Flourish

FLIP FOR GATOR COUNTRY

North Florida DECEMBER 2012Volume 1 IssuE 4 www.mYFlouriShmaGaZiNe.Com

M a g a z i n e

the reality Being a Real Housewife of Miami with Lisa Hochstein

How to Trim Your Tree with Style

Bearing the Burdens of Being a Caregiver

Teaching your Children A Lesson In Giving

4 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Nature and wisdom never are at strife. Plutarch

Decorations will be dug out and dusted off so they can gleam throughout the house, and music dedicated to the most wonderful time of the year will be playing once again.

We get to see our loved ones gathered in one place and to experience all of the smiling children as they unwrap their presents.

The holidays certainly bring a lot of joy into our lives, but they can also be somewhat stress-inducing. So this issue, we have put together a few holiday ideas to help you celebrate in style and add that personal touch along with our interview with Meadow Linn of the Mystic Cookbook who provides tips on how to get stay enjoyment focused this season. We also caught up with Laura Aguiar from Gainesville Regional Airport on her advice of how to fly Gainesville for the holidays.

So whether you are traveling or welcoming family and friends into your home, we hope that this issue will help you add a little more sparkle to your holiday. See you next year!

The cold rush of December is sweeping through, and that means it’s time for the holidays.

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CO-PUBLISHERLauren Douglass

CO-PUBLISHERMarc Douglass

COPY EDITORDaniel Sutphin

ART DIRECTORDaniel Tidbury

GRAPHIC DESIGNDaniel TidburyLisa TorresJane Dominguez

PROMOTIONSAmanda LilesKaren JonesHilah DriggersAnnMarie DeFeo

ACCOUNTINGLynsey Parrish

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CEOwww.gatorcountry.comRaymond Hines III

COOBernadette King

CFO Raymond Hines, Jr

MANAGING EDITORMike Capshaw

STAFF WRITERSAndrew SpiveyDavid ShepherdDan ThompsonPhillip Heilman

REPORTERSDrew LaingMax MatternElizabeth Rhodes

PHOTOGRAPHERSSaj GuevaraJack Lewis

What’s Inside…5 Learning The Spirit

of Giving

6 Leaving Your Legacy:

Creating a Heritage Book

8 Avoiding the Well-Meaning

Pregnancy Critic During

the Holidays

10 The Job of Giving Care

12 Holiday Flying

14 Cleanse for the Holidays!

16 Christmas Tree Styling

18 Holiday Pet Safety

20 Should You Buy That Gift

22 The Mystic Cookbook

24 Winter Fashion

27 Fanning the Family

Flame from Afar

28 December Events

29 Arbor House Fashion

Show and Tea Party

34 Getting the Real Behind

the Real Housewives of

Miami with Lisa Hochstein

36 Ask Dr. Brothers

39 Sweet Treats

40 House to Home

42 Where are these Hot Spots?

44 Winter Beauty

46 December Gadget

& Gift Guide

5Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012Life is a rich strain of music, suggesting a realm too fair to be. George William Curtis

create a Giving TreeHave your children write names of people that they cherish in their lives, a grandparent, teacher, neighbor or very best friend. Create pictures of each person on the back and write down things that they love.

Get ArtisticCreate holiday cards or goodie bags for residents at a local retirement home, shelter or The Hope Lodge. Baked goods can be created together and labeled with a hand -drawn card for that extra touch. Handmade is the best gift a child can create. A simple card illustrated with a child’s written words of affection can bring so much joy to those suffering this season.

Give Your Time As a FamilyTalk to your children about what it means to volunteer and why it is important. Chose together which charity fits for your family

and research how to get involved. GainesvilleVolunteer.com or VolunteerMatch.com has tons of resources to find the charity that best fits your family.

Teach About the Spirit of DonationTime can be hard to come by, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t set the example of what it means to give. The Angel Tree with Salvation Army, St. Francis House, Catholic Charities, or Arbor House are all in need of donations this holiday season. If donating canned goods or life supplies, a little hand-drawn picture or note attached at the top will add a smile to someone’s day.

Gift-Giving inspired playdatePractice makes perfect, so why not start teaching now what it feels like to donate, but in a more concrete, visible way. Set up a playdate to include a book or art supply

exchange. You can teach your child to pick out what they want to give, wrap it and exchange with another child. When they see the excitement of the other child, they can apply that thought when donating.

I hope this inspires you to get involved in the spirit of giving with your family this holiday season and brings a special smile to those around you.

Kim Vij is the co-author of The Educators’ Spin

On It. As an early childhood teacher and a mom of three, she’s learned many tips and

tricks of parenting and teaching along the way. She shares her “Educator’s Spin” on parenting issues and how to make learning more playful

and playtime more meaningful. Visit TheEducatorsSpinOnIt.blogspot.com for

great child gift ideas and handmade crafts to fit everyone’s budget.

The Spirit of Giving

In a season of getting, sometimes it’s hard to find ways to encourage our children that it’s about giving to others. So for this holiday season, here are some simple tips for encouraging your child to think of others.Learning

By Kim Vij

Begin by writing down every story you can remember hearing about your family as a child. It helps if the stories are true, but even folklore of the generations that came before you gives insight into their character. Cite, as closely as you can, when and where you heard the tale and who told it. Make recordings of all your elders’ stories to transcribe later, eliminating the pressure of getting it done while they’re still able to recall the tales.

Gather pictures. Go as far back as you can, giving longevity to your family photos. With the software available, even a computer can enlarge and crop an old photo to make it heritage-book worthy. My family has a picture of my great aunt playing our old family piano as a girl. On the piano was a photograph of her grandparents. With the aid of computer enhancement, the picture was enlarged and cropped, giving the my

new generation a look at their great-great-great-grandparents. Categorize the pictures and make sure to include pictures of significant moments in your life: your first day of school, baptism, prom, graduation and marriage which will give family members a clear look into your life.

Think about questions you’d like to have answered about your own grandmother or grandfather. “What was your favorite game as a child?”, “Who was your best friend and why?”, “How did you meet your spouse?” are all things we wonder about our ancestors. Write and answer these questions or make the answers more of a narrative telling about your life.

For assembly, begin by getting a plain-bound journal or scrapbook. The embellishments depend on your personal creativity, but may include a collage of family pictures. Making

all pictures sepia or black and white print lends continuity and a feeling of the past. The family name, boldly emblazoned across the cove, is a nice personal touch. Then organize your collected family stories, recollections and photographs, and begin to place them in the scrapbook or journal you’ve chosen. Do not secure them – this gives you the opportunity to try a variety of layouts before you commit to one.

If you have multiple recipients of this special book, make the layout on loose pieces of scrapbook paper and take it to your local copy store or print them off on your computer. Never give away your original pictures.

It’s never too late to start a legacy book. Your family, its stories and memories are precious and unique. Don’t let them be lost to time. Write them down and pass them on.

By Deborah Dyess Leaving Your Legacy

Creating a Heritage Book

What will you leave for your children and

grandchildren? The question may bring

images of large estates, stocks and

bonds and sober faced lawyers. But it

doesn’t have to. Money is only one part

of our legacy for our families – and not

even the most important part. In a

culture that is constantly shifting and

changing, creating a legacy book is a gift

that you, the parent or grandparent, can

start now which will leave immeasurable

love after you have left this world.

6 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 One life - a little gleam of time between two eternities. Thomas Carlyle

8 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Life without endeavor is like entering a jewel mine and coming out with empty hands. Japanese Proverb

The holidays bring with them what I call the three Fs – faith, food and family. While these words

often evoke warm fuzzy feelings in our memories, in the heat of the moment they

often bring out emotions that are, well, less than fuzzy. When you find yourself

in the throes of pregnancy-induced emotion during these celebratory times, the balancing act of remaining tactful in the face of (mostly) well-meaning relatives can become even more difficult. Suddenly, people who you may only see once a year become experts on everything from the best traditions to hand down to your offspring to how many calories you should consume during the festivities. What’s an expectant mother to do?

*Gasp* “You’re celebrating what?”

Interfaith marriages have grown dramatically in recent years. No longer

does one parent necessarily feel the need to abandon his or her religious

beliefs and traditions for the sake of family unity. Children of interfaith couples grow

to understand and appreciate the beliefs, rituals and morals of their families, even if they

don’t fit into a neat little faith-named box.

During the Holidays

AvoidingWell-Meaning Pregnancy Critic

the

By Ginger Henderso

n

9Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012That state of life is most happy where superfluities are not required and necessities are not wanting. Plutarch

Religion is a very slippery slope, even without the involvement of extended family. So how do you handle Great Aunt Gertrude’s clicking tongue when she learns that your home displays both a Christmas tree and a Menorah? What do you say when she insists that your inclusion of various faiths undermines the integrity of all of them?

The key here is to keep things short and sweet. Express to your great aunt that you understand her concern, but that your decision is what you and your partner have decided is best for your family. When you validate her feelings and identify her fears, you show that you’re listening to her concerns and not just brushing her off. You can say, “I know our family believes Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus’s birth. When the baby is born, we will celebrate Jesus’s birth together, but we’ll also celebrate the Miracle of Lights from my husband’s faith. Our baby will know that both of our faiths are important in shaping who we’ve grown to be and how we live our lives.” Most times, this will be enough to quiet any fears that may have cropped up, but if not, don’t be afraid to end the conversation. After all, it’s your family and your decision. “I appreciate your concern, but this is what we’ve decided is best for our family. Could I get you a cup of coffee or some dessert?”

“You know that eating for two is just an expression, right?”

With the exception of childhood, you’ll likely never receive as many comments about the food you eat more than during your pregnancy. When the food offerings are multiplied as they are over the holidays, the advice grows exponentially. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and no one seems to mind voicing it – tactful or not. So what do you

say when your grandmother raises an eyebrow at your third slice of red velvet cake or your cousin comments that you’re not eating enough for your growing baby’s needs?

At times like these, it’s helpful to have your doctor to back you up. If you’re lucky enough to have an obstetrician in the family, stop reading and thank your lucky stars. Otherwise, relay the advice you’ve received from your doctor on nutrition. Try these on for size…

“My doctor has said that my blood glucose and weight gain is normal for my trimester, so I’m not concerned about indulging a bit this year.”

“My doctor’s advised me to watch my weight gain at this point in my pregnancy. We’ve discussed portion sizing and how to make adjustments so that my baby is getting what he or she needs.”

“Since I’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, my doctor’s told me to be extra careful about what I eat.”

“I talked with my doctor about this very thing at my last visit. She said everything looks great with both me and the baby, so I’m in the clear. She even told me to enjoy an extra helping for her!”

By referencing your doctor in these statements, you communicate that you’ve thought about these situations ahead of time and cared enough to discuss them with a professional.

The important thing to remember in every situation you encounter is that your family members have a deep love for both you and your unborn child. Their questions, comments and advice are born through their care and concern for your well-being. That’s something to be celebrated, regardless of season.

10 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. Ralph Waldo Emerson

what makes speaking on caregiving a passion for you?When I was younger I felt tremendously uncomfortable around ill people. I didn’t know what to say or do. Now, I think there is a need for someone to provide specific and helpful things to do in these situations.

why do you think caregiving becomes so emotionally overwhelming?You have no idea what help the person is going to need, and people are different in situations from day to day. You never can tell what the next day is going to bring. Many caregivers think they are being derelict in their duties when they don’t do everything that is requested of them, but that’s impossible. You can’t be all things to all people in these situations. You need to know how much you can do and how much you can’t do. It’s very important to know when to call on others for help.

why is feeling resentment so prevalent?As a caregiver, your whole routine is upset. When we sacrifice and give up our time, if there’s no appreciation shown, it really gripes you. Some ill people want the caregiver to help them with everything and others don’t want them to interfere with their lives any more than necessary. Both can be frustrating. So much is asked of you in an area in which you have no real expertise.

On the other side, the ill person doesn’t like being ill and resents it. Then, they can put the burden on the person who is doing the caregiving. The ill person is still a normal person who just happens to be sick. Many times the caregiver treats the person as a sick person all the time instead of a normal person who is just sick. This creates resentment.

how can you improve the caregiving situation?One thing that is imperative is for both the caregiver and the ill person to agree to ground rules in the relationship. Things to discuss mutually, rather than be handed down by the caregiver, are:

• What the caregiver can and can’t do for the sick person – making clear that the caregiver is not a nurse or a doctor and those medical needs should be taken care of by professionals in the medical field.

• What times the caregiver is going to be available and when they aren’t. They can’t be available 24 hours a day.

• To outline when and what kind of help is going to be needed for the caregiver so that this isn’t a surprise to the ill person.

• Identify and schedule times for important events in the daily life of the ill person, such as when meals, bedtime and medicine are to be handled.

• Since the caregiver is going to be around the person for extended periods of time, it would be helpful to have cleanliness expectations and standards.

• Insist that the ill person do everything for him or herself that they are capable of doing, and try to be as independent as possible to avoid resentments.

Giving care

With a generation closing in on

ailing parents, it is often painful and

frightening to discuss options when parents or

other loved ones need help and start to lose their

independence. Becoming a caregiver can be a large burden

of individuals and families, which is why Dr. Walter St. John

has authored Solace: How Caregivers and Others

Can Relate, Listen, and Respond Effectively to a

Chronically Ill Person. Here, he shares with us ways

to develop healthy and habitual coping

mechanisms and to open up the channels

of communwication when

the time comes.

The Job of

Interviewed by Lauren Douglass

11Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012

what mistakes can be made?Try to avoid feelings of guilt.

You’ll be asked to do things you just can’t do. You’ll

be asked to answer something you just

don’t have answers to. Recognize that

you can’t have all the answers to everything and don’t feel guilty about it.

Avoid putting your own needs,

interests and conveniences first.

You have to adopt a philosophy of other-person

centeredness, where you put the other person first and your own needs

second, if you are going to be effective.

The ill person may want to be more independent or do more things. This takes some reconciliation on how much help to give. It’s best to help as little as possible to get the job done, which helps the person maintain a sense of self importance, dignity and worth. Even though the person is sick and maybe not as sharp as they used to be, assuming that you always know the answer to what is best for the sick person is wrong.

Don’t permit yourself to be abused. Know that there is a lot of hostility and resentment, as mentioned before. You need to understand that to the ill person, venting is very good and necessary. In fact, holding in anger is very counter productive. Try to view anger as natural and normal and to see that these things aren’t personal. Don’t ignore it when a person is upset. Let them talk about it. Sometimes other people or events have triggered the person to get angry. Try to use the three C’s – be calm, be cool and collected.

how do you take care of yourself as the caregiver?Recognize that you’re going to need help, and admit that you can’t overextend yourself. Try to take a mental vacation at least twice a day by being off by yourself and listening to music or reading a book, which will replenish your energy. It’s helpful to adopt a mental attitude of being there for them, but take time for yourself, so that you can care for both of you.

Dr. Walter St. John is a retired college professor and administrator who lives with his wife in Old Town, Maine. He taught interpersonal

communications courses for more than twenty years and has presented communications workshops throughout the United States

and Canada. He has hands-on experience with disabled veterans, multihandicapped youth and Special Olympics participants, and he

has written widely in the field of communications. Solace: How Caregivers and Others Can Relate, Listen, and Respond Effectively to a

Chronically Ill Person is available from major online booksellers.

To live is like to love – all reason is against it, and all healthy instinct for it. Samuel Butler

12 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Where beams of imagination play, the memory’s soft figures melt away. Alexander Pope

holiday Interviewed by Lauren Douglas

why fly with Gainesville Regional Airport (GnV)?Gainesville is fortunate to have the option of four airline carriers, which is unusual for a city of this size. So convenience is number one! Why add another leg of travel to the trip and risk getting stuck in holiday road traffic? Flying from GNV is cost competitive when you factor in mileage and tolls when driving to another airport. Plus, parking is often more expensive at larger, international airports. There is a fare calculator on FlyGainesville.com that will help determine all costs of travel.

No matter where you begin your trip, you may be concerned about missing flight connections. I spoke with Ultimate Road Warrior Drew Bentley, an engineer with Invivo Diagnostic Imaging of Gainesville, and he suggests, “Book morning flights versus afternoon or

evening ones. The probability for delay or cancellation grows throughout the day.”

what are key tips to know when traveling out of Gainesville?Gainesville Regional Airport is small and easy to navigate. However, travelers sometimes do not give themselves enough time to make their flight.

During the holidays, flights are full and we see more travelers who are not used to the routine of security screening. This can slow the line. Give yourself an hour or more to check in and go through security well ahead of your flight. Those who haven’t flown recently may want to check the rules about what can and cannot be in carry-on luggage.

Remember that check in at the

ticket counter closes 30 minutes before a flight’s scheduled departure and boarding passes can no longer be printed, even at the computer kiosk. Also, the printed departure time on your boarding pass is when the flight is scheduled to leave the gate with a secured door. The flight will actually board ahead of that time.

