Ocala Magazine September 2022 Digital Issue by ocalamag

$5.95 OCALA MAGAZINE SEPT 2022 OM’sIntroducing2022CoverModelContestWinner, plus: Mia Parada Mental Health in Ocala Voice of the Gators Dining Out: Mark’s Prime Ocala’s City Magazine Since 1980 Serving the Horse Capital of the World®

In 2022: $35,866,890 Sold • $5,568,750 Pending Just Listed

Located close to the Florida Horse Park. Polo field, 80’ x 225’ riding arena, lush green paddocks, center aisle 10-stall barn with tack, feed and hay storage. Seven feed stalls. Covered shed rows are large enough to park your horse trailer and equipment. Two 1 bd/1 ba apartments. 4 board fencing. No deed restrictions - horses, cattle and chickens are allowed. $1,300,000 No deed restrictions! 3 bd/2 ba home. Attached 2-car garage plus detached 3-car garage, 1 A/C bay and full bath. 48’ x 50’ Metal building. Gated entrance. Perimeter fenced with new 3 board fencing. Paddocks are suitable for building arena or jump fields. Property is located on two separate lots. Located just minutes to the Florida Horse Park and the Florida Greenways and Trails. $1,095,000

Thoroughbred, dressage and/or breeding facility in Starting Point. 3 Barns - 51 stalls, eurocizer, round pen, arena, and 23 various size paddocks. 1/2 +/- mile irrigated exercise track plus deeded access to 5/8 +/- dirt track, 4 Bd/4.5 ba owner’s residence, 4 bd, 3 bath guest home, 3 bd/1ba apt, 1 efficiency apt A/C workshop, plus RV hook-ups. Just 4 miles to HITS and 15 miles to WEC. $4,630,000 State of the art equestrian facility with 4 recently updated CB barns96 stalls, each barn has wash racks, office/tack room, bathroom, and LED lighting. 8-Stall wooden barn. 3/4 +/- Mile irrigated race track, covered eurocizer, round pen plus plenty of lush green paddocks. New 4-board fencing. 4 Bd/3 ba owner’s residence with open floor plan. Guest/staff housing. Just 8.5 miles to WEC. $6,800,000

Just Listed Just Listed Just Listed Just Listed

List with us today! Gated Communities Classic Elegance on 5.5 +/- acres in gated equine friendly community of Summit II. 4 En-suite bedrooms. Owner’s suite offers separate baths. Spacious great room with fireplace and lanai access. Private lap pool. Stable offers 3 stalls plus additional covered parking and storage areas. $1,399,000 Laurels of Bellechase - Fabulous custom-built Arthur Rutenberg model pool home with spa and outdoor living at it’s best! 4 bed, 4 bath, office, den, open concept floor plan with high ceilings. Private outdoor living area with summer kitchen, spa, fire pit, and Koi pond with waterfall. $1,350,000 Brand New Construction! Located in Summit II on 3.81+/acres. 5,900+ SF, 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home. Luxurious kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. Great room with fireplace, beverage area and access to pool and lanai. Attached 3-car Locatedgarage.in Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, just a golf cart ride to and from WEC is this spectacular 6 bed, 5 full and 3 half bath distinguished home offering 15,000 +/- SF on two lots. Expansive screen enclosed resort style pool and lanai area. $6,499,000 Just REDUCED

9.80+/- Acre Equestrian Estate- 3 bed/ 2 bath home with updated kitchen and appliances. Owner suite features new bathroom. Large garage/workshop with 3 bay doors with a soundproof room. Center aisle 8-Stall barn, tack room, feed room and wash rack. Level grounds to set up your jump fields. Farm offers room to ride, train and raise horses or cattle. $793,500

REALTOR®

This Horse Country 29+/- Prestigious acres in NW area of Ocala. 3 Bed, 3.5 bath plus office, pool home. 8 miles to World Equestrian Center. As you enter the foyer you greeted by the beautiful views of the property. This property offers room to layout your dream farm plus room to ride, train and raise your horses or cattle. $2,997,000 Emerald Mile - 50 +/- Beautiful acres of gently rolling land. Bring your plans to build the perfect home or farm for you and your family. Property is perimeter fenced and ready for horses or cattle. Just 12 miles to World Equestrian Center. $795,000 39.78 Acres. Located less than 1 mile to HITS and 12 miles to the World Equestrian Center. Green pastures to raise and train your horses. Perfect for jumpers or eventors. 3 Large paddocks. Looking to build your dream home or seasonal place, this is it. $1,389,700

352.347.1777 | Cell: 352.266.9100 | Cell: 352.804.8989 | joan@joanpletcher.com For these and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos, and more choices. REALTOR® Due to the privacy and at the discretion of my clients, there are additional training centers, estates, and land available that are not advertised. If you’re considering buying or selling, give us a call today! Great opportunity to purchase or lease this Tuscan office on Fort King close to downtown 2-Story office – each floor offers: conference room, reception area, 2 restrooms, Kitchenette and 4 large offices. Elevator. 15- plus parking spaces. Easy access to Silver Springs Boulevard. $1,100,000 Let Me Show You Ocala! 10+ Acre gentlemen’s farm located just a short distance to the World Equestrian Center. 2-Story home has a wraparound porch. 4 Bed / 3 bath features great room with brick wood-burning fireplace opens to kitchen and dining room. Includes a lit arena, 4 stall barn and 4 paddocks. $750,000 10+ Acres located minutes to HITS and the World Equestrian Center. 3 Bed / 2 bath home features 1,950 SF. Open Kitchen - family room. Expansive living room with fireplace and large windows overlooking the farm. Beautiful views of the sunrises and sunsets. $500,000 PENDING Location! Location! Location! — Possible Owner Financing! 39+/Acres in prestigious NW Ocala. 10 Minutes to WEC – 2 Minutes to HITS. 10-Stall barn with living space/lounge area. Two - 3 Bedroom/ 2 bath mobile homes on property. $2,611,750 For Sale or Lease

HOW LONG IS THE TREATMENT ? HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED? Your provider will tailor a treatment plan for you. A typical treatment takes about 30 minutes and you will need about 6 sessions, scheduled twice a week.* Sit and experience the breakthrough for incontinence.treatment NON-INVASIVE BEFORE AFTERTREATMENT Pelvic floor insufficientlymusclessupport pelvic BTL EMSELLA™ effectively stimulates pelvic floor Stimulation leads to regained control over pelvic floor BODY AGING, CHILDBIRTH, AND MENOPAUSE CAN LEAD TO INCONTINENCE

“ I have regained my confidence because of my treatment and intend to resume my sport activities. Amanda, Houston, TX ” ” Karen, Boston, MA To my amazement I shut off a medium strong stream. I could not do that before!

Pelvic floor insufficientlymusclessupport

CORE TO FLOOR

“ I have regained my confidence because of my treatment and intend to resume my sport activities. Amanda, Houston, TX ” ” Karen, Boston, MA TREATMENT effectively stimulates pelvic floor muscles BEFORE EMSELLA Pelvic floormuscles insufficiently support pelvic organs & affect

WALK-INCLOTHEDFULLYWALK-OUT

WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE FEEL LIKE? IS IT PAINFUL? You will experience tingling and pelvic floor muscles’ contractions during the procedure. You may resume daily activities immediately after the treatment. WHO IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR BTL EMSELLA™? BTL EMSELLA™ is a great option for women of any age who desire solution for urinary incontinence and improvement in their quality of life.

You will experience tingling and pelvic floor muscles’ contractions during the procedure. You may resume daily activities immediately after the treatment. WHO IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR BTL EMSELLA™? BTL EMSELLA™ is a great option for women of any age who desire solution for urinary incontinence and improvement in their quality of life. HOW LONG IS THE TREATMENT ? HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED? Your provider will tailor a treatment plan for you. A typical treatment takes about 30 minutes and you will need about 6 sessions, scheduled twice a week.* Sit and experience the breakthrough for incontinence.treatment

To my amazement I shut off a medium strong stream. I could not do that before!

WALK-INCLOTHEDFULLYWALK-OUT

HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED? Your provider will tailor a treatment plan for you. A typical treatment takes about 30 minutes and you will need about 6 sessions, scheduled twice a week.* Sit and experience the breakthrough for incontinence.treatment NON-INVASIVE BEFORE AFTERTREATMENT Pelvic floor insufficientlymusclessupport pelvic BTL EMSELLA™ effectively stimulates pelvic floor Stimulation leads to regained control over pelvic floor BODY AGING, CHILDBIRTH, AND MENOPAUSE CAN LEAD TO INCONTINENCE REMAIN

LET'S GET REAL BUS TOUR EVENT PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE BEFORE AFTER EMSCULPT NEO BEFORE AFTER EMSCULPT NEO Learn about the benefits of Emsculpt Neo & Emsella with live demos!

HOW LONG IS THE TREATMENT ?

pelvic BTL EMSELLA™ effectively stimulates pelvic floor Stimulation leads to regained control over pelvic floor BODY AGING, CHILDBIRTH, AND MENOPAUSE CAN LEAD TO INCONTINENCE REMAIN WALK-INCLOTHEDFULLYWALK-OUT HOW FAST WILL I SEE RESULTS? You may observe improvement after a single session. The results will typically continue to improve over the next few weeks. FDA CLEARED TREATMENT FOR INCONTINENCE “ I have regained my confidence because of my treatment and intend to resume my sport activities. Amanda, Houston, TX ” ” Karen, Boston, MA AFTER EMSELLA Stimulation leads to regained control over pelvic floor muscles EMSELLA® LET’S GET REAL BUS TOUR EVENT 1-DAY EVENT: Oct. 12, 10am-1pm Strong & Healthy is the New Sexy Learn about the benefits of Emsculpt Neo & Emsella with LIVE Demos! CORE TO FLOOR 1920 SW 20th Place, Ste 202 Ocala, FL www.strongandhealthyocala.com RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY and Bring a Friend! (352) 861-0224 PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE

HOW FAST WILL I SEE RESULTS? You may observe improvement after a single session. The results will typically continue to improve over the next few weeks. FDA CLEARED FORINCONTINENCETREATMENT

WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE FEEL LIKE? IT PAINFUL?

To my amazement I shut off a medium strong stream. I could not do that before!

NON-INVASIVE BEFORE AFTERTREATMENT

WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE FEEL LIKE? IS IT PAINFUL?

REMAIN

6 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM SEPTEMBER • 2022 ON THE COVER: 2022 OM cover contest winner, Mia Parada Photographer: Ralph Demilio Wardrobe from Dillard's Ocala On location at Sholom Park CELEBRATING OUR 42ND YEAR! 16FEATURESCover Model Winner Mia Parada 22 Mental Case 30 Meet the New Voice of the Gators 38 OM Pulse 44 New Moms and Dads 10DEPARTMENTS From the Publisher 12 Words of Wisdom 14 From the Mayor 41 EAT 42 Mark’s Prime: Enhancing a Legacy 46 Dining Out 49 PLAY 50 Society: Summer BBQ and School Supply Drive 54 Anthology: Poetry in Motion 59 EQUINE 60 Riding the Mongol Derby 63 ETC 64 Charity Spotlight: Ocala Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Center 68 Health Journal: How to Find the Right Doctor 70 State of the City: Code Enforcement 72 State of the County: Building a Better Budget 74 Kiwanis Korner 75 Rotary Circle 76 What’s In and What’s Out 80 Looking Back: When Ocala was a cigar town $5.95 OCALA MAGAZINE ContestCoverOM’sIntroducing2022ModelWinner, plus: Mia Parada Mental Health in Ocala Voice of the Gators Dining Out: Mark’s Prime Ocala’s City Magazine Since 1980 Serving the Horse Capital of the World® p. 42 Dining Out Photo by John Jernigan

