Issuu

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 50

70th annual Ocala Christmas Parade

Pg B1 December 19 - 25, 2025

A ‘Home for the Holidays’

Sheriff’s pressure for expanded school K-9 searches yields scant results By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@OcalaGazette.com

Bentley Flieger, 2, gets excited as Santa Claus enters the courtroom as he sits with his mother, Andrea Flieger and the rest of his adoptive family during the Home for the Holidays adoption event at the Marion County Judicial Center on Dec. 12, 2025. [ Photos Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Eighteen children were adopted during the annual event at the Marion County courthouse.

Robert Shaw, 7, gives Santa Claus a hug and kiss.

Staff report

ighteen children found permanent homes Friday during the annual Home for the Holidays adoption event at the Marion County Judicial Center.

Theo Roman, 2, gets a kiss from his adoptive mother, Yashira Roman.

Sophia Zayas, 11 months, sits with her adoptive mother, Rosie Zayas.

Circuit Judge Stacy Youmans presided over the adoptions on Dec. 12, finalizing each case in a courtroom decorated for the holidays. The event included a group adoption ceremony in which adoptive parents made vows and promises, and each child’s adoption was legally completed.

As part of the ceremony, Youmans read “Little Red Sleigh,” a children’s book about having the courage to reach for your dreams, with a little help from your friends, to the families and children gathered in the See Home, page A3

hen Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods publicly accused school district leaders in September of blocking his office from using gun-detection dogs in elementary schools, the claim set off a political firestorm and prompted district officials to revisit their search policies. Less than two months later, Woods got the policy he sought. Interim Schools Superintendent Danielle Brewer implemented a new administrative search policy authorizing random firearm- and drugdetection dog searches in elementary schools serving grades 3–5, expanding a program that had previously applied only to middle and high schools. But administrative search logs obtained by the “Gazette” show that even before the expansion — and after it — the sheriff ’s office has conducted relatively few K-9 searches, with little to show for them.

A POLICY EXPANSION WITHOUT A PUBLIC WORKSHOP

The new policy took effect without the public work session that school board leaders said would occur. On Sept. 18, days after Woods’ emotional video, School Board Chair Lori Conrad said the district would convene a public workshop so all stakeholders could discuss whether elementary searches were appropriate. Brewer told board members she would reconvene the district’s safety group to evaluate the issue. That workshop was never scheduled. Instead, Brewer exercised her authority as superintendent and implemented Administrative Search Procedures ap5771.01, which explicitly allow random administrative searches at elementary schools for grades 3–5 and authorize the use of firearmand drug-detection dogs. See Sheriff ’s pressure page A4

Santas vs. Elves double-header

Ocala Roller Derby event delivers holiday cheer and support for local food insecurity. By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalagazette.com

kate Mania echoed with jingle bells and hardhitting blocks on Dec. 14 as Ocala Roller Derby hosted its beloved Santas vs. Elves double-header scrimmage, uniting Florida skaters for festive fun and a heartfelt cause. The holiday event mixed

skaters from across Florida for thrilling action and to support local food insecurity efforts. The league continued its longstanding holiday tradition by inviting skaters statewide for mixed-team scrimmages themed Santas vs. Elves, primarily to collect food donations and door proceeds. The donations and proceeds will go to Veterans Helping Veterans, a local nonprofit that provides

emergency assistance to anyone facing hunger or hardship. More than a typical bout, the event mixed players from Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville, DeLand, Lakeland and other leagues onto two themed rosters: Team Santa and Team Elves. According to the league’s Director of Training, Jackie See Roller Derby, page A10

Skaters from the Santas team and the Elves team battle for position on the floor. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

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INSIDE:

Legacies of Love............................ A5 Wreaths for vets............................ A7 Book launch................................... B2 Holiday traditions......................... B3 Calendar......................................... B8

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December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

COMMUNITY NEWS By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

FOUNDATION SPONSORS FOOD DRIVE

From left, Leda Perez, executive director Frank DeLuca YMCA; Chris Demetriou, district vice president YMCA of Central Florida; Santa Claus; Jason Guy, WESH2 anchor; Frank DeLuca, DeLuca Family Foundation; Angela DeLuca, DeLuca Family Foundation; and Chelsea Rice philanthropy officer Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. [Submitted photo]

he DeLuca Family Foundation sponsored the Share Your Christmas Food Drive on Dec. 12 to help support families in need throughout Marion County. The annual food drive is an outreach of Orlandobased NBC affiliate WESH 2-TV, held in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. This year marked the 40th anniversary, the news release noted. According to Second Harvest, one in seven individuals in Central Florida is facing hunger and one in six kids live in households that are food insecure, according to the release. “This is the seventh year we have served as the Marion County drop-off location,” said Frank DeLuca in the release. “This year, we partnered with the Frank DeLuca YMCA as the new Marion County location. We are proud to donate $10,000 to help address food insecurity in our local community.” Since forming the partnership in 2018, Frank and Angela DeLuca have donated a total of $70,000 to support the Share Your Christmas campaign. “We all share the same mission — youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” said Leda Perez, executive director of the Frank DeLuca YMCA. “It’s all about serving the community.” All food and monetary donations collected during the drive remained in Marion County. In total, 8,234 pounds of food were collected for distribution through Second Harvest, according to the release. In recognition of the event’s anniversary, Marion County Commissioner Matt McClain presented WESH 2-TV with a proclamation that designated Dec. 12, 2025, as Share Your Christmas Day in Marion County.

RECOGNITION FOR TEACHER

The award honors educators nominated by students, families or staff members of Marion County Public Schools. The winning teachers are recognized for the overall positive impact they have on students and school communities. HCA Florida West Marion Hospital CEO Isaiah Zirkle recognized Nick during an event at the school on Nov. 21, with school board and Kathy Nick [Submitted photo] foundation representatives in attendance. “What sets Mrs. Nick apart is her unwavering compassion and patience. She understands that learning doesn’t look the same for every student and always takes the time to support those who may be struggling — whether academically, emotionally or socially,” stated the nomination for Nick. “It is educators like Mrs. Nick who quietly change lives every day. She may not seek the spotlight, but the light she shines in the lives of students is undeniable.” Teachers selected for recognition receive $250 and an email containing messages submitted with their nomination. To learn more, go to pefmc.org/thank-a-teacher

CALL TO ARTISTS

lorida Defenders of the Environment and the Marion Cultural Alliance invite local and regional artists to participate in “Reunite the Rivers: Art of the Ocklawaha and Silver Springs,” a juried exhibition celebrating the two of Florida’s iconic waterways. Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme through their unique creative lens, fostering awareness, appreciation and stewardship of these natural wonders. All mediums are welcome (2D and 3D) and the deadline is Jan. 25. For more details, visit: mcafeb2026.artcall.org/media

egistration for spring baseball at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex is now open. The venue is located at 5220 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala. There are divisions for T-ball ages 3-6, Juniors ages 4-6, Rookies ages 7-8, Minors ages 9-10, Majors ages 1112 and Babe Ruth 16 and under. Evaluations will take place Jan. 20-22. Meet the coaches night is set for Jan. 29. Practice will begin Feb. 2. Opening ceremonies will take place Feb. 28, with games to be played that day. Closing ceremonies will be held on April 18.

CA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, recently announced that Kathy Nick of Ward-Highlands Elementary School in Ocala is a recipient of the “Thank a Teacher” award.

For more information go to ocalarotarysportsplex. sportngin.com, call (352) 650-8325 or (352) 5989831 or email ocalarotarysecretary@gmail.com or ocalarotarypresident@gmail.com

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF SHARON LYNN PITTS a/k/a LYNN PITTS,

File No. 2025-CP-3026 Division PROBATE

Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of SHARON LYNN PITTS a/k/a LYNN PITTS, deceased, whose date of death was January 9, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave. Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 26, 2025. Attorney for Personal Representative:

SAMANTHA SHEALY RAUBA, ESQ. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 59503 McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli P.O. Box 4440 Ocala, FL 34478 Telephone: (352) 789-6520 Fax: (352) 789-6570 E-Mail: Samantha@LawMRM.com Secondary E-Mail: Gina@LawMRM. com

Personal Representative:

GLEN DAVID PITTS Personal Representative 6027 US HWY 41 S. Sycamore, Georgia 31015

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December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Home Continued from page A1 courtroom. The reading marked the start of the celebration, which is held annually to highlight the importance of permanency for children in foster care. Following the court proceedings, families took turns posing for photos with Santa Claus, who was on hand as part of the holiday-themed event. According to the event program, Home for the Holidays is designed not only to finalize adoptions, but also to raise awareness about the more than 360,000 children nationwide who remain in foster care and are still waiting for permanent families. According to the program, more than 15,000 foster children age out of the system every year without ever being placed with a permanent family. The names of the 18 children formally adopted on Friday were read aloud during the ceremony, officially marking the end of their foster care cases and the beginning of their new families. The children are: Bentley Kean Flieger Sadie Mae Rice Braydon James Ricciotti Rose Marie MacFarland Roman Xavier Stewart Roberts Eden Vasquez Stewart Roberts Theo Yeshua Roman Jayson Robert Dion Maelyn Selena Dion Marilyn Ivette Pedraza Evalyn Ivette Pedraza Scarlet Rose Shaw Robert Wayne Shaw Faith Elizabeth Barger Isabella Grace Collings Jordan Michael Rodriguez Mila Reese (Last name withheld at request of family.) Sophia Bella Zayas

Robert Shaw, 7, and his sister, Scarlet Shaw, 7, who were both adopted, pose with family members.

Bentley Flieger, 2, sits in Santa’s lap as he poses with his adoptive mother, Andrea Flieger, right, and the rest of the family.

Judge Stacy Youmans holds up the book “Little Red Sleigh,” which she read during the event.

Faith Barger, 3, holds hands with Santa Claus and her adoptive mother, Kelli Barger.

Mila, 3, is shown with her adoptive family, Lindsay and Julian, 13. (Last name withheld at request of family.)

Rose McFarland, 4, stands by Santa Claus during the event.

Isabella Collings, 8, with Santa Claus and her adoptive mother, Wendi Collings.

To learn more about adopting a child, go to adoptflorida.org Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Jordan Rodriguez, 9, holds his adoption certificate.

Theo Roman, 2, with Santa Claus and his adoptive parents, Yashira and Jade Roman and the rest of their family.

Sophia Zayas, 11 months, in Santa’s lap, poses with her adoptive mother, Rosie Zayas, second from left, and the rest of the family.

Roman, 7, and Eden Roberts, 5, who were both adopted, with Santa Claus and their new family.

Jordan Rodriguez, 9, with Santa and his new parents, Naphtalie and Melisa Rodriguez.

Marilyn, 7, and Evalyn Pedraza, 6, with Santa Claus and their adoptive parents, Ana and Jose Pedraza.

Braydon Ricciotti, 3, sits in Santa’s lap, surrounded by his new family.

Maelyn, left, and Jayson Dion, who were both adopted, pose with Santa Claus and their parents.

Sadie Rice, 2, gets excited as Santa Claus enters the courtroom.

Sadie Rice, 2, sits with Santa after she was adopted.

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

New world record holder

Ocala’s Guy Marwick is a world champion men’s strict curl weightlifter. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamedico.com

or decades, Guy Marwick has been a heavy lifter in the realms of education and environmental advocacy. Marwick was, for example, the founder of the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center, which is part of the Marion County Public Schools System. As the former president and a longtime board member of the Felburn Foundation, he helped conserve thousands of acres of land and led a campaign that resulted in the creation of the Indian Lake State Forest near Ocala. As he enjoys retirement from the foundation board, Marwick has picked up a hobby that recently earned him a new world record — strict curl weightlifting. On Nov. 21, in Ashland, Virginia, Marwick hefted 90.3 pounds in his weight and age division, which is 181 and over 80, in an event sanctioned by the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation. According to its website, 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation was established in 1999 to highlight powerlifters safely competing with no special support equipment and to become the premier drug-free powerlifting federation in the world. According to fitnessvolt.com, “Strict curl weighlifting is a strength lift that measures biceps strength and upper body control. Athletes perform the lift by standing against a wall with their back and glutes in contact, curling a barbell from the extended position to the chest without using momentum or body

Guy Marwick, left, who earned his new world record in Virginia recently, was given his medal by world class referee Jeremy Wright. [Submitted photo]

sway. This lift is a popular part of powerlifting competitions and a great way to assess and build upper arm strength.” “I had never planned on doing this but a friend talked me into it after he has been involved for

a long time. He talked me into going to Tampa not long ago and I beat the world record there for my age and weight. And so, I was pretty surprised. And then the guy who had the record, he got challenged because the weights

weren’t calibrated. I beat him by over 8 pounds. I decided, well heck, this one was in Ashland, Virginia, I’m just going to fly up there. It’s a big contest with hundreds of contestants from all over the world and see how I can do,” Marwick explained. “I still beat him by about 8 pounds, a little over, up there. I was very fortunate that everything went smoothly for me,” he added. He said the 100% Raw Power Lifting Federation “does this all over the world. People who came to this contest were from Japan, Azerbaijan, New Zealand. There was quite an interesting crowd,” he noted. To earn his new world record, Marwick had to get through four strict curl lifts. “The first time, I did it too fast and it didn’t count and the other guy did his and the second lift he couldn’t do his weight and I did mine and that gives you a third to try to up it and I did that and if you do the third and beat the world record, you get a fourth lift to try to set a new record. I just chose to be conservative and do 90.3 pounds. But it went so easy I’m sort of kicking myself that I didn’t do another 10 pounds,” Marwick noted. “There are three judges, one on each side and one in front, and they are trained level three judges. The two on the sides look to see if you come off the board an 1/8th of an inch. If they can see light between that board and your back and your bottom, it doesn’t count. And your knees have to be straight. You have to follow the front judge’s orders. You pick up

the weight and he’ll say, ‘Curl’ and you do it, the full curl, and then he’ll say ‘down’ and you can rack it,” he further explained. “It’s a little nerve racking. But it was fun. If I can do it, it makes me think that a lot of elderly people who have not been going to the gym really should get out and move. It really helps keep you going,” Marwick said. “I think there is a contest coming up in Greece in a month or two, so somebody in Greece will look at that record that I did and could try to beat it. They can beat it anyplace in the world. That guy had it for a while and now I’ve got it and someday somebody will beat it but I’m actually thinking about maybe doing one more sanctioned contest in Florida, with certified weights and level three judges so I can up it another five or 10 pounds because it went pretty smoothly and I think I could do more,” he added. “It was a real surprise for me and I’m glad I went and did it. You are never too old. Sometimes you feel it, but I’m glad I did it so I might do it one more time. You need to keep moving. Whatever your body allows you to do,” he said. “Any maybe I had a little residual from college. I was good at weightlifting when I was young.” Here are the current record holders, rawpowerlifting.com/ wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ World-Mens-Curl-Records.pdf Watch Marwick in action in this video clip: https://youtube.com/shorts/ N52F1nXZ-Ts?feature=share

Sheriff’s pressure Continued from page A1 Parents were notified after the policy was in place, via a Nov. 5 Skylert message announcing that elementary searches would begin “in the very near future.”

