Ocala Magazine August 2026

$9.95 Ocala’s City Magazine Since 1980 Serving the Horse Capital of the World®

OCALA MAGAZINE AUGUST 2026

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Marion Cultural Alliance Ocala Art Group

Just Listed

STUNNING 109.29±LIVING ACRES ON 225 RESORT-STYLE ON NW 42.83HWY ACRES

14281 N US Hwy 441, Citra 32113 — Equestrian estate just 16 miles from WEC. The main residence showcases extensive

improvements completed in 2021, including a spacious owner’s suite addition with a luxurious spa-inspired bath and a beautifully appointed custom gourmet kitchen. A stunning entryway with soaring ceilings makes an impression, while the thoughtfully designed floor plan blends elegance with everyday comfort. Step outside to your own private retreat, where a newly constructed resort-style pool and spa overlook the picturesque pastures. Designed with the equestrian lifestyle in mind, the property features a state-of-the-art 16-stall center-aisle barn, a secondary 4-stall barn, multiple fenced paddocks, and ample space for riding, training, or expanding your operation. An approximately 1,800 SF guest house offers 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, and an attached garage, providing comfortable accommodations for guests, staff, or potential rental income. $4,250,000

RAINBOW RIVER

LAKE WEIR 27± ACRES

11685 E Blue Cove Dr, Dunnellon, 34432 — $2,500,000

SE Sunset Harbor Rd, Weirsdale 32195 — $3,900,000

• 90 feet of frontage and private dock on Rainbow River.

• 6,040± SF • Two expansive screened porches.

• Grand foyer, vaulted ceilings in great room, and gourmet kitchen.

• Owner’s suite with fireplace, spa-inspired bath, and stunning river views.

• Approximately 980± feet of frontage on Lake Weir.

• One of the highest elevations around the lake (135± feet).

• Enjoy activities like boating, skiing, and swimming, along with access to a sandy beach.

• Suitable for a private estate, family retreat, or investment opportunity.

Equestrian Properties G PENDIN

10± ACRE EQUESTRIAN FARM

16421 W Hwy 326, Morriston 32668 — $1,078,350

• Gated entrance, paved drive, and board fencing.

• Open-concept residence with three bedrooms, three full baths, and a dedicated office space.

• Screen-enclosed pool and lanai with views of the barn, paddocks, and countryside.

• Well-appointed center-aisle barn.

• Close to HITS, WEC, and other equestrian facilities, providing a turnkey lifestyle.

STARTING POINT 17± OR 41± ACRES

4450 SE 216th Ave, Morriston 32668 — $2,000,500 or $3,000,000

• Multiple barns with a total of 89 stalls to accommodate various training programs.

• 2 Eurocizers, 2 round pens, and 10 fenced paddocks.

• Deeded access to a ⅝-mi track with starting gate.

• 5-BR main home with a pool and a 3-BR, 2-BA apartment for on-site management or staff housing.

• Under 6 mi from HITS and under 15 mi from WEC. 20± ACRES ALONG DESIRABLE 225A CORRIDOR

9549 NW 80th Ave, Ocala 34482 — $3,400,000

• Main residence with attached three-car garage.

Suitable for both private enjoyment and professional operations.

• 8-stall concrete block barn with well-appointed living quarters.

• Offering privacy, accessibility, and long-term value just minutes from WEC and HITS.

List with us today!

Considering Ocala?

STUNNING 109.29± ACRES ON NW HWY 225 COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA ESTATE

7387 SE 12th Cir, Ocala 34480 — Welcome to a stunning estate in the Country Club of Ocala, where timeless architecture and modern elegance meet. This residence features a striking copper-toned roof, stone accents, and grand interiors with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The gourmet kitchen boasts custom cabinetry and a spacious island, flowing seamlessly into the living areas. With 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, plus an office and media room, there’s ample space for comfort. The outdoor oasis includes a resort-style pool, covered patio, outdoor kitchen, and a detached garage that could serve as a man cave, or in-law suite, offering an extraordinary lifestyle in a premier golf community. $2,664,550

TURNING HAWK – 5± ACRES

ELEGANT LIVING IN THE COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA

1351 SE 91st Pl, Ocala 34480 — $1,399,000

7122 SE 12th Cir, Ocala 34480 — $995,430

• Gated community • Access to Florida greenways and trails • Grand foyer & elegant interiors filled with natural light • 4 Bedrooms • 4.5 Baths • Plus Office • 4,686± SF • Family room features coffered ceilings and Italian marble fireplace.

• Rich finishes, tray ceilings, and abundant natural light.

• Extensive cabinetry, granite countertops, a center island, and open flow to main living areas.

• Spacious covered lanai, screened pool enclosure, and a beautiful fire pit area for entertaining year-round.

• Nestled in a prestigious gated golf community.

Let Me Show You Ocala!

STUNNING 109.29± ACRES ON NW HWY 225 LAKE WIER — SUNSET HARBOR BOULEVARD

11035 SE Sunset Harbor Rd, Summerfield 34491 — Extraordinary luxury waterfront estate nestled on over 3 acres. Gated and winding driveway leads to a stunning paver portico. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the great room frame the breathtaking views and over 200 feet of lake frontage. Culinary enthusiasts will love the chef-inspired kitchen, generous cabinet space, and cozy eat-in nook with panoramic views of the lake. The primary suite includes a private balcony and a luxurious bathroom. Four of the six bedrooms are on the main level. Two upstairs suites have their own bathroom. Dedicated game room complete with a half bath and built-in bar, and a state-of-the-art theater room. Steps away is the screened pool area with an entertainer’s bar overlooking the water plus a custom outdoor bar. The guest house or in-law suite has its own entrance, kitchen, and living area. Waterfront amenities include a private beach, boathouse with storage, double boat and jet ski lifts for easy lake access. $2,800,000

CLOSE TO FLORIDA HORSE PARK – 24± ACRES

117± ACRE PROPERTY NEAR I-75 AND HWY 326

500 SE 69th Pl, Ocala 34480 — $2,550,000

9126 NW 49th Avenue Rd, Ocala 34482 — $2,583,680

• 3 Bedrooms • 3.5 Baths • 4 Car Garage • 11-stall barn, complete with two upstairs apartments • Gated and perimeter-fenced equestrian property • 3 connecting buildings • Close to Santos Trail-head and Country Club of Ocala

• Offering privacy, accessibility, and opportunity • Fully fenced and cross-fenced • Large metal barn with 16 stalls • Suitable for cattle, horses, or livestock operations

If you’re considering buying or selling, give us a call today!

352-804-8989 | 352-547-6434 | joan@ joanpletcher.com Visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos, and more choices.

Due to the privacy and at clients’ discretion, there are additional training centers, estates, and land available that are not advertised.

The Equestrian Manor at World Equestrian Center – Ocala sets a new standard for luxury events in Central Florida. Conveniently situated adjacent to The Riding Academy Hotel and The Shoppes Off 80th, guests can experience refined event spaces alongside extraordinary culinary offerings.

OCALASALES@WEC.NET | MEETATWEC.COM | 352.414.7850

play

62 Heart of Home: Kendra Brazzel 64 Society: America’s 250 Gala 66 Community: West Port High School Senior Art Show; Ocala Art Group Opening Reception; Corridor Connect+ 72 Recipe: Food to Gather Around 74 Dining Out

COVER Zac Petty | PHOTO Hannah Durham

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76 Everything Equine: What do Horsemanship and Business have in common?

78 Health Journal: Building Healthcare’s Future 80 State of the City: A Star-Spangled Weekend 82 State of the County: Keeping Tails Wagging 84 From the Library: Mosaics 86 Maddie’s Take: New School, Same Me

features

22 A Celebration of the Arts 34 Behind the Music 44 The Healing Arts 48 Floral Arrangements 54 Marathon with a Mission

departments

16 Letter from the Publisher 18 From the Mayor 20 Business Marketplace 90 Last Look

8 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

88 Destinations: Discover our True Colors on the Horse Fever Trail

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OCALA’S MOST AWARDWINNING CITY MAGAZINE

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS

Philip Glassman, CCIM | Publisher philip@ocalamagazine.com

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

EDITORIAL

ART

CONTRIBUTORS

Sharon Raye | Editor

Em Agency | Design

sharon@ocalamagazine.com

OM Staff | Digital Media

Mark Anderson | Columnist Sandra Barnidge | Freelance Writer Darling Hill | Columnist Madison Glassman | Columnist Mayor Ben Marciano | Columnist

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

Louisa Barton | Equine Editor

Hannah Durham | Staff Photographer OPERATIONS

Sarah Lajealle | Art Editor

Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO

sarah@ocalamagazine.com

randy@ocalamagazine.com

Ocala Magazine Wins Three 2026 Florida Magazine Association Awards!

EDITORIAL OR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 352.622.2995 OCALAMAGAZINE.COM OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER | HOPS — Historic Ocala Preservation Society Media Partner | Live Oak International, Marion County Public Library, Reilly Arts Center, and the World Equestrian Center.

FOLLOW US ON OFFICE 743 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 4649, Ocala, FL 34478 PRESS RELEASES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@ocalamagazine.com COPYRIGHT ALL contents copyrighted ©2026 by Ocala Magazine Publications. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of editorial or advertising content in any manner without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Horse Capital of the World® is a registered trademark of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association.

10 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

CONTRIBUTORS Philip Glassman, CCIM, Publisher Philip has been at the helm of OM for eight years with over 27 FMA awards. He is also an astute businessman, working primarily in the commercial real estate arena, and joint venturing in business start-ups. Philip is a current SAG-AFTRA actor, a creative thinker, and father to two beautiful children

Penny Miller, VP/Corporate Development Penny has been with OM for over 20 years. She’s authored five books, owns a media company, and founded the Marion County Homeless Coalition.

Penny has owned her Insurance & Financial Business for over 35 years. She was appointed Commissioner by four governors, served on the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation Advisory Board, and led the College Park Kiwanis Club. Her greatest joy is her four children and five grandchildren.

Em Agency, Design

Sharon Raye, Editor

The Em team specializes in marketing, branding and publication design. They are led by Jamie Mark, who served as the Creative Director of Ocala Magazine from 2005 to 2009 and the Editorial/ Creative Director until 2011—it's most awardwinning era. Learn more at emagency.com.

Sharon, a South Florida native, has lived in Ocala for over a decade. A former actress and model with 20 years of experience in Florida, New York, and abroad, she is passionate about the arts, writing, and natural health. She enjoys travel, good food, and new cultures, with her daughter as her greatest joy.

Sarah Lajealle, Art Editor

Ronald W. Wetherington, Society Editor

Sarah studied English and History at Purdue University and Biblical Studies at Indiana Wesleyan. She has lived in Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina, eventually settling in Ocala in 2020. Sarah’s artwork has been shown at the Appleton Museum of Art. A mother of three, she is passionate about living an authentic life.

Born to a pioneering Miami family, Ron moved to Ocala in 2007 and purchased the Fort King Manor apartment building in Ocala's prestigious historic district. Since his early days as a society editor in Miami Beach, Ron has devoted his writing and dedicated his photography to charity.

Mayor Ben Marciano, Columnist

Ryan Kirby, Columnist

Born in New York and raised in Ocala, Ben is the mayor of Ocala and co-owner of Zone Health and Fitness with his wife, Danielle. A former executive director of the DeLuca YMCA, he holds an associate degree in criminal justice from the College of Central Florida. Ben and Danielle have three children and attend Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.

