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Equestrian Lifestyle

EXCEPTIONAL LUXURY HORSE FARM

190, 210 OR 400 +/- ACRES OF PREMIER EQUINE FACILITIES

Discover a stunning equestrian estate in NW Marion County featuring 400 +/- acres designed for elegance and function with the highest quality. The office showcases exquisite craftsmanship with a lobby, lounge, and private offices, including executive space and conference room, all with fiber optic internet. Breeding barn: 6 premium stalls, a holding stall, and a dedicated vet area. The stallion barns feature two seven stalls with spacious and stylish design elements. Broodmare barn offers 27 stalls, including foaling accommodations, plus a 1-bedroom apartment. The training barn has 23 stalls, a lab, and an apartment, with additional amenities like a European free walker and landscaped areas. The general manager’s residence includes 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. The property also features beautifully landscaped grounds, a secured entrance, and a maintenance/ equipment building. This exceptional farm is filled with unmatched quality and amenities. Nighttime is beautiful, with the uplighting of the large Live Oaks. 20 Miles to World Equestrian Center. Call for additional information on the possible divisions or to schedule a visit!

Call today for additional information on various purchase options for this magnificent property.

Adjoining two homes each with 18.50 +/- acres are also available.

Let Me Show You Ocala

HWY 27 FRONTAGE - 50.19 +/- ACRES JUST 8 MILES TO WEC

Exquisite equestrian training and breeding facility perfectly situated on 50+/- acres for passionate equestrian enthusiasts. Several specialized barns designed for both training and foaling, are equipped with all the necessities that trainers and breeders could wish for. A total of 61 stalls complemented by various size paddocks, two arenas, plus 3/3.5 custom-built residence, guest home, apartment, and RV hookups.

$7,800,000

KINGRIDGE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE

Welcome to a stunning 125+/-acre equestrian estate located off the prestigious 225A Golden Corridor, just 12 miles from the WEC. Main residence and staff housing, 3 Barns with 47 stalls, an office, apartment, a Eurosizer, jump area, and two RV hookups. This estate offers the perfect blend of luxury and functionality for the equestrian enthusiast. $8,760,500

List with us today!

Equestrian Properties

GYPSY HOLLOW EQUESTRIAN ESTATE

Nestled on 48.50 +/- acres of picturesque land. Gated entrance and winding driveway leads you to the 4/4 charming residence. For the horse lover, the property include 16-stall stable, 7 large paddocks, 3 covered equipment buildings plus riding trails for carriages. Located close to the Villages all the amenities of the Villages. JUST LISTED

1,028 +/- ACRES IN NW MARION COUNTY

A fabulous opportunity to own 1,028 +/- acres of beautiful rolling and graced with Granddaddy Oaks and ponds in NW Marion County, 4,000 +/- SF of road frontage on Hwy 318. Property is currently being utilized a sporting horse and cattle farm but if you have the vision to make it a family compound, or personal Valhalla dreams do come true! Main barn with office, break room, and half bath has lab and viewing room (4) foaling stalls plus 16 additional stalls. Five additional center aisle barns with 88 stalls, Hay/ storage building and approximate 22 miles of fencing.

GENTLEMAN’S FARM – 5.79 +/- ACRES — The residence sits on elevated bliss in a serene setting surrounded by Magnificent oak trees. 3/3 split bedroom home with expansive living Area. 8-Stall center aisle barn, separate workshop/storage area, and large parking pad for equipment. $799,000

GOLDEN HILLS - .75 +/- ACRES — Overlooking the 10th hole of the Ocala National Golf Course. 3 Bedroom/ 3 bath home with expansive 3 car garage. The gourmet kitchen opens to the living room, making it perfect for Entertaining. Split floor plan and screenenclosed lanai complete this home. $949,900

HORSESHOE BEND – 5 +/- ACRES — Just completed – 3 bedroom/ 2.5 bath home in gated, equine friendly community of Horseshoe Bend. The property is perimeter fenced. Open floor plan with over 2,100 +/- SF of living area and a 2-car garage. Located close to the Village for shopping, restaurants, and medical facilities.

If you’re considering buying or selling, give us a call today!

$837,000

SHADY GROVE – 3 +/- ACRES — Beautiful gated, equine-friendly community. This is the last remaining lot available in the community. Deed restricted to a minimum of 2,750 SF home. Bring your plans and build the dream home or farm of your choice. Located close to restaurants, shopping, and medical facilities. $325,000

Request a test to receive a plan specific to your DNA. Call 352.273.6415 or visit ufhealth.org/myrx

Save $20 with code OCALA20

LIVING EXCELLENCE

BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION COMING SOON TO CALA HILLS

UPSCALE, EASY LIVING IN THE HEART OF THE CITY OF OCALA. 104 LAKESIDE TOWNHOMES IN A GATED SUBDIVISION. WALKING DISTANCE — ON A SIDEWALK — TO SHOPPING, MOVIES, PADDOCK MALL, RESTAURANTS AND MORE.

TAKING LOT AND FLOOR PLAN RESERVATIONS. RESERVE YOUR SITE TODAY!

THE ENCLAVE

A GATED SUBDIVISION AT CALA HILLS

CELEBRATING OUR 45TH YEAR

FEBRUARY • 2025

OTrak Chalk Walk

Couch Sessions Encore

of the City: February is a time to connect

of the County: The year in numbers

Kiwanis Korner/Rotary Circle 78 Kids Corner: February, the month of love

Looking Back: The Ocala National Forest

Sarah Jacobs

Photo by Joshua Jacobs

United Way Children's Charity Classic at HITS

Photo by Johsua Jacobs

Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

CELEBRATING OUR 45TH YEAR!

Philip Glassman, CCIM | Publisher philip@ocalamagazine.com

Penny Miller | VP/Corporate Development penny@ocalamagazine.com

EDITORIAL

Brad Rogers | Editor brad@ocalamagazine.com

Ronald W. Wetherington | Social Editor ron@ocalamagazine.com

Sharon Raye | Copy Editor

Louisa Barton | Equine Editor

ART

Little Black Mask Media Jessi Miller | Creative Director jessi@ocalamagazine.com

Joshua Jacobs Senior Designer + Lead Photographer joshua@ocalamagazine.com

Website | StevensLabs

Digital Media + Production Services

OM Staff

Jackie Prince | Production Coordinator

CONTRIBUTORS

Mark Anderson/Marion County | Writer

Gregory Davis/City of Ocala | Writer

Madison Glassman | Writer

Cierra Krise/Jade Lotus Photography | Social Photographer

Amoneida Krise | Social Photographer

Mayor Ben Marciano | Columnist

Dave Schlenker | Columnist

Zoee Zarillo | Social Photographer

OPERATIONS

Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO randy@ocalamagazine.com

Ocala Magazine Wins Five 2024

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER HOPS — Historic Ocala Preservation Society

MEDIA PARTNER & PRESENTING SPONSOR of the Tailgating Competition at Live Oak International

OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR International Women's Day Celebration

EXCLUSIVE MEDIA SPONSOR FOR George Albright Annual Golf Tournament

OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR Go Red For Women / American Heart Association

THE OFFICIAL CITY MAGAZINE OF TEDxOcala · HITS · Equiventure

COPYRIGHT ALL contents copyrighted ©2025 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

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

CONTRIBUTORS

Philip

Glassman, CCIM

Publisher

Philip has been at the helm of OM for 6 years with over 20 FMA awards. He is also an astute businessman, working primarily in the commercial real estate arena and joint venturing in business start-ups. Philip is a current SAG-AFTRA actor, a creative thinker and father to two beautiful children.

Mark Anderson

State

of the County Columnist

Mark Anderson is a Public Relations Specialist for Marion County, where he specializes in photography, writing and anything else that comes his way.

Louisa Barton Equine Editor

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

Ben Marciano

Mayor's Column

Born in New York and raised in Ocala, Ben is the mayor of Ocala. Formerly the executive director of the DeLuca YMCA, he is now the owner of Zone Health and Fitness along with his wife, Danielle. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from the College of Central Florida and maintains his commitment to the law as mayor. He and Danielle have three children and are members of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.

Penny Miller VP/Corporate Development

Penny is with OM over 20 years and owner of an insurance company over 30. She has authored 5 books, owns a media company, founded/directed the Marion County Homeless Coalition, and an appointed Senate-confirmed Commissioner by 4 Governors. Penny served on the Advisory Board of the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation and President of College Park Kiwanis Club. Her best blessings are her 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

Gregory Davis State of the City Columnist

Davis is the Public Information Officer for the City of Ocala. A proud double Gator, he holds a bachelor’s in public relations and a master’s in mass communication. Davis also teaches communication courses as an adjunct professor at the UF. He also serves as the Ocala Chapter President of the Florida Public Relations Association.

Jackie Prince Production Coordinator

An indespensible team member who is usually hidden behind the scenes, she tolerates people with a smile — and prefers the company of her two great danes.

Sharon Raye Copy Editor

Sharon is a native South Floridian who has called Ocala home for over a decade. She studied at The Acting School of South Florida conservatory. She was an active actress and model in FL, NY and abroad for 20 years. Her love for the arts dates back to childhood especially in writing and attention to detail. She is curious by nature, loves traveling, good food, learning about cultures and is an advocate for natural health. Sharon has a daughter who is her greatest joy and primary focus.

Ronald W. Wetherington Social Editor

Born to a pioneering Miami family, Ron moved to Ocala in 2007 and purchased the Fort King Manor apartment building in Ocala's prestigious historic district. Since his early days as a society editor in Miami Beach, as a photojournalist Ron has devoted his writing and dedicated his photography to charity events.

Jessi Miller

Creative Director

Jessi's career is as old as Photoshop but she doesn't limit her art to the computer. Fine artist and award-winning creative director, she is saving the world, one graphic design at a time at Little Black Mask Media. She is passionate about storytelling, community involvement, peacebuilding, family, and the arts.

