Ocala Style May'18

MAY’18

Ocala

WOMEN’S EXPO: A GIRL’S DAY OUT FUN, SHOPPING & INSPIRATION PG. 24

The Queen Bee From hive to honey, one local company makes the sweet stuff naturally

Deliciously Southern 4 recipes to try at home

The Tourist Trap 20 attractions to explore

Women

of Style

Real estate pro Joan Pletcher talks horses, homes and life in Ocala

Considering Ocala?

Sold

Sold

Real Estate in Ocala is HOT! This year through April 20th, Joan Pletcher had 18 properties with a total sales price of

$10,820,920

Currently, Joan Pletcher has

more than $194,000,000 in Real Estate Listings

to help you find the property that best fits your needs.

Sold

Sold

Pending Properties

$13,460,000 in pending sales

Specializing in all of Ocala/Marion County and surrounding areas ct in nder contra Listed and u

ct in nder contra Listed and u

48 hours

48 hours

$4,500,000 - NW OCALA - 29.97 ACRES - HWY 225A

LUCKY WARRIOR - $3,350,000

SUMMIT - $485,000

$1,275,000 - NW OCALA - 13 ACRES - HWY 326

10 ACRES - NW OCALA - $1.395,000

EQUINE ESTATES - 10.50 ACRES - $995,000

SE OCALA - $465,000

COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA $695,000

LAKE WEIR- $300,000

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

For these and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos and more choices.

352.347.1777 | Cell: 352.266.9100 | 352.804.8989 | joan@joanpletcher.com Due to the privacy and at the discretion of my clients, there are additional training centers, estates and land available that are not advertised.

“I love my new smile!”

Marie Schinman Artist/Creator, Schinman Studios Ocala, FL

Dentistry by Dr. Tina Chandra Restorations by Williams Dental Lab Gilroy, CA

Ask about Facial Rejuvenation with Lasers!

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cosmetic veneers smile makeovers aesthetic laser TMJ disorder

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DON’T MISS OUT ON THE

SOUNDS OF SUMMER May is Better Hearing Month Monthly Payment Plan

Our Most Popular INVISIBLE SoundLens is Still Available...

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Audiology

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Hard Work & Determination Create Winning Results For Our Clients

“THE OHP TEAM�

Chris & Rob Desino and Matt Varney t h e c o m pa n y w i t h p r o v e n r e s u lt s .

[Past 10 years: MLS Search Criteria: Residential Search of Ocala MLS, Status: Pending 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Pending Continue to Show 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Closed 01/01/2008 - 04/18/2018. Current Price $549,999 and up. Acres: 9 acres and up. Selling Member: Matt Varney, Matthew Varney, Ocala Horse Properties Team] //// [Past 6 years: MLS Search Criteria: Residential Search of Ocala MLS, Status: Pending 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Pending Continue to Show 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Closed 01/01/2012 - 04/18/2018. Current Price: $549,999 and up. Acres: 9 acres and up, Selling Member: Matt Varney, Matthew Varney, Ocala Horse Properties Team]

#1 in Ocala Farm Sales PAST 4+ MONTHS

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OHP: 15 SOLD

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NEXT CLOSEST REALTOR: 2

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OHP: 104 SOLD

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NEXT CLOSEST REALTOR: 26

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List your farm with the proven Ocala Farm Sales Leaders!

352.615.8890 |

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//// [Past 3 years: MLS Search Criteria: Residential Search of Ocala MLS, Status: Pending 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Pending Continue to Show 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Closed 01/01/2015 - 04/18/2018. Current Price: $549,999 and up. Acres: 9 acres and up. Selling Member: Matt Varney, Matthew Varney, Ocala Horse Properties Team] //// [Past 4+ months: MLS Search Criteria: Residential Search of Ocala MLS, Status: Pending 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Pending Continue to Show 04/20/2017-04/18/2018, Closed 01/01/2018 - 04/18/2018. Current Price: $549,999 and up. Acres: 9 acres and up. Selling Member: Matt Varney, Matthew Varney, Ocala Horse Properties Team]

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Features On The Cover

Departments

10 2 1

015 The Buzz The real people, places and events that shape our community.

lymph nodes and a tumor removed nights in the hospital robotic-assisted surgery Another season of seeding the future.

By Karin Fabry-Cushenbery, Laurel Gillum, Melissa Peterson, Judge Steven Rogers, Nick Steele and Sean Trapani

016 018 020 022 024

ONE ON ONE GIVING BACK BENCHMARKS BUSINESS BRIEFS OUT & ABOUT

029 The Hive Dedicated to enriching the lives of local families.

By Kevin Christian, Laurel Gillum and Melissa Peterson

030 032 034

GOOD TIMES PA R E N T I N G P O I N T E R S CLASS ACTS

037 The Mane Exploring Marion County’s equestrian community.

By Laurel Gillum and JoAnn Guidry

038 040 042 044

A DOUBLE ECLIPSE A RT I ST I C PAS S I O N V I N TAG E I M PAC T SADDLE UP

075 The Dish Our best recipes, restaurant news and culinary quick bites.

By Laurel Gillum, JoAnn Guidry and Nick Steele

076 078 078 079 080

DIET DEETS SWEET & SPICY A DEN OF DELICACIES DINING GUIDE QUICK BITES

We hope Jerri has more seasons to bloom.

083many The Scene

Your guide to what’s happening in and around Ocala.

Ralph Demilio, Bonnie Kretchik, Laurel Gillum, Nick Steele and Ronald Wetherington At the University ofByFlorida Health Cancer Center, our comprehensive team of dedicated 084 A R O U N D U P O F T H E M O N T H ’ S B E S T B E T S experts in clinical research, and whole-life care are ready to celebrate 086 T Hdiagnosis, E L O C A L treatment SCENE 090 T H Ehave S O Cwith I A L Jerri.

S C E NAfter E milestones with you like we a minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery to remove her lung cancer, Jerri can return to planting seeds for a healthier future.

At the UF Health Cancer Center, you’re not just our patient, you’re our partner.

UFHealth.org/cancer

Contents

In Every Issue

MAY ’18

015 THE BUZZ

Hey Style Insiders!

The real people, places and events that shape our community.

By Karin Fabry-Cushenbery, Laurel Gillum, Melissa Peterson, Judge Steven Rogers, Nick Steele and Sean Trapani

016 018 020 022

ONE ON ONE GIVING BACK BENCHMARKS BUSINESS BRIEFS

Here’s your link to May’s giveaway. https://woobox.com/f7hbgv (Ends 5/21 at 12pm.)

029 THE HIVE

Dedicated to enriching the lives of local families.

By Kevin Christian, Laurel Gillum and Melissa Peterson

030 032 034

GOOD TIMES PA R E N T I N G P O I N T E R S CLASS ACTS

037 THE MANE

Exploring Marion County’s equestrian community.

By Laurel Gillum and JoAnn Guidry

038 040 042 044

A DOUBLE ECLIPSE A RT I ST I C PAS S I O N V I N TAG E I M PAC T SADDLE UP

068 Straight From The South.

075 THE DISH

Mention “Southern” food and many people tend to think “comfort food.” Not so fast. › By Cynthia McFarland

Our best recipes, restaurant news and culinary quick bites.

By Laurel Gillum, JoAnn Guidry and Nick Steele

076 078 079 080

DIET DEETS SWEET & SPICY DINING GUIDE QUICK BITES

In This Issue MAY’18

Ocala

WOMEN’S EXPO: A GIRL’S DAY OUT FUN, SHOPPING & INSPIRATION PG. 24

The Queen Bee From hive to honey, one local company makes the sweet stuff naturally

Deliciously Southern

› By Katie Benscoter

4 recipes to try at home

The Tourist Trap 20 attractions to explore

083 THE SCENE

Your guide to what’s happening in and around Ocala.

By Ralph Demilio, Bonnie Kretchik, Laurel Gillum, Nick Steele and Ronald Wetherington

084 086 090

A ROUNDUP OF THE MONTH’S BEST BETS THE LOCAL SCENE THE SOCIAL SCENE

046 Flora, Fauna & Fun.

It’s easy for Floridians to be tourists in our own state with theme parks and beaches galore. But from the weird to the wonderful, Florida has so many attractions outside the usual destinations.

Women

of Style

Real estate pro Joan Pletcher talks horses, homes and life in Ocala

On the cover:

Photographer: John Jernigan Model: Joan Pletcher

050 Women Of Style. The women on the following pages are the definition of style.

064 Sweet Success.

Queen of America may be a fledgling in the honey industry, but this thriving young business has already established a substantial foothold in North America. › By Cynthia McFarland

MAY ’18 ›

011

Ocala Magazine PUBLISHER

Ocala Publications, LLC OFFICE/PRODUCTION MANAGER

Cynthia Brown

cynthia@ocalastyle.com Editorial EXECUTIVE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

Karin Fabry-Cushenbery Melissa Peterson

karin@ocalastyle.com melissa@ocalastyle.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Vianca Torres

Cealia Athanason vianca@ocalastyle.com

cealia@ocalastyle.com

FOOD & LIFESTYLE CONTRIBUTOR SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR

Unique Floral Creations 811 NE 16th St #101

352-355-2881

Robin Fannon Ronald W. Wetherington ronald@ocalastyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kevin Christian Jim Gibson Laurel Gillum JoAnn Guidry Bonnie Kretchik

Cynthia McFarland Katie Benscoter Judge Steven Rogers Nick Steele Sean Trapani

Art

cynthiasdivinedesigns.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jessi Miller Kristy Taylor

jessi@ocalastyle.com kristy@ocalastyle.com

AFFORDAB LE MOV ING U.S.A .

From packing to delivery and everything in between!

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ralph Demilio John Jernigan Sheila Hartley jernigan@ocalastyle.com sheila@ocalastyle.com Crys Williams 123RF.com Sales SALES MANAGER

Sharon Morgan

sharon@ocalastyle.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Lori Tani

lori@ocalastyle.com

352-877-2900

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Evelyn Anderson Peggy Sue Munday

evelyn@ocalastyle.com peggysue@healthylivingmagazines.com

Skip Linderman Cecilia Sarco

License # IM 2661 affordablemovingusa.com

skip@ocalastyle.com cecilia@ocalastyle.com

Crystal Gale Tronnes

crystalgale@ocalastyle.com

Ellie Rabon

ellie@ocalastyle.com DISTRIBUTION

Dave Adams

dave@ocalastyle.com

Ocala’s New Plant Shop!

Located in Chelsea Square 3243 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 352-624-0116 • thepeacockcottage@gmail.com Like us! facebook.com/thepeacockcottage

www.dandypot.com

012

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.com

OCALA PUBLICATIONS, LLC.

o: 352.732.0073 › f: 352.732.0226 › 1007 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471 ocalastyle.com OCALA STYLE MAGAZINE / MAY 2018 / VOL. 20, NO. 5

Published monthly by Ocala Publications, LLC. All contents © 2017 by Ocala Publications LLC. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or advertising information, call (352) 732-0073. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials.

“Promotional” and “Promotional Feature” denote a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims and content of advertisements.

OCALA / MARION COUNTY

CHAMBER & ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

OcalaPublications

OCALA / MARION COUNTY

CHAMBER & ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

OCALA / MARION COUNTY

CHAMBER & ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP OCALA / MARION COUNTY

CHAMBER & ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

TAGLINE & ARROW

Fairy • Garden Gifts Gardens • Supplies

GREYSCALE LOGOS

• Unique Houseplants • Fun Classes

Debra McQueen Rick Shaw

FONTS

The Peacock Cottage

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD

MAIN FONT:

TRADE GOTHIC BOLD (Kerning 50pt) TAGLINE FONT:

TRADE LIGHT OBLIQUE (Kerning 50pt)

Avoid the hurricane hurry, get your storm prep done now.

The 2018 Hurricane Season begins June 1. Are you ready?

We can help with your hurricane prep!

Five Ocala Electric Utility customers will be randomly selected now through June 30 to receive a free Grab 'n Go Hurricane Emergency Kit! DON’T MISS OUT! SIGN UP TODAY! www.ocalaelectric.info Ocala Electric Utility uses your account number, meter number and/or phone number, to report an outage call in our computer system. Providing us with an up-to-date phone number will allow you to report your power outage easier and faster. Once the contact information is submitted, you will be automatically entered to win a state-of-the art Grab ‘n Go Hurricane Emergency Kit. Winners will be randomly selected and will be contacted by phone with instructions to redeem their prize. To be eligible to enter, you must be the account holder on the municipal services statement and must live in Ocala Electric Utility’s service territory.

TH E RE AL PE O PLE , PL AC E S & EVE NTS THAT S HAPE OU R CO M MU N IT Y

the

Savvy Sculpting

Have you been to Tuscawilla Park lately to see the newest sculpture installations? If not, add it to your to-do list.

During the March Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll Celebration hosted by the City of Ocala, four sculptors were presented with prestigious awards for their unique creations. Quite a feat considering there were 117 total sculpture entries.

The winners were as follows—drumroll, please!

Best in Show: Robustae by John Gamache, Ocala, FL Second Place: Job by Claudia Lauster, Naples, FL Honorable Mention: Navigator by Mike Hansel, Middletown, RI People’s Choice: Metal Elephant by James Futral, Fort Myers, FL Visit Tuscawilla Park to check out this 20-monthlong exhibit. For more information, visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts.

B U Z Z page

15

A CO LLE CTIO N O F CATS

016

PROTECTING THE PARROTS

018

BENCHMARKS

020

BUSINESS BRIEFS

022

Photo courtesy of the City of Ocala

THE

Buzz

ONE ON ONE

A Fluffy Love Affair

While the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, Maritza Cruz’ quest to own the world’s largest collection of Garfield memorabilia, which now swells to well over 10,000 pieces, began with a single stuffed animal and a love story. › By Sean Trapani › Photos by Ralph Demilio

T

he year was 1980, and “Garfield” had only been in print for a couple of years. Maritza and her husband, William, had a small disagreement, so William tried to make up by giving Maritza a Garfield stuffed animal. The gesture worked, but no one could have guessed how well.

William’s gift piqued Maritza’s curiosity in the character. She started watching cartoons and reading strips about Garfield and realized that her affection for the character was more than skin—or fur—deep.

“I loved the attitude,” Maritza Cruz said. “But I had no plans to become a collector at that time.”

As the years passed, friends and family began to recognize Cruz’ fondness for all things Garfield (even her customers at the bank where she worked took notice). Her birthday and other presents began to share similar Tabby-esque qualities. Then, before she realized it, she was on her way to becoming a serious Garfield-phile.

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.com

“I think I had about a thousand pieces before I realized that I was actually a collector,” adds Cruz.

In that time, Cruz has accumulated—via gifts, thrift stores and eBay—well over 10,000 pieces. She took her last full count five years ago, and she has no plans of slowing down.

“I have about 6,000 original pieces, including a one-of-a-kind, custom-made electric guitar,” said Cruz.

Cruz says that the Guinness organization offered to document her collection a few years ago, but they wanted $27,000 to do the archiving work. And Cruz didn’t see the need to invest that much into outside confirmation.

“I believe I have the largest collection of unique Garfield pieces in the world,” Cruz says. “I didn’t want to spend that kind of money to prove it.”

When asked, of all the items she has, which piece she values most, there is no hesitation.

“If I had to keep only one piece from my collection, it would be the plushy that William gave me.”

Jim Davis’ Garfield may be celebrating its 40th anniversary in June 2018. But for Maritza Cruz, it’s something more than just a celebration of a cartoon character: It’s a reminder of a little gift that began a big love affair, both with her husband and with a chubby, lasagna-loving cat.

COME HOME TO YOU R LAK EFRON T APARTMENT COM M UNITY

Come live in Marion County’s premier apartment community.

CARLTON ARMS OF OCALA offers our residents country club-style living with outstanding services and value. Visit us today to select your apartment as your next home in which to live, work and play.

• • • • • • • • •

FREE Water Utility FREE Wi-Fi at 2 Sparkling Pools FREE Valet Trash Removal FREE Pest Control Large Private Patios/Balconies Rapid Response Maintenance 2 Private Party Clubhouses Fitness Center w/ Steam Showers Lighted Tennis & Basketball

• • • •

Freshwater Fishing Children’s Playground Pet Friendly / Dog Park Car Care Center

5001 SW 20th St. Suite100 Ocala, FL 33474

866.927.6819

CarltonArmsofOcala.com

Dr. Bedi is pleased to announce the opening of his new practice.

Internal Medicine & Primary Care

New Patients and Walk-ins Welcome

Specializing in Heart Disease, Diabetes, Hypertension, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Geriatric Medicine In-house Labs, EKG, 2-D Echo, Carotid Ultrasound, Varicose Vein Evaluation & Treatment and Yearly Physicals All Insurances Accepted Two Convenient Locations

8484 SW 103rd Street Road, Ocala • 352-291-2051 2654 SW 32nd Place, Ocala • 352-512-9655

Jaskaran Bedi, MD

Board Certified in Internal Medicine Board Certified in Geriatric Medicine Privileges at Munroe Regional Medical Center Ocala Regional Medical Center & West Marion Hospital MAY ’18 ›

017

THE

Buzz

GIVING BACK

toddler in the home that cannot care for itself and relies on you to know what it actually needs.”

She stresses that parrots require regular veterinary checkups, human interaction, time outside of their cage, exposure to sunshine and bathing/misting for health and hygiene, as well as toys

Birds Of A Feather

Photos courtesy of the Florida Parrot Rescue

› By Nick Steele

V

olker, a talkative yellownaped Amazon, is a recent transplant to the Ocala area. When her owner passed away, the spirited 44-year-old parrot went to live with friends of the family. They quickly realized, however, they could not provide her the kind of attention she required. During that time, she developed the self-destructive habit of plucking her own feathers. Thanks to the services of Florida Parrot Rescue (FPR), Volker is now thriving under the care of her foster mom, Donna Lampkins, in a home full of feathered friends. Lampkins is one of approximately a hundred caring souls throughout the state who form the network of volunteers that allow this vital not-for-profit avian organization

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.com

to rescue, rehabilitate and place companion parrots in forever homes.

“Should someone be unable to keep their bird for any reason, we want them to know there is a place to turn,” offers Vice President and Adoption Coordinator Jennie Parry.

“We are non-judgmental and supportive in your time of need.

Our goal is to provide a safe haven for birds that cannot stay with their owners and find them permanent homes with loving and responsible families.”

The group also provides guidance for those who already own a parrot or are interested in adopting.

“We strive to educate owners on proper handling and care,” Parry explains. “It’s like having a

Parrots can live between 15 to 100 years, depending on the species, so if you adopt a 20-year old parrot, there’s a chance they are going to outlive you. FPR offers a way for individuals to make provisions in their wills to ensure their birds are cared for after their deaths.

Lampkins currently cares for six foster birds and has successfully placed two others.

for enrichment and to ward off boredom.

“They require more care and supervision than most pets,” Lampkins offers. “Besides making sure they are loved and getting their diet right, their cages require cleaning almost every day.

Their food and water dishes need changing several times a day. It’s a big commitment to take on a bird as a foster, as you may have them for quite some time before they find their forever home.”

“My first was a beautiful Moluccan Cockatoo,” she explains. “Mango was with us for eight months. We were at a fundraising event called Fashion and Feathers when he met his new dad. He happened to be the DJ that night. Mango “chose” him on the spot. My second was a beautiful little white face pearled cockatiel named Snow White. She entered foster care because her elderly owner went into a rehabilitation setting. Both birds are thriving in their new homes. It’s so hard to see them go, because you grow to love them. But it’s also truly rewarding knowing that I had something to do with their happy endings.”

LEAN MORE › To make a

tax-deductible donation or for more information, visit

floridaparrotrescue.com

join for $5. give to kids.

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THE

Buzz

BENCHMARKS

Cash Or Card › By Judge Steven G. Rogers

W

ith the arrival of spring each year, there are certain things we can expect to experience— warmer temperatures, longer days, blooming flowers and people carrying clipboards while soliciting signatures for candidate petition cards.

For judicial qualifying of trial court judges in the state of Florida, potential candidates for the position of circuit or county court judge may qualify as candidates by either securing petition cards or paying the qualifying fee.

