May/Jun 2021 Ocala's Good Life by ocalasgoodlife

OCALA’S

Retirement Redefined

After a year of being cooped up in our homes, it’s time to…

INSIDE:

Get Out! Have Fun! Enjoy Life! ideas to get you out of the house this month

PLUS—

Food Trucks

Some of the best dining is downtown. On four wheels.

On The Job

Following Jenny Martinez during a busy day.

Recapping The Ocala Open | Too Much Tech! | Cuisine Queen

GOOD LIFE

MAY / JUN 2021

Memorial Day

Melody Murphy finds solace in an unlikely place.

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the Enjoy Style. a d i r Flo

I wouldn’t be here without AdventHealth’s ER.

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Surviving an emergency is no accident. To Greg, road trips mean freedom. But after suffering a stroke at age 43, his whole life changed. He realized how every second counts, especially when it comes to an emergency. AdventHealth’s ER experts responded fast – and today, Greg is back on the road again. When the unexpected occurs, know where to go for expert emergency care near you. Because in an emergency, there’s no time to waste… and no room for doubt.

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Ocala’s

GOOD LIFE MAY/JUN 2021

24 Photo: Trevor Byrne

34 departments 6

Good Team

The Editor’s Desk

Good Start

My Florida

Out & About

Just My Type

The talented staff behind Ocala’s Good Life. Good reasons to get outside. By Dean Blinkhorn Quick looks at our community. By JoAnn Guidry & Cynthia Brown Every day is Memorial Day. By Melody Murphy The Ocala Open. By Steve Floethe Too much tech! By Mary Ellen

Good Health

Good Eats

Brain power. By Cammy Dennis Food trucks downtown. By Rick Allen

Cuisine Queen

Dining Guide

Recipes

Plan Ahead

Puzzle Page

Photo: Tito Comas

features 20

On The Job

BY OLANA MCDONALD

All the latest dining news. By Paula DiPaula Highlights of some of the area’s best restaurants. Summer deliciousness. By Family Features Lots of reasons to get out of your easy chair. What are you waiting for? Spend a few minutes with the crossword or Sudoku.

Nearly 30 percent of the population in Marion County is over 65 years old, meaning the need for senior services is greater here than in many other counties. Meet Jenny Martinez, executive director of Marion Senior Services, on one of her typical days.

on the cover

14 Reasons To Get Outside Again

BY CYNTHIA BROWN • COVER PHOTO BY DAVE MILLER

It’s been a long year and Ocala’s Good Life feels your pain. We’ve scoured our best contacts to come up with some really cool things going on right now in Ocala and the surrounding area. So get in the car, take some pics, and have some fun!

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

FREE Lunch & Learn at

Ocala’s

GOOD LIFE

“Rio”

MAGAZINE

ocalasgoodlife.com M AY / J U N 2 0 2 1 Publisher/Art Director Trevor Byrne

trevor@ocalasgoodlife.com

Publisher/Editor Dean Blinkhorn

dean@ocalasgoodlife.com

A plain talking, informal get together, helping to answer all of your end of life questions and concerns. It costs you nothing and allows every attendee the opportunity to get all their questions out on the table (after lunch of course).

6 CONVENIENT DATES TO CHOOSE FROM:

Project Manager Cynthia Brown

cynthia@ocalasgoodlife.com

Writers

Rick Allen, James Blevins, Cammy Dennis, Mary Ellen, JoAnn Guidry, Melody Murphy, Paula, Danielle Veenstra

MAY 18, 19 & 20 at 11:30am JUNE 15, 16 & 17 at 11:30am

Photographers

Very limited seating—RSVP is a must. Please call 352-537-8111

Proofreaders

Steve Floethe John Jernigan Karen Bradley Sally Tinkham

Advertising Sales Carol DeWitt

(302) 377-9142 carol@ocalasgoodlife.com

Rick Junglas

(352) 445-1252 rick@ocalasgoodlife.com

Kaye Schultz

(352) 427-4005 kaye@ocalasgoodlife.com

606 SW 2nd Ave • Ocala, FL 34471

(352) 537-8111

SPECIAL OFFER For Attendees Only

Must be present to receive special offer. Sales career opportunities available. OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Sally Tinkham

(352) 427-4006 sally@ocalasgoodlife.com

Distribution Heidi Justice

PA R T N E R :

Published bi-monthly by Good Life Publishing Inc. ocalasgoodlife.com • (877) 622-5210 ©2021 Good Life Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. No part may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Unsolicited material will not be returned. Publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ claims or content of advertisements.

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a good team

staff & contributors 4

7 5

3 11

13 8

When Paula DiPaula is not visiting new 1 restaurants in the area, she’s working off those calories kayaking, boating, camp-

ing and exploring trails in her Jeep. Born in 1958, she fits right in with Ocala’s Good Life magazine’s demographics, showing our readers that she’s more of a seen-ager than a senior. Paula believes that keeping active, positive and having an open mind leads to longevity.

Dean Blinkhorn is a past Florida Maga2 zine Association Editor of the Year who loves publishing. When he’s not working on

Ocala’s Good Life or the annual CEP relocation guide, he’s probably catching up with his favorite subscriptions. Rolling Stone, Bicycling, Classic Rock, and Reader’s Digest are on his monthly must-read list because of the great storytelling. He’s recently picked up tennis again and hopes to soon be able to keep the ball in the court!

Steve Floethe has been Ocala’s Good 3 Life’s photographer/writer since it was first launched in 2010. In addition he is a

freelance videographer, covering breaking news and feature stories in Marion County for Orlando’s TV stations. Before semi-retiring to Ocala, Steve had a long and varied career in broadcast and print journalism — from newspaper, radio, and cable news to TV as a reporter/photographer, news producer, nightly news anchor and TV news director.

watches every move Benson makes, trying to learn how to be a big dog. Unfortunately, that also means learning how to dig holes in the yard, but she’s really smart and has been easy to train so far.

Carol DeWitt is living happily ever 6 after in On Top of the World with her husband Bruce, having relocated from Wilmington, Delaware. They have many community interests and are always out and about trying every new restaurant and learning all about Florida. Carol brings her long career experiences in many areas of marketing and media to Ocala’s Good Life.

Rick Junglas has over 15 years of advertising experience in the Ocala area with yellow pages and magazines. When Rick is not out visiting advertisers he enjoys cruising, bowling, sporting events and going to the beach. Being from Ohio he always makes time to watch the Buckeyes, but he doesn’t miss the snow. As far as traveling, Rick and his wife Gina are looking forward to exploring everything that the sunshine state has to offer.

Kaye Schultz is enjoying semi-retire8 ment with her cat Sylia in her new home in Dunnellon. Of course it’s been a neverending process of remodeling and furniture shopping to get it just the way she wants it. But it sure is a lot easier upkeep than her previous home that sat on 1.7 acres!

sion to photography. Today, John stays busy shooting for various magazines and commercial clients all over the country.

Sally Tinkham and her husband, Alan, 11 have lived in Dunnellon more than 36 years after living in Connecticut and Rhode

Island. She loves her 5 cat-kids and hiking with her grandchildren on the local trails. She is researching the history and families of Gaiter, an early southwest Marion County community, for a potential book. She’s also an avid fan of Cote, the Elvis tribute artist, as seen in this photo!

A resident of Ocala for 31 years, Mary 12 Ellen has seen tremendous growth in our formerly small town with more shopping, restaurants, entertainment and the World Equestrian Center, only minutes from where she and her husband live in Stone Creek. And after recently celebrating their 1st anniversary the happy couple is looking forward to enjoying everything Ocala has to offer.

Cynthia Brown and her husband 13 Larry stay quite busy running a family business and raising their two boys. They

recently purchased a boat and plan to spend a lot of time on the water this summer enjoying all the local waterways. She hasn’t yet earned her title of “gamer mom”, she’s been too busy keeping up with the family zoo: A 105lb dog, Gooch, two parakeets and their newest addition, “Noodle” the corn snake. More on that soon!

James Blevins is a recipient of the Louis 4 Chazal Journalism Award from the ColNative Floridian Melody Murphy has a lege of Central Florida. When he isn’t writing 9 Bachelor’s in journalism from UF and is Rick Allen spent the final 16 years freelance feature stories, James is writing the marketing assistant at Ocala Civic The14 of a 45-year journalism career as an poetry. For James, writing is life—a good life, atre, where she also performs. She owns 13 award-winning feature writer while also covyou might say—and he’s happy to do it for as long as there’s hot coffee to drink.

Trevor Byrne and his wife Dawn adopted their new puppy, Willow, on St. Patrick’s Day. She’s a bundle of joy and gets along great with their other dog, Benson. She

kinds of hot sauce.

As a child John Jernigan would often 10 be found drawing and coloring with leftover prisma color pencils and supplies from his father’s photography studio and art supply store. It was only a natural progres-

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

ering the Marion County culinary landscape as dining editor for the Ocala Star-Banner. Currently he’s just mostly retired.

PRESLEY IS

June 23-26, 2021

ELV

ELVIS

Summer ENT M E S R O AL END I C I F F O Festival

The

T E R P RIS

Citrus County Auditorium • Inverness, FL

‘The Summer Festival’

This four-day event will feature TEN of the world’s top ELVIS Tribute Artists, paying homage to the life and legacy of ‘The King.’ FIVE Vegas-Style Headliner Shows recreating specific concerts from ELVIS’s life! Don’t miss this amazing historical four-day event, where you can experience ‘The King’ in all his glory. Get your tickets now before it SELLS OUT!

he phrase brings back memories of excitement, electricity, and pure emotion. Following his separation from Priscilla on new years eve 1972, Elvis had to rise to the challenge of the ‘On Tour’ documentary as well as his June Madison Square Garden concerts. He used the stage as an escape from all of it. On August 11th, 1972 Elvis would deliver one of his best performances, proving once again that he was still the King Of Rock n’ Roll! These shows would be known as “The Summer Festival.” Fast forward to July 28th, 2018. The Summer Festival returns as Ocala native Elvis Tribute Artist Cote Deonath steps on stage to recreate that exact concert, dawning the iconic “Blue Swirl” jumpsuit. Then in July of 2019, the best tribute acts from around the world would converge to Inverness, FL for the biggest celebration of this great festival and an amazing man. This year the Summer Festival has big news! It is officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises! We are so proud to have this honor and spread his legacy the right way! So join us this year as we celebrate the event that took Vegas by storm!

