Ocala Magazine October 2020 by ocalamag

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Ocalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City Magazine Since 1980 Serving the Horse Capital of the World

OCALA MAGAZINE

OCT 2020

Spirits in the Material World Ocala has more than its fair share of haunts

Dr. Robert Panzer, a Life Well-Lived 2020 Top Docs Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finally Fall: Gardening and Food Mongolian Adventure

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g buying or n ri e d si n o c e â&#x20AC;&#x2122;r u If yo call today! selling, give us a R E A LTO R ÂŽ For these and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos, and more choices. 352.347.1777 | 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.

Nilam Patel, CME, LME, Owner and Founder of Nirvana Medical Spa “Carpe Diem!” This is my mantra; my daily motivational thought that I say every day, out loud. My soul lives to please others, my family, friends and my clients. I possess this quality from the culture my parents raised me in my hometown of Zambia. Every client I have come in contact with I succeed in making a connection with him or her. I can’t put into words how I connect with them it is just an energy I give them.

A typical day for me at Nirvana Medical Spa is a daily morning meeting with my staff to discuss who is on the schedule, receive feedback on follow up calls from previous client’s appointments, discuss how we can all meet our daily goals followed by a 10-minute meditation. Next would be reading the latest educational articles on the treatments I perform to sharpen my knowledge. I started my business in May of 2017 in the back of a small spa. I networked in between client appointments, I completed continuing education courses at night while praying daily for my business to flourish, well, it did! In November of 2018 I moved into a temporary location that I personally named Nirvana Medical Spa. It was a short transition while I made my biggest dream come true of building my current location. My biggest and best career accomplishment came true.

My clients confide in me some of what they believe to be their deepest imperfections, for some, it is the first time they hear themselves say it out loud; these imperfections are not even shared with their spouse or best friend. I perceive they feel comfortable with me because I listen to their emotions. It is my goal each day I walk into Nirvana Medical Spa to make someone feel more confident when they look into the mirror and become happier with their appearance.

Laser Hair Removal Tattoo Remval Vein Removal Electrolysis Botox Filler Fat Reduction

Skin Tightening Secret RF Laser PRP facials Permanent Make-up Facials Waxing Threading Body Scrubs & More

Every single detail of my new location manifested from the ideas I dreamt of from the beginning; from the flooring to the Spa room size to light fixtures to the wall colors, I had a vision and I wasn’t stopping until it became a reality. Sometimes I look around at my beautiful space and think “did I really make this happen?” Yes! I did! Everyday, every minute I pushed myself harder. February 2020 was my grand opening and my cup runneth over. The evening was magical and I will be forever grateful to my community for sharing my success of the struggles, tears, laughs, and frustrations. I wish to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. Stay tuned, more is coming to Nirvana Medical Spa just for you. Yours, Nilam

3020 SW 27th Ave, Ocala, Fl 34471 0r https://nirvanamedicalspa.com

CELEBRATING OUR 40TH YEAR!

OCTOBER • 2020 Detail of "Deep End" by Richard Currier, courtesy of FAFO. See page 70

FEATURES 14

Spirits in the Material World

Mongolian Adventure

Fall Gardening Guide

Top Docs

Dr. Robert Panzer: A Life Well-Lived

DEPARTMENTS 10

Publisher’s Letter

From the Mayor

EAT

56 Pearfection 60

Dining Out

65 PLAY 66 Socially Speaking 70 FAFO at NOMA 72 Anthology: Poetry in Motion 75 EQUINE

ON THE COVER: Creative Director Jessi Miller Photography Ralph Demilio Model Elisabeth Mitchell

$5.95

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

OCALA MAGAZINE

OCT 2020

Spirits in the Material World Ocala has more than its fair share of haunts

Dr. Robert Panzer, a Life Well-Lived 2020 Top Docs It’s Finally Fall: Gardening and Food Mongolian Adventure

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Everything Equine

The Original EquinistaTM

81 ETC 82

Charity Spotlight: Marion Therapeutic Riding Association

State of the City

State of the County

Kiwanis Korner

Rotary Circle

Looking Back

Are you interested in clean, renewable energy at an affordable price? Ocala Electric Utility is part of the Florida Municipal Solar Project, a large-scale community solar energy project that enables us to provide renewable energy to our customers. These are just a few of the benefits of the OEU Community Solar program: • Accessible solar energy to all customers • No upfront large cost outlay • No long term contracts • Maintenance-free • No equipment installed on the roof • Transferable to another residence or business within OEU’s Service Territory

OM Volume 40, Issue 4

OCTOBER 2020

OCALA’S #1 MOST AWARD-WINNING CITY MAGAZINE

CELEBRATING OUR 40TH YEAR! Philip Glassman, CCIM | Publisher, Editor in Chief philip@ocalamagazine.com

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

to Listen Magazine Ocala on WOCA Radio / 1370amm 96.3fms at 10:30a Friday

EDITORIAL

ART

CONTRIBUTORS

Carlton Reese | Managing Editor carlton@ocalamagazine.com

Jessi Miller | Creative Director jessi@ocalamagazine.com

Ronald W. Wetherington | Social Editor ron@ocalamagazine.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Robin Fannon | Food/Lifestyle Editor

Ralph Demilio | Chief Photographer

ADVISORY

E OF FIVA R E N N D WI FLORIINE 2019 A M GATZION CIA DS ASSOA WAR

Linda Marks | Founder & Advisor

OPERATIONS Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO randy@ocalamagazine.com Doug Hummel | Director of I.T.

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| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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LETTER

from the publisher

Horses for Healing (in the Horse Capital of the World) IN MARION COUNTY, LET’S FACE IT, HORSES ARE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. As the lifeblood of the local economy the horse industry affects just about everyone in some form or fashion if not directly. We generally view horses through the lense of sport, such as thoroughbred racing, show jumping, dressage and many more. Often, though, we forget the other valuable roles horses play in our lives and that’s why I am so happy that our Charity of the Month for October is the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. These wonderful animals which not only entertain us but also help us as a workforce on farms and elsewhere, provide much-needed therapy to humans in need by simply being themselves. The use of pets as therapy for those battling mental and physical issues is well-documented, but the horse seems specially designed for the task of many particular therapies and is an animal with the perfect temperament for such duties. At MTRA, classes were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in mid-September slowly started its way back to normal by bringing back one-on-one classes and I can’t be more happy for the community and those people in need of this treatment. Autistic children and veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder benefit from the natural empathy displayed by horses and the physical nature of a horse’s gait are perfect for riders with physical complications such as multiple sclerosis. I can’t think of a better place for horse therapy than right here in the Horse Capital of the World. ON ANOTHER NOTE, I was saddened by the recent news of the passing of Dr. Robert Panzer. I grew up with Dr. Panzer as my physician, but he was much more than that – he was a dear friend of mine and he was a lifelong close friend and business partner of my mother, who absolutely adored this great man. Inside this October issue, we pay tribute to the life of Dr. Panzer and it is fitting that it comes during our recognition of Top Docs. He lived a life dedicated to the service of others. In addition to being a great physician, he was a great man and will be sorely missed by not only his family and close friends but the community as a whole. Dr. Panzer saw a person in need and went out of his way to help that person. He loved all people and took special care of each patient as though it was a lovedone of his own. Whether sitting on one of the governor’s health boards or treating the skinned knee of the kid around the block, Dr. Panzer gave every situation his supreme focus – no matter how minor the situation, he gave his full attention as though they were all of major importance. I am going to miss Dr. Panzer and I send my heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Kim, and three sons, Todd, Tyler Lindsey and Jamison. Until next month,

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Philip Glassman with his children Madison and Brax, at Marion Therapeutic Riding Association

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from the

Safe Haven Baby Box BY MAYOR KENT GUINN

Every mother, no matter how desperate her situation, wants the best for her child. That includes new moms who have figured the best thing for their child may actually be a life with someone else. Sadly, the scenario of a desperate mother who cannot, or for whatever reason is unwilling to, care for her newborn many times concludes in the tragedy of a child left in a dumpster or by the roadside. This happens despite many options for new mothers to leave their babies in the care of others safely and legally. Anonymity is the key. Most times, the current solutions for giving up a newborn don’t allow for the anonymity many of these mothers desire and so the tragic ending takes place. But there is a solution and it exists in the Safe Haven Baby Box, many of which have been installed in fire departments in the Midwest and with great success. With the city council here and the efforts of fire chief Shane Alexander we are looking to bring these baby boxes to Ocala, with plans to have one installed in the new station about to open on MLK Boulevard. The baby box is a medically-certified and safe means for a newborn to be dropped into caring hands safely and anonymously. Monica Kelsey, who as a baby was abandoned by a dumpster before being rescued, invented the baby box which is being used at over 40 fire stations in her home state of Indiana and across the country and many newborn babies have already been saved. With the baby box, the infant is placed into the slot from the outside of the building and is in comfort and warmth. Upon sliding the box forward, the baby enters the station and an alarm is triggered for anyone in the building to hear and take care of the situation. The mother need not show her face or answer any questions. Bill 684 regarding these baby boxes was passed in the Florida House of Representatives but was killed in a senate committee chaired by Hollywood’s Lauren Book. The bill neither mandated nor outlawed anything – it was simply codifying procedures for the use of the baby box. My hope is that as the first station in Florida with a Safe Haven Baby Box, Ocala’s example will lead to the eventual passage of this bill. More importantly, as a central location, we see Ocala as a destination for these desperate mothers from other parts of the region. The Safe Haven Baby Box has its critics which fear the box may malfunction and babies may not be safe while others believe baby abandonment may become too easy. But the alternatives for mothers who must remain anonymous are dire. We’ve just to cross some ‘t’s’ and dot some ‘i’s’ as the city council and the fire chief along with my full endorsement bring this unique project to fruition. As the success stories are built, I see the critics silenced and everyone, no matter their political affiliations, joining in to make this noble project a widespread reality.

Mayor Kent Guinn 12

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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in the Material World Ocala has more than its fair share of haunts BY CARLTON REESE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSI MILLER

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

hen

asked if she believed in ghosts, Swiss-French political theorist Madame de Staël replied, “No, but I am awfully afraid of them.” Such may be considered merely a subtle witticism, but it also adroitly encapsulates a profound psychological phenomenon: Human emotion tends to determine action over reasoned intellect or beliefs. No sane person of balanced faculty would ever concede to a reasoned understanding of the supernatural or paranormal and certainly would not make any scientific accounting for the existence of “ghosts” or spirits in this material world. But witness this person of unassailable sobriety as strange voices are heard in the dark or shadowy images appear on a wall, then suddenly the benign but unexplainable become sources of irrational fright. Even the most earthen and cerebral among us have at least one ghost story that when told around the campfire arouses a trembling despite all compliance to a life dedicated to logical study. In Ocala, the preponderance of ghost stories that would challenge the sensibilities of even the most adamant of disbelievers is not wanting. With its legion of Victorian homes tailor-made for Hollywood horror scripts, a fort that witnessed the slaughter of soldiers and a hideaway that became famous for the bloody demise of notorious gangsters, the Ocala area boasts a rare voluminous collection of “hauntings” for a town so relatively small and young. One look at the vacant Israel Brown House on Northeast Sanchez Avenue is enough to trigger thoughts of Amityville or the Bates Motel and even turn the most cyn-

...witness this person of unassailable sobriety as strange voices are heard in the dark or shadowy images appear on a wall, then suddenly the benign but unexplainable become sources of irrational fright.

ical of ghost skeptics into a proselyte of sorts. The house used to be part of a ghost tour hosted by Catherine Wendell, a self-described “magnet” to ghosts and spirits. She even provided a “cleansing” by burning sage throughout the house to try and rid it of unwanted spirits. But aside from the house appearing to look haunted, there is no real backstory of murder and mayhem that generally goes along with a classic ghost story. But, according to Wendell, the specter of death looms in the property’s history. “That house has a long history of people going to restore it then the owners dying before they can restore it,” Wendell claims. “I’ve heard that work people get scared on the stairs and they won’t come back to work.”

