Choked by algae
“Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion”
Silver Springs faces an ecological crisis as experts call for local action to turn the tide.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
For decades, the crystal-clear waters of Silver Springs have captivated visitors, drawing them to its vibrant aquatic life and striking underwater landscapes. But those intimately familiar with the Silver River and the springs are witnessing a heartbreaking transformation.
Boat captain Sebastian Didato, who has navigated the Silver River since childhood, during a recent boat tour pointed to a specific spot he used to highlight for guests. The area features two spring vents that once gushed water so powerfully they stirred up white limestone and shells into what he called a “Florida snowstorm.” Today, those vents
are empty and the underwater snowstorm has ceased to exist due to a severe lack of water flow.
The disappearance of the “snowstorm” is a visual symptom of a much larger, systemic crisis. According to Haley Moody, director of the Florida Springs Institute, the health of Silver Springs is being dismantled by two major threats: groundwater withdrawals and nitrogen pollution. As human demand for water increases, the amount of water bubbling up from the aquifer into the springs has plummeted.
Add a drought to the mix, and the problem is only compounded.
Bill Hawthorne, a senior environmental scientist who has conducted extensive ecological health assessments on the river, notes the
drastic numbers. Historically, Silver Springs flowed at around 820 cubic feet per second, but today it has dropped to an average of 430 cfs — just 53% of its historic volume. This reduction in flow is proving fatal to the river’s native plant life, particularly its eelgrass.
Under normal, healthy conditions, strong river currents push against the underwater plants. Hawthorne explains that flow is crucial for the grass’ survival because it forces the plants to rub against themselves, allowing them to naturally scrape and clean algae off their blades. Without this strong flow, the water becomes stagnant, the plants stop moving and they lose their ability to self-clean.
See Choked by algae, page A8
The write-in wrinkle
Jail medical care challenged
Family of deceased inmate Jacob Oakie sues Marion County Sheriff and Heart of Florida.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Following the tragic death of 39-year-old Jacob Oakie in the Marion County Jail nearly two years ago, his mother, Marilyn Oakie, has filed a comprehensive federal lawsuit in the Middle District of Florida against Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods and others connected to the facility on behalf of his estate and survivors.
Oakie, who was a pretrial detainee at the jail, died of pneumococcal meningitis on July 28, 2024, after experiencing days of escalating medical symptoms that the lawsuit alleges were ignored and mishandled by jail and medical staff. Who is being sued?
The lawsuit names a wide array of defendants involved in the operation of the jail and the medical care provided to its inmates. The primary defendants include:
• Woods (in both his official and individual capacities).
• Heart of Florida Health Center, Inc. (the private contractor providing medical services to the jail).
Jail and medical supervisors, including Major Clint Bowen, Deputy Chief Robert Douglas, Capt. Brian Spivey, Capt. Alesia Chisholm, Director Monica Hopkins, Dr. John Pearson and Dr. Jose Rodriguez.
See Jail medical care, page A4
candidates could block 127,131 registered Marion County voters from participating in upcoming primaries.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
s the qualifying period for local candidates neared its end—set for June 12—two writein candidates filed for Marion County commission seats, a move that effectively locks 127,131 registered independent and
Democrat voters out of these races.
Unless a registered Independent or Democrat candidate officially qualified in those races by the deadline, Marion County voters with those political affiliations will have no say in who will represent them on the county commission. Mark Oakus is a write-in
candidate for the District 2 seat, while Leonard Michael Racioppi has filed as a write-in hopeful for the District 4 seat.
Because Florida is a closed primary state, voters are usually restricted to voting only for candidates within their registered political party. A notable exception to this rule is a Universal Primary Contest
Subscribers
(UPC). A UPC occurs when all candidates for an office share the same party affiliation and face no opposition in the general election, which opens the primary up to all registered voters, regardless of party. Since all the other candidates in the Districts 2 and 4 races are registered Republicans, all 263,464 registered voters in Marion County would be allowed to vote for these seats. However, the addition of two write-in candidates means the GOP primary winner will have at least a nominal opponent in the November general election. This maneuver closes the primaries to only registered Republicans.
See The write-in wrinkle, page A4
schedule. Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order
be included in the following week’s delivery. Starting
Jacob Oakie at a family wedding. [Submitted photo]
Statues left from movie filming years ago in the Silver Springs headsprings are constantly covered in algae, which is cleaned once a month by members of the Silver Springs Professional Dive team. [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Gazette file photo]
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
LOCAL STUDENTS COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR
Big Springs STEM, a program of Marion County Public Schools, has announced local award winners from the 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s most prestigious precollegiate science competition.
MCPS students Delaney Peterson, Briana Stephens and Nicholas DePasquale, were participants in the local Big Springs STEM fair and recently competed in the ISEF.
“Delaney Peterson and Briana Stephens brought home an extraordinary combination of honors, including a place award and nearly $400,000 in
Tscholarships and experiential opportunities,” the news release stated.
“Delaney, a student at Belleview High School, earned third place in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category at the ISEF 2026 Grand Awards ceremony, a remarkable achievement on the world stage of student science. Winning a place award at ISEF is extraordinarily difficult. Thousands of students from more than 60 countries compete each year, representing the very best young scientific minds on the planet. Delaney’s win reflects not just talent, but tenacity—she has been developing and refining her research for three years, facing numerous challenges along the way. Throughout it all, she persevered,” according to the release.
Delaney was awarded the Florida Institute of Technology Presidential Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship valued at $68,000 per year for four years, totaling $272,000.
At the ISEF 2026 Special Awards Ceremony, Briana, also a student at Belleview High School, received a $20,000 per year scholarship to Lehigh University as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to Westlake University in China for a summer science experience recognizing her exceptional scientific achievement and global potential, the news release stated.
“We are incredibly proud of all three Big Springs finalists, Delaney, Briana and Nicholas. Their achievements are a testament to the exceptional talent, determination and spirit of the students at Belleview High School. Thank you to everyone who has supported these amazing,” said Erin Benavides, MCPS resource teacher and Big Springs STEM Fair director.
FOUNDATION SEEKS SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
he Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County is offering the Ready for Success initiative.
“When students have the resources they need to succeed, our entire community benefits. The Ready for Success initiative is bringing together businesses, organizations and community members to help local students start the school year prepared, confident and ready to learn. Through this community-wide effort, support is being provided to four nonprofit partners serving children, families and teachers throughout Marion County: Marion County Public Schools – Families in Transition, Marion County Children’s Alliance, Stuff the Bus and The Rock Program,” the news release stated.
Foundation officials noted in the release that “from school supplies and educational resources to critical support services, these organizations are helping remove barriers to success for local students. But they can’t do it alone.”
Here are ways to be involved:
• Become a Ready for Success Partner ($1,000+) and help lead this community effort.
• Make a financial contribution of any amount to support local students and families.
Purchase school supplies directly through the nonprofits’ Amazon Wish Lists.
To learn more, go to ocalafoundation.org/ready-for-success
STUDENT PRODUCTION
The performance choir from Capstone Academy recently partnered with the Recording Ranch for what music director Allison Aldrich called “an amazing project.”
“We composed and produced our own cover of ‘A Million Dreams’ from the ‘Greatest Showman,’ and are releasing the single across all streaming platforms, as well as releasing an official music video produced
locally at Recording Ranch in Ocala and some shots from other school functions. It’s really a once in a lifetime type of thing that these students got to be a part of. They shine bright and are doing big things,” Aldrich wrote in an email message.
Check out the video by visiting youtube.com/ watch?v=c2JYCV4EB7Q
“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in
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The performance choir from Capstone Academy recently partnered with the Recording Ranch for “an amazing project.” [Submitted photo]
Marion County Public Schools students Delaney Peterson, Briana Stephens and Nicholas DePasquale, participants in the local Big Springs STEM fair, recently competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair. [Submitted photo]
ICE reimbursements
Three area agencies, including the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, received checks on June 4.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia presented $166,317 worth of reimbursement checks for their roles in immigration enforcement to three Florida law enforcement agencies, including the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, during a press conference Thursday at the MCSO Operations Center in Ocala.
“I am thankful for the dedication and tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners who have worked tirelessly to keep Floridians safe,” Ingoglia stated.
The reimbursement funds presented were $69,117 for the MCSO, $77,200 for the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and $20,000 for the town of Cross City Police Department, which were funded by the State Board of Immigration
An MCSO spokesperson said the three agencies were selected for reimbursement on Thursday but “there have been others.”
Ingoglia indicated this was the second round of reimbursement payments and the payments would continue.
Ingoglia pointed to what he termed “ridiculous” policies, including sanctuary cities and free tuition to state educational facilities, adding that illegal immigrants had “no fear” and had access to benefits from food stamps to law degrees. Immigration enforcement was hailed as “protecting communities”
and helping to reduce the flow of people and drugs like Fentanyl sent in by drug cartels.
Ingoglia, a member of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement as a State Cabinet member, spoke about failed policies of both Democratic and Republican Party administrations for about 50 years, which failed to stem illegal immigration.
“The Biden administration not only allowed reckless illegal immigration across our borders, they intensified it,” Ingoglia stated.
“(We are at) a tipping point,”
Ingoglia said of the illegal immigration issue. He said “leftist” politicians, for their roles in policies like sanctuary cities, should be “charged as accessories to crime and held accountable.”
Ingoglia said he supports legal immigration and the ones most infuriated by illegal immigration are those who follow the legal steps to enter the country.
Ingoglia warned of policies which serve as “magnets” for illegal immigration.
Ingoglia discussed a 1986 amnesty initiative by the Reagan Administration to address a then approximately 3 million illegal immigrants. He said the number of illegal immigrants now in the U.S. is estimated at 13 million to 15 million.
Ingoglia said “you won’t hear it on TV” but a former Reagan Administration official, he stated, later felt the initiative just “created a magnet” and attracted more illegal immigrants.
The Dignity Act, a bill currently
pending in Congress, has been called a “bipartisan effort.” The act would follow “biblical principles” while modernizing the country’s immigration system.
Several speakers, including Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, cited their family history with Woods stating that his grandmother came to the U.S. from France during World War I and she “knew more” about the Constitution than himself.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Department website, ice.gov, states an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 25, 2025, Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” requires ICE to authorize state and local law enforcement officials. The site states that the 1996 “Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act” contains section 287(g) which authorizes ICE to “delegate state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight.”
A later press release from the Office of Chief Financial Officer included a statement about the program to “partner” with local law enforcement.
“Local law enforcement agencies receive funding through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement for reimbursement of immigration enforcement activities. The Immigration and Nationality Act, under the 287 (g) agreement, allows state and
local law enforcement to partner with ICE and provide bonuses to law enforcement officers who are trained under the agreement,” the statement reads.
Woods said he visited the Southern U. S. border some time ago and saw people “pouring over.”
“The money awarded to my office by the State Board of Immigration Enforcement helps ensure the safety of our deputies by giving them the tools to do their jobs safely and efficiently,” Woods stated in the press release.
According to the MCSO Records Department, the agency signed the 287g contract in February 2025.
The records indicate, to date, 196 people have been detained by MCSO officers during this enforcement effort. The figure doesn’t include people detained by other law enforcement agencies, according to the Records Department.
Although the total number of Illegal immigrants who have been held in the Marion County Jail during the current immigration enforcement was not immediately available, Woods said about 30 non-U.S. citizens a week are
detained and typically 15 to 18 are in the country illegally.
Accepting the funds for Bradford County was Col. Brad Smith, Chief Deputy, and for the Cross City PD, Chief Jamey King.
Also speaking at the press conference were Rep. Ryan Chamberlain and Sen. Stan McClain.
In the audience, former Marion County Commissioner Glen Fiorello praised the enforcement efforts.
