The Matheson History Museum closed out the month of November with a presentation from Sabina Osman, the founder of a movement seeking to impact the community and the environment through a word. “I’m going to take you guys through an analogy here,” Osman said at the museum Wednesday night. Imagine …
Read More »75 years of tradition and history: Camp Crystal Lake shares ‘camp magic’ with Alachua County
Camp Crystal Lake is celebrating its 75th Anniversary by bringing camp alumni together to celebrate the rich history of Alachua County’s community fixture on Crystal Lake. On Saturday, former campers celebrated with the classic Camp Crystal Lake activities, including face painting, arts and crafts, archery and a ropes climbing course. …
Read More »Alachua County residents unite to ‘Strike Out Hunger”
Volunteers in Alachua County ensured no one went hungry this holiday season by striving to “strike out hunger.” As cars lined up and around The Oaks Mall parking lot, residents from various counties awaited their two bags filled with an array of different foods: grapes, beans, nuts and other staple …
Read More »Beneath the surface
Britt Renee, an Ocala native, brings joy to families around Gainesville as a professional mermaid. She performs at birthday parties and group events. Through this work, she has been able to combine her love of performing, swimming and making people smile. To become a mermaid, she has been certified in …
Read More »Batman
Joey Alfonso Beneath the Mask is the hero that Gainesville needs as he saves the city one smile at a time. From appearing at events like birthday parties and 5k’s for kids with cancer to just roaming on campus, he takes the concept of the Dark Knight to make everyone’s …
Read More »Santa Fe College event shows support for first responders
More than 300 students, law enforcement, volunteers, and community members were at the Run with the Cops event on Thursday. All participants gather on the Santa Fe College track to walk, run, or roll with officers from local agencies. This free community event focuses on those with special abilities and …
Read More »“Do you know the muffin man?” Visitors at Haile Plantation Farmers Market answer yes.
On Saturday mornings, nearly 300 visitors at Haile Farmers Market line up for one vendor. Each customer shares a slice of information: They know the muffin man. He arrives in Gainesville once a week and can be found running the vendor stand for The Gourmet Muffin, a Stuart-based bakery. After …
Read More »Ghosts and ghouls fight hunger at ‘Boo at the Zoo’
A can of Campbell’s tomato soup is handed to Bluey the Dog. Bluey goes to the Boo at the Zoo food drive at the Santa Fe Teaching Zoo. He hands it to Sabrina Miller, director of emergency assistance at Catholic Charities. The can is now on its way to fight …
Read More »A compassionate cook takes big life step: building and receiving a home
Alachua County resident Kiana Clayton got a home of her own last Thursday. Clayton, 26, is a manager and cook at Bev’s Drive-Thru. She has worked there for the past decade. She needed help finding an affordable place to live, so she turned to her sister for guidance, who just …
Read More »Keeping tabs on the tabby: how community keeps cat population in check
Thanks to a collaboration between UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a nonprofit organization, veterinary students were able to receive hands-on mentorship and sterilize more than 150 cats during the weekend of Oct. 13 and 14. Nonprofit Operation Catnip works to spay, neuter and vaccinate free-roaming community cats to keep …
Read More »