STYLE MAGAZINE, Village Edition, March 2016

2016

March

WILD ABOUT KITCHENS & BATHS TOM AND DENISE FROM WILDWOOD KITCHEN & BATH HELP MAKE SURE YOUR BATHROOM WILL MAKE A SPLASH AND YOUR KITCHEN WILL SIZZLE! SEE THEIR STORY INSIDE

Infamous Last Words

I’m just a little out ” of breath, it’s nothing.

“

In most cases of a heart attack, your body tells you to ask for help. Yet people dismiss the signs, with serious consequences. At The Heart Institute at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, we’re on a mission to get people to speak up by calling 911. Immediately. Because minutes saved can equal lives saved. And we think that sounds pretty good.

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At the Florida Hospital Waterman Center for Medical Imaging, board certified radiologists and skilled technologists have the training and experience needed to provide you with the answers you need. We offer some of the most advanced imaging services in Lake County with a focus on personalized care and convenience. To schedule an appointment, or for more information about the services provided, call (352) 253-6363.

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SEPTEMBER CHARITY SPOTLIGHT A minimum of 25 percent of the net income from Komen Central Florida supports the national Komen for the Cure Grant Program, up to 75 percent of the net income from Komen Central Florida stays in our local community to fund breast health education, breast cancer screening and treatment projects.

YOUR DRIVE CAN ALSO SUPPORT T H E F O L L O W I N G O R G A N I Z AT I O N S :

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TB Financial Group Inc. is a licensed insurance agency for life, health, and annuities. We are not securities licensed. We are not tax advisors.

Our seminars are very general in nature and not meant to replace the advice of your CPA, Tax Preparer, Investment Advisor or Attorney. We will not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for these matters.

cont March

2016 // VO LU M E 1 2 N U M BE R 5

Featuring 36 LEGENDARY LEADERS OF LAKE & SUMTER These people made Lake and Sumter counties the great places of development and growth they are today. From the hills of Clermont to the town squares of The Villages and along the winding roads of Umatilla and Bushnell are the contemporary community activists and those who left their footprints from the past to lead the way.

STORY: MICHELLE CLARK+MARY ANN DESANTIS+LEIGH NEELY+SHEMIR WILES

62 MADE IN LAKE: RIDGE OUTDOORS Eustis-based Ridge Outdoors is giving customers the boot—in many styles and fashions. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

70 LEADERSHIP LAKE

The participants in this initiative get an overall awareness of Lake County and its issues, giving them a chance to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow today. STORY: JOHN SOTOMAYOR

On the covers 2016

March

2016

March

TOM AND DENISE FROM WILDWOOD KITCHEN & BATH HELP MAKE SURE YOUR BATHROOM WILL MAKE A SPLASH AND YOUR KITCHEN WILL SIZZLE!

Featuring

70

WILD ABOUT KITCHENS & BATHS SEE THEIR STORY INSIDE

CARMAN CULLEN-BATT

JOE SHIPES

CATHERINE HANSON

EMOGENE STEGALL

CAREY BAKER

ANN DUPEE

A RENAISSANCE WOMAN

JOE KNOWS LEESBURG

PAVING THE WAY FOR WOMEN

SIX DECADES OF SERVICE

LAKE COUNTY’S WARRIOR

LADY OF SOUTH LAKE

LAKE&SUMTER EDITION

DIRECTION: JAMIE EZRA MARK PHOTOGRAPHY: FRED LOPEZ PHOTOSHOP: JOSH CLARK

VILLAGE EDITION

MODEL: TOM HART AND DENISE BERLIN OF WILDWOOD KITCHEN AND BATH PHOTOGRAPHY: FRED LOPEZ PHOTOSHOP: JOSH CLARK

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ents Departments 17

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

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20 #TRENDING The Hit List takes on El Niño and the craziness of fireworks and guns.

How about the Cat Café or a drone from Amazon or maybe a stroll on The Promenade?

24 PERSON OF INTEREST There’s a new BMOC. Dr. Stanley Sidor takes the helm as the new president of LSSC.

26 OUTSTANDING STUDENT Ridge Patterson just returned from Tallahassee, where he was in the Florida House Messenger Program. His favorite subject is history, and he may make it someday!

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ON THE SCENE 80 THE TO-DO LIST Make plans for Viafest at ViaPort Florida with activities for everyone in the family; it’s time for Pig on the Pond Festival; and don’t miss the Easter EggStravaganza in Wildwood.

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86 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Partners for Success will bring Lake County students and businesses together for a dialogue about studies and jobs. Plus, see live action on the field at the National Training Center with NCAA lacrosse games!

90 OUT+ABOUT Like to read? Then you’ll love our version of the Southern Literary Trail.

See where the greats—the Fitzgeralds, Eudora Welty, and others—lived and wrote.

116

116 SALUTE´ Legendary wines from exceptional vineyards. Do you remember which bottle French astronaut Patrick Baudry enjoyed in space?

94 HI, SOCIETY!

109 EATS!

110 QUICK BITES 112 FORK ON THE ROAD Try some fresh sushi from Lake Dora Sushi & Sake along with some flavorful saki or enjoy a burrito and a mariachi band at La Palma Mexican Grill. If it’s seafood you’re craving, there are some great selections and a wonderful view at Blackwater Inn Restaurant & Lounge.

90 118 IN THE KITCHEN Vic’s Embers may be gone, but the wonderful food locals remember is still available. Meet Vic in his new kitchen.

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128 FINAL THOUGHT Dealing with tough times while still in the blossom of youth.

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24 YEARS SERVING ALL OF LAKE COUNTY

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March

hot off the press!

2016

2016

March

WILD ABOUT KITCHENS & BATHS FROM TOM AND DENISE & BATH WILDWO OD KITCHEN YOUR HELP MAKE SURE MAKE BATHRO OM WILL YOUR A SPLASH AND SIZZLE! KITCHEN WILL

g

Featurin

STEGALL EMOGENE OF SERVICE

SEE THEIR STORY

CAREY BAKER WARRIOR

INSIDE

ANN DUPEELAKE

LADY OF SOUTH

LAKE COUNTY’S

SIX DECADES

CARMAN CULLEN-BAT A RENAISSANCE

T

WOMAN

JOE SHIPES

JOE KNOWS

LEESBURG

HANSON CATHERINE FOR WOMEN WAY

PAVING THE

The latest editions of Lake and Sumter Style, Villages Style, Healthy Living, Lake Business Magazine and Welcome to Lake County

Digitize your life.

Visit the Apple or Android app store today and download the Lake & Sumter Style or Healthy Living online magazine app for your mobile device. For the best in enhanced magazine entertainment, join us online for the media experience of a lifetime.

