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In the late 1930s, a boat tour operator at Silver Springs turned a handful of monkeys loose on an island in the Silver River to spice up his Jungle Cruise. Nobody told him monkeys can swim, and their descendants still roam the river today. Closer to town this week: a horse-themed Halloween party, a free art festival downtown, and a heads-up about letters from the state.
Local Events
Epic Eagles | Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala | Thursday, Oct 22, 7:00 PM
All the Eagles favorites, from "Take It Easy" to "Hotel California," performed live.
For: Adults and Seniors
Horse-O-Ween | Ocala Downtown Market | Friday, Oct 23, 3:30-8:00 PM
Only in horse country: hobby-horse games for the kids, real horses and demos for everyone, and free admission.
For: Families and Kids
59th Ocala Fine Arts Festival | Downtown Ocala | Saturday-Sunday, Oct 24-25, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
More than 140 artists set up downtown for the weekend, and admission is free.
For: Families
Glass Skin Goals? Meet Your Morning Upgrade
Glass skin is the fall beauty goal: a complexion that looks smooth, plump and luminous. Pique’s Carrara Marine Collagen makes supporting that glow a delicious part of your morning routine.
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Each serving combines Type I marine collagen to support skin radiance with rare Type II collagen, sourced from wild Hokkaido salmon, to support elasticity. Together, they bring skin support into a daily ritual that feels like a treat.
Two scoops blend into morning matcha for a creamy latte, making consistency easy as fall schedules fill up. A warm cup, a quiet moment and nourishment from within become part of the same routine.
For anyone pursuing that luminous glass-skin look through sweater season, Carrara adds a beauty upgrade to a habit they already love.
Explore Florida
A Retro Day Trip to Sebring
Sebring's 1920s downtown still circles a central park, with a 1923 theater, a restored 1917 hotel, and an old-fashioned soda fountain. Add a walk through the old-growth trails at Highlands Hammock State Park, and November's cooler weather makes it a great time to go.
This Week's Grocery Savings: ALDI Specials and Publix BOGOs
Last-minute Halloween candy and cozy fall finds at ALDI, plus this week's Publix BOGO deals. Two easy ways to stretch the grocery budget.
Front Porch Riddle
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
Find the answer at the bottom of this email!
Scam Alerts
Real DMV Letters, Fake Follow-Ups
The state is mailing letters to drivers whose license records may have been exposed in a September data breach, along with a free year of identity monitoring. Scammers are expected to send look-alike texts and calls, so know the red flags before yours arrives.
Key Takeaway: The real monitoring is free. Never pay a fee or tap a link in a surprise text, and check flhsmv.gov/data-breach instead.
Watch: The Jury Duty Scam Call Nancy Almost Fell For
A caller posing as local police told Nancy Deichman she had missed a grand jury summons and had a warrant out for her arrest, then handed her off to a fake "lieutenant" with a badge number. She shares how she caught on, and the simple move that can save you if a call like this ever comes your way.
Questions? Call Nancy Deichman, RE/MAX Premier Realty, at (352) 427-5704 or email [email protected].
Healthy Living
Stand Taller With 4 Simple At-Home Moves
No gym and no equipment needed. Eat This, Not That! shares four easy exercises that can help your posture, a gentler option than reaching for a back brace.
Key Takeaway: A few minutes a day can make everyday moving around feel better.
Around Town
A Zoo and Aquarium Could Be Coming to Ocala
Developers are planning the Ocala Zoological Park and Aquarium, aiming for a late 2028 opening with wildlife from around the world, native Florida species, and underwater viewing areas. If it comes together, families and visiting grandkids would have a big new reason to stay close to home.
Luxury Living
$539,000 | Sunset Views Over the Lake, Every Evening
3BR / 3.5BA Ocala home in gated, 55+ Stone Creek, where the screened lanai, living room, and primary suite all look out over the water. Every bedroom has its own bath, and the clubhouse pools, pickleball, and dog parks are just down the road.
Listed by Beth Anthony.
Market Pulse
Active / Pending / Sold, week of 10/11/26-10/17/26:
County | Active | Pending | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
Marion | 279 | 152 | 141 |
Median and average SOLD price, last 30 days (9/19/26-10/19/26 MLS report):
County | Median Sold Price | Average Sold Price |
|---|---|---|
Marion | $274,995 | $311,613 |
What it means: new listings outpaced new contracts again this week, so buyers have room to shop, while the median sale price ticked up and homes that sold this past month closed at about 99% of asking.
Based on information from Stellar MLS and sourced by RE/MAX Premier Realty for the period 10/11/26-10/17/26 (Active/Pending/Sold) and 9/19/26-10/19/26 (median and average sold price), for Residential properties in Marion County.
Front Porch Riddle Answer: Footsteps. Perfect for a stroll downtown during the art festival this weekend.
Sponsor
RE/MAX Premier Realty Vacation Rentals and Property Management
Moving but not ready to sell? Our local team can screen tenants, collect rent, and handle repairs for you. Long-term rentals: 352-671-7653. Short-term rentals in The Villages: 352-460-4633.
Closing
That's it for this week. Providing the Ocala community with clear, data-driven home insights. Know a neighbor who'd enjoy this newsletter as much as you do? Forward this email or have them sign up right here: sign up here.