Jul/Aug 2020

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Retirement Redefined

G On Top Of T he World, Th e Villages, Oa k Run, Ston e Creek, Ocala Palms, and all of Ocala’s retirement communitie s!

World Class Active Aging

JUL/AUG 2020

OCALA’S

GOOD LIFE

SERVIN

PLUS—

Hijacked!

The harrowing ordeal of Flight 119

Waterfront Dining

The best seat in the house is in front of our local waterways

The Szabos

Meet a couple that takes care of Silver Springs

INSIDE: MCA’s New Normal | CF’s Night At The Farm | Puzzles | Recipes

Forget your “chronological age.”

OTOW’s Cammy Dennis is here to help you look and feel your best.

WE DIVE

DEEP INTO THE CAUSE OF TREMORS NEURORADIOLOGY AT RAO Our Board Certified neuroradiology specialists utilize extensive training and experience to read your results quickly and accurately, and to consult with your referring neurologist for superior care. — Amanda Aulls, MD; Ralf R. Barckhausen, MD and Malcolm E. Williamson, II, MD The FDA-approved DaTscan is a nuclear medicine test designed to evaluate and determine the cause of motion disorders. It can differentiate Parkinson’s disease from other nervous system disorders like essential tremor in just hours instead of months or years like standard tests.

If you want quick answers that can lead to effective treatment for a motion disorder, talk to your neurologist about the DaTscan.

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Johnny

“ I’m here today because of AdventHealth.”

When Johnny had a burning, shooting pain in his chest that radiated to his arm, he realized he was having a heart attack. The paramedics took him to AdventHealth where he was rushed to the cardiac catheterization lab for critical care that saved his life. And one week later, he was able to attend his daughter’s graduation.

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Ocala’s

GOOD LIFE

TM

JUL/AUG 2020

30 Blue Gill’s Bait Shop & Eatery Photo: Trevor Byrne

departments

features

6

The Editor’s Desk

16

‘Part Of The Same Team’

8

Good Start

BY JOANN GUIDRY

22

Hijacked!

BY RICHARD ANGUIANO

30

On The Waterfront

Dining Guide

BY DEAN BLINKHORN

Plan Ahead

on the cover

12

14

18

20

38

40

42

45

48

We’re back! By Dean Blinkhorn

Quick looks at our community, COVID-19 edition. By Dean Blinkhorn

Out & About

“The New Normal” opening. By Steve Floethe

Just My Type

The Coronavirus blues. By Mary Ellen Barchi

Out & About

A taste at the farm. By Diana Scott

My Florida

Backyard social distancing. By Melody Murphy

Recipes

Bread basics. By Family Features

Cuisine Queen

Eating out in a pandemic. By Paula DiPaula

Ron and JoAnn Szabo are members of a senior volunteering community lending their time and talents to Silver Springs State Park. After more than 2,000 hours, they’re loving every minute of it.

Belleview resident Sharon Matiyow recalls the harrowing ordeal of Flight 119. The details of that fateful day remain etched in her mind.

These days, the best seat in the house is outdoors. So why not take advantage of a cool breeze off of one of our local waterways? Skip the takeout and check out these nearby dining delights instead.

Highlights of some of the area’s best restaurants.

Lots of reasons to get out of your easy chair. What are you waiting for?

Puzzle Page

28

Good Health

COVER PHOTO BY JOHN JERNIGAN

Spend a few minutes with the crossword or Sudoku.

Cammy Dennis is the fitness director for On Top of the World communities. She lives the lifestyle she promotes and has trained for triathlons throughout the state, aerobics while living in Tokyo, and various weightlifting events. This is her debut column with Ocala’s Good Life. Welcome aboard!

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

3

Ocala’s

GOOD LIFE

“Rio”

TM

MAGAZINE

ocalasgoodlife.com JUL/AUG 2020

IN LIFE, There Are Only Two Things We’re Sure Of…

Publisher/Art Director

Now, more than ever, we’ve all thought about our loved ones, our safety, our family and our lives.

There has never been a better time to discuss pre-arranging your family’s funeral service needs.

Publisher/Editor

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trevor@ocalasgoodlife.com

Dean Blinkhorn

dean@ocalasgoodlife.com

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY: We’ve extended our interest free terms and discounted our pricing so that protecting your loved ones has never been easier or more affordable…

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

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the editor’s desk We’re Back!

W

by dean blinkhorn [dean@ocalasgoodlife.com]

ell, as we’ve all been under shelter-at-home orders for much of the spring, you may have noticed—or not noticed— that there was no May/June issue of this magazine. We did something I’ve never done in 20 years of local publishing. We skipped an issue.

Oh sure, we’ve pushed and tugged at deadlines before. My business partner, Trevor Byrne, and I could regale you with many tales of high-speed car sprints across town to hit the one FedEx box that was open late or too-many-to-mention long nights at the office cramming three days of work into a few hectic-but-quiet overnight hours or working from libraries and front porches as a hurricane ravaged Central Florida, but we’ve never not produced an issue.

Until now.

As Covid-19 took hold across the country and our collective nation wondered how bad it would get, we made the tough decision to relieve our advertisers the burden of their contracts and to spare ourselves of what would have undoubtedly been an issue that would lose money, probably a lot. It’s a shame, too. Last year set a record for our company and 2020 was shaping up to be even better. At least we had serious momentum to face the headwinds that were coming.

Now, four months after the last time you saw us, we’re back with a slightly different look and a slightly different delivery model.

But here’s what hasn’t changed.

Our dedicated readers. You’ve always been there for every issue we’ve ever produced and we know you’re still there.

We’re just coming to you this month instead of the other way around. Who knows? We may keep this direct-mail option once this nasty virus stops rearing its ugly head.

Our wonderful team. Wait till you see what’s to come in the pages ahead. We have great stories and columns told by some of the best in Ocala. Mary Ellen, Melody, and Paula share their own personal stories of being quarantined, bonding with nature, and finding new ways to love our local restaurants. I pulled together our front-of-book section with some of the best inspirational stories of food drives, outspoken leadership, a truckload of toilet paper (no kidding), unique methods to measure social distancing, and ways our medical heroes were trying to keep us all safe.

We did something I’ve never done in 20 years of local publishing.

We skipped an issue.

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

But as a lifestyle magazine, we know you want our usual content, so we’re happy to provide some fun and safe ways for you to get out of your house and start living again. And, just for kicks, we decided to include a story we’ve had in the hopper since the beginning of the year, a hijacking recounted by a local woman who was on that harrowing flight. Richard tells that thrilling story.

In the end, we all want to live the good life again, even if for some of us that means seeing the paper products aisle of the supermarket fully stocked again! We can’t help with that, but we hope you find some good stories in this, our first issue back.

It’s a good feeling.

All the best,

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

What’s Dean Playing?

Bill Withers, “The Best Of Bill Withers: Lean On Me”—The R&B legend actually died of heart failure at 81, but this wonderful collection contains the essential jams: “Lean On Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,” and “Just the Two Of Us.” Ellis & Wynton Marsalis, “Joe Cool’s Blues”—The Marsalis patriarch died from Covid-19 complications at 85, but I always enjoyed this playful set with his son from 1994. The pianist and trumpeter run through a delightful repertoire inspired by the beloved Peanuts characters.

Fountains Of Wayne, “Welcome Interstate Managers”— Three decades younger than the previous two men, Adam Schlesinger, 52, died unexpectedly from the virus. This is his glorious power pop band’s best, a killer blend of razor-sharp lyrics and hooks to die for.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

7

good start

Written & Compiled By Dean Blinkhorn

Scot Quintel & Karla Grimsley

Assistance Fund + TP = UWMC

U Patrice Perron

A Golden Spoon To Go

So how does a somewhat fancy French restaurant adapt to curbside takeout? Well, La Cuisine owners Patrice and Elodie Perron put their recent Golden Spoon win to good use and brought gourmet cuisine to Ocala in pre-packaged form with an inflatable dinosaur to greet guests to boot! Even renowned chef Patrice got in on the fun, stretching out on the floor (above) to show what social distancing looks like! In all, The Little Restaurant That Could served baked ziti, quiche, smoked tomato bisque, and even hosted a virtual wine tasting. Who says staying at home can’t still be a gourmet experience?

8

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

nited Way of Marion County offered a $150,000 fund to support Marion County residents who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. The focus of the fund is to support the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population experiencing hardship due to decreased hours or unpaid leave.

“We know that over half of our population is one unanticipated expense from experiencing financial hardship,” says Scot Quintel, president and CEO of UWMC. “COVID-19 has left many of our residents questioning how they are going to feed their family and keep their lights on.”

Additionally, UWMC partnered with KimberlyClark Cottonelle to help deliver over 27,000 rolls of toilet paper to Florida.

“We are grateful to be the hub for distribution to other United Ways and agencies throughout our state as we ensure our communities’ needs are met,” Scot continues. “Thank you to Interfaith and their volunteers for their hard work.”

Businesses Give Back Both Greiner’s Clothing for Men and Raney’s Inc. put up $25,000 each to help local charities. Each donation offered $10,000 to Interfaith Emergency Services, $10,000 to United Way of Marion County, and $5,000 to families in need with ten families getting $500 each.

We would like to thank David DeSantis and Joel Raney for their generosity.

Signature Brands donated masks worth thousands of dollars to local businesses during a time when masks were hard to come by.

