Features

Although I may look a little stodgy on the outside with a few gray hairs blossoming on the top, I still know how to celebrate, and this is the time of the year to do that sort of thing. I love a good Christmas celebration.
For the last few years, I have never had to check my calendar to know when it is time to celebrate the Christmas season. It seems that the Thanksgiving turkey always gives rise to what I shall refer to as the Holiday Turkey. No sooner is my Thanksgiving turkey resting snugly inside of me when the Holiday Turkeys begin their assault on Christmas.

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra plays tonight on the downtown square as part of the light-up Ocala activities. As a prelude to this excellent music, I’m marching down Pun Alley beating my own drum and blowing my horn to produce the following discordant notes.

Out of tune

Jews have been called the People of the Book for centuries. Actually we could be called the people of the books since we are forever preoccupied with texts. In fact, Judaism is a text-based religion with its emphasis on the Torah, Prophets, Writings, Talmud and all the commentaries.
With all the attention given to books, it is no wonder that Jews have set aside a whole month to highlight and promote writings of Jewish interest and/or by Jewish authors.
Actually it was a librarian at the Boston Public Library who came up with the idea.

On Dec. 5 President Polk triggered the Gold Rush of 1848 by confirming that gold had been discovered in California. It actually started earlier in that year but did not have countrywide publicity. Our own Ocala gold rush also started slowly with a few places buying gold until now we have vacant storefronts, closed gas stations and previous fast food joints all open as gold-buying business.

Thanksgiving is my kind of holiday. Apart from the “thanks” part, the primary purpose of this celebration is eating. That is the one thing I do quite well.
Thanksgiving is the beginning of a feasting frenzy that would make Richard Simmons sweat to the goodies. Any thoughts of dieting at this time of the year are merely blowing in the wind. Hopefully, not in my direction.
Our Pilgrim Fathers came up with the idea of a Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrim Mothers were too busy doing the wash and caring for the children to think of any more work.

Marie Kindler, a resident at The Bridge at Ocala, who has been at The Bridge a little over a year, celebrated her 102nd birthday on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
She has one daughter, Evelyn. She was born in Hamburg, Germany, moved to the U.S. in 1928 when she was 18 years old. Marie lived with a very nice Jewish family. She attended school to learn English at night. She worked for the Jewish family in their home as the “upstairs girl.” She made the beds and cleaned the bathrooms.

If you missed our first two Terrific Tuesdays, you don’t want to miss the rest! Sponsored by the Friends of Freedom Public Library, every Tuesday afternoon brings a different kind of active exhibit throughout November. Join us for terrific events from 2 to 5 p.m. Mark your calendars.

Nov. 15
Freedom Writers Group of Florida Writers Association presents a fascinating lineup of activities.
In the character of “Dolores Cribbs,” storyteller Kathy Dobronyi leads off at about 2:15 talking about Florida in Cracker style.

The Third Annual Kiss the Horse for Literacy finale will take place on Dec. 3 at Hennessey Arabian Farms (12780 N.W. 35th St. Ocala) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Advance ticket prices are as follows: Adults $10, Students $5, under 10 free. At the gate, prices are: Adults $14, Students $8, under 10 free. Catering will be provided by Mojo Grill. Horse shows will occur hourly until the Kiss Off at 2:45 p.m.

Recently, I needed to make a trip to visit some relatives. These days, the way the economy and gas prices are it turns out to be cheaper to fly. Even though, airlines no longer serve the delicious food of which they became famous.