document

Greener Pastures

Mill Creek Horse Retirement

Farm in Alachua is Great for

Horses and Families Alike

Wes SkilesSaying Goodbye to

a Local Legend

Flying withAngels

Giving a Lift toPatients in Need

Spook-tasticTrace the history

of Halloween through the ages

Safe HavenEye of the Eagle

Wildlife Sanctuary

ROSE GARDENS | SCHOOL INFORMATION | RIVER FEST & MORE! Autumn 2010

2 | Autumn 2010

North Florida Regional Medical Center ranks in the Top 10% in the Nation for General Surgery.

When Kinnon Thomas and Pat Klaus needed surgery, they chose North Florida Regional. Each year, thousands of other surgery patients do the same. What they receive is award winning care. We’re proud of this because it means we’re making a difference in people’s lives. As Gainesville’s only community hospital, it means everyone in the area who needs surgery is a winner, just like Pat and Kinnon. And that is the biggest reward of all.

Award™ for 4 consecutive years

Log on to www.NFRMC.com to learn more

* Region is Gainesville, FL of CBSA/ Division as defined by the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget

The real winners here are our patients.

www.VisitOurTowns.com Autumn 2010 | 3

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You Have a Choice for your child’s education.

Alachua Learning Center Elementary and Middle School located just north of the town of Alachua on State road 235, serves students from all parts of Alachua and neighboring counties.

Charter Schools are part of the Florida Alternative System of Public School Choice and charge no tuition.

While having the benefits of a “small-school” environment the Alachua Learning Center provides a challenging and fulfilling academic, cultural, and physical educational program for students from kindergarten to eighth grade.


The Alachua Learning Cen-ter offers inspiring classes on a variety of subjects: Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, P.E. Sports, Rock Climb-ing, Drama, Music, Clay Sculpt-

ing, Computer Graphics, individual Student Book Publishing (writing, design, illustrating), Drawing, Painting, Crafts, Community Service Display Proj-ects, and exciting Field Trips

Many other features of our school can be experienced on our internet web-site, alachualearningcenter.com., or call us at 386-418-2080 for more information.

Nick Jr. Magazine rated the Alachua Learning Center break-fast and lunch program among the “Top Ten” School Cafete-rias for healthy diet. Our varied physical education curriculum includes on-campus rock climb-ing and subscribes to the “Presi-dent’s Fitness Program”.

The Alachua Learning Center has consistently been rated an “A” school by the State of Florida. We provide a comparatively low stu-dent class size and a high teacher-to-student ratio. Although we do not “teach to the test”, we regu-larly score very high on State of Florida FCAT writing, reading, math and science testing.

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www.VisitOurTowns.com Autumn 2010 | 93 5 2 . 3 7 5 . 2 7 2 0 • 2 4 4 1 N W 4 3 r d S T R E E T , S U I T E 2 A

T H O R N E B R O O K V I L L A G E • G A I N E S V I L L E

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10 | Autumn 2010

SUMMER 2010 • VOL. 08 ISSUE 03

CONTENTS

20 For the Beauty of a RoseThe Garden that Never Stops BloomingBY JESSICA CHAPMAN

24 Ghosts and SpiritsNearby Haunted Inns Offer Guests an Opportunity for the UnforgettableBY JESSICA CHAPMAN AND NICOLE GREINER

32 Haunted Inn(terview)Our Writers Discuss Their Assignment to Document Things that Go Bump in the NightBY ALBERT ISAAC

44 Tracing Halloween Through the AgesA Spook-tastic HistoryBY MARY KYPREOS

54 Project LegacyA Look into Alachua’s Hope for the FutureBY TARA MASSAGEE-STANLEY

58 Nations BallparkHuge Complex Could Be Operating By SpringBY CHRIS WILSON

68 Equine SanctuaryMill Creek Horse Retirement FarmBY NICOLE LYNN GREINER

94 Uniformity - With Flair!Transition to School Uniforms Need Not Sacrifice Style or MoneyBY JANICE C. KAPLAN

105 Nick WestLocal Author Publishes Book Detailing Family, Circus LifeBY CHRIS WILSON

>> FEATURES


50 By Jessica Chapman

Flying with AngelsFor patients unable to travel, Angel Flights comes to the rescue. Volunteers for this national organization donate their time and resources to transport patients across the state or across the country.

98 By Albert Isaac

In MemoriamIn July, our fragile rivers and springs lost an untiring advocate when Wes Skiles passed away. This Florida boy became a pioneer in underwater cave exploration and filmmaking. With stunning photography and breathtaking documentaries, Wes’ films showed to the world places never before seen by anyone.

126 By Albert Isaac

Inaugural River Fest!Organized by the High Springs Main Street Program and with the help of volunteers, this area-wide event will offer a variety of activities including music, educational booths, and the Pedal Paddle Challenge on the Santa Fe River.

50 | Autumn 2010 www.VisitOurTowns.com Autumn 2010 | 51

The small plane taxies

down the runway at the

Gainesville Regional

Airport. It is off to Miami or

Pensacola or Georgia or South

Carolina — or anywhere else some-

one needs a way to the hospital.

Angel Flights is a national airline

service for patients who need to

travel long distances for hospital

treatment. Patients often use the

service because they are unable to

drive. Dr. Peter Roode and Joe Meert

are two local pilots who fly together

for Angel Flights.

Angel Flights, however, is not a

typical airport-style service. The

pilots are all volunteers and most

have other jobs. Although Roode

is a retired surgeon, Meert is a

geology professor at the University

of Florida. He fits flying in-between

teaching and research.

Roode said while patients come

to ShandsUF for medical reasons,

some have added family incentive.

Because she wanted to be close

to her mother, a woman from

Pensacola drove herself to Shands

for cancer treatment. When she

started chemotherapy she became

too sick to drive. Angel Flights then

began taking her back and forth.

Roode and Meert said they

fly a variety of patients — not

just cancer patients. The two fly

children, veterans, organ transplant

recipients and others who need

treatment at a hospital away from

their home.

Some patients climb in and fall

asleep

Flying with Angels

BY JESSICA CHAPMAN

Giving a Lift to Patients in Need

continued on page 52

PHOTOS BY TJ MORRISSEY AT

LOTUS STUDIOS

Pilots Dr. Peter Roode and Joe Meert

at the Gainesville Regional Airport.

Both are volunteers with Angel Flights,

a national organization dedicated to

providing transportation for patients

in need, ranging from young children

with burn injuries to organ recipients

in need of a trip to the hospital for

transplants.

>> GIVING BACK

98 | Autumn 2010 Autumn 2010 | 99

Under a storm-threatened sky, on July 28, a

steady stream of motor vehicles flowed into

Ginnie Springs Park.

A feast fit for a king adorned the tables, set up to

feed the many people who had gathered. Nearby,

under cover, a slideshow projected family photos and

images of rivers, springs — and cave divers.

Visitors, however, were not there to merely enjoy

all the park has to offer; most were there to celebrate

the life and times of internationally acclaimed cave

diver Wesley Cofer Skiles, conservationist, filmmaker,

adventurer.

Wes Skiles, 52, passed away on July 21 while div-

ing off Boynton Beach during a shooting assignment.

The news of his death traveled quickly. Within a

week a memorial service was planned, executed and

attended by an estimated 1,000 people.

At Ginnie, a stage was setup for friends and

family to share their love and memories of the man,

while his wife Terri, son Nathan and daughter Tessa

listened with quiet dignity.

The clouds gathered. The rain began to fall.

“Wes wants us to get wet,” someone said. An

abundance of umbrellas popped open.

Pastor Denny Heiberg

Wes Skiles

BY ALBERT ISAAC

High Springs and the World Say Goodbye to a Local Legend


>> WORLD REKNOWNED

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRI SKILES ABOVE: The Skiles family, Terri, Tessa, Wes and Nathan, during a recent trip to the

Bahamas where Wes was filming a documentary.

PHOTO BY JOHN MORAN OPPOSITE: Wes Skiles diving in Ginnie springs in 2001, as he was preparing to depart for

Antarctica on assignment for National Geographic.

126 | Autumn 2010 www.VisitOurTowns.com Autumn 2010 | 127

McDonough added. “The vendors

downtown will be sharing their

information, and the Pedal Paddle

Challenge will be the main sports-

type event.”

At the time of this interview,

the details of band locations were

being worked out; there will be

music, either by the James Paul

Park (sinkhole behind city hall) or

by the railroad tracks in front of

the Music Junction where the city

has set up bleachers.

Festivities begin Thursday, Sept.

30, with promotional events geared

to children’s activities. Then Fantastic

Friday will kick off the festival.

The High Springs River Fest is

being planned to work in conjunction

with many other events in the High

Springs area. Poe Springs Park will be

hosting musical performances and

outdoor activities as well as providing

shuttle buses to and from the activi-

ties around High Springs.

“We are having all these events in

coordination, so it will be that much

better,” McDonough said. “O’Leno

State Park is doing its old time dance

on Friday and Saturday nights, at the

park. And Camp Kulaqua is opening

up the zoo and nature center to the

public on Sunday.”

According to the festival’s

website: “Additionally, there will

be nature and water excursions

at natural spring locations in

Alachua, Gilchrist and Columbia

counties over the course of three

days. In historic downtown High

Springs, there will be live music,

shops open late, as well as food

vendors and environmental

organizations with educational

displays throughout the event.”

The local Yellow Bellied Sliders

bicycle group is having its fi rst

River Rise Pedal Paddle Challenge

on Saturday, Oct. 2. This event is

a group ride through a series of

challenging trails in O’Leno State

Park and River Rise State Preserve,

followed by a paddle trip up the

Santa Fe River to River Rise, where

the river emerges from its three-

mile underground journey.

“We expect 150 to 200 people

for the Pedal Paddle Challenge,”

McDonough said. “A lot of people are

already signed up. The Yellow Bellied

Sliders are hosting this event with

the majority of the proceeds going to

the Main Street Program.”

Additionally, the High Springs

Main Street Program will be hosting

a Roll Your Boat Race downtown,

as well as a feature presentation

by world-renown cave diver and

photographer Jill Heinerth.

McDonough said Cootie Coo

Creations will be coordinating scrap-

booking activities around the River

Fest, all weekend.

“While the husbands are doing

the Pedal Paddle the wives can go

to Cootie Coo Creations and make

scrapbooks,” she said with a laugh.

A lot of effort goes into plan-

ning and executing such an event.

Currently, about 70 volunteers are

donating their time and energy to the

High Springs River Fest, and Barrows

said they could always use more help.

“We put a lot of work into

this,” Barrows said. “It’s for the

public. That’s why we are doing

it. It would be really a blessing if

people come down and enjoy the free

entertainment.”

“This area is so rich in music and

the arts, we want to incorporate

the natural beauty with all the

cultural uniqueness that is here, too,”

McDonough said. “That is our biggest

draw, the sports and water activities

and the music and arts and all those

things that are available downtown.”

While the festival itself may

be new, the concept may not be.

McDonough said she had heard

that 15 to 20 years ago there was

talk of a High Springs River Festival

on a smaller scale.

“So we are fi nally trying to make it

happen,” McDonough said. “And it’s

defi nitely something we’d like to see

for years to come. We want this to be

here, so 25 years from now people

know to come to the High Springs

River Fest.” s

For more information about how to become a sponsor contact the Main Street Manager at 386-454-2889 or e-mail [email protected]

Music. Bicycling. Paddling,

and ecological education

are all on the menu as

High Springs hosts its inaugural River

Festival.

Set to coincide with the High

Springs Fall Festival in October, the

River Festival strives to offer some-

thing for everyone.

“This event is 11 months in the

making,” said Main Street Manager

Ashley McDonough during a recent

interview in the Music Junction.

Leon Barrows, who owns and

operates the Music Junction with

his wife Joanne, is in charge of the

musical acts. He will be setting up

all of the musical equipment and

coordinating the bands.

“I have four bands right now,”

Barrows said. “We hope to have 10

bands, and the lead band will hope-

fully be Bluegrass.”

There are plans to have a wide

variety of music, ranging from

country to rock ‘n’ roll.

“We’ve been contacted by bands

from all over the country,” Barrows

said.

“The concerts will be huge,”

>> FUN FOR FALL

High Springs Hosts Inagural River Festival

BY ALBERT ISAAC

River Retreat

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1ST

9:30 am Cootie CooCraziness Begins

5:00 pm Fantastic Friday

6:00 pm Springs documentary downtown - Jill Heinerth

7:00 pm Old Time Dance event at O’Leno State Park

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2ND

9am-4pm Peddle/Paddle

10am-4pm Fall Festival events

10am-4pm “Sink to Springs” - James Paul Park, Conservation Information and Nature Trip Scheduling Booths

12am-8pm All Day Concert - Poe Springs


7:00 pm Old Time Dance event - O’Leno State Park

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3RD

9:00 am Cowboy Church - Camp Kulaqua

10:00 am Zoo & Nature Center open to the public - Camp Kulaqua

1pm-3pm Springs-Themed Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest - High Springs Art Co-op

12pm-5pm Sidewalk Sale

Musical Lineup


Noon-1pm River Junction

1pm-2pm Velveeta Underground

2pm-3pm Foggy Creek Band

3pm- 4pm Amos Neo

4pm - 5pm Up The Creek

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM HEWLETT

Linda Laird of the Yellow Bellied Sliders Bicycle Society paddles the Santa Fe River.

The articles printed in Our Town Magazine™ do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Our Town Magazine endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Our Town Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. All rights reserved. © 2010 Tower Publications, Inc.

ON THE COVER PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY / LOTUS STUDIOS

For the cover shot of this edition of the High Springs & Alachua Magazine, photographer T.J. Morrissey brought his children to Alachua for a visit to the Mill Creek Horse Retirement Farm. In this photo, his son Zachary, 6, feeds one of the many horses at the farm that were either seized by law enforcement, rescued by the SPCA or Humane Societies, or retired from government service.

12 | Autumn 2010

41 Gator Sports Schedule

76 High School Sports

82 Community Calendar

90 Back to School Info

92 Alachua County 2010 School Calendar

110 Fall Festivals

128 Worship Centers

136 Library Happenings

164 Advertiser Index

INFORMATION

36 Crystal Henry ............................................................ NAKED SALSA

62 Albert Isaac ................................................................ DIFFERENT NOTE

118 Kendra Siler-Marsiglio ..................................... HEALTHY EDGE

144 Donna Bonnell ......................................................... EMBRACING LIFE

150 Diane E. Shepard .................................................. MAMA MUSINGS

COLUMNISTS

>> FEATURES

Published quarterly byTower Publications, Inc.

www.towerpublications.com

PUBLISHERCharlie [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFAlbert [email protected]: 1-800-967-7382

OFFICE MANAGER

Bonita [email protected]

ART DIRECTOR

Hank [email protected]

SENIOR DESIGNER

Tom [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Larry BehnkeElizabeth BehrmanJessica ChapmanDebbie M. DeLoachNicole Lynn GreinerCrystal HenryJanice KaplanMary KypreosTara Massagee-StanleyChris Wilson

INTERN

Jessica Chapman

ADVERTISING SALESJenni Bennett [email protected]

Amanda Skadhauge [email protected]

Pam Slaven [email protected]

Helen Stalnaker [email protected]

Kayla Stump [email protected]

Annie Waite [email protected]

ADVERTISING OFFICE4400 NW 36th AvenueGainesville, FL 32606352-372-5468352-373-9178 fax

112 Adam JoyAlachua’s Police Officer of the YearBY ELIZABETH BEHRMAN

114 Safe HavenEye of the Eagle Wildlife SanctuaryBY TARA MASSAGEE-STANLEY

122 Letters from HomeAlachua County Supports Our TroopsBY JESSICA CHAPMAN

130 All in the FamilyA Reunion, Centuries in the MakingBY NICOLE LYNN GREINER

134 A Traditional Thanksgiving...?A Second Look at the Beloved American HolidayBY JANICE C. KAPLAN

138 Our Town AlmanacAutumn in North FloridaBY DEBBIE M. DELOACH

140 Regina ReforgedHigh Springs Pawn and Jewelry OpensBY LARRY BEHNKE

148 A New Face in NewberryNewberry High School Welcomes its New PrincipalBY CRYSTAL HENRY


When you visit Tioga Town Center, you’ll get the freshest local grouper, a pound of crab claws,

…and Lee.

Sure, the picturesque storefronts, coffee shop,

boutiques, restaurants, postal center, wine bar,

world-class fitness center and bakery, make Tioga

Town Center a prime shopping destination.

But it’s more than that here—

It’s the people who make

Tioga Town Center an

experience like no

other in Gainesville.

People like Lee

Deaderick and his staff

at Northwest Seafood,

who pride themselves

on offering the freshest

local seafood, that will make

Tioga Town Center your favorite place to visit.

So come on out! Take a stroll around and talk to

the people who will make Tioga Town Center

your favorite destination in town.

SW 128th Street & W. Newberry Rd.Tioga, Florida 32669

352.331.4000www.TiogaTownCenter.com

14 | Autumn 2010

I hope all of you had a wonderful summer. We did, and boy did it go by fast. Like most two-income families,

we kept busy with our careers, but in

August we did manage to get away

from it all for a weeklong vacation

to the mountains. Who’d a thought

Gatlinburg would have a heat index

of 110? Certainly not us. What a

surprise. Hottest it’s been in 10 years,

they say. I do believe it was cooler in

High Springs.

But we made the best of it and

scheduled our nature hikes during

the cooler parts of the day. And

North Carolina provided a welcome

respite from the sweltering summer.

So we went there... twice!

However, it’s always nice to be

back home and — believe it or not

— back at work. I left the mountains

and returned to a mountain of

paperwork, but it is certainly worth

the effort. All of us here at Tower

have been working diligently to put

this magazine together and we think

you will enjoy it.

In this edition, we strive to offer

you a wide variety of stories, ranging

from haunted inns to the history

of Halloween; from Angel Flights

to Angel Gardens; from Newberry’s

Nation’s Ballpark to Alachua’s

Project Legacy; from the familiar

fall festivals to the inaugural River

Festival in High Springs.

Did you know there are lions

and tigers in Jonesville? Tara

Massagee-Stanley recently met with

veterinarian Dawn Miller, who owns

and operates the Eye of the Eagle

Wildlife Sanctuary.

Jonesville has lions, and Alachua

has the Mill Creek Horse Retirement

Farm. Nicole Greiner visited with

Peter Gregory, who has owned and

operated this horse sanctuary with

his wife — and the generous help

of volunteers — for more than a

quarter century.

In this edition, we also bid a sad

farewell to Wes Skiles, a friend and

longtime supporter of the Our Town

Family of Magazines. As many of

you know, Wes passed away while

diving off the east coast of Florida.

For many years, Wes has provided

his outstanding photography for us

to use on the cover of the summer

edition of our magazine. Terri

Skiles was gracious enough to meet

with me to talk about her beloved

husband.

I met Wes several years ago,

while writing a story about the

aquifer. We talked on the phone

as Wes was traveling back from

shooting his “Water’s Journey”

series in the Everglades. Wes was

a fountain of knowledge and gave

me a quick education on Florida’s

karst topography.

Wes was an adventurer who

always had interesting stories to

tell. Last year, while I was visiting

with him and his wife Terri to look

through photos to run on the cover,

he pointed to a damaged wetsuit.

Seems he’d been spear fi shing

when a Goliath Grouper decided to

swallow his arm. With a laugh he

described the percussive blast as the

giant fi sh spit him out.

Wes Skiles was a force of nature,

and he will be greatly missed by

many, but his legacy will live on. s

MESSAGE >> FROM THE EDITOR

PH

OT

O B

Y T

RE

VO

R I

SA

AC


PH

OT

O B

Y T

RE

VO

R I

SA

AC

When you visitTioga Town Center,you’ll get the hottest new style, the perfect outfit,

…and Jason.

Sure, the picturesque storefronts, coffee shop,

boutiques, restaurants, postal center, wine bar,

world-class fitness center and bakery, make Tioga

Town Center a prime shopping destination.

But it’s more than that here— It’s the people who

make Tioga Town Center an experience like no

other in Gainesville. People like Jason Moses and

his staff at Vela Clothing Co., who will gladly hold

that perfect dress for Friday night, that will make

Tioga Town Center your favorite

place to visit.

So come on out! Take

a stroll around and talk

to the people who will

make Tioga Town Center

your favorite destination

in town.

SW 128th Street & W. Newberry Rd.Tioga, Florida 32669

352.331.4000www.TiogaTownCenter.com

16 | Autumn 2010

STAFF >> CONTRIBUTORS

Nicole Greineris a freelance writer and sophomore at UF’s College of Journalism. She loves hanging out with friends, watching football and reading. She hopes to work for the National Football League one day.

[email protected]

Elizabeth Behrmanis a freelance writer and student in UF’s College of Journalism. She is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She loves to read, write, watch movies and spend time with friends.

[email protected]

Debbie M. DeLoach, Ph.D.is a freelance writer and garden consultant living in Gainesville. She also enjoys volunteering as an Alachua County Master Gardener and as a member of the Florida Native Plant Society.

[email protected]

Larry Behnkeis an artist, writer, photographer and a graduate of the University of Michigan in cinematography and painting. He has used solar electricity since 1984 and lives in a dome home.

[email protected]

Donna Bonnellmoved to Newberry from Miami in 1983. As a freelance writer, she shares personal stories in her column, Embracing Life. Donna’s passion is to inspire readers to enjoy each day to their fullest.

[email protected]

Crystal Henryis a freelance writer and columnist born and raised in West Texas. She received her B.S. in Journalism in 2006 from the University ofFlorida. She is in love withthe Florida landscape.

[email protected]

Jessica Chapmanis a student in UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. When she’s not writing, she enjoys volunteering, playing the piano and reading.

[email protected]

Chris Wilsonhas been a professional editor and writer for community publications in Gainesville and Tampa for more than 10 years. He also has a passion for history and sports. Chris and his family live in Newberry.

[email protected]

Janice Kaplanhas been a freelance writer for five years. In her spare time Janice loves cooking, Gator sports, Jimmy Buffett anything and spending time with her husband and kids.

[email protected]

Mary Kypreosis a freelance writer and editor fresh out of the University of Florida.She enjoys discoveringtidbits of knowledge about Alachua County from those who know it best.

[email protected]

Tara Massagee Stanleyis a freelance writer and journalism senior with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

[email protected]

Diane Shepardis a writer and Mama to two young children. Her next work in progress is a memoir “Keeping Time with Turtles.”

[email protected]


Families

Call us before October 1st for a free

8x10 with Family or Holiday Portraits

lotusphotostudios.com352-332-1484

Live colorfully…

18 | Autumn 2010

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20 | Autumn 2010

PH

OT

O B

Y J

ES

SIC

A C

HA

PM

AN


Mrs. B.R. Cant is full,

cupped and scented.

Lady Banks is a small,

pale rambler. Martha Gonzalez is a

handsome scarlet. Louis Philippe

is large and double cupped, and

Knock Out is an eye-catching

cherry red. Crazy Dottie, American

Beauty and Heaven on Earth are

somewhere in the group too.

The list of roses, of course,

could go on and on. Angel Gardens,

owned by Pam Greenwald, features

1,000 varieties of roses, includ-

ing old garden roses that were

introduced before 1867 and modern

roses, introduced after 1867.

Greenwald said Angel Gardens

is one of the only local places to

fi nd Old Garden Roses, also known

as antique roses. Although a few

specialty shops have antique roses,

only modern roses are available

commercially, in nurseries and

stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

Greenwald now runs her

business from her home, but for

16 years she ran Angel Gardens

at a shop in Gainesville off State

Road 441. Greenwald sold the place

to Harmony Gardens and moved

Angel Gardens to her house in

Alachua about three years ago.

Old and modern roses surround

her house today. She said while

spring and fall, specifi cally May and

October, are the best times for roses

to bloom, she has so many classes

and varieties that roses can always

be seen overfl owing in her yard.

“You fall in love with them,” she

said. “It’s a healthy addiction.”

It is a common misconcep-

tion that roses are hard to grow,

Greenwald said. People have

trouble growing roses when they

use non-organic techniques and

grow bare-root roses instead of

own-root roses, she said. Bare-root

roses grow signifi cantly faster than

own-root roses, making them ideal

for commercial uses.

“People are uneducated,” she

said. “Everyone wants a quick fi x.”

Unfortunately, modern roses

are only grown on bare-roots. The

lack of availability makes fi nding

own-root roses almost impossible

anywhere, except in specialty

stores like her garden, she said.

Own-root roses are stronger and

live longer than other roses — up

to 75 years longer, Greenwald said.

But because bare-root roses grow

faster, many rose breeders used

them to make roses easier and

more appealing for people to grow.

Using chemicals is another prob-

lem with rose gardening. Chemicals

make the rose a drug addict, she

said, and kill all microorganisms in

the soil,

>> GARDENING

For the Beauty

of a RoseThe Garden that

Never Stops Blooming

continued on next page

PH

OT

O B

Y J

ES

SIC

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PM

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BY JESSICA CHAPMAN

22 | Autumn 2010

including good nematodes needed

for the roses.

Greenwald said it is not that

roses are diffi cult to grow, but that

they take time to grow.

“There’s a famous rose saying

that sums up roses very well,” she

said. “’The fi rst year it sleeps. The

second year it creeps. The third

year it leaps.’ That is so true.”

Old Garden Roses originated in

Europe and Asia and were slowly

introduced in America throughout

the eighteenth and nineteenth

centuries. As people began cross-

breeding different roses, modern

roses — including the popular

hybrid tea show rose — began

replacing antique roses.

Greenwald said names were

sometimes changed when roses

came from Europe to America.

The Peace Rose and American

Beauty Rose, both originally

French roses, are popular roses

that had a name change after

being brought to America.

Roses are named by the person

who discovered the rose, often

fi nding them in cemeteries, or by

a breeder who cross-pollinated

it. The names vary from country-

themed, like Dixieland Linda and

Country Music, to celebrities, like

Liv Tyler and Julia Child, to dreamy

names, like Carefree Beauty and

Belinda’s Dream.

People would often give roses

a name without realizing they

had already been named, and the

common name would sometimes

become more popular. For example,

Greenwald said, the Red Cascade

Rose is also known as “Alachua

Red” because so many local

residents grow it.

Greenwald also said certain

classes of roses are easier to grow.

The China Roses are particularly

easy because they are disease-free.

Louis Philippe, Old Blush, Spice,

and Fortune’s Double Yellow are all

China Roses that are easy to grow.

“The easiest doesn’t always

mean it’s the best,” Greenwald said.

“There’s no perfect rose.”

The easiest and best roses make

big fl owers and bloom non-stop,

from April to the fi rst frost, she

said. The three best roses to grow

are Carefree Beauty (a shrub rose

that is cold and heat tolerant),

Belinda’s Dream (a pink, mini-petal

shrub rose) and Mrs. B.R. Can’t (a

full tea rose).

She said grafted roses grown

with chemicals are always diffi cult

to grow. However, grafted roses,

which are similar to bare-root

and are grafted from other rose

cuttings, often grow quicker and

are the only roses stores sell.

Greenwald is the Southeast

Regional Director of the Heritage

Rose Group, a group devoted to Old

Garden Roses. She said the group

will be starting a local chapter in

October that will give area rose

lovers the chance to learn more

about growing roses.

Angel Gardens ships roses year-

round, but the fall and spring are

the best seasons. May is often the

busiest month. This past May she

sold more than 500 roses.

Greenwald said she also imports

and exports roses from around

the world. Because roses bloom at

different times, having different

classes of roses enables her to keep

roses blooming year-round.

