43+/- Acres – Thoroughbred, dressage and/or breeding facility in Starting Point. 3 Barns – 51 stalls, eurocizer, round pen, arena, and 23 various size paddocks. ½ +/- mile irrigated exercise track plus deeded access to 5/8+/- dirt track, 4/4.5 owner’s residence, 4/3 guest home, 3/1 apt, efficiency apt, A/C workshop, plus RV hook-ups. Just 4 miles to HITS and 15 miles to WEC. Reduced $4,200,000
80+/- Acres – State of the art equestrian facility with 3 recently updated CB barns – 96 stalls, each barn has wash racks, office/tack room, bathroom, and LED lighting. 8 – Stall wooden barn. ¾ +/Mile race track, covered eurocizer, round pen, plus plenty of lush green paddocks. New 4 – board fencing. 4 Bd/3 Ba owner’s residence with open floor plan. Guest/ staff housing. Just 8.5 miles to WEC.
Close to World Equestrian Center ‘’WEC,” HITS and The Florida Horse Park! Bring your horses! Centrally located with easy access to HWY 200. This gorgeous, gated estate offers privacy and serenity with almost 30+/- acres of breathtaking property views. Southern style home has 3,900+ square feet of living area with 3 bedrooms, 4 baths. Open floor plan with plenty of windows bringing natural light to this stately home. Equestrians will enjoy the 5-Stall center aisle stable which includes tack room, feed room, wash rack, overhead storage area plus equipment/ storage room with a roll up garage door for easy access. Open flat areas, perfect for covered arena or jump fields depending on your discipline. You have two 2 bedroom/ 2 bath guest/ employee houses. Additional features include generators, 3 wells, wrought iron fenced area for your pets.
Prestigious home on 5+/- acres in equine gated community with access to the Florida Greenways and Trails. Custom built home with 4 bedroom, 4.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, plus theater/media room. Home offers split bedroom plan. Conveniently located close to shopping, restaurants and medical.
19+ Acres conveniently located less than a mile to Ocala’s State Road 200. There are 3 homes on the property. Main residence is 4 bedroom/ 2 bath living area with an open floor plan. Second home features 2 bedroom and 2 bath built by Triple Crown. Third residence is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. Two homes currently being leased. This property offers room to ride and level areas for jump field or polo.
Overlooking the Golf Course at The Lakes of Lady Lake. 3 Bedroom, 2 bath plus flex space. Completely renovated with countless upgrades, vaulted ceilings, lots of natural lights and luxury finishes. Open floor plan, includes chef ’s kitchen equipped with custom-built kitchen cabinets and a large center island. Screen enclosed porch for enjoying afternoon sunsets.
Estates at Cotton Plant offers 49+ acres. 10 Miles to WEC. Property includes 3 platted parcels. Draped with grandaddy oaks and gently rolling ground. Great locations to build your dream home or farm. Perimeter 4 board fencing. Deed restrictions allow horses or cattle.
26.20+/- Acres Equestrian farm in SW Ocala. Minutes to the Florida Horse Park or Village Polo Club. Property features a tree lined drive, lush green paddocks, lit polo field and 9 paddocks and 80’ X 225’ riding arena. Center aisle barn with tack/feed rooms and large hay storage area. Two apartments for guest or employees.
352.347.1777 | Cell: 352.266.9100 | Cell: 352.804.8989 | joan@joanpletcher.com For these and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos, and more choices.
Society: Better than the Best
Society: Ocali Country Days
Society: Spookala
Society: Lions Club Jerry Cullison Memorial Golf Tourney
Society: Light Up Ocala
Society: HOPS Christmas Tour
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
Anthology: Poetry in Motion
ART
Little Black Mask Media Jessi Miller | Creative Director jessi@ocalamagazine.com Andrew Grunther | Graphic Designer Website StevensLabs
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ralph Demilio | Chief Photographer ralph@ocalamagazine.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Anderson/Marion County | Writer
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Mayor Kent Guinn | Columnist
Brandi Wright | Social Photographer
OPERATIONS
Randy Woodruff, CPA | CFO randy@ocalamagazine.com
WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR and as such we count our blessings once again. Among the ways we count our blessings is by giving back to the community we all love, and part of that giving comes through our annual OM Charity Register, now in its 18th year.
With so many different causes and organizations built to aid them, it can sometimes be overwhelming in deciphering all the possibilities that exist for the charity-minded giver. That’s where the Charity Register comes in handy, by organizing the myriad organizations into a tidy, readable magazine. One of our main missions at Ocala Magazine is spotlighting all the charitable work that takes place in our community, and I’m proud to be a part of that rich history.
For 2023 we are also looking forward to the return of our Nurses Appreciation event. Since the onset of COVID-19, the tradition of honoring our local nurses has been shelved due to health concerns, but we are now ready thanks mainly to the work provided by these dedicated professionals the past several years in helping us cope with the pandemic. The event is going to take place May 23 at the World Equestrian Center and will be a festive way to give thanks to the nurses who helped navigate us all through one of the toughest medical stretches in our nation’s history.
The year 2023 will also mark the 43rd for Ocala Magazine, which has evolved in shape and substance the entire time. From our knowledgeable sales staff to our extraordinary team of creative artists and writers, I am so blessed to be surrounded by the best talent.
I was never a publisher by trade, but since entering the industry I’ve learned so much thanks to being surrounded by the brightest minds this area has to offer. And as I have learned and continued to grow as a publisher, so has the magazine grown and become a source of pride for this ever-expanding community of ours.
For the coming year, Ocala Magazine aims to continue bringing elegant lifestyle stories while at the same time providing readers with compelling content that provides a glimpse into many different aspects of the community. The stories may be important in their news value or as strong narratives of local personalities. They may evoke laughter or anger and may touch on issues that foster a wide range of emotions. One can find relevant journalism side by side with brilliant lifestyle content, while at the same time learning about all the city and county have to offer their citizens.
My optimism for 2023 is boundless because of the faith I have in the people of this community, which have made Ocala/Marion County second to none in terms of places to live. The people of Ocala have made this a great place to live and deserve a magazine that lives up to the standard of its citizens, and we strive to make Ocala Magazine just such a publication.
I raise a toast to the new year and wish everyone a most prosperous 2023!
PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER
Afriend and I were watching football on a recent Sunday afternoon when the network flashed a breaking news bulletin. There had been another mass shooting.
My response? Sigh. My friend’s response was more declaratory: “Hmm, there is so much bad in the world these days.”
I heard what he said and the pessimism in which it was wrapped. Pessimism in humankind. Pessimism in America. Pessimism in our future.
He’s hardly alone. A Gallup poll earlier this year found just 10 percent of Americans think America’s best days are yet to come. A stunning 88 percent think our best days are behind us.
I contemplated his words for a minute, then offered: But there is so much good in the world these days that we never hear about. And there is. How many acts of kindness do we never hear about? How many community-changing efforts go without recognition? How many lives are made better each day, nay, each moment because of the good in the world.
Everyday Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith and the Salvation Army feed hundreds of hungry people. Everyday scores of people get health care they cannot afford through places like The Heart of Florida Health Center or the FreeD.O/M. Clinic.
Then there are the humane acts of Vets Serving Vets, the Marion County Children’s Alliance, the Literacy Council and dozens of civic clubs like the Kiwanis, Altrusa International and the Lions Club.
There’s tremendous power in an act of kindness. Something as simple as giving a compliment can uplift and brighten. In fact, psychologists agree that random acts of kind-
ness are not only good for the recipient – both, their mind and body – but for the giver as well. Yes, being kind is good for your health.
So, as we enter the new year, why don’t we resolve to be kinder? Oh, I know, more than 90 percent of people who make resolutions give up in relatively short order, but that’s because most of the resolutions we make require time, money and/or sacrifice. Think dieting. Think quitting smoking. Think joining a gym … and using it.
So, let’s go for a resolution that costs nothing, improves our mental and physical health and makes the world around us better. A resolution that doesn’t take time, money or much effort.
New year’s resolution: Be kind to others. That’s it. My resolution is to be kind to others, friend or stranger, whenever I can.
The possibilities are endless. We may think that with all our Facebook groups and our Instagram “stories” that we are more engaged and social than ever – you know “social” media. But the truth is, according to a recent study by Morning Consult, some 58
BY BRAD ROGERSpercent of Americans are lonely. Imagine what a brief conversation would mean to a lonely person.
I think of kind gestures that come my way and how much they lift my spirits.
I have one friend, Wes Wheeler, who sends out hundreds of birthday cards each year. He writes a short, complimentary note in each. What a gift.
A co-worker from the past, Judy Green, used to take pictures at company and community events. When she took one of you or your family that she thought was a keeper, she’d put it in one of those decorative cardboard frames and give it as a gift. Still makes me smile.
I was in the drive-through line at McDonald’s awhile back. When I got to the window, the cashier said the person in front of me had paid for my food. I was pleasantly surprised … and immensely grateful. A truly random act of kindness – one I passed on later.
