Views on veterans
A town hall session with Reps. Kat Cammack and Morgan Luttrell touched on a number of issues and challenges.
[Bruce
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
U.S. House of Representatives members Kat Cammack of Florida and Morgan Luttrell of Texas held a recent joint Veterans Affairs Town Hall at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Center.
An audience of several hundred people got an update on veterans’ issues including the soon to be voted on Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which combines 60 veteran related bills, as well as information about the status of clients living at the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village, which recently missed a deadline to apply for grant funding
Cammack’s 3rd District covers 12 North Florida counties including Marion. Luttrell, a former U.S. Navy SEAL with 14 years’ service, represents the 8th District in Texas and his congressional committees include Veterans Affairs. He is the twin brother of Marcus Luttrell, also a Navy SEAL, whose team’s plight in an operation in Afghanistan was featured in the 2013 (IMDB) movie, “Lone Survivor.” Both lawmakers are Republicans.
The July 10 event opened with the posting of the colors by the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard and a reading of the moving commentary on the American Flag, “Old Glory,” by Navy Master Chief Mack Ellis.
The honored guest of the event was World War II veteran Howard Mautner, 102, of Ocala, who met privately with Cammack and Luttrell before the event and sat up front during the program.
See Views on veterans, page A3
Locals talk about financial storm clouds
“Fiscally conservative” Marion County discusses possible impact of state legislation in recent budget workshops. By Jennifer
Hunt
jennifer@ocalagazette.com
During recent budget workshops, local officials grappled with how sweeping state property tax legislation could impact Marion County’s operations if passed by voters in November. The discussions highlighted a sharp tension between Tallahassee’s efforts to restrict local revenues and Marion County’s established history of financial discipline.
Clerk of Court and Comptroller Greg Harrell on July 14 commended the Board of County Commissioners for being “fiscally conservative,” pointing out that Marion County’s general fund millage rate was just 3.09 in 2026.
See financial storm clouds, page A8
Clerk of Court and Comptroller Greg Harrell listens during a meeting of the Marion County Commission in Ocala in 2025.
[Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette file photo]
School construction cost scrutiny
School board approves Belleview Elementary contract for Ausley amid transparency concerns.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
The Marion County School Board this week voted 4-1 to award the construction management contract for the Belleview Elementary School Replacement project to Ausley Construction Co., LLC, following a selection process that drew both praise for supporting local business and criticism regarding transparency.
Board member Allison Campbell cast the lone dissenting vote.
“Dr. James, my only comment is that I will not be recommending this contract this evening,” Campbell said.
In contrast, board member Lori Conrad strongly supported the decision stating, “I’m happy to see that this is going to a local firm and that all of the work money is going right back into our community.” She added that using local contractors as often as possible has been a priority for her since she joined the board.
The new school is expected to cost approximately $65 million, which is higher than other recent elementary school builds (Winding Oaks and Ross Prairie) because the new Belleview campus will be designed larger in order to combine two separate schools (Belleview Elementary and Belleview-Santos).
The approval came with some scrutiny. Board member Nancy Thrower raised transparency concerns regarding the Shortlist Interviews Tabulation document
See School, page A9
Rep. Kat Cammack and Rep. Morgan Luttrell lead a Veterans Town Hall at the Klein Conference Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, Fla. on July 10, 2026.
Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
Marion County School Board member Nancy Thrower raised transparency concerns during recent meeting. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
APPLY FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK SEASON
Applications are now open for artists, arts organizations, downtown businesses and business sponsors interested in participating in the 20262027 First Friday Art Walk season.
The series returns to downtown Ocala from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 2 and will continue on the first Friday of each month through May 2027, with the exception of January, when Art Walk will be held on Jan. 8, due to the New Year’s holiday.
Each First Friday Art Walk features more than 40 local and regional visual artists and arts organizations. Visitors also can enjoy live art demonstrations, street performers, musicians, performances by school and dance groups, family-friendly activities and extended shopping and dining hours at participating downtown businesses.
Applications for full-season participation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 7. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis space becomes available.
Applications are available at ocalafl.gov/artwalk
KKIMBERLY’S CENTER REACCREDITATION
imberly’s Center for Child Protection has been reaccredited by the National Children’s Alliance, the national membership and accrediting organization for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the U.S.
Kimberly’s Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides compassionate response to the trauma of child abuse in a safe and child friendly environment.
Reaccreditation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate compliance with rigorous national standards through written documentation and
observed practice. These standards ensure that children and families receive effective, efficient, relevant and compassionate services in the aftermath of abuse or neglect.
Kimberly’s Center has served as the Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center since 1999, providing forensic interviews, medical exams, trauma therapy, child advocacy and prevention education at no cost to families. The center serves more than 1,300 children annually. Communities that use the Children’s Advocacy Center model see an 87% higher rate of prosecuting child abuse cases.
MARION COUNTY OFFICE RECEIVES 10 CERTIFICATES
The Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office has been awarded 10 Certificates in Recognition of Excellence for Best Practices by Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers in the areas of DOR Parenting Plan Fee Waivers, Ensuring the Adoption of Relevant Financial Policies, Investment Policy, Procurement Policy, Reopen Fees for Civil Cases, Requests to Redact Exempt Personal Information, Transfer of Civil Cases, Sealing and Expunging Criminal Court Records, Unclaimed Funds and Vexatious Litigants.
The Best Practices Excellence Program was established in 2020-2021 by FCCC as an opportunity for clerks to receive recognition of excellence certificates for completing assessments that evaluate acceptance of and adherence to certain best practices.
BUS BRIGADE IS UNDERWAY
Marion County is again partnering with Marion County Public Schools to help local students through the annual Mission: Bus Brigade Supply Their Success school supply drive.
The program is coordinated by the MCPS Families in Transition Program. Throughout July, county departments will collect new school supplies for students experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. The supplies will be presented to MCPS during the county commission meeting on Aug. 4. Donations are then distributed to school counselors throughout the district.
Items most needed include backpacks, spiral and composition notebooks, wide and college-ruled notebook paper, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, scissors, rulers, erasers, pencil boxes, zippered pencil pouches, personal hygiene products, new
socks and underwear, laundry detergent, flash drives and calculators.
Donations may be dropped off during normal business hours at county facilities including the Administration & Commission Office, Animal Services, Building Safety, Community Services, Extension Service, Human Resources, Office of the County Engineer, Parks & Recreation, Utilities, Veterans Services and all Marion County Fire Rescue stations.
In addition, checks may be made payable to Homeless/Needy Children Program, note in the memo “MISSION: Bus Brigade,” and be mailed to the Families in Transition Program Office, 1614 E FT King St., Ocala, FL, 34471.
For more information, call (352) 671-6847.
OPINION
AN ANALOGY: THE INTERNET AND THE CAR
By Chris Miller
Yes, information is power, but I think the world is drowning in information—the internet is arguably the most transformational technology since the printing press, which means the hitherto platforms for mass consumption—publication, radio, television—have been democratized and outsourced to anyone with WiFi. On its face, I think that sounds laudably egalitarian and empowering…but it also means there is a deeper sea of spurious content at the citizenry’s fingertips than ever before. I can find an army of videos on YouTube that rather interestingly make the argument that the world is flat—and an endless horizon of pages that attempt to excuse, explain and even sanctify racism, sexism, nationalism and just about every ism that further fractures our sense of
what’s real, what’s legit and what’s counterfeit. In what I’m sure is a gross, reductive oversimplification, I think the internet landscape’s thick jungle of information, misinformation and disinformation is analogous to a carnival where a child is left alone to navigate the vendors as they bark their games and lotteries and contests and snake oil. With a parent’s guidance, the child is buffered from the static and spared much of its nonsense until s/ he is older and able to more cogently separate the wheat from the chaff. And that means a lotta chaff with the wheat, and a lotta diets that swear the chaff IS the wheat, and then it’s a spiral of the information consumers’ ontological and epistemological wrestling matches for which is which and whose is whose, and then it’s turtles all the way down.
In short, the advent of the printing
“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
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press 500 years ago took the power of knowledge from the aristocracy and gave it to the masses via those presses. Then the internet gave the power of disseminating knowledge from the presses and empowered every reader to also become a printing press, every screen to become a TV station and every radio to become a broadcasting tower. Or, and I’ll jump analogies here— where we once allowed just dad to drive the car and then we advanced to allow any licensed driver to drive the car, I think we now have everyone from kindergartners to mannequins driving the car. And that’s not to say I object to the internet’s dynamic of open publication and its free market of ideas—it just means I think we should be careful to understand who’s driving before we get in the car.
Chris Miller is a retired longtime Marion County educator.
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Artist Justin Alsedek of Gypsea Arts and Emily Parkman, cultural arts supervisor for the city of Ocala, pose for a photo during the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Ocala on April 3, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
From left, FCCC Best Practices Committee Chair and Pinellas County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Ken Burke, Marion County Clerk’s Office General Counsel Rob Davis, Marion County Clerk’s Office Chief Operating Officer Staci Winston, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Greg Harrell and 2025-2026 FCCC President and Hernando County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Doug Chorvat. [Submitted photo]
Cammack commented about a botched $15 million grant request that will affect operations at five transitional centers for homeless veterans throughout North Florida, including the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village, after October of this year. The grant request, to cover the five centers for a three-year period, was filed late by an unidentified company for Volunteers of America Florida, the operator of the centers.
The Department of Veterans Affairs press secretary stated in an email that “Volunteers of America Florida did not submit applications for VA’s Fiscal Year 2027 Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Grant competition by the deadline of Feb. 18, 2026.”
“VA gave applicants more than 60 days to submit their annual grant applications and strongly encouraged interested parties to submit materials early to avoid the risk of ineligibility. VOA Florida may submit grant applications in the future. In the meantime, VA is working closely with Volunteers of America Florida to ensure every veteran residing at the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village has a housing plan and no veteran returns to the street,” the press secretary stated.
Cammack stated that “six (conversations) had been held with the secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Administration (Doug Collins) and that “multiple plans” were under consideration to resolve the situation. She gave assurances that none of 186 formerly homeless veterans in the five centers would be “kicked out on the street.”
Specifics on any plan were not immediately available but, in a follow-up email to Cammack’s office, a spokesperson said transition housing was one of the options under consideration.
Officials with Volunteers of America Florida indicated in earlier remarks that a plan is underway to place clients housed at the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village, about 50 veterans, before October. One possibility, converting the Ritz, at least for a time, to a VA emergency shelter, could lead to a significant decrease in the number of occupants housed, shorten stays and cause multi-month rehabilitation programs to be dropped, although these questions remain open until a plan is announced.
Cammack said during the gathering that her office “recovered” about $100 million from various governmental agencies. An email to her office requesting more information about the funds was returned with an explanation that the detailed information would take additional time to supply.
Cammack spoke about her office’s involvement with four VA medical facilities and stated that a fifth VA clinic is set to open in Levy County. According to katforcongress.com, Cammack renamed the Middleburg clinic to A.K. Baker Clinic, supported and opened an Ocala clinic and helped open two new clinics in Gainesville in April 2023, a primary care and mental health clinic.