Madison Glassman Kids Corner Columnist

Madison is a seventh grade middle school student whose favorite subject is Language Arts. Dancing is her ultimate passion. She’s been going to dance school since she was only three years old. As a proud member of the OM team, she loves getting involved in the creative process of writing for Kids Corner.

Marisa Redmond Writer

Born and raised in Ocala, Marisa found a special love for the city which inspired her to write for it. Her hobbies include painting, music, and anything of the arts. She plans to bring a fresh approach to the magazine.

Joshua Jacobs Lead Photographer | Senior Designer

Joshua Jacobs is a musician, photographer, and graphic designer from Ocala, FL.

He brings a blue-collar, hard working approach to everything he sets his hands to. When not in the office, he can be found on stages across Florida with his band Feverdreams.

Brad Rogers Editor

For more than a generation

Brad has written about the people, places and issues that shape Ocala, first as a newspaper columnist and editor and now as a freelance writer. He is married and the father of two grown children and grandfather of one. In this month’s issue, he interviews Monica Bryant, OM’s Person of the Year.

With Jade Lotus Photography, Cierra is a lifelong resident of Marion County, raised in Citra. The natural beauty of our area ignited a passion to start taking photos of local wonders and people at a young age. She continues to pursue her photography dreams at every opportunity.

Dave Schlenker Columist

Dave is a 30 year journalist/ escapee who spent 29 of those years writing about cats. He and his wife, Amy, have two grown daughters. He is a writer and photographer with the University of Florida. He loves writing about himself in the third person.

Zoee Zarillo

Social Photographer

From the city in Connecticut, Zoee fell in love with the country and Florida through Ocala. Her passions lie in modeling, the arts, and fashion. Being in front of the camera has inspired Zoee to also work behind the camera.

Cierra Krise Social Photographer

Celebration of Love

FEBRUARY, THE MONTH OF LOVE, offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what matters most. For me, it’s time with the two people I love most in this world—my children, Madison and Brax. I want to congratulate my daughter on her excellent dance recitals in ballet and hip-hop at the Dance Company of Ocala and her acceptance into the pointe dance class. I’d also like to revisit a special moment from last month. In celebrating my son’s championship win, I inadvertently overlooked including pictures of his entire team and their outstanding coaches, John Prosoco, Aaron Toth, and Mike Berthrong from the Hitting Academy. So, once again, I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the coaches and the Hammerheads for their incredible achievement.

2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for Ocala Magazine and for Marion County as a whole. As a fulltime realtor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth happening in our community in just the first few months of the year. This momentum is mirrored in our magazine, as we’ve welcomed exciting new advertisers—local, regional, and even national—each with deep connections to Marion County and Ocala. It’s inspiring to see so much love and investment pouring back into our hometown.

This month, we’re proud to highlight two exceptional organizations making a difference for our community’s children. Our charity spotlight shines on the Boys & Girls Club and their unforgettable Bourbon in the Barn event, which raises critical funds to support their mission. This evening will feature delicious food, smooth bourbon, and exciting silent auctions—a night not to be missed.

Additionally, our cover story focuses on United Way’s inaugural Children’s Charity Classic, hosted at HITS. This inspiring initiative aims to empower children through education, health, and financial stability, showcasing the incredible work being done to build a brighter future for Marion County.

February is a month filled with love, and from all of us here at Ocala Magazine, we extend our deepest gratitude and affection to you, our readers. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

The Hammerheads

Philip and his children Madison and Brax

Doing the public’s work with decency

The old guy pulled up in a battered pickup truck that was riding low with a full load in the back. He hopped out, flashed a big smile and waved.

“Hey, Governor!” I said. “How are you doing?”

“Oh, just had to get a load of manure for Ann’s camellias,” he responded with a chuckle.

“Well, you don’t see that every day,” I countered. “A former governor with a pickup truck load of manure.”

“Well, I got my orders,” he said, chucklling. It is one of my favorite Buddy MacKay memories. MacKay was an influential and respected part of the Florida political landscape for a generation, leaving his mark on everything from environmental policy to civil rights to government efficiency. Yet, he never forgot – or left – his Marion County roots.

MacKay died peacefully on New Year’s Eve at his historic family home on Lake Weir while taking his regular afternoon nap following a holiday lunch with his family. He was 91.

Not a bad way to go.

For many, MacKay is remembered for his two big political losses – a 1988 U.S. Senate run against Connie Mack and a 1998 bid for governor against Jeb Bush. But the successes the University of Florida alum racked up over a career that saw him serve in the Florida House, Florida Senate, U.S. Congress and as lieutenant governor under Gov. Lawton Chiles, were momentous and transformative.

He was widely respected for his intellect and willingness to tackle complex issues other lawmakers shied away from. He led efforts to reform Florida’s auto insurance laws, create a public counsel’s office to represent consumers on utility rates, deregulate the trucking industry, establish a stable funding system for public schools, champion workers compensa-

tion and establish single-member legislative districts. MacKay was so effective that he was voted Most Effective Legislator a record seven times by the Tallahassee press corps.

In 1980, MacKay was elected to Congress and, again, became known and respected for his intellect and hard work. In Washington, MacKay earned a reputation as a deficit hawk and was instrumental in passing the landmark Gramm-Rudman Act that aimed at cutting the federal deficit. One of his proudest accomplishments in Congress was leading the fight to deauthorize the Cross Florida Barge Canal.

His success in Congress led to the ’88 run for U.S. Senate. And while he lost by 30,000 votes – the closest statewide race in history – he wasn’t done. He would go on to serve as Chiles’ lieutenant governor, with most Tallahassee observers acknowledging he was the most consequential No. 2 in Florida history. He oversaw a commission to revamp public education; created the public-private Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development program; went to Miami to lead an oversight board to save the city from bankruptcy; and even moved to Miami for six months to lead recovery efforts

BY BRAD ROGERS

after Hurricane Andrew. When Chiles died suddenly after the ’98 gubernatorial election, MacKay was sworn in as governor, a post he held for 23 days.

For all his accomplishments in Tallahassee and Washington, MacKay had a profound impact on his hometown, too. It was MacKay who led the push to annex west Ocala into the city so its largely minority population could have paved streets, public utilities and public safety services that were absent before then. Also, he, along with former superintendent of schools Mac Dunwoody, former School Board member Ed Anderson and lawyer John McKeever, concocted a plan to integrate our public schools – a plan they convinced the School Board to adopt and one that saved Ocala from the violence that engulfed too many Southern cities at the time.

Because of his lifelong support and fight for civil rights for all, MacKay never earned favorite son status from his hometown that many people in his positions do, but he loved Ocala nonetheless, and returned to it after each stop in his political journey.

Buddy MacKay was a decent, honorable man who was a devoted and hard-working public servant. Those are a rare thing nowadays. The work he did as our representative, whether in Ocala or Tallahassee or Washington, made lives, lots of lives, better. For that, he deserves our gratitude.

The Rev. Dr. David Cozad, who presided over MacKay’s funeral, maybe summed up MacKay’s life best:

“Buddy MacKay was a great man. But more important, he was a good man.”

Amen.

Buddy MacKay

So much to love about our community

BY MAYOR BEN MARCIANO

Coming back to Ocala after living and working in other cities, I found a treasure trove of things to love here in Ocala. From the sprawling horse farms and gorgeous trails, to Ocala’s diverse businesses and the arts, Ocala doesn’t disappoint. The icing on the cake comes from the generosity of our local non-profits, which serve a vast range of causes.

There is an inherent peace about the many horse farms in Ocala. The quiet charm of a mother and foal are enough to make even the most adventurous photographer pause to capture such beauty. What a blessing the many nature trails are throughout our parks like Silver River and Silver Springs. I love walking and enjoying the native flora and fauna with my family.

Purpose, integrity and hope are being restored in this compassionate community.

Aside from the natural beauty of Ocala, the diverse and rich culture here provides endless entertainment. If you’ve never taken advantage of the Friday Art Walks, you definitely need to do so as the weather warms up. You’ll meet artists and see local art that will amaze you. Enjoy the live music on the square, dine in the many restaurants, and even enjoy special treats from locally owned businesses. Speaking of being amazed by local talent, I love the Ocala Civic Theatre. While I don’t get the opportunity to go often, the local talent is outstanding. Such a gem.

Living in a city doesn’t come without its needs. While I wish it weren’t so, we have unsheltered people, hungry children and homeless pets to name a few of the needs that are met with kindness and compassion by our many nonprofit organizations. It is astounding to see our community give the way it does at the Give for Marion event and the hosting of enough events to keep you busy every day of the week. Purpose, integrity and hope are being restored in this compassionate community.

I guess one of the things I love most about Ocala is that I met my wife here. We love raising our children in this community, and to serve in this gorgeous, generous, prosperous city is an honor. With so much to love here, I want to challenge you to venture out on some of our many trails, get involved with a nonprofit, enjoy the art and culture of our city, because I know that you too will find there is so much to love.

Ben Marciano is the mayor of Ocala.

Bridging the gap:

The United Way of Marion County (UWMC) has embarked on a bold initiative to address the pressing issue of childhood poverty in our community, where a staggering 31.3% of children live in difficult circumstances, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. This innovative approach is vital, as research indicates that the cycle of poverty does not break on its own; 84% of persistently poor children remain trapped in these conditions.

Growing up in poverty is linked to a range of negative outcomes, including poor

academic performance, lower graduation rates, financial instability, domestic abuse, addiction, mental health challenges, and the perpetuation of generational poverty.

UWMC’s vision culminated in creating the Children’s Charity Classic (CCC), a groundbreaking equestrian event that showcases the thrill of horse jumping and benefits 10 local children’s charities. The event, scheduled for Feb. 21, at HITS Post Time Farm is free but early registration at uwmc. org is encouraged as tickets are limited. A $10 cash parking donation is suggested.

When Peter Englehart, president and chief executive officer of HITS Post Time Farm, learned about UWMC’s idea to combine equestrian sports with philanthropy, he eagerly embraced the opportunity.

“This is different. It touches a lot of buttons. You put this idea into a blender and shake it up. It’s an event that people can support, and I believe it will grow in stature,” he said.

