A year ago, the CEP kicked of our Equine Engagement Initiative. As the Horse Capital of the World, we knew we needed a focused and directed effort to engage our incredible equine community with both the broader business community and with fellow equine businesses. Our economic impact analysis of Marion County’s Equine Industry had found that equine contributed $2.6 Billion a year to the local economy!

Thanks to the underwriting support of New Millennium Realty, we were able to kick off this initiative late last year. Louisa Barton joined our team as our Director of Equine Engagement and has done a masterful job at reaching out and engaging equine businesses and educating the rest of us. Our monthly Equine Engagement meetings have out-grown the CEP conference room and must now be held at our Power Plant Business Incubator Training Room so we can accommodate the more the 60 participants who now attend. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla.-The Florida Department of Health in Marion County recognizes November as National Diabetes Month, a time set aside every year to raise awareness about diabetes and promote the importance of taking steps to confront diabetes as a critical health issue. The theme for National Diabetes Month this year is “You are the center of your diabetes care team,” highlighting the importance of prevention and self-management.

“Diabetes is one of the significant health challenges our community will continue to face in the years ahead,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Health Officer Mark Lander. “The good news is that it’s easy to identify if you are at risk for diabetes, and there are simple changes you can make in your day-to-day life that can help prevent the onset of diabetes or manage your diabetes if you already have it.” Continue reading →

The photo shows off part of our Crippen & Co. “Bean Counters” chili cook-off team: From L-R, Naomi Vandergrift, Jerett Schrader, Kelsie Smith, Marie Fox. Photo taken at the 36^th Annual Marion County Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, November 4^th at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion to benefit The Cornerstone School. Crippen and Co. came in 1^st Runner Up in the Small Business Chili division.

Pictured is Karin Nicely member of the Ocala Business Leaders. Karin owns and operates a business called Writing Nicely and here she was explaining to members about some of what Writing Nicely does. The business features professional writing and editing, promotional writing, revision, consultation, editing, proofreading. The business is based in Ocala Fl. If you need it written Call Karin, 352-792-8277.

The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday December 14, 2017 at 2 PM at the Marion County Public Library located at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.  A brief business meeting will be followed by the holiday party. For further information, contact Joel Swanson at (352)897-0840 or president@mcgsocala.org.

The Senior Fishing Derby was a great success, with over a hundred reservations accounted for. And the winners are: Oldest Fisherwoman – Lillie Brooks 97; Biggest Fish – Mae Jones.

Thank-Yous out to the City, especially Grace Huff for coordinating the event. Thank you to the city crew for the set up and clean up. Thank you to Dustin Echols of Clay Electric for cooking. Thanks to BJ Trophys for the two trophys and thanks to TomL Publishing for donating fishing rods, reels and restaurant coupons for door prizes (Ocala DownTown and Seniors Voice of Ocala newspapers).

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Here  are two business ladies discussing their business at the Lady Lake Chamber “Nothing but networking” luncheon. It was well attended. If you are interested in inquiring about the Lady Lake Chamber call Sue at 352-753-6029.

Stopping by my booth was Elvis and friend. Mark Shelton was there doing his Elvis show and entertaining the people at the Christmas in the Villages expo. He did a great job. It’s always nice to see Elvis.

Pictured at the “Shop Lady Lake Expo & Crafts  Show” The vendor modeling her Urban Poncho from Urban Poncho. The expo was well attended with visitors coming and going all day, a steady flow.

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