Ryan is a public relations specialist with Ocala Electric Utility and a proud Ocala native. A University of Florida graduate, he began his career with the City of Ocala in 2014 and remains passionate about keeping residents informed and engaged. Ryan lives in Ocala with his wife, Aly, and their two daughters.

Madison Glassman, Columnist

Mark Anderson, Columnist

Madison is a middle school student whose favorite subject is Language Arts. Dancing is her ultimate passion. She’s been going to dance school since she was only three years old. As a proud member of the OM team, she loves getting involved in the creative process of writing her column.

Mark Anderson is a Public Relations Specialist for Marion County, where he specializes in photography, writing and anything else that comes his way.

Hannah Durham, Photographer

Louisa Barton, Equine Editor

Hannah is a photographer and creative who loves cooking and working on creative projects. When she isn’t behind the camera, she coaches tennis and loves hunting through thrift shops for pieces with character. She’s passionate about creativity, community, and finding beauty in everyday life.

Louisa is the Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, Realtor at Black Horse Realty and host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3, Audacy.com and Equus Television

Sandra Barnidge, Freelance Writer Sandra Barnidge is a freelance writer based in Gainesville. She covers science, arts, and culture for a range of publications. She’s also the author of The Diamondbacks, a novel about sports and religion in the South.

12 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

KINDNESS, EMPATHY AND COMMUNITY

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352-888-2277 | weideautomotive.com We Accept Contactless Payments

WE OFFER TOURS GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF YOUR WATER’S JOURNEY Have you ever wondered what happens after water goes down the drain or how nature helps keep our environment clean?

Join us for guided tours of the: Water Treatment Plant (WTP) The WTP performs a vital role in serving over 60,000 citizens and ensuring that safe drinking water is supplied 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Water Reclamation Facilities The City of Ocala collects, treats, and disposes of all the wastewater produced by its residents and visitors.

Ocala Wetland Recharge Park This man-made wetland ecosystem was constructed to improve water quality and boost regional groundwater supplies. The park sits on a 60-acre site and is home to educational exhibits, paved walking trails, and wildlife overlooks.

Sign Up for Your Water Tour Explore Ocala’s water systems, from treatment to wetlands.

Scan the QR Code to schedule your tour.

All requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.

352-351-6772

www.ocalafl.gov/waterresources

Ocala International Airport Ocala International Airport Ocala Aviation 352-861-7484 OcalaAviation.com

PRP Aviation Fly Dynasty Flight School Epic Flight Academy 352-517-7075 352-999-7529 1-866-FLY-EPIC PrpAviation.com (352) 629-8377FlyDynastyCorp.com | OcalaAirport.comEpicFlightAcademy.com

Ocala International Airport

Ocala Ocala International Airport International

Ocala Aviation 352-861-7484 OcalaAviation.com

PRP Aviation Epic Flight Academy Fly Dynasty Flight School 352-517-7075 352-999-7529 1-866-FLY-EPIC PrpAviation.com FlyDynastyCorp.com (352) 629-8377 | OcalaAirport.comEpicFlightAcademy.com

Ocala International Airport

Proav Charters 352-237-4030 www.proavcharters.com Proav Charters 352-237-4030 www.proavcharters.com

Ocala International Airport

(352) (352) 629-8377 629-8377 || OcalaAirport.com OcalaAirport.com

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | FEB 2026 |

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | FEB 2026 |

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publisher NOTE

from the publisher

W

The Art of Community

ith August, we begin to wrap up another summer and look ahead to a new season. I recently took a trip with my children, and it was a wonderful reminder of the importance of spending time with the people we love and making memories that will stay with us long after the trip is over.

While I was in San Francisco, I came across a quote

by Maya Angelou that really resonated with me: “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”

As I reflected on those words, I couldn’t help but think about this month’s Arts Issue. The artists, musicians, performers, educators, and nonprofit organizations featured in these pages all help make Ocala and Marion County a more vibrant place to live. Through their creativity, they inspire us, bring people together, preserve our culture, FROM LEFT: Madison, Brax, and Philip Glassman at Mastro’s Steakhouse in San Francisco; Maddie and Brax Glassman and remind us of the power art has to enrich lives.

Our Charity of the Month, Arts in Health Ocala Metro, is a great example of that. Their programs show how the arts can promote healing, strengthen connections, and make a real difference throughout our community.

I’d also like to thank the Marion Cultural Alliance and the Ocala Art Group for sharing their talent and helping make this Arts Issue possible. I hope you enjoy the incredible artists, musicians, performers, and creative organizations featured throughout these pages.

As always, thank you to our advertisers and to the businesses and residents of Ocala and Marion County who continue to support Ocala Magazine. Because of your support, we’re able to continue telling the stories that celebrate what makes our community such a special place to live.

And finally, happy birthday to my niece, Talia Mace Gonzalez!

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

16 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

2022 Sportsman’s 2026Dinner Sportsman’s and Auction Dinner and Auction

August 25th, 2022 | 6-9:30pm Thursday, August 20 |at 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Palm Grove Club Oak Run Palm Grove Club at Oak Run

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V i lrias 9mm w orreaabsreim Live and Silent Auctions of Hunting and Fishing Gear

Casual Dress BBQ Dinner Full Bar Included Plus items for|the Ladies, Door|Prizes and Raffle items, too!

Live and$500 silent auctions of Hunting and Fishing Gear - Table of 8 (save $100) or $75 Per Person Plus items for the ladies, door prizes,or and raffle items! www.ocalakiwanis.org for tickets sponsorships

i la eftm o M /Fw h g i l c Types ta s u o i r Va or arms Fire $o1f,000 ation

For More Information Contact Roseann Fricks-Patterson 352-239-1979

$75 per person | $500 for a table of 8 (save $100) Tickets & sponsorships: ocalakiwanis.org More information: Contactfacebook.com/KiwanisClubOfOcala Beverly Angelotti – (352)-470-6711 facebook.com/KiwanisClubofOcala

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mayor NOTE

from the mayor

Celebrating Community

I Seeing neighbors come together to celebrate our country is something I’ll never take for granted.

18 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

n his 1961 inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Our community answered that call this Independence Day. Ocala’s 250th Anniversary Celebration brought thousands of people together for a day of family-friendly activities, great music, good food and an incredible fireworks display. It was a reminder of what makes this community special. I want to thank everyone who helped plan, organize and volunteer to make the celebration such a success. Seeing neighbors come together to celebrate our country is something I’ll never take for granted, and I hope it continues to inspire communities across the nation.

As summer comes to an end and students head back to school, I encourage you to keep enjoying everything our city has to offer. One event I always look forward to is the Sunset Song Series at Citizens’ Circle. The free concert series returns Oct. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. and continues monthly, featuring a variety of family-friendly music, from funk and blues to reggae and country. Bring a chair or blanket, grab dinner downtown beforehand and spend an evening with family and friends enjoying live music under the stars.

As our downtown continues to evolve, I encourage you to support the local businesses that make it unique. Whether you’re meeting friends for dinner, shopping for a gift or simply taking a stroll, every visit makes a difference. With the new parking garage opening soon, visiting downtown will be even more convenient, making it easier to support the entrepreneurs who help keep our city vibrant.

Ben Marciano

MAYOR OF OCALA

Here Herefor for the the unexpected. unexpected.

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When you need help fast, UF Health Ocala Neighborhood Hospital is where convenience meets nationally recognized When fast, Health Ocala is recognized When you you need help fast,ofUF UF Healthimaging Ocala Neighborhood Neighborhood Hospital is where where convenience meets nationally recognized expertise, withneed a fullhelp range on-site and medical Hospital lab services.

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Make UFUF Health Ocala Neighborhood Hospital Make Health Make UF Health Ocala Ocala Neighborhood Neighborhood Hospital Hospital your first choice for 24/7 emergency care. your first choice for 24/7 emergency care. your first choice for 24/7 emergency care.

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MY COUNTRY, ’TIS OF THEE:

Celebrating American Art and Design

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 First Friday Art Walk season.

If you’re an artist, arts organization, downtown business, or business sponsor, now is the time to be part of one of Ocala’s favorite monthly traditions.

Celebrate more than three centuries of American art and design in My Country, ’Tis of Thee, an exhibition honoring the enduring spirit of American creativity and pride. Featuring 115 works, most from the Appleton Museum of Art’s permanent collection, the exhibition includes contemporary furniture, Pop Art, historical photographs, and documents reflecting Marion County’s own history.

Organized around themes inspired by the patriotic anthem “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” written in 1831

by Samuel Francis Smith, the exhibition explores how art has shaped and continues to shape the nation’s collective identity.

ON VIEW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13 AT THE APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART.

The City of Ocala is accepting applications for the 2026–2027 First Friday Art Walk season, which kicks off Friday, Oct. 2, and continues monthly through May 2027. Each Art Walk brings together more than 40 local and regional artists throughout historic downtown Ocala for an evening of creativity, live art demonstrations, music, performances, familyfriendly activities, shopping, and dining.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK DATES

Oct. 2 | Nov. 6 | Dec. 4 | Jan. 8 Feb. 5 | March 5 | April 2 | May 7

APPLY BY SEPT. 7 at ocalafl.gov/artwalk

Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a rolling basis as space becomes available.

THERE’S ROOM FOR YOU Contact Philip Glassman philip@ocalamagazine.com 352-622-2995 City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division | 352-629-8447 | artinfo@ocalafl.gov Photos courtesy of the City of Ocala

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST 2026 |

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arts

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Celebration of the Arts Celebrate the artists and organizations shaping Marion County’s vibrant arts community.

ARTWORK COURTESY OF MARION CULTURAL ALLIANCE AND OCALA ART GROUP

A

rt has a way of telling the story of a community. From galleries and exhibitions to classrooms, workshops, and public spaces, Marion County’s arts scene continues to grow through the dedication of organizations that support both artists and audiences alike. The following pages celebrate that creativity through the work of local artists and the organizations helping to ensure the arts remain an important part of life in our community.

22 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Marion Cultural Alliance

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For 25 years, the Marion Cultural Alliance has helped shape the creative identity of Ocala and Marion County. As the county’s official local arts agency, the nonprofit has championed artists, connected cultural organizations, and created opportunities for the arts to flourish throughout the community. From launching the iconic Horse Fever public art project in 2001 to supporting local artists through grants, exhibitions, and partnerships, MCA has become a driving force behind the region’s cultural growth.

That commitment continues today at the Brick City Center for the Arts, where rotating exhibitions showcase the talent of regional artists and invite the community to experience creativity year-round.

“The arts tell the story of who we are as a community,” says MCA Executive Director Jaye Baillie. “For 25 years, Marion Cultural Alliance has served as the catalyst connecting artists, businesses, nonprofits, and local government to create a thriving cultural landscape that enriches lives and strengthens our economy. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re not just reflecting on our past—we’re looking ahead to the next generation of creativity, collaboration, and community impact.”

