What’s happening? In future blogs, we will feature many events and activities around town in Ocala. Our town sits at the center of a county whose economy is largely dependent on the equine industry. As we have pointed out elsewhere, this industry brings $3 billion in revenue into our community annually. However, The World Equestrian Center will finally open its doors in early 2021 and will impact our economy as no other single business ever has. It is expected to trigger a growth never before experienced here. As a result, the W.E.C. will cause the contribution of the equine industry to more than triple over a period of a few years. Of course, we will continue to report on both the W.E.C. and the equine industry in our posts.
But Ocalla is more than a focal point for the equine industry. It sits at the center of a network of parks and nature reserves. The largest of these is the Ocala National Forest, a network of lakes and treed ladscapes that is home to a wide variety of wild inhabitants. Here you can hike, boat, fish and enjoy lounging in natural spring waters.
The arts pacticipate integrally in the local economy as well. Therefore, we will feature shows at the Appleton Museum of Art and other galleries, local studios of famed artists and art fairs. We will also take note of performances by the local symphony, plays of interest and performaces by other musicians.
Finally, we may blog about local networking events, clubs, chartitable fundraisers and much more. Please join us weekly to find out what’s happening.
The Mother’s Day tradition offers many and varied opportunities to celebrate the amazing women in our lives. Each lady is special in her own way, and each deserves to be celebrated and shown how much she is valued. The Origins of the “Mother’s Day in Ocala” Tradition1 A story is told of a woman who … Read more
Christmas in Ocala is a marvelous time of year. Charles Dickens tells of a man who learns how to celebrate Christmas in his holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Of course we in Ocala also know how to celebrate the holiday and this year’s celebration will be the best ever! But how did the celebration of … Read more
Ocala’s Memorial Day celebration is filled with music, barbeques and special events. Of course, the actual reason for this day is somber. We remember and honor the heroes who served in our armed forces and gave their lives to defend our country. The celebration saw its roots in the aftermath of the Civil War. In … Read more
Mother’s Day In Ocala Follows Ancient Traditions Mother’s Day in Ocala is both traditional and inspired. Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. But the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known … Read more
Today our small Northcentral Florida community launches a new slogan, “Ocala Proud”. Amazingly, our town of 65,000 people sent three athletes to the Winter Olympics this year. And one, Erin Jackson, brought home the gold! When my wife and I arrived in Florida decades ago, we sought to escape Canada’s snowy winters and make our … Read more
A very Ocala Christmas is indeed wounderous to behold. The joyous season is around the corner and the ways to celebrate it in our town are many and varied. There are concerts and lighting displays. There are art exhibits and theatrical productions. Of course, we can also enjoy traditional parades and Christmas trains. But ultimately … Read more
The Ocala Halloween celebration is a week away and this year’s edition will offer many more opportunities than last for children of all ages to have fun. Ocala Halloween, A Brief History Most of us fondly remember Halloween. As children, we looked forward to dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating with friends and thrilling to spooky … Read more
“Enchanting Ocala Home Fall Decor – Backyard Pond Draped In Seasonal Colors” Fall In North Central Florida My wife and I met on Miami Beach when she visited South Florida on her winter break. I was a student at the University of Miami at the time, having transferred from the University of Toronto to escape … Read more
How Ocala’s Labor Day Is Celebrated Ocala’s Labor Day is traditionally a day to barbeque or picnic with family and friends. It is a day to relax, enjoy special events and be patriotic. Additionally, it marks the end of summer and the beginning of Fall, the harvest season. The day was first celebrated in 1882 … Read more
Ocala museums and galleries educate, provide opportunities for quiet thought and inspire new ideas. To be sure, the most famous of these is the Appleton Museum of Art. This amazing facility features world class collections of paintings, sculptures and pre columbian artifacts. However, since we have already introduced this museum in a prior post, today … Read more
The central Florida homes of famous authors make wonderful side trips for those who appreciate both history and literature. Of course, the most renowned writer who forged his career in our state was Ernest Hemingway. His amazing Key West home is featured above. But for Ocala residents, there are three historic sights closer to home … Read more
Amrit Palace is an institution on the Ocala dining scene. There are several outstanding restaurants offering authentic Indian cuisine in our town. However, the Palace clearly stands at the top of the list and in our hearts. Approaching the Palace, one is immediately drawn in by its grand facade. It is reminiscent of stately palaces … Read more
Let’s Celebrate The Greatest Country On Earth, Ocala! Ocala is a great place to call home. The 4th of July is a time to celebrate our past and ponder on what our future holds. Our country has been a shining light for the rest of the world for over two hundred years. We have been … Read more
In Ocala, Mother’s Day celebrations abound. The celebrations begin with a brisk 5K run or walk with Mom. What better way to honor Mom than by getting energy levels up and sharing smiles on a beautiful Mother’s Day morning. After a brisk shower and a little primping, continue the celebration with an amazing Mother’s Day … Read more
At the forefront of our “Ocala Theater 2021” season are three outstanding venues. To be sure, the performing arts are essential to Ocala life. However, each venue has been significantly impacted by the pandemic that continues to play havoc with our lives. Ocala Theater 2021- The Ocala Civic Theater Unfortunately, only The Ocala Civic Theater … Read more
In the new normal, fitness is more important than ever. While vaccines offer hope and a light at the end of the tunnel, the new normal still rules our lives. As of this week, less than eighteen percent of Americans have been fully vaccinated. Additionally, less than a third have received at least one inoculation. … Read more
As we near the spring in Ocala, we present a fine arts update. The fine arts season is once again something to contemplate. Ocala has become home to some very talented artists and musicians over the years. Of course, our city is home to a wonderful symphony orchestra and some amazing museums as well. Among … Read more
We are excited that Ocala’s Grandview Invitational event is around the corner. The City of Ocala has earned the title “Horse Capital of the World”. Clearly, this is because the equine industry has been focal to the growth of the local economy since the arrival of Carl Rose early in the 20th century. The industry’s … Read more
