Thursday, January 7, 2021 Vol. 120, No. 1 u One Section 50 ...

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GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021, PAGE 1

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Vol. 120, No. 1 u One Section

50?

Sheriff's deputy dies from Covid-19

Deputy Brian Faison is the second Gadsden County Sherif 's Oice employee to die due to complications

By ERIN HILL

Severia

Frank- as a Gadsden County of-the-badge."

workers at the Gads- son embodied the ser-

The Gadsden County Times lin, who was a front Sheriff's Deputy.

Gadsden County den County Sheriff's vice mindset and he

desk receptionist at "On behalf of The Board of County Com- Office and former co- always had a smile on

During the week- the sheriff's office Gadsden

County mission Chairperson workers at the Chatta- his face, Holt said.

end, the Gadsden for more than seven Sheriff's Office, I pray Brenda Holt, who rep- hoochee and Havana "The

Gadsden

County Sheriff's Of- years, died from com- for understanding resents District 4 also police departments," County Board of

fice was dealt another plications caused by for the bereaved as issued a statement Holt said.

County Commission-

deadly blow by Co- the virus in August. I extend our heart- following

Faison's As a patrol deputy, ers' thoughts and

Vid-19.

In a press release, felt condolences to death.

Holt said that Faison prayers are with Dep-

Deputy Brian Fai- Sheriff Morris A. the family of Deputy "Today, we mourn positively impacted uty Faison's family,

son, 51, succumbed Young said he, and Brian Faison," Young the death of Gads- multiple communities fellow deputies, and

to his battle with the the entire department, said. "And for all of den County Sheriff's in Gadsden Coun- friends," Holt said.

Coronavirus.

is shaken by Faison's those closest to Bri- Deputy Brian Faison. ty for 26 years. She Faison is the 60th

Faison is the sec- death, He says Faison an, just know that his All Gadsden County called him a dedicated person in Gadsden

ond GCSO employee was firmly entrenched GCSO family inher- law enforcement and and honorable pub- County who has died to die from compli- in the community he ently shares this bur- first responders stand lic servant who made due to complications cations caused Cov- so proudly served dur- den of sorrow because beside Brian's fam- communities in Gads- caused by the novel

id-19.

ing his 26-year tenure he was our brother- ily, friends, and co- den County safer. Fai-

Turn to Page 3

GADSDEN COUNTY

200 Covid-19 vaccines on the

way weekly

Seniors need to register for shots

Sta Report

The Gadsden County Times

PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Gadsden Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Holt receives the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County will administer 200 Moderna vaccines per week to residents who are 65 years and older.

For more information, or to register, call (850) 329-0685.

Operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PHOTO BY ERIN HILL

Bethany Lartigue checks over paper work, while Fredrika Hobbs with the Department of Health, prepares to administer a COVID-19/ vaccine.

By ERIN HILL

Furlow Medical Center's parking lot.

The Gadsden County Times

Gadsden County Board of County Commission

Chairperson Brenda Holt, was among those se-

More than 500 Gadsden County senior citizens nior citizens who received the vaccine.

received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 "I feel great, I came back home and went right

vaccine last week.

back to work," Holt said during an interview with

Just after noon on Thursday, cars were lined the Times on Monday evening. "Encourage every

up from the Gadsden Senior Services Center, one to get the vaccine, if the opportunity presents

where the shots were administered, down LaSalle itself.

Lefall Drive, across Strong Road, into the Jessie She also emphasized the importance of people Turn to Page 3

CITY OF CHATTAHOOCHEE

City to discount

utilities for

customers Special to The Times

CHATTAHOOCHEE ? The City of Chattahoochee will lower electric bills for customers in January in an effort to maintain competitive rates and to invest in utility infrastructure.

On Dec. 1, 2020, the city council approved a rate adjustment that will decrease bills of typical residential customers by nearly 4%. Beginning Jan. 11, a customer using 1,000-kilowatt hours will pay approximately $4.40 less per month.

The rate adjustment is a result of a new wholesale power contract with Orlando Utilities Commission. The agreement will help make the city more competitive among Florida's utilities and enable the city to enhance the reliability of its electric system.

"We understand people are facing financial challenges and need to save as much money as possible," said Robert Presnell, Chattahoochee city manager. "We're excited to pass on the savings from the lower power costs to our customers, so they can keep much-needed money in their pockets."

Customers should expect to see the rate adjustment in their bills due March 10.

City of Quincy responds to discrimination lawsuit

City attorney says claims made against Commissioner Keith Dowdell are "fake"

By ERIN HILL

The Gadsden County Time

behalf of former City of Quincy had filed a motion to dismiss the nicity. She also stated that Com-

employee Linda Ortega.

case on Dec. 8.

missioner Keith Dowdell, who was

"This article, unknowingly, left McLean said he was not aware the mayor at the time, retaliated

On Tuesday, the City of Quincy out critical information, especially a follow-up article had been pub- against her for rejecting his sexu-

issued a press release in response concerning the fake claim involv- lished.

al advances.

to a discrimination lawsuit filed ing Former Mayor Keith Dowdell," In April, Ortega filed a com- Ortega served the City her April

against the City.

the press release states.

plaint with the Florida Commis- 27, 2020 notice of complaint of dis-

The press release also referred However, a follow-up article was sion on Human Relations (FCHR) crimination.

to an article in the Dec. 8 edition published in the Dec. 17 edition of alleging that Gloria Woodard, a In October, the FCHR issued

of the Times, which reported on the Times, where it was reported city employee, had discriminated a notice of determination, which

the lawsuit, which was filed on that City Attorney Gary Roberts, against her because of her eth-

Turn to Page 3

PAGE 2, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

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OBITUARIES

Marva Ann Alls

Marva Ann Alls, 57, transitioned on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. Funeral service (with Cvoid-19 observance) will be 1 p.m. EST, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at the Old West Florida Enrichment Center, 2344 Lake Bradford Road, Tallahassee, 32310.

Public Viewing will be Friday Jan. 8, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Reed and Hall Mortuary in Quincy.

Marva is preceded in death by her mother, Dollie Campbell-Alls; sisters: Annie Dorris Alls and Linda Kay Alls; and brothers: Mitchell Alls and Joe Louis Alls.

