DEC’16
Ocala
COUNTDOWN TO FUN: YOUR WINTER BREAK CHECKLIST page 34
Tables of Tradition OS STAFF MEMBERS SHARE THEIR FAMILY FAVORITES
Plus:
» Notable Names » Saving the Trees (One Fire At A Time)
Thank You!
In this season of giving, I want to express
my gratitude to everyone who has supported me and helped to make this another successful year. I want to thank all my friends and clients, the new friends I’ve made in recent buyers and sellers, along with the old friends who have been there every step of the way. Each of you adds so much to my life. To Bonnie and Francis, who make up the best team of professionals in the business, I thank you for always thinking of our clients first. To my husband, JJ: Your love, support and guidance are constant, and I’m truly grateful for that. A home is more than just a building. It’s a place to put down roots. A home is a place to raise children, start new traditions, and build love and trust. It’s a place to bring people together and build meaningful relationships. Thank you for entrusting us to find your family’s perfect home or farm. Although Ocala is a small town, it’s known for its people with big hearts and generous spirits. Along with its beauty and charm, the culture, fine dining options and abundance of natural resources make it impossible not to love. The rolling pastures, Spanish moss and canopies of grand oaks appeal to the nature-lover inside all of us; and beautiful trails for horseback riding, biking and hiking, along with serene lakes and forestland provide outdoor exploration for every type of adventure. A home in this area is sought after indeed. Wouldn’t it make the perfect gift this year? I wish you all a very joyous and peaceful holiday season!
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PROPERTIES SOLD IN 2016
For this and other properties, visit JoanPletcher.com for information, videos and more choices. 352.347.1777 | Cell: 352.266.9100 | 352.804.8989 | joanpletcher@aol.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.
You Will Love Your New Smile! Chandra Smile Designs is a oneof-a-kind haven for your smile transformation. Your smile and oral health are very important. If you are thinking of enhancing your smile, you owe it to yourself to seek out the best. Beautiful results take an expertly trained dentist/artist. Dr. Chandra is uniquely qualified and has earned the highest level of achievement from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Let
her change your life by transforming your smile. TINA CHANDRA, D.D.S. Cosmetic, Neuromuscular and Sleep Dentist, LVI Fellow
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FOR THESHON BOTOX, SPECIAL M & ZOOM JUVEDER NING! WHITE
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ly! Dec 8th On
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Happy Holidays
INVISIBLE HEARING AIDS THAT WORK! Th e Gi ft of H eari
ng is
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DOCTOR
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Bitting’s Pharmacy Miller’s Ale House
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SE 3rd Ave.
Ma
You will be seen and cared for by Dr. Shon Murray, Au.D. Doctor of
SE
Owned & Operated
New n o i t a c o L LongHorn Steakhouse
SE 17th Street
Audiology
Druid Hills Methodist Church
Over 15 Years Experience *on any Muse series hearing aids
See our website for SPECIALS & video testimonials
352.732.EARS (3277) 610 SE 17th Street, Ocala, FL 34471
www.HearingBalance.net
Quite a haul!
2017
Ford Escape
AS LOW AS $19,498 Plus tax, tag, title and dealer fees.
FORD OF OCALA
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VILLAGE FORD
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myvillageford.com
COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY SPECIALIST BOARD CERTIFIED • Fifteen Years Experience
Specializing in Laparoscopic and Robotic Colon and Rectal Resections Laparoscopic and Robotic Colon Surgeries are proven to have faster recovery times with less pain. Small incisions allow for less chance of wound infection and a better cosmetic outcome.
Also providing treatment for Hemorrhoids, Anal Fissure, Anal Fistula, Fecal Incontinence, Rectal Prolapse, Rectocele and other rectal conditions. CHRISTIAN O. ORAEDU,
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Board Certified in Colon and Rectal Surgery by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Fellow of the American College of Surgeons Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Deerwood II 1830 SE 18th Ave, Suite #3 | Ocala
352.690.6000 w w w. o c a l a s u r g e r y. c o m
Put your heart in the hands O F W E L L -T R A I N E D , E X P E R I E N C E D AN D CARI NG CARDIOLOG I STS.
Dr. Paul Urban
Dr. Prem Singh
MD, FACC, FSCAI
MD, FACC, FSCAI
A board-certified, fellowshiptrained clinical and interventional cardiologist, Dr. Paul Urban has been practicing medicine since 1977 and serving Ocala for more than two decades. Dr. Urban prides himself on developing lasting relationships with his patients, and his honest, direct and caring bedside manner is welcomed by them. He treats patients in the office and at Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital. Dr. Urban received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College (now the Sidney Kimmel Medical College) at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed his internship at Wilmington Medical Center and his residency and fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Outside the office, his interests include underwater photography and collecting historical items.
W H E R E W E G ET TO T H E
{
Dr. Prem Singh is a fellowshiptrained, board-certified interventional cardiologist. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 2004. Dr. Singh pursued a research fellowship in the Department of Cardiology at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts, followed by fellowships in clinical cardiology and interventional cardiology at the Lahey Clinic in 2008 and 2009. Dr. Singh is on staff at Ocala Regional Medical Center, West Marion Hospital and MRMC. Dr. Singh has had research published in numerous prestigious journals. Apart from treating cardiac patients, Dr. Singh specializes in treating Peripheral Artery Diseases, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Carotid Artery Diseases and Venous Diseases.
heart O F T H E M AT T E R
Full Range of Cardiology Services | Cardiovascular Consultations Nuclear Stress Test | Second Opinion | Ultrasound | Cardiac Catheterization Peripheral Interventions | Pacemaker Clinic And MUCH MORE!
CALA H I LLS (Cath Lab) 2105 SW 20th PL. 2111 SW 20th PL. OCALA 352.622.4251
EAST OFFIC E 1800 S E 17th Street, Ste 700 OCALA 352.789.6008
WE ST MAR ION HOS PITAL 4600 SW 46th Court Ste 250 OCALA 352.401.1353
{
LAU R E L MANOR PLAZA 1950 Laurel Manor Drive Bldg 200, Ste 206 & 208, THE VILLAGES 352.205.8658
LUNG CANCER SCREENING CAN HELP LONGTIME SMOKERS BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER
STOP LUNG CANCERWITH BEFORE IT STOPS YOU WOMEN’S IMAGING SERVICES FROM RAO
Are You a Longtime Smoker? This Simple Scan Can Save Your Life. Lung cancer is the #1 leading cause of cancer death in the US, above breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. The vast majority of cases occur in heavy smokers.
Who is Considered a Heavy Smoker? The American Cancer Society considers someone to be at high risk of developing smoking-related lung cancer when they share the following traits:
AGES
55-77 Ages 55-77
Currently smokes or has quit within the past 15 years
Has smoked tobacco for 30 or more “pack years,” which is the number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoked
Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, lung cancer has usually spread outside the lung, making it difficult or impossible to treat.
Early detection is the key to surviving lung cancer. If you’re 55 or older and a heavy or longtime current or former smoker, talk to your doctor about a screening chest scan called Low Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT). This painless, noninvasive test uses up to 90% less ionizing radiation than standard CT scans, and can capture lung cancer in its earliest stages when it is easiest to treat. With your doctor’s referral, your scan may be 100% covered by Medicare. People 50 and older with a 20-pack-year smoking history combined with at least one other risk factor, such as a personal or family history of lung disease, are also considered high risk. Talk honestly with your doctor. If LDCT is right for you, your doctor can refer you to RAO for advanced LDCT services. Our team of Board Certified radiologists will work directly with your doctor to review your results and ensure you’re getting the best possible care.
Don’t Wait!
Talk to Your Doctor About Lung Cancer Screening.
RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF OCALA, P.A.
(352) 671-4300 | www.RAOcala.com MEDICAL IMAGING CENTER TIMBERRIDGE IMAGING CENTER
3,285 150 8 1
days since diagnosis days of chemotherapy years in remission more trip across the finish line
We hope Sherry has many more wins in her future. At the UF Health Cancer Center, our comprehensive team of dedicated experts in clinical research, diagnosis, treatment and whole-life care are ready to celebrate milestones with you, like we have with Sherry. A two-time survivor of breast cancer, Sherry is celebrating eight years of crossing the finish line. At the UF Health Cancer Center, you’re not just our patient, you’re our partner.
UFHealth.org/cancer
SELLING YOUR FARM? The results speak for themselves. COUNTY WIDE FARMS SOLD SINCE JANUARY 1, 2015 ($600K AND UP) *
23
Chris Desino
OCALA HORSE PROPERTIES
4
SOLD
SOLD
THE NEXT CLOSEST REALTOR “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intellegent planning, and focused effort.” –PAUL J. MEYER, BUSINESSMAN
Matt Varney & Mary O’Neal and Rob & Chris Desino t h e c o m pa n y w i t h s tat i s t i c a l ly p r o v e n w i n n i n g re s u lt s .
352.615.8890 |
www.OcalaHOrsePrOPerties.cOm
*Residential MLS Search: Status: Closed, Date sold: 1/1/15-9/12/16, Sell Price: $600k and up, County: Marion, Acres: 6 and up. Statistics taken directly from the MLS.
Now available 6 months special ďŹ nancing* *Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payment required. See store for details.
PIN US ON
Sinc e 19
19
Contents DECEMBER ’16
In This Issue ON THE COVER
044 Around The Table. For some of us
here at Ocala Style, food is the centerpiece of many of our family traditions. So from our families to yours, enjoy! › Written & Compiled By The Ocala Style Staff
034 Laughing All The Way.
Say woo-hoo to winter break with some of the merriest family fun of the year. › By Brett Ballantini
038 Notable Names.
You see the signs, visit the parks, play at the fields, but have you ever wondered about the names behind them? › By Cynthia McFarland
050 Fighting Fire With Fire. How prescribed burns benefit Florida’s forests. › By Cynthia McFarland
056 Medical Breakthroughs You Need To Know About. Medicine and medical
treatments have come a long way in a relatively short time, with some of the latest advances being nothing short of miraculous. › By Cynthia McFarland
DEC’16
Ocala
COUNTDOWN TO FUN: YOUR WINTER BREAK CHECKLIST page 34
Tables of Tradition
OS STAFF MEMBERS SHARE THEIR FAMILY FAVORITES
Plus:
» Notable Names » Saving the Trees (One Fire At A Time)
Cover and photo on this page by John Jernigan Special thanks to Albert Barrett at Stella’s Modern Pantry for custom cake preparation
DEC ’16 ›
011
Contents Continued
020
066
032
077
018
038
044
082
In Every Issue THE BUZZ The real people, places and events that shape our community.
THE HIVE Dedicated to enriching the lives of local families.
027
063 T H E
077
By Cealia Athanason, Brett Ballantini, Kevin Christian & Bonnie Kretchik
By Karin Cushenbery, Laurel Gillum & Melissa Peterson
By Cealia Athanason & Laurel Gillum
By Laurel Gillum & Bonnie Kretchik
017
18 C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T I O N S A three-alarm celebration.
28 G O O D T I M E S It’s time to talk toys.
20 F R O M C I T Y H A L L Holiday happenings to get excited about.
30 K I D S ’ K O R N E R We let the kiddos do the talkin’.
22 A R T I S T ’ S C O R N E R Meet the man behind Glen Cove Metal Sculptures.
32 S N A P S H O T S
24 C L A S S A C T S Student achievements and news to know.
012
› Ocala
.com
Having fun, making memories.
DISH Our best recipes, restaurant news and culinary quick bites. 64 A W I N T E R C A N D Y L A N D Who doesn’t love chocolate? Check out these great DIY recipes. 66 C O L O R Y O U R K I T C H E N Breathe some life into the heart of your home. 68 B O T T O M S U P Fish Hawk Spirits brings handcrafted, artisanal spirits to Florida. 69 D I N I N G G U I D E What’s on your menu for tonight?
THE SCENE Your guide to what’s happening in and around Ocala. 78 A Q U I C K Q & A Ocala is going nuts for The Nutcracker. We go behind the scenes to find out what it takes to perform this much-anticipated yearly tradition. 88 T H E S O C I A L S C E N E Pictures from our area’s top events.
• TILE • WOOD • LAMINATE • VINYL • CARPET • GLASS • MOSAICS • TRAVERTINE • MARBLE • BACKSPLASHES • BATHROOMS • MURALS
352-368-2838
2400 NW 10th St. (HWY 27), Ocala
Serving Marion County and surrounding counties for over thirty years
Harry’s Holiday Trio Tender grilled Filet medallions topped with delicately fried Lobster and Shrimp accented with our New Orleans sherry cream sauce. Accompanied by our classic smashed potatoes and green beans.
www.italiantileimports.com MON-FRI 7:30a-5:00p | SAT 8:00a-12:00p
30
$
Gift Cards not valid day of purchase Promotion runs November 1-December 24
Savory “Down Home” Chicken
Bring your appetite! A tender half Chicken served crispy with our smashed potatoes, sliced mushrooms, French green beans and a roasted chicken jus.
DEC ’16 ›
013
Ocala
The Peacock Cottage Ocala’s New Plant Shop!
Magazine
• Unique Houseplants • Fun Classes
PUBLISHER
Kathy Johnson kathy@ocalastyle.com
Located in Chelsea Square 3243 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 352-624-0116 • thepeacockcottage@gmail.com Like us! facebook.com/thepeacockcottage
OFFICE/PRODUCTION MANAGER
Cynthia Brown
cynthia@ocalastyle.com Editorial
www.dandypot.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR
Karin Fabry-Cushenbery Melissa Peterson
karin@ocalastyle.com melissa@ocalastyle.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Katie McPherson
katie@ocalastyle.com Cealia Athanason cealia@ocalastyle.com
Just Relocated – Private Practice Now Open!
All of your dental needs in one place.
SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR
Ronald W. Wetherington ronald@ocalastyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Angelique Anacleto Brett Ballantini Kevin Christian Jim Gibson Laurel Gillum
Fairy • Garden Gifts Gardens • Supplies
JoAnn Guidry Bonnie Kretchik Cynthia McFarland Judge Steven Rogers
• Digital X-Rays • Dentures/Partials • Oral Surgery/ Extractions • Crowns/Bridges
• Root Canals • IV Sedation • Implant Placement to Final Restoration • Same-Day Appointments
Art CREATIVE DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Jessi Miller Castro Jason Fugate jessi@ocalastyle.com Christina Geiger Kristy Taylor
Se habla español!
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cesar A. Caceres D.M.D.
Sheila Hartley
352-629-1314
www.amazingsmilesdentistry.com
10230 SW 86 Circle, Suite 100, Ocala, FL 34481 (Turn right at 103rd After Steeplechase) th
sheila@ocalastyle.com
John Jernigan
jernigan@ocalastyle.com
Ralph Demilio Crys Williams fotolia.com
Express Care of Ocala’s mission revolves around providing care that is
Sales DIRECTOR OF SALES
compassionate, convenient & affordable
Dean Johnson
deanjohnson@ocalastyle.com SALES MANAGER
Express Care of Ocala is an urgent care center that began in 1990. Our facility offers a faster, convenient and economical alternative to going to an emergency room. We also provide primary care for chronic conditions.
Sharon Morgan
sharon@ocalastyle.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Lori Tani
lori@ocalastyle.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Dawn Anderson
dawn@ocalastyle.com
Liza Fritz
liza@ocalastyle.com
Skip Linderman
skip@ocalastyle.com
Peggy Sue Munday
peggysue@healthylivingmagazines.com
Cecilia Sarco
cecilia@ocalastyle.com
Tammy Walters
tammy@healthylivingmagazines.com DISTRIBUTION
Services Provided
Dave Adams
dave@ocalastyle.com
Urgent Care Center for Adults & Children • Acute Medical Conditions • Minimal & Serious Injuries Ultrasounds, CT Scans, Pulmonary Function Scans • Electrocardiograms
Debra McQueen Rick Shaw
OCALA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
WALK-INS WELCOME
o: 352.732.0073 › f: 352.732.0226 1007 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34731 ocalastyle.com
Open 7 Days A Week: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 8am-4pm
OCALA STYLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2016 / VOL. 18, NO. 12 Published monthly by Ocala Publications, Inc. All contents © 2016 by Ocala Publications Inc. 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
FONTS
OCALA / MARION COUNTY
CHAMBER & ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
OCALA / MARION COUNTY
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MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD MOVING FORWARD
TRADE GOTHIC BOLD (Kerning 50pt) TAGLINE FONT:
352.732.9888
1834 SW 1st Ave, Suite 201, Ocala
ExpressCareOfOcala.com
DEC ’16 ›
015
Welcomes Welcome Back !
As your local resource for Farm, Acreage, and Equestrian Properties, we at Showcase Properties will guide you every step of the way. Our distinctive market expertise, flexibility, and dynamic marketing presence allows you to always
Buy and Sell with Confidence.
DEC’16
YOUR LOCAL GUIDE TO HOMES, FARMS AND LAND FOR SALE IN MARION COUNTY
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
Residential & Commercial • Servicing all of Florida Licensed & Insured
Landscape • Hardscape • Aquascape
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Thatched Roofing Beauty... No hassles, No maintenance! VIVA Synthetic Thatch Roofing provides the charm of natural palm thatching for any property, without the naturally reoccurring maintenance problems.
Quaint, Friendly, Stylish. Something for everyone. It’s just different. Ocala is full of awesome The variety of cultures and food. and talented people. The properties, the horses and the housing market. This is “my town”!
You can get out of town to wide open spaces quick.
The beautiful views from your land.
Love the horse farms.
How close our community can be. Local businesses.
Activities.
Visual.
The people, relaxed lifestyle, activities.
The countryside.
Horses
The downtown area.
The community, everywhere! great people.
Close to everything!
John Travolta and Kelly Preston.
Family.
The wooded areas.
The lack of real traffic.
Lively, things to do, everything horsey.
Small town feel, born and raised.
Horses.
The beautiful horse farms.
Beautiful weather and scenery.
Peaceful.
Shopping.
The Springs.
It’s the horse capital of the world!
THE
President
Chair-ity
This year, we were honored to host the 8th Annual Chair-ity event. Realtor® Members and OMCAR Strategic Business Partners have been working hard volunteering their time in planning this event.
E
ach year we have seen this event grow with new volunteers and attendees participating in this wonderful community event for charity. Our chosen charity this year is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County. Our Chair-ity event, which started in 2007, is a fundraiser that involves auctioning off chairs that have been decorated by our Realtor® members, members of the public and local businesses and organizations as artwork. These chairs have turned into beautiful masterpieces and even include more than just the chair itself! Then, proceeds from the event support various local charities. On Friday, November 4, we held our eighth Chair-ity event, and I would like to personally thank those who donated a live auction chair or silent auction item and those who took the time to attend and support the charity. I am excited to announce that we were able to raise over $26,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County. On November 22, some of our Community Awareness Committee members, along with our Association Executive Darlene Yonce, attended the
Marion County School Board meeting to present teacher mini-grant checks to local teachers and their principals. Each year, the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors® Community Awareness Committee awards local teachers with mini grants to assist in school projects. This year, OMCAR granted $6,000 to Marion County teachers. Each year, applications are accepted for these mini grants. Part of the decision process is determining which requests have the ability to impact the most students this year and in the future. In closing, it was an honor for me to write this column for you each month as the president of the association. OMCAR hopes to continue the success each year with our charity events and community outreach projects. On behalf of the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors®, I would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday season! For more information, contact the Ocala/Marion County Association of REALTORS® (352) 629-2415.
I am excited to announce that we were able to raise over $26,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County.
› Dale Barron, President
Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors
2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
Carolyn ROBERTS
115 NE 8th Ave 16910 S. Hwy 441, Ste. 204 Ocala, FL 352-351-0011 Summerfield, FL 352-245-3388
BROKER/REALTOR ®
ckr@robertsflorida.com www.robertsflorida.com | mail@robertsflorida.com
GOLDEN OCALA GOLF & EQUESTRIAN CLUB • 4 bedrooms 4 baths • Prestigious gated golf community • Grand master suite with sitting area • Wall slider that leads out to lania.
• Summer kitchen and screen enclosed pool and hot tub • 4-car garage makes for plenty of room • Beautiful views of golf course and the 2nd hole
COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA • • • • • •
4 bedrooms 3 baths 3 car garage Overlooks 3rd tee Beautiful 1 acre lot Maintained pristinely $499,999
TURNING HAWK RANCH
• Large kitchen • Formal and informal gracious living areas • Beautiful screened pool ML#431646
$899,000 ML#502725
• • • • •
6 bedrooms 5 full and 3 half baths 4 car garage In –law apartment Breathtaking 4.80 acres • Complete with beautiful stairway and fireplace.
• Exercise room, grand study, and theater room. • Amazing pool with slide and outdoor shower • Summer kitchen with sand volleyball court and a half basketball course with lights.
$899,000 ML#435939
POLO LANE
COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA
DEVONSHIRE
4/3.5 home on 4.5 peaceful acres in gated community. Home features an open floor plan w/ upgraded kitchen, spacious family room, large study which flows into main floor master suite and 3 upstairs bedrooms with 2 baths. Large screened lanai gives additional living & entertaining space with gorgeous views of property, waterfall and koi pond.
Beautiful 4/3.5 home perfect for entertaining. Private gated entrance opens to courtyard w/ summer kitchen. Spacious FR has soaring wood beamed ceilings, built in cabinetry & French doors leading to the backyard. Gourmet kitchen & dining look out to peaceful courtyard. Large master w/ WIC & master bath w/separate tub & shower. 4 car garage w/2 extra tall doors.
$825,000 ML#507927
$699,000 ML#436443
Beautiful 3 bed/3 bath w/ study in close-in gated community. Great room w/built-in cabinetry. Kitchen has custom cabinets, quartz countertops, double ovens w/warming drawer, gas cooktop, & breakfast nook. Split bedroom plan w/spacious master. Master bath has jetted tub & walk-in shower. Nicely landscaped backyard. Screened-in patio w/pavers. $395,000 ML#438376
mbelliott1@aol.com
WE AT BWC BELIEVE THAT
NO DETAIL SHOULD GO FORGOTTEN • • • • • •
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SERVING OCALA AND CENTRAL FLORIDA. Contact us today for a complimentary construction consultation.