“Excellent,” Fiorello said.
Meanwhile, the NAACP has called for, in a resolution, posted at naacp.org, changes at ICE including criminal background checks and drug test on agents, removal of masks on agents and, for “the U.S. Senate to remove and reallocate any funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
The resolution states that ICE has been transformed “into a massive, weaponized national law enforcement presence under the direction of the Executive Branch.”
An email to the Marion County Branch of the NAACP seeking comment was not immediately returned.
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia, left, speaks during a press conference on illegal immigration enforcement as Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods listens at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala on June 4, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Jail medical care
Continued from page A1
Medical staff and deputies, including nurses who directly interacted with Oakie (Colleen Rutland, Sandy Gomez, Dorisvel Ramos, Duane Cunningham, Leslie Tyson, Andrea Younes and John Little) and the detention deputies involved in a use-of-force incident against Oakie while he was in the infirmary (Officer N. Custodio, Deputy Gordon and Deputy Iovino).
THE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS (42 U.S.C.
§ 1983)
A large portion of the lawsuit is built upon 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a federal statute that allows private citizens to sue for civil rights violations committed by individuals acting “under color of state law.” Because Oakie was a pretrial detainee, his constitutional protections fall under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.
The federal claims and their required legal elements include:
• Count 1: Deliberate Indifference to a Serious Medical Need. Directed at the nurses and deputies who directly interacted with Oakie, this claim alleges that they ignored his lifethreatening symptoms and, in the case of the deputies, pepper-sprayed and restrained him without seeking medical evaluation while he was in an altered mental state.
Elements to prove: The plaintiff must establish that (1) the detainee had an objectively serious medical need, (2) the officials had actual notice or knowledge of this need, (3) the officials acted with “deliberate indifference” (a subjective reckless disregard for the detainee’s health or safety) and (4) this indifference directly and proximately caused the harm or death.
• Counts 2 & 3: Monell Liability. Directed at Woods (official capacity) and the Heart of Florida Health Center. Under § 1983, a government entity or private contractor performing a state function
cannot be held vicariously liable simply because they employ the wrongdoer.
• Elements to prove: The plaintiff must demonstrate that (1) a constitutional deprivation occurred and (2) the deprivation was the result of an express policy, a widespread custom or a deliberate act by a final policymaker. The lawsuit alleges that Woods and Heart of Florida maintained a widespread practice of depriving inmates of adequate, timely care and hospital access, which was the “moving force” behind Oakie’s death.
• Count 4: Supervisory Liability. Directed at the jail and medical leadership.
• Elements to prove: Because supervisors cannot be held liable merely for their supervisory roles, the plaintiff must prove that (1) the supervisor had actual or constructive knowledge of a widespread history of abuses or constitutional violations, (2) the supervisor failed to act, showing deliberate indifference or tacit authorization of the offenses and (3) there is an affirmative causal link between the supervisor’s inaction and the resulting constitutional injury. The complaint alleges these supervisors knew of severe healthcare deficiencies in the jail—partly through reports from a former whistleblower—but failed to correct them.
THE STATE LAW CLAIMS (WRONGFUL DEATH)
In addition to the federal civil rights claims, the lawsuit brings state-level claims under the Florida Wrongful Death Act against Woods (official capacity) and the Heart of Florida Health Center.
The elements required to successfully prove a wrongful death claim based on negligence in Florida are:
• (1) Duty of Care: The defendant owed a legal duty to the deceased to act with reasonable care. The lawsuit argues both the sheriff and the medical provider had a duty to maintain policies that kept inmates safe and provided them with legally adequate medical treatment.
• (2) Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to conform to the required standard of care. The complaint alleges this duty was breached through deliberate indifference to Oakie’s medical needs.
(3) Causation: The breach of duty directly and proximately caused the victim’s death. The plaintiff must prove that the death was a foreseeable consequence of the defendants’ failures.
(4) Damages: The death resulted in measurable losses. The Oakie estate is seeking compensation for lost support and services, medical expenses and mental pain and suffering.
A STEADY DECLINE DISREGARDED
Oakie was booked into the Marion County Jail on June 20, 2024, initially weighing 112 pounds. By June 27, he had submitted a medical request complaining of hypoglycemia and weight loss. His weight continued to drop over the following weeks, reaching 103.8 pounds by July 22.
On July 18, Oakie submitted an urgent medical request stating he had a “really bad ear infection” that was “hurting horribly.” When seen the following day, he complained of a swollen, painful left ear and jaw, along with congestion and body aches. Despite these symptoms, on July 22, a Heart of Florida nurse diagnosed Oakie with a “common cold,” prescribed Tylenol and an antihistamine, and sent him back to general population.
ESCALATING MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Oakie’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Later in the day on July 22, he was moved to the jail infirmary for observation after reporting dizziness, nausea, vomiting and “sweating profusely.” Over the next several days, Oakie suffered from high fevers— reaching up to 102.9 degrees—and was documented dry heaving and vomiting “dark colored liquid.”
Although an ARNP ordered blood cultures and a chest X-ray on July 23, medical staff continued treating him with cold and anti-nausea medications, placing him on a diet of only water and ice chips. By July 25, records indicate Oakie was spitting in his toilet, refusing IVs and exhibiting an altered mental state.
PEPPER SPRAYED WHILE SEPTIC
Early on the morning of July 26, while still housed in the infirmary, a confused and agitated Oakie removed his IV port and yelled for hours that he wanted to leave. At approximately 5:10 a.m., Detention Deputy N. Custodio ordered Oakie to stop yelling and submit to hand restraints. When Oakie, who was actively suffering from severe brain swelling and an altered mental state, did not comply, Custodio deployed a burst of pepper gel into his facial area. Deputies L. Gordon and B. Iovino then placed Oakie in restraints and put him in a decontamination shower for 15 minutes before returning him to his infirmary cell.
TRAGIC CONCLUSION AND UNANSWERED
QUESTIONS
At 7:41 a.m. on July 26—more than two hours after the use-of-force incident— jail staff called 911 for medical transport. Minutes later, a nurse referenced Oakie’s July 23 blood work for the first time in the records, noting he was being transported to AdventHealth Ocala “to rule out sepsis.”
Upon arriving at the emergency room, Oakie went into respiratory distress and had to be intubated. Doctors diagnosed him with pneumococcal meningitis, a severe and potentially fatal infection that requires immediate antibiotic intervention. Oakie died two days later, on July 28, after his family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support.
Following his death, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office classified Oakie’s death as being due to “natural causes.”
Despite the use of force shortly before Oakie’s hospitalization, neither the Florida Department of Law Enforcement nor State Attorney William Gladson’s office opened an investigation into his death. Furthermore, the MCSO has repeatedly denied requests from both the “Gazette” and Oakie’s family to release the jail surveillance video from the morning of his death.
Prior reports: Medical records for Jacob Oakie confirm growing concerns for inmate medical care and use of force at Marion County jail | Ocala Gazette
Family seeks answers in the death of 39-year-old inmate | Ocala Gazette
Marion County’s jail remains one of the deadliest in Florida | Ocala Gazette
The write-in wrinkle
Continued from page A1
The inclusion of write-in candidates in partisan primaries in Florida has stoked controversy in Marion County and around the state in recent election cycles. These write-ins, often known as “ghost candidates,” have raised alarms among elections experts.
“Voters are being disenfranchised,” Ben Wilcox of Integrity Florida noted during the 2024 election season. “In Florida, it’s like we’re infested with ghost candidates.”
Write-in candidates, he pointed out, often make no effort to campaign or raise funds.
“The fact that they don’t even campaign, the voter doesn’t even know how to write in their name,” Wilcox told Spectrum News. “They really serve no purpose. They never win an election. It takes away people’s voice in who their eventual representative will be.”
RULES AS DIFFERENT FOR WRITE-IN CANDIDATE
Closing a primary through a write-in candidate requires minimal effort.
According to Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox, write-in candidates follow essentially the same qualifying process as major party candidates, but they do not need to gather 2,659 signed candidate petitions or pay the standard qualifying fee of $6,653.76. They are only required to file the necessary forms.
Additionally, write-in candidates do not even need to live in the district when they file. According to the official 2026 qualifying information, the residency requirement for a county commissioner states that they only need to be an “Elector and Resident of District Upon Election,” meaning the residency mandate applies only to whomever wins the final vote.
SCHOOL DISTRICT RACES REMAIN OPEN TO ALL MARION VOTERS
While the county commission seats are partisan races subject to closed primary rules, the School Board races are nonpartisan. This guarantees that everyone registered to vote in Marion County will be able to participate in the School Board elections, regardless of their political party affiliation.
WHO HAS FILED AND QUALIFIED SO FAR?
As of our press date of June 10, here is the list of candidates who qualified or filed for the School District and County Commission seats (excluding withdrawn candidates):
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2
Matt Cretul (Republican) - Qualified
Mike Crimi (Republican) - Qualified
Brien Weidemiller (Republican) - Qualified
Mark Okus (Write-In) - Qualified
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4
• Randall Alvord (Republican)Qualified
• Jeff Bairstow (Republican) - Qualified
• Wanda Wimberly Lasher (Republican)
- Qualified
• Sherri Meadows (Republican)Qualified
Leonard Michael Racioppi (Write-In)
- Filed
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 3
Eric R. Cummings (Nonpartisan)Qualified
Steve Swett (Nonpartisan) - Qualified
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4
• Jeff Brewer (Nonpartisan) - Qualified
• Mike Mills (Nonpartisan) - Qualified
• Brigitte Smith (Nonpartisan)Qualified
• Buddy Wyckoff (Nonpartisan)Qualified
SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5
Donald “Donny” Barber (Nonpartisan)
- Qualified
Sarah James (Nonpartisan) - Qualified
Ualthan Bigby (Nonpartisan) - Filed
The final ballot will be solidified when qualifying ends at noon Friday. Those who qualify will be on the ballot in the Aug. 18 Primary Election. If no Independent or Democratic candidate qualifies, 127,131Marion County voters will have to wait for the general election to vote on the county commission race and will only have two choices: either the Republican primary winner or the write-in candidate. To learn more, go to votemarion.gov
Honors and scholarships for adults and youth
The War Cry 4 Peace 2026 Awards and Scholarship Reveal and Mayor’s Olympic Games Challenge took place June 7 in Ocala.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
The War Cry 4 Peace 2026 Awards and Scholarship Reveal and Mayor’s Olympic Games Challenge event that took place on June 7 saw dozens of local youth recognized for continued commitment to school and family while working through loss caused by gun violence.
The gathering at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place also announced students awarded scholarships by the E.B. Mills Foundation and acknowledged a number of adult leaders in the community for their mentoring of youth.
More than 40 youth were called to the stage and given certificates to recognize their “perseverance and resilience,” according to event organizers.
Marion County School Superintendent Danielle Brewer and War Cry 4 Peace founder Kimberly Wilkerson presented the certificates. Wilkerson said all the youth had gun violence tragedies in their families.
Darrell Tolbert gave an uplifting talk titled “There is a champion in you,” which urged the youth to recognize their inner strengths.
The Liberty Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Children’s Choir sang several rousing songs, which drew a strong audience reaction.
The afternoon also hosted four students from War Cry 4 Peace families who received scholarships sponsored by the E.B. Mills Foundation of Florida, represented by Eric Jewell.
Camiah Roberts, 18, received a $20,000 scholarship to Advent Health University in honor of her brother, Tylique Christie. She was accompanied at the event by her mother, Cassandra Christie. According to a Sept. 22, 2023, “Gazette” report, Tylique Christie, then 18, was shot and died following an episode in northwest Marion County with a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old, who were later arrested.
