Your Choice: 82...136... or 254 +/- Acres
Palacial Chateau on 82 +/- acres, offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths with highest quality materials and finishes used throughout. Porta cochere plus 4 car oversized garage with office plus 1 bedroom/ 1 bath apartment. Equestrians will enjoy the grand 18-stall show stable with a 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment. Pristine gently rolling landscape is perfect for any discipline. $ 5,950,000.
136 +/- Acre State of the Equestrian Facility– Professionally sculpted and architecturally designed residence with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms overlooking your own private lake. Equine training facility includes 5-stall isolation barn with 1/1 apartment. 27 Stall center aisle barn, covered area for hydro therapy spa, European free walker, round pen and equipment storage building. 5/8 +/- Mile synthetic cushion track. The INN offers dining area, conference area plus 8 en-suite bedrooms. This property is truly in a league of its own. $7,950,000.
Or 256.91+/- Acres includes the 82 acre +/- estate, 136+/- equestrian facility plus two additional estates. 18 +/- Acre estate with 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home with bonus guest suite over 3-car garage. Additional 18+/- acre estate with a 4 bedroom/4.5 Bath with pool. Overlooking beautiful, lush open fields. Plenty of potential for any discipline of equestrian. $16,800,000.
Unique 38+/- acre property in the NW on HWY 326. Country living-perfect for the Equine Enthusiasts! Impressive granddaddy Oaks, mature landscaping, and just minutes to WEC and HITS. Main residence encompasses 4-bedroom, 3.5 baths, office, open kitchen, spacious living room with impressive stone fireplace and built-in bookcases. Family room offers access to screen enclosed lanai and pool area. The equine facilities includes a 12-stall stable with tack room, feed room, wash bay plus 1/1 apartment. Covered parking on each side of barn for horse trailer and other items of your choice. Large 3 bay equipment building with workshop plus RV hook-up. Nice 4-bedroom 2 bath residence for your farm manager and family. The lush fields are perfect for grazing your horses or cattle with just the right number of scattered oaks for shade and a tranquil setting. $3,950,000.
List with us today!
Close to World Equestrian Center “WEC,” HITS and The Florida Horse Park! Easy access to HWY 200. Gorgeous, gated estate on almost 30+/- acres of breathtaking property views. Southern style home has 3,900+ square feet of living area with 3 bedrooms, 4 baths. Open floor plan with plenty of windows bringing natural light to this stately home. Equestrian’s will enjoy the 5-stall stable which includes tack room, feed room, wash rack, overhead storage area plus equipment/storage room with a roll up garage door for easy access. Open flat areas perfect for covered arena or jump fields depending
REALTOR®
Via Paradisus – Beautiful equestrian land graced with magnificent Graddaddy Oaks. Access to the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway which is by far one of the most treasured natural resources. Close to the Florida Horse Park. Bring your plans for your dream home or farm. Via Paradisus features: 2 gated entrances, deed restricted, equine friendly, high elevations and gently rolling land. Various lot sizes available from 3+ to 155+/- acres.
Beautiful 20+/- acres between Ocala and Gainesville. This property is ready for you to layout your dream house and farm. Lots of trees and lush green pastures perfect for any discipline of equestrian. The property sits high and dry and is partially fenced. $600,000.
Equestrian gated community, beautiful country setting with customs homes within the community. Horse riding trails. Build your dream home with minimum square feet of 2,800. Close to World Equestrian Center and Hits. 4.11 +/- Acres$150,000 or 49.51 +/- acres - $2,475,000.
State of the art equestrian facility in NW Marion County area, close to the World Equestrian Center with easy access to I-75. Main residence and guest/employee housing, 4 barns - 104 stalls, ¾ +/- mile racetrack, Eurociser, round pen plus plenty of lush green paddocks. $4,495,000.
In the Country Club Of Ocala, overlooking the 14th tee with 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths plus den. Custom home features: Living area with electric fireplace, coffered ceilings, built -in shelving, large windows to allow natural light and French doors opening onto lanai. $749,000.
Beautiful vistas, lush pastures with impressive Granddaddy Oaks, rolling land in prime horse country. Main residence sits high on its own private knoll. You’ll love entertaining in the spacious sunroom its energized by the abundant amount of natural light. $775,000.
If you’re considering buying or selling, give us a call today!
Spacious pool home on 2+/- acres. 3 Bedrooms, 2 baths, office plus bonus room. Located off Highway 484 between Ocala and The Villages plus just 2 miles to I-75. Minutes to FL Horse Park, Greenways and trails. Zoned A-1 for horses or cattle. $499,000.
ART
Little Black Mask Media
Jessi Miller | Creative Director jessi@ocalamagazine.com
Website StevensLabs
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ralph Demilio | Chief Photographer ralph@ocalamagazine.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Anderson/Marion County | Writer
Ashley Dobbs/City of Ocala | Writer
Mayor Kent Guinn | Columnist Brandi Wright | Social Photographer
OPERATIONS
Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO randy@ocalamagazine.com
Philip has been at the helm of OM for nearly 5 years with 15 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 former actor, a creative thinker and father to two beautiful children.
Mark Anderson
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.
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.
Ralph Demilio
Chief Photographer
Ralph is an award-winning photographer that handles OM's every need. From shooting the great people of Ocala, to food and horses, Ralph has an amazing understanding of art and lighting that brings everyone and everything into beautiful focus.
Ashley Dobbs
State of the City Columnist
Ashley Dobbs is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the City of Ocala. She is responsible for internal and external communications, managing social media, brand standards, and working with collaborators providing outreach to citizens. The City's goal is to put citizens first and make Ocala a great place to live, play, and prosper.
Kent Guinn
Mayor's Column
Kent's family came here in 1850, he is a fifthgeneration Ocalan. After 12 years on the Ocala city council, he has served the last 11 as mayor and overseen unprecedented growth of the area during his tenure. Married for 43 years with two sons and a new granddaughter, Guinn loves to play the game of golf when he can.
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.
Jackie Prince
Creative Assistant
Jackie is the creative assistant at Little Black Mask Media. 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 | Distribution
Sharon is a native South Floridian who has called Ocala home for 10 years. 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.
A freelance writer and editor, Carlton is a fourth-generation Ocalan who has written for newspapers and magazines since he was a college freshman in 1985. A father of four daughters, Carlton used to play lots of golf, but is busy enjoying time with his family instead.
Brad Rogers
Contributing 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 free-lance writer. He is married and the father of two grown children and grandfather of one. In this month’s issue, he interviews Dr. Jim Henningsen, OM’s Person of the Year.
When Brandi isn't on the scene, capturing social events for OM's Society section, she might be baking for her Double Baked Bakery business or shooting for her BW Photography business. Make sure to smile for the camera if you see her while out and about.
IN THIS APRIL ISSUE, our Charity Spotlight shines on the Estella Byrd Whitman Wellness & Community Resource Center, which is another shining example of someone seeing a need in the community and filling it. Whitman is the person responsible for donating the funds necessary to get this project off the ground, and she did so upon witnessing Ocala’s west side as a “medical desert.”
With medical and other social services lagging on the west side of Ocala, the “desert” label is certain to be diminished with this facility that provides not just access to medical and dental care for those in need but also access to health education and food stamps.
This is a service that benefits all of us, not just those who walk through the doors. Since many folks on the west side use emergency rooms of local hospitals as their source for primary medical care, any facility like this will help alleviate the pressures placed on our hospitals.
While the Whitman Wellness & Community Resource Center plays a wonderful role in providing care to those in need, it is also in need of our support in terms of finances and volunteers. Again, I am confident the generous people of Ocala can keep this facility a success — we all need it.
IN THE SPIRIT OF CHARITY, I have to mention the 2023 OM Charity Register which is currently in publication and has been a long-standing tradition of this community. I want to thank the staff of OM for publishing this book simultaneously with our monthly issue. The Charity Register consists of 44 pages and is the result of much research, planning and design and is motivated by the general philosophy of service to the community. I hope you not only enjoy the content of the Charity Register but also take advantage of the information to help any number of the fine organizations mentioned. Such organizations thrive by virtue of a giving community and we are lucky to have one of the most generous citizenries around.
ON
FINAL NOTE, I would like to offer my condolences to the family of Larry Roberts, who passed away recently. He built a trucking empire then came to Ocala and was a major force in what has truly been a renaissance of sorts here, starting with his restoration of the Golden Ocala Golf Club, turning it into a world-class private golf and equestrian community.
Of course, Roberts’ creation of the World Equestrian Center has made the most impact and lifted the global status of Marion County and it is all due to the vision of Larry and his wife, Mary.
I did not personally know Larry Roberts, but like most of us was affected in the most positive ways by what he brought to Ocala and the things he helped make better. By virtue of his impact on Ocala and Marion County, Roberts will forever reside in the pantheon of local giants who helped make Ocala what it is today. He created a company that grew into something enormous then he used that leverage to enforce a rising tide here that has benefitted us all.
We will surely miss Larry Roberts.
PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER
One day last month, a truck slammed into an overpass on Interstate 75 south of Ocala, causing the interstate to be shut down for hours. Traffic was diverted off the road that carries more than 70,000 cars a day.
All roads running north and south through Ocala were jammed. Really jammed. County Road 475, which I live on, was backed up 2 or 3 miles. U.S. 441 moved at a crawl. Gridlock reigned.
Welcome to America’s fastest growing state. Our governor, Ron DeSantis, has been traveling the country boasting that Florida is the No. 1 state. His evidence? Some 1,000 people move to the Sunshine State every day. That’s enough people to create a city the size of Tampa every year.
Heck, here in Ocala, an estimated 94 new people move in every week, or about six new households every day. Today, almost 400,000 people live in Ocala/Marion County.
