Our Town - Nov/Dec 2023 (Newberry & Jonesville)

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : MEET LOCAL INDUSTRY LEADERS IN THE FIFTH ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF THE FACES OF OUR TOWN!

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | VOL. 21 ISSUE 06 | NEWBERRY & JONESVILLE EDITION

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NOV/DEC 2023

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Fall Festivals - Holiday Events Sat, Nov 11

11 am - 8 pm

Acoustic Street Jam

Sun, Nov 12

11 am - 5 pm

Alachua Harvest Festival

Sat, Nov 18

2 pm & 7 pm

Nutcracker by Dance Alive National Ballet Legacy Park Multipurpose Center

Sat, Nov 25

12 pm - 2 pm

A.L. Mebane High School Alumni Association Homecoming Parade

Fri, Dec 1

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Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

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Holiday Nights - Shop, Dine & Stroll

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Alachua Christmas Parade

Fri, Dec 15

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Holiday Nights - Shop, Dine & Stroll

Sat, Dec 16

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Charity Ball of St. Nicholas Alachua Woman’s Club

Fri, Dec 22

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NOV/DEC 2023

ON THE COVER >> COME CELEBRATE THE

TRUE ESSENCE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON THROUGH THE POWER OF HANDMADE AND HEARTFELT GIFTS. JOIN US AS WE EXPLORE THE BEAUTY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP OF LOCAL CRAFT MARKETS, WHERE ARTISANS POUR THEIR CREATIVITY AND LOVE INTO EVERY CREATION. DISCOVER THE JOY OF GIVING AS WE SHOWCASE UNIQUE AND CREATIVE IDEAS TO MAKE THIS YEAR’S GIFTS TRULY SPECIAL. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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WHITE HOUSE WILD CHILD

This special section puts names to the north central Florida faces who always bring their A-game, keep customers smiling, and continually lead the region into the future. These are the faces of Our Town.

Local author Shelley Fraser Mickle meticulouly researched Alice Roosevelt’s life, providing a detailed account of Alice and her desire for her father’s approval.

NOV/DEC 2023

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NOV/DEC

2023

CONTENTS 28 // CUP O’ HOLIDAY JOE

A UF student’s personal guide to a few local coffee shops and bakeries offering festive coffees and treats for the season.

36 // ART SCENE

Featuring over 300 vendors selling paintings, jewelry, sculptures, and more — the 42nd annual downtown festival and art show comes to town in November.

49 // MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS PAST Two of Alachua County’s oldest homes decorate for the holidays every year and invite the public to stroll through each room and imagine the former residents’ celebrations.

148 // A PRICELESS GIFT

When Randy Batista’s health took a turn for the worse due to kidney failure, Liesl

Otto O’Dell selflessly volunteered to donate her kidney to him. Motivated by their strong friendship, the two embarked on the organ donation process — inspiring so many along the way.

175 // LOCAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING Four arts and crafts markets happening in Gainesville that residents and visitors can attend to find unique holiday gifts and support local artists.

199 // DIY HOLIDAY CRAFTS Create lasting memories this Thanksgiving and Christmas with three festive crafts!

237 // DAME daDA

UF graduate Nichole Hamilton has created an alter ego named Dame daDA, characterized by chaos, disorder, and whimsy.

65 //

COLUMNS

INFORMATION

REVIEWS

35 E MBRACING LIFE

58 C harity Winners

125 R EADING CORNER

by Donna Bonnell

56 F ARM TALES

224 R estaurant Guide

by Mother Hen

230 C ommunity Calendar

62 N AKED SALSA

242 B usiness Directory

by Crystal Smith

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

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. © 2023 Tower Publications, Inc.

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NOV/DEC 2023

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NOV/DEC 2023

PUBLISHER Charlie Delatorre PRODUCTION DIRECTORS Kaloni Dunlap, Brian Knepp EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ericka Winter Pauley editor@towerpublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donna Bonnell, Debra Garcia, Ron Cunningham, Lindsay Schindler, Crystal Smith, Joanna Grey Talbot, Cynthia Wonders Winterrowd, Hayli Zuccola CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Eaddy, Randy Bastista INTERNS Debra Garcia, Lindsay Schindler ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jenni Bennett jenni@towerpublications.com DIRECTOR OF SALES Nancy Short nancy@towerpublications.com

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

EDITOR’ S LET TER

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 02 3

Handmade Memories The holiday season has arrived, and it truly is a magical time of the year! As we gather with our families for Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the importance of creating precious memories together. Thanksgiving has always held a special place in my heart, not just because of the delicious food but because of the joyous laughter that fills the air. Before joining in the laughter, I like to take a moment to express my gratitude to the Lord for another holiday spent with my loved ones.

Following Thanksgiving, we move on to my absolute favorite holiday — Christmas! The cozy memories of savoring hot cocoa and the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies fill my mind and heart during this season. The combination of home and the holidays has a unique way of making us feel warm and comforted. Whether it’s baking cookies, lighting pine-scented candles, or decorating the house with handmade crafts — it’s important to remember that we deserve this heartfelt time together. It truly is our most precious gift, handmade with love.

My husband and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our ultimate “handmade” gift — our daughter, due at the end of December. We have been busy nesting and creating a cozy nursery filled with hand-sewn blankets, toys, and décor. The anticipation of holding our little one in our arms fills us with joy and excitement. We can’t wait to introduce her to the magic of this season and create new traditions as a family. Our hearts are overflowing with love as we prepare for this most special time.

In this issue, we invite you to explore the beauty and craftsmanship of local craft markets where artisans pour their creativity and love into every creation. Discover the joy of giving as we showcase unique and creative ways to make this year’s gifts heartfelt and handmade. Meet local industry leaders in the fifth annual showcase of The Faces of Our Town, and check out the 2023 Fall Parade of Homes — complete with floorplans and more within these pages. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

May your days be merry and bright...

Blessings,

Ericka Winter Pauley, Editor-In-Chief

—CORRECTION—

In the September/October 2023 edition of Our Town magazine, there is a caption correction at the top of page 134: Ancient great white shark — With 222 teeth and 45 vertebrae, this is one of the world’s best preserved ancient shark skulls. Collector Gordon Hubbell was in Peru in 1988 when a farmer showed him this fossil; Hubbell marked the site on a map and brought the rarity home, later donating it to the museum. Twenty years after it was found, museum scientists went to Peru with Hubbell’s map and found the spot where the skull was discovered. They learned it was 6.5 million years old and is a likely ancestor of great white sharks.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GRACE NOV/DEC 2023

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CONTRIBUTORS

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 02 3

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

RON CUNNINGHAM is a career newspaperman who has been telling stories about FL and Gainesville for half a century. A UF journalism grad, he has been Tallahassee Bureau Chief for the New York Times Florida Newspapers and was editorial page editor of the Gainesville Sun for 30 years. freegnv.com

DEBRA GARCIA is a senior journalism major at the University of Florida and freelance writer. In her spare time, she enjoys thrifting, listening to Taylor Swift, and playing softball.

2004debbygarcia@gmail.com

LINDSAY SCHINDLER is a senior journalism major with a minor in health promotion at the University of Florida. She has played soccer for 19 years and when she’s not writing, she spends her free time at the gym and going on walks. lindsayschindler@ufl.edu

CRYSTAL SMITH 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

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

CYNTHIA WONDERS WINTERROWD

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

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

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NOV/DEC 2023

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WILD THING

HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE ALL THE RULES

White House Wild Child W R I T T E N BY R O N C U N N I N G H A M

“I can run the country, or I can control Alice. I can’t possibly do both.” —

Theodore Roosevelt (T.R.)

T.R. called his daughter, Alice, a “guttersnipe” - an ill behaved street urchin - after a boy chum of hers who was dressed up as a girl came knocking at their door. Told she couldn’t smoke in the White House, Alice defiantly puffed away on the roof. She was known to carry a dagger in her purse and a tiny flask tucked into her glove. Oh, and she helped stop a war - and win her father a Nobel Peace Prize - by mounting an international charm offensive.

For all her celebrity, however, Alice Roosevelt never realized her most heartfelt desire: The unconditional love of her famous but emotionally distant father.

“We talk a lot in our culture about fathers and sons but never really have a conversation about what fathers give to daughters,” says author Shelley Fraser Mickle.

Mickle, who lives on a horse farm near Jonesville, has published over a dozen novels and children’s books since 1989. However, she has only turned to writing serious non-fiction in the last few years.

Mickle’s latest book, “White House Wild Child: How Alice Roosevelt Broke All The Rules And Won The Heart Of America,” is a meticulously researched account of the celebrated Roosevelt dynasty rebel who was dubbed

NOV/DEC 2023

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WHITE HOUSE WILD CHILD >> SHELLEY FRASER MICKLE

“Princess Alice” by the press and would become the most photographed woman of her era. Known for her sharp tongue and progressive ideas - neither of which endeared

and absentee father.

Ironically, it was the circumstances of Alice Lee’s death that set Mickle on a circuitous path to writing “Wild Child.”

Mickle put her well-honed novelist skills to good use by turning what might otherwise have been an accurate, albeit dry historical accounting into almost lyrical prose about a young woman who took life on her own terms despite the consequences.

Alice to her President father - “she was Gloria Steinem before there was Gloria Steinem.” She was also very much a tragic figure.

“Alice had such a grudge against her father that her heart was not warm. It was as frozen as her father’s was,” Mickle said.

T.R.’s first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee, died just two days after giving birth to Alice. Her sudden loss left Roosevelt so grief-stricken that he couldn’t bring himself to utter his child’s given name - he called her “Baby Lee” - let alone show Alice much by way of fatherly affection. Alice was sent off to live with her aunt, Anna “Bamie” Roosevelt, for the first three years of her life while T.R. fled to his ranches out west, taking to extremes the roles of grieving widower

Everything but Gas & Groceries!

Mickle’s previous non-fiction book, “Borrowing Life,” was an account of the scientists who pioneered transplant surgery, beginning with the first successful kidney transplants.

That book led her to realize how many historical figures suffered from kidney disease, including Alice’s mother, who died of renal failure.

“I thought, ‘Wow! What a great novel that would be,’” she said.

But Mickle had put fiction writing behind her.

“I started researching Alice and went on from there,” she said. “I did not really have the credentials [to be a biographer]. And I had written so much fiction that I knew I had to be very careful [to tell Alice’s story correctly.]”

But make no mistake. Mickle put her well-honed novelist

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girl of tne White House saw a side of her character that surprised them Now Mr Taft she said perhaps things are a little awry at Cantor There Is no American warship there No Well if we could get Just the littlest kind of anAmerican gunboat we could go over on that and I thinkit would make a very good impression upon the Cantonese That was wisdom and Secretary Taft evidently considered it in that wise Miss Roosevelt and her friends went to Canton went on an American gut boot The Cantonese proved themselves to be wise also for they were just as lovely as they could possibly be to the American visitors The art of this distinguished young woman in the matter of dressing has developed since the day she wore the white mousseline gown at her fathers first public levee Her style is quiet and she has learned what so few women never discover what is becoming and what is hot She ktows how well she looks in a slaty shade of blue and this Is her favorite color It is the color that has come to be known as Alice blue

made that Roosevelt was a world power that the United States had come Where A untie Succeeded in Halting aiiprt while would Jo he such a tactof in International affairs that only a Her Own Way lust This Once Therefore would it not be a good see her a menace to the world peace There was a time however when Mrs Cowles knew what was more thing for One of the European houses to win Miss Roosevelt and thereby Amusing as all this becoming to her niece than that young woman did herself and it goes to secure friendship oftHo United Status lastingly s was there Were not a few quarters in which the Femlnas suggestion was show how Important a matter what one wears Is in ones life Its a atory r taken seriously Never however it woUld seem by Mr Lonaworth accord- ¬ about the white mousseline dress No genuine girl could have looked forward with greater eagernessteacher school Roosevelt told the ing ito what Archie Miss Roosevelt herself was not the kind that sighed for titles Many a to the part she was to play in the Blue Room of the White House on NOW during the Years Day 1902 than did Alice Roosevelt Of course what she was to title in the diplomatic corps It ia said offered Itself at her feet peat four years only to get the glove without any more words about it than wear was her principal thought Her plans were big for thU occasionand she could think of nothing finer than to make her debut in a heavy met the Sultan of Sulus offer to make her Sultana of the Sulu Islands LIke father like son is a saying as old as the hills but should be in white brocaded satin that had been her mothers She would have word this Instance like sire like daughter for the eldest child of the President her mothers diamonds too Just In tlmo Mrs Cowles appeared upon the has been as bo himself has always been Independent What she would do scene and with misgivings heard her nieces plans She protested at once Oh Alice dear such a gown would never do for a young womans SxlQ doeReally cant you seo how old it would debut Mrs Cowles told bar sRt6el1ed Church on a Day When make you look and so heavy too with air those diamonds I Alt JVafBU Was a Smiling Now Auntie you dont know just how lovely I will look andl1ero Mho the Rooseveltian will came to the foreand Im going to wear Just the was that little Philadelphia excursion only a year ago t ii AliceThere and ber stepmother were in the Quaker City and Mrs Roosevelt gown I have described Mrs Cowles being a Roosevelt too but more diplomatic than her would go to church because It was a Sunday and listen to a sermon Did Miss Alice go Not a bit of it The day was fair all nature was glad and brother didnt say Alice you will not but she told her niece that even r be Presidents daughter went a coaching tooling the fourlnhand of her the princesses of England wheji they made their debut had never worn Host with all the grace of the good whip that she is When the coaching anything richer than a simple gown of white swiss Queen Victoria had was done somebody suggested that it would be a fine thing to take a water never permitted her daughters to have their own way in this respect trip There was no steam yacht with fancy brass finishings nor a speedy Mrs Cowles added that the whole world of fashion approved Victorias launch at handonly one of the citys fireboats an ordinary everyday artistic sense and considered her not only a wise queen but a Very wisp tug and away on It wont Miss Roosevelt aS gay as the gayest of her party mother Alice promised to think of all this and of course we all know now L It was not long after this incident that tiring of the joys of coaching Her hithe- that Mrs Cowless counsel prevailed t tie future Mrs Longworth swore her loyalty to automoblllng rtritIs said objected to her taking up this sport of imminent risks Simul- Only TimeJhat MisS Roosevelttaneously with the report of the Presidents disapprobation of autolng for tilsdaughter Miss Roosevelt appeared In the streets of Washington and In Is Kncfton to HaPe Changed Her Mindr tijoistiburbs of the capital at the wheel of a big machine into whose mys But there is scarcely another instance recorded where the highspirited directing expert was an her chauffeur iWl s of handling and mechanism young woman Is known to have changed her determination on any matter initiation In a little while the chauffeur was a forgotten personage andon which she had already formed an opinion fogta long time Miss Roosevelt has had the ability to run the biggest anti It Will a great victory for Auntie Cowles who prld ° d herself upon It for most complicated motor car She has proved this on more than one occa ¬ many a L long daysion but particularly in a race along the road that stretches between the Impetuous Alice Roosevelt has always been adventurous too but these liennlngs race course and the capital To avoid a collision she hurdled the elements have only contributed to that lovableness to which all who have machine over a ditch under the Impetus of a sixty or seventy horsepower With all the fume within the sphere of her acquaintance have surrendered engine success that has been hers socii lly with all the distinction that has come to A devotee of the sport of kings Miss Roosevelt has never thought of her these who know her intimately say that her young head has not been using amount which would satisfy most women Her father purchased for turned This has been the impression made upon those who have met her her a year ago the famous Kentucky marc Jcsslelyn and the thoroughbreds only casually and notably newspaper men who can scent a bit of snobbishyoung mistress has had to show her heels to challengers In many a daring jl ness or superiority a mile away The reporters who have talked with the rueif White House daughter in the course of their work sum up their opinion v Her Determination Won Obtr Taft of her In An umalablo wellbred American girl who hasnt any time for airs In FarOff China 3 the Man of Iron Will Thy Episcopal Church has biin Alice Roosevelts as It was liar mothers That MrS Longworth has a will of her own the Ohio Congressman had Qccasloh to learn when the Taft party reached Hongkong The Chinese and her mothers people although her father Is a member of tho Dutch Re Jmycott against American manufactureshad taken a vicious turn In Can formed St Johns in Washington has known her as a communicant lnii tpn Rioting had become the order of the day and It was feared that the tho family moved there and it will bfi St Johns rector the Rov Roland Cot Arrjorican colony there would be besieged Miss Roosevelt had heard that ton Smith who assists Bishop Satterlee today in the wedding ceremony Hid metropolis of Southern China was a most interesting place and she c c i4etonnined to see It Secretary Taft and others tried to persuade the young= G woman that she would bettor not go to Canton but the Roosevelt detelnallen rawet away the opposition Whose who thought they knew this

bias room of the White House beside the first citizen in the land and laid siege with her laughing blue eyes and her mouth of roguish smiles to the nations affection Fresh as o woodland dew was she vet patrician withal to the very tip of her saucy retrousse noseNicholas Longworth of Cincinnati son of the wealthiest house in the Ohio Vfllley a lawyer a clubman and social leader who had served his State for two terms in both branches of her Legislature was in Washing Ion on Jan 1 1902 when Theodore Roosevelt held his first public levee as President of the United States He was one of a delegation of prominent Ohioans He met the President and he met the Presidents daughter In the White House before the doors of the Executive Mansion were thrown open for the public reception He met her again in the Blue Room surroundedby the beauty and fashion of most of the civilized nations which foregatherin Washington on such occasions but It was a dainty figure clad simplyIn white mousseline that filled the young Ohloans gaze The laughing blue cyeq and the saucy little nose of this maid lured him on Never had I Nick Longworth seen anywhere a vision like this

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Succee tates had come Where A untie Once what was more prt while would Her Own Way lust This Mrs Cowles knew and it goes to good however when herself t not be a There was a time atory young woman did ones life Its a elt and thereby becoming to her niece than that one wears Is in using as all this show how Important a matter what eagernesswas ion suggest mousseline dress with greater on NOW about the white girl could have looked forward naworth accordof the White House was to Room No genuine Blue she was to play in the Of course what ne 2 a to the part she Alice Roosevelt big for thU occasion 1902 than did were r titles Many Day WLiT 14 plans heavy the Years l thought Her her debut in a r feet during wear was her principa finer than to make She would have word ords about it than and she could think of nothing her mothers upon the satin that had beenIn tlmo Mrs Cowles appeared at once Sulu Islands white brocaded d Just plans She proteste womans but should be in her mothers diamonds too heard her nieces young t with misgivings never do for a of the Presiden and would scene would gown it do such a seo how old What she would Oh Alice dear Really cant you told bar diamonds debut Mrs Cowles so heavy too with air those will look andl1ero and how lovely I make you look wear Just the you dont know just Now Auntie nd Im going to will came to the forea Mho the Rooseveltian diplomatic than her d a year ago too but more elt gown I have describe niece that even being a Roosevelt nd Mrs RoosevDid but she told her Mrs Cowles not will you had never worn say Alice to a sermon made their debut had and brother didnt England wheji they white swiss Queen Victoria es of ature was glad princess of gown this respect her the fourlnhand of g anything richer than a simplers to have their own way in d Victorias daughte When the coachin of fashion approve Very wisp permitted her water never but a that the whole world hing to take a a wise queen Mrs Cowles added red her not only shings nor a speedy artistic sense and conside now ay we all know ordinary everyd and of course this mother all of d to think gayest of her party Alice promise d g s counsel prevaile the joys of coachin that Mrs Cowles moblllng Her hitheMisS RooseveltSimulOnly TimeJhat minent risks Her Mindfor irited HaPe Changed bation of autolng In to n highsp the Kncfto where Is d and recorde of Washington on any matter another instance mys But there is scarcely to have changed her determination hine into whose her g Is known opinion upon It for eur was directin and- young woman already formed an Cowles who prld ° d herself ge on which she had gotten persona for Auntie anti It Will a great victory too but these to run the biggest occa ¬ many a long daybeen adventurous all who have n more than one elt has always sz the Impetuous Alice Roosev ted to that lovableness to which With all the stretches between ered contribu surrend the elements have only has come to acquaintance have ollision she hurdled the sphere of her lly with all the distinction that ower within not been has or seventy horsep socii fume young head been hers success that has ly say that her have met her of her these who know her intimate ion made upon those who M impress a bit of snobbish lt has never thought This has been the newspaper men who can scent ed for talked with the Her father purchashbreds turned have notably who s and reporter only casually opinion and the thoroug a mile away The work sum up their time for a daring ness or superiority course of their any engers In many daughter in the an girl who hasnt White House o wellbred Americ of her In An umalabl mothers elts as It was liar Re airs has biin Alice Roosev of tho Dutch Thy Episcopal Church h her father Is a member sman had s people althoug has known her as a communicant lnii he Ohio Congres and her mother gton Rov Roland Cot Washin in the Chinese ng rector The Johns St Hongko y bfi St Johns formed wedding ceremon In Can there and it will e today in the en a vicious turn tho family moved that the ton Smith who assists Bishop Satterle and It was feared that Roosevelt had heard she c = interesting place andyoungG e the ried to persuad elt detebut the Roosev knew this i ho thought they >

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Had ere 1 1i to an official atmosph a l elt was not unused was Governor and had not she year Alice Lee Roosev her father theAssembly Ball the en line stood in the she not lived in Albany when statesm sixteen danced at in white mousse a slight young girlbeside the first citizen in the land dainty slip of girlhood barely And had not she met ever so many OUR winters ago her that the inaugurated mouth of roguish rth learned from White House Nick Longwo bias room of the her laughing blue eyes and her d dew was she her father wasgreat affairs incidents as thosomen of men such of with were days as o woodlan trip with and folk and laid siege highest In her regard in those January affection Fresh of her saucy proposal of to the very tip men who counted had many occasions to learn this that this maid could smiles to the nations withal n t too Ho Sul patricia vet ent m the games surprised them ITe came to know lly simple gton in the governm world where of her character that awry at Cantor arid gracefu wealthiest house lingered in Washinbe as much at ease in the outdoor House saw a side ati son of the Blue Room de the pro things are a little served his he the retrousse noseand girl of tne White gown of white In the said perhaps Longworth of Cincinn and social leader who had Washing ride like an Arab we could get Just u rival who must set back to Nicholas Now Mr Taft she in been in her simple No Well if and I thinka decided that he one Legislature was a lawyer a clubman lie as she had an warship there go over on that would become s Longworth finally Ohio Vfllley public levee as branches of her There Is no Americ rican gunboat we could was receivedse held his first terms in both When Mr Nichola ati one purpose obsessed himhe nt ion upon the Cantonered it in that wise State for two1 1902 when Theodore Roosevelt of a delegation of promine Sultan prein national Interests littlest kind of anAme in Cincinn d Congress a factor a very good impress r In the his affairs He was one s and cheap nity that presente evidently conside gut Ion on Jan his State In it would make United States the first opportu Presidents daughte and Secretary Taft Repubon an American the Representative of the of met rival Joka runt open t wisdom went then he time was the and Presiden that t thrown Cox Canton That to George n were they were As the story of met the Presiden autiful pearlher friends went edExecutive Mansio rth close ell with Cox who had sent Longworthbe wise also for Ohioans He Miss Roosevelt and themselves to the doors of the again in the Blue Room surround er- itself found Nick Longwo value thin visitors been proved before 1t an had se House Americ White The Cantone n County met her be to the n boot which foregath reception He boss of Hamilto to Congress and they could possibly the matter of dressing simply- lican of the civilized nations for the public otion at this ure He sent him was nearly a year the young woman in just as lovely as line gown at her by the beauty and fashion of most but It was a dainty figure clad Ohio Legislat distinguished to the election me Drawing laughing to the the daughter of ns The art of this the white mousse New Years day in his wooing of the day she wore quiet and she has learned what pearl oddly gton on such occasio the young Ohloans gaze The But from that had is She in Washin has developed since rth proved no laggard him on Never o the Presiline that filled levee Her style Nick Longwo and what is hot of this maid lured fathers first public discover what is becoming blue and this Is her In white mousse is offer of his saucy little nose blue cyeq and the seen anywhere a vision like this enerullej and so few women never looks in a slaty shade of Alice blue I be known as Nick Longworth ktows how well she that has come to color the smiled is It favorite color ¬

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understanding of what happened and why.”

To be sure, the father-daughter relationship that lies at the heart of “Wild Child” was a complicated one. It is a measure of President Roosevelt’s regard for Alice’s political acumen that he sent her to tour the Orient in order to distract the press as his delegate, William Howard Taft, quietly negotiated a settlement to the Russo-Japanese war. The press dubbed the tour “Alice in Wonderland.”

But it is equally a measure of Roosevelt’s inability to connect with Alice on a familial level that, in his book “Letters To His Children,” T.R. “did not include any of his letters to her.” Ultimately, that father-daughter emotional turbulence would have tragic consequences for Alice and her own daughter.

Relatively late in life, Alice had a child with an older man, not her husband, who could have been a T.R. clone. Lacking her famous mother’s verve and grit, Paulina Longworth was a sickly child and a withdrawn adult. She died of a sleeping pill overdose at the age of 31.

After her death, Alice fought for and won custody of Paulina’s daughter, Joanna. Alice devoted herself to being the kind of mother to her granddaughter that she never was to Paulina.

“I think it’s a truism that we tend to repeat the

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Mickle feels a sense of pride for the opportunity to help tell Alice’s story.

“I’m so proud of being able to distill history for readers to know the real Alice,” she said, “not just her antics.”

“White House Wild Child” is a publication of Imagine Books. It sells for $27.99 hardcover.

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CUP O’ HOLIDAY JOE A UF Student’s Personal Guide to Festive Java & More The official start of November can only mean one thing. It’s time to grab a sweater and find the perfect drink that makes you want to build a fort, frolic through a pumpkin patch, and decorate a Christmas tree. While big coffeehouse chains can be an easy go-to, there’s something about drinking cappuccinos or eating cookies from a local or family-owned company that serves everything with a smile.

Check out my picks for local coffee shops and bakeries in Gainesville that offer festive coffees, teas, and other goodies that will make you want to snuggle up and watch “Turkey Hollow” or “Christmas Vacation” on repeat!

WRIT TEN BY DEBRA GARCIA

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FESTIVE JAVA

P H O T O G R A P H Y: X I N Y E L I

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THE FLYING BISCUIT: PUMPKIN SPICE ICED LATTE 4150 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, 32605 The Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte comes in a tall glass with a dollop of whipped cream on the top. But that is not all. A mountain of brown sugar and black and orange sprinkles can be seen on the whipped cream. It was so beautiful; I almost did not want to ruin it by taking a sip. Almost. It tasted heavenly. I immediately got a sugar rush from the sweetness. In my mind, I was transported to a pumpkin patch.

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UPPERCRUST BAKERY: CRANBERRY ROSEMARY ESPRESSO TONIC, CHOCOLATE LAVENDER CAPPUCCINO, DIRTY CHAI, SUGAR COOKIES 4118 NW 16th Blvd. Gainesville, 32605 I had the opportunity to taste three holiday-style drinks and two sugar cookies. The Cranberry Rosemary Espresso Tonic is a drink for tea lovers who have a soft spot for espresso. The Chocolate Lavender Cappuccino tasted like mocha so much I felt like I was in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. However, the hint of lavender was a nice, unexpected touch. Meanwhile, the Dirty Chai is a sweet, hot, and classic choice. It is something quick and easy that any coffee lover should try.

The two sugar cookies were a work of art. Both were soft, with a thick flood of frosting on the top. One was shaped like a pumpkin with orange and white frosting swirls. The other took the shape of a snowflake with a pink frosting pattern on top. Both were scrumptious. They were soft yet solid. Smooth but filling.

PHOTOS BY DEBRA GARCIA NOV/DEC 2023

THE BAGEL BAKERY: PEPPERMINT MOCHA, PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE, PUMPKIN CHAI

PHOTOS BY DEBRA GARCIA

4113 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville 32605 I had the festive privilege of tasting not one, two, but three, superb holiday coffees at The Bagel Bakery.

I must’ve been on Santa’s “Nice List” this year!

The Peppermint Mocha was the perfect mix of hot chocolate and espresso. It came piping hot and brought a minty sensation to my tastebuds. For a second, I thought I was at the North Pole. Like most Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the one made by The Bagel Bakery was pretty delicious. Sweet, but with a hint of espresso to send the caffeine pumping through my veins.

My favorite was the Pumpkin Chai.

Words cannot do this drink justice.

The beverage’s sweet, creamy pumpkin flavor had me begging for more.

If I could drink this every day, I would.

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HOLIDAY COFFEE >> LOCAL TREATS

CONCORD COFFEE: PUMPKIN SPICE HOT LATTE, PUMPKIN ICED CAPPUCCINO, SNICKERDOODLE ICED CAPPUCCINO, SNICKERDOODLE HOT LATTE 1380 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603 The barista made me four drinks. All of which had different yet delectable tastes. The Pumpkin Spice Hot Latte was very foamy, which I loved. The taste once again made me feel like I was at the peak of the fall season, which is hard to accomplish in Florida. Like the Pumpkin Spice Hot Latte, the Pumpkin Iced Cappuccino made me appreciate my love of pumpkin even more. It was refreshing as the iced version helped cool me from the Florida heat.

Similarly, the Snickerdoodle Iced Cappuccino made my love of Snickerdoodle cookies skyrocket. Two of my favorite things — iced coffee and snickerdoodle — were combined. The Snickerdoodle Hot Latte was my favorite, but the competition was brutal. It smelled like a freshly baked cookie and tasted like one, too. I slurped the whole thing down in less than a minute.

BAY ISLANDS COFFEE COMPANY: PUMPKIN PATCH LATTE, MAPLE PUMPKIN LATTE 3270 SW 35th Blvd, Gainesville, 32608 I was given two fall drinks to try, though many more were on the menu. I taste-tested the Pumpkin Patch Latte and the Maple Pumpkin Latte. However, Bay Islands Coffee also has a S’mores Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and a Gingerbread Latte available. The Pumpkin Patch Latte was very good and quickly went down the hatch. I only had a small, but no matter how filling it was, I wanted more. The blend of pumpkin notes with the coffee beans was splendid.

The Maple Pumpkin Latte was very similar to the Pumpkin Patch Latte. However, what made it different was the kick of cinnamon and maple, which prompted me to chug the drink down like a kid trying soda for the first time.

CURIA ON THE DRAG: PUMPKIN SPICE SYRUP LATTE 2029 NW 6th St, Gainesville, 32609 This drink, while iced, can also be made hot. The pumpkin taste was great, and patrons can request more sugar.

Besides the Pumpkin Spice Syrup Latte, Curia on the Drag sells a Peppermint Syrup Latte, a Curry Ginger Syrup, and a Coquito Latte. They also bake goods like Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles, Vegan Sprinkle Cookies and Cinnamon Hazelnut White Chocolate Scones, Cheese Danishes, Almond Snowball Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Cakes, Chocolate Chip Chai Muffins, Soft Molasses Cookies and Hazelnut Chocolate Crinkles. That’s a lot of festive fun to enjoy all holiday season!

