Ocala Magazine December 2022 Digital Issue

What An Amazing Year!

Thank You

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I say “Thank you” to all our wonderful Buyers, Sellers and Friends, as well as to my husband, JJ and my dynamic team, Bonnie and Francis, for an amazing year in 2022.

Ocala is near and dear to my heart, and I am blessed to be able to share my knowledge of the Ocala area and land with my clients so they too can call Ocala and Marion County home.

From new enthusiasts to long time Ocala residents, the Joan Pletcher Real Estate Network is the insiders’ choice for all your real estate needs.

Whether you are interested in a home to raise your family, a farm for business or pleasure, raw law or commercial real estate, we want to make sure that your find the right property to fit your needs.

Wishing you and your family the very best this Holiday Season and a Healthy, Happy, and Prosperous New Year.

Via Paradisus

Sold in 2022

Sold in 2022

We’ve all heard it’s better to give than to receive, and Stacy Joyner agrees— especially when that gift is peace of mind about your company’s finances. Since Stacy is the lead partner for the Accounting & Controllership Services (ACS) team at James Moore, that makes a lot of sense.

Our ACS team provides everything from à la carte services to a fully outsourced accounting department. We also provide Controllership Consulting services for sophisticated expertise to guide your operations and monitor your overall financial picture (for a fraction of the cost of an in-house Controller).

Carlton

ART

Little Black Mask Media

Jessi Miller | Creative Director jessi@ocalamagazine.com Jenn Princinsky | Creative Assistant Andrew Grunther | Graphic Designer Website StevensLabs

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ralph Demilio | Chief Photographer ralph@ocalamagazine.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Mark Anderson/Marion County | Writer

Gabriela Sullivan/City of Ocala | Writer

Mayor Kent Guinn | Columnist

Brandi Wright | Social Photographer

OPERATIONS

Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO randy@ocalamagazine.com

A Merry, normal Christmas to all

WITH DECEMBER COMES THE HOLIDAY SEASON and for 2022 we are looking forward to one that finally brings us back to full “normalcy.” Even in 2021, the Christmas season was still tainted by COVID and we weren’t able to make things quite like we had for our whole lives before 2020, but it certainly feels more normal now. No, COVID is not fully behind us but at least we have moved past it for the most part so that we can feel safe around our friends and families at this time of year.

The holidays are about family, first and foremost, and I plan on taking advantage of the new normal by spending as much time with my kids as possible. That means a trip to Vail, Colorado, to enjoy the snow and the slopes, but mainly be with my kids and disconnected from the cell phones, iPads and other technologies that seem to draw our attention away from what really matters.

I hope that all our readers have a merry Christmas and spend the season connecting or reconnecting with the ones they love. If COVID taught us anything, it’s that we do not take for granted all the times we have together.

Speaking of taking things for granted, the ability to read is something that few of us take into consideration how important it is to our daily lives. For many of us, reading is like breathing and we think nothing of it, but for those adults who are illiterate every moment is a constant reminder of a large void that exists in their lives.

The inability to read may be one of the largest obstacles placed in front of a person when it comes to succeeding in life. Even the smallest of tasks quite often require more than just a rudimentary understanding of the written language and not being able to recognize words or decipher their meanings creates limitations that are unthinkable to most of us.

As a publisher of a magazine, I certainly understand the importance of the written word and have a great appreciation for those people and organizations who make it their mission to curb illiteracy in our community. One such organization is Altrusa International, in which the local chapter here provides so much help when it comes to literacy.

Altrusa’s establishment of seven “Little Free Libraries” around Marion County is helping tackle the problem of illiteracy by providing free reading material to citizens. The organization also provides books at many community events and to teachers via the Public Education Foundation for Marion County’s Tools-For-Teachers supply store.

Knowing that you cannot read what you cannot see, Altrusa has also been a major player in pro viding eyeglasses to children who are visually impaired. Through the Nancy Jones Eyes to See program, over 1,000 children have received badly-needed eyeglasses.

Altrusa, whose original mission was in the field of combating illiteracy, has expanded to help those in need in many other material ways as well as awarding scholarships to local graduating high school seniors and those entering the workforce. Each year, $5,000 is earmarked for scholarships.

December is the season for giving, and organizations like Altrusa make giving a year-round project. The seeds planted by Altrusa through their work with children will bear much fruit in the future and our community will be the better for it.

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

The Altrusa Little Free Library

Preserving our equine identity

You can’t live with them. And you can’t live without them.

That was the message, mixed as it was, that came out of Horse Farms Forever’s annual “Conversation About Conservation” last month, when Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue addressed the group of horse farm owners and business leaders regarding the future of major highway construction through Marion County.

Twice in the past decade proposals by FDOT to build four-lane toll roads through western Marion County have mobilized HFF and others because of the threat they would pose to our community’s equine in dustry, not to mention our iconic springs.

First, in 2018 FDOT proposed build ing the so-called Coastal Connector right through some of Marion County’s bestknown horse farms. That led to an outcry by local residents and the creation of Horse Farms Forever.

Then a couple of years ago, FDOT pro posed running what it calls the Northern Turnpike Extension from the Florida Turn pike’s termination at Wildwood northwest through southwest Marion County. The result was the emergence of the “No Build” movement and redoubling of HFF’s efforts to protect Marion County’s equine industry, especially its Farmland Preservation Area, from the encroachment of development. Be cause we all known if they build it, a road that is, people will come and come and come.

Perdue, a native of the Florida Panhan dle, came to assuage the horse farm owners, although, frankly, the message was less than reassuring.

“I actually love the idea of horse farms and preservation,” he said.

Awesome.

Despite saying FDOT “believes in re lationships” and seeks to foster “trust, loyalty, commitment and respect” with the citizenry it

impacts, Perdue fell short of declaring that any new highways would bypass Marion County.

“How do we plan and still preserve the quality of life we all know?” he asked.

He noted that 60 percent of Florida’s explosive growth is occurring in 10 of the state’s 67 counties. Two of those 10 counties are Marion’s neighbors to the south, Lake and Sumter. Hence, more highways are needed in the region.

He did say that FDOT is making “an ab solute priority” – finally – of widening Interstate 75 by two lanes from State Road 44 in Wild wood to County Road 326 north of Ocala. The project has been dubbed “I-75 Forward.”

Yet, he told the crowd FDOT is still looking at extending the turnpike.

Perdue was followed to the podium by Tracy Straub, Marion County assistant county administrator for public works and growth services. Straub, who was quick to assure the gathering that the county had no

BY BRAD ROGERS

road work planned in the Farmland Preser vation Area, noted that the county is cur rently issuing 5,000 residential building per mits a year and that growth will inevitably demand new and bigger roads.

She noted that almost half of the coun ty is either national forest land or agricultur al properties, including the Farmland Pres ervation Area in the northwest quadrant of the county, which accounts for 19 percent of the county.

“We continue to thrive as a natural gem,” Straub said.

Straub, a fifth-generation Marion Countian, said the county will need $4 bil lion worth of road work between now and 2045. That’s a lot of road work.

Thank goodness for Horse Farms For ever. They have been vigilant in tracking new development in the county, monitoring every development permit request submit ted to the county. The group actually got an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan to enhance protection of the 193,000 acres that make up the Farmland Preserva tion Area and, as HFF Director of Com munications Michelle Grald put it, Marion County’s “unique global identity and brand.”

People are coming to Florida and Mar ion County at a dizzying rate. Roads will be needed to move them and us around. But the horse industry, while being a $2 billion economic driver in our community, is also our modern-day heritage that sets our com munity apart from virtually anywhere else. Preservation is not an option, it is essential.

While Perdue’s words were less than re assuring, HFF’s efforts give hope.

