Otgv 2020 06 sept

BATS! • RECIPE WONDERS: POPCORN BALLS • HARVEST TRADITIONS • JACK O’ LANTERN SPECTACULAR • ZOOM

SEPT/OCTOBER 2020 | VOL. 11 ISSUE 06 | GAINESVILLE EDITION

It’s Pumpkin Time!

Get inspired to harvest your own autumn fun this season. From the benefits of supporting local farmers to the history of Oktoberfest — you’ll be ready to “fall” for fall...

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CONTENTS

G A I N E S V I L L E | V O L . 1 1 | N O. 0 6

S ept/ O ct 2 0 2 0

BATS! • RECIPE WONDERS: POPCORN BALLS • HARVEST TRADITIONS • JACK O’ LANTERN SPECTACULAR • ZOOM

SEPT/OCTOBER 2020 | VOL. 11 ISSUE 06 | GAINESVILLE EDITION

It’s Pumpkin Time!

Get inspired to harvest your own autumn fun this season. From ways to incorporate local crops into your meals to the history of Oktoberfest — you’ll be ready to fall for fall...

ON THE COVER >> IN THIS ISSUE WE INVITE YOU TO “FALL” FOR FALL! FROM THE

Bonus !

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BENEFITS OF SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMERS’ SEASONAL CROPS TO THE INTERESTING WORLD OF BATS, THERE’S PLENTY TO CELEBRATE THIS TIME OF YEAR — EVEN AT A SOCIAL DISTANCE. HERE’S TO HARVESTING YOUR OWN FUN THIS AUTUMN! Follow usTOWN on Facebook Sept/Oct 2020 OUR MAGAZINE

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FEATURE STORIES 90 FUREVER FRIENDS

Our recurring spotlight on rescue animals. Meet Fifi, a Catahoula mix who was rescued for the first time by Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue before finding her furever home.

84 PANDEMIC VET

Find out how an assistant professor at UF, his wife and a research assistant smoothly transitioned to teaching clinical medicine remotely.

97 LIFE UNPLASTIC

Understand the environmental impact one can make by incorporating these simple changes to help reduce unnecessary waste the next time you pack a lunch.

102 THE PEOPLE OF UNION ACADEMY

Admire the legacy and impact of a life-changing school for many and a monumental moment in history for everyone.

Sept/Oct 2020

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CONTENTS

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COVID MASKS Meet Gainesville locals who stitch and sew masks for those in need.

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“FALL” INTO GOOD NUTRITION Widen your knowledge on a couple of autumn’s most essential fruits – apples & pumpkins!

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RECIPE WONDERS: POPCORN BALLS Enjoy a treat and no tricks with this homemade recipe for delicious caramel popcorn balls.

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BATS! Learn about the animal most associated with this spooky season. They may not be as scary as they seem.

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ZOOM Get the scoop on one of the leading video conferencing companies in the country. We’re all “zooming” in 2020!

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DIY: EGG CRATE BATS Have some spooktacular fun this Halloween season by creating a decorative colony of bats.

JACK O’ LANTERN SPECTACULAR Don’t get spooked while learning the origin story of Louisville’s picturesque pumpkin event.

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PANDEMIC STORIES Experience the pandemic through a variety of perspectives and learn how you, too, can have the chance to share yours.

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THE HISTORY OF OKTOBERFEST Dive deep into the history and culture of one of the world’s greatest annual parties – Oktoberfest.

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COLUMNS 34 N AKED SALSA

by Crystal Henry

42 F ARM TALES

by Mother Hen

28 E MBRACING LIFE

by Donna Bonnell

REVIEWS 26 R EADING CORNER

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

HEALTHY EATS Explore the many benefits to eating at local restaurants and supporting our local farmers.

VIRTUAL THEATRE Understand the impact of the coronavirus on local theatres, and appreciate the creative new way they’re providing entertainment to the community.

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INFORMATION 50 T aste of the Town The articles printed in Our Town do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Our Town Magazine endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Our Town Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. All rights reserved. © 2020 Tower Publications, Inc.

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The Harvest of Being Human I think, in a way, every human is a farmer. Our crops are our hopes, dreams and ideas. They start off as seedlings and we try our best to nurture whatever “it” may be to blossom into something that can be harvested. But not every year produces a great harvest. Sometimes it’s a wash. What happens then? Well, the farmer must figure out another way to find the support to make it through those rough seasons.

And so it is with every human when we lose hope in our dreams. We talk to our trusted loved ones, we cry on their shoulders, we seek help from professionals, and we pray. We find a way through the tough harvests where our “crop” did not produce as we had planned, and then day-by-day we somehow make it to the next year. We survive. Just as so many farmers have done in the past and will continue to do for generations to come.

I have a special place in my heart for farmers. For “people of the earth” as I like to think of them. My grandfather was a farmer — corn and soy beans in the Midwest. From the stories my mother has told me about him, every year my grandpa would do a “dance with nature.” Betting and hoping that the weather would choose to collaborate with him and his crops — always having faith that this year would produce bountiful blessings.

And so I hope that I might continue that same admirable “farmer mindset” my grandpa seemed to master so well. Even though I never got to meet him before he passed, I believe our roots run deep.

If the unthinkable happens and there is no harvest, even after planting and tending to my seedlings so diligently, I’ll do what I can to continue to have faith that though my “crops” may not have grown this year, maybe just maybe — in some way — I did.

And the beauty is… there’s always next year.

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CONTRIBUTOR S

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S e p t/ O c t 2 0 2 0

CYNTHIA WONDERS WINTERROWD is an award-winning writer who was raised in Illinois and lives in Gainesville. She is proud to be a “Gator Mom” of three daughters, all UF graduates. Cynthia loves sharing family recipes that have been passed down in her mother’s handwritten cookbooks. recipewonders@gmail.com

ADDISON PEZOLDT is a journalism major at the University of Florida. In her free time, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga and exploring new eateries in Gainesville. akpezoldt@gmail.com

DANA BRYAN is a journalism student at the University of Florida and a freelance writer. In her free time, she loves to read, write amateur code and watch television. itsdanabryan@gmail.com

MARY WOOD BRIDGMAN is a retired lawyer who grew up in Alachua County. Her work has appeared in national, regional, and local publications. Mary, an active member of the Writers’ Alliance of Gainesville, is an alumna of the University of Florida. marybridgman@msn.com

SUMMER JARRO is a journalism student at the University of Florida. Along with writing, she loves Disney, watching old films, going to the beach and traveling to new places. summerjarro@gmail.com

CAMERON COBB is a UF grad with a master’s degree in Mass Communication. She’s also an Air Force veteran. Cameron loves traveling, writing and all animals (her favorite being her rescue dog, Maggie). cameronacobb5@gmail.com

HAYLI ZUCCOLA is a New England native who enjoys listening to music and traveling. After graduating high school with her AA degree, she received her Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Florida.

HayzDesigns@yahoo.com

STEPH STRICKLAND is a journalism student within the UF Honors Program and she loves telling stories through writing, photography and digital media.

Outside of her studies she enjoys mountain hiking, nature photography and spending quality time with friends and family. stephanieannestrickland@gmail.com

MARLOWE STARLING is a journalism major at UF minoring in wildlife ecology and conservation. She loves reading, learning about world cultures, speaking French and finding ways to travel. marlowe.starling@ufl.edu

JOANNA GREY TALBOT is the marketing director for the Matheson History Museum and the author of the blog “Florida Revealed: Dispatches from the Land of Publix, Citrus, and Alligators.” joannagtalbot@gmail.com

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COMMUNITY >> SEWISTS UNITE

COVID MASKS

Sewn with Love Spreading Hope, Not the Virus, One Stitch at a Time W R I T T E N B Y M A R L O W E S TA R L I N G

S

urrounded by colorful fabrics with the voices of Eva Cassidy, James Taylor and Ray Charles wafting in the background, Gainesville resident and retiree Shanti Vani found her solace. In the first weeks of the statewide coronavirus shutdown, the 69-year-old was confined to the walls of her home but that didn’t mean idle fingers. Vani decided to sew homemade, cloth masks for health care workers and others in need of personal protective equipment. “It was just one small thing I could do since I was confined at home anyway,” she said. “I’ve always been one to want to help people.”

On March 17, 2020, Florida came to a standstill.

The governor ordered a statewide shutdown, closing all non-essential businesses and sending college

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Sept/Oct 2020

students home. At the time, health care workers lacked adequate access to essential personal protective equipment, also known as PPE. This only added to the long list of items experiencing a nationwide shortage.

Vani was one of the dozens of sewists in Gainesville who donated their time and energy to create face masks as part of Gainesville COVID Masks, a volunteer sewing group. Soon, dozens turned into hundreds. From sewists and quilters to university students and city officials, people offered to run erands, donate money and help deliver PPE to hospitals and welfare facilities across Alachua County. With the help of the Alachua County chapter of Days for Girls, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida and its donors, the Cade Museum, the University of Florida, UF Health and PHOTOGRAPHY: NICOLE GUILLEN

The Alachua County chapter of Days for Girls International, a nonprofit that delivers handmade menstrual products to girls worldwide, far exceeded its pledged goal of making 1,000 masks, surpassing 6,000 by August. Chapter president Radha Selvester takes to the sewing machine.

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COMMUNITY >> SEWISTS UNITE

Companies like Phalanx Defense Systems LLC, a local law enforcement and fire rescue armor manufacturer, helped the mask-making effort by using industrial-sized cutters to quickly cut the Halyard H600 fabric to size for at least 3,500 masks, as shown here.

others, Gainesville COVID Masks has donated more than 18,000 masks and raised over $25,000 since March. Although the decreased urgency for masks has slowed production in recent weeks, the effort is ongoing.

“At our core, we’re a community that really cares and takes care of one another, so when this hit, and we knew we were facing shortages in personal protective equipment, people stepped up,” said Barzella Papa, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Central Florida, which works to promote and sustain philanthropy among local communities and to connect donors with their charitable interests. “The philanthropic spirit here is just incredible,” she said. Papa said the foundation contributed more than $1.5 million toward local COVID-19 efforts. Donors Gladys Cofrin and Dan Logan gifted the foundation an initial $10,000 to help the group pay for startup

After Pegeen Hanrahan, former City of Gainesville mayor, and others posted on Facebook asking for help sewing masks, an overwhelming number of emails and volunteers came pouring in “overnight.” Hanrahan said she received more than 400 emails in one weekend, including requests for masks, messages from national and international companies and media inquiries from the state’s largest newspapers. Hanrahan, who was once a seamstress, said she was inspired by people she knew who were starting to sew face masks for those in need. “It just crossed my mind: I know so many people, and I have reasonable organizing skills, so why don’t I try to create a network of sewists?” she said.

That’s when she started the Facebook group, and in less than a week, she was able to kickstart Gainesville COVID Masks.

Hanrahan said she distributes masks to individuals in a brown paper bag, with the Gainesville COVID Mask logo and the

“At our core, we’re a community that really cares and takes care of one another, so when this hit, and we knew we were facing shortages in personal protective equipment, people stepped up,” costs and materials. Other institutions also offered their help.

The Cade Museum offered its 3D printers to create face shields, and Days for Girls offered its building space and volunteers to help sew masks. “When there was a time of need, they were able to pivot their entire business model and shift to respond to the needs of the community,” Papa said.

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recipient’s name written in Sharpie. One woman reached out to her with thanks. She said every time she looked at the bag she felt loved. Being one of the lead organizers of Gainesville COVID Masks — on top of a full-time job as a mother of three — has been challenging, Hanrahan said, but it also helps distract her from the heaviness of coronavirus news and data. It instead helps her

end of July, said Radha Selvester, the chapter’s president. The volunteers made more than 1,100 masks over the span of just six days in April. “The funny thing was that while making hundreds of masks each week, we still kept up almost our usual amount of Days for Girls [menstrual] items,” Selvester said. “Many people had more time on their hands and were spending it sewing at home.”

Selvester cut thousands of 6-by-9-inch pieces of fabric for sewists to increase efficiency while she recovered from a three-month thyroid cancer treatment. “The day that Alachua County went into lockdown was the day I was officially off ‘quarantine’ from having taken a radioactive iodine pill to make sure there were no more traces of cancer in my body,” she said.

“So immediately I was drawn into a mission to save everyone in Alachua County by making masks!” The nonprofit’s original pledge to make 1,000 face masks was quickly surpassed, she

COMMUNITY >> SEWISTS UNITE

focus on a positive solution. “My goal is to be of as much use as I can be,” she said. “It gives me a sense of purpose, in this whole terrible time that we’re all living through.” Alachua County has seen a total of more than 4,000 coronavirus cases thus far, according to its database, and 25 deaths as of August 6.

The Alachua County chapter of Days for Girls International, a nonprofit organization that makes and delivers reusable feminine hygiene products to girls in need, became a hub of activity for Gainesville COVID Masks when they offered its space and services to help produce and distribute masks. Days for Girls sewed and distributed nearly 6,000 face masks by the

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COMMUNITY >> SEWISTS UNITE

added, with their efforts contributing to a large chunk of the overall local COVID-19 volunteer relief effort. “I truly believe that our endeavors reduced the impact the pandemic had in Alachua County,” she said. “When there was a lack of PPE in the hospitals, we made up the gap. When Alachua County finally told residents to wear masks, many already had them from us.”

At the time of peak demand, more than 700 organizations and individuals had requested over 36,000 masks, Hanrahan said. Although volunteer availability and the need for free masks has decreased in recent months, Hanrahan said they aim to continue providing masks where needed in the community.

Most recently, she received requests from several local high schools and elementary schools, which at the time this issue went to press were set to reopen August 24 both in-person and online in Alachua County.

In addition to cloth masks, volunteers also sewed UF Health masks made with special medical material Halyard H600, pioneered by UF anesthesiologist Dr. Bruce Speiss. Instructions on the department’s website demonstrate how to sew two mask prototypes. These are primarily meant for health care professionals who aren’t required to have FDA-approved PPE, Hanrahan said.

The masks can’t be washed, but baked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit or left out in the sun. Thus, making it a less convenient option for casual use. UF Health has not announced another call for volunteers to craft masks, but that hasn’t stopped people like Vani from continuing to give back to the community.

Vani felt strongly about the mask-making initiative because she worked as a respiratory therapist for 11 years at Lake City Medical Center, a job she resigned from in March over disagreements about the hospital’s mask policy. As informal requests for masks from the community rolled in via Facebook, Vani continued sewing cloth masks on her own and donating them to people who couldn’t afford one. During a recent round of delivering Meals on Wheels to people in Gainesville — one of Vani’s many charitable hobbies — she said one woman came out of the house with her face covered by her T-shirt because she didn’t have a mask. Luckily, Vani had a spare mask in a plastic bag in her car to give her. “It was such a bond for us, just a feeling of commonality,” she said.

Of the many people she has helped during the pandemic, a single mother of two stands out the most. Vani felt connected to the young woman and her kids (all three of whom she said had asthma) because Vani herself was a single mother when she first moved to Gainesville decades ago, and she similarly suffered from asthma. “It just struck me as, here I am 40 years later, and there’s always that cycle of life,” she said. “There’s another young mom needing to protect her children with compromised immune systems. The mask is a symbol of maternal protection, in a way. To me, it’s an actual physical manifestation of something spiritual, you know, that we all need to be safe.”

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26

BOOK REVIEW

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER’S

Reading Corner

THANK YOU FOR VOTING: THE MADDENING, ENLIGHTENING, INSPIRING TRUTH ABOUT VOTING IN AMERICA written by Erin Geiger Smith C.2020, HARPER, $25.99 / $31.99 CANADA, 240 PAGES

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER HAS BEEN READING SINCE SHE WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND SHE NEVER GOES ANYWHERE WITHOUT A BOOK. SHE LIVES WITH HER TWO DOGS AND 11,000 BOOKS. HER BOOK REVIEWS ARE PUBLISHED IN MORE THAN 200 NEWSPAPERS AND 50 MAGAZINES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AND CANADA. bookwormsez@yahoo.com

THE CHECKMARKS MARCHED DOWN THE COLUMNS LIKE TODDLERS HOLDING HANDS ON A DAYCARE OUTING.

Y

ou cast your vote for this candidate. You liked what that guy had to say, and this woman thinks like you. You hope this person wins, and that one, and your civic duty is done.

In the new book “Thank You for Voting” by Erin Geiger Smith, you’ll see how you got here and how you maybe almost didn’t.

In the earliest days of this nation, the rules for voting were easy: if you were a white male landowner over the age 21, you could vote.

That rule, says Smith, wasn’t hard-and-fast. In 1776, Pennsylvania allowed any white male over 21 to go to the polls, and New Jersey allowed landowning women and free Black men to vote, too.

By 1807, laws began rolling back, until white male property owners had the only say in elections again. Black male suffrage was granted after Reconstruction; it took women more than a century to get the vote, which included some Black women. Though Black women, like their menfolk, continued to be victims of voter suppression until 1965’s Voting Rights Act, or later. Some Native Americans could vote in 1924, while others were barred until the late 1950s. Some Asian Americans were kept from the booths until 1952.

Today, says Smith, Americans have more opportunities to vote in ten years than Japanese citizens get in their entire lives. With such an abundance of opportunities to choose our 26 |

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elected officials, why are voting numbers so low?

