Issuu

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

OCALA MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2026

10 years ago the Ma Barker house moved from its murderous past towards a brighter future.

Ma’s Big Move! Plus: Wedding Love Stories

The Mahjong Connection Stitched With Purpose

Just Listed

TIMELESS ELEGANCE: A PRIVATE STUNNING 109.29+/ACRES ON NW HWY 225 ESTATE NEAR THE WEC

800 SW 144th Court Rd., Ocala 34481 — Set behind a gated entrance on 3.64± acres, this stately brick estate offers exceptional privacy, timeless architecture, and picturesque views. An elegant foyer leads to a gracious family room with a gas-log fireplace, custom cabinetry, and sliding doors opening to the lanai and pool. The chef ’s kitchen features a large center island, seating for six, a walk-in pantry, butler’s pantry, and sunlit breakfast nook. The primary suite includes a sitting area, dual-sided fireplace, spa-inspired bath, and oversized closet. Includes a formal dining room, a wood-paneled executive office, a well appointed laundry room, and three additional bedrooms. Designed for year-round entertaining, the lanai features a fireplace, summer kitchen, spacious seating area, spa, and screened pool. A charming pergola overlooks the gently rolling grounds and private garden. Located just 9 miles from the World Equestrian Center. $2,599,000

LUXURY, LAND & LIFESTYLE 5 PRIVATE STUNNING 109.29+/ACRES ON— NW HWY 225 ACRES IN OXFORD PRESERVE

1393 Oxford Preserve Trl., Oxford 34484 — Completed in 2026, this exceptional 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy refined country living on 5 beautifully fenced and cross-fenced acres in the gated neighborhood of Oxford Preserve. Privately gated for added security and a true sense of arrival, the property combines privacy, quality craftsmanship, and an impressive lifestyle setting. The beautiful kitchen features timeless cabinetry, elegant lighting, generous workspace, and an inviting layout ideal for everyday living and entertaining. The open kitchen and family room feature a double-sided fireplace that connects the family room and a bonus room, with the flexibility for an office, hobby room, or private retreat, adding warmth and charm to both spaces. Outdoors, a stunning pool and expansive patio overlook lush pastureland, mature trees, and wide-open views, creating a peaceful retreat that feels both private and luxurious. $1,223,600

Let Me Show You Ocala PRICE D E C U D RE

RESORT-STYLE LIVING ON 42.83 ACRES

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

improvements completed in 2021, including a spacious owner’s suite addition with a luxurious spa-inspired bath and a beautifully appointed custom gourmet kitchen. A stunning entryway with soaring ceilings makes an impression, while the thoughtfully designed floor plan blends elegance with everyday comfort. Step outside to your own private retreat, where a newly constructed resort-style pool and spa overlook the picturesque pastures. Designed with the equestrian lifestyle in mind, the property features a state-of-the-art 16-stall center-aisle barn, a secondary 4-stall barn, multiple fenced paddocks, and ample space for riding, training, or expanding your operation. An approximately 1,800 SF guest house offers 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, and an attached garage, providing comfortable accommodations for guests, staff, or potential rental income. $3,999,999

RAINBOW RIVER

LAKE WEIR 27± ACRES

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

SE Sunset Harbor Rd, Weirsdale 32195 — $4,100,000

• 90 feet of frontage and private dock on Rainbow River. • 6,040± SF • Two expansive screened porches. • Grand foyer, vaulted ceilings in great room, and gourmet kitchen. • Owner’s suite with fireplace, spa-inspired bath, and stunning river views.

List with us today!

• Approximately 980± feet of frontage on Lake Weir. • One of the highest elevations around the lake (135± feet). • Enjoy activities like boating, skiing, and swimming, along with access to a sandy beach. • Suitable for a private estate, family retreat, or investment opportunity.

Considering Ocala?

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

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

PRICE D E C U RED

TURNING HAWK – 5± ACRES

ELEGANT LIVING IN THE COUNTRY CLUB OF OCALA

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

7122 SE 12th Cir, Ocala 34480 — $825,000

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

• Rich finishes, tray ceilings, and abundant natural light. • Extensive cabinetry, granite countertops, a center island, and open flow to main living areas. • Spacious covered lanai, screened pool enclosure, and a beautiful fire pit area for entertaining year-round. • Nestled in a prestigious gated golf community.

Equestrian Living

CLOSE TO FLORIDA HORSE PARK – 24± ACRES

EXTRAORDINARY 59.86± ACRE ESTATE IN SHELL POND

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

500 SE 69th Pl, Ocala 34480 — $1,990,000

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

• 3 Bedrooms • 3 Baths • 12' wraparound porch • Improved pastures with water and electricity to paddocks • 54' × 40' workshop/garage with a permitted bunk room, half bath, and flexible guest or office space • 26' × 48' pole barn with equipment storage and outdoor entertaining area with a sink, island, and running water

SOLD!

LAKEFRONT ELEGANCE ON OVER 14.71± ACRES

117± ACRE PROPERTY NEAR I-75 AND HWY 326

10893 SE 141st Avenue Rd, Ocklawaha 32179 — Offered at $1,525,000

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

• Zoned A-1 • 500± ft of private shoreline on Lake Faye • Remodeled main residence with stone fireplace, owner’s suite, and a screened pool with outdoor kitchen. • Fenced grounds • Guest house and equipment barn • Just 20 minutes from The Villages

• Offering privacy, accessibility, and opportunity • Suitable for cattle, horses, or livestock operations • Fully fenced and cross-fenced • Large metal barn with 16 stalls • 4,300± SF of Road frontage on I-75

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

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

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

PRO Closet & Cabinetry has been providing premier closet storage solutions for the North Central Florida area since 2008. We are locally owned, and family operated. Recently we expanded to include custom residential and commercial cabinetry, summer

kitchens and millwork. Our team of experienced designers and engineers will work closely with you to identify the best solutions for your space, provide a free estimate and coordinate the complete installation of the finished product.

PCC would love the opportunity to review your projects, offer a detailed 3D plan with a reasonable bid and assist you in completing your projects at above industry standards. Call today and make an appointment to get started.

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play

70 Society: Ocala Lions Club 72 Community: Ocala Comic Con; Ribbon Cutting at IronCrest 76 Recipe: Food to Gather Around 78 Dining Out

PHOTO Courtesy of Stentiford Construction

features

etc

80 Everything Equine: Making Equestrianism Friendly for All 82 Health Journal: This Fall, Let’s Focus on Preventing Falls 84 State of the City: Hometown Power Heroes 86 State of the County: Make Your Next Gathering a Park Day

30 Love Stories

88 From the Library: A Spooky Night in Ocala’s Historic Fort

48 The Mahjong Connection

90 Maddie’s Take: Hello, October!

54 The Write Stuff

92 Destinations: Wedding Shopper’s Guide

24 Ma’s Big Move

60 Camp is Calling 62 Stitched with Purpose 66 Growing with Care

departments

16 Letter from the Publisher 20 From the Mayor 22 Business Marketplace 94 Last Look

8 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Philip Glassman, CCIM | Publisher philip@ocalamagazine.com

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

EDITORIAL Sharon Raye | Editor sharon@ocalamagazine.com

Ronald W. Wetherington | Society Editor

VOTE NOW! OCTOBER 1–16 124 AWARDS

Vote for your faves across 17 categories: Arts & Entertainment Auto & Transportation Beauty & Spa Business & Creative Community Contractors & Home Education & Childcare Financial & Insurance Food & Drink

Health & Medical Pets & Animals Equestrian Real Estate Shopping Legal Services Sports & Outdoor Recreation Wedding & Events

Scan or visit ocalamagazine.com to vote daily!

10 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

ron@ocalamagazine.com

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

OFFICE 743 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471 MAILING P.O. Box 4649, Ocala, FL 34478 PRESS RELEASES AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR editor@ocalamagazine.com COPYRIGHT ALL contents copyrighted ©2026 by Ocala Magazine Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertising content in any manner without written permission is strictly prohibited. Horse Capital of the World® is a registered trademark of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association.

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

Penny Miller, VP/Corp. Development Penny has been with OM for over 20 years. She’s authored five books, owns a media company and an insurance & financial business, and founded the Marion County Homeless Coalition. She was appointed Commissioner by four governors, served on the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation Advisory Board, and led the College Park Kiwanis Club. Her greatest joy is her four children and five grandchildren.

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

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

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

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

Kerrigan Adsit, Freelance Writer Kerrigan, an Ocala native, mama to three, and author, has a heart for encouraging others through her writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found having dance parties with her littles, spending time outside with them, or devouring another theology book.

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

12 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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

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

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

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

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

WE OFFER TOURS GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF YOUR WATER’S JOURNEY Have you ever wondered what happens after water goes down the drain or how nature helps keep our environment clean? Join us for guided tours of the: Water Treatment Plant (WTP) The WTP performs a vital role in serving over 60,000 citizens and ensuring that safe drinking water is supplied 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Water Reclamation Facilities The City of Ocala collects, treats, and disposes of all the wastewater produced by its residents and visitors. Ocala Wetland Recharge Park This man-made wetland ecosystem was constructed to improve water quality and boost regional groundwater supplies. The park sits on a 60-acre site and is home to educational exhibits, paved walking trails, and wildlife overlooks. Sign Up for Your Water Tour Explore Ocala’s water systems, from treatment to wetlands. Scan the QR Code to schedule your tour. All requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance.

352-351-6772

www.ocalafl.gov/waterresources

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

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

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

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

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | FEB 2026 |

5 5

NOTE

from the publisher

Welcoming Fall

t’s official. The holiday season has kicked off with the October issue. Boo to all our readers! It is truly amazing how quickly life flies by. It’s hard for me to fathom that we are already heading into October 2026 and rounding the corner toward the end of another year. But here we are. And what an amazing issue we have for you this month. I won’t give away any spoilers, but I hope you enjoy everything we’ve put together. Our Charity of the Month is the Sewing Bees Club, a group of dedicated volunteers who use their talents to give back to those in need. Through the quilts and other handmade items they create, these women are bringing comfort Jerry and Phillip Glassman and care to children, families and others throughout our community. As fall begins, I think we’re all hoping the temperatures will start dropping and bring us some cooler weather. Our community continues to thrive and blossom in ways I never thought possible. No matter where I travel, people are talking about Ocala and Marion County, the Horse Capital of the World. We are living in a special time here, and I count my blessings that, through Ocala Magazine, I have the opportunity to give back and help others in this community, particularly through our charitable efforts. I also want to wish my father a happy 86th birthday on Oct. 21. Happy birthday, Dad! Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween. And as always, thank you to our readers, staff and advertisers for your continued support.

PHILIP GLASSMAN, PUBLISHER

16 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Deborah Scott, LPN, LE Dermatological Nurse - Esthetician

30+ years of experience

OFMC AESTHETICS & LASER

2121 SW 22nd Place • Ocala, FL 34471 • 352-368-1333 • www.OcalaFMC.com *Ocala Family Medical Center, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.*

L I V I N G

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NOTE

from the mayor

A Season of Grace

I “All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.” — Thomas à Kempis

t’s funny, peace is one of those things that, when people are asked what they want most, is generally part of the answer. But as Kempis states, few desire those things that make for peace. I see people cutting each other off in parking lots, short tempers at the grocery store and, online, so much negativity, gossip and unkindness. Please don’t misunderstand my point. I’m not suggesting you be a doormat or sit quietly when there is a need to speak out against true injustice. I’m saying that we are all equipped with the ability to make things a little better. This will look different in every situation, but a huge part of it is grace and forgiveness. Times are tough and everyone is battling something, but it doesn’t have to be one another. Listening instead of immediately judging or jumping to conclusions is one place to start. Helping your neighbors is an essential part of community, and sometimes that means being inconvenienced or giving up something in return. Those small acts can make a difference. As the holidays start rolling in and time and resources become stretched, remember that you’re certainly not alone. Extend to others the same grace and kindness you would like to receive. The city of Ocala is glad to welcome you, your family and friends to all our festivities and events. This time of year offers a special opportunity to support local businesses while helping both our neighbors and our community. Take advantage of the cooler weather to visit and explore our many parks and recreational activities. I look forward to seeing you around town.