WHAT THE RECORDS SHOW

Administrative logs covering last school year and the current year to date paint a markedly different picture than the urgency conveyed in Woods’ September video. According to the policy, the random administrative searches can be performed up to three times a week but, according to the administrative logs the district is required to keep of the searches, the sheriff is exercising them sparingly. The administrative search logs indicate: • Roughly 18 administrative searches were conducted using the sheriff’s K-9’s during the 2024–25 school year and only 14 during the current 2025-26 school year, all of which were at middle and high schools. • All of the searches resulted in negative findings for firearms. • In the few instances where items were recovered, records show minor contraband, mostly vapes. • No pattern of frequent or escalating weapons discoveries is reflected in the logs. The majority of searches logged as “K-9 search yield negative results for firearms” produced no confiscations at all. Woods publicly shared during a press conference three years ago the donation of Albi, a female 2-year-old German shorthaired pointer, who is used by her handler Cpl. Erik DeAngelis to detect gun and ammunition. The dog would be used at schools to “deter potential gun violence.” Lt. Paul Bloom, the sheriff’s spokesperson, wrote the “Gazette” by email recently that Albi is trained only for alerting “to the presence of firearms, ammunition, black powder and gun oils. They are not trained for narcotics detection.” Bloom also said the type of dog was “extremely friendly and all the kids seem to really love them.” The “Gazette” has made a records request for the K-9’s training records and will supplement this report if they provide any further context about the K-9’s capacity.

Cpl. Erik DeAngelis of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office shows off Albi, a female 2-year-old German short-haired pointer, who is a gun and ammunition detection K9, as Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, right, talks during a demonstration and press conference at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 9, 2022. Albi was donated to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office by Judy Dunlap. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

A CONTRAST WITH PUBLIC MESSAGING Woods’ Sept. 13 video suggested the district’s refusal to allow gun-detection dogs in elementary schools posed a serious and immediate safety risk. He claimed frustration with what he described as resistance from school leaders following an incident in which a student brought a loaded gun onto a school bus. But Woods had never formally requested elementary school searches, a fact Woods acknowledged to Brewer during a phone call. Conrad later described the sheriff’s public comments as “surprising and unexpected,” noting that the sheriff’s legal team had helped draft the original 2022 search policies. The district has not historically reported a particularly high number of incidents involving guns compared to other districts in the state. During the September board discussion, members emphasized the need to weigh safety measures against student well-being, particularly for younger children. Board member Sarah James cited district data showing just 43 weapons-related cases across all elementary schools over a 10-year span, many involving items like pocketknives with no intent to harm. Conrad recalled the emotional toll of conducting active-shooter drills with first-graders.

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Legacies of Love honorees announced The 2026 event will showcase the community impact of Dr. Tina Chandra and Cash Pealer, Ph.D. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamedico.com

PAST LEGACIES OF LOVE HONOREES:

hat might a neuromuscular dentist and a former educational/nonprofit administrator have in common? They are the honorees for this year’s Legacies of Love event. The annual luncheon is hosted by Interfaith Emergency Services to honor men and women who have made a significant impact in the community. This year’s honorees are Dr. Tina Chandra and Casius “Cash” Pealer, Ph.D. “The purpose of this event is to pay tribute to individuals who have left a legacy in our community defined as a longlasting impact due to a person’s actions in the past,” said Karla Greenway, chief executive officer of Interfaith Emergency Services. According to materials provided by Interfaith, Chandra is a skilled cosmetic and neuromuscular dentist who practices advanced dentistry at Chandra Smile Designs and the Chandra Wellness Center. She is actively involved in philanthropic and community projects. She has served as chairman of the North Central Florida Medical Expo for more than 15 years, is a leader on the board of the India Association and a past chairman/ active member of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” initiative. She also volunteers her dental services to the poor and underprivileged at the FreeD.O.M. Clinic Inc., Deliverance Outreach Ministries and Interfaith. Pealer is a long-time, respected figure in the community, particularly known for his career in educational and nonprofit administration, the materials stated. He served as vice president of institutional advancement for Central Florida Community College, now the College of Central Florida, and president of the CFCC Foundation. He was instrumental in securing funding and developing programs for the foundation. He volunteers and is involved with local organizations, including his church, Fort King Presbyterian, and the Marion Cultural Alliance. “This year’s honorees made contributions to our community decades ago that have significant impact today. The work that Cash Pealer did back in the

Pravina Cacodcar, Patricia Sutton and Tina Chandra, left to right, pose during the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Luncheon in Ocala on March 22, 2024. Chandra will be a 2026 Legacies of Love honoree. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Style file photo

2013 - Kevin McDonald and Lynette Vermillion 2014 - Cory Pool and Dr. Michael Jordan 2015 - George Albright and Ron and Phyllis Ewers 2016 - Toni James and Jim Kirk 2017 – Dr. Hank Harrell Jr. and Frank and Naida Rasbury 2018 - Beth McCall and Gail Cross 2019 - Frank DeLuca, Mary Britt and Dr. Norm Anderson 2020 - Jeffrey and Clover Lovell 2022 - Whit Palmer, Carlyle Ausley, Toro Townley, Doug Oswald and Nick Nikkinen 2023- Wes Wheeler, Wayne McDonald and Monica Bryant

Cash Pealer trims palm fronds during a workday at Fort King Presbyterian Church in Ocala on Sept. 6, 2025. Pealer is a 2026 Legacies of Love honoree. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

“Dr. Tina Chandra has been involved in causes for the past three decades, such as cancer research and heart health, that have resulted in advances in treatment saving lives today. Her community involvement ranges from working with the United Way, the domestic violence shelter and FreeD.O.M. Clinic to providing medical continuing education opportunities through the annual Medical Expo hosted by the India Association. Both of these individuals have played a role in making Marion County a better community through years of dedicated service,” Greenway added. “Proceeds of this event support the services provided by Interfaith Emergency Services. Most notably, it was the Legacies of Love event that allowed us to purchase the medical facility where medical, dental and mental health services are offered free of charge to uninsured individuals with limited income,” Greenway further noted.

‘70s and ‘80s literally laid the foundation for Marion County to have a local college that is second to none. The College of Central Florida wouldn’t be what it is today without the CF Foundation, and he

The Legacies of Love luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. Feb. 13 at the College of Central Florida Klein Conference Center. For tickets, go to iesmarion.org/ legacies-of-love

played a significant role in growing that foundation. Today this college produces thousands of professionals who staff our schools, hospitals and many other local industries,” Greenway wrote via email.

“Exploring 250 Years of America” Master the Possibilities highlights U.S. history offerings in new term.

Special to the Gazette

aster the Possibilities, one of Florida’s leading lifelong learning centers, is shining a spotlight on its diverse lineup of American history courses as part of this term’s theme, “Exploring 250 Years of America.” The theme recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and encourages students to engage with the stories, triumphs, conflicts and cultural forces that have shaped the United States since 1776. With nearly 60 history courses offered this term, MTP provides one of the most varied and accessible history catalogs for adult learners in the region. Programs feature university scholars, published authors, veteran educators, researchers and living-history interpreters who specialize in bringing America’s past to life. Courses aligned with the “Exploring 250 Years of America” theme cover a wide range of topics, including early colonial settlements, Revolutionary War leadership, westward expansion,

Master the Possibilities offers several courses related to U.S. history. [Submitted photo]

Reconstruction, the rise of industrial America, the civil rights era, presidential legacies and pivotal moments such as Watergate, the moon landing, 9/11 and more. Learners can also explore deeper narratives such as: • Florida’s earliest colonies and

territorial history • Native American and Seminole perspectives • The evolution of American industry and transportation • The Cold War, Vietnam and modern global conflicts • Women pioneers, aviators and cultural trailblazers

• Political transformations from the Founding Era to today Additional courses branch into world history, allowing students to see how global events, from Viking migrations to modern Russian politics, intersect with the American experience. “Our goal this term is to

help students make meaningful connections between America’s past and the world they live in today,” said Michelle Shideler, director of education at Master the Possibilities. “The 250th anniversary is more than a historical milestone, it’s an opportunity to reflect, learn and engage with the stories that continue to shape our communities and our nation.” Master the Possibilities is a not-for-profit lifelong learning center serving thousands of adult students throughout Marion County and beyond. The center provides high-quality instruction and enriching learning experiences that inspire adults to explore their interests, uncover their passions and apply their talents to make meaningful, positive changes in their lives and throughout the community. All history courses are open to the public and available to new and returning students. Seats fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Explore the full list of history courses at catalog.masterthepossibilities. org/mtp/course/course. aspx?catId=328

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

BUSINESS NEWS By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

CF ANNOUNCES NEW CORPORATION FORMS VICE PRESIDENT FOR THOROUGHBRED RACING

he Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s Chief Executive Officer Lonny Powell recently announced at the University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing that the association has entered into a multi-year agreement with a Delawareregistered entity formed by former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine and attorney John Morgan to pursue development of a thoroughbred racing and entertainment complex in Marion County.

Mary Ann Begley, Ph.D. [Photo courtesy CF]

he College of Central Florida has announced the selection of Mary Ann Begley, Ph.D., as its new vice president of Enrollment Services and Student Affairs. Currently the dean of Student Services and Title IX coordinator, Begley will transition to her new role in January. Begley was selected after a nationwide search, the news release noted. She has served at CF since 2020 in roles including director of compliance and planning and director of institutional research and effectiveness. She also teaches the firstyear seminar course. Begley has more than 30 years of experience in higher education and holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University. Before coming to CF, she worked with students at Florida Gateway College as the director of student life. “Dr. Begley holds a wealth of knowledge in student affairs,” said CF President Jim Henningsen, Ph.D., in the release. “I am confident that her vast experience and vision for CF’s future will strengthen our college community for years to come.”

SECO ENERGY SUPPORTS TOYS FOR TOTS

ECO Energy is continuing its tradition of supporting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The purpose is to help bring Christmas joy and a message of hope to children across the United States through the gift of a new toy. Since 2001, the Toys for Tots program has consistently been recognized among the top charities by Philanthropy 400, the news release stated. Each year, starting in November, SECO trustees, employees and members drop off donations of new, unwrapped toys at member service locations in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala and Sumterville. The donated toys remain in the local community, the release noted.

Philip Levine [Photo courtesy jswoodphotography]

The partnership will leverage the FTBOA’s unique nonprofit racing permit — the only legislatively-approved Thoroughbred permit of its kind remaining in Florida, the news release noted. Powell credited Levine as “the visionary behind it all.” Morgan, whose firm Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the world, according to the release, is a thoroughbred breeder with bloodstock in Kentucky through partnerships with Coolmore. The FTBOA’s nonprofit permit, acquired in 2011 and converted to thoroughbred shortly after Powell’s arrival, has been held in reserve. Because it is nonprofit, Powell said, “it’s geared to build breeders’ awards, purses, equine research — not for somebody that wants to flip it into real estate.” The project does not preclude South Florida racing, but regulatory realities are stark: South Florida permits are address-specific and both Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs have signaled intent to exit live racing, the article stated. Powell and Damon Thayer of the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative affirmed opposition to decoupling legislation heading into the 2026 session. Thayer, the former Kentucky Senate Majority Leader, emphasized a “multilateral” approach and praised Churchill Downs Inc.’s billiondollar private investment in Kentucky facilities as a model. He committed to releasing a long-awaited feasibility study “in the next two weeks before Christmas,” the release noted.

DeSantis budget plan tops $117B The plan includes a 2 percent raise for all state employees and 5 percent for law enforcement officers and others. By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida

n his final budget proposal, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Dec. 10 rolled out a $117.36 billion plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes increased money for teachers and law enforcement officers. DeSantis, who can’t run for another term next year, said the proposal “builds off the success that we’ve had” during his time as governor. Among other things, it would boost spending for cancer research spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis and funding for the Florida State Guard, while directing New College of Florida to assume the University of South Florida Sarasota/ Manatee campus. It also would maintain funding for the Visit Florida tourism marketing agency at $80 million and increase from $25 million to $50 million the amount going to the state’s Job Growth Grant Fund, which the governor can use for regional infrastructure projects or workforce training. “This budget’s entitled ‘Floridians First’ because that’s the focus of it. It’s putting our people first and making sure we’re good stewards, but also making sure that folks, that the needs that we have are being addressed,” DeSantis said during an event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a budget during the 2026 legislative session that will start Jan. 13. The 20262027 budget will take effect July 1. After months of Republican infighting this spring, the House and Senate hammered out a $115.1 billion budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with DeSantis then issuing $567 million in vetoes. DeSantis’ proposal would provide an additional $200 million to increase salaries for teachers and other educators. But the Florida Education Association teacher’s union said the plan would shortchange students and educators. “While the governor continues to tout ‘record’ investments in educator pay, the lived experiences of educators tell a different story,” the union said in a news release. “Eight years of broken promises have left them in a financial crisis, struggling to afford rent, homeowners’ insurance, groceries, health care, childcare and other basic day-to-day expenses.”

DeSantis called for per-student funding in the kindergarten through 12th-grade system to increase by $279 to $9,406. Also, for example, money for school-hardening grants to improve safety would increase from $20 million to $42 million. In higher education, the budget proposal would not increase college and university tuition. Meanwhile, a proposed bill linked to the budget calls for “existing contracts, leases, obligations, responsibilities and liabilities of the board of trustees of the University of South Florida that are principally associated with the real property encompassing the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee campus or any facilities constructed upon those parcels, must be transferred to the board of trustees of New College of Florida by July 1, 2026.” Overall, the budget plan includes a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for all state employees and 5 percent increases for law enforcement officers, state park rangers, information-technology workers, judges and state attorneys. The proposal also includes money to hire 500 additional correctional officers, though it would eliminate 354 vacant positions across all agencies. With his wife a breast cancer survivor, DeSantis proposed spending $278 million for cancer research, including $40 million for the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator and $10 million for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Innovation, Care and Research Program. DeSantis also proposed $115 million for the Florida Forever land conservation program and $200 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which is used to purchase conservation easements that prevent development. The proposal also includes such things as $30 million for oyster restoration efforts, $19 million for the citrus industry and $12 million to protect manatees. The proposal also includes maintaining a sales tax “holiday” offered for the first time this year that allows people to buy guns, ammunition, camping and fishing equipment without paying taxes. DeSantis has made a priority of trying to ask voters in November 2026 to pass a constitutional amendment to slash property taxes. While he hasn’t released a detailed property tax plan, his budget proposal seeks $300 million to help financially strapped rural counties if they lose property tax revenue.

Season’s Greetings We are grateful to serve our members and communities, and look forward to continuing to power homes and businesses in the year ahead. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year.

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Veneration for veterans Wreaths Across America has a mission of remembering the fallen, honoring those who serve and teaching the next generation the value of freedom.

Taps is played by USMC 1st Sgt. Christine Webster as the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard stands at attention. Beverly Lafferty, a U.S. Army veteran and director of volunteers with Empath Hospice of Marion County, and hospice volunteer Jean Fernandez place a wreath on the gravesite of World War II U.S. Navy veteran Daniel Wood Sr.