Hooray, right?
Based on all available evidence, the people are going to keep coming in droves. Already, Florida’s population has grown from 8 million in 1973 to 23 million today. Over the course of that 50 years, Ocala/Marion County has grown from 83,000 residents to five times that. And by 2040, expect at least another 100,000 to make Ocala home.
So, while DeSantis and the Chamber & Economic Partnership do backflips in celebration of the influx of new residents and the development dollars they spur, there are some realities that must be faced.
Take roads. They’re crowded and getting more so. Over the next 20 or so years, Ocala/Marion County plans to do $4 billion of road construction. Great. Except, that’s almost a billion dollars less than they need.
Take schools. Currently, there are 5,400 teacher vacancies across the state and the number just keeps growing. Here in Ocala, too many schools are overcrowded, and the
School Board isn’t sure where it will get the money to build new ones.
Take water. Oh, where to start? Nutrient pollution is fouling our springs, which means it’s fouling our groundwater, that is, our drinking water. It’s also causing red tide up and down Florida’s West Coast, leaving thousands of tons of dead fish on our iconic beaches. And, with 1,000 people moving in every day, Florida is one bad drought away from a water shortage. Not to worry, you say? It is projected that Florida’s thirst for water in 2030 will be almost 30 percent greater than it was in 2005.
Finally, affordable housing. The median price for a home in Florida is now $407,000 ($274,000 here in Ocala). Meanwhile, median rent costs escalated 30 percent from 2020 to 2022, jumping from $1,340 to $1,760. A Florida Policy Institute study of housing costs concluded that “Florida has become one of the least affordable places to live in the nation.”
So, yes, we’re No. 1 – in growth. But while the people and dollars are flowing to big businesses and the governor’s delight, we have monumental challenges already – and there’s another 7 million people expected to move in by 2050.
Sure, these are all problems that can be
BY BRAD ROGERSsolved. But will we Floridians be willing to pay the hefty price to seriously address them?
Historically, one of Florida’s great lures, in addition to fabulous weather, spectacular scenery and an abundance of recreational options, has been its low cost of living. Today, that affordability is in question.
I remember when I first came to Ocala in 1995. A local panel of leaders had just completed the Vision 2020 study so we could prepare for the 150,000 new residents that would be moving in over the next 25 years. Not sure they anticipated the kind of growth we’re seeing today.
Studies and plans are good and necessary if they are implemented. If they can be implemented. With the unrelenting influx of new people, it seems impossible for Florida and Ocala to keep up. And that, folks, affects every one of us every day.
Hip, hip, hooray. We’re No. 1. The question is, can we afford it economically and environmentally, and for how long?
Over the next 20 or so years, Ocala/Marion County plans to do $4 billion of road construction.
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Last month I wrote in this space about the Ocala Police Department earning an Excelsior Award, the highest honor that can be given to a police department in the state of Florida, and now another award comes to our beloved department, this directly to our chief, Mike Balken.
In early March, Chief Balken earned the Unsung Hero Award from the Community Foundation at its recent Inspire Gala. It might seem odd that Balken would be considered “unsung” since he is, after all, the most recognized person in law enforcement, but it makes perfect sense when you consider all that he does behind the scenes and outside public view. In his presentation speech, Rusty Branson, Regional President of SouthState Bank, noted Balken’s commitment to the community and all he has done to help young people and combat domestic violence.
I will never tire of waving the banner for our police department and I believe these accolades are certainly warranted, but they just did not come out of thin air or by accident — there was a plan set in place over a decade ago and that plan is certainly bearing fruit.
When I first became mayor I said I wanted a police department that citizens respect and criminals fear. Today, I believe we have a department that is respected by citizens, feared by criminals, but even respected by criminals as well. Again, it was all part of a plan. When Sam Williams resigned as chief in December of 2011, I knew Greg Graham would be the right person to replace him. I knew the kind of police department I wanted and Graham saw in Balken the right qualities to help him accomplish his five rules for officers in the department: Treat everyone with respect, do the right thing, ask for forgiveness rather than permission, look for ways to say ‘yes,’ and have fun at your job.
Graham knew all the players and knew how to put all the people in the right places and that included most prominently Balken. Graham identified Balken as his guy and when Balken earned his degree was promoted to captain. Graham promoted Balken up the ranks knowing that was the person he wanted to succeed him. Eventually, Balken was promoted to Deputy Chief and when Graham died in a plane crash back in 2020, that time would come earlier than expected or hoped. Out of that tragedy, though, Balken has done a remarkable job carrying on Graham’s philosophy in leading what is truly an outstanding police department. The 15 years it took the OPD to earn the Excelsior Award Balken was there playing an integral role. Although not a captain or major for much of that time, Balken nonetheless was at the forefront.
Chief Graham was truly beloved and respected and when he passed away there likely would have been a huge void and understandable pall over the department, but Balken stepped in and has not only upheld Greg’s legacy, but has even taken it to new heights in my opinion. It’s so satisfying to see Chief Balken given credit for a job well done in this community and it is a reflection on the entire department — officers, staff and administrators alike.
Congratulations to Mike and the entire department. A city and its mayor thank you.
I will never tire of waving the banner for our police department and I believe these accolades are certainly warranted.
The environment might not be top of mind when shopping for the perfect spring ensemble, but every cute purchasing decision can have a significant impact on mother earth.
The fashion industry produces 10 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions — more than international flights and shipping combined. A big culprit is “fast fashion,” a term we give to inexpensive clothing rapidly mass-produced in response to the latest trends.
So to give mother earth a little sigh of relief and your look a one-of-a-kind twist, slow it down. Embrace the “slow fashion” movement, which involves more sustainable practices, zeroing in on overconsumption and overproduction. Upcycling is a perfect solution. Reuse and repurpose existing materials, transform them into something new — or simply pair them with some of your
existing treasures for a new feel.
This thrifty tactic reduces the amount of landfill waste by extending the life of clothing that might otherwise be thrown away. The need for new raw materials also decreases, saving water, energy and resources. If you reduce your carbon footprint with a pair of irresistible vintage shoes, you won’t see the same pair around town and you’ll be setting a positive trend.
Upcycling isn’t simply conscientious, it’s fun. Nothing matches the exhilaration of finding a novel piece of clothing that is
perfect for you, knowing you only paid pennies on the dollar and that it’s not being sold anywhere else. By using existing materials, upcycling encourages a more experimental and creative approach to fashion, allowing individuals to push the boundaries of traditional style and create their own unique look.
Boasting these unique treasures not only sets you apart but it saves money, and furthermore, can influence the way other consumers think about clothing to promote more responsible consumption habits. You’ll discover that looking great never felt so good.
Upcycling fashionable second-hand clothing for a greener future and a more unique wardrobe.
To celebrate Earth Month, we challenged ourselves to an upcycling quest with some of Ocala’s local beauties. Our first stop was Marie Mortez, who’s pop-up shop we discovered at the Oddities Marketplace. Marie has an absolutely fabulous vintage clothing emporium called Love Shack, where she offers high-end treasures originating from near and far.
Get inspired and find your look:
• https://linktr.ee/zellajune
• Instagram: @loveshack561
• Poshmark: @zellajune
“Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are.”
—GIANNI VERSACE
“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous”
— COCO CHANEL
“Fashion has to reflect who you are, what you feel at the moment, where you’re going.”
—PHARRELL WILLIAMS
ZOEE ZARILLO, HELEN DEMILIO, ELLIE WOLOSZYN, ANGELINA MILLER-BEARDEN, MELISSA ANN TARICIC
“What is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”
—YVES SAINT LAURENT
Corporate events are golden here.
Golden Ocala is the ideal location for corporate inspiration. From golf outings on a majestic, championship course to garden-view strategy sessions and ballroom-surrounded luncheons, we have the picture-perfect office getaway for groups of any size. With state-of-the-art amenities like a touch-screen podium, microphone integration, satellite radio streaming, dual projectors and theatre seats, you’ll be more than ready for team-building, brainstorming and anything else that lies ahead.
Weddings are golden here.
From the moment you arrive on our property and see the lavish clubhouse, smell the fragrant rose garden surrounding our grand stairway entrance, you can be assured your hopes, wishes and dreams are in good hands with our professional planner and staff. Let your special occasion become momentous and memorable in our breathtaking indoor and outdoor settings.
Please call 352.629.6229 to schedule a tour of our gorgeous facility | GoldenOcala.com
Bride hometown: Ocala, FL
Groom hometown: Charlotte, NC
Parents of Groom: Marlene and Richard Moody
Parents of Bride: Lori and David Reese
Photography: Stephanie Lanni Photography
Ring: Michael M at Diamonds Direct Charlotte
Floral: Duarte Florals Designs
Venue: Ernest Heminging Home
How we met: Hannah and Mitchell met while on vacation in Key West, Florida back in 2019 so naturally, they wanted to bring it back to where it all started!
It all started on that fateful Friday evening while aboard the sunset cruise that would eventually seal their destiny. Although it
started as a friendship, it was clear that it would soon become more. After a year of bountiful adventures traveling near and far to visit each other, Hannah made one last final journey moving to Charlotte to be with her one true love, Mitchy, where they have been inseparable ever since. They look forward to all the ventures to come as they start this new chapter of their lives together!
Engaged: June 10th, 2022
Honeymoon: Tulum, Mexico
Unusual Touches: after the tone guest audiobook, palm leaf seating chart, cupcake sushi in lieu of a traditional wedding cake, and espresso martinis brought out to the dance floor to make sure our guests stayed as lively as ever!