Bryan W. Caracciolo (General Contractor)
(352) 304-1323 • 4095 S.E. 45TH CT. #101 Ocala
info@BWC-Construction.com • www.BWC-Construction.com CGC#1522862
Turning That Space Into Functional Space Our local team can help you build a long lasting steel structure. We serve Marion and surrounding counties Customized buildings of all sizes. Great to cover your boat, RV, motorhome, travel trailer, special equipment, farm machinery or any special project. Carport / Garage / Barn y
Hw 4
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Javier Udaneta - 352.789.1149 | William Simmons - 352.318.3604
Paver installation on | pools | patios | driveways walkways | fire pits | retaining walls | Sealing of pavers
352-454-7946
royalpaversinc@yahoo.com
8975 SW Hwy 200, Ocala
4 Locations in Central Florida
WE STRIVE TO BE THE BEST! 500
Mike Bleau (352) 857-4421 Residential
Carol Castineira & Bob Niedzwiecki (352) 445-4953 Specialize in Del Webb
Hope Deszell (352) 817-0459 Marion County & The Villages since 1993
Sandy Dingler (352) 427-6044 Residential
Linda Doyle (352) 361-0424 Residential
400 300
MILLIONS
#1
2
200 100 Donna Eastman (352) 843-1542 Residential, 55+ Communities, Farms
Jim Head (352) 615-8234 Residential / Land
Donna Knox (352) 216-5495 Residential/Farms
Marion Ladd (352) 245-4525 Residential/Golf Course Comm.
Sheila McKathan (352) 895-8648 John Whipple (352) 598-3570
Conrad & Dania Melancon (352) 208-4924 55+ Community Experts
Tom Murvin (352) 362-0473 Investment / Residential
Lindsay Paolillo (352) 237-0252 55+ Communities
Active Adult Communities
3 4
5
6
0
OVER Paul Perez (352) 342-2831 Residential
40
YEARS OF
LEADERSHIP FIND AN EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTY BY SCANNING THIS CODE! Donna Phillips (352) 843-1988 Homes/Investments
David Rector (352) 216-1183 Residential/Investment
Linda Roddenberry (352) 816-6607 Farms/Residential/Land
Nicki Schwartz (352) 209-9963 Residential/Relocation
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TH E R E AL PE O PLE , PL AC E S & E VE NTS THAT S HAPE OU R CO M M U N IT Y
the
Nothing But Nature The hustle and bustle of this time of year often leaves people feeling stressed and exhausted. What better way to unwind than to leave behind the daily grind and explore the great outdoors!
The Marion County Parks and Recreation department will host family campouts on select weekends through February, introducing participants to night hikes and starry skies. Campers will have the opportunity to kayak the waters of Carney Island, test their luck with a rod and reel and enjoy campfire stories while roasting up marshmallows to perfection. Leave behind your tablets and technology and experience nature first hand. Campers meet at 2pm on Saturdays and head home refreshed and revitalized at 11am on Sundays. Upcoming dates are December 17-18 at Carney Island, January 28-29 at Horseshoe Lake and February 25-26 at Carney Island. All gear, food and tents are included, so pack light and prepare to experience nature by night. Registration is $70 for a family of four, and children must be at least 8 years old to participate.
WANT TO GO? › For more information or to register, visit marionparksrec.org or call (352) 817-8548.
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A Towering Time
Ocala Fire Rescue initiates its newest tower truck with a traditional push-in ceremony. › By Cealia Athanason > Photos by Ralph Demilio
O
ne gorgeous piece of machinery sits just inside the enormous garage at Fire Station No. 1. Chairs are set up inside, and only a podium and a few paces separate them from Tower One—Ocala Fire Rescue’s newest addition to its fleet of 32 vehicles. Two months ago, OFR did something it hasn’t done in a long time. They held a traditional “pushin” ceremony to initiate and celebrate the newly completed tower truck. The Tower One, as it’s called, has all the bells and whistles to make it one powerful contender against emergencies of all kinds. “In recent years, this is the first ceremony open to the public,” says OFR Public Information Officer Ashley Lopez. “Most ‘push-in’ ceremonies are limited to the crews at the fire station.” After Fire Chief Bradd Clark and Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Ortiz welcome the crowd in attendance and speak about the process and design of the truck, the Tower One follows an older squad truck around the block near Tuscawilla Park for its inaugural lap. When it returns from its first lap, the station’s crew takes a moment to ceremoniously push the truck back into the station—with a bit of help from a driver since this is one massive truck. “To us, the ceremony was a little extra special,” says Lopez. “We are truly excited to add this piece of equipment to our facility.” This type of ceremony has a bit of history behind it, too. The push-in concept dates back to the time when fire engines were horse-drawn. After returning from a call, the firefighters would have to push the engines back into the station. Now, it’s become a fire department tradition to welcome and initiate new trucks.
Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Ortiz
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“Despite the fact that fire engines have been least reliable, most costly to repair powering fire vehicles for years, the push-in apparatus are retired when a new ceremony is one of the many traditions that fire apparatus is procured for frontline service personnel continue to honor across the emergency work,” Lopez explains, nation,” Lopez says. adding that OFR has budgetary plans The almost $1 million beauty stretches its steel in place to manage fire apparatus ladder up 100 feet into the air for everyone at the replacements over the long-term to ceremony to see. It’s a grand moment, and several prevent multiple replacements in E-ONE representatives, City Council members any one fiscal year. and locals were able to witness this history in the Battalion Chief Clint Welborn says making. The Tower One is OFR’s fourth tower truck they knew they needed a new truck. in the department’s more than 130 years of existence. The squad truck is about 21 years old Those in attendance had the opportunity to get a now, and Welborn says once a truck close look at the truck and its many features. reaches between 12 and 15 years old, “Did you see the Jaws of Life?” Lopez says as she they start looking to replace it. opens a compartment at the front of the truck. “All “Once we had the OK, we made a they have to do is push this button.” small committee of those interested She explains that has one made of steel. the older squad truck Welborn says there’s a required firefighters to new, stronger steel out hook up and connect there now, and that’s different cables to be what they wanted to able to operate these life upgrade the Tower One savers. Now, everything is with. ready to go, and that’s just “We are the first one of the many upgrades ladder platform that and improvements this E-ONE has made,” truck sports over the he says. “This steel older squad truck. is supposed to be “There are so many much stronger than improvements, I can’t aluminum.” even list them all,” Lopez Chief Ortiz couldn’t says. stress enough how For one, the truck big of a deal this holds 20 breathing air truck is––not just for tanks for the firefighters, the fire department so they don’t have to and firefighters but constantly fill up their for E-ONE and the tanks. One tank is already community as well. OFR attached to the back of had to wait several years each seat in the truck, to obtain the necessary too. The firefighters “Despite the fact that fire engines funds for the Tower One, can just hook them on their backs have been powering fire vehicles making its completion directly from the chair they sit in. for years, the push-in ceremony is and this ceremony all There’s room to take six firefighters one of the many traditions that fire the sweeter. in the truck, two seats up front and service personnel continue to honor “The purpose of four in the back. across the nation,” Lopez says. this ceremony was to Lopez says the squad vehicle in truck operations,” share the excitement will stay in service since it has the says Welborn. “You of this valuable piece extrication tools like the Tower One. For example, take a base model and of equipment with the when the department is on a call, they might need tweak it to make it community which we only one of the trucks. But, if there’s a complicated whatever you want.” serve. There simply fire, they now have the option to take both vehicles. The committee could not have been OFR works with E-ONE, an emergency vehicle and worked with Larry a better measure of services manufacturer, to replace older trucks with Daniels, director at success than the support new ones. This replacement program is based on the E-ONE, to create and exhibited by everyone in National Fire Protection Association’s data on the life attendance,” Lopez says. expectancy, reliability and maintenance costs of each add specific touches to the truck. The The celebration also fire apparatus. older squad truck has a ladder made kicked off Fire Prevention Week and was truly one of “The program develops a logical replacement a kind for the community. schedule in order to maximize fleet reliability. Newer of aluminum, and the new tower truck and more reliable apparatus are assigned to frontline response, while slightly older and less reliable LEARN MORE: Ocala Fire Rescue, (352) 629-8306, ocalafl.org apparatus are moved to reserve. In essence, the DEC ’16 ›
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Solar Energy Survey Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) plans to survey a random sample of its electric customers during the month of December 2016 to better understand their opinions on solar energy. These survey responses will help guide OEU in its decisions regarding solar energy moving forward. The telephone survey will be conducted by GreatBlue Research, Inc. GreatBlue will call a random sample of OEU customers. GreatBlue will maintain the anonymity of customers who participate in the survey. No information will be released that may, in any way, reveal their answers to the survey questions. For more information about this survey, please contact GreatBlue Research, Inc. at (860) 740-4000 or Ocala Electric Utility at (352) 629-2489.
HolidaySafety SafetyTips Tips Holiday FromOcala OcalaFire FireRescue Rescue From
Photo by Ralph Demilio
Holiday Happenings
Let’s Skate Ocala is happening now through Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 in historic downtown Ocala! Due to construction of the new downtown parking garage, the skating rink has a new location this year—110 E Silver Springs Blvd. General admission is $5 per person (30-minute session) and also includes skates. For rental availability, pricing and additional information, please call (352) 368-5517.
Hours of Operation Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5-9pm Fridays: 5-10pm Saturdays: Noon-10pm Sundays: 1-6pm Monday: Closed
Holiday Hours of Operation
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24: Noon-5pm Christmas Day, Dec. 25: Closed New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31: Noon-5pm New Year’s Day, Jan. 1: Closed Let’s Skate Ocala theme nights are back! These special events will take place select Fridays in December from 5-10pm
Dec. 2: Star Wars Dec. 9: Pirate Night Dec. 16: Santa Slumber Party Dec. 30: Get Your Glow On
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Santa on the Square
Dec. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15 & 20 from 6-8pm
After Dark in the Park Movie Series— The Polar Express
Dec. 16 from 6 to 8pm at Tuscawilla Park The First Friday Art Walk is Friday, Dec. 2 from 6-9pm in downtown Ocala. This event will feature a special holiday a cappella performance on the square by The Edge Effect.
Thanks For Giving! Feel Downtown LIVE and the City of Ocala would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival. Because of your gracious contributions, we were able to donate over four tons of food to Project Hope for families in need this holiday season. Thanks to our wonderful sponsors: Insight Credit Union, Angie Lewis State Farm, Tri Eagle Sales, Legacy Team Sales, Ocala Electric Utility, All the Hits Q 92.9 FM, US 102.3 FM and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
Although a fire may be delightful, when the weather outside is frightful, Ocala Fire Rescue wants to help you make sure no fire dampens your holiday. Here are seven tips to help you and your family stay safe this holiday season:
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2. 3.
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5. 6.
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Have a working smoke detector in each bedroom and common area of your home. Omit the use of wick candles. Light your home safely with flameless candles, or opt for laboratory tested string lights. Invite guests to play the fire exit game by identifying two exits in every room. Don’t leave the kitchen while your stove burners are in use. If you use a natural tree this holiday season, adhere to a watering schedule. Have fun, and enjoy this special time with your friends and family!
For more tips, visit ocalafire.org or call (352) 629-8306.
For a full list of events, visit events.ocalafl.org.
NEW! City of Ocala Website WE HAVE A NEW LOOK!
In October, the City of Ocala launched its newly redesigned website. Whether you’re looking to find out the latest events schedule, pay your utility bill or read about the latest City news, the new design makes it easy to find just what you’re looking for! Check it out at ocalafl.org.
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DEC ’16 ›
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Always Spicy, Never Old
An homage to aftershave blossomed into a vocation that’s beautified Central Florida for 25 years. › By Brett Ballantini
W
hen you see the “Old Spice Guy” in advertisements, he’s a model of manliness taken way over the top. But metal artist Paul Tester is a true Old Spice guy—down to the work of art that launched his second career. Tester’s Glen Cove Metal Sculptures has been a Florida fixture for more than 25 years and, in that time, has become renowned for unique and customized designs that help customers beautify their homes. But Tester started his career as a sculpture artist in a most unlikely place—the United States Air Force. It was there he first started working with metals as an aircraft structural repair technician, teaching metal repair to other enlisted men. “One day I was disassembling a car for repair with my students, and I had an idea,” Tester says. “You know the ship that’s on the Old Spice bottles? I wanted to take the scrap metal from the repair and create a version of that ship. And after that, I never stopped.” Retiring after a successful career in the Air Force, Tester eventually settled in Florida and became a metalworking instructor for the Marion County school system. And by the end of the 1980s, Tester’s metal artwork had become a true vocation and labor of love.
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Tester has created hundreds of sculptures for individual collectors over the years (with a particular concentration in The Villages). His pieces also have sold nationwide, with buyers including Disney World, Miller’s Ale House and Universal Studios. His work for the original Universal Plaza at Universal in Orlando was particularly challenging, Tester recalls. The park had ordered copper palm trees for its front entrance that took hundreds of hours and incredible attention to detail to complete. When work takes hundreds of hours or there are new designs to execute, Tester calls on his key team members, longtime art assistants Giovanna Sanchez and Yesenia Ruiz. “I always say ‘two heads are better than one,’” Tester says. “I’m always open to new and innovative suggestions. Our main goal is to provide customers with an art piece they will love and be happy with for the rest of their lives.” Ruiz, also a singer who can be spotted throughout Central Florida performing in any number of popular styles, started her work with Tester in 2000, along with Sanchez.
“I’m mostly involved with the assembly and painting of the pieces, drawing, design and customer communication,” Ruiz says. “I have a passion for the creative process in anything I do, so making sculptures is a ‘do what you love’ job, and brings me peace and joy.” Although Ruiz graduated from the College of Central Florida with an Associate of Arts degree, Sanchez never intended to be an artist. Through Tester’s tutelage, she is now the brass-brazing specialist at Glen Cove and created her “Giovanna Tree,” an intricate copper/brass tree sculpture that is a standout on Glen Cove’s roster. Tester has just turned 80 but is churning out creative works as dutifully as ever. Collectors looking for the most spectacular metal art in the state, whether ordering custom pieces or finished works, owe it to themselves to check out Glen Cove.
FIND OUT MORE › The Glen Cove Metal
Sculptures studio can be visited by appointment only by calling (352) 201-3107. › You can also visit glencovemetalsculptures.com
and facebook.com/glencovemetalsculptures for additional details.
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND DISTRICT NEWS THAT SHAPE MARION COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. › By Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC
School-Related Employee Of The Year
Saddlewood’s Surprise Homecoming
When SSgt Christian Wunderlich surprised his 5-year-old niece, Peyton, in her kindergarten class at Saddlewood Elementary, she immediately jumped up and ran to him in complete disbelief. Wunderlich, an airplane mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, had one day’s notice to come home on leave so he took full advantage of it. The surprise homecoming also produced lots of smiles and teary eyes from adult onlookers in Ms. Burnham’s room.
WESH Tops The News
Eighth Street Elementary’s morning news crew on WESH captured the top award in Florida for grades 3-5 at the Jim Harbin Media Festival in Orlando. The winning crew includes Ava Pizzuti, David Black, Lydia Degroot, Brayden Gleason and Peighton Labah (also Lillie Slagle who was unable to attend). By the way, WESH stands for “Where Eagles Soar High,” referring to the school’s mascot.
Five district workers are contenders to become the 2017 School-Related Employee of the Year for Marion County Public Schools. They include: Iris Delpada, an ESOL paraprofessional at College Park Elementary Veronica Washington, a classroom substitute at Dunnellon Elementary Kelly Windham, the receptionist at Eighth Street Elementary Susan Morris, an ESE paraprofessional at Osceola Middle Karen Messo, a paraprofessional at Saddlewood Elementary
We’ll share the winner with you in next month’s issue.
In The Giving Spirit West Port Tops For Teen PSA
Harmony At The State Level
A trio of West Port High students produced the top Teen public service announcement (PSA) in Florida in this year’s “The Greatest Save” video competition. Angelique Casar, Megan Degroat and Yisiara Aguirre captured the top spot for their 30-second Wizard of Oz-inspired video. The school, represented by Principal Ken McAteer (left) and TV production teacher Beth Wood (center), received $1,000 from Dan Akeley (right) with the KinderVision Foundation.
Three students from Dr. NH Jones Elementary captured spots in this year’s All-State Ensembles, including Madison Shorb, Gianna Meccia and Melannia Edwards. They are students of Naoko Wicklein, the school’s music teacher and a member of the Florida Music Educators Association and the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association. These students will perform in January at the state music conference in Tampa. They made the final cut from more than 1,100 student auditions state-wide.
Principal For A Day
Nearly two dozen people traded laboratories, manufacturing plants and political offices for the principal’s hat at 22 local schools recently. Principal for a Day is a new program from Engage in Education, an on-going community conversation about local public education. Sponsored by the Public Education Foundation, the new program gives principals for a day a greater perspective and understanding of what schools face every day. It also gives principals a day off campus with their workplace partners to experience the private-sector world. Debbie Bowe of the College of Central Florida (right) helped serve tasty treats to students at Osceola Middle alongside Principal Suzette Parker.
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The giving spirit is alive and well in Southeast Marion County. That’s where Christ Lutheran Church donated 29 Thanksgiving baskets to families of students in Lake Weir Middle School’s weekend “backpack” program. New Bethel Church also donated $500 in gift cards, and the Ocklawaha U.S. Military Vets donated cash and toys from their “Bikers for Kids at Christmas” program—all to benefit students and their families.
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The Appleton Museum of Art presents
A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family Holiday Exhibit November 12–January1,2017 The Urban Family Day: Saturday, December 3 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy free admission all day to see the exhibits and make holiday-inspired art in the ARTSpace. 1 to 3 p.m., take carriage rides, have photos taken with Santa and enjoy light refreshments. Museum, Appleton Store and ARTSpace Hours Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday: Noon-5 p.m. AppletonMuseum.org | 352-291-4455 | 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL
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D E D I 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
Let’s Get Digital
In a world where digital media is available 24/7, limiting screen time for kids can be challenging. The American Academy of Pediatrics previously recommended just two hours of screen time daily for kids over age 2, but new guidelines now recognize that a blanket rule doesn’t work for all families. The AAP identifies screen time as time spent using digital media for entertainment purposes; online homework doesn’t count against this time. Here are the new recommendations based on age:
› 18 months and younger:
Babies under 18 months shouldn’t be exposed to digital media. This is important for brain development and healthy parent-child connections. › 2-5 years: Children can be
introduced to screens, but access should be limited to just one hour per day of high-quality, educational programming that limits commercials. › 6 years and older: Although
screen time should remain limited and parents must monitor the types of digital media a child uses, parents can determine the appropriate amount of screen time for their children. › Parents: You are your child’s
Source: cnn.com
biggest role model, so make sure you’re modeling healthy digital media use. Start with a phone-free dinner policy, and check out the Family Media Plan at healthychildren.org.
GOIN' TOY CRAZY
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even dances in double time. Can you keep up? $39.99. justplayproducts.com.
7.
YVolution
The Y Flyer Kids Scooter ($149.99) features a fun pedaling motion to propel your youngster forward. What a workout! Why we love it: It folds up for easy, convenient travel to Grandma’s. Want an old-fashioned kick scooter with attitude instead? The Yvolution NEON Flash features light-up LED wheels and deck that illuminate as you go. The smooth ride makes scooting around easy. Why we love it: Come on, it’s a scooter that lights up! yvolution.com.
Top Toys
8. Shopkins Kinstructions
The best of both worlds! Build your own Shopkins world before playing with it. The Deluxe Set Food Court features a pizza parlor and sushi restaurant, not to mention a handful of super cute figures. Why we love it: You can mix and match pieces with other Kinstructions sets for endless play options. $34.99. shopkinsworld.com.
Ocala Style’s editors know a thing or two about toys. With five kids between them ranging in age from 3 to 9, these gals are no strangers to the toy aisle. Here are their top 20 editor’s picks for this upcoming season. dolls. The newest BeForever doll, Melody, features ‘60s clothing and accessories. So cute! Why we love it: The BeForever girls each come with a book sharing the doll’s history. $115, accessories sold separately. americangirl.com.
($49.99). lego.com.
1. Tonka Tinys
Tiny size, mighty fun. If your little guy or gal loves trucks, check this out! You can collect the whole set to make your own collection of city vehicles. Why we love it: They don’t take up much space at all. $2.99 each. tonka.com.
2. LEGOS
They never get old, do they? For hours of building fun we recommend LEGOS all the
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3. Pokémon
If your kids are into Pokémon GO as much as ours are, this is a must. These adorable plush creatures bring the game to life. Our favorites are Squirtle and Snorlax. (Prices and sizes vary.) Then, there’s the Throw ‘n’ Pop Poké Ball! Throw the ball to reveal an awesome 2-inch Pokémon figure ($12.99). Why we love it: It’s Pokémon. What’s not to love! tomy.com.
4. Melissa & Doug Rugs These cozy play spaces provide plenty of motivation
for creative play. We love the Round the Construction Zone Work Site and the Round the Ranch rugs. Why we love it: Each rug comes with vehicles or related figures. $29.99. melissaanddoug.com.
5. American Girl BeForever Doll—Melody If you have a young girl, you’re probably familiar with AG
9. Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash
The double figure-eight track features four intersecting crash zones sure to get the kids all worked up! Why we love it: The motorized boosters add extra excitement! $44.99. hotwheels.com.
6. Hot Diggity Dancing Mickey Plush Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog. You’re welcome! If this show is always on at your house, this Mickey is sure to become a new favorite. He sings the hot dog song, wiggles his butt and gives high fives. Why we love it: He
10. GeoSafari Jr. My First Telescope
With 10x magnification, the moon’s details will be easy
Sources: raisesmartkid.com, amazon.com
way. This year’s picks? The Friends Heartlake Riding Club ($59.99) and the NEXO KNIGHTS General Magmar’s Siege Machine of Doom
to see for your youngster. Plus, there’s two eye pieces, so no squinting! Why we love it: It’s focus-free, so no worries there. $29.99. educationalinsights.com.
rapid speeds and holds 25 Nerf darts. Why we love it: No one gets hurt! $49.99.
hasbrotoyshop.com.
14. Skylanders Imaginators
The newest adventure awaits your Skylanders-loving child. Available for most gaming consoles, now you can create your own Skylanders to battle
against the evil Kaos and his army of Doomlanders. Fight alongside the almighty Senseis, and do your part to save the Skylands. Why we love it: A whole new line of characters to collect! $74.99.
skylanders.com.
hasbrotoyshop.com.
You can customize the players to match your favorite team.
$59.99. playmobil.com.