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So, with all that said and done, if you are feeling adventurous and want to branch out of the big-chain java bubble, these local coffeehouses and bakeries (and many more I didn’t have room to list) will welcome you in with open arms and give you a cup o’ joe you can festively drink up to this season.

Happy Holidays!

PHOTOS BY DEBRA GARCIA NOV/DEC 2023

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COLUMN

Embracing Life

BY DONNA BONNELL

FLIP FLOPS AND A PURPLE PARROT The Parrothead edition of The Twelve Days of Christmas is my favorite jingle this holiday season. Instead of the customary turtle doves, partridges, and pear trees, Jimmy Buffett substituted Bahamian and Florida Keys souvenirs to create a laidback alternative tune. In case you have not heard this version, the gifts bestowed are: 12 Landshark Lagers, 11 Lulu Cookbooks, ten tiki torches, nine pairs of flip flops, eight vintage 8-tracks, seven Vegas tickets, six matte guitar picks, five cheeseburgers, four Hawaiian ukes, three Fin hats, two tattoos and a purple parrot in a palm tree.

Like so many others in my age group, especially those from Florida and other states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, his songs are anthem-like. Buffett was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1946, and died on September 1, 2023 (the start of Labor Day weekend).

I was born in Miami in 1954, of Bahamian descent. My ancestors migrated to the Keys and Miami following their legendary days of piracy. While I am not a true Parrothead, his music was a lifelong staple. Many relatives, including my parents, lived the lifestyle in his lyrics.

Shortly before Labor Day this year, I spent several sun-filled days on the beach in Saint Augustine with my daughter and her family. The evening before we left, we dined at an outdoor seafood restaurant. After being blessed with the beach’s sights, sounds, and smells long enough to unwind, a scrumptious shrimp dinner was the grand finale. The background beach music included my beloved Buffett.

Suddenly, an emotional wave slammed my soul. After many years of missing my extended family, I began reminiscing about the extraordinary times we shared in Buffett’s paradise. Could I have had a premonition of Buffett’s passing? Or was it simply a bountiful bout of homesickness?

Whatever happened, my reflecting Jimmy

journey began by trying to remember which song was requested by and played at my husband’s best friend’s memorial service. Jay suffered terribly from Multiple Sclerosis. Nonetheless, he loved nothing more than kicking back and being on the water. Like Jimmy, Jay always had a smile on his face and celebrated life.

The week after returning from vacation, I listened to countless hours of my favorite Buffett tunes. It was not until Jimmy died that I learned Jay’s song was A Pirate Looks At 40. The following stanzas describe him perfectly, “Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call; Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall…Yes, I am a pirate, two hundred years too late; I’m an over-forty victim of fate.”

Jay’s second request for his celebration of life was to have a parking meter installed as his headstone, which took a little manipulating. His instructions were to deposit coins, enjoy Buffett’s songs, and for family and friends to share stories. Once the ‘time expired’ lever sprung, any sadness was to end and the partying to begin. We did just that.

If reincarnation is real, perhaps Jay was one of my pirate relatives in a former life. In this lifetime he died more than twenty years ago. Miraculously (maybe), I am finally putting together the possible (albeit far-fetched) connection from Jimmy’s magical music. One thing for sure is that Jay and Jimmy embodied the same good-hearted, beach-loving spirit.

Like Jimmy, Jay always had a smile on his face and celebrated life.

Jimmy’s sister, Lucy Buffett, Author of Lulu’s Kitchen Cookbook (previously mentioned above in the Parrothead holiday jingle), described their last conversation as a beautiful goodbye. She said, “He didn’t care about resting in peace.” His final words were, “Have fun.”

Regular readers know that Christmas and Thanksgiving traditions are important to me. That will never change.

It, however, seems appropriate on the first birthday and Christmas following Jimmy’s death to embrace a splash of salty life fun.

This year, my cure for holiday stress is to savor a merry margarita and a charbroiled cheeseburger while listening to The Twelve Days of Christmas (Parrothead style) and A Pirates Looks At 40. If anyone asks, flip-flops and a purple parrot are on my wish list. Merry Christmas, everyone, and remember to have fun!

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

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GAINESVILLE’S ART SCENE IN THE SPOTLIGHT The 42nd Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show

“The arts.” It’s a broad term with a unique meaning to each person – even those fully immersed in it. Regardless of how one may define “the arts,” there is something for everyone at the 42nd Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show.

W R I T T E N B Y L I N D S AY S C H I N D L E R P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E R I C K A W I N T E R PA U L E Y

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DOWNTOWN ART

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GAINESVILLE ART SHOW >> DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL

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aintings, jewelry, sculptures, live performances, and more can all be found amid the

300-400 vendors on November 18 and 19.

While this may be the 42nd rendition of this festival, there is nothing redundant or copy-paste about the art on display.

A true reflection of Gainesville’s art scene, no one craft or performance is quite like another, providing a holistic glimpse into the city’s culture.

There will be about 200 adult fine artists, about a dozen youth fine artists, over 150 performing artists, and over a dozen food trucks. With so many options and stations to visit, it’s impossible to grow bored.

Chelsea Carnes, the events coordinator for the cultural events division of the city of Gainesville, describes the Gainesville art scene in one word — “Vibrant.”

“For a town our size,” she said, “we really punch above our weight.”

The festival was established in 1981 as art fairs started taking off nationwide. Artists found that setting up in downtown areas and selling their work was a way to make a living, and thus, the art fair was born.

This particular festival has a sister festival that takes place in the spring. Between the two, they give local artists a platform to showcase what they work on throughout the year. “They keep a robust fine arts scene throughout the year,” Carnes said. “It keeps local artists employed while highlighting the local flavors of Gainesville.”

This particular festival takes place just as people start thinking about the holidays, creating the perfect opportunity to do some holiday shopping that will guarantee a unique gift find — or a great way to treat yourself, too. As the weather begins to cool and hits that not-too-coldbut-not-too-hot sweet spot in mid-November, it creates the perfect environment to take a stroll downtown and enjoy everything the festival offers. This is also that tiny window in the year where Gainesville is just “Gainesville” as opposed to “Rainesville,” so being outdoors is actually inviting and enticing.

The festival was established in 1981 as art fairs started taking off nationwide. Artists found that setting up in downtown areas and selling their work was a way to make a living, and thus, the art fair was born.

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Downtown Gainesville is historic, but it truly comes to life when lined with hundreds of vendors showcasing their craft.

Carnes is particularly excited about the performing arts that the festival has to offer this year. She grew up with a background in performing arts, so she made an effort to highlight them a bit extra. Upon getting hired, she brought in a new performing arts director, Jacob Adams, a musician himself. This year, they partnered with two nationally known and critically acclaimed headliners performing at the festival.

Mama’s Broke, a Canadian Folk Duo, will perform on Saturday, November 18. They recently performed on NPR Tiny Desk and will be making their way to Gainesville for the weekend. Hurray for the Riff Raff, a New Orleans-based band, will take the stage on Sunday, November 19. Having made a name for themselves performing different types of folk music, the band has been featured in places such as Pitchfork and NPR Tiny Desk.

There are six stages to ensure ample space for all 150 performers exhibiting their talent at the festival.

A Gainesville local, Carnes grew up attending the

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This particular festival takes place just as people start thinking about the holidays, creating the perfect opportunity to do some holiday shopping.

festival and enjoying all it offers. When she stepped into her role, she attempted to produce a mission statement for the event — a one-sentence statement for the festival that could fully encompass its role within the community. However, she found herself at a loss for words — or, instead, producing too many words.

She also spoke about the benefits of the festival from a financial perspective.

“It’s a commercial space for artists to make money as well, and every musician that performs gets paid,” she said.

In the past, many performers came to the festival as volunteers simply looking to get their names out there. Now, not only

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Downtown Gainesville is historic, but it truly comes to life when lined with hundreds of vendors showcasing their craft.

“I came up with like six,” she said with a laugh. “It’s just a multipurpose event.”

Regardless of how many sentences she spoke, she beamed while saying them.

“It provides a space for Gainesville residents, neighbors, and performers - just people who live in Gainesville - to get together and feel a sense of community pride and belonging — a sense of cultural identity about their city,” Carnes said.

does the festival allow them to gain some exposure, but they are also all paid fairly.

Aside from physical and visual artwork, there will also be plenty of culinary artwork to enjoy. Any chef will be sure to tell you that food is most definitely an art form, and there will be over a dozen food trucks selling a variety of international cuisine. This means plenty of “fuel stations” to ensure you can walk around

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all day and enjoy the festival to the fullest.

It’s a cliché but true — there is truly something for everyone. While children may not have yet developed an appreciation for the arts, there are still ways for them to stay engaged. The northwestern corner of the festival will feature an “imagination station,” which has activities just for children to get them to engage in art-related activities.

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People in the past have said the festival “feels so Gainesville,” which makes Carnes happy.

“I like that people see it as a reflection of the identity of the city,” she said. “It’s a multicultural celebration, and it really reflects the diverse and wonderful world of art we have here in our town.”

Gainesville is a melting pot of so many cultures, and this festival is an opportunity for them all to come together and celebrate themselves. Art may be subjective, but one thing is for sure — this festival caters to any and every audience.

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LET’S GET CRAFTY

HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR UNIQUE & LOCAL GOODS

The Winter GLAM Craft Show W R I T T E N BY D E B R A G A R C I A

IT IS ALMOST TIME. OVER 80 VENDORS WILL ARRIVE IN GAINESVILLE FOR THIS YEAR’S GLAM CRAFT SHOW. Taking place on Dec. 3rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Magnitude Brewing Company, the 15th annual winter GLAM Craft Show will show the city of Gainesville a fresh shopping experience filled with handmade and locally designed goods. Missing it means shoppers must wait until April for their spring show at Cypress and Grove Brewery.

Sew Make Do LLC, a Gainesville-based small business that strives to bring creative opportunities to our local community, produces the GLAM craft shows twice a year.

This allows socially minded shoppers to purchase unique, handcrafted gifts within their community and connect with the people who made them. Hundreds of customers visit every event to catch a glimpse of all the fun.

Previous GLAM events have seen over 70 vendors, all with unique products. At GLAM, shoppers will find many variations of handmade jewelry, men’s and women’s silkscreened T-shirts, funky home decor, hand-spun yarns, thrown mugs, baby bibs, hand poured soaps, fitness hoops, stickers, amigurumi (the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures), forged knives and more.

“ Having this wonderful community in Gainesville that is so enthusiastic about supporting small brands, artists and creatives is truly something to be grateful for.”

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Timber Line Jewelry has been in Gainesville for almost 30 years and has sold goods at GLAM for over 10 years.

Glam Producer and organizer Kim Kruse used to be a vendor herself at Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota. As a Gainesville resident, Kruse felt that her hometown could use a similar event every year. So, she started GLAM, which has become an event that the Gainesville community looks forward to every year.

“GLAM often feels more like a block party than anything else,” Kruse said, “There’s just a warmth and positive energy to it. I have vendors that come from other cities, and they say that the people here in Gainesville are some of the best audiences that they’ve worked with.”

Vendors come far and wide to sell their products at the GLAM shows. Over 80 vendors are estimated to attend the winter show this year.

Lisa Fulk owns Sunshine Canning, a business based in Sarasota that sells homemade jams, pepper jellies, and pickles. Sunshine Canning’s jars are handcrafted and canned the old-fashioned way, with no preservatives or chemicals.

Fulk and her team started vending at GLAM in 2015 and have returned yearly. Their foodie customers cannot get enough.

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“We were met with so much appreciation and enthusiasm! Our customers there come back every year to stock up, and it’s been so fun meeting everyone,” Fulk said.

Meanwhile, vendors like Nikki Kragiel, founder of Timber Line Jewelry, has been in Gainesville for almost 30 years and has sold goods at GLAM for over 10 years. Created in 2004, Timber Line Jewelry sells handcrafted home goods, earrings, necklaces, rings, planters’ ornaments, mirrors, shelving, and belt buckles. Kragiel and her Timber Line Jewelry team strive to create original, eye-catching designs that people will want to wear often. Their use of ease and lightweight styles helps incorporate wood patterns, geometric designs, and characteristic angles in their designs.

“We have customers that repeatedly come to us for gifts and send their partners our way when they have birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries coming up,” Kragiel said, “having this wonderful community in Gainesville that is so enthusiastic about supporting small brands, artists and creatives is truly something to be grateful for.”

It is not just jams and jewelry that shoppers will find at the GLAM winter show, as Rudy’s Rescue for Homeless Toys,

founded by Jeanne Thomas Bunting, will also be present at the craft show this year. Rudy’s Rescue for Homeless Toys started in 2015 when Bunting found a love for crocheting little sweaters on her stash of farm animals and then embellishing them with vintage ribbon and Christmas ornaments.

These toys appeal to everyone: children, parents, and even collectors. Over the years, the once sweet little ornaments have developed darker anthropomorphic personalities.

“Now children fall in love with a giant T-Rex Santa devouring the North Pole while mom and dad claim a Dinosaur Nativity scene complete with little dinosaur shepherds and Wise Men,” Bunting said.

The GLAM winter show also brings in vendors like Lorena Haldeman, the solo artist and operator of Halde Craft. Twelve years ago Haldeman was encouraged by her friends to start a ceramics business, as she has been making ceramics her whole life. Haldeman makes handmade items such as mugs, bowls, platters, and sometimes soap. She also dyes yarn, having once run a yarn shop.

In Haldeman’s own words, she makes “weird, fun, useful things that draw in people looking for something a little unusual.” Haldeman loves attending the GLAM shows and applauds Kruse’s efforts every year, as she believes she does Lorena Haldeman started her ceramics business 12 years ago. Her handmade items such as mugs, bowls, platters, and sometimes soaps will be available for purchase at this year’s GLAM winter show.

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GLAM CRAFT SHOW >> HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Rudy’s Rescue for Homeless Toys started in 2015 when Bunting found a love for crocheting little sweaters on her stash of farm animals and then embellishing them with vintage ribbon and Christmas ornaments.

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an amazing job organizing the annual event.

“My hat is off to Kim every year. I really don’t know how she does it,” Haldeman said.

However, when Haldeman attends GLAM, selling goods is not her only priority. She also enjoys seeing her fellow vendor friends.

“ This year, I’m looking for items that provide me joy and comfort in gifting them and owning them for myself.”

“GLAM is such a great place to see people I don’t have time to see during the rest of the year,” Haldeman said, “I like to joke that I’m more there for the hugs than to sell things.”

Both the winter and spring GLAM craft shows attract hundreds of shoppers each year. These shoppers range from college students from the University of Florida and Santa Fe College to families from all over the state and even senior citizens who are enjoying their retirement.

Kathy Anderson, 39, is a Gainesville resident who frequents GLAM shows with her friends. She loves buying artisan-made decals, prints, floral earrings, pottery, and plant-related items. While her shopping objectives vary yearly, Anderson loves to go to GLAM to buy gifts for the important people in her life.

However, this year, she has other plans.

“This year, I’m looking for items that provide me joy and comfort in gifting them and owning them for myself,” Anderson said, “I enjoy supporting and knowing more about local entrepreneurs.”

The GLAM Winter Craft Show is an event Gainesville residents should take advantage of, whether they are window shopping or want to buy one-ofa-kind gifts for themselves, friends, or family.

Monday - Saturday 5a-9a

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HISTORIC HOLIDAY

CELEBRATE A HISTORIC HOLIDAY IN GAINESVILLE

The Magic of Christmas Past

BY J OA N N A G R E Y TA L B O T

Gainesville may never see a white Christmas, but the holidays are still a time of wonder, community, and togetherness. Two traditions that have stood the test of time are the enjoyment of holiday decorations and spending time with those we love. The types of decorations have changed over the years, but the joy of bringing holiday magic into our homes has not.

Two of Alachua County’s oldest homes, constructed in the late 1850s, decorate for the holidays every year and invite the public to stroll through each room and imagine the former residents’ celebrations.

HOLIDAY TOURS AT THE HISTORIC HAILE HOMESTEAD During the month of December, the Homestead will be decorated for the holidays with evergreens and vintage

ornaments. The Homestead will be closed on Sunday, December 24th and 31st.

The Historic Haile Homestead, staffed entirely by volunteers, is open for tours on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Weekday tours can be arranged depending on docent availability. Weekend tours are $5/person, and weekday tours are $10/person.

Group tours (10 or more) are $4/person.

Visitors learn the full history of the Homestead on each tour. Docents share about the Haile family, their connection to the Kanapaha Presbyterian Church, and the lives of the enslaved men and women who worked at the Kanapaha Plantation. In the Allen and Ethel Graham Visitors Center and Museum, visitors have the opportunity to watch two videos – “Beginnings” about the Haile family and their move to Alachua County, and “Enslavement to Freedom”

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LOCAL HISTORY >> CHRISTMAS PAST

During the month of December, the Homestead will be decorated for the holidays with evergreens and vintage ornaments—inviting visitors to stroll the grounds.

about the brutal truth of slavery and how Reconstruction and Jim Crow impacted freedmen in Alachua County. For more information, visit: hailehomestead.org.

THE HISTORIC HAILE HOMESTEAD AT KANAPAHA PLANTATION In 1854, Thomas Evans and Serena Chesnut Haile moved their family from Camden, South Carolina to Alachua County. They brought 56 enslaved people with them, and by the 1860 slave schedule, they had 66 enslaved people living in 18 dwellings.

The Hailes’ 6,200 square-foot home, completed in 1856, was built by enslaved laborers and is a testament to the skill of the craftsmen. Two of the enslaved people, Johnson and Maria Chestnut, still have descendants in Alachua County – they founded the Chestnut Funeral Home and have served in a variety of capacities in government and community organizations.

Historian and Board President Karen Kirkman has spent years researching all the residents of the Kanapaha Plantation and other plantations throughout Alachua County. She loves being able to help people make a connection to their enslaved ancestors. If you’re unable to visit the Historic Haile Homestead, you can find a large majority of her research on the Homestead’s website: hailehomestead.org.

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Two traditions that have stood the test of time are the enjoyment of holiday decorations and spending time with those we love.

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Thomas and Serena passed away in the 1890s and left the house and property to Evans Haile, the 14th of their fifteen children. He lived in Gainesville and worked as a defense attorney, so he used the house mainly on weekends and holidays. By the 1930s the house had been abandoned.

Re-discovered in the 1970s and used for the film “Gal Young Un,” the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The Homestead was restored in 1996 with a grant from the State of Florida and has been open to the public for tours since 2001. The property is co-owned by the Alachua Conservation Trust and the Haile Family Trust.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE MATHESON HISTORY MUSEUM AND SWEETWATER BRANCH INN On Saturday, December 16, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Matheson and Sweetwater Branch Inn are hosting their annual Holiday Open House. The afternoon will be filled with live music, refreshments, vintage holiday craft activities, and self-guided tours of several historic buildings - the Museum, Matheson House, Tison Tool Barn – and the Sweetwater Branch Inn gardens. Staff are hopeful that Santa himself will pay a visit! Docents will be available in each building to share the history of its construction and former residents. Tickets will go on sale in mid-November. For complete information, visit the museum’s website at: mathesonmuseum.org/events.

HISTORIC MATHESON HOUSE The Historic Matheson House was home to three generations of the family. It is unclear when the house was completed. Still, thanks to Dr. Thomas McCaa’s ledger in the museum’s archives, it is certain that Alexander Matheson and his family were living on the property in 1858. The Mathesons also moved from Camden, South Carolina, and were friends with the Hailes. The 1860 census shows that at least three enslaved people were also living on the Matheson property.

In 1867, Alexander’s son James married Augusta Steele, and they moved into the Matheson House. They raised four children, but only one lived to adulthood – Christopher.

A graduate of the East Florida Seminary and The Citadel, Chris joined the Army. He was posted to Fort Bliss, near San Antonio, Texas. However, in 1897, his younger brother, Steele, was killed in a hunting accident so he left the Army and moved back home to help his parents.

Chris settled on a career in law and served as Gainesville’s mayor from 1910 to 1917. His mother, Augusta, passed away in 1916, and a couple of years later he felt the call into the ministry. He was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church and preached his first sermon at Central Presbyterian Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 1919. He served there until 1945.

During his time in Oklahoma, he met and married Sarah Hamilton, a North Carolina native and teacher at the Oklahoma Presbyterian College, where Chris served on the Board of Directors. Due to Chris’s health, they moved NOV/DEC 2023

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LOCAL HISTORY >> CHRISTMAS PAST

On Saturday, December 16, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Matheson and Sweetwater Branch Inn are hosting their annual Holiday Open House.

The afternoon will be filled with live music, refreshments, vintage holiday craft activities, and self-guided tours of several historic buildings.

back to the Matheson home in Gainesville, and he passed away in 1952. Sarah served the Presbyterian Church and the Gainesville community for the rest of her life, passing away in 1996.

The house was deeded to the Matheson Historical Center on her death and today is the crown jewel of the Matheson History Museum’s complex.

SWEETWATER BRANCH INN Opened in 1993 by Cornelia Holbrook, the Sweetwater Branch Inn celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The Inn is “an eclectic blend of Victorian charm and southern hospitality.” The complex consists of two restored Victorian mansions – the McKenzie House and the Cushman-Colson House – guest cottages, a reception hall, and gardens.

The Cushman-Colson House was constructed between 1885 and 1886 by Alonzo Cushman. He sold the property to Dr. James Colson in 1905. His wife, Eloise, passed away in 1947, and the home was sold to the Alvarez family. They used the home for the Alvarez Tourist Home. Holbrook 52 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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purchased the home in 1992 and made it the first building of the Inn. The McKenzie House was constructed circa 1895 in the Queen Anne style with a gabled porch, balconies, and an octagonal turret. Holbrook’s parents, Juan and Giovanna, purchased the home in 1978 and painstakingly renovated it. The house, named for the last resident, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The McKenzie House was the second building added to the Inn. Sweetwater Branch Inn’s beautifully maintained grounds include winding brick pathways, lush gardens, an ecofriendly salt pool, a pond and bridge, and seven fountains.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the resident cats – Patches and Butters!

This holiday season, take the opportunity to support these two important and much-needed museums by attending their special events. Your ticket purchase will go directly towards preserving our community’s collective history.

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COLUMN

From Mother Hen

FARM TALES

HOLIDAY MEMORIES Some of my earliest memories center around the magic of the holidays. Our inner family circle was made up of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who were farmers like my mom and dad. We all lived just a few miles or less from one another, but living in the country, we usually didn’t see each other that often during the year. When the leaves began to turn and the harvest was upon us, the ladies started to get in the holiday mood and plans would begin for our annual potluck get-togethers.

When I was very young, these were always held at my grandmother’s house. My mother would be on the phone with my aunts and grandmother planning the menu and who would prepare what dish. Family favorites would always be on the menu, but sometimes a new recipe would be brought in for variety.

Of course, Thanksgiving dinner would feature roast turkey and the usual trimmings. Christmas was usually for ham and sweet potatoes. However, some of the more daring ladies might try a new recipe from a magazine such as Ladies’ Home Journal or Good Housekeeping. I remember when Cool Whip was introduced and hit the shelves in our grocery store. Some of my younger newlywed cousins thought Cool Whip was the greatest invention since sliced bread, and suddenly, we would have new dessert salads to try. Cool Whip was on everything, from pies to cakes to Jello. I could tell my mother and aunts preferred the “real thing,” hand-prepared whipped cream they made from scratch with their electric hand mixer. Even back then, convenience was replacing flavor in the kitchen as progress and time-saving for the housewife became a thing.

Later, when my grandmother was getting older, and it was more difficult for her to host all the holiday gatherings at my grandparents’ house, my mother and aunts would rotate hosting the event at their homes.

This was a nice alternative for us children, as we had the opportunity to become familiar with each of our families’ farms. There were

barns to explore, woods to hike in, and family pets to play with. It was a world of fun for us kids to enjoy.

These winter gatherings would last all day, starting with the main meal at noon, followed by afternoon cleanup by the ladies in the kitchen. It was quite a process, taking hours to wash the pots, pans, and dishes and then put all the leftovers in the refrigerator. Remember, there were no convenience items like plastic containers back then. No plastic wrap, paper plates, or plastic silverware either. I do believe we had aluminum foil, which we called tin foil, but everything was usually kept in glass containers or serving bowls when we put them away in the “Frigidaire.” And that meant a lot of dishwashing—by hand! There were no dishwashers back then, either.

I remember when Cool Whip was introduced and hit the shelves in our grocery store. Some of my younger newlywed cousins thought Cool Whip was the greatest invention since sliced bread.

While the ladies were busy in the kitchen doing up the dishes and working down the food, the men in the family returned to their respective farms to do the chores for their farm animals. Some had dairy cows that needed to be milked twice a day, rain or shine. There was no such thing as a day off for farmers. Others may not have had cows to care for, but some had pigs (referred to as hogs) or other animals that needed attention. Once the kitchen was taken care of, the ladies retired to the sitting room to talk and catch up with family news. Sometimes, Grandma might pick up a crochet project while listening to the conversation. It seemed she never looked at her hands as she quickly maneuvered the yarn on the hook. We children used this time to play outside in the brisk winter air. If the weather was too nasty, we would play board games like Sorry or Parcheesi, which Grandma kept in a drawer for toys. The men arrived hungry when they returned from their chores. It seemed like the ladies had just sat down, but once again they all headed back to the kitchen. This time, they made sandwiches from the leftover meat and reheated the side dishes. Once again, no modern conveniences like the microwave were available back then to help with the process. Everything needed to be reheated in pots and pans on the stove.

After the meal was finished and the kitchen cleaned

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.

once again, the men began their annual card games.

Several card tables were set up, and I remember hearing the familiar slap of cards as they were shuffled or thrown down on the table with a flourish when someone declared a “full house” or “four of a kind.” Sometimes the games got a little rowdy, and my grandpa was known for his English temper. It was just a part of the experience, though, and it never went further than a few choice words.

The winters in the Midwest brought on darkness in the late afternoons. We children were tired out from a full day of play, and our tummies were full, so we didn’t mind.

Once it was nighttime, we ended the day watching home movies that my grandmother had taken over the years with her movie camera. It was an event we always looked forward to. There were movies of all the grandchildren as babies and toddlers, first steps, birthday parties, holidays, and more. We were enchanted watching these old black and white movies taking life on the screen as we lay on the floor on our blankets and pillows. We knew each film by heart, laughing at the funny faces our parents made to the camera or anticipating the next scene where a cousin learned to ride a bike…smack into a tree! As the youngest children dozed off to sleep, I remember how cozy the feeling was to be surrounded by my family. When I close my eyes, I can still experience that feeling. I can still feel the love.

Wishing you beautiful holiday memories that will live on for years to come in your family, too. And may your New Year be blessed with the cozy feeling of being with those you love.

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Charity of the Month

CONGRATULATIONS CHARITY OF THE MONTH WINNER July 2023 Winner

SUNRISE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION Sunrise Wildlife Rehabilitation provides support for rescuers and qualified care for wildlife in need. They offer guidance for co-existence with our wild neighbors and strengthen appreciation for nature through native wildlife outreach programs and conservation projects.

Sunrise Wildlife Rehabilitation engages in continued learning, networking and consulting with wildlife professionals world wide. SWR is constantly raising the bar in regards to the rehabilitation facility, methods and our native wildlife outreach programs.

They are a planned and steadily growing facility where injured or orphaned mammals, birds and reptiles can receive quality care with privacy and respect and their primary goal is to keep the WILD in our patients.

Their dedication to our native wildlife is nothing short of inspiring. It’s an honor to contribute to their mission and help more deserving charities experience #ThePowerToShine each month!

To nominate a charity or to vote for your favorite nominee visit: 58 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

RadiantCU.org/com

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

About Radiant Credit Union’s Charity of the Month Program...

The program was started in 2013 as a way for our communities to recognize their favorite local charities.

Since that time Radiant has donated thousands of dollars to charities in our area.

Each month Radiant awards the winning charity $1,000. All 501c3 charities headquartered in Radiant’s service area (Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee or Union County in Florida) are eligible to enter the contest.

Entering your favorite charity is easy and you could win $100 if the charity you entered wins.

For complete rules and step-by-step instructions go to RadiantCU.org/com

School of the Month May 2023 Recipient Newberry High School Congratulations to Newberry High School, our May School of the Month!

We are proud to donate $1000 to support their ongoing programs and initiatives, and celebrate their commitment to shaping the future of their students.

A special thank you to branch manager Cody Cowart, for presenting the donation to Principal James Sheppard.

Together, we can make a positive impact on education in our community!

Presented by Radiant Credit Union and Our Town Family of Magazines

NOV/DEC 2023

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COLUMN

Naked Salsa

B Y C RY S TA L S M I T H

MAKING SPACE This week I had a cute little mental breakdown trying to shove an Amazon box under my bed. A few days ago I found a really great deal on a microphone for podcasting.

No, I’m not thinking of taking my column musings to the airwaves. My 11-year-old’s latest dream is voice acting.

So the mic is part of her wishlist setup to launch her VO career.

It was $20 for a pretty decent microphone to round out her Santa list this year. And although I’d been warned that 11 was much too old to believe in the big guy, I was still trying to hold on to the magic.

The mic was delivered to my door just moments before she was due to get off the bus. So I grabbed it and went to stash it under my bed. My apartment is a lot smaller than my old house, so finding little nooks to hide Christmas magic is tough.

I frantically shuffled things around trying to find just enough real estate under my bed before Violet walked in the door. I started to sweat, and frustration took over until I finally screamed and tossed the package behind a pile of shoes in my closet. I’d just deal with it later. I’d already had a frustrating day.

This whole year has been a heaping pile of frustrating plot twists. After my apartment flooded last Christmas, it took some time to find a new apartment and get settled in. Then just as I got settled, I got fired. Of all the blows I’ve taken in my life, that one unexpectedly topped the list as one of the hardest.

All through the insanity of my lightning fast divorce and the even faster wedding of my ex husband, I was cool as a cucumber. As I started to rebuild my life on my own, I took each speedbump in stride. But the job loss gutted me.

We’ll touch on what it’s like to get fired because your new boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend happens to be in charge another time. But suffice it to say I wasn’t fired for my performance, and I took it just like a death.

As I was trying to find a new paycheck to support

my kids and still mourning the loss of my entire identity, I got news that my best friend was moving to New York — like fast. I was so numb in my job loss grief that I didn’t really process what it meant that my soulmate was leaving the state. My brain must have known I couldn’t take any more, and I went into survival mode. I processed the news in the only way I knew how. I booked a flight to visit her in the fall. I’d think about what life would be like without her later.

About a week later I got a great job offer for a new company that would pay me more money to do more fun work. So I had that to distract me while Jenna packed her whole life and a piece of my heart into boxes.

Summer flew by with the kids busier than ever. The biggest development was that my oldest decided she was done seeing her dad. They had a falling out, and that was that. She was over it.