“It’s a specialty hobby,” she said.

“There are fans of these roses all

over the world.” s

For more information on Angel Gardens, visit angelgardens.com.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA CHAPMAN

Pam Greenwald shows off her garden,

recalling the names of each individual

rose. Greenwald ran Angel Gardens at

a shop in Gainesville for 16 years; she

moved the business to her house three

years ago. She grows about 1,000

varieties of roses, including old garden

roses and modern roses. Greenwald

said growing roses takes time, usually

about three years.


Saturday, October 23, 2010at Besilu Collection, Micanopy, Florida

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Mr. Horst and Luisa Ferrero Founders

Mr. Benjamin and Silvia Leon Jr. Hosts and Honorary Chairs

Coach Billy Donovan Celebrity Chair

24 | Autumn 2010

Some people say they heard footsteps in the

night. Some people say they smell sweet

fragrances. Others say they feel someone

tucking them in at night. Even still, some say they have

been spritzed in the face with water in the middle of

the night.

The stories go on and on. Sometimes the lights

fl icker. Doors slam shut. A woman in a wedding dress

appears on the second fl oor. Of course, all of this is

hearsay, but to some, the Herlong Mansion in Micanopy

and the Grady House Bed and Breakfast in High Springs

are indeed haunted.

Hauntings, however, may not be as scary as they

might seem. Andrew Nichols, a parapsychologist who

investigates hauntings with the American Institute

of Parapsychology, said that a haunting is only a

particular person reacting to a particular location with

prolonged unexplainable experiences.

Trying to explain these unexplainable experiences

is a little more challenging. Throughout history, one

common reason for a house to be haunted is because

of a death in the house. The Herlong Mansion is one

such example.

The ghost of Inez allegedly haunts the Herlong

Mansion. The mansion was originally a cracker-style

farmhouse built in 1845 and remodeled in 1910. The

house was left to the Herlong’s six children when their

mother died. After a bitter 18-year battle, only one of

the children could afford the home: Inez.

Legend has it that soon after Inez acquired the home

she died in her childhood room, said Chanity Brown,

assistant manager at the Herlong Mansion.

The ghost of Inez is said to now haunt the mansion.

Nichols, who has investigated the Herlong Mansion

on multiple occasions, said such hauntings illustrate

an important misconception about haunted houses —

that for a place to be haunted someone must have died

there. There is usually no connection between histori-

cal events and a haunting, he said.

“If that’s the case why aren’t hospitals haunted?”

Nichols asked. “A whole lot more people die there. Ghosts

may be real, but they have nothing to do with history.”

The Grady House Bed and Breakfast in High Springs

is one place that proves Nichols’ point. Grady House

owner Lucie Regensdorf said while there is no reason

for her bed and breakfast to be haunted, past owners

and guests have had haunting experiences.

Regensdorf said people have reported being tucked

into bed, chess pieces

BY JESSICA CHAPMAN AND NICOLE GREINER

>> WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

The Grady House was originally a bakery in the 1800s and then used as a boarding house for railroad supervisors in the 1900s.

Ghosts and SpiritsNearby Haunted Inns Offer Guests an Opportunity for the Unforgettable



PHOTO BY JESSICA CHAPMAN

The Grady House Bed and Breakfast in High Springs is reportedly haunted. Guests and owners of the B&B have reported

strong fragrances, hearing footsteps, ghosts helping them pack their things and a myriad of other ghostly things.

The Grady House is on the national registrar of historic places and was named to have one of Gainesville’s best breakfasts.

26 | Autumn 2010

mysteriously moving or a strong sense of perfume in

their room. Some have said that someone helped them

pack up their things.

One guest went to sleep with magazines scattered

all over the bed. The next morning they were in a

neatly stacked pile. Another person said they were

asleep one night and the radio kept turning on. When

the person said, “Turn it down,” the volume was turned

down. When he said, “Turn it off,” the radio went off.

Although her husband Paul has never had any

haunted experiences, Regensdorf has. She described

the time she was home alone one night and clearly

heard male voices upstairs, causing her dog to growl.

However, Regensdorf said living in a haunted house

does not bother her at all. She loves living in and own-

ing a bed and breakfast.

“I fantasized about opening a bed and breakfast,”

she said. “It’s a nice lifestyle.”

The Grady House was originally a bakery in the

1800s and then used as a boarding house for railroad

supervisors in the 1900s. While a boarding house,

Regensdorf said the rooms were half the size and

included kitchens. When the boarding house was

remodeled to a bed and breakfast, the rooms were

remodeled and made bigger too.

The Regensdorf’s also run the Easterlin House,

which was owned by High Springs’ fi rst female mayor

in the 1950s. The Easterlin House was built in 1896.

Regensdorf said some guests have reported hauntings

while staying there, as well.

Although the situations at haunted houses can

be scientifi cally explained, Nichols said people must

be careful when claiming they have been haunted

because these experiences can often be explained by

overactive imaginations.

In reality, Nichols said, a haunting is the interaction

between place and mind. It is a particularly sensitive

person reacting to particular place.

Magnetic fi elds can affect the place, Nichols said.

Magnetic fi elds can be localized to a specifi c area, so

when a person enters a place with a strong magnetic

fi eld, such as possibly the Herlong Mansion or the

Grady House Bed and Breakfast, they are effected by

the fi eld and have unusual reactions to things they see

and hear. People label it a haunting to try and explain

what is happening.

Water underground and fault lines can infl uence

magnetic fi elds. Houses with long histories of being

haunted often have strong fi eld strength, Nichols said.

Places like the Herlong Mansion and the Grady House

might be examples of these.

Places with strong magnetic fi elds are not limited

to bed and breakfasts, however. Nichols spent time

investigating one house in Archer that had no exciting

legend behind the hauntings.

Linda Kasicki, who lives with her husband Bob in the

haunted house in Archer, said their home sits on a fault

line that runs through Archer, so it is possible they are

in an area where the fi eld strength is especially strong.

She said Nichols spent investigating the house as part

of a six-week course he taught.

“It’s a true haunting,” Kasicki said. “There’s even

a certain chair where someone will tap you on your

shoulder. In our house you are never alone.”

People who have these reactions may often have

such experiences, but they are amplifi ed in areas with

strong magnetic fi elds, Nichols said. For instance, they

might often see things out of the corner of their eye,

but in haunted houses like the Herlong Mansion or

o continued from page 24

PHOTOS BY JESSICA CHAPMAN

The Herlong Mansion in Micanopy,

said to be haunted by the ghost of

Inez, was originally a cracker-style

farm-house built in 1845 and com-

pleted to its full structure in 1910. The

Mansion has 10 rooms and two cot-

tages houses and serves a southern-

style breakfast in the mornings.


the Grady House, such experiences may occur in more

obvious ways. Nichols said about 10 percent of the

population are sensitive to instances like this.

While we know who this happens to and why it

happens, Nichols said, we do not know if what they are

seeing and hearing is real or imaginary. We may never

know, he said.

“I don’t think these people are lying or crazy,”

Nichols said. “We just need to modify some of our

understanding.”

Regardless of whether a person’s experience is real

or imaginary, we have to believe it is real to them,

Nichols said, which is important to keep in mind when

looking at the Herlong Mansion.

Although the ghost of Inez is said to haunt the

Herlong Mansion, both Brown and current owner

Carolyn West said the legend is not completely true.

West and Brown said Sonny Howard, who bought

the southern-styled bed and breakfast in 1987, began

the myth as a marketing method to draw people to the

Mansion.

Howard claimed Inez died in her childhood room on

the third fl oor. However, that room was not completed

until after her death. In fact, at the time she was living,

the third fl oor was an attic. Inez also reportedly died in

the hospital.

While Nichols stayed at the Herlong Mansion, he

read many haunting stories in guest books about

people describing their experiences, he said.

Nichols said when he stayed at the house he read

many stories about people describing their experi-

ences. Howard’s tale may not be true, Nichols said, but

Howard did not make up the stories people told after

staying at the Mansion.

Places like the Herlong Mansion and the Grady

House are multi-generational haunted houses; places

that have been haunted for decades. In most cases,

however, Nichols said hauntings only last about a

decade and can be very easily explained.

But the science behind a haunted house does not

necessarily take away the spookiness. Whether real or

imagined, places like the Herlong Mansion and the Grady

House could easily pass as haunted. Although the lights

may fl icker and the portraits may seem scary to some,

these bed and breakfasts, with cozy rooms, beautiful

gardens and delicious breakfasts, seem to have it all. s

“There’s even a certainchair where someone will tap you on your shoulder. In our house you are never alone,” Kasicki said.

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32 | Autumn 2010

For our story on haunt-

ings, we sent two

intrepid reporters on

special assignment to the Herlong

Mansion in Micanopy and the

Grady House Bed and Breakfast in

High Springs — both of which are

reportedly haunted. Admittedly

skeptical, Nicole Greiner and Jessica

Chapman spent a night in each of

these inns. This is what they have

to say about their experiences.

Q: First of all, do you believein ghosts?

Jessica: I’m not one to believe in

ghosts, haunted houses or anything

similar. But after staying at both the

Grady House Bed and Breakfast and

the Herlong Mansion, if I was going

to get haunted anywhere it would

be at the Herlong Mansion.

Nicole: I don’t believe in ghosts,

either. However, I can live without

spending another night in a mansion

in a storm when the lights go out.

Q: Tell us about your experiences at the Herlong Mansion.I understand a storm blew in?

Jessica: It was really nice.

Nicole: It was a pretty house. The

sun was shining when we got there.

Jessica: From the front, it had huge

trees with moss hanging down

so it is believable that it could be

haunted. Especially when you get

inside, because it’s big and it just

felt very, very old. In a good way.

Nicole: I thought it was just a really

nice older house. It wasn’t as scary

to me, like the Grady House, which

was smaller.

Jessica: That’s what was surpris-

ing to me. I did not get remotely

spooked at the Grady House. But at

the Herlong Mansion, that’s about

all I got. Nicole had the opposite

experience. I just don’t get it.

Q: Did the innkeeper at the Herlong Mansion share any ghost stories with you?

Nicole: Carolyn told us stories

about the ghost hunters [who came

to investigate]. They brought a ton

of equipment into the room and

had their camera set up to take

10 pictures at a time. And in one

there was a very distinct picture

of a woman wrapped with a cloth

around her head, and she was

standing outside of the [second

story] window.

Jessica: It was like a woman from

the 1800s with a shawl wrapped

around her. I was sleeping right

next to that window where they

saw the ghost. See why I was

spooked? We are staying in the

room where ghost hunters had

stayed, it’s storming outside, and

then the lights went out. The fi rst

thing I thought when the power

went out was that I didn’t have

enough battery left on my com-

puter to write my story.

Nicole: I am sitting at the foot of

the stairs talking to a friend on

the phone and all of a sudden the

lights go out. And I screamed.

Jessica: I heard Nicole scream. She

ran in and slammed the door shut

and started pacing. She was very

freaked out. She sat down on the

fl oor near the fi replace.

Nicole: It just really wasn’t cool

>> REDRUM

BY ALBERT ISAAC

Haunted Inn(terview)Our Writers Discuss Thier Assignment to Document Things that Go Bump in the Night


with the lights going out. I was

outside of our room. And I was

creeped out, even before the lights

went out, because I looked down

and saw this man walking around. I

didn’t scream that time. I was really

quiet. I ran to the room, and in the

back of my mind I thought it was

the guests, but they weren’t in the

main house.

Q: Was it a ghost?

Nicole: It wasn’t a ghost, sorry to

disappoint you.

Q: So are you more afraid of the living than the dead?

Nicole: Yes.

Jessica: I wasn’t. I was more afraid

of the dead.

Q: Can you tell us about your expe-riences in the Grady House?

Nicole: I just thought if there

would be any ghosts in the houses

it would be in the Grady House,

because of the way it was set up.

Jessica: How? I don’t understand

that. I thought it was cozy. We had

the perfect conditions for it to be

haunted that night [at the Herlong

Mansion]. I told Nicole when it

started storming that this should

be a horror movie.

Nicole: I guess I just wasn’t in the

mood that night. But the Grady

House has the narrow hallway. And

there was an old telephone there.

Everything was more old fashioned

there, I thought. There were old

pictures of people on the walls,

black and white pictures of people

from the 1800s. I constantly felt

their eyes watching me. The steep

staircase and narrow halls made

me feel as though a ghost would

have a grand ole time in the home.

Q: Did the innkeeper share any stories with you?

Nicole: Yes, she did. Lucie said

she was in the house alone one

night with her dog. And she heard

distinct male voices upstairs. And

then her dog growled. But she

didn’t want to go up there.

Q: I understand there is a book at the Grady House, “Haunted Inns of the Southeast” that describes radios turning on by themselves, guests being tucked in, chess pieces moving. Did you experience any such phenomenon?

Jessica: I saw no ghosts. I heard no

mysterious footsteps. I smelled no

overwhelming perfume. And no one

smoothed my covers as I went to

sleep. I guess ghosts are scared of

the press.


34 | Autumn 2010

Nicole: No radios turning on or off,

but I did move a chess piece and

I’m pretty sure it moved...

Jessica: No it didn’t. Nicole, I was

moving pieces too.

Nicole: You moved them but you

didn’t move it that time.

Jessica: Yes, I did. Nicole, a chess

piece did not move by itself.

Nicole: But the thing is, the ghost in

the book doesn’t really know how

to play chess. The ghost would put

the chess piece on top of another

piece. But it didn’t do that. It just

moved it. So maybe over the course

of a hundred years it learned how

to play chess. Oh, and I smelled

perfume.

Jessica: Nicole, we were in the

Peach Room, it’s supposed to smell

good.

Nicole: I think it was the air

freshener in the room. But I don’t

know.

Jessica: I try hard to respect that

you had that experience. I don’t

want to seem harsh but I fi nd it

totally unbelievable.

Q: You are both ghost skeptics - how do you explain these experiences?

Jessica: I don’t think these

instances that we read about and

that we hear about, I don’t think

there’s much merit to them.

Nicole: I think there’s a lot that you

can do with your own imagination.

Jessica: Exactly.

Nicole: If you really want to believe

something you can believe it. I’ve

seen things out of the corner of my

eyes at places, but that’s nothing.

That happens to everyone. You

believe what you want to believe.

Q: You visited, briefl y, the Newnansville Cemeteryand took some photos. Why didn’t you stay until after dark?

Nicole: Because that would have

taken away from our experience

at the Grady House. And we hadn’t

eaten.

Q: I understand something appeared in one of your photographs?

Nicole: Jessica seems to think it’s

the light. I seem to think it’s kind

of interesting. I wouldn’t say it’s a

ghost, I just think it’s a weird blotch

that shouldn’t be there.

Jessica: I don’t know (rolls eyes).

Q: So what I’m getting here are two skeptics arguing about something neither one of you actually believes in.

Jessica: But if we did believe it, that

is what we would think [Ghosts].

Q: How would you describe your overall experiences?

Jessica: Both bed and breakfasts

were amazing. Each place had

something particularly special

about it. At the Herlong Mansion

it was the history and bigness of

it all. At the Grady House it felt

delightful and luxurious and the

house and garden were beautiful.

My biggest regret at the Grady

House was not being able to

stay for breakfast. Knowing the

previous morning’s breakfast was

strawberry-stuffed French toast

did not help a bit, either. The

houses were really, really nice.

Nicole: I had a wonderful time

at both the Grady House and the

Herlong Mansion, the antiquity of

the homes was remarkable and

the hospitality was welcoming.

Also, although I am a Yankee I

do enjoy a good southern-style

breakfast every now and then,

courtesy of the Herlong Mansion.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stay

for the award-winning breakfast

at the Grady House, but I will have

to just make a special trip for that

sometime.

Ghosts or no ghosts — it would

seem as though hauntings may

be in the eye of the beholder.

Guests will just have to see for

themselves. s

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36 | Autumn 2010

I clean my living-in house and get in my driving

car to run my errands. All the while I have a little

child kid attach glued to my hip waist. If I seem a little

bit redundant or like I’m adding too many unneces-

sary adjectives that don’t need to be added to words

because they aren’t necessary for you to understand

the words they’re being added to, forgive me and I’m

sorry. But I’ve heard the term “working mother” used

a lot recently, and I’ve gotten a little perturbed at the

defi nition of working.

First let me issue a very heartfelt shout out to

those mothers who must leave their offspring in the

care of others while they work outside the home on

a 9-to-5-week-daily basis. Bless their hearts because

I know leaving my little ‘un for even half an hour at

the gym daycare was painful. So

I do want to commend them for

their bravery. There are all sorts

of crackpots taking care of kids

out there, and I know what kind

of mischief my angel can conjure

when she’s right under my very

watchful eye. So for those who

have no choice but to entrust

their young ones to someone else for several hours

each day, I truly do have much respect.

But I must admit, at times I am awfully jealous.

The fi rst day of leaving the tiny one I’m sure is hard. If

they’re not old enough to notice that you’re gone and

scream and wail in protest, I’d be willing to bet it’s still

nerve-wracking to release them into the care-taker’s

arms for the fi rst time. Some moms even break down

in hysterics, call it quits their fi rst day back on the job,

and try again another day. You know who you are.

But once it is confi rmed that the caregiver is not

only capable of sustaining the life of the child, but also

enriching their life and bringing a smile to said child’s

face, well then I think it gets a little easier. And it’s at

that point I’m green with envy.

You see, my B.S. in Journalism isn’t a degree that has

CEOs beating down my door with million dollar salary

offers in hand. Shocker. And my pre-baby take-home

pay would have barely covered the cost of childcare. So

the unanimous decision in the Henry household was

that I would stay home to bear and rear our youngin’s.

Well, the decision for me to bear them was not exactly

left up to me, but the hubby’s not really into experimen-

tal medicine of that nature. So I’m stuck with that one.

Nonetheless, I did the deed, grew the child, popped

her out and then quit my job to raise her. And she’s

really a swell kid, and I do have

the privilege of witnessing all the

wonders that she brings each day.

But I’ve got to tell you it’s no walk

in the part. I don’t feel like I’m a

“play mother” or a “sit-on-my-

butt-eating-bonbons mother.” No

my day is very much full of work.

I would kill for a space of my own

to get things done. Even a bitty tiny cubicle sounds like

heaven. Instead I feel like a border collie wrangling and

herding the kid away from the open dishwasher, fi replace,

stairs and other hazards. Oh barricades you say? We

don’t call them baby gates in this house. Those are deadly

climbing ladders and are classifi ed under “Things you

wouldn’t think I could hurt myself with but oh were you

wrong.” And maybe I’m part Lab since I’m often panting

and chasing her through the house trying to retrieve the

armfuls of laundry I JUST folded, or my cell phone and

car keys that like to go swimming in the toilet. All I know

NakedSalsa

COLUMN >> CRYSTAL HENRY

Each morning in the a.m. I wake up in my sleeping bed. I brush my mouth teeth with my toothbrush and fix some kind of food breakfast for eating.

Nonetheless, I did

the deed, grew the

child, popped her

out and then quit my

job to raise her.


is at the end of my “work” day I’m dead dog-tired.

And oh what I wouldn’t give for a lunch break. I

don’t want to sound whiny, because I’m so grateful

that I’m able to stay home and bond and share special

moments and once in a very blue almost purple moon

sneak in a quick afternoon nap when I put her down

for a snooze and accidentally stop moving for a second.

But those busy heroic SuperMoms who work a nine-

to-fi ver outside the home get a break from their kids.

And when they get home after a hard day at the offi ce,

they are greeted with the sweet smile of a child who is

grateful that they haven’t been abandoned for good.

Now my own mother, both grandmothers, aunts

and cousins are all “working moms,” and I have plenty

of friends who have no choice but to use childcare

services while they brave the working world to make

ends meet. But even they have admitted to me that

once they got over the initial separation anxiety hump,

it was oh so freeing to go to work and not have to worry

if your boss’s diaper is full or if he needs a ‘nanner’ to

hold him over until lunchtime.

So, although my offi ce may be littered with crayons

and cookie crumbs, please remember that I don’t get to

drop what I’m doing at 5 p.m. and leave. (Although Lord

knows I’ve had my hand on the door handle.) And yes,

when I have jelly in my hair and juice stains on my shirt,

I might look like a broken woman. But bless my heart

I’m still trying to be a very hard working mother. s

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Sept 17 Duke Durham 8:30 p.m.

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Oct. 8 Alabama HOME 8:00 p.m.

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Oct. 21 LSU Baton Rouge 8:00 p.m.

Oct. 24 Arkansas HOME 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 South Carolina Columbia 7:00 p.m.

Gator Volleyball DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME

Aug. 28 Iowa State Omaha 3:00 p.m.

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Sept. 3 Albany HOME 12:30 p.m.

Sept. 3 Bowling Green HOME 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 4 Colorado State HOME TBA

Sept. 17 Kentucky Lexington 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 19 Tennessee Knoxville 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 Florida State Tallahassee 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 26 Ole Miss HOME 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 1 LSU HOME 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 3 Arkansas HOME 1:30 p.m.

Oct 8 Alabama Tuscaloosa 8:00 p.m.

Oct. 10 Mississippi State Starkville 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 Auburn HOME 4:00 p.m.

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Oct. 27 South Carolina HOME 7:00 p.m.

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As the weather grows colder, the days shorter

and the nights longer, people leave their

homes in costumes and coverings. On this

one night a year — Oct. 31, of course — an entire

culture gathers around bonfi res to celebrate... but not to

celebrate Halloween that comes to most people’s minds.

It is often regarded that about 2,000 years ago,

during the Celtic celebration of Samhain, the inhabit-

ants of Ireland, United Kingdom and Northern France

recognized their new year on Nov. 1, and much like

today, partied the night before.

“This day marked the end of summer and the

harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a

time of year that was often associated with human

death,” according to “Halloween,” an article on The

History Channel website.

Halloween’s Parentage Today’s Halloween is a few months shy of New Year’s

Eve, but nevertheless many believe today’s secular

celebration has roots tracing back to the Celtic celebra-

tion of Samhain.

“Agricultural support dates back to at least 500 B.C.

for these holidays,” said Douglas Klepper, a professor of

history at Sante Fe College, referring to both Samhain

and its sister holiday, Beltaine, celebrated in the spring.

Since Samhain took place at the end of the summer

and harvest season, when herds were brought in from

pastures, when crops were accounted for, it was often

connected with the renewal

>> A SPOOK-TASTIC HISTORY

BY MARY KYPREOS

Halloween Through the Ages

ABOVE: PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, PHOTOGRAPH BY HARRIS & EWING

Mrs. Henry A. Wallace, wife of the Secretary of Agriculture at the time, helps a girl scout carve a pumpkin on Oct. 29, 1938.

Originally, Jack O’Laterns were placed in windows and doorways to scare away restless spirits.


46 | Autumn 2010

of ownership, Klepper said. Laws were renewed and

genealogies were recorded.

Because Samhain also signaled the beginning of

winter, it was often associated with death and dark-

ness, all characteristics of winter’s longer nights and

reduced plant growth.

Many references to these holidays “seemingly agree

that the spring holiday is light-hearted, and the fall is a

more somber affair,” he said.

According to the History Channel article, this som-

ber theme may have been because the Celts believed

lines between the world of the living and dead were

blurred on Oct. 31, allowing ghosts to return to Earth.

As with living people, there were good and bad

spirits. Some spirits played tricks upon people and

damaged supplies. On this night, Celts dressed up in

costumes of animal heads and skins, hoping to trick

ghosts from following them home.

To commemorate the celebration, huge bonfi res

were constructed in which to burn crops and offer

sacrifi ces - not limited to animals.

“Scott and Irish folktales talk about human sacrifi ce

at this time,” Klepper said.

After the sacrifi ces and donations, the families

relit their extinguished hearth fi res from the bonfi res.

Relighting their fi res from the sacred bonfi res helped

protect their homes from

the winter ahead and served

as a common bond for the

community.

One fi nal aspect of

Samhain, which later passed

through generations, was

the art of divination. The

Celts believed the presence

of spirits in their world on

this night allowed for easier

predictions.

“For a people entirely

dependent on the volatile

natural world, these prophe-

cies were an important

source of comfort and direction during the long, dark

winter,” according to a History Channel article.

Adaptations Through Time By the First Century A.D., the Romans controlled

much of the Celtics’ land, however, they left much of

culture and many of the Celtic gods intact. As a result,

Samhain was protected from extinction, an important

step in ensuring its continuation in the 21st Century.

“No effort was made to extinguish the local tradi-

tion because it was beyond their means,” Klepper

said, adding that there were not very many Romans in

Britain. “Why spend the time, effort and blood going

after a people when they will just pay their taxes.”

Scholars believe that during the centuries

of Roman rule, the strongest link between the

Celtic festival of Samhain and the Romans

was the Roman festival of Pomona.

Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, had

a festival held in her own every fall, near the time of

Samhain. Interestingly, the apple is a symbol of Pomona.

Could she be the reason people bob for apples?

Around the 800s, when Christianity hit Celtic lands,

the Catholic Church introduced All Saints’ Day, Nov.

1, to the country. Eventually, it would become a three-

day holiday consisting of All-hallows Eve on Oct. 31,

All Saints’ Day on the fi rst and All Souls’ Day on the

second. This celebration exhibited many of the same

parts as Samhain: bonfi res, costumes, parades, but it all

had the church’s stamp of approval.

Common Traditions Take Hold As time passed, the holiday became more secular

and less religion based.

Although some people today think of Halloween

Night as All Hallows Eve the fi rst known mention of

this name was not until 1556 in Scotland, Klepper said.

The Scots were also pioneers of silly pranks and

Vintage Merry Halloween

postcard. Printed in 1908.

Around the 800s, when Christianity hit Celtic lands, the Catholic Church introduced All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, to the country.


tricks as part of Halloween celebra-

tions. They were not the originators,

however; remember those restless,

destructive ghosts the Celts tried

to trick during Samhain?

In North England, bobbing for apples

or sixpence signaled good luck if you

were able to get one with your teeth,

Klepper said.

Of course, Halloween would not be

the same without a jack-o’-lantern.

Around the late 18th and early 19th cen-

turies, jack-o’-lanterns started appearing

in windows and doorways, Klepper said.

However, the original jack-o’-lanterns

were carved into turnips. Pumpkins

would not be used until Halloween

appeared in the U.S., where pumpkins

were more common than turnips.

There is little mention of Halloween

in the U.S. until the very late 19th

century, Klepper said. In the U.S.,

Scottish and Irish immigrants popular-

ized the holiday, and as such it took on

many characteristics obtained from

European cultures over the centuries.

Americans dressed up, threw

parties, trick-or-treated their way from

house to house, played pranks and

probably practiced a little divination.

One of the most popular divination

tricks was for that of young women

seeking their future husbands. In one

instance, a woman sowed hemp seeds

in a fi eld at midnight. After looking

over her shoulder, she would see an

apparition.

A woman could also peel the entire

length of an apple, throw it over her

shoulder, and whatever letter the peel

resembled would be the fi rst initial of

her future spouse’s fi rst name.

Secular Halloween celebrations can

be good clean fun nowadays, and the

key word here is secular. There is very

little religious attachment to Halloween.

For the most part, people no longer

thank the gods for a good harvest

and ask for protection throughout the

winter. Although, there is still a small

segment of the population for which it

holds greater religious value.

“Most people celebrate it as a

secular holiday and use it for harm-

less pranks, dressing up and eating

sweets,” Klepper said. s

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Setup an area for bobbing

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The small plane taxies

down the runway at the

Gainesville Regional

Airport. It is off to Miami or

Pensacola or Georgia or South

Carolina — or anywhere else some-

one needs a way to the hospital.

