Ongoing Special Events
"Hiers-Baxley Community Care...providing healing experiences for our community."
We had three beautiful and inspiring Hope Illuminates Remembrances take place on December 9th - one in Ocala, one in The Villages and another in Chiefland. Each were very well-attended. In fact, at Highland Memorial Park in Ocala we far exceeded our estimate of 300 guests – it was standing room only at the Park on Friday, December 9th.
Following are examples of heartfelt words that have been expressed by community members regarding “Hope Illuminates 2011.”
“We’ve been to a lot of holiday remembrances, but nothing this elaborate…thank you”
“We just moved to the area and saw the ad in the paper, we definitely plan to come back next year…this was beautiful”
“Hiers-Baxley does so much for the community…thanks for all that went into this…you all went all out!”
Kaplan Films has produced a YouTube video of the Ocala event. You can watch that at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvEb2kROdC8&feature=email
A photo album of Hope Illuminates at Highland Memorial Park is available online at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices All “likes” and “shares” are greatly appreciated.
Please note, the memorial video tribute for each of the three Remembrances is available free of charge, any time of day, any day of the year by simply going to www.Hiers-Baxley.com, clicking on the obituary finder and typing in the event names listed below:
Hope Illuminates 2011 Ocala
Hope Illuminates 2011 The Villages
- Hope Illuminates 2011 Chiefland
OCALA...
CHIEFLAND...
THE VILLAGES...
The November 14th "Angels Across the USA Tour 2011" at Highland Memorial Park was a beautiful success. The purpose of the event was to honor the memory of children who have passed on. Losing a child is an experience we wish no parent would ever have to face. However, we are thankful to have had a part in bringing comfort to parents, friends and family through this unique event, and especially at this very difficult time of the year.
You can view a photo album from the event on our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Please “like” and “share” which will help spread the word that Highland Memorial Park & Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services is committed to offering quality healing experiences for all those affected by loss.
The annual Champions of Freedom Appreciation Luncheon at the Tommy Usher Center in Cheifland on November 10th was a wonderful success. Our guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel (US Army, Ret.) William Halker. In his military career, Lieutenant Colonel Halker specialized in Military Intelligence Operations and is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations. The words that Lieutenant Colonel Halker spoke were a great encouragement to all in attendance yesterday. Among our honored guests was the family of the late Sgt. Karl A. Campbell. Sgt Campbell who lost his life in October 2010 while on foot patrol in Babur, Afghanistan, received a Bronze Star, Purple Heart as well as the Army Commendation Medal for his great sacrifice and service.
As a conclusion to the luncheon, door prizes were given away. Just like last year, our "Scrappy Angel Quilters" Community Club prepared handmade “works of love” to give away. It was a great time of showing appreciation to area Veterans and their families.
To see the story of events played out in photos, visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
The banquet room was full and the attention level high at the October 25th Health, Body & Wellness Workshop 2011 held at CTAE in Ocala.
Health, Body & Wellness is another of our Community Care Outreach events. The workshop presentation, given by Dr. Chris Pell, DC and his Chiropractic Physician’s Assistant, Jay Vargas, was about “Life” and “Health.” Together, Dr. Pell and Jay Vargas shared their insight and their healing approach on helping us to achieve healthier lives. And, because some of their foundation and inspiration comes from the aspect of natural medicine, we heard very interesting information on that topic as well. The entire presentation was excellent and afterward we received many positive comments from our guests.
Sincere thanks to Dr. Chris Pell and Jay Vargas…you are highly appreciated! Sincere thanks to Dan Davis, Deb Salerno and Kristi Musick of CTAE as well - for allowing Hiers-Baxley Community Care the use of their beautiful “Brewster Hall” and all its amenities…you all are the BEST!
“Like” and “Share” the related Facebook posting at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
What a worthy cause we were privileged to give back to at the October 28th Highland Memorial Park Charity Picnic! The featured charity for October was "Kids Central." The mission and endeavor of Kids Central is related to support services for children in foster care. Kids Central also provides “prevention” services to families that are not within the foster care realm. Big thanks to all who came out to support this great local charity.
“Like” and “Share” the related Facebook album at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
A write up in the October 16, 2011 Villages Daily Sun tells the story of the unveiling/momument dedication that took place on Saturday, October 15th. Following is an excerpt from that news story..."