Cammack also commented on areas with a care “gap.”
“What we have is not good enough,” she said of some aspects of care for veterans in areas with a “gap” like military sexual trauma and care for veterans in rural areas.
Luttrell spoke about efforts to better handle veterans’ service records and “172 VA hospitals…which can’t communicate with each other.” He also discussed establishing rural care for veterans and remarked about the impact of the latest generation of veterans looking to the VA for care.
Luttrell suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2009 helicopter crash, according to luttrell.house.gov The website brainline.org, of WETA public television in Washington, D.C., states that he “earned a master’s degree in applied cognition and neuroscience and a Ph.D. focusing his studies on helping veterans with PTSD and other traumatic brain injuries.”
Luttrell spoke about injuries like TBIs and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a the culture to not seek help, although the “younger generation is changing.”
The event included a question-andanswer session, with submitted questions.
One veteran voiced concern about proper benefits for service members who were in Germany following the 1986 nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. An aide took contact information from the veteran for follow up.
An adult male dissenter interrupted the question-and-answer period and was cheered down by the audience. The dissenter was escorted from the meeting room by Ocala Police Department officers without incident. Outside the room, the dissenter complimented OPD officers for how they handled the situation. When asked about what his issue was with the speakers, he said they wouldn’t listen to his remarks.
Several protestors held signs outside the venue during the event. One protestor said Cammack “voted no to the PACT Act (and) why should (she support funding) the Iran War?”
According to va.gov, the PACT Act “expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of veterans—and their survivors- with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”
Cammack said she voted for the final
version of the PACT Act and she does support the operation in Iran. She referred to Iran as the “largest state sponsor of terrorism” and said it should not have access to nuclear weapons.
Charles Calhoun, president of the Marion County Veterans Council, was on hand for the chat. He said Cammack’s local liaison, Dave Hill, keeps him briefed on issues regarding the congresswoman’s office.
To learn more, go to cammack.house.gov or call the Ocala office at (352) 421-9052. For information about the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village, visit voaflorida.org/ locations/the-ocala-ritz-veterans-village
Rep. Kat Cammack speaks during the Town Hall in Ocala.
Master Chief Mack Ellis recites “Old Glory.”
The stars on a memorial Honor American flag presented to Rep. Morgan Luttrell were made up of spent .45 caliber casings.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell addresses the gathering on Friday, July 10, 2026.
U.S. Army Air Corps World War II veteran Howard Mautner, 102, leads people in the pledge of allegiance.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, right, receives challenge coins and a memorial American flag from Charles Calhoun of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, Marion County Veterans Council and On Top of the World Veterans Club, left, and his son, Shawn Calhoun, center.
The Marion County Memorial Honor Guard presents the colors.
Rep. Kat Cammack, U.S. Navy veteran Donald Kennedy of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, Shawn Calhoun, Rep. Morgan Luttrell and U.S. Navy veteran Charles Calhoun.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Horses and healing
The nonprofit Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy offers a variety of ways for making meaningful connections.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
U.S. Army veteran Daniel Hermsen was in a selfdescribed dark place while suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder until Fancy laid her head on his shoulder.
“It’s all good now. Fancy helped heal my soul,” Hermsen said.
Fancy is a roughly 20-yearold, blonde, 30-plus-inches tall, female miniature horse, who is part of the stable of miniature and quarter horses used in the Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy nonprofit started by Dawn and Ray Lomelo and their son Dylan.
Hermsen, 57, served in the Army from 1989 to 1994 and then left the military to work in the trucking industry. He rejoined the Army in 2008 until his medical retirement in 2016. He served in transportation and logistics and was deployed to locations including the Persian Gulf, Korea, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he has been “blown up, shot at” and diagnosed with PTSD. At one point he was drinking excessively.
The equine program, which will celebrate its first anniversary on July 29, is based at the Lomelo’s 13-acre ranch in the Bradford Farms Community in southwest Marion County. Several acres adjacent to a spacious horse barn have been converted to allow walks and rides with the horses and a three acre “mini boot camp” is set up with walk and ride through features. An outdoor sitting area is available for gatherings.
Participants can ride the quarter horses and walk and groom the minis in a relaxed atmosphere. Equine trainer Kendall Klein is on hand to assist program participants.
Dawn Lomelo, who moved to Ocala from Long Island, New York, in 2024, discussed in an email how the equine program started.
“When my son (Dylan Lomelo, now 24) graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2024 and began his career as a Navy officer, I made a promise to God. I prayed that He would watch over and protect my son while he served our country and, in return, I promised that I would dedicate my life to serving others—especially our veterans, military families and those in need within our community. That promise became Ponies For Patriots & Pint Size Therapy,” she wrote.
“Watching someone who may be struggling light up when they work with one of our minis is something I will never take for granted,” she stated.
Lomelo wrote that her miniature therapy horses have
visited veterans organizations countywide, assisted living facilities and nursing homes and have been involved in community fundraisers and the recent 4th of July parade.
“We have also had some seniors from (a local assisted living facility) come in their minivan on a feed trip to our barn to visit and groom the horses,” she wrote in part.
According to Joy Dean, life enrichment director with Bridgewater Park Health and Rehab, some of their residents recently visited the farm.
“The experience gave many of them the opportunity to reconnect with treasured memories from earlier in their lives. For residents who grew up on farms or around horses, being able to groom, pet, and feed the animals sparked meaningful conversations and stories from their pasts. Experiences like this are so important because they provide more than just a fun outing; they reconnect our residents with cherished memories and meaningful moments from their lives. Watching them smile as they groomed and fed the horses was truly special, Dean shared via email.
“We are incredibly grateful to Dawn and everyone at Pint Sized
Ponies for Patriots for creating such a welcoming and accessible experience. Dawn thought of every detail, ensuring the farm could accommodate wheelchairs and making it possible for every resident to fully participate in the day’s activities. Her kindness and dedication made the visit truly unforgettable,” Dean wrote.
U.S. Air Force veteran Ira Anslow and his wife, Judy, participate in Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy for the outdoor fun and recreation, and said they enjoy sharing the experience with youth from their family.
Lomelo and Fancy were recently hosted at the Ocala headquarters of Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County. She brought some food donations from members of the horse community and was given a certificate of appreciation from the organization.
“Vets Helping Vets is excited to partner with Ponies for Patriots, as the mini ponies bring hope, healing and restoration to Marion County Veterans,” stated Todd Belknap, executive director of Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County.
Charles Calhoun, president of both the Marion County Veterans Council and the On Top of the World Veterans Club, is a lifelong horseman. He supports the program and has referred veterans to Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy, including Hermsen.
“The program has done wonders for veterans,” Calhoun said. Hermsen first met Fancy five months ago at an event during which she walked past him. Lomelo said a “special bond” was formed when Fancy stopped and put her head on his shoulder.
“Fancy may have felt my anxiety,” Hermsen said.
The therapeutic program provides a “healing connection,” Lomelo stated, for veterans and other participants with horses, especially the minis, which require no prior equine activity experience.
An Aug. 23, 2017, article, “The Therapeutic Value of Horses” in “Psychology Today”
magazine, states: “Being in the barn grooming, feeding and otherwise caring for our horses reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves overall health. Yet, it is the companionship with our equine partners that is the foundation of our growth in relationship to these animals. Horses can be an emotional mirror for humans. They respond to the feeling state we show. They are herd and prey animals, which means that they have a strong emotional sense and use this sense as a survival tool; they feed off of and respond to other horses in the herd. If one horse in a herd is scared, the others will become frightened. They respond similarly to humans. If a person approaches a horse with anger, the horse will respond by shying away or becoming stubborn. Horses never hide their emotions. Because of these qualities, horses can be used to help people heal from a variety of psychological issues.”
Now, Hermsen said, he feels healing is taking place and his excessive use of alcohol has ended. He has become a member of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard. His wife, Traci, a four-year Army veteran, also enjoys visiting the horses, he noted.
“My whole soul feels better. This program gives me a purpose,” Hermsen said.
To learn more, find the nonprofit on social media at fb.com/profile. php?id=61581432595095 or email dawnlomelo12@gmail.com
Ray, Dawn and Dylan Lomelo, with Fabio and Fancy. [Submitted photo]
The nonprofit Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy program is based at a 13-acre farm in southwest Ocala.
Charles Calhoun, president of the Marion County Veterans Council and the On Top of the World Veterans Club, presents a plaque to Dawn Lomelo of Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy at her farm in southwest Ocala on July 7, 2026.
U.S. Air Force veteran Ira Anslow walks a miniature horse during a Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy event on July 7, 2026.
U.S. Army veteran Daniel Hermsen poses with miniature horse Fancy, a roughly 20-year-old female, during a Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy gathering on July 7, 2026, in Ocala.
U.S. Army veteran Daniel Hermsen guides Casanova on the multi-acre obstacle course at the nonprofit Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy farm.
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
Creative partnership
Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival events will offer equestrian performance, Native American dance, aerial arts and music.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Northwest Marion County’s Callie
Sue Edwards and Shane Kuhn, along with a few other “rodeo royalty” friends, will be part of Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival events on July 24 and 25.
The couple from Shiloh have an awardwinning specialty act that features water buffalo Banjo and Harley, a zorse (horse/ zebra cross) and other animals. They have teamed up with the Gainesville Circus Center for this new production.
The events will begin at 7 p.m. July 24 at Two Hawk Equestrian Center at 17950 NE 53rd Lane, Williston, and July 25 at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center at 23100 W. Newberry Road, Newberry.
There will be pre-show music by Heidi Schwiebert, the owner/operator of Two Hawk Hammock, who produces live music and dance performances, jam sessions and music education experiences. She is a founding sponsor for the Gainesville Circus Center and mother of GCC’s Executive Director Corey Cheval.
“The Gainesville Circus Center serves as a multidisciplinary performing arts organization dedicated to the creation, presentation and preservation of circus arts through professional performance, arts education and community engagement. GCC produces a diverse annual season of circus, dance and live music performances. Equestrian circus performance represents a defining component of GCC’s artistic identity. Since 2018, the organization has produced annual equestrian productions including Country Circus and Two Hawk Holiday Circus at Two Hawk Hammock in Williston,” Cheval explained via email.
“Among GCC’s most significant achievements this year was receiving support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Celebrating America 250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes initiative. GCC was one of only 25 performing arts organizations nationwide selected for this highly competitive award. The grant supports the premiere of Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival,” she added.
Cheval said the revival production combines equestrian performance, Native American dance, aerial arts and live music while reexamining the historical narratives presented in traditional Wild West shows. Developed in collaboration with Native American artists, indigenous studies scholars and wild west entertainers, the project presents indigenous and Euro-descendant traditions with greater historical accuracy, cultural authenticity and mutual respect. A companion digital educational resource further explores themes of history, identity, place and cultural exchange, she wrote.
As for why people may want to attend either or both performances, Cheval noted that, “The project is deeply connected to the traditions of North Central Florida, where ranching, horsemanship and outdoor recreation remain central to community life. The region is home to renowned equestrian venues, a thriving horse industry and internationally recognized circus artists, making it an ideal setting for an equestrian circus production. Featuring trick riding, Roman riding, liberty work, aerial arts, live Americana music and theatrical storytelling, the performance preserves traditional skills while presenting them in an engaging, modern format.