Linda Bammann (Laughing Horse Farm)

Jared Perdue (FDOT), George Isaacs, and Bernie Little

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from theMAYOR

Pancakes and parades: part of Ocala’s traditions

BY MAYOR KENT GUINN

As Ocala is growing at such a rapid pace, one of the things I find so comforting is how our city seems to maintain its small-town charm with its simple, yet beautiful traditions. I’ve written in this space regarding many of the traditions we enjoy here and how those of us as adults today remember them when we were children. In December, some of Ocala’s most wonderful traditions take place, ones that I look forward to more than any other.

For me, Saturday, Dec. 10, will be one of the best days of the year in Ocala. That day is when the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake Day Fundraiser and the Ocala Christmas Parade takes place. Yes, a pancake breakfast may seem like no big deal to many people, but for many years this event has been a great way for Ocalans to gather in a spirit of charity and goodwill.

Going to the Kiwanis Pancake Day, it is inevitable you will run into people you may have not seen in a while and have some catching up to do. Every year I witness people running into each other with loud greetings of, “Hey, how great to see you! It’s been so long!” It’s inevitable that par ents of schoolchildren run into each other and discuss the topics of the day and one might overhear discussions of business or even the status of relatives having moved to places far away.

This will be the 59th Kiwanis Pancake Day and I remember going to it in the early 1980s and it still has the same impact and is one of the things that makes Ocala so unique. That a simple charity breakfast can attract the attention of so many locals is one of those elements that keeps our small-town vibe so strong.

The event this year will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Eighth Street Elementary School. Cost for the all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes and sausages is $5 per person with all proceeds going to benefit Camp Kiwanis, yet another of the great traditions in Ocala that has connected so many generations of locals.

Then there is the Christmas Parade that same evening. Now in its 66th year, the parade has been a fixture for young and old and embraced by newcomers just the same. Local high school and middle school bands marching, the honoring of youth sports teams and the show casing of local clubs and organizations that do so much to make this a better place are all in the offing. It’s a great way to cap the day and gear up for the stretch run of the holiday season.

This year’s theme for the parade is “Hometown Country,” and what better complement to that than a Jimmie Allen concert the night before at the World Equestrian Center to benefit the Travis Mills Foundation. The event is part of the “Never Give Up On Country” benefit and features Allen, Colt Ford and Kidd G, all to benefit “recalibrated” veterans and their families.

Allen was named the Country Music Association New Artist of the Year for 2021 and has had two songs hit No.1 on the country charts.

To top off the weekend will be the annual golf cart parade Sunday, Dec. 11. A new tra dition that I hope stands the test of time, the golf cart parade is a great visual showcase of carts decked out in lights and Christmas décor in some of the most creative ways. It has even evolved into a downtown block party that only adds to the festive atmosphere.

Yes, it may be my favorite day of the year and it is now surrounded by a concert and a golf cart parade to make it a fantastic weekend. I plan to take all of it in, and you should too!

Via Paradisus

Beauty and serenity for horse and nature lovers

BY BRAD ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO

From the moment you pass through the massive, elegant gates of Via Paradisus, the beau ty and uniqueness of this upscale community in southern Marion County immediately ignites the senses. From its tree-canopied roads to its rolling hills to its abundance of wildlife, Via Paradisus lives up to its name, which is Latin for “way to paradise.”

And paradise it is, according to those who reside in this sprawling 1,000-acre community on County Road 475 abutting the Cross Florida Greenway to its north, as well as Florida Horse Park to the west.

“Primarily we were looking for agri cultural land for birding and horses with Greenway access,” said Darcy Shaddix, who with husband, Steve, moved into their “modern farmhouse” on 11 acres in 2020. “It was just awe-inspiring when we drove in.” Next door to the Shaddixes live David Tre itel and Carla D’Andre-Treitel, who moved here from Miami last summer and purchased a home and 33 acres that provide both priva cy and room for their horses.

“This community is lovely,” said David Treitel, a financier. “We spent a lot of time looking at a lot of properties. Then we saw this community – and we loved it. The en trance is so impressive. Then you see the treelined road, which you just don’t see anywhere.

“You want to have your own farm and you want to have your own community. We couldn’t find anything like this, and we looked around. We looked at every place.”

Purchased by Ocala developer Glenn Lane and his First American International Inc. in 2005, Via Paradisus is located 9 miles south

of downtown Ocala on County Road 475 on what once was the Franks Farm, owned by the late and legendary horseman John Franks. Lane, who also developed Turning Hawk and Turning Hawk II, said he was immediately struck by the beauty of the property. It was the proximity to the Greenway, though, that Lane thought made Via Paradisus special.

“I knew the value of the Greenway,” he said. “I thought the Greenway was going to be one of the best natural assets in the center of the state. I fell in love with it. I thought this place can be beautiful.”

After Lane acquired the property, the state of Florida created the Florida Agricul ture Center and Horse Park, whose entrance is across County Road 475 from Via Par adisus. For horse people, the location could not be more perfect.

In addition to having direct access to the Greenway and the Horse Park, Lane de signed the lots in Via Paradisus with enough setback so there are riding trails throughout the community.

“You want to have your own farm and you want to have your own community. We couldn’t find anything like this, and we looked around. We looked at every place.”

Darcy Shaddix on Bristo

Carla D’Andre Treitel and Alice Petersen

LIVING IN VIA PARADISUS

The Shaddixes and Treitels say living in Via Paradisus is special because of its large home sites, its natural surroundings and its peace and quiet. The 5,000-square-foot Shaddix home was designed to bring as much of that beauty and nature into their living room, with a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows stretching across the back of their house.

“It’s so nice looking out there and not seeing a house,” said Steve Shaddix. “The vistas – and they are vistas, not views – are just remarkable.”

Shaddix, who owns Market of Marion, is a lifelong bird watcher, as now is his wife,

Darcy, and Via Paradisus pro vides them a magnificent venue from which to pursue their hob by.

“We all love nature; we all love the outdoors,” Darcy Shad dix said, referring to themselves and their fellow Via Paradisus residents. “We knew we wanted it to have the potential for bird ing.”

The Shaddixes have not been disappointed. Since mov ing into Via Paradisus, she said they have identified more than

“You come here and you can have your

Glenn and Theresa Lane

Steve and Darcy Shaddix

tributes to the community’s diverse habitats that include everything from marshlands to grasslands to stands of big oaks.

“My favorite thing is to see a flock of like 27 turkeys,” she added. “It just brings a smile to my face.”

In addition to birds, the Shaddixes see a wide array of other wildlife on a daily basis. There are bobcats, coyotes, pigs, bears, deer and owls.

But it’s not just the living creatures that make Via Paradisus unique. There is nothing cookie-cutter about the community. Each home is custom built by whichever builder the buyer chooses. While lots, which range in size from 5 to 20 acres – and some peo ple have bought multiple lots for up to 40 acres – are marketed through Joan Pletcher Real Estate Network, the homebuilding is left to the lot buyer, although Via Paradisus does have an architectural review board that must approve plans to ensure the quality and character of the community.

For Steve Shaddix, that diversity of home styles makes the neighborhood “inter esting” and different from most other Mari on County developments

“You come here and you can have your dream house,” Lane said. “They’ll have the perfect setting, and then they can dream about what their life and home can be.”

Part of that dream, according to the Shaddixes and the Treitels, is the friendli ness of their neighbors.

“I just love the camaraderie with the neighbors,” Darcy Shaddix said. “We all share a love for horses, and we all love the outdoors. Neighbors will just pull up in our front yard and start talking.”

Carla D’Andre-Treitel, a global insur ance executive, agreed.

“This is a fabulous community,” she said. “The people are extremely friendly.”

For the Treitels, who fled Miami be cause of rising crime and crowding, not only were they surprised to find an upscale

community like Via Paradisus in which to pursue her passion for horses, they were also pleasantly surprised by “how sophisticated Ocala is.” They have found the city’s cultur al arts – he is the former chairman of the board of Miami’s Florida Grand Opera – to be excellent and the dining options to be exceedingly good.

