The Village Journal at Haile Plantation - Vol. 13 No. 2 - Summer at the Springs by The Village Journal

r e m m Su t the ss a g n i r p S

Vol. 13 No. 2

The Ultimate Community Lifestyle Magazine

S Y A G W N RI WATER O L P EX IDA’S FLOR SPOTLIGHT ON ON NEIGHBORS: NEIGHBORS: SPOTLIGHT

MEET THE YAZDIS TRAVIS HARVEY’S HARVEY’S TRAVIS JOURNEY FROM PTSDTO TOEQUINE EQUINETHERAPY THERAPY PTSD

2017 | Vol. 13 No. 2

Summer’s Top Top 10 10 Summer’s

Off the the Beaten Beaten Path Path Off

Destinations

Footstone Photography

What's Inside

TRAVIS HARVEY’S JOURNEY FROM PTSD TO EQUINE THERAPY

20 42

CO V ER S TO RIES

Spotlight on Neighbors: Meet the Yazdis

Dining Around the World without Leaving Gainesville

52 64

Summer at the Springs

The Summer’s Top 10 Off the Beaten Path Destinations

TheVillageJournal.com | 55

Footstone Photography

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 #VJConnect 14 Haile Village Center Directory 18 Haile Market Square Directory 30 Real Estate Market Watch 31 Community Map 72 Calendar of Events 75 Snapshots 79 Register of Advertisers 80 From the Kitchen of Dean Cacciatore

taste 42 Dining Around the World without Leaving Gainesville

wellness 48 Why You Don't Want to Skimp on Summer Vacation

local

52 Summer at the Springs:

20 Spotlight on Neighbors:

58 For the Love of the Climb: The

Meet the Yazdis

26 Extraordinary Moriah Joy

life 34 Travis Harvey’s Journey from

Exploring Florida’s Waterways

Future and Culture of Rock Climbing in Gainesville

explore 64 Summer’s Top 10 Off the Beaten Path Destinations

PTSD to Equine Therapy

68 Traveling Health Risks and How to Prepare for Them

6 | CONTENTS

Footstone Photography

CON TE NTS

E DITOR’ S NO TE As the daylight grows longer and longer, this edition of The Village Journal presents a compilation of stories and ideas centered around one idea: Get out there! Our community is packed with new places to visit, new activities to try and new neighbors to meet. And there’s no better time to explore our very own

Channing Williams editor@thevillagejournal.com

backyard than right now. Whether it’s giving paddle boarding a try on some of Alachua County’s coveted crystal clear springs, scaling rock walls both inside and out, or following a PTSD afflicted veteran’s journey to becoming an equine therapist, there are endless ways to push your own limits and seek your true potential. We hope you have a fun summer, filled with equal parts relaxation and excitement. Don’t let the summer slip by without enjoying the adventures that await just outside your door. Go forth,

Behind the scenes with Footstone Photography shooting for "Dining Around the World Without Leaving Gainesville." Read more page 42.

8 | EDITORS NOTE

@thevillagejournal

#VJCONNECT

@villagejournal

INSIDE SCOOP

@villagejournal

@VillageJournal

Favorite Summer Snack According to VJ Staffers

Hear from the people featured in this issue.

HOPE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Horses Helping People, Inc. Family fun day at HOPE.

Popsicle

Slushie

Ice Cream

crane_ramen

Cool down this summer with a watermelon pizza! Follow us on Pinterest for more tasty treats.

OM L .C

10 | CONNECT

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Moriah Joy We are so excited to announce that our research has finally been APPROVED!!! We are so grateful and full of JOY #XtraordinaryJoy

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The Village Journal is proud to announce that our 2016 editorial feature, "Christian Taylor: Hop, Step, Jump," received a 2017 Silver American Advertising Award!

GE J O U R NA

thevillagejournal.com Head to the web for more stories, resources and updates, or drop us a line to share your thoughts.

CON TR I BU TO RS

PUBLISHER:

Ryan Frankel EDITOR:

Channing Williams DESIGN:

Mary Smith, PhD Dr. Mary Smith is a licensed psychologist in private practice at Haile Market Therapy and Behavioral Medicine. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida. She has more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field working with individuals, couples, families and groups. Dr. Smith enjoys working with clients on the diverse concerns they bring into therapy. Her goals include helping clients create more meaning, purpose, satisfaction and peace in their lives. She believes that the quality of close relationships can be a source of great joy or stress and that people’s relationships play a key role in their psychological and physical health.

Jean Piot, Senior Graphic Designer Alexandra Villella, Senior Graphic Designer Rene van Rensburg, Graphic Designer Nita Chester, Production Manager SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS:

Dean Cacciatore Colleen DeGroff CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Gabrielle Calise Irene Da Costa Molly Donovan Linda Homewood Kelsie Ozanne Shannon J. Winslow-Claunch PHOTOGRAPHY:

Paul Privette Kara Winslow DIGITAL MEDIA:

Amanda Austin, Webmaster Jillian Kirby, Social Media Strategist ACCOUNTING:

Diana Schwartz-Levine, Bookkeeper For advertising or licensing information call (352) 331-5560 or visit TheVillageJournal.com

105 SW 128th Street Suite 200 Newberry, FL 32669 TheVillageJournal.com The Village Journal is published quarterly in Gainesville, Florida. Copyright 2017, all rights reserved by Frankel Media Group. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced

Read "Why You Don't Want to Skimp on Summer Vacation" on Page 48.

without written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. Frankel Media Group is an independent entity, and neither it, its agents, employees, nor its publication The Village Journal, have any associations with The Haile Village Center, Haile Plantation, its developers, employees or tenants. Printed in

12 | CONTRIBUTORS

SW 52nd Road

SW 49th Place

SW 91st Way

SW 91st Terrace

SW 5

rive

1st R oad

nue

nd Ave

91s

SW 52

SW 48th Place

SW 91st Way

SW 52nd Lane

SW 53rd Ave

SW 53rd Place

SW 91st Terrace

SW 91st

91st

Driv

Street

PRESENTED BY

HAILE VI L L AG E C ENTER DIRE CTORY

ARCHITECTURE Jennifer Langford, AIA, CNU, PA . . . . . 371-7187 The Sustainable Design Group . . . . . . 327-3899

COMMUNITY Haile Equestrian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665-7433

MER

D E V E LO PM E N T C O M

EDUCATION Abacus Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 376-1492 La Escuela Spanish Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514-4409

EVENT SERVICES

Haile Farmers Market . . . . . . . . . . . 904-524-9705

Cacciatore Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692-0701

The Creek-River Cross Church . . . . . . . 378-9793

Plantation Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371-1600

DANCE Cameron Dancenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-7785

FINANCIAL American Optimal Advisors . . . . . . . . . . 505-5632 Holloway Wealth Management . . . . . . 337-8177

DINING

Markey Wealth Management . . . . . . . . 338-1560

Haile Village Bistro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378-0721

New York Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379-8171

Limerock Road

SunTrust Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375-6868

Neighborhood Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-6228 Patticakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376-1332 Queens Arms Pub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378-0721 Volcanic Sushi & Sake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363-6226 14 | DIRECTORY

Tillman Hartley, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-9015

FURNISHINGS & GIFTS The Perfect Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375-8000

HEALTH & BEAUTY Cj's Plantation Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-0400 Haile Barber Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374-2005 Haile Village Spa & Salon . . . . . . . . . . . 335-5025 Hang Ten Nail Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-5545 Salon PhD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338-1011 Sarah’s Hair Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226-6909

JEWELRY Sander’s Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-6100

LEGAL Law Offices of Allan H. Kaye, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375-0816 Law Offices of Steven Kalishman . . . . 376-8600 Mark J. Fraser, Attorney at Law . . . . . . 367-0444 Mowitz Law & Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533-5035 Niesen, Price, Worthy, Campo, Frasier & Blakey, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373-9031 Warner, Sechrest & Butts, P.A. . . . . . . . 373-5922 White & Crouch, P.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372-1011

MEDICAL Alix L. Baxter, M.D., P.A. Psychiatry and Psychotherapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373-2525 Benet Clinical Assessment . . . . . . . . . . 375-2545 CFK Cardiac Tech, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332-3760 Fetal Flix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358-1168 Galvan Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327-3561 Haile Endodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374-2999 Haile Medical Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367-9602 Haile Plantation Family Dental . . . . . . . 375-6116 Haile Plantation Family Medicine (UF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265-0944 Infectious Disease Consultants . . . . . . 375-0008 Kids Only Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-7777 Lori Libert Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . . 222-1583

TheVillageJournal.com | 15 15

H AIL E V I LLAGE C E NT E R D I R E C T OR Y Linda Goodwin, PhD, LMHC, Counselor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373-0030 Options Medical, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317-6379 Sappington Orthodontics . . . . . . . . . . . . 376-7846 Speech & Language Center at Haile Plantation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284-3323 The Haile Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337-0551 William E. Beaty PhD, Psychologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-5520

PET CARE Haileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angels Pet Rescue . . . . . . . . . . 262-4232 Haile Plantation Animal Clinic . . . . . . . . 377-6003 Shampoodles by Jan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336-7236 Sweet Paws Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264-8995

REAL ESTATE Bosshardt Realty Services . . . . . . . . . . . 371-6100 Coldwell Banker, M.M. Parrish Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335-4999 Haile Plantation Sales & Information Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-4999 Management Specialists Services . . . . 335-7848 Premier Management Associates, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379-4641 Henderson Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339-3478 Rabell Realty Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559-8820 Thomas Group Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226-8228

TITLE & INSURANCE AmeriLife Insurance Marketing . . . . . . . . . 371-8213 Brightway Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519-1900 New York Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379-8171 Homestead Insurance, Agent Ann Toms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505-6565

TECHNOLOGY Advanced Turbine Support, LLC . . . . . . 302-2364 E-Tech Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-785-5993 Neptuno Data Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514-4215

SW 25th RD

W 25th LN

PUBLIX

W ay

HAI L E MA R KE T SQ UARE DI RE CT O R Y

BEAUTY Great Clips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-1005 Venus Nail Spa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-3878 Salon 119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505-3819

DINING

INSURANCE Bo Greene Insurance Agency. . . . . . . . 333-1123

MEDICAL Archer Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 1 - 4 7 3 1 Haile Market Therapy &

Bamboos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-1522

Behavioral Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-0020

I Love NY Pizza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-6185

Kinetix Physical Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 505-6665

Looseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar & Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-6620

UF Health PRC at Haile . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265-0944

Subway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332-1707 Sweet Cup Frozen Yogurt. . . . . . . . . . . 240-6828

DRY CLEANING On the Spot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332-9494

FINANCIAL Florida Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7 7 - 4 1 4 1 Wells Fargo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-8239

FITNESS Sweat Life Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692-4926

GROCERY Publix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 1 - 1 0 3 7

18 | DIRECTORY

PHARMACY Publix Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-1086

SHOPPING Haile Jewelry & Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-1905 Haile Kitchen & Bath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 745-3456

SPIRITS The Spirit Shoppe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-7274

REAL ESTATE Tommy Williams Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 331-8180 Viking Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333-9333

S PO T L I GH T ON N EI GH B O R S

MEET THE YAZDIS By Molly Donovan | Footstone Photography

20 | LOCAL

LOCAL

hen Abbas Yazdi makes a decision, it’s because he’s following his heart. His wife Jayne trusts his judgement. They’ve been living this way for almost 40 years, and he’s never been wrong yet. The couple met and married in Wales, United Kingdom, at a very young age. Abbas was 21 and Jayne was 19 when they tied the knot at a courthouse on a Monday afternoon. Every decision after that followed suit, including the decision to open Haile Village Bistro, the restaurant the couple owns in the heart of Haile Plantation. The restaurant includes a main dining area, a front porch for outdoor seating and an authentic British pub. The menu features traditional British food, American favorites and select Mediterranean cuisine that Abbas loves to create. Essentially, the joint blends the cultures and cuisine of the places Abbas and Jayne come from.

he popped the question. The two were out for shopping and coffee, and Abbas turned to Jayne and said, “Let’s get married today.” “I looked at him and said, ‘I’m not really dressed for that. I don’t think I can get married in my jeans,’” Jayne remembers. So they married two days later, on a Monday. Jayne wore her sister’s veil and a simple dress to the courthouse. She said everyone told them they were too young and that the marriage would never last. That was 39 years ago. Seven years after they married, they had their daughter. Five years after that, a son. Then a friend of Abbas’ invited him on a three-week road trip in America. He had never been, so he decided to see what all the hype was about.