It broke my heart because I know how close she was with him before. But it also meant that I was fully solo parenting for the foreseeable future. No more trips unless

As I started to rebuild my life on my own, I took each speedbump in stride.

But the job loss gutted me.

I had a babysitter. And I don’t.

I tried to push it out of my mind, but as the trip to New York began to inch closer, I realized it was looking less and less likely. I tried every avenue I could think of to find a sitter. I even asked all three of the grandmothers if they could help — offering to fly them in town and reassuring them that she’s 14 and very self-sufficient. They’d basically be a glorified Uber getting her to and from school for two days. But all three declined. One didn’t have the time off work, and two were simply too busy living their retired lives.

The same day the microphone came in the mail I’d broken down in tears over the trip. It felt like all the independence I’d gained since the divorce left my body. I felt stuck. While my ex and his new wife went off to Europe for months, I dutifully took care of our children. I just wanted one weekend to visit my best friend. I love my kids, but I wanted a moment to myself.

That night as we were eating dinner, Violet rocked me with some news. Without even looking up, she casually

CRYSTAL SMITH 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

told me that she knew I was Santa. I was stunned. Were my days of Christmas magic done? Would this be the first year we didn’t have a believer in the house?

I gathered myself, smirked, and told her I had no idea what she was talking about.

Santa was fully real damnit.

The revelation that she might be outgrowing the magic gutted me, but I also needed it. It helped me realize that my days of duty to these kids are numbered. The responsibility to be strong and do it all is tough. And I think it’s normal to crave a break, or want to do something just for me.

But those days of just worrying about me are going to come faster than I realize.

For now I’m going to keep making space under my bed for the magic. I’ll make room in my day for some peace. And I’ll be grateful for the space in my heart that these little podcasters fill every single day.

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Welcome

2023 Fall

Parade of Homes

TM

Dates & Hours: November 11-12 & 18-19, 2023 12-5 pm Each Day Admission: Free Presented by: The Builders Association of North Central Florida (352) 372-5649 2217 NW 66th Court Gainesville, FL 32653 For More Information: Visit BANCF.com

Welcome to the Annual Parade of Homes™. Since debuting in 1958, over 2,100 homes have been showcased in 325 neighborhoods throughout Alachua County. The Parade of Homes™ provides residents an opportunity to see the latest in-home innovation, the best in neighborhood design and the newest in energy efficient techniques.

Each year we continue to bring you a wide variety of housing styles, locations and price ranges. This year we have 17 brand new homes throughout 12 beautiful neighborhoods in Alachua County and surrounding areas.

Owning a new home continues to be a great investment and now is a great time to buy.

For more information on the Parade of Homes™, or BANCF, please visit our website at www.BANCF.com. There you will find an easy-to-use classified directory for all your building or remodeling needs, consumer information, and information about the Builders Association and its activities.

On behalf of the BANCF Board of Directors and our 500 members, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives for over 60 years. We hope you enjoy this year’s Fall Parade of Homes™!

John Jones

2023 BANCF President

Kara Bolton

Parade of Homes™ Co-Chair

Shawn Lash

Parade of Homes™ Co-Chair

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Buy or Build

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Apply by November 19 to receive a Lender Credit up to $3,000!2 Purchases • Lower closing costs than a bank1 • Fixed and adjustable rate mortgages

Construction • Permanent rate lock at time of loan closing • Local lender making local decisions

Apply online at campuscu.com Call 352-335-9090 and press 7 Scan QR code to apply Membership is open to anyone in Alachua, Clay, Columbia, Gadsden, Jefferson, Lake, Leon, Madison, Marion, Sumter, Suwannee, and Wakulla counties.3 For new construction and purchase loans only. Offer does not apply to existing CAMPUS loans or refinances. Programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Subject to credit and property approval. Your rate may be higher based on your creditworthiness and property valuation. Only available on primary residences. Offer excludes mobile homes. Property insurance is required; an appraisal, flood and/or title insurance may be required at an additional expense to the borrower. 1. If the closing costs at a “bank ” are less, CAMPUS will beat the closing costs by $100. Offer excludes lender credits. 2. In order to receive the lender credit, application must be received between October 26 and November 19, and contract received within 60 days from date of application. Loans between $100,000 and $726,200 will receive a $2,000 lender credit. Loans $726,201 and above will receive a $3,000 lender credit. 3. Credit approval and initial deposit of $5 required. Insured by the NCUA. NMLS # 799574

Drive around our beautiful community and look at what was most likely built by one of our members. For over 67 years BANCF members have worked together to build our beautiful neighborhoods, homes, schools, shopping centers, churches, office buildings and hospitals.

BANCF members are the experts in their respected fields. They share a common goal of creating a desirable community, fulfilling the American Dream of home ownership and building a strong economy. They know that the best communities are filled with people who work together to improve the quality of life for all its residents. That is why so many members are active in community work, from providing housing opportunities to low-income residents, volunteering in our schools to educating, training and providing scholarships to high school and college students. Our members have been and continue to be a strong and well-respected presence in the community.

They are also committed to the future!

Construction provides many career o p p o r t u n i t i e s . BA NC F s p o n s o r s a n Apprenticeship Program where employees can get paid for on-the-job training in Carpentry, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical and Building Maintenance. Tuition is paid by their employer and technical training is held at the Charles R. Perry Construction Institute at Santa Fe College. In addition, BANCF provides 8 | PARADE OF HOMES

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college scholarships for students interested in construction at Santa Fe College. For more information contact Sara@bancf.com.

Now that you know who we are and what we do, how can we help you? A classified directory of our members is a click away at BANCF.com. Use this resource when thinking about buying a new home, remodeling, home products, services or even where to go out to dinner. Yes, our membership is more than builders and subcontractors. It is filled with many business types that believe in a strong local economy. If you are interested in becoming part of this great organization, contact us at (352) 372-5649 or email Sara@bancf.com.

So, whether you are interested in buying your dream home, remodeling your home into the home of your dreams, a career in construction or becoming a part of this great organization, contact the Builders Association of North Central Florida, call (352) 372-5649 or visit BANCF.com. We look forward to being your local housing resource!

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Special Thanks to our 2023 Fall Parade Partners

2023 Fall

MEDIA PARTNERS

Parade of Homes

TM

Dates & Hours: November 11-12 & 18-19, 2023 12-5 pm Each Day

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Admission: Free Presented by: The Builders Association of North Central Florida (352) 372-5649 2217 NW 66th Court Gainesville, FL 32653 For More Information: Visit BANCF.com

CITY LIFESTYLE

TM

PROMOTING PARTNERS

2023 Parade of Homes™ Magazine published by the Builders Association of North Central Florida, Inc., 2217 NW 66th Court, Gainesville, FL 32653. Phone (352) 372-5649, Fax (352) 371-2053, Website: www.bancf.com. The information in this magazine has been carefully compiled to ensure accuracy. The publishers and printers assume no responsibility or liability for misinformation, misprints, or errors. The Parade Builder name references and associated license numbers refer to the contractor to whom the Building Certificate of Occupancy were issued and does not necessarily reflect the General Contractor responsible for the actual construction of the residence.

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Table of Contents AVALON WOODS

1 D.R. Horton

15

CAROLLTON

2 Shannon Homes of Gainesville, Inc. 17

CUSTOM BUILD - STARKE 3 John F. Crawford Homes

DYLAN’S GROVE

4 Atlantic Design Homes 5 Atlantic Design Homes

FLINT ROCK

6 AR Homes 7 GW Homes

GLORIA’S WAY

8 Warring Homes, Inc.

LAUREATE VILLAGE

9 GW Homes

21 23 24 27 28

LUGANO

10 Emmer Development Corp.

OAKMONT

11 AR Homes

TOWN OF TIOGA

12 Barry Bullard Homes 13 Tommy Waters Custom Homes

WIMBERLEY

14 Hartley Brothers, Inc. 15 Hartley Brothers, Inc. 16 Shawn Lash Signature Homes 17 Spain & Cooper Homes, LLC

35 37 41 42 45 46 47 48

31 33

2023 Parade of Homes™ Magazine published by the Builders Association of North Central Florida, Inc., 2217 NW 66th Court, Gainesville, FL 32653. Phone (352) 372-5649, Fax (352) 371-2053, Website: www.BANCF.com. The information in this magazine has been carefully compiled to ensure accuracy. The publishers and printers assume no responsibility or liability for misinformation, misprints, or errors. The Parade Builder name references and associated license numbers refer to the contractor to whom the Building Certificate of Occupancy was issued and does not necessarily reflect the General Contractor responsible for the actual construction of the residence.

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FALL 2023

Scan Here for

the Digital Map

Parade of

Homes FALL 2023

™

3 - Custom Build - Starke

Official Map

Laureate Village - 9

14, 15, 16 & 17 Wimberley

8 - Gloria’s Way

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

11 - Oakmont

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 10 2 - Carollton

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 13

Avalon Woods

1 - Avalon Woods

Avalon Woods

Avalon Woods is located in the growing town of Newberry, FL in Alachua County. The Gainesville area is known for its immense work opportunities, culture, and educational system. Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, which is Florida’s oldest and largest university, and Payne’s Prairie, a Florida State Park and U.S. National Natural Landmark, among many other attractions. Outdoor adventures await you! Newberry is surrounded by nature trails, state parks, springs, and recreational facilities. Within Newberry, residents enjoy shopping and dining at the Tioga Town Center and attending annual events and festivals held by local businesses. Each home is complete with stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, and ceramic tile flooring throughout main living areas. Visit the 3 newly decorated model sales offices to learn about floorplans, home features, and D.R. Horton’s smart home system – Home is Connected.

D.R. Horton (352) 282-3155 jrmckathan@drhorton.com www.drhorton.com/avalonwoods Parade Home: 1284 NW 246th Terrace, Newberry

14 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: I-75 North, exit 387 for FL-26 W/Newberry Rd toward Newberry, Turn left onto FL-26 W/W Newberry Rd, continue for 4 miles, Turn Right onto Newberry Ln, Turn Right onto US 27/US 41/SR 45, Turn right into community. Avalon Woods community is located 1/2 mile North of the Newberry Recreation-Archery Center.

1

D.R. Horton West Central Florida

Greg Ridolph License #CRC057592 3300 SW 34th Ave, Suite 101A Ocala, FL 34474

(844) 348-7697 westcentralflorida@drhorton.com www.drhorton.com/westcentralflorida

1284 NW 246th Terrace, Newberry 2265 sq ft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath

BEDROOM 1

13'-6" X 16'-0"

16'-2" X 14'-2"

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DINING 9'-4" X 11'-4"

GREAT ROOM 19'-0" X 20'-0"

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14'-8" X 13'-2"

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DINING ROOM 11'-4" X 14'-0"

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Zoned for: Newberry Elementary, Oak View Middle, and Newberry High Schools

COVERED LANAI

14 1-0" X 10'-6"

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• Home Is Connected, D.R. Horton’s Smart Home System • Video doorbell • Home hub touch screen panel • Granite countertops throughout • 9 ft ceilings • Stainless steel appliances • Extended tile in main living areas • 10-year RWC warranty • Stone accent exterior • 42” kitchen cabinets with crown molding • Walk-in shower and garden tub in Primary suite • Deako Smart Switch - light switch • 3 car garage

BEDROOM4

GARAGE

20'-0" X 27'-0"

BEDROOM3 ENTRY

10'-8" X 12'-2"

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 15

1 - Avalon Woods

Carollton

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 10 2 - Carollton

Carollton

Carollton is an estate home community with heavily wooded 5 acre lots. Each private homesite includes a paver entrance flanked by custom brick pillars. The deed restricted square foot minimums range from 4000 to 4500 square feet, depending on the lot. Only 4 beautiful homesites remain. Contact Mike Shannon at 352-258-3895 for more information.

Shannon Homes of Gainesville, Inc. (352) 258-3895 (352) 318-8785 (352) 331-8801 mikeshannon3895@gmail.com Parade Home: 7459 SW 120th Street, Gainesville

16 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: From Parker Road (SW 122nd street) enter Carollton onto SW 73rd Avenue, take the first right onto 120th street and the Parade home will be the second house on the left.

2

Shannon Homes of Gainesville, Inc. Mike Shannon License #CG026000 7126 West University Ave Gainesville, FL 32607

(352) 258-3895 (352) 331-8801 mikeshannon3895@gmail.com

7459 SW 120th Street, Gainesville

4754 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 4.5 Baths, plus Study • This sprawling estate home is located on a 5 acre densely wooded property • A menities include travertine f loors, extensive crown moldings, high ceilings with beams and trays • T he formal living room contains a fireplace & domed ceiling – adjacent dining is generously sized • Open kitchen with eat in nook, granite island, architectural rangehood, coffee bar & wine bar • The great room features courtyard and pool views & a beamed ceiling and brick accented windows • Gourmet outdoor kitchen with gas grill, cooktop, steam oven, fridge & conditioned pantry • Guest wing with private bath, walk in closet & courtyard views • Children’s wing with media room, private baths, walk in closets, & separate laundry • Master wing with study, exercise room, sumptuous master bedroom with arched alcove & pool views • Master closets with extensive built in storage & adjacent private master laundry room • Master bath with claw foot tub & glass walled shower with twin valves & handheld sprays • 5 car garage with adjacent “Florida Basement” conditioned storage room Zoned for: Archer Elementary, Oakview Middle, and Newberry High Schools

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 17

4 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

SPRING 2023

po·ten·tial adjective

CA R

D

Having the ability to make your dream home a reality.

Fund your potential. GIFT CARD

Radiant's Home Equity Line of Credit can help you refresh your home.

FT GI

$250

*

FO IM R Y O PR PRO UR OJ VE H EC M OM TS EN E T

RECEIVE A

$2 50

*

EVENT CODE: POH23

Use when submitting your HELOC application FOR YOUR HOME between 11/01/23 - 11/30/23 to receive your IMPROVEMENT $250 Home Improvement Gift Card.

PROJECTS (Funding must be received by 12/31/23)

RadiantCU.org/poh

Define Your Financial Future *Must apply for a new Home Equity Line of Credit between 11/1/23 and 11/30/23, and fund your new Home Equity Line of Credit before 12/31/23 to be eligible for $250.00 home improvement gift card. May not be combined with other promotions. Home Equity Lines of Credit are subject to credit approval. Property insurance required. $10,000.00 minimum initial draw required. Subsequent advances of $100.00. Rates are determined by your credit worthiness and loan-to-value of your home. Offer not valid for refinancing of existing Radiant Credit Union loans. Must be a Radiant Credit Union member to borrow. If Radiant Credit Union pays your closing costs and you pay off and close your line within 36 months of opening, you must reimburse Radiant Credit Union for the fees paid by us. Closing costs generally total between $0.00 and $2,500.00. Radiant Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA, and is an Equal Housing Lender.

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 19

of CustomParade Build™ Starke

Homes FALL 2023

Scan Here for

3 - Custom Build - Starke

Official Map

the Digital Map

Laureate Village - 9

14, 15, 16 & 17 Wimberley

8 - Gloria’s Way

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

11 - Oakmont

The City of Starke, located in the heart of North Central Florida, is one of the region’s oldest communities and home to more 1than 5,700 residents. Starke serves as the seat of Bradford County and is an important regional logistical center - Avalon Woods just 25 miles South of I-10 via US Highway 301 and 25 miles NW of Gainesville via State Road 24.

John F. Crawford Homes (904) 338-5683 sales@johnfcrawfordhomes.com www.johnfcrawfordhomes.com Parade Home: 1720 Raiford Road, Starke

20 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 10

Directions to the Neighborhood: 2 - Carollton From Gainesville, follow FL-24 E/NE Waldo Rd and US-301 N to Bradford County. Take the FL-16 exit from US-301 N/State Rte 223 South. Keep right at the fork to merge onto FL-16 E/Raiford Rd. Home will be about ½ mile down on the left.

3

John F. Crawford Homes, LLC John Crawford License #CBC1264448 14368 NW 161st Ave Alachua, FL 32615

(904) 338-5683 sales@johnfcrawfordhomes.com www.johnfcrawfordhomes.com

1720 Raiford Road, Starke 3009 sqft conditioned 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath, plus Study and Lanai

•P ool with heated Spa •O utdoor Kitchen •T hree Car Garage •C ustom Built-ins and Closets •S tanding Seam accent roof •C ustom Cabinets •C ustom Oversized Iron front door • 1 6’ pocket sliding door •W et room master shower • Exposed beams and custom Trey ceilings •E lectric fireplace • M ulti-glide seamless pass-through window Zoned for: Starke Elementary, Bradford Middle, and Bradford High Schools

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 21

Dylan’s Grove

Laureate Village - 9

4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

1 - Avalon Woods

Dylan’s Grove

Dylan’s Grove, now expanded to add Phase 2A, with 9 estate size lots, from 2.00 acres to 3.95 acres. The homesites are open and level and the forty acres comprising Phase 2A are surrounded by a stand of huge, mature oak trees in the 100 foot wide common buffer. There is an 8 foot wide paved jogging trail, meandering 2 1/2 miles through a wooded buffer, offering real nature focused living. Our trails are tucked away to provide tranquility and pass through large stands of mature trees. DYLAN’S GROVE IS AN OPEN BUILDER NEIGHBORHOOD. Atlantic Design Homes / Dylan Grove Development, LLC (352) 378-0521 (352) 318-1108 (352) 665-6100 lucian@atlanticd.com michelle@atlanticd.com michael@pemcoFlorida.com www.atlanticd.com Parade Homes: 19174 SW 21st Place, Newberry 19010 SW 21st Place, Newberry 22 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: From Publix on Newberry Road and NW 143rd Street in Jonesville, go west 1 mile to SW 170th St (CR 241 South), turn left and go 1 mile to SW 15th Avenue, turn right. Go 1 mile to SW 188th Street, and turn left into Dylan’s Grove.

1

4

Atlantic Design Homes Lucian Kragiel License #CGC060937 1502 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 378-0521

(352) 318-1108 lucian@atlanticd.com michelle@atlanticd.com www.atlanticd.com

Bonus Room Presentation 3/16" = 1'-0"

19174 SW 21st Place, Newberry

CLOSET

CLOSET

FUTURE BATHROOM

2

• Beautiful exterior including brick areas and brick columns •U pgraded standing seam roof •E xtra spacious front porch • Large back porch with screened-in pool • 1 0’ ceilings throughout •F uture Bonus room on level 2 • Coffered great room ceiling with stained wood beams •T hree car garage • Upgraded interior trim in entire home, built-ins •W alk-in pantry • Large master bath with soaking tub and shower in wet room • Premium Anderson Fibrex® composite windows offering superior insulation and strength

BONUS ROOM

3236 sqft conditioned 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths, plus Office, Walk-in pantry, future Bonus Room on Level 2

PWDR ROOM

PRIMARY BATHROOM

PRIMARY CLOSET

GARAGE

FLOORPLAN - Presentation 3/16" = 1'-0"

Refrigerator

PDR. ROOM

PRIMARY SUITE

UTILITY

Washer Dryer

MUDROOM

HVAC

DINING ROOM

Vent Hood Range

Ref.

KITCHEN

PANTRY KITCHEN OFFICE

LANAI

GREAT ROOM

FOYER

FRONT PORCH

HALL

BEDROOM 3

BEDROOM 2

BATH ROOM 2

Zoned for: Archer Elementary, Oakview Middle, and Newberry High Schools

Oven

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 23

Lucian Kragiel License #CGC060937 1502 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 378-0521

FALL 2023

BEDROOM 4 CL

CL

CL BATHROOM 3

BEDROOM 3

HALLWAY

FOYER

FRONT PORCH

PIANO

HVAC

LIVING

BEDROOM 2

BATHROOM 2

CL OFFICE

CL

CL

HVAC 3 CAR GARAGE

MUDROOM

CL

BACK KITCHEN & PANTRY

MWave Oven

GALLERY

BAR

LOUNGE

DINING KITCHEN

LANAI

STORAGE

Washer

TM

Dryer

24 | PARADE OF HOMES

LAUNDRY

Zoned for: Archer Elementary, Oakview Middle, and Newberry High Schools

PRIMARY SUITE BEDROOM 1

3187 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 4 Baths,

• L arge vaulted main room with floor to ceiling glass • Large front porch and lanai • Premium Anderson Fibrex® composite windows offering superior insulation and strength • Indoor (vented) 50” gas fireplace • Outdoor gas fireplace with stone veneer • Premium cabinetry by Straw and Company fine woodwork • Additional kitchen, pantry and wet bar with sink and 2nd refrigerator • Upgraded Fisher and Paykel appliances • Premium wood and tile flooring • 18 seer, 2 stage high efficiency air conditioner systems with wi-fi thermostats for added comfort • Home is pre-wired for: alarm system, (6) gigabit ethernet ports, wi-fi system, (4) exterior cameras, smart door locks, and automated lights • Plumbing stub out and electrical prewire for outdoor kitchen

W.I.C.

PRIMARY BATHROOM 1

19010 SW 21st Place, Newberry

BATHROOM 4

(352) 318-1108 lucian@atlanticd.com michelle@atlanticd.com www.atlanticd.com

DW

5

Atlantic Design Homes

HERE TO WOW YOU. When it comes to upgrading your home, you don’t have to guess which floors will work in your space. With our room visualizer, see exactly how your new floors will look in your space before you make a purchase. The flooring visualizer allows you to experiment with different flooring types, colors, patterns, and textures to find the perfect match for your style and home décor.

Whether you're looking for classic hardwood, cozy carpet, or modern tile, our visualizer tool makes it easy to bring your vision to life.

(352) 562-0565

227 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609

carpet1gainesville.com

Discuss your project with us today!

Free Home Estimates

Bin There Dump That Dumpster Rentals Made Easy

352-900-5253

gainesville@bintheredumpthat.com ncflorida.bintheredumpthatusa.com

We place our dumpsters exactly where you need it on your property for convenient loading, protective boards under the bin so the container never damages your driveway and sweep up after every job so no harmful debris is left behind.

• Bin Delivery within 24 hours or less • Walk-in, easy-load double door dumpsters FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 25

11 -

Flint Rock

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lug 2 - Carollton

Flint Rock

Flint Rock Agrihood is the first of its kind in the Gainesville community, promoting a lifestyle of healthy living and wellness. This planned residential community development is centered around its gardens, orchards, and reforestation; emphasizing the principles of community and sustainable agriculture as integral parts of community planning while embracing the farm-to-table lifestyle.

Barry Rutenberg & Associates, Inc./AR Homes (352) 373-3405 bbanks@arhomes.com www.arhomes.com/barry-rutenberg Parade Home: 12576 SW 58th Circle, Archer Directions to the Neighborhood: From Newberry Road: Turn onto Parker Road (122nd Street) and GW Homes follow south to the entrance of Flint Rock. Homes are located in (352) 373-1724 The Orchard and The Parke. lori.willis@evrealestate.com www.gw-homes.com Parade Home: 5144 SW 125th Circle, Archer 26 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

FALL 2023

6

custom design for

Barry Rutenberg & Associates, Inc. /AR Homes

THE AVALON 1561F - CUSTOM INVENTO Lisa Rutenberg Tribble License #CRC1333578 5431 SW 35th Drive, Suite 600, Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 373-3405 bbanks@arhomes.com www.arhomes.com/ barry-rutenberg

19'-10"

12576 SW 58th Circle, Archer 4311 sqft conditioned 5 Bedroom, 4 Baths, plus Den, Bonus Room, 3 Car Garage

Bonus

14'-3" x 19'-6" Vaulted

custom design for • Located on a prime 1-acre homesite in Flint Rock’s gated section of The Orchard STAIR DATA: backing to a spacious common area offer(20 ) RISERS AT 7 41/128" ( 18 ) TREADS AT 10" WITH 1" NOSING ing views to beautiful grandaddy oaks.

1st FLOOR TO 2nd FLOOR HEIGHT = 12'-2 3/8" • Luxury two-story Modern Farmhouse Optional Pool home with incredible attention to detail Bed room 5 built by AR Homes.

• 5 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, Den, Bonus Room, 3 Car-Garage, Pool, Spa, and Ca ba na Bedr oom 4 Summer Kitchen.

• 16’ ceilings in the foyer lead to a spacious Ow ne r's Suite La na i Great Room boasting an elegant vaulted Ca s ual D i ni ng ceiling with wood beams, a linear gas fireplace with painted brick surround, built in shelving and a wall of pocketing Ut i l i t y Gr ea t Room glass sliding doors.

Kitchen • The chefs kitchen features a large eat-in island, commercial grade appliances, Arriva l quartz countertops with waterfall edge F oy e r Den detail and a massive hidden pantry with Bed room 3 FLOOR Ga r a ge BeSECOND d r o om 2 built in shelving.

Entry • O wner’s Suite wing offers a spa like bathroom with freestanding tub, separate vanities, large shower and immense walk-in closet with built-in shelving and of this plan, for any purpose other than building with AR Homes or its authorized franchises, is strictly prohi center island. This plan is the sole and exclusive property of AR Franchising, Inc. The reproduction, use or modification Date : Note: Plan information is conceptual only. Certain items may be changed at production stage. 09/01/2022 Designer : HM FIRST FLOOR • Beautifully landscaped outdoor oasis with 532 sq ft of covered lanai/cabana space, 92'-4" summer kitchen, stunning pool with elevated fire table and raised spa.

• U pstairs offers a 5th Bedroom, bathroom, and large Bonus Room with vaulted ceiling offering expansive views of the community.

Clg 9'-0"

44'-0"

THE AVALON 1561F - CUSTOM INVENT Dn

Stor

Clg 9'-0"

Planter

Lin

30'-0" x 11'-0"

© 2017 AR Franchising, Inc.

Planter

Clg 9'-0"

Sun Shelf

18'-0" x 14'-0" Clg 10'-0"

14'-3" x 15'-4" Clg 10'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 8'-2"

18'-10" x 13'-4" Clg 10'-0"

Lin

STAIR DATA: (20 ) RISERS AT 7 41/128" ( 18 ) TREADS AT 10" WITH 1" NOSING 1st FLOOR TO 2nd FLOOR HEIGHT = 12'-2 3/8"

14'-7" x 18'-5" Clg 10'-8"

20'-4" x 13'-10" Clg 10'-0"

Clg 8'-8"

Clg 10'-0"

Up

Clg Lin 10'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Under Stair Storage

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 9'-0"

21'-3" x 20'-8" Vaulted

Pantry Clg 10'-0"

Vaulted

92'-6"

13'-1" x 13'-1" Clg 9'-0"

Clg 10'-8"

Clg 10'-0"

Electric Fireplace

Clg 10'-4" Clg 10'-0"

Clg 8'-4"

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 16'-0"

12'-3" x 16'-5" Clg 16'-0" Clg 10'-0"

12'-4" x 15'-7" Clg 10'-0"

20'-4" x 32'-11" Clg 10'-0"

Clg 9'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Clg 11'-4"

12'-3" x 16'-5" Clg 12'-0"

Clg 10'-0"

Vaulted

Clg 10'-0"

M E A SU R E M EN T IN F E E T

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

© 2017 AR Franchising, Inc.

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

®

M E A SU R E M EN T IN F E E T

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

This plan is the sole and exclusive property of AR Franchising, Inc. The reproduction, use or modification of this plan, for any purpose other than building with AR Homes® or its authorized franchises, is str Date : Note: Plan information is conceptual only. Certain items may be changed at production stage. 09/01/2022 Designer : HM

Zoned for: Chiles Elementary, Kanapaha Middle, and Buchholz High Schools

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 27

7

GW Homes

Gay Schmitt G.W. Robinson License #RG0013181 6208 NW 43rd Street Gainesville, FL 32653

(352) 332-9500 sales@gw-homes.com www.gw-homes.com

5144 SW 125th Circle, Archer

GAS POOL HEATER & POOL PUMP

4198 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Baths, plus Study and Media Room

HB

9080 3 PANEL SLIDER

SLIDING GLASS ENCLOSURE

Modern Farmhouse design offers 4198 SF with 4

14'-11" x 18'-11"

11'-4" x 12'-7" MECH. 10' CLG/TILE

wall and sitting area. The Open Plan Design offers

W.I.C

10' CLG/LVP

has a coffered ceiling with cove lighting, Barn

ers, Gas Grill, Sink, Refrigerator, and Blackstone cooker . All GW Homes homes include the most in energy efficiency and this home also includes an 18 seer variable speed 3 zone AC unit with smart programmable thermostats, 2 air handler’s, spray foam insulation, tankless water heaters, Double pane low-e two toned windows, and low flow plumbing fixtures. 4 car garage, hexagon accent pavers in the Porte Cochere, Courtyard, and circular drive areas.

Zoned for: Chiles Elementary, Kanapaha Middle, and Buchholz High Schools

28 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

FALL 2023

12' CLG/TILE

EXT. FOYER

GAS

CONC.

MW

VAULTED/TILE

DW GAS

COURTYARD PAVERS

POT FILLER

HB

SINK PER SELECTIONS

STORAGE CAB.

VAULTED

KITCHEN

12'-3" x 18'-11"

SOFFIT @ 10'-0"

REF

FOYER

12' CLG/LVP/TILE

10'-9" x 11'-11"

FRONT HALL

9' CLG

BEDROOM 3 10' CLG/LVP

SOFFIT @ 8'-10"

10' CLG/TILE

BATH 2 10' CLG/TILE

MECH.

10' CLG/PAINTED

PORTE COCHERE 10' CLG/PAVERS

13'-11" x 20'-4"

WIC

2 CAR GARAGE 8' CLG/PAINTED CONC.

23'-3" x 20'-9"

10' CLG/LVP

BEDROOM 2

ENTRY PORTICO

10'-7" CLG 18'-9" CLG

10'-7" / PAVERS

10' CLG/TILE

13'-9" x 12'-4"

16'-2" x 11'-3"

17'-3" x 6'-0"

LAUNDRY REF

10' CLG/LVP

CEILING CLOUD

10' CLG/LVP

ENTRY PORCH

D

WIC

12" STEP CLG.

STUDY

W

SOFFIT @ 9'-0"

12' CLG/TILE

22 1/2" x 30" SCUTTLE

12" STEP CLG. HB

U/C DRINK COOLER

22 1/2" x 30" SCUTTLE

HDR @ 9'-0"

SITTING

20'-5" x 12'-0"

SHELVING PER CONTRACT

entry door to the Owner’s spa bath, Enormous

kitchen and dining space with travertine pav-

STORAGE ISLAND

SEAT

in culinary storage space. The Owner’s Suite

includes a relaxing salt water pool and outdoor

TRASH CANS

SOFFIT @ 10'-0"

LINEN CAB.

Galley Sink . The Butler’s Pantry offers the most

U/C ICE MAKER

18'-9" CLG/PAVERS

9'-11" x 12'-0" HDR @ 10'-11"

10' CLG/LVP

18'-9" CLG 10'-7" CLG

appliances, Copper Range hood and Stainless

VAULTED/TILE

12'-8" x 18'-11"

VAULTED/TILE

18'-6" x 18'-11"

10' CLG/TILE

10' CLG/TILE

GREAT ROOM

PWD.RM.

