Features

Saving the Environment With Fiction

Educator. Environmental Activist. Theater Enthusiast. Administrator.Marjorie Abrams uses these words to describe periods of her life and interests, but since retiring in 2000, she has added another... Read More

Wings of Dreams

Imagine sitting in the nose of an airplane, ahead of the cockpit, front line in the air, with nothing separating you from the sky but a few sheets of glass and some rickety metal. Now imagine enemy... Read More

Timeless Holiday Tunes

When most people think of the holidays, they think of building gingerbread houses, nibbling on peppermint sticks, wrapping presents, watching "It's A Wonderful Life" for the hundredth... Read More

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

It is that time of year again. It is time for shopping, out-of-town trips and a break for the holiday season.But not for these guys.John Seibler, Dennis Pollard and Hugh McDowell are members of Santa... Read More

Social Security Questions and Answers

Q:How long does it take to apply online for retirement benefits?A:How long it takes depends on your specific situation.  However, many people find that they can complete their online retirement... Read More

In Perfect Harmony

Determination, hard work, laughter, friends and plenty of song. With these traits working in perfect harmony, it is no wonder The Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus has stood the test of time,... Read More

The "Iwo Trio" Honors a Fallen Friend

Clif Cormier did not see the now-famous raising of the stars and stripes over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima; he was too busy protecting himself. But, Cormier did hear the... Read More

Gainesville Senior Games

Each year, the Gainesville Sports Commission hosts the Gainesville Senior Games, giving opportunity for athletes aged 50 and up to compete for gold, silver or bronze medals. These events also provide... Read More

The Helping Hands Clinic

The Helping Hands clinic celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 12. For the past two decades, the clinic has provided medical care to the members of the community who are a little down on their... Read More

Honoring Soldiers

The U.S. Victory Museum in Archer features displays of U.S. military history unlike most museums. Owned and operated by Archer resident Armand Caudron, the gallery celebrates American freedom by... Read More

George Durgin Recalls His Time in the Air

Eighteen-year-old George Durgin enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 22, 1942. By August 30, 1943, "I got my wings," he said. "A new bomb group was being formed and I was part of... Read More

Writing Pods, Lectures and Contests

For wordsmiths of all skill levels, the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) offers a venue for North Central Florida writers.WAG began a year ago September, to promote, encourage and support... Read More

Histories and Mysteries

Pirates, police and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings were spotted last Halloween, wandering the streets of downtown Gainesville. These historic characters from Gainesville's past were on hand to share... Read More

The End of an Era - Alachua General Hospital Closes

Alachua County Hospital opened its doors in 1928, and on November 1 those doors will close for good.Citing losses in the millions, Shands at UF (which purchased Alachua General Hospital in 1996)... Read More

Fun Flutters In

A 3-foot-long butterfly, a 4-foot-long bat and a 5-foot-long moth might be seen drinking from a water fountain at the Florida Museum of Natural History this October.No, this is not the Twilight Zone... Read More

My Grandfather, the War Hero

Harold Wilson, my grandfather, is a World War II hero. Yet, when we were growing up, you never would have known it. When I was young, Grandpa Wilson never spoke much about his service to our country.... Read More

Back to School

It is hard to believe August has already arrived, which means it is time to pull out the ole' thinking caps and head back to school. Although "back to school" used to be a term... Read More

UF Botanist Recognized for Research

After more than 40 years, Norris H. Williams' love of orchids is still in full bloom. As a researcher who is imperative to the botany world, Williams received the 2009 Smithsonian... Read More

Stitching Connections Through Time

For some, quilts provide not only warmth, but also a peak into another time when skills like quilting and knitting were necessities, not hobbies. When Bettye Roberts looks at a particularly old quilt... Read More

Words of Wisdom on Protecting Your Idea

When William A. Van Dyke Jr. first started writing, he admits he was not good, nonetheless he continued because he felt writing helped him, whether by learning something new or by expressing himself... Read More