Ben Marciano

MAYOR OF OCALA

20 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Residential | Commercial | New Construction PAINTING AND EPOXY FLOORS

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DEPARTMENTS 44 State of the County Veterans Benefits

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22 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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How do you move a 96-year-old house across a lake? Ten years ago The Ma Barker house did it with ingenuity, precision and the backing of a community determined to save history. BY KERRIGAN ADSIT

Paul Stentiford, owner of Stentiford Construction

24 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Photography provided by Stentiford Construction

hy preserve the memory of a murderous past? A female felon and her gangster of a son, Ma and Fred Barker, made history Jan. 16, 1935. Among the last major felons in the gangster movement in the early 1930s, the mother-and-son duo were known for their cold-blooded murders, kidnappings of the wealthy, and demands for astronomical ransoms. They “thought they were Robin Hood by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, and they were anything but benevolent. They were coldblooded killers,” said George Albright, an expert on the Ma Barker story who has dedicated a large portion of his life to keeping the story alive. Rather than glorifying murderers, Albright’s aim is to acknowledge the success of the FBI and have its heroic act of justice live on. Ma Barker, the leader of the gang, raised and nurtured a generation of murderers. She taught her four sons the way of the wicked. She welcomed her sons’ criminal friends with open arms into her home and gave advice to the young men forming gangs. She, ironically, was dubbed “Ma” by all. A mother who raised hell, nurtured violence, kissed death. The wicked deeds of the Barker gang spread and created ripple effects for all victims in their path. Albright shared that their crimes affected every facet of life, including friendships and finances. A victim recalls coming home from school one day to find her mother crying in the kitchen. The Barkers had murdered her father during a bank robbery. That little girl and mother were left orphaned and widowed, vulnerable to the poverty the Great Depression brought. Their crimes left that family facing lasting hardship and trauma. One of the families they targeted for kidnapping was the Bremer family, a prominent family in the Minneapolis area that owned the Commercial State Bank. The Barker gang did not know what they were getting themselves into, as the Bremers were friends of the president himself. After weeks of negotiating, the Barkers were paid $200,000 for the safe release of Edward George Bremer. This event put the Barkers on the FBI’s radar as President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a personal

interest in the affair and wanted justice for the ill done to his friends, the Bremers. Jan. 8, 1935, a map led to the discovery of Ma and Fred Barker’s hideout. The FBI arrested Arthur “Doc” Barker for his involvement in the Bremer kidnapping, and upon searching his Chi-

cago apartment, the FBI found a mysterious map and letter. Albright says, “On this letter and this map was Florida, a lake, and a big ol’ alligator named Joe.” The FBI immediately dispatched the information to the office in Jacksonville and went about searching for lakes in the area with an alligator named Joe. A couple of days into their search they discovered Ma and Fred Barker hiding out in a rental in the little town of Ocklawaha. The Bradfords of Miami reluctantly rented their Lake Weir house out to the Barkers, not knowing the true identity of the mother and son duo. They were under the impression that a sweet elderly woman wanted use of the house and were given a large sum of cash in advance. Agents observed the house for a couple of days, gathering information on who was coming and going with Ma and Fred Barker. Information was sent back to FBI offices in Jacksonville and Washington, and a plan was formed. Fifteen FBI agents were sent to the Bradford house early in the morning of Jan. 16, 1935, and surrounded the home. They walked into that day not knowing what weapons the Barkers possessed and

how many people were inside the twostory home. The FBI carefully crafted an intricate map displaying each of the spots the agents would stand among the towering oaks. Metal detectors later confirmed the locations through buried shell casings left after the battle.

Artifacts discovered at the Ma Barker House mostly in 2016 include shell casings and bullets ﬁred by the FBI into the house, Fred Barkers actual pinky ring, engraved with the letters “FGB” for Fred George Barker and a pistol thought to belong to Ma Barker herself, with a “M” engraved into the barrel with a small ﬁle, short for “Ma”.

It was a bloody five-hour-long fight and is now known as the longest gun battle in FBI history. Estimates range from 700 to 2,000 rounds fired. Ma and Fred Barker held their ground, stealthily moving from room to room to give the appearance of several people in the home. They had guns strategically hidden throughout the house at their disposal and shot at the FBI with machine guns and buckshot. Once it was quiet within the house, the agents sent in the cook who lived next door to see if Ma and Fred Barker were dead. Fred Barker was found shot 12 times, and he had stuck cotton in each wound to keep from bleeding out. It is modern lore that

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

Ma Barker shot herself between the eyes as a final act of resistance. She always told her boys to never let the law take them alive, and she took that to her grave. The FBI agents and civilians remained unharmed during the shootout. The criminals were dead and justice reigned. That day a crowd of 50 spectators gathered on the edge of the property to watch the shootout. Among the onlookers was a young man by the name of George Albright Sr. He had been at the train station and heard that “all hell was breaking loose” over at the Bradford home. He quickly jumped into his car and sped over to the gunfight. He became one of the eyewitnesses of this historic event and told the story to his family through the years. His son, George Albright Jr. later went on to attend the University of Florida and became good friends with the daughter of the Bradfords, Betty Ann Bradford, and her husband, Morton Good. The Goods inherited the house and the Albrights moved next door where their sons, George Albright III and Carson Good, grew up together as childhood friends.

Carson Good together worked to preserve the history of the Bradford family home. On the 50th anniversary of the shootout, Jan. 16, 1985, Albright’s father, George Albright Jr., persuaded the Bradfords to open the home to the public. This event became a part of the annual Citrus Festival that year and made the cover of the Orlando Sentinel. Albright recalls, “Next thing we know, on that day, we had thousands of people show up in the middle of Ocklawaha. And they waited hours in line to walk through the house.” They raised $10,000 on that one day alone. Albright saw that the house would always be relevant because of the interest people have in learning about the gangster era during the Great Depression. In 2014 the family started the process of selling the property with a past. However, no one wanted the home because of its murderous beginnings. In 2016, however, the property was to be sold and the historic home to be demolished. Albright remembered the attention the house received in one day alone back in 1985 and began formulating a plan.

home once again to see if the community would come together. They gave just five days’ notice on two Facebook pages that the house would be open to the public for the day. The county commissioners and the county administrator showed up the day of the opening and were astonished by the turnout. Albright shared that 1,000 people from the community showed up. “I counted them physically myself.” The property was overflowing with people of all ages to see the historic home. It was a day the commissioners would not easily forget. “Their eyes were so big,” Albright says, “they couldn’t believe what they were seeing!” They saw the value the Bradford home had for the community “as a lasting legacy of Marion County history.” From there, Marion County, Albright, and Good moved rather quickly. With the days counting down to the property officially being sold, they had to act fast to move the home. The county spent approximately $252,000 to move the home to Carney Island Recreation and Conservation Area on Lake Weir. However, to do that the house would have to

George Albright recalls that from a young age he understood the severity of the event that had taken place at his neighbor’s home. He heard the story from his grandfather. He saw the holes that aged with the house and sat in the furniture patched up from the bullets that left their eerie mark. Four generations used this as a summer home, resting and picnicking in a place that once was a battlefield. Where bullets once whizzed, birds now sang. Where men fought, children played. A place of beauty with a haunting past. Albright knew that this was an important piece of Marion County history that should not be forgotten, and so he and

“So I thought to myself, ‘let’s see if that interest is still there,’” Albright recalled. With the clock ticking on the sale of the property, he went to Marion County commissioners with a plan up his sleeve. He proposed to the county that if they moved the Bradford home to another property, the family would donate the house and all its contents to Marion County as a charitable cause. The reminder of the FBI agents’ bravery and success should not be torn down and forgotten but rather acknowledged and preserved. All five commissioners were intrigued by the idea. In early summer 2016 Albright and Good decided to open the

be cut in half, canopying oak trees would have to be torn down and power lines temporarily removed. The costs would have easily surpassed $1 million. Not one to be afraid of a challenge, Paul Stentiford, owner of Stentiford Construction, rose to the occasion. “All the other builders refused to do this project and we don’t shy away from a challenge. We like unique and interesting projects and this is one of them,” said Tyler Stentiford, son of Paul Stentiford. The house was to be floated across the lake to its final resting place, a feat no one else was willing to chance. Preparation for the move took 26 days. Stentiford called

26 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

The unveiling of the bronze plaque denoting the historical events leading up to, and including the shootout, by local elected oﬃcials and law enforcement and the FBI. From left to right: Marion County Commissioner Matt McClain, Marion County Commissioner Michelle Stone, Marion County Tax Collector George Albright, Marion County Sheriﬀ Billy Woods, Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox, Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler - Jacksonville District of the FBI, Marion County Commissioner Carl Zalak, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Bill Gladson.

in Youngblood House Movers as a subcontractor for their expertise and help with the massive project. Down to the details, every part of it had to be precise and calculated. They had to raise the house, roll it down to the water onto a bridge of steel, and onto a 40-by-80-foot pin barge. It was a massive undertaking that was executed by

a team that truly cared about the work they were doing. When the day finally came in October 2016, it was smooth sailing for the Bradford home. Civilians came out on their boats to watch and cheer on the 30-minute trek across the water. It was “really cool that we were a part of that history where the FBI apprehended those criminals,” Paul Stentiford shared. The Stentifords found themselves in a comparable position. They apprehended the house, but this time, the house met a much better fate. The home made it in one piece without any bumps along the way. The Bradford home, now a museum, opened for scheduled tours a few months later. But the story does not end there. Now, 10 years after the house was floated across Lake Weir, Albright said there are plans to build an interpretive center. This would open the opportunity for all to visit as it would be ADA compliant. “We want to preserve the house and at the same time maximize the ability for people to come and see it,” Albright said. “You may not be able to go into the house but you can do the interpretive center.”

Down to the details, every part of it had to be precise and calculated.

The interpretive center would also help minimize the wear and tear on the 96-year-old home. The idea is to replicate the experience of the home within the interpretive center and educate visitors on what exactly took place, such as through a movie. There are also plans to plant the exact same trees in each spot the 15 FBI agents stood under to try to help immerse people in what the property looked like in the day and time of the shootout. Private funding is being raised and preparations are underway; the Ma Barker house is not finished yet. The crime may have ended that fateful day in 1935, but the house stands strong and lives on. Albright, Good and Stentiford have also made history alongside the home and are continuing to do so with their efforts and plans for the future. When the community rallies together to keep alive their history, it is something to take pride in. It may be a house with a dark past, but the community is eager for what lies ahead in the small town with an alligator named Joe.

WAT C H A behind the scenes video on the moving of the Barker house.

The Barker house in it’s new location.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

The Equestrian Manor at World Equestrian Center – Ocala sets a new standard for luxury events in Central Florida. Conveniently situated adjacent to The Riding Academy Hotel and The Shoppes Off 80th, guests can experience refined event spaces alongside extraordinary culinary offerings. OCALASALES@WEC.NET | MEETATWEC.COM | 352.414.7850

Eight couples recently said “I do,” each celebrating in a way that was distinctly their own. From the venues they chose and the details they loved to the family and friends who shared the day, each wedding tells a different story. Meet the couples and take a look at the moments that made their celebrations memorable.

30 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Jessica George May 23, 2026 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Parents of the Groom: Susan & George Vazoulas Parents of the Bride: Judy & Brian Kiederling

How did you two meet? We met online through my brother while we were visiting our grandparents in Ocala.

