Our Town 2015 MAR-APR (High Springs & Alachua)

CATTLEMEN’S BANQUET KIWANIS’ PANCAKE BREAKFAST AROUND THE WORLD IN 78 DAYS

HIGH SPRINGS & ALACHUA EDITION

VOL. 13 ISSUE 01 | MARCH/APRIL 2015

Awesome

Ride!

Hot rods, exotics and classics take to the streets for car shows this spring

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DUDLEY FARM’S ANTIQUE TRACTOR & CAR SHOW

TAEKWONDO BLACK BELT AND WORLD CHAMPION …OH, AND SHE’S IN 6TH GRADE!

UNDERWATER HOCKEY, SLACKLINING AND OTHER PECULIAR PASTIMES “PEOPLE WHO PEDAL” PHOTO SERIES

Shooting Star

Pioneer Days

Meet Anniston Baluyot, junior competitive shooter and rising star

High Springs’ historic celebration is more than just a shoot-out

Karting for a Cause

Surrogate Saga

Joe Hancock donates all of his go-kart race proceeds to children’s charities

Crystal Henry’s award-winning column follows her journey

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Plan n your stay in central Florida’s favorite beach town!

Imagine what you could build on your next vacation.

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MARCH/APRIL 2015

• FREE “Plan” Scaping • Firepits • Outdoor Kitchens • Pottery • Mulch

• River Rock • Pavers • Landscaping Equipment Maintenance • Blade Sharpening

CONTENTS

M A RC H/A P R I L 2015

G R E AT E R A L A C H U A C O U N T Y

| V O L . 1 3 | N O. 0 1

82 ON THE COVER >> START YOUR ENGINES! CAR ENTHUSIAST DAVE FERRO TAKES A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE EVERY TIME HE CRUISES IN HIS ’67 STANG. MARCH AND APRIL ARE SPECKLED WITH CAR SHOWS FEATURING CLASSICS, ANTIQUES, EXOTICS AND MORE! COV ER P H OTO G R A P H Y BY ER I C K A W I N T ER R O W D.

FEATURE STORIES 20

THE LIONS SHARE After nearly a century, the Lions Club humanitarian mission is unwavering. Learn more about their annual Cattlemen’s Banquet and their sponsorship of the Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show.

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PIONEER DAYS CELEBRATION Annual celebration of the rich history of High Springs.

The festival, which began in 1977, strives to bring families and the community together by showcasing the town’s storied past from the turn of the twentieth century — it’s fun for the entire family!

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RISE AND SHINE The Kiwanis Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser pulls us in with the aroma of pancakes, maple syrup and hot coffee.

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ANTIQUE TRACTOR & CAR SHOW On the third Saturday in March, Dudley Farms will come to life with historic demonstrations.

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PACKING WITH A PURPOSE Thanks to the Food 4 Kids program, Alachua county school kids don’t have to worry about going hungry.

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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CONTENTS

M A RC H/A P R I L 2015

38 DANIELLE HAGAN: KARATE KID If you don’t think a 79-pound 6th grader could kick your butt, you might want to think again.

44 SHOOTING STAR Meet AP and Honors student, Anniston Baluyot — who is also a skilled marksman and an NRA-certified Pistol Instructor apprentice.

52 GOOD SPORT Get involved in a variety of youth athletics programs and competitive teams at local facilities.

60 RADIO RACEWAY Newberry’s RC track embodies the spirit of friendly competition and do-it-yourself ingenuity.

82 TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREET Enthusiasts hit the streets for shows in Tioga and Haile with classic, antique and exotic cars.

90 KARTING FOR LOGAN Joe Hancock races for children in need by donating all their go-kart racing proceeds to charity.

124 PEOPLE WHO PEDAL A clever photo series of Gainesville bicycle commuters by artist Corey Riehle.

COLUMNS 36

NAKED SALSA

by Crystal Henry

66 DIFFERENT NOTE

by Albert Isaac

128 HEALTHY EDGE

by Kendra Siler-Marsiglio

140 EMBRACING LIFE

by Donna Bonnell

REVIEWS 98 READING CORNER

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

122 GATE CRASHING

by Brian “Krash” Kruger

152 ADVENTURES IN APPETITE

by Ken Peng

INFORMATION 100 Taste of the Town 106 Community Calendar 120 Charity Winners

132 A BROAD ABROAD Our intrepid photojournalist, Jordan Albright, recounts her adventures after traveling the world — visiting five countries in 78 days.

144 PECULIAR PASTIMES Underwater hockey, slacklining, unicycle-riding jugglers, and zip lining round out some of the unusual hobbies these University of Florida students share with each other.

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. © 2015 Tower Publications, Inc.

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PUBLISHER Charlie Delatorre

fine jewelry

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Hank McAfee EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Albert Isaac MANAGING EDITOR Ericka Winterrowd CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jordan Albright, Ellis Amburn, Larry Behnke, Kelley Bennett, Gabrielle Calise, Alexia Fernandez, Crystal Henry, Kathy Pierre, Marisa Ross, Brock Seng CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tom Morrisey, Kristin Kozelsky CREATIVE DIRECTION + DESIGN Hank McAfee, Neil McKinney ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jenni Bennett jenni@towerpublications.com Helen Mincey helen@towerpublications.com Melissa Morris melissa@towerpublications.com Nancy Short nancy@towerpublications.com INTERN Gabrielle Calise

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS If you would like us to publicize an event in the greater Gainesville area, send information by the 1st day of the month prior to the next issue. For example, submissions for the March/April issue are due by February 1. All submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We want to hear from you. Send your letters to the attention of the editor at 4400 NW 36th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32606 or editor@towerpublications.com.

Letters must be signed and include a phone number in the event we need to contact you. (Your phone number will not be published.)

F E AT U R I N G

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY TOWER PUBLICATIONS, INC. REPRODUCTION BY ANY MEANS OF THE WHOLE OR PART OF OUR TOWN WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES DO NOT IMPLY OUR ENDORSEMENT. WE WELCOME YOUR PRODUCT NEWS. INCLUDE PRICES, PHOTOS AND DIGITAL FILES WITH YOUR PRESS RELEASE. PLEASE FORWARD PRODUCT SAMPLES AND MEDIA KITS TO REVIEWS EDITOR, OUR TOWN MAGAZINE, 4400 NW 36TH AVENUE, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606. WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED PRODUCT SAMPLES.

A Publication of Tower Publications, Inc. 4400 NW 36th Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32606 phone: 352-372-5468 fax: 352-373-9178

352 . 375. 27 2 0 • 2 4 41 N W 4 3r d S T R EE T, S U I T E 2 A 12 |

T HOR NMARCH/APRIL EBR O OK V IL L AGE • G A I N ES V IL L E 2015

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Board-Certified Radiation Oncologists Bring Confidence to Care.

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FLOORING FOR EVERY ROOM!

EDITOR ’ S LET TER M A RC H/A P R I L 2015

Greetings Faithful Readers!

If you think this issue of Our Town magazine seems a little different, well, there’s good reason

The Floor Store of Newberry …and so much more!

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It’s been completely revamped.

From its size on the outside to its style on the inside, Our Town has an entirely new look for 2015 — and a greater frequency.

Starting with this issue, you’ll be seeing Our Town six times a year instead of quarterly, as it will be hitting the streets every two months.

Our production team has certainly outdone themselves this time, having put their collective noses to the grindstone Our esteemed Editor-in-Chief, Albert Isaac taking a moment out of his more-busy-than-usual schedule while prepping the in the redesign of this magazine launch of our first ever bi-monthly issue for his birthday — which as well as with all of the other also happens to be on Valentine’s Day. Talk about muti-tasking! things they do.

Good thing he knows how to find his inner calm.

A shout-out also goes to our oft-unsung heroes in sales, without whom I would certainly not have this sweet gig and you wouldn’t have this fine magazine.

And of course, it goes without saying that Tower Publications wouldn’t exist without Charlie and Bonita Delatorre. Go Team Tower!

For this issue we get physical, with profiles on young athletes, muscle cars, and peculiar pastimes that can be found on UF’s campus. For instance, did you know that UF has an underwater hockey team? Yes. Underwater. Hockey. Little sticks.

You can also read about a pair of young women that excel in sports typically reserved for males — namely martial arts and competitive shooting.

Additionally, we take a brief look at a few local sporting facilities that offer everything from tumbling to swimming, from rock climbing to gymnastics.

Also found within these pages is our feature on a pair of upcoming car shows, each held for a good cause. Both the Tioga Car Show and the Hot Rodding For Heroes Classic Auto Show are coming up in April — one in Haile Plantation Village Center and the other in Jonesville’s Town of Tioga.

Speaking of cars, did you know that you can race in Newberry? Radio controlled cars, that is. Learn all about the Newberry RC Park.

And, as always, thanks for reading and have a great spring!

• WOOD FLOORING • CERAMIC TILE • LAMINATE • CARPET • PORCELAIN TILE

• BLINDS & WINDOW

Albert Isaac, Editor-In-Chief

TREATMENTS • INSTALLATION 14 |

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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Wood Buildings

PU BLISHER’ S LET TER

Metal Buildings

M A RC H/A P R I L 2015

It’s about the Journey

Carports

I’m hoping some of you can agree that time has a funny way of passing us by. It seems the older I get, the faster it seems to slip through my fingers.

needs! r u o y o t d e iz Custom

For me, it started around the time my children were born. Suddenly, all of my free time was spent on late-night feedings, diaper changes and struggling to find a way to stay awake during the day. Time seemed to fly by as one day bled into another and the weeks fused together to make months seem like days. Time passed and diaper changes turned to soccer practices and late night feedings became early Saturday morning basketball games, but the tick, tick, ticking of father time’s watch never stopped.

All the while, I heeded the advice of my father and tried to enjoy every moment I could. I bought all sorts of cameras and computers to record, photograph and digitally store every significant moment we had. From birthdays to anniversaries, from tee-ball to dance recitals, my wife and I tried to savor every moment. John Lennon warned me that life happens while we’re busy making other plans and I was committed to enjoy all the moments that made life special.

This philosophy of savoring all the moments we share with the people we love is also the cornerstone of everything we try to do with this magazine. We focus on writing about the things that make life great! We turn our attention to the nuances of our community in hopes of capturing the moments that make up the essence of where we call home.

We write about things that are fun and unique, in hopes of holding on to those fleeting moments that slip by so quickly. We may change its size, its format, its frequency, even its look and feel, but we will never change its fundamental purpose: Our Town is about telling stories — your stories.

So, years later, the tick, tick, ticking continues and time keeps on slipping into the future, like Steve Miller’s song told us it would. Life has a funny way of changing everything, while somehow keeping it the same. Within the next 30 days, I’ll have gone to a funeral, been the Best Man in a wedding, experienced a part of a milestone birthday, witnessed my parent’s 54th wedding anniversary, played music with new friends and shared memories with old ones. Ralph Waldo Emerson reminded us that life is more about the journey than the destination, and I for one, am still doing all I can to savor every moment.

24910 West Newberry Rd., Newberry, FL Charlie Delatorre Publisher, Owner at Tower Publications, Inc.

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MARCH/APRIL 2015

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CONTRIBUTOR S

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OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

M A RC H/A P R I L 2015

BROCK SENG is a freelance writer and recent graduate of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. When he isn’t writing, he’s usually playing with his cats, listening to music or thinking about what to write next. bsengiv@gmail.com

GABRIELLE CALISE is a freshman journalismËmajor at UF who is interning for the first time at Tower Publications. In her spare time sheËenjoys collecting vinyl records, taking photographsËand watching movies. gcalise@ufl.edu

KATHY PIERRE is a senior journalism major at UF. She aspires to be a social activism writer. When she’s not writing or thinking about things she wants to write, she is trying out different flavors of Talenti and binge-watching shows on Netflix. kathy.pierre3@gmail.com

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

KELLEY BENNETT was born in Gainesville and studied photography at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she earned a degree she’ll be paying off for the rest of her life. She enjoys reading, Mexican food, and spending time with her dog, Nelson. kelley.e.bennett@gmail.com

ELLIS AMBURN is in the Hall of Excellence at TCU’s Schieffer School of Journalism. Involved daily in volunteer community service, the High Springs resident is the author of biographies of Roy Orbison, Elizabeth Taylor and others. ellis.amburn@gmail.com

MARISA ROSS is a UF journalism and Spanish senior.

She is a self-proclaimed foodie, photo junkie and travel enthusiast. When she isn’t cooking exotic cuisines or planning her next adventure, you can find her playing volleyball or acoustic guitar. mross92@ufl.edu

ALEXIA FERNANDEZ is a UF journalism junior with big dreams.

With a deep love of movies and writing, she hopes to one day write books, scripts and create a successful career for herself in entertainment. alexiafernandez5@gmail.com

LARRY BEHNKE is an artist, writer, photographer and a graduate of the University of Michigan in cinematography and painting. He has used solar electricity since 1984 and lives in a dome home. lbehnke@windstream.net

JORDAN ALBRIGHT loves to learn and explore. She is a fifthyear senior at UF pursuing two majors: dance and photojournalism; and three minors: business administration, entrepreneurship and theatre. Her passion is learning about your passion. jordanalbrightphotography@gmail.com

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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CHARITY >> RAISING AWARENESS

WHAT IT’S WORTH

The Lions Share After Nearly a Century, the Lions Club Humanitarian Mission is Unwavering W RIT TE N BY E LLI S A MBU R N

I

t all began 98 years ago when a successful businessman, Melvin Jones, told a group of ambitious friends, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.”

They got cracking and formed the first Lions Club, devoting themselves to public service. That was in 1917. Today there are 1.36 million members in 46,000 clubs.

Among them are the Lions of Alachua, who’ll be raising money for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) and other worthy causes at their annual Lions Club Cattlemen’s Banquet on March 26 at the Santa Fe River Ranch near Alachua.

The Lions also support the Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show, which runs March 5-10 at

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the Alachua County Fairgrounds in Gainesville.

With regard to the Cattlemen’s Banquet, Tommie Harris, chairman, said in a telephone interview, “We began doing this in 1940. We honor the Cattleperson of the Year by presenting the Cattlemen’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cattle Industry in the State of Florida.”

SFDB is “one of the entities supported by the Lions Club on a regular basis,” he added. “It’s a school that receives state support, but they need donations.

Sight conservation is one of the main purposes of Lions throughout the world. We have a big eyeglasses reclamation project to restore used glasses. Doctors take them on foreign missions to match with people who need sight improvement.”

The Hon. Gib Coerper, mayor of Alachua, said in a telephone interview, “Alachua has been blessed

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CHARITY >> RAISING AWARENESS

with very good people. I am proud to be a member of [our] Lion’s Club.”

Tommie Harris said that tickets to the forthcoming banquet are $50 each.

“Everyone is invited to join us,” he said. “Anyone interested can contact me at 386-462-1324.”

Attractions at the banquet include entertainment from the choral and dance group of FSDB. Gainesville attorney Rod Smith will conduct a live auction, with proceeds going to such recipients as FSDB, Alachua recreation programs, Alachua Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts, a college scholarship program for a Santa Fe High School student, and tutoring of students at Alachua Elementary School.

Auction prizes, donated by local individuals and businesses, include a side of beef, a weekend stay at the retreat at Santa Fe River Ranch, hotel accommodations at Disney World, monthly memberships at local fitness centers, and a bigscreen TV. In addition, the Alachua Woman’s Club will hold a silent auction of over 50 items.

The emcee for the banquet is Bud Riviere. Harris said the keynote speaker has not yet been decided.

Past speakers have included President Jimmy Carter (a former Governor for Lions), Florida Governors Bob Graham, Buddy MacKay and Lawton Childs, US Senator George Smathers, Congressmen Cliff Stearns and Ted Yoho, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, and former International Lions presidents Jim Ervin and Sid Scruggs.

After years of being held at the Alachua Woman’s Club, the banquet last year met for the first time at the Santa Fe River Ranch assembly hall and will be returning to the same venue on March 26.

“We outgrew the Woman’s Club,” Harris said.

“We anticipate 425 guests — lots of politicians, business leaders and agricultural people from the area and even out of state. It’s a full steak dinner with trimmings.”

In an email, Coerper offered an insight into the inception of the Cattlemen’s Banquet. “[It] began when the club members decided to help the Alachua High School FFA students get more for their steer when they took them to market,” Coerper wrote. “A group . . . went to the auction and began the bidding. Much to their surprise they had the highest bid and came home with the steer. Now,

what to do with [it]?”

In the end they served it up at the first banquet to celebrate a Cattleman of the Year. Subsequently, “the steaks were purchased through Hitchcock’s Foodway and continue to be until this day,” wrote the mayor.

At this year’s banquet, the 76th, festivities begin at 6 p.m. at the Santa Fe River Ranch with a social hour followed by the banquet at 7. The ranch is located at 29220 NW 122nd St., nine miles north of Alachua on the Santa Fe River.

“The ranch is owned by one of our members, Alan

“We outgrew the Woman’s Club,” Harris said. “We anticipate 425 guests — lots of politicians, business leaders and agricultural people from the area and even out of state.

It’s a full steak dinner with trimmings.”

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Hitchcock,” Coerper noted. The same grocery-chain magnate who supplies the Lions’ with banquet steaks converted the barn on his 1,700-acre spread for use at weddings and other sizable get-togethers.

“Alan is a very giving guy,” Coerper said.

So was Lions Club International’s founder Melvin Jones, who was born in Fort Thomas, Arizona, in 1879. By 38 he headed his own firm and was an officer in the Business Circle of Chicago, whose sole purpose was to help its members get rich, according to Lions’ web site.

One day it occurred to Jones that the Lions could also help others. His energy and enthusiasm attracted so many civic-minded citizens that soon he had to give up his insurance business in order to devote full time to the Lions headquarters in Chicago.

The name Lions Club sprang from Jones’s conviction that “the lion stood for strength, courage, fidelity, and vital action.” When there was a movement at the Lions’ 1919 convention to change the name, Denver attorney Halsted Ritter shot it down, saying “L-I-O-N-S heralds to the country the true meaning of citizenship: liberty, intelligence, our nations safety.”

The legendary Helen Keller, the first deaf/blind person to receive a B.A. degree —and from Harvard’s sister school Radcliffe, no less — persuaded the Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness,” sparking the club’s initiative to help the blind and visually impaired.

Lions Club Cattlemen’s Banquet

established in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1885 Chartered in 1931 with 21 members, the

by Thomas Hines Coleman, who enlisted the Alachua Lions Club supports Southeast help of Gov. William Bloxham to raise $20,000 Leaders Dog, International Hearing Dog, at Santa Fe River Ranch to build a boarding school for the hearing- and North Florida Hearing Aid Bank, youth (near Alachua) visually challenged. basketball and baseball leagues, Food 4 Kids 386-462-1324 Though he was deaf, Coleman’s efforts Alachua Backpack, Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, resulted in the largest school for the deaf and blind Christmas for Needy Families, diabetes screening, in the US, with 47 buildings on 72 acres and an annual and Florida Conklin Center. budget of $30 million. According to its website, FSDB embraces For natural disaster relief, according to its web site, Lions pre-school through the 12th grade, plus a post-secondary proClub International “has awarded over $700 million to program. Tuition-free, it serves 600 students on campus and 400 vide food, water, clothing medical supplies, and long-term Florida infants and toddlers at home. reconstruction.”

Alumni include Ray Charles, Marcus Roberts and Ashley In 1945, the humanitarian-minded United Nations asked Fiolek. the Lions to assist in drafting the UN charter. Melvin Jones Blind since the age of seven as a result of glaucoma, Ray went to San Francisco as a UN consultant.

Charles attended FSDB from 1937 to 1945, learning to read The Lions’ Leo program, giving young people an opportunity music with braille and developing into a classically trained to grow through volunteer work, was born in 1957. Today there pianist. Jazz and blues he learned while listening to the radio. are 144,000 Leos in 5,700 clubs in 140 countries.

Later, his recordings of such songs as “Georgia on My Mind” and FirstSight was launched in 1990 to address blindness on a “Unchain My Heart” would spur Rolling Stone to rank him No. global scale. In the clubs’ war against cataract, trachoma, river 10 among the world’s 100 greatest musical talents. blindness, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy, and glauAnother FSDB student, jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, a victim coma, Lions Club International invested $415 million, according of glaucoma and cataracts, would go on to perform with such to its website, and played “a significant role” in reducing the virtuosi as Wynton Marsalis, Bela Fleck, and Seiji Ozawa and the prevalence of visual impairment from 311 million in 2004 to Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. In January 2015 he appeared 285 million in 2012. on Tavis Smiley’s TV show.

FSDB, one of Alachua Lions’ signature beneficiaries, was

Thursday, March 26

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COURTESY OF MALERIE WHITEHURT

CHARITY >> RAISING AWARENESS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Malerie Whitehurst with Miss Gainesville, Keiko Osumi, at a show in 2014. Malerie poses with her mother Mae, who had conducted a goat-exhibitor meeting at the UF Horse Training Unit.

Racing driver Ashley Fiolek, diagnosed as profoundly deaf, studied ballet, ran track, and played basketball at FSDB. Now 24, she’s been racing since the age of seven, and won the Women’s Motocross Championship in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

“The Lions Clubs are very proud of the job FSDB is doing with visually and hearing impaired kids,” Tommy Harris said.

And one of the reasons it’s possible is because almost a century ago Melvin Jones had a vision, thinking, What if these men who are successful because of their drive, intelligence, and ambition were to put their talents to work on improving their community?

The education and welfare of youth have always been a major concern of the Lions.

“The Lions Club is one of many sponsors of the Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show,” said Cindy Sanders, Alachua County Extension director, University of Florida/ Institute of Food and Agriculture Extension, Livestock Agent III, in a telephone interview.

The show is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 5-10, at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, 3100 NE 39th Avenue.

“Since 1980, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FAA) . . . from Alachua County have been exhibiting livestock or 24 |

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non-livestock projects at this annual fair,” Sanders said.

“Traditionally this has been an agricultural based project, but it has been expanded to include non-livestock projects that give city kids an opportunity to participate.”

In the livestock category, Sanders continued, “we have beef cattle, dairy cattle, market steers, market hogs, market goats, breeding goats, rabbits, and chickens. Non-livestock exhibits include posters, public speaking, leadership activities, hay decorating contests, stamp collections, and baking contest for cookies and cakes.”

Sanders said 350 youth participate in the fair, school-age children eight to 16 years old enrolled in Alachua County 4-H or FFA through the schools.

“It’s free and a good family-oriented fun event where you can milk a cow and pet the animals,” she said.

The fair is organized and run by the Youth Fair Board, a nonprofit organization composed of 30 volunteers.

“Activities go on every day and conclude on March 10 with the animal sale,” Sanders said. “The kids who have steers, hogs or goats will be able to auction them off at that time. People from the community and businesses from Gainesville and throughout PHOTOGRAPHY: RAY CARSON

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PHOTO BY RAY CARSON

CHARITY >> RAISING AWARENESS

LEFT: Malerie Whitehurst performs a sliding stop in a reined cow horse competition.

ABOVE: Malerie poses with Alachua County Extension Director Cindy Sanders. Below: Even County Commissioner Lee Pinkoson got involved, showing a pig at a previous youth fair event.

Youth Fair & Livestock Show

medical care, appropriate feeding,” she Alachua County can come out to support the explained. “It teaches a lot of responsibility youth. The auction draws 1,500 people, and at a young age.” proceeds go to the kids. Total attendance Alachua County Fairgrounds th One such responsibility is record keeping. from March 5-10 is 4,000 to 5,000.”

3100 NE 39 Avenue “You need to keep up with all purchases and During the six months before the fair, the Gainesville, FL expenses with your animal,” Malerie said. “You young participants have fed their animals and want to be sure you make a profit at auction and break learned all their responsibilities regarding nutrition even. The profit from the animal goes into my college fund.” and health. At the University of Florida Horse Teaching Currently on a dual-enrollment program, Malerie attends Unit on SW 63rd Ave. in Gainesville, Sanders briefed them on both P.K. Yonge High School, where she’s a senior, and Santa Fe record keeping, public speaking, and marketing.

“They need to know how to market their animals — how to Community College.

“You learn time management,” she said, “like how I can take contact buyers by writing letters or talking to them,” she said.

Eighteen-year-old Malerie Whitehurst is hoping to sell a care of my animals and school work.”

At Santa Fe she’s taking algebra and English composition. market goat and a breeding goat.

