World Equestrian Center hosts the FEI Jumping World Cup this week as part of the Winter Spectacular series.
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2026-02-035 min readOnly In Ocala Weekly: Golden Apple Winners, $63M Golf Course Sale & Jazz Legends Headline February
By Only In Ocala Staff
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Welcome to your weekly update from Only In Ocala! February is off to an exciting start in Marion County with big news in education and real estate, plus a packed calendar of events from world-class jazz to free museum admission.
In a remarkable achievement at the 36th Annual Golden Apple Gala, Hillcrest School swept Marion County's top education honors—claiming Teacher of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year.
Zanita Hendry, art teacher at Hillcrest School for Exceptional Students, was named 2026 Teacher of the Year. Hendry pioneered Hillcrest's first-ever art program in 2018, now in its eighth year. "My students are golden," she told the packed Reilly Arts Center audience.
Stephanie Stevens, also from Hillcrest, was honored as Rookie Teacher of the Year. Lori Manessa completed the historic sweep as Principal of the Year.
The Public Education Foundation also announced a $100,000 Career Catalyst Grant to grow future teachers—Marion County was selected as the sole recipient from applicants across Florida.
Read the full story →
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The property known as Adena Golf & Country Club has been sold for $63 million and rebranded as The Club at Iron Lake. The surrounding residential community will be known as IronCrest.
New owners Craig and Elizabeth Phillips purchased the 1,300-acre property through Oculus R Golf Partners and plan to develop a unique equestrian farm community on 355 acres within the Farmland Preservation Area.
Read the full story →
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1 Million Cups Ocala — 9:00 AM at Power Plant Business Incubator. Weekly startup networking. Free.
Ocala City Council Meeting — 4:00 PM at City Hall. Public comment available. ocalafl.gov
Little Shop of Horrors — 7:30 PM at Ocala Civic Theatre. The beloved rock musical continues through Feb. 8. $17–$40.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band — 7:30 PM at Reilly Arts Center. World-class New Orleans jazz from the legendary ensemble. Tickets
Free First Saturday at Appleton Museum — 10 AM–5 PM. Free admission plus film screenings of "Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend" at 11 AM and 2 PM.
The Sixties Show — 7:30 PM at Reilly Arts Center. The ultimate tribute to the decade that changed music.
FEI Jumping World Cup Begins — All Day at World Equestrian Center. Olympic-level competition with $300,000 prize Saturday night. Free admission. Through Feb. 15.
Ocala Polo Match — 1:00 PM at Florida Horse Park. ocalapolo.com
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Planning a 5K or community race in 2026? Radical Runs LLC is Central Florida's premier race timing and event management company, delivering professional RFID chip timing for races throughout Ocala, Gainesville, and Jacksonville.
Founded by Darrin DeTorres—a lifelong distance runner—Radical Runs provides precision timing, full-service event management, and course design optimized for Central Florida. The company is title sponsor of the annual Reindeer Run and organizes signature events including the Labor Day 5K.
Location: 2425 NE 18th Place, Ste 103, Ocala | Phone: (352) 304-3217 | radicalruns.com
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The Ocala Valentine's Day 5K returns Saturday, February 14! Road and trail course perfect for all experience levels. Proceeds benefit Vanguard High School Cross Country.
Registration: $35 through Feb 12 | Start: 8:00 AM | Special Sweetheart Division for couples!
Register Now →
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*Only In Ocala — Celebrating Local. Supporting Community. Connecting Neighbors.*
Community News
Hillcrest School Sweeps Golden Apple Gala
In a remarkable achievement at the 36th Annual Golden Apple Gala, Hillcrest School swept Marion County's top education honors—claiming Teacher of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year.
Zanita Hendry, art teacher at Hillcrest School for Exceptional Students, was named 2026 Teacher of the Year. Hendry pioneered Hillcrest's first-ever art program in 2018, now in its eighth year. "My students are golden," she told the packed Reilly Arts Center audience.
Stephanie Stevens, also from Hillcrest, was honored as Rookie Teacher of the Year. Lori Manessa completed the historic sweep as Principal of the Year.
The Public Education Foundation also announced a $100,000 Career Catalyst Grant to grow future teachers—Marion County was selected as the sole recipient from applicants across Florida.
Read the full story →
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$63 Million Golf Course Sale: Adena Becomes "The Club at Iron Lake"
The property known as Adena Golf & Country Club has been sold for $63 million and rebranded as The Club at Iron Lake. The surrounding residential community will be known as IronCrest.
New owners Craig and Elizabeth Phillips purchased the 1,300-acre property through Oculus R Golf Partners and plan to develop a unique equestrian farm community on 355 acres within the Farmland Preservation Area.
Read the full story →
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This Week's Events
Wednesday, February 4
1 Million Cups Ocala — 9:00 AM at Power Plant Business Incubator. Weekly startup networking. Free.
Ocala City Council Meeting — 4:00 PM at City Hall. Public comment available. ocalafl.gov
Thursday, February 5
Little Shop of Horrors — 7:30 PM at Ocala Civic Theatre. The beloved rock musical continues through Feb. 8. $17–$40.
Friday, February 6
Preservation Hall Jazz Band — 7:30 PM at Reilly Arts Center. World-class New Orleans jazz from the legendary ensemble. Tickets
Saturday, February 7
Free First Saturday at Appleton Museum — 10 AM–5 PM. Free admission plus film screenings of "Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend" at 11 AM and 2 PM.
The Sixties Show — 7:30 PM at Reilly Arts Center. The ultimate tribute to the decade that changed music.
FEI Jumping World Cup Begins — All Day at World Equestrian Center. Olympic-level competition with $300,000 prize Saturday night. Free admission. Through Feb. 15.
Sunday, February 8
Ocala Polo Match — 1:00 PM at Florida Horse Park. ocalapolo.com
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Featured Business: Radical Runs LLC
Planning a 5K or community race in 2026? Radical Runs LLC is Central Florida's premier race timing and event management company, delivering professional RFID chip timing for races throughout Ocala, Gainesville, and Jacksonville.
Founded by Darrin DeTorres—a lifelong distance runner—Radical Runs provides precision timing, full-service event management, and course design optimized for Central Florida. The company is title sponsor of the annual Reindeer Run and organizes signature events including the Labor Day 5K.
Location: 2425 NE 18th Place, Ste 103, Ocala | Phone: (352) 304-3217 | radicalruns.com
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Coming Up: Valentine's Day 5K (February 14)
The Ocala Valentine's Day 5K returns Saturday, February 14! Road and trail course perfect for all experience levels. Proceeds benefit Vanguard High School Cross Country.
Registration: $35 through Feb 12 | Start: 8:00 AM | Special Sweetheart Division for couples!
Register Now →
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*Only In Ocala — Celebrating Local. Supporting Community. Connecting Neighbors.*
Newsletter
Weekly Update
Ocala Events
Marion County
Golden Apple
Club at Iron Lake
World Equestrian Center
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Appleton Museum
February 2026