, learning own pace, and we will to read with confidence meet them where they through their Adult Basic are. It’s our responsibility Education courses or to our students to take learning English through away the barriers to their their English to Speakers learning. We won’t stop of Other Languages until our students get (ESOL) program. where they want to go.” What started with a ESOL has typically few students learning to been the largest program read in founder Barbara at the Marion County Woodson’s garage in 1999 Literacy Council; has swelled to a program however, the COVID-19 that touches more than pandemic caused the 500 students a year. This GED program to grow Editor’s Note: Sadie Fitzpatrick uses this space to explore the character and quirks that make Ocala uniquely wonderful and occasionally irksome.

in numbers. Many students lost their jobs during the pandemic. When they went to regain employment, they realized that obtaining their GED was now necessary. Despite the pandemic’s restrictions on in-person learning, the Marion County Literacy Council had 14 GED graduates for the 2020 year. One of those graduates was Jeffrey Stone, a 35-year-old solid waste supervisor who dropped out of high school in 10th grade. “It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to get my GED. I kept hitting obstacles to moving up professionally. My son was born with a lot of medical needs, and I realized now was the time that I needed to make it happen and move forward,” Stone noted. Stone set a goal to earn his GED in six months so that he could enroll in college in the fall of 2020. Then COVID-19 shuttered many classrooms and testing sites. Stone was undeterred. “I met with my tutor over the phone. I had my GED textbook and would read along and discuss what was going on on each page with my tutor. For math, I would send my tutor screenshots of how I worked out a problem, and we would go over it from there,” he explained. In July 2020, Stone earned his GED. He is currently enrolled

at Santa Fe College with a 3.95 grade point average and serves as the president and founder of the College’s IT Club. He was also recently asked to serve as a board member on the Marion Council Literacy Council’s Board of Directors. The staff at the Literacy Council witnesses their students at their most vulnerable. They recognize how hard it is to admit that you cannot read, haven’t graduated high school or speak the language of your new country. They are determined to provide a nurturing, safe environment in which each student feels respected and accepted. “We believe in every single student who walks through that door,” Acosta said. “We are cheering everyone on, all the time.” In a world that is rife with seemingly endless bad news, the Marion County Literacy Council provides good news every day with the success of each of its students. May we all have the belief both in ourselves and in each other that Yamila and her volunteers have for each person that walks through their doors. The Marion County Literacy Council needs more tutors! To learn more, visit https://www. marionliteracy.org. Have your own observations about Ocala? Share them with Sadie at sadie@ ocalagazette.com.

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R.J. Jenkins and Yamila Acosta of the literacy council talk about program development and community outreach in this 2020 file photo. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

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.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Face-value not enough in politics Earlier this week, I discovered Lori Martin Gregory on a billboard for City Council. At first, I was impressed: 40 years of business experience… MBA, journalism degree, CEO of a film company. Sounded great. But I’m the lady that clicks the other links on Wikipedia as I scroll any one page, so I Googled 7th Chakra Films. They do not have many productions. So I figure, hey, maybe that is why they hired her. Turnaround story, get the juices flowing with new management. LinkedIn here I come! 20 years as a consultant - self-

employed. Ayuverdic medicine (will she accept my insurance…?) and the one recent CEO job. My disappointment began to grow a bit more. We typically treat selfemployment without a good portfolio to point to as a resume gap in my industry. I wasn’t a fan of a remark on a video of a forum where she said CF wasn’t an option in her time. I graduated in 1979 and went to UCF, where I graduated in 1981 and 1987 with my MS degree. How does, as a man named Stan Hanson on Facebook claim, she goes by “Hometown Lori" while

she was educated and worked most of her career elsewhere, and disparaged my alma mater of CF as beneath her? It was good enough for my sons and classmates who are here now and very successful people. Why not CF, why not UF or UCF? Denver is awful far to go for college. I’m very proud to have graduated from CFCC and loved my time there. That remark truly saddened me on a personal level more than the rest of this. My questions are these: where have you worked as a journalist besides your self-employment? Who are your top three clients in a 20-year consultation

career? Why don’t you mention your music career and band Swish? How do you claim to be around Ocala for five decades, with 20 of those years spent very clearly in Boston, Denver, LA, St. Pete as a student, activist or realtor? But a lot of what I find in less than 30 minutes online contradicts most of what I have seen her say in her campaign material. She might be a good councilwoman if elected, but on her way in, boy, she sure is a good politician because I was sold at first glance. Sarah Driscoll Ocala

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Planned events commemorate 20th anniversary Below is a complete list of the programs and services planned to commemorate 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks:

The Friends of Marion County's Veterans Park, along with community sponsors Hospice of Marion County and HiersBaxley Funeral Services will host a series of programs throughout the week at the Ocala Marion County Veterans Memorial Park at 2601 SE Fort King St.

IN OTHER AREAS OF MARION COUNTY Mojos Grill hosts its fifth annual Feeding the Fearless event, delivering meals to all Marion County First Responders on Sept. 10. Staged from its 2015 SW 17th St. location, in Ocala, the event honor local heroes.

■ SEPTEMBER 10 Several hundred motorcyclists from veterans’ groups escort the 9/11 Traveling Wall from War Horse Harley Davidson to the park. The Wall will be on display through Sept. 19.

■ SEPTEMBER 11 Opening ceremonies will begin at 8:30 a.m. The program, which will include an honor guard and the playing of the national anthem, will also mark the impact times for each of the planes in the attack.

■ SEPTEMBER 12 Events include a 10 a.m. First Responders Chaplain Corps Service; a 3 p.m. performance by the Kingdom of the Sun concert band and a 6 p.m. concert by Joan Crowder and Friends. A Meet Your Hometown Heroes program will begin at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14.

9/11 Traveling Wall [Meagan Gumpert]

■ SEPTEMBER 16 The Traveling Fallen Heroes Wall will make its way to Veterans Park and will be set up alongside the 9/11 Remembrance Wall. The Fallen Heroes exhibit is interactive and honors military personnel who have died in the line of duty since 9/11.

■ SEPTEMBER 17

Programs will include a PTSD support group meeting at noon, an MIA/POW ceremony

at 3 p.m., a survivors share stories program at 4 p.m., and a concert by the Delta Rose Band at 6 p.m.

■ SEPTEMBER 18 Veteran’s Appreciation Day, a Veterans’ Prayer Service will take place at 10 a.m., followed by an American Flag storytime with Betsy Ross and George Washington along with a flag etiquette and flagfolding demonstration at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will receive an American flag

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and a keepsake Pledge of Allegiance card. At 2 p.m. a Four Seasons concert will take place, at 3:30 p.m. a concert by Music by Barry will be held. The movie, “Taking Chance,” will be shown on the Jumbotron.

■ SEPTEMBER 19 Closing ceremonies at Veterans Park will begin at 10 a.m. with a First Responders’ Chaplain Corps Services, followed by the closing ceremony at 1 p.m.

The City of Belleview will mark the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 beginning at 10 a.m. on Sept. 11 with a ceremony honoring first responders, followed by a walk of remembrance around Lake Lillian. The program will include a Presentation of Colors by Belleview High School ROTC, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by Autumn Encarnacion. In Summerfield, the FDNY 343 Memorial Club organized to remember the 343 firefighters who died at the Twin Towers, will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Sept. 11 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 7081 SE Highway 42. The program will honor all civilian and uniformed personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001. Compiled by Rosemarie Dowell

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Tax benefits, infrastructure, public safety for only a portion of the year, the amount has continued to grow in ensuing years. Tax revenue to the county was almost $21 million in fiscal year 2017-2018, $30.3 million in 2018-2019, and nearly $42 million in 20192020. The county projects $70.6 million for the 20202021 fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30, but a sizable portion of that money is unspent fund from previous years. “As projects and equipment get delayed, which happened a lot during COVID, their budgets are carried forward to the next year,” said Michael McCain, the county’s fiscal manager. Marion County Fire Rescue includes Public Safety Communications and the county’s emergency medical services. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office also includes the Marion County Jail, as well as patrol units. Marion County Fire Rescue Among some of the larger projects and purchases by MCFR was $2.6 million to purchase land and build a new Rolling Greens fire station. The department obtained multiple new vehicles, including nine new engines which cost $4.7 million in total, as well as a 78-foot ladder truck, costing almost $734,000. They also bought two new water tanker trucks at a cost of $2.6 million and three new brush/grass trucks, costing $280,000. Other new vehicles purchased included two Heavy Hazmat/Technical Rescue vehicles, 30 new ambulances for almost $6.2 million, and 12 new staff vehicles. MCFR also purchased gear and logistical items, as well as installed direct capture systems, which trap and remove CO2, protecting firefighters from the deadly gas emitted from their trucks. The department acquired 300 self-contained breathing apparatus costing $2.3 million, and 85 Toughbook computers to assist with the transmission of patient data at emergency scenes.

Marion County Sheriff ’s Office Much like Marion County Fire Rescue, Marion County Sheriff ’s Office also used the funds to purchase a mix of new vehicles, gear for their employees and to erect new buildings as well as refurbish existing ones. The bulk of MCSO’s portion went to vehicles, as the department purchased 315 new patrol cars as well as vehicles for evidence technicians and civil process staff at a cost of $13.5 million. Not all the vehicles MCSO purchased were road-based vehicles however, as the department spent $4.3 million on a new helicopter after the previous one was lost in an accident. “The sales tax has been extremely helpful in catching us up with our equipment needs, especially vehicles... our fleet was very aged and in terrible shape before the sales tax was approved. We are now on a normal rotation with replacement vehicles and our deputies are driving newer and safer vehicles with updated equipment,” said Sgt. Paul Bloom, the sheriff ’s spokesman. MCSO also acquired 349 new ballistic vests for deputies and 130 new vests for SWAT team members. The department also spent almost $4.3 million to upgrade the fiber optics and IT networks which new phone systems in multiple departmental buildings. “It has also been beneficial from the IT side as we have been able to make major upgrades to our radios, equipment and network,” Bloom said. Additionally, MCSO spent $5.9 million on a new facility which will house evidence, evidence employees, as well as the DNA and forensics labs. “It [funds from the penny sales tax] has addressed several building concerns, with the newest being the forensics building,” Bloom said. MCSO said it has not had any issue with how the funds are divided up, or with how

much it has received so far. “We have received all of the funding we have requested so far, and I am not aware of any problems that have occurred. We are very thankful for what we have received and expect to get from the sales tax,” Bloom said.

million; a 5.2-mile stretch of Northwest Gainesville Road with a $3 million price tag, a 7.1-mile stretch of County Road 464B at a cost of $3.3 million. A full list of road projects and their specifications can be found at www.marionsalestax. org/road-projects-review

