The article discusses a local middle school math competition called MATHCOUNTS that will be held in February. About 100 students from Alachua and Putnam counties will compete by taking tests on subjects like algebra, geometry, and statistics. The program aims to spark students' interest in math careers. Many past participants have gone on to pursue math-heavy fields like engineering. The top local teams and individuals will advance to the state competition in Orlando. Past winners have had the opportunity to meet the president.
On Friday 3rd March we held a Fairtrade Assembly to highlight how paying a fair, minimum price to Fairtrade farmers can make a real difference to their livelihoods. Mr Hutchison is organising a Fairtrade Craft and Tuckshop on Thursday 9th March and will provide further details next week.
President Obama has encouraged the next generation to 'take up the mic' through his Obama Foundation and we are encouraging pupils to get involved in Red Nose Day by 'saying something funny for money.' We are mindful of our 1 in 5 Child Poverty Awareness project and so pupils need only bring a donation if they wish, rather than be sponsored. Pupils will be asked to share a joke, funny story, rhyme, poem or drawing with their class as part of our whole school Comedy Festival later in the month and we are looking forward to encouraging their confidence in performance and their Listening and Talking skills in a fun way. P7 pupils will soon be selling red noses in school and our P7 Comedy Book launches on 17th March. Please respond to the email you will shorty receive to place advance orders by 8th March, ahead of printing dates. Sciennes' parent Richard Melvin, comedian and compere at The Stand, has very kindly offered to provide comedy workshops for P6 pupils and we continue to use the BBC and Blue Peter resource "Comedy Classroom" to develop literacy skills through comedy. We are learning the new Red Nose Day song for Comic Relief and everyone who takes part in our Comedy Festival will receive a certificate.
P5 pupil Cole blew everyone away with his outstanding street dance skills and he gained deserved applause for his confident performance. We congratulated pupils on many recent achievements.
Looping display in Enrico Fermi School 17, a Rochester City Elementary and Middle School, lobby to disseminate information on in-house and community resources unique to our transforming community school. My responsibilities working included coordination of such resources and preliminary data collection.
Sales Benchmark Index's Bryce Record webinar on how best-in-class sales forces are segmenting their accounts to determine the real potential. Learn how to find hidden revenue opportunities, rank your accounts based on potential and balance territories.
On Friday 3rd March we held a Fairtrade Assembly to highlight how paying a fair, minimum price to Fairtrade farmers can make a real difference to their livelihoods. Mr Hutchison is organising a Fairtrade Craft and Tuckshop on Thursday 9th March and will provide further details next week.
President Obama has encouraged the next generation to 'take up the mic' through his Obama Foundation and we are encouraging pupils to get involved in Red Nose Day by 'saying something funny for money.' We are mindful of our 1 in 5 Child Poverty Awareness project and so pupils need only bring a donation if they wish, rather than be sponsored. Pupils will be asked to share a joke, funny story, rhyme, poem or drawing with their class as part of our whole school Comedy Festival later in the month and we are looking forward to encouraging their confidence in performance and their Listening and Talking skills in a fun way. P7 pupils will soon be selling red noses in school and our P7 Comedy Book launches on 17th March. Please respond to the email you will shorty receive to place advance orders by 8th March, ahead of printing dates. Sciennes' parent Richard Melvin, comedian and compere at The Stand, has very kindly offered to provide comedy workshops for P6 pupils and we continue to use the BBC and Blue Peter resource "Comedy Classroom" to develop literacy skills through comedy. We are learning the new Red Nose Day song for Comic Relief and everyone who takes part in our Comedy Festival will receive a certificate.
P5 pupil Cole blew everyone away with his outstanding street dance skills and he gained deserved applause for his confident performance. We congratulated pupils on many recent achievements.
Looping display in Enrico Fermi School 17, a Rochester City Elementary and Middle School, lobby to disseminate information on in-house and community resources unique to our transforming community school. My responsibilities working included coordination of such resources and preliminary data collection.
Sales Benchmark Index's Bryce Record webinar on how best-in-class sales forces are segmenting their accounts to determine the real potential. Learn how to find hidden revenue opportunities, rank your accounts based on potential and balance territories.
Why do front-line managers fail and what can be done to avoid failure? We polled our experts to identify our top five most common management derailers. They are:
Â
1. Poor interpersonal and communication skills
2. Inadequate leadership skills
3. Resistance to change
4. Inability to deliver expected results
5. Inability to see beyond their functional silo
Our group of UCF students partnered with a the Girls & Boys Town of Oviedo in a service learning project. I created this presentation that was made to the local district manager of The Home Depot in an effort to explain why they should become involved in our renovation project.
Flipping the Pyramid with Kansas State - CASE D6EverTrue
Â
Kansas State University is re-thinking advancement-as-usual and shifting fundraising strategy to connect directly with alumni interests and passions. After a fire damaged its library, KSU launched a digital campaign to raise money for the renovations. The team used social media posts to identify interested constituents, they added those prospects to a campaign that successfully raised more than $50k from 400 donors.
Dear RC Bombay Pier Members. Please use this presentation for our fund raiser as the earlier version had some errors and some changes too.
Sunnil Mehra
Another packed edition with the usual
spread of news, views, features, and images to
reflect the dynamic Shine community! You can
read our three varied feature articles and see
some of the images from another great Family
Opportunity Weekend (page 16-17). Weâve also
packed in all the regional news, updates from our various member groups and, of course, Gobiâs
Gossip (page 29).
Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area Annual Report 2011
Â
Good Life February Web File 2011
1.
2.
3.