The other scholarship recipients were:
• * $2,500, to Kyndall Vandyke, in memory of Reginald McKnight Sr.
• * $500, to Jiyah Hamilton, in memory of Courtreaz Goldsmith
• * $2,500, to Trinity Hopkins, in memory of Willie Jones
According to its website, the foundation focuses on “unlocking equity and prosperity in the West Marion County community and investing in solutions for systemic change in Marion County’s West Highway 40 corridor.”
Adult leaders recognized at the event and hailed for their support, mentoring and contributions to the community included Wayne Alllen, Diane Thomas, Ora Lee Jackson, Rodney Rocker Jr. and Winona Youmans.
War Cry 4 Peace was founded by Wilkerson, an educator, coach and pastor, in 2014. The organization seeks to “help mend/heal families and communities affected by gun violence through impactful solutions, support systems and services,” according to its website.
Wilkerson was recognized by Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea during the gathering on Sunday and said that she is scheduled to speak at an upcoming City Council meeting, with a date yet to be announced.
Lavoie Tax Services
WAR
CRY FAMILIES
(names of the deceased in bold)
Tiffenany Arce (Antion Shade Jr.)
Alyen St Fluer
Prince St Fluer
Zakari St Fluer
Laliah Roberts
McKenzie Roberts
Sharongila Bethea (Devonte Boyd)
• Ava Bethea
Ciera Chisholm (Ronnie James)
• Phoenix James
• Ron’I James
• Jermoni Turner
• Jer’Ni Turner
Cassandra Christie (Tylique Christie)
Camiah Roberts
Lachele Davis (Daniel Davis Jr.)
Cornelius Blunt
Abel Davis
Antonio Davis
King Davis
Rico Davis Jr
Daniel Williams
Shaundreka Goldsmith (Courtreaz Goldsmith)
• Malachi Goldsmith
• Leia Reid
• Nehemiah Reid
Janice Goodman (Ja’Narre Suggs)
• Jacali Bright
Ben Marciano is the mayor of Ocala and an avid fan of fitness initiatives. The Mayor’s Olympic Games Challenge, announced as offering fun challenges for youth, such as punt, pass and kick in football, was held after the awards ceremony, with Marion County High School volunteer coaches, accord to a War Cry 4 Peace Facebook post.
To learn more, go to warcry4peace.net and find them on social media.
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• Ja’lani Suggs
Jhevier Suggs
Eddie Hamilton (Courtreaz Goldsmith)
Jiyah Hamilton
Theran Hargrove (Tevin Hargrove)
Alaina Hargrove
T’hari Hargrove
T’niyla Hargrove
Brianna Hill (Jairah Raines Sr.)
Jabria Raines
Jabriel Hopkins (Willie Jones Jr.)
• Trinity Hopkins
• Trenton Hopkins
Fashun Ivery (Jairah Raines Sr.)
• Jairah Raines Jr
• Jeremiah Raines
Ebony Johnson (Ezekiel Tuggerson)
Sarai Johnson
Kensley Levister
Kensley Levister
Cheryl Mann (Jordan Keke Davis)
Samarion Bagley
Savion Bagley
Stephon Bagley
Jordan Davis
Barbara Manuel (Christopher Jones & Roderick Kinsler)
• Kelly Jones
Iris McCoy (Reginald J. McKnight Sr.)
• Pa’Dyn Evans
• Jordyn Roundtree
• Jace Suggs
• Jaxon Suggs
Khlya Vandyke
Lesia Nelson (Altwan Entevin Crim)
Zi’Riyah Washington
Zi’Niyah washington
Z’Reon Nelson
Sayde Nixon (Michael Hugley)
Michael Hugley-Nixon
Danielle Pete (Troyrelle Bell)
Toryann Bell
• Ezekiel Pete
Yvonne Raines (Jairah Raines Sr.)
• Elijah Barnes Jr.
Rhiana Rodgers (Ronnie James)
• Royal James
• Reign James
Dashan Simpson (Jerry Bynes)
Nalyeis Bynes
Ravenna Bynes
Nalaiah Santiago
Jadaya Simpson
Jashan Simpson
Brenda Vereen (Ralph Croskey)
Amir Vereen- Belle
Monique Weeks/ Mary Weeks (John Marcus Weeks)
• Jekari Weeks
• Jordan Weeks
Winona Youmans (Willie Jones Jr.)
• Victor Youmans III
Source: Kimberly Wilkerson
Camiah Roberts, 18, received a $20,000 scholarship to Advent Health University in honor of her brother, Tylique Christie, at the War Cry 4 Peace Awards and Scholarship event held at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala on June 7, 2026.
Kyndall Vandkye received a scholarship from Eric Jewell with the E.B. Mills Foundation of Florida, in memory of Reginald McKnight Sr.
Eric Jewell with the E.B. Mills Foundation of Florida presents a scholarship check to Trinity Hopkins, in memory of Willie Jones.
Eric Jewell with the E.B. Mills Foundation of Florida presents a scholarship check to Jiyah Hamilton, in memory of Courtreaz Goldsmith.
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
Native Ocalan dies at 73
Russell Baillie was known for his service to the community and his love of the great outdoors.
Special to the Gazette
Russell Eugene Baillie, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on June 5.
Born on Nov. 6, 1952, in Ocala, Russell lived a life deeply rooted in family, friendship and a love for the outdoors. He made his home on the western shore of Lake George, where he found great joy in the natural beauty of Old Florida and the simple pleasures of life on the water.
Following his graduation from Ocala High School, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He later graduated from the University of Florida, carrying with him lifelong friendships, cherished memories and a deep appreciation for the values of brotherhood, leadership and service.
A respected leader in both his profession and community, Russell was a lifetime member of the Ocala Lions Club and proudly served as its president. Dedicated to community service and helping others, he exemplified the Lions’ motto, “We Serve.” He also served
as president of the Florida Surety Agents Association, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues throughout the state for his leadership, integrity and commitment to his profession.
Russell was the devoted husband of Jaye Sterchi Baillie, with whom he shared a life filled with love, laughter, adventure and unwavering partnership. Together, they built a family that was the pride and joy of his life.
He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Baillie Stumme and her husband, Andy Stumme, and their children, Emory and
Clark Stumme; and by his son, Sam Baillie and his wife, Beth Baillie, and their children, Henry and Lora Kate Baillie. Russell cherished his role as a grandfather.
Russell was happiest outdoors. Whether fishing the waters of Lake George, hunting with friends and family, boating or tending a barbecue surrounded by loved ones, he embraced life with enthusiasm. For decades, he looked forward to summer vacations in the Florida Keys, where countless days were spent fishing, laughing and
making memories with family and friends. Those trips became treasured traditions and some of the happiest moments of his life.
Known for his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, Russell had a remarkable ability to make people laugh and feel at ease. He never met a stranger and had a gift for turning ordinary moments into memorable stories. His warm smile, generous spirit and easygoing nature made everyone feel welcome.
Those who knew Russell will remember a man of quiet strength, deep loyalty and steadfast love for his family. He found joy in simple moments, valued hard work and lived with an appreciation for the people and places he loved most.
Though his passing leaves a tremendous void, his legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured and the countless memories shared around campfires, on the water, in the Florida Keys and at Lake George.
Russell will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.
A memorial service will begin at 4 p.m. June 16 at Grace
‘Aging with grace’
Episcopal Church at 503 SE Broadway St., Ocala. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of a life well lived and a man deeply loved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Russell’s name to the David Baillie Scholarship Fund, established in memory of Russell’s father, David Baillie. The scholarship, established by the Ocala Lions Club, supports students pursuing degrees in agriculture, helping young people follow their educational dreams while honoring the values of hard work, stewardship of the land and service to others that were important to both David and Russell. Through this lasting tribute, their legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Gifts may be mailed to: Public Education Foundation of Marion County, 1239 NW 4th St., Ocala, FL 34475; or made online at pefmc.org (select “Donate” and designate your gift In Memory of Russell Baillie.).
Editor’s note: Russell was an avid cook. He was featured in the “Gazette’s” former sister publication, “Ocala Style” magazine in this article: ocalastyle.com/inthe-kitchen-with-russell-baillie/
Church will offer free program to uplift and improve the lives of seniors.
By Andy Fillmore
andy@ocalagazette.com
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in east Marion County has served the spiritual and material needs of the community for more than four decades. It will soon launch a free program, which is open to the public, aimed at uplifting and improving the daily lives of seniors.
The Aging with Grace program will be offered in weekly, four-hour sessions beginning June 16, and will include art therapy and more.
Father Jarek Sztybel said the program will provide “hope
encouragement and support, healing and advocacy services for our parishioners and the surrounding community.”
Susan Lorain, a clinic psychologist for 42 years, has counseled patients from people on the autism spectrum to individuals diagnosed with PTSD, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. She will conduct the program Sessions will start at 10 a.m. and be broken into four segments: prayer, socialization, physical health and educational communication. The program is free to attend and includes lunch. Donations are welcome to defray costs. Lorain said the session topics will range from
personal relationships and “de-escalation” for couples to movement and stretching and floor exercise. The speakers planned so far include a financial advisor and a primer on patient rights. She added that her mentoring has helped with symptom relief and aided people in wheelchairs and walkers to lose weight.
“The Aging with Grace program is for all seniors and it’s about coming together as a community for support and help. A person can shift and lift themselves out of whatever hole they might be in,” Lorain said. Volunteers are needed to conduct the sessions and also to provide topic suggestions.
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Catholic Church is located at 10679 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala. Office manager Lyndy Garrett said the first building opened in 1985 and the current larger sanctuary was in use by the late 1990s. The church started with about 100 families and now has about 300. Mass is offered Tuesday through Sunday. The social hall, which can seat 300 people, has recently undergone a major upgrade and can be rented by the public.
A group of volunteer parishioners under parish leadership handle a weekly pantry that provides food for those in need every first and third Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to
noon. The church also has scheduled drive through food distributions supported by the Diocese of Orlando. About 240 volunteers have distributed 100,691 pounds of food to 4,481 people representing 1,060 households in 2026 to date, according to Garrett.
The church operates a thrift shop that recently moved to an expanded store at 13501 E. County Road 25, Ocklawaha. To learn more, go to ihmcatholicchurch.com
To RSVP for the Aging with Grace program or learn more, contact Lorain at susanlorain845@gmail.com or text (339) 293-3410.
SW 66th Street bridge over I-75 to close June 15
Staff report
TThe closure will span approximately one year, with a scheduled reopening in summer 2027.
he Florida Department of Transportation has announced that the Southwest 66th Street bridge over Interstate 75 just south of Ocala will close June 15 for reconstruction.
The replacement of the SW 66th Street bridge is part of the larger Moving I-75 Forward initiative to improve conditions along I-75 from State Road 44 in Wildwood to SR 326 in Ocala. Originally projected to take place in 2027, the timeframe for replacing the bridge was moved up to coincide with Moving I-75 Forward. The bridge will be closed for approximately one year, the news release stated.
When completed, the bridge will have 21 feet, 3 inches of clearance above I-75, almost 5 feet more than the current bridge clearance. The bridge will be wider to accommodate a possible future widening of SW 66th Street. It will include a shared-use path on one side for pedestrians and bicycle riders, and a sidewalk on the other side.
During the closure, motorists who wish to cross I-75 will be directed to use the SW
43rd Street Road bridge.
Eastbound motorists may travel east on SR 200 or north on SW 40th Avenue, turn right on SW 43rd Street Road, proceed east across the bridge, then turn right onto SW 27th Avenue.
• Westbound motorists may travel north on SW 27th Avenue, turn left on SW 43rd Street Road, proceed west across the bridge, then turn left on SW 40th Avenue or continue to S.R. 200 and turn left.