Judicial candidates wishing to qualify by the petition process must secure the signatures of 1 percent of the voters in the geographical region for the office they seek.

Candidates for the position of Marion County Judge seeking to qualify by the petition process are required to obtain 2,309 verified petition cards from the over 230,000 voters in Marion County.

But, candidates for Circuit Court Judge must obtain verified signatures from 1 percent of the entire Fifth Judicial Circuit. As such, these candidates must obtain verified petitions from 7,818 of the 781,761 registered

voters in Marion, Citrus, Lake, Sumter and Hernando Counties. As significant as this task may appear, it pales in comparison to the 13,793 required signatures for judicial candidates seeking to qualify by the petition method in Miami-Dade County.

The other option available to potential judicial candidates is to pay a qualifying fee equal to 3 percent of the annual salary for the office sought plus an election assessment, which is an additional 1 percent of the annual salary.

Judges serving on the District Courts of Appeal and Florida Supreme Court stand for merit retention elections at the conclusion of their sixyear terms. Not only are these judges not required to secure signatures on petition cards or pay a filing fee, but in the 40-year history of merit retention elections of appellate court judges in the State of Florida, never has an appellate court judge been voted out of office by the voters.

The Florida Code of Judicial Conduct also provides additional restrictions to those seeking to qualify as candidates for Candidates for the position of judicial office.

Marion County Judge seeking to For judicial candidates who seek qualify by the petition process are to qualify by the petition process, required to obtain 2,309 verified the candidates are prohibited from petition cards from the over personally requesting a signature 230,000 voters in Marion County. on a petition card from attorneys or people who may find themselves appearing before the candidate if he or she wins the election.

Regarding the issue of monetary contributions to a judicial candidate’s campaign, the restrictions are even greater, as the candidate is prohibited from personally soliciting campaign funds from anyone. Rather, judicial campaign contributions may be solicited by a “committee of responsible persons” (not including the judicial candidate) who may secure funds for the judicial candidate’s campaign.

Candidates for judicial office must balance the requirements associated with qualifying, with the restrictions provided by the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct. These are just some of the reasons why being appointed to the Florida Supreme Court is so “appealing.”

Judge Steven G. Rogers currently serves as a circuit court judge. He lives in Ocala with his wife, three children and an extremely spoiled Australian Shepherd.

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021

THE

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

A New Dog In Town

Chewy, the leading online retailer of pet food, products and supplies, recently announced the opening of its first fulfillment center in its home state of Florida and sixth in the country. This new, 600,000-square-foot fulfillment center will create an estimated 700 new jobs within the next year in the local Central Florida community. Hiring at this location will include positions in management, administration, processing, packaging and shipping.

Welcome To The Team

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Randall Ewers to the College of Central Florida District Board of Trustees. He will represent Marion County for a term beginning March 13, 2018 and ending May 31, 2021. Ewers, 50, former city of Ocala mayor, is a strategic sourcing manager with Hale Products. Ewers succeeds Ronald Ewers, his father. Ewers is an Ocala native and has been extremely active in the Ocala/Marion County community, involved with Locks of Love, Kimberly’s Cottage and United Way. He currently serves as the head coach for the Vanguard High School volleyball team. He served two terms as Ocala mayor.

“We are excited to welcome Randy to the College of Central Florida board,” said Dr. James Henningsen, CF president. “His expertise in working with community groups, including our manufacturers, will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our academic programs at the college.”

Home Sweet Home

A Family of four recently received keys to a new Habitat for Humanity home, which was sponsored by Deluca Toyota and Publix Super Market Charities. Habitat of Humanity of Marion County recently celebrated the construction of over 220 homes. Ms. Gavin and family earned over 461 sweat equity hours working on their home and the homes of others as a requirement for becoming Habitat homeowners. The family purchased the home with a no-profit loan, and their monthly mortgage payments will be used to build more Habitat homes in Marion County.

The new homeowner, Ms. Gavin, said, “I have reached my goal, thanks to Habitat for Humanity and its staff. I now own my own home, and for that I am very grateful.” Ms. Gavin said she is overwhelmed with pride and joy.

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At The Top

Congratulations to Marc Hallick, Senior Financial Advisor of Wells Fargo Advisors in The Villages, on being named to the 2018 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking. This annual list recognizes advisors as among the top in America. Wells Fargo recognizes the importance of excellent service and trusted investment advice. To learn more about Wells Fargo Advisors’ focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals, visit hallickjacksonpatrick.com.

Plant A Tree

Ocala Electric Utility, in partnership with Energy Saving Trees, an Arbor Day Foundation Program, will provide residents with one free tree through Thursday, May 31 while supplies last. This program is designed to help residents better understand where to plant trees on their property for maximum energy savings. According to city staff, by planting the right tree in the right place, residents can reduce energy consumption by approximately 20 percent annually. To reserve a free tree, visit arborday.org/ocalaelectric. For more information, contact Ocala Electric Utility at (352) 629-2489.

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PLAN FOR THE WHAT-IFS IN LIFE.

Consider how your finances might change if you become the sole caregiver of a spouse or loved one. Ask yourself what impacts such a situation would have on your time and money.

ASK FOR GUIDANCE FROM A PROFESSIONAL.

Working with a financial advisor can provide you with advice as you work to make important financial decisions. It does not pull away from your own abilities but rather supplies you with an additional resource to help you prepare for the future.

No two women are the same when it Tyler Jackson, Andrea Patrick and Marc Hallick

Financial Independence Andrea Patrick, Financial Advisor, Assistant Vice President-Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in The Villages, offers financial advice for today’s woman.

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hen I was young, I made the decision to save my lunch money rather than spend it; by doing so, I unknowingly embarked on a financial journey that would forever change my life.

I remember tiptoeing through the kitchen each morning to make a brown bag lunch and then stashing my lunch money in a shoe box under my bed. After a while, I went to my mother to explain I had saved almost a thousand dollars, and I wasn’t sure what to do now. She was baffled as to where the funds came from and laughed as I revealed how the shoe box became so full. Afterward, she knew she could use my desire to save as a way to teach me how important it is to become an independent woman who is knowledgeable about the world of finance.

Now, having worked 16 years in the financial services industry, I understand how extremely valuable her lessons were and continue to be today. Regardless of

whether it is for ourselves or our families, we, as women, play an ever-growing role in making financial decisions. Although these are only some of the many financial considerations for women, here are some simple steps you can take to become more knowledgeable about your finances and plan for your future needs.

PLAN FOR A LONGER RETIREMENT.

Did you know women often face more years in retirement than men? To prepare for living longer in retirement, you need to develop and implement financial strategies focused on your long-term needs. Decide what your goals are, develop a plan and execute strategies to help you track your progress.

Andrea Patrick and her family

comes to managing finances. Whether you are confident about your finances or just starting to dive in, don’t forget the importance of evaluating your goals, developing a plan and implementing strategies specific to your short- and long-term objectives. It is never too early to begin your journey toward becoming an independent woman who is knowledgeable about the world of finance.

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS 3309 WEDGEWOOD LANE, THE VILLAGES › (352) 653-5500 › hallickjacksonpatrick.com Investment and insurance products: NOT FDIC-Insured/NO Bank Guarantee/MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company MAY ’18 ›

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A Girl’s Day Out

Women helping women. That’s what the 1st annual Ocala Style Women’s Expo: A Girl’s Day Out is all about.

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n May 20, Ocala Style Magazine invites women from Ocala and the surrounding communities to enjoy a day of pampering, tastings, meaningful discussions and shopping at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Center.

This unique event, presented

by Joan Pletcher Real Estate Network and sponsored by State Farm - Lauren Gibson and Ocala Plastic Surgery, will include a variety of activities for women of all ages and walks of life. Engaging panel discussions will cover topics ranging from the art of self-care and making meaningful, impactful changes in your life to professional topics, like women at work and growing your own business.

As guests meander their way through the vendor village, they will find a huge variety of topics and businesses covered, including everything from salons and day spas doing demos to insurance agents, wealth management specialists and medical professionals providing pertinent, important information relating to women.

The Marketplace will feature home-based and small businesses selling some of our favorite things.

Leggings, anyone? What about purses? In addition, you will find a variety of jewelry options, makeup, home décor items and much more.

And any good event will have plenty of food and drink tastings.

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Vitalize Natural Market and Juice Bar will be on hand with delicious smoothie samples, and Island Grove Winery will provide guests with tasty wine samples. Plus, the food. Let’s just say to come hungry.

And who doesn’t love a good giveaway? We have plenty! This year’s offerings include such brands as Cuisinart, Krups, Pyrex, Lodge Stoneware, Instant Pot, Ulta and more.

Following the women helping women theme of the event, Ocala Style is proud to announce Ignite as the benefitting charity of all money raised through ticket sales. Ignite members consist of local professionals from all walks of life who share a common interest: to eradicate domestic violence and assault in our community.

“We are so grateful, honored and excited that Ocala Style has selected our organization as beneficiary of this event,” says Leda Perez, the 2019 Ignite chairperson. “Our purpose is creating a greater awareness and understanding of the direct impact that domestic violence has in our community at large and lifting these women and children toward a better, healthier lifestyle.”

The group’s goal is to raise awareness by funding our local domestic abuse shelter and to provide the solutions, skills and support for families in need.

And Leda encourages all local women to come out and support the women’s expo in honor of Ignite’s efforts.

“The only way we can make a difference is to stand up, step in and speak up! Connect with women in our community and make a commitment and IGNITE the lives of others,” she says.

Ocala Style Women’s Expo: A Girl’s Day Out

May 20, 12-5pm › COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA KLEIN CENTER ›Tickets are available at ocalastyle.com or by calling (352) 732-0073.

Women’s Expo A Girl’s Day Out

May 20, 2018 • 12-5pm College of Central Florida, Klein Center Presented by

All ticket proceeds will benefit

Enjoy a day of FUN, SHOPPING, TASTINGS, PAMPERING AND INSPIRATION Sponsored by

Women supporting the Ocala Domestic Violence Center Advanced Urology Specialists All About You Boutique Althena’s Novelties Bead Time/Lydia Colón Beauty Counter Blooming Events Campus Credit Union Carpet One Clear Captions Cross Fit Antics Damsel in Defense Dermalase EF Edu Home Stay Program Envious Eyebrows Full Line Studio Photography

Tickets $5 — Available at ocalastyle.com PARTICIPATING VENDORS:

Gibbs Insurance Services Granite Wishes Great Expectations Realty Island Grove Wine Company Ivy on the Square John Jernigan Joy in Décor Ocala Lady Jewler Lauren Gibson State Farm Lemire Clinic Lip Sense- All Day Glam Lula Roe Haleigh Fortuna Mary Kay Cosmetics MONAT with Catlin Lloyd Munroe Medical Grooup

Ocala Health Ocala Plastic Surgery Ocala Realty World Orange Theory Fitness Patrice Simpson Jewelry Prudential Advisors Purses & Accessories Pushti Brows & Therapy Quality Distributors Radiology Associates Ocala Recharge Clinic Rocket Entertainment Stinky Flamingo Strategic Soloutions Suzie’s Paparazzi Boutique

Taylor College Terminix International The Fulton Agency The Pink Hanger Too Your Health Trice DeWolf Studio Interior Designer Trilogy at Ocala Preserve UF Health Vitalize Water’s Edge Dermatology Wedding Themes R Us Young Living Essential Oils Zinnia Wealth

AND MORE TO COME!

For Vendor Space call 352-732-0073 or email sharon@ocalastyle.com

PRO M OTI O NAL FE ATU R E

A Whole New Hilton Newly renovated Hilton Ocala helps guests find their unbridled spirit.

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ne of the best things about returning to a favorite place is that you know what to expect.

During its recent multi-million-dollar renovation, the Hilton Ocala maintained the aspects patrons loved most, while introducing exciting, new amenities. The result is an incredibly updated location for dining, celebrating and getaways.

It’s the Hilton Ocala you know—only better.

“Our multi-million-dollar renovation touched every inch of the hotel. From our flexible 40,000 square feet—which includes meeting space, 196 luxurious guest rooms, corridors and public space—to our jazzy new Market Kitchen and Bar, the hotel stands alone in its class,” notes

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great unbridled experience and thank them for their business.”

Market Kitchen And Bar Gone is the old school, traditional hotel dining experience. It’s been pleasantly replaced with a hip, gastro pub.

Chef Randall White, a bona fide local legend in Ocala, is back in the kitchen, bringing his own unique culinary approach to the entire Market Kitchen and Bar menu.

The redesigned sunken lobby dining and bar area has a decidedly cosmopolitan atmosphere with its sleek

General Manager Rich Larkin. “We are most proud of the design and reconstruction of our new entrance, which features an eye-catching, floor-to-ceiling glass centerpiece lit from above and below that looks as though it’s suspended in mid-air.

“We’ve embraced a new culture of being ‘unbridled,’” adds Larkin. “It’s about expecting the unexpected and creating heart connections with each and every guest.”

The “unbridled” concept fits perfectly with Ocala’s horse country and the Hilton’s commitment of going the extra mile to let patrons know they are valued.

That was certainly the experience for a couple from Detroit who’ve made this their destination every March for more than 25 years. They stay at the Hilton Ocala for 30 days each visit and are well-known by the staff.

During their most recent visit, the management team decided to surprise the couple and invited them to dinner at the new Market Kitchen and Bar in the lobby.

“When they stepped off the elevator a carriage ride with resident Clydesdale Buddy, complete with champagne toast, was waiting just outside,” says Pete Lynch, food and beverage director. “When they returned from the carriage ride and sat down to dinner, Chef Randall White greeted them and created a special meal. We just wanted to give them a

marble, wood and tile accents, while service is attentive and personal touches abound.

Lunch and dinner are served here daily, while a la carte breakfast and buffet are available in Arthur’s Bistro every morning from 6:30 to 11am.

Keeping with the push for farm to table, Chef White uses only Florida-raised meats obtained through local purveyor Florida Fresh Meats. In addition to purchasing locally sourced ingredients, the Hilton Ocala supports farmers who use humane practices, including free-range chickens and cage-free eggs.

Chef White enjoys taking those ingredients and elevating simple dishes. For example, guests rave about his “Say Cheese Crunch,” a grilled cheese sandwich like no other. Fresh

gouda and fontina cheeses from local Cypress Point Creamery are nestled between slices of Texas toast, which is dipped in beaten egg and then rolled in crushed Cheetos for a decadent adult version of the beloved childhood favorite.

Hand-crafted cocktails are a signature specialty, featuring freshly squeezed juices, homemade mint simple syrup and herbs plucked right from the garden.

“Beyond the lower pool deck, you’ll find a garden where we grow herbs and vegetables here to use in our cocktails and dishes,” says Lynch. “I recently showed the garden to a guest who picked a handful of the mint, which I used to make her mojito. It doesn’t get fresher than that; it’s also fun and engaging for our guests.”

Amenities To Explore Should you stay on the top floor, you’ll experience exclusive amenities and keyed access to The Club on Nine, which offers breakfast every morning and an hors d’oeuvres reception every evening, plus culinary and cocktail demonstrations.

“There are also three big-screen TVs and a private outdoor balcony overlooking the city where guests can enjoy a cocktail from the tallest building in Ocala,” says Lynch.

“First and foremost, we are a full-service destination, featuring 7,000 square feet of banquet and catering space with additional outdoor space, including the Pavilion and the six-acre Reserve, complete with fitness trail and exercise stations,” notes Larkin. “We partnered with one of the top audio-visual companies in the nation and invested tens of thousands of dollars in technology and infrastructure to deliver the look, feel and technology that meeting planners would expect. We provide everything for the business traveler, as well as someone looking for a getaway.”

To top it off, no other hotel in town has its own resident carriage horse. Buddy’s driver, Cindy Tellier, is a wealth of information about the handsome Clydesdale and horse country in general. Spend a few minutes on a complimentary carriage ride serenaded by the clip-clop of Buddy’s enormous hooves, and you’ll come away more appreciative of why this truly is the “Horse Capital of the World.”

HILTON OCALA 3600 SW 36TH AVENUE, OCALA › (352) 854-1400 › hiltonocala.com

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OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER 2230 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471

Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

352-237-4133

Carlos Rodriguez, MD Internal Medicine

Robert Panzer, DO Family Practice

Brian Pecoraro, DO Family Practice

Mark Monical, DO Family Practice

Mimi Balch, MD Family Practice

Collette Mercier, MD Family Practice

Linda Bellows, ARNP-C Family Practice

Todd Panzer, ARNP-C Family Practice

Brittani Lucin, ARNP-C Family Practice

Robert Williams, MD Family Practice

James London, MD Cardiology

Allen Winston, DO Family Practice

Stacey Graham, ARNP-C Family Practice

Tyler Lindsey, PA-C Family Practice

Adam Alpers, DO Family Practice

Carly Carrion Olmeda, MD Ana Sanchez Ferreras, MD Internal Medicine Endocrinology

Laurel Bryant, ARNP-C Family Practice

Corey West, ARNP-C Family Practice

Salesia Alvarado, MD Internal Medicine

Karen Larsen, ARNP-C Family Practice

Melissa Formella, ARNP-C Family Practice

Family Practice Internal Medicine Cardiology Endocrinology Preventive Medicine Geriatrics Auto Accidents Full Service Lab Digital X-Ray Ultrasound 64 Slice CT 1.5 Open Bore MRI Stress Testing

www.ocalafmc.com OFMC Wellness Center

2131 SW 20th Place Ocala, FL 34471

• • • • Eduardo Cruz, MD

Matt Ota, PA-C

Physiatry/Physical Medicine Interventional Spine Sports Medicine Regenerative Therapy

• Physical Therapy • Balance & Gait Training • Vertigo & Incontinence (outside referrals accepted)

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) (outside referrals accepted)

Nick Machupa, PT Deborah Main, DPT Joseph Javier, DPT Ann Smith, PT Claudia Guevara, PTA

OFMC Dermatology, Aesthetics & Women’s Health Center 2121 SW 22nd Place Ocala, FL 34471

• Dermatology • Mohs’ Skin Cancer Surgery

• • • •

• Dermatology

(outside referrals accepted)

Kenneth A. Wallace, MD

Amber Starling, ARNP-C

Women’s Health Well Woman Exams Pap Smears IUD Insertion & Removal

Evette Hearn, ARNP

OFMC AESTHETICS & LASER Deb Scott, LPN, LE

Dermatological Nurse - Esthetician Over 30 years of experience FREE CONSULTATIONS!

Mother’s Day Special!

10% OFF Pharmaceutical Grade Skin Care Products!

Call Deb Scott at 352-368-1333 for more information!

*Ocala Family Medical Center, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.*

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DE DI C ATE D TO E N R I C H I N G TH E LIVE S O F LO C AL FAM I LI E S

Beat The Heat

Surely no parent would leave a child in a hot car intentionally—however, child vehicular heatstrokes are happening more frequently.

In 2017, there were 42 such deaths reported in the United States. As of last year, Florida had the second highest number of vehicular heat strokes, second only to Texas. Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure your child’s safety. › Make it a habit to check the backseat

twice before you exit your vehicle. Even if you know your children weren’t in the car with you.

› If you drop your child off daily, set a daily

phone alarm for a few minutes after you would normally drop your child off to verify.

› Keep car keys out of reach of small children.

Sources: kidsandcars.org, noheatsroke.org, abcnews.com

› eClip by Elepho Inc. is a device that attaches

to your child’s car seat, seat belt or clothing to alert your iOS or Android smartphone via text when the backseat temperature is too high or too low. This device will sound an alarm if you leave your child in a car unattended. elepho.com

› If you see a child alone in a car, immediately

dial 911—do not hesitate. In Florida, it’s legal to break a window to get to a child (or animal for that matter) who has been locked in a car.

SUMMER BOREDOM BUSTERS

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DIAPER BAG ESSENTIALS

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Summertime Solutions

Home is where the heart is, but summer camp is where the fun is! Check out these exciting venues in Marion County and reserve your child’s spot at their camp of choice.

