Located in Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, just a golf cart ride to and from WEC is this spectacular 6 bed, 5 full and 3 half baths distinguished home offering 15,000 +/- SF on two lots. Formal living room, dining room, office, plus game room. Expansive screen enclosed resort style pool and lanai area. $6,499,000
Presiding over the challenging 15th green of the Golden Ocala Golf Course with incredible views of the course, bridge, and pond. Impressive two-story estate. 6 Bed, 5.5 bath and 5,912 +/- SF. Just a golf cart ride away from the World Equestrian Center where you can enjoy the various activities and events. $12,000 monthly lease
Prestigious home on 5+/- acres in Turning Hawk. Equine gated community, access to the Florida Greenways and Trails. Custom built home: 4 Bed, 4.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, plus theater/media room. Home offers split bedroom plan. Conveniently located close to shopping, restaurants and medical. $1,447,000
Country Club of Ocala 3 bed, 3.5 bath contemporary home. Stunning details throughout include mill work in ceilings, open floor plan w/travertine floors, owners suite has lavish bath, soaking tub and shower, chef ’s kitchen, open fireplace, custom cabinetry and attention to detail throughout. $995,000
INCOME PRODUCING 43 +/- acre equine facility in Starting Point. 3 Barns – 51 stalls, eurocizer, round pen, arena, and 23 paddocks. ½+/- mile irrigated exercise track plus deeded access to 5/8+/- dirt track, 4/4.5 owner’s residence, 4/3 guest home, 3/1 apt, efficiency apt, A/C workshop. 4 miles to HITS and 15 miles to WEC.
80+/- Acre State of the Art Equestrian Facility 3 CB barns- 96 stalls, each barn has wash racks, office/tack room, bathroom, and LED lighting. 8 Stall wooden barn, ¾ +/- mile race track, covered eurocizer, round pen plus paddocks. New 4-board fencing. 4 Bed, 3 bath residence with open floor plan. Guest and staff housing. Just 8.5 miles to WEC.
29+/- Prestigious acres in NW Ocala. 3 Bed, 3.5 bath pool home with office. 8 Miles to World Equestrian Center. As you enter the foyer you greeted by the beautiful views of the property. This property offers room to layout your dream farm plus room to ride, train and raise your horses. $2,749,000
Equine Enthusiasts! 38+/- Acre property located in NW Ocala on HWY 326. 3 Bed, 3 bath pool home. 12 Stall stable with 1/1 efficiency. 4 Bed, 2 bath employee residence, equipment building, tool workshop and RV hook up. $4,500,000
Mossbrook Farms – 10+ Acres situated close to WEC and HITS. 4 Bed, 3 bath residence boasts open concept living. Chef ’s kitchen opens to family room with cathedral ceilings, wood beams, and glass doors leading to deck with views of the pond. Enjoy evenings sitting on the deck overlooking the stocked fishpond, 3 Stall barn, 2 barn offices, lush paddocks, 2-Car garage plus equipment barn. $1,950,000
15+ Acres of beautiful vistas from every view, lush pastures with impressive Granddaddy Oaks and rolling land. Residence sits high on its own private knoll. 3 Bed, 3.5 baths, 3 car-carport, 2 detached dog kennels, plus storage. Peaceful parcel of land with gorgeous sunrises and is located in prime horse country. Whether your passion is horses or cattle, this is an ideal property for either. Located on Hwy 329 $850,000
JUST REDUCED: $ 695,000. 10+ Acre gentleman’s farm located just a short distance to the World Equestrian Center. 2- Story home has a wraparound porch. 4 Bed/ 3 bath features great room with brick wood-burning fireplace opens to kitchen and dining room. Includes a lit area, 4 stall barn and 4 paddocks.
JUST REDUCED $783,500. 9.80+/- Acre Equestrian Estate – 3 Bed/ 2 bath home with updated kitchen and appliances. Large garage/workshop with 3 bay doors. Center aisle 8 stall barn, tack, feed, and wash rack. Level grounds to set up your jump fields. Farm offers room to ride, train or raise horses or cattle.
Little Black Mask
Jessi Miller |
jessi@ocalamagazine.com
Jenn Princinsky | Creative Assistant Andrew Grunther | Graphic Designer Website StevensLabs
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ralph Demilio |
ralph@ocalamagazine.com
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
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the microwave to cook faster and use
sure to match your pots with the right size lids and burners to reduceheat loss.
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glass or ceramic pans for faster
on lower heat settings.
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cooking side dishes with your
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to avoid opening the oven door to check on your meal to reduce heat loss and save energy.
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the dishwasher to full capacity before you run it.
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER OFFICIALLY MARKS THE BEGINNING of the holiday season, and like most everyone else I get caught up in the cheer and good tidings that comes with it. The decorations, the cool weather and the overall pos itive energy generated by the weeks that surround Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve is unrivaled by anything else in our culture.
For two years, the festivities have been mired by COVID and we haven’t been able to enjoy the closeness of our friends and family as before. Today, there is a greater sense of freedom and comfort since early 2020 and we can take advantage of spending time with our loved ones without the same fears.
I am looking forward to enjoying the holidays with my loved ones, and I hope that our readership is able to rekindle the close-knit festivities with their families. This year represents a great time to count our blessings that we are able to get together and celebrate as before.
In addition to the festive air, the season brings with it a sense of charity that one does not witness the rest of the year. In Ocala, that is a heavy statement because the charitable nature of the people in this town is off the charts, no matter what month you are talking about.
In this issue, our Charity Spotlight shines on the Lions Club, whose charitable endeav ors are famous here and throughout the world. Although an international club, the local Lions focus on the needs of this community in a way that we can all be proud. The Lions provide a much-needed service to the children in our school system through visual screen ings, and the importance of this cannot be overstated.
A child’s future depends on good parenting and quality education, but with poor vision the prospects of a quality education rapidly diminish. Since eye care in general is an expen sive proposition, many low-income students who nonetheless possess tremendous amounts of potential may suffer without the proper screenings and aids. That’s where the Lions come in – to help administer these free screenings and help provide necessary visual aids.
This type of charity work may not be as unsung as other endeavors, but it is extremely important and provides a residual benefit to the community that is often not seen right away.
Also in this issue is a story on the Plantation Redfish Tournament, which is much more than just a good time on the water snagging redfish and grouper. One of the main points of the event is to raise money for local scholarships. This past year, from the tournament alone three different Citrus County students were granted $5,000 scholarships toward college or vocational schools.