Marion Cultural Alliance announced the Relief & Recovery Grant Fund, an emergency response to the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The MCA Board quickly re-purposed its Cultural Grant program to respond to the needs of the arts and cultural sector. MCA committed $25,000 and an anonymous donor added another $12,500 for a series of 75 $5,000 grants to local arts and cultural organizations.

Coca-Cola Beverages of Florida donated hundreds of cases of products to the fire and police departments, hospitals, and others in the area to support those on the front lines. Who doesn’t like a Coke and a smile?

The Reilly Goes Digital

W

hen faced with a schedule that would probably go dark without patrons filling their Art Deco auditorium, the Reilly Arts Center instead brought the performances to the people. The goal was to keep the community connected and find an innovative way to financially support its regular performers.

“Almost every performing artist is seeing massive impacts from COVID-19 cancellations,” Reilly management stated online. “Most local and regional musicians are independent contractors and when events get cancelled their income stops.”

With each live streamed event costing around $1500, grants and donations from its board will allow the Reilly to support its core personnel. Performances have included Swing Theory, Julie Black & Her Band, and Gypsy Sparrow.

“Count me in,” posted Carol Bardin on Facebook with the March 16 announcement. “I would love to support local artists and the Reilly.”

Rondo Fernandez

Feeding The Need M

any churches, businesses, and community organizations initiated food drives to serve those who were furloughed or laid off during the stay-at-home order, but a few of them deserve special recognition.

• School board members and employees of Marion County Public Schools organized a downtown food drive to help Interfaith. In all, almost 12,000 pounds of food and over $5,000 was donated within a few hours for the 2,000 children who rely on these donations. The Drive drive-through style event od Fo th ai rf te In was even featured on TV20.

• Mojo Grill & Catering had several events, but their Paella Party and a food event specifically targeted for displaced service and hospitality workers definitely showed owner Rondo Fernandez’s big heart for the community.

• And certainly Marion County Public School’s “Grab & Go” meal service was an unqualified success, with 419,065 given out since March 24, as of press time. These are the children who would have received free meals at school, but now needed another way to receive them with distance learning at play for the whole district.

Wesley Wilcox

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

9

good start

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

After years of wanting to thoroughly clean my house but lacking the time, last month I discovered that wasn’t the reason.

2020 is a unique Leap Year. It has 29 days in February, 300 days in March and 5 years in April.

Just asked a 6 year old if he understands why there is no school. He said yes because they are out of toilet paper.

Wearing a mask inside your home is now highly recommended. Not so much to prevent COVID-19 but to stop eating.

If you keep a glass of wine in each hand, you can’t accidentally touch your face.

You think it’s bad now? In 20 years our country will be run by people home schooled by day drinkers…

I miss the days when we were terrified of Romaine lettuce.

Ahh, the good ol’ days!

A SPECIAL THANK-YOU:

Keeping Us Healthy During this global healthcare appreciation month and now, even more than ever we want to recognize you, our front line heroes. You work tirelessly day in and day out to protect, save, and care for our community and your continued dedication and sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

From all of us at Ocala’s Good Life, thank you to each and everyone one of you.

— Erin Jones

10

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

COVID-19 Response Units

In a special partnership, Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue deployed four COVID-19 response rescues throughout the county. Comprised of firefighters and paramedics dedicated solely to 911 calls for service dealing with any suspected or positive COVID-19 patients, these personnel were outfitted with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the patient compartment was sealed off from the driver’s cab.

“The firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs of Marion County Fire Rescue are here to serve,” says MCFR Fire Chief James Banta. “I could be no prouder of their spirit of service to the Marion County community.”

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

11

OUT & ABOUT

5 Kimberly & Todd Lane and Lea Luber

5 Angie Lewis, Jaye Baillie and Valerie Dailey

MCA “The New Normal” Exhibit Opening Reception

5 Barbara Fitos and Margaret Watts

The Marion Cultural Alliance introduced “The New Normal” exhibit at Brick City Center for the Arts on June 5. The late-afternoon opening reception was sponsored

by Showcase Properties of Central Florida.

The exhibit showcases never-seen-before works by 21 local artists who created their paintings, photographs, bronze sculptures and miniatures during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The show continues through July 27.

5 Saul & Sharon Reyes

Photos By Steve Floethe

5 Ryan Neumann and Diane Cahal

4 Ellen & Frank Amatea

5 Trish Kilgore, Lisa Seiffer and David D’Alessandris

12

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

5 Patricia Tomlinson and Holly Yocum

Knows the job—no on-the-job training needed

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As your Marion County Property Appraiser: I will strive to establish the lowest possible assessment and still ensure the tax roll is approved.

I will protect the farmer, both large and small.

I will instill fairness and equity across all property types.

I will increase office transparency through social media and public engagement.

I will advocate for the property owners of Marion County.

I will insure each property owner has every exemption and assessment cap they are entitled to.

I will leverage technology to gain efficiencies and streamline processes.

I am tried and tested, and ready to lead from day one.

As a proud lifelong Republican, conservative, and NRA member I humbly ask you to choose a professional.

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In the pursuit of health

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

13

just my t y pe

by Mary Ellen [maryellen@ocalasgoodlife.com]

The Coronavirus Blues

L

et me begin by saying I am in no way making fun of anyone who has been affected by COVID-19 or belittling the suffering of victims, their families, or the seriousness of this deadly virus. But as we all endure self-isolation now, when it ends, our lives will never be the same again, and I’ll share some personal revelations I’ve had as a result of this unprecedented worldwide quarantine.

To quote Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, “there’s no place like home.” As of this writing, Day 33 of Florida’s stay-at-home order, I realize that although I’m restricted from travel, visiting, attending church services, and eating out, I couldn’t be in a better place because I’ve been forced to literally stop and smell the roses in my own backyard. Butterflies dip and flutter around my colorful hibiscus, zinnias, and red geraniums. Several species of birds twitter and chirp as they enjoy my bird feeder. Even a pair of mallards, which I’ve dubbed “Fred” and “Ethel,” visit my yard daily to feast on birdseed that has fallen to the ground.

Another aspect of home is that I will never take my appliances for granted again. Sure, I always used my washer, dryer, dishwasher, and vacuum, but because of preparing three meals at home a day, plus snacks, I appreciate the machines that make my life easier much more now than before. My dishwasher that I loaded maybe two times a week is now running daily as I use more plates, bowls, pots, and pans. Same thing with my washer and dryer. These two appliances

Another advantage of wearing a mask is that I can talk to myself and no one will see my lips move!

14

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

are dependable, never complaining, always waiting for me to fill them with whatever I throw in. That gives me more time to vacuum with “Hazel,” my other favorite appliance.

I have also binged on more TV shows and movies during this time than in my entire life up to this point.

I now know every Star Wars character in every prequel and sequel—which ones are Jedis, who went to the dark side and when, and who their parents are. I am up to the sixth installment in The Avengers series—something I never would have watched before—and know every Disney princess as well as The White Princess, The Spanish Princess, The White Queen, and countless other historical figures that have been brought to life on the popular streaming services. I feel like I’ve accessed the video version of CliffsNotes. The bright side? Any bit of trivia or actual facts I may have retained could come in handy if I ever become a contestant on Jeopardy.

But sometimes we do need to venture out and wearing a mask is important to protect myself and others from the virus. Another advantage of wearing a mask is that I can talk to myself and no one will see my lips move! And aside from having fogged-up glasses, I really don’t mind wearing one. The only disadvantage is that no one can see me smile.

On the other hand, no pun intended, rubber gloves are a bit of a nuisance. I don’t know about you, but my hands sweat so much while wearing them that I think I’ve gone down two ring sizes! Too bad I can’t say the same about my waistline. Then I realized that eight weeks without a haircut, any weight I gained is probably on my head. No amount of hair gel can coax my grey locks into submission. I’m beginning to look like Albert Einstein without the high IQ. And don’t get me started on toilet paper hoarding.

Having said that, the most important thing is that my husband and I and our families and friends in Florida and “up north” are healthy and safe. Looking forward to better days, we will appreciate what we have and who we have in our lives and continue to slow down and smell the roses in our own backyard. Because even though we don’t want to be in self-isolation ever again, Dorothy was right. There is no place like home..

New Vision. New Voice.

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EXPLORE THE COLLECTION FROM YOUR MOBILE DEVICE

Download our free mobile app to learn more about our collection no matter your location! Options available for children and adults. Explore our well known and beloved works, as well as some you might not be familiar with yet.

Museum, Artspace and Appleton Store Temporarily closed; please check website for updates.

4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. | AppletonMuseum.org | 352-291-4455

-an equal opportunity college-

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

15

GOOD NEIGHBORS: RON AND JOANN SZABO

‘Part Of The Same Team’ Ron and JoAnn Szabo are members of a senior volunteering community lending their time and talents to Silver Springs State Park. After more than 2,000 hours, they’re loving every minute of it.

BY JOANN GUIDRY • PHOTO BY STEVE FLOETHE

B

y 10am on a hot and muggy morning, Ron and JoAnn Szabo, both 72, have already logged three hours of volunteering at Silver Springs State Park. Despite being grubby with sweat-soaked T-shirts clinging to them, they are seemingly happy.

Grinning, Ron nods towards JoAnn and says, “She likes getting her hands dirty, digging in the gardens.”

To which JoAnn quickly responds, “He likes driving the tractor that pulls the garden debris wagon.”