4. From the Desktop
6 Santa Fe College President Jack Sasser
8 Kids Talk about their Best Friends
11 Exciting New Bike Shop Opens in Tioga
12 Dogs That Can Turn Lights On!
14 Local Wiz Kids Compete in Math
16 Kids Learn How to Be a Cop
I am sure I am not alone in saying that I am soooo glad 2011 is here!
Spring is around the corner and thoughts of the beach are filling my head,
which reminds me that I must visit the gym!
Something else that is on my mind is the new school year. I know this
seems far away but I am already wondering about my teen starting High
School for the first time and where he should go. My childrenâs future has
been on my mind ever since they were born. I am sure many of you are
wondering about where to place your infants and toddlers. My kids started
their education at The Spencer House Montessori School in Alachua.
We are now telling the story of this school in this issue. I feel as if it were
only yesterday that both of my children were there and remember how
hard it was to find a school I trusted with my childâs happiness, safety and
future. Now I am sharing the story of this gem of a school with all of you.
Good Life Community Magazine is not just about clients placing an ad but
also about building a community of reliable, trustworthy services. I have
personally worked with and used most of the advertiserâs services within
these pages and feel honored to have worked with so many professional,
talented, local people.
I excited about the New Year and all the lays ahead of us.
Make the most of every day and liveâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ. The Good Life!
Cover Story
18 All About The
Spencer House
Montessori School
Team:
Trish Utter, Publisher and Chief Bottle Washer
Editor Michael Ward ⢠Graphic Designer Jamie Walker ⢠Graphics Assistant Ann Joy Ruth
Writers Trish Utter, Ruth Ward ⢠Photographers Trish Utter, Raul Fernandez ⢠Kids Talk Colt Utter, Brooke Utter
Assistant Patricia Hoyos ⢠Webmaster Jamie Walker
Good Life Community Magazine is published by
Good Life Marketing, LLC
P.O. Box 278 Alachua, Florida 32616
(352) 219-6702
http://www.GoodLifeCommunity.com ⢠trishgoodlifecommunity@gmail.com
by Trish Utter, Publisher & Chief Bottle Washer
Contents
20 What do Venison, Wild Boar & Buffalo have in common?
The Rotary Clubâs Wild Game Feast!
22 Beautiful Gowns from Noche De Gala
26 Community Pix
28 Crawl For a Claus!
30 The Art of Being a Butcher is Alive & Well
32 Whatâs On
35 Colt & Brookeâs Tops Picks for Disney
Good Life Community covers many events. If
you had your photo taken or would like to see
more photographs from our events please visit
www.GoodLifeCommunity.com and then click
on the photo link at the top of the page.
5. Do your Wisdom Teeth Hurt?
Wisdom Teeth, or Third Molars, are usually the last teeth to develop and appear in the mouth. They are
called âWisdom Teethâ because they usually appear during a personâs late teens or early twenties,
which has been called the âage of wisdomâ. The normal position for developing wisdom teeth is behind
the upper and lower second molars. However, often times the mouth does NOT have enough room for
these extra teeth and they become impacted. This can lead to very serious
dental health and medical problems such as pain, infection, crowding of teeth,
cyst development, loss of other teeth, or development of pathologies that
could lead to more serious surgery. In fact, for nine out of ten people, at least
one wisdom tooth remains under the gum tissue due to lack of space in the
mouth. Proper treatment of wisdom teeth involves their removal using
special surgical techniques appropriate for each individual case. Wisdom
teeth are best treated by a specialist, like an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental Implants are titanium anchors placed in the jawbones, underneath the gum
tissue, to support artificial teeth where natural teeth are missing. Dental Implants are
actually placed in the jawbones, and donât require removal like regular dentures or partials,
nor do they require the removal of natural tooth structure like crowns and bridges. They
look and function like natural teeth. Dental Implants can be used to
replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even hold dentures in place,
eliminating the need for denture adhesives. Dental Implants can
restore normal eating and speaking abilities, and enhance your facial appearance and
confidence. Dental Implants are best placed by a specialist, like an Oral & Maxillofacial
Surgeon, working closely with your restorative or general dentist.
6. RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
Presidentâs Update
As demand for more education and services is rising, Santa Fe College is
rising to the challenge.
The past few years have been marked by significant new endeavors at Santa
Fe College. In 2008, for example, Santa Fe opened the Perry Institute for
Construction and began offering coursework leading to Bachelorâs degrees
in needed specialties. In 2009, Santa Fe opened its new Perry Center for
Emerging Technologies in Alachua and it has grown to nearly 300 students in
just two years.
In 2010, Santa Fe graduated its first Bachelorâs degree students, who earned
their degrees totally online, in Health Services Administration.
2010 also marked a successful fundraising effort by the SF Foundation, which
raised $3.6 million in matching funds for scholarships, student services and
other needed programs.
The progress of Santa Fe College continues this coming year.
In 2011, we will open a magnificent new Fine Arts Hall on our Northwest
campus. This state-of-the-art facility will enable our students and the
community to experience the arts in exciting new ways. The 600-seat
auditorium will offer a variety of student and professional performances
throughout the year, in a convenient, easily accessible venue.
In 2011, we will begin to offer yet another Bachelorâs degree opportunity,
this one in Early Childhood Education. The new degree program will meet
the growing need for qualified teachers in that important area of childhood
development.
Positive change and growth continue to be themes at Santa Fe. Our new
degrees and our new arts building validate once again the Collegeâs primary
purpose â to meet the needs of our students and communities.
I invite you to campus this year, to help us celebrate.