But it is the serenity and scenery that surrounds their 6,000-square-foot Arthur Rutenberg home that inspires them.

“I love it because it reminds of where I grew up,” Carla D’Andre-Treitel said, ex plaining that her childhood home was a family-owned nursery in a conservation community and a wildlife sanctuary in New York. “It’s almost too much to believe. It does not feel real to us.”

CREATING A ‘BEAUTIFUL LIFESTYLE’

When Lane embarked on creating a com munity that would “provide a beautiful life style,” he spared no expense.

The ornate gate to Via Paradisus was designed by world-renowned metal fabrica tor and artist Jack Klahm of Ocala.

For a kickoff to the development’s opening in 2005, Lane hosted an event at which the Beach Boys – yes, those Beach Boys – performed.

He manicured the trees. He repaired or replaced much of the 29 miles of fenc ing surrounding the community. He bought land to establish a trailhead to the Greenway at the Southwest 110th Street entrance of Via Paradisus to give residents a second ac cess point to its horse and biking trails.

Whatever sort of homesite you are looking for, whether it is a flat 5 acres or something bigger with a hilltop view, Via Paradisus has it.

Maybe Lane’s favorite spot within this North Central Florida paradise is a lot that rises to 146 feet elevation. Lane calls it “Sun set Hill” because of the spectacular sunset views that allow the viewer to look across the treetops of the Greenway.

“Via Paradisus is definitely a diamond in the rough here in Marion County,” he said.

Joan Pletcher Real Estate Network, Mar ion County’s premier horse property real estate broker, is the sales agent for Via Paradisus. She can be reached at (352) 266-9100 or at joan pletcher.com. Lots start at 5 acres.

David Treitel and Carla D’Andre Treitel

Gisela is the best! She listed and sold our home. She is the ultimate professional and she ensured our home was ready for listing. The professional pictures were fantastic. She helped us navigate the process from start to finish, always available for questions or to offer help. If you are looking for an agent in Ocala whether selling or buying, I highly recommend her. Thank you Gisela!” — Maria

Presenting the Ocala Magazine 2022 Better Than The Best Winners

For the 30th year, we held this 100% reader-driven contest. OM's Better than the Best is, and always has been, completely free and voted on by the community.

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Through January 8

A Dickens Christmas

The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the holidays in the annual “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition.” On the second floor, see trees decorated by community groups.

Community Day

Saturday, December 3 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy a day full of holiday magic! See “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition,” the permanent collection galleries and other special exhibitions. Visit the Artspace for holiday crafts.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the auditorium, take photos with Belle and the Beast. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the café, take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. All activities are free.

Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. | AppletonMuseum.org

an equal opportunity college

BY CARLTON REESE

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY RALPH DEMILIO

His staying power in the culture makes the Beatles seem more like the Starland Vocal Band, yet he is more elusive than the Abomi nable Snowman or the Loch Ness Monster. His reputation for entering homes of sleep ing strangers in the middle of the night has caused no backlash and to this date not a single arrest has been made of this man.

Every person in the Western world could easily pick him out of a police lineup and still no one has stepped forward with any hard evidence to prove his existence.

He, of course, is Santa Claus. And de spite the preponderance of imagery, folklore, literature, myth, song and hype surround ing him, Santa’s true identity and purpose remain a mystery to most. Conspiracy the orists claim the guy does not actually exist, but a large portion of the population swears to Santa Claus’ authenticity – for some rea son, nearly all of those believers happen to be very short people.

Not even the 21st Century PC Nazis have been able to destroy Santa Claus, who has become such a fixture of Western culture that he has been embraced in some form or fashion by people of nearly every religion, race, ideology and social class. About the only place in the world that ostracizes Claus would be Philadelphia, famous for its sports fans booing his arrival at an Eagles football game. In 2022 though, Claus is expected to fully make his rounds on Christmas Eve with any efforts at his cancellation failing miserably.

His popularity speaks mightily of the power of culture, tradition, commercialism and fantasy.

Because of our curious culture, it’s not at all odd to figure a rotund fellow carrying a sack of toys would intrude every home in the Western world via their chimneys, stuff those toys into socks or under a dead tree dragged indoors and ornamented with lights and various filigree. It’s not at all odd to fig ure this same invader to leave the residence, but not before imbibing on sweet treats and milk intentionally left out by the owners. And, to think, he travels via a sleigh pulled through the night sky by eight reindeer sup posedly drugged by some form of magic dust; well, that’s pretty normal, is it not?

Be it myth or reality, the legend of Santa Claus is much more interesting if not more

Turkey. St. Nicholas was a monk born in the year 270, served as Bishop of Myra and was famous for his anonymous nocturnal gift-giving to the “poor, marginalized and, in particular, children,” according to the Na tional Catholic Register. His penchant for philanthropy, anonymous or not, was so leg endary that it became a source of inspiration for centuries, especially during the Christ

Conspiracy theorists claim the guy does not actually exist, but a large portion of the population swears to Santa Claus’ authenticity.

mas season. The date of his death, Dec. 6, was and still is celebrated in many countries as a day of giving – a tradition moved to Christmas day in the U.S. and elsewhere to coincide with that holiday.

But St. Nicholas gave to poor children, those in need and wanting for the delights this world has to offer. Fast forward to today when Claus seems to favor the rich kids. As Ray Davies sang, “Give all the toys to the little rich boys.” At this point, the story starts to break down as even the most Pollyannaish of children begin to smell a tinge of rat.

Perhaps Claus is not St. Nicholas after all? The Dutch actually made him famous, referring to him as Sinterklaas and portray ing him in his white and red bishop’s litur gical vestments. The name Santa Claus is merely an English translation of Sinterklaas, so maybe the progression of St. Nicholas to Santa Claus holds weight.

So why does a Dutch tradition hold so much sway in the U.S.? We can thank the Puritans for their wet blankets, thrown so obtusely upon the Christmas tradition. Hav ing banned the holiday for its apparent lack

of piety and loose pagan origins, the Puritans left it up to the Dutch in the New World, particularly New Amsterdam (now New York, for those who did not pass third-grade history) to carry Christmas forward. And with the holiday’s survival came the survival and revival of Sinterklaas, evolving into San ta Claus and prepped for a grand coronation as the greatest character in mythological his tory, greater than the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Great Pumpkin.

Today, images show Santa Claus (Fa ther Christmas, if you are English or at

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus … how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.”

Scott and Denuda Jacob, Ocala's iconic Mr. and Mrs. Claus

least a fan of The Kinks) as a portly fellow with a long white beard adorned in a red and white winter coat with black boots. But Saint Nicholas was never portrayed this way – so why now and in a country thou sands of miles from whence he came? For that, we can thank American writer Clem ent Clarke Moore, who penned his version of Santa Claus in the famous 1823 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” which interestingly enough never uses the words “Santa Claus.”

In the poem, commonly known to most as “The Night Before Christmas,” Clarke describes “St. Nick” as “chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf” and the fat shaming continues to this day. We laugh at his “lit tle round belly” that shakes “like a bowl full of jelly.” We further mock him by enabling his obesity with non-ketogenic cookies and dairy beverages.

Forty years after Moore’s poem, the modern image of Claus would be cast in the minds of Americans thanks to illustrator Thomas Nast. In the Jan. 3, 1863, edition of Harper’s Weekly, Nast not only fat shames Santa Claus, but also uses him for the pur poses of propaganda, donning him in stars and stripes at a union encampment while holding a puppet toy with a noose around its neck – the puppet no doubt Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Now, the country is at a point of no return when it comes to Santa Claus. Po liticized and commercialized, fat Santa is with us forever, unless he turns non-binary and stuffs puberty blockers in all the chil dren’s stockings. Ah, then we shall long for the simple past that included mall Santas hawking electronics and overpriced goods to ravenous holiday shoppers.