“The project also expands access to Florida’s cultural heritage by touring rural venues and offering affordable ticket prices for families with limited financial means. All venues will be ADA compliant,
with additional accommodation provided for individuals with physical and hearing disabilities. By preserving traditional equestrian performance arts, showcasing regional talent and increasing access to cultural experiences in rural communities, the project strengthens appreciation for Florida’s living heritage while inspiring new generations to engage with its unique artistic traditions,” she shared.
The events will include a grand parade of artists. The lineup of acts one through eight includes:
• Women’s Dance - With Laura Huggins Whitehorse (Choctaw/Cherokee), Mya Huggins (Choctaw) and Cree Sharphead Horses in America - With Bruno Gonzalez Vaqueros - With Deke “el Pistolero” Rivers and Kuhn
• Trick and Roman Riding - With Cheval and Edward.
• Intermission - Music by Rainy Blue
• Men’s Dance - With Duane Whitehorse (Kiowa), Bluejay Littlejohn (Cherokee) and Keith Sharphead (Cree)
• Traditional Circus Juggling, Clowning & Rope - With Jack Fool and Kaitlyn Andrews
• Banjo & Harley - Owned and trained by Kuhn and Edwards, Banjo and Harley perform regularly at regional rodeos and were awarded the 2023 Southeastern Professional Rodeo Specialty Act of the Year award. Intertribal Group Dance
• Finale The events are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Gainesville and the city of Gainesville.
For tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/ banjo-buffalos-wild-west-revival-tickets1986225144876?aff=oddtdtcreator#location
Callie Sue Edwards performs with Banjo, the water buffalo.
Shane Kuhn does trick roping as well as riding and shooting.
Deke Rivers is a master of trick gun handling.
Corey Cheval is the founder of the Gainesville Circus Center.
Photos courtesy Corey Cheval
‘Everything and Then Some’ Stacie
Rae Pedrick art exhibit goes on display July 16 at SouthState Bank gallery in Ocala.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Residents and visitors alike continue to be amazed by the wide variety of arts and artists in Marion County. And now, there is one more way to view the works of noted area artist Stacie Rae Pedrick.
Her “Everything and Then Some” exhibit will be on display at SouthState Bank’s second floor Ocala Boulevard Art Gallery from July 16 through Sept. 29.
“People always ask me, “what’s your style?’ or imply you must paint a certain way. This show is about creativity in all forms,” Pedrick shared via email.
“I create what excites me, and that changes all the time. This is about a creative journey of learning. I am constantly seeking knowledge, therefore studying the works of the masters who have come before us. I enjoy all styles of art, mediums and crafts, for that matter,
because it’s all flexing that creative muscle,” Pedrick explained.
“I’m super excited to be displaying a few works from clients who currently enjoy the creative studio. Coastal, equine, landscapes, denim three-dimensional works, florals and even a few abstracts. There’s something for everyone,” she continued.
“At SouthState Bank, we believe in
supporting the communities we serve— and in celebrating the creativity that brings them to life,” wrote Executive Assistant MJ Amaro in an email message.
‘Everything and Then Some’ reflects the breadth of Stacie’s artistic abilities. Fluent across multiple artistic disciplines, she demonstrates remarkable versatility in both classical painting and contemporary mixed media,” Amaro noted.
“Beyond her artistic achievements, Stacie is also a certified therapeutic art practitioner, life coach and creative coach. She uses art as a powerful tool for healing and personal growth—guiding others to explore creativity as a meaningful pathway for processing emotions, fostering selfdiscovery and inspiring transformation,” Amaro added.
Pedrick retired as a graphic designer nine years ago after more than 25 years and returned to fine art. She is classically trained in fine arts with 400+ lectures completed in multiple artistic mediums. She has received multiple internationally recognized certifications in the therapeutic
arts and creative and artistic coaching.
An opening reception for “Everything and Then Some” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. July 23. Admission is free and open to the public. The event will include music and refreshments. There will be a raffle to win a framed 8-inch x 10-inch sailboat painting by Pedrick. At 6 p.m., retired Virginia Tech emeritus professor Patricia Proudfoot Kelly will speak, followed by comments from Pedrick.
“Great chance to see art and learn first-hand what the creativity studio is all about,” Pedrick said.
The SouthState Bank Ocala Boulevard Art Gallery is located at 1632 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
To learn more, go to southstatebank.com and stacierae.com
To read a previous “Gazette” article about Pedrick, go to The creative approach | Ocala Gazette
Photos courtesy of the artist
Stacie Rae Pedrick
“Aplomb”
“Floral Mare”
“Aware of my Freedom - Tribute to America”
“Bright Magnolias”
“Denim Floral Horse Portrait”
“The Third Earl of Chichester (golden retriever)”
Honoring Black military service members
Recent event in West Ocala paid tribute to many local families.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
celebrate America
A250: Black Edition event on July 9 at the Howard Academy Community Center and Black History Museum of Marion County honored the history and continuing service of Black members of America’s Armed Forces. The theme of the event was “Celebrating 250 years of faith, hope and resilience.”
A centerpiece of the event was an “Honor Wall” that covered part of a wall in the museum. The display is made up of perhaps 100 recently accumulated photos requested by museum volunteers and submitted by local families. The images of family members, mostly in uniform, in some cases represented generations of military service.
Jo Ann McCants and Aldjenatu Florence both submitted dozens of family photos covering decades of military service.
“(They were) proud to serve,” Florence said.
Photos of Simon Ponder of Ocala, a Vietnam War era U.S. Navy veteran, and several of his family members, were on display. Sean Ponder, Simon’s son, a retired Navy commander, served as engineer on a nuclear submarine; Simon’s father, John Ponder, a Korean War veteran; and Simon’s father-in-law, Navy veteran of World War II, Lucius Falana; were pictured in photos on display.
The event was a joint effort by HACC staff, Friends of Marion County Black Museum and museum volunteers, according to Cynthia Wilson-Graham, lead museum volunteer coordinator.
The event featured displays on famous Black veterans, including four Tuskegee Airmen with ties to Marion County who flew P-51 fighters in World War II—Hal King, Gilbert Langford, Robert Walker and Charles Bailey, a graduate of Howard Academy.
One display gave information about Clinton Burns of Dunnellon, who served in the U.S. Army 364th Combat Engineers and participated in the invasion at Normandy in World War II. Burns passed away on March 18, 2025, at the age of 103.
Tribute was paid at the event to Vietnam War veterans like Sam Scriven of Ocala, who died in combat in 1967, and Army veteran and Ocala native James Brigham, who spent 111 days in prisoner of war captivity during the Vietnam War.
Army Col. Gorham Black, retired, a Marion County resident, was recognized on a display at the event. Black wrote about the experience of African Americans service members in an email.
“We Black Americans have served in every U.S. war, often fighting for freedoms we were too often denied.
The plight of Black Americans serving in the United States Armed Forces has been defined by courage in the face of discrimination, segregation, unequal treatment and limited opportunity—yet all of us have repeatedly proven to be indispensable to the nation’s defense,” Black wrote in part. (Read the full text here: OPINION | Ocala Gazette)
The Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park has two plaques honoring Black service members.
The Friends of Marion County Veterans Park have records of a plaque installed in the park honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, a unit of 1,000 African American airmen who flew 1,500 sorties and earned 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses from 1941 to 1946, according to the inscription, and a plaque recognizing the drivers of the Red Ball Express— whose trucks were marked with an identifying red ball—supply convoy in Europe in World War II, which carried 12,500 tons daily of supplies with “almost 75 percent” of the drivers African American, according to the plaque.
The keynote talk of the evening was by Bruce Seaman, author of the book “To Succeed Where Others Failed: The Untold Story of the
Plantation Raid,” about a Civil War operation undertaken by black Union soldiers to free scouts and slaves from a plantation in northeast Marion County during the Civil War.
Seaman has found much of the history had been lost but then “Ocala Star-Banner” reporter Rick Allen uncovered a lot of historical information about the raid when he was researching a missing historical marker about the operation.
“Seventy-five percent of Marion County residents don’t know this story,” Seaman said.
The raid was led by a Black sergeant major at a time when units of Black soldiers who had been permitted to enlist by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 were typically led by white officers.
Groups represented at the event included American Legion Thompson-McKay Post 210, Veterans of Foreign Wars Brady Owens Post 7193 and the Marion County Library System, represented by Taylor Benson and Mark Sloan Raymond Whyte, Rachael Drayton, Cherrietta Prince and U.S.
Marine Corps veteran Jack Kiner and his wife, Kathy Kiner, represented historically Black Post 7193. Jack Kiner is a member of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, which posted the colors at the event.
A Nov. 24, 2013, “Star-Banner” article covered the history of Post 7193, including that the namesakes were World War II veterans John A. Owens and Louis “Snap” Brady, both of Marion County. Both were Black and both died in the war. The article contains narratives from Black veterans connected with Post 7183 who served the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s and felt unwelcome at veterans’ organizations locally and nationally. The start of Post 7193 was likely a reaction to the unwelcome atmosphere at other veterans’ organizations during the times. The article states that Post 7193 welcomes all veterans. Local veterans Wilbur Julius and James Curley have served as Vice Commander and Post Commander,
OPINION : THE MILITARY SERVICE OF BLACK AMERICANS
By Gorham L. Black, III, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.), Ocala
We Black Americans have served in every U.S. war, often fighting for freedoms we were too often denied. The plight of Black Americans serving in the United States Armed Forces has been defined by courage in the face of discrimination, segregation, unequal treatment and limited opportunity—yet all of us have repeatedly proven to be indispensable to the nation’s defense.
From the Buffalo Soldiers and the Harlem Hellfighters to the Tuskegee Airmen (My father was a member of this elite organization.) and the Montford Point Marines, Black service members endured inferior equipment, restricted roles and systemic racism. Many returned home from combat only to face violence, exclusion and laws that denied them basic U.S. Constitutional rights. Still, Black service members continued to serve with distinction, reshaped the Armed Forces and forced the nation to confront its racial ills. Their struggle—and their triumph—helped open the door to desegregation in 1948 and laid the foundation for today’s more inclusive military.
I spent decades in uniform, commanding soldiers, mentoring young officers and watching careers rise or stall based not only on performance, but on the invisible architecture of the promotion system. Today, that system is failing too many minority and women service members—and the consequences reach far beyond individual careers. They threaten the future leadership of the United States Armed Forces.
The problem is not theoretical. I have watched outstanding officer — disciplined, capable, combattested—struggle to break into the career fields that determine who becomes a general or admiral. Aviation, combat arms, nuclear operations and special operations remain demographically narrow pipelines. When minority and women officers are underrepresented at the entry point, they will be underrepresented at the top, no matter how talented they are.
very people it needs to remain competitive in a world where diversity of thought, background and experience is a strategic advantage.
