Sholom Park Celebrates First Responders
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FRIDAY, February 22, 2019 VOLUME 22 NUMBER xx www.smcitizen.com S UTH MARION CitizenServing S.R. 200 Communities & Businesses MOUNTAINSMOUNTAINS FROMFROM Sholom Park celebrates MOLEHILLSMOLEHILLS by DAVID DAVIS first responders elebrating First Re- share their appreciation for sponders from Mar- those who dedicate their And away I go C ion County is focus lives to keeping us safe. of “Fun at the Park” event at Marion County Sheriff ’s obby Bare had a popular song in Sholom Park is excited to Office and Marion County 1992 titled, "The Winner," that announce the upcoming Fire Rescue will have a B went something like this: “Celebrating First Respond- squadron of emergency ve- “Now you remind me a lotta my ers of Marion County” Sun- hicles on display with an younger days with your knuckles a day, Feb. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. agency representative for The guest VIPs are Marion clenchin' white each corresponding unit to County’s law enforcement, But boy I'm gonna sit right here and sip answer questions. There fire, medical and dispatch this beer all night will be a ladder truck, patrol And if there's somethin' that you gotta heroes who come to our aid and rescue when we’re in car, mobile jail cell replica, gain to prove by winnin' some silly fight SWAT Unit, Mobile Com- Well okay I quit I lose you're the need. This “Fun at the Park” will be an afternoon filled mand Center and much winner.” with live music, food trucks, more. Special guest, Sheriff The last line is the only one that is ap- educational entertainment Billy Woods, will be on hand plicable to this column because this is and loads of children’s ac- for a citizen meet and greet. my last column as editor of the West PHOTO BY RON RATNER tivities. This is a free event Marion Messenger and South Marion Sidewalks meander through Sholom Park for all ages to come and See SHOLOM/Page A3 Citizen. I’m retiring for about the third time in my life. I have enjoyed working with all of you, so none of you are the reason I’m resigning. Bridges Project names My wife and I moved to Florida be- cause I’ve always heard it is such a beau- tiful state and I wanted to see if it is true or not. We’ve been here a little more essay winners than two years now, and all I’ve seen is what lies between Dunnellon and Chief- The Bridges Project of Rev. Peggy Hostetler, vice land or Dunnellon and Ocala. Ocala/Marion County will president of Bridges Proj- My friends in other states are amazed honor middle and high ect, said the entries were that I still haven’t seen an alligator and school students who partic- so good that judges had dif- frankly, so am I, since the Rainbow River ipated in an essay contest ficulty in grading them so a Ocala Rotary erects an arbor in Tuscawilla Park is only a couple of blocks from my house. inviting their views on les- first prize will be awarded dispaying the Rotary 4-way test. I don’t want to live with alligators, but I sons learned about in each category with “all need to see one – and only one – and I the civil rights movement others” entrants given hon- don't want to swim with them. I wouldn't and how to effect change at orary status. mind swimming with a manatee, but they an awards ceremony to “You’ll be impressed by Ocala Rotary Club tend to get struck by boat propellers. take place at Barnes & their work as they read I want to take pictures of stuff and Noble Saturday, March 2, from their essays,” she at 2 p.m. said. read. I don't know how many books I've Parents, friends, teach- The two first prize win- turns 100 years old collected over my journalism career ers, school officials and ners will each receive a that I've never had time to read. the general public are in- $100 Barnes & Noble gift orn in 1919, the Ocala Rotary Club will Bruce Willis was in a movie titled, vited to this event, which card with the remaining celebrate its 100th birthday on Friday, "The Sixth Sense," in which Haley Joel follows community-funded six each receiving $50 B February 15, at a dinner at the Discov- Osment's character tells Willis' charac- distribution by the Bridges Barnes & Noble gift certifi- ery Center in Tuscawilla Park. In honor of this ter, "I see dead people." Project of 170 sets of Con- cates. occasion, immediately preceding the dinner the I don't see dead people. I see stories gressman John Lewis’ Middle