Marion County Road/ Transportation Projects The Marion County Board of County Commissioners allocated penny sales tax funds to either fully or partly pay for upgrades to just over 75 miles of roads throughout the county, with some projects being completed and some still in progress. The projects were designed to either rehabilitate existing roads or expand their capacity, as well as a planned interchange on Interstate 75. “Budgets for, say, road projects, move slower on account of the planning, acquisition and design phases not being able to be completed until the revenues are received. This makes road project funding move differently than vehicle or equipment purchases or a building construction project,” said Stacie Causey, a Marion County spokeswoman. The proposed interstate interchange project, known as NW 49th/35th St. phases 2B & 2C is a joint project with the Florida Department of Transportation and is currently underway. This 1.2-mile portion of the project will carry a total cost of $47 million, with $26.5 million coming from penny sales tax funds. Other road improvements that incorporate penny sales tax funds and encompass new roads being built include $12.2 million of a total $20.4 million for a five-mile stretch of a new four-lane road from SW 95th Street to SW 42nd Street, and $11 million for a 1.1 mile stretch of road as part of the same project. Road rehabilitation projects include a 9.9-mile section of Northeast County Road 315 at a cost of $5

Emergency Communications Items used for emergency communications included nearly $8.2 million for more than 2,000 800MHz radios that were distributed to public safety personnel throughout the county including to MCFR, MCSO, and animal control. Additionally, an 800MHz tower was replaced and upgraded at a cost of $9.8 million. Other emergency communications expenditures include $1.1 million for upgrades at the consolidated communications center and another $1.1 million for a backup emergency operations center. Future projects With the renewal of the sales tax through 2024 the county looks to expand the departments which receive funds, including to animal control and emergency management. “They fall within the guidelines of the surtax funding; public safety improvements and major road projects,” Causey said. She said initial discussions have targeted to spend 60% of the next four year’s tax revenue on transportation and 40% on public safety, but the plans can change. Still there are some projects which are anticipated. Marion County Fire Rescue MCFR has plans to rebuild Fire Stations 2, 11 and 9 and remodel Fire Station 24 at a cost of just over $19.3 million. It also plans on building a training classroom and pad in Martel for $3.9 million. Fire rescue also hopes

to buy 12 new fire engines and refurbish one existing engine for $7 million. Additionally, they hope to buy 32 new ambulances a new critical care ambulance and refurbish three existing ambulances at a cost of $7.4 million. They also plan buying several other vehicles for nearly $2.3 milliion. Marion County Sheriff ’s Office MCSO currently has plans to renovate and improve the Marion County Jail at a proposed cost of $8.6 million. They also hope to spend another $11.4 million to build a new evidence building, DNA and forensics lab, a new hangar and a special operations building, among other projects. Proposed upgrades to fiber optics and network infrastructure, including new phone systems for multiple buildings, will cost $1.7 million. They hope to buy 188 new patrol vehicles and 50 other vehicles for staff, inmate transport and emergency management use at a total proposed cost of $13 million. A new mobile command unit would cost $1.3 million. Marion County Road/ Transportation Projects Plans call for resurfacing another 51 miles of roads in the county. Another 15 miles will include lane additions and widening. The total proposed cost of $112.89 million. Animal Services Animal Services is currently planning to upgrade its facilities and to add a highvolume spay and neuter clinic. The project will cost $2.7 million. EMS/Emergency Communications EMS currently has plans to build a new West EMS station for $2.7 million. Emergency Communications hopes to spend $1.47 million on a new radio tower. EMS also hopes to purchase $6.9 million in new rescue vehicles.

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

COVID-19 cases fall at Marion schools, overall

Taima Aviando wears her mask as she walks to her next class at the College of Central Florida. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com COVID-19 cases in Marion County Public Schools dropped last week, mirroring county and statewide trends. The school district recorded 539 new cases for the week of Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, with 465 students and 74 employees confirmed positive by the Florida

Department of Health in Marion County. The figures, released on Sept. 7, were down from the 733 cases reported on Aug. 30. The district also reported 2,027 students and employees were quarantined due to direct contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19. The quarantines included 1,965 students and 62 district employees. The DOH reported 3,404 total district quarantines two

weeks ago, including 3,308 students and 96 employees. Marion County Public Schools started the year on Aug. 10 with a maskoptional policy. But in response to the overall surge in cases, however, the Marion County School Board implemented a stricter mask policy. This one allowed parents to opt out for any reason, but parents had to opt-out in writing. That new policy went into effect on Aug. 17. Even before the policy was put into place, however, the school district was making masks available. “Since July 1, 2021, our courier service has distributed 112,820 face coverings to schools and departments,” said Kevin Christian, school spokesman. Christian said the district has about 615,000 masks on hand. Meanwhile, parental opt-outs continue to rise and now stand at 9,073, representing 21% of the district’s students. Along with masks, distance learning has been touted as another COVID mitigation effort, and while Marion County partners with Florida Virtual School to offer Marion Virtual

School, the district hoped to revive MCPSOnline, a synchronous online learning platform that debuted last year. Despite the district’s multiple attempts to continue the program, School Board Nancy Thrower said in a recent Facebook post that while they have attempted to have conversations with the state in order to restart the program “we received no response from Tallahassee. Bottom line, we are currently under a mandate not to offer it” her post read. “The state has not responded to our district request to fund it at the minimum cost of $2 million annually,” Christian said. Cases fall across Marion After several weeks of steep increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in Marion County, cases finally fell this week, according to state data released on Friday. Despite the drop, new weekly cases still reached 3,052 between Aug. 27 and Sept. 2. The number of new cases was down 176 from the previous week. The county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,00 dropped as well. The positivity rate went

from 25% to 23.7%, and the cases per 100,000 from 866.6 to 819.4, according to the Florida Department of Health. Still, county hospitalization numbers remain high, with Department of Health and Human Services data showing 98% of all inpatient beds in the county were occupied. COVID-19 patients made up 36% of the inpatient population. Additionally, 98% of all ICU beds are occupied, and COVID-19 patients make up 41% of those in the ICU. The State of Florida recorded 129,240 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Aug. 27th to Sept. 2nd, the Florida Department of Health reported Friday evening, its lowest number of new weekly cases since the week of July 23. Vaccination rates dropped as well. The state recorded its lowest number of vaccinations since July 30, administering 462,269. The county is providing COVID-19 vaccinations on a walk-in and appointment basis Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. at its main office located at 1801 SE 32nd Ave. in Ocala.

From School Budget, page A1

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Local News Needs You. And You Need Local News.

Dr. Diane Gullett, the Superintendent of Marion County Public Schools, left, talks with Nancy Thrower, the board chair, right, during a meeting. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

self-insurance plan, which began during the second half of the previous school year. The total amount budgeted is more than $65.2 million. The lion’s share of the budget, $404.1 million, goes to salaries and benefits for about 7,000 employees. That’s an increase of more than $38 million from the previous year, according to budget documents. Another $58.1 million will go for equipment, construction, remodeling and renovation of district facilities. Services including leases, occupational, physical and speech therapy services, travel, repairs and maintenance and distributions to charter and private schools will take another $62.3 million. The school also expects to collect more than $29.1 million thanks to a special 1 mill tax referendum first approved by Marion County voters in 2014. The tax revenue is projected to increase by more than $3 million in the next year thanks to increased property values. Voters voted to renew the referendum in 2018. The current four-year period runs through 2023, but voters will again decide if they want to keep the tax in 2022. The money raised by the tax is used to help pay for reading, physical education, art, music, library/media and vocational programs. It can also go to help meet class size requirements and to retain state-certified teachers and paraprofessionals. The 1 mill referendum is part of the total 6.9030 millage rate. The millage rate is a decrease of 0.115 mills from the prior year. Each mill equals $1 for every $1,000 in taxable property value. The owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would have to pay $690.30 in school taxes. Due to higher property values, the tax is projected to reap more than $163.1 million. That is about $19 million more than last year.

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SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Browning takes school board seat Ocala Gazette Staff Don Browning, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ pick to take the open seat on the Marion County School Board, was sworn into office on Tuesday. Browning, a Weirsdale resident, stood with his wife, Leslie, as fellow board member Eric Cummings administered the oath. “We were all educated and we owe that level of education to the children thar are coming along,” Browning said. “You’re going to get everything out of me that I have to offer.” Browning, 80, previously said he is not in favor of mask mandates, a belief he shared with DeSantis. “If they walk into a situation that needs it, certainly put a mask on,” he said in a previous interview. “But we’re not going to use some kind of amateur political mandate to make a third-grader sit all day long with a mask.” The Marion County School board

on Aug. 16 voted to implement a schoolwide mask mandate with a parental opt-out for students. Teachers and staff did not get the opt out choice but could forego the masks if they have a documented medical reason. Browning takes over the seat once occupied by Beth McCall. McCall resigned her position in June after she moved out of the District 2 area of southeast Marion County. School board members must live in the districts to which they are elected. Browning, a retired businessman has run at least twice for a U.S. Congress seat representing part of Marion County. His last bid came in 2012 when he ran for the District 11 seat currently held by Daniel Webster. He did not win either election. A former member of the U.S Navy, he previously served on the Winter Springs City Council, Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the Florida Juvenile Justice Association.

Fire destroys Dollar General in NE Ocala A fire broke out at the Dollar General store at 2040 NE 35th St. on Sept. 3, according to Ocala Fire Rescue. Ocala Fire Rescue and Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the blaze and were on the scene as of noon. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke billowing out of the building. It was not immediately clear how the fire started, but there were no reports of injuries, reports state. The 9,200-square-foot store was built in 2013 cost about $1.5 million, according to property records.

OPD closes lobby due to COVID-19

[Submitted]

Don Browning, center, is sworn in to the Marion County Public School Board by School Board member Eric Cummings, left, as Browning's wife, Leslie, right, hold the Bible. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

The Ocala Police Department announced on Monday it would temporarily close the lobby at its headquarters. “In an effort to keep the community safe and limit the spread of COVID-19, the Ocala Police Department headquarters lobby, located at 402 S. Pine Ave., will be temporarily closed to the public until further notice,” a press release stated. While the lobby will be closed, residents will still be able to receive services. Those who want to speak with an officer, can do so through a phone located in front of the lobby entrance. The police’s drive-through window will remain open for record requests. Police reports can also be done online at bit.ly/3jPivra For information, please call the communications center at (352) 3697000.