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From the publisher

Kendra Akers PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF kendra@akersmediagroup.com

Doug Akers

VICE PRESIDENT doug@akersmediagroup.com

Jamie Ezra Mark CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER jamie@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

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STAFF WRITER CREATIVE DIRECTOR james@akersmediagroup.com steve@akersmediagroup.com

Leigh Neely Joe Deleon

STAFF WRITER/COPY EDITOR SENIOR ART DIRECTOR leigh@akersmediagroup.com joe@akersmediagroup.com

Michelle Clark Josh Clark

STAFF WRITER SENIOR DESIGNER michelle@akersmediagroup.com josh@akersmediagroup.com

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STAFF WRITER DESIGNER shemir@akersmediagroup.com

Rheya Tanner Michael Gaulin STAFF WRITER PRODUCTION DIRECTOR rheya@akersmediagroup.com michael@akersmediagroup.com

Fred Lopez

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER fred@akersmediagroup.com CONTRIBUTORS

Jarrod Clark Fred Hilton Mary Ann DeSantis Kathy Porter Tony DeSantis John Sotomayor Pat Jocelyn SALES // MARKETING

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LEESBURG PARTNERSHIP

LEESBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

TAVARES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SOUTH LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WINNER OF

LAKE EUSTIS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SUMTER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

When getting to know people, you learn about their past along with what experiences and challenges they’ve faced. From there you begin to understand fully how they’ve become the unique individuals they are today. The same theory rings true for a community. To appreciate and understand fully how it has evolved, you must understand its past. Since people shape a community, this month’s issue features the people of Lake and Sumter counties who have worked and sacrificed to create their landscapes.

In doing the research for this issue, we divided the counties into cities and began looking for memorials or street names dedicated to a particular person.

We searched history books, local museums, and researched our current leaders to see what improvements they have made. We also looked into the founding families and discovered many of their descendants are still involved in their community’s development and working hard to continue the family legacy.

We are excited to share our discoveries with you in our “Legends of Leadership” feature. It’s no wonder this is such an amazing community and that we here at Style have so much to celebrate with you every month. Lake and Sumter counties were blessed with some truly amazing individuals.

I am inspired by these leaders and their ability to visualize a future bigger than any one moment or organization. I also learned the ability to be legendary is within each one of us, and that to be a legendary leader, you need more than legendary vision. You need to communicate it!

Therefore, moving forward I will start my day with one question: What can I do today to create a better tomorrow?

I encourage you to do the same.

I hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue, and as always, I would love your feedback or any ideas you may have for future issues.

Sincerely,

LAKE & SUMTER STYLE IS A PROUD MEMBER OF

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION

BE LEGENDARY

100+ AWARDS

AMERICAN ADVERTISING ASSOCIATION FOR EXCELLENCE

Lake & Sumter Style, March 2016. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, Florida 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2016 by Akers Media. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Akers Media. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call 352.787.4112.

Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned.

Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Paid Promotional Feature” and “Special Promotional Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media.

Kendra Akers, Publisher kendra@akersmediagroup.com

Life More Than Imagined New 55+ Community in Clermont

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HighlandRanchFL.com | 983 Ridgeglen Way Clermont, FL 34711 | 352-415-4237 (Blackstill Lake Rd & Old Hwy. 50) Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. All information (including, but not limited to prices, availability, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Please see a Taylor Morrison Sales Associate for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. © January, 2016, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. All rights reserved.

AN INSPIRED LIVING EXPERIENCE FROM

First Things

f1rst #TRENDING PERSON OF INTEREST OUTSTANDING STUDENT

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First things first // #trending Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

A Picture of Housing Health Lake County’s housing market is going strong, according to New York financial technology company SmartAsset. It recently released rankings from its second annual Healthiest Housing Markets Study and both Lady Lake and Leesburg made the top 10 list for Florida.

Lady Lake came in at No. 2 again, while Leesburg moved up from No. 16 in 2015 to No. 9. The study measures market health by the average number of years residents remain in their homes, the percentage of homes with negative equity, home values, ease of sale, and the costs associated with home ownership as it relates to household income.

I’LL HAVE A LATTE MACCHIATO AND THE CALICO KITTEN

Normally you order a biscotti or a cinnamon roll to accompany your coffee. At the new Orlando Cat Café in Clermont, you can watch the kitties play and even take one home with you, though probably not in a to-go bag.

Axum Coffee of Winter Garden has agreed to run the coffee shop for The Animal League (formerly know as South Lake Animal League), who will furnish adoptable cats and kittens for this new venture. “Axum Coffee is the purr-fect partner for us,” quipped Sandra Cagan, founder of Orlando Cat Café. “Their vision statement really says it all, ‘Inspire people and generate resources to restore hope in hard places. We’re passionate about excellence in every cup and every opportunity to serve.’”

Scheduled to open this spring, the Orlando Cat Café will have a cozy atmosphere including comfortable furniture, premium coffee, and the company of 12-15 cats roaming freely.

For those who just want to grab their coffee and go—no problem. The cat café will have its own entrance to comply with health and food safety guidelines. Future plans include offering beer and wine along with a furry cuddle.

Check out facebook.com/OrlandoCatCafe to monitor progress on the new coffee shop.

What’s the word on

Webster?

In February 2015, the Sumter County town of Webster was selected by the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity as a participant in the Competitive Florida Partnership. The aim here is to help communities create economic development plans that harness their individual spirit, history, and resources. An exciting development, but where are they in the process? The word is Webster has a loaner community planner of sorts for the next several months, and talks about improvements such as an equestrian park are underway. Curious about what may be coming to Webster? Stay tuned to Style for the latest.

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We did it!

BRET MICHAELS

R

EVERCLEA

MOLLY HATC

HET

PHOTOS: Bret Michaels, courtesy of WMEEntertainment.com; Everclear photo by Kevin Estrada; shutterstock.com.

GET READY TO

ROCK

In just four months, the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation exceeded its annual campaign goal of $285,000 by raising $293,372. These funds go directly to support student initiatives, including scholarships, programs, funding for books, technology, and other essential student needs.

“Our alumni and friends have, once again, shown remarkable support for the college. Thanks to their generosity, our faculty and staff can continue to provide the exceptional quality of education that is provided to the students of Lake-Sumter State College,” said Lindsay Holt, vice president of the LSSC Foundation Board of Directors.

The record profits were due in part to board members who worked hard to surpass this year’s campaign objective, including team chairs Gary Brannen, Josh Gonzales, Lindsay Holt, and Kim Varnadore.

“We can all be proud of the positive precedent and ongoing impact this accomplishment provides for Lake-Sumter and our community,” said Executive Director Rosanne Brandeburg. “Proceeds from this campaign have boosted the total assets of the foundation to more than $16 million, which is used, not only to generate scholarship awards, but to also help fund college programs and initiatives and support mini grants for college faculty and staff members.”

JOSH TAKES ON: AN ADMITTEDLY ASKEW POINT OF VIEW FROM THE MIND OF ILLUSTRATOR JOSH CLARK

The lineup for Leesburg’s Bikefest has been serving up surprises the last couple years, making the 2016 announcement something locals awaited with bated breath. I mean, how could you get better than Vanilla Ice? Leesburg is still a small town after all and how do we top that? Bret Michaels, that’s how. Leesburg may be working a theme—rockers with reality TV careers— but no one seems to be complaining. The handsomely bandana-ed idol will be rocking the Leesburg Bikefest stage Saturday, April 23. Leesburg is bringing its “A” game with Everclear Friday night, and Molly Hatchet on Saturday afternoon. For a full list of bands and times, visit www.leesburgbikefest.com

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First things first // #trending Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

It’s a bird…it’s a plane...it’s my new pair of shoes!

Amazon’s online marketplace has been dominating arenas such as book publishing and selling for years, and it is also a go-to for online shopping.