The Moving I-75 Forward project covers more than 30 miles between SR 44 in Sumter County and SR 326 in Marion County. Improvements include the addition of an auxiliary lane in both directions, multiple bridge replacements and interchange enhancements, according to FDOT.
Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. FDOT advises motorists to reduce speed, follow posted signage and exercise extra caution while traveling through the work zone.
For updates and project information, visit movingi75forward.com/
Russell Baillie [Ocala Style/Gazette file photo]
Fun and useful program set for June 20
Sew WHAT? Learning Sewing Basics with G will include music, snacks and camaraderie.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Here’s a little secret—I was always a good student in school and the only “D” grade I ever got was in home economics. Now I wish I had made more of an effort to learn early on how to cook and sew and other life skills. If you might be a late bloomer like me, here’s your chance to catch up in one area.
The LILAC Foundation Corporation is hosting Sew WHAT? Learning Sewing Basics with G from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 20 at the foundation office at 2322 NE 8th Road, Ocala. Lisa Irwin is president of the foundation.
“Join artist and designer Geraldo (“G”) for a fun, beginner-friendly morning of practical hand sewing, good music, snacks, conversation and learning the kind of sewing basics everyone wishes they knew,” the news release noted.
The program will cover sewing on buttons, repairing simple tears, basic hems, unraveling buttonholes and hookand-eye and snap repair for garments. Attendees are asked to bring a garment needing simple repair, your favorite scissors if you have them (the team will have extras just in case) and reading glasses “if your eyes like to betray you during tiny tasks.”
“If your garment turns out to be too advanced for this beginner workshop, don’t worry, we’ll have fabric scraps available to practice on and will schedule future classes for trickier repairs and alterations. Taking in garments will be covered in a separate future class,” the news release stated.
Basic sewing supplies including thread, needles, buttons and fabric scraps will be provided, and attendees get to keep “a really cute sewing kit to take home,” Irwin noted.
The LILAC Foundation (Lisa Irwin Legacy for Arts & Culture) has three pillars: Arts In Health Ocala Metro, or AIHOM, which is now its own nonprofit organization; Elevating Futures, in which they invest in initiatives that foster growth, confidence and independence— particularly for women and girls; and Opportunity For All, which supports individuals in Marion County who may face barriers—whether due to income, location or other circumstances—by expanding access to the arts, wellness, education and personal growth.
To learn more about the foundation’s Sew WHAT? event, the “Gazette” did a Q&A with Irwin via email.
Whose idea was this?
Actually, this idea came directly from members of our community who know Geraldo’s expertise in tailoring and garment construction. People have been asking us to offer a class like this for about a year and we finally reached a point where we could host it at the LILAC office.
At LILAC, it’s important that we listen to what the community wants and needs. The last thing we want to do is create programming that no one is interested in.
This was something people consistently asked for, so we knew it was worth exploring.
On a personal level, it resonates with me as well. I never learned to sew as a child, and I know I’m not alone in wishing I had those basic skills today.
What’s especially interesting is that this simple sewing class may be the beginning of something much bigger. Recent reporting has highlighted a growing shortage of tailors, sewists and alteration specialists across the country, even as demand for those skills continues to increase. Many experienced professionals are reaching retirement age, while fewer young people are entering the field.
One of LILAC’s pillars is Elevating Futures, and we’re always looking for ways to help people build skills that can lead to greater confidence, supplemental income or even career opportunities. Our hope is that this class becomes more than a one-time workshop. Perhaps it grows into a sewing program, mentorship opportunities, or pathways for people to earn income from home serving their neighborhoods, much like the local tailor many of us remember having in our communities growing up.
Right now, we’re teaching buttons, hems and simple repairs. But every skill starts somewhere, and we’re excited to see where this one might lead.
With so much “off the rack” wear available, why is it important to know how to fix a piece of clothing?
For me personally, it has a lot to do with the quality of clothing. If you’re a little vintage like I am, you’ve probably noticed that many garments made 20 or 30 years ago were constructed with higher-quality fabrics and craftsmanship than much of what we see today.
I’ve also learned a great deal from Esmee Bancroft and the Ocala Clothing Swap about the environmental impact of
Sipping under the stars
Ocala City Council greenlights outdoor alcohol expansions at adjacent downtown bars.
By Jamie Berube
jamie@ocalagazette.com
Two downtown bars will soon be serving drinks at sidewalk tables in front of their main eateries after winning approval from the Ocala City Council.
The Mutiny Bar Ocala and The Tipsy Skipper, adjacent to each other on South Magnolia Avenue, can expand on-premises consumption of beer, wine and liquor (4COP license) to outdoor sidewalk areas.
Owner Buck Martin, of Martin & Weiss, LLC, submitted parallel applications for the Mutiny Bar Ocala, 46 S Magnolia Ave., Suite B; and The Tipsy Skipper, 48 S Magnolia Ave., Suite A. Supporting materials included hand-drawn site plans showing multiple round tables with seating, current liability insurance through PennAmerica Insurance Group and other required documents. Both businesses already held indoor on-premises consumption approval.
During the June 2 meeting, Mayor Ben Marciano raised concerns about open containers.
“It’s been a major issue downtown. If the applicant is here, I’d love to hear how we’re going to make sure that that’s not an issue with open containers leaving the site,” he said.
Sam Betty, general manager of The Mutiny Bar Ocala, stated that Mutiny will regularly staff a door person to monitor the outdoor awning area to keep people from leaving the designated space with drinks.
“We are following the same standards that are already in place for places like the Black Sheep on Broadway and Big Hammock Brewery and enforcing the awning space with simple tables and seating and having someone to make sure that all alcohol remains in that space and does not extend out into the street,” Betty said.
Councilwoman Kristen Dreyer asked Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken whether officers inquire about the origin of open containers when issuing violations.
“That’s been an issue,” he acknowledged. “This has really come about, quite frankly, because of a pretty significant increase in after-hour fist fights and things like that downtown that’s caused our bike unit, our patrol officers, to make these stops.
“We’ve issued a multitude of warnings, some court dates,” he continued. “The problem is, we’re ending up having to focus on the patrons who are sometimes ignorant of the city ordinance as it relates to open containers.”
Balken said it was good for the mayor to bring up this point, adding, “We’re working with the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to do administrative actions against these bars themselves. So, our officers have gone out and warned these establishments that these activities are going to occur if these problems continue.
“I think it’s problematic for a business to say that they’re always going to be there at the door to watch these patrons
coming and going with alcohol,” Balken said. “I understand what he’s saying, that these other businesses are already doing this. I just think it’s important, certainly a good time for the warning to be put out there, where we have got to take enforcement action, not only on the patrons that are leaving with the open containers, but we’re going to have to start moving toward the establishments themselves, too, because there is an administrative responsibility on their part to make sure this doesn’t happen.”
Dreyer added context from her experience in the district.
“I think what part of the issue is that when you go to many other places, they have established zones where you can freely walk around with like a Solo cup or something. People may get used to that and they just assume you can do that everywhere,” she said.
“I have no idea, but I will say that because this is my district, I do frequent our downtown at strange hours of the night just to check out like what’s happening down here, and of all of the establishments, these two actually do have somebody at the door. They card me when I go into the place, which I really love, by the way,” Dreyer said.
“I can see where these problems would be created, because there are some bars, one is coming to mind that really has zero oversight, so I can get my alcohol and kind of roam around the whole entire building and then leave and do whatever I’m doing,” she said. “And they kind of have like an outdoor club scene
fast fashion. Esmee shared that a single article of clothing can take approximately 200 years to break down in a landfill, and even longer if it’s wrapped in plastic. That statistic really stuck with me.
When we’re able to repair a loose hem, replace a button or mend a tear, we’re extending the life of something we already own and love rather than sending it to a landfill. We’re also saving money and reducing waste at the same time.
I think there’s something empowering about learning simple repair skills. A favorite piece of clothing doesn’t have to be discarded because of a small problem. Sometimes it just needs a little care. That’s good for our wallets, good for our creativity, and good for our planet.
Will this be like a quilting bee, where attendees talk while they work?
LILAC is always about building community and having fun together. This class will be more instructional than social, but we’ve intentionally built in the first 30 minutes as a chance for everyone to settle in, enjoy a snack, meet one another and get comfortable before Geraldo begins teaching.
That said, I fully expect there will be plenty of conversation and laughter throughout the class.
Looking ahead, we’d love to explore hosting sewing circles or community mending gatherings, either at the LILAC office or in partnership with other nonprofits whose missions align with ours. Sew WHAT? Learning Sewing Basics with G is open to ages 12 and up. The cost is $20.
According to the news release, “Space is limited, and honestly… your grandmother would probably be thrilled you finally learned this.”
To make a reservation, go to zeffy.com/enUS/ticketing/sew-what-learning-sewingbasics-with-g
at night also, so I don’t know who specifically we’re talking about with creating your problem, but I can see where some places would be causing a problem.
“What I would say to council is that these two facilities provide a location for a genre of patron that nobody else does, and so I’m very thankful that they’re here, because they kind of have, like, a punk rock-type of client that goes in there, and I can think of no other places in the city, or the whole entire county, that provides that for that type person that wants a certain community that is really kind of hard to find. The establishment itself has a really positive atmosphere,” she added.
“I would ask that maybe we meet privately and talk about who these businesses are that are causing the problem,” Dreyer said.
Balkan clarified the department’s position regarding the two establishments under consideration.
“I want to be clear, the Tipsy and Mutiny have been great partners to us. I think it’s probably good timing to put the warning out there, but that is not
our issue. I think you and I are in agreement. We know where specifically the larger percentage of that problem is coming from, and we’re dealing with that,” he said.
OPD location reports for the two addresses, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2024, through May 2026, documented clear differences in activity levels between the establishments.
The Tipsy Skipper had a total of seven calls for service. These consisted of one battery, one petty theft, four security duty calls and one trespass warning.
The Mutiny Bar Ocala had a total of 38 calls for service during the same general period. The calls included one battery, two disturbances, three trespass warnings, one petty theft, one Marchman Act, one field interrogation report, one park and walk, one citizen assist, one assist other agency, two department info calls and 24 security duty calls.
Many of the security duty calls reflect routine or requested police presence rather than criminal activity initiated by the establishments themselves.
The Tipsy Skipper is at 48 S. Magnolia Ave., Suite A, in downtown Ocala. [Ocala Gazette/ MAVEN Photo + Film file photo]
Compounding the lack of flow is the massive influx of nitrogen pollution seeping into the groundwater from fertilizers, septic tanks and livestock waste. Hawthorne points out that nitrogen acts as a potent fertilizer for algae. In these low-flow, high-nitrogen conditions, filamentous algae grows out of control, blanketing the motionless eelgrass and acting like a thick, green shroud that blocks out vital sunlight. Choked by the algae and starved of light, the vibrant native grasses die off, transforming once-lush underwater habitats into barren, hazy algae deserts.
To save the ecosystem, scientists argue that the springs desperately need their natural velocity restored to wash away the choking algae, alongside a massive reduction in the nitrogen feeding its growth.
The only state mechanism to address the crisis is a Basin Management Action Plan for the area, which, if implemented, could return the springs to health within 20 years, experts say A BLUEPRINT FOR SURVIVAL
Representatives from the Florida Springs Institute say the environmental crisis at Silver Springs requires immediate, decisive action from local governments.
Marion County has been named a responsible entity under the state’s updated 2025 Basin Management Action Plan, which dictates that the county must significantly reduce the excessive nitrogen loads bleeding into the groundwater. While the county recently approved a $108,000 contract to hire a lobbying firm to negotiate these environmental regulations — arguing that they are financially devastating and logistically impossible to achieve — the ecological tipping point demands that local leaders shift their focus toward implementing robust, sustainable best practices.