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

The Israel Brown House

“That house has a long history of people going to restore it then the owners dying before they can restore it.” Wendell claims that she has seen an older man sitting near the upstairs window even though the house is unoccupied. “I used to think it was a homeless person there, but I went there and noticed he’s not getting up and moving – he just disappears.” According to Wendell, an older lady told her that when picking flowers near the house one day an older man started yelling at her from the house. “She wondered why someone was there yelling at her when the

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

house was vacant. She described him as wearing a white t-shirt, an undershirt, and his hair was disheveled, black and gray.” During the pandemic, Wendell has suspended her ghost tours and has said she hopes to bring them back some day. For now, just the visuals will have to do for people who wish to creep themselves out during the Halloween season. Perhaps the most famous destination on Wendell’s tour was the Rheinauer House,

the former Seven Sisters Inn located on Fort King Street near downtown. The subject of many articles and even featured on broadcast television, the Rheinauer House is said to be the home of Charles Rheinauer’s spirit and even that of a servant from before the turn of the 20th century. Wendell, who was once a massage therapist at Seven Sisters, says she has heard all kinds of stories about the place and even encountered some herself during her employ there.

“You would smell cigar smoke coming from the Paris room,” Wendell said. “We would have things happen like a baby doll would get moved from room to room to room and that weirded out Charlie the innkeeper and he got rid of that baby doll.” She said she believes the aroma of cigar smoke came from Charles, who passed away in the house in 1925 and owned a cigar business in Ocala. “One time I went with a recorder and asked, ‘Mr. Rheinauer, is that your cigar smoke we’ve been smelling all these years?’ and the voice said ‘yes.’ At the time I did not hear it with my ears, but it was on my audio recorder. I was really shocked and elated.” Wendell also recalls how patrons of the inn would write in the guest book that they felt someone tucking them in their beds and even stroking their hair. She attributes this to a ghost the employees named “Lizzie.” Later, Wendell says she learned there used to be a servant of the Rheinauers’ named Lizzie and believes this “friendly” ghost is actually Lizzie’s spirit. “I feel like she did enjoy her job,” Wendell says of the servant. “She enjoyed taking care of people. Whoever it was, was tucking people into bed at night and stroking their hair. Some people were really scared and some people thought it was cool.” Though Wendell calls herself a magnet to spirits, she does not fancy herself a “ghost hunter.” That moniker likely belongs to another local woman who enters haunted places in an effort to either validate or debunk myths associated with them: Ocala’s Kristy Sumner. Along with her sisters and some friends, Sumner founded Soul Sisters Paranormal, a group that travels to reportedly haunted locations throughout the country gathering evidence to uphold or demystify said claims. Among the group’s ventures has been the Ma Barker House, now on Carney Island after a recent relocation from Lake Weir’s north shore. Sumner and the Soul Sisters Paranormal team take with them all the latest gadgets that are must-haves for ghost hunters: night vision video recorders, spirit boxes (modified AM/FM radios) and K2 meters that measure electromagnetic fields. With piqued curiosity and the latest technology at their disposal, Sumner’s team investigated the Barker house and claim to have gathered solid evidence to declare the place haunted. Setting up shop in 2019 to coincide

The Rheinauer House

“...a baby doll would get moved from room to room to room...” with the anniversary of Ma and Fred Barker’s killing at the hands of the FBI on Jan. 16, 1935, Sumner’s plan to evoke the spirits of the dead criminals bore the fruit she had hoped to find. “We set up stationary equipment – night vision cameras and voice recorders – and we left the house,” Sumner said. “There’s no pow-

er in the house, no lights in the house and it sits on 40 acres by itself, so we were very confident we had control of the environment.” Sumner claims the sound of footsteps came through on the recorder as well as a male voice saying, “get out.” Examination of the video cameras that were placed in what Sumner calls the “kill room” where the Bark-

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

Fort King

The Ma Barker House

ers’ dead bodies were found revealed an interesting conversation taking place. “The first voice said, ‘Freddy,’ and the next voice said ‘yeah, mom?’ and the first voice said, ‘get ready,’” Sumner claims. “We believe that was what we call a residual haunting of the room – kind of like that’s what was said during the shootout.” Sumner and her team have investigated some of the country’s most famous sites for hauntings including the Lizzie Borden house in Massachusetts and the Villisca Ax Murder House in Iowa. Her team of investigators includes two with PhDs, two with JDs and another with a master’s degree. Highly educated and successful in the natural world, their paranormal investigations are an expensive hobby – they accept no money in donations or fees. For the Soul Sisters, this labor of love has taken them to old prisons, insane asylums, funeral homes and private residences including several in Marion County. They go on their adventures with an open mind and even make it a point to uncover evidence dispelling the notion of ghosts (even Shaggy and Scoob would eventually reveal the true identity of the phantom before the credits rolled). Sumner recalls on one occasion her team was asked to investigate possible para-

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

normal activity at a business. The owner was certain – likely hoping – his store was haunted as his night vision security cameras were going on and off during the The Ritz Historic Inn night. Sumner’s team discovered otherwise – it was not ghosts Sumner has pretty much seen it all in playing with the cameras, but headlights the world of paranormal investigations, but from cars doing u-turns near his store that the Barker house holds a special intrigue would briefly blind the cameras. “We sugthat keeps drawing her back. gested he change the position of his cameras “I have been back several times and – he did – and the activity stopped. In that given some tours on behalf of the county,” case he was a little disappointed.” Sumner says. “I’ll go in by myself and I’ll At the Barker house, there would be no hear something upstairs like footsteps or debunking – just validation. With the plantsomething like that. I always acknowledge ed recording devices picking up the sounds of when I walk in the door; I always say, ‘hey footsteps and strange conversations, Sumner ma, hey fred’ because I do believe they’re felt the need to experience it firsthand. Two happy there. I do believe they get a little weeks after the experiment, she returned with annoyed sometimes with everybody coming her twin sister to spend a night in the house. and going, but I believe they’re very happy They made a point to take their spirit staying with that house.” box up to the kill room and ask some quesOne place the Soul Sisters have not tions. Once in the kill room, Sumner asked investigated is the Ritz Historic Inn, but aloud, “What happened in this room?” Sumner says, “it is on my bucket list.” Ac“Through the spirit box came the cording to Ritz lore, the place is haunted due phrase, ‘they murdered us; we the ones to a fire that broke out there in the 1920s dead,’” Sumner claims. “That’s very comand people were killed, including a New pelling to us because as it’s sweeping so fast York socialite and her dog. through those frequencies you should not “People have talked about hearing the hear a phrase at all.”

“I believe they get stuck. They know that they’re dead, but they can’t find a way to get to whatever is next...”

area came in 1976 when Dorothy Scofield went missing, but that was at the old J.M. Fields department store that is now the Marion County Public Library on East Silver Springs Boulevard, several miles from the fort location.

The Soul Sisters: Jenny and Kristy Sumner

dog bark when there were no dogs there,” said Wendell, who said she has investigated the Ritz. “It’s really active (with paranormal occurrences) in the bar area. Workers and patrons have talked about things happening, things being moved, seeing mists with their own eyes.” Wendell and Sumner both speak of many private residences throughout Ocala and Marion County they believe to be haunted, including the Snowden House just a few steps away from the Israel Brown House. Now used as an office building, the Snowden House was the site of a grisly murder in 1987 and some people who used to work in the building have related to Wendell that the upstairs is “pretty creepy.” She has experienced doors opening and closing on their own and once performed a cleansing at the Snowden House. No official word yet on whether the cleansing proved successful. Other private residences across the county have undergone investigation by Wendell and the Soul Sisters including places from Belleview and Ocklawaha that “made the meters spike.” But open spaces fall in the realm of the paranormal seekers as well, and Fort King seems to be a prime locale. Records list 34 soldiers dying in the fort from 1835-1842, most from disease but several in battle or during Osceola’s raid on the fort in December, 1835. That raid, in which Gen. Wiley Thompson and six others were killed by Seminole warriors, coincided with

the Dade Massacre that day and triggered the Second Seminole War. According the Wendell, who admits to at one point being “obsessed” with the history of the fort and its potential for paranormal activity, the area around the Fort King site lives up to the billing. “I would go there every year on that anniversary (of Osceola’s raid) and we’ve gotten some pretty wild things,” she said. “Some mist would show up with faces in it and I heard things a lot.” Having taken up residence in a home adjacent to the site, Wendell experienced strange occurrences that convinced her the area was haunted. “(Spirits) messed with me, knocking on my windows when I’d be trying to fall asleep. I’ve heard musket shots.” Wendell does not credit the Osceola raid solely for the paranormal activities – she also credits what she claims have been several suicides in the area dating back to the 1960s as well as at least one child abduction. She says she experienced something remarkable when she went into a bomb shelter of house next to the fort, a house that has since been torn down. “I went into the bomb shelter and I captured the voice of a little girl saying, ‘they won’t let me out.’ So I wanted to know if a little girl was hurt around here.” She says her research turned up a missing girl from the 1970s and she is suspicious. Of course, the most famous child abduction in the

Photo courtesy of The Soul Sisters

Reasoning out the hauntings

Why the hauntings and why spirits among us at all? Sumner said she believes some of the spirits have “unfinished business” and that “for some reason, something has to be fulfilled before they can move on.” She recalls her grandfather having passed away in the 1980s then recently appearing in her dreams and saying, “I’m waiting for your nana.” Turns out that “Nana” was Sumner’s grandmother who would pass away four weeks later. After taking their paranormal gear soon after to their grandparents’ old house, they picked up the necessary reads to convince them that grandaddy’s and nana’s spirits were there. Two weeks later they went back to the location to perform the same experiment, but this time there were no reads. “We got nothing on our equipment,” Sumner said. “We determined that he was waiting for her and they ascended together.” Sumner offers two other explanations for why spirits could be hanging around the material world: 1. They don’t know how to leave and, 2. Fear of hell. “I believe they get stuck. They know that they’re dead, but they can’t find a way to get to whatever is next – they can’t ascend to the next level.” Wendell says the belief that people who commit suicide cannot go to heaven keeps their spirits from moving on. Sumner thinks the same holds true for others who may have lived an unrighteous life. “I believe they don’t ascend to whatever is next because of their fear of retribution of how they behaved in life,” Sumner said. “We find that a lot in prisons as well as insane asylums. The prisoners we’ve been in contact with, their spirits I think are happy to stay in the prison because they don’t want to face whatever is next, whatever that punishment is for the way they lived their life.” For those of us still breathing and with blood coursing through our veins, there is only the notion to believe in ghosts or not. Either way, ‘tis prudent to be afraid.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

Announces

NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF The World Equestrian Center Ocala is pleased to announce award-winning, West-Coast-renowned Ryker Brown as Executive Chef, responsible for all culinary operations throughout the property. Brown first honed his culinary arts skills at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, California — right outside of his hometown. Specializing in menu and concept development, private events and task force, among other industry components, he launched his food and beverage career in Park City, Utah. Big-name destinations range from Waldorf Astoria to Promontory Ranch Club to Sundance Mountain Resort where Brown was one of only four Utah chefs to earn a ‘Best Chef’ title by Best Chef America as well as a four-star rating by Forbes Travel Guide. He was also assigned to task forces like Hilton Hawaiian Village, Riverside New Orleans and the new Conrad Chicago hotel. Several years ago, Brown served as Corporate Executive Chef/Director of Research and Development for Kneaders Bakery & Café — a national restaurant chain with over 60 locations in eight states. His scope of work also included kitchen design, recipe development, opening new outlets and in-home catering. Before joining the World Equestrian Center Ocala, Brown was named Hotel Executive Chef at Omni Hotels & Resorts in Nashville, Tennessee — overseeing four restaurants, in-room dining, an employee cafeteria, a coffee shop and a large banquet operation serving up to 2,000 guests. He accounted for 75 culinarians and 10 chefs. Now, Brown will set the tone, manner and standard for the World Equestrian Center Ocala’s five-star hotel restaurant, all concession restaurants and banquet kitchens.

“It’s not every day that a chef gets to direct culinary operations for the largest equestrian complex in the United States,” Brown said. “Just like everything else here, my menus and the way they are carried out will be an experience unlike any our guests have ever seen.” About World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Florida Nestled in the horse capital of the world, the World Equestrian Center is a world-class, multipurpose indoor and outdoor facility spanning 4,000 acres with state-of-the-art amenities. The World Equestrian Center offers a new luxury hotel with retail space, several restaurants, a grand outdoor stadium, climate-controlled barns and arenas, an on-site riding trail and chapel, a gated community, an RV park and schooling areas. With a passion and commitment to equestrian sports, the World Equestrian Center is a true destination for all ages. For more information, visit www.wec.net. About World Equestrian Center - Wilmington, Ohio Driven by a passion for horses and a commitment to supporting equestrian sports in the United States, the World Equestrian Center aims to return horse showing to its former grandeur, while incorporating an element of fun, reminiscent of the horse shows of the past. Located in Ohio’s ‘Golden Triangle,’ the venue is less than one hour from Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton airports. For more information, visit www.wec.net. About Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Golden Ocala offers members a piece of paradise in the rolling hills of North Central Florida. It is home to championship golf and tennis, an equestrian center, a full-service spa and fitness center, luxury living, fine dining and more. Family owned and operated, the exquisite Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is a jewel set in the oasis of beautiful “Horse Country.” To inquire about sponsorship opportunities at the World Equestrian Center Ocala, contact Jim Wolf at jwolf@wolfsportsgroup.com. For more information, visit online at www.wec.net.

