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Skipper and Barbie, an inseparable pair of 8-year-old sisters, sit side by side during a recent visit with Humane Society staff. The bonded duo is hoping to find a forever home together at the Home for the Holidays adoption event. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

,GAINESVILLE – The Humane Society of North Central Florida is inviting residents to share the spirit of the season in the most meaningful way possible — by giving a homeless pet a place to call home. The organization will host its annual Home for the Holidays adoption event on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, offering waived adoption fees for dogs and cats ages 5 months and older. Organizers hope the celebration will connect dozens of pets with families just in time for the holidays.

The event will take place at the Humane Society’s campus at 4205 N.W. 6^th Street, where staff and volunteers plan to welcome visitors with festive cheer and a chance to meet adoptable pets of all ages, personalities and backgrounds. Supported by a grant from the ASPCA, the reduced adoption fees are intended to remove financial barriers for prospective families and help more animals transition out of the shelter and into permanent, loving homes.

Each year, the Humane Society cares for thousands of dogs and cats, many of whom have endured hardships before arriving at the shelter. For the organization, the Home for the Holidays event has become a seasonal tradition that highlights the community’s role in helping every pet find the stability, comfort and companionship they deserve.

This year, one special bonded pair is at the heart of the Humane Society’s holiday wish: Skipper and Barbie, 8-year-old sisters who have captured the affection of the entire shelter team. The pair was surrendered at Grace Marketplace before entering the Humane Society’s care, and from the start, their connection was unmistakable. Staff members say the two do everything side by side — sharing blankets, greeting visitors together and rarely leaving each other’s sight.

Their companionship has become one of the most endearing stories inside the shelter. The pair has grown so reliant on one another’s presence that staff describe them as inseparable. While every adoptable animal faces its own journey, bonded pairs often have a more challenging time securing a single home willing to take both pets together. That reality has inspired the Humane Society’s biggest holiday wish: that Skipper and Barbie will spend this season in the warmth of a new family, together as they’ve always been.

As visitors arrive for the adoption event, they will meet pets who have been waiting weeks or months for a forever home, each one with a story shaped by resilience and care. Adoption counselors will be on hand to guide families through the selection process, ensuring a good match between animals and adopters. Volunteers will also help showcase pets’ personalities, from active dogs seeking a yard to quiet lap companions looking for a peaceful retirement home.

The Home for the Holidays event is more than an adoption drive — it is part of the Humane Society’s larger mission of creating sustainable, humane solutions for local pets and pet owners. The organization, established in 2018 through the merger of Alachua County Humane Society, Gainesville Pet Rescue and Helping Hands Pet Rescue, was formed to streamline services, expand community programs and strengthen life-saving outcomes across the region.

As a limited-intake, no-kill rescue shelter, the Humane Society of North Central Florida has remained committed to caring for healthy and treatable dogs and cats in Alachua County for more than 50 years. Since attaining a 95% live release rate and no-kill status in 2017, the organization has continued to sustain that milestone, reflecting its emphasis on rehabilitation, medical care, community engagement and long-term placement.

This weekend’s event offers residents an opportunity to participate directly in that mission. For families seeking to add a new companion to their household, the holiday season provides an ideal moment to open their doors—and their hearts—to an animal in need. And for longtime supporters of the Humane Society, the event stands as a reminder of how collective effort can transform lives, one adoption at a time.

For those searching for a new furry family member, the Home for the Holidays celebration may be the moment when a pet’s journey begins — and when a family’s holiday season becomes even brighter.

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ALACHUA – Downtown Alachua has officially been selected as one of only 26 communities nationwide to receive a prestigious multi-year Levitt Foundation grant, bringing 10 free, family-friendly outdoor concerts to the city each year for the next three years.

The award comes through the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation’s competitive Levitt AMP program. This year’s grant cycle drew more than 300 proposals from across the United States. Alachua’s application — submitted by Josh’s Place, a local 501(c)(3) — was selected following a national public voting period and subsequent foundation review.

Under the award, Alachua will receive up to $40,000 per year in matching funds from 2026 through 2028 to produce the Levitt AMP Alachua Music Series. The series will showcase diverse artists and a wide range of musical genres, all with the goal of bringing people together, strengthening community ties, and supporting local businesses in the downtown district.