To reverse the damage and protect the aquifer, scientists and advocates recommend several policy measures for local governments to implement:
INTEGRATE MINIMUM FLOWS AND LEVELS INTO LAND-USE ZONING
Local planners must prioritize the aquifer when making development decisions. Hawthorne recommends that local governments actively consult with water management districts before approving new zoning requests or largescale developments. By legally factoring minimum flows and levels into land-use planning, the county can prevent new projects from over-extracting groundwater and ensure the springs retain enough water velocity to maintain their ecological health.
ENACT AND ENFORCE STRICT FERTILIZER ORDINANCES
With urban and sports turfgrass fertilizer contributing heavily to nitrogen pollution, local governments must crack down on residential and commercial landscaping practices. Policies should include strict seasonal bans on fertilizer application during the rainy season to prevent runoff from seeping directly into the aquifer. Furthermore, the county should mandate the use of slow-release fertilizers and establish
NEW REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOLS: AI SAFETY POLICY
By The News Service of Florida
The Florida Department of Education is directing school districts to add artificial intelligence use to their internet safety policies.
All districts already have an “Internet Safety” policy in place and now the DOE is requiring districts to amend the policy to include AI.
The rule development workshop will be held June 22.
The Legislature failed to pass a measure imposing restrictions and
requirements on AI companies this year, even though it was one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities.
The measure included a parents’ rights provision to control children’s interactions with AI chatbots, prohibited Florida government agencies from contracting with AI firms tied to a “foreign country of concern” and set rules about the unauthorized use of people’s names, images or likenesses. But it didn’t address how AI could or couldn’t be used in schools, colleges or universities.
firm setback rules that prohibit the application of any fertilizers within a certain distance of water bodies.
IMPLEMENT MANDATORY SEPTIC TANK INSPECTIONS AND SEWER
CONVERSIONS
Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, such as septic tanks, are a major source of the nitrogen load entering the Silver Springs groundwater. Local governments should
reinstate ordinances requiring mandatory septic tank inspections every five years to ensure they are operating efficiently and not leaking raw nutrients. Additionally, while converting high-density septic neighborhoods to central sewer systems is expensive, local leaders must aggressively apply for the millions of dollars in state funding available to assist with these vital infrastructure upgrades.
LAUNCH AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS
Policy is only as strong as the public’s willingness to comply. Local governments should fund continuous, targeted public outreach programs to educate residents on how their daily actions impact the community’s drinking water and the health of the springs. Campaigns should focus on reducing fertilizer use, promoting Florida-friendly landscaping and encouraging water conservation. As Hawthorne noted, if residents understand that the nitrogen feeding the algae in Silver Springs is the same nitrogen ending up in their drinking water, they are far more likely to change their habits.
Moody said there are millions of dollars in state funding available to implement measures like sewer conversions.
“And there are examples of communities, like Alachua, all over the state that have applied and gotten that funding,” Moody said.
During the recent boating tour of the river, Hawthorne said the algae growth was the worst he had seen.
“I’ve only been coming to Silver Springs for about eight years, I’m new to Florida, but it didn’t take very long at all for me to realize how special this place is. I was able to lead an ecological health assessment here that was a couple of years long project where I was in the river almost twice a week doing lots of different surveys. I’ve never seen it look like this before. This is algae covering all of the grasses and blocking the sunlight and choking the plants. This is very depressing to me, because I haven’t been here in a few months and this is worse than I saw it a few months ago, when it looked really bad,” Hawthorne stated.
“One thing I really want to get across is that not only is this an incredible place locally, but this is a globally significant spring. It is the most studied spring in the world. This is also incredibly important globally, because it’s an amazing reference. This is a study tool that can be applied to springs around the world,” he said, adding that Silver Springs is “absolutely one of the most amazing ecological… systems in the world” and possesses “the clearest water in the world.”
“This is just the premier of all the springs in the state of Florida. There can’t be a more important spring in the world than Silver Springs,” said Robert Knight, founder of the Florida Springs Institute.
CABINET INCUMBENTS QUALIFY FOR BALLOT
By The News Service of Florida
ll three state Cabinet members —
AAttorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson — have qualified to run to remain in office and will face challengers in the 2026 elections.
They paid the $8,399.28 qualifying fee to run for a Cabinet office with a political party.
Uthmeier and former state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Democrat from Miami, qualified in the attorney general contest. Simpson has a primary challenge from Matt Taylor, a Plant City Republican who
Marion County Braver Angels Alliance
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Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.
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goes by “Matt the Welder.” Taylor initially filed to run for governor. Ingoglia also has a Republican primary opponent, Frank Collige, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Glen St. Mary in Baker County.
Congressman Jimmy Patronis became the latest member of the Florida congressional delegation who will have a primary challenge, with Douglas Chico, a former U.S. Navy officer from Pensacola, qualifying for the District 1 Republican primary.
Republican Reps. John Rutherford, Randy Fine, Cory Mills and Maria Salazar also face primary opponents.
Qualifying ends at noon on June 12.
NEXT EVENT
Thursday June18 th , 2026 @ 5:15 pm
Marion County Public Library
2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL. 34470
Two members of the Silver Springs Professional Dive Team hover over historic steamboat wreckage in the Silver River. Some springs supporters say algae in the river is growing faster than ever due to low water flow and nitrogen pollution. [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Boat captain Sebastian Didato, who has navigated the Silver River since childhood, speaks during a recent boat tour that included representatives from the Florida Springs Institute and others. [Photo by Jennifer Hunt]
Bill Hawthorne, a senior environmental scientist who has conducted extensive ecological health assessments on the Silver River, second from right, and Robert Knight, founder of the Florida Springs Institute, at right, peer into the river during a recent boating tour. [Photo by Jennifer Hunt]
Recycling program revised
Ocala shifting from curbside recycling to drop-off sites, avoiding boost to monthly bills.
By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalgazette.com
Beginning July 6, the city of Ocala will discontinue its curbside recycling collection service and shift to a network of drop-off recycling locations throughout the city.
The change, approved by the city council on Feb. 3, is designed to maintain recycling access for residents while helping reduce the financial impact of sanitation rate adjustments. By transitioning away from curbside collection, the city expects to avoid adding approximately $4.96 per month to residential sanitation bills.
According to Ocala Public Information Officer Greg Davis, the change was brought on by rising costs and persistent contamination challenges.
“The city of Ocala’s decision to transition from curbside recycling to a drop-off recycling program was driven by both financial and operational realities,” he said.
The city currently spends $1.6 million annually on curbside
recycling services alone. This amount does not include the additional processing costs generated by contaminated loads. Last year, residents placed a total of 3,245 tons of material into recycling carts. However, nearly half of that material was ultimately not recycled, according to Davis.
Davis said that of the total amount of material collected, 32.97% was contaminated, meaning nonrecyclable trash or other items that do not belong in recycling containers. An additional 14.47% of the material consisted of glass, which the city’s current processing system does not recycle. As a result, only 1,706 tons of the 3,245 tons collected were recycled.
“As part of the city’s sanitation rate study, staff determined that continuing the curbside recycling program would have required an additional $4.96 per month increase to residential sanitation bills,” he said. “By transitioning to strategically located dropoff recycling sites throughout the city, residents will still have access to recycling while the city
avoids that additional increase.
“It is important to note that the $4.96 is not a savings or reduction in rates, but rather a cost avoidance,” Davis added. “Without this change, residents would have seen an additional $59.52 per year increase on their sanitation bills to support a program that was experiencing significant contamination and rising operational costs.”
Drop-off locations will operate on a self-service basis with no on-site staff and will be available to residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to Davis, this provides greater flexibility for those who recycle on their own schedule.
“Unlike the curbside program, there will not be dedicated staff stationed at the recycling sites. However, city staff will routinely service, inspect and maintain the locations to ensure they remain clean, accessible and operating as intended,” he said.
“The city strategically selected multiple locations throughout Ocala to provide convenient access for residents across the community. As the program is
Steve Swett seeks another shot
Dunnellon resident and 2022 candidate files for Marion County School Board seat.
By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalagazette.com
Steve Swett, a Dunnellon resident and retired U.S. Postal Service employee, has filed as a candidate for the Marion County School Board District 3 seat in the 2026 election. Swett previously challenged incumbent Eric Cummings in 2022 and received about 40% of the vote in the primary.
The District 3 race will be decided in the Aug. 18 primary and Nov. 3 general elections, with the qualifying deadline set for June 12. Board members serve four-year terms and receive an annual salary of $50,000, which is equal to the starting pay of a schoolteacher.
A self-described advocate for educational fundamentals, parental rights and fiscal accountability, Swett is a Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran who spent 34 years with the U.S. Postal Service, including time as postmaster in Dunnellon.
Swett said his decision to run again stems from a continued belief that the school board needs a stronger focus on core academics, teacher support and responsible budgeting.
“Ultimately, we must return to the three basics: reading, writing, arithmetic. Our teaching professionals, led by the school board-appointed superintendent, are the trained experts who do the teaching. They must be given the tools, the administrative support and the mandate to accomplish the goals. We need to trust the classroom teacher doing the daily work, give them the authority and support to produce results and quite simply free teachers up to teach,” Swett said.
Swett emphasized early literacy with detailed public reading plans, phonics-based interventions, monthly progress monitoring and targeted remedial support.
He placed strong emphasis on parental rights in education, drawing insights from historical parallels as he sees them to underscore his position.
“Historically, one of the primary objections to authoritarian states, fascist, communist and socialist regimes was the regime’s attempt to raise and indoctrinate children in their belief system while ignoring the innate, fundamental rights of parents. The Hitler Youth, Red Guards and Communist Youth groups are examples and reminders of what happens when the state controls the social, cultural, faith-based beliefs and political values of children. America is built on a foundation of local control and citizen input into public schools to prevent this corruption,” Swett said.
“Parents have a fundamental right to know and have input into curriculum content, to review books and instructional materials and to opt their children out of sensitive subjects that conflict with family values. Good honest communication and honest dialogue between public schools and the community are vital. We should be clear
about programs and definitions: removing ageinappropriate books concerning sensitive issues from school libraries is not ‘book banning,’ that is just a flashpoint phrase used to stir controversy and distract from the education mission. Parents are free to obtain any book they choose for their children at home,” he added.
On fiscal accountability, Swett stated, “Oversight, accountability and fiscal realism are among the most critical duties of a school board.”
“We must make hard choices necessary to protect our core mission: educating our children. There can be no ‘sacred cows’ or untouchable operational or discretionary functions,” he continued.
Swett highlighted the importance of teacher support and classroom discipline while opposing the expansion of a standalone school safety department in favor of full authority for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and local police.
On growth, chronic absenteeism and school choice, he supports proactive planning, parental accountability and funding that follows the child.
“For decades, traditional public schools were the foundational and often only choice. Today, there are other choices, but all have the same goal: education. The main issue is what is best for the child, and should the parent of the child be able to make a choice on what is best for their child? I believe yes. I think letting the allocated funds follow the child is best option,” he said.
Looking ahead, Swett described what success would look like if elected.
“If after years, MCPS has a clear road to improvement and better performance, then the road to success has started, not ended. There are going to be very tough times ahead and many contentious issues have to be addressed. Every member of the school board has to be a team player,” Swett said.
The other candidate in the District 3 race is: Incumbent Eric Ruben Cummings, who is seeking re-election. As of the latest reports, Cummings has reported $190 in monetary contributions and $500 in in-kind contributions and no expenditures.
According to the Supervisor of Elections website, former candidate Daniel Lane Makara has withdrawn.
To learn more, go to votemarion.gov
implemented, staff will monitor usage, participation rates and resident feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of the locations and identify any potential gaps in service,” he continued.