“You’re supposed to find buyers for your market animal,” She plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in she said in a telephone interview. “I go out and promote my Tifton, Georgia, and major in “diversified agri [agriculture], concentrating on agri business,” she said. “Baldwin’s just two livestock to local buyers.”

Malerie grew up on a small farm near Archer, with horses, hours from home, which is a plus. I went up there when my sister Megan was looking at Baldwin.” dogs, cats, and other animals, she said.

She decided to stay at Santa Fe, majoring in “ag.”

“I helped work cattle. Agriculture has always been a part Malerie said she’d be at the Youth Fair and Livestock Show of my family, and growing up in 4-H — head, heart, health, and hands — helped me stay in ‘agri’ as well learning non-livestock every day, looking after her goats and monitoring their sale at auction. activities like sewing,” Malerie said.

“My mom will be doing a goat exhibitor meeting,” she wrote Apart from the goats Malerie’s exhibiting at the fairgrounds, in an email. she also has horses and takes them to shows elsewhere.

Looks like ag runs in the family.

“It’s all about how 4-H-ers care for the animals — vaccinations,

March 5-10

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HIGH SPRINGS >> PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY HERITAGE

Pioneer Days Much More Than Just a Shoot-Out W RIT TE N BY A LEXI A FER N A N DEZ P H OTO S C O U R T E S Y O F H I G H S P R I N G S C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

T

wo cowboys in a shootout are not what one normally expects to find in the sunny downtown area of High Springs. It is, however, a tradition the locals have come to expect from the annual High Springs Pioneer Days Celebration.

The classic tale of good versus evil takes place every year and locals observe the two characters from long ago face off in a reenactment detailing the early history of a town proud of its early beginnings.

This is what makes Pioneer Days so special, Scott Thomason said. As president of the High Springs Chamber of Commerce, he and a team of board members spend an entire year planning the ins and outs of the festival.

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“It’s a celebration of the history of the town,” he said. “It reminds everyone that attends the festival that we have a very rich history. The town has gone through so many transitions and it celebrates the turn of the century.”

Held in the last week of April, the High Springs Chamber of Commerce hosts the celebration, which has aimed to bring families together every year since the celebration’s inception in 1977.

Along with a reenactment, music, food and vendors are present at the free event that used to see a large turnout.

“Back in the heyday,” Thomason said, “you’d get 10,000 to 15,000 [people] a day. It has dropped off a lot but we’ve been weathering pretty well.”

In 2014, about 2,000 to 3,000 people came every day of the celebration. Thomason hopes the

Here’s some of 2014’s winners for a variety of contests held at Pioneer Days including: Craft vendor, Most Unusual vendor, Best Costume, Pie Eating and more!

Below, Ben Rogers demonstrates his blacksmith technique.

M ARC MA MARCH/AP MARC MAR MARCH/APRIL AR A RC R C H/A H /AP H/ H/AP //A AP A P RIL RIIL R I L 201 2 20 2015 015 0 115 5

OU OUR O U R TOWN UR TOW TO T OW OWN OW WN NM MA MAG MAGAZINE AG A GA AZI AZ AZIN ZIN Z INE IN

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HIGH SPRINGS >> PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL

Barbara Salagi demonstrates her spinning and tatting skills used for making lace.

numbers will continue to grow back up to what guest turnouts used to be. In the meantime, the chamber will continue to focus on recruiting vendors and craftsmen to showcase and sell their work at the celebration. To boost their involvement in Pioneer Days the chamber is offering a vendor competition in different categories.

“We’re really increased our advertising,” he said.

“We’ve tripled our ad budget. We want more people there. It’s a great festival to be able to see what High Springs has to offer.”

A live broadcast of the celebration will be happening with Cowboy Steve on 98.1 on Saturday and Big Red from K Country on Sunday.

Dot Harvey, communications manager for the High Springs Chamber of Commerce, said the festival has amassed a historical collection that dates back to the very early days of the High Springs community.

“We have an area called Heritage Village,” she said. “It’s a collection of different individuals showing aspects of pioneer life. There are also Native American sections were dance circles are set up to show the ceremonial dances.”

Apart from showing the cultural diversity within the town, the Pioneer Days Celebration also encourages participants to visit the High Springs Museum.

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The museum holds an extensive amount of displays, such as dioramas of the railroad that ran through the town as well as the historic quilt show.

The celebration is mostly an opportunity to bring the community together, Harvey said. It is an opportunity to showcase the history but also to showcase the things people in town have to offer.

“We’re trying to get churches and youth groups involved,” she said, “to cook and raise money for themselves. It’s also another way to highlight them and get the community to notice.”

Residents of the High Springs area are not the only ones to take notice. Last year, a group traveling from California to Florida on bikes stopped to enjoy the festivities.

“They were just passing through this area but they stayed for quite a while,” Harvey said. “They really, really enjoyed it. One of them bicycled back after going off for a few miles to buy his wife a handmade piece of jewelry for their anniversary.”

Handcrafted jewelry, pie-eating contests and costume contests are deeply ingrained as a part of the Pioneer Days Celebration. The chamber of commerce is also hoping to bring back things like old-fashioned kettle corn, an item that once was a mainstay but that had to be cut due to budgeting.

A live broadcast of the celebration will be happening with Cowboy Steve on 98.1 on Saturday and Big Red from K Country on Sunday. Thomason admits that promoting the celebration is a slow build up, but believes it’ll pay off in the end.

“I’m excited,” he said. “There’s a lot of man-hours put into this but we enjoy it. When you see the kids come and have a smile on their face, it’s worth it.”

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KIWANIS CLUB >> PANCAKE BREAKFAST

STACKING UP

The Guiness World Record for the most pancakes served in eight hours is

34,818 by the Fargo Kiwanis Club in 2008

THE KIWANIS CLUB’S ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Rise and Shine!

W R ITTEN BY ER ICK A W IN TER ROW D | PHOTOGR A PH Y BY K R ISTIN KOZELSK Y

There is nothing like the aroma of pancakes, maple syrup and hot coffee on a cool morning, accompanied by the sizzling of bacon and sausage.

B

ut when it’s all being cooked to raise money to help area children? Well, now, that just makes it even better.

That is precisely what Kiwanis Club of Gainesville is doing on March 14th with its 38th Annual Pancake Day hosted by Gainesville High School. For $5 per person (free for children under six years of age) diners can indulge in an all-you-can-eat pancake extravaganza, with all of the proceeds going to the many Kiwanis Club efforts to help area children.

As with many of its events, the breakfast is run in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of University City.

“We’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis by

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inviting families, hungry breakfast-lovers and children of all ages to join us for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee,” said Scottie Butler, president of the Kiwanis Club of University City. “Remember, children under six years of age eat free, take-outs are available and 100 percent of the profits go to benefit children.”

Kiwanis is an international civic organization that is deeply involved in community service. Its mission is service to children.

The association was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915 and is headquartered in Indianapolis.

The six permanent values of Kiwanis International were

approved by Kiwanis club delegates during the 1924 International Convention. Through the decades, they have remained unchanged, “To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life. To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships. To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business, and professional standards.

To develop, by percept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship. To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities. And to cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill.”

The two Gainesville clubs support programs and groups such as Girls’ Place, Alachua County 4-H, youth leadership programs, Bringing Up Grades (BUG) for elementary kids, and, with the Gainesville Fire Rescue, Safety City. The clubs also sponsor Builders Clubs for elementary students, high school Key Clubs, Circle K for university students and Kids Count, a tutoring program for elementary students.

The World’s Greatest Baby Shower is another program supported by the Gainesville Kiwanis Clubs. Sheila Crapo heads the committee planning for the event, a major project for the past 10 years. She has been a Kiwanis member for 14 years.

“The goal of the shower,” Crapo said in a previous interview, “is to reach young parents and help them get the information and assistance they need to be successful mothers and fathers and to have healthy, happy children. We help them navigate the avenues available to them and educate them on how to care for their young ones.”

Operating under the initiative of “Young Children: Priority One,” Kiwanis of Gainesville promotes the needs of area youth in many ways. The club’s Safety City facility in East Gainesville teaches children skills needed to safely navigate roads and to avoid unsafe situations. Members join forces with Concerned Christians for the Community to build handicapped ramps for children in mobile homes. In addition, the Kiwanis Club also helps maintain the Girl Scout property with a spring cleanup every year.

As part of a global volunteer organization, Kiwanis International members stage nearly 150,000 service projects, devote more than six million hours to service and raise nearly $100 million every year for communities, families and programs worldwide. Yet, the overriding theme to all of this effort is focused on one child at a time.

Through ticket sales and donations, the breakfast raises approximately $10,000 each year to fund service projects — as if anyone needed another good reason to eat some pancakes.

Both Gainesville Kiwanis clubs meet weekly to hear from guest speakers, share information, happenings and events. Newcomers and visitors are welcome. Meeting and event information can be found online or by calling 352-495-1742 or 352-377-4000.

The 2015 Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 14th from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Gainesville High School Cafeteria, 1990 NW 13th Street. Cost: $5 all-you-can-eat (children under six years of age eat free).

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COLUMN

CRYSTAL HENRY’S

Naked Salsa SURROGATE SAGA: THE TRANSFER

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

WHEN LAST WE MET I WAS GETTING MY LADY STRAWS BLOWN OUT BY A MEDIEVAL WENCH I LOVINGLY REFERRED TO AS DR. RAMROD.

be heated under your armpit for a while so it goes in a bit easier.

It’s so thick that there’s an 18 gauge needle to draw it out of the vial and a 22 gauge to shoot it into your body. Intimidation isn’t even the right word for that thing.

I iced my bum while I heated the oil under my arm. I was super nervous about this one. But honestly, if my end game is to er findings had recently given our surrogate shoot a person from my loins, this was child’s play. Still though. journey the green light to transfer town.

Needle.

So after waiting a few extra days for my cycle to get I took a deep breath, turned my head and twisted the needle with the program I started the lovely med protocol leading up in my rump. Once it broke the skin it actually went in pretty to T Day. smooth. What surprised me was how long it took to push that I started with some run-of-the-mill birth control pills. thick oil through the needle hole into my bum. It was pretty Nothing to see here folks. I chased them with a few prenatal tough to get the magic ooze through, but I did it. horse pills and it was business as usual. Then it was time for my And I did it for the next week until I found myself in Sunny first at-home injection: Lupron. This little baby was designed to California for the big transfer. put my reproductive party in park. It was the teeniest I flew in a few days early just to avoid any stress of needles, but for someone who used to routinely with missed flights and whatnot. I got to explore pass out at a simple blood draw this was big news.

The real party the city, sleep in a ridiculously fluffy hotel I wasn’t really nervous until Hubs said, started a week or so later room bed all by myself and eat all kinds of “Man, I don’t know how you’re going to just with the granddaddy delicious foods without having to cut anystab yourself. I couldn’t.” of all injections: one’s meat. I am eternally grateful for my Pshaw, I thought. No big deal. It’s for the Progesterone In Oil, two beautiful little darlings, but I can’t say cause. Tally ho. However, once I had the teeny a.k.a. PIO shots.

I didn’t enjoy sleeping without a tiny foot in needle locked, loaded and against my belly I my ribcage and only taking myself to the potty. got a wee bit nervous. Breaking the skin seemed The night before the transfer, Baby Mama and downright impossible, so I trudged into the living Baby Daddy took me to the awesome taco shack where room in defeat and enlisted the help of my gallant husband. they shared their first date. We went on a little trip down memory He seemed a little too giddy to jam the safety pin sized needle lane, and I lined my uterus with their love story. It was extremely in my gut. He did it quick and dirty and it was over before I even sweet, and the next morning just hours before they put their knew it began. I decided his glee was a little disturbing, so I took one and only embryo into my womb, we had breakfast on the the rest of my injections on myself. seaside and drove past their first house.

I’d researched the transfer drugs extensively so I could The ride to the clinic was quiet as was the waiting room. But be prepared for any ill side effects. From what I could tell, once we got in the room and I was wearing my sexy lap sheet I Lupron was supposed to send me into a temporary menopause. couldn’t keep hilariously inappropriate things from spilling out Judging from what I’ve seen from the women in my life who of my mouth. I even cracked jokes as the doc transferred their have faced the MenoMonster I prepared for the worst. I was one shot at a biological child into my womb. It all happened so ready to snap into crazy town, but the worst I got were some fast I almost missed it. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. mild hot flashes.

But there it was on the ultrasound screen. The little beacon The real party started a week or so later with the granddaddy of hope dropped like a spec of dust into my womb. Now all we of all injections: Progesterone In Oil, a.k.a. PIO shots. Those could do is wait. mother lovers come in a vial of thick sesame oil that needs to

H

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YOUNG ATHLETES >> DANIELLE HAGAN

DANIELLE-SAN

Karate

Kid

If you don’t think a 78-pound 6th grader could kick your butt, you might want to think again.

S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY M A RI SA ROS S

S

tanding at 4-foot-8 with deep blue eyes, porcelain skin and silky locks of bright blonde hair, Danielle Hagan may look delicate, but after only six years of practicing martial arts, she’s proven she’s no fragile

baby doll.

In the past year alone, she has earned a black belt in Taekwondo, trophies that beat her height by more than a foot, World Championship gold medals and a spot on the United States Martial Arts Team with Team Alabama.

And Danielle’s not stopping any time soon. What this 11-year-old Cross City native lacks in size, she makes up for in big dreams and dedication. For now, she attends local tournaments about every other week, but her ultimate objective is to compete in the Olympic Games.

While she is currently too young to qualify for the Rio

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2016 Olympics, she could be a high prospect for the next summer cycle in Tokyo.

“I caught on fast,” she said about her natural flair for the sport when she began Tang Soo Do at 5 years of age. “And it’s kind of a goal I’ve always set to be the best in the world at karate…I’ve just been working at it and working at it.”

Mr. Gnad, the head instructor at Star Martial Arts and Danielle’s private mentor, said it’s hard to predict where Danielle will end up in the sport because she’s still so young. To measure success, it all depends on goals — whether a 60-year-old student aims to achieve a black belt or a younger student aims to lose some weight. The martial artist of nearly 40 years said Danielle has already accomplished a lot, but to achieve success in her long-term goals, it depends on how much work she is willing to put in going forward.

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YOUNG ATHLETES >> DANIELLE HAGAN

His cardinal rule is to never compare students, but he describes her current effort and dedication as above average, and he believes her talent, drive and ability could help her reach her full potential and make it to the top.

But it’s not just martial arts she strives to excel in. While the sport may consume most of her time and thoughts, she and her parents insist school is always a first priority. That’s why she’s a straight-A student, an avid reader and a member of the basketball team at Ruth Rains Middle School. And if she isn’t already occupied enough with lengthy biweekly training sessions, daily 35-minute workouts before breakfast, learning how to do flips from YouTube tutorials and playing basketball games throughout the week, Danielle said she also had a role in the school play, “Big Bad,” and is considering joining the softball team.

However, when it comes down to it, for more than a sense of personal accomplishment and the glory that comes along with about 100 medals and 100 trophies overflowing in her house, doing martial arts is what really brings Danielle to what she calls her “happy place,” and she describes it with an unlikely metaphor.

“I just go to a place that’s like...ice cream,” she said. “It’s amazing, it’s relaxing, it’s cool, it’s fun to go to and it’s colorful.”

An hour of Taekwondo can burn up to about 700 calories, so although she generally sticks to a Team USA approved diet, it’s no wonder her mind occasionally escapes to her favorite indulgences of chicken nuggets and French fries.

Her father, David, said she tends to get distracted often, especially by food —like any other typical kid — but her focus returns when her shoes come off and her black belt comes on.

In a male-dominant sport, it doesn’t bother her that she’s one of the only girls at lessons.

It makes her stronger, she said, and it’s fun to beat the boys.

“She’s got this little switch,” he said, “but when she’s in tournament mode, she takes it to the next level.”

Those who have watched her perform or sat in on one of her private lessons or classes — recently she’s studying jiu-jitsu — would understand what he means.

After warm-ups of running suicides, jumping jacks and burpees, she still remains pretty relaxed. But once she’s up against an opponent, there’s a clear shift in her intense gaze: cheeks as flushed as her hot pink headband, knuckles clenched tight, swirls of silvery metallic polish on her toes flash by as her feet sweep across the mat.

Injuries don’t divert her attention, either, David said. After she suffered a broken right thumb, pulled a hamstring and broke her humerus (none of which were caused by martial arts), she didn’t shed a tear, he said, but she got mad when she realized she’d have to sit out of practice for some time.

She’s not superhuman, but she does have a marvel superlative. In addition to other nicknames like “Little Ninja” MARCH/APRIL 2015

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YOUNG ATHLETES >> DANIELLE HAGAN

and “Beast,” Team Alabama, of which she represents for Team USA, deemed her the “Black Widow” among their own superhero names. Why is hers different from the other popular figures in the sky?

“Because they said I could kick butt without superpowers,” Danielle said.

“I knew it would be hard, but that’s kind of the reason I wanted to do it.”

Her peers at Star Martial Arts pick up on this.

“I bet you 10 bucks Danielle will win,” some would say when they watch, and “Do I really have to fight Danielle?” others would sigh. One boy in the group said, “What? Are you scared of a girl?”

In a male-dominant sport, it doesn’t bother her that she’s one of the only girls at lessons. It makes her stronger, she said, and it’s fun to beat the boys. In fact, being a girl was one of the reasons she was initially drawn to the sport.

“I liked the fact that not many girls did it, so I wanted to be different,” she said. One day, she aspires to be like her idol, Ronda Rousey, a mixed martial artist who qualified for the 2004 Olympics in Athens at 17 years of age.

But unlike her Ronda, who began Judo at 11, Danielle got her first chance at 5 years old when a karate demonstration came to her school and picked her tiny, outstretched arm from the 42 |

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300-student crowd to try it out. Later that night, she went home and plead, “Mom, Mom, Mom, Dad, Dad, Dad, you have to put me in karate.”

After months of what her parents called “persistent pestering,” they finally agreed to let her try a two-week program as a birthday gift, despite their worries about her size. They admit they didn’t fully expect her to stick with it at the time, but now they’re her biggest supporters. Danielle and her parents commute an hour each way to Gainesville twice a week just to train with Mr. Gnad at Star Martial Arts by Yamato’s and the Oaks Mall.

Her dad helps her choreograph routines, her mom manages the social media and both are committed to helping her achieve her best effort.

So now, after her recent win of four gold, one silver and one bronze at TAFISA World Martial Arts Games in Vancouver in September, which was the first of its kind to be recognized by the Olympic Committee, what’s next for the ambitious 11-year-old?

Where will she be in 11 more years?

“Famous,” she said. As an aspiring actress, martial arts instructor and owner of a community athletics center, the self-proclaimed elite athlete has several goals to tackle, but she’s ready to crush any doubt of her future success, just like she did for her first goal of getting started in the sport.

“I knew it would be hard, but that’s kind of the reason I wanted to do it,” she said. “I wanted to prove I could do something that was hard.”

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YOUNG ATHLETES >> ANNISTON BALUYOT

YOUNG GUN

Shooting

Star Meet Junior Competitive Shooter Anniston Baluyot W RIT TEN BY ERICK A WINTER ROW D P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y R O N D R E B A L U YOT

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ne — Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

Two — Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Three — Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. — Official NRA safety rules.

Many have used the term “like a girl” as an insult, a way to communicate weakness or inferiority —“You throw like a girl,” “You run like a girl,” “You fight like a girl.”

In a society where men are associated with rough and tough sports, one 14-year-old Gainesvillian is showing the male-driven world of competitive shooting that to “shoot like a girl” is pretty awesome too.

Anniston Baluyot is not your average kid.

In-between taking AP and Honors courses at

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Buchholz High School and staying involved in her school clubs and church’s teen ministry, she also shoots competitively — all the while earning a 4.50 GPA. Not bad, not bad at all.

The beginning of this natural’s story starts with the fact that she had no interest in guns at all.

“At first I didn’t want to shoot,” she said. “And my dad asked me to go to the range with him once, and I said sure. So I went out and shot a .22, which is the smallest [caliber]. And I liked it, so then we started doing private lessons and it just kind of escalated to where we are now.”

Anniston and her father, dentist Rondre Baluyot, owner of The Oaks Family Dentistry and courtesy clinical assistant professor at UF’s dental school, are now certified NRA pistol instructors — Anniston is an apprentice. This father-daughter shooting duo

Anniston works on accuracy drills with UF Practical Pistol Team co-captain Cortland Bailey. The belt setup she is wearing is specifically laid out for USPSA pistol competition. Her belt system allows her to quickly change with her 3-Gun setup.

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practice and compete together. And it seems Anniston is catching up to her dad rather quickly, often times scoring higher at certain stages during their matches.

“So she’s beat one out of five stages on the first [match] we both competed in, and then this past one was two out of five stages,” Rondre said. “So at this trend, the next match she should actually beat me at three out of five stages.”

He said whenever he gets the chance to compete against his daughter he will, just to keep her on her toes; otherwise he’s happy just being her “caddy daddy” or “papa-razzi” at competitions.

“We have this little thing that if she does beat me then she gets a shopping spree. So far, my ATM/debit card is

one can be put into. For example, a three-gun competition is one of the most challenging because competitors must use a pistol, rifle and a shotgun.

“I’m in production — the most basic one and I shoot a Smith and Wesson 9mm [gun],” she said. Rondre explained that what the production category means is that it is just a factory gun.

“It’s pretty similar to a lot of different sports, like archery,” he said, “where you have basic levels and equipment and then they can go up to very fancy and expensive guns that are thousands of dollars.”

Practices and competitions consist of hitting paper or cardboard targets and even steel targets that can activate

“Anniston is one of the most motivated shooters I have ever seen. To progress in practical shooting, just like any other sport, you have to be dedicated.” safe, but I’m getting nervous,” he said with a chuckle.

Competitive pistol shooting is an internationally recognized sport, and pretty much all the top shooters in the nation are involved with the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA). Anniston is part of Young Guns, the organization’s junior program. After just starting to train competitively since last August, she has already received recognition as one of the up-and-coming athletes to look out for.

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paper targets during different stages. A shooter is then scored on two factors; hitting the target and the time it takes them to do so.

“The goal is to hit the target where you’re supposed to hit it, where it counts the most points. Those are the A-zones or the Alphas,” Rondre said. “And then you do it as fast as you can. So that’s how you get better and better because you’re learning how to shoot under pressure and accurately with speed.”

Rondre also explained that there are different levels of shooters. First, one would start off as unclassified. Then, they

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Anniston participates in the Revolutionary War Veterans Association’s “Appleseed Marksmanship Program.” On her first test, she scored at “Sharpshooter” level, outscoring all of the other participants with ages ranging from juniors to adults. Practice includes mock stages and using shot-timers to record her shooting speed.

would become a D shooter, which is an entrylevel shooter; pretty much everybody starts off at the D level. Then the shooter would make the jump to a C, B, and hopefully make it to the A-Class. Finally, the most prestigious levels are Master and Grand Master.

Each of the local competitions is a chance for a shooter to move up in classification, which helps when competing at the major matches. The higher one is ranked, the bigger the prizes will be. Rondre said that the winnings are usually cash prizes or expensive equipment. Sponsorships can also happen for shooters at a high classification.

Anniston surprised everyone at her very first match.

“She actually skipped a classification,” Rondre said. “Most people start at D and she shot well enough that she would have been a C-Class shooter, which a lot of people would take months to years to get to that [level].”

Anniston’s coach, Steven Bottcher, the president of Gainesville Target Range, notes her dedication to the sport as a huge factor in how quickly her talent has risen.

“Anniston is one of the most motivated shooters I have ever seen. To progress in practical shooting, just like any other sport, you have to be dedicated,” Bottcher said.

“Not very many people shoot a C-Class score on their first classifier, or beat out as many people in their first match as she did. I’m excited as her coach and as a fellow shooter to see Anniston climb the ranks in both USPSA and 3-Gun competitions.”

As Anniston’s shooting star rises, so does her effort to show other young girls that women are more than capable to compete in the sport.

“I think it’s so important for women to be a part of this,” Anniston said. “One, it shows that women can do whatever men can do.

But it also shows that girls are strong too, and it’s also a form of self-defense, being able to take care of yourself.”

She said when she first started competing in the sport she was intimidated because most of the male shooters were twice her size.

“But they’re all really nice and everybody’s there to help with each other and nobody looks down upon anyone.”

Anniston’s aspirations as a shooter are to progress to a national level.