Outdoor Camps

EDEN FARM edenfarmocala.com (352) 572-7658 HAVENSIGHT FARM havensightfarm.com (352) 553-8698

MARION COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION marioncountyfl.org (352) 671-8560 CITY OF OCALA ocalafl.org (352) 629-8453 or (352) 629-2489

HARLEY FARMS harleyfarmsocala.com (352) 812-3811 GREY DAWN STABLES greydawnstables.com (352) 427-9721

Art/Dance Camps

UF/IFAS EXTENSION MARION COUNTY kimberly.condurso@marioncountyfl.org (352) 671-8404 OCALA POLICE DEPARTMENT ocalapd.com (352) 369-7133

Farm Camps

THE DANCE COMPANY OF OCALA dancecompanyocala.com (352) 415-3350

STEM Camps

THE CORNERSTONE SCHOOL thecornerstoneschool.org (352) 351-8840 IMAGINATION STATION imaginationstationocala.com (352) 622-1206 KINDEROO CHILDREN’S ACADEMY facebook.com/ kinderoochildrensacademy (352) 854-3800 ALPHABET LAND LEARNING CENTER alphabetlandlearningcenter.com (352) 307-2067 BUILDING BLOCKS OF OCALA bbopreschool.net (352) 694-7440, ext. 3501

APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART appletonmuseum.org (352) 291-4455

ARTIST HUB OF OCALA artisthub1@centurylink.net (352) 867-9660 PICASSO’S PALETTE picassospalette.com (352) 789-6670 BENSON ACADEMY OF DANCE marionballettheatre.org (352) 629-6155

OWL HOLLOW FARM owlhollowfarm.net (352) 237-4132

MARY ELLEN SCHOOL OF DANCE maryellenschoolofdance.com (352) 732-2030

TKO FARM tkofarm.com (352) 219-0248

PERFORMING ARTS CONSERVATORY pacocala.com (352) 237-5678

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EN GARDE FENCING CLUB engardefencingclub.com (352) 286-9608 FRANK DELUCA YMCA ymcacentralflorida.com (352) 368-9622 BALCONY GYMNASTICS balconysports.com (352) 401-3663 GRACE’FULL GYMNASTICS facebook.com/gracefullgymnastics (352) 694-3055 FIRST TEE OF GREATER OCALA thefirstteegreaterocala.org (352) 362-2258

Overnight Camps

PLAY ACADEMY faceboook.com/ocalaplayacademy (352) 694-1984

UNCLE DONALD’S FARM uncledonaldsfarm.com (352) 753-2882

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FOREST HIGH SCHOOL foresthighfootball.com (352) 671-4717 SKATE-A-WAY SOUTH skateawaysouth.com (352) 671-8100

Sport Camps CAMP KIWANIS campkiwanisocala.com (352) 236-5401

OCALA CIVIC THEATRE ocalacivictheatre.com (352) 236-2274

MARION THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION https://bit.ly/2GRSLI0 (352) 732-7300

OCALA POWER UNITED VOLLEYBALL ocalapowerunited.com (352) 351-4837

BASEBALL CAMP AT THE COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA gocfcamps.com (352) 854-2322 SOFTBALL CAMP AT COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA cfsoftballcamps.com (352) 854-2322 VOLLEYBALL CAMP AT COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA patriotvolleyballcamps.com (352) 854-2322 CAMP PATRIOT BASKETBALL CAMP AT COLLEGE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA camppatriotbasketball.com (352) 427-7435

CAMP LA-NO-CHE camplanoche.com (352) 669-8558 GIRL SCOUTS OF GATEWAY COUNCIL girlscouts-gateway.org (877) 764-5237 GIRL SCOUTS OF WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA gswcf.org/summercamp (813) 281-4475 FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION myfwc.com (352) 625-2804 OCALA CONSERVATION CENTER ocalaadventurecamp.com (352) 625-4475

MARION COUNTY

FOOD & WINE

EXPERIENCE MAY 19 | CENTER COURT BY| 12–5PM PADDOCK MALL

Live entertainment, live music, & a fashion show. Local restaurants will be offering samples of food and beverages.

ed unc it our o n n is s. ea ev ill b pleas page w s, er dia inn pdate l me w a Q1 or u soci or n. F soo ebsite w

Join the 2018 AMP Mayor’s Challenge!

April 1 - June 30 Which City Will Win? Download the app today.

activemarion.com

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Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station

Diaper Daze

Public changing stations can be a hassle—and they can be gross. This easily portable changing station features a built-in pillow for comfort and a mesh pocket to hold diapers and wipes. If your infant could talk, they would thank you. $30 › skiphop.com

For mothers, long gone are the days where its practical to carry a handbag that matches your shoes. › By Laurel Gillum Grab your diaper bag—we’re about to start packing. Check out some of our favorite diaper bag essentials.

Olen Cosmetics Baby Butz Cream

We know all too well that diapers can rub against and irritate your baby’s soft skin. To avoid the fuss of diaper rash, gently apply this 100 percent, all-natural cream to your baby’s bottom. FDA approved and hypoallergenic. $7.99-12.99 › olencosmetics.com

Olen Cosmetics Sunblocz Baby + Kids

Sunscreen is a must here in Central Florida! Touted by both dermatologists and pediatricians, this all-natural sunscreen excludes harmful chemicals found in other brands. Instead, it contains a high percentage of healthy minerals and anti-oxidant ingredients to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays. Don’t forget the hat, too! $23.99 › olencosmetics.com

Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump with Suction Base and Silicone Flower Stopper Set

Where’s an outlet when you need one?

Pumping can be a royal pain. But it doesn’t have to be. This dishwasher-safe breast pump is easy to use with no assembly required. Perfect for onthe-go mothers, this pump is discreet and fits into compact spaces such as diaper bags. Perfect for pumping on that rare evening away from the kiddos. $27.99-29.99 › haakaausa.com

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BabyGanics Baby Wipes

No diaper bag is complete without a pouch of dependable wipes. Whether for messy hands or messy bottoms, this is our favorite. Without compromising their quality, these wipes are plant-based, hypoallergenic and safe for super-sensitive skin. $19.99 › babyganics.com

Organic Grace Natural Pacifier

A pacifier goes inside your baby’s mouth—so you want to make sure it’s 100-percent safe. Look no further; Organic Grace will care for all your baby’s pacifier needs.

This natural pacifier is BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free and paraben-free. Now you can both rest easy. $7.50 › organicgrace.com

Our Green House Organic Swaddle Blankets – Fleece

Pretty pastel swaddles are a diaper bag must have—especially when they are crafted with organic Egyptian cotton! Blankets sold in sets of two. $39 › ourgreenhouse.com

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Baby Diapers

Don’t want the hassle of cloth diapers, but don’t want all the chemicals found in typical diapers? Seventh Generation brand is free of chlorine bleaching. The cotton is hypoallergenic and ultraabsorbent, perfect for even the most sensitive skin. $11.99-47.84 ›

seventhgeneration.com

2018 Summer

ART

Camp

Enroll Now at AppletonMuseum.org Morning and Afternoon Camps | Ages 4 and Up Museum, ARTSpace and Appleton Store Hours Tuesday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.

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

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› CLASS ACTS › BY KEVIN CHRISTIAN, APR, CPRC

The Class Of 2018 This year’s graduation ceremonies are set, and for the first time in years, no two graduations take place at the same time!

May 18, 10am – Hillcrest, School Gymnasium May 18, 7pm– Vanguard, Livestock Pavilion May 19, 8am – Forest, Livestock Pavilion May 19, 7pm – North Marion, Livestock Pavilion May 24, 6pm– West Port, Stadium May 25, 6pm– Dunnellon, Stadium May 26, 8am – Belleview, Stadium May 26, 6pm– Lake Weir, Stadium June 14, 7pm– MTC, First Baptist of Ocala

National Honors

Our school district has nine seniors who have achieved National Merit semifinalist status. This prestigious honor puts them in the top 1 percent of students nationwide for academic pursuits beyond high school. Included this year from Vanguard are (l-r): Christopher Lugo, Tyler Lehman, Anjali Patel, Gregory Han, Brian Epstein, Canna Liu and Jasmine Lee. West Port also has three students on the same list (l-r): Kaitlyn Robey, Erik Larsen and Gianfranco Cortes-Arroyo.

Seniors Secure Scholarships

Bio-Training Each Other Several dozen West Port health career students trekked to North Marion High to cross-train with students involved in that school’s biomedical program. The hands-on interaction puts West Port students in a different learning environment while providing North Marion students the opportunity to teach their colleagues.

Belleview High’s Joshua Wolfe received a $10,000 scholarship to Full Sail University for Media and Entertainment in Orlando.

The graduating senior is being recognized for his exceptional talent in written and visual communications, academic success and passion about the entertainment and media industries.

West Port Senior Maurice Gilbert has won the Ron Brown Scholarship, worth $40,000! He beat out over 5,000 competitors from around the country. He plans to attend FAMU to double major in political science and economics. He also wants to minor in public relations.

Celebrating 50 Years at ONE School

Ft. McCoy Business Champs

Brooke McConnell and Candice Soutar, both students at Ft. McCoy School, captured first place at the HOSA-Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference recently in Orlando.

Both girls beat more than 3,400 middle and high school students to capture top honors for Health Career Display.

Both are now eligible to represent Florida at the national level this summer in Dallas.

Imagine working in the same building for the same company for 50 years. Linda Freeman has accomplished just that as the secretary at North Marion High School. She was a freshman when the school opened and has worked as the school secretary since 1963. That’s the same year JFK was assassinated, ZIP codes were introduced and Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. After 50 years, Freeman is hanging up her hat, packing up her 500-plus frogs and heading into retirement.

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City of Ocala

FIRSTFRIDAYART WALK Downtown Ocala Friday | May 4 | 6-9 p.m.

30+ visual and performing artists, businesses with extended shopping hours and live entertainment!

AFTERDARKINTHE PARKMOVIESERIES “THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE” Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex 1510 NW Fourth St. Friday | May 11 | 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Hot dogs, popcorn and drinks available for small fee. Remember to bring your lawn chairs or blankets.

OCALADOWNTOWN MARKET Corner of SE Third St. and SE Third Ave. Fridays | 3-7 p.m. | Saturdays | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Rain or shine Locally grown, farm-fresh, seasonal produce, homemade jellies and jams, delicious kettle corn, boiled peanuts, homemade crafts and plants. The kids will love the Market Park playground!

AQUATICFUN CENTERS Hampton | 1510 NW Fourth St. Jervey Gantt | 2390 SE 36 Ave. LAPSWIM

AGES 18+ Jervey Gantt Mondays-Fridays | May 28-Aug. 3 9-11 a.m. | 5-6 p.m.

This new addition will allow adults to enjoy aerobic exercise before the crowds come in. $2/session/swimmer.

LEARNTOSWIM

AGES 3+ Mondays-Wednesdays | May 29-Aug. 3 Hampton | 9:15 a.m. | 10:15 a.m.

Jervey Gantt | 9:15 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. | 5:30 p.m.

This program teaches and builds upon foundational water safety and swimming skills. Instructors are certified by the American Red Cross. $55/person.

FORTKINGNATIONAL HISTORICLANDMARK 3925 E. Fort King St. HISTORICHOMESTEADING

ALL AGES Saturday | May 5 | 10 a.m.-Noon Learn to make your very own pioneer camp chair. $20/person.

FORTKINGLECTURESERIES

Friday | May 18 | 6-8 p.m.

This lecture series will address social, historical and environmental issues of Fort King and the Seminole Wars. Topics vary by dates. Visit www.fortkingocala.com for more information.

AUDUBONBIRDHIKE

Saturday | May 19 | 8 a.m.

Come discover native birds during this early morning nature hike.

ENDOFSCHOOLSUMMERBASH!

Saturday | May 19 | 7-10 p.m.

Learn about the importance of finding your “Natural

High” and staying drug free. Games, door prizes and giveaways. Popcorn, sodas and free hot dogs prepared by Ocala Fire Rescue. Join us as we watch Jumanji so bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy the show!

CAMPWILDLANDS

AGES 13-17 Rainbow River Water Adventures | June 4-6 Northern River & Spring Escape | June 18-22 Crystal River of Discovery | July 25-27 Each camp includes meals, fees, tent and sleeping pad. Fee is $175/camper. Register at www.apm.activecommunities.com/ ocalamarioncounty

LILLIANF.BRYANT COMMUNITYCENTER 2200 NW 17 Pl. BRYANTSIZZLINSUMMERCAMP

AGES 512 Mondays-Fridays | May 29-Aug. 3 7:30a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Several exciting field trips every week, free lunch and afternoon snack after the first week. Activities include group fitness, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, theme-day fun and more. A one-time $25/child nonrefundable registration fee. $25/resident/ week. $50/non-resident/week. Register through July 25.

E.D.CROSKEY RECREATIONCENTER 1510 NW Fourth St.

CROSKEYCITYKIDSCAMP

AGES 512 Mondays-Fridays | May 29-Aug. 3 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Interact with city departments, STEM, sports, field trips, lunch and snacks. $50/resident/ week. $75/non-resident/week. Register through July 25.

Recreation and Parks

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All programs are free unless otherwise noted. Register at www.ocalafl.org/recpark.

OPENRECREATION

MADSCIENCEBIRTHDAYPARTIES

ALL AGES Mondays-Fridays | Year-round | 3-8 p.m.

A time for kids to play basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, dodgeball, computer lab, bumper pool, air hockey, foosball, etc.

AGES 512 Saturdays | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Host your child’s next birthday party at the Discovery Center! Each party includes fun experiments, games, goody bags and decorations. 8-11 children = $20/child. 1217 children = $17.50/child. 18-24 children = $15/child. $50 deposit must be paid at least two weeks in advance.

DISCOVERYCENTER 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Register at www.mydiscoverycenter.org TROPICALODYSSEYOPENING

ALL AGES Saturday | May 12 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Join us for the opening of our Tropical Odyssey exhibit! Come explore our caterpillar tunnel, camouflage hide and seek, climb in our pupation pods and zipline through the tropics! $6/person. $20/family.

ROMANCEINTHERAINFOREST

AGES 18+ Saturday | May 19 | 7-9 p.m.

Join us for a fun date night! Participate in a fun science experiment, receive a guided tour of our exhibit and sit under the stars in our inflatable planetarium, StarLab. Light snacks and wine will also be provided! $30/couple.

LILY’SLEAPINGSUMMERCAMP

AGES 512 Mondays-Fridays | May 29-Aug. 3 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Several exciting field trips every week, free lunch and afternoon snack after the first week.

Activities include, group fitness, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, theme day fun and more! $25/person non-refundable registration fee. $25/resident. $50/non-resident.

CAMPDISCOVERY

AGES 815 Mondays-Fridays | May 29-Aug. 3 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

A summer of exploration with themed weeks, field trips and hands-on activities! $25/child registration fee plus $125/non-member and $115/member. Register April 9-July 20.

STARLABPLANETARIUMSHOWS

Saturdays | 11 a.m. | 1 p.m.

Come and explore our local interstellar neighborhood in our inflatable planetarium! $3/person.

ADULTACTIVITY CENTERS AGES 50+ BARBARA GASKIN WASHINGTON 210 NW 12 Ave. EIGHTH AVENUE 830 NE Eighth Ave. SNACKS&FACTS: FLORIDA MUSEUMOFNATURALHISTORY

Wednesday | May 16 | 9:30 a.m.

Strive Health and Rehabilitation Center will be presenting on the series “Journey through your Body.” $10/person, includes transportation.

MAYBUSTRIP: MENOPAUSETHE MUSICAL

AGES 50+ Thursday | May 17 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The cast makes fun of their woeful hot flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and chocolate binges. A sisterhood is created between these diverse women as they realize that menopause is no longer! $73/person, includes transportation, entry to the musical.

LET’SGOTOTHEMOVIES

Wednesday | May 23 | 12:30 p.m.

Includes transportation, movie admission, popcorn, drink and Bruster’s real ice cream. $7/person.

KENTUCKYDERBYPARTY

Eighth Avenue Saturday | May 26 | 3-5 p.m.

Put on your hat and party!

Refreshments will be served and best dressed takes home a prize!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/OcalaRecPark

www.ocalafl.org/recpark

352.368.5517

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4 bed/4 bath pool home w/study and views of the 18th fairway! Formal living & dining, open kitchen w/breakfast area, family rm, split bdrm plan, oversized master, 3 car garage, covered lanai & screen enclosed pool. $675,000. ML#531369

Open & spacious triple split 4/3. Features: gourmet kitchen, custom cabinetry, breakfast nook, family rm & formal living rm, large covered lanai & sparkling pool. Spacious master w/updated bath. Overlooks horse farm. $499,000. ML#533089.

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4+/- acres in Turning Hawk Ranch with 6 bdrms, 5 baths & 3 half baths. Generous formal/informal living areas. Cinema room & guest/in-law apartment. Pool area is beyond beautiful. Full outdoor kitchen with bonus room & bath. $899,000. ML#435939

5/4.5 Two story features formal living w/ soaring ceilings, dining rm, study, family rm w/fpl, breakfast nook, game rm & downstairs master. Covered upstairs balcony & downstairs covered patio overlook pool. $785,000. ML#533485

4/3 pool home along 3rd fairway. Formal living & dining, kitchen & breakfast rm.

Family rm leads to covered lanai and screen enclosed pool. Features include split bdrm plan, cathedral ceilings, skylights & pretty golf course views. $539,000. ML#528231

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Horsin’ Around There’s always something happening in Horse Country. Check out these upcoming events for the month of May. Read all about it! Interested in seeing your horse-related event in Ocala Style? Send us an email at comments@ocalastyle.com.

MANE

EXPLORING MARION COUNTY’S EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY

Grand Oaks Resort: Hunt Country Horse Show May 4-6 Grand Oaks Resort: The Southern Drive May 10-13

the

Florida Horse Park: Sunshine Region Pony Club Show Jump Rally May 12-13 Sumter Equestrian Center: SEC Hunter Jumper Dressage Show May 19-20

Florida Horse Park: RW Cattle Co. Derby Day Jackpot May 4-5

Florida Horse Park: POP 3-Phase Schooling Show & XC Schooling May 19-20

The Villages Polo Club: 6 Goal Pro Pool Dates throughout May

Florida Horse Park: Summer Fun Horse Show May 31-June 3

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AWARD-WINNING WONDERS

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EQUINE ART

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A PLACE TO CALL HOME

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RIDES AROUND TOWN

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A Double Eclipse

A pair of Florida-breds earned 2017 national Thoroughbred racing championships. › By JoAnn Guidry

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lorida-breds World Approval and Caledonia collected 2017 Eclipse Awards as North American Thoroughbred racing champions. Presented annually, the Eclipse Awards honor excellence in North American Thoroughbred racing. The awards are voted on by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

World Approval was named the Eclipse champion male turf horse. In Thoroughbred racing, turf horses run on grass courses rather than on dirt tracks. Bred by Charlotte Weber’s Ocala-based Live Oak Stud and raced by her Live Oak Plantation, World Approval won five turf races at five different racetracks. Of those five, three were Grade I stakes races, which are the highest level of Thoroughbred racing. World Approval captured the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga, Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) at Woodbine and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar. Trained by Ocala native Mark Casse, World Approval earned $2,043,600 in 2017.

For Weber, it was the second Eclipse Award won by a horse she bred and raced. Miesque’s Approval, a half-brother to World Approval, was named the 2006 North American champion male turf horse.

In addition to winning an Eclipse Award, World Approval was named 2017 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, as well as Florida-bred champion older male, turf male horse and male sprinter. Weber’s Live Oak Stud was named the 2017 Florida Breeder of the Year. Win Approval, the dam (mother) of World Approval, was honored as the 2017 Florida Broodmare of the

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World Approval Photos courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire

Caledonia Road

Year. The latter awards are presented by the Ocala-based Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

Caledonia Road, bred by Peter Vegso’s Ocalabased Vegso Racing Stable, was named the Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly. She was sold for $140,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale. Caledonia Road races for the partnership of Zoom and Fish Stable, Charlie Spiring and Newtown Anner Stud.

Trained by South Florida-based trainer Ralph E. Nicks, Caledonia Road had a short but impressive 2017 racing season. After winning her first start, she was then second in the Frizette

Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. Her next start came in the prestigious $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar, where she won easily. That victory was instrumental in Caledonia Road earning her Eclipse Award.