17. Think & Learn Smart Scan Color Chameleon
18. Crayola Marker Sprayer
love it: No batteries to replace!
$29.99. crayola.com.
19. LEGO Dimensions For the first time, your LEGO creations can come to life and embark on adventures in this one-of-a-kind video gaming system. The starter pack’s all you need to get going, but the additional options are awesome! Why we love it: You can mix and match characters from different LEGO brands to join forces and solve missions together. Starter pack ranges from $79.99-$89.99 depending on platform.
Turn almost any Crayola marker into an airbrush marker! Crafts and school projects just got way more fun, and the kit comes with two stencil sheets. Why we
lego.com
20.
Our Generation Doll / Ice Cream Truck
This large ice cream truck is the perfect size for your Our Generation dolls. The truck is filled with accessories and colorful trinkets to make your next doll party a sweet success. (truck, $99.99). Need the perfect doll? Lorelei is ready to run the truck and start her business! ($29.99) target.com, ogdolls.com, battatco.com.
12. FurReal Friends Torch My Blazin’ Dragon
This thing is just cool! Torch breathes a flame-colored mist and responds to your child’s touch in plenty of ways. With posable arms, he’s cuddly, too. Why we love it: His mist can toast the included marshmallow before you feed it to him. Who thinks of this stuff? $74.99.
fisher-price.com.
Scan the 10 paint splats to ID colors and cause the chameleon to change! He also features timed challenges and active games and teaches numbers one through 10. Now that’s multitasking! Why
11. Air Hogs Thunder Trax
This is one cool R/C toy! Sand, grass, gravel, mud… no problem! With a push of a button, Thunder Trax goes from an all-terrain vehicle to a high-performance boat. Why we love it: The 200-foot range makes indoor or outdoor play a cinch. $74.99. airhogs.com.
we love it: You can even scan items around the house and the chameleon will respond by changing color. $24.99.
15. Yo Kai Watch Model Zero
If Yo Kai Watch is your kid’s favorite TV show, they’ll love this watch! This cool gadget projects short animations of the characters onto nearby surfaces and plays tribe sounds, summoning sounds and Yo-Kai names. Why we love it: There are more than 100 medals (sold separately) the watch recognizes. $29.99.
hasbrotoyshop.com.
13. Nerf N-Strike Elite Hyper Fire This Nerf dart gun is a must for any true combat specialist. This gun fires an impressive five darts per second with auto-fire
16. Playmobil NHL Hockey Arena
Use the goalie to defend against offensive plays or the joystick to maneuver the goalie from side to side! There’s also a sold separate electronic scoreboard and a Zamboni. Why we love it: DEC ’16 ›
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Last month, we asked area elementaryaged kids about their favorite toys. Here’s what they had to say!
JANUARY’S QUESTION:
What’s your favorite thing about winter break? › Entries due by December 15. 030
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Each month we pose a question to local kids in grades kindergarten through fifth. Answers can be submitted in the form of a short story, poem, paragraph or drawing. We’ll choose a few to feature each month. If your child’s submission is selected, they will receive their own Team Style bee trophy. Submissions can be emailed to melissa@ocalastyle.com or mailed to the Ocala Style Editorial Department at 1007 E Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471.
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THESE LOCAL KIDS KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN! CHECK OUT THEIR PHOTO-WORTHY MOMENTS.
St. John Lutheran’s Homecoming Court Trinity Ferko, Corrin Aselson, Jane Todd, Queen Leah Wilcox, Emily Radford and Carson Locker
Trinity Catholic Celtics take the field
St. John Lutheran School football team and cheerleaders
Vanguard High School’s Number 6 Tyree Gillespie makes a great play
North Marion High School Homecoming Court
Trinity Catholic High School Homecoming Queen Julia Ewers and Homecoming King Ryan Miller
orest High School’s Logan Sims makes a big play
Forest High School cheerleaders pump up the crowd
Lake Weir High School number 3 Davon Law warms up before the game
St. John Lutheran School fans Trinity Ferko, Blaine Baxley and Delaney Carbaugh celebrate their team
Dunnellon High School Homecoming Queen Amber Winn and Homecoming King Kalahari Bryan
Vanguard High School cheerleaders
West Port High School’s mascot Wolfie
West Port High School’s Erik Pederson Ocala Christian Academy Crusaders take the field
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Lake Weir High School Hurricanes football team
Trinity Catholic High School football players Chris Doty, Charlie Wheeler and Hunter Bates
North Marion High School cheerleaders cheer on their team
Ocala Christian Academy Homecoming Court
Forest High School football players practice for the big game
Lake Weir High School Homecoming Court
Vanguard High School Homecoming King Tyree Gillespie and Homecoming Queen Jarvai Walker
Dunnellon High School mascot and cheerleaders cheer on their team
Dunnellon Tigers are ready for the game
Ocala Christian Academy fans Tyler Keane and Austin Delles are ready for the big game Belleview High School Varsity Cheerleader Jacquelyn Pacheco leads her squad during a pep rally
Number 5 makes a great catch for North Marion High School
Mark Ebey, captain of the Belleview High School swimming team, leads his team in a pep talk before a meet
West Port High School’s Number 7 Roshard Anderson
Belleview High School Homecoming Queen Callie Abshier
WANT TO SEE YOUR KIDS ON THE PAGES OF OCALA STYLE? Send your photos from around town and local events to melissa@ocalastyle.com. Yours might just get picked! DEC ’16 ›
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Photo courtesy of Gaylord Palms
Laughing All The Way Say woo-hoo to winter break with some of the merriest family fun of the year. BY BRETT BALLANTINI The kids are out of school, and family fun is on everyone’s agenda. Take advantage of the downtime to enjoy one—or five—of our area’s many December-themed events.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
MAGIC KINGDOM, ORLANDO Through December 22
Photos courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort
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Mickey leads the celebration with this fun, winter party, featuring a traditional mix of live entertainment (including Anna and Elsa from Frozen), fireworks and a special parade. Also at the Magic Kingdom are the live shows Here Comes Mickey and Santa and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. disneyworld.disney.go.com (407) 939-5277
Holidays Around the World EPCOT CENTER, ORLANDO Through December 30
Celebrate the month as Epcot always does, with traditions spanning the globe. Highlights include the International Yuletide Extravaganza (featuring traditions from the 11 World Showcase nations), Candlelight Processional (the story of the season told through celebrity narration, a choir and 50-piece orchestra), and IllumiNations, a special fireworks display. disneyworld.disney.go.com (407) 939-5277
Kirby Family Farm’s Christmas Express WILLISTON Through December 30
Kirby’s is celebrating its fifth year running its Christmas Express train, the most popular holiday train in Florida for the past two years (so reserve your tickets early). The 20-minute ride takes visitors throughout the illuminated Kirby Farm, powered by an authentic, historic locomotive. (There are just three of its kind still active.) There’s also an imported Italian carousel for family rides, live entertainment, and a live show provided by Dance by Shelia. The farm also boasts craft and gift vendors as well as delicious food. kirbyfarm.com/the-christmas-express (352) 812-7435
ICE! Featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas
Photo courtesy of City of Ocala
GAYLORD PALMS, KISSIMMEE Through January 1
A Dickens Christmas
APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART, OCALA Through January 1
Visitors can enjoy both the Dickens Villages and many of the Urban family’s themed trees scattered throughout. Additional community decorated trees will be displayed on the second floor. The Appleton’s “Family Day” takes place on December 3, when admission is free and families can enjoy making art, photo opportunities and hopping on carriage rides. appletonmuseum.org (352) 291-4455
Photo courtesy of Kirby Family Farm Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando
Charles Schultz’s classic comes to Alpine Village of Gaylord Palms in the form of interactive ice sculptures and displays. Scenes depicted within the 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice are Snoopy’s doghouse decorations, Charlie Brown’s search for the perfect tree and rehearsing the Peanuts Gang’s Christmas play. As usual, the Alpine Village boasts its usual chilly activities, including two ice slides, snow tubing and gingerbread decorating. christmasatgaylordpalms.com (407) 586-4423
Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular
UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE, ORLANDO Through January 1
With music and comedy at center stage, this show should please even the Grinchiest member of the family. Set in Whoville’s whimsical wonderland, the expansive production is a live retelling of the classic television special. universalorlando.com (407) 363-8000
Let’s Skate Ocala!
DOWNTOWN SQUARE, OCALA Through January 8
Want the excitement of downtown skating without all that messy snow and frostbite? Ocala offers an outdoor, synthetic ice rink for skating. Check in at ocalafl.org to keep up to date with all of this year’s theme nights. ocalafl.org (352) 629-2489
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Mannheim Steamroller
Toytopia
ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER Through January 4
Here’s a fun take on history: a survey of the past 100 years of toys, tracing the development of board games, dolls and other go-to Americana toys. Toytopia boasts life-size toys and the world’s largest Etch-A-Sketch standing at 8 feet tall. Guests can also step into a larger-than-life dollhouse, which stands 20 feet and two stories tall—big enough to walk inside and play! There are toys to build with (LEGO, Lincoln Logs, K’nex), as well as a Retro Arcade featuring Donkey Kong and Missile Command. And before you leave, play a tune on the floor keyboard just like in that memorable movie scene from Big. osc.org/experiences/toytopia (417) 514-2000
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort
Jam on! Rock and roll along with some squealing electric guitar, seriously heavy bass and eye-popping visuals, as these best-selling performers make their traditional return to Florida. universalorlando.com (407) 363-8000
Photo courtesy of Gaylord Palms
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, ORLANDO December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18
Photo courtesy of Dance Alive National Ballet
Cookies For Santa
TODDLER TIME OF OCALA December 16
Cookies for Santa is a super fun toddler (ages 2-4) baking class starting at 6pm and limited to just 20 students. While cookies bake, families watch A Christmas Story and enjoy some “warm” chocolate (for young mouths). Rumor has it that Frosty the Snowman will be on hand to supervise! In case you miss this event, Toddler Time is hosting a similar class with gingerbread houses and Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 21. facebook.com/events/1250925644919321 (352) 425-0385
The Nutcracker
PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, GAINESVILLE December 16-18 Dance Alive National Ballet’s production of this all time family favorite entrances with the Sugar Plum Fairy, swirling snowflakes and toy soldiers led by their Nutcracker Prince. Dance Alive also offers two additional performances on December 17: Sugar Plum Tea matinee and A Holiday Affair evening feature. performingarts.ufl.edu/events/ (352) 392-277
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Silver Screen Fun
Movie On The Lawn: The Polar Express TODDLER TIME OF OCALA December 17
Only in Florida can you enjoy an outdoor movie during December. Snuggle under a warm blanket, roast a marshmallow by the fire and then kick back with a classic movie on an outdoor screen. facebook.com/events/1657852467871302 (352) 425-0385
The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Concert THE SHARON, THE VILLAGES December 19
Enjoying the beauty of the season calls for a stirring concert not once but twice with a matinee and evening show. Attendees are sure to be moved by the beauty of this renowned orchestra’s work. thesharon.com/schedule.php (352) 750-5411
Whether you can’t take the chill of an outdoor activity or just want to kick back with a tub of popcorn and laugh with the family, here’s the skinny on the top movies this season. • Doctor Strange: A Marvel superhero movie that uses more magic than muscle. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the title character. • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: OK, it’s not exactly a Harry Potter movie, but this J.K. Rowling work is a sort of prequel to the series. • Moana: Disney’s latest princess film features a South Pacific Islander who becomes a hero during her ocean travels. • Rogue One—A Star Wars Story: A spin-off from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the film follows a group of rebels trying to steal the plans for the Death Star. • Sing: Called the family/animated/musical comedy version of Birdman, the film takes you backstage at a theater run by a koala and a black sheep. • Trolls: A musical comedy about Troll dolls? Yep. Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick explore what life is like outside of the troll community.
A Christmas Carol
THE SHARON, THE VILLAGES December 20
Nebraska Theatre Caravan is staging this Charles Jones adaptation of A Christmas Carol, rich with ensemble music and exquisitely staged with Broadway-style scenery and costumes. Listen for classic tunes like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Away in a Manger,” “Greensleeves” and more. thesharon.com/schedule.php (352) 750-5411
GETTING BACK ON MY FEET
In 2009, on Super Bowl Sunday, my life changed.
I had stopped in Ringgold, GA, on I-75 to see if I could help a woman in a traffic accident. She was stuck in her car and was repeatedly getting hit. I was trying to help her get out of her vehicle before it was too late. As I was reaching for her, I was struck by a car entering the interstate from the on-ramp. I went under the vehicle and was drug for about 800 yards. When I arrived at the Trauma ER, I was on life support with a severe brain injury, broken hip and broken leg. I was in Trauma ICU for three weeks before being moved to regular ICU. I had surgery on my hip and leg, but I was still comatose and on a feeding tube for an additional two weeks. My condition was pretty touch and go for several weeks. They transferred me to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where I spent another three months undergoing more treatment and therapies. I am so thankful for my mom, Vanessa, who came up from Florida to be with me and was always there for me through everything. I don’t know how I could have managed without her. In June 2009, I arrived in Ocala at my Mom’s house by ambulance and continued my recovery with home care. Because the extent of my recovery was so uncertain, and because of having to move to Florida for my family to help me, I lost my children when my wife divorced me. My children are my constant inspiration throughout everything—they keep me motivated to get better always. Being in a new home, in a new city, I felt very isolated. I was really disconnected socially from people and from life. As my recovery progressed to the point where I could drive, I took charge of my life more by seeking out more therapy and ways to get to know people. Being at the Y has helped me so much! By utilizing the strength and stretch machines in a dedicated space, where I can comfortably access the equipment is amazing. And, I have coaches and staff who are always willing to give me assistance and encouragement. It has given me the confidence I needed to accomplish the work I need to do. With all my workouts and eating healthier, I am also losing weight. I feel so much happier with my life and with myself. The wellness tracking app here at the Y allows me to do personalized workouts based on what I want to achieve, while giving me weekly goals to strive for. That really helps keep me motivated to challenge myself, which is really important to me right now. It’s been a tough journey, but I am walking so much better and I’m getting stronger every day—not just physically, but mentally as well. My goal is to walk away from this wheelchair a changed man with an improved body and mind. I know everything happens for a reason, and all I can say is that this whole thing has turned out to be more than I ever thought it would be. —Nick Brown, YMCA Member
FRANK DELUCA YMCA Like Us on Facebook
NOTABLE YOU SEE THE SIGNS, VISIT THE PARKS, PLAY AT THE FIELDS, BUT HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED ABOUT THE NAMES BEHIND THEM? By Cynthia McFarland
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Photos by John Jernigan
NAMES
COME ALONG AND DISCOVER A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT SOME FAMILIAR—AND TUCKED AWAY— PLACES IN MARION COUNTY. YOUR NEWFOUND KNOWLEDGE COULD COME IN HANDY IF TRIVIAL PURSUIT EVER COMES UP WITH AN OCALA/MARION COUNTY VERSION!
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TODD C. PROSSER PARK
Photo by John Jernigan
1200 SE 11th Avenue, Ocala This serene 1.74-acre park provides a place of respite The Prosser family has lived in the Ocala area for and natural beauty in the heart of Ocala. Visitors nearly four decades; Todd often played in the park as who eat lunch at the picnic tables or walk beneath a child. After Todd’s untimely death of a heart attack the majestic old oaks are enjoying the same peaceful at age 25 in November 2000, his family turned to the surroundings once beloved by Todd C. Prosser as Adopt-a-Park program to memorialize this special a boy. location in honor of their son. The Todd C. Prosser Park was dedicated in 2001.
(State Road 200, aka College Road) Next time you’re crawling along State Road 200 in rush-hour traffic and fighting a hint of road rage, consider that in the not-too-distant past, you’d have been driving through horse pastures. That’s right. And you have Carl Rose to thank for it. An Indiana native, Rose came to Florida in 1916 to supervise the building of Florida’s first asphalt road. The savvy businessman soon realized that the wide swath of soil-enriching limestone that ran through Marion County had value far beyond road building material. Rose moved to Ocala in 1918, buying up thousands of acres, which then sold for $5 to $10 an acre. In 1936, he established Ocala’s first Thoroughbred operation, Rosemere Farm where Marion County’s first registered Thoroughbred was foaled in 1939. Many other breeders followed his lead, turning Ocala/Marion County into one of the world’s top Thoroughbred breeding and training sites. Recognized as “the father of Florida’s Thoroughbred industry,” Rose died in 1963.
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DR. N.H. JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
1900 SW 5th Street, Ocala This popular elementary school was named for Florida native Dr. Nathaniel Hawthorne Jones, who was born in 1897 in the town of Live Oak. After earning his medical degree in 1926, Jones began practicing in Ocala in 1928. He was the first black doctor to become a staff physician at then Munroe Memorial Hospital. Throughout the decades, Jones became a prominent member of the community and was also known as a civil rights leader. It seemed only fitting to name an elementary school in honor of the physician who was loved and respected throughout Ocala. In the early 1970s, Jones was tragically killed during a home invasion, but the school continues his legacy. Originally a neighborhood school when it opened in 1960, Dr. N.H. Jones became a magnet school in 1994 with a strong focus on mathematics, science and technology. Today, the school is home to about 745 students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary has been named an Apple Distinguished School and a Blue Ribbon School and was recently named the No. 1 public elementary school in the state by MSN.
Rose photo courtesy of the Florida Agricultural Hall (floridaaghalloffame.org); Fessenden and Jones photos courtesy of Marion County Public Schools
CARL G. ROSE HIGHWAY
E.D. CROSKEY RECREATION CENTER
SCOTT CARRIGAN FIELD AT CLYATT PARK
1401 SE 17th Street, Ocala The families who come to the field and the many young athletes who play baseball in Ocala should know that Scott Carrigan Field is named for a boy who was truly an inspiration. Obsessed with baseball long before he attended school, Scott officially began playing at the age of 8. Coaches say he was as good a pitcher as there was in little league. At age 11, Scott was diagnosed with leukemia. Although the cancer diminished his strength, it couldn’t dampen his courageous spirit. He continued to play the game he loved. A sixth-grade student at Osceola Middle School, Scott died in 1981 at age 12. After his passing, several coaches went to the city council requesting the field be named in his honor.
1510 NW 4th Street, Ocala The oldest established center in Ocala, the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center was built in 1951 and was initially called the War Memorial Auditorium/Recreation Center. For decades, locals knew it as the “WMA.” In February 2000, the center was renamed for Edward (E.D.) Croskey, who worked for the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department for 35 years and retired in 1987. An AfricanAmerican, Croskey was dedicated to making his community a better place for youth. This father and grandfather, who passed away in October 1998, was widely known as a kind and generous soul who loved kids and working with them. The E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, which is located within the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex, is home to the Junior Magic Basketball Program. A variety of creative programs are offered, including a kids’ summer program.
FRED KING PLAYGROUND
Photo by John Jernigan
5641 SE 113th Street, Belleview When this community-built playground opened in February 2008 at Belleview’s Cherokee Park, the dedication and ribbon-cutting honors went to Fred King. A longtime coach who has impacted the lives of many area children, King happens to be the grandfather of Cynthia Brown, Ocala Style’s office/production manager. One of King’s goals has always been to provide recreation opportunities to kids, especially those who need safe places to get outside and play. The 2.1-acre park site does just that, thanks to King’s efforts. When working in Belleview’s Recreation Department, he reached out to KaBOOM, a national non-profit playground construction organization and The Home Depot. Thanks to their contributions—and that of community businesses—the innovative playground became a reality. Kids love the playground’s imaginative design, which includes gliders, climbers, bridges and tunnels. King, 90 and now retired, appreciates the fact that the playground named in his honor is still being happily used.
FESSENDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Photo by John Jernigan
Fred King and his great grandchildren
4200 NW 89th Place, Ocala When Ferdinand Stone Fessenden’s doctor recommended he leave New England for health reasons, the wealthy entrepreneur headed south in the late 1800s and settled just north of Ocala in the hamlet of Martin. It was there, in 1890, that Fessenden discovered a tiny decrepit log cabin school, which had been established in 1868 to educate the children of freed slaves. Fessenden was so impressed with the efforts of local citizens to create and maintain the school that he stepped in and provided financial assistance to build a new school on the site and provide desperately needed supplies. He continued to support the school, which became known as a private academy for African-American students, until his death in 1899. Sold to the county school system in 1953, the school was renamed Fessenden High School; it became an elementary school in 1971. History is obvious in the coquina rock construction and rural setting of Fessenden Elementary School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Sites.
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Photo by John Jernigan
JERVEY GANTT RECREATION COMPLEX
2200 SE 36th Avenue, Ocala Jervey Gantt may have been born in Charleston, South Carolina, but he lived in Ocala since 1951, where he was the Recreation and Parks director for the City of Ocala until retiring from that position in 1980. An avid tennis player, Gantt helped bring tennis and baseball programs to Marion County’s youth. In recognition of his significant contribution to local athletics, the 60-acre recreation complex was dedicated to him in 1984. Gantt died in 1989 at the age of 77. Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex is home to multiple athletics fields, exercise trails and a memorial garden. It’s also home to the Jervey Gantt Aquatic FUN Center, which is open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
LILLIAN F. BRYANT RECREATION COMPLEX
Photo by John Jernigan
2200 NW 17th Place, Ocala The Lillian F. Bryant Recreation Complex honors the efforts of a Florida native who was born in the town of Welaka. Bryant was an AfricanAmerican woman who obtained her bachelor’s degree in education in 1944 and her master’s in education in 1952. She went on to become a teacher and was also principal of Howard Academy Elementary School and Madison Street School in Ocala. Retired from the Marion County School System in 1961, Bryant was involved in the civil rights movement and was an ordained deacon in the AME church. She was a member of the historic Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Ocala, where she was also part of the ministerial staff. The Lillian F. Bryant Recreation Complex opened in 1988, shortly after Bryant’s death. Although Bryant never had children of her own, the complex named for her has benefited countless young people over the years through after-school programs, summer camps and athletic competitions. Numerous community organizations also host events at the complex.
