Our Town 2019 SEP-OCT (Newberry & Jonesville)

THE

ISSUE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | VOL. 17 ISSUE 05 | NEWBERRY & JONESVILLE EDITION

Sweet Study Spots • Pulitzer Professors Magnet Schools • Teacher Profiles & More!

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Our Town

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CONTENTS

S e p t e m b e r / O c to b e r 2 0 1 9

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

| V O L . 1 7 | N O. 0 5

IN THIS ISSUE >> WE INVITE YOU TO THANK A TEACHER! LEARN ABOUT SOME

OF THE WONDERFUL EDUCATORS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND HOW THEIR PASSION FOR TEACHING IS INSPIRING GENERATIONS TO COME. STUDY TIPS AND SO MUCH MORE — IT’S TIME TO HIT THOSE BOOKS!

FEATURE STORIES 20 MEBANE HIGH SCHOOL

The history of past hardships endured by African-American students that attended A.L. Mebane before and during desegregation.

25 SCHOOL SAFETY

Expand what you know on school safety precautions in your child’s school.

38 RECIPE WONDERS

In honor of teachers, make a Waldorf Salad — the main ingredient being delicious apples!

50 ADVANCED EDUCATION

View past, present and future technological teaching aids and how each breakthrough helps students.

54 MAGNET PROGRAMS

Gain knowledge on unique high school programs that allow students to specialize in a specific area of study.

82 DIFFERENT ROUTES

Many students are choosing an alternate path to their careers — forgoing the traditional 4-year university track for a trade school education instead.

September/October 2019

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CONTENTS

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TEACHERS OF OUR TOWN Hear from four Alachua County teachers on their paths to becoming the passionate educators they are today.

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THE POWER OF EDUCATION A student’s perspective on the empowering nature of learning.

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PULITZER PROFESSORS Experience the journey of two local educators who won Pulitzer Prizes.

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HALLOWEENTOWN Witches, pumpkins and nostalgia!

Reminisce on the Disney Channel Original Movie “Halloweentown,” while exploring the city it took place in.

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WOOFSTOCK The Humane Society of North Central Florida pushes to end euthanasia in the community with Woofstock, an annual 1960s-themed fundraiser. Groovy!

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TEACH THE LEADER Local mayors recount memorable educators—proving the impact of a good teacher can shape tomorrow’s leaders.

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September/October 2019

62 F ARM TALES 76 N AKED SALSA

by Crystal Henry

160 F UREVER FRIENDS Spotlight on Rescue Animals

REVIEWS in

Our Town

SPECIAL SECTION: Showcase

that lifts up the kind words in customer testimonials for local businesses and organizations.

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FIRST-GEN SCHOLARSHIPS A new program that both recognizes and supports first-generation students.

by Donna Bonnell

66 R EADING CORNER

STUDENT STRESS Understand the importance of mental health in the education system and indicators of stress in children.

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34 E MBRACING LIFE

by Mother Hen

58

ESE Learn about Exceptional Student Education in Alachua County and the students who qualify.

COLUMNS

152

SWEET STUDY SPOTS Location, location, location! Read about 10 great places outside of your dorm room to start hitting the books.

158

MY GREATEST TEACHER Enjoy the story of an impactful and creative teacher who is known as “Grandma Anne” to one of our own interns.

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

150 G ATE CRASHING

by Brian “Krash” Kruger

INFORMATION 132 T aste of the Town 138 C ommunity Calendar 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. © 2019 Tower Publications, Inc.

You deserve SunState BEING A MEMBER HAS ITS ADVANTAGES

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PUBLISHER Charlie Delatorre

Anthony B. Agrios, MD Joseph S. Iobst, MD Jean C. Cook, MD

Nicole Scogin, MD

Shelley Russell, ARNP, CNM Julie Rischar, ARNP, CNM

Kristen Cook, ARNP, CNM

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Hank McAfee EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ericka Winterrowd editor@towerpublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kaitlin Applegate, Dana Bryan, Cameron Cobb, Lauren Delatorre, Peggy MacDonald, Tranelle Maner, Julia Mitchem, Steph Strickland, Victoria Vargas, Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd, Hayli Zuccola CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Adrienne Fletcher ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jenni Bennett jenni@towerpublications.com Nancy Short nancy@towerpublications.com INTERN Steph Strickland, Victoria Vargas, Dana Bryan

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September/October 2019

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.)

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

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EDITOR ’ S LET TER

S e p t e m b e r / O c to b e r 2 0 1 9

The Givers of Knowledge

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I’ve often marveled at the art of education. If you really think about it – teaching has been at the heart of humanity’s survival since the beginning of time. For eons, generations of people have passed on the knowledge of hunting, gathering, communicating, cooking and building shelter.

A prehistoric classroom of life, if you will.

There are still many kinds of educational environments today. There’s the classroom of experience, which teaches its students more than any textbook could. And then there is the My first yearbook photo. I began my journey of education as a 4-year-old. Many years later, the quest for knowledge still continues. literal classroom, a setting that seeks to inspire young minds to become whatever they wish themselves to be. Isn’t that beautiful? This is where I learned my favorite subject was not Math. English, Reading and Drama – now those were my BFFs! I remember reading “The Giver” in grade school, a story about society taking away all recollection of pain and strife from its people in order to create a “utopian” world. Only one person holds the past memories of human emotion for everyone else – and young Jonas is the one who has been selected to be the receiver of this wisdom.

Of course, the reader slowly begins to realize that this world is not perfect at all, and in eradicating hardships and suffering, all emotional depth from people’s lives is lost with it. This book blew my mind. I can vividly remember reading it in my childhood home and thinking, “You can’t have the good without experiencing some of the bad too. How else would anyone know the difference?” I put it into simple terms my developing brain could handle, but it was impactful nonetheless and really got me thinking.

Isn’t that the point of learning? To get the mind working, to start understanding concepts and theories bigger than ourselves. This is how doctors are born, artists are created and educators are called to arguably the most sacred of all callings.

Teachers are the givers of knowledge... that makes everyone else a Jonas.

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OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

September/October 2019

Ericka Winterrowd, Editor-In-Chief

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From checkups to comprehensive care, UF Health Family Medicine has expanded its locations to better serve the needs of our community. UF Health’s board-certified physicians are equipped to provide top-quality care with convenient access to the latest technologies and research advances, including specialty care as needed. Extended hours at some of our locations are also available to meet the needs of you and your family’s schedule. Make an appointment at one of our newest locations today.

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September/October 2019

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S e p t e m b e r / O c to b e r 2 0 1 9

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Torment Factory, North Florida’s premier Halloween attraction, is back for the 2019 season at its new long-term home just outside of Gainesville, featuring acres (yes, acres) of thrills, ills, and chills. This year’s event features “CarnEVIL” - the state’s best live-action haunted house, “The Hunted” - a surprise-filled haunted corn maze experience unlike any other, and Carnivorous & Soul Harvest - two action-packed escape room games for all ages.

Bring the whole crew for a full evening of entertainment at the new Torment Factory compound featuring attractions, food, drinks, games, and more. Torment factory is open every Friday and Saturday night in October, as well as Halloween night, from 7:30 PM to Midnight.

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OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

September/October 2019

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CONTRIBUTOR S

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OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

S e p t e m b e r / O c to b e r 2 0 1 9

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

HayzDesigns@yahoo.com

VICTORIA VARGAS is a journalism student at the University of Florida. She is constantly looking for the perfect pasta dish and loves conspiracy theories. victoriao.vargas@gmail.com

KAITLIN APPLEGATE is a Rock School graduate. In her spare time she enjoys creative writing and finding inspiration in unexpected places (in truth, mostly from Netflix). kaitlinapplegatewrites@gmail.com

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

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

LAUREN DELATORRE is a junior at the University of Florida majoring in political science and international studies. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with friends. laurendelatorre@ufl.edu

PEGGY MACDONALD is a native Gainesvillian and teaches history at Stetson University. Her publications include a biography of environmental activist Marjorie Harris Carr and a forthcoming book on Florida’s female pioneers. peggymacdemos@gmail.com

TRANELLE MANER is a senior journalism major at the University of Florida with an outside concentration in film. She loves all things entertainment and appreciates a conversation about any pop culture news. tranellemaner@gmail.com

JULIA MITCHEM is a journalism major at the University of Florida and intern. In her free time, she loves going to concerts, taking photographs and traveling. jmitchem243@gmail.com

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

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

September/October 2019

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HISTORY >> MEBANE HIGH SCHOOL

THE HORNET SPIRIT

History of Mebane High Alumni and Teachers Recall Its Storied Past W R IT TE N BY PEGGY M AC DON A LD P H OTO G R A P H Y P R O V I D E D C O U R T E S Y E . S TA N L E Y R I C H A R D S O N

T

here must be something in the water in Alachua, where teaching seems to run in the family. Cousins E. Stanley Richardson and Kenneth Simmons were raised by teachers and grew up in Paradise United Methodist Church, where many members of the congregation were teachers and school administrators.

“All the educators went to that church,” Richardson recalled. “They put a high value on education.”

The cousins attended A. L. Mebane School before desegregation, when the school served students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Located at 16401 Northwest County Road 241 in Alachua, A. L. Mebane was one of only two historically black high schools in Alachua County before a federal court order led to the desegregation of the county’s public schools in the middle of the 1969-70 school year.

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September/October 2019

At the time, Richardson was in the second grade.

He was transferred to Alachua Elementary School.

“We lost some friends when integration took place,” he recalled during a recent interview. “It was just so abrupt. Especially as a little kid.”

Before Mebane opened in 1956, African American students in and around Alachua attended Alachua County Training School (ACT). Albert Leonidas Mebane was principal of ACT from its opening in 1924 through 1949. The school’s history was featured in the 1970 Hornet, the final Mebane yearbook published before the high school closed.

Mebane memorabilia is on display in a history room at Mebane Middle School. Veita Jackson-Carter encouraged the A. L. Mebane High School Alumni Association to establish the history room when she was Mebane’s principal a decade ago. The history room is open to the public and documents the 14 years that Mebane was a high school.

The Marching Hornets (Director Richard Parker not pictured).

Miss A. L. Mebane and atttendants.

A. L. Mebane was one of only two historically black high schools in Alachua County before a federal court order led to the desegregation of the county’s public schools in the middle of the 1969-70 school year.

Fighting Hornets football Varsity team

September/October 2019

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PHOTO BY PEGGY MACDONALD

HISTORY >> MEBANE HIGH SCHOOL

Cousins E. Stanley Richardson and Ken Simmons.

Second grade class photo (below). Richardson is pictured in the bottom row, third from left.

The late Verdell Washington Robinson, who was a member of the first graduating class of A. L. Mebane High School in 1957, discussed the history of African American education in the Alachua area during a 2012 interview with Mark Sexton on “Alachua County Talks.” Robinson attended the Ogden school in Bland, a small farming community in northwest Alachua County. Simmons’ mother, Eunyta Jackson Simmons taught at Ogden. She and her sister, Leoris Jackson Richardson (Stanley Richardson’s mother) later taught at Mebane, along with another sister, Francine Jackson Frazier.

“In Gainesville, you only hear about A. Quinn Jones. Where I grew up in Alachua, they speak with the same reverence about A. L. Mebane.”

There was no white school for children in Bland, who were bused to school in Alachua, Robinson said. The black children in Bland walked to Ogden, which was originally a one-room schoolhouse with one teacher who taught grades one through six. “I couldn’t understand why we couldn’t ride the bus that was passing our house,” Robinson recalled.

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September/October 2019

She later attended ACT until Mebane opened. “It was so exciting to be at a new school and to be seniors,” Robinson said.

“The classrooms were everything that we hadn’t had before. It wasn’t used at all. It was built for us.”

Mebane’s namesake struggled to improve educational outcomes for his students under the “separate but equal” dual education system that prevailed when he was principal of ACT. As an example of the routine discrimination black principals faced, African Americans were not allowed inside the building where the school board met. A. L. Mebane and A. Quinn Jones—the first principal of Lincoln High School in Gainesville—had to listen in through an open window.

Just as Gainesville honors the life of A. Quinn Jones, whose life and legacy are the subject of a new museum run by the City of Gainesville, A. L. Mebane’s contributions to the Alachua community still resonate today. “Prof Mebane was a god,” Simmons observed.

Richardson lamented that Mebane was not included on a list of local African Americans who made their mark on

Bethune-Cookman University president Richard Vernon and founder Mary McLeod Bethune meet Eleanor Roosevelt at the Daytona Beach airport in 1954. Roosevelt gave the convocation address to kick off the college’s 50th year of operations. Many Alachua educators attended Bethune-Cookman College, including Kenneth Simmons and E. Stanley Richardson’s mothers and aunts. This image from the 1954 BethuneCookman College yearbook is courtesy of E. Stanley Richardson.

HISTORY >> MEBANE HIGH SCHOOL

Santa Fe Junior Senior High School (above) 1970 Rebel 7th grade collage.

Alachua County history in a recent proclamation the County issued in conjunction with the national commemoration of 400 years of African American history. The organizers of the national celebration refer to the arrival of the first enslaved Africans at Jamestown in 1619 as the beginning of African American history. However, free and enslaved Africans arrived in Florida with Spanish explorers a century earlier. Juan Garrido, a free African conquistador, was the first African American. He accompanied Ponce de León to Florida in 1513, joined Hernán Cortés during the conquest of Mexico, and returned to Florida with Ponce de León in 1521.

Mebane alumni want to see A. L. Mebane receive the same recognition as his Gainesville counterpart, A. Quinn Jones. Simmons refers to Prof Mebane and Prof Jones, as they were affectionately called in the community, as “the new founders of black education in Alachua County.”

“In Gainesville, you only hear about A. Quinn Jones,” Simmons said. “Where I grew up in Alachua, they speak with the same reverence about A. L. Mebane.”

When desegregation finally came to Alachua County, 15 years after the Brown v. Board decision, it posed a variety of challenges. Some white students at Santa Fe resisted. The cover of the 1970 Rebel, the Santa Fe High School yearbook, featured a Confederate flag. At the time, Santa Fe served grades 7 through 12. The yearbook contains a photo of seventh graders at a Rebels football game holding a banner reading, “Dixie Forever.” After desegregation, the school changed its mascot from the Rebels to the Raiders.

Meanwhile, Mebane students mourned the loss of their school. An anonymous poem published in the 1970 Mebane Hornet expresses students’ frustration and determination.

“One of the bad things about desegregation is that it destroyed our own institutions,” Richardson said.

Desegregation was intended to alleviate inequalities between white and black schools. In a 1983 discussion panel with African American educators and alumni from Alachua,

Anonymous Poem featured at the end of the 1970 Mebane yearbook My school is being phased out, which leaves us in much doubt, but this is what we must accept.

We are not wishing for a miracle from the sky, we only want to know why did the changes have to come so late.

We were together from the start and don’t wish to be apart.

Phasing out our school now is a challenge to us, because no matter how hard you try, you can’t stop us now.

I am Determined: To study just a little bit harder To run just a little bit faster To jump just a little bit higher The fun, games, and classes we all shared will soon be dispaired. We can only hope and pray that this is for the best, because the world knows we will try.

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Saint Elmo Cherry-Clark said she remembered a time when a bus dropped off all the used textbooks from Alachua High School, a white school, at Mebane when she was in 7th or 8th grade. “It was supposed to be separate but equal,” Cherry-Clark reflected, “but we had only one microscope” for all chemistry students at the school to share.

Leoris Richardson, another panelist, described what it was like to grow up in the country and walk to a one-room school (Ogden). “The white kids would pass us and sometimes they would spit out the windows,” she remembered, “but that did not stop us from getting an education.”

Richardson attended Alachua County Training School starting in the third grade.

“We did not have everything in classrooms that you have today, but we were still committed to do good,” she explained. “We had chemistry. We did not have a chemistry lab.

We did not have the pianos and organs, but Miss Welch taught us music notes. We had to sing a capella.

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Mebane and Lincoln students and alumni took pride in their football teams, which produced several professional football players. “The biggest game of the year was when we played Lincoln,” Simmons said. “We lost to Lincoln most of the time,” he admitted, except when Hewritt Dixon played for the Hornets. “Back in those days they couldn’t do anything with us because nobody could stop Hewritt Dixon.” After graduating from Mebane, Dixon played for Florida A&M University and later played as a rusher and receiver for the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. Hewritt Dixon is one of many Mebane memories longtime Alachua residents keep close to their hearts. Although A. L. Mebane High School was lost, the Hornet spirit lives on.

PREPARATION >> SCHOOL SAFETY

THE ALICE PROTOCOL AND HOW TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR CHILD

School Safety WRITTEN BY TRANELLE MANER

B

ack in January, the High Springs Community school had a lockdown and evacuation of campus that forced the administration to enact active shooter protocol — a plan set in place to stay safe in case there is a shooter at the school.

The school enacted ALICE on Jan. 11 after four elementary school teachers and two after-school program employees reported hearing possible gunshots coming from the apartments and residential neighborhood across from the school, according to WUFT.org. School Resource Officers Lawrence Downing and Jason Taylor began visiting classrooms daily to review and teach the changes of the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) protocol. Taylor is working in middle school, while Downing focuses on the elementary school side.

The ALICE protocol trains students to flee from danger immediately in reaction to the news of an on-campus shooter.

The response calls for students and faculty to evacuate through

the nearest safe exit, but it also empowers them to make decisions based on the situation and their training in the ALICE program.

In February, officer Downing told WUFT that the changes to the ALICE protocol include establishing rally points, such as homes of parents or local businesses, at which students and faculty can meet up after Jackie Johnson evacuating.

Alachua County spokeswoman Jackie Johnson explained that last spring Florida legislation officially required every Florida public school to begin conducting monthly drills to practice emergency procedures. “Each school works individually September/October 2019

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PREPARATION >> SCHOOL SAFETY

“How much you say depends on how much they ask and will understand about the situation.” with officers on training and has individual crisis plans for students by age for each school depending on layout and location,” Johnson said.

For the upcoming fall, students will again have to engage in random monthly drills to practice for these emergency situations.

In order to protect the schools from potential criminals of any sort, the crisis plan is not made public to anyone in the school except for administration. “We need to protect them and we don’t want that information getting out for anyone to know,” she said.

Johnson also explained that last year every school had to respond to a 75-page survey from the state about the drills and their inaction in the school system. While there have been workshops for parents to let them know more about the drills as well as a parent guide that will be released, there may still be a question of how to deal with the conversation of shooters with your child.

As the conversation of mass shootings is increasing, it can be difficult to know how to talk about this complicated topic with your kids. Dr. Sarkis of Sarkis Family Psychiatry in Gainesville said that the type of conversation depends on the cognitive level of the child. “The fact of the matter is that this is still technically a rare event that doesn’t happen every day,” Sarkis said. “How much you say depends on how much they ask and will understand about the situation.”

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Sarkis added that it is true, because of the increased news coverage of mass shootings and school shootings on the news and through social media, that it can feel like this epidemic that must be promptly discussed. However, Sarkis said that the most appropriate course of action for a parent is to make sure they understand their feelings about the situation first before talking about it with their kids.

“The kids are going to pick up on the parents level of anxiety,” he said. “Talk about it first with trusted people like friends, pastors and others to make sure Dr. Elias H Sarkis, MD you have a balanced view of the situation, and don’t go into it either too high-strung or too relaxed.”

The doctor added that it can be normal to try to reason with your kids and provide answers that you may not have.

He concluded that there isn’t anyone who truly knows the motivation or reasons for shooters, so it isn’t important to go there with your child. Sarkis said the ultimate way to go about things is to provide the facts and let the numbers of rarity and safety procedures speak for themselves.

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EDUCATORS >> LOCAL TEACHERS

A LASTING IMPACT

Life of a Teacher A Look into the Lives of Four Inspirational Educators in Our Town W RIT TE N BY S TE PH S TRICKL A N D

E

ach year, local teachers have the opportunity to impact the lives of children in their communities.

Politicians, astronauts, scientists, writers, engineers, designers, doctors, philosophers, accountants and – yes – even educators are born in the classroom.

These Alachua County public school teachers have a passion for their work, and their efforts continue to create ripple effects throughout the local community by impacting and empowering students in their classes.

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“When each of us thinks about what we can do in life, chances are, we can do it because of a teacher.”

— STEPHEN HAWKING

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that many students forget as American preteens. “Many students think they are coming to school because their parents are making them, or because they have to,” she said. “...This [book] can help show them that education is an opportunity.”

Copeland’s education has always been important to her, and even during difficult times in her life, educators were able to make an impact. She said her fourth grade teacher, Ms. Lennox, showed compassion in the wake of tragedy in Copeland’s life.

She said, “I remember her empathy and willingness to go above and beyond to help.”

“Everyone in your classroom has a certain gift. It’s important to encourage them to do whatever they want to do.”

Jasmyn Copeland

Oak View Middle School, Reading Jasmyn Copeland said her route to becoming an educator was vastly different from many of her peers. Copeland didn’t begin her collegiate education until her youngest child was three and her family was beginning to grow up. Even with her kids becoming old enough to care for themselves, Copeland knew she didn’t want to miss those important little moments. So, she took one class per semester and slowly built up her coursework.

She worked late nights on homework and ensured her children’s needs came before her own, until she had finally graduated.

Today, Copeland has a two-year degree and four-year degree in elementary education as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership. She was able to achieve her own education while never missing out on her children’s.

“I am blessed to have a supportive family… and that I was able to get an education without missing out on being a parent,” she said. “I wouldn’t change a thing, and there is still nothing more important than family.”

Copeland explained that she derives many lessons in her classroom from lessons she has learned as a parent. She said she works hard to empower students through reading and specifically selects books that can help them through the tumultuous world of middle school.

For example, one of her first picks is “I am Malala,” which she said is an important testament to the importance of education 30 |

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Copeland now tries to supply that same measure of compassion to her students and provide them with a dependable and safe space in their lives. Copeland’s favorite moments as an educator come when she is able to connect with students. In particular, she said she loves to see when students begin emulating her. It means they are watching, and she said these moments make her feel like she was able to make a difference in that student’s life.

One of the more difficult aspects of her job is the limited amount of time she has to make an impact on the children.

With students coming from many socioeconomic backgrounds, Copeland said she works hard to eliminate bias from her classroom and “give them hope.” She added that she wished funding could follow the students home to their families during difficult times.

In her classroom, Copeland said she likes to expose students to many different professions that they may be able to pursue more based on their personal strengths and interests. “Everyone in your classroom has a certain gift,” she said. “It’s important to encourage them to do whatever they want to do.”

Nicole Reno

Meadowbrook Elementary, Art For Nicole Reno, the decision to become a teacher was easy, and she decided upon the career path at the decisive age of 7. Reno said it was her first grade art teacher that impacted her decision to become an elementary art teacher herself.

EDUCATORS >> LOCAL TEACHERS

“I loved the feeling I had in her classroom.

The confidence I felt, I wanted to create that for my students,” she said.

In her role, Reno teaches about 125 students each year, from the first days in elementary school to their last. Reno said that one of the best parts of her job is being able to watch these students grow in their craft from a young age, while developing skills in creativity and collaboration. “I try to celebrate everyone’s individuality,” she said.

Even during stressful times, Reno said she has a great support network of other teachers and colleagues, and she looks forward to the energy the kids have when they come to art class.

“We have a lot of fun, I once had a super excited student ask if I would work his birthday party,” Reno said with a laugh. She said moments like this are what make being an art teacher fun.

Reno has spent 15 years as a teacher in the Alachua County schools system after obtaining her degree in art education from the University of Florida. All of her time in the industry has been spent at Norton Elementary School; however, as of the 2019-2020 school year Reno is now teaching at Meadowbrook.

Despite any changes to come, Reno said she loves her work and is always inspired by her students and other educators. One educator that stands out to her is Beani Backus, an artist and art teacher during the Jim Crow era. “He is an amazing teacher and he empowered his students,” she said. “Although it was a different time and situation, I try to empower my kids in the same way.”