“I want [my shooting career] to further

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Anniston shoots .223/5.56 caliber in rifle, 12-gauge in shotgun, and 9mm in pistol. She is currently receiving sponsorship interests from a number of companies including an ammunition manufacturing company.

me because I want to work for the FBI one day,” she said.

“Hopefully, as I continue to progress, it will help me get in to that field.”

Working towards her dream of one day becoming a special agent, Anniston trains with the UF pistol team every Sunday where she continues to work on her speed and accuracy.

“The UF pistol team is part of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation,” Rondre said. “So this is a national program for high school and college shooting. They compete locally and they also have nationals as well.”

So far, Anniston has been the top female shooter at every match she has competed in. She is also the only junior shooter that typically comes to the events.

“And she usually scores pretty well,” Rondre said. “She’ll also beat a couple of guys too.”

Next on her to-do list is the Area 6 Championship in April, which is for the Southeastern region. About 430 competitors will be in attendance for the all-day event.

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“It’s 12 stages, so it’s just like two local matches back-to-back,” Rondre said. “This will be the biggest competition that she will be a part of since she has started in the sport.”

For a girl who describes herself in one word — “determined,” there’s no doubt Anniston will give it her all.

At the heart of her shooting career is the bond that Anniston and her father share. And they hope to inspire other father-daughter teams as well as young girls looking to get involved in the sport.

“I have spoken to the National USPSA Young Guns director and to the Gainesville Target Range about moving forward to more youth oriented courses in 2015,” Rondre said. “With Anniston and I being an NRA-certified Pistol Instructor and Instructor-apprentice, we look forward to helping senior instructors in teaching other juniors about basic gun safety, respecting firearms, and competition.”

To stay updated on Anniston’s progress check out her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/annistonjrshooter

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S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

The entire collection has a permanent home at SunState Federal Credit Union.

Journal of Light John Moran’s Florida Wildlife Photography on exhibit at SunState Federal Credit Union

H

is portfolio of landscape and wildlife photography ranges from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, and for almost 30 years John Moran has been giving us pictures that take our breath away. SunState Federal Credit Union is proud to feature in several of their branches “Journal of Light,” a major traveling exhibit of the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Displayed throughout SunState’s Main office and Jonesville branch, these pictures give a unique perspective to the natural and varied beauty that our state has to offer.

“Journal of Light was an exhibit that we put together with John in 2005 and enjoyed here at the

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Museum for nearly eight months,” said Darcie MacMahon, exhibits director for the Museum of Natural History. “It then traveled to six venues around Florida, including the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee, the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, the Collier County Museum in Naples, the Beaches Museum and History Center in Jacksonville Beach, Museum of Florida Art and Culture in Avon Park and Hillsborough Community College in Tampa.”

Since the conclusion of the statewide tour, SunState Federal Credit Union stepped in to give the exhibit a permanent home in our community.

“We’re very excited to have this unique opportunity,” said Robert Hart, vice president of market-

ing with SunState. “John’s collection offers a rare insight to the beauty and majesty of our natural surroundings, and we’re proud to be able to house such an impressive collection. We invite anyone interested in these photographs to stop by for a visit.”

As a University of Florida graduate, Moran enjoyed a 23year career as a photographer, writer and editor for The Gainesville Sun. Moran left the world of daily journalism in 2003 to concentrate fulltime on photographing the best of Florida’s varied natural beauty. Since that time, Moran’s photography has appeared in numerous books and magazines including National Geographic, Life, Time, Newsweek, Smithsonian, The New York Times Magazine and the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida.

“I am delighted that the exhibit will have continued life as a long-term installation in our own community,” MacMahon said. “John’s work is such a beautiful celebration of natural Florida. My hope for the exhibit is that it inspires people from all walks of life to appreciate and help conserve our natural wonders.”

For more than 50 years, SunState has always believed in running a business that focuses on its members, and the addition of this exhibit provides our community a permanent home from one of Florida’s most widely recognized photographers.

SunState believes that delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction is more than just a cliché, more than something you print on a business card. It’s a dedication and a commitment that is the heart and soul of their institution. As a member-focused credit union, SunState strives to deliver on its promise to be more than just a great financial institution, but a collection of individuals that care.

SunState continues to build and offer innovative products and new technologies to meet the ever-changing needs of its membership. An example is the “Nickel Back” promotion.

The first in our area to offer this unique opportunity, SunState will pay you a nickel for every signature debit card transaction you make. Deposited nightly, directly into your SunState Federal Credit Union checking account, there is no need to accumulate points, fill out forms or hassle with customer service.

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YOUNG ATHLETES >> TRAINING CENTERS

WITNESS THE FITNESS

Good Sport

The FTC Senior Blue team in January at Daytona Beach where they placed second in the State Competition.

Get Involved in Youth Athletics Programs at Local Facilities W RIT TE N BY M A RI SA ROS S

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pring is upon us, yet that fun-in-the-sun weather isn’t here quite yet. The weather may not exactly be ideal for a dip in the pool or a game of beach volleyball, but that doesn’t mean you and your family have to hit the couch instead. Luckily, the North Central Florida area has some of the best fitness facilities to keep the kids in shape and the adults active too. Here are a few of our local favorites to get involved. Read on to learn about a multi-faceted, all-encompassing athletic center the whole family can enjoy, a highly competitive cheerleading training gym for adolescents, a nationally recognized Trampoline & Tumbling team and a dominant youth volleyball club in the area.

Florida TeamCheer Allstars Florida TeamCheer offers tumbling and cheer fundamentals classes as well as qualified and experienced coaches for competitive all-star teams at different age levels. As the first team in North Central Florida to compete at Worlds in 2007 and make 14th place, TeamCheer prides itself on being a relatively small facility with significantly fewer members than other national rivals that still manages to get big results.

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The FTC Senior Blue team placed second in the 2014 Summit (cheerleading’s Super Bowl) against the top 10 percent of teams in America.

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With after school programs, summer camps, and birthday parties, the mission of Sun Country Sports is to provide a safe and inspiring environment offering fitness and fun for everyone.

Recently, all seven of the current teams have been placing at statewide competitions, including a recent 2nd place win at Varsity All Star’s Cheerleading Championship, The Summit, where nearly 500 teams competed. Not only is FTC competitive for regional and national levels, but all experience levels are welcome to develop cheer, tumbling and stunting skills.

How to get involved: • Age categories exist for placement to Tiny, Mini, Youth, Junior and Senior teams, ranging from ages 3 to 18 with beginning and advanced levels. The season begins in December, but tryouts will start the first week in May; check back on ftcgators. com for an update.

• Monthly tuition for classes is $55 (Tiny), $75 (Mini) and $100 (Senior/Junior/Youth) for two-hour sessions twice a week.

Individual tumbling sessions are $10, and drop-in open skills sessions are $5 each. The monthly fee for one-hour sessions of tumbling and stunts classes once a week is $55. Prices subject to change; call for final dates and fees.

For more information, visit ftcgators.com.

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Sun Country Sports Center For nearly 30 years, Sun Country Sports Center has coined itself “the center of it all” for active families and individuals of all ages. It was initially inspired by a need for more youth gymnastics programs, but today, the diverse facility offers much more and currently operates out of two locations. Whether you’re seeking a competitive afterschool activity for your child, a recreational class or an occasional visit for a special event, Sun Country is bound to have what you’re looking for. While popularity tends to grow in the summer months and cater to kids and families, the facility provides fun fitness opportunities year-round for everyone.

How to get involved: • Become a member for exclusive deals on class rates and community events. Non-members can also join the fun during open facility hours.

Classes/programs offered • Gymnastics — Programs for toddlers focus on interactive

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music, basic gymnastics and parent/child activities for early development; programs for children ages 3 to 5 incorporate more independent exploration of obstacle courses, foam pits, trampolines and more; and program for children ages 5+ help young gymnasts learn at their own pace as they do vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, parallel bars and more.

Cheer — Children ages 4 to 18 have the chance to join Team Spirit All-Stars cheerleading squad to compete in local, state and national competitions.

No prior cheerleading, tumbling or technical dance skill necessary.

Dance — With several age categories for children from 18 months old to 13+ and a new adult class, specialized options allow dancers to choose from ballet, jazz, modern and even a boys only dance program.

Swimming — The swimming programs range from first-time toddlers to adult freestyle, masters swimming and private lessons.

Rock Climbing — The rock wall at the facility offers versatile usage options, with both recreational and advanced classes, as well as daily and monthly climbing pass options for access between 5 and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Martial Arts — Partnered with the World Martial Arts Center, children can start learning different disciplines of martial arts starting at age 4.

Fencing — Fencing is offered at four levels: Beginner, Advanced, Advanced Beginner or Adult and Intermediate.

Sun Country Gym Bus — Popular with birthday parties, carnivals and picnics, this feature is a mobile gymnasium complete with rings, bars, mats, balance beam, ball pit, mini-trampoline and more.

Chicks Who Tri — This female-only program instructs and guides workout plans for triathletes with afternoon and evening classes available.

Upcoming events • Family Fun Night takes place every second Friday of the month for $16 per member ($18 for non-members, $20 at the door and free for children under 2 years old). Activities include gymnastics, rock climbing, an indoor playground, swimming, a bounce house, ball and foam pit, carnival-style games and more.

• Parent’s Night Out: During every fourth Friday of the month for $18 per member ($20 for non-members), adults can enjoy gymnastics, rock climbing, bounce houses, games, swimming and more. As a bonus, the facility watches the kids as the fun goes on from 6 to 10 p.m.

For more information, visit suncountrysports.com.

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Team Tumblemania is the competitive Trampoline and Tumbling Team that competes throughout the State of Florida as well as at the national level. The team also performs locally at parades, festivals and special events. The gym is proud to have trained a number of state and national champions.

Tumblemania This High Springs-based co-ed training facility has been serving tykes and teens alike for about 20 years in both recreational and competitive programs with trampolines, tumbling and cheerleading.

Membership fees range from $25 to $115, depending on skill level, program type and duration of membership.

Recreational programs offered Monday through Thursday: • Preschool — This division consists of a Mom & Tots class (ages 2 and 3; Wednesday 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.) that develops basic skills in Trampoline & Tumbling with music and imaginative play, as well as the Preschool class (ages 3 and 4; Tuesday/Wednesday 5:40 to 6:30 p.m.) that builds on Trampoline & Tumbling skills with the added focus of strength, coordination, balance and other developmental skills.

• Cheer Tumbling, Tuesday/Thursday 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. — This class focuses on tumbling and jumps to help students qualify for cheering at a high school, all-star, collegiate or community recreation squad level.

• Partner Stunting — Intended for high school and collegiate levels.

• Recreational Classes — These classes are meant for school-aged children with varying skill level divides (taught at different times) to develop basic Trampoline & Tumbling skills while promoting confidence and health.

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• Summer Camp — The 2015 dates have not yet been set, but check back at tumblemania.com for updates on the camp offered for the usual skills, crafts and games.

Competitive programs offered: • Team Tumblemania, Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 6 to 8:30 p.m. — This competitive team attends competitions throughout Florida and at the national level for Trampoline & Tumbling. Recently, Team Tumblemania achieved 12 Top 10 trophies at the 2014 United States Trampoline and Tumbling (USTA) National Championships, in which they competed against more than 2,000 athletes in Madison, Wis., in addition to other national titles earned since 2010. The team also has chances to attend parades, festivals and special events. This year, they will travel to South Dakota in June and Virgina in July for USTA and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) competitions, respectively.

• Prep Team — The annual Prep Team runs from May through July for students that qualify to compete in Trampoline & Tumbling and later have an opportunity to join Team Tumblemania.

Upcoming events: • March 14 (registration deadline March 6) — Cheer Skills Clinic, $35 to prepare for try-outs with tumbling, jumps, stunts and motions; 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with break for lunch.

• March 20 and April 19 — Pizza & Practice, $12 for ages 5+ from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• April 25 — 19th Annual Recital, $15 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12 and free for ages 4 and under; 5 p.m. at Fort White High School Gymnasium.

For more information, visit tumblemania.com.

Gainesville Juniors Volleyball Club Pass, set, spike! For girls ages 10 to 18 with a more competitive drive for long-term commitment, there’s a local team that boasts national glory. This club facility, which is the first year-round volleyball training facility in the Phoenix Commercial Park in Alachua, also offers winter camps for ages 5 to 18, private lessons, summer beach volleyball programs and is currently in the process of organizing its first boys team.

Gainesville Juniors Volleyball Club is a member of both the Florida Region of the United States Volleyball Association, which is the governing body for the USA Volleyball (USAV) Olympic program, and the Amateur Athletic Association (AAU). With these affiliations, the club has achieved incredible success in 2014 alone, including three qualified teams for the USAV National Championships, eight collegiate scholarships signed, first place by the 16 Elite team in the AAU National Championships and more. Overall, 94 players have gone on to accept scholarships, nearly 40 teams have made it to the USAV National

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Championships and consistently qualifying for local, regional, statewide and national tournaments and championships.

If you want to get involved: • Each team has one head coach, at least one assistant coach and up to 11 players and have a goal of getting a bid for the USAV National Championships, which will take place in New Orleans in 2015.

• Practice is three days per week (two days per week for ages 10 and 11), in addition to travel and tournaments.

• The fee for tryouts, which take place late October to early

November, is $50. The 2015 team membership prices range from $1,389 (10 Elite team) to an average of $2,500 (11 Elite to 18 Elite), which is lower than several other club teams throughout Florida.

• Check back on the website for updates about the fall MiniClub program, which begins in August, for ages 5 to 14. The fee for this program is $400.

• Private lessons are $45 per one-hour sessions for individuals, $30 per person for two-player rate and $25 per person for three-player group rate.

For more information, visit gainesvillejuniors.net.

YOUNG ATHLETES >> TRAINING CENTERS

While also having fun, young women playing for Gainesville Juniors learn firsthand the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline — life skills that serve them well far beyond their volleyballplaying days.

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CAR CLUBS >> RADIO CONTROLLED

CR ASH COURSE

Radio Raceway Newberry’s New RC Track Embodies The Spirit of Friendly Competition and Do-It-Yourself Ingenuity S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY KE LLE Y BE N N ET T

T

ucked away behind the thicket of shrubs that line Highway 27 in Newberry is the Easton Sports Complex.

It is a spacious recreational center that hosts everything from archery to flag football to radio-controlled car racing — although the location of the latter may take a bit more effort to find. Virtually invisible behind the baseball diamond, the Newberry RC Park nonetheless manages to attract a healthy number of radio-controlled (or RC) car enthusiasts from throughout the area who have found a passion in this quirky, yet intriguing hobby.

The world of RC racing is vast and complex, with cars coming in a wide variety of makes, models, scales, motors and power. The Newberry RC Club

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acknowledges five distinct classes, each with their own rules and specifications. There’s the Novice class, which is reserved for beginners and only requires that models adhere to a specific scale; the Stock and Mod classes differ in both motor type and speed control; the remaining two classes are reserved for buggies, which are generally smaller and faster than other models and whose motors can be either electric or powered by nitro fuel.

The park itself is still quite young, having only been in existence since Labor Day of 2013. Its conception began seven months prior, when founder David “Wally” Wallace purchased his first kit after witnessing a city contractor running an RC during his lunch break.

“It just ignited a fascination I couldn’t explain,” Wallace said. That March, Wallace used a tiller to

The tiny engines in RC nitro cars are a marvel of modern engineering â&#x20AC;&#x201D; revving at speeds in excess of

40,000 RPM!

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CAR CLUBS >> RADIO CONTROLLED

Created with afterwork and weekend RC enthusiasts of all ages in mind, the Newberry RC Park provides hours of fun for everyone — featuring a “practice-style” dirt track venue that is open to the public.

transform the nearby retention pond into a preliminary track for practicing and playing around. Gradually, word began to spread and a small number of people became interested in the sport, leading to the opening of a new, improved track shortly thereafter. RC hobbyists can now be found perfecting their skills at the park on any given day, but the club’s scheduled competitions are what draw the most traffic.

On race days, the air is abuzz with the distinctive, mechanical hums the cars produce as they whip around the park grounds. A

modest array of lawn chairs, tents and cargo trailers frame the park. Some participants take advantage of last-minute practice time, while others can be seen cleaning, adjusting and testing their models. The track is adorned with thin, white pipeline, bordering the topsy-turvy course the miniature cars set out to conquer. Race times and rosters are announced and racers gather atop a specially built stand that oversees the track. Spectators are advised not to stand too close to the corners, as it is entirely too easy to catch a face full of red clay as cars complete sharp

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Further down the line, Wallace hopes to incorporate indoor and outdoor RC flying, as well as road carpet racing for the cars inside the gym. Perhaps his biggest aspiration is one that would help give back to the community.

“I would hope that at some point, Newberry RC Park gets to the point where we are able to hold events to raise money for charities that approach the city and help hold fundraisers for school groups and the like.”

This is undoubtedly an admirable goal for a group that is completely self-sufficient. Wallace serves as one of the park’s five board members, alongside Ray Reno, secretary Alan Wight, treasurer Miguel Miranda, and president Eric Canto, who also happens to be the owner of Gainesville’s HobbyTown (by far the most popular supplier among Newberry’s racers). The board was created with the purpose of applying for grants, and any money received goes directly back into the track.

While city support for the park has been strong, it is not funded at all by the city government. The budget to purchase clay and other materials crucial to the park’s expansion relies on donations and race entry fees, though these are kept reasonably low to encourage more participants. Combined with the fact that the track is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone to use free of charge, it’s obvious that the folks who brought the RC Park to life are fully committed to their mission. At its heart, the club is all about recruiting newcomers to join the legions of established RC lovers and, like most good things in life, just having a little bit of fun.

CAR CLUBS >> RADIO CONTROLLED

turns. The track’s flat surface is interrupted by a handful of mounds that can make or break a lap — at best, the racer has a platform to pull off dramatic leaps that recall the final scene of “Thelma and Louise” (or, alternatively, any of the General Lee’s infamous jumps); at worst, the car will catch a less-than-stellar landing and flip violently on its back, then at the mercy of one of the designated turn marshals before it can rejoin the race. Each race lasts five minutes, while commentary and light-hearted banter is projected over a loudspeaker. There’s no doubt the participants take these races seriously, but the atmosphere lacks the palpable tension of most other competitive events; this feels more like a familial gathering than anything else.

While the community as it currently stands is undeniably tight-knit, it is by no means elitist or exclusionary. A strong emphasis is placed on encouraging beginners to take part in races, and competitiveness takes a backseat to garnering interest and recruiting new participants. While the focus on cars may imply that this particular club is For Boys Only, that is fortunately not the case — just as father and son can compete alongside each other in the same class, no one bats an eye when girls join in on the fun. In an environment as inherently welcoming as this one, diversity is not only expected, but also encouraged.

As for what the future holds for the club, Wallace has no shortage of ideas. Lights should be installed around the track before press time. Also beginning in February, the club’s races will occur on a regular monthly or bi-monthly basis.

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COLUMN

ALBERT ISAAC’S

Different Note MY VACATIONS ARE A TRIP

ALBERT ISAAC IS AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND EDITOR AND THE AUTHOR OF SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS AND PERSONAL COLUMNS. HE LIVES IN HIGH SPRINGS WITH HIS FAMILY AND A BUNCH OF CRITTERS. editor@towerpublications.com

I’M NOT A KLUTZ. TRULY. I’M NOT. ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS THAT I CAN’T ENJOY A VACATION IN THE MOUNTAINS WITHOUT FALLING DOWN.

T

his tradition started some time ago — in fact, now that I think about it, way back before I started bringing my family to vacation in the mountains.

One summer, when I was a teenager, I fell down a mountain.

I later recounted this event (Warning: Shameless plug ahead!) in my book of columns, “Life So Far – Volume I.” Filed under the subhead of Really Stupid Things I Have Done So That You Won’t Have To, I describe the mistake I made taking a shortcut down a steep cliff.

With hiking stick in hand, I commenced the downward trek across loose gravel and rock. I found I could make better time if I took little hops.

Let me be the first to tell you that taking little hops on a steep cliff face is a bad idea. In fact, I soon discovered that my little hops had accelerated into a blistering descent with my head moving downward slightly faster than my racing feet. This is a recipe for disaster, as I ran faster and faster, basically trying to keep up with my head.

One time I was videotaping our daughter who was complaining about hiking. As I commented, “What’s not to like?” my feet slid out from under me and down I went.

At the bottom of the cliff was Highway 105 with its steady stream of cars and trucks racing by in excess of 60 mph. And here I was, now running 60 mph myself — and headed right toward this deathtrap.

And I do mean running. By this point I was no longer taking tiny hops. I was bounding down the mountain in gigantic, loping strides measuring half-a football field in length, careening out of control toward my bloody destination with 105.

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I jettisoned my hiking stick as I rocketed headlong down the cliff. I was still accelerating, moving faster than my gangly legs were designed to go, still trying desperately to keep up with my forward leaning head.

So I stopped.

That is to say I stopped running. I didn’t stop moving, obviously, because that would go against the laws of physics.

I had figured, and rightly so, that a controlled fall onto rock was preferable to an uncontrolled high-speed collision into asphalt and truck tires. So I stopped running.

Now hurtling in mid-air at the speed of sound I had little time to contemplate my stupidity before plummeting heels over head onto gravel and rock. But I was fortunate and a gigantic blackberry bush cushioned my fall with its barbed brambles.

I hit and I hit hard, but a goodly distance from the Highway of Death below. After a few dozen obligatory bounces I stuck to the bush like Velcro. And even though I was sliced to ribbons, still I was grateful for those blackberries, as I lay upon the gravel and rock and thorns staring up into blue sky.

Alive.

That wasn’t the first (or last) time I would fall down in the mountains. One summer while riding a horse with my brother and our buddy (yes all three of us, riding bareback, me hanging onto the mane) my brother slapped it with a black-eyed Susan and it broke into a brisk walk.

I fell off. So did the other two. I broke their fall and they broke my left forearm.

The falling tradition continues to this day, only without broken bones. I’m typically hiking when I fall. One time I was videotaping our daughter who was complaining about hiking. As I commented, “What’s not to like?” my feet slid out from under me and down I went. “That’s what’s not to like!” she retorted.

Once while skiing I watched with great amusement as my buddy in front of me lost his ski. I didn’t even have time to laugh as I saw his boot go into the snow and his errant ski slide into my path, sending me tumbling like the agony-of-defeat guy from the Wide World of Sports.

And more recently, during our Gatlinburg vacation, my wife — the self-proclaimed Voice of Reason — and I were walking across the parking lot and then up a hill. She cautioned me not

to fall down. I said something like, “I’m not going to fall. I’m as sure-footed as a Billy goat.” And she said, “Yeah, and you fall down every vacation.”

Don’t jinx me!

As fate would have it, later that evening, while walking in the dark down a very steep hill leading to that very parking lot, I stepped off a curb, twisted my ankle and bounced off a van as I fell to the ground.

Our youngest saw it all, as I lay there checking myself for potential injuries.

Once he realized I wasn’t seriously hurt, he laughed.

“Dad, you crumpled down, slowly, like an old lady!”

“Thanks son.”

“And you just laid there. Like you were hiding from snipers.”

“I’m fine. Really. Don’t worry about me.”

I had twisted my ankle but not bad enough to stop us from hiking the following day.

So maybe I am a klutz. I fall down. We all do, at times. But I get back up. And that’s what’s important.

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COMMUNITY EVENT >> TRACTOR AND CAR SHOW

HERITAGE

Tractor & Car Show Dudley Farm’s Antiques Come To Life S TORY A N D PHOTOG R PHY BY L A R RY BE H N KE

W

ant to time travel to a farm of a century ago? On March 21, it will be possible.

Dudley Farm was owned by the Dudley family and passed down over three generations. In 2002 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Now it is a Florida State Park where all can visit to get an idea of what farm life was like from the 1850s through the 1940s.

On the third Saturday in March not only will antique tractors, cars and ancient flywheel engines be on display, but farming activities will be demonstrated by staff dressed in period clothing. Volunteers will be at the farmstead doing demonstrations and answering questions about life on the farm.

Old tractors will be disking and plowing the fields in preparation for planting corn and sugar cane.

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gardening and the old store will be open. The commissary will be selling simple foods like kettle corn.

At 1 p.m. the Third Annual Tractor Pull will pit the antique iron horses against each other to see how strong they are. Tractors will pull a big sled holding 50-gallon drums filed with concrete. More drums will be added to increase the weight until the last tractor can’t budge its burden another inch.