Amazon Prime members have the benefit of online shopping without the long wait. With a yearly fee, they have the advantage of free two-day shipping, as well as many other deals. But what if two days is too long to wait? No need to go to the store because Amazon has presented a revolutionary idea that caters to the desire for instant gratification. Amazon Prime Air will be a delivery option to put your purchase

JAMES COMBS’

THE HIT

LIST

1 // METEOROLOGISTS ARE PREDICTING a strong El Nino

pattern in 2016. That’s why agencies throughout Central Florida—including Lake County— recently participated in a tornado drill. Personally, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my Ford Mustang from a tornado. That’s the one time I don’t want it going for a spin.

2 // THE CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT is seeking two men

who robbed a Circle K convenience store. Here’s the kicker: One was wearing a red devil mask. After being pistol-whipped by the Satanic wannabe, the store clerk told him there’s “going to be hell to pay.”

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at your door in under an hour via drone. That’s right! An unmanned, self-flying aircraft will bring you that last-minute anniversary gift or that pick-me-up purchase of chocolate.

Anything up to five pounds will fly.

Amazon is serious about this new delivery option. It is not available yet, but as soon as they gain enough support by easing people’s anxieties and demonstrating its safety, we can start shopping a completely new way. All you need is a safe space for the “a” marked landing pad and you’re in business. Look out; the future is on its way!

3 // THE CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO

investigating several cases of inappropriate and unwanted touching by a male employee at a massage business. Considering that numerous complaints have been filed, it’s safe to say he rubbed clients the wrong way.

4 // THE NORTH LAKE TEA PARTY ENDORSED Texas Sen. Ted

Cruz as the preferred Republican nominee. Apparently, the group wasn’t too keen on Trump’s idea of shutting down Planned Parenthood and turning it into a casino.

5 // ACCORDING TO THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, a

person was shot in the parking lot of McDonald’s near Four Corners.

The best way to combat anger management issues when you’re at McDonald’s is to order a Happy Meal.

6 // A 75-YEAR-OLD CLERMONT WOMAN used a handgun to

threaten neighbors who were shooting off fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Ironically, she was arrested for aggravated assault after firing her gun into the air.

Moral of the story: When you set off fireworks, you might set off crazy people, as well.

NEW KID IN TOWN

PHOTOS: Jeff Cole, provided; drone courtesy of Amazon Prime Air; Clermont project rendering, provided.

Reaching new heights

The new public resources director for Lake County is Jeff Cole, former chief of staff with the St. Johns River Water Management District. Cole will be overseeing media and information for the Parks & Trails Division, the Lake County Library System, The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences Extension Services, and the Lake County Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

“With Jeff’s breadth of knowledge and experience in working with the public sector on quality of life issues, we are confident he is the perfect fit for the position of public resources director,” said David Heath, county manager.

Cole has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Michigan State University and a master’s in communication from the University of Central Florida.

Clermont is the “Choice of Champions” for many reasons, and the list of reasons keeps growing in 2016 as the city starts a few exciting projects.

In January, City Manager Darren Gray gave a State of the City address that included going over master plan projects slated for 2016. One of the biggest will be The Promenade. One of the chief complaints heard during the city’s visioning sessions was when people attend an event at Waterfront Park, they don’t visit the downtown area.

The Promenade will serve as an entertainment venue and shift activities from Waterfront Park to the bottom of Eighth Street, giving visitors valuable access to downtown Clermont. There are also plans to add a dock to the pier at the end of Eighth Street so people can access the downtown area by water.

Also scheduled for 2016 is the West Lake Wetlands Park. According to Gray, storm water treatment is needed on the west side of downtown Clermont to make the surrounding property more viable for development; therefore, the city wants to build a retention pond and a passive park that will include an observation deck and walking area. The city has already started the process of finding grant funding and the design phase could start in early spring with construction beginning in late summer.

And last but not least, increased signage will be an ongoing project this year. Within the next few months, gateway signage to downtown Clermont in the area of Eighth Street and State Road 50 will be installed.

OTHER CLERMONT PROJECTS & PROGRAMS FOR 2016: • This month, the city rolls out a new Citizens Academy to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at how city government works.

• The new police station under construction at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center should open by the end of the year.

• Fire Station No. 4 opens in May and is the first joint station in the county, meaning both county and city fire personnel will share the station.

• A major initiative will be launched to promote Clermont’s central location on the Coast-to-Coast Connector trail. The city is in the process of trademarking the phrase “Meet Us in the Middle.”

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First things first // person of interest

IN WHAT STATE HAVE YOU FOUND THINGS, PICKING UP THE MANTLE OF THIS POSITION? I feel very lucky to be here. My first day here I learned we are being invited to participate in the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

We have an opportunity to place an application for an invitation-only grant.

It is only extended to the top 10 percent of community colleges in the nation.

We’re doing well.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” —Albert Einstein HOW WOULD YOU RELATE THIS QUOTE TO THE COLLEGE? What we’ve done in community colleges and state colleges during the last 50 years has been shifting, the way we receive students, the type of programs we offer. Like all of us, we look at the lessons of the past to help us define something new for the future, because the things we did in the past probably won’t work moving forward.

DR. STAN SIDOR

WHAT DOES THE COLLEGE DO WELL AND WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT? We are a very good university transfer institution. We need to do some work with the expanding workforce needs in the region. And it’s not because they were ignored, it’s because they’re growing and changing.

WHAT LED YOU HERE? I’m originally from Michigan...I grew up on a small farm and like a lot of kids, when I graduated high school I cleared out. Fifteen years later I ended up back in my hometown as a plant manager and the CEO of a group of painting companies. When the companies were sold, I started looking in a different direction for my career and joined community colleges.

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WHAT DOES YOUR PREVIOUS CAREER BRING TO EDUCATION? It’s a perspective of business and analysis. We are delivering an educational product and service. But in order to deliver that service, we are a business. I tend to look at things from that perspective: In order to support our mission, we have to support our consumers, which are our students and the community.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO STUDENTS? Don’t worry as much about your 10-, 20-, or 30-year career path. Get a really solid education, which means math, science, English, and literature. Develop the foundation, the building blocks. Get a job and learn what you like and don’t like. Use that, build, and move on.

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

the new president of lake-sumter state college

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WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I just got back from Tallahassee, where I participated in the Florida House Messenger Program. Rep. Rodriguez from Fort Lauderdale sponsored me. I am chaplin for Interact Club. I’m also involved in the National Junior Honor Society and Student Government.

WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM BEING INVOLVED WITH FLORIDA HOUSE MESSENGER PROGRAM? My biggest takeaway was learning what it is to be a leader. You don’t really have to have a position of power; as long as you lead by example, you can really make a difference.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? I am currently part of a dual enrollment program at Lake-Sumter State College. I’m still not sure what degree I want to pursue. I’m still praying about it but I figure I still have time. I’ve considered a political degree, but also something in film.

FAVORITE QUOTE: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”—Mahatma Gandhi.