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SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Still swinging at 74 Gail Falkenberg may be the oldest tournament tennis player of all time By James Blevins

james@ocalagazette.com

egardless of how long Gail Falkenberg’s career in tennis would later prove to be, it didn’t begin as smoothly as one might think. A natural athlete, when Falkenberg was 10 years old living in New Jersey, she picked up a tennis racket and discovered to her delight that she could just play the game with ease. Or so she had thought. “My mother had some people look at me and they said I'll never be any good at tennis,” explained Falkenberg of that nascent time in her tennis career. “Because they said I didn't hit the ball right.” “So that was the end of tennis,” she said of her childhood. “I got piano lessons instead.” Falkenberg, now 74, would ultimately get the last say in whether or not she could be any good at tennis. Today, she may very well be the oldest tournament tennis player of all time. A few months ago, Falkenberg found out that she was listed No. 1 on the oldest.org website’s 10 Oldest Tennis Players Ever in the World list. “I figured I was [the oldest] because I hadn’t seen anybody younger,” said Falkenberg with a laugh. On the website’s list, Martina Navratilova comes in at No. 2, followed by Billie Jean King at No. 4. John McEnroe is No. 6. Jimmy Connors is No. 8. “And I’m number one!” Falkenberg said with bright smile. She first started playing competitive tennis at the University of California, Los Angeles in the mid-1960s. She took a break to become a documentary filmmaker in the 1970s, then started up again on the tennis tour circuit for the first time in the mid-1980s when she was 38. Admittedly, her glory days are far behind her. In 1985, Falkenberg won an amateur singles national championship. In 1987, she was ranked 360th in the world in professional singles and 430th in professional doubles. In 1988, she won a match at that year’s Australian Open. See Falkenberg, page B1 Top: Gail Falkenberg practices her tennis game. Falkenberg recently rejoined the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour, a professional tennis circuit. Bottom left: Falkenberg shows off her trophy from her win in the 1983 National Public Parks Tennis Championships Women's Open Singles. Bottom right: Gail Falkenberg, bottom center, is shown in a 1967 photo from when she was playing tennis at UCLA. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

GAME OF THE WEEK

Dunnellon at Vanguard By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com After dropping its season-opener to Buchholz, 35-0, on Aug. 27, Dunnellon is looking to right the ship in week three. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ Sept. 10 opponent, the undefeated Vanguard Knights, look to keep rolling. On Sept. 3, Vanguard (2-0 overall record) blanked West Port 21-0 on the Wolf Pack’s own field. The week before that, the Knights opened their 2021-22 high school football season at home against Gainesville, winning in decisive fashion, 30-8. Dunnellon (0-1) had a bye week on Sept. 3. If the Tigers hope to win on Sept. 10 at Booster Stadium, senior quarterback Trent Townsend will need to connect with more receivers, having only found six

of his 17 targets against the Bobcats on Aug. 27. And those receivers— standouts like senior LJ Fitzpatrick and junior Maxwell Valcius—will need to find the endzone, which no one has done so far in 2021. On the Vanguard side of the field, senior running backs Elijah Hopkins and Dewhitt Betterson Jr. will be threats from the backfield. Hopkins scored a kickoff return touchdown last Friday to open the second half against West Port, while Betterson Jr. scored one rushing touchdown and had 49-total-yards-rushing in the same game. Sophomore quarterback Fred Gaskin proved his prowess in the air, throwing a 31-yard touchdown pass to teammate Tyrell Randall to open Vanguard’s scoring in the first half against West Port. The touchdown came on

the Knight’s first possession (second snap) in the opening two minutes of the game. A year ago, Dunnellon nearly competed for a state title, losing to Rickards (Tallahassee), 26-24, in the Class 5A State Final Four. Vanguard nearly made it to the Class 5A State Final Four as well—if not for losing to Dunnellon in the Class 5A Region 2 championship game, 13-10, ending the Knights’ season. A year later, that playoff game will no doubt be top of mind for both teams. On Sept. 10, this non-district match-up between Dunnellon and Vanguard could prove to be a game both teams look back on as a decisive one in their respective 2021-22 campaigns. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Booster Stadium.

Dunnellon Brody Luckey (5) gets upended as Vanguard took on undefeated Dunnellon. [Alan Youngblood/Special to OG]

Other area football games on Sept. 10: Gainesville at Trinity Catholic (1-0)—7 p.m. North Marion (1-0) at West Port (0-2)—7 p.m. Belleview (2-0) at Crystal River—7 p.m. George Jenkins at Lake Weir (1-0)—7 p.m. Oasis Christian at St. John (0-0)—7 p.m. Bye Week: Ocala Christian Academy (2-0) and Ocala Forest (0-2)

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Falkenberg, page B2 But Falkenberg still plays the game she loved so much as a 10-year-old. In fact, and maybe even more like that younger version of herself, Gail plays mostly for fun these days, not tour victories. Recently, Falkenberg rejoined the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour, a professional tennis circuit, after four years away and regularly plays against young women in their teens and early 20s. Her most recent opponent was a young woman from France, which generated an article in the French newspaper “L’Equipe.” In 2013, Falkenberg played against a then 16-year-old Naomi Osaka, who has since gone on to twice win both the U.S. Open (2018, 2020) and the Australian Open (2019, 2021). “Oh God, she killed me,” laughed Falkenberg of playing Osaka. “Her serve was unbelievable.” “I got points, but only if she screwed up,” she added. In 2016, she played Taylor Townsend, then 20 and the No. 1-ranked junior in the world, who reached Round 16 of the U.S Open in 2019. The match brought a certain amount of media attention to Falkenberg’s door. She was 69 years old at the time. “London was on the phone,” she recalled of the chaos surrounding the match. “The local television cameras were there. I had “The Wall Street Journal” interviewing me. I had everybody attacking me for interviews. I couldn't even

concentrate on playing a match. They were betting on me in Europe.” Falkenberg was scoring at least one point a game against Townsend, with one game point against her that, according to Gail, shocked the young tennis star. “I hit well,” said Falkenberg of her stroke, “but I do it with tremendous spin. And it's tough to hit back. It doesn't look tough, but it's tough. “I was doing interviews for weeks. I had Italy, Germany and all of Europe seemingly on the phone with me. It was incredible,” said Falkenberg. Her truly incredible tennis story really began in 1967, where Falkenberg joined the UCLA women’s tennis team. She was playing basketball for the Bruins then, another sport she excelled at, but she also tried out for the tennis team and made it. Falkenberg graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's and a master’s degree in filmmaking. After college, Falkenberg went to work editing productions for a Navy research lab out of China Lake, California, which worked on air defense weapons. In 1972, she made a documentary film for the Navy on the first remote-piloted aircraft to successfully take off — a precursor to today’s modern drone technology. Falkenberg worked for the Navy for five years before starting up her own audio-visual production company, Falkenberg Productions, based out of Los Angeles.

It was in 1985 when Falkenberg, then 38, decided to take a go at the professional tennis circuit. “I was in a condominium complex that had tennis courts and I just started hitting the ball around one day,” she remembered. “There was this guy there who said he was looking for a mixed doubles partner. He thought I had potential and he started working with me.” “And that was it,” she added. “I fell back in love with tennis.” Falkenberg ended her production company and pivoted to focusing full-time on tennis and playing on the pro tour. “I quit my job and went on the circuit for five years,” said Falkenberg. “And that doesn't seem like that's normal for a lot of people to do at 38. But I did it.” She never had a coach because, she said, she couldn’t afford one. However, she still traveled all over the world on her own money. She competed in Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Africa and New Zealand. She was 41 years old when she played the Australian Open in 1988. And because she was so much older than most of her competitors, Falkenberg was able to do everything on her own without a manager or coach. She arranged all of her travel and living arrangements. Ultimately that’s what stopped her in 1990. “It was terrific for a while,” said Falkenberg, “but then I ran out of money.” In 1991, Falkenberg accepted the head tennis coach position at the

[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

University of Central Florida in Orlando. She coached there until 1999. “It was wasn’t very good when I started and I built it up into nationally ranked program,” said Falkenberg. Then, in 2003, Gail’s mother, who lived in Jacksonville, had a major stroke, paralyzing her down one side. Falkenberg moved to Jacksonville to be closer to her mother and help take care of her. She didn’t pick up a racket again for almost a decade. After her mom passed in 2012, Falkenberg retired to Ocala and hit the courts again. In her middle 60s at this point, Falkenberg still felt a spark in her to compete and play tennis at the highest level she could. “Tennis is great in Florida. And it was cheap to come here and move. So, I started playing again. I didn’t rejoin the circuit until 2013,” she said. COVID-19 has recently affected Falkenberg’s ability

to play over the last year and a half, but she started hitting the courts again earlier this year. Her knees do sometimes bother her, Falkenberg admitted, but not all the time. Sometimes, when she’s on the court, she can almost forget that more than six decades separate her from the 10-year-old she once was, who first fell in love with the game in New Jersey. Falkenberg doesn’t have a ranking anymore, but she’s still out there, nevertheless, playing against anyone willing to try and return her “tremendous spin” shots. And many of her opponents still find it tricky to do so. “I’m really quick. Not as fast on my feet, but quick with my hands,” Falkenberg said. “My hand-eye coordination is terrific. It always has been. And boy, if that keeps up, I’m going to be playing a lot more.”

