Mary Erickson
Broker Associate
Realty Executives Oceanside
Food means different things to different people – comfort, tradition, celebration, entertainment and health to name a few. In France, the term “la cuisine” refers to the kitchen – a place in the home where most French parents spend a lot of time preparing food for their families. The combination of fresh ingredients, time and love all mix together in this special place, and this is where the magic happens.
Patrice Perron, Executive Chef and Proprietor at La Cuisine, knows this recipe very well. Born and raised in Lyon, a city known around the world as the French capital of Gastronomy, the Perron family embraced its love of good food and good wine, making it a part of the family’s rich heritage and tradition.
“I always enjoyed helping my mother in the kitchen, watching closely as she prepared all sorts of foods from the ‘terroir’ – a French term meaning fresh ingredients native to the area,” recalls Perron. “She explored new recipes in the kitchen all the time, and if for some reason the recipe didn’t work?
She would say ‘just add more butter or cream,’” he laughs. Perron’s father loved taking the family to the finest restaurants in town: La Tour Rose, Paul Bocuse, Orsi. “As a child, I had no idea I was experiencing some of the finest food in the world. Of course now, I have a much different appreciation and perspective,” says Perron.
Perron soon found himself drawn to ‘la cuisine,’ fascinated by its delectable delights and intrigued by the thrill of weaving his own touch on this rich, French heritage.
Things got serious once he started working at Daniel & Denise, a world renown, traditional French restaurant in Lyon. Under the direct tutelage of Chef Josef Viola — a master chef who in 2004 was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) by a board of examiners, including world famous chefs Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse and Paul Bocuse — Perron began to thrive.
And Viola became his mentor. “Viola was fascinated that Elodie and I wanted to come to America to start a French restaurant, and he helped me a lot just by encouraging me to do so,” recalls Perron, fondly. Viola, who was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” on CNN, has promised someday to come to Perron’s La Cuisine, to see for himself what Patrice and Elodie, have created (including nine Golden Spoon Awards from Florida Trend Magazine, and a HALL OF FAME in 2019).”
“Food and wine are like ambassadors for France. And by coming here, to Ocala, a place that has become home to Elodie, myself and our two children, it is a dream come true. And although we have been here since 2009, it feels like we are just getting started.”
La Cuisine offers a beautiful setting for your event.
Private Dining Room: 10 to 14 people
Brasserie Room: 15 to 22 people
Outdoor Patio: 20 to 30 people
Customized menus are available, please contact elodieperron@hotmail.com.
Reservations are HIGHLY recommended on weekends. Live music on Fridays and some Saturdays
They are open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5pm and Sunday Brunch 11am to 2pm (closed for lunch and Mondays). Reserve your table with Open Table or call to make a reservation (352) 433-2570.
Dress code: Smart casual.
If you're interested in buying or selling in the Ocala area, be sure to contact me, Mary Erickson!
Mary Erickson
REALTOR ®
Phone: 386-444-1924
Email: MaryErickson@RealtyExecutives.com
Website: Over55Ocala.com
Saddle up, because on this week's edition of Where the Locals Go, I'll be talking about The Gypsy Gold Farm.
It’s not often one has the opportunity to discover a horse, then go on to introduce that unique animal to the world and establish it as a recognized breed. Yet that is precisely the journey that Dennis and Cindy Thompson of Ocala, Florida made with the Gypsy Vanner Horse. On a trip to England in 1995, the sight of a colorful stallion at pasture captivated the Thompsons. The height of an average horse, but built like a draft horse, the stallion had piebald (black and white) markings, an elegant head and very hairy legs. Fascinated, the Thompsons stopped to discover who owned this striking animal. Adding to the sense of magic and mystery, the farmer who was temporarily keeping the horse told them that a Traveler owned the horse and that he also had a hidden band of mares that looked just like him.
This recently discovered video shows a very special English Gypsy Open Lot Bow Top Caravan owned by the late Fred Walker. Fred Walker was often referred to as “King of the coloured horses” by his peers. Dennis and Cindy Thompson stood with old Fred next to this very caravan and asked him to choose between Romany Horse and Gypsy Vanner Horse for the name of his culture’s new breed of horse. Listen as Fred’s great-grandson shares his answer.