So, folks, happy 2023! How ‘bout we make it the year of the random act of kindness. Take a moment each day to be kind in some way to a friend or a stranger. It doesn’t matter. Either way, we’ll be healthier and happier for it, and it will be a reminder that there is much more good in the world than bad.
...just 10 percent of Americans think America’s best days are yet to come. A stunning 88 percent think our best days are behind us.
New year’s resolution: Be kind to others.
That’s it.
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As most people are making their own personal resolutions for the new year, I thought I would change things up by offering up a New Year’s Wish List for Ocala.
The first things that come to mind involve our beautiful and vibrant downtown area. As great as it has become, I’d like to see the continued improvement starting with more residential in the area. In 2023, we will witness the completion of more apartment dwellings just steps away from the downtown square and that will mean an even livelier atmosphere with busy restaurants, shops and pubs. The great downtown areas in this country all have in common not just the nightlife, dining experiences and retail shopping opportunities, they all boast residents who can step outside their front door to this great lifestyle. This could be the missing piece to the puzzle in our own downtown.
On that note, I wish for more shops downtown that would increase daytime foot traffic to compliment the growing evening traffic. Together with more residential and more shops comes the third element on my wish list and the natural evolution of the first two: more downtown parking. Yes, we are forever talking about parking and every weekend the need for more parking becomes clearer and clearer.
Next on my wish list is the preservation of farmland. We love the managed growth taking place in our city, but we always need to remind ourselves that it’s the beautiful countryside that is a major drawing card of this area in the first place. A growing city with a vibrant downtown that coincides with the rural charms of horse pastures and viable crops is a can’t-miss formula on which everyone can be on board.
I wish for commercial air service in the near future. Flights to Atlanta and Miami seem like a good start. Then, how about places like Houston, Dallas or Charlotte. Direct flights to Louisville on anyone’s mind while we’re at it? I’m also thinking about flights to places like Asheville, N.C., since I know there are a lot of locals here who have places in the mountains.
In general, let’s just say the growth of our airport would be a wonderful thing.
I’m also wishing for money for the schools, which are in desperate need right now by close inspection of the infrastructure. Where would that money come from? That’s the million-dollar question.
My wish list includes continued public safety, something at which we have been very successful. We’ve been noted as the fourth-safest city in the country to live and I would like to keep it that way. We are a safe place because of a great police chief, outstanding judges and prosecutors, and even able public defenders. When I look at all our different law enforcement agencies and our team of first responders, I am confident we have the best of those -- my wish is that it stays this way.
So what else lands a spot on my wish list? For me, I’d love to see a Whole Foods, a Trader Joe’s and, ahem, a Krispy Kreme. I don’t think it’s too much to wish for.
We’ve been noted as the fourth-safest city in the country to live and I would like to keep it that way.
Help keep our utility workers safe along the roadside:
On highways with two or more lanes, move over a lane when it is safe to do so.
If you are unable to move over, or when on a two-lane road, slow to a speed 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
When the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less, slow down to 5 mph.
BY BRAD ROGERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RALPH DEMILIO
If you’ve lived in Marion County for any time at all, you’ve probably had this conversation with someone:
“Where are you from?”
“Ocala.”
“Oh, horse country.”
“Exactly.”
That dialogue appears in a brochure for Horse Farms Forever, an organization committed to protecting and preserving Ocala/ Marion County’s horse farms and its global brand as the Horse Capital of the World.TM It sums up what too many take for granted: That Ocala/Marion County, with an estimated 100,000 horses and some 1,500 horse farms, will always have the beautiful, open spaces that make it the horse capital.
The truth is, however, that the unyielding pressure of Florida’s rapid growth has already threatened it, and more threats are likely ahead without strong advocacy and increased awareness.
That’s where Horse Farms Forever comes in. HFF’s four-pronged goal is to promote, protect, preserve and plan for the future of horse farms in Ocala/Marion County, especially in the county’s 193,000acre Farmland Preservation Area.
“There are lots of places that have horse farms,” said Michelle Grald, HFF’s director of communications. “But here, we have an economic engine driven by horse power. It’s an industry, and that industry depends on open spaces.”
HFF was founded in 2018 in response to a Florida Department of Transportation proposal to build a four-lane toll road, known as the Coastal Connector, right through Marion County’s storied horse country. The road would have cut through the county-designated Farmland Preservation Area, home to some of Ocala/Marion County’s most iconic horse farms.
Horse farm owners, the business community and others rallied to oppose the project and, in the process, HFF was created. That was five years ago. Since them, HFF has evolved into a vital public voice for protecting and preserving our horse farms and our unique horse culture – again, with the primary focus on the Farmland Preservation Area.
They learned about land use and zoning. They attended hundreds and hundreds public meetings. They reviewed development plans. They proposed more restrictions for the
Farmland Preservation Area. And they did it with influential members who employed research and facts in making their case.
The result, HFF President Bernie Little said, is the organization has become a meaningful and ever-present voice on issues affecting development in our farmland communities.
“We have earned a seat at the table,” said Little, a former beer distributorship owner who now owns a horse farm and also raises cattle. “We’re a resource to the County Commission, the Growth Services Department and the CEP (Chamber &Economic
Partnership) on all things horse farm related.
“For anyone who wants to build anything that requires a land use or zoning change or special use permit in the Farmland Preservation Area, the thing they’re told is you better call Horse Farms Forever, because we’ve earned the watch dog reputation. And we’re fact-based and respectful in all our interactions.”
Little said the group has impacted a number of significant land use and development proposals.
After the victory in stopping the Coastal Connector, the group’s next challenge came when the Roberts family, the developers of Golden Ocala and the World Equestrian Center, and one of HFF’s founding members, sought to move the Farmland Protection Area boundary and free up 275 acres for development. The Farmland Preservation Area had already lost some 2,500 acres to previous boundary shifts approved by the county.
HFF responded with strong opposition and an intense multi-media campaign that ultimately stopped the plan.
“From that point, we earned a reputation,”
Little said. “We sort of earned our spurs.”
There have been other threats to the Farmland Preservation Area, and HFF has responded to each, garnering, if not victories, at least measurable concessions.
When a group sought a special use permit to establish a drag strip and ATV race course in Flemington, the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area, HFF responded vociferously. More than 50 landowners from within the Farmland Preservation Area appeared before the County Commission to oppose the proposal. The opposition worked.
When the Golden Ocala Equestrian Land organization expanded its equine holdings by purchasing the 1,000-acre Ocala Jockey Club on County Road 318 – again, in the heart of the Farmland Preservation Area – they asked HFF to review their plans before submitting an application to the county. As a condition for gaining HFF support of the WEC Jockey Club project, GOEL agreed to “down zone” two scenic Farmland Preservation Area gateway parcels along U.S. 27 from commercial to agriculture.
The result was scaled-down development plans and more than 500 acres being preserved as open spaces on the property that includes a four-star, Olympic-caliber eventing course.
While critics said it was still too much development for an area set aside for farmland preservation, Little and HFF directors counted it as a victory. Yes, it will mean new development, they said, but it will be limited and will be development in keeping with the equine character of the Farmland Preservation Area.
“We think the WEC Jockey Club property will do more than anything HFF could have done alone to protect horse farms in the area,” Little said.
One thing is for sure: HFF is watching every building and development proposal that is submitted to the county, and on a weekly basis. With 190 new residents moving into Ocala/Marion County weekly, it is no small task. Nonetheless, Little and Busy Shires, HFF director of conservation strategies, review every permit application submitted to the county’s Planning and Zoning Department every week.
Ocala/Marion County, with an estimated 100,000 horses and some 1,500 horse farms, we will always have the beautiful, open spaces.Bernie Little
“Busy and I read every application to Planning and Zoning,” Little said, “and there are dozens of them.”
Little said that sort of persistence has paid off for HFF with those who make development decisions.
“We’ve earned a respected place at the table because our positions are fact-based and we’re laser-focused on our mission,” he said.
More to the point, the County Commission and local government planning staffs have come to embrace HFF as not just an advocacy group, but a partner. For example, in addition to its case-by-case wins in preserving our horse farms and the community’s character, HFF also convinced the County Commission to amend the county’s comprehensive plan with stricter development regulations for the Farmland Preservation Area that, in Little’s words, “put a lot
more teeth in it.”
The result? All special use permits and zoning changes in the Farmland Preservation Area have to “preserve, protect, support and enhance the rural, equestrian and farmland character of the FPA,” he said.
That is the long-term objective of HFF – to promote, protect, preserve and plan so Ocala/Marion County’s equine heritage remains vibrant and lasting. That heritage, after all, is also the community’s global brand.
Moreover, when HFF started, there were only five signs denoting the Farmland Preservation Area. Today there are 50.
“We are an organization that is getting things done in the name of the Farmland Preservation Area,” Grald said.