Get your tickets at

ElvisTheSummerFestival.com

Tickets starting at $15

the editor’s desk

by dean blinkhorn [dean@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Finding Stories That Move Us

ometimes cover stories have a way of working out. Let me explain. Before COVID-19 hit, we had already commissioned a great photo of the annual Fine Arts For Ocala Mother’s Day concert, Symphony Under The Stars, and had planned on using it for the cover image for the May/June 2020 issue. We had even mocked it up, done all the color corrections, even wrote the cover text call-outs. Then, while we were all in our mandatory shut-down, we made the decision to skip that issue. Well, a year later, we still had a great cover! Once we confirmed that the concert was a go, we started talking about all the other cool events that were also moving forward, albeit in uncharted waters, and that’s when Cynthia Brown, our project manager extraordinaire, got to work. She started calling our best contacts to come up with a list of events that goes well beyond “the usual suspects.” The two main criteria of each event—it had to be outside (since we still wanted to play it safe, even with more people getting vaccinated) and it had to be fun. So if you’re an animal-lover, Cynthia is recommending nearby farms where you can see horses, tigers, elephants, and bats. Yes, bats. If you’re into music, she’s suggesting a classic rock concert downtown, a free multicultural musicfest series, and a singing riverboat tour. I told you this list went beyond the norm! My favorite? That cool car show coming to the Market Of Marion at the end of May and June. I always like checking out the market for some good deals and for the peoplewatching, but I love looking at old cars, too. When put together, that’s an irresistible combination. My dad collected and restored the entire line of 1940 Fords, so I’ll be looking for a coupe like the one he used to race or the woody station wagon that always drew stares when he took his young family (including me) on long Sunday drives. I hope you find your own favorite thing to do—and if you do, be sure to check out our photo contest in the sidebar to the story. We’ll print the best ones in the next issue.

This list of events had two main criteria. They had to be outside and they had to be fun.

THE NEXT COMMENT I want to make is on another article, this one an “On The Job” feature with Jenny Martinez, the

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

executive director of Marion Senior Services. I’ve known Jenny for a while and to say she’s one of the best people in Ocala is an understatement. She has a big heart and an even bigger vision for the people she serves. I can’t imagine the difficulty of matching resources with some of the neediest seniors in our area during a pandemic. For many, MSS is their lifeline. Writer Olana McDonald followed her around for a day to try to capture what it’s like to lead such a big—and vital—organization like hers. What she saw was a group of staff and volunteers united behind Jenny’s vision of compassion and heart. If there’s anything you can do, please reach out to the number at the end of the story and tell Jenny that Ocala’s Good Life sent you. You’ll be in good hands. All the best,

Everyone who knows me well is aware that I love music of all kinds, so...

What’s Dean Playing? Nina Simone, “The Very Best Of Nina Simone: Sugar In My Bowl”—A good friend helped me rediscover the enigmatic jazz chanteuse and she doesn’t disappoint on this generous set. “Turn Me On,” “The Look Of Love,” and the title cut show her impeccable chops and the numerous live takes reveal her playfulness with an attentive audience. Glen Campbell, “Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb”—Another friend gifted me a few records from her collection and I had to play this one first. There’s no “Galveston” or “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” but lesserknown songs like “You Might As Well Smile” reveal even more from one of country music’s best teams. Glen’s timeless voice is missed. Billie Holiday, “Love Songs”—The recent Billie Holiday movie on Netflix distorted her life so badly that I had to seek solace in her wonderful music to erase the painful images. While Holiday has a lot of compilations, this is one of her best, covering her youthful voice at all of its power, especially on “All Of Me,” “Them There Eyes,” and “My Man.”

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Written & Compiled By JoAnn Guidry & Cynthia Brown

Photo: Steve Floethe

good start

L-R from top down: Sandy Bowe, Claudia Shelly, Margaret Keigwin, Debby Banko, Jeanne Fisher, Cathy Reed, Francine Wolff, Michelle Eckman, Lulu Jaecques, Elaine Wight, Kay Schwartz, Judy Evens, Carol Smith, Diane Church (Pres.), Barbra Carney, Elaine Ciesla

GOOD ORGANIZATION:

Give Back To The Community Lives Up To Its Name

ak Run-based Give Back To The Community (GBC) annually benefits more than a dozen non-profit charity organizations in Ocala. The groups that GBC helps include the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center, Interfaith Emergency Services, Arnette House, Kimberly House, Hospice of Marion County, Shepherd’s Light House, Covenant House, and the Heart of Florida Youth Ranch. GBC also lends support to the elderly in several Ocala nursing homes. “I moved to Oak Run 11 years ago and immediately joined the Oak Run Quilters (ORQ), who work with the national Quilts of Valor Foundation,” says Diane Church, GBC founder and president. “Before I retired, I was a nurse and saw the needs of various groups out in the greater Ocala community. I approached the ORQ with the idea of making quilts for community charities through GBC and that’s how we began. Seven years later, we have 36 members and continue to expand our mission.” In addition to making adult and baby quilts to donate or to raffle for funds to donate, the GBC members also make such items as walker bags for the elderly and ground covers for the homeless. During the pandemic, the GBC held a weekend food donation drive in Oak Run for the Salvation Army, filling up the latter organization’s largest truck. The GBC also raises funds by participating in the annual Oak Run Craft Fair every November. “We can always use new members. And as a sewing group, we are always in need of any donated sewing and knitting equipment and materials,” says Church. “The more members and materials we have, the more we can give back to the community.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Diane Church 352-873-3471 / churchdt@yahoo.com OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

GOOD ANNIVERSARY:

Our ‘Reluctant Gardener’ Celebrates 10 Years With The Good Life In April 2011, we published an article called “The Reluctant Gardener,” a semihumorous take on Mary Ellen’s attempts to transform the backyard space in her Oak Run home. After the magazine was published, though, is where the real story begins. She continued to stay in touch with us, so we quickly found out she was part of a writing group that met frequently and we later learned that she was funny. Really funny. It wasn’t long before she became one of Ocala’s Good Life’s featured columnists, contributing her various musings in her “Just My Type” page. She recently sent me a thoughtful email. “April 2011 was the beginning of a wonderful friendship and professional association with you, Trevor [Byrne], Sally [Tinkham], and the rest of the OGL gang,” she wrote. “I am so grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to contribute and to have my own column. Thanks again for everything.” So please help us celebrate this important anniversary by doing what she’d like best— by reading her latest words in the pages to come. And if you see Mary Ellen on the street somewhere on the SR 200 corridor, be sure to give her some good gardening advice. Just kidding! Thanks, Mary Ellen, for an amazing decade.

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

good start

REMEMBER WHEN?

May/June 1955

GOOD RX TIPS:

How To Stay Safe When Taking Prescription Medication 1. Check that the label is legible and includes your correct name and clear directions on how to take the medicine.

MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR:

The Chevy Lineup Of 1955

“We had six COTY winners in the ‘50s, but none was more impactful than Chevrolet’s game-changing 1955 lineup including the 150, the 210, and the Bel Air. It sported a new chassis and modern suspension and a Powerglide two-speed automatic capable of zipping from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 12.3 seconds. The 1955 Chevy lineup brought Cadillac style and performance to the masses.” Source: motortrend.com

Sources: energy.gov, tasteofhome.com, yahoo.com, doyouremember.com, fiftiesweb.com

The Box Office Cinerama Holiday–$10,000,000 5Mister Roberts–$8,500,000 Battle Cry–$8,100,000 Source: boxofficemojo.com

3. Don’t decide on your own to chew, break, or crush pills, as it can alter their effectiveness. If the pills are too big for you to swallow, check with your pharmacist to find out if a liquid version or smaller pills are available. 4. If you’re in the store, try to open the container. If you can’t, ask for one that is easier to open.

Price Check Gallon of Gas $ 0.29 Gallon of Milk $0.93 Movie Ticket $0.58 New House $10,950 New Car $1,600-$2,900 Dozen Eggs $0.61 Average Income $4,137

2. If it’s a medication you’ve taken before, make sure it looks the same as usual. If it doesn’t, it may have been switched to the generic version. Check with your pharmacist or the mail-order pharmacy to make sure.

5. Find out how the medicine should be stored if the package has no instructions. Some drugs need to be kept within a specific temperature to maintain their effectiveness. Source: National Institute on Aging (nia.nih.gov)

The Top 10 Hits 1 Learnin’ the Blues–Frank Sinatra 2 Unchained Melody–Les Baxter 3 Rock Around the Clock–Bill Haley and His Comets 4 A Blossom Fell–Nat King Cole 5 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White–Prez Prado 6 5Something’s Gotta Give–The McGuire Sisters 7 Heart–Eddie Fisher 8 Sweet and Gentle–Alan Dale 9 Honey Babe–Art Mooney 10 Chee Chee-oo Chee–Perry Como & Jaye P. Morgan Source: top40weekly.com

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

CALENDAR NOTABLES: May 4: Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you! May 7: National No Pants Day. Can you believe that the oldest pair of pants ever discovered by archeologists are wool ones in western China that date back more than 3,000 years ago? June 8: National Best Friends Day. Whether they’re near or far, old or new, best friends help to carry us through our lives. Source: nationaltoday.com

good start

BOOK NOOK:

New Alignment For ChiropracticUSA

Photo: Trevor Byrne

After three decades of building chiropractic teams, Ocala’s Dr. Renny Edelson has a new project. Edelson’s latest venture is a strategic partnership with AlignLife to offer more services to clients. “I was the co-founder and opened the first franchise in Ocala of ChiropraticUSA,” says Edelson. “Over the years, we have grown to five offices providing the best in corrective chiropractic care. Now we’re going to add metabolic and nutrition profiling to our care model by joining with Jacksonville-based AlignLife, which was founded by Dr. Joe Esposito. The new partnership will operate under the AlignLife name. “Joe and I have been longtime friends and this is a great partnership for both of us,” Edelson adds. “The name transition will take six months to a year. The long-range plan is to have 17 more offices in Florida, with our main headquarters remaining right here in Ocala. We’re also planning to have 100 offices total nationwide.” The main Ocala East office (942 SE 17th Street) next to the railroad tracks is easy to find. Just look for the 18-foot skeleton. “We think that skeleton is a perfect landmark for a chiropractic office,” says Edelson. “We got it to get people’s attention. It definitely does that.”

GOOD NEIGHBORS:

Photo: Steve Floethe

A 97-Year-Old Hiking Inspiration If you’re out in the Cross Florida Greenway, you might have the good fortune to cross paths with Arturo Ortiz, who by the way is 97. A retired orthopedic doctor originally from Puerto Rico, Arturo has been hiking in the Greenway since he moved to Ocala in 2003. “When I moved to Ocala because two of my children live here, I soon discovered it was a hiker’s paradise,” says Arturo. “In addition to the Greenway, we used to take hikes in the Ocala National Forest, too. But the Greenway is here in town and the trails are the best.” Arturo’s hiking buddy is Lucia Beall, 80, who is originally from Colombia and the two originally met in 2005 when they were both in the same kayaking club. Whenever he can, Arturo occasionally still kayaks with friends. Depending Arturo Ortiz on the weather, Arturo and Lucia generally meet up once a week at a Greenway trailhead for a 2- to -3 mile hike. “It is so beautiful in the Greenway,” says Arturo, who also gets in 2-ish-mile walks in his neighborhood on non-Greenway days. “Every day we are out there hiking is a good day.” Arturo will turn 98 on June 23 and here’s wishing him many Happy Trails.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

The Erie Marsh Series

n Top of the World resident Mike Gerbo has recently released two books in his Erie Marsh series. “POP’S” and “Fricke Island” are available now with “Tommy Two Pockets and the Posse of the Marsh” expected in the fall. Based in Brownstown, Michigan, near the marshes of Lake Erie circa 1968, a year after the Detroit riots, the books are a coming-ofage tale of 14-year-old Mickey Pervitch. “Brownstown is a fictional town as is POP’S, the diner Mickey works in, and all the characters in the books,” says Gerbo, who is also a woodworker and musician. “Given the nature of the subject matter of changing societal attitudes and the drug culture in this small blue-collar town, some of the language and situations can be a little salty. But I’ve gotten great feedback from the books and readers have enjoyed following Mickey and his hardearned lessons.” Gerbo’s books, written under his pen name of M.R. Gerbo, are available on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com in e-book and paperback formats.

