Ocala News
9th Annual 2023 Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival! (Photos by C. Kay Johnson13)
IT WAS A FUN FAMILY DAY!
The Festival Is presented by Habitat for Humanity of Marion County
An estimated 22,000 people attended? They sold 188 fats of Strawberry’s.
There were 211 Exhibitors. The reason for the Strawberry Fest is to promote Family day and raise funds for Habitat Houses so they can continue to do all those great things they do for the local people in need.
It is hard to tell how much was raised this early and there was fund raiser’s going on inside the Festival like Parking was being shared by several groups needing funds, food and many more. There were many Sponsors involved which is listed at the end of this story. Continue reading
TO THE EQUESTRIAN WORLD, BOYD EXELL NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION. Fascinated by horses from the age of six, six times World Champion Boyd Exell’s path to international sporting greatness began when a school teacher in his native Australia introduced him to a carriage driving friend. His passion was cemented when he went on to win the Australian Pairs Championship at the age of 16. Photos by C. Kay Johnson13
The Marion County Library System and Coping with Dementia LLC have announced a Spring series of free ABC of Dementia workshops again in 2023. Dates and locations through April, 2023 are as follows.
Belleview Library, located at 13145 SE County Hwy 484. Workshops will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 31; and Friday, April 28, 2023.
Dunnellon Public Library, located at 2-351 Robinson Road, will offer a workshop on Thursday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marion Oaks Library, located at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Wednesday, April 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sankofa Public Library, located at 1821 NW 21st Street in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Thursday, April 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Continue reading
Kay is a fifth generation Floridian that enjoys being retired and keeping busy. She’s a prolific wildlife, event, and portrait photographer. She does not photograph weddings. She has always loved photography and began as a volunteer photographer while working at the phone company. She would often take photos at family and friend events that she attended. After retirement, she dabbled in taking wildlife and nature photos while traipsing through Florida rivers, lakes and forests. Her nature photographs appeared and were sold in a local diner. Kay often volunteers her photography time to the City of Ocala, Marion Senior Services, NSDAR Daughters of the American Revolution (Ocala Chapter), the Marion County Honor Guard, as well as other organizations. Continue reading
Irish Eyes are Mile-ing 5k Run
Date:
03/11/2023 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location:
Citizens’ Circle
151 SE Osceola Ave.
Ocala, Florida 34471
A 5k run/walk starting and finishing at Citizens’ Circle. For details, please contact Darrin Detorres, Ocala Distance Project, at 352.304.3217 or Jim Sheilds, Milestone Race Authority, at 904.318.8104.
The 2023 Parade of Senior Services will be held Friday, March 17, 2023. As a for-profit, your agency can participate in the event by becoming a sponsor.
The 2023 Parade will be held at College of Central Florida, Ewers Century Center from 10am – 3pm. This event has been in existence for 40th years and continues to be a favorite among the senior citizens of our community. The Parade is a show of non-profit agencies that provide a variety of services from social, health, education, and more to the senior citizens of Ocala, Marion County and surrounding areas. Many attend this yearly show to obtain information on services they are seeking or may be in the future. Continue reading
The Southeastern Youth Fair is pleased to announce the 83rd annual Fair which will be held from Thursday, February 23rd to Saturday, March 4th at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, Florida. We have approximately 150 market steers, 250 market swine, 70 market lambs, and 50 market goats which will be sold throughout the week.
The Southeastern Youth Fair is the oldest all-youth Fair in the country that continues to operate without a midway. We are also the largest all-youth Fair event in the state of Florida. Our Steer Show, the foundation of our Fair, began in 1941. The Youth Fair, as we know it today, officially began in 1978.
1978 was also the start of our Beef Heifer, Dog Obedience, Dairy & Meat Goat, Garden, Home Arts, Horse, Kitchen, Poultry, Rabbit, and Swine Show, our largest animal show. In 2004 we showcased our first Dog Agility Show.
The SEYF operates with only one paid employee and over 200 volunteers, whose time is valued at over $50,000, and provides almost 4,000 hours each year. The Fair continues its growth and success every year because of the dedicated efforts of our volunteers, and the generous donations of local businesses and individuals in our community.
The SEYF is guided in operation by their guiding principles which include: Continue reading
Jimmy Riffle put’s on a show was on Animal Planet. They have now moved to Anthony in north Marion County and they are still rescuing reptiles. They’ve been at Ft King Festival 2 years and should continue. We think the is a snapping turtle. Photo by C Kay Johnson / CKJphotos13
As we enter this new year, the Ocala Metro has made a few national lists which are worth highlighting:
U-Haul
Every year, U-Haul unveils their Top 25 Cities for Growth. This list ranks cities based on one-way moves using U-Haul. While not entirely scientific, it is a great barometer of where people are moving. The Ocala Metro has made this list each of the last several years but this year ranks #1 as the top city where people are moving. This is important because of who moves using U-Haul – overwhelmingly it is younger people. We know that 30-39 year olds in the Ocala Metro are growing at double the national average. This is a key demographic for workforce, home ownership, and families.
Wood & Poole
Wood & Poole is a Washington, DC, based economics firm. They recently created their Top 40 Cities for Growth through 2060. They wanted to determine what 40 cities were going to experience the most growth over the next 40 years. They ranked Ocala #30 on their list with the expectation that the population would grow to 610,000. While 40 years projections are not particularly reliable, it is a good sense of where others see the Ocala Metro growing. Continue reading
The Marion County Library System and Coping with Dementia LLC have announced a Spring series of free ABC of Dementia workshops again in 2023. Dates and locations through April, 2023 are as follows.
Belleview Library, located at 13145 SE County Hwy 484. Workshops will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, February 27; Friday, March 31; and Friday, April 28, 2023.
Freedom Public Library, located at 5870 SW 95th Street in Ocala. Workshops will be offered on Thursday, January 26, 2 to 4 p.m.; Friday, February 24, 2 to 4 p.m.; and Friday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dunnellon Public Library, located at 2-351 Robinson Road, will offer a workshop on Thursday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Marion Oaks Library, located at 294 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Wednesday, April 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sankofa Public Library, located at 1821 NW 21st Street in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Thursday, April 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Continue reading
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