ONE THING YOU’D LIKE TO CHANGE: One cause I’ve been interested in is the pro-life cause. I would like the best measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the mother and child, and that everyone in these situations is given a fair chance.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE: My parents are definitely my biggest influence, but my family in general is, too. And, of course, with my dad being a Bible teacher I am definitely influenced by the Bible and Jesus.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? History is something I’ve always enjoyed. I find it fascinating. I like that it plays out almost like a story or a book if taught right. You can look back on all the things people have done, good and bad, and learn from them. You can say what can I do better or to improve upon what they have done. I believe the key to being the change you wish to see in the world is studying history.

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RIDGE PATTERSON

AGE: 16 / FIRST ACADEMY / STUDENT AMBASSADOR

PHOTO: PROVIDED

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? I’ve always been fond of writing stories. I thought that could tie into the film industry and maybe I could use that to do some political activism. I’m not sure I have it all figured out yet. My parents are open to suggestions when it comes to careers. They thought the program (Florida House Messenger) would be good to help me to determine what I’d like to do.

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MAKING MALL MAGIC ViaPort Florida continues to grow and bring more entertainment for all ages to Leesburg

On any given day inside Via Entertainment, activity stays at a constant buzz. From the slick, contemporary bowling lanes to the bustling 5,000-square-foot arcade area, people are thoroughly enjoying ViaPort Florida’s newest venue.

It’s already proven to be perfect for

family-friendly fun and recreation, and its popularity is only going to increase with plans to start work on the second phase of Leesburg’s hottest entertainment hub.

“We’re planning an expansion that will include go-karts, bumper cars, carnival games, and more arcade

games,” says Cenk Hayirlioglu, country manager for ViaPort USA. “We’ll also add more event and party rooms, and we’re wanting to bring in comedy shows and build a patio restaurant and bar as part of the project.”

The extension is slated to be completed by the end of 2016, but

III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

Hayirlioglu says this exciting endeavor is only one of several on the horizon for ViaPort Florida. For instance, there is a proposal to add seven new restaurants outside the mall on the property grounds.

“We’re also working diligently to bring in more national clothing brands;

we’re even in discussions to bring in a fitness facility between the theater and Via Entertainment,” he says.

And speaking of AMC Theaters, there are plans to completely revamp their cinemas.

“It’s going to take four months to complete, and they will be changing everything. They’re adding VIP sections, new concession stands, a new sound system, new seating and flooring…a whole new look,” says Hayirlioglu. “And they will also begin to sell liquor.”

Since Turkey-based Via Properties purchased the mall in September 2014, the company has been hard at work revamping the property to make it more than just a retail spot.

“Mall business is transforming in the U.S.,” says Hayirlioglu.

“What we’re trying to do is add more social facilities, more social life. We’re looking for a town center feel that’s fresh.”

In addition to several multimilliondollar interior and exterior upgrades, which included a 60-foot-tall digital sign that welcomes visitors to ViaPort Florida, the mall has been hosting more community events.

For example, the mall will have its first Viafest on March 5. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We have a few big musical acts playing that day, such

as Lazy Bonez and Cross Canyon,” says Stephanie Hayes, marketing and events manager for ViaPort Florida.

“We’ll also have a bounce house, some Las Vegas acts, food trucks, carnival rides, face painters, and at the end of the day there will be a grand finale fireworks show.”

In April, there will be a home improvement show, and Hayes explains there are plans to revitalize

some classic Leesburg events, but with a modern twist.

“We want to bring some things back, like the Watermelon Festival, but we want to put our own spin on it,” she says.

According to Hayirlioglu, the goal is to not only engage the community more but to also bring people from outside of Lake County.

“We want to become a

destination,” he says. “It’s not just about retail anymore. We’re combining retail with entertainment in a new, refreshing way.”

Because of Via Properties’ noble efforts, the community is falling in love with the mall all over again. The numbers don’t lie: Roughly 7,000 people visit Via Entertainment on a weekly basis and more than 50,000 cars make their way to the ViaPort Florida parking lot each week.

“We enjoy what we’re doing and it shows. The best feedback is seeing the happy faces,” says Hayirlioglu.

“Everyone is very excited about all the changes taking place,” adds Hayes. “It’s nice to have this kind of entertainment in our backyard and the community has been really receptive. ________________________________

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There have been people who cou ld see t he fut ure a nd

mak e it h app en. do to m The ake to morro yu nde w bet t rsta e n a d e S k u a m L r t n e i r y c r o o t u f s n i o t h i e e s r tho are no do nd mad ubt ple se w tha ased w ho f t liv ollo ith th in o w s e .

The g is still m STORY: M ICH ELLE CL ARK+MARY AN N D ESANTIS+LEI G H N EELY+SH E p a king e M I R WI LE S PHOT histo ople w OS: FR r y ED LO P toda ho EZ + P R y.

OVI D E D

for today, but their legacy is what they

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MICKIBLACKBURN THE FACE OF PHILANTHROPY

As the broker/owner of Micki Blackburn Realty, Catherine “Micki” Blackburn Nagel is known as a shrewd businesswoman who’s found great success in the world of real estate.

However, Blackburn isn’t just about business. She’s given back to the South Lake community through several philanthropic endeavors. One of her most extraordinary acts of kindness was helping fund mammograms at South Lake Hospital for women who didn’t have insurance.

Chairman of South Lake Historical Society’s board of directors, Blackburn was the driving force behind establishing the Clermont Historic Village. She’s also a member emeritus of Cornerstone Hospice Foundation’s board and she’s been involved for several years with Langley Medical Clinic in Sumterville.

“I think a lot of what motivates me is my life experience,” she says.

“You have to ask yourself—and I know it may sound corny or trite—is this world any better because I’m here? Am I making a difference?”

SHERIFF WILLIAM OKLA FARMER JR. THE MAN WITH THE BADGE

JOESHIPES

JOE KNOWS LEESBURG

Joe Shipes is happiest when Leesburg’s streets are teeming with residents and visitors enjoying one of the 200 events organized by the Leesburg Partnership every year.

“My job during the past 20 years has been to guide the stakeholders here in Leesburg through the National Main Street process,” Joe says. “I am pretty much a behind-the-scenes person, directing, encouraging, introducing, and disseminating concepts and ideas.”

During Leesburg Bikefest, Joe never leaves downtown, and guides his staff and volunteers every step of the way. “At the end of the day, the people of Leesburg are making the extraordinary effort and positive strides to improve the community.”

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Better known as Sheriff Bill, Sumter County’s beloved lawman has a long and illustrious career of serving the public.

Immediately after graduating from South Sumter High in 1965, Farmer completed finger print identification training with the FBI. He promptly went to work as a member of the Duval County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

In 1966, Farmer joined the Army, returned home in 1968, and pursued a career in service to the people of Sumter County. Deputy was his title for more than four decades before he was elected sheriff in 1997. During this time, he was committed to the communities of Sumter County. Aside from leading a proactive administration, he serves on several other committees and boards. His office sponsors a charity golf tournament in his name for the youth of Sumter County.

In the last three elections he ran unopposed, a testament to the trust the people have in his ability to hold the office.

THEFUSSELLS ALL IN THE FAMILY

The Fussell name is synonymous with the famous Webster Flea Market. Many from the family served the market in some capacity through the years and dedicated themselves to the family business.

Donald Fussell, a Webster farmer and businessman, believed in a need for a market and was a founding member of the Sumter County Farmers Market at Webster. He was director until 1938. Carroll W. Fussell was market attorney before becoming a judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Robert Fussell served as livestock auction foreman and market foreman.

