The Marion Therapeutic Riding Association on Saturday celebrated 40 years of service, memories, and inspiring moments. The celebration — at the College of Central Florida Vintage Farm in Marion County — highlighted the association’s mission of helping those who live with physical and mental challenges in Marion County and nearby …
Read More »City of Gainesville kicks off Black History Month with Black love celebration
About 30 onlookers gathered on Friday inside the historic Thomas Center to observe some of Gainesville’s most hidden talent. The city and Bailey Learning and Arts Collective partnered to produce “A Celebration of Black love, arts and poetry.” An intimate crowd cheered as local poets recited original pieces and local …
Read More »Newberry Elementary receives a special visitor: Finlee June, a wonder with Treacher Collins Syndrome
She wore a long-sleeve shirt patterned with planets, rockets and the infinite dreams of space travel. A white bow adorned by two hearing aids sat lightly atop her head, completing an outfit that matched her mother’s. Her pumpkin-orange pants complimented the warmth of her presence as she began to take …
Read More »Community gives back to Gainesville waiter after he survives motorcycle accident
Wearing a helmet and gear while riding his motorcycle is non-negotiable for Brad Coblentz. But one wrong turn from an uninsured driver left him with 30 staples in his neck, nine broken ribs, a broken wrist — and no way to pay for it. Without relatives in town, the 42-year-old …
Read More »Photo gallery: Ocala police celebrate Alice Faison, the first African American woman sworn into the force
Bringing back bingo: One way the American Legion supports veterans
The American Legion offers bingo every Tuesday and Thursday. It is a place where veterans and their families can gather to support each other and have fun. Denise SanFillipo, a social worker, enjoys spending time at American Legion and bringing along friends to bingo night. SanFillipo became more involved with …
Read More »Holocaust survivor rocks the Chabad with Klezmer music
Four days after International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Saul Dreier, founder of the Holocaust Survivor Band on Tuesday made a special visit to Gainesville at the University of Florida’s Chabad and Jewish Student & Community Center. Family members told Dreier, 97, that creating a band wouldn’t be the best of ideas …
Read More »Howard Bishop Middle School celebrates becoming a UCF-Certified Community Partnership School
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Howard Bishop Middle School celebrated becoming a UCF-Certified Community Partnership School on Tuesday night, its next step to improving the lives of students. “The Community Partnership Schools™ model at Howard Bishop Middle is a long-term commitment among Children’s Home Society of Florida, Alachua County School District, Alachua …
Read More »Farm Share and Project Youthbuild join together to give free food to families in need
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As food prices soar, a Florida non-profit organization Farm Share continues to work with students in Project Youthbuild to alleviate those stresses for families. The drive was scheduled to start at 9 a.m., but drivers got up bright and early eager to get food. The Project Youthbuild …
Read More »Photo story: Sculpting his surroundings
UF student Clay Dixon works to make a difference in the Gainesville music scene, as well as in other people’s lives.
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