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 95^th 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 21^st Street in Ocala, will offer a workshop on Thursday, April 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Continue reading →

Ocala, Florida – Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) has been serving Marion, Lake, Sumter, and Alachua counties for 40 years. A celebration will take place on February 4^th, 2023, at CF Vintage Farm from 6 to 10 pm. Come share in the memories and love that so many have made possible.  MTRA provides equine assisted services to individuals with physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges. Programs include therapeutic riding, equine assisted learning, PTSD psychotherapy for Veterans in partnership with the Ocala Vet Center and Speech and Language pathology through Hippotherapy in partnership with Advent health. “Community support is what has driven this organization to a successful 40 years of service” says Executive Director Pam Morrison.

MTRA relies heavily on the generosity of the community and it’s businesses through donations, grants and other funding. They have maintained the equine assisted therapy program in Ocala for over forty years.  Continue reading →

OCALA, Florida – On Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Habitat for Humanity of Marion County will host its annual fundraising event, the “Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival” which will be at the McPherson Complex, 601 SE 25th Avenue Ocala.

This event attracts thousands of fans from all over to enjoy a family fun day and to bring awareness about Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.

The festival will have bands, entertainment, a pie eating contest, over 200 vendors (to include arts & crafts, business, non-profit, farmers market, and food vendors throughout the event), sponsor booths, a kids’ area, a food court, a car show, a petting zoo, and lots of strawberries. Admission is FREE, parking is $5 which will benefit Habitat for Humanity and the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association.

Habitat for Humanity host this event each year so our community and guests can enjoy a day filled with joy and happiness for the entire family. All proceeds benefit the Habitat Home Ownership program to build another Habitat home which will be called the Strawberry House. This program gives low-income families the opportunity of homeownership with affordable mortgage payments.

If you would like to be a vendor or a sponsor for this event, visit our webpage at www.habitatocala.org/strawberry or contact Joanne Black at jblack@habitatocala.org

After two years of working and planning, the owners of Brick City Flowers, Julie Bennett and Brenda Carroll, have recently moved into their new location, 1820 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL.  We  are located directly across the street in the old Jim Jernigan Photography building.  We can supply all your floral, designs and event needs.  Check out our weekly displays in the hotel lobby of the World Equestrian Center.

Fort king 1800’s re-enactment was the conflict between the United States and the Seminole Indians over land dispute. Visitors can see the Fort and learn the history of the Fort and the battle. Historians are at the Fort to answer questions as well. The Seminole Indians  and the United States wage war from 1816 to 1858. Photo by C Kay Johnson / CKJphotos13

First Friday Art Walk

Date: 02/03/2023 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Downtown Square

1 SE Broadway St.

Ocala, Florida 34471

Various artists will be setting up easels / stations and work on arts / crafts throughout Downtown Ocala. Performance on the Downtown Square. For additional information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department’s Cultural Arts Division at 352.629.8383.