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EDUCATORS >> LOCAL TEACHERS

Julie Desmarais

Kimball Wiles Elementary, 1st grade Julie Desmarais has always had a soft spot for her teachers.

When she was a kid, she always knew she wanted to be just like them. And when she grew up, she made that dream into a reality.

“I would look at my teachers like they were celebrities,” she said. Now, Desmarais has become a leader in her own classroom

Sherry Sakai

at Kimball Wiles Elementary school. After receiving her teaching certificate, Desmarais dove into the world of teaching and said she has loved everything about it.

Desmarais said her own grade school teachers had a big impact on her life from a young age. Her kindergarten and fourth grade teachers stand out particularly in her memory because of their ability to connect with students. “You could tell they were passionate about what they were doing,” she said. “They were kind and funny.”

Desmarais said she now tries to integrate the best parts of her favorite teachers into her own classroom with the help of a new program known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The program is meant to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and equity in schools and curriculums. Desmarais integrates PBIS with morning meetings, focusing on character development through activities and reflections as well as the promotion of a growth mindset. “I want them to know I am on their side,” she said.

As she works to complete her master’s in education, with a specialization in reading, from the University of Florida, she is continuously learning new things that she is able to integrate into the classroom. One tactic Desmarais said has proven effective is teaching the children to read in small groups.

She said this group method allows students to collaborate with others who share similar interests and skill levels in reading.

Teaching her students how to read is Desmarais’ favorite part of the job. “I love everything about it,” she said. “Seeing their bright faces and watching them learn.”

High Springs Community School, 3rd grade What does a respiratory therapist and a third grade teacher have in common?

Sherry Sakai managed to be both.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Sakai worked as a respiratory therapist in South Florida. She spent her days in the Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal and Emergency Units of hospitals helping patients. After working in the medical field for 20 years, Sakai and her husband decided to take a leap into new careers together.

Sakai’s family moved to the Gainesville area so her husband could go back to school to become a pharmacist – a drastic career change from his previous work in accounting. After looking for work in respiratory therapy in Gainesville without any luck, Sakai decided this would be the perfect opportunity to make a career change of her own and obtain her master’s in education. She said that even as a nurse her favorite part of the job was educating others about their illnesses, and she always knew teaching has been her passion. “We both knew what we wanted to be when we grew up, it just took until we were 40 to grow up,” she said with a laugh.

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Today, she helps people in a new way through her position as a third grade teacher at High Springs Community School, and many aspects of her career as a healthcare professional have helped her throughout her time as a teacher. She has learned how to care and nurture others through both of these roles and has even saved lives.

In her first year as a teacher at High Springs Community School, Sakai had her skills as a medical professional tested when a young student went into cardiac arrest.

With the help of the school nurse and other teachers, they were able to revive the child.

He is healthy and alive today because of the efforts of teachers and healthcare professionals like Sakai. She said he has brought her a small bundle of flowers each Christmas for the last 15 years since.

learn at their own pace. She said she is a “firm believer that every student can learn.” She has come to the conclusion that many of the students who act out the most need her the most. So, she has gained a great deal of patience in her role as an educator in order to reach out to students with behavioral problems. Even with the challenges that come with the job, Sakai said she loves every second of it.

Sakai credits the success of the students at High Springs Community School to her fellow teachers and administrators who love their jobs as much as she does. “The principal helps us be all about the kids,” she said. “We all work together to make it happen, and it is a joy to come to work.”

Sakai is inspired each day by her loving husband and two sons. She added that she is also grateful to her father because “he always

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”

— ALBERT EINSTEIN

Sakai’s classroom is known as an “inclusion class,” which means there are children in her classroom with learning disabilities or those who have been designated as needing extra help to achieve their academic goals.

Sakai said that regardless of each child’s background, she always reminds her students that her class is a family and that each student has something unique and special about them.

She said the key is communicating to each student that they are equal to their peers and letting them know they are loved. “The most difficult part is figuring out how to make connections with each student,” she said. “In our family – in our classroom – mistakes are how we learn, and I try to remind them it’s OK to make mistakes.”

One of Sakai’s teaching methods is to focus on growth for each individual student, in this way she is able to meet the students where they are academically and help them continue to

taught us to help others.” Sakai also credits the great teachers she has come across in her own educational journey with her ability to manage her own classroom effectively.

During a tumultuous time in her family, Sakai took refuge in her teacher’s classroom – Ms. Curry. Ms. Curry could tell something was off, and she went above her role as an educator to provide Sakai with an ally. For Sakai, this compassion, empathy and understanding have remained the marks of a great educator.

“We don’t always know the impact we have,” Sakai said. “We just have hope.”

Each of these teachers work with students to improve their math, reading and creativity skills, but their jobs bring more meaning than just their curriculum. For them, learning is an everlasting process for children and adults alike, and it certainly doesn’t end when the class bell rings.

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34

COLUMN

DONNA BONNELL’S

Embracing Life EINSTEIN’S THEORY ON EDUCATION

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

SUMMER 2019 IS OVER.

A

ttention has turned from beaches and summer camps to backpacks and school calendars. My heartfelt gratitude for the gift of summertime adventures with my grandchildren suddenly receded like the tide.

Harsh reality surged like a giant groundswell. Their elementary school careers will end soon.

I wondered and even worried a bit. How much will they remember about our summer vacations and their early education?

Nostalgia set in and I reminisced about my own childhood. The yearning to remember and find any tangible evidence to confirm those memories was too powerful to ignore. I had to dig deep.

Aunt Rusie’s hope chest has only been opened on rare occasions. After she died it became my time capsule, somewhat sealed for future generations. Shoeboxes, filled with ancient photographs and other miscellaneous memorabilia, are stored in the antique cedar-wood trunk. The treasure chest, securely buried under blankets and pillows, was resurrected.

Other than a few report cards, the only memento I kept from grade school was a small, hardcover and green three-ring notebook. The nearly forgotten ancient assignment revived memories covered and concealed by years of retaining other matters and memoirs. My heart raced with excitement. It was an integral part of my sixth-grade experience. Ironically, its importance became relevant when it was revealed more than a half of a century later.

The year was 1965. My teacher wore a suit and tie to school every day. Mr. Lolly’s classroom was one of the first portables of that era. Overcrowded schools had already become an issue in my hot hometown of Miami. Air conditioning was only available in the library, but he never complained. He exuded impeccable character traits and was highly respected.

Our day began by quietly entering his room and listening to the announcements blaring from the public address system.

Next, everyone patriotically stood and repeated the Pledge of Allegiance. A different applicable quote was perfectly scribed on the blackboard each morning. As Mr. Lolly took attendance, we copied the daily quote into our notebooks.

Mr. Lolly’s routine included collecting the notebooks on Fridays.

In addition, we were quizzed on pertinent information we studied, which stemmed from the quotations posted that week. Quite 34 |

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remarkably, he integrated those quotes into his entire curriculum (except maybe Math). When the school year ended, Mr. Lolly recommended that we keep our notebooks. “One day,” he said, “you will read them and (maybe) remember what we studied in school.”

Somehow, I managed to keep that tattered book. When I opened its cover, a chill ran down my spine. In my best cursive writing were the wise words from Albert Einstein, “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

Regular readers of this column are well aware of my love of quotes. Quotes are my favorite way to receive and send messages.

They seem to magically manifest when I am pondering a subject for ‘Embracing Life.’ In this case, Einstein’s quote reappeared at exactly the right time. Five decades later I recognized how clever our instructor was in selecting that particular quote as the initial entry. Finding it was not an accident.

As “Grammy” to four uniquely close grandchildren, I am keenly aware of the unnecessary stress they have already experienced in elementary school. Born within weeks of each other, they are all 9 years old and just entered the fourth grade.

Thankfully, each passed the state standardized tests in third grade. If one of the four had not scored adequately on those money-motivated tests, it would have been extremely detrimental to that child. The additional peer-pressure endured to pass (NOT FAIL) was emotionally abusive.

Their teachers worked under incredibly unrealistic restraints.

Most educators care about students. Yet, are underpaid, unsupported and their life’s purpose is governed by politics.

Mr. Lolly had a freedom to truly educate. By incorporating the daily quotes into other subjects—grammar, history, reading, spelling and cursive writing, he connected the learning dots.

Because he instilled the value of schooling and the significance of the written word, his legacy remains alive.

Today’s teachers teach testing techniques. Nothing matters more than following mandates to secure funding. What will my grandchildren remember in 50 years? Will they retain anything more than test anxiety?

Einstein was a genius. Mr. Lolly, an exceptional educator.

I am thankful for my handwritten book of quotes. It would be fascinating to know how many of those quotes have appeared in my columns over the last two decades. That is a project for another day; maybe one for my grandchildren.

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PERSPECTIVE >> POWER OF EDUCATION

A LOCAL STUDENT’S POINT-OF-VIEW

The Power of Education W R I T T E N B Y L AU R E N DE L AT O R R E

When thinking about my childhood, the smell of books instantly rushes into my memory.

Any book worm knows it well – that earthy, inky smell that radiates from a good novel. As a kid, I spent countless hours awake at night, flashlight in hand, gobbling up the words of whichever Harry Potter, Magic Tree House or Percy Jackson I happened to be re-reading for the fourth time. I found myself lost in worlds beyond my wildest imagination – worlds full of heroism, adventure, love and knowledge. I explored entire universes where anything was possible, places full of strong kids who could take on whatever challenges came their way.

Of course, these escapades only lasted until my parents found me under the covers and insisted I sleep.

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I was privileged enough to be encouraged to love reading, which is not a given for many children. My mom taught me how to read and write and always made learning seem exciting.

Once I started elementary school, I never wanted to leave.

From conducting science experiments to tending gardens to writing book reports, school was an ever-fascinating and fun place to be. I signed up for aftercare and drama club just because it meant I could spend more time learning with my friends. I can still remember my absolute favorite classes — art appreciation and history — and the teachers that taught them. I zoomed through middle school and high school in what seemed like the blink of an eye, and soon enough I was holding my college admission letter.

School fostered a love for learning that will stay with me for the rest of my life. In my experience, however, education isn’t just about learning. It provides something much more valuable. This value is not tangible – knowing how to read didn’t give me a supersized brain – and it certainly hasn’t brought me any monetary benefit (I’m looking at you, college tuition). To me, education has been and always will be about empowerment.

Education gave me the power to be who I am, to express myself and to connect with the world. The ability for a kid to read books at night and dream about who they could be and what they can achieve. Education empowers

us to reach through history, through cultures and through political borders to make connections that will aid the world on its slow march of progress.

Empowerment has been at the center of my life since I coined the phrase “I do it” as a toddler. It took reflection for me to realize that the source of my empowerment, the driving force behind my dedication to social justice, advocacy and leadership was my education. Growing up, Gainesville provided me with an educational environment in which I felt empowered — something only a town that commits itself to its children can achieve. I began my educational journey in Gainesville, and I intend to finish it here, graduating in 2021 from the University of Florida. My hope is that one day, every child will be able to experience the empowerment through education that I have from this community and that in doing so, we can encourage the next generation to leave the world a little better than we left it. I believe education activist Malala Yousafzai put it best when she said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

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PUT A FORK IN IT

RECIPE WONDERS

RECIPE >> WALDORF SALAD

Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd ’s

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

WA LDOR F SA L A D

A

n “apple for the teacher” was a way of getting on the good side of your teacher back in the day. So much so, that when we think of educators we still associate a perfect red apple as their mascot.

But today we might need a little more than just an apple to impress. Perhaps a teacher appreciation brunch would be perfect—hosted by students with a delicious Waldorf Salad to compliment the menu.

This fresh-tasting salad is easy to do, but looks so “fancy” when prepared and served on a bed of spring salad greens. It has a fancy history as well. According to thekitchenproject.com, it was created in 1896 at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and it became an instant success. Interestingly, it was not created by the hotel’s chef, but rather by Oscar Tschirky, the maître d’hotel.

The history of the Waldorf Salad in my mother’s recipe books goes back to my grandmother’s day. I often wondered how my grandmother, a Midwest farmer’s wife, had such a fancy recipe at hand. However she was from an aristocratic German family, and enjoyed entertaining friends. I was told she loved her fine china and crystal pieces, and always used them on special occasions. I can imagine her coming across this recipe in one of the ladies’ magazines of the day and wanting to impress her guests with a recipe from the New York Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

The original recipe used only apples, celery and mayonnaise, however, over the years it has been expanded to include chopped walnuts, grapes or raisins, and even chicken breast, if used as a main course at brunch. The recipe in my mother’s cookbook is as follows, but you can let your own creativity guide you to make it your own.

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WALDORF SALAD RECIPE >> WALDORF SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups cored and chopped apples (peel some, but leave red skin on a few for an attractive red accent) 1 cup thinly sliced celery 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup red seedless grapes, sliced in half (or substitute 1/4 cup raisins) 6 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt Pinch of freshly ground black pepper Lettuce greens Drizzle honey on top of each individual salad if a little sweetness is desired METHOD:

Select some sweet red apples. Core and cut into slices, keeping the red skins on a few for an attractive red accent in the prepared salad. Then cut the apple slices into bite-sized chunks. Cut your lemon in half and squeeze half over the apples to keep them from turning brown. Slice the celery into thin slices, rather than big chunks. Measure 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Then prepare one cup of seedless red grapes, sliced in half (or substitute 1/4 cup of raisins) and set aside.

Now prepare the mayonnaise mixture with the salt, pepper, and one tablespoon lemon juice. Mix well. Then add all the ingredients to the mayonnaise mixture and stir well until all are coated. Chill mixture in refrigerator until serving to your guests on a bed of fresh salad greens. Drizzle honey on top of each serving, if desired.

And there you have it—a fancy salad from one of New York’s finest hotels, fit to impress your favorite educator or even family and friends. Enjoy!

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PROFILE >> PULITZER PROFESSORS

IT’S AN HONOR

Pulitzer Professors Prize-Winning Educators Continue Their Legacy of Teaching the Next Generation W R I T T E N B Y D A N A B R YA N

E

ducation is a key part of the battle. However, in order to win, you must also have application. How will you apply your education so it fosters success?

Jack E. Davis, 63, and John Kaplan, 59, are two Pulitzer Prize winners who not only used their education to attain success but now, choose to educate the next generation of leaders and winners at the University of Florida.

Jack E. Davis Davis received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for History for his book “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea.” At a young age, Davis established a lifelong, intimate relationship with the sea. He grew up on the Gulf, spending a majority of his time in or on it. When he was looking for another book to write, he saw the need for a book about the rich history of the Gulf of Mexico. “The thing is, in your typical high school or college textbook, it’s not mentioned or mentioned in passing,” he said.

The Gulf was robbed of its true identity after the summer of 2010, when the infamous explosion on the British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig occurred. The incident, commonly known as the BP Oil Spill, resulted in 11 deaths and millions of barrels of oil being leaked into the Gulf. It is recognized as one of the worst marine oil spills in United States history. Davis wanted to restore its identity with this book. His Pulitzer Prize-winning book took five to six years to write. The Pulitzer Prize brought positive national attention for the Gulf of Mexico, instead of the media only covering it as a disaster, he said.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: BERNARD BREZINSKI, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Jack E. Davis is a UF professor of history, specializing in environmental history and sustainability studies. He is the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea.”

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PROFILE >> PULITZER PROFESSORS

However, he was not always this studious and book smart.

“I was a bum,” he said. In high school, he repeatedly skipped class or days of school to go on adventures and find something more interesting to do. “Okay, not actually a bum. I just educated myself elsewhere,” he said. When he skipped school, he wouldn’t go get the trendiest T-shirt at the mall or see the latest movie at the movie theater. Instead, he would go to edifying places, like museums or on boats to go sailing. After graduating from high school, he joined the military and spent about five years in the Navy. Then, he decided he wanted to go to college.

It was not until college that he truly appreciated education.

He surprisingly loved it. “Suddenly, learning became interesting to me,” he said. His experience as an undergraduate was so fulfilling that he decided to become a professor of environmental history.

Davis was merely hoping for a review in the New York Times, in terms of success for the book, so when he won, he was astounded. He remembers the moment clearly. Davis was in his office at UF reprimanding a graduate student for his sloppy writing. He was irritated, he said, not because of the graduate student but because his phone would not stop ringing. Finally, he checked his phone figuring it might be an emergency.

“Holy sh--” he muttered. He had won a Pulitzer Prize.

Davis imagines the graduate student must have thought, “Yay, meeting over!”

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Davis had the typical, little challenges along the way when writing his book. For example, hunting down specific information, like the name of a woman who was only referred to by her husband’s last name on documents. However, he saw those little challenges as a fun time. The challenges he faced were never about motivation or intellect. He loves the chase. Every day, when he sits down to write, he writes for the reader, simplifying technical terms for a broader audience to understand.

He created loose outlines because he didn’t want restraints on what the topics were or what they could lead to. “All I want to do is write a good book,” he said.

Now, Davis is occasionally recognized by fans and has done about 101 public talks about his book. He gets asked to take pictures and signs copies of his book in bookstores. In April, Davis was one of the recipients for the 2019 Andrew Carnegie fellowship award. His life may have changed after winning a Pulitzer, but his family treats him the same. Davis remembers going home after discovering he won the award and talking to his 12-year-old daughter, Willa. The conversation went something like this:

“How was your day?” she said.

“Great, I won an award,” he said.

“Cool,” she said. “Can you help me with my vocabulary work?”

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Locally owned & operat operated 20 years experience John Kaplan Kaplan received the 1992 Pulitzer for Feature Photography for his project on the different lifestyles of 21-year-old Americans. “Passionate storytelling” is a way to describe his work, according to Kaplan.

The prize-winning project features a variety of people’s lives, from a heavy metal rock star to a poverty-stricken high school dropout to an illegal immigrant living in San Diego, who are all 21 years of age.

Twenty-one is an important age in our lives because it is the official end of our childhood and the start of our adult lives, Kaplan said. It all started with his photo of Rodney Woodson, 21, and his story that Kaplan called “Rodney’s Crime.” “[A man from] Pittsburg’s worst slum who faced a murder charge,” Kaplan said. “Woodson had been choked, robbed and beaten before shooting and killing his aggressor. The question was, could Woodson have escaped without taking another man’s life?”

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The photo is of Woodson standing away from the detectives, hands folded and eyes closed, as they uncover the gun used in the murder. On that cold November morning, Kaplan was there when Woodson turned himself in, according to Kaplan. After the gun was handed over and Woodson was locked in the back of a police car, Kaplan looked back and saw Woodson’s face of realization that his life would forever be changed.

“Rodney’s Crime” helped Kaplan win the Nikon Documentary Sabbatical Grant, which enabled him to complete the project that won him the Pulitzer Prize.

Photography snuck its way into Kaplan’s life for the first time at age 14. In his middle

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school, an empty space on a student’s schedule would be filled with either a study hall or a minicourse (a course that lasted a short period of time). It ended up that the entire yearbook club was made up of people who just happened to be assigned to study hall. He became interested, and the adviser looked at him and stated, “You’re going to be a photographer.” In his puberty-ridden, cracking voice Kaplan responded, “Me?”

“I wasn’t very good at first,” he said, “but then, something really positive happened.” Kaplan was a rebellious child. To keep him out of trouble on Saturdays, his mom would bring him to their hometown newspaper in Delaware, where she worked as the arts critic. “I didn’t know it, but collectively, my hometown paper was one of the two best places in the United States for newspaper photography,” he said.

Several of the photographers went on to work at National Geographic and three went on to win the National Newspaper Photographer of the Year award, according to Kaplan. The photographers mentored him and ultimately, inspired him to become a professor. “I want to return that favor,” he said. “I got a lot of help along the way. I wanted to give something back, and [being a professor] is by far the best job I have ever had.”

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journalism at UF. He believes we should all value education.

“It’s not just about me teaching photography,” he said. “It’s about helping students grow whatever their passions are.”

Kaplan was awarded a University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship for 2005 to 2008, named the 2006 University of Florida Educator of the Year for Senior Faculty and was named a Distinguished International Educator for his work on internationalizing the campus and curriculum. He also has been a Pulitzer Prize juror twice and was the first non-Nobel Prize winner to join the Nobel Laureates Forum Lectureship series held in China.

hroughout their journey to a Pulitzer Prize and their continuing journey after, both professors have remained humble. “I’m just happy to share my work,” Kaplan said. Davis said he is grateful for the recognition, but he looks at it as though the Gulf won the award, not him. Both believe in letting their work speak for themselves.

Neither saw themselves winning a Pulitzer Prize nor do they let it define them. “Never ever,” Davis said, did he envision this. “If somebody were to tell me I’d get a Pulitzer Prize in high school, I would’ve said ‘What’s that?’ and ‘Does it come with a car?’”

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All smiles for our The Pulitzer Prize didn’t make them a great writer or a great photographer; it only rewarded them for it. “It’s something I want, not who I am,” Kaplan said.

However, both consider education to be a crucial part of their lives. Davis’ college education was so satisfying that it inspired him to be a professor, and Kaplan said that even in his 50s he will never stop learning.

“Have an open mind,” Davis said.

“Discipline and hard work, it does payoff.”

There is no dispute that education is highly valuable. A person’s education, whether that be from formal or informal instruction, can affect the opportunities he or she is offered and how he or she affects the world. “It helps you be a person who knows that you have a shared responsibility to make this world a better place,” Kaplan said. “Education is essential in an improving world.”

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OVERVIEW >> TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

THEN & NOW

Advanced Education The Ever-Changing and Vital Role of Technology in Education W RIT TE N BY C A MERON COBB

H

ave you ever wondered what the first teaching tools were? Or how school notebooks quickly evolved into iPads? Also, what’s a hornbook? Let’s explore the past, present and future of technology and its relationship with education (but don’t worry – there won’t be a quiz at the end!).

THE THEN

Did you know that some of the earliest methods of teaching were self-directed? Children relied on exploration and play in order to learn about both themselves and the world, according to psychologytoday.com. However, simply playing didn’t teach children how to cross multiply or what the powerhouse of a cell is. So what was it that children needed to know back then?

In the beginning, learning was much more primitive in nature, with a focus on knowing how to hunt and gather. Human education focused on the surrounding plants and animals (AKA sources of food) and other aspects about their environments. People also had to be creative when it came to making tools, locating food and hunting itself.

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Example of a Hornbook used in the 1600s for education.

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OVERVIEW >> TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION 52 |

So how did we go from learning how to hunt to using scantrons for science tests?

Inventing teaching tools certainly helped, such as the hornbook.

Outside of learning how to survive, early forms of education focused on religious teachings. One of the first instruments for this was the “hornbook,” which was a single-page lesson on a wooden paddle, according to purdue. edu. During the 16th century to the late 18th century, children used hornbooks to learn how to write, including religious verses and the alphabet.

THE NOW

As more advanced beings than our ancestors and their hornbooks, today’s classrooms count on a variety of technological inventions to aid in educating students.

Let’s reflect on some of the biggest of those breakthroughs for the country’s education over the past 100 years:

The Technological Teaching Timeline 1925 Radios were first used by the New York City Board of Education allowing schools to communicate via radio stations.

1930 The overhead projector is invented.

1939 The first classroom television set is introduced to Los Angeles.

1950 The introduction of “language labs” (in-school stations for listening to audio tapes with headphones).

1959 The photocopier is invented.

1972 The handheld calculator is invented.

1972 The Scantron is invented.

1981 The first portable computer was developed by IBM (with a price tag of $1,795 and weighing a whopping 24 pounds!).

1984 The first Apple Macintosh computer is invented, with schools now having a ratio of one computer for every 92 students.

1989 The World Wide Web is invented.

Thus, welcoming the age of the internet.