Englehart recognized the uniqueness of the Children’s Charity Classic, which supports Arnette House, the Boys and Girls

The riders will don costumes that bring to life their chosen characters.

Club of Marion County, the Early Learning Coalition, Episcopal Children’s Services, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, the Pearl Project, SMA Healthcare, and United Way’s internal programs – Community Partnership Schools, Strong Families and ReadingPals.

Englehart loved focusing on innovative solutions and collaborating with multiple organizations instead of focusing on benefiting a single organization.

The picturesque backdrop of HITS Post Time Farm, with its majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss, sets the stage for this magical event. The riders will don costumes that bring to life their chosen characters, with capes fluttering in the breeze for Harry Potter, oversized hats and whimsical attire for the Cat in the Hat, enchanting dresses reminiscent of Mary Poppins, and a

The Children’s Charity Classic supports Arnette House, the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, the Early Learning Coalition, Episcopal Children’s Services, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, the Pearl Project, SMA Healthcare, and United Way’s internal programs – Community Partnership Schools, Strong Families and ReadingPals.

rustic charm for the farmers in Charlotte’s Web, creating a colorful tapestry of beloved storybook figures. Other represented books include Curious George, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Where the Wild Things Are, Pippi Longstocking, and Peter Pan and Wendy. Attendees should feel free to come in costumes, too.

Among those charities benefitting from the CCC is SMA Healthcare, recognized for its innovative approach to keeping mothers and their children together while undergoing substance abuse treatment. SMA’s program addresses a critical gap and will be the first of its kind in Marion County, notes SMA VP of Marion County Services Robin Lanier.

SMA tackled the barrier that mothers struggling with substance abuse disorders fear of being separated from their children. Lanier said the Marion County program is

modeled after SMA’s Flagler County program, which has a successful track record.

Leticia Tennant, who graduated 16 years ago from the Flagler program and now serves as an assistant director for Women Assisting Recovering Mothers, knows this well. She experienced the heartache of having her children removed from her care due to addiction. She was pregnant with her third child and faced the looming risk of losing custody once again when she discovered SMA’s Flagler County facility, which allowed mothers to go to treatment and keep their children. Leticia was determined to change the course of her life and secure a stable future for her children. This courageous decision had a ripple effect, transformed her life, and positively impacted her children’s lives.

“Now, 16 years later, I can see how the

“It has caused my life and my children’s lives to be transformed.”

community has benefited,” Leticia said. “As a young mother, I only knew chaos. I didn’t have to worry about being raped or what I was going to do when I entered the program. It has caused my life and my children’s lives to be transformed.”

Before entering the program, she faced a harsh reality filled with fear, addiction, domestic violence and instability. While in the program, Leticia not only overcame her addiction but also learned how to parent.

“I was shown a lifestyle that I didn’t even know existed,” she said. “It was a way of life I wanted to live but had never been exposed to. I could focus on my baby without distractions and not worry about my safety.”

When Alan Keesee, CEO of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and board chair of

UWMC, heard about the CCC, he knew this was a key partnership that his organization needed to be connected to and signed on as the Grand Prix Society sponsor.

“Our children truly are our future, and we look forward to bringing even more awareness through this event to the great local organizations driving change for our kids,” Keesee said.

Englehart reflected on the event’s significance, emphasizing the importance of community support and collaboration: “We want to give back to the children. This firsttime event is extra exciting because it allows creativity to manifest itself in many ways. It’s a great opportunity to be a pioneer and launch something that pulls on the heartstrings of us all.”

COME JOIN THE FUN

Friday, February 21, 2025 • 6:00 p.m. HITS Post Time Farm Gates Open at 4:30 p.m.

Don’t miss this inaugural event as we raise money to support children’s charitable causes in Marion County.

Scan QR for ticketing and registration information.

Everyday dozens of people walk into Interfaith Emergency Service’s new Engagement Center looking for help. They are Ocala’s homeless. Some need a shower. Some need clothing or shoes. Some need food. Some need medication. Some need an ID. On the day we visited, free HIV tests were being offered.

Regardless of their needs, Interfaith works to meet those needs – with something extra … hopefully.

“We don’t want them to just come in here for a handout,” said Karla Greenway, Interfaith’s longtime CEO. “We want them to find purpose.”

That is the challenge for the organizations that provide services to homeless people in Ocala/Marion County. While the annual Point in Time Count of the homeless population conducted each January under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, of HUD, tallied 378 officially homeless last year, those who work with the homeless agree the real number is higher, with some saying it is growing. The Point in Time Count, however, does not

count people who are couch surfing with a friend or a relative or those living in motels.

“Every patch of woods in Ocala has a camp of homeless people living in it – every patch,” Greenway said. City homeless outreach officials estimate there are about 50 encampments throughout the city, typically ranging in size from one person up to nine people.

Moreover, she added, the number of homeless is growing, “but not in the way you may think.”

“We’re seeing more moms living in their cars with children because people are losing their home because of affordability, with rising rents, homeowners’ insurance

Ocala’s Homeless

Looking after Ocala’s homeless involves a multi-faceted approach

BY BRAD ROGERS

and taxes also rising,” Greenway said. “I think if we knew how many people are being displaced because they can’t afford their rent, we’d be shocked.”

TRACKING

THE HOMELESS

Yet, Robin Ford, who heads the city’s Office of Homeless Prevention, said Ocala has plenty of organizations and agencies providing a breadth of services to homeless people, depending on their situation. And, she said, her staff of three outreach officers work diligently to track the homeless population on a daily basis.

“We track everything we do,” said Ford, a former Ocala Police Department major

"We’re seeing more moms living in their cars with children because people are losing their homes because of affordability."

—Karla Greenway, Interfaith

who was with the department for 31 years and has been in her current post since 2020. “Every time we interact with someone, they write a synopsis of what they did. We work really hard to keep up with them. … We see the same people a lot.”

Ford said her outreach officers – two ex-law enforcement officers and a veteran with mental health experience – ask each homeless person they engage a series of question. Do you live in a shelter? Are you a veteran? Have you been a victim of domestic violence? Do you use alcohol or drugs? Do you have mental health issues? Do you have a physical disability? How many adults are in

your household?

The No. 1 goal is to try and get them in a shelter of some kind. The second goal is to determine if they qualify for some kind of assistance that they are eligible for but are not receiving – everything from veterans benefits and Social Security to mental health counseling and needed medication. Often, the homeless don’t know what benefits are available to them or they simply do not have the paperwork or ID necessary to sign up for those benefits.

“Getting them into a shelter is the key,” Ford said, adding that is where they can get help obtaining those benefits. “Sometimes its mental health. Sometimes its mental health medication. Sometimes it’s employment counseling and not just getting them a job.”

PTSD AND MORE

Mental health is a big problem among the homeless. Depending on who you talk to, the percentage of people who are homeless and have mental health issues ranges from 75 percent to more than 90 percent.

Ned Giroux, a retired police officer who is now manager of Interfaith’s Engagement Center, said he sees hundreds of people each month at his facility and almost all of them are suffering from some sort of mental health disorder.

Ocala City Manager Pete Lee said. “He’s the symptom. Ninety percent of the people who are unsheltered want to go back in a shelter but are suffering from episodic conditions that become a mental health issue. It’s a very personalized, individualized approach that is effective.”

Ford, Greenway and Lee all agree there are a wide variety

“A lot of them have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) just from being homeless,” he said. And many, he added, “have just given up.”

“A good portion are just looking for safety,” Giroux said. “People who live on the streets – almost all of them – have been attacked or robbed, so there’s trauma there.”

Trust, or more specifically a lack of trust, is another issue those serving the homeless face, Giroux said, because too many times “they’ve been told they’d get help, and they didn’t get it.”

Once again, getting the homeless into some kind of shelter or housing is key to getting them help.

“The guy in the street is not the problem,”

of services available in Ocala/Marion County to serve homeless people of any circumstance. “There’s a lot of people in this town who work really, really hard to get the number of unsheltered people down,” Ford said. “But a lot of people don’t want to go into a shelter.”

HOUSING, JUST NOT ENOUGH

Here’s a look at some of the organizations that provide housing to the homeless and the different types of clients they serve.

• Traditional housing: Open Arms Village (men only), Project Hope (women and children only), Shepherd’s Lighthouse, Refuge of Hope, Break Barriers and the Salvation Army.

• Emergency shelters: Arnette House (children only), CASA Marion (domestic violence victims), Interfaith (women and children only) and the Salvation Army.

"There’s a lot of people in this town who work really, really hard to get the number of homeless down."

—Robin Ford

• Permanent supportive housing: Interfaith, VASH (veterans only) and Shepherd’s Lighthouse.

• Rapid rehousing for short- and medium-term housing: Saving Mercy and Volunteers of America (veterans).

• Other permanent housing: Ocala Housing Authority, Volunteers of America and Wear Gloves.

Despite all these options, those closest to the issue say more housing is needed, especially low-cost permanent housing.

“The number of homeless is going to get bigger, as the cost of housing is going to affect more and more middle-class households,” Greenway said.

Cheryl Martin is the director of Marion County Community Services. As such she is also the coordinator the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care. The Continuum of Care is a consortium of groups that

Patti Valenti, left, and Cynthia Paddock are homeless outreach officers for city of Ocala. They engage homeless people trying to provide help the homeless need.

Karla Greenway

Robin Ford, head of the city of Ocala’s Office of Homeless Prevention.

assist the homeless that is required by HUD to qualify for and manage federal and state funding aimed at reducing homelessness.

Martin said a recent study by the Ocala/Marion County Public Policy Institute on homelessness found that our community has a higher rate of “chronically homeless” than the state as a whole.

Martin agreed with others that there are a lot of great programs aimed at the homeless here, but sometimes coordination between them is lacking. It is an issue the Continuum of Care is looking to address at a meeting on Feb. 11.

“The goal is to improve coordination,” she said.

She said there are two big concerns going into that meeting.

