Senator Keith Perry looks on as Governor DeSantis signs the bill | Photo courtesy Office of Governor DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on May 30 signed Senate Bill (SB) 478, sponsored by Senator Keith Perry, to convert the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program into a permanent program available to school districts across the state. The Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Program provides assistance to school districts in implementing comprehensive music education programs in kindergarten through second grade.

“Music education has been shown to help children with language development, brain development, and fine motor skills,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida has nation-leading early childhood and early literacy programs, and this bill will further help schools build a strong learning foundation for our youngest students.”

The Department of Education will be responsible for administering the program. Eligible schools will receive $150 per student enrolled in a comprehensive music education program. Schools must meet the following criteria to be program eligible:

• Includes all students enrolled at the school in kindergarten through second grade.
• Is staffed by certified music educators.
• Provides music instruction for at least 30 consecutive minutes two days a week.
• Complies with class size requirements under the law.
• Complies with the Department of Education’s standards for early childhood music education programs for students in kindergarten through second grade.

The Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Pilot Program was established in 2017 to assist certain school districts in implementing comprehensive music education programs in kindergarten through second grade. Pilot program schools were selected based on their proximity to the University of Florida and Florida International University. The universities were required to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program.

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RAY CARSON/Alachua County Today

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The City of High Springs and Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures (AOA) are calling it quits to their arrangement for AOA to manage the Santa Fe Canoe Outpost after the City found that AOA was launching the majority of their vessels from their other locations. At the May 11 High Springs City Commission meeting, in a somewhat surprising turn of events, City Manager Ashely Stathatos announced the change. Instead, the Canoe Outpost will operate as a city park open to the public.

Both parties agreed to part ways by the end of June. “AOA has agreed to honor all reservations,” said Stathatos. The Canoe Outpost will still serve as a launching point to the Santa Fe River, but there will not be an exclusive agreement with any one outfitter.

City Coffers Get Extra Dollars

In other City business, High Springs will be receiving an additional $3 million from the Suwannee River Water Management District to apply to the expansion of the wastewater treatment facility project. The City had set aside American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, impact fees and reserve funds for Phase 1 of the project. If ARPA funds will not be needed for this project, the funds can be used for other projects.

Stathatos announced that the City has been seeking a state legislative appropriation for the Priest Theater. “The Senate has agreed to give us additional funds as well so right now, between the House and Senate, they are recommending to the Governor’s Office funding of $1.04 million towards the project,” she said. “This still needs to go to the Governor’s Office, but we anticipate that he will not veto the request.”

Utility Easement Vacated

In other business, the Commission approved vacating a utility easement on first reading at the request of Gary and Patricia Grunder. In 2003, a 50-foot alleyway was vacated by the City and deeded to the Grunders. At that time the City reserved a 15-foot utility easement in the mistaken belief that there was an existing water line in the easement.

The Grunders propose building a garage and attached green house in that area and are unable to do so unless the City vacates the easement. Stathatos said there were no plans to run water lines in that easement now or in the future. City staff recommended the easement be vacated as it serves no public purpose.

Commissioner Tristan Grunder recused himself from voting on this issue as the petitioners are relatives.

New Sign for Historic Building

The Historic High Springs Elementary School and Community Center at 23760 N.W. 187^th Avenue will soon be home to a free-standing sign featuring Thomas “Pop” Diedeman and Essie Mae Williams Gassett. The sign will be placed in front and to the left of the main entrance of the building. Lighting and landscaping are also proposed to highlight the sign, which is an unattached mural painted during the recent Walldogs event.

As the building is considered to be part of the Parks and Recreation facilities, the item was presented to the Commission by Parks and Recreation Board Chair Linda Hewlett following their Board’s approval of the action. The request will also be considered by the City’s Historic Preservation Board.

Waste Pro

In other business, regarding commercial recycling, Waste Pro’s Dayna Miller informed the Commission that due to state statutes, commercial accounts may set up their own recycling arrangements directly with Waste Pro.

Waste Pro will be increasing the number of times they are emptying shared dumpsters to help the company gauge how often they need to be emptied in the future.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Good News Arts held its 2^nd annual Paint the Night Gala fundraiser at Rustic Oaks Ranch on Saturday evening, May 20. The event helps raise funds for gallery operation, classes and children’s activities the Gallery sponsors.

Because the gallery is heavily invested in the local community and is a nonprofit venture, fundraising events help cover expenses, and the community has shown their support. The signature event is the Paint the Night Gala. The sponsors, businesses and community volunteers are what makes it a success according to gallery founder and artist Jessica Caldas.

Tickets to attend were $40 in in advance and $50 at the door and over 150 people attended. For that price, attendees were treated to dinner, an open bar and several activities and entertainment including a live DJ, violin quartet, a fire dancer, live poetry readings and a live painting exhibit. There were also gift basket giveaways and a 50-50 raffle.

Most of the activities, food and venue were donations to the event to keep cost down and add more money to the fund raiser. There was also a silent auction of work donated from over 30 artists.