LETTY TOWLES DOG PARK
Photo by John Jernigan
3201 SE 24th Street, Ocala Letty Towles, a Florida native from Miami, moved to Ocala 41 years ago, drawn to the area’s majestic oak trees, rolling hills and rural atmosphere. A professional dog trainer for over five decades, Towles has trained countless area canines. She says the inspiration for the park, which she opened in November 2003, was born from her training experiences. She realized that many dog owners, especially those in senior communities, didn’t have fenced yards. She wanted to give people a safe place to get out of the house, play with their dogs and meet other dog lovers. The Letty Towles Dog Park does just that. Covering over five acres, the totally fenced park includes separate sections for small and large dogs. All dog owners are welcome as long as they follow the rules. Towles handed over operation of the dog park to the City of Ocala in 2013, and they named it after her. “I was surprised you didn’t have to be dead to have something named after you,” laughs Towles. The park is part of the Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex.
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Heath photo courtesy of HOPS
3200 SE 17th Street, Ocala Thanks to a $1 million donation in 2012 from Ocala businessman and philanthropist Frank DeLuca, the Marion County YMCA was renamed the Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center. The donation helped with a major renovation that added about 14,000 square feet to the existing 36,000-square-foot building. A long-time Ocalan widely known for his DeLuca Toyota dealership and charitable pursuits, Deluca made the donation because he believes in the Y’s focus on children and families and how it “improves the overall wellness of our community.”
Photo by John Jernigan
FRANK DELUCA YMCA FAMILY CENTER
Photo by John Jernigan
HEATHBROOK
(Shopping complex, State Road 200) One of Marion County’s earliest horse farm owners, Bonnie M. Heath II, was an Arkansas native who was in the oil business with partner Jack Dudley. After Heath and his wife, Opal, moved to Florida in 1950, he and Dudley became interested in racing, campaigning under the name D&H Stables. They had only modest success until they bought Needles, a two-year-old colt so named because of many penicillin injections when he got pneumonia as a foal. Needles became Florida’s and today is home to 431 something to remember next first national champion. He was Thoroughbred farms that cover time you’re shopping in Dillard’s. Champion Two-Year-Old Colt 70,000 acres. Bonnie Heath also has a street of 1955 and the following year Both Heath and Dudley named in his honor in Ocala. became the first Florida-bred established farms along College Dudley passed away in 1998 and to win the Kentucky Derby and Road/State Road 200. As the city Heath in 2001. Bonnie Heath Farm the Belmont Stakes; he was encroached over the decades, both relocated to northwest Marion also Champion Three-Year-Old farms—along with neighboring County where it continues to be Colt of 1956. After Needles’ Tartan Farms—were put under operated by Heath’s son, Bonnie accomplishments, Ocala’s contract in 1997 and eventually III, and his wife, Kim. Thoroughbred industry exploded became Heathbrook development,
POLLY PALMER PARK
3700 SW 27th Avenue, Ocala This 12-acre city park was originally called Paddock Park after Paddock Park Development donated it to the city in August 1984. It was renamed Polly Palmer Park by the Palmer family in remembrance of their devoted mother and wife. Today, this privately maintained park is still a tranquil spot to enjoy a picnic by the pond, feed the geese, listen to the soothing fountain or meander across the footbridge over the brook.
BARBARA GASKIN WASHINGTON ADULT ACTIVITY CENTER
210 NW 12th Avenue, Ocala Barbara Gaskin Washington, an AfricanAmerican woman much loved and respected by her community, put her beliefs into action. She not only had a distinguished career in the Marion County school system but also spent her lifetime serving her community. Those who knew Washington said she “embodied the civic call of being part of the solution.” She was a member of the NAACP, the Governor’s West Ocala Revitalization Council and the Ocala Racial Harmony and Cultural Awareness Task Force.
3001 SW College Road, Ocala A self-taught swimmer, Newt Perry attended the University of Florida on a swimming scholarship. After graduating, he became a physical education teacher and then eventually a principal, but he continued to teach swimming and even appeared in movies. He was the stunt double for Johnny Weissmuller in two Tarzan films. In 1955, Newt Perry and his wife, Dot, launched Perry Swim School in Ocala. During his lifetime, Newt taught an estimated 120,000 students to swim, including his nephew, Donald Arthur Schollander, who won a total of five gold medals and one silver in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. Located on the campus of College of Central Florida, the center with its Olympic-sized heated pool was built in 1978, and Perry was on hand for the dedication. He passed away in 1987, and the Newton A. Perry Aquatics Center was renamed in his honor in 2002. The facility serves swimmers of all skill levels and ages— from infants to seniors—in the Marion County area and is home to several high school swim teams, Marlins Swim Club, Ocala Masters Swim Club, SwimAmerica swim lessons and the Ocala Aquatics Splash Camp, among other programs.
Photo by John Jernigan
NEWTON A. PERRY AQUATICS CENTER
Washington promoted youth through her involvement with Boys and Girls Clubs and worked with the city on numerous revitalization and beautification projects. A plaque in the center, which was named for Washington in 2010, honors her as “a woman who was dedicated to opening eyes and touching hearts.” Located in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex, the Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center was designed exclusively for adult citizens, offering a location for numerous programs and activities.
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Around The Table
F O O D T H AT B R I N G S U S T O G E T H E R Written & Compiled by the Ocala Style Staff > Photography by John Jernigan
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E
very family has that one recipe that everyone looks forward to at each special gathering—whether it’s a dish handed down from generation to generation or it’s something only Grandma can make just the way you like it. For some of us here at Ocala Style, food is the centerpiece of many of our family traditions. So from our families to yours, enjoy!
K AT HY ’S FA MI LY R E CI PE :
Grandma’s Banana Cake
“My grandmother, Goldie Bell, was born in the rich farmland of Kentucky in 1892. She married at an early age and had eight children, with my mother being the youngest. By the time I came along, my grandmother had turned 60, and thankfully, I had the pleasure of spending most of my summers on the farm, being taught many of her pioneer recipes, as her children had. This recipe was one of my mother’s favorites. She usually made it on special occasions, so it has left me with warm memories of both her and my grandmother. I also cherish this photo of my grandmother and mother that was taken in 1938, and it reminds me of their close relationship and how important it is to appreciate your family.”
Make It: 3 2 1 1 1 3 1 1⁄4
cups flour cups sugar tsp salt tsp baking soda tsp ground cinnamon eggs, well beaten cup salad (vegetable) oil
1 1⁄2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 8-oz can crushed pineapple, undrained 3⁄4 cup pecans 1⁄4 cup black walnuts 2 cups chopped bananas
Combine all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl. › Add eggs and oil, stirring until all dry ingredients are moistened. Do not beat with a mixer. › Stir in vanilla, pineapple and nuts. › Add bananas. › Spoon batter into 3 well-greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. › Bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until cake test comes out clean. › Cool in pan for 10 minutes; then turn onto cooling rack. › Cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting 1 1⁄2 1 1
8-oz package cream cheese, softened cup butter, room temperature (must be real butter) 16-oz package of powdered sugar tsp vanilla
Combine cream cheese and butter. › Cream until smooth. › Add powdered sugar, beating with mixer until light and fluffy. › Stir in vanilla.
CEALIA’S FAMILY R E CI P E :
Granny’s Red Sangria
“Granny makes the best sangria I’ve ever tasted. Fifteen years ago, Martha Brannan’s— my granny—best tennis-playing friend gave her the recipe, and she made it for the first time at a holiday party. It made an outstanding impression and has yet to do otherwise. Several years later, my dad made it for a party where he remembers it receiving ‘rave reviews.’ My husband and I finally got to taste it when we were planning our wedding. Impressed would be an understatement, and we immediately sent the recipe to our caterer as our featured cocktail hour drink. Of course, we may be biased about this sangria, but odds are your next party could use it.”
Make It: 3 1 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄4 2
cups Livingston Burgundy wine cups 7UP cup brandy cup sugar tbsp cointreau
2 2 2
tbsp grenadine tbsp lime juice tbsp lemon juice sliced oranges, lemons and limes
Mix all ingredients together in a punch bowl or large beverage dispenser. (Recipe is doubled in photo.)
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It was unique because very few people I know ever heard of broccoli rabe. It’s simple, hardy, healthy and easy to make. Thank you, Mom.”
Make It: ELLIE’S FAMILY RECIPE: P E G GY SU E ’S FA MI LY R E CI PE :
Grandma’s Stuffing
“When I begin to make my grandma’s stuffing recipe, the first thing I do is put on her apron. I’m so glad she gave it to me because I have fond memories of her wearing her many colorful aprons while preparing our Sunday luncheons and holiday meals. Four generations are now using her stuffing recipe! Several of my cousins use this recipe as well with slight variations. Our grandma had time to cook decadent meals for us, and I am forever grateful to her for sharing some of her recipes with me. And I’m very happy that my daughters now use them, too.”
Make It: 2
3 4 1 3
pounds of hamburger (can also be 1 lb hamburger and 1 lb pork sausage) loaves of white bread stalks of celery, chopped fine large onion, chopped fine tablespoons of sage Approx. 2 cups of water Salt/pepper to taste
Brown the hamburger and onion and celery together. › Tear up the white bread (fresh not stale) into chunks in roasting pan. › Pour the hamburger mixture, including the grease, into the roasting pan. › Add the sage, salt and pepper. › Add water a little at a time, and mash everything together. I use a hand-held potato masher to do this. You want just enough water to make the mixture slightly moist but not wet and standing in water. › Make a hole in the center of everything big enough to lay a 10-pound (or less) turkey. › Stuff the turkey loosely while the rest of the stuffing surrounds the turkey. Bake according to turkey instructions minus 25°F, and add cooking time if needed until the turkey is done. › If your turkey is over 10 pounds, do not cook the stuffing with the turkey or it will get overdone. Instead add the stuffing to the turkey during the last 2-3 hours of cooking. › Serves 10.
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Mom’s Rappini Broccoli Rabe
“This dish is commonly sold in the United States as rappini, but to Italians it’s broccoli rabe. It’s a green cruciferous vegetable that sometimes resembles its cousin broccoli. It’s a lot leafier and has a slightly bitter taste. It’s widely used throughout Italy and Greece. In southern Italy, where we are from, it’s either a side dish or added to pasta. Of all the traditional Italian dishes my mother made, pasta and broccoli rabe was unique and her signature dish. She always told us her recipe was passed down from generation to generation through memory and never written down.
1 1 1⁄2 5 1 1⁄4 1⁄4 1⁄4
box spaghetti bunch of rappini (broccoli rabe) cup extra virgin olive oil large cloves of garlic tablespoon salt teaspoon salt teaspoon pepper teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Reggiano-Parmesan cheese
Add to a pot of boiled water 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 box of spaghetti. › Cook approximately 10 minutes. › Drain, but set aside 1/4 cup of the pasta water. › Cut off approximately 1 inch of the stems from the broccoli rabe. › Cut entire bunch in thirds. › Place in a large bowl with cold water, and rinse. › Drain, but make sure the broccoli rabe remains wet. › In a large sauce pan with lid, over medium heat, add olive oil; sauté garlic until translucent, and add red pepper flakes. › Add the entire drained bowl of broccoli rabe. › Add 1/4 teaspoon salt. › Give it a quick stir, and then add lid. › Stir gently at medium heat; then reduce heat to low, and cook for approximately 8 minutes with lid on but checking every few minutes. › The broccoli rabe will reduce as it cooks. › Leave the garlic in pan because it will cook down to a sweet taste in the dish. › Add the pasta to the sauce pan of cooked broccoli rabe, and stir well. › Add the drained pasta water. › Empty entire sauce pan onto a large platter. › Grate fresh Reggiano-Parmesan cheese over dish. › Drizzle with olive oil, and serve family style. › Serves 4.
Make It: 8
CINDY ’S FAMILY RECIPE:
Grandma’s German Beef Rouladen
“My grandmother, Irene, has always been one of my favorite people. She was a little Italian woman full of energy and a great cook, spending most of her time in the kitchen. This recipe was one of our family favorites. When you caught a whiff of this, you knew you were in for an amazing treat! Her husband, Fritz (my grandfather), was German, and so she must have learned this recipe by his request, as it is widely known in Germany. There are many variations, and the traditional way to make this is with cut up pickles, but our family left them out by preference. She would serve it with freshly snapped green beans, mashed potatoes and fresh bread and butter. My husband loves this dish, and we now make it at least once a month—and every time we do, I think of her.”
4-oz pieces round steak, pounded to 1⁄4 inch thick 1⁄4 cup Dijon Mustard (we use Grey Poupon) 1⁄2 cup minced onion 8 slices bacon cut in half 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons black pepper 3 tablespoons canola oil 1 12-oz can beef broth 1 1⁄4 cup water 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup warm water Spread 1/2 tablespoon of mustard on one side of each piece of meat. › Place two slices of bacon side by side on each piece. › Sprinkle onions, salt and pepper over top, and then roll the steaks and tie them with cooking string. › Heat the canola oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Cook meat on all sides until browned. › Add the beef broth and water, and bring to a boil. › Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes. › Remove the meat rolls. › Strain the broth mixture, and return the liquid to the dutch oven. › Whisk together flour and 1 cup of water. › Slowly pour the flour/water mixture into the skillet, stirring continually until the sauce has thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. › Return rolls to the sauce, and serve.
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J ES S I’S FAM I LY R E C I P E :
K A R I N ’S FA MI LY RECIPE:
Mom’s Cream Potatoes “My mom was my best friend, and she was an amazing cook. Everyone said so. Holidays and family gatherings were her specialty and were always looked forward to. This cream potato recipe has been in our family for some time. We all loved it when she made it and made sure to bring our own Tupperware so we could get leftovers to take home. We had to! She only made the potatoes twice a year at Christmas and Easter. She said they were just too rich and fattening to have all the time, and we needed something to look forward to. I intend to continue on with her traditions to always have a part of her with me. I think your family will love this recipe as much as mine does.”
Make It: 3 1 1⁄4
lbs red potatoes pint whipping cream lb butter Salt and pepper to taste
Boil red potatoes for 15-20 mins or until soft. › Slice potatoes. › Heat whipping cream and butter until butter is melted, stirring often. › Pour whipping cream and butter mixture onto potatoes in a casserole dish. Gently stir to cover potatoes. › Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
Key Lime Pie
“A good portion of my traveling childhood was spent in tropical Key West, Florida. It was during my time there that Key West had a short secession from the United States union and became the ‘Conch Republic.’ Although this secession didn’t last, Key West remains unique in its culture, like nowhere else in the ‘mainland’ United States. A perfect example of this uniqueness is the Key lime, a famous namesake that is most popularly known for being the main ingredient in Key lime pie. There are many variations of this world-famous dish that hails from the Conch Republic, but not many taste authentic. My recipe always takes me back to those slower, warmer days in the Keys—and while everyone else who tries it may not have the same memories, this tangy and refreshing treat is always gobbled up quickly at holiday gatherings that tend to have a lot of rich dishes. The ‘keys’ (no pun intended) to my recipe are the lime juice (must be from actual Key limes) and real, freshly whipped cream.”
Make It: Key Lime Pie
9-inch graham cracker pie crust 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk 3 egg yolks (whites not used) 1⁄2 cup Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice or juice squeezed from fresh Key limes Combine condensed milk, egg yolks and lime juice. › Blend until smooth. › Pour filling into pie crust and bake at 350ºF for 15 minutes. › Allow to stand 10 minutes before refrigerating. › Refrigerate at least 2-4 hours before topping with whipped cream. › Garnish with lime slices.
Graham Cracker Crust
1 1⁄2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs 6 tablespoons butter, melted 1⁄3 cup white sugar Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until well blended. › Press mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. › Bake at 375°F for 7 minutes. › Cool.
Whipped Cream
1 1⁄2 cups heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons sugar Place mixing bowl (preferably metal but any will do) and metal whisk/ beaters into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. › Place the sugar into the mixing bowl, and add the whipping cream. › Whisk just until the cream reaches stiff peaks. › Store in the refrigerator until pie is cool enough.
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spend her birthday together, baking pound cake. Every year since, we’ve gathered together on or around her birthday and spent the day baking a dozen or more pound cakes. This year will be our 12th year honoring her in this way. It’s our twist on an old tradition, and we all agree: It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a slice of Granny’s pound cake.”
K RI STY ’S FA MI LY RE C IPE:
Granny’s Marbled Pound Cake
“This marbled pound cake recipe originates with my grandmother, my mother’s mother. Each year when Christmas rolled around,
my grandmother did her very best to ensure that there was something under the tree for each of her six children, their spouses and her 13 grandkids. As a single parent, often that was no easy task. At some point in the late ‘80s, she turned to her love and talent for baking in order to have a gift for everyone come Christmas Eve. She spent every day of the two weeks preceding Christmas baking pound cake. She poured her heart into it, and it wasn’t just our family that benefited. She passed loaves of pound cake out to everyone: extended family, friends and neighbors. Essentially everyone she knew got at least one cake—and sometimes two. In 2005, my grandmother unexpectedly and suddenly passed away. That first Christmas was difficult. Granny was a December baby and had an affinity for Christmas. Our family struggled with our holiday spirit that first year. In an effort to celebrate and honor her memory, we decided to
Make It: Plain Pound Cake Batter 1 1 3 5 3 1⁄2 1⁄2 1 3
cup Crisco stick butter cups sugar eggs cups flour tsp baking powder tsp salt cup milk tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 300°F. › Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. › In separate bowl, cream crisco, butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time. › Add vanilla to milk, and set aside. › Alternate adding dry mixture and vanilla/milk into wet mixture. › Mix until batter comes together. Do not over beat. › Set aside.
Chocolate Pound Cake Batter 1 1 3 5 1 1 1⁄2 3 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2
cup Crisco stick butter cups sugar eggs tsp vanilla cups milk cups flour tsp salt cup unsweetened cocoa powder tsp baking powder
Mix flour, salt, cocoa powder and baking powder. Set aside. › In a separate bowl, cream crisco, butter and sugar. Add eggs. › Add vanilla to milk, and set aside. › Alternate adding dry mixture and vanilla/milk into wet mixture. › Mix until batter comes together. Do not over beat. › Set aside.
Marbled Pound Cake
Make each of the above recipes. › In greased loaf pan, alternate dropping plain and chocolate batter by spoonfuls into the bottom of pan. (Should look like a checkerboard.) › For the next layer, drop alternating colors on top of the first layer. Repeat this, filling each pan 2/3rds full. › Once pan is full, take butter knife and insert into pan swirling batters. Do not over mix. › Bake at 300°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. *Each cake recipe makes approximately two pound cakes. Marbling batters will result in approximately four cakes total. DEC ’16 ›
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How prescribed burns benefit Florida’s forests BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND
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Photo Courtesy of Florida Forest Service
T
here are few natural disasters more terrifying—or destructive— than wildfire. Last year, over 2 million acres burned in 58,916 human-caused wildfires, and that doesn’t count the damage from fires started by natural causes, like lightning. Florida has had its share of devastating fires. In 1935, the Big Scrub Fire in the Ocala National Forest consumed 35,000 acres in just four hours. The event made national headlines as the fastest-spreading fire in the nation’s history. Barely two decades later, the 1956 Buckhead Fire in the Osceola National Forest burned 100,000 acres in one day. Looking at statistics like this, it seems ironic that one of the best ways to fight fire is with fire itself. But it’s true. According to the Florida Forest Service, prescribed burning, which some people refer to as controlled burning, is the controlled application of fire to accomplish planned land management objectives. Simply put, it’s a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk.
In 1935, the Big Scrub Fire in the Ocala National Forest consumed 35,000 acres in just four hours.
The event made national headlines as the fastest-spreading fire in the nation’s history. Topping the list of desired objectives is fuel reduction. Creating a plan and carefully burning an area greatly reduces the fuel (dead fall, underbrush and debris, such as leaves and pine needles) that feeds any fire, allowing prescribed burns to go a long way toward limiting damage from future wildfires in the area. Native wildlife, including at-risk species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and Florida’s gopher tortoise, also benefit from prescribed burning, as fire opens the area and destroys forest “litter,” which in turn encourages native vegetation to grow and thrive,
providing forage and improving their environment. Some birds, such as quail and the Florida scrub jay, require specific types of vegetation cover for nesting that is directly influenced by frequent prescribed burning. Fire contributes greatly to forestland regeneration and growth. Many native plants struggle to grow when dense layers of dead leaves and natural debris prevent seeds from germinating. Fire removes that debris so seeds can reach fertile soil. In addition, prescribed fire prevents shade-tolerant plants from overwhelming pines and other fire-tolerant species. DEC ’16 ›
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Fire also helps control and eliminate disease, such as brown spot needle blight in longleaf pines. It’s been shown that prescribed burning can improve the growth of long leaf pines by 10 to 12 years.
Burning For A Good Cause
Florida, a state with some 17 million acres of forest land, authorizes more prescribed burns than any other state in the country. John Saddler, prescribed fire manager with Florida Forest Service, notes that each year prescribed burning takes place on 2.2 million acres. The practice, although now more precise, is certainly nothing new. In Florida’s early days, Native Americans and settlers instituted the first “controlled burns” after witnessing how forest land rebounded from fires started by natural causes, as the lush growth of desirable plants attracted more wildlife. Many of Florida’s sensitive ecosystems are considered fire dependent, or fire adapted, meaning they rely on fire to remain healthy and biologically diverse, explains Saddler, who works out of the Tallahassee office. “Lightning causes a lot of natural fires, so the land has adapted to having frequent fires even before people ever lived here,” he adds.
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The length of time it takes to see the benefits of prescribed burns varies, depending on the objectives for burning in the first place. For example, an immediate benefit is the reduction of threat from wildfires (and intensity if they do occur) due to a reduction of fuel. On the other hand, if the intention is to restore a specific native grass to the area, this could take several years. How often a section of woodland is designated for prescribed burn depends on that particular ecosystem and the desired objectives. “We try to keep most of our forest land on a threeto five-year rotation,” says Saddler. “If you don’t do this, you get a lot of fuel build up, and that changes the ecosystem. We try to burn a pine savannah every one to three years, but a scrub area might only be burned every 10 years. Frequency varies depending on the type of land and the objectives.”
How It’s Done
In Florida, many prescribed burns are conducted during the winter months when cooler weather helps protect the trees in the burn area. This is also a time when cold fronts frequently come through, making the weather immediately after the front more predictable and with lower humidity, which is ideal for burning. Plenty of planning goes into every prescribed burn before a single spark is ignited. Fire management experts view the site, decide which type of fire is needed and write a burn plan. Wait a minute. Isn’t fire, well, fire? Not exactly. The professionals know how to create “cool” fires that burn slowly and with less intensity or “hot” fires that burn rapidly and intensely. “If you have an area that hasn’t seen fire in a long time, you want to start with a cooler fire, not a hot fire initially, because there will be a lot of fuel,” notes Saddler.