She is survived by her father: Bishop Marvin Alls; four sons: Jarvis Alls (Montrieal), Zander Lanier, Broderick Alls, and Terrell Faulk; four sisters: Erma Fryson (Charlie), Isabella Dubose (Dennis), Angela Alls, and Janella Hall (James); one brother: Charles Alls (Betsey); six grandchildren along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please have floral arrangements delivered to Reed & Hall Mortuary on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021

Services entrusted to Reed & Hall Mortuary Corp.

Mattie Mae Cooper Mattie Mae Cooper, 78, of Quincy, Florida, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 at River Chase Health and Rehabilitation Center, Quincy. Services Entrusted to:

Reed & Hall Mortuary Corp, 116 West Jefferson Street, Quincy in Quincy.

Betty Lou Cost Betty Lou Cost (Peacock), 93, of Quincy, died on Dec. 29, 2020 in Charlottesville, Va., where she had recently moved to be near her daughter. She was born Sept. 13, 1927 in Quincy to the late Thomas Jay and Jessie Yon Peacock. On Jan. 1, 1951 she married Charles William (Billy) Cost and they had nearly 64 happy years together before his death in 2014. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, William Eugene Cost, in February 2020; her brothers, TJ Peacock, Jr. and Billy Yon Peacock; sisters, Sara Sakshaug and Helen Stokes; nephews, Tommy Peacock and Yon Peacock; and one niece, Allison Peacock. She is survived by her daughter, Kay C. Parker and her husband, Davis, of Charlottesville, Va.; and her grandchildren, Davis and Thompson Parker, Rachel Cost Smith and Jason Pappas (Michelle); and greatgrandchildren, Jase and Broxton Pappas and Rylee Trujillo. In addition, she is survived by devoted nieces, Dianne Ruff (Mike) and Jan Peacock; and a host of other relatives. Betty Lou was the matriarch of the Peacock clan, an avid reader of history and non-fiction and a true Southern Lady. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a memorial service will be held in Quincy at a later date when it is safe to gather together. Memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church of Quincy, 206 North Madison Street, Quincy, Fla.

32351. Condolences may be

sent to the family at .

Services entrusted to Hill & Wood Funeral Home ? Greene Chapel in Ruckersville, Va.

Edward E. Dixon Mr. Edward E. Dixon, Jr. 67, of Quincy, departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 in Gainesville. He leaves to cherish his precious memories his mother, Maybell Palmer Holley, Quincy; five brothers, Sam Palmer (Paula), Floyd Banks, Regimond Bouie, all of Quincy; Thaddeus Bell (Sheryl), Duleth, Ga., Ed Dixon, Quincy; one sister, Linda Massey (Frankie), Quincy. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8, at the Mortuary. A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 at Sunnyvale Cemetery in Quincy. Williams Funeral Home of Quincy, will be providing the service for the Dixon family.

Brian Faison Brian Faison, 51, of Gretna, departed this earthly life, Saturday, January 2, 2021 in Tallahassee. A native of Gadsden

County, he served as a

see, Earnest Frison (She-

Gadsden County depu-

litha), Gretna, Larry Fri-

ty sheriff for 26 years.

son (Ingrid), Heidelberg,

He was a member of St

Germany, and a host

James A.M.E. Church.

of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be

Visitation will be held on

at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan.

Friday, January 8, 2021

8 at Bradwell Mortuary

from 3pm - 6pm at the

in Quincy. Viewing will

Mortuary. A Celebration

be from 3 p.m to 7 p.m.

of life will be held on Sat-

Thursday, Jan. 7, at

urday, January 9, 2021

Bradwell Mortuary. Survivors include his

Laette Frison

at 1:00pm at Sunnyvale Cemetery in Quincy, FL.

wife, Tamyar Kelly-Fai- Mr. Laffette Frison Jr., Williams Funeral Home

son, Gretna; daughters, 76, relocated from New of Quincy, Florida will be

Joy Weaver, Spanish Hempstead, N.Y back to providing the services for

Fort, Ala. and Jailyn Quincy in 2018, depart- the Frison family.

Faison, Tallahassee; sis- ed this life on Saturday,

ters, Mashelle Hawkins, Dec. 26, 2020. He leaves Traci Denise Knight

Stephanie Faison, and to cherish his precious Traci Denise Knight,

Alynysa Bisbee (Michael); memories: a daughter 34, of Quincy, passed

brother, Shannon Faison Tracey Henry, Pomona, away on Friday, January

(Dana); stepson, Jaquise N.Y. and two sons, Kev- 1, at Tallahassee Memo-

Donaldson, Sr.; step- in Frison, Pomona, N.Y. rial Healthcare.Services

daughters, Shi'Kerria and Andrew Frison, Simi Entrusted to: Reed &

Esland and Shar'Keydra Valley, Calif., five sisters, Hall Mortuary Corp. in

Esland; and grandson, Edie Frison, Tallahassee, Quincy.

Jaquise Donaldson, Jr. Barbara Green (Fred),

Bradwell

Funeral Quincy, Mary Smith,

Home in Quincy will be Sacramento, Calif., Ruth

providing the services for McQueen (Jerry) and

the Faison family.

Daisy James, both of

Quincy; three brothers,

Arthur Frison, Tallahas-

Join us for a Virtual Volunteer Training

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Saturday, January 23rd

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GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021, PAGE 3

Gadsden Arts Center presents America the Beautiful

Special to The Times

The Gadsden Arts Center & Museum is pleased to present its first major of 2021, America the Beautiful: the Monumental Landscapes of Clyde Butcher, on view Jan. 15 to April 3 in all three of the museum's first floor galleries.

Visit the exhibition to travel through the most pristine landscapes in the United States through Butcher's monumental photographs, from the Redwood forests of California to the Everglades swamps of Florida.

Clyde Butcher is a nationally acclaimed landscape photog-

rapher whose work

documents pristine

and

untarnished

lands across the

United States.

Deeply committed

to his artistic pro-

cess, Butcher carries

large-format camera

gear that can weigh

up to 120 pounds as

he crosses difficult

terrain and stands in

chest-deep water for

hours. Aware of wild-

life that make these

territories

home,

Butcher goes above

and beyond to deliv-

er the perfect photo-

graph.

Butcher promotes

environmental con-

servation through his

work, and through-

out his career has

completed six Public

Broadcasting pro-

grams on Florida's

environment, three of

them award winning

documentaries.