The Department of Defense has launched “reforms,” but progress is slow. Culture moves at the speed of trust, and trust erodes when officers see peers quietly removed from promotion lists or denied opportunities for reasons that seem opaque or inconsistent.
I have also seen how evaluation language shapes destinies. A single lukewarm seniorrater comment can derail a career, while a glowing endorsement can launch one. Too often, minority officers receive cautious or qualified narratives, even when their performance matches or exceeds that of their peers. Women officers are praised for competence but passed over for the operational commands that define longterm advancement. These patterns are not accidents. They are symptoms of a system that rewards familiarity and tradition more than merit.
The cost is staggering. Talented officers leave early, frustrated by slow advancement and limited access to careershaping assignments. The leadership pipeline narrows. Promotion boards draw from a pool that does not reflect the force they are meant to lead. And the military loses the
As a former commander, I know this much: the United States Armed Forces cannot afford to treat this as a “diversity initiative.” It is a readiness imperative. When “culture” or “structural” bias sidelines capable officers, our nation loses leadership potential it cannot easily replace. The military’s strength has always come from drawing on the full breadth of American talent. Today, that strength is being severely compromised.
The United States asks extraordinary things of its service members. It owes them a promotion system where performance—not tradition, not bias, not demographic history— determines who leads. Anything less is a risk the nation cannot afford.
All told, the story of Black Americans in our nation’s Armed Forces is one of sacrifice, injustice, resilience and profound patriotism.
L.
and a
at
respectively, at Post 7193.
Edmond Fordham, who passed away in 2022, was a longtime Marion County educator, school administrator and namesake of Fordham Early Learning Center. He began a connection with Post 7193 in 1958, according to the article. Fordham served in the military before and after the 1948 executive order to end segregation.
Davida Randolph, HACC program manager, spoke to the assembly. She talked about members of the “older generation (who) sacrificed freedom” for the younger generation. Candace Shelton served as moderator for the event.
To learn more, go to marionschools. net/departments/grants_federal_ programs/howard_academy_ community_center and fb.com/people/ Friends-of-Marion-County-BlackHistory-Museum/61582691195796/
Marshall
Gorham
Black III is a veteran of the Vietnam War
frequent guest speaker
veteran-related events in Marion County.
During the America 250: Black Edition event on July 9, 2026, at the Howard Academy Community Center and Black History Museum of Marion County, Jo Ann McCants looked over photos of her family members and others during their military service on the “Honor Wall,” which will remain on display for an indefinite period.
One of the displays pays tribute to Alice Faison, the first Black female employee of the Ocala Police Department, who became a police officer, and Maj. Tara Woods, who has been with OPD for more than three decades and currently serves as its community liaison coordinator.
Bruce Seaman autographs a copy of his book “To Succeed Where Others Failed: The Untold Story of the Marshall Plantation Raid,” which examines the Civil War raid conducted by Black troops led by a Black sergeant major.
Some of the displays were about four Tuskegee Airmen with local ties and World War II veteran Clinton Burns.
Representatives of Veterans of Foreign Wars Brady-Owens Post 7193, Rachael Drayton, Cherrietta Prince and Raymond Whyte.
Mark Sloan and Taylor Benson, representatives of the Marion County Public Library System.
Gorham Black III, a U.S. Army Col., retired, speaks during the POW/MIA Recognition ceremony at the OcalaMarion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala on Sept. 15, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Public Notice
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
“That’s actually the 64th lowest out of 67 (counties) in the state,” Harrell stated, noting that only Collier, Manatee and Brevard counties had lower tax rates.
Despite this documented discipline, Marion County is “unfairly getting swept in” to Tallahassee’s “one size fits all” approach, he said. Legislation like House Bill 1329 and the proposed property tax elimination amendment force strict budget-cutting exercises and spending restrictions on the entire state, penalizing counties that already operate efficiently while using low tax rates.
One reason Marion County may not have had to raise millage rates could be attributed to local tax revenue approved by Marion County voters in the form of local sales tax.
CORRECTING SAVE OUR HOMES MISINFORMATION
A major focal point of the workshop was correcting rampant misinformation regarding the Save Our Homes (SOH) valuation. Property Appraiser Jimmy Cowan addressed social media rumors claiming that homes would be reassessed to market value and lose their SOH protections if the new tax reform passes.
“They will keep their Save Our Homes,” Cowan clarified, calling the rumors “totally wrong.”
Under current Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) guidelines, after the first year a property receives a homestead exemption and is assessed at market (just) value, its assessed value for each following year cannot increase by more than 3% annually or the percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. This accumulated difference between the assessed value and the market value is the SOH benefit.
Currently, FDOR applies exemptions in specific tiers: the first $25,000 of a home’s value is exempt from all property taxes, the next $25,000 is taxable and a third $25,000 tier (adjusted annually for inflation) is exempt only from nonschool taxes. FDOR data illustrates exactly how massive this protection currently is: statewide, the SOH differential shields $890.11 billion in property value from taxation.
HOW EXEMPTIONS WILL GROW UNDER TAX REFORM
If the proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 1F) passes in the Nov. 3 general election, these homeowner benefits will grow.
The amendment would replace the current non-school exemptions with a $150,000 exemption in 2027, increasing to $250,000 in 2028 and indexing to the CPI thereafter. County Budget Director Audrey Fowler explained that the existing SOH 3% cap stays entirely in place with “no reassessment to a 2027 value.”
Because the new $150,000 to $250,000 exemption is applied directly to a homeowner’s already SOH-capped taxable value, long-time residents will retain all their accrued savings while receiving the new deductions. For many homeowners, this stacking effect will completely zero out their non-school property taxes.
MISSING THE MARK AND SHIFTING TAX BURDEN
Commissioner Matthew McClain criticized the state Legislature’s approach, arguing that lawmakers had an opportunity to enact “really good tax reform” by allowing counties to utilize other revenue sources, like sales taxes, but ultimately “just completely missed on it.”
Commission Chairman Carl Zalak also voiced deep concerns over the amendment’s unintended financial consequences for those who do not qualify for the new exemptions. Zalak argued that the legislation simply “shifts burden” directly onto local businesses, renters and non-homestead properties.
Cowan agreed with Zalak’s assessment except for making an exception for renters. He said ad valorem taxes were passed through to renters by landlords. Cowan explained that if the county is forced to raise its millage rate to cover the massive revenue shortfalls caused by the new homestead exemptions, “the rental properties, the commercial properties, the vacant land is going to see that.”
Despite providing the county commission with data on how the amendment would heavily impact local revenues, Cowan clarified that his office is not taking a political stance on the issue.
“None of the 67 property appraisers are for or against this,” he stated. “Whatever passes, we have to implement by law.”
A look at how we vote
Supervisor of Elections discusses changing voter habits, polling place hurdles and rising costs.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
During the Marion County Commission budget workshop on July 14, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox highlighted the shifting landscape of local elections, noting historical contrasts in voter participation and rising logistical challenges while also explaining the financial cost of election operations.
As the county gears up for the Aug. 18 Primary Election, Wilcox detailed how traditional “last chance” Election Day voting is steadily declining in favor of early voting and vote-by-mail methods.
THE COST OF DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATION STATS
During the presentation, Commissioner Kathy Bryant inquired about the return on investment between early voting and traditional Election Day voting. Wilcox revealed that running the early voting period from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day costs the county approximately $250,000, while staffing and leasing facilities for Election Day itself costs about $200,000.
Despite the similar price tags, Wilcox said the participation numbers paint a clear picture of how voters prefer to cast their ballots. In a primary election, Election Day turnout sits around 40%; but during a general election, that number drops to about 30% to 33%. Conversely, early voting sees significant surges during the general election, drawing in an estimated 45% to 50% of the overall turnout.
School
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She criticized the district for using “very small” writing and listing only the initials of the selection committee members rather than their full names, comparing it unfavorably to past transparent practices.
“It’s important to maintain the public trust, and I think one way to do that is to just make sure that our paperwork documentation is very transparent so anyone can look and know who has participated,” Thrower noted.
Despite her critiques of the process and a general warning about individuals serving on both high-level oversight committees and selection committees, Thrower offered high praise for Ausley Construction’s capabilities.
“I have absolutely no doubt that we’re going to get a quality build and that the school is going to open on time,” she said, acknowledging the company’s record of building.
Thrower expressed appreciation for community members who volunteer their time on high-value district oversight boards like the Independent Citizens Referendum Oversight Committee (ICROC) and the Sales Surtax Committee. However, she raised significant concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest when the same individuals or parties are involved in both funding oversight and district procurement.
Specifically, Thrower argued that it is a “common sense best practice” to maintain strict separation between individuals serving on committees that oversee large amounts of public money and those participating on construction selection committees. Acknowledging that prohibiting this kind of overlap “may not be in board policy” currently, she framed her concerns as a necessary
Vote-by-mail also remains a dominant force. Wilcox noted the county recently mailed out an initial drop of about 24,000 domestic ballots, expecting a rapid turnaround from voters. The office processes an impressive 85% to 88% of mailed ballots daily, with many voters filling them out the day they arrive and dropping them right back into the mail.
POLLING LOCATION CHALLENGES
The shifting voter habits prompted discussions on whether the state should consider moving toward a centralized voting site model rather than relying on dozens of scattered polling places. Wilcox noted that finding and maintaining these local sites is becoming increasingly difficult.
One major hurdle is dealing with private homeowner associations (HOAs) and gated communities, Wilcox said. He shared that
step toward “continuous improvement” to maintain the public trust.
Ausley Construction frequently bids on and wins large district construction projects, yet its CEO, Ken Ausley, simultaneously serves as the chairman of the ICROC, which oversees how the district spends its funds. He was nominated to this oversight position by board member Sarah James, who had previously been investigated for inappropriately trying to influence the scoring process to favor Ausley Construction during a $120 million high school bid.
By pointing out this procedural blind spot, Thrower highlighted the need to scrutinize and potentially update board policies to prevent overlapping influence between those awarding district contracts, those receiving the contracts and those overseeing the district’s money.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Here are the members of the Belleview Elementary School Replacement project selection committee: Christian Spaulding, Eric Ostanik, David Assumpcao, Triste Smith, Dennis McFatten, Debra Riedl, Matt Fabian, David Tillman and James Johns.
The committee members were tasked with evaluating the firms’ qualification submittals, which were capped at 20 pages and included professional references, proof of licensure, bond ability and detailed responses to the district’s criteria. Following a submittal review and shortlist interviews, the evaluators individually graded each competing construction firm based on a 100-point rubric.
They evaluated the proposals across five specific categories:
Project Team: Maximum of 25 points
Approach and Methodology: Maximum of 25 points
Timeline and Quality
Control: Maximum of 15 points
Cost Controls/Value
Engineering: Maximum of 15 points
Knowledge of Site and Local
some HOAs have stopped allowing the county to use their community buildings as polling places, essentially “kicking out” the election operations. He specifically cited a gated community on State Road 200 where voters, who previously could walk or take a golf cart to vote, will now be forced to drive down the highway to a local church to cast their ballots.
Additionally, Marion County’s unique geography poses centralization challenges, as a third of the county is made up by the Ocala National Forest, an area severely lacking in large facilities capable of hosting centralized voting hubs.