Many reasons, she said convicted felons may or may not be allowed to vote, depending on state of residency. States can set different laws on registration and voter ID issues. Voter suppression and gerrymandering are problems that are in the news right now. People can be apathetic. How can we ensure that everyone has a voice in our democracy?

We can work toward that goal. We can also model good behavior and vote, vote, vote.

Chances are, you’ve already made up your mind. You know exactly who’ll get your nod in November’s election.

Now find out how this wonderful right came to be because the story’s quite eye opening.

“Thank You for Voting” is one of those books you might feel like you’ve read already but trust this: author Erin Geiger Smith is going to surprise you with factlets, shocking statistics and stories of outrage and courage. There’s lots of history in this book. Though it might seem familiar, it doesn’t read like a lecture. Readers may find, however, that the most helpful parts of this book are the explanations of voting issues and suppression tactics, why you should stay as informed as possible, and how you can encourage friends and family to join you on November 3.

“Thank You for Voting” is for readers ages 16 and up, but if you want to co-read with your kids, there’s a child’s version available, too. You probably already know where you stand on this fall’s ballot but just in case, this book checks all the right boxes.

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28

COLUMN

DONNA BONNELL’S

Embracing Life WEEKLY VEGETABLE BUNDLE

DONNA BONNELL BECAME THE AUTHOR OF HER COLUMN, EMBRACING LIFE, MORE THAN A DECADE AGO. SHE SHARES HER PERSONAL CHALLENGES AND VICTORIES WITH THE GOAL OF INSPIRING HER READERS TO ANALYZE WHY THINGS HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. bonneldj@gmail.com

THE SIGN SAID, “WELCOME TO ALACHUA COUNTY, WHERE NATURE AND CULTURE MEET.”

H

ow many times had I sped past that green and white sign welcoming me back home? I will never know. Yet, I received its subtle meaning when cultural activities and nature centers were closed in Alachua County.

Regular readers know my messages come in strange ways and at the right time. I believe they are divine interventions. This revelation was no exception. Like always, a series of serendipitous events led me to this particular lesson.

One day everything was ‘normal.’ The next, a peculiar pandemic prevented residents from enjoying our beloved piece of paradise. The brakes abruptly slammed shut on everything from our eateries to education. Anger, confusion and/or fear of the unknown consumed our consciousness.

Farmers could not sell their products, as restaurants were closed. Afraid to repeatedly shop at grocery stores or other essential businesses, consumers hoarded supplies. I do not think anyone will forget (or understand) the toilet paper shortage.

Alas, in the midst of this sudden struggle, admirable individuals emerged. Their quiet behind the scenes ingenuity and caring for their community, made them superheroes. Scott Osteen, a local farmer, is the hero in this tale. After receiving requests for fresh produce, coupled with concerns from farmers losing their crops, he immediately instituted the Weekly Vegetable Bundle.

Osteen Farms partnered with other Florida farms to assemble 15 to 20 pounds of fresh local produce. They promptly purchased (recyclable) vegetable boxes, set up an online ordering website and organized remote pickups in several cities. Osteen’s overnight operation became my unexpected unusual glimmer of hope in an otherwise somber spring season.

The vegetable bundle (which I dubbed the mystery basket) became the highlight of my week. His selection of fruits and vegetables varied; determined by what crops were harvested.

Excited to reveal the bundle’s contents, I had to lift the lid before I drove away. I felt like a chef on the Food Network’s show, Chopped.

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Chopped is also how I felt from the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the contagious coronavirus, my treks outside of Alachua County were nearly nil. Arrangements could have been made to get my produce from a location in Gainesville, but there was something about making the journey out of the county that was appealing.

Perhaps, I yearned for a safe purposeful reason to venture out for just a bit. Or, just maybe, I was being guided.

One afternoon anger and anxiety seemed to dominate my thoughts. This was not my dream for retirement. I wanted to travel more; write more; meet more people. Magically (maybe) I received an email stating my vegetable bundle was ready to be picked up. What a wonderful distraction from angst.

My spirit lifted as I anxiously made my way to the designated pick up location. After I unveiled the bountiful assortment of freshly harvested produce, I slowly drove home. It was on my return journey, that I spotted the small placard nearly hidden from sight. In spite of its obscure existence, it sent me a bold bright signal, as if decorated with flashing lights.

Research on the origin of this sign, became my newest pursuit.

Elizabeth Reyes, Visitors Convention Bureau/Visit Gainesville, Alachua County said, “It’s our understanding that the slogan was developed in the ‘90s collectively by a group of tourism stakeholders. The copyright for the slogan belongs to Alachua County.”

Those unidentified stakeholders created a motto intended for visitors. Fast forward thirty-something years. Florida became a hot spot for the coronavirus. Americans eliminated or postponed their vacation plans. International travel essentially ceased.

Hence, the importance of promoting tourism in Alachua County was not a priority.

That day, the sign had a different purpose. It was intended for me. Suddenly, I was grateful to be returning home. Yes, home, to a community I chose four decades ago. This wonderful unique area of North Central Florida where agriculture, education and nature merge. A place where heroes are born.

Today, Osteen Farms offers a variety of items, in addition to the Weekly Vegetable Bundle. The bundles’ contents are no longer a complete mystery. Their website lists what is expected to be harvested, but is subject to change. For more information, check out: osteenfarms.com.

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30

NUTRITION >> PUMPKINS AND APPLES

SQUASH AN YONE?

Fall Into Good Nutrition With Apples and Pumpkins W R I T T E N B Y M A R Y W. B R I D G M A N

O

ne of the best ways for people to economize on their grocery budget and enjoy healthful and flavorful foods is to eat fruits and veggies that are in season.

Pumpkins and apples may not be Florida products, but we can count on plentiful supplies in local supermarkets — and pumpkin patches and produce markets — during the autumn months.

An apple a day, you say? Most of us are familiar with the old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a 2015 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine found that daily apple eaters had just as many doctor visits as those who ate fewer or no apples. Eating apples didn’t reduce the number

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of overnight hospital stays or mental health visits either. However, apple eaters were slightly less likely to use prescription drugs. The study concluded that there may be more merit to saying, “An apple a day keeps the pharmacist away.”

Nevertheless, there’s no denying that apples are packed with nutritional benefits. One medium apple has about 100 calories, is a good source of vitamin C and provides nearly 20% of the daily recommended amount of fiber, not to mention small amounts of vitamin A, calcium and iron. As IFAS extension agent Samara Deary explained in a 2015 interview, apples are a wise choice, especially for snacking.

“Nutrient-poor, sugary snacks are like fuel that runs hot and flames out,” she said. “They are followed by a crash that can leave you hungry and, at times, unable to concentrate.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: ERICKA WINTERROWD

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NUTRITION >> PUMPKINS AND APPLES

Not so the humble apple, which will keep you full and satisfied until mealtime rolls around again, she said.

Deary said pumpkins — members of the squash family — are another nutritious option for meals and in-between.

They can be substituted in recipes that call for sweet potatoes and fall squashes.

Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are high in vitamin A, protein, fiber, zinc, iron and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. That translates to a bonanza of benefits including a healthy cardiovascular system (“good” fats), healthy skin and vision (vitamin A), decreased osteoporosis (zinc), and decreased colon cancer (fiber), to name a few.

The bright orange color of pumpkins is a dead giveaway that they, like carrots, are loaded with beta-carotene, an important antioxidant. Beta-carotene is

Pumpkins, like carrots, are loaded with beta-carotene, an important antioxidant. converted to vitamin A in the body — you can get enough beta-carotene in one cup of pumpkin to cover over 200% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for eye health, aiding the retina in absorbing and processing light. Pumpkin also contains lutein

Do carrots improve eyesight?

Like pumpkins, carrots are loaded with vitamin A, maintaining a healthy cornea and aiding proper perception of light at the retina. Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, which can be exacerbated by a lag in recovery time after seeing a flash of light in the dark.

During World War II, the link between carrots and eyesight was not clearly understood. This assisted Britain’s air ministry in starting a rumor that a diet rich in carrots improves vision, leading the Nazis to believe this was why the Brits saw their night bombers coming before they even reached the English Channel.

In truth, the rumor was designed to cover up a new secret technology being used by the Royal Air Force: Airborne Interception Radar. As long as the Germans didn’t think the technology existed, they would not question the uncanny ability of the British to see enemy planes approaching in the dead of night.

The rumor was so successful that the English public began eating more carrots to help their night vision during blackouts.

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and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants believed to help prevent cataracts and may even slow development of macular degeneration.

That large shot of vitamin A boosts your immune system, helping your body fight infections, viruses and infectious diseases. In addition, pumpkin contains nearly 20% of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin C, which may mean you get over that fall or winter cold more quickly.

Current research indicates that a diet rich in foods with beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including prostate and lung cancer. That is because vitamins A and C are both antioxidants, which act as shields for your cells against cancer-causing free radicals.

Pumpkin has gotten a bit of a bad rap for its high glycemic index, or GI, which suggests that its carbohydrates could cause a marked increase in your blood sugar. However, the Glycemic Index Foundation advises against avoiding this nutrient-rich food because its low carbohydrate content offsets its high GI value, resulting in a lower effect on blood sugar than its GI ranking might suggest.

Four-fifths of a cup of boiled pumpkin contains only four grams of carbohydrates, only 5% of the total content of a serving of pumpkin, which means you would have to consume a large amount of boiled pumpkin to increase your blood sugar significantly.

For those of us accustomed to eating most of our pumpkin in the form of pie, it may be surprising to learn that there are many other recipe options for pumpkin, ranging from pumpkin soup to roasted pumpkin seed — soup to nuts, in a manner of speaking. Deary recommends branching out from the usual sweet recipes to take your pumpkin consumption up a notch — to healthier eating.

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34

CRYSTAL HENRY’S

Naked Salsa THE CRYSTAL SHOW

CRYSTAL HENRY IS A FREELANCE WRITER AND COLUMNIST BORN AND RAISED IN WEST TEXAS. SHE RECEIVED HER B.S. IN JOURNALISM IN 2006 FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. SHE IS IN LOVE WITH THE FLORIDA LANDSCAPE. ces03k@gmail.com

I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD CLASSIFY ME AS THE HAPPY-GO-LUCKY TYPE.

M

y go-to personality is jovial jokester, and I was first runner-up for class clown in high school. When asked to write the eulogy for my grandmother’s funeral, I wrote a 15 minute stand-up routine. Humor is just my cozy place.

But sometimes people mistake my smile for weakness, and unfortunately for them, I carry a fiery feminist spark that stays hidden most days.

I was recently invited to a staff meeting — not at this magazine, so don’t worry. This place has embraced my feminist volume just fine. But in another space, I was asked to join in the conversation, and then quickly told I was too bold.

My background is primarily editorial, and writing is my first love. But I’ve dabbled a bit in the PR business. I’m hardly an expert, but I just have a basic knowledge, and sometimes a fresh perspective.

So I brought some of my silly ideas to this staff meeting, and of course I was careful to smile a lot and apologize for my existence. I made sure to start every suggestion with “I don’t even know if this would work, but what if…” I wanted to make sure I didn’t come across as some kind of she-monster after all.

And my ideas were really well-received by the big bosses and the advertising team. Sometimes just having an outside perspective can shed new light. It’s the same reason we need a second set of eyes on any copy that comes from editorial. Fresh perspectives are great.

So I left the meeting feeling pretty good that I contributed to the team.

But one editorial team member thought I had too many ideas. I’m not going to point out that this was an older white male colleague — because you’ll get that on your own. But right

before the next staff meeting this guy told me “Now don’t let this turn into the Crystal Show again.”

First off, it had hardly been the Crystal Show before. A 15-minute conversation about my ad ideas would be more like the Crystal Infomercial. There weren’t even any reviews in the paper the next day about my performance.

But between the lines I heard it “You’re dominating this space that’s been reserved for people like me.”

I tempered my participation at the next meeting, but the few suggestions I made prompted the big bosses to invite me out for happy hour. It’s actually against my religion to turn down a margarita, so what choice did I have? Besides, we know what happy hours are. They’re the places where the important conversations happen, and if I’m being invited in I’ll gladly accept.

When this got back to my colleague, he was almost indignant.

He warned me that nothing good has ever come from fraternizing with one’s superiors, but I didn’t consider it fraternizing.

They wanted to hear more of my ideas. I’m pretty sure this more commonly takes place on the golf course, but it’s too damn hot to tee off.

So I shared my thoughts over some salt and lime.

The second time he heard about it, this guy made me swear loyalty to him, and he told me any ideas I had should be shared at work — not outside of work. I smoothly responded that I wasn’t trying to overstep, but the last time I’d shared ideas at work I’d been accused of Bogarting the meeting.

He kindly told me that if I had any ideas I should share them with him first. My rage burned as I realized that this isn’t the first time a man has tried to take credit for a woman’s ideas, but it was the first time I had the ovaries to stand up against it.

Everything came to a head when this fella took a contributing byline on a story I wrote. He added a few unnecessary lines of his own, but I did the heavy lifting. This was about scoring points.

“It’s actually against my religion to turn down a margarita”

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In the same issue, I had rewritten an article he wrote because it was a topic I’d been covering for months. He asked me to take a look and just rewrite and add whatever needed fixed, which was about half of the article. But I noticed I didn’t score a contributing byline on that one.

When confronted, he tried to tell me that while he added content to mine, I only edited his. He was gaslighting me, and I’d had enough. My happy-go-lucky chuckle head was deactivated, and the raging feminist she-beast emerged.

I blew flames and demanded to be credited for my work. It was a slow burn. I laid out my claims neatly, but persistently. And ultimately he apologized and said it wouldn’t happen again.

To be fair it must feel very safe to try and claim dominance over a girl who wears T-shirts that say “Oh Kale No” and drinks way too much sugar in her coffee. But beware gentlemen. Gaslighting can backfire if you do it too close to a fiery woman. One little spark, and we will set you ablaze.

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We feel the best way to find and recognize local charities in our communities is by asking you!

The SunState Community Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the communities in and around North Central Florida by promoting and facilitating philanthropy.

The Foundation was established to promote and provide charitable assistance that contributes towards the development, education and well-being of the communities, areas and residents of Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Levy Counties in Florida. The foundation’s initial goal is to administer and fully fund the award winning Facebook Charity-of-the-Month program. SunState Federal Credit Union started the program in 2013, but has turned over administration of the program to the foundation, with SunState Federal Credit Union acting only as a sponsor. This has been done in the belief that this path will ensure the program remains a strong and expanding community resource long into the future.

The SunState Community Foundation, Inc., provides donors/members opportunities to participate in the furtherance of the foundation’s goals in multiple ways. First, and foremost, the donors/members are providing funds to support the foundation’s charitable initiatives. Donors/members can also nominate groups for the Charity of the Month program, and then vote for the group of their choice. Donors/members are encouraged to participate and vote in the Charity of the Month program. Ultimately, the voters choose where foundation donations go as part of the infrastructure of the program.

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• Recognized on all 4 Entercom Communication stations, 30 times (120 total); KTK, SKY, WRUF and ESPN.

• Recognized on 2 of Entercom Communications stations, 30 times (60 total); WRUF and ESPN

• Recognized on the Charity of the Month Facebook Contest page, KTK’s Facebook page and Our Town’s Facebook page.

• Recognized on the Charity of the Month Facebook Contest page, KTK’s Facebook page and Our Town’s Facebook page.

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JUNE 2020 WINNER

JULY 2020 WINNER

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The winner of the June Charity of the Month is Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, an award winning, 501(c)(3) charity is celebrating more than 20 years of service. The teams of therapy horses work with over 25,000 adults and children each year inside children’s hospitals, hospice programs and with families who have experienced traumatic events. The organization will receive $1,000. Debbie Garcia Bengochea will win $300 for nominating them. The random charity - Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue will win $500 and the random voter Rena Thompson will recieve $100.

The winner of the July Charity of the Month is The “Chief” Theatre home of The Suwannee Valley Players. It is the oldest community theatre serving Levy, Dixie and Gilchrist counties, providing a variety of live theatrical productions for their audiences and participants for over 37 years. The mission of the Suwannee Valley Players is twofold: To Bring Quality Live Entertainment to the Tri-County Area and to Educate the Community in the Area of Fine Arts of the Theatre. Melisa Abel will win $300 for nominating them. The random charity Mobile Outreach Clinic - will win $500 and the random voter Julio Delgado will recieve $100.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS >> CHARITY OF THE MONTH

CH A RIT Y OF THE MONTH WINNER S

A project of the SunState Community Foundation, Inc. Presented by SunState Federal Credit Union, Our Town Family of Magazines and Entercom Communications

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38

RECIPE SERIES >> HALLOWEEN POPCORN BALLS

TREAT YOURSELF

Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd ’s

RECIPE WONDERS FOOD ST Y LING & PHOTOGR A PH Y BY ERICK A WINTER ROWD

HAL

W

L OW E E

L N POPCORN BA

hen the chill returns to the air and the harvest season is in full swing, this is a great recipe to “treat” your family and friends who stop by on Halloween! Long ago my mother, Ronelva, invented this variation of popcorn balls that have a softer caramel, which doesn’t setup hard and brittle. It stays chewy and delicious until they are all gone (but it doesn’t take long for them to disappear).