Such is the playful banter and knowing glances between a couple that has

16

been married 50 years and volunteering together for five years. In the latter category, the Szabos have posted 2,000 hours and counting. In addition to belonging to the Garden Gang, the duo is also part of the River Patrol, using their own kayak to make sure everyone is safe and courteous while enjoying the Silver River.

“I also assist with the Humane Society of Marion County’s Pack Walk in the park, drive the park’s trams, assist in the Silver River Museum, and if needed, help clean the campsites,” says Ron, who is wiry and fit. “We both also volunteer when there are special events in the park.”

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

JoAnn, whose jeans likely have permanent knee-pad garden-dirt stains, adds, “Our regular volunteer day is Friday. But we live only about a mile and a half from the park, so we’re usually the first ones who get called if extra help is needed. And we’re happy to do it.”

The Szabos are among the 200 volunteers at Silver Springs State Park overseen by Park Services Specialist Craig Littauer.

“The Szabos, like all of our Silver Springs volunteers, are dedicated and invaluable. Anything a ranger can do, a volunteer can do with proper training,”

says Littauer. “Without our volunteers, we couldn’t operate the park on the level that we do. We value and appreciate each and every one.”

EVEN BEFORE THEY BEGAN volunteering at Silver Springs, the Szabos enjoyed active outdoor recreation while living in the Miami area. They played tennis, biked, hiked, fished, camped, and spent a lot of time boating.

“We always had a boat of some kind for most of our lives,” says Ron. “But we’re down to a kayak, which is just fine for us now. You live long enough and things change. You adapt.”

Case in point to adapting is how the Szabos moved to Ocala via south Florida and Atlanta. Prior to their retirements, Ron, a native Floridian, was a project manager with Bell South; JoAnn, who originally hails from Monroe, Louisiana, was a registered nurse working in hospitals and private medical offices. For his last five years with Bell South, Ron and JoAnn relocated to Atlanta and then he took early retirement at 56. That was in 2003 and the couple quickly moved to Ocala, a place they were very familiar with, including the then privately-owned Silver Springs Park attraction.

“Both of our parents ended up retiring in Ocala and we visited them many times over the years,” says JoAnn. “We

even had season passes to Silver Springs and enjoyed coming to the park when we were in town. So we were familiar with Ocala and Silver Springs before we decided to retire here.”

Factoring into the move to Ocala was the need to care for the Szabos’ elderly parents, which they did until their passings.

“As anyone who has ever done it can tell you, caretaking is just about a fulltime job,” says Ron. “Of course, we were fortunate to be in a position to be able to do it. Then after our parents passed, we found ourselves with a lot more free time and started looking for opportunities to volunteer.”

As fate would have it, in September 2014 JoAnn read an article in the Ocala Star-Banner about National Public Lands Day. Celebrated annually every fourth Saturday in September, the event promotes both popular enjoyment and volunteer conservation of public lands.

Silver Springs Park had transitioned to Silver Springs State Park in October 2013 and would be participating in its first National Public Lands Day. “We went to the event and just loved it. We got a whole new perspective of Silver Springs as a state park instead of an attraction,” recalls JoAnn. “We signed up right away to become volunteers.”

Not long after, Ron volunteered in his first park event, the Silver River

Knap-In. Soon JoAnn was pruning, weeding and planting with the Garden Gang. Fast forward five years and the Szabos are volunteer fixtures and ambassadors for the park.

“The great thing about volunteering at Silver Springs is that there’s something for everyone,” says Ron. “Besides the outside activities, there are

“The great thing about volunteering at Silver Springs is that there’s something for everyone.”

—Ron Szabo indoor opportunities at the Education Center and the Silver River Museum.

And you can volunteer as much or as little as you want.”

JoAnn adds, “It’s great to volunteer and work with like-minded people. And the park management and rangers make all the volunteers feel like part of the same team. We are all bonded by a love of Silver Springs State Park.”

Digging in the dirt included.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

O

pportunities abound for volunteering at Silver Springs State Park, drawing people who don’t mind investing a little sweat equity to preserve a natural treasure.

“Some volunteers are residential and in exchange for working at least 20 hours a week, get a free campsite and come from all over the country. They serve as campground hosts or Silver River Museum docents and perform park maintenance,” says Park Services Specialist Craig Littauer. “Our individual or regular volunteers live locally, some come once a week, while others come once a month. Some come once a year to help

with special events like SpringsFest, Ocali Days, or the Knap-In.” All of those volunteer hours add up. According to Littauer, Silver Springs State Park’s 200 volunteers recorded 23,310 hours of service in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

“Those 23,310 hours were equivalent to 11.5 extra full time staff positions,” says Littauer. “We have 26 paid positions, so what the volunteers contribute is like having a 44 percent increase in our workforce. As I said before, our volunteers are invaluable.”

A sampling of volunteer opportunities include: ARCHIVE TEAM: This group is

tasked with scanning negatives and slides of historical Silver Springs, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, for the Silver River Museum.

GARDEN GANG: Maintains native Florida foliage landscape of the park.

RIVER PATROL: Volunteers use their own kayaks and equipment while patrolling the Silver River to ensure safety.

AQUATIC MOTOR PATROL: This volunteer team uses the park’s pontoon and motor boats to monitor boats downriver all the way to Ray Wayside Park.

Contact Parks Service Specialist Craig Littauer at 236-7148, x5 or email craig.littauer@floridadep.gov

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

17

OUT & ABOUT

5 Dr. Jim & Jeanne Henningsen

5 Laurie Zink, Dorothy Pernu, Carla Lord

Night at the Farm

5 Bill & Crystal McCall

18

This magical event at the College of Central Florida’s Vintage Farm Campus was held inside the barn and outside under the stars. Guests were entertained by live country music while they dined on tasty hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurant Eaton’s Beach. “Our local community support for CF is second to none,” says Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president. “More than $96,000 was donated to help make the event a huge success.”

Photos By Diana Scott

5 Page & Rusty Branson

3 Carole & Marty Smith

5 Erica Olstein, Joe Borge OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

5 CF Student Activities Board and CF Student Ambassador volunteers

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

19

My Florida

By Melody Murphy [melody@ocalasgoodlife.com]

W

hen the world fell apart in March, I was lucky enough to keep my job and to be able to work from home. My dining-room table became my office. The weather was lovely, so I shut off the air conditioner and opened the windows and the back door.

On especially pleasant days, I set up a card table on my patio and worked out there, enjoying the cool jasminescented air, warm sunshine, and birdsong.

As spring passed, the magnolias blossomed, their lemony fragrance wafting on the breeze. A tangle of wisteria and trumpet honeysuckle vines rioted along the fence. The mimosa and rain lilies bloomed into pink perfection, and the golden-yellow flowers of the shell ginger plant lured hummingbirds and honeybees.

I was supposed to be onstage in April as Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird at Ocala Civic Theatre.

Then life got cancelled. Instead, I’ve been living like Miss Maudie, spending all my time outdoors among my azaleas, with actual mockingbirds. Also included among my new colleagues are lizards, squirrels, cardinals, Carolina wrens, butterflies, and the neighbor’s black cats stalking through my jungle of ferns.

I keep my binoculars by my laptop for when I hear the hoot of a barred owl, the shriek of a red-shouldered hawk, the cry of a pileated woodpecker. There are lots of big old live oaks, magnolias, pecan trees, and sweetgums around here where they nest.

The first week of working from home, I heard a persistent screeching, day and night, from high up in an

On especially pleasant days, I set up a card table on my patio and worked out there, enjoying the cool jasmine-scented air, warm sunshine, and birdsong.

20

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

old live oak. I also kept hearing barred owls hooting and calling in the daytime.

Then I realized—the screeching was baby owls. Their nest was in that oak. And the grown owls were unusually vocal by day because they were out gathering food for the babies.

The baby owls must have hatched at the end of March. They spend about a month in the nest before they fledge, and these appeared in early May. There were three of them, fluffy and demanding and just learning to fly. They would sit in my yard, wobbling on low tree limbs or the fence, and screech at me while their parents were out gathering dinner. I spoke nicely to them, they screeched back, and we conversed in this manner. They let me get remarkably close.

In late May, once their flying had improved, they began their hunting lessons. One night I saw one sitting in the middle of the street. When I went out to check on him, he looked up at me and screeched, lifting his little talon, in which was clutched... something. I was thankful it was dark. But I was oddly proud of him. And I think he was proud of himself for his first catch and wanted to show me. I feel a little like their godmother, which is a peculiar way to feel about owls.

I started seeing only two of them together in my yard. The third would come from the north at dusk for a family reunion at my street corner. It reminded me of the Fates or the three witches in Macbeth.

By the beginning of June, only one had made his home in my yard. I still go out and speak to him every evening. He is bigger now and perches confidently on higher branches and the corner of my roof. And he is a little more wary of my company. If I step too close for his comfort, he clicks his beak at me and ruffles up his feathers. You have your social distancing, I have mine, he says. I have learned his limits and respect them.

I probably appear unhinged, lurking in my yard in the twilight gloom, conversing with birds of prey. I do not care. In times of quarantine, we take whatever company we can get, and are grateful.

Harry Collins Photography/Shutterstock

Social Distancing From My Backyard

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22

Belleview resident Sharon Matiyow recalls the harrowing ordeal of Flight 119. The details of that fateful day remain etched in her mind.