Next on HFF’s agenda is to work with county staff and stakeholders to revise the county’s existing transfer of development rights
program to ensure the permanent conservation of horse farms in the Farmland Preservation Area through conservation easements.
Little said HFF is in it for the long haul and will adhere to its strategy of making its case by being “factual and respectful.”
“Many of the other groups have a short term focus, like playing checkers. We are playing chess,” Little said. “We’re in it for the long game, hoping to make a substantial and lasting impact.”
He believes that impact is already evident by the response HFF has gotten from the County Commission and its staff.
“The elected commissioners are all strong supporters of the Farmland Preservation Area,” he said. “They’re aware of what this area means to the county.”
To join Horse Farms Forever or obtain more information about its advocacy and education efforts, go online to https://www. horsefarmsforever.com.
HFF is watching every building and development proposal that is submitted to the county, and on a weekly basis.
To the untrained eye, the U.S. Geological Service’s maps of Marion County are hard to read. After all, it is a map crowded with hundreds of individual numerals identifying the different types of dirt across the breadth of the county’s 1,663 square miles. One of those numbers –8 – is, it turns out, the county’s lucky number.
Found largely in the northwest quadrant of the county, in what today is the Farmland Preservation Area, the presence and volume of No. 8 soil is what many horse industry historians and observers credit with making Ocala what it is today, the Horse Capital of the World.
You see, No. 8 soil is special because it is a thin layer of dirt atop a massive limestone formation known as the Ocala Ridge that runs from south of Ocala to west of Tallahassee. That almost-pure limestone is chockfull of calcium carbonate, and calcium is a key nutrient in building strong bones and muscles in horses and humans.
“Why is the grass so good in Ocala?” University of Florida soil scientist Dr. Allan R. Bacon said. “The short answer is it grows in calcium-rich limestone.”
What makes No. 8 soil so nutritious is that the limestone is just a few feet from the surface, meaning the calcium it contains is more easily absorbed by plants.
It hasn’t always been that way. Bacon explained that tens of millions of years ago, Florida was underwater, and large amounts of limestone were deposited where our peninsula now exists. As the ocean receded and created what is now Florida somewhere between 5 million and 25 million years ago, it would rise and fall, then rise and fall again. Each time it fell, it washed some of the sandy and, importantly, clay surface soils away, until we have the geological make-up that is Florida in 2023. By washing away an entire layer of clay in areas with No. 8 soil, it allowed plants and grasses to absorb the calcium carbonate more easily from the limestone.
While the USGS first documented No. 8 soil in Marion County in 1892, it would be a half century later before it would be recognized as a potential ingredient for breeding and raising quality racehorses. And it took a road builder-turned-horse farm owner to bring it to the world’s attention.
Carl Rose,
up on
Indiana draft
moving to Florida to become a major road builder, was Marion County’s first thoroughbred breeder. Generally considered “the father of the Florida thoroughbred industry,” Rose realized that
Florida limestone made for terrific roadbeds. He also recognized the mineral content of the limestone could be beneficial to growing livestock, especially race horses.
In the 1930s, he built his Rosemere Farm — which was located on 3,000 acres
that included land where the College of Central Florida and Paddock Mall now sit — and took unimpressive horses and developed them into winners. It was the soil, he said, that made for stronger and faster horses. Other horse breeders were watching.
Bonnie Heath and Jack Dudley, a couple of Midwestern oil wildcatters, were among them. They came to Florida and built farms around where the Heathbrook shopping center on State Road 200 is today. They would go on to put Ocala on the horse racing map.
In 1956, Heath and Dudley had a horse that was special. He had been a sickly foal that almost died in his first few months from pneumonia. He was given so many shots by veterinarians that they named the horse Needles. Needles would go on to win the
1956 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes (he finished second in the Preakness) and Ocala would never be the same.
By 1958, there were 28 horse farms in Marion County. Horse breeders were paying attention to what was happening here. They still are — today there are more than 1,000 horse operations in and around Ocala. And the makeup of its soil is a big reason why.
As equine journalist Tom Ferry wrote: “What is the appeal of Marion County and the state of Florida when it comes to raising horses? It begins with the high concentration of limestone in the soil. Comparable to the mineral makeup found in Kentucky, breeders have long associated the grazing of nutrient-rich grasses with the creation of healthier genes for stronger racehorses. This has rarely been more evident than in Ocala and Marion County throughout the past 80 years.”
Joan Pletcher, one of Ocala’s leading horse farm Realtors, said that some prospective horse farm buyers request land that contains No. 8 soil. But she said it is far less common than one would think. Rather, today’s horse farm purchasers are coming to Ocala because, well, it is the Horse Capital of the World.
It’s about more than the soil, although that was a big draw early on in the growth of the equine industry here.
Travis Douglass agrees. Douglass is a fifth-generation Marion County farmer and associate professor/Agribusiness Program manager at College of Central Florida and said while the presence of No. 8 soil might have precipitated Ocala’s emergence as one of the world’s top four equine communities, there is more than calcium-rich soil to the equation that made the horse capital.
While Douglass concedes No. 8 soil is an important factor in the development of the area’s equine industry, he said other factors are important as well.
He noted that prior to the arrival of horse breeders Marion County was primarily an agricultural community, growing row crops, cotton, citrus and livestock. That’s why we have communities with names like Citra, Orange Springs and Cotton Plant.
Of course, the row crop farmers have moved south to better growing conditions and better markets. Freezes wiped out most
of the once-thriving citrus industry. And cotton, once a leading crop hereabouts, has all but disappeared.
But today, horses and their multibillion-dollar impact on the local economy are the dominant agricultural sector – by a long shot – and while it may have started with Carl Rose and his knowledge of our calcium-rich soil, the quality and quantity of Oc-
ala’s horses are the result of more than dirt.
“There’s truth to the idea that No. 8 soil was key in the development of the horse industry here,” Douglass said. “But the climate and the water are all part of it, too.”
Douglass noted that the limestone that laces our grasses with calcium also has our drinking water running through its porous underground formations. The result is our
water is calcium-rich, too.
And then there’s the climate. Because our weather is so warm, Douglass said, Ocala enjoys 250 days of “grazable pasture” each year, which not only is good nutritionally but also allows for year-round training of the horses.
Douglass said the recognition of the presence and value of No. 8 soil, especially following Needles’ Kentucky Derby win,
caused a cosmic shift in Ocala’s agricultural make-up and spurred horse people to flock here. But today, he said, the legacy of No. 8 soil and what attracts more horse aficionados to Ocala is the fact that it has grown to be the Horse Capital of the World. That means it has the equine infrastructure – everything from veterinary specialists and tack dealers to fence companies and a trained equine work
force – to serve growing numbers of horse people. And they’re flocking here in droves.
Nonetheless, UF’s Bacon said there is no denying the importance of Ocala’s limestone rich soil and No. 8’s impact on turning the region into the world-famous horse country it is today.
“Let’s face it,” he said, “Ocala is a wonderful little sweet spot in the state.”
Retired, abandoned and abused horses find comfort in local homes
Memories of those glorious days in the limelight, when the crowds’ cheers echoed through the arena and the adrenaline rush of competition routinely nourished the sinews, may be seared vividly and permanently in the conscience or may be so distant as to no longer own space in the mind. If an aged race horse could talk, perhaps it would regale its offspring with grand tales of past glory on the track, boring generation after generation of wire-to-wire victories in distant lands.
Alas, only God knows if a retired thoroughbred remembers those days of sublime renown or even longs for their return. There is no way the horse could ever understand that it’s true role in younger days was as capital, a commodity investment with the hope of bringing a healthy return to its human owners. If that were so, the horse would certainly realize the pending predicament upon retirement, when it more than likely goes from benefit to burden. For many of these horses, the transition to burdensome beast bodes an unhappy ending that could include neglect, abandonment and, in the worst of cases, outright destruction.
For Story to Tell, who earned over $300,000 in prize money for his owners during his racing days, the ending looks to be a happy one as he roams the Cedar Lock Farm and Racing Stables under the care of Laurine Fuller-Vargas. Before his arrival at Cedar Lock in Morriston, the horse was trending in an altogether different direction, a vector similar to that of many horses past their primes that see the final stages of their lives either neglected and wanting medical care and nourishment or even sent to a kill pen.
“He (Story to Tell) used to be a stakes horse,” Fuller-Vargas explained. “And because of that they kept trying to run him for the bottom claimers.”
For famed racing photographer Barbara Livingston, seeing the horse go from stakes races to $5,000 claiming races meant just one thing: Retirement from racing and a likely surrender from the owners, which could be dire for the horse, was the next step. So, Livingston bought the horse for $500 and sent it to Cedar Lock where she knew Story to Tell would be in good hands and live out its life under the care of loving owners.
