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GAINESVILLE – A timely donation Nov. 1, 2025, will help Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 feed former servicemembers and their families this upcoming holiday season. As part of its annual National Hometown Heroes Day to honor the military, veterans and first responders, Tractor Supply Co. of Gainesville presented a $250 check to VFW Post 2811 Commander Jason R. Sanford.

That money, said VFW Post 2811 Quartermaster Avery Owen, is needed to buy and stock more items at the unit’s food pantry, as well as to purchase meals to be prepared by the post and its auxiliary.

“Over the next few weeks, we’re going to have Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s,” said Owen, a retired master sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard. “We typically use a donation like this to leverage more money available through other grant programs to make the holidays better for veterans and their families who are in need.”

 In addition to cash donations, VFW Post 2811 accepts nonperishable and canned food items at the unit’s home on 1150 N.E. Waldo Road in Gainesville throughout the year.  A large 55-gallon receptacle located in the post’s main hall holds the food until it can be distributed.

“We’re currently participating in a grant program where the food we collect can be matched pound-for-pound,” Owen said. “We’ve been doing this for years, and have learned to be very creative.”

Owen said that part of Tractor Supply Co.’s donation will also be used for soldiers and family members of the 257^th Transportation Battalion, 399^th Movement Control Team. The local unit recently participated in a deployment to the Middle East, and VFW Post 2811 intends to prepare food for them during a Christmas party Dec. 8.

“That’s what this organization and this post have always been about,” said Commander Sanford, who earned the Bronze Star Medal during his 22 years of service with the Navy, Air Force and Army. “We have much of the same camaraderie as we did when we were deployed, but our mission is different. We’re now directing our efforts to helping our fellow veterans.”

In addition to food, the post also collects books. These are donated to the Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville.

“We’re mindful that a few of our comrades may have to spend some of the holidays away from family members in a hospital room,” said Sanford. “Over the last few years, one of our post members, Richard Reedy, has spearheaded a book drive. We gather the books here at the post, sort them and drive them down to the hospital. We’re hoping to get that done this year by Thanksgiving.”

The donation from Tractor Supply Co. is part of a million-dollar effort by the organization’s corporate foundation to honor military, veteran and first responder groups at approximately 2,300 stores across the United States.

The post is always accepting of donations and the efforts of those who are eager to help veterans and their family members. Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its activities can call 352-376-7660.

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Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This past year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

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Trick-or-Treaters fill Main Street in Alachua during the city’s annual Halloween celebration, weaving through crowds under festive lights as local businesses hand out candy and families take in the lively holiday atmosphere. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA ‒ Main Street shimmered with fairy-tale magic and Halloween glow Friday evening as families packed into downtown Alachua for the city’s annual “Trick or Treat on Main” celebration. From princess tiaras to superhero capes and tiny pumpkins toddling beside parents, the event delivered a festive and safe Halloween night for the community.

Hosted by the Alachua Chamber of Commerce with support from the City of Alachua, local businesses and civic groups, the event once again turned the historic downtown district into a pedestrian-only corridor filled with treats, themed displays and festive photo stops. The celebration ran from 5:30 to 8 p.m., giving families time to explore, gather candy and enjoy the Halloween atmosphere before heading off to neighborhood trick-or-treating or home for the night.

This year, Main Street took on the classic charm of “Snow White” for the annual Scarecrow Row, a highlight that has become a signature element of the celebration. Businesses and organizations lined the street with handcrafted scarecrows and scenes inspired by the beloved fairy tale. Guests wandered past depictions of Snow White, forest-dwelling dwarfs, enchanted mirrors, and apples both sweet and sinister.

The competition brought out big creativity from local participants. The Mustard Seed claimed first place, Boukari Law / Alachua County Today placed second, and Sysco earned third for its imaginative display. Judges praised the entries for their craftsmanship and playful spirit, adding cinematic flair to the evening.

Children darted from storefront to storefront, collecting candy while parents snapped photos amid twinkling lights and costumed characters. The Snow White’s Cottage photo booth proved popular, offering families a cozy spot to pose among woodland-themed décor, complete with peek-through cottage windows and friendly animal characters perched along the sills.

Organizers credited strong support from corporate participants and local merchants who decorated, handed out candy and kept the festive energy high. “A heartfelt thank-you to all the businesses who participated and handed out candy. Your support made this event such a memorable experience for the kids (and adults!) who came out to celebrate,” the Alachua Chamber of Commerce shared in a statement.

Parking lots near downtown filled quickly, with many families arriving early to beat the crowd. Alachua Police officers were stationed throughout the event to ensure a smooth and safe evening for all attendees.

As crowds trickled away under streetlights and the last of the candy buckets emptied, children clutched glow sticks and candy bags, and parents pushed strollers past the final displays. Once again, “Trick or Treat on Main” offered a community-centered way to celebrate Halloween—fun, festive and filled with small-town magic.