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1. “Wet Felted Octopus,” Clarice Ruttenber 2. “Dirge,” Drake Arnold 3. “Reflected in Fragments,” Kendra Brazzel 4. “Autumn Rhapsody,” Gary Borse 5. “Vincent,” Michele Rhodes AKA Draga 6. “Joyride,” Esta Mann 7. “Honor,” Chris Hershberger 8. “Water Dog,” Julie Shealy 9. “Grandeur,” Seth Benzel

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1. “Bully,” Sharon Crute 2. “Garden of Void,” Erika DiGirolamo 3. “Dusk on the High Desert,” Aaron Thomas 4. “Submerged,” Mel Fiorentino

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5 1. “Fruition,” Arlene Wells 2. “Farm Life,” Carmen de Santiago 3. “Flamingo Tango,” Monica Coburn 4. “Robinson Farm,” Gail Bannock 5. “Whimsical Wildflower,” Lee Asta 6. “Serenity Moment,” Yusie Meiti

Ocala Art Group For more than 75 years, the Ocala Art Group has provided a place where artists can learn, create, and grow together.

Founded in 1950, the nonprofit organization is one of Florida’s oldest continuously operating art groups and remains a vibrant part of Marion County’s creative community.

With nearly 100 members and growing, the Ocala Art Group welcomes artists of all experience levels, along with art enthusiasts who share a passion for the visual arts. The organization’s mission extends beyond showcasing artwork.

It fosters artistic development through

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education, mentorship, and a spirit of collaboration that encourages members to continually refine their skills while supporting one another.

Throughout the year, members participate in demonstrations, workshops, presentations, and excursions exploring a variety of artistic techniques and mediums. An Artist Book Club combines literature and visual art by inviting members to create original works inspired by art-centered books, while four annual exhibitions provide opportunities to share their creativity with the community.

“Our members are a talented group of artists who strive to lift up and encourage fellow members to showcase their art”

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Beyond its own membership, the Ocala Art Group actively promotes local artists by displaying members’ work at businesses throughout Ocala, creating opportunities for both public appreciation and art sales. The organization also believes in giving back. Through community partnerships, including donations benefiting the Ocala Blue Star Mothers, members use their artistic talents to support causes that strengthen the community.

“Our members are a talented group of artists who strive to lift up and encourage fellow members to showcase

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their art,” says Exhibition Coordinator Monica Coburn. “Even the most talented benefit from membership. We continue our art education by taking classes or by teaching classes. We seek to grow our membership by inspiring both established and emerging artists in their exploration of the visual arts.”

As the Ocala Art Group continues to grow, it remains committed to preserving its rich history while inspiring the next generation of artists through education, fellowship, exhibitions, and community engagement.

1. “The Race,” Linda DeLuca 2. “Miss Alythia Erin,” Joanie Ford 3. “From the Source,” Heather Doherty Continued on next page 4. “Other Worldly,” Marcelle Schvimmer 5. “Horse,” Linda De Rosa 6. “Inspiration,” Saul Roldan 7. “Cracker Cowgirl,” Sharon Repple

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September 3–20, 2026

Ocala Civic Theatre 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Rated PG-13 | Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama,

RENT is a powerful story of love, friendship, hope, and living life to the fullest.

TICKET INFORMATION

Adults $35-$40 18 & Under $17-$20

(352) 236-2274 ocalacivictheatre.com

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There is no wait list, and you’ll get clinical experience starting the first semester.

Nurses trained at CF have the highest pass rates in the region and are in high demand with local health care providers.

Get started now.

CF.edu/Nursing –an equal opportunity college–

352-873-5800

music

Behind every performance is a story.

Meet Zac Petty, the local musician turning passion, perseverance and talent into a career.

BY SHARON RAYE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

I

hadn’t planned on finding a story. I stopped to listen, expecting to stay for a song or two.

Three hours later, I was still there. It wasn’t just the music that stayed with me. It was the question that followed: Who is the person behind the performance?

Before sitting down with Zac Petty, I never gave much thought to what happens beyond the stage. Like many people, I simply enjoyed the live music. It wasn’t until we talked that I realized how much of an artist’s journey remains unseen: the years of preparation, the balancing act between creating original work and performing the familiar songs audiences

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love, and the countless hours that go into building a life in music.

Raised in Chiefland, Florida, Petty has become a familiar face across Marion County, performing at local venues while steadily building a reputation as a respected working musician. At 29, he performs roughly 200 shows a year, often five nights a week.

The guitar entered his life when he was 12. “My dad just decided for me that I was going to learn how to play the guitar,” Petty said.

“It was a whole new world that I didn’t know existed.”

From that point forward, music became central to nearly everything he did.

He played sports in high school but admits he would sometimes skip football practice to play guitar with an accomplished musician nearby. He grew up in a Christian household and began playing in church, where his father was cautious about the rock music that increasingly captured his attention.

His influences would eventually stretch across genres. He listened to Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive!” nearly every day for several years after an uncle burned him a copy. He studied the work of guitarists including Phil X, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer, Steve Vai and José Feliciano. He gravitated not only toward music he enjoyed, but toward music that challenged him. “I like stuff that’s technically challenging,” he said. “I’m a musician. I don’t listen to stuff just for enjoyment.”

That drive to keep learning shaped his early career. Before stepping forward as a solo artist and songwriter, Petty worked as what musicians call a hired gun, a player brought in to perform with other artists, join bands for particular shows and play on recordings.

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One performance demonstrated just how demanding the job can be; he was asked to learn 47 songs in three days for a New Year’s Eve performance. When the final set list arrived, it included another group of songs he had not been given.

He had only hours to learn the addi-

tional material before making a six-hour drive to the show.

“You’re locking yourself in a room and being a nervous wreck for three days,” he said. “You don’t even have time to eat hardly because you have to learn all these ridiculous songs.”

The job paid $800, plus tips. After the performance, he packed up around 1 a.m., drove six hours home and spent the next few days recovering. “You’re

like, ‘I’m never doing that again,’ until you get offered another $800,” he said.

“It’s a cycle.”

Years of those experiences taught him how to chart songs, creating what he describes as a road map of the chords, changes and structure. With a digital page turner at his feet, he can follow those charts while performing, sometimes learning the finer details of a song while he is already playing it for an audience.

Preparation, he believes, is what creates opportunity.

“The more prepared and adept you are, the more gigs you’ll get,” he said.

That preparation is also what allows him to move between roles. He can lead a solo show, accompany another singer, step into a band or play guitar on a recording. Although audiences know him as a singer-songwriter, he is equally comfortable stepping into a supporting role with another artist.

When he performs alone, however, Petty sees his responsibility as something larger than playing the right chords and singing the right lyrics.

“My job is not to play music,” he said. “My job is to take over the room and direct everyone to have a good time.”

That ability did not come naturally. Petty describes himself as painfully shy when he was younger. Music pushed him to stand in front of people, interact with strangers and eventually command a crowd.

“I was such an introvert before I started playing music, and now I’m the polar opposite,” he said. “It allowed me to be in front of people and be OK.” It also taught him that musicians cannot expect an audience to care simply because they have talent. They have to

give people a reason to pay attention.

Petty knows that perspective can seem harsh. “That sounds cynical, but until someone is famous, people don’t know that they care about them,” he said. “You have to give them a reason.”

For Petty, that means thinking beyond the music. It means understanding the business, learning how to market himself and recognizing what an audience needs from a performance.

“You have to be a nonartsy person to be good at marketing,” he said. “You have to be a non-artsy person to be able to get people to pay attention.”

But when it comes to songwriting, Petty shifts into a different mindset.

Rather than waiting for one sweeping moment of inspiration, Petty often begins with something small: a funny observation, an insignificant detail, a moment of heartbreak or a phrase that catches his attention.

“I look at the little insignificant, silly things in life,” he said. “Sometimes they can be really moving.”

He does not believe in forcing a song. Even when he is the one writing it, he describes the process as receiving something rather than manufacturing it.

“These songs come from nothingness and then become something,” he said.

He also thinks carefully about what makes a song connect. A strong song, he believes, needs multiple moments that pull a listener in, whether through lyrics, rhythm, repetition or an unexpected musical change.

Although he performs a broad repertoire to meet the needs of the room, Petty describes his own sound as Southern rock, with elements of country and folk. His longer-term goal is to release an album of original music, something

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he has been working toward since around 2017.

The cost to record it, he estimates, is approximately $7,900.

What he already has is a network of musicians he has met through years of playing on other people’s records. He has guitarists, drummers, keyboard players

“My job is not to play music. My job is to take over the room and direct everyone to have a good time.”

and other professionals he believes can help bring the songs to life.

“I’ve got all these people who want to play on my records,” he said. “I just have to say, ‘Here are the songs,’ and they’re going to be like, ‘OK, let’s make you sound like a million bucks.’”

Until that album exists, Petty believes certain opportunities remain just out of reach, not because they aren’t available, but because he wants to make the most

of them. He has opened for nationally known artists and built relationships with musicians he could potentially tour or perform with again. But without original music available for listeners to discover afterward, there is little for new fans to connect with or for him to build upon.

“I’ve got a lot of opportunities that are just waiting,” he said.

“They’re ready to take off like a rocket as soon as I have an album out.”

Still, Petty does not speak as though he has arrived. Instead, one of the clearest themes running through our conversation was his desire to remain uncomfortable.

“You always want to be the least good musician in the room,” he said. “You want to get around people where you are the worst musician in the room. That is when you’ll get better every single time.”

He believes time alone does not make someone better. A musician can play for decades and still repeat the same year of experience over and over if they never challenge themselves.

“If you’re not consistently being uncomfortable, then you’re not learning anything,” he said.

“When you’re complacent, you’re wasting your life and your time.”

That pursuit has required sacrifice.

Petty says the demands of performing have affected relationships and influenced his decision to wait before having children. With a schedule built around hundreds of shows, rehearsals and travel, he does not believe he could give a family the attention it would deserve right now. “I’ve been in relationships before where they wanted me to choose between them and the music,” he said. “People don’t get to touch my dreams anymore.”

Dr. Ananthan (“Dr. A”) and Dr. Varatharajah (“Dr. V”) bring extensive experience, leadership, and a wealth of knowledge to OFMC. We are thrilled to have them join our practice as we continue to expand our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare to our community.

Beginning in July 2026, OFMC will become one of the official hosting sites for UCF’s School of Medicine and sponsored by HCA Florida Ocala Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program. Dr. Ananthan (Associate Program Director) and Dr. Varatharajah (core Faculty) who have many years of experience in graduate medical education, will lead this program at OFMC. Physician residents will rotate through our office under the direct oversight and supervision of these two attending physicians, while working alongside our experienced medical staff.

Participating in a GME program allows OFMC to play a more active role in training future physicians in a comprehensive, patient-centered environment. We believe the culture, compassion, and quality of care our OFMC providers and staff deliver every day are exactly the kind of healthcare experiences we hope future physicians will carry forward throughout their careers.

“At Ocala Family Medical Center, we believe that investing in physician education is an investment in our community’s health.

For decades, we have proudly served as a training site for medical students and other healthcare learners, helping to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. This partnership allows Internal Medicine residents to gain valuable experience in a diverse, patient-centered outpatient environment while expanding access to high-quality primary care throughout Marion County. We are honored to continue our tradition of medical education and to play a role in developing future physicians who will help meet our region’s growing healthcare needs.” —Larry Mayfield, CEO

IMPORTANT NOTE: OFMC’s participation as a hosting site for UCF’s School of Medicine and sponsored by HCA Florida Ocala Graduate Medical Education Program is not a merger, acquisition, or buyout. This is simply a collaborative educational partnership focused on continuing OFMC’s long history of physician training and healthcare excellence. Ocala Family Medical Center remains privately owned, locally operated, and fully committed to the same patient-focused care our community has trusted for years.