Fascinated and smitten by this personable, colorful horse, the Thompsons spent the remainder of that day in a Gypsy camp listening to words of passion from a man about his special horse. To their delight, they learned that the Gypsy owner was willing to sell this special stallion, but it would be at least a year before he had finished with his breeding plans. The Thompsons returned to the United States brimming with curiosity and after reviewing a multitude of breed books, they were stunned to find that this intriguing horse was not recognized as a breed. Four calendar years followed with an obsession to understand what the breed was and was not. Their journey would include choosing a name for the unknown breed. The choice was between Romany Horse and Gypsy Vanner Horse and with the blessings of dedicated British Gypsy breeders, the name Gypsy Vanner Horse was chosen. The video featured is a beautiful description of the history and foundation of the breed.
The founders of both the Gypsy Vanner Horse breed and a farm called Gypsy Gold developed a deep sense of responsibility for the discovery that fate had handed them. They quickly recognized an opportunity to make a difference in this world through the magic of the Gypsies’ “Vanner” Horse.
Cushti Bok in the Romany language of Gypsies means “good luck” and is the name of the horse who inspired the founders’ journey to understand British Gypsies and their selectively bred horses. Cushti Bok would become GV00001F, the world’s first selectively bred horse developed by British/Irish Gypsies ever to be recognized as a breed.
A good luck horse inspired a journey to understand this magical breed, the colorful people who dreamed of creating it, and now a foundation on a mission of goodness. The Cushti Bok Foundation is designed to embrace the pure vision of a mission and goals written long ago. Welcome to The Cushti Bok Foundation.
The Cushti Bok Foundation is formed to increase public awareness and specific knowledge of British Gypsies and their selectively bred “Vanner” Horses through innovative concepts based on goodness for people and animals. Cushti Bok, a Romany word that means “good luck,” is also the name of the world’s first Gypsy Vanner Horse. The word “Vanner” is Old English and means “a horse suitable to pull a caravan.” The Cushti Bok (Good Luck) Foundation will embark on its mission of goodness with these exceptional horses, educating the public about British Gypsies and their horses as it brings honor, recognition and a better understanding to one of the world’s most colorful, least understood societies. These programs will include Fair Hill, The Viking Trail, a Gypsy Vanner Horse Museum, grants, scholarships and so much more, qualifying under section 501(c)(3) as an educational organization. This philanthropic endeavor involves the partnership of many who share an interest in our values and vision. You are an important part of The Cushti Bok Foundation! Your donations, large or small, will help this fledgling Foundation reach its potential and are fully tax deductible.
Whether you are just a curious reader or a serious breeder, Gypsy Gold should be your first stop for all things Gypsy Vanner Horse. As the founders of the Gypsy Vanner Horse breed in America, Gypsy Gold has had the closest association to the early beginnings of this unique horse and we are devoted to its preservation and growth in the U.S. To this end, our breeding program not only focuses on maintaining the breed standard, but also finding creative ways to help others become involved and build their own Gypsy breeding programs with the finest bloodstock available.
Not only do they sell some of the best, but they also offer an Embryo Transfer Program. Every one of their exclusive broodmares are available to produce your dream Gypsy Vanner Horse through this program. For more information, visit the Embryo Transfer Program pages.
If you have any questions about the Gypsy Gold breeding program, please feel free to contact Dennis Thompson at info@GypsyGold.com or by calling 866-GYPSYVANNER.
Tour special: $35/person! Gypsy Gold welcomes visitors, and in fact is the #1 Thing to do in Ocala and a favorite in all of Central Florida on Trip Advisor! Come in on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays at 10:00 am for a two-hour informative tour of our farm. Meet the Gypsy Vanner horses in person, hear the history of the breed from its discovery in Great Britain to its growth in the United States. Your Tour Guide is Dennis Thompson, who discovered this unique breed and brought it to American soil. Please arrive a few minutes early, the tour starts promptly at 10 am. 