The Fussell most remembered for his lifetime of service is Marvin C. Fussell, who began working the market livestock pens at the age of 12, and eventually served as director and market manager until his retirement in 1992. Marvin saw the market through some of its major growth.

EMOGENESTEGALL SIX DECADES OF SERVICE

When Emogene went to work in the Lake County elections office in 1958, she used a manual typewriter and “lots and lots of carbon paper.” Things changed over the years, including her job title, which became supervisor of elections in 1972—the same year President Richard Nixon was running for re-election. Today, the 90-yearold is preparing to oversee her last presidential election as she announced her retirement from her own elected position when her term ends on Jan. 2, 2017. Stegall, known for running a tight ship, has never had any taint of a controversy during her time in office and is one of Lake County’s most widely respected politicians. She attributes her success to running “honest, fair, nonpartisan, and transparent elections.”

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NICKBEUCHER A MAN WITH A MISSION

When remembering his father, Bud Beucher can’t help but smile. “He was charming, loved life. He was a man’s man,” he says. “He was smart, a character…He was a visionary.”

Visionary is a great word to describe a man who took a badly neglected 18-hole golf course and transformed it into a premier resort in Central Florida. It all started when Nick Beucher came across a Wall Street Journal ad for the Floridian Country Club of Howey-in-the-Hills and after seeing the breathtaking 168-acre property, purchased it for $160,000.

Some of Bud’s earliest memories at Mission Inn involve sitting on the first tee and, with some prompting from his father, asking where people had driven from to play the course.

“People were coming from places like Tampa, Daytona, and Gainesville just for day play,” he says.

Then, in 1969, Beucher decided to create a Spanish Colonial-style golf resort complete with overnight accommodations, and through the decades, Beucher added more buildings, a spa, tennis courses, a marina, a trap and skeet range, and various other amenities.

“My father had a very humble beginning and we haven’t forgotten that,” says Bud, vice president and general manager at Mission Inn. “He always passionately believed in what we were doing and what we could do.”

CAREYBAKER LAKE COUNTY’S WARRIOR

Eustis native Carey Baker has fought for what he has believed in for decades—as a member of the armed services, as a member of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, and now as the Lake County Property Appraiser. As a legislator for Lake County, he helped pass historic property tax cuts for millions of Floridians and sponsored legislation to modernize the appraisal process. He now has a new mission: enhancing the level of useful information and services for Lake County property owners. And he’s well on his way to accomplishing that goal as his agency received a prestigious international award in 2015 from the International Association of Assessing Officers for a website that is “transparent and easily understood.”

“The biggest challenge has been making these positive changes, including improvements in our office’s processes, while maintaining our position as the lowest funded, per capita, assessing office in the state,” he says.

When he was 18, Baker joined the family business—the A.W. Peterson Gun Shop in Mount Dora—founded by his father. “I have enjoyed both public service and private business tremendously…but in my heart I will always be a small businessman living the American dream.”

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DR. JAMES A. GLISSON

CELEBRATING A LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

Most people know Dr. James Glisson as one of Lake County’s preeminent chiropractors and the founder of Lake Health Care Center, Inc., in Eustis. But four decades ago he was serving in the Florida Senate, where he co-sponsored a bill to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a legal holiday. Florida became the first state in the Deep South to establish the MLK holiday when Glisson’s bill was signed into law May 8, 1978, five years before Congress established it as a federal holiday. Glisson said years later that the holiday was at the top of his legislative achievements. Prior to being elected to the Florida Senate in 1973, Glisson had served in the Florida House of Representatives for the 33rd district from 1968 to 1972.

MAXWETTSTEIN HELLO, IT’S ME

Thanks to forward-thinking Max Wettstein, direct-distance dialing doubled the size of the Florida Telephone Corporation in Leesburg. He worked at the company for 44 years, spending the last 22 as president before retiring in December 1975. The Florida Telephone Corporation was founded by Max’s father, Otto Wettstein III. “Growing up, we always played ‘telephone company.’ It was just what we did as kids. We had old phones and equipment around, so it was perfect,” says Amanda Wettstein, Max’s granddaughter.

“My grandfather was a visionary for Lake County. He was also kind and gentle. He spent so much time with us that we never really knew how busy he was or how many people he employed. He was just granddaddy,” Amanda adds. “My favorite memory of him is how we would do yard work for hours in the heat, then sit on the back porch and have a Coke that came in the old small glass bottles. That Coke and the time spent talking with him is still priceless.”

Max was a founding director of Citizens National Bank, on the board for the Lake County Boys Club, and a member of the American Red Cross, the Rotary Club, Jaycees, and Elks.

BEVERLEYSTEELE

A WOMAN WHO ANSWERED WITH ART

Beverley Steele founded the Young Performing Artists nonprofit to meet the needs of young artists not just in Webster but all over the U.S. Her work as the head of a marketing and management-consulting firm makes her a national ambassador for the needs of children.

Her most intimate work, however, has been within the community, providing a place and resources for young people to find self-expression. The organization is responsible for numerous scholarships, including the Day of Stars Scholarship competition which awards one worthy artist $4,000.

Through numerous initiatives, Steele brought art education to the forefront. Her commitment to community programs has helped build a culturally rich foundation for Sumter County and surrounding areas.

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HAROLDSCHWARTZ FOUNDER OF THE VILLAGES

Evidence of Harold Schwartz’s contribution to the development of Lake and Sumter counties is not difficult to find. The sprawling planned retirement community known as The Villages is everything Schwartz dreamed of and more.

It began with a trailer park in the 1970s in what is now called the historic side of The Villages: Orange Blossom Gardens. The plan was to have a community where retirement didn’t mean a rocking chair and inactivity. Instead, it meant creating a lifestyle where clubs, recreation, and neighborhoods you could access with a golf cart connected people.

To say his dream came true is an understatement. There are 100 miles of golf cart paths, 630 holes of golf, and around 2,400 organized clubs in The Villages. It now includes parts of Marion County, too.

Schwartz came from Michigan, where he was a successful businessman, and continued to use those skills to build the community of his dreams.

Many residents from those early years knew Schwartz personally. He strolled in the streets of his mobile home park, greeting neighbors and stopping for a chat. He was often described as a polite and kind man who wanted to be sure that his residents were happy.

After 10 years, Schwartz convinced his son Gary Morse

to join him in Florida. Morse, who worked for an advertising agency in Chicago, put his marketing skills to work. The father and son built a golf course, which they let residents use without charge. That was perhaps the turning point for their “field of dreams.” The lure of free golf was an invitation too good to refuse and it was repeatedly announced on The Golf Channel, which brought people from everywhere to Central Florida.

Soon hundreds of homes sold every month. Everything a resident needed was provided by the owners of The Villages, including town squares with nightly entertainment, recreation centers, retail outlets, banks, and medical offices, and The Villages became the vibrant community it is now.

One of Schwartz’s most memorable gestures was the billboard he erected in a vacant lot on U.S. Highway 441/27.

The sign featured an enormous picture of him with his hand pointing to the dirt. The caption said Schwartz predicted a hospital would be built “right here,” indicted by his large, cardboard hand. The Villages Regional Hospital was completed and opened in 2002, a year before his death.

