Ocala Magazine November 2023 by ocalamag

Ocala’s City Magazine Since 1980 Serving the Horse Capital of the World® $8.95

OCALA MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023

Gratitude The Plantation Resort’s Redfish Classic

James Melton: On Wings of Song

the secret ingredient to a happy life

Just Listed

STATE-OF-THE-ART 54± ACRE EQUESTRIAN FACILITY Great Location – 20 Miles from WEC with incredible amenities. Main residence features 4,600+ SF of living area, 5 BR, 5.5 BA, pool, and a tennis court. Two private 1/1 guest quarters, detached 4-car garage, 3 Stables, indoor and outdoor arenas with professional-grade footing. This is a one-of-a-kind equestrian facility. $3,975,000

YOUR DREAM OF COUNTRY AND WATERFRONT LIVING STARTS HERE! 35+ Acres, this extraordinary 2020-built, barn-style home offers 3,500 SF under roof. Currently being leased is a second home offering 3BR 2 BA. Large metal building (26’x 50’) for storing larger equipment. Located just outside of The Villages. Water frontage on dual Saddlebag Lakes. Peace and serenity abound at this incredible setting. $3,300,000

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

R E A LTO R ®

Let Me Show You Ocala!

STONE CREEK – DELL WEBB – SANTA FE Meticulously maintained 3 BR, 2 BA home offers a balanced blend of convenient location, design, and all the modern comforts you would desire. Oversized screen-enclosed lanai with a built-in stone patio and firepit area overlooking the landscaped yard. yard. Large corner lot. $764,000

SOLD

EXQUISITE MODERN FARMHOUSE ON 10+/- ACRES 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 baths plus office/or sitting room with 3,143 SF. The pool, spa, firepit, and outdoor living space match perfectly with the pristine interior and allow for entertainment or private enjoyment. The location is incredible and convenient. Between Ocala and The Villages. $1,694,375

List with us today!

COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA LUXURY LIVING Magnificent custom home overlooks the 7th fairway. The home features 4 Bedrooms 4 full and 2 half baths. Chef ’s kitchen, exercise room, man cave, dual offices, pool with large screen enclosed lanai, and outdoor fireplace overlooking the golf course. $1,948,000

G PENDIN

LEXINGTON DOWNS 5+ Acre equestrian estate located in a gated community just 1/4 from Florida Greenway trails, 1.8 miles to Florida Horse Park, and 14 miles to WEC 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath home was featured in the 2017 Parade of Homes. Barn, paddocks, oversized small turf dressage area. $1,297,750

R E A LTO R ®

Considering Ocala? R D SELLE E T A V I T MO COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA Bright and spacious home features 23’ cathedral ceilings in the great room with clerestory windows. Corner fireplace, built-ins for large TV and stereo equipment. Upstairs master suite with tray ceiling, unique corner window, sliders to balcony, and gorgeous bath. Attached 3-car garage. Beautifully furnished. $699,000

SOUTHWEST OCALA - JUST REDUCED This custom-designed home is serene, modern, and contemporary featuring 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a formal dining area, an open kitchen family room, a media room, an upstairs bonus area, lanai room with a summer kitchen. Upstairs could be used for an office or entertainment area. $455,000

R D SELLE E T A V I T MO

INCOME PRODUCING - LOCATION! LOCATION! Looking for an income-producing property? Close to I-75 and Hwy 200. Great location close to restaurants, hospitals, and shopping. Each of the quads includes 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. Three of the units are currently leased to long-time tenants. New roof was installed in 2023. A/C units and water heaters are newer. $689,000

R E A LTO R ®

RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS – Recently updated office with 4 or 5 rooms, waiting area, and kitchen. It could also be used as a residential home. Located just off Hwy 200 (College Road). Close to all the city conveniences and hospitals. Currently zoned B-4 Please contact the zoning department directly to discuss your development plans. $260,000

Land

TED JUST LIS 43.50± ACRES IN NORTHWEST MARION COUNTY Hwy 40 frontage. Property currently has A-1 and B-2 zoning w/land use of rural land and is subject to deed restrictions. Located in Marion County Opportunity Zone. Ready for you to build your dream home and lay out your farm. Suitable for any equestrian discipline. $4,819,149

42.31+/- ACRES WITH HIGHWAY 27 FRONTAGE Gated entrance off of HWY 27, Property includes a pond, 20 Stall barn, round pen, and open shed for storage. Zoned A-1 with land use of Rural Land and Rural Activity Center. Located approximately 3 minutes to the World Equestrian Center. $4,515,000

OUTSTANDING VIEWS AND EXCELLENT PRIVACY! Peaceful country setting, beautiful 160+/- acres of gently rolling and hilly pastureland. Several great spots for homesites including overlooking the pond. Currently, the property is being utilized for cattle. Perimeter fenced and cross-fenced. Plus, stocked Pond $2,576,000

37+/- ACRES CONVENIENT TO THE VILLAGES Commercial development opportunity! The site is zoned and has been approved for PUD mixed-use. Commercial activity in the vicinity, Frontage on C466 close to I-75. Please contact the zoning department to discuss your development plans. $2,500,000

g buying or n ri e d si n o c e ’r u If yo call today! selling, give us a R E A LTO R ® For these and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos, and more choices. Cell: 352.266.9100 | Cell: 352.804.8989 | joan@joanpletcher.com Due to the privacy and at the discretion of my clients, there are additional training centers, estates, and land available that are not advertised.

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CELEBRATING OUR 43RD YEAR

NOVEMBER • 2023 FEATURES 16 James Melton: From Citra to stardom 28 Gratitude: The secret ingredient to a happy life 36 Crystal River rebounds from disaster DEPARTMENTS 12 Letter from the Publisher 14 Words of Wisdom 16 From the Mayor

36 The Plantation on Crystal River Photo by Ralph Demilio

47 48

EAT Dining Out

51 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70

PLAY GO52 list of upcoming events Society: Alzheimer’s Walk Society: City golf tournament Society: City celebrates 125th anniversary Society: City appreciation event Society: MCA’s Applaud the Arts Society: Not-So-Spooky Fest Society: John Craig event Society: Spookala Society: Florida Feast

75 76

EQUINE Everything Equine: Loving the American mustang

79 80 82 84

ETC Charity Spotlight: Art in Health Ocala Metro Health Journal: Diabetes in Marion State of the City: Protect your pipes from holiday food State of the County: Bring the Harvest Home Kiwanis Korner Rotary Circle Looking Back: Arthur Jones and Jumbolair

Ocala’s City Magazine Since 1980 Serving the Horse Capital of the World® $8.95

ON THE COVER:

OCALA MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023

Photographer: Ralph Demilio On location at: The James Taylor House Model: Zoeé Zarillo Wardrobe: Dillard's Ocala

8 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Gratitude The Plantation Resort’s Redﬁsh Classic

James Melton: On Wings of Song

the secret ingredient to a happy life

85 86 88 96

-an equal opportunity college-

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Two new Health Sciences programs are coming to the College of Central Florida in 2024*: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology and Respiratory Care. These two-year Associate in Science programs will prepare you for success in the competitive health care industry through hands-on learning in our stateof-the-art facilities, as well as clinical experiences with local health care providers. To learn more about CF’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology Program, visit CF.edu/Sonography. For more details about CF’s Respiratory Care Program, visit CF.edu/Respiratory. pending accreditation process

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Volume 43, Issue 5

NOVEMBER 2023

OCALA’S #1 MOST AWARD-WINNING CITY MAGAZINE

CELEBRATING OUR 43RD YEAR! Philip Glassman, CCIM | Publisher philip@ocalamagazine.com

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

EDITORIAL

Carlton Reese | Contributing Writer + Editor carlton@ocalamagazine.com Brad Rogers | Contributing Writer + Editor brad@ocalamagazine.com

ART

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Website StevensLabs

Louisa Barton | Equine Editor Sharon Raye | Copy Editor

PHOTOGRAPHY Ralph Demilio | Chief Photographer ralph@ocalamagazine.com

OPERATIONS Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO randy@ocalamagazine.com

Ocala Magazine Wins TWELVE 2023 Florida Magazine Association Awards! EDITORIAL OR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 352.622.2995

www.ocalamagazine.com OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER HOPS — Historic Ocala Preservation Society MEDIA PARTNER & PRESENTING SPONSOR of the Tailgating Competition at Live Oak International OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR 2022 International Women's Day Celebration EXCLUSIVE MEDIA SPONSOR FOR George Albright Annual Golf Tournament

THE OFFICIAL CITY MAGAZINE OF

TEDxOcala · HITS · Equiventure

OFFICE 743 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 4649, Ocala, FL 34478 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR by mail or email: editor@ocalamagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION One year - $96.66, Single Issue - $8.95. COPYRIGHT ALL contents copyrighted © 2023 by Ocala Magazine Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertising content in any manner without written permission is strictly prohibited. Horse Capital of the World® is a registered trademark of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association.

10 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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LETTER

from the publisher

Holidays are all about family WITH NOVEMBER WE KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON which for me — and I know for many of our readers — is mainly about our families. The Thanksgiving holiday is truly special for me in that this year we will continue what has been a long-time family tradition of gathering all the relatives from South Florida to our home in Ocala. This year there will be around 30 relatives coming up and I note what a blessing that is since only recently such engagements were impossible due to the pandemic. When I was young, the gatherings took place on my parents’ pig ranch in Romeo and I have fond memories of all us getting together to enjoy the company of one another in such a natural setting. Last year, the majority of my family gathered at the Ocala Magazine property near downtown, but it was a fairly tight space as one would imagine. So, this year we’ve rented a big house on a farm that will harken back to the days of our gatherings in Romeo. We plan on horseback riding, ziplining, building big bonfires and playing music — just what you would expect from a visit to Ocala. As far as the food, I look forward to my uncle bringing all his New York-style deli stuff. My cousin also has my grandmother’s recipes from five generations of Jewish pastries and cakes, so Thanksgiving has a unique Glassman flair to it, for sure. Of course, there is also the traditional Thanksgiving fare including turkey, both smoked and fried. My favorite fare, though, would have to be the orange lemon cookies my cousin Monica makes from my grandma Dorothy’s recipe, one of many from a thick book used by my grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s catering business years ago. These may seem like small points, but they all add up to lasting memories that are all the more special because they involve family. I hope all those reading this are then taken to thoughts of similar moments with their families and subsequently count their blessings. THIS MONTH, THE CHARITY SPOTLIGHT shines on a new organization, Arts in Health Metro Ocala, a group led by Lisa Midgett that aims to team up with local artists to bring arts to the sick and infirm in our community. Studies have shown time and again how the arts uplift those who are suffering. So, we welcome Arts in Health Metro Ocala to our community and look for our fellow citizens reaping the benefits of the beautiful works of its partner artists. THIS NOVEMBER ALSO MEANS THAT WE HAVE SURPASSED THE FIVE-YEAR MARK of my taking over as publisher of Ocala Magazine. These five years have been a learning experience for someone new to print media and the ride has been a thrill. I believe in these five years we have evolved into a magazine that brings not just superb lifestyle material, but also relevant and compelling editorial content that sets us apart from other city publications. I want to thank our staff here which has taken this vision to the level it has reached as well as our advertising partners who have fully supported OM’s evolution into an eclectic read that reflects so many aspects of this community. Most of all, I’d like to thank the community itself for recognizing the value in what OM brings to the table and how such a publication is vital to a city that is growing so fast and in so many different ways. Five years have passed, and I’ve had a ball, and here’s to many more years to come!