Tractors are being showcased because of their historical importance to the development of agriculture. When they took the place of horses, food production greatly increased as labor decreased.

Now ancient tractors are lovingly restored and kept running by those who really appreciate them.

How does an owner get bitten by the antique tractor bug?

“I got interested as a mechanic,” said Larry Shannon, president of the North Florida Antique Tractor Club. Shannon has spent many years with the Florida National Guard, fixing any equipment

ABOVE: Chase Wilson, from Williston, enjoys pretending to drive this old tractor at the 2014 event. His mother said he wants his own tractor, but will have to settle for a toy version.

IF YOU GOâ&#x20AC;Ś

Dudley Farm Historic State Park Saturday, March 21st 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

18730 West Newberry Road (SR 26) East of Newberry and west of Jonesville.

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COMMUNITY EVENT >> TRACTOR AND CAR SHOW

they had to keep it running. “I was hired to do some bush hogging for someone who had an old barn that was going to be torn down. Inside the barn was a 1959 Massey-Ferguson TO-35 that wouldn’t run and had been sitting there for years.”

Shannon was intrigued and traded his bush hogging services for the old tractor. He replaced all the fluids, did some tinkering, and within less than two hours, had it running. Then he found its owner’s manual and started restoring the old tractor. After it was painted and looking like new, he brought it back to show the family that had bought it in 1960.

“They were so happy to see what I’d done with it that they cried,” Shannon said.

He then took his tractor to a car show and won the People’s Choice Award.

“Some car owners weren’t too happy that a tractor won it,” he said.

By then he was hooked.

Next he came upon a small 1955 Model 6 AllisChalmers with a rear engine, something he’d never 72 |

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seen. He did some research and decided to buy it.

His wife was not happy about that.

Shannon worked on it for a year, with parts hanging on the clothesline to get painted. He entered the restored tractor in a White Springs tractor-pulling contest and won. He also won the slowest tractor contest at Newberry Lion Club’s annual tractor show.

“Now it’s my wife’s favorite tractor,” he said.

Shannon owns other antique tractors he has restored and one 1949 John Deere with three cracks in the engine block that he calls “yard art.” Shannon and his wife live on 15 acres near Bell with plenty of room for future tractors.

“Most people don’t realize how big antique tractors are,” Shannon said. “And not just here, but all over the world.”

Old automobiles will also be on display that Saturday at Dudley, along with the tractors. In past years, cars have ranged from a completely restored 1916 Maxwell with no windows and a fold down top

ABOVE: Show spectators inspecting a completely restored 1916 Maxwell with no windows and a fold down top. At rear is Newberry’s antique REO fire engine.

TOP RIGHT: A 1920 Sampson tractor with all steel wheels, made by a General Motors factory in Wisconsin OPPOSITE: Kirk Pomeroi drives Newberry’s REO fire engine back to town.

to more modern cars from the early 1950s.

Newberry’s antique REO fire engine is often in attendance.

Kirk Pomeroi restored the old engine for free, with the stipulation that he be the one allowed to drive it to its destinations. He is expert at getting it started and keeping it running. It’s a tricky task; before each start-up the cylinders must be oiled along with other nearly century-old quirky chores.

Also important on farms of the past was another internal combustion engine: the single cylinder flywheel motor. They were used on farms beginning in the early 1900s. These two-cycle “putt-putts” fired once every few seconds to keep a large flywheel turning (and to save on gas). The weight of the flywheel kept the momentum going. These engines greatly reduced labor for farm families. They were connected by a long belt to run such devices as water pumps, saw mills, butter churners, washing machines, flour grinders and hay pressers.

The 325-acre Dudley State Park has 18 structures that include several historic buildings. The original Dudley family farmhouse has many of its original furnishings. The 1880s kitchen is in a separate building, to protect the main house in case of a fire, and to keep the heat from cooking out of the main

house in the summertime.

A general store, post office, blacksmith shop, equipment buildings and a working cane syrup area are also preserved.

Everything is kept the way it was a century ago to expose people to the history of agriculture in the area.

Deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises, native birds and a bounty of flora are a part the fields and woods of the extensive acreage, as well as a picnic area, nature trails and a visitor center. Displays show artifacts, clothing and other parts of old-time farming life.

The story of the Dudley family is told by a video that includes interviews with the last remaining member of the family.

Many of the activities and yearly festivals are possible because of work by The Friends of Dudley Farm. These volunteers do the farming chores and tend the livestock, while wearing clothing of the past during the yearly events. Other Dudley weekends include the popular cane grindings, plow days, quilt show and Earth Day in April.

Members of the Friends of Dudley Farm admit to having a lot of fun with what they do. They plan to continually expand the antique tractor event to bring in more vendors and participants, and hopefully, more visitors.

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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COMMUNITY >> FOOD FOR KIDS

FOOD4KIDS

FEEDING HUNGRY CHILDREN IN ALACHUA ONE BAG AT A TIME

Packing with a Purpose W R I T T E N B Y C R Y S TA L H E N R Y

Children in Alachua County don’t have to worry about going hungry at school.

T

he assistance programs in place ensure that their bellies are full each school day, even if they can’t afford to pay.

But for some kids, lunch on Friday is the last real meal they get until breakfast on Monday morning. In 2008, the minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Alachua decided this problem had to stop, and the Food4Kids program was born.

One Sunday at church, after the founder’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, retired teacher Vada Horner was given the keys to the pantry and was told “You’re it for now.”

Horner said every Thursday volunteers pack backpacks full of food to feed children in need for the weekend. Each Friday, the backpacks are sent home with the kids, and they are returned

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the next week empty and ready to be packed once again.

The food is donated from the community in blue bins placed in businesses and churches around the city. Other organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Alachua Women’s Club have food drives throughout the year, and one of the biggest donations comes from the Stamp Out Hunger campaign. Each year on the second Saturday in May, the postal workers in Alachua gather bags of food set by mailboxes on their routes. Volunteers from Food4Kids pick up the food from the mail carriers on Saturday afternoon and bring it to the food pantry at Alachua Elementary.

Horner said the program is designed to supply the children with enough food to get them through the weekend. The idea is to give them food that they can fix themselves such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, canned pasta and snack crackers.

They pack soups and canned vegetables that can be microwaved and granola bars that have plenty of protein.

She said they are very grateful for all the donations they

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COMMUNITY >> FOOD FOR KIDS

Stamp Out Hunger

Food4Kids Shopping list:

Saturday, May 11

The Food4Kids program aims to supply children in Alachua with nutritious food that is easy to pack and easy to prepare.

In an effort to raise awareness about those going hungry in our own communities, postal workers in Alachua have volunteered to participate in the national Stamp Out Hunger food drive. To donate, place non-perishable items in a bag next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 11. Letter carriers will pick up those donations and deliver them to Food4Kids and other programs in need.

Here is a wish list of some of their most sought-after items:

• Canned meat such as tuna or chicken • Peanut butter and jelly • Canned vegetables or beans • Canned pasta like SpaghettiO’s • Canned soup, juice boxes or pouches • Macaroni and cheese • Pudding cups, fruit cups, single-serving oatmeal cups • Snack bars • Other snacks like pretzels, animal crackers and raisins

receive, but smaller individually packaged items tend to be the easiest for little hands to handle, and they are easier to pack in the backpacks.

In their first year, the program was awarded a grant from the United Methodist Church Foundation and one from Capital City Bank. That money got the program off the ground. Now money comes in throughout the school year, and they often get grants from families as well. Monetary donations are welcome just as much as food because Hitchcock’s offers a generous discount to the program, Horner said.

Treasurer Ted Wilson takes the donation money and does the shopping at Hitchcock’s for the program. He brings it to the pantry, and it goes home with the children.

The backpack program is confidential. The people packing the backpacks each week don’t know who takes them home. They only know they come back ready to be filled.

Horner said the backpack program is very confidential and anonymous with the volunteers. The people packing those backpacks each week don’t know who takes them home. They only know they come back ready to be filled again and again.

“I don’t know, and I don’t need to know,” Horner said. “I’m helping a family.”

She said although the backpacks are anonymous, every once in a while they’ll get a letter back with the bag. Once a mother wrote in and said she wanted to thank them so much for all their help. She was grateful someone cared enough to give them food when they really needed it, but she was happy to report that she’d found a job. She wanted to let them pass the food on to another family in need, but she would be forever grateful.

Horner said once a child put a note in her backpack asking if 78 |

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she could have a little extra food because they had a lot of family coming in town for the weekend. Horner said of course they gave her extra because it not only showed that she was appreciative, but she was also trying to pass on kindness to others.

School administrators and teachers come up with the list of students who might need to take home a backpack. Horner said Jim Brandenburg was the principal when the program started, and he used to walk through the cafeteria on Monday morning. He figured that the children who were gobbling up everything on their plates probably hadn’t had enough to eat over the weekend, so he put them on the list. But even if a child makes the list, the parents have to sign off saying that it’s okay for them to participate.

On the first Thursday of the month volunteers from the Methodist church pack the bags. The second Thursday, volunteers from Capital City Bank pack bags. The third Thursday, First Baptist of Alachua packs, and the fourth Thursday the Alachua Women’s Club packs. If there is a fifth Thursday, Horner and the other volunteers just call some friends to come in and help.

It only takes two people about 45 minutes to pack each week, and those volunteers then go talk to their friends and spread the word about the program.

Horner encourages people who want to help to do so by holding food drives or fundraisers at their businesses or churches.

She said any location can contact her to get a tub to put out for donations.

She said occasionally they’ll get donations of things like cream of asparagus soup or cans of sauerkraut, and while those donations are still appreciated they aren’t typically foods that young children like to eat. Instead they keep that food in the community by donating it to other places such as Hathcock Community Center in Alachua.

For more information about hosting a food drive or to make a donation, contact Vada Horner at vadasophie@aol.com or 386-462-1760.

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Hair Nail D E P OT

Celebrates 20 Years of Friendship in High Springs

Find us on Facebook! wenty years ago High Springs got a makeover. A little shop called The Hair and Nail Depot rolled into town, and this year the owners are celebrating two decades of bringing beauty and friendship to the community.

Susie and Marvin Blankenship’s business ventures were always great, but they weren’t always on top. Before she worked her magic on people’s hair, she and her husband were working hard right under their feet with Blankenship Asphalt.

Susie was working as a hairstylist in Gainesville and helping run the asphalt business for six years before she moved on the idea to open her own shop. But in 1995, her dream of The Hair and Nail Depot was born.

They started in a little place on Highway 441 in High Springs. She had four hair stylists and one nail tech, and that was perfect for five years. Over time she added to her staff and said she feels extremely lucky to have had some amazing stylists and tech to work and play with over the years.

Susie was very pregnant with OUR TOWN MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2015 80 | When

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her second son, Jack, a woman named Betsy Patterson came to work with her.

Jack will be 19 in July, and Susie said Betsy not only works there, but she has become one of her greatest friends.

Employees become like family at the Depot. Susie and the rest of the gang fondly remember their friend Jean Hines, who passed away 13 years ago at only 49. She said the whole shop felt the loss, and they make sure to keep her memory alive. They talk about her and have said a thousand times that they’d give anything to have her talent and quick wit back in the shop.

In 2000, they purchased the building on North Main Street that they are now settled in. It was the first convenience store in High Springs, and Susie has fond memories of stopping by the little convenience store to get snacks after school. So it was a bit nostalgic for her to walk through the doors that first day as the proud owner of her very own shop. They recently updated features inside and remodeled the front façade to celebrate 20 years in business. And the

shop has grown to eight stylist chairs, a nail tech and a private pedicure room.

“We are also honored to have Debbie Willingham, Chelsea Wimsatt, Stacy Orcutt, Janet Wooten, Whitney Jerkins and Jessie Howe playing and working with us today,” Susie said. “We invite everyone to stop by for excellent services with a smile and a great cup of coffee.”

High Springs has been the perfect home for The Hair and Nail Depot. Susie said the greatest thing has been to see High Springs grow by leaps and bounds but retain that small town feel.

Susie said the shop motto is “Your beauty is what we do…It’s all about YOU.” And she said they have been fortunate and blessed to have made so many friends over the years to share this 20 year celebration with.

“Cheers to the next 20 years,” Susie said. “The best is yet to come.”

For amazing hairstyles, beautiful nails or a relaxing pedicure, call 386-4547416 or 386-454-7679. Or check out The Hair and Nail Depot on Facebook.

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CAR CLUBS >> CAR SHOWS IN TIOGA AND HAILE

HOT ROD

Takin’ it to the Street Car Enthusiasts Hit the Streets for Shows in Tioga and Haile W R I T T E N B Y K AT H Y P I E R R E P H OTO G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F S E B A S T I A N F E R R E R O F O U N D AT I O N

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ar enthusiasts will be very busy in the month of April as both Gainesville and Jonesville offer up car shows. In our small, closely knit towns, the hot-rod and restoration enthusiast population is making itself heard, and especially seen.

The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation will hold its annual spring car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 11th at Tioga Town Center. The fourth annual Hot Rodding for Heroes Classic Auto Show, a partnership with Santa Fe College’s Veterans Affairs, will be held on April 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Haile Village Center. Both events are free to the public.

John Hoehn, a physician in the Gainesville community and one of Hot Rodding for Heroes’ event

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coordinators, said that this year there are approximately 300 vehicles registered in the show, including motorcycles for the first time. He expects more than 5,000 spectators to attend the show this year.

“This year we’re on a weekend with not a lot going on, so we should do well,” he said. “The popularity has grown substantially.”

The event is a family event with live music, food and a play area for children.

“At most car shows the wives and kids don’t come because they’re bored,” Hoehn said. “But this is really a strong family event.”

This year’s car show is the third year of partnership with Santa Fe College to support the Veterans Bridge Scholarship, a scholarship set up to help veterans returning from active duty to begin school while they wait for their GI Bill payments, which

The 2015 Tioga Car Show has

300 vehicles registered already!

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would fund their tuition and fees, as well as books and other things. The GI payments are usually received after an average of 45 days, so the scholarship bridges that gap of time for the student soldiers.

“The steering committee wanted to provide a way to provide the bridge from the time they leave service to the time they start school,” said Sandra Torres-Pintos, coordinator for Veterans Affairs at Santa Fe College.

There are currently 19 scholarships that exist in perpetuity and are always accepting donations. Though the event is free, the registration fees for the cars go directly toward the scholarship fund.

Torres-Pintos said that the scholarship not only benefits the veterans, but the community at large. Once the veterans graduate they are able to be more productive as part of the greater Gainesville community.

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marketing, which allows more people to become educated about it, raising the likelihood for more donors.

Hoehn, a co-founder of the show, said that the organizers chose the Veterans Bridge Scholarship three years ago because they were looking for philanthropy to support in which the majority of the money went directly to the cause.

“There really isn’t anything like it and that’s why we support it so strongly,” he said. “We wanted to find something locally that would benefit people. We know the funds will go to the veterans and won’t be taken for administrative purposes.”

Hoehn expects to see this annual event grow.

“In the next five years I wouldn’t be surprised if we have 1,000 cars,” Hoehn said. “We want this to be something for Gainesville and an annual staple event.”

Each spring, the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation holds the Tioga Car Show at Tioga Town Center. Guests are invited to tour fine automobiles of all makes and models, feast on food from

March 14th

April 11th 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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ANNUAL TIOGA CAR SHOW Town of Tioga 105 SW 128th Street, Jonesville sebastianferrero.org/events/ tioga-car-show

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HOT RODDING FOR HEROES Haile Plantation Village Center 5100 SW 91st Terrace, Gainesville

MARCH/APRIL 2015

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CAR CLUBS >> CAR SHOWS IN TIOGA AND HAILE

SPRINGTIME CAR SHOWS

around Gainesville and enjoy live entertainment.

The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation’s mission is to support and “fundraise for continued advancements in facilities, patient safety and innovative programs dedicated to delivering integrated pediatric care for all children and their families,” according to their website.

This year’s show will feature live music, a silent auction and activities for children, and – of course — motorcycles, hot rods, antique and exotic cars. Car enthusiasts are able to begin viewing the vehicles at 10 a.m., but the judges will be awarding the top entries at 2 p.m. The silent auction will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kid’s activities and food vendors will all begin at 10 a.m.

Live entertainment is scheduled for 11 a.m. and the show ends at 3 p.m.

The award categories include best of show, best classic, best exotic, best muscle car, best sound system, best display, best restoration, best paint, best import, best original, most custom, most unique, most original and best rat rod.

Dave Ferro, co-owner of Ferro Real Estate Partners, is a co-founder of the Hot Rodding for Heroes car show. He was introduced to cars at a young age through his parents’ carhop restaurant, seeing the cars that, at the time, weren’t antiques, but were just incredibly cool, especially to a young child.

“Some people are into sports, some people are into hobbies that are different, and for me it was always cars,” Ferro said.

Ferro’s dream car growing up was a GTO, much like the GTO his father owned. Ferro searched for the car and bought it from its original owners for $4,000 in Tampa. Ferro said he has an emotional connection with cars. Knowing that cars can hold meaning and emotions in them motivated him to make his now four-year-old son’s first car ride something to talk about. Ferro drove his newborn son, along with his older two children and his wife home from North Florida Regional Medical Center.

“I wanted his first ride in a car to be a car worth riding in,” he said.

Ferro can trace his car show heritage back to his youth, with memories of walking around a car show with his father at a very young age.

He remembers hearing stories about the history that surrounded a car, not just personal history of the owner, but historical background that framed each car.

“They’re time capsules. For some people you can hear a song and that song will take you right

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CAR CLUBS >> CAR SHOWS IN TIOGA AND HAILE

Car enthusiast Dave Ferro cruises down Old Bellamy Road in his 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible. “There are a lot of people with classics that have history and meaning,” he said. “They aren’t just investments. They are part of the family and a link to the past.”

back to a certain time or place in your life. Well, these cars are like that for car people,” Ferro said.

“A song, you might just hear it; that’s one sense. A car you really experience with four senses: you see it, you touch it, the smells, and then the sound.”

The GTO is just one of five cars Ferro and his wife own that are restored, or are in the process of restoration. Along with the Pontiac GTO, they own a 1967 Mustang, a 1954 Flxible Coach with a two-stroke Detroit diesel engine, his best friend’s 1979 Ford Bronco from their teenaged years and a 1931 Ford Model A. Each one of these vehicles holds a special place in Ferro’s heart and he jokingly said

most of the work on his own. Simons regularly takes the truck to car shows and other exhibitions throughout the Southern United States.

Ferro said that a lot of learning about cars and restoration is through trial and error and it’s best to learn on these older cars.

“Those are cars a father and son can fix together in a garage. There’s no computer. They’re pretty much all mechanical, very simple, there’s not a lot to them, and there are books,” Ferro said. “I feel sorry for today’s kids because most cars are so complicated — they’re safe, very safe now compared to old cars, but they’re so complicated.”

“They’re time capsules. For some people you can hear a song and that song will take you right back to a certain time or place in your life.

Well, these cars are like that for car people.” he never met an old car he didn’t like. Even though he doesn’t get to work on his cars as much as he would like — feeling blessed with a few hours each week to devote to restoration — it is still his favorite thing to do when he gets free time.

Similarly, Ben Simons, a web designer at the University of Florida, considers himself a car person.

Simons is a classic car and restoration enthusiast.

He owns the 1964 Dodge D100 pick-up truck that his parents bought brand new for less than $3,500.

After accumulating more than 400,000 miles, Simons’ father gave him the truck in 1999 and he began the restoration project of the then-35-yearold family treasure. Simons restored the car over a period of 10 years, finishing it in 2009, completing 86 |

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Ferro hopes that families with classic cars pass them down for generations, not only because working with your hands is very relaxing, but because the restorer can have the satisfaction of a job well done after every improvement, no matter how big or small.

“There’s a lot of history there and I want my son to feel that way about our cars, especially the GTO, because that’s the first one he rode in,” he said.

Ferro said the classic car community is fairly tight-knit, knowledgeable and helpful group who use their cars not just for attention, but also for good causes.

“It’s about hard work for a good cause to benefit local people,” Hoehn said.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ERICKA WINTERROWD

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CHARITY >> KARTING 4 KIDDOS

HEART R ACING

Karting for Logan Joe Hancock’s Charity Races for Children in Need W RIT TE N BY BROCK S E NG

W

ith engines roaring and karts flying, Daytona came alive with the spirit of racing last December. Everyone had their own story as to why they were on the track that day, but one racer in particular was there for something more than just the thrill of the race. With the words “Karting 4 Logan” plastered on the side of his kart, Joe Hancock raced with a mission in mind: to raise money for Logan Kronenberger, a 9-month-old boy struggling through everyday life.

Logan suffers from a congenital heart defect.

Heart defects may involve the walls of the heart, or valves, or the veins near the heart. For Logan, he suffers from Tetralogy of Fallot, which means he has four abnormalities within his heart.

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“I have a 10-month-old so I couldn’t imagine what they’re going through,” Hancock said. “My son is healthy and the least I could do is give back to the couples who have to suffer through it.”

Joe Hancock and go-kart racing go hand-in-hand.

It’s the air he breathes. When Daytona had a race last December, he knew he had to be there in one of his karts flying around the track. Originally, he planned to join the racing crowd-funding platform First Gear Project to raise racing money so he wouldn’t have to pay for it himself. But he realized he had the money, so why not give it away to a charity such as St. Jude’s?

And then his wife, Crystal, told him about Logan, the son of a church friend. Logan had been through one open-heart surgery already and has another operation scheduled this year. Hancock realized the PHOTOGRAPHY: BROCK SENG and HANCOCK RACING

Joe Hancock is sponsored by Luna-C Clothing, which is shown both in the decals and the clothing that he wears — designed by race fans for race fans. All of Hancock’s profits from racing go to charity.

The lay-down type of go-kart seen here can reach speeds well over 100 mph.

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CHARITY >> KARTING 4 KIDDOS

Logan recovering after open-heart surgery for a congenital heart defect. The youngster had been hospitalized in December in Children’s Hospital in Miami.

His plight motivated Joe Hancock to create the Karting for Logan fundraiser, which led to his most recent endeavor: Karting 4 Kiddos.

impact that could be made by giving money to a family rather than a big organization. And so, Karting 4 Logan was born.

At first, the donations trickled in. A little here, a little there and then, overnight, it took on a life of its own. Once pictures of Logan were posted across Hancock’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, donations started pouring in. Even pro drivers used Twitter to retweet Hancock’s posts about Logan, which helped the reach across social media grow ever stronger. What began as an original goal of $2,500, with an expected $1,000, turned into $5,300 in a month’s time, more than double the original goal and five times more than expected.

“It was huge and it brought me to tears,” Hancock said. “I was so happy.

These little babies, when you see them suffer through that, it’s tough. It’s hard to see, but we’ll make an impact.”

After the success of the Karting 4 Logan fundraiser, Hancock knew he could do something more, something bigger, and his charity, Karting 4 Kiddos, was born.

Trains, planes and automobiles are three words that sum up Joe Hancock’s childhood. He grew up around racing and cut his teeth at the tracks, such as the Gator Nationals, since he was knee-high. As he grew older, he joined in, starting with drag racing and moving on to autocross and karting.

By growing up racing and realizing its expense, he started a business selling go-kart parts to help pay for his racing hobby.

Ever since, he stayed in karting because, with karting, you get more “bang for your buck.” The speed is greater, the turns are sharper and you can tone your skills on the track. Hancock said 92 |

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many pro drivers use karting to tone up so they’re even sharper on race day.

Hancock’s full-time business selling parts wasn’t working financially, however. He sold engines and equipment but there wasn’t enough to make a living. So now, Hancock Racing still sells parts and karts but the money is used as a fundraising tool generating more income for a better cause: the charity. Hancock makes a living as a mortgage banker and, because he couldn’t quit something that is a part of who he is, he spends his free time karting — from racing to repairs to charity work.

Karting 4 Kiddos has its own website, kartingforkiddos.org, and social media accounts through Facebook and Twitter.

The website has a section for donations where visitors can see who and what their money will be benefiting at the time, all accessible through Hancock’s racing website, hancockracing.net.

Hancock doesn’t plan for the charity to be a side project to his racing — he plans for his racing to be the fuel to keep the charity burning. With one out of 100 children born with a heart defect, congenital heart disease is the main focus for Karting 4 Kiddos.

Hancock plans to find another family to help like they did with Logan. Another fundraising push for Logan will be coming this year to help with his next surgery.