In but three starts in 2017, Caledonia Road posted two wins and one second to bank $1,229,800. Caledonia Road was also named the 2017 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly by the FTBOA. Beginning with Needles in 1955, a total of 52 Florida-breds have been named national Thoroughbred racing champions.

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Artistic Passion

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here’s not a horse that Moe Hahn won’t paint. She’ll put brush to canvas for any breed, any discipline.

“I’ve loved horses all my life. I got my first one when I was 13,” says Hahn, a Rhode Island native who moved to South Florida in 1984. “Over the years, I worked as a groom for a jumper outfit, a breeding manager for a Morgan horse farm and an office manager for a thoroughbred farm. Horses have always been a part of my life.”

And art came into Hahn’s life via her passion for horses.

“In 1991, I was working as a manager for a Delray Beach car dealership to support my horse habit,” recalls Hahn. “It was a very stressful job, so when I decided to take some time off, I thought I would do something artsy to relax. I went to a craft store, bought a drawing pad and a box of pastel chalks. In an hour, I had drawn a horse, and I was much more relaxed.”

Happy with the results of her new-found hobby, Hahn delved deeper into art. From

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pastels, she briefly tried water colors before settling on acrylics for her medium. Six months later, Hahn quit her dealership job to pursue an equine art career.

“For 28 years, I did the art and horse show circuit with my artwork,” says Hahn, who moved to Ocala in 2004. “Along the way, my work has been featured in art galleries, horse show programs and equine magazines, including covers. For a while, I had my own art gallery, but now my house serves as my studio and art gallery.”

For Hahn, the artistic process begins with a good picture, usually taken by her.

“When I look through the camera lens, I see the painting that I want to do,” she says.

“I generally work from 4am to 6am when it’s quiet. I begin by sketching on the canvas from the picture. Usually, I sketch out several canvases at once. Then if I get stuck on a painting, I don’t agonize but just move on to another.”

Photos of paintings by John Jernigan

A love of horses led Moe Hahn to become an accomplished self-taught equine artist. › By JoAnn Guidry

Hahn loves “the bright and intense colors of acrylics.” She notes that she’s “particularly fond of big canvases, 24x36 [inches] and up, for their great impact.”

On Saturdays, 8am-noon, the public can watch Hahn paint at the Ocala Breeders’ Feed & Supply on North U.S. Highway 27. Most of her commission work comes from those Saturday mornings, as well as word of mouth.

“Art is my passion,” says Hahn. “I’ll always paint horses.”

LEARN MORE › Moe Hahn Fine Art › moehahnstudio@gmail.com › (352) 694-1592

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Riding Lessons

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Polo Lessons (Individual & Group) Hitting Cage Lessons Schedule a lesson today!

Mike.Harris@TheVillages.com 561-212-2128

Only 30 minutes south of Ocala!

703 N. Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL 32162 #TheVillagesPoloClub TheVillagesPoloClub.com | 352-750-7656 | © 2018 Holding Company of The Villages, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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Photos courtesy of the College of Central Florida

Vintage Impact

The College of Central Florida utilizes a game-changing donation for its Agribusiness and Equine Studies programs. › By JoAnn Guidry

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n both size and monetary value, Vintage Farm is the largest donation ever made to the College of Central Florida in its 60-year history. The 103-acre south Marion County farm, valued at more than $2.9 million, was donated to CF in December 2016 by a longtime Marion County supporter of education and agriculture. The donor prefers to remain anonymous.

Vintage Farm is a shared campus resource for CF’s Agribusiness and Equine Studies programs. The CF Equine Studies program offers Associate of Science degrees in business management and equine exercise physiology.

Beginning in August, CF will offer a bachelor’s degree in business and organizational management with an equine specialization.

“Without a doubt, Vintage Farm is a wonderful opportunity for us to transform our Equine Studies program,” says Dr. Judy Downer, CF Equine Studies professor and program manager. “It is allowing us to provide our students with experiential learning opportunities on a whole different level.

Previously, we had to take our students to farms and vet clinics for hands-on learning.

That was very limiting. But now we have Vintage Farm.”

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For hands-on equine experience, horses are necessary. At Vintage Farm, boarding retired horses will serve that purpose.

“We already have two retired horses and will max out at four,” says Downer. “The horses have to be very much people-oriented horses since they will be handled by our students.

The horses will be used for educational purposes to teach students equine health care, handling and grooming. The horses will also serve as great ambassadors to the public for our program.”

Currently, students spend one to three hours a day at Vintage Farm. But Downer expects the farm time to increase with the new bachelor’s program in the fall.

“The donation of Vintage Farm and the start of a new bachelor’s program was really a perfect aligning of the stars,” says Downer.

“I expect the latter students to have two-hour labs every other week at the farm. Being able to have that kind of hands-on experience is invaluable.”

Future plans for Vintage Farm include building classrooms, a vet clinic lab and a covered arena.

“The covered arena will be a great educational tool,” says Downer. “It will allow

our students to develop and run horsemanship clinics, equine health workshops and other programs. This is a critical skill for our students to learn toward their futures in the equine industry. With the addition of Vintage Farm to our program, we are much better equipped to prepare our students for those futures.”

LEARN MORE › Dr. Judy Downer › downerj@cfu.edu › (352) 854-2322, Ext. 1220

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Saddle Up

The Cross Florida Greenway offers miles of horseback riding trails from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. › By JoAnn Guidry

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major reason why Ocala/Marion County is known as the Horse Capital of the World is the more than 65 miles of horseback riding trails in the Cross Florida Greenway. The trails meander through a 30-mile forested corridor from the Santos Trailhead just south of Ocala to the Pruitt Trailhead in Dunnellon.

“A great way to enjoy the Greenway is by horseback,” says Bre Ximenes, the Cross Florida Greenway Trails and Volunteer Coordinator. “The trails, which vary from single track to more challenging, are for the most part shaded. Depending on the time of the day and the season, you may see deer, bobcats, gopher turtles, coyotes, fox squirrels, even black bears. No motorized vehicles or hunting are allowed. It’s a safe place to ride.”

Another safety feature is that no major highways have to be crossed by horseback while riding through all but one of the Greenway sections. There are underpasses at 475 and 475A, the Land Bridge over I-75 and underpasses at 49th Avenue and County Road 484.

So now you’re ready to saddle up, but you don’t have a horse. No problem.

Located at the Land Bridge Trailhead is Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides, which is the Cross Florida Greenway’s designated horseback riding provider.

“We have horses to suit every rider from beginner to experienced. They are gentle, people friendly and enjoy their jobs,” says Jamie Zito, who with his wife, Deb, owns and operates Cactus Jack’s. “We have 60 horses, so we can rotate horses out on a regular basis

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“We have horses to suit every rider from beginner to experienced. They are gentle, people friendly and enjoy their jobs.” — Jamie Zito to give them some time off. Horses, just like people, need time off from their jobs.”

With so many horseback riding trails in the Greenway, a knowledgeable guide is a must.

“Our trail guides are lifelong horse people who know the Greenway trails inside and out,” says Zito. “And they enjoy sharing the trails with our guests.”

Zito also points out that “good saddles are just as important as good horses and good guides. Many times, a ride is ruined by an uncomfortable saddle.” He notes that “we use Australian saddles that provide comfort and support.”

Riders have to be 6 or older to take the guided trail rides that can vary from one hour ($50) to six hours ($120). Cactus Jack’s also offers riding lessons.

“Our most popular ride is to and from the Land Bridge over I-75,” says Zito. “A lot of people have that on their bucket list.”

WANT TO RIDE? › Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides › Land Bridge Trailhead, 1110 SW 16th Avenue/CR 475A › (352) 266-9326 › cactusjackstrailrides.com › Reservations required

*Not all buyers qualify for Ford Credit financing. 2.9% APR for 60 months at $17.92 per month per $1,000 financed, regardless of down payment. On all Ford CPO vehicles. Take delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by 7/9/18. See dealer for qualifications and details. **Requires Ford Credit financing; not all buyers qualify. Offer available on all Ford CPO vehicles to current owners of 1995 or newer or leased non-Ford Motor Company vehicles with valid proof of ownership. Trade-in not required. Nontransferable out of household. Limit one per household. Take delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by 5/31/18. See dealer for details.

Download the Free Apps FORD OF OCALA

352-732-4800

VILLAGE FORD

352-233-2900

Flora, Fauna & fun 20 Must-See Florida Attractions

By Katie Benscoter

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flaneur technically means someone who strolls idly but has recently come to mean someone who is being a tourist in their own city, taking in its sights and sounds like they’re all new. It’s easy for Floridians to be tourists in our own state with theme parks and beaches galore. But from the weird to the wonderful, Florida has so many attractions outside the usual destinations— and each deserves a visit.

3. WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT

Miami And the Instagrammer’s dream come true: Wynwood Art District in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami. This area is one of the largest open-air street art installations in the world and is renowned for its vibrant, memorable murals created by international artists. It’s also home to over 70 museums and galleries. The best time to go? Art walk takes place the second Saturday of each month, and the galleries and studios open their doors to the public to enjoy art, music and refreshments. (786) 615-8828,

wynwoodmiami.com

Shell Factory & Nature Park

2. SHELL FACTORY & NATURE PARK

North Fort Myers Seashells, coral, zip lines and... taxidermy?

Yes, please. This kitschy, not-so-little shop in North Fort Myers has a little bit of everything, literally. Climb a 40-foot pole, ride bumper boats, visit the animal park, shop the yearround Christmas store and pick out some unique shell specimens. There’s even four museums on-site and multiple restaurants.

(239) 995-2141, shellfactory.com

The Old Spanish Sugar Mill

4. THE OLD SPANISH SUGAR MILL AND GRIDDLE HOUSE De Leon Springs This massive sugar mill was constructed in the 1830s to crush sugar cane using the force of the 16 million gallons of water flowing through the spring each day. It was destroyed and rebuilt many times over its nearly twocentury lifespan. It was purchased in 1961 and restored to grind flour in the mill building,

and the new owner opened a restaurant and bakery. It is still family owned today. Each table has an electric griddle in the center where customers make their own pancakes from two types of homemade batters—one containing stone-ground corn, wheat, rye, whole wheat and buckwheat flours and the other made from unbleached white flour.

Wait times have reached two hours before, so plan to go early on weekends. (386) 985-5644,

oldspanishsugarmill.com

5. BUTTERFLY WORLD

Coconut Creek Florida is home to the largest butterfly park in the world, with over 20,000 live butterflies fluttering about. See countless species you’ve never encountered before in the three-acre butterfly aviary. Purchase native species of chrysalis in the gift shop to take home, watch the butterflies emerge and release them into your own backyard. Butterfly World is open seven days a week; admission is $29.95 for adults and $21.95 for children. Kids age 2 and younger are free. (954) 977-4400,

butterflyworld.com Photo courtesy of Butterfly World

Photo courtesy of Shell Factory & Nature Park

weekiwachee.com/mermaids

Wynwood Art District

Photo by Dean Blinkhorn

Weeki Wachee Ocala residents have a unique attraction right in their own backyard. For the last six decades, the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park have wowed guests with their underwater routines. Grab a seat in the 400-seat auditorium with a window into their underwater world. Check their online calendar for upcoming events. (352) 592-5656,

Photo by Mary Beth Koeth

1. MERMAID SHOWS AT WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS

Butterfly World

MAY ’18 ›

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6. GATORWORLD

Wildwood At GatorWorld (not to be confused with Gatorland), visitors will get an up-close look at alligators in their natural habitat without even leaving their car. Drive along the gravel road to view gators lounging poolside in habitats constructed to simulate natural Florida. At the end of the drive, visitors can feed young alligators on a raised platform, and don’t forget to visit the petting zoo, featuring “Elvis” the goat and “Biscuit” the bunny. (352) 462-9500,

gatorworldparks.com

Photo courtesy of Gatorworld

Dry Tortugas

Photo courtesy of Dry Tortugas National Park

Saturday Wolf Encounter Tours last approximately four hours and include the chance to feed the raccoons, hug the skunks, play with the foxes and meet Pecos the coyote. Call to schedule your tour before showing up, as all tours are by reservation only. (850) 773-2897,

seacrestwolfpreserve.org

Gatorworld

Key Largo A diver’s dream come true, Jules’ Undersea Lodge is the world’s only underwater hotel.

Have lunch or stay overnight underwater in the lagoon, with a large window into the water.

Key Largo Undersea Park also offers scuba training with a depth of 30 feet in a protected setting, perfect for newbies and veterans alike.

Guests can earn their open water certification, take a Discover Scuba Diving course or just dive for fun. (305) 451-2353, jul.com

8. SEACREST WOLF PRESERVE

Chipley If a day on a 400-acre preserve for displaced wolves sounds like your kind of fun, you’re in for a treat. Seacrest Wolf Preserve takes visitors hiking through the natural habitats that are now home to numerous types of wolves. They can participate in a hands-on meeting with the animals while learning about their place in the ecosystem. These

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The Dali Museum

9. THE DALÍ MUSEUM

Photo courtesy of Salvatore Dali Museum

7. JULES’ UNDERSEA LODGE

St. Petersburg Guests can view seven of Dalí’s most well-known masterpieces, including “The Hallucinogenic Toreador” and “The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.” They will learn about innumerable other paintings, drawings, sculptures, films and photographs of his as well. Other exhibits rotate in and out, too, like past exhibitions of Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso works. Be sure to stroll

through the Avant Garden, full of surrealist installations, mazes and beautiful flora.

Check the museum’s calendar for more information about special events for children and adults. (727) 823-3767, thedali.org

10. DRY TORTUGAS

Key West Reachable only by ferry boat or seaplane, the Dry Tortugas is one of America’s most remote, least visited national parks—if you organize the transportation, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery Florida has to offer.

Go snorkeling, camping and explore Fort Jefferson, a massive brick fortress right on the coastline. Book tours, which include some meals, at drytortugas.com. (800) 634-0939,

drytortugas.com

11. CORAL CASTLE

Homestead After his bride deserted him the day before their wedding, Latvian man Ed Leedskalnin moved to America. Part of a family of stone masons, he used his knowledge to move these 30-ton blocks of fossilized coral. For scale, some stones in the Coral Castle are taller than those in Stonehenge and heavier than the heaviest stone in the Great Pyramid of Giza. It even features stone furniture, like a heart-shaped table for his long-lost love.

(305) 248-6345, coralcastle.com

12. SOLOMON’S CASTLE

Ona If you’ve never visited a medieval castle complete with moat, this is your chance.

Sculptor Howard Solomon built his castle out of aluminum printing plates thrown away by the local newspaper. Today it’s a gleaming, three-story, 12,000-square-foot fortress, including the courtyard filled with sculptures and handmade stained glass. It even has a restaurant for visitors. (863) 494-6077,

solomonscastle.com

care to all their residents and do not breed or sell. Current animals on-site include tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, bobcats, arctic foxes and coatimundis. Visit during their evening feeding to see them at their most active.

(904) 757-3603, cattyshack.org

Jacksonville Just outside North Jacksonville’s suburbs lies Big Talbot Island, home to a beautiful shoreline dotted in petrified driftwood trees. They provide a beautiful backdrop for photos and a natural playground for climbing, exploring and sight-seeing. (904) 251-2320,

19. WARM MINERAL SPRINGS

13. DEVIL’S DEN

Williston Devil’s Den is a privately owned and operated scuba diving site, with gorgeous clear waters, ancient rock formations, stalactites and fossil beds dating back 33 million years. Because the water is 72 degrees year-round, on winter mornings steam rises from the cave’s chimney, which is how the site earned its name.

Devil’s Den is only open to scuba divers and snorkelers, and children under age 6 are not permitted. (352) 528-3344, devilsden.com

North Port Sorry, St. Augustine—some historians believe this ancient sinkhole, filled with 20 million gallons of naturally warmed, mineralized water, is the true Fountain of Youth. Some of the oldest fossils in America have been discovered in its rock formations. Entrance for swimming is $20 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under.

(941) 426-1692, https://bit.ly/2JefJr8

16. TWO TAILS RANCH

Gainesville Two Tails Ranch opened to the public in 2009 for elephant lovers to meet these sweet creatures up close. Their elephants are rescued, retired or staying over while their own enclosures are repaired at other facilities.

The ranch offers tours, hand feedings and even elephant rides. Tours and feedings are scheduled by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead. (352) 5286585, allaboutelephants.com

17. MONKEY ISLAND

Homosassa Monkey Island is just a short drive away in Homosassa. Book a boat tour around the island to see where the monkeys live and play. Today, it’s home to five spider monkeys, who are fed twice daily and have regular visits from a primate vet and, of course, curious tourists cruising by. The story of the island is somewhat of a sitcom, so be sure to ask your guide about its origins. (352) 628-2474,

Photo courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens

Photo by Richard Rossetto

floridastateparks.org/park/Big-Talbot-Island

Devil’s Den

riversideresorts.com

Bok Tower Gardens

14. SPOOK HILL

Lake Wales The legend of Spook Hill goes something like this: An Indian chief fought a massive alligator that had been terrorizing his village. Both died on top of the hill, and no one can agree whether the spirit of the gator or the chief haunts the hill.

Today, Spook Hill keeps motorists scratching their heads over its seemingly anti-gravity properties. The city has painted a white line at the base of the hill. If the driver puts their car in neutral, it appears to roll backwards uphill. In reality, it’s an optical illusion, but it feels real enough for anyone in the car or watching it from the roadside. Spook Hill is located on N Wales Drive in Lake Wales.

Catty Shack Ranch

18. CATTY SHACK RANCH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Photo by Miguel Emmanueli

Sources: atlasobscura.com, onlyinyourstate.com, roadsideamerica.com, weburbanist.com

15. DRIFTWOOD BEACH

Jacksonville The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is massive and full of interesting animals, but just 20 minutes away is Catty Shack, a ranch that rescues big cats of all types from circuses, illegal private ownership and more. They provide large enclosures and thorough medical

20. BOK TOWER GARDENS

Lake Wales Edward Bok immigrated to America from the Netherlands at age 6 and became a Pulitzer-prize winning author. He had a second home in Lake Wales and fell in love with Iron Mountain. He purchased the land to transform into gardens with a majestic Singing Tower and 60-bell carillon. It was Bok’s gift to the American people as thanks for all the opportunities he had been given. Today the carillon sits atop the hill and houses the world’s largest carillon library, with books, articles, recordings, music scores, slides and photographs. Music rings out over the gardens every day at 1pm and 3pm. (863) 676-1408,

boktowergardens.org

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of Styl n e m o e W The women on the following pages are the definition of style. Talented, multitasking and thriving in the workplace, they are women you see every day juggling jobs that take diligence, dexterity and business acumen. Whether in stilettos or scrubs, they are masters at what they do.

Ocala Style is proud to give these local women the recognition they deserve.

Here, they share their expertise and offer insight related to their profession.

Let us introduce you to these extraordinary women…

Women of Style

Nilam PATEL

CCE, CME, Aesthetician, Medical Electrologist, Pushti Brows and Skin Therapy 2457 SW 27 Ave., Ocala › (352) 304-5151 › pushtibrowsandskintherapy.com

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ushti means the nourishment of the mind, body and soul. Nilam and her business partner, Pritu Patel, provide treatments that have been tried and tested, as they believe it is important to live a healthy lifestyle by nourishing and protecting your largest living organ: your skin. Nilam’s desire is to empower individuals through personalized care for their specific skin care needs.

Pushti provides a combination of natural, clinical and technological treatments to their clients in order to deliver optimum results.

“Client satisfaction is our No. 1 priority, and the goal is to keep Pushti’s clients feeling comfortable during the spa visit.”

Spa services cater to both men and women, and they feature a complete brow bar, hair removal services—laser, waxing and Exercise: threading—facials and peels. The full menu of services can be found on CrossFit pushtibrowsandskintherapy.com

Fun Faves Music: Soothing and relaxing Must-haves: Water and sunscreen

Women of Style

Katie

KEEL ARNP-C, MidState Skin Institute 1630 SE 18th St., #400, Ocala › (352) 512-0092 7550 SW 61st Ave., Suite 1, Ocala › (352) 732-7337 midstateskin.com

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y now, everyone knows that your skin is your body’s largest organ and how important it is to take care of it. But for Katie Keel, with MidState Skin Institute, her love of dermatology is about much more.