Knights muzzle Wolf Pack 21-0 By James Blevins

james@ocalagazette.com The Vanguard Knights traveled across town to face the West Port Wolf Pack at home on Sept. 3 and proceeded to pitch a 21-0 shutout. Scoring on its first possession of the contest, Vanguard (2-0) would stay in complete control over the next 46 minutes handily defeating West Port (0-2). Despite the shutout victory, Vanguard head coach Edwin Farmer wasn’t happy about how his team performed. “We didn’t play our best game tonight,” Farmer said. “No doubt at all. We’re a much better football team than that. We’re about making big plays, and we didn’t make them tonight. We’re definitely going back to the drawing board.” Vanguard quarterback Fred Gaskin (2-for-8 in the first half with one touchdown and one interception) aired the ball out to wide receiver Tyrell Randall for the 31-yard touchdown pass, giving the Knights the early 7-0 lead at 9:55 in the first quarter. For the next 22 minutes, Farmer believes his team just stopped playing. “It’s like we scored that first touchdown, and we just quit," Farmer said. "Like we did our thing, and we’re done. And we needed to just keep playing. That’s a great football team over there. We need to play up to our

expectations, or [the other team] will make it a much closer game.” The Wolf Pack showed some fight in the first half. They tried to take advantage of a seemingly lethargic Knights’ team. On a Wolf Pack possession late in the first, West Port quarterback Gavin Savino would connect with Jylique Barnes for a 49-yard reception, giving the home crowd something to shout about. But despite big gains from time to time in the game, the Wolf Pack couldn’t find the end zone. Vanguard carried a 7-0 lead into halftime. Right from the second half whistle, senior Elijah Hopkins would find the end zone again for the Knights, scoring on a 70-yard kickoff return, padding the Knights’ lead at 14-0 with 11:47 still left in the third quarter. Vanguard's Dewhitt Betterson Jr. (49 totalyards-rushing) would score on the Knights’ next possession, pounding the ball in on first-and-goal at 6:27 of the third quarter— giving the scoreboard its final tally of 21-0 after senior Grandin Wilcox added the point after touchdown. The fourth quarter had its moments—including a 50-yard run by Betterson Jr. that almost went to the house—but the clock wound down on the game and Vanguard’s efforts to add to its already significant lead. West Port head coach Steve Rhem also knows

that his team can play better. “We just got to pay better attention to details,” said Rhem. “When you’re going up against a state-ranked team [like Vanguard], you’re going to be challenged.” Rhem recognizes that his senior quarterback had some trouble finding his receivers, but as a senior and leader on the Wolf Pack team, he trusts him wholeheartedly. “You’re talking about a three-year senior,” Rhem said. “He’s been here. He’s been down, and he’s been up. You’re talking about one of the smartest kids on the field. I never have to worry with Gavin.” Savino went 3-for-29 passing, with a total of 112 yards in the air. He also threw four interceptions— two in the first half and two in the second. The senior quarterback may have struggled to find his receivers, but when he did connect, it was for huge gains that gave the Wolf Pack some muchneeded momentum—and the crowd a reason to cheer. “We almost gelled on some plays,” said Rhem. Vanguard faces the Dunnellon Tigers at home at Booster Stadium starting at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10. “It’s at home,” said Farmer, “and that’s a good thing. We play better at home. We’re a lot more focused at home. Dunnellon’s a team that’s given us some trouble. So, we got to come out prepared.”

Vanguard's Joshua Rembert (6) gets his hand on the ball but cannot complete the catch as he feels pressure from West Port's Kaiden Brown (14). [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

West Port's Jylique Barnes (5) drops the ball as Vanguard defenders Elijah Hopkins (1) and Cameron Powell (23) move in. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Vanguard's Elijah Hopkins (1) outruns West Port defenders for a large gain. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Wolf Pack Pride West Port High School football field was dedicated to Ken Vianello before a football game between West Port and Vanguard on Sept. 3. Vianello was the first principal at West Port and spent 30 years with the school system. He passed away at the age of 76 in 2016. Vianello’s son, Mark, third from left, gets a hug from Ginger Cruze, the principal of West Port High School, as Chris Carlisle, Vanguard principal, left, looks on during the ceremony. Diana Vianello, second from right, the widow of Ken Vianello, looks over the honorary award, as Mark Vianello's wife, Shannon, right, looks on. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

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Introduction of new Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC), Erick Hawkins Board Member Updates Annual Operating Report (AOR) All meetings are open to the public, the TPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability and family status. Anyone requiring special assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact Liz Mitchell, Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator at (352) 438-2634 or liz.mitchell@marioncountyfl.org forty-eight (48) hours in advance, so proper accommodations can be made. Please be advised that if any person wishes to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the above meeting, they will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

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SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Knights drop hard-fought match to Indians

The Knights celebrate a winning point during the match against Venice. Vanguard fell to the Indians in straight sets: 25-22; 27-25; 25-22. [Cyndi Chambers/Special to OG]

By Kassidy Hill Special to Ocala Gazette The Vanguard High School gym felt like it was hosting a clash of the titans on Sept. 7, as the Vanguard Knights (3-7) volleyball team faced off against the visiting Venice Indians (4-2). In the end, however, Vanguard fell to Venice 3-0 in straight sets despite a close match. The Knights were returning to their home court for only the second time this season, as they look to build on—and surpass last season, in which they made it to the 5A state semifinals before falling to Ponte Vedra. The Indians built a big lead in the first set, getting out to a 17-10 differential at one point. The Knights fought back to cut it to a five-point differential when

Emma Ehmann delivered a whizzing spike to make it 21-17. She bit into the Indians lead yet again with an untouched ball delivered in bounds, then an ace on a serve to make it 22-19. Venice ended up winning the set 25-22, but Ehmann’s performance was yet another indicator of what she brings to this team in search of a title. “That’s our star right there,” said Luis Perez, Vanguard head coach. “You’re talking about somebody that goes hard every time. Her speed of the game, you know, goes really fast, with good sets; and obviously, we have one of the best setters in town with Sophie Reed, when they pair up, when they're hot, it’s a good thing.” In the second set, Vanguard led 17-12 at one point. But then Venice began a rally, helped by self-

inflicted mistakes by the Knights. Both teams dug deep for the hotly contested set that saw each squad lay out for digs across the court. At one point, with the Knights down 21-18, an improbable rally saw Vanguard bring the ball back from the team bench, then Venice play it off the raised basketball goal and out of the rafters before it finally fell in a hole, and the Knights cut the lead to 21-19. Venice had seven match points in the set, but Vanguard clawed back and evened the score. Eventually, a slip from libero Aria Eisel allowed the Indians to win the set, 27-25.

“When we go hard all the time, yes, we're gonna make mistakes, so we got to work on being a little bit smarter. “Obviously, our struggle is in our serve," Perez said. "One of the things that we'll talk about today is that they never gave up, you know, they fought all the way to the end, and I'm proud of them.” The Knights fell in the third set, 25-22, giving Venice the straight win. Now Perez looks to make sure his team uses the match as a building block. “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish," Perez said. “It wasn't a blow-out. It was…25-22 and [2725]…So, you know, we're gonna find the positive of matches like this, for sure.

Knights’ Lilli Hart #8 (middle) with the hit at the net against the Indians’ Charley Goberville #5 (left) and Leah Bartlett #21(right). [Cyndi Chambers/Special to OG]

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SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Forest trounced by Seabreeze 43-8 By Kassidy Hill

Special to Ocala Gazette The Forest Wildcats (02) fell behind early and were never able to catch up, losing 43-8 to the Seabreeze Sandcrabs (1-1) on Sept. 3. Midway through the first quarter, the Sandcrabs were already up 22-0, courtesy of a punt return for a touchdown from LaTrae Bass, a safety from defensive end Jeremy West, and a dazzling performance from the left-handed quarterback Blake Boda (five touchdowns total; three passing, two rushing). With just more than four minutes to go in the first quarter, Boda—from the Wildcats 15-yard line— stepped up in the pocket, dumped off to Jamari Hicks, and Hicks did the rest, turning upfield for a touchdown, making it 29-0. On Forest’s ensuing drive, a sack on third down quelled any semblance of offense the Wildcats had going. With the ball back, Seabreeze struck again. On a quarterback draw, Boda had open grass and

took advantage, hurdling a fallen Forest defender and waltzing into the endzone, putting the game out of reach at 36-0 with seconds left in the first quarter. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times early and then spent a bunch of time trying to come back, so yeah, it was tough,” summarized Forest coach Robin Williams. The Wildcats looked to have found some footing as the second quarter began, thanks to running back Preston Winfrey finding nine yards on two carries, straight up the middle. But another sack stalled the drive, and the Sandcrabs scored yet again on the ensuing drive. Down 43-0, the Wildcats continued to struggle to push the ball downfield. Each potential explosive pass went just over the fingertips of the receiver. Instead, they turned to screens and dump-offs, hoping to get the ball out quickly. But the most productive drive of the night for the hometown team came when Forest took to the ground. After a screen to

SCORE BOARD Football Scores Sept. 3 Ocala Vanguard 21, West Port 0 Seabreeze 40, Ocala Forest 8 Belleview 64, Bronson 8 Ocala Trinity Catholic 19, Clearwater Central Catholic 38 Central 13, Lake Weir 19 All Saints’ Academy 8, Ocala Christian Academy 22 Canceled games: North Marion (1-0) at Wakulla, ccd. Bye week: Dunnellon (0-1) and St. John Lutheran (0-0) Football games scheduled for Sept. 10 Dunnellon at Vanguard (20) 7:30 p.m. Gainesville at Ocala Trinity Catholic (1-0) 7 p.m. North Marion at West Port (0-2) 7 p.m. Belleview (2-0) at Crystal River 7 p.m. George Jenkins at Lake Weir (1-0) 7 p.m. Oasis Christian at St. John Lutheran 7 p.m. Bye week: Ocala Academy Christian (2-0) and Ocala Forest (0-2) Girls’ Volleyball scores and stats from Aug. 30-Sept. 7 Aug. 30 West Port 0, Ocala Forest 3 (7-25, 11-25, 9-25) Forest’s Kailyn Howard recorded eight kills, while teammates Emma Truluck and Emma Santi both had five. Sophomore Ava Keuntjes led the Wildcats with nine digs. Peniel Baptist Academy 3, Ocala Christian Academy

Jamarrien Burt moved the chains, Williams inserted the young passer VJ Poole at quarterback. From the shotgun, Poole took the snap and took off, picking up 16-yards before taking a hard hit. Williams put senior Steve Curry back under the center two plays later, and a quarterback draw opened up the middle of the field for Curry to scamper 26-yards for the gain. Now in the red zone, from the 10-yard line, Curry took the quarterback keeper through a hole and scored the Wildcats' only touchdown of the night. While Burt played the majority of the second half, the rotating quarterbacks

for Forest are indicative of two talented guys that need to stay on the field, according to Williams. “My starting quarterback [Curry], who is a senior, does a real good job for us, but he's also playing a lot of defense,” explained Williams of the quarterback/outside linebacker. “So, yeah, he plays well. Actually, both of them, to be honest, both of them play offense and defense, so sometimes we just kind of go with the guy that's got the most gas at the moment.” Speaking of the defense, a safety in the third quarter from Omarian Leslie and Preston Winfreh helped the Wildcats eat into the score, making it 43-8. It took the defense three tries and some questionable spotting, but finally, the rushers were able to track down Seabreeze’s backup quarterback in the back of the endzone, spinning him down for a defensive highlight of the night. “They showed up in some big moments,” Williams said of the defense. He hopes their

improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 is suggestive of what the team as a whole can do after returning from the bye in two weeks. “You know we cut down on the penalties a ton this week. Last week, defensive penalties really hurt us. So there was some very bright spots. Our special teams played better tonight in areas. We did give up the punt return, but you know there's definitely some spots where we're showing some very notable improvement. But yeah, we still got a ways to go.” The Wildcats now head into their bye week, hoping for good news on Ryan Jackson in the interim. Jackson left the game in the first half with a left knee injury. He was helped off the field by trainers and taken to the doctor from there, according to Williams. “We're gonna go find out. Hopefully, here real quick. [Was his] left knee, and he had a prior injury, so we're obviously very concerned,” Williams said. The Forest Wildcats return home to face West Port on Sept. 17.