Jackson N. Sasser
Jackson N. Sasser
President, Santa Fe College
6
7. ⢠RobinWilliams used the Latin phrase, Carpe Diem- Seize the Day to
encourage his students in the movie âDead Poets Societyâ
⢠The first box of Crayola Crayons cost 5cents
⢠Lead in a pencil is made out of carbon
â˘Socrateswasanancienteducatorknownforhistechniqueofinstructing
throughquestioningstudents
The average teacher works 11.6 hours un-compensated in the U.S.
(according to a 2001 NEA study)
⢠2 percent of all school-age students ages 5 to 17 are Home-schooled
⢠The longer you stay in school the more you will earn according to the
U.S. National Census Bureau
⢠$83,144Average annual earnings of workers age 18 and older with
an advanced degree
$58,613 a year for those with bachelorâs degrees
$31,283 for those with a high school diploma only
$21,023 for those without a high school diploma.
School
Trivia
7
11. ike Works is the newest bike shop in the Gainesville community. Located in Tioga
Town Center, the store offers a range of bikes for all budgets and is part of a thriving
community and vibrant commercial center. As you enter the shop, you will find
customers enjoying leather sofas and sports on the large screen TV, having a beer or glass of
wine, and chatting to staff about the latest bicycle and club rides. The climate is festive, and
the service is impeccable. The repair and sales staff have a combined sixty years of experi-
ence riding, racing, commuting, fixing, and selling bicycles.
Owners Tony and Dawn Cousins, Gainesville native Barry Bullard (Bullard Homes), and
UF-Shands Faculty David Quillen, M.D.--all cycling enthusiasts--befriended each other
through commercial connections and mutual friendships.
Bike Works settled on brands based on the ownerâs personal experience and on the quality of
service for which each one is known. Giant is the worldâs largest quality bike manufacturer,
leading the industry in carbon-fiber and aluminum frame building for everything from full-
suspension off-road bikes to neighborhood and commuter platforms. They also make and
distribute a full line of kidâs bikes, helmets, trailers, and other accessories.
Finished in the Basque region of Spain, Orbea makes some of the most beautiful triathlon and
road bikes in the world, and has long been famous for the quality of its research and testing.
They are one of only two European companies with in-house testing facilities.
Ellsworth is unique in making its bikes entirely in the United States. Individually machined
components, sought-after suspension patents, and elegant styling in trail, road, and triathlon
bikes all take place in a certifiable âgreenâ environment where nothing is wasted and no detail
is overlooked. Custom builds, like a blue and orange âGatorâ full-suspension bike, make the
Ellsworth ride hors-de-cat`egorie (beyond categorization), as they say in cycling.
Since all the owners of Bike Works ride the new large-wheeled off-road standard (29â
wheels), Niner was a natural brand selection. Being a company that exclusively produces
bikes with twenty-nine inch wheels, they lead the industry with innovations in this plat-
form. All of Bike Works Niner bikes are built to personal specification, whether itâs a long-
travel suspension âR.I.P. 9â or the race-ready âJ.E.T.â Niner builds single-speeds and geared
bikes in all frame materials, including steel, aluminum, and carbon.
From the beginning, attending to womenâs needs on the bike has driven the business plan.
Bike Worksâ Terry clothing line is made by women, for women. With saddle exchanges,
woman-specific accessories, and woman-specific bicycle geometry, the shop exceeds the
industry tradition of âpainting it pink and putting flowers on it.â Whether you are fitting
shoe cleats for spin class, raising cane on the trail, or finding a CamelBak for the female torso,
Bike Works understands women specific needs.
Bike Worksâ other brands meet the same exacting standards. Pearl Izumi has both menâs and
womenâs shoes and winter wear, including spin, trail, and road equipment. Tifosi makes the
finest and most affordable sunglasses, with optional lenses, photo-dynamic shades, and
attractive but ride-specific ergonomics. CamelBak, Gu, Garneau, and Canari complete the
set.
These fine bikes and components are only as good as the bikeâs fit to your body. The
dynamic fitting at Bike Works is included with all new bike purchases, and available as a
separate service for current bike owners. Fitting doesnât end with angle measures, plumb
lines, and stem and saddle selection. Your pedal stroke, lumbar position, hip articulation,
and some basic coaching also receive attention.
The staff at Bike Works is familiar with all the local trails and can help you decide on a good
commuter route or road ride. Enjoy pleasant seating, neighboring food and coffee, or a
conversation about cycling while your bike is being repaired in their full-service shop, using
only Park Tools, the best in the business.
Whether you are an elite rider, a weekend neighborhood wanderer, or you have a child that
needs a bicycle, Bike Works guarantees the best in service and value. If youâre looking for a
clean, comfortable, and friendly atmosphere to buy a bike, or just have some questions about
cycling, Bike Works is your shop.
B
11
12. While most people are familiar with seeing-eye dogs for the visually
impaired, many do not realize that there are other types of service
dogs. Seeing-eye dogs were first introduced into the US in the early
1900âs. The training and use of service dogs to assist other types of
impairments did not begin until the mid 1970âs. Unlike therapy dogs
that visit nursing homes, federal law protects a Service Dog. Due to
the level of training and assistance they provide their recipients, they
cannot be denied access into any venue where the public would be
allowed such as stores, restaurants, movie theaters, airplanes, etc.
Thereareover52millionmentallyorphysicallydisabledpeopleinthe
UStoday. Mostcanbenefitfromhighlytrainedservicedogstoassist
them with life skills that would otherwise be impossible. Disabled
people live their lives without the ability to do tasks we typically take
forgrantedsuchaspickingupadroppeditem,opening/closingadoor
orrefrigerator,turningon/offthelights,etc. Eachdogiscustomtrained
to do these tasks based on the individualâs needs. There is virtually
nothing that we cannot train these dogs to do, performing everything
from simple tasks to complex tasks to improve the quality of life for
theirrecipient.