Bride hometown: Fairfield, FL
Groom hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Parents of Groom: Robert & Christine
Nelson
Parents of Bride: Chris Yawn & Scarlett
Wiley
Photography: Wildalys Pagan – Wildalys
Photography
Design: We went with simple colors, Burgundy and Navy blue – and our “design” was
more rustic than anything. The venue itself was just naturally pretty, inside and out.
Ring: Hers from JCPenney’s – His from Northern Royal
Floral: Sola Wooden Flowers – my mother crafted them all and arranged the bouquets.
Venue: Seven Hills Farm – Trenton, FL How we met: Daniel & I met through mutual friends 7 years ago, this May 2023 will be 6 years of us being together.
Engaged: We got engaged on Christmas Day back in 2020.
Honeymoon: Gatlinburg, Tennessee – we would love to live there one day
Unusual Touches: Instead of doing the typical wedding favors that most people either leave on the tables or throw away, we did customized koozies, that way when our guest were at the bar or just getting a soda/ water they were able to take a koozie and can re-use it over and over. We also are big
University of Florida Gator Football fans and we happened to get married on the day that they were playing against South Carolina, so my Garter was Orange and Blue and had a Gator on it, and Daniel also had an orange and blue grooms cake with a Gator Groom and Gator Bride as the topper. (We also had the UF Fight song play during the wedding too) it was great to see all of our fellow Gator fan guests join in on it and do the “Gator Chomp” with us.
A Water Lover’s Paradise - Enjoy an authentic Florida experience at our beautiful, relaxing, eco-friendly 232 acre resort surrounded by the natural springs of King’s Bay. The resort offers 196 hotel rooms, over 12,000 sq ft reception rooms, 18 hole Championship golf course, Restaurants, Tiki Bar, Swim with the manatee experience, kayaking, fishing charters, boat rentals, full service spa and much more!
Our picturesque grounds give you many opportunities to keep your memories forever of your Wedding at the Plantation on Crystal River
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Being on stage in front of several thousand concert goers may have been enough to declare the moment a success for Noah Hunton. Performing at Oxford Downs as the opening act for Colt Ford, Hunton’s job would simply be to keep the crowd engaged until the main event arrived.
Then something unexpected happened while Hunton belted out some of his original tunes not yet released by any record label.
He sang … Meant to be you and me
for the rest of our lives
… but he wasn’t alone. He noticed the mouths of those in the audience singing right
BY CARLTON REESE
along to a song he had written for his fiancé.
“It was a surreal feeling,” Hunton recalled. “To hear in the crowd people singing back without the songs even being out at the time, you get that feeling, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m gonna make it.’”
For Hunton, the 24-year-old Ocalan who dreams of being a household name in country music, there was a bit of validation in that moment, a reaffirmation that the journey upon which he has embarked may actually bear fruit someday. For his journey is one trod by thousands and one where only a handful ever reach the desired destination.
While the numbers may be stacked against him — the odds of anyone reaching the glorious limelight and fortune that
is the top of the country music scene are astronomical — Hunton has several factors in his favor: a laser-focused work ethic, well-grounded humility, and a deep singing voice that could bring back Ralph Emery.
“The end goal, of course, is to be as big as the big guys, Garth Brooks, George Strait,” Hunton says. “But, for right now my goal is stay as independent as long as possible, and if the time comes and the right contract is presented in front of me, then to sign over to whatever label.”
For Hunton, the road to country music relevance looks nothing like that taken by stars of old. Hank Williams never posted songs on social media and Willie Nelson never stood behind a merchandise table hawking
logoed hats or t-shirts. Buck Owens never tracked YouTube views or Spotify streams of his songs before he ever inked a deal with a record company. But in the 2020s, an artist can prove his worth through a fair amount of internet exposure and even word of mouth.
So far, social media and a few serendipitous connections have put Hunton on some big stages, recently at the aforementioned
Oxford Downs, but also opening for Tim McGraw in West Palm Beach last year. His ability to charm a crowd during a live performance as well as write his own material has drawn the attention of at least one major label, which offered him a contract while others have shown more than a passing interest. When BMG put a contract before him that would immediately send Hunton into
the recording studio and on tour with Kane Brown, the initial reaction was to take this journey to the next level. But in music, the artist must be careful what is signed during the early stages of a career and Hunton followed the advice of entertainment lawyers and walked away from the table. It was a colossal act of discipline and foresight Hunton hopes pays off in the end.
For Hunton, the road to country music relevance looks nothing like that taken by stars of old.
“It was kind of life-long binding,” Hunton said of the BMG contract offer. “I didn’t want to sell myself short with my career. My record producer and my booking agent, they said I can do way better.”
With that, Hunton either turned his back on the biggest break of his career or he bought himself some time and more importantly control over the direction of his art and his career.
“When it comes to his journey, he’s at the beginning,” said Kip Allen, who with Michael Lattanzi has worked with Hunton producing songs in Nashville. “It’s the wild west — there are no rules anymore, and that’s what the (record) labels are trying to figure out because basically kids are becoming famous without their help.”
Not yet famous and still in the embryonic stages of his development, Hunton is committed to the journey and is invested for the long haul. From his days at Forest High School, Hunton knew he wanted to croon for the twangy tunes of Americana, but that direction was not immediately laid out for him. Upon graduation, Hunton embarked on the life of a working man and, in a way, built a storehouse of experiences to be used in future lyrics.
In 2017, he started working behind the counter at Subway Sandwiches, then worked lawn maintenance for several years. From there, it was on to his uncle’s air conditioning business and then to construction work. There was a stint at Federal Express to fill the Christmas rush shipping demand, and he even started his own car washing business that eventually led to auto detailing for a local dealership. All the while, Hunton strummed his guitar, penned lyrics and composed music while toiling in the “real” world.
Music’s calling was just too strong and he needed to be around it, taking a job at Sound Exchange in Ocala where he could earn a living and learn a little bit about the music business.
“I just wanted to be around music,” Hunton said of his employment at Sound Exchange. “I was in the store, learning all the ins and outs of the instruments.”
It was at Sound Exchange where store manager Johnnie Gargano, once under contract to Sony, helped to mentor Hunton and supported his dream.
“I would write a song and show it to him, and he would be like, ‘Let’s structure it this way,’” Hunton said. “He saw the po-
tential in what I could do and wanted me to pursue my (singing) career.”
Then Hunton decided to take the plunge, leaving Sound Exchange and the security of the labor force to enter the unknown realm of the music world.
“Stepping away from a 9-to-5 paying job was a risk, because now basically working on tips, shows and merchandise,” Hunton said. “I just kept saying ‘what if?’ way too much. I couldn’t dedicate 100 percent of my time to what I wanted to do, which was song writing, doing shows and being more interactive on social media.”
“I think he is young and hungry and
talented,” Allen said of Hunton’s prospects. “He has a lot of room to grow, but he has great ideas and has good songs. He’s just got to find the right crew, like a label, maybe a publisher, to get in the writing rooms to write with the right people.”
Among the songs having received some professional production is “Meant to Be,” a ballad written for his girlfriend to ask her hand in marriage. “Hometown” is Hunton’s homage to Ocala, but is really meant as anyone’s homage to their hometown. Locals will recognize his line,
“It’s where I learned to sing it’s where I learned to play,
it’s where I had my first show on Broadway.”
His most popular original track in terms of streams is “Huntn for a Good Time.” The sound is all country with a smattering of outlaw and just a pinch of pop.
"Stepping away from a 9-to-5 paying job was a risk... I just kept saying 'what if?'"
For Allen, the tune that perked up his ears was “Guitar With a Million Miles On It.”
“He sent us a batch of songs to do and that was the first one that I was like, ‘Yeah, we should do that one,’” Allen said. “I like the hook, it’s a cool idea, it’s unique, it hasn’t been done that way.”
With Allen and Lattanzi, Hunton has access to top-level studio musicians and writers such as Jason Sever, who also writes with Jason Aldean. But there is more to a successful journey than talent, hard work and good luck — a strong support group is also part of the equation. Hunton has found such support among locals who have heard him and believe he has what it takes to make it and are willing to help fund the journey.
Among those on the Hunton team is Joy Chappel and her husband, Charlie, who were impressed by one of his live shows. Seeing his potential as well as the pitfalls and difficulties for a young local trying to make it in the music industry, the Chappels became one of Hunton’s benefactors, taking away some of the financial burden of travel that comes with climbing the country music ladder.
“We first met him when he was singing at the 100 Proof Saloon,” recalled Joy. “I was kind of not paying attention and then look up and hear this kid singing — his range is just crazy. He’s definitely a crowd pleaser.”
The affable Hunton walked over and introduced himself to the Chappels and they have been more than fans since.
“We sponsor him and mostly it helps him with travel expenses, recording fees and things like that. My husband and I go to Nashville a lot and everybody you hear there is good, and I don’t think he would have any problem competing with them.”
The Chappels’ confidence and support is among the factors contributing to Hunton’s potential success in an industry known to chew up and spit out those with dreams of fame and fortune.
“Without support, the music industry can be a cold, dark place,” Allen said. “It gets lonely, especially when you’re struggling, trying to figure it out and break through.”
So what does it take besides talent and support? According to Allen, there is no one recipe for success, and sometimes it happens when you least expect it. Some artists struggle for 20 years, then break it big with a hit song;
others seem to burst onto the scene in an instant. On one side of the spectrum is Walker Hayes, who didn’t break in with a top-10 hit until he was in his late 30s before hitting No.1 with “Fancy Like” in 2021 at age 41. Then there’s Bailey Zimmerman who hit No.1 just last year with “Fall in Love” at age 22.
“If you have the one right song that hits the algorithm just the right way, you can be an overnight success,” Allen said. “(Hunton) could post a Tik Tok video tomorrow that could make him the next Morgan Wallen. That’s rare, but it does happen.”
