This wasn’t just any book: It marked the first time all of Shakespeare’s works were published together — no mean feat back in those days when many of his plays existed only in his drafts or the bits and pieces handed out to actors.

In fact, without this remarkable book, there would have been no published script for “Macbeth,” “Twelfth Night,” “Julius Caesar,” “The Tempest,” “Antony and Cleopatra” or “As You Like It,” just to name a few. Nearly half of Shakespeare’s output would have been lost.

And without his complete body of work to awe and inspire, Shakespeare likely would never have reached the cultural heights he has.

On Friday, Nov. 17, PBS’s “Great Performances” celebrates the 400th anniversary of the book in “Making Shakespeare: The First Folio.”

“The First Folio” is the name of this book of 36 plays. Well, actually, it’s not. The proper title is “Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies.” But it’s commonly called the First Folio by modern scholars; folio is a publishing term that indicates the way the book was printed, resulting in large-size pages.

Early in the program, narrated by Broadway superstar Audra McDonald, a participant describes the First Folio as “the most important secular book in the history of the Western world.”

Hyperbole? Well, the speaker is renowned Shakespeare scholar Jonathan Bate, so clearly, he has a bias toward its cultural significance. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t speaking accurately.

The First Folio is certainly the most expensive book going. In 2020, a copy auctioned by Christie’s sold for $10 million — the highest price ever paid for a work of literature at auction.

It’s estimated about 750 copies of the First Folio were printed. Today, 235 are known to still exist. PBS looks at a famously stolen copy, a recently discovered copy — in a public library in a small French town, no less — and a very royal copy.

In that latter segment, King Charles III examines a First Folio owned by his predecessor of some 15 generations, King Charles I, which is still in royal hands at Windsor Castle. That first Charles came to an unhappy end: His forces were defeated in the English Civil War, and he was executed in 1649 as the monarchy was abolished.

But, some comfort, we are told that even while imprisoned before his execution, Charles I was allowed to keep his copy of the First Folio. The copy contains his notes, in which he has written character names in the margins, perhaps to highlight his favorites — or maybe to keep the various comedy couples straight: “Is this the one with Beatrice and Benedick or the one with Helena and Bertram?”

There is something satisfying in learning that it was Shakespeare’s friends, two actors, who were the driving force in organizing whatever source material they could round up, collecting the plays and getting them published for posterity; after all, Shakespeare has been creating work for actors ever since.

(Side note: As a “Macbeth” fan, I also enjoyed learning that Shakespeare’s rough drafts are known as “foul papers” while the later, cleaned-up versions are called “fair copies.” “Fair is foul, and foul is fair…”)

In their effort to pay tribute to their deceased friend and preserve his legacy, John Heminges and Henry Condell also had to deal with some legalese that still exists in the modern arts world: Obtaining the rights to the works. The rights to many of Shakespeare’s plays were owned by those who had first printed them individually in various other formats, and the pair had to do some wheeling and dealing.

Lest you think the program has its eye solely on ancient history, it should be noted that the amusing stories of the First Folio are interspersed (sometimes smoothly, sometimes more clunkily) with the inspiring way Shakespeare impacts the world today, especially through the efforts of the Public Theater of New York City.

There’s “The Comedy of Errors” as a bilingual musical, Kenny Leon’s version of “Hamlet” for Shakespeare in the Park, a student production of “Romeo & Juliet” with children learning English as a second language. It’s all heartening to lovers of classical theater.

A favorite quote from the program comes from Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public, as he ponders why Shakespeare endures. When the playwright creates his tales, whether comic or tragic, Eustis says, “he sees the worth of every human being.”

How to watch

• On TV: 9-11 p.m. Nov. 17, on WUCF-TV, Channel 24
• Online streaming: At pbs.org/show/great-performances

Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more arts news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/arts, and go to orlandosentinel.com/theater for theater news and reviews.

“Thank you very much, I appreciate the confidence of the vote from all of you,” said Zembower after the unanimous vote by his fellow board members. He replaces Commissioner Amy Lockhart.

The county chair presides over county commission meetings, signs legal documents on behalf of the commission and appoints fellow commissioners to committees.

The commission chair selection, however, brings a level of political interest not seen in recent years, as Lockhart and other county officials clashed with Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson.

The county chair also sits on Seminole’s canvassing board — which every election cycle oversees the voting process in the county — along with a county judge and the supervisor of elections. The canvassing board is responsible for testing voting machines, overseeing the counting of ballots and conducting a post-election audit of the voting system.