Selected Marion County high school sports results for Aug. 30-Sept. 7

1 (14-25, 25-15, 25-14, 25-14) Aug. 31 Ocala Forest 3, Gainesville 2 (21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13) Truluck and Santi had 30 and 21 kills, respectively. Forest senior Aubrey O’Cull had six blocks. Eastside 0, North Marion 3 (12-25, 18-25, 11-25) Williston 3, Lake Weir 0 (2510, 25-10, 25-10) Buchholz 0, Ocala Trinity Catholic 3 (6-25, 21-25, 23-25) Trinity Catholic’s Kiana Laborde had 23 kills. Amelia Fitzpatrick, three blocks. Camden Crews, nine serving aces. Mckenna Yates, 31 digs and 30 receptions. Cayleigh Pelletier, 33 assists. Sept. 1 Lake Weir 0, Saint Francis Catholic 3 (10-25, 13-25, 19-25) Sept. 2 First Baptist Christian Academy 3, Ocala Christian Academy 2 Citrus 0, North Marion 3 (19-25, 10-25, 19-25) Belleview 3, Lake Weir 0 (25-8, 25-17, 25-15) Belleview’s Hope Willis had 20 kills. Emma Kaylor, three blocks. Kassidy Klein, 13 serving aces and 25 assists. Natilee Collins, 22 digs and 49 receptions. Lake Weir senior Kiana Hamilton played great on defense with 21 digs, and played just as well on offense with six kills and one block, said Hurricanes’ head coach Jenna Duplessis. Senior Morgan Gittenger had a

great passing game as well with 21 digs and four kills. Maryssa Phillips, six assists. Rachelle Hix, 20 digs. Wildwood 0, Dunnellon 3 (23-25, 23-25, 21-25) Nike Tournament of Champions in Orlando Sept. 3-4 Sept. 3 Thompson 2, Ocala Vanguard 1 (18-25, 25-19, 15-12) Vanguard’s Emma Ehmann had 19 kills. Leon 2, Ocala Vanguard 0 (16-25, 18-25) Vanguard’s Sophie Reed had 11 digs. Ehmann, 10 digs. Winter Springs 0, Ocala Vanguard 2 (12-25, 23-25) Vanguard freshman Sarah Beville had six kills. Ehmann had 12 kills. Reed had two blocks. St. Thomas Aquinas 1, Ocala Trinity Catholic 2 (25-21, 19-25, 9-15) Windermere Prep 0, Ocala Trinity Catholic 2 (22-25, 13-25) Sept. 4 Spanish Fort 2, Ocala Vanguard 0 (25-22, 25-12) Ehmann had seven kills and six digs. Beville had three kills and two service points. Deland 2, Ocala Vanguard 1 (18-25, 25-19, 15-12) Vanguard freshman Lilli Hart had five kills, while teammate Ehmann had eight. Dr. Phillips 0, Ocala Vanguard 2 (19-25, 20-25) Beville had eight kills and two serving points. Lyman 0, Ocala Vanguard 2 (18-25, 18-25) Ehmann had seven kills, two service points and five

receptions. Bishop McLaughlin Catholic 2, Ocala Trinity Catholic 1 (25-20, 19-25, 15-9) Laborde, 23 kills. Fitzpatrick, three blocks. Crews, nine service points. Yates, 31 digs. Pelletier, 33 assists. Sept. 7 Venice 3, Ocala Vanguard 0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-22) Ehmann had 14 kills and three serving points. Junior Aria Eisel had 12 digs. Ocala Forest 3, Belleview 0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-18) Belleview’s Kyla Zisa had seven kills and three service points. Collins, 12 digs. Ocala Christian Academy 0, Wildwood 3 Bell 1, St. John Lutheran 3 (25-23, 17-25, 20-25, 10-25) St. John senior S. Kreitenstein led the Saints with 12 kills, while teammates Logan Wilemon and Rylee Palmateer had eight and nine kills, respectively. Junior Sara Reese had 16 digs. Upcoming girls’ volleyball games Sept. 10 Leon at Ocala Trinity Catholic 6 p.m. Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country 8th Annual Florida Horse Park Invitational Sept. 4 Boys Varsity Team Results (Belen Jesuit Prep won with 72 points out of 49 scoring teams) Ocala Vanguard, 7th Place (237 points) Belleview, 28th Place (808

points) Ocala Trinity Catholic, 34th Place (952 points) West Port, 37th Place (995 points) Ocala Forest, 47th Place (1,322 points) Girls Varsity Team Results (Osceola won with 110 points out of 43 scoring teams) Ocala Vanguard, 6th Place (265 points) Ocala Trinity Catholic, 41st Place (1,034 points) Ocala Forest, 42nd Place (1,042 points) Belleview, DNP Boys Varsity Individual Top-50 Results (Adam Magoulas of Belen Jesuit Prep won the 5K race in 15:29.7) 17th Place, Clayton Knight, Ocala Vanguard (16:27.2) 18th Place, Tristan Pank, Ocala Vanguard (16:29.7) 20th Place, Eduardo Diaz, West Port (16:31.7) 26th Place, Luis Cruzado, Belleview (16:40.7) 45th Place, Joshua Moore, Ocala Vanguard (17:02.6) Girls Varsity Individual Top-50 Results (Grace Von Biberstein of St. Pius X won the 5K race in 18:52.0) 8th Place, Pippa Worden, Ocala Vanguard (19:57.7) 39th Place, Samantha Hansen, Ocala Vanguard (20:58.9) 41st Place, Rhema Taylor, Ocala Vanguard (21:02.2) Results were gathered from MaxPreps.com and Flrunners.com. Compiled by James Blevins

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

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SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things

Allan Topping, who worked for Pan Am for 22 years, displays newspaper clippings from the 1990 movie "Last Flight Out". Topping was the Pan Am director of operations in Saigon, Vietnam and helped organize the evacuation of 463 people on a Boeing 747. The flight was the last to leave Saigon after it fell. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Desperation and chaos For the man who oversaw the last flight out of Saigon, recent images from Afghanistan feel eerily similar to the Vietnam withdrawal he remembers well. By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

llan Topping grew up in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He saw his first airplane at the Kingston airport while emigrating to the United States in the mid-1940s. He was six years old. He remembered thinking on the tarmac: How is this airplane going to get in the air? It looked too big, and people kept climbing aboard with all their heavy suitcases and carry-on bags, making it even heavier. The future airline director had no way of knowing that the same question would occur to him more than 30 years later – for very different reasons and under very different circumstances. On April 24, 1975, Topping, director of operations in Saigon for Pan American World Airways, helped evacuate almost 500 people out of Vietnam – just days before the city fell to the North Vietnamese. A single Pan Am 747 jumbo jet carried 463 American and South Vietnamese civilians to safety and freedom — almost twice the listed maximum capacity. One plane. One flight. 463 passengers.

Six days after that last flight, 19 years of fighting the Vietnam War would end. The Viet Cong moved in and took hold of Saigon. Now, 46 years later, recent images of the Afghanistan withdrawal are strikingly similar to the Vietnam evacuation he remembers so well. The Afghanistan withdrawal ended nearly 20 years of conflict that began after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. “My initial reaction [to the end of the Afghanistan conflict] was that I knew exactly what they were going through,” said Topping, now 82. “I knew that it was going to be a very difficult situation.” Topping described the end of both conflicts as being full of “desperation and chaos.” “They were running for their lives [in Kabul],” said Topping, “and they knew it.” It was a similar story in 1975 as they tried to get as many people as possible out of Saigon without alerting the Viet Cong. “I finally figured out that the takeover would take place on [or around] May 1,” Topping said. “So, I started working my plan backward from that date.” Since a regular flight was scheduled on April 24, Topping was able to conceal the evacuation plan.

“All of my communications were done in code. So not even our own staff or New York [Pan Am headquarters] knew what I was planning. I couldn't tell them when we were leaving or how we were going to leave without possibly tipping off the North Vietnamese,” said Topping. After the last American troops withdrew from Afghanistan on Aug. 30, Topping got many calls and emails from friends noting the similarity. “’This is just like Saigon,’ they’d say. ‘I had no idea this was going to happen.’ You would think that after ’75, it would never happen again. But we did the same thing. History keeps on repeating itself,” he said. With the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this week, Topping reflected on the events. “I couldn't believe it,” recalled Topping. “How could an airplane be flying into this building? It's such a beautiful, clear day. And then, while I'm watching it, I see the other plane hit.” He remembered that a couple of years before the twin towers fell, he and his wife had spent an evening at a restaurant with their two grandchildren at the top of one of the towers. “All that came back to me,” he said. “What would

have happened if we were up there right then? I remember feeling that idea vividly.” After leaving Saigon in 1975, Topping managed operations in various other stations overseas for the next eight years. He would work at Pan Am until it went out of business in December 1991. Now, Topping is retired and living with his wife, Jan, in Del Webb Stone Creek. In 1990, NBC made a movie out of the daring escape called “Last Flight Out,” starring James Earl Jones as Topping. Largely because of the film, Topping wrote his new book, “Wings of Freedom: A True Story,” which was released in April. “The film left out so much,” said Topping, whose book tells a more complete story from his perspective. “[The film] was based on like our last three or four days in Saigon. That was the whole focus. So much more happened.” A famous scene in the film shows Jones as Topping upturning several tables and

chairs in frustration as time is running out. “I never did that," Topping said. "But I wanted to. I felt like doing things like that.” He said his memories of April 24, 1975, are just as vibrant today. “I'll never forget that airplane as long as I live,” said Topping. “I flew on it a number of times on a regular-scheduled basis afterward. Every time I got on that plane, it was kind of eerie.” Topping’s book is available to purchase on the Pan Am Museum website at bit.ly/38Tuj5o

On The Trail The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a recreation and conservation gift from Mother Nature with an unexpected origin story. By JoAnn Guidry Special to Ocala Gazette The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway was born from the wellintentioned but ill-conceived Cross Florida Ship Canal. Part of a federal relief program to create jobs during the Great Depression, the plan was to construct a deep-water ship canal cutting east-west across Florida. Construction actually began in 1935 and evolved into the Cross Florida Barge Canal before coming to a stop a year later. It resumed in 1964, was halted again in

1969 and was permanently decommissioned in 1971. Thanks to environmentalist efforts led by Micanopy biologist Marjorie Harris Carr, the barge canal construction never resumed again. The most visible remnants of the Cross Florida Barge Canal project are the four towering concrete bridge stanchions on the U.S. Highway 441 median in Santos, just south of Ocala. Built in 1936, the bridge stanchions are now the centerpiece of The Island, a Florida Park Service interpretive historical park. Located directly behind the