“Our mission is to help kids,” he said. “Whether it is through what we did for Logan or donations to causes by raising money.”

With Karting 4 Kiddos, Hancock plans to travel across the state racing in any of the kart races available, all with a kart colored the same way: white with red trim and the decal on the PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF HANCOCK RACING

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CHARITY >> KARTING 4 KIDDOS

With the ceiling pulled from the old church, rafters are revealed and an additional 10 feet of living space. Joe Hancock intends to restructure the building with a loft.

side with the logo “Karting 4 Kiddos.” His next race is scheduled for March 20.

“I’m hoping that as this thing grows it’ll take on a life of its own,” Hancock said, “and people start putting the logo on their karts.”

Logan is going to have problems most of his life, from return surgeries to different types of medicine. Hancock plans to keep an account for Logan to help with his ongoing problems through Karting 4 Kiddos donations.

Hancock stressed that money coming is going right back out. With Karting 4 Kiddos, there is a 100 percent flow through of the money with no administrative costs, fees or anything of

a pool in their backyard and needed access to the wooded property behind them, so they spoke to the owner who asked if they wanted to buy it. And so they did.

“It sat for a while before we started messing with it,” Hancock said. “It was a hangout for who-knows-who.”

The outside looks like it’s about to fall down, but inside, the structure is solid. The city won’t let Hancock run power to it because it’s not up to code but Hancock plans to get it ready for power by the time repairs are finished.

Hancock sat down with his family and looked at what all they’d need to do to the old church to make it a repair shop. The building was covered in trash, filled with old carpet, and inside sits a piano from the ‘30s. The plan is to sand down the inside, paint it, patch all the holes outside and to replace the stained glass windows.

The old church, once home to worshipers, will soon be home to Hancock Racing, rebuilt into a high-tech, modern repair shop for the karts.

With a budget of $10,000, Hancock’s finish line is six months away. His dad, brother and some of his racing buddies plan to help with the work.

“All I have to do is give them beer and pizza and you’ll get all the work you need,” Hancock said.

Originally, the outside was going to be replaced as well, but Hancock believes that’s part of the mystery of the building; open the doors to a rundown building and see six karts lined up in their own stations, ready and waiting to be tuned up.

“When people walk in they’ll be like ‘whoa,’” he said. “I have a vision for it and it’ll be really cool.”

The outside looks like it’s about to fall down, but inside, the structure is solid. the sort. If the money was donated to Karting 4 Kiddos then it goes to the kids. No questions asked.

“I can afford to do it,” Hancock said. “The cost of racing can get expensive, but I’d be doing it anyway, so I might as well help out and do something with it.”

Hancock keeps all of his karts at his home in Alachua, and his brother, who is the mechanic of the team, helps repair them.

Currently, they’re all shoved into his garage, much to his dismay.

That’s why, roughly eight months ago, when the Hancocks expanded their property the acquisition came with a blessing in the disguise.

Behind his property stands a wooded area with an old building on it — Miller Temple of God, a church from the 1920s that had long since been abandoned. Hancock and his wife were building 94 |

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Walk around back and there will be a ramp for the karts to roll right out of the trailer. That way, there’s no having to maneuverer them up sets of stairs. The original front door, facing away from the once wooded area and the Hancock home, will still have that front door look to it, but from the inside it will be sealed up for security and a barn door will be on the back as the entrance.

Once completed, the repair shop will become the home of Karting 4 Kiddos as well, right in the Hancock’s backyard. The process is going to take months to accomplish, but he is excited for it to be finished.

Hancock has more than just the races around the state and the repair shop on the horizon for Karting 4 Kiddos, though.

He’s also looking to start more projects to help children.

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to renovate, which means taking out the oil and the engines and making them germ free.

That way, he can take them into the hospitals and have the children play with them.

“Kids love the karts,” he said. “That’s why I thought we could bring them into the hospitals. Just have to make sure they’re clean, sterile and ready to go.”

He’s working on getting approval from Shands Children’s Hospital first. He wants to bring in the karts for the sick children so they can see them, play on them and roll them down the aisles. While he won’t be bringing the karts he usually races, they will be authentic racing go-karts so the children can see what they look like and pretend to race in them.

If any of the children are healthy enough, Hancock plans to take them to the tracks and have them watch the races or see the karts go around.

“We get the smile at the hospital, we’ve done our job,” he said.

Hancock also understands that most people aren’t just willing to give away their hard-earned money, which is why he and his

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team came up with the “buy a seat” fundraising tool. When you “buy a seat” by donating money to Karting 4 Kiddos, he’ll take you to Ocala Gran Prix and let you drive a racing go-kart around the track.

“We’ll put you in it, let you experience it and see what it’s like to run a real, fast kart,” he said.

Hancock and his team will be there on the track with the donators to make sure nothing goes wrong. This way the donor will be safe and still have a lot of fun. Hancock said it will be run as a fundraiser to help the family, or charity, Karting 4 Kiddos is focusing on at the time. There will be many different levels to the donations, from running a couple of quick laps around the track to spending a full day.

“It’s a way for us to give people something back for their money,” Hancock said.

His last big push for the coming year involves setting up an Alachua Gran Prix, where the karts would race around downtown Alachua and City Hall. Downtown Inverness, in Citrus County, does it and Hancock wants to bring it to Alachua. Space wouldn’t be an issue, as karts don’t require much to maneuver around.

“It needs to be a little flat, though,” he said, “because different elevation allows the karts to bottom out and go airborne. That gets a little dangerous.”

And the area around City Hall, flat and open, is perfect for the endeavor — and for karts that can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds, Hancock said.

Hancock does have one personal goal he hopes to accomplish: To join the many other racers at the 24-hour-long road race in Daytona, which features luxury cars such as Porches, Ferraris and more.

“I will race it eventually,” he said with a smile. “Whether I have to win the lottery or something, I’m going to get in that race.”

This year, though, he has enough on his plate for both himself and Karting 4 Kiddos — from racing across the state and building the repair shop to pulling karts into hospitals and setting up races and days at the track of his own. He loves being able to help the children.

“I’m hoping it takes off, I really do,” Hancock said. “If we can go to a hospital and help a kid smile; if we can bring the karts in and let the kids play on them and they’re happy, we’re good. That right there will be great.”

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110-112 NE First Ave. • High Springs FL| 97 MARCH/APRIL 2015

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BOOK REVIEW

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER’S

Reading Corner THE MAGICIAN’S LIE written by Greer Macallister C.2015, SOURCEBOOKS, $23.99 / $29.99 CANADA, 320 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

ABRACADABRA. NOW YOU SEE IT.

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ow you don’t because a good magician knows to hide his props behind his fingers, beneath her clothes, in his pockets. And yet we flock to see that sleight of hand, the illusions, the chance to be awe-struck, entertained, and fooled.

Now you see it. Now you don’t. And in the new novel “The Magician’s Lie” by Greer Macallister, the only thing she’s hiding is the truth.

Officer Virgil Holt figured his life was over.

Just that week, he’d learned that the bullet he carried in his body could kill him at any time.

Once the sheriff found out, he’d strip Virgil of his badge; he’d lose his wife, his home, everything he’d worked for. So when a dead man was found in a theatre basement, gruesomely chopped in half, Virgil almost wished he could trade places.

But then something happened that could save him: Virgil captured The Amazing Arden, illusionist, wife of the dead man. Virgil had seen her stage show. He knew she cut men in two and he had her now, triple-handcuffed to a jailhouse chair.

He wanted a confession but instead, Arden began telling Virgil a story…

Once, long ago when she was called Ada, her mother taught her to dance and she had big plans. Then a cousin ruined everything by throwing Ada off a beam onto a barn floor. Just before fleeing for her life, she learned of her own healing powers.

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As a runaway, Ada took a job as a kitchen maid where she met a boy and fell in love; he took her to New York, then broke her heart. Shortly afterward, she found work with a magic show, the owner of which taught Ada everything about illusion, and about pleasing a crowd. Ada grew to crave applause.

When the man she loved came back into her life, Ada became Arden, famous for her daring stage shows. She was in love, and happy until everything changed, all because of a fire and a chance meeting that nearly killed her.

She was a victim. She didn’t kill her husband. She didn’t know who did.

At least that’s what she said…

So you might be a little gullible. You know when someone’s fibbing — more or less. But the one thing you’ll know for sure when you read this book is that you’ve got a winner in your hands.

Set around the turn of the last century, “The Magician’s Lie” proves, like any good stage show, that our brains can easily deceive us: never mind the characters, we readers don’t truly know if Arden is spinning a fable or giving an alibi. I’m still reeling from the possibilities myself, because author Greer Macallister’s conjured up the kind of novel that pulls readers in, shakes us up, and leaves us feeling sawed in two.

That, and the lingering sense of having just been happily duped, makes this one very satisfying novel and you know you want it. Go now, find “The Magician’s Lie,” and watch your time disappear.

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

352-372-5468

FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

Cairo Grille 2410 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606 Monday-Saturday 11:00am – 9:00pm Sunday 12:00 noon – 8:00pm

352-727-7071 www.cairogrille.com Middle-Eastern — Try something new in Gainesville! Select from a menu of freshly prepared appetizers, salads, sandwiches, soups, entrees, and desserts, many vegan and gluten free. Customers love our chicken, beef & lamb kabobs; the vegetarian plate is a bestseller. Ken Eats Gainesville says the falafel is “delicious”! You won’t find Kochary anywhere else in Florida — it’s a classic Egyptian dish made from Chef Ali’s family recipe. Check-out the full menu at www.cairogrille.com. Enjoy lunch, dinner and desert on our inviting porch. You can dine-in or carry-out at very affordable prices. We’d love to cater your next event or party!

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.

Adam’s Rib Co. 211 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32609 1515 SW 13th Street Gainesville, Florida 32608 Monday-Saturday 7:00am – 9:00pm Sunday 9:00am – 9:00pm

352-373-8882 NW 352-727-4005 SW AdamsRibCo.com BBQ — Looking for the best BBQ in Gainesville? Then look no further than Adam’s Rib Company. Adam’s Rib is North Florida’s Premier Barbecue restaurant, serving North Florida’s finest beef brisket, pulled pork, bbq spare ribs and slow smoked chicken and turkey. Choose from over 20 sauces – from honey sweet to habanero hot – and everything in between. Don’t forget dessert, like their scrumptious “Banana Pudding” and their famous Peach Cobbler. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Adam’s can cater any event locally. Give Adam a call for your next tailgate party 352-514-8692!

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Dolce Vita Bakery Café 4908 NW 34th St. (Across from Pizza hut) Monday-Friday 7:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 7:30pm – 5:00pm

352-505-6688 A Taste of Europe — “Home of the Gainesville Cronut.” Dolce Vita is a small family owned bakery that is dedicated to providing the highest-quality European baked goods.

They offer fresh filled cannoli, lobster tails, eclairs, walnut or poppy seed strudel, dobosh torte and strawberry napoleon, as well as some American all-time favorites! They also offer a variety of fresh-baked custom cakes for any occasion. It doesn’t stop there they are the breakfast and lunch hotspot with delicious made-to-order sandwiches prepared with Boar’s Head® premium deli meats, as well as fresh soups and tasty salads. Like them on Facebook to view their daily specials. The bakery has indoor and outdoor seating.

In a hurry? Call ahead for take out! Catering is also available.

The Great Outdoors 65 North Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643 Open at 11:00am Tuesday through Sunday

386-454-1288 www.greatoutdoorsdining.com Award-winning Dining — Calling all oyster lovers! Enjoy fresh oysters on the half shell beginning every Thursday at 4 PM. The Great Outdoors is a Florida Trend Golden Spoon culinary award winner since 2010 featuring a menu that is carefully planned and lovingly prepared. Stop by whether you are in the mood for a prime aged steak, fresh seafood or one of our fabulous burgers! Enjoy a quiet dinner inside or sit by our outdoor fireplace to enjoy the best live bands. You’ll love our famous happy hour appetizers and drink specials as well as weekly dinner specials including, half price burgers, delicious chicken wings and half price wine night! Don’t forget our special events room upstairs!

Visit us at www.operahousehs.com or www.greatoutdoorsdining.com

Flying Biscuit Café 4150 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605 Located in the Fresh Market Center Monday-Friday 7:00am – 3:00pm • Saturday-Sunday 7:00am – 4:00pm

352-373-9500 www.flyingbiscuit.com Breakfast — The Flying Biscuit is out to reinvent breakfast in Gainesville! Maybe you’ve tried their soon-to-be-famous creamy, dreamy grits or their “moon dusted” breakfast potatoes, but did you know you can have them at anytime? With a unique open menu, all the items that appear are available throughout the day. With a variety of healthy and hearty dishes, The Flying Biscuit caters to a variety of tastes. With options ranging from the Smoked Salmon Scramble, the Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich or the Tofu and Tater Salad, there’s something for everyone. Call us up to an hour before your expected arrival time to add your name to our call ahead seating list.

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

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FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

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, Best Philly, and Best Wings” 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, Wings, Cubans, Subs, Kids Menu and more.” Come out and enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Dave’s NY Deli.

Now serving beer and wine.

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 - 12:00am

352-363-6338 mycoppermonkey.com Restaurant & Pub — Now serving Breakfast on Saturdays & Sundays 7am - 11am . 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 and many options for your viewing pleasure. Great food, great price, we’ll see you soon.

Northwest Grille 5115 Northwest 39th Avenue, Gainesville 32606 Open 7 Days: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Friday open until 11:00pm) Saturday & Sunday: Serving brunch 10:00am to 3:00pm

352-376-0500 www.northwestgrillegainesville.com Seafood — Locally owned and operated, Northwest Grille has been providing the finest quality fish and seafood entrees in a friendly atmosphere since 1996. Whether it’s their fresh, local seafood & fish, or handcrafted sauces and specialty desserts, Northwest Grille has something to please your palate. Meat lovers will enjoy the hand-cut steaks & vegetarians will love the wide range of vegetarian options. Serving lunch and dinner daily, Northwest Grille, offers an extensive brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays with a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar from 10-3pm. Northwest Grille also Features a liquor bar with specialty cocktails. Happy hour is served daily from 3pm-7pm & all day on Wednesday – offering craft beer, wine & $5 martinis.

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Napolatanos 606 NW 75th Street Gainesville, FL Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday 4:00pm-10:00pm Friday 4:00pm-1:00am • Saturday 4:00pm-11:00pm

352-332-6671 www.napolatanos.com ITALIAN — Napolatanos is the longest original owner operated restaurant in Gainesville. Nappys, the name the locals have given Napolatanos has the most extensive menu.

Whether you choose pizza, calzones, salad, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steak dinners or the best chicken wings in town, Nappy’s uses only the freshest ingredients.

Visit on Tuesday for half price appetizers. Burgers & Brew Night on Wednesday and live music inside. Thursday is Pub night with Better than England’s Fish & Chips $7. Outside dining with live music, on the patio, on Sunday evenings. GRAB & GO family dinners feeds 4-6 adults, starting at $25.95. Choose from Ziti, Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Marsala and more!

Gator Tales Sports Bar 5112 NW 34th Blvd (across from the YMCA) Open daily at 11:00am

352-376-9500 www.gator-tales.com Bar & Grill — GATOR TALES Sports Bar features 3 large separate entertainment areas! You can relax at our Tiki bar in a large covered outdoor patio enjoying 3 large screen TV’s. If you prefer to be inside, visit the sports bar, where you can find large TV’s. We also have a separate pool hall. We offer happy hours and food specials every day. Dine in on Sundays or Mondays for $4.49 burgers and Wednesdays for 50¢ wings. Gator Tales has a variety of import and domestic beers including local favorites from Swamphead and First Magnitude breweries. Our menu includes appetizers, black angus burgers, gator tail, salads and more. Check our Facebook page for trivia, karaoke, band schedules and other events.

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse & Seafood 201 SE 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL (Historic Downtown) Monday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm • Tues-Sat: 5:00pm to 10:00pm Happy Hour: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

352-336-0077 marksprimesteakhouse.com Steak & Seafood — Mark’s Prime Steakhouse and Seafood has a goal to create a unique dining experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serve the finest beef, the freshest seafood, and naturally fresh vegetables. Recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence 2004-2011. Join us for Primetime Happy Hour featuring drink and appetizer specials Monday thru Saturday 5-7 pm. We are pleased to feature our full service, private dining facilities. It would be our pleasure to help plan your next reception, banquet, business meeting, or social gathering. Complimentary valet service.

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TASTE OF THE TOWN

SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

352-372-5468

FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

Saboré 13005 SW 1st Road, Tioga, FL 32669 (Tioga Town Center) Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00am – 10:00pm Friday & Saturday: 11:00am – 11:00pm • Open Mondays for special events only

352-332-2727 www.saborerestaurant.com Fusion — Saboré [sa-bohr-ay] is a modern world-fusion restaurant featuring a variety of dishes inspired by dynamic cuisine from places like Europe, Asia, and South America.

Their recipe is simple: authentic global flavors, quality ingredients, expert craftsmanship, and exceptional service. Saboré offers customers a unique dining experience, shareable plates, delicious dishes, signature cocktails and desserts that will keep you coming back for more. So let us surprise your palate with our global flair and exotic ingredients. Experiencing world cuisine this fresh usually requires a passport.

The Red Onion 39th Ave & 24th Blvd, Gainesville (Uptown Village Apartments) Monday-Thursday: 11:00am – 10:00pm Fri & Sat: 11:00am – 11:00pm Sunday: Noon – 9:00pm

352-505-0088 www.TheRedOnionGainesville.com Neighborhood Grill — Featuring Harris Ranch All Natural Prime Steaks, All Natural Chicken (no antibiotics, no steroids) and local produce. Specials every night of the week. We have Burger & Brew Monday, order any 1/2lb. Burger and get a FREE draft pint. Or, Checkout Taco & Tequila Tuesday with $5 Beef or Chicken Tacos and $4 Margaritas and more. Great wine specials on Wines-Day Wednesdays, Prime Rib & Mojito Madness on Thursdays and Sunday Brunch specials! Come listen to the area’s best Jazz and Blues bands every Saturday for “Music & Martinis” with $5 Martinis all night! Private Dining Room available for rental, perfect for your next rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, corporate luncheon, etc.

Newberry’s Backyard BBQ 25405 West Newberry Road, Newberry Monday-Wednesday 11:00am – 9:00pm Thursday 11:00am – 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:00am – 11:00pm Sunday 10:30am – 3:00pm

352-472-7260 newberrybbq.com BBQ — The one and only Newberry’s Backyard BBQ is located in our historic building in beautiful downtown Newberry. Our pork, chicken, beef, and turkey is smoked to perfection daily. Our salads and sides are always fresh. If you are thirsty we have the best sweet tea in the South and a full bar as well. Make sure to bring your kids, we serve their meals on a frisbee that they take home. For your entertainment, we always have live music on Friday nights and Karaoke on Saturday evenings.

Let us cater your Holiday Event! Big or small we cater all gatherings.

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Over 30 Years of K-5 Prepatory Programs

Learn. Grow. Find Success.

Gainesville Country Day School is an

• A minimum of two degreed, full-time educators per class.

• Average class size of twenty four students.

• Specialty teachers in science, spanish, technology, art appreciation, logic, poetry, music and physical education.

independent, coeducational, integrated, nonsectarian school providing a unique blend of educational programs for children of preschool age through fifth grade.

We are dedicated to helping children learn, grow, and find success in coming to school.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2015 Call 352-332-7783 or visit www.GainesvilleCountryDaySchool.org

Gainesville

Country Day School

6801 SW 24TH AVENUE • GAINESVILLE • 352-332-7783 Visit us online at: www.GainesvilleCountryDaySchool.org MARCH/APRIL 2015

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COMMU NIT Y C A LENDA R R

M A RC H/A P R I L 2015

Gator Gymnastics

Friday, March 13 Head over to the O’Connell Center and cheer on the Gator Gymnastics team at their final home match of the 2015 season against Texas Woman’s University. Gator seniors Kytra Hunter, Jamie Shisler, Rachel Spicer and Kiersten Wang will be honored during a post-meet ceremony.

TIOGA MONDAY MARKET

LADY GAMERS

Mondays 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Fridays 1:00pm

JONESVILLE - Tioga Center, 13005 W. Newberry Rd. Market features a selection of vegetables, crafts, organic food, fruits and local specialties.

HIGH SPRINGS - New Century Woman’s Club, 40 NW 1st Ave. The Lady Gamers meet for fun, friendship and food. Everyone is invited. Meet old friends and make some new ones.

DAR Wednesday, March 11 11:00am - 1:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Wesley United Methodist Church, NW 23rd Ave. Gainesville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May. gainesvilleDAR@gmail.com.

GAINESVILLE HARMONY SHOW CHORUS Thursdays 7:00pm – 9:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Grace Presbyterian Church, 3146 NW 13th St. Interested in learning and singing Women’s A Cappella Barbershop Harmony Music? For more information about the Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus, of Sweet Adelines International, call Beckie 352-318-1281.

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FAMILY GAME DAY Sundays 1:00pm

ARCHER - Archer Branch Library, 13266 SW State Rd 45. Connect with your family and friends over a board game at the Archer Branch Library. Free.

FLORIDA’S GOT THE BLUES EXHIBITION February 9 – April 30 9:30am – 3:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Matheson History Museum, 513 East University Ave. This exhibit showcases musicians who pioneered the blues music during the early 20th century. Hear Florida’s musical heritage. See the Matheson transformed into a Blues-eum great for kids and kids at heart.

Explore the story of the many notable blues artists who had roots in Florida. Stand face-toface with the sunglasses of the late, great Ray Charles. Other artifacts include a 1960s stage costume belonging to Bo Diddley.

A T REX. NAMED SUE Through May 10 1:00pm – 5:00pm

QUILTERS OF ALACHUA COUNTY DAY GUILD

GAINESVILE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. In the temporary exhibit “A T. rex Named Sue,” explore how this remarkable creature interacted with its world and what we can learn from studying its bones. Enjoy family-friendly interactive activities, climb into the dig pit to uncover fossils and learn about dinosaurs through touchable bone replicas and other hands-on activities. 352-846-2000; www.flmnh.ufl.edu.

Thursday, March 5 9:30am

GAINESVILLE - Senior Recreation Center, 5701 N. W. 34th Blvd. Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild (QACDG) meets monthly the first Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Guests are welcome. March is National Quilt Month, and QACDG members will have their quilts on display from the 1st through the 31st at the

Tower Road and Millhopper branches of the Alachua County Library. Each branch will have between 15 and 20 quilts hanging throughout their buildings, showing a variety of quilt styles, from traditional to art to modern. Beverley Hilton: 352-373-7791. www.qacdg.org.

RACE THE TORTOISE 5K Saturday, March 7 8:00am

HIGH SPRINGS - O’Leno State Park. This is a certified out and back race for runners and walkers along the Park’s scenic, paved main road.

This race is limited to the first 300 registrants.

Prize money and Awards! Awards ceremony and refreshments will be in the dining hall following the race. Age groups run from 9 and under to 75+. Technical t-shirts guaranteed for pre-registered participants only. Medals for all finishers. Proceeds go to help feed the animals in the O’Leno Nature Center and to expand its exhibits.

SPRING CITY-WIDE YARD SALE

Tioga Winter Fine Art Fair

Saturday, March 7 8:00am – 2:00pm

March 6 – 8

HIGH SPRINGS - Downtown.Yard sale. James Paul Park. Come and see why one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

JONESVILLE - Tioga Town Center, West Newberry Rd. The Fair will showcase the works of 105 artists and fine craftsmen in paintings, mixed-media, photography, fiber, ceramics, jewelry, wood, sculpture, glass, metal and books. The Festival kicks off on Friday night with a live concert plus thousands of stringed-lights above the streets for a wonderland affect. Saturday and Sunday the festivals begins with a Sand Sculptor creating a masterpiece from 2,000 pounds of sand.

BALLET HISPANICO Sunday, March 8 7:30pm

GAINESVILLE - O’Connell Center, 250 Gale Lemerand Dr. Recognized as the nation’s leading Latino dance company, Ballet Hispanico has toured the U.S. and throughout the world.

In addition to live performances, the company makes education a focus of their mission, providing numerous classes, workshops and school residencies from their home base in Manhattan.

HISTORIC HAILE HOMESTEAD TOUR

TIMES VARY

ASK A SCIENTIST: GEOLOGY Sunday, March 8 1:00pm - 4:00pm

GAINSVILLE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. Take advantage of this opportunity to talk one-on-one with researchers from UF’s Department of Geological Sciences. Bring your specimens and find answers during an afternoon of discovery and learning. 352-273-2062.