BY RICHARD ANGUIANO

I

t was supposed to be the last flight

of the day for Sharon Matiyow, “one more little hop” for American Airlines Flight 119 from St. Louis to Tulsa on June 23, 1972.

Her workday began at 6am with a round trip between New York and Toronto before her crew headed west. Matiyow—then Sharon Wetherley—was 22 and three months out of flight attendant school.

About 3pm, with the Boeing 727 about to descend into Tulsa, Matiyow approached Jane Furlong, a fellow rookie flight attendant, as Furlong strode toward the cockpit carrying a note.

“She was looking at me and giving me these facial expressions,” recalls Matiyow, OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

23

the voice of Capt. Ted Kovalenko came over the intercom, in the soothing tone airline pilots use to address passengers: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a guest on board today who has invited us back to St. Louis, so we are going with his request.”

As the jet began to bank, Matiyow thought: “Stewardess training. Keep the passengers calm.”

“I walked back up the aisle and told people, ‘It’s all right. There’s just a man back there with a gun.’” now 69 and living in Belleview. “I didn’t understand why she was going up the aisle with this very determined walk.”

Matiyow didn’t know it yet, but she was in the midst of a hijacking, one that would prove to be, arguably, the most bizarre case during the heyday of air piracy.

She passed Furlong on her way back toward the galley in coach and

Sharon spotted a man wearing a wig and sunglasses, his hands covered in clear surgical gloves and cradling a submachine gun. spotted a man wearing a wig and sunglasses, his hands covered in clear surgical gloves and cradling a submachine gun.

Matiyow walked past the man into the galley.

“I didn’t want him to know I saw him,” she says, “so I took all the Saran Wrap off a new tray of sandwiches and I went back up the aisle.”

Moments later, Matiyow recalls,

24

MATIYOW AND HER FLIGHT atten-

dant school classmates prepared for hijacking scenarios with good reason.

Hijackers—called “skyjackers” in news reports of the day—commandeered more than 130 flights in the U.S. alone between 1968 and 1972.

The hijacker of American Flight 119 was Martin J. McNally, a jobless 28-year-old Navy veteran from the Detroit area, traveling under the alias Robert Wilson.

While the turbulent politics of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s inspired many hijackers, McNally was the ninth copycat following the example of a mysterious air pirate, known in lore as D.B. Cooper, who hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305 in 1971.

The hijacker parachuted somewhere between Seattle and Reno from the 727’s built-in rear staircase with a ransom of $200,000. He hasn’t been seen since.

A year and a half later, aboard American Flight 119, Martin Mc-

Nally demanded more than double the Cooper ransom: $500,000 cash, $2,500 in a separate pouch, parachutes, and other supplies. He wanted bills in larger denominations to keep the cargo light, remembers Matiyow.

McNally soon set up a command post in the back row of coach and kept Matiyow and Furlong close, using one flight attendant to relay his instructions and the other to sit in the row ahead as a hostage.

“He wanted all the women and children toward the front of the plane and the men behind,” she says. “We were breaking up families.”

McNally also demanded the film from anyone aboard with a camera.

“You were so scared at first,” Matiyow says. “If somebody had a camera and we didn’t give him the film, was he going to shoot them? So I remember taking a few canisters back and he just exposed them.”

Matiyow recalls a “very quiet” plane after the hijacker took over.

“Nobody was screaming or crying

Sharon Matiyow, 1972

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

out loud or anything,” she says.

“I think we were all in a state of shock. I do remember a lady handing me her Bible, and I remember telling her to hold on to it.”

At around 3:45pm, Flight 119 prepared for another landing in St. Louis—this one unscheduled.

Back on the ground in a remote area of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, McNally allowed women and children passengers, as well as some men, to exit the plane using an emergency slide.

That left about 25 men aboard, according to Matiyow, who says the pilot got McNally to agree to another release.

“The captain announced, ‘Any man who has a heart condition or takes medication may also leave,’” she says.

“They all got up. And [McNally] goes, ‘Get some of them back here!’ I remember running [and calling after the men], ‘Some of you guys gotta stay!’”

Eventually 13 men remained.

Matiyow recalls some were older passengers unable to beat younger men to the exit.

Meanwhile, getting any money from a bank on a Friday evening— let alone a ransom of more than $500,000—was complicated in 1972.

Banks put their vaults on timers and they were closing for the weekend.

McNally ordered the flight crew to take the plane back up and circle the airport while airline and bank officials negotiated the massive withdrawal.

As the plane flew in circles, Matiyow, sitting in the row ahead, heard the hijacker’s voice.

“He said, ‘Miss?’ and I turned around,” she recalls. “He said, ‘Would you like to sit back here and keep me company?’ and I said, ‘Not really.’”

Nonetheless, Matiyow went back and took the right window seat. In the

chair between her and McNally was the case in which he’d smuggled the gun. She recalls McNally being “polite” but refusing to talk about himself, as she and Furlong attempted to lighten the mood.

“We were just trying to talk to him,” she says, “because he wasn’t much older than us.”

McNally allowed Matiyow and Furlong to check on the passengers as the plane circled. None wanted food or drink. By now, the flight attendants had developed enough of a rapport with the hijacker to kneel on the seats in the row ahead and banter with him over the chair backs.

“We were trying to keep him happy and we didn’t want to die,” she says. “I remember saying things like, ‘Are we going to go somewhere really fun and exciting?’ and ‘We really could use the overtime.’”

Originally, American Airlines officials told the crew they had the money waiting in Dallas, so the flight began to change course. Then airline officials ordered the plane back to St. Louis, where they now had the cash and other items McNally demanded, including the parachutes.

Matiyow recalls McNally growing “antsier” as Flight 119 began to make its descent into St. Louis a third time at about 9:30pm. The hijacker ordered all the window shades pulled down.

“He was afraid somebody was

going to spot him through the window and shoot him,” she says.

Meanwhile, Matiyow felt claustrophobic, wedged between the armed hijacker and his case and the window seat with the shade drawn.

“It was very scary,” she recalls.

“Because you know they’re going to get

Sharon Matiyow was in the midst of a hijacking, one that would prove to be, arguably, the most bizarre case during the heyday of air piracy. him on the ground, if they’re going to get him.”

Flight 119 landed and a station wagon pulled up. McNally selected a passenger.

“The man was probably in his fifties,” Matiyow recalls. “And he had on bright red polyester pants. This was in 1972. I bet he never wore those again.

“Jane said to him, ‘You, sir, are the chosen one,’” Matiyow continues. “She put her hand on his shoulder and she said the blood drained from his face.

She told him, ‘He wants you to bring the parachutes and the money, but don’t look at him.’”

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

25

Photo: Steve Floethe

Sharon and Randy Matiyow

After the man brought everything, McNally freed the men except for one.

“The one hostage actually volunteered,” Matiyow says. “He worked for American Airlines in Tulsa. He was about the hijacker’s age. In fact, [McNally] even said, ‘Well, that was nice of him to volunteer.’”

THEN MCNALLY DISCOVERED he

had problems. For one, officials had produced the $2,500 in smaller bills.

26

“It was in denominations of $1 and $10 [bills],” Matiyow says. “He got very mad and he threw it at me. He says, ‘What am I going to do with this?’”

Also, the hijacker did not know how to put on a parachute. McNally allowed on the plane a man the pilot told him was the airport’s “parachute expert.” Matiyow later learned the “expert” was an FBI agent.

During the discussion of parachutes, something caught Matiyow’s eye.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

“About a year before I became a flight attendant, I did parachute one time,” she says, “so I knew when they brought him the parachutes that they gave him a reserve chute. They didn’t give him a good back chute.

But I wasn’t going to tell him.”

Now McNally was ready to send the refueled plane back up. Because the flight crew had been working since early that morning, the hijacker allowed a crew change.

Matiyow says she learned later that two chief pilots from Chicago and an FBI agent took the cockpit.

McNally also gave an order to the four flight attendants—Matiyow and Furlong and Jennifer Dumanois and Diana Rash who worked in first-class.

“He said, ‘I just want two of you girls. Talk amongst yourselves,’” Matiyow recalls.

The attendants in first-class had seniority and Dumanois had high rank.

“Well, Jane and I were brand-new, so Jennifer says, ‘You two get off here,’” Matiyow says.

The two rookie flight attendants headed for the stairs with wads of small bills McNally had rejected. Matiyow says she had about $1,300 and Furlong about $200, which they each turned in.

“Oh, when we got to the top of the stairs, just feeling that cool air, I can remember that and it was like, ‘We are safe,’” she said. “It was bitter-

sweet because we had left Diana and Jennifer behind.

“We went down and it was pitch dark,” Matiyow continues. “There were the stairs and I remember saying to Jane, ‘Where do we go?’”

Soon, the flight attendants saw headlights.

“A guy zoomed up and he said, ‘FBI. Hop in.’”

THE HIJACKING TOOK A BIZARRE

turn after Matiyow and Furlong were off the jet.

A man named David J. Hanley, angered as he watched TV coverage in a nearby lounge, hopped in his Cadillac, smashed through an airport fence, roared up the runway, and crashed into the 727, critically injuring himself.

Hanley survived, claimed no memory of the incident and according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, announced a candidacy for president in 1976.

Matiyow says she and Furlong were with FBI agents in another building, putting together a composite sketch of the hijacker, when they learned of the collision.