Anderson — who is Seminole’s first Black supervisor of elections — has expressed concerns about racism in the county, including in letters and in an emotional video he posted on TikTok in late August.

In response, then-chair Lockhart sent a letter on Oct. 3 to Gov. Ron DeSantis, which asked his office to investigate what she called Anderson’s “erratic” and “combative” conduct.

“Mr. Anderson’s outward displays of resentment include candidates who will be on the ballot in an upcoming election,” Lockhart said in her missive. “One must wonder if they will be able to participate confidently in the electoral process and without fear of retaliation by the person counting the votes.”

The Governor’s Office has not said publicly whether it will pursue Lockhart’s request for an investigation.

On Nov. 3, Anderson and other members of the canvassing board — including Lockhart — had a tense meeting in which Anderson called to remove Phil Kaprow as the board’s attorney. But Lockhart and county Judge Carsandra Buie voted to keep Kaprow as the canvassing board’s attorney.

The tension comes less than a year before a large countywide election in November 2024, in which Seminole voters will cast ballots for an array of candidates — including the U.S. President, U.S. Senator, Congressional and state representatives, along with three county commission candidates and five county constitutional officers. Anderson’s position as supervisor of elections will be on the ballot next year, and he has said he plans to seek reelection.

As the new chairman, Zembower will serve on the canvassing board for that next election cycle. However, Lockhart will stand in for Zembower at the next canvassing board meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 1500 E. Airport Blvd., in Sanford.

Commissioners on Tuesday also selected Andria Herr to continue serving as the board’s vice chair.

Zembower last served as chair in 2020 during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when local governments were struggling with whether to impose restrictions to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Does somebody know something about a pandemic about to break out?” Zembower joked after Tuesday’s vote from commissioners.

He later lauded Lockhart for serving as chair when the board hired this year county Manager Darren Gray and county Attorney Kate LaTorre.

“I’d like to take a moment and thank Chairman Lockhart for her leadership in on-boarding a new county manager and a new county attorney — the two key positions in our county,” Zembower said.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com

Seminole

Pho Au Lac Restaurant And Teahouse at 158 Tuskawilla Road Suite 1300 in Winter Springs shut down on Nov. 7. Inspectors found 16 violations, six of which were a high priority.

Those violations included roach excrement, food held at the wrong temperatures, an improperly stored toxic substance and a sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed.

Officials revisited the restaurant on Nov. 8. They found five violations, but none were a high priority.

The restaurant met inspection standards.

Complaints and warnings

Orange County had the top spot for most warnings and other complaints in Central Florida, with 25.

Volusia had 16, Brevard had seven, Lake had one, Seminole had five and Osceola had five. Warnings given with required follow-up inspections could lead to a business being shut down if problems remain.

Shakeira Rucker, 37, was last seen around 7:30 p.m. Saturday leaving her home in the city with Cory Hill, a Winter Springs Police Department spokesperson said in a release. Hill, 51, was booked into the Orange County Jail Monday on multiple charges of attempted murder for a separate incident, but Rucker was not with him at the time.

“The family has not seen or heard from Shakeira . . . and believes that she may be in danger,” the Winter Springs Police Department statement said.

The attempted murder charges arose from a Sunday confrontation at Holly Creek Road in Zellwood, where Hill allegedly approached a woman and her family and fired shots at them, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. No injuries were reported.

Hill left the scene but was later arrested by Mount Dora police.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Shakeira Rucker is asked to contact investigator Tracy Fugate at 407-327-6561 or tfugate@winterspringsfl.org

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As usual, we’re starting the nomination process with an appeal to our readers. We’re looking for people who work tirelessly, sometimes anonymously, to make this a better community. Some count their impact by the thousands of lives their work touches, others by their rapid response to an emergency. We’ve celebrated the success of innovative and well-executed ideas, and acknowledged dogged refusals to give up on problems written off as unsolvable.

Among past honorees are well-known names such as Gary Cain, who capped a splendid 28-year run as CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida in early 2023. We’ve recognized IDignity founder Michael Dippy, who saw the barriers that kept homeless people from obtaining legal identification needed to get them back their feet; Deirdre Macnab, whose tireless advocacy as president of the League of Women Voters of Florida protected critical rights; and the team that fought, on one terrible night, to save the lives of those shot in the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Please help us find the people who deserve this honor for 2023. You can send nominations via email at insight@orlandosentinel.com; please include CFOTY in the subject line and get your recommendations to us by Nov. 27.