Angel Flights is a national airline

service for patients who need to

travel long distances for hospital

treatment. Patients often use the

service because they are unable to

drive. Dr. Peter Roode and Joe Meert

are two local pilots who fl y together

for Angel Flights.

Angel Flights, however, is not a

typical airport-style service. The

pilots are all volunteers and most

have other jobs. Although Roode

is a retired surgeon, Meert is a

geology professor at the University

of Florida. He fi ts fl ying in-between

teaching and research.

Roode said while patients come

to ShandsUF for medical reasons,

some have added family incentive.

Because she wanted to be close

to her mother, a woman from

Pensacola drove herself to Shands

for cancer treatment. When she

started chemotherapy she became

too sick to drive. Angel Flights then

began taking her back and forth.

Roode and Meert said they

fl y a variety of patients — not

just cancer patients. The two fl y

children, veterans, organ transplant

recipients and others who need

treatment at a hospital away from

their home.

Some patients climb in and fall

asleep

Flying with Angels

BY JESSICA CHAPMAN

Giving a Lift to Patients in Need


PHOTOS BY TJ MORRISSEY AT

LOTUS STUDIOS

Pilots Dr. Peter Roode and Joe Meert

at the Gainesville Regional Airport.

Both are volunteers with Angel Flights,

a national organization dedicated to

providing transportation for patients

in need, ranging from young children

with burn injuries to organ recipients

in need of a trip to the hospital for

transplants.

>> GIVING BACK

52 | Autumn 2010

while others talk the whole time, the pilots said, but

all very grateful.

Roode and Meert select their missions from

a list available to pilots on the Angel Flights

website. Because the pilots pay for gas and other

expenses, their fl ying distances are limited.

To help those in need of cross-country treat-

ment, Roode and Meert said a series of Angel

Flights pilots will set up a chain and each

pilot will take them as far as they can.

In addition to fl ying patients to the hospital, Angel

Flights, a national organization that is broken into

regions, helps with disaster relief, transplants, domes-

tic violence relocations and other humanitarian needs.

Roode said following 9/11, Angel Flights was

the only airline not grounded. Angel Flights fl ew

respirators to Ground Zero in New York City.

Angel Flights also routinely helps with organ

transplant recipients. While the organ is transported

on a jet, the transplant recipient has to get to the

hospital on his or her own, Roode said. For those far

from the hospital, a plane is the fastest way for the

recipient to get there before the organ is unable to use.

Roode said he began fl ying for Angel Flights

three and a half years ago and has been

on 34 missions. Meert began fl ying Angel

Flights with Roode a year and a half ago.


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“If I was rich,” Meert said, “I would go off a lot more.”

Roode said he has fl own 50 patients and 16,554

miles for Angel Flights, and it cost him about $1,000.

“I know exactly where all those pennies

went,” Roode said. “It’s the least I could do.”

Meert said the children they transport are the

most heart wrenching and stand out the most.

“To see little kids always tugs

at my heart,” Meert said.

The children need an adult to fl y with them,

and sometimes Roode’s wife, Betty, will go on

the trips if a parent or guardian cannot go.

“Kids don’t ask to be sick,” Roode said.

Children come through Angel Flights with

a myriad of diseases. Their stories fi ll the

page on Angel Flights Southeast’s website,

the region in which Roode and Meert fl y.

Quincy had burns that cover 76 percent of his body

after a house fi re. Foster was a baby with clubfoot.

His feet are turned the wrong way. Hedi needed

a spur-of-the-moment intestinal transplant.

The list of children who rely on Angel Flights is

long. According to Angel Flights Northeast, 50 percent

of passengers are children. Pilots around the country

are the fastest and often the only way patients like

these children can get help, Roode and Meert said.

However, Roode and Meert’s decision to fl y for Angel

Flights was not a sudden desire put into motion at

once. Both pilots said they have always wanted to fl y.

Meert said he would go to the Gainesville airport

and watch planes take off. One day his wife told him

he should just do it — he should fl y. After getting his

pilots license he noticed signs for Angel Flights at the

airport. It was not long before he was fl ying with Roode.

“I was fi nally doing what I always wanted,”

he said. “I’d always wanted to fl y.”

Roode got his commercial license to fl y in 1978 and

keeps a small plane about the size of a Volkswagon at

the Gainesville Regional Airport. He had heard about

Angel Flights before retiring while he was acting as a

locum tenens surgeon, an on-call surgeon for different

hospitals around the country. Whenever hospitals need-

ed a temporary surgeon they would call upon Roode.

While on call one day, he heard about Angel Flights

and decided to start fl ying for the organization.

Although Roode and Meert immediately began

fl ying for Angel Flights, they said the organization

needs volunteer help in many areas, including

fi nancial assistance and Earth Angels to help with

patient transportation on the ground.

Despite the time and money the pilots put into fl y-

ing, Roode and Meert said the passengers’ appreciation

and Angel Flights’ need for help, make it all worth it.

“I feel very fortunate,” Roode said.

“So I’m paying back society.” s

To learn more about Angel Flights visit www.angelfl ightse.org.

4125 NW 97th Blvd. Gainesville, Floridawww.gainesvilleharley.com 352.331.6363

54 | Autumn 2010

Currently, the 110 acres of

sprawling, green pasture

that sits to the side of

the Hal Brady Alachua Recreation

Complex is vacant. But within the

next fi ve years, residents of the city

can expect dramatic changes on

the property, complete with new

sports fi elds, more national tourna-

ments and an enhancement of the

quality of life for the city.

This idea by the city is called

Project Legacy, and Mayor Gib

Coerper said in an interview at City

Hall that the project “is a legacy we

can leave with our citizens.”

He said the project will be

something that generations for

years to come will enjoy.

When his and the other

commissioners tenures are over,

the development and fi nishing of

the project will be up to the new

commission and the residents of

the city.

“We are creating the path for

them,” he said.

The land the city is trying to buy is

the property that hundreds of people

use to park their vehicles and watch

the fi reworks during Alachua’s 4th of

July event. Coerper said the city had

been looking for property to buy and

felt this was a great opportunity for

the expansion of the current 25-acre

recreation facility.

He said he would like to build a

multi-purpose building and have

fi elds for adult recreation. He said

there would also be more ball fi elds

because there is an immediate

need for them in the city.

“The rest of the land will be

up to the interpretation of future

leaders and citizens,” he said.

The property had belonged to

Maronda Homes, and 200 homes

were going to be built on the site,

Coerper said. Maronda then sold

the property to JTD Land Company,

out of Kissimmee, and city offi cials

asked if they would want to sell it.

Before Project Legacy can begin,

the land has to be purchased from

JTD Land, said Adam Boukari, the

assistant to the city manager. In

total, the land price is $1,250,000,

Boukari said. But, the city was

able to make a down payment of

$90,000 on the property because

of a private donation, he said.

Because of the donation, the city

was able to secure the property

until June 30, 2011.

If the remaining $1,150,000 is not

raised by that date, the city will lose

the property.

Boukari said that in order to help

the city get an understanding of the

task at hand they have consulted

with people who have successfully

completed these types of projects.

“It’s a lot of money, but we have

been very encouraged by people

who have done it,” Boukari said.

Project Legacy

BY TARA MASSAGEE-STANLEY

A Look into Alachua’sHope for the Future

>> RECREATION


Boukari stressed the fact that

the remaining funding would not

be taken from the City of Alachua’s

budget or its residents. He said he

and the commission are looking

for grants, trying to fundraise and

hoping more people will donate.

One grant that the city is

anticipating is the Wild Spaces,

Public Places grant, Coerper said.

With this grant, $300,000 would be

taken away from the remaining

$1,150,000 that the city would need

to buy the property. This would

leave $850,000 still to be raised.

Boukari said they are looking to

other individuals who are willing

to donate, and hope they feel this

“may be most important gift they

ever give.”

He said they are “open to

anybody who wants to assist in

fundraising, volunteer, anybody

that wants to help.”

“We are reaching out to anybody

and everybody,” Boukari said.

At a recent commission meet-

ing, the developer of the project

and many city residents were

present to listen and give their

thoughts. Coerper said this was

the fi rst time he saw a devel-

oper get a round of applause and

approval at a city meeting.

“Everybody we talked to is

extremely excited about this

project,” he said.

One person very excited about

the project is Gainesville Sports

Commission Director Jack Hughes.

The sports commission is a non-prof-

it organization that has a contract

with Alachua County to create sports

tourism. Hughes has been helping

the city fi gure out what is needed to

get the project moving.

He said he really commends

the city for planning for the

future because “they are not

thinking small, they are think-

ing [about] nice facilities that

will last for the citizens and

be of tournament quality.”

In talking to the city, Hughes

said he told them to think of

a niche that no one else in the

county is doing. In particular, he

said, building lacrosse fi elds would

be a good idea because it is the

fastest growing team sport in the

country and Florida. He said if there

is soccer there could also probably

be lacrosse because the fi elds can

be constructed to be multi-purpose.

Additionally, he said the loca-

tion, off continued on next page

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ADAM BOUKARI

The 110 acres to the side of the Hal Brady Recreation Center is in the process of being bought by the City of Alachua, in

hopes of leaving a lasting legacy for the city’s residents, Mayor Gib Coerper said.

56 | Autumn 2010

Interstate 75 and halfway between Pensacola

and Miami, makes Alachua an ideal place to host

tournaments.

In August, the city hosted the Babe Ruth Little

League Softball World Series, and Coerper said there is

already talk of more of these tournaments headed their

way within the next fi ve years.

It is “going to be a magnet for national sports activi-

ties,” Coerper said.

With national tournaments come economic gains to

the hosting city and county. Hughes said the Babe Ruth

series in particular probably brought about $1 million to

the county, most of the money being centered in Alachua.

Boukari said the parents of the participants had to

stay in the local hotels, buy gas locally and eat in the

local restaurants. He said this is a really good selling

point to local businesses when they see the economic

returns that are possible.

“It’s a special project that goes beyond recreation,”

Boukari said.

Hughes said the really important idea about this

much acreage is that not all of it has to be developed.

“In 10 years there may be another hot sport people

want to participate in,” he said. “If they have land

backed away down the line, all the better.”

Both Boukari and Coerper agree that there are

signifi cant reasons for not developing all of the land in

the beginning. Boukari said there would still need to

be parking somewhere and keeping some of the space

open would allow it. He also said fairs and expos would

have open space to come and set-up.

They also both agree that the city needs to have its

own niche because Alachua has always done its own

thing, Coerper said.

Boukari said the city wants its own baseball, soccer,

softball, lacrosse and football fi elds.

“[We are] trying to prepare ourselves with those

activities and growing trends,” he said. s

Those interested in donating to Project Legacy can send checks to the city made payable to the city of Alachua Project Legacy. A bank account has also been set up at Gateway Bank where donations can be made.

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58 | Autumn 2010

The sprawling green open lot near the railroad

tracks on the southside of Newberry have

been described by Lou Presutti as a slice

of Americana. He has seen baseball thrive in tradi-

tional, pastoral settings. Presutti, who is the CEO of

Cooperstown Dreams Park, is willing to bet that the

American pastime will thrive in Newberry.

Nations Park, which is likely to begin development

this fall, will be a 16-fi eld complex for teams from

throughout the U.S. to visit for large tournaments.

The Cooperstown Dreams Park in New York, a similar

complex, has had to turn away teams that want to play

in tournaments. Newberry’s park will offer both an

alternative and a warm weather locale for hosting fall,

winter and early spring tournaments.

And, Presutti has put his money where his mouth is

by having his company front the cost to construct the

new complex.

“The city will then buy the complex back from

them over time, and they will probably have to provide

operations and maintenance,” said Richard Blalock,

Newberry Parks and Recreation director.

Blalock said the park will also benefi t the city’s park

and recreation baseball and softball programs.

“It could reduce my operating budget by about 20 to

25 percent, with them running it,” explained Blalock.

“One problem we have is that we don’t have enough

fi elds for games and practices, so practices frequently

get pushed off the fi eld. Now we can use some fi elds for

games and others for teams to practice.”

Presutti and Blalock were expecting construction

on the new complex to begin as soon as the end of

Nations BallparkBY CHRIS WILSON

Massive Complex Could Be Operating By Next Spring

>> RECREATION

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September or beginning of October, provided all of the

contracts were signed and sealed.

The city of Newberry will receive $7 million from

the Alachua County tourism bed tax on hotels over the

next 20 years to pay for the complex.

Newberry City Manager Keith Ashby said the ball-

park will more than make up for the money the county

has committed to the project.

“We’re looking at a minimum of 30,000 hotel nights,

but probably much more than that, when this thing is

done,” Ashby said.

The number cited by Ashby comes from the tourist

development committee.

“This is like adding six home football games to

the University of Florida’s schedule for the impact of

what this place can have,” Blalock told the Newberry-

Jonesville Chamber of Commerce.

Presutti believes the park could host as many as 2,000

youth baseball teams in 2011, provided that the fi elds are

ready by spring. Presutti is already planning to expand

the complex within its fi rst two years to 24 or 32 fi elds.

The property at the corner of Highway 27/41 and

Southwest 30th Avenue, where the park will be con-

structed, was donated by property owner Stefan Davis.

“The site is beautifully located on the corner of 30th

Avenue and State Road 45, right next to the railroad

tracks, so it has a lot of visibility,” Ashby said. “It’s close

to water and sewer. But, with an attractive entrance

there, you can’t miss it.”

Because the Davis site is located within the urban

services boundary, more commercial development can

occur near the ballparks. Newberry-Jonesville Chamber

of Commerce President Joy Glanzer said area business

leaders are in favor of the project, especially at its

location on the southern side of Newberry.

“It was inside that urban service area, where we’re

allowed to grow and have businesses,” Glanzer said.

“The city’s vision for the last 20 years has been to grow

from that part [of the city] out. Zoning permits it.”

Ashby believes that the adjacent commercial zoning

will help attract businesses to Newberry.

“It’s surrounded by commercial property,” Ashby

said. “I think that will be a catalyst and pull the trigger

for the kinds of things we’re looking for, such as hotels,

restaurants and all the support mechanisms that go

with 50,000 visitors.”

Presutti said the big winner will not be the city of

Newberry, but the game of baseball. Still, he admitted

that Newberry will become a destination for youth ball

players nationwide.

And the large, quiet, empty lot on the south side of

Newberry is soon going to be buzzing with the laughter

of young athletes, the crack of the bat and the cheers of

families who will leave with a lifetime of memories. s

PHOTOS BY CHRIS WILSON

ABOVE: The large tract of land on the south side of Newberry that will become the 16-fi eld Nations Park baseball complex.

The facility could grow in the future to include more than 30 fi elds.

TOP RIGHT: Newberry Parks and Recreation director Richard Blalock explained to the Newberry-Jonesville Chamber

of Commerce the benefi ts that Newberry’s park system will have on the city’s economy. Blalock will help oversee the

construction of a 16-fi eld baseball facility south of downtown Newberry.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Cooperstown Dreams Park CEO Lou Presutti has been back-and-forth between New York and Newberry for

the past three years, as he has been pitching his Nations Park idea to Newberry and Alachua County offi cials.

60 | Autumn 2010

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Bonnie Del Rosal is from Canada and her husband, Mike, is from Miami. After

living in Miami and raising their daughter to college age, they moved to Alabama, bought a farm and loved it. But, they missed Florida. So, they moved back to Florida and chose Alachua. “We were looking for a relaxed, historic atmosphere,” said Bonnie. And

what better describes Alachua than relaxing and historic. Mike and Bonnie opened the beautiful Garden Gallery downtown on Main Street and this September they will celebrate their 12th year in business. Garden Gallery offers custom, permanent

fl oral designs, and features Willow Tree, Alexandria Fragrance Lamps, throws, a variety of art by local artists, a great baby section including (including Camp grandma, Mud Pie, and Gund), and pillows by Manual Woodworkers and Weavers, in addition to much more. Customers as well as local business people and residents, comment that their visit to Garden Gallery is always peaceful and relaxing, leaving them wanting to return. The fi rst thing that hits you when you walk in the front door of Garden Gallery is the heavenly scent. Scented candles, beads, and room sprays blend into an entrancing bouquet. “There’s a serine feeling here, says Bonnie. “The scent, the colors, the music and artful displays make people feel at home”. Sometimes people just take a quick break from work to stop by for a few minutes of serenity and to visit with Bonnie, Dorsey, Gail or Chaser. Chaser, their beloved Australian Shepard, is always present, adding to the ambiance and entertaining customers. Bonnie says, “It’s comical how some people just stick their head in the front door and ask if Chaser’s in. If we say ‘not today’, they’ll have a sad look and leave.” Everyone loves Chaser! Stop by to meet the friendly

and helpful staff. Enjoy a relaxing shopping environment where you can browse and purchase beautiful things for you, your home or garden, as well as meaningful gifts for friends and loved ones. Located in the heart of quaint, meandering Main Street of Alachua’s Historic district, people often come just to spend the afternoon. Come see for yourself what all the fuss is about and make Garden Gallery “your store.”

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s

62 | Autumn 2010

B efore I was even aware of it, I had put into motion

a reunion with my high school buddies and — and

this is the important part — my high school band

director, Uncle Willie.

Sure, my friends and I had talked before about

getting together. Maybe a year ago. Maybe fi ve years

ago. Who knows? Time slips by so fast sometimes I can

hardly believe that it’s been nearly — well, never mind

how long it’s been since high school, but pretty long.

Yet, in many ways it feels like yesterday.

I had been searching for something in my newly

“organized” home offi ce. Every time I clean I am sure

to lose something of great importance, which in turn

leads to me again tearing the room apart in search of

that highly elusive item. In this case, I was looking for

some crucial CDs, vital for getting my newly formatted

hard drive to work. (My trials and tribulations at that

task could be a story in itself.)

During my rummaging, I came across all manner of

interesting items I haven’t seen in years. I even threw

out some of the junk (which I will undoubtedly need

again now that it’s gone). I pulled nearly everything out

of my cluttered closet and had it strewn throughout

the room. But I didn’t have the forethought to make

a path through the clutter. To move across the room

I had to balance like a ninja, high stepping between

one teetering pile of debris to another. But that’s okay,

because I was on a mission. I didn’t know it at the time,

but the universe was directing me to gather my friends

together, and soon.

I am easily distracted. I imagine if I were tested, I’d

be diagnosed with some form of attention disorder

that didn’t even exist when I was a child. This very

paragraph is evidence of my disorder. It’s a wonder I

can accomplish anything at all before getting derailed

by some other highly important task.

But in this case, being distracted, having my train of

thought derailed, led to something special.

I had been digging through a container when

I found the old letters, written by my high school

friends after they had left home for college. Talk about

a trip down memory lane. These letters, penned by my

rapscallion-like buddies — now upstanding pillars of

society (and no, for once I’m not joking) — provided an

uproarious glimpse into the past. Their crude, hand-

scrawled missives, rife with insulting and derogatory

terms of endearment, should never be repeated in

polite company.

Which is why I posted them on the Internet.

I am KIDDING. But I laughed as I read them. Laughed

out loud as their words pulled me back to a place in time

that, while consisting only of a few years, seemed much

longer. We sure packed a lot of living into those years.

Also stashed away was a high school football pro-

gram, complete with photos of the football team, the

band, the fl ag girls, the offi cers and our band director,

Uncle Willie. I hadn’t seen him since 1978.

Oops, I wasn’t going to talk about how many years it

has been. Try to forget that I ever mentioned 1978.

However long, it was time to see him again.

I picked up the phone and called a friend who has

stayed in touch with Uncle Willie through the years.

We talked about a reunion. My buddy agreed it was a

great idea. Of course, he thought it was a great idea the

last time we’d talked about it, fi ve or so years ago. We

all thought it was a great idea. But sometimes not even

great ideas are realized.

This time would be different. I called another friend.

And another. All were excited about the prospect.

Somehow, with very little effort, I had arranged a

reunion with some of my closest friends and the

educator who has inspired so many of us.

We gathered at a restaurant, talked of old times,

shared stories. To me, it was much like a family

DifferentNote

COLUMN >> ALBERT ISAAC

It began with a memory. Triggered by old faded letters. Followed by a phone call. And another.


reunion, long overdue. Uncle Willie remembered all

of us by name, even remembered the instruments we

played (a test most of us would surely fail).

While the others at the table were raising a ruckus

and reminiscing, my teacher leaned forward to tell me

about a young band student with a chip on his shoul-

der. But Uncle Willie never gave up on this young man,

and in time his attitude changed; the chip was gone.

He went on to college. Did well for himself. Played

trumpet. Became an astronaut. Flew the space shuttle.

I asked Uncle Willie how he feels about being part

of this man’s success story.

“It’s what teachers do,” he said with a shrug.

After dinner we all caravanned back to his house,

nine of us descending upon the home he shares with

his wife. We listened to stories of his life: his time in

World War II, his career as a musician and educator,

and the path that led him to our particular high school

in Miami. It was all new to me.

That night, I thought a lot about all that had

transpired. I thought about the thousands of kids

Uncle Willie has infl uenced over the course of his

career. And I thought about the ripple effect we all

have on those around us, throughout our lives. I

thought about how lucky I am to be part of those

magical, musical days and luckier still to be able to

meet with everyone once again.

All because of a simple phone call. s

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Being a member of SunState Federal Credit Union has always come with certain

privileges. For more than 50 years, area residents have joined SunState Federal Credit Union for a variety of reasons, and with the opening of their newest branch, members now can enjoy “the nicest bus stop” in Gainesville. With the construction of the branch, certain improvements were made to the surrounding area to ensure members the easiest access possible throughout the normally busy area streets. The creation of a new traffi c signal will allow easier access to the credit union’s new drive-through banking center. A road was built at the front of the building and a new lot created to provide plenty of parking at any time of the day. And of course, Gainesville’s nicest bus stop was

built to ensure anyone needing access to SunState could arrive or depart in style, even if mass transit is your transportation of choice! Opened in early July in the heart of Gainesville’s fi nancial district, SunState’s newest branch is located on 43rd street in Northwest Gainesville. This branch replaced the Magnolia Park location and is expected to serve as SunState’s Commercial Services Center. Built around SunState’s 50-year commitment to provide members with the highest possible level of service and innovation, the new 43rd street branch continues to deliver friendly and professional service. From state-of-the-art, member-friendly teller stations, to a super-convenient drive-through banking center, the new branch offers a truly a unique banking experience. “I think members are really going to appreciate the details we put into our newest location,” said Jim Woodward, President of

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BUS STOP in Gainesville!


SunState Federal Credit Union. “We needed a branch that could serve the ever growing needs of our membership base in Northwest Gainesville. In addition, this branch will serve as our commercial services center, something area businesses have been anxiously awaiting.”

For business owners, SunState’s package of commercial services, launched in early 2008, has grown and expanded to meet the needs of many small business owners in the area. Whether you’re a local business or an individual looking to make a difference, nothing can help our local economy more than bringing your money home to a locally owned and operated fi nancial institution. If you’re in the area, why not come on over and experience banking the way it should be? Trusted by thousands of members, why not join a team that will help build your fi nancial future? Why not work with a credit union that has your best interest in mind, not theirs? Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy Counties.

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66 | Autumn 2010

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Alachua County,Florida


The Waste Watcher is on the lookout for you! If you don’t want to be on his most wanted list - make sure you recycle and put trash in a trash can!

UNDERTAKER!

When will you

learn?

i Won’t bestopped!

Muah ah ah!

For More Information, Call (352) 374-5213 • www.TheWasteWatcher.com

©20

08 A

lach

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ount

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ffice

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aste

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Call or come in today!

It is our pleasure at Cuts & More to take care of your hair care needs. It is becauseof customers like you, who faithfully support our business, that we’ve continued to succeed for the last 6 years.

We are inspired by your natural beauty and we will continue to give you the satisfaction you desire. We appreciate your trust, and will strive to continue giving you the kind of service you deserve.

Again thank you! Look for the many ways Cuts & More gives back to their clients, community, and country throughout the year, as their way of saying thanks.

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Upon retiring as a Master

Sergeant from the Army,

Houdini received a

certifi cate of appreciation signed by

President Barack Obama.

When it was time to fi nd a place

to retire after 19 years of service, he

went to a small farm in Alachua: Mill

Creek Farm. But Mill Creek Farm is

not typical; it is a retirement farm

where the average age is 27 years old.

Houdini is one of 126 horses that

now call the Mill Creek Farm home.

At the farm, only a wooden

fence confi nes him. He has no

saddle, no reins and no rider. He

has 12 acres to roam free and he

shares the green pasture with fi ve

other horses, including Possum,

who retired as a Sergeant First

Class from the Army.

Together, Possum and Houdini

have appeared in 4,300 events in

multiple states, and their hard

work and service has paid off. Upon

Houdini’s arrival to the farm he was

promised — as are all horses — that

he would never be ridden or worked

again. And he will die there.

To Peter Gregory, the farm’s

owner, this is how it should be.

Each horse at the Mill Creek

Retirement Home for Horses has

a unique life story. Some were

racehorses, some were rescued

from abuse, some were research

subjects, but all found common

ground at Mill Creek Farm.

The farm, located down a small

dirt road from CR 235-A in Alachua,

has been around for the last 26

years and was created as Peter and

his wife Mary’s retirement plan.

Gregory said the idea to start the

farm began in 1950 when he met

and fell in love with Mary while

enrolled at the University of London.

Gregory became a hotel manager

for a company in Great Britain. He

ran resorts in the Caribbean and in

the Grand Bahamas Islands, and he

also ran the fi rst hotel for non-

smokers, The Native Sun.

The couple later made the

move to America and became

citizens in 1976.

After becoming a millionaire

twice in his life, it was about time

to think about retirement. The

couple decided to spend the rest of

their lives helping animals, which

had been their dream since they

met about 60 years ago.

“We always had this dream

in our mind that we had to do

something for the horses, but if it

wasn’t horses it would have been

dogs or cats,” Gregory said.

In 1983, they opened the gates of

Mill Creek Farm and one year later

they welcomed their fi rst horse to

the farm.

An Equine SanctuaryMill Creek Horse Retirement Farm

BY NICOLE LYNN GREINER


PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY / LOTUS STUDIOS

Zachary Morrissey, 6, feeds one of the horses at Mill Creek Horse Retirement Farm in Alachua. Admission to the farm is two carrots.

>> GREEN PASTURES

70 | Autumn 2010

After 26 years the farm is still

there and Peter is now 81 years old,

but his sharp memory and his quick

feet would fool people. He knows

every horse by name and even

remembers when each horse came

to the farm and from where it came.

Big Surprise, now 10 years old,

came to the farm in the belly of his

mother, Dakota Too.

Dakota Too was rescued when the

Broward County Sheriff’s Department

raided a farm in South Florida. In

total, 18 horses were found and Mill

Creek Farm took eight of the horses

in the worst shape.

Nobody knew the mare was

pregnant, including the veterinar-

ians that examined her.

“She never looked any different,”

Gregory said.

Gregory is not quite sure why his

memory is so sharp, but he said his

father lived to be 91 and that might

have something to do with it.

“I keep busy,” he said. “I don’t

worry about what’s going to happen

tomorrow because I keep busy.”

He attributes some of his reten-

tion to his eating habits. For the

last 35 years, the couple has been

vegetarians because they do not

approve of killing animals.

To the Gregorys, Mill Creek Farm

is home; they live in a small house

on the middle of the property.

Gregory said he loves living on

the farm and the proximity makes

it easier for him to get things done.