“If Gordon Ramsey saw the menu, he would have a fit,” Jayne said. Jayne is originally from Wales, and as a teenager, she worked in a corner shop on the weekends. Abbas, originally from Iran, went to Wales to study engineering. He lived next to the store where Jayne worked, and after he noticed her, he went in every single day to do his shopping. “After a while, I knew he was there for more than chewing gum,” Jayne said. “Eventually he mustered up the courage and asked me out for a drink.” Abbas said he knew almost right away that he wanted to marry Jayne, and a year later

When he came back from the trip, he informed Jayne that he was moving the family across the pond. By this point, Jayne said she was used to the way that Abbas made decisions. After a little convincing, the Yazdis packed up their things and came to the States in 2003. For six weeks, they drove across the country trying to decide where to build a home. Eventually, TheVillageJournal.com | 21

they decided their priorities were sunshine and palm trees. “That, and I wanted to be near Disney World,” Jayne said. They tried Miami, but it was too busy. They tried Orlando, but didn’t love the tourists and construction. Then Abbas stumbled across an article that listed Gainesville, Florida, as one of the best places in the country to raise a family. “We didn’t know anyone, and we had never been,” Jayne said. “But when we drove through for the first time, we knew this was the place for us.” Jayne, a nurse, took her nursing exams in Florida and was offered a job almost immediately at UF Health Shands Hospital. She has worked there ever since. Abbas got a job as an engineer in Marion County. When the couple were originally house hunting, Abbas drove through Haile Plantation with a paper map looking for homes. He said he remembers seeing the building that is now Haile Village Bistro and noting the beautiful facade. Five years later, he saw an ad in The Village Journal listing a restaurant in Haile Village Center for sale. He went to the realtor and asked to see the space. “And what do you know, it was the same place I remembered from five years before,” Abbas said. “Full circle. I knew it was meant to be.” In true Abbas fashion, he made an offer and informed Jayne that he was opening a restaurant. The couple had never owned a business, only cooked recreationally and entertained for friends. But in 2008, they decided to try their hand and opened the doors to the pub.

22 | LOCAL

“It was really very hard at the beginning,” Jayne said. “Actually, not hard. Horrific.” The Yazdis said it took a while to figure out how to make every customer happy. Abbas puts his heart and soul into everything he makes, but he had to learn that customers wanted good, fast and consistent. Eventually, they hit their stride, and throughout the struggle they never gave up. Now, nine years later, their little white and green restaurant is one of the first views of Haile Village Center that visitors get. They have regular customers who come once a month, once a week and even some who visit every day. They’ve revised and refined the way they run their business, and now the two cultures blend effortlessly on a menu that provides the options their customers crave. From fish and chips and shepherd’s pie to baklava, everything at Haile Village Bistro is made from scratch daily. “People used to say, ‘You’re so lucky. You get to eat this food with Abbas every day at the restaurant and at home,’” Jayne said. “But he

would come home after working and cooking all day and be so tired. We lived off Corn Flakes for a while.” Jayne says her favorite food that Abbas makes are the cakes and sweets. Whether she’s biased because of the way they met or just has a sweet tooth, she said that he’s best at his baking because every cake, pastry and cream puff is made from the heart. “I’ve been known to decorate a cake every now and then, but I wouldn’t dare try to bake because he’s just amazing at it,” Jayne said. “It’s in his heart.” Other than the case full of cakes, Jayne and Abbas host two monthly events that they love. One Saturday a month, they hold a tea party that Jayne spearheads and on the last Sunday of the month, a buffet of authentic Mediterranean food where Abbas gets to show off dishes he grew up eating. More than anything, the Yazdis said the community they have found in Haile has made every late night and long day worth it. “We have no family here. Our kids and my grandbaby are in Ft. Myers and our other relatives are back in England,” Jayne said. “Our customers, our staff - they have become as close as family, and we love it. As hard as it can be sometimes, it’s all worth it when we remember that.” And the couple plans to keep cooking for their customers well into the future, too. Jayne said they would eventually love to be closer to their kids and granddaughter, named Jayne after her grandma, but she’ll wait for Abbas to make the decision. His instincts have proven to be good so far. “I mean, this is like living on vacation! What is there to complain about?” Jayne said. “And my husband loves this. He won’t be done anytime soon. Doing this is like his respirator.” TheVillageJournal.com | 23

24 | LIFE

TheVillageJournal.com | 25

Extraordinary Moriah Joy How University of Florida researchers hope to decode a rare genetic disorder By Shannon J. Winslow-Claunch | Footstone Photography

hen Tony and Amy Meacham adopted their infant daughter they added their sixth family member, and their first pink-painted bedroom to their home. The Meacham’s three sons wouldn’t stop pleading with their mom and dad for a baby sister. The deeply spiritual family all agreed that their family was, in fact, incomplete. Before Moriah Joy Meacham even came into the world she was loved by her new family and by the community that had been praying for her arrival.

"SHE HAS RECENTLY LEARNED

At around eleven months old, however, Amy, who is a research scientist at the University of Florida (UF), began getting her little girl some

needed therapies and seeking answers. “She was gagging and throwing up more than other babies and she wasn’t crawling or

26 | LOCAL

TO POINT TO THINGS SHE WANTS AND KNOWS A FEW WORDS IN SIGN LANGUAGE LIKE ‘ELEPHANT’ BECAUSE SHE’S TWO AND REALLY LIKES ELEPHANTS RIGHT NOW." Amy Meacham

reaching the development milestones other babies do at her age.” After visiting multiple specialists, Moriah was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, (Xq27.3-q28 deletion). The diagnosis meant that 46 genes on her X-chromosome are missing. Moriah’s condition has only been documented in nine other girls worldwide. The Meacham’s have connected with two of the families with children afflicted with the same disorder. “Both girls are now nine years old and share features like speech apraxia, autism, epilepsy and severe cognitive delay.” Moriah is about to turn three and, despite two years of speech and occupational therapy, is unable to speak besides the word, ‘ya,’ “which as you can imagine, has been really helpful,” says Amy. “She has recently learned to point to things she wants and knows a few words in sign language like ‘elephant’ because she’s two and really likes elephants right now.” Little is known about the condition or longterm prognosis because there has been no research, says Amy. “Doctors diagnosed her and gave us a paper describing possible symptoms, and that was it. No treatment… no hope. Most of the treatment for genetic deletion is based on treating symptoms that may or may not arise,” Amy explains. Some of the afflictions of Xq27.3-q28 deletion can be low muscle tone, sensory processing disorder, gag reflex and swallow difficulty, sucking difficulty, oral aversion, teeth grinding, drooling, chronic sinus and ear infections, autism, the inability to speak, seizures, intellectual disabilities and constipation. Some families have reported breathing issues, organ anomalies and growth problems. Within the deletion, there are underlying disorders due to missing genes known as Fragile X Syndrome and Hunter Syndrome, which is fatal in boys. “There is no long term treatment, a cure on the horizon, or drugs for Moriah or other kids

liker her. Doctors must treat the symptoms as they come.” The family spends a lot of time at occupational, physical and speech therapy. Physicians can treat seizures and infections, but Amy admits that she is fearful of drug interactions and the side effects of multiple strong medications that her daughter will likely have to take all her life. “I don’t want to save her to harm her,” she says, so the family is reluctant to medicate if not absolutely necessary. As a cancer biologist specializing in Leukemia, Amy realized that her daughter’s gene deletion left her predisposed to tumors and some of the drugs recommended for patients like Moriah seem to promote cancer. A cure based on cellular reprogramming is the best hope for Moriah and that’s what Xtraordinary Joy is working for.

OFFERING HOPE Amy says she knows that science can crack the code and there is a reason to be hopeful, but she is also cautiously optimistic because she knows this fight goes beyond treating just Moriah. While investigating Moriah’s symptoms and networking with other doctors, the Meachams spoke to an alarming number of families in North Central Florida whose children also have missing pieces from their DNA and have started to form a community of families facing the same TheVillageJournal.com | 27

types of diagnoses and challenges. “It was surprising how many children we met locally who were going through similar struggles,” says Amy. “I feel that the research that is being done at the University of Florida will have long reaching affects for a lot of other families around the world who are facing genetic deletion and mutation.” One case that has inspired the Meachams is that of Kristen Gray, the mother of two girls who both have a rare neurodegenerative disorder. The Grays started the Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray Foundation to Cure Batten Disease. Fortunately, the Gray’s story was publicized on Good Morning America, in the Chicago Tribune and in People Magazine, largely because the girls’ father is Gordon Gray, a famous Hollywood producer. Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Garner and other stars have helped raise over six-millions dollars to fund research to find a cure for the girls. They estimate that ten-million dollars are needed to cure Batten the disease. The gene therapy program initiated, coordinated, and funded by the foundation resulted in an FDA-approved, first 28 | LOCAL

of its kind investigational gene therapy clinical trial for children with Batten CLN6 that started in 2016. Three patients in total have now been enrolled for participation and recruitment for additional patients is ongoing.

FUNDRAISING AT HOME Inspired by other families facing similar diagnoses, the Meacham’s commitment to give Moriah that best life possible, and with the support of their Gainesville and church communities, the non-profit, Xtraordinary Joy was established in 2016 to raise awareness and the money it will take to find answers and treatments for Moriah’s conditions. Through Amy’s network of professional researchers at UF and UF Health, they have established groundbreaking research that may someday cure Moriah and other children like her. Xtraordinary Joy’s first fund raising event, a human foosball tournament, was held last September. Because of the overwhelming success of that event, the second human foosball tournament, was held April 9th at Trinity United Methodist Church and attracted

nearly 400 participants, spectators and vendors. Additionally, the group organized the inaugural Xtraordinary Joy Masquerade Ball last November and they are planning a second event this fall. Thus far, Xtraordinary Joy has donated $30,000 for research, yet so much more is still needed for data analysis and expansion.