SNAPSHOT OF SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION’S BUDGET
The total proposed budget for the Marion County Supervisor of Elections for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 is $4,237,742.
The budget is primarily divided into two main funding categories to support the office’s mission of providing accurate, high-quality election services:
Personnel costs:
$2,721,511
This makes up the largest portion of the budget. It covers the staffing to process voter registrations, manage mail-in voting and coordinate election day logistics.
Operating costs:
$1,513,731
This category covers the supplies, software and services needed to run elections and maintain the county’s voting equipment.
The budget also sets aside a small $2,500 reserve for contingencies.
Conditions: Maximum of 20 points
Once all nine committee members submitted their individual scores, the highest and lowest scores given to each firm by the committee were dropped and the remaining scores were averaged to get the final ranking.
However, a closer look at the bidding tabulation reveals the specific scoring dynamics that led to Ausley’s win, including notable outlier scores.
Evaluator Tillman (listed as “DT” on the documents) submitted heavily skewed scores that uniquely favored Ausley Construction and were distinctly different from the rest of the committee because he was the only evaluator to create a 25.5 to 30-point scoring gap between his first choice and the other competitors. Most committee members evaluated the four firms within a much tighter margin; Tillman’s scoring pattern drastically penalized the competitors while keeping Ausley near perfect.
While Tillman awarded Ausley a near-perfect score of 99.000, he graded the other three competing firms drastically lower: 69.000 for Charles Perry Partners, 70.500 for The A.D. Morgan Corporation and 73.500 for D.E. Scorpio Corporation.
In fact, Tillman’s score of 69.000 for Charles Perry Partners was the lowest total score awarded by any committee member to any firm. He was also the only member to grade three out of the four firms in the 60s and low 70s.
At the time of publishing, Tillman has not responded to “Gazette” questions about the differences in scoring.
PRIOR BAD BLOOD NOT MENTIONED
Transparency and bidding concerns expressed by Thrower at the meeting are not isolated. As previously reported, Ausley Construction has a documented history of bidding disputes and allegations that the company uses aggressive tactics to win bids.
A 2024 independent
DEADLINES FOR MARION COUNTY VOTERS
Voter Registration & Party Change Deadline:
July 20 is the final day to register to vote or change party affiliation ahead of the primary. Because Florida is a closed primary state, this deadline is crucial for anyone wishing to vote in partisan races like the county commission seats where only Republicans have filed.
Mail-In Ballot Request
Deadline: The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Aug. 6, by 5 p.m.
Early Voting: Early voting for the primary will run from Aug. 8-15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at nine designated sites.
• Primary Election Day: “Last chance voting” takes place on Aug. 18, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wilcox strongly emphasized that Florida has no grace period or postmark acceptance for late ballots. All vote-by-mail ballots must be physically received by the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
To learn more, go to votemarion.gov
investigation by the GrayRobinson law firm substantiated that Ausley Construction violated the district’s “cone of silence” procurement policy while bidding for a massive $120 million high school project.
The company’s leadership was also scrutinized in a 2002 Florida Auditor General report, which challenged an “informal,” “penciled-in” scoring system used by the district to award the Forest High School contract to ACA Construction Group—a firm led by Ken Ausley and his then COO, Todd Duffy.
The 2024 investigation into the $120 million high school bid brought to light threats and forms of intimidation directed at school district leadership. During that dispute, former Superintendent Diane Gullett reported that she, board members and multiple district employees were subjected to “threats and forms of intimidation both internally and externally.”
The investigative report detailed how Duffy contacted Fred Thrower, the husband of then-board chair Nancy Thrower, and warned that he “wouldn’t want things to go badly for chair Thrower’s political career” over the high school contract. Fred Thrower publicly categorized the interaction as a political threat meant to hold school funding over the board’s heads.
Furthermore, Duffy was found to have contacted a district employee, suggesting that Ausley Construction could use its influence to help the employee secure the district supervisor of facilities job, leaning on the firm’s displeasure with how the bidding process was being handled.
Thrower announced when she was sworn in for a second term, in November of 2022, after running unopposed, that she would not seek a third term on the school board.
RECENT PROJECTS
Despite the internal investigation findings, the company continued to be
awarded bids by the school district and complete them, albeit under scrutiny.
During the May 26 school board meeting, the ongoing debate over the cost differences between two newly constructed, identically designed elementary schools—Ross Prairie (built by the out-of-town firm A.D. Morgan) and Winding Oaks (built by Ausley Construction)—was a major point of discussion.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Dustin Magamoll of Ausley Construction addressed the board to defend the higher costs associated with the Winding Oaks project. He argued that while the school designs were the same, the site conditions were “far from identical.”
According to Magamoll, Ross Prairie started on a cleared site with good soil, whereas Winding Oaks required extensive site preparation that delayed the project by nearly two months. Because the district maintained a strict June 30 completion deadline, Ausley had to accelerate the schedule with a six-day workweek, which added approximately $1.4 million in overtime labor costs. Magamoll concluded that the $2.7 million in additional costs adequately explained why Winding Oaks was initially priced $2 million higher than Ross Prairie. During that meeting, Campbell responded directly to Magamoll’s defense. While she stated she could respect the differences in site development, she pointed out that the cost gap between the two schools was widening well beyond the initial $2 million.
Campbell noted that earlier in the meeting, the board had approved a $3.2 million deductive change order (a return of unused funds) for A.D. Morgan’s Ross Prairie project. Campbell argued that the disparity warranted a much more detailed conversation than just addressing the initial $2 million difference.
Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox talks about Vote by Mail ballots at the Marion County Election Center in Ocala in 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette file photo]
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People, Places and Things
‘It’s unexpected’
The Arts at The Canopy collective offers a new and unique opportunity for area artists.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Standing outside the Arts at The Canopy campus after a tour on July 9, Jeffrey Moore, the founder, owner and resident artist, in response to this reporter’s comment of “Wow,” uttered a powerful phrase: “It’s unexpected.”
And, truly, that is what is in store for visitors to the new collective, located at 1703 NE 8th Road in Ocala. The venue is set for grand opening events on Aug. 1 and 2 and then will be open Wednesdays through Mondays.
Inside, guests will be treated to an amazing variety of artworks that range from Moore’s signature copper pieces to jewelry, pottery, watercolors, metalworks and even edible art.
Arts at The Canopy is designed to be more than a gallery. It will feature juried shows, seasonal installations and community events that blend art, music, food and conversation, Moore noted.
Walking into the space feels like going on an exploration as you wind past mounted art on nearly every wall and display cases bearing necklaces and earrings, an ornate pewter serving tray, fluted ceramic bowls and more.
In the center of the main showroom are mobile display panels upon which a featured monthly artist will be showcased.
To begin, that artist will be Moore, whose copper works are intriguing and eye-catching. Known globally for his mastery of copper repoussé and chasing, his work is “celebrated for its intricate handformed detail, richly textured surfaces and luminous finishes,” his website notes.
“I start with a flat sheet of copper. I have these tools that have little metal balls on the end. I take of the small ones and scratch it out on the surface and then I start using the different sizes of the balls to kind of form and sculpt. I go in and work it on one side, then flip it over and work on the other side. This is all just sculpting,” he said pointing to a large work featuring birds.
When asked how he achieves colors such as red in some works, he doesn’t hesitate to reply, “That took me years to figure out because copper doesn’t like to hold paint. So, it’s kind of like my secret solution.” Moore also produces stunning artworks such as watercolors and jewelry, and metal sculptures like beautiful little Jenny wrens perched on a log.
On one display case seen during the tour, small gift boxes with tiny bows sat unopened. When asked what was inside, Moore lifted one lid to show a beautiful pendant.
“These are little potteries and then we shellack them. My neighbor fires them for me because I don’t have a kiln, but someone is donating a kiln and we’re going to put it out back and teach Raku out there. Nobody teaches Raku in Ocala,” he said.
Moore said there will be 22 other artists with works on display in the collective. While some of them had yet to bring in works for display during our tour, the pieces that were in place were absolutely beautiful.
“I bought this and turned this into what is it for me but, at the same time, I wanted to have a space where we can support local artists and I feel like a lot of these artists have a room in their house where they have a stack of art and they just do not know how to market themselves. I am the creative director for The Villages as well,
so I have a marketing background and I can help the artists promote themselves and find venues for them outside of these walls as well to help spotlight their work,” Moore shared.
He said there have been extensive renovations all around the property, including structurally and cosmetically, with the landscaping and, for example, installing a walkway into the building that meets ADA requirements.
To the rear of the property is the Makers Cottage, where classes will be held.
“I wanted this to be a gallery experience and that to be a classroom experience,” Moore said of the separate spaces.
Yet to be completed is an area in between the two buildings that will become the Firefly Court.
“This is going to be a patio area with a pavilion over the top. It will give us an outdoor venue and overflow for when we have speaking engagements and receptions and things like that,” Moore said.
Of how the impressive effort came together, he said, in part, that he gets a lot of help from “My neighbors, I call them the ‘Golden Girls.’ They are in their 80s and they love to help me. They come down and help bring different things and help with the gardening and help me find vendors. They cleaned up the flowerbeds. We just re-did the fence,” he explained.
The featured artists rent their space and a portion of the revenue from sales goes to the collective. The artists also will commit some time to working at the collective to assist visitors. The artists who are already part of the collective may remain as long as they wish. As items sell, or at their whimsy, they can bring in new pieces to showcase.
“You might come back in six months and see a lot of different pieces,” Moore said.
“It’s amazing how much art there is in Ocala, and it’s really, really good,” he added. “But I feel like this is the only resident collective in Ocala right now.”
The Arts at the Canopy team includes curator Larry Zimmerman, Christine Carrington in marketing and Nancy Hart handling promotions.
Among the artists are Rhonda Waters, from The Villages, who uses an oxygen acetylene torch to create copper, brass and stainless-steel
sculptures, such a signature piece that graces the front wall of the venue and which matches the tree in the Arts at the Canopy logo. According to her website, Waters has started to incorporate textured paintings into her metal sculptures, is exploring fused glass and incorporates Raku pottery in her work.
The other resident artists are Morgan Raines, Carmen Santiago, Kenneth DeMoliner, Lisa Eikenberry, Ronda Richley, Katherine Green, Nikki Welch, Jessica Clarke, Kathleen Sirois, Loretta Lynn Bell, Sharon Vickery, Jude Gonzalez, Teresa Cresap, Sharon Dolce Okeefe, Rose Derkay, Linda Reitz, Eddie Peters, Julie Andrews, Robert Ralph and Kendra Brazzel.
“I didn’t want artists competing against each other, so I tried to get a little bit of diversity and if I already selected one, I put the next person that wanted to come in with the same medium on a waiting list,” Moore said.
The area where Arts at The Canopy is located is becoming a sort of mecca for arts enthusiasts.
The Jordan Shapot Art Studio and Gallery is a couple of blocks to the north while the 8th Avenue gallery is two blocks south.