Carol Borden, (below) CEO and Head
Trainer is working with Dazzle as a mobility
dog. Dazzle will eventually perform daily life
skills for a quadrepelegic person by
opening/closing doors, refrigerators,
turning on/off lights, bringing items to his
lap, etc.
12
13. Since this is a very specialized industry, there are very few people producing
service dogs for the handicapped. Many of these organizations have waiting
lists of 6 to 10 years. Additionally, the cost of taking one of these dogs from
start to finish is about $20,000 making it nearly impossible for someone on
disabilitytoafford.
GuardianAngelschosetobecomea501(C)(3)non-profitpubliccharitysowe
can raise, train and donate these dogs to deserving individuals, but we need
yourgenerousdonationstorestoreindependenceanddignitytothesepeopleâs
lives.
Wewelcomeyoursupportthroughprivatedonations,corporatesponsorships,
professionalservices,matchinggifts,bequests,etc.,aswellasvolunteerstojoin
ourvariousprograms(hugapuppy,fosterfamilies)andcommittees.
Formoreinformation,visitourwebsite:www.medicalservicedogs.comorcall:
352-425-1981.
ThankYou!
Carol Borden, Founder and CEO
Williston,Florida
Wilson (right) meeting a new young friend.
When Wilson completes his training, he will
be joining his recipient as a seizure alert dog.
14. hey are a different kind of athlete. To be champions, they need to
exercise their brains instead of their muscles. Instead of using bats or
footballs, their equipment of choice are a calculator and a pencil.
These MathletesÂŽ are middle school students who have a knack for math and
sacrifice much of their free time to train for an annual math competition.
This February about 100 middle school students from Alachua County and
Putnam County will compete against each other during the local
MATHCOUNTSÂŽ competition. Their knowledge of subjects like geometry,
algebra II and even statistics will be put to the test. Most students donât learn
these concepts until they are in high school!
MATHCOUNTS is a national program meant to spark studentsâ interest in
mathematics, a key component of todayâs crucial careers. The program is
organized by the National Society of Professional Engineers at local and state
levels. Alachua County has held a competition for over 20 years. This February
will be the first time that Putnam County schools will be added into the mix.
Douglas Dycus, president of the North Central Chapter of the Florida
Engineering Society, said âItâs amazing how much math touches other careers.
You probably use math on a daily basis and donât even realize it.â He said that
as a civil engineer, math is his life. Civil engineers deal with the design,
construction and maintenance of physical structures like buildings. They use
arithmetic, calculus, differential equations and geometry among many other
forms of math.
T
14
15. Many students who participate in the program end up using math for more
than just balancing their checkbooks or for measuring things. Andrew Roberts,
Chapter co-chairman, said that many competitors grow up to work in careers
that heavily rely on math, and he would know. Roberts himself participated in
the competition when he was in middle school and now heâs an engineer.
According to data from an alumni survey in 2008-2009 by the MATHCOUNTS
Foundation, 81% of participants end up receiving a college degree that heavily
relies on math like engineering or biomedical science; this is higher than the
national average. This should come as good news to anyone who is concerned
that the United States is falling behind in math and science education in
comparison to other nations.
The competition includes individual and group rounds, as well as an exciting
jeopardy-style competition in which students press buzzers to answer
questions. Locally, the two top teams and top four individuals will go to the
state competition which will be held in Orlando. Last year, Lincoln Middle
School placed first in the area. Howard Bishop Middle School placed second
in the area and second in the state competition. The winners of the past ten
national competitions had an opportunity to meet the president.
MathletesÂŽ meet after school and on weekends throughout the year to prepare
for the competition. Students can get involved in the program by checking if
their school has a MATHCOUNTS club. Students need to be good at math to
join. While not all club members compete, just being part of the program is a
great educational experience for students. Participants typically go on to
score highly in the math section of the SATs which can lead to being accepted
into prestigious universities.
Schools participate in the program by registering online at the MATHCOUNTS
website. There is no cost to register, and schools receive free problem sets and
group activities.
The general public is welcomed to watch the local MATHCOUNTS competition
that will be held at Kanapaha Middle School in February.
Formoreinformation,visitwww.MATHCOUNTS.org
They are a different kind of athlete.
To be champions, they need to exercise their
brains instead of their muscles. Instead of
using bats or footballs, their equipment of
choice are a calculator and a pencil.
Secure Your Future with a Tax and Financial Planning Strategy
We wish all of our clients and all those people
who live in Gator Nation a very Happy and
Prosperous New Year. GO GATORS!!!
Call us at 352-337-0020
by Tim DeeganAll through the year and right up to the very end of 2010 Congress enacted legisla-
tion that will impact taxpayers of all types. There has never been a year like this from
a tax standpoint that having professional help to plan for and / or prepare your
individual, business ,trust or Estate tax returns could mean as much to secure your
familyâs wealth .
In 2010 your representatives passed several pieces of tax related legislation that are
certain to impact your future. Some change or modify how you or your business is
taxed and how the assets you leave to heirs are taxed. Others go so far as to now
require you to have at least the minimum coverage of family health insurance.
Supporters on the administrations laws believe this legislation is a positive step for
the future of lower and middle class Americans. In the short term it allows tax
consultants and professionals to have in place guidance for future planning which
was set to expire at midnight December 31st 2010.
We at Timothy P. Deegan CPA& Company, as wealth managers, feel that regardless
of the way future taxes are assessed, it is time for major tax modification. We still
believe that comprehensive tax reform including a national value added tax or flat
tax are soon to be the way we pay our taxes.
Our goal for our clients is to make sure they have in place a comprehensive financial
plan that results in maximizing the transfer of wealth to their chosen heirs and
minimizes the tax effect while doing so.