OVERCOMING SCIENCE University of Florida scientists are now examining the effects of gene deletion on biochemical pathways in an attempt to rescue brain circuitry with targeted therapies. University of Florida College of Medicine, the Center for Cellular Reprogramming and the Department of Neuroscience are teaming up to gain understanding and therapies for Moriah and others with her type of deletion, and in the future, other deletions and rare disorders like hers.

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The neuroscientists and cellular reprogramming specialist on this scientific team believe this work will be successful. Beyond that, this work will establish a model of personalized medicine that will help many with rare chromosome disorders, others with autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

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To learn more or get involved with Xtraordinary Joy, visit xtraordinaryjoy.org. TheVillageJournal.com | 29

MARKET WATCH A selection of single-family and attached homes sold in Haile Plantation, January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017. Provided by Coleen DeGroff of RE/MAX Professionals.

The Village at Haile | S W 52nd Avenue

Indigo Square | SW 94th Avenue

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 816

$94,000

1991 1,199 2/2 $166,000

1/1

Sold Price

Magnolia Walk | SW 92nd Court

Laural Park | SW 83rd Terrace

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1984 1,152 2/2.5 $115,000

1983 1,454 3/2 $171,000

Village Center | SW 91st Terrace

Founders Hill | SW 84th Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2003 1,088

Sold Price

2/2 $125,000

Sold Price

1984 1,358 3/2 $178,000

Plantation Villas | SW 97th Drive

Chickasaw Way | SW 103rd Way

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1995 1,400 2/2.5 $135,000 The Links | SW 52nd Avenue Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1998 1,431

Chickasaw Way | SW 103rd Way Sold Price

3/2 $135,000

Quail Court | SW 88th Court Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1996 1,270 3/2 $192,000 Haile Market Square | SW 87th Way

Sold Price

1983 1,254 2/2 $136,000 The Links | SW 52nd Avenue Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1996 1,248 2/2 $187,500

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 1,465

Sold Price

3/3 $199,900

Sutherland Crossing | SW 55th Place Sold Price

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1998 1,334 3/2 $144,000

1992 1,787

Village Center | SW 91st Court

Laural Park | SW 83rd Terrace

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2006 1,462

Sold Price

3/3 $148,000

3/2 $210,000 Sold Price

1982 1,476 3/2 $219,000

Haile Plantation | SW 76th Terrace

Chickasaw Way | SW 103rd Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1988 1,313

Sold Price

3/2 $160,000

Founders Hill | SW 46th Lane Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

2001 1,858 3/2 $220,000 Village Center | SW 49th Place

Sold Price

1988 1,215 2/2.5 $163,000

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

2003 1,512 2/2.5 $220,000

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

30 | LOCAL

Publix Market Square

SW 24th Ave

Chiles Elementary Storeys School Round Retreat Bedford Victoria Square Place Circle

Sable Pointe

Mills Glen

Matheson Woods

Benjamins Grove

Millington Hampstead Park

Albury Round

Matthews Grant Madison Square Colsons Corner Stratford Ridge Annadale Round William Kent Court Charleston Park

Whitaker Oaks

School The Thomas Evans Haile Preserve

Oakmont

4th

Amelia Gardens

Av e

India Station

Bennets Garden

Butterfly Garden

Spalding Place

Kestrel Point The Links Condominiums

Middleton Green Chickasaw way

Haile

Sutherland Crossing

Blvd

Indigo Square

Chestnut Hill

Planters Grove

Kanapaha * Middle School

Quail Heritage Court Green

Evans Hollow Grahams Mill

HAILE PLANTATION COMMUNITY MAP

Evans Hollow

Laurel Park

rch

Southgate

SW 91st ST

PRESENTED BY

haileplantationrealestate.com

Founders Hill

The Haile VIllage Center Camden Court Magnolia Walk

Lexington Farms

Coleen DeGroff, MBA, REALTOR, Broker Associate 352.359.2797

Haile Equestrian Center

Tower Rd

Hickory Walk

The Hamptons

Plantation Villas

Wiles * Kimball Elementary

Westfield Commons

Cameron Park

Hail e Bl

Buellers Way

Fairhaven

Tower Rd

Ashleigh Circle Lenox Gardens

Prestonwood

Carlton Court

Branton Court

SW 91st ST

Katelyn Lane

SW 24th Ave

Historic Haile Homestead

Shopping

Eloise *Gardens

Trails

Lugano

Parks Schools

Outside of Haile Plantation TheVillageJournal.com | 31

MARKET WATCH Sutherland Crossing | SW 55th Place

Colson Corner | SW 91st Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1992 1,756 3/2 $229,000

2004 2,216

Ashleigh Circle | SW 34th Road

Hampstead Park | S W 97th Street

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2000 1,818

Sold Price

3/2 $235,000

1997 2,118

4/3 $304,500 Sold Price

3/2 $315,000

Hampstead Park | SW 98th Blvd.

Rosemond Way | S W 97th Way

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1999 1,546 3/2 $241,250

2001 2,396 3/3 $344,000

Carlton Court | SW 31st Lane

Carlton Court | SW 94th Way

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2003 2,235 3/2.5 $245,000

2002 2,457

Camden Court | SW 88th Terrace

Carlton Court | SW 94th Way

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1993 1,656 3/2 $259,500

2002 2,457

Katelyn Lane | SW 98th Drive

Mills Glen | SW 94th Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2000 2,333

Evans Hollow | SW 88th Court

Village Center | SW 91st Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1987 2,241 2/2 $285,000 Katelyn Lane | SW 98th Drive Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

1996 2,781

Sold Price

3/3 $350,000

2001 2,090 4/2 $275,000 Sold Price

Sold Price

4/3 $350,000

Sold Price

4/3 $373,000 Sold Price

4/4 $399,900

Southgate | SW 89th Drive Sold Price

2001 2,293 4/3 $287,000

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1996 3,156 5/4 $424,000

Bennets Garden | SW 91st Drive

Preston Wood | SW 30th Lane

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1995 2,980 3/2.5 $290,000

Sold Price

2004 3,062 5/4 $548,000

Victoria Circle | SW 29th Lane

Charleston Park | SW 42nd Place

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

2002 2,158

Sold Price

3/2 $292,000

Sold Price

1999 3,824 4/3.5 $620,000

Lexington Farms | SW 56th Lane

Matthews Grant | SW 92nd Drive

Year Built Sq Foot Bedroom/Bath

Sold Price

1990 2,668 4/3 $300,000

32 | LOCAL

Sold Price

1999 3,954 4/4.5 $628,150

TRAVIS HARVEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

- JOURNEY +

FROM PTSD

TO EQUINE THERAPY By Kelsie Ozanne | Footstone Photography

34 | LIFE

or veterans and individuals facing physical and mental disabilities, the road to living a “normal” life can be difficult. But non-traditional therapies provide options beyond medication and oneon-one therapy. Travis Harvey is the Executive Director of Horses Helping People, a nonprofit organization in Archer, Florida that offers equine-assisted therapy enrichment for individuals with disabilities. Harvey has first-hand experience in dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after his time serving in the Army in The Iraq War. Graduating from high school in Jamestown, New York, Harvey went straight into military life by joining the Air Force. He wanted to be

“Over there, you just feel like you’re doing your job,” he said. And when asked how many tours he served, Harvey laughed and replied, “Just one. That was enough.” Harvey’s daughter, Alexa, was born on June 19, 2003, while he was in Iraq. He remembers wanting and praying desperately to just be back at home with his family. “You have to be careful what you wish for,” he said. On July 15, 2003, his base was attacked. Mortar shrapnel ripped through both of his legs and left arm, severing his right femoral artery and shattering his left femur. “My daughter was my will to live,” he said. “She was three and a half weeks old when I was hit.”

"IN MY EXPERIENCE, ROUGHLY 85 TO 90 PERCENT OF THIS ERA OF VETERAN EXPERIENCE PTSD IN ONE WAY OR FORM, WHETHER THEY REALIZE IT OR NOT" Travis Harvey

in a Special Forces group called Pararescue, which helps rescue and recover downed aircrews in hostile or unreachable areas. His dream of joining Pararescue didn’t come true, but he didn’t want to leave the military behind. He said it was the sense of family and camaraderie that led him to join the New York Army National Guard in 1996 and then the Florida National Guard in 1999. Then, as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, Harvey was called into active duty in 2002. 36 | LIFE

He was stabilized in Iraq, flown to Landstuhl, Germany, and then flown back to the states, where he underwent numerous surgeries and spent 18 months rehabilitating at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Georgia. After serving in Iraq for less than six months, he experienced trauma that would last a lifetime. While the physical pain eased over time, the mental war waged on. The beginning signs of PTSD didn’t present themselves in a uniform fashion, as they hardly ever do. But, he struggled with mood

swings, as he felt angry, depressed, lost and confused. What would be his new “normal”? He felt betrayed by his time in Iraq and was not sure where the rest of his life would take him. In the military, they tell you how to be, what to do and who to be. Returning to civilian life, he felt lost without that structure and purpose. “I think that’s mainly what veterans with PTSD struggle with,” he said. After less than a year back at home, his first wife left him. He contemplated suicide but decided not to take his own life or stay huddled in a corner. “When you have severe mood swings, it affects how you interact with others,” he said. “It affects whom you turn to and whom you can trust. It cost me a couple of marriages and jobs. But I’m better for it now that I learned to deal with it all.”

Anthony Gendreau, a PTSD advocate and clinical psychologist based out of Panama City, also experienced PTSD after his time in the military and found relief in giving back to his community and by supporting other veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans returning from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have been experiencing PTSD at levels around 11 to 20 percent in a given year. This is about double the percentage of PTSD in the civilian population, which maintains around seven to eight percent. Gendreau said that this number could be even higher. “In my experience, roughly 85 to 90 percent of this era of veteran experience PTSD in one way or form, whether they realize it or not,” he said. Gendreau said that the VA is under staffed for the large volume TheVillageJournal.com | 37

38 | LIFE

of veterans that require its services and that sometimes it can take up to four months to receive mental care. “PTSD up until recently was really frowned upon in the military,” he said. “It manifests itself in many different ways: addiction, heavy drinking, being standoffish or seeking isolation are common symptoms. A lot of veterans have other health issues that also trigger it.” Both Gendreau and Harvey advocate for nontraditional therapies after experiencing bad side effects from multiple medications, which led to more health problems and more hospital visits. “I don’t believe in zombie dope— overmedication to the point where you don’t feel,” Gendreau said. Gendreau found purpose and relief in group therapy. He started his nonprofit organization, Set for Success, in Panama City, where he and his team offer support groups and job preparation for their community of veterans. “Trauma is 365 days a year,” he said. “Everyday something happens and you try to block it off by shutting down. But all these things catch up to you, and you have to address it.” Harvey found clarity and comfort in equine therapy. He was on eight or nine different mental health medications over the course of four to five years before he stopped taking them, after one landed him in the hospital. “When it comes to any type of healing with those type of issues, it is going to take whatever it takes, just like my work with horses.” he said. “Veterans need to continue to move forward and figure out what their purpose and their value is going to be. Without purpose and value, they’re never going to be able to function really well.”