HydraFacial MD VioraElectrolysisLaser Services Candela Laser Services Injectable Wrinkle Relaxers and Fillers Ocala’s Premier Destination for Beauty and Wellness Revitalization MicrochanellingElecrolysisServices “The Botox Facial” Mircochanellong is the word on everyone’s lips. What is it? It’s a “ﬁne touch” micro channel system that painlessly delivers beauty treatments at the ideal depth beneath the skin, for maximum e ect. Combined with a SkinLab treatment personalized for you, come get yours only at Nirvana Medical Spa. The only permanent hair removal New Ocala!to Only Nirvanaat WEIGHT AVAILABLEMEMBERSHIPSPROGRAMSLOSS Nilam specialist,Patelmedical electrologist, and the Allison Brewer-Reed injector MICROCHANELLINGspecialist BEFORE AND AFTER (352)nirvanamedicalspa.com671-15913020SW27thAvenue, Ocala SEPTEMBER IS FORSavingAT NIRVANA MEDICAL SPA LHR: Buy full bikini at HALF OFF and get UA FREE BODY CONTOURING: 25% OFF includes muscle sculpting & fat reduction TATTOO REMOVAL: 75% OFF FARMHOUSE FRESH Body oil: Buy 2 get 1 FREE •Agave nectar •Vanilla Bourbon •Clementine PRP FACIALS: 50% OFF Buy 1 back facial get 1/2 off second facial SECRET RF MICRONEEDLING: Skin Remodeling from the inside out $1,000 OFF a package of 3. Includes PRP. PRP HAIR RESTORATION: $2,000 for two treatments. Includes 4 treatments with red light therapy. IPL TREATMENTS: Buy 3 get 2 FREE Diamond Glow ......... $199 Hydrafacial ................ $125 FHF ............................... $99 DP ................................. $80 Jeuveau (min of 40) ........ $9.99 Filler-Versa (per syringe)... $399

8 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM OM LittleART Black Mask Media Jessi Miller | Creative Director Jennjessi@ocalamagazine.comPrincinsky| Creative Assistant RalphPHOTOGRAPHYDemilio | Chief Photographer ralph@ocalamagazine.com MarkCONTRIBUTORSAnderson/Marion County | Writer Larry Bush | Writer Rachel Fautsch/City of Ocala | Writer Mayor Kent Guinn | Columnist John Jernigan | Photographer Crisandra Richardson | Photographer RandyOPERATIONSWoodruff, CPA | CFO www.ocalamagazine.comrandy@ocalamagazine.com OFFICE 743 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 4649, Ocala, FL 34478 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR by mail or email: editor@ocalamagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION One year - $49, Two years - $95, Single Issue - $5.95. COPYRIGHT ALL contents copyrighted © 2021 by Ocala Magazine Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertising content in any manner without written permission is strictly prohibited. Horse Capital of the World® is a registered trademark of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association. FOLLOW US ON EDITORIAL OR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 352.622.2995 CarltonEDITORIALReese | Editor carlton@ocalamagazine.com Brad Rogers | Contributing Writer + Editor brad@ocalamagazine.com Louisa Barton | Equine Editor Sharon Raye | Copy Editor THE OFFICIAL CITY MAGAZINE OF TEDxOcala · HITS · Equiventure OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER HOPS — Historic Ocala Preservation Society MEDIA PARTNER & PRESENTING SPONSOR of the Tailgating Competition at Live Oak International OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR 2022 International Women's Day Celebration EXCLUSIVE MEDIA SPONSOR FOR George Albright Annual Golf Tournament OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR FINE ARTS FOR OCALA Philip Glassman, CCIM | Publisher philip@ocalamagazine.com Penny Miller | VP/Corporate DevelopmentCELEBRATINGpenny@ocalamagazine.comOUR 42ND YEAR! SEPTEMBER 2022 Volume 42, Issue 3 OCALA’S #1 MOST AWARD-WINNING CITY MAGAZINE Ocala Magazine Wins Five 2022 Florida Magazine Association Awards!

CUSTOM BUILT ON YOUR LAND SINCE 1972 For over 50 years, America’s Home Place has built quality custom homes for our customers. Our philosophy is our foundation. “Principle over profit.” The driving force for our culture and growth since 1972. When you choose America’s Home Place, you can be sure we will build your dreams on solid ground. THE TIME TO BUILD IS NOW GAINESVILLE BUILDING CENTER 9200 NW 39TH AVE STE 190, GAINESVILLE, FL 32606 (352) AMERICASHOMEPLACE.COM244-8442 FL # CR-C1330787

At the awards, OM finished third place for Best Overall Magazine which is quite a feat for our staff and all those who contribute on a regular basis. To be mentioned right alongside other stalwarts such as Boca Magazine, Club Traveler and Sarasota Magazine is a big honor and quite humbling.

SexualViolence/AssaultCenterOM's2022FMACharlieAwards

10 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Dr. Judy Wilson, CEO of Ocala Domestic

andAccoladesHighlights LETTER from the publisher

• Best Writing: Public Service Coverage, 3rd place (‘ The Covid Curse’ by Brad Rogers)

Of course, no one here does anything for awards; instead, it’s all about bringing to Ocala compelling stories, visual constructs and insight into this wonderful area we call home. We hope our readers enjoy the magazine as much as we enjoy producing it.

• Best Overall: Design, 3rd place (Jessi Miller) Congratulations to all our staff!

• Best Overall: Magazine, 3rd place

IT’S SEPTEMBER AND TIME TO COUNT OUR BLESSINGS IN RE GARDS TO RECENT ACCOLADES. We may have a small staff here at Ocala Magazine, but it is a talented one for sure. I could not have been more proud than I was at the recent Florida Magazine Association awards in which our crew took home five awards ranging from excellence in writing, photography and design to best overall magazine. The awards included first place for Best Design: Department.

• Best Photography: Cover, 2nd place (June 2021, Ralph Demilio)

It’s sad that such an organization has to exist in our society, but it is sorely needed. Hopefully, the day will come when such help is not in dire need, but until then the funding and volunteer help from citizens is crucial. Thankfully, the citizens of Ocala have always been and will continue to be the sort that keeps organizations like the Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center a beacon of hope so many in distress.

• Best Design: Department, 1st place (‘Pulse’ by Jessi Miller and Carlton Reese)

At the awards, OM took home the following:

Since taking over at Ocala Magazine, I’ve been able to experience the many won derful highs as well as the pitfalls commonplace in this industry. That is why it means so much to see those who go to the mat every day with their creative skills be recog nized in such a way.

THIS MONTH’S CHARITY SPOTLIGHT falls on the Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual As sault Center and I think what a worthwhile cause it is to provide aid and comfort to women who have been battered. The man who lifts his hand against a woman is among the lowest there is and as such it is society’s duty to care for the victims of these abusers.

Inevitably the victims are more than just the women themselves as innocent children are often caught up in the pain, and that’s where the center is able to provide a safe haven for all involved. It’s not just shelter – there is also much-needed psychological counseling, legal help, sustenance and more.

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

I WANT TO SEND OUT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY message to two special mothers out there, both named Sharon. September is the birth month of my mother, Sharon Glassman, and my oldest child’s mother, Sharon Raye. I am blessed to have both these ladies in my life and especially my mother for giving me life. They both deserve all the happiness in the world!

A funny thing happened along the way to becoming the nation’s third-largest state — the transplants now outnumber the Flor ida natives … by a long shot.

An analysis of Census data by the news site Stacker ranked Florida counties with the largest percentage of born-and-bred Florida residents. Of Florida’s 67 counties, Marion County ranked 38th.

Imagine if Dr. John Gorrie had never invented air conditioning to help ease his patients’ suffering from yellow fever back in 1840s Apalachicola. The good doctor would not be around a century later to see his invention refined, improved and mass produced. Nevertheless, Florida wouldn’t be the Florida we know to day without Gorrie’s air-cooling contraption. It would be the 1960s before home air conditioners were in wide use. I remember my family’s first a/c unit. It took four men to lift the behemoth into the hole that had been cut in the wall, which was followed by a parade of neighbors coming by to gawk and cool off. That was 1968. Since 1970, almost 3 million people have moved to Florida each decade, causing the state to grow from about 7 million peo ple then to 22 million today.

Think about Marion County and how it’s changed over the past generation. Down town Ocala used to be a virtual ghost town. Now look at it -- vibrant with bars, restau rants and stores. Marion County has an award-winning park system. It has nation ally recognized arts and cultural programs, including the Appleton and Horse Fever. It has a diverse and booming economy that is becoming more so every day.

BY BRAD ROGERS

Bottom line, Florida was once the small est, poorest, most backward state in the South.

On one hand, people moving here from elsewhere typically are not very invested in our community. That’s especially true of re tirees, who often live in gated communities, removed from much of the rest of the com munity. And besides, they figure they did their part back in Peoria or wherever they cameThere’sfrom. also the ev er-increasing traffic, the omnipresent threats to our environment, the fouling of our water resources and the pressure continuous growth puts on virtually every aspect of Marion County life. Of course, with the bad comes the good – lots of good. Besides the economic impact new comers have on our community –and 150 are moving in every week – they also bring cultural and social diversity to our community.

Today, it is a growth machine that is richer, more complex and more diverse than any state in the South. Thanks largely to the newcomers that now outnumber the natives.

12 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM words of wisdom

When the natives are outnumbered

“All the state needed to achieve a near perfect environment was air conditioning and bug spray. By the mid-1950s, both became realities.”

The Census estimates 39 percent of Marion County residents were born in Flor ida. A full half of county residents were born elsewhere – 21 percent in the Northeast, 14 percent in the Midwest, 11 percent around the South and the rest from other regions of the U.S. or other countries. People are still moving here in droves, drawn by Florida’s beauty, affordability and weather. As renowned Florida historian Da vid Colburn once wrote, “All the state need ed to achieve a near perfect environment was air conditioning and bug spray. By the mid1950s, both became realities.”

As those of us who have been in Flori da for some or all of that half-century-long growth spurt know, unrelenting growth is a double-edged sword.

352-727-0900 Located at Kimberden 5400 NW 110th Ave. Ocala, FL 34482 Mon-Sat 10am-6pm | Evenings by Appointment HorseCountryTradingCompany HorseCountryTradingCompany 15% OFF For OM readers. Use promo code OCALAMAG at checkout. FREE Local Delivery or Curbside Pickup Gifts For All Occasions! Gifts H Decor H Apparel EquestrianHorseCountryTradingCompany.comLifestyle

A doggish police force

ecently, I wrote in this space about the desire for the return of a mounted police unit in Ocala. There are many different tools at the disposal of police officers and among them are animals such as horses and dogs. Thankfully, we do not have to hope for a unit of police dogs – we already have that and I recently had the pleasure of going out on patrol with one of them.

But when not working and with his favorite rubber ball in his mouth, “he’s like aThebaby.”Ocala Police Department’s K-9 unit currently includes four officers, a sergeant, drug officer and five canines, four of which are dual-purpose (appre hension and narcotics detection) and one single-purpose narcotics dog. Since it is illegal to search a vehicle without probable cause, the dogs come in handy by being alerted to drugs or weapons thereby giving the officers the right to search.

14 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

from theMAYOR

One thing I like about these dogs is that they will alert to drugs and often find more than just drugs. These dogs have been instrumental in putting away some of the worst criminals and we owe them a debt of gratitude – they put their lives on the line every day just like human police officers. To become part of the K-9 unit, both dogs and handlers must complete a 480-hour basic training program, pass a FDLE certification exam and receive a nationally-recognized narcotics certification. In 2021, the K-9 unit assisted with 34 tracks and 259 drug sniffs. In all, 46 suspects were captured by the K-9 units and 36 firearms taken off the street. Per haps most impressively, among all the apprehensions there were only two bites. Besides alerting to drugs and weapons, these dogs are also helpful in appre hensions by chasing suspects in places that would be difficult or dangerous for the human officer. One of the dogs, Cheney, is also a certified cadaver detection dog and is instrumental in assisting law enforcement agencies in their searches for human remains. We all love dogs and our law enforcement officials and what a great combination we have in them with the K-9 units here in Ocala! Their work is invaluable in keeping our streets safe. BY MAYOR KENT GUINN

I am amazed at the ability and the discipline of these dogs in conducting actual police work by searching for illegal paraphernalia such as drugs or weapons. I went on patrol with officer Roberson and his German shepherd, Marshal, who showed me firsthand how valuable the K-9 units are to clean police work. The night I tagged along, Marshal went on three stops, but his nose did not alert him to any drugs or weapons at the scene, although we were able to recover a gun the nextFormorning.thesedogs, it’s all business and they play no favorites, which makes them especially good at policing. The dogs know only what they smell and don’t care what you look like or who you are related to or what your last name is – they only care if they detect something illegal on you. When Marshal was at work, officer Roberson warned me that “you don’t want to mess with him.”