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

12 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Heather Batchelor, Arts and Health Ocala Metro

Photo by Ralph Demilio

WE AT MARK’S WISH EVERYONE A

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COLUMN

words of wisdom

A safe haven from hurricanes – and more

t’s hurricane season, and as any Floridian knows, that’s not a good thing. We’ve got experience with hurricanes – they rip apart coastal communities, flatten majestic beach dunes, push floodwaters to places they’ve never gone before and knock out power for days, even weeks at a time. Not the fun in the sun we all love. Turns out, though, hurricanes aren’t necessarily “bad” for every community in Florida. Unimaginable, you say? Not according to the Wall Street Journal. In an article in its Oct. 6 edition, the Journal proclaimed Ocala a Florida “safe haven” from hurricanes. They hired an outfit called Climate Alpha, which did an AI-driven analysis of FEMA data to determine the cities in Florida with the lowest risk of hurricane winds and flooding. Lake City and Tallahassee were the two lowest-risk cities, with Ocala No. 3. Ocala, however, was No. 1 for the lowest risk of inland flooding in Florida. So, add it to the list. Ocala once again sits atop another list ranking our community – which the Journal described as a “rural town” – among the best on things that matter. I mean, I’ve written before about how Ocala is one of the nation’s 10 fastest growing communities. It also ranks among the 15 safest places to live and the top 10 for places to retire. U-Haul ranks it as its No. 1 destination for self-movers, and Forbes says it’s one of America’s top 10 future job markets. And Ocala is always among the most affordable metro areas in Florida to buy a house and live. Ah, we’re paradise-not-lost … yet. Safe. Booming. Affordable. In Florida. And now, proclaimed a safe haven from hurri-

14 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

canes in a state where 40 percent of hurricanes making U.S. landfall strike, according to the Journal piece. Ah, ain’t life grand. The thing is, though, living in Ocala is kind of like dating the most popular girl – or boy – in school. Good looking, fun to be

Living in Ocala is kind of like dating the most popular girl – or boy – in school. Good looking, fun to be around, and popular with just about everyone. So, everybody else wants to date your main squeeze.

BY BRAD ROGERS

around, and popular with just about everyone. So, everybody else wants to date your main squeeze. Almost 1,000 people a month are moving to Ocala. And as the Journal found out, it’s not just Ocala’s good looks, or great lifestyle, or being a top 10 this or that bringing in the hordes of newcomers – who, like it or not, are making us anything but a “rural town.” Now we find out people are moving to Ocala from South Florida to escape the threat of hurricanes and, equally important, the high cost of property insurance. Consider, the average annual cost of homeowners insurance in Ocala, as of March, was $1,894. In Palm Beach it was $5,710, in Fort Lauderdale, $5,519, in Miami, $5,665, and in the Keys, $7,584. That’s average, folks. If you live waterfront … cha-ching! So, it’s not just northerners looking for sunshine and mild winters who are pouring into Ocala. It’s our fellow Floridians seeking safety from the next big blow. The people the Journal interviewed who were fleeing South Florida and its hurricanes and blow-you-away insurance costs all talked about how nice it is to live in Ocala with its uncrowded roads, its easy-going way of life and, yes, the more affordable housing and insurance. Once again, it’s Ocala’s location, location, location that is driving its growth and evolution. This time, though, it’s not a river or a highway or proximity to so many bigger cities. It’s its distance from the coast, from Florida’s increasingly destructive hurricanes. Maybe we should have a hurricane party to celebrate.

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COLUMN

from the Mayor

Being your mayor has been an honor and a privilege BY MAYOR KENT GUINN

Ocala City Hall

16 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

’ve spent the last 12 years as mayor of this great city and now exit to make way for the next administration in leading Ocala to even greater heights. For this, my last column in Ocala Magazine, I want to say what an honor it has been to serve the people here for the past 24 years in the roles of city councilman and mayor, and I hope one of the hallmarks has been my accessibility. As public officials, we are all servants to the public and that means we are obligated to be approachable and accessible. I’ve never shied away from publishing my cell phone number and have done my best to listen to the voices of everyone who would want my ear. I’ve always tried to be approachable whether I was at the grocery store or walking through our beautiful downtown, and it has been humbling to have citizens come to me with concerns, solutions and even criticisms. I think back to the one piece of advice given to me 12 years ago by former mayor Gerald Ergle and it has served me well, and I offer it now to incoming mayor Ben Marciano as I hope it also serves him well: “Don’t think you’re as important as others think you are.” In that respect, people can get more things done in the spirit of humility than in the spirit of pride. Getting things done we certainly have in this community the past several decades. So many people, from City Council members to School Board officials, to county commissioners and so many private citizens who love Ocala have helped this place evolve in ways unimaginable 20 years ago. We used to sell Ocala as cheap land and cheap labor — we were practically begging people to come here — but now this city sells itself to industries, companies and citizens looking for greener pastures and brighter futures. Today, companies from all over look at Ocala as THE place to be based on our booming economy, burgeoning arts scene, educational opportunities, vibrant downtown and a strong and smart labor force. Of course, the natural beauty of Marion County is hard to beat as well. I remember one of the first endeavors of my mayoral tenure was to save the Marion Theatre, and the whole community got behind the project. To many, it seemed like a small thing, but looking back I think we can safely say that it played a huge role in revitalizing the downtown area, which is ultimately a major sign of a successful community. I truly believe Ocala is better off now than 24 years ago when I first entered the public arena, and it has been due to the efforts of so many people. I remember in 2003 when we implemented the Downtown Master Plan. We hoped it would work, but we know now it certainly has. To this day we still use it as our bible for how to develop the area. But success was not inevitable — any given Tuesday night a single vote here or there could have sent things in a different direction. So here we are, and I say goodbye to an office I know I will miss, but one that I know will be filled by someone with capable hands. To have served as mayor of this city has been the honor of a lifetime, representing the most charitable of citizens in this state. We have not always agreed on everything, and like every other place there are divisions among people. But here, it seems when it is time to come together for the common good, the people of Ocala have been better than anywhere else at setting aside their differences to achieve a common goal. I pray that never changes.

Make your holidays energy efficient! Check out these useful tips to minimize energy costs when preparing meals for your family and loved ones this holiday season! • Use the microwave to cook faster and use less energy. • Be sure to match your pots with the right size lids and burners to reduce heat loss. • Use glass or ceramic pans for faster cooking on lower heat settings.

• Try cooking side dishes with your turkey to reduce cooking times. • Try to avoid opening the oven door to check on your meal to reduce heat loss and save energy. • Load the dishwasher to full capacity before you run it.

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OCALA MAGAZINE

ong On Wings of

BY BRAD ROGERS

James Melton rose from humble Citra beginnings and became one of America’s most celebrated entertainers

ew York City is a long way from Ocala – yes, in distance and in culture. During a lifetime and career driven by ambition, raw talent and the sheer power of dreaming big, James Melton made that journey and beyond with tremendous success. His was a journey that lasted a generation and was marked by sold-out concerts, hit records, almost daily radio performances, movies and appearances on some of the world’s biggest stages. If success is measured by accolades, then the boy who grew up in Citra in the early 1900’s received not one, but two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – one for his remarkable radio career and one for his recording artistry. James Melton is arguably the greatest entertainer to ever come out of Marion County. Yet, about all that remains of his memory hereabouts is an innocuous headstone in Woodlawn

20 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

d Melton receive not one, but two stars on the lk Hollywood Wa r fo of Fame – one his remarkable radio career and one for his try. recording artis

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

Cemetery with his name and the words “On Wings of Song,” a song by Mendelssohn that was one of his wife, Marjorie’s, favorites. During his 35-year career Melton was both a performer and a pioneer. His daughter, Margo Melton Nutt, who wrote a book about her father, “James Melton: The Tenor of His Time” (Amazon), described his wide-ranging talents and success this way: “He was what’s known today as a crossover artist, from popular to classical music. But in his day, it simply meant that he was a multimedia performer. And in his day, many of those media were in their infancy, so he was a pioneer as well.”

Growing up in Citra

Melton was born in 1904 in Moultrie, Georgia, one of seven children. Before he turned 1, the Melton family moved to Citra, where his father, J.W. Melton, ran a sawmill and did some farming. Young Melton grew up attending Marion County schools and graduated from Ocala High School in 1920 at the age of 16. He helped his father by rising at 4 a.m., beginning at age 12, and driving the family Model T around the Citra area, picking up his father’s sawmill workers. He often would have to stop on these trips and fix the Model T, an education that would be pivotal later in his life. It was while he was in the Ocala High chorus, under the guidance of Miss Marguerite Porter, that his special voice first drew notice. He would go on to the University of Florida, where he planned to study law. That plan, however, was derailed by the university’s president at the time, Dr. Alvin A. Murphree. During one of the school’s regular chapel services, the students – UF was all-male then – were not singing the hymns with sufficient enthusiasm for the president. So, Murphree told the gathered students would compete, with the boys in the lower seats singing first, then the boys in the balcony singing next. When the boys in the balcony sang, a voice rose above the rest. “Who is that Caruso?” Murphree demanded. It was Melton’s. Murphree called the young Marion Countian to the front of the service and had him sing solo for the gathering.

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James Melton and his bicycle, about age 12, 1916

Afterwards, Murphree met with Melton and encouraged him to change his major to music. Melton took the advice. And to the chagrin of his father, who didn’t want his son to be “just a minstrel.” The elder Melton went to UF to confront Murphree but returned to Citra convinced his son had a gift. Nonetheless, he encouraged his son to develop a second vocation because he didn’t believe he could earn enough as a singer.