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

My Florida

By Melody Murphy [melody@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Every Day Is Memorial Day

ast fall I started walking every day in the old cemetery behind my house. To some, haunting cemeteries might be morbid, but I’ve always liked them. I find them peaceful, full of imagination and history. If you’ve lived in a place for a long time, which I have for 33 years now, the longer you walk in a cemetery, the more people you know. It’s just like going to Publix, except when you run into dead people you know, they don’t ask you when’s the next time you’re going to be in a play. It is startling the first time you round a corner and run across someone you knew: You taught music at the college. I remember you playing the piano, daily counting down to your retirement, steadfast as a metronome. I dated your father. I knew you from church choir. You taught history at my high school. You taught ballet for years. I remember you selling nutcrackers at a table full of sugarplums in the theater lobby every Christmas. You two volunteered at the civic theatre—no relation, and yet here you are, buried under the same patch of grass, just a few paces apart. Soon you realize that every lane through this cemetery is full of memories. It’s also a little startling when you stop to rest a moment and realize you’re standing on the grave of someone whose name you recognize from old headlines: I remember when you were killed in the line of duty. Truly jarring is when the name of a living person you know is already engraved next to their departed spouse, just waiting for a date after the dash. Some days your own birthday jumps out at you: You died on my ninth birthday. You were born on my birthday 78 years before I was. At times, familiar old names leap off the weathered stones: You ran the hardware store. You owned that restau-

I find cemeteries peaceful, full of imagination and history.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

rant I had forgotten about. You were a photographer. You gave swimming lessons to generations. You were the chief of police. I went to high school with your son. I forgot you died when we were that young. Familiar surnames catch your eye, names you know from Ocala history, now chiseled in stone in adjoining family plots: You were among the founders of Marion County. Sometimes you’re surprised to find a famous person: I did not know a former governor of Florida was buried here. Or sometimes you finally meet someone you didn’t really know but feel like you did. One day a year ago I was walking with a friend, looked down, stopped dead in my tracks, and exclaimed to the ground, “Well hey, y’all! I live in your house!” I enjoy research and like to know the history of a place. When I moved into my house, I looked up who the former owners had been. One family, it turned out, for 60 years. Because this is Ocala, at the heart of which is still a small town, it took one conversation with another long-time resident to find out she had known them. Sweet people by all accounts, raised a nice family in that house—my house. Our house. In fact, when I saw Mrs. O.’s picture in her obituary, I remembered seeing her in the choir of the church we attended when we first moved here because she was always smiling. When you’re in middle school, you wonder how anyone can seem that genuinely and consistently happy. Mrs. O. also had been a devoted member of the garden club. “I’ll bring you some camellias from our yard when they bloom this winter,” I promised her that spring afternoon. (My friend who was with me has known me for a while. Talking to dead people I do not know is not even the strangest thing she has seen me do.) And in January, when the first camellia bloomed, I did. Because when you walk daily in a cemetery, every day is Memorial Day.

Introducing

Dr. Ken Wallace at our Ocala office & The Villages office

Introducing

Eliza Beadles, P.A.-C at our West Ocala office

me he o H ew mT ro

ges F

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

OUT & ABOUT

5 Tyler Cox and Tim Kaiser

lando Merced

5 Chandler Eaton and Or

5 Tom Harkema and Kyle Petersen

Ocala Open Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament

5 Rick Hendershot, Pro-Tour Director and Matt Hibbs, Director of Golf for Candler Hills

In late March, Candler Hills Golf Club hosted a Charity Pro-Am to raise money for Hospice of Marion County and Interfaith Community Services. Both organizations were presented with checks of $42,500 following the Pro-Am, held in conjunction with the annual Ocala Open Professional Golf Tournament at Candler Hills.

5 Joe & Zane Hall

Photos By Steve Floethe

4 Cameron Turner and Trent Meyers

d Joe Lussier

5 George Gibson an

5 Nick Carlson and Aaron Martinovich

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

5 Tony Pozderac tees off on the fourth hole

UPCOMING PROGRAMS Please note that all programs are subject to cancellation as deemed necessary.

LEVITT AMP OCALA MUSIC SERIES Webb Field | 1501 W Silver Springs Blvd. Fridays | May 7-June 25 | 7-9 p.m. The Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series returns for its’ fifth year featuring FREE concerts. Enjoy an electric musical lineup and food trucks. Bring your blanket or chair. The series is produced in partnership with the Marion Cultural Alliance and the City of Ocala.

A WALK IN OCALA’S PARKS SENIOR WALKING CLUB | AGES 50+ First Tuesday of each month | 8-9:15 a.m. May 4 | Ocala Wetland Recharge Park | 2105 NW 21 St. June 1 | Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Ave. Get your steps in while exploring the beauty of Ocala at a different park for exercise and camaraderie. $10/year program fee. MAGNIFICENT MAGNETS EXHIBIT Discovery Center | 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Tuesdays-Saturdays | Now through July 3 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors will get an inside look at what magnetic fields look like and observe how magnetic domains form. Explore hands-on interactives like ferro fluid, make magnetic sculptures and understand how electricity and magnetism work together. $8/person. THERAPEUTIC PLEASE PASS THE PEAS COOKING CLASS | AGES 12+ Barbara G. Washington Adult Activity Center 210 NW 12 Ave First Thursdays of each month | May 6-April 7, 2022 4:15-5:30 p.m. Bon appétit. Please Pass the Peas cooking classes are a hands-on opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn new skills and make new friends while preparing a meal. Participants will learn about nutrition, meal planning, budgeting and safe food handling. Participants can join in-person or online via Zoom, (Zoom participants will be emailed the access codes and recipe after registration). Classes are held the first Thursday of each month and participants must register one week in advance of each class. Register through April 7, 2021.

YOGA IN THE FORT | AGES 18+ Fort King National Historic Landmark 3925 E Fort King St. Saturday | May 8, Sept. 18, Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Dec. 18 9-10 a.m. All fitness levels and body types will benefit from this free class and pose modifications will be provided as needed. Class will be taught by local yoga and dance instructor DeNaya Wilkerson owner of DeNaya Yoga. Please bring your own yoga mat and a water bottle (yoga block and scarf/stretch strap optional). This program is weather dependent. REJUVENATE WITH THE ARTS | AGES 50+ Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center 830 NE Eighth Ave. Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month May 11-Dec. 14 | 10 a.m.-Noon Get crafty with these fun DIY workshops to renew and discover your artistic abilities and create your own project to take home. A new design every session! $5/person. AFTER DARK IN THE PARK: A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS [R] Fort King National Historic Landmark 3925 E Fort King St. Friday | May 14 | 8:30-10 p.m. A deadly nameless man schemes to play two sides of a brutal turf war and get rich in the process. Come out to Fort King and Watch A Fistful of Dollars inside the fort. Cast: Clint Eastwood, Gian Maria Volanté, Marianne Koch, Sieghardt Rupp, José Calvo. Concessions will be available. BARBARA G. WASHINGTON COMMUNITY YARD SALE | AGES 50+ Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center 210 NW 12 Ave. Saturday | May 15 | 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Whether you are spring cleaning or looking for a new treasure, join us for the yard sale! Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m. and sellers must bring their own table. $12/parking spot. All unsold items must be taken back with seller. Register through May 7.

PROGRAMS IN THE PARKS: KEEPING WILD ANIMALS, WILD! Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Ave. Friday | May 21 | 10-11 a.m. Join an Ocala Park Ranger to learn about why it is important to not interact, feed, or keep wild animals as pets. They will also discuss what to do with pets when you can no longer care for them and why you shouldn’t release them into the wild on their own. DISCOVERY DATE NIGHT | AGES 18+ Discovery Center | 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Friday | May 21 | 6:30-9 p.m. Enjoy an adult only night at the museum with wine, snacks and free play in the exhibit hall. Then head into the lab for hands-on science experiments. Ticket and ID are required at the door. $15/person. LAP SWIM | AGES 18+ Jervey Gantt Aquatic FUN Center | 2390 SE 36 Ave. Mondays-Thursdays | May 31-July 29 8:30-10 a.m. | 5-6 p.m. Lap Swim workouts are a great way to build muscle, practice cardio respiratory fitness, tone muscles and burn calories-all without putting strain on your joints. $5/person/session.

READING WITH THE RANGERS | ALL AGES Fridays | 11 a.m.-Noon June 4 | Tuscawilla | 800 NE Sanchez Ave. June 11 | Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex 2200 SE 36 Ave. June 18 | Lillian F. Bryant Park | 2200 NW 17 Pl. June 25 | Scott Springs | 2825 SW 24 Ave. July 2 | Toms Park | 2245 N Magnolia Ave. Parks are a great place to read, just ask an Ocala Park Ranger! Pack a snack, blanket or chair and get ready to enjoy a good book. In partnership with the Marion County Library System. AQUABILITY | AGES 5+ Hampton | 255 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Session 1: June 7-July 1 | Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:45-9:45 a.m. | Ages 5-12 Mondays and Wednesdays | 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ages 12-Adults Session 2: July 6-29 | Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:45-9:45 a.m. | Ages 5-12 Mondays and Wednesdays | 5:30-6:30 p.m. Ages 12-Adults Note: The first week will start on a Tuesday due to a holiday. Swimming is a great way for individuals with special needs to learn basic water safety and swimming skills. Swimmers must be accompanied by an in-water buddy. $55/session. Register through July 1.

