INDEX Quail Meadow.............A2 VOLUME 11, NUMBER 36 Puzzles Classifieds Stone Creek.................A3 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, Page A9 Page A10 Fairfield Village........A10 2017 Ocala Palms................A11 McCall takes reins as School Board chair Beth McCall, the newest member of the That’s when Stacy cast her vote for Angie Board in 2010 and again in 2014. Marion County School Board, now serves Boynton. She represents district four, including as the board chair for the next year. Board Marion County voters elected McCall to seven schools and the Student Services de- members unanimously elected her. the board last year. Her election as chair partment. Electing a vice chair, however, proved to also marks her first-year anniversary as a Other members of the Marion County be more difficult. Board members tied School Board member. School Board include Nancy Stacy (dis- when it came to whether Angie Boynton or McCall represents district two, including trict one), Bobby James (district three), Kelly King should sit in the number two 10 schools in Southeast Marion County. and Kelly King (district five). spot. The vice-chair tie was prompted by As chair, she will lead twice-monthly By unanimous vote, board members also Board Member Nancy Stacy’s absence School Board meetings and year-round approved the same meeting schedule as in from the annual reorganization meeting. work sessions and serve on various leader- years past – holding board meetings on the Board members tabled electing a vice ship boards throughout the community. second and fourth Tuesdays monthly at chair until the next night’s board meeting. Boynton was first elected to the School 5:30 p.m. at 512 SE Third St. in Ocala. Beth McCall AAA: Oil hits 2-year high; upward pressure evident on gas prices Look for a bounce back week for gas daily settlement since June 2015. WTI prices, which have declined for the rose nearly $4 last week; an increase past two weeks. Prices at the pump that would often result in a 10 cent in- should increase this week, as a high crease at the pump. stakes OPEC meeting draws near. “When oil prices rise, it becomes Florida gas prices averaged $2.46 per more expensive to produce gasoline,” gallon, on Sunday. The state average is said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - 3 cents less than a week ago, yet re- The Auto Club Group. “Prices at the mains 46 cents higher than this time pump are poised for an increase of 3-5 last year. cents, based on current fundamentals. • The most expensive gas price aver- However, the oil and gasoline markets ages in Florida are in West Palm Beach- are likely to be volatile this week, and Boca Raton ($2.58), Miami ($2.56), and prices could face additional upward Homosassa Springs ($2.54) pressure as we creep closer to the • The least expensive gas price aver- OPEC meeting.” ages in Florida are in Pensacola ($2.37), Jacksonville ($2.40), and Pensacola Highs and Lows of 2017 ($2.37) • National: the highest average price Representatives of OPEC, Russia, for gasoline was $2.67 on September 8; and other oil producing countries will the lowest was $2.23 on July 5. meet on Thursday to decide whether to • Florida: the highest average price extend an agreement to reduce oil pro- in was $2.73 on September 9; the lowest duction levels by 1.8 million barrels per was $2.13 on July 17. day. The current agreement expires at • Georgia: the highest average price the end of Q1 2018. Preliminary reports PHOTO BY PRISCILLA BARNETT was $2.76 on September 12; the lowest are that the agreement could extend was $2.08 on July 5. through the end of 2018. News of the • Tennessee: the highest average Fairfield Village Thanksgiving potential extension helped crude oil price was $2.60 on September 10; the reach $59.95 per barrel - the highest lowest was $1.99 on July 5. The Tom Turkey who showed up in Fairfield Village managed to survive un- scathed during Thanksgiving 2017. See column on Page A10. First Friday Art Walk is this week Navy vet honored throughout Ocala downtown area On the morning of Friday, Nov. 17, The First Friday Art Walk returns to Additional art activities will be avail- more than 20 friends and neighbors downtown Ocala Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 able at Ocala Homes and Farms Realty of Ellie and Donald Dunne, Lot #240, to 9 p.m. and will include the following located at 108 E. Fort King St. Sweetwater Oaks, gathered in their special performances and activities: The First Friday Art Walk occurs home to hear a representative from • 6 to 9 p.m. – from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of