Story to Tell represents one of many
happy endings in the world of horse rescues that play a prominent role in the equine fabric of Marion County. The breeding, training and competing of horses is well documented in central Florida, but the caring for these animals long after they have served their ultimate purpose is the more unsung flip side of the industry but just as important. From professional organizations dedicated to providing after-care and rehabilitation for horses to individuals eager to foster those in trouble, the Ocala area boasts quite a few soft hearts that assure those happy endings that otherwise would not have been.
Among those is Carla Treitel, who currently provides a home for two rescued horses and a rescued mule.
“In our case, we wanted to make a difference with these horses through kindness,” said Treitel, who with her husband owns horse property at Via Paradisus. “It’s a wonderful thing to save a horse or any animal — our dogs are rescues — because they are essentially homeless and have been poorly treated.”
Among Treitel’s rescues is a white mule named Angel that is being trained to pull a cart and a Belgian named Saffron, previously owned by an Amish family. “They worked
...the transition to burden some beast bodes an unhappy ending that could include neglect, abandonment and, in the worst of cases, outright destruction.
that horse until they were ready for him to die,” Treitel said of Saffron. “For whatever reason, they didn’t feel he was worth feeding and were dumping him. It had such a hard life, when it got off the trailer the guy driving the trailer said the horse was about half dead.”
Treitel says Saffron has “bounced back like there’s no tomorrow” and that it’s “the star of the farm.”
The Treitels purchased Saffron and several others from a kill pen in Oklahoma they have deemed most trustworthy and that is one way to rescue a horse in a desperate situation. There are also organizations such as the Horse Protection Association of Florida whose mission is to rescue starved, neglected, abused and abandoned horses. The HPAF takes in horses, rehabilitates and trains them so they can find permanent foster homes.
Recently, when 16 neglected mustangs were discovered in Williston, the HPAF stepped in to assist with the case. Suffering from severe starvation, three of the horses had to be euthanized while four currently reside at the HPAF farm located in Micanopy. The rest were rehabilitated to where they were able to find good homes.
“We’re talking about horses that are skeletons, are too weak to get up,” said HPAF Executive Director Christine Massinger. “That’s an extreme situation in which we get involved.”
In 31 years, HPAF has rescued over 2,000 horses that include many different breeds beyond thoroughbreds. Among the recent rescues is a group of six miniature horses that Massinger refers to as their “Miracle Minis.” Included in the group was one discarded on someone’s property in Orlando and taken to an equine facility there. The handlers at that facility could not touch the horse because it was so frightened, but after HPAF became involved, the horse has a new name (Courage) and new prospects. “He’s turned around and he loves kisses and everything else,” Massinger said.
The Miracle Minis are now helping in the community, according to Massinger. The horses are integral to the Spirit Walk program in which a person takes a reflective walk with a miniature horse on a mile-long path.
The need for horse rescues grows, thanks to several factors: 1. A sliding economy that makes unproductive horses too expensive to keep, and 2. Voluminous breeding
of the animals with the end game not clearly taken into consideration.
Around Ocala, where an abundance of wealth would seem to make the former a moot point, the opposite is actually true as many horse owners have come to find they simply can no longer afford to take care of them. “There’s more of a percentage of horse owners that aren’t wealthy, who are just animal lovers who either grew up with horses or
who just love horses,” Massinger said. “Unfortunately, with inflation and everything else, the cost of hay and feed are rising and even well-intended people are not able to take care of their horses.”
Fuller-Vargas, whose mother and grandmother were trainers, grew up in the horse industry and has seen first-hand the unfortunate dark side of the business where some horses face neglect or abandonment
when their productive years have passed.
“I’ve seen so many owners get into the sport and not even think, ‘what are we going to do when we have a broken horse and paying $80 a day to have it trained or cared for until they find a home?’” Fuller-Vargas said. “Money adds up quick and they’re getting rid of the horses quicker and not vetting the people they’re giving the horses to, sometimes.”
At the HPAF facility in Micanopy,
Massinger estimates that it costs approximately $9,000 a month to take care of the 47 horses currently residing there. That cost, however, includes only hay and feed; other costs such as veterinary services, farrier services and medicines add astronomically to that number.
“When we get our first frost,” Massinger said, “there will be good-hearted people that might not be able to take care of their horses because of the cost of hay in particular.”
Rescuing a horse from a potential demise brings a level of satisfaction that is hard to deny, but rescuing a horse from a cruel situation where the animal is starving, has been abused or is in desperate need of medical attention makes the rescue especially heartwarming. That is where Treitel sees the biggest impact, especially with those rescued from the kill pens.
“I have to believe they know they were not wanted,” Treitel said. “They were there to be killed, and because they’re instinctive animals, when they get on that truck to go somewhere they have no idea what’s next. But when they get off and start to be treated kindly and are given a stall, and are fed, and their teeth are done, well … there’s such great affection from these horses. We see significant change in the horse as early as the second week.
“It’s extra special when they come to you and you can see in their being that they’re coming from a place they never want
“We’re talking about horses that are skeletons, are too weak to get up. That’s an extreme situation in which we get involved.”
to go back to and all of a sudden they don’t have to.”
To rescue horses in trouble, Treitel goes mainly to the Stroud Oklahoma Kill Pen, one she has deemed trustworthy in a world where some kill pens may try to take advantage of kind hearts. Some pens have a reputation for advertising horses as on the brink of being destroyed so that rescuers will step in and pay higher amounts to rescue the animal right away when in reality that horse is not slated to be killed soon. Treitel is happy she has found a kill pen with an impeccable record.
“They sell horses that can find a home like crazy,” Treitel said of the Stroud kill pen. “Every horse they can save, they save and find a home for.”
According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 23,000 horses were
shipped to slaughter in 2021, down dramatically from the 166,000 shipped for slaughter in 2012. Most disturbing is that 92.3 percent of those horses are in good condition and would otherwise have been able to live out healthy, productive lives. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association recently estimated that 7,500 thoroughbreds each year are slaughtered for human consumption.
The notion that currently abused or neglected horses have nothing left to give has been proven a myth by rescuers such as Treitel, Massinger and Fuller-Vargas. Horses deemed unworthy by previous owners often find homes where they earn their keep as competition horses, trail horses, companions and even therapeutic pets. From retired race horses to abandoned mustangs and minis, there is still much life left in these animals
beyond merely fattening up in a pasture.
At Cedar Lock, a bi-monthly hunter-jumper show takes place as well as a three-day Thoroughbred Transformation Expo at the Florida Horse Park in December. At the most recent expo, one of Fuller-Vargas’ rescues actually came to the rescue itself. One horse from a Canadian woman who comes down for the expo came up lame; that’s when Fuller-Vargas called on another retired thoroughbred to step in and compete in place of the scratch.
“He’s been with us five years and is one of our oldest residents,” Fuller-Vargas said of the stand-in horse, referred to locally as Ghost since he is a progeny of Ghostzapper. Ghost’s name in his racing days was Who We Gonna Call and his story is similar to Story to Tell’s.
Ghost was to be an event horse stallion
for his new post-racing career owners, but a coffin bone injury would make this impossible. The owner called Fuller-Vargas for help.
“She was hysterical that she had to find this horse a home immediately or it was going to be put down,” Fuller-Vargas said. “So I took this horse in sight-unseen. We got him gelded, started working with him and riding him. The horse is amazing and worth his weight in gold, but he’s limited to what he can do because of injury.”
Despite his injury, Ghost competed in the expo and the rest of his days are spent being ridden by children.
For Ghost, like Story to Tell and Saffron, the Williston mustangs and the Miracle Minis, life goes on in a grand and happy way even when the limelight has dimmed. It’s all thanks to those who come to the rescue.
“It’s extra special when they come to you and you can see in their being that they’re coming from a place they never want to go back to and all of a sudden they don’t have to.”
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Each month, Ocala Magazine will showcase the tastes, opinions and desires of its readers through its online survey. For January, we discovered these inclinations:
OF READERS POLLED SAID THEY WOULD PREFER TO LIVE WITH A VIEW OF THE OCEAN.
Right here in Ocala and in the mountains both tied for second place at 21%
are favored over sunrises for 71% of respondents
IS THE MOST COMMON AGE THAT READERS SAID THEY WOULD LOVE TO REMAIN AT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
Answers ranged from age 21 to age 45.
Yellowstone
beat out other shows as the 2022 favorite TV show they watched in 2022 among respondents.
Succession came in second with 16% of the votes.
tied for first place as favorite Friends characters among respondents.
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute’s top-ranked cancer experts provide the most advanced treatments in our local community.
From genetic screening to immunotherapies, our quality care brings effective, targeted treatment to you so you can stay close to home. We take care of all the big things in cancer care, so you can focus on all the little moments that matter—every step of the way.
The Texas Roadhouse Butcher Shop is sharing steps for building an eye-catching and mouth-watering charcuterie board that will add color, flavor and variety to your holiday table.
1. Grab a platter or surface to display your charcuterie. Anything will work, even a simple cutting board. Just be sure to choose a size that you can fill completely.