Any specific holiday travel information flying in or out of Gainesville?People often travel with gifts. Plan to wrap them when you get to your destination so they can go through security screening without being unwrapped.

GNV Ultimate Road Warrior Karen Scott suggests shipping gifts ahead, “People carry more than usual and there’s not enough room for everything!” You can travel with holiday food

items. Check TSA.gov for guidelines on how perishable items should be handled.

please talk about screening and how travelers can be prepared?The most common hiccup at screening involves traveling with liquids, gels or aerosols in a carry on. The rule of thumb is 3-1-1. Passengers are allowed toiletries in a 3.4 ounce bottle or less. Toiletries need to be in a 1-quart, sealable plastic bag. One bag is allowed per passenger. The bag is removed from the carry on and placed in the plastic tray for screening. Larger toiletry items can be packed in checked luggage. Medications and baby formula can be carried in larger quantities but should be declared at screening. Check TSA.gov for information.

Flying Time is running out to book air travel for

the holidays, so we caught up with Laura

Aguiar, GNV’s public relations manager, to

get her tips on how to fly Gainsville. She

and frequent fliers with GNV’s Ultimate

Road Warrior program offer advice for

traveling during the coming season…

or any other time of year.

13Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012

Are there any specific Gainesville travel rules to adhere by?GNV follows the same security regulations and guidelines as every other major airport in the U.S. The TSA rules are the same everywhere.

what is a common misconception about your airport?Many people assume that flying from GNV is more expensive. Fares to New York City, the west coast and International destinations may be the same or even lower. Admittedly, it is harder to find great deals during the holidays. That is why you have to shop early for airfares no matter where you choose to travel from.

what luggage packing tips or secrets to packing success can you give?I spoke with Road Warrior Jim Chirico, Navistar Regional Manager, and he says, “I use a large, zip-lock-type bag to pack two well folded pre-ironed shirts and dress pants. I push all the air out and make a firm stiff block and I hang them on hangers in the hotel bathroom. Most permanent press clothes will be ready to go with no or moderate touch up after the A.M. shower.”

Don’t forget to pack your holiday spirit and your patience. “If delayed, take a cue from ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ and phone a friend,” says Road Warrior Lou Heckler, a Gainesville Motivational Speaker and Speaking Coach. “A good chat can make a delay evaporate.”

Flying

GNV has 26 daily flights from four airlines; American Eagle/American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Silver Airways (a United

Airlines partner) and U.S. Airways. For more information on Gainesville Regional Airport, log on to FlyGainesville.com.

Tips on Shopping for Airfare1) check prices frequently.Fares are adjusted frequently by computers of every major airline. Your fare will depend on destination, length of trip, if you are departing on a busy day or at a busy time and if you are staying through a weekend. These price formulas mean that you may not be paying the same fare as the traveler sitting next to you.

2) 4–6 weeks out is often the best window, but not always. holidays are one major exception.Once you start shopping for a fare and get a feel for the price point of your destination, check fares on Tuesdays and early Wednesdays. Computers check for flights that are not selling well and may put some seats on sale. You will have to act quickly to take advantage of a fare sale! By Thursday, the sale seats are likely gone.

3) Sign up for Low Fare AlertsEach Wednesday, GNV checks the top 50 destinations for our community and lists fares coming in “low.” This is usually under $300 for East Coast destinations and under $400 for Midwest to West coast. Sign up for the weekly Low Fare Alert at FlyGainesville.com to get an idea of what price point to expect of your destination. You can also sign up for destination specific alerts through many of the airfare search engines, like CheapAir.com or Kayak.com.

As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more. Jules Renard

14 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook. William James

for the holidays!

CleanseByKatelyn N. Vilardell

15Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012

Haile Village Spa & Salon helps you cleanse and pH balance your skin, hair and body. For the holiday season, they can help you address seasonal concerns such as dry skin and curb the effects of holiday feasting! For the skin, they offer a pharmaceutical grade organic anti-oxidant and detoxifying facial. It repairs the skin using vitamins C, A and E, along with garden cress extract, which increases skin’s defenses against harmful UV rays, pollutants and nicotine.They also offer a cosmetic mud wrap using whole mud from the Dead Sea containing high levels of natural antibiotics that detoxify, exfoliate and enhance the skin with a cellular rejuvenation process that helps

psoriasis, eczema and other skin ailments. For this holiday season only, they are offering Honey Tranquili-Tea wraps – a body wrap and massage using the amazing anti-viral and anti-microbial superfood, honey.

For internal well being, they offer Confianza, a naturally based adaptogen supplement that increases your energy levels while reducing stress, depression and fatigue and Greens which promotes pH balance within the body, includes 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods and is an equivalent of 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables in each dose. They also recommend It’s Vital which supplies your body with more than 70 bio-active, bio-available essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients in a patented easy-to-dissolve formula.

For the body they offer several detoxifying and thermotherapy wraps that help tone your skin, making it tighter by expelling impurities, smoothing cellulite and minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and losing inches in a healthy way. Their take-home body applicator is extremely effective and affordable at only $25.

Haile Village Spa & Salon is proud to announce they are working on a body contouring massage, soon to be trademarked by Spa Director Katelyn Vilardell. The massage is designed to streamline the appearance of cellulite, even out the appearance of “rolls,” take off inches by helping the body to metabolize its fat and flush toxins out of the lymph surrounding the fatty tissue. Clients have seen amazing and long-lasting, results.

To book an appointment or to ask more about their organic skin care or Detox treatments, please call the spa at (352) 335-5025.

for the holidays!

Katelyn Vilardell is the Spa Director for Haile Village Spa & Salon and is a licensed medical massage therapist, certified neuromuscular therapist and is nationally certified as a personal fitness trainer. She has an orthopedic degree in medical massage obtained at the Florida College of Natural Health with a special focus on pathology and special populations such as geriatrics and disabilities.

Detoxing your body and making sure you are pH balanced is extremely important in the modern world.Environmental pollutants, make up, toxins and other elements can quickly build up to toxic levels in your body and cause a variety of mental and physical consequences such as a weakened immune system, fatigue and depression. In addition to keeping your body from toxic build up, a necessary line of defense against disease is a proper pH balance. Disease can only grow in an acidic body, which is a perfect environment for bacteria, yeast, fungus, mold, viruses and parasites. Cancer and osteoporosis strikes only those with high acidic levels. When your body is too acidic, it will try to shield itself from the damaging acid by storing it in fat cells and may increase fat build up to store the unwanted acid for its own protection. By returning to a balanced pH level you may not only become more energetic, alert and healthy but also lose unwanted fat.

beFoRe

AFTeR

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves. Francois De La Rochefoucauld

16 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives. Viktor Frankl

Traditional charmerThe traditional look begins with an evergreen tree of your choice and wide ribbon in the classic colors of Christmas. Lights will likely be multicolored and thickly woven to give your tree brightness at night. Choose ornaments that embody the spirit of the season in hues of red, green and gold. A beautiful star makes the perfect topper for this tree. This approach will give each tree limb a timeless expression of holiday magic.

Victorian beautyIf you are looking to take your tree back in time a bit, the Victorian look might be the way to go. This style is characterized by dainty ornaments and more feminine colors of ivory, rose and gold. Look for decorations that are made with elements like lace, pearl, feathers and fabric. Top this tree with a cherub angel or even a large, ornate bow that trails down delicately.

candy cane TreatFor a more modern and fun holiday tree theme, try the candy cane look! A white tree wrapped in wide red ribbon is the base, and lights can be either red or clear. Add to this whatever red and white ornaments that you like, especially those that have a candy theme. Real candy canes work great, as do white and red icicles. Finish it off with a glittery star for a tree that looks good enough to eat!

Christmas Tree

StylingBy Jennifer Francis

As the holiday season approaches, the air is filled with excitement for gift giving, goodie baking and tree trimming. Houses take on new glamour as wreaths and garland are draped throughout and holiday trees that vary so much in colors, styles and decorating techniques truly have a fashion category that is all their own. Some trees receive the royal treatment of glitz and glam, while others take on a much more traditional look. With the tree being the focal point in your home for the holiday season, here are five gorgeous looks that your tree will love!

17Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else. Yogi Berra

manhattan eleganceTo achieve this clean and elegant look, start with a white tree and white lights. From here, add simple, geometric ornaments in a single shade of teal. To make an even stronger statement, ditch the tree skirt for a chic topiary type potting plant. Complete the look with a shiny white and teal snowflake on top.

earthy & naturalWhile brown is not a color that most associate with the winter holidays, it can really shine when displayed on an earthy themed tree. Start with a classic evergreen in muted, natural shades. Enhance this with white lights and garland made to resemble leaves, berries or other naturally occurring items. Ornaments that work well with this tree are those with organic themes, such as pinecones, birds, fruit or even flowers. Stick to subdued tones of brown, burgundy and gold for a tree that will be as stunning as it is natural.

YourPickPickYour

LIMITED TIME OFFER. ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR EXTRA CHEESE. Pepsi substitutions may occur. Product availability, prices, participation, delivery areas and charges, and minimum purchase requirements for delivery may vary. WingStreet® wings are not available at all Pizza Hut® locations. The Pizza Hut name, logos and related marks are trademarks of Pizza Hut, Inc. © 2012 Pizza Hut, Inc. PEPSI and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. BDBP2469 MPA155851-8/12

1999

18 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012

Stocking StuffersLooking to stuff your pet’s stocking? Though that fluffy toy may look like the perfect treat, steer clear of play-things with extra string,

ribbon or loose parts. Dogs especially are known for tearing toys to pieces, which can then be swallowed and cause injury to the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Hardy toys, such as a large ball for cats or the rubber Kong for dogs, are the

safest bet and just as fun!

Tree TroubleChristmas trees are a familiar holiday tradition

and add warmth and beauty to the home. Be that as it may, it’s important to securely anchor your tree

so that it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. Consider fastening your Christmas tree to the ceiling with

string for extra support.

home for the holidaysThe holidays are a time for togetherness – pets included!

However, while you’re sure to enjoy a house full of guests, the extra noise and activity may leave some pets stressed

or frightened. To avoid triggering illness or an intestinal upset, make sure your pet has a safe place to retreat,

such as an empty room or a covered crate.

There’s nothing like the sight

of tinsel, ribbon and a glittering

Christmas tree to start the

season off right. However, while

you’re decking the halls, you may

be putting your four-legged friend

at risk. Here are a few simple tips

to keep your pets safe this

season and to ensure the

holidays stay merry!

Holiday Pet Safety

By Sarah Mason

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust

19Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012Believe that you have it and you have it. Latin Proverb

Turkey and All the Trimmings Roasted turkey, warm stuffing, and mom’s homemade pecan pie are just a few of the many reasons why the holidays are a time for indulgence – for humans, at least! Though it may be tempting to include your pets

in the mealtime festivities, many popular holiday foods such as fatty meats, bones, gravies and poultry skins can cause them serious stomach illnesses. It’s important to keep your pet on their normal diet, to cover the garbage can and to steer them away from unattended plates.

If you ever suspect that your pet has consumed a toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour emergency hotline at

1-888-426-4435.

Twinkling TinselMany pets, particularly cats, love to play with this sparkly “toy.” And yet, one swallow is all it takes to lead to an obstructed digestive tract, vomiting and dehydration. Hang tinsel high and secure it tightly, or consider brightening your home with something more pet friendly.

chestnuts RoastingWhen the weather turns cold, there’s nothing more comforting than lighting your favorite candles and curling up by the fire. However, unattended candles or an unchecked fire can be a huge safety concern for your furry friend. Make sure to put a screen around your fireplace and to use sturdy

candles with wide bases that can’t be tipped over. Most importantly, never leave your pet unattended around a flame.

wire worriesThey’re strung around the Christmas tree, lined across the roof and entwined in garland, wreaths and just about everything else! With all the extra lighting, there’s bound to be some extra wires as well, which can pose some serious safety concerns should your pet like to chew. To help avoid shocks, burns or other severe injuries, tape down or cover loose chords. Be sure to unplug lights when you are not at home.

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20 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 The imagination is the secret and marrow of civilization. Henry Ward Beecher

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21You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. Mark Twain Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012

22 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau

Mother-daughter pair, Denise and Meadow Linn, coauthors of The Mystic Cookbook: The Secret Alchemy of Food, Meadow spoke with us about how the book shares secrets to the spiritual enjoyment of cooking and eating, and she specifically talks about a few ways to enhance the holidays with enlightening tips and tricks.

MysticCookbook

The

Tell me a little about The Mystic Cookbook?It’s really more of a cookbook for your life. There are a lot of tips, activities and suggestions in the book about ways that you can use food for spiritual growth to bring more joy and happiness into your life. We co-authored, as mother and daughter, and it has really been a joy. We weren’t sure how it was going to work out. It can be challenging, even in the best relationships, but the most amazing thing was that the more time we spent working together, the more similar we became. Working together has really brought us closer since we were really able to marry our two different backgrounds; hers in spirituality and mine in cooking.

how can you use Mystic to decrease the holiday stresses?During the holidays, moms can get stressed – all the pressure to cook and entertain, and it is challenging to have relatives in your home for days. One year, my mom relieved some of that pressure by assigning each of our relatives a meal to make – but in a fun way. They were set to different themes. My aunt had just gone to Bali, so she made a typical Balinese meal, dressed up and played Balinese music. A cousin from Florida made a meat that they pretended was alligator and chocolates in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears. My mom still made the Christmas meal, but all of these different meals, even years later, are still being talked about.

We have a chapter in the book that focuses on invoking the sacred art of hospitality. In antiquity, the time of Greek mythology, the one thing that even gods were punishable for was not being hospitable. So at that time, you always showed great hospitality, because you never knew when you were hosting a god in disguise. It was very revered to offer sustenance and hospitality in a meaningful way. So if you have an aunt who’s always criticizing you or you have a crazy relative who’s driving everybody nuts, the book teaches you how to invoke this sacred art of hospitality and look at it as a spiritual practice towards growth.

The Mystic Cookbook: The Secret Alchemy of Food

($19.95) is available at all major book retailers or online.

For more information go to: www.TheMysticCookbook.com.

23Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012I have spread my dreams beneath your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. W.B. Yeats

Have you ever noticed that if two people cook the same dish, even if the ingredients are the same, it doesn’t taste the same. The intention that they put into the food, the way that they do it, can actually be perceived and tasted by others. They say in India that a mother’s food is the most nourishing and satisfying, because they can feel the mother’s love. So in the planning and when cooking, the feelings you have can be projected into the food.

Do you have any tips on how you can set the table in a certain way that can make it more enjoyable?Here’s a little story. When I was a child, I was given raw oysters out of a jar. They were disgusting. It wasn’t until in my twenties, when I was living in Paris, that I went to a cafe with a boyfriend where there was accordion music being played on the street. We were drinking crisp white wine, and the

cafe was serving oysters, chilled on ice, with mignonette sauce. They were no longer slimy things out of a jar but beautiful, elegant sea creatures that were meant to be savored and enjoyed. Even down to the way the table was set, made them taste so much better. So use that for your holiday meals, too. Pay attention to how you set your table or the buffet. We don’t just eat with our taste buds; we eat with all of our senses. The way you set the table can dramatically affect the meal.

To cultivate a community feeling, get your whole family to help you create the table setting. It can really bring people together and give everyone a sense of ownership.

To invoke a heritage feeling, instead of place cards, give out an old recipe. Something that was from a past relative or from the family recipe book – or one from your culture or country.

For a light-hearted, whimsical holiday meal, you can use place settings with bright colors and things that appeal to children. Make it fun and funky and that energy actually infuses into the food. People will also feel that energy and take on that energy as they’re eating.

As a well-wish, you can write affirmations and hide them under the plates to a touch of positivity. Each guest will love seeing the surprise.

24 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake. Henry David Thoreau

Zermatt beanieKeep your head warm and still look great with

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It’s time to break out the sweaters and

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winterFashion

By emily alter

Oneill

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Lulus

25Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. Pamela Vaull Starr

uF bow headbandCan’t choose between a bow and a headband for the game? You can have both with this sequined bow headband in classic orange and blue!$12-25 uNIVerSIty oF FLorIDa BooKStore aND FLorIDa BooKStore

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26 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. Patrick Henry

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27Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012The end of wisdom is to dream high enough not to lose the dream in the seeking of it. William Faulkner

write a hand-written letter or postcard.Though the age of paper and pen seems to be ending, sometimes writing a letter or even a quick note on a postcard can show family members how much you truly care. It takes more time than sending an e-mail and many would consider it more personal than communicating online. With the holidays approaching, sending a holiday card (complete with your own family photo) is always a great idea as well.

participate in traditions from afarYou may not be around to make your family’s favorite holiday dessert or decorate the tree, but you can send your own homemade goodies or a personalized ornament. Think about what traditions you’re missing most, and find a way to get involved!