For Harvey, giving back to his community provided the purpose and value he needed to feel better. Currently, he is an officer in the local Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter, a mentor for the local Veterans Court, and a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Shriners Club and Rotary International. “You can’t change the big problems the country is having, but you can influence your local community,” he said. Established in July 2000, Horses Helping People, or HOPE, has helped over a thousand people, according to Harvey. Its programs include adapted riding therapies and equine assisted learning, the Memoree program for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, equine recreational therapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, and first responder and veterans programs. “We promote the experience of patience, communication and trust. It’s all about those three things,” he said. “It’s about individuals feeling better about themselves.” Harvey began riding in 2006 through the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval club, and was then paired with HOPE as part of Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization that empowers veterans to adjust to life at home through community impact. His participation in The Wounded Warrior Project’s Great Florida Cattle Drive also was instrumental. He said the culmination of these efforts showed him that he needed to be involved with horses and his community. Harvey said that horses helped fill the void he felt after leaving the military, where he built close friendships. The sense of brotherhood and purpose in the military can be hard to feel when returning to civilian life.

TheVillageJournal.com | 39

“It’s a different type of bond because you rely on those guys,” he said. “That trust is important to you. When you leave all that, there’s a sort of vacancy there, where you’re not sure you can be all right on your own. But with a horse, there’s an unconditional sense of support and security there that you don’t necessarily get from folks regularly. When working with an animal, there is teamwork that is similar to what you have in the military.” These types of experiences and emotions are what make equine therapy such a great option for veterans experiencing PTSD. Harvey said that being on and around horses provides a grounding experience that pulls people into the moment. “With many of us veterans, our patience and trust is short,” he said. “But the horse won’t betray your trust, and it makes a big difference for guys who could have those issues. The guys that learn to understand, how to communicate with a horse and get better with their patience, well, that eventually spills over into their day to day lives.” HOPE, which resides on a 40-acre facility, is a free service for veterans and first responders and recently became the Alachua County Equine Representative for Special Olympics. 40 | LIFE

Its staff has extensive knowledge in physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise science, nursing, and special education. HOPE also boasts a large volunteer base, with students from the University of Florida, logging over 1000 hours each semester. The organization has been helping an average of 150 people a year and sees many clients continuously. HOPE is looking to buy a large 59-acre lot in the coming years, where it can build its own property and provide more services. “As far as success goes, you have to be there to understand,” Harvey said. “It’s not just about being able to ride or being able to get out and sit with people who treat you normally. It’s about individuals feeling better about themselves, having normal interactions and laughing with others, and having personal development they shape for themselves.” Harvey said that he’s built a great support network in Alachua County, and he hopes to help lead HOPE into its next big stage. He graduated from Santa Fe College in January 2016 and is now pursuing executive certifications in nonprofit management from the Notre Dame online program.

“I have found a home in Alachua County (Archer to be exact),” he said. “And now my mission is to find a Home for HOPE, which happens to be the name of our upcoming capital campaign, requiring $1.3 million to purchase Sawhorse Farms. We already have $200,000 promised from an anonymous donor if we raise the other $1.1 million.” Harvey said that he didn’t feel like it was the right time to tell his story for many years. He did not feel like it would have a positive impact on his own life or his community— until now. “I hope this story will help energize the community to support HOPE so that we can continue to heal veterans and individuals with disabilities,” he said. “I just want to know that there is a place that anyone can go and be able to heal through horses if that is what it takes for them to get better. Without Cathi Brown, an original founder of HOPE, I wouldn’t have found my purpose and value. I hope I can carry on her legacy and love of horses and what they do for others for years to come.” Patti Fabiani, the Executive Director of the Gainesville Fisher House Foundation, said Harvey embodies the “get out there” mentality of serving for his country and being actively involved in his community. “Travis is 100% disabled from PTSD, yet he has found his way to helping others and is becoming such a force of nature,” she said. “It’s amazing. The work he’s doing is so spectacular.” If you’re a veteran and/or suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, check out HOPE at horseshelpingpeople.org, Mission Continues at missioncontinues.org, and the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

TheVillageJournal.com | 41

Dining Around the World without Leaving Gainesville By Linda Homewood | Footstone Photography

42 | TASTE

or those who love to explore the world, discovering authentic regional cuisine is woven into their adventures. Many even plan their destination around culinary tours or cooking classes that immerse travelers in traditional ethnic food preparation and local culture. If time or budget is cramping this year’s travel plans, there’s plenty of delicious research to be done at home. Gainesville’s ever-emerging international restaurants each offer unique menus and ambiance reflecting its cultural roots. While sharing a love of international cuisine, these restaurants also embrace the Gainesville community. As residents, they have become eager to partner with local organic farms, bakeries, breweries and coffee roasters. Begin planning your next foreign excursion now by eating around the world without a passport — or leaving Gainesville for that matter. The first downtown Gainesville stop on our international dining tour is Japan for traditional ramen, sake and a surprising taste of Japanese-crafted fine whiskeys. Just steps away, you can enjoy a quaint French bistro with selected regional wines and beers. Venture about a mile north, up Main Street, and you will discover a Gainesville dining secret that can transport you weekly across Europe, through the Mideast and into Africa.

paitan and tonkotsu. Ten otsumami dishes — think Japanese tapas — are also hand crafted. Gyoza, steamed buns and kimchi roasted brussels sprouts are a few of these small plates meant to pair with drinks. Simply put, ramen is the Japanese version of hearty chicken soup for the soul that, in a way, might be considered the country’s fast-food. Though, there’s nothing fast about the fine art of creating distinctively flavored ramen, restaurant founder Fred Brown explains.

Ramen – Japan’s Comfort food Crane Ramen, Gainesville’s first craft ramen restaurant features traditional delicate broths. Whether chicken, pork or vegetarian-based, the broths all are house-made and slow-cooked around the clock in large pots to create five signature ramen bowls; shio, shoyu, miso,

It’s only served fast, as ramen shops are found literally everywhere in Japanese cities. Business executives and other commuters may even dart into one at a train station to spend 15 minutes having a hot, hearty lunch to sustain their long work day.

TheVillageJournal.com | 43

“For me, ramen provides spiritual, emotional comfort as well as physical nourishment,” says Brown. Located on SW 1st Avenue in downtown Gainesville, Crane Ramen first opened December 2014. Brown credits his parents’ appreciation of fine food for his lifelong love of international cuisine. Growing up in south Jacksonville, he recalled when the automaker Mazda helped create a new hub there to import its cars into the United States. With an influx of Japanese executives, soon a family-owned authentic Japanese restaurant followed and he discovered his love of Japanese cuisine. Now, at his Gainesville restaurant, Brown’s team incorporates traditional ramen techniques and local ingredients to create ramen that is unique to Gainesville. White hanging crane banners and colorful murals balance the open kitchen

He sees the rise in quality restaurants in the city as a promising sign that Gainesville that is truly evolving its culinary culture, and hopefully, will become a recognized city that can attract highly skilled chefs. Brown gained experience working in Gainesville restaurants and bars while working on his master’s degree in mass communications at the University of Florida. After graduation, he spent 15 years in New York City working as cook and a chef. While living in NYC’s East Village, an ethnic ramen shop opened and Brown became a regular. Named after Japan’s first public ramen restaurant, Rai Rai Ken, the Tokyo-style noodle bar featured ramen and small dishes. He had found his calling through his love of ramen. Rounding out his culinary training and restaurant experience, Brown decided it was time to bring authentic Japanese ramen home to Gainesville.

Dining in the French Alps Rounding the corner on SW 2nd Street, you’ll think you stepped into a family-run bistro in the French countryside. You may even hear an accordion player who completes the international dining experience and cultural ambiance that accompanies French cuisine.

with a custom-built seated bar, transforming the small restaurant into a traditional ramen shop where casual diners enjoy a touch of elegance. Properly set tables and high-tops, soft lighting and contemporary music complete your journey to another culture. “You may not feel like you are in Asia, but maybe a more urban center somewhere far from Gainesville, like New York or San Francisco.” says Brown.

44 | TASTE

Alpin Bistro is named for the Alpine region where proprietors, Sita Marlier, originally from Paris, and her Swiss husband, Romain Challandes, first met. It is truly a family affair as demonstrated by random appearances of their twin 3-year-olds and teenage daughter. The restaurant’s refurbished interior features an open, modern kitchen and seated bar area with minimalist stools, a few small tables, corner booth and a large, shared French farm table. The original gray-scale, geometric linoleum floors set the tone for the bright, unpretentious, hip interior design – all built by the couple

themselves before opening just last October. Ducking through a side door, you will find a petite patio with small tables. Always thinking creatively, Marlier is considering showing classic French films one night a week on the patio in honor of her mom, a notable French actress in the 1960s. Dining at Alpin is more like being invited by friends to drop by. Challandes is the head chef and Marlier, the dessert chef, and their kitchen is central to everything. They also offer breads made locally from the Vine and bakery items from a local wholesale bakery, BakerBaker that supplies select coffee shops and other small Gainesville restaurants. “All of our cooking happens right in the front of our restaurant. People are surprised to learn that we don’t have kitchen somewhere in the back.” laughs Marlier. As their slogan, “Imported delicacies paired with local goodness,” implies: assorted chocolates, cheeses, meats, wine and beer are imported weekly, and fresh produce comes

from local farms. A menu staple, Croque Monsieur, is a hearty, grilled Gruyere cheese with ham sandwich. Definitely not your mom’s grilled cheese — it can also be ordered, végétarien. Order Croque Madame if you prefer an egg on top. Other traditional offerings include, quiche, savory tart and charcuterie – or sliced meats. On Saturdays, brunch at Alpin features your choice of a variety of savory buckwheat crepes or sweet selections such as Nutella, chestnut or

TheVillageJournal.com | 45

fruit jams. For something non-traditional, try an apple spice mimosa, or a black velvet, which is stout beer mixed with champagne. Due to the restaurant’s growing popularity, Marlier says they will be closed during Gainesville’s slower month in July to add a much needed second prep kitchen before the fall rush.

International Dining from Europe to Africa Gainesville’s most unlikely culinary metamorphosis occurred in 2009 when the historic Gulf Oil Building on NW 2nd Street emerged as Gainesville’s best-kept international dining secret — Civilization. It all began with the purchase of Terranova catering. To founding partners, Caroline Hines, Laura Nesmith and husband and wife, John Prosser and Ann Murray, it seemed only logical to create a casual dining venue to serve their handcrafted, locally sourced world dishes daily. Adopting a co-op-like philosophy, the restaurant materialized from

46 | TASTE

a 1929 Gainesville trucking garage and railway depot. A cash-only business, Civilization’s intercontinental fare has been an unfaltering success since its inception. The founders credit the care, skill and wholesome, fresh ingredients that go into every dish. They also attribute the restaurant’s success to their business philosophy of supporting sustainability and working with local farmers and businesses. “I always feel like it’s such a complement when the restaurant is filled with people from many different countries and cultures,” Says Murray. Favorite family recipes, libraries of cookbooks and a collection of authentic herbs and spices are key to creating the restaurant’s worldinspired fare. Some traditional dishes require very specific ingredients. “To make authentic injera bread, for example, we use teff flour, which is made from an ancient grain native to Ethiopia,” Murray says.