His devotion to performing has also challenged his health.

Petty was hospitalized for a week with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. He said the damage was severe and that, at one point, he could barely walk. Yet two days after leaving the hospital, he traveled to perform at events in New Jersey and New York.

“When I stood up out of the hospital bed, my heart did a jump,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a weird feeling. I should not have gone.’”

He now recognizes the danger in the mentality that pushed him back onstage so quickly.

“I had this weird mentality of the show must go on, and it almost killed me,” he said.

The experience did not lessen his love for music, but it gave new weight to a phrase he had used casually before.

“I’ve told people many times that I will die onstage,” he said. “I don’t want to die onstage. I hope I don’t die onstage. It would be pretty scary.”

Today, he is more aware of the toll that performing can take, especially on his voice. Five solo shows in a week can be demanding.

Playing guitar with a band gives him a chance to rest his voice and enjoy being part of something without carrying the entire performance.

“I just get to stand there and play the guitar, and I don’t have to steer the ship,” he said.

For all the intensity with which he approaches music, Petty is equally quick to laugh at himself. He admits that most of the money he has spent over the past 17 years has gone toward guitars and equipment. New pieces regularly arrive in the mail, much to the amusement of

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those close to him.“I have a problem,” he joked. “Somehow my girlfriend stays with me.”

That humor is also part of his presence onstage.

During one performance, Petty thanked the audience for coming out and encouraged them to support the

venue. When he mentioned that he would be sticking with water to keep his voice in good shape for the rest of the night, someone called out, “I’ll buy you a beer!”

Petty smiled. “If you really want to buy me something,” he replied, “you can buy me a cheeseburger.”

The crowd laughed, and moments later he was back to doing what he had come there to do: sing, play guitar and

keep the room engaged. The cheeseburger arrived a short time later.

So did a compliment from the man who bought it, who told Petty he had never seen a musician turn down a beer in order to protect his voice. It was a small exchange, but one that captured the balance Petty seems to carry with him: discipline without self-importance, ambition mixed with humor and an understanding that the work matters, even when the setting is casual.

When asked what he hopes someone remembers after seeing him perform for the first time, Petty did not hesitate. “What the heck was that?” he said.

“That’s what I want.”

He wants listeners to leave believing they have heard one of the best voices and some of the best guitar playing they have encountered. He wants them to remember the experience and look for the next opportunity to hear him again.

It’s easy to think of a local musician simply as the person providing the soundtrack to an evening. What we don’t always see are the years of writing, practicing, performing, learning, sacrificing and creating that make those moments possible.

Every performance is only one small piece of an artist’s story.

Connect with Zac Petty—

@zacpettymusic

Want a frontrow seat?

Scan the QR code to watch Zac’s July 2nd performance at Mustangs & Mulligans.

Four Steps

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healing

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Arts in Health Ocala Metro is transforming lives through creativity, bringing healing, hope and human connection.

BY SHARON RAYE PHOTOS COURTESY OF AIHOM

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ounded in 2022 by Lisa Irwin, Arts in Health Ocala Metro (AIHOM) is a nonprofit that connects art and healing through creative experiences designed to improve mental and physical well-being. Since its founding, the organization has served more than 17,000 individuals, including children, veterans, adults with developmental disabilities, people living with dementia, cancer patients, caregivers and individuals recovering from addiction.

Rather than asking people to come to an art studio, AIHOM brings professional teaching artists into hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, veteran organizations, recovery programs and community agencies throughout Marion County. Every program is designed around the needs of the people being served, using visual art, music, movement, writing and other creative disciplines to complement each setting’s goals.

Across Marion County, AIHOM partners with organizations such as AdventHealth, the Ocala Veteran Center, SMA Healthcare, College Park Elementary and Transitions Life Center to bring those programs directly into the communities they serve. At AdventHealth, professional artists work alongside pediatric rehabilitation therapists, using music and visual art to support occupational, physical and speech therapy. Through its partnership with the

Ocala Veteran Center, veterans use creative expression to build confidence, strengthen social connections and rediscover a sense of purpose. At SMA Healthcare, participants recovering from addiction use the arts to explore identity and reduce anxiety. At College Park Elementary, music and visual arts help create calmer classrooms where students report feeling less nervous and more engaged in learning. At Transitions Life Center, creative experiences help adults with developmental disabilities build confidence and foster social connection. AIHOM also offers the Memory Café for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, as well as Chair Movement classes that support cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

While those populations are vastly different, Executive Director Patricia Tomlinson says they all share one thing in common.

“The common theme amongst all of us is that people thrive when they express their creativity. Whether they are singing a favorite song, moving paint around a canvas, dancing with their children or journaling, we have an inherent need to express ourselves creatively.”

That philosophy shapes every AIHOM program. Rather than focusing on the finished artwork, the organization focuses on what participants experience while creating it.

“We focus on what a person feels when they create more than on the thing a person creates,” Tomlinson said.

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Those moments often become the organization’s greatest measure of success. Tomlinson recalls a young child who initially resisted participating but, over the course of several weeks, began engaging with the artist, saying the artist’s name, “thank you” and “goodbye,” and eventually looked forward to each session.

She also remembers a husband and wife dancing together for the first time in 20 years after he recognized “their” song.

The personal stories are supported by measurable outcomes. Veterans who participated in AIHOM programs reported Chris with Champions for Champions

Art in City Space

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a 56% increase in feelings of belonging, patients recovering from addiction experienced a 62% reduction in worry, and students at College Park Elementary reported 50% less nervousness after participating in art and music interventions.

Through more than 1,700 workshops, AIHOM has brought creative experiences directly to hospitals, schools, senior centers and community organizations across Marion County.

Looking across AIHOM’s partnerships, a pattern begins to emerge.

Whether working with children in rehabilitation, veterans, students, adults in recovery or people living with dementia, Participants at Eighth Avenue

the organization isn’t really measuring artistic success. It’s measuring human outcomes: confidence, belonging, communication and joy. The art simply becomes the pathway that helps people get there.

What began as an idea to connect art and healing has grown into a network of partnerships serving thousands of people across Marion County. In the process, AIHOM has shown how creativity can play a meaningful role in healthcare, education and community life.

To learn more about AIHOM’s programs and community partnerships, visit aihocala.org.

Eighth Avenue Summer Camp

garden

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floral Arangements Before Simple Haven Florals was a business, it was just too many zinnias.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

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iv worked in children’s case management first, sitting with families through some of the hardest moments of their lives. It wore on her. Flowers were where she went to reset—something alive that didn’t ask anything of her except water.

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She left case management for a flower shop in Crystal River, where she worked for about two years. She’d always loved flowers. That part wasn’t new. What she learned was what she didn’t love: traditional arrangements, tight and formulaic.

She also started noticing where the flowers actually came from. Most of them shipped up from South America, days old before they even came through the shop doors.

While she was there, she started following other growers online. They were in her own growing zone, posting photos of cut flower gardens right here in Florida. “I didn’t know we could do that in Florida,” she says. So she started growing a few flowers at home, just for fun, alongside her shop job.

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“Nature is already beautiful.

I just let the flowers show how they want to be used.”

That hobby didn’t stay small for long.

Within a year, Liv had a full cutting garden and more flowers than she knew what to do with. Buckets of them, with nowhere to go but into arrangements.

It was the same pull flowers had always had on her, just on a bigger scale. That’s how Simple Haven Florals started.

When she landed on the name, “Haven” wasn’t just a word. It was what flowers had become for her.

Liv builds arrangements the way flowers actually grow: a little wild, a little uneven, nothing forced into place.

“Nature is already beautiful,” she says.

“I just let the flowers show how they want to be used.” That’s the whole philosophy. Bringing the outdoors in, and

letting it stay a little messy once it gets there.

It shows in her work. Liv still builds with structure: base, line, focal, secondary, and filler. But she doesn’t stop there. Once the structure is in, she goes back through and loosens it. She lets a stem lean, pulls a bloom forward, breaks the shape she just built. That’s where an arrangement stops looking assembled and starts looking grown. It isn’t the absence of structure—it’s knowing exactly when to let it go.

The same flowers that end up in her arrangements grow steps from her door.

They don’t travel across continents or sit in warehouses. Just a piece of the garden, gathered.

Grow Your Own Bouquet Liv’s advice for a home cutting garden starts underground, before anything blooms. Healthy soil, enriched with compost. From there, it’s consistency. Regular watering, worm castings, and a boost of fish fertilizer to keep everything fed.

Here are her picks for a first cutting garden.

• Zinnia. Reliable and easy to grow.

• Celosia. Also called Shimmer Feather. Easy to grow and heat-tolerant.

• White dill. Also called false Queen Anne’s lace. Fast-growing and low-maintenance.

Build This Bouquet Scan the QR code to watch Liv arrange these flowers into a natural bouquet in a mason jar, working through the same base, line, focal, secondary, and filler structure—from garden to table.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST 2026 |

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As part of Empath Health’s commitment to Full Life Care, our support goes beyond the medical. From music and aromatherapy to counseling and grief support, we offer services that soothe the spirit and nurture the heart.

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marathon

54 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

WITH A MISSION For more than 30 years, University of Florida students have raised millions for pediatric health.

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BY SANDRA BARNRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF UF DANCE MARATHON

t the end of every spring semester, hundreds of students at the University of Florida gather at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, aka the O’Dome, for a 26.2-hour “marathon” of dancing, cartwheeling, and motivational speeches, among other upbeat activities. Yet between the bursts of activity that help to keep spirits high in the arena throughout the event, students are completing the real work of the annual marathon: calling friends, relatives, fellow alumni, and area businesses to solicit pledges for one of Florida’s leading pediatric hospitals.

Known as Dance Marathon at UF, the spring event has the energy of a pep rally and the urgency of a telethon, with students trying to raise as much as they can before the final total is revealed.

Since it began in 1995, Dance Marathon at UF has raised more than $34 million for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, and in 2026 alone, the initiative has raised more than $1.1 million.

Half of the money raised by Dance Marathon supports UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital directly, including patient care programs, equipment, and capital improvements. The other half supports the UF College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, where funds help to advance pediatric research connected to the hospital.

The initiative provides significant support for the children’s hospital—literally.

There’s a central pillar in a recently renovated pediatric unit that, under its paint, bears the signatures of several Dance Marathon student leaders in honor of

the funds raised by the group to complete its construction. One of those signatures belongs to Marina Cheema, a pre-pharmacy student at UF who is currently shadowing a pediatric pharmacist in renovated units. Cheema, who is also the marketing manager for Dance Marathon, often walks by the pillar and remembers signing it.

“It was really gratifying for me to see the process that goes on in rounds with the care team, and since we helped fund those units, it’s kind of full circle,” says Cheema.

A Campus Tradition This year’s Dance Marathon spring event included nearly 1,500 registered participants, with about 700 students participating in person. The O’Dome event is OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST 2026 |

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the organization’s most visible effort, but the work stretches across the academic year as student leaders recruit participants, build partnerships, and communicate with donors in preparation for the capstone event.