According to a report in The New York Times, one of the new pilots managed to assure McNally that the crash was not an attempt by law enforcement to foil the hijacking, to which McNally replied, “That guy must be crazier than I am.”

The hijacker demanded and got another 727. McNally ordered the crew to fly to Toronto and just before 4:00am, he ordered them into the cockpit, opened the rear stairwell of the 727, and parachuted over northern Indiana. The jump separated McNally from the pouch with the $500,000 and he landed in a field near the town of Peru. A farmer later discovered the money and turned it in.

A hitchhiking McNally got a lift from none other than Peru’s police chief and his wife. The chief later told reporters McNally did not fit the description of the hijacker, and McNally was able to make his way back home to Wyandotte, Michigan.

Eventually, investigators matched a

fingerprint on the ransom note to a print in McNally’s military records, according to a June 30, 1972, New York Times report of McNally’s arrest on air piracy charges.

Matiyow recalls her mouth breaking out in canker sores the day after the ordeal. She says American gave her two weeks off and she went home to Ojai, California, to visit her parents. In December 1972, she returned to St. Louis to testify in McNally’s trial. She recalls seeing him sitting with his attorneys.

“He seemed very white from not being out in the sun,” she says. “I had to say, ‘Yeah, that’s him’ and point him out.”

A jury convicted McNally and he received a life sentence. In 1978, McNally, another convicted hijacker, and a third inmate tried unsuccessfully to escape federal prison in Marion, Illinois, via a helicopter hijacked from the outside.

McNally received sentencing that would have given him a release date of 2082. However, an appeals court acquitted McNally of the most serious charges in that case.

Authorities granted McNally parole and released him in 2010. Recent interviews indicate he returned to St. Louis to make his home.

MATIYOW WORKED FOR American

Airlines—once playing cards with O.J. Simpson on a cross-country flight— until October 1982 when she opted to stay home and raise a family. In 1975, she met her husband-to-be—Randy Matiyow, who traveled the world in a career in private security—after an early spring blizzard snowed in their flight in Chicago.

“We talked all night in the coffee shop,” Randy Matiyow recalls.

“I thought I’d met Wonder Woman because she talked about the hijacking, how she jumped out of airplanes.”

Randy Matiyow told his future wife he had a connection to the hijacking of Flight 119. In 1972, he worked in the vault of Brink’s security in his hometown of Detroit. The supervisor

of the vault bought a submachine gun and fired it in the Brink’s basement range. The supervisor eventually sold it to someone, who sold it to someone else, who sold it to McNally, Randy Matiyow says.

“After [the] hijacking, in about July or August,” he says, “the FBI traces the gun, comes into our vaults and starts questioning everybody.”

THE MATIYOWS MOVED to Belleview

from Viera in 2014 to be closer to daughter Stacey Ansley, her husband Jason, and their son Jackson, 8, who live in the Ocala area.

Sharon Matiyow says she keeps in touch with Furlong, the rookie flight

The hijacker opened the rear stairwell of the 727 and parachuted over northern Indiana. attendant with whom she shared that harrowing flight in 1972, but has lost touch with Dumanois and Rash, the other stewardesses. Matiyow said Furlong visited her in Belleview on the 45th anniversary of the hijacking in 2017.

“I’ve always said I would like to meet McNally again,” Matiyow says.

“Jane doesn’t want to.”

When asked what she would discuss with the hijacker, she says, laughing, “Well, we do have one thing in common—we’ve both parachuted. I jumped from a Cessna and he jumped from a 727. We could see if my jump from 3,000 feet was any smoother than his from 10,000.”

Editor’s Note: Pegalo Pictures Of California is developing a documentary titled “The Final Flight of Martin McNally.”

Matiyow says the producer has interviewed her for a “teaser” the film company is shopping. Look for a GoodStart item once Ocala’s Good Life learns more.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

27

Good Health

By Cammy Dennis [cammy@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Welcome To Our Wellness Journey!

Exercise should remind us of what it felt like to play, with elements of fun, excitement, and enjoyment.

28

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

spirit especially as the result of deliberate effort. In other words, our lifestyle—the choices we make every day—inevitably dictate our health and wellbeing.

Richard Arakawa is a regular in my spin class, a water aerobics enthusiast, practices Tai Chi, and strength trains routinely.

“I look at it as preventative medicine,” he says. “I don’t have to take medication like many people I know.

My exercise supports my ability to keep up with all the things I like to The majority of my professional experience focused on physical fitness and the role exercise plays in health preservation. After many years in the active aging arena, my perspective of fitness has shifted dramatically. I now realize that physical fitness is just one piece of the “wellness pie.” As we age and contemplate wellness, it is very important to remember that the concept of chronological age is not nearly as important as biological age (the state of your health).

Diane Perworchik, 73, is a regular in aerobics and strength-training classes, works out with a personal trainer, and loves to get in the pool.

“I feel better when I exercise! I have more energy and am ready to tackle the day. And the socialization in the fitness classes is fun. I’m in better shape now than I’ve been for most of my life!”

The greatest influence on biological age is lifestyle. People who exercise regularly and eat healthy are very likely to have a biological age that is lower than their chronological age. The reverse is true for those who are less active and have unhealthy diets.

Chronological age is by default; biological age is by choice. It is never too late to get moving and engage in the dimensions of wellness. Nurture your physical, emotional, and social well-being to be a champion of active aging.

Please join me on this exciting journey in Ocala’s Good Life!

Cammy Dennis is the fitness director for On Top of the World communities. 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

W

hat a delight it is to be able to share my passion for “active aging” with you and all of our Ocala’s Good Life readers. I’ve been in the fitness industry for almost 30 years, the most recent of which I have spent as the fitness director for On Top of the World Communities. I took on the role of fitness director for On Top of the World 13 years ago when I was 44. The timing of this opportunity was perfect, both personally and professionally.

It is exciting and rewarding to be immersed in the science of aging. I have dedicated my focus and passion to helping people age optimally.

Optimal aging affords us the physical capacity to stay engaged in life and participate in all the things we love to do. The early years of my career were spent in kids’ fitness. As a mother of four, I had my own laboratory at home to discover what motivated kids to move.

What I learned from children many years ago is now vital to my current role. Science aside, exercise should have elements of fun, excitement, and enjoyment. It should remind us of what it felt like to play.

My early days at On Top of the World lead me to the realization that wellness was an encompassing philosophy that I needed to adopt. I think of wellness as the path that leads to optimal aging. Wellness is a state of maintaining health in the body, brain, and

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Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Ou

Aetna ©2019 Aetna Inc. 72.12.756.1 ©2019 Aetna Inc. 72.12.756.1 NR_4002_16811_C 07/2019 also have contracts with State Medicaid programs.

Enrollment in ou NR_4002_16811_C 07/2019 Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract.

Our SNPs Aetna Medicare is a HMO,is PPO with a Medicare contract.

Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid Aetna Medicare a plan HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract.

Our SNPs alsocontract have State Medicaid programs.

Enrollment our plans programs.contracts Enrollmentrenewal. in ourwith plans depends onSee contract renewal.

See Evidence of Coverage for a completein description offor a com 2261 SW College Rd. • (352) 694-1234 depends on Evidence of Coverage also have contracts withandState Medicaid programs.

Enrollment our plans plan benefi ts, exclusions, limitations conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may varyin area. on contract See of Coverage Coverage foraby aservice complete Prestige4U.com descriptiondepends depends on contractrenewal. renewal.

See Evidence Evidence of for complete of plan benefits, limitations and conditio ©2019 Aetna Inc. NR_4002_16811_C 07/2019 exclusions, 72.12.756.1 description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. coverage.

Plan features and availability may vary by service area. coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

“Where Friends Send Friends”

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ith over 25 years of experience in the flooring industry, Ocala Flooring is the team to bring you the right flooring for you. Owners Ana & Mike will work with you every step of the way, from finding the right flooring to installation. If you are looking for the right team for the job, look no further than Ocala Flooring.

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7

Waterfront

Gator Joe’s

30

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Dining

These days, the best seat in the house is outdoors. So why not take advantage of a cool breeze off of one of our local waterways?

BY DEAN BLINKHORN Photo: John Jernigan

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

31

Blue Gill’s Bait Shop & Eatery Photo: Trevor Byrne

Blue Gill’s Bait Shop & Eatery

T

he newest restaurant on this list is also one of the best.

Veteran owners Shane and Tara Williamson’s of Red’s and The Burger Station fame now have a trio of outstanding places—all in Hernando, who knew?—that have each found their niche in the marketplace by offering a slice of something different. Only the friendly service and focus on food quality is the same at each place.

Blue Gill’s has a nicer menu than you’d probably expect. Sure, they have the standard fried shrimp and fried catfish, but also look at their specials board for parmesan-crusted grouper, almond-crusted salmon with a mango sauce, their delicious taco trio, or the low country boil. We also ordered the gator bites as an appetizer and the overstuffed bowl featured a unique breading that we couldn’t get enough of.

32

With picnic tables and a few hightops gathered around the sandy shore, Blue Gill’s feels more like a backyard picnic, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Stay for a color-streaked sunset that one of The Highwaymen could’ve painted and the band will probably just be getting started. Order a draft IPA from the bar and it sounds like a pretty good night.

Info: 2727 North Carl G. Rose Highway, Hernando, 419-5408

Gator Joe’s At Gator Joe’s, an Ocala beachside hot spot for more than three decades, the menu is vast, the drinks are cold, and the sand-soaked volleyball matches can get heated. This is what summertime in Central Florida is all about.