In the old days, we would give them to the trick-or-treaters when they came to our door, but of course the days of distributing homemade candy are gone. Don’t let that stop you from making a batch for yourself, though. It’s a fun project that you can do with the family and make lasting memories! Make sure an adult handles the cooking of the caramel, however. It is very hot, and the sticky consistency could easily burn. Follow the directions below and the result will be a delicious treat for one and all.

LS

POPCORN BALLS INGREDIENTS:

8 quarts popped corn 1 – 3 cups Planters brand cocktail peanuts 1 cup dark Karo syrup 2 cups white sugar 1/2 tsp. cream of tarter 5 rounded Tbsp. of softened butter 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 Tbsp. vanilla 1 tsp. butter flavor extract METHOD:

First, pop the corn in an old-fashioned shaker-type popper on your stove or use an air-popper if you have one. Follow directions on the popcorn label. Keep popping until you have a generous amount in

CYNTHIA WONDERS WINTERROWD IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER WHO WAS RAISED IN ILLINOIS AND LIVES IN GAINESVILLE. SHE IS PROUD TO BE A “GATOR MOM” OF THREE DAUGHTERS, ALL UF GRADUATES. CYNTHIA LOVES SHARING FAMILY RECIPES THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN IN HER MOTHER’S HANDWRITTEN COOKBOOKS. recipewonders@gmail.com

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RECIPE SERIES >> HALLOWEEN POPCORN BALLS

the largest bowl you have. Shake the bowl to settle the un-popped kernels (there’s always some in there) to the bottom of the bowl.

Then lift off the popped corn into a large measuring cup, keeping track of the measurement. Repeat until you have 8 quarts (4 cups = 1 quart) in a real large pan, such as a turkey roaster. Next, add one to three cups of Planters cocktail peanuts. Stir and set aside.

Take a heavy cooking pan and put the syrup, sugar and cream of tarter in it. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon until the caramel forms a ball when tested by dripping from spoon into icy cold water. This won’t take long — keep an eye on it!

All at once you will add the butter, baking soda, vanilla and butter flavor extract. Mix well. No beating is necessary. The mixture will “fuzz up” and lighten in color.

Carefully lift the cooking pan off the stove and pour over the waiting popped corn. It helps to have someone stirring the hot mixture into the popcorn with a wooden spoon while you are pouring it.

Just be careful no fingers get into the caramel until it has cooled.

It’s HOT! After a few minutes it will be cool enough to shape into popcorn balls with your hands, covered with plastic bags to keep sticky caramel off your skin. You will want to work quickly, forming the popcorn balls while they are still warm. Remember to squeeze the popcorn lightly, just enough to hold it together. When they have cooled completely you can wrap the popcorn balls in plastic wrap and tie with orange ribbon. Or if you prefer, let the popcorn lay loosely in the pan like caramel corn. Either way, you will love this fall classic!

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COLUMN

FARM TALES

From Mother Hen ROMANCING THE PUMPKIN

MOTHER HEN IS PROUD TO BE A “BABY BOOMER” RAISED ON A FARM POPULATED BY DOGS, CATS, CHICKENS, DUCKS, GEESE, HORSES AND COWS. THE WISDOM SHE GAINED WHILE GROWING UP IN THE COUNTRY CAN’T BE FOUND IN BOOKS. YOU CAN CONTACT MOTHER HEN AT motherhenfarmtales@gmail.com.

YES, I’LL ADMIT IT — I’M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. I’M ONE OF THOSE CRAZY PUMPKIN PEOPLE WHO REJOICE WHEN THIS TIME OF YEAR ROLLS AROUND WITH PUMPKIN LATTES, PUMPKIN YOGURT, PUMPKIN DONUTS, PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE … WELL, YOU GET THE PICTURE.

I

don’t even apologize. If it has pumpkin in its name, I’ll try it. You might say I’m something of a pumpkin connoisseur.

Of course, I’m a fan of the Pumpkin Spice Latte and I’m usually first in line at the coffee shop when it’s added to the menu every fall. However, I am up for trying anything if it has pumpkin in it. I’ve even had pumpkin fudge, purchased at the Morton, Illinois Annual Pumpkin Festival, and it was delicious! Numerous recipes for pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins have a special section in my personal cookbook. I’ve also purchased pumpkin shaped pasta and served it with pumpkin pasta sauce – more of a treat for the eyes than the taste buds, some may think. My family wasn’t a fan of the change from tomato sauce to pumpkin sauce, but I thought it was amazing.

So where did this romance with all things pumpkin come from? Going back to my childhood as a farmer’s daughter, one of the happiest memories I had with my father was our annual pumpkin carving night. It was tradition. Dad would wield the sharp knife and carve out the face, I would scoop out the seeds and clean the insides as best as I could. My mom would soak the seeds, then roast them in the oven with oil and seasonings.

It was one of the most memorable family events of the year.

Even as I grew older, and able to handle a carving knife, it was

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always my dad who carved the pumpkin.

Back in those days in the Midwest, pumpkins could be bought for 25 or 50 cents. A dollar would get you a big one that you could hardly carry to the car. Better yet, a neighboring farmer might have a pumpkin patch and offer you to help yourself.

We always had an abundance of pumpkins around our house, inside and out, to decorate for the season. I’ve written before about fall being my favorite time of year, when the air turns crisp and cool and the leaves turn their beautiful shades of red, orange and gold. Well, pumpkins are just another element in the magic of the season. And that’s where my romance began.

When I grew up and had an office job in our nearby small town, I decided I wanted to surprise my parents with a Halloween “treat.”

Early in October I went to our local florist and selected an artificial flower arrangement in a ceramic jack-o’-lantern vase. I went every week after cashing my paycheck to pay on the account, as there were no credit cards back then. Halloween that year was on a Friday. After work I went straight to the florist to pick up my treat and proudly drove home with the surprise. I remember parking my car out of sight, and instead of coming into our home through the back door like normal, I went to our front porch and knocked on the door like company would. My mother, of course, wasn’t expecting anyone. So, when she saw me standing there with the beautiful flower arrangement it was quite a happy surprise … another special pumpkin memory.

Before my father would harvest all his corn fields, my mother would drive the pickup truck to one of the fields with her machete (yes, farm wives are tough!), and fill the truck bed with corn stalks. She then formed a beautiful big corn shock in our front yard and surrounded it with a generous assortment of pumpkins and gourds. The corn shock would remain in our front yard through the winter, and the ears of corn left on

The crisp, chilly air signaled the beginning of our family’s pumpkin search and culminated with a huge corn shock in the front yard surrounded with pumpkins and gourds. When Halloween arrived my mother would transform the inside of our farmhouse with lovely floral arrangements and Halloween decor.

the stalks would feed numerous wild critters through the freezing weather when food was scarce.

Halloween fell during the week when I was a sophomore in high school. I had my pumpkins all ready for Dad to carve that evening like always. Unfortunately, that afternoon he was welding some farm equipment when he had an accident which resulted in a broken finger on his right hand. Of course, that meant he wouldn’t be able to carve the annual jack-o’-lantern, and it left only me to carry on the tradition. That evening he was sitting there in his favorite chair, watching over me as I took up the knife. I did a pretty good job, having watched closely his “master-carver” technique all those previous years – but it just didn’t feel the same. That accident somehow ended the tradition of my dad carving the pumpkins. I guess he felt that I was old enough now and capable of carving my own jack-o’-lantern, so he would sit back and watch me do it from then on. Always encouraging me along the process, he would smile and nod his approval.

When I married and moved with my husband to South Florida, it was hard for this farmer’s daughter to let go of my autumn traditions. Tropical breezes didn’t feel much like a crisp fall breeze in the Midwest, but I would pretend I could feel the difference in the air when October 1st appeared on my calendar. I would hunt through the grocery stores on a mission for any available pumpkins or gourds to decorate our apartment home. They were pitiful in size,

and unreasonably priced, but I couldn’t resist. Luckily my young husband understood me well enough to not object. He knew this farmer’s daughter bled orange every October.

As years passed and our chicks joined the family, we introduced them to our Midwest fall traditions. We would take them to a nearby farmer’s market to select their pumpkins. It was a special outing, one that marked the beginning of our holiday season. Excitement would build as the girls spread out, looking for that elusive perfect pumpkin.

My husband and I stood back to watch while enjoying apple cider samples. On Halloween Eve we spread newspapers on the floor and the girls would draw out the faces on their pumpkin for their dad to carve for them, just as my father once did for me. After the face was cut, they would scoop out the seeds, just as I did so many years before. And … just like my mother, I would retrieve the seeds and roast them in the oven for a tasty snack.

Sometimes it seemed I could feel my parents’ presence. My dad, sitting over in his easy chair nodding his approval, and my mom busy in the kitchen roasting the pumpkin seeds. I’m happy that I could pass on my farmer traditions to our family, and now I am blessed to see it passed on to our grandchildren as well. It’s just another part of my romance with pumpkins … and why I’ll never apologize for being one of those “crazy pumpkin people.”

Go on, get yourself a Pumpkin Spice Latte – and tell them Mother Hen sent you.

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PUMPKIN TRAVEL >> LOUISVILLE SPECTACULAR

CARVING ART

Parade of Pumpkins The Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular W R I T T E N B Y H AY L I Z U C C O L A

N

oted for legendary horse races, boozy bourbon trails and deep-rooted bluegrass music, Louisville, Kentucky, is quickly joining the ranks of Salem, Massachusetts, and Sleepy Hollow, New York, as a must-see Halloween destination.

Overshadowing Mother Nature’s talent for painting autumn landscapes in gold, orange and red, is an organic display of over 5,000 carved pumpkins lighting and enchanting a wooded trail for the derby city’s most spooktacular event: the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.

Approaching its eighth year in Louisville, the history of the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular dates back to 1988 in Oxford, Massachusetts.

During a family road trip to northern Vermont, Travis Reckner’s dad became captivated by the picturesque sight of pumpkins placed along the winding New England roads and functionally used as 50-to-60pound lights on the doorsteps of neighboring houses in the valley.

Seeing the glowing gourds used in this way led him to surmise that pumpkins could act like Lite-Brites – illuminating any image scratched on the surface.

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PUMPKIN TRAVEL >> LOUISVILLE SPECTACULAR 46 |

With this in mind, the Reckner family organized a one-night fundraiser for Oxford’s local elementary school with a few hundred pumpkins arranged on the hillside. The night’s overwhelming success made it an annual event, but its growth led to a change in venue to the nearby high school before relocating to Rhode Island to become a fundraiser for the Providence zoo.

What was once a one-to three-night event needed to turn into a monthlong celebration, which when dealing with fresh produce, proved challenging.

When attempts at pickling or using food preservatives failed, the decision was made to replace the rotted crop with a freshly carved pumpkin as the month went on. Trial and error also led to the realization that big max are the best variety for intricate carvings; gutting from the bottom prevented a shrunken, caved-in stem and the deeper the flesh is scrapped, the brighter the light shines through.

“That whole process there from the late ‘80s early ‘90s was trying every pumpkin – getting a Johnny Seed catalog with all these different types of pumpkin in it,” Travis Reckner said. “Just learning the hard way on what works and what doesn’t.”

To attract visitors to Louisville during the off season (in the absence of jockeys and mint juleps), the president of the local tourism board – who was previously part of the group that brought the event to Rhode Island – suggested that Reckner’s company, Passion for Pumpkins, partner with the Parks Department and the Louisville Parks Foundation to bring the affair to Kentucky with portions of the proceeds going toward maintaining and improving the city’s public parks.

In 2013, Reckner and his team traveled to Louisville in search of the perfect spot to display their gallery of gourds. They fell in love with the haunting woods of Iroquois Park, which featured a 1/3 mile limestone pathway that would guide guests through the exhibit of engraved squash. After finding the right venue, the next step was training local artists to transfer their creativity to a rounded, waxy surface.

Like a reality competition, each potential artist had to prove they could turn an ordinary pumpkin into an extraordinary work of art using a handful of carving tools, a Sharpie and imagination. It’s a unique art form and one that’s captured the heart of 40 local painters, sculptors and tattoo artists who return every fall to take part in the monthlong event.

“When you’re hiring these local artists to carve pumpkins this way, they all had to be trained by the production company on how to carve a pumpkin, but every year, these same artists come back and they get better and better at it,” Brooke Pardue, the President OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

Sept/Oct 2020

PUMPKIN TRAVEL >> LOUISVILLE SPECTACULAR

and CEO of the Louisville Parks Foundation, said. “Every year they push the envelope on what they can do. It’s amazing. The last two years, one of the artists has done a 360-degree design on one of the 1,600-pound pumpkins. It is the most phenomenal thing you have ever seen in your life.”

Of course, there wouldn’t be a Spectacular without the pumpkins. From little sugar pumpkins to big max used for intricate pieces, all the pumpkins are locally grown in Kentucky and

“You just have to experience it to really understand what it’s all about,” “It’s not something you go see, it’s really something that you experience.” southern Indiana with the exception of the prize-winning 1,600pound giants grown for surrounding weigh-off competitions.

While the pumpkins are busy soaking up the sun, the production team stays occupied developing the overall theme; building sets and props; choreographing the layout and music for each section and deciding what artwork will grace the orange canvases. When the pumpkins are plucked from the patch, they’re brought to a warehouse inside Iroquois Park, which becomes the home base for the artists and their pumpkins.

“They typically buy anywhere between 15 and 20,000

pumpkins. It’s something like 220,000 pounds of pumpkins,” Pardue said.

Delivered in batches, the large order is used throughout October as the embellished fruit begin losing their magic.

Depending on the weather, the longest an intricate design can last is five to seven days and a mere three days if it’s warm and rainy.

When September finally arrives, the artists begin sketching their artwork on the pumpkins – making three to four duplicates in anticipation of the squash’s inevitable deterioration. Typically there are 140 individual drawings, all of which could be replaced up to five times. From intricate designs to foam carvings strung in the trees, there are an estimated 5,000 pumpkins glowing in Iroquois Park at any given time during the show’s run.

The day before opening night, it’s a mad dash to get all the pre-drawn pumpkins cut, carved and ready for showtime. This ensures they stay as fresh as possible – even if that means touching up a few details while they’re on display. Unfortunately not every pumpkin makes it to the stage as a broken piece or an inability to glimmer gets it tossed to the pumpkin graveyard.

“Every year it happens where someone will spend 8, 10, 12 hours on this beautiful masterpiece pumpkin and then you gut it and light it up, and it doesn’t glow no matter how thin you scrape it,” Reckner said.

When things do go according to plan, the results are breathtaking and indescribable.

“You just have to experience it to really understand what it’s all about,” Pardue said. “It’s not something you go see, it’s Sept/Oct 2020

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PUMPKIN TRAVEL >> LOUISVILLE SPECTACULAR

Iroquois Park’s warehouse is a treasure trove of pumpkin works of art and provides the storage space for pre-drawn duplicates to replace rotting designs.

really something that you experience.”

Even for returning guests, a changing theme and increasingly elaborate designs make each event as jaw-dropping if not more so than the year before. In 2018, “A Night at the Library,” used larger-than-life books as a backdrop for drawings of animals from National Geographic, princesses from Disney fairytales and comic book superheroes. 2019 took inspiration from “The Four Seasons,” by bringing elements of spring, summer, fall and winter throughout the trail.

For 2020, the theme “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Fantastic and Wondrous Places,” will transition from a walkthrough adventure to a drive-thru to accommodate the safety concerns of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We would have been okay had we not had the show and had to wait until we could have that source of income next year, but we really wanted to do it for our guests. We feel like this is such a trying time for people and the show is so beloved,” Pardue said.

“To be able to be back out there in the woods, seeing smiling faces and I don’t know, it’s just taken on a bigger significance this year.”

Today, Passion for Pumpkins hosts the Jack O’ Lantern 48 |

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Spectacular in three cities including Providence, Rhode Island and Apple Valley, Minnesota, both of which take place in the town’s local zoo. However, the Louisville show still manages to have the most scenic venue and highest number of intricate pumpkins. The company has also expanded its artistry with the Winter Woods Spectacular, which is a drive-thru journey through Iroquois Park featuring 150 eight-foot-tall stained-glassinspired images depicting scenes of the winter solstice – an undertaking that prepared them for the temporary redesign of the 2020 Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.

What began as a road trip to Vermont has evolved into a living art gallery that attracts visitors from around the world by enchanting unsuspecting guests with a parade of pumpkins and a touch of magic.

To find out more information or to purchase tickets for Louisville’s Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular, which runs from October 1 – November 1, visit jackolanternlouisville.org. To learn more about the Winter Woods Spectacular, which will run from November 28 – December 31, visit winterwoodsspectacular.org.

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Cilantro Tacos

Tioga Town Center - 12921 SW 1 Rd Suite #103 Monday - Saturday from 11:00am to 9:00pm

352-472-1300 Authentic Mexican — A family-owned restaurant that was founded through a passion for great food and hosting dinner parties with friends. Originally from Southern California, their love for Mexican food moved to the wonderful community of Newberry in 2013. They take pride in the quality, freshness, and vibrant flavors of their food — with meats that are never frozen and everything prepared fresh and made-to-order.

Enjoy the tastefully marinated meats and savor the mild, spicy, and mouthwatering salsas that are created from scratch. They feel their purpose is to spread happiness, make contributions to the community and create lasting memories of fun, laughter, and great times. When you eat with us, you’re family. So come on in!