We’ll consider groups of people, and you can also send multiple nominations or self-nominations; for each nominee, please include a description of why you think they should be honored, along with your own contact information for any questions.

Dr. Phillips, Lake Mary and Apopka each capitalized when they needed to most on Friday in order to advance past the regional quarterfinal round.

Those teams are among 12 programs from the Orlando area still standing in the Florida High School Athletic Association postseason.

“Playoff football is just about running the ball, stopping the run and turnover margin, and whoever can win the special-teams battle,” DP coach Rodney Wells said following a 17-15 win at rival Olympia. “Tonight we did a solid job in all phases of the game.”

The Panthers turned a roughing-the-punter penalty into a 30-yard field goal by Taylor Harris on their first drive. An interception by Orlendy Larosiliere — four plays after DP fumbled away the opening kick of the second half — led to a touchdown run by Cameran Dixon.

Amari Major, who was injured late in the game, put the Panthers in front for good on a 6-yard run in the final seconds of the third quarter.

That came after Olympia failed to convert on a 2-point conversion attempt. The Titans also missed an extra-point try in the first half that was made more difficult due to a penalty.

DP is one of three local teams on the road this week in regional semifinal games vs. out-of-area competition. The Panthers travel to No. 2 seed Tampa Plant.

Bishop Moore plays at Jacksonville Riverside in 2M Region 1.

Leesburg goes to defending state champion Lake Wales in Class 3 Suburban Region 2.

Orange City University and Orlando Christian Prep host playoff games in the second round, but both will be away from their on-campus stadiums, which do not meet FHSAA specifications for the playoffs.

University plays DeLand in a 4S district rematch at New Smyrna Beach Municipal Stadium. DeLand won the first meeting 14-3 on Oct. 20.

OCP faces Jacksonville Providence at a location to be determined. It will be Providence’s second trip to the Orlando area since winning 42-28 at The Master’s Academy on Oct. 13.

Master’s (9-2) claimed the independent Sunshine State Athletic Association championship Saturday night in Lakeland. Nazir McMillian intercepted a pass at the 17-yard line with under two minutes to go to ensure a 34-27 win over Fort Lauderdale’s Westminster Academy (9-2).

Jackson Stretcher, an eighth-grader, passed for four touchdowns and rushed for another for the Eagles. Jake Hormell caught a TD pass just before halftime to snap a 20-20 tie. The game was interrupted in the second half by a lengthy lightning delay.

Lake Mary super sophomore quarterback Noah Grubbs overcame two interceptions and a lost fumble in a 4M Region 1 quarterfinal while rallying from a 17-point deficit at No. 8 seed Boone.

The Rams blocked a field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter and Dylan Wilson intercepted a pass with one minute to spare to close out a wild 42-38 win.

Grubbs ended the night 30-of-49 passing for 510 yards with 5 TDs and one rushing touchdown. He connected with Carson Hinshaw on a 14-yard completion for the game-winner with 1:43 to go.

“I’m proud of my guys for fighting the entire game and never giving up until we took the lead,” Lake Mary coach Scott Perry said afterward. “We earned an advance to next week, so I’m happy about that. We’ve got to get better so we can earn another one.”

Grubbs enters Friday’s game at home vs. Jacksonville Mandarin with 49 passing TDs in 2023, which ties current Crawfordville Wakulla senior Haden Klees for the third-most total in a single season in Florida high school history alongside Cocoa’s Blake Boda (2022), Wellington’s Shannon Patrick (2014) and Miami Northwestern’s Jacory Harris (2007).

Klees’ team is 11-0 and still alive in Class 2S.

Lake Nona’s Tucker Israel and Tampa Jefferson’s Quentin Williams each passed for 56 TDs during the 2014 season. Aaron Murray threw 51 TD passes in 2007 for Tampa Plant.

Lake Mary defeated Mandarin 34-16 on Sept. 29. A win for the Rams would mean another home game in the regional final round vs. Apopka or Sanford Seminole.

The Blue Darters, state runners-up in three of the past four years, needed big plays on defense and two fourth-quarter touchdowns to outpace Evans for a 22-13 win.