Like legendary settlers of old, Schwartz was a visionary with the capacity to see the potential in an empty space. His legacy is marked in The Villages by the statue of him, his arm outstretched, welcoming newcomers to Spanish Springs Town Square.

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JOHNDRURY

PILOTING A CITY’S GROWTH

CATHERINE HANSON

PAVING THE WAY FOR WOMEN

Catherine Hanson’s career is a series of firsts: She was the first female elected to the Lake County Commission, where she served from 1990 to 2006, and was the inaugural candidate in the county’s Women’s Hall of Fame. As a commissioner, her accomplishments included expanding fire services to rural areas, initiating an affordable housing program, implementing responsible growth, and establishing the annual State of the County address. She paved the way for women to be elected to countywide seats, and six women have since followed her as county commissioners.

DAVIDM. WALKER REACHING FOR THE STARS

Although the Lake County road named after him is only one-mile long, the late David M. Walker covered millions of miles in space after graduating from Eustis High School in 1962. Two decades after he was voted “most likely to succeed,” Walker was an astronaut aboard the space shuttle Discovery and later commanded three more shuttle missions, including the Atlantis, which propelled the Magellan space probe toward Venus. Walker died of cancer in 2001, but his legacy lives on at the Eustis Historical Museum in the permanent David Walker exhibit.

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When Tavares’ City Administrator John Drury first arrived in 2006, he was having lunch at O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and noticed seaplanes landing on Lake Dora and then pilots wading ashore so they could grab some lunch at the restaurant.

“I thought to myself, ‘What if we give pilots a ramp so they don’t have to walk through muck and water,’” he said in a 2013 interview with Lake & Sumter Style.

In 2010, Drury’s vision became a reality when the Tavares Seaplane Base opened and began attracting not only more seaplanes but also family-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, a splash park, a conference center, and an array of festivals in the revitalized Wooton Park.

“Our challenge was to turn a vacant downtown into a vibrant downtown,” said Drury, also a pilot himself.

MAJOR ALEXANDERST. CLAIR ABRAMS A MAN OF VISION

By the time Major Alexander St. Clair Abrams arrived in Lake County in 1876, he had been a Confederate soldier, a newspaperman, and a lawyer. The New Orleans native was a

wise businessman who dreamed of seeing Tavares become the state capital. He spent his own money to make Tavares the county seat in 1888.

St. Clair Abrams was confident that Tavares would be a city of 100,000 people someday,” says City Councilman Bob Grenier. “He would be absolutely delighted to see what the city has become.

INMANSHERMAN MENTORING THROUGH SPORTS

Coach Inman Sherman is a no-fuss kind of man—it is this simple, down-to-earth mentality that made him a legend in Florida football. For 32 years, the coach built up players at South Sumter High School, not just a football program.

Sherman hasn’t stopped to count his own accomplishments, however. He can’t tell you how many games he’s won because he doesn’t collect them. He’ll tell you he’s too busy.

“When we coach, we coach daily. We do what we need to do next to get better,” he says.

He only focuses on what’s next and on the players themselves. This makes him legendary. Though he won’t mention it, since he claimed the position as South Sumter’s head coach in 1984, he’s had more than 250 wins. While an honorable milestone, his biggest accomplishments are the success stories of the young men he coaches.

Several players had careers in college football and the NFL. Clint Hart, Ben Moffitt, and Earl Everett are three of Sherman’s players who signed with NFL teams. Sherman’s most recent player to make a name for himself is Keanu “KeKe” Neal (Hart’s younger brother), a Florida Gator who opted to forgo his senior year for the NFL draft.

“I’ve watched him as a child and have seen him grow up into the awesome young man he is,” says Sherman.

Sherman counts his blessings not only with those who continue the sport but the young men who are successes in other areas. Sherman notes Dr. “Ferdie” Fernando Serra of The Villages played on the first team he coached. Joey Hooten, the Sumter County property appraiser, played football for Sherman in the ’90s.

“When the players advance themselves, when they’ve done something more than graduate high school and they come back and share with you, it is just really gratifying.”

Sherman has invested in the lives of many young men through the years, and his greatest successes lay their stories.

Sadly, this cherished community icon is hanging up his whistle this year and retiring.

“I enjoyed every minute of it; stopping now is perfect because I still enjoy it and I’m still healthy. There are still some things my wife and I would like to do,” he says.

The Raiders coach is leaving a legacy of pushing for excellence and believes that drive will continue after he is gone.

“We have a great staff here. Ty Lawrence will take over with the current staff. It’ll be a seamless transition for our boys, and I think that’s important. We have a real good team of juniors that will be seniors next year. “ Legendary thinking puts his players first, even to the very last.

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WENDELL “WENDY”HUSEBO THE VOICE OF LAKE COUNTY

Leesburg provided more than a warmer climate for Wendell Husebo when he moved down from Minnesota. Wendy, as he was affectionately known, helped establish Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where he was superintendent for many years. He and his wife Jean had three children: Lanny, Larry, and Sandra.

“Being raised by and having had the privilege of working with my dad for over 30 years, I saw that Dad was consistently the same at home and at work: always encouraging, always looking for the best in others, and always giving of his time,” Lanny says.

In 1951, Wendy and his brother Paul bought WLBE radio station, where Wendy greeted residents with his perpetually cheerful voice for many years. The two brothers also owned the Leesburg Packers baseball team, which later became The Lakers.

“It was a way of life for Dad to give of himself, whether starting his business, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Leesburg Regional Medical Center, or starting a professional baseball team,” says Lanny. “Growing up, Dad was the voice of Lake County and produced videos for the city, county, and chamber events, plus he was the voice for ‘time and temp’ for the telephone company.”

Wendy and his wife, Jean, established Husebo Advertising, which became Husebo Advertising and Public Relations in 1962 and is currently under Lanny’s leadership.

“As important as these endeavors were, Dad was always an encourager to my brother, sister, and me. His positive, caring attitude was a major influence in shaping my life and Lake County.”

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GEORGERAST

THEY CALLED HIM MR. LEESBURG

Local historian George Rast was a beloved community activist until his death at age 102. His first home in Leesburg was a brand-new four-room rental on Lake Street. He was a charter member of the Leesburg Lions Club and the Heritage Society and was called “Mr. History.” For years, he was the force behind the annual Watermelon Festival, a tradition that went on from 1930 until 1957. Winner of numerous awards and acclamations, Rast was a community icon for many years.

CARMANCULLEN-BATT A RENAISSANCE WOMAN

This Lake County Women’s Hall of Fame member is also a past president of Leesburg Partnership and the current executive director of the Lake County Education Foundation.

“Legendary? No, I am a believer in community and lover of Lake County. My previous position at The Daily Commercial allowed me to form relationships [that helped organize] Lights of Lake, Mardi Gras, Ibini Tera, and Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire. I now serve 46,000 students and employees in our schools. My skills are not making a corporation rich but enriching the lives of our students and teachers. Hopefully my efforts will produce a true Lake County legend.”

OAKLEY SEAVER

HELLO, MR. CLERMONT

When Robert “Oakley” Seaver passed away June 17, 2006, the entire South Lake community mourned the loss of a great leader.

“He had a tremendous love for his community,” says Pastor Doug Kokx, the senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Clermont, who was a good friend of Seaver. “He was a unique individual.”