For more information call 352-368-5517 • www.ocalafl.org/recpark

BY OLANA McDONALD

‘We Try To Be That Somebody For Our Seniors’ Jenny Martinez, Executive Director of Marion Senior Services

he Ocala Metro is a place where the sun shines brighter than the rest of the state. With rolling hills, natural springs, and a family atmosphere, there’s no question as to why senior citizens choose Ocala as their retirement destination. Nearly 30 percent of the population in Marion County is over 65 years old, meaning the need for senior services is greater here than in many other counties. Senior services include meals, transportation, and in-home support, but those who work or volunteer for Marion Senior Services have made it more than that. Serving seniors in Marion County is also about companionship, respect, and devotion. 7:28am: The staff arrives at Marion Senior Services to accept the truck delivery, count meals, and check food temperatures for the Meals on Wheels drivers to pack and load into their vehicles. Monday through Friday, nearly 400 meals are delivered at little or no cost to seniors across the county. Jenny Martinez, executive director of Marion Senior Services, arrives with Meals on Wheels staff drivers shortly after 8:30. She checks with the drivers and nutrition coordinators to make

sure the day is starting smoothly before walking down the hall to her office. “We are the only family some of our seniors have,” Jenny says. “Many people sit at home in isolation and look forward to their meal delivery each day so they can chat with another person.” Isolation is a crippling reality for retirees, which has worsened with COVID-19, and this is at the forefront of meal delivery drivers’ minds each day as they begin their delivery route. 9:29am: Meals on Wheels drivers start pulling out of the driveway and begin dropping off meals to seniors across the Ocala Metro. Whether the driver is paid staff or a volunteer, they know that by seeing the same people each day, they become a companion to the food recipients. “Daily visits allow us to perform wellness checks,” Jenny explains, “and call for help if we think something is wrong.” Having someone knock on your door each day not only creates a bond between the senior and the driver, but it also allows the senior to have a sense of security in knowing a friend will come knocking each day. 1:05pm: Meal delivery drivers

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Photo Courtesy Michelle Foster Photography

O N TH E J OB

begin returning to Marion Senior Services, smiling as they greet one another and return their insulated bags to the kitchen. Some of the drivers leave for the day, while others wait for their bags to be refilled with boxes of food. “In going through this unprecedented pandemic, it brought new attention to existing problems as well as shined a light on new realities that affect the elderly population in high numbers,” Jenny says. “As a result, we’ve found positive in the negative and created programming to not only counteract some of these issues while we’re still deep in the trenches of COVID-19, but also to continue and grow once it’s in our collective rearview mirrors.” An additional nutrition program made its debut earlier this year in May. Warm Meals Warm Hearts (WMWH) is also aimed at improving the nutritional status of and food reassurance for those age 60 and older and is a partnership between MSS and local restaurants and food vendors. The program provides another roughly 500 restaurant-cooked-and-packaged meals delivered right to their home on a select day each week. MSS has joined with

Photo Courtesy Ralph Demilio

weren’t willing to let tors and consultants who work with a global pandemic families whose senior relative needs stop them from help- care. ing those in need. As the lead agency for elder afThankfully, the fairs, Marheightened health ion Senior and safety protocols Services are proving to be coordinates worth the shorter everything conversations during from initial deliveries. Marion assessSenior Services ments, didn’t lay off a single liaising employee and only between Nutrition Coordinator Angela Kinsler (right) delivers a closed their office for seniors meal with a warm heart and smile to Diana Hemnarine. two days. and long3:08pm: Jenny distance circles back with the family members, monitoring inthe Florida Department of Elder Affairs Meals On Wheels nutrition specialist home services, to assisting with tran(DOEA), the Department of Business to go over this winter’s menu. Each sitioning the senior to a care home/ and Professional Regulations (DBPR), quarter, nutrition staff meet with food retirement complex, and providing and the Florida Restaurant and Lodgvendors to plan out four months’ worth clients with education, advocacy, ing Association (FRLA) to provide of flavorful meals that provide proper counseling and support. food reassurance to Marion County’s nutrition for senior citizens. Nationally, “Humans aren’t meant to be alone, nutritionally-at-risk senior citizens. Americans struggle to hit the daily recto live solitary lives,” Jenny finishes, As a result of measures impleommended intake of fruits, vegetables, “so we try to be that somebody for our mented due to the COVID-19 global and proteins, and as age increases, so seniors.” pandemic, MSS and other lead agendoes that deficit. Once over the age of 5:16pm: As she leaves her office for cies around the state are now able to 70, some 47 percent of seniors aren’t the day, hundreds of Marion County partner with local restaurants and food eating enough to meet any intake goals, seniors have their needs met. The staff at establishments as emergency vendors. which is why meetings between Marion Marion Senior Services will continue to Allowing these partnerships helps to Senior Services and food providers are show up each day because their work is ensure that Florida’s roughly 5.5 milin important aspect of their work. making a difference. lion seniors have safe access to food. 4:10pm: Jenny finishes her workOne meal, one ride, and one smile At the same time, it also allows MSS day by reading reports on the other at a time. to positively help the local restaurant two services the organization provides: industry and the important impact it Want To Help? transportation and in-home care. has on the overall economy. marionseniorservices.org Marion Transit provides transporta2:03pm: Warm Hands Warm tion to people of all ages to lower their 620-3501 Hearts delivery takes an additional barrier of access to hour, and after more than five hours food, healthcare of driving, chatting, and delivering hot services, educameals into grateful hands, the remaintion, work, or ing drivers are finished for the day. recreational activi“Before COVID, I was able to go ties. inside each house and chat for a bit,” In-home care says one of the drivers as she walks into provides support the kitchen, “but we’ve ramped up our for people over safety protocols so that the staff here the age of 60 so and the seniors that need us can stay they can “age-inhealthy.” place” or remain The team hasn’t skipped a beat durliving indepening COVID-19. dently for as Five generations of selfless employees long as possible. work at Marion Senior Services. The staff Marion Senior knows the importance of the work they Services provides do, and they are devoted to the seniors case managers, of Marion County so much that they George Griffen loads up his daily goods for his route. service coordina-

Meals on Wheels delivers nearly 400 meals at little or no cost to seniors across the county.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

just my t y pe

by Mary Ellen [maryellen@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Home Is Where The Technology Is

ome sweet home, home is where the heart is, and there’s no place like home, are true and heartfelt sentiments. But lately I’ve discovered that home is also where the technology is. We have smartphones and smart houses with state-of-the-art appliances installed in almost every room that “talk” to each other and to our mobile devices. I can start my dishwasher with my smartphone as I stroll down the grocery store aisles and preheat my oven to cook the food I just purchased when connected to my car’s wi-fi before I’m out of the parking lot. My coffeemaker is programmed to begin brewing in the morning, its aroma nudging me awake while I’m still in bed. These appliances are always on standby, ready to go into action at the touch of a button or keypad. They all have a blue LED display showing the time, wi-fi symbol, and current function. And after us humans have called it a day, the glowing numbers and symbols on the various machines twinkle in the night like cell phones held up at a rock concert. If the barrage of lights does not blind you when you stumble in the dark for a glass of warm milk, the noisy chimes, tones, and alarms will make you scream like the Grinch when his heart was still three sizes too small. What’s more, each plays a different tune, making it a challenge to tell which one is

The glowing numbers and symbols on the various machines twinkle in the night like cell phones held up at a rock concert.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

clamoring for my attention. The coffee pot beeps five times when it’s done brewing, which sounds a lot like the microwave when the baked potato cycle is complete. My dishwasher alerts me with a lively jingle when my dishes and utensils are clean. So does my washer and dryer. Preheating my oven is easy if I don’t mistake the reminder tone with the myriad notification sounds from my smartphone. And with two clocks that chime on the quarter-hour, half-hour, and hour, I find myself looking around like a frightened squirrel to see which appliance needs to be reset, turned off, or ignored all together. Alexa is another modern marvel that is ingrained in almost every aspect of our lives. I admit I have two Echo Dots and an Echo Show. I never felt I had the need for one before, but the Dots were free with the purchase of the Ring doorbell—yes, I have that too—and now that everything is connected, I have found more uses for these handy gadgets. I can see and talk to whoever is at my front door with their apps, even when I’m not home. I also find delicious recipes, get the weather, the news, play music, and ask Alexa to sing “Happy Birthday,” or tell me a joke. But if I ask Alexa a question in the kitchen, all three contraptions answer at once! Another Grinch moment, so I changed their “wake up” names. I also have a code name for Alexa, so she won’t know when I’m talking about her. If she catches on to that, I may have to begin spelling it. In the end, I’m not sure if all these devices make our lives easier or more complicated. I do know that they’re here to stay, assisting us in our work and daily activities. So put your feet up in your motorized recliner, pick up your smartphone, start the dishwasher, ask Alexa when your packages are being delivered, see that no one is at your front door with the Ring app, turn on your smart TV, and select a movie from your favorite streaming service. But one thing will never change. Even with all this technology, you will still have to get up to go to the bathroom.

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

14 OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Reasons Outside

To Get Again!

It’s been a long year and Ocala’s Good Life feels your pain. By now we’re all tired of our homes no matter how nice they are and are probably ready to do something outside those four walls. While it could probably be anything—even wandering in circles might be more appealing at this point—we’ve scoured our best contacts to come up with some really cool things going on right now in Ocala and the surrounding area. So get in the car, take some pics (see sidebar), and have some fun! Compiled By Cynthia Brown Additional Text By Dean Blinkhorn

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

CEDAR LAKES WOODS & GARDENS

Cedar Lakes Woods & Garden

Photo: Trevor Byrne

ome take a stroll through this beautiful botanical garden with cascading waterfalls, more than 50 garden displays, koi ponds, and countless breathtaking views. Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens was founded by Dr. Raymond Webber and opened for public enjoyment in 2014. The creation of the gardens began over 27 years ago when Dr. Webber discovered the 100+ year old retired limerock quarry in 1991. Today, thanks to the help of a few staff members and Webber’s dedication to his artistic dream, the garden continues to grow with the addition of new garden displays, scenic features, and expansion of education programs. You

may also wander through the surrounding woods and enjoy the oaks, cedars, pines, pecans, hickories, and dogwoods in an adjacent 64-acre nature conservation easement maintained by Conservation Florida. 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston. 352-529-0055 or cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com

The Ultimate Dinner And A Show SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS

Now in its 32nd year and with performances by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, a fireworks display, and room for a picnic, this is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite or you may bring your own goodies. May 9, 2021 at Ocala Golf Club, 3130 East Silver Springs Boulevard. Tickets available online for $20 or for purchase at the gate for $25, kids 17 and

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Symphony Under The Stars

Market of Marion Photo: Dave Miller

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

under are free. Gates open at 3pm, concert begins at 7pm and fireworks at 8:45pm. Don’t forget your chairs and flashlights. fafo.org/ticket-outlets

Photo: Trevor Byrne

LEVITT AMP MUSIC SERIES

Held on Fridays through June 25 from 7-9pm, the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series is a joint partnership between the Marion Cultural Alliance and the City of Ocala. Through the series, attendees access over seven genres of music from national, regional, and local artists, as well as learn about 10 not-for-profit cultural arts organizations that are providing year-round programming locally. The series is a safe community space that transcends socio-economic barriers and unites our community socially and civically with the love of free live music. Webb Field, 1510 NW Fourth St. ocalafl.org/levittamp.