“It felt like we came out and dominated on both sides of the ball, and special teams especially,” said Apopka’s Antwone Robinson, who blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. “Momentum was high at the beginning of the game. We’ve just got to continue to have the momentum like we had in the first quarter.”

Apopka plays at Seminole and undefeated Edgewater is home against Jones in enticing local district rivalries that have produced head-turning outcomes in recent years.

Lake Minneola is home as the No. 2 seed in 4S Region 2 vs. Wiregrass Ranch out of Wesley Chapel.

Tickets for regional tournament games are available for $10 at the GoFan website.

Friday’s schedule for regions involving Orlando area teams includes team seeding based on FHSAA playoff power rankings and, in parentheses,  win-loss records:

Class 4M Region 1

No. 5 Jacksonville Mandarin (8-3) at No. 1 Lake Mary (10-1), 7:30

No. 3 Apopka (8-3) at No. 2 Sanford Seminole (9-2), 7

Class 4M Region 2

No. 5 Plant City Durant (9-2) at No. 1 Riverview Sumner (10-1), 7:30

No. 6 Dr. Phillips (7-4) at No. 2 Tampa Plant (9-2), 7:30

Class 3M Region 1

No. 4 Jones (8-3) at No. 1 Edgewater (11-0), 7:30

No. 3 Tampa Bay Tech (9-2)  at No. 2 Seffner Armwood (10-1), 7:30

Class 2M Region 1

No. 4 Jacksonville Bolles (6-5) at No. 1 Jacksonville Raines (10-1), 6:30

No. 3 Bishop Moore (8-3) at No. 2 Jacksonville Riverside (9-2), 6:30

Class 1M Region 1

No. 4 Jacksonville University (5-5) at No. 1 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (7-3), 7

No. 3 Jacksonville Providence (7-3) at No. 2 Orlando Christian Prep (9-1), 7:30#

Class 4S Region 2

No. 5 Bartow (7-4) at No. 1 Lakeland (8-3), 7:30

No. 3 Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch (9-2) at No. 2 Lake Minneola (8-3), 7:30

Class 4S Region 3

No. 4 Vero Beach (9-2) at No. 1 Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (8-2), 7:30

No. 3 DeLand (9-2) at No. 2 Orange City University (10-1), 7:30#

Class 3S Region 2

No. 4 Zephyrhills (8-3) at No. 1 Ocala Vanguard (9-2), 7:30

No. 3 Leesburg (10-1) at No. 2 Lake Wales (11-0), 7:30

This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.

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  UCF Knights tight end Randy Pittman (13) catches a pass before the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) 1

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  UCF Knights take the field before the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights tight end Alec Holler (82) ramble down field after the catch during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) breaks away to score a touchdown during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights defensive back Braeden Marshall (4) is tackled after intercepting the ball during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) sets up to throw the ball under heavy pressure during the second half of the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) tries to make the catch on Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Trey Rucker (9) during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Rucker was penalized for pass interference on the play. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  During the rainstorm UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) just misses the ball thrown short by quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights defensive back Demari Henderson (8) celebrates his interception during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights wide receiver Kobe Hudson (2) fans go wild after this seven yard touch down catch during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) takes his seven yard catch into the end zone for a touchdown during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) signals first down after his catch during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) catches a long pass to set up the touchdown during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights wide receiver Javon Baker (1) catches a long pass to set up the touchdown during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  As the hard rain falls UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) throws a pass during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) tip toes up the sideline before Oklahoma State Cowboys defenders knock him out of bounds during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights fans weather the rain storm during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  As the rain falls Oklahoma State Cowboys punter Hudson Kaak (29) gets off his punt with UCF Knights defensive end Kaven Call (33) in hot pursuit during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (10) runs the ball on a keeper during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights defensive back Demari Henderson (8) and teammates celebrate his interception during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights head coach Gus Malzahn prepares for the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights cheerleading team member somersaults across the end zone during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights defensive tackle John Walker (55) rushes the passer during the Oklahoma State at UCF college football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

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  UCF Knights fans storm the field after the big win over Oklahoma State at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. UCF wins 45-3. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

Answer. Birds, squirrels and other critters love sunflower seed but you should see signs of digging to obtain their food.  Make sure the seed obtained is fresh and has been stored in an air-conditioned room prior to purchase. Some stores have been observed with seed racks outdoors where the seed can deteriorate in the heat and humidity. You must try again with fresh seeds, but this time plant one seed in each small container filled with potting soil. Plant the seeds about a half inch deep and keep them moist. Locate the sown containers in a sunny but critter-free area. When the seedlings are about a foot tall, transplant them to the garden site to grow the flowers.