St. Nicholas himself was neither portly nor jolly, but his image today completely be lies the reality of almost 2,000 years ago. His evolution is due mainly to people like Nast and marketing gurus eager to capitalize on the beloved imagery of the jolly fat man.

All this is well and good and to be ex pected in such a consumer-oriented culture, but how did Claus get to the North Pole, where property taxes fall well below world averages and the political climate is corpo rate-friendly? In movies, it seems like such a hospitable place, like early November in South Dakota, but in other photos and films

taken by journalists and documentarians, the North Pole looks like white death. It would make more sense to build a resort on the moon than to take up residence at either pole.

Again, Nast is to blame. If Claus ac tually lives there, it is because Thomas Nast succumbed to the zeitgeist of his day when the world was enthralled with expeditions to the Arctic that were taking place during the 1840s and ‘50s. According to Oceanwide Expeditions, “This was no random decision on Nast’s part.” Nast had three reasons for placing his version of Santa Claus in the North Pole: 1. Public imagination had cre ated an almost “mythical” status of the Pole, 2. Reindeer actually live in the Arctic, which was convenient in that it lent credence to his tale, and 3. It snows all year long in the Arc tic and snow is symbolic of Christmas.

Poor fellow Claus, to be sentenced to a ghastly frozen tundra and live out a life of servitude, all because Thomas Nast felt it compelling to his story.

Of course, Nast is not alone in crafting the image and re-branding of St. Nicholas. Washington Irving played a role in his A History of New York in 1809 in which he Americanized the Dutch Sinterklaas into “Santa Claus.”

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 1843 portrayed Father Christmas as the Ghost of Christmas Present and was part of the merging of the old English version of St. Nicholas with the new versions craft ed in America by Irving and Clarke. Then Nast blasted this guy to the nether regions of myth, folklore and even holiday kitsch.

On Dec. 25, 2022, children all over the United States and many other countries will wake up to goodies placed there by St. Nich olas, or Sinterklaas, or Santa Claus, or Father Christmas or whatever suits your fancy. None will catch him in the act, and those who do will likely regret it for the rest of their lives. Not to worry, seeing or touching is not believ ing in this case. So we turn to the immortal words of Francis Pharcellus Church, who fa mously wrote, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus … how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.”

So who is Santa Claus and what is his purpose? Church’s words say it all despite

the cynicism of our age. He exists and is the common ground of a culture that seems to be tearing apart every day as its language is bastardized, its architecture sterilized and its faith minimalized.

As modern technology has led people into a state of withdrawing into themselves and their own enclaves of thought and be havior, Claus has been the common ground of us all. While everything else in the world seems to be dividing humanity, Santa Claus is actually uniting us, and perhaps that is Santa Claus’ purpose after all.

Charles Dickens’

A Christmas

Carol

in 1843 portrayed Father Christmas as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

OM

When asked which of the Seven Dwarfs best describes them,

OF THOSE SURVEYED SAID THEY EAT THEIR SANDWICH WITH THE CRUST ON IT.

OF OM READERS HAVE SEEN SNOW BEFORE while 6% said they’ve never seen it but would like to.

Warm up with holiday treats for any age Festive gingerbread waffles p50 | Dining Out p54

Home, Sweet Gingerbread Home

Festive farmhouse decoration inspiration and a delicious gingerbread waffle recipe that will make your home into a gingerbread house for the holidays.

HOLIDAY HOME STYLING + PHOTOS BY TRISHA HYATT IG: @FRENCHFLAIRFARMHOUSE

Christmas Morning Gingerbread Waffles

Treat your family to a gingery-twist on but termilk waffles — and tell them that this flavorful holiday breakfast was flown in straight from Santa's elves.

INGREDIENTS

» 1 cup all purpose flour

» 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

» 1 tsp ground ginger

» 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

» 1/2 tsp baking soda

» 1/4 tsp salt

» 1/8 tsp ground cloves

» 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

» 1 egg yolk

» 3/4 cup buttermilk

» 1/4 cup molasses

» 2 tbsp butter, melted

» Non-stick cooking spray

» Optional: confectioner's sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large bowl, combine the first dry ingredients.

• In a small bowl, beat the brown sugar and egg yolk until fluffy.

• Add the bugtermilk, molasses and butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until combined.

• Quickly spoon onto a preheated waffle iron that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

• Bake until golden brown on both sides. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, if desired.

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse Mark’s Prime Steakhouse

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse Mark’s Prime Steakhouse

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.

Thursday Night’s at the Plantation Featuring the soulful Louie Fortunato (see attached picture). Come enjoy your Thursday night with live music from 6-9pm and $2 off signature drinks and glasses of wine.

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

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

West 82° Restaurant

West 82° Bar and Grill

Thursday Night’s at the Plantation Featuring the soulful Louie Fortunato (see attached picture). Come enjoy your Thursday night with live music from 6-9pm and $2 off signature drinks and glasses of wine.

Join

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

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

Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks!

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

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

Ivy On The Square

Ivy On The Square

Whether

53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550

Closed Mon, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm

53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550 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

Merry Christmas to All from the Ivy Family

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.

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.

us for Sunday Brunch featuring hot and cold stations, a carving station, an omelet station, and an assorted dessert display.

GOlist

Thaliondor Fantasy & Medieval Combat

Every Sunday @ 11am -3pm

Brick City Adventure Park

Lose yourself in the most immersive full-contact foam fighting LARP group in Ocala, FL. Meets every Sunday at 11am at Brick City Adventure Park. Free to join. All Ages Welcome! • For more information visit thaliondor.com

Bill W. & Dr. Bob Holiday Dinner Theater

presented by the Lost and Found club of Marion County and Unboxed Productions of Ocala Dec. 10th @ 5pm

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Rd. Ocala

Holiday Home Tour

Dec. 17th @ 4-9pm | The Bryant House | 712 E. Fort King Street, Ocala

This one-day event will feature some of the city’s most beautiful, historic residences in the SE Historic District. Guests are encouraged to explore the presenting homes at their leisure and take in the beauty of one of our historic districts in the peak of the holiday season. The Historic Ocala Preservation Society expects to WOW guests this year with holiday carolers spreading cheer from street to street, light for d’oeuvres prepared by Grated and Cured, and a special meet & greet with Mrs. Clause! Tickets available online at: hopsholidayhometour.eventbrite.com for $25/each.

Photos with Santa Nov.

Bill W. & Dr. Bob a full-length play by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey. The event is a “Holiday Dinner Theater” fundraiser to support the club’s operating costs, learning workshops and events for the local recovery community. Members of the local recovery community take the roles of Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith (co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous). Their endearing wives Lois W. and Ann S. the (co-founders of Alanon) and also Ebby Thatcher principal influencer and later sponsor of Bill W. The play is based on actual conversations, experiences and writings of the co-founders. Attendees will feast on a full dinner (donated by the Guest House, created and prepared by Executive Chef James Mason and Sous Chef Daniel Ingram. $25/pp tickets are available at the Lost and Found Club located at 616 S. Pine Ave. Ocala, FL. The event will also be presented via a live Zoom format. Tickets for live streaming event are available for $15. on Eventbrite.com.

For additional information, ticket sales, special requests or how to become a perpetual donor please contact Victoria Dice at (352) 644-3840 or email Victoria at theocalalostandfound@gmail.com.