Many of Florida’s sensitive ecosystems are considered fire dependent, or fire adapted, meaning
they rely on fire to remain healthy and biologically diverse.
Photo Courtesy of Florida Forest Service
Is Your Home Safe From Fire? As a homeowner, you can take important steps to make your home and property less vulnerable to wildfire. Research has shown that the “defensible space” (the area within 30 feet of your home) is a critical zone. Look closely at your entire yard—especially this area close to your house—and take steps to make it as safe as possible by utilizing the following tips:
• Maintain “lean, clean, green” landscaping (small amounts of flammable vegetation; no dead vegetation; healthy, well-irrigated plants and lawn).
• Replace flammable material like bark and The fire-management team also takes into consideration surrounding populated areas and how they will be affected by the burn. “It’s very important to know where the smoke will go,” says Saddler, explaining that they use a process called “smoke modeling” (or “smoke screening”) to determine this. Using computer technology and weather forecast data, the burn team can see a predicted smoke plume for the area they plan to burn. “If there’s a town, school, hospital or roadway, we don’t want smoke in those areas for health and visibility reasons. If we need a particular wind direction to keep smoke from going toward certain areas, this helps us determine which day to burn. “Although it’s inconvenient to deal with smoke from a prescribed fire, it’s not as bad as it would be from a wildfire,” he points out. “We really do our best to minimize the impact from smoke, but we’re trying to maintain a healthy forest, and, in Florida, that requires burning.” Before conducting a burn, fire managers also check existing firebreaks (creeks, rivers, roads, previously harrowed firelines, etc.) to be sure they are adequate to contain the blaze. Ideally, they use a natural firebreak, which may be a creek or dirt road, as the starting point. “We start a small test fire to make sure the smoke is going in the direction we want and the fire is burning in a way that will meet our objectives,” says Saddler. “If this test fire checks out, we continue lighting what we call a ‘baseline’ along the downwind edge of the area to be burned. The fire widens this area, increasing the width of the firebreak on the downwind side. We call this a ‘backing’ fire.”
In fire terminology, a backing fire moves slowly, as compared with a head fire, which moves with the wind, feeding the flames to create a fire that burns hotter and faster than a backing fire. By using a natural firebreak, this backing fire rapidly creates a “blackline,” a strip of land anywhere from 50 to 100 feet wide. As the vegetation in this strip quickly becomes blackened from the burn, this prevents flames from jumping the blackline and burning the area behind the line that isn’t part of the prescribed burn. The prescribed burn managers then go in behind this first line and light additional fires. They often use “grid ignition,” meaning they light small fires in multiple areas, rather than lighting one whole line of fire. “It’s all about keeping an eye on the wind, which can be tricky in Florida, because the sea breezes can make the wind change directions,” adds Saddler.
Wildlife Concerns
Although wildfires can be devastating to wild animals, in most cases, prescribed burning is rarely deadly. “Most animals do well. Fire is a natural thing in Florida, and most animals know what to do,” says Saddler. Even though wildlife benefits from prescribed burning, they still have to get away from the fire. Some flee or fly to safety, while others hunker down and wait for the fire to pass through.
wood chips near structures with gravel or rock.
• Prune trees so lowest limbs are 6 to 10 feet from ground.
• Thin out trees and shrubs so there is 10 to 15 feet between tree crowns.
• Keep grass mowed, and remove weeds. • Remove vines and shrubs from trees, as
these “ladder fuels” can carry fire from the ground up into the treetops.
• Remove anything (trees, shrubs, etc.)
close to the structure that could carry fire to the roof or eaves.
• Keep roof free from leaves, pine needles, branches and debris.
• Don’t use highly flammable plants in
landscaping, such as saw palmetto, wax myrtle, yaupon, red cedar, cypress and young pines.
• Don’t stack firewood close to your home. • Keep propane tanks at least 50 feet from all structures.
• Make sure you have at least 100 feet of hose and a spigot accessible near the house.
Source: Florida Forest Service, freshfromflorida.com
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Photo Courtesy of Florida Forest Service
Before You Burn For burn authorization on private land in the Waccasassa Forest area, which includes Marion County, call (352) 395-4951. For more information about fire safety, visit freshfromflorida.com and click on “outdoor burning” under the heading “Prescribed Fire.” You can also download the free brochure “Know The Law…Before You Strike That Match.” Florida Forestry Arson Alert Hotline (800) 342-5869
The dead pine that fell in last week’s storm that you’ve neatly chopped up doesn’t qualify as yard waste. If
“A lot of animals use gopher tortoise burrows to hide out from the fires,” Saddler notes. Research shows that dozens of species use these burrows, which are typically 15 feet long and at least 6 feet deep, for refuge during times of fire. “When animals run into trouble is when a wildfire starts in an area with unnaturally high fuel loading, such as an area that hasn’t burned in 30 years. The fire will be very intense with all that fuel. But if you have an area that you burn every five years, even a wildfire won’t be very intense in that area.”
Burning On Private Land
So if fire is helpful for managing Florida’s woodlands, does that mean landowners can burn their own property as they see fit? The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.” Marion County has significant acreage dedicated to agriculture, and many farmers burn pastures to improve grazing. You may own the land, but you can’t just go out and set fire to your field. “Any kind of acreage burning—what we call a ‘broadcast’ burn—requires that you call for authorization,” says Saddler. “And if you’ve never burned before and are interested in doing it, someone from the Florida Forest Service can come out, look at your property and give recommendations.” Once you have authorization for such a burn, you must also have equipment on hand to contain/ suppress the fire (tractor, etc.) and meet greater
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you want to burn a downed tree, this requires a call to the Florida Forest Service for authorization. setback requirements than those for burning yard waste. Think twice before burning right after it’s rained. You might think this is safer, but because the material you’re burning is wet, this creates much more smoke. Plus, it’s likely to not burn completely, so you’ll have to tackle it again once the material has had time to dry out. What about burning leaves and dead branches when cleaning up your yard? Yard waste does not require authorization to burn, so long as it meets the following requirements: • Pile is less than 8 feet in diameter (about the area of a full-size pickup truck bed) or is in a non-combustible container, such as a metal barrel • Is at least 25 feet from your residence • Is at least 150 feet from any other occupied building • Is at least 25 feet from any woodlands, brush or combustible structure (barn, shed, garage, etc.) • Is at least 50 feet from any paved public road • Burning is not currently prohibited by any local city or county ordinances • Fire is started no earlier than 9am (Eastern) and extinguished one hour before sunset
Even when you’re just burning yard debris, it’s a good idea to call your local fire department before you get started. They can tell you if there are specific city/county laws you need to follow or if there is a burn ban in place, which happens routinely during times of drought. Once you know it’s OK to burn, you’ll want to prepare the area beforehand by raking down to bare soil around the burn pile to prevent the fire from spreading. If burning in a barrel, place a sheet of wire mesh over the top to deter sparks from escaping. Burning in a spot where a water hose is accessible and wetting down the soil are smart additional precautions. Keep in mind, the dead pine that fell in last week’s storm that you’ve neatly chopped up doesn’t qualify as yard waste. If you want to burn a downed tree, this requires a call to the Florida Forest Service for authorization. Some items are illegal to burn at any time, including household garbage, paper products, treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticide, paint and aerosol containers. Always remember, fire is serious business. Even if you’re just burning yard waste and the fire gets away from you, you can be held financially liable if the fire department has to come and/or the fire damages neighboring property.
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MED CAL
BREAK-
Thr UGHS YOU NEED TO KN W ABOUT BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND
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PROMISING TREATMENT FOR ALZHEIMER’S
l contro o t ium s? s? Op eat syphili e i b a to tr ng b teethi d mercury ? r o f s e n liar orphin ? Arsenic a a symptom such pecu e m s at ea diarrh o ease asth k to dismis red legitim e ic nt Heroi be too qu ime consid n t way i Don’t re at one ditions. g n o l a we con ing these esses and ave come vances be e f o l l h A th ad illn ents. er of ments atest rious treatm to treat va dical treat e of the l up a numb f which e s o d om option ine and m e, with s ’ve rounde ghs, some better. c m Medi ly short ti ulous. We reakthrou ve—for the irac u lo al b tive a rela short of m ent medic omeone yo g ec fs nothin pressive r —or that o e m f i i more nge your l a h c may
M
H
ailed as “the best news for dementia in 25 years,” a new antibody has been shown to substantially reduce the harmful protein deposits (beta-amyloid plaques) found in the brains of patients with earlystage Alzheimer’s disease. D eveloped by the University of Zurich, the antibody known as Aducanumab significantly slowed cognitive decline in patients treated with it over a one-year trial. Treated patients showed almost complete clearing of the harmful plaques. The clinical study included 165 patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Two larger clinical trials involving 2,700 patients from 20 different countries are currently underway to further evaluate safety and efficacy. The drug has been put on the “Fast Track” program by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed up development.
FECAL TRANSPLANTS TO TREAT INTESTINAL INFECTIONS
A
bout a half million Americans are infected annually with Clostridium difficile (C. diff ), a potentially life-threatening bug that causes hard-to-treat intestinal infections and diarrhea. This nasty bug contributes to the death of 30,000 people each year. Although C. diff is often found in the gut, it can become dangerous when beneficial bacteria are killed off, typically by taking antibiotics. That’s where fecal microbiota therapy (FMT) comes into play. Think of it as fighting bad bacteria with good bacteria. And where does
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that good bacteria come from? Someone else’s poop. Ideally, from a healthy person living in the same environment as the patient. (The donor’s stool is carefully screened to avoid disease transmission.) The transplant is usually done via colonoscopy. Success rates of 91 to 97 percent are reported, which is especially significant when you consider most are resistant cases. The majority of FMT patients were free of diarrhea within three days after one treatment.
Fecal tran performedsplants, colonosco via success rapy, have of 91-97% tes .
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ARE YOU AT RISK?
F
ollowing the premise that forewarned is forearmed, researchers have found a better way to predict future risk of heart attack, stroke and death, even in patients who appear healthy. The new blood test measures blood levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a compound the liver produces after a person eats certain nutrients found in meats, egg yolks and full-fat dairy products. Studies have shown that TMAO directly contributes to the narrowing of artery walls due to plaque buildup. The higher the level of TMAO, the more susceptible that person is to the risk of a cardiac event. Patients with high levels of TMAO may need to change their diet, lose weight and possibly take medication to lower lipids. Now available through Cleveland HeartLab, the test is considered by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to be one of the top advances in the science of heart disease and stroke.
BRAIN DEFIBRILLATOR STOPS GRAND MAL SEIZURES
F
or the 3 million Americans living with epilepsy, as many as 40 percent have seizures that are uncontrolled because of disturbances in the brain’s normal electrical function. Of those seizures, the type known as “grand mal” involves violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness. Drugs are typically used to treat seizures, but aren’t always effective. A new therapy known as Neuropace (or the RNS System) can stop seizure activity by enhancing brain stimulation. It has been described as a “pacemaker for the brain.” The implanted device, about the size of a flash drive, “continuously monitors electrical activity in the brain, detects abnormal electrical activity and delivers imperceptible levels of electrical stimulation to normalize that activity before the patient can sense an oncoming seizure.” The RNS System is reversible and doesn’t require removal of any brain tissue.
LEADLESS PACEMAKERS
F
or someone with an irregular heart rhythm, a pacemaker can literally be a lifesaver. Traditional pacemakers use a “lead” to travel through a vein, across a valve and to the heart. However, that lead has long been considered the “weakest link” of the whole system because it can become infected, get dislodged, erode and cause serious complications. Adverse events typically occur in about 10 percent of patients. Enter the new leadless pacemaker. About one-tenth the size of a traditional pacemaker, the leadless pacemaker integrates the pulse generator and the sensingpacing electrode into one compact unit. While traditional pacemakers are inserted surgically, the leadless models are put in place in one chamber of the heart via catheterization through a vein in the leg. Once in the correct place, the pacemaker is “anchored” by a tiny corkscrew-like tip. Common complications should be eliminated because of the surgery-free insertion and the device, which is designed to be removable, has a battery life expectancy of seven to 10 years.
MORE SENSITIVE CANCER SCREENING
C
ancer can’t be treated unless it’s detected, but some of the most deadly cancers aren’t easy to diagnose until they are advanced. Because cancer produces abnormal proteins, blood tests are used in diagnosis, but the problem has been that such tests weren’t always able to identify the proteins in question. Researchers have begun testing new protein analysis that allows those proteins to be found sooner, so vital cancer treatment can be started at an earlier stage. The new tests identified twice as many cases of ovarian cancer at this earlier stage than tests currently used. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic hope this will result in longer survival rates for patients with pancreatic, ovarian and prostate cancers.
INTRAOPERATIVE RADIATION THERAPY (IORT) FOR BREAST CANCER SURGERY
A
s if a diagnosis of breast cancer isn’t bad enough, many women have had to endure standard radiation therapy, which often means five days of treatment per week over a course of five to six weeks. Typically used on patients in the early stage of the disease, IORT can reduce the need for this additional radiation therapy. It allows the oncologist to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation therapy directly to the tumor bed after the tumor has been removed surgically. The radiation helps destroy any microscopic tumor cells left behind. Healthy tissues and organs are protected because of the precise application of radiation. IORT only takes a few minutes, but it gives a “boost” for those patients whose doctors recommend radiation treatment after surgery, and they usually have fewer complications. IORT also allows more patients to take advantage of nipple-sparing surgeries, even if a full mastectomy is required.
I SPY A BIONIC EYE
N
ow approved by the FDA, the Argus® II Retinal Prosthesis System (Argus II) is being hailed as a bionic eye of sorts. This retinal prosthesis is designed to provide partial sight for people suffering from blindness caused by severe to profound retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that destroys the photoreceptors in the eye. The device is implanted on the retina and receives a signal from an eyeglass-mounted camera. Patients with this new “artificial retina” are now able to discern between light and dark, an improvement that allows better function and more independence.
ONE-DROP BLOOD TESTS
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esearchers at the University of Victoria (Canada) have developed a less invasive method of blood testing to screen for cancer. All that’s needed is a pinprick and one single drop of blood. From that one drop of blood, which is collected on a filtered paper, up to 25 tests can be conducted and markers found for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and signs of prostate and ovarian cancers. Some U.S. laboratories are already using similar one-drop testing to check for thyroid cancer.
STEM CELL PROGRESS
R
esearch continues on stem cells and reveals impressive progress. Adult stem cells from skin and bone marrow in particular have been shown to identify damaged tissue and produce near perfect repairs when re-injected into animals that have been given artificial strokes or heart attacks. Additional studies have shown that bone marrow from an adult human can form healthy brain tissue.
DEC ’16 ›
059
itions PANCREAS ARTIFICIAstLudies done under “real world” cosindgnificantly
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PEN-SIZED MICROSCOPE CAN IDENTIFY CANCER CELLS
urgeons rely on vision, sense of touch and pre-operative images of the brain when removing malignant brain tumors. Once the patient is on the operating table with their skull open, there’s no time to send samples to a lab to definitively determine which cells are cancerous and which are normal. Researchers at the University of Washington (in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Stanford University and the Barrow Neurological Institute) have developed a small, hand-held microscope capable of identifying cancer cells. This technology will allow surgeons to “zoom in” and observe the area at the cellular level so they can clearly differentiate between tumor and normal tissue. The goal is to allow a surgeon to remove all cancerous cells, leaving none behind. With human trials expected to start next year, the research team hopes surgeons will be using the device by 2018 to 2020.
Researchers are presently working on ways to use stem cells to treat cardiovascular disease using “heart patches” in a pig, which, in the animal world, is a close approximation to a human heart. This is considered the last major hurdle before trials can move forward in human patients. Another study successfully used lowpowered lasers to activate stem cells and stimulate the growth of teeth in rats and human dental tissue, so one day it may be possible to regrow missing teeth.
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MELTING SENSORS MONITOR BRAIN INJURY
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t sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a new class of electronic biomedical implants that can dissolve harmlessly in the human body. Roughly the size of a penny, these tiny sensors can monitor swelling and brain pressure after surgery. Unlike conventional monitoring implants that carry risks of infection, allergic reaction, inflammation and even hemorrhage, the new sensors can transmit signals wirelessly and are absorbed into the body once they’re no longer needed. Because they’re made of bioabsorbable materials, they literally “melt away,” eliminating the risk of additional surgery for their removal. Human trials are the next step for this promising technology.
Sources: fda.gov, cancer.org, futuretimeline.net, webmd.com, cdc.gov, rdasia.com, clevelandheartlab.com, neuropace.com
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The Sixth Taste Sure, we all crave sweet and salty flavors, but have you ever found yourself craving starch?
Sources: thetelegraph.co.uk, livescience.com
Yes, apparently that’s an actual thing. Juyun Lim, associate professor of food science and technology at Oregon State University, was intrigued by the love of all things starch and decided to give it an in depth look. Previously, the receptors on our taste buds were only believed to categorize food into five taste groups: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Now, food scientists are considering the possibility of a sixth flavor: starchy. To test his theory, Dr. Lim gave 22 participants different levels of carbohydrates dissolved in liquid solutions. They all responded similarly, describing a “starchy” taste, suggesting that humans can pick up on starch before it has been broken down into sugar. Although no specific taste buds have been found on the human tongue yet, in theory, scientists are reasoning that the body’s way of detecting natural carbs could be attributed to “the sixth taste.” Take that one to the bank.
CHOCOL ATE CON F ECTION S ADD A LITTLE COLOR CATCH I N ' U P WITH F IS H HAWK
OU R B E ST R E C I PE S , R E STAU R ANT N E WS AN D CU LI NARY QU I C K B ITE S
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A Winter Candyland
In the year 1847, Joseph Fry was the first known person to mix cocoa powder, sugar and cocoa butter, thus creating the chocolate that we know and love today. It is, arguably, one of the greatest inventions of all time. Take that, sliced bread.
T
hough we have our favorite prepackaged brands available for purchase pretty much everywhere, homemade chocolate is one way of celebrating this new winter season. Try your hand at making fudge with these yummy recipes. But first, here are some tips to help the cause.
1. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS. Making fudge
requires much patience. Allow the mixture to reach its specific temperature before moving on to other steps. Add ingredients in the order listed.
2. STIR WISELY. Stir the ingredients as the
recipe directs you to. If a recipe requires milk, stirring will prevent curdling. For fudge, once it reaches 236-238°F, stop stirring to avoid a grainy texture.
3. COOL IT. When fudge reaches 236-238°F,
it’s done. Remove the chocolate from heat so it does not continue to cook.
4. DON’T SCRAPE THE PAN. When transferring
Dark Chocolate Cherry Fudge 1 1⁄2 2⁄3 2 1⁄4 2 1 2⁄3 3⁄4 1 064
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cups granulated sugar cup evaporated milk tablespoons butter or margarine teaspoon salt cups miniature marshmallows cups dark chocolate morsels cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped teaspoon vanilla extract
Line 8-inch-square baking pan with foil. › Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. › Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. › Boil, stirring constantly, for 4-5 minutes. › Remove from heat. › Stir in marshmallows, morsels, dried cherries and vanilla extract. › Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. › Pour into prepared baking pan. › Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. › Lift from pan; remove foil. › Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Sources: marthastewart.com, allrecipes.com, recipetips.com
warm fudge from the saucepan to cooling pan, don’t scrape the chocolate into the cooling pan. Doing so could allow unwanted sugar crystals to transfer into your finished product. The warm fudge should pour easily into the cooling pan—no scraping required.
Chocolate Fudge 6
3 1 3 1 4 2
tablespoons chilled unsalted butter cut into small pieces, plus more for pan and bowl cups sugar tablespoon cocoa powder Large pinch of fine sea salt tablespoons light corn syrup cup milk ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Butter an 8-by-8-inch, straightsided baking pan. › Line with parchment paper; set aside. › Butter a large, shallow, stainlesssteel bowl; set aside. › In a 3-quart saucepan, whisk to combine the sugar, cocoa and salt. › Place over medium-low heat, and add corn syrup and milk, stirring until smooth. Add chocolate. › Cook, stirring, until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolved before it reaches a boil. › Brush down sides of saucepan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent crystallization. › Increase the heat to high, and cook until it reaches 236°F. › Pour into prepared bowl without scraping the sides of the saucepan. › Dot top with butter. › Let cool to 110-118°F on an instant-read thermometer without disturbing, about 1 hour. › Add vanilla. › Using a plastic dough scraper, transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer. › Using the paddle attachment, beat on low speed until the butter and vanilla are completely incorporated. › Increase speed to medium, and beat, stopping occasionally, until fudge keeps its shape when dropped from a spoon and sheen is gone, 3 to 8 minutes. › Using a clean plastic dough scraper, transfer to prepared baking pan, spreading evenly. › Before fudge sets completely, score with a knife into 1-inch squares. › Let stand until completely cooled. › Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
Candy Concoctions We’ve covered fudge, so next up: chocolate candies. The more the merrier, we say. Here are some tips for creating the perfect sweet treat.
1. USE CHOCOLATE MOLDS ONLY. These must be specific in order for the chocolate to release properly from the mold.
Tasty Chocolate Candies 1⁄2 1⁄2 3 1⁄2
cup coconut oil cup cocoa powder tablespoons honey teaspoon vanilla extract
2. CHECK THE MOLDS. For a
Gently melt coconut oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. › Stir cocoa powder, honey and vanilla extract into melted oil until well blended. › Pour mixture into a candy mold or pliable tray. › Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
3. STORE AT ROOM
Mint Chocolate Candy
smooth finished product, make sure the molds are clean, 100 percent dry and are not dusty or scratched. TEMPERATURE. Make sure the molds are the same temperature as the chocolate being poured in.
4. NOT TOO COLD. After being
placed in a mold, chocolate should immediately be placed in the refrigerator. However, if the chocolate gets too cold, when brought back to room temperature, the candy will crack.
2 1 2
cups semisweet chocolate chips can sweetened condensed milk, divided teaspoons vanilla extract
Note: Flavor by adding orange zest, peanut butter, dried coconut, chopped nuts, cinnamon or cayenne pepper to taste and consistency desired. Add after melting coconut oil, cocoa powder, honey and vanilla together. Maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
6
ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped 2-3 teaspoons peppermint extract 3 drops green food coloring
In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips with 1 cup milk. › Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. › Spread half into a waxed, paper-lined, 8-inch square pan; chill for 10 minutes or until firm. › Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan over low heat, cook and stir candy coating with remaining milk until coating is melted and mixture is smooth. › Stir in peppermint extract and food coloring. › Spread over bottom layer; chill for 10 minutes or until firm. › Warm remaining chocolate mixture if necessary; spread over mint layer. › Chill for 2 hours or until firm. › Remove from pan; cut into 1-inch squares.