“This has been a great project to be able to work with people who have a desire to recognize patriotism and recognize Sept. 11,” said Justin Baxley, president of Hiers-Baxley. “Our part in it was to design and provide the actual monument itself. Because we’re in the funeral and cemetery business, we have access to folks that can work on this type of design work. So it’s just been a privilege and a process to put this monument together and see it through to completion.”
“Like” and “share” this posting at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
The Sept 30th "Highland Memorial Park Charity Picnic" to benefit "Success By 6" and the Early Learning Coalition resulted in $833.88 of support for this excellent children's charity. The mission of Success By 6 is to ensure that children are prepared emotionally, physically and academically to learn and succeed by age 6. Thanks, Community....for making a DIFFERENCE by supporting this great local charity! View the event Facebook album at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
All "likes, sharing & comments” are highly appreciated and help us to spread the word.
Proceeds from the September 23rd Charity Picnic to support THE CENTERS are going to an extra-special cause…the$514 in donations received will help support their “Children’s Christmas Gift Program." View a photo album of this Charity Picnic via our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices. “Likes, shares & comments” are highly appreciated.
The Field of Flags…Honoring & Remembering 9-11 event at Highland Memorial Park this weekend brought members of the community together for a moving tribute. Besides the beautiful flag display, candlelight memorial, video tribute and blood drive, the event also highlighted art by elementary and middle school students from Ft King Middle and Wyomina Park Elementary Schools. Interestingly, many of those students represented the generation that was born on that tragic year of 2001. Special thanks to art teachers Phyllis Sherman (Ft King) and Jeanne Socha (Wyomina Park) for their time and efforts….we appreciate you and your talented students!
Banner Signing…Because we wanted to do something unique and special to show appreciation to our first-responders and military, a “banner signing” took place throughout the week and on the evening of the 11th. There were a total of three banners. The banners’ message was simple, it read, “We will always remember…” By the end of the night of the 11th, the banners were filled with signatures and message of thanks. Those “appreciation banners” will be shared throughout the community in the months ahead.
First Responders & Military…Sincere thanks and appreciation to all first responders and military personnel who attended Field of Flags. Your attendance was greatly appreciated and your presence was a great honor! Special and grateful acknowledgment is made to the outstanding Marines who stood post during the event: MSGT Jeffrey Kochen, PFC Merrick, CPL Jacques and LCPL Kelada – your presence was an added blessing…sincere and grateful thanks for all you did to honor and to remember!
A Very Special Guest…For the first time, a survivor of the 9-11 tragedy spoke at our event. Her name is Valencia Parker, known by friends as “Chee Chee.” Hearing her uniquely personal testimony was a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. As the audience listened intently, Valecia “Chee Chee” Parker recounted being on the phone at The Pentagon when tragedy struck. The plane actually entered the area where Chee Chee was standing, rendering her unconscious and covered with debris. Saturated by jet fuel and incoherent, it was an “angel in the form of a first-responder” who helped save Chee Chee’s life. Nothing short of a miracle!Immediately following the “Time of Silent Prayer for our Nation” which took place at approximately 7:00 pm on the evening of the 11th, Valecia “Chee Chee” Parker blessed the audience with a “song of praise” which she sung “Acapella”…it was beautiful!
Watch highlights of the event and view the event photo album via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
View the "Behind the Scenes" set up of the memorial flag display and art exhibit at: Ocala.com Gallery link: http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=OS&Date=20110908&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=908009998&Ref=PH&pl=1
SCRAPPY ANGEL QUILTERS
Are you a Quilter? If not, have you ever wanted to try? Consider joining the Scrappy Angel Quilters!...a FREE community club that promotes an interest in Quilting and related topics. Everyone is invited, regardless of your skill. Enjoy the chat and the advice that everyone shares. Sessions take place on Thursdays from 9:00 am until noon. Meeting place is the Community Room at Memorial Baptist Church located at 3693 SE 95th St-Ocala. Hope to see you there! For additional information, please contact Beverly Brown, Community Care Director at 352.671.1926. View a Facebook posting at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
What a day for a picnic! The July 22nd Charity Picnic to support PACE Center for Girls was another wonderful event....great people, great spirit of community and friendship. And, as always, the food was deeelicious! Best of all, $755 .00 in donations were received to help the compassionate team at PACE Center for Girls do what they do so very well. For anyone not too familiar with PACE and the wonderful work they do, their mission is to encourage “at-risk” teen girls to lead healthy lives – emotionally, physically and academically. Since opening their doors in 2001 they have served over 600 girls…great job! The compassionate team at PACE works hard at turning “hopelessness into hope” and “pain into victory” for these young women so that they can live a stable lifestyle in our community. If you have a chance to check out their website (http://www.pacecenter.org/marion) and look at the statistics regarding their success rate – it is impressive. The numbers show….PACE is doing a great work in this community!