MONGOL I ADVENTURE: The Land of the Blue Sky A journey to exotic Mongolia during pre-COVID days of unfettered travel. STORY AND PHOTOS BY RONALD W. WETHERINGTON

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

L IAN

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

Auf Wiedersehen Ocala

ine is a story that needs to be told. My tale first unfolds with me being driven to Orlando International Airport, flying to Detroit and then 16 hours later landing in Beijing where the weather is hot and muggy just like Ocala, but with one critical difference: the extreme air pollution looks like fog and hangs thick and heavy in the skies. I was last in Beijing in October 1995 and gaze at the new massive sky scrapers the communist Chinese government has since erected everywhere. I venture out on the streets and see skeletal men picking for scraps of food from garbage cans. Rickshaws very nearly run me over as do the many bicycles and the swarm of honking automobiles clogging every conceivable inch of the streets. I decide on a travel agency and first visit The Forbidden City. I then tour the Temple of Heaven and stop at the Summer Palace. Everything was just as I had remembered it except for the sweating, suffocating millions of Chinese summertime visitors. The Great Wall of China has not moved since my last visit and a pass up a tour of this monolithic structure. ARRIVE ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA Ulaanbaatar, or UB as it is universally known, is the Mongolian capital and sits on the banks of the Tuul River engulfed by holy mountains. UB is a bustling metropolis of almost a million people where nomads on horseback fight for space on the roads with cars in the chaotic traffic. I can’t call the streets ‘streets’ since they are more like an interconnection of big pot-holes. I am astounded by the dirt and filth of UB – the city grime permeates my skin. The first order of business is sudsing up in a hot shower in the five-star Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace. I feel surrounded by the luxury, which any traveler would enjoy, as this is a five-star hotel that is the finest UB has to offer. I am sojourning in Mongolia with Overseas Adventure Travel with whom I have taken numerous trips to far-flung corners of the globe. This Mongolian trip would prove one of my most memorable. Including myself, there are 15 people in my travel group. Within our small group, a sense of ca-

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

like a bombed out end-of-the world scene with decaying buildings. I was none too happy with this part of the excursion but they wanted us to see all of Mongolia including the not-so-nice places.

maraderie is established from the first ‘hello’ to the last ‘goodbye. ‘ Our time in UB is spent visiting notable sites. I do not get the sense that UB is on most touristy destination maps. As Americans, we largely have the city to ourselves commingling with the locals. Our bus careens though the maddening traffic. I watch as a car’s rearview mirror side-swipes a nomadic woman and her container of milk falls from her hands, splashing her skirts. Arriving at the Ulaanbaatar Monastery, we tour Mongolia’s largest and most important center of Buddhism. In the throng of visitors are worshippers bowing before an enormous Buddha and twirling prayer wheels. After a nondescript lunch, we stop at the Zanababazar Museum of Fine Arts

which is home to a collection of Mongolian art through the early 20th century. Zanabazar was a 17th-Century artist and Mongolia’s first spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism. I marvel at the colorful face masks. Afterwards, the group laboriously ascends the 200 steps to the top of Aisan Hill that overlooks a rather modern, communist-era building. I decide against exhaustion and remain on the bus. Our itinerary the next day includes a visit to an orphanage center for children supported in part with funds from Grand Circle Foundation. The children play musical instruments and sing to us. Giggles abound from the singers to the listeners. A small boy with a rosary jumps on my lap. This motherless and fatherless orphan boy tugs at the strings of my heart. This orphanage formerly was run by French nuns but recently was taken over by the government. The government considered the Catholic orphanage too religious and the nuns were asked to leave the country. This banishment on religious grounds depresses me as an American as does the later tour of an abandoned mining site which looked more

GORKHI-TERELJ NATIONAL PARK Since the days of Genghis Khan, Mongolia has existed as a mythic land of ancient times. The people are deeply spiritual and nomadic cultures are prevalent. Heavenly landscapes of snowcapped mountains, crystalline lakes, acres of grassy plains and ancient desert await the visitor. Just be advised that this isn’t Paris, London or even Washington, D.C. which are thoughts that pass through my mind more than once. We are roughing it in gers which are traditional felt tents. We stay in a Guru Camp for three nights. If you like camping then you will like this excursion. I was shown to my private ger which is a large circular room and mine has an unusually rare feature which is a private bathroom attached by a very low ceiling hallway. There is a super modern glass shower, steaming hot water and a vanity mirror that was made for people no more than 5 feet tall. Since I am over 6 feet tall this makes shaving a challenge. I had read that the nomads used dried dung to heat the gers and am vastly relieved to find a stack of extra firewood to burn in the stove located in the center of the tent. I am ever grateful for the stove’s warmth during the black watches of the night. The stars seem so close one can touch them. Our three days meld into one another hour after eventful hour. As an American, both small and large differences register in my mind. In America we cherish animals as beloved pets. Here in Mongolia animals are everything but pets. They are used for food—including horse meat—for transportation and for survival. A pitiful dog is tied to a stake near my tent. He barks and barks at me. I want to go over and feed and pet the poor wretched beast. One woman does and is rewarded with a sharp bite when she turns her back. The mongrel dog is used to guard our camp.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

We are very far north and even in the summer the weather is chilling. One afternoon we drive to a nomadic horse family. They raise horses for their meat and have at least 200 head of horses. We watch a demonstration of the nomads milking the mares for the milk that they will later ferment and sell. Sitting in the nomad’s ger we ask a slew of questions about their daily lives. Just inside the ger is a large leather bladder of mare’s milk fermenting. I am offered a big bowl of fermented mare’s milk of which I take three sips. Fermented mare’s milk is slightly sour, effervescent and of acrid flavor containing alcohol. My heart sinks as this mare’s milk is not only bitter to the taste but certainly not pasteurized like our American dairy products. Our guide laps up several bowls of the fermented mare’s milk. Overseas Adventure Travel prides itself on its authenticity. We do not typically partake of the usual tourist fare; rather, we are exposed to genuine feelings of real people and breathtaking scenes of nature. The nomadic Mongolians, though sometimes barely subsisting, share and share generously their meager fare. One family that was wealthier than others was a nomadic dairy family. In their ger they have not only color television where the children watch cartoons but also telephone service, a small refrigerator and internet. I wish I could wirelessly plug my tablet computer into their Internet service and reconnect with my friends and family back in Ocala. Homesickness is like that. The people do not speak English and our guide translates. A cow comes to the door and takes a look inside. Next, a fat rat scampers across the door and we are told this is considered a sign of good luck. That night’s dinner is mutton, noodles and a candy bar. I prepare for a return to UB. CHANTING LAMAS We arrive at the Drepung Gomang College and meet with the abbot who was personally appointed by the Dali Lama and the highest ranking Buddhist in Mongolia. We are shown into his private office where a translator monk speaks to the abbot in Ti-

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

betan, then another monk translates to Mongolian and finally our guide translates into English. We proceed for the next hour in this manner asking questions and the abbot is both fascinating and kind. He exudes a sense of peace. The abbot instructs us to not accept so many worldly things which

ern and spotless. I then try to shop but end up with only a few shirts for myself before returning to the Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace in UB. Exhausted to my very bone marrow, I order room service before collapsing onto a soft mattress.

will interfere with our karma in the next life. He speaks of fleeing from Tibet and crossing the Himalayas to escape the Chinese. Our group prepares to meditate as we fold our hands and sit ramrod straight. Then we meditate for the next 20 minutes. I feel like I am entirely in another world. Images of dead and departed friends and family hover within me. The memories are especially in-

tense. The meditation period comes to a close as I unfold my hands barely able to breathe. We then are taken to an interior room where the lamas’ chants fill the air. The abbot gives me permission to take video and photographs. The chanting continues with men in tall hats striking gongs. It is a wonderfully unique experience and the abbot and I exchange cards. Next, crawling down the linked pot holes in the horrendous traffic at fifteen miles per hour we arrive once again in UB. We have lunch at a restaurant that looks like the Mongolian version of Cinderella’s castle in Disney World. Lunch is fine and they charge the same price for a Coca-Cola as they do for a beer and for each extra roll of bread there is a surcharge. The only way to describe this place is “tourist trap” but the western-style bathrooms are mod-

THE REINDEER FAMILY The next day we leave for the airport at 9:30 a.m. for an 11 a.m. flight that does not actually depart until 1:30 p.m. Everything runs late in Mongolia and time schedules are meaningless. There is rain since the weather changes constantly. We continue onward to our ger camps located at Khovsgol Lake. This is a mythical landscape of evergreen forests, flowering meadows where yaks graze, steepled mountains and pristine lakes and streams. Continuing the next day we take a speedboat for two hours up the lake finally coming into contact with a reindeer family. They have over 100 horses and 200 reindeer. I am offered a bowl of reindeer milk. It is a thick liquid with a plain but distinctive taste. Reindeer milk is very mild and creamy while the cheese melts easily in the mouth. I give their 4-year-old boy a laser flashlight that he finds tantalizing. We then continue in the speedboats to the cliffs where we climb to the top to the see the Buddhist monument. At the top, there is a beautiful view of the lake and we make a wish at this sacred place. Upon returning to camp, I am given a two-story wooden house instead of the ger tent and immediately shower and nap before dinner. The next morning at 5 a.m. (5 p.m. Ocala time) I am awakened by the women starting the fire downstairs in the living room. It is cold now as we are over 4,500 feet above sea level. This day we continue over rutted dirt roads to visit a family of Tsaatans who live in traditional nomadic teepees and survive almost entirely on their reindeer herds. For generations, the Tsaatans have herded their reindeer high in the mountains and through ancient forests which they believe are inhabited by their ancestor’s spirits who speak to the living through songs. It is a testament to their resolved strength as a people that the Tsaatans have learned to survive in this harsh environment of the taiga.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

fortable ride while rather exotic.

As the grandmother is working over a wooden stove making cheese in a wok we have another round table discussion in the tent. At one point the grandmother lights up a cigarette made of Russian tobacco rolled with newspaper. It only took four whiffs of the noxious fumes before I was outside the tent gasping for fresh air. We then said our goodbyes and return to our camp on the lake. Precious memorable hours of the next few days are highlighted with multiple group events such as making Mongolian Hot Pot with individual pots as we cook our own noodles, dumplings, mutton, beef and various vegetables. This is a lot of fun for everyone and we all agree it is the best meal so far. Then, it’s back to the Kempinkski Hotel Khan Palace, but first we meet with a Shaman to divine our future. Shamanism is a vital influence in the Mongolian culture. THE GOBI DESERT While only 5 percent of the Gobi Desert is

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

sand, there is much to explore such as the Vulture Valley, where I ride a horse next to a stream through the canyons. The Gurvan Saikhan Mountains, deep gorges and the Flaming Cliffs, so named by American paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews in the 1920s near where he found the first nest of dinosaur eggs and other fossils, are stunning. In the Gobi Desert at Moltsog Els there are sand dunes. After a terrific lunch, we visit with a nomadic family engaged in the breeding of Bactrain camels which have two humps. The mother offers us camel’s milk which I find delicious, creamy and rich. This is followed by a cheese curd but it has a bitter taste. The wife nurses her baby at her bare breast as if we are not there. Finally we mount our camels for a ride through the desert. I have ridden camels before near the pyramids in Egypt but none as comfortable as these two humped camels. Lumbering along on my camel, I feel like I am kissed by the sun. It is an easy and com-

CONCLUSION My adventure is quickly coming to an end and during my last night in my ger with the nomads of Mongolia, I reflect. My home in Ocala is exactly 12 time zones away on the other side of the earth. What a privileged and exceptional life we Americans so nonchalantly take for granted. I think of the kindness of the Mongolian people and their generosity in offering all they had to share such as simple lunches of cheese and mare’s, reindeer’s and camel’s milk. (I also sampled sheep and yak’s milk.) I shall never forget the luxury of living among these gentle people. I wish I could linger longer under the spell of the nomadic Mongolian people but I am bound the next day for UB, then shopping in Beijing and finally home to Ocala. I am rather wistful and yet feel rejuvenated, although it was rather exhausting being 12 hours ahead of Ocala time for several weeks. I know I shall never return but look forward to regaling my friends and family with a new repertoire of Mongolian anecdotes. Oh, the stories I will have to share. But there is a sadness that shadows my soul as well my last night among the nomads. They have lived this way for centuries largely untouched by civilization. But the world is fast encroaching upon them as the globe grows ever smaller. Even now many of their children are being sent away from the nomad camps into government-run schools as the nomad children learn the ways of modern civilization. I wonder if the next generation of Americans visiting Mongolia will only find a trap of tourist remnants and fragments of what was once the authentic nomadic Mongolian lifestyle. As I lay my head down, I wonder where life’s trajectory will take me next. I am an enthusiastic globetrotter. I remember a quotation form Henry David Thoreau that I read long ago: “When it is time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.” TRAVEL INFORMATION For additional information, contact Overseas Adventure Travel at 1-800-9590405 or www.OATtravel.com.