This exhibition is

brought to you by

Trulieve, present-

ed by Florida State

University College of

Medicine and May

Nursery, and spon-

sored by Russell

Rainey DMD, and

Talquin Electric.

Three special on-

line presentations

will

accompany

America the Beauti-

ful. On Wednesday

Feb. 10, scholar Vic-

toria Machado will

present Sacred Wa-

ters, a talk about ef-

forts to restore Flori-

da's waterways.

On Feb. 25, Steven

Noll, PhD, will share

Florida Water Sto-

ries, talking about Florida's long and difficult relationship with water.

On March 11 at 1 p.m., join Butcher for an online question and answer conversation.

Register for these online events, sponsored in part by Florida Humanities, at gadsdenarts. org.

Another new, exciting offering is the Dean Gioia: Haunted exhibition, opening in the Munroe Family Community Gallery. This exhibition presents some of Dean Gioia's most recent work, capturing light and how it plays over the nooks and crannies of everyday

life, which results in sumptuous paintings filled with an ethereal presence. During your visit, you will also enjoy the first Gadsden Arts Artists Guild exhibition of the year, presenting quality work by many of the groups sixty members, and you can shop fine art and craft by ninety artists in the Fletcher Museum Shop.

Gadsden Arts is open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For visitor and staff safety, masks are required, social distancing and disinfecting protocols remain in place, and a maximum of 20 visitors will be admitted

into the museum at a time. Reservations are not required. Professional staff can be reached by calling (850) 875-4866 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibition admission is free for members and children ages 17 and under, and $5 for nonmember adults; Fletcher museum Shop admission is free for everyone. Complimentary Art @ Home Kits are also available for any family ? drop in and ask for one at Visitor Services! Join Gadsden Arts to earn free exhibition admission and museum shop discounts year round at engage.

City

From Front Page

said it found no reasonable cause to believe that an unlawful practice occurred.

On Nov. 23, a lawsuit was filed in Gadsden Circuit Court, on Ortega's behalf.

There is a "Note to File" in Ortega's personnel file, which is dated Aug. 9, 2018.

It begins by stating, "Linda Ortega informed me that on Friday, July 27 around 4:09 p.m. she met with Jack McLean, City Manager, about a situation that occurred earlier that day with Gloria Woodard."

According to the note, "Woodard had to leave and asked Dona Reeves to hold on to the Parks and Recreations employ-

ees' checks. Woodard told Reeves to give the checks to the employees if they came to pick them up. When Ortega got back to her desk, Reeves gave Ortega the checks and told her that since she does payroll, she should distribute the checks, not her (Reeves). Woodard returned and asked Reeves for the checks. Reeves told Woodard that Ortega had the checks. After Reeves left the office area, Woodard allegedly went to Ortega requesting the checks, and snatched them out of Ortega's hands. Ortega told her she did payroll, and according to the note, Woodard responded, "And OK, but checks were not

left with you." McLean called Van

Perkins, who works in his office, and Woodard into his office while Ortega was having a meeting with him. McLean voiced his concerns about the way the situation came about, and gave Perkins and Woodard a chance to explain.

According to the note in Ortega's file, "Gloria Woodard got loud in the manager's office saying that Linda was pits off with her about the summer student being in her area when Linda Ortega got in late one day."

Ortega said the allegation was not true. McLean advised Woodard, Ortega and Perkins to resolve the issues among each other.

"Jack McLean did not address the issue as a high priority

due to Linda Ortega feeling that she was being bullied. Ortega expressed that she felt the meeting was not productive, and that she felt that she was being discriminated against.

There is no note of the incident in Woodard's personnel file, nor any note of any other incidents concerning Ortega.

Although the city's

press release did

state that Ortega's

allegations

made

against Dowdell were

"fake," the press re-

lease did not address

the claims made

against Woodard.

A hearing has been

set for March 2 before

Circuit Judge David

Frank.

Ortega's attorney

Kim Winegardner

has not responded to

phone calls or emails.

Roberts said Ortega met with city officials several times, but never mentioned any inappropriate behavior from Dowdell.

Roberts also said Ortega should not be able to file a lawsuit because the FCHR did not give her a "right to sue letter" and she did not appeal the FCHR's decision within the 35day time period.

PUBLIC NOTICES

For our readers' convenience, The Gadsden County Times provides this Public Notice Section for all Public Notices not published in the

Legal Notice section of the newspaper.

MEETING NOTICE

Vaccine

From Front Page

ample," Holt said. Holt said she hopes

the governor and other state officials will get

I hear on the news, it gets bad after the second dose."

Hinson said al-

wearing masks, and

washing their hands.

Holt received back-

lash on the BOCC's

Facebook.

Some

residents

questioned why she

received the vaccine

when only the elderly,

and first responders

were supposed to re-

ceive it first. Holt said

many people didn't

know that she was

over the age of 65. She

also said family mem-

bers advised her to not

take the vaccine.

"If you're going be

a leader in the county

you have to lead by ex-

more vaccines out to the small counties.

Sheryl Hinson of Quincy also received the vaccine last Thursday.

Feels fine, everything I hear on the news it gets bad after the second dose.

Sheryl Hinson of Quincy also received the vaccine last Thursday.

"I feel fine," Hinson said. "From everything

though the lines were long, they moved quickly and in an organized manner.

"There was none of the chaos that is being reported at other sites across the state and nation by the news media," Hinson.

Those who have received the first half of the Covid-19 vaccine have to take the second dose in approximately four weeks.

Notice of Public Meeting

RE: Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Planning Committee to Meet via Zoom

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021

Deputy

TIME: 11 AM PLACE: Zoom Webinar

From Front Page

caused by the novel

coronavirus

since

March.

As of Tuesday, 315

new cases among res-

idents had been re-

ported since Dec. 29.

Overall, 4,182 resi-

dents have tested

positive for Covid-19

since march, and 297

residents have been

hospitalized

with

complications related

to the virus.

DOH conducts Co-

vid-19 tests at Capital

Regional Medical Cen-

ter in Quincy from 9

a.m. to 1 p.m.

CVS in Quincy also

offers self-testing for

those who are symp-

tomatic.

