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 – 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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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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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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