Sunday, March 8 12:00pm

DUDLEY KIDS DAY: “PARTAKE OF THE PAST”

GAINESVILLE - Historic Haile Homestead, 8500 SW Archer Rd. Completed in 1856 by enslaved craftsmen, the 6,200-square-foot homestead stands today as one of the few remaining antebellum homes in North Central Florida.

The Homestead is unique in the Nation for its “Talking Walls.” For a reason lost to time, the Haile family wrote on the walls of their home — over 12,500 words in almost every room and closet. Docent-led tours will be offered.

March 11 – 12 10:00am – 2:00pm

NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 18730 West Newberry Rd. Girl Scouts in period clothing will be demonstrating the history of Dudley Farm. Visitors are encouraged to dress up too! Learn the skills and crafts used long ago by working in the garden and playing the ‘old timey’ games. Visit the farmhouse and see wonderful kitchen demonstrations. Bring a picnic

lunch and spend the day. Admission is $5 per vehicle (up to 8 occupants). 352-472-1142; www. friendsofdudleyfarm.org.

THE MUSICAL HIGHWAY Thursday, March 12 6:00pm – 8:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Matheson History Museum, 513 East University Ave. Hear history come alive with a presentation by Stan Lynch, the original drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Admission is $10.

HEARKEN NIGHT OF MUSIC Friday, March 13 8:00pm

HIGH SPRINGS - High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE 1st St. A night of original, live music featuring regional artists in an intimate setting. Tickets are $10 and available in advance at The High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd. Info: www. highspringsplayhouse.com; hearkennight@gmail.com.

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WILDLIFE WALK ON LA CHUA TRAIL Saturday, March 14 8:00am

MICANOPY - Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, 100 Savannah Blvd. A wonderful opportunity to observe the plants and animals that inhabit the 22,000-acre preserve. Walk varies from 1-3 miles depending on conditions, wildlife sightings, and participant preferences. There is a 25-person limit. Meet at the La Chua Trail parking lot by the kiosk. Price is $2. Register at www.prairiefriends.org.

RUN FOR HAVEN 5K & 10K Saturday, March 14 4:30pm

JONESVILLE - Tioga Town Center, 105 SW 128th St. 5K and 10K run/walk with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Participants are encouraged to wear green and participate in the St. Patty’s Day costume contest to win prizes. The registration fee of $35 includes the 5K and 10K run/walk, a pre-event warm-up, vouchers for food and drink, an awards ceremony, block party feature rising country singer Natalie Nicole Green, and a shirt and commemorative medal for the first 700 registered runners. All proceeds will benefit the unreimbursed programs and services provided by Haven Hospice to the patients and families in Gainesville and the surrounding areas. Stephanie Brod: 352-271-4665; www.

RunforHaven.org.

DUDLEY KIDS DAY: BEAUTIFUL EGGS Saturday, March 14 10:00am – 2:00pm

NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 18730 West Newberry Rd. This fun and educational event with hands-on craft activities is sure to please both children and adults. Admission is $5 per vehicle (up to 8 occupants). 352-4721142; www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org.

CAN YOU DIG IT? Saturday, March 14 10:00am - 3:00pm

GAINSVILLE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. Dig into geology and discover the ground beneath your feet. Enjoy hands-on activities and watch demonstrations of volcanic eruptions. Explore the Museum and check out displays and activities on geology, fossils, gems, minerals and much more from Florida and around the world! A free, fun event for all ages. 352-273-2062.

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OPEN AIR ARTS March 14 – March 15 & March 21 Times vary

MELROSE - Melrose Bay Art Gallery, 103 State Rd. 26. More than 50 local and regional artists will participate in a marathon of creativity in and around historic Melrose. Watch and listen on March 14th and 15th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as participating artists work. Return the following weekend for the Open Air Arts Reception & Art Sale on March 21st from 6-9 p.m. Contact Tim Malles: 352-371-7192; timmalles@aol.com.

TARGETING YOUR PITCH Sunday, March 15 2:30pm – 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Pattie Glenn, published author, screenplay writer, and Broker/Manager-Member of GreenSmart Financial LLC, will speak at a meeting sponsored by the Writers Alliance of Gainesville. Open to all who are interested in the written word. journeyofvirtues.com; www. writersalliance.org.

one week in advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/ flmnh-march-science-cafe-tickets-14707886685.

Info: Betty Dunckel at bdunckel@flmnh.ufl.edu or 352-273-2088.

GAINESVILLE NETWORKING CHALLENGE Wednesday, March 18 5:30pm – 7:00pm

JONESVILLE - Sabore Restaurant, 13005 SW 1st Rd. Come network with business professionals in a casual setting on the third Wednesday of each month. Invite your friends! Enjoy complimentary delicious hors d’oeuvres!

GAWN Wednesday, March 18 11:30am – 1:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave. The Gainesville Area Women’s Network luncheon — third Wednesday each month. Attend for great networking and a hot lunch. Register: GAWN.org.

MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES

GATOR GOBBLERS BANQUET

Sunday, March 15 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Wednesday, March 18 5:30pm

HIGH SPRINGS - James Paul Park, 200 N. Main St. Performances featuring local musicians/ talent. BYO blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments. The music series happens every third Sunday of the month behind City Hall.

ALACHUA - Rembert’s Rock Hollow Farm, 13014 NW 174th Ave. Hunting Heritage Banquet.

Feast on wild game and BBQ, doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 7:00 p.m. Over 20 guns in this year’s auction and raffle. Gatorgobblers.

NWTF@gmail.com.

STANDARDIZED Sunday March 15 3:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Lincoln Middle School. This film, “Standardized,” follows the money trail associated with standardized testing. Doors open at 3:30pm. Film starts at 4pm. Free.

SCIENCE CAFÉ: FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY Monday, March 16 6:30pm - 9:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Blue Gill Quality Foods, 1310 SW 13th St. Experience a variety of science topics.

This month’s topic is “The Social Network: Florida’s Ancient Multiscalar Communities”, with Neill Wallis, Ph.D., Assistant Curator in Archaeology at the Florida Museum.

Participants purchase their own food and beverage from a special Science Café menu. Seating and food/beverage ordering begin at 6 p.m.

Please note that seating is on a first-come basis (except when wheelchair access is requested in advance). Space is limited; RSVP at least

GENTLE WALK AND TALK Thursday, March 19 9:00am

MICANOPY - Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, 100 Savannah Blvd. This gentle walk of approximately one mile will take you onto Paynes Prairie. Challenge yourself to identify birds, trees, and wildflowers, or just enjoy a peaceful stroll. If you are lucky, the sandhill cranes, bison, or wild horses may be seen.

The pace is slow and comfortable. Limit 10 people. Registration required. Register at www. prairiefriends.org.

ALACHUA COUNTY BEEKEEPERS CLUB Thursday, March 19 7:00pm

ALACHUA - Hitchcock’s Foodway. The members are dedicated to educating the public on ways to save our honeybees and other pollinators by doing presentation for schools, social clubs, and other public events when requested.

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SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL March 21 – March 22 10:00am – 5:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 Southwest 58th Dr. Gainesville’s premier horticultural event will feature about 175 booths offering plants, landscape displays, garden accessories, arts and crafts, educational exhibits and foods. Also featured are a walk-through butterfly conservatory, children’s activities area, live entertainment and live auctions. Free parking with two off-site parking areas serviced by shuttle buses. $8 for Adults, $5 for children three to 13. Cash only (no credit cards) at these events. www.kanapaha.org.

AUTHOR SERIES Sunday, March 22 2:00pm

Ballet 352 Friday, March 20

7:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Dance Alive National Ballet brings a spectacular evening of dance, accompanied by the UF Symphony Orchestra, guest pianist Kevin Sharpe and musicians Gosia and Ali. George Balanchine’s most joyous pure dance work, “Allegro Brillante”, the luminous “Transfigured Night” is created by award winning choreographer Judy Skinner, and Kim Tuttle’s explosive Aboriginal ballet “Corroboree.”

6TH ANNUAL SPLENDOR Saturday, March 21 5:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Nadine McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion, 1800 McCarty Dr. The University of Florida’s Friends of Music and Friends of Theatre + Dance will host the 6th Annual Splendor with the theme “Dancing under the Stars.” Proceeds support scholarships and other programs. Highlights include one-of-akind performances, an after party with live jazz and dancing, full service bar, appearance by special guest alumna Katrina Asmar, a silent auction and much more. 352-273-1465.

WILLIAM BARTRAM HERITAGE DAY Saturday, March 21 10:00am – 4:00pm

HAWTHORNE - Little Orange Creek Nature Park. The event will feature William Bartram in costume giving a fascinating talk for both adults and children. Plein Air Artists will also

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be painting, exhibiting and selling their work throughout the day. Live music, native plant sales, storytelling, booths of handmade crafts and Earthskills demonstrators will give visitors a glimpse of what life was like in William Bartram’s time. The event also features crafts and games for the kids. Visitors are encouraged to ‘dress the part’ to help create an Old Florida atmosphere.

352-494-3790 or 352-318-1265.

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Jen Lancaster is the author of 10 titles, both fiction and non-fiction, and her latest novel is Twisted Sisters. Blogging about her experience from being laid off from a corporate job and unemployment office episodes became the basis for her books. Lancaster is also an occasional National Public Radio (NPR) columnist.

AUDUBON SPEAKER Monday, March 23 6:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Dr. Andrew Kratter, Collection Manager in the Ornithology Division at Florida Museum of Natural History will present “Seabirding in Alachua County? The Cross-Florida Common Loon Migration.” Common Loons are an iconic bird in much of North America. Dr. Kratter discovered that this migration is much more extensive and likely involves a large percentage of the population wintering in peninsular Florida.

He will give details of this discovery and explain the pattern, extent, and timing of this unlikely migration route.

ANTIQUE TRACTOR AND FARM SHOW

GAINESVILLE FLUTE CIRCLE

Saturday, March 21 9:00am – Noon

Monday, March 23 7:00pm - 8:30pm

NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 18730 West Newberry Road (SR 26). See farmers on their vintage machines plow a field where sugar cane and corn will soon be planted. This event honors the innovations in methods and equipment, showing the historical significance and importance of the tractor to agriculture.

Also the local Antique Automobile Club of America will display their cars.

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Library, Room B. 3145 NW 43rd St. For those that play the Native American style flute or would like to learn to play. Meets every 4th Monday of the month.

Bring your own flute or if you do not have one, flutes are available for you can try for the evening. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact judyrobinson@me.com for more information or visit tinyurl.com/gainesvilleflutecircle.

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Sponsored by:

MOTORCARS

University Collision Center

magazine

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Date:

APRIL 11, 2015

Time:

10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.

Place:

TIOGA TOWN CENTER Enjoy touring fine automobiles of all ages, food and drinks, entertainment and bounce houses and safety sessions for kids.

This year’s car show will also feature Iron Revenge, a Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Street Legal Truck, weighing over 22,000 lbs!

Admission is FREE Register Your Car TODAY! At TiogaCarShow.com or at Tuffy Auto Service Center in Jonesville or Continental Imports of Gainesville, Inc.

Benefits for registering your vehicle include tickets to the Tioga Car Show Friday Night Kick-Off at Saboré, a sponsor gift bag and a chance to win awards for your entry.

Registration fee is $30 per vehicle.

TiogaCarShow.com All Proceeds Benefit

For sponsorship information, contact Lesley Cox at (352) 333-2579 MARCH/APRIL 2015

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DOUBT March 27 – April 19 Times vary

GAINESVILLE - Actors’ Warehouse, Inc., 608 N. Main St. Father Flynn is a beloved and progressive parish priest. The school’s principal, Sister Aloysius, a rigidly conservative nun. Aloysius and Father Flynn are put into direct conflict when she learns that the priest met one-on-one with Donald Muller, St. Nicholas’ first AfricanAmerican student. Thursday - Saturday shows: 8:00pm. Sunday matinees: 3:00pm. www.actorswarehouse.org.

FLORIDA SPRINGS FESTIVAL Saturday, March 28 Times Vary

OCALA - Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. The festival promotes preservation of the springs through awareness and stewardship, featuring environmental speakers, educational displays, ranger programs, guided tours, food, entertainment, a student art show, silent auction and more. Info: Rachel.Fonvielle@ dep.state.fl.us.

OLD FLORIDA CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS March 28 – March 29 10:00am – 5:00pm

CEDAR KEY - Located at the end of SR 24. The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts is a favorite for 120 top artists and craftsmen and more than 20,000 visitors each year. Visitors can enjoy local seafood and homemade goodies along with children’s art activities in beachfront City Park. Event benefits local non-profit groups including the Cedar Key Arts Center.

CedarKeyArtsFestival@gmail.com; 352-543-5400; www.cedarkeyartsfestival.com.

EASTER EGG HUNT Sunday, March 29 11:00am

GAINESVILLE - Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr. 3,000 candy- and toy-filled eggs will be spread over Kanapaha’s expansive lawns for the youngsters to hunt. Bring a picnic basket for collecting the eggs. Show up promptly as children quickly find the eggs. Admission is $7. www.kanapaha.org.

FARM TO FAMILY FULL MOON FESTIVAL April 3 – 5 Times Vary

BRANFORD - Ellie Ray’s RV Resort, 3349 NW 110th St. Farm to Family is back, with music

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O’Leno Ole Chili Cook-Off & Springs Celebration Saturday, March 28

9:00am – 3:00pm

HIGH SPRINGS - O’Leno State Park. Bring your favorite chili recipe and compete with the best during this CASI sanctioned chili cook-off. You do not have to be a member to participate.

CASI rules can be found at Chili Appreciation Society International, or you can compete in the Open category where anything goes! Live music, videos, interactive water education displays and children’s activities. 386-454-1853.

and camping. Gates open April 2 for extended camping?. Show time is Friday April 3 at 2:00pm. Advance $45 until March 31st, and Gate is $55?. ?For Sunday only - $15 at the gate. All ticket price options are available online. farmtofamilymusic.com.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS April 3 – April 12 Times Vary

GAINESVILLE - Black Box Theatre, 1800 McCarty Dr. Farcical mishaps and intrigue arise when two sets of identical twins, separated since birth, unknowingly arrive in the same town in The Comedy of Errors, written by William Shakespeare. Performances on April 3-4 and April 7-11 start at 7:30pm. The final showing is April 12 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $13 to $17.

Call the University Box Office at 352-392-1653.

GARDEN SHOW & PLANT SALE Saturday, April 4 9:00am – 3:00pm

MCINTOSH - Van Ness Park/Civic Center (Avenue G and 7th Street). The Seedlings Garden Club of McIntosh’s 10th Annual Garden Show and

Plant Sale offers activities including plants, crafts and antiques sale, local entertainment, food and drawings and prizes. A play park is available for the children. Free parking and admission.

DAR Wednesday, April 8 11:00am - 1:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Wesley United Methodist Church, NW 23rd Ave. Gainesville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May. gainesvilleDAR@gmail.com.

THE ART OF MURDER April 10 - May 3 Times Vary

HIGH SPRINGS - High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE 1st St. A dark comedy in a remote estate in the countryside of Connecticut. Painter Jack Brooks awaits the imminent arrival of his art dealer. Jack feels wronged, and intends to kill the man. 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights; 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors on Sundays and $8 with student ID. Info: www.highspringsplayhouse.com or call 352-454-3525.

Old Florartioindofathe Arts Celeb

• Covered pavilions • Concession stand

120 fine artists & craftsmen!

• Large tiled bath house

PARK

• Canoe, Kayak & Tube rentals • Nature trail • Volleyball courts • Horseshoe pits • Playground • Picnic tables & grills • Campsites with electric & water • Primitive wooded campsites ADMISSION & CAMPING FOR UP TO FOUR PEOPLE

10am-5pm in Cedar Key, FL

March 28-29 352-543-5400

cedarkeyartsfestival.com

Located in beautiful High Springs

386-454-1369

10%

OFF

www.bluespringspark.com

Limit one coupon per visit. Not valid on major holiday Weekends. Expires 04-30-15

PHOTO BY JOHN MORAN

OTMAG

“Daybreak” 2015 Contest Winner by Joni Hoffman

ART • POTTERY • JEWELRY • FURNITURE • CANDLES • BATH & BODY

ld u o h S t r A e v e We Beli

… y a D y r e v E y o Bring You J 352-336-3175 www.paddiwhack.com

Monday-Saturday 10am – 7pm Sunday 11am – 5pm 1510 NW 13TH Street, Gainesville

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PLANT EXPO Saturday, April 11 8:00am – 12:00pm

NEWBERRY - Newberry First United Methodist Church, 24805 West Newberry Rd. The Newberry Garden Club will be holding its annual Plant Sale, offering trees, shrubs, flowers, bulbs, fruit trees & vegetable plants, as well as yard & garden related crafts. Proceeds support community projects & scholarship funds.

are dedicated to educating the public on ways to save our honeybees and other pollinators by doing presentation for schools, social clubs, and other public events when requested.

SCIENCE CAFÉ: SMART SENSORS

GAINESVILLE - Florida Museum entrance, 3215 Hull Rd. The Museum’s Earth Day celebration features a large plant sale with more than 120 species of difficult-to-find and butterfly-friendly plants. Learn how to attract butterflies and which plants are proven winners. Accent, host, native and nectar plants are available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Museum’s “Butterfly Rainforest” and Museum events like Earth Day and ButterflyFest. 352-846-2000.

ALLIGATOR LAKE SPRING FESTIVAL

Monday, April 13 6:30pm - 9:00pm

Saturday, April 11 8:00am – 3:00pm

NEWBERRY - Saboré Restaurant, 13005 SW 1st Rd. Come to the Museum’s Science Café for an engaging conversation about a variety of science topics. This month’s topic is “Smart Sensors for Healthy, Resilient Infrastructure” with Jennifer A. Rice, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering, University of Florida.

For more information, please contact Betty Dunckel at bdunckel@flmnh.ufl.edu or 352-273-2088.

LAKE CITY - Alligator Lake Park, 420 Southeast Alligator Glen. Free community festival. Bird walks led by experts start at 8 am on the Florida Birding Trail. Walking workshops highlight butterflies, native plants and flowers. Vendors and exhibitors offer nature and garden related items, as well as native plants. Free activities for children, and food and drinks will be available. 386-466-2193; fourriversaudubon.org.

AUTHOR SERIES Sunday, April 12 2:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Branch Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. Marisa de los Santos has published three New York Times bestselling novels for adults, as well as collaborated on a young adult book with her husband David Teague. A new novel, The Precious One, will be released in March.

FALLEN HEROES 5K Saturday, April 11 7:00am

GAINESVILLE - UF Commuter Parking Lot, Gale Lemerand Dr. Run or Walk to Honor our Fallen Heroes. The Gainesville Fisher House Foundation invites you to participate in the 7th Annual Fallen Heroes 5K. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. start. By participating you will be helping the UDT-SEAL Association and the Gainesville Fisher House Foundation. The race honors Petty Officer Second Class James Suh USN SEAL and Lt. Thomas Fouke USN, UF graduates and all others who gave their lives in support of the global war on terror.

HOMESCHOOL DAY: BUTTERFLY RAINFOREST Monday, April 13 10:00am - 12:00pm

GAINSVILLE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. Home-schooled groups are invited

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to participate in guided programs offered to traditional school groups. The Museum also offers special days for home-schooled students to explore the featured exhibits, investigate specimens up-close, participate in hands-on activities and tour exhibits with Museum docents. For information on pricing, visit the Homeschool Days page or call 352-273-2030.

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HIPPODROME 10-MINUTE PLAY WRITING COMPETITION Monday, April 13 7:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Hippodrome State Theatre, 25 Southeast 2nd Place. Winners of the Hippodrome’s Play Writing Competition addressing the theme “Bridging the Gap: Multigenerational Communication” will be performed and staged by actors and directors. www.thehipp.org.

GAINESVILLE NETWORKING CHALLENGE Wednesday, April 15 5:30pm – 7:00pm

JONESVILLE - Sabore Restaurant, 13005 SW 1st Rd. Come network with business professionals in a casual setting on the third Wednesday of each month. Invite your friends and enjoy complimentary delicious hors d’oeuvres.

GAWN Wednesday, April 15 11:30am – 1:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave. The Gainesville Area Women’s Network luncheon — third Wednesday each month. Attend for great networking and a hot lunch. Register: GAWN.org.

ALACHUA COUNTY BEEKEEPERS CLUB Thursday, April 16 7:00pm

ALACHUA - Hitchcock’s Foodway. The members

EARTH DAY BUTTERFLY PLANT SALE April 17 - 19 10:00am - 5:00pm

PROTEST REQUIEM April 18 7:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. UF School of Music production featuring the UF Concert Choir and Gainesville Master Chorale with the UF Symphony Orchestra, performing Verdi’s Requiem. Protest Requiem is performed in remembrance of the Holocaust and the Chorus of Theresienstadt who, despite daily brutality of the Nazis, found in their performances the strength to help overcome for a while the feeling of desperation and hopelessness. 352-392-ARTS (2787).

CYSTIC FIBROSIS 5K Saturday, April 18 8:00am (check-in), 9:00am (walk)

GAINESVILLE - Albert Ray Massey (Westside) Park, 1001 NW 34th St. Great Strides is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s largest national fundraising event. Each year, more than 125,000 people participate in hundreds of walks across the country to help fight CF. Great Strides provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students, co-workers and colleagues to come together in support of a worthy cause.

ROSE SHOW Saturday, April 18 1:00pm – 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Celebration United Methodist Church, 9501 SW Archer Rd. The Gainesville Rose Society presents its 42nd Rose Show, “The Internet of Roses.” See hundreds of specimen roses, many arrangements, and learn how easy it is to grow beautiful roses. Potted roses for sale!

Free admission. gainesvillerosesociety.com.

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of characters composed of knees, feet, hands, elbows and a handful of props.

MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES Sunday, April 19 2:00pm – 4:00pm

HIGH SPRINGS - James Paul Park, 200 N. Main St. Performances featuring local musicians/ talent. BYO blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments. The music series happens every third Sunday of the month behind City Hall.

UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN Sunday, April 19 2:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. The world-renowned all-singing, all-plucking superstars return to Gainesville with their toe-tapping music, hilarious banter and sheer superlative entertainment. From Lady Gaga to Ride of the Valkyries, from Housewives Choice to Voodoo Chile, the ensemble’s genre-crashing antics continue.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Tuesday, April 21 10:00am – 2:00pm

NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 18730 West Newberry Road. Come celebrate our wondrous Earth with hands-on activities and demonstrations for both adults and children. Admission is $5 per vehicle (up to 8 occupants). 352-472-1142; www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org.

5K & KIDS FUN RUN Saturday, April 25 Times Vary

Philip Glass Sunday, April 12

7:30pm

GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Composer Philip Glass performs an intimate duet evening of chamber music with dynamic young violinist Tim Fain in an all-Glass program featuring works for solo piano, solo violin and duets featuring both musicians.

JONESVILLE - Tioga Town Center. Just for the Health of it! Free Kids Fun Fest including: bounce house, giant inflatable slide, face painting, gym bus, silent auction, raffle, and much more. Chip timed 5k starts 8:30 a.m. 1 mile Kids Fun Run 9:30 a.m. Register at Active.com.

SPRING BOOK SALE

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ANNUAL SHREDDING EVENT

TEATRO HUGO & INES

Saturday, April 18 9:00am – 11:00am

April 18 – 19 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Buchholz High School, 5510 NW 27 Ave. The North Central Florida Group of Thrivent Financial will be hosting its annual shredding event and the public is invited to bring old statements or other documents, to be securely disposed of by a Shred-It on-site shredding truck.

GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. The Peruvian based Teatro Hugo & Ines has performed throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. This dynamic duo transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary in performances for adults and children alike. Combining mime, dance and puppetry, Hugo & Ines create a riot

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April 25 - 29 Times vary

GAINESVILLE - Friends of the Library Bookhouse, 430 N. Main St. Book sale to benefit Alachua County Library System and Literacy programs. Come on out and browse thousands of books, artwork, comics, manga, software, CDs, DVDs, videos, records and more. The Collector’s Corner will be open from April 25 to 28. Cash or check only. Visit folacld.org or call 352-375-1676.

