“Many people can fashion words and stories. Amy’s gift, beyond those abilities, is the willingness to see the total picture and to sculpt her concept to fill a need.”
—Carolanne Griffith Roberts, Livings Editor,
Southern Living Magazine
“As a writer and columnist, Amy is ideal. She approaches each assignment with refreshing enthusiasm, skillful writing, and a sharp wit.”
—Dean Blinkhorn, Editor,
Ocala Style Magazine
"Amy was hired to write a first person account of her experience winning and receiving a free room makeover from Better Homes and Gardens Creative Home magazine. It was unprecedented for this main-edit copy to be written by the winning homeowner, but Amy’s former writing experience and enthusiasm won her the job. She handled the assignment successfully and even delivered her story well before the due date."
—Wanda J. Ventling, Former Editor,
Better Homes and Gardens Creative Home
“I enjoyed your article ‘The Reading Worm’ in Ocala Style. It was a treat to reminisce along with you as you told your story.”
—Joe Wallace
“What a treasure our community has with your contributing writer, Amy Mangan. I look forward to reading each of her articles. Her writings reflect slices of life, rich with imagery that we can all relate to.”
—Carolyn Reichert
“I really enjoyed your ‘Cocoon Stories’ – it rings so true! The words you wrote hit exactly on all of my feelings. You do such a great job with your column every month – I really enjoy reading what you write!”
—Christie Kay
“I can’t really express just home much your ‘The Tea Set’ touched me. I am glad to see you have such a deep feeling of preserving the present for future memories. Thank you for some pleasant reading and remembering.”
—Mary Stinehour
I just read [Amy Mangan’s] excellent story about the Wolfgang family [“That’s Life,” Nov. 2007]. Congratulations for highlighting this issue. The American Cancer Society is supporting a legislative bill for accessible, affordable, easy to administrate health care coverage for all.
—Margaret E. Shaw, Area Patient Service Representative
American Cancer Society, North Central Area
Yes! I applaud you for the boldness to stand up and be the responsible, loving parent that you are when you decided to toss that High School Musical board game [“That’s Life” by Amy Mangan, August 2007]. Media moguls scream that we parents need to be more responsible because freedom of speech and expression allows them to print whatever they want no matter how disgusting and misleading it is to innocent children. Well, when we (parents) make more noise like you have and dare to spend more time exploring fun and/or educational activities with our children instead of just buying stuff for them, then we can put a huge dent in their revenues by refusing to purchase or allow our children to purchase the trash. No market, no money. Children have little to no money of their own to purchase CDs, DVDs, iPods, MP3s. We must protect our children and their future. No wonder we have so much childhood rebellion, sex, violence, and disrespect. We’re partly responsible for it by our lack of involvement. Thanks, Amy.
—Cheryl Lonon, via e-mail
Amy [Mangan], I should have written to you or called you long before now to tell you how much I continue to enjoy your personal essays in Ocala Style. I’m truly delighted to hear that you’re working on a novel along with a book of your non-fiction writings. Your essay this month [That’s Life,” Sept. 2007] on your son’s “appetizing” writing prompts was amusing. I’ve been a part of many of those teacher-planning teams [that] wrote prompts for district writing assignments. I don’t remember one about greasy fries or hamburgers and Coke, but then again, maybe we did create such a prompt way back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Just wanted to let you know that I’m so very proud of you. Keep up the good work, girl!
—Fran Duncan, via e-mail
We wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the wonderful “Design Dilemma with a Heart” makeover [“The Memory Maker” by Amy Mangan, Sept. 07]. The difference in our backyard and porch is amazing. It has given Bill a stimulating, extended living area, where he feels less confined. Kimberly Scudder has a magic touch. She worked very hard to bring a fine group of professionals together as contributors and all have left a lasting impression on our lives. We want to sincerely thank everyone involved for their generosity. The article was lovely, and we think helpful to anyone out there who may be going through the heartbreak of a recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Thank you, Amy, and Ocala Style for a beautiful piece of life.
—Bill and Vicki Arnold, via e-mail
I truly loved the story, “The Memory Maker.” I’ve shared several copies with others and they all have made very positive comments. Thanks for all you do in helping others.