When the beneficiaries of charitable giving are the children of the community, that is perhaps the greatest reward for the time, money and resources invested. It’s one thing to give food to a hungry per son or temporary shelter when it is needed – these things patch up a momentary leak in our society, but they do not solve any long-term problems. Providing vision aids and proper education to young people helps to create better citizens in the future and make all of our lives better as a result.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY SEASON. Coming together, making core memories with my children and all my extended family. I hope readership can rekindle that with their families. As two years ago we couldn’t. Life could change in an instance, so count your blessings.
PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER
Ocala/Marion County has a seri ous drug problem. It’s so serious that Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken calls it an “epidemic” and “staggering.”
“If this was gun violence, they should fire the police chief and the sheriff,” Balken said. “It is such a huge problem. It should be an all-hands-on-deck alarm.”
Specifically, the problem is opioids. The bigger problem is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is cheap, plentiful, highly addic tive and, yes, deadly. It is infiltrating Ocala/ Marion County at an alarming rate, giving our community the dubious distinction of having one of the 10 highest overdose death rates among Florida’s 67 counties.
In 2021, there were 3,259 overdose responses by EMS crews in Ocala/Marion County — about nine a day and up almost 600 percent since 2015 — and 181 drug overdose deaths. Three-quarters of those were opioid-related, and three-quarters of those were fentanyl-related.
Opioids are bad. Fentanyl is 100 times worse — literally. According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse and the Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just 2mg of fentanyl — the equiv alent of 5 grains of salt — can be lethal.
So, it was welcome news when top dogs from Tallahassee, including the state surgeon general and the head of the Department for Families and Children, gathered in Ocala on Oct. 13 with officials from a litany of lo cal health and substance abuse programs to unveil a new program designed to combat this plague. Called CORE, for Coordinated Opioid Recovery, the initiative was piloted in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) and showed promising results. Now, CORE is being introduced in a dozen of the worst affected Florida counties, including Marion,
with the goal of getting opioid addicts im mediate and long-term help.
As things are, when a person overdoses on opioids, EMS is called and takes the OD victim to an emergency room where they are given a dose of NARCAN, a miracu lous overdose antidote. After a couple hours when the overdose patient has recovered, they are released from the hospital and go out and start seeking their next opioid fix.
Dr. Ken Scheppke, deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Health, called this “the revolving door of drug overdose” and said helping an opioid addict overcome addiction “is not a quick fix and starts with the 911 call.”
What CORE aims to do is get opioid ad dicts help confronting their addiction as soon as they seek it. That help will not just be drug treatment. It will include overall health care as
BY BRAD ROGERSwell as help navigating a host of social services, from job assistance and housing to pharma ceutical treatment and ongoing counseling.
“Substance abuse is a disease and it’s also a lifelong journey,” DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris said. CORE will provide inpatient care, outpatient care and pharma ceutical therapy for opioid addicts. Plus, it will bring local health organizations like the Heart of Florida Health Center, the Mari on County Hospital District, Beacon Point, Park Place, SMA Health Care (formerly The Centers), and local law enforcement and the hospitals into the process.
“CORE brings all the partners to the table,” Harris said.
Interim Heart of Florida CEO Maria Torres said CORE’s emphasis on team-based health care will help patients navigate what officials admit is a difficult system to access.
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said what makes treating opioid addiction so dif ficult is that it is not just the physical addic tion, but the “emotional and spiritual effects” that accompany it.
Back to Chief Balken. He is hopeful CORE will finally make a dent in the local opi oid problem because nothing so far has worked.
“(Opioid addiction) is so lucrative and so pervasive in our community,” he lament ed. “All the stuff we’ve thrown at this, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.”
Finally, if you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder and would like more information on CORE, contact the Ocala Fire Rescue at 352-2664769 or the Marion County Health Depart ment at 352-629-0137.
“(Opioid addiction) is so lucrative and so pervasive in our community.”
The synthetic and highly lethal opioid fentanyl is creating a drug crisis in Ocala/Marion County.
these two viles contain lethal doses of heroin and fentanyl. (New Hampshite State Police
Lab)
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Iremember the first Light Up Ocala, because I was there. The day was November 30, 1984, and I was having dinner with my wife and father-in-law at O’Neal Brothers Restaurant where Harry’s currently stands on the downtown square. By today’s standards, the whole affair seemed rather subdued although it was a special moment.
Back in those days, a fountain served as the focal point of the square and the first Light Up Ocala was very simple: just some lights in the trees and not much more, nothing like what we have now. I also remember the lights being turned on at 6:30 and it was barely dark, so the effect was not so spectacular. On that night, there were less people there than one finds in the square on a typical Friday night, but because it was the first, it was rather special and started a tradition that is now one of the city’s showcase events.
I think of the events that help make Ocala special, and among them are the annu al Christmas parade, FAFO which took place in October, the Kiwanis pancake day and, of course, Light Up Ocala. Just as the downtown area has grown and evolved, so too has the Light Up Ocala celebration, which includes a much more spectacular display of lights to go along with many other activities that are fun for the entire family. And as the downtown area grows, so too will Light Up Ocala.
New residences are going up and will add to the Christmas décor as the years go by. One of the new events that I especially enjoy is the golf cart parade, with fantastic decorations on display for all to see. Last year, around 150 carts joined the parade that passed in front of homes where residents set up barbecues in their yards and enjoyed the show.
The coming years will no doubt bring more activities and more people, but even as it is now the event stands as one of Ocala’s special evenings by kicking off the Christmas season in the perfect manner.
This year’s Light Up Ocala will take place from 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 at the down town square and beyond. With over 100 vendors that will include arts and crafts and various food options, the evening will be fun for the whole family as live entertainment will fill the air. An interactive kids zone at Citizen’s Circle will offer plenty of fun activities for both young and old and, of course, the Junior Sunshine holiday parade will be marked with a special ap pearance from Santa Claus himself.
I enjoy Light Up Ocala as much as any other event since it accentuates the beauty of our remarkable city, and as the city continues to grow I look forward to witnessing the magnificent changes in Light Up Ocala that will follow. Noting the changes that have taken place in the last 38 years, I can only wonder what the next 38 years will bring!
BY TRISHA HIATT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO
The turkey is in the oven, the pies are cooling on the counter, the sides will arrive when guests bring them in one by one and the table is set to showcase a harvest of fall comfort and charm.
Creating a Thanksgiving to remem ber takes planning and preparation, a little creativity, and a lot of love. Here are five ways you can add autumn ambiance to your Thanksgiving tablescape this season:
START WITH A CENTERPIECE and work your way out. Begin by adding a seasonal ob ject such as a turkey in a rustic pot as shown, a cornucopia filled with pumpkins and veg gies, or a beautifully arranged fall bouquet. You can build vertically, horizontally or both.
Add other seasonal objects such as small tur keys, pumpkins, leaves, pine cones, gourds, fall sprigs or acorns around the main center piece. You can also add a fall garland atop a runner or to your chandelier if you like to be extra like me.