Luck and determination

Young Melton indeed pursued music. He would transfer to the University of Georgia where he joined the school orchestra, which in those days meant earning money for off-campus performances. There he earned more notice from UGA’s music faculty who, after seeing his popularity when their orchestra performed, urged him to go to Vanderbilt University in Nashville so he could study with a renowned vocal teacher, Gaetano de Luca. The young tenor gained more and more notice in Nashville and beyond, performing for large groups. His voice was so impressive that a group of Nashville businessmen agreed to put up money so Melton could go to New York City and launch a professional career. The Roxy Theater, then the newest and best entertainment venue in New York, had just opened, and Melton decided he wanted to work there. So, he went to the office of its founder and owner, S.L. “Roxy” Rothafel. He couldn’t get in. He went back day after day, unable to get an audience. On the fifth day he told Rothafel’s secJames Melton on retary he was going to sing right there concert stage with daughter, Margo, in Rothafel’s outer office. When he early 1950s did, one of Roxy’s assistants emerged. When all was said and done, Melton got a job singing at the Roxy Theater earning $1,000 a month. Rothafel was a kind and genial man who would later tell Melton, “Listen kid, you’ve got a million-dollar voice and two million dollars’ worth of nerve – you’ll get along.” It would be a tale that Dale Carnegie, of “How to Make Friends and Influence People” fame, would recount in his national newspaper column a dozen years later on how to accomplish one’s goals. The Roxy gig quickly led to other

“Listen kid, you’ve got a million-dollar voice and two million dollars’ worth of nerve – you’ll get along.”

opportunities for Melton. Shortly after taking the stage at the Roxy, one of the country’s most popular singing groups, the Revelers Quartet, had an opening for a singer. Like others before them, the Revelers were wowed by Melton’s beautiful voice. Melton became a Reveler. It was another leap forward in Melton’s young career. Now he was not only singing at the Roxy, but also performing with the Revelers, in concert and on the radio. Melton would soon be performing five nights a week on multiple national radio programs sponsored by such names as Firestone, Sealtest, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Texaco and Coca-Cola. He was also touring with the Revelers and performing solo gigs. In 1927 he was signed to a recording contract by Columbia Records. His career was skyrocketing. Melton was becoming so big that in a 1931 poll by newspaper radio editors, Melton was named the No. 1 singer of classical and semi-classical songs and the Revelers Quartet was named the nation’s top male harmony group. And a 1932 newspaper review called Melton “America’s greatest radio artist.” He was receiving thousands of fan letters each week and that year earned more than $100,000. During this hectic period, Melton also married Marjorie McClure, who was part of an affluent Midwestern family. They married in July 1929, just before the onset of the Great Depression, at the Akron, Ohio, estate of the Seiberling family, famous for founding both Goodyear and Seiberling tire companies. Nutt, in her book, called the affair “lavish” with more than 400 guests. By this point of his career, Melton was confident and reveling in his soaring success. And he loved it all. “The impression my father made on his audiences continues to amaze me,” Nutt wrote in her book. “He lived to perform, to sing, to please.” He craved adoration and applause, and he received plenty of it.

The big screen and big names

While much of the nation suffered through the slog of the Great Depression, the Meltons were virtually unaffected. In fact, Melton’s career flourished even more during the 1930s. It hit a new high when Hollywood came calling in 1935, seeking Melton

George Gershwin and James Melton on tour, 1934 Courtesy of the Gershwin Foundation

to appear on big screen musicals. He wasn’t a good dramatic actor, but boy could he sing. Melton would appear in his first movie, “The Desert Song,” in 1935 and would go on to appear in numerous other musicals, including “Stars Over Broadway” (1935) and the extravaganza “Ziegfeld Follies” (1946). His Hollywood experience led to association, indeed friendships, with many of the biggest names in the film industry. “They made good friends in the movie colony,” their daughter wrote. “Irene Dunn, Myrna Loy, Rosalind Russell, Edgar Bergen, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Clark Gable and others; and their social schedule was full.” Melton, now in his mid-30s was everywhere – radio, concerts, movies – but he had one unfulfilled goal as top-tier tenor: to star at the Metropolitan Opera. Despite his fame and success, it did not come easily. Plus, the Met only paid $200 per performance, a pittance compared to what Melton made doing concerts, radio and movies. But his agent pressed the Met to give him a chance.

To build his case, Melton began performing at regional operas in places like Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis and Toronto, to largely rave reviews. In 1942, he finally achieved his career-long dream of starring at the Metropolitan Opera, appearing in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” He was a hit, with the New York Times headline reading, “Melton Captures Opera Lovers’ Hearts, Young Tenor’s Debut a Brilliant Success.” It would be the start of an eight-year run of 61 performances at the Met. After that, he would be billed as “Metropolitan Opera tenor James Melton.” Concerts, radio, movies, opera … Melton was doing it all and succeeding. Nutt said the late 1930s and early 1940s were his busiest years. In 1940, he traveled more than 80,000 miles, and that was before air travel was easy and accessible. In addition to all his performing, Melton also participated in World War II war bond drives and entertained troops. By this time, he had a repertoire of 1,600

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

By the late 1940s, Melton had a collection of more than 100 antique cars – and, yes, including a 1910 White touring car.

James Melton, left, starred in the 1935 film “Stars Over Broadway” with Jane From an and Pat O’Brien.

songs – all memorized. His schedule was packed. In 1940 alone, Nutt reported, Melton did 52 radio broadcasts, 16 opera performances and 42 concerts, as well as bond drive appearances and concerts for servicemen. At each performance, he strived to appeal to his specific audience with his song selection. “It was very important to him that every song fit the audience,” Nutt wrote. “He not only mixed the types of music he performed but gave different programs in different parts of the country.” A typical Melton concert included classical songs, popular songs, some cowboys tunes and a rousing audience pleaser at the end … in hopes of getting called for an encore, which he relished.

New life, new ambitions

After World War II, the Meltons, unable to have a baby of their own, adopted a daughter,

24 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Margo, in 1946. It would, obviously, change life on their 40-acre estate in Weston, Conn. It also was the time in Melton’s life when he began to devote more time and resources to his other passion in life, rare and antique cars. Since he was a boy – remember his driving and repairing the family Model T – he had been fascinated with cars. That fascination started with his uncle’s 1910 White touring car, which the uncle drove from Micanopy for the weekly family Sunday dinner in Citra. Young Jimmie, as his family called him, would polish the big car and vowed to someday own one of his own. By the late 1940s, Melton had a collection of more than 100 antique cars – and, yes, including a 1910 White touring car. He petitioned the state of Connecticut to build a museum to which he would donate his cars so people could see them. Leading up to this, Melton was a pioneer in developing car col-

lecting as a hobby. Despite getting money approved twice from the state of Connecticut to build a museum building, it never came to fruition. So, Melton bought an old warehouse and created the Melton Auto Museum in Connecticut. It failed, so he decided to move it to Florida. He tried to get Daytona Beach with its automotive history to take it, but ultimately built the James Melton Autorama in Hypoluxo, a town near Palm Beach. His vision was to create a tourist attraction. It opened in 1953 and was a marginal success, at first. But it never flourished, and when a new federal highway was built away from the Autorama, it was doomed. Melton’s affection for automobiles was deep and lifelong. “Throughout his life, each car my father acquired had a distinct personality, and during its reconditioning it seemed as if the car ate and slept with the family,” Nutt wrote. “It became part of our lives.” During this period, Melton also became involved in politics. A staunch Republican, he was friends with New York Gov. Thomas Dewey and worked for his 1948 presidential campaign, including singing at the Republican National Convention. But the public’s fascination with tenors was fading, and with it the demand for big concerts and appearances on radio. Melton’s voice, while still relatively strong, was beginning to lose some of its sweetness as he was now in his mid-40s. Times were changing, with the 1950s bearing down. There was a new entertainment

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medium that allowed people to stay home and watch their entertainment at home with their feet up propped up – television. Melton wanted to be on television, and when Ford Motor Co. announced plans to have a TV variety show, Ford Festival, he decided he was the perfect front man for their program, given his notoriety as a car collector. But when he approached Ford’s advertising agency, J. Walter Thompson, about landing the host’s spot, they rejected him. Undeterred, he used his friendship with Ford chairman Henry Ford II to win the job, angering the folks at JWT in the process. He became the host of Ford Festival in 1951. It turned out not to be a comfortable fit for Melton. After a seasonand-a-half, Ford Festival went off the air, and Melton was once again needing work.

A change of fortune

Helen Keller, a friend of Melton’s, “listens” to him sing by placing her fingers on his throat and his lips. Photo was taken in 1947.

His money was going out far faster than it was coming in. After all, he had an estate in Connecticut with five employees, an apartment/office on New York’s Upper East Side, a yacht with an on-call captain, the automobile museum with 10 employees and he was supporting his mother and sister in Florida. In desperation, he tried to sue his recording company, RCA, for $85,000 he believed it owed him. What he found out was that his brother, Bill, acting as his manager, had taken out a loan against the contract, preventing Melton from being able to sue. Adding insult to injury, RCA told Melton they had been losing money on his recordings. He was dropped from their roster. Because of his rifts with J. Walter Thompson and now RCA, Melton was, according to Nutt’s book, “persona non grata in recording as well as television circles now.” The Meltons began downsizing. They sold the Weston estate and moved to a more

26 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

modest six-bedroom home in Greenwich, Conn., and he sold some of his antique automobiles. He tried to sell the Autorama, but to no avail. Plus, it turned out he had not saved any of his earnings or paid enough of his taxes. Lamented his daughter about her father’s money management: “If he had saved any of the millions of dollars he’d earned over the years, he could have been slowing down to a more relaxed pace at that point. But neither saving money nor conserving his energy were in his nature, and he expended and enjoyed both with abundant exuberance. “You see, my father loved making money. He loved spending money. He did not love managing money. Although he employed people to do that for him, he didn’t listen to them if it prevented him doing or buying something he desired.” By 1954, the scrapbooks of clippings, photos and tributes that Melton’s wife, Marjorie, had so carefully kept for almost 30 years ceased.

In the end, Melton started drinking heavily and hid in his bedroom. On April 5, 1961, his IRS troubles became public when a New York newspaper ran a story detailing Melton’s attempt to sell 35 of his antique cars to Winthrop Rockefeller, one of the Rockefellers, for about $250,000. The sale was stopped, however, because the IRS had tax liens on the vehicles and the rest of Melton’s property because he owed nearly $94,000 in back taxes dating back to 1948. A week after the article appeared, Melton was hospitalized with lobar pneumonia, brought on by alcoholism and malnutrition. He lapsed into a coma and on April 21, 1961, Melton died. His memorial service at New York’s Riverside Church was attended by some 3,500 people. The circumstances of his death were largely unknown to the fans and the famous mourning him. “Despite the fact that at 15 I knew I’d not led the life of an ordinary child, it was the funeral, with all those people — all those famous people — paying tribute to my father that brought home just how far-reaching was his fame,” Nutt told OM. Marjorie Melton put her husband’s casket on a train and brought him home to Ocala and today he rests in Woodlawn Cemetery. Today, the man newspaper reviewers once called “America’s Greatest Radio Talent” is largely forgotten and unknown. Ironically, Nutt said those who contact her now typically are not music fans. They are car collectors. “What is interesting is nobody remembers the music part of this,” Nutt said. “What they remember is the cars. Having his name as part of the provenance of a car still has value all these years later. It’s amazing.” Editor’s note” Margo Melton Nutt’s biography on her father, “James Melton: Tenor of his Time”, is available on Amazon.

