GAINESVILLE - The Buchholz High School Band, under the direction of conductor Noah Graben, has earned two prestigious invitations to perform this school year, including one performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The Buchholz Wind Symphony was the high school band selected to perform at the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) President’s Concert January 14th, 2026 in the Tampa Bay Convention Center. The Buchholz Wind Symphony will also perform in New York City’s Carnegie Hall as part of the National Band and Orchestra Festival April 3rd, 2026.

The FMEA Professional Learning Conference is one of the largest music education professional learning events in the United States. In addition to approximately 250 clinical sessions, the FMEA hosts the Florida All-State Ensembles featuring the state’s top elementary, middle, and high school musicians. The annual conference is attended by more than 10,000 people, including K-12 music teachers, school district music supervisors, college students, college music teachers and professors, and school administrators. The FMEA President’s Concert features one choir, one orchestra, and one band from the state of Florida. These ensembles represent the finest music programs in Florida. The Buchholz Wind Symphony was selected based on a blind recorded audition to be FMEA’s chosen band for the 2025-26 annual convention.

Carnegie Hall, in Manhattan, New York City, is often considered one of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. The National Band and Orchestra Festival encourages high school bands and orchestras to submit recordings and apply for a spot in the annual spring festival. Selected ensembles earn the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall and work with some of the top conductors in the nation.

“These are outstanding achievements for a community that goes above and beyond,” said Noah Graben, who has led the band program at Buchholz High School since 2020. “The Buchholz Band Program has a long-standing history of high achievement and national recognition. The students, staff, and community have continued to uphold a high standard of excellence. These students have earned the opportunity to perform on some of the biggest stages possible,”

The Buchholz Band is currently engaging in fundraising to assist with the cost of travel. Community members and supporters are encouraged to get involved. For more information about supporting the Buchholz Band, please visit buchholzband.com or contact grabennc@alachuaschools.net

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ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua and Elder Options hosted the city’s second annual Senior Expo last week at the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, bringing together local agencies, health providers and businesses to connect older residents with services and activities.

City staff said the expo featured information booths, screenings and resource referrals, along with a free meal provided by the Mebane Alumni Association. City officials credited the Alachua Senior Advisory Board with helping plan the event and said the board continues to support programs aimed at older adults throughout the year.

According to the city, participation included “many local and professional businesses,” reflecting cooperation among civic groups, nonprofits and service providers. Attendance was described as strong, with residents circulating among exhibitors throughout the event. Organizers said the goal was to make it easier for seniors to learn about benefits, wellness opportunities and social programs available in the community.

The city also noted the Senior Advisory Board’s ongoing role in developing activities and outreach for older residents, citing volunteer hours devoted to the expo and other initiatives. Officials emphasized that community partnerships remain central to the city’s approach to senior services.

Looking ahead, the city highlighted several recurring programs offered by the Recreation & Culture Department and the Senior Program:

• Bingo — Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – noon, Hathcock Community Center.
• Senior Gold Zumba — First and third Thursdays, 9:45 a.m., Legacy Multipurpose Center.
• Coffee & Games — First and third Thursdays, 10 a.m. – noon, Hathcock Community Center.
• Crafting & Snacking — Fourth Thursday, noon – 2 p.m., Hathcock Community Center.
• Senior Potluck — Last Wednesday, noon – 2 p.m., Hathcock Community Center.

Residents seeking more information about senior programs can contact the city’s Recreation & Culture Department or visit the city’s online event listings.

City leaders said they intend to build on this year’s collaboration to plan the next Senior Expo. Organizers described the event as a coordinated effort among municipal departments, community groups and volunteers, with the shared objective of connecting older adults to services, social opportunities and wellness resources close to home.

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Below are the results from the November 4, 2025 High Springs municipal election.

NEWBERRY ‒ After more than 35 years of dedicated public service, the City of Newberry has celebrated the retirement of City Clerk Judy Rice, honoring a career defined by professionalism, integrity and a deep devotion to the community she served for over three decades.