Women Marines Association Sgt. Reckless Chapter of Ocala members, from left, Christy Read, Christine Webster, Ericka Summerfield and Mary Kaczmarek, surround Lance Cpl. Lance Malone’s headstone during the Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec.13, 2025 at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

cores of volunteers placed fresh green wreaths with bright red bows on the gravesites of at least 1,800 veterans at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala on Dec.13 as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America program. Wreaths Across America began in 1992 with Morrill Worcester placing some wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. In 2007, the nonprofit organization, which is based

in Columbia Falls, Maine, was established. Volunteers now cover veteran gravesites in 5,200 cemeteries and locations abroad and overseas on one day each December, according to the organization’s website. The Ocala ceremony was opened by Todd Belknap of Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County. In addition to acknowledging those who were being honored during the wreath event, he also said the country’s prisoners of war and missing in action service members must not be forgotten. Belknap introduced members

of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, led by U.S. Navy veteran Donald Kennedy. The honor guard posted the colors, fired a rif le salute and placed a wreath honoring the fallen members of each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. US Marine Corps First Sergeant Christine Webster played taps. Hannah Stuckey sang the national anthem. Belknap acknowledged 101-year-old World War II Army Air Corps veteran Howard Mautner and David Hill, director of military and veterans matters with the office of Rep. Kat Cammack, who were in attendance. Anne Parker, president of the Ocala Blue Star Mothers FL-10, a military family support organization, expressed thanks for those who sponsored 700 wreaths through the group and asked attendees to never forget the sacrifice of veterans. City of Ocala Councilman and Vietnam War veteran Jim Hilty Sr. and Myles McConico, an Army veteran and Veterans Helping Veterans deputy director, also placed wreaths. Kimberly Porcelli and Lena Williams with Highland Memorial Park were part of the team organizing this year’s ceremony. Following the opening ceremony, most of the at least

300 attendees began to place wreaths on the veterans’ gravesites, which were identified by American flags. USMC Lance Cpl. Patrick Malone was among the veterans honored at the northeast Ocala cemetery. Malone, 21, of Ocala, died March 10, 2009, in a “nonhostile incident” while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according Honor the Fallen at thefallenmilitarytimes.com Four members of the Women Marines Association FL-13 Sgt. Reckless Chapter of Ocala, Christine Webster, Christy Read, Mary Kaczmarek and Ericka Summerfield, surrounded Malone’s headstone and paid respects, including a group hand salute, while placing a wreath. Beverly Lafferty, an Army veteran and director of volunteer services with Empath Hospice of Marion County, and hospice volunteer Jean Fernandez, placed a wreath on the gravesite of Daniel Wood Sr., a World War II Navy veteran who died in 1972. Volunteers from the Del Webb Stone Creek community; the Ocala War Horse Harley Owners Group; American Heritage Girls, a faith-based group for girls age 5 to 18; Trail Life; and Scouting America Troops 72, 692, 777 and 9777 were among those placing wreaths. Ron Padot and his daughters, Madacyn,14; Marley, 9; and Emmalee,8; all members of American Heritage Girls, were among the volunteers.

Special delivery Extra wreaths from national campaign donated to Ocala-Marion County veterans park.

Mikey Dengel, of 4 D’s Trucking, unloads donated Wreaths Across America wreaths at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Dec. 15. Mikey Dengel, left foreground, of 4 D’s Trucking, looks on as volunteers get ready to place donated Wreaths Across America wreaths at monuments in the park.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

T U.S. Marine Corps veteran David Bice sets a Wreaths Across America wreath at the Coast Guard monument at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Dec. 15. Mikey Dengel of 4 D’s Trucking, Inc., of Reddick, delivered the wreaths, which were donated by the trucking company.

rucker Mikey Dengel had a special delivery the morning of Dec. 15 for the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. Dengel, with 4 D’s Trucking, Inc., of Reddick, arrived in an SUV loaded with donated Wreaths Across America wreaths. He was escorted by Ocala Police Department corporals Isaac Mercer and William Joedicke with their vehicles’ emergency lights and sirens operating. According to Ron Oppliger, chairman of the park support and

volunteer group, Friends of Marion County Veterans Park, Dengel contacted him Dec. 14 about dropping off a group of donated wreaths the next day. Dengel’s family trucking firm hauls wreaths from Maine as part of the Wreaths Across America event, which is held annually in December, including at the Highland Memorial Park in Ocala on Dec. 13. The campaign sees thousands of veterans’ gravesites honored with fresh wreaths “in all 50 states, at sea and abroad,” according to wreathsacrossamerica.org Dengel said his family’s company has hauled Wreaths

Herb and Joyce Hallgren of the Del Webb Stone Creek community also volunteered. Herb Hallgren served on antisubmarine patrol during the Vietnam War. Crystal and Wayne Bowser, also from the Stone Creek community and both Army veterans, were part of the ceremony. Steve Sarkozy, a Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran who served in an aviation ground crew, came as part of the Empath Hospice of Marion County volunteer group. Sarkozy said he conducts veteran recognition ceremonies for hospice patients. Cherry Horton was among more than a dozen members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Rainbow River Chapter of Ocala, who came to honor veterans. Horton served as a Navy nurse from 1982 to 2003, including in the first combat hospital set up in 2003 in Iraq during the war. Her father was a Navy veteran who served in diesel submarines. “This means a lot,” Horton said. Rainbow River DAR Regent Elisabeth Strachovsky noted that as she said each veteran’s name while placing a wreath, she often was moved to tears. To learn more, go to wreathsacrossamerica.org

Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette

Across America wreaths for 14 years at no cost and will transport about 6,000 this year, mostly to the Sarasota National Cemetery, a 295-acre facility near Interstate 75 and State Road 72 in Sarasota. A Facebook post for the Friends & Family of Sarasota National Cemetery indicated that 9,882 wreaths had been sponsored for the cemetery by Nov. 24. The wreaths delivered to the local veterans’ park were placed at the bases of eight freestanding monuments dedicated to those who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Merchant Marines and Space Force. The monuments, each with an adjacent pole holding the flag of that service branch, were provided to the park as the Eagle Scout project of Nicholas Eggers of Ocala Troop 72. Prior to the placement of the wreaths, a group joined in a prayer led by Renee Coventry. Oppliger and Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County Executive Director Todd Belknap both made brief addresses before the wreath placements. To learn about the local park, go to marionfl.org and marionvetpark.com Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Government advisory board vacancies You can contribute to your local government by helping out on a volunteer board.

Staff report y serving on a local board, your experience and knowledge can influence governmental decisions and help you, your fellow citizens and local government. It also gives you an inside look at the governmental systems and lets you participate more closely in your community. Here are the latest listings of vacancies for boards in the cities of Marion County and the county itself. consistency with the existing exceptions as provided in the ~~~~~~ zoning code authorize variances plan and reviews all landCITY OF BELLEVIEW: as provided in the zoning code. related/zoning ordinances to Vacancies: 1 current vacancy, determine consistency to the The city’s general link is at term runs to March 1, 2028; two plan. The commission holds belleviewfl.org/151/Boardsterms ending March 2026. quasi-judicial hearings with Committees Size: 7 Members regards to land planning/ The general application Term Length: 4 years zoning cases, site plan document is at belleviewfl.org/ Term Limit: n/a reviews, variances, special DocumentCenter/View/39/Cityexceptions and review/appeal Board-Application-PDF?bidId= Brownfields Advisory of administrative orders Committee and forwards its findings/ Planning & Zoning Board The purpose of the recommendations to the City Three terms expiring March committee is to promote and Council. Meetings are held the 2026 receive public comment on the second Tuesday of each month This is an advisory board identification, rehabilitation at 5:30 p.m. To learn more, go to the county commission for and redevelopment of identified to dunnellon.org/government/ planning and zoning issues. They Brownfield sites. The committee boards-commissions/planningalso hear and decide variance shall provide guidance in areas commission and special exception requests. such as land use, employment Board members are subject to opportunities, development Police Officers & Sunshine Regulations and must proposals, community safety and Firefighters Pension Board file financial disclosure forms environmental justice. One vacancy for expired term upon appointment and annually Vacancies: 4 current ended Nov. 19, 2025 thereafter. Meetings are held the vacancies, terms running The board operates and second Tuesday of each month at through March 1, 2028 and administers the Fire and Police 5:30 p.m. For more information, 2029. Pension Plan in accordance with visit belleviewfl.org/175/ Size: 9 Members the direction of the City Council. Planning-Zoning-Board Term Length: 4 years Duties include, but are not Term Limit: n/a limited to, administration of the Youth Council plan assets. Meetings are held Several vacancies are open Downtown Redevelopment the third Tuesday of the second for members the 2025-26 school Advisory Committee month of each quarter at 8:30 year The committee is an advisory a.m. Learn more by going to The Belleview Youth Council board to the CRA Agency dunnellon.org/government/ is a leadership and civic and City Council for the area boards-commissions/policeengagement program designed defined as the Downtown officers-firefighters-pensionto connect local high school Ocala Redevelopment Subarea. board students with their community The committee shall consist ~~~~~~ through education, service and of seven members appointed CITY OF OCALA: hands-on experiences. Open to by the CRA Agency and City students in Belleview and the The city’s general link is Council from property owners surrounding area, including ocalafl.gov/government/cityand organizations representing those enrolled in public, departments-a-h/city-clerk/ downtown Ocala. Meetings are private, or homeschool settings. boards-and-commissions held at least twice per year. Members engage with city and The City Council appoints Vacancies: 1 vacancy for term county leaders, department individuals to serve on more ending March 1, 2029. heads and staff to explore than 20 boards, advisory Size: multiple members how municipal government committees and commissions. Term Length: 4 years functions. Activities include These volunteers are from facility tours, Q&A sessions all over Ocala and their East Ocala Redevelopment and discussions on civic experience, knowledge and Subarea Advisory responsibilities and public expertise help inf luence Committee service. Meetings are held decisions affecting the city by The committee is an advisory monthly at 4:30 p.m. Dates are providing advice and feedback board to the CRA Agency and at belleviewf l.org/202/Youthto city leaders and council City Council for the area defined Council members. All are welcome as the East Ocala Redevelopment ~~~~~ to submit an application for Subarea. The committee shall CITY OF DUNNELLON: consideration to a board or advise the CRA Agency and commission. Many boards have City Council on redevelopment The city’s general link is requirements, such as living dunnellon.org/government/ efforts of the established subarea within the city limits, being a boards-commissions pursuant to Chapter 163, Part qualified city voter or owning III, Florida Statutes. Historic Preservation Board property within the city limits. Vacancies: 1 vacancy for term These requirements, if any, are 1 vacancy for 2nd alternate ending March 1, 2029; 1 term detailed for each board on their ending March 1, 2026. member term page. If you have questions, The purpose of the board Size: multiple members contact clerk@ocalaf l.gov or is to promote and preserve Term Length: 4 years call the Office of the City Clerk educational, cultural and at (352) 629-8266. economic welfare of the public. Historic Preservation The board has established Advisory Board Affordable Housing procedures to preserve the The board oversees the Advisory Committee city’s historic resources by historic resources of the city The committee is responsible enhancing public participation and advises City Council and for developing an analysis of and involvement in the city departments on matters impediments to the creation of preservation and protection relating to these resources, as affordable housing, as required of such resources, including well as manages Certificates by the city’s affordable housing buildings, structures, of Appropriateness for funders. The committee is monuments and more. The properties located within the created to recommend monetary Tuscawilla Park and Ocala board has developed the and non-monetary incentives Application for Historic Historic Districts. Make for the local housing assistance Preservation Grant Facade recommendations to City plan in accordance with F.S. § Renovations. Interested council for matters relating 420.9076. person(s) should complete to historic resources in the Vacancies: Multiple terms the application and send to city changes to designated ending Dec 31, 2025. the Community Development resources; attend pertinent Size: 11 Members Department for submission informational or educational Term Length: 3 years to the board. Meetings are meetings, workshops Term Limit: n/a held the third Tuesday of and conferences; advise each month at 5 p.m. For on development of goals, Board of Adjustment more information, visit objectives and policies for The board considers dunnellon.org/government/ historic preservation; advise applications for zoning boards-commissions/historiccity departments on matters variances and special exception preservation-board relating to historic resources considerations for business in the city; advise individuals and residential construction Planning Commission on preservation of historic projects within the city limits. Two vacancies for alternate structures; educate public on Hear and decide appeals where members (terms ending Jan 9 economic benefits of same; and it is alleged there is error in any and July 12, 2026) submit annual report to SHPO order, requirement, decision The commission reviews covering annual activities. or determination made by changes to the City’s Vacancies: 1 current vacancy the building official in the Comprehensive Plan, by for an architect, term expired; enforcement of the zoning code amendment, evaluation, 3 terms ending March 1, 2026, addition and appraisal for for construction member, area (chapter 122), authorize special

resident and HOPS member. Size: 9 Members Term Length: 3 years Term Limit: n/a

Housing Authority Board

The authority is committed to providing and expanding safe, decent and sanitary housing in the most costefficient manner to residents of Marion County, to provide economic opportunities and housing free from illegal discrimination and to build better neighborhoods by providing comprehensive opportunities for residents through partnerships and networking within our community. Provides subsidized housing units and rental assistance payments to income eligible residents in Marion County. Commissioners may not be an officer or employee of the city of Ocala. At Least one commissioner shall be a resident who is current in rent in a housing project or a person of low or very low income who resides with the housing authority’s jurisdiction. Vacancies: 2 terms ending March 2026. Size: 7 Members Term Length: 4 years Term Limit: n/a

Municipal Arts Commission

The commission acts in an advisory capacity to the city government in connection with the artistic and cultural development of the city and aesthetic aspects of city activities. The purpose of the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission Grant Program is to provide nonprofit organizations and individual artists financial support to pursue artistic endeavors that will benefit the community by fostering the awareness and development of the cultural climate in Marion County, Florida. Appointments shall be made by City Council on the basis of experience and interest in the cultural arts at the sole discretion of City Council. Whenever possible, the membership of the commission shall include a representative member from the College of Central Florida’s Visual and Performing Arts Department, Fine Arts of Ocala (FAFO), Marion County School Board, Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), Ocala Civic Theatre and The Ocala Symphony Orchestra. Vacancies: 21 term ending March 1, 2026 Size: 11 Members Term Length: 4 years Term Limit: n/a

Municipal Code Enforcement Board

The Code Enforcement Division enforces codes that pertain to zoning laws, nuisance abatement, contracting and permitting requirements of the city of Ocala and state of Florida, occupational licenses, sign codes, alcohol location permits and many other local ordinances and state statutes. The board hears cases relating to code violations. Examine code violation cases presented by City Code Enforcement Officers. Empowered to levy fines and place liens on property if, violation is not corrected. Vacancies: 2 current vacancies for alternate members; 3 terms ending March 1, 2026 Size: 7 Members Term Length: 3 years Term Limit: n/a

