Community Corner

🌱 Which Ocala eateries are serving bites for a neighborhood health cause?

And on the Ocala Patch calendar - Ahren Belisle

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Good morning Ocala! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Ocala eateries are serving bites for a neighborhood health cause?
  • Local patron sues Epic Theatres of Ocala over alleged trip-and-fall
  • Ocala community rallies to support Jaime Gibson after serious riding injury

Also on today's calendar: Rainbow Springs Garden Club and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the fish blush ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 87 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, temps: high: 87, low: 73.
  • Wednesday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 74 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Downtown Ocala's 3rd Annual Taste of the Town supports Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center (352today.com) — Ocala residents can sample dishes from dozens of local restaurants at the 3rd Annual Taste of the Town on Sept. 10 at the Ocala Downtown Market, with proceeds supporting the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center. The West Ocala clinic offers affordable primary care, chronic disease management, and wellness services, and this fundraiser pairs food, sweets, drinks, and live music to boost its mission.
   

2. Moviegoer sues Epic Theatres of Ocala over trip-and-fall on uneven floor (ocala-news.com) — A local moviegoer is suing Epic Theatres of Ocala, alleging he was seriously injured after tripping on an uneven floor while exiting a June screening at the College Road cinema. The Marion County lawsuit claims the theater failed to maintain safe flooring or warn patrons, and seeks more than $50,000 in damages, with a jury trial requested.
   

3. Fundraiser by Heather Dayner : Support Jaime Gibson's Recovery (gofundme.com) — An Ocala resident, Jaime Gibson, suffered a serious fall at Fox Lea Farm that left her with a broken femur and facing surgery and a long recovery. Friends have launched a fundraiser asking the Ocala community to help ease medical and living expenses so she can focus on healing and eventually return to the activities she loves.
   

4. Star-Banner/Florida Credit Union Amazing Teacher of the Month is Will Velez (ocala.com) — An English teacher at The Villages Charter Middle School has been named the Florida Credit Union/Ocala Star-Banner Amazing Teacher of the Month, highlighting a regional educator connected to Marion County readers. The program, run with the Ocala Star-Banner, recognizes local teachers monthly and invites community nominations for standout educators who inspire students through creativity, compassion, and dedication.
   

5. 378 horses for sale at final Ocala Breeders' Sales event of 2026, capping $213 million year (ocala-news.com) — Ocala's horse industry will be in the spotlight when 378 yearlings go through the ring at the Ocala Breeders' Sales October Sale on Oct. 6–7 at the SW 60th Avenue facility. The auction caps a record-setting $213 million sales year, highlighted by multimillion-dollar horses, and offers local buyers in-person and online bidding plus a detailed digital catalog.
   

📸 Around Ocala

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ocala

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📣 Ocala Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    Found on September 6, 2026 in Ocala, FL 34470 near Ne 7th Street and 51st Avenue Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Raven Glen and Nearby)
  • This company does an incredible job!
    Always on time, incredibly polite, and leaves my yard looking neat and clean every single week. They take extra care with the edging and blow away… (Nextdoor Sw Ocala)
  • Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. posted a job opening for Outlet Processing Associate (Ocala) in Ocala. Apply here.
  • Juniper Landscaping posted a job opening for Crew Member - Maintenance (50617) in Ocala. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ocala here.

Ok Ocala! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: It saw the ocean's bottom! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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