M. BATH

DINING

VAULTED

FREESTANDING

filler, Wine Chiller, Ice Machine, LG Signature

an amazing extension of this exquisite home and

10' CLG/TILE

VAULTED

18'-8" x 16'-1"

FIREPLACE

12" STEP CLG.

10' CLG/LVP

Cabinets, Quartz Counters, 48” Gas Range, Pot

bath escape. The outdoor entertaining space is

VALET

PANTRY

SUMMER KITCHEN

VAULTED

OWNER'S SUITE

is every Chef’s dream with Custom Solid Wood

fixtures, and beautiful lighting complete this spa

25'-3" x 20'-9"

9090 3 PANEL SLIDER 9090 3 PANEL SLIDER

and relaxing Fireplace. This Gourmet Kitchen

quartz counters. Designer tile, Moen plumbing

8' CLG/PAINTED CONC.

13'-0" x 14'-1"

beautiful 14ft. Vaulted Ceilings with custom beams

free standing soaking tub, and dual vanities with

EXH. HOOD

38'-10" x 14'-11"

10' CLG/PAVERS T&G CEILING

GAS

area has a 12 ft ceiling with custom lighted onyx

18" FLUSH O.H.

COVERED PORCH

spray’s in the glass enclosed walk-in shower,

2 CAR GARAGE

10' CLG/TILE

9' CLG

separate Flex space. The impressive reception

fashionista’s. High tech shower heads and body

54" x 22" ATTIC ACCESS ELEVATED WELL HOLDING TANK

BACK HALL

9' CLG

Bedrooms and 3-1/2 Baths plus Home office, and

Walk-in closet that is a dream come true for all

10' CLG/CRPT

10' CLG/CARPET

10' CLG/TILE

10' CLG/LVP

WIC

BEDROOM 4

BATH #3

GAME ROOM

ENTRY PORCH 10'-7" / PAVERS

17'-1" x 6'-0"

13'-9" x 14'-11"

SOFFIT @ 8'-10"

54" x 22" ATTIC ACCESS

RELI A B LE , SA FE COST- E FFECT IV E

New customers receive a $44 CREDIT when they mention Parade of Homes!* GRU natural gas rates are among the lowest in the state. Switch to a natural gas water heater, furnace, range or dryer for more savings.

Take advantage of up to

$1,600 in Natural Gas appliance rebates!

Call GRU Natural Gas at 352-393-1464 or visit gru.com/naturalgas for details. *Some restrictions apply. Offer limited to eligible single-family homeowners who replace their LP gas, oil or electric appliances with natural gas models. New GRU natural gas customers only.

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 29

Gloria’s Way

Laureate Village - 9

14, 15, 16 & 17 Wimberley

8 - Gloria’s Way

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

11 - Oakmo

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 1 2 - Carollton

Gloria’s Way

Gloria’s Way is a new community located west of I-75, near Jonesville. The single-family residential development features 42 large lots near the recently signaled intersection of SW 8th Avenue and SW 122nd Street. Residents have convenient access to the Starbucks, Steeplechase Shopping Center, and Publix Supermarket through interconnecting public roadways through Town of Tioga. Just north of Gloria’s Way on NW 122nd Street is North Florida Regional Medical Center Emergency Center and the coveted Tioga Town Center with Patticakes, Gainesville Health and Fitness, Dave’s New York Deli, Northwest Seafood, World of Beer, along with several other professional offices and fine retailers.

Warring Homes, Inc. (352) 333-8400 builder@warringhomes.com www.warringhomes.com Parade Home: 12096 SW 9th Lane, Gainesville

30 | PARADE OF HOMES

TM

FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: At the intersection of SW 8th Avenue and SW 122nd Street (Parker Road), turn East onto SW 8th Avenue. The subdivision will be the first right onto SW 120th Drive.

8

Warring Homes, Inc.

Mark Warring (352) 333-8400 License #CBC057420 119 NW 137th Drive, Suite 10 builder@warringhomes.com www.warringhomes.com Newberry, FL 32669

12096 SW 9th Lane, Gainesville 3008 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 3 Baths

• Contemporary style home with a modern vibe and great view • Gourmet kitchen with oversized quartz island. Stainless steel appliances package and modem custom hood vent.

• Tray ceiling in family room with painted nickel gap in pop up tray and fireplace wall.

• Master bath suite includes his and her closets, spa bath walk in shower and freestanding tub.

• Breakfast area features huge picture windows.

• L arge covered rear porch with pavers and sitting area.

• Private lot overlooking protected wooded preserve.

• Modern custom fireplace/TV/wall with linear electric fireplace.

• Home includes energy efficient insulated windows, tank-less water heater, Icynene insulation and irrigation rain sensor.

Zoned for: Chiles Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

FALL 2023

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Laureate Village Laureate Village - 9

14, 15, 16 & 17 Wimberley

8 - Gloria

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

2 - Caroll

Laureate Village

Laureate Village is a beautiful GW Homes Community with over 200 homesites. One of Gainesville’s Finest SW Communities of Luxury homesites. Laureate Village residents will be able to enjoy a beach entry community pool, playground, pickleball, shaded cabanas, putting green and walking trails throughout. Located close to Tioga Town Center, Celebration Pointe and just minutes from UF and Shands.

GW Homes (352) 373-1724 lori.willis@evrealestate.com www.gw-homes.com Parade Home: 540 SW 144th Drive, Newberry

32 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: From Newberry Road, Turn south on SW 143rd Street, and travel ¼ mile to the entrance of Laureate Village on the right.

9

GW Homes

Gay Schmitt G.W. Robinson License #RG0013181 6208 NW 43rd Street Gainesville, FL 32653

(352) 332-9500 sales@gw-homes.com www.gw-homes.com

540 SW 144th Drive, Newberry

1953 sqft conditioned 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, plus Study COVERED PORCH

BREAKFAST 10' CLG / LVP

BEDROOM 3

DBL 6" STEP CLG.

10' CLG/ PAVERS

MASTER BEDROOM

10' CEILING / CARPET

KITCHEN

& T IF /L S W IND L DR T B FR TIL

10' CEILING / LVP

10' CLG / LVP

30" GAS RANGE w/ HOOD

LINEN

GREAT ROOM

WIC

10' CLG./ LVP

60"x96" CAB. PANTRY MW

8/0 CLG.

10'-6"

WIC

10' CLG / LVP

REF

10' CLG./ LVP

12" STEP CLG.

BEDROOM 2

W

M. BATH

VAULTED

DINING

10' CLG / LVP

8/0 CLG.

LAUNDRY

HVAC

10' CEILING / CARPET

VAULTED CLG / LVP

10' CLG / TILE

8' CLG.

FOYER

VAULTED CLG / LVP FRENCH

BATH 2 HALL

BATH 2

10' CLG/ LVP

8' CLG 10' CLG / TILE FL

9'-6"

DW

STORAGE CABINET BELOW

8/0 CLG.

10'-0"

AT SE

• GW Homes Oxford Floor Plan • Modern Elevation Design • Spacious Open Great room Design with Vaulted Ceiling • Beautiful Craftsman trim detail • Formal Dining and Breakfast Area • G ourmet Kitchen with Solid Wood Cabinets • Spacious Kitchen Island • Quartz Countertops • Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring • Designer Ceramic tile • Stunning Spa style Owners Bath • Spacious Covered Veranda and Outdoor Living Space • Decorative Pavers on Driveway, Porches, and Sidewalk.

D

22"x54" ATTIC ACCESS

FLOATING VANITY

STUDY

VAULTED CLG / LVP

ENTRY

VAULTED

VAULTED CLG / PAVERS

2 CAR GARAGE

VAULTED

8' CEILING/PAINTED CONC.

Zoned for: Terwilliger Elementary, Oakview Middle and Newberry High Schools

AWNING ABOVE

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

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1 - Avalon Woods

Lugano

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 10 2 - Carollton

Lugano

Lugano, Emmer Development’s newest single family home community, is located in Southwest Gainesville and offers a perfect escape from our busy lives. An idyllic, resort-style community, Lugano is surrounded by walking trails and features a clubhouse with numerous amenities, including a fitness center, tennis & pickleball courts, a basketball court, dog park and coming very soon a pool and splash park too! Lugano is currently zoned for Wiles Elementary School, Kanapaha Middle School, and Buchholz High School. With homes starting in the mid-300’s and just a 15-20 minute commute to most of the University of Florida, Shands Hospital, Butler Plaza, Celebration Pointe, and more, Lugano is the perfect place to call home!

Emmer Development Corp.

(352) 374-4910 (352) 376-2444 sales@emmergroup.com www.emmergroup.com Parade Home: 9646 SW 67th Lane, Gainesville 34 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: Turn north onto SW Lugano Blvd from the entrance on Archer Rd. Take the second left onto SW 67th Lane and it is the 7th home on the right (north) side.

10

Emmer Development Corp.

Ryan McGriff License #CBC1266351 2801 SW Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 374-4910 sales@emmergroup.com www.EmmerGroup.com

9646 SW 67th Lane, Gainesville 1530 sqft conditioned 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath

•F ront elevation includes a front porch with upgraded decorative pavers.

•K itchen features upgraded two-tone cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, quartz countertops, and decorative backsplash.

•U pgraded GE stainless steel appliance package with gas slide-in range.

•F eatures upgraded Drop-N-Go in Valet area, complete with bench and storage cubbies.

•U pgraded black/graphite light fixtures, mirrors, and fans throughout.

•V inyl plank flooring throughout the main living areas.

•T ray ceilings added in the Master Bedroom, Great Room, and Dining Room.

•E nergy efficient gas tankless water heater.

•L ow-energy glass vinyl windows.

•U pgraded wall and floor tile in both Bathrooms.

•U pgraded matte black plumbing fixtures, door hardware, and cabinet hardware throughout the home.

•A ccess to multiple community amenities as well as front yard landscape maintenance included with HOA.

Zoned for: Wiles Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

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Laureate Village - 9

Wimberley

8 - Gloria’s Way

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

Oakmont

11 - Oakmont

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 10 2 - Carollton

Oakmont

Oakmont brings stylish, resort style living to Gainesville balanced with nature throughout 550 acres. Tree lined streets with sidewalks offers residents a perfect combination of amenities arranged around an impressive and Stately Residents club which houses a grand gather room, a state-of-the-art fitness center, resort style pool, tennis, basketball and sand volleyball courts, soccer field and an interactive playground.

Barry Rutenberg & Associates/AR Homes (352) 373-3405 bbanks@arhomes.com www.ARHomes.com/barry-rutenberg Parade Home: 10960 SW 30th Ave, Gainesville

36 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: From Jonesville, Head East on FL-26. Turn right onto NW 122nd St (Parker Road). Turn left onto SW 24th Ave. Turn right onto SW 117th St (Oakmont Entrance).

11

Barry Rutenberg & Associates, Inc. /AR Homes Lisa Rutenberg Tribble License # CRC1333578 5431 SW 35th Drive, Suite 600 Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 373-3405 bbanks@arhomes.com www.ARHomes.com/ barry-rutenberg

10960 SW 30th Ave, Gainesville 4,161 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Baths, plus Den, Bonus Room, and Pool

28'-10"

Deck Jets Sun Shelf

Optional Outdoor Living "A"

Optional Pool

11'-0" x 28'-0" Spa

• The Vizcaya is a stately designed modern luxury home built by AR Homes.

• Clean lines, modern materials, and extensive use of

or a guest using the VIP entrance, you’ll be surrounded in comfort and elegance every step of the way.

• In addition to a large kitchen with island seating,

19'-3" x 14'-5"

Clg 10'-1 1/8" Up

Clg 10'-1 1/8"

Lin

Bedroom 3

unforgettable gatherings.

Clg 10'-1 1/8"

walls of sliding glass leading to a spacious lanai/cabana space featuring a pool, spa, sunshelf, summer kitchen, and stunning fireplace.

• Privacy is afforded in the sprawling owner’s suite in its own wing of the home. Grand foyer entrance, generously sized walk-in closet with center island and custom shelving and is accessible from the utility room.

• Luxury Owner’s bath offers a large shower, double vanities and a private courtyard featuring an outdoor shower, • VIP suite boasts a private garage and entrance, studio bedroom with kitchenette, on suite bathroom and

15'-3" x 18'-8"

21'-4" x 13'-9"

Optional Outdoor Fireplace

Clg 11'-7 1/8"

Lanai

Clg 12'-1 1/8"

Clg 11'-7 1/8"

Casual Dining

Clg 10'-9 1/8"

18'-4" x 16'-6"

Owner's Courtyard

19'-10" x 14'-5"

a prep kitchen stands nearby to assist in creating • The spacious main living area extends outdoors via

Owner's Suite

Cabana

Flex

13'-10" x 12'-1"

Clg 10'-1 1/8"

Great Room

Decorative Beams

Vaulted Clg

18'-9" x 22'-9"

Kitchen

Clg 12'-1 1/8" Clg 10'-0"

Wet Bar

Bedroom 2 15'-3" x 12'-0"

Clg 10'-1 1/8" Clg 10'-1 1/8" Clg 10'-9"

VIP Suite

Foyer

Clg 14'-0"

Entry

Den

Clg 9'-7"

Prep Kitchen Clg 10'-1 1/8"

Utility

HDC

12'-3" x 16'-2" Clg 14'-0"

Clg 10'-1 1/8"

© 2022 AR Franchising, Inc.

Clg 16'-6"

15'-3" x 13'-8"

Clg 11'-5 1/8"

Clg 10'-1 1/8"

97'-4"

• Whether you’re the resident walking into the 14’ foyer

Clg 10'-1 1/8"

Optional Outdoor Kitchen

glass add depth of character to this striking home.

HDC Entry

VIP Entry

Garage 1

22'-11" x 33'-3" Clg 10'-1 1/8"

Garage 2

22'-11" x 12'-3" Clg 10'-1 1/8"

walk-in closet.

84'-4"

• The Den is strategically located off the main foyer and features a 14’ ceiling with floor to ceiling windows. A pocket door leads to a built-in wet bar with seating that is accessible from all the main living areas of the home.

• The Home Delivery Center off the garage is strategically located for easy package and grocery delivery and makes for the perfect service entry when catering and entertaining.

SQUARE FOOTAGES Living Lanai/Cabana Garage 1 Garage 2 Entry VIP Entry HDC Entry Total

4161 621 815 332 61 61 23 6074

Courtyard

112

• The Bonus Room is a great flex space with a custom built-up landing for a home gym. Natural lighting and stunning views of the outdoor living area allow all uses to make the most of this oversized space.

Zoned for: Chiles Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

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Booth Spaces Available!

Open to the Public Only $5 to Attend!

SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH 10AM TO 5PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH 11AM TO 5PM

ALACHUA SPORTS & EVENT CENTER AT CELEBRATION POINTE CHECK OUT GAINESVILLEHOMEANDGARDEN.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION

38 | PARADE OF HOMES

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JOIN TODAY WHAT WE DO FOR

YOU!

- Networking Events Monthly Luncheons Tournaments Large Member Mixers - Member Promotions - Industry Advocacy - Community Engagement Parade of Homes™ Scholarships - Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program Local School Engagement

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION 352-372-5649

membership@bancf.com

WWW.BANCF.COM

OUR NAME SAYS IT ALL!

Residential & Commercial

Plumbing Services and Emergency Repair

License #CFC043073

352-377-1009 Quality-Plumbing.com FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 39

Town of Tioga

Laureate Village - 9

14, 15, 16 & 17 Wimberley

8 - Gloria’s Way

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

11 - Oakmo

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 1 2 - Carollton

Town of Tioga

Town of Tioga is a jewel of Alachua County as well as a blueprint for modern-day community developments nationwide.

Tioga has been the recipient of national and local awards and continues to be recognized specifically for its natural features, amenities, Town Center, pedestrian paths, and plentiful common areas.

Barry Bullard Homes (352) 331-7162 info@barrybullardhomes.com www.barrybullardhomes.com Parade Home: 13276 SW 11th Road, Gainesville Tommy Waters Custom Homes (352) 333-0885 TWCH@tommywaters.com www.tommywaters.com Parade Home: 979 SW 132nd Street, Gainesville 40 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

Directions to the Neighborhood: From I-75: 4 miles West on HWY 26 (Newberry Rd.) turn left onto SW 131st Street (into Town of Tioga), cross 8th Ave and continue on SW 131st.

12

Barry Bullard Homes Barry Bullard License #CGC013956 200 NW 75th Drive, Suite A Gainesville, FL 32607

(352) 331-7162 info@barrybullardhomes.com www.barrybullardhomes.com

13276 SW 11th Road, Gainesville 3044 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 3 Baths, plus Study

•T wo story floor plan featuring master and guest bedroom, great room, study 2 full baths on first floor, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and common space on second floor • Open concept floor plan with 10’ and 12’ ceilings throughout, generous use of glass creating open, light filled spaces • 10’ pocketing sliding glass doors opens onto covered lanai with summer kitchen, screen enclosed paver deck, fenced side yard next to common area • Great room features 12’ ceiling with wood beams, gas fireplace with stone fireplace surround, built-in cabinets • L arge open kitchen with huge island, stained upgraded maple cabinets with extra tall uppers, stone hood, French door refrigerator, 5 burner gas cook tops, 30” electric/convection oven/ microwave • Arrival center and cubbies at entry from garage to house • Upgraded interior finishes including plank flooring in all rooms except bathrooms, clean modern interior trim including cove crown in all common areas, and master, all 8’ interior doors, upgraded plumbing and lighting packages • Surround sound in great room and lanai speakers installed • Floored attic with pull down stair above garage • Spray foam energy saving ceiling insulation package • 2-separately zoned High efficiency heating and cooling systems • LED lighting most fixtures • Fully landscaped lot • Low maintenance Hardi-board exterior with metal roof accents Zoned for Meadowbrook Elementary, Kanapaha Middle, and Buchholz High Schools

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13

Tommy Waters Custom Homes, Inc

Tommy, Derek, & Carly Waters (352) 333-0885 License #RG291103605 274 NW 137th Drive, Suite 200 TWCH@tommywaters.com www.TommyWaters.com Newberry, FL 32669

979 SW 132nd Street, Newberry 3910 sqft conditioned 5 Bedroom, 5 Baths, plus Half Bath

• Transitional/Contemporary style, two-story home • Energy efficient construction, open cell foam with fiberglass batt walls • Contemporary European cabinetry with quartz countertops • Energy efficient Thermador stainless steel appliances • Open airy floor plan with 20’ ceilings and large glass windows for natural light • Custom designed stair railing with balcony overlooking great room • Custom trim and millwork package throughout • LVF flooring throughout first and second floor • Custom features throughout home; linear fireplace with slate face • Swimming pool with raised heated spa with paver deck • Large corner lot with fenced backyard with tropical landscaping • Building in the Water’s tradition since 1954 Zoned for: Meadowbrook Elementary, Kanapaha Middle, and Buchholz High Schools

42 | PARADE OF HOMES

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D

BANCF APPRENTICESHIP Are you ready to accelerate your career? Unsure after high school? Considering a career change? Want to earn while learning? If so, apprenticeship is your answer. Our program, combining on-the-job training and classroom education, lets you earn a wage that increases with experience while incurring zero college debt.

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Electrical

Carpentry

Heat/Air

Plumbing

Building Maintenance

CONTACT US TODAY! Sara Emmanuel

BENEFITS Increase in skills Higher wages Career advancement Mentorship

College credits Education with zero college debt Nationally recognized credentials

352.372.5649 sara@bancf.com Justin MacDougall

352.395.52.51 justin.a.macdougall@sfcollege.edu

www.bancf.com/apprentices

Don’t Monkey Around

Looking For Construction Financing Inquire about our:

VA 0% Down

FHA 3.5% Down

Conventional 5% Down

Additional construction financing available.

Connect with Chris Johnson today!

Sales Manager, NMLS 527382

ffbf.com Restrictions may apply. Loans are subject to credit and property approval. Trade/Service marks are the property of First Federal Bank. First Federal Bank: Residential Lending Mortgage.

FALLNMLS: 2023 408902 PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 43

Wimberley

Laureate Village - 9

14, 15, 16 & 17 Wimberley

8 - Gloria’s Way

12 & 13 Town of Tioga 4 & 5 - Dylan’s Grove

11 - Oakmo

1 - Avalon Woods

Flint Rock - 6 & 7

Lugano - 1 2 - Carollton

Wimberley

Wimberley is a quaint 46 lot community situated on over 32 acres featuring 1/4, 1/3 and 1/2 acre lots. Located on SW 8th Avenue at the intersection of SW 143rd Street, just south of Jonesville and adjacent to Town of Tioga and Tioga Town Center. Almost every lot backs common area with no neighbor directly behind! Wimberley is zoned for Meadowbrook Elementary School, Kanapaha Middle School and Buchholz High School.

Hartley Brothers, Inc. (352) 332-3912 sales@hartleybrothers.com www.hartleybrothers.com Parade Homes: 14050 SW 7th Place, Newberry 14062 SW 7th Place, Newberry Shawn Lash Signature Homes (352) 310-5274 info@lashdevelopment.com www.shawnlash.com Parade Home: 14074 SW 7th Place, Newberry 44 | PARADE OF HOMES

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Spain & Cooper Homes (352) 376-6372 tyson@spaincooper.com www.spaincooper.com Parade Home: 677 SW 139th Court, Newberry

Directions to the Neighborhood: From Newberry Road and I-75, west on Newberry Road past Tioga. Left at light in Jonesville on NW 143 St. At the roundabout, turn Left onto SW 8th Avenue and first Left into Wimberley.

14

Hartley Brothers, Inc. Matthew L. Hartley License #CGC1520103 1325 NW 53rd Ave., Suite D Gainesville, FL 32609

(352) 332-3912 sales@hartleybrothers.com www.HartleyBrothers.com

14050 SW 7th Place, Newberry

2420 sqft conditioned 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths, plus Home Office • Home Office • Covered Rear Porch and Brick Paver Patio • 10’ Ceilings in Main Living Area w/ 10’-11’ Step Ceiling in Living Room • Q uartz Countertops in Kitchen and Bathrooms • Oversized Walk-In Shower in Master Bath • Standing Seam Metal Accent Roof over Front Porch • Gourmet Kitchen with picture windows overlooking back yard Zoned for: Meadowbrook Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

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15

Hartley Brothers, Inc. Matthew L. Hartley License #CGC1520103 1325 NW 53rd Ave., Suite D Gainesville, FL 32609

14062 SW 7th Place, Newberry 2171 sqft conditioned 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths, plus Home Office

•D edicated Home Office • 10’ Ceilings in Main Living Area with 10’-11’ Step Ceiling in Living Room • Gourmet Kitchen with 36” Gas Cooktop and Wall Oven • Dining Room with windows on 3 sides gives lots of natural light •W alk-In Pantry with Wood Shelves • Quartz countertops in Kitchen and Bathrooms • Oversized Rear Porch with Future Outdoor Kitchen Zoned for: Meadowbrook Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

46 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

(352) 332-3912 sales@hartleybrothers.com www.HartleyBrothers.com

16

Shawn Lash Signature Homes Shawn Lash License #CGC1530942 5200 NW 43rd St, Suite 102-319 Gainesville, FL 32606

(352) 310-5274 info@lashdevelopment.com www.shawnlash.com

14074 SW 7th Place, Newberry 2842 sqft conditioned 4 Bedroom, 3 Baths plus Separate Home Office

• The perfect combination of quality, luxury and comfort, with high-end energy efficiency in mind.

• Neutral Coastal Hickory sand dollar luxury vinyl plank flooring in main living areas and kitchen.

• Great room with wood burning fireplace and cathedral ceilings accented by wood beams.

• Modern white shaker perimeter cabinets with buckskin maple center island cabinets, coordinating beautifully in this chef’s kitchen complete with hidden walk-in pantry.

• Primary suite with step-up tray ceiling detail trimmed with crown molding.

• Primary en suite bath with modern slipper tub, dual entry shower, and his-and-her walk-in closets.

• Third guest room can be used as a flex room, media room, or secondary home office.

• L arge laundry room complete with granite, upper/lower cabinetry and adjacent custom stop-n-drop.

• Complete summer kitchen with lower cabinetry, granite counter, gas grill, and exhaust chase.

• The north facing backyard is nearly 70 ft across its rear property line, abutting a 25 ft. common area.

• Home is zoned for Clay Electric as the utility provider, with GRU providing natural gas and water.

Zoned for: Meadowbrook Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

FALL 2023

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17

Spain & Cooper Homes Tyson Riggins License #CBC1256909 14245 SW 4th Place Newberry, FL 32669

(352) 376-6372 tyson@spaincooper.com www.SpainCooper.com

677 SW 139th Court, Newberry 3346 sqft conditioned 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Baths, 2 Half Baths, plus Study

Zoned for: Meadowbrook Elementary, Kanapaha Middle and Buchholz High Schools

GUEST SUITE DINING

2880

BATH #3

WALK-IN CLOSET

OVENS

WALK-IN CLOSET LIN

GREAT ROOM STANDARD FIREBOX

BEDRM #2

DW

OWNER'S BATH

KITCHEN PANTRY

2080

48"REF

WINE REF

LIN

BATH #2

FOYER

ENTRY PORCH

LAUNDRY STUDY

BED #3

BENCH

• Premier half acre lot • Brick accent on the front exterior and fireplace from floor to ceiling • Plantation shutters • Screen enclosed Saltwater pool and spa • Custom Stained tongue and groove porch ceilings and stained columns • Paver driveway and pool deck • Spray foam insulation • Feature tile designs in each bath • L evel 4 quartz countertops with custom mitered edge kitchen island.

• GE Monogram appliances • Bonus room with en suite powder bath • Custom cabinetry throughout

COVERED PORCH

OWNER'S SUITE

HVAC

GARAGE

BONUS ROOM

48 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

Providing Exterior Views, Privacy & Protection for your Home or Business

We offer installation & service on all of our exterior products that we carry.

• Windows (All Types) • Hurricane Impact Widows & Doors • Exterior Hinged Doors • Folding Glass Doors • Sliding Glass Doors • Interior Doors • Door Hardware • Mouldings/Millwork

www.WhitfieldWindowAndDoor.com

17833 NW 244th Street, High Springs, FL • 386-454-0295

Licensed & Insured LIC# SCC131151265

LOCATED IN THE HIGH SPRINGS INDUSTRIAL PARK OFF OF POE SPRINGS RD. (COUNTY RD. 340)

FALL 2023

PARADE OF HOMES TM

| 49

2023 Directory Company Name

Primary Phone

2 College Brothers, Inc. 3002 Surveying 352 Electric, LLC 441 Self Storage, LLC 84 Lumber Company (Gainesville)

(352) 448-9095 (352) 538-1320 (352) 284-6702 (352) 318-8050 (352) 338-8401

#

A

A Beautiful Yard, Inc (352) 338-1400 A.E.S. Inc. of SE US (352) 546-1157 A+ Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. (352) 374-4988 Aaron Vurgason Electric & Automation (352) 363-9246 ABC Supply (352) 336-5372 Ace Contracting Enterprises, Inc. (727) 725-5513 Acentria Insurance (352) 505-1953 Acousti Engineering Company of Florida (386) 462-9900 Action Labor and Staffing Connection (352) 372-1611 Advanced Building Concepts, Inc (352) 379-0898 (800) 733-9987 Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (407) 295-4489 Aggressive Appliances AKEA, Inc. (352) 474-6124 Alachua County Property Appraiser (352) 374-5230 Alachua Environmental Services, Inc. (904) 259-6200 Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Inc (352) 371-5871 Alachua Painting & Waterproofing, LLC (352) 339-2116 All 4 U Tree Service, LLC (352) 256-4341 All Florida Electric (352) 378-6014 x102 All Florida Enterprises, Inc. (352) 472-3550 All Florida Personnel (352) 505-0503 All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning Inc (352) 493-4888 Allegra Marketing Print Mail (352) 373-7547 ALLFAST Fastener & Tool Supply, Inc. (352) 335-8665 Allison Durham Photography (352) 871-0262 (904) 382-0083 Alpha Envirotech Consulting, Inc. American Integrity (813) 880-7000 American Patio & Fireplace (904) 434-1523 America’s Home Place (352) 244-8442 Ameris Bank (352) 264-7266 AMJ Group Inc. (352) 375-4600 Andrews Paving, Inc. (386) 462-1115 Archer Electric Service Company, Inc (352) 371-2580 (352) 376-2182 Argos RMX LLC Atlantic Design Homes (352) 318-1108 (352) 256-1577 Atlantic Roofing & Exteriors, LLC AWG Construction LLC (352) 639-2775 AZS Consulting (352) 219-7770

B

B&D Electric Inc. 50 | PARADE OF HOMES

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FALL 2023

(352) 472-1966

Visit BANCF.com for an easily searchable directory of BANCF members by classification

B&M Equipment Co. (352) 336-9800 (352) 331-7162 Barry Bullard Homes Barry Rutenberg & Assoc Inc (352) 373-8466 Barwick Banking Company (352) 231-1700 BBI Construction Management, Inc. (352) 338-2073 Beltz Septic & Portable Toilets (352) 372-7448 Best Buy (352) 514-7537 Best Water Solutions (352) 372-2707 Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel (352) 331-3336 Better Homes and Gardens (352) 226-8228 Real Estate Thomas Group Bill Wells Corporation (352) 373-2281 Billy Santerfeit Electric, Inc. (352) 472-5511 Bin There Dump That North Central Florida (352) 900-5253 Bio-One Gainesville (352) 448-1366 Blackwater Construction Services, LLC (352) 283-5555 Blackwell Electric LLC (352) 472-6104 Blakeland LLC (352) 872-5211 Bosshardt Realty Services (352) 371-6100 Bounds Heating & Air (352) 472-2761 Bridlewood of High Springs (904) 252-2472 Brije LLC (352) 272-7030 Browning Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC (352) 466-3334 (352) 372-3581 Butler Enterprises

C

Cambria (813) 230-0961 Campana’s Comfort Solutions Heating (352) 682-1132 & Air Conditioning, LLC Campbell Spellicy Engineering, Inc. (352) 372-6967 Campus USA Credit Union (352) 335-9090 x10202 Cannon Painting LLC (386) 623-3212 Capital City Bank (352) 548-4790 Carlisle Fence Company LLC (352) 284-5964 Carpet One Floor & Home (352) 380-9797 x15 Carpet Systems Plus North Fla Inc. (352) 246-9635 Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (352) 372-6300 Carson’s Cabinetry & Design (352) 373-8292 Carter Construction of Gainesville, Inc. (352) 377-5682 Cason Builders Inc. (352) 283-3542 CBS 4 NBC 9 (352) 332-1128 CCI Cabot Construction Inc. (352) 331-3720 CEMEX (352) 372-4844 Central Florida Community Action (352) 373-7667 Agency, Inc. Central Florida Contractor Services, Inc (352) 378-3869 Central Florida Drywall & Plastering, Inc (352) 376-6606 Charles Berg Enterprises, Inc. (352) 377-0880 Charles Construction Group (352) 371-1620 Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) (352) 333-9292

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D

D&D Garage Doors (352) 243-9111 D.H. Custom Cabinets, Inc. (352) 367-4332 D.R. Horton, Inc. (844) 348-7697 D.R. Nickelson & Company, Inc. (386) 755-6565 x302 Dampier Septic Tank, Inc. (352) 378-2659 Dampier Well and Pump Service (352) 275-6553 Darlene Pifalo, the Purrrfect Realtor (352) 377-1234 David’s Real Pit Bar-B-Que (352) 373-2002 Davis Brothers Alachua Plumbing (386) 462-3407 (352) 448-1428 x101 Decker Construction Del Sol Electric, LLC (352) 224-8565 Dempsey Electric Inc (352) 213-3967 DEX Imaging (352) 224-1816 Dibros Design & Construction (352) 331-6220 Direct Care Chiropractic (352) 278-1340 DMD Health & Safety Training Services (352) 318-1261 Donnelly + Gross (352) 374-4001 Dryer Vent Wizard of Gainesville (352) 922-0909 Duke Energy (352) 337-6917 Duration Builders, Inc Dylan Grove Development, LLC (352) 665-6100

E

Easy Turf (941) 753-3312 ECS Florida, LLC (352) 221-9221 Ed Potts - Edward Jones Investments (386) 462-0417 eda consultants inc.