WinnerCoverOMIntroducingParadaMia2022Model PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DILLARD'SWARDROBEDEMILIOFROMOCALA 16 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 17

School: Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School. Favorite color: Yellow. Favorite subject at school: Art. Extracurricular activities you love: Basketball, running, and drawing A little about your siblings: They are crazy, funny, and playful. your pets: I have one dog. So fluffy and cute.

What music/performers do you enjoy? Pop, country and a little rock What do you want to be when you grow up? Artist/ Designer Anything else you want to say? Thank you for picking me!!!!! AboutMia

18 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

About

Charity REGISTER OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | 2021-22 CHARITY REGISTER OM PULSE Each month, Ocala Magazine will showcase the tastes, opinions and desires of its readers through its online survey. For July, we discovered these inclinations: 78% OF SAIDREADERSOMQUIZZEDTHEY WILL TRAVELTHISSTATEWIDESUMMER; 56% will nationallytraveland 28% will internationally.travel OF OM RESPONDENTS SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE A FEAR OF FLYING; 22% DO. The Kitchen SUPERHEROISSupermanTHEFAVORITECOMICOF 28% OF OM WonderRESPONDENTS.Womanispreferred by 22% while Batman and Spiderman are the favorites of 11% IS THE ROOM THAT OM RESPONDENTS DEMAND THE MOST PERFECTION IN THEIR HOUSE, ACCORDING TO 50%. The living room is next at 22%, followed by the master bedroom and bathroom at 11% 46 | JUL 2021 78%OCALAMAGAZINE.COM THE28%GUITARISTHEFAVORITEINSTRUMENTAMONGOFOMRESPONDENTS.Thepianoandviolinarefavoritesof 22% of respondents. HALF OF FrenchdipRESPONDENTSOMtheirfriesinketchupwhile 28% prefer to dip them in a sauce other than ketchup. 22% of OM respondents like to eat their fries DOGSKetchupplain.ISPUTONBY 78% RESPONDENTS. The next most popular toppings are mustard, and cheese at 56% at 44% and 61%onions OF OM RESPONDENTS THINK WEARING OF MASKS SHOULD OPTIONAL FOR STUDENTS TO SCHOOL THIS 22% say schools should while 17% think masks should Another year down and still Ocala’s most magazine.award-winning 2022 Florida Magazine Association Charlie Awards MAGAZINEOCALAOM GENERAL EXCELLENCE Best Overall Magazine Consumer: Circulation Under 20,000 | Bronze Award | 2022 Ocala Magazine GENERAL EXCELLENCE Best Overall Designed Magazine Consumer: Circulation Under 20,000 | Bronze Award | 2022 Ocala Magazine WRITING EXCELLENCE Best Writing: Public Service Coverage Consumer: Circulation Under 20,000 | Bronze Award | The Covid Curse DESIGN EXCELLENCE Best Photography: Cover Consumer: Circulation Under 20,000 | Silver Award | June 2021 DESIGN EXCELLENCE Best Design: Department Consumer: Circulation Under 20,000 | Charlie Award | OM Pulse

I t is no surprise that during the pandemic Marion County’s nonprofit organizations have seen the demand for their services surge. A recent survey by the Community Foundation of Ocala/Marion County found that 60 percent of the nonprofits here have seen an increase in requests for assistance.Atthesame time, however, almost as many – 55 percent – say they have seen donations decline and they have been forced to cancel a significant portion of in-person fundraisers, a major source of private donations, due to the pandemic. The findings are part of a recent re port by the Community Foundation called “A Year-End Assessment of COVID & the Nonprofit Sector in Marion County,Florida.” “Based on results, it is evident that the Ocala/Marion County nonprofit sector was negatively impacted in 2021 by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” the report states. “Many of the nonprofits experienced an increase in demand of services due to the pandemic’s impact on the local community, while at the same time losing a significant level of general donations and fund-raising revenues. Therefore, it is important for non-

STATE OF GIVING IN MARION COUNTY: The Covid profits to receive continued support from government partners, for-profit peers and the general public as they deal with the various challenges to their operations during these difficult Communitytimes.”Foundation Executive Director Lauren DeIorio said the report confirms what those in the nonprofit sector have been“Thewarning.nonprofit sector is not doing well,” she said. “ It’s not.” There are more than 1,300 nonprofit organizations in Marion County – everything from food banks and domestic violence shelters to churches and child care programs. For the purposes of its report, the Community Foundation focused on 40 nonprofits representing a cross-section of social sectors, including animal care, the arts, education, faith-based initiatives, health care, human services, public/societal benefits and veterans’ causes. As the report notes, these organizations serve some of the most vulnerable populations among us. “… nonprofits have a deep impact with food distribution, outreach to the most despondent and disparate populations, support Marion nonprofits see demand for services surge while funding slumps There are more than 1,300 organizationsnonprofitinMarionCounty–everythingfromfoodbanksanddomesticviolenceshelterstochurchesandchildcareprograms.

Curse BY BRAD ROGERS 2021-22 CHARITY REGISTER OCALAMAGAZINE.COM 29 OCALAMAGAZINE.COM JUL 2021 Ketchupketchup.themONHOT 78% OF RESPONDENTS.OMpopularhotdogmustard,relish 56%, with chili onions 39% THE BEST PART OF THE INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY IS THE GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS, ACCORDING TO 33% OF OM RESPONDENTS. 28% say fireworks are the best part while 17% enjoy grilling out the most. 61%THINKSTUDENTSSHOULDTHATBERETURNINGTHISFALL.bemask-lessshouldberequired. 61% OF READERS POLLED SAY THEY SELDOM USE STAMPS AND ENVELOPES. 22% say they regularly use stamps and envelopes while 17% never use them. 40 | OCT 2021 OCALAMAGAZINE.COM 20.4% OM PULSE Each month, Ocala Magazine will showcase the tastes, opinions and desires of its readers through its online survey. For October, we discovered these tendancies: Pumpkin Spice? 41.2% OF OM RESPONDENTS SAID THEY AND/OR THEIR KIDS WILL GO TRICK-OR-TREATING THIS YEAR. 51% 17.6%31.4% SAYRESPONDENTSareTHEY BelieveGhosts?in72.9%74.5% OF OM RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WILL DRESS UP AS SOMETHING SCARY FOR HALLOWEEN. 12.2% will dress up as a superhero, 10.2% as someone famous, 8.2% as an inanimate object as something else. OF OM RESPONDENTS SAID THEY66% OF OM DECORATESAYRESPONDENTSTHEYWILLTHEIRHOUSEFORHALLOWEEN. Chocolate barsARE THE FAVORITE HALLOWEEN TREAT AMONG 52.9% OF OM RESPONDENTS. 17.6% prefer gummies, 5.9% hard candy and 3.9% lollipops. 19.6% of OM respondents prefer something else as a Halloween treat. OM BELIEVESAYRESPONDENTSTHEYDOINGHOSTS. Ocala’s City CapitalServingSinceMagazine1980theHorseoftheWorld® Hemp could be a changergame-BuddyMartin: AFather’ssizzlin’Dayfeast OCALA MAGAZINE JUN 2021 Ocala’s communicatorgreat Outdoor fashion, recipes, food, tips, and inspiration! $5.95

MentalCase

Underfunded and understaffed, Marion County’s mental health care system is making strides at improvement.

BY BRAD ROGERS

22 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Community Partner Survey deemed mental and behavioral health care and counseling the hardest health care services to access lo cally. Survey participants said it is twice as hard to get mental health care in Marion County as the second-hardest health service to obtain, substance abuse treatment. what to do or where to go. For years, Marion County’s – and Flor ida’s – mental health care system has been woefully underfunded and inadequate. So obvious are the system’s shortcomings locally that participants in a recent Marion Coun ty Healthcare/Social Services Provider and It’s an illness most of us don’t like to talk about. Not to our friends, not to our co-workers, not even to our family. Heck, not even to ourselves. Yet, experts say one in five of us are afflicted by mental illness each year and, even if we do recognize we need help, too many of us don’t know

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 23

In that same survey, participants were asked “the 10 most important issues to be addressed to improve health” in the com munity. Once again, mental health care was the overwhelming No. 1 concern by both healthcare partners and members of the community at large.

Health care professionals say improving mental health care is the No. 1 health care need in Marion County.

ase

The Hospital District, which has allo cated nearly $15 million over the past three budget cycles to enhance mental health and behavioral services in the community, got in volved in the issue because the inadequacies in the local system were systemic. “It was overwhelming what we had to do,” Bromund said.

a serious

illness also struggle with a substance

disorder.

Robin Lanier, SMA vice president of Marion County services, said a big contrib utor to insufficient mental health service in the community can be summed up in two words: knowledge and navigation. Lanier said there is too little public awareness of the services that are available and even less understanding of how to navi gate the mental health care system once you engage“There’sit. not an awareness of what ser vices are available; and it’s also navigating the system, which can be difficult,” said La nier, a Marion County native.

Carali McLean, who is chairman of the NAMI-North Florida board as well as director of quality and risk management for the Heart of Florida Health Center in Ocala, said part of the solution to expanding men tal health care is to incorporate it into their point with mental health abuse

has lived with the 48th or 49th

The NAMI-North Florida estimates that 20 percent of all Marion Countians will have some sort of mental health crisis this year. Multiply that number by three, Podkomorski said, because family members or friends inev itably are dramatically impacted by a mental health crisis by someone they know.

Curt Bromund, executive director of the Marion County Hospital District, said the absence of Medicaid expansion dollars is only part of the low-funding equation. He said Marion County mental health care providers in the past have not been aggressive or, worse, inept at pursuing public grants and other funding for local services. As a result, Marion County was foregoing available dollars simply because providers “didn’t follow protocols.”

in their lives. 1 in 4 people

“Florida withandfundingmentalstates)(amongrankingthe50inpercapitahealthforyearshasbeenokayit.”

24 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. TWO-THIRDS OF FLORIDIANS AGE 12-17 WHO HAVE DEPRESSION DID NOT RECEIVE ANY CARE IN THE LAST YEAR. 1 in 4 people with a serious mental illness have been arrested at some

John Podkomorski, executive director of the North Florida NAMI, believes if Flori da had accepted Medicaid expansion, which would cover insurance costs for the poorest in the community, the estimated 40 percent of uninsured mental health patients would be reduced to 10 percent. More to the point, Podkomorski said that 85 percent of the mentally ill don’t get adequate care because they simply cannot afford it. He said the situation is exacerbat ed because people who do not get adequate mental health care typically do not get prop er overall health care.

Members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-North Florida Chapter say that funding has been the most significant roadblock to providing adequate mental health care in Marion County for years. Spe cifically, they say the state’s refusal to accept Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has left large numbers of Marion Countians unable to get care.

Of course, a lack of funding is at the core of the “Floridaproblem.haslived with the 48th or 49th ranking (among the 50 states) in per capita mental health funding for years and has been okay with it,” said Rhonda Harvey, chief op erating officer for SMA Healthcare, which last year took over operation of what was formerly The Centers. As a result, Harvey added, “Everyone has been very frustrated with the state of mental health services.”

Finally, SMA has medication-assisted In 2020, Marion County reported 75 emergency room visits per 1,000 population for mental health reasons, far higher than the statewide rate of 57 per 1,000.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 25 regular health screenings. That is something Heart of Florida has started doing, she said. “It’s right there in the doctor’s office, so they don’t have to go looking for help,” McLeanHarveysaid.and Lanier both said The Centers, Marion County’s largest mental health care provider, in recent years had created an uninvit ing culture that made it hard not just for people to get care but to get through the door.

“It is a really big deal for the community,” SMA’s Lanier said. “It’s really accessible and they provide just about any service they need.”

“The reputation was bad for The Cen ters,” Lanier said. “… The crisis is really at the front door, which was difficult to get through.” Her boss, Harvey, said treating patients locally is further complicated because too many of them do not understand that men tal illness is not like other illnesses, where you get over it after some medicine and rest. “With our population, they want to be one and done,” Harvey said. “They want to be ‘fixed,’ but we want people to realize this is a lifetime illness and it needs care. … Stigma is the biggest detriment to mental health care.” It is more than individuals that suffer when the mental health system fails the community, too. Other organizations and institutions also are negatively impacted.