The Rustic Oaks Ranch and venue provided the location free of charge, The Great Outdoors was a sponsor and provided meals free, and Mi Apa served food at cost. Golden Group's Consultants paid for the bar with additional donations from Dorn Liquors and the High Springs Brewery. Porta Serve and The Barber Group also provided funding for the event.

Good News Arts is a registered 501c3 charitable organization that serves arts and culture to the High Springs and Alachua County community in the form of exhibitions and arts programming for all ages. “The gallery is designed to be a community arts space and gallery that collaborates with artists and the community to provide contemporary arts and education that is affordable, accessible, and equitable,” Caldas said. “We want to provide a space for local, regional, and national artists to show challenging and engaging work tied to relevant contemporary issues.”

Caldas says that artists are chosen by the power of their practice and message, rather than the commercial viability of their work. The organization does not take a commission from the artists, but instead allowing the artists to keep all their sales, and also provides honorariums and stipends when possible.

Caldas said, “Outside of curated exhibitions, Good News Arts is an open space for community members to present work including musical performances, spoken word, events, and whatever else serves the community’s needs.”

The gallery partners with local schools, libraries, nonprofits, and other community organizations to broaden their impact and serve the community as thoroughly as possible. This includes classes in the various arts, many geared toward children, and after school care and summer camp focused on the arts.

“We charge a nominal fee on classes and school programs to cover costs,” said Caldas. “But none of it's for profit—it’s all about engaging the community and promoting arts.”

Helping make the 2^nd annual Paint the Night Gala fundraiser a reality, community volunteers provided staffing and the artist and musicians provided their talents as well. Gainesville Event DJ's provided music throughout the event. A high school violin quartet, Joey's Wings, named in memoriam for a fellow student who died of cancer, played classical music. The group performs to raise funds for children's cancer research.

Artist Pam Valcante performed a live painting demonstration and several people gave live poetry readings. Concluding the event, a fire dancer called 1 Girl Fire performed for the crowd.

“It was a wonderful evening with a lot of support for the gallery's mission from the community,” Caldas said. “Everyone had a fun time and we raised more than $6,000 for our programs.”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Walter Bickmeyer and Gracie were inseparable. For the past 13 years, people never saw one without the other. Bickmeyer had multiple health issues and Gracie always kept an eye on him whenever they went out, making sure he was okay and making sure everyone else was also aware of her concern for him and dedication to his wellbeing in case she needed help. That devotion and dedication went both ways as Walter always made sure Gracie was okay as well.

The duo was well known in High Springs, especially Gracie, who was friends with everyone, meeting new people every time they went out in public while watching Bickmeyer as well. Everyone at various restaurants and venues knew both of them, especially Gracie who became somewhat of a local celebrity. They traveled together as well, taking a seven-week trip across the country to California in 2021, along with multiple smaller trips, always together, sharing adventures.

Gracie was not Bickmeyer's spouse, significant other, or girlfriend. She was his dog, with a unique calm and friendly disposition that everyone who met her was attracted to.

“I got her as a puppy from the pound, but on the way home she pooped on my car seat and I questioned whether I made the right decision,” Bickmeyer chuckled. “But it never happened again, and she grew to be a calm, well-trained and intelligent dog that became my constant companion. We understood each other perfectly.”

But one of the unfortunate facts of life is that our pets never live as long as we do, and last week Gracie passed as she lay on Bickmeyer’s lap. Anyone who has pets knows this loss, but with Gracie it affected the community beyond just her owner.

The Pink Flamingo Restaurant in High Springs was a popular stop for Walter and Gracie. Upon learning of her death, the staff and management planned a tribute to Gracie.

“She brought a lot of joy to both the staff and the customers, greeting people at the tables, never intrusive, just quietly greeting each one. She was a very loved dog by our entire staff and customers, and I know it was the same at other places as well,” said Pink Flamingo employee Laura Jean Knight. “We decided we wanted to host a celebration of life for her in tribute. Walter and we decided we wanted it to be a fundraiser to give money to organizations helping animals in honor of Gracie. We picked the Alachua County Animal Resources and Care (ACARC),” Knight said.

On May 15, the Pink Flamingo sponsored the Celebration of Life for Gracie. There was no special events or speeches, just a gathering of people to remember a special dog and show support for Bickmeyer and his loss of a partner.

The Flamingo also encouraged people to bring their dogs as well and at least nine people did. Over the course of the afternoon, over 100 people stopped in to pay their respects and donate to the cause of helping other animals in Gracie's name. Over $300 was donated as well as animal food and toys to go the ACARC facility.

“For the pet supplies and toys, we have a large barrel, and it will stay here for donations until it is filled,” said Knight. “We also have a painting of Gracie that we are going to hang in the restaurant as a permanent tribute to her.”

Anyone who would like to pay tribute to a unique and dedicated dog by supporting the shelter and the animals there, can call the Alachua County Animal Resource and Care facility at 352-264-6870 to arrange a donation. It is suggested you mention Gracie's name, so they know it is in tribute to a dog helping her fellow pets that don’t have a loving human companion like she did.

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