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F

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G

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(352) 378-2627 (352) 204-0120 (352) 373-4004 (352) 415-4577 (352) 554-3555 (352) 393-1492 (352) 486-6282 (352) 332-8850 (352) 745-6974 (352) 373-1738 (352) 372-5240 (386) 266-3105 FALL 2023

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I

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J

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K

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M

M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management Manning Building Supplies, Inc Mantle Electric Inc MARC Radio

(352) 273-1150 (352) 622-8175 (386) 937-6397 (352) 313-3150 FALL 2023

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Marion/Service Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. Mark Hurm & Co., LLC Mark McGriff State Farm Insurance Maronda Homes Matchmaker Realty MAVEN Construction Group McDavid, Jones and Company, CPAs McFall Builders, Inc. McLeod General Trades, LLC Mid-Fla Heating & Air MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Mid-State, Inc. Mike Scott Plumbing, Inc. Millennium Bank Miller Building Group, LLC. Miller Electric Company Miller’s Plumbing & Mechanical Millhopper Family Dentistry, PA Mobile Locksmith Inc Mollman Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, LLC Monarch Design Group Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Gainesville

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O

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P

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Ridgway Roof Truss Ring Power Corporation Rise Construction Group LLC RISE Construction Services, LLC Riverbend Electric Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes, Inc. Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply, Inc. Rosenboom Construction Inc Rosselle Consulting Inc. RunBrook RWPC Inc.

S

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Stellar Services (352) 359-4903 Sterling Builders Group, LLC (352) 234-3201 Steve Dublin Homes, Inc. (352) 375-0032 Strut Technologies Incorporated (561) 434-0904 Studio MJG (352) 226-8061 (352) 505-0578 Successful Living II (352) 619-2299 Suncoast Roofers Supply (352) 339-5791 Sunshine Plumbing and Gas Superior Fence and Rail of Gainesville, LLC (352) 448-5066 Superior Plaster (352) 538-7224 Superior Staffing Solutions, LLC (352) 538-2865 (352) 204-8888 Swamp Boil (347) 758-2845 Sweeping Beauties in the Sunshine State, Inc Sweet Berries (352) 378-4972

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V E Whitehurst & Sons Inc Van Goettling Masonry, Inc. Velocity Advisory Group Verdex Construction, LLC VIIEGO Consulting Group LLC Viking Construction Company 7201 of Florida, LLC Vintage Electric Inc. Vision Construction, Inc.

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W W Gay Mechanical Contractor (352) 264-2600 Waldorff Insurance & Bonding, Inc. (352) 374-7779 Walker Architects, Inc. (352) 672-6448 Warner, Sechrest & Butts, PA (352) 373-5922 Warring Homes, Inc. (352) 333-8400 Waste Pro of Florida, Inc. (386) 462-2500 -Gainesville Division Watson Construction Company LLC (352) 472-9157 Watson Realty Corp.

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FL LIC#EF0000424

BOOK REVIEW

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER’S

Reading Corner “CROW MARY” BY KATHLEEN GRISSOM C.2023

ATRIA

$

28.99

368 PAGES

THE WAGON IS PACKED PLUMB TO THE TOP. It’s so full, the horses strain to pull it but nothing can be left behind. Blankets, hides, supplies, guns, a lodge, they’ll all be needed at the new homestead. It’s been said that the land where you’re going is unforgiving and dangerous but a new life is the only choice. Thankfully, in the new novel, “Crow Mary” by Kathleen Grissom, a part of the old life will follow.

Though Red Fox said it wasn’t her fault, Goes First always remembered what happened in her seventh summer.

When Sioux, Arapaho, and Cheyenne warriors attacked her grandmother’s camp, Goes First called to Grandmother, who stood up and was killed in the chaos.

Goes First blamed herself for a long time.

But Red Fox said that truth-telling was brave, and he liked the little girl who called him Grandfather. He passed stories and knowledge to her, how to ride a galloping horse, how to shoot a gun, and how to hunt. Soon, Goes First could do these things almost better than any Crow warrior.

That served her well when, in her sixteenth summer, a Yellow Eye trader named Farwell came through their camp, and he asked permission to marry Goes First. She did not know him, nor was she sure she trusted him. Like all Crow women, she had the option to say “no.” When Farwell brought her a special gift, though, she knew it was a sign, a message from the Other Side Camp and she had to go with him.

Leaving her family was the hardest part, but learning the ways of the Yellow Eyes was not easy, either. She didn’t like that they renamed her “Mary,” but “Crow Mary” suited her.

She didn’t like going to Canada, so far from her family and friends. She hated that Farwell sold alcohol to the tribes there, and she didn’t like Farwell’s friends.

She especially didn’t like the man called Stiller, who looked at Mary in ways that made her squirm. Stiller, who would upend her life again and again...

If you merely looked at “Crow Mary” with the thought that it’s just a female-driven Western, you’d still like this novel a lot. It’s got everything you want in an Old West tale, after all, but think of it as only another Western, and you miss the best part.

In her back-of-book notes, author Kathleen Grissom explains how she stumbled upon the tale of Crow Mary in a small museum, how it captivated her, and why it led her to research and write this “fiction based on fact.” Indeed, Grissom’s deep journey adds meaning, making it a pleasure for readers to forget here that they’re not in 1870s Montana and there’s no hoss in the garage.

That turns a good Western saga into a great (and mostly-true) account that lets novel lovers dip their toes into real life, and gives nonfiction readers an absorbing tale with highly appealing authenticity. You’ll both agree that “Crow Mary” is packed with a grand story.

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

AUTHOR PHOTO: BY ERIN PLEWES

NOV/DEC 2023

OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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

Tried and true. Locally loved. Contributors to our community. This special section of Our Town puts names to the north central Florida faces who always bring their A-game, keep customers smiling and continually lead the region into the future. Look for these special photo pages throughout this issue. These are the faces of Our Town.

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PEDIATRIC CARE

Little Pine Pediatrics

Back row: Vanessa Wood, Sarah Garrett, ARNP; Ronald Emerick, DO; Lauren Womack, ARNP; Allie Findley Front row: Grace Williams, Melinda Othus, Mara Fishman 15551 NW HWY 441, STE 40, ALACHUA 386-518-0102 LITTLEPINEPEDIATRICS.COM 128 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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The team at Little Pine Pediatrics consists of experienced, compassionate pediatricians and friendly, nurturing staff members who take pride in giving their young patients the personalized pediatric care they deserve. They understand you have a choice of pediatricians, and look forward to showing you how they differ from other practices. All of their providers are highly educated professionals who have undergone rigorous

academic and clinical training in pediatrics. The highly trained staff at Little Pine maintains a high level of expertise through continuing education in order to provide the most up-to-date care for the young patients they serve. Little Pine Pediatrics believes in a team approach to your child’s health and well being which allows the doctors to collaborate with parents to provide the highest level of care.

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THE NEXT BIG THING

Prohibition Pizza

London Potter, Dave Potter, Kelly Potter & Brandt Potter 386-433-1900 18559 NW 237TH ST HIGH SPRINGS, FL (ACROSS FROM THE HIGH SPRINGS BREWING COMPANY) PROHIBITIONPIZZA.COM

This is not just your ordinary pizza place. The moment you step in to Prohibition Pizza, you’re instantly taken back to the roaring 20’s with the Prohibition themed decor, epic playlist, and some of the most popular pizzas named after iconic gangsters.

Known for quality, the Potter family selected and brought in the freshest high quality toppings when creating

their Specialty Pizzas, which are the Bees Knees. Always freshly prepared handcrafted recipes including outstanding gluten free offerings, baked wings, breads, handmade desserts, wine, beers and ciders. Conveniently located directly across the street from the High Springs Brewing Company, making the perfect night out in High Springs.

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cial services organization, and a membership owned fraternal organization, programs, we are committed to helping you achieve financial clarity. We DeAnna Edwards, financial consultant, is invested in things that prepare you for the future. They are ready to have a conversation about whats most important to you and your financial situation. Call today to learn more about how they can help you develop a plan that is unique to your needs.

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FITNESS

FloMotion Fitness Haley Sweeney, Florine “Flo” Hester, Diane Hansis 15315 NW US HWY 441, ALACHUA 352-222-7078 FLOMOTIONFITNESS.COM

FloMotion Fitness is your ultimate Garage Gym Experience. Located in Alachua, Fl, right on Highway 441, FloMotion Fitness has been serving the community and surrounding areas since 2014! Their Certified Trainers take pride in making your experience the best it can be. FloMotion Fitness offers Group Fitness Classes, Personal Training, Stages Indoor Cycle Classes, 24 hour Open Gym, Nutrition Counseling and Free Consultations. Their classes are designed for all fitness levels so you can be sure that whatev-

er your level of fitness is, you will experience a great workout! At FloMotion Fitness their goal is to motivate, educate and empower their clients, all while building an amazing community of supportive, inspiring and excited members! With the proper training, encouragement and accountability, anyone can grow in to the person they strive to be!

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HOMETOWN LOCAL BUSINESS

Pawn Pro, LLC Chris Mack

25040 W NEWBERRY RD, NEWBERRY 352-327-9067 | PAWNPROLLC.COM 132 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

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SPORTS CARDS AND COLLECTIBLES

The Meelypops Shop

Front Row: Meredith & Jameel Mohammed Middle Row: Joseph Conza, Xu Gao, Kyle Koski, Justice Evans Back Row: Ron Ruppel, Nick Phillips, Tim Ahearn (352) 204-5573 3700 NW 91ST ST STE E-100, GAINESVILLE MEELYPOPS.COM | @SHOPMEELYPOPS

Gainesville is home to one of the nation’s leading sports cards & collectible brands - Meelypops! Specializing in all cards, autographs, Pokemon, video games, funko pops, memorabilia & other collectibles, this hobby is no longer just a kids pastime. Currently, the card space frequently yields 4, 5, 6 and even 7 figure items! The shop opened in 2018, but has actually functioned as an online store front since 2010. Shop owners Jameel & Meredith have deep Gainesville roots, residing here for the

past 20 years. Both UF graduates who worked vastly different careers before opening in 2018, they believe the local community has been vital to their ongoing success. Jameel states “We want to bridge this amazing hobby with our incredible community for years to come.” Expanding to a second location soon in South Carolina, the brand continues to flourish with retail shops & ecommerce. Meelypops is your go to for all your cards & collectible needs.

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FOOD & FUN

Pink Flamingo Diner

From left to right: Will Warington, David Miller, Kimra Wickline, Anthony Paparella 19726 US 441, HIGH SPRINGS, FL 32643 386-454-5775 PINKFLAMINGODINER.COM 134 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Pink Flamingo is a new kind of diner, located a few minutes outside of Gainesville in High Springs, Florida. Savor the eats from their home-made “scratch” kitchen, then relax at the outdoor Flamingo Diner or play the beautiful, water featured, 18-hole mini golf course.

There’s plenty of fun for the whole family. From craft beers and homemade

cocktails to live music on the patio every Friday-Sunday, Pink Flamingo offers an extensive menu including vegan and vegetarian options. Looking for that perfect place to hold your next private event? The team at Pink Flamingo can host private dining indoors for up to 30 people or a semi-private area outdoors.

Stop by today and enjoy!

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CASUAL DINING

Great Outdoors Restaurant From left to right: Joshua Cook, Anthony Paparella, Taylor Dukes, Betty Gleason, Jesse Thomas 65 N MAIN ST, HIGH SPRINGS | 386-454-1288 GREATOUTDOORSDINING.COM

The Great Outdoors, located in the historic town of High Springs, specializes in hand selected steaks, fresh seafood, signature entrée salads and homemade soups and deserts. The Great Outdoors features a family friendly dining experience for everyone. It’s a perfect place to grab a cold, local craft beer after hitting

the springs all day or for that family gathering. The amazing Patio features luxurious outdoor seating with live music every Friday and Saturday night from some of the area’s bestknown bands. From craft cocktails to specialty desserts The Great Outdoors invites you to make the short drive to High Springs.

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AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING

Charles Berg Enterprises

Austin LaCoste, Cindy LaCoste, Kevin LaCoste 1220 53RD AVENUE | 352-377-0880 CHARLESBERGENTERPRISES.COM LIC. #CACO57671 136 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Charles Berg Enterprises started in 1967 by Charles Berg and today is owned and operated by his daughter Cindy with her husband Kevin.

The company is built around a family atmosphere meaning employees and owners are equal and operate as a family. The family atmosphere promotes teamwork, pride and quality work. They extend their family traditions to their customers and treat each job as if it were their own family. If you like old-fashioned customer service and understand the importance of timeliness, courtesy, and doing things right, they invite you to join their family. Still carrying on Charles’ motto “I will not be satisfied until my customer is satisfied”

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SALON EXCELLENCE

Studio B Salon Danielle Brook

4140 NW 27TH LN SUITE C, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 352-332-6900 STUDIOBSALONGAINESVILLE.COM

Danielle Brook, owner and stylist at Studio B in Gainesville, incredible hairstyle, cuts and color are her passion. For more than 40 years, this Miami native works closely with her clients to make them look incredible. At Studio B, excellence is a core value. Private rooms allow for that next level of individual attention while providing a safe environment. Danielle specializes in color and color correction along with precision haircuts and styles.

Conveniently located in northwest Gainesville, Studio B can help with sleek Brazilian Blowouts to real hair extensions. Call or stop by today or visit them online to make an appointment.

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FAMILY DENTISTRY

Gentle Dental Care

Dr. Jordan Webb, Ailya Webb, Hayden and Parker- our next generation of dentists

3655 SW 2ND AVE, GAINESVILLE

352-378-2555 | GAINESVILLEDENTIST.COM 138 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Gentle Dental Care has been a leader in the Gainesville dental community since 1978. They take great satisfaction in helping you maintain optimal dental health. Devoted to comprehensive and preventive patient care, the staff at Gentle Dental Care believe their patients should

have as much information as possible in order to make important, informed decisions regarding their dental health and treatment options.

The most important member of their team will always be you! Stop by today and meet the family at Gentle Dental Care.

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ORTHODONTICS

Next Level Orthodontics Dr. Amir Akhavan

320 NW 76 DR, GAINESVILLE, FL 32607 (352) 332-7466 THENEXTLEVELORTHODONTICS.COM

The team at Next Level Orthodontics strives to maintain an environment that is focused on the quality, mutual respect and superior results while having as much fun as possible. They believe the patient must receive exceptional value and service in a way that consistently exceeds expectations. Dedicated and professional, the team at Next Level Orthodontics works synergistically with one goal in mind, to help you get the most beautiful and healthy smile possible while creating a next level customer experience. Dr. Akhavan and his team are determined to turn his patients into raving fans by embracing creativity, innovation and the most up-to-date technology into practice to achieve the best possible outcome. Welcoming patients of all ages, the team at Next Level Orthodontics is ready to help. Visit them online or call to set up a complimentary consultation.

NOV/DEC 2023

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LEGENDARY BURGERS

Copper Monkey West

From Left to Right: Kaidyn Steadman, Avery Thompson, Henry Schroeder, Ashli Johnson, Makayla Frizzell, Rhiannon Thompson 14209 W NEWBERRY RD, NEWBERRY, FL 32669 (352) 363-6338 MYCOPPERMONKEY.COM 140 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

An old Tom Petty tune, a tight game at The Swamp, watching the bats fly over Lake Alice… there are certain things that are uniquely Gainesville and the Copper Monkey is on that list as a Gainesville institution. For more than 40 years, memories have been made at the Copper Monkey! Legendary burgers like The Monkey’s Uncle, The Ranch Burger and The Orange & Blue Burger are just a few examples of why we’ve been voted “Our Town’s Favorite Burger”. Open for both lunch and dinner, Copper Monkey is always here for that cold brew after work or to meet up with your friends and family for an evening of wonderful memories, just like old times! Everyday specials, delicious food and exceptional service — come get a taste of Gainesville at the Copper Monkey West!

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TRAVEL EXPERTS

GiaMore Travel

Giancarlo Victoreo and Alec Morey, Owners (352) 654-1867 GAINESVILLE AND ALL OF FLORIDA GIAMORETRAVEL.COM

At GiaMore Travel by Dream Vacations, when they say, “dream vacations start here,” they mean it! From your initial contact to the handling of every detail, your experience will be completely hassle-free and tailored to your wants and needs. Whether you’re planning a relaxing escape, a girlfriend getaway, a

man-cation, a romantic honeymoon or a family reunion, your experience will be unlike any other. As an independently owned franchise of Dream Vacations, which is affiliated with the largest vacation retailer in the United States, World Travel Holdings, they offer exceptional insider savings and special fares.

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PRIMARY CARE

Celebrate Primary Care

Della M. Tuten, Owner and the Celebrate team 919 NW 57TH ST., GAINESVILLE 1216 NW 22ND AVE., GAINESVILLE 352-474-8686 CELEBRATEPRIMARYCARE.COM 142 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Celebrate Primary Care is a direct primary care medical practice dedicated to businesses and individuals in the Gainesville and Alachua areas. Providing access to individualized health care without having to jump through the hoops of a traditional practice, Celebrate removes the insurance companies from the healthcare equation. That allows incredible access

to your provider – for one low monthly fee. The team at Celebrate Primary Care views the patient-provider relationship as a team of equals singularly focused on helping you reach your health care goals.

Insurance free and hassle free care is simply a call away. Committed to your better health, stop by today or visit their website for more information.

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HOMETOWN LEGAL REPRESENTATION

Law Office of Maurice T. McDaniel Maurice T. McDaniel 18581 MAIN ST, HIGH SPRINGS 352-559-0930 | MCDANIELLAWOFFICE.COM

Located in historic, downtown High Springs, Maurice T. McDaniel is your hometown attorney. Specializing in criminal defense, family law and estate planning.

Mr. McDaniel is a 5th generation Floridian, Army Veteran and former member of the 7th Special Forces, Military Intelligence Detachment. He left the military service to serve his local community as a law enforcement officer. Mr. McDaniel has a rich and diverse background working with many different Federal, State, and Local agencies. In his career he has established himself in high regards as a Law enforcement officer, supervisor, liaison, and consultant. Mr. McDaniel’s unique background and experience positions him well to assist you with whatever legal issue you may have. Family owned and operated, the law office of Maurice T. McDaniel is here to help.

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FAITH, STYLE, AND FASHION

Pink Threads Boutique Emma Maroon

352-727-2677 14925 Main St. Alachua, FL 32615 PINKTHREADSBOU.COM

144 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Pink Threads was founded by a high school senior with a passion for boutique culture, shopping, and small towns, who also had aspirations of becoming a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist). The boutique opened online in early 2023, and eventually opened its store front in the summer of the same year.

The owner is currently a full-time student and is grateful for the support they have received from the community, not only in their hometown, but from towns across the country. At Pink Threads, their mission is to help you recognize your value and beauty.

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URGENT CARE

OneStop Medical & Urgent Care From left to right: Madison Macarages; Mariah Renaud, MSN, APRN, FNP-C; Rachel Cox, MSN, APRN, FNPBC; Cheryl Perry, MBA; Greg Westwood, MD, PhD; Rachel Westwood, MS; Kristy Weston; Caylee Stitt 386-418-4060 15652 NW US HWY 441, STE. 2 D, ALACHUA ONESTOPMEDCENTER.COM

OneStop Medical and Urgent Care in Alachua, Florida is locally owned and operated, they truly understand the importance of a patient-centered environment. Available to assist with illnesses and injuries, the staff is committed to providing the best care possible while getting you back to your everyday life as quickly as possible. Their team has extensive experience and is dedicated to treating patients with the utmost courtesy. OneStop Medical offers a wide array of services including on-site Xrays, COVID rapid and PCR testing, Occupational Medicine services such as pre-employment physicals, drug screens, DOT exams and breath alcohol testing.

Even better, they now offer PRIMARY CARE! They participate in most insurance networks including newly added GatorCare!

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CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Awaken Chiropractic

Dr. Shane and Dr. Brittany Semegon and team HUNTER’S CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER 5200 NW 43RD ST #507, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 (352) 448-1402 AWAKENMYHEALTH.COM 146 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

At Awaken Chiropractic, their goal is to help you function as well and as long as you can so you can enjoy the things in life that really matter. They are focused on improving the health and wellness of our entire community, and their mission is to provide you not only chiropractic care, but also the tools you need to improve your overall health and wellness for a lifetime. The chiropractic adjustments you receive at Awaken Chiropractic are safe and effective for people of all ages, including infants. They offer science-backed, ethical and principled chiropractic care to help alleviate pain and illness. Dr. Shane, Dr. Brittany Semegon and Dr. Sarah Hull are here to help you achieve the highest level of healthy living possible.

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HEALTH INSURANCE

Hummingbird Insurance Geoffrey Ferland 352-320-3320 HUMMINGBIRDGNV.COM

Serving the community of Gainesville and all of Florida, Hummingbird Insurance is a boutique independent agency led by Geoffrey Ferland. Committed to serving all people, Hummingbird offers no-cost assistance for health insurance and Medicare. Their rigorous standards for customer service have established them as one of the top-rated agencies

in the U.S. by client reviews. Each year, the dedicated agents of Hummingbird assist thousands of families in finding affordable healthcare coverage. During this Open Enrollment period for 2024, folks are encouraged to get free help from businesses like Hummingbird that underscore Gainesville’s reputation for professional integrity.

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A PRICELESS GIFT A Friend’s Generous Offer Saves a Life

Most coworkers exchange formalities — the classic, “How’s it going? How was your weekend?”

Maybe they’ll exchange coffees — a nice gesture to receive at the start of a long day.

If they’re especially close, they may go out to eat after work. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll exchange phone numbers and join an adult kickball league to see each other an extra day each week. But this is typically the extent of a coworker exchange. None of these average relationships include the exchange of an organ.

W R I T T E N B Y L I N D S AY S C H I N D L E R

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THE GIFT OF LIFE

RANDY BATISTA AND LIESL OTTO O’DELL. PHOTO BY MICHAEL EADDY.

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B

ut not for Randy Batista and

Liesl Otto O’dell. While the two ex-coworkers have granted each other the gift of friendship, they also share a much deeper connection. When he needed it most, Liesl generously stepped up and gave her friend her kidney in order to save his life.

“We need more people like him in the world,” said Lisel of Randy.

Liesl and Randy met in 1997, and the two clicked instantly. Liesl was hired to be the editor for the Alumni Magazine at the University of Florida, and Randy was rumored to be the best photographer in town. They were destined to be good work partners, and from there, their friendship blossomed.

The two raved about each other. Randy had made Liesl’s stories come to life, and Liesl put Randy’s photos into words. Liesl was sad when it came time for Randy to retire, so when it was time for her own retirement, she sent him a personalized invitation to her party.

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got all the necessary bloodwork done and, to everyone’s delight, she was a perfect match.

This got the ball rolling, and the tedious organ donation process was underway. Over the next few months, the transplant panel asked Liesl the same question countless times; “Why are you doing this?” To her surprise, her reasoning evolved over time.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Liesl first responded. To her, it was that simple. Randy was a great friend and a great person, and she couldn’t imagine a world without him.

However, while this portion of her answer remained consistent, she found herself adding to it little by little.

Liesl has five granddaughters — one of whom has type one diabetes. Randy’s kidney failure had been caused by his type two diabetes, and this is how Liesl learned the extent to which the disease impacts the body.

Josie, Liesl’s granddaughter, was 13 at the time, and Liesl realized that one day she may need a kidney transplant of her own. She hoped that by gifting her kidney to Randy, Josie’s sisters may one day be inspired to do the same for their sister should they have to.

Additionally, she found out just how many people she knew who lived with just one kidney. The science was there to support the success of this surgery, so each day she

KIDNEY DONATION >> SAVING A FRIEND

But when Liesl saw Randy at her retirement party in January of 2022, he was unrecognizable. The Randy she knew was vibrant. He could light up a room with his smile, and his warm presence was made known. Even wearing a mask at the very back of the room as to protect himself, Liesl could tell this was not the same Randy she knew.

“I knew what he told me over the phone [about the state of his health],” Liesl said, “but he didn’t quite go far enough in explaining how dire his health situation was. It was shocking.”

Randy was visibly ill. After all, his kidney’s functionality had reached a whopping 5%. After speaking with him, Liesl realized that Randy truly thought this would be the end for him.

She knew that she had to do something — anything — to save her friend. Without a moment’s hesitation, she asked what it would take for her to be able to help him. She was ready to do anything, even if that “anything” included organ donation.

“That’s just the kind of person Randy is,” Liesl said.

“When you’re friends with him, you’re friends for life.”

Liesl wanted to ensure that this lifelong friendship was truly lifelong. That very night, she called Randy’s wife, Linda, and asked how she could become an eligible donor. She

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KIDNEY DONATION >> SAVING A FRIEND

grew more and more sure that she was making the right decision.

Randy found his friend’s generous offer almost too good to be true. By this point, Randy lived his life in a fog. Toxicity was building in his brain as his kidneys continued to fail, and he was left with no choice but to begin dialysis.

He had renal failure. Before Liesl saved the day, he spent a total of eight weeks on dialysis.

For those eight weeks he had to spend 15 hours each week in a chair, hooked up to a machine, to purify his blood. It was, to say the least, not fun.

“ It’s like everything in the universe was saying, ‘It’s time to donate,’” Liesl said.

“I just said ‘yes.’”

Bottom: (Left to right) Randy Batista pictured with Liesl Otto O’Dell. By August 2022, it was finally time to replace Randy’s failing kidneys. The two friends entered the hospital, and Liesl was able to give Randy his life back.

152 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

“I couldn’t eat tomatoes. I couldn’t eat avocados. I couldn’t eat kale,” Randy recalled. “I was basically eating cardboard and plastic.”

The dialysis process is intense, and there are other precautions that must be taken to ensure its success. The actual process of dialysis itself is not a fun one, but neither are the other precautions accompanying it. “Fortunately,” Randy recalled, “my period [on dialysis] was a very short one because of Liesl.”

By August 2022, it was finally time to replace Randy’s failing kidneys. The two friends entered the hospital, and after some time under local anesthesia, Liesl was able to give Randy his life back.

The moment she woke up, she asked how Randy was doing. The answer was better than she could have imagined. The surgery was a complete success.

“Right away, the color was back in his face,” Liesl said. “It was so different from the guy who had been languishing before the surgery.”

She was elated to have her friend back and even more so to know that she had given him himself back.

“He was just so happy,” Liesl said. “Like he was just going to pop out of bed. It was so sweet.”

Liesl had considered organ donation in the past, but the opportunity had simply never presented itself. The small “organ donor” printed across her license had meaning, sure, but it PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF RANDY BATISTA

NOV/DEC 2023

never felt real until she saw Randy that fateful day in January.

A journalist herself, Liesl had written numerous stories about organ donation. The stories were always heartwarming to write, and she wanted to do the same someday.

“It’s like everything in the universe was saying, ‘It’s time to donate,’” Liesl said. “I just said ‘yes.’”

She now encourages people to do the same. “People listen to their fear and say ‘no,’” Liesl said. “But tomorrow is never promised for anyone, so why live under the fear that some tomorrow may come and instead live for today.”

She could have “saved” her kidney, but instead chose to seize the opportunity and lead by example. Randy now uses his background in photography to take pictures of organ donors and their recipients, showcasing the impact such a gesture can make.

From a surface level, Randy and Liesl are not the same. Her family is sporty, whereas his is artsy. He’s from Cuba, she was raised in Indiana. And they hold different political beliefs. Regardless of their differences, the two were able to form a lifelong friendship.

“If we can find friendship and other bonds,” Liesl said, “then I think there is hope for the world.”

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

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intellectually and in the acquisition of Godly character. Open enrollment for the 2024/2025 school year begins soon. Call today to schedule your personal tour.

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FLOORING

The Newberry Floor Store Left to Right: Kim Stinton (Owner), Andy Stinton(Owner), Caleb Stinton, Drew Stinton, Kason Carr, Tyler Lewis Kneeling: Manager Dale Nix 352-472-1331 840 NW SR 45, NEWBERRY NEWBERRYFLOORSTORE.COM 156 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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The Newberry Floor Store is a full-service flooring center that has been serving area customers since 2001. With the largest selection of inventory in the area, they are certain that you will find the right style, design and budget to fit your home. The Newberry Floor Store is a family friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The sales staff is non-commissioned and offer years of experience striving to serve each customer with a personal touch. They carry a variety of popular brands including Shaw, Anso, Mohawk, Home Legend, Provenza, Stainmaster, St. Jude Carpet Cushion, and Tuftex. We serve Newberry, Alachua, High Springs, Chiefland, Archer, Cedar Key, Steinhatchee and the greater Gainesville area. Proud members of the Newberry Chamber of Commerce. Stop by today for all your flooring needs.

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GAINESVILLE’S BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION

Crafty Bastards Restaurant & Pub From left to right: Becca Monrabal, Roman Brunson, Sam Parker, John Plimmer, John Santos, Brad Coblentz 4860 NW 39TH AVE. 352-872-5970 THECRAFTYBASTARDS.COM

From business meetings to dining out with your family, Crafty’s is “NW Gainesville’s Best Kept Secret. Crafty’s reputation is defined on the creativity of every dish including, crispy naked wings, 1/2 pound all Angus burgers, real shepherd’s pie, fresh beer battered fish n’ chips, and an amazing selection of what may just be your “new favorite” appetizers and handhelds.

Crafty’s offers 60 rotating taps and

over 750 varieties of craft beer right next door at their bottle shoppe.

Enjoy great M-F lunch specials, Monday’s the BEST All You Can Eat Wings (kids eat free), Tuesday Trivia, Wednesday, Karaoke, and Live musicians Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays. Crafty Bastards is a great place to enjoy your sports on large screen tv’s and they now have a covered outdoor dining area.