Wedding Planner

Where did you get engaged? We got engaged on June 6, 2024, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

Where did you honeymoon? We honeymooned in Hawaii and French Polynesia.

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Catering, Décor, Rentals

Photographer

Kayla Wade Photography Florals

The Rose Barn

What special touches made your day unique? Our families had a few surprises for us throughout the celebration, including googly-eye glasses and pink cowboy hats, which added a fun and unexpected touch to the day.

Officiant

What was your favorite moment? As cheesy as it sounds, our favorite part was truly spending such a fun time with all of the family and friends who traveled to celebrate with us. Every one of our vendors was incredible and helped the day run so seamlessly. We were able to kick back, enjoy every moment and take it all in, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Beauty

Fr. Patrick O’Doherty, Queen of Peace Catholic Church Music

Austin, DJ Live Productions Pretty N Pinned Groom’s Suit

Greiner’s

Bride’s Dress

Enelda’s Happy Brides Rings

Stone Co. Ocala

32 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Megan Michael March 6, 2026

The Club at Iron Lake

Mother of the Groom: Anita Carabine Parents of the Bride: Mark & Clare Kansley

How did you two meet? We attended the same schools growing up, though we did not truly get to know each other until high school. We were introduced through mutual friends and started dating during high school. Where did you get engaged? We got engaged at a country club in Pompano Beach. After the proposal, we celebrated with a wonderful party surrounded by the people we love most, making it a day we will cherish forever. Where did you honeymoon? We’ll be honeymooning in Iceland, a destination that’s been on my bucket list for years. What special touches made your day unique? Our dogs, Beau and Sally, were included in special touches throughout

the celebration. We also took time to honor family members who are no longer with us, including Michael’s father. Were there any unusual happenings? As I began walking down the aisle, a rainbow appeared across the quarry, creating a scene more stunning than anything we could have planned. Guests continued talking about it throughout the evening. It was one of those rare, magical occurrences that cannot be planned or recreated. What was your favorite moment? Standing together at the altar and finally becoming husband and wife after 11 years and countless milestones. Another favorite moment came later in the evening when we were finally able to step onto the dance floor and simply enjoy the celebration.

34 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Wedding Planner

Additional Rentals

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Blessed Magnolia Arthur’s Catering Photographer

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Meet the Garrs Bluegrass Chic

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We’re saving you a seat at the table this fall. Two FREE Community Events!

The Stories We Tell: Indigenous History, Theatre & Silver Springs

With The Thanksgiving Play director Vickie Ramirez and Scott Mitchell, director of the Silver River Museum

Saturday, October 10 from 1-3 p.m. At the Silver River Museum (1445 NE 58th Avenue)

Who Gets to Tell the Story?

Why Indigenous Artists Belong at the Center of Indigenous Stories With The Thanksgiving Play director Vickie Ramirez

Saturday, October 17 from 1-3 p.m. At Brick City Center for the Arts (23 SW Broadway Street)

Join the Friends of Silver Springs State Park for a special annual membership price of $25 while you’re at this event and get a free ticket to The Thanksgiving Play!

Join Marion Cultural Alliance for a special annual membership price of $25 while you’re at this event and get a free ticket to The Thanksgiving Play!

LIVE ON STAGE October 29 – November 15

Rated PG-13

By Larissa FastHorse THE THANKSGIVING PLAY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-2274 • thecivic.org

TICKETS: $35-$40 for adults $17-20 for ages 18 & younger

Ellie Porter November 7, 2025 World Equestrian Center Parents of the Groom: Bryan Stanley & Sarah Watson Parents of the Bride: Matt & Amy Hewitt

How did you two meet? We met in seventh grade! We stayed friends until he transferred to my high school during our junior year. We started dating our senior year. Where did you get engaged? We got engaged at a beautiful oceanfront property in Clearwater. Porter had a gorgeous setup at sunset with 100 roses scattered throughout the grass.

Wedding Planner

Blessed Magnolia

Where did you honeymoon? At the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii.

Catering & Cake

What special touches made your day unique? One of my favorites was arriving at the chapel with my dad in a Cinderella horse-drawn carriage. Another was that my mom, who owns All The Buzz Cookies, made all the sugar cookie wedding favors, each featuring a detailed drawing of the chapel. One of the biggest highlights of the night was the black-and-white photo booth. It gave our guests a fun way to capture memories from the evening.

Photographer

Were there any unusual happenings? Every wedding has a few small mishaps. Thankfully, we had an amazing wedding planner who made sure we never noticed any of them until days later. What was your favorite moment? Right after we said “I do” and climbed into the carriage, we could see our guests waving as we rode away. It was incredible to see everyone we love gathered in one place, and I did my best to soak it all in. We then took our first ride around the chapel as husband and wife.

World Equestrian Center Maggs Lee Photo Videographer

Frame 23 Studios Florals

Taylor Grace Designs Additional Rentals

Taylor Grace Designs; The Gala Photobooth Officiant

Rev. Chris Stephens Music

Tanner Johnson Music Beauty

Glam by Taylor Thomas

36 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Talia Zack August 22, 2026 The Baughman Center Parents of the Groom: Jon & Amanda Miller Parents of the Bride: Stephen Snyder & Jocelyn Thomas

How did you two meet? We met in high school and became good friends. Zack kept trying and trying, but I was playing hard to get. Once I finally reached out to Zack, that led us to where we are today! Where did you get engaged? We got engaged in our backyard the day we closed on our new house! Where did you honeymoon? We honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico, at the Excellence Club, Playa Mujeres Resort! What special touches made your day unique? I could go on and on about all the DIY projects we did to make everything perfect! We took the time throughout the year to make everything ourselves. We made engraved silverware, napkin rings, lighters and cigar cutters for our cigar bar. We also created restaurant-style menus, an embroidered banner that served as our guest book, and signature drinks incorporating our puppy. We made custom tambourines, programs, drink stirrers, chocolate nuggets and bars, cigar bands, matchboxes and newspapers about our relationship. What was your favorite moment? If I had to pick just one, it would be our last dance. It was a moment just for the two of us to reflect on the day. There wasn’t another soul in the room, and we could look around and take in the aftermath of such a good time. That was when I finally let all my tears from the day flow.

Wedding Planner

The Grateful Table Events Reception

Granville Plantation Catering

El Puente Catering; The Bar Exchange FL Photographer

Samantha Rae Photography Florals

Roots N Flora Cake

Betty Cakes Music

Susie Short (Violin & Harp); Nate (Saxophone); Matt Gray (DJ) Beauty

Pretty N Pinned Content Creator

Your Wedding Hype Girl Rings

REEDS Dress

Allure Bridal

38 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Hanna Blake August 29, 2026 The Gorrie Mill Parents of the Groom: Rodney & Christine Shidler Parents of the Bride: Bill & Jennifer Whiting How did you two meet? Through family friends. Where did you get engaged? Crystal River, Florida. Where did you honeymoon? Sandals La Toc in St. Lucia. What special touches made your day unique? Wearing family jewelry that has been in our families for decades. What was your favorite moment? Our first look before the ceremony, getting that special moment together prior to walking down the aisle.

Wedding Planner

Caroline Green, Stunning & Brilliant Events Catering

El Puente Catering; My Bar Service Photographer

Taylor Shea Florals

Roots N Flora Cake

A Blonde & Her Bakery Officiant

Ronnie Reid Music

Bay Kings Band Beauty

Pretty N Pinned Rings

Crown Facets Bride’s Dress

Pronovias (Gown); SM Bridal & Couture (Mini dress)

40 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

STAY SAFE & STEADI MARION

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MARION COUNTY FALL PREVENTION COALITION

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2026 Appleton Museum of Art 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34470 This inaugural Fall Prevention Awareness event will be packed with information and resources to help you understand your fall risks, stay active longer, make your home safer, and how your health care providers can help. Call 352-401-1043 for more information.

Join us for FREE:

Expert speakers and demos Luncheon for panel attendees Expo of resources Health checks and assessments

Faith Denzzy June 6, 2026 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Parents of the Groom: Harry & Evanie Denizart Parents of the Bride: William & Gloria Benson

Wedding Planner

Georgina Rarick, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Catering, Décor, Rentals

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Photographer

Jodny Francois

How did you two meet? We met through Facebook Dating in 2022. Where did you get engaged? We got engaged in New Orleans in 2025. Where did you honeymoon? We honeymooned in New Orleans. Were there any special touches that made your wedding uniquely yours? We had a Bible for our guests to sign and a special photo backdrop. Did anything unexpected or unusual happen on your wedding day? One of the groomsmen left his bow tie behind, but thankfully, the stylist had an extra tie. Most people didn’t even notice! What was your favorite moment from your wedding day? Our favorite moment was watching our wedding recap video, which was presented at the end of the reception.

Videographer

Jodny Creative Co. Florals

Tara Allen Alexander, Marry Me Now Weddings & Elopements Music & Sound

Callen (Violin); Moise Jossaint (DJ); Sarai Antoine (MC); Elijah (Sound) Makeup

Tara Miller Officiant

Tony

Hairstylist

Arhmad

Groom’s Suit

Louissaint Aroma Bride’s Dress

MDP Bridal Boutique Rings

R.H. Macy & Co.

42 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Alyssa Denah April 24, 2026 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Parents of the Groom: Deb & Dan Stromwall Parents of the Bride: Darlene & Kenny Graubard

How did you two meet? We met at a bar called The Yellow Pony. Where did you get engaged? We got engaged on April 7, 2025. Where did you honeymoon? We honeymooned in Napa Valley. Were there any special touches that made your wedding uniquely yours? We had thank-you notes on everyone’s tables, fans with our initials on each ceremony seat and a book for everyone to sign and leave us a note. We also had a saxophone player. Did anything unexpected or unusual happen on your wedding day? There was a 0% chance of rain all day, but it rained only during our ceremony and then stopped. Good luck, I guess? What were your favorite moments from your wedding day? The Hora, the saxophone player getting jiggy with us in the crowd, seeing each other at the end of the aisle and getting to say “I do,” having all our favorite people in one place to celebrate with us, and hearing the speeches from our wedding party and family.

Wedding Planner

Georgina Rarick, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Catering, Décor, Rentals

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Photographer

Kayla Wade Florals

Build a Bouquet Officiant

Wendy Thurow Music

Grain Entertainment Beauty

Haley Finegan Hair & Makeup Groom’s Suit

Generation Tux Rings

Brilliant Earth

44 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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THERAPY THERAPY AstridPHYSICAL Aviles-Melendez, MD Maria Botero,MS,RO,LDN,PHYSICAL CDCES FelixEsarey,DPM PODIATRY ENDOCRINOLOGY DIABETES EDUCATION

Carly Carrion Olmeda,MO ENDOCRINOLOGY

Astrid Aviles-Melendez,MD Maria Botero,MS,RO,LDN, CDCES ENDOCRINOLOGY DIABETES ED UCATION

Nanjappa Chandramohan,MD ENDOCRINOLOGY

Rosa Diaz,MD ENDOCRINOLOGY

FelixEsarey,DPM PODIATRY

O livia Hensel, DPT

PHYSICAL THERAPY Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh, MO DERMATOLOGY & MOHS SURGERY Valentina Bradley Kalbaugh, MO DERMATOLOGY & MOHS SURGERY

Amber Starling,DNP,DCNP-C DERMATOLOGY

Lauren Davis,PA-C DERMATOLOGY

Amber Starling,DNP,DCNP-C DERMATOLOGY

Lauren Davis,PA-C DERMATOLOGY

Chris Nicolosi, PTA PHYSICAL THERAPY Deb Scott, LPN,LE

AESTHETICS

Deb Scott, LPN,LE AESTHETICS

352-237-4133 352-237-4133

-ocala Family Medical Center, Inc. complies with applicable Federal DERMATOLOGY & AESTHETIC CENTER OFMC SPECIALTY CENTER OFMC

www.ocalafmc.com www.ocalafmc.com Office Direct: 352-368-1370

civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis ofrace,

Family Medical Center, Inc. complies with applicable Federal 2131 SW 20TH PLACE OCALA, FL-ocala 34471 color, age, d.isability, or sex. - ofrace, 2121 SW 22ND PLACE OCALA, FL 34471 civil rights lawsnational and doesorigin, not discriminate on the basis color, national origin, age, d.isability, or sex.-

Office Direct: 352-368-1350

Shanelle Sage June 20, 2026 Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Parents of the Groom: Lamont & LeighAnn Ennis Parents of the Bride: Rupert & Rosalee Valentine

How did you two meet? We met through mutual friends at Clemson University. When did you get engaged? We got engaged on Dec. 22, 2024. Where did you honeymoon? Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia. Were there any special touches that made your wedding uniquely yours? We exchanged private vows before the ceremony and incorporated the bride’s mother’s old ring. We also saved a seat in memory of family members who could not be with us. Our maid of honor and best man gifted us watches to commemorate our union. The best man wore a watch and stopped it at the exact time we were announced as Mr. and Mrs. Ennis, then presented watches to the bride and groom. Did anything unexpected or unusual happen on your wedding day? We began dating on May 15 and, completely unintentionally, were married at exactly 5:15 p.m. Two couples celebrating with us also shared our wedding date as their anniversaries. We also have the same initials, which inspired the SRE² details incorporated throughout our decor.