Brown’s Country Buffet 14423 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua, FL 32616 Monday-Friday 7:00am - 8:00pm Saturday 7:00am - 2:00pm Sunday 8:00am - 3:00pm

386-462-3000 brownscountrybuffet.net Casual — Country-style cooking at its finest, just like Grandma’s house! A buffet style restaurant, Brown’s Country Buffet is open seven days a week! Foods like fried chicken, grilled pork chops, real mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, banana pudding and coconut pie, just to name a few, are served in a laid-back, relaxing environment. We offer AYCE fried shrimp on Friday nights from 4-8 along with whole catfish & ribs. In addition to their buffet, Brown’s also offers a full menu to choose from. Serving lunch and dinner daily and a breakfast buffet Friday-Sunday until 10:30am, you’re sure to leave satisfied, no matter when you go. So, when you’re in the mood for some good home cooking, Grandma’s style, visit Brown’s Country Buffet.

Leonardo’s Pizza 4131 NW 16th Blvd (Millhopper) Sunday - Thursday: 11:00am - 9:30pm Friday - Saturday: 11:00am - 10:30pm

352-376-2001 leonardosmillhopper.com Mouth Watering — Family friendly and locally-owned-and-operated pizza joint with a unique, nostalgic atmosphere that is as distinctive as our delicious food.

Chicago-style pizzas, hand tied garlic knots, and Italian baked dinners and salad bar, we know you’ll be back for more. Come and see why Gainesville loves our signature deep dish pizza pie, the Big Leo. Since 1976 Gainesville has grown up on pizza from Leonardo’s Millhopper and we are still going strong! Our dedicated staff (many have been with us for 15-20 years) knows how important it is to treat you properly. We take great pride in our welcoming atmosphere. We can’t wait to make you part of our family.

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Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza

(Archer Road) 5757 SW 75th St. — 352-371-8646 • (Millhopper Road) 5200 NW 43rd St. — 352-371-7437 (University) 1250 W University Ave. — 352-375-2337 • (Grand Oaks Plaza) 2575 SW 42nd St. Ocala — 352-351-6000

Mon-Thurs: 11am-10pm Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm Sun: 11am-10pm

www.piesanostogo.com Pizza, Pints & Pies — Piesanos is a locally owed and operated restaurant that is proud to use only the finest ingredients available, including Grande brand premium mozzarella. We are a full service dine in restaurant with an attached take out center and also offer catering.

Our dough is made fresh daily and all of our pizzas are baked directly on the stone in our unique Granite Stone Fired Pizza Oven. We offer a great variety of Specialty pizzas, such as our Pizza Antico-(ultra thin crust- Fresh Mozzarella, mini cup & char pepperoni & fresh basil) Specialty Pastas, Calzones, Fresh soups and salads, classic italian entrees, and a great selection of craft beer. We also offer a gluten free menu. For full menu please visit PIESANOSTOGO.COM. Order online or download our APP PIESANOSTOGO.COM.

Bangkok Square

Two Gainesville Locations: 6500 SW Archer Road & 8181 NW 38th Lane Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:00am-3:00pm • Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:00pm-9:30pm • Friday-Saturday 5:00pm-10:00pm

352-375-4488 Archer 352-672-6969 39th Ave. bangkoksquarefl.com Authentic Thai Cuisine — Thai cuisine, blending the best elements of the freshest foods. Thai herbs; garlic, basil, ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal root, chili and more, prepared with the finest blending of fish sauce, shrimp paste, and coconut milk. All of our meals are made to order and prepared on site. We specialize in vegetarian, vegan and gluten free orders. All of our foods can be prepared to your satisfaction with mild, medium, hot, or Thai hot, balanced to the four tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and slightly bitter. Meals can be prepared for take out and we cater to any event. We also have gift cards available. Save 10% off your next dining experience when a gift card is purchased.

El Toro

15202 NW 147 Drive, Suite 1100, Alachua (Rolling Oaks Plaza) Monday – Thursday 11:00am – 9:00pm Friday & Sat 11:00am – 10:00pm Sunday Noon – 8:00pm

386-418-1039 www.eltorogainesville.com Get Full At The Bull — Bienvenido! Welcome! We are a family owned and family friendly business. We have been serving our guests high quality fresh food for over 28 years. We welcome our guests with our Award Winning Salsa and warm homemade chips, add some fresh guacamole and our homemade white queso and you have a great start to a great meal! Try our Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Fajitas, Aaron’s Overstuffed Burrito, Nachos Supreme or one of our Daily Specials, we have something everyone will enjoy! We serve Lunch 7 days a week till 4 P.M. and our Kids Meals come with a drink and dessert. Check out our menu on our website. Our outdoor patio is perfect for “Para Cenar Afuera”. So, won’t you please come join us and Get Full At The Bull! See you there!

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

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Dave’s New York Deli 12921 SW 1st Road • Tioga Town Center Open 7 Days

352-333-0291 www.DavesNYDeli.com Authentic NY deli — The Reviews are in and here’s what customers are saying about Dave’s NY Deli Tioga Town Center! “Best Reuben, Best Pastrami and Best Philly. Dave’s continues to be the place to go for authentic NY Deli food and Philly Cheesesteaks. Owner Dave Anders says “Nothing beats quality ingredients combined with a friendly staff. Dave serves New York size Pastrami and Corned Beef sandwiches, Cheesecake from New York, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, NY Kettle Boiled Bagels, Nova Salmon, Knish, Cannolies, Philly Cheesesteaks, Cubans, Subs, Kids Menu and more.”

Come out and enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Dave’s NY Deli. Now serving beer and wine.

Crafty Bastards

4860 NW 39th Ave. ( Magnolia Parke, between Starbucks and TiresPlus) Open at 11am every day

352-872-5970 www.thecraftybastards.com Restaurant - Pub — Crafty Bastards Restaurant has lunch specials M-F 11am-4pm.

Come see our NEW Menu items, including fresh salads and soups. Don’t worry, we still proudly serve what you have voted, the best Wings, Burgers, Fish n’ Chips, and REAL Shepherds Pie around! Crafty’s is the ONLY restaurant in town that is safe for your family and friends. While also offering entertainment every day of the week, we have the largest selection of 60 Craft Beers on tap, and next door at the Bottle Shoppe, we offer over750 varieties of Craft Beer with Free Beer Tastings every Thursday 6p-8p.

Visit our social media and web for ongoing events and new craft beer.

CRAFTY BASTARDS - WELCOME HOME!

Copper Monkey West

14209 W Newberry Road, Jonesville, FL 32669 Across from the Steeplechase Publix Sunday-Thursday 11:00am - 11:00pm Friday-Saturday 11:00am - 11:00pm

352-363-6338 mycoppermonkey.com Restaurant & Pub — We are located in the heart of Jonesville, this All-American dining is convenient to all neighborhoods in Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs and beyond. Our family-friendly dining features great food at a great price. Whether you come in for the “best burger in town” or try any one of our freshly made salads, pastas or sandwiches, you will not leave disappointed. Our USDA choice steaks, served with 2 sides, offer a great alternative for the perfect celebratory meal. We also feature a full-service bar with signature drinks.

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COVID-19 EXPERIENCES >> PANDEMIC STORYTELLERS

COVID TALES

Sunshine Go Away Today Pandemic Story Project puts Experiences into Words W R IT TE N BY DA R L A KI N N E Y SCOLE S

W

hen the global pandemic began to heavily appear in the news in the United States, I was in the midst of planning a surprise 90th birthday party for my father. Family members were scheduled to fly in from around the country to help him celebrate this milestone. At that point, COVID-19 ending those plans seemed like a remote possibility — until it wasn’t.

Soon, I was not only ordered to stay home, but I was battling a flulike illness and unable to get tested for the coronavirus. I was concerned not only for my own health, but I feared I could have exposed my elderly parents to my mystery sickness as well. In addition, I was unable to assist them several days each week, as I previously did.

Everything came to a grinding halt — except for my fears, anxiety, frustration, helplessness, introspection, uncertainty, anger, sadness, need for information and desire to get all of this written down.

The COVID-19 pandemic is made up of millions of stories like this, where life changed in what seemed like an instant and felt like it would never be the same again. Americans have been through a shared - yet individual - experience and have been changed in ways that only they can express. That’s why the pandemic story sharing project and website Sunshine Go Away Today was created.

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COVID-19 EXPERIENCES >> PANDEMIC STORYTELLERS

As our country still reels from the effects of this deadly pandemic, mourning the lives lost and continuing the process of opening back up, this project serves as a place to pause and reflect on this time of seclusion and survival before rushing forward and perhaps pushing aside the narrative of our journeys.

Sunshine Go Away Today helps individuals put their pandemic experience into words with the hope that the collection of stories will serve as a place of healing, learning, understanding, remembrance and perhaps even warning in the years to come.

Visitors to the website can sign up to receive a list of thought-provoking questions regarding the initial stay-athome time period, subsequent life changes and to arrange a follow-up tele-interview. Once that person’s story is transcribed and approved by the author, it is posted along with a photo to the website. All of this is done free of charge, as the project is funded by donations alone. In addition, those who want to only submit a one-word pandemic story are encouraged to do so, by sending that word for publication as part of a word cloud to be added to the website at a later date.

The site already includes experiences shared by the California parent of a special needs child, a local-landmark small business owner, a Florida retiree, a caregiver, and an Indiana parent working to protect her immunodeficient child from a viral pandemic.

“I had never been, or felt, so alone,” said California mother Laurie Dyson of her time in the hospital during lockdown with her special needs daughter, Emily. “It was so numbing.”

Emily, who required emergency surgery, was in the hospital a total of six days. Dyson, who was initially hesitant to take the non-verbal 15-year-old to the emergency room, described those long days keeping 24-hour watch over Emily as incredibly lonely, hard, impactful and life altering. Emily has had multiple hospital stays, but always with a team of family members taking turns staying with her. This time, only her mother was allowed

Whether a household consists of an empty-nest couple caring for an elderly parent or a young family working to protect an immunosuppressed child, COVID-19 changed lives in ways that beg to be documented. (Photos courtesy of sunshinegoawaytoday.com)

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Morris said their neighbors — even some family — do not really understand their cautious practices and have made fun of the couple’s drastic social distancing, calling it ridiculous.

“Our daughter, however, is totally supportive of our self-imposed quarantine,” Morris said. “When we are able, I intend to hug my daughter more. Who had any idea of all that could be lost due to a virus?”

Throughout history, the sharing of stories has been an important means of communication. Stories preserve. Stories teach.

Stories offer understanding. Stories impart wisdom. Stories calm fears, energize minds and awaken emotions. Stories speak truth. Stories paint a collective portrait of life. And stories knit us together as they weave their threads of thought and feeling through our lives as individuals and as a Nation.

Every day in the news and online, we see and hear stories of celebrities and outliers. With Sunshine Go Away Today, I’m hoping to collect the everyday-person narratives that exist alongside those more famous ones. Staying at home and taking precautions have a worthwhile purpose. So does sharing what we discovered while there and in the days since.

We need stories now more than ever before.

To read the full stories or to participate in the project, check out: sunshinegoawaytoday.com, or reach out to: thepandemicismadeofstories@gmail.com.

COVID-19 EXPERIENCES >> PANDEMIC STORYTELLERS

to accompany the teen diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“I literally aged,” Dyson said. “And I almost let her die because of COVID-19. I was afraid of COVID-19 and so she almost died of a twisted intestine! COVID-19 kills people because of fear, too. And so we die of something else because we fear going to the doctor or hospital because of a pandemic. But ultimately, my mom’s intuition saved her. Wow.”

“At age 64, I had come to accept that things were changing rapidly every year,” said store owner Steve Rausch, “but nothing had prepared me to believe that a virus pandemic could change so much, so fast.”

As a small business owner, Rausch had not only his family to think about, but the family store he and his brother co-own and its employees as well. Opening in 1954 by their parents, Colonial Photo & Hobby has been in the family - and an Orlando fixture - for 66 years.

“I had to wonder,” Rausch said, “would this be the end of the store that was our family legacy?”

Thanks, in part, to the Payroll Protection Program, the store is once again open and continues to serve the community as families now come in looking for hobby kits, materials, and other items that allow them to pursue activities at home together.

Many express their appreciation for the local resource and its survival, having faced potential closure.

“Literally everything has changed and the pace of change has increased and will continue to do so,” Rausch said. “Everything seems to be shifting. You have to keep up so you are ready. This pandemic has truly been an awakening for this small business owner.”

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“The last day we ventured out of our house and into a store was March 9,” said Florida artist and retiree Ann Morris. “I feel like I have lost the entire year of 2020.”

Morris and her husband, Jeff, have groceries delivered and order takeout meals from local restaurants. Both are healthy but know that just their age is a risk factor.

So now they stay home and binge watch comedies, exercise outdoors, eat leftovers, grow vegetables from seed, FaceTime their daughter in Boston, sanitize everything that comes into the house and long for the day when they can travel as they had planned.

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GLOBAL CELEBRATION >> OKTOBERFEST

PROST!

A GERMAN CELEBRATORY TRADITION 200+ YEARS IN THE MAKING

The History of Oktoberfest W R ITTEN BY CA MERON COBB | PHOTOGR A PH Y BY ER ICK A W INTER ROW D

Oktoberfest: a full 16 days that bring beer, brats, and Bavarian tradition…all the ingredients for the perfect blowout!

As the largest folk festival in the world that attracts millions of visitors annually, according to oktoberfest.de, Oktoberfest (or “Wiesn” as the locals would say) is much more than just a two-week drunken jamboree set in Munich. This 200-year celebration has branched out around the world far beyond its German roots. While unfortunately, this year’s Munich Oktoberfest has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, there’s still plenty to revel in the rich history of what has to be the most raging party on the planet.

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History Did you know Oktoberfest originated thanks to a royal wedding? On Oct. 12, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen, according to britannica.com, which kicked off a five-day festival that ended with a horse race (talk about an afterparty). Within the decade, came the additions of a state fair along with food and beverage booths. Overtime, this celebration eventually morphed into establishments consisting of large beer halls, and thus came the Oktoberfest known and loved all across the world today.

By today’s standards the name “Oktoberfest” is a bit misleading, as the massive event actually begins in the latter half of September and ends on the first Sunday in October.

Beer During Oktoberfest, there’s no shortage of frothy pints brimming with amber-colored Märzen—the aged Bavarian

Food What’s a festival without festival food? With dozens of vendors and restaurants, Oktoberfest has plenty of options for pairing your pint with the perfect plate. According to vistawide. com, guests can expect a traditional hearty menu with choices like entire spit-grilled chickens, savory sausages, roasted meats (such as oxtail), sauerkraut, potato dumplings, and—of course— pretzels. For those with a sweet tooth, a slice of apple strudel or a generous serving of Kaiserschmarrn (sugared pancake pieces with raisins) should surely do the trick.

Entertainment

Despite its reputation, Oktoberfest offers more than just beer and bratwurst—it’s truly a treat for every sense! Attendees can marvel at passing parades, complete with beer wagons, floats and participants sporting old-fashioned attire, according to britannica.com. The lively festival also features amusement rides, games and live bands performing folk music. By the end

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GLOBAL CELEBRATION >> OKTOBERFEST

beer known for being much darker and stronger compared to traditional brews, according to vistawide.com. Märzen is derived from the German word for “March,” as batches were brewed during this month each year then left to age throughout summer until they were finally ready in time for the fall festival (this was all prior to modern-day refrigeration techniques advancing the brewing practice). Since the early 1500s, a series of regulations known as Reinheitsgebot (or “purity order”) has set limitations that allow just four ingredients in brewing for all German beer: barley, hops, malt and yeast. Not only is Oktoberfest of no exception to such rules, but the only beer you’ll find on the menu is what’s been brewed inside the city of Munich.

Not a fan of beer? Have no fear! Check out Oktoberfest’s Weinzelt (or “wine tent”), which offers selections such as champagne and over a dozen different wines, according to edreams. com.

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GLOBAL CELEBRATION >> OKTOBERFEST

Last year’s Oktoberfest in Haile Village was celebrated with live music from 6 bands, 3 bounce houses, face painting, and a special performance by the Cameron Dancenter. Vendors included multiple food trucks along with the Haile Village Center’s restaurants.

of the day, many may find themselves linked arm-in-arm with strangers as the crowd collectively sways and sings to the traditional songs.

Attire

Like everything with Oktoberfest, the clothing choices were inspired by historical wardrobes—namely the attire of fieldworkers and housemaid uniforms, according to mybucketlistevents.com. For those truly aiming to totally embrace Oktoberfest, packing the proper ensemble is a must. Lederhosen is the typical garment for men, comprised of knee-length breeches adorned with suspenders to slip over a checkered collared shirt (and for the really committed, complete the look with a neck scarf or feather-embellished hat). Women’s clothing consists of a Dirndl—a close-fitting bodice atop a puffy, low-cut blouse tucked into a high-waisted skirt and often worn with an apron—complimented by a pair of pigtail braids.

Oktoberfest Goes Global While Germany will forever be the birthplace of Oktoberfest, the tradition itself has ventured out to become an international celebration, according to vistawide.com. Kitchener-Waterloo in Canada is home to the largest Oktoberfest display outside of Germany. In the U.S., Ohio’s annual Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati draws an astonishing crowd of 500,000 every year!