The eight city drop-off recycling locations are:
• Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821
NW 21st Ave.
• E.D. Croskey Recreation Center/Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510
NW Fourth St.
Ocala Regional Sportsplex, 3500 SW 67th Ave.
Polly Palmer Park, 3750 SW 27th Ave.
West of Fire Station No. 5 off NE 24th Street
Northeast Eighth Avenue and Northeast 14th Street
• Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Ave.’
• Southeast 31st Street and Southeast Fifth Terrace
There will be no separate collection program planned for seniors or disabled residents.
“At this time, the city is not implementing a separate recycling collection program for
specific populations,” Davis said. “However, staff will continue to monitor community feedback and evaluate the effectiveness of the new system as it is implemented.
Residents who are unable to utilize the drop-off locations may still dispose of recyclable materials through their regular household waste collection service.”
“The city’s goal,” he added, “is to maintain access to recycling opportunities while managing costs responsibly and avoiding additional increases to residential sanitation rates.”
Davis emphasized that there will be no additional cost to residents for drop-off recycling.
“The service is being provided as part of the city’s transition from curbside recycling and is intended to maintain access to recycling opportunities while helping manage the rising costs associated with the previous curbside program. Residents who choose to recycle at the dropoff locations may do so free of charge,” he said.
To learn more, go to ocalafl.gov
Steve Swett
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People, Places and Things
“Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion” opens at The Brick
‘Like
our pets, these art pieces evoke emotion and inspire action without speaking a single sentence.’
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Among the more than 150 guests at the June 5 opening reception for a new art exhibit at The Brick City Center for the Arts were Butter, Hushpuppy and Cornbread.
The adorable puppies of honor were there with the Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL) in hopes of finding a forever home.
The event, hosted by the Marion Cultural Alliance, kicked off the new “Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion” exhibition.
Featuring 50 original artworks by regional artists, the exhibit explores the unique bond between people and their animal companions through painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media and more. From playful personalities to deeply emotional connections, the exhibit captures the loyalty, comfort, humor and healing that pets bring into our lives, said Jaye Baillie, executive director of MCA.
“The ‘Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion’ exhibit reminds us all to slow down, observe and connect. It encourages us to see and understand messages that aren’t spoken. Pets communicate their devotion through their expression, trust, companionship and unconditional love. Like our pets, these art pieces evoke emotion and inspire action without speaking a single sentence. The event was well attended by art and animal lovers alike,” said Kate Rengel, executive director of VOCAL.
The soiree, which was sponsored by Jenkins Subaru of Ocala, included refreshments and music from Heather Lynne & Friends, including the debut of their music video “Dreamin’ a Dream,” filmed at VOCAL with rescue pets and their “fur-ever” families.
The exhibition will remain on view through July 3. A portion of artwork sales will benefit MCA and VOCAL. The Brick City Center for the Arts is at 23 SW Broadway St., in downtown Ocala.
To learn more, visit mcaocala. org and vocalforpets.org
Courtney Ross of the Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL) gets kisses from Butter and Hushpuppy during the Marion Cultural Alliance opening reception for “Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion” exhibition at the Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala on June 5, 2026.
Caly Bryan, Laurie Zink and Megan Whittaker.
Scott Jacob, Danuta Jacob and Jake David.
Diane Palmer, Angie Lewis and Linda Norman.
Ashley Justiniano and Jonia McGill.
Kiah Manning with Butter and Kate Rengel with Hushpuppy.
The Heather Lynne & Friends, with Adam Rountree, Heather Lynne and Chris Ryals.
VOCAL dog Cornbread, peeks out of his enclosure.
Mark McArdle, Ryann Nicole Haehner and Spencer Speer.
Ashley Justiniano, Trish Kilgore and RJ Jenkins.
Erika Digirolamo gets her picture taken by Sandy Kampschroer with her artwork “My Comfort,” top center.
Linda DeRosa poses with her artwork, “Petals and Paws.”
Margaret Watts and Penny Woy pose by Watts’ artwork, “Ball Anyone?”
Debbie and Rob Carney.
“Ball Anyone?” an oil on canvas by Margaret Watts.
Artwork in the “Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion” exhibition.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Flag Day program set for June 14 in Ocala
The Marion County Veterans Council event will include a flag retirement ceremony and student presentations.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Marion County Veterans Council works to support veterans, preserve patriotic traditions and promote community awareness of the sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces. The council provides a voice for more than 50 area veterans organizations and interacts directly with the Marion County Veterans Service Officer.
On June 14, members of the community are invited to attend the council’s annual Flag Day program at 3 p.m. at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Park in Ocala.
The event will celebrate the American flag and the values it represents through a program featuring winning essays from local fourth- and fifth-grade students. The students will present their essays on the theme, “What the Flag Represents to Me,” sharing their thoughts on patriotism, citizenship, freedom and respect for the nation’s most recognized symbol, according to the news release.
“Through educational programs, commemorative events and community partnerships, the
council helps honor the service and legacy of America’s veterans,” according to Suzanne McGuire, event coordinator and secretary of the council, in the press release.
Attendees also will witness a dignified flag retirement ceremony conducted in accordance with established traditions for honoring worn and unserviceable American
Revamped Juneteenth
This year’s event in Ocala will focus on health, fitness, culture, beauty, nutrition and more.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission will offer a new series of events in honor of Juneteenth this year in Ocala.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The commission previously has hosted events at locations including Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex in west Ocala.
This year, in partnership with Freedom Locs, the Juneteenth programs on June 20 will include components related to health, fitness, culture, beauty, nutrition and more. They will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
To learn more, the “Gazette” did a Q&A with commission president Sharington L. Houston.
THIS IS A DIFFERENT FORMAT THAN IN YEARS PAST. WHAT PROMPTED THIS APPROACH?
As a commission we did not want to continue to celebrate in a way that is redundant or repetitious. The Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission is striving to reach the community in different ways, provide educational opportunities on different needs that are not being addressed and continue to provide scholarships to graduating seniors.
HOW MANY VENDORS WILL YOU HAVE?
We are looking to fill at least 40 spots IS THE EVENT FREE TO ATTEND OR ARE THERE CHARGES FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES?
The first portion, a nutritional seminar with licensed dietician Latoria Bryant speaking on the benefits of healthier eating and a workout session with Clint Hart, are free to the public and will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the
flags. The ceremony serves as a meaningful reminder of the respect due to the flag and the ideals for which it stands, the release noted.
“This event provides an opportunity to recognize the importance of our national flag while encouraging our students to learn about patriotism and what service looks like from classroom visits from our veterans,” McGuire shared.
According to history.com, “when the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army—a unified colonial fighting force—with the hopes of a more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors.
“For some, this flag, which was comprised of 13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the corner, was too similar to that of the British.
George Washington soon realized
that flying a flag that was even remotely close to the British flag was not a great confidencebuilder for the revolutionary effort, so he turned his efforts towards creating a new symbol of freedom for the soon-to-be fledgling nation.
“On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.”
The Flag Day program in Ocala is free and open to the public. Families, veterans, civic organizations, educators, students and community members are encouraged to attend and support the participating students. The park is located at 2601 E. Fort King St.
To learn more, email suzannelmcfl1@gmail.com or find the council at fb.com/ mcvetcouncil
Fashion Show/Hair Product Lunch that will begin at 3 p.m. WILL THERE BE FOOD/BEVERAGES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
Yes, some vendors will be selling premade items.
PLEASE SHARE ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK READERS MIGHT WANT TO KNOW.
While this year’s celebration looks a little
different than previous years, the committee as a whole is focusing on investing in your health from the inside out. We are still partnering with the city of Ocala and other organizations throughout the community. The community center is located at 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala.
To learn more, email ocalajuneteenth202@gmail.com or call (352) 433-9199.
A large American flag flies between an Ocala Fire Rescue tower truck and a Marion County Fire Rescue tower truck during an event at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Sharington Houston and Meisha Barnard dance during a previous Juneteenth event. This year, the Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission, of which Houston is president, will offer some new programs on June 20 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Collaborative partnership leads to new art exhibition
“Creative
Voices: Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists” will open with a reception on June 17. Staff report
Arts in Health Ocala Metro has announced the opening of “Creative Voices: Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists,” at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. Presented by the city of Ocala Cultural Arts Division through the Art in City Spaces Program, the exhibit will be on view from June 17 through Dec. 17.
The exhibit will feature artwork created by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in visual art workshops facilitated by AIHOM at The Arc of Marion.
Arts in Health Ocala Metro is a nonprofit that offers music, dance, performing and visual arts opportunities led by local artists. The Arc of Marion has been providing support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1959.
“For more than three years, AIHOM and The Arc of Marion have partnered to provide ongoing workshops in visual art, music and movement—offering participants consistent opportunities for
creative expression, connection and personal growth within an inclusive environment,” the news release noted.
“Presented in a community setting, the artwork reflects the individuality, imagination and lived experiences of the artists while challenging traditional ideas of who is recognized as an artist. By elevating these voices, the exhibition celebrates creative diversity, promotes inclusion and affirms the arts as a vital tool for communication, confidencebuilding and well-being,” according to AIHOM officials.
The city of Ocala’s Art in City Spaces program offers rotating exhibitions every four to six months in five indoor city galleries, all of which are free and open to the public. The public is invited to attend an opening reception for “Creative Voices: Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists” from 11 a.m. to noon on June 17. The community center is located at 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala.
To learn more, call (352) 7235444 or visit aihocala.org
Young artists to receive scholarships
A public reception will be held June 17 at the Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery.
By Margo Wilson Special to the Gazette
Two area young women recently received a nod for participating in the arts when Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery named them recipients of art scholarships.
A public reception for the scholarship winners, as well as for new gallery artists, combined with an after-hours mixer with members of the Dunnellon Area Chamber of Commerce, is set for 5:30 p.m. June 17 at the gallery.
Eve Chastek, 17, of Dunnellon, and Abrianna Hart, 18, of Crystal River each will receive a $1,500 gallery scholarship. Chastek is a recent graduate of Lecanto High School’s School of the Arts and Hart is a recent Crystal River High School graduate.
Chastek plans to study fine arts at the University of Florida in Gainesville and Hart, musical theater at Florida Southern College.
Martha Pelot, chair of the gallery’s scholarship committee, said both winners were “a little shocked” to hear the news. She said the nonprofit gallery offers scholarships to “support the arts in our community and to support education in the arts.”
she explains, “requires a lot of thought.” An artist needs to have a concept and reduce it to an abstraction. The AI abstractions were “kind of repetitive,” Chastek found. She suggests that abstract art, perhaps, is one of the more difficult kinds of art for AI to produce.
She said she is looking forward to college and “having art classes all day.”
Her application notes that she is a language student. She said her mother was raised in Russia and came to the U.S. when she was 25, so Chastek is fluent in Russian. She has also studied Spanish in school and now is focusing on Asian languages. She said Japanese is difficult. Perhaps in the future, she’ll also more thoroughly study language through a discipline like linguistics, she said.
In her scholarship application, Chastek wrote about a recent experiment with AI. She decided to ask Chat GPT to create “a fine artwork using graphite pencil.” According to Chastek, she was seeing classmates and teachers use AI for various projects. She wanted to see how it would do when asked to design artwork. She said Chat GPT came up with several sketches, but none of them had “soul. There was nothing there.”
She said she chose one of the AI sketches and “I tore it to shreds. I changed it up.” She said she gave it a focal point. She also gave it a title: “Resistance.”
“An artist needs to be resistant against AI. It’s about overtaking the AI. The only way to complete it was to completely reimagine it,” she explained.