ADD AMBIENT LIGHTING such as the antique candlesticks shown, tea lights scat tered throughout or small votive candles in glass jars. Not only does this add warmth, but a little extra scent, too.
DESIGN A CHAIR SKIRT. Here, I used old curtain tops to tie to the backs of my chairs. I try to salvage pretty things I don’t need any more and make the most of them.
plate (don’t be afraid to mix and match like I did!) and then add a pretty cloth napkin and napkin ring. Save on the expense by thrift ing. My amber glass plates are all thrifted and add a warm vintage vibe.
USE RIBBON! Tie silk ribbon in a fall hue to chair backs as shown. A small wreath or candle ring looks charming as well and adds such whimsy to your guests’ seat. Incorporate the ribbon to your candlesticks or garland to tie it all together. (Pun intended!)
LAYER PLACE SETTINGS. Build your guest’s place settings by starting with a char ger (Tuesday Morning and Hobby Lobby have great ones) and then a neutral dinner plate. Add an autumn-hued salad or bread
MOST OF ALL, DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Your home is a reflection of your life and your family, who you are and what you love. Home matters and making it special for those you love is always worth the extra time and effort. Do what you can and have fun while designing. It’s one of the most reward ing art forms because of its functionality. And when you’re around your beautifully set table gobbling up your turkey and mashed potatoes, make sure you take it all in and remember that we have so very much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
City officials say water is safe, healthy and great tasting, too
Ocalans are lucky to live in the midst of springs country. So says Robyn Preston – and he should know. It’s Preston’s job to take our famed North Florida groundwater as soon as it is pumped from the Floridan aqui fer and make sure it is softened, disinfected and filtered while being tested each step of the way to faucets in homes and businesses around the city of Ocala.
“We’re fortunate we live in the springs area,” said Preston, who is water treatment and reclamation manager for Ocala’s munic ipal water system. “We have some of the best water in the world.”
The city of Ocala pumps between 12 and 13 million gallons of that groundwater each day from five wells in the northeast and south west parts of the city. The water comes from the same place as the water coming out of Sil ver Springs — something Preston emphasizes.
OM sat down with Sean Lanier, the city director of engineering and water resources, and his management team to discuss the state of the city’s water system in light of the crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, in which
massive flooding caused the water system to fail and become inundated with muddy and contaminated stormwater.
Lanier said the Jackson disaster was a result of aging infrastructure. Too many of that city’s water lines were deteriorating and leaking. So, when its water system pumps ceased working during a massive rain event, the dirty floodwaters infiltrated the water lines and black, muddy water was flowing from Jackson faucets.
“The main thing is they lost pressure (in their water lines),” he said. “They had too many leaks in their lines.”
Lanier explained that maintaining ad equate pressure is vital to a good water sys tem. Because every system is made up of miles and miles of pipes — there are 548
miles of water lines running throughout the city of Ocala — every one has leaks, except for the newest in the system. By maintain ing adequate pressure in the lines, it keeps contaminated stormwater and groundwater from seeping into the system.
“The main thing is they lost pressure,” Lanier said. “Our system is pretty sound.”
So, what is the overall state of Ocala’s municipal water system, by far the largest in Marion County?
“Our water system is in pretty good shape,” Lanier said. “I’d give it a ranking of fair to good.”
He explained that any water system will always have pipes that need replacing. And while the city has a long-term master plan to continually replace pipes, which have a life ex
“We’re fortunate we live in the springs area. We have some of the best water in the world.”
pectancy of 50-100 years, there remain a few parts of the city that bear watching, mostly in the older portions of Ocala like the Historic District.
Despite some areas of the city still needing upgraded pipes, Stacey Ferrante, manager of water resources maintenance en gineering and water resources, said the city water system “is in good shape,” largely be cause the system is constantly being updated and utilizes state-of-the-art technology.
The key to ensuring a steady flow of clean water, Lanier and Ferrante said, is maintaining pressure of at least 70 pounds per square inch. Most of the city’s lines have more than 90 psi.
As Ocala has grown, so has its water system. Water Treatment Plant No. 1., locat
ed in the northeast part of the city off 36th Avenue, was built in 1972. It was doubled in size in 1989.
The city is currently adding a second water plant off South Pine Avenue, south of the city. The $52 million project is being built over 10 years as a partnership with the St. Johns Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection. It is expected to be fully opera tional by 2030.
The reason for the partnership is Ocala is breaking new ground, so to speak, on the future of supplying water to Floridians. Cur rently, water taken for public water systems comes from the Upper Floridan aquifer. The new plant goes deeper – 1,350 feet vs. 265 feet for the city’s existing wells -- extract
The city has won the American Water Works Association Region XI Best Tasting Water Contest, conducted between Florida’s water systems, for three straight years.
ing water from the Lower Floridan aquifer, something that has raised questions among some environmentalists but has been green lighted by the state in its quest to find more water for a rapidly growing population.
There is a difference in the contents of the two water supplies, and Lanier said to make the lower aquifer taste, smell and have the same chemical makeup as the current up per aquifer water, the city will be creating an 80-20 mix of the two water sources so lower aquifer water “has a healthy mineral content.”
Managing the mineral content of the aquifer water is a big part of Preston’s job. Be hind the city’s Water Resources Department headquarters is a massive pile of white powder. It is calcium that has been extracted from the groundwater so that the water coming from taps is not yellowish and odorous because of the high lime content of our groundwater.
Moreover, removing excessive amounts of calcium and magnesium from the ground water in preparation for sending to homes and businesses also is a precautionary step to keep “lime scale” from building up in not only city water lines but customers’ water lines as well. Lime scale can accumulate to the point it blocks the flow within the water lines.
The mineral content is constantly mon itored to ensure proper levels of calcium, magnesium and other minerals, with water plant operators checking it every two hours, 24/7, Preston said.
The results? “It’s safe and good for you,” Preston said.
In addition to removing some of the excessive mineral content, the city also chlo rinates and fluoridates its water. The former is done to minimize odors and to remove, as Preston put it, “99.9 percent removal of patho
gens and viruses” that may be in the water.
Having water that is safe and healthy is one thing, but taste is something altogether different. And for those who drink Ocala’s water, it offers award-winning taste.
As Lanier boasted, the city has won the American Water Works Association Region XI Best Tasting Water Contest, conducted between Florida’s water systems, for three straight years. That, Preston said, is a result of constant monitoring and updating of the city’s water plant infrastructure.
As for the future, Lanier said Ocala not only has the infrastructure in place or in the planning stages to accommodate it, but it also has the capacity. Currently, the city pumps 12 to 13 million gallons of water a day to its customers. Lanier said the existing water plant has the capacity to pump up to
24 mgd, although the state only permits it to pump 15 mgd.