He works a 12-hour day that starts

at 6:30 a.m. Some times he does not

even stop to take a break.

Every morning he loads a golf

cart with carrots and apples and

makes his rounds around the farm.

He sees to it that all the horses are

cared for and none need a vet.

The farm has only one paid

employee that takes care of feeding

the horses; the rest of the workers

are volunteers.

“It’s amazing that they do it

themselves, it’s incredible,” said

Dawn Zinsmaster, a frequent

volunteer at the farm.

Zinsmaster said coming to the

farm is like an escape from reality.

“When you come here, every-

thing else in your life just goes

away, and you know you’re doing a

good thing,” she said.

Zinsmaster said she mostly

helps Peter with the Facebook page

and clerical work.

Even at 81 years of age, Gregory

has no plans to retire as the owner

and manager of the farm. To him

this is retirement.

“I am retired,” he said. “This is

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY / LOTUS STUDIOS

Kayla Stump and her son, Xavier Edwards, 4, visit with one of the many horses at the Mill Creek Horse Retirement Farm.


what I do when I’m retired.”

Since the farm opened in 1983,

the Gregorys have worked without

a salary. Gregory said the last time

he went out to dinner was in April

of 1993, partly because he wants to

leave as much money as he can for

the farm. The other part is because

there is no money to spread around.

It costs hundreds of dollars a

month just to care for one horse.

The farm currently has 126 horses

and at one point had 141.

In 2000, Pavarotti, a now 31-year-

old quarter horse, retired to Mill

Creek Farm from the Claremont

Riding Academy in New York City.

Pavarotti was living in a basement

stall in the city and was used for

riding lessons. Now she grazes in

wide open pastures with grass at

her feet and the sky overhead.

Gregory also dreams of buying

more land to care for more horses,

but property is hard to come by. The

land behind the farm is for sale,

300 acres for $2.9 million. However,

money is even harder to come by.

The farm runs solely on dona-

tions, continued on next page

PHOTOS BY TJ MORRISSEY / LOTUS STUDIOS

ABOVE: Farrier B.J. Beal works on a horse’s hoof.

TOP: Owners Peter Gregory and wife Mary pose with one of

the many residents of the horse retirement farm.

MIDDLE: Volunteer Elayne McNamara walks a Palomino by

the name of Sly.

BOTTOM: The horse farm is sanctuary to horses, ponies

and donkeys. Here Catherine Morrissey, 4, feeds one of the

smaller residents.

72 | Autumn 2010

most of which come on Saturdays when the farm is

open to the public. From 11 a.m. to 3 pm visitors stroll

the 265-acre farm to pet and feed the horses and even

have picnics.

To the horses, this is the day they take a break from

galloping across the fi elds to stand along the fence and

eagerly wait for visitors to come with carrots and the

occasional apple.

Terry Harpold said he has visited the farm about

four times with his 6-year-old daughter, August, who

loves feeding the horses carrots just as much as she

loves eating them.

August enjoyed feeding one horse in particular, Voltan.

Voltan, a Belgian horse, came to the farm in

2006, fresh from his glory days performing at the

Metropolitan Opera. He was called to the Met to replace

Milky Way, who had also retired to Mill Creek Farm.

Voltan took the stage to play a role in Carmen at the

Lincoln Center. He, too, retired from the Claremont

Riding Academy in New York City.

Voltan was forced into retirement after a bad case

of arthritis.

Terry and August are just two of about 300 visitors

that come to the farm every Saturday.

A walk through the farm is not free. Visitors must

pay the cost of admission: two carrots.

“It’s defi nitely fair,” said Eric Hicks, a Gainesville

resident who visited the farm with his family. “Last

time we didn’t bring enough carrots.”

The 265-acre farm is immaculate. Visitors, neighbors

and volunteers often say the farm is like heaven.

And for horses like Houdini the farm is heaven. It is

also their fi nal resting place. When Gregory made the

promise that every horse would live out its life on the

farm and never leave, he was not lying. The horses are

buried in a section called the Field of Dreams.

Just like the other parts of Mill Creek Farm, the Field

of Dreams, which holds over 200 fallen horses, also

has a story, a story in every tree that is planted in the

memory of a fallen horse.

Everything at Mill Creek Farm is done for the horses,

so Houdini, Possum, Big Surprise, Pavarotti and Voltan

need do nothing more than be the creatures they were

born to be. s

“When you come here, everything else in your life just goes away, and you know you’re doing a good thing.”

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>> HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS

VARSITY FOOTBALL

DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME

Aug. 27 Williston Home 7:30 pm

Sept. 3 Newberry Home 7:30 pm

Sept. 10 Eastside Away 7:30 pm

Sept. 17 Gainesville Away 7:30 pm

Sept. 24 Suwannee Home 7:30 pm

Oct. 1 Bradford Away 7:30 pm

Oct. 8 Ribault Away 7:30 pm

Oct. 15 BYE

Oct. 22 Baldwin Home 7:30 pm

Oct. 29 Raines Home 7:30 pm

Nov. 5 Baker County Away 7:30 pm

Nov. 12 Fort White Home 7:30 pm

JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL


Sept. 2 Gainesville Home 7 pm

Sept. 9 Eastside Home 7 pm

Sept. 16 Gainesville(9th grd) Away 7 pm

Sept. 23 Newberry Away 7 pm

Sept. 30 Union County Home 7 pm

Oct. 7 Suwannee Away 7 pm

Oct. 28 Fort White Away 7 pm

VOLLEYBALL (VARSITY + JV)

DATE OPPONENT SITE JV VARSITY

Sept. 3-4 Gatortown Classic Home TBA (Varsity only)

Sept. 7 St. Francis Home 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 9 Williston Away 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 12 Crystal River Away 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 14 Suwannee Home 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 16 Fort White Away 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 20 Oak Hall Home 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 21 Gainesville Home 6 pm 7 pm

Sept. 23 Newberry Home 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 27 Trinity Catholic Away 5 pm 6:30 pm

Sept. 28 Orl. Bishop Moore Away 6 pm (Varsity only)

Sept. 30 Buchholz Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 4 St. Francis Away 5:30 pm, 7 pm

Oct. 5 Fort White Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 7 Suwannee Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 11 Eastside Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 12 Williston Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 14 Newberry Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 18 Trinity Catholic Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 19 Gainesville Away 6 pm, 7:30 pm

Oct. 26-28 District Tournament TBA TBA

Santa Fe High Raiders

Serving: Alachua, Newberry & High Springs

Owner: Cyndy Shires

Cell: 352-870-5627

Home: 386-462-2262

Personal pet sitter and pet care in your home while you’re away.

PAMPER PAMPER YOUR PETYOUR PET

PHORSE CARE ALSO!

25% OFFYOUR MEALIN HOUSE OR TO GO. COME GIVE US A TRYExpires 11-15-10.Follow us on Facebook!

Located in the First Avenue Center in Gorgeous High Springs, Florida

222 NE First Avenue • High Springs386-454 -9823386-454 -9823Monday - Saturday 11:30- 8:00

www.GatorQ.com

Does your child read this:The lite bog

is at the blun.

Instead of this?The little dog

ate plums.

W H O L E C H I L D G A I N E S V I L L E . C O M

SPECIALIZING IN:Reading

(Dyslexia)

Writing (Dysgraphia)

Problems

Pamela S. Nay, M.S., C.C.C.LEARNING DISABILITIES AND

NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

352-672-62007328 W. UNIVERSITY AVE., SUITE G,

GAINESVILLE, FL


BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUMBEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM

1. Dispose of Trash in Proper Receptacles2. Recycle Your Aluminum Cans, Plastic and Glass Bottles3. Help Reduce Waste by Bringing Reusable Plates, Cups and Utensils

For more information, call the Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives at (352) 374-5213 or visit www.TheWasteWatcher.com



Big BLueBigOrange

The Waste Watcher’s Tailgating Tips

Hey Gator Fans,HElp Us

True New York pizza and a wide variety of gourmet pizzas, homemade salads, pasta, and desserts from tiramisu, cannoli and NewYork style cheese cake.

Anybody can put New York intheir name… Mamma Mia Pizzeria

puts it into the food!

OPEN 7 DAYS! Monday – Sunday 10:00am until 10:00pm

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE SPECIAL

TOPPINGS COST EXTRA. DINE-IN, PICK-UP OR DELIVERY. MUST PRESENT COUPON TO DELIVERY DRIVER OR WHEN PLACING ORDER IN PERSON. LIMITED TIME OFFER.

www.MammaMiaPizzaShop.com

BUY ANY LARGE PIZZA AND

GET A SECOND LARGE PIZZA

GAINESVILLE • 490 NE 23rd Ave.

352-376-3444

JONESVILLE • 14209 W. Newberry

352-333-7774

WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE GRAND OPENING OF OUR JONESVILLE LOCATION!New!!

FREEFREE

78 | Autumn 2010

>> HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS

VARSITY FOOTBALL


Aug. 27 Trenton Away 7 pm

Sept. 3 Santa Fe Away 7:30 pm

Sept. 10 Fort White Home 7:30 pm

Sept. 17 BYE WEEK

Sept. 24 Trinity Catholic Home 7:30 pm

Oct. 1 Union County Away 7:30 pm

Oct. 8 Mount Dora Away 7:30 pm

Oct. 15 North Marion Away 7:30 pm

Oct. 22 Umatilla Home 7:30 pm

Oct. 29 Keystone Heights Home 7:30 pm

Nov. 5 Williston Away 7:30 pm

Nov. 12 Dixie County Home 7:30 pm

JUNIOR VARSITY FOOTBALL


Sept. 2 Union County Home 7 pm

Sept. 9 Fort White Away 7 pm

Sept. 16 Dixie County Away 7 pm

Sept. 23 Santa Fe Home 7 pm

Sept. 30 Williston Away 7 pm

Oct. 7 Gainesville Away 7 pm

Oct. 14 PK Yonge Home 7 pm

Oct. 19 Chiefl and Home 7 pm

VOLLEYBALL (VARSITY + JV)

DATE OPPONENT SITE JV VARSITY

Sept. 2 Williston Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 7 Interlachen Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 9 Suwannee Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 14 Fort White Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 17 Bronson Home 6 pm, 7:30 pm

Sept. 21 Interlachen Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 23 Santa Fe Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 27 Trenton Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 28 Suwannee Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Sept. 30 Williston Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 7 Fort White Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 14 Santa Fe Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 18 Bronson Away 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 19 Hamilton Home 5 pm, 6:30 pm

Oct. 26-28 District Tournament TBA TBA

Newberry High Panthers

The place to go for those “in the know”!

352-333-0291SERVING BREAKFAST-LUNCH-DINNER14145 WEST NEWBERRY ROAD, SUITE 104JONESVILLE (Across from Steeplechase Publix)

AUTHENTIC NEW YORK COMES TO JONESVILLE!

Your Neighborhood DeliOPEN 7 DAYS Mon thru Fri: 8–8pm • Saturday: 8–7:30pm • Sunday: 10–5pm

FREE16oz BARNIE’S COFFEE

10%OFF ENTIRE TICKET

WITH PURCHASE OF ANY BREAKFAST SANDWICH OR PLATTER

AFTER 5PM MONDAY – SATURDAY*CATERING NOT ELIGIBLE

SPECIALIZING INSPECIALIZING INCarnegie Deli Pastramiand Corned BeefKnishes - CheesesteaksBagels - Nova LoxBurgers - CubansNY CheesecakeCannolies

NY SIZE PASTRAMI PHILLY CHEESESTEAK 1/4 LB. CHEESE BURGER

VISIT US ONLINE ANYTIME AT www.DAVESNYDELI.com


AMERICA’S LARGEST AND MOST RELIABLE WIRELESS NETWORK

Visit us online 24-hours a day at www.PhonesandMoreFL.com

HIGH SPRINGS, FLORIDA30 NW FIRST AVENUE

386-454-0717

BILL PAYPHONE UPGRADESADD A LINE

NEW CUSTOMERSBUSINESS SERVICESWIRELESS INTERNET

F U L L S E R V I C E L O C A T I O N :

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED VERIZON AUTHORIZED RETAILER

Your Wireless and Internet Store!

(386)-454-2193

City BoysCity BoysTire & BrakeTire & Brake

• HIGH SPRINGS •

www.cityboys.com

CITY BOYS APPRECIATES YOUR BUSINESS CITY BOYS APPRECIATES YOUR BUSINESS

Buy 3, get the 4th Tire FREE

4-Tire Balance& Rotation

Oil & Filter Change

Coolant Drain & Fill

*Most Cars, Disposal ExtraExpires 11/15/10. Our Town Magazine Expires 11/15/10. Our Town Magazine

Expires 11/15/10. Our Town MagazineExpires 11/15/10. Our Town Magazine

Expires 11/15/10. Our Town Magazine

Expires 11/15/10. Our Town Magazine

Fusion HZI orFirestone HT Tires

All Tires In Stock!

$2495• Most Vehicles• Plus Env. Fees

Front-End Alignment




$1995

includes up to 5 quarts 10W30 Kendall semi-synthetic oil

Dex Coolant Extra

FREE Brake Inspection

*Most Cars, Disposal ExtraExpires 11/15/10. Our Town Magazine

with 20% Discountwork done - All Vehicles

Expires 11/15/10. Not valid with other promotions or offers. Redeem only at City Boys Tire & Brake. Our Town Magazine

SPECIAL PRICE!!

A/C System Inspection & Freon Recharge

+ Tax & Freon

10% Off

80 | Autumn 2010

At Haven, we believe every day is a gift.1-800-727-1889 www.HavenHospice.org

Whole Food NutritionFor Your Entire FamilyFor Your Entire Family

FREEKIDS & COLLEGESTUDENTS

CONTACT MEFOR DETAILS www.JayneJuicePlus.com

CAPSULES & CHEWABLES

www.edwardjones.com Member CIPF

HAVE 401(k) QUESTIONS? LET'S TALK.

Jason S JaversFinancial Advisor.

14423 U S Hwy 441 Suite 9Alachua, FL 32615386-462-0417

Member SIPC

ELECTRICALELECTRICALSERVICE, INC.SERVICE, INC.

empowerempowerLet us empower you!

Richard Pfuntner, Owner Licensed & Insured: Lic. #ER00015344

PHONE: 386-418-2199CELL: 352-256-6949

386-462-0661YOUR HOMETOWN PIZZA PLACE!YOUR HOMETOWN PIZZA PLACE!YOUR HOMETOWN PIZZA PLACE!OPEN: TUESDAY - SATURDAY For Lunch & Dinner

14933 Main St., Alachua, FL 32615

• STROMBOLIS

• CALZONES

• SUBS

• PASTA

• PIZZA

• WINGS

• SALADS

• DESSERT

Daily Lunch Specials! WEEKEND PASTA SPECIALS

Family Owned + Operated

• SSSSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

dddddddddttttttttttttttttttttttttttted

You’ve got a friend in the business

16404 NW 174 TH DRIVE, ALACHUA

386.462.5700 www.alarionbank.com

C

VisitVisit. . .. . .Historic Downtown City of Alachua10 MILES NORTH OF GAINESVILLE - EXIT 399 ON I-75


– PREVIOUSLY LOVED BOOKS –

The Pink The Pink PorchPorch

14720 Main Street – Downtown Alachua

386-462-9552 www.pinkporchbooks.com

• GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE •We take books in trade, so bring your

beloved books to us where they’ll be cherished.

• Garden Design• Installation• Maintenance

• Consultations • Problem Solving• and more!

Visit our farm to view our great selectionof fl owers, plants and fruit trees.

Lion Oaks Farm • 20114 NW 78th Ave • Alachua

Schedule a free consultation: 386.462.9641

Thurston Garden DesignReg# 47222925

nFor Your Entire Family

ELECTRICALSERVICE, INC.

empower

4

Kelly’s KreationsGift Baskets

Custom designed gifts created for that special someone.

[email protected]

SHIPPING AVAILABLE

WeddingsHolidays

Teacher Gifts

Baby ShowerBirthday

Sympathy

386.462.5010Call:

386.462.223014822 MAIN STREET, ALACHUA

Gently Used Name Brandsntly Used Name Bra

Consignment Boutique

Girls 6x toWomen’s 5x

Visit. . .Welcome to the Eighth Annual

ALACHUAHARVEST FESTIVALIn Historic Downtown City of Alachua10 Miles North of Gainesville - Exit 399 on I-75

SUNDAY, October 17th, 2010 - 11AM - 5 PMMain Street in Downtown City of AlachuaFree and Open to the Public

Enjoy a wonderful Sunday afternoon with the family while strolling along Historic Downtown Main Street in Alachua, lined with lovely Victorians. Savor delicious food while listening to local musicians and chatting with friends, neighbors and gracious shopkeepers. Unique vendors and farmers market all day! We look forward to seeing you!!

Sponsored By: Alachua Business League, The City of Alachua,

SunState Federal Credit Union, Gator Dominos and Alachua Printing

For more information: [email protected]

Alachua Business League, Inc.The ABL Mission is to promote business-to-business support, organize events and activities to promote local business, maintain a business development network, conduct roundtable discussions, and welcome all new businesses into the area.

Join Now: www.alachuabusiness.com

82 | Autumn 2010

High Springs Farmers MarketEvery Thursdays

2:00pm - 6:00pmJames Paul Park. Variety of vendors - fresh & organic pro-duce, shrimp, flowers, fresh baked goods, candles, oils, crafts and more.352-672-5308www.farmersmarket.highsprings.com

Friday FlingFourth Friday every month.

12:00pm - 6:00pmMain Street, Newberry. Weekly event, weather permitting.www.newberrymainstreet.org

Fantastic FridaysFirst Friday of each month

6:30pm - 8:30pmHistoric Downtown High Springs. Carriage rides, merchants open late, Railroad Avenue Street Jam by Music Junction, street ven-dors, and family fun.386-418-0075www.highspringsmainstreet.com

Newberry Saturday Morning MarketEvery Sat.

8:00am - 2:00pmDowntown Newberry, W Newberry Road by the railroad tracks. Weekly event, weather permitting.352-494-5360www.newberrymainstreet.org

Fruit Tree and Plant SaleWed. 9/1

4:00pm to 7:00pmDowntown Gainesville Plaza. The Edible Plant Project will hold its spring sale at the Union Street Farmers’ Market, offering a selection of edible plants, fruit trees and seeds.321-501-4927

Boeing BoeingWednesday 9/1 through

Sunday 9/26Hippodrome State

Theater. Gainesville. In the classic sixties com-edy of errors, Boeing-Boeing, the uproarious jet-propelled comedy that had audiences and critics cheering in London and on Broadway.352-375-4477www.thehipp.org

Autism Parent Training WorkshopSat. 9/11

9:00amCamp Kulaqua, High Springs. Relate to Autism is offering a dynamic parent-train-ing workshop about Autism. Participants will learn details about how to help their children and make the most of their time with their children, along with many more details important to taking care of children with Autism. Registration is required.1-800-340-5978support@relatetoautism.comwww.relatetoautism.com

Start! Heart WalkSat.9/18

8:00amNorth Florida Regional Medical Center Duck Pond. The Start! Heart Walk is a non-compet-itive walk promoting physical activity and heart-healthy living in a family friendly environ-ment. The Start! Heart Walk creates hope, inspires change, and celebrates success.888-352-3824 ext. 8013www.alachuaheartwalk.kintera.org

City-wide Yard SaleSat. 9/25

8:00am - 12:00pmHigh Springs. James Paul Park.www.highsprings.com

Breastfeeding SuccessfullyWed. 9/29

6:30pm - 8:30pmThe Birth Center of Gainesville. Two-hour class taught by

CALENDARIf you would like to have an event considered for publication in this calendar, please submit information directly.

post 4400 NW 36th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606 | e-mail [email protected] | fax 352-373-9178

Bulldozer • BackhoeTractor • Front End Loader

Gonzales Site Prep, Inc.Gonzales Site Prep, Inc.

352.284.0383

Land Clearing • House Pads • Final GradingDriveways • Culverts • Bush Hog • Mowing

Root Raking • Stump Removal • Limerock • Fill Dirt

Licensed & Insured

Nails-N-SpaNails-N-SpaNails-N-Spa— WALK-INS WELCOME! —

Located in the Winn-Dixie Plaza,

High Springs, FL386-454-1434

$25Mani & Pedi

$33MUST PRESENT THIS COUPON UPON PURCHASE

Complete Nail Care for Ladies -N- GentlemenEyebrow tinting Gift certifi cates availableFamily Owned & Operated business

SET OF ACRYLIC WITH

WHITE TIPS

FULL WAXING

SPECIALIST


experienced lactation consultant presents information pertinent to breastfeeding moth-ers who need to return to work or school but want to continue to breastfeed. Pre-registration required.352-372-4784www.nurturingmothersandbabies.com

High Springs River FestivalFri. 10/1 - Sun. 10/3

5:00pmDowntown High Springs. This River Festival will include a variety of exciting events ranging from

live music concerts downtown to conser-vation efforts through-out the weekend and live presentations.386-454-2889www.highspringsriverfest.com

MSGA Military Support GalaSat. 10/2

5:00pm - 9:00pmAtrium, Gainesville. The Military Support Group of Alachua County will be hosting its first gala to help raise money to support the troops overseas. Former UF and NFL Quarterback Doug Johnson and

Combat Surgeon Dr. Thomas Beaver will be the featured speakers for the event, and a special drawing will be held for a .45-cailber Taurus Judge Revolver.352-222-8837www.msgfac.com

Coon Hollow Corn MazeOpen Fridays, Satudays and

Sundays 10/8-11/7Coon Hollo Farm, 22480 N Hwy 441, Micanopy. Hay rides, Farmyard Playground, obstacle course, and “Fort Coon Hollo.” Adults $8, Seniors $7,

Youth $6, and children under 3 are free. 352-591-0441352-591-1775

The ForeignerFriday 10/8 through

Sunday 10/31High Springs Community Theatre. This comedy premiered in 1983, moved to off-Broadway, then to NYC’s Astor Place Theatre, where it ran for 686 performances, winning two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best New American Play.386-454-3525www.highspringscommunitytheater.com

Howl-O-Whinny HalloweenThur., 10/14

6:30pm - 10:30pmSweetwater Branch Inn, Gainesville. Proceeds benefit Horses Helping People. Silent auction, live music and dancing, costume and scare-crow contests. Alcohol will be served. $75.352-214-8715www.Halloweenforhope.org

Alachua County Harvest FestivalSun. 10/17

PHOTO BY ERIC ZAMORA

Customer and visitors roam the plant sale area during Butterfl y Fest.


Time For A Change?

Artful Upholstery & More4502 nw 6th street, gainesville, fl

hours: Monday - Friday 8-5 352-219-3670

• LOVE SEATS• SOFAS• EXERCISE

EQUIPMENT

• FOAM INSERTS• SLIP COVERS• PILLOWS• CUSHIONS

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED — PARADE OF HOMES UPHOLSTERER18 YEARS EXPERIENCE — FREE ESTIMATES

As seen on

HGTV“where rationality

is optional.”Great Food - Cool Stuff - Fun Times

Dine In - Carry Out - Box Lunches Catering - Private Parties - Art - Gifts

Cool Stuff - Antiques - CollectiblesArt Classes - Creative Space

386-454-5700www.madhatters-cafe.com

25 NE 1st Ave.,

High Springs, FL

84 | Autumn 2010

• Cataract Surgery with No Stitches, No Needles• Latest, Most Oxygen Permeable Contact Lenses • Diabetic, Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration Evaluations• Comprehensive Eye Exams• Contact Lens Exams

352-372-9414www.AccentMD.com

4340 Newberry Road, Suite 301, Gainesville

©2010 Accent Physician Specialists. All rights reserved.

Believing!ract Surgery with No Stitches, No Needles

gg

B liB liBelieving!Seeing is

on EyesIn Focus Eyewear

Hundreds of frames to choose from

New designer styles

Friendly staff to help you find the perfect pair

OPTICAL SHOP Grand Opening!


11:00am - 5:00pmDowntown Alachua. Enjoy delicious food and live music. Expect arts and crafts, chil-dren activities, gift baskets, bargains, home improvement, rides, games and more. Many unique shops will be open, as well, including gift shops, consignment shops and antique shops.386-462-9552www.alachuabusiness.com

ButterflyFestSat. 10/23

10:00am - 5:00pFlorida Museum of Natural History. Explore the lives of bees, bats, birds and butterflies at ButterflyFest.352-846-2000www.flmnh.ufl.edu

Noche de GalaOct. 10/23

7:00pm - 12:00amBesilu Collection, Micanopy. The Sebastian Ferrero Foundation’s annual fundraising event The Theme of Noche de Gala 2010 is a Grand Ball. Guests are encouraged to dress black [email protected]

Newberry Fall Market FestivalSat. 10/23

9:00am - 4:00pmDowntown Newberry, along Seaboard Drive. (Just south of Newberry Road along the railroad tracks, downtown Newberry). Vendors, food, enter-tainment and more.352-514-4996www.NewberryMainStreet.organne@NewberryMainStreet.org

Trick-or-Treat on Main StreetDate TBA

7:00pm - 9:00pmAlachua.386-462-3333

Boo at the ZooSun., 10/31

3:00pm - 7:00PMSanta Fe College Teaching Zoo.

Downtown Festival and Art ShowSat., 11/6 - Sun. 11/7

10:00am - 5:00pmBo Diddley Community Plaza, Gainesville. 250 of the nation’s finest artists will display unique paintings, ceramics, jewelryand photography.www.gvlculturalaffairs.org352-393-8536

Personal Financial ManagementWed. 11/10

1:00pm - 5:00pmAlachua County Extension Office. 2800 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville. The objec-tive of this program is to teach participants to manage their resources wisely, enabling them to build a finan-cially secure future. Responsibilities. $10.352-955-2402

A.L. Mebane High School Alumni ParadeSat. 11/27

12:00am - 1:00pmMain Street Alachua. Free to the public.386-462-2539


Don’t be just another number. At M&S Bank we greet you by name.

325 N. Main Street, High Springs

386-454-1785 Other banks come and go… M&S Bank stays and grows. Member FDIC

Al Mincey Site Prep352-538-1252

Locally Owned Sand Pit • Since 1986www.AlMinceySitePrep.com

Land Clearing • Sink Hole RepairLand Clearing • Sink Hole RepairDriveway CulvertsDriveway CulvertsFoundations FilledFoundations Filled

Ponds DugPonds DugFill DirtFill Dirt

LimerockLimerockDemolition & moreDemolition & more

— COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL —

PLANT WATERINGCaring for your pets and their special needs in their own surrounding

MAIL PICK-UP & Grooming

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN SURGERY 352-316-5658

Licensed+ Insured

A Classic Moment Limousine Service

We make any occasion a special one!Weddings, Anniversaries, Proms, Parties, Formals, Airport Service & Special Events. 24-hour service.

352-376-7476 • 352-318-4011

86 | Autumn 2010

According to a recent

report by the Centers

for Disease Control and

Prevention, falling is the

leading cause of injury-related

deaths for seniors. But falling

does not have to be a fact of

life for the elderly population.

Caretenders of Gainesville

offers a revolutionary course

of treatment called Optimum

Balance to help patients with

the cause of their falls and

not just treat the results.

“The focus of the

Optimum Balance program

is to decrease and prevent

falls,” said Deborah

Hill, Rehab Manager

at Caretenders. “Of the

people over age 65 who

fall and fracture a hip, 25

percent die within one

year. So our therapists

want to get to the root of

why they’re falling, so that

they don’t fall again.”