Beacon Point, which has been funded with some $15 million from the Hospital Dis trict, houses numerous programs, notably Park Place, Lifestream and some SMA programs.

The changes, which largely have oc curred over the past three years, are high lighted by the change from The Centers to SMA Healthcare as well as the addition of the Hospital District’s new Beacon Point campus on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, just north of State Road 200.

Beacon Point has been described by those in the mental health and substance abuse communities as “a game changer.”

Park Place provides new detox beds, clinical withdrawal management, residential drug treatment and peer support. Lifestream, meanwhile, offers outpatient counseling, 12-step training, Alcoholics Anon ymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs.

“Because The Centers had failed the community for so long, the hospitals became the default mental health center,” Harvey said, adding that it was costly to the hospi tals and resulted in patients needing mental health care not getting it. Same goes for the county jail, where up to 40 percent of the inmates under Sher iff Billy Woods’ watch suffer some level of mentalLawillness.enforcement has been further frus trated because, until recently, the community had a woeful lack of detox beds – four for a community of more than 370,000 – and virtually no outpatient services. It also did not have any “medication assisted treatment” program for substance abusers. If police picked up someone who was overdosing, they sometimes would have to drive them to Daytona Beach or Tampa to get them treatment, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken has said. Thankfully, the problems with men tal health services in Marion County have not gone unnoticed or unaddressed. In fact, there has been a concerted and coordinated effort to improve both the accessibility and the breadth of those services.

SMA is planning to expand the 60th Ave nue Campus as well, hoping to add to its 35 adult drug treatment beds as well as the 12 juvenile beds. Expanded telemedicine is also part of SMA’s plans, although a significant number of people already receive care via Zoom and other online platforms.

26 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM treatment for the drug addicted as well as onsite assessment and case management. Also on site is a primary care clinic –with psychiatric services – run by the Heart of Florida Medical Center and a Substance Exposed Newborn program run by Well Florida that assists drug-addicted mothers and their Thesenewborns.areallcritical services that were severely lacking – detox beds went from four to 18 or did not exist at all – prior to SMA; outpatient services were not available in our community.Now,asone of nine pilot counties across the state, SMA, the Marion County Health Department, AdventHealth and the Hospital District are working to create an “addiction stabilization center” that will fol low a drug-addicted person from the hospi tal emergency room all the way through the assessment and treatment process. “This prescribes how to handle a person in substance abuse crisis,” SMA’s Lanier said.

NAMI-North Florida is providing classes for people with mental health and other issues to help them cope with and overcome their conditions, Pod komorski said. The classes have about 10-15 participants and last 2½ hours each week for eightInweeks.addition, NAMI also offers The Clubhouse, which McLean called “the foun dation of the organization,” because it acts as a work center for people with acute mental healthWhatissues.virtually all those involved in the many individual mental health agencies and programs serving Marion County agree on is that greater coordination and planning has resulted in better funding and better mental health services. At the same time, they also agree there is still plenty of work to be done, because Marion County is growing rapidly. percent of total law enforcement staff time is used to respond to individuals with mental illness, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center.

Lanier said the goal is to change the culture at SMA Healthcare by making sure that when someone comes in search of men tal health care, that “there is no wrong door.” “When you walk through any of our doors, you’re going to have a positive experi ence,” she Meanwhile,said.

In addition to Beacon Point, envisioned as a one-stop center for assessment and care programs for persons suffering from mental or substance abuse, SMA is also making big changes at its main campus on Southwest 60th Avenue. After it took over The Cen ters in July 2021, Lanier said there was a significant amount of basic maintenance and repairs needed, some of which are ongoing.

When asked what challenges remain for the mental health community, NAMI’s Podkomorski and McLean rattled off a list of remaining challenges. Of course, funding will remain a chal lenge, given the state’s track record of poor funding of mental health care. In addition to that, however, they say the absence of long-term patient care within the commu nity is a critical shortcoming. Also, finding enough specially trained workers continues to hamper the expansion of programs, even if there is enough money to do so.

The Hospital District’s Bromund said it goes even beyond the partnerships, although they have been critical.

While there have been facility and pro gram upgrades in the past few years, Lanier said that the biggest change in mental health care in Marion County has been the changes in leadership at SMA as well as other men tal health partners, like the Hospital District and now Beacon Point.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 27

“It’s not just the programs,” he said, “it’s the continuum of care that we have established.”

About percent40ofjail or prison inmates have a history of mental illness.

Lack of housing and transportation also hinders Marion Countians’ ability to deal with their mental health problems.

In other words, a person with a mental health or substance abuse crisis should be able to seek help at a number of different outlets and, because they are now working together, end up with a coordinated, long-term plan for care, whether you are insured or not.

“Poor mental health is related to ev erything – substance abuse, you lost your job, you have a personal crisis,” said Debra Vasquez, chief operating officer of the Hos pital District. “With what is happening now in our community, it is extremely promising. With the integrated health care we are now seeing, they’re all working to provide indi vidual service to the individual.”

Law enforcement has been further frustrated because, until recently, the community had a woeful lack of detox beds – four for a community of more than 370,000 – and virtually no outpatient services.

Lanier, of SMA, reiterated that a big impediment to obtaining quality mental health care is simply a lack of awareness about what is out there. She went on to say the coordination be tween SMA, the hospitals, Heart of Florida, the Health Department and Beacon Point programs has been beneficial to both the agen cies involved and the community in general.

Of the 796,000 adults in Florida who did not receive needed mental health care last year, half of them did ofbecausesocost. In any given year, it estimatedis that more than 4 million people with anyuntreatedillnessmentalgoinway.

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Rehabilitation You Are Not Alone, If You Are Home at Lakeview Terrace! To celebrate the opening of our New Clubhouse, we are offering, for a limited time, Great Sale Pricing on many of our homes. Lakeview is a wonderful place to live and the Clubhouse, with its gorgeous performance stage and many dining areas, will give our residents even better accommodations, activities and service.

Lic#88029

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Rehabilitation

Retirement Community Brand New 30,000 sq ft Clubhouse Reserve Today! 1-800-343-1588

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Rehabilitation

www.LakeviewTerrace.com

At St Rd 19 & Hwy 42, entrance on 19

www.LakeviewTerrace.com

You Are Not Alone, If You Are Home at Lakeview Terrace! on many of our homes. Lakeview is a wonderful place to Lic#88029

Retirement Community Hope to see you in 2022.

Now’s the time to sell your house and enjoy the peace of mind of Life Care at Lakeview. Houses are selling rapidly and at high prices with low interest rates. This may not last long. Now’s the time to experience Life Care at Lakeview.

Reserve Today! 1-800-343-1588

At St Rd 19 & Hwy 42, entrance on 19

www.LakeviewTerrace.com

Retirement Community Hope to see you in 2022. At St. Rd. 19 and Hwy 42, entrance on 19Lic#88029 Reserve Today! 1-800-343-1588

SOME MEETINGS ARE OFFSITE SOME ARE OFF GRID www.jmco.com | info@jmco.com | 352-369-1120 Our commitment to your financial well-being is always on our mind. So we’ll meet with you anywhere, whether we’re in our office or out in the field – literally. And we’ll be ready with the knowledge and bold solutions you need to get results. What can we do for you? » Assurance » CFO Consulting » Data Intelligence » HR Solutions » Outsourced Accounting » Tax Planning & Compliance » Technology Solutions » Transition Planning » Wealth Management

BY LARRY BUSH

First stop was in Columbia, Missou ri, starting as a part-time announcer, doing whatever came his way to gain experience.

Meet the new of the Gators’ ICE

30 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

A graduate of Southern Illinois Uni versity-Carbondale, his first play-by-play job was calling a Saluki women’s basketball game, which started his journey on the road that led him to Gainesville.

It was then on to New Orleans and Tu lane University in 2002 as the “Voice of the Green Wave,” calling football, men’s basket ball and baseball and “washing golf carts at a local club to make ends meet.” That put him in position when the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets (now called the Pelicans) needed a radio voice. Sean was Sean Kelley was relaxed and seemed to be at home sitting in a Gaines ville coffee shop. As a new resident, he was proud he found the place –and arrived on time. Casually dressed in a plain button-up camp shirt, no one took notice of the new ‘Voice of the Gators,” the man chosen to replace Mick Hubert, who retired after 33 years behind the mic. Kelley hadn’t yet called his first University of Florida Gator game and was just fine with blending in. Heck, his truck still had Louisiana tags.

Affable with a self-deprecating sense of humor, Kelley has a full grasp of his new status. “You know, it’s quite an honor to be the

‘V

Sean Kelley steps into his role as the fourth play-by-play announcer for the University of Florida.

fourth ‘Voice of the Gators,’” he said. “It’s one of those opportunities that just don’t come up very often.” Prior to Kelley, only Otis Boggs (1940-82), David Steele (198289) and Hubert (1989-2022) were called the “Voice of the Gators.” “Mick is a Hall of Fame legend and had a great 33-year run – that’s unheard of. Toss in all the national championship games and it’s going to be hard to follow,” Kelley said.

Kelley grew up in St. Louis listening to the quintessential voices of Jack Buck and Bob Costas on KMOX. Those men, the way they went about their work, represented a community that would inspire Kelley to get into broadcasting.

“I’ve always been a side hustle guy,” he said. “I don’t really know any other way. I’m adjusting to the new position, getting to know the coaches and getting ready for my first game (Sept. 3). Right now, all I want to do is get out on the practice field with a ros ter in my hand and get to know this team.” That type of hustle and determination has always paid off for Kelley. From washing golf carts in his time at Tulane, to volunteer ing to host pre-game, halftime and postgame shows for the New Orleans Saints, Kelley was focused on his goals.

“You••• have to gamble on yourself and then be in position to build the next thing.”

The “we” he often talks about is his wife of a quarter century, Kim, whom he met while attending Southern Illinois, and their two daughters, Keighley, 24, and Colin, 22. “No way I could do this without them,” he

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 31 there from 2002-19, during which time he also covered the NFL’s New Orleans Saints as the off-season and pre-season TV host for the Saints and the host for their digital of ferings during the season. With an already full and impressive re sume, Kelley jumped to ESPN in 2019 as the lead play-by-play voice for college foot ball. As a matter of fact, he will continue to call games for ESPN as his busy Gator schedule allows.

“You have to gamble on yourself and then be in position to build the next thing,” he said. “Once we made that decision, I hired an agent and things happened.”

“Kim and I thought to ourselves, ‘How come we’ve never been to Gainesville?’,” he said. “But it’s true. And we are loving the people and getting to know the community. Everyone has been very welcoming.”

32 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM said. “It is humbling to know that, as I say this, everything we own is on wheels being shipped to Gainesville.” After making the decision to gamble on himself, Kelley signed on with ESPN as the lead radio play-by-play host for College Foot ball and also called NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball games for the sports network. When Hubert decided to retire, Kelley got calls asking him who he thought would be a good fit in for the Gators. “I had not even thought about me, until someone asked if I would be interested,” said Kelley. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportuni ty to be among the elite of the elite. Once I made the decision to go for it, the doors blewTheopen.”first time he stepped foot in Gainesville was for an interview.

ShuttertockviaReed,GregorybypagethisPhotos

“It’s••• a opportunityonce-in-a-lifetimetobeamong the elite of the elite. Once I made the decision to go for it, the doors blew open.”

It’s been a busy year for UF Athletic Director Scott Strickland, who hired new football coach Billy Napier, new men’s bas ketball coach Todd Golden and new wom en’s basketball coach Kelly Rae Finley. And then Stricklin had to find someone to re place the living legend of Mick Hubert. “Scott and I joked about that when we met,” Kelley said. “Replacing one of those positions in a year is hard, but to fill three head coach roles for programs is unheard of. Then, oh, by the way, your ‘Voice of Gators’ is retiring and we need a new one. Scott had his hands full and has done an amazing job.” Kelley knows the men’s basketball and baseball seasons are around the corner. But right now, he’s focused – as he should be –on football and verbally painting each game’s picture for the listening Gator Nation. “It has been a crazy run to get here,” said Kelley, kind of settling into his seat. “But this is where we’re supposed to be. All the Gators have been great – and I know that can turn very quickly – but we are enjoying ourselves and are very thankful.” As he walked to his truck with Loui siana tags, wearing a shirt with no logo and not a hint of orange or blue, he stopped. “Hey,” he said, standing near his truck. “Go Gators!”