2. Use dishes or ramekins of mismatched sizes, shapes and colors to hold dressings, toppings and sauces.
This will keep your board clean and add fun visual details to the display.
3. Inc lude two to four cheeses of contrasting flavors and textures to please all palates, and to complement other elements of the board. The varieties you select should represent these basic categories: hard cheese, (such as Chardonnay Bellavitano) soft cheese, (such as brie) and blue cheese (such as French Roquefort).
4. W hile a traditional charcuterie
board typically sticks with cured meats, the holiday season is the perfect occasion for adding depth and richness to your feast with grilled meats, such as filet, sliced into strips. Those from Texas Roadhouse Butcher Shop are lean, flavorful, and melt in your mouth, making them a natural choice for a hearty holiday spread. Whether you are firing up the grill or preparing on a cooktop, allow any cooked meats to rest well before adding them to your board.
5. No charcuterie board is complete without some crunch. Add two to three options like pita crackers, crusty breads or toasted baguettes that will stand up to the weight of your meats and cheeses.
6. Now, add some brightness and sweetness to your board. Fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries and green grapes, and preserves such as peach pepper jam, will add contrast to rich, salty meats and cheeses. Don’t forget seasonal sweets and treats like soft peppermints, peanut brittle, chocolate dipped pretzels and candied nuts.
7. You’ll want your charcuterie board to look as if it’s overflowing. So, as you’re building it out, start with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats first, followed by smaller items like crackers, fresh produce and sweets. Fill in any holes with sprigs of aromatic rosemary for trimming, along with additional portions of the smaller items. The various elements of the board should pair well together, so it’s okay if they touch.
For additional hosting tips, or to shop for seasonal gifts and your holiday spread, visit trbutchershop.com.
To wow your guests and their tastebuds, take your charcuterie board to the next level with seasonal treats, grilled meats and a cornucopia of sweet and savory flavors.
» 1 package slider rolls
» 1/2 cup pizza sauce
» 1/2 cup mini pepperoni
» 1 1/2 cups shredded, low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese
» 1/4 cup butter, melted
» 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
» 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
» 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
» 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
» nonstick cooking spray
• Heat oven 350º F.
• Keeping rolls connected, cut sheet of rolls horizontally, separating tops from bottoms. Place bottom halves of rolls in baking dish.
• Spread pizza sauce evenly over bottom halves. Sprinkle pepperoni over sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella over pepperoni and cover with top halves of rolls.
• Mix melted butter with parsley flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Spoon evenly over sliders.
• Cover baking dish with aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to keep cheese from sticking.
• Bake 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake additional 5-10 minutes or until Parmesan is melted and golden brown.
• Cut sliders and serve immediately.
Recipe adapted from MilkMeansMore.org For more recipes, visit culinary.net.
If you’re someone who agrees that no tailgate or watch party is complete without wings, you’re in good company. According to Chef Jordan Carfagno of Frank’s RedHot, chicken wings are the brand’s most searched recipe during football season. And it’s no wonder, Frank’s is the original Buffalo wings sauce flavor. Anyone looking to kick their wings up a notch can try this mouthwatering recipe for a classic take on wings, and it can be made in the oven at home, or in an air fryer if you’re tailgating.
» 1/3 cup butter, melted
» 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce
» 2 and 1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Mix butter and RedHot Sauce in medium bowl; set aside.
• Arrange wings on large foil-lined pan. Bake on lowest oven rack for 30 minutes or until crispy, turning once.
• Toss wings in sauce mixture until well coated. Serve with blue cheese and celery, if desired.
Chef Carfagno says dip recipes are gaining popularity this year, and this spicy creamy Buffalo chicken dip is the MVP of them all. Make it in the oven at home or plug in an instant pot or slow cooker for on-the-go prep.
» 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
» 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
» 1/2 cups Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce
» 1/2 cup ranch dressing
» 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon into a shallow 1-quart baking dish.
• Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir. Sprinkle with green onions, if desired, and serve with chips, crackers and cut up veggies.
Check out franksredhot.com for more game-day recipes and inspiration.
This football season, bring your A-game to your tailgate spread by adding the perfect blend of flavor and heat to classic fan favorites.
There are 52 weeks in every year, what are YOU doing this week? GO52 makes that an easy question to answer. Unless you struggle with choices, because yeah, there’s a LOT to do here in Ocala. GO52 is an online event listing epicenter that is dedicated to sharing all of the Ocala and Marion County happenings in one place so your calendar will never be empty again. Visit go52.events, do a quick search, then get out ang go!
There’s more to do in Marion
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant.
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse is Ocala’s Premier Destination Restaurant.
Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.
Mark’s Prime prides itself on being a traditional fine dining steakhouse delivering a world-class guest experience. Our diverse menu features awardwinning wines and spirits, prime steaks, and fresh local seafood all prepared by our Certified Executive Chef Randal White and his outstanding team. We pride ourselves on delivering exemplary service to every guest, with attention to detail and intentional hospitality.
Thursday Night’s at the Plantation Featuring the soulful Louie Fortunato (see attached picture). Come enjoy your Thursday night with live music from 6-9pm and $2 off signature drinks and glasses of wine.
30 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 402-0097 Tues - Thurs 5pm - 9:30pm | Fri, Sat 5pm - 10pm https://marksprimesteakhouse.com
30 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 402-0097 Tues - Thurs 5pm - 9:30pm | Fri, Sat 5pm - 10pm https://marksprimesteakhouse.com
Thursday Night’s at the Plantation Featuring the soulful Louie Fortunato (see attached picture). Come enjoy your Thursday night with live music from 6-9pm and $2 off signature drinks and glasses of wine.
Join
Call for reservations and weekly specials. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm For reservations, call 1.800.632.6262 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
Call for reservations and weekly specials at West 82° Bar & Grille. Breakfast, Daily: 6:00am-10:30am | Sunday Brunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Lunch, Daily: 11:00am - 2:30pm | Dinner, Daily: 5:00pm - 9:00pm For reservations, call (352) 651-5746 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429 | (352) 795-4211 www.plantationoncrystalriver.com
Whether
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our bar and enjoy our premium, specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
9301 West Fort Island Trail Crystal River, FL 34429 (352) 795-4211 plantationoncrystalriver.com
53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala | (352) 622-5550
53 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala (352) 622-5550
Closed Mon, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm
Closed Sun & Mon, Tues 11am-2pm, Wed 11am-9pm, Thurs 11am-9pm
106 NW Main St., Williston | (352) 528-5410 Sun-Wed 11am-2pm, Thurs-Sat 11am-8pm | ivyhousefl.com
Stop by our speakysy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Stop by our new speakeasy bar and enjoy our specialty drinks! Gift certificates available.
Jan 6 – 8 @ 1-7pm | at the World Equestrian Center, Expo Center 2 Ocala’s biggest boating event with boats to board and buy at the best prices of the year is coming to the World Equestrian Center, on January 6-8, 2023. If it sails, paddles, or has an engine, you will find it here from the area’s best Boat Dealers, all together under one roof. Whether it’s fishing, sailing, cruising, riding personal watercraft, wake surfing, or tubing – the Ocala Boat Show provides a unique shopping experience for your budget and lifestyle. Take advantage of the special show pricing, incentives, and perks that will be offered at the 2023 Ocala Boat Show. Advance tickets are good all weekend and kids 12 and under are always free. *Friday, January 6th is $5 Ticket Day, available online. $6 at the door. ADVANCE TICKET PRICES: General Admission – $7 + Tax; Senior, Military, Veteran, First Responder – $5 + Tax DOOR PRICES: General Admission – $8; Senior, Military, Veteran, First Responder – $6; Children 12 & Under Free. Free Parking. Get tickets at https://bmgevents.ticketspice.com/2023-ocala-boat
Jan 30 @ 7–8:30pm | Ocala Golf Club
On a mission from God - The Atlantic City Blues Brothers star as Jake and Elwood in this soul-filled show Direct from Atlantic City's Boardwalk Showroom at The Claridge attached to Ballys Atlantic City LIVE in Ocala for one night to remember! All the hits you know and love, including “Goin’ Back to Miami,” “Soul Man,” “Sweet Home Chicago”, "Everybody needs Somebody to Love" and many more! Plus, the Atlantic City Blues Brothers sometimes features a live Blues set from a special guest artist from the Florida Blues scene. Tickets on Eventbrite.
Jan 8 @ 11am – 3pm
Ocala Downtown Market
New year, new oddities! 2023 is going to be an amazing year and the best way to kick it off is by surrounding yourself with some amazing Oddities. 76 Vendors, food trucks and entertainment — always FREE! Family friendly, pet friendly.
