Ocala News
Date: 09/30/2023 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Fort King National Historic Landmark
3925 E Fort King St., Ocala, Florida 34470
Step back in time and explore Ocala’s history with a guided lantern tour at the fort. Meet the legends of Fort King’s past as they tell you of a time gone by. Enjoy pioneer games and food while you wait for your tour to start. Guests should arrive 30 minutes before their tour time starts to ensure prompt transportation to the fort. There will be no parking onsite, parking will be available at the Klein lot. $10 per person. For details, please contact Kathleen Ramirez, Outdoor Historical Resource Archaeologist, at Fort King National Historic Landmark, at 352.368.3355.
A veteran of VFW McCullough-Mixson Post 4209 Ocala has won the top award for feature articles in the 2023 Veterans of Foreign Wars National Publications Contest.
Michael P. Mauer, a Desert Storm veteran, won the Grand Award for his article, ‘VFW Motorcycle Riders.’ The submission appeared in the August 2022 edition of the South Hills – Mon Valley Messenger, and placed first in competition after a judges’ review by two non-VFW affiliated journalism professionals.
Mauer wrote the article while assigned as the VFW PA District 29 public affairs officer. This is his fourth VFW writing award in seven years. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. —Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham were joined by local leaders, advocates, and caregivers in Marion County to celebrate recent budget funding to support Florida’s advancements in service and care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. During the 2023 Legislative Session, Governor DeSantis proposed and secured record funding for Alzheimer’s care.
“With Governor DeSantis at the helm, Florida has put our seniors first when they needed it most,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “The Framework for Freedom Budget included over $65 million for Alzheimer’s support, an increase of more than $12.5 million over the last year. We will continue to fund, support, and fight for those who live with Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and caregivers.”
The state budget, signed by Governor DeSantis in June, included $12.5 million in additional funding to expand the work of the state’s 17 Memory Disorder Clinics and the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative, which assist residents and caregivers affected by the disease. This also includes nearly $500,000 in support for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Brain Bus, a mobile outreach unit that helps educate Floridians on early warning signs and available resources. Continue reading
The Marion County Library System and Coping with Dementia LLC have announced free ABC of Dementia workshops at Belleview and Freedom branch libraries, as follows:
Belleview Public Library, located at 13145 SE County Hwy 484. A workshop will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Freedom Public Library, located at 5870 SW 95th Street in Ocala. A workshop will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
All participants will receive a free packet of useful information. Continue reading
Join us for special events and programs exclusively for Ocala adults ages 50 and older. From walking clubs to learning a new crafting skill, we have plenty of opportunities to get involved. See City of Ocala website for more.
Year Round Programs
Artistic Touch Crafts- $5 per session
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place | 1821 NW 21st Ave.
Year round | First and Third Tuesday of the month | 10 AM – Noon
Get crafty with these fun DIY workshops to renew and discover your artistic abilities! Every session we will work on a new craft project for you to take home to display. You bring the creative spirit; we’ll bring the supplies. Registration required for each session.
Footloose Line Dancing – FREE
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place | 1821 NW 21st Ave.
Starting Jan. 17 | Tuesdays | 11 AM – NOON
Come join us for an hour of dancing fun. This class is for anyone who loves to dance, whether you are experienced, or new to the dance floor. You will learn the basic steps of many soul and line dances while getting a workout at the same time.
Ocala Recreation and Parks offers a variety of sports, programs, activities and events for kids! Whether your three-year-old wants to Start Smart with playing soccer or you are looking for after school programs, there are plenty of options for kids of all ages in Ocala!
T-Ball
Start Smart T-Ball League | Ages 5 – 6
Mondays & Wednesdays | Sept. 4 – Oct. 18 | 6 – 7 PM
Jervey Gantt Park | 2200 SE 36th Av.
$65/person
Little Batter Up! We’ll help your mini 5-6 year old athlete get started on their athletic journey. This program will help participants develop their talents and learn sportsmanship in a safe and encouraging environment.
Basketball
Skills and Drillz | Ages 6 – 8
Aug. 9 – 30 | Wednesdays | 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place | 1821 NW 21st Ave.
$20 per person
Help your mini athlete gain a competitive advantage while participating in youth sports. Kids will compete in fun and exciting drills designed to sharpen hand, foot and eye coordination.
by TomL
Sounds pretty simple right? So I thought I would mention it so some of my competitors know how simple it is.
First let’s mention all the national and state agency’s that I correspond with. Everything has change with the information they have. Prices circulation methods of getting to the readers. They answer all of my answers with another questions. Finally I said look I am not filling out any more of your forms. I’m not answering any more questions. Don’t send me any more forms and don’t send them again and again. STOP!
I already am connected to the local, state, and national news, that works. I purchased a 20,000 email list for $1600. How am I going to get this list sent out. I agreed to a contract with Constant Contact to send out 20,000 emails per month with a link to my four newspapers. I had to find someone that was familiar with constant Contact, I found a real fearless Lady who said yes she knew Constant Contact. It is not and easy job if you have never done it before. Continue reading
The CEP Ocala Chamber of Commerce has their Business after hours the third Thursday of every month. This month it was hosted by the Paddock Mall.
Photos by CKJ-13 Kay Johnson
The statue honoring Molly, of Molly’s Law, was unveiled near the Ocala City Hall.
Sculpted by Nilda Comas, the statue memorializes Molly, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 15. Molly suffered severe abuse at the hands of a previous owner, and her experience was the inspiration behind the Animal Abuser Registry. The law passed in 2016 that identifies any offender convicted of an animal abuse crime, allowing citizens, pet sellers, and rescues to verify abusers.
Since her rescue, Molly lived with Lilly Baron, president of SPCA of Ocala, who was on hand this morning to commemorate her friend. Several city, county and state officials were there to remember Molly and the impact she had on our community.
C Kay Johnson
352-299-3870
Photos by CKJ-13 Kay Johnson
TomL Publishing Goes Totally Digital
By TomL Publisher
Our printed newspapers have been put on pause! Rising cost has helped us make the decision.
We will keep our local columns. Our newspapers will be directed to two areas for now: Villages area and Ocala Area. We will stay monthly for now. Our intent is to give readers current news of crime, events, local interest stories.
An events calendar can be accessed from the front page, to help readers connected to and engaged with their community.
Advertise with us! Our ad prices for inclusion in the digital versions of Ocala Downtown, Seniors Voice of Ocala, Village Spectator, Lady Lake Magazine, will be cut in half to share the savings with our advertisers. All ads will be 4-color modular sizes.
Full page 10” wide by 13” high 4 color ………………………$280
Half page 10” wide by 6 1/2 high or 7 1/4 wide by 9” high…$200
quarter page 5” wide by 6 1/2” high………………………… .$127
eighth page 5” wide by 3” high………………………………..$ 71
Banners sales will be one inch by ten inches ………………$100