1991 The first interactive whiteboard (the SMART Board) is invented.

2009 By this year, 97% of U.S. classrooms had at least one computer, with 93% of those computers having internet access.

2010 The iPad is invented.

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THE FUTURE Throughout history, it’s clear to see how technology has opened up a whole new world of possibilities, especially when it comes to education. Inventions like calculators and computers have become vital to a student’s learning process. But technology isn’t just a one-sided win, as teachers benefit as well. The invention of the scantron allowed for the automatic grading of multiple-choice tests while interactive whiteboards gave educators a virtually unlimited amount of instructional work space.

At this rate, who knows what will be next! Here are a few notable new technologies in education: • Biometrics (or technology that analyzes physical and behavioral data) has recently been used in several colleges as a way to capture information on students’ attention, according to edtechmagazine.com. By understanding the emotion of their students, teachers can use biometrics to adjust their strategies and enhance the learning environment.

“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is most important.” — BILL GATES

• Virtual classrooms provide an online learning experience, where students and teachers can communicate, collaborate and share ideas all from a digital platform. So long as all parties have access to the internet, virtual classrooms offer things like video/ audio conferencing, interactive whiteboards, digital libraries and much more, according to learncube.com.

• Augmented reality (AR) uses computer-generated sounds, images and/or text to enhance the reality one sees (it’s different from virtual reality, which totally submerses the user into an entirely computer-generated reality). Educational AR has been practiced in the medical field, enabling students to learn more about surgery, according to tophat.com.

Educational technology does have its benefits. Multiple studies have found that when technology is used in the classroom, students have better academic outcomes than those without such access, according to the article titled “Is technology good or bad for learning?” by Saro Mohammed, a psychologist and contributing writer for the Brookings Institution’s Brown Center Chalkboard. The article also mentions that the “intentional, thoughtful inclusion of technology” in school fosters a more inclusive learning environment for all, regardless of someone’s background. People from different socioeconomic statuses may or may not be able to afford the latest and greatest in technology at home, so a classroom gives everyone the same opportunities.

Think about what was common when you went to school (bet you had a far better time lugging around notebooks than hornbooks!). Now, apply that thought to the future of our youth.

As we welcome new generations, we need to keep in mind that these people will be born into a world dominated by technology – meaning the structure of education will have to adjust accordingly.

When it comes to learning, educational technology has its advantages. But as with all things in life, its use is not without risks. Too much technology can actually inhibit more than just the learning process. Humans need socialization to stay connected with the world and each other. Sure, we’ve all been guilty of a little mindless internet scrolling, but excessive technology usage may start to decrease a person’s engagement. If moderation isn’t practiced, technology can quickly turn into a “substitute for emotional regulation,” according to Mohammed’s article, “which is detrimental to physical, social, and emotional development.”

Additionally, combining technology with education can be overwhelming for adolescents (as our brains aren’t capable of multitasking while learning). Though Mohammed’s article notes that technology may not be the direct cause, the inclusion of it in the classroom is associated with a few student negatives, including hyperactivity/attention deficits, lower grades and even loneliness.

The more technology grows, the more its pros and cons are being explored. While, overall, technology can “amplify effective teaching and learning when in the hands of good teachers,” according to Mohammed’s article, it’s important to be mindful about technology’s role in education to ensure it’s helping instead of harming.

SOURCE: BROOKINGS.EDU, POVERTYACTIONLAB.ORG, PSYCHOLOGYTODAY.COM, ONLINE.PURDUE.EDU

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HIGH SCHOOL >> MAGNET PROGRAMS

DR AWING STUDENTS IN

SPECIFIC AREAS OF STUDY

Magnet Programs S T O R Y A N D P H O T OG R A P H Y B Y K A I T L I N A P P L E G AT E

In an age loaded with scholarship opportunities, endless scholastic options and increasingly competitive universities, getting a high school education is not what it used to be.

Alachua County alone has a wealth of academic routes tailored to meet the passions of different students. While educational freedom is great, navigating it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, educators from magnet programs at Buchholz, Eastside and Gainesville High School are eager to help guide parents and students in finding the best fit for each family.

“A magnet program is like going to college for something special,” said Michele Brothers, the director of the Academy of Finance at Buchholz. Magnet programs are designed to give students skills in a specific area of study or offer highly rigorous coursework to sharpen analytical skills.

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offer zoning exemptions. A student can apply to a special program at Buchholz, Eastside or Gainesville High School and attend if accepted regardless of which school the student is zoned for. While children have an equal opportunity to attend the high school of their choice, every program offers something unique.

The Academy of Finance at Buchholz High School gives students the chance to gain financial competency and a closeknit community. “It doesn’t matter if you [don’t] want to be an accountant or anything in the finance field,” Brothers said.

“You need to be able to manage your own money.” Students of the Academy of Finance learn principles from “Financial

ABOVE: Layla Ashley (left), Michele Brothers (middle) and Natalie Futch (right). Ashley serves as the President of FBLA alongside Secretary Futch. The Future Business Leaders of America is a club that virtually all Academy of Finance students participate in that helps them advance their personal and professional profiles. “It’s something that’s open for everybody,” Ashley said. “You either have a niche, or you go and find one.”

OPPOSITE: Principal Shane Andrew (far left), Assistant Principal for Student Services Dr. Anntwanique Edwards (middle-left), Assistant Principal for Curriculum Adele Turnage (middle-right) & Assistant Principal for Administration Leroy Williams (far right). As a team, “we really try to meet the need of every student,” Turnage said.

RIGHT: “I knew I was going to like it; I had no idea how much I was going to love it,” said Wendy Rosché Smith when describing her position as director for the Academy of Entrepreneurship. “I love watching the kids grow.”

Peace University” by Dave Ramsey and graduate the program with proficiency in balancing a checkbook, doing taxes, and much more.

In addition to academic excellence, the Academy of Finance offers students a safe space to navigate high school. “It’s a family,” said soon to be Academy of Finance graduate, Layla Ashley.

“We’ve become really close friends,” said fellow classmate and upcoming senior, Natalie Futch. “We’ve been able to mix education and friendships together, and it’s really nice.” Both students smiled as they talked about Brothers’ impact on their educational careers at Buchholz. “We call her Mamma B because she’s the mamma bear of our family,” Futch said. “We always have someone if we need to talk. She’s always there to help us.”

Buchholz also offers the Academy of Entrepreneurship, which gives students the freedom to pursue their passions and develop professional hard and soft skills. “Entrepreneurship is all about creativity,” said Academy Director Wendy Rosché Smith during a recent phone interview. “We have a strong bend towards the business side of it, but entrepreneurship is about more than that.

It’s about creating a future that’s going to bring you joy.”

Smith also serves as the DECA district advisor. DECA is a co-curricular international and local competition that helps students grow in professional skills. “You watch [them] go from kids who don’t want to stand up in front of a class to competing on an international stage and killing it,” Smith said. In-class knowledge paired with practical application in DECA equips students to be thriving entrepreneurs when they leave the

academy. “We teach them everything there is to know about running a business by the time they’re done,” Smith said. “There’s something that kids can learn here regardless of what they want to do, and that’s what I love.”

At Eastside High School, students will join a community of people dedicated to scholarly distinction. “The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is basically a very rigorous liberal arts program,” said Eastside’s Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Adele Turnage. “The program is designed to make students not only analytical thinkers but [also] help them grow as people.”

IB focuses on developing a student’s investigative skills through writing and presentation. “They view things from many different lenses,” Turnage said. “When they go off to college or take a gap year, they are more cognizant of the world around them. Whatever their opinions are, they really flesh them out to come to those opinions.”

Knowledge gained in the classroom meets action in IB students’ Creative Active Service (CAS) projects. “Students have to come up with a project to give back to the community, and then, they have to reflect on it,” Turnage said. CAS initiatives range from simple and caring services to enterprising and elaborate movements. In the spring of this year, a group of IB students elected to go to Guatemala. “They were helping [to] develop small businesses for some of the locals that live in the community,” Turnage said.

Service paired with academic rigor forms lasting friendships.

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(Left) Assistant Principal for Curriculum at GHS, Michael Testa. “We don’t just consider test scores when we approve students for Cambridge,” Testa said. He explained that they take into account kids who may not look great on paper, but are great in-person and show a lot of hard work and determination. “The thing I can’t say enough about Gainesville High School is how inclusive it is” Testa said. “Our students take care of each other. When you are able to help students get through their problems, that’s the gold medal.”

of study groups together [and] serve in the same clubs,” Turnage said. “Part of the program is being a part of community.”

There can be some misconceptions about the kind of people these studious students are. “A lot of people think that all IB students do is go home and do homework,” Turnage said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. They are some of our most well-rounded young people. Most of our IB students not only have the academic load, [but] they’re also involved in sports, student government, and every club imaginable. These are kids [who] want to push themselves; they want to be more than just what’s in the textbook.”

Gainesville High School’s Cambridge program is where ingenuity meets unity. Michael Testa, assistant principal for curriculum at GHS, describes Cambridge as “a program that prepares students for being able to create, innovate [and] support their points of view on any topic.” Like IB, Cambridge emphasizes analytical skills. According to Testa, students who graduate 56 |

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from the program and earn the Cambridge certificate are also automatically approved for Florida Bright Future’s Scholarship.

As kids move into the upperclassmen grades, Cambridge affords students the ability to pursue their passions. “As juniors start to figure out what they want to do, they don’t necessarily have to take courses that other students may have to take,” Testa said. “For example, a student could take double block biology, which is two periods of bio with a lab. Cambridge doesn’t limit you on what is required.”

Beyond academics, prospective students can expect to enter an inclusive community. “Our number one goal is to make sure our students are happy and healthy,” Testa said.

With a high population of students who speak English as their second, third, fourth or fifth language, GHS has become a cultural hub. “We are often referred to as the melting pot of Gainesville. We have kids from all over the town [and] I think that’s the strength of Gainesville High School,” Testa said.

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The varied community at GHS brings school unity, especially with its IB students. “A lot of our Cambridge kids just wear GHS shirts. You could have two polar opposites walking next to each and they’re best friends,” Testa said. “Walking down the hall, you won’t know who a Cambridge kid is, and we like it that way.”

While Gainesville, Eastside and Buchholz High School each offer a unique educational path, representatives from all institutions encourage parents to breathe easy, knowing that each high school offers an excellent program. “All the programs are going to teach students life skills,” Brothers said.

Turnage echoed that sentiment. “If the program is a good fit for your child, [then] it’s the right place,” she said. Testa added that every school in Alachua County is fantastic.

“I have kids in the school district right now and I would have no problem if they went to Eastside, Buchholz, Santa Fe, Newberry, Lofton or Gainesville High School,” he said.

Visiting each campus is encouraged to help kids get a sense for which school would best fit their needs. In order to understand the program, “you have to come see what we’re doing,” Smith said. Testa suggested students come and experience the different campuses. “Each school does a good job of offering a preview day or some shadowing opportunities,” he said. To sign up for a preview day or shadow opportunity, visiting each school’s website and locating the magnet program link is a good starting place.

While the application process can feel daunting, every prospective student is welcomed. “We want every child to apply [who] wants a chance,” Testa said. “There’s a big push for equity in our district, and we want to make sure that we are giving equal opportunity to every single group regardless of gender, race, [or] socioeconomic status; everybody’s equal.”

For other questions and support, parents are encouraged to get in touch with school faculty. “Please reach out to us,” Turnage said. “We would love to talk to any parents and work with them.” Emails for each faculty member interviewed in this article can be found on each school’s website under the “Faculty & Staff” banner.

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WELL-BEING >> STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH

TALK ABOUT IT

Student Stress The Importance of Mental Health in the Education System W RIT TE N BY J U LI A MITCH EM

M

ental health in an educational setting, and how stress is affecting students, has grown into a broader conversation.

Instead of thinking of mental health as being shameful, our society has begun to recognize the bravery that goes along with speaking out about this issue. In today’s world, with a multitude of things vying for our attention, such as social media, school and work, it’s important to live a balanced life. Students of all ages are facing various kinds of school-related stress.

Two local psychologists in the Gainesville area gave insight into how stress is affecting students, and how those around them can help their overall wellbeing.

Licensed psychologist Dr. Angela Koivula runs a private practice in Gainesville, Affirmative Counseling and Psychological Services, LLC. The basis of her practice is focused on meeting people wherever they are and however they identify. Her training and background are in college student mental health, LGBTQ+ and identity development.

She works with clientele from about age 16 to late adulthood. According to Koivula, stress is when the body is trying to do more than it is capable of. “I define stress as the output is greater than the input,” Koivula said.

Licensed school psychologist Dr. Alicia Scott currently works for the public school system in Alachua County. Scott works with children from pre-K to high school. According

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to Scott, stress is what results from any kind of challenge. “[It’s] the need to adapt and change to something,” Scott said.

A new requirement enacted by the Florida Commissioner of Education has children learn about what mental health is. “From my understanding, it will require five hours of education [about mental health] for all students in the state from grades six to 12,” Scott said. She explained that eventually all children grades six to 12 will have this training, including in Alachua County.

However, the kind of training may vary in different school districts. According to Scott, the new rule is an exciting step towards helping students understand what mental health is, the options they have, how to be there for their friends and how to approach an adult for help.

According to Scott, children of all different ages experience stress. She believes there has been an increase in a lot of mental health issues often related to stress, such as anxiety and depression. New research is coming out about the impact of phone use and social media — especially on adolescent’s lives. According to Scott, social media Dr. Alicia Scott has taken bullying to the next level. In her professional opinion, the bullying that takes place online is difficult to ignore, and this is especially true for girls.

On the other hand, social media has helped create a safe space for teens and young adults to have access to more resources and information, according to Koivula. However, a challenge regarding social media is that it has created added responsibility 60 |

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for parents and schools to help students navigate this influx of available information. In addition, social media can make teens and young adults feel worse because they may not see the challenges or struggles in other people’s lives and can feel isolated. “[Everyone is] presenting their best selves, which [could be] really hard for teens [and young adults] to grapple with,” Koivula said.

Koivula noted that statistics show that the amount of people suffering from anxiety and depression is increasing. However, people are also open to talking about mental health more. She explained that it is hard to determine whether statistics are truly higher, or if they’re just receiving more data because of people speaking up about mental health. According to Koivula, the stressors students are experiencing now are a lot more varied. For example, financial stress is much higher. School, especially at the college and university level, is more expensive. Students are uncertain if their education will pay off.

Parents and teachers can recognize that students are suffering from stress in the following ways. Scott recommends paying attention to changes in younger children’s sleep patterns, bed wetting, irritability, mood swings and whether the student has a lack of engagement with others. For older kids, pay attention to mood swings, withdrawal, anger and whether the individual is acting out. Some physical symptoms to look out for are headaches, stomach aches and feeling generally

tired. According to Koivula, if the student is showing atypical behavioral changes, such as becoming withdrawn, and it is inconsistent with who they are, this could be a signal that the student may need extra support. Some other things to look out for are changes in academic performance, a lack of participation in activities, increased drug and alcohol use, a decrease in the connections they have with their friends and changes in appetite.

There are also added levels of stress based on gender, class and race. “It is impossible to just look at one aspect of a person [without seeing the whole person],” Koivula said. According to Koivula, intersectionality is at the heart of creating an inclusive space where people feel safe and their most authentic selves. According to Scott, in the past couple of years more children are coming out as LGBTQ+, which results in an added level of stress. “They’re not only dealing with things that cisgender children are experiencing, but they’re also experiencing things related to their gender and sexual identities,” Scott said.

These children are much more at risk for Dr. Angela Koivula suffering from mental health issues.

Regarding class, children who come from families living in poverty are constantly experiencing stress, according to Scott.

Some examples of the sources of stress in this case include the child’s parents working multiple jobs or the added responsibility on the older siblings to help raise the younger siblings. Regarding race, Dr. Scott said that we can help by creating safe spaces to

make minority children feel a part of the community in the same way, and we can give them opportunities to help them have a fair and equal experience. “White children don’t realize it, but they come to the world with a lot of privilege,” Scott said.

A way to help students, according to Koivula, is to reach out and be willing to have a conversation with the student and to do your best to communicate patience, trust and a feeling of safety. “It may take a few times,” Koivula said. If the person is expressing suicidal thoughts, or other issues you do not feel you can handle, reach out to a professional.

“Good mental health is all about balance, variety and moderation,” Koivula said.

She recommends making sure you are sleeping eight to nine hours, exercising three to five days a week for at least 30 minutes, connecting with yourself and other people and managing your screen time.

Scott recommends, for those feeling stressed, finding people that help you feel acknowledged. “One of the most important things is for kids to understand that it’s okay to be themselves,” Scott said. “They’re not going to be perfect with everything – nobody is.” Children also need time to relax. She recommends having a conversation with the student about how they are feeling.

“As teachers and parents, [they need] to acknowledge that kids who are able to talk about it are being incredibly brave,” Scott said. “Validate the feelings that they’re having.”

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COLUMN

FARM TALES

From Mother Hen GEOGRAPHY LESSON

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

MY WORLD WAS PRETTY SMALL WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN THE 1950s.

I

t consisted of my family, my pets and farmyard animals, church, and a small circle of school friends. Rarely would our family take a trip, but when we did, we seldom left the state – let alone the country. London, Paris or Tokyo were places I only read about in books.

It never crossed my mind that I might visit these places one day or ever meet someone from a foreign country. Everything I knew about the world was gathered from what I read. I wondered what they were like, these mysterious people from other lands.

When I became a teenager, the British Invasion was arriving in America in the form of The Beatles and other rock bands. It was 1964 and I was obsessed with everything about England. I read incessantly about The Beatles and even sent away for English magazines about the London music scene. (I still have my Beatles scrapbook stored away to this day.) Never once, though, did it cross my mind that I would travel to England or meet people from other countries. That seemed almost as unlikely as meeting an astronaut or taking a trip to the moon.

Years passed, and my new husband and I moved to South Florida. This area of the country was a very diverse community at that time, as it is now, with many different cultures intermixed.

I enjoyed making friends with these new neighbors of mine, learning about their tasty food, colorful décor and upbeat music.

It was my first true lesson in geography, as I studied the map to learn where these people originated from. Cuba, Honduras,

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Puerto Rico and Argentina were just a few of the interesting places I learned about firsthand by meeting these people.

Sometime after my three chicks were older and enrolled in various grades of elementary or middle school, my husband approached me with the idea of hosting exchange students. At first, I was a little hesitant because I was already busy to the max with our three children, their extracurricular activities, plus volunteer duties I had willingly Making taken on. Room mother, bake sale crepes with coordinator, teacher’s assistant Valérie. and librarian were just a few of my volunteer titles. These, plus three sets of sports teams kept my days very full.

So, my initial reaction was, “You must be crazy!” when my husband offered up the subject of adding another young person (from a foreign land, yet) into the mix of my daily bedlam. The more we discussed it, though, it seemed very intriguing. What an opportunity to learn more about our world and the people who populate it. It also seemed to be a perfect way to teach our children about people from other countries, respecting our differences while realizing we are still very much alike.

Our home was a large historical home, built in the 1920s as a boarding house. It had been remodeled into a single-family home sometime before we bought it, and it had six bedrooms upstairs – plenty of space for an exchange student to have a room of her own. It seemed like we were destined to become host parents.

Our first guest was Sophie, from France. She came for a short summer semester, and was very focused on her studies.

Very much a prima donna, she informed me that her mother never expected her to do dishes – only to concentrate on her

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Cultural Exchange: Yuki brought kimonos from Japan for the girls, and she treasured the Space Camp T-Shirt they gave her from Cape Canaveral.

homework. Precise in everything she did, even her clothes never seemed to wrinkle after a long day out in the hot South Florida humidity. Her handwriting was a mix of cursive and printing, and pages from her notebook appeared to be straight out of a typewriter. She taught our daughters to recognize the importance of their school work, and to make it a priority.

Next was Valérie who was also from France. Valérie was pursuing a career in engineering. She was applying to a prestigious all-male engineering school in France, and was spending time in the U.S. to enhance her application. Experience with Englishspeaking countries would make her application stand out. Valérie later was accepted to that school and was the only female student in her class. She taught our chicks that women truly can do anything they set their mind to.

Valérie also taught my daughters and me

a little bit of French couture. I was shocked when she came downstairs from her room one day with a red lacy bra peeking out of her white button-down blouse (top two buttons undone to show off the bra). “Why not?” she replied in her sultry French accent.

“It’s a beautiful bra, isn’t it? Why hide it?”

Valérie went on to inform me that America is typically five or more years behind in styles that are current in France. That was back in the ‘90s, and at that time in our country bras were not commonly observed as part of our clothing ensemble. However, as the years have gone by, I see that her prediction has proven true. An added bonus was when Valérie taught us how to make authentic French Crepes. The filling can be sweet or savory, but either way they are the most delicious crepes I have ever tasted.

Yuki came to us from Japan and spent a full school year with us. When she arrived, her English was very limited and the quiet September/October 2019

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Hugs all around for Valérie and her “American sisters.”

Baking apple pies with Sophie.

demeanor of her culture made it a little challenging to break the ice. However, our busy household and outgoing children soon encouraged her to open up. She taught the chicks to make beautiful origami pieces, and she was a very talented artist drawing the Japanese caricatures we are so familiar with today.

She would draw caricatures of each of us, make handmade cards for our birthdays, and kept a beautiful scrapbook with photos and drawings to commemorate the things we did together. Yuki also taught me how to prepare Japanese recipes, and we would enjoy shopping at Asian supermarkets together to get special ingredients.

The most important thing Yuki taught me is that “life is

long” and you must not pass up an opportunity to grow. Even if it seems to be scary, you must take that first step. She shared this wisdom with me when I asked her how she made the hard decision to come to the U.S. for an entire year away from her family and friends. She was quite brave, I would say, especially at the young age of 17.

Our family hosted many other exchange students from England, Sweden and Russia to name a few. We learned interesting things from each of them, and I hope they left with a new perspective of our country from the time they spent with us.

What could be a better geography lesson than that?

It really is a small world, after all.

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BOOK REVIEW

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER’S

Reading Corner BUTTERFLIES ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

written by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Dream Chen C.2019, STERLING, $16.95, 32 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

YOUR NEW BACKPACK CAN’T HOLD ANOTHER THING.

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here are tissues in there, in case you sneeze.

Pencils, maybe some crayons for drawing. You have room for a notebook, too, and everything you’ll need to carry for your big day. And in “Butterflies on the First Day of School” by Annie Silvestro, illustrated

by Dream Chen, you might be toting something else, too.

It was the day before her first day of school and Rosie was excited. She had a new backpack and “she loved it with all her heart.” She danced around the room, pretended like she was in class, practiced making her letters on a piece of paper, and said her teacher’s name so she’d be really good at it.

But the night before her first day of school, Rosie was really nervous.

On the morning of her first day of school, Rosie didn’t feel so good. She told her mother that maybe she should stay home, but Rosie’s dad said she’d be fine.

Rosie’s mom said it, too, adding that Rosie just had butterflies in her stomach.

Rosie had never heard of such a thing but when another girl sat next to her on the way to school, Rosie was sure she saw a butterfly escape from her own mouth.

Two more fell out when she began talking to the girl.

She felt more butterflies in her stomach a little later when it became her turn to talk in class. That was okay, though: as

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soon as she told everybody who she was and what she liked to do, the class laughed and three butterflies “flitted into the air.”

That made her feel not-so-nervous anymore and for the rest of the day, she painted and played, and she felt much better by recess. She felt well enough to play tag with her new friends, until she saw another little girl beneath the playground tree.

The girl was holding both hands over her belly, and Rosie knew what that meant: someone else had butterflies in her stomach, too, and Rosie knew exactly how to get them out…

When it comes to going to school for the first time, no matter how much you prepare, you really can’t.

Somebody’s always going to be a little scared, but “Butterflies on the First Day of School” will help soothe those belly-flutters.

Author Annie Silvestro tickles at a child’s imagination with the idea of real butterflies in a little girl’s tummy, and she does it in such an appealing, matterof-fact way that even adults will be charmed. Colorful artwork by Dream Chen shows gauzy butterflies being let loose every time something good happens to little Rosie, and that imagery helps make this a gentle, happy story of literally letting go of fears and, ultimately, of finding friends to boost one’s confidence.