Crafty Bastards- Welcome Home!

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SOLAR ENERGY

EnLight Energy

Eric Otero, David PennyPacker, Julio Hernandez, Alexander Black 352-222-0795 ENLIGHT.ENERGY 158 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Explore smarter ways to power your home.

Stop worrying about your utility costs and start saving with solar power. You switched all the light bulbs over to CFLs and started running the wash on cold, and only at offpeak hours, but it still isn’t enough. You know there’s more you could do but something’s holding you back. Maybe you feel like it’s too expensive, or too much of hassle. But really, it

isn’t at all. EnLight Energy will examine your home free of charge and make unbiased and tailored energy management recommendations. EnLight Energy can work closely with you to adopt solutions that drastically reduce your electric, gas or oil bill, renovate your home to eliminate those energy bills altogether, or if you are in the market, guide you in buying or building a Zero Energy Home.

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PRESSURE WASHING

HydroPro

Brandon and Ski Williams (352) 258-2838 PRESSUREWASHINGGAINESVILLEFL.COM

Since 2006, Hydro Pro has been protecting your biggest investment, by providing quality pressure cleaning services to Gainesville and the surrounding areas. They offer residential pressure washing and commercial power washing services, which include roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, wood

siding restoration, concrete and more.

They pride themselves on not only delivering customer service excellence, but are also conscientious when it comes to protecting and preserving the environment. Their goal is to build a long-term relationship with all of their customers.

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EVENT MANAGEMENT

Integrity Orchid LaKendra Garrison

352-448-9332 WWW.INTEGRITYORCHID.COM 160 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

La’Kendra D. Garrison, Event Implementation Professional and owner of Integrity Orchid Consulting, LLC, will manage your event and allow you to be a gracious host and create memories with your guests.

Managing corporate, intimate, and social events are easier when you work with Integrity Orchid! We will

create a timeline for your event and keep things on track. We will coordinate with your vendors, venue, and guests so you don’t have to. Allow us to remove the stress from event execution so you may focus on making memories. Schedule a consultation today. IOC looks forward to managing your next event!

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YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & STEAKHOUSE

Stonehouse Neighborhood Grill

From left to right: Eve Hauke, Hailey Joiner, Alicia Hernandez, Kayla Cone, Mary Metheney 1759 SW 248TH DRIVE NEWBERRY, FL 32669 | 352-354-8023 STONEHOUSENEWBERRY.COM

Stone House Neighborhood Grill

and specialty drinks. Offering ex-

is a full-service restaurant located

cellent lunch specials and a happy

in the Country Way town square in

hour from 3pm-6pm, the owners

Newberry, Florida. Specializing in

have over 25+ years of experience

hand-cut steaks, slow roasted bris-

in the restaurant industry, and a

ket, prime rib and half-pound burg-

passion for providing exceptional

ers, their family-friendly atmosphere

food and service that will leave you

is perfect for special occasions or a

coming back for more. Avoid the

casual dinner out. Enjoy the cooler

stress and traffic of Gainesville and

weather on their beautiful patio and

take the short drive to Newberry’s

take advantage of their beer, wine

newest Restaurant.

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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Golden Rule Real Estate and Property Management April Strickland, Broker / Owner, Rochelle Trygar, Sales Manager (352) 505-3499 3801 NW 40TH TERRACE STE A, GAINESVILLE GOLDENRULEREALESTATE.COM

162 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Respect yourself and your real estate investment — don’t settle for an inattentive, anything-goes property manager! The professionals at Golden Rule Real Estate & Property Management, are bringing service back, and true service means being honest with you. Their property management and community association management services will eliminate all of your headaches by ensuring that your investment and community is protected. Their full service property and community association management will ensure that your quality time is spent on things you enjoy. When you use Golden Rule as your real estate or property Management Company, you are also making a difference, as a company that puts “Humans First Homes Second” they contribute a portion of their proceeds every year to multiple charities.

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THE FUTURE OF DISINFECTION

Sapphire Disinfection Products Jody Read, CEO 250 SW 9TH AVE, LAKE BUTLER, FL 32054 386-365-3027 SAPPHIREDISINFECTION.COM

Sapphire Disinfection Products, a local company, has developed a new facility wide cleaning and disinfection system that allows hospitals, extended care facilities, surgical centers, doctor’s offices, schools, daycares, and prisons to use the latest technology in the fight against viruses and bacteria, while using the most powerful but gentle-for-human products. Sapphire’s disinfectants, cleaners, and anti-microbial hand cleansers are hospital-grade, destroying

all viruses and bacteria seen in hospitals and nursing homes, including C.diff and Coronavirus. Sapphire’s products are EPA registered, FDA CDC, and USDA approved with the highest kill claims of any other products on the market.The disinfectant is 80 times more powerful than bleach and contains no toxic chemicals, bleaches, or alcohol and will not harm people, animals, or surfaces.

Sapphire’s Simple Elements Products are also perfect for home use.

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COUNTRY COOKING

Brown’s Country Buffet Adrian Brown

14423 NW US HIGHWAY 441, ALACHUA FB.COM/BROWNSCOUNTRYBUFFET 164 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

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, pork chops, real mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, banana pudding and coconutcake, just to name a few, are served in a laid-back, relaxing environment. In

addition to their buffet, Brown’s also offers a full menu to choose from.

Serving lunch and dinner daily and a breakfast buffet Saturday and 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, visit Brown’s Country Buffet.

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My IT Masters is your IT solution pro-

serve your businesses needs and en-

vider that brings a wealth of knowl-

sure that the technology supports the

edge and expertise to your business.

growth within your organization. In

My IT Masters

Your business technology needs are

offering cost effective solutions and

Left to right: Antonio Rotolo, Brandon Alfonso, Boris Kuchuk, Jimi Tarantino, Tracey Todd

met by certified professionals with a

predictable monthly costs, My IT

personal approach. My IT Masters

Masters streamlines operations and

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reduces downtime. Contact My IT

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Masters today for next level, cutting

IT solutions. They easily adapt to

edge and consistent IT support.

FULLY MANAGED IT SOLUTIONS

2020 W UNIVERSITY AVE GAINESVILLE, FL 32603 352-559-0960 | MYITMASTERS.COM

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BUSINESS GIFTS

360 Business Growth & Cutco Closing Gifts Your Loyal Knife Guy- David Young 352-792-4200 MYCUTCOREP.COM/DAVIDEYOUNG 166 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

David Young, also known as “Knifeguy David,” is a charismatic and passionate entrepreneur who specializes in educating his clients on the significance of proper business gifting strategies. His expertise lies in assisting Realtors, Lenders, and Business Owners to enhance their branding efforts and optimize their business gifts in

three crucial areas: client retention, staying top of mind with clients for effortless referrals, and maximizing tax benefits. By partnering with David, you can create a base of highly satisfied clients who become enthusiastic advocates for your business while ensuring your financial resources are utilized more effectively.

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BEAUTY

LAE Beauty Bar Clockwise: Sarah Mehl, Glenda Suarez, Shannon Reavey, Ashley Taraban, Whitney Melcolm, Kibby Wolf, Sarah McQuatters, Judy Colson, Chelsea Haley, Center: Kelley Anderson (Owner) 618 NW 60TH ST 352-331-9693 FB.COM/LAEBEAUTYBAR

Established in 2004, LAE Beauty Bar’s mission is to support clients at all stages of life to age gracefully with timeless sophistication and effortless beauty in a warm, fun environment among friends. In a culture where you are bombarded with new beauty trends and anti-aging gimmicks everywhere, they are their to teach clients about what really works to get the desired result. Their one stop beauty shop variety of services

include hair services, eyelash extensions, facial aesthetics including microneedling, microdermabrasion, facials, permanent makeup (brows, lips, eyeliner), waxing, spray tanning, vacuum therapy (affordable cellulite treatment), and no needle Filler. The medical aesthetics include medical weight loss and the newest service, Botox! They are their to answer any questions, and will give free consultations for any service.

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COMMUNITY BANKING

Seacoast National Bank Melanie Shore, APR 3833 SW 37TH BLVD. GAINESVILLE, FL (352) 375-1890 SEACOASTBANK.COM 168 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

As a Senior Vice President and Private Banker for Seacoast National Bank, Melanie Shore has been the FACE of Community Banking for over 30 years. Dedicated and committed to her customers, Melanie has close ties to the community and is known for providing outstanding expertise and customer service. Widely recognized for her service to the community, Melanie is a respected civic leader and active board member to many charities and non-profits. Melanie is the recipient of many community service awards, most notably the Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club of Gainesville, Santa Fe College’s Women of Distinction Award, and FPRA’s Public Relations Professional of the Year.

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SENIOR HOME CARE

Granny Nannies

From left to right: Jacquie Wilder, Bruce Troll, Ginger Troll (Dog), Brittany Bauman, Becky Yeadon 5800 NW 39TH AVE, SUITE #103 352-327-3877 | LIC# NR30211487 GRANNYNANNIES.COM/GAINESVILLE

Living at home is essential for your loved one’s comfort, but sometimes, specialized assistance is needed. Granny Nannies of Gainesville is dedicated to ensuring you receive the home care you or a loved one require and deserve.

Whether it’s short-term care, longterm care, or something in-between, caregivers are available 24 hours a day.

Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides bring nursing home care

to them. Private duty caregivers specialize in the assisted living of aging seniors and have the expertise, compassion and patience to keep your loved one happy. Granny Nannies offers home care services with no contracts, no upfront costs and no cancellation fees. Home care services are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week throughout Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

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WEDDINGS AND PORTRAITS

Magnolia Lane Studios Melissa Hough

(352) 222-4667 MAGNOLIALANESTUDIOS.COM 170 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Magnolia Lane Photography Studios of-

cherish for years to come is just a por-

fers the best of both worlds with in-stu-

tion of the love we have for building the

dio and on-location services. With a pro-

relationships with our clients that often

fessional and creative eye for portraiture

turn into lifelong friendships. We love

and storytelling, we capture the emotion

getting to be a part of these memories

of special moments for our clients in a

with you and enjoy every moment of

beautiful and timeless way. Our passion

what we do. Take a walk down Magnolia

for rendering stunning images you can

Lane with us!

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WHERE GATORS COME TO CELEBRATE

Celebration Pointe Albert and Alberta

4949 CELEBRATION POINTE AVENUE GAINESVILLE, FL 32608 352-204-9136 CELEBRATIONPOINTE.COM

From relaxing outside in the beautiful Promenade to shopping for your gameday gear, there are a number of amazing things to do at Celebration Pointe. Located on west Archer Road, just off I-75. Celebration Pointe is the perfect place for area residents to gather for unlimited celebration.

Celebrate wins with events like Chomp the Block, the block parties before UF Football home games, or the monthly music events, Jazz on the Green and Playlist @ the Pointe. Looking to enjoy your day with shopping, dining, and playing? it’s never been easier than at Celebration Pointe. Shop your individual style at stores like Nike Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger, Palmetto Moon and more. Or dine at restaurants like Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille + Visor’s or dig into a mouthwatering steak at Prime & Pearl. Keep the family entertained by playing some games at Dave & Buster’s. Or enter into an escape room at Escapology or watching the latest blockbuster at Regal Cinemas. There’s more to the Pointe, at Celebration Pointe.

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SMART HOME AUTOMATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND TECHNOLOGY Electronics World

From Left to Right: Keith Hamill II, Tom Collett, Ryan DaRoza, Justin Paden, James Gordon 1261 NW 76TH BLVD | 352-332-5608 ELECTRONICSWORLD.NET 172 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Since 1987, locally owned Electronics World has been the source in North Florida for the expert design, professional custom installation and repair of audio, video, smart home automation and surveillance solutions. Now under new ownership, the team at EW can provide you with high-performance home theater systems providing a fully immersive experience to complete automation systems to make your life easier and safer. They are also ready to help you monitor and control the electronics in your home, business, school, or house of worship - on location or remotely from your smart device. As a state licensed contractor, their team handles every aspect of your project from design through installation, service, and maintenance with sophisticated solutions that are simple to operate. Visit their interactive Showroom & Design Center or online at www.ElectronicsWorld.net. Follow EW on Facebook, X, Instagram & LinkedIn.

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BLINDS AND SHUTTERS

Alachua Blinds and More Matt Kramer (352) 494-4778 ALACHUABLINDCOMPANY.COM

As a locally owned business, Alachua Blinds and More strives to provide the highest quality products paired with unmatched customer service. Serving the greater north central Florida area, the ir dedicated team works with you to create a solution that works best for your home or office. Clients in our area trust the team at Alachua Blinds and More to provide them the highest qual-

ity blinds, shutters and shades and have been referring their friends and family for over 16 years. The team of expert designers and installers complete most services within a few weeks and offer free estimates. Offering environmentally friendly products, free estimates and discounts to military, veteran and first responders in our area, Alachua Blinds and More is ready to help.

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WE’LL GET YOUR FLOORS AND UPHOLSTERY LIKE NEW AGAIN! • CARPET CLEANING • TILE & GROUT CLEANING • UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

• AREA RUG SPECIALISTS • AIR-DUCT CLEANING • PET ODOR CONTROL

• WATER DAMAGE SPECIALISTS

352-505-3321 THEBESTRESTORATION.com 174 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

COMMUNITY

A ROUND-UP OF SOME OF GAINESVILLE’S HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOWS & MARKETS

Local Holiday Shopping I N F O R M AT I O N C O M P I L E D BY E R I C K A W I N T E R PAU L E Y

‘Tis the season for festive arts and crafts markets! Alachua County is brimming with holiday-inspired arts and crafts markets sure to delight shoppers seeking unique gifts and decorations. Let’s take a tour of some of Gainesville’s most noteworthy ones — where art, craft, and holiday cheer converge!

THE 42ND ANNUAL DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL & ART SHOW Date: November 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Downtown Gainesville (Near Bo Diddley Plaza) — 111 East University Avenue Website: gainesvilledowntownartfest.org

creations. Peruse exquisite jewelry, paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and much more. The festival also features live music, delicious food trucks, and festive activities for the whole family.

Kicking off the list is the iconic Downtown Festival & Art Show, the largest free celebration of art and culture in north Florida. This event showcases over 200 talented artists and artisans, offering a wide range of unique handcrafted

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The Holiday GLAM Craft Show serves up a fresh shopping experience in Gainesville every year on the first Sunday in December.

CRAFT FESTIVAL 2023

GLAM CRAFT SHOW

The Stephen C. O’Connell Center is excited to host the Craft Festival on Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This Craft Festival is an annual event that showcases crafts that are authentically made by talented artisans and crafters. The Craft Festival provides an excellent opportunity to shop for unique merchandise and gifts and features hundreds of different vendors. Come find something special for yourself or that hard to shop for person in your life.

The Holiday GLAM Craft Show serves up a fresh shopping experience in Gainesville every year on the first Sunday in December. With the growing interest in buying local, GLAM provides a way for socially minded shoppers to purchase unique gifts that were handcrafted within their own community, and to connect with the people who made them. Previous events have featured as many as 70 local vendors selling handmade jewelry and accessories, men’s and ladies’ silk-screened T-shirts, funky home decor, handspun yarns, baby bibs, fitness hoops, amigurumi, and more.

Date: December 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: The Stephen C. O’Connell Center — 250 Gale Lemerand Drive, Gainesville Website: oconnellcenter.ufl.edu

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Date: December 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: First Magnitude Brewing Company — 1220 SE Veitch Street, Gainesville Website: glamcraftshow.com

HOLIDAY POP-UP AT THE AUK MARKET Date: December 16 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: 2031 NW 6th Street, Gainesville Website: theaukmarket.com

With these delightful arts and crafts markets, Alachua County residents and visitors have plenty of opportunities to support local artists and find unique holiday gifts this year. Whether you’re searching for handcrafted jewelry, paintings, ceramics, or homemade treats — these craft shows offer a fantastic array of items to suit all tastes. So, mark your calendars and get ready to explore the holiday magic at these festive markets!

This is the AUK Market’s wildest and biggest market of the year where spectacular makers + artists share thoughtfully-made and truly unique goods. During this festive season they have such a variety of product and gifts to share with you at their open-air oasis at Curia on the Drag. Come Please note that the information provided in this story prior support favorite local and regional brands and find some to going to press is based on pre-existing details and may not perfect gifts for loved ones this season. Browse all of the reflect the most up-to-date status of events due to potential beauty featuring handmade art, jewelry, plants, mid-cen- cancellations or changes. It’s always a good idea to check tury vintage and more set up outside at Curia on the Drag the official websites or contact the event organizers for the property. Discover original items, support local businesses latest information. and brands while enjoying a sweet Florida winter day with your best buddies and family. Food Trucks, coffee, and tasty drinks are available from noon to 5 p.m.

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FAMILY EYE CARE

Alachua Family Eye Care

William Avonda, OD, Debbie Avonda, LDO, Chasidy Singleton, MD, Karl Bodendorfer, MD 352-792-1610 14480 NW 152ND AVE, ALACHUA ALACHUAFAMILYEYECARE.COM 178 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

The team at Alachua Family Eye Care is thrilled to welcome Chasidy Singleton, M.D. to the practice and our new location in the community. Our family of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Opticians have over 70 years of combined experience in providing comprehensive eye care, from routine exams to advanced laser surgery, including treatment and diagnosis of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, and many other eye disorders. Our optical staff are highly skilled and proficient with identifying fashionable glasses specific to the patients’ needs. Experience the family atmosphere and you will notice the difference at Alachua Family Eye Care.

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A REFRESHED YOU! Accent Aesthetics Esther Webb, DNP 4340 W NEWBERRY RD, SUITE 102 | 352-271-5388 GAINESVILLEBEAUTY.COM

Accent Aesthetics, led by Dr. Esther Webb, is a team of licensed health care professionals whose mission is to help you look your absolute best! With a background of over 25 years of experience and advanced training and certifications, Dr. Webb is able to provide superior medical aesthetic services in the safest and most effective way possible. She uses a variety of the latest and best techniques, technologies, and

treatments, including: dermal fillers, neurotoxins (Botox), laser skin and hair treatments, and Vampire Procedures (Platelet-Rich-Plasma). Gifted with an artistic eye and delicate touch, Dr. Esther Webb is able to help you look your best while also helping you feel at ease throughout your treatment. Call today for an appointment and allow her to help you achieve the look of a refreshed you!

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YOUR LOCAL CREDIT UNION

Radiant Credit Union

From left to right: Kelly Chesser, Kim Maxwell, Trey Presnell, Wes Strickland, Brandon Love, Tom Barnard, Josh Emerson, Matthew Braddy, Rachel Murphy, Tannia Weaver, Andrew Cuomo 4440 NW 25TH PLACE GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 352-381-5200 RADIANTCU.ORG 180 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Since our founding in 1957, we’ve been committed to serving the financial needs of our members across North Central Florida. At Radiant Credit Union, our members are our owners. The management team and volunteer Board of Directors (who are members too), remain dedicated to serving the interests of our members every day. As a notfor-profit financial institution, our profits are returned to our members in the form of better rates, lower

fees, higher returns on deposits, and personalized service. Today we serve more than 40,000 members in 16 counties with financial products ranging from free checking with Nickel Back Rewards to credit cards with Dime Back Rewards. Plus, auto loans, home loans and business banking to fit what your life needs.

We invite you to join our community that supports your community, and experience the difference of being a member.

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MEDIATION

McNeal Legal, LLC Kelly R. McNeal, Esq.

(352) 283-8151 2830 NW 41 ST STE L, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 MCNEALLEGAL.COM

Mediation is a confidential process whereby a neutral and impartial third party (a mediator) assists parties to work toward a workable resolution. Mediation gives the parties a chance to explore options that may not be possible in a ruling by the Court. It also gives parties control of the outcome of their case. Kelly R. McNeal is a local attorney who is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. Ms. McNeal is trained to encourage a productive, respectful conversation between parties and can help mediate cases for families in divorce or paternity cases, as well as parties involved in business, property, or contract disputes. For additional information, call or visit their website today.

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SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE Oak Hall School

Accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year 1700 SW 75TH ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32607 (352) 332-3609 EXT.112 OAKHALL.ORG 182 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

For more than fifty years, Oak Hall School has been committed to providing students with a learning environment that is physically safe and emotionally supportive, where intelligence and compassion are highly valued, and dynamic teachers are dedicated to each student’s success.

Under the guidance of an outstanding faculty, Oak Hall students across all grade levels, 3-year-old Preschool through Grade 12, engage in an intellectually challenging academic pro-

gram. Oak Hall is a school with wide offerings in academics, athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities. It provides students with opportunities to discover their unique gifts and talents and to develop the confidence that grows from knowing that they have something of value to contribute to others. Oak Hall is a welcoming, diverse, and supportive learning community empowering students to pursue their academic, artistic, and athletic passions.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

O2B Kids

Some of the Incredible O2B Kids team HUNTER’S CROSSING - 4929 NW 43RD STREET SUPERCENTER - 7383 SW. 17TH RD. MIDTOWN - 1555 NW 23RD AVE ARCHER ROAD - 3989 SW 37TH BLVD ALACHUA - 14400 NW 152ND LANE NEWBERRY PARK - 12186 NW 7TH PLACE O2BKIDS.COM

O2B Kids was born in Gainesville, FL in 1998 and celebrated a big birthday this year! Cheers to 25 years! Pictured are most of the Facility Managers, Business Office and Founders - Andy Sherrard and Danny Stevens. Over time, O2B Kids has grown to 58 locations across 5 states. They deliver quality instruction through a state-approved curriculum for infants to 13 years of age. This unique curriculum teaches children to THINK, ask questions, and most importantly instill a LOVE for learning! Here in Alachua County, O2B Kids currently has 6 locations with more to come in 2024! Visit o2bkids.com for more information.

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VALUES BASED INVESTING

Your Financial Legacy

Tryssa Pacciulli, Founder & Financial Advisor, Our Town’s #1 Favorite Financial Planner 2024 352-780-1919 YOURFINANCIALLEGACY.COM 184 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

Your Financial Legacy is a Values Based Financial Planning Practice. They have over 18 years of experience and spend time understanding what’s most important to you and build your investment portfolio around your personal values and convictions. The reality is that most investors have no idea what they are funding through some of the companies they own inside of their investment portfolios; from human trafficking, to pornography, etc. Their office’s state of the art screening software allows you to align your investments with your values. Tryssa’s personal and compassionate approach awarded her the #1 Favorite Local Financial Planner spot this year at Our Town Magazine. Schedule a complimentary consultation at www.YourFinancialLegacy.com to find out more.

Advisory Services offered through Inspire Advisors, LLC a Registered Investment Advisors with the SEC

NOV/DEC 2023

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YOUR HOME SWEET HOME

Flats at Tioga Town Center Left to right: Corin Ferrell – Sr. Community Manager Fred Maccioli – Tenant Services Manager Julius Stout – Tenant Services Associate Sarah Duswalt – Leasing and Marketing Professional 13085 SW 1ST LANE, NEWBERRY, FL 32669 352-331-4000 TIOGATOWNCENTER.COM

The Flats at Tioga Town Center offer

private covered balconies, in-unit washer

premium 1-3 bedroom luxury apartment

& dryers, and more. Plus, your favorite

homes in the heart of Tioga Town Center,

brunch spots, boutiques, bars & restaurants

an award-winning 23-acre mixed-use

are just outside your door! Tioga also plays

lifestyle center. Offering exceptional

host to many exciting events, movie nights,

amenities at an exceptional value,

and concerts on the Square where guests

Flats residents enjoy a state-of-the-art

of all ages can enjoy free, local, outdoor

clubhouse, resort-style pool, game room,

entertainment at the beautiful covered

media room, fire pit, BBQ grills, pet spa,

amphitheater. All of this and more make

dog park, climate-controlled package

The Flats at Tioga Town Center the Face

room, private elevators, expansive kitchens,

of Loving Where You Live!

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VOLCANIC SUSHI AND SAKE

Volcanic Sushi

From left to right: Carlito Lagada, Roberts Wiggins, Devin Palomares,and Louella Suataron HAILE VILLAGE CENTER - 5212 SW 91ST 352-363-6226 TERRACE & HUNTER’S CROSSING - 5200 NW 43RD ST 352-727-7777 VOLCANICSUSHISAKE.COM 186 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Volcanic Sushi+Sake is a Japanese inspired Asian Fusion Restaurant with details on quality fresh food and innovative presentation. Volcanic Sushi + Sake is sure to satisfy your sushi cravings. They have been crowned as the Best Local Sushi in Gainesville for the past 3 years. In addition to Sushi, they offer a wide variety of delicious appetizers, soups and salads. Come in and try the Spring Rolls, Crab Rangoon

and Stuffed Wontons. For the main course you can choose from delicious entrees such as, Wok fried rice, Udon noodles, Ramen bowls, Chicken Teriyaki and more! It is their vision to become the most dominant Asian restaurant in the world by providing outstanding innovative quality food, exceptional service and ensure cleanliness.

They also strive to provide an exquisite and memorable dining experience to all their guests.

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CHARITABLE GIVING

United Way of North Central Florida 6031 NW 1ST PLACE 352-331-2800 UNITEDWAYNCFL.ORG

In a community where compassion meets action, United Way of North Central Florida stands tall as the FACE of charitable giving in our community. At its core, United Way embodies the spirit of generosity, focusing its efforts on the ALICE population—those households who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. United Way is not just an organization; it’s a lifeline for families striving

to make ends meet. By supporting United Way, you become the face of change, the beacon of hope, and the catalyst for progress. Every donation becomes a thread in the fabric of building stronger communities, brighter futures, and empowered lives. Join us, be the difference, and let’s create a community where everyone thrives, together. We have one life. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED. NOV/DEC 2023

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FAMILY LAW

McMillen Family Law

Monica Perez-McMillen, Esq. Hablo Espanol OFFICE: 352-327-8251 101 NW 75TH ST STE 1 GAINESVILLE, FL 32607-6665 MCMILLENFAMILYLAW.COM 188 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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McMillen Family Law’s mission is to seek justice and be a light during difficult family situations. Family law litigation can be overwhelming, life changing, and stressful. Attorney Monica Perez-McMillen offers free consultations and believes that education, strategy, and seeking peace are critical to the success of her clients cases. Having a well prepared plan and making wise decisions prior

to the start your case is crucial to a successful resolution. Many Family Law cases can be resolved amicably with an experienced and thoughtful family law attorney. Monica focuses on divorces, custody disputes, alimony, child support and a wide variety of other family law challenges. Responsive, resourceful and results-oriented, McMillen Family Law is ready to help when you need it most.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Tioga Town Center Tioga Business Owners 133 SW 130TH WAY, SUITE A NEWBERRY, FL 32669 352-331-4000 TIOGATOWNCENTER.COM

Tioga Town Center is an award-winning 23acre mixed-use lifestyle center featuring over 30 businesses, 184 luxury apartments, retail stores, restaurants, health & fitness center, healthcare and professional services, early childhood education, an amphitheater, electric car charging stations, public playground, ample greenspace, and more. Tioga Town Center was created to provide a sense of connectivity and community within the Greater Gainesville Region. Our goal is to foster an environment where people can “Live, Shop, Dine, Play” in

the heart of a safe, walkable, friendly, local town center. Tioga takes pride in fostering a sustainable environment for local businesses to thrive. Our culture is a reflection of the amazing businesses within our Town Center; these beloved businesses craft our sense of place. Tioga Town Center also hosts many exciting free outdoor events, like movie and concert nights under the stars. All this and more combine to make Tioga Town Center the Face of Your Favorite Local AwardWinning Town Center.

NOV/DEC 2023

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AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE

Pomodoro Cafe

Jennifer Delury, Jesus Bravo, Carmine DiCandia, Erasmo Veloza, Vincent Parapoppoli (352) 380-9886 9200 NW 39TH AVE #100, GAINESVILLE, FL POMODOROCAFE.COM 190 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Pomodoro Cafe’s elegant yet casual atmosphere is a place where families and friends can gather around a table together and share a robust meal while laughing and enjoying each other’s company. All of our authentic Italian dishes are cooked to order using fresh, local ingredients and seafood. You can often spot our gourmet pizza dough being hand-tossed and placed in our stone oven. Many of our loyal customers

rave about some of our signature pasta dishes like Mamma’s Lasagna, Chicken Parmigiana, and the Frutti Di’ Mare Seafood Combo. Guests love our fresh baked focaccia bread served with our secret recipe dipping sauce and enjoy our exceptional wine selection and ice cold draft and bottled beers. Whether you join us in our dining room, on our all-season patio, or stop by to pick up one of our daily specials ...

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CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Okito America

Chief Instructors, Joseph Lutz and Marvin Walker and Students 3 LOCATIONS - NEWBERRY RD. / ARCHER RD / ALACHUA (TECH CITY) 352-338-7262 OKITOAMERICA.COM

Okito America has quickly become the premier martial arts and after-school center in Gainesville. In 2020 Okito America rocked the Best of the Best awards, winning “Best Martial Arts” and “Best After School.” They took home Best After School Program and Best Places to Host a Birthday Party in the 2020 Our Town “Faves” Contest. They have 8-week martial arts family packages starting for as little as $99, as well as After School Programs, Zoom classes, and a Virtual Learning Program to help families during the 2020 school year. Okito America is proud to be the Face of After School Care. Call them today or visit their website for more information.

NOV/DEC 2023

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COOKIES AND CONFECTIONS

Amazing Grace Confections Melissa DiStefano 352.262.5625 @MYSUGARCOOKIEJAR MYSUGARCOOKIEJAR.COM 192 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Melissa has made a tremendous impact in the baking world, especially in Gainesville. Taking 3rd place in The Greatest Baker Competition, her signature Honey Vanilla Sugar Cookies are soft and delicious, but incredible works of art! You must try her Puffamels! They are salty and crunchy and melt in your mouth! Melissa’s cookies and pastries are mouth wateringly delicious and her passion for baking is instrumental in the quality of her pastries. Melissa also teaches cookie decorating classes! Melissa is available to create custom cookies and gifts for family, friends and clients, Melissa and Amazing Grace Confections are ready to make this holiday season the most memorable one yet with gorgeous Christmas Cookies and her Cookie Advent Calendars are not to be missed. Call today or visit her website to take a peak at her yummy works of art.

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HEARING HEALTHCARE AUDIOLOGY

Clear Sound Audiology

Dr. Jagadish Swamy, Dr. Emily Milford 2240 NW 40TH TERRACE, SUITE C, GAINESVILLE 32605 438 SW PERIMETER GLEN STE. 100 LAKE CITY 32025 352-505-6766 | CLEARSOUNDAUDIOLOGY.COM

Hearing problems can be overwhelming and frustrating. It may feel as if there’s nowhere to turn for help. But at Clear Sound Audiology, you can relax and know that you’re in good hands. With a goal to reconnect those with various hearing needs to their families, friends, and to the activities they value most, their friendly and knowledgeable staff is there to help. They assess and explore each patient’s hearing needs, lifestyle, and their budget before recommending hearing instruments. The audiologists at Clear Sound Audiology are highly trained, dedicated, caring, and strive to educate and empower patients with regards to their hearing.