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Little remains of the once-proud tourist stops that made Ocala a tourist destination

BY CARLTON REESE

28 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Gratitude: A

s the crisp autumn air embraces Ocala, painting the majestic oak trees in hues of gold and crimson, our thoughts naturally turn toward the season of gratitude. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, for expressing appreciation for the blessings in our lives, and for recognizing the abundance that surrounds us. In a community as warm and welcoming as Ocala, gratitude is a way of life. We are fortunate to live in a place where neighbors greet each other with a smile, where strangers lend a helping hand, and where the spirit of camaraderie is deeply ingrained. The beauty of our natural surroundings is another reason to be grateful. From the crystal-clear waters of our springs to the rolling hills of our horse farms, Ocala is a haven of natural splendor. These gifts of nature provide us with opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

The secret ingredient to a happy life. In a season of giving thanks, Ocala residents are encouraged to cultivate gratitude, a practice that can boost optimism, resilience, and connection. COMPILED AND ART DIRECTED BY JESSI MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO MODEL: ZOEÉ ZARILLO FASHION COURTESY OF DILLARD'S OCALA

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

s we go about our daily lives, it is easy to take these blessings for granted. But if we pause for a moment, we can see the countless reasons to be grateful. Here are a few suggestions for honing in on what you are grateful for: KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL. Each day, take a few minutes to write down something you are grateful for. This could be anything from a small kindness to a major accomplishment.

MAKE A GRATITUDE LIST. Take some time to reflect on all the good things in your life. Create a list of people, experiences, and possessions that you are grateful for. SHARE YOUR GRATITUDE WITH OTHERS. Tell your friends and family what you are grateful for. This simple act can help to strengthen relationships and spread positivity. As you cultivate gratitude, you will find that it has a profound impact on your life. Gratitude can help you to: BE MORE OPTIMISTIC. Studies have shown that people who are grateful are more likely

30 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

“Heart Centered Gratitude–Ocala” LAUNCHES JANUARY 24, 2024

ow would learning to stabilize a feeling of Gratitude in your heart and mind, staying centered and calm, responsive rather than reactive even during challenging times, sound to you? “Too good to be true” you might say. Not so! Science has proven that everything is energy, in fact, each of us is our own powerful electromagnetic field. We can each learn how to regulate our personal energy field and empower ourselves to create more peace of mind, harmonious relationships, and consistently sustain well-being in our lives. Dr. Manal Fakhoury of Ollin Women International, Rev. Patricia Wagner of Grace Unlimited, and our guest, Steve Havill, Director of the Certified Professionals Community for HeartMath, will be joining us as we launch “Heart Centered Gratitude–Ocala” on January 24, 2024. If you would like to participate in this event and learn how to live in a more conscientious state of Heart Centered Gratitude, email Patricia@GraceUnlimited.com to attend. Living in Heart Centered Gratitude is coming to Ocala in a very big way – through a collaboration of intentional coherent heart rhythms anchored in Gratitude and sustained by the personal energy fields of the residents who live here. Come join us in learning a whole new elevated way of grateful living.

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A study published in the journal Emotion found that

people who are grateful are more likely to help others and volunteer their time. to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and have a brighter outlook on the future. For example, one study found that people who wrote down three things they were grateful for each week for 10 weeks had higher levels of optiA study published in mism and happiness than those the journal Heart found that who did not. BE MORE RESILIENT. Gratitude can help people to cope with stress and adversity. When we are grateful for the good things in our lives, it is easier to bounce back from challenges. For example, one study found that people who were more grateful reported fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after a natural disaster.

gratitude can reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.

BE MORE CONNECTED TO OTHERS. Gratitude can help to strengthen relationships. When we express gratitude to others, it shows them that we appreciate them and that they are important to us. For example, one study found that couples who expressed gratitude to each other on a regular basis reported higher levels of satisfaction in their relationships. So this November, take some time to cultivate gratitude. Notice the beauty that surrounds you, appreciate the people in your life, and be thankful for the blessings you have been given. And as you gather with loved ones for Thanksgiving, take a moment to share what you are grateA study published in the journal Psychological Science found that ful for. You may be surprised at how much joy it brings to both you and those around you.

gratitude can lead to better sleep quality.

32 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Crystal River is back in business The Plantation Resort’s Redfish Classic showcases a quick return to normal after devastating floods and a tornado BY CARLTON REESE PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO

36 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Driving into the town of Crystal River,

one is not peppered with billboards touting hashtags of “Crystal River Strong,” nor do yellow ribbons adorn trees to remind everyone of recent hardships. Open palms and sympathy plays have no place here — that’s just not how they roll in Crystal River. When Hurricane Idalia brought a record-breaking storm surge and subsequent devastating floods to Crystal River in late August, the citizens simply rolled up their sleeves and went to work building back their livelihoods. By the time October rolled around, signs that a flood had ever taken place were hard to come by.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

“We get to it; we deal with it and we move on.” Those were the sentiments of Crystal River Mayor Jim Meek, a lifelong resident of the city entering his fifth year at the helm. “That’s the attitude coming from Crystal River right now: Deal with it, fix it and move on.” With bootstraps pulled up and selfpity relegated to another time and place, the citizenry went to work bringing life back to normal as soon as possible. Consider the recent Plantation Redfish Classic as a microcosm of the effort’s success. Not even a hurricane that flooded half the town and put the Plantation Resort itself into a re-build mode could keep the tournament from shining the same way it has for years. A perfect weather Chamber of Commerce Saturday greeted nearly 80 boats for this year’s event, which included a surfeit of fish, fun and hospitality. Making it all come to-

38 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

gether was the Plantation Resort itself, replete with its customary southern comforts to bring a first-class affair to all competing anglers. The only thing missing were the grouper — only because the season had been moved up to end several days before the tournament. Emerging victorious was the team of Rob Rowthorn and Kevin Hamlin of nearby Homosassa. The two checked in 13.82 pounds of redfish, nearly all of it in a prolific morning. “We were just kind of lucky,” Hamlin said. “After two hours, we had caught so many it didn’t matter if we won. We were three fish away from 50 and maybe 10 of them were undersized.” Just several weeks earlier, the water was murky from the storm, not the clean, clear seas so seductive to competitive anglers and tourists alike. The water on this day gave no indication there was ever a recent time the

salty gulf had intruded on the unique freshwater of the bays and inlets that characterize this natural wonder. In the same vein is the Plantation Resort. Victim of the floods six weeks earlier, the resort had shut its doors and was unable to accommodate guests. But when the doors opened and the guests arrived in October, sunbathers lounged by the pool and revelers enjoyed the tiki bar the same way they had all summer. And it all took place just days after an F2 tornado ripped through downtown Crystal River, nearby business offices and the Plantation Resort golf course, tearing up trees and destroying the golf shop. The answer to the tornado was just the same as the response to the hurricane flooding: Get back to work. “They got a double whammy – the flood on their hotel and now the golf course,”

Not even a hurricane that flooded half the town and put the Plantation Resort itself into a re-build mode could keep the tournament from shining the same way it has for years.

Meek said of the resort. “To their credit, they are right at it. They’ve been busting their butts. It’s remarkable that a number of folks are back up and operational within weeks of a significant event.” Like Crystal River itself, the Plantation Resort is back in full swing with the golf course to be open soon with a temporary pro shop. But most of the efforts to restore Crystal River did not start with cleanup efforts in September, rather they started many years ago as the ecosystem that ultimately feeds the local industries was suffering. Enter Lyngbya, the intrusive algae that had settled upon the river’s glass floor, thereby driving away much of the fish, birds and even manatees. So how did the citizenry take to this problem? That’s right, no different than with the hurricanes and floods: Getting to work. Cleaning up the river and restoring it back to its pristine state so that events like the

Plantation Redfish Classic can be successful has been an arduous task, but one taken up by the community that wants to preserve this coastal treasure. Leading the efforts is Save Crystal River, a group of lay citizens that has done so much to bring back the glory days of Crystal River as a fishing haven. Save Crystal River is among one of the beneficiaries of the Plantation Redfish Classic,which prides itself on coastal conservation, protection of the fisheries and providing scholarships to local students. Lisa Moore, a fourth-generation Floridian and long-time Crystal River resident, is president of Save Crystal River and understands the urgency as much as anyone. “We used to be one of the capitals of fishing, back before we had the problems with Lyngbya,” Moore said. “There was bass fishing, snook, tarpon, tons of mullet. You could just catch a fish any time you wanted

to go fishing.” In 1993, the famous no-name “Storm of the Century” brought massive flooding, and with it the Lyngbya that came into the freshwater areas and began choking off life. Slowly taking over the sea grass so vital to providing oxygen and food, Lyngbya began to blanket just about everything, darkening the waters and shrinking the food supply for manatees and other aquatic life. The problems of Lyngbya take many forms. First, the algae is toxic to our beloved manatees. Second, it depletes dissolved oxygen, leading to fish kills and significant loss of habitat. Lyngbya mats clog spring vents and reduce water flow which feeds fresh water into the river and flushes out the salt water. Finally, Lyngbya blocks sunlight necessary for the growth of underwater plants and seagrasses. The task at hand has been to clean the

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

muck of the Lyngbya and restore the sea grass. Save Crystal River started the process eight years ago and has planted 92 acres of grass that has since spread to more than 300 acres. “Even though the hurricane brought in salt water that killed the leaves, they’re already sprouting back all over the place,” Moore said. “Our fish went away; our birds went away — it was a big mess when we started re-planting. Now, you can go out there and swim in the water and you will see tons of fish, schools of mullet are back; the crab industry is back. “It’s critical for people to understand how habitat feeds the industry. If you don’t have a good habitat, you don’t have any fish to catch, no crabs to eat, the birds are gone. Everything has a chain reaction — if there are no plants, there’s no oxygen.” According to Howard Miller of Sea and Shoreline, the company responsible for

40 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

much of the cleanup, since the emergence of Save Crystal River, 17 new species of life have been reintroduced to the waters and are now thriving. “There was a fishing show recently within throwing distance of The Plantation and they caught tarpon, snook, redfish and bass all within a two-hour period of time,” Miller said. Little wonder, Rowthorn and Hamlin enjoyed the haul they did on this crisp October day. But it is not all just about the Lyngbya and sea grass when it comes to restoring Crystal River. Moore points out the shrinking islands of the area which are important as storm barriers and habitats. According to Moore, 130 acres of islands have been lost since the 1940s and her organization is now working to restore this vital part of the ecosystem. First there was the storm of 1993, then

Hurricane Hermine in 2016 and, most recently, Hurricane Idalia of 2023 and the tornado. All setbacks, for certain, but none that softened the citizenry. “I think we recovered from this one faster than we ever had before,” Meek said. “Those three events over that time span were significant flood events for Crystal River and I think the two prior to this prepared us, so the recovery time was less than it was in ’93 and much less than in 2016.” A resort hotel that is better than it was before the flood, a thriving fishery thanks to the efforts of locals who care and an iconic fishing tournament that showcases the wonder of Crystal River — all testimony to how the people of Citrus County meet adversity not with self-pity but with self-reliant determination. The manatees are thriving, the fish are abundant and the water is clear.

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Plantation Redfish Classic winners: Redfish Division:

1. Kevin Hamlin and Rob Rowthorn (13.82 pounds) 2. Zachry Brothers (12.49 pounds) 3. Louie Argiro (11.88 pounds)

Trout Division: 1. Ryan Hooey 2. Bailey Grant 3. Katie Jo

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Youth Division:

1. Brayden Trice (6.34 pounds) 2. Elle Hatcher (4.56 pounds) 3. Fisher Boardman (4.48 pounds)

42 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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• Cutting edge equipment and techniques • Knowledgeable and friendly staff • ISA Certified Arborist

Call the team you can trust for an estimate today 352-290-3668

eat

Wishing you and yours a magical Thanksgiving

Dining Out p48-49

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

EAT EAT

dining out

Elevation 89 Elevation 89 is a destination. A place friends and family can gather for good food, drinks and conversation in a unique environment featuring soaring views of planes taking oﬀ and landing along with the added bonus of beautiful sunsets.