Q. My tibouchina has grown quite tall but is flowering. Can I prune it now?

A. Why not enjoy the blooms a bit longer, even though the plants may be tall and somewhat out of bounds?  You can remove a few of the longer shoots if you wish, but leave most to flower. Tibouchina, also called princess flower, is cold-sensitive and could be affected during the winter. Delay major pruning until mid-to-late February when plant size can be reduced and cold damage removed.

Q. I planted a seedling found under a fruit-bearing loquat that has grown to 30 feet tall but has not produced fruits. Is there such a thing as a male loquat tree?

A. Loquat trees have male and female flowers on the same tree, but they may take their time coming into bloom. Fall through early winter is flowering time, so trees that are going to produce fruits this year are already in bloom. Seeding trees are quite variable and may need more time than named varieties to come into production. All eventually flower and produce fruit.

Q. Our bird of paradise starts to form flowers, but the buds never fully open. What can I do to get better blooms?

A. Blooms that don’t fully open may have a pest problem or need a little more cultural care. Start by looking for mealybugs or similar insects within the buds. If present, apply an insecticide label for the pest noted. You may have to remove all buds hiding in insects and protect new, unopened buds with the insecticide. Next, make sure the soil is moist. Watering once or twice a week is normally adequate during the dry times. Also, apply a slow-release fertilizer with minor nutrients in March, May and early October. It may take until spring to start reviving your bird of paradise, but you should eventually get the flowers you remember.

November in the garden

Q. We have a Meyer lemon that has produced good fruit in the past, but this year there are only a few, and the leaves are crinkled. Some have a black coating. What is needed?

A. It sounds like there are going to be slim pickings this year as the Meyer lemon crop should be ripening over the next few months, and then trees flower again in spring. Let’s give your tree a slight overhaul to get it back to good production. It appears the symptoms noted are caused by insects. Most likely, leaf miners and scale insects are at fault. Start the new care program with a horticultural oil spray for citrus to control most insects and help remove the black sooty mold coating. Then, when new growth is noted, apply a natural insecticide containing spinosad. This later insecticide is found in Bonide, Fertilome and Southern Ag products. Also, don’t forget that fertilizer applications are needed in March, May, August and early October. Follow all label instructions with these products.

Q. This year, my plumeria did not get the rust as we applied a control, but it has white cottony-like stuff along the upper stems and on the back of the leaves. What is it, and what should I do for the plant?

A. You have solved one common plumeria pest problem, and now there is one left to control. An included email photo made it clear mealy bugs are dining on your plant.  As noted, most activity was on the back of the leaves and upper stems in the bud areas. Try a horticultural oil spray that is directed at the insects to obtain control. Be sure to hit the stems where the insects can live when the leaves drop during late fall and winter.  Remove the leaves from the ground and discard.  If needed, some systemic sprays to apply to the foliage, stems or to the ground are available. Follow label instructions for proper use of the product selected.

Q. Now that the weather is turning cooler, when is the time to sow my annual ryegrass seed?

A. There is often a chill in the evening and morning air, but it’s still quite hot during the day. Wait until the days are consistently in the 70s to lower 80s to make the ryegrass sowing. When the weather is hot and the turf becomes moist, a disease often called cottony blight can cause the young ryegrass to decline. This temporary turf loves the cold but not the hotter weather. Late November to early December would likely be a good time to make the sowing.

Q. I would like to plant the spring flowering bulbs in Florida. Do I refrigerate tulips and crocus before planting?

A. It’s a bit of a chore, but most northern spring flowering bulbs need a cold treatment in the refrigerator to bloom locally. Some gardeners simply set the bagged bulbs in the refrigerator for about 12 weeks. Others prefer to plant the bulbs in containers where they appear to make some growth while receiving the cold treatment. If in containers, they do need to be kept moist. Here is a bit of a complication. There cannot be flowers, fruits or vegetables in the refrigerator at the same time. These give off a gas that can cause the maturing flower buds to abort.  After the cold treatment, loose bulbs are planted in the ground, and containers of bulbs are set in areas where they are to bloom.

Tom MacCubbin is an urban horticulturist emeritus with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Write him: Orlando Sentinel, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL. 32802. Email: TomMac1996@aol.com. 