Each week, Worldwide Wednesday features recipes from countries around the globe, including ethnic cuisine from regions across the United States. Aaron Walker, one of the restaurant’s cooks loves the opportunity to explore his vast library of recipes. This is a sampling of international dishes you might enjoy on any given Wednesday night, right here in Gainesville:

Trinidad – Callaloo soup, fried curry flatbread and king snapper West Africa – Berber spiced pumpkin soup, black eyed pea fritters with harissa aioli, and chicken and okra stew

Montenegro – Chicken and Mushroom soup, griddled spring onion on crostini topped

with goat cheese, and red peppers stuffed with ground beef, rice, ginger and sun dried tomatoes served with braised cabbage and mashed potatoes

France – Lentil soup with a leek and fennel, sun-dried tomato on brioche, topped with goat cheese, and shrimp and clams tossed in a spicy tomato broth with fried Yukon potatoes and topped with roasted red pepper and lemon aioli Perhaps, most of all, the small Gainesville restaurant’s secret to success lies in a belief in its workers who contribute to every aspect of the business. Unlike traditional corporate management, Civilization is proud of its democratic operations, holding monthly member meetings with shared responsibilities and decision making.

TheVillageJournal.com | 47

48 | WELLNESS

W ELLNESS

SKIMP ON O T T N A W ’T N WHY YOU DO

R E M M SU N O I T VACA By Mary Smith

acations provide opportunities for adventure and exploring new places, a chance to relax and unwind, learn new skills, gain insight, expand one’s perspective, strengthen connections with family and friends, create cherished memories, and more. Project: Time Off, an initiative dedicated to promoting the benefits of time off, noted that, although 95% of workers say paid time off is important to them, more than half of America’s employed do not use all their earned time off. In 2015, this added up to 658 million unused vacation days and, 222 million of those were lost completely because the days could not be rolled over or paid out. The lost days average two full days per worker and $61.4 billion in lost and forfeited benefits. Why does this matter? Because there are many benefits associated with taking time away from work and the benefits contribute to psychological and

physical health and wellbeing. The benefits also impact peoples’ performance on the job, their relationships, and much more. A look at what the benefits show:

Improves Physical Health

When the physical health of people who take time away from work is compared to their counterparts who do not take leave time, vacationers report feeling healthier, have less pain and report fewer physical complaints. Energy levels are higher and satisfaction with life in general is greater. People report improvements to their overall physical wellbeing after vacationing, with research showing that they live longer, have healthier hearts and a lower risk of heart disease. Vacations improve physiological health too demonstrated by decreases in blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels.

TheVillageJournal.com | 49

Boosts Mental Health

Additionally, people who take vacations boost their mental health, which benefits both them personally and has a positive effect on those around them. Employees who take time away from work report returning to the job with improved focus and creativity. They report having new insights into old problems and occurrence of other flashes of insight. Workers describe feeling more creative and inspired when they are faced with problems or challenges after having time away from the job. Other mental health benefits include more happiness and generosity. People who purchase experiences, including vacations, tend to be happier people than those purchasing material possessions, like a larger television. People who purchase experiences also tend to be more generous to others compared to purchasers of material possessions.

Enhances Job Performance

Companies that encourage employees to take time off increase morale, cut down on job turnover rates and increase employee retention rates. These employees report feeling less stressed, lower levels of tension, positive mood increases, and feeling more energized. Vacations that include opportunities for workers to recuperate result in people feeling more satisfied and happier with their life and more capable of facing heavy workloads with greater ease. Other benefits of vacationing include increased productivity, motivation, and job performance, greater investment in the company and more engagement on the job, more positive

50 | WELLNESS

attitudes and elevated moods, and more positive and productive interactions between coworkers. Even business owners who took time off report experiencing an increase in job performance after returning. They also reported having renewed energy and positivity, which was described as contagious and helpful to the entire team making the business more productive. Time away from work can also allow space for inspiration, creativity and innovation. Vacation time is given credit for the inspiration that lead to creating Instagram filters and Dropbox, led to the development of Starbucks, and Lin Manuel Mirandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation of Hamilton.

Deepens Family Bonds

The benefits of vacations extend beyond workers and the work place. Connections can be deepened and relationships with a partner and other family members can be enhanced and improved. Family vacations can provide a boost to the mental and physical health of the whole family, allow opportunities for personal growth, learning, and to be inspired. Time together can lead to the creation of cherished family memories. By now it seems obvious that time away from work creates many benefits, but by being strategic, you can increase and expand the benefits and multiply your happiness by three as you plan, experience and remember the next vacation.

Planning

Planning and anticipating a vacation can be fun and create feelings of happiness, anticipation and excitement. Discussing goals and what is important to you and your travel companions can guide your planning and enhance intimacy and connection as you plan. It’s important to give everyone an opportunity to express their needs, wishes and hopes, and to consider these in the planning. People’s vacation experiences are more positive if they have a say in the experience. By working to include what matters most to each person, everyone can benefit from the experience. Deciding what to do might mean doing some research or coming up with a bucket list to work from. Experts suggest that good vacations could include mastering new skills, learning something new, one that includes relaxation time like at a spa, spending time in nature like a visit to a National Park, including one special highlight or peak experience, taking time to savor your experience, and saving something amazing and memorable for the last day. A great first question to ponder may be, “If you could go anywhere, what would you like to do and where would you like to explore?”

During

Preparing is important, but being flexible while you are away and adapting to the unexpected is also important. No matter how much planning and preparing you do, vacation stress is inevitable. Schedules change, flights get cancelled and luggage gets lost. Add to that, the unpredictability of the environment, sharing close quarters and being around family all day, disrupted sleep,

adjusting to unfamiliar places— it all could add some stress. When stressful events become the focus, the whole vacation can suffer. This means any benefits to health and wellbeing will essentially evaporate. One study looking at the beneficial effects of vacations found the better the vacation, the more emotional exhaustion decreased and mental health improved. Bad vacations are not good for anyone, but when something does go wrong, you might consider it an opportunity to practice building skills, like becoming more patience, adaptive, flexible, or increasing creative problem solving skills. By doing so, you may learn something new about yourself or your family members. Coming up with solutions or adapting to change can lead to feeling satisfied with your efforts and results. It turns out that satisfaction plays a critical role in whether vacationers benefit from their vacation experience. Those who are most satisfied with their time away show more improvement to overall health, increased well-being and elevated mood. Vacationers who are less satisfied show little or no improvements to health and well-being.

After

Whether you spent time on your vacation exploring, relaxing, mastering a new skill, challenging yourself with adventure or connecting with loved ones, you will create memories. By being conscious when responding to stressors, open and curious about your experience and taking time to savor the moments, the vacation you take can be immortalized in your memory as a cherished experience. Recalling your memories can be a lasting benefit long after your vacation has ended.

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t a r e Summ gs n i r p S e th EXPLORING FLORIDA’S WATERWAYS

By Kelsie Ozanne | Tessa Skiles

s the panhandle state surrounded by water and filled with an abundance of lakes, springs and rivers, Florida is the perfect place to explore waterways and watersports. And while typical tools to check out rivers and inlets have been centered on surfboards, kayaks and canoes, the paddle boarding craze that’s taken the state is worth trying in Alachua County. Paddle boarding has quickly become one of the fasting growing watersports, as it’s an excellent way to explore nature and conquer a full-body work out. Tessa Skiles, a photographer and nature enthusiast who lives in High Springs, said that paddle boarding is better than other water sports because of the freedom the board allows you. With most other water sports like kayaking or canoeing, you are contained to staying inside the vessel. But paddleboards are versatile and allow you to stand up, sit down, lie down, do yoga or do tricks, all while staying on the board. Skiles said that paddle boarding started as a popular sport on the coast but then found its way into closed bodies of water like lakes

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Ginnie Springs Santa Fe River

High Springs

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and springs when travel bloggers and outdoor enthusiasts began showcasing their journey. Their photos and videos spread throughout social media and energized young people and families to try the sport. “Paddle boarding naturally came along with that,” she said. “You can stand up and look down at the springs, which is an angle you just don’t get on a tube or in a kayak. On a board, you’re able to look straight down into clear water and see divers and view a perspective that no other water sport gives you.” Skiles favorite places to go within Alachua County are Blue Springs, Ginnie Springs and along the Santa Fe River. Out of High Springs, Santa Fe Canoe Outpost and Adventure Outpost offer guided paddleboard tours, which are perfect for beginners.

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“I’m really glad paddle boarding was adopted at the springs,” she said. “You meet such great people on the water, and every person has the want and drive to educate everyone about the importance of keeping our waterways preserved. Water connects all of us. It’s an absolute must of a natural resource. Everyone that loves the water knows they need to love and protect it.” She said that the sport provides this emphasis on environmental protection and fitness, as well as a spiritual component. “Paddle boarding is very, very good exercise because its all about balance and alignment,” she said. “You are conscious of your posture and how far apart your feet are spread and of any sudden movements.” “It’s therapeutic,” she said. “It’s easy and natural. It’s not challenging like yoga practice, but if you have the strength to get onto a paddle board, then you have the power to stand.” Lars Andersen, who owns and operates Adventure Outpost with his wife, leads guided tours to over 60 different waterways. His company offers two to three trips every week to different locations around the state along with canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Andersen’s tips for beginners are to start slow and get a feel for the board before planning 54 | WELLNESS

long trips. “Definitely start with a short trip,” he said. “It can wear out your legs and back because you’re using different muscles when you’re standing up. It’s not terribly hard, but you should have someone come along with you the first time to give you tips.” Nicole Miller, a 22-year-old member of UF’s surf and wake club and a recent UF graduate with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, is an avid surfer who has been dabbling in paddle boarding. Hailing from St. Augustine, Florida, Miller loves the coastal waterways. She said that she sees many people using paddleboards to surf and ride waves on the coast. “But for me, paddle boarding is more for relaxation than for sport,” she said. Miller’s favorite places to paddle board are at Lake Wauberg, which is free for students with a valid Gator1 ID, Vilano Beach, and the intercostal at Whitney Labs, a UF field research station. She likes visiting Lake Wauberg because the water is calm. “I like paddling out to the middle of the lake and being surrounded by the water and the sky,” she said. “It’s really tranquil, and it distances your self from the shore, classes and stress.”