Three Magical Weekends
Jan 14-15, 21-22, 27-29, 2023
New location: 9409 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL
For three magical weekends, a medieval village comes alive during festival season for the 36th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire. The Faire showcases more than 160 talented artisans and craftspeople from all over the country, who arrive at Hoggetowne to display and sell a variety of goods. At the marketplace, visitors will find one-of-a-kind blacksmithing, jewelry, stone and wood carvings, weaving, hand-blown glassware, leather crafts, and period fashions. Master crafters will also show how they create their works of art. If walking through the market makes visitors hungry, they can head to the food court for a feast fit for a king. Tasty blooming onions, giant turkey legs, fresh-baked pastries, sweet potato fries and succulent ribs are just some of the foods available. Young lords and ladies can also be seen munching giant turkey legs. Step back in time and cheer on jousting knights, wander through the medieval marketplace where hundreds of artisans sell their wares, witness a battle on the living chess board, partake in olde world games and rides and feast on food fit for a king. Enjoy nine stages of entertainment where the forgotten skills of full-flight falconry, gripping aerial acrobatics and old-world magic come to life. Jugglers, knife throwers and gypsy dancers add to the excitement as they fill the streets of Hoggetowne. More info at https://www.hoggetownemedfaire.com
Brought to you by GO52.events
There are 52 weeks in each year. What are you doing this week?
Jan. 16 @ 10am-2pm
Webb Field at Martin Luther King Recreation Complex, 1501 W Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34475
Enjoy the afternoon with live entertainment, speakers food vendors and more.
Presented by Marion County's DR Martin Luther King JR Commemorative Commission Inc.
Jan 22 @ 2:30pm & 7pm
Orange Blossom Opry 16439 SE 138th Terrace
Weirsdale, FL 32195
Fifteen-time Grammy® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs’ career is easily among the most significant in recent country music history. If Skaggs’ burgeoning trophy case full of awards wasn’t already enough evidence of that fact, consider that legendary guitarist Chet Atkins once credited Skaggs with “single-handedly saving country music.” His life’s path has taken him to various musical genres, from where it all began in bluegrass music, to striking out on new musical journeys, while still leaving his musical roots intact. Cost: $62 - $56 - $51 - $47. Tickets and info at www.obopry.com
Jan 29 @ 9am-4pm
Silver Springs State Park Ballroom, 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd Ocala, FL 34470
The Ocala Camellia Society is a local society, affiliated with the American Camellia Society. Annual dues are $10 for individuals, $15 for couples, and $50 for corporate sponsors. A monthly newsletter is published prior to each meeting and is included in the price of the annual dues. We strongly urge all members to simultaneously join the American Camellia Society, and usually offer a free one-gallon camellia plant as a thank you gift. The annual Ocala Camellia Show is generally held on the fourth Saturday in January each year, and is open to the public on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m., in Ocala, Florida. Judging by American Camellia Society Certified Judges begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Camellia plants will be on sale both days. The Ocala Camellia Society meets on the first Thursday of each month, September through March, at 6:30 p.m., at the Community Center of the Ocala Police Department, 402 S. Pine, Ocala, Marion County, Florida.
Jan 13 @ 10am-6pm
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd
The second annual Pride of the Pasture Stock Show is hosted by Town & Country 4-H Club in Marion County. This show is open to all youth exhibitors in Florida and will feature unique breed divisions. Showmanship classes for all ages, even the little tikes (ages 3-7), a competitive Vintage showmanship class for 21+ with proceeds going to charity, a fabulous Rug Class for your cattle with incredible hides, and a light-hearted, boot-stomping Barn Dance! Divisions will include BULLS, HEIFERS, STEERS, and COW/CALF. Pride of the Pasture will be held at the spacious Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, FL. Bathrooms, concessions, vendors, and a large covered arena are just a few of the great features our show has to offer! For info and sponsorship opportunities, call Christina at 352817-5871.
Jan 20 @ 6-9pm
Tuscawilla Art Park - 213 Northeast 5th Street Ocala
The City of Ocala Cultural Arts and Sciences Division presents the 2023 Tuscawilla Art Park Series: Bluegrass and BBQ. Enjoy live musical performances by International Bluegrass Music award-winning bluegrass artists Appalachian Road Show with The Wandering Hours, among the public art and backdrop of the historic Ocala Union Train Station. Enjoy barbecue from Big Lee's Serious About BBQ and Country Boyz BBQ, with desserts from Big Man's Cafe as well as a CASH bar, sponsored by TriEagle Sales Van Akin - Foxfire Realty. Tickets $10-$20. Available on Eventbrite.
Visit GO52.events to find oodles more events in Ocala/Marion County.
Ocala Magazine was proud to host a celebratory toast to our 2022 Better than the Best winners at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. Our competition is completely reader voted and there is never any fee to enter, or win — so these winners all deserve a huge congratulations for doing great things in Ocala. The readers have noticed, keep up the great work!
PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT
The Ocali Country Days festival takes place on the second weekend of November each year. This popular event celebrates the pioneer spirit and folk life of old Florida with live music, food, vendors and “old timey” craft demonstrations. Visitors came to interact with skilled crafters to learn more about blacksmithing, making sugar cane syrup, cooking over an open hearth, log cabins, traditional Seminole cooking and arts, pioneer cattle and horses, spinning, weaving and quilting, and more.
Spookala brought a fun Christmas twist to the annual horror convention and Ocala received it with cheer. Celebrities, cosplayers, tons of oddities vendors, displays and goods were available for our community to meet at World Equestrian Center. Highlights included Andy Black of the Black Veil Brides, The Lost Boys' stars Corey Feldman, Alex Winter and Tim Capello plus many famed people behind the horror movies we all know and love.
BY BRANDI WRIGHT
As the sun came up over the Ocala Municipal Golf Course, teams began teeing off for the 29th Annual Lions Club - Jerry Cullison Memeorial Golf Tournament. Particiants competed in teams of four at a chance to win a Car, Golf Cart, or Boat. One lucky winner, Rick Stillman, won a 65" Samsung TV.
All proceeds from this annual event will be used to help The Ocala Lions Club in providing hearing and vision screenings to children in our community. If you'd like more information on how you can help support the Lions Club, please visit www.e-clubhouse.org.
PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT
Once a year, the World Equestrian Center is transformed into a Winter Wonderland where breathtaking light displays and entertainment come together to make the season magical! With thousands of shimmering lights illuminating the barns and grounds, guests from across Central Florida got to experience the magic of the holiday season with stilt walkers, face painting, carolers, and more. To learn more about this holiday festival or to see all of the upcoming events at The World Equestrian Center, please visit www.worldequestriancenter.com
PHOTOS BY BRANDI WRIGHT
This year marked the 38th anniversary of the longstanding holiday merry making tradition that kicks off the holidays. Ocala Electric Utility presented Light Up Ocala at the Downtown Ocala Square and boasted over 100 vendors including crafts, art and plenty of food options to choose from. There was live entertainment, festive sounds and an interactive kids zone – all of which culminated in the most exciting part of the event: lighting up downtown Ocala!
Presenting Sponsor: All About You Real Estate
A special honor goes to Andrew Grunther, event chair for his dedication and unwavering perseverance to make this event the success it was.
The long-awaited HOPS Annual Christmas Tour was held on December 17th beginning at their office, the Bryant House, located at downtown 712 East Fort King Street. There were over 600 attendees exploring some of the most beautiful and historic residences in the SE Ocala district. HOPS wowed the guests with holiday carolers spreading cheer while serving hors d’oeuvres prepared by Grated and Cured. A meet and greet with Mrs. Claus made the evening special. Docents and volunteers were at each home to assist and guide, along with serving special drinks and foods by Soleil Bakery and The Depot on Magnolia.
A special Thank You to all of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and homeowners that hosted their beautiful homes. Sponsors for the event were: Brick City Pest Control, Grand Tree Service, Grated and Cured, OEU, OM Ocala Magazine, 352 Preview Magazine, Downtown Neighbors Magazine, Angie Lewis State Farm, RBOI, Roberts Real Estate, Your Hearts Desire, Shannon Roth Collection, The Graceful Gardener, Soleil Bakery, The Depot on Magnolia, Ambleside School, and Nobel Haus, Inc.
PHOTOS BY HOLLY YOCUM
HOPS celebrated its end of the year meeting with Christmas festivities and dinner together. Frank and Pamela Stafford were the gracious hosts at their home which brings forth literally another world of museum and antique collections they have acquired over the years. HOPS is the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, a not for profit 501c3 organization. For more information on how you can become a member of HOPS or a volunteer or both, follow their Facebook page or website at historicocala.org.
BY BRANDI WRIGHT
The Kiwanis Club Of Ocala held their 59th Annual Pancake Breakfast at Eighth Street Elementary School with Santa as the special guest. The pancake event helps to serve many children in our Community and supports the Camp Kiwanis For The Children Of Marion County. Every $250 donated and sponsored sends a child to camp for a full week. School Guidance Counselors help to select the children and Sponsors help to fund each child.
The successful day brought full attendance from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. and most importantly made many children and their parents ‘happy campers’. For more information on how you may help to support our children and to become a member, follow on Facebook or at: kiwanisofocala.com.
Tick Tock goes the clock.