For 5-to-7-year-olds who are going to school for the first time, or for kids who are starting at a new school, this book is just perfect. “Butterflies on the First Day of School” carries a lot of goodness.

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COUNTY PROGRAMS >> EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION

ESE DEPARTMENT

Exceptional Student Education Alachua County’s Program for Special Students S T O R Y A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y V I C T O R I A VA R G A S

W

hen I was seven, I was pulled from class to take what I know now as an IQ test. I don’t remember much, but I do know after that test, my school schedule changed. Once a week, I would go to a small classroom with a new teacher and some students from other classes. This was my “gifted” class.

On the other hand, my brother, Vinny, was identified as having special needs as a baby. As he entered school, he already had an established plan for how he was to be taught. We were both involved in an Exceptional Student Education program, but for completely different reasons.

The ESE department was something my family was closely tied with, yet I knew very little about. I asked my mom what her experience was like having two small children only 11 months apart who both needed specialized education. I 68 |

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decided I would look into the ESE department in Alachua County to learn more about a resource that some parents may not even know exists, or how to best utilize it.

What is an ESE department?

In 1975, former President Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The law’s purpose was to ensure children with disabilities have opportunities to develop their talents, share their gifts and contribute to their communities. In 1990, it was renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The law authorizes grants to states’ education departments for special education and includes regulations for how students are taught under a program.

According to the website for Alachua County public schools, the Exceptional Student Education Department serves students under the Individuals with Disabilities

Kelli Ross, Kanapaha Middle School ESE teacher, stands at her classroom desk. As department chair of the ESE department, Ross is certified to teach ESE for all grade levels as well as math and science to middle school grades.

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Education Act to provide a free appropriate public education, help these students progress in school, access the general curriculum and prepare for a life after school. Alachua County public schools has 12 programs that students can be placed into depending on their exceptionalities. There are over 200 teachers in the district who participate in in-service training throughout the year.

Kelli Ross, department chair of the ESE department at Kanapaha Middle School, said each school in the district offers different programs. Check in with your child’s school to determine if the program he or she needs is available. Listed to the right are the programs that Alachua County public schools may offer. However, be sure to check with your school beforehand to see what specific programs they offer at their location.

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ESE Program Eligability • Speech Impairment: Disorders of speech sounds, fluency or voice that interfere with communication, adversely affect performance and/or functioning in the educational environment.

• Specific Learning Disability: A disorder in one or more of the basic learning processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest in significant difficulties affecting the ability to listen, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematics.

Associated conditions may include dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, or developmental aphasia.

• Orthopedic Impairment: A severe skeletal, muscular, or neuromuscular impairment.

• Other Health Impairments: Having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment that is due to chronic or acute health problems.

This includes asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia and acquired brain injury.

SOURCE: SBAC.EDU

COUNTY PROGRAMS >> EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION

Motivational posters line the walls in Ross’ classroom at Kanapaha Middle School. She said teaching is also about building relationships with the students and encouraging them to keep trying. This is her eighth year teaching full-time after previously being a long-term sub at the school.

• Language Impairment: Disorders of language that interfere with communication, adversely affect performance and/or functioning in the student’s typical learning environment and result in the need for exceptional student education.

• Intellectual Disability: significantly below average general intellectual and adaptive functioning existing at the same time with deficits in adaptive behavior. It is manifested during the developmental period, with significant delays in academic skills.

• Homebound or Hospitalized: A student who has a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition, which is acute or catastrophic in nature, or a chronic illness or a repeated intermittent illness due to a persisting medical problem and that confines the student to their home or a hospital and, restricting activities for an extended period of time.

• Gifted: Children and young adults whose abilities and potential for accomplishment are exceptional and for whom differentiated educational programs are necessary for development. In Florida, children who are gifted are included under exceptional students because of their special learning needs.

• Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing: Has a hearing loss permanent or fluctuating (aided or unaided) that impacts the processing of linguistic information and adversely affects the student’s performance in an educational environment.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: A range of pervasive developmental disorders that significantly affect verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction. Generally evident before age three, it adversely affects a child’s educational performance and results in the need for specially designed instruction and related services.

• Emotional/Behavioral Disability: Has persistent and consistent emotional or behavioral responses that adversely affect performance in the educational environment.

• Dual-Sensory Impairment: Has dual-sensory impairments affecting both vision and hearing. The combination of which causes a serious impairment in the ability to acquire information, communicate, or function within the environment. This includes a person who has a degenerative condition which will lead to such an impairment.

• Ages Birth to Five Years: A prekindergarten child with disabilities is a child who is below five years of age on or before Sept. 1 and has a sensory, physical, mental or emotional condition that significantly affects the attainment of normal developmental milestones.

How does it affect my child’s learning?

Students in an ESE program are given an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that is designed specifically for the student and reviewed annually with a group of people, including parents, to discuss a child’s necessary accommodations. An IEP includes information for how the child’s disability affects his or her progress in the general education curriculum, a statement of measurable annual goals (including academic and functional), how the growth will be measured, a statement of the services the child will be provided and so much more.

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COUNTY PROGRAMS >> EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION

Ross uses a color-coding system for her students depending on their grade level.

What is considered in an IEP? The strengths of the child, the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child, the results of the initial or most recent evaluation and the academic, developmental and functional needs of the child. It can also identify if a student needs extended time on tests, if a paraprofessional needs to work directly with the child, other necessary transitions as the child gets closer to graduation. Other topics can include whether or not the student needs pencil grips, Ross explained.

Who is involved in the IEP? An IEP team is also created for the student, including the parents or guardians of the child, at least one regular education teacher, at least one special education teacher and even the child, if deemed appropriate. The student is invited to attend these meetings from the beginning. Once the child turns 14, he or she usually becomes more involved in the process, Ross said.

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How do I know if my child is eligible for an ESE program? Who is responsible for recognizing a student may need assistance?

“You have to be your child’s advocate,” Ross said. She explained that most children are identified as needing assistance before they enter middle school. Although teachers and doctors are trained to recognize certain milestones and whether or not a child is reaching them, parents should feel comfortable doing their research and seek out the best resources for their child. A parent can come to their child’s school and request a screening to determine their son or daughter’s eligibility for a program. Do your research. Ask lots of questions. Talk to guidance counselors.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician.

“The more involved a parent is, the better the outcome,” Ross said. Teachers are there to help students grow. They all want your children to succeed, she explained. “We’re all on the same team.”

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Concept to Completion LIVE IN YOUR DREAM

Q

uality DesignWorks, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, was born out of Heather Stephens family legacy Quality Plumbing, now celebrating it’s 35th year in business. The daughter of Bryan and Angie Nazworth, founders and owners of Quality Plumbing, Heather knew the ins and outs of the family business having worked at the plumbing office in many roles while attending college. She focused her studies on communications and leadership development and completed her degree at the University of Florida. By this time, the Nazworth family had founded Quality DesignWorks, a home remodeling company specializing in kitchen and bath design, a niche that was realized out of requests from their plumbing customers.

Heather had an eye and talent for design so it was a natural progression, “I always had a fascination with interior design and decorating, but I didn’t go to school for that,” Heather said. Her interest in design as a career was further cultivated when she began working at Quality DesignWorks under a then lead designer with more than 20 years of experience. “She was extremely talented and challenged me to learn more about the industry of design including the different types and styles, customizations to accommodate and solve issues, and the importance of paying attention to every last detail of a project,” Heather said.

Before long Heather was co-designing but not quite ready to jump in to a lead designer role, which involved additional training. As time went on, she developed a deeper understanding of and love for the world of design. “I realized I really enjoyed the environment and loved what I was doing,” Heather said. “It also allowed me to draw on my educational background in communication and leadership, cornerstones of effective client relationships and project management.”

After making the decision to pursue a career in interior design, she earned her national certification from the National

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Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and became skilled at the software programs and tools needed to help clients create the homes of their dreams. Heather took over as lead designer at Quality DesignWorks in 2016 and the company expanded from a kitchen and bath focus, to a full service design, build and remodel company at the request of several clients who desired other projects from the team.

DESIGN + BUILD Quality DesignWorks set out to solve an issue for homeowners who wanted remodeling or construction to enhance their home and lifestyle, but also desired assistance on the design and decorating side. So many times a contractor can perform the construction aspects of a project like building, electrical, plumbing, etc., but then it’s up to the customer to envision the space and make decisions on flooring, cabinetry, lighting etc. Heather’s NKBA certification coupled with the company’s contractor license gives the consumer the best of both worlds.

They get functional beauty, exceptional project management

aims to streamline the communication process with clients having direct access to the designer, who in turn oversees all facets of the project and is accountable for communicating with the client and the team. She encourages clients to reach out with any questions and said there’s no such thing as overcommunication. “I always say every email is useless without a phone call, and every phone call is useless without a follow-up email,” she said.

LEADERSHIP As a woman in the construction industry, Heather has leaned on her background in leadership development. Those skills have translated into a top-tier team of workers who know how to execute her design plans with precision and skill. “I can design anything, but my team is charged with executing it and making it work on time and on budget,” Heather said. “This doesn’t work without them.” Every person on the Quality DesignWorks team is experienced and has a creative mindset resulting in projects that hopefully exceed a client’s expectations.

HEATHER STEPHENS, AKBD - CERTIFIED KITCHEN & BATH DESIGNER

Heather said a testament to the quality of the client relationship and craftsmanship of the team, is the amount of repeat work Quality DesignWorks gets. “Working in someone’s home or business is very personal and it’s a privilege we don’t take lightly,” Heather said. “It’s a relationship built on trust.”

and quality craftsmanship all under one roof and under the complete supervision and guidance of their lead designer and building superintendent.

THE PROCESS The first step for a potential client is to set up an initial consultation, typically at the over 3,000 square foot design showroom located off Highway 441 between Gainesville and Alachua, to discuss the scope of work, style preferences and budget. After the initial consultation, Heather and the team visit the project site, take the necessary photos and measurements, and build out a design. Clients then return to the showroom to review the design proposal in detail including seeing selections from their wide range of product displays. She said what people say they appreciate the most is that everything is handled in-house.

“We are the contractors and the entire project is managed by us,” Heather said. “Clients don’t have to drive all over town making flooring, lighting or cabinetry selections or dealing with subs.” Quality DesignWorks, as the name implies, handles all phases of a building and construction project.

CUSTOMIZATION Every project Heather and the team at Quality DesignWorks takes on is customized to the client’s individual preferences, so no two projects are the same. After listening to a client’s needs and wishes, they apply their training and talent to create a vision, plan and ultimately a reality. As a designer, Heather works to incorporate special touches like family heirlooms and interesting finds into her projects, so that each one speaks to its owner’s story. Heather said interior design is for everyone, “It’s about surrounding yourself with the things that bring you joy.”

COMMUNICATION Heather said many times issues with remodeling and construction projects are the result of poor communication between clients, contractors, subs, suppliers, etc. Quality DesignWorks

“Where Imagination & Craftsmanship Come Home.”

For more information or to set up an initial consult with Quality DesignWorks, call (352) 335-1454 or visit qualitydesignworks.com.

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COLUMN

CRYSTAL HENRY’S

Naked Salsa LEARNING MY WAY

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

I HAVE A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP WITH EDUCATION.

A

s a wee elementary-aged girl I was a model student. Beloved by my teachers and very studious, I was the first girl accepted to the gifted program at my school, Mustang of the Month four years in a row, and I accepted nothing less than an A from myself.

As I approached pre-teen status my hormones started to rage, and I tragically lost my father. My life was a blur, and my grades started to slip. I didn’t care about school anymore, and in 5th grade I got my first B. My perfection was shattered, and I lost faith in myself as a student.

I adopted the mentality that I wasn’t the “smart kid” anymore. I was the surly sass-mouthed girl with a big nose.

But my nose wasn’t the only thing rapidly growing. I was sporting a B cup before I got out of elementary school, and on my scrawny frame it was grabbing attention. In truth I hated that I’d developed early. Those sweater puppets got all the attention I used to get for being smart and more. Now it’s all the boys noticed, and as I got into junior high and high school it was how my teachers defined me as well. I got labeled as a tramp before I’d ever had my first kiss, and I abandoned the idea that I had anything to offer outside of a bouncy walk.

In high school I skated by. I remember really loving chemistry, but my teacher didn’t love me. I got in a fight with a girl who was mercilessly bullying me. And my teacher accused me of cheating on my final exam because I finished too quickly. I failed the class, and I settled firmly into the role of the “bad student.”

I retook chemistry the following year with a much nicer teacher, and I got an A. But I was already convinced that academics weren’t my thing. While other kids were picking out colleges, I was working as a waitress to try and get my own apartment. People were more likely to give me tips for my assets than a scholarship for my efforts anyway.

I got my apartment five days before I turned 18, and I enrolled in community college. I always knew I had to go to college. My mom never gave me another option. She never got to finish school because of a certain little surprise blessing that popped up in her belly during her first year in college. She and my dad never finished their degrees because they were too busy trying 76 |

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to provide for me. They were hard-working people, and my mom’s mom didn’t even finish 8th grade. So even stepping foot on a college campus was an accomplishment for my mother.

But she was determined that her kids would get an education.

I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life, and honestly I thought it was weird that people expected me to know when I wasn’t even old enough to vote, and I still had to ask for permission to go to the bathroom. So I went for the basics at community college, and slipped in a pottery class for fun.

I was surprised to find that my college professors didn’t really care about my previous reputation. They could care less if the cheerleaders liked me, and they made me feel like I might have a brain rattling around in there somewhere.

It was my first semester English literature professor that had the biggest impact on me. If we’d had some sort of torrid affair it would sound like a Lifetime Original. But everything was strictly professional. He was just a damn good teacher.

We were studying Faust, and we had to write an analysis.

It was the first school assignment I’d had in a long time that I actually cared about, because I genuinely enjoyed the story. But I was nervous to turn it in because I was used to being ripped apart for not following the rules.

I thought back to 6th grade when my language arts teacher told us to write a fiction story based on real life. I wrote a modern-day Antony and Cleopatra story set in New Jersey in the ‘90s. Antney and Cleo was not my best work to date, but I was still pretty proud of it.

However, Mrs. Warner was less than thrilled. She not only gave me an F, but she announced my misfortune to the whole class and told me to look to the mind-numbing drudgery Jerrod Wagner wrote about his baseball game for inspiration. She told me my attempts were lazy, and that not everyone is meant to be a writer. I wanted to rip my eyeballs out and fast pitch them right down her throat.

I still carried her words with me, but after I got home from my shift at the restaurant, I poured my heart into the Faust essay. I turned it in expecting full well to be ripped to shreds, but when I got my paper back there was a big beautiful A on the top. And in the side margin, my teacher wrote “Not everyone’s meant to be a writer, but you clearly were.”

I’m not sure if Mrs. Warner is still around, because I’d love to let her know the funny path my life has taken. And I’d tell her not to feel too bad. Not everyone is meant to be a teacher.

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SCHOLARSHIP >> FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

NEW FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS FOR FIRST-GEN STUDENTS

Family Legacy WRITTEN BY TRANELLE MANER

The path to higher education has been historically difficult for young-adults of color or from immigrant families.

Cost of education, housing and all things associated with the college or university experience keep many qualified young people from applying or attending schools, getting degrees and applying for jobs that will help support their life.

About 30 years ago, UF alumnus Stanley G. Tate created a foundation with the vision of providing opportunities for at-risk students in the state with a means to attend college. According to myFloridaPrepaid, Tate was instrumental in the creation and early development of the Florida Prepaid College Program and 78 |

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the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. He served as Board Chairman from 1987 to 2005.

In 2006, in recognition of Tate’s service, Governor Jeb Bush signed House Bill 263 into law, renaming the program the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program.

“For 30 years, the promise and reality of a college education have been delivered to thousands of young students through scholarships from the foundation,” said Foundation Chairman, John D. Rood. “Now, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary with this match program, we honor not just our founder’s legacy, but also the University of Florida’s mission of providing a quality higher education experience to deserving first-generation students.”

For more than 13 years, UF has helped first-generation students succeed through scholarships and programs like the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars (MFOS) program. The program works directly with first-generation students who

Currently, his dad owns a transportation and logistics company, have an annual family income of less than $40,000. The average and his mom works at a hotel in the HR department as a lead annual family income for MFOS recipients is $18,408. supervisor. While they never went to college, Sanchez always “We are pleased to partner with the Florida Prepaid College felt motivated to go and never let the cost or potential financial Foundation and very happy to help support expanding access for first-generation college students,” UF Provost Joe Glover burden sway his decision in the matter.

“Regardless of our economic situation, both my parents and said. “The Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program I saw college as good return on has provided thousands of my investment [of time and first-generation students money],” he said. Sanchez said with opportunities they might that this was because of the never have had otherwise.” high value that both he and “ We are delighted to his parents placed on higher award these First Generation education. There are some Scholarships,” said Foundation things that are innate to a Executive Director, Kevin person, such as aptitude and Thompson. “By helping stuintellectual capacity. dents who are the first in their “In my opinion, college is families to attend college, we nothing but a tool to close in can open the door to so many and further develop such aptiopportunities that set off a castudes and abilities,” Sanchez cade of life-changing benefits. said. “Higher education allows Thank you to UF for partnera person to understand his or ing with us.” her strengths and put them To celebrate the 30-year to good use.” Sanchez made a legacy and thousands of stuswitch to finance as his major dents that have been helped because he felt it suited his via this program, the Florida skills more. The OrlandoPrepaid College Foundation native was initially a biology and the University of Florida major because his family idehave joined forces to comals played a large part in him bine a million dollars to believing he should pursue a equally fund 4-year Florida medical degree.

University Plan scholarships For incoming first-gen for 30 first-gen students joinfreshman Julianna Romano, ing the Fall 2019 freshmen her consideration of a major class at the University of was based equally on passion Florida. and potential financial suc Current MFOS program cess. “I can’t ever think about recipients and incoming a career without finances freshman are very excited coming into the equation,” for the news because of the Romano said. “I chose psydifference that the program chiatry as a career to pursue can make in a person’s life. because my passion is helping Sophomore finance major people, especially with mental Orlan Sanchez is a first-genFirst-generation students Julianna Romano and Orlan Sanchez are health.” eration immigrant who has current recipients of the Machen Opportunity Scholarship. Sanchez and his family immigrated from Cuba when he was in elementary school.

Romano’s parents grew up been able to make the most here in the states but never out of his college experience got their college degrees. Her mother is currently a retail sales because of the Machen program.

“I always saw college as a necessity, not only to acquire associate at Dillard’s and her dad is out of work due to injury. Her knowledge, but also to come to terms with myself and further father went to a trade school later to get a job to support Romano identify what I want to do for the rest of my life,” Sanchez said. and her two siblings. However, her parents still emphasized the importance of her college attendance as the first in the family Sanchez’ family immigrated from Cuba when he was in to go and graduate. She said that the college she attended was elementary school. Prior to that they worked at hotel, in which her choice because she knew she wanted to go somewhere great. they held management positions in different departments.

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SCHOLARSHIP >> FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

“Higher education to me is an open door that leads to different opportunities that will help me be successful in whichever career I end up choosing,” Romano said. “[My parents] taught me to be really independent, so if I wanted to go to an expensive university over an affordable one, it would be on me to make that happen. They support me with whatever decision I

immigrant and first-generation students to help them succeed. “In my case, the University of Florida did an outstanding job compared to some of the other institutions that offered me a spot, and for that I will always be grateful,” Sanchez said. Both students understand the challenges that past and current students endured while applying for limited scholarship money.

“By helping students who are the first in their families to attend college, we can open the door to so many opportunities that set off a cascade of life-changing benefits.” make, but I feel like they believed that I was smart enough to choose the college that was the best fit for me financially.”

Due to her independence, Romano ultimately made the decision that would be the most financially feasible for her attendance.

“The final deciding factor for me to go to the University of Florida was a combination of the financial aid that was offered to me and how much I loved the school,” she said. Romano receives the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship, Teamwork USA scholarship, Eda and Cliff Scholarship and Burger King Scholarship.

Both Romano and Sanchez are impressed with how the University of Florida assists and prioritizes 80 |

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“I was really relieved that I received aid from UF since I was told from others who had applied a couple of years ago that they give out little to no aid, but they are clearly listening to people and changing that,” Romano said.

Sanchez added that this new scholarship fund was important because the university frequently uses the mantra that “every Gator counts.” By helping to level the playing field and offering to help those gators that need it the most, UF is proving that it lives by that mantra. “This is a great start to opening up the possibility for first-generation students, specifically the underrepresented, to attend the University of Florida,” Romano said. “I hope that this contributes to a more diverse population on campus.”

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EDUCATION >> TRADE & TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

IT’S JUST A SPARK

Different Routes Why Some Students are Choosing Trade School Over a University S T O R Y A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y V I C T O R I A VA R G A S

“N

othing in the world is more traditional than pursuing a trade as an occupation,” Tom Mason said. Adviser for construction and technical programs at Santa Fe College, Mason said he doesn’t agree with the use of the word nontraditional in reference to someone who decides to learn a trade. In October, VICE reported more Generation Z students are choosing trade school over a traditional university.

Schools like Santa Fe College are seeing an increased interest in its certificate programs. “Right now, I have a three-page waiting list to get in for the fall,” Mason said about the applied welding technology program. The program fills up quick with a limit of 30 students per term, he said.

Santa Fe College offers a myriad of associate and bachelor’s degrees, but also boasts over 30 certificate programs that range from chemical laboratory specialist to network security. “We’ve done a pretty good job of keeping our career and technical training programs intact,” Mason said.

HIGH DEMAND

One reason students are choosing to learn a trade over college is because of the current high demand for laborers in the country. “People are beginning to realize the value of trades again,” Mason said. In 2017, The Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk released a report that found 70% of construction firms were having a hard time filling hourly craft positions.

The demand is high, but the labor force is low.

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Jacob Winburn, 19, a student in the Santa Fe College welding program, practices a technique.

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EDUCATION >> TRADE & TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

JOB SECURITY “It’s a recession-proof job,” Mason said about welding. “They’re always in demand.” The Good Jobs Project by The Georgetown Center and JPMorgan Chase shows there are 30 million jobs for workers without bachelor’s degrees in the United States. The jobs pay an average of $55,000 a year.

COST OF COLLEGE Price for college may also be playing a factor. According to the College Board, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year schools have increased at an average rate of 3.1% beyond inflation each year in the past decade. The average in-state tuition and fee price for public four-year colleges is about three times as high in inflation-adjusted dollars as it was in 1988-89, while the median family income in the United States increased at 0.8% per year between 2008 and 2017.

CHANGE OF ENVIRONMENT Ryan Mackey, full-time faculty member who oversees the welding programs at Santa Fe, said he believes the biggest driving factor for students who are choosing something besides college is their prior experience in a classroom. A graduate of the program 15 years ago, Mackey was also working toward a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Florida. He said the program was more hands on as opposed to a classroom lecture like most of his classes in college. “It’s just an inherently active environment,” Mackey said. Students gain exposure to information they can apply daily. You get instant feedback about the things you’re developing, he said. The difference in learning styles can be a great starting point for students who previously have never enjoyed traditional classroom learning. For Mackey, he said, finishing the welding program gave him the confidence to finish his degree.

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Ryan Mackey, left, stands with student Jacob Winburn in the welding workshop at Santa Fe. Mackey is one of the instructors of the welding programs. A graduate of the program over 15 years ago, Mackey now oversees both the applied welding technology and the welding technology advanced certificate programs.

Photos (below) of prior students in the welding programs line a wall inside the classroom.

out to get some work done. They can tell you all about how hard it While pressure to attend college is still high, U.S. Census is to get a good person to do the job right. It gets the conversation Bureau reported only 30.9% of persons aged 25 and older had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to the going,” Mason said.

