Letter from the Publisher

A fond farewell

IN OCTOBER OF 2018, I BOUGHT OCALA MAGAZINE and entered the world of publishing, a world of which I was not too familiar at the time. Not long after, through the advice of John Anastasia and our Vice President Penny Miller, I made the biggest decision for the magazine in hiring Jessi Miller as OM’s Creative Director. Sadly for us, this June issue marks the final one Jessi will put together as she is leaving us to pursue her other passions in art and elsewhere. Jessi’s creativity and vision for layout and design is unmatched by her peers in Ocala and beyond. She has been tireless in her efforts to make this magazine a visual and compelling force and has done so against some pretty long odds. That OM has been able to rack up so many awards the past few years is testimony to Jessi’s artistic vision and creative vault of ideas. Beyond her role as creative director, Jessi has also worn many different hats for the magazine in making it a profitable business, guiding its day-to-day operations so that the office can run like a well-oiled machine.

Never receiving a byline or a photo credit, Jessi was someone mainly behind the scenes as far as our readers are concerned. Only on the masthead will you find Jessi’s name, a small measure of the credit she deserves.

Beyond recognizing Jessi Miller for her creative role in OM, I want to say what an outstanding person she is, and this may be the most important aspect of her. She has always dealt with others in the most professional of ways and always with a kind hand, even when harsh sentiments were justified. As such, she has been more than an employee to me – I consider her a dear friend.

Jessi Miller will be sorely missed at OM, but we will continue to find the best talent out there in order to produce a magazine for which this city can be proud. I want to thank Jessi for all she has done to help me navigate through the strange waters of the publishing world and to help make OM the comeback success it is. Mostly, I want to wish Jessi nothing but the best in her future endeavors – she has certainly earned it.

JUNE MEANS FATHER’S DAY and, for me it’s one of my favorite days of the year. As a father of two beautiful children, it is a reminder of how important my duties are to them and is another means of bonding with them in the most positive and fun ways. This is a day to honor fathers, and I will certainly be doing that for my own, Jerry Glassman, as well as my uncle Dr. Paul Glassman who has always set an example for me to follow.

I want to thank Sharon D. Raye, the mother of my daughter, and Brittany McMinn, the mother of my son, for without them I would not even have the blessings of being a father.

I cannot think of a greater love that exists than from a parent to a child and on Father’s Day that love is on display and I plan to make the most of it. No matter what else happens in one’s life, be it triumph or tragedy, you can always count on the love of your family, and these days that is more important than ever.

In a world where many children grow up without a father, or even a prominent father figure, we know the tragedies that can unfold. The lack of a father is a big “strike one” in the life a young boy or girl and can often lead to negative outcomes. I’m grateful that I had a father in my life and I am working every day to make sure that I am the best father I can be to my kids.

So on this Father’s Day, I not only honor my own dad, but I take stock in the responsibility I have for my children and the love for them that helps pave a proper life’s path.

Happy Father’s Day to all, and let's remember to count our blessings!

Jessi Miller

Philip Glassman and Jessi Miller