A Chocolate Check-In Think you know everything there is to know about chocolate? We bet not. Brush up on your chocolate knowledge with these interesting facts. › Cacao trees can live
to be 200 years old, but they produce marketable cocoa beans for only 25 years.
› It takes approximately › Chocolate has
400 cacao beans to make one pound of chocolate.
evolved into such a massive industry that between 40 and 50 million people depend on cacao for their livelihood.
› There are actually
zero cacao solids in white chocolate.
› In Mayan civilization,
cacao beans were the currency, and counterfeiting cacao beans out of painted clay had become a thriving industry. DEC ’16 ›
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Color Your Kitchen
While the kitchen is often the busiest room in the house, it is also one of the most important rooms when it comes to renovations. An upgraded, vibrant kitchen that incorporates elements of personal style can make the room more attractive while increasing the home’s overall value.
A
n easy way to give your kitchen an instant upgrade is by adding color in places that complement the decor of the room. Elements such as cabinetry, sinks and appliances are good places to start the facelift process while also adding more functionality.
Think About Sinks
Once overlooked as an option for introducing style in the kitchen, today’s kitchen sinks accommodate a wide range of designs and preferences. Both function and aesthetics—including unexpected, vibrant color—are important when replacing your sink. An option such as the Elkay Quartz Luxe collection comes in six bold colors and three mount styles with a variety of bowl options and add-on accessories. The collection combines the highestquality quartz with a high-performance, UV-stable acrylic resin for a durable sink that is easy to maintain, fade-resistant, vibrant in color and stain- and odor-resistant. Explore a variety of models that can help make your renovation complete at elkay.com/quartz.
Find Your Ideal Sink
A successful kitchen renovation captures every element of the space—including the kitchen sink. Select the right type, features and material to suit your family’s needs with four easy steps from the experts at Elkay:
1.
Consider Cabinets
Not only can new cabinets provide the benefit of more storage space, they also present an opportunity to incorporate some colorful style into the kitchen. Make your splash with vibrant color on the cabinets themselves, or pair softer hues with muted contrasts to create an eye-pleasing backdrop for bold color appliances and vibrant accents and accessories. If you opt for a more traditional finish such as cherry, black, walnut, white or maple, you can still add visual interest to your kitchen design by contrasting the upper and lower cabinetry or creating a standout island in a different tone. Simply updating the hardware can be an inexpensive alternative as well.
CHOOSE YOUR SINK MATERIAL AND COLOR. Color, texture and sheen all provide ways for you to express your style. Stainless steel, copper, fine fireclay and colored quartz all offer unique benefits and aesthetics.
2. CHOOSE YOUR SINK TYPE. Whether top mount with a finished rim, undermount to create a seamless appearance, universal mount, which can be installed either above or below your countertop, or an exposed apron front mount that extends out slightly further than the cabinet below it, your new sink needs to be in sync with your chosen countertop material. 3. CHOOSE YOUR SINK FEATURES. Select the number of bowls based on how you work. Single bowls can accommodate larger cooking sheets, while double bowls allow for a quick wash-rinse sequence. Depth is an important consideration, too. 4. CHOOSE YOUR SINK SIZE AND ACCESSORIES. The size of your new sink is dependent upon the size of the cabinet it is installed in. Sink-base cabinets can be created specially to fit an installed sink. Also, look for accessories that work with your sink to save space and add convenience in the kitchen.
Add Stylish Appliances A complete set of matching appliances makes for a modern and inviting appearance. Popular finish options include smudge-proof stainless steel, chrome, black or white, but if you’re really looking to brighten the room, some lines are available in colors such as red, blue, orange or green.
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PROMOTIONAL
Fresh From The Start
Jersey Mike’s Subs serves up fresh subs in a friendly atmosphere.
I
t all started in 1956 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Because of its central location on the Jersey Shore, tourists would flock to Point Pleasant to experience the sun, surf, sand, boardwalk, salt water taffy and all the treasures that made up the Jersey Shore experience. Peter Cancro, the founder of Jersey Mike’s Subs, capitalized on the influx of vacationers, visitors and local residents by offering them his unique new product: submarine sandwiches. That was just the beginning for Jersey Mike’s Subs. More than deliciously fresh sandwiches, what really set Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurant apart was the experience he gave his customers. He knew them by name, and they would line up throughout the summer to buy Mike’s sandwiches and enjoy the experience. Today, Barry and Marlene Kovelesky are the owners of Jersey Mike’s Subs here in Ocala. Barry is originally from New Jersey, and he had an instant connection with the company’s culture and the authentic, freshly sliced sub sandwich. “In 2013, after trying Jersey Mike’s for the first time, we loved the product and wanted to get involved with the brand,” say Barry and Marlene.
General Manager Megan Stankiewicz was also instantly hooked on the fresh taste of Jersey Mike’s Subs and has been with the company in Ocala since it opened in October 2014. Because of the restaurant’s success, Barry and Marlene are opening Jersey Mike’s in a new location this month in Canopy Oaks Plaza. “Our goal is dedicated to giving back to the community and making the freshest sub—hot or cold—ecut each time right in front of you and providing a clean and friendly atmosphere to relax,” say Barry and Marlene. Jersey Mike’s Subs in Ocala has partnered with several organizations and charities in Marion County, including Michelle-O-Gram, the College of Central Florida Men’s Basketball Team and the CF Marlin Swim Club, to name a few. This month, try a fresh-cut sub and help Jersey Mike’s grow in their new location.
Jersey Mike’s Subs › 8075 SW SR 200, Suite 121, Ocala › (352) 236-6809 › jerseymikes.com
A Tasty Holiday Treat
As your calendar begins to fill up in December, keeping a few simple ingredients on hand can be the difference between enjoying the festivities and feeling overwhelmed. An ingredient such as popcorn can help you serve up a tasty dessert like this White Chocolate Popcorn Crunch that packs both a festive punch and a sweet crunch. Find more quick recipes at popcorn.org.
White Chocolate Popcorn Crunch 5 1⁄2 1⁄2 12
cups popped popcorn cup dried sweetened cranberries cup sliced almonds ounces white chocolate baking chips, chopped white chocolate or white candy coating 1-2 tablespoons vegetable shortening (optional) Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside. › Place popcorn, cranberries and almonds in large bowl; set aside. › In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, or melt according to package directions. (If chocolate is not smooth after melting, stir in 1-2 tablespoons shortening until mixture is smooth and loose enough to coat popcorn.) › Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn mixture; stir to coat. › Spread onto prepared pan; allow to cool completely. › When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks for serving. › Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature. DEC ’16 ›
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Bottoms Up
Fish Hawk Spirits brings handcrafted, artisanal spirits to the table. › By Cealia Athanason
› Matthew Bagdanovich
W
hen Matthew Bagdanovich moved back to the United States from Mexico, where he had spent about eight years making friends and spirits in a few distilleries, he was looking for another liquor industry opportunity. In 2011, he opened Fish Hawk Spirits in Ocala with two partners, and after receiving licensure, they spent the next few years working on placement within commercial retailers. “In 2015, we realized we needed more business savvy and experience in marketing to get the bottles into the hands of consumers,” Matthew says. That’s where David Molyneaux comes in. He was making his own whiskey and had spoken to Matthew about it. “I realized it’s really a long, difficult process. Beer and wine are easy,” David says, deciding, ultimately, it
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would make more sense for him and Matthew to work together instead of as competitors. “We were excited when he took on the duty of CEO at Fish Hawk,” Matthew says. David handles the marketing side of the business, and due to the legalities of being a craft liquor distillery, it’s been a challenge to say the least. Coupled with that, the time it takes for them to turn out bottles of spirits is much longer than at, say, Jim Beam. Fish Hawk produces 50,000 bottles a year, an amount that’s pumped out almost daily for the big brands. “We really are craft. It takes us seven days to make whiskey,” Matthew says. “And that’s before maturation.”
The production process is a long and complicated one. After obtaining and preparing raw materials, those ingredients go through fermentation, distillation, finishing and maturation before marketing. The distillery uses 850-gallon fermenters, and the finishing process includes treating spirits with oak chips or different fruits before running it all through an industry-specific filter. “It’s a lot of work to actually make the alcohol,” Matthew says. “Our operation is the real deal.” David’s been hard at work, though, because now Fish Hawk products are sold in about 150 liquor stores, bars and restaurants across the state, including ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
LEARN MORE › Fish Hawk Spirits › (352) 445-1292 › fishhawkspirits.com
Photos courtesy of Fish Hawk Spirits
We really are craft. It takes us seven days to make whiskey, and that’s before maturation.
Fish Hawk manufactures four different brands of spirits. For David’s Sui Generis (meaning “one of a kind”) brand of whiskey, they use corn grown on their own land to make it. Fish Hawk’s Island Grove vodka, named so for the blueberries that come from Island Grove Wine Company, is a fruitbased liquor distilled from citrus fruits and berries. “We won’t use artificial flavors; we won’t use artificial colors,” Matthew says. “It takes 50 to 60 pounds of blueberries to make a bottle.” Twisted Sun Rum and Fish Hawk Specialties are the last two brands. One of the specialties, the Marion 106 Black, is a brandy that uses more than 60 tangerines for each bottle. And the other one, the Absinthe Rubra, usually impresses with its unique hibiscus flower finish. Taste them for yourself—the Ocala, Gainesville and Tampa locations all host tours, events and tastings.
› 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. Family-friendly, casual atmosphere, along with a full bar, including imported Japanese sake and beer selections.
Open Christmas Eve for lunch and dinner 11am-6pm. Open New Year’s Eve for lunch 11am-4pm and dinner 4-10pm. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day. Join us for live jazz each week, Friday evenings, from 6-9p. Happy Hour Tue-Fri from 4-7p.
Braised Onion Restaurant
754 NE 25th Ave, Ocala › (352) 620-9255 Tue-Thu 11a-9p › Fri & Sat 11a-10p › Sun 11a-8p › Closed Mon Come celebrate the season with Braised Onion. The restaurant will be decked out for the holidays, so grab the family or some friends and make it a date! Having an office or family get-together? Braised Onion has a room for that. Or, they can bring their catering to you. Let the professionals take care of all the details. Our team of experts will be dishing out perfectly seasoned prime rib with creamy horseradish sauce on Friday and Saturday evenings. And don’t forget the dessert menu, which includes the prize-winning bread pudding and coconut cream pie. Yum! Winner Taste of Ocala! Happy Holidays from our family to yours.
Taste the best in Indian cuisine, and enjoy an experience you won’t soon forget.
Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant 3415 SW College Rd, Ocala › (352) 873-8500› amritpalace.com Tue-Thu 11a-10p › Fri 11a-10:30p › Sat 12-10:30p › Sun 12-10p
Amrit Palace has served Ocala the finest in Indian food since 1981. The atmosphere and authentic dishes give guests a unique experience and bring the culture of India to the table. The Northern Indian cuisine at Amrit Palace has been perfected through more than 30 years of specialized cooking experience. Try the vegetable curry, lamb or chicken dishes, dinner for two, seafood creations and specialty rice meals. Let Amrit Palace cater your next event. They handle groups big or small and will make yours a party to remember.
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› DINING GUIDE
The Ivy House Restaurant
917 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala › (352) 622-5550 › ivyhousefl.com Sun 11a-2p › 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 “Come on home, it’s supper time!” is our motto. We want you to feel you have come to our house to eat. The family-owned Ivy House Restaurant now has two locations, Williston and Ocala. The downtown Ocala location has added several specialty items, and the restaurant has been named by Florida Trend as one of the “Top 500 Best Places to Eat in the State” for several years. Specials include Southern Fried Lobster, delicious Hand-Cut Steaks and our famous Baked Krispy Chicken. Trying our delicious homemade desserts like the Key Lime Pie or Chocolate Midnight Cake is a must when dining here.
Harvest Market Deli
3751 SE 36th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 624-2636 › Harvestmarketdeliocala.com Mon-Fri 11am-4pm › Sat 11am-2pm › Closed Sunday–Gone Fishing
Stop by our “New Bar” and enjoy our speciality drinks! Catering holiday parties & special events. We make the Holidays easy so you can enjoy what’s most important, your family and friends! Gift Certificates available. Many Christmas Blessings!
Let Harvest Market Deli cater your next event or party.
If you’re looking for the best selection of subs and burgers, look no further. Always fresh and never frozen, Harvest Market Deli is the place to go for a great, filling meal. Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the cool shade of their one-of-a-kind tiki hut. Live DJ Tuesday, December 13 “Family Karaoke Night” featuring hot dogs and sliders. Let us cater your holiday party.
Mi Tierra Latina
3131 SW College Rd. Suite 303, Ocala › (352) 237-4042 2105 SW Hwy 484, Ocala › (352) 307-0888 Sun-Thu 11:30a-9:30p › Fri & Sat 11:30a-10p › mi-tierra-latina.com Peruvian food is a cuisine with a heritage as unique as its flavors, and Ocala residents don’t have to travel far to try it for themselves. Mi Tierra Latina aims to delight the palate and provide balanced nutrition with their traditional Peruvian and Mexican dishes. Seafood lovers will enjoy the ceviche of corvina fish and the choros a la chalaca (mussels topped with corn, tomatoes, lime and cilantro). Choose a delicious Peruvian dish like Lomo saltado or a Mexican favorite such as fajitas, pollo con mole and many more.
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Stop in for happy hour every day between 2pm and 7pm at either Mi Tierra Latina location! Try a $9.99 dinner combination, or enjoy a lunch special from 11:30am3pm Monday through Friday. Ask about our catering! Karaoke every Saturday at SR 200 location, from 7pm-closing. Feliz Navidad y Pro´spero Año Nuevo! ALL DAY LONG Bucket Special – domestic beers $12. Imports $15.
› DINING GUIDE
• All-you-can-eat jumbo snow crab legs and fish every day. • Plan any party, social event, business lunch or celebration. Ask for Murphy! • Enjoy monthly specials while watching your favorite sporting event on the many TVs. Like them on Facebook at Murphy’s Oyster Bar
Be sure to visit us at the Canopy Oaks Center. Pavarotti’s also caters. Mon: All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti and Meatballs $6.99 Tue: 16” Cheese Pizza $7.99 Wed: 10 Chicken Wings $5. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
PAVAROTTI’S
Murphy’s Oyster, Steak & Seafood Restaurant 3821 NW Blitchton Rd., Ocala › (352) 236-5656 Open 7 days a week 11a-Midnight
Welcome to Murphy’s, where you’ll dine on delicious seafood, oysters, choice steaks, fresh wings and much more served in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant’s extensive menu offers something for everyone, from tasty Philly cheese steaks and steamed clams to snow crab. Try the authentic gyros, too. A special menu for the kids features dishes like the hot dog platter and the chicken strips platter. Come take advantage of the massive outdoor tiki bar with flat-screen TVs. Murphy’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Bring the whole family for an experience you’ll want to relive again and again. Holiday Gifts: Buy $100- Get $20 extra to enjoy yourself
Pavarotti’s Pizza & Restaurant
8075 SW HWY 200, Canopy Oaks Center, Ocala › (352) 291-9424 Mon-Thu 11a-9p › Fri-Sat 11a-10p › Sun 11a-8p
Pavarotti’s Pizza and Restaurant in Ocala is known for its famous, old-fashioned pizzas, hand-tossed and baked on a stone deck oven. Try the array of classic Italian entrées, fresh salads and subs, and hearty pasta dinners. Veal or chicken is served Parmigiana, Marsala or picatta style, and the seafood dishes are served fresh over linguini. Pizza lovers can’t get enough of the homemade pies, and don’t forget about the subs, stromboli and calzones!
Pizza & Restaurant
Looking to make your next event extra special? Brooklyn’s caters— holidays, weddings, parties, office lunches— we got you covered! Live music on Fridays! Family owned & operated. Brooklyn’s Backyard, good beer, better food!
Brooklyn’s Backyard
2019 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Suite #102, Ocala › (352) 304-6292 brooklynsbackyard.com Sun 11a-8p › Mon-Wed 11a-9p › Thu-Sat 11a-whenever Head down to the “Yard” for fresh food and fun in a relaxed, backyard atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for finger foods or something exotic, they’ve got it, and it’s delicious! Try one of their unique burger creations. In the mood for wings? Get the best from the 2014 & 2015 King of Wings. Want pizza? They got it, NY style, plus a full range of fresh salads, sandwiches and entrées sure to suit everyone! There’s beer, wine and a full liquor bar in the “Yard,” too—over 40 craft beers, craft cocktails and a great selection of wines, all sure to perfectly complement your meal!
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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, $4.45; Speedy Gonzalez on Tuesdays, $4.95; Quesadillas on Wednesdays, $6.45; Chimichangas on Thursdays, $5.95; and Burrito Supreme on Fridays, $4.95. New dinner options include Fajita Mondays, $8.95; Chimichanga Tuesdays, $7.95; Alambre Wednesdays, $7.95 and Tacos de Bistec Thursdays, $7.95. Plus $1.95 margaritas on Mondays. On Sunday, kids 12 and under can enjoy 99¢ 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).
Trivia Night every Thursday, 7-9pm (Silver Springs Blvd. location) Mariachi band every Thursday at the 200 location, 6-9pm Feliz Navidad Para todos!
THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD
Off The Hook Bar and Grill
Tues-Sun 11a-9p › 10901 S US Hwy 441, Belleview › (352) 307-0661 Alberto and Melanie Benvenuto opened Belleview’s newest addition, Off The Hook Bar and Grill, in April to serve fresh, homemade Peruvian food. When you walk in, the first thing you’re served is canchita, which is like a Peruvian popcorn. Browse the menu and choose from different appetizers, stir-fries, ceviches, soups and so much more. Order from the newly discounted $9.99 lunch menu or come for dinner. Complement your meal with a Peruvian beer or juice, and enjoy the lounge atmosphere decorated in bold colors and filled with modern Peruvian music.
Five Star Pizza
4414 SW College Rd., Bldg. 1740, Ocala › (352) 861-5555 › fivestarpizza.com › Sun-Thu 11a-1a › Fri & Sat 11a-2a Feed that pizza craving with specials offered at Five Star Pizza’s new College Road location. Enjoy two large, one-topping pizzas for $22.99; one large, one-topping pizza and 10 wings for $18.99; one 24-inch, one-topping piezilla for $19.99; and one large, two-topping pizza, garlic rolls and a two-liter soda for $19.99. It’s the first dinein Five Star restaurant ever, and it’s open late for you night owls. Go with the barbecue chicken (one of the owners’ favorites), or choose from nine other specialty pizzas. And don’t forget to feed your sweet tooth—CinnaSticks or brownie bites will do the trick.
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For Alberto, Peruvian food is all about the flavors really popping. And if you can take the heat, he can make any dish as spicy as you’d like. For something different but delicious, Off The Hook’s the place to eat!
Eat pizza your way: dine in, delivery or buffet! Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
› DINING GUIDE
Beer and wine are available, and the Sandbar is just steps away for specialty drink orders. Buy $100 in gift cards and receive a $25 bonus card for yourself, while supplies last.
Come enjoy our brand-new tapas menu available exclusively at the bar. Monday through Saturday, 3-7pm for $7. Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo! Full-service catering also available. Additional parking in rear.
At our Sunday brunch enjoy our chef’s specialty dinner selections, including an impressive assortment of fresh salads, peel and eat shrimp, and the chefattended carving station... not to mention the best part... dessert! Find us on Facebook for up-to-date info on special events.
Eaton’s Beach Sandbar & Steam Shack 15790 SE 134th Avenue, Weirsdale, FL (352) 259-2444 › eatonsbeach.com 12-8pm Mon-Sat, 12-7pm Sunday
The Steam Shack at Eaton’s Beach is all about casual dining, a beachside atmosphere and fresh, delicious food. Sure, they have tasty sandwiches and appetizers, but the main focus is on the steamed shrimp, crab legs, crawfish and other seafood offerings. After spending a hot day on the beach or in the water at Lake Weir, guests can feel comfortable ordering in flip flops and a bathing suit. Or are you headed to Eaton’s Beach for an evening out with friends after work? Stop at the Steam Shack first for a drink and appetizer while waiting for your table.
Mesa de Notte
2436 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala › (352) 732-4737 › mesaocala.com Mon-Thu 11a-9p › Fri & Sat 11a-10p › Closed Sun Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Join Mesa de Notte for their Second Annual Parade Party Buffet this December 10 from 3pm to close and watch the parade in style. Hosting your own gathering this holiday season? Allow the professionals at Mesa de Notte to handle all of your catering needs. Make your reservations now for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and experience Mesa’s holiday menu. Book now!
West 82º Bar & Grill
9301 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River › (352) 795-4211 ext. 311 plantationoncrystalriver.com/restaurant-and-bars.htm Breakfast: daily 6-10:30a › Lunch: Mon-Sat 11:30a-2p Dinner: daily 5-9p › Sunday Brunch: 11:30a-2pm Experience authentic Florida cuisine at the Plantation on Crystal River. Just off our lobby is the West 82º Bar & Grill, where you’ll find top-notch recipes in a relaxing setting along Kings Bay. Holding true to our reputation of genuine Southern hospitality and attention to detail, all our entrées are prepared with the finest natural—and, whenever possible, local—ingredients. Join us Sundays for our delicious brunch, featuring traditional breakfast favorites. Overlooking Kings Bay and Crystal River, the West 82º Bar & Grill provides a special place to enjoy dining with your friends and family.
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Latinos Y Mas
2030 S. Pine Avenue, Ocala › (352) 622-4777 › latinosymas.com Mon-Thu 11a-9p › Fri-Sat 11a-10p › Closed Sun If you’re looking for consistently delicious food with a Latin flair, look no further. Begin your Latinos Y Mas dining experience with one of our special offerings. Ask about our gift card offers for the holidays! Call about our private room for your holiday party!
Buy up to $99 in gift cards and get 10% gift card free Buy $100-$499 in gift cards and get 20% gift card free Buy $500 or more in gift cards and get 25% gift card free Catering is available for any size event. Please call to schedule your upcoming event.
