The GFWC District 5 Director installed the new GFWC High Springs New Century Woman’s Club’s Board of Directors for 2026 – 2028. Pictured L-R: Photo - L - R: District 5 Director - Sallie Milner, President - Bonnie Josey, 1st. Vice President - Shirley Macrides, 2nd. Vice President - Vickie Cox, Corresponding Secretary - Marlene Hackland, Treasurer - Mary Sears, Historian - Linda Alexander. Not pictured: Recording Secretary - Pat Carr. \ Photo special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SPRINGS – The GFWC High Springs New Century Woman’s Club marked a milestone recently as its new Board of Directors was formally installed for the 2026–2028 term, signaling continued leadership and service within the community.

The installation ceremony was led by GFWC District 5 Director Sallie Milner, who oversaw the transition and recognized the incoming board members. Each officer received a gift tailored to her role, adding a lighthearted and celebratory touch to the occasion.

Elected to lead the organization as president is Bonnie Josey, who will guide the club’s activities and initiatives over the next two years. She is joined by Shirley Macrides as first vice president and Vickie Cox as second vice president.

Marlene Hackland will serve as corresponding secretary, while Mary Sears takes on the role of treasurer. Linda Alexander was installed as historian, responsible for preserving the club’s records and legacy. Recording Secretary Pat Carr was unable to attend the ceremony and is not pictured.

The High Springs New Century Woman’s Club is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. Locally, the club has long been active in civic engagement, charitable projects and educational initiatives that benefit High Springs and surrounding areas.

Club leaders said the installation of the new board reflects both continuity and renewal, as experienced members step into leadership roles while maintaining the club’s long-standing mission of service and advocacy.

The newly installed board will serve through 2028, guiding programming, fundraising and community outreach efforts during the upcoming term.

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Players battle for possession during a youth basketball game in Alachua, where more than 220 local children are participating in the community’s winter league./ Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA – The squeak of sneakers and the echo of bouncing basketballs have returned to the City of Alachua Legacy Multipurpose Center as Alachua’s youth basketball season tips off with record participation, signaling strong community support for youth athletics despite a smaller number of teams this year.

More than 220 children have registered to play this winter through 399 Sports and Recreation, marking one of the largest turnouts the organization has seen and underscoring a growing interest in organized sports among local families. Practices began last week, officially launching what has become a cornerstone of winter recreation in the city.

Although the number of teams is slightly lower than in past seasons, participation has increased, reflecting broader community engagement and sustained enthusiasm for youth basketball. League organizers credit that growth to accessibility and the continued commitment of families, coaches and volunteers.

The league is supported by an entirely volunteer-driven staff through 399 Sports and Recreation, including coaches and support personnel who help ensure a structured, positive experience for young athletes. Their efforts make it possible for children across the community to participate in organized sports during the winter months.

Games will be played on Saturdays, offering a family-friendly schedule for spectators and participants alike. Community members are encouraged to attend games and support players as they build basketball skills while learning teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with concessions during game days. Proceeds from concession sales are reinvested directly into the league and related community programs, helping sustain youth sports opportunities in Alachua.

Beyond competition, the program emphasizes character development, leadership and physical fitness — lessons intended to extend well beyond the basketball season. Through 399 Sports and Recreation, organizers aim to provide a supervised environment where children can build confidence, self-esteem and lifelong values through fair play.

The season will officially begin with Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Legacy Multipurpose Center. The event will introduce teams to the community, followed by games throughout the day.

Game schedules will be posted on league and city social media platforms and websites as the season progresses. Additional information is available by contacting 399sportsrecreation@gmail.com.

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Theatre Park renovations were funded in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded earlier this year and delivers on a multi-year vision to rebuild the park from the ground up. / Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA ‒ Downtown Alachua was awash in twinkling lights, music, and holiday cheer Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, as crowds gathered for the city’s annual Christmas on Main celebration and tree lighting. This year’s event delivered all the traditions residents have come to love — snow play, crafts, carriage rides, and live performances — but also featured a major new addition: the long-awaited grand reopening of Theatre Park, revealed to the public for the first time since its full reconstruction.

Families began filling Main Street at 4:30 p.m., weaving between activity stations, craft tables, ornament-making booths, and local businesses that stayed open late to welcome visitors. Children lined up for bounce houses, face painting, and the ever-popular snow playground, while the aroma of cocoa and holiday treats drifted along the decorated corridor. As dusk settled, the downtown Christmas tree near Skinner Park was lit during a lively countdown, officially ushering in the season.

A New Stage for Main Street

One of the evening’s standout features was the debut of a dedicated performance stage — a first for Christmas on Main. Throughout the night, crowds gathered as Dance Alive, IndepenDance, Momentum Dance, Okito, and the Mebane Middle School Chorus brought nonstop entertainment to the street. Their high-energy routines and choral performances added a professional, celebratory atmosphere to this year’s event and kept spectators spilling into the surrounding sidewalks. The new stage was especially symbolic given its connection to the fully renovated Theatre Park just steps away.

Theatre Park Makes Its Holiday Entrance

For the first time since construction began, residents were able to step inside the redesigned Theatre Park —a striking combination of restored historic brick, new clay-fired pavers, Florida-friendly landscaping, and the park’s signature wrought-iron archway lit in warm red hues for the holiday season. Poinsettias, ornaments, and a glowing Christmas tree created an inviting scene, and visitors filled the space quickly, many pausing for photos under the “Merry Christmas” sign suspended inside the gateway.

The renovation — funded in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant awarded earlier this year — delivers on a multi-year vision to rebuild the park from the ground up. Structural repairs, enhanced lighting, and a permanent stage area now make Theatre Park a functional venue for community gatherings, small concerts, theatre groups, and seasonal events.

For longtime residents familiar with the park’s deteriorating condition before reconstruction, Friday night marked a milestone. What once was an overgrown, flood-prone space is now an attractive, usable centerpiece of downtown — unveiled at the city’s most cherished holiday tradition.

Holiday Magic Up and Down Main Street

While Theatre Park captured significant attention, Christmas on Main offered festive experiences throughout the entire corridor. A violinist near the florist shop provided soft holiday music as families strolled between businesses. Children created reindeer food, decorated ornaments, and played games at stations sponsored by civic groups, local shops, and community volunteers.

Snow machines sent flurries drifting above the street once again — drawing delighted shrieks from children who leapt and spun beneath the sparkling cascade. Carriage rides rolled steadily throughout the evening, offering a nostalgic way to take in the decorated storefronts and vibrant crowds.

The Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event in partnership with the City of Alachua and local sponsors, described the night as one of the most successful Christmas on Main celebrations yet.

“This year was truly special,” the Chamber shared. “The reopening of Theatre Park, the new performance stage, and the overwhelming support of our community made the evening unforgettable.”

A Tradition Growing Stronger

With the park now complete, both the City and the Chamber anticipate it will serve as a central venue for future downtown events — bringing renewed vibrancy to historic Main Street.

As families headed home Friday night with crafts in hand and holiday music still echoing through the corridor, one thing was clear: Christmas on Main continues to be a highlight of the season, and this year’s celebration marked the beginning of a new chapter for downtown Alachua.

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GAINESVILLE - City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 19. . The anticipated temperatures leads to the activation of the city's Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F. The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.

 St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F. The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.

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