Skiles, Andersen and Miller agree that paddle boarding is a versatile, easy to pick up sport that offers a fun ride through whatever source of water you’re on. “On a spiritual level, paddle boarding is different depending on what body of water you are on,” Miller said. “But on a physical level, if you can ride one paddleboard, you can ride them all.” Skiles said that she sees all ages on the water. She sees families, young kids and older adults, with the youngest around 5-years-old and the oldest riders in their 80s. “The kids are usually leading the group and showing their family around the springs,” she said. “Their sense of adventure and flexibility give them the upper hand.” For adults with less mobility, she said that the buoyancy and flexibility of the board allows for it to carry practically anything. She said many people put chairs or coolers on top of their boards so they can sit and paddle through the water with relative ease. For those more adventurous, specialty paddle boarding activities like full moon trips and yoga offer the perfect escape. You can take paddleboard yoga classes with an instructor and small class that focus on balance and relaxation or try some yoga poses on your own. Santa Fe Canoe Outpost offers full moon trips every month. “Full moon paddles are so relaxing,” Skiles said. “The river isn’t that calm during the day or in more popular places. A full moon paddle is an experience unlike any other. It’s serenity you won’t experience unless you’re on the river at night with the freedom of a paddle board.” But through whatever paddle boarding experience you decide to take, it’s important to know the basics of the board and about the location you’re visiting. Especially on the Santa Fe River, you should be aware of alligators and other wildlife that you may see on your trip. If you’re not comfortable enough on your board yet, try more tourist friendly areas like Ginnie or Blue Springs.

Paddle Boarding 101 When first entering the water, it may be easier for beginners to start on their knees or sitting with their legs crossed on the board. Once you find some balance, you can try standing up. As for your stance, you’ll need to find what works for you and keep your feet parallel and about hip-width distance apart. Your toes should be pointed forward, your knees should be slightly bent and your back should be straight. Once you’re balanced, you’re ready to start paddling forward. And in case you fall off, the buoyant board allows you to get on and off without too much effort.

Where to Go Santa Fe Canoe Outpost 21410 NW Hwy 441, High Springs, FL • Day trip paddleboard rental: $32-45, depending on pick-up point. • Overnight trip paddleboard rental: $45$55, depending on number of people. • Full moon trip: $45

Ginnie Springs 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Rd., High Springs, FL • Day trip paddle board rental: $10 • Mask rental: $5

Adventure Outpost 30 NW 1st Ave., High Springs, FL • Call 386-454-0611 or email riverguide2000@yahoo.com for pricing on different locations and guided tours.

Blue Springs 7450 NE 60th St., High Springs, FL • Rentals through Adventure Outpost • All day paddle board rental: $30

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What to Bring ⊲ Life jacket. If you’re renting, it will be provided, and you’ll be required to keep it with you while you’re on the board. ⊲ Camera. There’s always something new to see and plenty of social media worthy moments to share with friends and family. ⊲ Water shoes/Sandals. Along most rivers and springs there are dirt and rock paths that you may not want to walk barefoot on. And if you fall or hop off your paddleboard in shallow water, you’ll feel more comfortable wearing shoes. ⊲ Mask and fins. If you jump into the water, these will make it easier to explore and see the great sights lingering underneath. ⊲ Water. With any sport or outdoor venture, you need to stay hydrated. ⊲ Food. Especially for longer trips, you’ll need to keep your energy up. “Bring a peanut butter and jelly,” Skiles said. “I’m serious! I take one or two sandwiches on every trip I go on in the river.” 56 | WELLNESS

⊲ Cooler. Especially if you’re bringing the whole family, you need to keep all your food and drinks away from the Florida heat. And the added benefit of having a seat isn’t so bad. ⊲ Waterproof case/container and/or dry bag. If you’re bringing any electronics or materials that you don’t want wet, it’s smart to have a place to put them in.

If you’re looking to buy Most Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) are made of EPS or polyurethane foam and are wrapped in fiberglass and epoxy resins. This material makeup make paddle boards light weight, buoyant and sleek. The fin or fins located on the bottom of the board help with tracking and stabilizing the board. But, the board is pretty much just a large surfboard without the paddle. Stand up paddles have an angle in the shaft for maximum efficiency. When selecting a paddle, make sure you find the appropriate one for your height. REI, Recreational Equipment, Inc., recommends you choose a paddle that’s roughly 6 to 8 inches taller than you are, while some

manufacturers suggest an 8 to 10 inches difference. The bottom line is find one that feels right and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make you do extra work. You can purchase paddleboards at most watersport and surf shops and online. FreeRide Surf and Skate Shop in Gainesville and the St. Augustine Surf Station offer a selection of different SUP boards. Prices range from $400 to over $1000, depending on the style and brand. Paddles are usually around $100.

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To plan you excursion go to visitflorida.com/ en-us/cities/high-springs

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While the board and paddle are technically the only things you need, you should also invest in a personal flotation device (PFD) and a leash. Since the U.S. Coast Guard classifies paddleboards as vessels, PFDs are required. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re renting, these will be provided. Leashes are important so that you stay connected to your board in case you fall off. Life vests usually range from $30-$70 and leashes from $30-$50.

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For the Love of

the

Climb

THE FUTURE AND CULTURE OF ROCK CLIMBING IN GAINESVILLE By Molly Donovan

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On it, he teaches his three children how to climb. His two sons and 1-year-old daughter maneuver the wall as often as they can, and they get better every day. Reger himself started climbing when he was 13 years old. Shortly after, he joined the youth climbing team at the Gainesville Rock Gym. Since those days, he has traveled all over the country to climb competitively and for fun. He says he has met most, if not all, of his closest friends climbing. Now, he gets to teach his children about the sport he fell in love with. “The monkey blood is strong with my children,” he said. “We’ve got crash pads set up underneath, so they just climb up and around to their heart’s content and have a blast.” Reger is one of the many people in the Gainesville area who fell in love with the sport of rock climbing the minute they strapped up and touched a wall. He said the activity is what gets you hooked, and the community is what keeps you coming back. And although the makeshift wall in his barn is fun for his children to play on, it was inspired by a lack of places to practice the sport that the Gainesville community is facing. In December 2015, the Gainesville Rock Gym, Reger’s first climbing home and a staple for the county’s most dedicated climbers, closed. Since then, the Sun Country Sports facility in Jonesville has provided the only place in Gainesville to climb on its 2,500-square foot indoor wall. Despite local facilities, according to Reger, “There are around 400 to 500 climbers that don’t have anywhere to climb. The nearest

dedicated climbing gyms are in Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando.”

READY TO CLIMB

n the backyard of his home in La Crosse, Florida, John Reger’s barn holds a homemade rock wall.

From that need came the idea: a new rock gym for Alachua County. Reger is working as an advisor with the gym’s catalysts. The plans for the facility, called The Knot, are being executed by his friend and fellow climber Mike Palmer.

“Mike and I have been climbing together since about 2003,” Reger said. “We’ve traveled all over the country to climb, and even though we’ve been multiple states apart at times, we’ll still call each other up and meet up at these climbing spots for little reunions. It’s really refreshing.” The new gym is still in the early phases, but Palmer, who will act as the CEO and climbing director, has big plans for what it can offer the Gainesville climbing community.

“By providing a safe, clean climbing facility with The Knot, it will be a great opportunity to learn and to meet new people and to take your skills out into the world,” Reger said. “That’s the vision behind it. We want to provide a place where anybody can come in, feel welcome and really learn how to climb safely and effectively. We want them to get hooked on the sport.” Mike Palmer lives in Deland to be closer to his hobbies -- climbing and skydiving. He says he loves a good adrenaline rush, but climbing, for him, is like a breath of fresh air.

“It’s funny, because you might think that it would be just another rush, but really after climbing for awhile you get this calm, relaxed peaceful moment,” he said. Palmer said that as CEO, he’s currently working with the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to get the gym up and running,

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for the love of the climb specifically as a part of the CRA’s Power District Redevelopment project.

For now, Palmer said he is taking things one day at a time and reminding the Gainesville climbing community that there are still dedicated climbers around for the long haul. “We want to show people that there’s still a lot of climbers, and we want to be open to the climbing community going on here,” Palmer said. “The more people that come out to our events says to us, ‘Hey, we still love climbing, we really want a climbing gym,’ and it makes for a faster project as we move along.” As Palmer and Reger look to the future, though, those looking to climb in Alachua County have options.

Sun Country Sports

The group recently started talking with companies who design rock walls and are ironing out other details involved with starting a new business. At this point, they are hoping the planning will turn to action around August.

John Reger by Ben James

He is also joined at the executive level by Mitch Eadens and Jeff McMullen, who own Palomino Pool Hall in downtown Gainesville. Eadens and McMullen will work as the director of marketing and the operations manager, respectively.

“Our wall is kind of used for a little bit of everything,” she said. “We have adults that climb, we have college students that climb and then we also have kids. We even have families that will come and climb together. That’s kind of the beauty of the type of facility that we have, it allows people of all ages and abilities to come climb.”

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Mike Palmer by Flo Schweighofer

Sun Country Sports in Jonesville is alive, well and open for both recreational and competitive climbers, said Jodi Hunt, the director of marketing and operations for the facility.

climber on belay

The facility offers a gamut of programs from gymnastics to fencing, but Hunt says the climbing wall is one of the most popular programs.

also known as the Stone Fort. Located about seven hours from Gainesville via car, the Tennessee city is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

“It’s pretty much busy from when it opens during the day to when it closes at night,” she said. “It’s great exercise, and anybody can do it at any time in their life. It doesn’t require any special skill set. People can learn to climb without ever having done it before.”

“Chattanooga is a good weekend trip,” Palmer said. “They have fantastic outdoor climbing, they have a fun downtown and overall just a really cool vibe. You can stay in a cool town, but also still make it out to climb on some awesome rocks.”

For those looking to climb outdoors, there are almost no places to go in Florida, said Chris Clark, a local climbing enthusiast whose daughter introduced him to the sport about six years ago. Clark helped coach the youth team at Gainesville Rock Gym that eventually merged with Sun Country Sports.

Little Rock City is also famous for being one of three climbs for the annual Triple Crown of Bouldering competition and for being the most accessible boulder field to downtown Chattanooga. Other places to climb outdoors in the Southeast include Horse Pens 40 near Steele, Alabama (also a Triple Crown destination), Rock Town in LaFayette, Georgia, and Red River Gorge in Stanton, Kentucky.

“Climbing is one of those sports where everyone is really supportive of each other,” Clark said. “You’ll be at a competition cheering on your competitor. It’s an unusual sport in that aspect. We combined the teams, lost a few kids, and were really strong for awhile there.”

Gainesville will see a new dedicated rock climbing gym within the next year or two, courtesy of Palmer, which may arrive just in time for another climbing milestone – rock climbing will be part of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

From 2009 to 2016, Clark and his daughter were in the gym three times a week and taking trips to climb outdoors every few months.

Until then, Reger said he plans to keep climbing and teaching his kids, even if it’s in his barn.

“We’ve calmed down quite a bit,” he said. “But it’s kind of like riding a bicycle, you keep it over in the garage and you take it out every now and again.”

“The future of the sport isn’t necessarily with us older climbers,” Reger said. “We can still participate and we can still have a great time and enjoy our sport, but currently the kids and the teenagers who have been climbing since they were young children have been dominating, and it’s amazing to watch.”

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Clark, Reger and Palmer all agree that Chattanooga, Tennessee is one of the best places climbers can go to enjoy the outdoors, specifically Foster Falls and Little Rock City,

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Indoor climbing is fun, says Clark, but there’s nothing like climbing in a beautiful, natural spot outside.