Marion County Sheriff ’s Office substation on U.S. 441, the park is a median island featuring two hiking trails. Six kiosks and seven interpretive boards along a four-tenths of a mile trail provide historical information about the Cross Florida Barge Canal project. In 1991, the Cross Florida Greenway State Recreation and Conservation Area was declared where the barge canal work had begun. The Greenway was officially renamed the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway in 1998, honoring See Greenway, page C1

Bikers on the Greenway Bike Trail. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Greenway, page C2

Greenway Trailheads Santos Trailhead (3080 SE 80th Street) Land Bridge Trailhead (11100 SW 16th Ave/CR 475A) 49th Avenue Trailhead (12555 SW 49th Ave) Shangri-La Trailhead (12788 SW 69th Court) Ross Prairie Trailhead (10660 SW State Road 200) Pruitt Trailhead (15430 SW County Hwy 484) www.floridastateparks.org

[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Carr who had died at 82 the previous year. Today, the Greenway is operated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways & Trails, and became a state park in 2012. This unique 110-mile nature corridor stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River. The 30-mile plus Greenway section that runs through southern Marion County, from Ocala to Dunnellon, offers hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Open free to the public, the trails are accessible dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. “Combining the hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, there are more than 300 miles of trails in the Greenway,” says Bre Ximenes, the Cross Florida Greenway Trails & Volunteer Coordinator. “The forests of longleaf/sandhill pines and oaks provide plenty of shaded trails. And

for the more adventurous, there are the canal diggings hills. The Greenway is home to a wide variety of wildlife. You might see deer, bobcats, coyotes, fox squirrels, gopher turtles, wild turkeys, owls, hawks, scrub jays and pileated woodpeckers. And there are black bears too.” The Greenway also is a great place to observe the changing seasons, albeit the Florida version. The most significant change is spring, when the Greenway is resplendent in new neon green foliage and colorful wildflowers. Yellow jessamine, common greeneyes and yellow buttons attract butterflies, including the elusive tiger and zebra swallowtails. By summer, there’s a cloak of cooling forest green, accessorized by yellow showy rattlebox, lavender climbing butterfly pea and yellow partridge pea. By late fall, the trails are carpeted in golden leaves as the brown season of winter descends. But the

short Florida winter soon gives way to the glorious spring, starting the cycle anew. Enjoying the Greenway Trails The Greenway hiking, biking and horseback riding trails system runs east to west and includes Santos, Land Bridge, 49th Avenue, Shangri-La, Ross Prairie and Pruitt trailheads. Campsites are available at Santos, Shangri-La and Ross Prairie trailheads. Underpasses on County Roads 475 and 475A, 49th Avenue, County Road 484 and the Land Bridge over I-75 ensure safe passage for humans and wildlife. Pets are allowed on leashes. No hunting or motorized vehicles are allowed in the Greenway. “We are very fortunate to have the Greenway and we encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this wonderful gift of nature,” says Ximenes. “And we are always looking

for volunteers to help us maintain the trails system. It’s a great way to give back and enjoy being out in nature.” For hiking enthusiasts, approximately 30 miles of the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail cuts through the Greenway. Known simply as the Florida Trail (FT), it begins at the Gulf Islands National Seashore, south of Pensacola, and ends at the Big Cypress National Preserve, east of Naples. This trail is marked by orange blazes on the trees. There are also blue connector trails, marked by blue blazes on the trees, that go from/to Greenway trailheads and connect with the FT. A highly recommended hike is from the Land Bridge Trailhead to the Land Bridge over I-75, which was built in 2000 at a cost of $3.2 million. The Land Bridge, the first of its kind over a Florida interstate highway, connected the east and west corridors of the Greenway trails system. The 1.1 mile hike to the Land Bridge, or 2.2 miles round trip, is an easy stroll through the pine and oaks woods, which is a favorite habitat for owls, hawks and pileated woodpeckers. The Land Bridge Trailhead is an excellent spot for lunch, featuring picnic tables under grand oak trees. If biking is your interest, there are more than 85 miles of mountain biking trails for all ages and skill levels. There are flat and smooth trails, as well as the more challenging ones up hills and through lime rock quarries.

Every March, the Ocala Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) hosts the Santos Fat Tire Festival (March 5th-8th this year), attracting trail biking enthusiasts from all over the country to ride the Greenway trails. In coordination with the Cross Florida Greenway (CFG) office, OMBA builds and maintains the mountain biking trails system. In 2017, a 16-mile, multi-use recreational paved trail opened in the Greenway, stretching east to west from the Santos Trailhead to east of State Road 200 in the Ross Prairie section. The paved trail is open to bikers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, hikers and dog walkers, but not motorized vehicles. To access the paved trail, go to at the Santos, Land Bridge or 49th Avenue trailheads. Equestrians can enjoy more than 85 miles of horseback riding trails winding through the Greenway. There is horse trailer parking and access to the trails at all the Greenway trailheads with the Land Bridge and Shangri-La being two favorites. In 2019, the 25th Avenue Trailhead was opened and is exclusively for horseback riders. The Greenway Equestrians, an all-volunteer riding group, works with the CFG to maintain the equestrian trails. If you don’t have a horse and want to see the Greenway via a guided horseback ride, check out Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides, which is the CFG’s designated horseback riding tour provider.

Gardening for the seasons By Tricia Evans Special to Ocala Gazette At the Pioneer Garden Club, we believe in “Gardening and Growing, Together” to improve our community. To promote this theme, we will be writing articles throughout the year – the October article from Camelia Circle will focus on Fall Gardening; the December article from Gloriosa Circle will focus on Holiday Gardening; the March article from Daffodil Circle will focus on Spring Gardening and the June article from Morning Glory Circle will focus on Summer Gardening. In this column, we take the time to introduce ourselves and give you some history about our organization.

Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala was organized in 1927 and federated in 1930. Our circle plan was adopted in 1931 and we are still structured as circles today – 90 years later. We have four circles – Camelia, Daffodil, Gloriosa and Morning Glory. We also have a membership option for those who only want to be involved in Pioneer Garden Club seasonal events. There have been many changes over those 90plus years – two different clubhouses have been utilized, circles have started and ended, special projects have varied but our focus has never changed. As stated in our bylaws, our purpose is to engage in activities which are charitable, educational and scientific – to aid in the protection and conservation

Judy Greenberg, Vice President October 30, 2020/photo supplied by Pioneer Garden Club

Ruth Dexheimer, kneeling is Judy Greenberg, blue shirt lady is Jacqua Ballas, white shirt lady is Tricia Evans, green shirt lady is Kathy Bruce, lavender shirt lady is Sue Hudrick and to her left is Terry Hakkio (Pioneer Garden Club members); back row is Sally Doggett, Alan Doggett and Bill McBride (Daylily Society members)

of natural resources; to promote civic and roadside beautification; to advance the fine art of gardening, the study of horticulture and the artistic use of plant material; to work with other agencies in the furtherance of the interests of horticulture and conservation. Pioneer Garden Club Inc. is part of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc. Each of these has a theme – Pioneer Garden Club’s is “Gardening and Growing, Together”; Florida Federation’s is “Worlds of Wonder”; Deep South’s is “Plant Deep South with a Rainbow of Colors”; and National Garden Club’s is “Plant America – Play Outdoors.” The President of Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Marge Hendon, is a treasured member of Pioneer Garden Club. We have had an active Adopt-a-Park partnership with Silver Springs State

Park since 2014 and with Tuscawilla Art Park since 2015. We participate in the care, maintenance and improvement of both parks and plan to continue those efforts through seasonal events and civic beautification activities. We offer local youth summer camp experiences at the Ocala Discovery Center and the FFGC Camp Wekiva. We have established a dedicated scholarship at the College of Central Florida – the Pioneer Garden Club Marge Hendon Scholarship Trust – for students studying horticulture, landscape design, biology or agribusiness. We work with the Daylily Society, the Marion Native Plant Society, the Marion Audubon Society, Silver Springs park rangers, the Friends of Silver Springs and the City of Ocala throughout the year to support their efforts as they support our efforts. For the 2021 Florida Arbor Day event at Tuscawilla Art

Park, members from these groups were joined by local high school students to plant trees, weed gardens and work toward completion of a National Garden Club grant Pioneer Garden Club had received. We promote our community involvement projects through articles in local newspapers, speaking to local service organizations and participation in activities at public libraries, Silver Springs State Park and Tuscawilla Art Park. Our main fundraising project each year is selling poinsettias for the holiday season – members take orders from individuals and businesses, and we have a booth at the Downtown Market the first Saturday in December to sell these beautiful plants and hanging baskets. Visit our website for more information: www. pioneergardenclub.org Tricia Evans, President, Pioneer Garden Club and member of Daffodil Circle

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner Art in Bloom From educator who dabbled in art to artist who teaches By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette For three decades, Julie Shealy focused on educating local children in her career as a teacher, principal and administrator. Her favorite school locations to visit were always the art rooms, watching “kids who are making art with no inhibitions.” Meanwhile, she was “painting off and on.” “I’ve always loved art; I’ve always dabbled in art,” Shealy said. That’s why she made time outside her busy work schedule to volunteer for Fine Arts For Ocala. When she retired, Shealy “wanted to jump in” to painting. She found a mentor and her biggest inspiration in beloved local artist Margaret “Peggy” Watts. “She taught me so much,” Shealy said, adding that she is mostly self-taught but learned all the basics, including how to use oil paint, how to mix it and what mediums to use, from Watts. “She paints realistically, but I always had this edge towards impressionism,” Shealy noted. Her favorite subject:

Julie Shealy poses with an assortment of her oil paintings of flowers at Gallery B. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

flowers, or “bloomies” as she calls them. “I love flowers,” Shealy said, admitting she doesn’t have a green thumb and is probably better at painting them than growing them. “I love the impressionists. I wanted to paint flowers, but I want you to look at them and say, ‘They look like flowers, and they remind me of flowers, but they’re not necessarily perfect.’” Some of Shealy’s works currently hanging at Gallery B, which she co-owns with four other artists, include magnolias and sunflowers. “Make Me Happy” features bright yellow and pink flowers, because, as she said, “The colors make me happy.” “Be the Light,” a painting of lilies, shows the flowers in a glass vase, which she said, “adds a sense of light.” The vase is modeled after

a Lenox vase that was her grandmother’s. Her own four grandchildren, Shealy said, are her “love and life.” “They all love to paint,” she said. “I feel like I’ve taught them a lot about art and the appreciation of Shealy works on an untitled oil painting of flowers. [Bruce Ackerwhat we do.” man/OG] Her second joy, after her grandchildren, is teaching to do it again,” Shealy said. “I learn art. Shealy teaches a weekly oil by teaching kids because I see how painting class for adults at the uninhibited they are. When I paint gallery. The new Petals and Paint a good painting, I feel really good summer camp for children, which about it. But when I teach, and she hosted with The Graceful someone’s really getting it, I feel Gardener owner Taylor Grace, was extra good about that. I feel like I “a ball,” she said. contributed, and I get a lot of joy “It was so much fun. We want out of that.”