Seaver was involved with a number of civic organizations, most notably the Clermont Kiwanis Club and the Friends of Cooper Memorial Library. He also worked as Clermont’s postmaster for 32 years and served on the South Lake Hospital Board for 50 years.

The year before Seaver passed away, the city presented him with his own road, Oakley Seaver Drive.

HENRY PRINGLE

HE GAVE LEESBURG WINGS

Henry Pringle moved to Leesburg in 1929 with wife Dorothy and children George and Rosemary. He joined his father, who developed Silver Lake Estates. Henry’s biggest contribution to Leesburg’s growth was convincing the Army Air Force to build their World War II airport here. He donated the land, and today, the international airport is Henry Pringle Field. In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Henry did extensive pro bono work in town.

HUBERTDABNEY A MAN OF SUBSTANCE

Beloved among athletes and parents alike, Coach Hubert Dabney was a community inspiration. He organized the building of a pool for blacks in Leesburg’s Carver Heights. It’s now the Hubert O. Dabney Pool.

He was on the board for the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association from 1932–68. He began teaching in 1939 at Royal High School in Sumter County and finished at Leesburg High School where today, students walk into the Hubert O. Dabney Stadium.

His football record was 207-45, and he coached basketball, baseball, track, and swimming. After retiring, he was athletic director at Leesburg High School.

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DOLORES GANO WALKER MAKING HISTORY

One could argue as the granddaughter of two South Lake legends, it would only be natural for Dolores Gano Walker to be a legend in her own right.

Her grandfather, Archibald Gano, came to Clermont in 1878 from New Jersey and opened a sawmill that provided lumber for many of the first homes in South Lake, including his Clermont home that is now the Mulberry Inn on Montrose Street. And her other grandfather, George Myers, was the first mayor of Mascotte.

Walker, Clermont’s official historian and a founding member of the South Lake Historical Society, is a fixture in front of the original Cooper Memorial Library at the Historic Village. On Sundays, she likes to give tours and share her infinite knowledge of South Lake’s history.

For her, the best part about volunteering at the Historic Village is educating children about their past. Each generation, she says, is less inclined to seek out their family history.

“It is important to teach them from whom they are descendants,” says Walker. “It’s important for future generations to have this information.”

Over the years, Walker has been recognized for her community service, including receiving the South Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Gem of the Hills Award and most recently, being inducted into Lake County’s Women’s Hall of Fame.

ANNDUPEE LADY OF SOUTH LAKE

ANNIEOAKLEY ANNIE’S GOT A GUN!

The statue behind the Leesburg Public Library features a young woman and her dog: Annie Oakley and Dave, that was beloved as well as a part of her sharpshooter show. Not many people know Annie Oakley loved to hunt and fish in Lake County. She and her husband Frank Butler frequently stayed at the Lake View Hotel, near where the library is now. It’s possible people didn’t know the famous sharpshooter was in their midst as she preferred the title Mrs. Frank Butler in private life.

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At a time when media was a man’s world, Ann Dupee shattered the glass ceiling to blaze a trail that lead her through an incredible career.

She has worked in radio, television, advertising, and newspaper. In 1968, she and her husband, George, purchased the South Lake Press, and under her leadership, the newspaper increased to 48 pages and grew to a circulation of 4,000.

Since selling the paper in 1992, Dupee has remained quite active in the community. She served on the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, became the first female member of the South Lake Kiwanis Club, and served a two-year term as president of the Greater Clermont Area Chamber of Commerce.

Café Dupee at Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont is named after her.

In 2001, Dupee was inducted into the Lake County Women’s Hall of Fame. She also earned coveted spots in the Lake County Business Hall of Fame and the Lake-Sumter State College Hall of Fame.

Dupee is quick to say the work she’s done hasn’t been for the accolades.

“I haven’t done it for that,” she says. “I do it because I love this community and it’s where my interests lie.”

VIRGILHAWKINS A CRUSADER FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

It’s hard to say if Virgil Hawkins ever dreamed of making the kind of impact he did. After all, what he wanted seemed so simple: to study law at the University of Florida. However, overcoming Florida’s Jim Crow laws that kept state universities segregated proved to be a battle that took Hawkins nearly a decade to fight. Even after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Hawkins to be admitted to UF in 1957, the Florida Supreme Court pushed back, invoking states’ rights.

Realizing his case was going nowhere, Hawkins withdrew his college application in 1958 in exchange for a court order that desegregated UF’s graduate and professional schools.

Three months later, UF admitted its first black law student.

Hawkins eventually earned his law degree from the New England School of Law; however, his application to take the Florida Bar Exam was initially denied because the school was not accredited by the American Bar Association. Citing the harsh treatment Hawkins received when he tried to enroll at UF in 1949, The Florida Bar urged the state’s high court to allow him to take the exam. In a 7-0 ruling, the Florida Supreme Court allowed Hawkins to practice law by special waiver.

By this time, Hawkins was 69 years old. There were concerns his battle for equality had cost him his most productive years.

Nevertheless, Hawkins opened a law office in Leesburg and spent much of his career helping the poor and under-represented in Lake County. Sadly, the concerns expressed at the beginning of Hawkins’ career were substantiated later when Hawkins began making serious legal blunders toward the end of his career that ultimately caused him to resign from the Florida Bar in 1985. Three years later, Hawkins died at the age of 81.

Concerned that Hawkins’ errors were overshadowing his civil rights legacy, then-Lake County attorney Harley Herman launched a campaign to have Hawkins’ Florida Bar membership reinstated. On Oct. 20, 1988, the Florida Supreme Court posthumously reinstated Hawkins’ bar membership and in 1989, UF named legal clinics in honor of Hawkins.

In addition, the Florida chapter of the National Bar Association is named in honor of Hawkins and in 2001, UF awarded its first posthumous honorary degree to Hawkins. Locally, a monument to Hawkins stands in his hometown of Okahumpka on the street named after him, Virgil Hawkins Circle.

THECARUTHERS A FOUNDING FAMILY

The Caruthers name is one that has been a part of Sumter County since the early days.

Sumter began with settlers looking to claim land and set up a livelihood for themselves.

James Caruthers, one of three brothers from Burke County, Georgia, moved his family to Shady Brook in 1843.

James opened and operated a sawmill and was commissioned to build many structures, including Marion’s first county courthouse. Brothers William B. and Samuel followed James’ success and moved to Sumter County, helping to settle and develop many of its communities, from Coleman and Bushnell to Wildwood and others. Many descendants became

farmers, respected community leaders, church deacons, soldiers, and cattlemen employed by the government.

Today, the Caruthers family remains closely tied to the community and chances are if you live in Sumter County, you know a Caruthers, or you’re related to one. The family is known for tradition and service. One tradition still active is the monthly maintenance of the family graveyard. The men take the day to clean and work the grounds while the women bring a hot lunch. The Caruthers family continues it to this day to honor their pioneering ancestors and draw the family closer. The hope is it will prevent what almost seems like inevitable fragmenting while instilling a sense of community attached to the land and its history.

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Discover Affordable Gated Living in SummerCrest Located just minutes from downtown Ocala, and The Villages.