“Before coming to MidState, I worked on the Burn Intensive Care Unit at Shands, and my experiences there really made me love and appreciate how amazing the skin is.”

Raised in Ocala, Katie received her bachelor’s and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Transitioning to MidState Skin was a natural fit for her.

“From the moment you walk in you don’t feel like you are at a typical medical office—it feels more like a friend’s living room. We do everything we can to make the experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.”

Although clinical dermatology is a staple service at MidState Skin, Katie has a love for all things cosmetic and is most excited about the Co2RE laser, which can dramatically improve fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots and skin laxity in a single treatment.

“With the Co2RE laser, we are able to take years off with no surgery, no sutures and no needles. The best part is that the results are permanent.”

And although cosmetic procedures are offering new ways to make your skin tighter, smoother and more luminous, it’s always Skin care product: important to remember the NeoCutis Micro Eye Cream skin care basics.

Annual Ocala event: “I always tell my patients Junior League of Ocala’s Annual Pints to wash their faces at the for Parks event end of the day, invest in a Sports team: good vitamin C serum and Florida Gators eye cream, and apply an SPF Currently reading: of at least 30 multiple times The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn throughout the day.”

Fun Faves

Ocala restaurant: Brooklyn’s Backyard

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Women of Style

CynthiaTIECHE Founder and Creator, Recharge Clinic

47 SW 17th Street, Ocala › 6998 N US Hwy 27, Ocala › (352) 512-9996 › rechargeocalaclinic.com

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ynthia Tieche is the founder and creator of the Recharge Clinic. A combination of her background in health and fitness instruction and her husband’s functional medicine specialty spurred the idea for the unique clinic.

“Our typical patient is someone who is tired of getting the run around with traditional medicine and needs something that will help them feel, look and be healthier,” she says.

The Recharge Clinic focuses on high-caliber customer service, innovative medical care and natural, functional medicine.

“We have Ocala’s No. 1 weight loss clinic, vitamin IV infusions and injections, hormone therapy, Recharge PRP Facials, plus quick care for all non-emergency medical needs,” says Cynthia, who successfully runs both of the company’s Ocala clinics.

Though Cynthia’s children and family always come first, she loves changing patient’s lives for the better, one patient at a time. They call it the Guilty pleasure: Recharge Experience.

Fun Faves Betty Cakes Drink: Water Vacation destination: Anywhere with a beach

Women of Style

ElishaLOPEZ Broker/Owner, Ocala Realty World

2709 SW 27th Ave., suite 103, Ocala › (352) 789-6746 › ocalarealtyworld.com

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n the last year, Ocala Realty World has grown exponentially, to just over 80 agents.

“It’s been a busy, successful year since the last Women of Style,” says Broker/Owner Elisha Lopez. “In 2017 we came in at No. 9 out of over 300 brokerages by the Marion County Board of Realtors.”

Ocala Realty World also had the most rookies of the year for 2017 and 2018. But what’s most impressive, is that most of the brokerages in spots one through eight have multiple offices and two to three times the amount of agents as Ocala Realty World.

“This shows that our systems work,” Elisha says. “We help agents have a successful career and grow their business to a level they never imagined.”

Elisha, along with her husband Luis, is also opening a new real estate training facility to host their Real Estate licensing classes after Favorite Ocala event: outgrowing their current location.

Ocala Culinary Festival “The real estate market is booming,” Elisha says. “If you’re Currently reading: thinking of a career in real estate, now is the time to finally have Soar

by Bishop TD Jakes the life you’ve been dreaming of. Our next class starts May 29.” Call Favorite food: Elisha directly for details at (352) 427-0749.

Fun Faves Sashimi

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Women of Style

Charisse RIVERS SMITH CEO, Founder & Financial Advisor, Zinnia Wealth Management 5481 SW 60th St., Ste. 201, Ocala › (833) 368-3680 › zinniawealth.com › grilledcheesefoundation.com

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harisse Rivers Smith is a woman of many talents and experiences. (She was on Fear Factor during her college days!) She’s featured frequently on NBC and CBS, and you can hear her on the Retirement Coffee Talk radio show every weekend on 97.3 fm The SKY. Recently, she was honored with the opportunity to co-author a book called Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul. This small-town girl lives by the motto “small hinges can swing big doors,” and she is so honored to be part of the book.

This wife and mother of two not only successfully manages her family life, but she’s also the founder and CEO of her own company, Zinnia Wealth Management, which provides financial solutions on retirement.

“I say financial discovery is the path to success, and the biggest reward for me is when folks come in to see me and finally embrace the confidence in their financial plan personal economy and start to believe they can make it to the end zone and retire well.”

Beyond the office, Charisse stays busy with family and managing her new charitable organization, the Grilled Cheese Foundation, aimed at helping middle and high school students foster their talents while in school and get them to college with help from the community.

“Our first fundraiser is at Painting with a Twist on May 12, 2018 from 4-6pm. Please RSVP if attending. Bring your mom or friends out for some fun painting for a cause for Mother’s Day.” Charisse might not have a lot of downtime, but she’s enjoying the ride—all while balancing her family life and career. Her advice on how to do it all? It’s simple: Family comes first.

“Set aside time for date Favorite motto: night with the spouse and Carpe diem; we never know when it’s individual time for yourself our last so that you can reset for the Early bird or night owl: week. Life is short, and if you Early bird gets the worm have kids, spend every waking Favorite Ocala restaurant: minute with them.”

Fun Faves

Tony’s Sushi Favorite financial tip: Live by design, not by default

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Amy Agricola, Bonnie Kash, Joan Pletcher and Francis Galvez

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Women of Style

PLETCHER Real Estate Broker

13373 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala › (352) 804-8989 › joanpletcher.com

R

eal estate is truly a passion for Joan Pletcher. Through her honesty, integrity and longstanding client relationships, Joan has proven her commitment to our idyllic community and its positive growth and development.

“As a residential, horse property and land development Realtor for over 30 years, it’s my absolute pleasure to introduce my clients to Ocala and accommodate their real estate needs,” Joan says. “I am dedicated to actualizing my clients’ real estate needs with unparalleled attention and service. Having listings of more than $194 million in Ocala/Marion County, I am confident my team and I can offer a generous selection of premier options, including those properties of my fellow Realtors.”

Whether working with her personal team or a client, Joan believes communication is key to growing a great relationship.

“Good relationships with Realtors and brokers significantly broadens the networks of listings for my buyers and sellers,” Joan says.

Many Realtors have ‘pocket’ listings that might not appear on the MLS, so it’s important to keep these relationships strong and work together to know everything that is available.”

And speaking of her team, every successful business owner knows the importance of surrounding themselves with a staff just as dedicated to their clients’ needs as they are.

“I have a fantastic team, with three of them being licensed Realtors, plus a wonderful husband, JJ, that supports us,” Joan says. “Bonnie Kash has been with me for 18 years. She is responsive to client needs, manages the office and is the transaction coordinator from contract to close.

Francis Galvez is my right-hand person who has been with me 12 years.

She provides bilingual services and is always willing to go the extra mile to make certain things are taken care of. Mary Ann O’Grady comes from a diversified background and assists me in the evenings and weekends Vacation destination: at my home office so the Saratoga other members of my team TV channel: may have time with their The Hallmark Channel families. Amy Agricola is Food: our newest team member Veal piccata and comes to us with an Dessert: equine and marketing Betty Cakes background.”

Ocala restaurant: Having moved to Ocala La Cuisine in 1985, Joan knows the

Fun Faves

Sellers beware...

I WILL sell your property!

value of Ocala, its residents and the horse country surrounding it.

Whether it’s our area’s beautiful horse properties with their rolling pastures, our charming downtown area or the wonderful dining, outdoor recreation, shopping and artistic opportunities, many of Joan’s out-of-state clients are taken aback by our community’s beauty and charm.

“The Ocala real estate market is hot right now. I am thrilled with Ocala’s growth and am looking forward to the future for this special community.”

Joan’s personal knowledge and experience in the equine industry will benefit potential clients looking to relocate to the “Horse Capital of the World.”

“I have had horses since the age of 5, including all different breeds

and disciplines,” says Joan. “I have selected, purchased, broken, trained and shown and realize that different breeds/disciplines have different requirements.

When helping clients find the perfect equestrian property, I’m not only looking for what’s best for their needs, their desires and their families but what’s best for their horses as well.”

As you can see, it’s Joan’s dedication that sets her apart.

Before and after the sale, she aims to go above and beyond to meet her clients’ needs.

“I truly want to help my clients achieve their goal of finding the property that best suits their lifestyle and passion. Personal attention is important in this day and age. It’s what I strive every day to provide to my clients.”

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Women of Style

Katherine

SOKOL Managing Director, Owner —Katya Vineyards Katya Vineyards › 101 E Silver Springs Blvd., Suite 102 › (352) 528-CORK › katyavineyards.com

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amily is the most important thing to Katherine Sokol. That’s what gives meaning to owning and running Katya Vineyards.

“It is a great gift to learn from each other as well as be one another’s peer,” Katherine says. “It takes great balance and patience.”

Katherine and her family take great pride and care in making sure everything they have to offer is of the best quality.

For them, the best part is seeing people genuinely happy about their experience.

The Sokols host themed events in order to bring fun to wine and leave out the pretentious nature often associated with fine wine.

“We have fun. We eat and drink. We all enjoy each other’s company. This is the true purpose of wine and food,” Katherine says. “When our patrons leave, they know they leave as a member of our family.”

Fun Faves Wine: Champagne!

Book: The Book of Cheese TV show: Frasier

Katherine with her mother, Dr. Patricia Sokol

Women of Style

CoCo

Owner, CoCo’s Salon Provocateur

CoCo’s Salon Provocateur › 3405 SW College Rd., Suite 213, Ocala › (352) 854-8831

M

aster Stylist CoCo has over 25 years of experience in the salon industry.

Her salon, CoCo’s Salon, is a full-service salon with six experienced stylists specializing in cut and color. The Tuscan vibe is relaxed and adds to the overall atmosphere.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped us reach 10 years in business,” she says.

“At CoCo’s, we strive to help clients achieve their goals of beauty while acknowledging that true beauty and sense of worth can only be derived from the knowledge that as human beings we are wonderfully made.”

The pros at CoCo’s love helping each client step up their new look.

“I can appreciate from personal experience how a professional hair regimen helps create and maintain hair health and assists in looking your best. Likewise, as a master stylist, I recognize the importance of Food: implementing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for overall physical Sushi health and well-being,” says CoCo.

Fun Faves

Movie: Planes, Trains and Automobiles Hobby: Anything outdoors

Women of Style

LaurenGIBSON State Farm, Insurance Agent

6998 N US HWY 27, Ste. 113, Ocala › (352) 355-3340 › insuredbylauren.com

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or Lauren Gibson, a State Farm insurance agent, impacting a family’s life, both at home or in their business, is truly the most rewarding aspect of her career.

“Having the right insurance can really change how your life will proceed after an accident, and knowing that I am able to educate and protect the people of my community is truly gratifying.”

Offering auto, home, renters, supplemental health, life insurance and banking products, Lauren feels by really getting to know her clients on a personal level, she’s able to make sure they are properly protected from all of life’s risks.

“Our job as insurance and financial advisors is to assess what could get in the way of you and your family achieving your goals. We then build a plan together to mitigate some of those risks that could derail you from pursuing life’s ultimate goals. We truly personalize Dream vacation: insurance to where you are in life.”

Currently Hawaii, next year

Fun Faves

Favorite food: Anything my husband cooks Favorite annual Ocala event: Live Oak International

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Women of Style

NancyPORTER Owner, Lady Jeweler

315 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 401-0044 › ladyjeweler.com

N

ancy Porter is a firm believer in first impressions. After all, you can only make one first impression.

“We are all one of a kind and unique, with our own personal talents and body types,” she says. And she says style is all about being comfortable. And that includes your jewelry.

“Wear what you feel comfortable in, don’t worry about anybody else. Know your color.

Mine is royal blue. When I wear it I feel empowered,” she says.

Her store, The Lady Jeweler, carries estate and vintage pieces, which are unique in that they aren’t mass produced and have a history.

“We custom design jewelry for our customers so every piece is unique to their style, whether it’s traditional, vintage, modern or flashy,” she says.

For Nancy, her personal style is to throw on a pair of jeans and heels. A blingy top and she’s ready to go.

Indulgence: And, of course, her jewelry.

Girl’s night out, purses “Jewelry, big or small, understated or over the top, it lifts your spirits and Drink: makes you smile,” she says. ”It’s a reflection of your style and the icing on top.”

Fun Faves Fuzzy navel and sangria Favorite TV show: Survivor, Big Brother and Bull

Women of Style

RebeccaJONES President, Taylor College

5190 SE 25st Street, Belleview › (352) 245-4119 › taylorcollege.edu

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ebecca Jones feels so strongly about Taylor College and its positive impacts on the community that she came out of retirement to serve as the institution’s president.

“We present a small, family-like environment,” she says. “Faculty and staff are genuinely interested in helping students succeed.”

After serving in the Army for 23 years and as an academic administrator and college president prior to Taylor College, Rebecca knows what it takes to run a successful college.

“Quality is an important trademark,” she says. “We are striving to achieve a new, national accreditation with the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

This will give us the opportunity to offer associates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as diploma-level certificates.”

The college is also actively pursuing specialty accreditation for the nursing programs and the physical therapy assistant program.

TV show: “My vision for Taylor College is to work with our staff to bring quality to Dancing With the Stars all aspects of Taylor College, from policies and procedures, to curriculum Dessert: and outcomes.”

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chocolate Hobby: golf/swimming

Women of Style

Jeanne

RITT

Realtor, Southern Charm Realty 1008 NE 2nd Street › (352) 653-3330 › southerncharmocala.com

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t Southern Charm Realty, there is a great passion for outstanding customer service and quality experiences for clients and fellow agents alike. With a unique mentoring program, incredible tools and a team-focused approach, it’s no surprise that Southern Charm Realty produces knowledgeable and successful “super agents.”

The agents at Southern Charm focus on building strong relationships and truly understanding the needs of all their clients. Through these relationships, clients are educated throughout the real estate process and never feel that they are left in the dark. They are empowered to make educated decisions in order to get the most out of their real estate experience. The clients also have the unique opportunity of having their agent become their liaison, advocate and, at many times, their friend.

To top it all off, Southern Charm agents are definitely experts in their own fields.

Heather, Kim and Leslie are amazing with first-time homebuyers, residential and adult-living customers. Pam Allen is superb in matching an equestrian customer with the perfect farm, and Barbara is not only a Realtor but also a general contractor that can help TV Show: customers Will & Grace, Roseanne design and Vacation spot: build their Ireland, Pebble Beach resorts, dream home.

Fun Faves Mountains and Beaches Hobbies: Golfing, Horses, Shopping

Top row: Lesley Dolan (Agent), Kimberly Scudder (Agent), Barbara Obenour (Agent), Heather Zeron (Agent) Bottom row: Sarah Miller (Office Coordinator), Jeanne Ritt (Broker/Owner), Pam Allen (Broker Associate)

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Women of Style

Evelyn NUSSEL Waica

MICHELETTI Owners, Ivy On The Square

53 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala › (352) 622-5550 › ivyhousefl.com

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n 1993, The Ivy House was founded nearby in Williston. This community favorite has since expanded and moved to a beautiful location in downtown Ocala.

“The idea for the Ivy House started with our mother Mimi Hale always loving to cook for large crowds at home. She along with us have worked the business side by side from the very beginning until we expanded,” Waica says. “We all have a passion for hospitality; we love to entertain and design.”

The Ivy on the Square’s new location has already been a great asset to the downtown community. This hot spot has attracted many new patrons, as well as their devoted followers. The new menu consists of traditional favorites, along with newly inspired items. They have added a Farm and Fires section, which offers an array of grassfed Wagyu beef burgers, their baked Krispy chicken made with free-range organic chicken, hand-cut steaks and more seafood options on the supper menu, plus timeless cocktails, decadent desserts and Nespresso specialty coffees.

“Most of the inspired dishes on the menu come from our family recipes, and you can find most of them in our recipe book Food: Gracefully Southern,” Bone-In Ribeye Waica says.

Cookbook: The boutique and gift Southern Living shop has been a passion Beverage: of theirs for a long time, Unsweet tea with peach schnapps as their mother Marjorie and Tito’s Hale has been in the apparel Hobby: and gift business for over Laying out at the beach soaking 50 years. up the vitamin D

Fun Faves

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Vacation spot: Highlands, NC

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Women of Style

Leena

WILLIAMS Teacher, Lake Weir High School

S

ome kids just know what they want to be when they grow up. For Leena Williams, teaching has always been her calling.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher. I am the oldest of four children, and when I was young, I would play school with my younger siblings. If you ask my youngest brother, however, he will say we weren’t really playing school—they were just actually at school.”

Leena, an 11th and 12th grade English and IB literature teacher, has been teaching for eight years.

She attended Marion County Public Schools herself and received her teaching degree at the University of North Florida.

“I chose to teach English because words do stuff.

They allow you to share. They impact others. My goal is to help students be better listeners, speakers and understanders. I think it is the single most important job in the world.”

Although Leena has been awarded the Florida Governor’s Award for Community Service and a Golden Apple award by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, her most rewarding moment doesn’t come in the form of a plaque.

“The most rewarding thing is when students learn and then go on to a better future. Many of my students are the first high school graduate in their family, first to go to college, the one who is going to break the cycle of constant struggle. I have students who are homeless and come to class every day fighting for their future. I owe these kids. They trust Vacation: me to help them fulfill Italy their potential and get Quote: a scholarship, which “The hottest places in hell are can mean the difference reserved for those, who in times of between going to college great moral crisis, maintain their and not going. The bar neutrality.” - Dante from Inferno is very high, and helping Outdoor activity: them clear it is easily Horseback riding the most rewarding Book: aspect of my job.”

Fun Faves

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut TV show: Sherlock

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Women of Style

AshleyYATES HollySCHMIDT

GRI Broker/Owner Realtor/Owner

Sold Sisters of Magnolia Homestead Realty, LLC

E

› 1701 NE 42nd Ave., Unit 403, Ocala › (352) 895-0072 › magnoliahomesteadrealty.com

very mom knows spending enough quality time with the family while maintaining a successful career is one of life’s greatest balancing acts. Holly Schmidt and Ashley Yates, owners of Magnolia Homestead Realty, are no exception.

“Being a mom is truly the greatest blessing there is,” says Ashley. “It is truly amazing when you are able to connect your career with family time. Whether we are making a live video of our kids showing off a new listing or watching our kids play while we work remotely, we try to involve our children in the family business as much as possible.”

“We were thrilled to hear that Mayor Kent Guinn plans to add a skate Favorite food: park at Tuscawilla,” says Holly. He says, ‘The City of Ocala is committed Chicken tender pub sub to building a Skate Park for the youth of Ocala. It has been a long time Favorite Ocala event: coming.’ Having a spot in town where we can spend time with our kids, Marion County Chili Cookoff work on our flourishing business and enjoy the beauty of Ocala is nothing Night owl or early riser: short of a true blessing.”

Fun Faves Both, we never sleep Favorite music/musician: Luke Bryan

Women of Style

Connie Ann PENDLETON Ocala Business Brokers – Owner

2935 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala › (352) 502-3811 › ocalabusinessbrokers.com

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onnie Ann Pendleton knows a thing or two about business. As one of Florida’s most sought-after business brokers with decades of experience, Connie Ann is the one to call if you are considering buying or selling a business.

“It’s very rewarding to help someone close one chapter of their life and enter into another, either buying or selling,” she says.

It was while working with her mother in real estate that Connie Ann became well versed in the business marketplace.

“That’s where I got my start,” Connie Ann says. Today, she is recognized as a top listing and sales agent. Born in Key West, Connie has a special place in her heart for Ocala.

“It’s one of the most beautiful cities in Florida, and I feel blessed to be a part of the community,” she says.

TV show: A leader in a variety of professional organizations and charities, Connie This Is Us Ann and her team offer consultations, business evaluations, effective and Vacation Spot: confidential advertising, exit strategies and more.

Hawaii

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Food: sushi

Local company dedicated to selling quality honey and saving bees.