She said she doesn’t believe AI can succeed in making meaningful art because as humans, “We have the ability of critical thinking and of expressing emotions.” That’s nothing she feels machines or software can do.
The experiment left Chastek feeling “invigorated and empowered,” she said.
She especially likes abstract painting, which,
She recently designed a video game, for which she wrote a script, used art images and composed music. And she was captain of the Lecanto High School Varsity Tennis team.
For those considering following their artistic dreams, Chastek advises, “Stay true to yourself. Your art is what you say about yourself. If you let it scare you, you won’t be able to express what you want to say.”
For Hart, the Rainbow Springs gallery’s scholarship is another of the arts scholarships she has won. The Valerie Players of Inverness recently awarded her and four other students scholarships for at least $1,000. They had to pledge they would study theater in college.
And that’s what Hart plans to do.
Was she surprised to receive another arts scholarship?
She pondered a moment and said that being in the performing arts, she has had to learn to be confident. So, her answer was, “I’ve had to learn to believe in myself, to stay true to myself. ... I’m grateful. Absolutely.”
Hart has been onstage since she was 8 and has had leading roles in many school productions.
Musical theater, she said, “is a way to express myself in a way that’s very different from whom I usually am. I love singing. And there’s acting and dancing. It’s really a lot of fun.”
She said she hopes ultimately to be on Broadway and in movies. But Florida Southern College has ties with the Walt Disney Co. and, after college graduation, one of Hart’s first jobs might be performing on a Disney-owned cruise ship.
She said she advises others that, “It’s really challenging starting out. You may have moments of doubt and feel you might not be good enough. But everything happens for a reason. You have to be comfortable and confident in who you are as an artist and what you want.”
Both young women thanked the gallery for its help.
“With everyone so supportive, it means the entire world to me,” Hart said.
“I’m extremely grateful and appreciative that they reached out, that they like my art. ... It’s a huge compliment to me,” Chastek shared. Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery is at 10816 Walnut St. To learn more, call (352) 763-4048 or go to rainbowspringsart.com
Abrianna Hart, 18, of Crystal River has won a $1,500 arts scholarship from Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery. Hart plans to study musical theater at Florida Southern College. [Submitted photo]
Visual artist Eve Chastek, 17, of Dunnellon has won a $1,500 arts scholarship from Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery. [Submitted photo] A work of art in the “Creative Voices: Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists” exhibit.
This is one of the artworks in the exhibit that will open June 17.
Photos courtesy Arts in Health Ocala Metro
Now read this!
Local authors gather for book signing event that one of them said ‘screamed Ocala.’
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
As it turned out, the five guest authors at a book signing event on June 6 were joined by a couple of surprise—and noted—local penmen.
Micheal Koontz, J.E. Leak, Dave Schlenker, Cynthia Van Heyde and Carlton Reese were the advertised authors for the event, which took place at Koontz Furniture and Design.
“At the last minute, Franz Beard and Buddy Martin, both nationally respected sports writers joined Carlton Reese for their book, ‘The Golden Season,’ about the University of Florida’s latest national basketball championship,” Michael Koontz shared post-event.
Koontz recently released his book, “Pieces of Judith,” which details the life of a neglected child with a dissociative disorder living in the unspoiled beauty of north central Florida in the early 1940s. He is deep into writing a second novel.
As for the book signing event on Saturday, Koontz said he thought it “was wonderful” and that when he later asked the other authors about it, “they all seemed to be satisfied too.”
“I said that I shamelessly associated myself with those successful writers,” Koontz said by phone, letting out a laugh. “But it worked!”
“I have one book out and have gotten good results, which is thrilling to me, but I’m not a drawing card so it was nice to honor the others and sort of ride on their coattails. I’ve been really amazed because the hardest thing
for a new writer is to get people to read the book. And now I’m really excited about how much they seem to like it when they do,” he shared.
Dave Schlenker is well known in the area in part for his years of writing and editing with the “Ocala Star-Banner,” among other publications.
He has penned the books “Little Man Big Mouth” and “Columns, Confessions and a Brain Cyst.”
“This event screamed Ocala,” Schlenker said of the book signing. “Not only were there local authors with deep roots to the city, but we held it in a furniture store that has been in existence since 1919. Just a wonderful event. Kudos to Michael Koontz.”
Koontz said people hung around and talked with the writers during the evening.
“It was a very interesting evening and an exciting group of people because everybody was there for the same reason; they were interested in writing and writers. It was a great crowd,” he noted.
“We also had other writers contact us asking to participate, but it was too late, so we had to say no. Maybe there is a need for more of this,” he added.
Many of the author’s works are available through online outlets such as Amazon. Koontz’ book also is available at the furniture showroom at 3111 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
Cynthia Van Heyde, author of “The Battle of the Blueberry Muffin,” with Trish Kilgore.
J.E. Leak poses with her books.
Franz Beard, the author of “The Golden Season,” talks with Marlena Reese.
Author Michael Koontz signs a copy of his book “Pieces of Judith.”
Franz Beard, author of “The Golden Season,” right, with his contributing writers, Buddy Martin, bottom center, and Carlton Reese, top center, and Dave Schlenker, author of “Little Man Big Mouth” and “Columns, Confessions and a Brain Cyst.”
Michael Koontz, signing copies of his book “Pieces of Judith,” talks with Trevor Byrne.
Barbara Fitos speaks during the event.
Author J.E. Leak, the author of “In The Shadow Of Love,”” In The Shadow Of The Past,” “In The Shadow Of Truth” and “In The Shadow Of Victory,” left, talks with Linda Koontz and Linda Petersen Booher during a book signing event at Koontz Furniture and Design on June 6, 2026.
Blueberry muffins are shown with copies of Cynthia Van Heyde’s book, “The Battle of the Blueberry Muffin.”
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Europe’s animal shows and experiences
Iwill never forget my first “hawk walk.” It was at the Ireland School of Falconry (just outside of Cong, north of Galway), where a great guide showed our tour group how to properly handle birds of prey. For about an hour, we wandered through the enchanting grounds of Ashford Castle, with our guide sporting a Harris hawk on his forearm. After learning about falconry, each person in our group got an opportunity to “fly” the bird – tossing and catching it on his or her arm. With each toss, the glove was rotated to the next person, and the guide tucked a little chicken meat in the padded palm – and the hawk knew just where to return. The experience was both intimate and intense.
Throughout Europe, you’ll find vivid and memorable animal demonstrations and experiences. They run the gamut, from famous festivals like Pamplona's Running of the Bulls or Siena’s Palio horse race, to routine rituals like sheep shearing or hawk holding. Whether big and raucous or small and personal, I always find these experiences fascinating.
At Château de Cheverny in France’s Loire Valley, barking dogs remind visitors that the viscount, who still lives there, loves to hunt. Visitors enjoy a peek at the dogs in their kennel,
a glimpse at their training regimen, and if it’s mealtime and you're lucky…the fun of seeing the dogs eat.
These days, feedings are rarely open to the public. But on the off chance they're offered, it's a memorable sight. I once saw 120 hounds – half English foxhound and half French Poitou – get worked up knowing that red meat was on the way. The trainer – who somehow knows every dog’s name — corralled them and spread out the feast. As the dogs are fed just once a day, the excitement was palpable. The trainer opened the gate and maintained discipline as the dogs, who can only eat when given the go-ahead, gathered enthusiastically around the food. It was an exercise in control… until the signal announced: it’s chow time.
In Vienna, a cultural highlight is seeing the Lipizzaner stallions perform at the magnificent Spanish Riding School. These regal white horses are a creation of Habsburg Archduke Charles, who imported Andalusian horses from Habsburg-ruled Spain and then bred them with a local line. They’re known for their noble gait and Baroque profile.
One Sunday morning, I decided to drop in on a performance. I ducked through a royal passageway and paid about $30 for a standing-room spot to see the much-loved
SERIOUSLY SIMPLE
Cstallions prance to Viennese classical music in the emperor’s chandeliered Baroque riding hall. While watching, it occurred to me that they prance in 4/4 time ... even though this is the city of the waltz — which is in 3/4.
Equally impressive is the horse show at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, Spain. Here, horses – both purebred Spanish horses and larger mixed breeds – perform an equestrian ballet with choreography, purely Spanish music, and costumes from the 19th century. The stern riders command their talented, obedient steeds to prance, jump, hop on their hind legs, and dosi-do in time to the music.
While I appreciate the elegance and grandeur of a horse show, I also love the rustic simplicity and intimacy of a
This bright soup tastes like pure summertime
hilled soups are light, flavorful, refreshing and Seriously Simple to prepare. They can be made well in advance to allow them to chill properly. This means that you can prepare your soup early in the day (when it’s cooler in the kitchen) or even the day before, a real boon to the summer cook. And best of all, these soups cool us off when the temperatures are crazy hot.
This bright soup tastes like pure summertime with its fresh just-picked corn, golden yellow sweet peppers, and yellow cherry tomatoes. Yellow tomatoes are sweeter and less acidic than their red cousins. If you can’t find yellow tomatoes, use the red variety and sweet red peppers for an equally delicious variation.
I like to garnish a soup with an interesting topping. Feel free to decorate as you wish. Try corn kernels or chopped tomatoes on top. Some chopped green basil leaves on top add a pretty contrast. Remember to adjust the seasonings of the soup once it has been chilled. Cold soups usually need more seasoning since the chilling process reduces the flavor.
Sunny Summer Soup
Serves 6 to 8
2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 medium ears)
1-pint yellow cherry tomatoes or 1 large yellow tomato, stemmed and coarsely chopped
1 sweet yellow pepper, seeded and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 scallions, white and light green part only, finely chopped
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
6 basil leaves
1/4 cup whipping or heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon hot pepper oil
To garnish:
1/2 cup sour cream
Extra basil leaves, finely chopped; add just before serving to avoid darkening
1. Reserve 1/4 cup corn, 2 tablespoons diced yellow pepper and 1/4 cup tomatoes. Immerse the reserved corn and yellow pepper in a saucepan of boiling water for about 2 minutes. Drain, chill, and reserve with the tomatoes.
2. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add scallions and saute until
slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining tomatoes, yellow peppers, and corn to the pan and saute for about 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer slowly, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. Remove the basil leaves.
3. Puree the soup in the pan with a hand blender or in batches in a blender or food processor fitted with a steel blade. Transfer to a bowl. (For a smooth consistency if desired, pass through a food mill or strainer into a bowl, pushing down to get all the essence.) Add the cream, seasonings, and hot pepper oil. Taste for seasoning. Chill for at least three hours.
4. To serve: Pour the soup into bowls and garnish with sour cream, tomatoes, yellow pepper, corn, and chopped basil.
sheepdog demonstration. Two of my favorites are in Ireland and Scotland.
In Ireland, I enjoy the Kissane Sheep Farm, a 2,500acre farm perched on a scenic slope above the Black Valley near Killarney, where John Kissane’s family has been raising sheep for five generations. Visitors get to chat with the family, learn about their livelihood, and watch highly strung sheepdogs race around according to John’s call.
On my most recent visit, one of the brothers effortlessly sheared a sheep while explaining how the Irish wool industry is so bad these days, the farm survives only with the help of money generated by showing off the tradition to visiting tourists.
And at Working Sheepdogs in the Scottish Highlands, a dozen joyous border collies seem eager
to show off their skills. The dogs clearly love the Shepherd, Neil, who they follow like a messiah. The last time I was there, Neil sat my group down in a natural little amphitheater in the turf to explain his work, its history, and why sheep and cows “are actually man’s best friend.” Then the dogs got to work: With shouts and whistles, each followed individual commands and showed an impressive mastery over the sheep. On this farm, it was very clear: Sheepdogs are smart – and sheep are idiots. The best animal shows and experiences are not only interesting and educational, but also vividly real and culturally broadening. Adding one to your travel itinerary is a fun way to gain insights into generationsold traditions and a different way of life.