Chef’s daily features including fresh fish and Monday night prime rib. See the menu:

Come enjoy our unique dining environment! Private room available. Open Thanksgiving, call for reservations.

1770 SW 60th Ave suite 800, Ocala, FL 34474 | (352) 655-2880 Open 7 days, 11am - 9pm www.elevation89attheocalaairport.com

Pokeworks Pokeworks is a groundbreaking, healthy Hawaiian-inspired fast casual dining experience. From the beginning, Pokeworks was a consumer sensation. Hundreds stood in line to build their own poke burrito or bowl. Today, Pokeworks is the leading and fastest-growing fast casual poke brand in the world, founded on the vision of bringing people healthy, ﬂavorful food. Our chefdriven poke menu oﬀers customizable, low-calorie poke bowls with a variety of bases and proteins to suit every dietary need. Let our sumptuous seafood, hand-cut vegetables and proprietary sauces be the inspiration when you build Poke Your Way™. We think about your calories, so you don’t have to.

DINE-IN, TAKE-OUT, DELIVERY. Our hand-crafted Signature Works and FOMO-worthy bowls and burritos offer unique flavors found only at Pokeworks.

2734 E Fowler Ave Ste C, Tampa, FL 33612 | (813) 443-9975 Mon-Thur 11am–9pm, Fri-Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am-9pm International Plaza: 2223 N Westshore Blvd Ste 230B, Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 749-4136 Mon-Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 11am-6pm

48 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

pokeworks.com

EAT

dining out

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 Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine experience. Our diverse menu features awarddining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest winning wines spirits, prime steaks,awardand fresh experience. Ourand diverse menu features local seafood prepared by oursteaks, Certifiand ed Executive winning winesall and spirits, prime fresh Chef and hisby outstanding team. We local Randal seafoodWhite all prepared our Certified Executive pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. Weto every guest, with toexemplary detail andservice intentional pride ourselves onattention delivering to hospitality. every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.

EAT

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

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

West 82°Coff Bareeand Grill Manatee Company

From wild, locally caught seafood to regionally grown produce and beef sourced within Florida, West 82⁰ Bar & Grill brings delectable farm-to-table Begin your morningplates withwhile a guests overlook the beautiful Kings Bay and Crystal delicious beverage fromRiver. the Bring your own catch of the day, and the restaurant will prepare it for you ﬂawlessly.

Manatee Coﬀee Company, We Proudly Wehot are Join us forServe SundayStarbucks! Brunch featuring and cold stations, a carving station, omelet station, and an open from 6 am to 6anpm seven assorted dessert display. days a week.

9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal FL 34429 9301 WestRiver, Fort Island Trail (352)River, 795-4211 Crystal FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com

www.plantationresortoncrystalriver.com

Call for reservations and weekly specials. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am 2:30pmspecials | Dinner,atDaily: Call for reservations and- weekly West5:00pm 82° Bar -&9:00pm Grille. For reservations, call 1.800.632.6262 Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm 9301 West Island-Trail, Crystal River,Daily: FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 Lunch, Daily:Fort 11:00am 2:30pm | Dinner, 5:00pm - 9:00pm www.plantationoncrystalriver.com For reservations, call (352) 651-5746 or book through the Resy App

Ivy On The Square Whether gathering with friends or family for lunch or a night out, you’ll enjoy fresh salads, mouthwatering comfort food, late-night tapas and drinks. Specials include our Pecan Salmon, Southern Fried Lobster and famous baked Krispy Chicken. After dining enjoy a stroll in our boutique where we oﬀer a variety of gifts, jewelry, home decor and clothing. Looking to host a special event or dinner? Call and talk to one of our staﬀ members on the options we have available.

Stop by our new Happy speakeasy bar and Thanksgiving enjoy our specialty from our family drinks! Gift certificates to yours! available. Stop by our speakysy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.

53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550 Closed Sun Mon,11am-2pm, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm Mon,&Tues Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm

106 NW Main St., Williston | (352) 528-5410 Sun-Wed 11am-2pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-8pm | ivyhousefl.com

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OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

60th Annual

Pancake Day Saturday, December 9th, 2023 7am - Noon Eighth Street Elementary Includes all you can eat

Buy Tickets Now!

pancakes, sausage and beverage All proceeds support Kiwanis special

Media Sponsor

OCALA MAGAZINE

pro ects including Camp Kiwanis

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Bear painting by Adrienne Gonia Seen on display at FAFO’s Ocala Art Festival | agonia2212@cox.net | www.adriennegonia.com

GOlist of Events p52 | Society Pages p54

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

NOV

GOlist

Brought to you by GO52.events There are 52 weeks in each year. What are you doing this week?

County Public Schools and will include their respective JROTC units, the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, Veteran guest speakers, patriotic music and more! www.marionvetpark.com/ veterans-day-ceremony

Tower of Power

Friday, November 17 @ 7:30 p.m. Reilly Arts Center

Wednesday, November 8 @ 7:30 p.m. Reilly Arts Center

For over 55 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music.“We were a Soul band called The Motowns.” recalls Emilio Castillo. “Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met “Doc” Kupka back in 1968, and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power.” The reason for the band name change was that they had a specific goal in mind. Tickets and info: www.reillyartscenter.com

Soul Asylum, known for their raucous but emphatic combination of punk energy, guitar-fueled firepower will take the stage with special guest Driving N Cryin. Tickets from $25 are available at www.reillyartscenter.com

Chant & Cultivate Your Calm

Friday, November 10 @ 6 p.m. Nadi Om Wellness | 6118 SW State Rd 200, Ocala | $25 Relieve deep seated stress and anxiety with Devotional Kirtan singing. Feeling bent up & stressed out & needing to let it out? This soul soothing workshop features Kirtan Artist & Yoga Teacher Gabriel who spent nearly 20 years of his life in chronic stress, pain & addiction before discovering Yoga. Let go, shake it off and chant the night away as you explore this energizing & meditative practice of Chanting & Kirtan. Sign up and info at www. nadiomwellness.org/workshops/

Sacrifice, Service, Commitment: 2023 Veterans Day Ceremony

52 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Official Digimon Tournaments

Friday, November 17 @ 6:30-9:30 p.m. Vibranium Comics, 2801 SW 20th St., Ocala $5 entry gets you an official tournament pack and rounds of fun!

Saturday, November 18 @ 4-8:00 p.m. Downtown Ocala

Friday, November 10 @ 11 a.m. | FREE

The public is warmly welcomed to attend the official Marion County Veterans Day Ceremony. Bring your lawn chairs and patriotic fervor as we gather at Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to all who honorably served in America’s Armed Forces. The ceremony is facilitated by Marion

old, she’s almost out of time and patience. Her latest “exhibit” is mason jars filled with a secret liquid in her Brooklyn brownstone. Though it’s been her home for many years, it may not survive her feud with her grown children. But a surprising kindred spirit climbs her cherished tree and comes in a second-story window to try to reason with her before she burns all her bridges. You’ll be blown away by this explosive dramatic comedy by Eric Coble! RATED PG Tickets and info: www.ocalacivictheatre.com

The Velocity of Autumn

November 9-26, 2023 at the Ocala Civic Theatre

MOM’S ABOUT TO BLOW! Alexandra is a widowed artist. Eighty years

Light Up Ocala is a longstanding community tradition to kick off the holidays that attracts thousands to downtown Ocala. This year marks the 39th anniversary of the holiday merry making event. Visit 100 vendors including crafts, art and plenty of food options to choose from. Live entertainment on the Historic Ocala Downtown Square will fill the air with festive sounds and an interactive kids zone will keep the whole family entertained. Don’t miss the 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! For additional information, visit www.ocalafl.org/lightup

SAVE THE DATE: Ocala Holiday Craft Show

Saturday, November 18 @ 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Sunday, November 19 @ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. World Equestrian Center Expo Center 1

Ocala’s LARGEST Holiday Craft Show is set for November 18-19 at the World Equestrian Center – Expo Center 1. This fun shopping event has a variety of artisans and crafters offering quality handmade & unique holiday gifts and decorations for family, friends, pets, and the most important person, YOU. Tickets: General $6, Senior $5, Children 12 and under free. Free Parking | Pet Friendly

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 25 @ 6-9 p.m. Ocala Downtown Market

Celebrate the spirit of the holiday season by joining us at the Small Business Saturday Market! This event is dedicated to supporting small businesses and promoting the importance of shopping local this holiday season. Explore a diverse range of unique products and gifts crafted by talented artisans and entrepreneurs from your community. From handmade crafts to one-of-akind artworks, you’re sure to find the perfect treasures for your loved ones.

55th Holiday Festival Arabian/ Half Arabian Horse Show & Keystone Charity Experience November 23 - 26 @ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. World Equestrian Center

Arabian & Half Arabian horse show: Halter, Performance, Sport Horse, Dressage and Open Breed Western Dressage.

An Olde English Christmas with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone Thursday, November 30 @ 7 p.m. | $40-60 Circle Square Cultural Center

Join Circle Square Cultural Center for An Olde English Christmas with Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone. Heavy on hits and led by Peter Noone, the iconic British ‘60s headliner Herman’s Hermits will entertain you this holiday season, featuring a playlist that will transport you back in time! For more information, visit CSCulturalCenter. com or PeterNoone.com.

Friends of Recovery Marion Expo and theater Presentation — Bill, Bob, Lois and Friends: Voices of Recovery January 20 and 21, 2023 @ 6 p.m. College of Central Florida

Doors open at 6pm for displays, demos and info booths and vendors. Theater doors open at 6:45 and the main event is a drama about the early founders of AA. Event lasts approximately 90 minutes. Door prizes will be given away just prior to the show and live artist Andres Garcia will be painting and donating his art. Unboxed Productions will present a live theater presentation featuring local actors, Bill, Bob, Lois and Friends: Voices of Recovery. Info: 352 875 5484, kimlynette@aol.com

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Visit GO52.events to find more events and never say bored again.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

EVENTS

society

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® PHOTOS BY HELEN DEMILIO

n Saturday, October 14, hundreds from across Ocala walked for those living and lost to Alzheimer’s and other dementia at Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Participants gathered at the World Equestrian Center, raising more than $130,000 for local care and support programs and research through the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida chapter. One in eight Florida seniors is estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s, a progressive brain disease that impacts memory, thinking and behavior. While there is no cure, new treatments have been shown to slow the progression of the disease, giving families new hope at this year’s event. Mary Inbody, of Ocklawaha, is living with Alzheimer’s and attended the walk to help support everyone going through a similar experience. "I walk because I have Alzheimer's. I walk because I want to raise awareness and funds for research so that others can benefit from it as well,” said Inbody. More than 827,000 Floridians are serving as unpaid family caregivers. Many at the walk carried yellow flowers, showing their role as caregivers for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Ocala residents can still donate to the Walk at alz.org/OcalaWalk.