Behind the scenes is a fully student-run operation with many moving parts. Students work across marketing, operations, membership, and finance roles to handle responsibilities that resemble those of a professional nonprofit or events team.

By the time the O’Dome fills in the spring, dozens of students have already spent months preparing for that one long weekend.

“Dance Marathon at UF is the largest student-run philanthropic organization on campus, we fundraise for one of the best children’s hospitals in the country,” Cheema says. “People come from all over the world for care at Shands. Getting involved with Dance Marathon means supporting kids who never stop fighting, and that’s something really beautiful to me and to our campus.”

The collegiate Dance Marathon movement began at Indiana University in 1991 as a student-led effort to support Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit that raises money and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada. The organization

works through local hospitals, community donors, and corporate partners, and the funds raised in each community directly support that community’s specific member hospital. The donations help hospitals meet a range of needs, from pediatric equipment and patientcare programs to family support, research, and other services that improve outcomes for children.

UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital has been the Children’s Miracle Network affiliate hospital for Central Florida, North Florida, and Southern Georgia since the 1980s. That connection made UF a natural choice to launch one of the earliest Dance Marathon campus chapters soon after the founding chapter.

“Choosing to support Dance Marathon at UF means choosing to support local,” says Shae Helmer, a business student at UF who serves as head of Dance Marathon’s public relations. “It means protecting children who are within a few hours of you and supporting them.”

The regional connection also extends to the Dance Marathon participants, as many of the initiative’s student leaders come from communities across Florida.

Some are pursuing health care careers, while others are drawn to service, leadership, fundraising, communications, or nonprofit work.

Members hit the gong whenever they receive a donation. Pictured is our 2027 Membership Manager, Lucy Eichler, hitting the Gong at our 2026 Main Event, which had been hit so many times it was broken.

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“If you choose to support a member of Dance Marathon, you’re choosing to support not only a local philanthropy, but also a local student working to make it happen,” says Helmer, who is on UF’s equestrian team and divides her time between Gainesville and the team’s barn in Ocala.

Discovering a Heart for Service Serving as Dance Marathon leaders has also shaped how Cheema and Helmer are thinking about their futures. Cheema came to UF planning to pursue premed, but her resolve wavered during her freshman year. She then joined Dance Marathon through a friend who was already involved and quickly connected with the mission to support pediatric health care. “I was hooked,” Cheema says. “It’s a really big learning opportunity for leadership and just personal growth for students.”

Cheema now plans to become a pediatric clinical pharmacist. Dance Marathon, she says, helped her find the link between her chemistry major, children’s medicine, and the daily work of a pediatric care team. “Dance Marathon is really my why for all of that,” she says. “Without it, where would I be? Maybe I would be doing research, or maybe I would be a

The 2026 Total Reveal.

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Available at Your Hearts Desire in Ocala Shopping Center and the HOPS Bryant House at 712 E. Fort King St. Proceeds benefit preservation efforts in our community.

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chemical engineer, but Dance Marathon led me to pediatric clinical pharmacy.”

Helmer, by contrast, is a business administration major with an emphasis in sports management. She joined Dance Marathon last year as a fundraising captain, and then moved into a leadership role. The experience has pushed her to consider nonprofit communications as a possible career path. “This position has really helped me discover a heart for service,” Helmer says.

Sarah Forron is the UF assistant director for student and young alumni engagement, and she serves as the campus advisor for Dance Marathon. She says she has watched exactly this kind of student growth happen year after year in Dance Marathon.

“Serving as the advisor for Dance Marathon at UF has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” Forron says.

“Since 2017, I’ve had the opportunity to watch our students grow into remarkable leaders while developing a lifelong passion for service. Because of Dance Marathon, Miracle Families have celebrated milestones they never thought possible— birthdays, graduations, and remissions.

This community of driven, compassionate students is truly changing the world for the better, and I am grateful to play a small part in their incredible impact.”

Broadening the Circle

Our 2026 Executive Director, Abby Ferrell, after the 2026 Total Reveal.

Our 2027 Executive Director, Ashley Paek (left) and our 2027 Marketing Manager, Marina Cheema (right) doing the signature Linedance at our 2026 Main Event.

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Dance Marathon at UF has long drawn strong participation from fraternities and sororities. This year’s student leaders are working to expand participation across UF’s larger student organization landscape. UF has more than 1,000 student organizations, including club sports, business fraternities, pre-health groups, and service organizations. Dance Marathon’s membership team is reaching out across that network to build partnerships and bring in students new to the program.

The effort reflects a broader shift within the organization. Dance Marathon leaders say they want students to view the program as a year-round service opportunity, rather than simply a single event at the end of the academic year. That means reaching organizations that may never have considered participating before, from club sports to academic organizations and professional societies.

At recruiting tables, Cheema says, students sometimes stop short because they assume Dance Marathon requires actual dancing. “They walk by our table, they’re like, ‘Oh, I don’t dance,’” says Cheema. “I say, ‘I don’t either.’”

Instead of calling participants “dancers,” the team prefers to call students who get involved “miracle makers.” Cheema

says many campus organizations already have service built into their missions, making them natural partners for Dance Marathon. Student groups may also find volunteer opportunities, leadership experience and resume-building opportunities through the program.

That broader outreach also gives students more ways to participate. Some may join through established campus organizations, while others may come in individually and find a place through Dance Marathon’s own teams. The aim is to make the program accessible to students who want to serve, even if they do not already belong to one of the groups traditionally associated with the event.

During the O’Dome event, students learn to make donation asks in ways that feel personal and authentic. Some rely on family networks, while others are more comfortable contacting hometown businesses, alumni, or companies with a connection to children’s hospitals. The goal, in all cases, is to learn how to foster a connection between the cause and the call recipient as fast as possible. Helmer, for example, pledged to perform a cartwheel for every dollar donated, a lighthearted challenge that successfully netted more than $300.

This year, the Dance Marathon team has launched a summer recruitment campaign called “Carry the Dream.” The idea

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is to keep students, alumni, donors and supporters connected to the children and families at Shands even when college students are away from Gainesville.

“We want them to carry the dreams of children [who are receiving treatment at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital] with them throughout the summer,” Helmer says. “We want them to remember that even though they may be traveling or back home or wherever they may be, no matter how far they are from UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, they still carry the dreams of our kids.

Whether that dream is ‘I want to get up and be able to play soccer again,’ or ‘I just want to spend a day out of this hospital,’

Members of our 2026 Overall Team after the Total Reveal.

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we want to make sure that they’re keeping that in mind.”

How to Help For residents and businesses across central Florida, there are several ways to support Dance Marathon at UF. Businesses can become event sponsors or provide in-kind donations. Individuals can also donate to specific Dance Marathon participants or take part in general fundraising drives.

Additionally, the Dance Marathon leadership team hosts a letter-writing campaign every winter, when students send letters with donation information and QR codes to potential supporters.

Community members, alumni or businesses willing to receive those letters can

be added to the organization’s outreach lists. Happy Hour for Hope, a ticketed cocktail event held at UF at the end of the academic year, is another opportunity for community members to get involved.

“Dance Marathon exists so that no kid ever has to fight alone,” Helmer says.

“It’s something that makes me work even harder every single day to make sure that our cause is spread as far and wide as it can be. When you choose to support Dance Marathon at the University of Florida, you choose to support local children at our closest Children’s Miracle Network hospital.”

More information about Dance Marathon at UF is available at floridadm.org.

Photo courtesy Unbranded The Film

“The world is but a canvas to our imagination.”

—Henry David Thoreau Heart of Home p62 | Society p64 | Community p66 Recipe p72 | Dining Out p74

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heart of home PLAY

with Kendra Brazzel

BY SARAH LAJEALLE PHOTOS BY HANNAH DURHAM

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endra Brazzel spent years moving across the country, raising her children and building a life for her family.

But it wasn’t until she settled in Ocala that she discovered what would become her true calling: art.

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Brazzel spent much of her life moving from place to place, living in states across the country before eventually settling in Orange County, California, where she raised her two children, Sam and Maile.

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During those years, she says her primary focus was motherhood. Following her divorce, she balanced full-time work while navigating the challenges of single parenthood, often feeling as though she was simply trying to survive.

When her children became adults, she moved back to Florida to be closer to her parents and rediscover herself. She was searching for the kind of happiness that comes from within, free from outside expectations about who she should be or what she should do. Like many

parents whose children have grown and left home, she found herself in a season of transition.

She credits the pandemic with slowing life down enough to allow her the time and space to reconnect with herself. For the first time in years, she had the opportunity to explore what truly brought her joy.

In the midst of that self-discovery, she picked up a paintbrush.

Suddenly, she felt like a child again, splashing colors across paper and

creating without expectations. Through that process, she realized that creating art was what she was truly meant to do.

In 2022, she submitted her work to the Marion Cultural Alliance’s annual Block Party and walked away with the Best in Show award. The recognition reinforced what she already felt in her heart: she was an artist.

Brazzel resists putting her work into a single category, but if she had to assign it a technical label, she would call it abstract expressionism. More personally, she describes it as therapeutic, intuitive, colorful, emotional, joyful and flowing.

She initially built a following on social media through watercolor and acrylic ink pieces that allowed the medium to move freely across the page. There is something relaxing about watching her work unfold as the colors find their own path. As her confidence and skills have grown, so has her work.

Today, she creates fabric art, paints on raw canvas and continues expanding her artistic practice through advanced study, including a master class with artist Mel Fiorentino. While she enjoys working in a variety of sizes and mediums, she admits she is increasingly drawn to large-scale pieces that allow her creativity room to flourish.

Brazzel credits Ocala as the community that helped her find her place in the world. While she originally moved here to be closer to her parents, she never expected the city itself to become such an important part of her story.

The community has allowed her to deepen those relationships and get to know her parents again as an adult. The time she now spends with them is especially meaningful after living far away for much of her adult life. Her father, Ken, is an accomplished photographer, while her mother, Sandra, a former doctor, possesses a wealth of knowledge on everything from art to life itself.

When asked what she loves most about Ocala, Brazzel struggles to choose just one thing.

“Family, friends, community, food, culture, nature, springs, pace of life, thunderstorms and warm summer nights, the

kind that don’t require a sweater after dark,” she said.

She also appreciates the quality of life Ocala has provided her parents and enjoys living in a community where familiar faces are never far away.

Brazzel is grateful for the network of artists and friends she has found here, describing them as people who “sprinkle magic around this town like fairy dust.” Some make her feel as though she has known them forever, while others encourage her to embrace her most authentic and creative self.

Today, she balances her artistic pursuits with her work at Arts in Health Ocala Metro, an organization she enthusiastically supports both on and off the clock. Whether through her art, volunteer efforts or community involvement, Brazzel continues to give back to the city that helped her discover not only her creative voice, but also a true sense of home.

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society

America’s 250 Gala STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RONALD W. WETHERINGTON

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t may seem like quite a few miles separate Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, from Ocala/Marion County, Florida, but spiritually we are all one people, united in our Founding Fathers’ promise that all people are created equal.

Recently, at the America’s 250 Gala, our community celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday in a memorable evening here in Ocala/Marion County.

This signature event commemorated the birth of our beloved nation with a sumptuous dinner, special presentations and remarks, community recognition, and a spectacular fireworks display.