Take Advantage of TechnologyWith new technologies such as Skype and FaceChat (predominately for iPhone) available for free download, families and friends have the opportunity to hear and see their loved ones from afar. Share your newest holiday outfit, your growing children or simply chat about everyday life. Your family will be happy to have a face to go along with a voice!

make a phone callIt may seem obvious, but calling family and friends is an easy way to keep connected. To avoid international costs, free Skype calls are an excellent option. Remember, it’s important to share more than “how do you do’s.” Ask family members about any changes in their lives and pay attention to little details. Build these into a larger conversation and they’ll be happy to learn what a great listener you are! If you’re having trouble catching your family members at a good time, scheduling calls ahead of time (on a routine basis) is a smart idea.

write a blogStart a blog and share your own new family traditions with members who live far away. Post pictures, text, and ask them to share their thoughts by writing comments! Your talks on video and voice chat will become a lot more interesting as a result once you get the conversation flowing. That being said, don’t expect all of your relatives to read every post!

plan Future VisitsThough you might not be making it home this holiday season, there will be a time when you can visit your family in person. Make plans to make up for the times you’ll be missing with other fun, meaningful activities.

use online photo AlbumsBaby Susie getting bigger? Share her progress with your family and friends through a free online photo album. After all, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. You’ll be glad you documented so many memories later.

Remember, though these interactions might not be as gratifying as going home

for the holidays, they’re still to be cherished in their own right. After all, memories are made in many forms, and you’ll be visiting your family in person before you know it!

By Katie Moss

Whether you’re a born-and-

raised Floridian whose family has

relocated or you’ve simply planted

your roots here after college for

a job or to accompany a spouse,

communicating with your family

from afar can be a difficult activity

– especially during the holidays

when everyone seems to be

occupied. Don’t fret, here are

seven ways you can keep your

loved ones close even when

they’re far away.

Fanning the Family Flame from Afar:

Keeping in Touch with Loved Ones This Holiday Season

28 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself into one. Henry D. Thoreau

DecemberEvents

1ST DECEMBER9am Cane Day @ Dudley Farm Historic State Park2pm UF Women’s Basketball @ Michigane2pm A Children’s Holiday at Santa Fe Fun Celebration @ Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall5pm Gainesville Youth Chorus Holiday Concert @ Holy Trinity Episcopal Church6pm Rwanda Sustainable Families Fundraiser @ The Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center7:30pm Jazz Bands Concert @ University Auditorium

2ND DECEMBER12pm Historic Haile Homestead Holidays @ 8500 SW Archer Road (SR 24)

4TH DECEMBER 7pm uF Women’s Basketball Troy

5TH DECEMBER7pm UF Men’s Basketball @ Florida State7pm Christmas with the Annie Moses Band Concert @ Trinity United Methodist Church7:30pm Trey McIntyre Project @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

6TH DECEMBER 11am Women’s Leadership Council December Luncheon @ Gainesville Country Club

7TH DECEMBER 5pm First Friday: Holiday Lights @ The Opera House6pm Historic Haile Homestead Candlelight Visits @ 8500 SW Archer Road (SR 24)6pm Shop-Dine, Stroll @ Main St Alachua FL6pm Thornebrooke Village Open House7pm Jingle Bell Ball @ Thomas Center7pm UF Women’s Basketball Pacific

8TH DECEMBER 12pm Holiday Cruz-in and Food Drive @ Gainesville Open MRI – Millenium Center1pm Gathering of the Artists @ The Doris Bardon Community Cultural Center2pm Alachua County Christmas Parade @ North Main and US Highway 441. Handel’s Messiah – GCC Master Choral @ University Auditorium

9THE DECEMBER11am Lessons & Carols @ United Church of Gainesville4pm Holiday Traditions: A Musical Celebration @ Phillips Center for Performing Arts

10TH DECEMBER 5:30pm The Leadership Chat with Danny Gilliland, President of Gateway Ban @ United Way of North Central Florida Headquarters

11TH DECEMBER9am Empowered to Live the Life You Choose @ Library Partnership Branch – Alachua County

12TH DECEMBER6pm Mindful Movies @ Alachua County Library5pm Mommy and Me On Stag @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

13TH DECEMBER11:45pm Nonprofit Leaders’ Discussion Forum6pm Museum Nights: Kwanzaa @ Harn Museum of Art

14TH DECEMBER 6pm Shop-Dine, Stroll @ Main St Alachua FL

15 DECEMBER 5pm 5k Reindeer Run @ Haile Plantation Village Center2pm Nutcracker @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts3pm The Gainesville Pops 5th annual Christmas concert – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year @ First United Methodist Church4pm Sugar Plum Tea @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts8pm Chocolate & Champagne Holiday Gala @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

16TH DECEMBER 1pm UF Women’s Basketball @ LaSalle1pm Pet Pictures with Santa Benefiting Alachua County Humane Society @ Thornebrook Village

19TH DECEMBER 10am ACT II of “The Little Match Girl” @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts7pm UF Men’s Basketball Southeastern Louisiana

20TH DECEMBER4:30pm UF Women’s Basketball Central Michigan vs St. Joe’s7pm UF Women’s Basketball Savannah State

21TH DECEMBER8pm “The Little Match Girl” @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts4:30pm UF Women’s Basketball Savannah St. vs. Central Michigan/St. Joe’s7pm UF Women’s Basketball Florida vs. Central Michigan/St. Joe’s

22ND DECEMBER8pm “The Little Match Girl” @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts8pm UF Men’s Basketball @ Kansas State

26TH DECEMBER6pm Mindful Movies @ Alachua County Library

28TH DECEMBER7pm UF Women’s Basketball Holy Cross

29TH DECEMBER4:30pm UF Men’s Basketball @ Air Force

29Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. Lanston Hughes

VisitGainesville.com

Every Day is Gamedayin Gainesville

Only the venues change!

Events

Women from all over Gainesville came together on a gorgeous October afternoon to enjoy a tea party and fashion show with their friends to benefit and learn about the Arbor House of Gainesville, a self-sufficiency program and residency for homeless pregnant women. This premier, sold-out event was a wonderful way for women to circle together to support other women as they embark on the life-long journey of motherhood.

For the show, we wanted to showcase beautiful women throughout the years and were so thankful to work with Ilene’s For Fashion for that sparkling Gator style, Macys for comfortable maternity wear and a stylish business look, and Cache for the latest on holiday cocktail attire.. Hair and makeup was provided by Haile Village Salon and Spa - Thank you to Kristen, Dexter, Annette, Gina and Katelyn. And to Billy and Taren Triggs of DJ Trigger Sound, thank you.

A special thank you to Gateway Grand Hotel for hosting the event and to North Florida Women’s Physicians of Gainesville and Lozano Dental for your generous donations! A very special thank you to the Laurie Porter, Development Coordinator of Catholic Charities, and the Embark Committee for their hard work and devotion to make this a truly spectacular event!

Arbor house Fashion Show and Tea Party

Years teach us more than books. Berthold AuerbachFlourish Magazine | Dec/201230

It’s a Wonderful Life is just an old Frank Capra classic to most people, but to the people of SunState Federal Credit

Union, it’s more than just a movie. For these volunteers and employees, the Bailey Building and Loan represents

a way of doing business that SunState works hard to emulate every single day. Robert Hart, SunState’s Vice

President of Marketing likes to think that it’s not just how they serve their members or the products and

services they provide, it’s more about where their heart is that really sets them apart.

“When people ask me about the credit union, I always talk about George Bailey in the scene from It’s a Wonderful

Life where he says your money is under your neighbor’s roof and his money is in the walls of a neighbor’s house

and so on. It’s a simple way to explain how a cooperative like a credit union works. When George sums it up for

the crowd with, ‘We don’t need the Mr. Potters of the world, we have each other’ it really hits home. That’s what

SunState is all about. Our credit union is about thousands of neighbors pooling their resources to help each

other without having a Mr. Potter step in and take a cut off the top. Our members know that as an institution,

we care, and they know that our employees as individuals care. If George Bailey really existed and he lived in

Gainesville, I think he would consider our employees to have very rich lives, even if they don’t live in the biggest

houses in town,” explains Hart.

George Bailey gave his life and career to the Building and Loan. If you ask employment experts today, they will tell

you how rare it is these days for employees to stay with one company for very long. It’s different at SunState, where

there are many employees and volunteers who have given over 20, 30, even 40 years of service to the community

through their work at the credit union.

While the hearts of staff and management lean more to the ways of the old-fashioned Bailey Building and

Loan, the financial services provided by SunState are advanced even for the 21st century. Making life easier for

their members is the goal of SunState – and easier means better. Robert Hart explains,

“We provide so much for our members and want more people to know that they can take

advantage of what we have to offer, too. We want our members to consider SunState

not just as a credit union, but as their one trusted financial partner.” Like George

Bailey and his father in It’s a Wonderful Life, the desire to serve people and better the

community lives on in everyone at SunState Federal Credit Union.

It’s not about money, it’s about people.

SunstateFederalCredit-GC-1212-JD.indd 1 11/16/12 4:38:57 PM

Kaylee

Alice

Carol

Megan

KayleeKaylee

Sarah

Carrie

Brienne

Kim

Tammy

Tammy

Laura

Theresa

32 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer. Marcia Wieder

Jaz

34 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. Paul Valery

Lisa chats with me about what it’s like behind the scenes, how she deals with criticism and what her introduction to reality TV fame has been like.

how do you feel about seeing yourself on the show?At first it freaked me out. I’m not gonna lie, but now I’m definitely embracing it.

how does it feel being recognized on the street?It’s kind of weird because some people don’t have any problem coming up to me and saying, “Hey, I love your show.” Then there are other ones who I can tell are whispering, staring or trying to secretly take pictures with their phone. It’s interesting to be someone that people are recognizing. I really love all of the fans because they’re the ones who are helping our show become a success. A lot of people are saying this one, Miami, is their favorite in the whole franchise.

how does it feel with cameras following your every move?You never not know that they’re there. I mean people say they completely forget the cameras are there but that’s just not true. You just have to go throughout the day as if they weren’t. You definitely are aware, but it’s not as intimidating as it is in the first week of filming.

how was the casting process?They were obviously looking for new women who fit the housewives. They were asking around and many people knew us or had mentioned our names. Since our names came up a bunch of times, of course, that sparked their interest, and that’s how I got involved. There were a few (casting) interviews because, of course, they wanted to make sure they’re finding the right person. These guys are the best of the best, and they know how to twist things up and make it interesting, so they definitely were thorough.

how involved are the producers in the story lines and recap interviews?Everything’s completely organic, but yeah, they ask questions. We just say what’s on our mind.

what surprised you the most about filming?Just how much filming we did. I didn’t expect it to be so much, and it kind of consumed my life.

how does it feel to relive events that happened months ago but are new to the viewers?I think it was in February that we started to film. Now, we have to look at everything again. It opens up the vaults of the memories and of the feelings that were happening then. You also get to look back and see what was really going on. Exactly what was happening and what was going on when you weren’t there to witness for yourself. Sometimes you see something that was said about you that you didn’t like.

Did you have any second thoughts about putting so much of yourself out in the public view?I did because of the whole thing with my fertility. When we were chosen to do it, although I was very excited, I was second-guessing it because of that. But it’s been interesting because I feel like there are a lot of other women who are going through the same thing. I feel like I’m not so alone because I’ve had so much outreach from all of the fans.

Interviewed by Lauren Douglass

Getting the Real Behind the Real housewives of miami with Lisa Hochstein

35Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012Dreams are the touchstones of our character. Henry David Thoreau

what was the hardest thing about filming?I think it was talking about my struggles with fertility. That was difficult. It just happened to be at a time that we were filming. It is a part of my life. That’s what me and my husband are going through right now.

Are you worried about what kind of affect the show’s going to have on your marriage?I’m not because my husband and I have a very strong marriage and a very strong bond. Nothing could break it.

how else has the show changed your life?It really helped toughen me up, helped me grow and be more assertive. Everything’s a learning experience and this is no exception.

Do you read the negative comments that people say about you?

I for sure see them. I don’t see all of them because there are so many, and I couldn’t possibly have time to sit there and read every single blog. But I do see them on occasion and when people tweet me, which is crazy! It’s fine if you do it, just don’t directly message me on Twitter. I appreciate constructive criticism and I appreciate peoples’ opinions. I know we open ourselves up to criticism, but when it’s really nasty, uncalled for and full of hate, that’s where I stop reading.

what is Andy cohen like in real life?Andy is amazing; he’s one of the most likable people on TV and I’m sure most people would agree with me. He’s very fair, very neutral, and he asks the right questions but does it with such finesse. He’s a great host, but he’s also great behind the scenes, helping with everything to do with Bravo and The Housewives.

have you filmed the reunion show and are you nervous about it?We’ll be filming it after everything is said and done - after we see all of the episodes. No, I’m not nervous at all, because I’ve already lived through everything and seen what I have to see. I’m not intimidated by any of these ladies, so nobody’s going to scare me.

who do you get along with on the show?I’m one of the few in all the franchises, I think, that tends to get along with everyone they meet. During the filming of the show, me, Joanna and Karent were closest. Since [the filming] stopped, I’ve also become closer with Adriana. I’m adding her to the list. Me and Lea butt heads at the beginning. Now we’re starting to understand each other, and maybe we’re a little more alike than we thought, which is nice. I’m not close with all of them for sure. I don’t know what will happen next season.

I like to say I don’t have regrets about anything I do in life, so I look at it as a positive. I truly believe everything you do in life is meant to be, and that there’s a reason I’m doing this. I think it’ll become more and more evident to me as time goes on.

36 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Our waking hours form the text of our lives, our dreams, the commentary. Anonymous

Dear Dr. Brothers: My husband and I have always had a trusting relationship during our 32-year marriage. You can imagine how shocked I was to find him up in the attic, digging through the box of diaries I kept

between the ages of 14 and 22, the age at which we met. He seemed very embarrassed

and said he was sorry, but since then he has brought up a number of names of boys I used to

date, asking me about them. The whole thing has me rattled. How should I react now? – J.A.

aSK Dr. B

rotHerS

DatingHusband Reads Wife’s Old Diaries

Helicopter Mom is Stressed Out

37Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012A skillful man reads his dreams for self-knowledge, yet not the details but the quality. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear J.A: It would be disconcerting to find anyone reading words that were written for your eyes only, even if you are talking about a bunch of dusty memories stored in the attic. Usually, diary-snooping is confined to nosy little brothers or parents checking on teen daughters. But finding your husband poking his nose into your journals must have felt like just as much of an invasion of privacy, and the fact that he was embarrassed shows that he felt that way, too. I’m sure he wasn’t looking for them, and the diaries were stumbled upon and read before he could really think about it. Now, he clearly wishes he hadn’t.

Although you’ve been married for a long time, it’s not too late for the green-eyed monster to rear its ugly head. By bringing up the names of old boyfriends now, I think he’s trying to see where he fit in during those years, and whether you are still carrying the torch for any old flames. He’s at an age where he feels his masculinity suffering and probably could use some reassurance about the obvious: He’s the one you married after meeting and dating a

number of others. I’m more concerned that he apologizes for snooping and begins to win back your trust. If he brings up the past again this way, explain how hurt you are that he violated your privacy and that you don’t want to talk about your old flames. Then see what he has to say for himself.

Dear Dr. Brothers: My husband teases me about being a “helicopter mom” because I take a great deal of interest in our three kids and their activities. I have a lot of dreams for them, and I think they all need a lot of direction. But without my husband’s support, and with children who don’t really get it, I wonder if all amy efforts are going to be wasted. The kids are in middle and high school, and this is such a crucial time for them. I feel stressed out and wonder if I should just give up. – P.R.

Dear p.R. Although you can look at your husband’s teasing as a benign way for him to point out the flaws in your style of parenting, it is obvious that his lack of support for your efforts – and failure to help you with the job of child-rearing the way you think it should be done – is wearing

you down. On top of that, you have the feeling that your kids don’t have the capability to keep the ball rolling on their own. This view of your family’s world certainly can make you feel like giving up at times. But rather than go to that extreme, perhaps consciously dialing back your efforts a bit would be the best solution for everyone. Part of your job is to help your kids learn to stand on their own two feet, and to that end, your hovering may be counter productive.

Researchers recently have turned from the effects of helicopter parenting on children to take a look at what such intensive parenting does to the mother herself. A team from the University of Mary Washington looked at the parenting beliefs of 181 mothers with children under 5 years old, and found that those who felt that their happiness should derive from the kids and that parents should always sacrifice their needs for the needs of the child, among other similar attitudes, were more likely to be stressed out and battling depression. Is that you?

39Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outward success. Henry Ward Beecher

Oreo TrufflesA fun and easy recipe that’ll have you craving a side of milk.

what you’ll need:• 1 pound chocolate sandwich

cookies, crushed • 1 (8-ounce) package cream

cheese, softened • 1 pound vanilla-flavored

candy coating, melted • Large mixing bowl • Wax paper

1) In a large mixing bowl, combine crushed cookies and cream cheese to form a stiff dough.

2) Roll the mixture into balls and dip with a fork in melted candy coating.