Young author finds success with pet book “Shop Pets of Ocala” highlights some of the dogs and cats that greet shoppers at area businesses. By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette For many shoppers in the Ocala area, being greeted by a friendly pup or having a purring feline welcome you inside a business can be an engaging experience. In fact, that was the impetus behind a new book created by an enterprising local teenager. Juliana Henningsen said when her mom, Jeanne, would go to conduct some business at Phillips Graphics, she would “drop everything and go with her because they have a dog there, Griffin.” And it wasn’t just that business, Juliana noted, there were several area venues she visited with her mom that had canine and feline “shop pets.” Thus was born the idea of featuring the animals in a book, with all of the proceeds going to benefit the Humane Society of Marion County. “Shop Pets of Ocala” debuted on Aug. 28 during a Marion Cultural Alliance event at the Brick City Center for the Arts. Juliana, 14, was on hand to sign copies of the book. “I was very excited but also a little nervous,” she admitted. “It was really wonderful to see so many familiar faces, including two teachers from Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School.”

To create the book, Juliana visited several shops and “interviewed” the pets and snapped photos of each animal. The pets ranged from canines Poppie at The Graceful Gardener to Otis McDoodle of the McDoodle clan of Scotland at Fish-Heads Aquatics Inc., and felines Lord Byron at A Novel Idea Bookstore and Mama and Houdini at Leisure Living Furniture. Even the “Ocala Gazette” and “Ocala Style” shop pets Boots and Cisco got in on the action. Juliana said the owners of the shop pets have been very happy with the photos and content. “Mr. Hill at the Crafty Cobbler told me this project is something I could use on a college application and sets me apart from others. This surprised me and made me even more proud of the book,” she said. Juliana enlisted the help of local author Amy Mangan to edit the text for the book. “The Henningsens are close friends so when I heard about Juliana's project, I offered my support. This was an ‘easy lift’ because I love Juliana and animals. And, the fact that she and her parents were donating proceeds to the Humane Society made my tiny assistance all the more gratifying,” Mangan stated.

Jeanne Henningsen said that what began as a small summer project “grew into a much larger endeavor due to the excitement and interest in generated in the community.” She said her daughter “learned a lot about the time and effort that goes into creating a book like this and also the importance of giving back.” “This has been a very positive and shared experience for our family,” she added. As to whether other families might be inspired, she said, “Absolutely! People have been excited about a fun project benefitting an organization like the Humane Society.” Juliana said people have

responded to the book “very positively.” “Many have said they are impressed by what I created, as well as inspired. It’s been great so far,” she noted. As for her advice to other young aspiring authors, Mangan had this to share: “Hone in on your passion and let your words speak

accordingly. I believe what made this book such a success is due, in large part, to Juliana's big heart for animals. Her passion pours out on every page. Also, set your writing goals according to such passion, not toward publishing. I doubt Juliana went into this project thinking she'd publish a book — it was far more organic and authentic.” “Shop Pets of Ocala” was designed by graphic artist Steve Codraro and printed by Phillips Graphics. Copies, at $25 each, with all proceeds going to the Humane Society of Marion County, can be purchased at many of the shops featured in the book and online at fb.com/ shoppetsofocala

Juliana Henningsen is shown at Brick City Center for the Arts. Proceeds from her sales are going directly to the Humane Society of Marion County. [Submitted]

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala Comic Con returns

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 21 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

[Submitted]

Small businesses participate for fun and financial gain

Delicious high tea Solution: 21 Letters

Ocala Comic Con Where: WEC’s Expo Center 1 When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 11, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 12. Tickets: $25 each day or $40 for two-day ticket. Children 10 and under get in free. Parking is also free. Information about the event in available at www.ocalacomiccon.com

A la carte Ambience Aperitif Apple turnover Bagel Beer Buns Chaise longue Cheese platter Cakes Chips Clique Cocoa

Cream Eclair Flour Hotel Indulgent Jams Lasagne Mousse Pasta Pavlova Peanuts Pies Pizza

Saute Scones Slice Snacks Souffle Sweet Teapot Tins Tiramisu Trays Wine

We won't be needing dinner

After COVID-19 canceled last year’s event, Ocala Comic Con returns on Sept. 11 and 12 at the World Equestrian Center. Comic book creators, animators, cosplayers and fans of the genre will gather at what organizers called “Florida’s largest comic con.” Many local vendors will also be on hand, selling their wares and hoping to earn new customers. Austin Berger owns and operates Vibranium Comics and Gaming, which deals in comics, new and old, as well as popular card games such as Pokémon and Magic. “More people hear about our store when I’m [at the Ocala Comic Con],” said Berger. “We also sell things that we wouldn't normally sell in store.” Customers who attend conventions or “cons” treat them like minivacations. And like vacations, people are more likely to spend a lot more money, said Berger, who's been in business for four years. Scott Gencarelli, owner of Vintage Toy Universe in Ocala, deals primarily with toys from the 1960s to the current day. “We’re a pretty unique store,” said Gencarelli. “We have anything from Funko Pops to Hot Wheels, all the way down to video games and autographed memorabilia.” While he’s there for business, Gencarelli enjoys the Ocala Comic Con environment. “I love seeing all the cosplay,” said Gencarelli. “And I like to see all the famous artists.” This year, Ocala Comic Con features voice actors including Kyle Herbert (Wreck-It Ralph, Street Fighter) and Neil Kaplan (Transformers); comic book artists Clay Mann (Superman, Batman) and Mike Spicer (Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing); and actors Johnny Yong Bosch (Power Rangers) and Steven Anthony Lawrence (Cat in the Hat). Austin Marlin, owner of Retro Rat based out of Largo, hits cons all over Florida. But this is his first time attending Ocala Comic Con. “We will travel anywhere within the state for these cons,” said Marlin. “Next month we’re doing a con in Fort Myers. We've done multiple shows in Orlando. We've done multiple shows in Lakeland and Kissimmee. We'll go anywhere.” Retro Rat, like its name suggests, deals in anything and everything retro, including toys, comics, video games, memorabilia and clothing. “Pretty much any kind of childhood nostalgia,” said Marlin. Marlin feels participating in cons, regardless of where they are, helps consumers get a better sense of what his business has to offer. “It gives us great exposure so that the next time they’re in the Largo area, they’ll come and check us out,” he said. He even keeps a secondary inventory to sell at conventions. “About 90% of what we bring to cons, if you come to our store, you've never seen it before,” explained Marlin. “It’s like, ‘You like what you see here? Check out our store.’ It’s a nice hook for both our regular customers and the new customers we might make at a con.” For some vendors, it’s not just about selling but buying new items as well. “My favorite part is basically just looking down and finding what I can find,” said Berger. “I always love to hunt. And it is finding certain things, certain comics that I can turn around and sell for myself or keep for my own personal collection.” “With COVID last year,” Berger continued, “and no events whatsoever, it’s really good to get out and meet people again.” Ocala Comic Con co-owner and event organizer D.J. Gualandri said, due to the current surge in cases, masks are mandatory at the event. “With the amount of attendees coming,” said Gualandri, “mostly from the Central Florida area, we are hoping that all of our vendors benefit.” But for vendors like Marlin, having fun is also part of the plan. “You meet a lot of different individuals from all kinds of walks of life,” said Marlin. “And you get the enjoyment of meeting a lot of different people from so many different backgrounds.” Gencarelli agreed. “That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “This is our passion. We have fun. We’re the kids that never grow up.”

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

Creators Syndicate

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

Date: 9/10/2

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

9/10

Hospice of Marion County, 3231 SW 34th Ave. 9-10am The program will include speakers Dr. Pete Deison, author of “Visits from Heaven,” and Jessica McCune, RN, LMHC. RSVP to (352) 843-4570.

9/10

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

9/10

Marion County Friday Market

9/10

9/11 Remembrance Wall

9/10

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

9/10

9/10 9/11

9/11

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

9/12

9/11 Remembrance Wall Activities

9/13

Diabetes Self-Management Class

9/13

Monday Morning Books & Coffee

9/13

Monday Matinee

9/13

Governor’s West Ocala Neighborhood Revitalization Council

9/1316

Drive-Thru COVID Testing

9/13, 9/15

Drive-Thru COVID Testing

9/14

The Shores Market

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.

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 N U.S. Highway 441 10am A motorcycle escort will accompany the traveling 9/11 memorial wall from War Horse Harley-Davidson to the Ocala/ Marion County Veterans Park, 2601 SE Fort King St., for a wall-raising ceremony.

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.

Date Night

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. 6:30pm Adults only are invited to enjoy the “Ready, Set, Go!” exhibit with appetizers and drinks, participate in hands-on science activities and relax with star gazing or a planetarium show. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org to register.

After Dark in the Park: The Karate Kid

Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex, 2200 SE 36th Ave. 8-10pm Bring the whole family for a free showing of the 1984 PG-rated film. Bring chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

City of Ocala Special Waste Amnesty Day

Northeast 14th Street and Northeast Eighth Avenue 8am-1pm This annual collection day allows Ocala residents to dispose of materials including paint, chemicals, oil, batteries, sharps containers as well as electronics such as computers, printers, DVD players, phones and TVs. Call (352) 351-6697 for more information.

9/11 Remembrance Wall Opening Ceremony

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Park, 2601 SE Fort King St. 8:30am Marion County will host a 9/11 remembrance including local speakers, a first responder honor guard and flyover. The wall will remain on display through Sept. 19.

9/11

Ocala Downtown Market

9/11

9/11 Remembrance

9/11

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

9/1112

Ocala Comic Con

9/11

Feathers, Nature, Wildlife and Conservation

9/11

Labor Day 5K

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.

Lake Lillian, Southeast Robinson Road, Belleview 10am Following a ceremony to honor first responders, residents will be invited to join in a walk of remembrance around Lake Lillian. Call (352) 233-2122 for more information.

Tuscawilla Park, 800 NE Sanchez Ave. 10am-2pm For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 644-2590

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. September 11-12 | 10am-6pm The comic book culture convention will include vendors, guest actors and artists, cosplay and anime. Visit ocalacomiccon.com for tickets and more information.

