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Executive Director |
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DISCOVER OCALA & MARION COUNTY Dear FOWA Members: Ocala and Marion County eagerly await hosting the 2009 FOWA Conference at the luxurious new Holiday Inn Conference Center in Ocala. Once here, you will have the chance to experience many things unique to our special part of Florida. Ocala/Marion County is an excellent choice for FOWA’s 2009 Writers Conference. With first-class lodging and amenities, Ocala is conveniently located on I-75, about 75 miles north of the Tampa Bay area and 25 miles north of the northern terminus of the Florida Turnpike. Marion County is well known for its lakes, springs, spring-fed rivers, and for the quality of outdoor life that they support. Marion County is also the horse capital of the world. The county has the highest number of horses and ponies in residence in America and is represented by virtually every breed. For visitors whose passion is fishing, there are numerous fish species here, ranging from prehistoric-appearing gars to sporty little panfish that will bite just about anything from a fly popper to a good old worm. The bass fishing in Marion County is some of the best in Florida, with trophy-size catches a common occurrence - keeping anglers coming back to tackle these waters year after year. Orange Lake, Lake Weir, Lake Rousseau, the Rodman Reservoir, the Ocklawaha River, the Silver River, the Rainbow River, and the Withlacoochee River are all well-known Marion County angling destinations. Marion County’s parks are filled with natural places and sights to observe and with which to interact. Hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and countless other activities can be done right here, bringing families and friends together. A slice of natural Florida unlike anyplace else, the Ocala National Forest offers 389,000 acres of unique ecological sites, trails and natural springs. Hundreds of campsites throughout the forest provide diverse camping options. There are countless opportunities for the outdoor communicator in our ‘Forest’. Silver River State Park offers much to see, do and experience even after one has taken in its remarkable natural beauty. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Center is a captivating display of the area’s cultural and natural history. ReserveAmerica, a national camping reservation organization, recently honored Silver River State Park, ranking it among the top 20 locations in the country with educational programs. Thanks to a staff of enthusiastic park rangers, there are many interesting and educational programs held here throughout the year. Conference attendees will also want to experience Silver Springs and the theme park located adjacent to the ‘big spring’. No matter what your age, there are plenty of rides and attractions at Silver Springs that will make you laugh, fill you with wonder, and provide a glimpse into what life was like here more than 10,000 years ago. Just as they did then, the springs pump out 550 million gallons of sparkling-clear water a day - enough to supply the entire city of New York. And surrounding the springs is a marvelous diversity of animals and nature you simply won’t find anywhere else. As you can see, there are a multitude of photo and editorial opportunities awaiting FOWA members in Ocala and in surrounding Marion County. At the 2009 Conference, August 25-29, we hope to give you a taste of what we have to offer, and to interest you in returning to the area. I am sure that as you enjoy these outdoor amenities in the heart of Florida, you will agree that Different Pace. Better Place accurately describes the unique spirit of our community. We will pass along further details of the conference as they become available in the months to come. And rest assured that we are hard at work preparing an unforgettable conference! In the meantime, I encourage you to make use of our VCB team to help connect you with the resources you need to add a decidedly different twist to your next story. Sincerely, Ann Sternal |
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