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Folk Festival Fun Facts: 1. In 2018, Oktoberfest attendees drank 7.5 MILLION liters of beer—quite an impressive jump from the 120,000 liters consumed just about a century prior during the festival’s 100th anniversary in 1910.

2. Albert Einstein attended the famous festival in 1896, with his birth town of Ulm located just under 100 miles west of Munich.

However, the physicist likely wasn’t waltzing around in a costume chugging cups of Märzen—rather, he was there working as an electrician.

3. As the most popular folk festival in the world, Oktoberfest is an absolute dream gig for vendors…so naturally securing a spot comes with the price of patience. Those wishing to open a tent or food stall may have to wait up to 20 years just to do so!

4. While the standard German term ‘Prost!’ for making a toast is a given, there are plenty of other common German sayings to show off your cultural skills, such as: Eins, Zwei, Drei—G’suffa!, meaning “one, two, three— drink!”; O’zapft is, or “it’s tapped,” signifying the first keg has been tapped and acting as the festival’s traditional opening cheer; and Guten Appetit!, which is essentially the German equivalent of “bon appétit!”

5. As a gathering with millions of people that specializes in large quantities of alcohol, it’s no wonder how Oktoberfest’s “Lost & Found” department manages to retrieve more than 4,000 items every year! Though the predictable cellphones, keys, and IDs make up a large portion of what’s found, typically at least one pair of fake teeth make it into the mix each year as well.

Sources: oktoberfest.de, thenashvilleoktoberfest.com, edreams.com.

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WINGED CREATURES >> WORLD OF BATS

HOLY BATWOMAN

BATS! Get to Know Dr. Cottrell’s Spirit Animal S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY ERICK A WINTER ROW D

B

ats. We all have certain thoughts that come to mind when we hear this word. Some people think about Dracula, Halloween or all things spooky.

However, Dr. Deborah Cottrell, owner of West End Animal Hospital, happens to believe these creatures are her “spirit animal.” She does her best to help care for all bats, including West End’s resident bat, Lucy, who came in with a wing injury and was deemed non releasable.

“We originally had Lucy, Fred and Ethel,” Cottrell said in a 2019 interview. “And now we have Lucy and Ethel. Fred passed away a few years ago, but we’ve had Ethel and Lucy for almost 10 years. Their lifetime in captivity is going to be around 12 to 15 years. In the wild they can live to be 20.”

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Cottrell explained that Lucy is a Mexican freetailed bat, also known as a Brazilian free-tailed bat.

They are the most common species in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica. The Mexican free-tailed is the same kind of species of bat that is found at the UF bat house. “There’s about 150,000 of them [at UF],” she said. “We have about 5,000 in our bat house out front.”

Cottrell said they started with a smaller bat house in 2000, and it rapidly filled up. “We had about 1,800 bats in that one, and that was at a maximum capacity, so in 2015 we bought this one,” she said.

“I’ll put a plug in for bigbathouses.com. This guy builds bat houses all over the country. These houses have weathered hurricanes and tropical storms. And they’re built to hold around 20,000 bats.” The new and improved bat house resides on the property of

Dr. Cottrell, who is rabies vaccinated (as vets typically are) and therefore can handle her resident bats without gloves, explains that one should NEVER touch a bat with barehands — since by law the bat would then be required to be euthanized and tested for rabies.

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WINGED CREATURES >> WORLD OF BATS

the veterinary clinic at 15318 W Newberry Road in Newberry.

Cottrell’s fascination with bats is obvious as she explains the evolution of the species. “I could talk forever about bats,” she said. “The fact that they are kind of like sharks in that they have kind of reached the apex of their evolutionary niche so long ago that not much has changed in the last 30 million years.”

She explained that she has a replica of a 30 million-year-old bat fossil and it is virtually identical to the skeleton of a Mexican free-tailed today. “They’re just so good at what they do that there’s not much selection for improvement because they’re already there,” she said. “So that’s just fascinating to me.”

Before moving to the Gainesville area in 1985, Cottrell grew up as an army brat. She was raised in Paraguay, North Carolina, and then attended high school and college in Texas, including veterinary school at Texas A&M. Although she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from an early age, she explained that she went through a few stages of thinking she’d pursue other professions such as a paratrooper, like her father, and a fighter pilot.

“And then I needed glasses and you can’t do that [with glasses], so I went back to wanting to be a veterinarian,” she said with a laugh.

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There are many do’s and don’ts when it comes to finding a bat that may need medical help. One of the most important things to remember is not to handle it barehanded. Cottrell explained that there are four species that are specifically named Rabies Vector Species in the U.S. These are skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes. None of these should ever be handled barehanded.

“Bats have a very low incidence of rabies compared to several other species, but if a bat is on the ground or hanging out and not going anywhere, it could be sick, so that increases the chances of that individual being rabid,” Cottrell said.

Cottrell, who is rabies vaccinated (as vets typically are) and therefore can handle her resident bats without gloves, explained what happens if someone does touch a bat barehanded.

“It can vary in situations depending on the adult and how it was handled, but as a general rule if anybody handles a bat barehanded, we have to euthanize it and send its head off for rabies testing,” she said. “[The law] ties our hands. We don’t have a choice, especially if the person is under 18.”

A big sign that a bat may need medical attention is if it hasn’t moved in 48 hours. “That’s probably the biggest thing,” Cottrell said. “Or if it’s a bat and it is out in the sunlight for example. A

WINGED CREATURES >> WORLD OF BATS

healthy bat will try to hide under an eave or somewhere where there is a shadow, and they can get up in a crack. But if it’s just laying out in broad daylight that’s a problem.”

Cottrell said if you decide it needs to be looked at, you can place a towel over it or you can pick it up while wearing gloves or just use a plate and a box. Just remember to never handle a bat with barehands.

Cottrell said that there are places like Florida Wildlife Care that will take in injured bats as well as Bat World (based in Texas). However, its website batworld.org holds a plethora of helpful information such as its “locate a rescuer” feature that displays all of the local rescue groups in your area.

When asked what animal she would be if she could choose, Cottrell’s answer was simple.

“Well, now take a guess,” she said with a laugh. “The bat is my spirit animal. I have a bat tattoo, full back bat tattoo, so definitely a bat.”

A BAT FOUND INDOORS

1. WAIT UNTIL THE ANIMAL IS MOTIONLESS. A bat that is flying is almost impossible to catch, and you have a greater chance of injuring the bat if you attempt to capture it while it is airborne. In addition, bats that are caught while flying frequently panic and attempt to bite. Be patient. Wait until the bat lands and is still, and then proceed to step 2.

2. CONTAIN THE BAT. Quietly approach the bat, and while wearing thick gloves or using a thick towel, pick the bat up (holding it securely but not tightly) and place it into a box or similar container with a lid. Or instead, simply place a box, waste can, coffee can or similar object over the bat where it has landed. Then, take a piece of cardboard and gently slide it between the box and the surface the bat is on (i.e. floor, wall or ceiling). Keeping the cardboard in place, gently turn the container right side up. If the bat is captured during the day, proceed to step 5. If the bat is captured at night and does not appear to be a baby bat, proceed to step 3.

A bat that is found indoors is most likely to be a crevice-dwelling species. Although the fur color of crevice-dwelling bats varies, it is usually a shade of gray or brown. These bats are often lost youngsters or migrating bats. Oftentimes they will find their way out through an open window or door. If a bat is flying in a room, you can help it find its way out through an open door by turning off the lights inside the room and shining a flashlight beam out the open door. Make sure doors to other rooms are closed off first, and the only door open leads to the outside. If this is not an option, and if you feel confident that you can move the animal without physically touching it or injuring it, proceed to step 1. Otherwise, proceed to step 5.

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Important note: Do not place the bat in a bird cage or container with small openings. Bats are very intelligent and can easily squeeze through a 1/4 x 1/2 inch crack.

3. RELEASE THE BAT OUTDOORS AT NIGHTFALL. Once the bat has been captured, take the container outdoors.

Take a flashlight and a towel or gloves with you in case the bat has problems flying away. Find an elevated area (such as a deck or ladder), lift the box over your head and tilt it to the side so the bat can fly out (the bat will not be able to fly out of a grounded container in a vertical position).

Proceed to step 4.

Note: Do not release the bat during the day or during cold or bad weather. Instead, proceed to step 5.

4. WATCH IT LEAVE. Use the flashlight to watch the bat fly away. If the bat does not fly away, or attempts to fly but seems unable to, it is likely that is has an injury or illness. It may be a disoriented juvenile, or it may simply be dehydrated or starved from being trapped indoors. If this is the case, use the towel or gloves (not barehands) to gather up the bat.

Keep the bat in the closed container and put it in a safe place that is free of children, pets, fire ants or other hazards, and proceed to step 5.

Note: It is not safe to attempt care for the bat on your own – bats

should only be cared for by trained, vaccinated individuals.

Furthermore, in order to survive, bats in this condition may need injections of electrolytes in addition to specialized food and caging.

5. CALL A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR FOR ASSISTANCE. Search: batworld.org/local-rescue/ A BAT FOUND OUTDOORS Foliage-roosting bats have beautiful fur in shades of reds, yellows and tans (like dried leaves), or they have multi-colored fur that is frosted with white. These bats are frequently found on the ground in the early summer when mothers are moving their young or when they become grounded following blue-jay attacks or storms. Occasionally, these bats panic and defend themselves when humans approach by spreading their wings in mock attack, making loud hissing or clicking noises. Follow the steps given below to rescue a tree-roosting bat. If you feel unequipped to move the bat, proceed to step 5.

Note: If the bat is a gray or brown color, it is probably a crevice-dwelling species. Crevice-dwelling bats found outdoors and grounded will need to be examined and cared for by a wildlife rehabilitator. Place the bat into a container using the method described in “A Bat Found Indoors,” and proceed to step 5.

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1. MAKE SURE THE BAT IS SAFE FROM PREDATORS. Have someone stand guard over the bat, so it does not fall prey to domestic pets, fire ants or blue jays. If the bat remains quiet and still, proceed to step 2. If the bat panics as previously described, proceed to step 5.

2. DO NOT USE YOUR HANDS TO HELP THE BAT. Instead, gently touch a small tree branch (two or three feet in length) to the bats feet. This usually initiates a grab reflex and the bat will grip the branch with its toes. When you lift the branch you can inspect the bat (or mother bat with babies) for any injuries.

If the infants are clinging to the mother and there are no apparent injuries, proceed with step 3. If injuries are detected, proceed to step 5.

3. SLOWLY MOVE THE BATS INTO THE BRANCHES OF A NEARBY TREE. This must be done very carefully. A sudden move may cause a mother bat to fly off and abandon her young. Using a ladder, gently secure the branch into a spot where foliage and leaves conceal the bats. The spot should be on a branch at least eight or more feet from the ground, with a clearing below to enable the bat to take flight. (Do not place the bats in the same tree where the attack may have occurred, and do not place bats on the trunk of a tree where they will be vulnerable to predators. Also, make sure there is no visible bird’s nest in the tree.)

Proceed to step 4.

4. MONITOR THE AREA. Check the area the following morning. If the bat has remained in the same position overnight it may have an undetected injury or illness. If the mother bat is gone but her babies remain, the babies may have been abandoned. Proceed to step 5.

5. CALL A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR FOR ASSISTANCE. Search: batworld.org/local-rescue/ Source: batworld.org

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SOCIAL DISTANCE >> VIRTUAL MEETINGS

HOW BUSINESSES NEAR AND FAR ARE UTILIZING THIS VIRTUAL PLATFORM

W R I T T E N B Y D A N A B R YA N

COVID -19 has had drastic effects on every business.

Restaurants stopped indoor seating. Retailers shut down over 6,000 stores, according to Business Insider. Colleges and universities switched to online learning. However, Zoom, the video conferencing site and app, has exploded in popularity. If you’ve stayed in your house during these bizarre times, then most likely Zoom has become a part of your day-to-day routine. Wake up.

Shower. Eat. Zoom. Sleep. Repeat. There is no other way.

One may be surprised to know Zoom was founded nine years ago by Eric Yuan, despite its apparent overnight success. In 2011, he raised $3 million from investors and venture capitalists to fund his idea of an internet, video conferencing software. CEO 68 |

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Yuan recognized early on that the education sector is an opportunity to establish a reputation and prominence in a saturated industry. Colleges have long been known as places that start and follow trends. By 2012, he signed Stanford University as his first customer. The product officially launched in January 2013 with a maximum of 25 video participants. A number so small it’s almost laughable when compared to its current ceiling of 1,000 video participants and 10,000 viewers. Yuan spent months trying to grow his company and never feared the dirty work that came with the job. He often emailed users who were considering leaving Zoom to ask why and personally responded to customer feedback on Twitter to learn what the company could do better.

from $0 to $20 per month. Plus, Zoom’s cloud infrastructure

By May 2013, Zoom had 1 million users.

Susan Hicks, a realtor from Rabell Realty and president of avoids invasive, time-consuming downloads. Not to mention, Zoom’s quick response to new problems.

BNI Gainesville (a business networking group), said using Zoom With the increasing number of users on the platform, a has become her “new norm.” “In the beginning, it was difficult, but each time we did it, it became easier,” she said. “Just like new problem arose in mid-March called “Zoombombing.”

This is when a hacker joins a private video conference call. everything else.” Self-proclaimed, social butterfly Hicks considers herself a part of the older generation who didn’t grow up with Thus, giving them the opportunity to say or do inappropriate advanced technology, so she said it was hard to adjust. “Not being things during the meeting. Within a month, Zoom provided its able to be hands-on or face to face can be challenging,” she said. users with three ways to avoid Zoombombing, including to set a meeting password, create a waiting room and restrict public Although, certain tasks have become easier over Zoom for her features. Zoom also issued a security update, halted work on and other members in BNI. In Zoom, there’s an open chat box, other projects to devote resources to Zoom security and made where anyone can type responses or make comments during the conference call. Hicks said this feature comes in handy when one a deal with New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding needs the contact information of someone mentioned but does encryption and user data. There’s not much of Zoom’s success that can be chalked up to luck, but one must admit Zoom reaped not want to interrupt the meeting. It’s simple for someone to ask the benefits of being the right company at the right time. Zoom’s in the chat box and receive multiple responses from members success ballooned during quarantine, going from 10 million willing to connect the individuals.

Once COVID-19 is under control, Hicks still intends to use daily meeting participants in December to 300 million in April.

Zoom, however, wouldn’t be where it is today without the Zoom. BNI has members located in different cities, states and even countries. When BNI Gainesville has district meetings, undeniable perseverance and determination of Yuan. From being denied his visa eight times to leaving a lucrative job at Zoom is a convenient tool it can rely on to gather everyone together no matter the distance. While exceedingly popular, Cisco (a networking hardware company), he always tried his Zoom is not the first of its kind. One cannot help but wonder, best and gave his work 110%, in hopes that some day it would all be worth it. Look at the quarantine lifestyle as a way to why did businesses and groups, like Rabell Realty and BNI, flock to Zoom? How did Zoom surpass preexisting industry giants, prioritize what’s important to you, and similar to Yuan, you’ll like Skype and Microsoft Teams? Sure, Zoom was incredibly suc- Zoom ahead. cessful before the global pandemic (valued at $16 billion in 2019), but now even your grandma knows how to use Zoom.

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Smooth Sailing at SunState Federal Credit Union It has been said that you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. So as challenge after challenge has washed over all of us this year, SunState Federal Credit Union has gladly held tight to our board and learned how to ride the waves. We’ve adapted. And through expansion of some of our services and creative solutions from our staff, SSFCU has discovered some wonderful new ways to serve our community that we might not have tested. In every challenge, we’ve found an opportunity.

At SunState Federal Credit Union, safety and security are our top priority. So to honor our commitment to both, we expanded our drive-thru services to provide the same trusted services in a new and convenient format.

“We recently had a member who was thrilled that we were able to open a money market account for her in under five minutes right in our drive thru lane,” said Vice President of Marketing Robert Hart.

Employees have been shifted to provide space for social distancing, and we’re following CDC protocols by providing face masks and encouraging hand washing and sanitization 70 |

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for the safety of our staff and our members. It’s all part of our continuing approach to customer service and reliability.

“Our new protocols display our commitment to meet our members’ needs and their safety, as well as the safety of our staff,” said Carol Tucker, Regional Director of Member Experience. “These past few months have taught us to be more flexible and nimble in decision making. We’ve become more compassionate, understanding and diligent. Like our members we are all in this together.”

SSFCU has been a leader in online services for years, but over the past month we’ve shifted resources to be

able to provide an even more robust virtual experience. We’ve cross-trained staff members and reconfigured our phone services to ensure that even the remote SunState experience has the personal touch our members have come to expect.

We’ve extended our phone service hours, and our members can also schedule virtual appointments to speak online face-to-face with a representative to open a checking or savings account, apply for an auto or personal loan, and credit cards.

“Our call back option has decreased members’ wait time as well,” said Daryl Pressley, AVP of our Centralized Lending Center. “They don’t have to wait on the phone to talk to someone. We will simply call them back without them losing their spot in line.”

Daryl said the past few months have been rewarding and challenging, but he’s been proud of the sense of community between SunState staff and its members.