While I expected a book on, well, how to redecorate, as in refresh rooms in your home without starting from scratch, that’s not what this big, beautiful, 270-page hardcover is about. And that’s okay. What the book is about is the fascinating world of color and paint, a subject few could make as interesting as Joa Studholme, color curator for F&B. Studholme takes us by the hand on an exquisitely illustrated (340 photos and drawings) and narrated tour deep into the world of color, paint, and courageously creative ways to use both. 

Studholme walks us through such key considerations as light, architecture, and style, then squires us around color families of red, blue, green, yellow, darks and neutrals, and ends with a comprehensive look at finishes — from Dead Flat to Full Gloss. 

“It was a joy to write,” Studholme told me last week in a Zoom interview from across the pond, where she has worked for the Dorset, England-based Farrow & Ball for nearly 30 years. (For the record, of all the columns, articles, and books I have written, I never once thought anything was “a joy to write.” It was a joy to have written.) 

For those unfamiliar with the brand, F&B is known for its small collection of artisan colors. “We believe that by condensing the options to only 132 carefully curated colors, that selection is easier,” she said. (By comparison, Sherwin-Williams offers more than 1,700 paint colors.) Since Studholme came on board, every color the company has added was created at her kitchen table, where she sits with ramekins and teaspoons, mixing to make a color that pleases her eye.

The company also goes to extremes to secure its pigments. To make India Yellow, for example, they collect urine from cows fed a diet of mango leaves. 

As a lover of words, I’m done in by the evocative paint names: Mizzle, the color of the evening sky when there’s mist and drizzle; DeNimes, named after the French city where denim was first woven; Stirabout, for the porridge Irish children eat to begin their day; Mole’s Breath, I’ll let you imagine that one. 

Marni Jameson: 7 ways to end porch pollution

The book, which Studholme co-authored with F&B creative director Charlotte Cosby, is a sequel to “How to Decorate,” which came out in 2016. 

Why the update? “Since “How to Decorate” came out, we’ve seen a seismic shift in the way we use color,” Studholme said. “Back then, we were all still enjoying rooms painted in delicate neutrals that we could sort of drift around in. Now we’re embracing much bolder colors.”

She blames the pandemic. While we all spent much time in our homes, Studholme spent much of her time with a paintbrush in hand, experimenting and “thinking of a million ways to use color,” she said. “I was a total menace.” 

Nothing was off limits. She painted baseboards, ceilings, crown moldings, floors, cornices, cabinets, wainscoting, furniture, and doors in three dimensions. Fortunately, the dog wouldn’t sit still, or she’d have painted him, too. 

“How to Redecorate” reflects the best of those experiments and inspires readers to go beyond white walls, white ceilings and white trim. “I wanted the book to be more a manual on how to use color in your home than a coffee table book that just sits and looks pretty. I wanted to make the world of color attainable by using simple language and clear directives.”

Mission accomplished. 

Rightsizing secret: A little bit of great beats a lot of mediocre

She also wanted to give readers permission to harness their inspiration, “so if they have a sudden desire to paint their front door in red gloss, they do.” Although her overarching message is to encourage us to embrace color, she offers some welcome guideposts. Here are a few pointers taken from our conversation and the book:

On room size …

Paint color can change a room’s perceived proportions, she writes. “Lighter colors are often best for large rooms, so they won’t overpower them. Darker tones will enhance small spaces and make them feel intimate. Although painting a small room a dark color may seem counterintuitive, the results can be wonderfully theatrical.” If you are in the unusual position of needing to make a large space appear smaller, add a contrasting trim.

On outside influences

“Palettes gathered from your travels can be a rich source of inspiration, but be wary of using them in your home,” she writes. “The tempting colors of a dazzling tropical flower may well appear garish out of context.” In other words, you may love the hot pinks and oranges of Mexico, but they don’t play well in New England.

On neutrals

“Even though I’ve introduced loads of color, I also included a really important section on neutrals organized into six families,” she says of her book. Each neutral family has four colors that produce failsafe combinations. It also includes an indispensable section on which white to use with which color, which is not as simple as it seems. 

On painting cabinets, floors and furniture 

Do it. But the key to success lies in preparation. “You need to properly prepare and prime the surface, so the paint holds up to heavy use,” she said. “That’s boring but really important.” You must also choose a durable finish, like Modern Eggshell.