Read the online story at: http://www.ocala.com/article/20110814/ARTICLES/11081992
Facebook friends…following is a link to view the photo album of the event. As always…“likes” and “sharing” are greatly appreciated! http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
WOW!...who doesn't love a great picnic? We're happy to report that MRMC Foundation was the featured charity on June 24th; the weather was beautiful; the food was extra-delicious and we had the privilege of once again giving back to a great local charity....fantastic!
Facebook users…view the event photo album at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” our event posting as well as leave a comment if you were able to attend.
The "LOVE BLOOMS WHERE IT'S PLANTED" Father’s Day Remembrance at Highland Memorial Park was a beautiful success. Facebook users...view the event photo album at http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” our event posting as well as leave a comment if you were able to attend.
The "HOPE RISING" Father’s Day Balloon Release in Chiefland, FL was an especially inspiring time of honoring fathers. To view the event photo album, visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
HIGHLAND MEMORIAL DAY 2011...
was a great success! Not only were we blessed with great weather and a great turnout for the event, on top of all that, we had the privilege of being the main “Memorial Day” story featured on the 6:00 and 11:00 pm TV20 news. For your viewing pleasure, following is a link to the associated video: http://www.wcjb.com/news/9590/ocala-memorial-day-service
Another piece of “Highland Memorial Day” related media is a print story published in the Ocala Star Banner on Sunday, May 29th. You can acces that story by clicking on the link below. http://www.ocala.com/article/20110529/OPINION/110529748?p=1&tc=pg
To see the how the event played out in photos, check out the album posted on our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
For more information on "Highland Memorial Day," please visit the event website at...http://www.highlandmemorialday.com
Highland Memorial Park, a Place for Remembering, held the “Hope Rising” Mother’s Day Balloon Release on Sunday, May 8th at 4:00 pm.
Below are a few comments received from guests who attended the event:
"Thank you!...we enjoyed it so much"
"Didn't know what to expect but this was beautiful...thank you!"
"I feel so much better now...thanks for doing this"
Releasing Balloons to the Heavens...in Honor of Mom. "Hope Rising" was a FREE Community event… a positive celebratory occasion to remember Moms who have passed on as well as Moms who have lost a child.
Highland Memorial Park & Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services are dedicated to protecting our environment and wildlife. Therefore, the balloons and ribbons used in this remembrance were environmentally friendly.
To view a photo album of this very special remembrance, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services in Chiefland, held the “Hope Rising” Mother’s Day Balloon Release on Sunday, May 8th at 4:00 pm.
Releasing Balloons to the Heavens...in Honor of Mom. "Hope Rising" was a FREE Community event… a positive celebratory occasion to remember Moms who have passed on as well as Moms who have lost a child.
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services is dedicated to protecting our environment and wildlife. Therefore the balloons and ribbons used in this remembrance are environmentally friendly.
For more information about this event and/or other events in the Tri-County area, please call 352.493.0050.
As we gear up for Highland Memorial Day 2011, the Third Annual Essay Contest titled, “What is Memorial Day & What Does It Mean To Me” is in full swing.
Just like before, the contest is open to all Marion County Middle & High School Students (this includes Private and Homeschool groups). The purpose of the contest is to create an educational awareness involving the young people in our community so that they can learn more about the price of freedom. Entry deadline is April 29, 2011.
To view the contest announcement posted via Facebook, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Thank you, Community!...
The 2nd Annual Hiers-Baxley Easter Egg Hunt at Strickland Park-Chiefland was a great success! We’re already planning and looking forward to another great “Hunt” next year.