The Ocala lifestyle features much more than equestrian pursuits. We are certainly proud of Ocala’s reputation as the horse capital of the world. However, our city is a short journey away from historic communities, amazing state parks, natural springs and sandy beaches. We are also one hundred miles or less away from research zoos, world … Read more
This year we will be celebrating in difficult times. But we will give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon us none the less. This is the season to share the holiday spirit with family, be mindful of those less fortunate and make someone else’s life a little brighter. Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, … Read more
Our rapidly growing metro area is broadening its horizons and has much to offer beyond equestrian pursuits. For example, in Ocala, scientific research plays a focal role as well. At the center is the C.E.P.’s incubator program. Our Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation, city and county governments have united to support this endeavor. Its purpose … Read more
“If you are in your twenties and are not liberal, you have no heart. If are in your thirties and are not conservative, you have no brain.” – Sir Winston Churchill As we approach the 2020 presidential election, these thoughts of the great statesman and Prime Minister come to mind. He lead Great Britain during … Read more
The New Normal Is Still With Us: Although we have been living with COVID19 for many months, we can’t quite see the horizon yet. With winter around the corner, nationally more and more activities are moving indoors. Therefore, the threat posed by the virus is rising. However, scientists all over the world continue research studies … Read more
A safe Halloween from Ocala Home Guide Realty to all our friends and neighbors. Halloween has a history dating back over 2000 years. It began as a celebration by the Celts, an ancient people who lived in the British Isles and Northern France. They believed that the time line that separated one year from another … Read more
Ocala rural home sales are booming: In the face of the pandemic, Ocala continues to evolve into an exciting metropolitan area. As people reconsider the wisdom of living in large urban areas, our countryside is proving a desirable alternative. Therefore, many are drawn to rural communities where social distancing is a normal part of daily … Read more
As we continue to search for reasons Ocala is a great place to call our home, we discover a treasure, Paynes Prairie Preserve. This state park may be the most intriguing and ecologically unique habitat in the State of Florida. Who knew that buffalo are native to our state? A brief history of Paynes Prairie: … Read more
America’s Labor Day is a celebration of the contribution of workers to our great nation. The event evolved into a recognized observance during the nineteenth century and was declared a national holiday in 1894. Who does not have fond childhood memories of family Labor Day gatherings? Barbeques, days at the beach, gatherings with friends and … Read more
The Ocala art scene is growing and becoming a major factor in the evolution and growth our city, a great reason for calling Ocala home. But the story began many decades ago. In 1939, the Coca Cola Company built a bottling plant(photo above) in what was to become downtown Ocala. It featured a magnificent architectural … Read more
Here is another great reason to make Ocala your home. The Ocala National Forest serves as an area administered by the United States Forest Service. Since they so eloquently describe this national treasure, we have borrowed their words to introduce this magnificent forest to you. This nature reserve proudly wears the Congressional designation National Forest. … Read more
The June World Bank Report and its Implications: The World Bank issued its report on the expected economic impact of the pandemic earlier in June. Unfortunately, the predictions are ominous. Bank economists project the worst economic contraction in decades. They forecast that world GDP faces a 5.2% contraction year over year in 2020. All countries … Read more
“The Circle of Love”, a poem for my wife and soulmate. Sitting by the pool, I dreamed of fullfilment and love. I was free to live my life and make my musings real. Though I was lost in thought, I could see her running across the pool deck pulling you by your hand. Your smile … Read more
The Dangers We Face: Economic hope is the thought for the day. Since the world fell under the grip of COVID-19, central banks began to drop interest rates to stimulate the world economy. In the United states our Federal Reserve took action quickly. Real estate buyers, not yet gripped by the fear we see today, … Read more
Focus on the future: We find ourselves in the grips of a deadly pandemic which threatens our lives and the world economy. Over thirteen hundred Americans passed on April 4th alone and things are likely to get worse before they get better. But amid the devastation, scientists are planting the seeds for a brighter future. … Read more
Its time to focus on family. We have all been glued to our TVs and every word we hear stimulates thought and most of all, fear. We have more questions than answers. The United States leads the world in COVID-19 cases? How can that be? Why weren’t we better prepared? Will our economy survive this … Read more
The pandemic scares us all. But please don’t lose sight of your hopes and dreams. Our planet is a wondrous place and if we pull together, the future is bright. The Surgeon General issued a warning that this week is about to unleash upon us the worst blow the pandemic has delivered to date. How … Read more
The Coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to spread across the globe with new cases being reported almost hourly. But the good news is that interventions are under way on a large scale in the United States and all other effected countries. Further, there is clear evidence that aggressive interventions actually work. China implemented Draconian measures to interfere … Read more
Since a strain of Coronavirus, (COVID-19) caused a breakout of infections in Wuhan, China the world has taken notice. The virus now has a foothold in many nations across the globe. Clearly, people are in great fear of this disease as demonstrated by the recent behavior of our stock market. Therefore, it is time to … Read more
Ocala Home Guide Realty is excited that the Budweiser Clydesdales will participate in our parade this coming Saturday. Brought to you by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership, the 4th annual Horse Capital Parade is a show you won’t want to miss. Ocala Live Stud is hosting this year’s parade in conjunction with The … Read more
Support for the arts has become an important contributor to the rapid growth of this community. Ocala’s Appleton Museum of Art, with its outstanding permanent collections, stands as a special monument to that support. It was built on forty four forested acres off East Silver Springs Boulevard, with construction commencing in 1984. Two years later … Read more