NOV/DEC 2023

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YOUR DOWNTOWN FAMILY OWNED VET PRACTICE

Alachua Animal Hospital

Dr. Deborah Eib, Dr. Megan de la Osa, Dr. Erin Nadler (386) 588-3219 15100 MAIN STREET ALACHUA ALACHUAVET.COM 194 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Alachua Animal Hospital is your local family owned and operated source for top quality, personalized pet care. From general wellness checks to surgical procedures, we offer a wide range of services, and we now offer acupuncture as well! Our state-of-the-art facility includes digital X-Ray, ultrasound, specialized surgical equipment and hospitalization wards. Rest assured that Alachua Animal Hospital is well equipped for whatever your pet may need. Our team is patient and caring, so you will be sure your pet will be in great hands. We offer complimentary wellness exams for all new patients. With over 20 years of combined experience, our veterinarians are ready and able to help your pet in times of need or just general check ups!

Right in the heart of downtown Alachua, on the corner of Main and 441, our facility is conveniently located. We look forward to meeting your pet, so call today to book your first exam!

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THE ONLY OFFICIAL ACCIDENT LAW FIRM PARTNER OF THE FLORIDA GATORS

Meldon Law

Carey Meldon-Managing Partner 352-373-8000 703 N MAIN STREET SUITE A GAINESVILLE, FL 32601 MELDONLAW.COM

Meldon Law, established in 1971, has been a steadfast legal advocate for the North Central Florida community. Our paramount focus lies in assisting people who have endured severe injuries. Our firm aims to alleviate the burdens associated with your accident case to allow you to focus on your recovery.

Even though we are recognized by the Florida Gators as their exclusive law firm partner, we won’t back down from providing every single person in our community great service and results.

Moreover, we have a longstanding commitment to our local communities through initiatives like the Meldon Law TV 20 Scholar-Athlete Program since 1997, the Veterans Making A Difference Program in collaboration with CBS4, and Law Talk Live, our enduring legal-based radio show, airing every Saturday at 10:30 AM on WSKY. With offices in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, and Ft. Lauderdale, we stand ready to provide unwavering support to all individuals across the state.

NOV/DEC 2023

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BEAUTIFUL FLOORING

Carpet One Maggie Jones

(352) 562-0565 227 NW 23RD AVE, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 CARPET1GAINESVILLE.COM 196 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

It’s been our pleasure to serve the flooring needs of the Gainesville area for more than 27 years. We’re your family-owned, neighborhood flooring experts. Our flooring team has decades of experience in the industry, and we can help you with your next project each step of the way. We have easy online tools to help you get started on your floor buying journey, like our Flooring Guide. Our Guarantee policy means that if you don’t love your new floors, we’ll replace them for free. Drop by and let us help you choose the perfect flooring for your home and lifestyle.

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DEDICATED INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS

Ruz Ogra State Farm Agency Ruz Ogra and team

352) 240-1779 3545 SW 34TH STREET - SUITE D GAINESVILLE OGRAINSURANCE.COM

Ruz Ogra is a University of Florida Graduate with the Class of 2005 and has worked in the Financial Services Industry for over 18 years.

Ruz and his team are here to serve their customers in Gainesville and the surrounding areas of Newberry, The Villages, West Hills, Tioga and more! Ruz and his team are dedicated insurance professionals ready to help life go right with the

right insurance including options for you and your family such as, essential needs of Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, and Life insurance. State farm is the area’s top choice for car insurance. Whatever you drive—whether it’s a business vehicle, commercial auto, or motorhome— coverage from State Farm gives you confidence for the day ahead.

NOV/DEC 2023

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Enjoy your pool worry-free We pride ourselves in offering exceptional service, repairs, new construction and remodeling.

Pool/Spa Renovations • Complete Pool Repairs • Automation • Saltwater Conversions • Pool Inspections • Weekly Service • Heat Pumps/Chillers • Low Maintenance Equipment Upgrades • Pavers/Travertine • New Construction

(863) 670-5920

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www.crystalclearpoolsandremodeling.com ChrisGriffin.CrystalClearPools

NOV/DEC 2023

Licensed and Insured CPC 1458954

HOLLY JOLLY

t I o D f l e s r You CREATE MEMORIES BY MAKING DECORATIONS

DIY Holiday Crafts S T O RY A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y BY E R I C K A W I N T E R PAU L E Y

It’s the most wonderful time of year. As families gather for Thanksgiving we remember what is most important — making precious memories as we spend time together. I’ve always loved Thanksgiving, and not just because of the food.

My favorite sound in the whole world is the faint laughter of my family members in the next room. Of course, I’m quick to join in the chuckles with them, but I always like taking a moment to myself beforehand, thanking the Lord for allowing me to spend another holiday with my loved ones.

After Thanksgiving, my all-time favorite holiday arrives — Christmas! The sweet taste of hot cocoa and the smell of cookies baking in the oven are just some of the “sensory memories” embedded in my mind and heart this season. Homemade decorations are sprinkled throughout every room of my mom’s house, reminding everyone of

Christmases past.

Creating holiday crafts every year has always been such a special memory growing up. What better way to gather loved ones together than to create a “Tom the Turkey Mason Jar” for Thanksgiving, and a “Christmas (Straw) Tree,” which can hang on your front door all December?

Follow the instructions to make these two crafts, and boy, are they fun. I hope you enjoy the finished products, but more importantly I hope you revel in the process of making them. For as you create decorations, you also make memories. And heartfelt & handmade memories are the best presents to give and to receive.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas, everyone!

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DIY >> TOM THE TURKEY MASON JAR

TOM THE TURKEY MASON JAR Supplies: • 1 small Mason jar • Construction paper (brown, red, yellow, orange) • Yellow felt • Glitter (metallic brown/orange color) • Googly eyes • Spray adhesive glue • Pencil • Scissors Step 1 Take the small Mason jar and spray adhesive glue inside. Be sure to spray all areas inside jar.

Step 2 Pour a good amount of glitter inside the jar. Twist the top of the Mason jar tightly and shake so the glitter can adhere to the glue.

Step 3 Pour out any excess glitter.

Step 4 Using the yellow felt, cut out a triangle shape. This will be the beak of your turkey. Adhere this to an upside down Mason jar. Glue the triangle in the center of the Mason jar. Make sure the triangle shape is upside down too. This will give the appearance of a pointed bird beak.

Step 5 Glue a pair of googly eyes above the beak.

Step 6 Trace your right and left hand on each of the construction papers. After this is completed, cut out your hand shapes and set aside.

Step 7 Take your hand shapes and glue each of them together in a fan-like fashion. Once they are glued together, adhere them to your turkey’s behind. This will create tail feathers for your turkey. Allow time to dry.

After the drying is complete, Tom the Turkey is ready to party. This craft makes a great decoration on a table, shelf, or even as a gift. Get the kids involved in this one. Shaking the glitter inside the jar is usually their favorite part.

Gobble, Gobble!

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DIY >> TOM THE TURKEY MASON JAR

FAMILY DINING WITH A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE It began as a dream. We envisioned

Thanks for voting us your favorite local burger!

Conestogas R e staurant 386-462-1294

On Main Street in Downtown Beautiful Alachua www.ConestogasRestaurant.com

a place where families could sit back and relax after a long day’s work. A place where you could talk, crack a few peanuts and soak up some old-time atmosphere. A place that reflected the warmth and friendliness of downtown beautiful Alachua, Florida. That dream became Conestogas Restaurant.

Now, since September 1988, Conestogas has become an area tradition. We take pride in giving customers exactly what they want.

Delicious hand-cut steaks grilled to perfection, fresh seafood, mouth-watering desserts, plus courteous service and a friendly smile - it’s what you can expect at Conestogas.

Reservations are never required, so y’all come on in, relax a spell, enjoy some true Southern Hospitality...and help yourself to the peanuts!

- Rick, Donna, Alex, Dixie, Melissa, Bevin and the Crew of Conestogas

NOV/DEC 2023

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DIY >> CHRISTMAS (STRAW) TREE

CHRISTMAS (STRAW) TREE Supplies • Flat wooden tree form (available at craft stores) • Green decorative straws • Red bows • Hot glue gun • Scissors *Flat wooden tree forms are available at most craft stores during the holiday season and come pre-hung. However, this craft can be completed with any type of thin flat wood by gluing the pieces together, creating your own tree form.

Step 1 Cut the green straws into smaller pieces by measuring them against the width of the wood pieces. Repeat this process until you have enough for your entire tree.

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Step 2 Using a hot glue gun, glue the smaller straw pieces vertically onto the wooden tree. Be careful not to burn your fingers during this process. “Haste makes waste!” Repeat this process until all of the “branches” of your Christmas tree are covered in straw.

Step 3 Now it’s time to glue the red bows on each of the branches, one on each branch right in the middle.

Now your Christmas (Straw) Tree is complete. All you need to do is hang “O Tannenbaum” on your front door. What a festive way to let your neighborhood know you’re ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

Ho Ho Ho — Happy Holidays to you and yours!

NOV/DEC 2023

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HOLIDAY POTHEADS DIY Terra-Cotta Snowmen THE HOLIDAYS ARE THAT SPECIAL TIME OF YEAR WHEN IT’S ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED TO STOP AND SMELL THE CHRISTMAS COOKIES. Carols play throughout every store and one seasonal song in particular has especially inspired this holiday craft. You may know it well, the lyrics state that “Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul, with a corncob pipe and a button nose and his eyes made out of coal.” Who could argue with that kind of magical make up? This DIY project is a great way to make your own seasonal décor. Better yet – host a holiday party where you and your friends watch Christmas classics while creating adorable Terra-Cotta Snowmen! The options are endless, and the kids will love this family friendly activity as well. After all, “Frosty the Snowman made the children laugh and play. And were they surprised when before their eyes he came to life that day!”

Supplies • Small Terra-Cotta Pot(s) • White Acrylic Paint • Pink Acrylic Paint • Orange Acrylic Paint • Paint Brushes (large and small) • Sponge (for rosy cheeks) • Black Paint Pen or Permanent Marker • Holiday Ribbon • 2 Pom Poms (for earmuffs) • 1 wire string or pipe cleaner (for headband to earmuffs) • 1 colorful sock (for snow hat) • Glue gun with glue stick (to attach earmuffs) • Epoxy glue (to attach holiday ribbon) • Scissors • Tape

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FROSTY!

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DIY >> TERRA-COTTA SNOWMEN Step 1 Paint your terra-cotta pots white.

Using a paintbrush apply at least two coats of paint. Allow pots to dry for 1-2 hours or until paint is dry to the touch.

Step 2 Using a black paint pen or permanent marker, draw out the mouth and eyes of your snowman. Make sure to leave room for your snowman’s rosy cheeks.

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Step 3 Apply a touch of orange paint with a smaller paintbrush for your snowman’s nose. Aiming the “carrot” up or down creates unique character to Frosty’s face.

Step 4 Dab your sponge into the pink paint and apply cheeks to your snowman’s face. Be sure to place them at the corners of Frosty’s mouth. Allow his face to dry for at least 30 minutes or until dry to the touch.

Step 5 Measure out the holiday ribbon so that it is long enough to glue around the base of the terra-cotta pot. Cut the ribbon to the appropriate length.

Step 6 Apply epoxy glue to the base of the terra cotta pot and slowly wrap the holiday ribbon all the way around.

Apply pressure with your fingers so the ribbon is on nice and tight. Smooth out any wrinkles or bumps as best as possible. Allow drying for at least 20 minutes.

DIY >> TERRA-COTTA SNOWMEN

Step 7 If you wish to add earmuffs to your snowman, first tape a single wire string or pipe cleaner from one side of the pot’s top to the other (where you would imagine ears to be).

Step 8 Using a hot glue gun, glue a pom pom to each side of the tape (covering all of the tape). Apply pressure to the pom pom while the hot glue sets up. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Step 9 If you wish to add a snow hat to Frosty, roll your colorful sock a couple times and cover the top of the pot. It’s as simple as that! (Make sure to wash the sock beforehand, no one likes a stinky snow hat.)

Step 10 Once all of these steps are completed it’s time to proudly display your Snowmen wherever your heart desires. And since this Frosty is ice free – you don’t have to worry about him melting!

“Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, look at Frosty go...

Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, over the hills of (terra-cotta) snow...”

NOV/DEC 2023

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YOUR FINANCIAL PARTNER

H & R Block

From left to right: Kara Lounsbury, Amanda Payne, Debbie Pittenger, Nancy Lounsbury, Jan Frierson, Cindy Presley, Madison Payne 386-462-3962 14557 NW US HWY 441 ALACHUA, FL 32615 386-454-3800 23826 W US HWY 27 HIGH SPRINGS, FL 32643 HRBLOCK.COM 208 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Located in Alachua and High Springs, Florida Snelgrove Enterprises, Inc., doing business as H & R Block, is owned and operated by Amanda Payne, CFP®. For over 43 years, clients throughout the north Florida area have been relying on this family-run business for all of their accounting and tax preparation needs. Amanda, a business owner herself, is familiar with the difficulties sole proprietors face in meeting their accounting and bookkeeping obligations. In these sit-

uations, they stand by their customers’ side and offer advice, expertise, and support. Thinking about how to handle your upcoming taxes in 2023?

Amanda and her team will work with you to not only file your taxes on time and properly, but work to get you the biggest possible refund being completely transparent on their pricing before you begin the process. To learn more about how they can help you or your business, contact the team at H&R Block today.

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MAKEUP ARTISTRY

Kara Winslow

321-356-3116 KARAWINSLOW.COM

For the past decade, Kara has been helping people look their best. As an on location, freelance makeup artist, Kara focuses on getting her clients’ camera ready for everything from television appearances to family photos. Her work has appeared on ESPN, TMZ, MTV, HSN, Oxygen Network, CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC. She’s had the

privilege of working with politicians, Olympic athletes, Hollywood actors, beauty queens, bridesto-be, graduating seniors and families of all kinds.

With an amazing reputation online and 5-star rated reviews, Kara lives and works in Gainesville, but often travels to assist with weddings, commercial shoots and projects of all kinds.

NOV/DEC 2023

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CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS

Jackson Stoneworks Tyler Ryals

1111 SE 22ND AVE | 352-372-6600 JACKSONSTONEWORKS.COM 210 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Jackson Stoneworks is a locally owned specialty stone manufacturing business founded in 2002 by Tyler Ryals. Today, Jackson Stoneworks is recognized as the premier full service kitchen and bath sales center in Gainesville. Based on their experience as a nationally recognized custom granite counter top manufacturer, you can trust Jackson Stoneworks to provide you with the very best

in kitchen and bath design and installation services. Over 100 of the most popular granite, marble and quartz colors are on display and available for purchase at their Stone Yard, with hundreds more available through their worldwide network of suppliers for delivery to their factory. From cabinets and flooring to counter tops of all kinds, stop by today, take a tour and receive a free granite Lazy Susan.

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CAR BUYING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE

Tomlinson Motor Company Tami Tomlinson, JD Tomlinson

3580 N. MAIN ST. GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 352-372-0313 TOMLINSONMOTORCO.COM

27 years ago, Tomlinson Motor Company opened the doors with the idea of creating a “car buying experience the way it should be”. They wanted to provide clean, quality vehicles with fair, transparent pricing. They also wanted their customers to have a place where they could get a great deal and shop for vehicles in a relaxed and comfortable environment. For 27

years, they have been doing just that.

Tomlinson Motor Company has built a highly respected automotive business.

Their philosophy hasn’t changed over the years- make it easy and enjoyable for the customer and build relations through repeat business and referrals.

That is why they are now seeing faces of second and even third generation Tomlinson buyers.

NOV/DEC 2023

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YOUR NEXT HOME PURCHASE

Daurine Wehbe, Realtor®

Licensed Realtor at Coldwell Banker MM Parrish 352-562-1411 YOURDREAMSCOMEHOME.COM 212 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

The Face of Your Next Home Purchase is Daurine Wehbe. As an award-winning realtor at Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish, Daurine focuses on her client’s total home buying and selling experience. She understands the importance of buying and selling a home, no matter whether it’s your first home or your 10th.

Her persistence and results-driven attitude make her goal of providing

an enjoyable process easy. She understands real estate and is willing to make it happen for you! Daurine speaks three languages, English, French, and Arabic, and has lived in our town for 15 years. She also specializes in relocation. Let her help you make Alachua County your home. You can visit her website at Yourdreamscomehome.com or call her at 352.562.1411.

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VIDEO PRODUCTION

Short Media Group LLC is a Video Production Company providing tailored video services to Gainesville, Florida and surrounding counties. Short Media

Short Media Group, LLC

Group offers a variety of video production services, including Commercials,

From left to right: James Smallwood, Lily Rivera, Moss Chasteen, Justin Short, Luke Humphlett, Bailey Davis

more. Known for their strong client relationships and keen attention to detail,

(352) 359-0555 INFO@SHORTMEDIAGROUP.COM SHORTMEDIAGROUP.COM

Podcasts, Live Streams, Weddings, Events, Drone Production, Animation, and Short Media Group is focused on providing clients with the perfect creative experience. Justin Short and his team are ready to tell your story through the power of high-quality video production.

NOV/DEC 2023

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A NATURAL, FUNCTIONAL AND ATTRACTIVE NOSE! Accent Rhinoplasty

Daniel J. Hall, MD, FACS 4340 W NEWBERRY RD, SUITE 301 | 352-372-9414 RHINOPLASTYGAINESVILLE.COM 214 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Daniel Hall, MD with Accent Rhinoplasty is unique in Gainesville in that he is Fellowship trained and double Board-Certified in both Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology (ENT)! He has the unique advantage as a Cosmetic Rhinoplasty surgeon in that he is truly an expert in functional and reconstructive nasal surgery, and he understands best how to do nasal surgery to optimize both the cos-

metic and functional result. Dr. Hall can not only help you achieve a nose that suits your face – he will also help you have a nose that breathes clearly!

Dr. Hall’s philosophy of facial plastics is simple – he wants his patients to look their very best in a natural way, while also maintaining optimized airflow through their nose. Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hall to help you achieve a natural, functional, and attractive nose!

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COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND PERSONALIZED ADVICE

BlackSands Wealth Group

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Amanda S Payne, CFP® Financial Advisor 386-518-6493 14557 NW US HWY 441 ALACHUA, FL 32615 AMERIPRISEADVISORS.COM/AMANDA.S.PAYNE

Amanda S Payne, has been a financial advisor since 2011, after graduating from the University of Florida. Amanda listens closely to her clients to determine what matters most to them, their goals and their current financial life. Then she works with each client to create a personalized plan based on their specific information giving them concrete suggestions to assist them in achieving those goals. She feels that each customer is unique and deserves guidance suited to their personal situation. She addresses each client’s financial life with the awareness that no two people are in the same financial circumstances and that everyone needs to be understood on their own terms. Call Amanda today and let her help you build a plan to make you feel more confident about your financial future.

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, and are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principle and fluctuation in value. Investment advisory products and services made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC NOV/DEC 2023

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ESTATE PLANNING

Maria Curatolo, Esq.

Maria del Carmen Curatolo GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA 352-559-3653 MCURATOLO@CURATOLOLAW.COM CURATOLOLAW.COM 216 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

A time will come when you can no longer express your wishes regarding your property and health care. Preparing for incapacity and death is crucial to avoiding a costly and lengthy probate process, family disputes, and excessive state taxes, all while ensuring that your wishes are respected. Maria Curatolo specializes in creating legal solutions to

suit your unique estate planning goals and protect your family’s future. A native Spanish speaker, Maria specializes in this highly specialized area of law and will work with you to tailor a specific plan to address any unique needs and concerns you may have. Call today and let Maria start the process with a no-obligation initial consultation.

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HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS AND WELLNESS

IMPACT Weight Management

From left to right: Cindy Ross, April Hulbert, Rose Gleichowski 352-327-4120 2550 SW 76TH ST SUITE 130, GAINESVILLE, FL 32608 IWMGAINESVILLE.COM

Your life is unique which is exactly why you need an individualized program tailored to your needs. IMPACT is your expert in healthy weight loss and wellness. With personalized 1:1 sessions, we design health improvement plans that take a comprehensive approach to wellness, addressing the major areas of movement, nutrition, sleep health and stress management. We understand that life is busy and making sustainable habit changes takes time. With 24/7 support from your coach, we help you create action steps and implement them for lifelong wellness success. While we have specialized in weight loss for over 13 years, we do that through improving gut health, balancing hormones, preventing and reversing chronic disease, improving blood work, reducing inflammation and so much more!

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DISCOVERING YOUR FULL HEARING POTENTIAL

Audiology by Accent

Ryan Baker, Au.D., Diana Guercio, Au.D., Steven Petrakis, Au.D., Alexandra Brockner, Au.D. 4340 W NEWBERRY RD, SUITE 301 | 352-271-5373 AUDIOLOGYBYACCENT.COM 218 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

The doctors of Audiology by Accent have dedicated their practice to helping people discover their full hearing potential. As Gainesville’s premier audiology and hearing aid provider, Audiology by Accent stands apart from their peers by focusing on the unique lifestyle and abilities of each patient and developing a rehabilitation plan to meet those needs. Using the latest technology along with highly-personal-

ized care, the doctors at Audiology

by Accent have been able to help thousands of North Florida residents maximize their hearing potential and recapture the lost moments of life they had been missing. Audiology

by Accent’s unique pricing model allows their patients to get the latest in hearing technology without paying for unnecessary services. Call Audiology by Accent today to discover your full hearing potential!

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BETTER PIZZA

Marcos Pizza

Parth Chaudhari, Marisa Gaw, Dhairya Chaudhari 3720 NW 13TH ST UNIT #7D (352) 448-5600 1504 SW 74TH DR SUITE 10 MARKETS WEST AT TOWER RD. (352) 554-9555 MARCOS.COM

Marco’s dedication to quality has made them one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in America, providing plenty of delicious moments and opportunities along the way. They’ve been a Slice of the CommunityTM since 1978. They got here by doing things the right way, because when you love pizza this much, that’s the only way to do things. Marco’s love of making great pizza started back in the Old World, where our founder, Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, learned the importance of doing things the right way. When he was nine years old, he moved with his family from Sulmona, Italy, to America, and he brought with him a dedication to never cutting corners. From corporate events to private parties, Marco’s Pizza ® has something for everyone, every occasion, and every budget. Set the table with delicious pizza, subs, sides, salads, and more. Delivery or Carryout available. Enjoy Pizza Made Fresh, Loaded With All Your Favorite Toppings When You Order From Marcos®.

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RESIDENTIAL REALTY

Susan Hicks

Susan Hicks REALTOR® RABELL REALTY GROUP 5213 SW 91ST TERRACE SUITE A, GAINESVILLE, FL 32608 352-213-7857 BUYSELLRABELL.COM 220 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Susan Hicks is a true Alachua county resident and 7th generation Floridian.

Born and raised in Gainesville, Susan’s love for her hometown started at an early age watching her parents run their own business. She saw how her parent’s business helped and supported other local businesses, which in turn, supported them. This sense of community helped Susan to develop a love of people, new connections and

developing relationships that have lasted a lifetime – exactly what you need in a Realtor. Joining her wife, Kristen Rabell at Rabell Realty Group in 2015, Susan loves working with buyers and sellers in Gainesville and the surrounding communities. If you’re looking for your next home, wanting to sell your current home or looking for an investment property, Susan Hicks with Rabell Realty is ready to help.

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LEGENDARY FOOD

Spurriers Gridiron Grille Steve and Jerri Spurrier 352-500-4422 4860 STEVE SPURRIER WAY GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA 32608 SPURRIERSGRIDIRONGRILLE.COM

Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille is a locally owned polished casual restaurant with a menu of elevated Field-to-Fork fan favorites, made from scratch daily with ingredients fresh from local pastures. From our renowned Brazilian Cheesy Rolls to our Short Rib and Wild Mushroom Risotto, Tomahawk Porkchop, and seafood pasta, or vegetarian and gluten-free options, such as our Eggplant Rollatini, Hazelnut & Brussels Sprout Salad, or the Blackened Redfish. Imbibe on handcrafted cocktails like a Raspberry Lemon Drop and finish Gainesville’s best dining experience with homemade desserts like our Spicy Carrot Cake or Jerri Spurrier’s famous chocolate chip cookies. And don’t forget our weekend premium brunch buffet!

Spurrier’s is the perfect spot to hang out with friends, fans, and even the HBC himself. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, private party, or just a date night on Wine Wednesday, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille is the only spot in North Central Florida to dine like a champion!

“It seems to me that in the restaurant business, your best defense is a great space and your NOV/DEC 2023 OUR TOWN MAGAZINE | 221 best offense is great food!” – Steve Spurrier 221

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YOUR BEST NIGHT’S SLEEP

Accent Physician Specialists Jeffrey M. Philips, MD, D, ABSM, FACS 4340 W NEWBERRY RD, STE 301 352-271-5375 NORTHFLORIDASLEEPSOLUTIONS.COM 222 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

Jeffrey Phillips, MD with Accent Sleep Solutions believes that every person is unique, and because of that individuality, one-size-fits-all solutions are not the answer to getting your best night’s sleep. Having specialized training and board certification in both sleep disorders and otolaryngology (ENT), Dr. Phillips is able to offer his sleep patients a customized treatment plan that fits their needs. In addition to common treatments for sleep disorders (including CPAP machines), Dr. Phillips also treats sleep patients with oral appliances, surgical procedures, and even the innovative Inspire technology.

In addition to specializing in the treatment of snoring, sleep apnea, and sleep disorders, Dr. Phillips also maintains a full practice in the medical and surgical treatment of all other Ear, Nose, and Throat problems. Helping people get their best night’s sleep for almost a decade, Dr. Phillips can help you get the rest you deserve and need – call today to start the process to get your best night’s sleep!

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INFORMED MEDICARE DECISIONS

Insight Insurance Group Chris Floyd

MEETING BY APPOINTMENT | 352-460-1239 INSUREWITHINSIGHT.COM

Medicare is not a “one size fits all” plan. There are many options to choose from and Chris Floyd, with Insight Insurance Group, is here to help. When you or your loved ones turn 65, having a licensed, independent agent, can ease the burden, confusion and stress that often comes with understanding the various Medicare plans available. Chris helps to navigate clients through all of their Medicare options educating them on the different parts of Medicare, the gaps in coverage and ways to cover those gaps. Protecting your health takes Insight and Chris is there to guide you before, during, and after you make your healthcare choices.

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Restaurant Guide

Dave’s NY Deli Authentic NY deli — Serving classic NY deli favorites since 2009. Dave’s NY Deli continues to be the place to go for authentic NY Deli food. Owner, Melissa says, “Nothing beats quality ingredients combined with a friendly staff.” Dave’s NY Deli serves New York size Pastrami and Corned Beef sandwiches, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, NY Kettle Boiled Bagels, Nova Salmon, Philly Cheesesteaks and Cubans, a big variety of sandwiches, Salad and Wraps. They also offer a Kids Menu. Let’s not forget about the dessert favorites such as, Cannolies and Cheesecake from New York. Come out and enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Dave’s NY Deli. Now serving beer and wine. Dave’s NY Deli also offers Catering.

12921 SW 1st Road • Tioga Town Center Monday thru Saturday 8 am to 8 pm Sunday 8 am to 3 pm.

352-333-0291

www.DavesNYDeli.com

Pepperoni’s Pizzeria

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 premium mozzarella and other top ingredients. We also have great lunch specials starting at only $6.99. 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 in Mills Plaza.

ORDER PICK UP ONLINE AT PEPPERONISPIZZERIA.COM 19975 NW 244 Street, High Springs (located in Mills Plaza) Monday- Sunday: 11:00am - 9pm

386-454-3858

Cilantro Tacos

PepperonisPizzeria.com

Cali-Mex Street Food — This family-owned restaurant that was founded through a passion for great food and hosting dinner parties with friends. Originally from Southern California, their love for Mexican food moved to the wonderful community of Newberry in 2013. They take pride in the quality, freshness, and vibrant flavors of their food — with meats that are never frozen and everything prepared fresh and made-to-order. Enjoy the tastefully marinated meats and savor the mild, spicy, and mouthwatering salsas that are created from scratch. They feel their purpose is to spread happiness, make contributions to the community and create lasting memories of fun, laughter, and great times.

When you eat with us, you’re family. So come on in!

Tioga Town Center - 12921 SW 1 Rd Suite #103 352-472-1300 Alachua - 15551 NW US HWY 441 Unit# 50 352-660-3262 Monday - Saturday from 11:00am to 9:00pm

eatcilantrotacos.com 224 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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Restaurant Guide

Bangkok Square 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.

Two Gainesville Locations: 6500 SW Archer Road & 8181 NW 38th Lane Archer-M,W,TH, Friday 11:00am-3:00pm • Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm 38th Ln.-T,W,TH, 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

Top Hog

Family Style BBQ — Sweet,Tasty, Spicy, Hot, Vinegar, Smokey. Just a few adjectives that will come to mind when you visit Top Hog! We take our time to make our recipes with love. We make our recipes in small batches to make sure that everything you order is fresh and up to our customers high standards! To give our meats a distinct Florida flavor, our meats are smoked with a mix of Florida woods, like orange wood and oak. Family style meals or meat sold by the pound with your choice of sauce available. Check our website and facebook for our full menu and daily specials. Think of us for your next family gathering, office party or tailgate party and let the TOP HOG cater your next event! We are not a chain, we are one of a kind, we do it our way.

Jonesville: Sun-Thurs 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10 Archer Road: Sun, Tues-Thur 11-9, Fri-Sat 11-10, Monday closed

352-331-6035

www.top-hog.com

Mi Apá Latin Café

Cuban — When it comes to authentic Cuban cooking, you cannot go wrong with Mi Apá Latin Cafe. Featuring authentic ingredients and classic Cuban recipes, such as Pollo Asado, Croquetas de Jamon, and the best Cuban sandwiches in Alachua County. With three locations, you’re never far from the best Cuban coffee and Cuban pastries. Visit us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, seven days a week. Whether you’re dining in, driving through, or picking up your online order, your food will always be hot, fresh, and full of Latin flavor! And don’t forget our daily Happy Hour with half-off iced coffee and Kids Eat Free every Wednesday from 4:00-9:00pm

Alachua – 15634 US Highway 441 (386-418-0838) Gainesville - 114 SW 34th ST (352-376-7020) Jonesville - 14209 W Newberry RD NOW OPEN! (352-545-4430)

MiApaLatinCafe.com SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL 352-372-5468 FOR RATES AND INFORMATION. NOV/DEC 2023

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Restaurant Guide

Big Mill’s Chesesteaks Best Cheesesteak — If you’re looking for an exceptional cheesesteak sandwich, look no further than Big Mills Cheesesteak in Gainesville. Their unique, exceptional taste is achieved by using only the finest and freshest ingredients available, including 100% freshly shaved ribeye. Conveniently located 20 blocks north of the University of Florida, their menu features a wide variety of sandwiches and salads with every cheesesteak cooked hot and fresh to order. Looking to cater your next office lunch? Big Mills offers ready-to-serve catering solutions for almost any occasion. Stop by today or visit their website and Facebook page for a complete menu and daily specials.