Ocala/Marion County Veterans Park, 2601 SE Fort King St. 10am The First Responders’ Chaplain Corps will hold a service at 10am. At 3pm, the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band will perform, and Joan Crowder & Friends will perform at 6pm.

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview 10am-12pm The Florida Department of Health Marion County will help individuals learn about daily habits to control diabetes, monitoring blood sugar, meal planning, physical activity, medical care and more. The free class will be held Mondays through Oct. 25. Call (352) 438-2500 to register, or call (352) 644-2624 for more information about the class.

Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE County Highway 315, Fort McCoy 10:30am Join a discussion of Nevada Barr’s “What Rose Forgot.” Call (352) 438-2560 to register.

Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd. 2pm The film “Arrival” will be shown. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Call (352) 671-8551 to register.

Ed Croskey Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. 6-8pm Meet candidates running in the City of Ocala election and learn more about their priorities. Email gwonrc@outlook.com for more information.

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 7am-5pm For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 644-2590.

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road 8am-2pm For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 644-2590.

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

9/14

Novels at Night

9/15

Exceptional Mornings

9/15

1 Million Cups Ocala

9/15

Novels at Noon

9/15

Wednesday Midday Market

virtual 5pm Join Ocala Public Library for an online discussion of Aravind Adiga’s “White Tiger.” Call (352) 671-8551 to register.

Church of Hope, 3233 SE Maricamp Road 7:30-9:00am The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership will host Jared Konstanty, CEO of Signature Brands, exclusively for CEP partners and their guests. Call (352) 629-8051 to register.

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.

Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon 12pm Join a discussion of Elizabeth Gilbert’s “City of Girls.” Call (352) 438-2520 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

9/15

Ocala Cars & Coffee After Dark

Citizens Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave. 8am Run through Ocala’s historic district and enjoy a post-race breakfast with beer and music at Terrace on the Square. Visit fb.com/ocaladistanceproject for more information.

9/16

Farmers Market

9/11

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

9/16

Lunch with the Archaeologist

9/11

Summer Sunset Polo

9/16

Business After Hours

Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd. 10:30am Learn about our fine-feathered friends from the Marion Audubon Society. Call (352) 671-8551 to register.

Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church, 500 SW 17th Ave. 2-6pm For more information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at (352) 644-2590.

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 Andy Moran Cup. Visit ocalapolo. com for details.

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 for more information.

Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St. 11am-1pm Bring your lunch and a lawn chair and learn about artifacts that have been found at Fort King. Visit fb.com/fortkingocala for more information.

Mid-Florida Agencies Florida Blue, 2602 SW 19th Ave. 5-7pm The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s signature networking event includes refreshments and door prizes. Visit cepocala.com for more information.

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Arts

9/13

Pastel

9/14

Art 101: Beadmaking

9/14

Appleton Book Club

Now Dirty Rotten Scoundrels -9/19

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd. 2 & 7:30pm The Broadway musical adaption of the classic film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin delivers all the hilarious hijinks and clever capers in a jazzy musical romp along the Riviera. Visit ocalacivictheatre.com for tickets and showtimes.

Now -9/22 Now -9/25

Time Will Tell

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm An exhibition featuring dozens of objects cast in glass, aluminum and iron as well as screen prints and paintings by North Florida artist Sheila Goloborotko. Visit cf.edu for more information.

Inspired By …

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday, 11am-4pm Saturdays Marion Cultural Alliance presents its annual Best of the Best juried fine art exhibit and competition. Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

Now Countenance -9/26

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-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.

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 1-3pm Beginner through advanced students are invited to join a though course in pastels. Classes continue every Monday through November 8. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information.

Virtual 11am-1pm The Appleton Museum of Art will host a free online workshop for adults to learn to use paper and clay to make beads. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Virtual 7pm Join an online discussion of “The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance” by ceramicist Edmund de Waal. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

9/15

Witch’s Hat Weaving Class

9/15

Thriving Artists’ Workshop

9/16

Basic Composition for Painting

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 11:30am-3:30pm Weave and decorate your own black hat to decorate your home this fall with instructor Meredith McCartan. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information.

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 12-1:30pm Speakers Ryan Lilly and David D’Alessandris will present “Make Your Art Your Business.” Bring your own lunch; coffee and water available for this free workshop. RSVP required; visit fb.com/mcaocala for details.

Now -11/7

Ready Set Go

Now -10/2

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.

9/16

Coffee, Cake & Community

Now -10/2

ART-CALA

9/16

Art for a Cause

Now

The Game of Life

9/16

Artist’s Outlook: Sharon Kerry-Harlan

Now

Highlights from the Equine Collection

Now -11/7

A Breeze Through Fertile Gardens

Now -1/2/ 2022

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

-10/18

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.

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.

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 11am-1pm Students will learn about focal points, perspective, lighting, color, value and terminology with instructor Bonnie Eads. Visit rainbowspringsart.com 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.

Gallery B, 405 E Silver Springs Blvd. 4-7pm The artists of Gallery B, an art collective, will offer original art with20 percent of each purchase given to the artist’s chosen charity: Hands of Mercy Everywhere, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection or Sea Turtles Conservation. Refreshments will be served. Visit gallerybocala.com for more information.

Virtual 7-8:15pm The Appleton Museum of Art will present a free Zoom talk with mixed-media textiles artist Sharon Kerry-Harlan. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Government

9/13

Marion County Development Review Committee

9/13

Marion County Public Hearing

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-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.

9/13

Marion County Board of Adjustment Variances

9/11

Classics and Cocktails

9/13

City of Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission

9/11

Second Saturday Art Studio

9/13

Dunnellon City Council

9/13

Marion County Historical Commission

9/14

Marion County Board of Commissioners

9/14

Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Board

-10/24

9/13

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-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.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-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 “A Hard Day’s Night” and the cocktail is The Add9. Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. 12-3pm Artists of all levels and ages are invited to bring their own projects and create in a serene studio session in the gallery and courtyard. Visit fb.com/mcaocala for more information.

Watercolor Painting

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 10am-12pm Instructor Michelle Curry will lead beginner through advanced participants to expand their creativity and skills. Classes continue every Monday through November 8. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information.

Painting Open in 2-D Traditional Media

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 1-3pm Students are invited to bring their own painting projects in acrylics, oils, watercolors or pastels. Classes continue every Monday through November 8. Visit rainbowspringsart.com for more information.

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.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 1:30pm The Board of County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing to consider special assessments for solid waste services, stormwater services and fire rescue services. Visit marionfl.org for more information.

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 2pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. 5:30pm Call (352) 629-8404 or visit ocalafl.org/meetings for more information.

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Administration Building, 601 SE 25th Ave. 6pm For more information, call Rolando Sosa at (352) 620-0944.

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

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 9:30am Call (352) 438-2475 for more information.

SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

9/14

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee

9/14

City of Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board

9/14

City Hall Commission Room, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 2pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

9/16

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. 4:45pm Call (352) 629-8401 or visit ocalafl.org/meetings for more information.

9/14

Ocala City Council

9/14

City of Belleview Planning & Zoning Board

9/14

City of Dunnellon Historic Preservation Board

9/14

Marion County License Review Board

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information.

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 6pm The License Review Board hears and investigate complaints regarding competency of licensed contractors. Call (352) 4382428 for more information.

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road 6pm Call (352) 438-2810 for more information.

Marion County License Review Board

9/16

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

9/16

Pine Run Estates Advisory Council

9/16

Ocala/Marion TPO Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board

9/16

Rainbow Lakes Estates Public Advisory Board

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5pm Call (352) 629-8401 or visit ocalafl.org/meetings for more information.

Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 5:30pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Silver Springs Shores Tax Advisory Council

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.

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E Silver Springs Blvd. 2pm Contact the Transportation Planning Organization at (352) 629-8297 for more information.

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

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 10

5pm John Mazz Morevino

5pm Stephen Lopez

6:30pm Jeff Jarrett

7pm The Caribbean Chillers

The Crazy Cucumber

8pm Comedian Eugene Torres

6pm Charity Cox Shuckin’ Shack

6:30pm Retro Express

7pm Smokin’ Torpedoes

8pm Noah Hunton

6:30pm John Johnson World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Corkscrew

6pm Brandon Dull Bank Street Patio Bar

On Top of the World Town Square

Bonkerz Comedy Club

7pm The Big Bad

8pm Dueling Pianos

1pm Michelle Ingrham The Crazy Cucumber

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Lodge

On Top of the World Town Square

8pm Fareeza

6pm Gilly & the Girl La Cuisine

The Corkscrew

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

The Keep Downtown

Locos Grill & Pub

8pm Becky Sinn

6:30pm John Johnson Horse & Hounds

11am Becky Sinn Terrace on the Square

8pm Jam Night with Adam Rountree The Keep Downtown

Current Adoption Specials: September is Hurricane Preparedness Month. Show us your emergency plans and adopt for only $15! No appointment needed. Adoption includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.

Lauren

Black Beauty Lovely 6-month-old domestic short hair female cat seeks a human companion for chin scratches, playtimes with toys and snuggles – on her schedule.

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

Glory

Simple Girl Easygoing 6-year-old mixed breed female dog just wants the basics: a safe home, a little exercise and a good human friend to enjoy life by her side.

352.671.8700

Answers for pages C4

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

The Musical

Book by Jeffrey Lane • Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek Based on the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning Original Broadway production directed by Jack O’Brien

SPONSORED BY: Ocala Style Magazine • WIND FM

August 26 – September 19 When the French Riviera isn’t big enough for two charming con artists with their eyes on the same prize…

May the best crook win.

Tickets $30 for adults • $15 for ages 18 and younger 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, Florida 34470 (352) 236-2274 • www.ocalacivictheatre.com

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IN 2022!

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TICKETS ON SALE SEPT. 10, 2021, AT 11 AM! Order tickets at CSCulturalCenter.com | 8395 SW 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34481 | (352) 854-3670 ALL SHOWS BEGIN AT 7 PM & DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM (EXCEPT AS NOTED) | GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE Schedule and prices subject to change without notice. Reduced ticket prices for residents of On Top of the World Communities and Stone Creek apply to Circle Square Cultural Center produced shows only. (Resident ID required when purchasing at box office.) Ticket prices do not include sales tax. Refreshments available for purchase at events. To arrange for handicap seats, call or visit the ticket office. According to CDC guidelines, wearing a mask indoors is recommended. *Free tickets not available online. Tickets must be picked up at the Circle Square Cultural Center box office during normal business hours. Limit two per household. **Online tickets subject to a convenience fee. All ticket sales final.

#14184 - 9/21