Ocala

18th- Dec. 24th Paddock Mall,

Join us at Paddock Mall for our Santa Experience. Santa will be at the Paddock Mall from November 18th through December 24th. Bring the family to capture magical holiday moments with Santa that you'll treature forever! Save time this holiday season and reserve your photo time slot in advance. Walk-ins are also welcome. Special times available for a sensory-friendly experience that welcomes guests with all types of special needs to enjoy a magical morning with Santa..• For more information visit www.whereissanta.com

Ocala's First Night

Dec. 31st @ 5pm-Midnight | Downtown Ocala | 6850 SE 41st Court, Ocala

Join us in Downtown Ocala for a Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve! Access 10+ locations throughout the evening from 5pm-midnight with the purchase of an event button. Activities, performances and exhibits take place around Tuscawilla Park and Historic Downtown Ocala. For more information visit: https:// ocalamainstreet.org/firstnight

The Oddities Marketplace

Dec. 11th @ 11am-3pm

Ocala Downtown Market

What better Christmas gift than an amazing Oddity! And this time it's an Oddities Brunch! 76 Vendors, food trucks with breakfast foods, mimosasalways FREE! Family friendly, food trucks with breakfast foods, mimosas, entertainment and oh yea SANTA will be there! Make sure to come out, do all of your oddity holiday shopping, and meet Santa!

Brought to you by GO52.events

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

3rd Thursday Sip & Shop

Dec. 15th @ 5-8pm

Downtown Ocala, FL | 110 SE Watula Avenue

Join us for a fun night of shopping + drinks in downtown Ocala! Each participating store will be staying open late from 5-8pm for perusing and will be offering complimentary beverages. Must be 21+ to consume alcoholic drinks, if a store is offering them.

Scary Movie Convention

Dec. 17th @ 10am-7pm & Dec. 18th @ 11am-6pm

World Equestrian Center | 1750 NW 80th Ave, Ocala

Celebrities. Music. Stand Up. Vendors. More!

Visit Mr. & Mrs. Clause at The Marion Theatre

Dec. 10th & 17th @ 10-11:30am

Marion Theatre | 50 South Magnolia Ave, Ocala

Guests can meet and greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus outside with a festive photo opp complete with a red Volkswagen bus and some nifty holiday decor! Santa’s helpers will take family photos with guests’ own phone or camera on a first-come first-serve basis. The theatre will also have tasty treats such as hot chocolate and popcorn, plus the full bar open for all guests. The Polar Express will show on the big screen throughout the event, so families can swing in and watch at their own convenience. Volkswagen Bus courtesy of Creative Beginnings Preschool

If you have ever enjoyed a scary movie, haunted house, or true crime podcast - this is the convention for you. All ages welcome with adult supervision — be aware, horror themes and suggestive material abound. This event will be an affordable event where you can meet celebrities & finish all of your nerdy holiday shopping! Though Spookala is horror based, this event features vendors selling items not just horror related, but anything pop-culture related.

PHOTO OPS, COSTUME OPS AND ENTERTAINMENT WITH: Andy Black, Dick Weaned, Nadia Teichmann, Alex Winter James Remar, Matthew Demerit, Carol Locatell, Ken Kirzinger, Ron Sloan, Zach Galligan, Nick Castle, Jonathan Breck, Corey Feldman, Jamison Newlander, Tim Cappello, Jamie Kennedy, Mark Steger, Noah Hathaway, Ari Lehman, Deborah Foreman, Britt Baker, Christian Cage, Danhausen, Darby Allin, Frog Brothers Duo, Terrifier 2 Group • For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.spookala.com

Holiday Lights Display

Multiple Dates: Nov. 26th through Jan. 6th Light Display from 5-10pm nightly Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th Street, Ocala

Symphony Under the Lights with Ocala Symphony Orchestra

Dec. 2nd @ 7:30-9:30pm

Reilly Arts Center | 500 NE 9th Street, Ocala

Hot chocolate, family, friends, and festive music! What more could one ask for? The Ocala Symphony and members of the Ocala Youth Symphony bring this joyful annual free concert to the community under the incredible oaks of Tuscawilla Park. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy!

Sponsored by Jenkins Auto Group and the City of Ocala

May your days be merry and bright! Grab your camera and be prepared to be dazzled by the holiday magic of twinkling lights at The Town Square at Circle Square Commons.

Visit GO52.events to find oodles more events in Ocala/Marion County.

Ocala Food & Wine Festival presented by Lugano Diamonds

PHOTOS BY RALPH DEMILIO

The prestigious November 4-6 event was hosted by the World Equestrian Center – Ocala, the largest equestrian facility in the United States. This celebrity-chef-led cele bration featured three days of culinary com petition, beer, wine and spirits education and samples of extraordinary cuisine.

All event proceeds from the festival benefit local charitable foundations whose programs support youth development in the culinary and hospitality industries in Marion County and beyond.

Pitmaster Rashad Jones and Chef Ryker Brown's elevated barbecue dinner under the stars featuring Chimay Beer on the terrace at The Equestrian Hotel

Chef Lorena Garcia photo by Maven Photo and Film

Rashad Jones

Chef Art Smith ,Juan Mūnoz-Oca

Kassie Kuz, Cynthia Danila, Nonette Metzger and Nikki Scarpino

Louis Gomez, Chef Lorena Garcia and Claudelia Gomez

Chef Yisus Diaz

Susan Kierstein and Amy Jo Lord

Yorman Nunez and Corina Lopez

Christine Dodgen and Cristina Mariani-May

Celebrity Chefs Timothy Hollingsworth, Lorena Garcia and Elizabeth Falkner

41st Annual Marion County Chili Cookoff Benefitting Cornerstone School

PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT

Since 1981, The Marion County Chili Cook-Off has been challenging chili chefs and delighting tastebuds while benefitting the Cornerstone School. This year the competition was fierce and everyone enjoyed delicious chili sam plings at the Southeastern Livestock Pavil ion. The event also featured a children's area, a bake sale, a beer tent, and a car show to keep guests entertained.

Ocala Fire Rescue Local 3169

Advent Health Ocala

Bank Street

Brooksdale Senior Living

The Lodge

Eugenia Lewis

Hawthorne residence.jpg

Forest High School

Cornerstone School bake sale

Chili Cats

Kickin' Ninja Chili AKA Family Martial Arts

Ocala Fire Rescue Local 2135

HCA Florida Healthcare

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Ocala

PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT

Families from across Ocala came out today for the Alzheimer’s Associa tion Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the World Equestrian Center. Access

More than 300 walked, raising over $73k to help find a cure and provide support services to those impacted by the disease.

Residents can still donate to the Walk at alz. org/Ocala.

Tom and Kristin McDonald

Bonnie D'Andrea, Laurie Garcia, David McCreight and Karen Landron

Absolute law Group: Kara Crews and Shannon Cochran

Brandi Wilcox, Allison Laute, Hamilton Noles, Samantha Mabry, Jayson Duncan with puppy Kyiah

Dunnellon JROTC: Crystal Reyes, Kenny Uratts, Alex Mooney, Jayl-Ann Johnson, Levi Golden, Michael Johnson and Karla Santana

Michele Guenette, Sheyene Guenette, Maddie Buchkovich, Taylor Buchkovich and Eleanor Buchkovich

Kristen Montgomery, Kim Stone, Julia Mieres, Nancy Sharp and April Lannin

John and Liam Shannon with dog Raelyn

Frank Rodriguez

William Gordon

Trinity Catholic School: Aubrey Nelson, Hollis Gillespie, Mariah Reyes, Sara Kingsley, Macy Wood and Claritze Gonzalez

To All That Have Served Veterans Seminar

Held at the Candler Post 4493 VFW, Amy DiMauro, Seminar Instructor & VFW Auxiliary member, began the Thank You Veterans; To All That Have Served Seminar.

The first speaker was Adult Bible Study Teacher, William Sander, who spoke about KJV 2 Timothy 3-5, on the good soldier of Jesus Christ. Amy DiMauro taught the well ness portion of seminar covering topics of over coming fears, outcomes, expectations, goals and commitments.