Your tour will include
If you're interested in buying or selling in the Ocala area, be sure to contact me, Mary Erickson!
Mary Erickson
REALTOR ®
Phone: 386-444-1924
Email: MaryErickson@RealtyExecutives.com
Website: Over55Ocala.com
On this week's edition of Where the Locals Go, I'll be covering The Blue Wagy
A mile west of the town Ocala, in Marion County Florida in a red brick strip center with a Churchill Downs cupola, The Blue Wagyu sits proudly in the heart of horse country. Stocked with fresh, organic foods and Artisan Cattle's locally raised Full-Blood and High Percentage American Wagyu beef, your palate is sure to be pleased. 
The kitchen is wide open, exhibition-style, with a daily menu of salads, sides, sandwiches, wood-oven thin crust pizzas and unmatched Wagyu burgers & steaks. All the food is hand crafted in small-batches and reflects a bit of what's in season. A great selection of craft beers and fine wines are available for dine in or take-out as well. The star, however, remains the exquisite Wagyu beef, more precious and fashionable than the organic chicken, goat cheeses, rapini and cremini elsewhere on the menu. Select your hand cut steaks, burgers or meatloafs from the Butcher's Cases to enjoy in the restaurant or take home to cook. Or now, place your order online and it will ship right to your doorstep. They ship everything frozen and in vacuum sealed packages in a recyclable box containing a reusable Styrofoam container and frozen gel packs or dry ice depending on the time of year.
All shipments must be sent to a street address. No PO Boxes. Artisan Cattle raises Wagyu cattle on hundreds of rolling acres of lush pasture in Marion County and far from the stress of modern industrialization. Their free-range cattle are antibiotic, hormone-free and traceable from birth to fork.
For centuries, the Japanese selected and bred cattle for endurance as a draft animals suitable for long days plowing fields. This translated to selecting animals with superior intramuscularly marbled fat, which produces some of the highest quality beef in the world and exceeds the USDA Standard of Prime. The prized bloodlines of this breed include Japan's original Tajima or Tajiri, Fujiyoshi (Shimane) and Kedaka (Tottori) Bloodlines which are verified by DNA record through the American, Australian and Japanese Registries. The Blue Wagyu offers its customers one of the most nutrient dense meats available. Multiple studies have been conducted to test the health benefits of Full-Blood and American Wagyu Beef which have determined that when compared to Angus Beef both contain more protein, are high in iron and rich in monounsaturated fatty acids which have a world of benefits themselves; specifically Oleic Acid, which is more commonly known as Omega-9. Oleic Acid has been found to raise HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol levels in our bloodstream, which are the good cholesterol molecules that then carry the health destroying LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol out of the bloodstream. Consequently, this reduces the risk of Heart Disease in both males and females which was discovered in a study conducted at Texas A&M. Further studies have shown that Wagyu beef has higher Oleic Acid levels than Chicken and Salmon, and it is also similar in cholesterol levels of the two according to the breed's American registry, the American Wagyu Association's link HERE.
The University of Wisconsin recently conducted a study that was aimed at finding carcinogenic substances in meat. Through this study, scientists ironically discovered that the marbling fat in Wagyu Beef has anti-cancer properties and battles arteriosclerosis which is the tendency for the arteries to become ‘silted up.’ The higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids found in Wagyu contain more CLAs (Conjugated Linoleic Acids) than Angus beef. CLAs have anti-cancer properties and combat arteriosclerosis.
What makes The Blue Wagyu's beef unique is that it is sourced from a local herd of Full-Blood Wagyu Cattle completely traceable from birth to harvest through Artisan Cattle's Wagyu Beef Program in Ocala, FL. The result, a highly unique flavor profile in each animal that makes the ultimate sacrifice for our bodies' nourishment. With their impeccable taste, the beef connoisseur in your life can appreciate this delicacy and experience the difference of harvest season and lineage.