North Magnolia Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee shall advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. The committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the CRA Agency and City Council from property owners and organizations representing the North Magnolia CRA area. Vacancies: 1 vacancy for term ending March 1, 2029; 1 term ending March 1, 2026. Size: 7 members Term Length: 4 years

Planning & Zoning Commission

The commission is responsible for advising City Council on current and long-range planning, review and permitting of land development. Make recommendations to City Council relating to zoning and land use and ensure changes proposed are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Members must be qualified voters of the city. Form 1 financial disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission. Vacancies: 3 terms ending Mar 1, 2026. Size: 7 members Term Length: 3 years

Tree Commission

Develop and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting and removal of trees on property owned or controlled by the city and on property owned or controlled by all other governmental entities when this property is located within the city limits. Members shall be licensed tree surgeons, landscape architects or landscaping contractors or other interested citizens chosen for their knowledge of, concern about and participation in issues affecting the city’s urban tree population. Vacancies: 2 terms ending March 1, 2029. Size: 5 members Term Length: 4 years Term Limit: n/a

West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

The committee shall advise the CRA Agency and City Council on redevelopment efforts of the area defined as the West Ocala Redevelopment Subarea. Meets at least two times per year. Vacancies: 2 current vacancies for terms ending March 1, 2029; 1 term ending March 1, 2026 Size: 9 members Term Length: 4 years Term Limit: n/a ~~~~~

MARION COUNTY These are volunteer positions and have specific qualifications and criteria depending on the board’s focus. The county commission appoints members in regular BOCC meetings. An application can be downloaded at marionf l. org/my-commissioners/ advisory-boards and can be printed or saved as a PDF. Email completed forms to commissionadmin@marionf l. org. Applications can also be obtained at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners’ Office at 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, or by calling (352) 438-2323. See Board vacancies, page A9

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Board vacancies Continued from page A8

Land Development Regulation Commission

Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires ending January 2026; 1 alternate member term expires November 2029. Responsibilities: Members should have knowledge in planning, environmental science, agriculture and the development industry and be capable of evaluating and recommending specific regulatory standards and criteria, reviewing and advising the County Commission on the adoption and amendment of the Land Development Code and Zoning Code, and preparing an annual report with recommended amendments to these codes. Alternate members attend meetings when regular members are unavailable and may serve in their absence. Qualifications/restrictions: Members shall be residents of Marion County.

Marion County Historical Commission

Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires November 2026. Responsibilities: Must have interest or background in the history, cultural heritage, development and institutions of Marion County, as well as a commitment to preserving and commemorating that legacy. Members are responsible for collecting, organizing, recording, and preserving historical materials and data, including books, maps, manuscripts, family histories, census records and other relevant documents and artifacts.

Marion Oaks General Services Advisory Council

Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires ending September 2026. Responsibilities: Make recommendations to the county commission pertaining to the MSTU budget, activities, goals and objective; and other issues as directed by the county commission. Qualifications/restrictions: Must be residents of Marion Oaks.

Marion Oaks Recreation and Facilities Advisory Council

Rainbow Lakes Estates

Vacancies: 1 full member, term through November 2029. Responsibilities: Participate in the preparation of the annual budget request; review and comment on programs, activities, goals and objectives and make recommendations on these and other issues as directed by the Board of County Commissioners. Qualifications/restrictions: Applicants must be registered electors residing within the Rainbow Lakes Estates Municipal Service District.

Submit nominations for Inspire Gala awards The event honors individuals, businesses and organizations that make a difference in the community. Staff report

he Community Foundation for Ocala/ Marion County is accepting nominations through Jan. 15 for the Inspire Gala, a celebration of charitable leadership and impact. The Inspire Gala honors individuals, businesses and organizations whose generosity and service uplift the community. To preserve impartiality, the foundation will not participate in the nomination or selection process, the news release noted. Submissions will be redacted of names and assigned an internal number by the foundation. The materials will be forwarded to unaffiliated nonprofit judges from outside Marion County, including reviewers from other community foundations. A scoring matrix will be used to ensure fair, consistent and equitable consideration of each nominee based on the credentials and qualifications provided. The categories of recognition are: • Youth Philanthropist of the Year • Emerging Nonprofit • Nonprofit Board Member of the Year • Nonprofit of the Year

Founder Carolyn Adams, right, talks with Levonda Goodson, CEO of the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center, as they accept the Nonprofit of the Year award during the 2025 Inspire Gala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

• Corporate Partner of the Year • The Unsung Hero • Philanthropist of the Year • Frank Martin Hennessey Award • Luminary Award – Estate Planning Council of Marion County. Completed submissions and supporting materials may be sent by mail to Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion

County, 324 SE 24th St., Ocala, FL 34471, or by email to submissions@ocalafoundation. org. To submit a nomination online, go to ocalafoundation.org The Inspire Gala is set for March 7, 2026, at the Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. For tickets, contact Dawn Phelps at dawn@ ocalafoundation.org or (352) 622-5020.

A10

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Roller Derby Continued from page A1 Korpela, the event was still a regular roller derby game. “It’s just that the teams are made up of skaters from all over, which is a lot of fun because you get the opportunity to play with other skaters, and it levels up your own gameplay. And, you get to build better relationships within your derby community by playing with skaters on other teams,” Korpela said. The doors opened at 3:45 p.m., the first whistle blew at 4 p.m., and families poured in wearing ugly Christmas sweaters for a $10 admission fee. “Both scrimmages were full of action. There were no injuries, and everyone had a fun time,” Korpela said. This marked another chapter in the league’s 15-year history, minus a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the annual holiday scrimmage being a staple from the beginning and this year continuing the Santas vs. Elves theme. It also was a full-circle moment returning to Skate Mania, the group’s original home rink. “This team started in 2010, and Skate Mania was our first home. About five years ago, we left Skate Mania because of issues with the new management that has since left. We made Skate A Way South our home for the next four years. Then, the news came out early this year that the co-owner of Skate A Way South was arrested,” Korpela said. According to the Ocala Police Department, Richard Hawkins, 62, co-owner of Skate A Way South, was arrested on Feb. 23 on charges of indecent, lewd or lascivious touching of a minor; false imprisonment; and open carry of a firearm following allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy and preventing the teen from leaving an apartment. In April, OPD announced an additional charge against Hawkins of lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor after another person came forward with similar allegations. According to Marion County Jail records, Hawkins remains incarcerated. The Marion County Clerk of Courts website indicates that the case remains open as of Dec. 16. “I assured my league mates that we could do this and would look back at season’s end and be amazed with our own resilience and pride for sticking to our values. We walked away from our home rink, put our things in storage and began the search for a new home. We practiced in parking lots and at trailheads until we found the Ocala Downtown Market. It wasn’t easy, we practiced outside in the elements, even in the dead of summer. We had a game when it was raining and had to keep drying our track to continue gameplay. But we kept pressing through it all,” she stated. “We learned, on the fly, how to set up a vendor market during our games. We faced each new challenge as best as we could. Right at the end of our season, ODM wasn’t available for use for our doubleheader scrimmage. It was a real full-circle moment to end up back in our original home, Skate Mania,” Korpela added. Korpela said what she looked forward to the most was reminding her league mates what they had pulled off. “We didn’t cancel a single game or scrimmage day of our pre-planned 2025

season. We stood up for what we felt was right, kept working and believing and we did it. We played the game we love, and we gave back to our community all without sacrificing our values,” she said. Community giving remains central. Nearly every event benefits a local cause, from the PACE Center for Girls to the Humane Society of Marion County. For years, the holiday event served as a Toys for Tots drive, but late-December timing complicated deliveries. This year the league pivoted to food insecurity. “Food banks are overwhelmed right now. There are more people, and there’s more of a need right now for that, and it’s an ongoing need. It’s not just a seasonal need,” Korpela said. “We just really felt led to fill that need this year.” Event attendees filled collection bins with nonperishable food items, plus a food donation required for visiting skaters, while the door ticket proceeds supported Veterans Helping Veterans of Ocala. “Despite the name, Veterans Helping Veterans actually offers help to all sorts of people. You don’t actually have to be a veteran to receive help from them,” Korpela noted. Charlotte “Charlie” Petersen, a longtime skater, said they are still working on getting their pre-COVID crowd back. “We’ve had a great turn out in our last few games, and we are so grateful for our fans,” Petersen said. Petersen jokingly described the Dec. 14 event for newcomers as being like “holiday football on skates, minus the ball.” “Our annual Santas vs. Elves scrimmage is a fun, family friendly, action-packed event where the local community gets to witness live roller derby in a fun and safe environment. And I always tell people the only thing better than playing roller derby is watching it,” she said. Petersen’s personal highlight was the support and love from her teammates. “I needed it a little extra that day, and they never fail to carry me through,” she said. Petersen said she has been hooked on derby after watching the movie “Whip It,” and she encourages others to give roller derby a try. “If you want to do it, even a little bit, then you absolutely can do it. And we will teach you and support you, even if you’ve never put on a pair of skates before. Everyone starts at a different level. If you have the drive to show up and participate, then this team is going to be there to support you all the way to your goals. And you might even make some friends for life along the way,” she said. “Roller derby is not just a sport; it’s a community filled with love and acceptance. We prioritize being a safe and inclusive environment, and everyone can use a little of that in their life,” she continued. “I truly love the environment we have created. I love the inclusivity, the mutual love and the passionate support everyone receives along their derby journey. I have friends for life because of this community who I never would have found without joining,” Petersen said.

Jane Sidewinder of the Elves team, left, is pushed out of bounds by Jack Scratch Fever of the Santas team, during the Santas vs. Elves Roller Derby scrimmage at Skate Mania in Ocala on Dec. 14, 2025.

Skaters from the Santas team and the Elves mix it up at Skate Mania. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.

To learn more, go to fb.com/ ocalacannibalderby

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Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

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Lex Lethal of the Santas team, center, gets some help getting past Home Wrecka of the Elves team, right, from teammate Stevie Hicks of the Santas team, left.

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Roxie Mountains of the Santas team, left, is kneed out of bounds by Creeping Ivy of the Elves team during the scrimmage at Skate Mania in Ocala. on Dec. 14, 2025.

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December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

State vaccine mandate repeal fuels debate The proposal includes removing some vaccination requirements while those mandated by state law for school entry would remain in place. By Dara Kam The News Service of Florida

op of FormBottom of FormOver the objections of pediatricians and infectious disease specialists, Florida health officials took initial steps Dec. 12 to do away with certain vaccine mandates for schoolchildren. Physicians and educators spoke out against the proposed repeal of vaccination requirements for diseases such as chickenpox during a Department of Health workshop in Panama City Beach, while vaccine critics applauded Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration for advancing the plan. The proposal includes removing vaccination requirements for hepatitis B; varicella, commonly known as chickenpox; Haemophilus influenza type b, or Hib, which can cause meningitis; and pneumococcal conjugate, which can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Other vaccination requirements mandated by state law for school entry — including for polio, diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps and tetanus — would remain in place. DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo in September announced the plan to do away with certain vaccine requirements. The requirements targeted in Friday’s proposal are in state rules, which the Department of Health can go through a process to change. Because the other vaccination requirements are in state law, the Legislature would need to approve any changes. Ladapo has said he would work with the Legislature to eliminate the requirements in law. The vast majority of health care professionals who appeared at Friday’s meeting vehemently opposed the plan

to repeal requirements. Critics said it would turn back the clock on medical advancements. “I want to make this clear and loud. I want everyone to know how serious matters are. Just in the past six months, we’ve had two patients in the ICU with Hib. One child, unfortunately, succumbed at 4 months of age. No vaccines,” Panama City pediatrician Eehab Kenawy said. A 2-year-old who was never vaccinated also arrived at the hospital with “abscesses in the brain,” seizures and was “quote, unquote, brain dead,” according to Kenawy. The child’s mother pleaded with doctors to “give my child every vaccine you can,” the pediatrician told a Department of Health panel taking public input on the proposal. Kenawy said religious exemptions already exist to allow parents and guardians to opt out of vaccinations for their children. “You’re not forced. But sending a message to the general public that vaccines are not important, vaccines are not needed, is not the way to do it,” Kenawy said. Opposition to vaccine mandates has surged after the COVID-19 pandemic, with state leaders such as Ladapo and DeSantis among the most high profile critics of their efficacy. Ladapo in September pledged to eliminate all of the state’s vaccine requirements for schoolchildren. “All of them. All of them. Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery,” the state’s top doctor said on Sept. 3. Simone Chriss, a civil rights attorney for Gainesville-based Southern Legal Counsel, asked health officials Friday whether they had consulted with national

medical experts when crafting the proposal. “The (proposed) rule language is grounded in policy based on considerations that favor parental rights and medical freedom,” Emma Spencer, the Department of Health’s division director for public health statistics and performance management, responded. The proposal also would expand exemptions for other vaccinations. Currently, parents or guardians can request waivers from vaccination requirements when “immunizations are in conflict with my religious tenets or practices.” The draft rule would add exemptions for “a sincerely held moral or ethical belief.” Paul Arons, a family medicine physician based in Tallahassee, urged state officials to maintain the status quo and said he was “alarmed” by Ladapo’s advocacy for eliminating all vaccination requirements. “The surgeon general has likened the obligation to protect oneself and others from vaccine-preventable diseases to slavery and has cast doubts on the efficacy of some of these vaccines, rather than celebrating their benefits and urging their maximum deployment. … I’m here to beseech you, please do not change this rule, which will set in motion the dismantling of the successful lifesaving system of public health,” Arons, a former medical director of the Department of Health’s Bureau of HIV/AIDS, said. But Susan Sweetin, chief marketing officer for the National Vaccine Information Center, was among speakers in support of the proposal. Sweetin said her son was injured by a vaccine given to him at birth and said some pediatricians are refusing to treat children who are unvaccinated.

“This is not informed consent. That is coercion. Vaccines should never be tied to a child’s education. Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child’s opportunity to education and to learn. I thank the Florida health department for proposing the removal of vaccine mandates and for recognizing that parental rights and informed consent must guide these guidelines,” Sweetin said. The proposal also would allow parents, guardians and college and university applicants ages 18 to 23 to opt out of participating in a statewide database, known as the Florida SHOTS program, that collects vaccination information. Health officials said they would accept public comments on the proposed rule changes until Dec. 22. Michael Haller, a University of Florida professor who is a pediatrician, submitted a paper and a formal resolution on behalf of the school’s College of Medicine Faculty Council reflecting concerns. “For pediatricians, this is not partisan. It is a medical and public health issue with well-documented consequences. Decades of data from the United States and internationally show that weakening or removing school vaccine requirements lead to lower immunization rates. When vaccination rates fall, herd immunity is lost. And when herd immunity is lost, we see the return of serious and sometimes fatal diseases, measles, pertussis, mumps, pneumococcal disease and others,” Haller said. “If Florida removes school vaccine requirements, the outcomes are predictable: increased preventable infectious disease, more hospitalizations, especially among infants, immunocompromised children and medically fragile adults.”