Special thanks to Pine Grove Baptist Church-Trenton and Harmony Baptist Association-Trenton for their much-appreciated participation and support! To view a photo album of the event, please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
What a day for a picnic!...it turned out to be a great one. We are happy to report that donations received at the April 22nd Charity Picnic to support the Shepherd’s LightHouse were bigger than ever - $1,163.79 total…cheers & applause!...Big thanks to all who supported this great cause! A photo album of the event can be viewed via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
The March 22nd Open House Anniversary Celebration in Chiefland was a true success. It was great to see the event so well-attended. Most of all, there was a wonderful spirit of community and friendship throughout the entire event. Buddy and Pam are such a vital part of the Tri-County community; their 12 years of serving families with compassion and trust was so evident.
To view a photo album of the event, please visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
! To view a photo album of the event, please visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Our United Way “Day of Caring” Team Project took place on Saturday, March 5th. "Team Hiers-Baxley" was assigned to give the Community of Gratitude Emergency Food Center (behind the United Methodist Church on CR25-Ocklawaha) a face-lift. The assignment included painting the ramp and outside of the building, steam cleaning the office carpet, and cleaning windows. The project was a great success! To view a photo album of the work as it progressed, please visit the Facebook link at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
CHARITY PICNIC to benefit ARNETTE HOUSE YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES...
We had an excellent turnout for the February 25th Charity Picnic at Highland Memorial Park. Best of all…donations totaling $1,081.00 were received on behalf of Arnette House. What a tremendous help these donations will be in supporting local youth! A photo album of the event can be viewed via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
SAVE THE DATE…
We’re looking forward to supporting Childhood Development Services at the next Charity Picnic on Friday, March 25th. Hope to see you there!
CHARITY PICNIC to benefit HABITAT FOR HUMANITY...
We had an excellent turnout at the charity picnic to support Habitat for Humanity on January 28th. Donations totaling more than $917.00 were received on behalf of Habitat-Marion County…what a blessing!
IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY...
As part of Highland Memorial Park and Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services’ celebrating more than 125 years of caring for community, the monthly “Charity Picnics” to support local not-for-profits began in 2010.
The venue for the cookouts is beautiful Highland Memorial Park, Ocala's Premier Memorial Park, located at 1515 NE Third St-Ocala (2 blocks behind the Cascades Office Complex). Lunch is served on a donation basis with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the featured "charity."
The food enjoyed at each event is completely paid for by Hiers-Baxley and Highland Memorial Park so that 100% of donations received go directly to the featured “Charity of the Month.”
Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services and Highland Memorial Park hopes to inspire others to be aware of the great work local, not-for-profits are doing, like Habitat.
Let’s make a difference to stand firm in our support of our local charitable organizations!
For more information, please contact Beverly Brown, Community Care Director at 352.369.1020
View the photo album on FaceBook at:http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
Read the news story online at http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Dato=20110128&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=128009995&Ref=PH&pl=1
The Annual HOPE ILLUMINATES CANDLELIGHT REMEMBRANCE...to Honor the Memory of our Loved Ones took place onFriday, December 10th, 6:00-7:00 pm at the following venues:
Ocala (Highland Memorial Park-1515 NE Third St)
The Villages (1511 Buenos Aires Blvd)
Chiefland (1301 North Young Blvd)
These services were truly a special time of honoring and remembering. Each Candlelight Remembrance featured a Special Holiday Performance, Memorial Video Tribute, Interactive Candlelight Closing and Light Refreshments.