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Falll GA R D E N I N G GUIDE Catch up on the latest in gardening as the season changes in Ocala BY AMY DAVIDSON

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

ycobacterium vaccae. If you’re feeling down, this nonpathogenic bacteria might help bring you up. According to research, digging in the dirt decreases anxiety, inflammatory stressors and allergies. M. vaccae can also increase serotonin levels and enhance learning abilities. If you are a seasoned gardener, this information may not surprise you; you have likely experienced some of these benefits and have been encouraging others to get involved. Or, perhaps your pandemic-inspired garden is less victorious and more compost at this stage. That’s okay; you can continue where you left off or start fresh with a simple Florida fall garden. Now that the staggering summer heat is ceasing, gardening may be even more enjoyable and beneficial. The heat and direct sunlight are hard elements to work with in summer gardens and most summer Florida gardeners know the disappointment that comes from not watering enough as it only takes one day of excessive sunlight and heat to damage plants. Many gardeners set up timers so that watering is automatic. With these tips and trends specific to the central Florida growing season, you can make the garden work for you. Work in increments, a little every day, so as to not feel overwhelmed and don’t over-plant; focus on what you will eat and use rather than what you think you will eat. Gardening is a process: it’s science, it’s art and it’s love. TIPS THIS MONTH: • Water near soil and bottom of stems; avoid watering the leaves as that will promote pests and disease. • Use a fertilizer with no added fillers. Key ingredients to look for are alfalfa meal, poultry manure (non-vegan, sorry!), feather meal and bone meal. Some plants need a 5-3-3 analysis (N-P-K ratio). • If you’re just starting your garden, consider a soil test. • If you’re continuing a garden past summer, rotate crops, till or rake the existing soil and add peat moss mixed with organic garden soil. • When planning your garden, determine which plants to grow; most

plants will need approximately six hours of sun per day. Plant near a water source! WHAT TO PLANT NOW: Seeds take time, so if you haven’t started seeds, you can purchase starter plants that can be transplanted into your garden once space has been made for each crop. Remember that despite the cooler temperatures, pests are still a concern. Treat or spray with organic pest control accordingly: • • • • • • • • • •

Cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts Kale, lettuces, collards Broccoli Carrots Beets Cucumbers Strawberries Onions Turnips Radish

TRENDS IN GARDENING: • Sustainability is not just a trend, but a lifestyle. There’s a definitive call to decrease consumerism and to create products that can be composted, recycled or reclaimed. • Staying home more means the opportunity to clean up the yard. Reclaim or repurpose items to use around the garden. Be aware of any substances used on wood items such as pallets. • Limited space? You can still have a garden. Consider container gardens, vertical growing and “dwarf ” hybrid varieties. • Native plants and native landscape: These plants use less water as they are generally drought-resistant. Lower maintenance means you can still enjoy gardening, but without as much time-commitment. • Edible gardens: “Foodscaping” means creating garden space in flower beds or other non-conventional “food crop” plots. Edible plants are beautiful, too.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

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2020 TOP DOCS

From oncology to gynecology and acupuncture to podiatry the Ocala area boasts of nearly every medical discipline imaginable and with some of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elites right here in our backyard. It is no small feat to attract medical professionals who combine the skills, knowledge and compassion to be at the top of their fields and Ocala is fortunate to have such a large pool of dedicated doctors who fit this billing. Every year, Ocala Magazine likes to shine a light on a few of these doctors who are proud to serve this community and this year we would like to introduce them to you in their own words and personal flair. These are the 2020 Ocala Magazine Top Docs.

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2019

2020 TOP DOCS

Dr. Philip Johnson

Discipline: Gynecology Practice: OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER OFMC Plaza 2135 SW 19th Avenue Road Suite 103 Ocala, FL 34471 352-237-4133 Education: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Fla. Doctor of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah Bachelor of Science, Finance/Pre-Medical Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah Why I entered into medicine: When I look back on what drew me to a career in medicine, I would have to say it was a desire to learn and understand the world around me. I always felt a great sense of satisfaction being able to understand a subject and use that knowledge to try to improve other people’s lives. Medicine provides an opportunity for lifelong learning. What is most gratifying about my work: The satisfaction of knowing you have improved someone’s health. A simple thank you from a patient means a lot to physicians. Hobbies and interests: I enjoy pretending to know how to play the guitar. One day I might be good at it! I am very interested in languages – I’m teaching myself French and little bit of Spanish. Taste in music: Chicago and Southern Blues. Anything from the 80s! Taste in food: I’m not really a foodie, but I must say I do miss my mother’s southern cooking. It’s always a comfort. How I vacation: I love museums and visiting historical sites. Most of my recent vacations have been to places that I can learn and enjoy the history

that I have read about. Seeing something first-hand changes your perspective. My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): In women’s health, I always feel it’s important for a woman to understand the difference phases of her life, to know what to expect and know what is normal and abnormal. Early detection can make a big difference.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

2020 TOP DOCS

Dr. Felix Esarey

Discipline: Podiatry Practice: OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER OFMC Podiatry 2131 SW 20th Place Ocala, FL 34471 352-237-4133 Education: Residency- Primary Medical and Surgical Training, James A. Haley Veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hospital Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University, William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, North Chicago, Ill. Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich. Why I entered into medicine: The reason most of us do, a desire to help people. What is most gratifying about my work: Helping people feel better and get back to their normal activities. Hobbies and interests: Boating, live music and travelling. Taste in music: Country. Taste in food: A good medium-rare steak. How I vacation: Relaxing in the Carribean My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ignore foot and ankle pain; we need a good foundation.

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2019

2020 TOP DOCS

Eduardo Cruz, MD

Discipline: Interventional Pain Medicine and Sports Medicine Practice: OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER OFMC Plaza â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wellness Center 2135 SW 19th Avenue Road Ocala, FL 34471 352-237-4133 Education: Fellowship, Interventional Pain Management and Sports Medicine- Orthopedic Spine Specialist; York, Pennsylvania Residency, Physical Medicine & RehabilitationNew Jersey Medical School/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation; West Orange, New Jersey (Academic Chief Resident) Doctor of Medicine- UCC School of Medicine; Bayamon, Puerto Rico Why I entered into medicine: To help the sick and injured. Help them have physical health so they can live their best life possible. What is most gratifying about my work: Helping to give people the ability to be functionally active. Creating special relationships with patients, staff and peers. Hobbies and interests: Playing with my kids, playing the piano, fitness and following professional basketball Taste in music: Contemporary Christian, jazz Taste in food: Low carb, vegetables, salads and lean meats, though IÂ go back to my Latin roots once in a while and enjoy things like stuffed mofongo and garlic tostones. Dessert: anything with white chocolate, carrot cake.

How I vacation: Going back home to visit family in Puerto Rico. Disney vacations. Local tourism. My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): Take care of your body, work out and eat well. These are extremely important to performance and longevity of life.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

2020 TOP DOCS

AdventHealth Ocala Ken Barrick, MD

Celso Acevedo, MD, FACC, FHRS

Christopher Manseau, MD

Discipline: Cardiac Electrophysiology Practice: Advanced Cardiovascular Therapeutics / AdventHealth Ocala Education: Adult Medicine and Cardiology, Pittsburgh, Penn. Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Louisville, Ky. Why I entered into medicine: I have always loved learning and medicine is a lifelong learning career. Medicine gives you the opportunity to have a positive impact in people’s lives with the knowledge that you have acquired. What is most gratifying about my work: Seeing the improvement in my patients’ well-being after eliminating their debilitating arrhythmias via a catheter ablation procedure. Also, noting their improvement in heart function upon implanting a cardiac resynchronization device. I find most rewarding, being able to enjoy the gift of life with an individual that has just survived cardiac arrest after being rescued from an implantable defibrillator that I have recently inserted. And finally, the ability to help the field grow by getting involved in scientific studies and development of new techniques like fluoroless catheter ablations that further enhance patient safety. Hobbies and interests: Running, teaching and learning Taste in music: Latin music Taste in food: Healthy food with great taste, yes there is such a thing! How I vacation: Exposing my children to new experiences. My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): Daily exercise, eat healthy and laugh often. Medicine has improved longevity, but at the expense of morbidity. We are struggling with an obesity epidemic that is having a dramatic negative impact on health.

Discipline: Orthopedic Surgery Practice: Orthopedic Specialty Care Education: Attended medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass. Residency for Orthopedic Surgery at Albany Medical Center, New York. Fellowship for Hand and upper extremity reconstruction at Loma Linda Medical Center, California Why I entered into medicine: I have always been interested in human physiology. With the encouragement of my grandfather, a veterinarian, I chose a career in medicine. What is most gratifying about my work: The thing that I find most gratifying about my work is the opportunity to improve my patient’s pain. The idea of improving their quality of life by making sure they have the best surgical outcome or results from conservative management have always been a top priority. Hobbies and interests: Spending time with my children and grandchild, horseback riding with my wife and playing polocrosse with our friends. Taste in music: New country and classical music. Taste in food: Sushi, Thai, Mexican and smoked foods. How I vacation: Trips to Disney, visiting our family and taking trips with our horses. My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): If something hurts when you are using it, stop and have it evaluated. The pain is usually an indication of something being significantly wrong. Ignoring pain frequently ends up making things worse and prolongs their recovery.

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2019

Discipline: Emergency Medicine Practice: Director of Emergency Services at Advent Heath Ocala and practicing ER physician Education: Degree in Philosophy for Elmhurst University; Medical degree, University of Illinois at Chicago. Why I entered into medicine: To truly leave each day better then I found it. To help and care for those most in need. To care for everyone at their most vulnerable. To care for each person as if they are my family. What is most gratifying about my work: To truly have a positive impact on a person’s life and to know that what I did made a difference and helped another person in a profound way. Hobbies and interests: Horses, outdoor activities, guitar, fitness and exercise. Taste in music: 1970s rock and roll. Taste in food: Italian, meat and potatoes. How I vacation: Always with my family. I do not want to see the world without them. My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): Live life to the fullest, with a splash of common sense.