First, let’s talk about where to sit.

Sure, if a thunderstorm is rolling in across the lake, sit inside at the huge

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

dining room that used to be an arcade when I was a kid. But even better is the covered outdoor seating, which will feel like your own beachside IMAX theater with panoramic views in every direction.

Food-wise, it’s probably what you’d expect—lots of excellent fried dishes, fish tacos, and heaping sandwiches—but the devil is in the details.

We always order a big basket of fried mushrooms and usually alternate between the jambalaya or the smoked fish dip before digging into a big plate of fried something. Despite taking home lots for later, we never have room to even think of dessert.

Info: 12431 Southeast 135 Avenue, Ocklawaha, 288-3100, gatorjoesocala.com

Eaton’s Beach Sandbar & Grill Another great restaurant that overlooks the water on the shores of

Lake Weir in the blink-and-you’ll-missit burg of Weirsdale, Eaton’s Beach is the kind of local charmer that out-oftowners would easily drive right past without thinking twice.

Unlike its Lake Weir neighbor, Eaton’s Beach features a unique “Florisiana” menu, which is inspired by both Florida and Louisiana cuisine and combines wonderful influences from both of these Southern states. Louisiana reflects the Cajun/Creole piece based on the Spanish, French, and Italian cultures, and Florida’s melting pot of Spanish, Italian, Caribbean, and Cracker cultures come into the “country” barbeque, hush puppies, and collard greens.

The menu is large, impressive, and inspired, so choosing will be very difficult. The Catfish & Grits was southern fried and served with hush puppies the size of golf balls and a generous helping of fried okra. The Charleston Shrimp Platter boasted two lengthy skewers of fire-grilled shrimp with Balaya rice and a low country succotash. The presenta-

tion was beautiful and the crispy edges of the shrimp crunched with each memorable bite.

Dessert is probably best shared or taken home for later but is no afterthought. The Spanish Donuts are light puffs rolled in cinnamon sugar with a warm dipping sauce and the Sunset Orange Cake is a thick wedge of orange mousse covered in a thick butter cream frosting. Divine!

For a different take on Eaton’s Beach, go downstairs and take one of the outdoor tables overlooking the pier and enjoy crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, a bowl of gumbo, and a cold glass of some local craft brew. The vibe is relaxing and you won’t compete for the often hour-long wait upstairs.

Info: 15790 SE 134th Avenue, Weirsdale, 259-2444, eatonsbeach.com

The Blue Gator Nestled under the twisting trunks of a pair of Live Oak trees and over-

looking the Withlacoochee River after it joins the Rainbow River on its arm-in-arm journey through Dunnellon, The Blue Gator is an ideal location for dining under the stars or below the shade of a generous awning on a sunny Central Florida afternoon.

It’s super-easy to find. Once you get to Dunnellon, turn south on US Hwy. 41 and look for it on the left, the perfect spot for food, friends, and fun.

When looking over the menu, a few things jumped out at me. The hushpuppies are the kind I like, slightly sweet and freshly made onsite every day, and the grouper sandwich, a hefty chunk of fresh fish on an oversized roll.

Add either a thick slice of peanut butter chocolate pie or the key lime pie, a Florida staple, and they’ll be well worth the extra calories.

But The Blue Gator is best paired with a great song. Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons feature live local musicians, perfect for the expansive outdoor deck and the ideal backdrop for a beautiful weekend eve-

Swampy’s

Blue Gator

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Photos: Trevor Byrne

Eaton’s Beach

33

Blackwater Inn

ning in Central Florida.

Info: 12189 South Williams Street, Dunnellon, 465-1635, blue-gator.com

Blackwater Inn This iconic eatery overlooking the St. Johns has been a Central Florida fixture for more than 50 years. For most new patrons, it only takes one meal—or perhaps a trip up river on an eco-adventure cruise—to understand the decades-old attraction.

So how do you get there? Head east on SR40 and don’t stop until you’re about to cross the draw bridge over the St. Johns. The unmistakable rattle of the steel mesh will be a major clue that you’ve gone too far.

Blackwater Inn is the large building on the right-hand shore. Inside, the surprisingly spacious dining room features dramatic, floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

34

Expect to spend a few minutes deciding what to select. Beef options include a tempting Prime Rib of Beef au Jus or two differing cuts of filet mignon, but the fresh seafood selections are probably the reason for your drive and they won’t disappoint. Catfish, shrimp, oysters, sea scallops, frog legs, snow crab, gator tail—good luck trying to decide! Or just order a combo plate instead.

To start, the catfish nuggets featured a light breading and were very chunky and meaty, and the alligator bites weren’t tough or fishy and came with a honey mustard dipping sauce.

Then our meals arrived. The Grouper Reuben was piled high and came with hushpuppies and thinly sliced onion rings, and the Chicken Cordon Bleu, the lunch special, was a hefty delight.

I enjoyed that the cole slaw was more tangy than creamy.

Try timing your meal around one

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

of the two daily river cruises. What better way to work up an appetite than by seeing Florida the way it used to be?

Info: 55716 Front Street, Astor, 759-2802, blackwaterinn.com

Swampy’s Bar & Grille Before this word count runs out, there is one other place we’d like to mention which, like The Blue Gator, is also in Dunnellon. Located right on the Rainbow River, it just feels like summer when you go there. Be sure to consider their larger-than-normal wings, the deliciously chunky gumbo, or the fried cheesecake. And if you decide to rent a kayak or an inner tube for a leisurely run down the spring-fed river either before or after your meal, even better.

Info: 19773 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Dunnellon, 547-4777, swampys. restaurant

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

35

RENEW HOME SHOWCASE: The Smiths

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

‘Friendly, Professional & Organized’

ReNew in Ocala is the place to go to fix outdated floors, bathrooms, and kitchens on a budget.

M

ichael Smith and his spouse love their tranquil home in Ocala that they’ve lived in for the past five years. He’s from a very small town in the Panhandle, so the young couple finds Ocala to be a relatively big city. They love that it has everything they want, that it’s easily accessible, and that it “still maintains that country, rural living feeling,” according to Michael. They enjoy doing DIY projects around the house and spending time with their newly adopted fouryear-old son they have fostered over the last couple of years. Michael recently

36

purchased a 1962 Thunderbird and “can’t wait to take it out on the weekends around town with the family.”

Knowing they plan to remain in their house as their family grows, the Smiths knew they’d need to tackle a surprisingly untouched area—the garden tub in the master bathroom.

“Our home is only five years old, and I’ve since regretted a decision made in the building process to have a garden tub,” Michael admits. “We decided we’d rather have an open-concept, walk-in shower instead to give the bathroom more of a bigger space at the

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

same time making it easier to get in and out of. No more shower curtains!”

Their existing master bathroom was functional but that’s about it. The cookie-cutter tub with built-in shelves had very little character and the shower curtain was hard to deal with. The Smiths wanted something cleaner in a more modern style with lots of touches to showcase the space better. At the same time, they chose to use this as the impetus to update the sinks and vanity as well.

Once they zeroed in on what they wanted, Michael called several com-

tasks. The couple enjoyed their interactions and the care they took in making sure everything was done to their satisfaction.

“The remodel wasn’t bad at all— aside from COVID-19,” says Michael.

“The overall project only lasted about three weeks. And the crew was very friendly, professional, and organized.”

Now the couple loves the results, especially the “amazing” giant, 18-inch rainfall showerhead and the shower’s easy walk-in accessibility. Their friends and family love the space, too, particularly the rectangular glass vessel sinks with waterfall faucets. They immediately catch the eye.

Overall, the bathrooms now have a distinctly spa-like feel. The dark cabinets contrast nicely with the stark white walls and the sleek outline of the walk-in shower. Built-in shelving is modern and at the perfect height, with a contrasting pattern to offset the other textures. A mixed dividing wall with a top half of clear glass means never having to wash a dirty shower curtain, and the square rainhead is positioned neatly

AFTER

in the center of the roomy ceiling. It’s now a space the couple enjoys using every day.

During the project, the couple was so happy with the work on the master bathroom that they decided to redo the guest bathroom’s sink, countertops, and toilet as well. They saved a good chunk of money by having ReNew do the work at the same time to maximize staff costs.

For Jim LaValle, it’s another job well done, something that never gets old for him or his crew. They take pride in every single assignment, and he’s more than happy to guide his clients every step of the way.

“You have to have that vision of what the final product is going to look like,” Jim explains, “and the product knowledge to get the job done.”

The Smiths would definitely recommend ReNew for anyone looking to remodel their kitchen or bathrooms.

“We would like to thank Jim,” Michael says. “He was always available and answered every single question we had along the way.”

O CA LA

SAVE

LS

panies and received varying offers and costs. Jim LaValle with ReNew was the most responsive.

“After googling and reviewing several renovation businesses in Ocala, I noticed ReNew was five-star rated and had a lot of positive feedback,” says Michael. “That was enough for us to give Jim a call and get an estimate on the project.”

