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Happy Tuesday, Ocala. In today’s edition: Bring the Harvest Home drive, the Ocala Christmas Parade, a 55+ health expo, and more.
Let’s get to it — Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Holiday generosity in action: Marion County’s Bring the Harvest Home drive culminated Dec. 5, delivering over 50,000 pounds of donations for the second year, including 30,339 pounds of food and $34,950 for nonprofits — get all the details.
Community arts take center stage: Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk saw Sunset Songs return with over 40 artist displays, free family activities, shopping, and live music, spotlighting the Appleton Museum and local performing arts groups — read the full story.
Immersive living history event: Ocala residents stepped back in time at the Fort King festival over the weekend, with Second Seminole War re-enactments, 1830s demonstrations, and encounters with live alligators, snakes, and snapping turtles — see what visitors experienced.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.
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🫶 We got your back
Civic calendar highlights ahead: This week: a Tuesday public meeting on Ocala International Airport’s master plan, with hopes of luring commercial flights; a Wednesday Gainesville/Alachua joint session on an eastside Cultural Arts Center, possibly at the Duval Early Learning Center; Friday’s legislative luncheon on funding and property taxes; plus UF’s two days of O’Dome graduations. See what’s planned this week.
Sunshine in a fur coat: Meet Larry, the “Teacup Shepherd,” a 35-pound, nine-month-old stray turned heart-stealer at the Humane Society of Marion County. He’s healed from a respiratory infection and a broken tail, vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and ready to go home for the holidays. Bonus: Santa Paws hits Citizen Circle Dec. 12, 5 to 8 p.m. Learn about Larry and Santa Paws.
Cozy pint, unlocked: When Florida finally calls it “chilly,” wander into Infinite Ale Works for winter pours that sip like sweater weather. Try the rich Into the Dark Roast imperial coffee stout, or linger over the West Floridian quad…perfect for unwinding without leaving town.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.
Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎀 Holiday Gift Wrapping Party and Food Drive @ Belleview Community Center | Tuesday (12/9) at 5:00pm – Belleview Community Center is turning into Santa’s annex, minus the reindeer and the glitter in your carpet. Bring unwrapped gifts, they supply the paper, ribbons, boxes, and volunteers, and you bring one nonperishable per gift for the Everyday Church pantry. Free cocoa, treats, community, done.
🎭 A Tuna Christmas @ The Civic Theatre | Wednesday (12/10) at 7:30pm – Tinsel season calls for a second helping of Tuna, the holiday comedy where two actors play the whole Texas town faster than a tumbleweed in a tornado. It’s PG, festive, and very funny, perfect for when you want cheer without another obligatory cookie swap.
🩺 12 Days of Christmas Health Expo for 55 + @ One Health Center | Thursday (12/11) at 2:00pm – If your holiday tradition is cookies, chaos, and promising to stretch next year, this 55+ health expo is the reset you need. Think 12 Days of Christmas, but with friendly vendors, practical tips, and low-pressure screenings, and your knees singing instead of partridges.
🎁 Share Your Christmas @ Frank DeLuca YMCA | Friday (12/12) at 6:00am – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to clean out the pantry, this is it. Head to the DeLuca YMCA for Share Your Christmas, benefitting Second Harvest, where every pound you donate gets a dollar from the DeLuca Family, up to $10K. No fruitcakes required.
🐾 Santa Paws 2025 @ Citizen’s Circle | Friday (12/12) at 5:00pm – Downtown Ocala is going full holly-jolly, and yes, the dog gets top billing. Bring your pup to Citizens’ Circle for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, pro lighting, and zero mall chaos, with easy bundles, and it all supports the Humane Society.
This weekend
🐶 Yappy Hour @ Hilton Ocala | Saturday (12/13) at 11:00am – Patio weather calls for Yappy Hour at Hilton Ocala, with cold drinks, good bites, and adoptable pups working the crowd. Sip, snack, maybe leave with a new walking buddy, while proceeds support the Humane Society of Marion County. Finally, a happy hour with wagging tails.
🎄 Christmas Pageant @ Paddock Mall | Saturday (12/13) at 11:00am – Come cheer on the cutest Christmas stars in Ocala as Sunburst hosts a feel-good pageant celebrating individuality and joy. With every participant crowned and celebrated, it’s a heartwarming holiday moment you’ll be glad you didn’t miss.
🌲 Ranger Program @ Silver Springs State Park | Saturday (12/13) at 2:00pm – Trade your to-do list for a ranger-led wander at Silver Springs State Park, where the water is clear, the stories are better, and the wildlife is, well, very Florida. Learn a little, stretch your legs, maybe spot a gator or those infamous monkeys.
🎄 Ocala Christmas Parade @ East Silver Springs Boulevard | Saturday (12/13) at 5:30pm – Ocala’s Christmas Parade is rolling through for its 70th year, bringing “Christmas Through the Decades,” marching bands, floats, and enough tinsel to cover Silver Springs. Expect nostalgia, kid squeals, and that neighbor saving seats with caution tape, so bring patience, layers, and a thermos.
🥂 Champagne Brunch @ Hilton Ocala | Sunday (12/14) at 11:00am – Round up your brunch crew and let Hilton Ocala do the Sunday heavy lifting. Bottomless mimosas, a carving station, a raw bar, a Bloody Mary bar, live tunes from Miranda Madison, and a fresh menu that actually delivers. Your toaster can take the day off.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ This house is wild
Listed by: George De Benedicty (PEGASUS REALTY & ASSOC INC)
On 10.23 acres in Pinnacle Park, Hilltop Estate spans 8,160 square feet with 6 beds, 4.5 baths, and a 4 car garage. Twelve foot ceilings, wood beams, crown molding, and 5,000 feet of imported tile shine. Open living with a gas fireplace meets a stainless kitchen and bay window office. The primary suite adds a sitting room, wet bar, and spa bath.
New roof and whole house generator keep things effortless. A screened, solar heated pool and spa with rock waterfall, rolling hills, five paddocks, community trails, quick to Ocala’s HITS and WEC, plus security, surge protection, and Starlink.
Take a peek inside →
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