3) Let each one rest on waxed paper until set.

4) Enjoy with some ice-cold milk (or hot cocoa if the weather outside is frightful).

Wreath CookiesMake dessert time into craft time with this recipe that’ll wrap up your sweet needs.

what you’ll need:• 1 (16-ounce) package large marshmallows • ½ cup butter, softened • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 ½ teaspoons green food coloring • 4 ½ cups cornflakes cereal • 1 (2 ¼-ounce) package cinnamon

red hot candies or red M&M’s • Wax paper

1) In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the marshmallows, butter, vanilla and food coloring.

2) Mix in the cornflakes.

3) Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper (in the shape of a wreath, of course!) and decorate with red hots or M&M’s.

4) Set them aside and allow them to cool.

5) When they’re set, munch on your gorgeous new treats!

Rocky Road Caramel AppleAn interesting twist on an old favorite.

what you’ll need:• 6 granny smith apples• 14 oz of caramels (unwrapped)• 2 tbsp water• 12 tsp vanilla extract• 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans (toasted) (can

replace with Golden Grahams if allergic)• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips• Wooden sticks, baking pan, aluminum foil,

microwave safe bowl

1) Insert wooden sticks ¾ of the way into the stem end of each apple.

2) Combine unwrapped caramels and water in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring often, until caramels melt and are smooth.

3) Stir in the vanilla, then dip each apple into the caramel and run them around the insides of the saucepan to scrape off excess.

4) Combine the miniature marshmallows and pecans (or Golden Grahams). Roll the apples in the mixture to coat. Place the apples on a baking pan covered with lightly greased aluminum foil and chill.

5) Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.

6) Drizzle over the apples and return them to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

7) Crunch into your dazzling desserts, or cut them into slices to serve many!

Find more recipes at yummly.com

By Kelly Herman

TreatsSweet

Every holiday season is laden with meats that take hours to cook, meticulously arranged appetizers and painstakingly prepared side dishes. With all of the busywork of the holidays, we wanted to bring you easy-to-make desserts that will not only sate your sweet tooth, but also are simple and delicious, especially when you need that last minute holiday party treat. Here are a few fun recipes from Yummly.com to help you sweeten the deal of your holiday meal.

40 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 In everything, the ends well defined are the secret of durable success. Victor Cousins

I love movies and I love interior design. Throughout history, movies not only have

inspired us on ways to decorate our homes, they also have created trends. So many

films have brilliantly incorporated a historically famous style and in return, showed

us, the viewing public, how to use these looks in our own homes.

Modern Frame of Mind

By Debbie travis

to HomeHouse

Debbie Travis’

THERE iS MAGiC in THE Mix oF FRAMES

AnD SuBJECTS in THiS ConTEMPoRARY

BEDRooM SuiTE THAT CREATES An ECLECTiC, PERSonAL AuRA.

41Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Francis Bacon

HOLIDAYSPECIAL

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Dear Debbie: I have a series of frames that I’ve collected over the years. Some are better quality than others. The frames are either black, dark metal or wood. I see a lot of examples of photography and small artwork hung together in identical frames. Is it poor design to combine different sizes and shapes? – Anna Marie Dear

Anna marie: Composing an arrangement with a mix of frames can be great design — you are in good company. This is a perfect way to break up large, bare walls, especially in homes with cathedral ceilings. The selection of art shown here is showcased in a suite in the avant-garde Hotel Pulitzer in Barcelona, Spain. The hotel’s designer, Lazaro Rosa-Violan, has created stunning contemporary spaces that are filled with atmosphere and light.

There are nine frames on the wall beside the bed, all very different in design and materials. Some are stepped, some are metallic, gilded or etched. They are approximately the same size and lined up touching each other. This arrangement breaks many rules, and yet it works. It covers most of the wall, and around the corner is an oversized framed kimono that takes up equal space. It gives the impression of a beloved personal collection that a well-traveled homeowner has hung for his or her amusement.

This neither looks nor feels like a hotel room. And that’s the idea. The wood canopy bed and table stand warm up the neutral black-and-white linens and furnishings. Satin and velvet cushions and leather chairs are a luxurious feature that pampers the senses. The decor is detailed and personal. The magic is in the framed art. I hope this inspires you to create an arrangement for your home that looks just as special. It takes some patience and some measuring, but it’s time well spent.

Dear Debbie: I have an ongoing dilemma that I hope you can help me with. I’d like to know how to decorate the area around a flat screen TV. The TV is on a 60-by-27-inch console, so there’s lots of wall space above. Thank you. – Claudia

Dear claudia: Think of a flat screen TV as a framed picture. Since yours sits fairly low, why not line up a row of framed photos or art on the upper wall? The pictures can run the width of the console or wider. Another option is to paint color blocks. Have a lighter shade of a neutral color such as gray or beige on the wall above the TV, and a darker shade blocked off behind it. Color blocking creates interest and is easy to do.

Debbie’s note: I have collected frames from just about every source I can think of. I have a few very special silver frames that have been handed down from my grannie, old mirror frames I have repurposed, yard sale and antique store finds, inexpensive store-bought frames and some I have made myself. Building a frame is not difficult, and you can finish the wood to look like any material you like, from embossed leather to bamboo, steel or stone. I’ve read books on arrangements written by the pros, and I always end up trusting my eye. One trick I have is to set up all the framed photos or art on the floor and move them around until they look right. This saves nail holes.

Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.

com. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at www.twitter.com/debbie_travis, and visit Debbie’s new website, www.debbietravis.com.

42 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is. Vince Lombardi

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43Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to know how to live to purpose. Michel de Montaigne

44 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 The significance of a man is not in what he attains but in what he longs to attain. Kahlil Gibran

By emily alter

Dr. hauschka Rest and Renewal holiday Gift Set

Give the gift of serenity this holiday season with this luxurious, limited-edition gift set.

This kit allows the mind and body to relax with calming Lavender Bath, and hydrating Lavender Sandalwood Body Moisturizer.$39.95 DrHauScHKa.coM

nuXe holiday Gift SetPamper your loved ones for the holidays without breaking the bank! This set includes all the essentials for radiant skin. Two best sellers, Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil, and Crème Prodigieuse Anti-Fatigue Moisturizing Cream, are just the beginning of this package. You also choose between a travel sized dry oil, or dry oil shimmer. The set includes an exclusive scented candle. Each product complements the other in this beautifully arranged gift set!$59 uS.Nuxe.coM

Zen with 10 bath SetDon’t stress over holiday gift-giving, give the gift of Zen and peace with this 10-piece, aroma bath set. Each herbal bath keeps the mind and body in check and relaxes away any stress.$44 FINe SpaS aND apotHecarIeS NatIoNwIDe, KaNVaSBeauty.coM aND KNeIppuS.coM

Juice beauty Reflecting

Lip Gloss in organic pink

Give your lips that glistening shine with

antioxidant-rich organic products!

Made with fruits and fruit oils for sweet,

kissable lips!$14.99 JuIceBeauty.coM

Vitabath Asian orchid & coconut body washEvery good hostess has to look and smell the part! Smell as exotic as an orchid yet as sweet as coconut this holiday season with this body wash.$7.99 MyVItaBatH.coM, uLta, aND waLGreeNS StoreS

WinterBeauty

The Holidays are here and we have your beauty covered! From hair and face, to gift sets galore, these essentials will have you looking angelic all December long.

Lavera myAge night creamFeel extra good about your face with this all-natural night cream. Regenerates your skin as you sleep, for a fresh hydrated start each morning.$37.84 LoVetrueNaturaL.coM

45Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for? Robert Browning

Salon Series by ouidad mediterranean bay Leaf exfoliating hair & Scalp TreatmentMade from unique bay leaf oils, this hair treatment cleanses the scalp, inspiring healthy growth and maintenence of hair. By delivering nutrients to your hair, your scalp will feel refreshed and hydrated.$36 ouIDaD.coM

ellura natural cranberry SupplementMaintain your health with this Cranberry Supplement for women! Ellura is the only cranberry supplement that meets newly regulated government standards by the AFSSA for supplements of its kind. Visit the website for more info and receive $5 off with code FLOURISH5 when you order!$44.97 MyeLLura.coM

cenoire novo Atomizer mist SprayRefresh your skin and hydrate your face with this Mist Spray. The built in reservoir atomizes water into tiny particles to leave your skin feeling moisturized.$39.99 ceNoIre.coM

china Glaze holiday Joy puttin’ on the Glitz Gift Set: cranberry Splash, with Love and pizzazzWhat could be better than giving nail polish as a gift? Giving three! This holiday inspired gift set will have you merry and cheerful all season long in ruby reds and sparkles.$14 cHINaGLaze.coM, SaLoNS, aND Beauty SuppLy StoreS NatIoNwIDe

china Glaze holiday Joy in pure JoyFiery red and rich gold sparkles will make your nails stand out with spirit.$7 cHINaGLaze.coM, SaLoNS aND Beauty SuppLy StoreS NatIoNwIDe

china Glaze holiday Joy in Glistening SnowJust because it doesn’t snow here doesn’t mean you can’t shine like it with shimmering silver glitter!$7 cHINaGLaze.coM, SaLoNS aND Beauty SuppLy StoreS NatIoNwIDe

claire burke mini Fragrance Diffuser in Vanilla beanDon’t be fooled by the size and elegance of this mini diffuser, it’s delicious vanilla fragrance will permeate throughout your house to make it smell sweet and decadent! Subtle yet strong enough for any room.$10.50 MycLaIreBurKe.coM

46 Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012 To reach a port, we must sail – sail, not tie at anchor – sail, not drift. Franklin Roosevelt

By emily alter

SpoonitThe Obol Bowl’s

best friend, this spoon has a steady

grip and promises less drip when eating cereal or other foods!

$6.99 oBoL.co aND excLuSIVeLy at BrooKStoNe.

obol bowl and Spoonit SetFor cereal lovers, this set is a match made in heaven! The set contains the original Obol Bowl and a Spoonit spoon for ideal cereal eating.$19.99 oBoL.co aND excLuSIVeLy at BrooKStoNe.

printed must- have SpeakersPortable speakers the size of your phone, what could be better? PBteen exclusive prints that bring sound from your laptop, phone or iPod! You won’t be able to choose just one!$19.50 pBteeN.coM

Jet Set multi-Dot makeup brush RollDon’t let being in a rush cause you to forget your makeup brush! This roll- up brush kit has all the essentials for a perfect face, even on the go!$19.50 pBteeN.coM

peace Glass ornamentBring out your holiday spirit with this very merry glass ornament! Perfect for any holiday or just to hang in your room!$14 pBteeN.coM

Gadget & Gift December

Guide

obol bowlRefuse to eat soggy cereal with the Obol Bowl!

Keep your cereal crispy in this specially designed bowl for milk on one side and cereal on the other.

Great for all types of food in addition to cereal, and the Obol is microwave

and dishwasher safe!19.99 oBoL.co

urbanears plattan

Tweed edition headphones

Take the classic headphone to a new level with stylish and

warm Harris Tweed! Urbanears provides optimum sound quality and mobility innovations for the music lover in us all!$80 urBaNearS retaILerS aND urBaNearS.coM

PB Teen

Thornebrook chocolates custom Gift basketIf you’re having trouble deciding what to give someone this holiday season, consider Thornebrook Chocolates custom-made gift baskets. These made-to-order baskets include tasty treats like gold boxes of truffles and assorted chocolates, as well as wine and beer.tHorNeBrooKcHocoLateS.coM

47Flourish Magazine | Dec/2012The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize. Richard Monckton Milnes

puppy Safe2Go Safety harness backpackKeep your child no more than an arm’s length away with the Safe2Go Safety Harness Backpack. It’s not an

embarrassing leash for your child, it’s an actual backpack that acts as a harness

with a retractable nylon tether. Celebrity known and listed in 2009 Consumer Reports, this harness will keep your kids close in the crowd.

$27 BaBySHerpa.coM

isotoner SmarTouch GlovesFreezing fingers can

now use phones, ATMs and listen to iPods with

these SmarTouch Gloves! The conductive thread

on the gloves works on touchscreen devices so you don’t have choose

between answering a text or freezing

your hands.$24 FIreBox.coM

Smart clothClean your screen, your sunglasses or even your TV with the pocket-friendly Smart Cloth. Protects from mold and mildew and comes in great patterns and colors!$9.99 toDDyGear.coM, aMazoN.coM, tarGet aND raDIo SHacK retaIL StoreS NatIoNwIDe

wedgeProp up your phone or other electronics with this stylish and convenient Wege tech accessory. It also serves to help clean your tech gear with a microfiber fabric.$14.99 toDDyGear.coM, aMazoN.coM, tarGet aND raDIo SHacK retaIL StoreS NatIoNwIDe

Schwinn Girl’s Sprite 20"Give your little girl a bike she’ll love that’s as cute as it is sporty! The Sprite 20" combines classic style with durability and is easy to pedal and brake.$300 ScHwINN SIGNature INDepeNDeNt BIKe DeaLerSFastback 1 men’s

Feel the wind in your hair as you zoom by in this sleek, fast bike. Equipped with custom designed A-Class wheelset for added performance and smooth welding for support and comfort, this bike will have you headed to the Tour de France!

$1,220 Schwinn Signature independent bike dealers

The hurrycaneInspired by the human body, this cane is really

an extension of the human body! Completely supportive in walking and maintaining your mobility, the

HurryCane pivots, bends, stabilizes and moves with you so you can keep your independence.

$39.95 tHeHurrycaNe.coM

uSb cup warmerDrinking coffee at your desk? Never let the coffee get cold again with this USB Cup Warmer! Plugging right into your laptop and heating mugs at an even temperature, this cup warmer is the perfect gift for any caffeine addict!

$16 FIreBox.coM

FAVI EntertainmentFAVi mini bluetooth KeyboardType with ease on tablets, PCs, Macs and your phone with this mini bluetooth keyboard from FAVI. This lightweight, fast navigation keyboard even includes a trackpad and a laser pointer to complement a presentation, a text or even a Kindle book!$49.99 StapLeS StoreS, FaVIeNtertaINMeNt.coM

BikesSchwinn boy’s corvetteYour son will have the need for speed with this bike’s Integrated LED

speedometer, to help him track his speed and even improve. The classic frame with a masculine edge will be just what he hoped for!$330 ScHwINN SIGNature INDepeNDeNt BIKe DeaLerS

48 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: In 1910, UF acquired its orange and blue colors from the two schools that were united to form the new school.

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

Jordan Reed makes a diving attempt to catch a pass in the end zone against South Carolina in The Swamp.

Photo by Wes Hall. Photo by Curtiss Bryant

Florida’s Dazzlers perform at halftime of a basketball game. Photo by John Parady

Mike Rosario grimaces after diving after a loose ball against Wisconsin. Photo by John Parady

PART OF

Your source for logo merchandise!

WWW.WHATSHAPPENING PROMOTIONS.COM352-371-5881

46 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: Murphree organized the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Agriculture, Law and Engineering, and establishes the Graduate School.

ANGLING FOR A NIBBLE

HOOk. LINE.SINkER.

AS OF NOVEMBER 2012.COURTESY OF FLORIDA FISH & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.

FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, VISIT MYFWC.COM

LAkE SANTA FEAs the season transitions to a winter pattern that includes black crappie, reports have emphasized the early a.m. hours are best. Clear water conditions in the large section help explain an early bite, but tannin-stained waters of the little section might be the place if you’re running late. Water levels throughout the system are suitable to launch any vessel from either boat ramp. As the temperature drops, crappie anglers will try their hand at some of their favorite spots. If new to the lake, begin your search near one of the two FWC fish attractors installed less than a year ago.

SUWANNEE LAkE Water levels are at record depths; however, with the sudden increase, unwanted pop-up vegetated islands have occurred. Additionally, water hyacinth and salvinia cover large sections of this lake and depending on the direction of the wind could make launching a boat difficult. FWC contracted spray crews have been scheduled for vegetation control work. Water color is stained dark from organics. As for fishing this quarter, habitat changes like these can

lead to good fishing. Crayfish imitations and other baits that simulate marshy critters would be good starting choices. Snag-free frogs or black plastic worms would be other likely baits for bass. Black crappie fishing traditionally picks up during this quarter but with deeper water throughout the lake might be harder to locate. Go for the combination of deep water near standing timber or bottom structure visible on sonar.

LAkE WAUBERGSince last quarter’s report, maidencane grass and bank associated brush that was inaccessible to fish is once again flooded. This is providing excellent foraging habitat and cover for all fish. FWC researchers’ micro-wire tagged several thousand 3-inch largemouth bass to monitor the survivability of this tagging method on fish. The preliminary findings are excellent and these fish will soon recruit into the catchable numbers of bass in the lake. An abundant population of black crappie was documented in 2010 by University of Florida researchers; those 9-inch fish then should be slabs by now.