Allen’s advice ultimately to Hunton? Keep up the song writing.
“He still needs to make sure he’s a good writer and can hold himself in a writing room. As long as he keeps his writing up and is really proficient with that, that’s a great place to start.”
Hunton currently has six songs released but will drop a 12-song album soon that will include those six. Those songs will all be writ-
ten or co-written by Hunton. With it will come the attention of other record labels, some of which are already in discussions with his team — he is keeping a tight lip for now on just which companies those are.
The trajectory so far is promising, and a visit to country music’s Holy Grail could be in the offing: The Grand Ole Opry. Having been nominated for a Josie Music Award, which goes to independent artists, Hunton will get to walk the red carpet at the Grand Ole Opry in October. If he earns a spot in the top five of voting he will perform on stage.
Today, it’s locals at Oxford Downs singing along with him, tomorrow it could be the Grand Ole Opry. Not too shabby for a kid who just several years ago was making BMTs at the local Subway.
There is no one recipe for success, and sometimes it happens when you least expect it.
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Renovating the smallest house in the Historic District was a passion project
BY BRAD ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO
For more than a generation, residents and city leaders have nurtured the city’s Historic District, with its canopies of yawning oaks and rows of majestic Victorian houses and other homes that remind us of a time long passed. It’s a point of pride for the city and those who call the neighborhood home, and it has become a sought-after address for newcomers.
So, when Rita Masters decided to buy the house at 721 SE Third St. for $85,000 and restore it, neighbors and restoration experts winced and wondered why she would invest in such a small, unremarkable house. Of the 300-plus houses in the Historic District, the 894-square-foot concrete-block house is believed to be the smallest.
“This renovation was different because no one believed in it,” said Masters, who has renovated a handful of other houses, both historic and modern, before tackling what she calls “the little yellow house.” “Everyone thought it was a teardown. I had so much resistance – from the people in the neighborhood and the people who I hired. But it’s all about being bold.”
Bold, indeed. After buying the house and getting permits, Masters invested more than $200,000 in restoring the two-bedroom, one-bath house that was built in 1954. It sits on .16 acre on the site of a former barn that went with one of the neighboring houses.
When she looked at what it would take to renovate the existing house, Masters concluded that the best path wasn’t tearing it down or fixing what was already in place. Rather, she decided to gut the house, leaving just the exterior walls and the roof.
Neighbor Brian Stoothoff, who sits on the Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS) board, and lives across the street from the little house, said the house was an eyesore before Masters bought it and began renovations.
“It was pretty unsightly,” he said.
Of course, renovating a house in the Historic District has its own unique challenges, since city historic preservation rules severely limit what can be done to any house’s exterior. The interior, on the other hand, is fair game.
The most notable change was removing the ceiling and exposing the wooden rafters throughout the house. It created both height
and space, as well as a rustic flair.
Masters, however, said removing the ceiling also created a unique – and expensive – problem: how to properly insulate the bungalow. So, what she ended up doing was insulating the roof from the outside, under the new shingle roof.
Exposing the attic rafters also created a problem as far as what to do with the wires
and plumbing pipes that previously occupied the space.
To solve the pipes-and-wires dilemma, Jan Grosse of Ocala Kitchen and Bath, who oversaw the construction work, suggested installing interior “soffits” — akin to a small trough around the ceiling on the exterior walls — where the new pipes and wires could hide. The soffits also allow adding any future wiring, if needed.
“I don’t think people realize what goes into these houses that we’re preserving because they are a little wonky,” said Mas-
“Living down here, I didn’t just buy a house, I bought a lifestyle.”Rita Masters
“Everyone thought it was a teardown. I had so much resistance – from the people in the neighborhood and the people who I hired. But it’s all about being bold.”
ters, who lives a few blocks away in a large historic house that was built in the 1890’s. “Finding people who know how to work on a historic home was difficult.”
Stripping the interior of the house, including every inside wall, provided more open space and created some challenges beyond what to do with the open ceiling. And the list was not short.
The original kitchen, with its 1950’s metal cabinets, had to be removed.
There was no storage space, so Masters had a screened porch off the kitchen closed in and cabinets installed.
The house had original 1954 linoleum that was as hard to remove as it was ugly. It was affixed to the concrete floor for so long that there were marks from the linoleum squares remaining after they were taken up – an unexpected feature Masters left before she had the concrete covered with a glossy coating.
Two wall air conditioning units were taken out and central heat and air installed.
While the vintage steel frames that held the exterior windows were as sturdy as they ever were, the window panes were not. To help preserve the historic character
of the house, Masters hired Steve Costello of Costello Glass Inc. in Ocala to create new window panes that were installed in the original metal window frames. The new panes look antique with dimples and blurred glass that is known as “seeded glass.”
Today, Masters, a self-proclaimed history buff, is thrilled with her new house.
“Everybody in the neighborhood was fighting to tear it down,” she said. “It shows how you can take the ugliest place in a nice neighborhood and make it something cute, that fits in. When they get in the door, people are shocked.”
Grosse, who has worked on dozens of Historic District renovations over the course of her 40 years in Ocala, was ecstatic with the result.
“It was such a wreck,” she said. “And it turned out pretty cute.
“… It’s a cool little house. It’s nice because it sat there in a bad way for a long time.”
It has a living area, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bath and a storage room/pantry.
Already Masters is receiving offers and expects it to sell easily, despite it being so small. Because, while it isn’t what you think
when you think Historic District homes, it is nonetheless located in a desirable neighborhood close to downtown Ocala and all its offerings. In other words, location, location, location matters.
“I think people understand the draw of living here,” Masters said. “They’re now moving here to renovate homes.”
Stoothoff said demand for Historic District houses is incredible. He said he is not aware of any, except Masters’, being on the market right now.
“There is a very limited inventory,” he said.
Stoothoff attributed the popularity of the Historic District to, one, its beautiful historic homes and streets and, two, to its proximity to all the entertainment and dining options of downtown Ocala. HOPS board member Andrew Grunther, a friend of Masters who is co-owner of Book’d, which rents Airbnb properties, said his nine units in the Historic District remain nearly fully booked. He said out-of-towners, who come here for everything from horses to the springs to working as travel nurses, like the Historic District because of its central location in both Marion County and Florida, as well as its closeness to downtown.
Masters said the Historic District is ideal because it is so close to so much.
“You could buy new, but I feel like I’m in the best location,” she said. “And I can’t recreate this. I can’t recreate this street. I can’t recreate these homes.
“Living down here, I didn’t just buy a house, I bought a lifestyle.”
Grunther said he has lived in both Savannah and New Orleans and believes Ocala’s Historic District “is the same thing on a smaller scale.”
For now, Masters is trying to sell the little yellow house. She said before undertaking this “artistic project,” as she describes her effort, she renovated a 7,000-square-foot house in Turning Hawk. How do the two projects compare?
“Funny enough, this turned out to be much harder,” she said. “This was really hard.”
Then she paused, and added, “I’m so proud of this house.”
The professional renovator Grosse also is proud of the project’s outcome.
“It’s nice that the little house got saved,” she said. “It’s the little house that could.”
“Finding people who know how to work on a historic home was difficult.”
PRESENTED BY
Each month, Ocala Magazine will showcase the tastes, opinions and desires of its readers through its online survey. For April, we discovered these inclinations:
55%
OF OM RESPONDENTS TOUT TUSCAWILLA PARK AS THEIR GO-TO PARK IN THE OCALA.
Jervey Gant Recreation Park came in second place with 25%.
75%
OF READERS POLLED WOULD GO BACK IN TIME IF THEY HAD A TIME MACHINE THAT ONLY WENT IN ONE DIRECTION
5% would go forward and 20% were adamant that they would never time travel
IS THE FAVORITE THING ABOUT EASTER FOR 45% OF OM RESPONDENTS.
30% said they love the dinners, 15% named the egg hunts and the remaining 10% tied for candy and new dresses.
45%
OF READERS POLLED WILL BE DYING REAL EGGS FOR EASTER THIS YEAR
The price of eggs is too high for 15%, plastic eggs are favored by 20% and the remaining 20% do not celebrate Easter.
SOME OF THE MOVIES NAMED THAT OM READERS CAN PRACTICALLY QUOTE FROM START TO FINISH.
75% AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF READERS POLLED CATCH THEIR MOVIES AT EPIC THEATRES OF OCALA
Regal Hollywood and “My Livingroom” tied with 10% and the remaining 5% prefer Ocala Center 6
50% OF RESPONDENTS SAID THAT IF SOMEONE MADE A MOVIE ABOUT THEIR LIFE IT WOULD BE A COMEDY
The remaining half are split between romantic comedies and dramas with one science fiction life in the bunch.
This or That?
Local Shopping over Online Shopping (65% / 35%) Coffee over Tea (80%/20%)
60% OF RESPONDENTS WERE NOT WEARING PAJAMAS WHEN THEY ANSWERED THIS QUIZ. But 40% were totally wearing pajamas!
At Lakeview Terrace you’ll find life is more enjoyable knowing you have a plan for future health care needs through our Life Care. With Life Care, you can live without worry, confident you have a plan in place - no matter what.
With chef-prepared meals, local transportation and a community filled with good neighbors and great activities, you’ll find yourself right at home!
• Life Care
• 5 Star Health Inspection Rating
• Fitness & Aquatic Center
• Dining Venues & Bar
• 24/7 Gated Community
• Beauty Salon
• Professional Personal Trainer
• Library & Country Store
• State-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center
• Executive Golf Course
• Clubs & Activities
• Free Internet
• Guest Room Accommodations
• 24/7 On-Site Nurse & Emergency Call System
• On-Site Banking & Daily Pharmacy Delivery
• Walking Paths & 2 Beautiful Lakes
• And Much More
And living here is like being on a permanent vacation at a Luxury retirement resort.
