Photo byAD_Images from Pixabay
How many of us remember the lessons from Sunday School? There are so many important values and lessons from the Bible about being righteous in the face of wrong. To think of the superstition and oppression during that age, it’s astonishing to see something from that era that clearly makes strong ethical arguments and lessons. One lesson that has always sat with me is the story of The Good Samaritan.
Jesus tells this story to answer a lawyer who asks him, “Who is my neighbor?” The Good Samaritan is about a Jewish man (like Christ) traveling on a road to Samaria, who is beset by wicked men (presumably Samaritans) who rob him of his clothes, goods, and money, and severely beat him. (Samaritans didn’t much like Jews at the time.) A Jewish priest comes upon the injured and helpless man, but moves away and chooses not to help. Likewise, a Levite also discovers the man but avoids him. A Samaritan was the one who shared what little he had to comfort the injured traveler-- clothing him, tending to his wounds, and helping him reach the city safely. And Christ’s answer is the story-- the Samaritan who showed kindness. Just like a biological father isn’t a Dad without providing for a child, only a person who follows the examples of Christ is a disciple of Christ.
Driving brings us all together-- Christians, Jews, Muslims, non-believers, and so on. We can all confess to being of a particular religion, but it’s only when we show care for others that people can see the conviction in our beliefs. Our religions and ethics are only a part of our identity when we are true to them.
We can’t always trust the people we see on the road. Serial killers such as Ted Bundy can be clever about luring women into helping them only to hurt them. But closing yourself off to risk doesn’t mean closing off to the aid you can give. A water bottle to a stranded traveler, pulling over for a broken-down driver and offering to call a tow service or an Uber, calling the police non-emergency to let someone know there’s a driver in distress-- these are all things we can do without putting our own lives and livelihoods at risk.
It’s a huge kindness to look after a stranger in need, and more than that-- it becomes a gift you give to yourself, to be closer to the person that you want to be. To have a small impact on someone on a very bad day is a blessing you can give yourself. The feeling of knowing they may look and see someone else in trouble and offer help, too is a Pay-It-Forward that is priceless. If you can see a person in need, and still fear the risk, your fear could be valid-- but look for an opportunity to help them in some way. You’ll be glad you did.
This month, we’d like to highlight the work of The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County. The difference this organization makes for the children of Ocala is significant. We haven’t seen a newsletter from them since COVID-19 hit, as there’s been a shortage of workers and volunteers. More than just volunteering funds, if you have time to give this organization, they could really use it!
This Month’s Events:
November 4th
Diwali
November 5th
Sholom Park Sunset Cinema: News of the World
Sholom Park
7:00 PM
Sholom Park and Master the Possibilities presents Sunset Cinema. Enjoy an outdoor movie experience under the stars at Sholom Park. Let the magic of movies come to life on a 25’ movie screen. Make it a date night or family movie night tradition. Bring your lawn chairs and pack some snacks because the featured presentation is about to begin. Your advanced registration includes one freshly popped popcorn from our snack stand. Other snacks will be available for an in-kind donation.
Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Day)
November 5th & 6th
Fenrir's Mayhem 2021
Historic Square, Downtown Ocala
This November 5th and 6th 2021 Downtown Ocala will host Fenrir’s Mayhem on the Historic Square. Mayhem is a CrossFit competition that puts elite health and fitness on display as a sporting event created to enthrall spectators and athletes alike.
November 5th - 7th
Mopars with Big Daddy 34th Annual Show & Swap Meet
Don Garltis Museum of Drag Racing
The 34th Annual Mopars with Big Daddy will be held the first weekend in November. The 2021 Event will be a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of 1971 Model Cars with Tim Wellborn. The show is hosted by First Coast AMC, Brat Pack, Mighty Mopars of Orlando, and Mopar Muscle of North Florida. The show will go on as scheduled rain or shine.
The weekend kicks off Friday night with dinner with Big Daddy catered by Sonny’s. For those participating in the dinner you will have access to the museum from 6pm-7pm. Dinner begins at 8pm and a Question-and-Answer session with Don Garlits from 8pm-9pm. Spaces for the dinner are limited so make sure you get your spot reserved.