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Crossroads Country Kitchen 7947 W Highway 40, Ocala › (352) 237-1250 Mon-Thur 6a-8:30p › Fri-Sat 6a-9p › Sun 7a-3p
Located west on Highway 40 in Ocala, the Crossroads Country Kitchen is a must for anyone craving down-home, country cooking. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, menu items range from a wide variety of homemade soups and chili to prime rib, fresh salads, seafood, prime steaks and burgers. If you’re in the mood for a real treat, try the Prime Rib Dinner For Two for $26.95. Make sure to leave room for one of the tasty home-baked desserts! In the mood for a fresh fish fry? Tuesdays and Fridays are all-you-careto-eat catfish or whitefish. Enjoy an Italian special on Wednesdays. Big screen televisions will allow you to enjoy your meal without missing one second of the big game or race.
Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille 925 Lake Shore Dr., The Villages, FL (352) 753-7800 › lighthousepointbarandgrille.com Sun-Thu 11a-9p › Fri-Sat 11a-Midnight
Lunch overlooking the water or dinner with a breath-taking sunset—whatever you choose, you’ll be sure to love it. We have a new menu that will take you on a tasty new adventure. All-youcan-eat crab legs, call or stop in for dates and details, and live Maine lobster. And look no further because we have the best clam chowder in town. We offer seafood, chicken, burgers, soups and salads. A menu sure to please all cravings and taste buds, especially with our wonderful creative recipes. We offer a gluten-free menu as well. Whether you want to enjoy a great meal or relax with a drink from our full bar, we’re sure you will have a great time and enjoy our fabulous, friendly staff.
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Located at the Crossroads of NW 80th Ave. and Hwy 40 West. No matter what you have a taste for, Crossroads Country Kitchen is sure to become a new favorite. Former owners of “The Spiced Apple” restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. We accept all major credit cards.
Happy Hour 3p-6p every day Check our website for a full menu and daily specials. We also offer outside dining.
› DINING GUIDE
Looking for the perfect location for your company party? Our private dining rooms seat up to 50 people. Visit us online to check out our group dining packages to find the one that best suits your needs.
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
Early Bird daily 4:30-7pm Check out our sushi bar. Serving Ocala since 1986! Ask about our lunch specials!
Ipanema Brazilian Steak House
2023 South Pine Avenue, Ocala › (352) 622-1741 › ipanemaocala.com Dinner: Tue-Thu 5-9p, Fri & Sat 5-10p, Sun 4-9p › Lunch: Fri 11a-2:30p Brunch: Sun 12-3p › Happy Hour Tue-Fri 5-7p › Closed Monday A Churrascaria (Portuguese for barbecue) is a dining experience where roaming Gauchos slice and serve fire-roasted meats from skewers in a continual fashion. Ipanema Brazilian Steak House boasts 12 of the finest cuts of meat complemented by an opulent salad and vegetable bar, delectable desserts and delicious wines, beers and cocktails. Brazilian native and Executive Chef Ortencia DeAlmeida invites you to embrace the flavors of her homeland and experience the magnetism of Ipanema for yourself. Become a fan of Ipanema on Facebook at facebook.com/ipanemasteakhouse.
Blue Highway Pizza
2130 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala › (352) 629-5555 bluehighwaypizza.com › Sun-Thu 11:30a-9p › Fri & Sat 11:30a-10p Celebrating the season? Let us make your life easier. Call us and let us help you create the perfect culinary choices for your next event. Impress your guests with our hand-crafted pizza and calzones, the freshest salads made from organic greens just picked at a local farm, sandwiches made on breads baked fresh daily and decadent homemade desserts. From party platters to full-service catering, we do it all so you can enjoy your next event. Eat well, live well…
Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant
2463 SW 27th Avenue, Ocala › (352) 237-3900 › kotobukiocala.com Lunch: Tue-Fri 11:30a-2p Dinner: Tue-Thu 4:30-9:30p › Fri & Sat 4:30-10:30p › Mon & Sun 4:30-9:30p For an authentic Japanese meal in an award-winning restaurant that has been serving Ocala since 1986, try Kotobuki. Enjoy traditional Japanese favorites like tempura, teriyaki and broiled seafood and vegetables. For a memorable experience, gather around the hot grill and watch as your chef prepares steak, chicken and seafood favorites right before your eyes. Get the VIP treatment. Check out our specials!
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Treatment of Common Ailments such as Bunions, Hammertoes, Heel Pain, Fractures, Sprains, Athlete’s Foot, Neuromas, Tendonitis Ankle Arthroscopy • Laser Foot Surgery • Sports Related Injuries Children’s Foot Care • Custom Orthotics WE NOW HAVE DIGITAL XRAY ON PREMISES Family Foot and Ankle is now located in South Pine Medical Park. We have on-site digital X-ray as well as 3-D scanning for custom orthotics and perform diabetic shoe fittings. In addition to our comprehensive conservative therapies, both doctors are on staff at all the hospitals and perform surgery on the foot and ankle as well.
Dr. Noroozi
Dr. Amin
Sheila Noroozi, DPM, FACFAS Family Foot and Ankle, LLC
2825 SE 3rd Ct. Ocala, FL 34471
Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery Board Certified in Foot & Ankle Surgery
352.867.0024
www.FamilyFootAnkle.org
Not a creature was stirring… Not even a mouse… termite, roach, ant or chinch bug. With over 30 years experience, Brick City Pest Control serves Ocala and Marion County, and we’ll protect your holidays, home and family from unwanted guests… guaranteed. Call (352) 732-4244 for your free inspection, and you'll hear Santa exclaim, “Now dash away, dash away, dash away bugs!”
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Run, Run Rudolph!
Lace up those running shoes because it’s time for race No. 4 in the Big Hammock Race Series—Season 2, presented by Prime Mortgage.
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DEC The 39th annual Gateway Bank Reindeer Run 5K is a Super Race in the
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BHRS, which means it’s the perfect way to earn extra points in the series and a must if you want to get your hands on the race bling at the end of the season. Runners are encouraged to don their favorite red and green running attire as they sprint their way down Silver Springs Boulevard. Although most races are morning affairs, the Reindeer Run gun goes off promptly at 4:10pm for the Rudolph Dash Kids’ Fun Run and 4:20pm for the 5K from Gateway Bank, giving runners just enough time to collect their race bling, gather their gear and plot out their favorite spot along the parade route, because just as the athletes are winding down, the parade floats are powering up. As per Ocala tradition, the annual Christmas Parade will follow the run and light up the night with floats and acts perfect for all ages. The route begins at the corner of Silver Springs Boulevard and 25th Avenue at 5:30pm and ends at NE 8th Avenue.
FIND OUT MORE › Reindeer Run › For more information on the Reindeer Run or to register, visit bighammockraceseries.com. For more information on the parade and festivities, visit ocalachristmasparade.org.
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AN OCALA TRADITION
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Downtown To Dos DEC 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20: Santa on the Square, downtown Ocala, 6-8pm DEC 2: First Friday Art Walk, downtown Ocala, 6pm DEC 4: Bikers’ Toy Run, downtown Ocala, 11am-3pm
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A New Way To 5K
There’s no better way to run a 5K than through 3.1 miles of inflatable obstacles, right? Unleash your inner child and sign up for the event that’s sweeping the nation. The Insane Inflatable 5K is coming to the Ocala Horse Park and puts a whole new spin on the classic earthbound 5K. Slides, slings and mattresses, and medicine balls make up this
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A Feast For the Ages!
Tea Time and Tutus
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Foodies, listen up! Although Ocala is known primarily as “horse country” during the winter months, as of 2017, our own equine paradise will be known for more than just its four-legged friends. The Ocala Culinary Festival will be the first event of its kind held in Marion County. The five-day festival features a variety of yet-to-be-revealed events, all focused on various dining themes. Events will take place throughout Ocala and Marion County March 1-5 and will be revealed bit by bit as time gets closer. (Stay tuned to Ocala Style’s Facebook page for all the updates!) Interested? Here’s a top-secret tidbit to whet your appetite. Renowned chef and nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef of the South,” Chef Brian Whittington will be one of many culinary geniuses participating in the festival. Aside from running one of the top new restaurants in the South as named by Southern Magazine, Chef Brian has also been asked to participate on programs such as Top Chef, Cutthroat Kitchen and Grill Iron. For more information about the Ocala Culinary Festival, visit ocalaculinaryfestival.com or check out the event’s Facebook page.
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one-of-a-kind run. Looking to PR? Forget it! The course is untamed, and the only requirement is you have fun along the way. The course ends at the Midway, complete with more inflatable fun along with food trucks, entertainment and more. For a preview of obstacles and to register, visit insaneinflatable5k.com.
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So many little girls around the world dream of sparkling tutus and tiaras during this time of year. Marion Ballet Theatre makes those wishes come true with its annual Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party. Held at the Ocala Civic Theatre, this special event is one aspiring young dancers won’t soon forget. The tea is served right on the elaborate stage of The Nutcracker where children will meet the dancers personally and receive a ballet class all their own. Attendees are encouraged to don their best nutcracker finery or favorite prince or princess attire. Tickets are $10 and the teas are held at 10am. ocalacivictheatre.com or (352) 236-2274.
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(352) 236-3499
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A Quick Q & A
With Nicole Benson
Interview by Bonnie Kretchik
There are certain events that are just considered staples in the community. For 36 years, Marion Ballet Theatre has been entertaining audiences young and old alike with its production of The Nutcracker. Owner and primary instructor at Benson Academy of Dance and artistic director for the Marion Ballet Theatre, Nicole Benson has decades of experience instructing up-and-coming dancers in the art of ballet. Although the classic composition remains the same, Nicole is always delighted by the development of the dancers and makes tweaks and changes to the set and choreography each year. She took some time from her busy schedule to talk about this month’s performance. The Nutcracker ballet has been a staple in the community for years. Why do you think people are so intrigued? It’s a tradition that stays alive across the cultures in both this country and others, especially at this time of year. Our performance has longevity because it’s always evolving—new choreography, new sets, new and developing dancers, it’s different every year. How has dance evolved since when you first began teaching? As science and sports medicine have evolved, we’ve been able to see dancers grow and develop much faster over the years. It’s a fun process for instructors to teach these kids today. You must have taught many generations over the years. I’ve seen three and four
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How many dancers will perform in this year’s production? We will have a cast of 70-80 dancers. They began practicing in August for this year’s performance. How often do they rehearse? The dancers at Benson Academy train about 12 hours a week and rehearse an additional 10-15 hours, so if you do the math that’s like having a part-time job! How has the set changed over the years? We build our own set, and it’s custom for the Ocala Civic Theatre. Last year, we replaced the Land of Sweets, and we make adjustments each year.
What else is new this year? We are working toward a major goal of replacing the costumes from the snow scene, which are over 30 years old. We need to raise $20,000 and are close thanks to community support. We haven’t reached our goal yet, but we did purchase a Snow Queen tutu for this year. After The Nutcracker, what other performances do you have scheduled? Our spring performance is Beauty and the Beast, which will be premiering just after the release of the new film, so audiences will see the characters come to life on stage.
WANT TO GO? › The Nutcracker presented by Marion Ballet Theatre › December 9-11, 15-18 › Ocala Civic Theatre › For a list of performance 15-18 times and to buy tickets, visit ocalacivictheatre.com or call (352) 236-2274.
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generations cycle through. I now teach some of the children of people I danced with, and I have a lot of fun with that.
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Photos Courtesy of Marion Ballet Theatre
Of Tutus and Traditions
OCALA FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER For over 25 years, Ocala’s ORIGINAL one-stop for your medical needs! 2230 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471
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Ongoing Events
Performing Arts Blue Man Group Theatre at Universal CityWalk, Orlando
Blue Man Group Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba One Man Star Wars Trilogy
Disney Springs, Orlando
The Man of La Mancha Little Women
No Exit by J-P Sartre A Christmas Carol: The Timeless Story of Scrooge Danscompany presents: Cinderella Marion Ballet Theatre presents: The Nutcracker A Christmas Carol Dancing with the Stars Live! Menopause: The Musical Ron White FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando presents: Wicked Hand to God George Lopez Lisa Lampanelli Kathleen Madigan Disenchanted
(352) 694-YOGA
Free ESL Classes › Wednesdays at First Baptist Church of Ocala at
6pm, (352) 629-5683 Through Jan. 31 Through Jan. 31
Reilly Arts Center, Ocala
Dec. 10
Sonnetag Theatre at the IceHouse, Mount Dora
The Hippodrome State Theatre, Gainesville CF Dassance Fine Arts Center, Ocala
Through Dec. 11 Through Dec. 18 Through Dec. 22 Through Dec. 4
Ocala Civic Theatre
Dec. 3-4
Phillips Center, Gainesville
Dec. 3
Ocala Civic Theatre
Dec. 9-18
Gainesville Community Playhouse
A Christmas Carol
Free Yoga for Veterans › Wednesdays at Bliss Yoga at 12:15pm,
The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Ocala Civic Theatre Hard Rock Live, Orlando Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando The Hippodrome State Theatre, Gainesville Amalie Arena, Tampa Hard Rock Live, Orlando The Plaza Live, Orlando Reilly Arts Center, Ocala
Free ESL Classes › Wednesdays at College Road Baptist Church
at 6pm, (352) 629-5683
Chair Yoga › Wednesdays at Bliss Yoga at 10:30am,
(352) 694-YOGA JAN
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1pm in the chapel at Ocala West United Methodist Church (room 235), (352) 291-6904
Arts, Crafts and Culture JAN
Dec. 20 Dec. 28 Dec. 29Jan. 15 Jan. 7 Jan. 11-29 Jan. 13
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December’s Dames (December 17-18) › Imagine a concert with
the likes of Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt, Julie Andrews, Brenda Lee and other famous faces of decades gone by performing on one stage. If this sounds like your dream show, you’ll want to mark your calendar now. The Reilly Arts Center will host Chicago’s award-winning dynamo Angela Ingersoll as she emulates these iconic voices while performing some of their greatest seasonal hits. This Broadway superstar has been a fixture on the stage for decades, performing in such roles as Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Secret Garden’s Martha, The Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy and countless others. The 12 Dames of Christmas performance will be held on December 17 at 7:30pm and December 18 at 3pm. reilllyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606.
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Springs State Park at 1pm, (352) 236-7156
Survivors Support Group › Last Tuesday of the month at
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Jan. 20 Jan. 20 Jan. 21 Jan. 27
Garden Workshop › Second Sunday of each month at Silver
Upcoming Exhibits At The Appleton › John James
Audubon: Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America will feature 36 original large-format Audubon prints from the private collection of Mr. & Mrs. William H. Told, Jr. of New York. The works are considered the 19th century’s seminal work on American animals. The exhibit runs through January 22. A Dickens Christmas will feature several of the Urban family’s beloved themed trees throughout the museum. Trees decorated by community members and businesses will also be on display in the second-floor galleries. The exhibit will run through January 1. A Toast to the Arts: Masters of Inspiration celebrates the artistic diversity of the Ocala Art Group with this juried exhibition. The works will be on display through January 1. Power and Piety: Spanish Colonial Art will feature 56 paintings, sculpture, silver pieces, furniture and other decorative devotional objects dating from the late 17th century through the 1820s. The exhibit is open December 3 through February 26, 2017. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
Appleton After Hours (December 1) › The Appleton’s After
Hours concert series offers live music and dancing, special displays of artwork by the Ocala Art Group and tasty samplings from local restaurants. Doors open at 5pm, and music begins at 5:30pm. The event is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. appletonmuseum.com or (352) 291-4455.
Symphony Under the Lights (December 2) › This year’s concert
performed by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will take place in the new Jenkins Open Air Theatre. The event begins at 7:30pm and is free and open to the public. The Jenkins Open Air Theatre is located next to the Reilly Arts Center in Tuscawilla Park. reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606.
Urban Family Day at the Appleton (December 3) › The
Appleton will host a holiday family day. A Dickens Christmas Exhibit will Continued on p.84
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DEC ’16 ›
083
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The Local
Scene Continued from p.82
Concerts
be on display free of charge. Other activities include carriage rides, art-making activities and light refreshments. The museum will be open 10am-5pm. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
Ticketmaster › (800) 745-3000 › ticketmaster.com All dates are subject to change without notice. Please call ahead to confirm venue listings.
Kansas The 1975 Salt-N-Pepa The B-52s Barbara Streisand Kanye West Niykee Heaton Lauryn Hill Sabrina Carpenter Five Finger Death Punch with Shinedown The Oak Ridge Boys The Beach Boys Matisyahu Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve Lukas Graham Riff Raff Pam Tillis Brothers Osborne
POPS! Goes the Holidays (December 3, 4) › The annual POPS!
Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach St. Augustine Amphitheatre Amway Center, Orlando Hard Rock Live, Orlando AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami Amway Center, Orlando The Plaza Live Theatre, Orlando House of Blues, Orlando Parker Playhouse, Fort Lauderdale
Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 3 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 6 Dec. 8 Dec. 9
Amalie Arena, Tampa
Dec. 9
The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Villages House of Blues, Orlando
Goes the Holidays concert performed by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra will take place at the Reilly Arts Center at 7:30pm on December 3 and 3pm on December 4. The first half of the show will feature the Oscar-nominated film The Snowman projected on the Reilly Arts Center’s state-of-the-art screen. The Ocala Symphony Orchestra will play the score live to accompany the animated film. The second half of the concert will feature a collection of seasonal tunes. reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606.
DEC
3
Trips ’N’ Tours (December 5) › The program will provide guests with a private tour of both the Power & Piety: Spanish Colonial Art and the Urban Family Holiday Collection. Lunch will be included. Registration is $40. appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.
Dec. 9
Nutcracker Ballet (December 6) › The Reilly Arts Center will host the Dance Alive National Ballet as they perform The Nutcracker. The performance will begin at 7:30pm. reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606.
Dec. 17-18 Dec. 18
Amalie Arena, Tampa
Dec. 18
House of Blues, Orlando Backbooth, Orlando Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale House of Blues, Orlando
Jan. 9 Jan. 13 Jan. 13 Jan. 14
CF Winter Chamber Concert (December 11) › The Appleton
Museum will host the annual CF Chamber Ensemble of Strings, Woodwinds, Guitar and Brass. The concert will take place at 3pm and is free for members and included in admission for nonmembers. appletonmuseum.com or (352) 291-4455.
JAN
13
Sports
Don’t miss a single home game this year. Here are the home schedules:
NCAA Basketball
NFL
Memphis Charlotte
University of Florida Tampa Bay Buccaneers Little Rock Dec. 21 7:00p New Orleans Dec. 11 1:00p Florida State University Southern Miss Dec. 6 7:00p Nicholls State Dec. 8 9:00p Florida Dec. 11 4:00p Samford Dec. 19 2:00p Wake Forest Dec. 28 TBD University of Central Florida MD-Eastern Shore Dec. 10 Penn Dec. 12 Miami (OH) Dec. 18 Bethune-Cookman Dec. 21 Temple Dec. 31 University of Miami S. Carolina State Dec. 6 Florida Atlantic Dec. 16 George Wash. Dec. 22 Columbia Dec. 28 NC State Dec. 31 084
› Ocala
.com
Jacksonville Jaguars Denver Dec. 4 1:00p Minnesota Dec. 11 1:00p Tennessee Dec. 24 1:00p Miami Dolphins Arizona Dec. 11 1:00p
Atlanta Falcons 5:00p Kansas City Dec. 4 1:00p 7:00p San Francisco Dec. 18 4:05p 12:00p 7:00p 4:00p
7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 4:30p
NBA Orlando Magic Boston Dec. 7 Denver Dec. 10 LA Clippers Dec. 14 Brooklyn Dec. 16 Toronto Dec. 18 LA Lakers Dec. 23
Miami Heat NY Knicks Washington Indiana LA Clippers Boston Orlando LA Lakers Oklahoma City
Dec. 26 7:00p Dec. 28 7:00p
Master Choir Concert (December 11, 16, 18) › The Central Florida Master Choir Concert Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow will take place at Countryside Presbyterian Church on December 11 at 3pm, the Reilly Arts Center on December 16 at 7pm and Dunnellon Presbyterian Church on December 18 at 3pm. The concerts will end with the Master Choir’s version of “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah. Admission is free with a freewill offering. (352) 237- 4633. One Man Star Wars Trilogy (December 15) › The Reilly Arts
Dec. 6 Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 16 Dec. 18 Dec. 20 Dec. 22 Dec. 27
7:30p 7:30p 7:00p 8:00p 6:00p 7:30p 7:30p 7:30p
Center presents Charles Ross in his lively and energetic performance of One Man Star Wars Trilogy. The act has been performed for over a million Star Wars fans. The show will be held at 7:30pm, and audience members are invited to wear costumes, but no masks or weapons are allowed. reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606.
Outdoor & Athletic Endeavors Group Bike Rides (Ongoing) › Brick City Bicycles offers several group bike rides throughout the week and weekend. brickcitybicycles.com or (352) 369-9400. Kayak Outings (Ongoing) › The Marion County Parks and
7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 7:00p 6:00p 7:00p
Recreation Department will host several kayak outings for children and adults. marioncountyfl.org or call (352) 671-8560.
Parks and Recreation Programs (Ongoing) › The Marion
County Parks and Recreation Department will host a variety of
Continued on p.86
s s a l g n u S y e l l A 000 OVER 10, ND A READING ES S SUNGLAS
FASHION $5.95 | POLARIZED $7.95 | GOLF $5 & $8.95 SHATTERPROOF LENSES FOR SPORTS $7.95
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SUNGLASSES WITH BIFOCAL READERS OR TINTED READING GLASSES
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12888 SE US HWY 441 BELLEVIEW, FL 34420 8 MILES NORTH OF THE VILLAGES | US 441 FRI, SAT & SUN 8AM3PM
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Fri - 8am-3pm 12888 SE US HWY 441, Belleview, FL 34420
Sat-Sun - 8am-4pm
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DEC ’16 ›
085
The Local
Scene Continued from p.84
7
Experience A Gift ... from Heaven
new programs this fall, including archery, yoga and martial arts. marioncountyfl.org or (352) 671-8560.
Fort King Historic Event (December 3-4) › The Fort King Historic Landmark will host an account of the attack on Fort King that precluded the Second Seminole War. “A Fight For Freedom: The Attack on Fort King” will take place from 9am-4pm and include educational and historic activities. ocalafl.org or (352) 425-4401. Ugly Sweater 5K (December 3) › Don your favorite ugly sweater
for a 5K run and 1-mile fun run at the Blue Run trail in Dunnellon. The 5K begins at 7:30am, and the 1-mile fun run takes off at 8:30am. ocalafit.com.