National Student Clearinghouse, three out of 10 high school As Generation Z students graduate high school and decide whether to go to college, attend trade school or even directly grads who go to four-year public universities haven’t earned enter the workforce, degrees within six years. both Mackey and Mason Conversely, certificate said it is never too late to programs typically last start or continue learnno more than two years. ing. “You never know Mackey said even if a when your education is student decides he or she going to end,” Mackey doesn’t like the program, said. He noted that a lot it’s still beneficial to comof veterans enter the plete. The certificate is welding program. Santa a low investment and Fe even offers scholarshort-term commitment, ships for women hoping he said. to enter the field.

Still, in 2016, the In addition to certifNational Center for icates, Santa Fe also has Education Statistics three apprenticeship reported 69.8% of stuThis sign greets whomever enters the welding workshop at Santa Fe. Safety first! programs where students who finish high school enrolled in college the following fall. Attending col- dents are paid as they learn their trade. Make sure you have time to treat it like a job, Mackey said. Students in the welding lege may still be a big expectation for Generation Z students. program are enrolled full-time for three semesters. A short-term However, taking a “nontraditional” route is growing. commitment for a lifelong skill.

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IMPACT >> LOCAL MAYORS

TEACH THE LEADER

THREE MAYORS RECOUNT THE IMPACT EDUCATION HAS HAD ON THEIR LIVES

Educating Leaders WRITTEN BY TRANELLE MANER

As the school year begins, many parents and children focus on the supplies that they’ll need to begin their new educational endeavors.

Easily forgotten are the teachers who are there to supply those students with knowledge and power throughout the entire year. Many of the leaders in our area were empowered by the very teachers that may still be around to help the next generation grow. A few of the mayors of Alachua County shared their thoughts on their most memorable teachers, or other impactful education moments, throughout their lives.

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GIB COEPER

For 45 years, Alachua Mayor Gib Coeper has been involved in his city’s school system. While he couldn’t name a particular teacher or teaching moment that is his most memorable, he emphasized the importance of good teachers as well as parents getting involved in their child’s school. Coeper said that one thing he has always enjoyed when tutoring at schools is the involvement from parents who want to help out and aid in their child’s success.

“I see it every year as a tutor — makes a huge difference,” Coeper said about his time at Alachua Elementary. “[Parents] would ask if they could do anything else to help me.”

Coeper mentioned that when being a parent of any kind, it can be difficult to focus on your life along with your children.

Coeper is a single parent and said that it is one of the hardest things he’s ever done, however, he always seeks to make sure he’s present in his children’s educational lives.

PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTIN KOZELSKY

JORDAN MARLOWE

For Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe, his most memorable and influential learning moments came early in his high school career. He said that his agriculture teacher at Newberry High School provided him with life lessons that he remembers to this day. “He was able to teach us real life skills that, as a farmer today, I still use and

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recall,” Marlowe said. Marlowe explained that it was ninth and 10th grade teacher, Andy Blackwell, who he always remembers from his school experience because of the way he transformed his classroom. He said that Blackwell used his classroom as a way to bond with the younger generation and show them that the skills they used then would come full circle later in their lives.

LAUREN POE

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe’s connection with teachers and education dates way back to before he was ever enrolled in any school system. The Poe family has a long-standing tradition of becoming educators. The mayor traced the emphasis on public service in his family back to his grandma’s teaching career in a school house in rural Colorado.

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IMPACT >> LOCAL MAYORS

Poe said that from a young age he remembers conversations about the value of education in his home, especially the importance of music in the public school system. “My parents used to say that ‘if we don’t maintain these programs that these are going to become things for the rich and no one else,’” Poe said. Both of Poe’s parents were large art program enthusiasts as they were both music instructors, his mother teaching elementary students and his father teaching at the high school and later college level.

As anticipated, his upbringing shaped the now city government official in every way possible. Not only did

when it came to studying, he had more of an interest and passion for history rather than political science and swiftly changed his major. From that point forward, Poe pursued a career in history with a goal of teaching American History to high school students.

Once graduated, in 1998 Poe began his teaching career at Fort Clarke Middle School and later Santa Fe College, where he still teaches dual enrollment classes today. Poe said that his teaching style has been impacted by his own Gainesville High School AP American History and American Government teacher, Lu La Fontaine.

“My parents used to say that ‘if we don’t maintain these programs that these are going to become things for the rich and no one else.’” he grow up playing the cello starting at age 3, but he also had a vested interested in learning and helping other people.

“I always saw myself going out into the world and joining different cultures,” Poe said. The future mayor went the extra mile to take French during his high school career because of his pull to communicate with as many citizens of the continent as possible. Poe’s love for world systems in school brought him to politics once he began pursuing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida. Surprisingly, he realized that 88 |

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Poe said that she had the amazing ability to create a positive environment for learning while also challenging students’ assumptions and beliefs. “That [debate process] has become important to how I live and interact with people in life today,” Poe said. “I find myself constantly doing things similar to her 30 years later.” He added that teachers like Lu La Fontaine emphasize the importance and value of educators. “We can’t have a great society without a great education,” he said.

Here’s to the next generation of leaders in the classroom!

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S

unState Federal Credit Union just launched their latest community impact campaign, and already our little corner of the world has completely embraced SunState Livin’. People say that SunState Livin’ means exploring hiking, biking and paddle trails. It means cookouts and cook-ins and finding the best fishing spots. But above all we’ve seen that to you, SunState Livin’ means community — local community.

This summer SSFCU chose the first winner of the SunState Livin’ Selfie Contest, and they’ve already been able to put $1,000 back into our community.

SSFCU member, Jude Bruce, posed for a thumbs-up selfie with his SunState Livin’ sticker, and SSFCU presented him with a check for $100, and a check for $1,000 to his charity of choice — Food4Kids.

We called Jude for a quick phone interview to find out a little bit more about what SunState Livin’ means to him.

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OUR TOWN: So you’re the first SunState Livin’ winner, how did you hear about the contest?

JUDE BRUCE: Well I bank there, but when I heard about the contest I popped over to the branch and put my name in the basket. Put the sticker on my car and that was it.

OT: That was easy enough. So you bank with SSFCU, but are you a Florida native?

JB: No I’m not a native. I’m originally from Maryland, but I’ve been in Florida for about 18 years, and now I settled in Old Town about 45 minutes west of Gainesville.

OT: So as a Floridian by choice rather than birth what is SunState Livin’ to you? What is it you love about Florida?

Who’s YOUR local Charity of Choice?

Each month SunState FCU is giving away $1k to charities in need in our community.

The only question, is who’s next?

Here’s how it works: 1. Pick up a SunState Livin’ sticker from your local SSFCU branch.

JUDE BRUCE POSING WITH HIS SUNSTATE LIVIN’ STICKER — HE WON $100 AND A $1,000 DONATION TO THE CHARITY OF HIS CHOICE, FOOD4KIDS.

JB: Well I love the weather — take it or leave it. I love the atmosphere, and because I have relatives all over I get to experience it all. Where I’m at we get to have winter, but down south it’s like a tropical escape.

OT: So you chose Food4Kids as your charity of choice. Why? JB: Well when I moved to this area I noticed right away that this was a need in our community. So about 13 or 14 years ago I started helping through my church, and I suggested that we do weekend survival kits for kids who might eat at school during the week, but who need food over the weekend.

Food4Kids puts a great effort into filling backpacks for kids and targeting the areas that really need it. They know where the hunger is, and they’re making an impact. Sorry...one second I’m at the grocery store.

OT: Oh no it’s fine. I just heard you apologize to the clerk for being on the phone. You don’t hear that a lot. So you’re at the grocery store?

2. Post a selfie on the SunState Livin’ Facebook page with your sticker on the back of your car, boat or RV and tag #SunStateFCU.

JB: Yeah I had that $100 and I know it’ll go a long way to help.

OT: So you’ve already asked for SSFCU to donate $1,000 to Food4Kids, but you’re actually using your own $100 prize money to buy more food?

JB: Yeah I just know it makes a difference to those kids. My parents died when I was in my early teens, so when I was in high school and early college I really could have used something like this. I took it on the chin, but now I have the opportunity to make an impact.

That’s why I like SSFCU and what they do. They’re community oriented, and they’re part of the fabric of our society.

So it’s something I’ll endorse 100%.

Jude Bruce is just the first member to help SSFCU make our community brighter through the SunState Livin’ campaign. For more information about Food4Kids visit food4kidsfl.org.

To find out how you can be a part of SunState Livin’ and choose where the next $1,000 goes, stop by your local SSFCU branch, or visit sunstatefcu.org.

Proudly serving our members and our community since 1957

352-381-5200 www.SunStateFCU.org

Each month SSFCU will donate $5 to the employee Charities of Choice program for each person who posts a SunState Livin’ Selfie.

One selfie will be chosen each month and the winner receives $100.

But the best part is… each month SSFCU will donate $1,000 directly to the winner’s personal charity of choice!

And don’t forget to follow SSFCU on Facebook to vote for your favorite Charity of the Month! For several years now, the SSFCU Facebook Charity of the Month program has donated $1,000 each month to the charities you nominate and vote for! Just another way SSFCU shows we’re better together.

352-381-5200 www.sunstatefcu.org

September/October 2019

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TRAVEL >> HALLOWEENTOWN

BOO!

Halloween Spirit The Annual Celebration of the Disney Channel Original Movie “Halloweentown” in St. Helens, Oregon W R I T T E N B Y H AY L I Z U C C O L A

“Magic is really very simple. All you have to do is want something, then let yourself have it.” — AGGIE CROMWELL

E

very October, as flecks of green begin to strip away from their leaves revealing autumn’s vibrant colors, St. Helens, Oregon, resumes its role as the magical world of Halloweentown.

Rather than build short-lived sets on a California backlot, Disney’s production crew decided to use the cozy town of St. Helens – named for its scenic overlook of Mount St. Helens in nearby Washington – to introduce audiences to a picturesque place where every day is Halloween. Brimming with bright orange gourds and filled with ghosts, goblins, werewolves and the renowned Cromwell witches, the 1998 cult classic “Halloweentown” brought a sense of wonder and enchantment that only Disney and this sleepy, little Oregon town could provide.

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To celebrate the movie’s premiere, the city held a festival in its honor complete with giveaways, a seasonal parade and an airing of the feature film in its now prominent movie theater. After experiencing a brief discontinuation of the well-received event, various organizations have taken it upon themselves to bring St. Helens back to its former “Halloweentown” glory and create the impression that the spooky suburbs never really vanished after filming ended. Beginning with the St. Helens Merchant Association, followed by the tourism council and now operated by the city itself, “The Spirit of Halloweentown,” as it’s been dubbed, has become a monthlong celebration that attracts visitors from all around the world.

When the first of October finally arrives, bringing with it the scent of auburn leaves and pumpkin-spice

everything, a slate-grey brick building defined by pops of white and a large clock tower will temporarily adorn the lettering “City Hall” to disguise its other position as the town’s courthouse, which it maintains for the other 11 months out of the year. As the sun begins to set, the movie’s iconic structure casts a shadow over the larger-than-life smiling jack o’ lantern, which illuminates the night sky. Pumpkins carve the way through the rest of the picket-fence-covered town square, leading visitors past Benny, the skeleton who still holds his place behind the driver’s seat of his cab, and the local movie theatre, which momentarily imprisoned the citizens of Halloweentown during Kalabar’s villainous attempt at overtaking the mystical universe.

Visitors dressed in costumes give the illusion of Halloweentown inhabitants and a metal archway invites everyone both creature and mortal to “The Spirit of Halloweentown.”

The only thing missing to further the nostalgic ambiance is

the presence of rather unusual shops like the Abominable Snowman’s Dessert Emporium or a colorful flying broom dealership. However, the city makes up for it by offering free and ticketed activities throughout the month like the Festival of the Fairies, a walking tour of the Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities, haunted houses, a giant Halloween parade and a Witches’ Brew Tea Party at Deer Island Manor along with other supernatural events all over town.

Even with an array of Halloween happenings, the highlight of “Spirit of Halloweentown” is the occasional visit to the city by former cast members. In recognition of the 20-year-anniversary of the film, on October 13, 2018, the entire cast participated in the crowd favorite pumpkin-lighting ceremony – making it the first time since filming wrapped that the entire cast was together again. Sophie (Emily Roeske) took the stage first to gift Kalabar (Robin Thomas) with a bright red lollipop – hopefully September/October 2019

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TRAVEL >> HALLOWEENTOWN 94 |

not the same one from 1998. The introductions continued to welcome Gwen (Judith Hoag), Dylan (Joey Zimmerman), the Pincushion Lady (Michele Mariana), Harriett (Judith M. Ford) and last but not least, Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown).

All lined up on stage, Marnie with her purple witches hat and robe; and Kalabar with his top hat and orange-lined suit, it seemed as though time had never really passed and the actors merely stayed frozen in “Halloweentown.” Of course, the absence of Debbie Reynolds, who played the lovable Grandma Aggie, was felt throughout the crowd and acknowledged by the cast. Though Reynolds passed away at the end of 2016, the Hollywood icon will always be remembered in St. Helens, which pays tribute to the late actress with a stone memorial placed right next to the enormous glowing jack o’ lantern.

Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) returned to St. Helens for the first time in 2015 and her arrival allowed the “Spirit of Halloweentown” to become a viral sensation. Today, people from all over the world flock to St. Helens every October to experience the magic of “Halloweentown” for themselves.

“I think it’s the nostalgia factor of millennials having grown up seeing it on TV all their life, every October and now they’re starting to have families of their own, and they want them to experience a feel-good, family thing,” Crystal Farnsworth, the communications officer for the City of St. Helens, said in a recent phone interview.

Though she grew up in the city during the movie’s initial run, Farnsworth and other St. Helens natives didn’t fall under the movie’s bewitching charm until later in life, if it captured their attention at all.

“I was here when they were filming it, but I don’t remember it at all,” she said with a laugh.

“What’s funny is I talk to a lot of people here that are locals that have never seen the movie or have only recently watched the movie because of how big ‘Halloweentown’ is now.”

Yet, for those who grew up with the Halloween staple, being able to visit a place once believed to be imaginary is a spellbinding rarity that somehow manages to bring back wide-eyed memories of trick-or-treating, dressing up, and truly enjoying the magical moments in life.

To find out more information about the 2019 Spirit of Halloweentown event, visit the City of St. Helen’s website at discovercolumbiacounty.com.

Happy Halloween(town)!

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

September/October 2019

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September/October 2019

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HUMANE SOCIETY >> WOOFSTOCK

A GROOVY FUNDRAISER BENEFITING SHELTER PETS

Woofstock W R I T T E N B Y H AY L I Z U CCO L A

Established in 2016, the Alachua County Humane Society’s inaugural Woofstock fundraiser melded a laidback, flower-power environment with a pivotal goal — raising enough money to make the organization a no-kill facility.

On November 7, the now renamed Humane Society of North Central Florida will transport its patrons back in time to the era of go-go boots, floral headbands and tie-dyed shirts – all without the assistance of an 88-mile-per-hour DeLorean or the scientific whims of Dr. Emmett Brown.

Following in the footsteps of a typical gala, Woofstock would provide guests with a savory dinner, musical entertainment and an array of silent auction items to raise funds for pets in need.

However, it added a psychedelic twist to the usually formal expectations of a charitable function by allowing casual attire and 96 |

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encouraging supporters to dress for the far out occasion. From bright colors and boho patterns; long, luscious locks stretching to the floor; and peace-sign emblazoned accessories, a 1960s theme instantly washes a sence of whimsy and enjoyment over any event – especially one with an already heartwarming goal of saving adorable animals. With the evening’s massive success, it’s no wonder why the non-profit decided to make Woofstock an annual fundraiser. “[Woofstock] is really for people to come out and celebrate and support our mission of ending euthanasia in our community,” PHOTOGRAPHY: SINCERELY GONE PHOTOGRAPHY

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said Margot DeConna who is the director of development with the local non-profit.

Over the past three years, Woofstock had become the humane society’s signature fundraiser and in total had raised over $100,000 toward rescuing and caring for animals who are waiting to find their forever homes.

In 2017, the humane society was able to announce that they had earned and would maintain their no-kill status. And in 2018 they made the announcement that they would join forces with Gainesville Pet Rescue and Helping Hands Pet Rescue to become one large organization now known as the Humane Society of North Central Florida. Combining the efforts of three rescues allowed the Humane Society of North

Central Florida to become the pillar of animal activism in Alachua County that they are today.

“Our programs have grown exponentially over the last four years,” DeConna said in a recent phone interview. “The success of Woofstock and also the publicity and the kind of notoriety that that event brings to our organization really has helped us grow to be able to serve a much bigger need in our region rather than just in Alachua County.”

The humane society has expanded with its rebranding and now serves 11 different counties and provides consultations on how to improve life-saving efforts in shelters across Florida and even Puerto Rico. National organizations like the Humane Society of the

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United States, the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society even call on the Gainesville-based non-profit for consultations or to assist in hurricane relief efforts and larger southeast regional issues.

“We’re very proud of that and we want our community to know that we’re seen as a model organization for animal rescue,” DeConna said.

Besides caring for the animals and funding the day-to-day operations at the shelter, money donated through Woofstock and other campaigns throughout the year go toward building improvements and expansions. In 2018, the humane society updated their spay and neuter clinic and more recently have formed the objective of renovating their vaccine and wellness clinic to provide a complete veterinary care center.

“We’re always looking at new and innovative ways that we can be creative in using our space to serve more people in our community and we know that low-cost spay and neuter and low-cost veterinary care are two really significant needs in our community,” she said.

Woofstock, which garners a sold-out attendance of 500 guests each year, provides a fun atmosphere blanketed with a heartfelt mission of saving as many furry companions as possible. With the humane society’s no-kill label, 90% of the incoming pets who make their way to the shelter can live out their days without the fear of euthanasia being used as a method for saving space.

“When we do 100 adoptions in two days, that’s 100 happy families and 100 happy pets that are no longer in a shelter, that are no longer at risk of being euthanized in some county shelter – that’s huge,” DeConna said. “For every one really sad story, there’s 1,000 other adoptions and happy homes and animals that have recovered from some medical problem or illness that I get to see every day.”

The Humane Society of North Central Florida and their rescue efforts have managed to save countless pets like Taz – a sandy-colored Shih Tzu who arrived at the humane society back in 2017 after the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma, but managed to find his forever home with Kim and Tina Coffee – or Murdock – a 10-year-old blind, nearly deaf black cat who found companionship with Faith Stewart. Whether they are young and spry or need a little more TLC, the humane society does everything they can to provide shelter pets with a family who will love them unconditionally.

The fourth annual Woofstock fundraiser will be held on November 7 at Santa Fe River Ranch from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased starting September 1 for $75 each or two for $125. To find out more information on this year’s event or the humane society and their mission, visit their website: humanesocietyncfl.org.

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

September/October 2019

PHOTOGRAPHY: KRISTIN KOZELSKY

in

Our Town

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU CELEBRATE KIND WORDS… The purpose of this special section is to build community, appreciation and hope. In the following pages you’ll find words of encouragement. These are testimonials from local people sharing what they love about the people and places that support our community and need your support.

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

SHARE THE LOVE

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My boyfriend and I had a wonderful dinner here. Probably our new, favorite place to eat out.

The food was very delicious and they gave great proportions.

They actually had some of the best sushi I’ve had since being in Gainesville. My boyfriend loved his steak — very juicy, no fat, cooked perfectly and the meat really felt like it just fell apart in your mouth. It was that delicious! Very fast service when we went. Will definitely be back. — POLLY HWU One other thing: I love the staff. They are so friendly and helpful. If you haven’t tried dining at Ballyhoo, you won’t be disappointed. — THOMAS PERNICE “The seabass dish was the best I ever had! The taste was delicious, a very thick cut and the presentation was beyond reproach!” — KEN B. 100 |

SHARE THE LOVE

“This place is fantastic. The service was great and they went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience, especially our server, Trey. The food was perfect and all 6 of us were extremely happy. They even paid special attention to my toddler and brought him extra crayons and things to keep him occupied.

Definitely will be back!” — TARYN COOPER

“Awesome place to go after the game.

Great variety! Must try the Bananas Foster! Great experience and dessert!”

— NORMAN C.

Ballyhoo Grill

Serving Gainesville since 1998 3700 Newberry Rd | 352-373-0059

ballyhoogrill.com SHARE THE LOVE

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

Best insurance agent I have ever dealt with!”

— JOEL BLUMENTHAL

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

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

shopping for deals online,

— CHUNGLING YAN

Schneider and Associates

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

schneider-insurance.com 102 |

SHARE THE LOVE

“I can’t say enough great things about FloMotion Fitness. Flo has completely changed my outlook on exercise and reaching personal goals. Even in group classes, Flo offers personalized coaching to all her clients, helping them to progress based on their individualized need. From someone who definitely suffered from “gymtimidation” and dreaded exercise altogether, I am now eager to work out and hate missing classes. The family atmosphere and personalized approach to FloMotion Fitness is one you won’t find anywhere else!” — ALLISON D.

FloMotion Fitness

It’s Never Too Late To Reinvent Yourself 15315 NW US Hwy 441, Alachua | 352-222-7078

flomotionfitness.com SHARE THE LOVE

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“Excellent service, very professional, explained everything beforehand; afterwards Jake explained what he found and what I should expect at the next visit. So glad someone recommended Dayton Heating and Air to me. I rate this company 10 of 10” — CHRIS N.

“I recommend Jacob and Dayton Heating and Air to anyone who is looking for professionalism coupled with a fair cost. I was so pleasantly surprised after dealing with other companies who don’t call you back, overcharge and don’t understand customer service. My experience with Jacob and Dayton Heating and Air has been exemplary.” — PAMELA P.

Dayton Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC Affordable Service, Repair and Installation CAC1819132 | 352-317-2132

daytonheatandair.com 104 |

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“I have taken my pets to Haile for many years. The staff is what makes this place so great. The vets are caring and compassionate.

The techs and front desk staff are always friendly; and everyone treats my pets and me like family.”

— LORIE W.

“I took my puppy for the first time and they were so friendly and amazing!! They all took the time to explain the best care for my pet!! A+ to this awesome place.” — CAROLINE S.

Haile Plantation Animal Clinic

Compassionate — Trustworthy — Committed 5231 SW 91st Dr, Gainesville | 352-562-7716

haileanimalclinic.com SHARE THE LOVE

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Great pizza! Friendly staff. Outdoor dining area.

— E. CARABALLOSO

“Best pizza in Gainesville. Great place for a slice or a whole pie. They also sell take and bake pizzas. The food is amazing!” — T. O’STEEN “This is definitely my go to place not only for pizza but for the best pasta in town. I have tried them all, and I cannot pick only one as my favorite. They make their dishes fresh and to order, their portions are more than enough, and their prices are the best in town. You cannot go wrong with I Love New York pizza.” — T. RICKS

I Love New York Pizza

“We Toss Them. They’re Awesome.”

Haile Market Square - 2645 SW 91st St.

352-333-6185 | ilnyp.com 106 |

SHARE THE LOVE

“I have rented steam cleaners and thought our carpet came out nice and clean in the past but I had never had it professionally cleaned.

WOW, what a difference! The carpet looks like and feels like new again. It is fluff y and soft and looks really white again. I can’t believe the difference it made and for a very good price.”

— MAT T D.

The Best Restoration

Masters of Disasters 7230 W. University Ave. | 352-505-3321

thebestrestoration.com SHARE THE LOVE

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“Dr. Webb will treat you like family.”

— ROD S.

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

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

Gentle Dental Care

From Our Family to Your Family 3655 SW 2nd Avenue | 352-378-2555

GainesvilleDentist.com 108 |

SHARE THE LOVE

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

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

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

— HIMANSHU V.

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

Bangkok Square

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

bangkoksquarefl.com SHARE THE LOVE

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“Great food, a lot of great choices. Mojo pork tacos excellent, the plantains in it are an awesome touch. You can never go wrong with the Tuscan sandwich.”

— JORGE G.