Historic marker Ocala City Council approves signage to commemorate Elvis Presley and Tom Petty encounter. By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalagazette.com

n Dec. 16, members of the Ocala City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to designate a downtown property as a historic landmark and install a marker commemorating a 1961 meeting between Elvis Presley and a young Tom Petty. The site, located at the southeast corner of 117 E. Silver Springs Blvd., is the former Commercial Bank & Trust Company where Presley filmed some of the scenes for his movie “Follow That Dream.” Most of the movie was shot on locations in the areas of Inverness, Inglis and Crystal River. It had its world premiere at the Marion Theatre in Ocala in 1962. The proposal, submitted by Paul Stentiford on behalf of the Ocala Sunset Rotary Club, places the marker, titled “Elvis in Ocala, Tom Petty Inspired,” at the northeast corner of East Silver Springs Boulevard and Northeast Osceola Avenue. The vacant commercial property, owned by Austin International RLT, LLC, spans

about 0.64 acres and falls under the city’s form-based code zoning in a high-intensity central core area. In July 1961, Presley arrived in Ocala to shoot footage at the bank, drawing crowds of spectators as the production transformed the downtown area into a film set. Among those watching was 10-yearold Tom Petty from nearby Gainesville. His uncle, Earl Jernigan, worked on the crew, allowing Petty and his Aunt Evelyn and cousins Sadie and Norma to access the site and briefly meet the star. The encounter sparked Petty’s passion for music, leading him to pursue a career that made him a rock legend. Tom Petty later reflected on the moment in the 2005 book “Conversations with Tom Petty” by Paul Zollo, recalling how his aunt invited him to the set. In other interviews, including on the “Ultimate Classic Rock Nights” radio show, he described becoming obsessed with Elvis records afterward. “I played these records to the point my parents began to worry that something was wrong with me. I’m in about the fifth

The proposed location for the Tom Petty and Elvis Presley historical marker is on the left corner. The building on the right is the former Commercial Bank & Trust, where Presley’s movie “Follow That Dream” was filmed in part. [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]

Elvis emerges from Commercial Bank & Trust (later SunTrust) in downtown Ocala during part of the filming of “Follow That Dream.” [Photo courtesy city of Ocala]

grade, and I’m playing 1950s records, and it’s all I want to talk about. Even the other kids thought it was weird,” said Petty. The marker highlights this cultural moment, linking Ocala’s history to American popular music. According to Greg Davis, Ocala’s public information officer, city staff reviewed the research and documentation provided by the applicant, which was presented to the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board for recommendation of approval. The process follows established procedures for state historic landmark consideration. “The proposed marker aligns with the city’s heritage preservation goals by recognizing a culturally significant moment tied to nationally recognized artists and Ocala’s local history,” Davis said. “The designation supports public education and heritage tourism by

formally documenting and sharing the city’s historical assets,” he continued. The Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board recommended approval and the Florida Division of Historical Resources is involved in the state marker application process. The proposal was advertised and discussed at an open board meeting, where public feedback was positive. The Ocala Sunset Rotary Club is leading the project and providing funding for the marker’s design, fabrication and installation. The club will also handle longterm maintenance. “The city will coordinate installation of the marker once the project is ready. The timing will depend on completion of the remaining steps required for state historic landmark designation and project readiness by the applicant,” Davis noted.

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December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

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December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places and Things ‘Christmas through the decades’ The 70th annual Ocala Christmas Parade again drew lots of entries and a big crowd of spectators.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@maganoliamediaco.com

nce again, scores of people in marching units, numerous gaily decorated floats, mounted riders and hundreds of motorized entries combined to make the Ocala Christmas Parade one of the largest nighttime parades in the country. More than 125 parade units took part, including elected officials, military units, business and civic groups, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The event is organized by the Friends of the Ocala Christmas Parade. This year’s theme was “Christmas Through the Decades” and the grand marshal was Bernadette Castro. The parade, which stepped off at 5:30 p.m. from the McPherson Government Complex, traveled west on Silver Springs Boulevard and ended at Tuscawilla Park after passing by thousands of spectators along the route. In partnership with Marion County Public Schools, the parade was broadcast live on the MCSP YouTube channel at youtube.com/marioncountyk12. See Christmas Parade, page B2

Photos by Bruce Ackerman / Ocala Gazette John Metzinger and Leon Nichols of the Fernandina Pirate Club fire a cannon from the bow of the Amelia’s Revenge pirate ship during the Ocala Christmas Parade on Dec. 13, 2025.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Tegan Schooley, 13, of the Florida Twirling Academy.

“Snow” begins to fall as one of the floats passes by.

Grand Marshal Bernadette Castro, in a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief from National Parts Depot.

Ariane Garcia, 3, holds her ears as emergency vehicles blare sirens.

Miss Ocala Caroline Schapansky and Miss Ocala Teen Madelyn Covington.

Snowmen from Sunrise Elementary School.

Caleb McAtee, 10, with his dog, Gypsy, 5.

Jaxon Brown, 4, Daniel Hoffman, 6, and Brayden Brown, 7.

Trinity Catholic High School marching band.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano and his wife, Danielle.

Color guard from West Port High School U.S. Army JROTC.

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Christmas Parade Continued from page B1

WINNERS SELECTED BY A TEAM OF JUDGES WERE: Best of Show Next Dimensions Roofing Commercial division 1st place Stokes Electric 2nd place Ocala Electric Utilities 3rd place A & L Tree service Youth division 1st place Marion Technical College 2nd place Florida Twirling 3rd place Cub Scout pack Troop 692 Troop 9692

Nonprofit division 1st place The Rock Program 2nd place Leading the way 4-H 3rd place Girl scouts of America Bands 1st place Howard Middle School 2nd place West Port High School 3rd place Lake Weir High School

For more information, go to ocalachristmasparade.org

Marion County School Board.

Jenna Rovira and Sue Enberg of the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association.

Jaxson Goodson, 3, with his parents, Mike and Stacey Goodson.

Salvation Army band.

Outlaw Off-Roaders Jeep Club.

Book to debut in Ocala Author Jaiya John will participate in a community conversation and book signing on Dec. 23. Staff report

aiya John, a globally recognized author, poet, professor, freedom worker and speaker will return to Ocala for the debut of his new book, “Wildflowers Praying at Midnight.” A complementary community conversation and book signing will take place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 23. According to his website, John was born an orphan on ancient Indigenous Anasazi and Pueblo lands in New Mexico. He is the founder of Soul Water Rising, a rehumanizing mission to eradicate oppression. He is the author of numerous books. He produces a podcast and is the founder of The Gathering, a global initiative and tour reviving traditional gathering and storytelling practices to fertilize social healing and liberation. He is a former professor of social

psychology at Howard University and holds doctorate and master’s degrees in social psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he was a National Science Foundation Fellow. As an undergraduate, he attended Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and lived in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he studied Tibetan holistic medicine. “Wildflowers Praying at Midnight” is a collection of poetic verses rich in stories, prayers, devotions, affirmations, incantations, soul summoning and mystic dreaming, the press release noted. “The worldwide waves of oppressive violence and social upheaval the last two years in particular moved me to respond by channeling the collective energy into the medicine I know best: poetry,” John said in the release. “Wildflowers” is available Dec. 16, but most people won’t be able to have it in their hands until late December or early

January, unless they had preordered. Ocala event attendees can be the first to have a signed copy, according to the release. Ocala is always a special and sacred homecoming for John, whose family resides locally, the release stated. “My people are for me the very land and sky and water and sun of Ocala. They are my soulful wealth and joy. To launch this new book in Ocala before anywhere else in the world is a great honor for me. A divine gift and blessing,” he said in the release. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Tau Omega Chapter and the Sankofa Public Library, which is inside the community center, are sponsors of the event.

Jaiya John [Photo courtesy jaiyajohn.com]

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To learn more about the event, call (352) 208-8666. For information about John, go to jaiyajohn.com

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Significant traditions of popular December holidays December holidays are unique from one another and each boasts its own meaningful traditions. Staff report

ecember is a festive time of year and that jovial atmosphere is thanks in no small part to the many holidays that dot the calendar over the twelfth and final month of the year. December holidays are unique from one another, and each boasts its own meaningful traditions that can make celebrations even more special. Chanukah: The eight-day Festival of Lights, which this year starts at nightfall on Dec. 14 and ends with nightfall on Dec. 22, is steeped in tradition. Oil plays a prominent role in the miracle at the center of the holiday, so one Chanukah tradition involves eating foods prepared in oil, including latkes (potato pancakes). The lighting of a different candle of the menorah each night during the festival is a symbolic tradition and many adherents to the Jewish faith place their menorahs in a prominent location in their homes, such as a front bay window. Children may play with a dreidel at various times during the festival of Chanukah and gift exchanges are a common tradition as well. Christmas: Many families have their own unique Christmas traditions, but there are also many that transcend family ties. Christmas trees are a focal point of holiday decor and many families make it a point to choose a live tree together each year and then return home

and decorate the tree in each other’s company. Families who prefer artificial trees also may decorate their trees together. And just like a menorah may be displayed in a front bay window, many Christmas celebrants place their Christmas trees in a spot where the evergreen, artificial or not, can be seen from the street. Baking together as a family, writing letters to Santa Claus, using Advent calendars to count down to the birthday of Jesus Christ and gift exchanges with loved ones are some other notable Christmas traditions. Kwanzaa: A celebration of African American culture and heritage, Kwanzaa is a weeklong commemoration that features many meaningful traditions. Each day during Kwanzaa, celebrants light a candle in the Kinara, a candleholder unique to the holiday. Each candle symbolizes one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which the National Museum of African American History & Culture notes include Umoja (Unity), Ujima (collective

work and responsibility) and Ujamaa (cooperative economics). Decorating is a popular holiday season tradition and celebrants of Kwanzaa engage with this custom by decorating their homes with African and African American works of art and by displaying a Ghanaian textile known as kente. New Year’s Eve: The month of December ends with a celebration of the previous 12 months and excitement for the year ahead. New Year’s Eve traditions include staying up late until midnight and counting down the final seconds of the year. Some do so publicly at bars and restaurants or in notable locales like Times Square, where revelers count down to the new year as the famed ball begins its descent over the final 60 seconds of the year. Champagne for adult celebrants and sparkling cider for youngsters is often hoisted in a toast to the year past and in celebration of what’s to come.

Mary Owens describes her Sankofa dolls during Kwanzaa on the Move at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala on Dec. 28, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Jill Paglia of Ocala loves decorating her home for the holidays, including a number of Christmas trees displayed in various locations. [John Jernigan file photo]

Be mindful of pets during the holiday season Pet owners who want the season to be festive for their pets can consider the following strategies. Staff report

he magic and wonder of the holiday season can be enthralling for people of all ages. There is so much to see and do during the holiday season, making it easy to forge lasting memories. With so much to do in December, life at home can sometimes feel a little hectic, especially for the family pet. Although the holidays can be exciting, the season can induce anxiety in pets. Pets like cats and dogs often thrive on routine and familiarity. Switch up that routine and various behavioral issues can arise, including having accidents in the home. Pets also may become more destructive, chewing or clawing at items to release pent-up tension and anxiety. Pet owners who want the season to be festive for their pets can consider the following strategies.

[Stock image]

Gradually introduce new items. Gradually decorate living spaces so pets can grow acclimated to their newly decorated environs. Add a few pieces to rooms each day until you finally have all of your decorations out for display. This way pets can sniff around the decorations and realize they do not pose a threat. Keep familiar pet belongings. Try not to upset the apple cart too much in regard to pets’ cherished possessions. For example, do not move the dog bed from the living room and place the Christmas tree in its place. Pets need that familiarity and having some of their items with familiar smells can make for a smooth adjustment to holiday decorations. Designate a pet-safe zone. If you will be inviting people over during the holidays, set aside a room for pets so they can be in relative quiet away from boisterous crowds. Locking pets away also helps prevent their escape from the home as guests come and go.

Secure the tree and other decorations. Pets are often curious about new things and they may climb or paw at items to try to understand them better. Decorative items may end up being knocked over by curious pets. Secure the tree using a string and an anchor to the ceiling or wall like you might secure a large screen TV to prevent it from tipping over. Keep breakable ornaments and other trinkets behind display cases or beyond the reach of pets. Discourage pets from using decorations as toys. Reprimand pets or move them away from holiday decor so they don’t get the idea that these items are now their toys. Be careful with holiday foods. Holiday foods and desserts are rich and full of ingredients that may not be healthy for pets. Keep a secure lid on trash pails and remind holiday guests that pets should not be fed table scraps. Pets may need some time to adjust to the changes that come with holiday decorating and celebrating to keep them happy and safe.

A DICKENS CHRISTMAS The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition On View Through January 11 Discover ornately decorated trees, the beloved Dickens Village miniature, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world, and more! On the first and second floors, enjoy 17 trees decorated by community organizations and businesses.

Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL | AppletonMuseum.org

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Syrup for scholarships Annual pancake day event raises money to send kids to Camp Kiwanis. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

undreds of people turned out Saturday at the Eighth Street School cafeteria to enjoy pancakes and visit Santa at the 67th annual Ocala Kiwanis Pancake Day. A Kiwanis Club member said guests were “elbow to elbow” around 9 a.m. and ticket sales a couple hours later were around 400 tickets. The hopes were that the final tally would equal last year’s total of around 600. The event kicks off the countdown to Christmas for many and raises funds to send youth to summer sessions at Camp Kiwanis in the Ocala National Forest, a joint endeavor of the Kiwanis Club of Ocala and Marion County Public Schools. The Kiwanis Club of Ocala Facebook pages states that each camper scholarship allows “a child to attend summer camp at Camp Kiwanis at no cost for themselves. We are focused on enriching all children and providing ample opportunities regardless of accessibility.” A Kiwanis official overseeing the breakfast event estimated that camper sponsorships cost as much as $400 each. Children including William Davis, 9, and Madeline Davis, 7, discussed their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus while their parents, Marina and Rob Davis, stood nearby. Volunteers Violet and Zaidan distributed children’s books during the event. Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano was on hand and was clearly impressed by the longevity of the annual community event. To learn more, go to k01215.site.kiwanis. org and fb.com/kiwanisclubofOcala

William Davis, 9, left and Madeline Davis, 7, talk with Santa Claus at the Ocala Kiwanis Pancake Day on Dec. 13. The annual event is a fundraiser to sponsor youth for summer sessions at Camp Kiwanis in the Ocala National Forest. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

SERIOUSLY SIMPLE

New Year’s Eve shrimp and scallop stew, a celebratory dish

f you are planning on staying home this year and having a small group for dinner, I recommend making this crowdpleasing stew for your main course. Seafood has become so expensive that I usually save it for special occasions. And New Year’s Eve is certainly a time for celebration. The soup base and aioli can be made ahead and finished at the last minute, making this an excellent choice for entertaining. You’ll only have to reheat the base and make the toasts on the day of serving. The tangy aioli topped on French bread toasts brings all the flavors together. If you are feeling pinched with the seafood cost, go for less-expensive fish like sea bass, cod or halibut. You could also throw in some mussels and clams. Begin with your favorite green salad topped with a sherry vinaigrette and crumbled goat cheese. Choose a lemon or apple tart or roasted pears for dessert. A glass of Champagne would be a nice addition to dessert and to ring in the New Year. New Year’s Eve Shrimp and Scallop

This quick stew is perfect for this time of year when it is cold and blustery. (Noel Barnhurst/TCA).

