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Fifty Years to First Panels

A timeline of the 50 year history of Santa Fe College as apart of the Fifty Years to First marketing campaign using my photos and designed by Evin Ershock.

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Saints Coach Wiggs Get 500th Victory!

Congratulations Coach Wiggs on getting your 500th career win with a 4-1 Victory Over Daytona State College! ‬  (Photo by Aaron Daye)

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The Duck Pond

    A few days ago, I explored Gainesville’s very first neighborhood, with my classmate, Tirza. This historic neighborhood is highly residential and often referred to as the Duck Pond. The majority of the homes there were built in the late 1800’s, but most of them appear to be relatively new, due to how well they have been cared for. The peaceful suburban area is gorgeous, but unfortunately many people cannot afford to live there. We spent three hours observing the area and speaking with some of the residents.

    For the first hour, we walked around and analyzed the Duck Pond. The Victorian homes in the community were built very close together, and many of them are surrounded by an adequate amount of land. Owning a home with land is favorable, but in areas like the Duck Pond it can be difficult to recognize where each individual property comes to an end. We noticed that residents use décor and greenery to distinguish property lines. Many homes in the neighborhood have fenced-in yards; fences can be used to assert ownership of land, by creating distinct borders between properties. Fences can also make a statement; our society associates white picket fences and wrought iron fences with wealth.

    Many of the homes in the Duck Pond have a beautiful vintage style that has been well-preserved. We noticed that most of the porches and decks are elaborately decorated with furniture and accessories. The exterior décor appears to be expensive, but it looks charming and classy, rather than gaudy. There are also many aesthetically pleasing trees and plants around the neighborhood. The people living in the Duck Pond can most likely afford to hire landscapers, roofers, and painters. I feel as though I can safely assume that many of the residents are relatively wealthy.

    As we walked through the neighborhood, we noticed many one-way streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks. The Duck Pond area seems like a safe place for pedestrians. Roper Park, which is a smoke-free zone, is well-kept and surprisingly clean. In the center of the park, there is a nice playground, which is surrounded beautiful trees. When we left the park, we went on to explore the historic Thomas Center, which is a popular place for community gatherings. When we walked inside, we noticed an abundance of antique furniture and historical photographs of Gainesville. I noticed a plaque on the wall that recognized the Thomas Center for city beautification.

    When we left the Thomas Center, we headed towards the actual pond that gave the area its name. The pond, which is in a very residential area, serves as a home to ducks and a variety of other birds. We walked around the pond and we noticed that a few people were outside casually walking their dogs or relaxing on their porches. A few people that were riding bikes slowly passed us; it seemed as though none of them were in a rush to get anywhere. Some bicyclists looked like they were enjoying the fresh air on their way home from work, as they were dressed in business attire. Other bicyclists were dressed in athletic wear, demonstrating that they had downtime to focus on fitness. Overall, the neighborhood is serene and quiet.  

    We were able to learn a great deal from our observations, but we discovered much more from talking with the Duck Pond residents. Some people explained that they moved to the Duck Pond to be closer to downtown Gainesville. The downtown area, which offers a variety of food and entertainment options, is in walking distance of the community. One woman stated that Relish is the best local restaurant, but according to the opinions of other people, Steamers is definitely better. We were told by a few people that the area is filled with high income families that are mostly liberal. Multiple people were upset about the construction going on in Bo Diddley Plaza, because the plaza, which is not far from the Duck Pond, normally hosts free Friday concerts. The residents seem to enjoy the arts and culture that Gainesville has to offer. A few people explained that they were drawn to the area, because of how tranquil and safe it is. We were told by some parents that the neighborhood was a great place to raise children. 

    I believe that the residents of the Duck Pond moved there to have a better life. I could tell that the people we spoke with really care about their jobs and their families. It is obvious that these people worked hard to get where they are in life, and I think they deserve to enjoy that. 

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Santa Fe College 2015 Commencement Ceremonies

See more photos from graduation here.

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Special thanks to Governor Rick Scott for sending a letter congratulating our Spring #SFGrad15 graduates!

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Women of Distinction 2015

Congratulations to our Women of Distinction honorees Phoebe Cade Miles, Phyllis Miller Rosier and Bessie Jackson along with the Woman of Promise honoree Deja McPhee. These outstanding women were honored for their outstanding work in the communities of both Alachua and Bradford counties.