Optimum Balance

incorporates all fi ve systems

that contribute to balance –

vestibular, somatosensory,

vision, musculoskeletal

and cognitive. Therapists

give patients a thorough

evaluation of these fi ve

systems, and then the

clinical team implements

a customized treatment

strategy. A wide variety of

treatment methods is used

in the Optimum Balance

program, including anodyne

infrared light therapy, the

Epley Maneuver (canal

repositioning treatment often

done with vertigo patients)

and retraining of oculomotor

system.

Patients undergoing

Optimum Balance treatment

experience a signifi cant

decrease in falling. Studies

show that 90 percent of

program patients had not

experienced a fall for one

year after treatment, and

87 percent experienced a

decrease in neuropathic pain.

Evette Reed, physical

therapist and the Clinical

Champion of the Optimum

Balance program, has treated

under the program for two

years. “It’s changed the way

I do physical therapy,” she

said. “I look at our patients

differently and I have a

much better understanding

of the vestibular and

balance system as a whole.

I can help them to a larger

degree than ever before.”

Reed also ensures that

staff members are properly

credentialed; each therapist

is required to take 19 hours

of specialized training and

engage in specifi c clinical

practice sessions and in-

home skills competencies

to become a part of the

Optimum Balance program.

Optimum Balance fi ts in

perfectly with Caretenders’

mission of senior advocacy.

“Your balance is a key piece

of wellness and sustained

independence,” said Reed.

“There’s so much more we

can do to keep ourselves

healthy and well. We should

never accept anything less

than the best in our lives.”

Balance Is IndependenceCaretenders of Gainesville uses their Optimum Balanceprogram to help seniors lead more independent lives.

Please call or visit our website for information about our services.(352) 379-6217 • www.caretenders.com



Excellence Through Senior Advocacy!Your partner in Home Health Care Solutions.

For over thirty years, Mederi Caretenders has been providing skilled, compassionate home health-care in our local communities. We bring our expertise into the home – the ideal setting to promotehealing, comfort, and support to those facing the challenges of aging.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

❖ Skilled nursing care ❖ Physical therapy ❖ Occupational therapy

❖ Speech therapy ❖ Medical social work ❖ Home health aides

Our Senior Advocacy philosophy addresses challenges by looking beyond the obvious needs of thepatient to become advocates in all dimensions of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Ourgoal is to promote independence, allowing seniors to age in place for as long as possible.

For more information please call

877.379.6217

Lake City Gainesville Keystone HeightsHHA# 299993651 HHA# 299991306 HHA# 21596096

88 | Autumn 2010

THIS IS EXACTLYWHAT YOU WAITED FOR


Priced thousands lower than those brands that are supposed to be “cheap”.

$79,900Includes: Delivery, Setup, A/C,

Heatpump, Skirting & Code Steps

Palm Harbour (32x80)

386-758-9538332 SW Deputy J. Davis Lane, Lake City

SHOWCASE

HOMESwww.ShowcaseHomesDirect.com

CHECK OUT THESE EXCLUSIVE ITEMS - THEY ARE ALL INCLUDED FREE!

Ceramic Tile Floors

Ceramic Tile Showers

Residential Exterior Package

4/12 Pitch Roof

Tape & Texture

Deluxe Interior Doors

Architectural Shingles

Insulated Windows

Hardi-Board Siding& loads of other qualitythat we don’t charge for

90 | Autumn 2010

>> BACK TO SCHOOL

Summer has come and gone, and by now the children of

Alachua County are settling into the new school year.

Some are surely experiencing those ‘fi rst day jitters’ while

others are happily reconnecting with their buddies.

Some have moved on to bigger schools, suddenly fi nding

themselves to be little fi sh in a big pond, yet again.

High school seniors have fi nally reached the epitome of their

academic careers — so far — and will be making memories to last

a lifetime.

In the following pages, readers will fi nd area school information as well as a complete school calendar.

2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR IS UNDERWAY

Our Children Get Set To Go

STEPHEN C. O’CONNELL CENTERSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27: 10am - 6pmand SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28: 10am - 5pm

for more information: 352-392-5500or email: scoc-info@ufl .edu

OTM

$100 OFF single admissionwith this coupon

boutique

386-454-048930 NE 1st Avenue • High Springs

Designer HandbagsClothing • JewelryVISIT OUR NEW LOCATION!

930 NW 1st AvenueHigh Springs, Florida


Alachua Elementary13800 N.W. 152 Place, Alachua

Phone: 386-462-1841 Fax: 386-462-0133

Web: www.sbac.edu/~alachua/

Grades 3 through 5

Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (Wed., 12:30 p.m.)

Principal: Jim Brandenburg

Alachua Learning Center11100 SR 235, Alachua

Phone: 386-418-2080 Fax: 386-418-4116

Web: home.alcportal.com/

Grades K through 8

Hours: 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Director: Tom Allin

High Springs Community1015 North Main Street, High Springs

Phone: 386-454-1958 Fax: 386-454-2298

Web: www.sbac.edu/~hisprngs/

Grades Kindergarten through 8

Hours: K–5: 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (Wed., 12:30 p.m.)

6 - 8 -7:45 a.m. to 1:57 p.m. (Wed. 12:36 p.m.)

Principal: Jeff Means

W.W. Irby Elementary13505 N.W. 140 Street, Alachua

Phone: 386-462-5002 Fax: 386-462-5731

Web: irby.gainesvillains.com

Grades Pre-K through 2


Principal: Lina Burklew

A.L. Mebane Middle16401 N.W. 140 Street, Alachua

Phone: 386-462-1648 Fax: 386-462-9094

Web: www.sbac.edu/~mms/

Grades 6 through 8

Hours: 7:55 a.m. to 2:05 p.m.

Principal: Manda Bessner

Newberry Elementary25705 S.W. 15th Avenue, Newberry

Phone: 352-472-1100 Fax: 352-472-1120

Web: www.sbac.edu/~newberry/

Grades Pre-K through 4


Principal: Lacy Aubel Redd

Oak View Middle1203 S.W. 250 Street, Newberry

Phone: 352-472-1102 Fax: 352-472-1131

Web: www.sbac.edu/~ovms/

Grades 5 through 8

Hours: 8:25 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Principal: Kevin Purvis

Santa Fe High16213 N.W. U.S. Hwy. 441, Alachua

Phone: 386-462-1125 Fax: 386-462-1711

Web: www.sbac.edu/~sfhs/

Grades 9 through 12

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Principal: Bill Herschleb

Newberry High400 S.W. 258 Street, Newberry

Phone: 352-472-1101 Fax: 352-472-1116

Web: www.sbac.edu/~nhs/

Grades 9 through 12

School Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Principal: Shane Andrew

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* THESE DAYS MAY BE USED TO MAKE UP DAYS CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANES OR OTHER EMERGENCIES. FOR THE 2010-11 CALENDAR, THEY WILL BE USED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

(1) June 8 (2) June 9 (3) March 25 (4) November 11 (5) February 21

August 16 – August 20Pre-Planning(5 weekdays)

Monday, August 23First Day for Students

Monday, September 6Holiday - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 28Send Interim Reports Home

Friday, October 15Holiday - UF Homecoming

Tuesday, October 26End of First Nine Weeks

Friday, October 29Pupil Holiday /Teacher Workday

Tuesday, November 9Send Report Cards Home

* Thursday, November 11Holiday - Veterans’ Day

Wednesday, November 24Pupil Holiday /Teacher Holiday

November 25 – November 26Thanksgiving Holidays

Wednesday, December 8Send Interim Reports Home

December 20 – December 31Winter Holidays(10 weekdays)

Monday, January 3Classes Resume

Monday, January 17Holiday - ML King Birthday

Thursday, January 20End of First Semester

Friday, January 21Pupil Holiday /Teacher Workday

Monday, January 24Begin Second Semester

Thursday, February 3Send Report Cards Home

* Monday, February 21Holiday - Presidents’ Day

Wednesday, March 2Send Interim Reports Home

Thursday, March 24End of Third Nine Weeks

* Friday, March 25Pupil Holiday /Teacher Workday

March 28 – April 1Spring Holidays(5 weekdays)

Monday, April 18Send Report Cards Home

Friday, May 13Send Interim Reports Home

Monday, May 30Holiday - Memorial Day

Tuesday, June 7School out -Last Day for Students

* Wednesday, June 8Post-Planning for Teachers

* Thursday, June 9Post-Planning for Teachers

Extended School Year ScheduleSummer school begins June 16 and ends July 9. (four days per week, with the exception of the last week, where July 5th and July 6th are holidays and school is in session July 7-9.)

Drivers’ Education(dates not yet established)

>> BACK TO SCHOOL

92 | Autumn 2010


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94 | Autumn 2010

“So what do you think about the new school uniform policy?”

That has been the $64,000 question, both before

and after the Alachua County School Board’s

decision in June to make uniforms mandatory

in all public schools. And if you asked someone that

question, chances are you were on the receiving end of

a passionate answer one way or the other. But whether

your children have happily embraced polo shirts or you

have to drag them screaming from their stripes and

patterns, there are ways to ease the transition for both

students and parents.

THE BASIC UNIFORM IS AS FOLLOWS:Girls – The basic uniform for girls is a long or short-

sleeved, solid color, collared blouse or polo shirt with a

plain solid color skirt, pants, walking shorts, jumper or

skorts of corduroy, cotton, twill or denim fabric. Jeans

need to be solid color, without color trims, embroidery,

or other decorations. Dresses may be worn but must be

a solid color with short or long sleeves and follow the

other requirements of this policy.

Boys – The basic uniform for boys is a long or short-

sleeve, solid color, collared shirt, such as a polo, oxford

or dress, with plain solid color pants or walking shorts

of corduroy, cotton, twill or denim fabric. Jeans need to

be solid color, without color trims, embroidery or other

decorations.

Individual schools can also decide whether to allow

additional items, such as crew neck T-shirts with

school logos (they can also adapt a more strict dress

code if they wish). Check with your child’s school for

any such exceptions or further restrictions.

Most large stores like Target, Old Navy and JC

Penney carry approved clothing items starting as low

as $5-6 for shirts and $9 for bottoms, all in a variety

of colors (with an even wider selection on the stores’

corresponding websites).

But traditional retailers are not the only option to

fi nd your students a stylish yet policy-approved look.

Online companies such as Hanes.com offer some

uniform clothing and often combine sale prices with

free shipping if you spend a certain amount. You can

also comb area consignment stores; since the policy

includes plenty of options such as color choice in shirts

and permission to wear jeans, there is a greater chance

that you can fi nd quality additions to your child’s

wardrobe in resale.

While a little research can help you fi nd an econom-

ical wardrobe with ease, a touchier subject remains

— individual style. Our clothing is often a refl ection of

our personalities, and children, much like adults, like to

express themselves through what they wear. While the

uniform policy is specifi c on style, you can help your

child fi nd other ways in which he or she can shine:

Allow your student as much choice as possible. Let

your child choose the hues for his shirts (provided

Uniformity - with Flair!BY JANICE C. KAPLAN

Transition to School Uniforms Need Not Sacrifi ce Style or Money

>> THE NEW STYLE


his school has not designated an

approved color). There are also

several options for bottoms includ-

ing pants/jeans, shorts, skirts

and skorts, all of which come in

a myriad of cuts and styles. So

students can choose the looks that

best suit them. And since small

manufacturer’s logos are allowed

under the policy, chances are he

can still choose his favorite brands.

Accessorize! Your child might

not like the neutrality of khaki, but

a distinctive necklace or brightly

colored hair band can easily

customize the look. Help her select

jewelry, shoes, hair accoutrements,

scarves and other items that bring

out her personality in a way that no

uniform can.

The books have to go somewhere,

so why not into a stylish backpack?

Patterns might be absent from

clothing, but backpacks come in an

infi nite variety of designs. Just make

sure it fi ts your child’s needs and the

school’s specifi cations (for example,

most schools do not allow wheeled

backpacks). You should also be sure

that it does not contain imagery or

slogans that promote drugs, alcohol

or discrimination, or could other-

wise be deemed objectionable.

Switching an entire school

district to uniforms is a complex

and tricky process for everyone

involved. But with a little planning

and a lot of compromise, your fam-

ily can make the switch without

sacrifi cing your budget — or your

child’s sense of individuality. s

PHOTOS BY JANICE KAPLAN

Involve your child in uniform shopping

as much as possible. Letting her

choose her favorite colors allows for

individual style.

96 | Autumn 2010

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98 | Autumn 2010

Under a storm-threatened sky, on July 28, a

steady stream of motor vehicles fl owed into

Ginnie Springs Park.

A feast fi t for a king adorned the tables, set up to

feed the many people who had gathered. Nearby,

under cover, a slideshow projected family photos and

images of rivers, springs — and cave divers.

Visitors, however, were not there to merely enjoy

all the park has to offer; most were there to celebrate

the life and times of internationally acclaimed cave

diver Wesley Cofer Skiles, conservationist, fi lmmaker,

adventurer.

Wes Skiles, 52, passed away on July 21 while div-

ing off Boynton Beach during a shooting assignment.

The news of his death traveled quickly. Within a

week a memorial service was planned, executed and

attended by an estimated 1,000 people.

At Ginnie, a stage was setup for friends and

family to share their love and memories of the man,

while his wife Terri, son Nathan and daughter Tessa

listened with quiet dignity.

The clouds gathered. The rain began to fall.

“Wes wants us to get wet,” someone said. An

abundance of umbrellas popped open.

Pastor Denny Heiberg

Wes Skiles

BY ALBERT ISAAC

High Springs and the World Say Goodbye to a Local Legend


>> WORLD REKNOWN

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRI SKILES ABOVE: The Skiles family, Terri, Tessa, Wes and Nathan, during a recent trip to the

Bahamas where Wes was fi lming a documentary.

PHOTO BY JOHN MORAN OPPOSITE: Wes Skiles diving in Ginnie springs in 2001, as he was preparing to depart for

Antarctica on assignment for National Geographic.

Autumn 2010 | 99

100 | Autumn 2010


stood upon the stage near the crys-

tal clear water of Ginnie Springs

and addressed the audience.

“There’s no other place to

celebrate his life,” Heiberg said.

“And let me use his own words.

Here’s what he says about where

we are standing today: ‘There’s no

other place I’d rather be than along

the springs and rivers of Florida. If

I could pick one spot to spend the

rest of my life, it would be...’ want

to say it with me?”

“Ginnie Springs,” the crowd

replied in unison.

“There’s nothing like it in the

world,” Heiberg continued. “So

this is the perfect backdrop for the

celebration of Wes’ life.”

The rain soon stopped as friends

and family laughed and cried and

talked about this tireless steward of

the springs. A saxophonist played

“Amazing Grace.” And as the cel-

ebration of Wes’ life continued, the

sun set, a striking red and orange

that lit the sky through the trees.

Wes Skiles was born on March

6, 1958, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Although he did not hold any

advanced degrees, he said that

after high school he enrolled in

the “School of Life” to pursue a

degree in “Curiology.”

“As a person with no science

degree, I’m an explorer,” Wes said

during an interview in his High

Springs home offi ce in 2008. “I can

use direct observation to see how

things work. And I physically go

out there. You can’t understand

this by looking at selected sources

of information.”

Wes’ interest in diving and fi lm-

making began at an early age. His

fi rst fi lms were surfi ng movies, shot

with his older brother Jim who had

bought a Super-8 camera. The two

also experimented with stop-action

fi lmmaking — taking one frame at

a time to create special effects.

“He was a great brother and

we had a lot of good times,”

Jim said in recent telephone

interview. He said Wes began

scuba diving at a young age.

“I was teaching swimming les-

sons at YMCA,” Jim said. “Wes took

snorkeling class at the Y, and he

loved it. I remember he had to wait

a year before he could take scuba.

But he was one of the youngest.”

Jim said he and Wes visited

Ginnie Springs, back before it was a

park. Wes was immediately hooked.

“It changed my life instantly,”

Wes had said, describing it thusly:

“In July of 1973, I made my fi rst

unsupervised scuba dive in a

Florida spring at the age of thirteen.

Diving down into this virtual

wonderland of clear blue water it

was the springs’ cave entrance that

fi rst captured my attention. Kicking

hard against the current, I made my

way down to the dark, foreboding

entrance. I grasped a boulder at the

mouth of the cave to hold myself

in place and experienced the true

magic of springs, the powerful fl ow

of pure water issuing from the mys-

terious darkness below. It was like

a strong cool spring breeze, but this

was 72° water, the fl ow clean, crys-

tal clear and constant. Swimming

inside the cavern entrance, I was in

complete awe.

“I’ll never forget that moment

as the defi nitive beginning of what

has become a lifetime quest to

discover the true source of our

North Florida springs.”

In high school, Wes said he

loved biology and history but was

really fascinated with shop and

graphic arts.

“In shop, I built unique things,”

he said. “I started building cave

diving reels and lights. In graphics,

I got really interested in photogra-

phy. I fell in love with capturing a

single moment and telling a story

with photography.”

This love for storytelling would

eventually lead Wes to create

breathtaking documentaries and

stunning photography, throwing

light on places never before seen

by anyone.

In 1986, a Sony representative

saw one of Wes’ slideshows.

“Right there, on the spot,

he sponsored me with Sony

equipment,” Wes said. “Editing

equipment, lights, etc. I imme-

diately did something with it. I

basically jumped right in to doing

the fi rst-ever deep cave diving.”

He founded Karst

Environmental Services and its

sister company, Karst Productions,

companies devoted to the study of

the springs and rivers as well as

creating documentaries of places

never seen before.

His fi lms entertain and educate,

as Wes and his team explored

underwater caves, swam in the

aquifer, fl ew the open skies and

dove inside an iceberg.

“Ice Island” was fi lmed in

Antarctica, where Wes and his

This love for storytelling would eventually lead Wes to create breathtaking documentaries and stunning photography



PHOTOS BY WES SKILES

Five summers of cover art. Wes Skiles provided photos of the area’s springs and rivers for the cover of the High Springs &

Alachua as well as the Newberry & Jonesville editions of Our Town Magazine since the summer of 2005.

102 | Autumn 2010

crew explored the largest iceberg in

history.

Jim remembers being on the

phone with Wes as he searched for

his next big adventure.

“We were talking late at night

and he said, ‘I’m reading about this

iceberg that had broken off. This

is it.’ Wes had to get to the bottom

of it,” Jim said. “That was the most

prayed-over trip I remember my

family being involved with. He’d

been down in caves before, but to

be in subzero temperatures, that

was just to me the most fantastic

and scary trip he went on.”

Wes worked tirelessly to teach

Floridians about the water beneath

the ground and the growing threat

to Florida’s springs. His fi lms

include, “Polluting the Fountain of

Youth” in 1998, “Protecting Florida

Springs” in 2001, “Waters Journey:

Hidden Rivers” in 2003 and “The

Springs Heartland” in 2008.

Wes’ love for photography also

led him to the love of his life, Terri.

Terri was working in a camera store

in Jacksonville when Wes came in

to make a fi nal payment on a Nikon

F2.

“He bought the

camera and asked

me out on a date,”

Terri said in a

recent interview.

“I said ‘no.’ And

he came back in

and asked, ‘Do you

want to learn how

to scuba dive? I’m

such a great person,

and I do all these

things.’ I was not

impressed.”

However, the

second time Wes

asked her out, she

agreed.

“And I

immediately fell

in love,” Terri said. “He was such a

compassionate guy. He had a lot of

compassion for anybody — from

the lowest to the highest.”

The two married in 1981 and

moved to the High Springs area.

Not long after, Wes teamed up

with Pete Butt to form Karst

Environmental Services.

“To pay those bills, he started

Karst Productions,” Terri said. “Back

then, people — scientists — didn’t

really believe cave systems were

as huge. And the only way to prove

it, other than being a cave diver, is

to photograph it. So that’s where

the photography started to prove

what he was saying. And through

his lens he started seeing changes

underwater.”

In the beginning, the scientists

did not give Wes much weight

because he did not have a degree,

she said.

“They eventually did,” Terri said.

“He got a lot of accolades from

scientists.”

The changes Wes witnessed

in the springs and in the water

under the ground spurred him to

action. He was a tireless champion

for springs’ protection, both with

his fi lms and as an outspoken

advocate.

“When agency members had to

tiptoe around sensitive political

issues, Wes was there to say what

needed to be said,” Jim Stevenson

writes on the Karst website.

Stevenson is a retired state biolo-

gist and springs advocate. “Prior to

meetings, I would sometimes ask

Wes to push certain issues and to

insist that we take stronger action.

He loved it. It was like having my

own ‘Enforcer.’”

Wes was also quick to point out

that everyone in Florida is part of

the problem, and as such, part of

the solution.

“No one person can change the

world, but everybody, individually

trying, can make a huge difference,”

Wes said. “Ultimately, we’re the

stewards. Alachua and High Springs

have the ability to negatively

impact what is not rightfully ours

to destroy — the Santa Fe and the

springs and the resources that

belong to the world.”

While his fi lms entertain and

educate, Karst Environmental

Services back them up with sci-

ence. Wes and his team conducted

dye trace studies that connected

the dots: what goes into the ground

in Alachua shows up in drinking

water in Hornsby springs.

“[The Santa Fe River] is born out

of the swamps and wetlands as

surface water, but the vast majority

of water traveling down that river is

groundwater,” Wes said. “And that’s

water that’s passing underneath

our homes and highways. And, as

we grow out of control and have

thousands of septic tanks, and

people are putting in manicured

lawns instead of enjoying the

natural environment that we were

blessed with here, we are going to

mess it all up.”

Wes recently saw his photography appear on the cover of

National Geographic Magazine.


Fellow cave diver Jill Heinerth

worked with Wes for years. They

met at a talk he gave in Canada.

“He was making a presentation

about cave diving,” Jill said. “His

enthusiasm for Florida streams was

pretty infectious.”

Jill eventually moved to High

Springs and worked with Wes on

many projects. She said he was

very cautious and always prepared.

“Everybody thinks that cave

divers are yahoo adrenalin junkies,”

she said. “Wes was very thoughtful

in the way he planned.

“And he thought about his

family every time he went diving.

It was very important to him. He

would stop everything to call and

see if Tessa did well on a test or

to see how Nathan did in a game.

His work often took him away,

but those little moments with his

family meant a lot to him.”

Wes’ most recent accomplish-

ment was seeing his photography in

the National Geographic Magazine.

His son Nathan was with him on

that shoot.

“Nathan’s on the cover of

National Geographic,” Terri said.

“Nathan worked with him on lots

of things. He’s a trained cave diver,

and he loved working with his dad.”

Terri said that Wes had the

cover shot once before, but then

Hurricane Andrew came along. His

photo was bumped. But this time it

ran, and Wes was very excited.

“It was the pinnacle of his

career,” Terri said. “And he got to

see it before he died.”

As night fell upon Ginnie

Springs, and an immense harvest

moon rose above the treetops,

the celebration continued. Music

played. Fireworks lit the sky. And

although Wes was not Norwegian,

an 8-foot model of a Viking ship

was set ablaze upon the calming

blue of Ginnie Springs.

“That [ship] was made by some

very good friends that wanted to do

something special,” Terri said. “And

it was up to them to make it safe

and leave not a trace in the spring.”

Wes would not have wanted it

any other way. s

Here are some ways to help protect the springs, courtesy of the Karst website and Jim Stevenson:

1. The up-coming election gives you an opportunity to ask candidates: “If elected what action will you take to protect our springs?”

2. If you live in a springshed, stopfertilizing your lawn.

3. Take your county commissioner or your legislator to see a spring.

4. Take a child to see a spring.

5. Buy the “Protect Florida Springs” specialty license plate.

Wes will be grateful and a spring will whisper thank you. The family requests that in lieu of fl owers donations be made in Wes’ name to: the Alachua Conservation Trust: www.alachuaconservationtrust.org

PHOTO BY ALBERT ISAAC

A “Viking Ship” burns at Ginnie Springs at Wes Skiles’ memorial service held in July. Terri Skiles said it reminded her of

one of her husband’s most popular photographs, “Earth, Rain, and Fire,” depicting a diver fl oating in tranquil blue with a

burning orange light shining from above.

104 | Autumn 2010

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Nick West never considered

himself an author. Military

veteran, college graduate,

farmer and successful business

owner – yes. But, in his own eyes,

he was not a writer. That is, until

he published his fi rst book about

circus life in the 1800s.

West spent years researching

and writing “The Great Southern

Circus.” He fi nally thumbed through

the pages of his fi rst book in 2010.

“I had no intention of going

through the publishing process,”

he admitted. “I just wanted to put

these stories on paper for my fam-

ily. My guess is any of us can pick

out some of our ancestors and tell

an interesting story about them.”

The book is a part of his family’s

history, documenting the circus

life of his great-great grandmother

Miranda Maddera and great-great

grandfather James Johnston in the

pre-Civil War days.

“When I was growing up, my

mother worked and my father was

a farmer,” West said. “I spent a

lot of time with my grandmother

[Verna Simmons Goode], and it

was an era before television. For

entertainment, my grandmother

would tell me stories that had been

passed down through the family.

Her favorite topics were the circus

stories passed down from her

grandmother, Miranda Madderra.”

West said he mentioned the

stories about the circus to some of

his other relatives who also had

recollections of hearing the same

tales. He decided — from the fear

that these stories and a part of

family history might be lost — to

document the stories for future

generations of his family.

“I spent my spare time research-

ing the actual circus,” West said.

“I wanted to be factually accurate

with dates and places and names.”

West spent time researching

the history of the circus with the

help of books, circus historian

Stuart Thayer and the Circus World

Museum in Baraboo, WI.

“I got an itinerary of that

particular circus and a roster of the

various acts, with their names,”

West said. “[The museum] pro-

vided me with phone numbers and

contacts, so I was able to contact

relatives of some of the other

people in that troop. I was able to

get an idea of who they were and

things that had been passed down

through their history.”

West now has huge binders full

of articles, letters, e-mails, notes,

photos and other documents that

detail the stories he tells in his

book — and more.

West fi nally began to put these

stories together on paper about

two years ago. He said the slow

economy gave him enough time

away from West Farms, his family-

owned and operated landscaping

business, to sit down and write.

After sending his manuscript to

several publishers, he decided to

self-publish his book.

“The process from where I turned

in the manuscript, through the edit-

ing and then the publishing, lasted

about three months,” West said.

Writing the Book “The Great Southern Circus”

does not read like a history book.

It reads like a fi ctional novel, even

though the events described in the

book are factual.

“You can get the basic informa-

tion, as far as born, died and so

forth,” West said. “But, you have

>> FAMILY HISTORY

BY CHRIS WILSON

Local Author Publishes Book Detailing Family, Circus Life


Nick West

106 | Autumn 2010

to make it an enjoyable read by

bringing those characters to life.

That was a more challenging part

[of writing this book].”

The backdrop of the circus is the

love story involving West’s great-

great grandparents. The couple

had met and fallen in love before

the circus tour of 1859-60, when

both were living in rural Alabama.

Miranda’s family was a circus fam-

ily, which performed on horseback,

and her future husband James

joined the group to see the country

and to be close to Miranda.

Along the way, West spins some

fascinating yarns of circus life,

while documenting the travails of

Orton and Older’s Great Southern

Circus performers and roustabouts,

who were traveling through a

country that was still very much a

wilderness and on the precipice of

civil war. There are stories of mur-

ders, an angry elephant, gunfi ghts

and plenty of juicy romance to keep

the pages turning.

“People back then traveled little

dirt roads between towns, especial-

ly in the south,” West said. “People

would be born, raised, get old and

die without seeing the next town

because it was 15 miles away. When

they heard a circus was coming to

town with elephants, leopards, wild

animals and bareback riders, it was

like a Fourth of July type event.”