Before watching a Thank You Veterans vid eo, an "American Comfort" meal was served, while three raffles were conducted.

Flying Boat Tap Room, Ms. Steve's Ice Cream and Los Magueyes Mex Resteraunt, all of Belleview, donated gift cards for the Veteran raffle.

Pasta Faire of Belleview donated gift cards to our second Veteran guest speaker and

Veteran volunteer.

Giovic Auto Sales, River Run Marine Mfg., Central Florida Collision, Marvel Auto Glass and P.R. Auto Repair, all of Belleview, do nated a total of 6 Veterans seminar tickets.

Part two of the seminar began with SSG Rowland from the Ocala Army Recruiting Station discussing what the station is doing currently and his personal experience with Vet erans, along with his career history.

SSG Rowland, did the honor of hand ing out 4 appreciation of service certificates signed by one of the Army Recruiting Station Commanding Officers to award to Veterans who attended.

• Mellinie Maitlen US Navy

• Chester McCloskey US Navy (AM VETS Member)

• Scott Earhardt US Navy (Sr Vice Com mander at our post, then District Surgeon for the District.)

• Mac Bevans US Navy, (VFW Current Commander)

Amy DiMauro, seminar instructor, fin ished the seminar with nutritional information on nanotechnology and health issues that can benefit from receiving nutrition viably through the skin. A portion of proceeds benefitted the Vet erans Relief Funds at VFW Post 4493 and check was awarded that same night.

TEDx Ocala 2022

PHOTOS BY XOCHI SMITH

This year’s TEDxOcala theme was, “The Power Of...” and guest speakers shared the power of their idea with the highly engaged and sold out Oc ala audience. This was the 8th annual TEDxO cala, returning to the College of Central in the Fine Arts Auditorium with an audience of Oc ala's leading thinkers, doers, and influencers.

This year's speakers were: Daniel Gen try, Elgin Carelock, Elizabeth Judith, Dr. In dia White, Ingrid Harb, J Flow, Joy Sedler, Dr. Kinga Mnich, Mary Kingston Roche, Michael Caruso, Nazma Khan, Renee Wil liams, Dr. Sonal Patel, Wesam Shahed, and Zach West. Jessi Miller painted alongside all of the speakers, she painted Lucielle Ball to illustrate “the power of laughter.”

Tiffany Cox and Leda Pérez

Sabrina Mallay and Tyla Kennedy Roa

Trina Bowden

Elgin Carelock

Jessi Miller

Zach West

Joy Zedler

Renee Williams

The Curve

BY JERRY GLASSMAN

The object of your direction is to change your projection on how to get ahead of the curve. It might take some nerve to overcome the curve but it’s worth it.

You’ll eliminate the pain and enjoy the gain. Life is too short to lag behind. So speed up, you’ll find it’s fun making that turn around the curve taking you into the positive future! GO FOR IT!

equine

G racious Living in the Horse Capital of the World®

The Horses of Mayberry at the Breeders Cup World Championships

BY LOUISA BARTON

Ocala, the official “horse capital,” never fails to prove that it is the home to the best horse trainers in the world. Being home to over 60 breeds of horses with so many different dis ciplines in the equestrian world, plus a wide variety of show venues and events all year round, truly makes Ocala a haven for horse lovers. With a variety of beautiful horses and ponies scattered across acres of pasture land dotted with barns and oak trees galore, Oc ala/Marion County also boasts some of the best soil and water for raising and training horses of all ages.

Ocala is the place where during the fall and winter months, so many yearlings pur chased at a variety of thoroughbred sales get their first training. They will be worked with on the ground, probably in a round pen, and learn some basic manners and, when ready, be saddled in a stall and ridden around in the stall to get accustomed to having a rider on their backs. Then they are hacked out to the track and quite often around fields, to get

used to different terrain and to allow them to relax and just be horses. In between train ing sessions, there will be bathing, grooming and, if they are one of the fortunate ones and are a Mayberry horse, they will probably get a lot of scratching, affection and some treats. When mature and ready, jogging the track and eventually gently “galloping” the track will be part of readying them for their racetrack career or for the two-yearold in training sales. When ready, the hors es are “breezed,” the fastest speed expected of them at this point over a short distance, much shorter than they will run in a race at the track.

Each year I enjoy following the top stakes horses across the USA and around the world and tracing their roots back home to Ocala. I always find that the thoroughbred trainers from this area are consistent time and time again in producing great results and many wins in the biggest races with their graduates. Just to mention a few, de Meric Thoroughbred Sales, Niall Brennan

Stables, Eddie Woods Stables, Mark Casse and his team, Karl Keegan at Lucan Blood stock and April Mayberry and the Mayberry Farm team are all consistently giving horses the best possible chance at success by giving them a great training foundation.

Back in Ocala, after a trip to Kentucky for the Breeders Cup World Champion ships, I was provided a wonderful opportu nity to visit Mayberry Farm. Thoroughbred trainer April Mayberry and Kim Harrison were watching horses on the track. Mayber ry was accompanied by her dogs, who ride with her to the barn each day. While walking down the barn shed row, she stopped to rub on a horse’s face or to touch a muzzle. Each horse was pleased to see her and eager for her visit. Mayberry cares about every single

Photos courtesy of Louisa Barton

horse, regardless of the price tag and it really shows in her methods and in the results.

While watching horses jog the track with Mayberry and Harrison, they men tioned that three of the eight horses in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic race trained on the track where we were standing. Two of those horses were Flightline and Rich Strike. Mayberry and her team started the training of both Flightline and Rich Strike at her farm. Rich Strike was the long shot 80-1 winner of the 2022 Kentucky Der by and placed fourth in the 2022 Classic. Taiba also started his training at this same track with Hartley and Derenzo, when they trained horses at this track.

While standing there with Mayberry and Harrison, watching young potential fu ture champions walking on to the track, they started sharing stories about other successful grads from Mayberry Farm. This impressive list included super horse Zenyatta, who was known as “the Queen of Racing,” Exagger ator, Accelerator, Honor AP, Express Train, Texas Red and more. With two Mayberry grads both on the board in the biggest race of the Breeders Cup World Championship weekend, the richest weekend in racing, there is much for which this team is to be proud. Edgeway, also a Mayberry grad, ran in the 2022 Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf. This year was not the first time that the horses of Mayberry Farm have really shown up in the biggest and best races and I am quite sure that it won’t be the last.

Equine Industry Needs

DECEMBER Equine 101

Beginner Tips for Purchasing a Horse:

• Look for a horse with a calm temperament and sound conformation.

• Use proper fitting tack to try out the horse.

• Wear the correct riding clothes and a riding helmet.

• Make sure you have an appropriate and safe place to keep your horse.

• Learn as much as you can about the feeding, health and grooming of horses.

• Ask for veterinary records, deworming, podiatry, sheath cleaning and teeth floating.

• Ask if a trial period is permitted.

• Take an expert with you, if you are not familiar with the purchasing process.

December 7, 2022 | 7:30 PM — Buy tickets for the movie premiere of “Hero Horse: A Magical True Story” before it heads to film festivals across the United States in 2023. The documentary film event is a fundraiser to help support Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses elementary school reading programs. The star of “Hero Horse” will arrive at the Marion Theatre in a limousine wearing a tuxedo to walk the red carpet. You can dress up red carpet style or dress casually for the event. Tickets include the film, soft drinks, popcorn, candy and an appearance by the film star. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Hero Horse merchandise will be available in the lobby. VIP Tickets include the film, pre-show party at 6:30 p.m. with soft drinks, wine, beer or try a “Remember the Magic” specialty cocktail, treats, photo and meet and greet with the film star, movie premiere swag bag and more. If you are not able to attend the premiere but would like to make a donation to support the therapy horse programs visit www.GentleCar ouselTherapyHorses.com or call 352-226-9009.

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.