Once they selected From This…

ReNew, Jim immediately Rethink came out to show them lots of examples of previous work Remodel and many physical samples Reface they’d want to consider while remodeling this important Refinish space, a daunting task for anyone unfamiliar with the Renew. myriad choices for each part E F I S L PEC IA OOD of the process. ’S G To This “Jim is great to work 6000 $ with,” Michael recalls. “We r e v ff job o ,000 had a general idea of what we $500 O ff job over $11 ,000 O 16 wanted when we contacted $1,000 Off job over $ 1,000 2 0 him and he helped us in find$1,50 Off job over $ 1301 SW 37th Ave # 109 Ocala 34474 0 ing the right color of granite, hen $2,00 is ad w

By Appointment Only tion th ointment. n e m tiles, backsplashes, and layout Must uling app Call Jim (352) 857-9604 sched of our ideas.

RenewKandB.com The Smiths let Jim and his crew come and go as needed.

ReNew worked efficiently, and the couple liked the work they were doing.

FINANCING AVAILABLE They noticed that Jim’s subcontractors took pride in Professionally managed projects from design to completion their work and tried to ensure that the couple’s usual home Cabinets • Countertops • Flooring • Showers Jim LaValle —“The Design Guy” life was not disrupted by their

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

37

Breaking Bread America’s favorite comfort food is more popular than ever.

Avocado Veggie Sandwich

A

FAMILY FEATURES

s families spend more time at home, Americans are finding comfort in a surprising source: bread. In fact, a 20-year trend of declining grain food consumption has been reversed.

A national study by the Grain Food Foundation suggests that the turnaround is more than a one-time sales blip due to pantry loading. In reality, consumers count bread among their top comfort foods. The study revealed one-third of Americans named pasta and bread as foods that are comforting during a stressful time.

In addition to the comforting flavor, this trend provides valuable nutritional benefits. As a part of many healthy eating plans, bread and pasta are nutritionist approved and provide nutrients needed for healthy aging such as B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, iron, folate and fiber.

“For years, we’ve been telling consumers that grain foods are the foods we love that love us back,” said Christine Cochran, executive director of the Grain Foods

38

Foundation. “The stress has given us permission to enjoy bread and pasta again, but unlike most comfort foods, consumers recognize that grains have nutritional value.”

The highest-ranking comfort foods were ice cream; baked goods like cakes, cookies and pastries; salty snacks; candy; and fast food.

However, when asked to identify comfort foods with nutritional advantages, consumers identified bread and pasta as the top two.

Beyond identifying comfort foods and their nutritional value, consumers also expressed worry that bread is in short supply right now.

“We can all rest assured that there is enough supply of grain food products in this country,” Cochran said. “Shoppers may be experiencing some sporadic unavailability of certain highdemand items. However, manufacturers are working closely with retailers to make sure that out-of-stocks are short lived. Consumers will be able to buy their favorite grain-food products and eat them, too.”

To learn more about the role of grain foods in a healthful diet, visit GrainFoodsFoundation.org.

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

AVOCADO VEGGIE SANDWICH

Recipe courtesy of the Grain Foods Foundation Prep time: 10 minutes. Servings: 2 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon salt

4 slices bread

4 slices tomato

8 slices cucumber 12 slices sweet bell pepper

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 lettuce leaves In small bowl, combine avocado, lemon juice and salt. Spread mixture evenly over two bread slices.

Place tomatoes, cucumber and peppers on covered surface. Drizzle with vinegar.

Layer lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and peppers evenly between slices of bread, creating two sandwiches.

PANZANELLA BAGEL SALAD

Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation Prep time: 5 minutes. Servings: 6

2 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 1/4 cups canned diced tomatoes, undrained 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

2 tablespoons red onion, diced

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated, plus additional (optional)

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

2 bagels (4 ounces each) cut into 2-inch pieces, toasted assorted greens (optional) In medium bowl, mix tomatoes, canned tomatoes with juice, green pepper, cucumber, onion, cheese, vinegar and basil.

Add toasted bagel pieces; toss gently. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator 1 hour. Serve within 1 hour after marinating.

Sprinkle with additional cheese and serve on bed of assorted greens, if desired.

Panzanella Bagel Salad

CHEESY BLACK BEAN TOAST WITH PICO DE GALLO

Rotini with Sausage and Mushrooms

ROTINI WITH SAUSAGE AND MUSHROOMS

Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation Prep time: 18 minutes Servings: 8

1 box (13 1/4 ounces) whole-grain rotini

1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

1 pound chicken sausage, sliced

1 cup leeks, thinly sliced

1 cup green onions, thinly sliced

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

1 cup chicken stock 1/4 cup parsley chopped

6 leaves from tarragon sprigs, chopped

1 cup Romano cheese grated Parmesan-Romano cheese (optional) Prepare rotini according to package directions. Drain and transfer to large bowl.

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook sausage 2-3 minutes, or until well browned. Add leeks, onions and mushrooms; cook until tender. Add chicken stock and simmer 3-5 minutes, or until hot. Fold sausage mixture into warm pasta. Add parsley, tarragon and Romano cheese; toss again. Top with Parmesan-Romano cheese, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation Prep time: 15 minutes. Servings: 4

6 Roma tomatoes, diced 1⁄2 medium onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 serrano or jalapeno peppers, finely chopped

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juice only 1⁄8 teaspoon oregano, finely crushed 1⁄8 teaspoon salt (optional) 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper 1⁄2 Hass avocado, diced

4 bolillos (6 inches) or large Kaiser rolls, sliced in half lengthwise

1 can (16 ounces) seasoned low-fat refried black beans

2 cups shredded Chihuahua or mozzarella cheese Heat oven to 350 F. In medium mixing bowl, combine tomatoes; onion; garlic; peppers; cilantro; lime juice; oregano; salt, if desired; pepper; and avocado; set aside.

On medium platter, split rolls. With medium spatula, spread refried beans onto each bread half; sprinkle cheese among bread.

Bake 5-8 minutes, or until cheese is melted and hot.

Cheesy Black Bean Toast with Pico de Gallo

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

39

cuisine queen

by Paula [paula@ocalasgoodlife.com]

Eating Out In A Pandemic

W

hen the going gets tough, one of the first industries to suffer is hospitality, because we all know eating out is a luxury. The world pandemic has not only changed how restaurants are now serving food, but it has also changed how consumers have conditioned themselves to eat out. It’s a change so big that huge news outlets like Forbes and Florida Trend are convinced that even after the dust starts to settle, many consumers will continue with take-out and curbside pickup.

Dining in and letting someone else do the dishes has been replaced by calling/texting your order, having it brought to you curbside, tossing the dishes, saving money on fullservice tips, and drinking your own beverages at home.

Under this new normal, smaller restaurants flourished during the worst of the pandemic.

Take Gyros King Greek Restaurant in Dunnellon, a family-owned restaurant where only father and son are in the kitchen six days a week.

Because they run a small restaurant with lower overhead than most, their takeout business was as busy as a pizza delivery business. We also saw lines of patrons at restaurants that had drive-throughs, such as Zaxby’s, Sonny’s, and the typical burger and taco places.

If you do the numbers, an efficient drivethrough can serve 10 families in about 25 minutes

It’s going to be a changed world in the dining industry for quite a while.

40

with no cleaning and resetting of tables in between, which is why more restaurants are thinking about incorporating or keeping curbside pickup. It’s going to be a changed world in the dining industry for quite a while. Some are already accustomed to it and some still need to adjust.

Here are some pointers if you still need to adjust: • Tipping should not be excluded when it is optional on your receipt. Yes, the restaurant is saving on soap, water, and electricity, but the containers, napkins, condiments, and plasticware do add up— fast! Usually ten percent is admissible when not full serviced.

• Please don’t go on social media and berate a struggling restaurant if you have an issue with your takeout order. It would be best to call them and state your complaint in a very nice way. You might even get a refund or a replacement the next time you visit.

That’s much more rewarding than trying to hurt a business that’s just trying to survive.

• Search out restaurants that have outdoor dining. In this issue, see our suggestions for those by the water. Enjoy fresh air and full service and if you want to bring your pet, call ahead to see if it is allowed. Please ask for a water dish or bring your own for your pet. Never let them drink from a restaurant dish or cup and never let them sit on a dining table.

• If you’re one of the fortunate that has antibacterial wipes or spray, feel free to re-clean your area and condiment bottles or place a clean napkin as a placemat and use a napkin when picking up condiments.

Dining out as we have known has changed dramatically, but this can be for the good—if we let it. Keep it positive. Help restaurants on social media, don’t hurt them. Give them a chance to rectify what’s wrong before you tell others. Try to understand the changes they are going through as well. You’ll look like a nicer person and will be rewarded in more ways than one.

Happy eating out!

Got A Hot Tip For The Cuisine Queen?

E-mail me at paula@ocalasgoodlife.com

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

Grand Opening!

Changing People’s Lives For Over 30 Years

We’re right on the boulevard.

Please stop in and say “hi!”

Doggie-Themed Face Masks and Sealtbelt Covers

From gift baskets & birthday cakes for Fido, to healthy, high end dog food, you’ll find everything you need to pamper your pooch!

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Please stop in and say hi!

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Feel better. Live better. of Marion County Feel better. Live better.

Families encounter many challenges on the road of life.

When advancing illness affects your family, hospice care may be the right choice... because when you feel better, you live better.

And living well is what life is all about.

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OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

41

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 Chick-

en, Beef Bourguignon, Ratatouille, Creme Brulee, Parmesan Truffle French Fries

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

Brunch: Sunday

Miranda Madison

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.

42

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

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

42

Worth The short Drive!

DINING GUIDE

Lakeside Dining, Freshest Seafood, Beautiful View!