LAkE NEWNANSRecent fish surveys along the east shoreline revealed surviving populations of black crappie, bream and catfish that appear abundant following the drought and low lake levels. Since the water level rise, anglers have made their way to the lake and have returned with decent fishing reports. Anglers may still be able to target the last of bedding bluegill during the full moon in October around the emergent grasses and bulrush. The east shoreline from Powers boat ramp to Hatchet Creek is generally the most productive area, but Palm Point has been a hot spot as well. Also, the crappie catches during the fall months could be an indicator of how successful the winter and spring catches will be. Anglers should also be aware of tagged crappies in Newnans Lake for rewards. If you catch a tagged crappie, call the number below to receive information on how to claim your reward.

SUWANNEE AND SANTA FE RIVERS High water will persist well into this quarter. Historically, when the best fishing occurs is when water levels remain or pass through the cypress root edge. All types of fish utilize this available cover. Catfish will move to these shallower areas after dark. As water color is dark, fish darker-colored soft crayfish baits for Suwannee and largemouth bass. If flow speeds remain high, the use of heavier weighted lures will be required. Three quarter ounce bullet weights are a good starting point for Texas rigged soft plastics. Small crankbaits in either fire tiger or black and silver produced good numbers of redbreast sunfish (red bellies) for an angler recently between Branford and the mouth of the Santa Fe River.

ORANGE LAkEAccess to the lake is still hindered by low levels. Orange Lake is completely inaccessible at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Boat Ramp, and occasionally accessible at the Heagy-Burry Boat Ramp by airboaters. Recent fish surveys revealed depressed fish populations, particularly in largemouth bass. But surviving populations of black crappie and bream were discovered. More thorough surveys will be conducted to determine the management actions needed in Orange Lake once normal water levels return.

47GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

FACT: UF’s statewide outreach includes Cooperative Extension Offices in each of the state’s 67 counties, and 13 Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Research and Education Centers throughout the state.

Coach Will Muschamp is interviewed by ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown, a UF alum, as he

walks off of Florida Field at halftime of the Missouri game. Photo by Curtiss Bryant

Florida’s baseball team was recognized at the end of the first quarter of the Missouri game for making its third consecutive trip to the College World Series. Photo by Wes Hall

A fan holds up a giant cutout of the notorious “Muschamp

Stare.” Photo by Wes Hall

44 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: Gainesville lobbied for the new University of Florida by offering land, money and an agreement to “furnish water to the University without charge.”

GATOR STYLE

SHADES FOR THE ULTIMATE

GATOR FAN

GATORSHADES DRIVE ORANGE $17.99GATORSHADES DRIVE BLUE $19.95GATORSHADES ORANGEGATORSHADES BLACk

More Gatorshades styles can be found at

WWW.GATORSHADES.COM

With the desire to enhance the experience of watching the Florida Gators, a group of sports fans launched Gatorshades in 2009. Located in Gainesville, Fla., Gatorshades seeks to make the game watching experience more unique, whether it be football, baseball, softball or any other sport. Since its founding, this innovative group of sports fans has released a series of unique, but trendy, shades.

45GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012FACT: In 1909, Albert A. Murphree was appointed second president of the University of Florida.

Although it’s said that one should never mess with a classic, Baggo has taken the tailgate pastime to a new and more personal level with their customizable Baggo Beanbag game. Providing the option for a variety of themes, personal messages and Collegiate styles, Baggo’s official bag toss game should be a permanent fixture at any tailgate or outdoor festivity.

Two official, customizable game boards are included. The boards are constructed of blow-molded, lightweight and high-impact polyethyline, which provides lasting durability for years of use. The cotton/polyester heavy-duty poplin beanbags are stuffed with treated unpopped corn and

designed with dual-duty, extra-strength thread. The boards also act as a case to contain all of the pieces included, for easy clean up and transport.

To further enhance your cornhole experience, the Baggo Caddy holds cans or bottles, stores your beanbags between tosses and is attachable to the back of the Baggo board. For the more intense cornhole matches, the Caddy also has a built-in score keeper.

The boards are weather resistant, unlike wood games, and feature a lifetime warranty.

Theme and Custom Baggo $109.95 Official Baggo Caddy 2 Pack $39.99

WWW.BAGGO.COM

BAGGO MASTERS A TAILGATING CLASSIC

CORNHOLIN’

42 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

RECRUITING NOTEBOOk

FACT: From Preview to Commencement, the residence halls to the J. W. Reitz Union, sustainability is evident in the spectrum of experiences and environments students encounter while at UF.

With the regular season over, Florida coach Will Muschamp and his staff will turn their full attention to recruiting.

At press time for this issue, Florida stood at 20 commitments, 21 counting transfer Tyler Moore, after East Mississippi Community College defensive tackle Darious Cummings verbally committed to the Gators following the Jacksonville State game.

With a month-long lull before their bowl game, the Gators’ coaches can now hit the road and have full contact with prospects, including one in-home visit with seniors.

Two of Florida’s biggest targets will be announcing their decision in the first week of December in Georgia Military offensive lineman Trenton Brown and Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips safety Marcell Harris.

If both of those players commit to Florida as expected, the Gators will only have about five spots available for the Class of 2013.

Those spots will be looked to be filled by one more offensive lineman, a defensive tackle, a defensive end, a receiver and

possibly one more linebacker or cornerback depending on who wants in the class.

With the class close to full, it’s also a good time to talk about who will be early enrolling for this class at Florida in January. These prospects will sign in December, enroll in January and joined the team for spring practices.

So far, Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades Day running back Kelvin Taylor, Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast linebacker Daniel McMillian, Clearwater (Fla.) Countryside offensive lineman Tyler Moore, Dade City (Fla.) Pasco defensive lineman Joey Ivie and Cummings have all said they plan to enroll early.

Also three of Florida’s biggest targets also plan to enroll early and they are Georgia Military offensive lineman Trenton Brown, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips safety Marcell Harris and Brooklyn (N.Y.) Thomas Jefferson defensive lineman Ebenezer Ogundeko.

This class is shaping up to be a good one for the Gators and one they will likely rank in the top 3 classes in the nation when it’s all said and done.

GATORS FOOTBALL RECRUITING HEATS UP AT SEASON’S END

FLORIDA’S COACHES

HAVE MORE TIME TO

MEET AND RECRUIT

PROSPECTS Darious Cummings joined Trenton Brown on his official visit during the Nov. 16-18 weekend. Courtesy photo

CLASS OF 2013 VERBAL COMMITMENTS*1) Vernon Hargreaves III CB 5-11 185 Tampa (Fla.) Wharton 2) kelvin Taylor RB 5-11 190 Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades Day3) Daniel McMillian LB 6-2 220 Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast4) Ahmad Fulwood WR 6-4 197 Jacksonville (Fla.) Bishop kenny 5) Caleb Brantley DT 6-3 290 Crescent City (Fla.) High6) Quinton Powell LB 6-2 195 Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland7) Nick Washington DB 6-0 180 Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian8) Alvin Bailey WR 5-11 170 Seffner (Fla.) Armwood9) Jordan Sherit DE 6-5 234 Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough10) keanu Neal S 6-0 200 Bushnell (Fla.) South Sumter11) James Hearns LB 6-2 230 Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln12) Adam Lane RB 5-7 215 Winter Haven (Fla.) High13) Marqui Hawkins WR 6-2 205 Columbus (Ga.) Carver14) Max Staver QB 6-6 238 Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy15) Antonio Riles DE 6-4 262 Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer16) Chris Thompson WR 6-0 210 Gainesville (Fla.) High17) Cameron Dillard OL 6-3 290 Canton (Mich.) High18) Joey Ivie DL 6-4 269 Dade City (Fla.) Pasco19) Octavius Jackson OL 6-4 295 Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County20) Darious Cummings DE 6-3 305 East Mississippi (Scoba, Miss.) CC21) Tyler Moore OL 6-3 310 Clearwater (Fla.) Countryside* *Moore is transferring from a junior college, and is enrolling in January as part of this class. **Verbal commitments non-binding.

VISIT GATORCOUNTRY.COM FOR DAILY RECRUITING UPDATES

BY ANDREW SPIVEY

Trenton Brown strolls the stands during Florida’s

27-0 win against Jacksonville State.

Courtesy Photo

43GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

FACT: Today, UF is one of the five largest universities in the nation, with approximately 50,000 students.

Fans intently watch the Gators’ volleyball match against Texas A&M. Photo by Curtiss Bryant

A pair of fans dance to the music during Florida’s game against South Carolina. Photo by Wes Hall

A fan poses with Albert before Florida’s game against Georgia at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. Photo by Curtiss Bryant

40 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: Until 1947, UF was for men only and was one of only three state universities, Florida State College for Women ( now FSU) and Florida A & M.

CHAMPION TAILGATING

Bubba’s “Best Damn Tailgate Party” is among the best tailgating events in the entire SEC and now Bubba Ennis has proof. The tailgate that sets up before Gators football home games south of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was named the SEC’s Best Tailgate of the Week in early November by Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast and Tony Chachere’s for the SEC in early November. He won a generator and the tailgate was featured on TV.

Gator Country would like to congratulate Bubba and his tailgating crew for the honor while sharing some photos from Bubba’s tailgate on Oct. 20 when the Gators hosted South Carolina. Gator Country partnered with Bubba’s for the event that included all of the usual games and fun as well as live performances by Rion Paige and Jamie Davis, a pair of recording artists from Florida.

BUBBA’S TAILGATE AMONG BEST IN SEC

PHOTOS BY MIkE CAPSHAW

41GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012FACT: The early UF campus consisted of three buildings: a storage facility and two dormitories, Buckman Hall and Thomas Hall.

CHAMPION TAILGATING

TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY OF THIS EVENT VISITwww.photos.gatorcountry.com

38 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

FACT: The Shands family also includes two specialty hospitals, Shands Rehab Hospital and Shands Vista behavioral health; a network of outpatient rehabilitations centers; and two home-health agencies.

A young Gator gets to walk on the field before the

Gators’ game against South Carolina. Photo by Wes Hall

The UF student section gets wild for Florida’s game against LSU. Photo by Wes Hall

39GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012FACT: UF’s statewide outreach includes Cooperative Extension Offices in each of the state’s 67 counties, and 13 Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Research and Education Centers throughout the state.

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

A young fan sports some of the hippest Gators’ gear available during the Missouri game. Photo by John Parady

One of the students shows her “Gator Roar.” Photo by Wes Hall

A sign during the Florida’s game against South Carolina mentioned UF’s former coach Steve Spurrier, whose Gamecocks were hammered 44-11 in The Swamp.

36 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

AROUND THE SWAMP

FACT: After moving to Gainesville, East Florida Seminary was later consolidated with the state’s land-grant Florida Agricultural College in Lake City.

VOLLEYBALLSporting a 17–1 league record, the No. 16 Gators won their 20th SEC Championship under coach Mary Wise after sweeping LSU and South Carolina to close their regular season home schedule. Florida will look to gain a high seed with its conference title in tow for the NCAA Tournament, which begins Dec. 7–8.

Wise was named the SEC Coach of the Year while Chloe Mann, who’s from Gainesville, was named the SEC Player of the Year and Ziva Recek was the SEC Freshman of the Year.

TENNISFlorida’s women’s team had a strong finish to its fall season with Sofie Oyen advancing to the semifinals of the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships on Nov. 9. Two days later, Carolina Hitimana advanced to the finals of the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic before falling to Memphis’ Liza Tymchenko.

The Gators’ men’s team wrapped up its fall slate with Florent Diep winning a singles title at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Championships before losing in the consolation round of the national indoor championships on Nov. 11. The same day, UF’s doubles pairing of Billy Federhofer and Gordon Watson won the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic.

CROSS COUNTRYThe Florida women’s team finished its season by placing 23rd at the NCAA Championships held Nov. 17 in Louisville, Ky. Senior Florence Ngetich led the Gators with a 6K run of 20:24.6 that landed her in 54th-place overall. Ngetich previously helped Florida win an SEC title on Oct. 6 with a second-place finish.

On the men’s side, junior Mark Parrish and sophomore Jimmy Clark were the only Gators to qualify for the national race. Competing as individuals, Parrish finished 174th overall with Clark close behind in 196th place.

SOCCERThe Gators had their season end on Nov. 18 in a 2-0 loss to Notre Dame at home in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.

Florida entered the NCAA Round of 16 fresh off its 10th SEC Tournament title after beating Auburn 3–0 on Nov. 4.

Senior Erika Tymrak was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, while fellow midfielder Holly King took home the league’s top defensive honors. Florida coach Becky Burleigh was also named the SEC’s Coach of the Year.

SWIMMING AND DIVINGAfter winning its home invitational, the Florida men’s swimming team reeled off four straight dual meet victories against Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Florida State to rise to a No. 2 ranking in the country.

The No. 11 UF women’s team, meanwhile, placed third at Oct. 20’s SMU Classic before dropping three of its four dual meets.

GOLFThe Florida women’s team closed the fall season on Oct. 30 with its second overall team title at the Betsy Rawls Invitational. The Gators also had their fourth straight individual match champion in sophomore Camilla Hedberg, who won the invitational in a playoff with Alabama’s Jennifer Kirby.

On the men’s side, Florida finished the year on a disappointing note after settling for sixth place at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational on Oct. 23. Senior T.J. Vogel, who also finished tied for sixth individually, led the Gators.

COMPILED BY JOHN BOOTHE

ALL-SPORTS NOTEBOOk

Junior Chloe Mann of Gainesville was named the SEC Player of the Year. Photo by Curtiss Bryant

Florida’s women’s cross country team finished 23rd nationally. Photo by Ben Cornfield

Junior Sofie Oyen of Leopoldsburg, Belgium, advanced to the semifinals USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships on Nov. 9. Photo by Jack Lewis

Senior Erika Tymrak of Brandenton, Fla., was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Photo by

Mike Capshaw

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34

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: In Women’s Outdoor Track & Field, the SEC was well represented at the NCAA Championships with a total of eight teams including LSU’s third-place finish.

35FACT: In Volleyball, the SEC sent six teams to the NCAA Tournament, marking the 21st straight year of sending at least two teams to NCAA postseason play GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

32 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

FACT: UF now houses 19 LEED certified buildings. All new campus buildings must meet LEED Gold Standards.

Gator Country was granted an all-access pass to see what it was like behind the scenes when ESPN College GameDay came to Gainesville for Florida’s game against South Carolina on Oct. 20.

GC’s Mike Capshaw was there with camera in hand to capture the atmosphere surrounding the event. Of course, there were dozens of creative signs held up by Gators fans, many of which showed up before daylight that Saturday morning.

Former Gators and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ryan Lochte was the “guest picker” at the end of the show. He joined the crew of Samantha Steele, Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler, Desmond Howard and David Pollack, among others. Lee Corso donned Albert’s head and held up an albino gator after picking Florida to win, which it did 44-11.

GC’S ALL-ACCESS PASS FOR GAMEDAY

PHOTOS BY MIkE CAPSHAW

33GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012FACT: UF is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belongs to the Association of American Universities.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

That’s why Donovan explained keeping Yeguete in the starting lineup was more of an “appreciation for what Will has done,” rather than an indictment on Wilbekin.

Yeguete played sparingly as a true freshman out of the Florida Air Academy in Melbourne. Originally from Bourdeaux, France, Yeguete’s game was raw through his first two seasons, although he still contributed.

He had 15 rebounds in a game against North Carolina A&T in 2010, the most for a Florida freshman since Al Horford had 18 against Alabama in 2005.

Despite scoring a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while filling in for an injured Murphy against Stetson last season, Donovan joked about Yeguete missing a couple of layups in the game.

“He’s really one of our better defenders,” Donovan said last season. “He’s clearly one of our better rebounders. He’s just got to get better with the ball, making decisions.”

This season, he has been much better

with the ball in his hands. That was evident from the opening tip of 2012. During an exhibition win against Nebraska-Kearney, he shot 8 of 10 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the free throw line to finish with 20 points. He also grabbed a game-high 11 of his team’s 32 rebounds.

One of Yeguete’s buckets showed exactly how much his offensive game has evolved. Using the 18 pounds of muscle he added in the offseason, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Yeguete backed his defender into the paint. He turned quickly to his left for a jump hook and got a shooter’s roll to fall through the net.

“He’s made a big improvement from last year,” Young said. “He doesn’t get pushed around at all anymore. He’s made his presence very known, especially in the post offensively and defensively.

“It’s really hard to push that guy anywhere anymore.”

The humble Yeguete admits he has noticed his improved play as well. Since arriving at Florida in 2010, he’s gained 30 pounds and tons of confidence, which is what he says is the difference.

“I want to say I’m more confident,” Yeguete said. “Because I’m obviously a year older, and that helps a lot. Knowing what to do. I’ll even talk to the younger guys because I’ve been through that. I just feel like the extra year has helped me a lot.”