—Terrie Hardison, Program Coordinator
Central and North Florida Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association
Wow! We’re really blown away. The article [“Designing Women” by Amy Mangan, Feb. 2006] looks beyond amazing. We truly appreciate everything that the magazine has done for us; everyone was such a pleasure to work with. It is an honor to be in Ocala Style magazine. Again, thank you for everything. We’re busy working on our Fall 2006 collection and it’s already getting great reviews.
— Tracy & Ashley Zych, Los Angeles
Dean Blinkhorn and Amy Mangan recently visited our class [at CFCC] as guest speakers, and I just wanted to thank them for the wonderful experience. Never before have I learned so much about journalism, and never have I been so excited to pursue a career in that field. I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but I’ve never been so passionate about it until now. I truly believe that their visit to our classroom has furthered my passion. It is something that I know I’ll never forget.
— Becca Ganzak, via e-mail
Amy [Mangan], each month after reading your columns I told myself to drop you a note letting you know how much I enjoy reading your writings. Now I have another reason to write you and will delay no longer. Congratulations on your appointment as associate editor. I am confident you will enjoy your work immensely, at the same time doing an excellent job. It may sound trite, but I am sincere in asserting that CFCC’s loss very definitely is Ocala Style’s gain.
— Bernie Watts, Ocala
Amy, you were on target again with your comments concerning the assessment of academic success [“That’s Life” by Amy Mangan, March 2006]. The FCAT has become its ugly twin because of the No Child Left Behind Act that mandates that every child must perform at grade level regardless of learning disabilities, physical and emotional disabilities, or long-term absences from school because of injury or illness. Only one percent of a school’s population is excused from taking the FCAT. This means the children sitting in our mentally handicapped, self-contained environment classroom will not have to succeed at age/grade level. All of our school’s non-English language proficient and specific learning disabled students are expected to succeed by the AYP standard.
The school I teach at has 240 such students in our ESOL and Exceptional Education Program. My ESE students are under the gun to succeed on the FCAT. It is this group of students that will “sink our ship” because AYP analysis depends upon their score improvement. I see the successes of my students every day. I do not need to see the scores of a six-hour pencil and paper test to know that my challenged students will succeed as citizens, employees, and entrepreneurs. Thank you, Amy, for voicing your dissent against labeling.
— Jan Cross, ESE Department Head,
Dunnellon High School
The FCAT is not why I got into the education system. This goes against every ounce of professionalism I have. Teachers do not have control over students’ decisions to learn, their ability to learn, or the FCAT questions being asked. Students and parents have a huge responsibility in the equation toward successful learning. I have been under the premise that the pendulum will swing back to some normalcy soon, but I am concerned that we will have a generation of students subjected to this system of high-stakes testing. Our focus is not on learning the material and applying to life experiences, but on how to test and past a test. Grant that students are gaining reading and math skills, [but] they are losing out on enhancing creativity, abstract thinking, and socialization skills.
I will not even begin to question the statistical soundness of the FCAT, which I have grave concerns over, nor will I bring up the subjectiveness in many ambiguous questions and method to grading. Doctors do not get monetary bonuses for their patients who get well. A medical doctor prescribes a treatment, [but] it is up to the patient to follow the treatment. Of course, the method and correct prescription administered are vital. Similarly, teachers create learning plans and present material for students to grasp. It is up to the students to follow through with the practice work and study the material.
— Patricia Goodman, Ed.D.
Dunnellon High School
For the past few months, I’ve started off briefly perusing, then delving with greater aplomb into Amy Mangan’s monthly musings in Ocala Style [“That’s Life”]. And I have to say, I’ve become a huge fan of her witty and engaging style. Her expert command of the English language and knack for taking subjects—which would, undoubtedly in the hands of lesser writers, seem mundane and ordinary—and turning them into compelling and captivating stories, never ceases to impress me. I’m delighted to see that we have such literary talent right here in our little city. Keep up the great work, and I eagerly look forward to next month’s column.
—Rob Napolitano, via e-mail