Lakeview Terrace is unique with a large assortment of floor plans from which to choose, pick the right one for you!
Not ready to make a move yet, it’s okay - join our waitlist.
Find nature's adventure just outside your door at Crystal River with access to the Gulf of Mexico. Only 40 minutes west of Ocala you can find a pristine getaway from all the hustle of life to create family-friendly memories.
Plantation on Crystal River features rare natural treats on the beautiful Nature Coast that makes for a perfect day trip!
Fine resort accommodations and golf villas
27 holes of golf, open to the public
Golf and social memberships
Become a seasoned pro with lessons from our pro staff
World-class inshore, offshore, and freshwater fishing
49 different birds including bald eagles
Kayak the pristine waters of Crystal River
Dive and swim with the gentle manatees
Snorkel for scallops during summers
Tie your boat up outside your lodging or rent a boat on-site
Launch your boat at the public launch
4 restaurants on the grounds, for drinks, dining, and fun
Relax by the lagoon-style pool with a drink from the Tiki Bar
12,000 sq. ft. of function space for weddings or meetings
To most, tree maintenance is no doubt a science, the merging of the latest technological developments with good old fashioned elbow grease. But to those who have witnessed the crew of the family-owned Cordwin Tree Service, such an endeavor seems more like art, specifically a well-orchestrated symphony.
Each member of the crew a musician with a different sounding instrument, all engaged simultaneously yet an uncanny cohesion in the offing. Where one would expect chaos, one instead witnesses a seamless transition from unkempt to orderly and pristine. From traffic control to multiple crane crews to safety inspectors, there is certainly more than meets the eye on a job site for tree care, and in “The Horse Capital of the World” Cordwin has grown into the most trusted name for either pruning, removal, debris clearance or any other job that involves trees.
Owner Chad Cordwin has assembled a crew of professionals that are nationally certified as crane operators and safety monitors.
“Our crew is made up of professionals who love this trade,” Cordwin said. “Most have been in business for themselves and found great comfort in coming to work here.
We all partner up as a wonderful team.”
That team is a well-oiled machine on the job site, matched only by the equipment they use, equipment that is state-of-the-art and allows Cordwin to handle any job that comes its way. No job is too big and no job is too small.
“We started investing in the right equipment to do the most difficult jobs and leave the minimum impact or footprint on the property when done,” Cordwin said.
It’s not a truck and a chainsaw that make for tree service, but a team of professionals with the best machinery at their disposal. That includes five aerial lifts, two cranes, a variety of grapples, stump grinders, skid steer, roller and anything else needed to tackle even the most difficult jobs. Not all tree services can say that.
“We have two cranes that we own -we do not sub that out,” Cordwin said. “We have the full line of equipment to do every job that comes our way. They vary from the most difficult job to just trimming one palm tree in a client’s yard. It can be that simple or very difficult -- we do them all.”
Chad and his wife, Brenda, started a sawmill company back in 1992 and that company branched into multiple endeavors
such as land clearing, harvesting timber and, of course, tree work. When several hurricanes hit the area in 2004, demands for tree work hit a fever pitch and, in time, proved to be the most critical need of the local com-
munity. With that in mind, Cordwin focused nearly all of his attention on tree care. The same philosophy of dedication to service that helped the sawmill thrive went into the tree care and remains so today.
As Cordwin says, “it was all custom and quality.”
To the lay person who thinks, “well, this tree is getting too gangly or is leaning too precariously close to my house,” hiring a tree service is about getting someone to do a simple job, hack some limbs and carry them away. The lay person would be wrong.
The logistics involved in even a typical job would surprise most. Among the things that must be considered are the tightness of the area and accessibility of heavy equipment, location of septic tank, in-ground irrigation, power lines, electrical cables, pool cages, permitting, the potential need for an arborist to conduct an assessment, traffic control, and safety measures. The list goes on, but one certainly gets the idea.
“All kinds of things go into monitoring a job site,” Cordwin said. “If we run safe, we’ll be efficient.”
And when the job is done, the top priority is leaving the property looking better than it did before the job began, and the online reviews provide such a testimony. All but one of nearly 200 Google reviews gave Cordwin five of five stars. Peppered throughout the reviews are the words “professional,” “courteous,” and “attention to detail.”
Located in Reddick in the northwest corner of Marion County, Cordwin Tree Service takes care of properties as far north as Gainesville and as far south as The Villages and all areas of Marion County. For Cordwin, servicing the area is like helping to clean up his own home. He and Brenda are lifelong Marion County residents and are proud of their deep roots here.
“My wife and I grew up here; we love this community,” Cordwin said. “It’s where we raised our kids and where we’ll raise our grandkids. It’s a part of us like all of us that call this place home.”
Cordwin’s love of community shows in his outreach through local charities. Active supporters of the Horse Protection Association of Florida as well as the Stirrups and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center, Cordwin understands what matters to the people of this community.
As the Ocala/Marion County area has grown, so too has Cordwin Tree Service; and as long as the community grows, Cordwin plans on growing with it in order to meet its needs.
“People have asked me, ‘How big are you going to get?’” Cordwin said. “I’ve always just said I want to grow to what the surrounding area needs for service. Now, we’re where we are and still growing because there’s still a need.”
Local folks taking on big jobs for other local folks and doing so in the most professional manner. Sounds like the way business is supposed to be run in the “Horse Capital of the USA.”
It's a tale as old as time. What begins as a festive day of creative egg decorating and suspenseful egg hunting, inevitably leads to a surplus of hard-boiled eggs. Egg salad is perhaps an inevitability.
• Yield: about 4 cups of egg salad, enough for 8 (½ cup) servings.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Variations: add relish or pickles, or mix in some crispy bacon bits.
» 1/2 cup mayonnaise or less to taste. You can substitute Greek yogurt or mashed avocado.
» 1 celery rib finely chopped
» 3 tablespoons onion minced
» 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced. You can substitute minced dill, tarragon, or chives.
» 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. You can use yellow mustard, or even ground mustard (start with 1 teaspoon ground mustard, taste it, and see if you think it needs more)
» 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
» 12 hard-boiled eggs peeled and coarsely chopped
» Salt and freshly ground black pepper
» Bread toast, or crackers, for serving
• In a large bowl, add mayonnaise, celery, onion, parsley, mustard, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
• Gently fold in the eggs. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Serve on bread, toast, lettuce, or with crackers.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant.
Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.
30 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 402-0097
Tues - Thurs 5pm - 9:30pm | Fri, Sat 5pm
It’s Back! The best brunch in Citrus County. Features include a hot/cold station, prime rib carving station, omelet station, and an assorted dessert display. Enjoy $7 Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
From wild, locally caught seafood to regionally grown produce and beef sourced within Florida, West 82⁰ Bar & Grill brings delectable farm-to-table plates while guests overlook the beautiful Kings Bay and Crystal River. Bring your own catch of the day, and the restaurant will prepare it for you flawlessly.
Join us every Sunday unless it is a holiday 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday Brunch $26.95/Adult, $19.95/Child. Reservations recommended.
Join us for Sunday Brunch featuring hot and cold stations, a carving station, an omelet station, and an assorted dessert display.
Wine Wednesday’s 5:00 to 9:00 pm at West 82. $10 off bottle of wine with dinner entrée.
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
Call for reservations and weekly specials at West 82° Bar & Grille.
Call for reservations and weekly specials.
Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm For reservations, call 1.800.632.6262 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
For reservations, call (352) 651-5746 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
Pokeworks is a groundbreaking, healthy Hawaiian-inspired fast casual dining experience. From the beginning, Pokeworks was a consumer sensation. Hundreds stood in line to build their own poke burrito or bowl. Today, Pokeworks is the leading and fastest-growing fast casual poke brand in the world, founded on the vision of bringing people healthy, flavorful food. Our chefdriven poke menu offers customizable, low-calorie poke bowls with a variety of bases and proteins to suit every dietary need.
Whether gathering with friends or family for lunch or a night out, you’ll enjoy fresh salads, mouthwatering comfort food, late-night tapas and drinks. Specials include our Pecan Salmon, Southern Fried Lobster and famous baked Krispy Chicken. After dining enjoy a stroll in our boutique where we offer a variety of gifts, jewelry, home decor and clothing. Looking to host a special event or dinner? Call and talk to one of our staff members on the options we have available.
Let our sumptuous seafood, hand-cut vegetables and proprietary sauces be the inspiration when you build Poke Your Way™. We think about your calories, so you don’t have to.
2734 E Fowler Ave Ste C, Tampa, FL 33612 | (813)
53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550
Sun & Mon, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm
DINE-IN, TAKE-OUT, DELIVERY.
Our hand-crafted Signature Works and FOMO-worthy bowls and burritos o er unique flavors found only at Pokeworks.
Stop by our new speakeasy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our speakysy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant.
Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.
Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.
Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.
30 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 402-0097
Tues - Thurs 5pm - 9:30pm | Fri, Sat 5pm - 10pm https://marksprimesteakhouse.com
Tues - Thurs 5pm - 9:30pm | Fri, Sat 5pm - 10pm https://marksprimesteakhouse.com
It’s Back! The best brunch in Citrus County. Features include a hot/cold station, prime rib carving station, omelet station, and an assorted dessert display. Enjoy $7 Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
From wild, locally caught seafood to regionally grown produce and beef sourced within Florida, West 82⁰ Bar & Grill brings delectable farm-to-table plates while guests overlook the beautiful Kings Bay and Crystal River. Bring your own catch of the day, and the restaurant will prepare it for you flawlessly.