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Plan your climbing experience at suncountrysports.com/ suncountryrocks and track The Knot's progress at climbtheknot.com

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SUMMERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;STop 10 OFF THE BEATEN PATH

DESTINATIONS By Irene DeCosta

Molasses Reef

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hile Florida has many beautiful and renowned places to vacation, there are hundreds of other lesser known and fascinating places to explore. From untouched beaches, to historic sites, to underground caves, Florida has even more to offer than famous beaches and theme parks. Consider the following Florida gems for your next quick day trip or family getaway. Blowing Rocks Preserve Hobe Sound, FL Florida is known for its long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches. Blowing Rocks Preserve, however, is uniquely different and as close as Florida has to seaside cliffs. It is named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline, the longest on the Atlantic Coast and is located about 25 miles north of West Palm Beach. Waves that push against the rocky shore during high tide can shoot geysers of water more than 50 feet into the air! The Preserve began in 1969 when generous Jupiter island residents donated 73 acres of land to the Conservancy. The preserve stretches one mile from north to south and offers a view of a rare Florida dune habitat landscape filled with red, black, and white mangroves, Jamaica caper and sea oats. Visitors can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, bird watching and occasional sea turtle sightings. Visitors can also enjoy exhibits within the Hawley Education Center. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for major holidays. www.nature.org

Cellon Oak Park Gainesville, FL Cellon Oak Park is home to the Cellon Live Oak, a large and majestic oak tree 30 feet in circumference and over 85 feet tall, one of the largest if its kind in Florida. Located in the center of a large open field, the 160-foot crown spread of its low hanging branches offers peaceful

shade for readers or climbing fun for children. Named for its former owner, Ralph W. Cellon, the tree and park were donated to the city of Alachua County. The park offers a picnic table and grill as well as a picturesque landscape for family portraits and weddings. www.alachuacounty.us

Caladesi Island Dunedin, FL A pristine, completely natural island along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island offers three miles of beautiful white sand beaches, unpaved roads, and plenty of fishing. The island also offers three miles of kayak trails through untouched mangroves and bay as well as three miles of nature trails within the island’s interior, a perfect place for nature lovers. The island is accessible by private boat or ferry which departs from Honeymoon Island State Park beginning at 10 a.m. every morning. The more adventurous visitor can launch a kayak from the Dunedin Causeway to the island or wade the six miles over from Pier 60. Eat at the local café or bring a picnic and enjoy one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Caladesi-Island

Florida Caverns State Park Marianna, FL As the only park to exhibit cave tours to the public, the Florida Caverns State Park offers a way to experience nature’s underground wonders with stunning views of limestone TheVillageJournal.com | 65

De Leon Springs State Park De Leon Springs, FL

Florida Caverns State Park stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and flowstones. Guided tours, offered Thursday through Monday, consist of a maximum of 25 guests led by an educated park ranger with the cave tour itself including a moderately strenuous hike consisting of some steep inclines, declines, steps and stooped walking. Hikers can expect to see beautiful rock formations and may also catch a glimpse of cave bats hanging on the ceiling or crawfish swimming within the cave’s underground puddles. After viewing the caves, visitors can go hiking, swimming, horseback riding and fishing. Camping is also available within the park. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Florida-Caverns

Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge Stuart, FL During the late 1800’s, a series of ten buildings, also known as houses of refuge, were constructed along the Atlantic coast. Men committed to rescuing and saving the lives of shipwrecked sailors and travelers manned these buildings. Gilbert’s Bar is the last surviving structure of this unique building system and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on Hutchinson Island, Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge is surrounded by gardens with views of both the ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. Save money and purchase a combined ticket to the House of Refuge and Elliot Museum. Exhibits include Georges Valentine, AIS Native American Artifacts and Lighthouse & Refuge Keepers Quarters. As an added bonus, snorkel or scuba dive the Georges Valentine shipwreck site located just off the coast of Hutchinson Island, 100 yards from the House of Refuge. www.houseofrefugefl.org 66 | EXPLORE

De Leon Springs State Park is 625 acres of natural beauty, including the star attraction, its spring, which looks out over Spring Garden Run and produces 19 million gallons of water every day. Visitors enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving and can also rent canoes and kayaks and venture through the park’s paddling trail, which allows access to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge with over 22,000 acres of lakes and marshes to explore. Visitors can also hike the 4.2 mile Wild Persimmon Hiking Trail or visit the Butterfly Garden with over 500 plants benefiting butterflies and hummingbirds. And though De Leon is rich in history and nature, the park is most famous for its pancakes and has been lovingly nicknamed “Pancake Park.” The Old Sugar Mill and Griddle House was founded in 1961 and is located inside a 100-year old replica of the original 1830s sugar mill. A griddle is built in to each table and guests can make their own pancakes with easy-to-pour pitchers and can eat as many pancakes as they like. The Griddle House also offers freshly made bread and cookies. www.floridastateparks.org/park/De-Leon-Springs

Ravine Gardens State Park

Ravine Gardens State Park Palatka, FL This little-known park located in nearby Palatka offers lovely views of two 120-foot ravines. Visitors can walk the paved 1.8 mile loop and enjoy the beautiful gardens surrounding both the ravine and the spring-fed creek, Whitewater

Branch. Make your visit between late January through March and view the “rolling bloom” of over 18 different species of simultaneous blooming azaleas, spreading through over half of the gardens. The park also offers three miles of unique, rugged hiking trails, picnic tables and grills. There is also a playground for the kids. Make it a day trip and enjoy a peaceful day in this lush Florida state park. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Ravine-Gardens

Bathrooms and showers are available with plenty of parking. Honor system parking at $3 per vehicle. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Gasparilla-Island

Molasses Reef Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Six miles southeast of Key Largo located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary lies the continents only living coral reef. This beautiful reef provides spectacular diving for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. Thanks to conservation efforts to protect the area, there are more than 600 colorful plants, animals and creatures to be seen including octopuses, nurse sharks, puffer fish, soft and hard corals and thousands of fish. Diving depths range from 10 – 70 feet with a “drop off” of various angles beginning at around 50 feet. Glass-bottom boats tours as well as many diving tours are available for exploration of the reef through different diving outfits including Ocean Divers and John Pennekamp Coral Reef School of Diving. www.divespots.com/scuba-diving-spots/florida/ florida-keys/key-largo/spots/molasses-reef

Sapelo Island, Georgia Gasparilla Island

Gasparilla Island Boca Grande, FL Gasparilla Island is located on a thin strip of land that peeks out into the Gulf of Mexico, northwest of Fort Myers. The island offers seven miles of turquoise blue beaches, with a state park located at its tip where visitors can view the focal point of the island, the restored Port Boca Grande Lighthouse built in 1890. The island is alive with wildlife. Manatees, osprey, dolphins, pelicans and more can be found here. The relaxed and quiet vibe of the island makes it a perfect place for shelling and sunset watching. Nicknamed the “Tarpon Capital of the World,” the island also draws many fishing charters.

Darien, GA While just over the Florida state line, Sapelo Island is a short three hour drive from Gainesville and is rich in history and culture. The island is located off coastal Georgia between the Savannah and St. Marys rivers. One of Georgia’s 15 state protected barrier islands, it is accessible only by ferry which departs the Sapelo Island Visitor’s Center in McIntosh County, Georgia. Take a private tour with JR Govner, visit the Reynolds Plantation and the newly renovated Sapelo Lighthouse, explore Native American shell mounds and visit the tabby ruins of the slave cabins. Visitors can also celebrate the culture and traditions of the Geechee people each October and experience gospel music, sweet grass basket weaving and fish net making. www.exploregeorgia.org/city/sapelo-island-1 TheVillageJournal.com | 67

Travel Health Risks & HOW TO PREPARE FOR THEM

By Gabrielle Calise

Traveling is all about fun and adventure: traipsing through lush jungles, floating in crystal clear springs, and wandering down historic cobblestone streets. But jetting off to an exotic new location can also come with risks. From bug bites to food-borne illnesses, there are many ways ailments can ruin a trip. Here are the top ten travel afflictions and how to prevent them.

MALARIA One of the most common illnesses that travelers bring back is malaria. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a souvenir you want to take home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the blood disease can be life threatening. According to the World Health Organization, malaria is transmitted by plasmodium parasites, which are spread through bites from infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The best protection from malaria is to avoid being bitten, said Don Janes, MD, a board-certified emergency physician at Emergency Physicians Medical Center and a fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. Janes recommends staying away from mosquito-dense areas and opting for EPAregistered insect repellants with at least 20 percent DEET. For an extra level of protection, ask your doctor about getting medicine to prevent malaria before you

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depart. The medicine will vary depending the destination you are visiting, and your doctor will pick the best one for your trip.

YELLOW FEVER Another notorious mosquito-borne illness is yellow fever. This disease is commonly found in tropical and subtropical Africa. There is no specific cure for this illness, but doctors are able to treat symptoms, which range from vomiting and fever to aches and nausea. Certain countries require that travelers receive a yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before departure. The Alachua County Health Department offers vaccinations to prevent yellow fever. To make an appointment, call 352-334-7950.

ZIKA Zika is a mosquito-borne virus similar to dengue fever. Known for causing a brain defect called microcephaly, Zika has no treatment or vaccine yet.

“Really the only thing and the best thing to do to prevent getting it is to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes,” Janes said. “If you know you are going to a place where they have mosquitoes, bring along either lemoneucalyptus oil or mosquito repellent.” Wear breathable long-sleeved shirts and pants and apply DEET on any exposed parts of your face, neck and hands.

“IF YOU ARE VERY PARANOID ABOUT GETTING [ZIKA] YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY A MOSQUITO NET THAT YOU WEAR,” JANES SAID. “IT FITS ON A HAT AND IT HANGS DOWN LIKE A BEEKEEPER’S NET AND THAT WILL PREVENT MOSQUITOES FROM GETTING CLOSE TO YOUR SKIN.” Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should avoid countries with current outbreaks, and men who travel to Zika-infested places should use barrier protection during intercourse for six months after their trip.

HEPATITIS A Hepatitis A, a liver disease spread by contaminated food or water, is a common pitfall for travelers. While it can be prevalent in developing countries with questionable sanitation, people can also contract it in urban areas. There is a vaccination for hepatitis A, but basic precautions start with eating well-cooked food. Order dishes that are hot or pre-packaged and stay away from street foods and room-temperature cuisine. Avoid tap water and ice, and if you’re eating fruit, choose a kind that you can peel, such as oranges. Janes also recommends avoiding tap water or bottled beverages that you do not open yourself. Sometimes restaurants will refill bottles with tap water and sell them again, so make sure to ask for beverages that are sealed before you buy.

HEPATITIS B AND C Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne and sexually-acquired viral diseases. These are easily avoided as long as you stay away from risky behaviors such as sexual tourism, Janes said. Travelers can also get a hepatitis B vaccine before departure.

GASTROENTERITIS (STOMACH FLU) This illness is often a problem in less developed countries where water sanitation is less common. To avoid unpleasant side effects of the stomach flu, watch what you eat and drink. Gastroenteritis is usually viral in the U.S., but in other countries it can be bacterial. You can ask your doctor for a prescription for an antibiotic you can take to take in case you get sick while traveling.