The Sequel? “The Great Southern Circus”

ends on a cliffhanger. Readers

will enjoy learning about the

family’s circus life, which comes

to an end at the onset of the

Civil War. However, some readers

may be disappointed to be left

wondering what happened to the

story’s lovebirds, or the circus’ only

African-American performer who

was searching for his enslaved

sister and some other situations

West leaves readers to ponder.

“That’s all going to be in my next

book,” West said, who already has

had talks with publishers about the

sequel. As West continues to work

on the next chapter in his family’s

history, readers who have been left

wondering can take solace in the

fact that questions will not be left

unanswered. s

“Dinner With the Author”Hosted by The Pink Porch BookstoreDowntown AlachuaWednesday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m.Conestoga’s Restaurant in AlachuaReservations required: 386-462-9552www.pinkporchbooks.com

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High Springs RiverFestDowntown High Springs

October 1-3

All Day

With all the water sports

and activities in the

local High Springs area,

the High Springs Main

Street Program will host

the fi rst River Festival,

featuring live music

concerts downtown and

conservation efforts, as

well as presentations

by world-renown

photographer and cave

diver Jill Heinerth.

highspringsriverfest.com

Alzheimer’s AssociationMemory WalkThe Village at Haile

Plantation, Gainesville

October 2

8 a.m. (registration), 9

a.m. (walk)

The Alzheimer’s

Association Memory Walk

is the nation’s largest

event to raise awareness

and funds for Alzheimer

care, support and research.

Although there are no

fees to walk, people are

encouraged to raise money

to help support research

and care for Alzheimer’s

Disease. One mile and

three mile courses are

available for the walk, and

people usually register

in teams. Registration is

available online.

www.alz.org

22nd Annual Central Florida Harvest and Peanut FestivalLinear Park, Williston

October 2

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This festival is held each

year on the fi rst Saturday

in October. Games,

food, crafts and other

entertainment will take

place all day, including

a reverse drawing raffl e

with a $2,000 prize.

The Peanut Industry

Showcase will have a

wide variety of peanuts

and peanut products

available, too.

willistonfl .com

Thornebrook Art FestivalThornebrook Village,

Gainesville

October 2-3

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The two-day festival

will feature fi ne arts and

crafts from local artists

in the area. Visitors

can stroll through

Thornebrook Village

and enjoy the local art.

Wisitors will also be able

to attend a preview show

on October 1, from 6 p.m.

to 8 p.m., with jazz music,

wine and cheese.

thornebrookart.org

Eighth AnnualHarvest FestivalMain Street, Alachua

October 17

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The downtown Alachua

festival features

shopping, strolling and

dining along Main Street.

Local musicians entertain

while visitor check out

local arts and crafts

vendors lining the street.

Vendors for the festival

are still needed and can

contact the Alachua

Business League for more

information.

alachuabusiness.com/festi-vals.html

McIntosh 1890s FestivalMcIntosh

October 23

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Each year this festival

raises money for

community projects,

including scholarships

and city beautifi cation

projects. The residents

dress up in 1890s

clothing, and vendors

surround the traditional

Victorian and Florida

cracker-style houses.

friendsofmcintosh.org

Butterfl yFestFlorida Museum

of Natural History,

Gainesville

October 23 - 24

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Butterfl yFest

will feature tours,

presentations, a Monarch

Watch, workshops, as

well as other displays

and contests. The

Butterfl yFest is designed

to raise awareness

about butterfl ies and

offer a call to action for

the conservation and

preservation of backyard

wildlife and habitats.

fl mnh.ufl .edu/butterfl yfest

36th Annual MicanopyFall Harvest FestivalCholokka Boulevard,

Micanopy

October 30 - 31

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

For one of Micanopy’s

biggest events of the year,

visitors can stroll down

Cholokka Boulevard and

enjoy the local artists

and musicians during

Micanopy’s Fall Festival.

About 200 arts and crafts

will fi ll the streets along

will a variety of other

attractions. All of the

proceeds from the festival

go to non-profi t groups

that have helped support

the festival.

micanopyfallfestival.org

FALL FESTIVALSIf there is one thing certain about seasons, it is that fall is the time for festivals. As Florida slowly (very slowly)

slips into winter and the weather gets cooler, festivals abound in the surrounding areas.


29th Annual Downtown Arts Show and FestivalDowntown Gainesville

November 6 - 7

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy art, jewelry, ceramics

and photography from

more than 250 of the coun-

try’s most talented artists.

The festival will feature

arts of all kinds - including

culinary arts, children’s

art and performance art.

For the past three years,

Sunshine Artist magazine

has recognized the festival

as one of the top 30 fairs

and festivals in the coun-

try, naming it No. 27 in

2009. Greg Lawler’s Art Fair

SourceBook also ranked

the festival as one of the

top 100 fi ne art festivals in

the nation.

www.gvlculturalaffairs.org

Light in theNight WalkBen Hill Griffi n Stadium,

North Lawn, Gainesville

November 18

6 p.m.

The evening walk and

fundraising event for the

Leukemia and Lymphoma

Society helps raise

money for research and

educational programs.

There is no deadline to

sign up, but participants

are encouraged to sign

up early. Although there

is no cost to participate,

if walkers would like a

T-shirt and balloon, a

minimum $100 donation

is suggested. Walkers can

register online.

www.lightthenight.org/nfl .

Annual High SpringsFall FestivalJames Paul Park, High

Springs

October 2

10 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual festival,

sponsored by the High

Springs Chamber of

Commerce, will include

food, arts and crafts

and a concert. Many

local business will be

partipating in the event,

and the Chamber is still

looking for vendors.

Interested vendors should

contact the High Springs

Chamber of Commerce.

Highsprings.com

18th Annual High Springs Car ShowHigh Springs

October 30

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Car enthusiast can gather

in High Springs for the

High Springs Rotary

Club’s annual car show.

The will feature 100 cars,

including antique cars

and hot rods. Breakfast

will be served and

sausage hotdogs will be

served for lunch. There

will also be a cruise-in

on Friday, October 29,

at 3 p.m. beginning at

the Civic Center to the

home of Dr. Robert Cade,

inventor of Gatorade.

Prizes such as People’s

Choice and Best of Show

will be awarded to the

antique, modifi ed and

street-rod vehicles.

highspringsrotary.org s

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112 | Autumn 2010

Adam Joy always knew he wanted to be a

police offi cer.

He loved watching offi cers make exciting

arrests on “Cops.” He loved being in the Alachua Police

Explorer program, a county program for teenagers

interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.

And he loves relying on his instincts.

So it should come as no surprise that at the ripe old

age of 23, Joy is Alachua’s Police

Offi cer of the Year for 2010.

Earlier this year, Joy

responded to a call from a

family that had stopped at an

Alachua restaurant on the way

to Disney World. Joy said he

pulled into the parking lot and

saw a woman frantically waving

her arms through the window.

The woman’s 22-month-old

daughter was sick and did not

have her medicine. By the time

Joy arrived at the scene, the

little girl had turned blue. Joy

immediately began performing

CPR on the child, a skill all

police offi cers are trained to do,

and stayed with the family until

paramedics arrived.

Lieutenant Patrick Barcia said

Joy was nominated for the award for saving the girl’s life

but also for his attitude and conduct.

“That was kind of the icing on the cake for him,”

Barcia said.

After he graduated from the police academy in 2007,

Joy hit the Alachua streets and began his career as a

police offi cer.

“It’s just something different every day,” Joy said.

Joy said he wanted to be a police offi cer since he was

10 years old and made sure he caught every episode of

“Cops.” But he knew for certain after a ride-along with an

offi cer while participating in the Police Explorer program.

Barcia, who was one of Joy’s fi eld-trainers in 2007,

said he has been impressed with how Joy has grown

into the job in the last three years. He began as a new

offi cer and is already a commended offi cer. Joy also

takes the time to get to know every person on every

call, Barcia said, something that makes him a pleasure

to work with.

“Every day, Offi cer Adam Joy goes out to see how he

can help somebody,” Barcia said.

In addition to his award as the city’s Offi cer of the

Year, Barcia said Joy was also the city’s nomination for

Offi cer of the Year in Alachua County and was invited

to join the Fraternal Order of Police, an organization of

law enforcement offi cers in the United States. These

commendations are a testament to Joy’s character,

Barcia said.

“To me, what I did was just part of the job,” Joy said.

“I didn’t expect to receive anything.” s

BY ELIZABETH BEHRMAN

Adam JoyNamed Alachua’s Offi cer of the Year

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH BEHRMAN

>> COP HONORS

114 | Autumn 2010


It all began in 1993, when

veterinarian Dawn Miller

brought home a screech owl

and a great horned owl to reha-

bilitate them. At the time, Miller

was working three days a week as

a relief veterinarian for an animal

hospital in Homossasa, stepping in

when a veterinarian went on vaca-

tion or was otherwise unable to be

in their offi ce. She said the position

was “kinda like a substitute.”

Miller said the hospital was too

busy to help the many animals com-

ing in on a daily basis. So, she started

taking them home herself, to spare

them from being euthanized.

Soon after, Miller started

collecting her own equipment and

taking her own clients, so she could

open her own veterinary practice

while still helping wounded and

injured animals. In 1995, Eye of the

Eagle Wildlife Sanctuary opened its

doors. About 200 animals now call

the sanctuary home, but Miller said

that was a rough estimate.

“I never count animals, and I

never count my feed bills,” Miller

said. “I think it would scare me.”

These days, as president of Eye

of the Eagle Wildlife Sanctuary

and owner of Sunset Meadows

Country Animal Clinic, both located

in Jonesville, Miller starts working

before the crack of dawn and usu-

ally does not stop to put her feet up

until the sun goes down.

A few of the animals now

living at the sanctuary include

lions, tigers, two white-tiger cubs,

cougars, leopards, emus, rheas,

deer, hawks, owls and parrots, just

to name a few.

Miller said her mission is to

rehabilitate as many animals as she

can so they can be released back into

the wild. But for those animals that

have been severely injured or kept in

captivity for too long and are unable

to survive on their own, Eye of the

Eagle is their permanent home.

There are also animals that are

not so fortunate — they have to be

euthanized.

For her wildlife, the major goal

is to get them healthy enough to be

released, she said.

Some of the birds that cannot be

released can become educational

birds, used to tour schools and

other agencies to teach the public.

The time an animal spends at

the sanctuary depends on how

badly the animal is injured and

whether it can survive in the wild.

Miller said most of the time when

she receives birds with mild head

trauma they are released within a

few days. Others may take longer.

She recalled a particular case

where she received a hawk that

was paralyzed.


Safe HavenBY TARA MASSAGEE-STANLEY

Eye of the Eagle Wildlife Sanctuary

C.B., a Great Horned Owl, is one of

veterinarian Dawn Miller’s primary

education birds.

>> PRESERVATION

PHOTOS BY TJ MORRISSEY / LOTUS STUDIOS

Opposite: Stripes, a 4-month-old white Bengal tiger, dines on a chicken leg.

116 | Autumn 2010

“He was a mess,” she said.

She worked with the hawk for

eight months until he was fi nally

able to be released.

Then, one day she was outside

when she heard a hawk calling. She

said she looked around to fi nd the

same hawk she had released sitting

on top of the cougar cage in the

sanctuary. The hawk had been hit

by a car and came back.

“I guess he knew I helped him

the fi rst time,” she said. So she

“brought him in, fi xed him up, and

now he stays here.”

But the exotic animals, such as

the lions and tigers, usually stay

because most would not survive

on their own and were going to be

euthanized.

Miller is particularly proud

of her work with lions suffering

from wobbler syndrome. She said

wobbler syndrome is a neurological

disease that causes the lions to get

weak in their hind-ends. Most lions

diagnosed with the syndrome are

euthanized between the ages of 9

months and a year-and-a-half.

“Most are dead by then, or

euthanized,” she said. But, “after

working for years and years I fi nally

got four better.”

In order to work with the

animals Miller needs numerous

permits and is inspected randomly.

She said, in total, she has eight

state and federal licenses and

works with the USDA, Alachua

County Animal Shelter, Florida Fish

and Game and Florida Department

of Agriculture.

The agencies she works with are

usually the ones that bring animals

for her to rehabilitate.

“I get wildlife from seven coun-

ties and exotics from all over the

U.S.,” she said.

There are animals she will not

take, she said, such as smaller mam-

mals and songbirds, because she

does not want anyone to think that

when the smaller animals die she

feeds them to her larger animals.

“It’s a confl ict of interest,” she

said.

Also, she does not take bears


and elephants because she does

not have the space needed for such

large animals.

“I have enough, she said.” “I

really have enough.”

In order to run the sanctuary,

Miller relies on her volunteers to

help feed and take care of the ani-

mals, while her veterinary practice

pays for most of the bills.

She said she has about eight

volunteers and does not know how

they found her.

“I never once advertised, but

they fi nd me,” she said.

One such volunteer is Shirl

Johnson, of Newberry, who has

been volunteering for 10 years.

Johnson said she met her through

her bird club where Miller did a

presentation. She asked Miller if

she needed help. A week later, she

was volunteering.

She began by cleaning the hawk

pens, she said. Now she does a little

bit of everything, from cleaning to

helping out in the clinic.

“I try to help her as much as I can,”

she said. “I am just an animal lover.”

Initially, Johnson began

volunteering because of her pas-

sion for animals. But Johnson also

said she saw how Miller cares

for the animals and how much

trouble she goes through trying to

rehabilitate them.

“She works so hard for those

animals,” Johnson said. “She’s doing

a really great job there.”

As for Miller, she said if someone

had told her 20 years ago that this

is what she would be doing now,

she would have called them crazy.

But she has no plans to stop what

she is doing.

“I will keep it going until I liter-

ally, physically, can’t do it anymore,”

she said. s

Surreya is a spotted leopard, seen here

having dinner on a picnic table.

LEFT: Sabu, an adult black-maned

African lion, is one of fi ve lions at the

sanctuary.

OPPOSITE: Bigger Tigger and Tigger

Rose are just two of the many exotic

animals under the watchful eye of

veterinarian Dawn Miller.

TOP: Also found at the Eye of the

Eagle Wildlife Sanctuary are miniature

horses, donkeys, emus, rheas and

white-tailed deer, to name but a few.

118 | Autumn 2010

A s parents, we want safety and connectedness for

our children, but when is the right time to give

kids their own cell phone? And, when you make the

purchase, what kind of phone should you get?

According to a 2010 Pew Research Center study,

kids are getting cell phones at earlier ages. In 2004, 18

percent of 12-year-old children had cell phones; now

it’s up to 58 percent. Six years ago, 45 percent of kids

ages 12 to 17 had cell phones; now it’s 75 percent.

Why do so many kids have cell phones? It depends on whom you ask.

Parents say they’re

buying kids cell phones

for safety reasons and

activity coordination.

Gill Valentine, Ph.D.,

a Professor of Human

Geography at the

University of Leeds

(U.K.) suggests that

“terror talk” — fearful

ways about thinking

and talking about the

risks kids take in public

spaces — has generally

altered how parents

manage kids’ lives. She

believes that for some people, the quality of parenting

may be one day judged by whether or not a global

positioning system (GPS) bracelet is strapped on their

child’s wrist.

Cell phone industry experts say that the cost of

cell phones has declined. It’s easy for parents to add

kids to plans and give kids an old device when it’s

upgrade time.

For kids, it’s about being “in.” The Pew study

suggested that half of 12- to 17-year-old children sent

50 text messages daily and text more than they have

face-to-face conversation or talk on the phone. There’s

a strong pressure to text even in grade 6.

So, when’s the right time to give kidstheir fi rst cell phone? Wired Safety, a child advocacy group, suggests that you

fi gure out if your kids are capable of following your rules.

Some practical questions for parents to discuss

are: Can my child be responsible with the phone? Will

my child keep it turned on, charge it and not lose it?

And perhaps most

importantly, how

does my child handle

distraction?

University of

California Psychology

Professor Patricia

Greenfi eld, Ph.D. wants

parents to be aware of

what the loss of child-

parent communication

means to them when

a cell phone is brought

into the mix for the fi rst

time.

“Kids want the phone

so they can have private communication with peers,”

she says.

An organization that rates children’s media, Common

Sense Media, agrees. According to Common Sense

Media, most parents give kids cell phones to keep them

safe while ignoring the majority of other ways kids can

use cell phones.

With Internet access and other added features come

addictive behavior, sexting

HealthyEdge

COLUMN >> BY KENDRA SILER-MARSIGLIO

Cell phones provide us with a sense of safety. And, it’s arguably the staple of social life nowadays.


If you choose a family plan,

companies offer restriction

packages. For $4.99 a

month, AT&T or Verizon lets

parents set limits on minutes,

time-of-day use, and who a

child can text or call.

Photo texting and content

can be blocked as well.

120 | Autumn 2010

(sending risqué photos electronically) and cyberbullying.

Common Sense Media suggests that parents avoid

giving children younger than 13 a phone with a camera

and Internet access. Internet access, texting, and calls

should be restricted until around age 16.

According to the Pew study, one in fi ve teenagers use

prepaid phones that aren’t bound by a contract. These

teenagers used cell phones less than their peers.

If you choose a family plan, companies offer restric-

tion packages. For $4.99 a month, AT&T or Verizon lets

parents set limits on minutes, time-of-day use, and who

a child can text or call. Photo texting and content can be

blocked as well.

My Mobile Watchdog sells software that is loaded on

the child’s cell phone to send copies of texts and photos

to a parent’s phone.

Want a cell phone alternative? Consider trying something like the iPod Touch. It

offers music, games, and applications. Where there’s

wifi , kids can use Skype to text or call friends for free.

When to give kids that fi rst cell phone is a tough

decision. Are you going through that process right now

and you need more information? If so, check out www.

commonsensemedia.org. s

Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the Director of the Rural Health Partnership at WellFlorida Council.


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122 | Autumn 2010

It all started when people

stopped supporting the

soldiers.

When terrorists fl ew airplanes

across the U.S., crashing into

the Twin Towers and ripping the

Pentagon apart, people were all for

the War on Terror. But after a few

years, many started getting tired of

the war, and support for the troops

began to wane.

The trend was something that

bothered Jim Yakubsin, who had

sent three sons off to the Marines,

the youngest of which was serving

in Iraq. The war was close to him, he

said. Both his son and several of his

son’s friends were serving in Iraq.

With that in mind, his group began.

He and a few close friends began

sending care packages to soldiers

overseas because, he said, someone

had to help them. The small group

slowly got bigger, and soon the

Military Support Group of Alachua

County was formed, with a primary

goal to send packages and letters to

soldiers.

“Just getting a package or a letter

from home,” Yakubsin said, “you

don’t know how much it means.

They just love it. It’s something that

just brings a lift.”

The group is one of the only

local organizations to send care

packages to soldiers. Yakubsin said

while everyone wanted to help, the

cost to ship boxes got expensive

quickly, limiting the number of

boxes they could send. They spent

about $30 or $40 per box before

the post offi ce started offering fl at

rate shipping. Now the 100-plus-

member support group sends out

about 225 packages a month.

The packages have everyday

items that soldiers often go without.

Most soldiers do not have enough

socks, so when the group sends new

ones, the old socks are so worn out

the soldiers have to throw them

away. Sometimes the soldiers have

to use sanitary pads as bandages,

so the support group packs extra.

The group also includes silly string,

which can be used to reveal traps,

as well as play around with. They

love getting hard candy and healthy

snacks in their packages too. Other

items — like squirt guns, golf and

tennis balls and Gatorade — are

precious commodities.

Oftentimes the soldiers fi nd

other ways to use the items sent in

their packages. Whether it is fun or

serious, the soldiers have learned

to get creative.

Sometimes the gifts can save

lives. The soldiers use silly string to

fi nd traps when they enter build-

ings. The silly string is too light to

set off the traps, so it hangs on the

wires, making it easy for soldiers

to see where they should avoid

>> CARE PACK

Letters from HomeBY JESSICA CHAPMAN

Alachua County Supports Our Troops

PHOTO BY LARRY BEHNKE

Group members put together care packages for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.


walking, Yakubsin said.

Personal hygiene items are used

on the fi eld too. Both men and

women pack women’s sanitary pads,

and when someone is wounded they

can use the pads as bandages.

Their gratitude is shown in their

letters.

“To my amazement, when I

opened the box my jaw dropped,”

one solider wrote. “Everything

inside was more than I could have

asked for ... It really helps to keep

our heads in the game to know that

people back home are taking the

time to send us care packages and

show your support...”

“It’s taxing,” another solider

wrote. “Wearing the same socks

three weeks straight, little to no

sleep each night, no showers, no

restrooms; but it is a necessary evil.

A few inconveniences aren’t so bad.

Plus all the support we get from

home...”

“I am so thankful for the items

you have sent,” an Army solider

wrote. “As I’ve said before, just hav-

ing your name called for mail is a

great feeling. Then to open the box

that you know is full of good things

to eat, well it’s like a birthday gift...”

“The touch of home greatly

helped in dealing with the deploy-

ment,” a Marine wrote. “Groups such

as yours are a testament to the faith

and goodwill of our nation...”

Their stories go on and on.

The two-inch binder is fi lled with

similar letters.

Dealing with situations like these

can be diffi cult on young married

couples and families. The support

group can be especially benefi cial

for them, offering the families

community support and projects to

help their loved ones, Yakubsin said.


PHOTO BY ALBERT ISAAC

A display of pictures and memorobilia from the troops were on display at a Military Support Group meeting in Alachua.

124 | Autumn 2010

The Marines are usually overseas

for six to seven months, while the

Army is overseas a lot longer —

about year, he said. The Navy and

the Marines usually work together

closely, though.

Yakubsin said although going

into the military means sacrifi cing

freedom, especially in the begin-

ning, the military is a good option

for people without plans after high

school. It teaches people respect

and responsibility, he said.

“Not everyone can do it, but a

majority of them are good [sol-

diers],” he said. “It’s a good place.

It’s a good start for people.”

To reach as many soldiers

as possible, the group relies on

fundraisers to support the group.

The price for sending care pack-

ages overseas gets expensive — up

to about $4,000 a month — and

Yakubsin said they repay members

any personal cost for shipping

packages. Fundraisers are a vital

part of continuing their program.

The fundraisers, including golf

tournaments and garage sales, are

even more important this year,

though. Business is a little rougher,

he said. With a tight economy

the last few years, the members

fi nd themselves without as much

fi nancial support.

“You’d be surprised how many

people don’t even know we’re

around,” he said. “But the word is

getting out.”

This year the support group is

taking fundraising to the next level.

The group will host the Military

Support Gala at the Atrium on Oct.

2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Former UF

and NFL Quarterback Doug Johnson

and Combat Surgeon Dr. Thomas

Beaver will be the featured speak-

ers for the event, and a special

drawing will be held for a .45-cail-

ber Taurus Judge Revolver.

“There’s a lot of support,”

Yakubsin said. “A lot of emotions.”

Yakubsin said the Military

Support Group of Alachua County

is growing so much that they are

considering getting a bigger space.

They currently meet on the fi rst

Thursday of each month at the

First United Methodist Church in

Alachua. The group prepares the

care packages at their meetings

and also keeps a book full of letters

sent by soldiers.

Although the variety of people

you will fi nd in the military is

surprising, Yakubsin said it is still

easy to fi nd family.

“My son [who was serving in

Iraq] said, ‘Dad you can’t believe all

the Gators out here,’” Yakubsin said.

“There were Gator fl ags everywhere.

There’s a lot of support out there.”

While there is a lot of support

in Alachua County, Yakubsin said

they still need more help — 225 care

packages a month will not reach

every solider fi ghting for the United

States. According to the Brookings

Institution’s Iraq Index, as of Feb. 28

there were 85,000 U.S.troops in Iraq. s

To Get Involved with the AlachuaCounty Military Support Group callJim Yakubsin at 352-222-8837 or visitthe website. www.msgfac.com.

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126 | Autumn 2010

Music. Bicycling. Paddling,

and ecological education

are all on the menu as

High Springs hosts its inaugural River

Festival.

Set to coincide with the High

Springs Fall Festival in October, the

River Festival strives to offer some-

thing for everyone.

“This event is 11 months in the

making,” said Main Street Manager

Ashley McDonough during a recent

interview in the Music Junction.

Leon Barrows, who owns and

operates the Music Junction with

his wife Joanne, is in charge of the

musical acts. He will be setting up

all of the musical equipment and

coordinating the bands.

“I have four bands right now,”

Barrows said. “We hope to have 10

bands, and the lead band will hope-

fully be Bluegrass.”

There are plans to have a wide

variety of music, ranging from

country to rock ‘n’ roll.

“We’ve been contacted by bands

from all over the country,” Barrows

said.

“The concerts will be huge,”

>> FUN FOR FALL

High Springs Hosts Inagural River Festival

BY ALBERT ISAAC

River Retreat

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM HEWLETT

Linda Laird of the Yellow Bellied Sliders Bicycle Society paddles the Santa Fe River.


McDonough added. “The vendors

downtown will be sharing their

information, and the Pedal Paddle

Challenge will be the main sports-

type event.”

At the time of this interview,

the details of band locations were

being worked out; there will be

music, either by the James Paul

Park (sinkhole behind city hall) or

by the railroad tracks in front of

the Music Junction where the city

has set up bleachers.

Festivities begin Thursday, Sept.

30, with promotional events geared

to children’s activities. Then Fantastic

Friday will kick off the festival.

The High Springs River Fest is

being planned to work in conjunction

with many other events in the High

Springs area. Poe Springs Park will be

hosting musical performances and

outdoor activities as well as providing

shuttle buses to and from the activi-

ties around High Springs.

“We are having all these events in

coordination, so it will be that much

better,” McDonough said. “O’Leno

State Park is doing its old time dance

on Friday and Saturday nights, at the

park. And Camp Kulaqua is opening

up the zoo and nature center to the

public on Sunday.”

According to the festival’s

website: “Additionally, there will

be nature and water excursions

at natural spring locations in

Alachua, Gilchrist and Columbia

counties over the course of three

days. In historic downtown High

Springs, there will be live music,

shops open late, as well as food

vendors and environmental

organizations with educational

displays throughout the event.”

The local Yellow Bellied Sliders

bicycle group is having its fi rst

River Rise Pedal Paddle Challenge

on Saturday, Oct. 2. This event is

a group ride through a series of

challenging trails in O’Leno State

Park and River Rise State Preserve,

followed by a paddle trip up the

Santa Fe River to River Rise, where

the river emerges from its three-

mile underground journey.

“We expect 150 to 200 people

for the Pedal Paddle Challenge,”

McDonough said. “A lot of people are

already signed up. The Yellow Bellied

Sliders are hosting this event with

the majority of the proceeds going to

the Main Street Program.”

Additionally, the High Springs

Main Street Program will be hosting

a Roll Your Boat Race downtown,

as well as a feature presentation

by world-renown cave diver and

photographer Jill Heinerth.

McDonough said Cootie Coo

Creations will be coordinating scrap-

booking activities around the River

Fest, all weekend.

“While the husbands are doing

the Pedal Paddle the wives can go

to Cootie Coo Creations and make

scrapbooks,” she said with a laugh.

A lot of effort goes into plan-

ning and executing such an event.

Currently, about 70 volunteers are

donating their time and energy to the

High Springs River Fest, and Barrows

said they could always use more help.

“We put a lot of work into

this,” Barrows said. “It’s for the

public. That’s why we are doing

it. It would be really a blessing if

people come down and enjoy the free

entertainment.”