Narsing Rao, MD Discipline: Medicine Practice: Pioneer Medical Group Education: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, MD What is most gratifying about my work: Seeing a satisfied patient Hobbies and interests: Travelling, football, cricket, spendig time with my family. Taste in music: Classical Indian music Taste in food: Mutton Biryani How I vacation: Love family vacation My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou

2020 TOP DOCS

Tina Chandra DDS, LVIF, IAPAF

Discipline: Dentistry Practice: CHANDRA SMILE DESIGNS (352) 537-8934 | www.chandrasmiles.com 1920 SW 20th Place, Suite 202, Ocala, FL 34471 Education: University of Tennessee Dental School; Graduate Fellowship from the Las Vegas Dental Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI Global). Why I entered into dentistry: I love a happy, healthy and confident smile and wanted to make a difference in a person’s life. What is most gratifying about my work: Exceeding a person’s expectations, whether it is creating a person’s new smile or saving a life with sleep apnea appliances, or helping to treat TMJ jaw pain or headaches. I love seeing them smile! Hobbies and interests: Travel, thrill-seeking adventures, cooking and entertaining others. Taste in music: Any music that makes my soul smile. Taste in food: Hot and Spicy is the best. How I vacation: Adventures with my family abroad or in the USA. My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline) : Be patient. There is always a solution to all ailments. Together we can achieve success with the smile of your dreams.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

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Dr. Erica Olstein Physician of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Primary Care Provider

Discipline: Acupuncture Practice: A BETTER U HEALTHCARE Primary Care and Family Medicine 2609 SW 33rd St Unit 103, Ocala (352) 615-5566 Education: I attended undergraduate school at the University of Florida focusing my studies on health sciences. Thereafter, I attended graduate school at Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine where I became accomplished in acupuncture, a variety of adjunctive Oriental medical therapies, and Chinese herbology. Why I entered into medicine: I knew that I wanted to help other people become healthy using acupuncture when I found answers to my own health concerns having had success with it as a young kid. My parents pointed me in the direction of natural, holistic healthcare after conventional medical routes became unsuccessful. Now I practice acupuncture so that I can help other people discover the life changing health success that I did. What is most gratifying about my work: The average patient seeks out acupuncture as a last resort – once their health condition has turned very severe, is at its most chronic stage, and the patient has found limitations with nearly all other medical means. There is nothing more gratifying to me than to meet a patient at their absolute worst and bring them back to their very best. It takes teamwork. My patients and I build a great relationship along the way!

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2019

Hobbies and interests: My all-time favorite hobbies and interests include exercising with my dad, spending time with my fun and lively family, beach getaways and making pincushions out of my patients, of course! Ha-ha! Taste in music: My patients would probably say my taste in music isn’t groovin’ music so much as snoozin’ music! That’s the type of music I listen to all day at work to emphasize the stress-free environment at my office. I get a heavy dose of relaxing music all week long! Taste in food: Everything that my mom cooks! Shrimp creole, buffalo chili and apple cinnamon treats – variety is the spice of Mama Dana’s kitchen! How I vacation: Workdays are full of schedules and are ruled by the clock. That’s why I make my vacations the exact opposite. My favorite vacations are complete surprises – no telling where I’ll end up, which clothes to bring, or which activities I’ll get into along the way. So much fun! My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): My patients can attest to this medical advice. Baby steps. Regaining health is a matter of teamwork – your efforts are just as important as your physician’s. Maintaining health is a matter of simplicity and consistency. Exceeding your health expectations is a matter of taking just one more baby step!

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This information is from sources deemed to be reliable. We are not responsible for misstatements of facts, errors or omissions, prior sale, change of price, and/or terms or withdrawal from the market without notice. Buyer should verify all information with its own representatives as well as state and local agencies. Brokers please note that a variable rate commission may exist on this offering that might result in a lower commission cost to the Seller if a Buyer’s broker is not involved in the transaction. ©2019 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

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2020 TOP DOCS

Dr. Shilpa Oberoi and Dr. Mohammad Kamal Practice: FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS & RESEARCH INSTITUTE FLCancer.com Discipline: Medical Oncology Education: Medical School: D.Y. Patil Medical College in Kolhapur, India. Residency: Orlando Health – Orlando, FL. Fellowship in Oncology/Hematology: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Orlando Health – Orlando, FL Why I entered into medicine: After my personal experience with my grandfather’s diagnosis and battle with kidney cancer, I decided to devote my life to fighting this scourge of humanity (cancer). I did not want any family to suffer after seeing what my family went through.

Dr. Shilpa Oberoi

What is most gratifying about my work? There have been many advancements and progressions in the field of medicine and, specifically, oncology. But there is so much more that needs to be done. The hope of what can and will be accomplished in the future is what keeps me going. That hope and seeing patients and their family members smile after their treatments have been successful are my primary motivations. Hobbies and interests: Traveling and spending time with family. Taste in music: Indian

My best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): Keep up with your age-appropriate cancer screening procedures and tests!

Taste in food: Thai and Indian How I vacation: Love to travel with family and friends. I hope to see most of the whole world.

Discipline: Medical Oncology Education: Medical School: University of Mosul, Iraq. Residency: East Tennessee State University. Fellowship: East Tennessee State University. Why I entered into medicine: I like working and helping others. What is most gratifying about my work? Helping others Hobbies and interests: Golf, fishing Taste in food: Seafood How I vacation: Relaxing and traveling with family

Dr. Mohammad Kamal

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2019

Best advice to people in general (in regard to my medical discipline): Don’t try to treat yourself, but educate yourself.

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| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

Dr. Robert Panzer A life well-lived AN OM TRIBUTE

alph Waldo Emerson once wrote that, “The purpose of life is to not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” To say that Dr. Robert Panzer made a difference in this world and lived his life well is to perhaps understate the man’s mark left on his community. As a medical doctor Panzer not only healed patients, he helped people. Upon graduation from Kirksville College with a doctorate in osteopathic medicine, Dr. Panzer started practicing in Fort McCoy in 1972. In Fort McCoy, it was not unusual for patients Dr. Robert Panzer with wife Kim Panzer and Sharon Glassman who could not afford medical care to pay for Panzer’s services with eggs and chickens. Often, and left behind a myriad of life examples for Dr. Panzer would turn around and offer those others to emulate. Those examples includeggs and chickens to other indigent patients. ed relationships cultivated in high levels of On Sept. 12, Dr. Panzer passed away his trade as well as with the ordinary person

on the street who needed help. Dr. Panzer treated them all with equal respect. In 1973, Dr. Panzer earned membership in MENSA, was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles to be president of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA) from 1992-1993 and sat on the board for an additional four years. In 1996 he was appointed by Chiles to serve on the Osteopathic Board of Medicine and was reappointed the following year. In spite of these accolades and accomplishments, Dr. Panzer’s feet were always firmly on the ground and he never lost sight of his initial calling: helping others. After practicing in Fort McCoy, Dr. Panzer opened Colours Medical Center in Ocala. Colours Medical Center in 1993 became Ocala Family Medical Center, a joint effort with Sharon Glassman. At OFMC, Dr. Panzer encountered a homeless man who entered the center in need of care.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

With no money or resources to pay for the care, the man was nonetheless treated by Dr. Panzer who would take him in his car to buy food and paid for a hotel room for the night so he could recover. This was not an aberration, but the norm in a life dedicated to service of others. Dr. Panzer was known by all those who worked with him as a man who practiced old-school medicine but adapted seamlessly to new techniques in the ever-changing healthcare industry. Known for treating patients head-to-toe, he was known to deliver babies in patients’ homes and cared for patients in any stage of life. Born May 28, 1943 in Malvern, N.Y. to Otto Panzer and Gertrude King, Dr. Panzer was astute in the arts, even opting for medical school over The Julliard School which had accepted him for his talents at piano. Dr. Panzer spent a life healing people, but he also cherished the outdoors. When not treating patients, he would spend time hunting or fishing. Son, Todd Panzer remembers, “He loved the ranch, Longino, down in Arcadia. Some of the best memories that I have, some of the strongest memories I have are there. It was one of his happiest places.” He was a gun enthusiast who loved the water, including the thrill of racing boats. After having moved to Marion County from south Florida and founding OFMC, it was there in 1987 that Dr. Panzer met his future wife, Kim, to whom he was married for 24 years. He is survived by Kim and three sons – Todd Panzer, Tyler Lindsey and Jamison Panzer – as well as 10 grandchildren. Tyler Lindsey recalls one of his father’s lasting sayings that guided his life and those around him: “You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you don’t know and listen to your patients, it doesn’t mean anything.” Glassman remembers Dr. Panzer for his

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

Tyler, Todd, Bob and Jamison Panzer

Todd, Bob and Tyler Panzer

Bob and Tyler Panzer

life’s calling: “It was never about the money for Bob. All he ever wanted to do was take care of people.”

Take care of people he did. Dr. Robert Panzer will surely be missed.

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Thanksgiving Day

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Thanksgiving Daydreams Photo by Robin Fannon | Shot on location with items from Shannon Roth Collection

Pearfection p56 | Dining Out p60

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

fection! PEAR Be prepeared for the season's change with these delicious dishes. PHOTOS AND TEXT BY ROBIN FANNON OF RSVP ROBIN

hat is it about pears that conjure up feelings of fall and the holidays? For one thing they’re in season this time of year, and the other is they have been immortalized by the classic Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The partridge in a pear tree is reportedly symbolic of Jesus Christ on the cross. These ancient gifts from the Gods are in fact one of the oldest cultivated crops dating back to 5,000 BC. In the United States the vast majority of these crops are located in the Pacific Northwest, thanks to the ingenious pioneers, who found Oregon and Washington to have ideal growing conditions. So, while we say goodbye to the delicious stone fruit and berries of summer, we usher in the elegant fall crops: pears, apples, pomegranates, persimmons, grapes and cranberries to name a few. This month we focus on some interesting, sweet and savory pear recipes. If you have no desire to cook you can always indulge in the classic combination of a ripe pear, a pungent Stilton cheese and a strong and sweet glass of Port.

Instagram @RSVP_ROBIN

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

Pear, Caramelized Red Onion, Gorgonzola and Fresh Rosemary Flatbread Easy to prepare with your favorite store bought flatbread crust INGREDIENTS » » » » » » »

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

1 large red onions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large Bartlett pear, chopped 1 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese 2 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 2 Tablespoons Fresh Rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large skillet sauté onion until golden and caramelized • Brush dough with olive oil • Sprinkle the three cheeses over the crust and top with caramelized onions • Top with chopped pear • Sprinkle with rosemary • Bake directly on the oven rack at 425 degrees for 10 minutes.

Pear, Brie and Prosciutto Panini with Whole Grain Mustard and Mango Chutney INGREDIENTS » » » » »

4 slices hearty Ciabatta bread 6 slices thinly sliced prosciutto 6 slices brie cheese 1/2 medium Bartlett pear, cored and thinly sliced 1 tbsp. butter, softened

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat a grill pan or Panini press to medium-high heat. • Assemble the sandwiches by layering 3 slices of prosciutto, 3 slices of Brie and pear slices for each sandwich. Top with the second slice of bread. Butter the outer sides of the sandwiches. • Place the sandwiches on the heated grill pan or Panini press. Continue cooking until golden brown and the cheese has melted. Serve immediately. • Serve with a grainy whole grain mustard and mango chutney.

Cardamom and Saffron Poached Pears with Plain Yogurt and Toasted Pine Nuts

Spiced Red Wine Poached Pears with Fresh Whipped Cream and Toasted Walnuts

INGREDIENTS

» » » »

1/2 tablespoon cardamom pods 2 cups dry white wine 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

» » » »

1/4 teaspoon saffron threads Pinch of kosher salt 4 firm pears, peeled, stems intact 1 6-ounce container Plain Yogurt

• Gently crush cardamom with a rolling pin or the bottom of a skillet to slightly crack open pods without releasing seeds. Combine cardamom, wine, sugar, lemon juice, saffron, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer. Add pears; and completely submerge pears (adding water if needed). Cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer, turning occasionally, until pears are tender but not mushy, about 30 minutes. • Transfer pears to a serving dish. Boil poaching liquid until reduced to 1 cup. • Spoon some of syrup over cold or room temperature pears. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and remaining syrup.

» 2 cups dry red wine, such as cabernet or merlot » 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar » 1 orange, juiced (about 1/2 cup) » One 1 by 3-inch strip orange zest

» » » »

1 cinnamon stick 2 cloves 4 firm, ripe pears Chopped toasted walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a 4-quart saucepan, combine wine, sugar, orange juice, zest, cinnamon stick and cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. While liquid is simmering, peel pears, leaving stem intact. If needed, slice 1/2-inch off the bottom of the pears to create a flat bottom. • Gently place pears in poaching liquid, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until pears are cooked but still firm and not mushy. Remove saucepan and transfer cooled pears to a serving dish. • Reduce cooking liquid by about half until liquid is thicker and syrupy. Remove from flame and let liquid come to room temperature. Drizzle each pear with 2 tablespoons syrup and serve. Serve with Whipped Cream and drizzle with toasted walnuts.

OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |

EAT

dining out

Milano Pizzeria and Ristorante NOW OPEN! Milano Ristorante Italiano — a pizzaria bringing authentic cuisine to the Ocala area. Enjoy made-from-scratch Italian cuisine every day, including freshly baked bread. • Wednesdays— Buy One, Take One Home - select pasta dishes with purchase of an entree. Valid with entrees of $16.99 or more. • Thursdays— Buy One, Get One Half Oﬀ any Takeout Pizza • Sundays— 2 for 1 chicken parmesan every Sunday all day (with purchase of 2 beverages)

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For curbside service including wine, beer and full menu, call 352-304-8549 We’ll bring it out to you!