Bite into the healthiest beef you can find! Experience the succulence of our Full-Blood and High Percentage Cross Wagyu beef, pasture raised from birth to harvest by Artisan Cattle on lush pastures in sunny Marion County, Florida free of ANY antibiotics or growth promoting hormones. That's the Artisan Way!
The Blue Wagyu has plenty of delectable foods on their menu, but here are some fo the best looking dishes that are sure to make you hungry!
Wagyu Burgers - "Ichi Style"
Wagyu Sliders - "Ichi Style"
Farm Fresh Jalapeno Boats
Mile High Macaroni and Cheese
If you're interested in buying or selling in the Ocala area, be sure to contact me, Mary Erickson!
Mary Erickson
REALTOR ®
Phone: 386-444-1924
Email: MaryErickson@RealtyExecutives.com
Website: Over55Ocala.com
Ocala Main Street (OMS) is the community program for improving and maintaining the heart of Ocala. OMS is more than a merchant’s or business association – it is a volunteer driven, nonprofit organization working to revitalize downtown Ocala. Officially designated as one of the first five Main Street communities in Florida in 1985, OMS employs the National Main Street 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization.
Ocala offers gorgeous natural springs, hiking and mountain biking trails, an elegant horse country and at the center of it all… a beautiful Downtown Ocala with a rich history full of stories. Explore this history through the self-guided mobile walking tour traveling through the Downtown nestled in North Central Florida. Immerse yourself in more than 100 years of history while exploring Downtown. The best part, you can grab a bite, sip and shop at many of the historical stops along the way! Check out this Downtown Dining Guide for a list of places to eat and drink.
Follow this MAP to each historical location. At each stop, you will find a place marker with a little information about the Downtown site, a number you can dial for the audio and a QR code. Use the camera on your smart phone to scan each QR code and be directed to the history and old photos of the location. Downtown Ocala is abuzz with new projects, so if you do not see a sign at one of the stops along the way, it is due to new renovation or construction. Pull up this page, scroll below to the list of stops and click on the stop number for the detailed history! You can follow along on your phone as well, click HERE to begin! Once you arrive in Downtown Ocala, you can follow a virtual map of the area and see pins where each nearby stop location is.
Couch Sessions Episode III
August 6, 8-10 PM
Couch Sessions is a fusion of music and art focused on the stories of artistic creation. Artists live paint whilst the musician performs and both artist & musician talk about the process through a series of audience-led questions. It is a truly unique experience for both the artists and the audience, as everyone is completely “in the moment”- to the point you could hear a pin drop. Couch sessions is a true, raw and enrapturing exchange between lovers of art and the ones who create it.
Each of the four shows will take place in an unexpected downtown location that will be completely transformed. Episode III features artist Diane Cahal with musician Chris McNeil. Tickets for this event are $35 and can be purchased by clicking here!
NPD Classic Car Show and Beer Fest
September 25, 11 AM - 3 PM
Ocala Main Street is proud to present the NPD Classic Car Show and Beer Fest on Saturday, September 25th! The festivities will run from 11:00am-3:00pm. Classic cars, craft beer, live music and food trucks will fill the streets of downtown Ocala. Awards will be selected by local VIPs as well as a People’s Choice Award! Bring your family and friends for a beautiful summer day in the heart of our community! Car Show is free for the community! Registration for classic cars available at the link below. Tickets for the Beer Fest available soon! Follow Ocala Main Street & Feel Downtown on Ocala Main Street for all event updates!
Membership with Ocala Main Street is an investment in the growth and development of Downtown Ocala. Members support OMS’s efforts to promote the image of downtown and the area’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, and visitors. Those eligible to become members are businesses or organizations located or operating in the Downtown Ocala Area. OMS serves businesses from the S Curve to the Reilly Arts Center. If you are interested in becoming a member or to learn more about Member Benefits, please email leighton@ocalamainstreet.com or call Ocala Main Street at (352) 421-0047.
If you're interested in buying or selling in the Ocala area, be sure to contact me, Mary Erickson!