Yeguete averaged 6.3 rebounds and 4.4 points per game last season while shooting 58.1 percent from the field with most of his shots coming from close range. He played in 26 games, making 10 starts, but missed the final nine games of the season after fracturing a bone in his left foot. He played in 31 games as a true freshman, but averaged just five minutes per game in the NCAA tournament. He never even came off the bench in the season-ending loss against Butler.

Through this season’s first five games, Yeguete was third on the team with an average 28.2 minutes per game. He would have played more had the Gators not blown out opponents by an average of nearly 24 points per game.

He’s averaging 6.8 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds while adding six steals. He led the team with eight points on 4 of 5 shooting and four rebounds before the Gators’ season opener against Georgetown was cancelled at halftime due to condensation on the court, so those statistics did not count.

Despite his change offensively,

Yeguete’s defensive-minded approach remains unchanged.

“I think we improved defensively throughout the summer,” Yeguete said. “I think we can be a really good defensive team because you cannot always rely on your offense. You’re not always going to be able to shoot the ball great, so we want to play good defense.”

Barring another injury, Yeguete will finally get the opportunity to contribute heavily in the postseason. The Gators were eliminated in the Elite Eight the past two seasons, but Yeguete’s improved play and added muscle may be just enough for the team to push through to the Final Four.

“He’s going to have a great year,” Boynton said. “I think he looks great. We definitely need a consistent effort out of him. That will make our team better.”

ON THE RISEWILL YEGUETE’S STATISTICS:Season PPG RPG MINS2010–11 1.3 2.6 7.12011–12 4.4 6.3 21.92012–13* 6.8 7.8 28.2*Through five games, all starts.

30 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: In 1905, Sledd is chosen to be the first president of the new University of the State of Florida.

ON THE RISE

28 GATOR COUNTRY | NOV/2012 FACT: In 1904, Andrew Sledd was selected as the president of the University of Florida at Lake City.

BY MIkE CAPSHAWPHOTOS BY JOHN PARADY

GATORS YEGUETE GOINGJUNIOR FORWARD ADDS MUSCLE, OFFENSE TO HIS GAMEWill Yeguete be the difference maker?The Gators’ forward did not contribute much in either of the past two postseasons, but he may help Florida finally get over the Elite Eight hump this season.

A different Yeguete is why he can make a difference. The junior is playing with loads of confidence and is the most improved player on the team. He already was a huge asset as a defender and rebounder, but now he has added scoring to his game.

“He’s always been a great defensive player,” said senior guard Kenny Boynton. “His arms are so long he gets steals all of the time … When you’re going against him in practice you cannot (even try) to crossover (dribble) because it’s going to be a steal. He’s a ball hawk on defense.

“I think he’s done a great job of working on his offensive game and that’s why he’s better.”

Yeguete makes the players around him better by being a leader both vocally and by example with his aggressive play. He clearly enjoys the game. He flashes a wide smile underneath his “faux hawk” haircut while regularly using words like “exciting” in his French accent to describe each game.

He wasn’t named a starter before the season, but Yeguete has given the Gators a jumpstart to start the season 5-0. The original plan was for Yeguete to be that come-off-the-bench-sixth-man spark. At press time, he had started every game after switching positions when projected starting point guard Scottie Wilbekin was suspended for the first two games for violating team rules.

Even after Wilbekin returned, coach Billy Donovan kept Yeguete in a “big” starting lineup with Patric Young, Erik Murphy, Mike Rosario and Boynton.

“There needs to be a level appreciation for a guy like Will Yeguete, who has basically got put into a very, very difficult situation with Scottie’s suspension,” Donovan said. “He has to learned a different position. He has to go out there and play two different positions.

“Will Yeguete has performed and played well himself.”

29

ON THE RISE

FACT: In 1947, the UF student body numbered 8,177 men and 601 women. GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

26 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

PRO FORECAST

FACT: UF had over 29,000 applicants for fall 2011

NFL DRAFT PROJECTION HAS GATORS HIGHLY RATEDIt is getting that time of the year where fans all across the country start talking about which players will be drafted by an NFL team.

Not only are fans worried about replacing the seniors on the team, but more importantly, which underclassmen prospects will decide to forgo the remainder of their college career.

A player must be three years out of high school in order to enter the NFL Draft in April.

CBSSports.com recently posted its top NFL prospects

including the underclassmen and Florida had an impressive twelve guys made the list.

Now this list doesn’t necessarily mean that a prospect will go pro, it just shows where he would potentially rank on draft boards.

The first player making the list for the Gators is junior defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. At 6-foot-3, 303-pounds, Floyd is a prototypical NFL defensive tackle, which is why he is projected to go in the first or second rounds.

While Floyd’s stats don’t

show it, he has had a good year for the Gators with 41 tackles, six quarterback hurries and a blocked kicked.

Junior safety Matt Elam is the second Florida player on the list and is also ranked as the top strong safety in this year’s class. He is projected to go in the second round.

The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Elam has 65 tackles, including a sack, and a team-high four interceptions on the year.

Florida junior tight end Jordan Reed is the third Gators player on the list. The 6-foot-3,

243-pound Reed is projected to be drafted in the third round and is the third-ranked tight end in 2013.

Reed is currently leading Florida with 44 catches and has 552 yards receiving including three touchdowns.

Junior linebacker Jelani Jenkins is also projected to be third-round draft pick. The 6-foot, 237-pound Jenkins is the ninth-ranked linebacker.

Jenkins has missed some time this year with a broken thumb and a hamstring problem but still has 29 tackles, including

AS MANY AS 12 FLORIDA PLAYERS COULD BE SELECTED IN APRILJordan Reed

BY ANDREW SPIVEY, PHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANT

27GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

PRO FORECAST

FACT: In 2011, 34 percent of UF entering students were in the top five of their class.

two sacks, on the year.Offensive tackles are a big

need in the NFL and the Gators have senior Xavier Nixon, who is a four-year starter for Florida.

The 6-foot-5, 314-pound Nixon is rated as the 10th offensive tackle selected in the draft and is projected to be a third-or fourth-round draft pick.

Rounding out the third round for the Gators is senior running back Mike Gillislee, who is rated as the ninth-best running back in 2013. He is also projected to be a third-or fourth-round draft pick.

Gillislee has 1,104 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns this season on an impressive 4.7 yards per carry.

Junior defensive tackle Dominique Easley has been banged up with knee problems but is still projected to be a fourth-round draft pick. He is rated as the 13th defensive tackle selected in the draft.

On the year, Easley has 21 tackles and four sacks in limited playing time.

Starting senior free safety Josh Evans is ranked as the ninth-best free safety. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Evans is a fifth-round draft pick.

Evans leads Florida in

tackles with 79 on the year and has 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.

A fifth-to sixth-round draft pick is where senior linebacker Lerentee McCray is projected to be drafted. CBSSport.com rates him as the 19th-best outside linebacker in this class.

McCray has played in 11 games this season and has 23 tackles, two sacks and one interception for the Gators’ defense.

Florida’s second linebacker in this draft is senior Jonathan Bostic. The 6-foot-1, 246-pound Bostic is projected to be a fifth- to sixth-round draft pick and is rated as the eighth-best linebacker in the class.

Rounding out the mock draft for Florida is senior kicker Caleb Sturgis, who is the second-best kicker in the class. Sturgis is projected to be seventh-round draft pick.

Sturgis has hit 23 field goals this year, including three from 50 yards or longer, and has a season-long of 51 yards.

One of Florida’s unsung heroes this year is senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter, who is projected to be a seventh-round draft pick or a rookie free agent in April.

Sharrif Floyd

Jelani Jenkins

22 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

MOVING ON

FACT: UF traces its roots to 1853 when the state-funded East Florida Seminary took over the kingsbury Academy in Ocala.

The difference is night and day.For a callow freshman, the liberation out

of the cramped tunnel into the rapturous sea of orange and blue-clad maniacs is preceded by intense seconds of being bottled up next to teammates which they have spent incalculable hours with during their first sweltering summer in Gainesville.

There’s been tales of near-hyperventilation for some first-timers, as they walk down the same path as the former greats of which they were told they’d fill the vacant shoes of. As the “Jaws”-themed intro video revs up, and the ebullient roar leaks from the crowd into the enclosed space in the south end zone, the freshmen take the field with their band of teammates, ready to bring hell to the poor souls who dared to crawl out of the visiting locker room.

As a seasoned senior, the last time out of that very same tunnel is a lonely affair.

One by one, the veterans file out of the

tunnel, the atmosphere a little less chaotic and a little more reserved. As they take their final trot through the Florida band onto the soft grass, the memories of the days and games gone by surely flood into their minds.

The respectful tone of the crowd as each player takes his moment in the sun allows for a short window of remembrance – the highs and lows of a career. And there is perhaps no senior class in recent memory that has more peaks and valleys to reflect on than the one who made their final gallop onto Florida Field against Jacksonville State.

Despite bunching to form classes full of “can’t-miss” prospects, there is no doubt the group which led the Gators both on and off the field this season was not one of stars, but survivors.

The majority of this group of seniors comes from the 2008 and 2009 signing classes, groups which signed on to what was at the time, the hottest program in college

SENIOR CLASS ACTFANS BID FAREWELL TO A GROUP OF SPECIAL SENIORS

BY ALEX GRAY PHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANT, WES HALL AND JOHN PARADY

JAMES WILSON

OMARIUS HINES

24 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

CRUCIAL IN THE CLUTCH

FACT: In the 2000s, 42 Gators were picked in the NFL draft.

GATORS SPEEDSTER OFTEN PUTS HIMSELF

IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO MAkE THE BIG PLAY

BY PHILLIP HEILMANPHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANT

Loucheiz Purifoy blew by the up-back to block a punt that Jelani Jenkins returned for a game-

winning touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette.

PURIFOY THE PLAYMAkER

25GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

CRUCIAL IN THE CLUTCH

FACT: In the 2012 Olympics, the Gator women and men, together, brought home 21 medals, more than Canada and Spain.

With Florida’s game against Louisiana-Lafayette hanging in the balance and overtime creeping closer, special teams coach DJ Durkin called ‘Black.’

And with that, it was lights out for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Loucheiz Purifoy, as he has become accustomed to doing this season, came through with a game-changing play. This one, in fact, won the game.

With 13 seconds remaining in a tied game, Lafayette chose to play for overtime and punt the ball back to the Gators. Purifoy had other ideas.

The speedster once clocked running a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash burst around the end and was nothing more than a blur for the helpless Ragin’ Cajun who was supposed to be blocking him.

As he charged forward, he lifted his arm and blocked the punt. It ricocheted into the waiting arms of linebacker Jelani Jenkins, who returned it for a touchdown with just two ticks left on the game clock.

A crowd that began the day expecting a blowout erupted into delirium as Jenkins and a cavalry of Gators crossed the plane.

“In all my years of playing football, I’ve never seen a touchdown like that,” said junior defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd after the game. “I went ballistic.”

Entering his sophomore season, Purifoy admitted he

had hesitations about donning a Florida Gators jersey with the No. 15 on the front and back.

The recent legacy of the number places high expectations on those who wear it. Purifoy didn’t think he had done enough to earn it.

“I didn’t really want it,” he said. Now, he plans to keep it.

The 6-foot-1 cornerback has excelled for the Gators this season. Through the middle of November, he was fourth on the team with 43 tackles.

His play has helped entrench him in the starting lineup defensively and on special teams. His athleticism has even gotten him a cameo in some offensive sets.

There isn’t much the Pensacola native hasn’t done for the Gators this season.

“He’s a fantastic player,” Gators coach Will Muschamp said. “A guy that’s really developed. We saw it coming his freshman year, but it’s not add water, instant player.”

Though Purifoy had a minimal impact his freshman year, he spent the time learning from upperclassmen who were having success for the Gators.

In particular, Purifoy noted former Gator Chris Rainey as a veteran who took him under his wing and taught him how to play the game.

Purifoy joked he “ain’t Chris Rainey,” but the tutelage is having an impact.

Like Rainey, Purifoy is developing a knack for creating big plays. Through10 games, he led the Gators in forced fumbles and blocked kicks with two apiece – numbers Rainey himself would be proud to own.

“I just watched him a lot,” Purifoy said of Rainey. “Kind of like my older brother. I looked up to him. Once you watch somebody that long [and] you play on the same team as him, you kind of take after him.”

Watch out for the ‘Black.’

PLAYMAkERTHE DATE: NOV. 3, 2012

The Situation: Gators locked in a 20-all tie against Louisiana-Lafayette. Thirteen seconds remain in regulation.

The Play: Using his 4.38 speed, Purifoy bursts past the Lafayette punt protection with a sly head fake and speeds toward the punter. At the last second, his hand lifts to the side and blocks the punt. Chaos ensues. Gators win.

23GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

MOVING ON

FACT: In 1905, by legislative action, the Florida Agricultural College became a university and was moved to Gainesville.

football. However, rather than being the ones who continued to carry the torch for a front-running program, they found their classes – not necessarily themselves in particular – as scapegoats for the beginning of the downfall of the Florida dynasty.

Both classes were hit hard by attrition, but some have pointed to the number of busts as direct examples of perceived laziness by the previous coaching regime on the recruiting trail. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any collegiate program, and for the Gators, their well was certainly beginning to run dry. For the remaining players of those classes, the road to glory was a lot rockier than they anticipated as hotshot high schoolers – both on and off the field.

For James Wilson, who actually came began at UF in 2007, it was an injury-plagued career for the must have five-star offensive lineman which rendered him useless for all but two years of his six year stint.

The impossible bestowment as essentially the defensive equalizer to arguably the greatest offensive player in Florida history on Omar Hunter did nothing but render him as a disappointment in the eyes of some fans.

An embarrassing booze-fueled cruise down one of campus’ most popular streets for students – and patrol cars – led to a late-night drunken arrest for Frankie Hammond Jr., which nearly forced him out of school.

Kicker Caleb Sturgis’ injury in 2010 not only kept him out of action for nearly the entire year, but also severely impacted the fortune of the team, who was perhaps a strong field-goal kicker away from an extra two or three victories.

Running back Mike Gillislee spent his first three seasons in Gainesville forlorn on the uncomfortable aluminum benches of the Florida sideline, desperately waiting for his number to finally be called.

Aside from the personal issues of this

class was the sinking of the program under their watch. The 2008 newcomers received national championship rings at the end of their inaugural seasons. Those from 2009 were a part of a team which only lost one game. However, the next two years brought a combined 11 losses, more than the previous five seasons combined.

They endured a coaching change and a change in philosophy, as well as the dramatic decrease of fan expectations and support.

However, it was not the 2010 and 2011 seasons which showed the talent and character of this group of seniors. It was this season. It’s 11–1 which is a more appropriate representation of what this senior class was capable of and now what they have done – leading what is only the fifth team in Florida history to finish out the season with at least 11 victories.

Some expected their farewell tour to be filled with the same misery and misfortune as the last two seasons. With many questioning the ability to get a program back on track in only the second year of a reclamation project, and a schedule filled with upward-trending teams such as Texas A&M and Tennessee – not to mention top-10 foes LSU, Georgia and South Carolina – 2012 was expected to be another year wrapped with caution tape, an ongoing construction site with Muschamp acting as the hot-headed foreman.

Instead, the seasoned group of vets spearheaded a program change by turning in the best individual performances of each of their careers.

Both Wilson and Hunter have turned into more than reliable forces in their posts on the line of scrimmage, flashing the talent which made them both coveted jewels by every college coach in America.

That arrest for Hammond is but a blip on the radar as the fifth year senior fought not only to earn back his scholarship after having it rescinded, but to become a reliable outside threat, making a handful of game-

breaking plays this season, as well as becoming a dependable team leader.

After being a Lou Groza Award finalist last season, Sturgis has emerged as quite possibly the best kicker in the nation again this year. Gillislee became a household name in SEC circles, as he ran through and around some of the best defenses the conference has to offer.

This is all without mentioning the All-SEC caliber year that Jon Bostic turned in this season, or the play of Lerentee McCray and Josh Evans, both of which who could hear their names called in April’s NFL Draft.

And along with their personal table-turning performances, came a program-changing season for the Gators, as a team which had to scrap to finish above .500 last season ended 2012 with only one mark, and some questioning if this isn’t indeed the nation’s best team.

While the 2010 and 2011 seasons left the waters of The Swamp unusually murky, 2012 has cleared the path for definite years of smooth sailing.

And for the seniors, they leave Gainesville with the chance to end their careers the way most of them started – earning a victory in a BCS bowl game.

Leaving the program in better shape than they found it would have been an arduous task, but this group has laid the foundation for a bright future in Gainesville. It may not have always been pretty this year, but the crew of veterans has helped to shape the team into the one which head coach Will Muschamp envisioned upon his arrival.

While it may seem crazy now with all of the bright years ahead, his second group of seniors may go down as his most important.

On paper, this collective group may not be the most talented or the most memorable to many Gators fans, but Gator Nation owes a huge debt to this senior class.

They may go down as the reason it came back to life.