The gala featured distinguished guest speakers Maj. Gen. James Hartsell, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and Major League Baseball legend Gary Sheffield. Their remarks were inspiring as the community celebrated our nation’s independence.

The gala also raised funds to support synchronized communitywide fireworks displays in Ocala, Citra, Dunnellon, and Belleview. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and sponsors, this collaborative effort ensured families across Marion County could enjoy a premium Independence Day celebration.

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PICTURED 1. Chief Petty Officer Don Kennedy, Col. Frank Blipiero, Capt.

Steve Petty and Sgt. Bob Levenson 2. Cole Stephens, Ava Layne, Jenny and Paul Stentiford 3. Maj. Gen. James Hartsell, Amanda Hart

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4. Janelle Bulmahn, Craig and Liz Phillips 5. Holland Vanderwall, Will and Marilyn Seyton 6. Jeff and Danielle Brewer, Shari and Ken Ausley 7. Brogan Bass, Devin and Felicity Adamic 8. Matt McCormick, Charlie and Michelle Stone and Karl Zalak 9. Mayor Ben and Danielle Marciano, and Ronald W. Wetherington 10. Coral Gowen, Jessica Holly, Tressa Hogan, Aubrey Larramore, Lacey Larramore and Rebecca Ramirez 11. Michael and Tasha Osbourne, David Tillman, Kristen Dreyer and Ann Zalak

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community PLAY

community

West Port High School

Senior Art Show 1

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SARAH LAJEALLE

H

eld Friday, March 27, the Marion Cultural Alliance’s Brick City Center for the Arts hosted senior students from West Port High School’s Marion County Center for the Arts program, under the direction of studio teacher Jessica Carter, ceramics teacher Greg Smith and music teacher Adam Pryor.

The program is a rigorous, applicationand portfolio-based magnet program designed to prepare students for arts-focused careers or higher education.

This annual event showcases the best of these students’ talent. They are responsible for submitting, pricing and presenting their work, as well as managing sales and speaking publicly. The event is entirely student-produced, from preparing the hors d’oeuvres to coordinating music with the guidance of Adam Pryor. Through this process, students gain real-world experience in what it takes to curate and present a professional art show.

Some of these students are choosing to attend college in different areas of study, while others have acquired scholarships to immerse themselves more fully in the arts. Student Te’Mirah Walker values the creative freedom she has, along with the variety of techniques she is able to apply to her work.

Emma Robinson admires the advice she receives when she feels stuck on a project and hopes to one day turn her love of art into owning a restaurant.

Greg Smith, who teaches ceramics and pottery, says his favorite part of working with these students is helping them think, embrace and discover themselves as artists.

Jessica Carter appreciates that by giving students the space and opportunity to explore, they are able to tap into something that truly inspires them. Watching them collaborate often leads to work that exceeds even their own expectations. They all aim to teach them something more than the art itself, helping them understand the true value of an artist in society.

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PICTURED 1. Helen A., Greg Smith (teacher), Kerenys Colon 2. Emma Robinson 3. Jewel T., Shari M. (teacher), Jessica Carter 4. Adam Pryor (teacher), Derek Wood 5. Samantha Carrero Aguilera 6. Christina H., Finnley Atkins, Helen Garcia, Herman Carrillo Gomez

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66 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Please Join Us for the 19th Annual

Applaud the Arts 2 5 T H A N N I VE RSA RY GA L A PRESENTED BY:

T H U RS DA Y 6 - 9 P .M .

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O C T O B ER 2026

Protea Farms 12088 S Hwy 475 Ocala, FL. 34480 Tickets available at mcaocala.org/applaud-the-arts

PLAY

community

Ocala Art Group Opening Reception at South State Bank

STORY COURTESY OF SOUTH STATE BANK PHOTOS BY JOHN ELLIOT

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n April 16, the Ocala Art Group hosted its Opening Reception—an evening filled with beautiful art, inspiring artists and a strong community. Each piece brought its own voice and brilliance, contributing to the overall spirit of the evening. The turnout was great, and the energy in the gallery was uplifting.

Twenty percent of proceeds from artwork sold during the event benefitted Blue Star Mothers, a nonprofit supporting mothers of active-duty and former service members. In partnership with Gold Star Mothers, the organization also honors mothers who have lost a child while serving in the military.

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1. Ocala Art Group’s youngest member, Dianna Elliott, age 9, poses with the official OAG exhibition poster painted by her father, John Elliott. A prolific digital artist, she was the model for the poster’s painted girl and has been an art student at Chelsea Art Center for more than a year.

2. Carmen De Santiago receives congratulations from show judge Thom Thomas for her red barn acrylic painting, which was award first place at OAG’s April 2026 exhibition at SouthState Bank. She was excited as well to have sold this work and the one below it on the very day of the show opening.

3. OAG member Saul Roldan won first place for his surrealism oil painting, “In Search of the Truth,” at the February 2026 exhibition, held at Ocala’s Chelsea Art Center.

4. Carlene Crowley, 2nd place award recipient for the SouthState Bank show, listens to show judge Thom Thomas explain how the painting placed highly in all the criteria for his adjudication rubric.

5. José Rodriguez, guest judge at OAG’s February 2026 exhibition, speaks at the podium to attendees at Ocala’s Chelsea Art Center. More than 50 artworks from 31 local artists were on exhibit. Rodriguez is a well-known plein air painter in his own right, along with teaching at The Villages Charter School. He stated that the Group has many talented artists, which made this event more difficult to judge. Also presenting were 2025-26 President Michelle Curry (far left), Show Coordinator Monica Coburn, and 2020-25 President Leona Asta (to right of podium).

6. OAG President Monica Coburn (right) thanks Thom Thomas, show adjudicator for the April 2026 SouthState Bank show 7. Executive Assistant MJ Amaro of the Ocala branch of SouthState Bank (far left in white), expresses her positive impression of the artwork on display at the April 2026 exhibition.

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community

Corridor Connect+ Brings Community Together for Conservation COURTESY OF HORSE FARMS FOREVER

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ore than 300 guests gathered in Ocala for Corridor Connect+, a collaborative event hosted by Horse Farms Forever and the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. The program brought together landowners, conservation leaders and community partners to explore practical tools for protecting Florida’s working lands while preserving the natural landscapes that define Marion County.

National Geographic Explorer and filmmaker Ben Masters delivered the keynote address, sharing stories from his work documenting wildlife conservation and emphasizing the importance of connected landscapes. Masters also highlighted his documentary Unbranded, drawing parallels between its 3,000mile journey across the American West and the importance of protecting working farms and ranches that help keep the Florida Wildlife Corridor connected.

He also discussed ongoing efforts to conserve habitat for species such as the Florida panther and ocelot.

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The Saint

+ Bernard Foundation 1 Attendees also visited a Landowner Expo featuring more than a dozen conservation organizations and agencies providing information on conservation easements, funding opportunities and land stewardship programs. The expo connected property owners with practical tools, information and resources to help preserve working farms and ranches for future generations.

The partnership between Horse Farms Forever and the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation reflects a shared commitment to protecting Marion County’s rural character while connecting landowners with the tools and information needed to support long-term conservation efforts. Corridor Connect+ also provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about conservation programs and resources available throughout the region.

Special thanks to presenting sponsors Duke Energy and the Saint Bernard Foundation for supporting Corridor Connect+.

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PICTURED

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1. Sara Fennessy, Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever speaks at the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event in Ocala. Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

2. Gaylen Holloway, Government and Community Relations, Duke Energy. Thank you to Duke Energy and the Saint Bernard Foundation for the generous support of the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event! Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

3. Alex Freeze, Corridor Connect Director, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Russell Crowder.

4. Photo courtesy Unbranded The Film 5. Bernie Little, president of Horse Farms Forever, and his wife, Mary Jane Hunt, speak with Natasha Rattray. Photo courtesy of Russell Crowder.

6. A panel discussion with Pegeen Hanrahan, Trust for Public Land and Holland Drake.

The panel was moderated by Jason Lauritsen, Chief Conservation Officer for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

7. Keynote speaker Ben Masters speaks at the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event in Ocala.

Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

8. Michelle Grald and Barb Stanley, HFF Volunteers speak with Doug Shearer. Photo courtesy of Russell Crowder.

9. Chad Johnson, member of the Florida House of Representatives speaks with a guest at the Corridor Connect+ event. Photo courtesy of Russell Crowder.

10. Busy Shires, Director of Conservation, Horse Farms Forever and Nancy DiMaggio, HFF Volunteer. Photo courtesy of Russell Crowder.

11. Justin Alsedek, Gypsea Arts, painted the stunning mural to celebrate the wild working lands of Central Florida. The piece was unveiled at the Corridor Connect+ LIVE: Working Lands, Working Solutions event in Ocala. Photo courtesy of Avera Visuals.

12. Representatives from the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program speak with a guest. Photo courtesy of Russell Crowder.

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recipe PLAY

recipe

Food to Gather Around STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

A

ugust is all about making the most of summer while it’s still here. Whether you’re hosting friends, heading to a gathering, or simply looking for an easy lunch at home, this crostini brings together some of summer’s best flavors. Sweet peaches, creamy burrata, fresh basil, and a drizzle of hot honey are all you need for a recipe that’s simple to prepare, beautiful to serve, and perfect for sharing.

Peach & Burrata Crostini with Hot Honey Ingredients

Instructions

• 1 French baguette, sliced into ½-inch pieces

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.

Bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided • 2–3 ripe peaches, sliced • 8 ounces burrata, torn • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced • 2 tablespoons hot honey • Flaky sea salt • Freshly cracked black pepper

2. Tear the burrata into pieces and spread evenly over each toasted crostini.

3. Top with the sliced peaches and thinly sliced basil 4. rizzle lightly with the remaining olive oil, then finish with flaky sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a generous drizzle of hot honey.

5. Serve immediately.

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

Reilly Noir: Jeff Rupert Quartet | August 7

Yacht Rock Gold Experience | August 21

Roosevelt Collier Band | August 16

Jamie Lissow – The Better Off Dad Comedy Tour | August 30

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

BECOME A 2026-2027 SEASON SUBSCRIBER

OCALA’S HOME FOR COMEDY Join us downtown Thursday-Saturday!

Sit Down for Stand Up | August 14

Films from just $5 Live concerts and events Live Comedy Sponsorship Opportunities Rent the Marion Theatre Full bar and concession

Tony Dabas | August 21

CHECK OUT OUR AUGUST MOVIES FOR JUST $5 ReillyArtsCenter.com | 352-351-1606 | 500 NE 9th Street

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

Media Support provided by:

MarionTheatre.org | 50 S Magnolia Ave

MarionTheatre.org | 50 S Magnolia Ave

dining out PLAY

dining out

Oak Room Bar and Grill Blending timeless traditions with the rich diversity of America’s culinary scene, Oak Room Bar & Grill offers a refined approach to classic American fare Our menu showcases everything from beloved comfort foods to inventive seasonal creations, all honoring the flavors, ingredients, and hospitality that define the American table. Open to the public Monday through Saturday. Catering available.

11220 SW 69th Cir, Ocala Phone: (352) 861-1818 oakroombarandgrillocala.com

Mark’s Mark’sPrime PrimeSteakhouse Steakhouse

Mark’s Prime hashas a goal to create a unique Mark’s PrimeSteakhouse Steakhouse a goal to create a unique dining dining experience that will please the palate and soothe experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serv the finest soul. We serve thefreshest finest beef, the freshest seafood, the beef, the seafood, premium wines and naturally premium wines and naturally fresh vegetables.