Mary Erickson
REALTOR ®
Phone: 386-444-1924
Email: MaryErickson@RealtyExecutives.com
Website: Over55Ocala.com
Located just 5 blocks from Ocala’s Historic Downtown Square in picturesque Tuscawilla Park, the Reilly Arts Center is Ocala’s home for the arts and live entertainment. Featuring state-of-the-art acoustics and production equipment, the 705-seat venue hosts an eclectic assortment of events, concerts, meetings, and parties and has become a hub for the arts in Ocala. The Reilly opened in October of 2015 after a $3.4 million renovation to the City Auditorium – a WPA project that was completed on July 4, 1940. Over the decades the auditorium hosted countless Ocala proms, graduations, concerts and events from the Boston Pops to good ol’ southern wrastlin’. In addition to being the home of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and producing local, regional and national acts, as the new flagship center for arts and culture in Ocala, the Reilly is committed to being an active and accessible venue in the community. The Reilly is also home to the Marion Theatre which plays a ton of different movies, including new releases and classics!
Becoming a member of the Reilly Arts Center helps support arts and programming, and provides unique and tangible benefits that your family can enjoy all year long based on your giving level!
As the flagship center for arts and culture in Ocala, the Reilly Arts Center is committed to being an active and accessible venue in the community. Renting the Reilly Arts Center is easy and affordable. The Reilly’s mainstage auditorium holds up to 700 guests with theatre style seating on a raked floor, creating clear sightlines from every seat. They host more than 100 rental events each year ranging from charity events, guest lectures, choir performances, graduations, theatre productions, dance recitals, ballets, concerts, to everything in between! With the experience of the patrons and success of your event in mind, they offer a complete state-of-the-art lighting and sound system with one-of-a-kind acoustics, two staffed full-service bars, front of house staff including ushers, a full-service Box Office, and convenient parking options. If you are looking for a smaller space for gatherings such as parties and receptions, they also have the Lobby and Live Oak Founders Club available to rent. Call them to talk through your idea or to schedule an appointment to take a quick tour of the venue!
Open Rehearsals give families and students an opportunity to enjoy the orchestra in a relaxed environment, while experiencing an educational, behind-the-curtain view on how a symphony prepares for a professional concert! Guests will hear from the conductor, watch our musicians up close, and can attend at their own speed! They encourage student groups and families to join them and take advantage of this unique event. During their season, Friday night rehearsals begin at 7PM and the orchestra will begin rehearsing pieces they are playing for the upcoming concert. Guests are welcomed to stay for as long as they like. While Open Rehearsals are more relaxed than a formal orchestra performance, they do ask that all guests maintain concert manners and respect the musicians and conductor. Open rehearsals are free and open to the public. While there are no tickets, they appreciate knowing that you plan to attend! They do serve snacks on a first come first serve basis, so if interested please email Savannah@reillyartscenter.com and let them know you’ll be coming.
6:30 PM – Lobby opens for snacks
7:00 PM – Symphony rehearsal begins in the auditorium
Open Rehearsals are sponsored by Ocala Electric Utilities
Youth Programming Supported by The Midgett Foundation, Stan and Martha Hanson, and Drs. Betty Ann and Felipe Korzenny.
The Reilly Arts Center distributes more than 500 tickets to veteran, senior, mental health and child advocacy programs in Marion County annually. Their goal is to provide access for all to symphonic music, live performances, and more. The inspiration and healing power that comes from experiencing a live performance cannot be matched. In addition to offering tickets to our community non-profits, they routinely provide complimentary tickets for select performances to first responders, and City and County employees that work daily to make the community better. Specific partnerships through Vet Tix and Vets Helping Vets allow them to give complimentary tickets to veterans. The performing arts, whether nostalgic rock n’ roll, jazz, symphonic, or ballet, has been shown to have a healing ability for invisible wounds. As a non-profit, it is through gracious donations, grants and sponsorships that The Reilly is able to provide this opportunity for the community.
If you're interested in buying or selling in the Ocala area, be sure to contact me, Mary Erickson!
Mary Erickson
REALTOR ®
Phone: 386-444-1924
Email: MaryErickson@RealtyExecutives.com
Website: Over55Ocala.com