Open Daily 11am-9pm 5400 SW College Road, Unit 106 | Ocala, FL 34474 | (352) 304-8549 www.milanotogo.com

Legacy Restaurant At The Nancy Lopez Country Club Join us at The Villages‘ Best Country Club for lunch and dinner. Serving steaks and seafood with various wine selections. Monday - Prime Rib Night Tuesday - Buy One Get One Free Entrees (with the purchase of two beverages. Must present this ad.)

Friday - $1 oysters all day (raw, broiled, rockafeller(+.25) Saturday - Free Entree with the Purchase of Any Steak! (Must present this ad.) Sunday Evening - Special Filet Oscar $19.99 Weekends - Weekend Brunch! 11am-3pm Live outdoor entertainment! See website for schedule! 17135 Buena Vista Blvd | The Villages, FL 32162 | (352) 753-1475 SuleimanLegacyInc@gmail.com | Follow us on Facebook www.legacyrestaurant.com Open Fri-Sat 11 am-8:30pm | Sun-Thurs 11 am-8:00pm

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Now Open For Dine In! TAKEOUT & CURBSIDE

For curbside service including wine, beer and full menu, call 352-753-1475 We’ll bring it out to you!

dining out

EAT

Tony’s Sushi Sushi Me! At Tony’s Sushi you can select your favorite sushi to include made-to-order specialty rolls by creating your own! Enjoy being entertained at the grill, watching your food being prepared while having some fun. For a more intimate setting, Tony’s oﬀers private tables – perfect for special moments. Tony’s full bar includes sakes, imported draft beer and more. Like Tony’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TonySushiOcala

Ask about our daily, not on the menu items! We offer gift cards, catering and entertaining.

Mon-Thur 11a-10p, Fri & Sat 11a - 11p, Sun 12p - 10p 3405 SW College Rd. #103 Ocala, FL 34474 | 352-237-3151 www.tonyssushi.com

Ivy On The Square As fall fast approaches we invite you to come enjoy a Pumpkin Martini and your favorite meal in our beautiful dining room decorated for the fall holidays. Gather with friends and families for lunch or a night out. Enjoy fresh salads, mouthwatering comfort food, late night tapas and drinks. Specials include Southern Fried Lobster, hand-cut steaks and our famous Baked Krispy Chicken. Save room for some delicious pie. Our boutique will also be decorated in beautiful fall decor, what a great time to stroll through our beautiful boutique seeing the latest in gifts and home decor.

Named by Florida Trend as one of the “Top 500 Best Places to Eat in the State” for several years. Call for catering info.

Taking Thanksgiving Reservations Now. Stop by and enjoy cocktails on our beautiful patio, at the bar or at our speakeasy. Gift cards available.

Havana Country Club We oﬀer an extensive variety of cuisines—these include superior hand-cut steaks, freshly caught seafood, and authentic Italian fare. A Suleiman Family Restaurant. Tuesday - Italian Night Wendesday - $1 oysters all day (raw, broiled, Rockefeller (+.25) Thursday - Prime rib night Saturday - New Orleans Night! Featuring Louisiana Style Seafood Boil Sunday - Southern Fried Chicken Outdoor entertainment Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sat, Sun 5-8

Now Open For Dine In! OFFERING TAKEOUT & CURBSIDE ORDERS! For curbside service including wine, beer and full menu, call 352-430-3200

We’ll bring it out to you!

EAT

dining out

Sky Fine Dining Sky Fine Dining is located on the 6th ﬂoor of the Holiday Inn Suites. The eclectic gourmet cuisine and steak house concept is inspired from current trends and classic dishes like fresh cut steaks, live Maine lobster, rack of lamb and fresh seafood such as sea bass, salmon and shrimp. Golden Spoon Award Winner 9 consecutive years–2010 to 2018. Sky is the place to be for a unique ﬁne dining experience.

Golden Spoon Award Winner 9 consecutive years! 2010 to 2018

Special menu Wednesday through Saturday.

FRIDAY SEAFOOD NIGHT AND SATURDAY STEAK NIGHT

Mon-Thurs 5pm-10pm, Fri & Sat 5p-11p 3600 SW 38th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474 | (352)291-0000 www.skyfinedining.com

Fine Dining

West 82° Bar and Grill Come and enjoy the best Sunday plated brunch in town at the Plantation on Crystal River! All brunches include a choice of freshly baked danish, cinnamon roll, bagel or biscuit with cinnamon honey butter and shrimp Cocktail Platter. Shrimp cocktail platter includes cocktail shrimp, cocktail sauce, lemon, smoked ﬁsh dip, chicken pate, scallop cheese spread, strawberry cream cheese spread and gourmet crackers)

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

Choose from entrees like Eggs Benedict, Seafood Crepes, Prime Benedict, Seafood Platter and more! Finish your meal with a Chef’s choice dessert. Brunch Price is $26.00 PP, Sundays 11:30 am to 2:00 pm

Call for reservations, hours and weekly specials. 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com

Cafe Crisp Faith. Fitness. Food. Conveniently located in the Frank DeLuca YMCA, Cafe Crisp makes clean eating easy with fresh, healthy meals—to enjoy at the cafe or to take home—and they oﬀer weekly meal prep packages that make it easy to stay on track with meals and snacks. Cafe Crisp also caters events large or small! Stop in for a smoothie before your workout and come back for delicious sandwiches, soups, and salad bar.

Mon-Fri 7am–6pm 3200 SE 17th St (in the YMCA), Ocala, FL 34471 | 352-694-3100 www.facebook.com/cafecrispocala

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Ask about our weekly meal prep specials!

dining out

EAT

Ipanema Brazilian Steakhouse Experience an authentic taste of Brazil featuring roaming gauchos slice and serve fire-roasted meats from skewers in continual fashion. Ipanema Brazilian Steakhouse boasts 12 of the finest cuts of meat complemented by an opulent salad-vegetable bar, decadent desserts, wines, beer and cocktails. Book your private party and catering today! Our Sunday Brunch from 11a to 3p includes the salad bar plus crepe, waffle and omelet station. For $32.95 you’ll receive all of the above plus a free mimosa or bloody Mary and five different cuts of meat and our grilled pineapple.

♥

Our keto, paleo, gluten friendly buffet menu will allow you to stick to your dietary needs. Our NEW 3’s Catering Company brought to you buy our family of restaurants Ipanema, Latinos Y Mas and Craft Cuisine. 3sCateringCompany.com

We are extremely grateful to our Marion County community for their continued support during these difficult and unprecedented times.

2023 S Pine Avenue, Ocala | (352) 622-1741 | ipanemaocala.com Closed for lunch › Brunch Sunday 11am-2:30pm › Dinner 4-7:30pm Dinner Tue-Thu 5pm-8:30pm › Fri-Sat 5pm-9pm

Craft Cuisine We will see you soon!

Craft Cuisine World-Inspired Culinary Creations We are closed. We hope to see you soon and miss you, our wonderful patrons.

Golden Spoon Award Winner!

2237 SW 19th Avenue Rd., # 102, Ocala | (352) 237-7300 craftcuisineocala.com Mon-Thur 4-9pm | Fri-Sat 4-10pm

Latinos Y Mas Our restaurant is the perfect atmosphere for business lunches, family lunches or romantic dinners. Since 1991, Latinos y Mas restaurant has been serving our valued customers in Ocala and surroundings. Try the exquisite fusion of Latin food, such as one of our entrées, including Pargo Rojo, Paella, Ceviches, homemade Tres Leches and our amazing passion fruit Mojitos. Enjoy in house or order from the takeaway menu. Our friendly staﬀ is more than happy to help plan an extraordinary dining experience. Our keto, paleo, gluten friendly menu options will allow you to stick to your dietary needs. Happy Hour Mon-Thur 3-7pm.

Curbside pick up and family meals available to go.

♥

• Open Now To The Public and To Go Orders • New Favorite Bowls • Family Meals To Go and Pick Up • Online Gift Cards Our NEW 3’s Catering Company brought to you buy our family of restaurants Ipanema, Latinos Y Mas and Craft Cuisine. 3sCateringCompany.com

We are extremely grateful to our Marion County community for their continued support during these difficult and unprecedented times.

HOPS Watch for our Spring Garden Tour! Sponsorship opportunities available, please contact 352-237-5332

Set amid the ambience of the city’s oldest historic district and through the generosity of the homeowners, H.O.P.S. is pleased to showcase some of Ocala’s distinctive architecture, history, and culture. Since 1992, these home tours have provided a rare opportunity for guests to go inside some of our community’s most beautiful private residences.

2019 Historic Ocala Preservation Society Board Members Pamela Stafford — President Brian Stoothoff — Vice President Richard Perry — Secretary Dennis Phillips — Treasurer Linda Anker Giorgio Berry Leon Geller Stephanie Howard R.J. Jenkins Lela Kerley Caryl Lucas Penny Miller Suzanne Thomas Rhoda Walkup Diana Williams Link Wilson

712 S.E. Fort King St. Ocala, FL 34471 | (352) 351-1861 | www.HistoricOcala.org Follow us on Facebook

play

“Project Love” by Justin Alsedeck Acrylic interior paint on vinyl canvas | IG: gypsea_arts | FB: GypseaArts | http://Gypsea-arts.com

Socially Speaking p66 | Local Art Marketplace p72 | FAFO at NOMA p70 | Anthology—Poetry in Motion p72

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

EVENTS

socially speaking

(Re)Opening Night The historic Marion Theatre is back open for business with the Reilly Arts Center team at the helm. On August 28th, opening night VIP guests were treated to live jazz while the visual of Breakfast at Tiffanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s played on the big screen.

Pam Calero Wardell and Matt Wardell

Angie and Clint Lewis

Ashley Justiniano, Vianca Torres Pescador and Natasha Mercado

Photo by Jessi Miller

Carla Lord, Laurie Zink and Gerald Ergle

Giselle Felice & Erik Abernathy

Scott and Stacey Rollins, Lisa and David Midgett

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Leighton Okus and Tim Nelson

Photo by Jessi Miller

Photography by Maven Photo, provided by The Marion Theatre

2020

PETS

of Influence Does your pet have what it takes to be featured in Ocala Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pets of Influence edition? We are looking for pets who are helpful, heroic or just darned cute! To submit your special darling, check Facebook for details.

OCALA MAGAZINE facebook.com/ ocalamagazine

ocalamagazine.com

EVENTS

socially speaking

The arts are out & about again! September's First Friday Artwalk came back with a bang. During that evening, the Marion Cultural Alliance hosted the opening of their "Pleasures" art show. Later at the Brick, Couch Sessions featured music from The States and art from Larry Maxwell.

Tyrus Clutter, Patricia Thomlinson, Barbara Fitos and Laurie Zink

Photography by Jessi Miller

Larry Maxwell and Jessi Miller

Seth Benzel

The States with Joshua Jacobs singing, Larry Maxwell painting at right

Olivia Ortiz speaking

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

"Dance like your ex is watching" by Jordan Shapot

PLAY

alone — together

Welcome to FAFO 2020! It looks different, but in the age of COVID-19, what doesn’t? Part of this year’s Fine Arts For Ocala arts festival, in attempt to stay away from a large festival during these times of pandemic fears, will be held in the NOMA building located on North Magnolia Avenue for the entire month of October The theme Alone Together brings the past five years of Best-in-Show winners and featured artists. The theme represents the complexity of this “socially distant” moment with all the uncertainty, deadlock, stress and precarity that is swirling around it. WHEN: October 1-31 WHERE: NOMA, 939 N. Magnolia Ave. TIMES: Noon-6 p.m. (noon- 7 p.m. Oct. 9) ADMISSION: Free of charge CAPACITY: 40 EXHIBITORS: Michael Brennan, Richard Currier, Susan Currier, Umarid (Tony) Eitharong, Dustin Goolsby, Michelle McDowell-Smith, Jeff Ripple "Dream Mother" by Michelle McDowell Smith

"Fading Light" by Susan Currier

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

"Head Above Water" by Richard Currier

Hybrid Event (Live Audience + Virtual Zoom)

PLAY

anthology — poetry in motion

Silence is Golden Thought is energy, so we are using energy every time we are thinking The energy is coming from within our minds Our goal is to learn how to use this energy to create clear quality thoughts with less stress We must realize that the mind is the energy source we constantly use It needs recharging to produce quality thinking instead of quantity thinking Electrical appliances have to be plugged in to work Your mind has to be unplugged to work Unplugging for the mind is not engaging in thinking Being awake, stilling the mind of all

| OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020

BY JERRY GLASSMAN

thoughts allowing it to open to the Universal energy system The mind cannot think and recharge at the same time Stopping the thinking process allows the mind to receive the Universal energy Meditation and breathing skills will get you there You don’t have to buy it to try it, it’s free Give your brain a break from reality Plug into yourself Hocu Pocus! It’s time to focus! You are worth it!