And if the existing wells were to fail for whatever reason, the city has an emergency well that can pump 5 mgd, Lanier said.
Lanier said what ensures the safety and continued efficiency of Ocala’s water system is redundancy – that is, the city has backup systems and sources should anything go wrong. The new water plant will only add to that redundancy, he said.
“We have a large capacity,” he said. “There’ll be an opportunity for us to become more of a regional utility.”
He said the city and the county, which has its own smaller water utility, already have a number of “interconnects” to ensure both can continue to provide their customers with water if a Jackson-like disaster were to occur.
BY CARLTON REESE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO
Acloudless, azure sky upstaged only by the crisp moderate tem peratures greeted the anglers on a chamber of commerce Saturday morning. On land, such a placid scene belied what the Gulf of Mexico had in store: double digit winds and choppy seas that bring regret to even the veteran mariner. The recent 7th Annual Plantation Redfish Classic in Crys tal River would go on, anglers undaunted in their pursuit of a prize-winning haul.
For those casting toward the mangroves, only the tides and shallows would warrant any consternation. But for those headed to deeper water in search of grouper, the nego tiation of swells and whitecaps would not be
for the faint of heart.
“Those guys aren’t scared, that’s for sure,” said Kayla Livingston, one of three tourna ment directors along with Paul Cross and John Spann. Their event has quickly turned into one of the go-to tournaments for fish ermen in Crystal River and the surrounding areas, including Levy and Marion counties.
The third weekend of October now be longs to the Plantation Redfish Classic and at the 2022 version, choppy waters couldn’t keep Garrett Norris’ team from hauling in the grouper division’s winning 23.5 pounder. As the 4 p.m. deadline approached, Norris steered his boat toward the weigh-in area, where Blake Schidler’s team was currently
on top with an 18.22 pounder.
Murmurs could be heard throughout the gathering: “I wonder what he has?” and “Do they have enough time?”
Four large grouper were tossed into a bin, but the biggest was raced to the officials’ table where the moment of anticipation had arrived. The last fish of the day to be weighed would be the largest of the day. That drama capped a day of competition that has helped make this tournament the treasure it is.
“This isn’t just a fishing tournament, it’s an event,” said Cross, who believes the grow ing popularity of the tournament will result in bigger payouts at future events and possi bly expansion into two days of competition.
The Plantation Redfish Classic has grown into a go-to annual event for anglers local and beyond
Whatever the future holds, the present could not be much better, with 54 teams and 160 anglers and an ever-growing list of sponsors who are eager to be part of what is now a traditional happening at the Planta tion Resort.
This year, $20,000 was raised that went directly to scholarships for area youths at tending either college or vocational schools. In addition, the tournament raised $2,500 for the Florida Disaster Relief Fund to help vic tims of Hurricane Ian in the southwest part of the state. The main objective may be to raise money for worthy causes, but the com petition and coinciding conservation efforts are hallmarks of the event. As a “live” fishing tournament, redfish must be living when they are brought to the weigh-in area and once winners are known, those fish are released back to the water where they will continue to spawn and maintain a thriving population. Such efforts are lost at many tournaments.
For Randy Hodges and Mitch Roe, keeping their biggest fish alive was the dif ference in winning and losing. The efforts made at catching their biggest red would only be surpassed by their efforts to keep that fish alive the rest of the day.
“Our (biggest) fish wanted to belly-up on us,” said Hodges, who recently retired from Duke Energy. “We kept moving him around, reviving him. Mitch put some G Juice in the live well… and he rejuvenated. We watched him for two or three hours and he was fine.”
The G Juice, a livewell treatment and fish care formula, was provided to all anglers by the Coastal Conservation Association and may be a big reason why over 40 redfish were returned back to the water alive and healthy. The formula enabled Hodges and Roe to hit a winning 13 pounds, taking the redfish division and the $3,000 cash prize.
Things started out slowly for the win ners, but around 11:30 a.m. they decided to head to what Hodges calls Roe’s “Fourthand-20” spot. That’s where fortunes turned and they landed the big one.
“I call it Thanksgiving Creek and it paid off,” said Roe, a Citrus County employee who runs a charter on these waters and also has no problems giving up the GPS coordi nates if he had them. “I couldn’t even tell you the GPS coordinates; just come on the boat
This year, $20,000 was raised that went directly to scholarships for area youths attending either college or vocational schools. In addition, the tournament raised $2,500 for the Florida Disaster Relief Fund to help victims of Hurricane Ian in the southwest part of the state.
and I’ll take you right there.”
For Hodges and Roe, they set their ex pectations low so the pressure of tournament angling would not overwhelm them. Fishing on a sponsorship from Pete’s Pier, their goal was simple: have some fun fishing and make a good showing for Pete’s Pier.
“We decided together we were just go ing to come out and fish – we weren’t going to get all ramped up,” Roe said. The loosygoosy attitude paid dividends.
“I did not (think we would win) be cause there are so many good fishermen in this tournament,” Hodges said. “I told Mitch we’d probably take eighth or ninth.”
Pre-fishing the day before the tourna ment, Hodges and Roe mapped out their spots, but had no luck with trout – the weather was a bit cooler the day before during their reconnaissance mission. As the tide started coming back in, the two switched their sights on redfish, using mud minnows, shrimp and cut mullet as bait. All three worked.
“That’s the beauty of this,” Roe said. “Redfish are my favorite fish to catch because they’re tough, they’re resilient, but they’re pretty predictable too. You catch them back in the mangroves – we were up in the bugs, the no-see-ums and everything else.”
Annoying bugs or not, Roe is quick to point out that this being a “live” event makes it special to him, as it does many of the other anglers here who call these waters home.
“Let’s say you come out and fish this tournament and it’s a ‘dead’ tournament, you’re throwing them things in the box, you come up here and all those fish are dead including that beautiful fish we brought in. That kind of hurts me,” Roe said. “I’m a very conservation-minded person; I try to talk people into ‘you’ve got enough for dinner, we don’t need to get our limit today.’ I’m not against (reaching a limit) and we’ll work to that if you want, but just think about it.”
The event is one of the few tournaments in the area that will pull a culling permit, which allows fishermen to put back smaller redfish to upgrade their fish when a bigger one is caught.
“We released over 40 healthy redfish and they all swam off – there’s not many tourna ments that can say the fish will survive even after they swim off,” Livingston said. “These
anglers take it seriously and they know what it takes to keep these fish healthy.”
Any fishing tournament is mainly about the day on the water, but the Plan tation Redfish Classic is much more. With the Plantation Resort as the host venue, long vacation weekends are commonplace among competitors who bring their entire families. The Friday night captain’s meeting is catered with a party atmosphere and is only topped by the awards ceremony the following night.