Close to cancer experts.

Florida Cancer Specialists’ top-ranked cancer experts provide the most advanced treatments in our local community.

From genetic screening to immunotherapies, our quality care brings effective, targeted treatment to you so you can stay close to home. We take care of all the big things in cancer care, so you can focus on all the little moments that matter—every step of the way.

FLCancer.com/LittleThings

Closer to what you love.

Enjoy the retirement you’ve imagined at Highpoint. L ife ELEVATED. Assisted Living Facility #13658

17201 SE 109th Terrace Road • Summerfield, FL 34491 • HighpointStonecrest.com

INDEPENDENT ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE

LIVING |

For senior living that rises above all the rest, call 352-504-3135 or visit HighpointStonecrest.com to learn more.

Across all levels of care, from independent living to assisted living and memory care, residents can take part in engaging programming designed for a healthy mind, body and soul. With convenient access to nearby attractions, residents can easily venture out and about before coming home to take in the picturesque views from the community’s spacious residences.

HIGHPOINT AT STONECREST has set the bar high for retirement living in the heart of Florida. This premier senior community is located just north of The Villages and features stunning views from its rooftop bar and lounge. Other enjoyable experiences at Highpoint include all-day farm-to-table dining, a resort-style saltwater pool, dog park, putting green, courtyard with firepit and so much more.

Highpoint at Stonecrest was designed with a holistic approach to health and wellness that includes cutting-edge, technology-enabled features you won’t find anywhere else. We’ve incorporated advanced safety features at every turn — including state-of-the-art air filtration and antimicrobial paint and surfaces — to ensure the health and security of everyone at the community.

AT ISEVERYHIGHPOINT,MOMENTYOURS. 17201 SE 109th Terrace Road • Summerfield, FL 34491 • HighpointStonecrest.com INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE Whether you’re looking for sophisticated, resort-style amenities or specialized, high-quality care, Highpoint offers a retirement lifestyle that’s perfectly suited for everyone. SAVE NOW on a rewarding retirement at Highpoint! Don’t miss your chance to save — call 352-504-3135 to learn more or to schedule a tour! Take advantage of these LIMITED-TIME offers: INDEPENDENT LIVING One-Bedroom Apartments starting at $3,995 per month MEMORY CARE Companion Suites starting at $3,900 per month

facebook.com/hiscompassionfloridawww.HISCompassionFlorida.org HIS Compassion FOOD BANK New in Ocala or50%Savemore ALL proceeds go to HISFoodCompassionBank No everythingYESfood...else! Shop and Save Tuesday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm 3344 NE Jacksonville Rd., Ocala | 352-351-0732Nice,gentlyusedfurniture.HBAVitamins,Automotives,Households.Buybythepieceorbythepallet.

38 | SEPT 2022 |

SAY THEY NEVER WORK OUT IN A GYM. 23% work out 1-2 hours per week while 14% work out 3-5 hours per week. Each month, Ocala Magazine will showcase the tastes, opinions and desires of its readers through its online survey. For September, we discovered these inclinations: OM PULSE OF READERS SAID THE KITCHEN IS THE ROOM OF CHOICE FOR RENOVATIONS; 27% opt for the bathroom and 18% the living room. 48%36%59% SAY THE FLORIDA GATORS IS THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM THEY ROOT FOR. 19% root for the Miami Hurricanes and 14% for the Florida State Seminoles. 18% OF READERS STATED CATAWBA PURPLE AND DYNAMITE RED ARE THE PREFERRED COLOR CRAPE MYRTLE. Pink velour and Natchez white are the favorites of 14%.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COMOFREADERS

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | JUL 2021 | 39 OF READERS POLLED SAID FOX NEWS IS THE PREFERRED EVENING NEWS CHANNEL OF CHOICE. prefer to watch CNN and NBC. 29% they do not watch the evening news. PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAY THEY WILL ATTEND A COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME THIS FALL OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEPT 2022 | 39 41% 18% OF TIMECLAIMRESPONDENTSTOATONEHAVEBEENON A KETOGENIC DIET. 38% OF RESPONDENTS PAY A TEAM TO SERVICE THEIR POOL WHILE 14% DO IT THEMSELVES. 68% say they do not own a pool. 45% OF READERS SAY THEY DO NOT ADHERE TO THE ADAGE THAT ONE SHOULD NOT WEAR WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY. 82% 40%OFREADERSPOLLEDSAYSHALOMPARKISTHEFAVORITELOCALPICNICSPOTWHILE 18% PREFER TUSCAWILLA PARK AND 14% THE DOWNTOWNSQUARE.

WarrensPowerWashing.com Schedule an appointment today! Call Jason for a FREE estimate (352) 489-3339 Like us • FAMILY OWNED • OVER 13 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ENSURING HIGH-QUALITY WORK & CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Exterior cleaning services for BARNS, ROOFS, HOUSES, DRIVEWAYS, PATIOS, DECKS, POOL SEALINGCLEANING,ENCLOSURES,SANDINGANDPAVERS,ANDMORE! BEFORE AFTER BEFORE WITHCLEANGETAFTERSUPERLITTLETONOPRESSURE!FREEDRIVEWAYCLEANING WITH A PAID HOUSE WASH Valid Septemberduring2022 Ask about our commercial routine programmaintenance

Corn season + your grill = Mexican street corn delicousness! Mark’s Prime Steakhouse p42 | Dining Out p46 OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 41 eat

consists of his wife Michelle, Nate and Abby Stockman, Navroz and Azim Saju, and Deb Cone. “Our mission is to keep this place an elite luxury steakhouse and continuing its legacy of the past. One reason I’m involved is because I love this place – I love the people here and I love the food here.”

hen Mark’s Prime changed ownership hands recently, there may have been a fear among local patrons that Oc ala’s most elegant steakhouse was going to be transformed into something unrecognizable, a departure from that which built its unique reputation as a restaurant anchor of the downtown scene for over the past 20 years.

“The way we view it, we’re stewards of an important part of Ocala’s downtown restaurant landscape,” said Don Gulling, part of an ownership group of locals that

EnhancingPrime:aLegacy

42 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

“The way you cook food and the way you present these dishes really matters to guests because they’re not here just for the meal, they’re here for the experience,” Gulling said. “The flavor’s still fantastic, the ingredients are still similar, but the presentation is at a much dining out "They're not just here for the meal, they're here for the experience."

EAT

With new ownership, Mark's Prime boasts subtle enhancements while maintaining its classic flavor.

“You don’t reinvent the wheel when the car is running well,” said new general manager Michael Mink. That means maintaining the Mark’s Prime commitment to serving the best prime steaks in the area and simply adding to the enjoyment of the fine dining experience.

The quality of the beef – Mark’s Prime always has and always will use only prime cuts of beef – and the expert preparation by Chef Randal and his team will maintain its highend modus operandi, but subtle changes are improving the overall dining experience.

Mark’s

BY CARLTON REESE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN JERNIGAN

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 43

44 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM higher level in my opinion.” It’s not just aesthetics, however. A great er commitment has been placed on utilizing more local ingredients, and that has had its greatest effect on the seafood served at Mark’s Prime. Instead of relying on the typical ocean fare served at all other restaurants, patrons at Mark’s Prime are being treated to locally caught varieties that satisfy the discerning pal ate. Case in point being the recent fish special, in which one can normally count on Chilean Sea Bass like clockwork, but at Mark’s Prime tripletail was served to great reviews. “It’s decadent like a Chilean Sea Bass, but the texture is much more like snapper,” Mink said. “We’re focused on using maybe lesser-known fish and lesser-known proteins that we think when people taste them they will be some of the best things they never had before.”There’s also the wine experience, which Mark’s Prime has taken to the next level. In the past, patrons at Mark’s Prime have been treated mainly to California wine selec tions, but Mink and his team are bringing in a worldly variety to satisfy a local clientele which is much more global than in years past. “Marks has always had a very domes tic-heavy wine list that does have a lot of trophies on it,” said Mink, an oenophile such that he is quite the sommelier for restaurant patrons. “But we’ve brought in a very diverse wine list with some nice, older bordeauxes, burgundies, Italian Brunellos; more pinot noirs and chardonnays. We’re going to have the trophies still, but we’re painting a much broader picture. We’re going to make a world ly wine menu that has more options on it.”

“We’re going to have the trophies still, but we’re painting a much broader picture. We’re going to make a worldly wine menu that has more options on it.”

The exciting changes taking place re garding fish and wine options are one thing, but inevitably Mark’s Prime will be judged on its service and its steak, the former being pol ished to friendly precision and the latter bol stering upon its already solid reputation. As far as the service is concerned, Mink is sold on the premise that those who walk through the door are not necessarily clients or patrons, but guests in their home. As guests, one is not merely treated to a meal, but an experience that comes in the form of an elegant atmo sphere, friendly and knowledgeable wait staff, highest quality food and presentation. In the end, though, it comes down main ly to the quality of the steaks, which Mink

Patrons at Mark’s Prime are being treated to locally caught seafood varieties that satisfy the discerning palate.

Chef Randal WhiteMichael Mink

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 45 and Gulling are both certain is at a level un touched by any other local steakhouse. Steaks are butchered in-house and only the high est-quality beef makes it to the table. Chef Randal White even admits that “we do turn down steaks of our own that we won’t serve… we have certain weight limits we have to hit so our quality level is pretty high.” When the best prime beef is served, seasoning need only be subtle and Chef Randal takes that approach. He is proud to note that he relies solely on olive oil, kosher salt, and Tellicherry black pepper. Like the changes at Mark’s Prime, the seasoning is subtle because that is all that is needed to enhance what is already great. “Many of our guests, they ask, ‘what is the seasoning?’ and they are surprised when we tell them,” Gulling said. “The key is the wood fired grill. That imparts a flavor and a seasoning to the steak you can’t get any other way.” New ownership and management of a restaurant often creates a buzz about drastic changes in store. At Mark’s Prime, which has built a reputation on elegance and high-quality selections, the subtle approach has been the best approach. Enhancing what is great and fine-tuning the rest is maintain ing its status as the anchor of the downtown restaurant“Changingscene.isn’t ‘fixing,’ it’s ‘enhancing,’” according to Gulling. “Subtle changes are all that are needed for a place like this that has a legacy.”

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant. Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality. Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift available.certificates

Whether gathering with friends or family for lunch or a night out, you’ll enjoy fresh salads, mouthwatering comfort food, late-night tapas and drinks. Specials include our Pecan Salmon, Southern Fried Lobster and famous baked Krispy Chicken. After dining enjoy a stroll in our boutique where we offer a variety of gifts, jewelry, home decor and clothing. Looking to host a special event or dinner? Call and talk to one of our staff members on the options we have available. Stop by our new speakeasy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.

30 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 402-0097 Tues - Thurs 5pm - 9:30pm | Fri, Sat 5pm - 10pm https://marksprimesteakhouse.com

53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550 Closed Mon, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm 106 NW Main St., Williston | (352) 528-5410 Sun-Wed 11am-2pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-8pm | ivyhouseﬂ.com

Mark’s Prime SteakhouseMark’s Prime Steakhouse

46 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM EAT dining out From wild, locally caught seafood to regionally grown produce and beef sourced within Florida, West 82⁰ Bar & Grill brings delectable farm-to-table plates while guests overlook the beautiful Kings Bay and Crystal River. Bring your own catch of the day, and the restaurant will prepare it for you ﬂawlessly. Join us for Sunday Brunch featuring hot and cold stations, a carving station, an omelet station, and an assorted dessert display. Call for reservations and weekly specials. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm For reservations, call 1.800.632.6262 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com West 82° Bar and Grill 9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com

Ivy On The Square

n end of summer BBQ celebra tion and school supply drive was held at Hawthorne Residence (Independent Living Retirement Apartments) on Tuesday August 2nd. Haw thorne hosted and partnered with Senior Health Advisors and Classic Home Health Services for the back-to-school event. Many area business professionals in the medi cal field attended including physicians. For every back pack filled with school supplies donated, the person making the donation received a ticket to be entered into a basket raffle donated by local businesses. The event was a huge sucess thanks to everyone com ing together to support the children in our community! 60 back packs were distribut ed to the following Marion County public schools to help those children in need at NH Jones Elementary, Saddlewood Elementary and Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary! On behalf of Hawthorne Residence, Senior Health Advisors and Classic Home Health Services thank you to everyone who partic ipated and made this event possible so that we could bless those in our community!