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12 Zombieland 18 Mummified 26 Great Smokey Getaway 38 Nightclubs LIVE 41 Tavern on the Square A COLLABORATIVE EXHIBITION OCTOBER 2 - 31, 2020 RECEPTION: OCTOBER 2 DEPARTMENTS Brick City Center for the Arts

44 State of the County Veterans Benefits

46 Medical Journal 48 Fitness Tips AN EXHIBITION of FAFO ARTISTS 50 Self Improvement Tips OCTOBER 1 - 31, 2020 RECEPTION: OCTOBER 9 NOMA Art Gallery 54 On the Menu

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A REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION TO REFLUX DISEASE It’s time to win the The battle Laurie against reflux. Ann Truluck Team Reflux (also called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD) is caused by a weak muscle in your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)that allows acid and bile to flow back from the stomach into the esophagus, causing damage to the lining of the esophagus, throat and lungs. 1 in 5 patients in the United States suffer from GERD and 20 million Americans are taking acid blocking medications. Around 40% of the patients on medications continue to have symptoms and 15% of those patients will develop Barrett’s esophagus, a premalignant condition that can lead to esophageal cancer. The annual costs associated with GERD are 6 billion dollars per year. Symptoms associated with GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, dental erosions, asthma, chest pain, shortness of breath. Patient’s with reflux disease often suffer poor quality of OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 | 7 3 sleep, reduced work productivity dietary, compromises to avoid symptoms and lifelong dependence on medications. Although lifestyle modifications and acid blocking medications are able to control the symptoms at times,

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Medical

ELITE EQUESTRIAN

Celebrating The Equestrian Lifestyle

We are America’s Favorite Equestrian Lifestyle Magazine, Published Since 2008.

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iding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. I t is a grand passion. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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equine

Gracious Living in the Horse Capital of the World

Everything Equine p76 | The Original EquinistaTM p78

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

EQUINE

everything equine

The Horse Capital Grads show up at the Derby again!

Words was unfortunately scratched after an accident in the paddock before the race. Ocala Breeders Sales graduate Sol Volante started at New Hope AB Farm while Max Player is a graduate of the Eisaman Equine program. Another OBS grad, Winning Impressions, started his training at Off the Hook. Ocala’s Mark Casse is the trainer of record of Enforceable, who started his training here in Ocala and rested here for several months to mature and gain back some weight. Woodside Ranch graduate Storm the Court, who also went through OBS, came from the consignment of Bryan and Holley Rice of Woodside. Rounding out the remaining Ocala ties at the Derby were Money Moves (consigned by Wavertree Stables), King Guillermo (scratched from the race, but trained at Gelfenstein Farm) and South Bend (2019 OBS grad started and trained at Joe Pickerell’s and Courtney Roberts’ Pick View Farm). With almost two-thirds of the horses with strong connections to the farms in and around Ocala, we had a lot to cheer for again this year and the first two horses to cross the finish line were started right here by trainers in the Horse Capital. Congratulations and hats off to Eddie Woods Training Center and his team and to the Bob Baffert team, which pulled off its sixth Derby win, tying the record for trainer wins in the great race.

BY LOUISA BARTON, Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership, Farm Realtor and Host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3 Photos courtesy Churchill Downs

his year’s Kentucky Derby had an incredible lineup in the gate with many Ocala connections including Tiz the Law, which started at New Episode Training Center by Tony Everard and his team and entered the new 20-horse starting gate as the favorite for the 146th edition of the Run for the Roses. Not to be outdone was Ocala’s Eddie Woods, who almost always has an impressive grad in the Churchill starting gate. Woods’ grad, Authentic, was so good that he took the roses home and won it! Woods gave Authentic his start and many experts said he would beat Tiz the Law. They both ran a

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

great race and there were a moments when Liz almost caught Authentic. This list of local connections at this year’s Derby also includes Honor AP (training started by April Mayberry at Mayberry Farm) and Ny Traffic (started by Gene Recio). We had a very popular Florida-bred who was a serious contender: Thousand Words. Born at Hardacre Farm and who started training with Barry Berkelhammer at Abracadabra Farms, Thousand

Some information was provided by the FTBOA. I am always thankful for its assistance as we try not to miss any mentions of Derby connections to the Horse Capital of the World.

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EQUINE

the original equinista

Two for the Show Meet Two-Time Dressage National Champion Endel Ots BY L.A. SOKOLOWSKI, THE ORIGINAL EQUINISTA™

Endel Ots Photo by Joanna Jodko Photography

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

ndel Ots is fond of quoting the American inventor Henry Ford: “The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t are both right. Which one are you?” For those who follow the worlds of national and international dressage, identifying which category this Florida horseman falls into is easy. Ots won his second consecutive U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Intermediare I Dressage National Championship in August at the U.S Dressage Festival of Champions in Chicago, and on a different horse from the one ridden for the same victory pass the year before. Between titles, the two-time (2011, 2019) Pan American Games qualifier and U.S. Dressage Federation bronze, silver and gold medalist has learned that confidence doesn’t just come from within; it comes from beneath, from artfully schooling and partnering with horses until they think they can, too. Ots and Lucky Strike, the 9-year-old Hanoverian (Lord Laurie x His Highness) gelding he co-owns with his father Max, were on top of the world in the summer of 2019, having won the USEF I-1 title and a slot on the U.S. Dressage squad for the Pan American Games. It had been almost a decade (2011) since Ots had first qualified for a Pan Am team, as alternate with Toscano, the chestnut KWPN gelding of Kristin and Steve Cooper’s that inspired his move to Wellington and start working with Danish Olympian Lars Petersen. Lucky’s kind eye, incredible work ethic, and three “really good gaits” had convinced Endel and Max to take a chance on the lanky dressage prospect seven years earlier when Endel first tried him out while in

kicked in. They began competing at the Global Dressage Festival, winning two starts on the Small Tour before eyeing a new prize: Defending his U.S. Dressage Federation national championship won the year before on Lucky Strike. In February, at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, Ots and Everdance clinched the strongest score (74.976%) in their ranking and stayed nearly five points ahead of Global Dressage Festival and Pacific Coast CDI challengers throughout the coronavirus-shortened qualifying season. “Probably the highlight of our season was the Palm Beach Derby, where she won all her classes and never scored below 74 percent,” he said with a nod to the American-bred’s ability to coax perfect 10s from FEI judges as they clinched their berth to Chicago. “She’s been an easy horse to ride and consistent in the show ring. She’s really super in her canter and trot work, and has lots of power.” In one of her last tests, her pirouettes were so good it prompted a German dressage judge to approach Ots afterward and tell him that the horse had earned a “new fan.” Shifting gears during the pandemic as smoothly as tempi changes, Ots decided to go to the national championships using the same freestyle choreography for Everdance that he had used for his winning test

Photos by Susan Stickle

Belgium looking for another horse, “like Toscano,” to bring to an international level. “After getting a taste of what it was like to ride on a United States team, I was more confident about what I wanted most in a horse,” Ots said. “I was just starting my career in Florida when I tried him out. It felt like we made a real connection. “So I called my dad and said, ‘I know he’s not what we’re looking for, but this horse is a really interesting prospect.’ And he’s been super ever since.” Lucky Strike suffered an ill-timed but thankfully short-term injury en route from Wellington to Miami International Airport, where he was to have flown to Lima, Peru to join the rest of the Pan Am team horses. A veterinary assessment led Ots and the USEF to make a heavy decision, in the best interest of the horse, to withdraw. With competition starting in less than a week, it was too late to send a replacement. “Obviously, I was devastated. But my horse’s health was more important. I knew my team understood when we decided it was not in his best interests to travel. “I’ve always tried to make clear game plans and set goals to accomplish with each horse,” he said. The media attention generated by Ots and Lucky Strike called the horse next to “spark the imagination” of the American dressage world. The blow could have left a lesser rider thinking like a man who can’t. Instead, he took a phone call last October from Dan and Gina (Gaumer) Ruediger of Sonnenberg Farm, a top dressage breeding and training facility in Oregon, when they reached out about his working with Sonnenberg’s Everdance, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare who made a great first impression. “I saw her strengths. So we worked on her movements, on knowing her tests, and on trusting me enough to wait for me to ask,” he said as his goal-setting instinct

on Lucky Strike, but with a twist uniquely curated by music creator Karen Robinson to the mare’s dynamic assets. “The choreography was the same, but I wanted something more from the music and have always liked how Edward [Gal]’s freestyles were full of power.” Gal attained riding rock star status in the mid-2000s with record-breaking (over 90%) Grand Prix scores on the Dutch Warmblood stallion, Moorlands Totilas. Fast forward to September. “It’s been a nice partnership. I’m very happy with how it turned out,” Ots said after handily defending his second straight national title with a 77.645% score to complete their sweep of the Prix St. Georges and Intermediare 1 Freestyle during the week-long Festival of Champions. “We had nice, clean tests. She really tries for me. “You always want to do the best job you can, especially for someone else’s horse, because you know how much they’ve put into breeding and bringing a horse along.” Ots knows exactly what it feels like to be a rider and owner, so if Mr. Ford were to inquire he’d no doubt say that both still choose to believe they can.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

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| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

FEATURES

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Breaking New Ground LIKE US08ON FACEBOOK 12 Zombieland AND STAY UP TO DATE!

18 Mummified 26 Great Smokey Getaway

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Marion County Public Library Headquarters Photo by Jessi Miller

Charity: Marion Therapeutic Riding Association p82 | State of the City p86 State of the County p87 | Kiwanis Korner p88 | Rotary Circle p90 | Looking Back p92

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

ETC

charity

Therapy on Horseback Marion Therapeutic Riding Association provides unique help for children and adults in need

young boy climbs atop a horse for the first time. His whole life he has been more than just a simple introvert; he has suffered from selective mutism and is unwilling or unable to communicate with others beyond the occasional nod, grunt or monosyllabic word. Amid even the shallow moments of verbal connection, eye contact is a rarity. Once on the horse, though, a transformation seems to take place. Eyes light up, the corners of the mouth turn up and the verbiage transforms from ‘yeah’ and ‘hu-huh’ to stern words of command directed at the animal, a newfound friend. Such is the scene at the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association which brings forth a unique form of therapy to children

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

and adults with afflictions ranging from autism and multiple sclerosis to post traumatic stress disorder. At-risk youth as well as people with various physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities receive this equine therapy at MTRA located at 6850 SE 41st Court in Ocala. Catherine Sears-Koch has been an instructor and is now the program director at MTRA. A lifelong horse enthusiast and a certified therapeutic riding teacher, she has witnessed firsthand many times the positive transformations which take place. “I’ve seen children communicate for the first time when they get on a horse,” Koch said. “They usually don’t communicate with their parents or anybody, but when they get on that horse, by showing cues to the horse

with their voice like ‘walk on’ or ‘whoa!’ they’re actually able to express themselves. “You see so many small miracles a day.” Sear-Koch is part of a team at MTRA that is comprised not just of horse-lovers, but of people who want to bring the healing benefits of these special animals to people in need. In 2018, Pam Morrison was named executive director after three years as program director and works with fundraising manager Jenna Rovira, administrative assistant Nancy Moore and volunteer coordinator Shelly Morrell, all with extensive backgrounds not just in the equine industry but also social work and therapy. While the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the activities at MTRA, the month of September marked the re-emer-