Wedding Planner

Georgina Rarick, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Catering, Décor, Rentals

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club Photographer

Paige Mercer Photography Florals

Brick City Flowers Officiant

Damian Thompson Music

Jonathan Davis, Genius Entertainment Bride’s Dress

Laine London Makeup

Zoey Scott Hairstylist

Sarah Beth McBride Rings

Harlin Diamonds

What were your favorite moments from your wedding day? Placing the rings on each other’s hands, enjoying the reception and spending the afternoon and evening with so many close friends and loved ones who came together from across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Jamaica to celebrate the start of our new life together.

46 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

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Left to right: Margot Pape Rogers, Audyn Woodington (Tiles and Miles instructor), Charlotte Magnuson, Nicole Langley, Diane Gullet, Kaycie Hartley, Nicole Heller, Jennieva Almeida, Jessica Fieldhouse, Brittany Bishop, Kaitlyn Wilson-Butler, Meagan Gumpert, Pam Woodington (Tiles and Miles instructor), Tara Kennedy

48 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Mahjong is having a colorful comeback, and at Pen & Ink, the centuriesold game is bringing Ocala players of all ages together. BY SHARON RAYE

n a recent evening at Pen & Ink, colorful Mahjong tiles covered tables throughout the store as players settled in for a night of strategy, conversation and a little friendly competition. Some were still learning the basics. Others had played before and were ready to build on what they knew. There were snacks, drinks and plenty of conversation between rounds. And around the tables were women of different ages who might not otherwise have found themselves spending an evening together. That mix is part of what has surprised Pen & Ink owner Susan Hebert since the store began offering Mahjong classes nearly a year ago. “I think many people assume Mahjong is for retired ladies, but that isn’t what we are seeing,” she says. “Even the twenty-somethings are joining the classes, and we have had a few brave men.” Mahjong dates back to 19th-century China, eventually making its way around the world. In the United States, a distinct version of the game developed, and the National Mah Jongg League was founded in 1937 to standardize rules for American play. But lately, Mahjong has found a new audience — and a much more colorful look. At Pen & Ink, brightly colored tiles, patterned mats, racks, carrying bags and Mahjong-themed entertaining pieces have become part of what the store carries. It wasn’t something Susan necessarily saw coming. Customers began asking about Mahjong in 2025. That summer, while attending Atlanta Gift Market, Susan saw just how much the game had grown.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KAITLYN WILSON-BUTLER

“We were surprised to see so much Mahjong,” she says. “Oh My Mahjong had a huge booth with so much excitement. We loved their designs and colors and quality of their tiles, mats and racks.” Pen & Ink started with a small selection and added Mahjong-themed cocktail napkins, cups and placemats. But Susan and longtime business partner Martha Lynn Scroggie quickly realized there was one problem. “Once we displayed all the product, Martha Lynn and I said, ‘We had better learn how to play now so we know what all the items are used for.’”

“We have some players who attend Mahjong 101 and are so eager to play that they start their own games and never return for Mahjong 102,”

That decision eventually brought Pam and Audyn Woodington to Ocala. The mother-daughter team behind Tiles and Miles is based in Lake Butler and teaches throughout Marion and surrounding counties. Susan found them through a list of approved instructors on the Oh My Mahjong website and invited them to teach at the store. The response was immediate. “The first class sold out,” Susan says. “When Tiles and Miles came that first day to set up, we were sold. The tablescapes with all the colorful tiles and fun mats and how they displayed each table differently was so engaging.” That first class was held in October 2025. Since then, Susan estimates Pen & Ink has hosted about 13 classes, with each one filling completely. “I joke that it’s like a Taylor Swift concert,” she says. “Some fill up in one or two days!” Pam and Audyn understand the appeal. They learned Mahjong together in March 2025 from Pam’s sister-in-law and Audyn’s aunt, Karen Woodington. They were hooked almost immediately. At the time, they say Mahjong had not yet taken off in their part of Florida. After teaching family members, they decided to take their newfound interest on the road. Both already loved entertaining and hosting, so teaching Mahjong and creating an experience around it seemed like a natural combination. Today, when Tiles and Miles arrive for a lesson, they bring the tables, chairs, game pieces and tablescapes with them. For beginners, the game can look intimidating. American Mah Jongg is generally played by four people, each working to complete one of the hands printed on the National Mah Jongg

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

League’s annual card. The first player to complete a valid hand calls “Mah Jongg.” But learning doesn’t end after the first class. Pam and Audyn begin with Mahjong 101, a two-hour introductory lesson. Mahjong 102 builds on those skills with more strategy, while later levels introduce different ways of playing. “We have some players who attend Mahjong 101 and are so eager to play that they start their own games and never return for Mahjong 102,” Audyn says. “On the other hand, we see players who have attended every lesson and style we offer from 101 to 104. We consider those our Mahjong 105s.” For the mother and daughter, some of their favorite moments come after the tiles have been packed away. “My favorite moments about teaching with my mom are actually after the Mahjong nights are over and we are in the car ride home,” Audyn says. “These serve as our Mahjong debriefs where we discuss what went well, what could be improved and sometimes just

how crazy it is that we get to do this for fun.” Pam agrees. Her favorite moments are the travel time together, talking about new ideas, techniques and strategies for the game. For Ocala player Kaitlyn Wilson-Butler, Mahjong started because a friend told her about it. She began taking classes at Pen & Ink and later hosted a class for her own girlfriends in her garden, with Pam and Audyn teaching the basics. Now she has standing Mahjong evenings with friends, sometimes fitting in a quick game before everyone heads home to prepare dinner for their families. What she discovered was that the appeal went beyond having another reason to get together. “I love playing for the thrill of the game, the way it forces us to put away the multitasking of the day and be fully present with the players,” Wilson-Butler says. She also found Mahjong bringing her together with people at different stages of life.

“Pen & Ink has definitely evolved since our small 300-square-foot original store. We have expanded slowly and purposefully.”

50 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

“Some of my favorite players are women 30, 40 years my senior who look at things in a different way, make me laugh, and we all walk away with a new perspective.” That ability to cross generations is something Pam and Audyn have noticed as well. They say they’ve taught students ranging in age from 8 to 80. “The camaraderie among the table mates is just as important, if not more important, than the game itself,” they say. Pam sees another reason the game may appeal to younger players. “I think the youth have spent a lot of their lives playing on computers and using virtual game play,” she says. “Mahjong gives them the opportunity to get

together and use the same skills they’ve become accustomed to with the added hands-on factor.” Wilson-Butler points out that so much socializing revolves around meeting for dinner or drinks. Mahjong offers another reason to make time for one another. “You can jazz it up and serve small bites and a glass of something sparkling, or you can get together with a few friends simply for the love of the game and company,” she says. “It’s refreshing to not need to dine out or make a to-do, but still make time for visiting.” But Mahjong is just one part of Pen & Ink’s much longer story. The store was originally opened by Gloria Marsh in 1992 with a focus on calligraphy, invitations and fine stationery. Susan and her mother-in-law purchased the business in 2001, and Martha Lynn joined her in 2011. As online invitations became more common, Pen & Ink began adding gifts. When COVID-19 brought celebrations, parties and weddings to a halt, the

store adapted again. Candles and cocktail napkins grew into books, frames, wrapping paper, hand towels, ornaments, puzzles and eventually baby clothing and other gifts. As the business grew, Pen & Ink expanded from its original 300-squarefoot storefront into a larger space within the same building. Mahjong is simply its latest chapter. “Pen & Ink has definitely evolved since our small 300-square-foot original store,” Susan says. “We have expanded slowly and purposefully.” And now, among the stationery and gifts, there are tables being pulled together for people who are looking for something that seems increasingly difficult to find: a reason to sit down, put everything else aside and spend some time together. Susan has experienced it herself. “I feel like my friends and I see each other more in the last year because of last-minute Mahjong games,” she says. “We look forward to playing and lose track of time while we do.”

Audyn and Pam Woodington

52 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Play at Pen & Ink 405 E. Silver Sprin gs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470 352-622-3362 Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mahjong classes ar e offered throughout the year. Contact Pen & Ink for upcoming class dates and availability.

45 Years Strong: The Event That Brings Marion County Together SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

10AM - 4PM

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala

Admission

Chili Samples • Beer Tent • Car Show Family Area • Bake Sale To register your chili team or car show vehicle please visit www.marioncountychilicookoff.com For additional information please contact The Cornerstone School at (352) 351- 8840

What began as a small school fundraiser has grown into one of Marion County’s most anticipated annual events. The Marion County Chili CookOff has become a community tradition that blends friendly competition, family fun, and charitable giving into one unforgettable experience. Since its inception in 1981, the Cook-Off has grown from a local fundraiser into one of Ocala’s most anticipated annual events, welcoming thousands of attendees each year. What remains unchanged is the event’s mission: supporting The Cornerstone School and helping provide exceptional educational opportunities for its students. The annual event transforms the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion into a celebration of community spirit. Visitors spend the day sampling awardworthy chili recipes, admiring classic cars at the car show, enjoying family activities, and cheering on their favorite teams as they compete for coveted trophies and bragging rights. “The Chili Cook-Off is special because it belongs to the community,” said Brooke Schultheis, Marketing Director for The Cornerstone School. “Whether you’re a sponsor, volunteer, team participant, or first-time guest, you’re part of something bigger. The support we receive each year directly impacts our students and helps strengthen our school.” As the Cook-Off celebrates its 45th anniversary, attendees can expect all of the favorite traditions that have made the event a local staple, including chili tasting, the Car Show, Family Area, Bake Sale, Pepper Patch, entertainment, and more. New memories will be made as another generation discovers why the Marion County Chili Cook-Off has remained a beloved tradition for nearly half a century.

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The 45th Annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. For tickets, team registration, and event information, visit MarionCountyChiliCookOff.com.

f all the things she misses most about her home state, author Darianne Schramm says Florida thunder tops

the list. From her new home in Christchurch, New Zealand, Schramm says she’s learned a surprising thing: not all thunderstorms are created equal. “[The thunder here] does not sound normal. It’s like the quietest sneeze of thunder,” she says.