One, the homeless services sector does a poor job of letting the greater community know what they do.

“They are the worst at tooting their own horns,” Martin said. “You can’t raise money if people don’t know what you do.”

Two, the proximity to services is a problem in a sprawling county like Marion that is the size of some small states.

“The challenge we have is all the services are in the city,” Martin added. “So, people in outlying areas can’t access them if they want to.”

Martin said there is a chronic lack of apartments that cost $1,000 a month or less or houses that cost $100,000 or less. There is good news on the horizon, however, in terms of more housing options for the homeless.

Saving Mercy is building a new facility on State Road 40 near Interstate 75 with 79 units. Wear Gloves, which helps ready-towork homeless find jobs, is in the process of opening housing units for its clients. Open Arms is opening a new women’s shelter. And 99 low-income apartments known as Madison Oaks have been built on the old Pine Oaks golf course. She added that the Continuum of Care is working to acquire two apartment complexes to be turned into low-income housing.

But, Ford noted, there needs to be more subsidized housing, given that the average Social Security check is $993 a month.

IT TAKES TIME

For all the challenges, Greenway said that in 2024 Interfaith saw a 95 percent success rate in getting its “members” the help they needed to get into housing and resolve their individual problems, whether they be mental health, medical or acquiring benefits they qualified for but were not receiving. She said more access to mental health counseling “has been a game changer” -- although even

“Every patch of woods in Ocala has a camp of homeless people living in it –every patch.”

—Karla Greenway

more is needed.

“We need more options for people with mental illness,” Greenway said. “And that’s not just Ocala, that’s nationally.”

She said one aspect of some local homeless services that deters greater success is that many of the homeless need extended time to get their issues resolved. For example, she said, if Interfaith was limited to 30 days, as some shelter programs are, to get all the help a person needed, it would not have the success rate it has.

“If we had a timeline that you could only stay 30 days, we wouldn’t have the success we have,” she said. In some cases, she said, it takes three years to get a person disability payments for which they qualify.

Ford said one of the city’s feel-good programs is when they find a homeless person from somewhere else who is ready to go back home. The city buys them a bus ticket and sends them home. (Interestingly, there is no bus station in Ocala. They have to be driven to Gainesville to catch a bus.)

“I think it’s money well spent,” Ford said. “It’s good for the city and it’s also good for the client. Sometimes we send whole families to someplace they can thrive.

“Of course, we’re not going to send somebody somewhere else just to be homeless in another place, because we don’t want (other cities) to do that to us.”

Ford did have one warning for local residents – be wary of panhandlers. Because her staff talks to every person they run into that appears to be homeless, she said they engage all panhandlers standing at intersections.

“Eighty percent of them are not homeless,” she said. “That is their job. And some of them do pretty well. Some make $200 a day. Yet, seeing them gives you the impression there are a lot more homeless people than there are.”

Yet, there are more homeless people on the streets, in the woods and in the shelters than the community can accommodate. Yes, there are a lot of organizations doing a lot of things to help them. But as Greenway noted, the cost of housing is just driving more people from their homes.

Abandoned homeless camp of Lake Weir Avenue in Ocala. City officials estimate there are about 50 such camps around the city.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

OPENING CEREMONY BEGINS AT 7:30 A.M.

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Father Son Homerun on Fields 1 & 4 (Players playing in 10:30 Games has priority to go first)

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Opening Day Games Begins Fields 2, 3 & Babe Ruth

12:15 PM

Opening Day Games Fields 2, 3, 5, 8, and Tee Ball Games

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Father Son Homerun Derby Champions Announced 2:00 PM

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Vibrant Member Events

My Wife,

the Teacher

A love letter to my wife, Sarah Jacobs, about her journey of resilience and triumph as Marion County's newest Golden Apple Teacher of the Year.

BY JOSHUA JACOBS

Editor's note: Sarah Jacobs, a West Port English 2 teacher, was named 2025 Marion County Golden Apple Teacher of the Year on February 1st. She is the wife of the author.

Imet Sarah almost 15 years ago through a mutual friend. We bonded over different things that we liked, mainly music and off-beat television shows, but the first truth I learned about my thenfuture wife was that she wanted to be a teacher.

She was studying at Saint Leo University at the time for her bachelor’s degree in education, a wide-eyed girl in love with the movie “Freedom Writers,” a story about a steadfast teacher who, against all odds, inspires her class of “bad kids” to take an interest in their education and to chase a future they’ve been told was out of their reach. This movie is one of the cornerstones of Sarah’s approach to teaching to this day. It has and always will be about the kids.

Sarah grew up with her nose always steeped in books, her favorite being “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. So much so, that as a child she would frequently get in trouble for reading late into the evenings on school nights. Her love for reading, the art of creative writing and critical thinking spurred her on through her grade school years and into her first years of college where she finally chose the profession of becoming an educator.

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE

I moved back to Ocala in the spring of 2011. Sarah and I had been in a long distance relationship for about four months and I wanted to be closer to her and my family. We got engaged within five months and married by May 2012. Sarah had just graduated with honors from Saint Leo and accepted a position at Crystal River Middle School, her first teaching job. From day one, she was hooked – and that’s saying a lot, because at the time we lived in a tiny apartment in west Ocala which for her was a 45-minute drive at the crack of dawn to make her 7 a.m. call time in Crystal River, and at least an hour drive back to Ocala at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. But to her, it was worth it because she had not only found but experienced her calling.

As someone who had multiple jobs already by the time I was a husband, I have always said that Sarah is the first person I had ever met who was just innately good at their job from the get-go. And as much as

I’d like to say that’s just a biased opinion of a young husband about his wife, it was a fact. This woman had the universal “it” factor.

In her 13 years of her teaching, Sarah has reached “highly effective” every single year on her performance review. Which, if you’re a teacher reading this, you know is a huge deal. Each year she has found new and exciting ways to spur interest not only among her students, but to the entire student body. From bringing talent shows to showcase the creativity of the next generation, to contacting professional climbers who’ve scaled Everest to show up and share their experiences with her class to relate back to a book they were reading. Sarah has continually exceeded not only her administration’s expectations, but even challenged the idea of what school and what teaching had become.

THE HARDEST TRUTH

With all her success over the years and the countless achievements, it did not come without its fair (and at sometimes unfair) share of challenges. See, while the first truth I learned about my wife was her love for teaching, the second truth was more conventional – Sarah wanted to be a mother.

It was a simple ask, especially being a young married couple, yet in all its simplicity it has been the hardest challenge to overcome. For

years we tried to have a kid, read all the books, ate all the supplements, but nothing would work and nothing could prepare us for the realization that it may not ever be a possibility.

Timing for this news couldn’t have come at a worse time either. At this point, Sarah had made her transition to Marion County Public Schools and was going through a particularly difficult time finding her place among the ever-changing policies that her school was experiencing and the fallout of a global pandemic.

The devastating doctor visits, the late night sobbing, failed adoption attempts, and the quiet and harsh resolution would have been enough to make an extrovert crawl into a hole, never to be seen again. Yet somehow, for Sarah, it was motivation. She never asked for pity or shut herself away from people. Instead, she channelled that pain and turned it, somehow, into even more love for teaching and her students.

HIGH SCHOOL NEVER ENDS

Off the back of a tumultuous transition to a different county and the idea of certain dreams dashed, Sarah felt like she needed a change of pace. After making some calls to connections she made in her first few years in Marion County, she decided to make the jump from middle school to the wild west

“The way she has turned those students into leaders is incredible, she lets them pursue what they want while maintaining the boundaries.”

world of high school, namely West Port High School. Normally a good husband takes note of the names that come up in conversations about their partner’s day, especially when one name in particular comes up in almost every conversation. Enter Ginger Cruz, the principal and captain of the good ship West Port.

My wife has never had trouble making friends in every school she’s taught at, but I am pretty sure I knew everything there is to know about Mrs. Cruz before ever shaking her hand in person. From the way Sarah spoke about her, I thought I was in the presence of an immortal being from which all good things flow. And to be honest, that wasn’t too far from the truth. Sarah has always been a go-getter, a plant wanting and ready to grow. However, too often she had to create the environment in which she needed to grow. That changed the moment Mrs. Cruz entered my wife’s life.

I have never seen someone so dedicat-

ed to the growth, health and happiness of not just my wife’s but all of her staff’s professional lives. I had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs. Cruz to talk about Sarah’s time so far at West Port, and at the mention of her name, Mrs. Cruz’s face lit up.

“Well I met her at an in-service that was here one afternoon for English teachers, and I remember thinking, ‘This girl is cool. Don’t you want to come to high school?’” she said.

Of course, Sarah said yes, and after her initial interview Mrs. Cruz simply said, “Oh, this girl’s amazing.”

Speaking on the English 2 department that Sarah would become team leader of, Mrs. Cruz said.: “We always push a lot of collaboration here, and so we had some teachers who were just not getting along. Some of them left, and we arranged things differently to have the team we do now and they are just amazing. The way they collaborate together, work together, and how their

whole focus is on the students … and Sarah’s really the one who took the lead. She’s humble, but not afraid to speak her mind, and that is hard to find.”

Mrs. Cruz mentioned how there was one teacher in particular who really took to Sarah.

That person being Mr. Garcia. His is another name brought up a lot in Sarah and my nightly conversations about the day, was known to me as “the only one who can make a real cup of coffee.” So, I reached out to Mr. Garcia to get his take on Sarah’s time at West Port.

Coming up on his 28th year of teaching, 19 of those at West Port, the highly credited teacher agreed with Mrs. Cruz’s sentiment saying, “I don’t want to sound cliché, but at a point in which, after so many years doing this, most teachers are tired, Sarah has managed to give my teaching career a second wind of excitement, interest and desire to keep doing this for a few more years.”

Assuring me that these weren’t just plat-

itudes, Mr. Garcia said, “Working with her is a joy and a privilege, there are no better words to describe the experience.”