Stew with Parmesan Aioli Serves 4 to 6 For the stew: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped 1 fennel bulb, finely chopped

4 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 cup bottled clam juice 1 1/2 cups dry red wine 1 (28-ounce) can peeled, diced tomatoes with juice 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste 2-inch-long strip of orange peel Salt and black pepper 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tail left on 12 medium scallops For the toasts: 12 slices French bread 1 garlic clove, sliced in half Olive oil spray For the Parmesan Aioli: 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon anchovy paste 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese white pepper To garnish: 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives Heat the olive oil in a medium soup pot. Add the onions, carrots and fennel, stirring occasionally, and sauté for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and saute another minute. Add the clam juice, wine, tomatoes, water, anchovy paste, orange peel and salt and pepper and simmer, partially

covered, on medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Meanwhile make the toasts. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Rub the garlic on one side of each bread slice and very lightly spray it with olive oil spray. Place the toasts on a baking sheet and toast for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove and reserve. (Do this the day of serving.) Combine all the ingredients for the aioli in a small bowl and mix to blend. Taste for seasoning. Cover and refrigerate until serving. When the soup is cooked, remove the orange zest and season to taste. With a hand blender, blend the soup until it is roughly pureed with some texture remaining. If it is too thick, add a bit more water or clam juice to achieve a soup-like consistency. Return the soup to medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and scallops and simmer for about 3- to 4 minutes or until the seafood is just cooked through. To serve: Spread some aioli on each toast. Ladle some soup into each soup bowl (I like to use shallow soup plates for a pretty presentation) Arrange a few aioli toasts around the edge and dollop a teaspoon of the aioli in the center of each bowl. Garnish with chopped chives. Serve immediately. Advance preparation: This stew may be made up to two days ahead through Step 4, covered and refrigerated. Make the toasts the day it will be served. Reheat before continuing.

3 4 5

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Emerging as an artist

A painting by Kristine Pearson is among those on display at Ocala’s City Hall through March 9. By Margo Wilson Special to the Gazette

t was not too long ago that Kristine Pearson, 61, of Ocala, and a member of Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery, put down her house painter’s brush and more tightly gripped her smaller brushes so she could focus on her work as an acrylic and watercolor artist. And it paid off, as she recently was notified that her painting of the Withlacoochee River, painted from a view near the bridge along the Blue Run Trail outside of Dunnellon, won her a place in an emerging artists competition sponsored by the city of Ocala in partnership with Fine Arts For Ocala. Pearson’s Withlacoochee work is now on display among others in an exhibit at Ocala’s City Hall, at 110 SE Watula Ave., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. An opening reception and awards ceremony for the artists will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 13 at City Hall. The exhibit will be on display through March 9. Pearson and her husband have lived in the Hills of Ocala subdivision between Ocala and Dunnellon since 1988, when they built their house there, and in Ocala since 1986. She was born on an Air Force base in Colorado and spent her early years in the Chicago suburbs, where she studied art for two years at Oak Forest High School. Then, she

Kristine Pearson’s acrylic of the Withlacoochee River was painted from a scene along the Blue Run Trail outside of Dunnellon.

Photos courtesy of the artist Kristine Pearson of Ocala, who is a member of Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery, was named an Emerging Artist by the city of Ocala, which is displaying her painting of the Withlacoochee River in City Hall.

and her family moved to Broward County in Florida, where she finished school and married. She said she had not really dipped into fine art until 2022, “when I started playing around.” In 2023, she got more serious, focusing on nature and rustic buildings. Some of her early paintings were inspired by nature scenes in Tennessee and North Carolina, “the calm, serene places I like to be,” she offered. Pearson said she likes the detail and realism that acrylics

make possible. But she also works with watercolors and, when she painted a watercolor of her dog, Rayne, “that was my first feeling of being an artist,” she noted. Watercolor allows her to capture portraits and “the softer feelings,” she added. She said she has recently been exploring more impressionistic work. Painting, to her, is “another moment in time,” she said. “You cannot dwell on the negative when you’re painting.”

Pearson’s work also is on display at Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery, at 20826 Walnut St. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Kristine Pearson said she felt she was a true artist after she painted this watercolor of her dog, Rayne.

And a bonus, she said, is that art brings her closer to her grandchildren, who love to paint.

To learn more about the gallery, go to rainbowspringsart.com or call (352 763-4048. For information about the emerging artists exhibit, visit ocalafl.gov/government/ city-departments-a-h/growthmanagement/cultural-arts/ public-art/student-emergingartist-competition

Walking/running for a cause

This Ocala man raised funds to help provide college scholarships and more for students in his native Jamaica. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

len Owen lost 10 pounds and three toenails and wore out three pairs of shoes when he walked and ran about 300 miles from Ocala to Miami at the age of 63. On the other hand, the 9 ½-day “walk/run”’ met a personal challenge, inspired others and raised about $5,000 to provide college scholarships and related assistance for perhaps five students at Haile Selassie High School in his native Kingston, Jamaica. It also led to the publication of a book by Owen, “Go Papa, Go!, It’s Just 300 Miles-ON FOOT!!,” whose title came from a comment made his granddaughter when he was at a low point on his journey. Owen is a member of the Haile Selassie High School Alumni Association, which held a 55th anniversary celebration in June of 2024 that marked the school’s 1969 opening and included a reunion of members of Owen’s Class of 1979. “I wanted to do something grand, out of the ordinary for an upcoming high school reunion,” said Owen, now 65, about the “run/walk,” which he completed in 2024. Fellow alumni association member Sandra Gray of Fort Lauderdale had a strong reaction to Owen’s plan. “What?,” she said when she first heard Owen intended to make the trek . Gray, also a member of the Class of 1979, said she and Owen were student council leaders while attending Haile Selassie High School. She said Owen has a “desire to serve and give back, which he developed at a very

Glen Owen shows a copy of his book, which was published this year.

Glen Owen is seen Dec. 8, 2025, with one pair of Puma shoes that he wore during his 300mile fundraising walk/run from Ocala to Dade County, which began on Feb. 29, 2024, and resulted in the publication of a book this year.

early age.” “Glen is very determined and when he puts his mind to something he sees it through,” Gray said. Gray said a number of the alumni were inspired by Owen’s benefit walk/run. Owens had been a member of the DeLuca Family YMCA in Ocala since 1997 and usually visits the facility four times a week, where he does activities such as treadmill workouts. Owen said he checked best walk routes with the Florida Highway Patrol, ate a big breakfast and took the first step of the run/walk at 5:30 a.m. on Feb. 29, 2024, in northeast

Ocala. The route generally followed U.S. Highway 441 to Fort Lauderdale, with a final leg to a welcoming committee at County Line Road in Dade County. Owen authored the book “Go Papa, Go! It’s Just 300 MilesON FOOT!!,” offered this year by Palmetto Publishing, which documents his walk/run journey. The book’s title was inspired by a remark uttered by his then 8-year-old granddaughter, Arianna, which lifted Owen up when he phoned his family during a low point in his journey. The cover of the book contains these words: “You will never know what’s possible for

you until you embark on what’s impossible for the rest of the world.” The book also contains some of Owen’s inspirational poetry. “Poetry is my first love,” he said, noting that his favorite poet is Claude McKay, a “1920s Harlem Renaissance” poet. According to Britannica.com, McKay was born in Jamaica in 1889 and moved to the U.S. in 1912. He wrote books including “Home to Harlem,” novels and poetry, and contributed to “The Liberator,” a “journal of avantgarde politics and art,” the website states. McKay died in 1948. Owen, who is single, said he became “restless” and moved to Florida in 1992 to pursue opportunities “in the greatest country in the world.” He graduated from the University of Florida in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and

taught high school social studies. Owen now is planning a walk/ run to the New York area, a distance of about 1,000 miles. He is charting a route and assembling medical, nutritional and support teams. “This walk/run will be a benefit to raise funds to help the people of Jamaica affected by the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Mellisa,” he said. Owen said one of his favorite Bible verses is in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 31, which reads in part: “They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” “Go Papa, Go! It’s Just 300 Miles-ON FOOT!!” is available through online retailers. Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

At the top of their class

Apple honorees, rookie of the year and school-related employee of year named.

Three-year Hillcrest School teacher Stephanie Stephens is the Rookie of the Year.

Zanita Hendry

Phyllis Hodges

William Lockley

Adjahnae Piner

Jamesha Gilliam

Stephanie Bulla

Middle. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Saint Leo University, a Master of Science in mathematics education from Florida State University and a Doctorate of Education in educational leadership from the University of Florida. Vanguard High School - Adjahnae Piner joined MCPS in 2015 and coordinates and teaches in the Future Educators Academy at Vanguard. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a Master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is a doctoral candidate at Andersonville Theological Seminary. West Port High - Jamesha Gilliam is a West Port High graduate with 10 years of classroom experience. She joined MCPS in 2018 as an English/journalism teacher at West Port after earning her Bachelor of Arts in public relations from the University of Florida.

Rookie of the Year While at Hillcrest School, the entourage also surprised three-year teacher Stephanie Stephens by naming her Marion County’s 2026 Rookie Teacher of the Year. Stephens joined MCPS in 2024 and, like all rookie teachers, has no more than three years of classroom teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Brigham Young University-Idaho. School-Related Employee of the Year The foundation honored Stephanie Bulla, a registered nurse serving 3,400 students at five schools from her base school, Anthony Elementary. She joined MCPS in 2022 and is the first school nurse to be considered for this honor. Bulla was nominated because, “She embodies what it means to serve others with heart and purpose. Even during the most challenging days, she brings positivity and grace to her work,” according to her nominator.

Golden Apple Gala The five Golden Apple recipients, Rookie Teacher of the Year and SchoolRelated Employee of the Year will all participate in the Golden Apple Gala at 7 p.m. Jan. 31, at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala. The event will air live on the MCPS YouTube channel (youtube.com/ MarionCountyK12). During the gala, one of the five finalists will be named Marion County’s 2026 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year and drive away in a new, pre-paid, three-year leased 2026 Genesis G70 luxury compact sedan thanks to Jenkins Auto Group.

Staff report

ix top teachers in Marion County Public Schools recently received Golden Apples during surprise classroom visits, with five now vying to be named Marion County’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. The Public Education Foundation of Marion County orchestrates the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program annually. The foundation also honors one new teacher as the Rookie Teacher of the Year and another worker as the District’s School-Related Employee of the Year, according to a MCPS news release. An entourage including Interim Superintendent of Schools Danielle Brewer, Marion County School Board members, foundation Executive Director Meghan Magamoll and others, surprised the recipients in a two-day caravan. Golden Apple recipients Hillcrest School – Zanita Hendry started with MCPS in 2015 and teaches students in grades 6-12 with exceptional needs. She is a graduate of Dunnellon High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree of interdisciplinary studies in education and social/behavioral science from the University of Central Florida. She was the 2023 Florida Adaptive Arts Educator of the Year. Maplewood Elementary – Phyllis Hodges has 29 years of experience with MCPS, having joined the district in 1996 as an elementary classroom teacher. She continues in that position today and is also a content area specialist for math and science. Her bachelor’s degree in education comes from Florida Southern College. North Marion Middle – William Lockley has 20 years of classroom experience, all teaching math to students at North Marion

To learn more, contact meghan. magamoll@marion.k12.fl.us or call (352) 671-4167. Photos courtesy Marion County Public Schools

MAYO CLINIC

Sleep and dementia: Are they connected? DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve never been a great sleeper, and that’s gotten worse as I age. Now, I see more and more news about poor sleep being a risk for dementia. But then I’ve also heard that too much sleep is also a health problem. What does the science say? And how can I improve my sleep? ANSWER: Everyone has different sleep needs, but generally, about seven hours a night is recommended for a healthy adult. While research has shown too little or too much sleep can be detrimental to one’s health, the relationship between insufficient sleep and poorer health outcomes is better understood. Research has shown that too little sleep raises the risk of dementia and even death. Sleep is as vital to our health as eating or drinking. During sleep, multiple cells and tissues are restored, and the immune system, hormones and blood pressure are regulated. During sleep, nerve cells in

our brain make new connections. Called neuroplasticity, this rewiring of the brain helps us process the continuous information humans accumulate while awake. Perhaps more importantly to prevent dementia, sleep promotes clearance of toxic proteins that accumulate in the brain while we’re awake that may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative processes. However, it is unclear whether an increase in sleep duration at night is a risk factor for dementia. As we age, our sleep patterns change, with more sleep disruption, awakening and generally poorer ability to maintain sleep. Increased sleep at night in some people may help to compensate for more sleep instability, which may be better than getting too little sleep. Perhaps more concerning is how people feel during the day. Excessive daytime sleepiness despite sufficient sleep at night as well as increased frequency and duration of naps — particularly

in people who have never been habitual nappers – have been associated with increased risk for dementia or accumulation of Alzheimer’s disease proteins in the brain. Increased sleepiness and daytime naps may signal poorer-quality sleep at night or dysfunction of brain regions related to wakefulness. It’s also possible to have changes in sleep patterns related to our internal clock, known as circadian rhythm. This rhythm takes cues from the environment, such as light, darkness, mealtimes and physical activity. As we age, the circadian rhythm becomes less responsive to environmental factors, increasing the need to maintain a regular schedule. Research has shown that Alzheimer’s disease starts much earlier than the onset of cognitive symptoms such as memory loss. Early on, the process affects areas of the brain responsible for sleep, circadian rhythm and wakefulness. More study is needed to understand if poor

sleep quality may be both a cause and a consequence of the disease process. While we can’t control all the factors involved in sleep, these tips can help build habits to encourage better sleep: • Stay on a sleep schedule: Although some people can do well with less, adults typically need seven to eight hours of sleep. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. That’s your sleep-wake cycle, including weekends. If you don’t fall asleep in about 20 minutes, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing. Go back to bed when you’re tired. Repeat as needed, but maintain your sleep-wake cycle. • Watch what you eat and drink: If you’re too full or hungry, it may be hard to sleep. Stimulants in nicotine and caffeine take hours to wear off. Alcohol might make you sleepy, but it can disrupt sleep later at night.

• Create a restful environment: Keep your room cool, dark and quiet. Avoid light-emitting screens before bed. • Limit naps: Most adults respond better to short naps (20-30 minutes) to avoid getting into deep sleep and waking from the nap feeling groggy. Avoid napping late in the day. However, if you work nights, you might need to nap before work. • Get active: Exercise can promote better sleep, but it’s best to avoid activity close to bedtime. Spending time outside is helpful for your circadian rhythm. • Control stress: Sometimes our worries keep us awake. Help yourself by setting priorities, getting organized and delegating tasks. Try meditation to ease anxiety. For anyone who feels like their sleep routine – too little or too much – is a problem, a visit to a health care professional may be in order.