Issues involving retirement, asset protection, annual tax reduction and current
cash flow are all areas every taxpayer should be concerned about. You should too!
If you donât currently have a tax and financial strategy plan set, you should make a
new yearâs resolution to set an appointment with a Licensed Certified Public Ac-
countant, Financial Advisor and your Stock Broker. They as a team will assist you
with developing your financial plan for the future. The initial consultation is usu-
ally free of charge.
For those who have a plan, stay in touch with your advisors and insist they keep
you up to date with all the latest developments. Donât be reluctant to seek their
advice and ask questions as these new laws effect you.
All of us here at Timothy P. Deegan, CPAand Company are ready to assist you with
all of your tax and financial planning needs. Call and make an appointment to sit
down with us or visit our web site, www.ask-tax.com.
15
18. our children are the most important part of
your life and you want the best for them. A
major aspect of this is giving them a good
start in their education. Wouldnât you like
your kids to have the same start as Prince William
and Prince Harry, famous magician-David Blaine,
or the founders of Google andAmazon.com? What
do they all have in common? Well they all attended
a Montessori school.
Montessori is a 100 year old teaching method
named after Maria Montessori, who championed a
philosophy of a child centered classroom at a time
when classrooms were all about the teacher...places
where children sat at desks and were lectured to on
a daily basis. Maria recognized that children were
little scientists who, with the right environment and
learning tools, could teach themselves and develop
a love for learning in the process.
She created many wonderful les-
sons for children that are still used
in Montessori classrooms today.
Other curriculum have adopted
aspects of Montessori such as
mixed age classrooms and learn-
ing centers instead of desks.
However a Montessori trained
teacher brings a calm loving at-
mosphere to a classroom, with the
emphasis on respect for class-
mates, the classroom, and our
world. This is a hallmark of the
Montessori teaching philosophy.
In 1999 Directress Rebecca McCuller opened The Spencer
House Montessori School in a charming historic bungalow style
house in the city of Alachua. The school is named in honor of
the Spencer family, who lived in the house for over 60 years.
Rebecca is a Vermont native that moved to this area in 1995 and
attended Santa Fe College for a nursing degree. Part of her train-
ing as a labor and delivery nurse was to observe a delivery, upon
which she fainted. Deciding nursing was not for her; Rebecca
transferred all her credits and earned her undergraduate degree
in Child Development and Education. She completed the
Montessori Preprimary Teacher Certification program in 2000
and has her Directors Credential and an AS in Early Childhood
Education.
The Spencer House began with only six students and three teach-
ers. Rebecca's daughter Amanda was one of the first students.
The classes were so successful that the response from the com-
munity was overwhelming. Within a year the school had grown
to 45 students. Amanda graduated and now attends Eastside
High Schoolâs International Baccalaureate program. Rebeccaâs
youngest daughter Emilee is currently a student at the school.
The warm and friendly staff and the homey feeling of the build-
ing put children at ease when they start school for the first time.
Parents feel comfortable seeing a calm, clean, happy and orga-
nized environment for their children to learn in. Children are
directed to work respectfully and quietly in small groups, and
are allowed to develop at their own pace. The children are taught
everyday life skills such as scooping, pouring, and spooning.
Spanish, music and movement, Occupational Therapy, and Yoga
are all included in your childâs education at the Spencer House.
Gymnastics and dance are also offered. Class sizes are kept be-
low state student/teacher ratio guidelines, allowing the teachers
to have more time with the children on an individualized basis.
The school is divided into four programs:
Infant/Toddler and Beginners Program
Ages 2 months to 2 ½ years. Parents feel comfortable leaving
their precious children here as the school is clean, quiet and or-
derly and the caregivers are thoroughly trained and attentive.
This program allows young explorers to develop budding skills,
such as fine and gross motor coordination and visual discrimi-
nation through the senses and learning materials.
Preprimary Program
Ages 2 1/2 to 4 years old. Children of this age feel secure when
they have "freedom within limits". The children develop good
work habits and a sense of responsibility. The classroom be-
longs to them and the teacher encourages them to keep it clean
Y
âSpencer House Montessori is a wonderful
school and a positive influence in the City of
Alachua. The learning environment is one of
the best educational environments I have
seen in my 25 years as an educator.â
- Marybeth LaPointe
18
The McCuller Family
19. and orderly. They learn to concentrate and complete a sequence
of steps. They return things to the shelf ready for the next per-
son to use and take pride in their abilities and environment. The
three-year age span lets children learn from one another and
allows the older ones to develop a sense of responsibility as
models to the younger ones. The older students feel very ca-
pable and gain a marvelous self-image of being the "big kids".
Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Prg.
The VPK program allows your 4 year old child to attend the
school and enjoy all the benefits of a Montessori education for
free. During the regular school year the state will pay for your
child to attend from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm each day. Your child
may attend for the remainder of the day for an additional monthly
fee. Early drop off and afterschool fees may also apply. During
summer school the state pays for a full day of attendance.
The Spencer House Montessori scored 1st place in the City of
Alachua for the most recent Florida Department of Education
VPK readiness rates, and came in 3rd out of 55 Alachua county
VPK programs!
Primary Program
Ages 5 to 8 years old. The primary class is ready to provide
children with the next stage of their education. In a Montessori
classroom, the environment is carefully prepared to promote an
enthusiasm for learning. The calm, quiet atmosphere of the class
allows each child to focus on academic lessons and to develop
social skills. The classroom is orderly to enable children to de-
rive order from it. A Montessori teacher encourages controlled
mobility from one academic area in the classroom to another.