By Cynthia McFarland 064

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Photography by John Jernigan

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ueen of America may be a fledgling in the honey industry, having just launched in 2015, but this thriving young business has already established a substantial foothold in North America.

As the largest bulk packer of honey in the southeastern United States, the Belleviewbased company has rapidly grown from five to 30 employees who annually pack and ship as much as 50 million pounds of honey all over the world.

This is good news for regional business, but more than that, it’s great news for honey bees, which we desperately need. The efforts of these industrious insects contribute almost $20 billion annually to the value of crop production in the United States. Some crops—think blueberries and cherries—are 90 percent dependent upon pollination by honey bees. At bloom time, almonds depend solely on honey bees for pollination.

But as you’ve probably heard, those bees are in trouble.

“People use Roundup like it’s nothing, but we’re polluting our ground and water with it—and Roundup kills bees.”

Bee Woes

“Honey bees are dying,” says Joaquin Mantovani, Queen of America CEO. “Two main reasons are varroa mites and colony collapse disorder.”

Varroa mites, which Mantovani describes as the beekeeper’s enemy, are tiny parasites that attach to the bee’s body, sucking its hemolymph (the fluid in invertebrates similar to blood). Indigenous to the Asian continent, varroa mites have now spread to Europe, North and South America, and North and South Africa. Serious infestations can destroy entire bee colonies.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) occurs when a colony has a live queen, but no surviving adult bees, although immature bees may be present. CCD has been responsible for 33 percent to as much as 90 percent of beekeepers’ losses in recent years.

While varroa mites and CCD are problems that have natural causes, one major cause of honey bee mortality rests totally in human hands: the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

These water-soluble insecticides are applied to the soil and then absorbed by plants, making them deadly to insects— including bees—that feed on those plants.

Because worker bees bring the pollen and nectar they collect back to the hive, they can also bring toxins into the hive—and the honey—and eventually into the humans who eat that honey.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are typically applied to cropland by farmers, but many homeowners also unwittingly contribute to the destruction of honey bees.

“People use Roundup like it’s nothing, but we’re polluting our ground and water with it—and Roundup kills bees,” says Mantovani.

“It doesn’t even cross their minds that what they spray in their yards can be hurting the honey bee population.”

For fear of getting stung, people often kill bees buzzing around their yards. Unlike mosquitoes, bees are vegetarians, so even if one lands on you, it’s not looking for food.

Bees can, however, smell the pheromones connected with fear, which may trigger them to sting.

Your best bet is simply avoidance. In their ongoing search for pollen and nectar, bees are naturally attracted to concentrated clumps of flowering plants, so stay away from those areas when bees are active. Teach your children to respect bees and do the same.

Traceability Matters

The plight of the honey bee and the opportunity to make a real difference lured Mantovani, a native of Argentina, to leave a successful career as a hotelier in Miami and come to Marion County when Queen of America launched three years ago. He began working in logistics and eventually took over the reins of the company as CEO. MAY ’18 ›

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The 20-acre facility, which is located on Highway 484 in the southernmost part of the county, had been a honey-packing plant in the past. After purchasing the operation, Queen of America completely renovated and remodeled the facility.

When raw honey arrives on semi-trucks, it comes in 55-gallon drums. Before packing, honey is poured into large vats where it is heated to about 100°F. This liquefies the honey, which is then filtered through metal strainers to remove any pieces of comb and bee parts.

That’s the extent of the processing. Honey is then packaged into the popular “honey bear” bottles and larger containers for retail and wholesale markets.

There’s one important distinction that sets Queen of America apart from other bulk honey packing operations.

“We’re different in that we don’t just ship honey. We’re the beekeepers, importers, exporters and packers. We have the entire supply chain, which means total traceability.

We’re the only honey packer in the United States that can say this,” notes Mantovani.

He explains that other packing companies may buy honey from brokers and sources they don’t know personally, so there’s no way of tracing where the honey comes from. Because honey is a food that is easily contaminated, knowing your source adds vital credibility.

“Food safety was the No. 1 reason we started the company, but the second reason is that Florida beekeepers need a hub, somewhere they can meet, buy supplies and hives, and learn.”

- Joaquin Mantovani—CEO, Queen of America

Faux Honey & Other Scandals

Honey ranks as one of the most commonly tainted food products.

Some packers add high-fructose corn syrup, beet sugar, fructose, sugar syrup or glucose.

Even more alarming are the reports of honey manufactured in China and found to contain illegal antibiotics and heavy metals, including lead. When the United States imposed tariffs, some Chinese honey manufacturers shipped their products to other countries, including India and the Philippines. Thus, the labels would not state China as the country of origin, which was a direct deception of consumers.

According to Food Safety News, which conducted its own testing, a third of all “phony honey” was imported from Asia and was contaminated with lead and antibiotics. On the positive side, samples tested from farmers markets and whole food stores, including Trader Joe’s, found that honey was authentic.

As a consumer, look for words like “pure,” “untreated” and “natural” on honey

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labels. Buying from local beekeepers and trusted packers not only supports area industry but ensures you are getting an unadulterated product.

Keeping Honey Safe

“Trust between the honey packer and the consumer is a big deal. We started this company with the concept that buying from Queen of America is like buying directly from the beekeeper, because we are beekeepers.

Food safety is so important to us that we wanted to own the whole chain of supply,” explains Mantovani, noting that Florida is second only to California in terms of honey production.

Although the company contracts with beekeepers, it also owns its own hives, which are located across Florida and the southeastern United States.

“The honey industry needed a company like this,” says Mantovani. “Food safety was the

No. 1 reason we started the company, but the second reason is that Florida beekeepers need a hub, somewhere they can meet, buy supplies and hives, and learn.”

Queen of America is dedicated to increasing bee awareness and educating the community about bees and offers a free club that meets each month where people can learn about beekeeping.

“It’s really ‘Beekeeping 101,’ and there’s a lot of interest. Over 30 people showed up for the first meeting,” says Mantovani, noting that the club meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9pm. (For more information email beeclub@queenofamerica.com.)

Anyone can walk into Queen of America and buy a bottle of honey, but most of their business comes through sales to major retailers and stores across the country. Some

Do Your Part to Protect Bees 1. Educate yourself and your Joaquin Mantovani

of those stores want honey with their own label, so the company also does a lot of “copacking.”

Now generating millions of dollars in revenue in a highly competitive industry, Queen of America is a serious success story right here in our town.

“Ocala is a puppy with sharp teeth—small but powerful in growth,” says Mantovani.

“We’re always looking forward, projecting growth and stimulating the economy.”

In addition to honey, Queen of America manufactures and markets BEEBAD, its own all-natural energy drink. BEEBAD has no refined sugars and is powered by honey, royal jelly, propolis, maca, ginseng extracts and caffeine.

“There are honey snack bars, cereals and such, so our team came up with the idea of a honey energy drink,” says Mantovani. “Because it’s all natural, there are none of the negative side effects associated with energy drinks.

It contains no sugar or artificial ingredients; honey is the only sweetener.”

“Bad is Better” is the slogan for BEEBAD, which hit the market in late 2016.

“Ocala was the launch city for BEEBAD, and it’s been very successful,” says Mantovani.

“Over 600 stores in Ocala carry it now. People are loving it, and sales are increasing. All the ABC Liquor stores in Florida now have it.”

Sweet Future

At the end of the day, honey remains the most trusted ingredient for sweetening. As more and more consumers move toward natural and organic food, honey is sure to become even more in demand.

To meet that need, consumers and beekeepers alike need to do everything in their power to protect honey bees. The folks at Queen of America are doing their part.

“Before I got involved in the industry, I never knew how much bees are needed in everyday life,” says Mantovani. “They pollinate so many of our fruits and vegetables. We need to save them.”

LEARN MORE › Queen of America › 3220 SE County Highway 484, Belleview › queenofamerica.com › (352) 245-3600

family about bees, and don’t kill bees when you see them.

2. Plant native, pollinator-

friendly plants in your yard and landscape. Visit pollinator.org for suggestions, or talk to the pros at your local garden store.

3. Don’t obliterate all weeds.

Dandelions, clover and other weeds are great sources of pollen for bees.

4. Don’t use pesticides and

herbicides unless absolutely necessary, and if you have to use anything, do so when plants aren’t blooming and during evening hours when bees aren’t active.

5. Make water accessible to

bees in your yard. A shallow pan with stones where they can land to drink is ideal.

6. Support local beekeepers, and buy local, raw honey.

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Staigh T from e

So H Cooking from e heart—no ma er where you live.

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M

ention “Southern� food and many people tend to think “comfort food.�

Macaroni and cheese.

Chicken and dumplings.

Country-fried steak. Buttermilk biscuits. Fried okra. Cornbread. Mashed potatoes. In other words, lots of carbs and fat in soul-soothing combinations.

Not so fast.

Truth be told, there’s really no correct answer to the question: What makes food “Southern?� It’s really more about fresh, local ingredients used to satisfy friends and family.

For an honest definition and a bit of guidance, we turned to expert sources, two Alabama natives whose love of cooking and talent in the kitchen have made them trusted cookbook authors and bloggers.

“I am part of a cul re at embraces gracious hospitality, manners, love of God and untry, frugality, family values and od hone od.� —Jackie Garvin

So hern-Born & Raised

“I have gotten the chance to participate in some really neat things, but contributing to Southern Living is probably the pinnacle,� says Jackie Garvin, whose writing and recipes can also be found each month in Southern Living’s digital edition.

Garvin lives in Valrico, Florida, with her husband, Sam, and their personable basset hound, Belle. Having retired from the corporate world in 2009, she’s stayed more than busy cooking, writing about food on her blog, Syrup and Biscuits, and creating instructional cooking videos, which can be viewed on her YouTube channel. Garvin’s two cookbooks, Biscuits and Sweet Potato Love, are available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

Being born and raised in the Deep South is something Garvin considers a gift. “I am part of a culture that embraces gracious hospitality, manners, love of God and country, frugality, family values and good honest food,� she says. “That’s who I am, and that’s what I’m all about.�

Stacey Little was born in the tiny town of Thomasville, Alabama, and now lives in Prattville, a town of about 30,000. He married his high school sweetheart, and they have a 9-year-old son, Jack.

Little enjoys developing recipes and writing about food on his blog, Southern Bite. His cookbook, The Southern Bite Cookbook: 150 Irresistible Recipes from 4 Generations of My Family’s Kitchen, has been a popular seller since its release in 2014.

Stacey Little

Jackie Garvin

“In e So h, we ce bra every ing wi od. It’s ju one of e many ways a So herner expresses love an her person. We feed em.� —Stacey Little

“In the South, we celebrate everything with food. It’s just one of the many ways a Southerner expresses love to another person. We feed them,â€? says Little, who credits his mother’s family with the greatest influence on his cooking. “My mother, grandmother, grandfather and great grandmother were all amazing cooks, and I get inspiration from each of them,â€? he adds. “My mother cooked three meals a day, and I learned most everything from her. We didn’t have much when I was a kid, so my mother taught me how to make the most of what I have in the pantry. It’s really the basis of what I do today.â€?Â

A B r Definition

“For food to be Southern today, it’s just as much about where it’s cooked as it is about the person cooking it,â€? asserts Little. “Southern MAY ’18 ›

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food has been influenced by so many cultures, it’s really hard to define it. Traditionally, Southern food is seasonal and mainly consists of vegetables. It is just as diverse as the regions that make it up. Consider the gumbos and jambalayas of Louisiana, tamales of the Mississippi Delta, seafood of the coastal regions, BBQ of Texas, etc.  “There’s a misconception that Southern food is all deep fried and smothered in gravy. Yes, we do some of that, but there’s so much more to it,� he points out. “I grew up in a family where we literally picked the food from the garden that morning and had it on the table that evening for supper. I joke that we were ‘farm to table’ before it was cool.� “It used to be using local ingredients from crops grown in the South, but now that we have global markets, that doesn’t really hold true anymore,� Garvin observes.

She notes that some foods—greens, okra, rutabaga, etc.—are generally identified with the South. The same holds true for sweet potatoes and biscuits, two foods near and dear to Garvin’s heart, as she’s written cookbooks about both. “Southern food by definition is simple.

There’s nothing fancy about it; it’s food for the sake of nourishing the body, not to impress anybody,� she adds. “My grandmother used to call it ‘making good with what you’ve got.’ She taught me how to pull what you’ve got out of the pantry, frig and freezer to make a meal, and that lesson stuck with me. It’s about efficiency and using the food you have on hand. Southern cornbread dressing was created to use up leftover stale cornbread, biscuits and bread.�

Favori Fixin’s

So what favorite dishes do these two Southern cooks whip up to feed their families?

Garvin is known for her pot roast with vegetables; in fact, most would consider this her signature entrĂŠe dish. “It’s the epitome of home-cooking but not the recipe you turn to in a hurry, because it takes about four hours,â€? she notes, adding that a quick meal would likely be broiled pork chops (which her husband loves) with fresh veggies.

Garvin will chop some fruit up for a little something sweet, but when it’s time to make a

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“So hern od by definition is simp .

There’s n hing fancy abo it; it’s od r e sake of nourishing e body, n impress anybody,� she adds. “My grandm her used call it ‘making od wi what you’ve t.’� —Jackie Garvin

serious dessert, she relies on her go-to peach or blackberry cobbler, depending on what’s in season.

For a quick weeknight dinner, Little likes one-dish/one-pot/one-pan recipes, such as his one-pot red beans and rice, goulash or sheet pan lemon chicken. On the weekends, he often makes up a big batch of his basic marinara and freezes it to make cooking weeknight meals easier.

Besides his delicious chicken fettuccine alfredo (not exactly “Southern� but beloved by family and friends), biscuits are Little’s favorite thing to make. “Homemade biscuits are an art and something that takes lots of practice to master,� he notes. “Each time I make them, I am reminded of the memories of my grandmother and great grandmother making lard buttermilk biscuits. It’s also my favorite thing to teach people to make. It’s something that has to be taught in person. It’s tactile. I could write a hundred recipes for making

biscuits, but they will never be a replacement for actually having someone show you what they’re supposed to look and feel like.�

Season It Right

Southern cooks know that flavor makes all the difference. “My granny always said, ‘Shug, if it doesn’t taste good in your mouth, it won’t taste good in anybody else’s,’� recalls Garvin, who’s a real butter gal—no margarine in her kitchen. “My fat of choice is either real butter or bacon drippings,� she says. “I like using bacon drippings because you don’t have to overload vegetables with it to really get good flavor.�

Garvin keeps a shaker with her own 4-1-1 seasoning mix (4 parts kosher salt, 1 part

Turnip Green Dip Photo and recipe by Stacey Little › Southern Bite

Serves: 6-8

6 1⁄2 1 1 1 1⁄2 1⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄3

pepper, 1 part garlic power) in her kitchen and uses it all the time when cooking meats and veggies.

Convenience is also a very real part of Southern cooking. This isn’t about a lengthy list of ingredients you can’t pronounce.

“My goal is really about quick and easy,” says Little. “Families today don’t sit down for a home-cooked meal very often anymore, and if I can create a recipe that makes that easy, that’s what I want to do.”

Little is a staunch believer that if you’re going to cook at home, it has to be better than the average drive-through. That’s one reason he’s not against using convenience products (such as condensed cream of chicken soup,

etc.), so long as it makes getting a meal on the table quick and easy.

“The connections that families share over that meal are infinitely more important than the food on the table,” he notes. “The food is just the conduit through which those connections occur. Families today struggle to get a home-cooked meal on the table because of time and expense. Anything I can do to help make that easier is my goal.”

slices bacon large yellow onion, diced (16-ounce) package frozen chopped turnip greens, thawed and drained (15-ounce) jar prepared Alfredo sauce (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed teaspoon salt teaspoon black pepper teaspoon garlic powder cup grated Parmesan cheese Tortilla chips or fried pork skins for serving

Preheat the oven to 350°F. › Grease a 2-quart baking dish. › In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. › Remove bacon, drain on paper towels and crumble. › Carefully pour away all but about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease; return pan to heat, and add onions. › Cook about 3 minutes. › Add turnip greens, and cook 8 to 10 minutes. › Add Alfredo sauce, cream cheese, salt, pepper and garlic powder. › Cook until cream cheese has melted and mixture is bubbly. › Stir in crumbled bacon. › Transfer mixture to baking dish, and bake 25 minutes. › Remove from oven, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. › Turn on oven’s broiler, and return baking dish to the oven for 5 minutes. › Serve with tortilla chips or fried pork skins.

VISIT THE COOKS syrupandbiscuits.com southernbite.com

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Peach Chess Pie Photo and recipe by Stacey Little › Southern Bite

Serves: about 8

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medium peaches cup butter cups sugar teaspoon salt teaspoon almond flavoring eggs tablespoon cornmeal cup buttermilk (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish pie shell

Preheat the oven to 350°F. › Peel, thinly slice peaches and place them in the pie shell. › In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and salt together until smooth. › Add almond flavoring, and mix well. › Mix in eggs and cornmeal. › Add buttermilk, and mix until smooth. › Pour mixture over peaches. › Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 55 to 60 minutes until just barely set. › Allow to cool before slicing.

Blackberry Cobb r Photo and recipe by Jackie Garvin › Syrup and Biscuits

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stick unsalted butter cups blackberries, fresh or frozen without sugar cup water cup sugar cups self-rising flour cups milk cups sugar tablespoon fresh lemon juice, optional Cinnamon

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Melt butter in 9x13-inch baking pan. › Place berries, sugar and water in a pot, and bring to a quick boil. › If the berries are particularly sweet, you might not need the full cup of sugar in berry mixture. › If you’re using lemon juice instead of red berries, add it to the berry mixture. › While berries are coming to a boil, mix 2 cups sugar and flour in a large bowl. › Add in milk, and stir well until smooth. › Pour batter over melted butter. › Add hot berry mixture to pan. › Don’t stir. › Sprinkle with cinnamon. › Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 45 minutes until mixture is bubbly and top has started to brown. › The center will be somewhat jiggly but not loose. › Let cool 15 minutes before serving. (Yeah, right. That’s a big joke. But in order for my recipe to be technically correct, I had to tell y’all to do that.)

Old Fashioned P Roa Wi Veg ab s and Gravy Photo and recipe by Jackie Garvin › Syrup and Biscuits

Serves: 6 to 8

1

(3 to 4 pound) chuck roast yellow mustard for coating roast 4-1-1 seasoning or your favorite seasoning blend 2 tablespoons bacon drippings 1⁄2 cup red wine 1 sweet onion, sliced 3 celery stalks, cut in half crosswise 2-3 cups beef stock, depending on the size of cooking vessel 1⁄2 cup Worcestershire sauce 2 bay leaves carrots, whole and peeled potatoes, medium size, whole and peeled 1 sweet onion, whole and peeled 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Preheat oven to 350°F. › Coat roast with yellow mustard on all sides. › Season liberally with 4-1-1 seasoning or your choice of seasoning blend. › Melt bacon drippings over medium-high to high heat in a cooking vessel large enough to hold roast and vegetables. › Sear roast 2-3 minutes on each side. › Remove, and set aside. › Add wine to cooking vessel, and scrape up brown bits from bottom. › Place sliced onion and celery pieces in the bottom of the vessel. › Add roast on top of vegetables. › Pour in enough beef broth to cover the sides of the roast but not the top. › Add Worcestershire and bay leaves. › Cover, and cook at 350°F for two hours. › After two hours, remove from oven. › Baste top of roast with cooking liquid. › Place whole carrots, potatoes and (whole, peeled) onion in cooking vessel. › Put as many as possible on top of the roast with the rest alongside the roast. › Lightly sprinkle vegetables with seasoning. › Cover, and return to oven and cook for another 1 1/2 hours. › After one hour, check whole vegetables for doneness. › If vegetables are tender, remove them to a baking sheet, cover with aluminum foil, and keep warm. › Continue cooking roast, covered, for an additional 30 minutes or until falling-off-the-bone tender. › When the roast is tender, remove to a serving platter along with whole vegetables. › Strain cooking liquid. › Place cooking vessel over burner on medium-high heat. › Dissolve two tablespoons cornstarch in two tablespoons cold water until all lumps are gone. › Add to cooking liquid. › Bring to a boil, stirring until gravy is thick. › Taste for seasoning, and adjust. › Serve gravy with roast and vegetables.

