It seems like January came and went before we were able to catch our breath from the holidays, but here we are in February already and looking around the corner towards Spring. If we thought it was going to be a slow roll into the new year, we were quickly and efficiently disabused of that notion with one glance of the calendar.
Mark is someone we also work with on a regular basis; he has an excellent eye for detail and composition, framing and capturing property images with crisp, clean shots and dynamic perspectives. Our marketing department would literally feel deprived without him, and our work is that much better for his professionalism and experience. Check out some of his work at www.OcalaRealEstatePhotography.com.
If there’s a golf ball to be whacked, Showcase will be there. True to our commitment of conquering the Back Nine, we sallied forth in the Ocala Country Club Golf Tournament January 17, rising early for breakfast and shotgun start at noon. The convoy of golf carts was long, serpentine, and lacked only a musical overture of “Flight of the Valkyries” to really capture the brevity of the day. While it was relatively chilly, we were warmed by the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and copious amounts of hot coffee and supply of top shelf whiskey in the bar. Once again, Lee was there, indefatigable as always and brandishing a five-iron with the panache of Aragorn at Pelennor Fields. For Frodo!
A really interesting outing this month was the Ocala Breeders Horse Sale January 25. If you haven’t seen the recently renovated facility, you should by all means go and take a look; it’s truly magnificent. The stables alone are massive and impressive, and the auction/sale gallery is expansive and comfortable, with arena seating, excellent acoustics, and ease-of access for humans and horses alike. The pre-show arena just behind the main building allows horses to go from there directly to the auction stage inside, and then back out again to the stables. It’s a well-designed facility that enables the staff to keep the horses calm and focused while also making sure prospective buyers are able to see and hear what they need. Multiple live-feed televisions are situated throughout the building, so you can go down the hallway to the pub for a quick bite while staying abreast of what’s going on in the auction room. Some of the best entertainment of the day is listening to the gobsmacking talents and incredible lung capacities of the auctioneers.
Last but not least, we capped off the month with two Open Houses: January 28, Liz Gray hosted at the absolutely stunning property on Carry Back Road. The Spanish-style hacienda is beautiful in its own right; the rooms flow effortlessly into one another, with lots of windows and natural light. The kitchen is a haven for any cook’s heart, complete with an industrial-size refrigerator/freezer, island, and adorable dinette. But the real showstopper is out back, where the pool is enclosed by a soaring, expansive cage that encloses a huge patio and sauna and upon which the master bedroom looks out. It’s the kind of house you never want to leave.
Next up was Dawn Mahler hosting at The Falls of Ocala at a cozy, comfortable 3-bedroom home in a 55+ community. This smaller home boasts a few surprises of its own; tall cathedral ceilings, beautiful screened-in lanai and big backyard, and carport in the front. The master bedroom’s en suite bath is a mini-spa, with glass-enclosed shower and a large, deep soaking tub. The community offers a variety of things to do; a clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pools, shuffleboard, and sauna. It’s a pretty neighborhood that appeals to a variety of lifestyles and is close to Ocala’s retail, food, and event venues, plus has easy access to key arteries for travel to other cities.
Remember, polo is every Sunday at Florida Horse Park through March 2022! Matches start at 1pm, and you can bring a cooler and your kids (both human and furry) to spend the afternoon. For match schedules and information, visit the Ocala Polo Club website, where you can find ticket and fee information. Proceeds go to operational costs for the Club and enables them to continue playing through the season. As a proud sponsor, Showcase’s booth is right next to the announcer stand, and we’d love to have you come by and visit.
As we write this, February is already moving past us at what seems the speed of light; we hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day and are girding themselves for Fat Tuesday. See you in March!
At Showcase we love where we live and we love supporting local businesses and events within our community. If you have any questions about the Ocala area or if you have a real estate question — contact us, we would love to hear from you!