A Garden Of Earthly Delights KANAPAHA BOTANICAL GARDENS

This 68-acre facility is comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1-1/2 mile paved walkway. These include the state’s largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the southeast. Some of Kanapaha’s gardens are organized taxonomically; others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection. Their signature plants include a premier stand of Chinese royal bamboo (Wong Chuk), and during the warm months, giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. The months offering the most color are June through September. Kanapaha also hosts many special events throughout the year, including a bamboo sale and North Central Florida’s premier horticultural event, the Spring Garden Festival. Another must-see is the Moonlight Walk when the paths and meadows are illuminated by special laser lights and more than 1500 luminaries; live music is featured as well. Dogs are permitted on leashes except during special events, and picnic baskets are welcome. Kanapaha’s walkways are largely wheelchair accessible and benches, gazebos, and other rest stations are liberally spaced throughout the facility. An exceptional gift shop offers a varied and unusual array of items including original art and treasures from the natural world. $10 admission. Closed Thursdays. 4700 SW 58th Dr., Gainesville. 352-372-4981 or kanapaha.org

Free Music!

Shop ‘Til You Drop

RENNINGER’S ANTIQUES

Located on 117 acres of scenic, rolling land in beautiful Lake County amid spreading oaks and garlands of Spanish moss waving gently from their branches, you will find Renninger’s Twin Markets in Mount Dora. Two large buildings and a number of open-air shopping areas house a wide variety of dealers from produce stands, clothing shops, and oddity vendors to high-quality antiques and collectibles. Renninger’s Twin Markets are also home to a large number of special events including antique fairs and extravaganzas, car shows, swap meets, vintage garden shows, and much more. 20651 US 441, Mount Dora. 352-383-8393 or renningers.net

Hot Rods & Cool Deals

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah CANYONS ZIP LINES

Florida’s only true canopy tour. Two spectacular canyons and four lakes make this amazing zip lining adventure like no other. The Big Cliff Canyon tour offers a world-famous 1,100 foot zip all the way across Lost Spring Lake. The Treetop Express and Sky High tours take you soaring through Sky High Canyon and over Gator Lake. Whether you choose to see this amazing property by air, land, or water, you’re sure to be amazed. For those who choose to stay closer to the ground, there are other options. Try a horseback tour or a wine and chocolate tour, or gem mining. And where else can you kayak in a canyon? You don’t have to go to Colorado to paddle next to an enormous cliff wall. It’s right here in Florida! 8045 NW Gainesville Rd., Ocala. 352-351-9477 or zipthecanyons.com

MARKET OF MARION CAR SHOW

The Villages Classic Automobile Club invites you out to the Market of Marion for two car shows on May 22 and June 26. There will be lots of music, food, giveaways, and plenty of shopping. Shopping at the Market of Marion is like taking a step back in time. It’s the old town square, the trading post, and the local mercantile all rolled into one. Get to know the shop owner before you buy. It’s a friendly community environment unique to a flea market. There are over 1,100 booths with more than 400 dealers. You’ll find just about anything and everything here. 9am to 1pm. 12888 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. Photo:Market of Marion

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Gypsy Gold Farm

Captain Jon’s Tour Photo: Linda D. Lester

Canyons Zip Lines

Taste Of Epcot Photo: Walt Disney World

Photo: Visit Florida

EARS Animal Sanctuary

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Southbound Highway 41 Band Photo: Steve Floethe

Get Wild!

EARS ENDANGERED ANIMAL RESCUE SANCTUARY

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Founded in 2001, EARS is a not-forprofit organization located in Citra that exists specifically to provide excellent living conditions for previously malnourished, abused, and even abandoned big cats and other domestic and exotic animals. Walking tours are offered the first Wednesday of the month and every Saturday at 10am. Call Sue to book your tour: 352-266-2859. $20 per person. 2615 E. Highway 318, Citra.

No Horsin’ Around GYPSY GOLD FARM

This farm loves visitors and is, in fact, the #1 thing to do in Ocala, according to TripAdvisor. Join them on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, or Saturdays at 10am for a two-hour informative tour of the farm and meet the Gypsy Vanner horses in person. You’ll also hear the history of the breed, from its discovery in Great Britain to its growth in the United States. Your tour guide will be Dennis Thompson, who discovered this unique breed and brought it to American soil. $35 per person. 12501 8th Ave., Ocala. 866497-7982 or gypsygold.com

Photo: Speedring Studios

Classic Rock Weekend

the magnificent blooms throughout the park along with free live entertainment. Now through July 5th. With limited daily admissions, order your tickets ASAP at disneyworld.disney.go.com

LOTS OF LOCAL BANDS ON THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE

What better way to break out of quarantine than an outdoor Memorial Day weekend getaway in beautiful Downtown Ocala? FRIDAY: Start at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Ocala and then check out the tons of local bars and restaurants within walking distance. There is sure to be something to fit everyone’s taste. SATURDAY NIGHT: Rock out “southern style” under the stars at the beautiful Citizen’s Circle Park featuring Southbound Highway 41, which celebrates the music of The Allman Brothers. SUNDAY NIGHT: A holiday weekend wouldn’t be complete without the one and only Mr. Nice Guy Band playing outdoors in Downtown Ocala. For more information visit mngband.com.

Food & Fun In Central Florida

TASTE OF EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL

Taste your way around the world at this year’s event while enjoying all

A Boat Ride & A Balladeer

CAPTAIN JON’S SINGING RIVER TOUR

Come and take a relaxing, yet informational, eco-tour of Dunnellon’s two very beautiful and different rivers, the Withlacoochee and the Rainbow. You’ll cruise in a large canopy-covered pontoon while you meander down the laziest of rivers and Captain Jon entertains with songs about the beautiful state of Florida. After the leisurely cruise, you’ll have lunch on your own at The Blue Gator. The river package includes the boat tour, motorcoach transportation, and a bottle of water. $74 per person. singingrivertours.com or 352-804-1573.

13 LUBEE BAT

Holy Bat Signal!

CONSERVATORY

This non-profit organization is dedicated to saving bats and their habitats through research, conservation, and education, with a focus on children and community engagement. OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Lubee Bat Conservatory Photo: Lubee Bat Conservatory

Lubee was founded in 1989 by Luis F. Bacardi as a conservation, breeding, and research center for endangered animals. After three years, the center narrowed its focus to old-world fruit bats that are still cared for to this day. Located in Gainesville, over 200 bats are housed on property, spending their days playing, socializing, and interacting with their roostmates. As a USDA-registered and AZA-certified zoological institution, Lubee ensures that the animals and facilities are maintained to the highest ethical standards. Working with a team of conservation scientists, educators, and zoological professionals around the world, Lubee is the only bat conservation organization in the world that houses endangered bats while maintaining active conservation and education programs. Learn about bats while getting up close and personal. They may even paint for you! These bats are so awesome they create their own artwork. Where else are you going to see that? Schedule a tour today. 1309 NW 192nd Ave., Gainesville. 352-485-1250 or lubee.org

Tops In Tubing

RAINBOW SPRINGS PARK

One of Florida’s largest springs, the headsprings of the Rainbow River originates in this beautiful 1,472-acre park. Rich in natural beauty and cultural history, it is also a popular spot for swimmers, kayakers, tubers, and campers. The magnificent azaleas bloom in early spring, attracting visitors from around the country. Rainbow Springs is a wonderful mixture of Central Florida’s natural and cultural heritage. Come see for yourself. Kayak and tube rentals daily. Admission to the park is $2. Tubing is $20 per person. 10830 SW 180th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon. 833-945-2925.

Picture Contest Take a picture of your adventures and send it to us at dean@ocalasgoodlife.com and look for the best ones in the next issue!

Rainbow Springs Park

Photo: Visit Florida

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Good Health

By Cammy Dennis [cammy@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Beating The Brain Drain

Physical exercise has a very powerful, positive effect on the brain.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

to balance brain chemicals, which will boost mood and increase our stress threshold. Additionally, exercise grows brain cells! Physical activity stimulates the production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which Dr. John Raety (Author of Spark! The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain) calls “miracle grow” for brain cells. Exercise can have a profound influence on optimal brain aging. In addition to traditional workouts that target cardiovascular, strength, and stretching, there are specific things that can be done while exercising to “train the brain.” Early research indicates that combining cognitive and physical training may improve mental function more so than as separate functions. In other words, task yourself with thinking as you’re moving. On Top of the World’s fitness team has developed a brand new fitness class called Brain Power designed to promote brain health outcomes. Imagine layering cognitive challenges on top of the physical exercises. For example, the class may be doing squats and during this exercise, the instructor will give you simple words that you need to spell backwards as you perform the squats. The body and the brain are training together. Combining motor and cognition challenges helps boost brain cell structure and neuronal connections. The good news is that brain function is trainable. Keep in mind that the brain health outcomes stemming from “thinking and moving” are derived from the process of doing so. Success is not tied to perfectly executing the Tai Chi forms, dance moves, yoga postures or cognitive challenges correctly every time. Move your body and your brain cells to support optimal brain aging! Author’s Note: Brian Power is available at The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa, but if you’re not a member, please come as my guest until June 30th. Cammy Dennis is the fitness director for On Top of the World communities and The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa. She lives the lifestyle she promotes and has trained for triathlons throughout the state, aerobics while living in Tokyo, and various weightlifting events.

Photo: John Jernigan

any older adults are concerned about cognitive health and fear that our “brain power” will diminish with age. Declining brain health is not necessarily a result of age itself, but is rather due to a set of age-related risk factors primarily derived from sedentary behaviors and poor nutrition. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and this number is rising. In spite of this, current research on brain health promises very exciting opportunities to boost our brain power. Throughout all the research I have reviewed on cognitive health, one thing is abundantly clear. Physical exercise has a very powerful, positive effect on the brain. Just one bout of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity does a host of amazing things for the brain. The immediate effect of exercise sets off a chain of events that is beneficial for boosting brain power. Exercise increases heart rate and circulation. This will deliver more oxygen and glucose to brain cells. The brain will function better with this steady supply of oxygen and glucose. Performed over an extended period, aerobic exercise has shown to increase the volume of the brain, especially in the hippocampus, which helps to regulate memory. Improved brain function translates into being able to process thoughts, problem solve, and learn and access memory more efficiently. Exercise also helps

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Photo: Dean Blinkhorn

GOOD EATS:

‘Fabulous Food On Four Wheels‘ By Rick Allen • Photos By John Jernigan

One of Ocala’s hottest dining scenes is happening downtown, probably as you read this. No, it’s not one of the fancy barbecue/Asian/ New Orleans/French eateries that are dotting the square with increased frequency. No, this burgeoning scene idles up every day to a parking spot in the shadow of the Ocala Downtown Market. Four wheels at a time.

decade ago, the Ocala area was bereft of most street food. Sure, we had some hot dog stands—Remember the downtown Hot Dog Lady, Judy Havican?—and the occasional food served from carnival-vintage trailers at special events like Light Up Ocala. But we were the hinterlands when it came to the hottest trend in dining back then, food trucks—or so said John T. Edge, a New York Times food columnist who visited Marion County in 2010 as a guest lecturer at the Downtown-based Institute Of Human & Machine Cognition. “2009 was the year that American street food came out of the closet,” he told us one early spring evening. “Street food is hip.” We had precious little here, he added,

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

compared with meccas such as New York, Philadelphia, Portland, and even the once-a-month gatherings in Gainesville. But we’re catching up! In the past lustrum there’s been steady growth in the number of food trucks in Marion County. Note: Whether it’s a true truck that moves under its own power or is a trailer pulled by another vehicle, it’s still called a “food truck.” The main problem faced by operators was a “where” issue, as in, where to set up for the day? Permission was needed, and not always given, from property owners, so attempts were made to create a permanent home such as those described by Edge. But they never caught on for long. That’s all changed today.