Highlights from Hope Illuminates-Ocala, which included more than 220 guests can be viewed online at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5XW9qU0Zmc&feature=email
CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
To show appreciation for dedicated service to our great country, Veterans in the Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy County areas were invited to BE OUR GUEST at the CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM APPRECIATION LUNCHEON on Friday, November 12, 2010. This free event was held at the Tommy Usher Center in Chiefland. Invitation was open to all Veterans in the Tri-County Area. Guests were invited to bring their memorabilia and equipment was available to scan and print any pieces of history that guests wanted to share. What a tremendous opportunity this turned out to be for Veterans...to share their pride and connect with others. Every guest present received a special gift...#1 New York Time’s Best selling book, Flags of our Fathers. Additionally, to show appreciation to Veterans, a total of eighteen beautiful quilts made and donated by the Scrappy Angel Quilters-Ocala were given as gifts. A photo album posting of this event can be viewed via Facebook at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
FIELD OF FLAGS...HONORING & REMEMBERING 9-11
8 am - 9 pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday...September 10, 11 & 12
The FIELD OF FLAGS...HONORING & REMEMBERING 9/11 Remembrance was a WONDERFUL SUCCESS. Beginning Friday morning and all the way through Sunday, cars were streaming in and out of Highland Memorial Park…”THANK YOU!”…”BEAUTIFUL!”…”AWESOME!”…were just a few of the comments made by guests who came out to pay tribute and remember the many lives that were lost some nine years ago. The candlelight memorial on Saturday evening was so beautiful and honoring. Special thanks to Kaplan Media for assembling the video tribute; it was simply excellent. Field of Flags…Honoring & Remembering 9/11 will be an annual event at Highland Memorial Park. Plans to make next year’s commemoration even more unique and special are already in the works. Sincere appreciation to all who came out. It was a beautiful and moving tribute.
Read more at online at: http://www.ocala.com/article/20100910/ARTICLES/100919978
Visit the Facebook posting at http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
TAKING TIME TO REMEMBER FATHERS
On Sunday, June 20, 2010, Highland Memorial Park...a Place for Remembering held a special TIME OF ROCK-SKIPPING to HONOR & REMEMBER FATHERS...Fathers who are no longer with us and Fathers who have lost a child.
Throw a pepple or a rock into a pond, the ripple created effects the water long after the pebble quietly settles out of sight. Life is like that, too. A life we've loved and lost can be traced back to a few small ripples...those ripples never really end; they send very big ripples into our life and into our world...and we will never forget. To view the full photo display of this special event, please visit the Hiers-Baxley Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
TAKING TIME TO REMEMBER MOTHERS
The MOTHER'S DAY ROSE PETAL REMEMBRANCE SERVICE was a beautiful and inspiring tribute to mothers, which took place on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at Highland Memorial Park...a Place for Remembering.
Mother’s Day can be a sensitive and difficult time when your mother is no longer with you, and especially difficult for mothers who have lost a child. Because of that, individuals and families who have lost a mother as well as mothers who have lost a child were invited to attend this special time of remembering. At the close of the service, guests were given a single, long stem white rose. As everyone gathered around the sparkling blue water at the Reflection Pond, guests released those silky white rose petals into the water. As they did, each petal represented a loving message to mom, a loving message to son or daughter. It was a beautiful and moving event for all. To view the full display of photos, please visit the Hiers-Baxley Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
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HIGHLAND MEMORIAL DAY 2010
RECOGNIZE. RESPECT. REMEMBER...a Memorial Day Community Celebration to Honor Freedom's Heroes and to celebrate the freedom of our great country.
May 31, 2010
WOW!...what an amazing day Highland Memorial Day 2010 turned out to be; it seems to get bigger & better every year! Our sincere thanks you to all who attended...it was a great turnout.
On Memorial Day morning, as 176 flags lined the entrance road to beautiful, historic Highland Memorial Park, cars filled with people filed one by one into the gates. At approximately 11:30 am, the posting of our nations colors started off the event followed by a patriotic wreath-laying ceremony, bagpipes, a 21 gun salute, taps, a fly-over and the “Real American Heroes” presentation. Next, while some guests enjoyed the rock-climbing wall, gyro ride, choo-choo & inflatable slide, others took a break to enjoy complimentary hot dogs, cotton candy, snow cones & lemonade. At 1:00 pm, the 2nd Annual Highland Memorial Day Essay Contest winners were announced and the winning essays were read aloud by students. At 2:00 pm, the stage came alive as musicians started to play & the outdoor patriotic community concert featuring singer & songwriter Norman Lee Schaffer began. At 3:00 pm all fell quiet in observance of the National Moment of Remembrance. The Highland Memorial Day committee strives each year to honor freedom’s heroes and to increase the awareness of the true meaning of Memorial Day. We believe those goals were accomplished, for which we are grateful. To view complete details of the event, please visit the post event web site at http://www.highlandmemorialday.com, the full photo display can be viewed on the Hiers-Baxley Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/HiersBaxleyFuneralServices