We are fresh vegetables. We are pleased to have been serving the finest qu pleased to have been serving the finest quality dining dining experience since November 2002, more than 20 years ago! experience since 2002!

30 S Magnolia Avenue, Ocala FL 34471 30 South Magnolia Ave, Ocala Phone: (352) 402-0097 (352) 402-0097 www.marksprimesteakhouse.com marksprimesteakhouse.com

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FOR A LIMITED-TIME: 15% OFF Contact Philip Glassman philip@ocalamagazine.com | 352-622-2995

74 | AUGUST 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Photo courtesy of Mark Anderson, Marion County Public Relations

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

—Anatole France

Everything Equine p76 | Health Journal p78 | State of the City p80 | State of the County p82 From the Library p84 | Maddie’s Take p86 | Destinations p88

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everything equine

What do Horsemanship and Business have in Common?

STORY BY LOUISA BARTON

H

orsemanship and business share many core principles that make them complementary disciplines. Not complimentary, like free, but complementary, as in the business operated by Dancin Pete Rodda, Complementary Horsemanship. Both disciplines require trust, adaptability and strategic thinking to succeed.

Let’s start with partnership and trust, the kind of trust a horse and rider or horse handler must have. Successful business partnerships rely on this also, with shared goals, clear communication and mutual respect.

Adaptability matters. Just as horses’ conditions and temperaments change, businesses must also adapt to changing customer and client needs and be prepared for possible disruptions.

Strategic planning is involved. Riders must plan ahead to navigate obstacles. Businesses must also strategize to handle operational issues, competition and other market challenges.

Leadership and guidance are key elements to both. A skilled rider guides the horse. Effective leaders need vision with confidence to guide their teams.

Balance and harmony on horseback are both so important. Businesses also need to strike a balance between sustainability and growth.

Feedback and learning matter. Riders learn from a horse’s responses, and business leaders need feedback from clients to improve.

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Dancin’ Pete Rodda & Pat Myers

Patience and persistence always play a huge role in both horsemanship and business. Mastering horsemanship is not an overnight thing, it takes a long time.

Perseverance, commitment and patience are needed to grow a business also.

Composure under pressure is priceless in both horsemanship and business.

A rider must stay calm under pressure, especially when a horse has an unexpected reaction. Business owners often

face crises and must remain composed and lead their team through to the other side.

Horse ownership, training and riding horses builds discipline, emotional regulation and focus. These skills can translate into personal growth and better decision-making. These apply in both horsemanship and business.

Networking and the overused word, “community,” both matter a lot.

Dancin’ Pete Rodda and his horsemanship

Equestrian communities grow and develop relationships that can lead to business opportunities, much like professional networks do in the corporate world.

Boundaries are very important in this life. They are also important in business, so staff are not running all over leaders and business owners, and clients are not pushing boundaries beyond the professional. Boundaries with horses are just as vital, and lack of boundaries can lead to injury and a bad experience for horse and rider, in the saddle or on the ground.

To summarize, horsemanship teaches emotional intelligence, leadership and, of course, resilience. These are qualities that are also so important to run a successful business. Both fields thrive on adaptability, courage and trust to make the right decisions.

A great example of this is Pat from Pat Myers Electric. Although always knowledgeable about horses and donkeys, Pat wanted to go deeper and started taking Horsemanship lessons with a friend and local horsemanship expert, Dancin Pete Rodda. Pat reports that he has gained so much from this to improve his relationships with staff and clients and how much it has helped him improve his team.

Horsemanship is full of life lessons and horses take us places we never knew we could go or would go. Life is a lot like that. At the most recent Chamber Equine Initiative meeting, presented by Pyranha Animal Health, Dancin Pete Rodda put all the pieces together for us with Pat Myers, the ‘horseman’s electrician,’ to bring the two worlds together. There are more similarities than differences for sure.

We want you to not only see the link between horsemanship and business but also live it day to day. With the basics of horsemanship knowledge, you will see how much better you can be for your team, your family and your clients!

Mark Your Calendar October 10, 9 a.m.

The All-Breed Horse Capital Parade in Downtown Ocala October 23, 3:30 p.m.

Horse-O-Ween is back at the Downtown Market with an Equine Industry Career Expo and the Hobby Horse Equestrian Games. Free for all ages.

Worth a Visit Pyranha Animal Health recently sponsored and unveiled “Freedom,” a beautiful piece of art, a Horse Fever statue by Maggie Weakley, at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.

“Freedom” showcases who we are in the Horse Capital, while also depicting the freedom we have living in the USA. It was very appropriate that this statue was dedicated over the week prior to July 4th. It’s worth a visit for a photo!

Louisa Barton is the Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, Realtor at Black Horse Real Estate, and host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3, Audacy.com and Equus Television.

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health ETC

health journal

Building Healthcare’s Future in Ocala COURTESY OF BILL THOMPSON

D

r. Lindsey Ferko knew from childhood that she wanted to dedicate her life to easing the suffering of others after watching her grandfather battle a chronic illness.

As she prepared to complete medical school at Auburn University, Ferko also knew where she wanted to build that career: Ocala.

Ocala was the hometown of her college sweetheart, Alex, whom she later married. During her final year of medical school, she arranged clinical rotations at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital so the couple could be together. Today, they are raising two children in the community they call home.

But Ferko’s move quickly became a professional decision as well.

“The more time I spent here, the more I realized this is where I wanted to be,” Ferko said. “Ocala has been such a great place to raise our family because of the great support system we have here, but also because of the city itself—the area, the people, and the team at the hospital.

They accommodate me so I can be both a doctor and a mom. That’s not something you find everywhere.”

Ferko’s story reflects a broader trend.

As HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has expanded its Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, the combination of outstanding physician training and exceptional quality of life has made Ocala an increasingly attractive destination for young physicians.

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Launched in partnership with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in 2015, the hospital’s GME program has grown from a single family medicine residency to 10 residency and fellowship programs that will train 181 physicians this academic year.

Since the program’s inception, 55 of its 206 graduates chose to remain in Marion County, joining HCA Healthcare, other local hospitals, nonprofit providers, and private practices, strengthening access to care for one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities.

“Our graduates choose to stay because they develop strong connections with both the hospital and the community,” said Dr. Chandan Mitra, director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “They receive excellent clinical training, build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and patients, and experience a collaborative culture where they feel supported and valued. At the same time, they discover that Marion County offers an outstanding quality of life that makes it easy to envision building a future here.”

That combination of professional opportunity and community appeal has become a competitive advantage for physician recruitment.

“When our graduates remain in the community, everyone benefits,” Mitra added. “It improves access to care, strengthens continuity for patients, and builds a stable physician workforce

that will serve our community for years to come.”

After completing her residency, Ferko joined the HCA Florida Ocala Hospital medical staff in July 2025 as a hospitalist and has no plans to practice anywhere else.

“We found a neighborhood that we love, and we want to raise our kids here long-term,” she said. “We have family nearby, and we don’t have any plans to leave. Ocala is a fantastic place to raise a family. There are wonderful neighborhoods, good schools, lots of activities for kids, and it’s a safe place to live.”

She believes the community offers something for everyone.

“Even if you’re not looking to raise a family, it’s a really nice town to live in.

You’re close to major cities without dealing with the rut of those cities. Ocala keeps growing, so you have everything you need, but it still has that small-town feel. It’s the perfect balance.”

As HCA Florida Ocala Hospital continues expanding its physician training programs, the partnership between the hospital and the community is helping attract talented physicians who don’t simply train in Ocala—they choose to build their lives here, bolstering the region’s healthcare workforce and expanding access to care across Marion County.

Bill Thompson is the communications and community engagement manager for HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital.

When you need care, you can find us nearby.

HCA Florida Healthcare is one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, providing more close-to-home access to physicians and specialists, urgent care centers, free-standing emergency rooms and full-service hospitals than any other health system.

For a location near you, visit HCAForidaHealthcare.com or scan the QR code.

city ETC

state of the city

A Star-Spangled Weekend in Ocala

BY RYAN KIRBY PHOTOS BY SEAN M. DOWIE PHOTOHRAPHY

T

his Fourth of July wasn’t just another date on the calendar.

It marked the nation’s 250th anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Ocala rose to the occasion with a full weekend of celebration, community pride and patriotic fun. Thousands of residents and visitors came together for Marion Celebrates America 250, kicking off a summer weekend filled with sunshine, red-white-and-blue spirit and unforgettable memories.

Festivities began early as families splashed into the holiday with free admission at both aquatic fun centers.

Decked out in their brightest patriotic colors, swimmers enjoyed live DJs, giveaways and games during two lively sessions at Jervey Gantt and Hampton Aquatic Fun Centers. Across town, little ones cooled off at Lily’s Splash Pad and the Citizens’ Circle Splash Pad during the Fourth of July Splash Party, complete with popsicles, upbeat music and prizes that kept smiles wide from sunrise to sunset.

The celebration didn’t stop at the water. For hands-on explorers, the Discovery Center opened its doors free of charge, inviting kids and parents to dive into patriotic crafts, explore the latest exhibit and collect themed giveaways before heading off to their next holiday adventure.

The heart of the celebration beat loudest at Tuscawilla Park, where Fourth in the Park welcomed crowds for a classic Ocala-style gathering. Food trucks served mouthwatering options ranging from Brazilian barbecue to kettle corn, while families filled the grassy lawn for games, a festive photo booth and a

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sprawling Kids’ Zone featuring a gyrosphere, rock wall, Knockerball and multiple bounce houses. The energy stayed high well into the afternoon as children ran, played and explored every inch of the vibrant event space.

Live music set the tone for the day, beginning with Ocala-based country singer-songwriter Emma Forgette, whose smooth vocals drifted warmly across the park from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Nashville recording artist Cliff Dorsey followed from noon to 2 p.m., bringing a surge of foot-tapping enthusiasm to the crowd. Both performers earned cheers and heartfelt appreciation, helping make Marion Celebrates America 250 a spirited and memorable addition to Ocala’s growing legacy of community-centered events.

And while Independence Day festivities marked a major milestone, summer in Ocala is still going strong. Splash pads are open from sunrise to sunset, free for all and perfect for families looking to cool off during Florida’s warmest months.

Lily’s Splash Pad, 2200 NW 17th Place, and the Citizens’ Circle Splash Pad, 151 SE Osceola Ave., are open seasonally from the second Saturday in March through the Monday before the third Saturday of November. For more information, call 352-368-5517.

Whether you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon in historic downtown Ocala, relaxing under the shade of one of our beautiful parks or laughing with loved ones at a splash pad, the City of Ocala hopes your summer is filled with moments that make you smile—big memories, little joys and everything in between. Happy America 250, and here’s to many more celebrations together.

Learn more about upcoming events at ocalafl.gov/recpark.

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county ETC

state of the county

Keeping Tails Wagging All Summer Long

BY ROGER WADDELL

T

here’s nothing quite like summertime in Marion County. From backyard barbecues and family adventures to walks through our beautiful parks, summer is a wonderful time to make memories with our four-legged family members. While the sunshine brings plenty of opportunities for fun, it also brings a few extra responsibilities to keep our pets safe and comfortable.

