R.J. Jenkins
R.J. Jenkins Born in Long Island; raised in Sarasota; moved to New York City for college; moved to England—then to Boston—for graduate school; moved back to New York City to begin my career; moved to Ocala in 2016 to build a life with my partner (hands down the best decision I’ve ever made). By day, […]
Dave Schlenker
Dave Schlenker Dave Schlenker spent 33 years as a writer, editor and columnist, mostly for the Ocala Star-Banner, Gainesville Sun and Ocala Style magazine. He has won two New York Times Chairman’s Awards – one for environmental reporting and the other for humor columns. His columns have won top honors with Florida Society of Newspaper […]
Beth Nelson
Beth Nelson Beth has recorded news events and people’s stories, worked in education, managed a town, and lived halfway across the world, but coming to United Way is one of the most meaningful roles she has had in her career. She believes there is no greater achievement than to see a life transformed. She is […]
Kiah Manning
Kiah Manning With a distinctive eye for storytelling through space, Kiah Manning has built a reputation as one of Ocala’s most imaginative interior designers. As a veteran furniture consultant and design specialist at Hudson’s Furniture, Kiah has spent nearly a decade helping clients turn houses into personal sanctuaries—balancing functionality with bold creative expression. Kiah’s […]
Jeremy Rhoden
Jeremy Rhoden Jeremy Rhoden is the Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator with UF/IFAS Extension Marion County, where he provides research-based education and outreach to homeowners, gardeners, and green industry professionals. His work focuses on sustainable landscape practices, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, vegetable gardening, integrated pest management, and pollinator sustainability. An Alachua County native, […]
John Sotomayor
John Sotomayor A punny wordsmith, when presented with a challenge under pressure, John always makes the headline. The former founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Embrace Magazine is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+, Latino, and recovery communities. An avid runner and traveler, John has adjusted his journalistic journey on his media path to include hospitality […]
Pedro Antonio Comas -“Tito”
Pedro Antonio Comas – “Tito” Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Graduated from The University Of Houston in 1975 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts, majored in advertising design/illustration and ceramics. After graduating I was hired by NASA and worked at The Johnson Space Center as a Technical Illustrator for the Shuttle […]
Kendra Brazzel
Kendra Brazzel Kendra Brazzel has always found her deepest joy in the creative process, whether in the studio or the kitchen. She graduated from culinary school in 1993 and went on to work as a chef in Seattle, where she honed her skills and developed a passion for seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking. After leaving the professional […]
Premier Party – invite
FAFO’s Festival of Dreams
FAFO’s Festival of Dreams STORY BY BRAD ROGERS Build it and they will art. A handful of dreamers built an art show in a parking lot that has grown into a lasting Ocala tradition. Things were a little different in Ocala in 1966. The countywide population was 98,000. The community was just coming out of […]
Word: October, 2025
WORD: October, 2025 The written word is one thing. Hearing it is another. Each month we invite you to both. WRITTEN + VIDEOGRAPHY BY: JOSHUA JACOBS PERFORMED BY: JACKIE PRINCE https://youtu.be/zTHWlOZgGhQ
Mosaic Set | October, 2025 | Jenna Clark
Click here to learn more about local singer/songwriter Jenna Clark and her new album Deja Vu