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Women’s Expo A Girl’s Day Out

May 20, 2018 • 12-5pm College of Central Florida, Klein Center Presented by

Enjoy a day of FUN, SHOPPING, TASTINGS, PAMPERING AND INSPIRATION All ticket proceeds will benefit

Sponsored by

Tickets $5 — Available at ocalastyle.com

Women supporting the Ocala Domestic Violence Center

ARE YOU READY TO LOOK & FEEL your best? t h g i e REAL wloss RESULTS

Dr. Jay Panchal, MD Sherri Morrison, RN BSN

MEDICALLY SUPERVISED BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS WE ALSO OFFER:

Before

After

KELLY & KRISSY LOST A TOTAL OF 130LBS Hablamos Español • Visit us on Facebook 074

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2654 SW 32nd Place, Suite 100, Ocala • 352.387.0090

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More Coffee, Please!

Source: cnn.com

cancer. Although this is great news for most coffee consumers, others, such as pregnant women, children or anyone with a heart condition, should avoid caffeine altogether.

OU R B E ST RE C I PE S , RE STAU R ANT N E WS AN D CU LI NARY QU IC K B ITE S

Brown courage, jitter juice, your savior in a mug—call it what you may, new research suggests that a cup of coffee may improve your health and help you live longer. During this enlightening study, nearly 20,000 individuals were observed. The people who consumed at least four cups of coffee daily had a 64 percent lower risk of early death compared to those who never or rarely consumed coffee.

Loaded with antioxidants, coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, Alzheimer’s, colorectal and skin

Want to make your coffee a little bit healthier? › Avoid adding sugar. › Add low-fat milk instead of cream. › Choose filtered coffee if you have

high cholesterol.

THE DIET DOWNLOW A SPICY STORY QUICK BITES

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Diet Deets

U.S. News and World Report has unveiled the best ranked diets overall for 2018—and no, unfortunately none of them condone eating a gallon of ice cream. So check out these 10 highest ranked (and lowest ranked) diets, according to their long-term success rates.

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The Winners: Top 10 (starting with the best) 1. DASH Diet

At No. 1, the DASH Diet may be the easiest diet you’ve ever followed.

DASH is an acronym that stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or high blood pressure and cholesterol. This diet is a plant-focused diet that encourages food such as fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meat, while discouraging food high in saturated fats or high in sugar content.

2. Mediterranean Diet

This diet prohibits the consumption of red meat, sugar and saturated fats. The end results? Weight loss, cancer prevention and a healthy heart.

3. Flexitarian Diet

Be a part-time vegetarian with this plant-based diet that permits you to give into your carnivorous cravings every so often. According to registered dietitian and author Dawn Jackson Blatner, Flexitarians have a lower risk of diabetes compared to avid meat eaters.

4. Weight Watchers Diet

Join Weight Watchers along with millions of Americans dropping two pounds weekly using the SmartPoints system to track their daily calorie intake.

5. MIND Diet

10. The Fertility Diet

This diet focuses on food that promotes fertility. For example, drink whole milk rather than skim milk. Imitate Popeye and eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as spinach, beans, tomatoes and beets.

soy and sugar for another 30 days.

Just beware, though, that cutting out these foods will lower your fiber, iron and vitamin intake.

7. Body Reset Diet

The downside of this diet? You can’t eat solid food for 15 days.

The MediterraneanDASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay hopes to prevent Alzheimer’s disease with superfoods proven to support healthy brain health, such as blueberries, salmon, avocado and nuts.

4. Supercharged Hormone Diet

This diet is a six-week program that brings the focus around to healing your body’s chemistry through detox, a reintroduction of food and exercise.

3. Raw Food Diet

Mainly plant-based, this diet also encourages the consumption of raw eggs and dairy. The claim is that when foods are cooked, healthy enzymes are destroyed.

On the other hand, experts have warned against consuming raw food due to harmful bacteria.

6. TLC Diet

Fatty meats, whole-milk dairy and fried foods are loaded with saturated fats. The TLC Diet strongly advises against these foods. By following this regimen, your risk of heart attack and stroke from high cholesterol may decrease.

Sources: health.usnews.com, healthline.com, webmd.com, health.harvard.edu, everydayhealth.com, cnn.com

7. Volumetrics Diet

Counting calories is a thing of the past—it’s all about counting density now. This program is great for weight loss, as it urges you to eat less high-density food and more low-density food such as fruits and veggies.

8. Mayo Clinic Diet

Forget the food pyramid you once knew—the Mayo Clinic Diet has its own pyramid, including mainly fruits, vegetables and whole grains. According to U.S. News and World Report, you will lose six to 10 pounds the first two weeks and one to two pounds each additional week on this diet.

9. Ornish Diet

According to the Ornish guidelines, your diet should consist of beans, legumes, whole grains and vegetables. Only 10 percent of your diet should be fueled by fats. You should also exercise for one hour three times a week. Your goal weight has never looked more realistic.

The Losers: Bottom 10 (starting with the worst) 10. Ketogenic Diet

On the list of food to avoid while on this diet are grains, fruit, sugar and tubers. Meats, leafy greens, dairy and low-carb sweeteners, however, are a go. Although this diet could potentially manage and prevent diabetes, many individuals report a lack of energy while they adjust.

9. Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet is known for being pretty restrictive. No carbohydrates, even vegetables low in carbohydrates, are allowed. Fatty foods, such as eggs and steak, are also frowned upon.

8. Whole30 Diet

This 30-day plan is the dream, unless you cheat that is—then you’ll have to avoid grains, dairy,

Instead, reset your metabolism by eating a smoothie-based diet over the course of two weeks—slowly incorporating solid food back into your diet. Weight loss is almost guaranteed.

6. Atkins Diet

Bread, pasta and potatoes are your new worst enemies.

Lean proteins, healthy fats and vegetables high in fiber are your new allies. One pro? You will shed unwanted weight quickly. One con? You will need to be on this diet for the rest of your life to keep the weight off.

5. The Fast Diet

During the Fast Diet, you will eat regularly five days out of the week and restrict yourself to a few calories the other two days.

This regimen is not recommended for pregnant women, seniors or children. Consult your primary care physician before starting this diet.

2. Paleo Diet

According to Paleo guidelines, animal protein and plants should be our main source of energy.

The downfall? This diet can be fairly expensive.

1. Acid Alkaline Diet

If you dare follow this diet, limit food high in acidity such as red meat, fruit, herbs and spices.

The average pH level in humans should be between 7.35 and 7.45.

Proponents of the diet believe that consumption of acidic food will raise this number above its recommended level. Most doctors, on the other hand, say that no matter what you eat, your pH levels won’t be significantly affected. This diet promotes weight loss and longevity.

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Sweet & Spicy

Award-winning K-N Candied Jalapeños is locally owned and made. › By JoAnn Guidry › Photos By John Jernigan

A

fateful Christmas party in Texas seven years ago led retired lawyer Al Simmons to an unexpected culinary career.

“I had a cream cheese on a cracker appetizer that had a little kick to it,” says Simmons. “That kick was candied jalapeños. In Texas, they call it cowboy candy. On the way home to Ocala, I kept thinking that I needed to figure out how to make that cowboy candy.”

Having always considered himself a fair cook, Simmons didn’t think making the candied jalapeños could be that difficult. He found out differently.

“I kept experimenting with the recipe until the jalapeños had the taste I wanted. I wanted them to be a little different than the Texas version,” says Simmons. “If I was going to make them, I wanted them to be unique. I wanted more jalapeño taste and less heat.”

After six months, Simmons was ready to taste test his K-N Candied Jalapeños with the public. The name comes from his daughters’ first name initials, Kay and Neige.

Simmons debuted his product in April 2011 at the Ocala downtown farmers market. They were an instant hit.

Simmons describes his creation as “a bread and butter pickle with a tad of heat on the backside.” The candied jalapeños can be used as a condiment; mixed in for egg, chicken or tuna salad. They’re also good to use as a recipe ingredient in various dishes. And, of course, eaten as a cream cheese cracker appetizer.

“People share with me all kinds of recipes they use them in,” says Simmons. “My favorite is candied jalapeños cornbread.”

After five years of making the candied jalapeños at home, Simmons got an FDA commercial permit and moved to Ocala-based Let’s Eat Fresh commissary kitchen in 2016. At home, he was making 48 jars (four cases) a week. He now makes 204 jars (17 cases) a week, barely keeping up with demand. Simmons estimates he’s made and sold 18,600 jars and counting. The product is available locally at Earth Fare and The Olive Obsession, as well as in Gainesville and Lake City outlets. It can also be ordered online.

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Simmons attends many festivals throughout Florida, gaining new fans at every one. At the 2017 Orlando Lake Eola Festival In The Park, K-N Candied Jalapeños won Best In Show in the Fine Edible Craft category.

“First, I just wanted to make some candied jalapeños,” says Simmons. “Then I started selling them to keep me out of the retirement rocking chair. Well, I definitely don’t spend much time in the rocking chair these days.”

LEARN MORE › kncandiedjalapenos.com › (352) 236-0843

› DINING GUIDE

Book your party at Tony’s today.

Gift cards available.

Tony’s Sushi & Steakhouse 3405 SW College Road, Ocala › (352) 237-3151 › tonysushi.com Mon-Thu 11a-10p › Fri & Sat 11a-11p › Sun Noon-10p With abundant menu choices and over 100 off-menu rolls, you certainly won’t run out of options at Tony’s Sushi. If you can’t decide, the waitstaff is excellent at suggesting items you’re sure to enjoy. Every roll and sushi dish is made to order from the freshest ingredients. In the steakhouse area, highly trained chefs prepare a memorable meal as they cook on the tableside grills, preparing chicken, steak or seafood just the way you like it. Entrées include soup or salad and rice. Tony’s Sushi has a family-friendly, casual atmosphere, along with a full bar, including imported Japanese sake and beer selections.

Gluten-Free & Organic Food Options Available.

Get Happy at the Highway, Mon-Thu 50% off draughts & house wines, $5 select appetizers Take-Out Tuesday 25% off Carry Out (Pizza & Calzones) Family Wednesday 50% off Bambino Menu (Kids 12 & under) Wine Down Thursday $10 off all bottles of wine

99¢ House Margaritas All Day Trivia Night every Thursday, 7-9pm (Silver Springs Blvd. location) Cinco de Mayo Margaritas 2for1 Mariachi band every Thursday at the 200 location, 6-9pm Happy Mother’s Day! Feliz dia de la Madre!

THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD

Blue Highway Pizza 2130 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala › (352) 629-5555 bluehighwaypizza.com › Sun-Sat 11:30a-9p Spring has sprung, and we’re celebrating the season with all the fresh, local ingredients we can get our hands on. Taste the difference in our small plates, salads or specialty pizzas. Blue Highway is a special place to get great food and attentive service in a fun, funky and relaxed atmosphere. We take pride in our culinary culture, serving the highest quality, fresh, local and expertly prepared food—pizza, pasta, paninis and everything in between.

Visit us at bluehighwaypizza.com for fabulous daily specials.

Come enjoy our pizza-of-the-month, “Bianca”, a delicious pizza with ricotta and fontina cheeses, sliced mozzarella cheese, roasted garlic and fresh plum tomatoes.

El Toreo 3790 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala › (352) 694-1401 › 7 Days 11a-10p SR 200, Ocala › (352) 291-2121 › 7 Days 11a-11p New lunch specials include Taco Salad on Mondays, $5.45; Speedy Gonzalez on Tuesdays, $5.45; Quesadillas on Wednesdays, $7.95; Chimichangas on Thursdays, $6.95; and Burrito Supreme on Fridays, $5.25. New dinner options include Fajita Mondays, $10.95; Chimichanga Tuesdays, $8.95; Alambre Wednesdays, $9.95; and Tacos de Bistec Thursdays, $9.95. Plus $1.95 margaritas on Mondays. On Sunday, kids 12 and under can enjoy $1.95 children’s meals (takeout not included). Wednesday is Special Margarita Day, 99¢ all day. Saturday is 2-for-1 margaritas all day. Happy Hour daily, 3-7pm. Everything is 2-4-1 (exceptions may apply).

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Quick Bites

Local and regional restaurant picks you have to try. › By Nick Steele

Return Of A Classic BIG RASCAL BAR-B-QUE › 3437 NW Blitchton Rd., Ocala › bigrascalbbq.com › (352) 732-0344 If you’ve lived in Ocala long enough, you’ll recall the first incarnation of Big Rascal. The family-run BBQ restaurant was famous for its ribs and warm hospitality, so when the restaurant recently reopened after a three-yearhiatus, it was no surprise that former patrons flocked back to this beloved eatery. The building, located at the corner of Northwest Blitchton Road and I-75, is nondescript except for the massive cow straddling the roof. On a sleepy Sunday afternoon, the parking lot is nearly full, booths buzzing with activity and a sweet and slightly smoky aroma fills the air. The interior speaks to the restaurant’s history—a storied local haunt, cozy with equal parts retro kitsch and throwback Western decor. The beef brisket is so tender and flavorful that it melts in your mouth. The turkey breast sandwich has been driving the locals to distraction, and the jalapeño sausage mac & cheese offers just enough kick to perfectly complement all that cheesy goodness.

Owner Charlie Mardook worked alongside his parents back in the day and has now taken over the business. Everything is still made from scratch, and Mardook likes to say that the meats are cooked “low and slow” to give them that exceptional flavor.

Signature Eats CULVER’S › 3390 Wedgewood Ln., The Villages › culvers.com This popular Midwest-based chain, famous for its fresh (never frozen) beef ButterBurgers, frozen custard and “from-the-heart hospitality” has arrived in The Villages. Culver’s also offers a variety of popular sandwiches ranging from grilled Reuben melts, beef pot roast and grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, as well as corn dogs, chicken tenders and kids’ meals. Dinners include beef pot roast and hand-battered North Atlantic cod and are served with two sides.

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Hot Dish : Mahi Piccata MESA DE NOTTE › 2436

E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › mesaocala.com ›

(352) 732-4737

This month we are kicking off a new feature highlighting our readers’ favorite dining-out dishes. Jeanne Henningsen of Ocala offers up this standout seafood entrée.

“The fish is always fresh,” she raves. “It is seasoned perfectly. Really delicious!”

The dish is prepared by sautéing a Mahi filet in a white wine lemon butter sauce with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. It’s then sprinkled with toasted almonds and served over angel hair pasta.

“What makes this dish so enticing is that with Mahi you have a semi sweet firm fish that adapts well with many sauces,” explains restaurateur Jose Moreno.

“And with a savory butter

Jeanne Henningsen

sauce of briny capers, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon, you get the perfect balance of acidity and richness.”

Are you the top foodie in your crew? We want your recommendations from gotta-try appetizers and outstanding entrées, inspired sides and delectable desserts to food truck taste sensations. Snap a food selfie, if you’ve got the chops! Then tag us in your social media posts and include the hashtag #OcalaStyleHotDish. If we love what you’re dishing out, we’ll feature it in an upcoming issue.

› DINING GUIDE

Don’t forget their free doggie sundaes and baby cones for children under 40 inches.

Banana Thursdays: Bring your own banana and get 1/2 price on a banana split!

Happy Hour Specials: 2-7p every day $3 Draft Beer $4 House Wine & Premium Cocktails $5 Super Premium & $6 Harry’s Signature Cocktails $7 off bottles of wine Every Tuesday is Fat Tuesday at Harry’s. Happy Hour all day long!

Come share your Mother’s Day with us on May 13. Our special mother “Mimi” would like to invite you to treat your special mother to a lovely dining experience at Ivy on the Square.

Reservations only.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 2707 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala › (352) 622-2110 › brusters.com Sun-Thur 12p-10p, Fri-Sat 12p-11p You scream ice cream, we scream Bruster’s. More than just any ol’ ice cream parlor, Bruster’s knows how to cater to the needs of any ice cream lover. Their large variety of premium flavors and desserts is made right in the store where they are served, including crunchy handmade waffle cones, customized sundaes, candy-filled blasts, thick milkshakes, frozen yogurts and no-sugar added flavors.

If you really want to crank up a party, Bruster’s will bring their scrumptious sweets to you. Cater your next big day with Bruster’s, and choose from endless flavors such as Black Raspberry, Butter Pecan and Peach Melba.

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille 24 SE 1st Avenue, Ocala › (352) 840-0900 › hookedonharrys.com Mon-Thu 11a-10p › Fri & Sat 11a-11p › Sun 11a-9p Located in the heart of downtown Ocala, Harry’s offers traditional Louisiana favorites like Shrimp and Scallop Orleans, Crawfish Etouffée, Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Blackened Red Fish and Louisiana Gumbo. Other favorites, like French Baked Scallops (pictured) and Bourbon Street Salmon, are complemented with grilled steaks, chicken, burgers, po’ boy sandwiches and salads.

Their full bar features Harry’s Signature Cocktails, such as the Harry’s Hurricane, Bayou Bloody Mary or the Cool Goose Martini.

They also feature wines by the glass and a wide selection of imported, domestic and craft beer. Harry’s menu is sure to have something for everyone!

Ivy on the Square 53 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala › (352) 622-5550 Sun & Tue 11a-2p › Wed & Thu 11a-8p › Fri & Sat 11a-8:30p › Closed Mon 106 NW Main St, Williston › (352) 528-5410 Sun-Wed 11a-2p › Thu-Sat 11a-8p › ivyhousefl.com New Location. Fresh Ambiance. More Great Food.

Ivy on the Square is excited to announce its new location on the downtown square! The Ivy House Restaurant will now be called “Ivy on the Square.” They have renovated a beautiful downtown location and offer the same great food with many new dishes that are sure to become favorites. Enjoy their new dessert bar, cocktail bar and their new posh boutique across from the restaurant. Ivy on the Square still offers catering and invites parties to host events at their new location.

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Sky Fine Dining 3600 SW 38th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474 › (352) 291-0000 ocalasky.com Mon- Thu 5-10p › Fri & Sat 5-11p

8-time Golden Spoon award winner Mother’s Day Brunch All day! 11am-7pm

Sky Fine Dining restaurant located on the sixth floor of the Holiday Inn & Suites in Ocala. Join us for a Mother’s Day brunch featuring a carving station serving prime rib and ham. Also included on the menu is a selection of seafood, cocktail shrimp, a variety of salads to choose from, as well as a dessert table. Make your reservation today! The exquisite Panda Room (private dining room) is able to accommodate up to 20 people for any personal or business event.

Braised Onion

Live jazz, Friday 6-9p

754 NE 25th Ave, Ocala › (352) 620-9255 Tue-Thu 11:30a-9p › Fri-Sat 11:30a-10p › Sun 11:30a-8p braisedonion.com Braised Onion Restaurant, where you’ll experience “Comfort Food with Attitude” in a fun, warm and colorful but casual atmosphere, is open for lunch and dinner. Our team of experts will be dishing out perfectly seasoned prime rib with creamy horseradish sauce on Friday and Saturday evenings. Winner of Culinary Combat and Taste of Ocala for four years, and most recently voted Ocala’s Best of the Best. Come join us for our Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet on Sunday, May 13 from 11:30am-5:00pm. Reservations highly recommended (352) 620-9255.

Pasta Faire Italian Ristorante 10401 US Hwy 441, Belleview › (352) 347-3100 › pastafaire.com Mon-Sat 11a-10p › Sun 11a-9p Win everyone over with dinner this week from Pasta Faire! For more than 20 years, Pasta Faire has been serving up the very best Italian cuisine in Marion County. We’re the proud winner of Taste of Ocala’s “Best Presentation” award two years running and do everything we can to make your experience unforgettable. Come in and enjoy our delectable homemade lasagna, Seafood Lovers Delight, Pesce Fresco, Blackened Chicken Pasta or a specialty pizza or calzone, or build your own pasta bowl—there’s something for everyone! Eat in or carry out, Pasta Faire is the place in Belleview for an unbeatable meal. It’s so good, you’ll think you’ve left the Florida peninsula for the Italian one! Come see for yourself.

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@braisedonionrestaurant

Now taking reservations for Mother’s Day. Book now for your graduation party or call to schedule your catering!

Taste of Ocala Winner 2018

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PG.