ADriveSupplySchoolBBQSummerand

PHOTOS BY CRISANDRA RICHARDSON

50 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM EVENTS society

MediaprovidedSupportby: ReillyArtsCenter.com | 352-351-1606 | 500 NE 9th Street MarionTheatre.org | 352-820-3049 | 50 S Magnolia Ave CONCERTS, CLASSIC FILMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND MORE! Films from just $5 Live concerts and events Sponsorship Opportunities Rent the Marion Theatre Full bar and concession Join us downtown Thurs-Sun! GRANT SUPPORT: All ages and skill levels Classes all year long Fun and AccessibleScholarshipsaffordableavailableprogramming COMMUNITY MUSIC CONSERVATORY A GIFT OF THE DAVID AND LISA MIDGETT FOUNDATION MUSIC Classes GROUP CLASSES | PRIVATE LESSONS SCAN ANDLEARNTOMOREREGISTER

ALL-IN FOR PEACE WOMEN’S SUMMIT HOSTED BY OLLIN WOMEN INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, 10AM-3PM AT THE APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART IN OCALA, FLORIDA A one-day summit for women, by women, dedicated to peace literacy and empowerment Spend a day learning from women who have been leading the charge for peace, and get inspired by ideas and resources you can take home and put to use right away. Jessica McCune Dr. Jillian Ramsammy Dr. Manal Fakhoury Jessi Miller Amy Roberts Marianne Williamson SpeakerKeynote GuestSpecial Dot MaverGuestSpecialMedea Benjamin Tickets $45 | ollinwomen.org JOANNE CORNELL-OHLMAN, PH.D., P.A LITTLE BLACK MASK MEDIA

Since 1982 The Cornerstone School has been providing our students an innovative and personalized learning experience centered on teaching the whole child. NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL 2022 • Preschool - 8th Grade 2313 S.E. Lake Weir Avenue • (352) 351-8840 • www.thecornerstoneschool.org YEARS 1982-2022 Celebrating 40 Y e a r s ofExcellence in Ed u c a t i o n

— poetry in motion

It’s time to let the cat out of the bag ...

The Hi!Path

BY JERRY GLASSMAN

54 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM PLAY anthology

I would like to present myself, even though all of you know me very well. Unfortunately, some of you don’t pay attention to me. I challenge you to take the necessary steps to engage with me to pursue a path to attain your goals and dreams I know we can do it together. By the way, my name is “Potential.” I’m looking forward to you tapping in to your “Potential.” That way we will both enjoy it!

Enhanced Walk to End Alzheimer’s App CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE you can join us at your local event or Walk From Home in your own neighborhood. No matter where you Walk, know that your health and safety are our top priorities. We will continue to closely monitor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local guidelines to ensure Walk events adhere to recommendations and are safe for attendees. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is happening Walk From HomeLocal Event Tuscawilla Park Physical distancing Hand sanitizing stations Masks are welcomed and will be available on-site Contactless registration Pick out your Promise Garden flower Short Opening Ceremony (9 a.m.) Walk when you're ready no official start time! OCT. 10 2020 OCT. 16 2021 Register today at act.alz.org/ocala Walking in-person or from home, registration is the same. Post photos to social media using the hashtags #Walk2EndAlz and #ShowYourPurple. Pre-recorded Opening Ceremony Augmented Reality Promise Garden Ceremony you can still "plant" your flower in the Promise Garden Use the route map to track your at-home Walk, including start and finish lines Start walking when and where you want! *Local Event ends at Noon

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 57 SUBSCRIBE NOW OCALAMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBEAT Ocala’s OCALA MAGAZINE OM Town Country& Live Oak International Another Shining EquestrianSeason EXCLUSIVE: Newton-JohnOliviaTopVolunteersCookbookConﬁdentialLittleHero,BigHeartonOcala,HerAutobiographyandLivingintheMomentMarionCounty’swithRsvpRobinMagic,theTherapyHorse $5.95 Ocala’s City Magazine Since 1980Serving the Horse Capital of the World Nurse’s Month Cook InspirationBook Elegance OCALA MAGAZINE MAY 2022 Age of midstcapturesOcalaareOcalawomenwhoshiningintheirgoldenyearsHospitalnursingunittopawardintheofragingpandemic MAGAZINEOCALAOM The regular cover price is $5.95 and a 12-month subscription is $71.40. Now for a limited time, you can have Ocala Magazine delivered right to your home or office for 30% OFF That’s 12 montly issues for only $49.98! LIMITED TIME OFFER Never miss an issue!

We are America’s Favorite Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine, Published Since 2008. ELITE EQUESTRIAN® Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com To request on-line subscriptions and for media kit inquiries, email info@eliteequestrian.us ELITE EQUESTRIAN Magazine RANKED 7TH WORLD WIDE Equine Magazines to watch -according to Feedspot Blog iding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. t is a grand passion. -Ralph Waldo Emerson R I ELITE EQUESTRIAN Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle ® Volume 21 Issue 2 Complimentary www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com CURO- Diagnostics “Revealing the Unseen” NIC ROLDAN Peek Inside His Life SPRING AIKEN, SC TRAILER SAVING A TREASURE Fashion Highlight Maintenance Persano Breed

Everything Equine p60 G racious Living in the Horse Capital of the World® OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 59 equine

o participate in the challenging adventure that is known as the Mongol Derby, a rider must ride unknown and potentially un trained horses across 600 miles of the Mon golian Steppe, plus camp out or stay in yurts and dine on local cuisine. If this sounds ex citing to you, you might be a candidate to ride in the Mongol Derby, and this race is an adventureOcala-basedindeed.

60 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM everything equineEQUINE

46, who rode on the back of her mother’s saddle as a very young child, had her own horse starting at age 5 and was always very competitive. She grew up in Tennessee and decided at 8 years old that she would become an equine veterinar ian, having grown up on horseback, riding English and Western. Atteberry graduated from the UF College of Veterinary Med icine in 2000. She and her husband, Scott, moved to Jacksonville, where she worked at an equine practice for two years. She want ed her own mobile veterinary practice, and in 2003 the decision was made to move to the horse capital. Then in 2009, the couple bought a 10-acre farm where they also raise thoroughbred race horses. In 2017, lightning struck their home ig niting a fire. The home was spared but needed a lot of repairs. It was during this time that Atteberry watched videos about the Mongol Derby, just to get her mind off the stressful moments of life. Atteberry was ready for a new adventure, and she applied to compete in the Mongol Derby in 2018. This process includes answering background questions and, if the race organizers like the answers, an interview takes place. If the first interview goes well, there is a second interview. When Atteberry got the call that she was going on to the second interview, she decided to tell her husband, Scott, about her hope to compete in the race – and even though Scott thought the idea was crazy, he was very supportive. Atteberry paid the $12,500 entry fee, not including her travel and other expenses, to compete in the 2020 Mongol Derby. In order to compete, Atteberry had to take up a new sport, the sport of endurance. At that time, she did not own an endurance horse. But in a community like Ocala, Atteberry did not find it difficult to locate great horse owners who would allow her to train on their horses.

BartonLouisaofcourtesyPhotos

equine veterinarian, Dr. Tiffany Atteberry found this adventure en ticing and so she decided to give it her best shot and Atteberry,apply.

True Grit ofAdventureinHorsebackontheaLifetime

Things were moving along quite well, when COVID-19 hit, shutting down every BY LOUISA BARTON

The Hobby Horse Equestrian Games, presented by Everglades Equip ment Leesburg, your local John Deere Dealer, is an opportunity to learn horse sports from top equestrians, compete yourself on a stick horse and also meet real horses, watch a breed parade and enjoy a vendor village, food trucks and more. All of this and free admission for all ages at the Florida Horse Park on Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wear a costume if you would like, and join us for some really fun horsing around.

Equine 101 Ocala Magazine Horse Fact of the Month Horses have their system.measuringownThey are measured from the point of the withers on the horse to the ground beneath. They should be standing on a solid flat surface with their hooves evenly placed on the ground under them. They are measured in hands. One hand is 4 inches.

Louisa Barton is the Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, Showcase Proper ties of Central Florida Farm Realtor and host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3, Audacy.com and Equus Television.

Equine Industry Needs Awareness

The race, whose inaugural run was in 2009, is based on Genghis Khan’s horse mes senger system that began in 1224. There are typically approximately 40 riders, both men and women. The terrain includes rolling hills, open areas, forests and wetlands. The weather changes frequently and no one knows what to expect. Horses are changed out every 25 miles and are semi wild, small, and hearty animals that are well suited to this adventure. Riders can cover 100 miles a day, but only in daylight hours. Penalties are applied if the horses do not pass their vet checks. The start of the race was everything At teberry imagined it would be and so much more. She drew a chestnut horse that looked really fit and seemed to be a quiet horse during the mounting process. His owner, an older man, helped her on and handed her the lead rein, looking her in the eye, show ing her exactly how to use that rein to make that horse run fast. The Naadam horse was a prized race horse in Mongolia, maybe even a champion. To quote Atteberry, “It was no different to these Mongolians than me being handed the reins of American Pharoah. Steadily, the number of riders readying for the start of the race increased. Atteberry had already decided that she wanted to be towards the front of the pack. She had heard stories of horses and riders falling in holes left by foxes and other animals. Feeling her heart beating in her chest with hands sweat ing in her gloves, it was about to begin. The race was off to a great start. Atteberry’s horse was picking up steam “like a freight train” and heading down the hill, they were passing others quickly. Atteberry felt that this must be what it felt like to ride the great Secretariat, as her horse stretched out and she realized this is the reason she came to the Steppe to be a part of this. One hour later, she was alone and cantering down the green rolling hills. As crazy as it might seem, it remains on my bucket list to also compete in this race one day. Despite lots of challenges, bad weather and even getting stuck in a bog for a little while, Ocala’s determined and brave Dr. Tiffany Atteberry, DVM, came in fifth in the world’s toughest and longest horse en durance race, a race that demands true grit, guts and raw courage. I am truly in awe of her accomplishment, and a little envious. I can only imagine how tough she really is, to not only have participated in the adventure of a lifetime, but to have excelled in it as well.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 61 thing. The Mongol Derby, slated to run in August of that year, was canceled. Attebery was so disappointed. The 2021 Mongol Der by did not run either . And just when At teberry thought it might never happen, she heard that the organizers were holding der bies in 2022 and so the adventure resumed.