LEGAL NOTICE: he Gadsden County LMS Planning Committee/Work Group will meet at 11 AM on Monday January 18, 2021, via zoom webinar. he County encourages any interested citizens and business owners to attend and provide input. he Committee guides the preparation of the Gadsden County LMS, which serves as a plan to reduce the community's long-term risk for protecting people and property from the afects of natural disasters and to build a safer and stronger community.

Please contact the Gadsden County

Emergency Management Department

at: (850) 627-9233 for more informa-

tion.

January 7, 2021 AD#ZLVB

The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners will virtually hold and

broadcast their bi monthly regular meeting and public hearings on Tuesday

January

at

p m Those wishing to provide public testimony

for the meeting and public hearings will be able to do so by attending the

meeting Only one member of the public will be allowed in the Chambers at

a time Due to the restrictions on gatherings as a result of the COVID virus

this meeting may be viewed by accessing the Gadsden County Board of County

Commissioners Facebook Page www facebook com GadsdenCountyBOCC

Virtual meeting access details will be posted to the Gadsden County website

Anyone wishing to speak on agenda items or non

or at before attending the meeting

and will be asked to follow the Gadsden County Public Meetings Citizens Access

Guidelines Public comment for Commission meetings can be submitted via

email to until p m on Tuesday

January

Comments submitted after the deadline but prior to the

that Commissioners and staff will have adequate time to review comments

prior to the meeting The proposed agenda will include the following scheduled

Public Hearings

CITIZEN'S GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING BILL OF RIGHTS (LDR

2020-02) Consideration of Ordinance

to approve the amendment

of Section

The Citizens Growth Management and Planning Bill of Rights

and consideration of amendments to Subsection

Community Meeting to

the Land Development Code as follows

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE BY AMENDING SECTION 7001.1, THE CITIZENS GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING BILL OF RIGHTS IN CHAPTER 7, DEVELOPMENT ORDERS, DEVELOPMENT PERMITS, AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS; AND CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 1, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR REPEAL, SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE GADSDEN COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, MODIFICATIONS THAT MAY ARISE FROM CONSIDERATION AT PUBLIC HEARING, AND CORRECTION OF SCRIVENER'S ERRORS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

County Planning Division B E Jefferson St Quincy Florida and on the County website at If a person decides to appeal any decision by the Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at such public meeting he she will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose he she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which record includes testimony and evidence to which the appeal is to be heard

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to

participate in this meeting, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision

of certain assistance. Persons needing assistance in obtaining any information

from the County must contact the Gadsden County Public Information by calling

850-875-8671 or emailing at least 24 hours prior

to the meeting.

January

AD ZLTM

PAGE 4, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

TIMESVIEWS GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THE DIRT ROAD WONDER

hese are the times that try men's souls

WWW.

"The newspaper built on community pride."

Publisher | Gerry Mulligan General Manager | William Snowden

Staff Writer | Erin Hill

Member of the Florida Press Association

Ihave told you of the dark days of WWII and how much it affected the feelings people had about their loved ones at Christmas. There was no shortage of prayers for the members of their family fighting and traveling. There was fear in the hearts of the adults that the war would come to America, and it showed in their faces and sad eyes.

I have not felt those dark days again until this Christmas season. Before the quarantine when I went into a few stores to Christmas shop, there were very few smiling eyes looking back at me. People treated each other like they were typhoid Mary instead of their neighbor and felt masks were a good excuse not to talk to each other. I found myself saying "Merry Christmas" a lot more than usual to try to cheer folks up. Some did not answer me.

There was no way that we could have the gathering of the clan this year. We were in quarantine for Covid. I now have a daughter, granddaughter, and 2 grandsons that have the virus and my daughter had pneumonia. Thank God they are all getting better now. If you have to be quarantined just

GWYNN PEACOCK KIDD

think of it as more quiet time you have been given to think, read, and work on your projects. Weren't we wishing for a little more of this a short time ago when our lives were so hectic?

On Christmas Eve we rented a movie. That is a far cry from the rollicking Christmas Eve we always have had but for once it was nice not having all the responsibility of feeding the multitudes and trying to find all the little lost parts from the games and toys. Until now I don't think I have ever used the words "Relax" and "Christmas Eve" in the same sentence. I will still take the house being full of family and friends and the noise level being 100.

None of my grandchildren or great grandchildren could come. It has been a long time since there were no little ones running around

on Christmas Eve and enjoying the fireworks. We did get another Christmas surprise this year. We had a Zoom call with the family on Christmas afternoon and my granddaughter that is in Africa kept showing us their stockings hanging above the fireplace. There are four of them and we realized that five stocking were hung. We asked her if one was hung for the new dog they had gotten this year and she smiled and said "No". Then someone shouted, "She's pregnant". What a wonderful Christmas gift. The beginning of a new life.

These are hard times for everyone. There are those who have lost loved ones and their hearts are heavy. Some are living in fear that they will get sick and others are worried about having enough money. If we stop and think about whose Birthday we are celebrating, we will be comforted in the knowledge that He cares for us. Happy New Year and God Bless us everyone.

Till next time keep on the sunny side.

Contact

Gwynn

Peacock Kidd at

Gwynn0720@comcast.

net.

he origin of Watch Night

BREANNA RITTMAN

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone has had a safe holiday season.

While in the middle of a pandemic I'm sure some family traditions were hard to maintain and had to be modified. One of my traditions that I missed was attending Watch Night Service.

I remember in my younger years going to Watch Night Service. It was great seeing family and friends share their testimo-

nies from the year as we enter into the new year. Once the ball dropped it was time to give hugs and eat.

Once I switched to a multi-cultural church I realized it wasn't common for everyone.

There was no mention of Watch Night Service. It wasn't an issue, just an observation. It made me research the history of Watch Night Service to better understand why only predominantly black churches hosted Watch Night Service.

How and when did the watch night service begin?

Watch Night Service was also called Freedom's Eve to celebrate the EmancipationProclamation which was enacted Jan. 1, 1863.

According to Britannica Watch night can possibly be traced back to Moravian

churches hosting a vigil for congregants to reflect upon the past year and to contemplate on the upcoming year.

It became significant for AfricanAmerican's on Dec. 31, 1862 as slaves in the Confederate states gathered in churches and homes, staying up all night, awaiting President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation to go into effect.

More than 150 years later and Watch Night services are holding on strong. Some churches held services online.

I look forward to when I can attend Watch Night Service in-person again.