“Fantastic menu. Red fish over grits is a spicy explosion of flavor. Filet mac & cheese is creamy goodness to die for. Exceptional local draft list. Craft cocktails too. Quick, competent service. Highly impressed!”

— CRAIG D.

“The fun place for pre game meeting other Gators. The drinks and food is great and bar tenders & waitress are very friendly a accommodating. Just lots of fun for everyone.” — GUY T.

The Social at Midtown

Premier upscale sports restaurant and rooftop bar 1728 W University Ave. | 352-373-7383

thesocialgnv.com 110 |

SHARE THE LOVE

I just got back from a visit at Gainesville DPC Physicians. It was a fantastic experience. The blood draw was as painless as I have ever experienced (thanks

Megan). The people are very friendly, courteous and caring. It was so nice not to be rushed through a system, but rather to be listened to I would highly recommend! — CHRIS JET TÉ

“There aren’t words to describe the blessing that this practice is to me and my family. Dr. Cotter is so personal and kind, compassionate, prompt, and just brilliant. I

would recommend either of these fabulous doctors for your family’s primary care.” — JOY SALYERS Gainesville Direct Primary Care Physicians You’re our patient. We’re your doctors. It’s that simple.

13577 NW 2nd Lane, Ste 20, Newberry | 352-204-0120

GainesvilleDPCMD.com SHARE THE LOVE

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“We have always had a fantastic meal and excellent service at this wonderful restaurant in High Springs. The outdoor dining is very nice. The music is just right, kept at a level that allows conversation. The perfect spot after enjoying the “great outdoors” in this area.

I look forward to returning soon!”

— KATHY B.

“Wonderful atmosphere and great service makes this one of my favorite restaurants. And of course the food is always amazing! The Ginne is probably the best hamburger I’ve ever had and I love the blue cheese chips!” — JONATHAN M.

The Great Outdoors

Open at 11:00am Tuesday through Sunday 65 N Main St, High Springs | 386-454-1288

greatoutdoorsdining.com 112 |

SHARE THE LOVE

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

Keep up the great work!” — SANDY S.

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

Great staff, very friendly. LOVE THIS PLACE!”

— TAMARA B.

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

The Liquor & Wine Shoppe

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

facebook.com/LiquorShoppes SHARE THE LOVE

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“Thank you for giving the rich texture of the world back to me, Dr. Swamy. When I mentioned to my GP that I felt

some age-related hearing loss, he said Dr. Swamy was the audiologist his patients were always happy with. At the complimentary first appointment, after the testing, Dr. Swamy asked if I’d like to try a set of hearing aids set to compensate for what I had indeed lost. He calibrated them, inserted them, fired them up--and I burst into tears. The loss had been so gradual that I hadn’t realized the depth and the details of the sound symphony of our everyday world I’d been missing.” — DEBORA GREGER

Clear Sound Audiology

Hear now, Hear always 2240 NW 40th Ter., Suite C | 352-505-6766

clearsoundaudiology.com 114 |

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

— J. CUCCHIARA

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

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

Copper Monkey West

Your wait is over — our legendary burgers are back!

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

mycoppermonkey.com SHARE THE LOVE

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“I went to Kirsikka with a couple ideas in mind for an engagement ring and was so happy to talk with the shop owner - Alexis about different possibilities. In the end he made a customized ring especially tailored for my (now) fiancée and she absolutely loved it!” — JESSE A. “Kirsikka Jewelry is the kind of boutique business that makes living in Gainesville a positive experience.

The service, attention to detail, and expertise that I have consistently received here makes it worth the trip.” — PHILIP A. Kirsikka Jewelry

Jewelry Beyond The Seven Seas 5750 SW 75th Ct, #48 | 352-353-6968

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

— CORDI C.

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

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

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

— EMILY B.

Eden Michele Salon

An Aveda-Exclusive Salon 1215 NW 14th Ave, Gainesville | 352-888-7528

edenmichelesalon.com SHARE THE LOVE

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

Nature’s Pet Day Spa

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

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“Barre works so much more that I realized it would. A smaller group setting, motivating music, encouraging instructors, and seeing results is worth coming back for! You leave feeling amazing and can tackle your day!” — DIANA KENDRICK “Everyone at the studio really wants you to grow and be successful, at whatever rate you may be growing. This is a very rare attitude to find at typical workout studios. I truly feel that staff is invested in my growth and are always supporting me to push myself.” — LYDIA PACIOT TI

AUXO Fitness

Empower Your Body 4994 NW 39th Ave, Suite D | 352-727-7800

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“We were paired with the best full time nanny EVER a couple of years ago who is now part of our family!

Unlike other nanny services, they take the worry and work out of finding a reputable, trustworthy nanny.

Twinkle Toes is very professional and always willing to help in a bind. They are also very responsive

and easy to communicate with either via email or telephone. I have never had any issues with their services or employees. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of childcare!” - Kathryn S.

“I’ve been a nanny for Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency for over three years now. Kristy Bickmeyer has always been kind and considerate with all the nannies. Especially after I had my daughter who was born with a cleft lip and palate. She never ever said or did anything other than support my family. She always gave me any requested days off when my daughter needed multiple surgeries. She took the time to get to know my family. This company is an amazing place to work. I have even used their services myself. I can’t say enough great things about Kristy and this amazing company that I am lucky to be a part of.” — BARBIE R. 120 |

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“We are so lucky to have such a trustworthy nanny agency in Gainesville! Kristy is such a kind-hearted person who clearly cares about the families, the nannies she hires and our overall Gainesville community!”

— NICOLE B.

“The best part is that after a long day at work, I can come home and spend quality time as a family without having to worry about the kid’s laundry or cleaning their rooms because the nanny takes care of that too!” — KATIE D.

Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency

You deserve peace of mind and your child deserves a Twinkle Toes™ Nanny!

5230 SW 91st Dr C, Gainesville | 352-538-2012

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

— TAMRA B.

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

Montini Orthodontics

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

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“Awesome local credit union. They have great staff and the locations are really convenient. I use the online banking to transfer money and the ATM very frequently to deposit my pay checks.

Highly recommend supporting your local credit union!

Way better than those big banks and all those fees!”

— COLEEN T.

SunState Federal Credit Union

Serving Members & Community Since 1957 Gainesville | Alachua | Jonesville | Lake City | Chiefland

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“At the Einstein school children are taught empathy and acceptance, while their individuality is encouraged. Our child could not be in a better place.” — LORI S. “The Einstein School, while we’ve only been there a short time, has literally saved my son. I was told that he couldn’t read, I was told that he couldn’t learn, I was told that he couldn’t talk well enough for his SPED teacher to understand him, so she made him point. The Einstein School has brought out the best in him and shown that he can do all of these things. All he needed was someone to listen to him and understand that he learned differently — someone who believed in him and cared about him.

Thank you so much Einstein School!” — JEMMA D.

The Einstein School

Where Children Learn How To Read 5910 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville | 352-335-4321

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

wouldn’t use anyone else!

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

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

“I highly recommend them for move outs, seasonal cleaning, or prior to renting/listing a property. On time, professional, trustworthy — phenomenal results!”

— CHRIS B.

Carpet Systems Plus

Love Your Floors Again!

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

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“Adrienne takes amazing photos! She is patient with kids and fun to work with.

She’s photographed our family many times and I usually have trouble deciding which photos I like the best because they are all wonderful.” — K.B.

Adrienne Fletcher Photography Weddings. Portraits. Life.

352-514-7277

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PHOTO BY JIMMY HO PHOTO BY JIMMY HO

“I can truly say that I was blown away from check in all the way to check out. My room (Isadora) was magnificent, included a jacuzzi and an office area. Stayed 4 nights this past week, and I’ll be coming back to spend a night next week.

This is my go to place to stay in Gainesville!” — SUSAN S. Sweetwater Branch Inn

An Oasis in Downtown Gainesville!

625 E University Ave | 352-373-6760

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

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

— KELLYE G.

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

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

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

Little Pine Pediatrics

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

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The End. Or is it really just the beginning?

Now it’s up to you to say something nice or share a positive experience.

We encourage you to take a moment and tell us what you love about these or other local businesses. Words matter – and what we say can have a meaningful impact.

Share The Love by posting on our Facebook page and telling us more about the people and places you LOVE. Love on!

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

in

Our Town

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

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

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

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

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

SunState Community Foundation, Inc.

SPONSORSHIP L EVEL S AVAIL ABL E 1,000 CHARITY OF THE MONTH SPONSOR

$

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500 RANDOM CHARITY SPONSOR

$

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

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

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

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

• Mentioned in the Charity of the Month page in Our Town Magazine.

• Mentioned in the Charity of the Month page in Our Town Magazine.

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

September/October 2019

300 NOMINATOR SPONSOR

$

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

• Mentioned in the Charity of the Month page in Our Town Magazine.

100 RANDOM VOTER SPONSOR

$

• Recognized on the Charity of the Month Facebook Contest page.

• Mentioned in the Charity of the Month page in Our Town Magazine

MOST RECENT WINNING ORGANIZATIONS 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”

Newberry High School Volleyball JUNE 2019 WINNER The winner of the June Charity of the Month is Newberry High School volleyball. They will receive $1,000. Shannon Miller will win $300 for nominating them. The random charity is Southern Scholarship Foundation, they will receive $500. The random voter Troy Townsend will get $100.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS >> CHARITY OF THE MONTH

CH A RIT Y OF THE MONTH WINNER S

Oak View Middle School Cheer JULY 2019 WINNER The winner of the July Charity of the Month is OVMS Cheer.

They will receive $1,000.

Shelby Blackwell will win $300 for nominating them.

The random charity is Second Chance Rescue & Rehoming, they will receive $500. The random voter Robin Varone will get $100.

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

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

352-372-5468

FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

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

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

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

Maple Street Biscuit Co.

Tioga Town Center: 140 SW 128th Street, Newberry 352-363-6060 Monday - Saturday 7:00am – 2:00pm (closed Sundays) Butler Plaza: 3904 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville 352-872-5670 Monday - Friday 7:00am – 2:00pm Saturday 7:00am – 3:00pm (closed Sundays)

maplestreetbiscuits.com COMFORT FOOD WITH A MODERN TWIST — Our menu consists of a number of unique creations, made with all natural ingredients, which have been featured on the Food Network and USA Today. Our menu items, including buttermilk biscuits, waffles, smoky mountain mac n’ cheese, field to fork salads, fried green tomotatoes and more, are cooked from scratch daily with love. Try our delicious, fresh-squeezed orange juice or our locally-roasted coffee with your meal. Stop by one of our community stores today to experience our gracious service.

Gator’s Dockside

3842 W Newberry Rd #1A, Gainesville, FL 32607 Sunday - Thursday: 11am - Midnight Friday - Saturday: 11am - 1am

352-338-4445 gatorsdockside.com Family-friendly — Gator’s Dockside is a sports-themed restaurant that offers a fun atmosphere for the entire family! We’re known for our big screen TVs, great food, and friendly service. Our signature wings are flavored with our tasty wing sauces that have made us famous, especially our award-winning Scooter sauce. We use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients in all our menu selections, including burgers, hearty sandwiches, made-from-scratch ribs, entree salads, and desserts. We also have some of the best meal deals in town, like all-you-can-eat boneless wings on Wednesdays from 5-11pm. Tuesday night is Kids’ Night — kids eat Free with any adult meal purchase. Enjoy 2-for-1 on select house wine, cold beer and liquors all day, everyday. We can’t wait to see you at Gator’s!

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Crafty Bastards

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

352-872-5970 www.thecraftybastards.com Restaurant - Pub — Crafty Bastards Restaurant is located in NW Magnolia Parke.

Open daily at 11am. We offer great lunch specials M-F 11am-4pm, including 1/2lb Angus grilled burgers and juicy chicken handhelds, fresh fries, salads, soups and more. Check out our Happy Hour M-F 11am-7pm. Looking for fun in the evenings?

Check out Trivia Tuesdays, Karaoke Wednesdays and Live Entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Crafty Bastards is also a great place to enjoy your sports on large screen TV’s. Private Party Room for office or birthday parties available. Come see why Crafty Bastards is NW Gainesville’s Best Kept Secret! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!

El Toro

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

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

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.

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

352-372-5468

FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

Dave’s New York Deli

Two Locations - Open 7 Days Tioga Town Center 12921 SW 1st Road, Newberry, FL Haile Plantation Area – 5750 SW 75th Court, Gainesville, FL

352-333-0291 Tioga 352-363-6061 Pk Ln DavesNYDeli.com North East Flavors — Dave’s NY Deli has been delivering the flavors of New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia to the Gainesville area since 2009. Owner Dave Anders says “We are very excited about the addition of our new location in Park Lane Plaza near Haile Plantation. Now it’s even easier for you to enjoy our authentic Philly Cheesesteaks, NY Style Pastrami and Corned Beef, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, NY Kettle Boiled Bagels, Nova Salmon, Paninis, Wraps, Cubans, Hot & Cold Subs, Kids Menu and much more.” Come see us soon for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner at either of our two locations.

Open 7 Days a week.

The Social at Midtown 1728 W. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL Monday-Sunday 11:00am – 2:00am

352-373-7383 www.thesocialgnv.com Upscale restaurant and rooftop bar — Hidden among the college bars of the midtown area, The Social at Midtown provides an unique, upscale, and affordable dining and late-night experience for the diverse and ever evolving population of Gainesville. Whether you are in search of high end spirits and craft cocktails or one of the 37 beers on tap the Social at Midtown will undoubtedly bring you back for the next big game with its fantastic menu and over 60 Large LED TVs. Check out our web page to see our weekly specials and plan your next Happy Hour with $4 Local Craft Pints!

Pepperoni’s

19975 NW 244 Street, High Springs (located in Mills Plaza) Mon -Thurs 11:00am — 9:00pm • Fri & Sat 11:00am — 10:00pm Sunday 11:00am — 9:00pm

386-454-3858 Pizzeria — Since its establishment in 2000, Pepperoni’s Pizzeria has been serving up some of the best pizzas, calzones, entrees, wings and salads in town using Grande brand premium mozzarella and other top ingredients. We also have great lunch specials starting at only $5.49. All of our specialty pizzas are loaded with toppings.

Pepperoni’s is locally owned and operated and is proud to serve the High Springs Community and surrounding areas. We are located on U.S. Highway 441.

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Bangkok Square

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

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

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza

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

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

www.piesanostogo.com Pizza, Pints & Pies — Piesanos is a locally owed and operated restaurant that is proud to use only the finest ingredients available, including Grande brand premium mozzarella. We are a full service dine in restaurant with an attached take out center and also offer catering. Our dough is made fresh daily and all of our pizzas are baked directly on the stone in our unique Granite Stone Fired Pizza Oven. We offer a great variety of Specialty pizzas, such as our Pizza Antico-(ultra thin crust- Fresh Mozzarella, mini cup & char pepperoni & fresh basil) Specialty Pastas, Calzones, Fresh soups and salads, classic italian entrees, and a great selection of craft beer. We also offer a gluten free menu. For full menu please visit PIESANOSTOGO.COM.

Adam’s Rib Co.

2109 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32609 1515 SW 13th Street Gainesville, Florida 32608 Monday-Saturday 7:00am – 9:00pm Closed Sunday

352-373-8882 NW 352-727-4005 SW AdamsRibCo.com BBQ — Celebrating our 10 year Anniversary. Looking for the best BBQ in Gainesville?

Then look no further than Adam’s Rib Co. Adam’s is North Florida’s Premier Barbecue restaurant, serving North Florida’s finest bbq spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, 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 our scrumptious banana pudding and 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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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL

352-372-5468

FOR RATES AND INFORMATION.

Copper Monkey West

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

352-363-6338 mycoppermonkey.com Restaurant & Pub — Now serving Breakfast on Saturdays & Sundays 8:30am - 10:45am. 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.

Big Island Bowls

5402 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32605 (Located in Greenery Square next to CYM coffee) Open 7 Days from 8:00am – 8:00pm

352-397-1358 bigislandbowls.com Hawaiian Barbecue — Inspired by the owner’s life in Hawaii and travels around the world, Big Island Bowls is a special space where all those tastes and experiences are shared with the Gainesville community. Big Island Bowls was born from their passion to make eating healthy: fast, easy and delicious! Using the finest ingredients and fresh local produce, there is so much exciting variety within the menu, including over 20 (NEW) dishes to dazzle your tastebuds — everything from Fresh Poke Bowls, Sushi Burritos, Acai Bowls, Organic Smoothies, Vegan Bowls, Hawaiian BBQ, Buddha Bowls and Sandwich Wraps. Serving the local community by creating food that nourishes both body and soul sustains a belief that Health & Happiness go hand in hand.

Harvest Thyme Café

Magnolia Parke - 4780 NW 39th Ave, Suite 1, Gainesville Monday-Friday 8am-3pm Sunday 9am-3pm 352-519-5344 Downtown Alachua - 14816 Main Street, Alachua Monday-Friday 10am-3pm 386-588-3188

www.harvesthymecafe.com Cafe — Harvest Thyme Cafe now has two locations! We are open for lunch in downtown Alachua, and open for breakfast and lunch in northwest Gainesville! Serving our homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, fresh fruit, pasta salad and more! We also offer yummy vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options to satisfy every dietary preference. Check out our catering menu online, it’s the simple, easy and fresh solution that you’ve been looking for! We’re ready to serve you delicious, healthy and fresh food! Come visit us at either of our two locations!

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FOODFestival

T H U R S D AY, O C T 2 4 T H 5-9 PM AT

CELEBRATION POINTE

ENJOY FOOD F R O M 5 0 + R E STAU R A N TS AND MORE!

FREE ADMISSION

$2 FOOD TICKETS

DOWNLOAD THE GCM APP FOR FREE TICKET P R E - P U R C H A S E AT

GCMFoodFest.com

Beer and Wine Available

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

75 YEARS

est. 1 9 4 4

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COMMU NIT Y C A LENDA R

S eptember / O ctober 2 0 1 9

Fieldwork Fails: A Live Storytelling Event Thursday, September 26

GAINESVILLE GARDEN CLUB: AGED TO PERFECTION

Thursday, September 5 from 5 - 8pm 1350 NW 75th St.

WRITERS ALLIANCE OF GAINESVILLE

Sunday, September 8 from 2:30 - 4pm Millhopper Library, 3145 NW 43rd St.

GAINESVILLE - G ainesville Garden Club is embarking on 95 years of service to the Gainesville community! Enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and sweets plus a silent auction of repurposed vintage home and garden floral items! Proceeds will benefit the Therapeutic Horticulture Program at Wilmot Botanical Gardens. No charge, donations kindly accepted. Call or email to RSVP. 352-331-0426 or ggcfl.org@gmail.com

GAINESVILLE - Dillon K. Kalkhurst, author and successful entrepreneur with 20 years in the corporate world, passes along writing tips as he shares his experiences. His talk “Getting Off the Corporate Ladder and Digging in the Trenches” includes why he wrote his book ‘Generation Everyone! A Guide to Generational Harmony’, what publishing path he chose, his marketing strategies and more. writersalliance.org

BRAZILFEST

Tuesday, September 10 from 7 - 9pm Abundant Grace, 12505 NW 39th Ave.

Saturday, September 7 from 6 - 11pm Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St.

GAINESVILLE - C elebrate Brazilian Independence Day with three incredible acts: Sander Pinheiro, Maca Reggae Samba, and Allied Capoeira. With special guests: Kenneth Metzker, Hermogenes Araujo, and more! These musicians will combine to showcase a variety of Brazilian music including influences from jazz, forro, bossa nova, samba and reggae. Brazilian food, vendors and art make this an immersive experience showcasing the talents of the Brazilian community in our area. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., show starts at 6:00 p.m. heartwoodsoundstage.com 138 |

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ULTIMATE DATE NIGHT

GAINESVILLE - H ave you ever tried to describe marriage to a single person? You can’t. It’s a mystery and it’s called the Wonder of Love.

The Ultimate Date Night Wonder of Love Tour with Jay and Laura Laffoon is a 90-minute comedic look at this thing called Love.

Using their unique blend of music, comedy and Biblical truth the Laffoons reveal 6 different ways to grow love in your marriage!

Couples will walk away with a renewed love for their spouse and practical tools to continue building the love in their relationship. jayandlaura.com

AWANA KICKOFF

Wednesday, September 11 at 5pm First Baptist Church, 20112 N US HWY 441

HIGH SPRINGS - Parents and children are invited to the annual Awana Kickoff. Meet the teachers and volunteers that make Awana the great program that it is. Awana is an international evangelical Christian nonprofit organization founded in 1950. The stated mission of Awana is to help “reach kids, equip leaders and change the world for God.” 386-454-1505

CARSON SPRINGS WILD ADVENTURES OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, September 14 from 10am - 4pm 8528 E. County Road 225

GAINESVILLE - R oam through the park and see over 27 rare and endangered species. Over 100 animals in large natural habitats. Big Cat feeding demonstrations. Warthog races and cheetah speed demonstrations. carsonspringswildlife.org

PREACHER LAWSON

Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm & 9pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - S ince exploding onto the scene as a Top 5 finalist on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” Preacher Lawson has been serving up his unique flavor of deliciously goofy, contagiously energetic comedy at clubs,

colleges, and theatres nationwide. With sidesplitting physicality and a mountain of charm, Lawson mines the space created by topics that divide us, unearths comedy gold, and in doing so, reminds us that laughter is the bridge back to one another. This performance may contain some adult content. performingarts.ufl.edu

GREEN DOT: FADING OUT VIOLENCE EXPO

Friday, September 20 from 9am - 2pm Bo Diddley Plaza

GAINESVILLE - J oin the 2019 Green Dot Fading Out Violence Expo and help send a clear message that all forms of violence are unacceptable in our community. Partnering with barbers and stylists across the community to take a stand against violence by sharing the Green Dot message that we must “end violence here”. A message to every customer that sits in their chairs. Be a part of a community-wide effort to change the culture of violence in your sphere of influence. bodiddleyplaza.com

ETIENNE CHARLES: CREOLE SOUL

Friday, September 20 at 7pm & 9pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - E tienne Charles brings everything he has to the stage with thrilling compositions and palpable charisma. Building on his Trinidadian heritage, Charles is rewriting jazz by blending myriad rhythms from the French, Spanish, English, and Dutch-speaking Caribbean and defying easy musical categorization. NPR’s “All Things Considered” calls Etienne “a great young trumpeter” whose “records filter calypso, reggae and other Afro-Caribbean music into a modern jazz conception.” performingarts.ufl.edu

HISTORIC BIKE TOUR

Sunday, September 22 from 2pm - 4pm Florida Museum, 3215 Hull Road

GAINESVILLE - E xperience the University of Florida from a completely different perspective on this FREE tour exploring archaeological sites and historic features that make the campus unique. Led by the Florida Public Archaeology Network, the tour includes information about the Native Americans who lived and thrived in this area for thousands of years, long before UF existed, before Victorian houses and railroad depots were built, and prior to when the Seminole and Spanish wrangled cattle on the Prairie. Helmets and water bottles strongly recommended. If rain is forecasted the ride will be rescheduled. BYOB-Bring Your Own Bikes! floridamuseum.ufl.edu

Palimony (EP Release)

Saturday, Sept. 28 from 7 - 10pm Heatwood Soundstage, 619 South Main St. GAINESVILLE - Palimony is a new band with members hailing from some of Gainesville’s best and most beloved bands including Wax Wings, Thin Skins and Jordan Burchel and the Jorblets, just to name a few. Beautiful melodies accompanied by deftly orchestrated arrangements including guitar, trumpet, violin, keyboards & drums. Scott Kauffmann mused, “It’s Southern shoe-gaze, and it’s absolutely fantastic.” heartwoodsoundstage.com

SARAH CHANG

Sunday, September 22 at 7:30pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - Recognized as one of the foremost violinists of our time, Chang made her New York Philharmonic debut at the age of 8 and has continued to impress audiences worldwide. Chang will be accompanied by longtime collaborator and touring partner Julio Elizalde. The gifted American pianist is one of the most multifaceted artists of his generation. performingarts.ufl.edu

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX

Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - To usher in the upcoming 2020s, Postmodern Jukebox will travel the globe in 2019 on their Welcome to the Twenties 2.0 Tour! These YouTube sensations serve up energetic and soulful reworkings of classic pop and rock songs. With a stellar backing band and a mind-bogglingly talented roster of vocalists, this group knows how to turn a performance into a party. performingarts.ufl.edu

FIELDWORK FAILS: A LIVE STORYTELLING EVENT

Thursday, September 26 from 6pm - 9pm Florida Museum, 3215 Hull Road

GAINESVILLE - In partnership with Guts & Glory GNV comes an evening of live first-person storytelling. Hear personal and true stories told by real scientists! The theme, #FieldworkFail, is based off of the trending social media hashtag turned book about the reality and randomness of scientific fieldwork. Science is never perfect, but like these stories, it can be unpredictable, hilarious and fun! floridamuseum.ufl.edu

SOUTHERN MELODIES: UF WIND SYMPHONY & SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT

Thursday, September 26 at 7:30pm University Auditorium, 333 Newell Dr.