HIGH SPRINGS PIONEER DAYS

MOONLIGHT WALK

April 25 – 26 Times Vary

Saturday, May 2 7:00pm – 11:00pm

HIGH SPRINGS - Downtown. Pioneering families, some of whose decedents still live here today will be honored during this celebration. Visitors can enjoy re-enactments, a Heritage Village with multiple individual demonstrators. There will be a Kids Korral, a large Food Court, live music at the James Paul Park gazebo, various contests, such as the Pioneer Costume and the Pie Baking contests and a wide variety of Fine Art and Craft Vendors.

GAINESVILLE - Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 Southwest 58th Dr. Kanapaha’s Moonlight Walk is a magical experience with twinkle lights, lanterns and approximately 1500 luminaries along a 1.25 mile walkway. Live entertainment, food, and refreshments. Bring out a blanket or lawn chairs. The Alachua Astronomy Club will be out with telescopes. $14 for adults, $7 for children ages three to 13. Members receive a $4 discount. www.kanapaha.org.

GRIMY GULCH SALOON

ARCHAEOLOGY WORKSHOP: POTTERY

April 25 – 26 Times Vary

HIGH SPRINGS - New Century Woman’s Club, 40 NW 1st Ave. The GFWC High Springs New Century Woman’s Club’s Grimy Gulch Saloon is back for Pioneer Days. Stop in, sit awhile, have breakfast or lunch and listen to the entertainment in their air-conditioned Clubhouse.

Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., the The Club will be serving BBQ, ham & cheese and turkey sandwiches, coleslaw, beans and dessert. The bakery table will have all of your favorite pies, cakes, breads, brownies and muffins. The new Country Store will be stocked with toys, crafts, decorations, candy and preserves like the ones from yesteryear.

GAINESVILLE FLUTE CIRCLE Monday, April 27 7:00pm - 8:30 pm

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Library, Room B. 3145 NW 43rd St. For those that play the Native American style flute or would like to learn to play. Meets every 4th Monday of the month.

Bring your own flute or if you do not have one, flutes are available for you can try for the evening. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact judyrobinson@me.com for more information or visit tinyurl.com/gainesvilleflutecircle.

Sunday, May 3 2:00pm - 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd. Interested in prehistoric pottery? Learn to identify different types of pottery found throughout Florida and discover how archaeologists use these clues to study people in the past. Join the Florida Public Archaeology Network for a family-friendly workshop for all ages. Pre-registration is required for this free workshop. 352-273-2064.

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AUTHOR TALK Sunday, May 3 2:30pm - 4:00pm

GAINESVILLE - Millhopper Library, 3145 NW 43rd St. “You Can’t Get There From Here: How I Became An Author.” Nathan Whitaker, co-author of six best-selling autobiographies with Tony Dungy and Tim Tebow, will share ideas on writing generally, and more specifically discuss co-authoring, writing memoirs, and the challenges and differences between writing fiction and non-fiction. Sponsored by the Writer’s Alliance of Gainesville, the meeting is free and open to anyone interested in the written word. www.impactforliving.org

HEARKEN NIGHT OF MUSIC JULIPS AND JOCKEYS FUNDRAISER

Friday, May 8 8:00pm

Saturday, May 2 4:00pm – 10:00pm

HIGH SPRINGS - High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE 1st St. A night of original, live music featuring regional artists in an intimate setting. Tickets are $10 and available in advance at The High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd.

Info: www.highspringsplayhouse.com or email hearkennight@gmail.com.

GAINESVILLE - Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E. University Ave. Join the Institute for Workforce Innovation for an evening at the Kentucky Derby races fundraiser. Refreshing mint juleps, live music, dancing, southern style cuisine and unique auction items! Proceeds will help them further their mission of improving the communities’ quality of life through education, employment and advocacy.

Hats and bow ties encouraged. 352-225-3307.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS >> CHARITY OF THE MONTH

CH A RIT Y OF THE MONTH WINNER S DECEMBER 2014 and JANUARY 2015 TO NOMINATE A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE OR TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES, VISIT:

www.facebook.com/SunStateFCU and click on “Charity of the Month”

DECEMBER WINNER - 2,329 VOTES

JANUARY WINNER - 2,975 VOTES

Newberry Elementary Safety Patrol

Archer Elementary Safety Patrol

Congratulations to December’s Charity of the Month, The Newberry Elementary Safety Patrols! They will receive $1,000 to put towards a trip to Washington, D.C. Erica Keefer will receive $300 for nominating them.

Project Makeover won the random charity drawing and will receive a $500 donation. Jacquelyn Marie Rosado will receive $100 for winning the random voter contest.

The Safety Patrol is comprised of fourth grade students whose main goal is to keep their fellow students safe. The position is meant to be a life lesson and is not to be taken lightly.

“It’s an honor,” said Safety Patrol coordinator Celeste Green.

Congratulations to January’s Charity of the Month, The Archer Elementary Safety Patrol! The winner of the $500 random charity prize is the Chi Omega Sandblast who are raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The winner of the $100 random voter prize is Brenda Batey Durden.

Archer Elementary wouldn’t run as smoothly and safely without the help of the safety patrol. Each year safety patrol students in Alachua County travel to Washington D.C. and the $1,000 award will go a long way to help many students get over that last financial hurdle for the D.C. trip.

Prizes provided by a partnership between Sunstate Federal Credit Union and Tower Publications, Inc.

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BAND B BA ND REVIEW

BRIAN “KRASH” KRUGER’S

Gate Crashing ON DECK FOR REVIEW: HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS, POST-TEENS, NIGHT BIRDS, TORCHE BRIAN KRUGER IS A WRITER, MUSICIAN AND A GRADUATE OF THE UF COLLEGE OF LAW. HE HAS PLAYED IN SOME 17 OR SO LOCAL BANDS, PLAYING MOST EVERY GAINESVILLE VENUE FRIENDLY TO ORIGINAL MUSIC (AND SOME NOT SO FRIENDLY). bkrashpad@yahoo.com

DATE: MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 VENUE: THE ATLANTIC

or former members of several other fairly successful local punk bands (the most famous of which’s name probably couldn’t be reprinted herein) and at one point or another their drummer was or is in Torche, the last of the bands I saw. Their sound was reetings, live music aficionados! This issue finds equally loud as the first band, but with a slightly more defined us at the Atlantic, in downtown Gainesville. Although guitar sound and more anthemic songs rather than the more Monday nights are probably typically the deadest in humorous ones from the preceding band. terms of attendance at live shows, this particular Monday was The backline changed out as the first of the touring bands, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and that night the place was packed Night Birds, from New Jersey, came on. The kit was a blue for a touring punk rock circus with a couple of local openers. plexiglass one with the band’s logo, and the bassist/backing This evening’s entertainment began with locals Hold On vocalist, playing the night’s second 4-string Precision, used an To Your Butts (also sometimes spelled with the word “Onto” Ampeg head with two 4x10 cabinets. Instead of two guitarists, instead; both spellings are used on their bandcamp webpage). a single P-90 Melody Maker was routed to two Fender amps, They shared a backline with the band that followed: a Marshall a DeVille on one side of the stage, and a Pro Reverb JCM 800 halfstack and an old Peavey VTM-60 halfstack on the other. The overall volume level, while still (married to a Gibson SG and an Epiphone Les Paul plenty loud enough for rock ‘n’ roll, came down Custom, respectively), with the bassist (Fender Although the a notch to be much more bearable. A singer Jazz 5-string) playing through an Acoustic volume level came back completed the quartet. head into an Ampeg SVT “fridge” cab, and a up with the addition of a Unlike the chugging wall of dual rhythm drummer on a minimalist Gretsch kit (kick, second guitarist, Torche guitars of the first two bands, the single snare, floor tom, small tom). Add a singer were easily the most guitarist of Night Birds went back and forth not playing an instrument and you have the varied and challenging between rhythm and lead seamlessly, remfull quintet compliment, although in fact the band on the bill. iniscent of Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. In bassist and singer switched back and forth a the past the band, on iconic punk rock label couple times during the set, and a friend from Fat Wreck Chords (say it fast, heh heh), has put the crowd came up to sing lead on one song. out surf instrumentals, but tonight was about melodic The songs were humorous hardcore with a decidedly old school punk rock ‘n’ roll, complete with the occasional sophomoric bent, including ones described as being about Chuck Berry double stop. That’s a genre that’s near and dear “drinking beer in the morning” and another about a “prostate to my heart, so Night Birds were my new discovery and fave exam.” The pit was in full effect and a good time was had by all, band of the evening. despite the volume being at truly earsplitting levels and the The fourth band up was Miami’s Torche, touring their fourth guitars being difficult to discern except as a wall of overpowering album, on Relapse Records. This four-piece is often described noise. Which I’m sure was fully intended. as stoner metal or sludge metal, and their drum kit included a Next up were the Post-Teens, a local somewhat garagey double-bass pedal used by many modern hardcore metal bands. hardcore band I’d seen before and rather like. This time a Gibson The guitars were interesting choices, a Framus (a German SG was in the opposite rig as had been in the first band, with manufacturer) semi-hollow similar to a Gibson ES-335, and the Marshall rig now paired with a fairly rare early ‘80s Peavey a bass and guitar with aluminum necks, which I believe were T-27. As with most of the bands that night the bassist played a made by the long defunct Travis Bean company. Both guitarists Fender, but this time a 4-string Precision, and in addition to used Marshall heads, and the bassist an Ampeg, but the cabs the drummer, again a fifth person sang lead. were not matching, with one guitarist using at Atlas, and the Post-Teens, on famous local label No Idea, include members

G

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other guitarist and bassist using equally little-known Emporer cabs.

Although the volume level came back up with the addition of a second guitarist (one of the two guitarists also sang lead), Torche were easily the most varied and challenging band on the bill. Early in the set the familiar metal boogooda-boogooda-boogooda of the double bass pedal on the kick drum came through, but then was sparingly used during

the rest of the set (which, frankly, was fine by me), and the guitars used more effects pedals. Being an in-state band (reportedly having given a past epic performance in Gainesville at the tiny Wayward Council record collective), the crowd clearly knew the material and were moshing and singing themselves hoarse.

Good times.

Now, go see some bands.

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GET IN GEAR PHOTO ESSAY >> BICYCLE COMMUTERS

ALEX SANCHEZ

People Who Pedal

“The main thing I want to translate to drivers is how simple it is to cut down on traffic congestion by cycling. Divers need to acknowledge that cyclists are vehicles on the road as well.”

P H O T O E S S AY B Y C O R E Y R I E H L E

People Who Pedal is a series of portraits of avid cyclists and commuters and a little insight into what they think motorists could do to make their lives easier and safer when sharing the road.

ASHLEY YO ABOUT THE ARTIST COREY RIEHLE IS A (FORMALLY GAINESVILLE) PHOTOGRAPHER CURRENTLY PLANTED IN SOUTH CENTRAL, FLORIDA. HE LOVES TELLING STORIES THROUGH HIS PHOTOGRAPHY AND CREATING A CONNECTION BETWEEN A SUBJECT AND A VIEWER. WHEN NOT TAKING PHOTOS YOU CAN GUARANTEE HE IS RIDING HIS BIKE, PETTING HIS DOG OR EATING SANDWICHES.

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“Coming from someone who drives and commutes by bike, just use your blinker, please.”

JON POISSON “I think that if they were to spend a day commuting by bike, then they would see the error in their ways and have a better grasp of what we deal with on a daily basis.”

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ANDREA SARCOS “People make up so many excuses to not get on their bike and I just want more people to step away from their cars and see how much better it is to commute.

To all the women who think they can’t bike with dresses or skirts: bike shorts will change your life.”

MINH NGYUEN “I think it’s strange that we live in a society where it’s acceptable to drive 20 minutes or more to go to the gym, but riding your bike on the road is considered to be ridiculous by many.”

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MIKE JOHNSON “Drivers should be more aware of their surroundings.

Those cyclists whizzing by or commuting are someone’s family.”

“As a cyclist you try and learn your rights and abide by them. Drivers, for the most part, aren’t aware of your rights and don’t understand. If they were to know the law it would be better for everyone.”

PHOTO ESSAY >> BICYCLE COMMUTERS

SHANE BARTLEY

ANA FAJARDO “Three feet of space please, four if ya got it.”

JOHN CLIFFORD “Motorists are generally annoyed by cyclists. The irony of it is that when somebody chooses to cycle they are actually helping motorists out by reducing traffic congestion, opening up parking spaces in highly populated areas and reducing pollution, which is good for everybody.”

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COLUMN

KENDRA SILER-MARSIGLIO’S

Healthy Edge FOR BETTER CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN, START WITH THE RIGHT QUESTIONS KENDRA SILER-MARSIGLIO, PH.D, HCC IS A NEUROSCIENTIST, MEDICAL WRITER, COLUMNIST AND THE DIRECTOR OF RURAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP AT WELLFLORIDA COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. kendra.sm@gmail.com For more kid-friendly conversation openers, check out the Aha! Parenting website at www.ahaparenting.com

DOES “LIKE PULLING TEETH” OR “ONE-SIDED (YOU)” DESCRIBE YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS?

M

any of us aren’t well equipped when it comes to getting our kids to talk to us. For example, at dinner we may say, “How was school today?” Our children say, “Fine.” And, then we launch into multiple rounds of questions searching for whatever morsels of information we can grab. During that same conversation, we may start lecturing or digging deeper into whatever information our kids have indicated that aren’t yet ready to reveal.

So, what do we do? Dr. Laura Markham of Aha! Parenting suggests that we perform “active listening” techniques. According to the U.S. Department of State, NOT listening is the most common problem in communication, and active listening is a great solution to that. Active listening has four general rules: 1. Seek to understand before you seek to be understood.

2. Don’t judge.

3. Show the speaker that you’re giving your undivided attention.

4. Use silence effectively (e.g., don’t interrupt, validate with body language and non-word sounds like “uh huh”).

After you put your child at ease conversationally using active listening techniques, your opinion will likely be welcomed. As long as kids feel “heard” and don’t feel lectured to, Dr. Markham says that they are typically interested in their parents’ perspectives.

Below are select questions Dr. Markham recommends to start meaningful conversations.

Getting to Know Your Child 1. If you could have a conversation with anyone in history, who would it be? What would you want to ask them?

2. What are you most proud of?

3. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

4. What’s a quality you wish you could have more of?

5. What’s your biggest goal this year?

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Your relationship with your child 1. What’s your favorite thing about our relationship?

2. What’s your least favorite thing about our relationship?

3. If you got into really big trouble, how do you think I would respond?

4. Is there something I can do better that I am not doing now?

5. If we had a special day together what would you want to do?

School & Learning?

1. Who is or was your favorite teacher? What are his or her traits you admire?

2. What are the best things about school?

3. What are the worst?

4. What do you know how to do that you could teach someone else?

5. What do you think makes the most difference in how kids do at school?

Friendship & Peers 1. Who is your best friend and why?

2. What traits do you look for in friends?

3. Do you think you’re good at making friends?

4. Where do you consider yourself on the shy to outgoing continuum?

5. What do you think makes a person popular?

Parent and Child Magazine recommends the following questions to pique kids’ curiosity: 1. If you could be a sound, what would it be?

2. What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?

3. What do you think your life will be like in the future?

4. What’s the most wonderful thing that ever happened to you?

5. If you could choose a new name for yourself, what would it be, and why?

6. What’s the coolest thing you saw someone do today?

7. How would you change the world if you could?

With these kick-off questions and a gentle ear, “hears” to great upcoming conversations with your kids!

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GLOBE-TROTTER

A Broad Abroad Around the World in 78 Days S TORY A N D PH OTOG R A PH Y BY JOR DA N A LB R IG HT

I

t all started on the morning of June 4, 2012. I began my morning ritual of scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed. Study abroad and travel photos had inundated my feed since summer started. It seemed like all of my friends were in Europe or South America, and I was laying in my bed in Rawlings Hall on the University of Florida campus. I admit that my intention for the trip began with jealousy, because that morning I decided I wanted to go on, and document, my own adventure.

When I dream, I tend to dream big. I remember calling my mom and telling her that not only did I want to study abroad, I also wanted to travel around the world.

The idea didn’t faze her, she later told me.

Ever since I was about five years old, she encouraged imagination and travel. Others

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that I told, however, didn’t think I was actually going to do it.

A few days later, I received an email from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication saying that the study abroad trip for the summer of 2013 would be in Australia. My jaw dropped. I knew at that moment that my dream would become reality. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my journey around the world.

After visiting Australia, I explored Germany, Morocco, Spain and Austria with layovers in China and Iceland. I wrapped up my trip spending a month in Colorado.

By the end, it was 17 planes, 12 accommodations and three nights in airports — time well spent on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I learned a lot along the way — tips I am happy to share, in hopes that others can make their travel dreams come true too.

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

— J. R. R. Tolkien

AUSTRALIA

I had some of the best days of my life in Australia. I highly recommend taking a day tour to experience The Great Ocean Road in Melbourne. This 151-mile road in the state of Victoria, South Eastern Australia, takes you along the ocean, through small towns and even stops at an ancient rainforest. I went on an amazing small group tour with Autopia tours.

Tip: If you go on this trip, remember to sit on the left hand side of the vehicle as that is the side of the road they drive on, and it faces the ocean.

My favorite Australian excursion was the Active Tablelands and Waterfall tour in Cairns, Queensland. We found this small group tour by going to the concierge desk at our hotel and looking at the brochures. We must have visited about seven waterfalls.

Our first stop was at Josephine Falls, a natural waterslide, and we braved the cold and strong current to climb up and slide down. Millaa Millaa Falls is a 60-foot-tall waterfall. It is tropical and absolutely gorgeous. One of my dreams had always been to swim in and sit behind a waterfall – this was a dream come true.

It wasn’t peaceful, as I had imagined; the water plunged down in front of me making mist and rather loud noise. But, I felt a sense of calm in the chaos of nature.

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GERMANY

I treated Germany like a base for the European and Moroccan legs of my trip. My family has a friend in Frankfurt and my cousin and her husband live in Munich. I flew into Frankfurt and our family friend greeted me near the exit. On my second night in Germany, our family friend took me to a town called Eltville am Rein, Hesse, Germany. In the summer the town holds the Eltville Rose Days. Roses decorated the entire town, which made for a fragrant and beautiful afternoon.

While exploring the town we passed a tall white tower, which I learned is the Electoral Castle. Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, lived here in the mid to late 1400s and the castle boasts a memorial for the inventor.

Later that evening, we ordered traditional schnitzel, potatoes and a small salad for me at the relaxing Rheinblick restaurant. The food was great, the schnitzel and potatoes were crunchy and tender and the dessert was a treat. As much as I loved the food, the view really made the evening. We sat outside under a big white umbrella and watched the sun set, turning the sky into palate of blue, periwinkle, lavender, pink and soft yellow. The colors of the peaceful sunset reflected on the river, separated only by a vineyard from our table.

We also enjoyed some German wine at a winery and visited Frankfurt where we rode the Ebbelwei-Express (Apple Wine Express). The Apple Wine Express is an historic and colorful sightseeing tram that takes you on a pleasant trip through Frankfurt passing many scenic attractions. They also serve a bottle of original Frankfurt apple wine or apple juice and pretzels. Our friend made sure that we always had cake- and coffee-time in the afternoon.

If you are in Bavaria, a state in southeast Germany, be sure to visit a Biergarten, or Beer Garden. I took a train from Frankfurt to Munich to meet my cousin. Right after I got off the train we walked to the Augustiner-Keller beer garden. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the third largest beer garden in Munich, with the seating ability of 5,000. Everything was oversized, the pretzels, tables and beer (they serve it by the liter). When you get there you go through lines and get a tray with the food and beer you want, pay for it, and then find an open spot at one of the many and long picnic tables. They serve food and beer in giant servings and there is music, dancing, men in lederhosen, and women in the traditional Dirndl.

We also went to Trenz winery in Johannisberg, Germany. The winery has been family run for more than 100 years. I was amazed at how far I could see at the top of the vineyard; the rolling hills were lined with vines. After touring the vineyards, we went in to the small outside courtyard where I had a glass of sparkling wine.

It was delicious and had a hint of peach.

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TRAVEL >> AROUND THE WORLD

MOROCCO

If you have the chance to visit Morocco, I highly suggest staying in a riad. A riad is a traditional house with a courtyard; some of them have been converted into guest homes with available rooms. Each riad has roughly four to 10 rooms for guests.

This year, travelers can expect a cost ranging from $41 to $100 USD per night, which is comparable to the hotels in the area. The riad also immerses you in the Moroccan culture; the manager of the riad we stayed at helped us navigate the night market and answered any questions we had.

My cousin and I started our trip in the Medina of Marrakesh. Medinas are common in North African cities and are typically walled, featuring labyrinth-like narrow streets. The walls of the Medina of Marrakesh were built in the 12th century. My cousin and I stayed at Riad Bayti in the Medina of Marrakesh, located near the Jewish quarter. We had to pass by spice markets and small outdoor shops whenever we left to explore the city. Spices were stacked high and the colors of the rainbow contrasted with the monotonous pinkish-orange color of the buildings. The side streets were narrow, and men on motorized bikes and small motorcycles zoomed by without warning. Sometimes, a donkey pulling a load of crates would squeeze through too. The alleys are dark, but through the cracks in the coverings light ďŹ lters in and catches dust hanging in the air, illuminating just enough to see where you are going. Merchants would stop to ask me if I could identify the smells that they put up to my face, and towards the end of the trip I was an expert on amber, saffron and most of the other spices they quizzed me on.

My favorite destination in Morocco, however, would have to be the old medina in Essaouira. The walled ďŹ shing city is much smaller than Marrakech and emanated a more comforting atmosphere. I absolutely loved the shopping there, offering many small shops that sell handcrafted goods.

Tip: Prices are negotiable.

One of the most incredible experiences I had in Morocco was riding a camel through desert-like sand hills to the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean. We went on the camelback tour with a guide from Ranch de Diabat. Unlike mounting a horse as it stands, I got on Blanca, my camel, while she was kneeling on the ground. The camel lifted its back legs and then the front to stand. The camels trotted through the

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sand, sometimes looking like show horses. Our tour guide talked to us about the history of Essaouira and Morocco.

He said Jimi Hendrix visited the city when it was a hippie hangout in the 1960s, and he pointed out an old fortress that is getting closer to going into the sea like Hendrix’s song, “Castles Made of Sand.”

Tip: Bring a scarf. The day my cousin and I went the wind blew sand everywhere, including in our mouths.

Chocolatería

San Ginés has been serving their specialty, hot chocolate and churros the Spanish way, since 1894.

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SPAIN

I took this leg of the trip by myself.

There are tour guides that advertise free walking tours in the center of Puerta Del Sol in the mornings. I found this to be a great way to learn about the city, and to not feel alone. The tour guides speak different languages so make sure you find the flag symbol that

associates with the language you want to hear. At the end of the walking tour, the guides ask for donations. Before day’s end, make sure to visit the Chocolatería San Ginés, located near the San Ginés church in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid.

They have been serving their specialty, hot chocolate and churros the Spanish way, since 1894.

Tip: It is not customary to leave tips at restaurants around the world so check in advance to see if it is where you are visiting.

Also, drinks are typically not served with ice.

AUSTRIA

The train ride to Salzburg from Munich is about an hour and a half, and costs about $35 USD. You get to see the countryside and go through small towns. I went to the information desk at the Salzburg train station and learned about the Sound of Music tour.

This was a great tour to do on my own because I was amongst people who had a similar interest. I met a woman from Australia on this trip, and I spent my last day in a state of euphoria. From the stunning hills of the countryside to the gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang “Sixteen

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• To avoid jet lag, force yourself to sleep to the timing of the place you are going.

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Also, if you get to your destination in the morning, stay awake as long as you can.

Don’t take a nap; it makes it harder for your body to adjust.

• Get up and move. My legs swell on long flights, and it gets even worse if I don’t get up and walk a little bit.

• Leave your phone and take an iPad instead. I didn’t want to accrue any exorbitant phone charges so I bought an iPad. I could take photos and videos and use FaceTime to video chat my family back home. While Internet may be slow in certain areas around the world, Wi-Fi was everywhere I went.

• Keep a Journal. Think about what you would want to read in the future. Choose your favorite, or least favorite moments of the day and write about them. Use your senses to enhance your memories. Write while it is still fresh in your mind.

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My most favorite experiences, however, were results of shattering my comfort zone.

Especially when it came to realizing that I can, and should, talk to strangers, unlike I was taught while growing up.