Breanna Rittman is a staff writer for the Gadsden County Times. She can be reached at brittman@ .

OPINIONS INVITED

n The opinions expressed in Gadsden County Times editorials are the opinions of the newspaper. n Viewpoints depicted in political cartoons, columns or letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the editorial board. n Individuals are invited to express their opinions in a letter to the editor. n All letters must be signed and include a phone number, address and hometown, including letters sent via email at editor@. Phone numbers and street addresses will not be printed or given out. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, libel, fairness and good taste. n Letters to the editor must be no longer than 400 words, and writers will be limited to two letters per month.

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ASK JUDGE SMITH

he assassination of JFK ? Part 2

By LAYNE SMITH

Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, was the 57th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination. Judge Smith revisits the case in a series. Here is Part 2.

When he lived in Russia, Lee Harvey Oswald worked as a laborer making cheap transistor radios. Ever impulsive, he married a Russian woman named Marina a month after the two met. They struggled to communicate because neither had a rudimentary command of the other's native tongue. To compound their marital problems, Oswald abused her.

Never one to be satisfied, Oswald quickly tired of life

in the Soviet Union. Eventually, he denied renouncing his citizenship, and the United States allowed him to return stateside.

Oswald, his pregnant wife, and their infant daughter moved to the United States in June of 1962. Soon after he returned, he bought a revolver, an Italian military rifle, and a rifle scope from a mail-order house using an alias.

Lacking skills and a work ethic, he had difficulty finding and keeping a job. Unable to afford a car, Oswald lived alone at a boarding house near his workplace on weekdays, while his family lived fulltime with a Russian couple at their home. He joined them on the weekends. He kept his revolver at the boarding house and stored his army rifle, wrapped in a blanket, in the Russian couple's garage.

In October of 1963, Oswald got a job filling book orders at the Texas School Book Depository

building. The week before the assassination, the President's staff announced his travel schedule and motorcade route. By sheer coincidence, the President's limousine would drive through Dealey Plaza, by Oswald's workplace. This route made sense, given the times and locations of JFK's speaking engagements and Dallas' traffic pattern.

Now, let's consider Oswald's unusual conduct during the 18 hours before the assassination. He broke his routine and spent a Thursday night with his wife and daughters. Oswald's marriage was in trouble, and he tried to reconcile. Perhaps if Marina had not rebuffed him, history might have read differently.

Oswald was as tight with a dollar as the bark on a tree, and even though he was a lousy husband, he always wore his wedding ring. That night he left Marina the princely sum of $170 and

his wedding ring on her bedroom dresser. Oswald kept less than $20, knowing he would have little use for money again.

Before dawn on Nov. 22, 1963, Oswald removed his rifle and wrapped it in brown paper with tape. Afterward, he walked the package over to a co-worker's home and persuaded him to drive them into work extra-early. When asked what he was carrying, Oswald lied, explaining he had curtain rods for his boarding house room. When they arrived at work, he moved the concealed weapon into the building.

Next, we will cover Oswald's workday and other activities on Nov. 22, 1963.

The Honorable J. Layne Smith is a Circuit Judge and author of "Civics, Law, and Justice ? How We Became U.S." Send your questions to askjudgesmith@ .

Keep up with the Times. he Gadsden County Times

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Sports

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021, PAGE 5

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

HOME ON THE RANGE

Newbie and backyard shooting

possible ricochets.

Take a tape measure

and a spray can and

mark off your 20 feet.

I know you've read

your manual. Going

out for the first time,

it's a great idea to

bring along an ex-

perienced friend to

help you learn about

shooting and safety.

Youtube has a lot of

By MARJ LAW

helpful learning-to-

shoot videos, too. Arm

Y o u g o t a n e w yourself with as much

handgun for Christ- information as you

mas! And now, money can.

is tight because you've Treat all guns as

spent a lot recently. though they are load-

How are you going to ed. It's amazing how

become familiar with often people forget

your new Sig, and to completely unload

where will you shoot their guns when they

it?

are done shooting.

The Wakulla Coun- Yes, they do! There-

t y S h e r i f f ' s O f f i c e fore, treat every gun as

range costs only $75/ if it's loaded. Always

year for you and your keep the muzzle of

spouse and children the gun pointed away

under 18. That's $75 from people. Keep the

for an entire year, barrel pointed down

and all of you can range. Rick, a friend

go as often as you of ours, suggests that

like Tuesdays through you think of your gun

Saturdays. It's very as a laser. You would

reasonable, but still, never point a laser at

money is tight.

anyone.

So you've decided to Keep your finger off

make a range in the the trigger until the

backyard. Since you range is "hot" and you

have about 20 acres, are ready to shoot.

you're quite confident Everyone on your

that you can shoot range needs to know

there without endan- when the range is

gering any of your "hot" and when it is

n e i g h b o r s . C h e c k "cold."

to see how far your A "hot" range is

handgun will shoot. when you can touch

300 feet is safe for your gun and your

most handguns.

rounds and when

Always carry your gun to your range in its case and not loaded.

What should you be considering to make your shooting practice safe?

First, you'll need to find a safe direction to shoot away from any neighbors. Preferably, you could be able to create a mound of dirt a couple feet above, and to the right and left of your targets. You can place your targets in front of the mound. Bullets will pass through paper and bury themselves into the sand.

If you're using metal targets, plan to shoot at least 20 feet or more away from the targets so that you won't be hurt by any

you can load and shoot. A "cold" range is when you cannot touch your gun or rounds at all. This is a great safety feature because people put up their targets when the range is cold. There is no danger that they will be harmed by any shooting because nobody can touch his gun when the range is cold.

Now that you have your mound built and your targets up, remember to put on eye and ear protection. This is mandatory at almost every range. You can make it mandatory at your range, too. Since it's your gun and your range, anyone with you is your responsibility. They will need eye

and ear protection as well. Spraypaint a line a few feet behind you to give them a safe place to stand. Hot casings will shoot out from semi-automatic handguns. Make certain people are always a safe distance behind any shooter. Keep an eye out for dogs or other animals that might try to dart in front of you.

Double check your manual and your rounds to make sure you have the correct rounds for your gun. 9mm rounds and 40 caliber rounds look very similar. The caliber of each round is generally stamped into the back of the casing.