Where IT goes for IT support. As an IT leader, you know your team can solve almost anything. But when it comes to solving everything, even your experts could use more experts in their corner. Cox Business has a complete portfolio of cloud solutions to help you overcome any challenge, all supported by a provider you already trust. Get started www.coxbusiness.com/cloudat

DemilioRalphbyPhotos

ETC charity weeks-plus for victims and children • Safety planning and lethality assessment • Two 24-hour hotline • Victim advocacy as well as financial and relocation assistance • Legal advocacy • Counseling • Referral to community resource • Transportation • Personal supplies and food HOW YOU CAN GIVE OF YOUR TIME AND TREASURE: Volunteering to gather supplies, talk with victims, assessing their needs, arranging chil dren and adult outings, arranging and coor dinating fund raisers, providing transporta tion to court, medical appointments and to a safe location ORGANIZATION NAME: Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center (Creative Services, Inc.) LEADERSHIP: Dr Judy Wilson, CEO Board of Directors LOCATION: Offices at 1910 S. Pine Ave., Ocala Fl 34471 MISSION STATEMENT: Creative Services, Inc. aids, comforts and empowers victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. WHAT WE DO: This agency is mandated to provide: • Emergency Safe Shelter for up to 6 EACH MONTH, OCALA MAGAZINE FEATURES A LOCAL CHARITY THAT UPLIFTS OUR COMMUNITY. THIS MONTH’S CHARITY IS THE OCALA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER. CenterAssaultSexualViolence/DomesticOcala

64 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 65 ______ and Dr. Judy Wilson 2,900-plus victims contact our hotlines for first time each year 325 victim residents in 40-bed shelter Marion County has the 2nd highest domestic violence in Florida (2020). Source: www.flhealthcharts.gov BY THE WEBSITE:NUMBERS: OcalasexualassaultcenterOcaladomesticviolencecenter.orgFBpage

OFMC OCALAFAMILY OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER MEDIC,.._ uc,., cR � Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh, MD Amber Starling, APRN-C DERMATOLOGY &AESTHETIC CENTER Ocala Family Medical Center's Dermatology & Aesthetic team, Dr. Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh and Amber Starling, APRN-C, provide full, state-of-the-art care in general and cosmetic Dermatology! They are experts in conditions and diseases of the skin, hair and nails, including the diagnosis and advanced treatment of skin cancers. Our CAP Certified on-site pathology lab allows us to provide patients with quicker, more accurate results. Some of the conditions they treat are: • Acne • Diseases of Hair and Nails • •GrowthEczema Removals (moles, lipomas, warts, etc.) •Skin•Rosacea•Rashes•PsoriasisCancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (Mohs Surgery) Our Dermatology & Aesthetics Department also offers cosmetic treatments and procedures, including a wide array of facials, Botox® , Facial Fillers, Recovery Treatments (Dermal Stamping), Micro-needling, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), other laser procedures and more! Dr. Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh is now offering LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT 2121 SW 22nd Place Ocala, FL 34471 352-368-1350 www.OcalaFMC.com

NATURAL HEALTH REDEFINED Acupuncture is recommended for painful insomnia,conditions,allergies,hypertension,andmore. Discover a healthier you! (352) www.ABetterUHealthcare.com615-5566 2609 SW 33rd St., Unit 103, Ocala Erica Olstein, DOM, AP Acupuncture, Cupping, & Herbal Medicine

Whether you’re rarely sick or have conditions that require frequent visits to the doctor, having a trusted and skilled health care provider is an important step in protecting your health. Any number of reasons can result in needing to find a new doctor, such as mov ing to a new community, changes to your in surance, your old doctor retiring or needing a specialist.Thesesuggestions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can

Talk to people you know about whether they have a provider they like. If you’re looking for a new provider because of a move or re tirement, ask your current doctor for a rec ommendation. If you need to make a change with your primary care doctor but see spe cialists or other medical professionals you like and trust, you can also request referrals from them.

If you have health insurance, you may need to choose from a list of doctors in your plan’s network. Some insurance plans may let you choose a doctor outside your network if you pay more of the cost.

68 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

FAMILY FEATURES

CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

How to Find the Right Doctor

To find a doctor who takes your insur ance, call your insurance company and ask for a list of doctors near you who are in-network or use the insurance company’s website to search for a doctor. It’s also a good idea to call the doctor’s office and ask for confirmation help you be more efficient and thorough as you look for a doctor who is right for you.

health journalETC

NARROW YOUR OPTIONS

TAKE A DEEPER LOOK Online research can tell you a great deal about potential doctors, from biographical information and credentials to ratings by formerWhenpatients.searching for a new provider, another important area to consider is finan cial relationships. One resource patients can consider is Open Payments, a national dis closure program within CMS that provides visibility into financial relationships between drug and medical device companies and physicians, and teaching hospitals. The gov ernment requires pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers and group purchas ing organizations to report funds they give health care providers in the form of meals, entertainment, travel, gifts, consulting fees, research payments and more, promoting transparency and helping uncover potential conflicts of interest. It’s important to know most health care providers receive payments. Just because financial ties are reported does not mean anyone has done anything wrong. However, patients can use the information to talk with their provider about why they recommend certain medications or treatments, includ ing asking about generic options, which are equally as effective as name brands but typ ically less expensive. It’s also an opportunity to start a discussion with a provider about areas of professional interest and expertise

based on research or consulting.

Some of the providers you consider may not be viable options for simple reasons, like their practice isn’t currently taking new patients or they don’t have office hours matching your schedule. You can also consider questions such as hospital affiliations and whether oth er providers can help if you need emergency care and your doctor isn’t available.

If you’re undecided, request an introductory appointment with a provider you’re consid ering. Look for a clinic where you are treated with respect and the medical team listens to your opinions and concerns. You should feel comfortable asking questions, and the doctor needs to be able to explain things in ways you understand. Find more resources for your health care needs at cms.gov they take your plan. You should have your in surance, Medicare or Medicaid card handy in case the office needs your plan details.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 69

LISTEN TO YOUR GUT

Fences are another source of violations.

70 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

under Section 54-7 (b)2 states, “it is unlaw ful for any person to throw, discard, place or deposit litter in any manner or amount on any portion of the right-of-way.” Many times, these signs are placed in the rightof-way after hours, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators. Since the violators are often unseen, signs are removed and dis posed of upon discovery by Code Enforce ment officers (Section 110-131).

Rachel Fautsch is community outreach manager for the City of Ocala Growth Management Department. not sure exactly where your property line is, we recommend having lot lines marked by a surveyor.Themost recurring issue for Code Enforcement is the maintenance of fenc es, or the lack thereof. All fencing should be maintained, which means no missing boards/sections, bent or broken railings, or leaning over to one side. Additionally, if your community is governed by a homeowner’s association or a historic preservation group, you will want to check the rules concerning fences or contact a representative of those groups. They may have additional restric tions on materials or other requirements such as height. (Section 82-3) Finally, snipe signs! Snipe signs, often referred to as yard signs, fall under one of the more numerous complaints that Code Enforcement gets. It is a misconception that temporary yard signs are allowed in the city to advertise events or specials. These signs are considered litter because they litter busy populated streets and intersections. Litter, ETC state of the city e have all heard the old say ing, “You don’t know what you don’t know!” Well, there are some Ocala city codes you may be breaking without even realizing it. City of Ocala Code Enforcement offi cers are charged with enforcing codes that pertain to zoning laws, nuisance abatement, contracting and all permitting requirements for the city and the State of Florida, including but not limited to occupational licenses, sign codes and alcohol location permits. High lighting a few of these codes will help the cit izens of Ocala become more knowledgeable and help our community really shine. Tall grass and weeds may be unsightly and appear unkempt, and they could also be a code violation. Grass and weeds need to be maintained to a height under 12 inches. It is important to note that after mowing, the yard clippings cannot be piled on sidewalks, road ways, gutters, water meters or near utility poles/ guide wires. Yard trimmings properly left out for city sanitation collection are exempt. This is also a good place to point out that you should not blow yard debris into the stormwater sys tem. This contributes to clogging drains and increases nutrient pollution. (Section 35-95)

On occasions, the City of Ocala Code En forcement is contacted concerning the re quirements of fences, such as height, loca tion, privacy fences and whether a permit is required. The city is flexible concerning fence materials to allow all standard options such as wood, decorative metal, vinyl and chain link. Typically, residential fences can be built on or inside a home’s property line. If you are BY RACHEL FAUTSCH

OcalaofCitytheofCourtesyPhotos ‘You Know’YouKnowDon’tWhatDon’t

City of Ocala Code Enforcement en courages citizens to share this information to help you and your neighbors avoid poten tial violations. If you have any questions re garding these or other codes within the City of Ocala, or if you would like to report a code violation, please call 352-629-8309, or visit www.ocalafl.org.Nowthatyou know, together we can keep Ocala clean and beautiful.

Tickets: $30

of Marion County Your Hometown HospiceTM Since 1983 sponsored by Angie

cmoody@hospiceofmarion.comemail

invites you to Lunch with Author Sherrie Barch Thursday, November 17, noonGolden Ocala Book signing and presentation by the Children’s Bereavement Staff

Sherrie Barch is the CEO of two Forbes-rated search firms. Inspired since childhood of communicating with loved ones through tinkling bells, Barch offers families a safe space in which to speak to youngsters about death and dying. It is a timeless story for all ages. Lewis per (352) 291-5143 or

person Call

BY MARK ANDERSON

Building a Better Budget state of the countyETC Budget season is here, and every year, this is an important time for Marion County government.

The county budget also determines how property tax dollars are divided throughout the county: the school board, the coun ty general fund, law enforcement MSTU, county fire rescue and EMS MSTU, fine and forfeiture, the water management dis trict, and the health unit trust fund. The general fund is what funds the many programs and services provided by Marion County departments, such as An imal Services, Public Safety Communica

during these public hearings is the final millage rate in the county. While the millage rate will continue to be discussed at the Sep tember budget hearings, the rate will be no higher than 4.39 mills. All budget hearings are open to the public, and public comments are welcome.

Marion County is committed to being fis cally responsible with all of its funds, and budget season is proof of that. With a fully vested budget, Marion County government is ready to tackle the challenges of the up coming fiscal year. Mark Andersonis a public relations specialist for Marion County. tions, Parks and Recreation, Veterans Ser vices, and more. The general fund also pays for things such as jail administration and operations, countywide ambulance service and emergency dispatch, reserves for natural disasters and other emergencies, funding for other constitutional offices, court technolo gies, and partner agencies such as the Heart of Florida Center and others. At previous budget hearings earlier this year, the commission discussed newly approved positions at county departments, infrastructure improvements and more help for first responders. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods is seeking 100 additional offi cers over the next five years to address con tinued growth in the county. Another consideration discussed

Though it happens around the same time each year, there is lots of work that goes into managing the county budget and the many branches of government, emergency services and other organizations that need funding throughout the upcoming fiscal year. In Marion County, the fiscal budget begins October 1, 2022 and lasts until Sep tember 30, 2023. Throughout the summer, all Marion County departments individually discuss their budgets and how they plan to spend those dollars. Once those discussions are finished, department directors present their budgets before the board for further discussion and refinement, and to answer any questions the commission may have.

READY FOR THE NEXT YEAR

The last budget hearings before the budget is finalized take place later this month at the Marion County Commission Auditorium on September 8 and September 22 at 7 p.m.

WHAT’S IN A BUDGET?

72 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

The last budget hearings before the budget is finalized take place later this month at the Marion County Commission Auditorium on September 8 and September 22 at 7 p.m.

OFMC OCALAFAMILYOCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER Ocala's ORIGINAL One-Stop Medical Center! PROUDTOBELOCALLYOWNEDANDOPERATEDFORNEARLY30YEARS Stacey Graham, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Alexis Nibe, PA-C FAMILY PRACTICE OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER 2230 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 • Office Direct: 352-237-4133 Laurel Bryant, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Samantha Weston, PA-C FAMILY PRACTICE Robert Williams, MD FAMILY PRACTICE Karen Larsen, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Cheryl Seefeldt, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE James London, MD, FACC CARDIOLOGY Brittani Lucin, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Shekeita Perry, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Mimi Balch, MD FAMILY PRACTICE Allen Winston, DO FAMILY PRACTICE Tyler Lindsey, PA-C Corey West, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE FAMILY PRACTICE " Andrew Cushenbery, APRN-C Jennifer Sinquefield, APRN-BC FAMILY PRACTICE FAMILY PRACTICE Jorge Fernandez, MD, FACC CARDIOLOGY Evelyn Rentas, MD INTERNAL MEDICINE Melissa Formella, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Krisie Bell, DNP, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE Family Practice•Internal Medicine• Cardiology• Preventive Medicine• Geriatrics• Auto Ac cidents Full Service Lab• Digital X-Ray •Ultrasound•64 Slice CT•1.5 Open Bore MRI• Stress Testing OFMCPLAZA 2135 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 Office Direct: 352-368-1360 (Endocrinology & Women's Health) Carly Carrion Olmeda, MD Nanjappa Chandramohan, MD Kristen Kowalski, APRN-C ENDOCRINOLOGY ENDOCRINOLOGY ENDOCRINOLOGY Office Direct: 352-368-1340 (Physiatry & Physical Therapy) Philip Johnson, MD WOMEN'S HEALTH Evette Hearn, APRN WOMEN'S HEALTH Natesha Vaillancourt, APRN, CNM WOMEN'S HEALTH Eduardo Cruz, MD PHYSICAL MEDICINE Lourdes-Varela Batista, MD PHYSICAL MEDICINE Matt Ota, PA-C PHYSICAL MEDICINE Kamal Mody, DPT PHYSICAL THERAPY Joseph Javier, DPT PHYSICAL THERAPY OFMCPODIAT RY 2135 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 Office Direct: 352-368-1370 Felix Esarey, PODIATRYDPM www.ocalafmc.com Thea Tani, DPT PHYSICAL THERAPY Claudia Guevara, PTA PHYSICAL THERAPY Kevin Lagnemmo, PTA PHYSICAL THERAPY OFMC DERMATOLOGY & AESTHETIC CENTER 2135 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 Office Direct: 352-368-1350 Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh, MD DERMATOLOGY MOHS' SURGERY Amber Starling, APRN-C DERMATOLOGY Deb Scott, LPN, LE AESTHETICS 352-237-413

Kiwanis Korner

Kiwanis Club of Ocala

FOR MORE INFORMATION Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members, and partners, dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Today, with more than 550,000 members in 80 Countries, Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of our children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and being a mentor. Kiwanis Clubs host over 150,000 service projects per year.