“This area is so rich in music and

the arts, we want to incorporate

the natural beauty with all the

cultural uniqueness that is here, too,”

McDonough said. “That is our biggest

draw, the sports and water activities

and the music and arts and all those

things that are available downtown.”

While the festival itself may

be new, the concept may not be.

McDonough said she had heard

that 15 to 20 years ago there was

talk of a High Springs River Festival

on a smaller scale.

“So we are fi nally trying to make it

happen,” McDonough said. “And it’s

defi nitely something we’d like to see

for years to come. We want this to be

here, so 25 years from now people

know to come to the High Springs

River Fest.” s

For more information about how to become a sponsor contact the Main Street Manager at 386-454-2889 or e-mail [email protected]

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1ST

9:30 am Cootie CooCraziness Begins

5:00 pm Fantastic Friday


7:00 pm Old Time Dance event at O’Leno State Park


9am-4pm Peddle/Paddle

10am-4pm Fall Festival events

10am-4pm “Sink to Springs” - James Paul Park, Conservation Information and Nature Trip Scheduling Booths

12am-8pm All Day Concert - Poe Springs


7:00 pm Old Time Dance event - O’Leno State Park

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3RD

9:00 am Cowboy Church - Camp Kulaqua

10:00 am Zoo & Nature Center open to the public - Camp Kulaqua

1pm-3pm Springs-Themed Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest - High Springs Art Co-op

12pm-5pm Sidewalk Sale

Musical Lineup


Noon-1pm River Junction

1pm-2pm Velveeta Underground

2pm-3pm Foggy Creek Band

3pm- 4pm Amos Neo

4pm - 5pm Up The Creek

128 | Autumn 2010

HIGH SPRINGS

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH386-454-357410 S.E. MLK DriveRev. Ocelia Wallace, Pastor

ANDERSON MEMORIAL CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 386-454-3433 935 SE Lincoln Ave.

BETHLEHEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH386-454-1996 County Road 778Pastor Clarence Desue

CHRIST ANGLICAN FELLOWSHIP386-454-1845323 SW CR 778Pastor Michael LaCagnina

CHRISTIAN FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER386-454-2367220 NE 1ST Ave.Dr. Lloyd S. Williams

CHURCH OF CHRIST 386-454-2930520 NE Santa Fe Blvd.

CHURCH OF GODBY FAITH386-454-1015US Hwy 27

THE CHURCH OFJESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS386-454-428224455 NW 174th Ave.Pres. Keith Brown

HIGH SPRINGSCHURCH OF GOD 386-454-1757 210 NW 182 Ave.Pastor Terry W. Hull

FELLOWSHIP CHURCH386-454-170016916 NW U.S. Hwy. 441Pastor Jeff Powell

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH386-454-150520112 North US Hwy. 441Pastor J. Eddie Grandy

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH386-454-1037205 North Main StreetPastor Glen A. Busby

FIRST UNITED METHODISTCHURCH of HIGH SPRINGS386-454-1255 17405 NW US Hwy 441Pastor Richard Stauffer

GRACE CHURCH OF HTE NAZARENE386-454-9709Santa Fe Blvd.

HOLY TEMPLE CHURCH WITH GOD 386-454-0313615 SE ML King Drive

IMPACT FAMILY CHURCH386-454-156316710 NW US 441Pastors Edwin & Angela Anderson

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES 386-454-3509 330 SE 7th Ave.

MIRACLE TEMPLE CHURCH386-454-4298605 SE 1st Place

THE MISSION CHURCHOF HIGH SPRINGSMeeting at theSeventh Day Adventist Building230 NW 1st Ave.352-870-0247Pastor Keith Helsel

MT CARMEL UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH386-454-45681230 NW 1st Ave.Pastor Byran Williams

MT PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH386-454-216129603 NW 142 AVEPastor Steve Brooks

MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH386-454-3447948 SE Railroad Ave.

THE NORTH EAST CHURCH OF CHRIST4330 NE County Road 340nechurchofchrist.net

SAINT MADELEINE CATHOLIC CHURCH386-454-235817155 NW Highway 441

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH352-497-2221230 NW 1st Ave.Pastor Anthony Crawford

SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH386-454-4978Shiloh Church Rd.Pastor Earl Tuten

SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH386-454-31261505 NW Main St.

SPRING RIDGE FIRSTCHURCH OF GOD386-454-36005529 NE 52nd PlacePastor Todd L Wymer

SPRINGRIDGE FIRSTCHURCH OF GOD386-454-4400420 Spring Ave.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW’SEPISCOPAL CHURCH386-454-98121st Ave., next to city hallRev. David Kidd

SPRING HILL UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCHLocated at High Springs exit 79 off I-75 North of Gainesville (on Old Bellamy Rd.)Pastor James Richardson

ALACHUAALACHUA CHURCH OF CHRIST386-462-332614505 NW 145th AvenueMinister Doug Frazier

ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH 386-497-3121Jordan Road (Ft. White)

CHRIST CENTRALALACHUA386-418-818514906 Main St.www.ccalachua.com

CHURCH OF GOD BY FAITH386-462-254913220 NW 150th Ave.

CRUSADERS FORCHRIST, INC.386-462-4811NW 158th Ave.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALACHUA386-462-133714005 NW 146th AvenuePastor Doug Felton

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ALACHUA 386-462-2443 14805 NW 140th St.Pastor Rob Atchley

WORSHIP CENTERSIf we have left out a church or have incomplete / incorrect information, please let us know! Send your corrections by faxing 352-373-9178 or emailing [email protected]. We welcome your contributions and suggestions.


FIRST PRESBYTERIANCHURCH OF ALACHUA386-462-154914623 NW 140th St.Rev. Virginia McDaniel

FOREST GROVE

BAPTIST CHURCH

386-462-3921

22575 NW 94 Avenue

GREATER NEW HOPE

MISSIONARY BAPTIST

CHURCH

386-462-4617

15205 NW 278th Ave.

(Bland)

HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE

386-462-2017

17306 NW 112th Blvd.

HOPE COMMUNITY

BAPTIST CHURCH

386-454-2981

13719 NW 146th Avenue

Pastor Arnold Osteen

LEGACY BAPTIST

CHURCH

352-538-5595

255 S. Main St.

Pastor John Jernigan

LIVING COVENANT

CHURCH

386-462-7375

Pastor Brian J. Coleman

NEW OAK GROVE

BAPTIST CHURCH

386-462-3390

County Road 1491

Pastor Terry Elixson, Jr.

NEW TESTAMENT

CHURCH OF GOD AND

CHRIST

386-462-4891

1310 NW 155 Place

Pastor R. L. Cooper

NORTH PLEASANT

GROVE

BAPTIST CHURCH

386-462-3317

25330 NW CR 239

Pastor Edwin A. Gardner

NEW SAINT MARY

BAPTIST CHURCH

386-462-7129

13800 NW 158th Ave.

PARADISE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ALACHUA386-462-016214889 Martin Luther King Boulevard & 135 Northwest TerracePastor Rev. James D. Johnson, Sr.

SANTA FE BAPTIST CHURCH386-462-75417505 NW CR 236Pastor William Pruitt

MT NEBO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 386-418-10389975 NW 143rd St.Pastor Ricardo George Jr.

NEW SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH386-462-209518610 NW CR 237

NEW ST MARY BAPTIST CHURCH 386-462-712913800 NW 158th Ave.

OLD SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST 386-462-4894 16810 NW CR 239

RIVER OF LIFE ASSEMBLY OF GOD352-870-728814200 NW 148th PlaceAlachua, Fl 32615 Pastor Greg Evans

ST LUKE AME CHURCH386-462-2732 US Highway 441 South

ST MATHEWS BAPTIST CHURCH386-462-220515712 NW140 Street Pastor Isaac Miles

TEMPLE OF THE UNIVERSE386-462-727915808 NW 90 Streetwww.tou.org

WESTSIDE CHURCH OFGOD IN CHRIST 386-418-064915535 NW 141st St.

NEWBERRY

ABIDING SAVIOR

LUTHERAN CHURCH

352-331-4409

9700 West Newberry

Road

BETHEL AFRICAN

METHODIST EPISCOPAL

CHURCH

352-474-6215

23530 NW 3rd Ave.

Pastor Theodora Black

CHRISTIAN LIFE

FELLOWSHIP

352-472-5433

Pastor Terry Fulton

CHURCH OF GOD BY

FAITH

352-472-2739

610 NW 2nd St.

Pastor: Jesse Hampton

THE CHURCH AT

STEEPLECHASE

352-472-6232

Meeting at Sun Country

Sports Center

333 SW 140th Terrace

(Jonesville)

Pastor Buddy Hurlston

CORINTH BAPTIST

CHURCH

352-472-7770

5577 NW 290th St.

Pastor Henry M. Rodgers

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

OF NEWBERRY

352-472-2351

25520 West Newberry

Road

Rev. Jack Andrews

FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

352-472-4005

24845 West Newberry

Road

Pastor Kenneth

Kleckner

GRACE COMMUNITY

CHURCH

352-472-9200

22405 W. Newberry Road

Pastor Ty Keys

JONESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-3835 17722 SW 15th Ave.Pastor Corey Cheramie

JOURNEY CHURCH352-281-070122405 W. Newberry RoadMilam Funeral Home ChapelPastor Dr. Michael O’Carroll

MT ZURA FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-4056 225 NW 2nd Ave.Pastor Natron Curtis

NEW ST PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-3836 215 NW 8TH Ave. Pastor Edward Welch

NEWBERRY CHURCH OF CHRIST 352-472-4961 24045 West Newberry RoadMinister Batsell Spivy

DESTINY COMMUNITY CHURCH 352-472-3284 420 SW 250th StreetPastor Rocky McKinley

OAK DALE BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-2992 Highway 26 and 241 South

PLEASANT PLAIN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 352-472-18631910 NW 166TH St.Pastor Theo Jackson

ST JOSEPH’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 352-472-295116921 West Newberry Road Pastor John DiLeo

UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 352-472-3845 6259 SE 75TH AvePastor Travis Moody

130 | Autumn 2010

About three years ago,

Susan Eddy Poole

joined Ancestry.com to

learn more about her fam-

ily tree. She soon realized that

fi nding her relatives was like

putting together a very compli-

cated puzzle, and sometimes

fi nding the right piece seemed

impossible.

After three years researching

on Ancestry.com Poole was able

to trace her ancestry back six

generations into the mid-1700s.

She discovered that her ances-

tors had fought in numerous

wars, experienced rough times

during the Great Depression and

even participated in the naming

of the city of Gainesville, which was originally named

Gainsville, according to old courthouse records.

Poole’s family was one of the original settlers in

Florida. In the early 1800s her family built a home in

Newnansville, when Florida was just a territory. She

said that in those days mail was delivered by stage-

coach. However, it was not long before the territory of

Newnansville was no more.

“When the railroad was built everyone packed up

and moved toward the railroad,” she said.

Some of the Poole family have lived in the same

home since they moved from Georgia in the early 1800s

after the Seminole War. The family has no plans of ever

getting rid of the family home.

Poole remembers many

stories of her relatives, tales

her mother would tell her

as she was growing up. She

recalls her mother speaking

very fondly of her brother, S.B.

Cullen, who fought in the Battle

of the Bulge in World War II and

returned home. She said Cullen

was a doting uncle to all of his

nieces and nephews and took

care of the family home.

Cullen never married and never talked about what

he experienced in wartime.

Poole also discovered that both of her great grand-

fathers fought against one another in the Civil War,

during the Battle of Olustee.

Shortly after the Civil War, Poole’s family lost all of

their money when the South’s currency was declared

illegal. They were able to keep the house but lost some

of their land.

After two years researching Ancestry.com, Poole met

a woman named Cathy Susar and soon discovered they

were related. Poole’s grandfather, William Standley, was

the brother of Susar’s grandmother, Laura Standley. The

All in the Family BY NICOLE LYNN GREINER

A Reunion, Centuries in the Making

>> ANCESTRY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF

SUSAN EDDY POOLE

Laura Louise Standley Speight

Cullen is grandmother of Poole

and she died in 1959.


two found each another while trying to link together a

part of the family tree.

Soon after linking their family trees, Susar decided to

visit Poole in Alachua. They visited the Standley Family

Cemetery, located between Hague and Newnansville, and

decided it would be a good idea to have a family reunion.

She said that when they met it felt right, “it felt like family.”

Soon thereafter they began planning a family

reunion. In June, 40 descendants and three genera-

tions of their family gathered to meet at Conestogas

Restaurant, in Alachua. Family members came from as

far away as South Carolina for the reunion.

“The reunion took place 150 years after John

B. Standley died,” Poole said, “and we want future

generations to know about the family that lived in this

area so long.”

The descendants told tales and compared stories about

their relatives and what they knew about their pasts.

The relatives have also taken special care of her fam-

ily’s cemetery. They have cleaned up debris surrounding

the burial grounds and placed fl owers on the graves of

their ancestors.

In order to protect the cemetery, Poole said she felt it

was important to have it registered as a burial ground so

that it could never be developed.

“It is nice to honor those who have gone before us,”

she said.

Poole said she plans to continue her research and

hopes to locate more relatives and discover the rest of

her genealogy.

Poole’s relatives are also looking forward to holding

another family reunion, but this time instead of waiting

150 years they plan on meeting next fall, and making an

annual tradition out of it. s

TOP: About 40 relatives united at

Conestogas Restaurant in Alachua on

June 12, where most met for the fi rst

time. Left to Right: Cathy McLeod Susar

from Valrico, Brooks Ball Gallagher

from Jacksonville, Jewell Freeland

from Georgia, Susan Eddy Poole from

Alachua and George Ann Dansby Ball

from Jacksonville.

ABOVE: James W. Standley is the son of John Blackstone Standley II, who fought in the Battle of Olustee in the Civil War

and died in 1879. He is Poole’s great-grandfather. FAR RIGHT: Susan Eddy Poole stands next to the grave of her great-great-

grandfather, John B. Standley, who died in 1860.

132 | Autumn 2010

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134 | Autumn 2010

The turkey, the mashed potatoes, the corn and

the pumpkin pie... all are staples of today’s

Thanksgiving. But are they truly traditional?

It turns out that many of the foods, images and stories

that people associate with this beloved holiday are

actually infl uences from recent history.

For example, that fi rst Thanksgiving meal might not

have even featured a turkey. According to historian

Richard Pickering, deputy director of Massachusetts’

Plimoth Plantation, eyewitness accounts of that fi rst

feast in 1621 mention “wildfowl.”

One such account is contained in a letter written by

Edward Winslow, a passenger on the Mayfl ower who

ultimately became governor of Plymouth Colony:

“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four

men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner

rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our

labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with

a little help beside, served the company almost a week.”

While it is possible that this included wild turkey,

A Traditional Thanksgiving...?

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN

A Second Look at the Beloved American Holiday

>> TRADITION


it could have also meant duck, swan or even pigeon.

If a turkey was on the table, it certainly was not the

centerpiece that it is today. Also absent from the table

were sweet potatoes, which were not common; corn on

the cob, which was kept dried during the fall months;

and pumpkin pie, the recipe for which did not yet exist.

So what was served at the fi rst Thanksgiving?

According to History.com, the meal probably included

plenty of seafood such as cod, lobster, eel and clams.

Venison was plentiful at the time, as were vegetables

like lettuce, radishes, peas and beans (pumpkin was

likely included, but in stewed form). And, per Winslow’s

letter, it was all served over three days, probably in

late September or early October when the settlers

would have been harvesting. It is a far cry from today’s

November feast, which is more a refl ection of the

American cuisine that was popular in 1863 when

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a

yearly tradition.

Here are some other holiday hallmarks that are not

quite what they seem:

Pilgrims wore black and white, with shiny brass buckles on their hats and shoes. As with the feast itself, our perception of pilgrim

dress is infl uenced by later trends. Black and white

clothing was usually reserved for the Sabbath. Since the

fi rst Thanksgiving feast was a relaxed affair, the pilgrims

likely wore more casual clothes; men mixed their black

and white with beige, green or brown, while women

would be in earthy red, green, blue, purple, brown or

gray. Buckles were not popular until the middle to late

1700s, so they were not found on pilgrim clothing.

The pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. This could be America’s fi rst urban legend. The

fi rst mention of the pilgrims actually setting foot on

a rock was not made until more than 100 years after

the Mayfl ower’s arrival, and even then it was in a story

relayed by a 95-year-old man. In fact, the ship’s fi rst

landing was farther south on Cape Cod before heading

to the pilgrims’ fi nal settlement at Plymouth. Many

historians question the accuracy that Plymouth Rock is

the rock upon which the settlers fi rst trod. But because

of its status as a beloved symbol of our country’s begin-

nings, many still accept the Plymouth Rock story as a

part of Thanksgiving folklore.

The pilgrims celebrated the fi rst Thanksgiving.

In fact, European settlers had been living in what

is now North America for decades before the pilgrims

arrived. Spanish explorers settled in Florida and Texas

in the mid to late 1500s, while the Berkley Plantation

in Virginia was settled in 1619. And of course there

were the Native American tribes who had lived on the

land for centuries. Most if not all of these societies

and settlements celebrated some form of thanksgiv-

ing or harvest feast before the Mayfl ower saw the

Massachusetts shore.

Native Americans were invitedto feast with the pilgrims. It is true that the native Wampanoag tribe provided

crucial help to the pilgrims in their fi rst diffi cult year. But

their participation in the fi rst Thanksgiving feast was

more of a happy accident. According to historians, tribe

members heard the pilgrims’ gunshots and mistakenly

thought they were preparing for war. The Wampanoag

chief and his men went to the area to investigate, only to

realize that the pilgrims were simply hunting for meat to

accompany their harvest meal. The tribe then brought in

some deer to contribute to the feast.

While Thanksgiving has transformed over the centu-

ries, one aspect of the holiday remains the same — the

spirit of thankfulness and cooperation. This enduring

and most important tradition helps make Thanksgiving

one of the most beloved of American holidays. s

According to History.com, the meal probably included plenty of seafood such as cod, lobster, eel and clams.

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136 | Autumn 2010

ALACHUA

PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES

American SignLanguage BasicsMondays, 5:30 p.m.Beginners class to learn the manual, alphabet, basic word signs, ASL sentence structure and a brief history of deaf culture. Class size is limited; pre-registration required.

Latino Film Festival presents La Fuga;a Puerto Rican ComedySun., 10/10, 2:00 p.m.La Fuga is a movie about commitment and new horizons. Filmed in the breathtaking mountains of Puerto Rico, where the Orama family resides, the movie tells the story about the youngest daughter, Isabel’s wedding adventures.

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN

Preschool Story TimeThursday, 11:00 a.m.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS

Gaming @ Your LibraryThursdays, 2:00 p.m.Come out to the library to play video games.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Computer ClassWednesdays, 11:00 a.m.Learn basic computer skills. Classes are fi rst come fi rst served and seating is limited.

Hatha YogaTuesdays, 5:30 p.m.Come join us for one hour of Hatha Yoga taught with an emphasis on mindfulness, individuality and proper alignment, all in a non-competitive atmosphere. Be sure to bring your own mat.

Zumba Classes by Choices Health Education and Wellness ProgramsThursdays, 6:00 p.m.Zumba mixes body sculpting movement with dance steps, derived mainly from Latin music.

Pilates Classes by Choices Health Education and Wellness ProgramsWednesday, 6:00 p.m.Pilates focuses on building strength without bulk, improving fl exibility and agility, and helping to prevent injuries.

T-shirts to T-towelsTues. 9/21, 11:00 a.m.Learn how to take simple T-shirts and turn them into fun yet practical tea towels. Each person will start with two T-shirts in coordinating colors. Then we’ll use fabric paint and appliqué techniques.

Raised Bed Vegetable GardeningMon., 9/13, 6:00 p.m.Learn about an innovative way to grow vegetables. You will be amazed to learn how you can grow your own produce within limited space. Will also cover vegetable gardening basics and teach you how to use raised beds for increased effi ciency.

Canning: Food Storage BasicsTues., 11/16, 5:00 p.m.The class is an overview of canning in both pressure and boiling water-bath canners. Step-by-step procedures will be discussed for safely canning both low and high-acid foods as well as tips on making successful sweet spreads (jams, jellies, etc) and pickles.

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HIGH SPRINGS


Crafter’s CircleWednesdays, 1:00 p.m.Any non-messy craft may join this group.

The Rug BunchMonthly on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m.Crochet a rag rug with a group of fellow enthusiasts. Beginners welcome.

Butterfl y BonanzaTues. 9/14, 2:30 p.m.Learn about the beautiful world of butterfl ies from the Greathouse Butterfl y farm.

What’s that Noise?Tues. 10/12, 2:30 p.m.Find out about all those nighttime creatures that roam while you sleep.

Meet Molly: The Monarch Butterfl y PuppetTues., 11/9, 2:30 p.m.Come along with Molly and her caterpillar friends on their fun-fi lled adventure through a butterfl y garden.


Preschool Story TimeTuesdays, 11:00 a.m.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS

Afternoon at the MoviesThursdays, 3:00 p.m. (6/24 - 8/12)Escape the heat and chill out watching favorite movies and new releases on the big screen.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Mystery Reading GroupMonthly on third Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Lady GamersMonthly on fi rst Friday, 2:00 p.m.Join other senior women for a fun afternoon of gaming.

Cheesemaking WorkshopFri., 9/10, 1:30 p.m.Learn how you can make simple cheeses at home. The workshop will demonstrate how to make Ricotta and Feta cheeses. Watch,

learn and sample the fi nished product.

NEWBERRY


Crafty CliqueWednesdays,5:00 p.m.Come crochet, knit, quilt or scrapbook with fellow crafting enthusiasts

Tempting ReadsMonthly on Last Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.Join us for lively book club discussions featuring popular & recently published, yet readily available, books chosen from participants’ suggestions. Snacks and refreshments welcome.

Fall Costume Party!Sun. 10/31, 2 p.m.Calling all ghosts, ghouls, goblins and more — scary or nice! Games, prizes and fun.


Preschool Story TimeWednesdays,11:00 a.m.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS

Panther Den

Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.

Beginning June 23.

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Intro to Computers:

The basics

Monthly on the fi rst

Tuesday, 6:00 p.m.

New to computers?

Don’t despair — this

three part series

can help. The

class goes over the

basic terminology,

components and

applications of a

personal computer.

Intro to Computers

in Spanish

Monthly on the fi rst

Thursday, 6:00 p.m.

Spanish-only

speakers can learn

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138 | Autumn 2010

Are there certain days

of the month that are

good for cutting hair to

speed up or slow down subsequent

growth? According to the Old

Farmer’s Almanac the answer is

yes. Almanacs are more than old-

fashioned aids for old-fashioned

farmers.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has

been published annually in New

Hampshire since 1792. Now under

its 13th editor, the Old Farmer’s

Almanac may still sport its original

cover design but its content is both

traditional and modern, even down

to its website.

As the country has grown and

evolved over the past 218 years,

so has the Almanac’s coverage

of useful and entertaining

prognostications and trivia. As

North Florida now enters autumn

2010, some of that information is

distilled and revealed here for the

reader’s use and enjoyment.

ASTRONOMY Full moons occur on Sept. 23, Oct.

22, and Nov. 21 this year. The best

meteor shower of the season, the

Orionid, will arise from the south sky

in predawn hours, Oct. 21 through 22.

Expect about 15 meteors per hour.

September The fi rst day of autumn, also

known as the vernal equinox,

occurs on Sept. 22. On this day, the

amount of daylight will equal the

amount of darkness so that they

span 12 hours each.

The Jewish New Year occurs at

sunset, Sept. 8, and marks the begin-

ning of the year 5771. However, the

Byzantine calendar marks the fi rst

day of the year 7519 a few days later

on Sept. 14. The Islamic year 1432

begins at sunset on Dec. 8.

Notable dates in September

include the day Steve Irwin, the

Crocodile Hunter, died from a freak

encounter with a stingray on the

4th, 2006. The fi rst baby placed in an

incubator was Edith McLean on the

7th, 1888. Also note Labor Day on the

6th, Rosh Hashanah on the 9th, and

Patriot day on the 11th.

October Oct. 1 was a momentous day for

Florida in 1971 when Disney World

opened its doors in Orlando. This

ushered in a new era for Florida

tourism as mega-parks owned by

corporate giants begin to supplant

and overshadow locally owned

tourist destinations.

Columbus Day and Canadian

Thanksgiving Day both occur on

the 11th and All Hallows Eve is

celebrated as Halloween on the 31st.

November On Nov. 13, 2006, construction

began on the Martin Luther King Jr.

Memorial in Washington, D.C. But

on the 27th in 1912, North Florida

received half an inch of snow. Woo

Hoo!

Conscientious citizens get out

the vote on the 2nd, Election Day.

Thanksgiving Day is Thursday the

25th and Veteran’s Day is the 11th.

On Saturday, the 6th, Sadie

Hawkins Day is a great time for a

dance. Luckily, that night Daylight

Saving Time ends at 2 a.m., so party-

goers get an extra hour of sleep.

HOME SENSE Vegetarians can skip this

paragraph. According to an article

by Shannon Hayes in the 2010 Old

Farmer’s Almanac, bones make great

meals. They enrich soups and stews

with nutrients, fl avor and color. So,

do not throw out those cooked rib eye

and chicken bones. Recycle them.

Our Town Almanac

BY DEBBIE M. DELOACH

Autumn in North Florida

>> SEASONAL


Tips for successful hard-boiledeggs include:• not using fresh eggs

• covering the eggs with

one inch of water

• adding a dash of vinegar

to the water

• breaking the head off a wooden

match then tossing the stick into

the water

• placing a wooden spoon in the

water.

WEATHER How does the Old Farmer’s

Almanac make weather predic-

tions for an entire year? The basic

formula dates back to 1792 when

the Almanac’s founder, Robert B.

Thomas, devised it. Nowadays, that

formula has been improved and

augmented with modern predic-

tion techniques. Amazingly, the

Almanac’s weather predictions have

averaged about 80 percent accuracy

through the centuries.

This September, Florida can

expect one, possibly two, hurricanes

and more rain than usual. Of

course, with a hurricane one can

obviously expect more rain than

usual. Pray for this prediction to fall

within the 20 percent area of the

Almanac’s fallibility.

After September’s forecast,

October and November are some-

what lackluster.

BEST DATES Celeste Longacre, the Old Farmer’s

Almanac’s astrologer, uses moon

phases to recommend the best dates

to perform certain functions.

A selection of these dates follows.

• Quit smoking or start a weight

reduction diet on Sept. 3 or 26,

Oct. 5 or 23, or Nov. 5 or 28.

• Get dental work performed on

Sept. 7 or 8, Oct. 5 or 6, or Nov. 1,

2, 28 or 29.

• Start new projects on Sept. 9 or

10, Oct. 8 or 9, or Nov. 7 or 8.

• To encourage faster hair growth,

get it cut on Sept. 9, 10, 21 or 22;

Oct. 3, 4, 30 or 31; or Nov. 14, 15,

19 or 20.

• For the most fun camping, go on

Sept. 13 through 15, Oct. 11 and

12, or Nov. 7 and 8.

GARDENING Some believe that the moon’s

phases are important determinants

for growing successful vegetables.

Crops that bear above ground,

such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts,

leafy greens, cabbage and kohlrabi,

should be planted during the time

the moon is going from new to full.

Crops that bear below ground, such

as beets, carrots, radishes, onions,

turnips and leeks, should be

planted during the time the moon

is going from full to new.