NOT ONE TO SAY NO

I tend to harp on my wife for her seeming inability to say no. I get overprotective due to past school experiences that took more from her than they were willing to give, so color me hesitant when she came to me at the end of the last school year saying she accepted a new role at West Port as the Student Council advisor.

However, there was something in her eye about this one. She told me that Mrs. Cruz and a few assistant principals had specifically wanted her for this position. I told her I was proud of her and I finally got to hear Mrs. Cruz’s side of things.

“The way she has turned those students into leaders is incredible,” the principal said. “She lets them pursue what they want while maintaining the boundaries.”

Confident that she made the right choice in bringing Sarah on board at West Port, Mrs. Cruz said, “The sky’s the limit for her.”

Even that limit was tested when Sarah won her Golden Apple, as one of five finalists countywide for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award. The Golden Apple Gala 2025 will be held Feb. 3 at the Reilly Arts Center.

The Golden Apple Award is a program sponsored by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County where teachers are selected through an exhaustive evaluation by a panel of community members for their excellence in teaching. I think the Golden Apple quite possibly would’ve been impossible to reach if Sarah would have ever said no.

WORDS ARE NOT SMALL THINGS

I think the third truth I learned about Sarah was how resilient her spirit is. No matter what was thrown her way to distract her from her career, nothing could dissuade her from

Marion County’s Teacher of the Year

On February 1st, Sarah was announced as Marion County's Teacher of the Year.

Sarah is the English 2 Lead of West Port High School. With this new title, she will be speaking at diffent events throughout the school district and have her eyes set on state Teacher of the Year.

she doesn’t see teaching as a career. She doesn’t make decisions based on climbing some organizational ladder. I am pretty sure that most times when she tells people what she does for a living they wince in fear.

Teaching is not for the faint of heart. But, Sarah is one of the many teachers out there standing in the darkness with a light, doing all she can to make sure every single kid, no matter their backgrounds, has the right to feel seen and heard and that education should always be accessible. I truly wish I would have had a teacher like Sarah.

Faces of Ocala

Photo by Nicole Schultz Photography

Let’s give them something to squawk about

BY DAVE SCHLENKER

hen I pulled the screeching, cross-eyed chicken out of the dainty gift bag, I smiled. Sure, I have no use for a firealarm-loud toy chicken in daily applications, but I was elated the gift-giver thought of me when

The chicken – a toy version of Heihei, the deranged chicken in the animated “Moana” movies – was given to me as a birthday present from a consummately tasteful relative on my wife’s side of the family. Squeeze toy Heihei’s wing, and he emits a rash-inducing screech that can torment multiple zip codes.

As a gift to a 57-year-old man in cargo shorts, it made no sense. Unless, of course, that 57-year-old schlub

Once, I received a football toy in which you smashed the player’s head like a game-show buzzer, and his leg would kick a hard-plastic football that could bruise human flesh and put out an eye.

gained mild notoriety for writing a series of newspaper articles on J-Lo, the Ocala chicken with two butts. Let’s just say this is not my first gifted chicken.

The useless Heihei pleased me greatly because it reminded me of gift giving with my side of the family. My wife’s family – even during white-elephant gift exchanges – carefully considers gifts designed to elicit words like “adorable,” “precious,” “I can’t wait to use this,” and “Chocolate? I LOVE chocolate!”

We’re talking kitchen items, adorable baskets, gourmet snacks, adorable baskets of gourmet snacks, decorations, cookie tins, chocolate, cookie tins stuffed with chocolate, and embroidered things that required much personal consideration. Amy’s family sets a $25 gift limit that is never followed, as the only thing these family members like better than buying gifts is watching recipients open their thoughtfully planned gifts.

My side of the family, however, is all about the gags. The more obnoxious, the better.

A screeching chicken with crossed eyes would not raise an eyebrow in my family un-

less he could be recruited for some nefarious pranks before dinner. My family loves to give funny gifts, presents that make the receiver go, “This is disgusting. I love it!”

In my family, for example, one horrific white-elephant gift keeps returning to the party each year in wonderful ways. Not sure who first tossed the hideous red, white and blue fanny pack with Bluetooth speakers in the mix, but my sister and my nephew have been exchanging it in creative ways each year.

It ended up strapped and unnoticed-for-days to a Halloween skeleton one year, and then delivered back North via a threatening package from an attorney. As of this writing, my nephew is plotting its dramatic return to my sister’s house. Not sure of his plan, but I think it will involve outside vendors.

The rich tradition of gift dysfunction runs deep in my family. It goes back to the 1970s when the kids would go to bed at Christmas, the adults would raid the liquor cabinet and play with the kids’ new toys.

Once, I received a football toy in which you smashed the player’s head like a game-show buzzer, and his leg would kick

a hard-plastic football that could bruise human flesh and put out an eye. That night, I woke up to find my parents and older siblings – hours into the eggnog – cheering when the airborne plastic football chipped a light switch cover.

Everyone loves toys. My Christmas gift package to Amy’s family last year included an Etch A Sketch, which was highly protected during the stealing part of the white elephant process.

The good gifts with practical longevity also fell into protected status. Amy’s family puts much thought into their gift packages. Then one rogue family member – the one voted least likely to shop for cross-eyed chickens – broke protocol.

I loved it. I have no idea what I am going to do with it, but it doesn’t matter. I have a cross-eyed screeching chicken, and you don’t.

One more thing of note: It seems after 32 years of marriage, my sweet wife – raised in the ways of practical gifts – purchased a wall calendar this year for my family’s gift exchange.

The calendar’s title: Pooping Pooches.

I have never been prouder.

EXPERIENTIAL DINING

Tampa restaurant group raises the culinary bar

As Jeff Gigante sits at the bar in the Union New American in west Tampa, he is repeatedly greeted by customers pouring into the open-air eatery. Gigante, who along with his partners owns Union New American and two other Tampa restaurants, prides himself in not only providing high-quality dining options, but establishing relationships with his clientele as well.

“I’ve been a people person all my life,” the St. Petersburg native said. “Every friend was a stranger before we met. So, we create beautiful spaces where people can have experiential meals and meet somebody who will become a friend.”

Boulon Brasserie and Bakery

In addition to Union New American, Gigante and his partners in Next Level Brands also own two other Tampa dining establishments, Forbici Modern Italian and Boulon Brasserie and Bakery. While each of the restaurants offers a different cuisine, the philosophy behind each is the same.

“We’re super driven to give our customers what we want in a dining experience,” Gigante said. “The vision is to elevate the dining landscape, and we’re doing that.”

Next Level Brands not only aims to pro-

vide upscale dining in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, but also has located its trio of establishments near Tampa’s major sports and entertainment venues. Union New American is just a few blocks from Raymond James stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Boulon Brasserie and Bakery is adjacent to Amalie Arena where the Tampa Bay Lightning play; and Forbici Modern Italian is located in historic Hyde Park Village, just a short distance from the Tampa Convention Center and downtown. Gigante said Tampa’s rapid growth and

its ever-growing collection of name-brand employers has helped his restaurants flourish. Today, the Next Level Brands group employs more than 600 people, serving 100,000 people a month at its three venues.

“Tampa is exploding,” he said, adding that new housing developments are helping his customer base grow even more. “We have Fortune 100 companies moving in here.”

The popularity and success of the Next Level Brands group has been such that it is looking to expand into St. Petersburg.

Jeff Gigante Boulon Brasserie and Bakery

Union New American

Forbici Modern Italian

A look at the group’s three restaurants:

• BOULON BRASSERIE AND BAKERY

1001 Water St., Tampa 813-768-9988

Boulon Brasserie & Bakery serves up modern twists on classic French recipes in a sophisticated setting.

• FORBICI MODERN ITALIAN 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa

813-251-8001

Located in historic Hyde Park Village near downtown Tampa, Forbici Modern Italian features pizza, pasta and other Italian staples in an intimate setting that also features outdoor seating.

• UNION NEW AMERICAN 1111 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa 813-768-9989

This sprawling restaurant, anchored by a wood-fired hearth with available out-

door seating, offers classic American fare with a global edge – everything from steaks to salads and sushi to shareables.

So, if you’re looking for a fresh and inviting dining experience in an upscale setting, take the short drive to Tampa and visit Boulon Brasserie and Bakery, Forbici Modern Italian or Union New American for a new twist on old cuisines. And while you’re enjoying what promises to be an experiential meal, maybe you will make new friends along the way.

Boulon Brasserie and Bakery

Forbici Modern Italian

Forbici Modern Italian

play

GOlist of Events p46 | Society Pages p50 | Dining Out p59

Jordan Shapot creating art for the OTrak Chalk Walk

Photo by Jessi Miller

GOlist

Brought to you by GO52.events

There are 52 weeks in each year. What are you doing this week?

Feb.

6-23

| Ocala Civic Theatre

Get your tickets! Raised in a New England orphanage, Jerusha Abbott has just come of age. She laments her lonely life, until she learns that a mysterious benefactor, intrigued by her essays, is sending her to college. The conditions: She must become a writer, and she must write letters to him – which he will never answer. All she knows of this shy philanthropist is his tall, long-legged shadow she once glimpsed. Based on the 1955 film with Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, this clever two-person musical reveals the secret of happiness. Ticket info: https:// ocalacivictheatre.com/daddy-long-legs

Love What is in Technicolor: Exhibit Opening

Feb. 8 | 6 p.m. | Magnolia Art Xchange

Drop out of reality and drop into the colorful, vibrant, chaotic good mind of Joan Elizabeth. The exhibit features work from 2020 to the present, including five largescale marker drawings created at the Magnolia Art Xchange as meditations in presence, humor, playful spontaneity and blissful creation while simultaneously learning to let go of perfectionism and fear. Joan’s recent artwork is all about releasing from the bondage of outside expectation and learning the true power of what it is to simply

Wednesday night activity. If you love music and sunsets, the Sunset Songs Series is for you. End your day on a melodic high note at these not-tobe-missed community concerts.