City officials celebrated the announcement immediately. In a public statement posted by the City of Alachua, officials said, “We are thrilled that Alachua has officially been selected.” The City also thanked residents for turning out in strong support during the public voting phase — a key milestone in advancing to the finalist round.

Organizers emphasize that this investment is more than a concert series; it is a multi-year catalyst for downtown revitalization. Consistent foot traffic, expanded evening activity, and a strengthened Main Street economy are all anticipated benefits.

“This is a milestone moment for Alachua. This is a win for our community vision. And this is the start of something big,” project partners said in their announcement, citing the role of residents, small businesses, and volunteers in pushing the effort across the finish line.

Josh’s Place will serve as the lead grantee and fiscal agent for the series. The Alachua Business League (ABL) will coordinate artists, vendors, and promotional efforts, while the City of Alachua Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will provide venue support, infrastructure assistance, and match funding.

The three-year series is expected to launch in spring 2026. Organizers say additional updates — including official concert dates, lineup announcements, and kickoff celebrations — will be released as planning advances.

For now, they say the community has reason to take pride.

“Out of more than 300 proposals nationwide, only 26 communities were chosen, and Alachua made the cut,” the announcement reads. “This is a huge win for our city, our small businesses, our families, and everyone who’s been working so hard to bring more life, music, and culture to Main Street.”

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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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Customers line up outside the new Chick-fil-A in Alachua. The restaurant drew steady drive-thru and dine-in traffic as residents welcomed the city’s newest fast-food addition. / Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA – Chick-fil-A opened its new Alachua location on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, drawing steady lines of customers throughout its first day as residents stopped in to try the city’s newest fast-food option.

The grand opening followed a private ribbon-cutting ceremony held the previous afternoon, Wednesday, Nov. 19, attended by representatives of the City of Alachua, local dignitaries, community leaders, the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, and the Alachua Police Department. Attendees signed a welcome wall inside the restaurant and posed for photos with Chick-fil-A’s well-known cow mascot.

In a statement, the Alachua Chamber of Commerce described the event as “a very exciting moment for our community,” offering congratulations to Operator Hayden Harbuck and his family on the new location and welcoming them to Alachua.

The restaurant’s opening capped several months of construction and preparation. While several fast-food chicken chains already operate in the city – including Popeyes, KFC, and Zaxby’s – the addition of Chick-fil-A has been a notable point of local interest, particularly among residents accustomed to traveling to Gainesville for the chain’s menu.

Opening day brought a consistent flow of vehicles along the drive-thru approach, and the dining room saw steady turnout during lunch and dinner hours. First-day customers sampled the chain’s familiar offerings, including its signature chicken sandwich, nuggets, waffle fries, salads, breakfast menu, and rotating seasonal items.

As part of an opening-day promotion, customers wearing cow-print attire received free food, a nod to Chick-fil-A’s long-running “Eat Mor Chikin” advertising campaign.

The restaurant follows the chain’s standard operating model, including its policy of being closed on Sundays, a practice observed across all Chick-fil-A locations nationwide.

Staffing for the new location includes a mix of local hires and experienced team members working to maintain service levels during the restaurant’s first days of operation. Chick-fil-A has not yet announced plans for a public ribbon-cutting or additional community events tied to the launch, but the restaurant is now open for regular hours Monday through Saturday.

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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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ALACHUA – The Cleather Sr. Hathcock Community Center was filled with food, fellowship and holiday spirit recently as local seniors gathered for a Friendsgiving potluck that organizers say captured the essence of community togetherness.

The event drew a strong turnout, with attendees arriving carrying homemade dishes and favorite recipes to share. Tables were lined with a variety of holiday staples — pasta dishes, turkey, ham and an assortment of other specialties — creating a festive and abundant spread.

Organizers noted that the Friendsgiving potluck reflected the close-knit connections among area seniors and showcased the collaborative support of Crafty Gemini, the City of Alachua and local volunteers. They said the gathering demonstrated the value of shared meals and social engagement, both of which play an important role in “preventing social isolation and fostering strong community relationships.”

The potluck’s success has encouraged organizers to build on the momentum. They expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic participation and community support and said they are already planning to make Friendsgiving an annual tradition. The next event — a Christmas potluck — is scheduled for next month and is expected to draw an equally engaged crowd.

Residents interested in learning more about senior activities or volunteering can visit the City of Alachua website or call 386-462-0145.

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