“As Marion County’s local arts agency, Marion Cultural Alliance celebrates every organization that expands opportunities for artists and enriches our cultural community. Arts at The Canopy represents another exciting step in Ocala’s evolution as a destination where creativity, collaboration and the arts are valued as essential to our community’s quality of life and economic vitality,” said MCA Executive Director Jaye Baillie via email.
There will be grand opening events for Arts at The Canopy from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 1 and 2. Gallery hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The venue’s inaugural First Thursday Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 3 will feature the works of Morgan Raines, who uses “a labor-intensive adaptation of the Renaissance-era sgraffito technique, he builds each piece through 20 to 30 layers of acrylic, then carves back into the surface to reveal color beneath.
The first class offered will be Build the Garden of Inspiration Mosaic Concrete Step Makeover. The seven-week course will run from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 5 to Oct. 24 and will be led by Moore. The class series will transform a concreate
into a mosaic work of art featuring inspiring words.
To learn more, go to artsatthecanopy.com
staircase
Artist Jeffrey Moore describes his “Branchside Chorus” copper work created with repoussé and chasing.
A watercolor painting by Jeffrey Moore.
Jewelry by artist Jeffrey Moore.
Artwork by Rhonda Waters is displayed on a wall, with pottery by Sharon Vickery in the forefront.
A watercolor painting by Jeffrey Moore.
Copper works by artist Jeffrey Moore created with repoussé and chasing.
Mobile panels in the center of the Arts at The Canopy gallery will be used to showcase featured artists. Jewelry by artist Teresa Cresap.
Jeffrey Moore poses with some of his artworks at Arts at The Canopy on Northeast 8th Road in Ocala on July 9, 2026. Moore is the founder and curator of the new gallery and cultural hub, which has grand opening events planned for Aug. 1 and 2, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
SOCIAL SCENE
Community Legal Services celebrates 60 years
Gathering also paid tribute to longtime senior manager Lena Hopkins.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida marked its 60th anniversary during a Pro Bono Happy Hour & 60th Anniversary Celebration at Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida in Ocala.
The nonprofit civil legal aid organization provides free legal assistance in civil matters to lowincome and vulnerable residents throughout Central Florida, working with staff attorneys and volunteer lawyers to help clients protect their homes, health, families and livelihoods. The organization also coordinates pro bono legal services by recruiting private attorneys to represent qualifying clients.
The July 9 celebration also paid tribute to Lena Hopkins, Community Legal Services’ longtime senior manager of pro bono services, who died June 29
after dedicating more than 27 years to the organization and recruiting hundreds of volunteer attorneys to expand access to justice.
During the event, local attorney Daniel Hightower led a toast in Hopkins’ memory using Lake Ridge Sweet Red wine, her favorite.
Hightower recalled meeting Hopkins more than two decades ago when she recruited attorneys to volunteer with Community Legal Services’ weekly legal aid clinics and described her as a dedicated advocate who devoted her career to ensuring “justice for all” and serving those who could not afford legal representation. He said Hopkins’ legacy reflected three defining qualities: “Lena the person,” “Lena the patriot” and “Lena the servant.”
A TRIBUTE TO LENA HOPKINS
By Daniel L. Hightower, lawyer
Background. When Lena and I first met 25-30 years ago, she was the pro bono coordinator for Community Legal Service of Mid-Florida (CLS), also known as Legal Aid. She was charged with corralling local lawyers to donate time (and money, if they wished) to helping people in our community, who could not afford a private lawyer, with their civil legal problems…pro bono… for good and at no charge. Lena and I hit it off immediately because I have been a supporter of Legal Aid since the 1970s.
Lena organized a weekly Legal Aid Clinic at the local CLS office staffed by other volunteer local lawyers and me to dispense legal advice and more to local people who called the CLS office asking for legal help with early problems before they were sued. These were usually lesser legal problems like landlord-tenant disputes, credit card collection agencies, etc., but huge problems to our clients. The full-time CLS lawyers handled the cases after our clients were sued.
Several other local lawyers and I volunteered for Legal Aid Clinic one afternoon per week. Thursdays as I recall. Lena or others would book us for 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. appointments. We‘d meet with the clients, listen to their legal problems and then handle them. I could usually solve my clients’ problems with a letter on CLS stationary to whoever was pushing around my clients and probably violating some law. My CLS clients just needed someone to explain their legal rights to them and stand up for them in disputes with heavy-handed corporations and others.
When I think back about Lena and her many years of contributions to our community, I see her through three lenses:
One, Lena the person! She was born with her unique set of gifts and talents (like we all are) and she worked hard to multiply them. Parable? Lena was smart, confident, personable, persuasive and proactive and she used her gifts and talents to benefit less fortunate people via pro bono legal services.
Two, Lena the patriot! Carved in the granite over the entrance to the U.S. Supreme Court Building are the words, “Equal Justice Under Law.” The last six words of the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag are, “…with liberty and justice for all.” All…not just for the affluent or the financially comfortable. Pro bono legal services in civil legal disputes fills the previous void in America’s promise of “Justice for All.” And Lena was pro-active in organizing pro bono legal services for CLS clients.
Three, Lena the servant! Scripture tells us, “Whatever you have done for the least of these, my brethren, you have done for me.” Lena dedicated her life to serving “the least of these” with pro bono legal services.
Lena, we’re fortunate to have known you. You were an inspiring example to us. And we pledge to continue the good work that you dedicated your life to.
To read a recent feature obituary for Hopkins in the “Gazette,” go to A woman of ‘passion and compassion’ | Ocala Gazette
Kelly Morphy, Danelle Hays and Jim Coleman.
Chris Kemp, Lissy Kemp and Kelly Morphy.
Glorimar Maldonado and Daniel Hightower. Ian Pickens and Morgan Cardinal.
Greg Harrell, Janet Behnke and Rob Davis.
Courtney Jones, Esquire and Michelle Seckinger.
Stephanie Knight and Adrianna Tran.
Tiffany Cox, Monica Bryant and Natalia Cox.
Amanda and Brien Weidemiller.
Charles and Tracy Vega.
Angie Peters and Monica Bryant.
Marlene Carrion, Chris Kemp, Margaret Harrell and Leo Henriquez, left to right, pose together during the Community Legal Services Pro Bono Happy Hour & 60th Anniversary Celebration at Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida in Ocala on July 9, 2026
Photos of the late Lena Hopkins, a longtime senior manager with Community Legal Services, are shown in her memory.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
‘Unsung comedy’ coming to you live
Unboxed
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Many years ago, a shy sophomore in high school saw her friend play Lady Mary in “The Admirable Crichton” on the high school stage and said, “That’s for me!”
Those girls were Kim Sandstrom and Jan Thomas, founders of Unboxed Productions, which is based in Belleview and is a not-for-profit theater company that offers live plays through online access.
To honor Thomas, Sandstrom decided to surprise her friend by producing J. M. Barrie’s unsung comedy for their late summer season slot. As co-producer and director, Bruce Seaman, who has created an abridged edition just for the Unboxed Productions audience, said, “Author J. M. Barrie, well known as the author of Peter Pan, uses the rigid class structure of Victorian England to remind us that, in a season of severe dislocation, like being shipwrecked on an island, social change is not only possible, but inevitable.”
Because of the dual locations of this story, which are the busy streets of London and a deserted island, this will be one of UP’s most visually challenging productions, but technical director Ty Nunez of Portland, Oregon, will lead the way with his expertise.
Following the success of UP’s original production, “Almost All About Eva,” premiering both online and on stage at the Fertile Ground New Works Play Festival in Oregon last April, and the popular Moliere’s “The Imaginary Invalid” in March, “The Admirable Crichton” is the perfect mid-summer comedy to cool down with in the comfort of your home, Sandstrom offered.
Set in 1900 England and on
Productions will present ‘The Admirable Crichton’ online July 30-31 and Aug. 1-2.
a deserted tropical island, “The Admirable Crichton” has been produced many times on stage and made into a movie at least three times, including the very popular UK version, “Paradise Lagoon.”
For the Unboxed Productions presentation, director Seaman has selected a cast of newcomers and welcomes the return of some beloved actors from previous shows.
Erica Spradling, a theater teacher at Ocali Charter High School, will make her leading lady debut as Lady Catherine. She saw “The Imaginary Invalid” and said she was “wowed” by the talent and the entire experience and signed up for auditions immediately after.
Kentucky actor Dana Kisor will return as the embattled but efficient head butler Crichton. Deborah Mann of Texas returns as Lady Agatha and Majesty Ayomoon, who was Angelique in “The Imaginary Invalid” and charmed audiences with her fresh approach, will be playing leading lady, Lady Mary.
Unboxed Best Supporting Actress winner for 2025, Erin McGrew Herndon, as Miss Prism from Dallas, Texas, in “The Importance of Being Ernest,” returns as the irrepressible,
naive and unwittingly funny Tweeny, named so because she is between an upstairs and downstairs maid.
Longtime season ticket holder Mia Munn, recently retired from North Carolina, will make her theater debut as Lady Brocklehurst. Munn is beloved by UP audiences for being a dinner theater host at her home for many productions, inviting friends and casting the live show to her wide screen.
Lord Loam, played by John Marengo of Salem, Oregon, brings his awarding winner talent back to the stage. He and Sandstrom are both graduates of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and have been working together in the online space for several years.
UP favorite Lee Tilson, as Ernest Woolley, returns to round out the cast of characters.
“The Admirable Crichton’s” characters discuss grand ideas about humanity in the drawing room of Lord Loam’s home. Soon, an idea forms that it would be a good idea to set sail, see the world and expand their horizons and understanding, but Mother Nature has other ideas and Loam’s daughters and servants
find themselves shipwrecked and left to their own defenses on wild, deserted islands in the Caribbean.
As time wears on, things dramatically change amongst the castaways. Ideas that were once considered sacrosanct now are upended. Will roles change on the island, as those who can do will do and those who can’t do either can’t or won’t?
Following each show’s curtain call, audience members are invited to “talk back” with the actors and director and be included in drawings for giveaways and live auction items, including a large stunning wooden candle holder made by Mia Munn for this show.
Unboxed Productions describes itself as a “mostly online theater company” but they have brought live stage productions, such as the murder mystery, “Who Made a Killin’ at the Kentucky Derby” for a GFWC fundraiser and a fundraiser at Temple Beth Sholom for the recovery community.
Team members traveled to Oregon for the world premiere of “Almost All About Eva” and recently were informed that Sandstrom’s original show, created for UP, has
been selected to premier outside of festival status on The Goshen Theater’s theater season in March of 2027 and is currently being considered by several other theaters for their 2027 season.
Even with UP’s expansion into other theaters around the country, Thomas shared, “We started out online and we continue to get better and better at it and our faithful audiences prove it.”
“The Admirable Crichton” will be performed July 30 and 31 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 1 and 2 at 4 p.m. UP is a not-for-profit theater company and the suggested donation for a link is $15. Links may be purchased online and you may use your link to see all four shows. Links may not be shared with other households unless approved by production team.
Unboxed Productions always selects a local charity to give a portion of proceeds to and has have selected Wear Gloves for “The Admirable Crichton.”