On what she wishes more people knew

“That they don’t have to default into using white on ceilings and trim. Personally, I think white baseboards look mean. I would only paint baseboards in the wall color. Why are we calling them out? They are functional, not decorative.” 

On the title

“I think people interpret the word ‘redecorate’ differently,” she said. Perhaps. That said, if the book were called “How to Pick and Apply Paint Color in Your Home,” I might never have read it. And that would have been a shame. 

Marni Jameson is the author of the forthcoming Rightsize Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow: A Motivational Guide for Those Seeking Their Ideal Home Later in Life, due out Jan. 2, and six more home and lifestyle books, including  What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want, and Downsizing the Family Home – What to Save, What to Let Go. You may reach her at marnijameson.com.

Lake Mary (9-1) opens at Boone (5-5) and Sanford Seminole (8-2) is home vs. Hagerty (6-4) in Class 4 Metro Region 1 outings. The Rams rank No. 6 overall in FHSAA playoff power rankings. Seminole is No. 9.

Former UCF quarterbacks Ryan Schneider and Steven Moffett are head coaches at programs looking to make a splash in separate FHSAA Suburban classifications.

Moffett has Leesburg at 9-1 entering a home game vs. Auburndale in 3S Region 2. Schneider’s lone loss at Cocoa (9-1) came in the final moments of a controversial ending at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Tigers get Eustis (7-3) at home in 2S Region 3.

Orlando Christian Prep (9-1) has the week off ahead of its 1M Region 1 semifinal vs. Jacksonville Providence (7-3) at a site to be determined.

The Master’s Academy (8-2) plays Fort Lauderdale Westminster (9-1) on Saturday in the Sunshine State Athletic Association championship game. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bryant Stadium in Lakeland.

The Eagles, in their first season under coach Garrett Kruczek, last won an independent league title vs. OCP in 2019. Former UCF coach Mike Kruczek and receiver Doug Gabriel are assistants.

Also on Saturday in Lakeland, Mount Dora Christian (5-5) faces Bradenton Saint Stephen’s (8-2) at 2 p.m. in an SSAA consolation bracket.

Regional quarterfinal playoff games are listed below. Rankings are from FHSAA playoff power rankings. Win-loss records are included in parentheses.

4M Region 1

No. 1 Lake Mary (9-1) at No. 8 Boone (5-5), 7

Buzz: First meeting since Boone won 10-3 in 2007 and 26-7 in 2008. Rams, who average 42.8 points per game, have been held under 350 yards only twice this season during wins vs. Mandarin and Mainland. Jack Lynch leads Boone with 97 tackles. Jadon Frick has 46 tackles, 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

No. 5 Jacksonville Mandarin (7-3) at No. 4 Winter Park (9-0), 7:30#

Buzz: Mandarin won a regional semifinal 41-8 at Winter Park in 2018. Tiant Wyche has 1,156 rush yards (17 TDs) and Jaime Ffrench Jr. has 37 catches for 831 yards (10 TDs) for Mustangs. Sophomore Ayden Pouncey leads Winter Park with 780 all-purpose yards, 42 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 5 interceptions and 5 TDs.

No. 7 Hagerty (6-4) at No. 2 Sanford Seminole (8-2), 7:30

Buzz: ‘Noles won six of seven meetings from 2007-14. Seminole defensive lineman Preston Watson (58 tackles, 7 sacks) was named Seminole Athletic Conference defensive player of the year early this week. Chance Bennett leads Hagerty with 33 catches for 620 yards and 7 TDs.

No. 6 Evans (5-5) at No. 3 Apopka (7-3), 7:30

Buzz: Blue Darters have rolled past Evans by an average score of 38-7 since 2013, including a 33-13 win two weeks ago. Nathan Jenkins III has rushed for 784 yards and 7 TDs while Lorenzo Payne IV has 10.5 sacks for Apopka. Trojans average 336 rush yards with 28 TDs behind senior QB Chris Peterson and Jermaine Hardy.

4M Region 2

No. 6 Dr. Phillips (6-4) at No. 3 Olympia (8-2), 7

Buzz: Olympia’s 31-21 win last month made it two in a row since losing 19 consecutive in the series since 2005. DP finished the regular season with close wins at West Orange and Ocoee and a lopsided loss at Jones. Romelo Ware has rushed for 1,305 yards and 17 TDs for Olympia. Winner plays No. 2 Tampa Plant (8-2) or No. 7 Plant City (6-4).