54 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

“I miss that every summer day in Florida at 2 p.m., your house is just getting rattled by thunder and rain, and then twenty-five minutes later it’s over.” Though the weather may be calmer in New Zealand, Schramm herself is taking the literary world by storm this fall with the release of her debut YA novel, 72 Hours of You, published in the United States by Disney Hyperion. After a bidding war between three major publishers in the United States and four in the United Kingdom, the book is now slated for release in fourteen different countries. Additionally, her debut adult novel will publish in 2028, with another YA novel right on its heels and a second adult novel under contract. She also recently signed with a television and film rights agent. For any author, getting one book produced by a major publisher is a lifetime achievement. To have four in such quick succession is jaw-dropping. Yet behind every “overnight success” is, of course, decades of unseen work. For Schramm, the road to becoming a New Zealand-based author began in Gainesville, where she grew up in a house in the woods, listened to Tom Petty songs, and skipped more than a few of her classes at Eastside High. “I think Gainesville in general is a hub for creativity,” she says. “I feel like there’s something magical in the water there.” Schramm, too, was a creative kid, with an early appreciation for literature. “Some parents encourage you to be a doctor or a lawyer. From the time I was little, my mom was always like, ‘You should write a novel. You should be an author. I could just see this in you,’” says Schramm. “And I was like, ‘No, Mom, I can’t. What are you talking about? I could never do that.’” Instead, teenaged Schramm was drawn toward philosophy and trying to figure out life’s biggest questions with her friends. She and one friend in particular would spend evenings driving around Gainesville, sometimes stopping to eat at Texas Roadhouse. “Then we would just sit in the parking lot for hours and indulge in the pleasure of talking to each other with some music on until 2 a.m.”

Usually, that music was Tom Petty. “I am a huge fan of Tom Petty. I don’t even know if fan is the right word,” she says. “I feel like Tom Petty has been so instrumental in my life in so many different ways.” In homage to that connection, let’s give this profile a soundtrack.

In California, Schramm met her husband and had a daughter, and she began writing for magazines in addition to her academic work. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic brought their world to a standstill. She remembered her mother’s early encouragement to write novels. “I thought, well, every-

Darianne, age 5, poses for a baseball photo in Gainesville in 1992.

Darianne, at about age 7, already with a book in hand.

“Runnin’ Down a Dream” After graduating high school in Gainesville, Schramm majored in philosophy at Elon University in North Carolina and then felt a deep, somewhat inexplicable pull toward California. “I think part of it was because Tom Petty was always singing that’s the place where all the magic happens,” she says. “And I think he transformed California in my mind into this magical formative place where you can go and be creative and find yourself, which I did.” She earned a master’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Southern California, where she convinced a somewhat reluctant committee to allow her to write her thesis on Tom Petty’s lyrics. “To me, his music is about being an outsider, but it’s also about believing in yourself and being okay with coming to terms with being an outsider and owning who you are,” Schramm says. “And I feel like having that voice in the back of my head has always been a real comfort and an inspiration.”

one is trying to live their dreams right now or bake banana bread. I could try. I could just try and see what happens. And so I did.” Schramm wrote a middle-grade novel, obtained a literary agent, and sent the book to publishers. It was rejected, and Schramm decided she wanted to try something different. “I really had nothing to lose [I thought], so what if I just write this book that I really, really want to write and just see how that goes instead?” Her second manuscript became 72 Hours of You. It’s about a girl named Sydney who has the magical ability to see a pink neon clock begin to count down above someone’s head seventy-two hours before their death. Her gift has made her cynical, but then Sydney meets a boy named Peter who convinces her that seeing the clocks might not be the worst thing in the world. For much of the book, the two main characters skip school to meet up, eat pizza, and talk to each other about life,

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

death, and philosophy—and they fall in love along the way. Schramm wanted to recapture the intensity of feelings she remembers from her own nights in the Texas Roadhouse parking lot. “Romance as a teen is just a completely different feeling. It’s that all-consuming, nothing else matters kind of feeling. It’s just you and me.” The death clock apparition was inspired by Schramm’s own dark thoughts during the pandemic. “I felt like I could see clocks over people’s heads. I was like, we are all going to die and how do I live feeling like we’re all going to die? And I think that this book was a meditation on [that experience, which] I call pre-grief, when you are just sitting in grief over something that has not happened yet and might not happen, but the worry and the anxiety over something bad happening is just so all-consuming that it changes how you interact with the world around you. How do we still live a meaningful life with the sickle over our head?”

“To me, I hope this is the kind of book where you’re crying, but you’re also holding the book against your chest and being like, okay, it’s all going to be okay. There will be tragedies in life. We don’t need to lie about that. And there’s always, always a way forward, and there is always hope to be found no matter how dark it gets.”

“Southern Accents”

The manuscript for 72 Hours of You sold quickly and spent the next two years meandering its way through the publishing process. In the meantime, Schramm realized she was ready for yet another change of scenery. In 2025, she and her husband decided to move to New Zealand in search of a more low-key lifestyle. They found friendly people, a walkable city, and an education system that prioritizes outside time for their daughter. Schramm’s parents, along with her brother’s family, also emigrated with them. Coincidentally, on the day of her interview with OM,

Darianne celebrates her graduation from the IB program at Eastside High School in Gainesville with friends.

56 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Schramm received her official permanent resident card. Though she loves New Zealand, Schramm says, “I’ll always be a Florida girl, almost even more so now that I’m not living there. It’s kind of the same as Tom Petty. He was always saying, ‘Hey, we’re a California band,’ and then used Southern accents, which is an ode to Florida. The Florida roots never leave you.” Before the big move, Schramm returned to Florida to say goodbye. On their last night in the United States, she and her husband went out to St. Augustine Beach and watched the heat lightning crack over the ocean. “It just made me so emotional,” she says. “This is Florida, and this is home.”

“Time to Move On” On the day 72 Hours of You published in the United Kingdom, Schramm lost one of her favorite diamond earrings, which she’d worn regularly for a decade. Her daughter—who as a younger child

‘BRING BACK THE BRYANT’ FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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

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would sometimes hesitate to wear a new necklace or play with a favorite toy because she was afraid something bad might happen to it—asked Schramm if she was upset. Schramm remembered the advice she used to give her daughter about overcoming the anxiety of what if something bad happens. “If you don’t wear it, if you don’t use it, it might as well already be gone.” This way of learning to cope with “pre-grief ” had also evolved into a major theme in 72 Hours of You, so for Schramm, the missing diamond didn’t feel like a coincidence. “I wore the earring every day for ten years and now it’s gone, but I still got to wear it, and I still got to enjoy it, and that was better than having it in a box for ten years,” she says. “It felt very auspicious that I lost it on publication day. There is something just so metaphysical here in that lesson, that you continually have to learn all of the time.” As 72 Hours of You finds its way to readers this year, Schramm is turning her attention to her upcoming projects. She’s

completed edits on her adult novel, The Eternal Deaths of Hattie Gold, which will come out in early 2028. It’s about a Gen Z-aged girl who is in training to become the next Death. Her mentor, Millennial Death, says the girl must kill the one human boy she’s ever loved in order to take up her role. Schramm’s follow-up YA novel is titled Kiss Me Like the Last Time. It’s about a girl who, when she kisses someone for the first time, is able to see that person’s lastever kiss at the same moment. Both upcoming books, like 72 Hours of You, are existential stories about love, time, and, of course, death. One of the common links between the projects is their accessible way of exploring nihilism, which for Schramm takes two forms. “One is, nothing matters. And the other is, hey, nothing matters, so we may as well go out and live the life we want to live. And all things can be true because life is always changing every day, every minute, every hour. So I think it’s okay to change your philosophy on the daily, depending on how it’s going.”

“I’ll always be a Florida girl, almost even more so now that I’m not living there … The Florida roots never leave you.”

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Nihilism has also helped Schramm learn to live with one of her life’s biggest contradictions: the farther away she gets from Florida, the more clearly she sees her home place. “When I first moved to Los Angeles, I kept thinking, ‘What is wrong with the sky? It’s not even the right color here.’ In Florida, the sky is that special kind of blue with those white puffy clouds. You don’t get that everywhere,” she says. “You don’t realize how special the Florida sky is until you’re not looking at it anymore.” We bet Tom Petty would be proud. Sandra K. Barnidge is the author of the novel The Diamondbacks. She lives in Gainesville.

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“Leave my cares behind, take my own sweet time.” 60 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

— Jimmy Buffett

Camp is Calling from Citra Florida

Camp Margaritaville is where rural relaxation meets a tropical vacation.

iscover a lakeside retreat on the road from Gainesville and Ocala. Camp Margaritaville Resort Orange Lake sits in Citra, where the roads open up, the citrus groves outnumber the traffic lights, and the pace naturally starts to slow. Some guests arrive towing an RV and set up for a few days of outdoor living. Others check into a cottage and get the same camp feeling with a little more comfort built in. Either way, the stay begins with more time outside, more time together, and fourlegged campers are always welcome.

Choose Your Level of Chill That’s the resort’s own phrase for it, and it holds up because people relax differently. A morning might start with coffee outside and drift into an afternoon at the Waterpark & Splash Pad. Or it might mean the Lazy River, Zero-Entry Pool, a line in the water on Orange Lake, or a shaded spot nobody’s in a hurry to leave. Most families end up doing a little of both.

Rooted in Central Florida The setting is what makes this stop feel different from the usual vacation routine. The area around Citra still runs on open land, palms, and citrus groves. Ocala National

Forest is a short drive away for guests who want to stretch the trip past the property line. Closer in, the Grove Street Farmers Market in Gainesville and the Ocala Farmers Market are easy add-ons for a morning before check-in or on the way out. For Ocala-area residents, that means a weekend that doesn’t take months of planning. Day passes are also available for guests who want to enjoy the pools, lazy river, water features, cabanas, dining, and live entertainment without an overnight stay. For visitors, it’s a different way to see Central Florida, one that runs through quiet roads instead of theme-park traffic.

A Resort Day or a Weekend Away Guests do not have to stay overnight to get a taste of the resort. With day pass options, locals can plan a pool day, float the lazy river, reserve a cabana, meet friends for live music, or let the kids burn off energy at the splash pad. For overnight guests, RV sites and cottages make it easy to turn that same resort experience into a full weekend away. RV guests get room to spread out, while cottage guests get the camp experience without towing anything. . By the end of the day, the best part may be that everyone found their own

version of the trip. Someone got in the water, someone got quiet time, and the dog probably had the best day of all.

On property: • Waterpark & Splash Pad • Lazy River & Zero-Entry Pool • Fishing & Boating on Orange Lake • Fin City Arcade, Fins Up! Fitness Center, and Barkaritaville Dog Park • Campfire areas and multiple on-site dining options

Plan Your Stay at mville.io/OrangeLake OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

E RAY AN ON BY H R A Y H H S P RA BY TOG PHO

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D NAH

URH

alk into the hive at On Top of the World on a Thursday afternoon, and the name the Sewing Bees Club suddenly makes perfect sense. Dressed in bright yellow shirts, women talk and laugh as they work, each with a role in turning pieces of fabric into something that will eventually bring comfort to a child they may never meet. Ann Marie Fedele, the club’s secretary, walked me through the process. It begins with donated fabrics that are sorted and coordinated by color and pattern. One member cuts the pieces. Another sews them together. From there, the work continues through different hands as the quilt takes shape. Member Carole Avery taught me something I didn’t know: A quilt has three layers — the top, batting and backing.