school winners club dedicated an arbor in the park displaying and I'm going to try to finish one that “March” Trilogy through- include Christina Beja- the 4-way test of Rotary: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and bet- I've seen in my head for the past 30 out the school system, in rano, sixth grade, Howard ter friendships? Will it be beneficial to all con- years. an effort to encourage love Middle School; Chelsea cerned? So, I pray for peace and the bless- of reading and broader James, eighth grade, How ings of God for each of you. knowledge of the transfor- See ROTARY/Page A3 mative history of the 1960s. Goodbye. See BRIDGES/Page A4 A2 ~ Friday, February 22, 2019 www.smcitizen.com www.smcitizen.com Friday, February 22, 2019 ~ A3 classic rock. ion County Professional There will also be a Fighters Union, and SHOLOM special performance Ocala Police Department Continued from Page A1 I miss my good from MCSO’s Pipes and and the Eddie Eagle Gun Drums Band. An Out- Safe Program. The Early Learning standing Service Award Join us Feb. 24 as we Coalition will entertain will be presented on show gratitude to the stage to three deserving children of all ages with men and women who friend, Tom Foolery individuals from partici- an obstacle course, crafts protect and serve our pating agencies. Sholom and face painting. Park will have a second- community. Sholom Park Sholom Park’s newly his past week ary stage for our educa- is located at 7110 SW the Gracious Out to Pastor constructed entertain- tional programs. 80th Ave., Ocala, FL ment stage will feature 34481. For more informa- T Mistress of the Rev. James Snyder There will be talks and Parsonage and I were live music by My Kryp- demonstrations by MC- tion on the Fun at the having a conversation. Of tonite, a local favorite SO’s K-9 Unit, MCFR and Park, call 352-873-0848 or course, it was more like a performing 70s and 80s Marshall from the Mar- visit SholomPark.org. monologue, but you know how that works. We were thinking back back came out to try to her face, “I’m available was the sixth Rotary lion members. The Ocala over the years of our life assist in the service. She too.” It made the crowd Club in Florida and has Rotary Club was founded together and reminding said, “Is anybody here laugh even louder. ROTARY also sponsored four on May 1, 1919, is the ourselves of some of the for pick up?” What we need is a little Continued from Page A1 other area Rotary Clubs sixth oldest Rotary Club great and wonderful I do not offer any logi- bit of laughter today and – Leesburg 1924, Oca- in the State of Florida, times we have had. The cal excuse or explana- that is where my friend The special guest for la-Silver Springs 1969, and meets every Monday friends we have made. tion for what I said. Just Tom Foolery and I step the occasion was Barry Belleview 1981, and Met- for lunch at the College The activities we have that, the noodle soup up- in. Rassin, current presi- ropolitan Ocala 1984. of Central Florida. enjoyed together. Of stairs was boiling and my Solomon puts this in a dent of Rotary Interna- The Metropolitan Club course, there were the mouth was unlocked at very good perspective. “A tional. Rassin earned an sponsored the Ocala grandchildren and my the moment. merry heart doeth good MBA in health and hos- Southwest Club in 2001, wife had a great time I said to the lady, “Are like a medicine: but a pital administration and the Ocala-Silver talking about the grand- you handling the broken spirit drieth the from the University of Springs Club sponsored children and I chuckling pickup?” bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Florida and is the first the Sunset Club in 2002, “We have along with her. “Yes I am,” she said There are too many fellow of the American so the Ocala Rotary Club After a moment of qui- very professionally as broken spirits in our College of Healthcare has grandfathered two just enough etness, my wife said she walked over toward world today and too few Executives in the Baha- other clubs as well! rather seriously, “Who is me. merry hearts. My com- mas. He recently retired Leaders of the other religion to the friend you miss the “Are you available?” mitment is to try to help after 37 years as presi- Marion County clubs are make us hate, most?” Walking toward me, with the merry heart syn- dent of Doctors Hospital expected to attend. However, thinking she said, “Yes.” drome along with my Health System.