2025 Fundraising Gala

Feb. 13 | 6 p.m. | Reilly Arts Center

Dance Alive National Ballet presents

‘Loveland’

Feb. 20 | 7 p.m. | Reilly Arts Center

love what is. Come and celebrate the brash, the bright, the brilliant within all of us, touch some felt, draw on a table, and enjoy some small bites and beverages.

Sunset Song Series: Madwoman

Feb.12 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. |

Ocala Downtown Historic Square

Music lovers of all ages will enjoy the Sunset Songs Series. This free concert series on the downtown square brings you the best local and regional artists performing funk, blues, reggae and country originals as the sun goes down. Kick back and soak in the melodies with the perfect

Join the Reilly for an elegant evening of exceptional entertainment at the Reilly Arts Center. Help us meaningfully impact our community through the arts. Attire: Black tie optional. Tickets $150 and include dinner and drinks. Sponsorships are still available: Contact natalie@ reillyartscenter.com for information.

Art Outside the Lines

Feb. 15 | 9 a.m.-12 noon | Magnolia Art Xchange

The City of Ocala, in partnership with the Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX), presents Art Outside the Lines brunch. This is an artsy breakfast experience.s. Enjoy live music from the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, boozy coffee drinks and mimosas, and delicious brunch catered by La Casella Catering, all on the beautiful platform of the MAX at Ocala Union Station overlooking the Tuscawilla Art Park. Guest speakers from local arts organizations and galleries will discuss the Ocala art scene and current state of the city’s public art. Upgrades available to include a climate controlled, guided bus tour around Ocala exploring what’s new in the city’s permanent and temporary art collection. Limited capacity. Tickets available online at www.ocalafl.gov/aotlbrunch or over the phone on 352-629-8447.

Take a trip to Loveland. Romance, passion, LIFE! With music from the ‘40’s to today, the program is comic, poignant, jazzy, romantic and classical. Tickets at www. reillyartscenter.com/events/loveland/

Children’s Charity Classic

Feb. 21 | 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. | HITS Post Time Farm

Excitement is building as United Way of Marion County hosts its inaugural Children’s Charity Classic event to maximize impact in children’s lives of Marion County. The theme of children’s literacy books will feature 10 show jumping teams paired with 10 lucky nonprofits, bringing together equestrian and local communities to foster change they wish to see in their own backyards. Together, we will leverage our expertise to a worldclass charity fundraiser and uplift our community. Join us in making a difference – together, we can ride toward a brighter future.

15th Annual Charity Car Show

Feb. 22 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. |

McPherson Gov. Complex

Join Marion County Tax Collector George Albright for a Charity Car Show in memory of James Melton, the legendary tenor who was born and raised in Marion County. If you’ve got some “hot” wheels and want to show them off, come down and spend the day with us. Food available onsite, kids activities, craft vendors, plant sale, and more. Proceeds benefit Interfaith.

4th Annual Warriors Gala

Feb. 28 | 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Making It Matthews

Join Outdoor Valor for their 4th Annual Warriors Gala. There will be raffles and a live auction to raise funds for the Warriors programs. This event is semi-formal. Tickets available at: www.outdoorvalor.org

The Florida Lineman Competition

Mar. 1 | 9 a.m. | World Equestrian Center

The Florida Lineman Competition is an event in which utility lineworkers from across the state compete as teams. They demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a fun and safe environment. For more information visit flpublicpower.com.

Bourbon in the Barn to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County

Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | CF Vintage Farm

Live Auction, Silent auction, Raffle, Bourbon samples, Tasty bites VIP $150, GA $100, All proceeds to support youth programs at our three Marion County clubs.

Friday, March 7 • 11:30am-1pm at the CF Klein Center

GO52 makes that an easy question to answer. Unless you struggle with choices, because yeah, there’s a LOT to do here in Ocala. GO52 is an online event listing epicenter that is dedicated to sharing all of the Ocala and Marion County happenings in one place. Visit go52.events, do a quick search, then get out ang go!

Applause for Applaud the Arts

RONALD W. WETHERINGTON, SOCIAL EDITOR

Recently, the United Way of Marion County’s Women United welcomed 215 guests to its first annual luncheon fundraiser, which was an inspiring event dedicated to raising funds for CASA Marion’s mission to support domestic violence survivors. This year’s luncheon, along with smaller events held throughout the year, focused on building community impact and raising more than their $40,000 goal for this critical cause.

Held at the College of Central Florida’s

Klein Center, the event kicked off with fellowship, networking and a delicious buffet by Fiery Chef. Highlights included the presentation of the 2024 Phyllis Ewers Community Service Award to Beth McCall. There was also an overview of CASA Marion’s history, success and impact. The main presentation featured Nashville-based functional medicine expert and best-selling author Dani Williamson, who shared inspiring, fun, and practical health insights from her book, Wild and Well.

The venue was beautifully decorated by Women United members with support from Party Time Rentals and Lowe’s, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Led by Chair Laurie Ann Truluck and Co-Chair Amy Blessing, all details, both large and small, were overseen. Laurie Ann shared, “Dani’s powerful message reminded us of the importance of self-care and good health while empowering us to make a lasting difference for women and children in Marion County.”

For more information to make a donation or to join Women United, visit: https://www.uwmc.org/women-united.

STORY + PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Bob Haight, Dani Williamson, Laurie Ann Truluck and Amy Blessing

Jackie Albright, Catherine Kirkland and Wantanisha Morant

Jamie Schofield, Ashlee Seek and Amy Rath

Dawne James, Rebecca Gavidia, Sadie Daniel and Landis Martinez

Delaney Mellucci, Laurie Ann Truluck and Jana Faulkner Beth Nelson, Raquel Fuentes and Bob Haight

Drayke McPhillips, Bart Blessing, Abbey Keister, Becca Rodriguez, Nancy Greiner Tuten and Eric Rose

Jenny and Ava Stentiford and Penny Vilella

Courtney Gibbons, Sue DeLeon and Brook Haddix

Arianna Pozo, Niki and Jaden Tripodi

OTrak Chalk Walk

Ocala Cultural Arts presented the second annual OTrak Chalk Walk as part of the Tuscawilla Art Park Series. Visitors walked along the OTrak train tracks to watch live chalk art drawing by professional and student artists competing for prizes. The day included live music, local artisans and craftsmen, non-prof its, and food trucks along with the chalk art for everyone. Live music included Fareeza, Niño Castaneda, David Smith Jr., The Mudds as well as student dance performances.

The theme for 2025 OTrak Chalk Walk competition is “Natural Wonders, Great and Small”, focusing on Florida flora and fauna.

Professional Winners:

Best in Show,$1,000 prize: Justin Alsedek Second Place, $500 prize: Brian Morris People’s Choice, $250 prize: Laura Thomas

Student Winners:

Best in Show, $500 prize: Charlotte Reed People’s Choice, $100 prize: Talia Martin

PHOTOS BY JESSI MILLER

Homes & Garden Show

PHOTOS BY AMONEIDA KRISE

The Ocala Home and Garden Show was held Jan. 25-26 at the World Equestrian Center, featuring the latest for home improvement projects and home and garden beautification. The show is held annually to help homeowners and businesses to interact with the industry’s hottest home and garden products.

Jacob Kriegel

Andres Soto

Pet Eyez

Tim Martin Rockland Pavers

Luis Maganda

James London, MD, FACC

Board Certified Cardiology

Yasmin Amin, MD, FACC Board Certified Cardiology

Bipul Roy, MD, FACC Board Certified Cardiology

Our highly skilled Cardiology team here at OFMC, Dr. James London, Dr. Yasmin Amin and Dr. Bi pul Roy specialize in the prevention, treatment and management of various heart and vascular diseases. The focus of our Cardiology department is to develop treatment plans to help patients live heart healthy lives. Our Cardiologists encourage their patients to take an active role in their health and believe that preventing a disease is better than having to overcome one. We have in-house diagnostics that allow us to provide one-stop Cardiology care and treatment in one location!

Our Cardiology services include, but are not limited to:

•Preventive cardiology

• Coumadin Management

•Permanent Pacemaker/Defibrillator Checks

• Calcium Scoring

• Echocardiogram (ECG) Studies

• Elect rocardiogram (EKG)

• Holter Monitors/Event Monitors

•Nuclear Cardiac Studies & St ress Testing

Couch Sessions Encore

Couch Sessions Encore brought a unique blend of art and music on Thursday, January 23. This collaborative event showcased local talent in an intimate and inspiring setting.

The premise of Couch Sessions is simple: connect artists and musicians, add a comfortable couch, and let the creativity flow. This event successfully fostered a dynamic atmosphere where different artistic disciplines intertwined. Attendees witnessed firsthand the magic that happens when artists and musicians collaborate, their individual talents merging into something truly special.

Couch Sessions offered a refreshing perspective on art, demonstrating that creativity can flourish anywhere, even on a couch. This event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community and the transformative potential of artistic collaboration.

PHOTOS BY JACKIE PRINCE

2025 Medical Expo

Hundreds of physicians, nurses and other medical professionals gathered on Jan. 25 at the India Association Cultural and Educational Center for the annual Medical Expo of North Central Florida. The event is held annually so medical professionals can network and get educated on the latest medical products and services. Proceeds from the Medical Expo were given to local charities and organizations, including the Children’s Alliance of Marion County, Interfaith Emergency Services, Arc of Marion and the Sheriff’s Office of Marion County.

PHOTOS BY AMONEIDA KRISE

Kim Muse and Christina Arocho

Irina Fofanova

Nilam Patel, Michelle Runk, and Anuj Sharma

Alicia Costa, Lisa Ross, and Anna Cripanuk

Advent Health

Jeff Thomas

18 South

Ocala’s newest and finest dining and entertainment experience. Enjoy cuisine that offers a perfect fusion of raw delicacies of the sea and hardy bites from the land. Raise a glass with craft cocktails and world-class wine selections, while enjoying the best service and ambiance in town. Limited number of private memberships available.

18 South Magnolia Ave., Ocala, FL 34471

Sun-Mon: Closed, Tues-Thurs: 5PM—10PM Fri: 5PM—11PM Sat: 11AM—2PM / 5PM—11PM

www.18south.vip

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse Mark’s Prime Steakhouse

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 DJ Fleming and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.