2111 NW 13th St, Gainesville, FL Monday-Friday 11am - 8 pm Saturday and Sunday - 11am - 6pm

352 204-5122

Crafty Bastards

www.bigmills.com

Restaurant - Pub — Crafty Bastards Restaurant has lunch specials M-F 11am4pm. Come see our NEW Menu items, including fresh salads and soups. Don’t worry, we still proudly serve what you have voted, the best Wings, Burgers, Fish n’ Chips, and REAL Shepherds Pie around! While also offering entertainment every day of the week, we have the largest selection of 60 Craft Beers on tap, and next door at the Bottle Shoppe, we offer over 750 varieties of Craft Beer with Free Beer Tastings every Thursday. 6p-8p. Visit our social media and web for ongoing events and new craft beer. Private party room for office or birthday parties available.

CRAFTY BASTARDS - WELCOME HOME! 4860 NW 39th Ave. ( Magnolia Parke, between Starbucks and TiresPlus) Open at 11am every day

352-872-5970

www.thecraftybastards.com

Copper Monkey West

Restaurant & Pub — We are located in the heart of Jonesville, this All-American dining is convenient to all neighborhoods in Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs and beyond. Our family-friendly dining features great food at a great price.

Whether you come in for the “best burger in town” or try any one of our freshly made salads, pastas or sandwiches, you will not leave disappointed. Our USDA choice steaks, served with 2 sides, offer a great alternative for the perfect celebratory meal. We also feature a full-service bar with signature drinks.

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

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mycoppermonkey.com

Restaurant Guide

Arashi Yama Authentic Sushi and Hibachi Lounge — Are you looking for the newest place in town to enjoy sushi? Welcome to Arashi Yama Authentic Sushi & Hibachi Lounge. Arashi Yama offers some of the best and most creative sushi by using only the freshest and finest ingredients available. Offering a pleasant and soothing dining ambiance. Arashi Yama’s menu includes all your sushi favorites, incredible Hibachi options and a full bar with craft cocktails. Don’t have time to stop in? Arashi Yama offers easy online ordering for all your to-go dining needs or is open for both lunch and dinner.

Visit their website for more information and to check out their delicious menu.

Magnolia Parke - 4780 NW 39th Ave. Suite 1

Happy Hour menu available Tuesday to Thursday 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Tuesday- Thursday: 11am-3 pm / 4:30-9:30 Friday: 11 am - 3 pm / 4:30-10 pm Saturday: 11:30 am - 3 pm/ 4:30 pm - 10 pm Sunday: 12 noon - 3 pm / 4:30 pm - 9 pm Monday: Closed

352-505-6000

www.arashiyamagainesville.com

El Toro 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!

15202 NW 147 Drive, Suite 1100, Alachua (Rolling Oaks Plaza) Monday – Sat 11:00am – 9:00pm Sunday – Closed

386-418-1039

www.eltorogainesville.com

Leonardo’s Pizza

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.

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

352-376-2001

leonardosmillhopper.com

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Restaurant Guide

That Bar and Table Neighborhood Bar and Restaurant —Located in the Haile Market Square Publix center, we are locally owned and operated, family friendly (including dogs!), and offer indoor and outdoor dining! Lunch specials available Mon-Fri and brunch is served on weekends. Daily specials include Cluckin’ Monday, Taco Tuesday, Burger Wednesday, Wine-Night Thursday, and amazing weekend Chef’s specials beginning each Friday! Our scratch kitchen is prepping daily to deliver amazing wing dishes, glorious ½ pound burgers, and a wide selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and dinner entrees. Our skilled bartenders will serve up your favorite cocktail or can recommend one of our house favorites! See you soon!

2725 SW 91st St, Gainesville 11-9 Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 11-10 Wed-Sat

352-331-6620

The Paper Bag

thatbarandtable.com

Deli and Catering — Using only the freshest ingredients and serving the highest quality meats and cheeses, The Paper Bag Deli in Gainesville is quickly becoming the destination for custom prepared meals designed for people with a time sensitive schedule. Serving premium Boar’s Head meats, The Paper Bag has quick serve cold options you can grab and go from the fridge or order hot options from the counter. Have time to stay a while? You can relax on their sunny patio or at the bar-style seating and enjoy a variety of freshly baked artisan sandwiches, wraps, salads and much more.

Enjoy your favorite local and domestic beers or order to go! We have many catering options for corporate, schools, and private parties. Call ahead to pick you order today!

Park Lane Apartments- 5750 SW 75th Court Suite 20 New Location!- 11 SE 1st Ave. Gainesville Open Monday - Friday 10am - 6 pm

(352) 451-4972

thepaperbagdeli.com

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza

Italian Restaurant — 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.

For full menu and list of locations visit: PIESANOSTOGO.COM Now serving: Gainesville, Ocala, The villages, Clermont, Windermere, Lake City, St. Augustine, East Orlando and Bradenton. Coming Soon: Tallahassee Mon-Sun: 11am-10pm Order online or Download our App: PIESANOSTOGO.COM 228 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

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FREE IRRIGATION

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352.235.4701

GAINESVILLE.GROUNDSGUYS.COM

NOV/DEC 2023

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COMMUNIT Y C ALENDAR

N O V/ D E C 2 02 3

DANCE ALIVE NATIONAL BALLET PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER

Friday, December 15 – Sunday, December 17, Various Times • Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road

GAINESVILLE – The all-time family favorite with beautiful dancing, sets, and costumes is here again!

Everyone needs a hero, and in this case she’s a girl.

Clara saves the Nutcracker prince, and to thank her he brings her on a magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy puts on a regal show. Tickets range from $30 - $60. performingarts.ufl.edu

NDLOVU YOUTH CHOIR

SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL

students, military service members and children

Wednesday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m.

November 4th, 5th, 18th & 19th from

12 and under; and free for SF students, faculty,

Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

and staff with college ID cards.

GAINESVILLE – Known for their soul-stirring

The Bryer Patch, 5700 SW 250th St.

showpass.com/o/santa-fe-college

performances and fresh from their “America’s

NEWBERRY – Come join us this fall for our 1st

Got Talent” showcase, Ndlovu Youth Choir brings

Annual Sunflower Festival at The Bryer Patch!

a message of hope, love, and togetherness.

We have awesome food and non-food vendors

The choir’s repertoire is an exciting mix of tra-

lined up! $12 admission fee per person. 2 &

Friday, November 10 from 7 – 10 p.m.

ditional South African genres with pop, rock,

under free. thebryerpatchfarm@gmail.com

Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1st Lane

jazz, and EDM. Tickets are $20 - $40 and $12 for UF Students. performingarts.ufl.edu

AGED TO PERFECTION

MEAN GIRLS

TIOGA CONCERT NIGHT – WHISKEY JONES

NEWBERRY – Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and come enjoy the sounds of Whiskey

Wednesday, November 8 at 8 p.m.

Jones. Relax and enjoy music under the stars

Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road

at the Tioga Town Center Amphitheatre at The

GAINESVILLE – Direct from Broadway, MEAN

Square! This is a free outdoor concert, open to

Friday, November 3 from 5:30 – 9 p.m.

GIRLS is the hilarious hit musical from book writer

the public. Don’t forget to visit the Town Center

Gainesville Garden Club, 1350 NW 75th St.

TINA FEY (30 Rock), composer JEFF RICHMOND

restaurants before the show, or to grab take-out

GAINESVILLE – Join the Gainesville Garden Club

(Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist NELL

to enjoy during the concert!

for the annual Aged to Perfection “Jazzed Up for

BENJAMIN (Legally Blonde), and original director

Good” Gala. There will be live jazz music with

and choreographer CASEY NICHOLAW (The Book

the ever-popular Nick DeCarlis and his Classic

of Mormon). Based on the hit 2004 movie, this

Saturday, November 11

Jazz Quartet, wonderful food to indulge in and

is the story of a naïve newbie who falls prey to

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens,

specialty drinks reminiscent of the Atomic Age

a trio of lionized frenemies.

4700 SW 58th Drive

to inspire your participation in the silent and

performingarts.ufl.edu

GAINESVILLE – Free admission for veterans all

live auctions. Proceeds will benefit Bartram Trail Markers. Tickets are $35 per-person and

AN EVENING OF JAZZ

$50 per-couple.

Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m.

ggcfl.org

Santa Fe College of Fine Arts,

230 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

FREE ADMISSION FOR VETERANS

day. kanapaha.org

2023 FALL PARADE OF HOMES

November 11 - 12 & 18 - 19 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

3000 NW 83rd St.

ALACHUA COUNTY & SURROUNDING AREAS

GAINESVILLE – Two student musical groups,

– The Parade of Homes™ showcases the latest

the Santa Fe College Jazz Ensemble and the

in-home design and décor with the most up-to-

SF Jazz Combo, will perform at “An Evening of

date energy-saving construction techniques and

Jazz.” Tickets are $15 for adults; $9 for seniors,

the newest in land development. This event is

TWELFTH NIGHT

hosted by the Builders Association of North

the spookiest nightmare faced by every family

Central Florida and is held annually in the Spring

creates the focus for this musical: the Addams

Thursday, November 30 – Sunday,

and Fall. Since 1958, the Parade of Homes™ has

kids are growing up.

December 17, Various Times

featured over 2000 brand new homes in over

gcplayhouse.org

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre,

300 neighborhoods throughout North Central Florida. Come tour a collection of beautiful homes throughout Alachua County and sur-

42 N D A N N UA L D OWNTOWN FESTIVAL & ART SHOW

619 S Main St. GAINESVILLE – Shakespeare’s most sophisticated comedy is a riotous tale of hopelessly

November 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

unrequited passions and mistaken identity. Duke

Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 East University Ave.

Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia.

GAINESVILLE – Join us for the largest free cel-

She, however, has fallen for his servant Cesario,

Sunday, November 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

ebration of art and culture in North Florida! The

who is actually Viola, a woman disguised as

First Presbyterian Church, 300 SW 2nd Ave.

42nd Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show

a man, who loves Orsino: Confusion is rife.

GAINESVILLE – Come celebrate Veterans Day

will transform the streets of historic downtown

Meanwhile, Olivia’s arrogant steward Malvolio

with a beautiful concert from the Gainesville

Gainesville into a celebration of art and creativity,

is cruelly tricked by her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his

Community Band on Sunday, November

complete with 200+ artists, live music, performing

friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maidser-

12, at 4 p.m. The Gainesville Area Clarinet

arts, and delicious culinary art experiences.

vant Maria into believing his mistress loves him.

Choir will be performing before the concert.

gainesvilledowntownartfest.net

acrosstown.org

rounding areas. Admission is free! bancf.com

VETERANS DAY CONCERT

gnvband.org

NEWBERRY MAIN STREET FALL FESTIVAL

TIOGA MOVIE NIGHT – “BACK TO THE FUTURE”

Saturday, November 18th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Newberry Historic District –

Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1st Lane

25565 W Newberry Rd.

NEWBERRY – This outdoor movie is free and

N E W B E R RY – N e w b e r r y M a i n S t r e e t

open to the public.

Organization is happy to announce our 2023

Don’t forget those blankets and lawn chairs, and

Fall Festival! Mark your calendars and save the

be sure to stop by one of our amazing restau-

dates! This event will offer a wide variety of ven-

rants to grab dinner before the movie, or pick

dors, including arts and crafts, children’s activ-

your food up to-go and enjoy during the show!

ities, live entertainment - all day, and a GREAT

SONGS OF THE SEASON

Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.

selection of food trucks and concessions.

THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW

WOOFSTOCK

Santa Fe College of Fine Arts,

Friday, November 24 – Saturday,

3000 NW 83rd St.

December 23

GAINESVILLE – The winter holidays will get

The Hippodrome, 25 SE 2nd Place

an early start when the Santa Fe Singers, with

GAINESVILLE – This audience favorite is back!

Thursday, November 2 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Santa Fe River Ranch, 29220 NW 122nd St.

special guests the Gainesville Youth Chorus,

The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged) bursts

ALACHUA – Don’t miss the breathtaking

perform “Songs of the Season.” Tickets are

with festive, slapstick fun as these cheerful

sunset views at the Santa Fe River Ranch

$15 for adults; $9 for seniors, students, military

comedians celebrate all of our favorite holiday

for the eighth annual Woofstock, benefit-

service members and children 12 and under;

traditions—at the same time.

ing the Humane Society of North Central

and free for SF students, faculty, and staff with

thehipp.org

Florida! You won’t want to miss a groovy

college ID cards. showpass.com/o/santa-fe-college/

FESTIVAL OF TREES

evening of live music, delicious food and drinks, an incredible silent auction and lots

Thursday, November 30 from 5 – 8 p.m.

of funky fun. All proceeds from Woofstock

Gainesville Woman’s Clubhouse,

will directly support our life-saving efforts.

Friday, November 17 – Sunday, December 10

2809 W. University Ave.

humanesocietyncfl.org/event/

Gainesville Community Playhouse,

GAINESVILLE – The Gainesville Woman’s Club

woofstock-2023

4039 NW 16th Blvd.

& Altrusa International invite you to kick off the

GAINESVILLE – In the kooky, upside-down world

holiday season with hors d’oeuvres and desserts,

of the Addams Family, to be sad is to be happy,

holiday décor and decorated Christmas trees.

to feel pain is to feel joy, and death and suffering

The event acts as a fundraiser to support Altrusa

are the stuff of their dreams. Nonetheless, this

House and Scholarships to Camp Crystal Lake.

quirky family still has to deal with many of the

Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door.

same challenges faced by any other family, and

gainesvillewomensclub.org, 352-376-3901

THE ADDAMS FAMILY

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excellent opportunity to shop for unique merchandise and gifts and features hundreds of different

GLAM CRAFT SHOW

TIOGA CONCERT NIGHT – LATE NIGHT DELIVERY

vendors. Come find something special for yourself

Friday, December 15 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

or that hard-to-shop-for person in your life.

Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1st Lane

oconnellcenter.ufl.edu

NEWBERRY – Grab your lawn chairs and blankets, and come enjoy the live music under the

LIGHT UP TIOGA

stars. This concert is free and open to the public.

Saturday, December 2 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Don’t forget to visit the Town Center restaurants

Sunday, December 3 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

First Magnitude Brewing Company — 1220 SE Veitch Street

Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1st Lane

for before the show, or to grab take-out to enjoy

NEWBERRY – This year’s expanded event will

during the concert!

The Holiday GLAM Craft Show serves up a

experience, a Winter Wonderland Lounge area,

fresh shopping experience in Gainesville,

festive activities, and fun for all ages, plus, all

every year. Previous events have featured

your traditional favorite vendors and activities

Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m.

as many as 70 local vendors selling hand-

from years past. As always, there will be lots

Santa Fe College of Fine Arts,

made jewelry and accessories, men’s and

of festive fun for the whole family. Plus, live

3000 NW 83rd St.

ladies’ silk-screened T-shirts, funky home

entertainment and magical production from

GAINESVILLE – Ring the bells and resound

decor, hand-spun yarns, baby bibs, fitness

our friends at Keith Watson Events.

the organ! An international celebration of the

hoops, amigurumi, and more. glamcraftshow.com

feature Santa’s Workshop, a magical Candy Lane

THE GAINESVILLE ORCHESTRA DECEMBER

most joyous time of the year. Including Saint-

CRAFT FESTIVAL 2023

Saëns’ exalted “Organ Symphony,” “Dances of

December 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tchaikovsky,” special guests, surprising favor-

The Stephen C. O’Connell Center —

ites and a finale sing-along that will make your

250 Gale Lemerand Drive

heart glow.

Friday, December 1 – Saturday, December 23

This Craft Festival is an annual event that show-

showpass.com/o/santa-fe-college/

High Springs Playhouse, 23416 NW 186 Ave.

cases crafts that are authentically made by

HIGH SPRINGS – This nostalgic theatrical

talented artisans and crafters. The Craft Festival

greeting card is full of eccentric small town

provides an excellent opportunity to shop for

characters, wise-cracking their way to finding

unique merchandise and gifts and features

Saturday, December 16 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

the true wonder of Christmas. And on the way,

hundreds of different vendors.

2031 NW 6th St, Gainesville, 32609

they make us all wish we could take a ride on

oconnellcenter.ufl.edu

Come support favorite local + regional brands

THE CHRISTMAS EXPRESS

The Christmas Express. highspringsplayhouse.com

CRAFT FESTIVAL

THE AUK MARKET’S HOLIDAY POP-UP

and find some perfect gifts for loved ones

TIOGA MOVIE NIGHT – “THE SANTA CLAUSE”

this season! Browse all the beauty featuring Handmade, Art, Jewelry, Plants, Mid-Century

Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Vintage and more set up outside at the Curia

Saturday, December 2 and Sunday,

Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1st Lane

on the Drag property during this festive season.

December 3 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

NEWBERRY – Grab some blankets and lawn

Discover new work and lovely original items.

Stephen C. O’Connell Center, 250 Gale

chairs, and be sure to stop by one of our amazing

Food Trucks, coffee, tasty drinks available noon

Lemerand Drive

restaurants to grab dinner before the movie,

to 5 p.m.

GAINESVILLE – This annual event showcases

or pick your food up to-go and enjoy during

theaukmarket.com

crafts authentically made by talented artisans

the show!

and crafters. The Craft Festival provides an

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Saturday, November 25 – Saturday, December 23 The Hippodrome, 25 SE 2nd Place GAINESVILLE – “A Christmas Carol” is a beloved Gainesville holiday tradition featuring singing and storytelling people of all ages will enjoy. Join us as we celebrate Scrooge’s redemption through dance, laughter, and heartfelt songs, and become part of this cherished annual family and community event. thehipp.org

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JAZZ ON THE GREEN

proceeds benefiting the local Shrine Club.

Second Saturdays from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Contact David Jones at 336-430-910 to reserve

Celebration Pointe, 5001 Celebration

your vendor spot.

Pointe Ave. Suite 140

gainesvilleshrineclub.org

GAINESVILLE – Join Celebration Point every second Saturday of the month for live music, food, drinks and more! Spread a blanket under

GAINESVILLE OLD-TIME AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC JAM

the setting sun, and catch some beautiful music

Fourth Sundays from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

on the green.

Civic Media Center, 433 S Main St.

celebrationpointe.com

GAINESVILLE – Pickers, grinners, strummers,

GAINESVILLE CARS & COFFEE

pluckers, and bowers unite every 4th Sunday of the month at the Civic Media Center Old-Time,

Second Sundays from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Bluegrass & Traditional Jam. Expect a lot of

Whole Foods Market,

old-time and bluegrass fiddle tunes, as well as

3490 SW Archer Road

folk songs, Celtic, and other traditional roots

Third Tuesdays from 9:30 –11:30 a.m.

Gainesville Garden Club 1350 NW 75th St.

GAINESVILLE – A gathering for automotive

music from around the world. Enter through

enthusiasts of all types from exotics and clas-

the courtyard in the back. Bring a sliding scale

sics to imports and jalopies. The meet is free

donation for the CMC. Everyone is welcome.

GAINESVILLE – Make beautiful floral

to attend; coffee will be provided to attendees,

civicmediacenter.org

arrangements to take home! Ticket includes

as well as breakfast items for sale.

refreshments along with instruction from

gainesvillecarsandcoffee.com

FUN WITH FLOWERS

an expert guide on a floral arrangement.

For more information on tickets, visit: ggcfl.org

DOWNTOWN HIGH SPRINGS ARTWALK

TOT TROT

Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Road

Third Saturdays from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

GAINESVILLE – Get your toddler excited about

Downtown High Springs

science and natural history! Join Discovery Zone

HIGH SPRINGS – Art Walk features local artists

nature ambassadors for an exciting and inter-

Saturday, December 30 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

and makers situated both inside stores and on

active nature walk. Each program highlights an

Tioga Town Center, 13085 SW 1st Lane

the sidewalks of downtown. Some locations

outdoor area and encourages exploration with

NEWBERRY – Bring your dancing shoes, and

feature live painting and demonstrations. This

a closer look at nature and museum objects.

come enjoy the sounds of Elio Piedra under the

seasonal monthly event is an opportunity for

This program promotes sensory experiences,

stars at the Tioga Town Center Amphitheatre

local artisans and artists to demonstrate and

investigation and exploration with a focus on

at The Square! This is a free outdoor concert,

display their talents and offer their works for

science. Recommended for children ages 2-5

open to the public.

sale in storefronts throughout the downtown

years old (child must be accompanied by an

area. Participating host merchants also offer

adult chaperone). Tickets are $6 for members

specials and sales during the event.

and $7 for non-members.

highsprings.us

floridamuseum.ufl.edu

PLAYLIST AT THE POINTE

BIRD WALKS AT THE WETLANDS

TU FIESTA RADIO PRESENTS: NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH ELIO

RECURRING EVENTS HAILE EQUESTRIAN RIDE & WINE

First Fridays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Haile Equestrian, 7680 SW 46th Blvd.

Fourth Fridays from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

GAINESVILLE – Enjoy an adults-only evening of

Celebration Pointe, 5001 Celebration

Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

horseback riding, wine, charcuterie and great

Pointe Ave.

Sweetwater Wetlands Park,

conversations with us. All riding levels welcome.

GAINESVILLE – A music event that offers an

325 SW Williston Road

Tickets are $75 per-person.

eclectic mix of music from a variety of genres

GAINESVILLE – Discover the rich diversity of

haileequestrian.com/events

– country, rock, soul and more.

birds at one of north central Florida’s premier

celebrationpointe.com

birding hotspots during a 2-3-hour guided

GUIDED WALK AT KANAPAHA

First Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens,

GAINESVILLE SHRINE CLUB MARKETPLACE

walking tour. Join us to see why Sweetwater Wetlands Park is the most popular birding destination in the Gainesville area. Walks are

4700 SW 58th Drive

Fourth Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

free with park admission fee ($5/vehicle) and

GAINESVILLE – Enjoy a guided tour through

Gainesville Shrine Club,

are offered every Wednesday morning from

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens starting at 10 am the

8100 SW Archer Road

September 1st though the end of May.

first Saturday of every month. Regular admission

GAINESVILLE – The Gainesville Shrine Club’s

alachuaaudubon.org

price applies for non-members. kanapaha.org

MarketPlace is a yard sale/ flea market with

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PARKRUN 5K AT DEPOT PARK

Saturdays at 7:30 a.m.

Depot Park, 200 SE Depot Ave. GAINESVILLE – Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5K at Depot Park. Participants can walk, jog or run. The community is encouraged to get active at their fitness and ability level. Parkrun is a global movement that started in the UK and quickly spread across the world. Every Saturday over 1,700 events

HAILE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

occur with more than 150,000 participants globally. parkrun.us/depotpark

Haile Plantation Village GAINESVILLE – Take 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

ALACHUA COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKET

brunching at the Village Center’s locally-owned shops and restaurants. COVID-19 recommen-

Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

dations: maintain physical distance, don’t touch products, one customer served per vendor at

5920 NW 13th St.

one time, and protect yourself and others by wearing facial coverings.

GAINESVILLE – Don’t forget to bring shopping

hailefarmersmarket.com

bags, your grocery list, and plenty of small

BARNYARD BUDDIES

Wednesdays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

(September – May)

LIVE JAZZ AT COVEY KITCHEN + COCKTAILS

bills. This market prides itself on being a grower’s only market – meaning the vendors selling produce, plants, and other products

Wednesdays and Sundays from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

must have grown the items themselves.

Morningside Nature Center,

Covey Kitchen + Cocktails, 1514 SW 14th St.

441market.com

3540 E University Ave.

GAINESVILLE – Enjoy the live music while din-

GAINESVILLE – Morningside Living History Farm

ing or enjoying hand-crafted cocktails. Dining

is hosting an in-person, socially distant Barnyard

reservations can be made through OpenTable.

Buddies program! This one-hour program is free,

“The Oak Trio” includes pianist Howard Wapner,

but online pre-registration through Eventbrite

upright bassist Rafael Abdalla from Brazil and

is required on a first-come-first-served basis.

drummer Eddie Fields from Daytona Beach with

Youngsters, with an adult, can meet and greet

occasional guest appearances, creating an even

farm animals by helping staff with afternoon

more memorable evening.

feeding on the Living History Farm.

hoteleleo.com/dining

RUNNING TABS

GNV MARKET AT HEARTWOOD

Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.

Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

First Magnitude Brewing Company,

Heartwood Soundstage, 619 South Main St.

1220 SE Veitch St.

GAINESVILLE – The GNV Market is Gainesville’s

GAINESVILLE – Running Tabs is a fun, open

Downtown farmers market every Thursday from

group aimed at promoting runners and the run-

4-7 p.m. Featuring over 40 vendors, fresh pro-

ning community throughout the Gainesville

duce, live music and craft beer.

area. Runs are free and open to runners of all

gnvmarket.com

ages and fitness levels. If you’re looking for a running group to help you get into running or to improve your race performance, give us a shot.

HIGH SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET

Fridays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

fmbrewing.com

23517 NW 185th Road HIGH SPRINGS – Florida grown fruit, vegetables, dairy and meats as well as honey, handmade treats and more. The Farmers Market is produced by The City of High Springs. highsprings.us/farmersmarket

234 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

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NOV/DEC 2023

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236 | OUR TOWN MAGAZINE

NOV/DEC 2023

WHIMSY & HUMOR

THE WACKY WONDERFUL WORLD OF DAME daDA

Curiosity, Spontaneity, and Laughter S T O RY BY H AY L I Z U C C O L A | P H O T O G R A P H Y BY M I C H A E L E A D DY

Nichole Hamilton, who is currently on sabbatical from her role as an assistant professor in the theatre arts program at New Mexico State University, has temporarily returned to the Hippodrome Theatre with some big dreams in tow.

Hamilton is a planner and finds solace in organization and the ability to anticipate obstacles. However, beneath her structured exterior lies an alter ego characterized by chaos, disorder and whimsy, and her name is Dame daDA. Hamilton wasn’t always interested in theatre and stage performance; she aspired to be an astronaut when she was younger. As she grew older and realized the complex mathematics required for such a career, she began exploring more creative pursuits. Raised by her grandmother, Hamilton was encouraged to try various interests, including piano, dance, writing, and athletics.

“I was a little all over the place expressing myself,”

Hamilton recalled.

Eventually, she honed in on her passion for acting and production, leading her to earn an undergraduate degree in theatre and later a Master of Fine Arts in acting at the University of Florida. During this time, she delved into other aspects of performance, such as stage management and directing, and became deeply involved with Hippodrome productions. After graduation, Hamilton took on adjunct teaching roles before securing a full-time tenure track position in New Mexico.

While teaching was undoubtedly fulfilling, Hamilton still enjoyed putting on a show. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Dadaism art style, which lasted from 1916 to 1923, Hamilton decided to develop a character inspired by the movement she would unveil while attending Burning Man in 2016.

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NICHOLE HAMILTON >> DAME DADA

“It was nonsensical, full of whimsy and humor, like leaning towards the absurd. And there was this play with language and making up words. It was just so much fun,” Hamilton noted of her connection and appreciation for the art movement.

“I created this character kind of in the style of Dadaism to celebrate 100 years and to do it in a place where it’s all about participating and experimenting.”

Adorned with an eye-popping red dress and a bright orange bob haircut, Hamilton became Dame daDa. The successful mini-launch of this character led to the creation of a one-woman show that married rehearsed material with spontaneous audience participation, which she performed at various French festivals and cabarets.

In 2022, Hamilton contemplated retiring Dame daDa for good – coincidentally around the same time, Dadaism gave way to surrealism 100 years prior. Instead, she added a new dimension to her character— a car. Hamilton thought back to her first Burning Man experience with the Art Car Camp, where participants crafted unique and unconventional vehicles like an old Beetle made of stained glass or a camera van covered in different cameras.

This influential memory paired with Hamilton’s favorite childhood game, Candy Land, led to the creation of Dame daDa’s new ride: The Absurd Automobile of Anti-bourgeois Amusement.

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NOV/DEC 2023

“I wanted it to be interactive,” she said. “I’m an introvert, so it’s really weird. But I want to engage with people. Maybe that’s the theatre — how someone, the audience, responds to the content. So this content is interactive.”

The car, adorned with colorful squares, introduced a twist on the classic board game, replacing iconic locations like the Peppermint Forest and Candy Castle with modern-day alliterations, such as the Forest of Femininity, Mountain of Myths, Pit of Politics, Sea of Social Construct, and Palace of Patriarchy. With the help of friends, Hamilton transformed the van into a mini apartment, albeit without a bathroom.

“ It was nonsensical, full of whimsy and humor, like leaning towards the absurd. And there was this play with language and making up words.”

When the vehicle was mostly complete, and Hamilton began her sabbatical from her teaching job in New Mexico, she set out on a road trip from the west coast back to Gainesville to assist at the Hippodrome and, essentially, come home for a season.

NICHOLE HAMILTON >> DAME DADA

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AT TIOGA

Make the most out of your holiday season at Tioga Town Center! Find the perfect gift at our amazing local shops and boutiques. Take a break from cooking and stop by to enjoy coffee, brunch, dinner, drinks, desserts, and everything in-between.

Or host your company gathering at one of our fantastic restaurants! Get in the Holiday spirit with your favorite spirit and come see the lights each and every night. And don't forget to join us for Light Up Tioga! We hope to see you real soon!

Check out our upcoming events!

LIVE . SHOP . DINE . PLAY TiogaTownCenter.com | 352.331.4000 |

@TiogaTownCenter

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“I wanted to come home, if you will, come to do more creative work and also see where I could take my original invention of Dame daDA and now this car to other places and use it as an exploration of art and engagement and spontaneity and just see what’s there,” she said.

“ I think she allows me to break free from being too structured.

Making space for childlike play,” she said.

Hamilton also expressed a spiritual connection to her return to Gainesville, where she honed her talent and skills at the Hippodrome and the University of Florida, making valuable connections and evolving as an artist.

Although Hamilton has yet to set a specific tour schedule for her Dame daDa show, she envisions taking her character and show on the road with the newfound freedom provided by the car. If a theatre stage isn’t available, her vehicle now serves as a stage for impromptu pop-up performances as the weather cools.

As for why Hamilton chose to resurrect Dame daDa for this adventure instead of retiring the character, she emphasized her curiosity, sense of humor, and desire for creative engagement with the community.

Dame daDa also gives Hamilton a one-of-akind freedom and the chance to express herself unobstructed.

“I think she allows me to break free from being too structured. Making space for childlike play,” she said.

In true Dadaism fashion, Hamilton hasn’t developed a clear path for her sabbatical adventure as Dame daDa. However, that’s part of the magic: wonder and the absolute nonsense of the character and art origin.

“I think it’s going to be ever-evolving and creating itself,” she said. “I want to stick to that, the possibility rather than the end goal.”

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NOV/DEC 2023

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