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Staff Photo / With so many pumpkins to choose from, two inquisitive youngsters find that selecting just one pumpkin is a hard task.

ALACHUA ‒ What has become a 23-year annual event to fund mission work for Alachua Methodist Church is in full swing. Every year the church sells pumpkins of countless sizes and colors during the month of October at a field fronting U.S. Highway 441 on the west side of Alachua.

Through social media, the church announced that this year there are Swan Gourds, Gizmo Gourds, Winged Gourds, Snowballs, Snowflakes, and Elf Houses. And if you are looking for that unique pumpkin, just check out the colors. They say they have orange, white, green, black, yellow and peach pumpkins.

And those pumpkins and gourds of all shapes are skillfully stacked in colorful displays that fairly entice visitors to take a photo or two. There are also three photo opportunities staged, including one with a vintage tractor. And youngsters will love the open-air activity areas that are largely directed toward children's entertainment. This year tractor rides are offered every Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The month-long event has become a tradition for many families to celebrate the fall season, returning year after year, often taking advantage of the photo area to mark growth of their families over time. Each year the church sells around 20,000 pumpkins as well as homemade pumpkin bread. Setting up the pumpkin patch and all the displays is a group effort for the church with everyone pitching in on unloading, making displays or manning the pumpkin patch.

Hours for this year’s Pumpkin Patch are Monday through Friday 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. The pumpkin patch is located at 15710 N.W. U.S. Highway 441 in Alachua.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Co-developers Mitch Glaeser and Rich Blaser of San Felasco Tech City (SFTC) have announced that Harvest Thyme Express will establish a brand new 2,400 square foot café in Alachua, Florida, which will be located near the entrance of the Tech City development. Harvest Thyme Express plans to open their new location at SFTC in February of 2024.

At Harvest Thyme Express, the focus has always been on more than just food; it's about a culinary journey that caters to various dietary preferences and requirements. Whether customers are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or have allergies, they can rest assured that Harvest Thyme Express is fully equipped to accommodate their needs. The new café's design embraces a welcoming and comfortable ambiance, designed to make every customer feel right at home. With a combination of indoor and outdoor seating, customers can choose their preferred dining setting while enjoying the lush surroundings and inviting atmosphere that San Felsasco Tech City offers.

    "We love being a part of the growth we’ve seen over the last few years at Tech City. We can’t wait to bring our yummy food to everyone in the area," said Caitlin Burkill, Owner of Harvest Thyme Express.

"Strategically, we’ve waited for the ideal café to come along and fill the need out here. Harvest Thyme Express has the quality and selection that our tenants, their employees, and the area residents have long requested. The Café will provide a drive thru for customers on the go, and will be open for breakfast and lunch," said Mitch Glaeser, CEO, Emory Group Companies (Owner of San Felasco Tech City).

“The Tech City community is thriving evidenced by the latest edition of Harvest Thyme Café. We have no doubt their fresh quality food will be well received on campus." said Dan Drotos Senior Vice President, with Colliers GNV Commercial Advisory Team, who represented San Felasco Tech City in the transaction.

Harvest Thyme Express will be joining and serving over 55 innovative companies that call SFTC home. These companies include Vobile Inc., Okito America, Neurotronics, Anamar Environmental Consulting, Inc., IIA Engineering, Nextgen Biologics, Fracture, Novapproach Spine, Momentum Dance, Daft Cow Brewery, and Beaker & Flask just to name a few.

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GAINESVILLE, FLA. – The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) awarded the Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD) its Leadership in Victim Services Award. The SFPD was recognized at a ceremony Tuesday evening during the IACP’s annual conference in San Diego. The college was honored for placing individuals at the center of efforts with partnerships, performance monitoring tools, holistic support, and a full-time victim advocate.

The Santa Fe College Police Department is the only college in the 28 member Florida College System to have a victim advocate. Grant-funded by the Department of Justice, the position works within the SFPD to assist individuals on or off campus. For example, the advocate can review police reports without requiring the victim to reiterate traumatic details.

“The Santa Fe College Police Department is a true example of leadership in the policing profession,” IACP President, Chief John Letteney said.

With over 33,000 members in 170 countries, the IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. The IACP Leadership in Victim Services Award acknowledges law enforcement agencies that demonstrate innovative approaches to meeting the needs of crime victims.

This award recognizes SFPD’s dedication to innovation and leadership in the victim service community, prioritizing individuals above all else. SFPD’s Victim Advocate Specialist has assisted 36 people and provided approximately 150 services in the last four quarters. Those impacted by crime remain enrolled at Santa Fe College after the incident and are connected to other support services to improve chances for success.

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GAINESVILLE Fla.—Rebecca Hall of Alachua County has been named as a state finalist for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Excellence in Agriculture award.She will compete for the statewide honor later this month at the 2023 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Orlando, Oct. 25-27.

Hall serves as the vice president of Promised Land Family Ministries Inc., a nonprofit founded by her and her husband. The couple own a 54-acre farm, considered to be within a food desert. To help serve families in need, Hall initiated a community garden to provide a variety of produce to those in the area. Hall oversees all administrative, fundraising and marketing efforts as well as the coordination of volunteers for the non-profit.

 “We seek to be a blessing to the community and one way we do that is through our community garden,” said Hall. “One hundred percent of produce we grow goes to families in need. I take produce to families and keep spreadsheets with data from our garden so we can make notes and improve our yield the next season.”

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is based on an applicant’s involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic organizations. Each Excellence in Agriculture award finalist will make a presentation to a panel of qualified judges at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Orlando..

The Excellence in Agriculture Award winner will receive a utility vehicle, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, $500 in cash and an expense-paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 19-22, 2024.

Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than132,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.

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GAINESVILLE, FLA – Boo at the Zoo returns to the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. The SF Teaching Zoo is located on SF’s Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville.

Boo at the Zoo is Gainesville’s wildest Halloween event for the whole family. All ages are welcome to join us in costume and trick or treat!

Admission is one canned good or non-perishable food item per person. Canned goods will be donated to local food banks.

The zoo will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in order to prepare and transform the zoo into multiple themed areas with candy stations. This year, explore the worlds of Mario Kart, Pixie Hollow, 100 Acre Woods, A Bug’s Life, Medieval Kingdom, Jurassic Park, Pirate Treasure Hunt and Hercules! 

 In addition to the festivities and trick or treating in the zoo, Fun4GatorKids will host a KidsZone in front of the zoo full of community organizations with crafts, activities, and even more candy. There will be live entertainment, animal encounters, games and food available for purchase at the event.

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ALACHUA ‒ Despite a light rain Saturday morning, the classic car show charity event at the property of Dexter and Sarajo O’Steen went on as scheduled and was a great success.  The Fellowship of Christian Athletes D&S Classic Car Show was held for the benefit of the North Central Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  In all, some 80 cars were entered in the contest and show, which featured classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, food tents, raffle and awards.  In addition to the car entrants, the event was also well-attended by spectators, whose entry came with free admission.

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