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

Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.

VOCAL’s 9th Annual Furball Tails & Teal

BY PAUL STENTIFORD AND TYLER STENTIFORD

In 2007, former Ocala Magazine publisher Linda Marks asked Paul Stentiford if Stentiford Construction would consider building a doghouse that would replicate the magazine’s three-story Victorian house/office on Fort King Street for the “Barkitecture” event that benefitted the Humane Society. Linda said she would pay the registration fee of $1,500, and the cost of building doghouse would be the Stentifords’ responsibility. I told her I thought that was very gracious of her, thinking that I could definitely build a doghouse for less than $1,500.

As we started building the doghouse with our crew, I realized I wanted to make it look right and I had things such as the siding custom made so that it looked the appropriate size to match the house. The flooring inside was custom-sized heart of pine. We made the roof with cedar shake shingles and all the flashings were made of copper. We even matched the stained-glass windows with stained glass that we had salvaged from a house that was 150 years old. All the glass windows were hand-etched by my father, who made pencil sketches and laid them over the small windows, then etched the design into the windows.

We just kept moving forward, making it look the way it should. When it was completed, my bookkeeper made me aware that the cost of materials and labor that we had in it exceeded $12,000.

Regardless of that, we were proud of how it turned out and the cause that it was going to. Peter and Sharon Mai purchased it at the auction for, I believe, $6,000 and decided it was too nice to keep outside -- I believe they kept it safe and protected, covered up in their warehouse for 17 years.

Now there will be an opportunity for someone else to have the chance at an auction to own it once again. This time for the benefit of VOCAL, or Voices of Change Animal League, of Ocala.

“This is so cool,” VOCAL CEO Linda Norman said. “It’s coming full circle and will also benefit animals once again. This time for VOCAL.”

Furball Tails & Teal will be held Friday, February 21, at 6 p.m. at the World Equestrian Center Expo Center 1, Ocala. Bernadette Castro will be the live auctioneer.

Photo by Joshua Jacobs

Horse Shows in the Sun

Premier competition and diverse opportunities at HITS Ocala

BY LOUISA BARTON

Yesterday, the Ocala Metro and Economic Partnership’s Equine Initiative Meeting was held at Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS), located at Post Time Farm in northwest Ocala. I was again blown away by the continued improvements to this great facility.

As I arrived at the Overlook Club, I saw a series of child-size jumps, brightly colored and inviting. Some viewers standing nearby said their children insist on jumping over them all day and as much as possible. Besides those, I passed some cozy areas to sit under cover with market lights strung

overhead and with a great view of the Grand Prix arena. Show jumping was underway and I heard and felt the power of the horses as their riders cleared the jumps with what seemed like ease. Other equestrians, more relaxed on long reins casually passed by hacking around the grounds, some were even younger riders on those adorable ponies.

The very helpful and friendly HITS staff assisted us to get all set up under the large and nicely appointed tent beside the Grand Prix ring.

HITS has a rich and long history here in the horse capital. From Dec. 11, 2024, to March 23, 2025, Post Time Farm in Ocala

is bustling with equestrian activity. For four decades, Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) has provided one of the largest show circuits in the U.S. Over the course of 12 weeks each winter in Ocala, HITS hosts top-level USDF-rated shows. This offers diverse opportunities for all levels of competitors to come together in one place and experience an unforgettable, vibrant equestrian facility.

Since its inception in 1982, HITS, LLC has grown into a market-leading lifestyle management company, producing hunter, jumper and dressage horse shows. HITS held its first horse show circuit in Gainesville in 1982. Since then, HITS has expand-

ed into a nationwide company with worldclass events in Florida and other states.

HITS has found success by producing a series of horse shows over consecutive weeks, held in desirable destinations, with first-class competition facilities and unmatched professional operations. HITS hosts top events that attract equestrians from across the U.S. and around the globe. These events include CSI3* and CSI4* Show Jumping, the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, the World Championship Hunter Rider competition, the USDF Region 8 Dressage Championships, the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals, and many more.

Founded over four decades ago, HITS was purchased by Traub Capital Partners

in 2022. With a renewed focus on customer experience, HITS’s legacy has been revitalized. HITS employs a professional, full-time staff of 35, including a complete administrative team based at the company’s headquarters. The experience of this team guarantees the superior execution of every detail at all HITS horse shows.

Top Grand Prix international show jumper, businessman and co-founder of Wordley Martin, Sharn Wordley, spoke very favorably of HITS when asked, stating: “HITS is a great, people- and horse-friendly environment to show in. Top sport with a caring vibe.” Wordley Martin offers a complete bespoke planning, design and construction service, ranging from private farms to large-scale commercial equestrian facilities.

They also collaborate with the Equine Design and Development Collective (EDDC) to offer additional services.

The piece that so many of the general public do not often realize is that they are all welcome to go out to Post Time Farm to enjoy being around horses and to walk the grounds, have a tasty bite to eat and watch all the excitement. Everyone is welcome.

HITS has always been, and remains, committed to offering opportunities for horses and riders of all ages and skill levels to compete at first-class venues. HITS continues to offer premier competition and diverse opportunities for all. HITS is the horse people’s show place and everyone is welcome to enjoy it!.

Louisa Barton is the Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, Engel & Voelkers Farm Realtor and host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3, Audacy.com and Equus Television.

Great Futures Start Here

Boys and Girls Clubs of Marion County

ORGANIZATION NAME: BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MARION COUNTY

LEADERSHIP:

April Savarese- CEO

Brittany Marchand- Director of Operations

Kelly Celmons, Anthony Henderson, Katie Reed- Club Directors

LOCATION:

Ocala, Dunnellon, Silver Springs Shores

MISSION STATEMENT:

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

WHAT WE DO:

Our programs are designed to bridge opportunity gaps by providing resources in a safe haven, with caring mentors, and life enhancing programs, so the youth thrive. They plan for great futures and learning skills for success. They reach their potential and emerge prepared for all sorts of possibilities--ready to impact the world.

HOW YOU CAN GIVE OF YOUR TIME AND TREASURE:

Do you want to get involved in your local community? Do you want to make a positive im-

BY THE NUMBERS:

1170 YOUTH SERVED ACROSS OUR THREE CLUBS IN 2024. WE SERVED 9,722 MEALS.

80% RECEIVE FREE/REDUCED LUNCHES

39% LIVE IN SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS

51% FEMALES 49% MALES

AVERAGE FAMILY SIZE SERVED: 4

WE WERE OPEN FOR 282 DAYS IN WHICH WE PROVIDED 86,444 HOURS OF HOMEWORK HELP AND 79,210 HOURS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS ACTIVITIES.

pact on the lives of Marion County children? Becoming a Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County volunteer allows you to do both. Individual and corporate volunteer opportunities can be tailored to your specific interests and talents and to the needs of the organization. Some are one-time projects and others become ongoing relationships.

Post-surgery delirium

Older adults at higher risk of confusion, memory problems after surgery

COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT

The “silver tsunami” of people 65 and older is creating the perfect storm for a sometimes-overlooked issue — postoperative delirium. More common in older people, postoperative delirium can cause symptoms such as confusion, memory problems or agitation that is associated with postoperative cognitive decline. However, there are ways to reduce the risk, starting with talking to your anesthesiologist before the procedure. Various factors can increase the risk of postoperative delirium, including the body’s response to surgery, frailty and underlying medical conditions. This condition is a growing problem, considering the aging popula-

tion and older adults account for more than 40% of surgeries. It affects anywhere from 5% to 52% of older adults, depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s age, and the rate increases steadily with age, nearly doubling every 15 years.

“Anesthesiologists play a key role in bringing awareness to postoperative delirium and discovering ways to reduce it,” said Donald E. Arnold, M.D., president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “Partnering with your anesthesiologist to let them know if you have health issues or other concerns is an important first step to reducing your risk.”

ASA is dedicated to safeguarding pa-

tients from delirium after procedures requiring anesthesia, through its Perioperative Brain Health Initiative and by providing evidence-based strategies for health professionals and recommendations for patients.

Anesthesiologists play a crucial role in preventing postoperative delirium. Launched by ASA in 2015, the Perioperative Brain Health Initiative focuses on improving care for older adults with memory or thinking problems by supporting better brain recovery after surgery. It offers best practices, guidelines, a frailty toolkit for care teams, and patient education on postoperative delirium, including suggestions for talking to your anesthesiologist and advice for preparing for surgery.

Additionally, ASA’s journal, “Anesthesiology,” recently published new evidence-based recommendations for strategies that health care professionals may consider, including:

• Expanding preoperative evaluation. Older adults scheduled for inpatient surgery may benefit from preoperative evaluation to assess for frail-

ty or cognitive impairment. At-risk patients can receive care in advance of the surgery from a multidisciplinary care team and education on postoperative delirium.

• Choosing the type of anesthesia. Anesthesiologists and patients should work together to determine the most appropriate type of anesthesia for that patient based on the surgery they’re having.

• Prescribing medication to reduce risk. Anesthesiologists may consider prescribing the sedative dexmedetomidine to older patients having inpatient procedures, because it’s less likely to cause postoperative delirium than other commonly used sedatives.

While anesthesiologists are factoring in those strategies, you can reduce the risk that you (or your loved one) will have postoperative delirium by: Partnering with your anesthesiologist. When meeting with your anesthesiologist

before surgery, be sure to discuss the following, which will help them create the best care plan for you:

• Any health problems or pre-existing conditions should be communicated to the anesthesia care team.

• The medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements or those for anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or sleep, which can affect your nervous system.

• If you have cognitive issues such as memory or thinking problems, including if you have ever experienced these issues after anesthesia.

• Having a recovery pal. A family member or friend should stay with you during recovery to help orient you and report any signs of postoperative delirium to your doctor.

• Making the recovery environment as familiar as possible. Ask that your hearing aids or glasses be given to you as soon as you are in recovery.