Just 15 minutes past Hwy 484 on SR 200 Hours:

2727 N Carl G Rose Hwy, Hernando (352) 419-5408

Tues.-Thurs 4pm-8pm Fri. 4pm-9pm Sat. 12pm-9pm

Red’s

Breakfast & Lunch 8411 North Carl G Rose Hwy, Hernando (352) 344-4322 Hours:

Great American food in a warm, friendly atmosphere!

Tues.-Sun. 7am-2pm Closed Mon.

! e id r e h t y o j n e d n a e Bring your appetit

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

43

DINING GUIDE

Turn Your Old Records & CDs Into Cash!

F

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. As one online reviewer says, the sauce is just like his Sicilian grandmother made. Another reviewer says the pizza (available only at lunchtime) is the best she’s had since moving to Ocala! See for yourself why Marcelina’s earns a 4.5 star rating on Yelp. Serving beer and wine.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11am-9pm Sat. Noon-9pm Sun. 2pm-8pm

We’re looking for: Classic Rock • Jazz • Mobile Fidelity Half-Speed Masters • 24K Gold CDs

Call: (352) 208-4242

352.622.5550 53 S. Magnolia Ave, Downtown Ocala

Ivy Restaurant House & Catering

352.528.5410 106 NW Main St, Williston, Fl WWW

@Ivyhousefl 44

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

WEEKENDS AT THE WINERY—Come out and enjoy

live music on the outdoor stage along with an outdoor wine bar, food pavilion, cornhole games, and other outdoor fun. There’s

plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the great views and activities in a safe, social-distancing format.

Free. 12-4pm. Every Saturday and Sunday. Lakeridge Winery. lakeridgewinery.com or (800) 768-9463.

EXPLORE THE APPLETON MUSEUM COLLECTION THROUGH YOUR MOBILE DEVICE—Download this free

mobile app to learn more about

the collection no matter your location! Options available for children and adults. Explore some of the most well-known and beloved works, as well as some you might not be familiar with yet. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

Through August 14

SUMMER SPOTLIGHT XXIII VIRTUAL GALLERY—The

spotlight is on talent in this annual judged and juried exhibit from the members of the Visual Artists’ Society. Due to the closing of the College of Central Florida’s campus because of COVID-19, this year’s Summer Spotlight Exhibition is online only this year. The theme of this year’s spotlight was artwork that used a “Split Complimentary” color scheme. Webber Center Gallery. cf.edu or 873-5809.

THE ULTIMATE ROD STEWART EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL CONCERT—Party

like a rock star in the comfort of your own home! Rob Caudill’s distinctive, naturally raspy voice sounds like the legendary singer, and his range easily nails every high note from Stewart’s younger days. $20-24. 7pm. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

GREASE SING-A-LONG-A August 21 The brand new sing-along screening of the classic film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John brought to you by the producers of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music! Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a T-Bird or a Pink Lady but never quite felt cool enough to pull it off? Well, now is your chance to don those pink jackets, grease up those quiffs, and let your inhibitions go for an evening where you are the stars and remember “grease” is the word! $24. 7:30pm.

Reilly Arts Center. reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

July 4

RED, WHITE & OSO BLUE—Join the OSO Brass

Ensemble in a celebration of our country’s independence! From sea to shining sea, this concert should be a stunning salute to the USA. Guest conductor Chip Birkner leads the ensemble in a concert with patriotic favorites that include “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man,” “American Revolutionary War

Medley,” and a special tribute to the Armed Forces. 3pm. $15.

Reilly Arts Center, Downtown. reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606. * Due to social distancing guidelines, in-person guests will be assigned a seat when they arrive to the theater. Reilly Arts Center staff and volunteers will be wearing masks, and suggest that patrons wear one as well. Enjoy for free via live stream!

July 17

AC/DC’S BACK IN BLACK

BY CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE—Experience Classic

Albums LIVE as they perform the music of AC/DC’s “Back in Black” note for Note and cut for cut. $20-35. 7:30pm. Reilly Arts Center. reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

July 24-25

SOUTHEASTERN PRO RODEO—Get ready for two

jam-packed performances filled with exciting competition in saddle and bareback bronc riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and the most dangerous eight seconds in any sport, bull riding. $18. Gates open at 5:30pm, performances begin at 7:30pm. Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. ocalarodeo.com.

July 24-25

THE KING’S WELCOME HOME WEEKEND—ETA

Festivals presents the first Elvis event since the shutdown, a three-night event that will be filled with some amazing moments and four tribute artists.

Because of the necessary precautions as suggested by the CDC, there will be a limited seating arrangement and only

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

45

NOTE: Due to Covid 19, events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling. Please check with the venue’s website for updates.

46

THE KING’S WELCOME HOME WEEKEND July 24-26 ETA Festivals presents the first Elvis event since the shutdown, a three-night event that will be filled with some amazing moments and four tribute artists. Because of the necessary precautions as suggested by the CDC, there will be a limited seating arrangement and only be a limited amount of weekend passes sold. Passes are $180. 7pm Friday and Saturday, 3pm Sunday. The Rainbow Room—19330 SW 83rd Place Road, Dunnellon. elvis-weekend.com or 789-7269.

ELVIS WEEKEND August 21-22 Cote Deonath brings his award-winning Elvis tribute to the Orange Blossom Opry. Check for pricing and times. obopry.com or 821-1201.

be a limited amount of weekend passes sold. Passes are $180.

7pm Friday and Saturday, 3pm Sunday. The Rainbow Room— 19330 SW 83rd Place Road, Dunnellon. elvis-weekend.com or 789-7269.

August 1

COMPLETELY UNCHAINED—WIND FM

Rocks the Reilly series presents the ultimate Van Halen tribute!

Completely Unchained includes four talented and creative musicians who recreate the ultimate Van Halen production— the attitude, sounds, excitement, energy, and fun. Don’t miss some of the greatest hard rock songs ever recorded! $15-30.

7:30pm. Reilly Arts Center. reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

ROCKY & THE ROLLERS—Back by

popular demand, this is one of the most exciting shows that will have you dancing all night to the great sound of doo wop and rock and roll from the 1950s through the 1970s. You do not want to miss Rocky and The Rollers! $15-17. 7:00pm.

Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World. csculturalcenter.com or 854-3670.

August 14

BILLY JOEL’S THE STRANGER

BY CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE—Classic

Albums Live takes classic albums and recreates them live,

OCALA’S GOOD LIFE retirement redefined

on stage note for note, cut for cut. Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live has become the ultimate destination for music lovers wanting to hear the greatest albums performed live without all the gimmickry and cheesy impersonations.

Relying only on the music, using what Martin refers to as “the world’s best musicians,” Classic Albums Live has defined itself as a mainstay in performing arts centers across North America. $20-35. 7:30pm. Reilly Arts Center. reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

August 21

GREASE SING-A-LONG-A—

The brand new sing-along screening of the classic film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John brought to you by the producers of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music! Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a T-Bird or a Pink Lady but never quite felt cool enough to pull it off? Well, now is your chance to don those pink jackets, grease up those quiffs, and let your inhibitions go for an evening where you are the stars and remember “grease” is the word! $24. 7:30pm. Reilly Arts Center. reillyartscenter.com or 351-1606.

August 21-22

ELVIS WEEKEND—Cote

Deonath brings his awardwinning Elvis tribute to the Orange Blossom Opry. Check for pricing and times. obopry.com or 821-1201.

August 28-29

DERBY DAYS BARREL RACE WEEKEND—This is

a fun-filled weekend of barrel racing, which includes the Kentucky Derby for all of the Racing enthusiasts. 8am-6pm.

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. ocalamarion.com or 671-8600.

Presented By

March 27 & 28

We love bugs

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm Gates Open at 5:30pm

to death.

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Ocala, Florida

Presented By

Presented By

With over 30 years experience, Brick City Pest Control serves Ocala and Marion County.

Whether your problem is with termites, ants, chinch bugs, bed bugs, or just garden-variety bugs, we’ll protect your home and family… guaranteed.

Maarcrhch2727& & M 2828 Presented By

Friday & Saturday Friday & Saturday at at 7:30pm 7:30pm Gates Open at 5:30pm Gates Open at 5:30pm

Southeastern Livestock M arcOcala, h2 7 &Pavilion 28 Florida Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Ocala, Florida

Call (352) 732-4244 for your free inspection, and we’ll love your bugs to death.

Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm Gates Open at 5:30pm

Rand Hollon

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Ocala, Florida

Owner

July 24th & 25th

Fri. & Sat. at 7:30pm Gates Open at 5:30pm Southeastern Livestock Pavilion • Ocala

OcalaRodeo.com

( 3 5 2 ) 7 3 2- 4 2 4 4 • w w w. b ri c kc i t y p e s t . c o m

Consider Voting by Mail!

Convenient and Secure. No Lines or Crowds.

888-744-8499

come home to 20-21 Season

Request Your Mail Ballot Today:

www.VoteMarion.Gov/mbrs VoteByMail@VoteMarion.Gov 352-620-3290 Primary Election: August 18 Request Deadline: August 8 by 5 PM

sept 24 – oct 25

nov 19 – dec 20

jan 14 – feb 7

feb 25 – march 21

april 8 – may 2

may 27 – june 27

General Election: November 3 Request Deadline: October 24 by 5 PM

352.236.2274 OcalaCivicTheatre.com

Para asistencia en español, comuníquese al 866-479-3290.

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