54 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Keith, Captain John and Marie Kalb

Bonnie Tieche and Tiffany Fullbright

Becky Vinzant, Darla Harrison and Kathy Johnson

Dj Ryan and Susie Carey Kathy Mclaughlin, Brooklyn Mclaughlin and Savanna Brey

Nancy Pofi, Eric Dearden, Judi Mcevoy and Ron Mcevoy

Scott Drinkwater, Shannon Lillard and Carrie Blaire

Debby Johns, Martha Scherer, Samantha Ries

Kaitlyn Wheeler, Emma Fontaine, Veronica Tourgeman, Ben, Janet Fredrick and Alice Fontaine

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

All dressed up with nowhere to go? There’s more night life in Ocala and Marion County than you think! There are 52 weeks in every year, what are YOU doing this week? GO52 makes that an easy question to answer. Unless you struggle with choices, because yeah, there’s a LOT to do here in Ocala. GO52 is an online event listing epicenter that is dedicated to sharing all of the Ocala and Marion County happenings in one place so your calendar will never be empty again. Visit go52.events, do a quick search, then get out ang go!

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go52.events

#neversayboredagain

OST FIND, P MOTE , PRO SHARE ENJOY PLAN & TS! EVEN

EVENTS

society

FAFO’s Ocala Arts Festival PHOTOS BY JESSI MILLER

he 2023 Ocala Arts Festival was held Downtown Ocala on October 26 and 27. As every year, it grows, bringing more attention to local artists and more outside artists here for us to experience. In addition to streets filled with art, there is entertainment, food trucks, student art, and student performances. FAFO awards artists and purchases some pieces for thier permanent collection. For more information on FAFO, the judges, and how to be involved in the future, visit https://fafo.org/festival

Justin Alsedek

58 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Rose Derkay

Kendra Brazzel

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

EVENTS

society

Ocala Electric Utility Customer Appreciation Day PHOTOS BY HELEN DEMILIO

cala Electric Utility celebrated Public Power Week on Oct. 1-7, along with the American Public Power Association and 2,000 other community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that operate in the United States. Public Power Week concluded with OEU Customer Appreciation Day held October 6th at Citizens' Circle, and was followed by Recreation and Parks 'After Dark in the Park' with Hotel Transylvania movie playing. Giving back to our hometown and in appreciation for our customers, OEU provided food cooked by OEU crews, entertainment by Lewis Stokes, family-friendly activities, educational items, and giveaways—appreciation prizes included bill credits used on customer accounts. Customers spun the prize wheel to win utility vouchers with randomly assigned monetary values. "OEU is dedicated to the community we serve," said Doug Peebles, Director of Ocala Electric Utility. "Public Power Week, along with our annual Customer Appreciation Day, helps to highlight OEU's efforts as Ocala and Marion County's hometown public power provider. These events are a sincere thank you to our customers who support us throughout the year."

Skyler Nave, Mathew Brown, Joe Allan, Kyle Kalbaujh, Jason Moody and Bryson Jones

Isabella Gomez and Alyssa Russell

Noah Davis, Letitia Bell and Malcolm-Omari Davis

Jason Smoker, Jose Casillas, Matthew O'cull, Michael Bridges and Chris Drivas

Ralph Demilio and Jasper Roman

Nancy and Sam Failla with Bubba

Tammy Hoff and Jason Warren

60 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Marlee Roberts and Serenity Grinnell

Domenica Serrano and Andrea Mejias

OCA�lWlinLYQCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER Ocala's Q

One-Stop Medical Center!

PROUD TO BE LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 30 YEARS

OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER

Alexis Nibe, PA-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Samantha Weston, PA-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Shekeita Perry, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Andrew Cushenbery,APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Stacey Graham,APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Brittani Lucin, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Sarah Yannone, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Rocky Grinvalds,APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Jennifer Sinquefield, APRN-BC FAMILY PRACTICE

Cindy Sarduy, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

James London, MD, FACC CARDIOLOGY

OFMC200

2516 SW COLLEGE ROAD OCALA, FL 34471

Mimi Balch, MD FAMILY PRACTICE

Sahana Aravind, MD FAMILY PRACTICE

Allen Winston,DO FAMILY PRACTICE

Office Direct: 352-368-1330

Laurel Bryant,APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Karen Larsen,DNP,APRN-C FAMILYPRACTICE

Corey West, DNP, APRN-C FAMILY PRACTICE

Family Practice• Internal Medicine•Cardiology• Preventive Medicine•Geriatrics•Auto Accidents Full Service Lab•Digital X-Ray•Ultrasound•64 Slice CT• 1.5 Open Bore MRI•Stress Testing

OFMCPLAZA

2135 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471

Office Direct: 352-368-1360

Carly Carrion Olmeda, MD ENDOCRINOLOGY

Nanjappa Chandramohan, MD ENDOCRINOLOGY

Eduardo Cruz, MD PHYSICAL MEDICINE

Kamal Mody, DPT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Joseph Javier, DPT PHYSICAL THERAPY

OFMC PODIATRY 2131 SW 20TH PLACE OCALA, FL 34471

Office Direct: 352-368-1370

F elix Esarey, DPM PODIATRY

www.ocalafmc.com

Office Direct: 352-368-1340 (PHYSIATRY & PHYSICAL THERAPY)

Natesha Vaillancourt, APRN, CNM WOMEN'S HEALTH

P hilip Johnson, MD WOMEN'S HEALTH

Lourdes Varela-Batista, MD PHYSICAL MEDICINE

Matt Ota, PA-C PHYSICAL MEDICINE

TheaTani, DPT PHYSICAL THERAPY

Claudia Guevara, PTA PHYSICAL THERAPY

OFMC DERMATOLOGY & A ESTHETIC CENTER 2121 SW 22ND PLACE OCALA, FL 34471

Office Direct: 352-368-1350

Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh, MD Amber Starling, DNP, APRN-C DERMATOLOGY & MOHS SURGERY DERMATOLOGY -ocala Family Medical Center, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil r.ights laws and does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color, national origin, age, d.isabili,ty, or sex.-

EVENTS

society

16th Annual Applaud the Arts PHOTOS BY HELEN DEMILIO

arion Cultural Alliance annually presents Applaud the Arts, Ocala’s largest gathering of artists, arts organizations, MCA members, and the business community. This signature event kicks off the cultural season in Ocala with the announcement of arts awards, cultural grants recipients and was set at the Appleton Museum of Art. Following the brief program, guests enjoyed tapas, libations, and artful entertainment. MCA’s Eighth Annual ARTS AWARDS went to:

Patricia Sutton, Valarie Lacefield and La Craven

EDUCATION AWARD Prof. Tyrus Clutter — Recognizes an arts educator (K-college) who utilizes the arts as a tool for achieving excellence. VISION AWARD Margaret “Peggy” Watts — Recognizes an individual or an organization in Ocala/ Marion County for their outstanding advocacy of the arts. SERVICE AWARD Dr. Leslie Hammond — Recognizes an exceptional individual for their dedicated volunteerism in the arts and contribution to the arts community.

Jessi Miller, Tom Dobbins and Leslie Hammond

62 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Isiah Pepper, Lisa Irwin, Heather Batchelor and Angi Grabbe

Monica Garces, Courtney Kravig, Joy David and Nicole Upton

Danuta Jacob, Angie Lewis, Mary and Mark Emery, and Scott Jacob

Billye Mallory and Alex Castrillo

Elodie Perron and Peter Lee

Ashley Justiniano and Natalie Braulo

Heather Batchelor and Celeste Mondo

Jessica St. Hilaire and Jimmie Boyette

Kat and Ryan Newman

Jason Warren, Tammy Hoff, Angie Ray, Kristen Dreyer and David Tillman

Patricia Tomlinson and Melissa Casto

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

Save the date! February 14th, 2024 • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at College of Central Florida - Klein Center

This is an annual tribute, hosted by Interfaith Emergency Services, honoring people who have made a significant contribution to the betterment of our Marion County community. Donations made in honor of these individuals are used to further the mission of Interfaith to provide emergency assistance without judgement to Marion County residents lacking basic human needs.

2024 Honorees

Wes Wheeler

Monica Bryant

For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact Karla Greenway at

karla@iesmarion.org or 352-629-8868 (ext. 219) Additional information can be found on our website:

www.iesmarion.org.

The Late Wayne McDonald

No one crushes crunch time like you You have what it takes to multitask like a boss. And we have the right IT solutions to help you manage it all. From high-speed Internet to managed cloud options, we have IT solutions for every aspect of your business. Because we know what IT takes.

EVENTS

society

Spookala October, 2023 PHOTOS BY RALPH DEMILIO

pookala's second big horror convention this year was held at the Florida Fairgrounds in Tampa. For two days in October the convention center was filled with movie stars, cosplayers, artists, horrificly wonderful wares and collectibles, and thousands of excited fans. There were hundreds of Ghost Faces from Scream who gathered together with some of the cast to take a world record photo. Legendary film director Kevin Smith gave a gracious Q and A, along with many others. The Spookala horror con is putting Ocala on the map and you will want to follow them for what’s next! Find out more at www.spookala.com

Dermot Mulroney and Jamie Kennedy

Anthrax's Scott Ian

Skeet Ulrich

66 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Michael Rooker

Tom Arnold

Matthew Lillard

Deej Gualandri, Kevin Smith, Jonathan Dismuke and Nicole Fitzpatrick

Hundreds of Gost Faces together with Scream's Jamie Kennedy, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard

Jason "Jay" Mewes

Tyler Mane

David Arquette

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

THE BEST IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT! The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, national and regional artists and much more!

Musical Cocktail Party with Evans Haile | Nov. 4

An Evening with Madeleine Peyroux | Nov. 11

SOUL ASYLUM with special guest Drivin N Cryin | Nov. 17

The Ocala Symphony Chorus presents

Rustic Songs and Dances | Nov. 19

IN THE NOMA BLACK BOX

Scan the QR code with your phone to view the complete lineup of performances at the Reilly Arts Center.

NOV. 25 | 9 PM | TICKETS $25

CONCERTS, CLASSIC FILMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND MORE! Join us downtown Thurs-Sun!

Films from just $5 Live concerts and events Sponsorship Opportunities Rent the Marion Theatre Full bar and concession GRANT SUPPORT BY:

CHECK OUT OUR NOVEMBER FILMS FROM $5

ReillyArtsCenter.com | 352-351-1606 | 500 NE 9th Street

Media Support provided by:

MarionTheatre.org | 352-820-3049 | 50 S Magnolia Ave

Ocala Lions Club Jerry Cullison 30th Memorial Golf Tournament

The Ocala Lions Club Charities Foundation would appreciate the support of the Ocala/Marion County Business Community through the commitment of sponsorships.

The tournament (a four person scramble) will be held on December 2, 2023, 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 sight and hearing programs, educational scholarships, disaster relief grants, a Silent Santa program, Backpack for Kids, White Cane Day, and the Southeastern Youth Fair.