Dogs are especially vulnerable to Florida’s summer heat. Since they can’t cool themselves the way people can, it’s important to plan outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours. Always bring fresh water on walks and make sure your pup has plenty of opportunities to rest in the shade. A good rule of thumb is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for several seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

One of the most important reminders every summer is never to leave a pet in a parked vehicle. Even with the windows cracked, temperatures inside a car can climb to dangerous levels within minutes, creating a life-threatening situation for your furry companion.

Summer also means fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other pests are more active. Keep your dog current on veterinarian-recommended preventatives and take a few moments after outdoor adventures to check for unwanted hitchhikers. If your plans include swimming or boating, remember that not every dog is a natural swimmer. Close supervision and a properly fitted canine life jacket can help ensure every splash is a safe one.

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Summer is also a great time to make sure your pet’s identification is up to date. Whether you’re visiting a park, hiking a trail or traveling with your dog, accidents can happen. A collar with current identification tags and a registered microchip can greatly increase the chances of a lost pet being reunited with its family. Marion County Animal Services offers affordable microchipping, pet licensing, adoption services and resources to help keep pets safe and connected with the people who love them.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners encourages all pet owners to make safety part of every summer adventure. If you’re looking to adopt a new best friend or need information about pet licensing, microchipping or other animal services, Marion County Animal Services is here to help.

For more information, visit Marion.org/ Animals or call 352-671-8700.

Together, we can make this a safe, healthy and tail-wagging summer for every pet in Marion County.

library ETC

from the library

Mosaics

BY KAY YACCARINO

T

he Marion County Public Library System Headquarters is an easily recognizable landmark on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, thanks in large part to the vibrant mosaics adorning the building.

Opened in 2004, the interior of the former grocery store was transformed into a beautiful 60,000-square-foot space where the community can come to read, learn and connect. By turning the bare façade into a kaleidoscope of color celebrating books as well as Marion County landmarks, the library has become a beacon for the community.

Following the success of the Marion Cultural Alliance’s Horse Fever program in 2001, it seemed the perfect time to continue the tradition of honoring the community through art. The inspiration for the initiative came from Library Director Julie Sieg, who was inspired by a mural in Daytona Beach. Her vision led to a partnership with the alliance in 2003, when a call for artists was issued for original works to adorn the new location’s façade.

South Tower: Agriculture

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A juried art show featuring numerous entries led to the selection of 15 artists and 16 pieces depicting the major classifications of the Dewey Decimal System.

Additional artwork was selected for the building’s columns to depict Marion County landmarks and symbols.

The artists were asked to include a key in each painting to symbolize the library system’s 2004 motto, “Your library is the key!” Today, families enjoy the challenge of spotting the keys hidden in each colorful mosaic. They also serve as a reminder that libraries open doors to learning for everyone.

According to Sieg, sponsors generously funded the project, allowing the original paintings to be sent to artisans in Mexico, where each piece was recreated as a mosaic. It took several months of painstaking work to place thousands of small glass pieces and match the vibrant colors.

Once completed and installed, the mosaics became, and remain, a sight to behold.

Visitors to the Headquarters-Ocala Public Library can also view the 16 original paintings displayed above the

bookshelves. The rendering of the original Carnegie Public Library in Ocala, Dapple Gray Running Horse by Jennifer Hustis, featuring “spots” that are actually fingerprints, and depictions of Marion County’s agriculture and waterways all serve as reminders of the beauty found in both books and our community.

Everyone is welcome to visit the library at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. to experience the colorful mosaics firsthand.

Marion County Native Americans by Bonita Dewiliby Marion County Agriculture by Margaret H. Watts Silver Springs by Theodore R. Cheuvront Endangered Species by Linda Ballatine Brown Dapple Gray Running Horse by Jennifer Hustis Rainbow Springs by Sandra L. Fowler Carnegie Public Library, Ocala, Florida by Jan Davis Williams Philosophy by Ernesto Bradford Man’s Symbols of Worship by Susan M. Wood Reaching for the American Dream by Patrick Grigsby Language Through the Ages by Kelli M. Huff Science & Math by Stephanie Gassman Science & Technology by Gene Hotaling Spring by Kristen Thiele Poetry and Drama by Ernesto Bradford Equality by Shirley Sjolund

South Tower: E Margaret Hill Watts

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maddie ETC

maddie’s take

New School, Same Me

BY MADISON GLASSMAN

W

hen August comes around, I immediately think about back-toschool season and all the changes ahead. This school year is a little different because I’m starting high school, and I’m honestly super nervous. I think what makes me the most nervous is not knowing my way around a new school.

My whole life I’ve known everyone and exactly where everything is, so this is the first time I’ve really felt like the new girl. I know every freshman is probably feeling the same way and that I’m not the only one who’ll get lost, but I’m still nervous.

At the same time, I’m also really excited. I’m looking forward to making new friends and having more freedom with what I wear to school. I know I’m going to love high school once I get settled in. It’s just going to take a little time.

I’m especially ready for back-to-school shopping this year. Last year I could only wear different-colored polos, so shopping wasn’t exactly exciting. This year I finally get to pick out cute outfits that actually show my personality. I definitely love girly clothes, but lately I’ve also been into baggier, street-style outfits. It’s kind of

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giving a tomboy vibe, and I’ve been loving it. I’m hoping to find some cute T-shirts and a few pairs of high-waisted jeans because they’re easier to wear to school and go with almost everything.

If you know me, you know I love music. It instantly boosts my mood no matter what I’m doing, whether I’m singing in the car or getting ready for the day. Music has always been a huge part of my life, so I thought I’d share a few songs that have been on repeat lately.

I listen to a lot of Freya Skye, Maddox Batson, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo and Justin Bieber. Honestly, any song by them is pretty much perfection! For now, here’s just a little sneak peek into my playlist: “2 Feet” by Maddox Batson, “Blowing Smoke” by Gracie Abrams, “London” by Freya Skye, “Walking Away”

by Justin Bieber and “Bowling Alley” by Audrey Hobert. That’s not even close to my whole playlist, just a little glimpse!

It was honestly so hard to only pick five songs because I didn’t want to overwhelm everyone.

The reason I picked these songs isn’t just because they sound good. I love songs with lyrics that actually mean

something and tell a story. One of my favorites is “London” by Freya Skye.

The song is about her hometown of London and how she’ll always come back home. She’s said that “London” doesn’t necessarily have to be your hometown. It can be a person, a place or anything that feels like home to you.

I love that because everyone can connect with it in their own way, and I think that’s what makes it so special.

Another favorite is “2 Feet” by Maddox Batson. It’s all about keeping your feet on the ground no matter how hard life gets.

I also love the instruments in these songs.

Whether it’s guitars or drums, they just make the music even better. Sometimes it honestly feels like these songs were written just for teenagers. I know that might sound weird, but music has a way of making you feel understood. I believe the best songs are the ones that are so relatable they feel like the writer is living your life. Maybe some of these songs will end up on your playlist too!

Speaking of music, August is also when the eligibility period for Grammy submissions comes to an end. The Grammys are probably my favorite award show. I love watching all of my favorite artists come together to celebrate each other’s music, and I always end up discovering someone new to listen to. Plus, I love seeing all the outfits on the red carpet! I’ve already seen that some of my favorite artists are expected to be in the conversation for awards like Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

I know the Grammys are still months away, but since submissions are closing this month, it feels like we’re one step closer, and I seriously can’t wait.

infinite possibilities await

PreK3 - Eighth Grade 2313 S.E. Lake Weir Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471 | (352) 351-8840 | www.thecornerstoneschool.org

destinations ETC

destinations

®

Discover Our True Colors on the Horse Fever Trail STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JESSICA HELLER, OCALA/MARION COUNTY VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU

O

cala/Marion County is widely recognized as the Horse Capital of the World® for many reasons. Our world-class equestrian facilities, long history of successful thoroughbred training and numerous equestrian experiences reinforce our world-renowned equestrian reputation. Among the attractions that keep Ocala/Marion County’s equestrian culture alive and thriving is the

Horse Fever Trail, a collection of painted horse statues scattered throughout the county. With dozens of statues, the Horse Fever Trail offers a distinctive way to explore our community from a different perspective.

Since 2001, the Horse Fever public art project has celebrated our area’s equestrian culture and arts community. The latest additions to the collection include “Liberty,” “Freedom” and “The Olympian.”

Each painted horse blends a unique artistic style and theme with its setting to tell a different story. You’ve likely encountered one of these art pieces, but nothing beats dedicating a day to finding and seeing these beauties up close. The journey is the perfect opportunity to rediscover our community’s hidden gems, arts scene and deep equestrian roots.

Unveiled just before America’s 250th anniversary, “Liberty” honors our community’s heritage and American spirit. It can be found at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. “Freedom” also commemorates America 250 and was unveiled a week before “Liberty.” Located at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, “Freedom” beautifully depicts the enduring bond between horses and our nation’s history. Rounding out these latest additions is “The Olympian,” located at the Marion County Administration Building.

“The Olympian” celebrates hometown Olympic medalists Erin Jackson, Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia, who have proudly represented our community on the world stage.

The remaining painted horses can be found in both public and private locations throughout Ocala/Marion County.

At least five of the statues are located in downtown Ocala alone, so keep an eye out for them during your next visit. For more information about the Horse Fever Trail and the locations of the painted horse statues, visit ocalamarion.com/blog/ painted-horse-trail.

The Visitors and Convention Bureau also supports local arts and culture through its Arts and Cultural Destination Enhancement Program. To learn more, visit ocalamarion.com/partners/submit-funding-request.

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The Rotary Clubs of Marion County:

Giving Back Through Service Rotary’s 2 official mottoes are: • Service Above Self • He Profits Most Who Serves Best Rotary International serves to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services and to advance goodwill and peace not only in their own communities, but around the world. There are over 35,000 member clubs worldwide and over 1.2 million individuals known as Rotarians.

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

COMMUNITY SERVICE • STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL - Cooking and serving pancakes at Habitat for Humanity’s Strawberry Festival.

LITERACY

Kiwanis Club of Ocala provides a positive influence and creates opportunities for local children to be curious, safe and healthy.

Please join us at one of our meetings to network and highlight local community speakers.

• READING IS FUNDAMENTAL - Provides 1 free book to each student in selected schools, 3 times a year, to encourage and improve reading skills.

• REACH OUT AND READ - Encourages parents to provide appropriate reading material to very young children.

• BUGS - Improving grades of non-honor roll students • CF SCHOLARSHIPS - Promote continuing education

HEALTH AND SAFETY • • • • •

SWIM CLASSES - Reduce accidental drowning of children.

SADD - Students Against Destructive Decisions BACK PACKS - Providing back-to-school supplies CAR SEATS - Preventing child traffic deaths HYGIENE KITS - Providing kits to the school system for homeless children.

List is not inclusive

Ocala Elk’s Club 702 NE 25th Ave., Ocala Every Friday, 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Club Satellite — Mimi’s Cafe 4414 SW College Rd., Ocala 1st Monday of the month, 6:00 P.M.

last look ETC

last look ARTWORK: “FREQUENCY” BY GWEN MORRISON | PHOTO BY HANNAH DURHAM

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.”

—Wassily Kandinsky

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