Time is gone and you can’t get it back, so stay on track.
Manage your time. Make a plan so you don’t waste time.
Time is a gift you must learn to use.
Time is a gift you must not abuse!
If you abuse time, it will bite you back in a negative way:
• Loss of sleep
• Negative attitude(s)
• Poor job performance
• relationship problems to name a few
Follow your plan.
It will turn the negativity into positive results. Your life will change!!
BY LOUISA BARTON
We started off December with the Stirrups ‘n Strides Urban Cowboy night. This was the annual fundraiser for this wonderful therapeutic riding center. They provide physical, mental and emotional support to disabled children and adults, who in many cases otherwise could only do very limited activities. The love of the horse shines through at this 501c3 and all who attend the program, are happy to be a part of it. The line dancing, bull riding, silent auction and Dolly Parton look-alike contest, all happened under the covered arena at their farm in Citra, and were all crowd pleasers. Kevin Sheilley, CEO of the Ocala Metro CEP, donned a cowboy hat and boots and was a fun emcee for the evening. Hall of Fame jockey, Jacinto Vasquez donated an autographed photo of
him riding the one and only Ruffian! Then on to the ribbon cutting for the downtown equine themed sidewalks in the Horse Capital in conjunction with the Florida Chambers Association’s annual conference. A gorgeous Gypsy Vanner, Velvet Doll, from the Gypsy Gold Farm Tour (number one thing to do on Trip Advisor in North Central Florida) joined Magic from Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses (the only living animal on the top 10 list of most heroic animals) at the downtown square. Just outside the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Ocala, these two lovely horses looked on as the ribbon was officially severed by Olivia Fuller, co-founder of CEP partner Crystal Cryo. Fuller was so excited to celebrate and honor the official opening of these sidewalks in the horse capital with bronze plaques for
champions connected to this area and bricks for farms or beloved pasture pets. This CEP equine initiative program is all happening with the cooperation and assistance from the City of Ocala and our wonderful Visitor and Conventions Bureau. An App will soon be developed by our VCB, so that visitors are able to access the storied history of horses in Ocala, Marion County.
Next on to a wonderful red carpet event, the Hero Horse at the Marion Theatre. Magic from Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, a 501c3 organization,
It has been a busy month in the horse world!
arrived in a limo with me and Jorge Garcia Bengochea to a throng of fans and media. We hopped out on to the red carpet and into the theater for the documentary premiere of Magic’s story, sharing how Magic helps thousands of sick and terminally ill patients of all ages and how she is able to bring comfort to so many first responders across the nation. Another great hero, Don, a WWII Veteran, was also present watching from his wheelchair. Don just turned 99 years old and since it was his special day, we all took a moment to honor him and his service and we sang happy birthday to him. Magic then exited stage left! This little Hero Horse, may be small in stature, but she is not small in courage or heart!
Then on to the CEP’s Equine Initiative December Meeting and Equine 101,
‘Christmas with the Marchadors’ presented by Pyranha. This month, we held an equine themed Christmas party at Oak Bell Farm, home of C&C Bellandis’ Mangalarga Marchadors! The Marchador is the National Horse of Brazil. We were greeted by our gracious host Claudia Ney Bellandi. We enjoyed horse riding demos, a delicious Paella, demos by our sponsors, Crystal Cryo, Md Equine, Equigreene and Equus Tv. There was also a live painting of two of Bellandi’s Marchadors, by Ocala’s number 1 artist, EJ Nieves. This beautiful piece of art was then presented to Bellandi as a gift and as a thank you for a wonderful event.
We then attended the Ocala Christmas Parade with Rudy Helmuth and his team from Big Horse Ranch, dressed as elves! A variety of horse breeds, Gypsy Vanners, a Clydesdale, a Percheron Cross, A Friesian Cross and a Quarter horse cross maneuvered their way through the streets of Ocala amid crowds of excited onlookers. These incredibly well trained gentle giants did a phenomenal job and are a testament to Big Horse Ranch and their methods.
Can you believe there is more?
Yes, the CEP Equine Initiative is presented and sponsored by Pyranha Inc. Pyranha started their business here in Ocala and then became hugely successful across the USA. A few years back, they returned their focus back here to the horse capital, to support their local distributors and have also supported the CEP’s equine initiative and all of its efforts in supporting and promoting the horse industry, in our local schools, through meetings, equine 101s and events. This year marks Pyranha’s 50th anniversary and we celebrated with them, again at the Marion Theatre for their Pyranha Life documentary premiere. We followed that the next day with a Pyranha Life (a 501c3) Golf Tournament to benefit local equine and k9 charities with golf pros and 75k in prizes. This was followed by a lovely Gala at World Equestrian Center.
Horsing around here in the horse capital does not get much better than all of this! We hope you all had a lovely holiday, remembering the real reason for the season, spending time with family and friends and did not forget to hang stockings for your horses too! Happy 2023!
• A horse needs a suitable diet
• A horse should have a suitable and a safe environment to live in (dependent on the individual horse)
• A horse should have proper training and be able to behave normally.
• A horse is a herd animal and should have suitable company
• A horse should be protected from disease, pain, suffering and injury.
In the before story, I mentioned several wonderful equine related 501c3s. Please choose one or two and reach out to help them with a donation or just to volunteer, if you are able.
Or please go online and do some research on horse organizations who do a lot to help others. It is a wonderful way to help and I am sure you will enjoy the experience.
Charity Spotlight: Kenny’s Place p80 | Health Journal p84 | State of the City p86 State of the County p88 | Kiwanis Korner p90 | Rotary Circle p92 | OM Marketplace p94 | Looking Back p96
abled adults. In addition to this core mission, Kenny’s Place also strives to encourage interaction between our workers and the public.
We operate a retail plant nursery that is open to the public. We provide a welcoming, enjoyable environment for people with special abilities. We grow and maintain a variety of plants. We
TREASURE:
The New Year represents a fresh start and is the perfect time to invest in your health. However, you may be unsure what resolutions will have the biggest impact. Doctors say that the easy, tangible actions you take are some of the most important.
“Many people kick off the start of each new year with big-picture health resolutions,” says Jack Resneck, Jr., M.D., president of the American Medical Association
(AMA). “The good news is that small, positive health choices made right now can have long-lasting effects.”
Want to get started today? Here are the 10 resolutions the AMA recommends top your list this year:
1Exercise is essential for your physical and mental health, so get moving today. A good rule of thumb for adults is at least 150 minutes a week
of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.
2Vaccination is the best protection against a number of serious illnesses. To protect yourself and your family, get up to date on your vaccines, including the annual flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Your doctor can let you know if you’re due for a COVID booster. If you have questions, speak
with your physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.
3Get screened. Estimates based on statistical models show that since April 2020, millions of screenings for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer diagnoses may have been missed due to pandemic-related care disruptions. Check in with your physician. If you’re due for preventive care, tests or screenings, make an appointment. These measures are designed to keep you healthy and help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious.
4High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, and it affects millions of Americans. Visit ManageYourBP.org to understand what your blood pressure numbers mean and what you can do to get your blood pressure under control.
5One in 3 American adults has prediabetes, a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes if left unmanaged. However, there are steps you can take that can help delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk by taking a simple 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. This resource also features helpful lifestyle tips that can help you reverse prediabetes.
6Whenever possible, drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages and replace processed foods — especially those with added sodium and sugar — with nutritious, whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, herbs and spices.
7If consuming alcohol, drink only in moderation. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines that as up to one drink per day for
women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.
8Speak with your doctor or health care professional about quitting tobacco and nicotine use. Declare your home and car smokefree to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.
9Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking prescription drugs –especially opioids. Always store and dispose of these medications safely to prevent misuse. Whenever prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Not taking the full course can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious public health problem, and will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu.
10Invest in your mental health by managing stress, getting sufficient sleep, exercising and seeking help from a mental health professional when you need it.
If you don’t have health insurance, the AMA encourages you to sign up for coverage at healthcare.gov, which has new, affordable options. The enrollment deadline for 2023 coverage is Jan. 15, 2023. Find more health resources at ama-assn.org. For a healthy 2023 and beyond, invest in your wellness with these doctor-recommended New Year’s resolutions.
We’ve all heard the saying, “New year, new me.” But what does it mean to you?
Is the plan to try new things, pursue new opportunities and start that healthy lifestyle you’ve been putting off for the past six months? Maybe it’s the chance to serve as a leader within your community. Perhaps the goal is to become more involved and learn more about your local government.
No matter what your vision for 2023 may be, the City of Ocala has a variety of ways for you to become engaged with your community. The following is a small list of ways you can become active in your city for the new year (and spoiler alert, it won’t require a gym membership).
The program is designed to create on-thejob training in preparation for future roles within the organization. Open to City of Ocala residents age 16-19, up to 25 applicants will be chosen to participate in this year’s academy. Each student will be assigned a mentor to assist with learning job assignments, improving interpersonal skills and enhancing self-confidence. This is a paid program and participants are expected to work 20-25 hours per week. Registration will open in mid-January.
