Ocala, FL — The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership has been named a finalist for the 2025 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Va., with over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.

The award, sponsored by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious and competitive award in the chamber industry, recognizing excellence in operations, member service and community leadership. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and impacted key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity and quality of life.

“This year’s finalists represent excellence in the chamber industry,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Each has shown how chambers can lead as community partners, forward-thinking leaders and problem solvers to drive growth and make a lasting impact on regional prosperity. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.” Continue reading →

This picture was taken by Tammy Griffin at the  Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park while Nick Navetta and his wife Diana were honoring  two of his Soldiers who were killed in action while serving in Iraq.  Sergeant Rodney Alan Murray and Sergeant Arthur Stacey Mastrapa were killed on two separate incidents. Nick Navetta is listed as the Commander of the 317^th Military Police Battalion. Nick expresses his deep condolences and prays for their families.

Nick and Diana have called Marion County their home for over 50 years. Their roots in Marion County are far reaching. Nick and his wife are part of many outreach programs they are proud to be a part of. They live by the same motto as one of the organizations they belong to, the Military Officer’s Association of America —“Never Stop Serving”. Colonel Navetta Nick served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia; multiple tours of Iraqi Freedom; and Enduring Freedom.

Nick has never stopped serving. On Veteran’s Day in 2009, Nick coordinated the SOCOM Parachute Team from MacDill Airforce Base to fly in and parachute into the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, landing in the middle of the crowd. They were men who worked under Nick at SOCOM. Enthusiastically Nick states, “That’s what these guys do. They’re that good!” His last duty position was the Training Division Chief for all Special Operations Worldwide at the United States Special Operations Command, or SOCOM for short. Continue reading →

Pictured from left, Agent Gary Smith, Agent MacKenzie Sutton, Connie Ann Sivesind Pendleton.

What a team they won a number of award “the Million Dollar Plus sales award” “McKenzie won the #1 Top Co-Broker for the North Florida Division of the BBF” (Business Brokers of Florida).awards. Congratulations from TomL publishing!

OCALA, Fla. (Apr. 17, 2025) – The Ocala Symphony Orchestra Music Conservatory is proud to announce the return of Symphony for Schools, a dynamic outreach program that takes professional musicians into Marion County school for musical presentations that help students learn about the orchestra and hear instrument demonstrations.

Thanks to the generous support of Marion County Community Services through the Community Development Block Grant program, we are bringing live performances and educational workshops to Marion County Public Schools, particularly those schools in rural, underserved parts of the county. Students can also bring information home to their families about opportunities to come to the Reilly Arts Center to see the Ocala Symphony Orchestra prepare for a concert weekend, at our FREE open rehearsals. They can also learn about music lessons and camp opportunities available at the Community Music Conservatory, including scholarships available to students with financial need.

“Our program creates access points to music education where none exist. By bringing orchestral music out to schools, opening our doors to the public, offering free events, and providing scholarships, we bypass the barriers many students in our community face to experiencing the power of live musical performance and affording music education” shared Natalie McComb, executive director.

This revived initiative is already making an impact. So far this semester, the program has visited five schools, with plans to reach many more throughout the remainder of the year. Continue reading →

Date:05/14/2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location:Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala, Florida 34471

Sunset Songs Series

Music lovers of all ages will enjoy Sunset Songs Series! This free concert series on the downtown square brings you the best local and regional artists performing funk, blues, reggae, and country originals as the sun goes down. Kick back and soak in the melodies with the perfect Wednesday night activity. If you love music and sunsets, the Sunset Songs Series is for you! End your day on a melodic high note at these not-to-be-missed community concerts.

• Monthly concerts September through May featuring top-notch musical talent
• All concerts are 100% free – just bring your lawn chair or blanket!
• Unwind and discover great new music in a gorgeous outdoor setting
• Grab a bite to eat at one of our many amazing local downtown restaurants

Headliner: Kash’d Out Continue reading →

By TomL

The senior Fishing Derby went on without a hitch. The weather was great. Hundreds of people showed up, all show up checked in, got their fishing pole their bait and went and found their favorite spot. The largest cat fish I saw was 16 3/4”.There was one caught later over 20”. All the fish were catch and release. The City Parks and Recreation Senior center furnished a box lunch and drink and made sure everyone got plenty healthy air and sunshine. It was truly a beautiful day. I would like to thank LaToya Artis and Grace Huffman for all the work they did to make this happen. Thank you to all the volunteers.

The biggest  fish Joe London [20 inches]

Most Fish Lois Langford

Oldest Fisherman Mary Reynold 97 yrs old

SOME HISTORY….

I recall some of the past Senior Fishing Derby’s:

A Lady fell into the pond, several of us got wet. She was in knee deep water. She was later she was observed purposely sliding into the pond for attention. Another time I was watching a guy with a cowboy hat fishing, I heard the women next to him saying pull. He was blind and the lady next to him told him when his bobber went under. He caught a couple of fish. This a person that never thought he would never fish again and thanks to the City Senior Center he did just that.

Thank you City of Ocala, Parks & Recreation Department  & The Senior Center and all the volunteers for making this happen.

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Ocala, FL (April 22, 2025) — The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamara Fleischhaker as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

This appointment follows the departure of Kevin Sheilley, who served with distinction for over 12 years, advancing the organization’s mission of driving economic growth and prosperity in the Ocala Metro area.

Fleischhaker brings a wealth of experience in leadership and institutional knowledge to this transitional role. Her expertise ensures continued stability and momentum as the CEP moves forward with its strategic initiatives.

“Tamara brings the steady hand and trusted leadership our organization needs during this important transition,” said Charrisse Rivers, Chair of the CEP Board of Directors. “Having worked closely behind the scenes with our previous CEO, she knows the heart of the CEP and the momentum we’ve built. Her deep roots in economic development and her calm, capable presence provide the confidence and clarity we need as we move forward. This is a season of continued growth, not pause — and under Tamara’s guidance, we remain fully committed to serving the Ocala Metro with strength and purpose.”  Continue reading →

Spring is in full swing as we begin to look towards all the fun summer has in stored for us at the fort.

We have an exciting line up of programs and events going on. We still have room in our Sculpt-A-Mug class with Samantha Ingram, Sing Ceramics. Ms. Shar will be at the fort for two weekends for drop-in classes on Friday, May 16 and June 13 and Historic Homesteading classes the following Saturdays. Be sure to register early to make sure you get a seat at the loom table.

The Ocala Park Rangers will be hosting two full moon hikes at Fort King National Historic Landmark. No registration required. Just bring bug spray, flashlight, and good hiking shoes.

Our weekly Summer Night Lecture Series will kick off on June 26 with Hurricanes & History: Fort King’s Hidden Bottles. We will also be unveiling our new archeological exhibit highlighting the glass bottles unearthed during archeological digs at Fort King National Historic Landmark.