Photos courtesy of Marion Therapeutic Riding Association

BY CARLTON REESE

“When you see somebody that’s been really sad and been through a lot in their life, a lot of trauma, and then when they sit on that horse and all of a sudden you see a smile you know you’re doing something.” —CATHERINE SEARS-KOCH

gence of one-on-one instruction and therapy sessions and the hope is that sooner than later programs will be back to full steam. In the meantime, the waiting list grows and the desire to help everyone in need of the programs rages like never before. Sears-Koch claims that current protocols limit sessions to one-on-one whereas before these same sessions could include multiple clients. For now, multi-person sessions are just for close family members. Lest one get the idea that equine therapy is merely horse lovers allowing patients to ride and experience the unique bond with these animals, one must think again. Equine-assisted therapy is overseen by medical professionals, generally licensed psychotherapists or physical therapists. At MTRA, instructors

are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. According to Sears-Koch, one reason horses are such good therapeutic animals is in how they respond to humans. “The horses can sense the emotions of the rider and they respond to it.” A horse knows when it is being approached by an angry person and will shy away or behave stubbornly. In this regard, horses are good identifiers of a person’s emotions and can help the therapist work through them. The fact horses are such large animals yet very trusting and gentle creatures lends to their use in therapies for victims of child abuse. Often, that trust has been broken by past traumatic events, but the experience of the horse’s treatment becomes an invaluable lesson in the patient gaining confidence and trust in the real world. “When you see somebody that’s been really sad and been through a lot in their life, a lot of trauma, and then when they sit on that horse and all of a sudden you see a smile you know you’re doing something,” Sears-Koch said. “You know this child or this young adult wouldn’t even dare smile or even talk, just ‘mmm’ to ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions, just looking down. Then when they’re on that horse it releases that adrenaline. They get off the horse and now they’re talking to you a million miles an hour, they’re all excited and telling you about their day. Their

whole attitude changes, it’s like a light went off and they feel good. It gives them something special to look forward to.” Even the act of riding a horse can have a positive physical impact on some patients with injuries or abnormalities. Sears-Koch notes how the “rhythm of a horse’s movement” can provide enormous physical therapy for those with physical disabilities and that improvement is often seen in terms of flexibility and balance. MTRA offers several programs in addition to traditional therapeutic riding: Freedom Reins, equine-assisted therapies for military veterans of all ages, and the Equine Experience, a program which serves children in foster care as well as at-risk youth. Although a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, there are still slight charges for services and many of the clients they serve lack the financial ability to take advantage of the programs. That’s where the community comes to play through donations, sponsorships and volunteers. In 2019, a total of 3,752 rides took place with over 2,500 individuals from riders to caregivers to volunteers being impacted. The numbers for 2020 have surely taken a strong hit due to the pandemic, but MTRA is charging forward to accomplish its mission. Volunteers need not be experienced horsemen – all are welcome to be a part of the mission and do their part to help out in any way on the property’s 35 acres with 19 horses. Anyone wanting to become involved as a volunteer or as a donor may visit mtraocala.org and click on the ‘How You Can Help’ link provided at the top of the page. From there, instructions can be followed for volunteering or donating money.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

COMING NOVEMBER 2020

Special OM 40th Anniversary Edition

The White Charity Register Join us in Celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2020 at our CHARITY REGISTER WHITE PARTY GRAND EVENT. Reserve Your Ad Placement Now â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Space Is Limited. More Information On Our White Party Will Be Forthcoming.

TO RESERVE AND ENSURE YOUR PLACEMENT, PLEASE CALL (352) 622-2995 EXT. 303

NATURAL HEALTH REDEFINED Acupuncture is recommended for painful conditions, insomnia, allergies, hypertension, and more.

Discover a healthier you! Erica Olstein, DOM, AP Acupuncture, Cupping, & Herbal Medicine

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ETC

state of the city

Ocala Recovery Project Your guide to addiction rehabilitation BY: ASHLEY LOPEZ, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

es; it includes the patient’s emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being. The ORP aims to assist: • recurring overdose patients, • new and expectant mothers suffering from addiction, • Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN), and • anyone suffering from addiction who is ready to begin the path toward recovery. The ORP intends to achieve its goals of rehabilitating individuals through a handson approach. From the moment assistance is requested until treatment is secured, an ORP medic will monitor and aid the patient. This constant contact, coupled with comprehensive medical care - offered free of charge - is intended to encourage participants toward successful program completion.

Enrolling in the ORP can be the first step toward breaking the chains of addiction. Like its predecessor - the Narcan Leave Behind program - the ORP was designed to empower opioid victims with the medication, resource referral, and follow-up visits necessary to save their lives. Opioid abuse may be an epidemic, but it can be addressed with effective substance abuse treatment and prevention education. Actions like these not only yield a decrease in overdoses and overdose deaths, they help recovering opioid victims maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you, or someone you know, are suffering from addiction and are ready to make a change, please inquire about the Ocala Recovery Project (ORP) by calling (352)2664769, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about OFR’s Narcan Leave Behind program, visit www.ocalafire.org.

Photos courtesy of the City of Ocala

tress, anxiety, and isolation are some of the overwhelming side effects of the global pandemic. Furthermore, they are triggers that fuel substance use. As the nation fights to find public health and financial stability, another conflict is taking place locally; the opioid epidemic. While fire departments across America prepare to celebrate Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10), Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) is shifting gears. This year, the fire department is focusing on the opioid epidemic affecting our hometown. Alarming statistics show that opioid dependency and overdose deaths are on the rise nationwide - and Ocala is not an exception. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioids are currently the main driver of drug overdose deaths. Between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2020, Marion County had 657 suspected overdoses, 93 of which resulted in fatalities. Of these cases, 318 overdoses were treated with Narcan (a medication used to block the effects of opioids in the system). OFR is acutely aware of how opioids can affect a person regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. To fight the epidemic, OFR, the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, and LifeStream Behavioral Center partnered to create the Ocala Recovery Project (ORP). Funded by the CDC and the Marion County Hospital District, the ORP strives to reduce opioid overdose deaths and dependency through a systematic approach, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and counseling. The project’s thought is that the road to addiction recovery encompasses more than illicit substanc-

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state of the county

Penny Sales Tax on the November Ballot BY ALEX AUBUCHON

Marion County voters approved a one percent sales tax in 2016. Since then, all those pennies from both residents’ and visitors’ purchases have added up to approximately $166 million.

hat revenue strictly funds necessary improvements in public safety and transportation infrastructure. It does not pay for any salaries or other recurring costs. A LOOK AT 2017-2020: • The Penny Sales Tax took effect in 2017 and has allowed for massive improvements in transportation and public safety. • The Marion County Engineer’s office has completed several road projects that had been planned for years, but for which funding wasn’t available. • County Commission Chair Kathy Bryant says these improvements will help accommodate Marion County’s rapid growth. As communities expand, roads need to grow alongside them to handle the increased traffic. • Over 53 miles of Marion County roadways have been either constructed or rehabilitated. That means more traffic capacity and easier travel around the county. • Marion County Fire Rescue now has a brand-new fire station, cutting down on emergency response times and dozens of new fire trucks and ambulances allowing MCFR to serve the community more efficiently. • The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office has procured nearly 400 new patrol ve-

hicles and hundreds of bulletproof vests to help deputies stay safer while keeping the county safe. MCSO is also constructing a new evidence and forensics facility that will preserve the integrity of criminal evidence for up to 100 years. These improvements help Marion County’s public safety personnel keep everyone in the county secure and healthy. 2021-2024 PROJECTIONS: The Marion County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved putting the sales tax renewal on the ballot for the Nov. 3 general election. If renewed, the tax is expected to generate nearly $196 million in revenue over the next four years. The Marion County Engineer’s office aims to begin more than 20 additional road projects by 2024. A list of those projects is available on the county’s website at www. marioncountyfl.org. Marion County Fire Rescue plans to purchase 19 more fire trucks and two dozen more ambulances by 2024. The department will also be modernizing 15 of its existing fire stations and adding new facilities with

the latest technology and resources. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office plans to acquire many more patrol vehicles as well as a mobile command unit to serve as a base of operations during major incidents. A shooting range and driving pad are planned for construction to provide deputies enhanced training opportunities. All these public safety and infrastructure improvements will make Marion County an even safer and more comfortable place to live. It’s important to note that at least 30 percent of sales tax revenue comes from visitors, including tourists, travelers and the 80,000 or so people who commute to Marion County for work. The sales tax ensures these people contribute to maintaining the roads they use and the emergency services upon which they depend. Our public safety and transportation infrastructure needs are only growing, and this sales tax prevents county property owners from footing the bill. Remember, each penny means positive change for Marion County. Alex AuBuchon is the Public Information Officer for the Marion County Board of Commissioners.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCT 2020 |

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9/27/2020

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Kiwanis 9/27/2020

9/27/2020

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Korner

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Tom James

Laurie Zink

Jaye Bailey

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Kiwanis of Ocalaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Being The Difference Serving The Children of the World

iwanis of Ocala hosted several guest speakers recently at the Eks Lodge. Jaye Bailey, Director of Marion County Cultural Alliance, Karla Grimsley CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, Eric Weaver, Director of Ocala City Electric Utilities, Tom James, Director of Marketing & Networking/Sportscaster ESPN, Laurie Zink, Director IHMC. Despite the COVID 19 Virus, All came together for the good of the community to share of how they are making a difference in their own business and surroundings while still taking the proper precautions to stay safe while honoring and respecting the safety of others.

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Tammy Hoff

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Allison Campbell

Penny Miller, Wes Wheeler, Aggie Albright, Tom James, Todd Duffy, and Jeff Ruttenber

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

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Rotary

Circle

Service Above Self: He Profits Most Who Serves Best Rotary International and all Ocala Rotarians serve to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services. Their mission is to advance goodwill and peace, not only in their own communities, but around the world. There are over 35,000 member clubs worldwide and over 1.2 million individuals known as Rotarians.

Karen Hatch

Karla Grimsley

Karen Hatch, VP Center State Bank, Immediate Past President of Brick City Rotary Club and Immediate Past Area Governor Karla Grimsley, Director of Interfaith Emergency Services and Immediate Past President of Sunset Rotary Club.

To learn more about joining Rotary, please visit: www.RotaryInternational.com Follow Rotary On Facebook

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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looking back

When Opera Lived Downtown

The Marion Block Building started as a pharmacy and opera house Marion Block—1917

Marion Block—1926, view is from the current location of the Hilton Garden Inn

BY CARLTON REESE | WITH THE HISTORIC OCALA PRESERVATION SOCIETY

lthough not the oldest building in downtown Ocala, the Marion Block Building located on the corner of Broadway and Southeast 1st Street is the only one of the structures in the area that maintains its original look. When people view the building today, which houses Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille downstairs and offices on the top two floors, they are looking into the past over 130 years as the structure’s façade resembles very closely its look at the time it was built in 1885. Marion Block’s red brick façade came about as a re-thinking of construction pervaded following the great Thanksgiving Day fire of 1883 that destroyed five city blocks. Back then, most all buildings were made entirely of wood except the brick chimneys which were the only things left standing. Constructed by D.C. Wharton Smith of Philadelphia, the Marion Block Building originally stood alone on the corner,

| OCT 2020 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

caddy-corner from the Ocala House Hotel where the new Hilton Garden Inn now stands. The first floor of the building originally housed the Court Pharmacy drug store and even today one can view the words ‘Drug Co.’ in the tile mosaic floor at Harry’s. The most interesting part of the building was that its third floor was Ocala’s first opera house and was said to hold from 8001,000 people. In his book “Ocala 1891” J.D.C. Clarke wrote about the opera house: “. . . is admirably arranged, has a full complement of scenery, a well-appointed stage and all the modern improvements in lighting, ventilation, exits, etc. The house has a seating capacity of 1,000 and the auditorium can readily be transformed into a ballroom.” However, it was not an opera for which the room gained notoriety, but a political movement. In 1896, the opera house held a heated debate on the issue of instituting a gold standard or free coinage of silver in regard to

the nation’s currency. Herbert L. Anderson argued the Republican Party’s gold standard position while R.A. Burford argued the Democrat position of free coinage of silver. According to David Cook in an Ocala Star-Banner article from 2012, then-newspaper editor Frank Harris, who presided over the debate “conceded that probably no minds were changed by the oratory of two of Ocala’s leading lawyers.” What did come about, according to Cook, was the creation of Ocala’s first woman’s club. Harris’ publication, the Ocala Banner, had “called for the creation of a woman’s club” during an era when women still did not have the right to vote. Despite the lack of suffrage at that time, women made up twothirds of the capacity crowd at the opera house debate. Aside from being home to Ocala’s first opera house, the Marion Block Building also owns another claim to local fame: it housed the city’s first mechanical elevator, one that still operates to this day.

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