Along with the winners picking up their wares, silent auctions and 50-50 raffles for high-quality fishing gear and more create a festive buzz. Not to mention the open bar and buffet of barbecue and fish and one has an evening to remember whether the fish
were biting that day or not.
“To the anglers, an event like this and especially hosted at a venue like this, they’ll come and make a whole weekend of it,” Liv ingston said. “We had one that said they had
“We released over 40 healthy redfish and they all swam off – there’s not many tournaments that can say the fish will survive even after they swim off.”Captain Leiza Fitzgerald measuring fish
so much fun last year that they came in on Thursday and made a long weekend out of it, leaving on Monday.”
“I think the biggest thing is getting the word out that this just isn’t a fishing tourna ment, it’s a fishing event,” Cross says. “Not every fishing tournament has an awards cer emony where we raise money for the CCA.
We’ll continue to work on that.”
In just seven years and overcoming a year of COVID cancellations, the Plantation Redfish Classic has grown from a modest tournament with bold ambitions to one that is now a must-mark on all anglers’ calendars. A great resort, beautiful waterways, a healthy fishery and a big par ty will generally make it happen – and in Crystal River it certainly has.
Flavorful
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•
•
make crust:
• Add crust to greased
• Add peanut butter, vanilla extract and plant cream; beat until smooth and creamy.
• Pour filling into prepared crust and refrigerate 5-6 hours or overnight.
• To make chocolate ganache: In pan over medium heat, add plant butter cubes and chocolate; stir continuously.
• Spread chocolate ganache evenly on top of chilled cheesecake. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.
dish
press firmly to bottom and sides; refrigerate.
• To make filling: In bowl of electric mixer, beat
smooth and creamy.
• Add powdered sugar; beat until fully incorporated.
Source: Country Crock Plant Cream Visit CountryCrock.com for more delectable holiday dessert ideas.
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
30 S Magnolia Ave.,
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
-
- 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.
Join us every Sunday unless it is a holiday 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday Brunch $26.95/Adult $19.95/Child
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 For reservations, call (352) 651-5746 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
we are offering, for a limited
Lakeview is a wonderful place to
Lakeview is a wonderful place to
Lakeview is a wonderful place to
stage and many dining
activities and service.
Lakeview.
Brought to you by GO52.events
Nov. 19 @ 10am–3pm
2250 NE 70th Street, Ocala
More Splendid Things proudly supports Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary E.A.R.S. Come out and enjoy a fun filled day of great vendors, food raffles, silent auctions including 2 gift certificates for MST SHOPPING SPREE and the hottest cars, trucks and bikes around. Free for spectators and only $10 donation to enter your ride in the show. Limited vendor space still available. • hotcarsandcoolcats@gmail.com
Nov. 4-6 @ 10am-5pm
Experience the Taste of Ocala. Florida is home to world-class chefs, Michelin star restaurants, and the one-of-a-kind food experiences. From food trucks to festivals and fine dining, our unique flavors are built on Florida’s fresh, local ingredients, just-caught seafood, and creativity in the kitchen. But food is just one of the many reasons Floridians love where they live. Join a community of proud Floridians at LoveFL to discover more to love about where we live. • https://www.ocalafoodandwinefest.com/
Nov. 26 @ 10-3pm at Marion Therapeutic Riding Association 6850 SE 41st Court, Ocala
MTRA will be hosting its 4th Annual Arts & Crafts Market. This is a FREE family-friendly event supporting Small Business Saturday with local vendors while raising awareness for some of MTRA's programs, including Therapeutic Riding, Freedom Reins for Veterans, and the Equine Experience for Foster Children & At-Risk Youth. Enjoy a day of arts, crafts, and family activities! The market hosts 40+ Arts & Crafts Vendors and Direct Sales Vendors, Live Music & Dance Performances, a Photo Booth, Car Show, Food, Pony Rides, Pie Eating and Pie Baking Contests, and a fun activity area.
Nov. 16 @ 10am-4pm
Ocala Downtown Market
So nice we did it twice! Please join us Wednesday November 16th for our second installment of the Ocala Oddities Marketplace!Bones, bugs, spooky, scary, vintage, retro, macabre! If it’s weird, unique or odd you’ll see it at the Ocala Oddities Market! Admission is always FREE! Family friendly. event! Music, good trucks, and more!of inclement weather, the FFAW will move to the Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE 3rd St.
The world welcomes and desires to hear the brightest ideas. This year’s TEDxOcala theme is, "The Power Of..." Our speakers will share the power of their idea with the Ocala audience. Tickets are on sale now for one of the most anticipated TEDx events in the world, the 8th annual TEDxOcala, which returns to the College of Central in the Fine Arts Auditorium with an audience capacity of 400 - 425 of Ocala's leading thinkers, doers, and influencers. Saturday, Guests will hear sixteen ideas worth sharing. • https:// www.tedxocala.com
Nov. 19 @ 4-9pm | Downtown Ocala
Light Up Ocala is a longstanding community tradition to kick off the holidays that attracts thousands to downtown Ocala. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the holiday merry making event. Light Up Ocala will have over 100 vendors including crafts, art and plenty of food options. Live entertainment will fill the air with festive sounds and an interactive kids zone will keep the whole family entertained. Junior Sunshine holiday parade with a special appearance by Santa. All of which culminates in the most exciting part of the event: lighting up downtown Ocala! Stay tuned for more information closer to the event, including parking information and full event schedule. • For more information visit www.ocalafl.org/lightup
Nov. 12th & 13th @ 9am-4pm
Ocali Country Days Festival held at Silver Springs State Park. Enter the park from CR35/Baseline Road Entrance. . Sat. Nov. 12th and Sun., Nov 13, 9am-4pm. $8 per person event fee, Kids 5 and under free, with park admission. Park admission is $8/vehicle with more than one guest or $5/ vehicle with one guest. • For more information visit silverrivermuseum.com
Visit GO52.events to find oodles more events in Ocala/ Marion County.
The November CEP After Hours was hosted at Mainstreet Commu nity Bank of Florida’s Ocala Loca tion, which is entering its 4th year in downtown Ocala on Mainstreet-Magnolia.
As a locally owned and operated full-ser vice Community Bank, it is very proud to be part of the development and revitalization of downtown Ocala.
Curious about Mainstreet? Join them for Community Appreciation Day on November 18, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. They will have gourmet hot dogs, hamburgers, and great mu sic by a local artist.
Mainstreet Community Bank: Helping to build our community one neighbor at a time.