She also requires all students to respect each other, their teach-
ers and their physical surroundings. In a Primary Class, each
child will acquire knowledge at his or her development level
and at an appropriate pace. In addition to hands-on experiences,
the older Montessori child begins to internalize information, and
memorization begins.
The Spencer House closely follows the Alachua County public
school calendar. Spring Break, Summer, and Winter holiday
camps are offered to assist working families in the community.
The Great Explorations Arts and Science summer enrichment
program is very popular.
To learn more about the Spencer House Montessori school, in-
cluding staff biographies, virtual tours of the classrooms, a link
to the school's Facebook page, and much more, please visit
www.spencerhousemontessori.com
With only 85 children in the entire school and high academic
scores, this school should be on every parentâs wish list. Secure
your childâs future by getting your application in now!
The Spencer House Montessori School
13921 NW 146th Ave
Alachua, Fl 32615
(386) 418-1213
www.SpencerHouseMontessori.com
TEACHERS: ( Above) Carol Grandgent,
Roberta Snyder & Carol Kubal
âYour children are the most important
part of your life and you want the best
for them. A major aspect of this is
giving them a good start in their
education....â
19
20. rog legs, fried turtles and buffalo
stew. Exotic meats fried or
barbequed to grape salsa with brie
and walnut crumble or the black
bean avocado crostini. No, Iâm not talking
about a Food Networkâs TV special, but
about Gainesvilleâs own Wild Game Feast
organized by the Rotary Club of Gainesville
Foundation.
The Foundation is made up of members of
all the Rotary Clubs inAlachua County, and
the Feast is its signature event. Every year,
the event attracts almost 2,000 people for a
day of gourmet wild game food, head-
bobbing entertainment and fundraising.
The 27th
Annual Wild Game Feast will take
place at Hatchet Creek on March 3.
âItâs quite an affair,â said Stephen Elder,
Rotarian and Gainesville Carpets Plus
president. He joined the Club about 20
years ago after learning that it would give
him the opportunity to work with others to
enhance the community. He knows that
the Club really makes a difference in
peopleâs life. âI love the club,â Elder said.â
Thatâs why I stay.â
by Patricia Hoyos
F
20
21. The eventâs venue has a rustic feel, but donât let the casual atmosphere fool you.
The food served is anything but ordinary. Attendees can browse through tables
packed with a wide unusual food selection like wild boar, quail and buffalo sliders.
There is also a huge roasted pig cooked to perfection. Vegetarian options like
sushi rolls, sweet tropical mofongo plantain bites or stuffed peppers and fresh
Italian bruschetta are also available. For dessert, there is an assortment of pies
that is sure to satisfy the most demanding sweet tooth.
The 2011 Wild Game Feastâs main beneficiary will be the Southwest Advocacy
Group (SWAG). This grassroots organization was formed to advocate for southwest
Gainesville residents who live in low income, high-crime neighborhoods. SWAG
Chair Dorothy Benson said the money will go toward furnishing a resource center
that will provide children a safe place to go to after school. Last year, the Feastâs
proceeds went to the Fisher House
Foundation which serves veterans.
The Rotary Club is a service organization
that seeks to improve the community
through the service of community leaders.
Rotarian and 2011 Feast Master Grace
Lambert-Horvath said that, aside from
fundraising, club members partake in
service projects that focus on helping those
who are at a social disadvantage and in
improving households.
Perry McGriff, Rotarian and State Farm
agent, estimates that each Feast raises
about a quarter of a million dollars from
ticket prices and sponsors. Being able to
spend some time eating and talking with
what he calls â2,000 of your closest friendsâ
while raising that much money seems like a
great way to help fellow Gainesville residents.
McGriff has been involved with the Club since the early â90s because itâs a good
way to enjoy fellowship with peers while doing good things to make a better life for
everyone, including Rotarians. âI have been involved in many civic organizations
and this is one that does wonderful projects for improving the quality of life for
people,â he said.
Come out and feast on alligator tail and venison while supporting a good cause,
the $60 per ticket for attending the Wild Game Feast is well worth it. Tickets can be
purchased directly from Rotarians. www.rotarygainesville.org
21
22. omeofthemostaffluentpeopleinNorthFloridaturnedoutinstyle
for âTHEâ red carpet event of 2010, Noche de Gala, âThe Grand
Ballâ.
GoodLifeCommunityMagazinewastheretocoveralltheelegant
ball gowns. Black was the most dominant color of the evening however
black and white gowns seemed to be the new trend. The most fabulous
dress was worn by Maria Urdaneta who wore a princess style white dress
topped off with a simple but stunning black sash and tons of pearls.
NochedeGalaisanannualfundraisingeventtobenefittheSebastianFerrero
Foundation. Horst and Luisa Ferrero lost their 3-year old son, Sebastian
Ferrero, due to preventable medical errors. These brave parents turned
their tragic situation into something that will help a whole community by
startingtheSebastianFerreroFoundation. Themissionofthefoundationis
toadvocateandfundraiseforafullservice,state-of-the-artchildrenâshospital
inGainesville,whilepromotingexcellenceinpatientsafetyandinsuringthat
allfamiliesaretreatedwithcompassion,courtesyanddignity.
Over1,000oftheareasâwhoâswhoâturnedoutingrandstyleforthislavish
fundraiserthatwasfitforCinderellaherself. Limousineafterlimousinepulled
up to the red carpet. Guests entered huge tents adorned with crystal
chandeliers and tables decorated with glass slippers. The back drop for
theeventwasamultimilliondollarhorsefarmnestledintherollinghillsof
Micanopy, Florida. The Besilu Collection houses champion Paso Fino
horses.
PlansforOctober2011eventarealreadyunderwaysoyouhaveallyearto
planwhatyouwillweartothiswonderful,spectacularevent.