If you're shooting a semi-automatic hand-

gun, make sure your thumbs are always on the same side of the frame when you are shooting. If you crisscross them across the back of the gun, the slide could retract rapidly and rip through that sensitive webbing between your index finger and thumb. Ouch.

A new handgun requires about 200 or more rounds shot through it before it is considered "brokenin." A new shooter needs this and much more practice. Shoot at the near target distance of about 20 feet until you are comfortable with the gun and hitting the target more often than not. When you're doing pretty well, then move

back from the target and shoot some more. Make sure all the people who are with you still have on their "eyes" and "ears" and are standing well behind you. Remind them when the range is hot and when it is cold, so everyone stays familiar with these terms.

Is this gun going to be your "concealed carry" gun? If so, then decide what holster you will be using. Practice drawing from it. Then practice some more so you can rely on muscle memory.

Does your gun have a safety? If it does, your practice needs to include thumbing the safety off when shooting, and back on when your gun is in its hol-

ster. You may want to consider having a gun without a safety if you're afraid you might not remember to take it off in time of need.

This is an awful lot to remember when you go out shooting on your own range. Lots of people in this area are familiar with handguns and how to shoot safely, so asking someone you trust to be with you on your first few times out will make you feel more confident and safe.

Marj Law is the former director of Keep Wakulla County Beautiful who has become an avid shooter in retirement.

Stacy Lewis is an expert on metal shafts.

After all, she has one in her back.

As a young teen with scoliosis, Stacy underwent a complex, spinestraightening procedure, leaving her with a steel rod and ive screws in her back. After long months of rigorous therapy, Stacy showed the world what talent, determination, and advanced orthopaedic surgery can accomplish.

Check out Stacy's amazing path to the number one women's ranking ? and ind your own inspiration at .

SCOLIOSIS RESEARCH SOCIETY





PAGE 6, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

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4078-0114 GCT ( 1/22 sale ) B & S Rentals, 651 Industrial Drive, Quincy, FL 32351, will have a sale on Friday, January 22, 2021, at 9:00 A.M. This sale will be on items stored in the estate of Elvina Thomas, unit D45, Shavitris Cloud, unit A3, Bernadette Kelly, unit B11, Jamie Jackson, units B12, E53, E55, E63, Mikyla Sherman, unit C29, Jaquelia Preston, unit C34, Bridget Jackson, unit D41, Annette Vickers, unit E49, Angela Brown, units F78, F86, for non-payment of rent. All contents are described as household goods. All items will be sold or otherwise disposed of. Published January 7 & 14, 2021.

4074-0114 GCT Wiley Gillam 2020-CA-483 Notice of Action IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2020-CA-483

THREE MUSKETEERS INVESTMENTS, LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY,

Petitioner, vs. WILEY GILLAM (a/k/a WILLEY GILLIAM) and HARRIETT JONES GILLAM (a/k/a HARRIETT JONES GILLIAM), his wife, ET AL

Defendants. NOTICE OF ACTION

To: the Defendants, WILEY GILLAM (a/k/a WILLEY GILLIAM) and HARRIETT JONES GILLAM (a/k/a HARRIETT JONES GILLIAM), his wife, MICHELLE BAITY a/k/a SHALANDA MICHELLE BAITY, MI-

CHELLE ELAINE BROWN BAKER SANTORA, MARY E. WRIGHT BANKS, WALTER LEE EMERSON BELLAMY, LORETTA "LORI" ANN BELLAMY, GWENDOLYN BELLAMY, SPENCER JAMES BELLAMY, CALVIN BLACK, CARRIE BLACK, LEE C. BLACK, PAUL BLACK, SR., PAUL BLACK, JR., THOMAS R. BLACK, BEN BOSTIC, JOHN BOSTIC, SR. JOHN BOSTIC, JR., LELA MAE BOSTIC, WILLIE LEE BOSTIC, DEBORAH CANNADY BOSTIC, AMOS BOSTIC, MINNIE SHAW GILLAM BOSTIC, PRESTER BOSTIC, SR., PRESTER BOSTIC, JR., ROBERT BOSTIC, TIMOTHY BRADWELL, ADRIAN LYNETTE BROWN, ANDREW BROWN, ARRON DEVON BROWN, DORETHA HOLLOMOAN BROWN, GENE BROWN, JENNIFER DENISE BROWN, MARY GILLIAM THOMAS BROWN, MARCUS ALEXANDER BROWN, RUTH B. BROWN, IRENE BROWN BROWNE, ANNIE PEARL BRYANT, VALENCIA DEVON RICHARDSON BRYANT, LILLIE MAE CLARK, WANDA RENEA RICHARDSON DAVIS, DORIS EDWARDS, WILLIE MAE FRANKLIN, ARDELLA BOSTIC FRISON, CHARLIE GILLIAM, JAMES GILLIAM, MAEBELL HARRISON (HARRISON), SUSAN MARIE HILL, RENA MAE L. HINTON, TERESA HINTON MCCARGO, VERONICA HINTON, HATTIE B HOGAN, BEATRICE HOPKINS, BOBBY HOPKINS, JESSIE JAMES HOPKINS, RICHARD HOPKINS, DEBORAH JOHNSON, SHARAZZ JOHNSON, SPURGEON FRANKLIN JOHNSON a/k/a WILLIAM JOHNSON, ERNESTINE K. KELLY, CLARENCE EDWARD LEE, JR., MARY L. HOPKINS LEE, JAMES LOCKWOOD, MAE OLA M. LOCKWOOD, OLIVER LOCKWOOD, RAYMOND LOCKWOOD, W.C. LOCKWOOD, SARAH MACK, ISABELL D. MCCLAIN, KENNETH LAMAR MCCLOUD, THEODORE MCCLOUD, BETTY JEAN BLACK MCCRAE a/k/a BETTY BLACK MCCARY, EDORA MCGRIFF, DERICK MCKINNON, DARRELL LAMAR RICHARDSON, DARRYL RICHARDSON, KELVIN CORNELL RICHARDSON, VALANCER RICHARDSON a/k/a VALENCIA DEVON RICHARDSON LEWIS, VERDINE RICHARDSON, KARON DENEAN RICHARDSON, MARY BLACK RIZOR, GLORIA LEE ROBERSON, LUCY MAE BOSTIC SANDERS, MICHELLE ELAINE BROWN SANTORA, LILLA BOSTIC SHAW, OLLIE M. SMITH, LEE THOMAS, LEOLA WALKER, DANNY MIRO WHITE, MINNIE WRIGHT WHITE, TONY M. WHITE, ALVIN WRIGHT, SR., ALVIN WRIGHT, JR., ELMER WRIGHT, EVA WRIGHT, JEROME WRIGHT, MARY ALICE WRIGHT, MARY LEE WRIGHT, MICHAEL WRIGHT, SHANE WRIGHT, SHANDA LAVERN WRIGHT, and PAULINE BLACK YOUNG, if alive, and if dead, their respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, assigns, lienor, trustees, creditors, and all other parties claiming an interest in this action by, through, under, or against any of them, and all other parties claiming by, through, under or against the defendants; and all unknown natural persons if alive, and if dead or not known to be dead or alive, their several and respective unknown spouses, heirs, devisees, grantees, assigns, lienors, trustees, and judgment creditors, or other parties claiming by, through, or under those unknown natural persons; and the several and respective unknown assigns, successors in interest, trustees, or any other person claiming by, through, under or against any corporation or other legal entity; and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the above named or described defendants, and all parties having or claiming to have any right, title, or interest in the Estate of WILEY GILLAM (a/k/a WILLEY GILLIAM) and HARRIETT JONES GILLAM (a/k/a HARRIETT JONES GILLIAM) his wife, or the property described in the First Amended Verified Petition,