The Ocala Lions Club Charities Foundation would appreciate the support of the Ocala/ Marion County Business Community through the commitment of sponsorships to this full field event. The tournament (a four person scramble) will be held on December 3, 2022, at the Ocala Golf Club (Muni)
Platinum Level: $1,000
Have the name of your company significantly displayed on all promotional materials, on signs posted at the golf course on the day of the tournament, and in the program publication given to each participant. Receive a free entry for one golf team (four players).
Gold Sponsor: $500
The name of your company will be displayed on all promotional materials, on signs posted at the golf course on the day of the tournament, as well as in the program publication given to each participant.
Silver Sponsor: $250
The name of your company will be acknowledged on signs posted at the golf course on the day of the tournament, as well as in the program publication given to each participant.
Be a partner with the Ocala Lions Club Charities Foundation in serving the community with its sight and hearing programs, Christmas in July, and Silent Santa Programs (these programs provide school supplies
gifts to underprivileged children).
To become a sponsor, contact: Garry Adel: 352-895-1084 or Barry Fies: 352-362-7713
The 26th Annual Autumn Gift Market was held at the Southeast ern Livestock Pavilion. The Junior League of Ocala is an organiza tion of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful commu nity impact through volunteer action, collab oration, and training.
Interfaith Emergency Services Annual Vol unteer Appreciation Breakfast was held on October 22nd at First United Methodist Church to honor the more than 250 vol unteers that donate time, travel, and love in as sisting persons experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Marion County. Without the dedication of these amazing volunteers, Inter faith would not be the organization it is today, assisting clients with food services, prescription assistance, free clothing, or sustainable housing totaling over 15,000 volunteer hours in all 9 of their ministries.
The
PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT
Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) host ed its annual Customer Appre ciation Day at Citizens' Circle in conjunction with the Public Power Week. To show appreciation for its customers, OEU provided food from the Mojo Grill and Catering Company at this free event that included family-friendly ac tivities, educational items, and giveaways. Appreciation prizes included bill credits to be used on customer accounts.
“Ocala Electric Utility is dedicated to the community we serve,” said Doug Pee bles, Director of Electric Utilities.
The 3rd Annual OEU/United Way Golf Scramble, held on Octo ber 14, was hugely successful and raised over $7,706. A record break ing 27 4-player teams and 29 hole sponsors participated to benefit United Way of Marion County, with pledges to bring even more sup port next year.
So far, OEU has exceeded its pledged $12,000 donation and has raised $14,000 for United Way of Marion County in the 2022 fundraising campaign. OEU employ ees consistently show support for other de partmental events and look forward to the City’s annual United Way Day on Wednes day, October 26. OEU is honored to support United Way each year and looks forward to the impacts of this organization’s services throughout our community.
PHOTOS BY JENN PRINCINSKY
Chandra Wellness Center had its ribbon cutting with the CEP to kick off its new business. They hosted an Open House and in troduced EmFace for facial tightening and wrinkle reduction. The Neo “Get Real” Bus did free demos on the Emsculpt Neo for body sculpting and EmSella for bladder incontinence. For more information, visit StrongandhealthyOcala.com
The Kash brothers, all born on October 12 in different years, re cently celebrated their big day at the Ocala Elks Lodge. Brothers Mike (born 1949), Dennis (1951) and Jim my (1952) celebrated the fascinating anom aly of shared birth days with approximately 80 family members and friends. Amazingly, Dennis’ wife Vicki, who passed away this past Aug. 19, was also born on Oct. 12.
Jimmy, owner of James Kash Mason ry and Concrete, resides in Ocala and is married to Kathy. They have two daugh ters, a son, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Dennis, a retired Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, resides in Dunnellon and has three daughters, a son, 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
The eldest, Mike, is retired from the Marion County Building Department and resides in Ocala with his wife Bonnie. They have two sons, two daughters, five grandchil dren and three great grandchildren.
The event was catered by Tin Cup Ca tering with music provided by Dennis Rose.
Love
Face
It all started with Kelly Moore. She used to board her horse with Kathy Genth in Englewood, before moving to the Horse Capital. Moore knew that, in the after math of Hurricane Ian, Genth was in trouble, with fences demolished, her barn roof ripped off and her hay and feed wet and washed away, she had no way to provide for her 32 horses. There was no immediate help in sight and no feed stores open, even if she could safely traverse the flooded roads and downed power lines. Moore knew of me from Face book and so she decided to message me about the plight of these horses. And so it began.
From the moment I asked Tamara Fleischhaker, my VIP at the CEP of the Equine Initiative presented by Pyranha, could be mobilized to help the horses of south Florida, she was all in. Tamara, who is a lifelong horse person herself, knows the immediate needs of livestock owners. She reached out to our CEO, Kevin Sheilley to confirm being able to use the Foundation for the CEP for donations and so it began. With the title ‘horse capital of the world’, who else is more qualified to assist those in need in South Florida with their horse needs, in the aftermath of a hurricane like Ian.
Removing the concern and burden from owners of how to provide for animals in a disaster allows people to be able to focus on self-preservation and also prevents them from taking risks to get the supplies they need. This helps first responders to focus on humans and rescue efforts. Hurricane Ian ripped through South Florida with winds well over 150 mph and with a massive storm
BY LOUISA BARTONsurge. Those in low lying areas like Engle wood, Arcadia, Fort Myers, North Port, Pine Island and other areas where horses live were in dire straits. Barns and fences were gone, feed supplies destroyed and in many cases they had no water and horses were standing chest deep in flood waters.
I knew I could always count on the kind ness of Richard and Peggy Larsen at Larsen Hay, so I reached out. As expected, Richard immediately asked his marketing manager Betsy Bevacqua to help me in any way pos sible, donating a large amount of hay to the cause. Betsy, being Betsy, jumped right in and offered to drive me south into the hardest hit areas. We coordinated a safe route with our lo cal police department and made sure they were aware of our journey. After our first trip south safely avoiding dangerous rising flood waters, we saw such devastation and upon our return, we made another phone call. Richard Larsen doubled his original hay donation. Others in our incredible community jumped right in and a team formed, providing fencing, delivering it and building fences to enclose horses with no place to go. Tamie Leedy, Danyelle McGinity and their team from the Florida Mounted unit jumped right on board with us, ready and more than qualified to assist. We were able to estab lish several locations willing to distribute down in south Florida for us. All three of these loca tions were well-spaced apart within the hardest hit region. We then partnered with the State of Florida Department of Agriculture to co ordinate with them as soon as they had boots on the ground. The outreach and the grateful hearts showed humanity at its very best. A very
large donation came in and we started plan ning to purchase more fencing and yet more donations arrived. The faces and relieved tears of the recipients of the delivered feed and hay made each trip more and more valuable to us. We were there to relieve their greatest fear, be ing unable to provide for their animals.