the Veteran’s Administration present Live music by Macey Mac on the each month from September through Donald with a pin and a certificate main event stage located at the down- May annually. Located within Ocala’s commemorating his service in the town square near the gazebo. historic downtown, event festivities in- United States Navy. Donald entered Macey is a 13-year-old artist who clude over 30 artist displays, live enter- the Navy in 1956 and served aboard channels a unique combination of Lee- tainment, free family art activities and the cruiser, USS Macon. Ann Rimes, Janis Joplin and Aretha extended shopping hours. Franklin. For more information, please contact • 7 and 8 p.m. – Enjoy modern fusion the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division and gypsy-style belly dancing with at 352-629-8447 or [email protected] swords, hula hoops, fire props and fire or visit www.ocalafl.org/artwalk. breathing by Belly Artist Dance Studio. • Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the 'A Fight for Freedom: Attack on Fort King' this weekend event by the Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist, Marion County The City of Ocala Recreation and re-enactment of Chief Osceola’s attack perience time-period crafts, tradi- Public Library, Karate America Ocala, Parks Department will host ‘A Fight for on Fort King and the demise of Indian tional skills workshops, food, drinks Animis Foundation and the Discovery Freedom: Attack on Fort King’ Satur- Agent Wiley Thompson, an event that and games, such as tomahawk throw- Center. day, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10 led to the start of the Second Seminole ing and horseshoes. Local artists will be working through- a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort King National War. The event will also include a Sem- “This year’s event is special because, out this event creating artwork, por- Historic Landmark located at 3925 E. inole village and soldier’s encamp- in addition to the re-enactment and traits and caricature drawings on-site. Ft. King St. ment to show what life was like back in This two-day event will include a the 1830s. Those in attendance will ex- See FORT on Page A4 A2 Wednesday, november 29, 2017 West Marion Messenger Above, the crowd at the dinner/auction. At left, Afghan that was auctioned. Getting ready for the holiday season at Quail Meadow he feasting of Thanksgiving is Braised Onion restaurant: please call assist in starting up this event, please over and now it’s time to get ready Grace Maguire to make reservations. contact Brian Maguire, or any of the Tfor Christmas and Hanukkah. Quail Meadow December 15th the Red Hot Fillies will QMPOA board members. The Clubhouse is decorated and ready be gathering at the Chefs of Napoli for Don’t forget to get your doggie pic- for the First Friday gathering. This Carolyn Slocumb lunch. If this isn’t enough to fill your tures ready to be displayed at the Janu- takes place this Friday, beginning at 7 calendars, I’m sure there are other ary party. This will be a “Year of the p.m. This is a “snack” party – in other events not mentioned here. Dog” party on Jan. 19th. More informa- words, bring snacks to share, and of Many residents have expressed their tion about this event will be in the Re- course BYOB. Poppi (R Music 4 You) disappointment in the absence of Bingo porter and in this article in a few will provide music for dancing/listen- letier. I’m sure the one who received it at the Clubhouse. If you would like to weeks. ing pleasure. Invite a neighbor and recognized all the many hours it took to come join us for this end of the year make. A big thank you to Linda for this party. great donation. All money from the auc- The Thanksgiving dinner and auc- tion will be used for activities that are tion was attended by 70 residents and enjoyed by all QM residents. guests. Chef Charles did an excellent The December calendar is beginning job with the turkey and all the trim- to look full! It begins on the 1st with the mings. I don’t think anyone went home party. On Thursday the 7th, at 6 p.m. the hungry. The auction got very interest- QMPOA Annual Meeting is scheduled ing when Stan Elliot and his grandson – this is for all QM homeowners. Food got into a bidding war over one pack- will be provided, so you don’t have to age! Stan finally won out, but he gave eat before coming to the meeting. This the package to his grandson. The final meeting is when many important items item to be auctioned was a beautiful (board members, budget, etc.) are voted handmade crocheted queen size on to be accepted or rejected.