3M Region 1

No. 8 Jacksonville First Coast (6-4) at No. 1 Edgewater (10-0), 7

Buzz: Eagles routed First Coast 57-6 last year in a regional quarterfinal. Kaden Shields-Dutton has rushed for 626 yards and 12 TDs and Solomon Tripline has 93 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries for Edgewater. First Coast is led by Lonnell McCall II (56 tackles) and Cyikah King (3 INTs) on defense.

No. 4 Jones (7-3) at No. 5 Oviedo (8-2), 7:30

Buzz: Jones rolled to a 49-19 win in the second round last year. Vernell Brown III leads the Tigers with 50 receptions for 1,019 yards (8 TDs) and 266 yards (4 TDs) on special-teams returns. Oviedo QB Jackson LaTour, who is 18-4 for his career, has thrown for 2,629 yards, 35 TDs and 2 interceptions.

2M Region 1

No. 6 Jacksonville Ed White (6-4) at No. 3 Bishop Moore (7-3), 7

Buzz: Tackle Aleks Freyman, guard Jordan Latson-Davis and center Alex Oats anchor a Bishop Moore offense that averages 383 total yards per game. Tony Williams has 5 INTs for Ed White, which has tallied 29 sacks. Winner plays No. 2 Jacksonville Riverside (8-2) or No. 7 Jacksonville Episcopal (5-5).

4S Region 2

No. 7 Haines City (6-4) at No. 2 Lake Minneola (7-3), 7:30

Buzz: Lake Minneola’s Dane Thompkins (1,352 yards, 21 TDs) ranks among the area’s leading rushers. Braylon Knauth has 55 receptions for 908 yards and 9 TDs. Ten players have combined for 22.5 sacks for Haines City. Winner plays No. 3 Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch (8-2) or No. 6 Spring Hill Springstead (7-3).

4S Region 3

No. 8 Osceola (4-6) at No. 1 Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (7-2), 7

Buzz: It’s the fourth meeting in two years between teams matching up in the postseason for the fourth time since 2015. Osceola won in the regular season and playoffs last year by a combined 24-12 score. Treasure Coast, which beat Seminole 14-9 in Week 3, won 22-8 on Aug. 25. Winner plays No. 4 Vero Beach (8-2) or No. 5 Palm Bay Heritage (9-1).

No. 7 New Smyrna Beach (6-4) at No. 2 Orange City University (9-1), 7:30#

Buzz: University won 41-7 on Sept. 29 and owns a 4-2 lead in the series since 2013. Malachi Walters is completing 70% of his passes for 1,969 yards, 23 TDs and 6 INTs. Wideout Jermane Hayes averages 135 all-purpose yards with 9 TDs. Former Boone and Wekiva QB Elijah Rooney has 1,707 total yards (17 TDs) for New Smyrna.

No. 6 Port Orange Spruce Creek (7-3) at No. 3 DeLand (8-2), 7:30#

Buzz: Javon Ross averages 188 all-purpose yards with 23 TDs as a rusher, receiver and special-teams returner for DeLand. Quarterback TJ Moore has accounted for 2,138 total yards and 24 TDs. The Bulldogs rallied for a 28-27 win Sept. 29 for its fifth in a row over the Hawks. Spruce Creek has tallied 33 sacks and 10 INTs.

3S Region 2

No. 6 Auburndale (7-3) at No. 3 Leesburg (9-1), 7

Buzz: Leesburg is chasing its first playoff win since 2013. The Yellow Jackets, state runner-up in 1969, also won a playoff game in 1992. Salomon Georges has passed for 2,209 yards, 29 TDs and 2 interceptions. Auburndale has forced 20 turnovers. Winner plays No. 2 Lake Wales (10-0) or No. 7 New Port Richey Gulf (5-5).

2S Region 3

No. 8 Eustis (7-3) at No. 1 Cocoa (9-1), 7

Buzz: Defending state champion Cocoa is No. 1 among all classifications in FHSAA playoff power rankings. The Tigers average 373 total yards on offense. Running back Tymir Gaines (891 yards, 8 TDs) and receiver Lashawn Williams (1,089 yards, 13 TDs) lead the way for Eustis. Winner plays No. 4 Hudson (9-1) or No. 5 Dunnellon (7-3).

#Home sites: DeLand at Spec Martin Stadium; University at Deltona High School; Winter Park at Showalter Field.

This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.