“Through this pandemic we have had opportunities to help members in ways we never thought possible. We are our member’s advocates, and if we can help them financially, we will do everything we can,” Daryl said. “We want members to know that we are here for them. Our goal is to serve them, whether that is by saving them money on their loans, or whether that is helping them through a difficult time due to COVID. We are here to serve the members. We can serve members digitally, or in person. Just know we are here to serve.”

So as we look toward the horizon, know that although we can’t see what lies ahead, your team here at SunState Federal Credit Union has embraced the tides as they have turned. And we will be here for our members and our community as we ride this out together.

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DO IT YOURSELF >> EGG CRATE BATS

EEK!

BOO! Bats

DIY Egg Crate Halloween Decoration S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY ERICK A WINTER ROW D

I

t’s that spooktacular time of year again when we all start to decorate for Halloween! Why not try your hand at a fun DIY project that will have you and your kiddos feeling festive and fun. Just follow these simple steps and you, too, could create a colony of bats to adorn your home during the month of October!

Supplies: Egg carton Black acrylic paint Paintbrush or sponge Glue gun Festive ribbon Googly eyes Scissors/ X-Acto knife

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DO IT YOURSELF >> EGG CRATE BATS

Step 1 Using scissors or an X-Acto knife, cut the egg crate dozen to form 4 sets of 3 “eggs” together. Turn upside down, so the opening is on the bottom.

Step 6

Step 2

Loop your ribbon, and glue the center point down onto the top of the middle egg. Be careful not to burn your fingers with the hot glue. You can always use another utensil to press the ribbon onto the glue, like the tip of a pencil. Set aside to allow time to dry.

Cut out “wings” on each side of the egg crate sets (upside down triangle shapes).

Step 7

Step 3 With your paintbrush or sponge, paint each set of 3 egg crates black. Set aside to allow time to dry.

Step 4 Glue googly eyes in the center of the middle egg. Feel free to get creative – try making a Cyclops bat with only one eye or even a three-eyed monster bat!

Step 5 Cut your festive ribbon to a reasonable length that allows enough room to hang your bat from the height of your choosing.

Tie the open end of the ribbon into a knot or a bow.

Step 8 Now it’s time to find the perfect hanging place for your bat.

Some fun ideas are outside tree branches and indoor dining room chandeliers. Remember: if you do decide to display your bats outside, bring them inside during rainstorms to protect their wings for the sometimes-spooky outdoor elements. BOO! Here’s to creating some Halloween magic this year…

Source: pinterest.com and craftsbycourtney.com

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76

COMMUNITY SUPPORT >> LOCAL FARMERS

NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS

SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMERS

Healthy Eats STORY A N D PHOTOGR A PH Y BY STEPH STR ICK L A N D

Imagine driving down Archer Road and the air is hot and sticky, but the A/C is on full blast to keep the car as cool as possible.

Songs flicker across the radio as lights and stores pass until the destination is reached. Even with some traffic, the drive is pleasant and expected.

For many locals, a simple drive to the grocery store is the only step to obtain all of the food needed to get through each day. However, the food itself faces a much more treacherous journey. On average, food travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate. Each item that shoppers casually stroll past took a great deal of energy and time to sit on that shelf.

Local farmers in every city across the country work to counteract the harmful effects of commercial farming. For example, Eric Bjerregaard, a local farmer and familiar face at Haile Farmer’s Market. His booth has become a year-round staple at the event, where he shares locally sourced produce that he grows merely 12 miles from the hustle and bustle of the area. A similar quick and easy drive like our own to the local grocery store.

However, farmers like Eric make up only 5.5% of farms across the country in an industry that contributes $100 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to the USDA. Much of

that contribution comes from commercial farms profiting on the back of unsustainable practices.

Locally sourced foods aren’t out of reach, even if they aren’t always as convenient as a simple drive down Archer Road. There are also countless health-related environmental benefits of knowing the origin story of the food on your plate.

Why Eat Local?

“Every local farmer puts their heart and soul into the craft.”

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Experts outline a myriad of reasons to opt for local foods over ones sourced elsewhere, from unsustainable harvesting and growing down to the taste of the food and its effect on the human body.

When eating local first began as a trend among health-oriented communities, people like Jan Costa, founder of Florida Fresh Meat Company, saw an opportunity to enter the industry. “I knew it was an industry that was going to explode, when everyone else saw it as a fad,” he said.

Costa also cites the wasteful practices in agricultural communities for his start in the industry. When Costa first began his farm, he saw how with the use of unsustainable practices only a small portion of his livestock’s meat could be used. “We use every part of the animal…like we were always meant to,” Costa said.

Similarly, commercial farming often strips the land of its natural resources and relies heavily on pesticides, hormones and other additives that can enter waterways as runoff. By not adhering to the natural cycles of harvest, commercial farms are stressing the very land they need to be successful, taking the phrase ‘biting the hand that feeds you’ to a new level.

Agriculture is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the United States, which has been traced to climate change.

These emissions largely come from unsustainable animal agriculture and systems around food production.

Siembra Farm of southeast Gainesville prides itself on listening to the land. Operating on a seasonal basis, the farm grows mixed organic vegetables and offers numerous educational opportunities and partnerships to encourage sustainable farming in the area.

Jen Speedy, a collective member of the farm, believes in the message of Siembra and advocates for their work-trade volunteer days to learn about farming among other community-oriented programs. “It feels like it’s our job to make that [sustainable farming] accessible to the community,” Speedy said.

Speedy added that local farms don’t rely on large systems to get their food in the hands of the consumer, which made these local operations more adaptable to the outbreak of COVID-19.

As commercial farms met challenges with systems including transportation and factories, local farms like Siembra were not met with such barriers. “When things felt scarce, we were abundant,” Speedy said.

As many local foodies and farmers can attest, eating local won’t leave your taste buds unsatisfied. Local farmers continue to get creative with their products to offer consumers alternatives to unsustainable options. Among those farmers with a creative edge is Captain Caliente, with the infamous Captain as its spokesperson. The brand runs a 2,400 square foot aquaponics garden, where every pepper used within the products are grown.

From hot sauce to tropical seasoning, Captain Caliente takes local flavor very seriously. “No matter how big we get, it will always be the same process,” he said.

In the 1,500 miles many items travel, typically across an average of 14 days, both the flavor and the nutritional value of the food diminish greatly. According to Vitura Health, this loss of nutritional benefit begins within 24 hours of being picked.

Local foods also tend to be picked at peak ripeness, when they

are most nutritionally dense, rather than being picked early to prepare the produce for the long journey ahead.

For local farmers, the decision was simple. Obtaining food from local sources and bringing it directly to the community is the best and only way to feed others in their eyes. Miles Burnett travels around local waterways to obtain fresh, caught fish and has created a livelihood around this for over a decade. No farms, no hormones and no overfishing. Burnett keeps it simple and returns to our roots in consuming foods.

“The freshness and quality of everything here is so awesome,” he said. “Every local farmer puts their heart and soul into the craft.”

How to Eat Local Local food can be found in nearly every community across the United States. Farmer’s markets tend to be the most frequent aggregate of local foods available to the public. From the Haile Farmer’s Market to the Alachua County Farmer’s Market.

Pam Warsham, the manager of the Haile Farmer’s Market, said markets like hers are careful that the vendors they bring in represent the larger goal of the organization. Warsham also stressed the fun in bringing people together at these types of events. “Visitors don’t just get the food. They also get the personality of the farmers,” she said.

Other options include local restaurants that support local farms and obtain their ingredients in a sustainable way. Some of these options include Civilization, Daily Green, Vine Sourdough Bakery and more.

What’s In Season? (Fall in North Central Florida) Cool Season Vegetables: Broccoli, Lettuce, Carrots, Brussel Sprouts, Radishes, Arugula, Beets, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Fennel, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Onions, Turnips, Collards an Spinach.

Other Plants: Tomatoes, Strawberries and Mustard.

Here’s to healthy eating and supporting local farmers!

Sources: markets.businessinsider.com, beyondfactoryfarming.org, ams.usda.gov, 100daysofrealfood.com, virtua.orgu, siembrafarm. com, gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu.

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ENTERTAINMENT >> SOCIALLY-DISTANCED THEATRE

VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES

Theatre in the Time of Covid All the World’s a Socially-Distanced Stage W RIT TE N BY S UMMER JA R RO

D

espite many theatres closing nationwide because of COVID-19, several local theatres are still producing and sharing art with the community. The pandemic caused many businesses and establishments across the state of Florida to close their doors. Local theatre companies such as the Hippodrome Theatre, High Springs Playhouse and Actors’ Warehouse had to halt productions of their previously schedule season.

Even now as many establishments are able to open up — with restrictions— some of the local theatres still have not started normal operations to ensure the safety of staff and those in the community amid the pandemic. However, the theatre companies came up with a safe alternative to continue to

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produce plays and share them with local residents by trying virtual theatre. The Hippodrome and Actors’ Warehouse have delved into the world of virtual theatre in different ways by producing some productions through Zoom and other online platforms, or by recording plays beforehand and sharing them online.

“We’re just continuing to try to find ways to tell stories in this time of pandemic, and as long as we can afford to keep doing it, we will,” said Stephanie Lynge, artistic director for the Hippodrome.

Some theatre companies such as High Springs Playhouse have opened back up again but to limited capacity. As for movie theatres, while those were closed, Celebration Pointe started drive-in movie events to still allow people to watch movies while staying safe and social distancing.

The Hipp streamed its virtual performances of “Souvenir” this past July. Hippodrome Company Member Kelly Atkins starred as Florence Foster Jenkins.

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ENTERTAINMENT >> SOCIALLY-DISTANCED THEATRE

Left and Top Right: The Hippodrome Theatre and Actors’ Warehouse both delved into the world of virtual theatre with productions of “Souvenir” and “Nature of the Beast.” Bottom Right: Concessions were available for guests during the Drive-in Movie Series at Celebration Pointe.

The Hippodrome

“It went very well. Everyone had a really fun time,” Lynge said, of the opening night. “There was great energy. It was a The Hippodrome, located at 25 SE Second Place in downsuper fun inauguration of a virtual process and everyone who town Gainesville, closed in mid-March because of COVID-19 attended the virtual opening had a great time and everyone and had to stop production of one of its performances already loved the show. It was very positive feedback and we were very running. The performances that were scheduled during the time happy.” the Hippodrome ended up closing were cancelled. After

For the rest of the week, attendees who a few weeks of shock after having to close, Lynge paid for a ticket could stream the show through began brainstorming alternatives to continue “It was just an Vimeo. Producing “Souvenir” virtually was a producing plays for the community. opportunity in the test run to see how well it would go and what “I started thinking outside of the box the reception was for the new medium. when it became apparent the box was no light of what’s going

“If there’s an appetite for this in our longer going to be viable,” she said. on to do something community, if people want to see theatre The Hippodrome decided to try virand get people out and enjoy this format that we’ve created, tual theatre. From July 21 to July 26, the and about in a safe then that gives us another venue in which company streamed a virtual production of fashion” to tell stories,” Lynge said.

“Souvenir,” its first production “in this brand Lynge doesn’t know exactly what will new COVID world we’re living in,” Lynge said. happen in the future for other performances the The play included two actors and the perforHippodrome is working on as things continue to change mance was recorded beforehand. Then, it was shared each day. with the online community. On the opening night of the play, “There’s plenty of other things that we’re going to be trying which was hosted by Broadway Unlocked, attendees enjoyed as well,” she said. “This is just our first big splash.” a live interaction before the show and could enter chat rooms where they could speak with the designers, actors and directors of “Souvenir” before the showing of the performance. There was also a “bar” component online that someone could enter and High Springs Playhouse get paired with someone else and chat with before the show.

High Springs Playhouse, located at 23416 W U.S. Hightway 27 An actor from a previous play also gave a performance that was in High Springs, didn’t try out virtual theatre but has restarted streamed live beforehand. in-person performances. The playhouse closed temporarily as 80 |

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ENTERTAINMENT >> SOCIALLY-DISTANCED THEATRE

During the Drive-in Movie Series, films were shown in one of the parking lots at Celebration Pointe.

well because of COVID-19. Shows were scheduled for the spring and summer months, but had to be postponed to a later date.

When businesses in Florida were able to reopen, High Springs Playhouse decided to start up productions in-person again.

The first show the playhouse produced since closing was “Anne of Green Gables,” which opened in July. In order for everyone to remain safe, the playhouse was filled to 50% capacity, groups were seated one at a time, masks were required and the area was sanitized after each show. “[It went] really smooth,” said Julie Macklin, president of High Springs Playhouse, of the “Anne of Green Gables” shows.

“Our patrons are really cooperative and understanding. They are excited to get out and see live theatres because they have been cooped up for so long.”

Actors and other staff who were part of “Anne of Green Gables” also practiced social distancing while rehearsing. The rehearsal of the play was broken into parts, so there were a limited amount of people together at once. Some people also wore masks.

The High Springs Playhouse was unable to try out virtual theatre because it does not have the resources or funding to do it. The plan is to continue production with socially distanced practices unless they are ordered to close again.

“We’re hoping that it will get better, but we don’t know,” Macklin said.

The playhouse’s next performance is “Dracula” scheduled to begin in October.

Drive-in Movies When movie theaters across the country shut down due to the pandemic, it left many people unable to watch the latest releases. Celebration Pointe came up with an alternative to give people the opportunity to enjoy watching movies on the big screen. In partnership with Gift Certificates and More, Celebration Pointe put together a drive-in movie series where during June and part of July movies, such as Toy Story 4 and Ford v. Ferrari, were shown on Fridays or Saturdays.

“It was just an opportunity in the light of what’s going on to do something and get people out and about in a safe fashion,” said Leslie Payne, director of marketing for Celebration Pointe.

The movies were shown in an open parking lot at Celebration Pointe, and the public could watch the movie from their cars.

The response from the community was great with some movie

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learning process. A huge, huge learning process for us.”

The online performance was of “Nature of the Beast.” Kathy Byrne directed the performance. Everything went well doing the entire production and performance online, but Byrne said she missed rehearsing in-person and putting on the show in front of an audience.

There were some challenges to doing everything on Zoom.

“Some [things] were easier. Some [things] were just odd,” said Actors’ Warehouse Actors’ Warehouse, a nonprofit community-based theatre com- Byrne, production manager of Actors’ Warehouse.

She didn’t have to choreograph the actors because they were all pany that focuses on entertaining, inspiring and fostering critical acting in front of a camera, but she needed to focus on facial expresthinking through the performing arts, tested virtual theatre amid the pandemic. The theatre company in Gainesville closed in March sions and camera acting. It was a challenge to not be able to give one-on-one personal feedbecause of COVID -19. back during the rehearsals.

Virtual theatre was the She made up for it by taking way to continue sharing notes during rehearsals and entertainment with the giving feedback to each community while the comactor separately. pany remained closed.

“I’m excited about Tickets for virtual perthis opportunity to learn formances can be bought new ways, but also looking online. Links to the show forward to the days where are then sent to the perwe can all be in the same son’s email where the room together,” Byrne said. video can be accessed. The

Actors’ Warehouse organization had archived has put together other virrecordings of past perfortual productions, but Butler mances of “The Ghosts on doesn’t know if they will the Wall” and “Tshepang” make virtual theatre a regperformed by actors from ular alternative or go back Actors’ Warehouse that to putting on productions were shared on the comnormally. He is, however, pany’s website. a big proponent of virtual A ctors’ Warehouse theatre and is thinking of also put on its first perforHigh Springs Playhouse was unable to try out virtual theatre because of lack of resources.

The playhouse did begin production again with “Anne of Green Gables” in July.

In order possibly doing a hybrid of mance that was rehearsed, for guests to stay safe, the playhouse was only operating at 50% capacity — seating groups virtual performances and acted, edited and directed one at a time for performances, requiring masks and sanitizing the area after each show. in-person performances. on Zoom. It was put on its “This is a road we would like to go down,” Butler said. “This is website for public viewing.

“That was a challenge,” said Steven H. Butler, executive and something we want to explore because our theater public has said ‘we’re open to it,” so let’s give them something they’re open to.” artistic director and founder of Actors’ Warehouse. “That was a showings having about 120 cars in attendance, Payne said. Concessions were also available during the showings.

The drive-in series was postponed toward the end of July once the news came out that Regal Cinemas were reopening on Aug. 21.

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84

PANDEMIC VET >> VIRTUAL MEDICINE

CREATIVE VET

VICE

Veterinary Medicine Goes Virtual W R I T T E N B Y H AY L I Z U C C O L A P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M I C H A E L A . E A D DY

W

hen the coronavirus pandemic began sweeping across the nation, R.E.M.’s lyrics became a reality – it was the end of the world as we knew it. Sporting events were suspended. Music festivals were canceled. Mom-and-pop shops closed their doors indefinitely. Even Mickey Mouse took a leave of absence when every Disney theme park worldwide put a halt on the magic.

While the economic impact of the virus became a growing concern, educational institutions were busy scrambling to find a solution for their students. When it became apparent things weren’t going “back to normal” any time soon, college medical programs needed to establish a new normal – teaching clinical medicine digitally.

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PANDEMIC VET >> VIRTUAL MEDICINE

“I think a lot of people, in the beginning, were hopeful this was going to be two weeks or a month where the students were going to be gone, but I kind of had this sick feeling that this wasn’t gonna go away for a while,” Dr. William Alexander Fox-Alvarez, an assistant professor with the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and surgeon with UF’s Small Animal Hospital, said.