Ruling the Runway This art-inspired fashion show at the Appleton Museum on April 21 featured orginal designs by seven up and coming designers.

Project Runway star Fabio Costa appeared as VIP guest designer.

Photo by Ralph Demilio

A G I R L’ S D A Y O U T

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Scene A Roundup Of The Month’s Best Bets › By Nick Steele

Keep It Local Ocala Style Women’s Expo College of Central Florida’s Klein Center › 3001 SW College Rd., Ocala › May 20 › 12-5pm › ocalastyle.com Calling All Women!

“This is going to be a really fun event,” offers Kathy Johnson, publisher of Ocala Publications. “I’ve been thinking about creating a day like this for a while now, and I’m so excited for everything we have planned.

It will be a day of inspiration, interaction and indulgence with vendors and speakers on a variety of topics all aimed at women.

The Women’s Expo will bring together women of all ages to shop, learn about products and services, attend empowering panel discussions and participate in demonstrations.”

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All ticket sales from this one-of-a-kind event will benefit Ignite, an organization dedicated to eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault in our community and raising essential funds for the Ocala/ Marion County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center.

What To Expect

The expo will provide a fun, interactive setting for women to enjoy a vendor marketplace featuring everything from health, wellness, beauty, food, fitness, education, fashion, jewelry, financial services and health services, as well as some great shopping. Plus, everyone who attends will have the chance to win some great door prizes, and the first ladies through the door

will take home a special goodie bag filled with fun extras. Attendees will also have the opportunity to pre-register for a series of engaging women-led panel discussions with empowering speakers and engaging demonstrations.

Connection Through Conversation

Our panel discussions will feature both established female thought leaders in our community and fresh voices, speaking on topics including wellness, self-care, techniques to achieve positive transformation and strategies for charting a new professional path. We’ve engaged a group of incredible

women who we know will inspire, encourage and empower you to live your very best life.

They will openly share their own powerful experiences, life lessons and offer up valuable advice. Our goal is to engage in transformative conversations, harness the positive momentum being experienced by women worldwide at this pivotal time in our history and offer an exciting day of collaboration and creativity.

Through our panel discussions, you will have the opportunity to interact with some truly remarkable women on a variety of topics. Here are just a few of the ladies who will make this a day to remember.

Heart Phoenix of the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding will speak about cultivating peace in our communities by addressing conflict and violence with a continuing combination of prevention, intervention and restorative strategies. Heart’s work has spanned over five decades.

As an educator, activist and champion for the environment, peacebuilding, gender equality, animal rights and social, racial and ethnic justice, she brings an unparalleled passion and energy Mickie Zada to her mission.

Jeanne Henningsen has coached hundreds of leaders and business owners at such leading companies as General Motors, AAA and The Walt Disney Company, on such topics as communicating and collaborating on a deeper level to achieve higher performance, learning to feel comfortable resolving conflict and finding Leda I. Pérez true joy and passion in their work. Jeanne will delve into how Saying Yes to Saying No can allow you to flourish in your life. As the founder and driving force behind Ignite of Ocala, Jeanne will also be the recipient of Ocala Style’s Agent of Change Award.

Dr. Manal Fakhoury, the President and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International, will take on the topic of Achieving Work-Life Harmony. She is a distinguished leadership coach and the

Heart Phoenix

Integrative Health Coach Jeanne Henningsen Leda I. Pérez will discuss Creating an Extraordinary Life and the hidden power you have to manifest the life you want.

Mickie Zada, founder of the Manal Fakhoury Belea Keeney Surviving Abuse Network and forthcoming author, will explore the issue of Surviving Domestic Abuse and creating a safe and healthy life. Award-winning Author and Editor Belea T. Keeney will explore the topic of how women tell their stories through The Heroine’s Journey and will be on-hand signing copies of her action-packed novel The Tiger Whisperer. Life Coach Vickie Griffith of BreakThrough explores what to do When Life Throws You a Curveball. The College of Central Florida’s own coordinator of food services Patti Frisosky Moring will be speaking on the topic of Self-Care, as well as hosting a cooking Patti Frisosky Moring demonstration, as will our own Robin Fannon of RSVP Robin who will give us the inside scoop organizer of TEDxOcala, the on her highly sought after granola. curator of TEDxOcalaSalon, Join us at the Ocala Style Women’s Expo—it Gavel Club counselor (prison isn’t just an event, it’s an experience. Check out clubs), BNI educational the full schedule on our website. Tickets are coordinator and a graduate just $5, but don’t forget to pre-register for the of Leadership Florida. With demonstrations and panel discussions as space over 30 years of non-profit and leadership will be limited! You can purchase tickets on experience, she serves on a multitude of our website at ocalastyle.com and follow us on community and national boards and has Facebook at facebook.com/ocalastyle for all the been recognized with many professional and latest details on the event. community honors, including Person of the Year and Communicator of the Year.

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Downtown To Dos May 4 › First Friday Art Walk, downtown Ocala, 6pm

Concerts

Upcoming Events In The Villages Vance Joy

Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot

Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

May 5

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

The Beacham, Orlando

May 6

Vance Joy

St. Augustine Amphitheatre

May 8

Yo-Yo Ma & Colin Jacobsen Bob Carr Theater, Orlando

May 8

James Taylor

Amway Center, Orlando

May 9

Post Malone & 21 Savage

Daily’s Place Amphitheatre, Jacksonville

May 10

James Taylor

Amalie Arena, Tampa

May 12

May 2 › Four Tops Revue, Savannah Center May 5 › Cinco De Mayo Celebration, Spanish Springs and Lake

Sumter Landing

May 6 › Songs for the Soul 6, Savannah Center May 10 › Rock and Roll All-stars, Savannah Center May 16 › Mary Wilson, Savannah Center May 19 › Cruise In Car Show, Spanish Springs June 16 › 21st Anniversary Cruise In Car Show, Spanish Springs June 30 ›Scooter’s Beach Party, Lake Sumter Landing

Arts, Crafts and Culture Upcoming Exhibits At The Appleton › In Medieval to Metal:

The Art and Evolution of the Guitar visitors will experience the art, history and cultural impact of the guitar in an exhibition that contains 40 instruments ranging from the rare and antique to the wildly popular and innovative. The exhibit runs May 19 through September 2. The Series of Cphace includes images that depict natural phenomena captured with a converted camera that records infrared waves of the electromagnetic light spectrum that are invisible to the naked eye. Runs through July 22. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

Bonsai Exhibit and Classes (May 1-4) › The Marion Bonsai Society will host an exhibit featuring over 35 bonsai trees and class opportunities. The event will be held at the Master The Possibilities lobby. The exhibit is free and open to the public, and classes are free for residents of On Top of the World and $5 for non-residents. masterthepossibilities.org or (352) 854-3699.

Inspired Speakers Series (May 6) › The Appleton Museum will Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake

Amway Center, Orlando

May 14

Doobie Brothers & Steely Dan

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa

May 14

Kenny Loggins

Hard Rock Live, Orlando

May 16

Odesza

CFE Arena, Orlando

May 17

Fiesta Maxima

Sun Dome, Tampa

May 20

Dua Lipa

House of Blues, Orlando

June 13

Train

Amway Center, Orlando

June 26

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host Corey Souza, owner and operator of S-Connection, LLC and artistic director of S-Connection Aerial Arts school and AscenDance performance ensemble, as part of the Inspired Speakers Series. The event will run 2-4pm, and admission is free for Appleton members and CF students and $10 for non-members. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

Marion Civic Chorale Concert (May 6) › The Marion Civic Chorale will present its Spring Concert featuring music by American composers and others. The concert will be at First Presbyterian Church in Ocala at 3pm, and admission is free. Donations to help fund the Grat L. Rosazza music scholarship are appreciated. marionchorale.org.

Ocala Cultural Arts Survey (Through May 13) › The first phase of

the Ocala Cultural Outreach Plan is in full swing and will be completed by late June. Several community outreach events are planned along with Continued on p.88

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an online survey currently open for those interested in participating. The survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/ocalaculturalplan.

Symphony Under the Stars (May 13) › This annual concert will

Performing Arts Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group Theatre at Universal CityWalk, Orlando

Ongoing

17-18 Orlando Ballet Season

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando

Through May 6

White Rabbit Red Rabbit

The Sharon Performing Arts Center, The Villages

May 6, 13, 18

Bill Engvall

The Sharon Performing Arts Center, The Villages

May 10

Remembering John Denver

Reilly Arts Center, Ocala

May 11

Nick Swardson

Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

May 11

Mamma Mia!

Ocala Civic Theatre

May 17June 17

Brick City Blues Fest

Reilly Arts Center, Ocala

May 18

The Glass Menagerie

Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse, Mount Dora

May 18June 10

Bubble Guppies Live: Read to Rock!

Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

May 19

Bubble Guppies Live: Ready to Rock!

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando

May 20

Annie: The Musical

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando

May 24-27

be performed by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and be held at the Ocala Golf Club. The gates open at 5:30pm, and the concert begins at 7pm. A fireworks display will follow the performance. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Children under 17 are free. fafo.org or (352) 867-0355.

Talk and Performance (May 26) › Dr. Welson Alves Tremura will speak on the history of the guitar and give a musical performance at the Appleton Museum. The event will run 5:30-7:30pm, and admission is free for Appleton members and CF students and $10 for nonmembers. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

Outdoor & Athletic Endeavors PACE Derby Day 5K/10K (May 5) › The 5K/10K trail run will take

runners through the Florida Horse Park, with 10K runners circling through the Cross Florida Greenway Trail. Both runs take off at 7:30am. Proceeds benefit the PACE Center for Girls. pacecenter.org or (352) 369-0571.

M.O.M.S. Day 5K (May 13) › The non-profit group Memory of Missing

Smiles (M.O.M.S) will host a 5K run/walk in Jervey Gantt Park. A free kid’s run will take place at 7:30am, and the 5K run/walk will take off at 7:40am. memoriesofmissingsmiles.org or (352) 369-6667.

Nature Hike (May 19) › A guided nature hike through Silver Springs

State Park will take place the third Saturday of each month through May. Each hike will start from a different location in the park and focus on different plants and wildlife. Free with park admission. silversprings.com or (352) 236-7148.

Pack Walk (May 27) › In partnership with Marion County Animal

Services, Silver Springs State Park will give volunteers the opportunity to walk dogs available for adoption through the park the fourth Sunday of the month at 10am. Dog walkers must be 16 years of age, but all are welcome to join the walk. silversprings.com or (352) 261-5840.

Other Fun Stuff!

Ocala Health Events › A six-week tobacco cessation program

will begin on May 1. A diabetes support group will be held May 2 and a heartburn seminar will take place May 4. A sciatic workshop will take place May 9, and a veteran’s benefits seminar will take place May 29.

All programs will be held at the Senior Wellness Community Center in Ocala. Advanced registration is required. ocalahealthsystem.com or (800) 530-1188.

The Sound of Music

Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa

June 5-10

RENT: 20th Anniversary Tour

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando

June 5-10

WindFM Rocks the Reilly: “Jaded” A Tribute to Aerosmith

Reilly Arts Center, Ocala

June 23

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Casino Royale (May 4) ›This fundraising event presented by Kids Central, Inc. is a vintage, Vegas-themed affair and will take place at the Hilton Ocala. The evening will feature classic casino games, slots, drinks and food. Tickets are $75 and include $250 in gaming tokens, photo booth fun, food and more. Cocktail hour begins at 7pm and gaming begins at 7:30pm. kidscentralinc.org or (352) 387-3474.

Shabby Chic Vintage Market (May 5) › Tuscawilla Park will host

over 100 vendors selling shabby chic furniture, cottage glam, pallet signs,

primitives and antiques. The event runs 10am-4pm and is open to the public. ocalafl.org or (727) 674-1464.

Ocala Pet Expo (May 5) › The third annual Ocala Pet Expo will be held

at Jervey Gantt Park from 10am-2pm. The event features cutest pet, most unique pet and best trick contests, agility and obedience demonstrations, a veterinarian Q&A session and more. Pet food and supply donations are requested. 937kcountry.com or windfm.com.

LIVE ON STAGE!

Fun at the Park (May 6) › Sholom Park will host a music and art event from 1-4pm featuring live music and a chance for guests to mingle with local artists. Artwork will be available for purchase. Admission is free. sholompark.org or (352) 873-0848, ext. 7650.

The irresistible ABBA musical

After Dark in the Park Movie Series (May 11) › The Martin Luther

King Recreation Complex will host this family-friendly event with a showing of the film The Lego Batman Movie. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase, and guests are asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket. The event is free. ocalafl.org or (352) 368-5540.

An Evening at the Moulin Rouge (May 11) › Enjoy an evening of

live music, featuring Michael and Angela Ingersoll, and critically acclaimed Chicago-based performers featured on The Tonight Show, Oprah and more! There will be a full dinner, open cocktail hour, dancing and Frenchthemed escapades, plus live and silent auctions. The event benefits the Reilly and the OSO and will be held at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

6-9:30pm. reillyartscenter.com.

Letter Carrier’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive (May 12) ›

This 26th annual food drive is presented by the National Letter Carrier’s Association. Interested participants should place non-perishable donations at their mailbox before normal mail delivery time or take donations to the local post-office. nalc.org.

Crazy Critters Fundraising Event (Through May 13) › Crazy

Critters, an exotic animal rescue and sanctuary, is hosting an exotic plant sale through May 13 to raise funds for the care of rescue animals. Available plants include hibiscus, orchids, a variety of succulents, a large assortment of cactus, lithops, trees, bushes, vines and more. Sale days are May 4-6 and May 11-13, 9am-5pm. (352) 589-5999.

Movie in the Fort (May 19) › The Marion County Children’s Alliance

will host a family-friendly movie at 6pm. The event will also feature food and games. Admission is free and open to the public. ocalafl.org or (352) 359-5383.

African American Heritage Arts and Music Festival

(May 26) › The Martin Luther King Recreation Complex will host a celebration of African American culture with food, music, activities and more. The event runs 9am-5pm and is free and open to the public. ocalafl.org or (352) 425-8049.

Music and Lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and some songs with Stig Anderson Book by Catherine Johnson Originally conceived by Judy Craymer

MAY 17 – JUNE 17, 2018 Sponsored By: Hiers-Baxley • Ocala Magazine WOCA Radio

Summer Movies At The Marion Theatre (May 29-August 2) ›

The Historic Marion Theatre will host a number of family-friendly movies on select days throughout the summer. Admission is $2 and includes a drink and popcorn. All films begin at 10am. mariontheatre.org or (352) 629-6300.

Host Families Needed (June 27-August 18) › Educational Homestay

Programs is currently recruiting families to house international students over the summer. Community service hours are available for teens, and the program offers the opportunity for free music lessons. Spots are limited. ef.edu or (352) 857- 7521.

352.236.2274 •OcalaCivicTheatre.com 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470 • In The Appleton Cultural Center MAY ’18 ›

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VIEW MORE SOCIAL SCENE PHOTOS AND PURCHASE PRINTS OF YOUR FAVORITES AT OCALASTYLE.COM

Fun Times At The Tiara Ball › Written And Photographed By Ronald W. Wetherington

T

hey could have danced all night.

The premier event of our social season, the 32nd Tiara Ball, was the most fun ever. First mingling around the silent auction tables then enjoying an evening of dinner and dancing, the 330-plus guests all agreed it was a highly successful evening in so many ways.

Nancy Porter and Monica Haufler were the co-chairs. All donated funds will be given to Florida institutions of higher learning for cancer research and cancer education.

Monica Haufler captured the essence of this Marion County philanthropy saying, “We are doctors, attorneys, business owners and housewives. In short, we are all of you. We are everyday people working every day to find a cure for cancer.”

Nancy Porter shared, “Since its inception 32 years ago, the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research, Inc., was instrumental in raising more than $3,000,000 for cancer research and education in Florida.”

As is the tradition of the Ocala Royal Dames, two debutantes were introduced to society. This year, Katherine Alexandra Sokol, 2006 debutante, announced the two outstanding young women. Laura Katherine (Katie) Chappell, daughter of Chris and Joan Chappell, and Anna Ross, daughter of Jim and Melanie

Ross, both looked especially lovely in their exquisite gowns.

These young women have already proven themselves to be exceptional and will surely move forward with successful careers and community involvement.

Each year, the Ocala Royal Dames select one notable individual to join the coveted brotherhood as a Royal Knight.

Royal Knight Lt. Col. Edward H. Johnson presented the honor to Dr. David Sokol.

“This year’s nominee has made innumerable time, talent and treasure contributions which reflect his unique background as a statistics Ph.D., an Anglican priest, author of numerous books and CDs and as a winemaker and grape grower,” stated Lt. Col. Johnson.

It was such a fun evening that guests lingered long into the night. The dance floor was filled with happy party-goers. The live auction featured many exceptional items, including dinner for 15 guests provided by award-winning Fresh Green Tomato, a round of golf for four donated by Adena Golf and Country Club and a week in Manhattan at the Manhattan Club given by Kitty Potapow.

Karen Zeedyk, president of the Ocala Royal Dames, says, “I believe if we focus on the mission and why we are here, we can accomplish anything together. I know the Ocala Royal Dames are a force to be reckoned with. I am humbled and honored to be president. Attitude reflects leadership. I believe in action. I promise excellence to the organization, and I expect it in return. I offer my best wishes and happiness to you and your families as we all look forward to a successful 2018.”

With a “Wild Safari” theme for the event, incomparable cuisine, exceptional items auctioned by Jim Payton and music provided

by Justin Fredericks, every guest felt the excitement of the evening. Many thanks are given to Marilyn and Joe Smith who generously gave $10,000 for the Tiara Ball from a private foundation.

Ronald W. Wetherington SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR

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Shannon and Michael Holloway

Carl and Ann Zalak

Katherine Sokol and David Sokol

Erica Olstein, Joe Barge and Monica Aaufleur

Lt. Col. Ed and Lois Johnson, Sally and A.B. Crass

Jody Micavage, Karey Zeedk and Barbara Fitos

Patricia Sokol

Michael and Shannon Holloway, Fayth Garmley, Charlene Sixton and Austin Bowens

Leanne Brukaker, Ryan Gray and R. Susan Smith

Alex Moy, Gabbie Quinroz, and Dianna and Dr. David Lammermeier

Eiren Kerr, Chey DaLarosa, Dalis Ramirez, Geneive Rodriguez, Ella Diaz and Jera Figueras

Katie Chappell and Anna Ross

Lydia Kuttas, and Tom and Tracy Males MAY ’18 ›

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International Women’s Day

Photos by Cynthia Graham @ Reilly Arts Center

Almost 400 women gathered together for the inaugural community celebration of International Women’s Day. Women-led organizations partnered to bring speakers, refreshments, music and a giant aerial photo opportunity for an evening of empowerment and inspiration.

Beth McCall

Barbara Brooks and Kathy Bryant

Jessi Miller

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Claudia Durrett, Jeanne Henningsen and Stacy Alpizar

Tax and Business Consulting Services Accounting Auditing

Did you incur loss from Hurricane Irma? Be sure to consult your tax advisor.

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Red Scarf Event Committee

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International Women’s Day event attendees

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Dee Collier

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Rock & Roll All-Stars featuring The Orlons, The Vogues, and Dennis Tufano May 10th | 5 & 8pm

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LIFE. SAVED. “I was visiting the springs in Ocala when I was involved in a four car accident on HWY 27 near downtown. I was ejected from the car and landed on the pavement. A nurse from Ocala Regional Medical Center saw the accident, had her daughter call 911 and the nurse performed CPR on me. I came to Ocala Regional Medical Center as a trauma alert and went into surgery for hours.

I was in the hospital for almost a month and the list of my injuries is so long but every single day is getting better. So many people at Ocala Regional supported me and worked diligently to maintain my vitals so I would survive. I feel very blessed and feel like I have a second chance at life.”

-Tommy, age 23

TAKING CARE TO THE NEXT LEVEL. Ocala Regional Medical Center’s Level II Trauma Center has transformed care for critically injured patients in Marion County and beyond. Our experts are here 24/7, saving time and saving lives, giving patients like Tommy a second chance at life.

See Tommy’s full story and learn more about our Level II Trauma Center at OcalaHealthSystem.com/trauma