Noche de Gala proceeds will go towards a new pediatric
ED at UF&Shands slated to open July 2011.
For more information visit www.SebastianFerrero.org or www.NochedeGala.org to get
your red carpet photo.
S
22
30. BB
Hitchcockâs Meat Department Staff
Wayne Josleyn,
Hitchcockâs Vice President
by Ruth Ward
John Tucker,
Alachua Meat Dept. Mrg.
1 - Donât leave meat in your car.
2 - Donât let fresh meat sit on your
counter too long.
3 - To thaw meat properly put it in
the refrigerator overnight.
4 - Meat that is frozen in its original
wrap must be used within two
weeks.
5 - If meat is wrapped in special
freezer wrap then it can be kept
frozen for up to 2 months.
Johnâs tipsJohnâs tipsJohnâs tipsJohnâs tipsJohnâs tips
ob Hitchcock started Hitchcockâs Markets over 60 years ago,
bringing local families quality meats at
great prices. Bobâs Meat Market is
located in the Hitchcockâs stores and is known
for carrying a vast selection of fresh meats.
Wayne Josleyn, Hitchcockâs Vice President is
proud to carry on the tradition.
Hitchcockâs meat department has a long history
for its consistent product of high qualityAngus
beef. âThe beef comes from the same ranch
and makes for a consistent product that is fresh
and at a good price,â says Wayne. The store
buys the same Angus products every week so
the customer can be guaranteed they are getting
the best product possible. Hitchcockâs conducts
price checks on a weekly basis to make sure you receive the best deals
on poultry, pork and other meats and no solutions are added to their
products. The store carries over 100 cuts of fresh meat including
Hitchcockâs own sausages made with natural casings.
For those looking for a healthier choice Hitchcockâs carries Lauraâs
Lean Beef. This comes from cattle that are never administered
antibiotics or growth hormones and is lower in fat and saturated fat
than conventional beef.
Hitchcockâs even goes as far as carrying British bacon and bangers!
Thereisanarttobeingaprofessionalbutcher. Thefullytrainedbutchers
at Hitchcockâs have at least 2 to 30 years of experience. Hitchcockâs
has recently started the Hitchcockâs University of training. Here
employeesgothroughrigoroustrainingandtestingandgoontograduate
to be a meat specialist. They are taught not only to cut meat but also to
answer questions customers may have on freezing, cooking or about a
particular cut of meat.
John Tucker is theAlachua Meat Department Manager with 14 years
experience and says that the staff is happy to assist customers in any
way they can like packaging a small portion for a single customer or
giving cooking advice. John and his staff get questions from customers
like how often can I reheat my cooked meat. John shakes his head and
says that once is safe but then it should be discarded. John also told me
that many people thaw meat too fast.
âThereâsnothinglikeasizzlingRibEyemarinatedovernightandcooked
on the grillââ says Wayne when asked about his favorite cut of beef.
Wayne is obviously very proud of his staff and products and it shows in
the knowledge and cleanliness of the stores.
The staff in the meat department at Hitchcockâs can help anyone plan
meals and give advice on how the meat should be cooked and properly
stored. Great recipes can be found on their website. Visit Hitchcockâs
and take advantage of their weekly and 3-day specials. Donât forget
about their âPick 5 for $19.99â where customers can pick 5 products
such as beef, poultry, pork etc., for only $19.99!
30
32. Whatâs OnWhatâs OnWhatâs OnWhatâs OnWhatâs On
32 Good Life Community
Gainesville
Sat, Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6 from 10am-6pm, and Feb. 4 from 9:30am-3pm.
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire at Alachua County Fairgrounds. $14 for
adults, $7 for ages 5-17. Friday- half price. Call (352)393-8536 or visit
www.gvculturalaffairs.org.
Sat, Feb. 12, 10-7pm. ACEL 2011 Champions for Charity Kickball
Tournament at Diamond Sports Park for more information
visit http://www.acelfl.com/kickball/ .
Sat, Feb 12. Laugh Extravaganza at Philips Center of Performing Arts to
benefit Meridian. Starring comedian Chandra Pierce. Visit www.MBHCI.org
Sat, Feb. 12 from 6:30pm-11pm. Gainesville Heart Ball at the Hilton UF
Conference Center. Dinner, dancing and silent auctions.
Call 800-257-6941 ext. 8024.
Fri, Feb. 25-27. Winter Fine Arts Fair at the Town of Tioga Center. Party
with music, dancing and over 70 fine artists. Visit www.tiogatowncenter.com.
Thurs, March 3. 27th
Annual Wild Game Feast at Hatchet Creek. Exotic
meats, gourmet food and live entertainment. Tickets: $60.
Visit www.rotarygainesville.org.
Sat, March 12. Saved by Grace Fashion Show and Luncheon for PACE
Center for Girls at Mt. Carmel Church. Call PACE for details at
(352)374-8799.
Curtis Phillips Center of Performing Arts
Sat, Jan. 15 at 2pm. Golden Dragon Acrobats $25-$40.
Sun, Jan. 16 at 2pm. Celtic Crossroads. $25-$35.
Sat, Feb. 12 at 7:30pm. Kingston Trio. $25-$35.
Wed, Feb. 23 at 7:30pm. Travis Tritt. $30-$40.
Thurs, March 24 at 7:30pm. Sun, March 27 at 2pm. The Sedoctaves at the
Squitieri Studio Theater. $20.
Wed, April 13 at 7:30pm, Sun, April 17 at 2pm. No Southern Accent at the
Squitieri Studio Theater. $20.
Wed, May 25 at 2:30 and 6:30pm. Imagination Movers Live!
In a Big Warehouse Tour $25-$35.