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ALACHUA COUNTY - Due to a minor sinkhole opening, the Alachua County Public Works Department announced an emergency road closure on SW 24^th Avenue between SW 91^st Street and SW 87^th Way.

 Drivers will be detoured around the area using SW 87^th Way to SW 91^st Street. Residents of the Shannon Woods subdivision, exiting the neighborhood using SW 88^th Street, will only be able to go east on SW 24^th Avenue.

 Drivers should use caution, stay alert and focused, follow the designated detour signs, and maintain a safe speed and following distance when traveling through the detour. Drivers should expect delays and plan ahead during this construction.

 For more information, contact Alachua County Construction Inspection Superintendent Aaron Burke at 352-548-1240.

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Families and participants enjoyed the sixth annual pumpkin decorating contest in downtown High Springs on Friday. The event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, brought out community members for Halloween fun and treats. / Photo special to Alachua County Today

HIGH SRINGS – Halloween in downtown High Springs was a blast as the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe rolled out the orange carpet for its sixth annual pumpkin decorating contest! The event was packed with spooky spirit and plenty of dazzling, imaginative pumpkins that delighted the crowd.

The contest featured multiple age divisions and highlighted both individual talent and community participation. Little ghouls and goblins stole the show in the Children 6 or Younger category, with Taelynn Perry, Tinleigh Perry, Sammy Wicks, and Jameson Parry all taking home top honors.

In the Youth 7–12 group, Rayve Boyle snatched First Place, Hannah McCullough grabbed Second, and Hudson Huffman earned a spooky Third.

The 13 or Older division saw Brianna Oswald rise to First Place, Renee Cox come in Second, and Julie Tapia-Ruano claim Third.

Local organizations and businesses also joined the fun. Serendipity earned recognition in the City Business category, the High Springs Police Department was named top City Department, and Air America received honors for Best Presentation of High Springs.

The Kiwanis Club extended thanks to participating businesses and organizations that helped support the family-oriented celebration. “This spirited fundraiser helps support children and families across Alachua and High Springs,” the club shared.

Event sponsors included Alachua County Today, Ross Ambrose, Great Outdoors, Pink Flamingo, Prime Conduit, Prohibition Pizza, Waste Pro, High Springs CRA, Steak Out, The Florida Creamery, Theme Works, American Air, Campus USA, Decades on Main Street, High Springs Brewery, Jason’s Jewelry, LaTour Eye Doctor and The Mantle.

The Kiwanis Club noted their appreciation to every volunteer, business partner and community supporter who contributed to the event’s success.

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ALACHUA — The holiday season will take center stage in Alachua as Dance Alive National Ballet presents a free community performance of The Nutcracker on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center. The City of Alachua is hosting the event, which features two showtimes, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and is open to all residents at no cost.

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NEWBERRY – Newberry residents will soon get their first chance to step inside the city’s new City Hall. City officials announced an open house on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, during the Fall Festival, inviting the public to stop by between 10 a.m. and noon for a brief tour led by Mayor Tim Marden or City Manager Jordan Marlowe. The event will offer a sneak peek of the long-anticipated facility ahead of the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 24.

Construction on the two-story, 11,000-square-foot City Hall is now in its final stage, signaling a major milestone in Newberry’s effort to bring key government services under one roof. The project broke ground in September 2024 and has progressed steadily over the past year.

For decades, residents have navigated multiple locations for city services — with Community Development and the Building Department operating out of the historic Little Red Schoolhouse, while other departments worked from Annex 2 across the street or the current City Hall building. The new consolidated facility aims to streamline services for residents, developers and business owners.

The first floor will house high-traffic, customer-facing operations including Finance, Community Development, Customer Service and the Building Department. The second level will feature 18 offices and three collaborative work areas for staff. While an elevator will serve both floors, most public services will remain on the ground level for convenience. The building does not include private offices for the mayor or commissioners, but meeting spaces will be available for private conversations when needed.

A centerpiece of the project is the 1,246-square-foot Commission Chamber, designed to accommodate more attendees during public meetings. An accordion wall will allow the space to expand for large gatherings or contract for smaller sessions. Additional conference rooms and updated technology will support modern service delivery and public engagement.

City planners say the building was designed to complement downtown surroundings while upgrading the functionality of city services. Officials describe the facility as a long-term investment supporting Newberry’s continued growth.

The project team includes Scorpio Construction of Gainesville and Monarch Design Group, with city staff actively involved throughout the construction process. When the new building opens, the existing 3,300-square-foot City Hall will undergo renovations and be linked to the new facility via a covered loggia. The connection will form a paved outdoor space intended for community events, farmers markets and festivals.

The adjacent Little Red Schoolhouse Museum is also slated for improvements in a later phase.

With completion approaching and public tours set to begin, residents will soon see firsthand how the new facility supports more centralized and efficient city operations.

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