From youth programs to senior adult activities, cultural art functions and historical landmarks, there is a volunteer opportunity for every interest. By volunteering just a few hours each month, you can help keep our programs running smoothly at low costs and have a great time while doing it. We have ongoing volunteer opportunities at Fort King National Historic Landmark, Fort King Heritage Garden Club, Discovery Center, First Friday Art Walk, after-school tutor programs and adult
activity centers. Ready to sign up? Contact Connie at 352-368-5517.
Citizens Academy is a free, exciting 10week program that touches upon virtually every facet of city government. Typically held one night a week, participants will have the chance to visit and interact with city departments. Each session will include live demonstrations, a question-and-answer portion and educational discussions to give participants a better understanding of current city projects and economic development opportunities. It’s a great way to learn about your local municipality while becoming engaged within the community. Registration will open in mid-January.
Starting a new year is always exciting. It is a blank page waiting to be filled with new adventures and exciting possibilities. Wouldn’t it be great to carry that enthusiasm over into the community? If you can’t volunteer your time, consider becoming more engaged in the government process. Throughout the year there are public meetings, workshops and, of course, monthly City Council meetings. Becoming involved can be a rewarding experience, not only for the volunteer but for the people being helped by your generosity.
Cheers to a new year and an endless number of new possibilities.
Ashley Dobbs is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the City Of Ocala.
Since 1982 The Cornerstone School has offered a dynamic academic experience, centered on teaching and engaging the whole child. Our enriched programs, such as Project Lead the Way and Cambridge Assessment International Education, offer an individualized and project-based approach to learning.
Serving students ages three through 8th Grade, Cornerstone’s curriculum is designed to encourage students’ academic, socialemotional, and creative potential. Our graduates are confident, goal-oriented innovators with a passion for learning.
2313 S.E. Lake Weir Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 351-8840 | www.thecornerstoneschool.org
There are 18 county-operated recycling centers throughout Marion County that accept household garbage and recyclables – and all of these are available to residents of unincorporated Marion County who pay the annual assessment fee on their property taxes. Also, the Baseline Transfer Station is open to anyone in Marion County who has trash, yard waste, tires or other items in need of disposal.
Now that it’s time to take down your Christmas trees and other holiday decorations (or maybe you leave them up longer, we don’t judge), here’s what you can and cannot bring to recycling centers:
Rechargeable batteries (AA, AAA, C and D) can be placed in the hazardous waste shed at any recycling center. Household batteries that are non-rechargeable (AA, AAA, C and D) should be placed in your household garbage.
CARDBOARD:
Can be placed in the single-stream recycling containers at any recycling center. Remember, no Styrofoam and no plastic bags.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:
Can be placed in the metal bin at any recycling center or into the electronics box at the following locations: Baseline, Dunnellon, Forest Corners, Fort McCoy, Martel, Newton and Weirsdale.
Can be placed in the yard waste area at any recycling center. Fake Christmas trees should be disposed of with regular trash.
Should be placed in your household garbage. Christmas wrapping paper can be placed in the single-stream recycling containers at any recycling center.
Can be placed in the electronics box at the following locations: Baseline, Dunnellon, Forest Corners, Fort McCoy, Martel, Newton and Weirsdale.
your household garbage.
And don’t forget, large items such as tires, household appliances, furniture and yard waste can be brought to the Baseline Transfer Station any time for a small fee. For a list of accepted items and associated fees, visit www.environmental.marionfl.org and click on “Recycling & Trash.”
As we continue into 2023, there’s “No Horsin’ Around With Marion” when it comes to litter. The county litter campaign is kicking into high gear, with several events and initiatives planned throughout the year to come, including road cleanup events and a tougher response to litter offenders.
PLASTIC
BAGS: May be recycled at participating department and grocery stores. Styrofoam and packing peanuts should be placed in
To take the litter-free pledge and learn more about this campaign, visit MarionFL. org/NoHorsinAround. Let’s keep Marion County beautiful!
Mark Andersonis a public relations specialist for Marion County.
Now that the holidays are over and we’re in a new year, let’s make it a habit to recycle and put waste where it belongs.
The Kiwanis Club recently honored their Past President, Tammy Hoff and Incoming President, Jim McGuire who will serve his term through November 2023.
Kiwanis Governor Moore attended and presented awards at the event in honor of all outgoing and incoming officers for Kiwanis and the Ocala Key Club Officers.
Elton Clemmons was presented with one of the highest awards as the longest serving Kiwanis member since 1957.
Kiwanis held its annual Pancake Breakfast that brought much success toward their Camp Kiwanis for the kids that could not happen without the donors, sponsors and volunteers.
Steve Patterson was newly inducted by Roseann Fricks Patterson, Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor and Shelley Sizemore, Ocala Kiwanis member and President of the Kiwanis Satellite Club.
A special surprise visit was coordinated and attended by 15 Kiwanis members on behalf of long time Kiwanian, Tommy Ball. Tommy has served the business and civic community in Marion County for many decades while blessing many with his musical talents in his church and special events along with giving back to those less fortunate. His humble heart was touched by the care and love he felt from those that came to see him.
Kiwanis of Ocala wishes all a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Kiwanis
is a
community of
than 550,000 members in 80 Countries, Kiwanis empowers
literacy and being a mentor. Kiwanis Clubs host over 150,000 service projects per year.
In the annals of sports history, few things capture the imagination like a classic rivalry for the ages. “Ali-Frazier” and “Hagler-Hearns” dominate the history books for the sport of boxing while “Borg-McEnroe” in tennis seems only challenged by “Evert-Navratilova.” In golf, there’s “Palmer-Nicklaus” and in college football there are about a million rivalries that send fans into a frenzy. In basketball, “Magic-Bird” and in auto racing “Petty-Pearson” are all synonymous with the lore that surrounds their respective sports.
No mention of sports rivalries, however, can take place with any credibility without mentioning “Affirmed-Alydar.” The horses captivated a nation in 1978 with three famous duels in the three Triple Crown races, all won by the Ocala-bred Affirmed. The rivalry actually started under everyone’s radar the year before when the two horses squared off six times against each other, Affirmed winning four of those races.
Despite Affirmed’s better record as 2-year-olds, Alydar was named the favorite in the 1978 Kentucky Derby, going off at 6-to-5 odds with Affirmed at 9-to-5. At the Derby, Affirmed held off a hard-charging Alydar to win by 1 1/2 lengths. In the Preakness Stakes, Affirmed took the lead on the backstretch and again Alydar made a gallant charge that came up short, this time by just a head.
In the Belmont, which many believed due to its long distance favored the latecharging Alydar, the world saw perhaps the most spine-tingling finish in racing history. To this day, there are still white knuckles and hoarse voices all over Marion County from watching this intense finish. A slow pace set early by Affirmed turned into a two-horse battle down the stretch with Affirmed and Alydar, already a classic rivalry in the minds of racing fans, running neck-and-neck.
The slow early pace was offset by the
two horses running the fastest final mile in Belmont history. Jockey Steve Cauthen went to the whip for the first time ever on Affirmed when Alydar took the lead by a nose and that made the difference with Affirmed winning by a nose. Many consider the 1978 Belmont Stakes to be the greatest race in history. For Ocalans, there is little debate.
Affirmed was bred by Louis and Patrice Wolfson’s Harbor View Farm in Marion County and won 22 of 29 starts in his stellar career. Up to that time, Needles was the standard for Florida-breds, having won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in 1956. Even with Needles’ success there was still a fair amount of disrespect for Florida-breds … until Affirmed crashed the party 22 years after Needles.
Winning the Triple Crown for Affirmed was enough to put his name among the legends of horse racing. But having a rival like Alydar makes the legacy that much greater. There are Triple Crown winning horses that don’t automatically come to mind, but because of the legendary rivalry Affirmed’s name is always top of mind in the
industry. The two horses raced nearly four miles against each other in those three Triple Crown races with only two lengths total separating them.
To this day, Affirmed represents the horse industry in Marion County and likely will forever be the standard-bearer.
In 2001, Affirmed was euthanized after contracting a circulatory hoof disease. In the ultimate honor for a race horse, he was buried whole at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky wearing the flamingo pink colors of his Marion County farm, Harbor View.
Harbor View no longer exists and amazingly there is not much recognition of this horse in Ocala. No streets named after Affirmed, or parks or schools for that matter. The legend of Affirmed lives mainly in the hearts and minds of those who watched his glorious run in 1978, but with few or even no significant markers of his existence, the greatest horse to ever come from Marion County may fade to oblivion. Thanks to the rivalry with Alydar, Affirmed’s legacy will continue even if it receives scant mention in markers in his own home.
a beautiful smile begins here
TINA CHANDRA, D.D.S., LVIF, FIAPA Cosmetic, Neuromuscular and Sleep Dentist ... a Physiologic Approach
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