At the hive, those layers and all the work that goes into them may pass through several sets of hands before becoming one finished quilt. Like busy bees, everyone has a job, and every set of hands contributes to the finished product. For member Kathie Lamoureux, the appeal of the work is simple. “Something we love to do, but doing it for someone else,” she said. And they do a lot of it. The Sewing Bees Club has been serving the community for more than 35 years and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023. Its 54 members, all residents of On Top of the World, make quilts, blankets, clothing, burp cloths, Christmas stockings and other items that are donated to children in need. In 2025 alone, the group completed 1,193 quilts and about 150 Christmas stockings. Ann Gallo, the club’s president, estimates the Sewing Bees go through nearly 4,000 yards of fabric each year. Gallo is constantly looking for organizations that could use what the women make. “I’ll read a newspaper article and I’m like, ‘Oh, let me check out this agency,’” she said. “I’ll reach out to them and tell them what we do and, like, what do you need? How many do you think you could use?”

Their work reaches children through organizations including the Marion County Children’s Alliance and Reddick-Collier Elementary School, as well as young patients receiving intensive care through AdventHealth and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Those are only a handful of the schools, hospitals and nonprofit organizations that have received items made by the Sewing Bees. For some children, Gallo said, a handmade quilt may be one of the few things they have that was made especially for them. “It’s warmth. It’s comfort,” Gallo said. Sometimes, the women get to see what happens after their work leaves the hive. At Reddick-Collier, children have been photographed holding their quilts, made flowers for the women and even recorded videos singing to them. Gallo said the cards, photographs and messages the club receives are eagerly shared among the members. “The ladies just eat this up,” she said. “Every time we get a letter or card or something and we show it to them, they get so excited.” Treasurer Rolanda Jacobovitz has also heard from an educator at the school about an impact that extends beyond the gifts themselves. She said

For women living in a 55-plus community, Gallo said sewing for children can fill a space in their own lives, too.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

the children are being taught to recognize that someone they do not know intentionally made something for them, helping them understand generosity and gratitude and encouraging them to someday extend that kindness to someone else. Sometimes the impact lasts far longer than anyone could have anticipated. Gallo recently experienced that firsthand after mentioning to doctors at UF in Gainesville that the Sewing Bees donate quilts to the NICU at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. A fourthyear doctor approached her and shared that she had been a NICU baby herself in New York and had received a handmade blanket while in the hospital. Her family kept it, and part of the blanket remains framed in her home 35 years later. Vice President Susie Clauson later reflected on Gallo’s encounter. “It was so heartwarming to hear about the lasting

love this had provided,” Clauson said. “As we are currently working on NICU and PICU quilts, this was very encouraging to hear.” The story is a reminder that something made during an ordinary Thursday afternoon at the hive can become part of someone else’s life for years. But the giving inside this room goes in more than one direction. The club’s members range from women in their 50s to their late 80s, and a 101-year-old member was still tying quilts until health issues prevented her from regularly attending. Another member continued sewing from assisted living until age 100, with fabric brought to her and completed quilts returned to the group. For women living in a 55-plus community, Gallo said sewing for children can fill a space in their own lives, too. Many have grandchildren who live far away. Others, including Gallo, do not have grandchildren.

“For them, it’s almost like making a quilt for their grandchild, even though it’s not their grandchild,” she said. And keeping up with nearly 1,200 quilts a year requires a staggering amount of material — and somewhere to put it. Storage is one of the Sewing Bees’ biggest challenges. Cabinets at the hive are packed with fabric and supplies, and when the possibility of having additional space came up during my visit, the women lit up. For them, more room wouldn’t simply mean more storage. It would mean being able to do more. Gallo knows the problem particularly well. After the club purchased 100 rolls of the specific batting it uses for its quilts, much of it came home with her. Fifty-eight rolls of batting are stacked in the shower stall of her second bathroom. Additional batting is stored in her sunroom and garage. Gallo said even a small, climate-controlled storage space would make a difference.

Like busy bees, everyone has a job, and every set of hands contributes to the finished product. Ann Marie Fedele (secretary), Rolanda (treasurer), Ann Gallo (president), Susie Clauson (vice president)

The club also relies heavily on donated fabric and financial contributions. Among its most-needed items are extra-wide quilting cotton for backing, children’s and infant-print cotton fabric and flannel, 80/20 batting and rotary blades. Financial contributions allow the Sewing Bees to purchase batting and other supplies needed to keep up with the demand. Donations from the wider community are welcome, although membership in the Sewing Bees is limited to On Top of the World residents. The club can be

reached at SewingBeesClub@gmail.com or through its Sewing Bees Club Facebook page. Still, somehow, the fabric keeps arriving, the cabinets keep filling and the women keep sewing. And every Thursday, inside the hive, dozens of individual contributions come together: three layers, many hands and one quilt destined for a child who may never know the names of the women who made it. The Sewing Bees may not always get to see where their work ends up. But

sometimes a photograph comes back. Sometimes it’s a handmade flower or a child’s song. And sometimes, 35 years later, a piece of one of their quilts is still hanging on someone’s wall.

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

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Growing With Care Sabrina Graham joins Panzer Family DPC as the practice expands its personalized approach to care. BY SHARON RAYE PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

ore than a decade after training under Todd Panzer while completing her nurse practitioner education, Sabrina Graham, APRN, FNP-C, is returning to work alongside him — this time as the newest provider at Panzer Family DPC (direct primary care). For Graham, joining the practice brings her back to an approach to patient care she remembers from those early years of her training. “I knew how he practiced, how he interacted with his patients,” Graham said. “That was exactly what I wanted to be part of.” Graham has lived in Ocala since 2009, when she began her career as a registered nurse at Munroe Regional Medical Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida in 2015 and became a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has spent much of her career in family and primary care and is also an Army combat veteran, serving from 2001 to 2005.

Graham’s addition marks an expansion for Panzer Concierge Medicine, led by Panzer, a board-certified family nurse practitioner. Panzer said the decision to grow comes with a balance: reaching more patients while maintaining the time, access and personal relationships that have shaped his practice. Panzer Family DPC was the next logical step. “If you’re going to hold yourself to not being as busy so you have more time, then you obviously can only take so many patients,” Panzer said. “Sabrina has the clinical skills and maturity to provide excellent care while providing patients access to their care when they need it.” Creating Panzer Family DPC allows the practice to serve more people while maintaining the time and personal attention Panzer wants each patient to receive. Longer appointments, same-day appointments and direct contact with their provider are just some of the values direct primary care provides. For Panzer, Graham is an extension of the philosophy that has guided his practice — building relationships with

patients, taking time to listen and tailoring care to each individual’s needs. Panzer was involved in her clinical training more than a decade ago and remembers being impressed by both her abilities and the way she connected with patients. In the years since, Graham built a career of her own in family and primary care. “She just showed such great clinical skills and such care and such a personality,” Panzer said. “She’s a community person, just like me. She loves our community and wants to help our community and be part of it.” For Graham, the move also offered an opportunity to practice differently. After years in traditional health care settings, she was looking for an environment where decisions were not driven primarily by checking boxes or navigating insurance requirements. “I was looking for something different,” she said. At Panzer Family DPC, Graham will see patients for primary and family care, general wellness and chronic conditions,

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

as well as provide hormone replacement therapy. Women’s health and hormonal changes are among the areas she sees evolving as patients have access to more information and options than generations before them may have had.

“It’s not just hormone replacement,” she said. “There’s actually a lot more to it, and it can change lives.” What Graham said she enjoys most about working with patients goes beyond treating a particular condition. It is seeing

For Panzer, bringing on someone he first knew as a student and now welcomes as an experienced provider makes the expansion a natural progression.

them become active participants in their own health. “Watching them engage in their own health care and take control of their own well-being, their own goals, and being their own advocate,” Graham said. That belief shapes how she sees her role as a provider. “I’m your partner. I’m not your boss,” she said. “This is your body.” Graham said every patient is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. A patient’s schedule, lifestyle, previous experiences and goals all factor into the plan. “I have information that you don’t have. You may have information I don’t have,” Graham said. She said the goal is to find an approach that is realistic for each patient. “What is reasonable and realistic for you?” she said. “That’s where you start.” Panzer said he wants to maintain that approach as the practice grows. He wants patients who may initially come looking for his name to develop their own relationship with Graham and feel confident in the care they receive. For Graham, building that relationship starts with trust. “If you have a problem, or you think it’s a problem, we’re going to talk about it,” she said. “Know that you can trust me.” For Panzer, bringing on someone he first knew as a student and now welcomes as an experienced provider makes the expansion a natural progression. “I know how she is because I helped in her training,” Panzer said. “Seeing her be available so that we can move forward and offer direct primary care to the community, I think, is just a natural fit.”

Sabrina Graham

Panzer Family DPC 101 SW 3rd St., Suite B, Ocala, FL 352-225-9788 panzerdpc.com Sabrina Graham and Todd Panzer

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Photo by Hannah Durham

PLAY

“One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.” —Iris Murdoch

Society p70 | Community p72 | Recipe p76 | Dining Out p78

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

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society

Ocala Lions Club Celebrates 100 Years STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY RONALD W. WETHERINGTON, SOCIETY EDITOR

ecently, at the Harvey R. Klein Center at the College of Central Florida, the Ocala Lions Club came together to celebrate 100 years of service. The guest speaker was Dr. Patti Hill, past international president of Lions Clubs International. The Ocala Lions Club is one of the oldest in Florida, with a long history of community service. The club’s signature community project is the Silent Santa program, which provides clothing and toys during the holidays to children and families who may otherwise go without. This has been a club project since the 1930s.

Since its founding, the club has provided financial support to those in need of eye examinations, glasses and surgeries. The Ocala Lions Club has been involved in sight and hearing screenings for more than 50 years. In 2011, the club began screening children ages 1 through 6 to detect lazy eye, as well as visual acuity issues and abnormalities. The club also provides hearing aids to those in need. At the College of Central Florida, the club has endowed five scholarships and also helps support other local charitable organizations. To join the Ocala Lions Club or make a donation, go to Ocala200lionsclub.com.

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PICTURED

1. Jerry Skufe, Judi Seltzer and Dr. Gregory Seltzer 2. Sue Hoaglund, Marilyn Hinds and Linda Caldwell 3. Barry Fies, Diane and John Renyhart 4. Gary Adel, Renee Thompson, Marilyn and Judge Raymond McNeal 5. John and Bunny Hanna, Sonia and Todd Saylor 6. Barry Fies and Ronald W. Wetherington 7. Bob Barto, LeeAnn Endicott, Patty Barto and Malcolm Hay 8. David Leigh, Lon Barnes, Jerry Skufe and John Renyhart 9. Chuck Savage and Scott Cross 10. Barry Fies, Dr. Patti Hill, Suzi and Stan Rodgers 11. Bill Thomas, Diane Renyhart, Jim Hilty 12. Tommy and Renee Thompson, Andrew Pietrzyk and Herb Odum 13. Brandon Dull, Diani Fee, Sue and Dave Primeau

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

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community

Ocala Comic Con: Bringing Fiction to Life

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEAH GILLUM

cala Comic Con returned to the World Equestrian Center on Sept. 19–20, bringing together fans of comics, movies, television and pop culture. The weekend included cosplay, special guests, interactive activities, panels and vendors. Fans could dress as characters they admire, with some creating their costumes from scratch. Guest panels gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the people behind their favorite characters and stories. Vendor booths featured different themes and handcrafted items for attendees to explore and shop.

Among this year’s special guests was comic book artist and inker Sam De La Rosa, who has worked with Marvel and DC and is recognized for his work on Venom and Spider-Man titles. Giovannatcos, known for her immersive cosplay and transformations into fictional characters, also appeared at the event. Animator, author and illustrator Peter Raymundo, known for his work on Disney animated films including Beauty and the Beast, was also among the guests. Fans could meet the guests, take photos and get autographs while learning more about their work. With activities, vendors, panels, cosplay and special guests, Ocala Comic Con brought fans of all ages together to celebrate their shared interests.