“We were supposed to transition to some sort of online rounds with [the students] and, you know, this is something that we never in our wildest dreams thought we would have to teach in-person, clinical medicine remotely. So nobody really had resources. The things that we have to teach from are kind of traditional (PowerPoint-based or lecture-based) and they don’t have the same dynamic, step-wise approach through a clinical case, as you would see it on the clinical floor,” he said.

For those outside the medical field, rounds are small group

discussions centered around a patient or a disease process.

Traditionally, when veterinary students meet their furry patients for cage-side rounds, they sort through their medical history; recognize what the problem is and formulate a treatment plan; explain the disease, procedure risks and cost with the owner; and develop a post-op and discharge plan.

The goal, at least for Fox-Alvarez, was to create something that would condense an entire clinical case from start to finish in a digital video presentation. His first topic – Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, which is an upper airway issue that effects short snout dogs like bulldogs and Chinese pugs – was presented in a PowerPoint-style format strung together with videos and photos he’d taken while working on past cases. Along with audiovisual examples and voiceover explanations, he also placed segments throughout the lesson for student cognition checks.

After finishing his first video, Fox-Alvarez realized this

“This started as an emergency response, and we’re hoping to transition this into a more formal platform,”

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situation wasn’t just a statewide concern like the emergency responses he’d experienced during hurricane season, this was an event that was making an impact on veterinary schools all over the world. His ambition suddenly grew from creating a solution for UF veterinary students to developing something that would be available for everyone. With this in mind, Fox-Alvarez and his wife, Stacey, formed VICE (Veterinary Isolated Clinical Education) Rounds – a cooperative where volunteer educators could contribute topic and case-based clinical round presentations for all interested students and universities.

Since uploading his first video on March 15, VICE has garnered a listserv of over 100 veterinary professors from colleges across the globe and has created a catalog of 65 recorded clinical topic rounds from educators representing 11 veterinary universities and three private practices.

“We needed to build an essential curriculum for clinics online and for any one university to do that alone would be ridiculous so if we all just build a little piece then, you know, I can say, yep I know this is a good quality resource that’s gonna cover everything that it needs to,” he said. “It’s been a really rewarding, wild experience.”

Even before other educators and universities became involved and increased the available content from one video to over five dozen, FoxAlvarez enlisted the help of his wife, who doubles as a clinical assistant professor at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine and medical oncology resident at UF’s Small Animal Hospital, and his research assistant Monica Waln to get VICE off the ground and make it successful. Waln is a UF graduate in animal sciences, who, after teaching herself the software, began video editing submitted content and managing the VICE Rounds social media and YouTube channels.

“For these rounds, we were working so hard, we were putting so much effort into it. We knew that it was important and that it was going to be helping people. It was important for the students to feel like they’re not getting ignored, like someone knows that they’re there and they’re working to make their situation better and the same thing for all the veterinary educators who are so stressed right now,” Dr. Stacey Fox-Alvarez, said.

“We look at [the] numbers, we see that people are using them and we get feedback from people who are saying ‘thank you so much for doing this.’”

Wanting to create a more one-on-one virtual experience in addition to the recorded rounds, Stacey helped implement VICE Rounds Live, Sept/Oct 2020

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PANDEMIC VET >> VIRTUAL MEDICINE

For veterinary professors like the Fox-Alvarezes, transitioning to teaching at home was a little challenging, but an experience beloved by their furry family, which includes a few photographic chickens. (Above photos courtesy of the Fox-Alvarezes)

which took place every Friday at noon and allowed students to interact with professors, ask questions and take polls so they could have a more personalized experience.

“I think one of the best [things] is our collaboration with these other universities,” Fox-Alvarez said. He explained when they do live rounds, they have radiologists, surgeons and professors from universities across the country interacting in the

same space. “We never would have even dreamt of doing that [before], it would have felt like we were breaking some sort of unspoken territorial bond.”

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of creating a website and easy-to-access platform for VICE. It would be used to replace the existing system of Google Sheets and private link-share YouTube videos.

“This started as an emergency response, and we’re hoping to transition this into a more formal platform,” he said. “ If we can put together an essential online curriculum then it’s something that all universities can share.”

Being faculty members, the Fox-Alvarezes have to juggle their teaching commitments with clinical responsibilities and yearly research requirements.

With a hectic work schedule and a life at home with four dogs, two cats and a handful of chickens, they’re unable to create VICE content in the same capacity they could during the initial shutdown. Even so, they still produce live rounds when the time allows and more importantly, have paved the way for VICE to continue to grow in size and reach.

“I was inspired by how much support we had and how often people were actually using it and that we were actually able to help people. We feel like there’s a lot of different directions and room to do things and if nothing else, you know, it was a great experience,” he said. “It was really fun to kind of help build a community of people who are passionate and wanted to take action to try and help during that crazy time.”

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SPOTLIGHT

RESCUE ANIMAL ADOPTIONS

Furever Friends FIFI & NICOLE

FUREVER FRIENDS IS A RECURRING PROFILE THAT FEATURES A LOCAL RESCUE ANIMAL AND THEIR OWNER, WRITTEN FROM THE ADOPTED PET’S “POINT OF VIEW.” NOMINATE YOURSELF OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW FOR OUR NEXT RESCUED PET PROFILE! CONTACT: EDITOR@TOWERPUBLICATIONS.COM.

Oh my gosh, I’m so excited to do this! Okay, hold on let me catch my breath...whew...okay, let me start over.

Where to begin, okay, my name is Fifi and I’m a Catahoula mix who was rescued for the first time by Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue. At the time I was living in a shelter in Levy County that said I was at risk for something called “youth nation,” I think that’s what it was called, I’m not sure what that was though because I was quickly moved to Haile’s Angels and matched with a foster family.

My foster mom was sweet and caring, but it was her roommate that I instantly felt a connection to. The first time I met Nicole Grycuk, she kneeled beside me and I wrapped my paws around her and gave her a big hug. Nicole never had a dog before and at the time she was finishing her senior year at UF and didn’t know what was next for her, but when I was finally ready to be adopted she cried at the thought of me leaving and decided to adopt me herself. I guess my hugs leave a lasting impression.

Though we had already lived together for a while, now that we were officially a family we got to learn so much more about each other. My mom quickly learned that I didn’t really want to play with any of the toys she picked out for me and would much rather play with something more interesting like sweet potatoes. I don’t know why but they’re so fun to toss around the house. She quickly got the hint and got me some sweet potato treats which I either eat or throw around the room depending on my mood. I also love sand! It’s my favorite thing in the entire world – next to my mom, of course – so going to the beach is the absolute best because I can dig holes in the 90 |

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sand and jump right in. My mom also says I’m a drama queen, but I’m just expressive with my emotions. Like if my mom and her boyfriend are having dinner at the table and I’m not invited I’ll throw myself back in a huff until I’m acknowledged or given some of their dinner.

While my mom was learning more about me, I was finding out more about her. After graduating from UF we moved to Tampa so my mom could join the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. I also found out that before I came into the picture, my mom had a rocky relationship with her mom, but I

think adopting me played a part in their reconnection. Now we go to grandma’s house all the time, which is my favorite because I get spoiled with presents and goodies. Every time I cuddle up with my mom I can’t imagine being anywhere else in the whole world and am so thankful she decided to adopt me. § If you’re interested in adopting a pet, visit Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue at hailesangels.org. You can follow Fifi’s adventures on her Instagram @fifilindagrycuk.

NEUROPATHY SCIATICA ARTHRITIS

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According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, domestic flights from large air carriers are delayed more than 15 percent of the

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time. With a charter, you’re on your own schedule. Rather than waiting on a previously delayed plane to arrive, you can take off as soon as you’re ready.

Not only are people using it for personal travel, but it’s a cost-efficient solution for businesses with frequent short-notice travel demands.

Commute to a morning meeting in Miami, and be back in time for a happy hour wrap-up. It’s also a way to offer quality of life to employees who want to spend more time with family rather than overnight business trips. The privacy of a five-passenger plane allows for confidential prep meetings on the way, and no chance of cranky strangers interrupting a mid-flight nap.

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LIFE UNPLASTIC ENVIRONMENT >> SUSTAINABLE LIVING

SUSTAINABLE WAYS TO PACK MEALS

REDUCE & REUSE STORY A N D PHOTOGR A PH Y BY SU MMER JA R RO

Whether for school, work, or a picnic lunch – packing meals can oftentimes lead to a decent amount of single-use item waste. During the pandemic, many residents have been finding themselves spending more time outdoors.

Picnics have become a popular way to get out and enjoy some natural entertainment while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Consider these helpful tips for reducing waste the next time you need to pack a meal.

1. Reusable over Disposables “It is usually automatic especially in today’s society to use disposable or single-use items to pack lunches,” said Joy Hughes, owner of Life Unplastic, a Gainesville business focused on reducing plastic waste by offering ecofriendly alternatives for everyday items.

Instead of using a disposable plastic water bottle, a better alternative would be a glass or metal one. Wooden or metal utensils, glass or metal containers to store food and reusable and naturally made pouches for sandwiches, chips, fruits and other foods are all good reusable alternatives to plastic or other wasteful options when packing meals. Using lunch bags made of cotton or other natural materials are another option to try when storing lunch instead of using a plastic bag to carry everything.

Life Unplastic offers an array of items to help someone looking to go the sustainable route when packing their food, including Bee’s Wraps to hold cheeses, fruits and other small items as an alternative to plastic wraps. The store also offers reusable water bottles and containers made of metal, glass or synthetic material, cotton lunch bags, metal lunch pails Sept/Oct 2020

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“The meal prep thing it might seem like it would be so inconvenient to do that, but it’s something that you can get your kids involved with,” Hughes said.

and lunchboxes, wooden utensil kits, ecofriendly sandwich pouches and glass containers.

“That’s really what I’m trying to do is kind of find those environmentally friendly alternatives that don’t make you stray so far from the habits that we’ve all kind of grown accustomed to in this disposable society that we live in,” Hughes said in a 2019 interview.

Hughes goes the reusable route when making her own lunch. She uses cloth napkins to wrap her sandwiches or fruit and always has a reusable water bottle.

3 . L o c a l , H e a lt h y Options and Household Items

2. Meal Prep Buying food items in bulk and prepping meals in advance helps to reduce the amount of packaging needed for those foods. Planning ahead and knowing what to buy before heading to the grocery store helps to prevent people from buying unnecessary food items. When people buy too much food while not thinking ahead that leaves the possibility of some items being wasted along the way.

Focus on buying locally grown foods to pack for your meals.

Items like fruits and vegetables are healthier and can take away from the unnecessary packaging that some processed foods like chips, bread or even meats come inside.

Before splurging for new items to use to pack your meals more sustainably, it is best to look around the house if you have anything at home that could be useful first.

Being sustainable doesn’t have to be expensive.

“Look around your house. See what containers you already have on hand,” said Amanda Waddle, a zero waste and policy advisor at Zero Waste Gainesville. “You might have a lunch box that’s in the back of your pantry you haven’t used in a while. You definitely don’t need anything fancy.”

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4. One Step At A Time Trying to be more sustainable when packing meals doesn’t mean having to jump completely into it all at once. It is better to take it one step at a time. First, try by just using a reusable water bottle each day and then build on it, Waddle said in a 2019 interview.

“Zero waste doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” she said. “If you can adapt one lifestyle choice that allows you to reduce waste we think that’s great. You don’t have to abandon any of your efforts just because you think you won’t achieve zero waste.”

Waddle and her family have been packing their lunches in a more sustainable way for the past nine years by using a combination of a lunchbox, water bottle, metal containers and utensils, and pouches.

“I think that there are really simple ways to reduce waste and I think it’s really important for our climate and the environment to reduce your waste,” Waddle said. “Often times single-use plastics escape out of garbage trucks or the landfills or garbage carts and easily get into our environment even if you don’t directly litter. Indirect litter happens a lot, so if you can use reusable containers, reusable water bottles, things along those lines in your daily life then there is less a chance of the single-use plastics getting into our environment.”

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REMEMBRANCE >> UNION ACADEMY LEGACY

HISTORY IN THE TEACHING

The People of Union Academy Their Legacy and Impact on Alachua County W R I T T E N B Y J O A N N A G R E Y TA L B O T

T

he end of the Civil War brought many changes to Gainesville. It had escaped the devastation that many southern towns had experienced so the economy and population immediately began to grow. The 1860 census states that there were only 46 African American residents in Gainesville. As a result of emancipation and economic opportunity the number of African Americans grew to 765 by the 1870 census. That was over half of the town’s total population of 1,444.

Settling in the growing Pleasant Street and Porter’s Quarters neighborhoods, newly freed African Americans founded businesses, constructed homes, and began rebuilding their lives.

Amid these changes the federal Bureau of Freedmen, Refugees, and Abandoned Lands (known as the Freedmen’s Bureau) sent agents south to assist former enslaved workers with everything

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REMEMBRANCE >> UNION ACADEMY LEGACY

from housing to employment. One of its major focuses became education because before emancipation it had been illegal for enslaved workers to attend a school of any kind.

Prior to 1865 Alachua County had no public school system.

Private schools were available for white children who could afford them. The Freedmen’s Bureau agent assigned to Gainesville was Captain Joseph H. Durkee, a Union veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. In partnership with Capt.

Durkee, the National Freedmen’s Association of New York sent Catherine Bent of Newburyport, Massachusetts, to Gainesville in November of 1865 to start a school for the formerly enslaved children.

Miss Bent taught 60 African American students by herself in a dilapidated church building until Harriet Barnes of Norwalk, Connecticut, joined her. They received their funding from the

Freedmen’s Bureau and northern organizations. Although they faced ostracism and persecution from the white population, these two women persevered and continued to teach their students.

A Board of Trustees, consisting of nine African American men from the community - Isaac Davis, Johnson Chestnut, John Bullard, Anthony Jumper, Henry Roberts, Henry S. Harmon, David Coleman, Thomas Dawkins, and Edward Deyer - formed in 1867 to purchase land for a permanent school building. On November 20, 1867, they bought a parcel on the corner of what is now NW 1st Street and NW 6th Avenue (where the Rosa B. Williams Center is located today). The school building cost $6,000 and was the second largest school built by the Bureau of Freedmen in Florida. It was constructed by volunteer African American carpenters who had learned their trade as enslaved craftsmen. The new school was named Union Academy.

Hampton and Emma Williams, pictured here with their children Jannieve and Reginald, were teachers. Emma taught at Union Academy and Hampton taught at a variety of public schools in the county. Both would go on to teach at Lincoln High School. Emma and Hampton were the children of former enslaved laborers. Hampton’s parents were born in South Carolina and eventually moved to Florida where they had seven children. Hampton and Emma were married around 1914 and lived in Gainesville for the rest of their lives. Jannieve was born in 1916 and Reginald in 1920.

The Williams lived first at 916 N Arredonda Street but eventually settled at 932 N Arredonda Street (736 NW 3rd Street). Emma died in 1948 and Hampton in 1964. They are both buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gainesville.

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The Union Academy building was located at the corner of NW 1st Street and NW 6th Avenue, but was torn down in the 1960s.

In 1869 the Alachua County Board of Instruction was formed and began supporting Union Academy as the public school for African American students in Gainesville. Miss Bent and Miss Barnes had moved on to other schools by 1870. They were replaced by Maggie Gardner and Emma B. Eveleth who were assisted by two local African American teachers, Eliza James and Lawrence Chestnut. Mr. Chestnut was the son of Johnson Chestnut, trustee and former enslaved craftsman on the Haile family’s Kanapaha Plantation where Lawrence was born.

Miss Gardner and Miss Eveleth left by 1873 and from then on, the leadership and teachers of Union Academy were all African Americans.

All support from the Freedmen’s Bureau and northern organizations ended by 1874, so it became a part of the county public school system. Union Academy quickly became the jewel of the African American community and was as beloved as the former Lincoln High School, which eventually replaced Union Academy in the 1920s.

By 1896 the one-story building was bursting at the seams so a second floor was added. The expanded building had eleven classrooms. A normal school (training academy for teachers) was also added.

Although a lot has been lost to history, we do know the names of many teachers and trustees thanks to newspaper articles and the County Board of Education archives. An article in the Gainesville Daily Sun on April 18, 1909, shares about that year’s graduation and the surrounding festivities. The school was led

by Principal Thomas E. DeBose and there were eight boys and four girls in the graduating class. Bertha M. Jones was the valedictorian and received a clock from Louis J. Burkhim, a Jewish business owner in Gainesville, as her prize. Baccalaureate and

graduation took place at the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church and week-long festivities were held at Johnson’s Hall in the Pleasant Street neighborhood. There were close to 500 students in the school that year.

We may not know everything about these community leaders but it is important to remember their names and legacy.

According to the Gainesville Daily Sun article previously mentioned, the teachers for the 1908-1909 school year were as follows: Primary – Miss Minnie C. Debose, Mrs. Lucy L. Murrell, and Mrs. Mozelle A. Gipson; 3rd Grade – Mrs. Meta A. Hearst and Mrs. Mamie E. Gardner; 4th and 5th Grades – Mrs. Christena E. Artson and Mrs. Emma P. Williams; 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades – Mrs. Amy L. Davis and Miss Susie A. Grant.