Ocala Magazine Horse Tip of the Month

Retirement Community

Retirement Community

Retirement Community

Hope to see you in

2022.

time, live and the Clubhouse, with its gorgeous performance stage and many dining areas, will give our residents even better accommodations, activities and service.

on many of our homes. Lakeview is a wonderful place to

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

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

Lic#88029

Lic#88029

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

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Rehabilitation

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Rehabilitation

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Rehabilitation

You Are Not Alone, If You Are Home at Lakeview Terrace!

You Are Not Alone, If You Are Home at Lakeview Terrace!

Hope to see you in 2022. Reserve Today! 1-800-343-1588 www.LakeviewTerrace.com

Reserve Today! 1-800-343-1588 www.LakeviewTerrace.com

At St Rd 19 & Hwy 42, entrance on 19

At St Rd 19 & Hwy 42, entrance on 19

Reserve Today! 1-800-343-1588 www.LakeviewTerrace.com At St Rd 19 & Hwy 42, entrance on 19

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Charity: Altrusa p80 | Health Journal p84 | State of the City p86 State of the County p88 | Kiwanis Korner p92 | Rotary Circle p93 | OM Marketplace p94 | Looking Back p96

Locash playing at World Equestrian Center

Photo by Ralph Demilio

Altrusa International of Ocala

LEADERSHIP:

Governed by a local Board of Directors:

President: Maclyn C. Walker

President-elect: Helen McDavid

Vice President: Colleen Duris

Treasurer: Connie Larsen

Secretary: Mary Cay Landt

Director: Joan Coke

Director: Elaine Goodelle

Director: Maria Kusmierz

Immediate Past President: Miranda Barrineau

LOCATION:

Ocala, Florida. Business meeting held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Braised Onion, 754 NE 25th Avenue, Ocala, FL.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Altrusa International of Ocala strives to im prove our community by providing service,

developing leadership, fostering internation al understanding and encouraging fellow ship through an international network of dedicated volunteers.

WHAT WE DO:

The Altrusa International Ocala Chapter, a ser vice club for men and women, has focused on building a better community, developing leaders and offering fellowship since 1977. Improving literacy in Marion County was the initial focus of the club but that has expanded to support for a broader range of community needs.

Over the years, the club has gained rec ognition within Altrusa for numerous ser vice projects and activities.

Expanding reading resources to as many as possible is an important goal for the club.

Altrusa has established “Little Free Li braries” throughout Marion County. These free lending libraries can be found at the Oc ala Ritz Veterans Village housing, Pace School for Girls, Liberty Community Park, Brick City

Park, Boys & Girls Club, Early Learning Co alition, and the Domestic Violence Shelter. Age-appropriate books have been distributed at community events and are made available for teachers at the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC) Tools-for-Teach ers free supply store. Also, in partnership with PEFMC, Altrusa awards funding to support teacher initiatives that enhance classroom learn ing for elementary and middle school students.

ASTRA service clubs at Lake Weir and West Port high schools are sponsored by the Ocala Altrusa Club. ASTRA stands for Ability, Service, Training, Responsibility, and Achievement. Each club develops their own community service projects.

Born Learning Trails are a pathway with 10 interactive signs that offer fun, ac tive learning activities for young children and their families. Altrusa h as partnered with the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County (ELC) to build Born Learning Trails in local parks. Altrusa will once again team up with

Photos courtesy of Altrusa International of Ocala

ELC to build a new trail in the Spring 2023. In conjunction with Volunteers of America of Florida, Altrusa has donat ed computers, reading materials for use by Veterans at the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village, along with clothing, sundries, sheets, towels, and pantry food supplies.

When elementary school age children are unable to see, not all can afford the cost of eyeglasses. Altrusa created the Nancy Jones Eyes to See program to buy glasses for these children, ensuring they will have an oppor tunity to learn to read. In addition to these projects, the club has given numerous pairs of shoes to the Community Partnership School at College Park Elementary for students in need and adopts a family each year to provide food and gifts during the holidays.

Funds raised by club activities are also used to award scholarships on an annual ba sis to both graduating high school seniors and persons reentering or entering the work force. A $1,000 scholarship in honor of Charter Member Thelma Parker and a second $1,000 scholarship in honor of Charter Member Juanita Cunningham were established for stu dents pursuing a career in education. Gradu ating Senior ASTRA members are eligible to apply for scholarships which are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement and community service. The club has endowed two scholarships at College of Central Florida.

Altrusa funds projects through a single major fundraising event, Trivia Night. Any one who enjoys a friendly trivia competition is welcome to attend. Help at the Country Club of Ocala, the next event is scheduled for March 4th. For more information, email altrusaocala@gmail.com.

HOW YOU CAN GIVE OF YOUR TIME AND TREASURE:

Altrusa welcomes energetic, ser vice-minded people to join our club. Contact the membership chair at altrusaocala@gmail. com to arrange a no-obligation visit. Website: https://districtthree.altrusa.org/Ocala/

BY THE NUMBERS:

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Heart Health Tips for the Holidays 5

FAMILY FEATURES

Food, drinks, gifts and time with family make the holidays a mer ry occasion for people across the country. However, all that cele brating can sometimes become a distraction from maintaining heart health.

In fact, the joys of the season can be

come marred for many as research shows an uptick in cardiac events and heart attack deaths during the final week of Decem ber. According to a study published in the American Heart Association journal, “Cir culation,” more cardiac deaths occur on Dec. 25 than any other day of the year, followed

by the second largest number on Dec. 26 and third largest on Jan. 1.

“The holidays are a busy, often stressful time for many of us,” said American Heart Association Chief Clinical Science Officer Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA. “Routines are disrupted. We may tend to eat

and drink more and exercise and relax less. We’re getting too little sleep and experienc ing too much stress. While we don’t know exactly why there are more deadly heart at tacks during this time, it’s important to be aware that these factors can snowball, in creasing the risk for a deadly cardiac event.”

Being aware of this annual phenom enon and taking a few important, hearthealthy steps can help save lives. Consider these tips from Dr. Elkind and the experts at the American Heart Association.

KNOW SYMPTOMS AND TAKE ACTION.

Heart attack signs vary in men and women, but it’s important to recognize them early and call 9-1-1 for help. The sooner medical treatment begins, the better chances of sur

vival and preventing heart damage.

CELEBRATE IN MODERATION.

Eating healthfully during the holidays doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself. There are ways to eat smart, such as by limiting sodium intake and looking for small, healthy swaps so you continue to feel your best while eating and drinking in moderation.

PRACTICE GOODWILL TOWARD YOURSELF.

Make time to take care of yourself during this busy season. Reading a favorite book, meditating or even playing with pets are productive ways to reduce stress from the family interactions, strained finances, hectic schedules, traveling and other stressors that can be brought on by the holidays.

KEEP MOVING.

The hustle and bustle of holiday prepara tion often pushes exercise to the side, but it’s important to stay active as much as possi ble. Get creative to keep moving by going for a family walk or playing physically active games with loved ones.

STICK TO YOUR MEDICATIONS.

Busy schedules can cause some people to skip medications, sometimes even forgetting them at home or not getting refills in a time ly manner. Try using a medication chart as a reminder, and be sure to keep tabs on your blood pressure numbers.

Discover more ways to live hearthealthy during the holidays and throughout the year at heart.org.

Source: American Heart Association

More cardiac deaths occur on Dec. 25 than any other day of the year, followed by the second largest number on Dec. 26 and third largest on Jan. 1.

Get creative to keep moving by going for a family walk or playing physically active games with loved ones.

Happy Greasemas! What we Flush Matters

Ocala Water Resources

Coordinator Gabriela Sullivan takes readers behind the scenes, or rather, below the city, to look at what Ocalans are flushing down their toilets and drains.