Photo: John Jernigan

Maria Elena Flores and Ramon Reyes serving tacos at Mexi-Rican

market in full swing. “We’re not just a market,” Bowman adds. “We’re an event.” Kathy Klements, an administrator of the Ocala Food Truck Hub on Facebook, praises the park. (Full disclosure: I created this social media group in 2014 as a way for operators and patrons to find each other. It recently marked its 8,000th member.) “It’s a permanent location, so people don’t have to go looking for them,” she says. And it works the other way, too. The truck operators “don’t have to scramble each week to find a place they won’t get kicked out of due to some regulation. It also brings people—and their money—downtown, boosting the economy. “A food truck park to our city,” Klements adds as a final note,” is long overdue.” It’s also a welcome spot for some quality mother-daughter time. Kristi Martter and daughter Evelyn shared lunch and laughs on a recent Saturday under the shade of a spreading tree at Southeast Third Avenue and Third Street. “We knew the market was here,” Martter says. She comments that the food trucks were “a pleasant surprise,” one that may prompt “more trips in the future.” Comas and Bowman say there are four trucks here full time and two part time. Hours are 9am to 7pm Tuesday through Thursday and 8am to 8pm Friday and Saturday. Comas and Bowman say they see more visitors to the Ocala Downtown Market and to the Downtown Market Food Truck Park every week. “It’s been tough with COVID-19,” Comas says. “But this is the answer. Everything is outside.” WHY GO: For once the question is easy. Obviously, the food trucks—yes!— but more it’s the variety you can find there. You can stop week after week and not eat the same thing twice. And that’s

Philly Cheesesteak from Jimmy’s Philly Cheesesteaks

on weekdays. Market Saturdays add a unique festival-like atmosphere. So rather than the usual Good Eats headers such as “Friendly Staff,” “You Must Try” and such, this time let’s instead meet some of the operators who make up the Ocala Downtown Market Food Truck Park. TOM’S TASTE OF CHICAGO Primary cuisine: The name says it all, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and Polish sausage. Chicago has a cuisine as refined yet down-to-earth as the Windy City itself. Sure, who hasn’t heard of its famous deep-dish pizza? But Chicago expatriate Tom Diforti says he couldn’t find anywhere in Ocala a genuine Chicago dog or Italian beef the way they make ‘em back home. “No one was doing anything authentic,” he says. “And I’ve always liked cooking and I love Chicago food,” Diforti adds. “This is a great opportunity for all of us.” Days at the park: Tuesday through Saturday. JIMMY’S PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS Primary cuisine: Cheesesteaks, cheesesteaks, and more cheesesteaks. In all, some 14 varieties, each one the way they make ‘em in the City of Brotherly Love.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Photo: John Jernigan

Not long ago, local entrepreneur Tito Comas, always thick in downtown-enhancement initiatives, stepped forward to meet this need. He didn’t have to go far. His perfect food truck spot? Just blocks south of the Downtown Square. Welcome to the Downtown Market Food Truck Park. “It was always in the city’s plan for them to be here,” Comas says. When Southeast Third Avenue fronting the marketplace was renovated, he explains, the city put in nine slots outfitted with power and water for trucks. Everything is American Disabilities Act compliant. There’s even a playground, plenty of parking, and real bathrooms nearby. The slots are now used daily Tuesday through Saturday, from morning to early evening. So what’s been the key so far? “There’s always somebody here,” Tito answers. “For breakfast, for lunch, and for dinner. There’s no other place in Marion County like this.” Dawn Bowman, director of the Downtown Market for the nearby award-winning Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, is thrilled with the addition. “It’s a symbiotic relationship,” she says. “Folks coming to the market discover to their delight the food trucks, and those coming for the trucks on Saturdays are pleased to find the

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Jimmy Bargeron says he spent a lot of time in Philadelphia. Upon arrival, he asked, “Where do I get a true Philly cheesesteak?” He was directed to—well, he wouldn’t identify the place—but beginning his first day, there he wound up, helping out in his off hours, cooking nightly until they closed. It’s that experience he brings to his truck now here in Ocala, though his bread and meat is from Philly. “I love it here,” Bargeron says. “And it’s only getting better.” Days at the park: Tuesday through Saturday. MEXI-RICAN Primary cuisine: Mexican and Puerto Rican, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Owner Maria Elena Flores and her husband, Ramon Reyes, moved here from San Diego last August. She says they bought the food truck a couple months ago and have been a fixture at the park since. “We came to pay our [utility] bill, saw the food trucks, and here we are,” she says. “I’m excited for this. It’s a new adventure!” Days in the park: Tuesday through Saturday. THE SMOKED BISCUIT COMPANY Primary cuisine: Smoked brisket, pulled pork and burnt ends. Unfortunately, I was too late to try the recommended brisket biscuit (“We do that only for breakfast,” co-owner Brandon Bedard says), so instead I tried the sliced brisket sandwich, easily a half-pound of the tastiest brisket. Brandon and co-owner/brother Corey Elkins have been in the food truck business only two months, although they’ve been in food service for 15 years. As new truck operators, they were looking for a spot to set up. “We were lucky enough to find this opportunity,” Brandon says. “We have power here, so there’s no need for generators that make a lot of noise. That makes it nice for customers.” Days at the park: Tuesday through Saturday. BUZZ & GRIND Primary cuisine: Hot and cold coffee beverages. Technically, Buzz & Grind isn’t a food truck—it’s more of a kiosk. The popular spot is anchored to the ground at Third and Third, where it’s been a lot longer than the trucks have. “We don’t leave,” Proprietor Robbin Cruikshank says. “We’re trapped here—in a good way.” She and her son, Michael Mills, took over the spot in November. “He also owns Symmetry, so that’s how he fell in love with coffee, and now we’re glad to have the food trucks,” Robbin says. “We’re not out here by ourselves.” Days at the park: Wednesday through Saturday.

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cuisine queen

by Paula [paula@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Your Favorite Restaurant Is Now Hiring

s you’re driving down SR 200 these days, notice something repetitive? Almost every business has a sign in their window that reads, “NOW HIRING,” especially the restaurants. If your favorite eatery is taking twice, even thrice as long to bring food to your table, don’t blame them. Don’t run to a keyboard and make their business even worse. Be patient. Patrons are flocking to eateries after a year of shutdowns, especially snowbirds that are going back to states where seating is still limited. Restaurateurs should be dancing with glee with the throngs of customers at their doors, but alas, they don’t have enough help. Recently, more than a handful of restaurants posted closures on Facebook due to limited staff. As if that’s not bad enough, there is another plight I must mention and will move on to happier things. Recently, two restaurants have closed due to roach and/or rodent droppings. It is dishonest and unfair to unsuspecting patrons who are eating under such conditions. Shame on these restaurateurs for causing distrust in the industry. Make a very convincing public apology or get a real estate agent and get out of the business. No excuses. Enough said. Cathy Oxford of Shorty n Friends Café, 4336551, has surpassed her stay longer than any restaurant I’ve seen in that location in years! Located at the top of the hill on CR 484, just “short” of SR 200, Ox-

Don’t run to a keyboard and make their business even worse. Be patient.

ford is doing what others could not—keeping a full parking lot and expanding her hours. Don’t miss their Fish Fry Fridays of beer-battered flounder. Military and senior discounts offered. Check out their strong reviews on Facebook. Off Duty Tavern, 499-1089, opened in February based on the premise of a place to go when your work shift is over. Work the night shift, get off at 7am and looking for a nice cold one? Off Duty Tavern is the place to go. See their awesome menu at offdutytavern. com and enjoy beer, wine, and wine-based liquor cocktails. Los Magueyes, 694-0808, opened their fifth location in Ocala in the Peppertree Plaza on Baseline Rd. This family-owned business has other locations in Wildwood, Inverness, Crystal River, and Belleview. Their Facebook comments are off the charts. Worth a try! Fishhawk Spirits, 445-1292, is a distillery I’ve just discovered that offers tours with tastings. They call themselves “an ultra-premium distillery” and use hand-built processing equipment and corn grown on their land, along with herbs and botanicals, to produce 27 unique varieties of whiskey, rum, vodka, absinthe, and brandy. For more information, go to fishhawkspirits.com. Make a reservation today! Tidbits: A new Cody’s Original Roadhouse restaurant is coming to On Top of the World adjacent to the Publix in Canopy Oak Center and will feature the same construction as in Brownwood Paddock Square in the Villages. Not only does Cody’s offer excellent meal deals, this one will also have nightly entertainment! Another Breakfast Station is opening on SR 200 in the Steeplechase Plaza. Gyros King Grill, 547-6774, in Dunnellon, has moved into their larger location. Locals are so happy of the move, parking is at a premium. Golden Spoon Diner opened in April in Heathbrook Plaza, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. See their extensive menu on Facebook. Whew! What a welcome flurry of activity in the restaurant sector!

Got A Hot Tip For The Cuisine Queen? E-mail me at paula@ocalasgoodlife.com

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Enjoy fresh air dining at Red’s

New Outdoor Patio!

Bring your appetite! Great American food in a warm, friendly atmosphere! For breakfast, you can’t beat Red’s–ﬂuffy pancakes, perfect

Red’s

eggs, hot coffee. And there’s a reason why folks will wait for a table during lunch! Homemade hamburgers so big you can barely get your mouth around ‘em, delicious soups and salads. Don’t be fooled by the address–Red’s is just past Stumpknockers on SR 200. Come see what so many have already discovered about Red’s!

Breakfast & Lunch

Menu Items Include: Eggs, Pancakes, French Toast, Bacon,

8411 North Carl G Rose Hwy, Hernando Directions: Take SR 200 west. Located 1/4 mile past the Withlacoochee river

Homemade Burgers & Fries, Country Fried Steak, Meatloaf, Soup, Salads, Wraps, Sandwiches

(352) 344-4322

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

DINING GUIDE Enjoy our outdoor seating!

48 SW 1st Avenue, Ocala (352) 433-2570 • lacuisineocala.com Located in the heart of Ocala’s beautiful and vibrant historic downtown, come indulge yourself with our award-winning menu and dedicated service in a unique French-Bistro atmosphere. Owners operated since 2009, La Cuisine in Ocala has all the old-world charm of any romantic hideaway in Paris. Patrice and Elodie are here to welcome you! In line with the French traditional way of cooking, every dish is made from carefully selected high quality fresh products and ingredients, prepared in-house and cooked to perfection with a modern twist. Whether it is a business dinner, family brunch or a romantic evening for two, La Cuisine is deﬁnitely worth a closer look! Specialties: Escargots, Frog Legs, Organic Half Roast Chicken, Beef

Bourguignon, Ratatouille, Creme Brulee, Parmesan Trufﬂe French Fries

Dinner Hours: Tues.-Sun. starting at 5pm.