Jason Reynolds, Executive Director of the Florida Horse Park, as always eager to help in any way that he could, allowed us to use the park as a drop-off point for animal related supplies and donations poured in. A GoFundMe was set up for monetary dona tions and checks started coming in from all over, including a very generous donation from Brad Bolen at Lip Chip LLC and from the Quarter Horse Congress. The outpouring and generosity of humanity in times like these is heartwarming. T.T. Distributors do nated thousands of dollars of supplies to the cause and upon running into Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse at Ocala Breeders Sales (OBS), he generously put another large sum on his account to us at Ocala Breeders Feed Store, and that didn’t include the hay and feed OBS had already donated. Another top thor oughbred trainer, who keeps her finger on the pulse of the horse world, Susan Montagne, followed needs on social media for us and kept regular messages coming in from those in need, while also assisting with donations.
We formed a team to deliver the most
of Louisa Bartonneeded supplies. Jessica from Procyon Train ing, Jorge from Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses and Jake and Stephanie from Pear Tree Ranch all joined in to help us with logistics and all took their time and ex pense to help us transport more down south. Manny Termini, with his huge heart, was a big part of the success of our missions, as the owner of White Horse Farm, which was our most important delivery and distribution point. We were also grateful to Kim Farrell at Fox Lea Farm, allowing us another import ant delivery site in Venice, a more northerly location. A top equestrian, Kylie Manke, who boards two horses of her own at White Horse Farm in North Fort Myers took it upon her self to load her own horse trailer up to deliver to a totally demolished saddle club farm who she knew of in Cape Coral. Kylie also rescued some dogs and two parrots from Pine Island by boat for an elderly lady, in her spare time.
Hurricane Ian was devastating for all. It is overwhelming and heartbreaking to lose everything, but to know that your horses, livestock, dogs, cows and goats are taken care off, allows those in the hardest hit areas to concentrate on recovery without the added concern of their animals. To most of us our animals are our family. They do not get left behind and we feel a great responsibility to also provide for them before we even take care of ourselves.
I am so grateful to work for an organi zation which backs me undertaking such an important task and understands the needs of horse owners and supports me in this team endeavor. It takes a village and we really do have the BEST and most qualified team in the horse capital!
If you would like to leave a check at the CEP made to the Foundation for the CEP, and mark it equine disaster relief, 100% of it will go to the cause.
To continue to raise funds for South Florida’s Horses and livestock via the Foundation for CEP donations to 310 Se Third Street Ocala Fl 34471, marked for Equine Disaster Fund or the GoFundMe (see below). They still have a long road ahead of them down in South Florida!
https://gofund.me/a9b4b9bc
Horses have what is called a ‘stay-apparatus’. This is a system of tendons and ligaments that allow the horse to lock their legs in position, so they are able to relax without falling over. When not sleeping, horses also use this to rest while standing for long periods of time, so they don’t fatigue. This allows them to conserve energy while standing, so they are ready to take flight if needed. It is, however, a myth that horses never lie down. They do sometimes like to lie down for a deeper sleep.
October 20 2pm Meet at the Florida Horse Park 11008 S Highway 475 behind the Polo field by the covered arena. Tour and preparation for the Hobby Horse Eques trian Games. Bring a folding chair and wear boots or comfortable shoes please.
October 22, 2022 10-4pm The Hobby Horse Equestrian Games, presented by Ev erglades Equipment Leesburg, your local John Deere dealer at the Florida Horse Park 11008 S Highway 475. Free admission for all. Learn horse sports from top equestrians from the safety of a stick horse. Compete for ribbons. Bring your own stick horse or ride one of ours, provided by Equus Television. Hay Rides by Larsen Hay and a real Horse Capital Parade, presented by Invictus Real Estate. Kiss a horse, breeds information, horse demos, vendors, food trucks and horsing around fun!
Louisa Barton is the Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, Showcase Proper ties of Central Florida Farm Realtor and host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3, Audacy.com and Equus Television.
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The primary mission of the Ocala Lions Club is sight and hearing conservation. With our Kidsight Program, we test virtu ally every preschooler in Marion County for lazy eye and other diseases. We provide free eye exams and eyeglasses, and hearing exams and hearing aids for those who cannot afford them. We pay for surgery when necessary to conserve or improve someone’s vision.
LOCATION:
The Ocala Lions Club meets at noon every Thursday for lunch at the Ocala Municipal Golf Course.
To aid our community by giving our sympa thy to those in distress, our aid to the weak, and substance to the needy.
We financially support eight statewide and eight districtwide projects that support the hearing and visually impaired. We collect eyeglasses to be distributed in the develop ing world. We support local veterans and other local nonprofits. We collect food every month to donate to the Backpack for Kids Program. Over the holidays, our Silent Santa Program buys clothing and toys for under privileged children in the community.
You can help the mission of the Ocala Lions Club by becoming a member and getting in volved in all of our programs, or by sponsor ing or playing in our annual golf tournament, which is at Ocala Municipal Golf Course on the first Saturday in December.
LEADERSHIP: David Leigh, President Garry D. Adel, Chairman of the Golf Committee
EACH MONTH, OCALA MAGAZINE FEATURES A LOCAL CHARITY THAT UPLIFTS OUR COMMUNITY. THIS MONTH’S CHARITY IS OCALA LIONS CLUB.BY THE NUMBERS:
Our
mediately following a pregnancy.
Managing conditions like high blood pressure before getting pregnant helps keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy and beyond. In addition, your health during and immediately after a pregnancy can shape the lifelong health of you and your child. If you’re planning to become pregnant or are currently pregnant, it’s important to regular ly monitor your blood pressure.
Some stress is unavoidable but constant stress is not healthy. Chronic or constant stress may lead to high blood pressure and other unhealthy behavior choices, which can increase risk for stroke.
Based on findings in a Stress in Amer ica 2020 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, the top sources of stress are money, work, family responsi bilities and health concerns. Managing your stress and blood pressure can improve your overall health and well-being. Reclaim con trol of your schedule and build in time to invest in your health. Find 10 minutes every day to do something for you, like listening to music, meditating or going for a walk.
It may not be widely known that wom en face unique risk factors for stroke throughout their lifetime. Things like pregnancy, preeclampsia and chronic stress can increase the risk for high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke.
Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death among women, according to the Centers for Dis ease Control and Prevention (CDC), and 1 in 5 women will have a stroke. However, a large majority of strokes can be prevented.
Caring for yourself by understanding your risk factors can help reduce your risk for stroke and provide a better quality of life. Start managing your stroke risk with these tips from the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association:
The first step you can take in reducing your risk for stroke is knowing your blood pressure and keeping it in a healthy range. High blood pres sure is the No. 1 preventable cause of stroke,
according to the American Heart Association.