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available. 30
Join us every Sunday unless it is a holiday 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday Brunch $26.95/Adult, $19.95/Child. Reservations recommended.
It’s Back! The best brunch in Citrus County. Features include a hot/cold station, prime rib carving station, omelet station, and an assorted dessert display. Enjoy $7 Mimosas and Bloody Marys. Join us every Sunday unless it is a holiday 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday Brunch $26.95/Adult, $19.95/Child. Reservations recommended.
Wine Wednesday’s 5:00 to 9:00 pm at West 82. $10 off bottle of wine with dinner entrée.
Join us for Sunday Brunch featuring hot and cold stations, a carving station, an omelet station, and an assorted dessert display.
Wine Wednesday’s 5:00 to 9:00 pm at West 82. $10 off bottle of wine with dinner entrée.
Call for reservations and weekly specials at West 82° Bar & Grille. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
Call for reservations and weekly specials at West 82° Bar & Grille. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
For reservations, call (352) 651-5746 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
Call for reservations and weekly specials. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm For reservations, call 1.800.632.6262
9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
For reservations, call (352) 651-5746 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
Whether gathering with friends or family for lunch or a night out, you’ll enjoy fresh salads, mouthwatering comfort food, late-night tapas and drinks. Specials include our Pecan Salmon, Southern Fried Lobster and famous baked Krispy Chicken. After dining enjoy a stroll in our boutique where we offer a variety of gifts, jewelry, home decor and clothing. Looking to host a special event or dinner? Call and talk to one of our staff members on the options we have available.
Whether gathering with friends or family for lunch or a night out, you’ll ejoy fresh salads, mouthwatering comfort food, late-night tapas and drinks. Specials include our Pecan Salmon, Southern Fried Lobster and famous baked Krispy Chicken. After dining enjoy a stroll in our boutique where we offer a variety of gifts, jewelry, home decor and clothing. Looking to host a special event or dinner? Calla nd talk to one of our staff members on the options we have available.
53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550
Closed Sun & Mon, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm
106 NW Main St., Williston | 352-528-5410 Sun-Wed 11am-2pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-8pm | ivyhousefl.com
Stop by our new speakeasy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our speakysy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our speakysy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Now you won’t have to hear about the cool events for the first time after they happen. There’s more to do around here than you think! GO52 is an online event listing epicenter that is dedicated to sharing all of the Ocala and Marion County happenings in one place so your calendar will never be empty again. Visit go52.events, do a quick search, then get out and go!
FIND,POST SHARE,PROMOTE PLAN & ENJOY EVENTS!
Wondering what the other cool kids are up to?
A mixed-media art exhibit by MCA artists using recycled materials as their main medium.
WHERE: Brick City Center for the Arts
WHEN: Opening reception is Friday, April 7 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Exhibit on display April 7 - 29
Saturday, April 9 - 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Citizens Circle
It’s that time of year again! We are back for the 9th Annual Brick City Beer and Wine Festival. This awesome, family-friendly event is all about enjoying cold brews for three stellar local nonprofits in our community — Interfaith Emergency Services, Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection and Marion County Literacy Council, Inc. Enjoy over 30 breweries and wineries to sample from, food trucks, vendors and the popular Kid’s Suds Saloon! Live music by the popular R-Style and WIND-FM’s Battle of the Bands. Tickets are $40; $15 NonDrinking Pass. Kids 12 and under are FREE. VIP Tickets Available
Thursday, April 13 - 6 p.m. | Reilly Arts Center
A fundraising gala for arts and music education at the Reilly Arts Center. In one evening guests will attend a rock show, a multi-media chamber orchestra concert, and a blues-band revue at different locations throughout the Reilly Arts Center. We will also have demonstrations by the budding musicians of the Ocala Symphony Community Music Conservatory! A themed progressive dinner will follow you throughout the evening, specially designed by local favorites Chef Albert and Chef Adam. Individual tickets are $150 and include access to the event, a progressive dinner experience, and an open bar. Tickets are extremely limited for this event. Contact Executive Director Pamela Calero Wardell, pamela@ reillyartscenter.com or 352-239-5888, for more information.
Saturday, April 29 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Hear stories from Ocala’s past on a guided lantern tour at the Fort King National Historic Landmark. Step back into history to meet the legends of Fort King’s past. A one-hour guided lantern tour will present tales from the past while guests learn about the grounds of Ocala’s Seminole War historic site. Group tours will depart every 15 minutes. Old-fashioned games such as checkers, horseshoes, and cornhole will round out the evening of fun. Tickets must be purchased in advance. ocalafl.org/fortking
Thursday, April 20 - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Ocala Downtown Market
Ocala, are you ready for a culinary competition like none other? Well, mark your calendars; Wiener Wars takes place on April 20 at the Ocala Downtown Market. Wiener Wars 2023 is a culinary competition that will find downtown Ocala restaurants going head to head to find out who has the best wiener in town. Proceeds from Wiener Wars 2023 will benefit Ocala Outreach Foundation, Inc. and Marion County Literacy Council. Come out and give back to some great local organizations. Don’t miss out!
Friday, April 7 - 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
‘UpCycled – Turning Waste into Wonder’, will feature creations by MCA Artist members using recycled materials as their main medium. Enjoy light refreshments, drinks, and a chance to meet the artists. Reception is for MCA members, artists, and patrons only (must RSVP). The gallery will open to the general public from 6-8 p.m. during the First Friday Art Walk. Upcycled exhibit on display April 729. RSVP required for gallery@mcaocala.com or call during business hours at 352-369-1500.
Saturday, April 22 - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | World Equestrian Center
Be a part of the third annual Great Florida Bigfoot Conference. We are excited to be bringing back experts in the field of Bigfoot research, as well as cryptozoology in general, to Ocala. We will have nationally renowned experts on hand. They will be joined by local and regional Bigfoot and Skunk Ape researchers. Tickets available: https://gatherupevents.com/floridabigfoot-conference-tickets/
Saturday, April 15 - 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Sholom Park
Bring on Spring with the sound of music featuring the Classern Quartet combining the classic elegance of a string quartet with a modern twist by performing pop and rock melodies from yesterday and today. Pack a picnic or visit one of the participating food trucks, Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue and Squeezy Lemonade. Bring your lawn chairs and your friends and bask in the spring sunshine with a Spring Strings Concert at Sholom Park. Registration is required https://www. masterthepossibilities.org/
Sunday, April 16 - 3:00 p.m. Reilly Arts
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (with guest soloists and conductor Joshua Mazur) present the beloved, spirited, and moving Celtic music made famous by Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Celtic Woman, and Enya to the Reilly Mainstage.
Wednesday, April 1212:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m | CF Webber
The Webber Gallery invites you to an artist talk on Wednesday, April 12, with artist Nicholas Kalemba about his art practice and the UCF Visual Arts Program. The 2023 CF Student Art Exhibition will be on view from March 27- May 4. The Webber Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. MondayThursday and admission is free. For more information, call 352-8542322, ext. 1664.
Saturday, May 6 - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Magnolia Art Xchange (MAX)
Attention art lovers! The ultimate game of strategy, luck, and excitement is back! Join us at the Magnolia Art Xchange for the highly anticipated Art Heist fundraiser game. This is your chance to take home an original piece of art created by talented local artists.The event runs from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Ocala Union Station, 531 NE First Ave. Ocala, FL, 34470. VIP ticket holders get an exclusive preview of the art from 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., so make sure you snag your VIP ticket early! Entrance is free to the public, but you’ll need a ticket to play the game. You can purchase one ticket for $25, three for $50, or seven for $100. VIP ticket holders will also be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres from Cantina. Adult beverages will be served throughout the evening. Find out more information and get your tickets here: www.maxocala.org
PHOTOS BY RALPH DEMILIO
On March 4, guests donned their best country chic attire for the College of Central Florida Foundation’s Night at the Farm gala at the CF Vintage Farm Campus. This is the third time in the past 34 years that the CF Foundation’s signature event raised more than $100,000 in support of student scholarships. This year’s event was presented by CAMPUS USA and Ausley Construction and was supported by numerous other generous businesses and individuals throughout the community.
“Our local community support for CF and our students is second to none,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, president of the College of Central Florida. “Our community stepped up once again to support our Night at the Farm gala at record giving levels and we could not be more grateful. Proceeds from this year’s event established three new scholarships for students in CF’s Honors Institute.”
Guests were transported to the bayou and had a Cajun country experience, which included tasty small bites provided by Eaton’s Beach and the sounds of New Orleans jazz by SeanTMusic Global.
“Since 1989, the CF Foundation has raised more than $1.49 million for student scholarships through the foundation’s signature event,” said Chris Knife, vice president of development and CEO of the CF Foundation. “We are looking forward to next year’s event and hope to see you there.”
Save the date now for next year’s event – March 2, 2024!
Save Crystal River is an all-volunteer non-profit organization in Crystal River Florida that was formed in 2012 by dedicated residents and business professionals who came together with a single goal – to restore Florida’s waterways for future generations. In 2015, work began in Kings Bay with the Kings Bay Restoration Pilot Project. The goal was to remove Lyngbya, the blue-green algae that had taken over Kings Bay and was choking underwater vegetation, leaving the waters cloudy, slimy, and uninhabitable for marine life, when it once was turquoise, clear, and thriving. Now, in 2023, we are celebrating our first 92 acres of restoration by July 2023, the City of Crystal River’s 100th Anniversary.
On March 8th, the Strawberry Festival, hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, was held at the McPherson Complex. Folks enjoyed live music, entertainment, vendors, food, and of course strawberries. All proceeds went towards the building of a new, affordable home for a low income family.
PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT
Almost ABBA recreated the magic and nostalgia of ABBA in a costumed, choreographed and interactive audience experience at the Reilly Arts Center. Formed in 1996, Almost ABBA are the longest running North American Tribute to the Swedish super group and have toured 11 countries. Concert-goers enjoyed songs performed from the hit musical Mamma Mia and other sparkling hits. With their sound-a-like performance, intricate harmonies and top notch musicianship, they truly lived up to their Almost ABBA name.
Live Oak International was, as always, bigger and better than the year before. The only event in the United States that offers both combined driving and show jumping competition at the international level enjoyed stunning weather for its 30th year here in Ocala. Located on the grounds of the beautiful 5,000-acre Live Oak Plantation, this family-friendly event brings together leading drivers, trainers, coaches and owners from all over Europe and North America.
The CF Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides direct support to the College of Central Florida. Its mission is to help the college provide quality educational services to residents in Marion, Citrus and Levy Counties.
In 2022, the CF Foundation provided $1.4 million in scholarship and student support back to the college. We help donors transform students’ lives through scholarships in honor and memory of loved ones and with criteria related to program of study and financial need.
The CF Patriot Fund provides emergency assistance to our students when they have unforeseen financial needs that might hinder their success at CF. Statistics have shown a positive gradation rate for students receiving Patriot Fund assistance.
For more information or to make a gift, visit our website today.
Impact of more than $3.4 million in 2022
Some Ocala children got an out of this world experience when IHMC brought Astronaut Tom Jones to give some up close and personal talks. Students and educators were inspired and had the opportunity to ask questions. Thomas D. Jones, PhD, is a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, speaker, author, pilot, and consultant. He flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit.
Everything Equine p78
BY LOUISA BARTON
If Ocala, Marion County was not considered the horse mecca of the world prior to the opening of the World Equestrian Center, it certainly is widely known across the globe now as the place that offers something for all equestrians, for all breeds and all disciplines.
Workforce shortages are a challenge that faces all industries and work ethic is not what it once was. The horse industry is no different than any other industry and Marion County is now home to equestrians from all over the world, with a couple of things in common. They all have horses and they all need staff. Some need more grooms and others need riders, but they all need staff and they all need good, reliable and hard-working staff. For anyone who owns horses, for business purposes, to compete or just to enjoy, all horse owners know the work and the time involved in feeding, grooming, mucking stalls and riding can be endless. Pages of social media and help wanted ads are filled with equestrians looking for grooms and this need continues to grow as more and more horse owners decide there is no better place to be than here in ‘the horse capital’!
Perhaps there is an answer closer to home that so many equestrians have not
tapped into yet, and maybe that is only because they do not know about a 501c3 organization in northwest Ocala that is a place for recreation and for education for farm workers and their families, a place they can get the support they need spiritually, emotionally and physically. This place is the Ocala Farm Ministry (OFM) an affiliate of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA). The RTCA was founded in 1972 to serve the workers on the backside of the race tracks in the USA.
The Ocala Farm Ministry was founded in 2001, to serve the thoroughbred farms in North Central Florida. This ministry was dedicated to serving the needs of the farm workers and their families, who were employed by the Thoroughbred horse farms.. This is where you will often find Chaplain Bob Miller and his wife Dee. In the past 22 years, Chaplain Bob has visited over 900 farms and many of those, more than once. In 2012, the Ocala Farm Ministry purchased 8 acres in the northwest part of town to build a community center to more efficiently serve their commitment. The five current buildings house an office, a meeting room, bathrooms, a kitchen, and two classrooms, plus a large after school tutoring and educational
facility with bathrooms, a kitchen, a sports equipment room, an exercise facility, an obstacle course, a soccer field and a basketball court. Chaplain Bob’s wife, Dee, who taught at Redeemer Christian School for 13 years, joined the OFM team about 6 years ago and has since been working with the public schools hand-in-hand, to support what they already do with the children and to provide the best additional education possible within their means. Many of the children of the farm workers were born here to Spanish speaking families or came over from other countries. Some struggle to learn the English language, especially if their parents do not speak English well themselves. These children need extra support with reading and writing to succeed in school and teachers are already too short staffed to provide one-on-one assistance. Dee is able to administer these programs to provide the assistance they need. The students love and respect Dee and call her Señora Lolita and the school is known as ‘the Escuelita’, the little school where the children feel comfortable and find the support and extra educational help that they need.
I’ll never forget when top Ocala thoroughbred trainer Jaqui de Meric invited me out to the OFM facility for the first time on Easter Sunday and I could not find Jaqui anywhere. Then I realized that was because, in almost 90 degrees, Jaqui was the one in the thick heavy pink Easter rabbit suit running around with the children. The live nativity with camels and donkeys at Christmas time is quite an amazing production and is enjoyed by all. The services and blessings provided by
the OFM team are priceless to these families who in turn provide the missing link to the farms of hardworking folks, who genuinely are seeking reliable employment.
Now that Ocala has really stepped into its title of ‘horse capital’ and so many different types of equestrian sports are active in all the different venues and on all of the farms, the Ocala Farm Ministry wants all horse owners, trainers and riders to be aware that OFM is there to support all the farms and their staffing needs. The Ocala Farm Ministry is no longer just a place for staff of the Thoroughbred farms, but OFM is there for all the farms. OFM would love to the opportunity partner with equestrians from all horse disciplines to assist with the groom, barn staff and rider shortages and to provide support for their staff. Give them a call and set up a time to go out and take a tour with Chaplain Bob. He is quite the character and you will see the wonderful programs that he and Dee and the OFM team are providing for the families and children of our wonderful horse community. You will be so impressed by this experience and you could just find the staff you have been looking for.
Congratulations to Ocala’s Chester C.Weber is 20 time USEF Fourin-Hand National Champion and it all happened at 2023 Live Oak International! Also to Germany’s Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria who won the CSI 4*-W $222,600 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™️ Ocala Presented by Lugano Diamonds. Second place went to Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso and J’Adore Flamenco and rounding out the podium was Santiago Lambre aboard Chacco Blue II.
Our prayers and thoughts are with the Roberts family, after the passing of Mr. Larry Roberts, the owner of World Equestrian Center. He has been a pillar of this community and an icon to never be forgotten. We are praying for his family, friends and all connected to him at this difficult time for peace and comfort. Mr. Roberts will never be forgotten in this community and beyond and we know we will see him again.
Horses have “monocular” vision, meaning that each eye sees things differently and independently. This benefits an animal like a horse, who is a prey animal as it allows him to look to the side to see where the rest of his herd is with one eye and at the same time look behind him to see if anything is coming after him.
HIGHPOINT AT STONECREST has set the bar high for retirement living. This premier senior community, located just north of The Villages, features stunning rooftop views and includes chef-prepared dining with three daily meals, a resort-style saltwater pool, dog park, putting green, courtyard with firepit and so much more. Across all levels of care, from independent living to assisted living and memory care, residents can take part in engaging programming designed for a healthy mind, body and soul. For senior living that rises above the rest, call 352-280-2533 or visit HighpointStonecrest.com to learn more.
EACH MONTH, OCALA MAGAZINE FEATURES A LOCAL CHARITY THAT UPLIFTS OUR COMMUNITY.
ORGANIZATION NAME:
Estella Byrd Whitman Wellness
LEADERSHIP:
Carolyn Adams, ARNP, CEO
Pamela Lewin, M.D., medical director
LOCATION:
819 N.W. 7th St., Ocala, FL, 34475
MISSION STATEMENT:
Become a medical home for residents of 34475 and Greater Ocala, regardless of ability to pay. This is a community that has been labeled a “medical desert” due to its lack of medical facilities and services.
We see the insured and uninsured. We accept Medicaid and Medicare. We offer free 6 weeks diabetes classes. We assist with Food Stamps and small loans.
We are professionals who have given back to the community for the last 15 years. We are currently seeking second retirement and seeking someone to carry on this ideal mission.
WEBSITE: EstellaWellness.com
In 2022 we had 843 visits, 35 of which were Access clients.Founder Carolyn Adams, ARNP, CEO
In the days following a time change due to daylight saving time, research shows a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes. However, losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
“Getting a good night’s sleep every night is vital to cardiovascular health,” said Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and chair of the department of preventive medicine, the Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research and professor of preventive medicine, medicine and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “Adults should aim for an average of 7-9 hours and babies and kids need more depending on their age. Unfortunately, we know as many as 1 in 3 people do not get their recommended amount of sleep each night.”
According to Lloyd-Jones, the amount of sleep and quality of sleep are important, and both can have significant impacts on cardiovascular health, as well as overall health. In addition to increasing risk for cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke, lack of sleep may also put people at risk of things like depression, cognitive decline and obesity.
Research in the “Journal of the American Heart Association” shows maintaining a consistent sleep pattern may play an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease. Researchers found falling asleep at different times or sleeping an inconsistent number of hours each night, even variations of more than two hours a night within the same week, were tied to developing hardened arteries, known as atherosclerosis.
“We know people who get adequate sleep manage other health factors better as well, such as weight, blood sugar and blood pressure,” Lloyd-Jones said. “The American Heart Association recently added sleep to the list of factors that support optimal cardiovascular health. We call these Life’s Essential 8 and they include eating a healthy diet, not smoking or vaping, being physically active and getting adequate sleep, along with controlling your blood pressure and maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol and lipids, healthy blood sugar levels and a healthy weight.”
Consider these small changes in daily habits that can make a difference in sleep quality:
• Make healthy living a habit: Eat a balanced diet, get regular physical activity and manage stress to support a
healthier night’s sleep.
• Set the alarm for morning and night: Stick to specific times to go to bed and wake up each day and commit to a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible. Along with a wake-up alarm, try a bedtime alarm to indicate it’s time to start winding down.
