FANSOFTHEMONTH
OUR BIGGEST
FANS M
ANY OF YOU READ OUR MAGAZINE EACH AND EVERY MONTH, BUT A FEW OF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELVES OUR BIGGEST FANS! HERE ARE FOUR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE WOWED US WITH THEIR STORIES AND WHO WE CONSIDER OCALA STYLE’S FANS OF THE MONTH.
Photos by John Jernigan
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YAMI SARVARESE
Yami, also known as Petite Jamil, brings a unique form of art to Ocala as a professional belly dancer. “I moved to the United States from Venezuela nine years ago, and everyone here has been so supportive of my art form,” she says. Yami’s passion for dance began as a young girl when she fell in love with the dances of her country, including the Salsa and Merengue. Eventually, her passion evolved to include the Middle Eastern dances. Upon moving to Ocala, she began studying under top professionals in her field. Now, she teaches private lessons and performs at area venues, including the Ocala Wine Experience. “It’s a great workout and allows me to express myself,” she says.
DENISE BELANGER
Anyone listening to Denise Belanger talk about her son’s life wouldn’t believe her story. Her son, Logan, was born during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Her grandmother was supposed to have been on the flight leaving Logan airport (but fortunately wasn’t), and the nurse who was delivering her son had a brother who was working in the twin towers. “Yeah, it was quite the delivery,” she says. But that day was just the beginning of a long road of struggles ahead for Denise. Logan was born without a heart valve, which doctors didn’t find until he was 3 years old and being treated for a different infection. But Denise and Logan don’t let his ailments get in the way of helping others. “He doesn’t let anything stop him, and he’ll do anything for anybody,” says Denise. This fifth-grade student has already written a book and can’t get enough of monster trucks and the Swamp Brothers. He has to wait until he’s 13 for a surgery on his heart to replace the missing valve with a plastic one, but for the time being, he’s content just being a regular kid.
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GERRI GERTHE
Gerri Gerthe has a passion for kids. She, along with 15 family members ranging in age from 2 to 18, is part of a group known as the Purple Doves. They are a “kids helping kids” youth group here in Marion County. “We started with just three girls and grew to 15, with more interested in joining each day,” says Gerri. Along with her group, the Purple Doves have raised funds for many families-in-need with sick children. “We’ve had yard sales, spaghetti dinners, participated in the Relay for Life, made get well cards, you name it,” she says proudly of her Doves’ accomplishments. “Our goal is to grow, not stay local,” she says.
KAREN HILL
After visiting Ocala in 1997, Karen couldn’t help falling in love with the town she now calls home. “I just love the trees here,” she says. Karen’s life took an unexpected turn when a friend began talking about the Marion County Literacy Council. “You know how when someone is talking about something and it gets your heart racing, well that’s what happened to me,” she says excitedly. And though Karen wasn’t looking for a job, she knew she had to apply for the position of director at the Literacy Council. This year celebrates her seventh year in what she refers to as her passion. Along with literacy classes, GED prep courses and teaching English as a second language, the literacy council also works tirelessly to promote reading. Karen acknowledges that her life would not be the same without books, and it’s her passion for reading that she wishes to share with others.
Stay tuned to Ocala Style’s Facebook page for your chance to become a Fan of the Month.