To become a sponsor, contact: Garry Adel: 352-895-1084 or Barry Fies: 352-362-7713

EVENTS

society

Florida Feast — Interfaith’s Annual Fundraiser PHOTOS BY HELEN DEMILIO

lorida Feast, an Interfaith fundraiser, was hosted by the Marion County Roadbuilders Association. Held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, guests enjoyed a great dinner, auction and raffle on October 12th. The beautiful fall evening was filled with great food, silent auctions, raffles and socializing with friends and family. Florida Feast helps provide funding for our Food Distribution Center, so that they can provide for over 30,000 individuals and families in need in Central Florida during the fall and winter months.

Rylie Winterbauer, Kendall Weidenbacher, Kyle Rich and Reagen Winterbauer

Samantha and Billy Woods

Rob Quinney, Kevin Atzhley, Cameron Hines and George Horton

Bill Gladson, David Tillman and Dennis Baxley

Karrie Scroggie, Karla Greenway, Lenni Clyatt and Courtney Salem

Danny Moore and Ronny Bailey Charlie Stone and Michelle Stone

70 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Deshayla Sims and Liz Cole

Emily Pozo and Sonya Tyler

Sonny Vinson and JD Hall

Liz Pedreira and Marissa Clayton

Thomas Holmes, Brandon Lee and Avery Hickman Jacob West, Ben Jacobson, Hayward Morant, Todd Mills, Rodney Miller and Keegan Love

Bailey, Susannah and Todd Counts

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

From beginnings forged through sheer necessity to the modern day fire department we are today, Ocala Fire Rescue invites you to experience the events that shaped this organization, the men and women who make up this family, and the innovative instruments that have helped along the way. The members of Ocala Fire Rescue have been protecting lives and property since 1885. The Ocala Fire Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history with an impressive display of fire related memorabilia. Thousands of items are exhibited including antique fire extinguishers, fire uniforms and badges, medical equipment, a collection of international fire helmets, children’s toys and so much more. The museum contains artifacts spanning from the 19th Century to modern times, including a segment of steel from the World Trade Center. During your visit learn about the 1883 Thanksgiving Day Fire which devastated the town, why fire uniforms are blue in color, when the city’s first female firefighters were hired, and so much more. Ocala is fortunate to have one of only a handful of museums in the state of Florida dedicated to the fire service. We hope you stop by to see the museum. You will be glad you did.

615 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala, FL 34475 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8.a.m.-4 p.m. For further information or to schedule group tours, call Ocala Fire Rescue at (352)629-8306.

Photo: Adobe Stock

equine

Gracious Living in the Horse Capital of the World®

Everything Equine p76

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

EQUINE

everything equine

The Plight and the Love of the Mustang BY LOUISA BARTON

he Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages and protects wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of public lands across 10 western states. Part of the mission of the BLM is to administer public lands for a variety of uses and its goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands. The BLM has placed more than 250,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971 as many of those horses have become excellent pleasure, show or work horses. For decades, cattle ranchers, ecologists and, most significantly, the BLM have noted that, because the horses reproduce easily and lack natural predators, their population continues to grow exponentially. Wild horses are reproducing at unsustainable rates – between 2007 and 2021, their numbers more than tripled. There is not enough public land left, and the situation is worsening. Trying to keep wild horse numbers level or reducing them is expensive, costing the taxpayer almost $30,000 per wild horse or burro in a holding ranch and those costs are rising. There are almost 60,000 wild horses in holding, which costs taxpayers millions a year to support their upkeep. My journey with a mustang a few years back became an adventure for life. I interviewed the BLM representative on my

76 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

broadcast show and was just stopping by to introduce myself in person and see how successful they had been in their adoptions. I walked around the corrals, watching horses munching on their hay, standing alongside one another for companionship in a place still new to them. There were not that many left unadopted that day, probably only about six or seven. It was their last day in Ocala for that visit, and it was almost time to load up the remaining horses and head back home. A man was adopting one of two geldings in one corral, and I suggested he take both as they seemed to be good friends. Right as I did, the second sorrel horse with the big head and a Roman looking nose brushed his whiskers across my hand, which was resting against the corral panel. He had a mustache of sorts and I wondered if that was typical of these horses. I was a little surprised that the wild horse wanted to come to me and touch me. I made eye contact with him. He looked back at me and seemed unafraid. The horse with the big head made a low and quiet nickering sound, and just as he did, one of the BLM employees passed by me and said, “That one likes you. He is on his third strike. He won’t get another chance to be adopted. He’s only $25.” Somehow shortly after that, a kind girl by the name of Danielle, who just seemed to appear beside me with her friend, offered to help me get my new adoptee home to my farm. Fortunately, I

had a 6-foot-tall round pen to put him in, but then what was I going to do? That evening it was cold, the coldest day of the year. My new protegee colicked (a bad and potentially life-threatening bellyache for a horse) that evening and getting some medication into his mouth to calm his bellyache was quite an undertaking. Both of my friends who train mustangs were out of town and the vet was not answering the phone due to another emergency. That might have been a blessing in disguise. My new mustang and I spent that chilly night in the round pen alone together, becoming lifelong friends. I managed to get the medication into his mouth and decided I had better just stay with him and watch him all night in case he became worse. By the morning my Triple B mustang trusted me with his life and putting the halter on and removing his ID number from his mane seemed simple for me alongside one of my mustang trainer friends, who was now back in town. She could not get over to me quick enough, to see what I had adopted. It was not many months later that my “heart” horse, Sundance, a.k.a. Sunny, who I had loved and owned for almost 30 years, passed away. I think Flynn, my mustang, knew my sadness, and in his way he comforted my broken heart. There was no way to replace Sunny, but Flynn, as I had named my Triple B herd horse, kept me busy and kept me comforted in my time of loss. As weeks passed, Flynn and I bonded, and his body started to catch up with his head. To me, he was always beautiful, but he became more majestic to others also. With large hooves, almost draft-like features and

a long flowing mane, Flynn was quite the horse. He still is quite something and the best $25 I have ever spent. He is in his forever home as long as I live. A couple of times a year, the Bureau of Land Management sets up corral panels under a covered arena at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala. They usually bring mustangs and burros with the goal of getting them all adopted. The prices range from $25 to $125, many with incentives of $1,000, if you can prove ownership and proper care for one year from adoption. On this October 2023 visit with 66 mustangs, I was blessed to spend some time talking to the BLM employees who came with the horses. I was pleasantly surprised by my experience. Much of the public is critical of the BLM. They complain about their role in the “gathering” of the horses, blaming the cattle and sheep farmers for using the land and, of course, we all blame politics. They could be right about many of their complaints, as we know that money does seem to drive most things in this world. However,, I empathize as I too wish many of these horses could stay on their native lands and live out their lives peacefully, but we forget that the problem exists either way. The BLM exists to help as much as they can. Prior to laws protecting the wild horses of America, anyone could go out and shoot wild horses if they were eating the grass that they wanted for their livestock. It is with the laws to protect the horses that the BLM came into existence. They help by gathering the excess horses, which would die for lack of sustenance in the current situation. Do we need more changes? I am sure we do, but until that happens, I am so glad that we have people who truly care about these horses and want what’s best for them. Feeding them, getting to know them and sharing their stories and personality traits with me made each individual’s eyes light up. I did not meet a BLM employee that was not a horse lover, and every one of them have adopted mustangs at some point – and most currently own at least one themselves. One BLM employee proudly showed me a photo of his daughter riding her mustang on the trails. Another shared that she had competed in an Extreme Makeover and bought her mustang back because she loved him too much to let him go. Each one had a story about their mustang to

Mustang 101 In 1971, President Nixon signed the Wild FreeRoaming Horses & Burros Protection Act. At that time, wild herds were identified, and those that could be protected and were assigned to the Bureau of Land Management for protection and management. After the passage of this Act, ranchers had a year to brand and file to pay grazing fees for the horses they wanted, and the rest became property of the U.S. government as wild horses. A few were recovered in this way, but most were left on the range to become the ancestors of today’s wild horses. Reflecting a variety of ancestry, today’s mustangs come in a full range of sizes and conformational types. There are all sorts of colors and sizes to choose from. Burros are wild donkeys, descended from donkeys used by prospectors, or brought here by sheep herders to help protect their flocks. Today, almost 60,000 mustangs are in holding. Captured animals are offered for adoption to qualified people through the BLM’s Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro program. After caring for an animal for one year, adopters are eligible to receive title from the federal government. The one year waiting period is for the animal’s protection, with the goal of preventing people from making a quick profit by reselling the horse for slaughter, as well as to allow unsuccessful adopters to return the animal to BLM while it is still under federal protection. Once the animal has passed the one-year titling period, it becomes private property of the adopter. A wild horse has a great ability to read and understand energy, movement and body language. You will have much more success if you go slowly, allowing the horse time to learn each part of the training. Spend time with your horse and get to know him. The plight of the mustang can only be solved by all of us, and my “third strike horse” turned into a lifelong love of the wild horse we call a mustang.

share and in each set of eyes you could see the genuine love of the mustang. As we fed them some delicious Larsen Hay over the corral panels together, I heard wonderful success stories and even compliance issues where horses were taken back and rehomed wonderfully into their forever homes. I saw passion for the mustang and its plight, and I saw a labor of love. We cannot change the world or fix politics, but we can help to adopt as many of these wonderful horses and burros out and hope to always have some of America’s wild horses left roaming on their native lands to enjoy for generations to come. For more information on ways that you can help and for more information about the Bureau of Land Management Mustang and Burros programs and adoption locations, go to https://www.blm.gov/whb

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

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charity spotlight EACH MONTH, OCALA MAGAZINE FEATURES A LOCAL CHARITY THAT UPLIFTS OUR COMMUNITY.

Healing by sharing the power of art 80 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Photos courtesy of Boy Scouts of America North Florida Council

ETC

ORGANIZATION NAME: Arts in Health Ocala Metro LEADERSHIP: Patricia Tomlinson, executive director; Angi Crenshaw, fund development; and Natalie Braulio, administrative coordinator. Board of Directors: Lisa Irwin, founder and board chair; Ken Boggs, treasurer; and board members Matthew Wardell, Margaret Dixon, Jessica McCune, David Midgett, and Jaye Baillie LOCATION: 507 NE 8th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470 MISSION STATEMENT: Our objective is to connect the healing power of art to our community through thoughtful and effective programming that is guided by the needs of our community members. WHAT WE DO: Arts in Health Ocala Metro (AIHOM) is a non-profit organization that connects art and healing. Our practice includes music, dance and performing and visual arts led by artists who serve our community through participant-led artmaking. While we are not art therapists, our artist practitioners utilize our powerful human connection with the arts to ease suffering, reduce pain and create overall wellbeing.

BY THE NUMBERS: Since February 2023, we have served

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14 Artist Practitioners. We are currently partners with 12 local organizations workshops with our team of

such as AdventHealth, The ARC, KutDifferent and more.

HOW YOU CAN GIVE OF YOUR TIME AND TREASURE: Donations make our programming possible whether we are playing music with intellectually disabled adults, making art with veterans or writing poetry with at-risk youth. Donate here https://aihocala.org/ or call 352-723-5444 for more information.