After Dark in the Park (December 16) › Tuscawilla Park will host an outdoor film screening of Jack Frost from 6-8pm. Hot cocoa, popcorn and other goodies will be available. ocalafl.org or (352) 368-5517.
Other Fun Stuff! Neuropathy Support Group (December 3) › A neuropathy support group will take place at the Waterman Village in Mt. Dora at 10am. The meeting will feature guest speaker John Maiorino, who will speak about microcirculation. (352) 735-2077.
“Thank you so much for doing this as it’s enormously important, and if heaven is the way we saw it tonight, count me in!” –Nathaniel Kahn, Academy and Emmy Awards nominated filmmaker
Dunnellon Christmas Parade (December 3) › The annual Dunnellon Christmas Parade and Celebration will take place in downtown Dunnellon at 5:30pm. The celebration will include live entertainment, bounce houses, slides, snow and more. dunnellonchristmasparade.com or (352) 489-0099.
Holiday Celebration (December 3) › Circle Square Commons will host a holiday celebration on the town square from 5-9pm. csculturalcenter.com or (352) 854.3670.
Candlelight Tour (December 3) › This year’s candlelight tour,
A MUST SEE
at least once in your lifetime! · All-new 2017 program · 100+ world-class performers · 400 sets of exquisite hand-crafted costumes · Stunning animated digital projection · Mesmerizing music by Shen Yun live orchestra · 5-continent, 30-country world tour
Secure Your Seats Now JANUARY 24–25 | PHILLIPS CENTER, GAINESVILLE 888.974.3698 | ShenYun.com/FL
086
› Ocala
.com
presented by the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, will showcase homes along SE 5th Street and the HOPS Bryant House on Fort King Street. Guests will be treated to seasonal music along with some tasty treats and wine samplings from Island Grove Wine Company. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 the night of the event, and the tour of homes runs 4:30-8pm. historicocala.org or (352) 351-1861.
Belleview Christmas Parade (December 11) › Stars and stripes is the theme for this year’s parade. It begins at the intersection of 441 and 110th Street at 2pm, and ends at 441 and Robinson Rd. This year will also feature the first Belleview Shop With A Cop 5K beginning at 12pm. (352)245-2178
To have an event considered for Ocala Style Magazine’s The Scene, send a short description (and a color photo, if possible) 60 days in advance to calendar@ocalastyle.com, fax us at (352) 732-0226 or by mail: Ocala Style Magazine, The Scene, 1007 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471
MAY 2013 ISSUE www.ocalaice.com
Dec. 2016 Issue MAY 2013 ISSUE www.ocalaice.com
Innovative Personal matters Personal matters Options For
leakage of the recently placed mitral valve. A transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed a severe paravalvular leak.
No matter how long one has been married or in a relationship, you experience many of life’s joys and challenges in the journey together. You No matter share how long one has been married or in a relationship, you experience of life’s joys and challenges in the journey together. You moments such in the excitement and nervousness of becoming parents formany the first time, asfailure well as the happiness and comfort in simpler Because of congestive heart and share in the excitement and nervousness of becoming parents for the first time, as well as the happiness and comfort in simpler moments such as an evening walk holding hands or a loving glance exchanged dinner table. Spending quality time together and being attentive takes a recent openacross heartthe surgery, a repeat as an evening walk holding hands or a loving glance exchanged across the dinner table. Spending quality time together and being attentive takes work in today’s world, where hypertasking and smartphones are commonplace. With myperiod commitment to ICE, I also struggle with that balance. I open heart surgery within a short work in today’s world, where hypertasking and smartphones are commonplace. With my commitment to ICE, I also struggle with that balance. I find that the key to keeping a relationship solid andofa love strong are evergreen: communication, trust, honesty, and making time for each other. time would carry prohibitive risk for find that the key to keeping a relationship solid and a love strong are evergreen: communication, trust, honesty, and making time for each other. These are the facets of a relationship that can make or break this partnership, which is why tackling misunderstood issues such as erectile dysthis patient. These are the facets of a relationship that can make or break this partnership, which is why tackling misunderstood issues such as erectile dysColormakes Doppler TEE shows function in an open and honest way is extremely important. For men and women, honest communication youon vulnerable, but you’ll find HORIZONTAL recently wrote placement of For men function in anWe open and honest wayabout is extremely important. andLOGOS women, honest communication makes you vulnerable, but you’ll find severe MR AThe plan was made to treat thea relationship and your overall that being vulnerable can also feel quite liberating. value this openness has on health is incomparable to any an artificial aortic throughThe a needle that being vulnerable can also feelvalve quite liberating. value this openness has on a relationship and your overall health is incomparable to any paravalvular leakage using when Amplatzer dinner reservation or tangible gift you can present to your better halves. Besides, you bottle up your emotions, this added stress negatively puncture in thegift groin andpresent without the better halves. Besides, when you bottle up your emotions, this added stress negatively dinner reservation or tangible you can to your plugsmore through a needle affects your heart-health and, simply put, onlyoccluder make challenging. need for an open heart surgery. We also affects your heart-health and, simply put, can only makecan intimacy more intimacy challenging. puncture of the femoral AisrealI encourage you tolove open up your and with your whole heart. Overcome theartery. fear “now” that of onthat thetough other conside of that tough conwrote the treatment of alove leaking I encourage you toabout open up and with whole heart. Overcome the fear that is “now” andthat know that onand theknow other side time three-dimensional transesophageal versation lies a stronger, healthier heart and relationship. mitral valve through the groin, again versation lies a stronger, healthier heart and relationship.
Excellent Care
without the need for opening the chest Yours, But what about someone who cavity. Yours, has had a surgical replacement of a Asad U. via Qamar, valve an open MD heart surgery Asad U.heart Qamar, MD FACC, FCCP, FSGC, FACP, FSCAI FACC, FCCP,and FSGC, FACP, FSCAI now has a malfunction of this valve? Cardiologist CardiologistCan such a malfunction be repaired through the groin?
echocardiogram was used. Transfemoral retrograde technique was used. After a trans septal puncture of the inter atrial septum, the plugs were placed while real-time imaging showed complete closure of the leakage and normalization of pressures in the left atrium.
3D TEE in real time to evaluate the mitral valve
Catheter-based techniques to treat Dorothy Dillard is an 80-year-old female structural heart disease have come patient at the Institute for Cardiovascular a long way. Lesions that could not Excellence (ICE) with a recent history of be treated without surgery are now heart bypass surgery with replacement amenable to percutaneous therapies. of the mitral valve using a pighealth valve. necessary blood flow required of our arteries and our veins are vascular needs some seriErectile dysfunction isdysfunction a very The future promises even more necessary blood flow required ofbe our arteries and our veins are vascular health needs some seri- to Erectile is a very months after her open heart for creating and sustaining anand sustaining an responsible for returning the ous attention. intimate andThree often intimidating exciting. for creating responsible for returning the ous attention. intimate and often intimidating surgery, she presentedVascular with worsening erection. For example, menFor with back to our heart. It might disease is a broad condition. Because of its personal erection. example, men with blood back to our heart. It might Vascular disease is ablood broad condition. Because of its personal shortness of breath and afor loud new coronary artery disease, periphalso help to know that the main term any disease that afnature, it is often left untreated If you or a loved one are looking for coronary artery disease, periphalso help to know that the main term for any disease that afnature, it is often left untreated murmur.causing She was found becirculatory in eral vascular disease, high blood artery that branches off into the fectstothe system.innovative The and misunderstood, care in a compassionate eral vascular disease, high blood artery that branches off into the fects the circulatory system. The and misunderstood, causing congestive heart failure. and high cholesterol pelviscontact is calledDr. the Qamar internal iliac circulatory system is madeatmosphere, up great emotional distress. This at ICE pressure, high cholesterol pelvis is called the internal circulatory system is made up great emotional distress. This Noiliac MR seenpressure, after theand placement levels are at an increased risk for extends into the of arteries and veins that spread makes it even more important to today to artery, make which your appointment. levels areplugs at an increased risk for artery, which extends into the of Amplatzer of arteries and veins that spread makes it even more important An echocardiogram showedtosevere
The hard truthtruth – Erectile Dysfunction The hard – Erectile Dysfunction
erectile dysfunction. penis as the internal pudendal from the heart through the body understand that erectile dysfuncerectile dysfunction. penis as the internal pudendal from the heart through the body understand that erectile dysfuncRest assured. Erectile dysfuncartery. If any artery in the vascular to the tips of our extremities. The tion does not necessarily happen Rest assured. Erectile dysfuncartery. If any artery in the vascular to the tips of our extremities. The tion does not necessarily happen VERTICAL LOGOS tion can be treated at any age. system is compromised, the puheart pumps blood away from because of age and that it is most tion can be treated at any age. system is compromised, the puheart pumps blood away from because of age and that it is most from dendal artery may not receive the Treatment options vary itself through the body by way likely the result of a heart-health Treatment options vary from dendal artery may not receive the itself through the body by way likely the result of a heart-health exercise and a healthy diet, smokissue, not a psychological one. exercise and issue, not a psychological one. ing cessation and medication, toa healthy diet, smokAs many as 30 million men in ing cessation and medication, to Asare many as 30bymillion men in surgical procedures. But the first the United States affected surgical procedures. But the first the United States are affected by and often-dreaded step is to have ED with 64 percent of those men and often-dreaded step is to have with 64 percent a serious and open conversation over the age ED of 60, according to of those men serious over the age of 60, according to with a doctor whoacan helpand iden-open conversation the National Institutes of Health. Summerfield/The Villages Ocala Williston with a doctor who can help identhe National Institutes of Health. tify the root of erectile dysfunction But while incidences increase 10435 SE 170th Pl. 4730 SW 49th Rd. 412 W. Noble Ave. tify the of erectile dysfunction incidences and provide comfort androot clarity with age, it is But not while an inevitable part increase Summerfield, FL 34491 Ocala, FL 34474 Williston, FL 32696 and provide comfort and clarity with age, itthat is not an inevitable part while helping to solve it. of aging, rather a signal your Office: 352.233.4393 Office: 352.854.0681 Office: 352.528.0790 while helping to solve it. of aging, rather a signal that your
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Accepting Most Insurances. New Patients Welcome.
THE
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Hospice Gala Pays Tribute to Patsy Cline › Written And Photographed By Ronald W. Wetherington
O
n a beautiful fall night, Hospice of Marion County raised over $30,000 to support its mission of providing compassionate comfort care to our community with a tribute to country singer Patsy Cline. More than 600 attendees danced and sang along to Patsy Cline’s hits, such as “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Back in Baby’s Arms” and many more songs. Vocalist Cindy Moody both looks and sounds like the legendary Patsy Cline. Moody, who starred in the 2008 Always Patsy at the Ocala Civic Theatre, interacted with VIP guests seated on the stage with her. Moody states, “It is always such an honor to portray Patsy Cline and revive a precious memory for the listener.” Moody was backed up by a local remix of The Jordanaires: Ross Lehman, Kevin Christian, Gary Rigby and Jeff Rountree. The gala was emceed by Brad Paugh with special guest Gary Rigby. Moody was also accompanied by The HWY 40 Blues Band of Dave Waller, Cliff Goolsby, Justin Baxley, Larry Niekamp, Dr. Ron Spencer, Mike Gilland, Jill Harris and Rachel Harris. Delicious hors d’oeuvres were
Damian and Audrey Romano, Flo and Ed Feltman
catered by sisters Evelyn Hale Nussel and Waica Micheletti of The Ivy House in its second year to cater Hospice of Marion County’s signature gala fundraiser. Marjorie Hale of The Ivy House, who everyone calls “Mimi,” observes, “The Ivy House restaurant feels it is important to support the local charities. Hospice has been very close to our hearts for many reasons. It is the simple acts of kindness that make a difference in someone’s life that can never repay you. Our hearts are full to be a part of something so great.” While everyone was rockin’and rollin’, the focus of the evening was in planning for tomorrow vis à vis this night’s donations. In her speech, Major Gifts Officer Rebecca Rogers reminded the guests of the mission of Hospice. She drew upon author C.S. Lewis regarding the passage of life from summer to fall and then winter, likening life’s ultimate transition in Lewis’ children’s books series The Chronicles of Narnia. In her speech, Rogers observed, “Most people stumble into Hospice care much like the little girl Lucy, who while staying in her summer home, stumbled into the clothing wardrobe that takes her to the other side, a place of harsh winter. One diagnosis, one visit to the doctor or days of forgetfulness that lapse into weeks, months and years take people in the summer of their lives into sudden winter. Hospice is that compassionate comfort care for those entering the winter of their life. Hospice doesn’t help people die. Hospice helps dying people live fully until they die.” Hospice of Marion County gives special thanks to its sponsors such as Kathy Johnson of Ocala Style Magazine and others such as Angie McCormack, Party Time Rentals, Opici, Buddy Martin and WOCA. Hospice’s Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and donors made this a night to remember. Hospice of Marion County encourages the readers of Ocala Style Magazine to support Hospice’s The Tomorrow Fund, which helps Hospice ensure their ability to provide compassionate comfort care for generations to come. To contribute, visit hospiceofmarion.com or call (352) 854-5238.
Ronald W. Wetherington SOCIAL SCENE EDITOR
Susan Daugharty, Merv and Lavern Hope
Adrian Riviere and Kathryn Brecker
Art and Patricia McCartin, Martha and George Carrasco
Nancy Porter, Evelyn Hale Nussel and R. Susan Smith
Michael and Lisa Vassallo, Karen Hummel and Bill Johnson
Marjorie “Mimi� Hale and Harley White
Steve and Rita Hellosi
Pat Greaves, Patsy Bellomy, Patsy Millhouse and Sandy Burback
Don and Lenore Nichols, Norm and Mary Ellen Poe
Dawn Layman and Connie Storms
Joan Rector, M. Teressa Baker and Joan Coke
Norm and Mary Ellen Poe
Darrell and Rachael Lanker, Trina and Tom Bartlett
Ivy House
Kevin Christian
R. Susan Smith and Josh Leverette
Tom and Judy Green
Rebecca Rogers and Lila Ivey
Ashlee Watson, Darlene Miller, LeAnne Brubaker, R. Susan Smith, Nancy Porter and Emily Bryant
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Kimberly’s Center Fundraiser
Photos by Cealia Athanason @ Tom Ingram’s home
Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection recently held a fundraising event at the Lake Weir home of Tom Ingram, CEO of Gateway National Bank. Kimberly’s Center Executive Director Dawn Westgate detailed the organization’s mission and purpose, and green beads were handed out to a select few to demonstrate how many kids become victims of sexual abuse. Donors enjoyed appetizers, drinks and live music under tiki huts on the beach.
Renee Pelzman, Heidi Maier and Kathy Prater
Robby and David Lapp
Kara Tumbleston, Clint and Angie Lewis, Kristin Nast
Crystal and Justin Blanton, Stephanie McQuaig
Michael Peters, Jon Johnson, Donald Doxtator and Christa Johnson Trisha and Brad Nelson, Josh and Ashley Dease
Conrad Marcum, London Bufford and Conrad Marcum (son)
Thad and Julie Boyd
Nadene Marmolejo, Heidi Hensley, Caitlon and Cory Caraway
Jake and Angi Luffman, Ali and Ryan Robbins, Victoria Smith
Ben Marciano, Angie Clifton, Geoff Moore and Tiffany Jordan Moore Tina Chandra and Patricia Sutton
Dawn Westgate and Tom Ingram
Mary Hill and Penny Villella
Dawn Westgate, Todd Duffy and Brad Nelson
Niki Tripodi and Dawn Westgate
Golden Ocala is absolutely the perfect place to spend my day off after a hectic week of horse showing.
AMANDA STEEGE, GOLDEN OCALA LIFESTYLE AMBASSADOR, PROFESSIONAL RIDER AND TRAINER
THE FUTURE HOME OF WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER SOUTH JOIN
TODAY
Become a National Member of Golden Ocala today where boots and breeches are always welcome. World class amenities include a 18-hole championship golf course, six Har-Tru Hydro Grid tennis courts, three exclusive restaurants, state-of-the-art itness center, an Equestrian Center and six miles of picturesque, private riding trails. For more on club beneits or to take advantage of our exclusive
National
Membership
for
$2,000
with
the
initiation
contact Golden Ocala today at 888.551.0983
M E M B E R S H I P. G O L D E N O C A L A . C O M • 8 8 8 . 5 5 1 . 0 9 8 3
Homes and Lots Available from Townhomes to Equestrian Estates
fee
waived,
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Light Up Ocala VIP Reception
The City of Ocala hosted a VIP reception during Light Up Ocala at Brick City Center for the Arts. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages were provided, along with live music on the patio for entertainment. A twinkling backdrop and seasonal decorations set the scene for photos, and guests could peruse the art on display.
Photos by Ralph Demilio @ Brick City Center for the Arts
Anthony Ortiz and Giada Ortiz
Kathi Capobianco with Micaela, Gabriella, Francesca and Carmella
Mary and Krysia Rich
Keifer Calkins, Alexandria Marcello and Suzanne Shuffit
Nino Castaneda
Shanae Pickens, Heather Atkinson, Genna Lapeer
Melissa Peterson and Kara Tumbleson
Pedro Tito Comas and Willy Comas
Karen Hatch, Paulette Milhorn, James P. Hilty Sr. and Patty Frisosky-Moring
Giada Ortiz
James P. Hilty Sr. and Paulette Milhorn
Kray Hubner and Hannah Evans
Pamela Calero and Matthew Wardell
Tanya Walker, Nel Poole and Denelle Pickering
Let us help make your holiday season brighter and whiter!
Yvette Gaya, D.M.D.
Dr. Yvette Gaya has over 20 years of experience in helping her patients achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles for a lifetime. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Inter American University San Juan and continued at Boston University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree. In addition to a Geriatric Dentistry Fellowship at Duke University, she completed the Advanced Dental Studies program at the Las Vegas Institute. Dr. Gaya is Board Certified in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Northeast region. She keeps memberships with following dental organizations to ensure she stays on the cutting-edge of the latest advancements in dentistry: • Florida Dental Association • Marion County Dental Association
Same Day Crowns No Impressions
Before
352.622.8897 | 3321 SW 32nd Ave | ocaladentistry.com
After
THE
Scene
› SOCIAL SCENE
VIEW MORE SOCIAL SCENE PHOTOS AND PURCHASE PRINTS OF YOUR FAVORITES AT OCALASTYLE.COM
Vino With The Dino
Photos by Ralph Demilio @ The Discovery Center
Both kids and adults recently had their fill of dinosaur fun at the Vino With The Dino preview event for the Be The Dinosaur exhibit at the City of Ocala Discovery Center. Dinosaur costumes, interactive activities, food and a bit of vino for the adults made this event a great one for the whole family.
Julie Duncan and Hallie Shrader
Savannah Majoros
Alexandria Marcello, Sarah Shuffitt and Suzanne Shuffitt
Jason Lundock, Alexandria Marcello and Melissa Townsend Carol Savage and Buddy Gene Brown
Michelle Sivilich, Jason Lundock, Kyle Walling, Victoria Billig and Dana Demilio
Stephanie Magnuson
Alexandria Marcello and Celina Bazinet
Alyson Rogers, Jordyn Aldana and Chelsea Browning
Paul Stentiford, Suzanne Shuffitt and Bob Stentiford
John Shuffitt and Melissa Townsend
Celina Bazinet
Asher Demilio
Brandon Magnuson and Beth McCall
COME HOME TO YOUR LAKEFRONT APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Premium Cigars, Pipe Tobacco & Accessories Ready to make the switch?
We have the largest selection of E-Juices in Ocala! 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 to live, work and play. • FREE Water Utility • FREE WiFi 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 • Fresh Water Fishing • Children’s Playground • Pet Friendly / Dog Park • Car Care Center
5001 SW 20th St. Suite 100 Ocala, FL 33474
866.927.6819 CarltonArmsofOcala.com
Sweet Leaf Tobacco Shop 1220 E. Silver Springs Blvd. • 352-512-0346 www.facebook.com/ocalasweetleaf Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 11am-7pm
This product is NOT a safe alternative to cigarettes. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must show valid ID.
ARE YOU READY TO LOOK & FEEL your best THIS YEAR? After
One-On-One Weekly Counseling
Dr. Jay Panchal, MD Sherri Morrison, RN BSN
MEDICALLY SUPERVISED Be fore
Jerry Mar tin Los t 65lbss in 12 we ek
BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS WE ALSO OFFER:
Appetite Suppressants (Prescription & Natural) Fat-Burning Amino Acids - Vitamin B Injections Botox/Restylane Juvederm/Radiesse (Dermal Filler)
B12/LIPO Injections Sclerotherapy (for Spider veins/Varicose Veins) Latisse High Quality Isotonix Health Supplements
Hablamos Español • Visit us on Facebook
2654 SW 32nd Place, Suite 100, Ocala
352.387.0090 DEC ’16 ›
095
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DRIVE A NEW 2017 CAMRY
SE CHOOM! FRO
AND LOWER YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENT! SEE DELUCA TOYOTA FOR COMPLETE DETAILS
“TREATING CUSTOMERS WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY FOR OVER 38 YEARS! STOP BY TODAY AND EXPERIENCE THE DELUCA DIFFERENCE.” – FRANK DELUCA, PRESIDENT/OWNER
ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST AND MOST LUXURIOUS TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS.
OVER 94,500 TOYOTAS SOLD SINCE 1978! WITH A STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICE DEPARTMENT, A FULL-SERVICE SALON AND A CAFÉ. WE’RE JUST A SHORT DRIVE FROM THE VILLAGES. PLEASE CALL FOR DIRECTIONS.
DELUCATOYOTA.COM 352.553.2198 / 1719 SW COLLEGE RD. OCALA Featuring a no cost maintenance plan with roadside assistance.
WWW.
COME TO OUR
HOLIDAY SALE
25% 40%
FROM
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OFF
INSTOCK INVENTORY *Excludes Rolex watches
ting Celebra
! s r a Ye Nancy Porter Graduate Gemologist, Diamond Setter, Designer
Quality, experience, personal service, stunning choices and jewelry that lasts a lifetime. 352.629.5703 | 315 E Silver Springs Blvd. | ladyjeweler.com