Brunch: Sunday

11am-2pm

Make a full day of it! Start out with a river boat tour and end with a delicious dinner—all from one scenic location!

ST. JOHNS RIVER TOURS Departs from Blackwater Inn (866) 349-0674 www.stjohnsrivertours.com Before dining at Blackwater

Inn, take a leisurely boat tour to the many tributaries of the St. Johns River. Discover exotic plant and wildlife steeped in history dating back to ancient Indian and Spanish civilizations. Call 866-349-0674 to book your boat tour with Capt. Bob. Accomodating groups of up to 21 people. It’s the perfect daycation!

55716 Front St, Astor, FL 32102 • (352) 759-2802 www.blackwaterinn.com Info: Fun, food & spirits will greet you at William’s

Landing atop Blackwater Inn. Whether it’s for lunch or dinner or just some drinks and appetizers, you can be assured of a great time. Find a seat inside to cool off from the heat, or sit on the shady outdoor deck to enjoy the balmy breezes and panoramic view of the St. Johns River, watching the constant parade of boaters and wildlife cruise up and down the river.

Specialties: Catﬁsh Nuggets; Chicken Wings;

1/3rd Pound Gourmet Burgers; Peel ‘n’ Eat Shrimp; Alligator Bites; Beer, Wine and Full Bar.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Blackwater Inn Hours:

Tues.-Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Mon.

4:30pm-9pm 4:30pm-10pm 11:30am-10pm 11:30am-9pm CLOSED

DINING GUIDE Ocala’s first artisan gelato shop! Homemade pastries, European style coffee, Fresh New York bagels & more.

8810 SW Hwy 200, Ocala (across from Pine Run) (352) 509-7721

ormerly Carmine’s, Marcelina continues the tradition, serving your favorite Italian dishes in a friendly, comfortable environment. Little details make the difference, like fresh hand-grated cheese over your salad and warm, crusty bread to dip in the dish of olive oil loaded with fresh garlic. See for yourself why Marcelina’s earns a 4.5 star rating on Yelp. Serving beer and wine. Check out our Facebook page for specials.

Hours:

For reservations, please call.

Call or stop in for pastry orders for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and all holiday celebrations!

Hours: Closed Mon. Tues.-Sat. 2pm-9pm Sun. 2pm-8pm

Mon.-Thurs. 11am-8pm Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm

Closed Sun.

(352) 857-8080 • 6146 SW SR 200, Ocala Jasmine Square (A few doors down from Tax Collector/DMV)

Changing People’s Lives For Over 30 Years

Authentic Italian in a warm, intimate setting. Mozzarella made fresh on-site every day by Chef Antonio. After dinner, walk over to The Depot next door for live music and hand crafted drinks in a cozy speakeasy atmosphere. 22050 N. US 441, Micanopy, FL 352-591-4141 • antonios.co

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

FAMILY FEATURES

hipping up a fresh cooked meal is one of the true joys of summer, especially when grilled grub is paired with tantalizing sides and tempting desserts. Spice things up with Mexican Beef Sliders with Jalapeno Salsa and Avocado Cream, then cap off a filling meal with these sweet and decadent Strawberry Cream Cheese Tartlets. If you’re looking for ways to mix meat and veggies all at once, these ideas for kebabs are a surefire way to please a variety of palates. Find more summer meal ideas at Culinary.net.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

COOK UP KEBABS

As one of the most versatile main courses that can be grilled, kebabs offer nearly endless opportunities for customization. From protein to veggies, soaked wooden skewers can be loaded with just about any favorite flavors before hitting the grates. Consider these options for kicking your kebabs up a notch: n Steak,

cut into chunks cut into chunks n Bratwurst or sausage, cut into slices n Ground beef, shaped into balls n Lamb n Shrimp n Salmon, cut into chunks n Chicken,

n Bacon,

cut into small pieces n Sliced onions n Sliced bell peppers n Sliced jalapenos n Sliced mushrooms n Sliced cucumbers n Cherry tomatoes

MEXICAN BEEF SLIDERS WITH JALAPENO SALSA AND AVOCADO CREAM Recipe courtesy of Beef + Lamb New Zealand PATTIES: 1 1/3 pounds lean New Zealand grass-fed ground beef 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 medium onion, grated or finely chopped 1 egg, lightly beaten 3/4 cup red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 2 tablespoons tomato paste 3 teaspoons dried oregano, chopped 2 teaspoons mild smoked paprika 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated salt, to taste pepper, to taste olive oil JALAPENO SALSA: 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced into long ribbons 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped 1 red onion, finely sliced 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos, finely chopped salt, to taste pepper, to taste olive oil lime juice

AVOCADO CREAM: 1 avocado, mashed 1/2 cup sour cream 1 lime, juice and zest only salt, to taste pepper, to taste 8-12 slider buns, halved 2-3 cobs sweet corn, cooked and sliced into shards 8-12 small bamboo skewers To make patties: In bowl, combine beef, garlic, onion, egg, kidney beans, tomato paste, oregano, paprika, cumin, coriander, Parmesan cheese, salt, to taste, and pepper, to taste. Shape into 8-12 small patties. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Heat grill or frying pan to medium heat. Brush patties with oil on both sides. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once to brown both sides evenly, until cooked through. To make Jalapeno Salsa: In bowl, combine cucumber, cilantro, onion and jalapenos; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice. To make Avocado Cream: In bowl, combine avocado, sour cream, lime juice and lime zest; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spread Avocado Cream on bottom buns and place patties on top. Top patties with Jalapeno Salsa, corn and top buns. Press down gently and poke in skewers to secure sliders.

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE TARTLETS

Makes: 24 tartlets (4 ounces each) 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons lemon juice 3 tablespoons lemon zest 2 tablespoons gelatin 4 cups Well•Pict Strawberries, sliced, divided 1/3 cup honey 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 1 cup ice cubes 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup melted butter 1 cup Well•Pict Strawberries, rinsed, for garnish 1 cup Well•Pict Raspberries, rinsed, for garnish

In blender, mix water, lemon juice, lemon zest and gelatin until frothy. Add 2 cups strawberries and honey; blend until smooth. Pour into bowl and chill mix 15 minutes. In blender, mix cream cheese, sour cream and ice cubes while incorporating strawberry mixture. Mix in remaining strawberries. In blender or food processor, mix graham crackers and melted butter to crumb consistency. Lightly grease two medium muffin pans and pack graham cracker mixture at bottom of each opening. Pour strawberry mixture over graham cracker mixture and chill until set. Gently pull tartlets from muffin tins and place on serving tray. Garnish with strawberries and raspberries.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

PLAN AHEAD NOTE: Due to Covid 19, events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling. Please check with the venue’s website for updates. WRITTEN & COMPILED BY CYNTHIA BROWN

Do you have an event that you’d like to include in our calendar? Email your submissions to cynthia@ocalasgoodlife.com

Ongoing

FARMERS MARKET—A wonderful selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, hand-made soaps, and much more. Every Thursday from 9am– 1pm. The Town Square at Circle Square Commons. 8405 SW 80th St. OCALA DOWNTOWN MARKET—Every Saturday rain or shine from 9am to 2pm, shop from a variety of vendors, including produce from local farmers, goat and dairy products, meats, honey, seafood, soaps, and so much more. Shop in confidence with special precautions during these times of uncertainty. Downtown Ocala. SE 3th St. and SE 3rd Ave. REJUVENATE WITH THE ARTS—Second and fourth

Tuesdays of the month May 11-Dec. 14. Get crafty with these fun DIY workshops to renew and discover your artistic abilities! Come on Tuesdays from 10am-12pm to create your own project to take home. A new design every session! Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517. WEEKENDS AT THE WINERY—Come out and enjoy the expansive vineyard green, including delicious food from some of the area’s best live entertainment, food trucks, and of course your favorite Lakeridge wines by the glass at the outdoor bar. Rain or shine. Every Saturday and Sunday. 12-4pm. Lakeridge Winery. lakeridgewinery.com or 800768-9463.

Through June 25

LEVITT AMP OCALA MUSIC SERIES—The Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series returns for its’ fifth year featuring 10 free concerts

every Friday night from April 16-June 25 (excluding May 28) from 7-9pm at Webb Field. Enjoy an electric musical lineup and food trucks. Bring your blanket or chair. The series is produced in partnership with the Marion Cultural Alliance, Levitt Foundation, and the City of Ocala through sponsorship by Ocala Electric Utility. 7-9pm. Webb Field, 1501 W Silver Springs Blvd. ocalafl.org/ recpark or 368-5517.

Through June 27

LUMINOUS WORLDS— Kristin Herzog’s large abstract canvases allow the viewer to enter into distant worlds of the artist’s making. Luminous and beguiling, the works occasionally evoke the interstellar, at other times the terrestrial world. Appleton Museum. appletonmuseum.org or 291-4455.

Through Jan. 2, 2022

ALISON SAAR—This exhibition of printed works from the permanent collection by internationally acclaimed artist Alison Saar incorporate both spiritual and political themes. Not one to shy away from difficult subjects, Saar commonly explores topics such as race, historical biases, and gender, challenging viewers in exciting ways, describing her work as “refined savagery.” Appleton Museum. appletonmuseum.org or 291-4455.

Photo: Ralph Demilio

May 2

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK May 7 & June 4 Enjoy an evening of art, art activities, the many downtown shops and restaurants and a live musical performance. Pick up your map (available via QR code) on the square and take a self-guided tour of local artists. 6-9pm. Upcoming Walk, May 7. Downtown Ocala. ocalafl.org/recpark or 368-5517.

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FUN AT THE PARK 4TH ANNUAL MUSIC & ART—Fun with live musical entertainment and visit local artists and craftspeople. Bring the grandkids and introduce them to the world of music and art on Art Alley. 1-4pm. Sholom Park.

May 7

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE FEATURING THE ORANGE BLOSSOM OPRY BAND WITH SPECIAL GUEST DWAYNE CREWS—Each week is Friday Night Live featuring The Orange Blossom Opry Band with this week’s

special guest, Dwayne Crews. Each week the band will take you on a new musical journey as they have you dancing in your seats and singing along to your favorite hits from artists such as George Strait, Garth Brooks, Alabama, George Jones, and southern rockers like Kentucky Headhunters, CCR, and many more! $20-26. 7pm. Orange Blossom Opry. obopry.com or 821-1201.

May 7-16

TWELFTH NIGHT— Shakespeare’s hilarious comedy about mistaken identity, gender confusion, and unrequited love. Located on the outdoor stage. $12. Ocala Civic Theatre. ocalacivictheatre.com. or 236-2274.