CONTACT: https://aihocala.org/, info@aihocala.org, 352-723-5444 OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

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health journal

Diabetes in Marion Diabetes is a growing problem, but Health Department can help BY BILL THOMPSON

s we enter November, and Thanksgiving approaches, holiday cooking — and eating — will soon become part of the community conversation. With that in mind, the Florida Department of Health in Marion County wants

82 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

to offer a friendly reminder about one consequence of overindulging at this time of year — diabetes. And November is the right month to do that since it is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes has become an important topic for us at DOH-Marion. We strive to ed-

ucate the public about this disease because it has become such a prominent feature of our community’s health landscape. Consider a few data points from the department’s own statistics. • Between 2002 and 2019, the percentage

Between 2002 and 2019, the percentage of adults in Marion County who have ever been told they had diabetes jumped from 10.7 percent to 16.8 percent.

of adults in Marion County who have ever been told they had diabetes jumped from 10.7 percent to 16.8 percent. • Between 2013 and 2019, the percentage of Marion County adults who were ever told they were pre-diabetic rose from 7.1 percent in 2013 to 9.7 percent in 2019. Pre-diabetic means having an elevated blood sugar level that, left untreated, could develop into Type 2 diabetes. • Meanwhile, the average age at which an adult in Marion County has been diagnosed with diabetes dropped from 55 in 2007 to 50 in 2019. But here is one more interesting stat: The number of adults in Marion County who have ever had a class on diabetes self-management declined from 52 percent in 2010 to 41.5 percent in 2019. At DOH-Marion, we believe in empowering people to take care of their own

health and maintain it in peak condition. And education is critical to that mission. Which is why we emphasize diabetes education as a major part of our programs. The first step to avoid or overcome diabetes is knowing your own status. You can get a quick read on your risk of this by taking our online test at marion. floridahealth.gov. Click on our Programs & Services tab and look for the Diabetes Education link under Wellness Programs. You can also learn your status with either a blood-glucose screening, which offers a snapshot of your level at the time of the test, or an A1C test, which provides a glimpse of your blood sugar level over time, usually two or three months. Choose whichever you want; the important thing is to get tested. If the test reveals that you may be diabetic or pre-diabetic, the next step is learning how to manage or improve your condition.

Here is where DOH-Marion can help. We offer to our community a free diabetes education seminar called the Diabetes Empowerment and Education Program, or DEEP. DEEP is an eight-week class that meets weekly. DOH-Marion staff conduct these classes in locations throughout the county, usually in partnership with the Marion County Public Library System or local churches or nonprofit groups. During these classes, participants learn how diabetes affects the human body and how to monitor it. DEEP also includes instruction on the importance of healthy balanced diets, meal planning and physical activity. Furthermore, participants will learn how to identify and prevent diabetic complications. While we want our community to be smarter about diabetes, you don’t have to be diabetic to attend DEEP. The program is open to for those who simply want to learn more about the disease or are caretakers for those diagnosed with it. Left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetes can be deadly. Without action, it can increase one’s risk of stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease, among other adverse health conditions. Yet, the good news is that diabetes can be managed through a combination of diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medication. Visit marion.floridahealth.gov to learn more about diabetes and our upcoming DEEP classes. Or contact us at 352-629-0137. Bill Thompson is the public information officer for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

ETC

state of the city

Protect Your Pipes: With Great Meals, Comes Great Responsibility BY: GABRIELA SULLIVAN, OCALA WATER CONSERVATION COORDINATOR

hat’s your favorite thing to do during the holidays? Maybe it is watching downtown Ocala shine from Light Up Ocala’s seasonal event or enjoying cool weather at one of the city’s 43 parks. For many people, it is sharing a meal with friends and family. Nothing compares to a table filled with good people and a mound of mashed potatoes but with great meals, comes great responsibility. Believe it or not, a bowl of leftover gravy washed down your kitchen drain could clog your sewer pipes. When fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) are washed down your drain, they collect along the walls of your pipes. Over time, F.O.G. builds up and eventually restricts water flow through the pipes. With a flush of the toilet or the turn of a faucet, water, waste, and anything else that is put down a drain enters an underground sewage maze. Gravity and a series of pumps push sewage through the network of pipes. In the city of Ocala, this maze consists of almost 500 miles of sewer pipes, 138 lift stations (pumps), two water reclamation facilities, and an entire department of employees dedicated to ensuring that sewage is safely transported and treated. While the city of Ocala Water Resources Department works tirelessly to ensure the sewage continues to flow through miles of pipe, we need your help. As the holidays approach, there are things you can do to protect your pipes: LEFTOVER COOKING OIL OR GREASE? IT’S TIME TO COOL IT, CONTAIN IT, AND CAN IT. Cool - Allow oil and grease to cool completely. Contain – Scrape it into a disposable container, like a tin can, cup, or plastic bag. Can – Throw the container into a trash can.

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WIPE BEFORE YOU WASH Wipe plates, pots, and pans with a paper towel or pan scraper to remove food before placing it in a sink or dishwasher. STRAIN BEFORE YOU DRAIN Place a sink strainer in a drain opening to prevent food, and other objects from entering the drain. Empty the strainer regularly into a trash can. These small everyday actions can pro-

tect your pipes for years to come. Are you planning on frying a turkey this holiday season? Or do you have leftover cooking oil you are looking to dispose? Drop off leftover cooking oil in a sealed container from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, November 27 at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, 2105 NW 21st St. Ocala, FL 34475. If you have questions, or concerns, or would like a tour of our facilities, please contact Gabriela Sullivan at WRCoordinator@ocalafl.gov or (352)351-6772.

state of the county

‘Bring The Harvest Home’ food drive kicks off BY MARK ANDERSON

very year, the Bring The Harvest Home food drive at the Ocala downtown square helps bring thousands of pounds of food and supplies to local charities. The culmination of a month-long effort to gather non-perishable food and other supplies, Bring The Harvest Home takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 1. Last year’s event brought in more than 20,700 pounds of items and more than $17,000 in donations, making it the largest amount of items brought in during the annual event. Karla Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, had great things to say about the food drive during last year’s event. “The large amount of food that we were given this year will help our soup kitchen continue throughout the holiday season,” Greenway said. “There has been a record number of

families in need this year, and we are so happy that Marion County provides this avenue of relief for so many within our special county.” The public is encouraged to stop by any time during Bring The Harvest Home the morning of Dec. 1, and throughout the month of November, county departments compete to donate the most food and supplies. All supplies donated during the competition are then brought to the square the morning of the food drive. “Providing for those in need during this holiday season is just one of the many ways that our county contributes to one another throughout the year,” Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant said during last year’s event. “We are so blessed to have such a wonderful community that loves to give back each and every year.” So, bring your non-perishable foods and

supplies to the Ocala downtown square on Friday, Dec. 1 from 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 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 donations year-round, so please consider donating whatever you can, whenever you can. Mark Anderson is a public relations specialist for the Marion County Government.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | NOV 2023 |

Photos courtesy of Marion County

ETC

Kiwanis

Korner

KIWANIS CLUB OF OCALA — KIDS NEED KIWANIS Serving The Children of Marion County Catching up with the good being done

iwanis Club of Ocala held the intruction and awards dinner for former and new presidents and new Lt. Governor from Palatka, Carla Aycock. Also, its Fifth Friday Project took members to the Marion County Teachers “Store” as they helped to stock shelves.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members, and partners, dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Today, with more than 550,000 members in 80 Countries, Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of our children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and being a mentor. Kiwanis Clubs host over 150,000 service projects per year.

www.facebook.com/KiwanisClubOfOcala

86 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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looking back

The local legacy of Arthur Jones

BY CARLTON REESE | WITH THE HISTORIC OCALA PRESERVATION SOCIETY

uring his life, there was never a dearth of verbiage to describe Arthur Jones, the fitness magnate who left a legacy here in Ocala. Peppered in any narrative of Jones are many flowery, grandiose and sometimes unflattering words to define who this man was. “Eccentric” may be the obvious word – and one that usually describes any person of gaudy wealth who enjoys odd hobbies – but that would not suffice for a character of Jones’ rather wide proportion of endeavors. They called him profane and ill-mannered while at the same time recognized him as a possible genius as well as a maverick. He was often referred to as a “swashbuckling inventor and innovator” and even said of himself that politically he was “64,000 miles to the right of Atilla the Hun.” Whatever Arthur Jones was or seemed to be, the one thing he was not was normal. He invented the revolutionary Nautilus workout machines, the first of which was sold in 1970 when Jones was in his mid-40s. The machines created a torrent of riches for the Arkansas native, who would eventually buy the former estate of Muriel Vanderbilt Adams (yes, of the Vanderbilt family empire) just north of Ocala and transform it into part company headquarters, part jet airport and part exotic wildlife zoo. The property is now the Jumbolair Aviation and Equestrian Estates on Jacksonville Road just north of County Road 326. From the outside, Jumbolair seems like any other exclusive gated community, except for the occasional roar of a jet engine and the whiff of the subsequent fuel to power them. It’s more famously known for its first resident, actor John Travolta. For all his bluster and rough exterior, Jones had a soft side for animals, especially those of the exotic variety. On his property,

96 | NOV 2023 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

he owned over 400 crocodiles, three rhinoceroses, hundreds of large rattlesnakes and a silverback gorilla. He made international headlines in 1984 when he personally flew in 63 baby elephants from Africa to his Ocala estate -- something possible only if you own a 7,550-foot runway and a well-equipped Boeing 707. The elephants provided the Jumbolair name for the property (“jumbo” referring to an elephant’s name and likely derived from the Swahili word “jambo,” which is a greeting, and “lair” for being what it actually means). The elephants and other exotic animals are long gone, but the name remains as a reminder to what was once here and caused a great stir among the public. He stated at the time of his elephant rescue operation that he was afraid of the coming extinction of these animals. He told a reporter at the time, “We’re picking up elephants that would otherwise be shot, and we’re going to give them an opportunity to survive.” As for his reasons, Jones answered “… because I like elephants and because nobody else is doing it and it’s very unlikely anyone else will do it. I simply could not live with myself if I idly stood by and watched the African elephant become extinct.”

Whatever eventually happened to those elephants is a matter of much controversy -- several died not long after the rescue, and before 1987 about three dozen were sold to zoos and circuses throughout the United States and Mexico. At that time, 49 elephants remained and were well treated, but after Jones divorced his fifth wife, Terri, in 1989 all the remaining animals were donated to parks and zoos. Terri would later marry Jeremy Thayer and spearhead the development of the Jumbolair community. Jones accumulated great wealth despite an education that lasted only through the ninth grade. “I am educated,” Jones once said. “The fact that I didn’t do it in school is irrelevant.” For a person lacking a high school education, he was able to change the world insofar as exercise is concerned. His invention introduced a whole new methodology of workouts and helped transform the health club industry from one dominated by dank gyms with free weights and bodybuilding lunks to one of fashionable fitness clubs for the recreational athlete. Nautilus was Jones’ biggest legacy, and next would be the large property of aviation enthusiasts that exists today because of his passion for flying and exotic animals.

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