Rice began her tenure with the city in the late 1980s, advancing from deputy clerk to finance director and ultimately being appointed city clerk in 2012. Her long career reflected both expertise and a passion for continuous learning. She earned the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2019 and became a Certified Public Manager through Florida State University’s Florida Center for Public Management in 2023.

City Manager Jordan Marlowe praised Rice’s record-setting career, calling her “nothing short of amazing.”

“Thirty-five years of service to Newberry and a lifetime of love for her town,” Marlowe said. “It is a rare achievement, and on behalf of all of Newberry, thank you.”

Rice’s work earned her the Key to the City earlier this year during Newberry’s State of the City address, presented by then-Mayor Marlowe and the City Commission in recognition of her status as the longest-serving employee in city history.

Mayor Tim Marden said Rice’s legacy of dedication will remain a model for future generations.

“There are not many like Mrs. Rice,” Marden said. “She has set a high bar for dedication and professionalism to our community we can all admire.”

At the Sept. 8, 2025, City Commission meeting, Rice performed her final official act as city clerk — passing the City Seal to her successor, Randa Paul, who was formally sworn in during the meeting. The ceremonial handoff symbolized both continuity and renewal in City Hall leadership.

Throughout her career, Rice was known for her precise recordkeeping, her mentorship of city staff and her unwavering service to Newberry’s residents. City officials described her as a steady presence whose knowledge and commitment strengthened the city’s operations and its connection with the community.

As she begins retirement, city leaders expressed gratitude for Rice’s many contributions. Her institutional knowledge, mentorship and professionalism, they said, have helped shape the city’s success for decades to come.

“Her leadership and love for Newberry will remain a foundation for our future,” a city statement read. “The City of Newberry extends heartfelt gratitude to Judy Rice and wishes her joy and fulfillment in this next chapter of life.”

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HIGH SPRINGS – The City of High Springs began its Oct. 9, 2025, City Commission meeting by honoring a dozen city employees who have served in the U.S. armed forces, marking the launch of a new city initiative called “High Springs Hero.”

Commissioner Katherine Weitz introduced the program as a way to recognize employees and community members who have served their country and continue to serve their city. The first honorees included staff from the police, fire and administrative departments, along with City Manager Jeremy Marshall, who served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

Those recognized for their military service were:

High Springs Police Department — Officer Whiteman (U.S. Army), Officer Treese (U.S. Coast Guard), Sgt. Higginbotham (Florida Army National Guard), Officer Pekala (U.S. Army), Officer Wilson (U.S. Army), and Sgt. Hampton (U.S. Air Force).

High Springs Fire Department — Chief Peters (U.S. Army), Captain Burkhalter (U.S. Navy), Firefighter Skinner (U.S. Marine Corps), Volunteer Tatum (U.S. Army), Volunteer Langston (U.S. Army), and Firefighter Livingston (U.S. Army).

Weitz said the High Springs Hero program will continue throughout the year to celebrate local veterans. The city encouraged residents to nominate future honorees by emailing citycommission@highsprings.gov.

Following the recognitions, City Attorney Kiersten Ballou introduced an item concerning a property lien. The city was served with a summons regarding foreclosure proceedings on a property located at 17338 N.W. 242^nd Street in High Springs.

Ballou explained that the city holds a lien of about $2,000 for impact fees related to the installation of the city’s sewer system. To preserve its financial interest, the city must file its own complaint to foreclose on the lien. After a brief discussion, commissioners authorized Ballou to proceed with filing the action.

Mayor Tristan Grunder presented Resolution No. 2025-R, approving an agreement with Gapske Law Firm to provide Special Magistrate services. The city had previously contracted with another firm earlier in the year, but staff determined that Gapske’s proposal offered a more cost-effective option.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution, maintaining the same terms as the previous contract.

In another unanimous vote, commissioners approved an agreement to “piggyback” on an existing contract with GAI Consultants, a firm providing planning, engineering and environmental services. The city has worked with GAI in the past and opted to continue the relationship through the new agreement.

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