3 4

5 PICTURED 1. Jurassic Park Jeep 2. Peter Raymundo, animator, author and illustrator 3. Sam De La Rosa, comic book artist 4. Giovannatcos, cosplayer 5. WEC Comic Con 6. Pink droid 7. Cosplayer

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community

Ribbon Cutting at IronCrest PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception were held Sept. 9 to celebrate the launch of IronCrest, a new 661-acre master-planned residential community surrounding The Club at Iron Lake. Developed by Altamira Development Company, IronCrest will feature homes by ICI Homes, Davila Homes, Brije Homes, J. Drewes, Stentiford Construction, H & W Construction and Center State Construction. The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership joined developers, builders, community leaders and guests for the event.

2 3

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PICTURED

1. Liz Phillips, Craig Phillips 2. Drae Centonze (Director of Racket Sports), Virginia Connors 3. Jess Schultz, Jamie Tardif, Chris Kemp, Liz Phillips, Craig Phillips, Phylis Cauthem, Devin Hughes 4. Daniel York, Jason Weiss 5. Miranda Grybko, Ashleigh Rushing (Brije Homes) 6. Wendy Fisher, Alieta Sampley, Patricia Ekestram (Brije Homes) 7. Mario Toro, Christina Price, Ashley Caruso, Ashley Morrell, Rickey LeBlanc, Joe Blanco, Mandy Spurlin, Michelle Blanco, Kimberly Mitchell, Dan Middleton, Jocylyne Wagle, Ryan Kahn (ICI Homes) 8. Craig Phillips, Liz Phillips 9. Tyler Stentiford, Paul Stentiford (Stentiford Construction) 10. Craig Phillips, Liz Phillips 11. Josh Klugger (Center State Construction) 12. Wendy Fisher 13. Amy Hughes, McKinsey Hughes, Jesse Eisner, Mary Eisner (H&W Construction and Development) 14. Edson Araujo, Tatiana Souza, Nathalia Penedos, Moracy Dores (Davila Homes) 15. Jason Drewes, Megan Drewes, Raquel Campos, Sam Jenkins (J. Drewes)

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

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recipe

Food to Gather Around STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

s a kid, Halloween seemed to come with weeks of anticipation. There were costumes to plan, pumpkins to carve and, if you were lucky, a mountain of candy to sort through at the end of the night. Halloween felt bigger then, like something you could spend all of October waiting for. Growing up changes that. The anticipation of one big night fades, schedules fill up, and somehow, even with the decorations out, it can feel like you missed the season. Maybe now, enjoying it just takes a little more intention. Stovetop popcorn isn’t an elaborate recipe — it’s just kernels, butter and salt. Part of the fun is waiting for that first kernel to pop and hearing the rest quickly follow. To make it feel a little more like Halloween, I mixed mine with caramel corn and candy corn, but make it your own. Add chocolate, pretzels, cinnamon sugar or whatever candy you used to hope would land in your trick-or-treat bag. Pick an October night. Put on a scary movie, turn down the lights, and make too much popcorn. It doesn’t have to be a big event to feel special. Just an ordinary October night you decided not to rush through. xxx

Halloween Movie Night Popcorn Ingredients • 2/3 cup popcorn kernels • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter • Salt, to taste • Optional mix-ins: caramel corn, candy corn, chocolate, pretzels or your favorite Halloween treats

Instructions 1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add a few popcorn kernels and cover with a splatter guard. 2. Once the test kernels pop, add the remaining kernels. Keep the pot moving, gently shaking it side to side over the burner throughout cooking to prevent the butter from burning. 3. Continue shaking as the kernels pop. Once the popping slows to a few seconds between pops, remove the pot from the heat. 4. Salt to taste and allow the popcorn to cool slightly.

Make it your own Add any optional mix-ins you like and gently toss to combine.

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UPCOMING CONCERTS SEPT. 27 | OCALA SYMPHONY CHORUS: A CHORAL PORTRAIT OF AMERICA

UPCOMING UPCOMING CONCERTS CONCERTS UPCOMING CONCERTS OCT. 24-25 | OPENING NIGHT OF

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Queen – A Royal Tribute | October 10

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Funding by Ocala/Marion County NOV. 7-8provided DISNEY’S ALADDIN IN Visitors an NOV. 7-8 || DISNEY’S ALADDIN IN NOV. 7-8 | DISNEY’S ALADDIN IN Convention Bureau & Marion Cultural Alliance CONCERT CONCERT CONCERT

s in the Box: Jason Ricci the Bad Kind | October 16

Blues in the Box: Matt Schofield | October 23

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The Ocala Symphony Orchestra, national and regional artists and much more!

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

OCALA’S HOME FOR COMEDY

Sit Down for Stand Up | October 9

OCALA’S HOME FOR COMEDY OCALA’S FOR OCALA’S HOME FOR OCALA’S HOME FORCOMEDY COMEDY Join HOME us downtown Thurs-Sun! Join us downtown Thurs-Sun!

us Thurs-Sun! Join us downtown downtown Join Join us downtown Thursday–Saturday!

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

Natalie Cuomo | November 20 Natalie Cuomo | November 20 Natalie Cuomo | November 20 Natalie Cuomo | November 20

CHECK OUT OUT OUR CHECK OUTOUR OUR CHECK OUR CHECK OUT FILMS OCTOBER FILMS OCTOBER FILMS OCTOBER FILMS OCTOBER FROM �5 �5 FROM �5 FROM FROM �5 ReillyArtsCenter.com | 352-351-1606 | 500 NE 9th Street

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Media Support MediaMedia Support Support provided by: Media Support provided by: Media Support provided by: provided by: provided by:

MarionTheatre.org || 50 50 S Magnolia Magnolia Ave Ave MarionTheatre.org MarionTheatre.org 50 S Magnolia MarionTheatre.org | 50| SS Magnolia Ave Ave

MarionTheatre.org | 50 S Magnolia Ave

dining out

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dining out

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

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

Mark’s Mark’sPrime PrimeSteakhouse Steakhouse

Mark’s Prime hashas a goal to create a unique Mark’s PrimeSteakhouse Steakhouse a goal to create a unique dining dining experience that will please the palate and soothe experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serv the finest soul. We serve thefreshest finest beef, the freshest seafood, the beef, the seafood, premium wines and naturally premium wines and naturally fresh vegetables. We are fresh vegetables. We are pleased to have been serving the finest qu pleased to have been serving the finest quality dining dining experience since November 2002, more than 20 years ago! experience since 2002!

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

There’s room for you. FOR A LIMITED-TIME: 15% OFF Contact Penny Miller penny@ocalamagazine.com | 352.622.2995 ext 303

78 | OCTOBER 2026 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM

Photo by Mark Anderson

“The longer I live the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world.” —John Burroughs

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

ETC

everything equine

Making Equestrianism Friendly for All STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOUISA BARTON

en years ago, I joined the Chamber staff as Director of Equine Engagement with a straightforward mission: connecting Chamber partners with horses and the equine industry, while introducing farms and the equine community to people who might not otherwise experience that world. At the time, the

Louisa Barton with event participants

two groups were clearly divided and often lacked mutual understanding. The work was both enjoyable and rewarding because horses have been a lifelong passion of mine, and I could help others discover an industry that is vital to our county’s economy. Over the past decade, we identified significant gaps in the community’s

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exposure to horses. Historically, horses played essential roles in warfare, deliveries, and everyday transportation. As those roles diminished, fewer people encountered horses regularly—and some never did. As we explored the needs of the local equine community in the “Horse Capital,” farm owners and equestrians across breeds and disciplines

Summer Best

shared one clear priority: engaging the next generation. School visits reinforced that need; when we asked Marion County Public Schools students whether they had ever touched a horse, only a handful raised their hands. This strengthened our commitment to creating welcoming, educational events that bring horse people and newcomers together in fun, non-intimidating settings. We developed an equine industry coloring book for pre-K through second-grade students and distributed it through a countywide competition, awarding prizes for the best entry in each grade. We also created the Horse Capital All-Breed Parade and an Equine Industry Career Expo featuring Hobby Horse Equestrian Games. These programs combine education and entertainment to connect young people with horses and equestrians. By graduation, whether they pursue college or another path, we want them to have enough positive, hands-on experience to recognize the many career opportunities the equine industry offers. By creating

by joining us as a partner, by sponsoring an equine-related event, by volunteering, or attending one of our educational equine meetings or events. Everyone is welcome! Come join us—there’s nothing quite like horsing around together and it just makes the most sense in the “Horse Capital”!

events where young people can learn about horse careers and also participate in horse sports from the safety of a stick horse, we are able to bring those young people into a world they are not normally in. We also continue to make connections for our Chamber partners within the horse world. You can get involved

Mark Your Calendar October 10, 9 a.m. The All-Breed Horse Capital Parade in Downtown Ocala October 23, 3:30 p.m. Horse-O-Ween is back at the Downtown Market with an Equine Industry Career Expo and the Hobby Horse Equestrian Games. Free for all ages.

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

OCALAMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER 2026 |

ETC

health journal

This Fall, Let’s Focus on Preventing Falls BY AMY O’BRIEN

hen you think of the life-threatening and sometimes tragic injuries and illnesses a trauma hospital treats every day, it may surprise you to hear what causes the most cases. It isn’t traffic accidents or violent crime. It’s falls. Tripping over furniture, tumbling down a ladder or falling down steps can all result in potentially fatal or disabling injury. At HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, falls account for about 60% of our trauma cases. That ratio has been climbing in recent years as Marion County’s population both grows and ages. Sobering data from the Florida Department of Health underscores the risk. On average, someone in Marion County visits an emergency room every 32 minutes because of a fall, the department reports, while our county has posted the second-highest death rate from accidental falls among Florida’s 67 counties. In response, representatives from health care, public safety, advocacy groups for seniors and veterans and others united in August 2024 to create the Marion County Fall Prevention Coalition. Over the past two years, the coalition has strategized how to inform our community of the threat posed by falls and to develop practical ways to prevent them. The coalition, which now includes about 100 members, has developed a

four-pronged educational and prevention initiative: Providing health and risk screenings Conducting outreach efforts to promote increasing physical strength and balance Offering education and support to those most at risk Highlighting potential home and environmental modifications to increase safety “Falling represents a major health risk for Marion County’s aging population. The extremely high rates of fall-related deaths, hospitalizations and emergency room visits highlight the critical need for targeted prevention and intervention measures,” said Tracey Sapp, community health director for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County and a coalition board member. “Implementing strategies like balance exercises, home safety audits, medication reviews and community education can substantially reduce these risks over time.” “Our goal is for participants to leave ‘Stay Safe & STEADI Marion’ feeling engaged, informed and supported,” she added. Noting the need for greater public awareness, the coalition has planned its first public workshop about fall prevention. “Stay Safe & STEADI Marion” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala. STEADI, which stands for Stopping

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Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries, is an initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help lower the risk of falling and help people maintain independence as they age. The event will feature a panel of experts explaining fall-prevention tips for older adults. Lunch will be provided for the first 250 people who attend the panel discussion. The coalition has also assembled 29 vendors with fall-prevention resources. Additionally, screenings for hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, strength and balance will be available, as well as a medication review. Participants should bring their medication list. Attendees may also take a virtual home safety tour, participate in a drawing for prizes and tour the museum’s first-floor galleries for free. Certainly, the best time to address a fall is before it happens. By recognizing risks early and taking preventive action, we can reduce serious injuries and help our community remain safe, healthy and independent. Those interested in learning more about the “Stay Safe & STEADI Marion” event as well as fall prevention tips can visit the coalition’s website at steadimarion.org or email info@steadimarion.org. Amy O’Brien is the injury prevention coordinator for HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital.

Every Journey Deserves a Steady Companion. Empath Health is here to support our community every step of the way. Through Full Life Care, we bring together clinical expertise, compassionate support and personalized care that honors each individual throughout life’s journey. At Empath Health, we believe everyone deserves to feel supported, connected and able to live fully when life’s moments matter most.