Did you know that City of Ocala staff has a direct line to Santa Claus? Some may call it a direct sewer line, but we can instant ly tell who’s been naughty or nice based on their pipes.

As the water resources coordinator for the city, I recently joined Corey Croteau, central lines technician, who works behind the scenes with other City of Ocala “elves” and informs Santa on who’s been naughty or nice. How can he tell? Because he is the one who cleans out the sewer pipes.

Early one morning, I joined Corey and the team to learn a little more about what’s underground in Ocala – the sewer system. Ocala’s sewer system spans over 325 miles, serves almost 30,000 residents and safely transports sewage to one of our two waste water reclamation facilities. Once water leaves your sink, toilet or shower, it joins the 6.4 million gallons of sewage traveling be neath your feet.

With my camera in hand, I was ready to see what our “nice” citizens were flush ing down their toilets. I was expecting the three P’s, pee, poop, and paper (toilet), but I didn’t foresee the large mounds of unflush

ables such as wipes, facemasks and feminine hygiene products; along with the small ice bergs of grease that make their way down the river of sewage.

Using a high-pressure hose and a sew age vacuum, Croteau loosened the mound and sucked the debris from the sewer pipe. The city’s regular maintenance is crucial to avoiding sewer backups. However, it takes teamwork between the City of Ocala and city customers to keep our infrastructure clog free.

Throughout the holiday season, we want to educate Ocala citizens about the dangers of putting unflushables and fats, oils and grease – or as we like to call it F.O.G. -down the drain. The holiday season is a time for gathering and eating delicious meals. Unfortunately, the fats, oils and grease which make those holiday dinners so tasty, end up going down your drain. Salad dressing, but

ter, and gravy are just a few holiday culprits.

Eventually, F.O.G. will join some un flushable wipes or a feminine hygiene prod uct or two stuck in your pipe, and suddenly you are on the naughty list of 2022. Like some of the presents a person may receive this year, a clogged pipe may come as an un welcome surprise without a return receipt.

Not to worry, this holiday season can be different. Think of me as your very own Ru dolf, here to guide you. Here are some ways you can stay on the nice list and keep your pipes clear:

• ONLY flush the three P’s (pee, poop, and paper).

• Scrape and wipe all pans and plates be fore washing.

• W hen in doubt, throw it out!

• Think three Cs – can it, cool it and chuck it!

Take an empty tin can. Fill it with your used fats, oils and grease. Cover and place it in the freezer or fridge. When the can is full, remove the lid and toss the can into the trash.

Remember Santa keeps track and so do your pipes, so don’t let grease steal your holidays.

Photos Courtesy of the City of Ocala

state of the county

BY MARK ANDERSON

It’s time again for the annual Bring The Harvest Home food drive on the Ocala Downtown Square!

Bring The Harvest Home is the culmination of a month-long effort to gather non-perishable food and other supplies and donate them to three local charity organiza tions: Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergen cy Services, and the Salvation Army.

At last year’s event, more than 20,000 pounds of items were donated and $160,000 was raised to go toward assisting the three or ganizations, making it a record-breaking year.

“This community is one of the most giv ing I have ever seen,” stated Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant following last year’s event. “That’s one of the things that makes us so special. When we hear there’s a need, we don’t just step out a little…we step out a lot!”

This year, the goal is to beat that dona tion total and set another new record — all to benefit those in need.

“We encourage our community to pull together again to help ‘bring the harvest home’ in support of Marion County’s less fortunate residents during this special sea son,” Bryant said.

Every year, Bring The Harvest Home helps replenish food banks at a time they of ten need it most. Having a full pantry helps these local organizations ensure that every one is fed throughout the holiday season.

“The Bring The Harvest Home event has been such a great kickstart for us during the holiday season,” said Karla Greenway, Interfaith Emergency Services CEO. “Nor mally, when we get to this time of year, our pantry is sort of depleted, and this event re ally starts replenishing it.”

Greenway says that even after Bring

The Harvest Home is done, Interfaith con tinues receiving increased food donations throughout the season.

“I think what it does is inspire other people to keep going, because it seems like every year from the time we do Bring The Harvest Home, the food just keeps coming

in more and more,” she explained. “I feel like it’s our launch for the holidays — it means so much to the people who need that help in the holiday season.”

So bring your non-perishable foods and supplies from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2 to the Ocala Downtown Square and help those who need it most this holiday season!

For more information about Bring The Harvest Home and to view a list of items in need, please visit MarionFL.org/BHH

Miss the event this year? No worries! All three organizations and many others throughout Marion County accept dona tions year-round, so please consider donat ing whatever you can, whenever you can.

Mark Andersonis a public relations specialist for Marion County.

DERMATOLOGY &AESTHETIC CENTER

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2 official mottoes

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When the kids of Ocala had Wild Waters

BY CARLTON REESE | WITH THE HISTORIC OCALA PRESERVATION SOCIETY

On the corner of Baseline Road and State Road 40 in Silver Springs sits an empty lot, nondescript with its grass lawn, live oaks and scrub pal metto. Nary a pebble exists there any more to tell the story of what this place actually meant to young Ocalans for nearly 50 years. What looks like mildly-manicured nature is actually the site of Wild Waters, so recent in its complete demo lition that some locals may not even be privy to its absence, assuming it exists as it had from its initial construction in 1978.

Its status as a ghost amusement park did not last long. Abandoned rides and buildings became overgrown with flora soon after its official closure in 2016, but a thor ough clean-up of the property has left no mark of its existence.

The ghosts, however, remain among the trees.

When Wild Waters was built by ABC Television in 1978, very few water parks existed with fiberglass flumes such as it had, especially in Florida and the southern United States. The soda beverage Squirt even filmed a national television commercial there with locals starring.

The names “Osceola’s Revenge” and “Bunyan’s Bend” are sure to bring back mem ories to all who visited the park in their youth, as those were the names of the two main slides that were original features of the park. Twist ing through the trees with multiple drops and turns, the two rides were the thrills that com plemented the 450,000-gallon wave pool and “Cool Kids Cove” for the very young.

The Silver Bullet ride was later added and was the main attraction and first thing patrons saw as they drove toward the park. The Silver Bullet featured dual-speed flumes with two main drops that emptied into a splash pool.

Beneath the wooden ramps which pa trons walked up to enter the slides, there was even a miniature golf course in the early years.

Players would often be splashed during their rounds by water dumped over the edges of the flumes from riders making their turns.

The park featured a picnic area, game room, concessions and even a bar that served tropical drinks. Over the years, different rides would be added and removed, including The Hurricane,” a figure-8 shaped double flume that stood 80 feet tall. There was the Alligator Ambush that began in 2008 and featured an enclosed flume that exited into a slide funnel. Riders may also remember the Twin Twister, Thunderbolt and the Tornado, all steel-framed rides that couldn’t hack the Florida humidity as well as the other wooden-framed rides. As

a result, corrosion took its toll and those rides were dismantled out of safety concerns.

In 2002, Palace Entertainment began managing the park and was under contract to remain so through 2029, but that all changed in 2013 when then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott released the company from its contract and placed both Wild Waters and adjacent Sil ver Springs under the control of the Florida Parks Service and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The move came with the typical con troversy that surrounds the demise of such an iconic part of the locals’ childhood mem ories. In 2016, when Wild Waters was to have its final run, a petition was signed by over 3,400 people seeking to keep the park open, but it was to no avail. After the 2018 December demolition of the park, another petition was circulated to rebuild Wild Wa ters and this time over 12,000 people signed.

Wild Waters will never return and, like Six Gun Territory to the west, Ocala Caverns and Florida Adventureland, will be just a relic in the collective memories of those who grew up here. And wonderful memories at that.

a beautiful smile begins here

TINA CHANDRA, D.D.S., LVIF, FIAPA Cosmetic, Neuromuscular and Sleep Dentist ... a Physiologic Approach

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