For our area, the moon will be

waxing, going from new to full, on

Sept. 9 through 23, Oct. 8 through

22, and Nov. 7 through 21. The

moon will be waning, going from

full to new, on Sept. 1 through

8, Sept. 24 through Oct. 7, Oct.

23 through Nov. 6 and Nov. 22

through Dec. 7. s

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140 | Autumn 2010

The woman behind the counter is the same, but

the business has a new twist.

Regina’s Fine Jewelry has become High

Springs Pawn and Jewelry.

“This is a return to the days when working people

were looking for value,” said Regina Quick, who has

worked in the same space since 1980. “Everybody likes

a bargain.”

ReginaReforgedBY LARRY BEHNKE

High Springs Pawn & Jewelry Opens

>> REINVENTION


The impeccably dressed, attractive woman with a

ready smile is a survivor.

The economy dictated a change in Regina’s life, and

she has adapted. She and her husband Michael Jon

opened their jewelry store as the Genuine Article in

1980. Then in 1987, it became Michael Jon Sculptor of

Gold. He was an artist who created pieces from scratch.

He also encouraged others to be creative.

Regina remembers, “He used to tell kids that anyone

can be an artist if you put your heart and soul into it.”

After a debilitating illness, Michael Jon died in 2005.

Regina tapped her inner strength. She had the jewelry

business know-how and the support of customers. She

kept the store going and renamed it Regina’s Fine Jewelry.

For a while, Regina had help running the shop from

her daughter Candy and her mother Nethra Phillips.

But after decades with hardly a break, Regina was tired.

Clint Asbell, who has managed Oaks Pawn and

Jewelry in Gainesville for six years, heard through a

friend that Regina might want to sell her shop. He met

with her and at fi rst recommended liquidation. But

Asbell liked High Springs and decided, with Regina’s

help, to open a branch store, even though he had

recently opened Haile Jewelry and Loan.

Regina was not quite sure what pawnshops did,

but they do deal in jewelry, something she had much

experience with. She is now quickly learning the ropes.

“Pawn shops once had a bad reputation,” Asbell said,

“but now they are more retail and customer oriented.”

Regina agrees, since many of her former customers

have come in to see her and get acquainted with this

new pawnshop.

“With the economy the way it is now, people may

need a little loan,” she said. “You can’t get gas money

from a bank.”

Regina said this is actually a return to tradition,

because in the late 1800s in the same shop, building

owner Georgan Roberts’ grandfather also made small

loans to local people.

Regina explained how a pawnshop works. When

someone brings in an item, they are loaned money with

the item as collateral. They have 30 days to pay back

their loan plus interest. They can also pay just the inter-

est and extend the loan for another month. If they do

not pay off the loan, the item is put on sale in the shop.

“If I had known what pawn shops were about, I

could have sold a lot more than I did at my yard sales,”

Regina said.

Now she is teaching others. She is the local face that

people trust and her business has improved.

“We’re bringing our pawn shop up to a level where

people will enjoy shopping here,” she said.

And everything Regina’s Fine Jewelry offered is still

in place.

“We’re a full service jewelry store,” Regina said. “We

have jewelry repair and design, watch repair and a

bigger selection, but now the prices are lower.”

Asbell said that because they have three stores, their

inventory is huge.

“We take requests,” he said. “We have something for

everyone. Even people with money want a good deal;

we get doctors coming in.”

The company has an online store too, run by Asbell’s

mother. And Regina’s daughter Candy now enjoys

working at Haile Jewelry and Loan.

“It’s almost a family business,” Regina joked.

Asbell is head manager of all three stores, while

Regina works with Michael Ragan, manager at the High

Springs shop.

Regina is happy about the transition of her jewelry

store into something new.

“The economy got way out of line, and we’re helping

to bring it back,” she said. “This is a way of serving the

community and helping the economy.”

She has other perks too.

“I don’t have to be boss anymore,” Regina said. “And

I get a paycheck.” She smiles at Asbell and Ragan. “I

passed the baton on to great people.

In August, Regina took her fi rst weeklong vacation in

more than a decade. s

PHOTO BY LARRY BEHNKE

From left: Michael Ragan, Regina Quick and Clint Asbell

behind the counter of High Springs Pawn and Jewelry.

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142 | Autumn 2010

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144 | Autumn 2010

T hree abandoned newspaper boxes reside at

the end of my driveway. A mother bird set up

residence in one; a mammoth spider and his gigantic

web homesteaded the second. The third is completely

abandoned — faded, cracked and lifeless. Could these

yellow plastic tubes represent the status of the news-

paper industry — a business that has been an integral

part of my life?

My father was a circulation manager for “The Miami

Herald.” His job was to supervise carriers who delivered

the papers and manually keep updated subscriber lists

and door-to-door collection records. Dad’s territory was

South Miami Beach. The way of life was very different in

the ‘60s. In those days, South Beach consisted primarily

of retired folks, and it was an accepted practice for

young children to work hard, even before school began.

As young pre-adolescent girls, our father would

wake my sister and me up at 4 a.m. to cover paper

routes when an employee called in sick or quit. We

would sit on the tailgate of his station wagon, fold

papers, secure them with rubber bands and sling them

into our customers’ yards. Some mornings we also

cared for our infant brother in the back of the car. One

day we hit a pothole in the road, and Donnie bounced

out. Sandy and I screamed for Dad to stop. Fortunately,

our baby brother was fi ne. Today, we still laugh at that

story, more than four decades later.

Other days Dad dropped us off at high-rise condo-

miniums with bundles of newspapers intended for

front door delivery. Apartment numbers of subscribers

on our route were memorized; Dad verbally told us

which customers cancelled their orders and who

started delivery. Cell phones or computer-generated

lists were not available. We were simply required to

know our customers.

As the sun rose, our work was fi nished. Dad

rewarded us by stopping at an authentic Jewish

bakery/restaurant, where the owners treated us like

royalty. We would arrive covered in smudged clothing,

dirty hands, and hungry. They prepared the best hot

chocolate with real whipped cream, thick French toast

and homemade donuts. Remembering their kindness

brings back precious memories. I can almost taste the

savory sweet treats and smell the smudged newsprint

ink on my shirt and shorts.

My fi rst full-time employment, in 1973, was at “The

Miami News,” the same year they moved in with “The

Miami Herald.” The two newspapers shared production

facilities while maintaining a separate editorial staff.

I worked for the marketing department, which was

challenging, as we were the smaller evening paper.

Coordinating events to promote circulation sales, with

the most energetic enthusiast and entertaining cohorts

I have ever worked with, was my job. Any attempt to

compete with the giant “Miami Herald” required think-

ing outside the box and the willingness to be a bit crazy.

We tried everything, including sponsoring nights

at the dog track and hiring hustlers to solicit door-

to-door. Those street-wise young men knew how to

make a sale. Their rewards were trips to Disney World.

Chaperoning those overnight excursions defi nitely

fell in the above-and-beyond category. We offered

disability and life insurance to our subscribers. I

became a licensed insurance agent to fulfi ll the State’s

requirement. Unfortunately, all circulation gains were

temporary. “The Miami News” ceased publication

on Dec. 31, 1988. Just as the broken and discolored

newspaper box at the end of my road, its life was over.

The empty box held together by the terrifying

tangled web illustrates my dismay. The average daily

circulation of all newspapers has been in decline since

the late 1980s. An article in “The Washington Post”

reports, “...the Audit Bureau of Circulations, paints a

dismal picture for an industry already feeling the pres-

sures of an advertising slump coupled with the worst

business downturn since the Great Depression.”

The good news is that small newspapers, which

focus their limited resources on local news, are gaining

readership. What a rare bright spot in today’s economy.

Perhaps the paper box housing mama bird and her eggs,

represent periodicals such as Our Town Magazine. My

colleagues at Tower Publications embrace the rebirth

of small town America, and I am proud to play a small

part in their success. s

EmbracingLife

COLUMN >> DONNA BONNELL

Ink in my veins.


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148 | Autumn 2010

Shane Andrew has his roots in Alachua County

education. Andrew moved to the area as a toddler

in 1970. He grew up in the school system where

he attended kindergarten through high school. The local

educational system was a good fi t, so he stuck around

and attended Santa Fe Community College as well.

He capped off his hometown education with a degree

from the University of

Florida. Andrew had

just about every ounce

of Alachua County

education he could

gather, and it was time

to start spreading the

wealth.

While enrolled at

SFCC (now Santa Fe

College), he decided

to work with kids and

give back to the com-

munity that had given

him such a great edu-

cation. But his interest

in educating was not

just a shot in the dark. Andrew comes from a long line

of educators including both of his grandmothers who

were teachers in the old one-room schoolhouses. His

father was a professor at UF, and he also worked to

bring education to other parts of the world. Andrew

remembers the cultural experiences he had even as a

toddler in places such as Central America and Africa,

and those memories made a lasting impression.

“I saw fi rsthand the difference between folks who

have a lot and those who have nothing,” Andrew said.

He wanted to help children from all walks of life and

economical backgrounds. And while he knew that being

an educator would not

be the highest-paying

profession, he could not

pass up the intrinsic

rewards it offered.

Andrew began his

educating endeavor as

a substitute teacher.

He then spent 15 years

at Hawthorne High

School in various roles.

He worked as a teacher

and an assistant

principal, as well as

athletic director.

He then went on to

Mebane Middle School

where he was the assistant principal for three years,

and then the principal for one.

And now, as he begins his inaugural year as prin-

cipal of Newberry High School, he is excited to get

back into the high school groove. He said high school

A New Face in Newberry

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students are just a little bit closer to their life goals and

dreams, so it is exciting to help them attain them.

“We have a strong group of folks here,” he said.

Andrew said he feels fortunate to join such a strong

team and would like to continue in the positive direc-

tion his predecessor, Hershel Lyons, left behind.

Lyons was given a “well-deserved” promotion to

assistant superintendent of personnel at the school

board, and he said Lyons has been instrumental in the

transition.

Andrew said he is very excited to be a part of such a

great school. He attended graduation and was pleas-

antly surprised to learn that the students earned well

over $1 million in scholarships.

“It speaks to what the faculty and staff have done

with the curriculum,” he said.

One of his main goals for the coming year is to open

doors to upper division educational opportunities,

especially to those who may be fi rst generation college

students.

At the end of the summer, Andrew introduced

himself to the teachers, but he said he will get to know

everyone better once school begins.

He said he understands that at the beginning they

were probably still reeling from the news that Lyons

was leaving. But he hopes he alleviated some curiosi-

ties by introducing himself.

The transition has been a smooth one so far, he said,

and although he is sure there will be challenges, he is

optimistic about his future at Newberry High School.

“I have full confi dence in the faculty and staff here,”

he said.

This summer Andrew attended band camp, summer

school and some of the athletic practices. Andrew said

the freshmen orientation at the end of August will be a

great time to meet incoming students.

One thing he really likes about Newberry High

School is that it is a small enough school that he can

get to know the students.

“I’m not one that likes to be sitting in my offi ce,”

Andrew said.

One change he would like is the incorporation of

more technology into the classroom. He said he will

enlist community support to help bring things like

smart boards and document cameras into the class-

room. A smart board is white board that is engaging

and interactive.

“It beats an overhead,” Andrew said. “Anything

technology gets the kids’ attention.”

He said technology will help bring real-world educa-

tion into the classroom, and it will also save time.

Andrew said he will do all he can to improve reading

and math skills. The educational system is in a transi-

tional phase right now, and many classes are moving

toward the trend of end-of-course exams. He wants to

ensure that the students will be adequately prepared.

He said he is very data driven, and he will look to

the information gathered from students to assess what

they have mastered in order to enrich it. He said the

data will also help to determine what they still need

help with, and they will work to fi gure out the best way

to reach the students and improve in those areas.

Andrew said Newberry High School is on the right

track, and he is geared up to jump on board as its new

leader. s

“I have full confidence in the faculty and staff here.”

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150 | Autumn 2010

“I ready!” my son, Nicholas, proclaims.

Wheels fascinate Nicholas. They signify power and

motion. He is perpetual motion. He has only one speed:

Turbo FAST. Nicholas loves to GO, so he loves things that

GO! We GO a lot: to the library, store, pool, park, friend’s

houses...

Once in the car, he delights in looking out the window,

taking in each tree, sign, cow and pond that we pass,

noting it all, sometimes out loud, sometimes not. I swear I

see those “brain” wheels turning.

So impatient is he for the journey, that when we’re

stopped at a light, or drive-thru, Nicholas says, “Go,

Mommy, go!”

On those rare occasions when he does slow down, he

lays on his side, on the fl oor, toy car in hand, so his face

is even with the rolling car. He watches the wheels go

‘round and ‘round.

This is his meditation.

As I’m packing for a family road trip, I’m listening

to William Least Heat-Moon’s “Blue Highways,” about

his meanderings across the U.S., with only a handful of

essential belongings.

Although Heat-Moon had no particular destination

in mind, his trip was not without direction. He followed

a circle because, he said, it would give his trip “purpose.”

It would signify a “coming around again...” to “shuck the

routine...”

I’m enchanted by his adventure. But reality sets in: I’m

surrounded by toy cars, dolls, books, stuff. Our road trip

has a defi nite destination. And we cannot travel lightly.

Still, the more I listened, the more I couldn’t shake the

romantic notion of how fun it would be just to hit the

open road, just for the pure joy of discovery: Like Heat-

Moon, like Nicholas, just traveling light and enjoying the

ride. Like I used to do.

Our road trip takes us to visit my Granddad, now 92

and caught in the cruel grip of Alzheimer’s. Each day,

he moves further “away” from us, as the disease pulls

him further from who he was. A shadow of his old self.

Dependent on others for everything. Forgetting who we

are every few minutes. But I was granted a glimpse of my

beloved Granddad once more,

COLUMN >> DIANE E. SHEPARD

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152 | Autumn 2010

as he watched Nicholas playing with his cars.

“I remember doing that. I had a few cars, and I would

watch the wheels turn like that too,” Granddad said.

For a moment, he was back with us again. His warm,

familiar laugh a comfort I had missed.

For a man who once delighted in long cross-country

road trips and traveling to far away places, my Granddad

has returned again to the joy of the simple, quick outing

— just going to get the mail or taking out the recycling is

an adventure for him, not unlike my son.

Nicholas is at the beginning of his journey; I am at the

middle of mine, while Granddad is nearing the end of his,

all part of the circle of life.

But with the circle of life, as with all circles, the end

turns in on its beginning.

As the great Oglala Sioux Holy Man, Black Elk said,

“The Power of the world always works in circles, and

everything tries to be round ... The life of man is a circle

from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything

where power moves.”

I take comfort in knowing that my Granddad enjoyed

a rich, full life, with his soul mate by his side for most

of it, and children and grandchildren nearby. I know he

enjoyed the ride.

Back home, my thoughts turn inward.

I used to have more fun. I used to enjoy the journey

more — even reveled in it. My mantra: “It’s the journey,

not the destination.”

What happened?

I think about Nicholas, my pint-size traveler. He fi nds

the fun, always, in anything he does. He makes a trip to

the grocery store anything but mundane. He always fi nds

the joy. He always enjoys the ride.

Nicholas reminds me that each new day can be an

adventure, an opportunity to fi nd the fun, even amongst

the monotonous routine of everyday chores and errands.

It won’t be easy, but I must try.

I must remember to ENJOY THE RIDE! After all, we

really don’t know how long our journey through this

world will be.

All truly meaningful journeys are circular — proving

more spiritual, than geographical. They lead you back to

your roots, your core, yourself.

“Ready, Mama?!” Nicholas calls excitedly from his

perch at the front door.

“Ready!” I say.

I grab my keys and wallet. Nothing else.

I have no idea where are we going, but I do know that

I’m going to enjoy the ride! s


Nicholas reminds me that

each new day can be an

adventure, an opportunity...

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158 | Autumn 2010

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GETUse your Debit Card

1 Credit approval and initial $50 opening deposit required. Member must elect to receive eStatements and Direct Deposit of at least $200 per month must be established within the first 90 days. $50 reward will be deposited to the member’s savings account and will be on hold for 90 days. At that time if the requirements are met and the account remains open, the $50 reward will be made available to the member, otherwise it will be debited from the member’s account.

2 The new checking account must remain active for at least 90 days. Member must have elected to receive eStatements and received at least one month of direct deposit for at least $200. There must be a minimum of 5 debit card transactions per month for the last 3 months. Coupon must be presented in order to receive incentive. If all promotional requirements are met, incentive will be credited immediately.

3 The new checking account must remain active for at least 90 days. Member must have elected to receive eStatements and received at least one month of direct deposit of at least $200. CAMPUS PAY online bill pay service must be set up, with a minimum of 3 bills paid online within the first 90 days of account open date.

Give our Free

Checking account

a try...

and we’ll give you

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government

National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency

335-9090 and press 5

160 | Autumn 2010

Drive HomeTODAY!

• No Credit Check!

• Cars Startingat $0 down

• $2,000 OFFany financed vehicle.

• 30 day warrantyon financed vehicles.

Sun City Auto Sales

(352) 338-1999

Always great vehiclesAlways great prices!


13th Street Homes

of Gainesville + Alachuao

Program available until December 2010 only. Must have signed contract by December 30, 2010. Offer does not apply to contracts completed prior toDecember 1, 2010 by 13th Street Mobile Homes, LLC. All rights reserved. Monies to be paid within 30 days of contract closing. Call for details.

ATTENTION: HOME BUYERS REBATE EXTENDED$$5,000up to

CASH BACKCASH BACKAT CLOSINGAT CLOSING

12426 NW US Highway 441 in Alachua

386-418-0424 2011 SINGLEWIDE

2 BED / 1 BATH$23,995

PRICE INCLUDESDELIVERY AND SET-UP

2011 DOUBLEWIDE

3 BED / 2 BATH$29,995


2011 16x80

3 BED / 2 BATH$33,995


6 Miles South

5.5%5.5%FINANCINGFINANCING

on Land/Home pacages w.a.c.

6.9%6.9%FINANCINGFINANCINGon New or Used Homes w.a.c.

13th Street Homes in Gainesville, FL has been given approval to extend

the Home Buyers Rebate Program on ALL MODEL HOMES until December 30, 2010. Any customer purchase of a new or used home may qualify for

up to $5,000 back at closing.

162 | Autumn 2010

For All YourRetail Needs...

We Buy Scrap Gold!

Huge, Huge, Huge Jewelry Selection

TV’s DVD Players, DVD’s, Guns, Gun Safes, Home Entertainment, Electric Guitars, Tools Galore!

16130 NW US HWY 441P.O. Box 2049, Alachua, FL 32615

M-F: 9am-6pm - Sat: 9am-1pm

Alachua Pawn & Jewelry

Sales and LoansNow Online!

www.AlachuaPawn.com

386.462.5429


North Prestige

35 St.

444/301

Hwy 326

75

OUR PRICES, OPTIONSAND CUSTOMER SERVICE

ARE SECOND TO NONE!

Local callers, dial(352) 351-3899or call us toll-free1-800-351-4246

PRESTIGE HOME CENTER 3150 N. Pine Ave., Ocala, FL 34475

NEVER ANY HIDDEN COSTS!

Fall in love...Fall in love...

THE PRESTIGE DIFFERENCE!

SinglewidesSTARTING AT ONLY

$25,995

DoublewidesSTARTING AT ONLY

$34,995

SUPERBCUSTOMERSERVICE &SATISFACTION

OVER100FLOORPLANSTO CHOOSE FROM

164 | Autumn 2010

4400 NW 36th Avenue • Gainesville, FL 32606352-372-5468 352-373-9178 fax

ADVERTISER INDEX

REAL ESTATEColdwell Banker MM Parrish ............... 168 (HS) Forrester Realty ................................................. 91Lamplighter.................................................................72Prestige Home Center N. Ocala .................163PRO Realty .............................42, 168, 167 (HS)Showcase Homes Direct ................................ 88Springhill Village Apartments ............................ 111Village Retirement Community .....................313th Street Home Sales ........................................ 161

AUTOMOTIVEBush Auto Repair ................................................... 147City Boy’s ............................................................ 79Gainesville Harley Davidson ......................... 53Jim Douglas Sales & Service .......................158Maaco Body Shop ............................................66Newberry Auto Repair Inc .......................... 150Quality Collision Repair ................................153RPM Auto ...........................................................143Sun City Auto .................................................. 160

FINANCIAL / INSURANCEAlarion Bank ..............................................................80Campus USA Credit Union ..........................159Edward Jones ...........................................................80M&S Bank of High Springs ..................................85Pat Gleason, CPRS® ....................................... 56Sunshine State Insurance ..............................48SunState Federal Credit Union .............18, 64Three Rivers Insurance ..................................125

MEDICAL / HEALTHAffordable Dentures .............................................124Alachua Dental ..................................................30Alachua Family Medical Center ................ 149Alligator Optical ..................................................... 133Accent Audiology ..................................................109Accent on Eyes ........................................................ 84 Caretenders ........................................................86Community Cancer Center ........................... 73Dr. Tyrone Plastic Surgery ............................48Douglas M Adel DDS......................................107Haven Hospice ..........................................................80NFRMC ....................................................................2Palms Medical Group ...........................................106

Samant Dental Group .......................................... 147Southeastern Integrated Medical ............... 63Dr. Storoe, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery .. 157Tioga Dental Associates ........................4 (NB)

FITNESS and BEAUTYAll Creations Salon ................................................. 42Airbonne ......................................................................80Cuts & More ........................................................ 67Excel Tanning and Hair Design ........................136Nails N Spa ......................................................... 82Sarah Vierra Salon .......................................... 381 Nails and Spa ................................................ 146

PETS and VETSBed ‘n Biscuit Inn .............................................151Earth Pets Organic Feed & Garden ...........119Flying Fish Pets and Aquatics .......................... 43House Call Vet ..................................................154Pampered Paws ....................................................... 43Pamper Your Pet ......................................................76Spring Hill Equine Vet Clinic .......................145Susie’s Pet Sitting ............................................ 85Vacation Station Pet Resort ....................... 93West End Animal Hospital ...........................156

CHILD CARE / LEARNINGAlachua Learning Center .................................6American Academy ........................................154Building Blocks Learning Center ................ 47Spencer House Montessori ...........................113The Studio of Alachua ......................................... 135The Whole Child ............................................... 76

RETAIL / RECREATIONAlachua Pawn & Jewelry ..............................162Bennett’s True Value ....................................... 75Blue Springs .......................................................48C&R Business .............................................................93Colleen’s Kloset ...................................................... 104Colortyme ....................................................................37Cootie Coo Creations .....................................141Daba Designs ............................................................80Decades ............................................................... 58Decks, Docks and Barns ..................................... 152


Diana Originals Art & Teaching Gallery ... 63High Springs Pawn & Jewelry ...................4 (HS)High Springs Farmer’s Market .......................... 42The Flower Exchange ........................................... 42Garden Gallery ................................................... 61Gator Chomp ...................................................... 41Gatorland Kubota ............................................151General Ship It & More Store ................42, 43Great Southern Circus .................................... 28JaneJuicePlus.com .................................................80Jewelry Designs by Donna ................................. 42Kelly’s Kreations .........................................................81Klaus Fine Jewelry ..............................................9Lentz House of Time ....................................... 58Lifestyle Cruise & Travel ...............................154The Lighting Gallery ........................................49Liquor and Wine Shop, The..............167 (NB)Morrell’s Furniture ............................................ 29Noche De Gala .................................................. 23North Florida Academy Martial Arts ........34Old Irishman’s Pawn Shop ............................ 74Oliver & Dahlman .................................................... 56Pace Custom Jewelers & Time Works ......60Paddywhack ....................................................... 27Painted Lady .............................................................90The Pink Porch Bookstore ....................................81Prissy Pals ..........................................................132Pro Taekwondo ..............................................................Radio Shack ......................................................125Rum Island Retreat ..........................................48Sapp’s Pawn , Gun and Archery ................145Stephen C. O’Connell Center ............................90Stitch In Time Embroidery ...........................143Suwannee River Music Park .........................121Texas Trailers ............................................................149Tioga Town Center ...................................... 13, 15Valerie’s Loft ................................................39, 81West End Golf Course ................................... 137

SERVICEA Classic Moment Limousine ...................... 85ACT Computer Solutions ..............................42Alachua Printing ..............................................154AllState Mechanical, Inc. ...............................143Amira Builders ........................................................ 104Artful Upholstery & More .............................. 83Balsinger’s Landscape Services ..........................8Big Blue .............................................................. 120Blake’s Lawn Care, LLC .................................153Blooming House Nursery .............................155Creekside Outdoor .......................................... 57Crystal Clear Communication .....................40Grower’s Fertilizer Corporation ................ 108Kim’s Cleaning .........................................................154Lotus Studios Photography .................................17Ms. Debbie’s Cakes & Sugar Art .....................142

Open Show Photography.............................132Outreach Center for Children .......................... 125Phones & More .................................................. 79Thurston Garden Design .......................................81Quality Cleaners ............................................. 1463-Way Electrical Service Inc. .......................80

HOME IMPROVEMENTAl Mincey Site Prep ......................................... 85Biblical Botanical Gardens ............................ 72Clint S. Davis LLC ............................................107Cook Portable Buildings ...............................158Corbetts Supply......................................................154Dan’s Custom Blinds ....................................... 52Floor Store ................................................142, 155Gonzales Site Prep .......................................... 82Great Lakes Carpet & Tile ............................. 73Griffi s Lumber ...................................................154Gulf Coast Metal Roofi ng .............................107Home Improvements by Andy .................. 120Innovative Home Builders .................168 (NB)Jack’s Small Engine Repair ...........................96Overhead Door Company ............................. 97Red Barn Home Center ................................ 108Sherer Studio Glass & Stone ........................ 37Southland Rock & Stone ..............................133Waste Watchers .........................................66, 77Whitfi eld Window and Door ........................ 35

RESTAURANTConestogas Restaurant.................................. 29D’Lites Emporium ............................................151David’s BBQ ....................................................... 52Dave’s NY Deli ...........................................................78Gator Q BBQ, Wings and Things .....................76Gator Domino’s ............................................5, 80El Toro Mexican Food & Salsa ................... 146Los Aviña Mexican Restaurant ...................139Mad Hatter’s Café .....................................42, 83Main Street Pizzaria.........................................80Mamma Mia NY Style Pizza .......................... 77NY Pizza Plus ................................................... 146Papa G’s BBQ ....................................................34Pepperoni’s ................................................................ 43PizzaVito .............................................................156Villaggio’s Pizzeria ..........................................143

EMPLOYMENTCD Case Assembly .........................................153

MISCELLANEOUSAlachua County EPD ......................................151

166 | Autumn 2010

>> WOAH THERE, TIGER Veterinarian Dawn Miller is blindsided by Yipes, a playful Bengal tiger

cub, while her sister Stripes sits at her feet. These white tiger cubs are

only 4 months old. Miller began her wildlife sanctuary in Jonesville

about 15 years ago and it is now safe haven for a wide variety of

animals, both common and exotic.

114page


NEW HOMES STARTING AT:

$112,900

For House Plans & Home Features: www.IHBHOMES.com

Ashton RidgeWelcome to

Home Builders of North Florida, Inc

CBC #1256897

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Damon Watson352.215.6986

206 NE 1st StreetHigh Springs, Fl 32643

Leslie Morgan352.339.5095

Douglasville 1556sq. ft. Heated/Cooled

3 BED/2 BATH 2 Car Garage. $149,900

168 | Autumn 2010

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large entrance fees

general surgery

community hospital

surgery patients

gainesvilles best pizza

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