Living in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) such as Lakeview Terrace a Life Care Community is a positive step to confidence, independence and security.

Thriving Community

Forge new friendships and create lasting connections with like-minded individuals. Our community events, social clubs, and recreational activities ensure there’s always something exciting happeni ng at Lakeview Terrace.

Beautiful Residences

Our thoughtfully designed living spaces cater to various preferences and needs. Whether you’re seeking a cozy apartment or a spacious villa, we have the perfect home for you.

Delicious Dining

Enjoy culinary delights at our on-site dining venues. Our talented chefs create nutritious and flavorful meals, providing a delightful dining experience for our residents.

state of the city

Ocala in bloom

From award-winning excellence to charming events, February is a time to connect, celebrate

BY GREGORY DAVIS

February has arrived, bringing opportunities to celebrate the vibrant achievements, creativity and community spirit that define Ocala. From prestigious accolades to artistic triumphs to memorable events, there’s something to inspire everyone this month.

We’re thrilled to announce that the City of Ocala’s Budget Department has earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This prestigious recognition reflects our commitment to producing a financial plan that is clear, strategic and accessible. Out of more than 1,700 participants, Ocala stands as a benchmark of excellence, thanks to the dedication of our staff who work tirelessly to plan for our community’s bright future.

Art enthusiasts will be delighted by the newly completed Ground Storage Water Tank Mural at the intersection of Southeast Third Avenue and Fifth Street. This stunning piece, titled ”Marion Flow” and painted by Christian Stanley, captures the natural beauty and wildlife of our region.

This project, made possible with support from Fine Arts of Ocala, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and Ocala Main Street, exemplifies the transformative power of art. Special thanks to our Cultural Arts Department for coordinating this exceptional piece. Be sure to visit and see how this vibrant mural brightens one of our city’s key landmarks.

For those seeking a serene and historic outing, mark your calendars for “Tea at the Fort” on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Fort King National Historic Landmark Museum and Visitor Center from 10-11 a.m. for ages 18 and up and again from 2-3 p.m. for all ages. This unique event, “Sipping into Spring,” in-

vites you to relax with a cup of artisanal tea and freshly prepared crumpets while enjoying the fort’s charm. Guests will also hear captivating stories about the history of tea, and dressing up is encouraged (but not required) for this elegant experience.

Music lovers can look forward to a night under the stars at the Spring Sunset Songs Series on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Downtown Square from 6-8 p.m. This free event features MADWOMAN, an indie-psych pop band known for their en-

ergetic performances and genre-defying sound. Bring a blanket or chair, gather your loved ones, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of this family-friendly concert.

As we celebrate these achievements and events, let’s reflect on what makes Ocala truly special: our commitment to fostering creativity, excellence and togetherness. From award-winning initiatives to inspiring art to enriching experiences, Ocala is a city that thrives on connection and pride.

Whether you’re sipping tea at Fort King, marveling at ”Marion Flow”, or enjoying live music downtown, February is the perfect time to embrace everything that makes Ocala shine.

For more details on events, visit the City of Ocala’s website (ocalafl.gov) or follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X - @CityOfOcalaFL). Let’s make this February one to remember—together, we’re building a city that’s as inspiring as it is vibrant.

Marion Flow

Tea at the Fort

The year in numbers

From animal services to 911 calls, county answered public needs

BY MARK ANDERSON

Now that 2024 is over (and because yearly numbers often take a while to compile), let’s take a look at what happened throughout Marion County’s 23 departments in a year’s time.

MARION COUNTY AIRPORT

• $140 million positive economic impact on Marion County, according to the Florida Aviation Economic Impact Study

MARION COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES

• 3,306 animals adopted

• 2,185 animals fostered

• 836 lost pets reunited with owners

• 11,253 volunteer hours

• 1 groundbreaking for a new animal shelter, planned for completion by December 2025

MARION COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES

• $15 million in active projects impacting community development, housing, homeless services and human services

• 378 Individuals identified experiencing homelessness during the 2023 point-in-time count, a 76-person decrease from the previous year

MARION COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE

• 24,261 residents participated in education programs hosted in partnership with the University of Florida IFAS (Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences)

MARION COUNTY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

• 3.3 million square feet of county-owned buildings are maintained by an in-house team of trades experts

MARION COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

• 4,759 fire inspections

• 61,743 patient transports

MARION COUNTY GROWTH SERVICES

• 120,000 customers helped

• 17,000 plans reviewed to ensure safe construction of homes, businesses and infrastructure.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS

• 151,258 calls to 911 for service

MARION COUNTY SOLID WASTE

• 1.58 million pounds of litter removed from Marion County’s streets and public spaces

MARION COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION

• 1.5 million visitors to Marion County parks, not including KP Hole

• 2,623 acres managed across the county’s park system

These are just a few of the statistics across the county over the last year! Marion County departments are working hard to ensure that together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant county for generations to come.

MCAS Clear The Shelter-30

Marion County Judicial Center

MCFR Firefighter with Sparks

Kemisha Mobley

Rotary Circle

TROTARY IMPACT HAPPENINGS IN OCALA

he Ocala-Silver Spring’s Rotary Club was awarded a District 6970 matching grant to fund the supplies for a recent international project in Clarendon, Jamaica. Club members helped renovate the dormitories for a high school — Sir Alexander Bustamante High School, a lowincome high school in Lionel Town.

Founded 1924

DFounded 1924

Kiwanis Club of Ocala provides a positive influence and creates opportunities for local children to be curious, safe, and healthy. Please join us at one of our meetings to network and highlight local community speakers.

Kiwanis a positive opportunities curious, at one highlight

Kiwanis Club of Ocala provides a positive influence and creates opportunities for local children to be curious, safe and healthy. Please join us at one of our meetings to network and highlight local community speakers.

Christopher 1510 SE Every Friday,

avid Tillman was awarded the Lt. Col. Frank Rasbury Rotarian of the Year Award. The award is permanently placed in the Rotary Arbor located at the Tuscawilla Art Park.

Love in All Forms

This month is all about Valentine’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate all types of love, like friendships.

Some of my friends and I from school are going to have a Galantine’s Day get-together. We are all going to bring different types of charcuterie boards, like a dessert board, candy board, veggie board, fruit board, etc. and strengthen our friendship.

If you don’t know what Galantine’s Day is, it’s like Valentine’s Day but for your close girlfriends. We have been trying to plan something for Galantine’s Day for some time now, but it never works out. So, I’m excited about doing it this year.

Valentine’s Day is also a perfect day to give yourself self-love and self-care. You can focus on yourself and do things that make you happy, like taking a nice everything shower, do a face mask, do your skin care, do your hair routine, eat your favorite foods, buy yourself chocolates and flowers – anything that makes you feel good. Self-love is the most important type of love, so let’s remember February is a month to give ourselves some extra TLC, too.

This month is also Heart Health Awareness Month. Heart Health Awareness Month is to raise awareness of heart diseases and motivate people to focus on their cardiovascular health. So, you can grab a friend or a family member and go on a walk to improve your heart health. Walking is an excellent way to give your heart a little love.

Lastly, this month is my Dad’s birthday! We are going to Miami for his birthday weekend, and I’m so excited that we’re going to go see some of my cousins that live down there. I know I’m going to have a great time.

The month of February is a time to celebrate the ones close to you and spread love around. See you next month.

The Forest

Ocala is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi

WRITTEN WITH THE HISTORIC OCALA PRESERVATION SOCIETY & THE CITY OF OCALA

When Ocalans think of the Ocala National Forest, they think of the vast expanse of pine trees and scrub land yawning eastward from the city, an expanse they typically traverse on their way to the Atlantic beaches.

The Ocala National Forest, however, has a rich and eclectic history – one that makes it stand out from the nation’s other national forests.

Created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, the Ocala National Forest is the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River and the only subtropical national forest in the country.

Known for its expansive “scrub,” a combination of pine trees, shrubs, palmettos and other native vegetation planted in its famously porous sand, the Ocala National Forest is one of the most important, if not the most important, water recharge areas for the Florida Aquifer, Florida’s primary water supply.

The forest also is home to more than 600 lakes, streams and rivers, the Silver and Ocklawaha notably among them.

That abundance of water and porous sand make the forest the largest contiguous sand pine forest in the world. Big Scrub, the heart of that sand pine forest, is 40 miles long and 20 miles wide.

Author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who wrote a number of books based on life in the forest, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Yearling,” said of the Big Scrub; “There is no human habitation – there never has been and probably never will be – in the scrub itself.” She further described the scrub as “a vast wall keeping out the timid and the alien.”

The 430,000-acre forest covers parts of Marion, Lake and Putnam counties and is home to a wide variety of native fauna and flora. Among its most famous residents is the

Florida black bear, which the National Forest Foundation estimates number about 1,200 in Ocala, making it the largest black bear population in Florida. It also is home to the largest population of the threatened Florida scrub jay.

A unique feature of the forest is its half century relationship with the U.S. Navy, which uses a fenced 5,760-acre tract in the forest to conduct bombing practice. Known as the U.S. Navy Pinecastle Bombing Range, the slice of forest is the only one of its kind on the East Coast where the Navy does “live impact training.” The Navy drops about 20,000 bombs a year, a few hundred of which are live bombs.

The 1930s brought national attention to the Ocala National Forest.

First, in 1935, a lightning strike ignited a forest fire that was and is the fastest spreading forest fire in Forest Service history. In four hours, the blaze consumed 35,000 acres.

Then, in 1938 Rawlings’ “The Yearling” became the best-selling novel in the United States that year. A movie based on the book, starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman, would be made in 1946, bringing even more attention to the forest. Today, there is a “Yearling Trail” in the forest, a 4-mile loop that take hikers to where the movie was filmed.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Set amid the ambience of the city’s oldest historic district and through the generosity of the homeowners, H.O.P.S. is pleased to showcase some of Ocala’s distinctive architecture, history, and culture. Since 1992, these home tours have provided a rare opportunity for guests to go inside some of our community’s most beautiful private residences.