LYME DISEASE This tick-borne illness can cause rashes, fevers, aches and joint pains. Precautions against ticks are similar to those taken for mosquitoes. Tick-repellent with DEET works, but tick checks are also crucial in preventions. It takes about 24 to 48 hours for a tick to embed, so checking for ticks by the end of your outing is the best way to make sure that you don’t get tick-borne illnesses. “Do tick-checks if you are in wooded areas, and if you can pull them off before they embed then you can basically prevent yourself from catching anything from ticks,” Janes said. “Look at all the parts of your skin that you can look at and have someone else look at the parts you can’t see, like your back.”

RABIES (ANIMAL BITES) In the United States, domesticated animals like cats and dogs very rarely get rabies because of vaccinations. Even unvaccinated, undomesticated animals are unlikely to get the disease, Janes said.

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their own epinephrine with them because you can’t rely on being able to get a hold of that in other countries,” Janes said. “It’s one of the few things that can kill you very quickly from something as innocuous as a bee sting”

“However, in other countries, rabies is much more prevalent, so what I tell people is especially if you’re going to less developed countries in South America, Africa and Asia, it’s probably better not to pet the local dogs, which come up to tourists to beg for food,” Janes said. Even if animals seem friendly, it’s still best to stay away from them. Avoid feeding or touching any animal you see on the street. If you are bit by an animal, seek medical help immediately and do not try to address the injury yourself. Avoid scam products like snake bite kits and don’t try to remove venom yourself.

Many diseases and risks can be avoided with some planning. Make an appointment with your health care provider at least four to six weeks before departing. You can get any necessary vaccines and ask about medications or precautions for your specific destination. Plan to bring any medication you might need with you. Don’t assume that you’ll be able to find preferred brands or drugs at the destination. Janes recommends bringing over-the-counter medicines including a pain killer (acetaminophen or ibuprofen depending on preference) and Benadryl (for motion sickness and mild allergic reactions.)

AIRSICKNESS/SEASICKNESS While motion sickness isn’t a serious condition, it can put a damper on the travel experience. To reduce the feeling of discomfort that can come with riding in a plane, car or cruise ship, pack mints or ginger-flavored lozenges. Sitting over the wings on an airplane or getting a cabin toward the center of a cruise ship can also lessen motion sickness.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS Allergic reactions may not be an exotic disease carried by a strange creature, but they are still serious threats for some travelers. Like other risks, proper prevention can be lifesaving. “People that are allergic to bee stings and wasp stings here need to make sure to bring

70 | EXPLORE

The Center for Disease Control is also an excellent resource for learning about travelrelated illnesses and immunizations. You can also search by country here: wwwnc.cdc.gov/ travel/destinations/list. The CDC also has an app called “Can I Eat It?” that tells users which foods and beverages are safe to consume in each country. By using existing tools and knowledge, you can prepare to have a safe trip. Happy travels!

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E VEN TS C OM M UNI T Y E V E N T S For a full listing of community events or to post one of your own, visit TheVillageJournal.com/Events

ON-GOING » Artwalk Gainesville Last Friday of every month, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Downtown Gainesville Artwalkgainesville.com Bridge » Every Monday, 1 p.m. Haile Plantation Hall Call Marj Crago at 352-336-1055 or Suzie Taylor at 352-337-9956 » Haile Village Farmer’s Market Every Saturday, rain or shine, 8:30 a.m. - noon Haile Plantation Village Center 352-363-2233 » Guided Walk First Saturday of every month, starting at 10 a.m. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens kanapaha.org

» May Day Glow Run Saturday, May 20, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. The Square at Tioga Town Center www.tiogatowncenter.com/events

» Museum Nights 2nd Thursday of every month, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Harn Museum of Art www.harn.ufl.edu

» Forage Farm’s First Annual Local Food Awards Sunday, May 21, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. First Magnitude Brewing Company Fmbrewing.com

MAY » Tioga Town Center: Movie Night: Finding Dory Friday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Square at Tioga Town Center www.tiogatowncenter.com/events » Windsor Zucchini Festival Saturday, May 13, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 1401 SE County Road 234 Gainesville, FL 32641 Windsor-z-news.org » Speed Science: A Night at a Museum Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Florida Museum of Natural History 352-846-2000

EXPLORE 72 | EVENTS

» Tioga Town Center: Chris McCarty in Concert Friday, May 26, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tioga Town Center Square www.tiogatowncenter.com » 65th Annual Florida Folk Festival Friday, May 26 - Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Floridastateparks.org/folkfest » Blue Crab Festival Friday, May 26, 5 p.m. – midnight Saturday, May 27 - Sunday, May 28, 10 a.m. – midnight Monday, May 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Palatka, FL Bluecrabfestival.com

E VE N T S

Newberry Watermelon Festival Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m. Easton Sports Complex, Newberry, FL Newberrywatermelonfestival.com

» Historic Farmstead Tour Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Dudley Farm Historic State Park www.floridastateparks.org/park/-events/Dudley-Farm

JUNE » Chiefland Watermelon Festival Saturday, June 3, starts at 11:30 a.m. Chiefland Woman’s Club chieflandwomansclub.org/festival »

» Taste of Gainesville Sunday, June 4, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. UF Hilton Hotel Tasteofgainesville.com » Pofahl Studios Presents The Pied Piper & The Great Candy Mountain Sunday, June 4, 4 p.m. UF Performing Arts Center Performingarts.ufl.edu/events 352-392-2787 » Funworks Summer Action Camp Beginning Monday, June 5, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Skate Station Funworks 352-332-0555 www.funworks.com » All About Insects Camp Monday, June 5 – Friday, June 9, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Alachua County Extension Office alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/4H/ TheVillageJournal.com | 73

E VE N T S

» Tioga Town Center: Movie Night: Sing Friday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Square at Tioga Town Center www.tiogatowncenter.com/events » Father’s Day Special Sunday, June 18, All Day Free Admission to all fathers of all ages Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Kanapaha.org

Spread the word about your upcoming community event. Submit the event title, date, time, location and a website/phone number to info@thevillagejournal.com and we will gladly help promote your event in print and online.

» UF Summer High School Art Camp Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 23 Weekdays, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Ages 13+ UF School of Art + Art History, Harn Museum of Art and more 352-273-3071, Patrick Grigsby saahsummer@arts.ufl.edu

JULY » Santa Fe College for Kids Summer Camp Starting Monday, July 10 Santa Fe College NW Campus www.sfcollege.edu/cied/communityed 352-395-5193 » Tioga Town Center: Movie Night: Storks Friday, July 14, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Square at Tioga Town Center www.tiogatowncenter.com/events » Kids’ Day Saturday, July 15, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Kanapaha.org

3 52 .3 3 1.5560 T H EVILLAG EJO URNAL.COM

74 | EVENTS

SNAPSHOTS

Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 25th Anniversary Gala January 28, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

Gainesville American Heart Association Heart Ball

February 10, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

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SN AP SH OT S Rotary Club of Gainesville Wild Game Feast March 2, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

GFAA Fine Arts Fair at Tioga Town Center March 5, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

76 | SNAPSHOTS

SNAPSHOTS

Puttin' on the Ritz benefiting Children's Home Society of Florida March 11, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

TheVillageJournal.com | 77

SN AP SH OT S Embers Food and Wine Festival

April 2, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

Pure Aesthetics 2-Year Anniversary

April 19, 2017 Photos by Kara Winslow

78 | SNAPSHOTS

REG IS T ER OF ADVERTISERS

A Personal Elf (p. 79).......................................271-1111 All About Women (p. 29) .......................... 331-3332 Altschuler Periodontic and Implant Center (p. IBC).........................371-4141 Backstreet Blues Chop House (p. 1).....363-6792

Kara Winslow, Makeup Artist (p. 4)..............................321-356-3116 Karst Construction (p. 74).......................... 281-3747 Kinetix Physical Therapy (p. 7)...............505-6665 Koontz Furniture & Design (p. 41)...........622-3241

Capital City Bank (p. 13)

Koss Olinger (BC)........................................373-3337

Coleen DeGroff, Realtor (p. 31)...............359-2797

Lugano (p. 15)................................................ 374-4910

Dr. Storoe Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (p. 23)..................................................371-4111

Pink Narcissus (p. IFC)...............................373-4874

Emberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wood Grill (p. 19) ...................... 380-0901 Emergency Physicians Medical Center (p. 71)................................... 872-5111 Footstone Photography (p. 62-63)...... 562-3066 Frankel Media Group (p. 47) ...................331-5558 Girls Place (p. 11)...........................................373-4475 Hippodrome Theatre (p. 77).....................375-HIPP

Pure Aesthetics (p. 9)................................ 332-7873 Pure Barre (p. 16-17)...................................655-7873 Sebastian Ferrero Foundation (p. 24-25)...............................333-2579 Sun Country Sports Center (p. 13)..........331-8773 Tioga Town Center (p. 2-3)...................... 331-4000 Junior League of Gainesville (p. 33)....... 372-1710 TradePMR (p. 57)............................... 888-723-3767

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F R OM T H E KIT CH EN O F D EAN CACC IATORE

FLORI DIZUCCA RIPIENI SQUASH BLOSSOMS STUFFED WITH RICOTTA

Squash plants produce pretty yellow blossoms, some of which will be pollinated and produce fat, little squash babies that emerge from the blossom’s base. These are female the zucchini blossoms. The other blossoms — t hose long, gorgeous male blooms — w on’t produce a fruit and may as well be enjoyed by you! Squash blossoms can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers.

Buon Appetito! INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

Tomato Sauce: • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 1/2 pound plum tomatoes, finely chopped • 1 Tablespoon fresh basil leaves • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Tomato Sauce:

Squash Blossoms: • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta • 1 large egg yolk • 1/4 cup rough chopped flat Italian parsley • 2/3 cup grated ParmigianoReggiano, divided • 12 to 16 large zucchini squash blossoms • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon allpurpose flour • 3/4 cup chilled club soda • About 3 cups vegetable oil for frying 80 | TheVillageJournal.com

Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil in a 2-quarts heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, broth or water, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 20 minutes, then add basil. Squash Blossoms: 1.

Stir together ricotta, yolk, parsley, 1/3 cup parmesan, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

Carefully open each blossom and fill with about 2 rounded teaspoon ricotta, gently twisting end of blossom to enclose filling. An easy way is to use a pastry bag or zip lock bag and cut the corner.

To make the batter, whisk together flour, remaining 1/3 cup parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt and club soda in a small bowl.

In a large deep frying pan or heavy duty skillet, heat 1/2 inch oil to 375-degrees. Dip half of blossoms in batter to thinly coat. Fry coated blossoms, turning once until golden, 1- to 2-minutes total. Use tongs to transfer blossom to paper towels to drain. Coat and fry remaining blossoms. Allow time for oil to recover to 375-degrees.

Season blossoms with fresh cracked black pepper and coarse salt. Pour red sauce on the bottom of a large platter and carefully stack the fried blossoms.