The best way to know your blood pres sure is to have it measured at least once per year by a health care professional and reg ularly monitor it at home then discuss the numbers with a doctor. For most people, a normal blood pressure should be 120/80 mm HG or less.
In addition to properly monitoring blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating healthfully and reducing or eliminating alcohol and to bacco usage can help control blood pressure. If you do develop high blood pressure, work with a health care professional on a plan to help manage it.
In the United States, high blood pressure during pregnancy is becoming more com mon, according to the CDC, and medical conditions including preeclampsia, gesta tional diabetes and blood clots during preg nancy all increase stroke risk during and im
A stroke can happen to anyone at any point in life. Immediate treatment may help min imize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. Learn how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T:
Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
Arm weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to un derstand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like “The sky is blue.”
Time to call 911 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immedi ately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Talk to your doctor about ways to im prove your well-being and help prevent stroke. Find more wellness tips at stroke.org
BY ASHLEY DOBBS
The fall season is upon us. Pumpkins are slowly making their way into our homes and hearts and the breeze in the air feels slightly cooler. Al though it is sometimes hard to distinguish the fall season in Florida, there are certain events that signal that it has officially arrived. Here are five things to look forward to in Ocala throughout the month of November.
First Friday Art Walk – This Ocala sta ple begins annually in September, but our community’s love for all things art makes it a fan favorite each month through spring. Happening the first Friday of each month, this downtown event is great for families and friends to explore the shops and restaurants that line the historic brick streets, while art ists display their creativity. Live music from the gazebo provides the perfect soundtrack for an autumn evening downtown.
Discovery Center – This local children’s museum provides endless opportunities to learn. Providing hands-on activities in a fun environment, the newest exhibit explores why “Science Matters,” not only because sci ence is important but because the four states of matter (solid, liquid, gas and plasma) exist in everyday life. (See what we did there?!)
Whether it’s a play on words or a great place for kids to play, the Discovery Center has something the whole family can enjoy. The new exhibit is open now through Dec. 3.
Soggy Doggy Swim – The aquatic cen ters have gone to the dogs! Literally. The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the first Soggy Doggy Swim Day Saturday, Nov. 5, at Jervey Gantt Aquatic Center. Your furry friend will have an op portunity to splash around the pool, make new doggy friends, and have its best day ever. For a full list of rules and swim times
for your pup, visit www.ocalafl.org/our-city/ living/city-event-calendar.
Fort King National Historic Landmark – The historic significance of this park is the main reason why guests should visit; how ever, the educational programming each month makes it perfect for multiple visits. The Historic Homesteading courses will be wrapping up for the season and the final class will focus on cast iron cooking. Hap pening Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, and only $15 per person, learn tips on how to care for cast iron cookware and secrets for cooking success. Guests may even pick up some new cooking tips just in time for their own Thanksgiving feast and holiday celebra tions. Register at www.ocalafl.org/recpark
Light Up Ocala – The annual tradition will once again light up the night in down town Ocala. Considered the unofficial start of the holiday season, it feels like the perfect
exclamation point to all our Fall festivities in Ocala. Light Up Ocala will take place Satur day, Nov. 19, from 4-9 p.m. The Jr. Sunshine Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. and the official lighting ceremony happens at 6 p.m., mak ing it a not-to-be-missed event. There will be plenty of lights, crafts, food vendors, and holiday activities to keep everyone enter tained throughout the night.
For more information on events, follow the Ocala Recreation and Parks Department on Facebook and Instagram @OcalaRecPark.
Ashley Dobbs is marketing and communication manager for the City of Ocala.
BY MARK ANDERSON
Late September and early October was a busy time for Marion Coun ty as we all prepared for and recov ered from Hurricane Ian. While our community was spared the worst effects, many of our neighbors down south weren’t so lucky. Whether it was Animal Services prepping Vanguard High School as an an imal-friendly shelter for those evacuating, or our fire rescue teams sending help down south, our community came together to help those in need. Here are a few photos from around the county the past few weeks.
Mark Anderson is a public relations specialist for Marion County.
Strolling along Fort King Street among the historic homes and offices, one most certainly passes by “Honey Bee,” the purple and gold Horse Fever stat ue painted by artist Christian Stanley. Hon ey Bee stands guard in front of a significant historical treasure for Ocala, and one that also houses the current offices for Ocala Magazine, the Z.C. Chambliss House.
Built in 1891, the home is one in a long list of Victorian Frame Vernacular Style homes in the area. The historical marker out front states that the “… house exhib its Gothic architectural influences. Exten sive intricate woodwork along with French stained glass and tile influences is featured throughout the interior.”
The house is especially remarkable for its yellow exterior with pastel colors for its trim. The house is seen as a prime example of the continuation of the Queen Anne Re vival influence in its “asymmetrical massing, decorative wood and glass work,” according to The Historical Marker Data Base.
As for the house’s namesake, Z.C. Chambliss was among the early leaders of Ocala as one who helped shepherd the lo cal banking industry through a rough pe riod. Along with T.T. Munroe, Chambliss founded the Munroe and Chambliss Bank in 1897, the only local bank from that peri od that has survived to the present day albeit under different names and ownerships.
After the collapse of the citrus industry following the freeze of 1895, it was Chambliss’ bank that helped resurrect banking in Ocala. But banking was not the only strong suit of Chambliss. Rivaling his exploits as a banker was Chambliss’ role in agriculture, specifically in breeding pure-blooded livestock.
With Munroe, Chambliss created what is believed to be Marion County’s first stock
farm southwest of Ocala in the late 1890s. It was at that location in 1902 where the state’s first auction of blooded hogs was held. At that auction, the emphasis was on pureblood hogs with such breeds as Hampshire, Duroc and Berkshire.
The livestock activity fueled by Cham bliss led to competitions and the creation of the Marion County Fair in 1908, which housed exhibition buildings for livestock and farm products as well as a racetrack for hors es. This led to the creation of a fairgrounds on West Broadway, or what is now Silver Springs Boulevard, at the current location of the Martin Luther King Recreation Com plex. The fair closed in the 1920s, but in the
late 1930s was revived at a new location as the Southeastern Fat Stock Show and Sale, then finally as the Southeastern Youth Fair.
Chambliss’ contributions did not stop with banking or livestock, or even the cre ation of a Marion County fair – he was also a man of the water and helped found one of the area’s longest-running clubs. In 1909, Cham bliss was among the first officers of the Lake Weir Yacht Club, which exists to this day. He served as treasurer of the club, whose stated objective was “to unite owners of launches on Lake Weir in closer affiliation; to hold launch parades, water carnivals, races, picnics and other functions, and to promote and protect fishing in Lake Weir.”