Learn more about our local programs.

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state of the city

Hometown Power Heroes BY RYAN KIRBY

ctober brings plenty to celebrate in Ocala, including Public Power Week, Oct. 4-10, a time to recognize the hometown heroes who work every day to keep our city powered. Public Power Week has been celebrated nationally since 1986 as a way for public power utilities to recognize the people who provide reliable, community-owned electricity and highlight the relationship between public power and the communities they serve. Unlike investor-owned utilities, public power utilities are owned by the people who live here, keeping the focus on local needs and local service. At Ocala Electric Utility, that commitment is personal. Lineworkers are among the most visible examples of what it means to serve your hometown. They climb poles, work in the heat, respond when storms roll through and show up when most of us are heading home. Working around the clock and in challenging conditions, they restore power and keep our community moving. But being a lineworker is about more than electricity. It takes teamwork,

discipline, safety and a willingness to put others first. OEU lineworkers don’t just work in Ocala; they live and raise families here, taking pride in serving their neighbors and strengthening the community they call home. As we celebrate Public Power Week, take a moment to recognize the men and women behind the power lines. A wave, a thank you or simply acknowledging their hard work can mean more than you might think.

New Spaces, Favorite Traditions and Fall Fun Downtown Ocala also has a new way to welcome residents and visitors. Parking Garage No. 2 is officially open on the block between West Broadway Street and West Fort King Street. With access from SW Second Avenue or SW Third Avenue, it offers convenient parking within walking distance of shops, restaurants, businesses and events. After a five-year hiatus, the Fort King Haunted Trail returns Saturday, Oct. 17, from 5-10 p.m. The free event includes Family Fun in the Fort, trick-or-treating, food trucks and field games from 5-8 p.m., with Phantoms in the Fort storytelling

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beginning at 7 p.m. The Fright Trail opens at 8 p.m. for those ready for a scare. Families can also enjoy Boo Bash on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St. The free program features games, crafts, spooky activities, music and plenty of candy. Costumes are encouraged, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There’s plenty happening across Ocala this fall, and it’s a great reminder of what makes our community such a special place to live, work and call home.

PHOTO BY CARLTON WARD JR.

2026 CONSERVATION SUMMIT NOVEMBER 12, 2026 | OCALA, FL

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state of the county

Make Your Next Gathering a Park Day BY MARK ANDERSON

hen you’re planning a wedding, family reunion, birthday party or company gathering, finding the right place to bring everyone together can make all the difference. In Marion County, you don’t have to look far for spaces that are both convenient and offer a scenic, natural Central Florida backdrop. Marion County Parks & Recreation offers a variety of facilities and pavilions available for reservations, giving residents plenty of options for celebrations big and small. From shady picnic areas to lakeside retreats, these locations offer a beautiful setting that can make an ordinary gathering feel a little more special. Kiwanis Beach at Albright Park is located along Lake Weir in southeast Marion. The facility can accommodate

larger gatherings and is available for everything from cookouts and parties to weddings and reunions. It features an outdoor kitchen, full-size event kitchen, tables and chairs, making it a convenient option when you want your guests to enjoy the water and the outdoors without giving up the amenities of a traditional event venue. Horseshoe Lake Park & Retreat in northeast Marion offers cabins nestled along the water, along with a large mess hall and screened-in porch. The facility is designed with private and corporate events in mind and can accommodate family reunions, church outings and even weddings. Guests can also enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities during their stay. If you’re looking for something in central Marion, parks such as Baseline Road Trailhead and Brick City

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Adventure Park offer reservable pavilions that are perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, family gatherings and other special occasions. Baseline features six shady picnic pavilions, while Brick City offers three pavilions alongside its playgrounds, fields and other amenities. With more than 40 unique sites maintained by Marion County Parks & Recreation, there’s no shortage of places to gather, celebrate and make memories. Whether you’re exchanging vows beside the water, celebrating a milestone under a pavilion or simply bringing the family together for a day outdoors, Marion County’s rental facilities offer a beautiful setting to make your next event one to remember. For a list of rental facilities or more information about Marion County parks, visit Parks.MarionFL.org.

Please Join Us for the 19th Annual

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T H UR S D A Y 6 - 9 P .M .

O C T O B ER 2026

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from the library

A Spooky Night in Ocala’s Historic Fort BY KAY YACCARINO

ust imagine sitting under beautiful oak trees on a lovely autumn evening, listening to tall tales and spooky stories at one of the most unique historic sites in the state of Florida — right here in Ocala. Fort King National Historic Landmark offers a number of educational and engaging experiences, including the Heritage Garden, walking trails, craft classes, reenactments and more throughout the year. The replica of the military fort played a central role in the yearslong conflict between the native Seminole tribe and American settlers in the early 19th century. Today, it stands as a reminder of those dark days while providing the perfect backdrop for events such as the annual Phantoms in the Fort, featuring the Fort King Haunted Trail. On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, beginning at 5 p.m., the evening opens with Family Fun in the Fort, featuring food trucks, games, local vendors, family-friendly activities and candy for children. Young and old alike can dress up for the evening, which continues with a spooky walk along the Fort King Haunted Trail, followed by storytelling courtesy of the Marion County Public Library System and the Ocali Storytelling Guild at 7 p.m. Beware — after a short break, the storytelling continues from 8 to 9 p.m. with spooky ghost stories and frightening tales more suited to a mature audience. “We have a number of wonderful storytellers on our staff who dedicate a tremendous amount of time, effort

and training into learning tales and rehearsing for events such as Phantoms in the Fort,” said Marion County Public Library System Director Julie Sieg. “Storytelling is an ancient art form, born before the written word, bringing folklore, myths and history to life across generations. A good storyteller brings all five senses alive as they seek to educate, entertain and, at this particular event, share spinetingling, suspenseful stories that will delight the audience.” Fort King National Historic Landmark provides a wonderful backdrop for the activities. For those staying for the evening of frightening tales, it’s a good idea to bring a chair, a blanket or both to relax and enjoy a unique experience under the night sky.

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Phantoms in the Fort, featuring the Fort King Haunted Trail, is free and open to the public. For additional information, visit library.marionﬂ.org/services/wordsnewsmagazine or ftking.org.

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

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

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maddie’s take

Hello, October! BY MADISON GLASSMAN

e have entered fall, and I can’t wait for it to start getting a little cooler. Speaking of cooler weather, that means hoodie season is starting. I love wearing hoodies so much. They are probably one of my favorite clothing items to wear, and I have definitely accumulated a collection. So I thought I would give you some of my favorite hoodie recommendations. First, Hollister, but not just any old Hollister hoodie. It has to be the men’s boxy-fit hoodie. I like this one because I think the quality is better than the women’s hoodies. It’s thicker and softer, comes in so many basic colors and even has a little hidden zipper pocket on the side that the women’s hoodies don’t have. It’s definitely one of my favorites. Next, Altar’d State. They have the absolute cutest designs, and their hoodies are so thick and comfy. I especially love the positive and inspirational messages they put on them. They are just a must-have. Lastly, Lonely Ghost. I just got one of their hoodies for my birthday and fell in love. A lot of their hoodies have simple sayings about love and friendship, which I think is really cool. They also have such fun colors, and the fit is great. Those are just some of my favorites, and they are so worth it! October is also Halloween! I love Halloween. It’s so fun to dress up and trick-or-treat with friends. For Halloween this year, I’m going to be the Statue of Liberty. I know it might sound weird, but trust me, the way I’m going to put it together, it’s gonna look so good. That’s one of my favorite things about Halloween because you get to be so creative. Plus, who doesn’t love getting a bunch of candy! I hope you enjoyed this month of Maddie’s Take. See you next month!

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infinite possibilities await

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

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destinations

A Wedding Shopper’s Guide to Ocala/Marion County STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LORETTA SHAFFER, OCALA/MARION COUNTY VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU

or couples planning a wedding in Ocala/Marion County, the destination offers more than beautiful venues and unforgettable guest experiences. It also provides a thriving local retail scene, giving brides and grooms countless opportunities to incorporate the personality of the region into their celebration. Whether selecting bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts or meaningful favors for guests, Ocala’s boutiques, artisan markets and equestrian-inspired shops offer thoughtful options that reflect the warmth and creativity of the community. Downtown Ocala: Boutiques and Artisan Finds: Downtown Ocala serves as the heart of local shopping, welcoming visitors with its mix of independent boutiques, specialty shops and artist-driven storefronts. Within this walkable district, couples can discover handcrafted jewelry, curated fashion accessories, candles, home décor and other small-batch items perfect for assembling wedding-party gifts. Many shops showcase goods created by local makers, giving each gift a story and a sense of place. Whether selecting matching accessories for bridesmaids or refined keepsakes for groomsmen, couples will find that downtown Ocala’s retail offerings balance charm, style and authenticity. Ocala Downtown Market: Local Makers and Gourmet Options: Just steps from the historic square, the Ocala Downtown Market adds another layer to the wedding-shopping experience. Inside this covered open-air pavilion, couples can browse stalls operated by farmers, artisans and craftspeople who bring their

handmade goods and gourmet products to the community each week. This is an ideal place to find locally sourced honey, handcrafted soaps, gourmet treats, pottery and unique artistic items perfect for guest favors or thoughtful additions to gift boxes for the wedding party. Shopping here also supports local creators whose work reflects the spirit of the region. World Equestrian Center: Luxury and Equestrian Shopping: World Equestrian Center offers couples an upscale shopping experience with boutiques featuring luxury fashion, fine jewelry, elevated home goods, equestrian apparel and specialty items. Couples looking for an exceptional wedding-party gift or keepsake can find everything from designer accessories to refined pieces for the home and items that reflect Ocala’s equestrian culture. For those looking to splurge on a special gift for the bride, groom or wedding party, WEC offers a distinctly different shopping experience with an array of luxury and specialty options. A Celebration Rooted in Local Character Ocala/Marion County’s shopping landscape offers countless ways to personalize a wedding celebration. By exploring local shops and destinations, couples can curate gifts that feel thoughtful, distinctive and connected to the community. For those looking to embrace the authentic character of the destination, shopping local is a memorable and enjoyable way to add a sense of place to the celebration for wedding parties and guests alike.

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The Rotary Clubs of Marion County:

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

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

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

LITERACY

Kiwanis Club of Ocala provides a positive influence and creates opportunities for local children to be curious, safe and healthy. Please join us at one of our meetings to network and highlight local community speakers.

•• READING READING IS IS FUNDAMENTAL FUNDAMENTAL -- Provides Provides 11 free free book book to to each each student student in in selected selected schools, schools, 33 times times aa year, year, to to encourage encourage and and improve improve reading reading skills. skills. •• REACH REACH OUT OUT AND AND READ READ -- Encourages Encourages parents parents to to provide provide appropriate appropriate reading reading material material to to very very young young children. children. •• BUGS BUGS -- Improving Improving grades grades of of non-honor non-honor roll roll students students •• CF CF SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS -- Promote Promote continuing continuing education education

HEALTH AND SAFETY •• •• •• •• ••

SWIM SWIM CLASSES CLASSES -- Reduce Reduce accidental accidental drowning drowning of of children. children. SADD SADD -- Students Students Against Against Destructive Destructive Decisions Decisions BACK BACK PACKS PACKS -- Providing Providing back-to-school back-to-school supplies supplies CAR CAR SEATS SEATS -- Preventing Preventing child child traffic traffic deaths deaths HYGIENE HYGIENE KITS KITS -- Providing Providing kits kits to to the the school school system system for for homeless homeless children. children. List Listis isnot notinclusive inclusive

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

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

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last look PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH DURHAM

“There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk.” —Guy Gavriel Kay, Tigana

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