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The sun sets over Salzburg from the Fortress Hohensalzburg. Construction of the castle began in 1077. The Mirabelle Gardens there are widely known as a horticultural masterpiece.

Going on Seventeen,” I fell in love. After the tour, my new friend asked me if I wanted to explore Salzburg before I boarded my train back to Munich. I am so glad I said agreed. We ventured upward to the Fortress Hohensalzburg, one of the largest 11th -Century castles still standing, situated at the top of a hill overlooking the city.

One of the best pieces of advice for anyone wanting to travel is to never give up on your trip. Traveling can bring the best of times, and sometimes the worst of times — such as fatigue, confusion, and homesickness. While those feelings are valid, it is important that you do not let that negativity bring you down.

One night in Madrid when I was missing home, I ended up asking myself, what do I love? I immediately started searching for — and finding — Flamenco shows. By identifying my interests, I was able to shed the frustration.

My most favorite experiences, however, were results of shattering my comfort zone.

Especially when it came to realizing that I can, and should, talk to strangers, unlike I was taught while growing up.

Traveling takes courage, the courage to step out of your comfort zone and sometimes even your time zone, but I promise it’s worth it. Happy Travels!

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COLUMN

DONNA BONNELL’S

Embracing Life PAISLEY’S PURPOSE

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. dbnewberry@aol.com

PAISLEY HAS LEUKEMIA.

for Precious Princess Paisley” evolved into a venue for sharing vital information, requesting specific prayers and developing n January 23, 2014, Samantha heard those pet- Paisley’s purpose.

Princess Paisley’s tale provides her prayer warriors with rifying words, which explained the unfathoman education in leukemia. In order to understand the comable bloodcurdling screams from her perfect plexity of the disease and the course of treatment, I found (albeit fussy) six-week-old baby. The heart and soul of myself googling for additional information. Terms, such as, this mom was temporarily shattered and she began to chant, Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC), Broviac Lines, Intravenous “Please God, do not take her.”

Immunoglobulin (IVIG), Mucositis, Nasogastric (NG) feedings Somehow Samantha pulled herself together, although she and Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) are a part of a leukemia really did not have a choice. Paisley immediately began a torfamily’s everyday vocabulary. I am not alone in following her menting journey to fight for her life. In less than 24 hours, this story. The last I looked, there were over 1,200 members and innocent infant had surgery to put in a port and received the group continues to grow. her first dose of chemotherapy.

This precious little essence exudes a sweet B-Cell MLL-R Infant Acute Lymphoblastic courageous spirit, evident in her photos and the Leukemia (ALL) was the dreaded diagnosis.

She did not know Facebook journal of her fight against cancer.

According to Samantha, “Her prognosis is what a profound At her very tender young age, Paisley’s bravpoor… she only has a 10 percent chance of positive impact posting ery and zest to embrace life is contagious. seeing her fifth birthday and a 30 percent Paisley’s progress and Samantha shared that her daughter is the chance of seeing her third birthday.” pictures online happiest little baby ever. Even while enduring Samantha went on to explain that Paisley would make. the painful side effects of chemotherapy she has multiple developmental delays due to the continues to smile. Samantha said, “She can laugh effects of chemotherapy and is at a high risk of and cry all within moments of each other!” suffering from learning disabilities. At 14 months As the long days and months pass, Samantha is simply old, precious Paisley weighs just over 16 pounds. surviving the best she can for herself and family. Deante, Paisley’s While living 10 out of the past 12 months in the hospital, brother, is being tested to see if he is a good candidate to provide Mom’s feelings have been on a terrifying roller coaster ride. his sister with potentially life-saving bone marrow. My prayer Samantha described her good days as having the strength of is that Deante (or another donor) is a perfect match and that a mountain. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, the anxiety of a miraculous successful transplant is performed, prior to the knowing she may lose Paisley to cancer is so over-powering, printing of this magazine. an emotional paralysis develops.

Paisley’s purpose thus far, is sharing her innocent resilience.

To escape from the never-ending phone calls and texts, When her Facebook page followers have a rough day, they turn Samantha created a Facebook Page, “Prayers for Precious to Paisley for encouragement. She inspires her readers to be Princess Paisley.” As you can imagine, her world had suddenly happy for today. turned upside down and she was exhausted. It was mentally If you believe in prayer, please ask God to bless this family draining repeatedly answering the same questions. While and the professionals who care for and treat children suffering that was her primary reason for starting the page, deep down from cancer.

Samantha knew it was the only available way to record this part of her life. She wanted something to refer to in the future.

When Samantha and I discussed this column, she She did not know what a profound positive impact posting asked that I share this website: www.youcaring.com/ Paisley’s progress and pictures online would make. “Prayers medical-fundraiser/paisley-s-purpose/213745.

O

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH >> UNUSUAL HOBBIES

GET WEIRD

Peculiar Pastimes Underwater Hockey, Slackliners, Unicycle-riding Jugglers, and a 225-foot Long Zip Line S TORY A N D PHOTOG R A PHY BY G A BRIE LLE C A LI S E

W

hat could these things possibly all have in common?

The first three are closely knit student organizations at the University of Florida — small but strong groups brought together by their weird passions.

The last can be found at a high ropes course that you (yes, you) can make group reservations for — if you dare.

While the idea of walking on a slackline may seem uncomfortable and the thought of someone hurling juggling pins at your head sounds potentially life threatening, don’t be so quick to write these hobbies off. Each of these activities can be daunting in their own ways, but the members of these organizations are more than willing to show you the (sometimes literal) ropes.

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Yes, it’s a real sport: An inside look at bewildering world of UF Underwater Hockey “Sticks up!”

“Ready, go!”

And they’re off, kick, kick, kicking across the width of the pool to get to the center, water splashing everywhere. It’s a frenzy to get to the puck first, and then to somehow knock it into the opposing team’s goal — all while avoiding a smack to the face from a flipper and, most importantly, remembering to surface for air.

This is the start of a typical scrimmage held by the UF Underwater Hockey team. The coed group meets year-round at the Florida Pool two times a week to practice, sharing the space with a team of

Underwater Hockey is not only a UF sport, but also a worldwide phenomenon, as seen in this image from the Australian 2014 underwater hockey championships.

As a co-ed intramural club sport, the UF underwater hockey team accepts members from all ages, skill levels and genders. Fins, flippers, goggles and masks are provided so potential team members only need to bring a swimsuit, Gator1 ID card and sense of adventure.

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synchronized swimmers. With the athletic focus at UF firmly fixed upon football, basketball and gymnastics, not a lot of people are talking about underwater hockey; many are not even aware that it’s an actual thing. But despite the fact that it may not be the most popular sport in the United States, underwater hockey is played in many other countries around the world. At UF, underwater hockey is club sport that any member of the student body, faculty or staff can be a part of (for instance, the oldest member of the team is Greg Mullersman, a 56-year-old computer programmer at UF Health).

Now that it’s established that underwater hockey (UH) is an activity that really does exist, let’s get down to the dynamics of gameplay. The sport is played by two co-ed teams of six. Sheet metal troughs located on opposite sides of the pool function as goals. Players don equipment consisting of flippers, swim caps, goggles and snorkels — all provided by the club. Referees (typically two or three) swim along under the water, watching the game unfold through a spray of bubbles and signaling players with specific hand motions. And as with other sports, substitutes swim in and out to mix things up.

President of the club, Ian Hoek Spaans, a 20-year-old mechanical engineering major, has been playing underwater hockey since he came to UF three years ago. As a lifeguard in high school, he would sometimes see underwater hockey pickup games played at the pool where he worked. When he came to UF and heard that they had a club team, he joined immediately.

Unlike its street and ice counterparts, underwater hockey is a non-contact sport.

However, participants can still get fairly battered. Spaans pointed out a bruise the size of a quarter on his forehead, and after a scrimmage, Mullersman said that he once had his finger dislocated.

“This is the only sport that I know of where you can get kicked and it’s not a foul,” Mullersman said.

As if the threat of getting whapped by a rogue flipper isn’t enough, players must wear special gloves made at team glove-making parties to protect their hands from getting scraped on the bottom of the pool. But despite the potential for injury, the players keep coming back. Garrett McGee, 20, has been playing underwater hockey for two years. Before transferring to UF, a professor at Santa Fe

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College recommended the sport.

“I told him ‘There’s no way I’m playing that,’” McGee said. But later, his professor called him and told him to come try it. McGee had so much fun that he returned for another scrimmage. He’s been an active member of the team ever since.

There are many misconceptions about the sport that prevent prospective players from trying it, but the biggest is that people need to be able to hold their breath for long periods of time. It’s true that most members of the team are “water people” and have prior experience as swimmers (take Spaans for example — he can swim up to 50 yards in one breath). But prospective players without experience shouldn’t fret. The pool is only about seven feet deep, and most players are only below water for 10 to 15 seconds.

“It’s a lot easier than it looks,” said club Vice President Monika Gonzalez. “You learn to hold your breath.”

Spaans urged those who have never played before to give it a try, at least once. “It’s a cool thing to say that you’ve done, and you’re definitely going to have a lot of fun.”

The UF club team travels to tournaments four to five times a year. They’ve been to Atlanta, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., and UNC Chapel Hill. The team just returned from a competition in Colorado, where they placed third out of 18 teams — a feat to be proud of considering that they didn’t have much time to get acclimated to the thinner air. Next, the team is headed to Key Largo at the end of Spring Break for a two-day potluck tournament. At this event, all participating teams will be broken up and scrambled into new combinations, giving the athletes a chance to play with brand new teammates. In the summer, the UF team hopes to attend the nationals in Las Vegas.

Beanbags and unicycles and pins, oh my! UF Objects in Motion teaches performance skills There’s so much going on at UF’s Objects in Motion meetings that you don’t know where to look first. Jugglers hurl pins at one another, throwing beanbags up from under their legs and catching them as they soar down from the sky. Streams of ribbons swirl through the air as part of a frantic warm-up routine. People zip around the chaos atop unicycles, wobbling to balance on just one wheel.

The club meets under the Reitz Union breezeway at the UF campus every Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Members try new things and teach each other different

skills. They hold conversations while hopping in place or riding backwards on their unicycles.

Jugglers take turns practicing with different objects. Sometimes they spend Fridays riding through the Plaza of the Americas. About every two weeks, members of the club meet up to ride out on the town together — usually they’ll go out for frozen yogurt or some other form of dessert, a pack full of members bobbing along on one wheel each.

The members of the club come from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience.

Peter Ramon, a 21-year-old junior majoring in chemical engineering, joined the club when he first came to UF. Two months prior to college, he bought a cheap unicycle and decided to try it out.

“It’s better if you have people to teach you,” Ramon said.

He picked up tips from the more experienced members, and over the course of the past three years he has learned enough to pass on his knowledge on to others.

One of the surprising things that he tells unicycling newcomers: “It should feel like you’re falling forward.”

This is because the unicycler’s center of gravity needs to be in front of the wheel. When a lot of beginners start out, they are afraid of this sensation, so they jerk back. But Ramon said that you want to feel like you’re about to fall forward on your face.

If this concept isn’t too terrifying, then you might just be ready to come to a session and try it for yourself. There are plenty of extra unicycles strewn across the ground at every meeting, and anyone is welcome to give it a shot.

The same goes for the juggling side of the club. Brittany Doyle, a 21-year-old UF senior studying political science, said her interest began when she saw members of Objects in Motion the first time she strolled through the Plaza of the Americas as a new transfer student. She walked up to the jugglers and asked to try.

Other members, such as UF chemical engineering freshman Morgan Eddy, have years of experience under their belts. Eddy knew that she wanted to be a part of the club since touring the campus in high school. She heard about a student unicycling organization and just had to be a part of it. Unicycling, after all, is in her blood.

Eleven years ago, on a whim Eddy’s father bought a unicycle.

The two learned how to ride together. In high school, she started a unicycle club. Eddy’s love of unicycling was contagious, spreading to her boyfriend, Mitchell Joppru. When the couple first started

dating, Joppru had never sat on a unicycle before. Now, the couple is in the midst of training for a unicycle trip across the width of Florida — a journey that spans about 120 miles.

Objects in Motion has brought people together in more ways than one. The club is small and tightly knit — a family built around performance art. Several of the members graduated from UF a few years ago, but have stuck around Gainesville. PJ Arroyo, for instance, graduated in 2012 but has remained in town, teaching juggling on the side and attending meetings. However, prospective jugglers or unicyclers shouldn’t be intimidated by the close bond the club members share, or their impressive level of skill. Objects in Motion is eager to expand.

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“Don’t look down!” The UF Slacklining Club welcomes new members to join in the fun

OFF THE BEATEN PATH >> UNUSUAL HOBBIES

revolves around community. If a line is up, anyone is welcome to come on up and try — even if they’ve never done it before.

Most beginners are afraid that they won’t be able to stay on the line.

When Andrea Sarcos, now a UF senior, began slacklining You may have seen this group in the Plaza of the Americas in the spring semester of her freshman year, staying on was her — arms stretched out, balancing precariously on a long piece of biggest concern. fabric slung between two trees. Shoes off and hands up, they take “It’s a really tough barrier to get through,” Sarcos said. “I turns walking across the line. Sometimes other students crowd was really, really scared of falling when I first started.” around them to watch in fascination. But for the members of It took more than a year of practice for Sarcos to graduUF Slacklining, this is just a regular club meeting. ally become comfortable with the line. First, she just Many confuse the club members with tightrope wanted to see if she could maintain her balance walkers, but their craft differs in a few ways. standing on the line. Then she tried taking The slackline itself is a long, flat strip of nylon one step. Two steps. Three. Finally, she was webbing that can be strung up pretty much making it all the way across the line and back. anywhere. Depending on the level of skill and “I finally got over being so afraid,” Sarcos comfort, slackliners can adjust the tension said. It was all about transcending her mental of the line as well as the distance from the barrier and being patient enough to learn ground (the club sets theirs at about one- to how to balance. two-feet high). These lines feel bouncier and — Andrea Sarcos Now, Sarcos is the president of the UF slacklooser than a tightrope, especially once you make lining club, an informal group that aims to meet it towards the center. There are two types — a usertwo times a week, usually in the Plaza of the Americas. friendly two-inch wide line, and a more challenging line After breaking through her fear, Sarcos has gone on to slackline that is about an inch wide. Both are wider than tightropes. Lines through Europe, sharing lines with people she has met during range in price from about $50 to $90, depending on the length. her travels in Berlin, Paris and Barcelona. Her number one tip That may seem like a lot to pay for something that looks that she always tells people? Don’t look down. like a long piece of ribbon, so many members of the club opt to Another member of the club, Julian Grudens, a 19-year-old, also share lines instead of purchasing their own. After all, the sport

“I was really, really scared of falling when I first started.”

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achieved slacklining success once he overcame a mental barrier. Grudens has only been slacklining since last summer, but he can now make it across the line in just 55 seconds. At a recent meeting, Grudens was the one who set things into motion, putting up his line first and testing the tension by sitting in the center and bouncing up and down.

Once the line is set to his liking, Grudens rolled up his pants and pulled off his shoes. Eyes focused forward on a point somewhere in the tree bark ahead of him, he walked across the line.

His neighbor, Sydney Richardson, was in the plaza for lunch.

She had seen him out there before, but had never tried it herself.

Legs wobbling and hand gripping Grudens’ tightly, she struggled to stay balanced on the line.

Other students flocked to the line to try. More experienced members were happy to help them up. Grudens explained to them that many beginners experience shaking legs because their body is trying to compensate for the imbalance. Their leg muscles don’t know what to do.

Members traded tips and strategies for maintaining balance.

It is the general consensus that slacklining barefoot works best. Some find it easier if they stare at a fixed point ahead of them. Lindsey Wilcox, a freshman who just joined the club last semester, can move forward on the line by not thinking about it. Wilcox still hasn’t managed to make it all the way across, but she hasn’t let that stop her from trying again. And again.

As students took turns trying to walk the line, groups walking through the plaza stopped to watch.

“A lot of people are really shy and I’ll see them watching from afar,” Sarcos said about the spectators. “I just want to grab them [and say], ‘You can try this too! Don’t be so scared.’”

For information about the club and future meetings, search “UF Slacklining Club” on Facebook. Or take a trip to the Plaza of the Americas — there’s bound to be a line set up, and all you have to do is ask to try it for yourself.

Just remember: don’t look down.

At the end of your rope: A high ropes course at Lake Wauburg helps groups bond Of all of the ways to get to know your new co-workers, shooting across a zip line together probably isn’t the first to come to mind. But it turns out that some of the best teambuilding in Gainesville takes place 35 feet above the ground.

At the High Ropes and Elements course at Lake Wauburg, groups of 12 or more sharpen their teamwork skills by working through physical obstacles together. The High Ropes component was added to the Outdoor Team Challenge Course in December 2013. Reservations are required, and being comfortable with heights is strongly recommended.

Before stepping foot on the course, groups first sit down with a Lake Wauburg employee to determine what kind of experience they are looking for. Since the staff at Lake Wauburg tries to tailor to their specific needs, each group’s experience on the course will be a little different. Whether it’s developing stronger MARCH/APRIL 2015

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communicamunication skills or fostering a sense of teamwork, there aree aspects of the course designed to enhance a variety off abilities.

Depending on the team dynamic, the course will bring out differing emotions and responses, said Michelle Langkop, coordinator for Parks and Outdoor Recreation at Lake Wauburg.

Greater trust in your teammates is usually a natural by-product.

-product.

But before anyone can get to the high ropes, each group must first experience a separate low ropes course. Facilitators hand out helmets and harnesses. Then, participants must learn how to fall properly and perform a “self-rescue.” Participants are strapped into the course with two thick ropes and steel lobster claws at all times, but they still need to know how to pull themselves back onto the rope safely in the event that they lose their balance while several stories in the air.

After getting acclimated to the safety equipment, teams start out on the ground level and, with the guidance of a trained ropes course facilitator, slowly work their way up to the top of the towers. Langkop said the bottom portion of the course is a great opportunity to build confidence balancing on the ropes.

The most intricate problem solving also takes place on the lowest level.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, two very different groups had reservations. First was a professional MBA program, whose 64 participants met only 24 hours before. Immediately following was the UF Involvement Team, a group on campus that helps students (especially freshmen and transfers) find clubs and activities that best suit their interests.

The groups slowly make their ascents, level by level. After they finish the bottom portion, they can gain altitude by climbing up an enormous rope web. This isn’t a race to finish, but rather a team bonding activity. On higher stories, participants 150 |

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must cautiously scramble across a tight rope, with only wobbly dangling blocks of wood to grasp onto.

It’s a difficult feat even for those who don’t mind being up so high in the air. When members of the group lag behind, the facilitators encourage the rest of the team to cheer them on, providing the encouragement needed to overcome the challenge.

The zip line is the grand finale. Some participants seem delighted at the prospect of flinging themselves from the top of the tower, but there’s also a fair amount of petrified members who clutch the ropes until their knuckles turn white. The scariest part comes at the beginning — mustering up the courage to lean forward far enough to fall from the platform face-first. There’s about 10 feet of free-fall where even the most daring let out a yelp. Then the slack in the line is caught, and gravity does the rest, sending the participants soaring down to the ground.

For UF students, Lake Wauburg admission is free, but groups not affiliated with UF can take on a weekday challenge course for a charge. The course is designed to develop group relationships and bonding, but reservations can be made for other purposes too, such as a family reunion or birthday party. Prices vary depending on the day of the week, number of members in the party, and whether or not participants are UF students. Visit the UF RecSports website for more information.

Whether it’s chasing a hockey puck underwater or whizzing through the air on a zip line, there’s an activity out there for everyone. Even though juggling, slacklining, underwater hockey, and ropes courses may not be the most popular or well-known activities, trying one (or all) is something you will never forget.

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FOOD REVIEW

Adventures in Appetite

CONTRIBUTED

BY KEN PENG OF KEN EATS GAINESVILLE

KEN PENG HAS LIVED IN GAINESVILLE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS OF HIS LIFE, BUT HAS BEEN EATING SINCE HE WAS BORN. IT IS HIS HOPE THAT ANYONE WHO READS THIS PAGE WILL DISCOVER A NEW SPOT TO VISIT THE NEXT TIME THEY’RE FEELING HUNGRY. keneatsgainesville.com

HI THERE! MY NAME IS KEN PENG. YOU MAY KNOW ME AS THE GUY BEHIND KEN EATS GAINESVILLE, A LITTLE BLOG I BEGAN JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

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f you already know me, chances are you either love what I do or absolutely despise me (usually because I insulted your favorite restaurant). For that, I’m sorry. For the many others who don’t know me, my mission is to celebrate the ever-growing restaurant scene in Gainesville, but also holding the bad ones accountable. I promise you can always rely on me for an honest, unfiltered take on local restaurants. There is no fluff here. Of course, this is only my opinion and you are welcome to disagree.

While my day job is in finance, my passion is food.

Whether it be cooking it, eating it, drinking it, or just staring at it. It’s pretty much one of my favorite things in the world, and in the words of a not-so-wise ex-girlfriend (or maybe she was): I love food. I can’t live without it.

See, I grew up around the food business. My family owns an Asian food distribution company, and we always loved going out to eat. Even trips to visit my folks now isn’t complete without us going out to gorge on a massive dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I’ve been all over the U.S., parts of Canada, Japan and China. No matter where I go, my absolute favorite thing to do is eat. I’ve been living in Gainesville now for a little over 10 years, having moved here for school and falling in love with the town. There have been a lot of changes in the last couple years, not only in the culinary scene, but also in the general growth and attitude of the city. These are exciting times indeed, and I’m excited to showcase it! That said, here are some of my favorite choices around town right now.

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SABORÉ It’s all about Chef Valero here. The guy has trained at some of the finest Michelin-star restaurants in Spain, competed on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, and has been given the green light to play with some of the best ingredients there is.

Black truffles, foie gras, langoustines, kobe beef and more are represented in some of his dishes. If you really want to let Valero show off his chops, make a reservation for the Chef’s Table and let him create a five-course dinner for you with off-menu creations that really let his skills shine. This guy is the real deal, and perhaps most impressive of all, he’s only in his mid-20s.

CRANE RAMEN This restaurant is not only beautiful, but is perhaps one of the most important new spots to open up in the last few years. It signifies the arrival of specialized restaurants in Gainesville — something that you’ll find in big cities, but not so much in a wee little bitty North Florida college town. With Chef Steve Grimes at the helm, a guy who has opened restaurants all over the world, they’re definitely doing it right. The noodles come from the same company that supplies the renowned Ivan Ramen, the meats are sourced locally, and it is delicious. The broths here are the real deal too, slow simmering for over 24 hours to produce a rich, flavorful product.

AMERAUCANA WOOD FIRE Chef Tyler Black was born and raised in Gainesville, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and honed his skills at some of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. When he returned home, he launched Ameraucana Wood Fire, a food truck serving up the best pizza in town. Naturally leavened sourdough, quality ingredients, and a 1,000+ degree wood-fired oven

will do that for you. There’s no other pizza in town that comes closer to authentic Neapolitanstyle than them. You won’t find pizzas like the spicy pancetta, Mortadella Vetri (with pistachio pesto), and the classic Marge, featuring Bianco di Napoli tomatoes, anywhere else in town. It’ll make everyone else’s pizza taste like ketchup and plastic bags.

UPPERCRUST It’s no secret why they’ve been in business for over 25 years — there’s no other bakery in town like it. These are true artisans who take tremendous pride in their work. The attention

This is most definitely the closest thing to a true French Patisserie, not only in Gainesville, but probably in all of North Florida. to detail and use of quality ingredients come through in their work. This is most definitely the closest thing to a true French Patisserie, not only in Gainesville, but probably in all of North Florida. Fresh baked breads and pastries that come out hot every single morning, and if you’re lucky enough to catch them right out of the oven, you’re in for a serious treat. In a world that’s increasingly catering to all these trendy vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, fun-free hipsters, it’s good to see good ole fashioned butter and sugar well represented here!

YUMMY HOUSE This is a pick that’s close to my heart. I’ve lived in Gainesville for over a decade and until Yummy House opened, there was no good Chinese food (especially dim sum). I don’t care what anybody says, it just didn’t exist. I grew up eating this stuff at home and I’ve been to the best Cantonese restaurants in Miami, New York, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Hong Kong.

While it may pale in comparison to some of the places I’ve visited, it’s certainly far and away the only place in town I’d go for Chinese. I swear, those little carts of dim sum are like chariots of deliciousness. Despite being in a converted KFC with a horrendous parking situation, it is worth the trip.

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