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a Petition for Declaratory Relief seeking a Determination of Beneficiaries, and the Reformation of a Legal Description, and for the Partition and Sale of the following described Real Property located in Gadsden County, Flor-

ida:

A portion of the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 25 Township 2 North Range 4 West, Gadsden County, Florida being more particularly described by survey as follows:

A triangular shaped parcel of land lying in the Northeast one quarter of the Northwest one quarter of the Southwest one quarter of Section 25, Township 2 North, Range 4 West, Gadsden County, Florida, more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

COMMENCE at an iron pipe (found) marking the Northwest corner of said Northeast one quarter of the Northwest one quarter of the Southwest one quarter, said Iron pipe lying on the right of way boundary of a 60 foot access roadway, known as Access Road No. 1 (as called out on the State of Florida Road Department Right of Way Map, Section No. 50001-2402 (Sheets 4, 12 and 13 of 13) and run;

Thence South 00 degrees 00 minutes 34 seconds West along the Western boundary of said Northeast one quarter of the Northwest one quarter of the Southwest one quarter a distance of 60.00 feet to a point on the Southerly right of way boundary of said Access Road No. 1, for the POINT OF BEGINNING.

From said POINT OF BEGINNING thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes 25 seconds East along said Southerly right of way boundary a distance of 173.95 feet to a point on the Westerly right of way boundary of Pat Thomas Parkway (State Road No. 267 - right of way varies, also said right of way called out on said State Road Map);

Thence South 19 degrees 23 minutes 29 seconds West along said Westerly right of way boundary a distance of 459.36 feet to a point;

Thence South 57 degrees 22 minutes 18 seconds West along said Westerly right of way boundary a distance of 25.54 feet to a point on the Western boundary;

Thence North 00 degrees 00 minutes 34 seconds East (BEARING BASE) along said Western boundary a distance of 447.30 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.98 acres more or less

has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Marion D. Lamb, III, the Plaintiff's Attorney, whose address is 217 Pinewood Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, on or before January 27, 2021, and to file the original with the Clerk of this Court either before service on the Plaintiff's Attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint or Petition.

Dated this 11th day of December, 2020.

(COURT SEAL)

NICHOLAS THOMAS As Clerk of the Court BY: Pam K. Carter, As Deputy Clerk

Published December 24, 31, 2020, Jan. 7 & 14, 2021.

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GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021, PAGE 7

Posting Date January 4, 2021

1. U.S. PRESIDENTS: The poem "O Captain! My Captain!" was written after the death of which president?

2. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the weight of a U.S. quarter?

3. MOVIES: What was the name of the skyscraper in the drama "Die Hard"?

4. TELEVISION: What city was the setting for the sitcom "Mork and Mindy"?

5. SCIENCE: What is the study of knowledge, reality and existence called?

6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What are male blue crabs called?

7. GEOGRAPHY: What is the highest point in Japan?

8. FOOD & DRINK: The acai berry is native to which continent?

9. LITERATURE: Who wrote the "Winnie-the-Pooh" book series for children?

10. MEASUREMENTS: What is an angstrom?

? 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.

GOING IN FOR SURGERY? DON'T JUST LIE THERE.

The safest, most successful surgeries happen when physicians and patients team up as active partners. Which means plenty of candid questions and honest answers from each. Bone up on patient safety at patientsafety. A public service message from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, reminding patients and doctors that communication is the best medicine.

patientsafety

Patient Safety. It takes a team.

Answers 1. Abraham Lincoln 2. 0.2 ounces 3. Nakatomi Plaza 4. Boulder, Colorado 5. Philosophy 6. Jimmies 7. Mount Fuji 8. South America 9. A.A. Milne 10. One ten-billionth of a meter, used to measure very small distances

SALOME'S STARS

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A hectic period begins to wind down. Take time to draw some deep breaths and relax before getting into your next project. A longabsent family member makes contact.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You're eager to move forward with a new challenge that suddenly dropped in your lap. But you'd be wise to take this one step at a time to allow new developments to come through.

GEMINI (May 21 to

June 20) You're almost ready to make a commitment. A lingering doubt or two, however, should be resolved before you move ahead. An associate could provide important answers.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Caution is still the watchword as you move closer toward a decision about a new situation. If you act too fast, you might miss some vital warning signs. Go slowly and stay alert.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your new goal looks

promising, and your golden touch does much to enhance its prospects for success. In your private life, Cupid does his best to make your new relationship special.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) That impatient side of yours is looking to goad you into moving before you're ready to take that big step. Stay calm and cool. Let things fall into place before you act.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Travel and career are strong in your aspect. Perhaps

your job will take you to someplace exotic. Or you might be setting up meetings with potential clients or employers. Whatever it is, good luck.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Partnerships -- personal or professional -- which began before the new year take on new importance. They also reveal some previously hidden risks. So be warned.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your associates are firmly on your side, and

that persistent problem that has caused you to delay some activities should soon be resolved to your satisfaction.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Favorable changes continue to dominate, and you should be responding positively as they emerge. Someone wants to become more involved in what you're doing.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A friend wants to share a secret that could answer some questions

you've wondered about for a long time. Meanwhile, travel aspects continue to be strong.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Stay on your new course despite so-called well-meaning efforts to discourage you. Rely on your deep sense of self-awareness to guide you to do what's right for you.