This year there will be Dry Camping on the museum grounds. These spaces are limited so make sure if this is something you are interested in you reserve your spot as soon as possible.
Spectators Parking for the show will be $5.00 per car. A donation from Spectator Parking will go to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post.
Civil War Reenactment / Ocklawaha River Raid
Florida Horse Park
The 7th Florida Infantry Regiment are a Civil War Reenactment group dedicated to the preservation of the history of our country's most trying time. Admission fee.
November 7th
Daylight Savings Time Ends-- Fall Back one hour!
November 13th
Ocali Country Days Festival
Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Ocali Country Days festival takes place on the second weekend of November each year. This popular event celebrates the pioneer spirit and folk life of old Florida with live music, food, vendors and “old timey” craft demonstrations. Visitors can interact with skilled crafters to learn more about blacksmithing, making sugar cane syrup, cooking over an open hearth, log cabins, traditional Seminole cooking and arts, pioneer cattle and horses, spinning, weaving and quilting, and more.
Dunnellon's Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
Dunnellon Chamber
All Day
November 16th
National Fast Food Day
November 16th - January 2022
A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family Holiday Exhibition
Appleton Museum of Art
Revel in the holiday spirit with “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family Holiday Exhibition.” This annual, beloved display adorns the first floor of the museum with themed trees and other holiday décor from the collection of Ocala cardiologist Dr. Paul Urban, his wife, Joyce, and daughters, Katie, Kristie, Kassie and Karlie. In addition to ornately decorated trees, the first floor will feature miniature villages, nutcracker soldiers, caroler dolls and more.
November 20th
23rd Annual All Corvette Show
Market at Heathbrook Mall
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
23rd annual clean and shine show. Judged classes, special trophies, participant’s choice awards. Basket raffles, 50/50, vendors and sponsor displays. Located in front of Dillard’s, other stores and many restaurants.
Light Up Ocala
Historic Downtown Ocala
4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Light Up Ocala is a longstanding community tradition to kick off the holidays that attracts thousands to downtown Ocala. This year marks the 37th anniversary of the holiday merry making event!
Light Up Ocala will have over 100 vendors including crafts, art and plenty of food options to choose from! Live entertainment will fill the air with festive sounds and an interactive kids zone will keep the whole family entertained. You won't want to miss the Junior Sunshine holiday parade with a special appearance by Santa. All of which culminates in the most exciting part of the event: lighting up downtown Ocala!
November 25th
Thanksgiving
November 26th - December 19th
It's A Wonderful Life
Ocala Civic Theatre
The beloved Christmas classic is retold as a 1940s radio play! It’s the heartwarming holiday story you know and love, told “on the air” by a small cast of actors bringing dozens of characters to life through the magic of their versatile voices, special sound effects, and your imagination. Revisit the tale of George Bailey and what he discovers one Christmas Eve through the help of an angel named Clarence.
November 26th
The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular
Florida Horse Park
6:00 PM
Bundle up in their car, pack a favorite snack or beverage and tune their radio station JOY-FM to enjoy the lights as they travel the more than 1-mile route through the holiday light show! The show is open evenings beginning at 6 pm sharp, select dates beginning November 26th 2021. The Ocala Christmas Light Spectacular is the only drive-through holiday light spectacular in all of North Central Florida! Featuring dozens of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday-themed displays to delight the entire family! Visitors are welcomed through December 31 2021, and tickets can be purchased online through the "buy tickets" button on our website or at the gate!
We hope you will have a great holiday season this year and a wonderful Thanksgiving to begin the season! Thanks for taking in our blog, and please be safe out there! If you have time to give, please consider helping out The Boys and Girls Club of Marion County. If you need work done on your car this month, visit Pals Ocala Auto Repair at 2821 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, and schedule an appointment online to keep your vehicle safe on the road! And be sure to Like our page on Facebook for updates and news!