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

Holiday help

Locals facing challenges may find relief through the annual Community With A Heart campaign. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

ust before the holidays last year, Christine, a single mom in south Marion County was facing hardships as best she could. “I was at my lowest. Single mom; my three kids, my sisters three kids. One with medical problems requiring constant medical care and lots of time off work for me. I got behind in bills and had nowhere to turn for Christmas for the kids. Community With A Heart stepped in. They caught me up on my rent and electricity that was due and blessed us for Christmas,” Christine shared. The annual Community With A Heart, or CWAH, campaign is designed to help local people recover from challenges. “The program’s philosophy from the beginning has been to offer a hand up, not

a handout. It helps individuals who are generally able to provide for themselves but have encountered an unexpected major life event that has caused a temporary financial setback,” said CWAH board chair Monica Bryant, the Family Violence Prevention Coordinator for the Marion County Children’s Alliance. Over time, the program grew from an Ocala Star-Banner initiative into a community-wide effort. It is now administered by a volunteer board of directors, whose members review all applications for assistance. Jason Halstead, executive director of Brother’s Keeper, an outreach of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, is on the CWAH board and presented Christine’s case last year. “Brother’s Keeper is so pleased to be part of Community With A Heart. There are many people in need and Community With A Heart is uniquely positioned to

Jason Halstead of Brother’s Keeper speaks during Community With A Heart board meeting in Ocala on Nov. 17, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

provide special assistance that other agencies don’t typically provide. Our goal is to help solve problems and stabilize families, especially throughout the holiday season,” Halstead said. The annual drive relies on donations from members of the community and businesses, and all of the money is used to help people in Marion County. Individuals can only apply and receive assistance once in a three-year period. “CWAH operates with no administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all donations go directly to help Marion County residents. Instead of giving money directly to individuals, the program pays vendors directly for needed services. This may include rent, utilities, car repairs or other basic necessities to help families get back on their feet,” Bryant explained. The CWAH holiday campaign, which runs from early November to midJanuary, has helped hundreds of local families and has collected nearly $1.9 million throughout its history.

MEMBER AGENCIES

A Community With A Heart board member looks over a case during a meeting in Ocala on Nov. 17, 2022. This year’s campaign is underway. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Marion County Children’s Alliance, Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County Public Schools, Community Legal Services of Mid-

Florida Inc., Ocala Housing Authority, Isaiah Foundation, Central Florida Community Action Agency, Marion County Community Services, Habitat for Humanity, North Florida Veterans Health System and Cleve Butler and James Jackson, community-at-large members.

HOW TO APPLY FOR HELP

Individuals seeking help can go to communitywithaheart.org and complete the pre-application or contact one of the member agencies listed above for a referral. Applicants must agree to a home visit, present recent documentation of the need and demonstrate self-sustainability.

HOW TO DONATE

Go to ocalafoundation.org/communityfoundation-funds/community-with-aheart/ or checks can be made payable to CWAH and mailed to P.O. Box 1777, Ocala, FL 34478. Donations are tax deductible. For questions or information, e-mail info@communitywithaheart.org, call a member agency or go to fb.com/ profile.php?id=100075921828652 to send a message. Allow 24 to 48 hours to receive a response.

RICK STEVES' EUROPE

Carcassonne: The Fortress City of your travel dreams

unny, out-of-the-way Languedoc stretches from the Mediterranean to the Pyrenees in southwest France. It shares a balmy climate, winter wind, grapevines, and the sea with the better-known neighboring region of Provence. To me, Languedoc is somehow more “France in the rough.” I first came here as a teenager, when I visited Languedoc’s spectacular fortified town, Carcassonne. Sitting on the ramparts, I wrote in my journal:“Before me lies Carcassonne, the perfect medieval city. Like a fish that everyone thought was extinct, somehow Europe’s greatest Romanesque fortress city has survived the centuries. I was supposed to be gone yesterday, but here I sit imprisoned by choice – curled in a cranny on top of the wall.” Anyone can feel like a kid on a rampart in this ultimate walled city, but it’s easier to savor its fairy-tale towers, turrets, and cobblestones if you don’t have to struggle with the midday mobs. By 10 a.m., salespeople are standing, poised eagerly, at the doors of their souvenir shops, creating a cheesy gauntlet

of tacky temptations. But in the early morning, evening, or offseason, a quieter Carcassonne is an evocative playground for any medievalist. The massive walls enfolding the old town are nearly two miles around, with 52 towers, each topped with a “witch hat” turret. For good measure, an outer rampart was added in the 14th century. While the double walls seem mighty enough, moats strengthened the city's defenses even more. These weren’t actually filled with water and alligators – they were just a dry, dangerous no-man's-land designed to expose attackers. The only way to beat a place like Carcassonne was a starve'em-out siege. (Charlemagne supposedly tried it, but gave up.) During Carcassonne's 12thcentury golden age, troubadours sang ballads of ideal love, chivalry was in vogue, and a pragmatic spirit of tolerance ruled. The area became a center of the Cathars – a heretical Christian group. They opposed the un-Christ-like materialism of the Church, which put them on a collision course with the pope. But as France consolidated its central power, it clamped down on feisty groups like the Cathars,

With its 52 towers, witch-hat turrets, and nearly two miles of ramparts, Carcassonne is France’s ultimate walled city. (Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves’ Europe).

even in this remote corner of the country. The king and the pope joined forces to launch the brutal 13th-century Albigensian Crusades. The Cathars retreated to isolated strongholds in the hills, but in the end were ruthlessly wiped out. Today, the ruggedly beautiful land around Carcassonne is dotted with their haunting castle ruins – the closest are those at Lastours and Minerve (accessible only by car). Scrambling around remote ruins and meditating on medieval life always whets my appetite. In Languedoc, I go for stick-to-your-ribs cassoulet. This regional specialty is an old Roman concoction of goose, duck, pork, sausage, and white beans. Be warned: “Going local” here can get you tripe (cow intestines) or foie de veau (calf liver). Whatever you order, wash it down with one of the region’s well-made wines. In these parts, the Cathars

were also called Albigensians – named after the nearby town of Albi. This enjoyable river commune of sienna-toned bricks and half-timbered buildings has two world-class sights: a towering cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Albi’s big and bold St. Cécile cathedral is hard to miss – locals claim it’s the biggest brick cathedral in the world. It looks less like a church and more like a fortress. In fact, it was a central feature of the town’s defensive walls. Built during the height of the Cathar heresy, this place oozes power: Get on board or get run over, was the message. Next to the church, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum contains the world's largest collection of artworks by the famous hometown boy. Born in Albi in 1864, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was crippled from youth. His father, once an engaged parent, lost interest in

his deformed son. Henri drifted to the fringes of society, where he gained an affinity for other people who didn't quite fit in. He later moved to Paris and made his mark painting the city’s underclass. His candid portraits – of winos, prostitutes, and cabaret dancers – are uniquely colorful and graphic. His advertising posters for Paris’s theaters and dance halls were his bread and butter, and today are some of his most recognizable works. He died at age 36, unmourned and unappreciated by the art establishment. Luckily, the mayor of Albi had the good sense to accept his artwork when his heirs offered it to the city. Languedoc’s hard-fought past and independent spirit are evident everywhere – in its landmark fortified city, ruined castles, hearty cuisine, and go-italone art. Venture to southwest France to discover this distinctly local culture.

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Government

Community

Marion County Development Review

Trains at the Holidays

DEC. 22 AND 29

DEC. 19-31

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.

Ocala City Council

DEC. 23, JAN. 13 AND 27

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

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

JAN. 6 AND 20

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 Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

Belleview City Commission

JAN. 14

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

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala See times below The free family favorite is brought to life by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society. The elaborate network of moving model trains will feature miniature towns, countryside scenes and recognizable local landmarks. Trains at the Holidays will be on view 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 19 through Dec. 31, with Christmas Eve hours of noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. The gallery will be closed on Christmas Day. For more information, visit cf.edu/webber or call (352) 854-2322, ext. 1664.

JAN. 8-FEB. 26

Free diabetes classes

Forest Public Library, 905 S Highway 314A, Ocklawaha 10am to noon The Marion County Hospital District is hosting a free, eight-week Diabetes Self-Management Series for those age 18 and older who are prediabetic, diabetic or who supports someone with diabetes. Participants will engage in the Diabetes Education Empowerment Program (DEEP) and gain knowledge and skills to better manage diabetes, including guidance on improving eating habits, increasing physical activity, monitoring body numbers and preventing complications associated with diabetes. For more information or to register, call (352) 619-4303 or email amp@mchdt.org.

THROUGH JAN. 13

5-Plus-1 Wellness Promo

The Joint Chiropractic, 2701 SW College Road, Ocala Hours vary For a short time only, you can buy five months of routine chiropractic care and get one month free. The offer includes up to four visits per month, no insurance needed, walk-ins welcome and affordable, flexible care for all lifestyles. Get details at thejoint.com/florida/ocala/ ocala-27108

Arts DEC. 20

THROUGH JAN.11

Reilly Noir Series: Kelly/Scott Jazztet “Artfully Christmas!”

“A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition”

NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm Back by popular demand, enjoy an unforgettable evening of holiday jazz with award-winning vocalist Lisa Kelly, trumpeter JB Scott, pianist Jeff Phillips and drummer Clyde Connor. This talented quartet brings fresh, soulful arrangements of Christmas favorites in styles from swing and Bossa Nova to New Orleans grooves, featuring selections from their new album, “Artfully Christmas.” Learn more at reillyartscenter. com

CF Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala The family of Dr. Paul and Joyce Urban shares a portion of their Christmas collection each holiday season. Visitors can enjoy decorated themed trees, the Dickens Village, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world and more. For more information, call (352) 291-4455 or go to appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JAN. 18

“The Human Pulse: Photographs by John Elliott”

DEC. 27

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala The exhibit features 42 black-and-white prints from the Ocala-based photographer’s ongoing series, “The Human Pulse,” shaped by his life and travels across 32 countries. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org

Dueling Pianos: Holiday Edition

NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 6pm Grab a seat at a café table and get into the festive spirit with holiday dueling pianos, cocktails and an evening of fun with friends. Enjoy sing-along classics of soft rock, pop and your favorite holiday hits spanning the decades. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

FEB. 7

Brick City Bluegrass Festival (early bird tix on sale now) Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 1-7pm The event will include performances by nationally recognized and local bluegrass artists, food trucks and beverage vendors. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Get details at ocalafl.gov/brickcitycluegrass

Reilly After Hours presents: Dueling Pianos Uncensored Holiday Edition

NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 9pm Experience an electrifying night of holiday musical mayhem with late-night dueling pianos. Hit the dance floor as pianists mix unpredictable mash-ups with your favorite festive tunes, all while cocktail servers keep the drinks flowing. Get ready for laughter, outrageous requests and a high-energy, adults-only atmosphere. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

JAN. 3

Free First Saturday + Film Screening

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm At 11am and 2p., see a screening of “The Trip to Italy.” Equally hilarious and insightful, the film melds the crackling chemistry between Coogan and Brydon to create a brilliantly comic rumination on the nuances of friendship and the juggling of family and career. Free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservations needed. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org

JAN.8

Elvis & The Legends of Country

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 6:30pm Celebrate the King’s birthday with a tribute to Elvis Presley and some of the icons in country music history. Starring Cote Deonath as Elvis, Samantha Chambliss as Dolly Parton, Michael Collier as Johnny Cash and Alex Mitchell as Garth Brooks. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. To learn more, go to csculturalcenter. com/events/elvis-the-legends-of-country

Your Business Could Be Here! Email marketing@ocalagazette.com

for more information

Shayna Steele will perform in a special 10-year celebration series concert on Jan. 9 in Ocala. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]

JAN. 9

Shayna Steele

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm The vocalist is known for her work with Snarky Puppy, Moby, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and more. With her new album “Watch Me Fly,” she brings a dynamic blend of soul, blues, gospel, retro R&B and jazz. This special concert is part of the Reilly Arts Center’s 10-Year Celebration Series, honoring a decade of bringing world-class performances to the Ocala community. The Celebration Series is sponsored by Angie Lewis State Farm. Find concert details at reillyartscenter.com

25 Years of Creativity: Horse Fever Artists Now

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 S Broadway St., Ocala 5-7pm The Marion Cultural Alliance presents a special exhibition honoring the artists whose creativity helped shape Ocala’s most iconic public art project. From the original herd to later generations, Horse Fever has become a beloved symbol of community spirit, collaboration and artistic excellence. This commemorative exhibit launches MCA’s 25th Anniversary Year, celebrating 25 years of supporting artists, advancing creativity and enriching Ocala’s cultural landscape. MCA will be unveiling its new 25th Anniversary Horse Fever sculpture, by equine artist Sharon Crute. Raffle tickets will be available at The Brick throughout the year. Raffle winner(s) will be announced in November 2026 during MCA’s annual Applaud the Arts. To learn more, go to mcaocala.org.

JAN. 10

Reilly Noir Series: Nick DeCarlis Quartet Presents: Themes From Movies (real & imaginary) NOMA Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm Experience a unique blend of jazz standards and inventive “imaginary” originals from Nick DeCarlis’s retro-inspired album “Themes From Imaginary Movies.” Nick and his quartet bring classic film music to life, both real and made-up, inviting you to listen, imagine and decide which tunes came from actual movies and which sprang purely from creativity. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

Betty Ford-Smith’s pinecone quilts are on display in Ocala. [Photo courtesy CF Appleton Museum of Art]

THROUGH FEB. 22

“Under the Cover of Knowledge: Betty FordSmith’s Pinecone Quilts”

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Ford-Smith’s quilts are striking, contemporary interpretations of the traditional pinecone quilt, a form rooted in African American quilting practices dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE

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.

Week of December 19th thru December 25th 2025 ARIES

March 21-April 20

You have reason to be suspicious of someone’s motives this week. Just don’t go to extremes and start reading into every message or nuance, Libra.

TAURUS

SCORPIO

Make it your business to remind others not to take life so seriously this week, Taurus. The best way to do that is to show them how to laugh by example.

GEMINI

May 22-June 21

Your thoughts are on an important decision that you need to make, Gemini. It’s best to wait a few days before you get into the thick of things. You need to mull all possibilities.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

Cancer, you may have the courage and the confidence to deal with whatever life throws at you right now, but not everyone is as dedicated as you. Make allowances for others this week.

LEO

July 23-August 23

Sensitive feelings are coming to the surface this week and you are not sure what to do about them, Leo. You won’t find peace of mind until you have dealt with them thoroughly.

VIRGO

August 24- September 22

Virgo, some unexpected news could come your way between now and the weekend. It may seem like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, it will only be a minor issue.