OMAR HUNTER JON BOSTIC

20 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

1) UF men’s basketball team’s inaugural season took place when?a) 1912 b) 1915c) 1917 d) 1920

2) What year did the UF men’s basketball team reach their first NCAA Final Four?a) 1993 b) 1997c) 1994 d) 1999

3) What team beat UF in their first Final Four appearance?a) Indianab) Kentuckyc) Michigand) Duke

4) What future NBA star played on the 1987 men’s basketball team when the Gators made a run in the Sweet Sixteen?a) Joakim Noahb) Jason Williamsc) Andrew Declercqd) Vernon Maxwell

5) What coach did Billy Donovan replace when he joined the program.a) Lon Krugerb) Matt McCallc) John Pelphreyd) Norm Roberts

6) What team did Billy Donovan coach before he came to UF?a) Penn Stateb) Marshallc) Auburnd) Syracuse

7) What future NBA star left Marshall with Donovan to play at UF?a) Mike Millerb) Matt Bonnerc) Udonis Haslemd) Jason Williams

8) When did the UF men’s basketball team win their first national title?a) 2007 b) 2005c) 2008 d) 2006

9) The 2005-2006 men’s basketball team gave UF it’s best start in school history. What was their win-loss record?a) 16–1 b) 17–0c) 18–0 d) 17–1

10) Who did the Gators defeat to win their second national title?a) UCLA Bruinsb) Ole Missc) Ohio State Buckeyesd) Oregon

11) What NBA team did Billy Donovan agree to coach, only to ask to be freed from the contract?a) Detroit Pistonsb) Boston Celticsc) Los Angeles Clippersd) Orlando Magic

12) Despite having a young team, the Gators were able to still make the NCAA tournament in 2008 and 2009.a) True b) False

13) What team eliminated the Gators in the quarter-final game of the NIT in 2009?a) Ohio State b) Penn Statec) North Carolinad) Oregon

14) In 2012, Florida made it to what round of the tournament?a) Sweet Sixteenb) Elite Eightc) Final Fourd) Championship game

FACT: Today, UF is one of the most comprehensive and academically diverse universities in the nation.

TEST YOUR HOOPS kNOWLEDGEANSWER kEY:1–B, 2–C, 3–D, 4–D, 5–A, 6–B, 7–D, 8–D, 9–B, 10–C, 11–D, 12–B, 13–B, 14–B

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21GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS REVIEW

FACT: UF has more than 120 master’s degree programs, more than 90 doctoral degree programs

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THE PREP ZONE INSIDERIt was another banner year for high school athletes and programs in North Central Florida this fall. And, we’re not done yet.

The Buchholz (Gainesville) girls’ golf team of Jessica Thomas, Chelsea Stilwell, Gaby Amos, Kathryn Gagnon and Alyson Hollingsworth helped lead the program to their second consecutive top-five finish. The Bobcats, who finished third a year ago, shot a two-day total of 675 to finish fourth at the FHSAA Golf Finals in October.

Two weeks later, at the FHSAA Swimming & Diving Finals in Orlando, junior Wesley Olmsted of Eastside (Gainesville) won the 2A state title in the 50-yard freestyle with an automatic All-American time of 20.73.

Olmsted also finished second with an automatic All-American time of 49.07 in the 100-yard butterfly, the same event which sophomore Hannah Burns of

Columbia (Lake City) won with an automatic All-American time of 2:00.82 for her second state title in as many years.

Meanwhile, the Gainesville relay team of Ben Borgert, Cameron Guy, Parker Basting and Alex Bungert finished second in the Boys’ 200-yard medley, with Brandon Parramore contributing to the team’s second-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle, leading the defending state champion Hurricanes to another top-five finish.

Borgert finished second in the 200-yard IM (1:51.37) and third in the 100-yard backstroke (50.84) as GHS finished third overall.

Vanguard (Ocala) (20–9) won Marion County’s first-ever high school volleyball state title last month.

The top-ranked Knights, who actually won 28 of their 29 matches but had to forfeit their first eight wins because of using an ineligible

player, defeated Fort Myers and St. Augustine in back-to-back five-game matches to claim the FHSAA Class 6A title. They ended the season by winning their final 24 matches.

Two years ago, the Lafayette (Mayo) volleyball team had no playoff victories.

But the Hornets (25–0) defeated Liberty County in three sets in mid-November to capture their second straight Class 1A state title.

Buchholz and St. Francis Catholic (27–5), which was looking for its first-ever state title in any sport, both represented Gainesville by advancing to the FHSAA Volleyball Finals. But the Bobcats (27–6) lost a five-set thriller in the Class 7A semifinals to nationally-ranked Venice, while the Wolves lost in the 3A state final to Clearwater Central Catholic, 3–2.

Then, at the FHSAA Cross Country Finals, the Eagles of Oak Hall (Gainesville) finally broke through and won their first state title after finishing as state runners-up the previous two seasons.

They were led by seventh-grader Grace Blair, who finished sixth overall with a time of 18:58.76.

Buchholz, Gainesville and Eastside’s high school football teams all qualified for the postseason together for the first time since 1998. It was a great start to the playoffs for a 5–5 Buchholz team, which had one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, winning 10–7 in overtime at unbeaten and 2011 7A finalist, First Coast (Jacksonville), in Week #1.

Up next, the FHSAA Football Finals in Orlando (Dec. 7–8 & 14–15) and a chance for North Central Florida to end the fall with yet another state champion.

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SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

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Fans do the Gator Chomp during the South Carolina game. Photo by Wes Hall

A young fan shows her team spirit before heading into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to watch the South Carolina game. Photo by Wes Hall

Albert high-fives fans during Florida’s game against Missouri. Photo by John Parady

19

BUILDING TRUST

GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012FACT: UF’s Institute on Aging is home to one of only 10 Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers nationally.

When redshirt senior Mike Rosario transferred to Florida following two seasons at Rutgers, he was expected to bring sharp shooting and energy off the bench.

Instead, he only brought headaches for coach Billy Donovan.

The mercurial guard played in 31 games last season for the Gators, averaging just 6.6 points per contest on 43 percent shooting. Rosario quickly fell out of favor with Donovan and was barely a factor for much of the season.

“He provided nothing for our team because he was never responsible, never accountable and wasn’t reliable,” Donovan said.

Rosario’s inconsistencies were not limited to his actions on the court.

In February, he missed 10 days with a hip pointer. Donovan chided Rosario publicly for his delay, saying his daughter could have recovered from the injury in a timelier manner than his player.

This season, Donovan has seen a different Rosario.

In an early season encounter with No. 22 Wisconsin, Rosario scored 15 points and was actively engaged defensively, something

that was rarely seen a season ago. He helped the Gators to a comfortable

74–56 victory, the type of win that will hold weight when Florida likely vies for an NCAA Tournament berth in March.

Donovan said Rosario’s transformation began when he decided to accept the fact he needed coaching.

“Unlike a year ago, when you corrected him and he had all the answers and the solutions to everything – the world, politics, all the solutions – right now he’s actually listening; he’s coachable,” Donovan said.

“I think he’s in a good place. I’m proud of him.”

Coach and player have developed a unique relationship in the couple of years Rosario has called Gainesville home.

Although some coaches would have given up on the project Rosario turned out to be, Donovan has embraced the opportunity. Despite Rosario’s flaws, Donovan said the two have a positive relationship.

“I love dealing with him because it’s complete confrontation, and it’s chaotic,” Donovan said. “I really have enjoyed coaching him. I like Mike. He’s a great kid.”

Rosario said he understands what his role on this team is. Unlike his time in high school and at Rutgers, he is not being asked to shoulder the offensive load on a nightly basis.

Instead, he is asked to be aggressive when necessary and a leader the rest of the team can count on.

“I know in the long run coach needs me to be that leader and step up,” Rosario said. “I’m just preparing myself for any challenge to come during the season.

“I feel like I have done a good job of that.”Though Donovan agrees Rosario has

done a good job of doing the things the coaching staff has asked of him early in the season, he wants to see it carry through for the rest of the season.

The relationship continues to be a tenuous one, but Donovan slowly has learned to trust Rosario.

“He’s one of those guys where you give him an inch and he’s trying to take a yard,” Donovan said. It’s a battle every day, but I think I’ve gotten him to a place because collectively the two of us have understood the things he needs to do and how he needs to act.

“I really have enjoyed coaching him.”

ROSARIO STEADYING FOR GATORSTHE REDSHIRT SENIOR IS LOOkING TO EARN TRUST OF COACHES AND TEAMMATES

BY PHILLIP HEILMANPHOTOS BY JOHN PARADY

VITAL STATSHeight: 6-foot-3Class: redshirt seniorHometown: Jersey City, N.J.Weight: 183 poundsExperience: 1LFormer school: Rutgers

16 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

FOOTBALL WRAP-UP

FACT: UF classes began September 26, 1906, with 102 male students.

BACk ON THE MAPGATORS kNOCk ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DOOR DURING AN 11-1 REGULAR SEASON

BY MIkE CAPSHAW

Florida finished about two yards and a two-point conversion shy of a chance to play for a national championship.

Second-year Gators coach Will Muschamp guided his team to an 11–1 regular season and a spot in a BCS Bowl game. It’s the fifth time a team has won 11 games in school history.

A 17–9 setback against Georgia serves as the spoiler of a perfect season. The game was played Oct. 27 at Jacksonville’s EverBank Field and the Gators made countless, careless errors.

The last one didn’t cost them the game, but it is the one many will look back on the most because it came in the closing seconds.

Down eight points, quarterback Jeff Driskel engineered a drive with his team needing a touchdown and a two-point conversion to send the “War for the Oar” into overtime.

Driskel completed a short pass to Jordan Reed, who bolted toward the end zone. A pair of Bulldogs, including Jarvis Jones, closed in as Reed approached the end zone. The 6-foot-3 tight end jumped from the five-yard line to try to hurdle the defenders, but Jones knocked the ball loose from behind, resulting in a UGA fumble recovery.

Muschamp credited Reed’s effort for trying to make a play for his team, and chastised critics for questioning the play.

“It’s easy to sit and criticize when you’re sitting in the stands. Get in the arena and play.” Muschamp said two days later.

Still, Florida put together a remarkable season loaded with thrilling come-from-behind victories that showed the mettle of a team few gave much of a chance heading into the season.

“We knew the rules of engagement at the beginning of the season. I’m not one that’s going to sit there and complain about it. It is what it is. We had our opportunity in Jacksonville and we didn’t get it done. That’s our fault and nobody else’s.

“We should have won the game.”Muschamp said during his preseason

17GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

FOOTBALL WRAP-UP

FACT: UF is Florida’s oldest and largest university.

press conference how the Gators needed to start fast and they did, peaking at No. 2 in the BCS standings with a 7–0 record heading into the Georgia game. He talked about needing to improve in turnover margin after finishing 113th in the country in 2011. He talked about how his team had led the SEC in penalties and going 15–11 over the previous two seasons. He talked about needing to “finish better” after being outscored 72–22 in the second half of games in 2011.

“I told our players, (and) we just got done with a team meeting – 1,511 at the University of Florida, we need to quit talking and start playing,” Muschamp said on Aug. 2. “At the end of the day, just get on the field and play.”

Each of those talking points resulted in a dramatic turnaround in 2012, with the exception of penalties, where the Gators finished dead last in the SEC again (and tied for 108th nationally) with an average of 66.4 penalty yards per game.

The Gators won the turnover battle, finishing the regular season tied for fifth in the country with a +17 turnover margin.

Moreover, they finished strong in games by outscoring opponents 115–29 in the fourth quarter. They capped it off with a 24-point fourth quarter to rally from behind for a 37–26 victory against Florida State and its No. 1 defense in the nation in the regular season finale.

In its second season under Dan Quinn, the defense thrived, finishing in the top-10 in total defense for the second straight year. The Gators played with the mindset that there was no one star on defense, but that the star was the entire defense. Some of the standouts were defensive linemen Shariff Floyd, Dominque Easley, Omar Hunter and Lerentee McCray, linebackers Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins and defensive backs Marcus Roberson, Josh Evans, Loucheiz Purifoy and Matt Elam.

In keeping with that mindset, that’s pretty much the entire starting defense. They benefitted greatly from the play of true freshman Dante Fowler Jr., Jonothan Bullard and Antonio Morrison.

“I’ll put them up against anybody,” Muschamp said of the defense, which was fifth nationally in total defense heading into the bowl game. “They are a group that really plays well together. They understand the team concept and how to compliment each other.”

Offensively, Driskel played well behind

an improved offensive line led by Jonnothan Harrison and Jon Halapio. They opened holes for senior running back Mike Gillslee, who had cleared 1,100-yards rushing heading into the bowl game. He became the first Gators player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season since Ciatrick Fason in 2004. Partial credit for Gillislee’s season also goes to fullback Hunter Joyer, whose bruising blocks often were the ones to spring Gilly free.

The receiving corps received had its critics, but the steady play of pass catchers such as Reed, Frankie Hammond Jr., Quinton Dunbar and Omarius Hines cannot be overlooked. The group also was unsung heroes with their strong downfield blocking, which also helped Gillislee gained so many extra yards. There also was Trey Burton provide a change of pace while taking direct snaps out of the Wildcat formation.

Special teams were as strong as any in

UF history as the team came up with four blocked kicks. Reliable kicker Caleb Sturgis passed Jeff Chandler in career field goals made while Kyle Christy’ booming punts allowed for gunners Purifoy and Chris Johnson plenty of time to pin opponents’ offensive deep in their own territory.

Muschamp regularly said he wouldn’t trade Sturgis and Christy for anyone in the country, and the duo lived up to that hype as both were among three finalists for national postseason awards at their respective positions.

All in all, 2012 was the season that put the Gators back on the national map. The fact the Gators came oh-so close to a perfect regular season and will return tons of talent certainly is a sign of a bright future ahead for Florida football.

“We’ve got a good, young football team and we’re going to be good for a long time,” Muschamp said.

Will Muschamp celebrates after a 14-7 win against Missouri. The Gators posted a 7-0 record in The Swamp this season. Photo by John Parady

Jordan Reed has the ball knocked loose as he leaps toward the end zone late in a 17-9 loss against Georgia in Jacksonville. Photo by Curtiss Bryant

FACT: In its history, UF has had a total of 31 first-round picks in the NFL draft.

Florida coach Billy Donovan and the men’s basketball team made an early splash in the 2013 recruiting class with the signings of two of the top recruits in the state of Florida and the nation.

Point guard Kasey Hill and power forward Chris Walker made it official on Nov. 14, the first day that seniors could sign their letters of intent during the early signing period.

Hill, a 6-foot, 170-pound guard from Montverde Academy, gave his verbal commitment to Donovan back in December 2011 on New Year’s Eve. This marks the second consecutive season in which Donovan secured a commitment from a Montverde Academy player. Guard Michael Frazier II attended high school there and signed with the Gators during the last recruiting cycle.

Hill was pursued by several other top programs like Kentucky, Louisville, Florida State, North Carolina State and Georgia Tech. However, it was Hill’s close relationship with Donovan that helped separate the Gators from the rest of the pack.

The standout guard possesses an explosive set of skills at the point guard position. He’s one of the quickest players in the country and can beat virtually anyone on the dribble. Not only can he dish the basketball with flashy passes, but also he’s athletic enough to make plays at the rim himself, which makes him a versatile guard for Donovan’s offense.

Walker, a 6-9, 220-pound forward from Holmes County High School, also signed his letter of intent with the Gators on Nov. 14.

Much like Hill, Walker received significant interest from schools like Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville and Ohio State, among others. And when he committed to Florida back on July 22, he announced his decision through a YouTube video.

Walker didn’t stop there.He went on to guarantee how he and Hill,

along with their future Florida teammates, would bring home a national championship to Gainesville. In addition to being national champions, Walker said he and Hill would “be the best duo in college basketball.”

Although Walker’s game could be

considered raw, he will be a tough matchup for anybody on the court. He doesn’t have the sharpest offensive skill set, but he’s guaranteed to be one of the most athletic players on the basketball court in every game. He’s quick and can jump as high as anyone in the country, which leads to numerous blocks and rebounds throughout the game.

Anytime Walker touches the basketball, he has the potential to provide a highlight reel play through a dunk or block. He will give the Gators explosiveness and athleticism at the forward position that Donovan has not had the luxury of having in a long time.

The consensus five-star prospects are a year away from donning the orange and blue, but the expectations they bring with them are perhaps the highest of any recruits in Florida basketball history.

Nevertheless, the duo will be an exciting pair to watch in 2013 and beyond as they work to fulfill Walker’s promise of bringing home another basketball national championship to Gainesville.

TOP- SHELF

TALENT

GATORS GRAB TWO OF THE TOP BASkETBALL PROSPECTS IN THE NATION

Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan continues to show why he’s among the top recruiters in the country with

another impressive haul. Photo by John Parady

BY DREW LAING

14

A BRIGHT FUTURE

GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

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FACT: Graduate tuition/fees on average for 2011-12 for an undergrad entering UF for the first time is $12,590.