74 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM ETC

1924 PHOTOS BY NC SIZEMORE

Serving ChildrenOurSince

Bruce HowardDr. David OliverGary RigbyTammy Hoff and Aggie Albright Emily Holmes Ted Smith Karen Cobbs Karla GreenwayGrimsley

www.facebook.com/KiwanisClubOfOcala

Aggie Albright and new grandchild, Violet Albright NC Sizemore and Nancy Neumann

Special guest speakers were recently honored and welcomed by President Tammy Hoff and Kiwanis members. Attendees were enlightened with updates and information given by directors from var ious entities and business. Karla Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services shared their current needs for our homeless population and children in need, along with dates of upcoming events. The equine industry was well represented by speaker Karen Cobbs, president of Grandview Invitational, along with representatives such as Emily Holmes and Horse Farms Forever. The Kiwanis Club of Ocala, part of Ki wanis International, is dedicated to serving the local community, especially children, through service, events, and fundraising projects and their own Camp Kiwanis for kids for many years. The club has been in service to Ocala and Marion County for more than 90 years. To learn of more information about Ki wanis, please feel free to attend a Kiwanis meeting as a guest. Meetings are held every Friday at noon at the Christopher Hall of the Knights of Columbus at 1510 SE 3rd Avenue in Ocala. There is additionally a Club Satellite that meets the first Monday once a month at Mimi’s Cafe at 6:00 pm on Highway 200 Col lege Road at Market Street Mall by Dillards.

Wes leading the song JoLynn Rathal Shelley Sizemore Jeff Rutenber

he local Rotary Clubs are kicking off a new season of leadership and service to this local community! We thank the presidents who served this past year and welcome the following in-coming presidents for each club: • Belleview Rotary Club - Andrus Gaudet • Metropolitan Rotary Club of OcalaTucker Branson • Ocala Rotary Club - Manal Fakhoury • Ocala Brick City Rotary Club - Christian Clark • Silver Springs Rotary Club - John Gibboney • Ocala Sunset Rotary Club - Lacy Redd This summer local clubs worked together to provide this beautiful mural at our local domestic violence shelter. This collaborative effort brightened up the recreational area in hopes of adding light to the residents during their stay. Mural Artist Drake Arnold

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 75

BEING THE DIFFERENCE

Rotary Circle To learn more about joining Rotary, please visit:Followwww.RotaryInternational.comRotaryOnFacebook

TOcalaBeautifying

What's IN: Walking

Thank God! Despite Juicy Couture’s hopes to rebrand itself several years ago, the public so far is not racing to clear the shelves of this product. Remember the resurgences of bell bottom jeans and Zany Zappers? They tried, but failed and so is the velour track suit with ‘juicy’ stitched to the derriere. In what world was this ever deemed classy? We fell for it then, but not so much now; hopefully this is a sign the world isn’t headed to hell now as fast as we thought.

Strap on a helmet and stand erect between two wheels. The literal definition of “looking like a dork.”

In&Out

Tongue-in-cheek, observational comments of said trends.

Touting the health benefits of walking is just a boorish lecture no one wants, so let’s think about the look, then, shall we? Nothing beats a cool or sexy strut downtown or anywhere else, so get to work on it. Besides, that footprint left behind is not carbon.

What's IN: Ladies Pink Blazer

What's OUT:

Not the whole pant suit, mind you – just the jacket! At the recent Atlanta Apparel trade show, cool gals sporting pink business jackets were spotted everywhere. They draped the shoulders of women spanning generations, which is a rarity these days. In a pink blazer and black skirt, any woman can look like she just walked off the set of “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Trends come and go in the blink of an eye. But what never goes out?

What's OUT: Segways

76 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Something feels more metropolitan when walking to your destination, even in Ocala where most points of interest are reached by vehicle.

The Segway was the latest in man’s ultimate quest for atrophy and we are glad to report that production of this nerd mobile ceased back in June. Apologies to all the mall cops out there.

TrackCoutureJuicySuits

What's OUT: fondueCheese

Okay, this traditional favorite still won’t go away, but have you ever seen one at a party that did not have something weird floating in it at some point in the evening?

What's OUT: Flash Mobs

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | SEP 2022 | 77

We all think we are characters in “High School Musical” or something? If you still find yourself pondering social media for the next dance gathering at the train station then you need to seriously think about taking up mahjong or bingo, activities much more hip than the flash mob.

What's IN: “Rick Morty”and An alcoholic scientist drags his grandson on adventures across the multi-verse. Quick-witted and highly provocative, the animated series purports to be science fiction but is really a magician’s fantasy set against a backdrop of nihilism and sarcasm. An immediate hit when it started in late 2013, “Rick and Morty” has only produced 51 episodes in close to nine years, but is beginning its sixth

What's IN: Seacuterie

Don’t know what Seacuterie is? Time to get hip, then. Think charcuterie board, but with seafood and you get the idea. It’s actually been around a while, but the really cool among us are making it a “thing.” Try varieties of shellfish, crabcakes, smoked salmon with breads, crackers, cheeses, herbs and sauces and you are instantly a hip hostess. Do you have any opinion on what is ‘In’ or ‘Out’? Send them via email to editor@ocalamagazine.com

What's OUT: “Family Guy”

What's IN:

Twenty seasons of long and irrelevant cutaways to nowhere have finally reached the worn-out stage. The characters of Brian and Stewie have always carried the show because they do not rely solely on the moron toilet talk of Peter and Chris. Writers fatigue has clearly set in, but die-hard fans still cling, waiting for the next 3-minute Conway Twitty aside.

The TableGathering

Friends and family getting together for meals is back in style and perhaps we can thank the pandemic for reigniting that yearning to gather. With fast and junk foods slowly falling out of favor with the populace, the next natural progression is to eat healthy and together. The gathering table is not just for Thanksgiving anymore

MARKETPLACEBUSINESSOMOCALA MAGAZINE Advertising in Ocala Magazine works! Your brand and message could be here, being read by potential customers. What are you waiting for? Contact Penny Miller to get started today! penny@ocalamagazine.com352.622.2995OM Gemini_0816.indd 1 6/27/17 7:04 PM FREE HEALTH WORKSHOP Headaches September 26th @ 6:30 PM at Mimi’s Cafe Ocala: 351-CUSA The Villages: 259-BACK WWW.THEOCALACHIROPRACTOR.COM 7668 SW 60th Avenue, Suite 500 Ocala, FL 34476 (on Airport Road) End Headaches NOW! At The Southeastern Livestock Pavilion 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd Ocala, Fl 34479 08FEATURESBreakingNew Ground 12 Zombieland 18 Mummified 26 Great Smokey Getaway 38 Nightclubs LIVE 41 Tavern on the 44DEPARTMENTSSquare CONTENTS switch? AccessoriesOcala!cigarettes.validID. This product is NOT a safe alternative to cigarettes. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must show valid ID. 1220 E. Silver Springs Blvd. • www.facebook.com/ocalasweetleaf352-512-0346Mon-Sat9am-10pm,Sun11am-7pm www.facebook.com/classichitsocala www.classichitsocala.com Try Us! 104.7 407 476 Reefsalot.comReefsalot@gmail.com7606 • Custom aquariums • Custom artiﬁcial coral Reefs • Aquarium Maintenance • Installations Serving Ocala, Tampa and Gainesville A FORMUST-READSPORTSFANS,BASEBALLJUNKIESORSTAT-HEADS. OM Senior Writer Carlton Reese’s new book now available on amazon.com. 78 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

712 E. Fort King St. Ocala, FL 34471 www.HistoricOcala.org at Your Hearts Desire & Shannon Roth Collection Now Available Like us on Facebook Join us for our Fall Membership Social! The Way It Was by David Cook Follow us on Instragram W ednesday , s eptember 28 th pm This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with other historic homeowners and learn about ways you can get involved in local preservation efforts! Free $25 Gift Card for joining in person at the Patron Membership Level. All memberships are tax-deductible. HOPS for HOPS

80 | SEP 2022 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

BY CARLTON REESE | WITH THE HISTORIC OCALA PRESERVATION SOCIETY Charles Peyser and his son Nathan, in their cigar store. Ocala, 1900

When Ocala was a cigar town On Sanchez Road near down town is a lovely Victorian Frame style home known as the “Pey ser House.” Built in 1889, the two-story house featuring Italianate archi tectural details with a summer kitchen on the back porch was home to Charles and Hannah Peyser, prominent players in the local cigar industry that was among Ocala’s biggest claims to fame in the late 1800s and at the turn of the century. In those days, cigars were not yet syn onymous with Tampa or Key West, but Oc ala, which boasted over 13 manufacturers of the product and shipped its wares all over the country. Of those 13 cigar companies, one of the most prominent was El Tropi co, established by the Peysers and one that would survive the economic hardships into the 1920s.Before this time, Cuba and South Florida monopolized the cigar industry but were out of reach of local rail lines, prompt ing several local businessmen to seize upon the opportunity. Hiring expert Cuban cigar rollers to staff the factories, a veritable town sprang up that was originally called Havana Town and was home to mostly Cuban im migrants. After a visit from Cuba’s famous liberator Jose Marti, the area in west Ocala was renamed Marti City and was home to Peyser’s manufacturing plant. By 1891, it is claimed that Peyser’s El Tropico plant was manufacturing nearly 50,000 cigars a week and struggling to meet the demand of orders from across the coun try. Peyser was importing tobacco from Cuba while also using locally-produced tobacco in his product, the most successful being his 5-cent cigar, El Tampico. With hard freezes of 1894 and 1895, coupled with many bank closures, the cigar back industry in Ocala began a downward spiral and Key West, then later Tampa, became the cigar capital of Florida. Despite the economic hardships caus ing the demise of the local cigar industry, Peyser still enjoyed great success, mainly from his El Tampico. In 1896, Marti City enjoyed a population of 478 residents, the majority being expert cigar rollers. But as the Tampa area, with its major influence of Cuban residents, began luring companies away from Ocala, the Cuban cigar rollers went with them. When El Tropico closed in 1920, it was the last remaining cigar plant in Ocala.The building where Peyser’s cigar store was located is still standing, at 50 SE 1st Avenue in downtown Ocala. The building is now home to the Church of Scientology Mission of AlthoughOcala.the Peyser store building and home still stand, none of the other structures from Marti City remain. What does remain is the legacy of industrialization in Ocala, which all started with the cigar manufac turers of the late 1800s, particularly Charles and Hannah Peyser. It marked the area’s first attempts at industrialization right at the onset of the phosphate boom in Marion County. Also in those days, it connected the Marion County area to international culture, trade and even politics.

HOPS looking

a beautiful smile begins here TINA CHANDRA, D.D.S., LVIF, FIAPA Cosmetic, Neuromuscular and Sleep Dentist ... a Physiologic Approach ASK ABOUT FACIAL LASER

Ocala Magazine September 2022 Digital Issue

Articles inside

What’s In and What’s Out

Looking Back: When Ocala was a cigar town

State of the County: Building a Better Budget

Kiwanis Korner

State of the City: Code Enforcement

Health Journal: How to Find the Right Doctor

Riding the Mongol Derby

Charity Spotlight: Ocala Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Center

ETC

PLAY

Mark’s Prime: Enhancing a Legacy

New Moms and Dads

From the Publisher

Dining Out

OM Pulse

Words of Wisdom

Cover Model Winner Mia Parada

From the Mayor