GAINESVILLE - E njoy an evening of incredible music featuring the talented musicians of the UF School of Music! This performance is free and open to the public! You can learn more about upcoming events at arts.ufl.edu.

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MONK AT NITE PRESENTS: GRANT PEEPLES

DONALD MARTIN “SANCTUARY” ART EXHIBIT

GAINESVILLE - A self-described “tree-hugger that watches NASCAR, and Buddhist with a gun below the seat,” Grant Peeples is known for his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads. He is the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence, which cited the “humor, compassion and wisdom of his songs,” and their “unflinching social insight and cultural acuity.” heartwoodsoundstage.com

GAINESVILLE - A visual arts exhibit from Master printmaker Donald Martin. sfcollege.edu/galleries

Friday, September 27 from 8 - 11pm Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St.

CYPRESS & GROVE OKTOBERFEST

Saturday, September 28 from 1pm - 10pm Cypress & Grove, 1001 NW 4th St.

GAINESVILLE - E njoy an Oktoberfest celebration! New beer releases, Masskrugstemmen (stein holding competition!), and a keg toss!

Live music and good food will be there, too! cypressandgrove.com

A MUSICAL EVENING WITH BÁRBARA PADILLA

Sunday, September 29 from 4pm - 6:30pm Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - T his is a Santa Fe College Master Artist Series event. Vibrant classical crossover soprano Bárbara Padilla dazzles audiences with her powerful, transcendent voice and turns timeless songs into enchanting adventures that ignite the imagination, exhibit her extraordinary operatic technique and make joyful hearts dance.

Celebrated globally as “America’s Angel,” her vocal performances resonate with the healing energy of music. sfcollege.edu/calendar

ALPIN HONG

October 2 & 3 at 7:30pm Squitieri Studio Theatre, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - A lpin Hong brings a contagious level of imagination and excitement to the room, especially when he’s sitting at a piano. His combination of stunning technique, emotional range, and rare humor never fails to inspire standing ovations. Inspired by Alpin’s passion for pushing boundaries, we will be presenting his piano mastery with a brand new setup. performingarts.ufl.edu

WINDS AND CLASSICS

Thursday, October 3 from 7:30 - 9:30pm Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - S anta Fe Winds Orchestra concert under the direction of Steve Bingham. Free with a valid SF ID. sfcollege.edu/galleries 140 |

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September through October 4 Santa Fe Gallery, 3000 NW 83rd St.

HAILE VILLAGE CENTER OKTOBERFEST

Friday, October 4 from 5pm - 10pm Haile Village Center

GAINESVILLE - J oin the annual Oktoberfest celebration! There will be food trucks, bounce houses and much more! hvcoa.com

YING QUARTET

Sunday, October 6 at 2pm University Auditorium, 333 Newell Dr.

GAINESVILLE - F or nearly three decades, the Grammy-winning Ying Quartet has been gifting listeners fearless, imaginative chamber music, firmly establishing itself as an ensemble of the highest caliber. This group’s belief that concert music can also be a meaningful part of everyday life has brought the foursome to perform in settings as diverse as the workplace, schools, juvenile prisons, and the White House. performingarts.ufl.edu

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT

Sunday, October 6 from 7pm - 9pm Florida Museum, 3215 Hull Road

GAINESVILLE - J oin the Florida Museum in celebration of renowned naturalist Alexander von Humboldt’s 250th birthday! This FREE event features a talk by best-selling author Andrea Wulf and a special performance by the Gainesville Master Chorale. Enjoy the sounds of the Gainesville Master Chorale as they set the stage for your voyage of adventure and discovery with the author. Wulf’s beautifully illustrated presentation will bring the extraordinary figure of Alexander von Humboldt to life and reveal his incredible contributions to our understanding of the world today. This event is free and open to the public. floridamuseum.ufl.edu

GARE ST. LAZARE IRELAND

October 10 & 11 at 7:30pm Squitieri Studio Theatre, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - I rish actor Conor Lovett is truly in a league of his own, which is fitting for someone who performs all by himself on a barebones stage. Absent any artifice, the audience is left to behold the bold, emotional weight he brings to these transformational and

transcendent interpretations. Gare St Lazare Ireland will present two of their finest adaptations: Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” (Friday) and “The Samuel Beckett Trilogy (Thursday).” performingarts.ufl.edu

BUTTERFLYFEST PLANT SALE

October 11 - 13 from 10am - 5pm Florida Museum, 3215 Hull Road

GAINESVILLE - B utterflyFest features a large three-day plant sale with more than 150 species of difficult-to-find and butterfly-friendly plants.

Learn how to attract butterflies to your home 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 ButterflyFest. For more information and a list of available plants, visit the Plant Sales page or call 352-846-2000. floridamuseum.ufl.edu

BLACK LABEL MOVEMENT

Friday, October 11 at 7:30pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - B lack Label Movement’s style is big, bold, and athletic but still intellectually and emotionally engaging. The company is on a mission to create wildly physical, naturally virtuosic movement art that examines the human condition and inspires lives. Founded by Carl Fink, a longtime soccer player, BLM views movement as a fundamental language through which we understand and know the world. As their motto goes, “Move more, understand more.” performingarts.ufl.edu

PLANT SALE & ORCHID SHOW

October 12 & 13 from 9am to 5pm Kanapaha Botnical Gardens

GAINESVILLE - E ach October, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens holds an Open House & Fall Plant Sale, in conjunction with the Gainesville Orchid Society, inviting visitors to see the facility free of charge. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens formally opened to the public in October of 1986 and the Open House is a means of celebrating their ‘birthday.’ In addition to viewing the botanical gardens, approximately 50 booths will be set up selling a wide variety of plants. The American Orchid Society will have their annual American Orchid Society’s judged show that will coincide with the Fall Plant Sale and will take place inside Kanapaha’s entrance building. Bring cash because most vendors do not accept credit cards. Pets are not allowed at these festivals. kanapaha.org

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Fall Parade of Homes October 12-13 & 19-20 ™

GAINESVILLE - S ince 1958, the Parade of Homes™ has featured over 2000 brand new homes in over 300 neighborhoods throughout Alachua County. The Parade showcases the latest in home design and décor with the most up-to-date energy-saving construction techniques and the newest in land development. This event is hosted by the Builders Association of North Central Florida and is held annually in the spring and fall.

Each Parade Home is a collective effort of numerous people who combine their talents and resources to show the public the newest ideas in the housing industry. Builders, developers, subcontractors, lenders, suppliers, designers, and many others have put their best foot forward to present the best our industry has to offer. bancf.com

14TH ANNUAL BUTTERFLYFEST

Saturday, October 12 from 10am - 4pm Florida Museum, 3215 Hull Road

GAINESVILLE - B utterflyFest is an annual festival to celebrate backyard wildlife with an emphasis on pollinators! From native butterfly releases, live animals, workshops and plant sales to vendors, entertainment and food, all activities are funfor-all-ages! floridamuseum.ufl.edu

VOICES RISING COMMUNITY CHORUS CONCERT

Sunday, October 13 at 3pm & 7pm First United Methodist Church, 419 NE 1st St

GAINESVILLE - T he Fall Concert of Voices Rising Community Chorus, an intergenerational chorus with over 100 members, will be at First United Methodist Church, 419 NE 1st Street.

Suggested donation is $10 to $20. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation. For more information visit www.vrccgainesville.org.

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TOM PETTY WEEKEND @ HEARTWOOD SOUNDSTAGE

October 17 - 19 Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St.

GAINESVILLE - F EATURING: The Bayjacks with Tom Leadon of Mudcrutch, Southern Accents, the acclaimed Tom Petty tribute band from Nashville, The Mudpies with Danny Roberts of Mudcrutch and Mike Boulware, and over 25 more bands! Authors Paul Zollo and Bob Kealing, Storytellers, TPN Official headquarters for Tom Petty’s birthday weekend festivities, TPN vendor booth! And much more! heartwoodsoundstage.com

UNNECESSARY FARCE

Thursday, October 17 from 7:30 - 10pm Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - U nnecessary Farce is an award-winning stage comedy by Paul Slade Smith that combines all the elements of classic farce with a contemporary American plot. Directed by Russell Schultz. sfcollege.edu/calendar

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FALL SALE

Wednesday, October 19-23 Friends of the Library, 430 N Main St.

GAINESVILLE - G reat bargains on thousands of items in more than 60 categories. Shop for books (all genres), comics, manga, artwork, posters, vinyl records, sheet music, games, CDs, and much more. Also check out the Collector’s Corner stocked with a selection of first edition, signed, and rare books, artwork, maps, and other collectibles. Cash or checks only. Bring your own bags or boxes. folacld.org

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

Saturday, October 19 at 2pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - A childhood classic brought to life! Innovative black light staging and fanciful puppetry bring the magic of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and other Eric Carle favorites to the stage in a fresh, new way. Children will

D A N C E A L I V E N AT I O N A L B A L L E T P R E S E N T S

CURTIS M. PHILLIPS CENTER MAINS TAGE

OCTOBER 24th & 25th at 7:30PM Drama, intrigue, love and infiidellitty – th his is the stor y of Russian beauty Anna Karen ninaa. Baased d on Tolstoy’s magnificent noveel, it exp plores a weellspring of fam mily dynamicss, social issu ues,, and changging times. With stunningg sett dessiggn

by Mih hai Ciupe and striking pro ojeectio ons

by Houston Wells, Kim Tuttle’s An nna Karrenina is not to be misssed.

Sponsored in part by the UF Provost’s office and UFPA.

performingarts.ufl.edu 352-392-2787 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL

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Tom Petty Birthday Bash Saturday - Sunday, October 19 & 20

Depot Park, 874 SE 4th Street GAINESVILLE - The Tom Petty Birthday Bash is a free music festival celebrating the life and legacy of Gainesville’s hometown hero through music, art and community engagement to share his music for generations to come. Celebrating on the weekend of Tom Petty’s birthday, this one-of-a-kind music festival showcases top-notch local and national bands.

Music and love flows throughout the weekend and your attendance benefits the UF Health Shands Arts In Medicine program. tompettybirthdaybash.com

delight in following Carle’s famous caterpillar on his transformative journey into becoming a butterfly, complete with bright scenery and vibrant foods. This whimsical, colorful feast for the imagination will satisfy children of all ages! performingarts.ufl.edu

MAXIM LANDO, PIANO

Saturday, October 19 at 7:30pm Squitieri Studio Theatre, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - Still in his teens, this pianist brings a riveting clarity to the keys. Maxim Lando was only 14 when he had his first taste of national attention, sharing the stage at Carnegie Hall with two of his heroes, Lang Lang and Chick Corea. Since then, Mr. Lando’s talent has been recognized with numerous honors, including First Prize at the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. performingarts.ufl.edu

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: UNTAMED

Tuesday, October 22 at 7:30pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - F ilmmaker Filipe DeAndrade credits animals with saving his life. In return, he has made it his mission to preserve the wild spaces where they live. This UF graduate and incredibly entertaining star of Nat Geo WILD’s Untamed gives his unfiltered look at what it’s like to come face-to-face with wild animals, survive extreme environments, and make unexpected discoveries. performingarts.ufl.edu 144 |

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GCM FOOD FEST

Thursday, October 24 from 5:30 - 9pm Celebration Pointe, NW corner of I75 & Archer Rd.

DISCOVER! DAVINCI & HALLOWEEN DELIGHTS

Friday, October 25 from 7:30 - 9:30pm Santa Fe Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - C ome enjoy great food from over 40 of Gainesville’s best restaurants all in one location. Live music and entertainment. Fun for the whole family! Visit GCMfoodfest.com for more information.

GAINESVILLE - T he Gainesville Orchestra presents: Discovery! DaVinci and Halloween delights. Leonardo daVinci’s influence in music, art and science continues 500 years later. Tickets at box office 352-395-4181. sfcollege.edu/finearts

ANNA KARENINA

SANTA FE COLLEGE FALL JOB FAIR

October 24 & 25 at 7:30pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - Dance Alive National Ballet presents Anna Karenina. Drama, intrigue, love and infidelity – this is the story of Russian beauty Anna Karenina. Based on Tolstoy’s magnificent novel, it explores a wellspring of family dynamics, social issues, and changing times.

With stunning set design by Mihai Ciupe and striking projections by Houston Wells, Kim Tuttle’s Anna Karenina is not to be missed. performingarts.ufl.edu

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL

Friday, October 25 from 6 - 8pm First Baptist Church, 20112 N US HWY 441

HIGH SPRINGS - F amily, Food, and Fun! Join the First Baptist Church of High Springs for their annual Fall Festival. Bounce houses, games, food trucks, ice cream, popcorn, and more. There is something for the whole family. 386-454-1505

Wednesday, October 30 from 9am - 12pm Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - Local employers will be at the job fair collecting resumes over the event.

Attendees to the job fair should make sure their resumes and cover letters are up to date, have their 30-second “elevator speech” ready, dress for success and make sure to follow up with employers you connect with. For additional information, contact James Schindler at james. schindler@sfcollege.edu or call 352-395-5822. sfcollege.edu/calendar

MOZART GROUP

Wednesday, October 30 at 7:30pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - Get ready to laugh! Who says classical music can’t be funny? Despite the formality of great concert halls, this group of four world-class instrumentalists regularly moves its audiences to laughter and standing ovations.

Save the Date ... for the FIRST EVER

Breast Cancer Benefitting

Research & Programs

October

18 2019

7-10:30 pm September/October 2019

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One part classical music, one part stand-up comedy, MozART group has created a unique, worldwide cabaret where the music provides the humor. Wildly entertaining and fun for the whole family, this is an energetic performance like no other. performingarts.ufl.edu

25TH ANNUAL BOO AT THE ZOO

Thursday, October 31 from 3 - 7:30pm Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - T he students and staff transform the zoo into a spooky but safe trick or treating event for the whole family. Admission to the event is one canned good per person. Cans collected help two charities, Gainesville Harvest and Catholic Charities. Bring a camera so you don’t miss out on a great photo opportunity! sfcollege.edu/zoo

TIOGA TOWN CENTER TRICK-OR-TREATING

Thursday, October 31 from 7pm - 9pm Tioga Town Center, 133 SW 130th way

NEWBERRY - Head over to Tioga Town Center on Halloween Night for some fun trick-or-treating around the Town Center! The fun begins at 7 pm! tiogatowncenter.com

THE FEST 18

November 1 - 3 Downtown Venues

GAINESVILLE - T he Fest is an independent multiple-day, multiple-venue music festival held annually in Gainesville. Established in 2002 with only 60 bands, four stages and two days, The Fest has experienced a massive growth rate. The 2019 lineup includes over 300 bands, pro wrestlers and comedians including Jawbreaker, Less Than Jake, Against Me!, Jawbox, Stiff Little Fingers, Torche and many more! thefestfl.com

SAMMY MILLER & THE CONGREGATION

Friday, November 1 at 7pm & 9pm Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd.

GAINESVILLE - S a m m y M i l l e r a n d t h e Congregation play “joyful jazz”—high-energy, feel-good music with a dash of stand up comedy.

Their style entertains, enriches, and, most of all, uplifts. Formed by drummer, singer, and bandleader, Sammy Miller, this group is on a mission to put generosity back into jazz and bring art back to the people. Community-minded and committed to letting audience members feel like they’re participants in the music rather than passive witnesses, people always leave these performances feeling better than when they arrived. performingarts.ufl.edu 146 |

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MOZART REQUIEM

Sunday, November 3 from 4 - 5:30pm Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE 1st St.

GAINESVILLE - Join Dance Alive National Ballet for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church’s All Saint’s Day Concert. The concert features the Holy Trinity Choir and Chamber Orchestra along with guest artist. Reception following the event. visitgainesville.com

RUN WITH THE COPS

Thursday, November 7 from 9am - 12pm Santa Fe College Track, 3000 NW 83rd St.

GAINESVILLE - “Run With The Cops” will be a morning of fun and fitness that supports those in our area with special needs. Participants can run, walk or roll along the track with law enforcement officers from area agencies. Get an up-close look at police and fire rescue vehicles, learn important safety tips and meet and interact with the members of law enforcement who protect and serve our community. sfcollege.edu/calendar

HUMANE SOCIETY OF NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA’S WOOFSTOCK 2019

Thursday, November 7 from 6 - 10pm Santa Fe River Ranch, 9220 NW 122nd St.

ALACHUA - T his year you’re invited to their signature fundraising event, the 4th annual Woofstock, at a new venue! Get groovy with live music, delicious food and drinks, and a live and silent auction — all to benefit the Humane Society of North Central Florida’s mission to end the needless euthanasia of companion animals in our community. Presented by Fine, Farkash and Parlapiano. woofstock2019.com

RECURRING EVENTS CONTRA DANCE

First Sundays & Third Saturdays Thelma A. Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Ave

GAINESVILLE - C ontra dancing is energetic, social dancing that’s fun for everyone (all ages are welcome) and no partner is necessary. The music is live. Dances are taught, walked through, and called. No experience or special dress is required. Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes. godsdance.org

HIGH SPRINGS MUSIC IN THE PARK & CONCERT SERIES

Third Sundays from 2pm - 4pm James Paul Park, Downtown High Springs

HIGH SPRINGS - B ringing exceptional artists to the Downtown High Springs! Events are free and open to the public. Bring your lawn

chairs, blankets, etc. Dogs permitted on a leash. Artist details and more information at highspringsmusicinthepark.com

GAINESVILLE MUSIC ASSOCIATION PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM & WORKSHOP

First Mondays from 6:30 – 7:30pm Aurora Downtown, 109 SE 4th Ave

GAINESVILLE - Join your music community for a workshop on a carefully developed aspect of different areas of the music business. These events begin with a presentation and workshop on a thoughtfully researched topic that our organization thinks will genuinely help our music community. gainesvillemusicassociation.com

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE

Mondays 6:45 – 9pm 1624 NW 5th Avenue

GAINESVILLE - T his is the kind of dancing which began in the 16th century and is still being written and danced today around the world. All dances are taught, walked through and called.

No partner, experience, or special dress required.

Dance to jigs, reels, and beautiful waltz music by Hoggetowne Fancy. bit.ly/EnglishCountry

FUN WITH FLOWERS

Third Tuesdays at 10am Gainesville Garden Club, 1350 NW 75th St

GAINESVILLE - H ands-on floral design program includes lecture, demonstration and materials.

Coffee social at 9:30 am. RSVP requested rsvp. ggcfl@gmail.com or www.ggcfl.org

MARY’S HIGH TEA AT SWEETWATER BRANCH INN

Third Tuesdays from 3pm - 5pm Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave.

GAINESVILLE - Traditionally served on a 3 tiered stand, includes Sweetwater Branch’s savory and sweet treats paired with your choice of teas and coffees. Please call for reservations 352-3736760. sweetwaterinn.com

UNION STREET FARMERS MARKET

Wednesdays from 4pm – 7pm Bo Diddley Plaza

GAINESVILLE - B ring a bag and pick up some locally-grown and produced vegetables, meat and dairy to take home for your kitchen. There’s also food trucks and live entertainment — all in a family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy downtown and support local producers, musicians and artisans while sharing some quality time with your neighbors. unionstreetfarmersmkt.com

Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano presents THE 4 TH ANNU AL BENEF IT EVENT FOR THE

HUM ANE SOC IETY OF NORTH CEN TRA L FLO RIDA

November 7, 2019

Get your tickets today !

Thursday, November 7th, 2019 | 6 PM – 10 PM nd St, Alachua 122 NW 20 292 ch, Ran r Rive Fe SantA THANK YOU TO OUR EARLY SPONSORS!

For sponsorship information and further details, please call Margot DeConna at 352-415-2460.

woofstock2019.com

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CHAYAVEDA WELLNESS

Second Wednesdays Fairfield Inn & Suites, 3877 SW 37th Blvd.

GAINESVILLE - Y oga, Refreshments, Raffles and Wellness Workshop. Come for part or all, by donation. Have a great time while up leveling your health, meeting others and building a community to share our intention of connecting to a larger purpose and participating in our vision of bringing wellness and self empowerment to our community and those in need. 352-358-5005 info@chayaveda.com

TAI CHI & GENTLE MOTION

Thursdays at 9:30am 2205 NW 40th Terrace

GAINESVILLE - T ai Chi and Gentle Motions classes for seniors on Thursdays at 9:30 am (Tai Chi) and 10:30 am (Gentle Motions) at Crown Pointe Senior Healthcare Center in Gainesville.

Contact Paul Gebhart at 352-379-6124 for info.

HIGH SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

Thursdays from 12 noon – 4pm First Saturday each month from 9am – 1pm 115 NE Railroad Avenue

HIGH SPRINGS - F lorida grown fruit, vegetables, dairy & meats as well as honey, handmade treats and more. The Farmers Market is produced by The City of High Springs. farmersmarket.highsprings.com

THIRD THURSDAY ON MAIN

Third Thursdays from 5 – 9pm Downtown Main Street

ALACHUA - T his is the perfect event to get your “pre-weekend” on! Alachua’s Downtown area comes alive with the sound of music, unique dining, shopping, craft vendors, and so much more! This event is sponsored by the City of Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency. cityofalachua.com

NIGHT IN THE GARDEN

Third Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:30pm Green House Nursery, 15207 W Newberry Rd

NEWBERRY - Bring your friends and meet some new ones! Come on out and enjoy a live local band and a stroll through the picturesque gardens. Enjoy fun and games, food trucks, music and more! tghnfl.com

DOWNTOWN DRAG

First & Third Fridays from 11pm - 1am Maude’s Cafe, Downtown

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in downtown Gainesville. Bring your friends, your dollar bills, and your cellphones to come insta our queens and show the world what a great time you had!!! Get there early, grab a cocktail, and get the best seat! All proceeds go to performers! fb.com/DowntownDrag

HIGH SPRINGS FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT

First Fridays from 5pm - 8pm Downtown

HIGH SPRINGS - J oin the fun in lovely downtown High Springs. Local merchants will offer special sales, a raffle and more. Family fun for all ages. facebook.com/HighSpringsDowntownMerchants

PLAYWRIGHTS FORUM

First Fridays from 8 - 10pm First Magnitude Brewing, 1220 SE Veitch St.

GAINESVILLE - In an effort to serve local playwrights better, Y-Not Theatre is starting a new local playwrights forum. It is chance to share questions, concerns, updates and information.

If you consider yourself a playwright then join the first gathering on February 2nd. Free and open to the public. fb.com/ynottheatre

ARTWALK GAINESVILLE

Last Fridays from 7pm - 10pm Downtown

GAINESVILLE - A rtwalk Gainesville is a free self-guided tour that combines exciting visual art, live performance, and events in downtown Gainesville with many local galleries, eateries and businesses participating. Artwalk is an exciting, fun way to experience the amazing wealth of creativity the Gainesville community has to offer.​​ Free and open to the public. artwalkgainesville.com

GFAA GALLERY ART EXHIBIT

Last Fridays from 7pm - 10pm GFAA Gallery, 1314 S. Main St.