• Establish bedtime habits: Once your bedtime alarm goes off, move into a familiar ritual, like brushing your teeth, washing your face or taking a warm bath.
• Relax and unwind: Take a few minutes to destress. Consider reading, journaling, meditating or listening to music to ease into a good night’s rest.
• Take a technology break: A bedroom free of light and technology equates to better sleep, so keep your phone and other devices away from the bed. Try logging off your electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime.
Learn more about the importance of sleep for heart health at heart.org.
“We know people who get adequate sleep manage other health factors better."
We believe in the power of people as a force to transform communities. At volunteerflorida.org , you’ll find countless opportunities to serve your state on Volunteer Connect. Together, we can make the world a better place. One act of service at a time. #ServeFL
Ocala is growing and so is the city’s demand for water. Each day, the City of Ocala pumps, cleans and delivers roughly 13 million gallons to homes and businesses throughout the city’s water service area. What most people don’t know is that about half of this water is used for outdoor irrigation.
The City of Ocala is declaring April Water Conservation Month to educate Ocala citizens about how they can help save Florida’s precious water resources. Believe it or not, water conservation is easier than you think. Below are tips for how to be a part of the solution:
The best way to maintain a healthy yard is to water as needed and follow local irrigation restrictions. Overwatering can cause weeds, insect pests and weakened grassroots. Look for signs that grass needs water like folded or wilted grass blades, footprints and tire tracks that don’t seem to go away, and grass turning blue-gray in color. Current irrigation restrictions ask citizens to water their lawns only twice a week during Daylight Savings Time (spring and summer) and once a week during Eastern Standard Time (fall and winter). During each irrigation application, grass only needs 1/2-3/4 inch of water. If it rains, and the lawn receives more than 1/2 inch of rain, turn the irrigation system off and wait until the previously listed signs appear.
Leaks at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons a year. A leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water a day. These leaks can contribute to costly and unexpected water bills. Keep an eye out
for leaky faucets and make repairs as soon as possible. To determine if a toilet might be “silently” leaking, put two drops of food coloring in the top of the tank and wait 30 minutes. If the color appears in the toilet bowl, it is likely there is a leak.
Downloading apps can make water conservation even easier.
Your smartphone is one of the best water conservation tools there is, and all you need to do is download these two apps:
EyeOnWater: Download EyeOnWater to see how much water you are using and receive an alert of possible water leaks on your personal property. Your EyeOnWater account will be directly linked to your water utility account.
Smartirrigation Turf: Download Smartirrigation Turf to set up an irrigation schedule specific to your yard and location. It will send you notifications of rain events so you can make informed changes to your irrigation schedule.
To learn more about the EyeOnWater app and receive your own indoor water conservation kit, join City Water Resources staff at one of two EyeOnWater workshops Wednesday, April 19, or Saturday, April 29, both at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center, 1821 NW 21st Ave, 11 a.m. to noon.
For additional information, contact the Water Resources Department at (352)3516772 or WRCoordinator@ocalafl.org.
Ocala Family Medical Center's Dermatology team, Dr. Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh and Amber Starling, APRN-C, provide full, state-of-the-art care in general and cosmetic Dermatology! Dr. Kalbaugh is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Founding Member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Amber Starling, APRN-C is a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner who has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide array of Dermatologic conditions. They are experts in conditions and diseases of the skin, hair and nails, including the diagnosis and advanced treatment of skin cancers. Our CAP Certified on-site pathology lab allows us to provide patients with quicker, more accurate results.
Some of the conditions they treat are:
•Acne
• Diseases of Hair and Nails
• Eczema
•Growth Removals (moles, lipomas, warts, etc.)
• Psoriasis
• Rashes
• Rosacea
• Skin Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (Mohs Surger y)
Our Dermatology & Aesthetics Department also offers cosmetic treatments and procedures, including a wide array of facials, Botox® , Facial Fillers, Recovery Treatments (Dermal Stamping), Micro -needling, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), other laser procedures and more!
In March, Marion County leadership took a trip up to Tallahassee to advocate for Marion County’s priorities at the state level. With several legislative priorities on the list, this day gave Marion County the opportunity to share what we’ll be pushing for over the next few months and years. Let’s take a look at what this trip means and what a few of those priorities are.
Each of Florida’s 67 counties has the opportunity to visit Tallahassee to share its priorities and encourage lawmakers to take up their causes. Marion County likes to do this each year to help keep our county and our issues near the top of the list when it comes to legislative sessions throughout the year.
This year, county leadership visited Tallahassee for “Marion County Day at the Capitol” to share what we are working on and what we would like to accomplish over the next year.
With nearly 200 people moving into the county each week and Marion County’s central location along the I-75 corridor, there are several infrastructure improvements needed throughout the county.
One such project is the widening of the 80th Avenue corridor in the World Equestrian Center area west of Ocala. With a planned new interchange on I-75, that area likely will see a large increase in traffic, so a widening of the road and relocation of water and sewer services is necessary. Marion County seeks assistance in completing the project to help alleviate traffic in the area.
This priority seeks to allow residents to place anonymous tips or complaints to code enforcement, which would require a change to the state statute.
Currently, anyone wanting to place a complaint with code enforcement must disclose their personal information. However, this may lead to fewer calls to code enforcement as the person filing the complaint may fear retribution from the violator.
Advocating for this change may help people feel less intimidated to call code enforcement when witnessing a violation, helping Marion County Code Enforcement to better address the issue at hand.
Allowing swimming at Silver Springs has been a priority since the Florida Park Service took control of the park in 2013. Several improvements to the park are included in the state’s plan, however, many are caught up in bureaucratic processes, causing delays.
Marion County wants to make this a priority and work together with state leadership to once again bring swimming to Silver Springs.
These are just a few of Marion County’s legislative priorities for 2023, and a full list can be found at: MarionFL.org/Legislative.
Mark Andersonis a public relations specialist for Marion County.
Kiwanis
Rotary’s 2 official mottoes are:
• Service Above Self
• He Profits Most Who Serves Best
Rotary International serves to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services and to advance goodwill and peace not only in their own communities, but around the world. There are over 35,000 member clubs worldwide and over 1.2 million individuals known as Rotarians.
The Rotary Clubs of Marion County:
The Rotary Clubs of Marion County Support Many Charitable Causes. Some of those include:
• Interfaith Emergency Services
• Discovery Science Center
• Annual Rotary Discover Fest Fundraiser
• Boys & Girls Club of Marion County
• Wear Gloves
• Kimberly's Center
• Marion County Literacy Council
• Domestic Violence Center of Marion County
• Honey Packs, Inc.
• Pace Center For Girls
To learn more about joining Rotary, please visit: www.RotaryInternational.com
Follow Rotary On Facebook
He played one of movie history’s most recognizable horror film roles, yet few would have ever recognized his face. His name was Ricou Browning and although he made his mark as a prolific contributor to cinema and television he is most famous for his role as Gill-Man, the monster in “Creature From the Black Lagoon,” filmed at Silver Springs in 1953.
On Feb. 27, Browning passed away at age 93 to some noted fanfare including here in Marion County where he helped build the area’s standing as a go-to location for the movie and television industries. A native of south Florida, Browning garnered a reputation as a local icon and one of the pioneers of aquatic cinematography.
As Gill-Man, Browning wore the creature costume for all the underwater scenes shot in Silver Springs, terrifying for movie goers of the early 1950s and still heart-pounding when viewed nearly 70 years later. The role of Gill-Man was Browning’s first foray into film and remains his greatest legacy.
He earned the role by catching the eye of Universal Studios location scouts who were touring Wakulla Springs in search of filming locations for “Creature From the Black Lagoon” in 1953. Browning, a protégé of sorts of Ocala’s famed Newt Perry, performed underwater moves for the crew who saw fit to give the Gill-Man role to Browning. That would be the start of a career that would see Browning as Gill-Man in all three Creature films (“Revenge of the Creature” in 1955 and “The Creature Walks Among Us” in 1956), as a stuntman in “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” in 1954, as Jerry Lewis’ double in “Don’t Give Up the Ship” in 1959 and as a coordinator for underwater action sequences in the television series “Sea Hunt” shot at Silver Springs and starring Lloyd Bridges.
Browning was also one of the creators of the original “Flipper” movie and the television show that aired on NBC from 19641967. His reputation for aquatic cinema led to him directing the famous underwater battle scene in the James Bond thriller “Thunderball” in 1965 and in its 1983 remake titled “Never Say Never Again.” Less known is that Browning directed the pool scene in “Caddyshack” that involved a candy bar being mistaken as human excrement.
He directed “Salty” in 1973 and “Mr. No Legs” in 1978 and played prominent roles as second unit director, stunt coordinator and underwater sequence director in the films “Around the World Under the Sea” in 1966, “Island of the Lost” in 1967 and “Hello Down There” in 1969, and many others.
Despite his long list of credentials, it is his role as the monster in “Creature From the Black Lagoon” that still draws everyone’s at-
tention. He was noted for his ability to hold his breath for up to four minutes, and donning the cumbersome costume and performing underwater stunts would be required to hold his breath two minutes, a staggering amount of time under the circumstances.
Browning certainly left his mark on Marion County, but he died as one of Florida’s favorite sons. Born in Fort Pierce in 1930, he would attend Florida State University and later work as a performer for Perry at Weeki Wachee before breaking into the movie and TV industries. In 2006, Film Florida awarded Browning its first Florida Legends Award and in 2012 he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, he was known to be the last surviving actor to portray any of the classic Universal Monsters that also included Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy and the Wolf Man.
a Physiologic Approach
a beautiful smile begins here
TINA CHANDRA, D.D.S., LVIF, FIAPA Cosmetic, Neuromuscular and Sleep Dentist ...
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