Down 1 Sizzling serving 2 Provided an address 3 Hummingbird's drink 4 Sound of shame 5 Blubber 6 Primo 7 Spice related to nutmeg 8 "Diana" singer Paul 9 Cuban woman, perhaps 10 "You beat me" 11 Water between Antwerp and Aberdeen 12 Belly 13 Loving words 18 Property claims 22 Title in Tibet 24 Nashville athlete 25 Parade spoiler 27 Hugh Laurie's alma mater 28 Tousle 30 Hawaiian island 31 Dartmouth, for one 35 Artifact 36 Try, as a case 37 Radius neighbor 38 Excursion during a lunar landing 39 Beverage suffix 40 Good songs, casually 42 Worry 43 Close securely 45 Floppy 46 Intermittently fasted, perhaps 47 Daredevil quality 48 Sign in an apartment window 49 QB protectors 51 Factor in Hindu reincarnation 54 "Quickly!" letters 55 Video game giant 57 "Got it!" 58 Summer fire sign 60 "Scram!" 61 Molecule in some vaccines

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B11

September 23October 23

If you are feeling halfhearted about what you are working on, then put it off for a little bit and focus on something more interesting this week, Aries. You can use the rest.

April 21-May 21

Across 1 Calibri, Arial, et al. 6 Early show featuring Robin Roberts, for short 9 Jargon 14 Childish retort 15 Sought office 16 Not just in one's head 17 Actor who voices the panda in the "Kung Fu Panda" films 19 Layered dessert 20 Addams cousin 21 Visionary 23 Source of an oil with medicinal properties 26 Ireland's "Amhrán na bhFiann," for one 29 Brazilian supermodel who's a face of Maybelline 32 Original Beatle Sutcliffe 33 Carol contraction 34 "Queen Sugar" creator DuVernay 35 Flying Cloud and Royale 8 36 With 40-Across, a punny title for this puzzle 39 Some amount 40 See 36-Across 41 North Carolina university 42 Org. that approves cosmetics 43 "U slay me!" 44 "I'll take that as __" 45 "Slumdog Millionaire" actress 50 Vex 52 "Totally fine" 53 "Give me one moment" 56 Sat. antecedent 57 Wake-up call, for many 59 "Family Guy" voice actor who co-created "Robot Chicken" 62 Leads 63 Mature 64 Meaningless 65 Fine and dandy 66 Walk very quietly 67 Pop-__

LIBRA

October 24November 22

Scorpio, you might look super confident on the outside, but underneath you get anxious like everyone else. At some point this week you may need to ask for some help.

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 -December 21

It is easy to believe you have enemies around every corner, Sagittarius. Although you might have rubbed a few people the wrong way, most people actually are on your side.

CAPRICORN

December 22January 20

Capricorn, usually you couldn’t care less what other people think about you. But this week it seems important to get another person’s approval for your actions.

AQUARIUS

January 21-February 18

Aquarius, be careful when dealing with someone in a position of power. They may have sights on a promotion you also hope to earn. Keep your cards close to the vest.

PISCES

February 19-March 20

Pisces, some people believe the world is full of doom and gloom, but you know that every day is what you make of it. Brighten the days of others with your positivity.

B10

December 19 - 25, 2025 | OCALA GAZETTE Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA Probate Division

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA

File Number: 2025 CP 002335

Case No.: 2025-2826-CP

In Re: Estate of

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF STEPHEN THOMAS WEAVER, Deceased. /

IN THE COUNTY COURT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IRA MORTGAGES, LLC, Plaintiff, V. REGINA V. HILAIRE, Defendant. CASE NO. 25CC-000573AX SEC. AMENDED NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 22, 2025, and entered in the above styled cause, wherein IRA MORTGAGES, LLC, is the Plaintiff and REGINA V. HILAIRE, is the Defendant, Gregory C. Harrell, as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, in accordance with statutes governing judicial sales, set forth in Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on January 6, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment: East 1/2 of Lot 1, Block h, of Westwood Park, Second Addition, according to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book D, Page 83, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. All sales are to be held online, pursuant to the Administrative Order described above, and upon the date specified above. Bidding begins at 11:00 AM, Eastern Standard Time, on www.marion.realforeclose. com in accordance with Chapter 45 of the Florida Statutes. IF YOU ARE A PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO FUNDS REMAINING AFTER THE SALE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE CLERK REPORTS THE FUNDS AS UNCLAIMED. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. AFTER THE FUNDS ARE REPORTED AS UNCLAIMED, ONLY THE OWNER OF RECORD AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MAY CLAIM THE SURPLUS. This Notice of Sale was amended to correct a typographical error in the final judgment date. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the ADA Coordinator at Marion County Judicial Center, Attn: Tameka Gordon, 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475, Phone (352) 569-6012, Email tgordon@circuit5. org., within two (2) working days of your receipt of this notice of sale; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Dated December 4, 2025 GREGORY C. HARRELL, Clerk of the Circuit Court /s/ Christopher Desrochers Christopher Desrochers Christopher A. Desrochers, P.L. 2504 Ave. G NW Winter Haven, FL 33880 (863) 299-8309 Email:cadlawfirm@hotmail.com Fla. Bar #0948977 Counsel for Plaintiff. For the Court.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARLENE S. FUHRMANN, Deceased. CASE NO: 2025-CP-1584 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: May 13, 2025. The date of first publication of this Notice is December 12, 2025. The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent, or the decedent’s surviving spouse, is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act, as described in sections 732.216 – 732.228 F.S., applies, or may apply unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, F.S.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF WENDI G. KARP PROBATE DIVISION Deceased. File No. 25CP001973AX Division Probate NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Wendi G. Karp, deceased, whose date of death was April 7, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is December 12, 2025. Personal Representative: Courtney Howard, Esq. 1415 Panther Lane Naples, Florida 34109 Attorney for Personal Representative: Courtney Howard, Esq. E-mail Address: courtney@chowardlaw. com Florida Bar No. 1064389 1415 Panther Lane Naples, Florida 34109 Telephone: 941-312-1520

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA,PROBATE DIVISION, Case #25CP001748AX ESTATE OF TERESA C. HANKEY The administration of the estate of TERESA C. HANKEY, deceased, whose date of death was January 1, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave. Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication Dec. 19, 2025. MONIQUE M. SADARANGANI, ESQ. Monique M. Sadarangani, PLLC Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No. 105534 66 West Flagler Street, Suite 900 Miami, Florida 33130 Telephone: (786) 638-8777 Facsimile: (786) 513-0713 monique@estateandfamilylawyer.com ANNE MCCARTHY Personal Representative 159 Levin Road Rockland, MA 02370

Robert C. Roffey, Jr., Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702, FLORIDA STATUTES, WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.

The address of the court where this probate is pending is: Marion County Courthouse ATTENTION: Probate Division 110 Northwest First Avenue Ocala, Florida 34475 The date of death of the decedent is: August 4, 2025. The date of first publication of this notice is: December 12, 2025.

Chris Roffey, Co-Personal Representative

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of STEPHEN THOMAS WEAVER, deceased, whose date of death was October 8, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 Northwest First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All creditors of the decedent, and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this Notice is December 19, 2025 Personal Representative: DAVID ALAN WEAVER 4982 Planters Way Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Sharen Solomon, Representative

Co-Personal Attorney for Personal Representative: JANET W. BEHNKE Florida Bar No. 135969 Janet W. Behnke, P.A. 500 NE 8 th Avenue Scott David Krueger, Ocala, FL 34470 Phone: (352) 732-6464 Attorney for Personal Representative janet@behnkelaw.net Florida Bar No. 0558966 2750 Northwest 43rd Street, Suite 201 Gainesville, Florida 32606 Telephone: (352) 376-3090 Email: FloridaCourtService@SDKrueger. com Secondary Email: CourtDocumentsBackup@gmail.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA Probate Division File No. 42 2025 CP 2406 In re Estate of MARION ALDERMAN THOMAS, deceased. / NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MARION ALDERMAN THOMAS, deceased, whose date of death was August 31, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, Florida 34478. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF THOMAS W. CASTLE, JR., Deceased. CASE NO: 2025-CP-3027 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: November 18, 2025. The date of first publication of this Notice is December 12, 2025. The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent, or the decedent’s surviving spouse, is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act, as described in sections 732.216 – 732.228 F.S., applies, or may apply unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, F.S.

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/James H. McCarty, Jr. James H. McCarty, Jr. FBN. 316652 McCarty Focks, PLLC 2630-A NW 41st Street Gainesville, FL 32606

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: /s/David N. Sowerby David N. Sowerby 7181 E. Village Sq., Vero Beach, FL 32966

Personal Representative: ANTONIETA MARTINEZ 24007 SW White Sands Road Dunnellon, FL 34431

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com Personal Representative: GLEN A. LEPPO 2138 Bethel Road Finksburg, MD 21048 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA HEATH PRESERVE HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION, INC., A FLORIDA NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION, Plaintiff, VS. CASE NO.: 2025-CC-2296 ANDRES CAMPO LONDONO, Defendant(s). NOTICE OF ACTION-CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE TO: ANDRES CAMPO LONDONO: YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action to enforce a lien (aka lien foreclosure) on the following property in Marion County, Florida: Lot 68, of HEATH PRESERVE PHASE 1 AND 2, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 15, Page 135, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida; Marion County Property Appraiser Parcel ID No.: 2167-001-068; and Physical Address: 1843 NW 44th Court Road, Ocala, Florida 34482. has been filed against you and you are required to file written defenses with the Clerk of the Court and to serve a copy of your written defenses on Judicious Law, P.A. c/o Bradford J. Tropello. Esq., Attorney for the plaintiff, HEATH PRESERVE HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION, INC., whose address is P.O. Box 369, Ocala, Florida 34478, within thirty (30) days after first publication of this notice, and file the original with the clerk of this court either before service on the Plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court this 5TH day of DECEMBER, 2025 (SEAL) GREGORY C. HARRELL As Clerk of the Court By: Deputy Clerk H.BIBB CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of this pleading was furnished via US First Class Mail and/or eservice on this 5th day of December, 2025, to: City of Ocala, A Florida Municipal Corporation c/o William Sexton, Esq., 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34471; and Andres Campo Londono, 1843 NW 44th Court Road, Ocala, Florida. JUDICIOUS LAW, P.A. By: Bradford J. Tropello, Esquire Florida Bar No. 42694 bit@judiciouslawpa.com ma@judiciouslawpa.com Post Office Box 369 Ocala, Florida 34478 Telephone: (352) 509-5015

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW PURSUANT TO SECTION 865.09, FLORIDA STATUTES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CHERYL LYNN DURST will engage in business under the fictitious name SMOOTHIES & SPICE with a physical address 9117 Southeast 48th CT Rd Ocala, Florida 34480, with a mailing address 9117 Southeast 48th CT Rd Ocala, Florida 34480, and already registered the name mentioned above with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.

The Ocala City Council has introduced the following ordinance(s) and will consider its adoption at the regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chamber, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Interested parties are invited to appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed legislation. Copies of the proposed documents may be inspected in advance at the office of the City Clerk, Ocala City Hall. Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Ocala City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purposes, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, please call 48 hours in advance so arrangements can be made through the City Clerk’s office at 352-629-8266. ORDINANCE 2026-5 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CONCERNING ZONING; AMENDING SECTION 1221225 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF AN ABOVE-GROUND AIR CURTAIN INCINERATOR AS AN ANCILLARY USE TO A MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2026-6 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE ZONING FROM M-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, TO M-2, MEDIUM INDUSTRUAL, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2306 NW 7TH STREET (A PORTION OF PARCEL 22682-000-00), APPROXIMATELY 3.57 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON25-0014); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: Kalli Service Center Inc (352) 595-2554 gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 01/18/2026 09:00 AM at 18801 N Us Hwy 301 , Citra, FL 32113 pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. 1GAHG39U241233103 2004 CHEVROLET EXPRESS G3500 Charges for VIN 1GAHG39U241233103 Storage Charges To Date: $187.25 TOWING: $150.00 LABOR: $340.00 LIEN RELEASE: $250.00 GATE FEE: $75.00 MILEAGE: $144.00

NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEED[1] INGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-2317 DIGITAL CURRENCIES CONTAINED WITHIN BINANCE ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO SALMAN SHAHBAZ TO WIT: 320,443.70 TETHERUS (USDT), 5.997762 ETHEREUM (ETH), AND 1,498.42 DOT Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: DIGITAL CURRENCIES CONTAINED WITHIN BINANCE ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO SALMAN SHAHBAZ TO WIT: 320,443.70 TETHERUS (USDT), 5.997762 ETHEREUM (ETH), AND 1,498.42 DOT which was seized because said proper[1]ty is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about September 30, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025-CA-1494 One (1) 2017 Toyota Camry Judge: Herndon VIN: 4T1BF1KXHU807096 NOTICE OF ACTION TO: Eugene Clyde Williams, Jr. Last known Address: 19142 NW 164th Avenue, High Springs, FL 32643 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a forfeiture action has been filed against the above-described vehicle by the City of Ocala. You are required to file an answer and any written defenses with the Clerk of the Court and to serve a copy of the answer and defenses on or before the 23rd day of July, 2025, on Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney, City of Ocala, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala, FL 34471. Failure to file your answer and defenses will result in a default being entered against you. WITNESSED by hand and the Seal of the Court on this 9th day of December 2025. The Honorable Gregory C. Harrell Clerk of Court Deputy Clerk Copies furnished: Kristi Van Vleet, Esquire Eugene Clyde Williams, Jr., pro se

Filing # 237731087 E-Filed 12/15/2025 12:24:53 PM IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, I N AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA MORTGAGE X, LLC, GENEVA CAPITAL GROUP, LLC, A Florida Limited Liability Company, MICHAEL S. STEINER, Trustee of the DAVID STEINER IRREVOCABLE TRUST, Plaintiffs, VS. ELISE CELAMY; ET. AL., Defendant. CASE NO.: 25CA000014AX NOTICE OF SALE UNDER F.S CHAPTER 45.031 NOTICE IS GIVEN that, in accordance with the Order Resetting Foreclosure Sale entered on November 6, 2025 in the above-styled cause, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at www. marion.realforeclose.com on January 6, 2026 at 11:00AM, the following described property: LOT 8, BLOCK C, OF RAVEN GLEN UNIT NO. 1, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 7, PAGE 1, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA A/K/A 2724 N.E 26TH STREET, OCALA, FLORIDA 33470 Any person or entity claiming an interest in the surplus, if any, resulting from the foreclosure sale, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens, must file a claim on same with the Clerk of Courts within 60 days after the foreclosure sale. Respectfully submitted, MOSHE RUBINSTEIN LAW FIRM, P.A. By: /s/ MOSHE RUBINSTEIN Moshe Rubinstein, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff Florida Bar Number: 96704 6100 Hollywood Blvd. Ste 305 Hollywood 33024 moshe@moshelaw.com 954-987-0040 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished by United States Mail and/or email, as required, this 15th day of December 2025 to those persons on the attached service list: ELISECELAMY@GMAIL.COM Respectfully submitted, MOSHE RUBINSTEIN LAW FIRM, P.A. By: /s/ MOSHE RUBINSTEIN Moshe Rubinstein, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff Florida Bar Number: 96704 6100 Hollywood Blvd. Ste 305 Hollywood 33024 moshe@moshelaw.com 954-987-0040

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