GAINESVILLE - T he GFAA Gallery presents members original art work for home, apartment or office. Monthly themes with opening exhibits at Artwalk and displayed throughout the month. Support your community artists and bring pleasure to your surroundings. Gallery open Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-6pm. gainesvillefinearts.org.

ALACHUA FARMERS MARKET

Saturdays from 8:30am – 12pm 5920 NW 13th Street

GAINESVILLE - Don’t forget to bring shopping bags, your grocery list, and plenty of small bills.

The market prides itself on being a grower’s only market – meaning the vendors selling produce,

plants, and other products must have grown the items themselves. The event space is located in an open air pavilion with additional outdoor booths protected by shade cloth. 441market.com

HAILE FARMERS MARKET

Saturdays from 8:30am – 12pm Haile Plantation Village

GAINESVILLE - T ake a stroll down the tree-lined streets of the Haile Village Center to browse for groceries, prepared food, and handmade gifts, then continue on for more shopping or brunching at the Village Center’s locally-owned shops and restaurants. hailefarmersmarket.com

JAZZ ON THE GREEN

Second Saturdays from 7pm - 9pm Celebration Pointe

GAINESVILLE - R elax with live jazz while enjoying food, drinks, lawn games and more. In addition to Celebration Pointe’s restaurants, MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company, Kilwins Gainesville, Decadent A Dessert And Coffee Bar – Gainesville, Florida and Miller’s Ale House – Gainesville, food options also include local food trucks. celebrationpointe.com

HOLLOW OAKS CORN MAZE

Weekends Sept. 27 - October 27 18005 NW 190th Ave

HIGH SPRINGS - Come enjoy a day or evening at the all new Hollow Oaks Corn Maze located off 441 between Alachua and High Springs.

Activities include a 7-acre corn maze, hayride and photo opportunities. The hayride will be haunted after dark. The children’s area includes a “mini” corn maze, pumpkin bowling, bean bag toss, a hay slide and more. Family fun for all ages! www.hollowoakscornmaze.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @hollowoakscornmaze

SUGAR CAMP RANCH FALL FESTIVAL

Weekends Sept. 28 - Nov. 23 387 SW Cumorah Hill St.

FORT WHITE - F eaturing Spookley the Square Pumpkin© and his friends! sugarcampranch.com

SEND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS TO: 4 4 00 N W 36 T H A V E ., G A I N E S V I L L E , F L 32606 or E V E N T S @ T O W E R P U B L I C A T I O N S . C O M Submissions will be published based on space available in the magazine. Recurring monthly/bi-monthly events must be free & open to the public. Paid events must be open to the public. Unique events that occur regularly such as classes, seminars and networking events will be published at our discretion. Religious organizations may post events only if the event promotes the arts, or is a fundraiser where 100% of the proceeds go to another, non-religious, non-profit organization. Events that are political in nature may not be approved.

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Enjoy Great Music, Food, Rides and Fun!!

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On Main Street in Historic Downtown City of Alachua • Minutes from Gainesville • Exit 399 on I -75

Enjoy a wonderful Sunday afternoon with the family while strolling along Historic Downtown Main Street in Alachua, lined with lovely Victorian Homes.

Savor delicious food while listening to local musicians & chatting with friends, neighbors, gracious shopkeepers and unique vendors! #AMSFEST19 We look forward to seeing you there!!

Proud Supporter of the Alachua Business League and the Main Street Festivals

The Hogtown Slayers will be headlining on North Stage!

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The City of Alachua, Boone Equipment, Waste Pro, Alachua Printing, Vystar Credit Union, CBS4/ NBC9, and Better Beginnings

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If you would like to be a vendor in the AMS Harvest Festival go to www.alachuabusiness.com. Registration deadline is October 11th unless spaces are filled earlier.

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150

BAND REVIEW

BRIAN “KRASH” KRUGER’S

Gate Crashing ON DECK FOR REVIEW: P*SS TEST, THUNDERCLAP, NO MORE, RADON

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: FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2019 VENUE: THE CIVIC MEDIA CENTER

G

reetings, live music aficionados! This issue finds us at the Civic Media Center, for a “birthday bash” benefit for Punk Bird, a fanzine anonymously published by one (or more?) eponymous person(s), to quote her/their facebook page “about my punk rock life here in Gainesville [expletive] Florida,” which publication was celebrating its first birthday.

Thus, without even going any further than that, it was already pretty doggone awesome. And in addition to the venue’s general do-gooder cred, since the last time I was there, they installed a bigger stage and a house PA! So, even more awesome-er.

I got there rather early, and eventually Fred Sowder from WGOT LP (at 100.1 on your FM radio dial), one of the CMC’s projects, grabbed me. The next thing I knew I was in the tiny radio studio in the back, No More rambling live over the airwaves.

Of course I left the studio for the live music, tonight with four punk bands, all featuring at least one female member. The rockin’ P*ss Test was up first, with grrrls on drums (Buck—they go by first names on the band’s Bandcamp page) and lead vocals (Deb), and bois on guitar (Mike) and bass (Tom). Now together for at least 5 years, P*ss Test has a very Iggy and the Stooges vibe, doing straightforward garagey protopunk, frequently

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with edgy or at least “adult” lyrical content (one song played that evening contained the refrain “I’d rather drink than…,” and I’ll let you fill in the four-letter blank). They have been gigging like crazy around Gainesville as of late, and always put on a good show.

After that came Thunderclap, the evening’s only trio. Although I had not seen them before, like all the other bands, they were made up of seasoned pros, having been around since 2015. Thunderclap brought a heavier more experimental sound, and were the only band with obvious metal roots. (In fact, their Instagram account has the description “Metal + Poetry,” and their facebook page refers to them as “super heavy.”)

They list their lineup as P*ss Test “Todd Rockhill - guitar/vox, Ale Gasso - words/guitar, Salmon Nason – drums,” which I guess means that Ms. Gasso is the lyricist, despite that Rockhill handled most of the vocals for their set.

His guitar was also run through a bass amp (I’m guessing maybe with an octave pedal to bring the low frequencies), so despite not having an actual bassist onstage, their sound was anything but thin. In fact, they were probably the loudest band on the bill, and somewhat overwhelmed the PA, so the poetry part of their Metal + Poetry was unfortunately mostly indecipherable during their live set, although they do have several songs in the 6 to 7 minute range with long instrumental stretches.

The penultimate band was No More; founded downstate c.

1992, they have been in Gainesville since shortly thereafter. The

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quartet’s core of Cory Powell (guitar/vocals), Jen Vito (a/k/a Jen Knowmore, vocals/guitar) and drummer Danny Michael solidified in the mid-late 90s when Danny came aboard after his band Allen Wrench (full disclosure: I was also in that band) broke up. The fourth spot saw some changes over the years, but bassist/backing vocalist Patty Goodson has been with them for a good 5 years or so.

No More does super-catchy pop punk with lyrics that frequently espouse any number of activist causes, so they were a perfect match for the CMC. Did I mention Danny played drums with a broken leg? I kid you not folks, wearing a freaking boot-cast, on his right foot! That is punk rock right there.

I have seen No More many times and have never seen them have an off night.

Local legends Radon closed, another great longstanding punk band with great pop sensibilities. Radon originated circa 1990 with the guitar/vocal/songwriting duo of Dave Rohm and Brent Wilson (originally bass), with Bill Clower on drums, and later Mike Collins on bass. Brent has moved out West, but still writes and records with the band.

Since Radon was finishing up a Florida tour with No More, Jen took the second guitar spot for this show (I believe she is also on their 2018 album, More of Their Lies); drums were handled by Shane Haven (if memory serves, both Haven and Clower drum on the 2018 album). (Haven previously played with Deb from P*ss Test, in a band called Half-Crocked; if you are thinking that everyone on the Gainesville punk scene is only one or two degrees of separation from everyone else, you are absolutely correct.)

Radon writes ridiculously catchy melodies with lyrics that are often either self-deprecating, reference Gainesville life (the title of their 2013 album, We Bare All, is from the billboards for Micanopy’s Café Risqué strip club), or both. They also have the most fantastic band-titled song in the history of recorded music, so there’s that.

There was much rejoicing and moshing, with everybody singing along (on the whoaay-ohs at a minimum) and even a blues harp cameo by local recording icon Rob McGregor.

Now, go see some bands.

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HOMEWORK >> STUDY SPOTS

NOTE NOOKS

Sweet

Study Spots

10 Great Places to Hit the Books W R I T T E N B Y D A N A B R YA N P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y E R I C K A W I N T E R R O W D

S

tudying is inevitable whether you are in elementary school, high school or college.

There’s bound to be one assignment or exam that requires you to tackle those textbooks to pass. Being a student since the age of five can force anyone to consider studying as a chore instead of an enjoyable activity. The secret to maintaining good spirits about studying is the setting. The location a person picks can cause him or her to either feel motivated to succeed or overwhelmed with work. With this in mind, here are 10 sweet study spots that are sure to renew your enthusiasm to get work done.

DEPOT PARK

874 SE 4th St, Gainesville, 32601 On a beautiful day, there is nothing more relaxing than going outside and listening to the sound of children’s laughter and nature. Grab a picnic blanket, textbooks and a few snacks, and go to Depot Park for the perfect combination of studying and relaxation. Enjoy the fresh air while you study for your next exam. During a frustrating problem, the splashes of the pond will provide soothing background music. Open from dawn to dusk, the park can be productive and playful. Just remember to work hard, and then, play hard.

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PASCAL’S COFFEEHOUSE

112 NW 16th St, Gainesville, 32603 There’s nothing better than a warm beverage on a fall day for encouragement to continue studying. The coffeehouse’s great drinks, welcoming atmosphere and multiple outlets make it a nice place to study. It has two floors with both large and small tables for students to use.

The easy-going, low volume music establishes a laid-back environment that’s perfect for zeroing-in on any textbook material. The clientele is mostly UF students, so the inaudible pops of students’ thought bubbles should motivate any fellow student to keep going.

CYM COFFEE CO.

5404 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, 32605 With beanbag chairs and a variety of pastries, CYM is the ultimate hipster study spot. The kind employees complement the cozy aura. Couches, tables and coffee make this spot a great place to work on group projects. The busy café has a library-like setting with an outdoor porch. CYM is short for Cymplify, and this is as simple as it gets. “Change Your Mind” about studying in your room, and head over to CYM to hit the books. You’ll feel trendy without scrolling through Instagram and get a sizable amount of work finished too.

VINE SOURDOUGH BAKERY

627 N Main St, Gainesville, 32601 The scent of bread baking and the taste of multiple different beverages will stimulate your senses and your mind. Bring schoolwork and an empty stomach. This classic bakery is perfect for a day of laptops and lunch.

The cheerful vibe ensures a positive mindset, a necessity when attempting a dreary math problem or writing a lengthy essay. There’s plenty of seating at this quaint location, whether a table for four is requested or a stool by the window.

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SWEETBERRIES EATERY AND FROZEN CUSTARD

505 NW 13th St, Gainesville, 32601 Inside or outside? Benches or chairs?

Fruit or dessert? At SweetBerries, the correct choice is E. all of the above. SweetBerries offers the ideal sweet study spot for the person with a sweet tooth. With plenty of seating options and a casual atmosphere, it is easy to get work done in this fun and vibrant setting. After a long study session, you can reward yourself with some delicious and flavorful custard. For night owls who can only work when the sun is down, this place is open until 10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday - Saturday.

THIRD HOUSE BOOKS

113 N Main St, Gainesville, 32601 This hidden gem is a place to study when looking for a quiet, aesthetically pleasing spot. The fairy lights, seating area and books are perfect for any literature nerd struggling to complete a paper or mathematician creating the next advanced equation. At this bookstore, a student will feel at peace and at home. It provides complimentary drip coffee that’ll help you retain your focus. It also serves tea for all non-coffee drinkers.

The book selection may be small, but the knowledge to absorb is endless.

TEASTORI

3550 SW 34th St, Gainesville, 32608 This family-owned tea store is great for a quick exam review with friends. Originally called Lollicup, it has become a staple among college students and Gainesville residents.

Stop by, get a bubble tea and go through your class notes. Only a five-minute drive from the University of Florida and a 15-minute drive from Santa Fe College, it is also great for completing last-minute assignments.

It’s not always quiet, but it’s ideal for those who enjoy a controlled chatter instead of dead silence.

COFFEE CULTURE

2020 NW 13th St, Gainesville, 32609 Locally owned and very popular, Coffee Culture is a classic study place for people of all ages. Students searching for research subjects, look no further. The customers at this coffee shop are diverse and widespread

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HOMEWORK >> STUDY SPOTS

in careers, passions and interests. If you are simply looking for a place to stay conscious while working on homework, the coffee aroma will shock your senses awake until closing at 11 p.m. The numerous tables almost guarantee an open seat on most days, but it’s best to get there early just in case.

PATTICAKES

9124 SW 51st Dr, Gainesville, 32608 Capitals, calculus and cupcakes? Study anything and everything while you enjoy a Patticake cupcake. It is a Haile Village favorite for frequent study sessions. This location offers ice cream too, perfect for parents who are also students. You can learn about anatomy while your child savors his or her sweet treat. There are indoor and outdoor seating options available. The tables are meant for two, so study with a friend or study solo. Either way, the relatively tranquil atmosphere creates a chill setting that will calm your nerves during an especially rigorous equation. You can always set up your computer at one of the counters facing out the window, and watch the passersby for writing inspiration.

VOLTA COFFEE, TEA AND CHOCOLATE

48 SW 2nd St, Gainesville, 32601 Caffeine is a must when studying for long hours. Volta provides it in three different forms! Sip or munch on coffee, tea or chocolate while examining your notes. This is a haven for any coffee lover and earnest student. Plug in your earbuds and start studying.

This place may provide you with the energy to study all night, but it closes at 6 p.m.

Think of it as a precursor for a possibly longer study session that night in your room.

Whether you find your new study spot from this list or continue to enjoy the comforts of your own dorm as you hit the books, remember your hard work will pay off.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPH STRICKLAND

BONUS: Lesser-Known Places to Study on UF Campus

Education Library at UF 618 SW 12th St, Gainesville, 32601 Its outdoor beauty remains unseen by most students because it’s concealed by trees and hidden on sorority row. However, the education library is a convenient and serene place to study. It has tons of space to spread out papers, textbooks and assignments. For those days when you require a bit more privacy, this library also has a few study rooms available.

Outside of the library is just as good, if not better, than the inside. The greenery and red, rustic brick of the library produces a warm and comfortable feeling perfect for studying.

Anderson Hall 1507 W University Ave, Gainesville, 32611 Believe it or not, classrooms can be one of the best places to study right before an exam. Studying in the classroom, or a similar classroom, to where you were taught can help jog your memory of when you learned the lessons or concepts. The structure of a classroom can also motivate you to work hard. There are classrooms at Anderson Hall that students can enter, which stay empty for periods of time during the day. All of the classrooms are vacant after classes end in the evening.

UF Career Connections Center Level 1 of the Reitz Union The C3 is in the J. Wayne Reitz Union at the center of UF campus. Some students know this as a place to get their resume reviewed or a professional photo taken.

However, during the day, the center’s rooms are open and empty, making it an ideal study spot. The rooms are equipped with televisions that can easily be hooked up to your laptop to display PowerPoint presentations or educational videos. Other than the occasional employee chatter, the rooms are nice and quiet.

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158

TRIBUTE >> MY GREATEST TEACHER

ALL IN THE FAMILY

A GRANDDAUGHTER’S TRIBUTE

My Greatest Teacher STORY A N D PHOTOGR A PH Y BY STEPH STR ICK L A N D

Every year, my grandmother’s kindergarten class would participate in a gingerbread man hunt around the holidays.

The entire school would get involved, leaving clues and playing their part in finding the lucky 5th grader who was randomly selected to play the part of the gingerbread man that year.

The librarian left crumbs and open books out as clues for the kids, and the P.E. teacher jokingly marked the gingerbread man absent from his class with a disgruntled sigh. It was truly the perfect way to bring everyone together.

Years later, my grandmother heard of a young girl who had been awarded a scholarship for culinary school for her gingerbread recipe. The girl claimed that she was inspired by a game she used to play in kindergarten, and it warmed my grandmother’s heart.

This is just one of the many ways that teachers impact the world around them. For my grandmother, learning doesn’t end 158 |

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when a child steps out of the classroom and it’s not only reserved to students on her roster.

My grandmother, Anne Strickland, has shaped the lives of my entire family and has provided all of us with a moral compass to follow. She reminds all of us that education knows no bounds.

Anne Strickland has always been the rule-follower of the family. After making it through Catholic school without any marks on her record, she had a thirst for knowledge.

Strickland pursued an education from the University of Florida where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s in educational psychology.

Her first days of teaching actually began before obtaining these degrees, when she worked in the early days of the Arts and

GRANDMA ANNE’S TOP CLASSROOM TIPS

AFTER SPENDING DECADES AS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR, MY GRANDMOTHER PICKED UP A FEW LIFE LESSONS, TIPS AND TRICKS ALONG THE WAY. HERE ARE HER TIPS FOR BEING A SUCCESSFUL GRADE SCHOOL TEACHER: 1. Don’t fall asleep during nap time.

2. Tell parents if they don’t believe what the kids say about the teacher then the teacher will do the same.

3. Be friends with the janitor.

4. Be friends with the secretary.

5. Bring an extra set of clothes to school.

6. If a kid says “I don’t feel good” learn how to jump back quick.

7. Never talk about the principal; it gets back to them.

8. Don’t force them to write with their left or right hands.

12. Kitchen utensils are wonderful tools for exploring physics (things that measure, things that spin).

9. Insist on recess time, but don’t schedule something during recess time.

13. Never have a teacher meeting without chocolate.

14. Dixie cups are your friend.

10. A paper towel soaked in cold water is better than a band aid.

15. Don’t ask a question if you don’t know the answer.

11. Teach them 2-3 patriotic songs (You’re A Grand Old Flag, etc).

16. Always make time in life for crafts.

Crafts Center through the University of Florida. She quickly rose to a leadership position and was able to teach several art classes, which merely reinstated in her a love for her future career.

Her education and experiences prepared her well for the 40 years she would spend teaching children in the Alachua County school district. Her last 20 years as a teacher were spent at Lake Forest Elementary School in Gainesville.

Strickland was drawn to teaching kindergarteners because she had five little ones of her own and she enjoys the ability to keep learning fun and interesting. “They’re a fun group,” she said. “They’re curious [and] affectionate.”

However, there were struggles in this line of work, which usually manifested themselves in the form of an unhappy or uncooperative child. Strickland said that these situations were difficult because “you’re not their parent but it is your job to keep other kids safe.”

Strickland would handle these situations by having a “heartto-heart” with the children and would only resort to more drastic measures such as separation or a call home if it was absolutely necessary.

However, parents coming by the school didn’t always mean trouble. Strickland loved getting parents involved in the educational process. In fact, she said she enjoyed “any celebration that brought the parents in.”

One of her favorite celebrations was the circus that the children would put on each year to entertain their parents.

Strickland shared how the parents ignored their small and uncomfortable chairs and instead allowed themselves to be captivated as their children jumped and smiled across the stage.

According to Strickland, events such as this help to “get the kids off to a good start and get the parents feeling comfortable.”

Outside of class she strived to teach her students how to get along with adults instead of feeling intimidated. Additionally, she worked to foster an environment centered around respect

for themselves and those around them.

She was passionate about creating a safe and comfortable learning environment for every student, “there are things going on in their life that you just don’t know,” she said.

Strickland also created a comfortable environment for herself by becoming acquainted with all of her coworkers and forming friendships and bonds. She jokingly said, “make friends with the janitors first, they are the most important.”

For all of these reasons and many more, Strickland received numerous honors and awards including the Teacher of the Year Award. She also served as the kindergarten chair and eventually became a peer teacher in order to educate others on how to become a successful grade school teacher.

Ultimately, Strickland hopes that she taught all of the children around her, including her own, to be helpful, respectful and kind.

Today, Strickland is retired and is enjoying her days filled with painting, crafts and spending time with loved ones.

But Strickland couldn’t simply leave everything from her teaching days behind. She currently has a collection of hundreds of children’s books that she has accumulated over the years.

Strickland has also started crafting children’s books of her own by combining her knowledge of the age group with her love of the art to tell stories that are both educational and captivating.

Her most recent book tells the story of “The Zig-Zag Rainbow,” which encourages children to embrace their differences.

My grandmother told me that her most important teachers were her mother and father, my great-grandparents: Grandad Larry and Grandma Alice. I never got to meet them, but she assured me that they were kind and generous.

I have faith in her words because I have seen those same qualities exist within her and transcend throughout my entire family. My grandmother took what she had learned from a young age and became that teacher for so many others, including me.

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SPOTLIGHT

RESCUE ANIMAL ADOPTIONS

Furever Friends RILEY & SUSAN

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

Hi there! My name is Riley.

My journey to finding my forever home began around three and a half years ago.

I was just four months old at the time and spent my days wandering the countryside roads of my neighborhood. I was pretty skinny as a young pup and my back legs were kind of wobbly from living out on the street.

One day I approached a house hoping the person inside would look into my warm, caring eyes and decide to adopt me. A kind lady opened the door and when she saw me, she called her cousin Susan Lauterbach, a dog lover who instantly fell in love with me. The two of them began knocking on their neighbors’ doors trying to find my After living the first owner. They didn’t realize few months of his life that no one was looking for as a stray, Riley finally me, I mean, how could they? found his forever I didn’t have a home – at least home with Susan and not yet. her dog Lucy.

Susan knew I was in no shape to go to a shelter so she decided to take me back to her home in High Springs to live with her and her dog Lucy, a white fluffy Samoyed. I was given the name Riley because my mom said she wanted me to have “The Life of Riley,” which means an easy, carefree existence.

When I arrived at my new home, I was eager to meet Lucy who was 12 at the time. I looked to her as my dog guardian and she taught me everything I know. Like her shadow, I followed her everywhere and we would become the best of friends. Now Lucy is 15 and though I still learn from her, she doesn’t always keep up with my playful personality. I think in her golden 160 |

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years Lucy has started practicing Zen because she’d rather relax instead of play with me. Sometimes I’ll grab one of my stuffed animals and shake it in front of her to get her to join in on the fun, but she forgoes all my efforts. She must have some serious meditation skills because I don’t know how she can resist jumping up when I throw my toys in the air. I mean, it’s so exciting! How can anyone pass that up? Oh well, more toys for me.

Besides playing with my toys or cuddling up to Lucy and my mom, my most favorite thing of all is getting to eat my cookies!

After I go outside in the morning, I head right to my treat jar so my mom knows I’m ready for a delicious snack. Though she’s retired, my mom works part-time selling insurance with the other part of her day dedicated to spending time with me and Lucy. I’m so glad I climbed up on that porch that day because the three of us make each other so happy. I’m so thankful I was able to find my forever home; I just hope that other dogs are as lucky as me and find theirs too.

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Conveniently located in the Tower Square shopping area.

352-335-3994

LIKE BOTH LOCATIONS ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES ON WINE TASTINGS AND OTHER EVENTS! September/October 2019

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

Are you prepared for disaster damage?

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

352-333-3775

285 NW 138th Terrace, Suite 100, Newberry

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

www.schneider-insurance.com w September/October 2019

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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“Is a little chest pain normal?”

Emergency symptoms are good at hiding.

Not all signs of an emergency are obvious. Ongoing symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pain could be an emergency in disguise. Thankfully,

North Florida Regional Medical Center has three ER’s in the area to serve you. With dedicated emergency experts and fast wait times, you can trust us for even better care. We’re here 24/7 to help you through any emergency — even the tricky ones.

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OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

September/October 2019

NFRMC.COM