UP has selected its September show, “Threads of Memory” by Palm Beach playwright Michael Levitian, which will feature local actors Teri Schwartz and Eric Spradling and be directed by UP board member Diana Grogg. “Threads of Memory” follows a Russian Jewish immigrant family, fleeing the pograms of Russia for America. Levitian will be available after each show for discussions about his work.
For those who may be interested in performing with Unboxed Productions, the variety show cabaret fundraiser will be directed by Dana Kisor. Send photo, biography and act information to kimlynette@aol.com
To obtain your link for “The Admirable Crichton,” go to unboxedproductions.org
Photos courtesy Unboxed Productions
In this image, Lee Tilson, as Ernest Woolley in “The Admirable Crichton,” has grown a beard after being shipwrecked with the family of the Earl of Loam and their butler, Crichton.
Lee Tilson, a veteran performer with Unboxed Productions, returns as Ernest Woolley in “The Admirable Crichton.” This image shows him in London before he and others are shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island.
Mia Munn of North Carolina will play the role of Lady Brocklehurst in Unboxed Productions’ online performances of “The Admirable Crichton.”
Erica Spradling, a theater teacher at Ocali Charter High School, will make her leading lady debut as Lady Catherine in Unboxed Productions’ online performances of “The Admirable Crichton.”
Road tested: Family travel adventures in the USA
This
Ocala family is discovering the beauty and uniqueness of America’s state parks.
By Staci Biondini Special to the ‘Ocala Gazette’
When the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and we were all confined to our homes, I, like so many others, coped by dreaming of getting away— anywhere but here. Little did I know those daydreams would grow into a passion that borders on obsession.
What began as a summer 2021 trip to escape life as a working mom turned homeschool teacher for a third grader and fourth grader has become a quest to experience all these United States have to offer.
Over the past five years, my family of four has visited 24 national parks and traveled through 38 states. Along the way, I’ve learned plenty of lessons, tips, budget hacks and travel dos and don’ts that I’m excited to share so you can make the most of your own adventures. But first, here’s how it all began.
In early 2021, we were still arguing about masks and vaccines, and air travel felt risky. As a child of the ‘80s, I’d always dreamed of a Griswold-style family vacation, so a classic American road trip seemed like the perfect solution.
Craving connection after so much time in isolation, I planned a circle trip to Chicago to visit family. Our route would take us through nine states, with stops every few days in cities like Nashville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Chicago, St. Louis and Memphis. As I searched the internet for affordable things to do along the way, I realized our route passed three national parks: Mammoth Cave, Indiana Dunes and Gateway Arch.
Like many Southerners, I’d visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park several times, but my national park experience ended there. Coming from a long line of homebodies who rarely ventured past the Southeast, I turned to social media and YouTube to learn more about these three parks and was amazed by the wealth of information I found.
LESSON 1: SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUTUBE ARE EXCELLENT PLANNING RESOURCES.
Mammoth Cave National Park in southwestern Kentucky seemed intimidating. The park offers 13 ranger-led tours that require advance reservations, along with areas visitors can explore independently.
After much debate, I chose the two-hour Historic Tour, which covers two miles, 300 feet underground and includes 540 stairs. Considering that three-quarters of our family is claustrophobic and my husband was recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, we started the tour with more than a little apprehension.
Although the cave has an elevator (though, at the time of publication, it is out of service), our tour entered through the Natural Entrance. As we walked down the hill toward the massive opening, a cool breeze drifted out of the cave, carrying away some of our anxiety. Inside, the temperature remains a constant 55 degrees year-round—a welcome relief for these Floridians on a July afternoon. Maybe this was actually going to be fun.
About 20 minutes into the tour, we reached a large chamber where the ranger turned off every light so we could experience total darkness. I’d never experienced anything like it. In everyday life, it’s impossible to escape every trace of ambient light. Not inside a cave. It was exhilarating! When the lights came back on, everyone was either grinning or standing with mouths agape.
Further down the cave, we reached Fat Man’s Misery, a keyhole-shaped passage about 100 feet long and less than 5-and-ahalf-feet tall. My daughters and I couldn’t stop laughing as our 6-foot-3 man of the house carefully wiggled his way through. Thankfully, he was a good sport.
LESSON 2: STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
A few days later, we arrived at Indiana Dunes National Park, about an hour east of Chicago. Designated the nation’s 61st national park in 2019, it offers dunes, forests, beaches,
homes and an old farm homestead. But we had one mission: swim in Lake Michigan.
At about 65 degrees, the water was far colder than even the springs back home in Ocala. It took me a while to fully submerge and, naturally, the moment I surfaced, I spotted an enormous black storm cloud rolling toward us from Chicago. Families on the beach scrambled to pack up.
We sprinted for the car but didn’t make it before the bottom fell out. We were soaked! Laughing, we changed clothes inside our rental minivan, which the family affectionately named “Big Booty Judy” before we’d even crossed the Florida-Georgia line—a very Griswold thing to do—and headed off in search of lunch.
We stumbled upon an old train car serving Chicago-style Vienna Beef hot dogs. I dashed through the rain to place our order and discovered the walls covered in University of Florida memorabilia. When I mentioned I was a Gator, the owner proudly told me his son had played on the two national championship football teams alongside Tim Tebow.
To this day, our family still talks about those rain-soaked hot dogs and the unexpected Gator connection.
LESSON 3: BE FLEXIBLE. SOMETIMES THE BEST VACATION MEMORIES COME FROM THE THINGS YOU NEVER PLANNED.
After several wonderful days reconnecting with family in Chicago, we headed west on Route 66 toward Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.
Completed in 1965 to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States, the Gateway Arch was redesignated from a national monument to a national park in 2018. The designation remains controversial because
the site is much smaller than what many people picture when they think of a national park and is more comparable to places like the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
I learned after we visited that we could have taken a tram to the top of the arch for a panoramic view of the surrounding area, and I wish we had done it. When planning this stop, I was so focused on taking a steamboat ride on the Mississippi River that I didn’t research the park at all. But I do highly recommend taking a boat tour so you can get some amazing photos of the Gateway Arch.
LESSON 4: READ THE PARK’S WEBSITE BEFORE YOU VISIT.
One of the things I’ve come to love about the National Park System is that no two visits are ever the same. With 63 national parks and more than 430 National Park Service sites across the country, you could return to the same place again and again and always discover something new. It’s a bit like visiting the beach—every tide reveals something different. Each member of our family experiences the parks in a unique way. I love spotting wildlife and plants we don’t see in Central Florida. My husband enjoys reading every exhibit in the visitor centers. My youngest daughter, now 14, tracks every park we’ve visited with a map and collection of pins proudly displayed in her bedroom. My oldest, now 15, loves photography and happily documents our adventures, even if she sometimes tolerates the parks more for the rest of us than for herself. What we all share is a love of getting out of the house and discovering someplace new together.
If national parks aren’t currently on your travel radar, I encourage you to start with one of Florida’s 10 National Park Service sites or look for parks near your next vacation destination. They aren’t our sole purpose on every trip—on this trip we also went to the Grand Ole Opry, several museums and the Lorraine Motel where MLK Jr. was shot—but they are always a highlight.
A little research on the internet, social media and YouTube—combined with flexibility and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone— can turn an ordinary trip into an unforgettable adventure.
historic
The wide natural entrance to Mammoth Cave hints at what awaits visitors inside—cool temperatures and giant dome rooms. Mammoth Cave gets its name from the sheer scale of its vast subterranean chambers.
Leaving Mammoth Cave National Park’s natural entrance, visitors must walk over specialized decontamination mats after completing cave tours to clean their shoes and gear of fungal spores that cause white-nose syndrome in the cave’s bats.
Be sure to visit the Visitor Center and take a tram ride to the top of the arch at Gateway Arch National Park.
Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system, spanning more than 426 miles of surveyed passages. Unlike most “show caves” defined by dripping water and dense, dramatic stalactite formations, it features massive dry horizontal tunnels formed by ancient underground rivers.
An unplanned lunch at Depot Dogs in Portage, Indiana, became a favorite family memory after rain dampened the family’s Indiana Dunes National Park visit.
A storm cloud rolling in over Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes threatened to dampen a national park stop for the Biondini family, but it made for a more incredible experience. From left, Staci, Meadow and Fable Biondini.
Photos courtesy Biondini family
Helsinki highlights
Helsinki – Europe's youngest and northernmost capital city –feels like an outpost of Europe. While it lacks the cutesy cobbles of Copenhagen, the regal setting of Stockholm, or the futuristic vibe of Oslo, Helsinki holds its own among Nordic capitals with its creative spirit, zest for architecture and design, and steamy love of saunas.
Perhaps the best way to understand Helsinki’s origins is to take the short ferry ride across the harbor to the island-fortress of Suomenlinna (now a popular park). Little Finland was long caught up in the superpower chess moves of its big neighbors, Sweden and Russia. The Swedes dominated the country from medieval times until 1809, when they lost it to the Russians, who held it until 1917.
The Swedes built Suomenlinna in the mid-1700s to counter Russia's rising power. Peter the Great had just created his new capital nearby, at St. Petersburg, and he was eyeing the West. With five miles of walls and hundreds of cannons guarding the harbor, Suomenlinna squelched the Russian threat (at least for the time being). With all that activity, small-time Helsinki took off, becoming a boomtown in support of the grand strategic fort.
Helsinki is buffered by more than 300 islands, and its harbor is always busy. Frequent passenger ferries cross the Baltic
Sea from Stockholm and Tallinn.
The arrival of cruise ships –gliding through tight passages between the surrounding islands – energizes the city each day.
Mighty ice breakers moored in their summer slumber are the only reminder of the bitter Baltic winters.
Almost everything worth seeing is walkable from the harbor. Most visitors head directly to Helsinki's fun harbor square, called Kauppatori. This colorful outdoor food bazaar is the place in town for a casual, quick-and-cheap lunch (moose meatballs are a favorite).
Everyone from the Finnish president to visiting tourists stops by for a dash of local flavor.
Daily bus tours depart from the docks for a rapid-fire overview of Finnish history and a quick look at the top monuments and churches. Or you can stretch your legs along Helsinki’s grand boulevard, the Esplanade, leading from the water into town. With wide sidewalks and a friendly park sandwiched in the middle, this is the city’s best stroll for window shopping, people watching, and sun worshiping.
Then delve into the boutiques of the Design District for some of Europe’s most eye-pleasing fashion and home decor. A surprising number of global trends – from Marimekko's patterned fabrics to Nokia's pioneering mobile phones to the Angry Birds gaming empire
– have been born right here in design-conscious Helsinki. (The local Design Museum displays these innovations and more.)
Helsinki is famous for its 20th-century architecture, from its central train station (an Art Nouveau masterpiece by Eliel Saarinen) to the modernist simplicity of the Finlandia concert hall by Alvar Aalto. The city also boasts beautiful and diverse churches: the gleaming white Helsinki Cathedral, a Lutheran Neoclassical gem; the red-brick Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a reminder of Russia’s long dominance here; and the underground Temppeliaukio Church, blasted out of solid granite and capped by a copper and glass dome.