At the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, Spain, horses perform an equestrian ballet with choreography and costumes from the 19th century. CREDIT:(Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli, Rick Steves' Europe).
Cold soups usually need more seasoning since the chilling process reduces the flavor. CREDIT:(Maren Caruso/TCA).
Public Notice
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
Government
JUNE 15, 22, 29
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion. fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
JUNE 16
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/ agendas-minutes
JUNE
23
Marion County School Board
1614 E Fort King St., Ocala
5:30pm
The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at go.boarddocs.com/fl/marion/ board.nsf/public
JULY 8
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon
5:30pm
The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon. granicus.com/ViewPublisher. php?view_id=1
JUNE
13
Led Zeppelin Tribute
7:30pm
Community Arts
JUNE 13
College of Central
Florida Application Day
Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala
9-11am
Future students can apply to the college with no fee, start the financial aid application, speak with advisors about program and degree options and tour the campus. The college will give away free CF merchandise and attendees may enter to receive a scholarship to cover tuition for one class at the in-state rate. Students also may choose to take a placement test, which starts at 8 a.m. Additional Application Day events will be held June 15, 2-5 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, and June 16, 2-5 p.m. at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland. For more information, visit cf.edu/applicationday
Ocala Pickle Festival
Midtown Station, 235 NE Watula Ave., Ocala
11am-5pm
A day dedicated to all things pickled, crunchy, tangy and downright delicious. Music, vendors and more. Get details at infinitealeworks.com
FamFest
Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala
10am-2pm
Bring the family for a day centered on faith, fellowship, worship and community. Live worship music from The RoomsLiving and Hallel One, testimonies and a keynote message from Micah Beckwith. Get details at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 13, 15
Friends book sale
Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala
10am-4pm The Friends will hold their first book sale in the newly expanded building. Browse tables in Meeting Room B, fill a bag with books for $5 on Friday, $3 on Monday, and choose from a
variety of homemade cookies to munch on. Learn more by calling (352) 438-2580.
JUNE 18
Ocala/Marion County Braver Angels Alliance
Ocala-Headquarters Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
5:15pm Braver Angels is a national organization with a mission to strengthen democracy through civil discourse. The upcoming meeting will reflect on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with interactive discussions about why the declaration is important today and how it shapes our American identity. To learn more, go to braverangels.org or email Buddy Oswald at dhoswald@gmail.com
JUNE 18-AUG. 6
Free diabetes selfmanagement classes
Marion Oaks Community Center, 280 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala
10am-noon
The Marion County Hospital District, in partnership with Marion County Parks & Recreation, is hosting a free, eight-week class on Thursdays, open and free to all individuals ages 18 and older who are prediabetic or diabetic, or those who support someone with diabetes. AdventHealth will provide free biometric screenings, including glucose and cholesterol checks. No insurance required; space is limited. To register, call (352) 6194303 or email AMP@mchdt.org.
JUNE 18, 25
Summer Nights Lecture Series
Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., Ocala
6-8pm Explore Florida’s past with presentations from historians, educators and cultural experts. Each week highlights a different chapter of our state’s story from frontier life to women’s history to Florida’s earliest communities. Learn more at fortkingocala.com
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
WindFM Rocks the Reilly event features the Pure Zeppelin Experience. Expect powerhouse vocals, scorching guitar solos and a stage presence that captures the magic of Zeppelin at their peak. Get details at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE
19
Blues in the Bos: Frank
Bang Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
7:30pm
A former touring guitarist for Buddy Guy, Frank has shared the stage with legends like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones while carving out his own acclaimed career in the blues world. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 20
JUNE 20
Veterans’ benefits
briefing
Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala
10am-noon
After a benefits overview, staff who identify eligibility and assist with the application process for benefits including but not limited to disability compensation, pension, appeals, widow’s pension, death pension, dependency and indemnity compensation, education, home loans and healthcare assistance. For more information, call (352) 671-8422 or visit marioncountyfl.org/ veteransservices
Juneteenth
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala
10am-5pm
The Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission will offer a new series of events in honor of Juneteenth. In partnership with Freedom Locs, the programs will include components related to health, fitness, culture, beauty, nutrition and more. To learn more, email ocalajuneteenth202@ gmail.com or call (352) 433-9199.
JUNE 22
Talking History
Presentation
Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick
10:30am
Explore the history of North Marion County by visiting the communities and towns that make/made up the area through the use of photographs and maps. This presentation by historian Annabelle Leitner will be about the citrus industry. To learn more, call (352) 438-2566
JUNE 23
Free estate planning
workshop
Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala
11:30am
The city of Ocala’s Community Development Services department is Estate Planning 101: Secure Your
Ocala’s Bull Bash & Country Music Festival
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 Jacksonville Road, Ocala
3:30pm, gates open
The lineup includes bull riding and country music from multi-platinum artist Gary Allan, along with a performance from hometown singer/songwriter Noah Hunton. The Tampa Bay Rodeo production also will celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Hunton will take the stage at 5:15 p.m., followed by the Bull Bash at 7 p.m. and Allan performing at approximately 8:40 p.m.To learn more and get tickets, go to tamparodeo.com
Dueling Pianos
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
6pm Grab a seat at a café table in the new NOMA Black Box and enjoy dueling pianos, cocktails and an evening of fun with friends. Performing sing along classics of soft rock and pop that spans decades. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
Dueling Pianos
Uncensored
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
9pm Unleash your wild side on
Legacy workshops. Discussions will include property disposition, trusts, living wills, life insurance and more. To learn more, contact g.martell.ufl. edu or call (352) 629-8322.
Community job fair
LDM Ocala, 2410 NE 18th Place Ocala 10am-1pm
Better Together, a nonprofit on a mission to build strong families and communities, is partnering with LDM Ocala to host the job fair. Free one-on-one job coaching sessions are available to participants to review resumes, and additional services will be available onsite. Register at BetterTogetherUS.org/ LDMOcala or by texting “JOBS” to 844-987-3949.
the dance floor as talented pianists engage in hilarious and unpredictable musical mash-ups while our cocktail servers dish up your favorite drinks. Get ready for a night of laughter, outrageous requests, and a high-energy, adults-only atmosphere that’ll leave you begging for an encore. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE25
U4ia – Celebrating the Music of U2
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
7:30pm
Get ready for a high energy tribute celebrating four decades of music from U2. Featuring musicians who have toured with artists like Aerosmith, Ringo Starr and Alice Cooper, U4ia delivers a nostalgic concert experience filled with passion and incredible musicianship. Get the details at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 27, 28
Red, White & OSO Blue:
250 Years
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
3pm
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to our nation’s 250th birthday including a world premiere work, “Revolutionary Triptych,” an orchestral triptych honoring three young patriots from the Revolutionary war. Special celebration of all things patriotic, with a salute to veterans. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
THROUGH JULY 16
“Constellation” exhibition
CF Webber Gallery, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents the work of local artists in the themed exhibition that explores traditional and nontraditional concepts of the word constellation. For information, visit cf.edu/webber
THROUGH JULY 24
Summer Kids Film Series
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala Times vary Movies will be screened every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am and 11am and 12:30 and
THROUGH JULY 9
Reading with Horses
Midtown Station, 235 NE Watula Ave., Ocala 10am Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses’ summer literacy program will run Thursdays through July 9. The reading sessions include therapy horses that appear in books being read. Every child may select a new free book to take home each week. To learn more, call (352) 226-9009 or go to gentlecarouseltherapyhorses.com
THROUGH SEPT. 29
“Treehouses: Look Who’s Living in the Trees” Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez
1:30pm, through July 24. Tickets are $5 for adults and children. A summer snack pack is included for children 12 and under, with a small popcorn, gummy snacks and a Capri Sun. Attendees are encouraged to bring a book to donate to support the Early Learning. Purchase tickets at reillyartscenter.com/summerkids-film-series/.
AUG. 1
“PoetiK Expressions” Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-10pm The Ocala Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. event will blend live music, spoken word performances and live art centered around themes of Black love, culture and connection. It will feature a guest co-host and headlining performer. Guests will also enjoy entrepreneur spotlights, door prizes and more. Get tickets at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ poetik-expressions
THROUGH SEPT. 13
My Country, ’Tis of Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary Drawn from the Appleton’s permanent collection, the exhibition highlights a wide range of American expression across time periods, subjects, media and functions. It also explores the role Florida and its natural wonders, including those of Marion County, has played as a source of inspiration for artists. For details, go to appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH DEC. 31
Photography exhibit by Keith Sackin Arts in Health Ocala Metro Healing Arts Gallery, 2880 NE 8th Road, Ocala. Office hours A native of Ocala, Sackin attended Emory University before a spinal cord injury in 2001 reshaped his path. His photography explores disability, embodiment, memory and human connection. AIHOM is a nonprofit organization that connects art and healing. Its programs include music, dance, performing and visual arts. To learn more, go to aihocala.org
Ave., Ocala 10am-4pm Guests can roam from tree to tree and explore habitats trees provide for animals, search for signs left by raccoons, woodpeckers, bears and other species, cross a suspension bridge and climb through two treehouses, become animal trackers, come face to face with wildlife, move along the Forest Sound Dance Floor, build a treehouse, learn about sustainable logging and explore how trees are used in everyday life. For more information, visit mydiscoverycenter.org
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.
ARIES
March
LIBRA
September 23-
October 23
Libra, artistic inspiration might just be everywhere you look this week. Whether gazing at the clouds or the buildings around you, you might be inspired to create something.
SCORPIO
TAURUS
April
GEMINI
May
CANCER
June
LEO
October 24-
November 22
Transformation is in the air, Scorpio. You might be shedding an old habit for a better one. You may be stepping into a more powerful version of yourself soon enough.
SAGITTARIUS
November 23
-December 21
Sagittarius, it’s time to share your knowledge with others, which can bring you a sense of fulfillment that you might not have seen coming.
CAPRICORN
December 22-
January 20
Career goals are moving forward at a steady, satisfying pace, Capricorn. Keep your eyes on the future and trust the process. You’re doing amazing work.
VIRGO
August 24- September 22
Virgo,
AQUARIUS
January 21-February 18
Social activism or community work may give you a sense of purpose that is much-needed right now, Aquarius. Your ability to think creatively will help immensely.
PISCES
February 19-March 20
Your kindness this week will create a ripple of positivity that flows right back to you, Pisces. Reach out to a friend in need when you have a moment.
BUILD AND PROGRAM ROBOTS!
IHMC’s 2026 Summer Robotics Camp will offer students the opportunity to learn about computer programming and robotics. Campers will work in teams to master Lego Mindstorms challenges. They will further develop their teamwork skills, confidence in problem solving, and creativity. Campers will hear about state-of-the-art research at IHMC, and they will have the opportunity to eat lunch in a small group with a scientist, engineer, or other role model. The second session will include instruction in Python programming
SESSIONS
1
Ocala Session 1: Rising 8th & 9th Graders July 13–16, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ocala Session 2: Rising 9th & 10th Graders
July 20–23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DETAILS
Each session costs $245. Students should select one camp session (only) based on grade level. Space is limited to 20 participants per session. Financial assistance may be available based on need. Priority will be given to students who haven’t attended in prior years. Please email before registering students who have attended previously.
Please register via EventBrite at ihmc.us/robotics-camp beginning March 2
Phone: 850-202-4462
E-mail: uschwuttke@ihmc.org
Mail and Camp Location: IHMC Robotics Camp, 15 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala FL 33371
Website: www.ihmc.us/robotics-camp
2 R
Broom Hilda
Middletons
Animal Crackers