Florida junior center Patric Young put on a dunking clinic during a blowout win against

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FACES OF THE FUTURE

FACT: In 2011, UF entering students averaged an SAT score of 1876 on a 2400 point scale.

On Nov. 14, high school athletes from around the country in basketball, softball, gymnastics, lacrosse, baseball, volleyball and tennis could sign their National Letters of Intent.

Florida had student-athletes in each of those sports sign, and here’s a recap of the newest Gators.

The Florida’s women’s basketball team signed just one player in Daytona Beach (Fla.) Atlantic forward Ronni Williams, who most recruiting experts rank as a top-20 player in the entire country.

Williams chose to sign with the Gators over offers from Georgia Tech, Georgia, LSU, Maryland and Duke.

“I thought Florida was the best place for me,” Williams said. “I just felt real comfortable there and thought Florida was the best fit for me and my game.”

The scouting report on Williams is she can score from not only the low post but from outside the 3-point line.

The Florida’s women’s gymnastics team signed two prospects during the early signing period to add to their already great team that was the national runner-up last year to Alabama.

Both Claire Boyce from the Texas Dreams and Silvia Colussi-Pelaez from the Oakville Spanish Nation Team signed with the Gators.

The lacrosse team at Florida is a new program but it has enjoyed a lot of success so far. Last year, the Gators made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

With a lot of seniors on the 2013 team, the Gators signed 11 prospects to attend Florida. Seven of those players come from the state of Maryland, including Amy Arnold (Topsfield, Md.), Haley Bordner (Sykesville, Md.), Taylor Bresnahan (Edgewater, Md.), Sammi Burgess (Forest Hill, Md.), Hope Kissick (Cohasset, Mass.), Alex Puller (Severna

Park, Md.) and Mollie Stevens (Centerville, Md.).

The Gators also received signatures from New York natives Hannah Burnett (Huntington, N.Y.) and Caroline Fitzgerald (Mt. Sinai, N.Y.). Two Floridians, Carli Marsh (Parkland, Fla.) and Chloe O’Haire (Vero Beach, Fla.), also signed with the team.

Florida softball coach Tim Walton has turned the Gators into a powerhouse program and has made consistent appearances in the Women’s College World Series.

With a young team returning this season, Walton didn’t need to sign many prospects. The Gators, instead, signed three players in the early signing period.

Here are the three prospects: Lakeside (Calif.) El Capitan pitcher Delanie Gourley, Carrollton (Texas) Hebron high utility player Chelsea Herndon and Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High’s Justine McLean.

The UF men’s tennis team is in rebuilding mode with a first-year head coach.

The Gators signed four players this year, including Diego Hidalgo (Guayaquil, Ecuador), Maxx Lipman (Brentwood, Tenn.), Elliot Orkin (Marietta, Ga.) and Josh Wardell (Fort Myers, Fla.).

On the women’s side, the Gators’ program is stable and thriving, having won two straight national championships.

The team has a lot of younger players on the team even with its recent success. This year, the program only signed one prospect in Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity’s Kourtney Keegan.

The 2012 SEC Volleyball Championship resides in Gainesville, and with that, Florida was able to sign top prospects.

This year, the Gators signed three players: Apopka (Fla.) High’s Denise Belcher, Olney (Md.) Sherwood’s Alex Holston and Ottowa, Ontario’s Shainah Joseph.

FLORIDA INkS PROSPECTS IN SEVEN SPORTS ON SIGNING DAY

THE GATORS’ LACROSSE TEAM LEADS THE WAY WITH 11 SIGNEES

BY ANDREW SPIVEY & COURTESY PHOTOS

Shaun Anderson & Dean PelmanMollie StevensTyler Danish Ryan Larson

FACT: The 2000s saw the most Gators drafted to the NFL in UF history with 47.

Hundreds of man-hours were spent turning the USS Bataan into a basketball arena.

Officially, the Nov. 9 game between Florida and Georgetown was never played. The No. 10 Gators led 27–23 at half before condensation built up on the wooden court at the Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville. However, it wasn’t all for naught, and it didn’t stop the men and women who serve our country from enjoying themselves during the game.

USS Bataan senior chief Junior Ashwood is from Detroit, so he wasn’t a fan of either team. The 43-year-old sat with his wife of four years, Phyllis, and his entire deck department behind them.

The group whooped and hollered as hard as anyone at the game.

“Since we were sitting in Gator Country, we figured we would be Gator fans for the

night,” said Ashwood, who has served in the Navy for 24 years. “This is something that is once-in-a-lifetime. You’re not going to see this.”

For the sailors, it wasn’t about the game.It was getting away from the daily grind

that comes with keeping America safe.“To be out here and be a part of this is

amazing. All of our sailors were out here and we enjoyed the game. I mean completely enjoyed ourselves, for the first half.

“You see most of the (TV) cutaways, that was us enjoying the game.”

“Acting a fool,” Ashwood’s wife chimed in with a laugh.

The trouble on the court began late in the first half when play had to be halted as workers with towels vigorously tried to dry several slick spots on the Georgetown end of the floor.

MORE THAN JUST A GAME

PHOTOS AND STORY BY MIkE CAPSHAW

FLORIDA’S HISTORIC GAME AGAINST GEORGETOWN

8

BATTLE ON THE USS BATAAN

GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

FACT: UF had a nine-year streak of first-round picks in the NFL draft from 1983-1991.

During halftime, dozens of workers crawled the floor on all fours, wiping white towels everywhere within reach as quickly as they could. When players came out, staffers from both teams joined in.

Florida coach Billy Donovan and Georgetown coach John Thompson III, decked out in light-brown fatigue pants, began noticing the court had switched from sticky to slippery during intermission.

Both coaches tried to get traction repeatedly with their military boots to no avail.

“Win or loss, I have no idea,” Donovan said. “I’ve never even heard of a game being called.”

Both coaches addressed to crowd after it was officially called at 10:38 p.m. Both echoed each other’s sentiments, apologizing to the crowd while reiterating how neither wanted to risk injury for the non-conference contest.

By that time, the condensation became even more visible, creating a shiny surface when eyeing it courtside.

“There were going to be patches (of slickness),” Donovan said. “What happens when someone comes across one of them?”

Will Yegeute started at forward for the Gators and led the team with eight points and four rebounds. He was 4 of 5 shooting from the floor and also had a blocked shot and steal. Erik Murphy was 2 of 4 from the floor and finished with seven points and three rebounds.

Florida used a mixture of man and zone defense effectively to limit the Hoyas to 35.7 percent shooting. The Gators also won the rebound battle 16–14, but turned the ball over eight times to Georgetown’s six, which allowed the Hoyas to outscore the Gators 11–4 on turnovers.

The lead changed four times before Florida began pulling away midway through the first

half. The Gators led by as many as five points twice, the first time on a running left-hander down the left side of the lane by Yegeute with 8:36 remaining and the second when Murphy drained a three-pointer from the top of the key.

There was 7:25 remaining in the first half when Murphy canned the jumper, but it turned out that was all that remained in regulation.

Oh well, said the sailors.For them, it wasn’t about

the game.Ashwood said the USS

Bataan pulled into Mayport a week before the game. The crew – the deck department is completely “good to go” on all of its certifications, by the way – and other workers spent three and a half days constructing the court, resulting in just 20 minutes of play.

As Ashwood said, that 20 minutes still will last a lifetime.

“We had a great time during the game,” Ashwood said. “Of course, it’s disappointing that the second half didn’t happen, but we definitely enjoyed ourselves for the first half.”

TO VIEW THE FULL GALLERY OF THIS EVENT, VISIT www.photos.gatorcountry.com

9

BATTLE ON THE USS BATAAN

GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

6 GATOR COUNTRY | NOV/2012 FACT: UF officially opened its doors to women in 1947

TALLORDER

BY JOHN BOOTHEPHOTOS BY JOHN PARADY

7

TOWER ABOVE THE REST

GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012FACT: UF classes first met with 102 students on its present site on Sept. 26, 1906.

For three years, Erik Murphy dared not venture inside.

As one of his team’s most efficient 3-point shooters, Murphy knew wandering too far into the paint meant shelving his patented outside stroke for a tough, contested 2-point field goal.

Instead, Florida’s 6-foot-10 starting power forward compiled a shot selection during the Gators’ Elite Eight run last season that was more on par with a low-volume shooting guard than an SEC big man.

More than half of Murphy’s 270 shots from a year ago came from behind the arc.

While he hit a team-high 49.7 percent of those attempts from three, Murphy made a decision this offseason to change his reputation as a solely one-dimensional offensive threat.

Heading into his senior year, he would work to become a complete player.

“That was something I tried to work on in the offseason with the coaches, just catching it and having a more versatile game down low,” Murphy said.

The work began in the weight room, where Murphy took strides to match his strength to his size.

Florida coach Billy Donovan also challenged Murphy to develop his post moves and consistently look to look for the ball on the block.

“That’s the one dimension I’ve told Erik he’s needed to add to his game is to go inside and catch the ball against a smaller person and score,” Donovan said.

The results have played out almost immediately this season.

In Florida’s toughest test through the first month of the season against then-No. 22 Wisconsin on Nov. 11, Murphy became just the second player in Florida history to shoot 10 of 10 from the floor.

Facing a stingy Badgers’ frontline known for its size and defense, Murphy made eight field goals in the paint and took just a pair of 3-pointers to lead the Gators to a 74–56 win at home.

“It’s helped just being in the weight room all offseason,” Murphy said. “Just feeling stronger, I think it helps with my confidence to just be able to bang down low a little bit more. And I just know that I’ll be able to hang down there.”

The rest of Florida’s frontcourt was also overhauled physically this season.

Instead of hitting the weights like Murphy, Patric Young, a 6-foot-9 center, worked to improve his stamina and endurance to play more minutes this year. Fellow junior Will Yeguete also added 15 pounds over summer, helping to compensate for his undersized 6-foot-7 frame at forward.

Though both Young and Yeguete have made marked improvements heading into this season, Murphy’s transformation has been a revelation for his teammates.

“It’s amazing,” senior guard Mike Rosario said. “Anyone would like to go 10 for 10 from the field, and I just feel that Murphy’s been putting in a lot of work. You know, Murph’s been working on his shot after practice, staying in the gym and staying after. And it all pays off.”

Murphy’s newfound penchant for post scoring has held up through the Gators’ first four games. He’s attempted 34 shots on 58.8 percent shooting, with less than half coming from the 3-point arc.

While he is no longer taking 51 percent of his shots from three like last year, Murphy is still working on recognizing mismatches on the floor.

With his ability to stretch defenses in Donovan’s ball-screen driven offense, Murphy frequently finds matchups on the

court with much smaller players.“We’ve spent some time with Erik just

trying to put him in situations where teams try to switch different people on him and putting him in areas of the floor where he can take advantage of a smaller guy on him,” Donovan said. “And I think a year ago he had a hard time with that, and this year, I think he’s gotten better.”

Murphy, in part, attributes his makeover as a player to the improvements he’s made off the court during his career, as well.

In April 2011, he had well-documented legal issues after being arrested in St. Augustine with former Gators forward Cody Larson and team manager Josh Adel on third-degree burglary charges.

Then entering his junior year, Murphy was suspended indefinitely and had to work his way back onto the team and re-earn his roster spot before the season.

“I’m in a good place right now being here, being able to play,” Murphy said. “Some of the stuff that happened to me just made me realize how fortunate I am and made me really, really appreciative.”

With the Gators going through a similar suspension case this season involving junior point guard Scottie Wilbekin – caused by an undisclosed violation of team rules – Murphy said he can be an example to younger players of how they can turn their careers around.

Wilbekin was reinstated to the team on Nov. 16 after serving a three-game suspension that began before Florida’s cancelled season opener on Nov. 9 against Georgetown.

“I think I can definitely help him with that just talking to him about the situation he’s in and try to turn whatever negative into a positive.” Murphy said. “It’s kind of making the choice to do all the right stuff and just sticking to that.”

SIX-FOOT-10 ERIk MURPHY GIVES GATORS A TALL

THREAT ON THE PERIMETER

WHAT’S INSIDE

CEO ofwww.gatorcountry.comRaymond Hines III

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MANAGING EDITORMike Capshaw

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CONTENTS

ON AND OFF THE FIELD8 More Than a Game16 Football Regular Season Wrap-Up20 UF Trivia: Men’s Basketball21 Prep Zone26 NFL Draft Projection

Has Gators Highly Rated32 GC’s All-Access Pass for Gameday36 All-Sports Notebook40 Bubba’s Tailgate Among

Best in SEC42 Recruiting Notebook44 GatorShades45 Baggo Masters a Tailgating Classic46 Hook. Line. Sinker.

SWAMP SPOTLIGHT6 Tall Order10 Florida Inks Prospects

on Signing Day12 Slam Dunk14 Top-Shelf Talent19 Rosario Steadying for Gators22 Senior Class Act24 Purifoy the Playmaker28 Gators Yeguete Going

4 GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012 FACT: UF ranks 5th in most years represented in the first round of the NFL draft.

5FACT: Since the 1970s, 192 Gators have been picked in the NFL draft GATOR COUNTRY | DEC/2012

EXPECT TO WIN

Christmas came early for Florida football fans. With most preseason prognosticators predicting anywhere between a seven-and nine-win season, jolly Will Muschamp and his elves delivered a joyous 11–1 regular season record and a BCS bowl bid, giving all Gators fans many good Saturday nights.

With this being our December issue, we wanted to return the favor by handing out our own cheer in the form of fictitious gifts.

Will Muschamp – Two gifts. A voodoo doll dressed like a referee and an ejector seat during news conferences. The former does not need an explanation. The latter would give Muschamp the option to quickly remove any reporter for asking pointed questions about things such as injuries that pop up. Muschamp could leisurely push a button to send a reporter flying faster than Santa’s sleigh toward the nearest beach.

Dan Quinn – Rogaine so people will stop confusing the slick-headed defensive mastermind with strength and conditioning coordinator Jeff Dillman, who also is bald and sports a goatee.

Brent Pease – NFL receiver Calvin Johnson. Due to a transcript error, Megatron would be forced to go back to college for at least three seasons and he decides to head to the Sunshine State after spending too many cold winters in Detroit. Of course, he would enroll at Florida. He’s not going to choose Miami or Florida State. The NFL’s most dominant receiver may have to repeat college, but he ain’t that dumb.

Jeff Dillman – A lifetime supply of the new Gripp II Stress Relieving Balls.

Jeff Driskel – A giant trashcan to make it easier for him to throw things away. If

he uses that gift wisely next season, we’ll need to buy him a display case for his Heisman Trophy next Christmas.

Mike Gillislee – A clone to step in for him for media interviews. The soft-spoken 1,100-yard rusher doesn’t seem to enjoy those much.

Dominique Easley – Emmitt Smith’s “Mirror Ball” that he won on Dancing With The Stars.

Matt Patchan – The elastic, indestructible body of Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four.

Frankie Hammond Jr. – A Krispy Kreme franchise.

Shariff Floyd – Three more years of eligibility.

Matt Elam – Three more years of eligibility.

Jelani Jenkins – Three more years of eligibility.

Jon Bostic – Three more years of eligibility.

Jordan Reed – Three more years of eligibility.

Caleb Sturgis – Lifetime college eligibility.

Jeremy Foley – Lifetime contracts for Will Muschamp, Billy Donovan, Kevin O’Sullivan, Mike Holloway, Mary Wise, Roland Thornqvist and pretty much every current coach on campus. Seriously, UF is loaded with the best in the business.

In the Christmas spirit, we’ll give a few out to non-Gators as well such as jobs to Derek Dooley and other fired SEC coaches, green-painted fur for Nick Saban to complete his role as The Grinch, bionic legs to Marcus Lattimore and no more years of eligibility for underclassmen such as Johnny Manziel and Jadaveon Clowney.

Merry Christmas Gators!MIkE CAPSHAWMANAGING EDITORGATOR COUNTRY MULTIMEDIA INC.

GATORS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Named after the Holiday star, Stella Artois was first brewed as a holiday beer as a giftto the people of Leuven, Belgium. A golden lager in contrast to the popular dark

ales of the time, its brilliant amber color illuminated holiday celebrationsfor generations thereafter. “Artois” acknowledges Sebastian Artois,

the master brewer and owner of the brewery. StellaArtois.com

Always Enjoy Responsibly.© 2012 Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A., Stella Artois® Beer, Imported by Import Brands Alliance, St. Louis, MO

ORIG INALLY CR AF TEDFOR THE HOL IDAYS

Brand:Holiday2012

Item #: PSA201210378

Job/Order #:

PAADAM 244943

Trim: 8.3465x10.8661Bleed: 8.5827x11.1024Live: 7.8465x10.3661

Closing Date: 11/1/12 QC: CS

Publication: Gator Country

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DECEMBER 2012 VoluME 5 Issue 14 www.GatoRCountRy.CoM

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