There’s also the little Kamppi Chapel. Sitting unassumingly on a city plaza, the spruce structure encloses a windowless cylinder
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
July 13–16, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. 1
Ocala Session 1: Rising 8th & 9th Graders
July 20–23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2
Ocala Session 2: Rising 9th & 10th Graders
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
of silence. Inside, indirect light bathes the alder-wood paneling in warmth and tranquility. Does it resemble Noah’s Ark? The inside of an egg? Although it’s a church, there are no services; it’s open to anyone needing a reflective pause.
Overall, I find Finns to be pretty quiet and contemplative. I once wandered into a flea market in Helsinki, closed my eyes, and listened to the soundtrack of 300 Finns. It was almost silent – I could have been in a mountain meadow. So, I was surprised to discover the Finnish love affair with lotteries and gambling. Slot machines and games of chance are everywhere in Helsinki, including restaurants, supermarkets, and train stations, manned by Finns eagerly stuffing in coins.
A more traditional touchstone of Finnish culture is the sauna. These days, with so many Finns
affluent enough to have saunas in their homes (5.6 million Finns have roughly 3.3 million saunas), public saunas are becoming less frequent, and many workingclass spots have gone upscale. The chic Löyly complex is typical of the new trend, with its saunas finely crafted from warm woods, a restaurant serving fashionable Nordic cuisine, and a seaside terrace for lounging. Helsinki seems designed to promote a sense of community, and when the weather warms, everyone takes full advantage. The city blooms with bikers, picnickers, runners, and walkers, and cafés push their tables out to the sidewalk. Café Kappeli, an Old World oasis of pastry and relaxation, sits proudly at the harbor’s edge. It’s the perfect spot to sip a coffee while waiting for your ship, already savoring your Helsinki memories.
No services are held at Helsinki's Kamppi Chapel. Instead, this spruce cylinder is open for anyone needing a reflective pause. CREDIT:(Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves' Europe).
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
Government
JULY 20, 27
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion. fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
JULY 21, AUG. 4 AND 18
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl. legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.
Community Arts
JULY 18
Back to School Bash
E. D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala
8am-2pm
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is partnering with Who We Play For to offer optional electrocardiogram screenings (ECGs) to K-12 students at the event. ECGs are $20 and financial assistance will be available to families that qualify. Pre-registration is required. The Back to School Bash will offer no-cost services, including school readiness checks and services by DOH-Marion, physicals provided by the Estella Byrd Whiteman Community Health Center, bike helmet fittings and giveaways and more. Bring identification and student health and medical records. To learn more and pre-register, call (352) 629-0137.
JULY 24 AND 25
Santa Claus visit and holiday sale
Salvation Army Community Center, 2901 NE 14th St., Ocala
9am-1pm
The Ocala Corps will be celebrating the joy and love of the Christmas season with music, crafts, family games and a bargain shopping experience of décor and essentials. The organization received a large amount of new Christmas essentials from the Florida Food Bank that will be sold at extremely affordable prices. Proceeds from the sale will support the Center of Hope, home to The Salvation Army’s emergency shelter and social services programs. To learn more, volunteer or rent a craft vendor space, email maureen.quinlan@uss. salvationarmy.org or call (352) 629-2004.
JULY 25
Bob Kealing: Seventy Years of Elvis & Florida Headquarters-Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am
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
JULY 28
Marion County School Board 1614 E Fort King St., Ocala
5:30pm The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at go.boarddocs.com/fl/marion/board.nsf/ public
AUG. 12
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon
5:30pm
The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ViewPublisher. php?view_id=1
JULY 11-25
Art in the Attic yART Sale
Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala
5-7pm
Browse an eclectic collection of original artwork, handmade creations, home décor, vintage finds, creative supplies and unexpected treasures. Learn more at mcaocala.org
JULY 17-19
“Matilda the Musical Jr.”
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
July 17 and 18, 7:3pm; July 18 and 19, 2pm
The extraordinary mind of young Matilda isn’t just extra-clever; she can also move things with it. But her cruel parents and mean headmistress Miss Trunchbull are unmoved by her special powers. Thank goodness for sweet Miss Honey, the teacher who sees Matilda as gifted. And one gift is the courage to imagine a better life, inspire others and rise up in rebellion with the other “revolting children” at school. Presented by the Arts For All youth cast (ages 9-17). Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com
JULY 17
Not Fade Away: Rock ‘n’ Roll
Re-ignited
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala
7:30pm
Kealing, the author of “Elvis Ignited,” invites you on a rocking journey. In 2025, Florida celebrated a remarkable milestone; seven decades since the King made his unforgettable debut in the Sunshine State. This moment in music history marked a lasting bond that continues to resonate, long after The King’s passing in 1977. Get a backstage pass and discover Florida’s vital role in shaping Elvis Presley’s legendary career as a singer and actor. Learn more at library.marionfl.org
AUG. 1
Free backpacks drive thru event Ocala First Nazarene, 3732 Ne 7th St, Ocala 10am-2pm For back to school. Backpacks are filled with supplies. While supplies last. To learn more, call (352) 694-2334 or go to ocalafirstnaz.net
AUG. 4 AND 6
Adult Mental Health First Aid (Aug. 4) and Youth Mental Health First Aid (Aug. 6) Live on Zoom
9:30am-4:30pm The adult course teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older. The youth course focuses on recognizing and responding to mental health challenges in children and adolescents ages 12–18. The training is ideal for teachers, social service professionals, youth-serving staff, healthcare workers, nonprofit and faith leaders, public-facing employees, parents, caregivers and community members. It is facilitated by nationally certified instructors from the Community Council Against Substance Abuse and Marion County Children’s Alliance. Through funding from the Marion County Hospital District, the courses are offered at no cost to Marion County residents and partner agencies serving Marion County. Register at https:// forms.gle/Q4ETTR7JUHPudByL7 and https://forms.gle/pLWonibgXuSTKquv6 respectively.
This young group has been taking the country by storm with their ampedup renditions of classic hit songs from legends like Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Ritchie Valens, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. These guys will have you singing and dancing along, at any age, shaking things up, causing a riot and leaving you completely blown away. This isn’t the typical tribute or cover band you’ve become accustomed to. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
JULY 18
Chi-Town Transit Authority
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
7:30pm
The ultimate tribute to Chicago, featuring an eight-piece ensemble with powerful horns, dynamic vocal harmonies, and all the classic songs fans know and love. Learn more at reillyartcenter.com
JULY 24
250 for 250 Variety Show
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala
7pm Travel back in time with Habitat for Humanity of Marion of County for a 1940’s-style variety show. It will be a toe tapping, star spangled night filled with magic, singing and swing dancing to celebrate Habitat’s 250th home build for a veteran family and the USA’s 250th anniversary. Get tickets at habitatocala.org/events/250for250/
JULY 24
Dueling Pianos
NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
6pm Grab a seat at a café table 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 details at reillyartscenter.com
Dueling Pianos Uncensored
NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
9pm Unleash your wild side on the dance
floor as talented pianists engage in hilarious and unpredictable musical mash-ups while cocktail servers dish up your favorite drinks. Get ready for a night of laughter, outrageous requests and a high-energy, adultsonly atmosphere. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
JULY 25
Broken Arrow – A Tribute to Neil Young Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
7:30pm From the electrifying sound of Crazy Horse classics to heartfelt acoustic country rock favorites, Broken Arrow delivers an authentic concert experience filled with powerful vocals, rich harmonies and crowdpleasing performances. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
1-2pm Join Keri Watson for a free talk. The Florida landscape has provided aesthetic inspiration to artists for centuries. Titian Ramsay Peale and John James Audubon came in search of native flora and fauna, followed by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Johnson Heade, George Inness, Winslow Homer and Henry Ossawa Tanner, who were lured by its natural beauty and warm climate. This presentation offers a succinct and engaging history of Florida’s landscape painters. Get details at appletonmuseum.org
“A Christmas In July Carol” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
3pm
This is a staged reading of The Civic’s 2026 holiday show, “A Christmas Carol: A Play with Music.” Hosted by Dave Schlenker, this will be the first public reading of the script, brought to life by some favorite actors. This stage adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic is by OCT Executive & Artistic Director Greg Thompson and includes favorite songs of the season. The audience will be seated onstage for this festive, family-friendly event. There will be a meet the playwright post-reading discussion. Learn more at thecivic.org
AUG. 1
Free First Saturday Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., see a screening of “1776” (1972, Rated G, 2h 20m). This adaptation of the Broadway Tony-winning musical celebrates the founding fathers’ midwifery of the Declaration of Independence, the document that would give birth to a nation. Free to attend. Poppy’s Dogs food truck will be on-site throughout the day, along with CAMPUS USA Credit Union. To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org
“PoetiK Expressions” Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-10pm The Ocala Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. event will blend live music, spoken word performances and live art centered around themes of Black love, culture and connection. It will feature a guest co-host and headlining
performer. Guests will also enjoy entrepreneur spotlights, door prizes and more. Get tickets at zeffy.com/en-US/ ticketing/poetik-expressions
An Evening with Michael Allman
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
7:30pm
Winding River Promotions presents the talented and charismatic son of Gregg Allman. Michael will be surrounded by Southern rock friends and family, performing the best of The Allman Brothers Band along with his own original music in a three-hour concert. With his gritty vocals, bluesy guitar riffs and heartfelt songwriting. Get details at thecivic.org
THROUGH SEPT. 13
My Country, ’Tis of Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary Drawn from the Appleton’s permanent collection, the exhibition highlights a wide range of American expression across time periods, subjects, media and functions. It also explores the role Florida and its natural wonders, including those of Marion County, has played as a source of inspiration for artists. For details, go to appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH DEC. 17
“Creative Voices: Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists”
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place,1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala Times vary The exhibit features artwork created by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in visual art workshops facilitated by Arts in Health Ocala Metro at The Arc of Marion. The city of Ocala’s Art in City Spaces program offers rotating exhibitions in five indoor city galleries, all of which are free and open to the public. To learn more, call (352) 723-5444 or visit aihocala.org
THROUGH DEC. 31
Photography exhibit by
Keith Sackin
Arts in Health Ocala Metro Healing Arts Gallery, 2880 NE 8th Road, Ocala. Office hours
A native of Ocala, Sackin attended Emory University before a spinal cord injury in 2001 reshaped his path. His photography explores disability, embodiment, memory and human connection. AIHOM is a nonprofit organization that connects art and healing. Its programs include music, dance, performing and visual arts. To learn more, go to aihocala.org
THROUGH JAN. 24
“Life, Labor and Lens:
Randal Levenson’s WorkingClass America” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Times vary Drawn from the 80 works by Levenson in the Appleton’s permanent collection, “Life, Labor and Lens” features 25 black-and-white and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. For more information, go to appletonmuseum.org or call (352) 291-4455.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, enjoy free admission to the Appleton Museum of Art throughout the month of July.
1–31, 2026
Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday, noon–5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala | AppletonMuseum.org
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.
Gasoline Alley
Broom Hilda
Middletons
Animal Crackers