Call (352)392-ARTS or visit www.performingarts.ufl.edu
Alachua
Sat, Jan 29. 4-9pm. 4th
Annual Alachua Stone Age Fair at the Womanâs
Club on Main Street. Educational fair displaying artifacts and fossils.
Information on Paleolithic people and animals in North America. Call (386)
462-1003 or (352) 392-7359
Sat, April 2. ViVA! 2011 â Goes Polynesian at Rembert Farm. This annual
fundraiser benefits Haven Hospice. Live music, Polynesian cuisine, and live
and silent auctions. Visit www.vivameanslife.com.
Sun, April 10, 11am-5pm. 9th Annual Alachua Spring Festival
on Main Street. Food, crafts, entertainment and more.
www.alachuabusiness.com/festivals.html
Starke
Fri, Feb 11, 5-10pm & Sat Feb 12, 9am-6pm. Boots N BBQ fundraiser for
Santa Fe College students at the Bradford County Fairgrounds. Celebrity
guest chefs, $16,000 in prize money! Admission $5
(352) 395-5355 www.BootsNBBQ.com
St. Augustine
Every Wed, Craft & Farmers Market at St Augustine Beach. 8am.-
12:30pm. by the pier. Bakery, fresh produce, crafts and more.
(904) 347-8007
Fri, Feb 4. First Friday Art Walk. 5-7pm. at Rembrandtz American
Craft Gallery, 131 King Street. Latest exhibits, music, entertainment.
Over 20 galleries in downtown St Augustine. (904)829-0065
http://www.artgalleriesofstaugustine.com
Thurs, Feb. 17 â Sat, Feb. 26 at 7.30pm. The Day They Shot John Lennon
at San Marco Theater. $20 Adults, $18 Seniors (62+) and $10 Students.
aclassictheatre@hotmail.com
Sat, Feb 26 6.30pm. Noche De Gala at Lightner Museum. 16th century
masked ball. Guests will be escorted to the festivities by re-enactors in
period clothing. Cocktail reception, dinner and dancing. Attire is black tie or
16th century costume. Cost $185. Call (904)825-5033.
Visit www.floridashistoriccoast.com for more events in the St Augustine area.
Tampa
Sat, Jan. 22. Childrenâs Gasparilla Extravaganza along the Bayshore
Blvd. This pirate-themed festival features the Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Gasparilla
Preschoolerâs Stroll, Gasparilla Air Invasion, Gasparilla Children Parade and
a âPiratechnicâ Extravaganza. Visit www.gasparillapiratefest.com.
Sat, Jan. 29. Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest starting at
Bayshore Blvd. Visit www.gasparillapiratefest.com.
Thur, Feb. 10-21. Florida State Fair at the Fairgrounds. Advanced child
tickets $4 and advanced adult tickets (12+) $8. For more information, call
(813)621-7821 or visit www.floridastatefair.com.
Sat, March 5 at 2pm. Gasparilla Outbound Voyage. Hundreds of pirates
will arrive and board their ship for a cannon salute. Visit
www.gasparillapiratefest.com.
Orlando
Fri, Feb 11 & 12 at 8p.m. and Feb 13 at 2p.m. Battle of the Sexes at the
Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. The men and women of Orlando Ballet will
face off once again for a night of action you wonât forget. (407)426-1739
Wed, March 2- May 15, International Flower and Garden Festival
at Epcot. www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
For more events in the Orlando area check www.orlandoinfo.com
33.
34. Hollywood Studios
Rock nâ Roll Roller Coaster An
enclosed steel coaster that has one of the
smoothest rides. We love the energizing
rocknrollmusicofAerosmithandtheneon
lightinterior. Itgivesyoutherushofbeing
on stage with the band. Itâs also Momâs
favoritetoo!
The Twilight Zone Tower of
Terror One of the most unique rides we
have ever been on. Enter the vacant
1939 Hollywood Hotel. You are taken
up in the service elevator for a ghostly
tour and thenâŚthe drop! You get a
short glimpse of the outside and a birdâs
eyeviewofHollywoodStudios,butthisis
only for a second as the view closes and
you drop down.
Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest Donât know
if we can tell you about this as the
unexpected makes this the most fun.
All we can say is that this railway car
iscareeningoutofcontrolwithyouin
itsoholdonforthethrillofyourlife!
Epcot
Test Track Buckle up for an
exhilarating test drive. Bump over cobble stone roads and other road
conditions. Feel the speed and wind rushing past on the race track as
you reach speeds up to 65 mph.
Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain This ride has seen generations of riders, opening
in 1967. Our grandfather used to love this ride. Ahuge indoor roller
coasterthatmakesyoufeellikeoneoftheJetsons. Flythroughspace
on a rocket. Although it was built years ago it packs a punch with its
twists, turns and drops.
Splash Mountain Brooke calls this the Bunny Ride as it is about
Brâer Rabbit. Itâs a great, relaxing ride where you will probably get
soaked as there is the 52 ½ foot-drop at the end! This is the ride that
Mom is most scared of.
Mostimportant-OnyourwayoutoftheMagicKingdomdonotmiss
thebakeryonMainStreetaswehadtheverybestCinnamonbunthat
just made the end of our visit âŚâŚ.perfect!
Need a place to stay?
We recommend Coco Key Water Resort located on International
Drive. We like it as Mom can relax at the quiet pool while we get to
playatthehuge54,000-square-footwaterpark. Therearelifeguards
there so Mom can relax and not worry about us. The rooms are big
andbeautifullydecoratedthatfeatureSertaPerfectSleepersandluxury
Linens,whichyeseventhoughwearekids
wenotice!
(877) 875 4681
www.cocokeywaterresort.com
34