Emma Williams was married to Hampton Williams, a fellow teacher. They were both Florida natives and lived on N. Arredondo Street, now NW 3rd Street. They had two children, Jannieve and Reginald, and retired as teachers at Lincoln High School.

As the city’s population grew so did the school’s student body. The 1922-1923 school year was Union Academy’s last. The building could no longer support the number of students seeking an education. Its last principal, A. Quinn Jones, oversaw its closing and became the first principal of its replacement, Lincoln High School. In 1925 the building became a recreation center then a retirement home and eventually fell into disrepair. It was sadly demolished in the 1960s.

The building may no longer be standing but the legacy of its founders, leaders, teachers, and graduates lives on in Gainesville today.

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As the premier school for Black students in Alachua County, Union Academy’s growing enrollment called for a second floor to be added to the building in 1896.

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(386) 418-0001 TannerConstructionGroup.com

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352-377-2886 106 |

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

Sept/Oct 2020

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CLEAN, SAFE ENVIRONMENT LIMITED CLASS SIZE HELP WITH SCHOOL WORK SKILLED INSTRUCTORS

(352) 338-7262 | 6900 SW Archer Rd. okitoamerica.com

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Our Town

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU CELEBRATE KIND WORDS… The purpose of this special section is to build community, appreciation and hope. In the following pages you’ll find words of encouragement.

Testimonials from local people sharing what they love about the people and places that support our community and need your support.

We hope you’ll find some places you love, and encourage them too ;)

Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“We had a fantastic time working with Adrienne! She paid close attention to detail and managed to capture the essence of who we are in this season of life. Cannot wait to work with her again!!” — ZAKIYA SMITH-DORE

“Adrienne is extremely helpful, prompt, and professional. Working with her you can tell she is

very experienced and knows her way around the lens. She helped us elevate our Family

business and we at Cilantro Tacos could not ask for a better photographer!

Thank you Adrienne

”

— NATE METH

Adrienne Fletcher Photography Weddings. Portraits. Life.

352-514-7277

adriennefletcher.com 108 |

SHARE THE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020

“They are the best! Got me exactly what I needed, saved us money and I’m comfortable enough that I’ve referred many of my coworkers and friends.” — DARA MARINO “I know my family can trust and depend on Perry to make sure everything is taken care of.”

— PASTOR MARK SPRADLEY

“We’ve been with P&L Financial going into our third year. Perry has always been informative,

problem solving, reliable and accessible. We definitely consider him our friend.” — DENNIS & LISA KOZAK P&L Financial Services, Inc.

American Senior Benefits 5700 SW 34th St. Suite #106 | 352-745-7546

www.pandlfs.com SEPT/OCT 2020 SHARE THE LOVE

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“We love this place! The food is delicious, especially the steamed dumplings!

The staff is so sweet and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. My family can’t get enough.” — NANCY S.

“Best Thai restaurant in Gainesville. They have a plenty of options for vegetarians/ vegans too. Their Thai hot spice level is great for my Indian taste buds. Great service.”

— HIMANSHU V.

“Excellent flavor. Crispy tofu salad was amazing. Sticky rice with mango was delicious. Friendly waiter who explained the menu well and a decent amount of vegan options!” — SRI G.

Bangkok Square

Family-Owned Serving the Best Authentic Thai Cuisine Two locations | 8181 NW 38th Ln. | 6500 SW Archer Rd.

bangkoksquarefl.com 110 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“I have used Carpet Systems Plus for a long time, and I

wouldn’t use anyone else!

They are friendly, thorough and punctual. So far I have used Carpet Systems Plus for my carpets, a sofa and grout cleaning. I have always been pleased with their services.

They are a 5 Star company!” — DIANE D.

“I highly recommend them for move outs, seasonal cleaning, or prior to renting/listing a property. On

time, professional, trustworthy — phenomenal results!” — CHRIS B. Carpet Systems Plus

Love Your Floors Again!

1406 NW 6th Street, Suite C | 352-258-1357

CarpetSystemsPlus.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“ I came to St. Francis House for help. The case managers were great. They helped me find a new

job, enroll my 4 and 6 year olds in day care and school. They helped me find a new safe home for us. Two years later, I am now working on a military base, have full-time employment, full benefits, a beautiful home in a great neighborhood, and a new future– all thanks to St. Francis House. — FORMER RESIDENT

St. Francis changed my life forever. They gave me a place to live while I was homeless. They

gave me food, clothing, everything I needed. Working with the case managers, I was able to find work, childcare, and build a future for my family. I have been employed full-time and permanently housed for over 8 years and couldn’t have gotten here without the help of St. Francis House. — FORMER RESIDENT

St. Francis House, Inc. – Creating New Futures 112 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

Creating New Futures for Children and Families (352)-378-9079 | 413 South Main Street

stfrancishousegnv.com

“Always fresh, well prepared food. Warm hearted owners who stay involved.

Great local joint, and the food truck is spotted all over.” — BOBBY P. “For the second time in a year, I arranged to have Nathan bring his food truck out to feed about 60 employees. Nathan is very nice, professional and does what he says he’s going to do.” — PACA S. “First time here and I loved it! You can tell they really take their time with the food and it’s great quality. I cannot wait to return! Thanks for the excellent food and service and I appreciate all your hard work during these times.”— LESLIE B.

Cilantro Tacos

Freshness You Can Taste 12921 SW 1 Rd, Newberry

352-472-1300 Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“Friendly service with an excellent variety of food. The burgers are fantastic and on special every Monday night! Family friendly, country atmosphere makes this place an easy local gem!”

— J. CUCCHIARA

“The food and bar staff are the best!! My go to spot for cold drinks and great appetizers.

Burgers and soup are always great.” — DENISE ROSE “I am so happy to have this restaurant in Jonesville! I frequent here often with my family as well as business meetings for lunch. Friendly and efficient staff. Great food with plenty of choices.” — NANCY SHORT

Copper Monkey West

Your wait is over — our legendary burgers are back!

14209 W Newberry Rd, Jonesville | 352-363-6338

mycoppermonkey.com 114 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“This place is amazing! :) They are so patient and loving.” — MERI B. “This was my son’s first and only preschool. We loved the staff, who are so caring and knowledgeable.

I always refer other families to them who want quality care for their children.” — CHERIE K. “My daughter went to the Education Station for a year and it was by FAR the greatest daycare/ preschool experience I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing!” — PEGGY M.

Education Station & Preschool

Where Learning Never Stops 2411 NW 41st St, Gainesville | 352-335-0026 13851 Tech City CIR, Alachua | 386-588-3221

educationstationandpreschool.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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This practice is unbelievable. They were an answer to my prayers for affordable healthcare for my 2 kids. Dr. Tyndall-Smith was superb! She spent over two hours with my kids and answered all of our questions. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone! — D. DAVIS

If you’re looking for a doctor’s office that is focused on exceptional patient care, I highly recommend Gainesville DPC Physicians! From the moment you walk through the front door, you are welcomed with a smile and everyone knows you by name. Everyone that works there is AMAZING and I have never before had an experience at a doctor’s office like I do every time that I go there. — J & R Cook

Gainesville Direct Primary Care Physicians You’re our patient. We’re your doctors. It’s that simple.

212 NW 135th Way, Suite 20, Newberry | 352-204-0120

GainesvilleDPCMD.com 116 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“Dr. Webb will treat you like family.”

— ROD S.

“Always smiling and always a pleasant experience which is weird when you consider that it is the dentist.

Love Dr. Jordan and Dr. Patti.” — TONY M. “The Gentle Dental Care staff were very friendly, kind, and concerned about my welfare. I would definitely recommend them if you are looking for a new dental professional to take care of you!” — MICHELLE G.

Gentle Dental Care

Your health and safety are our greatest concerns!

3655 SW 2nd Avenue | 352-378-2555

GainesvilleDentist.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“I absolutely LOVE this salon! Their products are amazing too!” — TURI D. “I am very pleased for a first-timer and so is Goldie! I’m sure she can’t wait for her next spa day with such wonderful people! A big thanks to everyone who works there.” — ANGELA V. “I’ve been taking my two dogs there for many years and have always been happy with the groomers — I’ve used a number of them, but especially love Ashley. They are wildly popular in Gainesville, so book early for an appointment.” — VASSILIKI S.

Nature’s Pet Day Spa

The world-class care and attention your pets deserve 500 NW 60th St, Suite C | 352-331-8681

naturepetsgrooming.com 118 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“Today with the help of my Credit Union, I was able to help a lot of great people.

And if you are looking for a great place to do your banking, check out SunState Credit Union. Thanks to SunState Federal Credit Union!” — A VERY HAPPY MEMBER “I am so happy and proud to have businesses like you in our community who give so much back. In the

last couple of years, your generosity has been amazing, and you have helped so many children and other worthy causes. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!” — JORDAN M. SunState Federal Credit Union Proudly serving our members and our community since 1957

www.SunStateFCU.org Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“Melissa is incredibly helpful in getting us the right coverage at the best price. She advocates for us proactively.

Best insurance agent I have ever dealt with!”

— JOEL BLUMENTHAL

“The most pleasant insurance shopping experience I’ve ever had! All the staff are extremely welcoming and friendly. Brent, our agent is particularly professional, prompt, and courteous! I’ll no longer spend hours

Schneider provides us with one of the most competitive rates and customer service!!!”

shopping for deals online,

— CHUNGLING YAN

Schneider and Associates

Insurance Agents You Can Rely On 285 Nw 138th Terrace, Suite 100 | 352-333-3775

schneider-insurance.com 120 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“Wonderful staff! they treated my son like he was their own.

They’ll work with you for even same day appointment… I have not one negative thing to say.”

— KELLYE G.

The doctor was so sweet to my girls, and I felt that he was extremely knowledgeable and did

“Everything was perfect. The staff were amazing, so nice.

not leave out a single detail. The nurse was very kind and welcoming. You could tell that this is a great place! Loved our visit!” — TONYA D.

Little Pine Pediatrics

Lifelong Partners in Your Child’s Health 15551 NW Hwy 441 Suite 40, Alachua | 386-518-0102

littlepinepediatrics.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“Excellent prices, great sales!! Clean store and friendly staff! I have no trouble finding anything!!

Keep up the great work!” — SANDY S.

“Orders my favorite specialty items and always remembers what I favor!!

Great staff, very friendly. LOVE THIS PLACE!”

— TAMARA B.

“Love. Love. Love love love! I came here just for a browse and left awed. The selection of staples is absolutely ridiculous, and the variety of cordials blew my mind.” — APRIL O.

The Liquor & Wine Shoppe

Great people, prices & monthly wine tastings 14451 Newberry Rd, Jonesville | 352-332-3308

facebook.com/LiquorShoppes 122 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“Eden Michele is a place of pure serenity! It’s amazing how they take on modern feel and add touches of tranquility throughout the facility.”

— CORDI C.

I ended up getting one of the best haircuts of my life so far there.

“Very cool, friendly atmosphere. Staff goes out of their way to make you feel at home.

A number of services are offered and I absolutely would recommend to anyone.”

— EMILY B.

Eden Michele Salon

An Aveda-Exclusive Salon Thornbrook Village - Suite 2B | 352-888-7528

edenmichelesalon.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“Dr.Montini and staff are amazing, I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I do not have one complaint always so nice and always very helpful and wonderful work. Will continue to refer to this wonderful office.”

— TAMRA B.

“My daughter got her braces on yesterday and was little nervous. The Staff and Dr Montini were awesome. They went out of their way to make it the best experience possible. And that is the best thing any parent can witness. Thank you.” — ROSIE G.

Montini Orthodontics

Healthy Smiles Are Our Greatest Reward 7520 W. University Ave. | 352-332-7911

MontiniOrtho.com 124 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“One of the best and my personal favorite pawn shop around!

All of the staff are extremely helpful. They keep the place clean and are always very

friendly and professional.” — LACEY S.

“I absolutely love Oaks Pawn. I will never go to any other pawn shop.

They treat you like family and are always kind and respectful.” — TERESA S. Oaks Pawn at High Springs

Buy, Sell or Pawn 18522 US 441 South | 386-454-3776

oakspawn.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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“I love that I will have direct access to my provider (phone, text, messenger and email) and won’t have to wait days or weeks to be seen.

I’ll keep my health insurance for emergency care and specialists, but financially this just makes sense. If you’re looking for something better, you should definitely check this place out! — MONICA S.

“I just had a patient who is a patient at Celebrate Primary Care, she just went on and on about what an amazing amazing practice y’all have! She’s never experienced such personalized medical care. You are doing great things for people!” — COURTNEY G.

Celebrate Primary Care

A Personal Relationship with your Medical Provider Gainesville (352) 474-8686 | Alachua (386) 518-0200

celebrateprimarycare.com 126 |

OUR TOWN Sept/Oct SHARE THEMAGAZINE LOVE SEPT/OCT 2020 2020

“What can I say except that all of the beds one could dream of are neatly displayed in a beautiful store. No pressure to buy or push us to any action at all. Very pleasant store to visit.”

— JAMES CLEMENS

“The Sleep Center is my go-to place for all beds. As a busy Realtor, I refer all my

clients to Brent and his team. Brent’s philosophy is that he’s not satisfied until his

customer is and I see that in the people he hires as well.”

— BETSY PEPINE

The Sleep Center Superstores

3242 SW 35 Blvd., Gainesville | 352-872-5665 4994 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville | 352-872-5668

gainesvillesleepcenter.com Sept/Oct SEPT/OCT 2020 2020 OUR TOWN SHAREMAGAZINE THE LOVE

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The End. Or is it really just the beginning?

While we hope you’ve enjoyed your lovebook experience, please don’t let it end here. Our hope is that you… …are inspired to compliment more, and complain less. …will keep your lovebook handy, and come back to it often. …found some new places to enjoy, and will mention us when you do.

And if you know of someone/place that you’d LOVE to see in the next book, tell us about ‘em at sharethelove@towerpublications.com Love on!

This special section was brought to you by Our Town Magazine and Adrienne Fletcher Photography.

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Our Town

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Our Town does not endorse any business, product, place or service. Nor does the content of this publication intend to do so, but rather is for your entertainment and informational use. The content used in this publication was collected through various online and offline sources. We have not independently verified any of the claims made in this publication and have no liability for the completeness, accuracy or fitness of any of the information. That means you are solely responsible for verifying any claims. ©2019 Tower Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Leaders in Garage Door Installation & Service 10% discount on door and operator combos for new customers!

ASK YOUR OVERHEAD DOOR RED RIBBON DISTRIBUTOR TODAY TO LEARN MORE. *Ranked #2 in upscale remodeling projects for cost recovered at resale. Based on National Association of Realtors members included in 2011-12 Cost vs. Value study rather than actual sales data.

Overhead Door Company of Gainesville

352-468-2733 Whether you need an attractive, insulated door for your home or a specialty automatic door for your business, we can meet your requirement.

www.overheaddoorgnv.com

Overhead Door Company of Ocala 352-622-5737 www.overheaddoorocala.com Sept/Oct 2020

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Shop In Your Neighborhood & Save at The Liquor & Wine Shoppes!

The Liquor & Wine Shoppes is committed to providing you with the highest quality products at the best prices.

We offer an extensive selection of champagne, wine ,scotch, bourbons, beer and more. the

Liquor & Wine Shoppe at Jonesville Sh

NEW

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BE R R

Y R D.

Kangaroo

Gator Spirits & Fine Wines

14451 Newberry Road, Jonesville Turn at CVS in Jonesville and come straight to us.

352-332-3308

5701 SW 75th St. Gainesville

I-7 5 ER WAD TORO

The Liquor Wine &oppe

CVS

CR 241

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u n o d r A p o h S No Need to

ne Gator FiSpirits Wine &

A RC H

AD

E R RO

Conveniently located in the Tower Square shopping area.

352-335-3994

LIKE BOTH LOCATIONS ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES ON WINE TASTINGS AND OTHER EVENTS! Sept/Oct 2020

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

Are you prepared for disaster damage?

Insurance for your property is important. Having a team to help you when you need it most – that’s being prepared.

HOME • MOBILE HOME • AUTO • BOAT MOTORCYCLE • UMBRELLA INSURANCE

352-333-3775

285 NW 138th Terrace, Suite 100, Newberry

www.schneider-insurance.com 3

4

We’ve Recently Lowered Our Rates, Plan Ahead and SAVE!

It’s easy to walk into a dealership, let them do all the math, and make all of the arrangements.

It could cost you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan, but it is easy. Let’s face it, the dealerships are used to twisting and turning the numbers on auto deals and financing every single day, and they are experts at making even the highest rates and delivery expenses look great! If your budget can’t absorb thousands of dollars in unnecessary up charges associated with your next auto purchase, why take the chance? Speak with a SunState Federal Credit Union representative before you hit the dealerships. Once you decide on a payment amount you can or want to afford, we will work with you throughout the process to finance the vehicle of your choice.

APPLY ONLINE OR FROM OUR MOBILE APP AND MAKE NO PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS!*

Membership is open to everyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or does business in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Suwannee, Lafayette, Union and Hamilton Counties. * Interest will accrue, visit sunstate.org for details.

Proudly serving our members and our community since 1957

352-381-5200 www.SunStateFCU.org