YOU BORN THIS WEEK: You have the capacity to meet challenges that others might find overwhelming, and turn them into successful ventures.

PAGE 8, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

WWW.

Destination

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."

-Augustine of Hippo

GADSDEN COUNTY TIMES

Redemptive Love Farm

By VICKIE LILLO Times Correspondent

The llama, still in

training with the hal-

ter and a lead, is a

little skittish, moving

every now and then

behind her owner,

Shannon Carroll,

who also happens

to be the proprietor

of Redemptive Love

Farm and Petting

Zoo, near Monticello.

"Meet Aloha Etsy.

She's one of the lat-

est additions to our

llama family...she

was a present for my

last birthday," Car-

rol says.

She beams at

the predominantly

brown relative to the

camel, with the white

chest, belly and legs,

and a spattering

of black spots just

above the muzzle.

"This is good ther-

apy for her," Shan-

non affirms. "To get

her feet wet."

It helps her master

the art of posing for

pictures and inter-

views, being petted,

and joining the team

of other `llama la-

dies' as therapeutic,

`healing' animals at

the local hospitals,

in order to serve as

goodwill ambassa-

dors to the patients.

Eventually, she'll

also take part in the

Farm's famous `lla-

ma-grams, whereby

llamas are sent to

someone's business

or residence to cel-

ebrate.

Shannon

says,

"We arrive with the

decorated llama--

usually in birth-

day gear--and an-

nounce our arrival

with a big speaker.

People are usually

screaming, crying,

or laughing!" As she

speaks, Etsy shifts

on her even-toed,

ungulated hooves,

while Weasley, a

small-sized New Zea-

land KuneKune pig,

wanting to break

into the petting are-

na, ploughs down

the gate. Crash! The

metal guard slams to

the ground.

Apparently, the

little boar, part of a

delightful breed of

swine raised by the

Maori indigenous

peoples, though doc-

ile and friendly, has

a determined mind

of his own.

With attention fo-

cused back onto the

adorable lamoid,

Aloha Etsy ducks be-

hind her holder once

again; the fall-foli-

age-patterned blan-

ket draped across

her back swishes

ever so slightly. She

butts her nose up

against Shannon,

rustling the autumn

leaves garland that

dangles from around

her neck, in a futile

attempt to eliminate

the sunflower head-

band from across

her brow.

"I know you don't

like it," Shannon

coos. "But you have

to wear it. Like a

bra," she laughs, re-

adjusting the floral

ribbon on her fore-

head.

Shannon Carroll, co-owner of Redemptive Love Farm introduces Aloha Etsy the llama to guests.

Linked to its wild ancestor, the guanaco, Etsy the llama is a domesticated beast of burden. Just like her cousin, the alpaca, whose DNA analysis ties this fluffy camelid

waltzes from side to side, before coming to a stoic stance and beginning to emit a low hum. It's A potential sign of worry...or plain curiosity. Perhaps merely fatigue. They often

basic vetting service, as well as feed all the animals with grain and hay. We have an additional $500 savings `pool' for the unplanned emergency veterinary services."

To offset these ex-

Kune Kune pig wallows in mud.

to its untamed pre-

decessor, the prized,

but endangered, vi-

cu?a, whose high-

quality wool fetches

the highest prices

in global markets.

Herds of these gre-

garious South Amer-

ican pack animals

graze in the high-

altitude

Andean

mountains and pla-

teaus of their native

Peru, Bolivia, Ecua-

dor, and Northern

Chile, along with the

grasslands of the Ar-

gentinian pampas.

Pretty soon, Aloha

Etsy will join her

`sisters' Tina and

Linda on the hospi-

tal visitation/llama-

gram circuit.

"The last three

months of summer

--August, Septem-

ber, and October

--are the worst,"

Shannon explains,

as she smiles at the

herbivore. "They can

have a real issue

with the heat. So,

we have sprinkler

systems throughout

the farm." Even as

her master speaks,

the typically-social

llama flaps her long,

inward-curving ears

and, once more,

hum softly to one

another as a means

of communication.

Shannon

says,

"That's the time we

run bloodwork and

fecals (lab tests) to

make sure the llamas

are healthy. It costs

between

$2500-

$3000/month to

provide a planned

penses, Shannon and her family--including her husband Brian and seven adopted children-- have taken the entrepreneurial high road to success.

They host private parties at client locations or on their own grounds, deliv-

Feeding the goats and Harlequin rams.

er traveling zoos for town functions, offer `therapy' visits with the llamas and send llama-grams, give horseback riding lessons, and present various events throughout the year. Like Circus Day, Trunk or Trough, as well as both Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities at the Farm. They rent llamas dressed as elves or in Santa suits; their beloved livestock can even be hired as `live' participants in spiritual nativity scenes. Their oldest son provides shearing services. Two-hour field trips at the Farm are also a popular retreat, rotating the attendees every 20 minutes or so through four fun and educational activity stations-- cow-milking, petting area, pony rides, -- with a 30-minute picnic lunch at the end.

Lastly, but not least, Redemptive Love furnishes loving mascots for professional photography sessions. Shannon designs and sews all of the endearing costumes.

Annually, the Carroll family opens up their farmstead

property to the general public for a free tour. Adults and children alike from the neighboring communities come out for the day to experience and interact with their friendly farm animals. Purchases of $5 bags of feed or pony rides, $10 llama plush toys, along with $15 handcrafted earrings and dollar drinks help defray some of the operating costs. Manning the sundries booth is Amanda Baumann, who's been in charge of running Redemptive Love's volunteer program since its inception, officially in 2018.

"My son has volunteered out here since he was eleven. He's learned a lot of things," she shares. "They homeschool here. He has learned the mathematical part of building fences...learned about taking care of the animals, feeding, cleaning up their feces, and the realities of death in animals, which, too, is a part of life."

Another reality of life, according to Shannon, was that by summertime of this past year, with

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