May 8

JAMES OTTO—An American country music artist who is a member of the MuzikMafia, a group of country musicians known for their “Country Music without Prejudice,” a gathering of singer-songwriters founded by Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, and Cowboy Troy. His single, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” became Otto’s first number-one hit, as well as the biggest country single of 2008. 7pm. Orange Blossom Opry. obopry.com or 821-1201.

May 8-9

WOMEN’S WORKS—The Nature Coast Community Band, along with conductor J. Craig Lilly, presents “Women’s Works, A Tribute to Women’s Contribution to Music,” in memory of Cindy Hazzard. All NCCB concerts are free of admission charge. 3pm. Saturday performance, Citrus Springs Community Center, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd. Sunday performance, Citrus County Auditorium, 3610 S. Florida Ave. naturecoastcommunityband.com.

May 9

SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS—Now in its 32nd year and with performances by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, a fireworks display, and room for

NOTE: Due to Covid 19, events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling. Please check with the venue’s website for updates. a picnic, this is the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Food and beverage vendors will be onsite or you may bring your own goodies. Ocala Golf Club, 3130 East Silver Springs Boulevard. Tickets available online for $20 or for purchase at the gate for $25, kids 17 and under are free. Gates open at 3pm, concert begins at 7pm and fireworks at 8:45pm. Don’t forget your chairs and flashlights. fafo.org/ticketoutlets

May 10

AN EVENING WITH CHARLES SOUTH: ENCORE PRESENTATION—Charles South is a performing artist, choreographer, director, teacher, and cast member of Disney on Broadway’s “Aladdin,” currently teaching for OCT. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to perform on Broadway, come hear about the journey of someone who’s done it—and plans to keep doing it! Come for a fascinating evening of true stories and inspiring insights. 7pm. Free and open to the public, but reservations required. Donations gratefully accepted. Ocala Civic Theatre. ocalacivictheatre.com. or 236-2274.

May 10 & 17

SHAKESPEARE: HOW TO READ AND UNDERSTAND 1—The fact is that although the world honors and encourages us to read Shakespeare, his plays are difficult, demanding, and even strange. This course seeks to make Shakespeare understandable to the general reader. It starts with a simple premise: Shakespeare actually teaches us how to understand his plays. He gives us clues and tools at every step of the way that can help us unlock the mysteries of his art. Mondays May 10 and 17 from 10:30am-12pm. $7.50. Register at seniorlearners.org or call 239-8780.

May 11 & 18

IRISH HISTORY—Marianne Holloran, whose greatgrandparents emigrated from Ireland provides an overview of Irish history. The course begins in Pre-Celtic Ireland visiting ancient burial sites and the legendary Hill of Tara. On to St. Patrick (who was not even Irish) and the monasteries and churches of the medieval period. King Henry VIII brought the Reformation to Ireland and 300

years of English Protestant Rule. Finally, the Easter rising in 1916 and the subsequent civil war made the Republic of Ireland a reality. Tuesdays May 11 and 18 from 1:30-3pm. $7.50. Register at seniorlearners.org or call 239-8780.

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May 14

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK “A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS”— Bring a chair or blanket to the Fort King National Historic Landmark for a free showing of “A Fistful of Dollars.” Concessions will be available for purchase. 8:30pm. 3925 E Fort King St. ocalamarion.com.

May 15

BILLY DEAN—Billy first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition “Star Search.” He has released 11 albums and enjoyed a series of hits like “Billy the Kid,” “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” and “Real Man.” His biggest hit, “Somewhere in My Broken Heart,” was nominated for a Grammy in 1992 and won Song of the Year. $2026. 7pm. Orange Blossom Opry. obopry.com or 821-1201.

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May 20-23

FLORIDA CUTTING HORSE SHOW—Come and watch as some of Florida’s finest cow horses compete in the art of “cutting,” a western-style equestrian competition in which a horse and rider work together before a judge or panel of judges to demonstrate the horse’s athleticism and ability to handle cattle. Florida Horse Park. flhorsepark.com or 307-6699.

May 20-Jun. 3

BEER REVIEW AND HISTORY 1—Forget about the wheel or sliced bread. Learning to make beer was one of the greatest advances of human history. This is the first of three courses that will use video lectures from a Great Courses series, along with other fun videos plus stories from the instructor’s own time as a beer-brewing hobbyist. Thursdays, May 20-June 3 from 1:30-3pm. $11.25. Register at seniorlearners.org or call 239-8780.

May 22

By Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux

May 27 — June 27 Sponsored by: K-Country • Hiers-Baxley • Ocala Style Magazine

Elvis Presley. Johnny Cash. Jerry Lee Lewis. Carl Perkins. Great balls of fire, it’s a whole lot of fun! Tickets $30 for adults $15 for ages 18 and younger

THE DESTINY OF ROCK SHOW: TRIBUTE TO BOSTON & STYX—Two of the biggest classic rock bands of

celebrating 70 years

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

NOTE: Due to Covid 19, events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling. Please check with the venue’s website for updates. the ‘70s and ‘80s were Boston and Styx. Their huge hits dominated FM radio, amazing world tours followed, and great unforgettable songs are still on the radio today. What if you could see them play together? $15-30. 7pm. Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

May 27-Jun. 27

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET—This smashhit musical is based on the legendary 1956 jam session with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins at Sun Records in Memphis. Great balls of fire, it’s a whole lot of fun! $30. Ocala Civic Theatre. ocalacivictheatre. com. or 236-2274.

June 1-19

SPIKE HEELS—Pygmalion goes awry in 1990s Boston in this contemporary comedy of manners which explores the absurdity of a four-sided love triangle. This scandalous comedy examines the power dynamic between men and women and reveals issues that are as important today as they were in 1990. $35. The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. thesharon.com or 753-3229.

June 5

FREE FIRST SATURDAY— Practice the art of staycation by visiting the Appleton on Free First Saturday, which means no admission fee to see the permanent collection and special exhibitions. You can also kick back and enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces with large-scale sculpture (perfect for selfies!) Appleton Museum. appletonmuseum.org or 291-4455. THE MUSIC OF RANDY TRAVIS AND TRAVIS TRITT FEATURING THE ORANGE BLOSSOM OPRY BAND AND SPECIAL GUEST DAKOTA HURLEY—Join the Orange Blossom Opry Band and special guest Dakota Hurley as they share some of the #1 hits from country music giants Randy Travis and Travis Tritt. Enjoy hits like “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “On the Other Hand,” and “Here’s a Quarter,” “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” and more. $20-26. 7pm. Orange Blossom Opry. obopry.com or 821-1201.

June 7-28

EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHS IN TOMBS AND TEMPLES—This course is the second in a series of two

courses. This one focuses on translation of hieroglyphic writings commonly seen in ancient Egyptian tombs and temples. Mondays, June 7-28. from 10:30am-12pm. $15.00. Register at seniorlearners. org or call 239-8780. HEMINGWAY: THE MAN AND HIS ART I—The thrust of this class is a close reading of Hemingway’s short stories. Intriguing yet speculative, how do these stories illuminate the myth, the man, and the encroaching darkness of his later years? Mondays June 7-28 from 1:30-3:00pm.. $7.50. Register at seniorlearners. org or call 239-8780.

June 18

HONORING THE CANCER JOURNEY: LIVING WITH AND BEYOND A CANCER DIAGNOSIS, AS A PATIENT, LOVED ONE, AND SURVIVOR—This special presentation provided by the Cancer Alliance of Marion County is especially for you. We also extend the invite to health professionals who wish to further learn and support others in the cancer journey. 10-11:30am. Online via Zoom or in-person, distanced, with masks. 405 SE Osceola Ave. Must register to attend: aroberts@rboi.com or 732-0277. WISDOM TRADITIONS: WHAT ARE THE SACRED ARTS AND SCIENCES?— The World’s Wisdom Traditions contain transformational principles designed to assist in resonance with the harmonies of nature and cosmos in one’s quest for awakening and enlightenment. Join Vanessa Fuller-Brown, Scott Olsen, and Charlene Johnson on this journey through the Sacred Arts. $2-7. 1-3:30pm. Register online at masterthepossibilities. org or call 861-9751.

June 19

ROCKY AND THE ROLLERS June 5 Back by popular demand, this doo wop and rock n’ roll show will have you dancing all night to the great sounds from the 1950s through the 1970s. You don’t want to miss it! $23-28. 7pm. Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

ANDY GRIGGS—RCA recording artist and songwriter Andy Griggs made his debut with his gold hit “You Won’t Ever Be Lonely,” which spent 36 weeks on the charts in 1999. Andy went on to record several top charting hits like “She Thinks She Still Needs Me” and “I Gotta See This”. $20-26. 7pm. Orange Blossom Opry. obopry.com or 821-1201.

THE BUDDY, ROY & ELVIS SHOW—Three of rock n’ roll’s finest featuring Cote Deonath, Ben Thompson, and George Trullinger. $20-40. 6:30pm. Rainbow Springs Clubhouse, 19330 SW 83rd Pl Rd., Dunnellon. coteaselvis.com or 789-7269.

June 22-25

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION: SHAMGAR PATHWAYS TO FREEDOM EXHIBIT—More than 2,000 artifacts will be on display, ranging from the slave trade to the Civil War, the Reconstruction era to Jim Crow laws in the south, coming full circle to the civil rights movement and the election of Barack Obama, America’s first black president. 9am-4pm. Live Oak and Cypress Halls. Register online at masterthepossibilities. org or call 861-9751.

June 23-26

ELVIS THE SUMMER FESTIVAL—This four-day event will feature ten of the world’s top Elvis Tribute artists, paying homage to the life and legacy of “The King.” Five Vegas-style headliner shows recreate specific concerts from Elvis’s life. Tickets start at $15. Citrus County Auditorium, Inverness. elvisthesummerfestival.com.

Jun. 23-Jul. 21

FOR THE LOVE OF PLANTS—Study the evolution of various types of plants from mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. The instructor will draw on her 40 years of teaching biology. Wednesdays, June 23-July 21 from 1:30-2:30pm. $12.50. Register at seniorlearners. org or call 239-8780.

June 26

FLEETWOOD MAX: THE DEFINITIVE FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE—The Stevie Nicks look-alike is a site to behold with vocals that will blow you away. This tribute band looks like the real band and their music and vocal harmonies are top-notch as well. $15-30. 7pm. Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

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The heart. It’s a symbol of caring and strength. It represents compassion and understanding. At UF Health, we put our hearts and expertise into everything we do. From developing new lifesaving procedures to providing routine health services, there is no heart condition too simple or complex for our dedicated doctors and staff. At UF Health, our teams of caring professionals work together to provide personalized treatment plans in one world-class medical center. We care for your heart with all of ours.

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May/Jun 2021 Ocala's Good Life

Articles inside

Good Eats

Outdoor Fun!

The Editor’s Desk

Cuisine Queen

My Florida

Good Health

On The Job