Call today:

352-350-5263 9139 S.E. 48th Court Road Ocala, Fl 34480 // www.deltonasummercrest.com

WEDDING AND SPECIAL EVENT SHOWCASE hosted by

Events by Miss Daisy Waterfront Inn Wedding and Special Event Showcase

Sunday, March 13, Noon to 5PM Opera House Wedding and Special Event Showcase Sunday, April 17, Noon to 5PM

Miss Daisy’s Flowers & Gifts 1024 W. Main Street Leesburg, FL // 352.787.6806//MissDaisysFlowers.com

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Join us for our First Wedding and Special Event Showcases at the Beautiful Waterfront Inn located in The Villages and at the Beautiful Opera House located in Downtown Leesburg! If you are planning an upcoming wedding, anniversary or birthday party, business meeting or any event big or small, you don’t want to miss this showcase extravaganza!

The Wedding and Special Event Showcase will feature wedding planners, florists, bakeries, dj’s, photographers, rental services, and so much more! Tickets will be $10 at the door or may be purchased in advance by calling 352.787.6806.

Vendor Tables are also available! Space is limited so call and reserve your table today!

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*Offer expires one month past publish date. Scan the code for more offers and to watch our latest video.

FREE implant & denture consultations. We process dental claims. Financing available with approved credit.

Carlos Medina DMD

IN BUSINESS

BUSINESS

We drive past different businesses every day, but have you ever found yourself wondering, “What is that business about?” or “What do they sell in there?” Sometimes it can be hard to tell from just a passing glance out a car window. Therefore, Style is offering you a closer look at some amazing local businesses that truly deliver when it comes to superb customer service, matchless merchandise, and community commitment.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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IN BUSINESS

MORE THAN AN ANTIQUE STORE “I hear this often from many of my customers, ‘I still have every piece I’ve ever bought from you.’” It’s that kind of connection and personal service that makes Victoria’s Antique Warehouse the go-to place said owner Victoria Murphy.

Victoria’s Antique Warehouse is a phenomenal inventory of antique furniture and décor, reclaimed treasures and architectural finds from France and Belgium. Vicky has longtime connections with reliable dealers where she visits, and what she sends home in the giant containers fill her 5,000-squarefoot warehouse with one-of-akind treasures. These beautiful pieces, handpicked by Vicky during twice-yearly buying trips to Europe,

highlight her storefront in historic downtown Leesburg.

The unique aspect of Vicky’s business is buyers may purchase items as is or have them restored or customized to suit individual tastes and needs. “My staff and I are really good at helping people find what they want,” Vicky said.

That staff includes a workshop full of carpenters, painters, and detailers.

Victoria’s Antique Warehouse creates kitchen islands, farmhouse tables, media centers, headboards, accent, and coffee tables—even customized bedding and upholstery.

Design services and consultations are available as well. Customers may schedule a visit or simply drop by and ask the staff for assistance.

“I have a customer who consistently comes by the day after a container arrives, and he always says, ‘Thank you so much for buying the things I want,’” Vicky said. “I buy good quality items with lots of character, and when we get the right piece in, we know who to call.”

Vicky’s goal is to have quality products for her exceptional customers, and when she spends three weeks shopping in France and Belgium, she’s also looking with an eye to repurpose a piece.

“Where most people might see a hutch, I can see a custom entertainment center, a piece with the antique feel but it includes a shelf for your television.”

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Victoria’s Antique Warehouse is more than an antique store. It’s a place to create your own unique style. ________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION

VICTORIA’S ANTIQUE WAREHOUSE

113 N. 7th St., Leesburg 352.728.8668 victoriasantiquewarehouse.com

IN BUSINESS

WELLNESS STARTS AT HOME Glover Chiropractic Clinic has offered stateof-the-art chiropractic care since 2012.

Many say home is where the heart is. For Dr. Jeffrey Glover, his heart’s always been in Leesburg.

“I was born and raised here.

Plus, my family is here, and we’re very tight knit,” he says. “I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but I always knew I would return to my hometown.”

Therefore, when Dr. Glover graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2007, there was no doubt in his mind that his career would lead him back to the comforts of Leesburg. After taking several years to gain experience and education away from Lake County, Dr. Glover returned to Leesburg and opened the Glover Chiropractic Clinic on Nov. 5, 2012.

It was a bold move considering most new medical practices were opening locations in The Villages.

However, Dr. Glover says the decision to start his own practice near downtown Leesburg is one he’s never regretted.

“It’s really cool to see people I went to school with and see how much the community has changed and continues to change,” he says.

“It’s funny because when I tell people where my office is I still tell

people I’m across the street from Granny’s Ice Cream Parlor. It’s Café Ola now, but I still remember when it was Granny’s.”

In addition to having deep roots and fond memories of growing up in Leesburg, Dr. Glover says he loves the small-town atmosphere.

Because “everyone knows everyone,” people get to know each other pretty well.

“People around here find out quickly who you truly are,” he says. “I’ve always been straightforward about the kind of person I am and people appreciate that. They see that I really love and support my community.”

To have his own chiropractic clinic in his hometown has been a dream come true for Dr. Glover. He not only has the pleasure of treating a lot of community leaders for their aliments, but he also has been able to give back to people who have inspired him over the years.

“I love that I get to help people I care about,” he says. “For example, my second-grade teacher was my favorite teacher growing up, and one day she came into my office as a patient. I got to tell her how much she influenced me as child and then I was able to help her. Incidents like that happen every day.”

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It’s just one of the many reasons why Dr. Glover and his incredible staff enjoy what they do.

“It’s an amazing feeling to have someone come in,” he says, “and have them leave feeling better.” ________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION

GLOVER CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC 312 N. 14th St. Leesburg, FL 34748 352.787.9995 gloverchiro.com

IN BUSINESS

ENGAGE YOUR SENSES AT vomFASS Indulge yourself in an array of exotic flavors when you visit vomFASS in The Villages. From extra virgin olive oils to Scotch from four regions of Scotland, customers don’t just browse or “window shop” in this store, they have a shopping experience.

VomFASS is German and means “from the barrel,” guaranteeing the freshness and quality of the products available to purchase every day.

“In the true European tradition, everything can be tasted before you buy,” said owner Linda Dickison.

“Customers are greeted as they come in the store. We then tell them who we are, explain the layout of the store, and then walk with them and

educate them about our products, providing them tastes as they go.”

Walking into vomFASS gives you the feeling of being in a European shop. Wooden floors provide a clean, elegant appearance, and the array of crockery, graceful bottles, and charming barrels bring all the senses to attention.

The crockery holds treasured oils from countries beloved for the olive. “We have pure extra virgin olive oils—one from Greece, one from Spain, and three from Italy,” Linda said. “Our infused extra virgin olive oils are produced for us by one company. Four of them are herb infused, and the rest are infused with

a selection of vegetables and fruits.”

Though the fruit-infused oils like lemon and orange are popular, along with truffle, the most popular is the garlic extra virgin olive oil.

There is a great selection of nut and seed oils produced by a family that has done this for generations.

The seeds go into a trough and a stone wheel moves around and around crushing them until nothing is left but powder. “What you taste here is the wonderful result,” Linda said. “The oil is pressed out so all you taste is the nut.”

The staff will help you find the oil to make your simple or gourmet meal a dining delight. Oils that do

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well with high temperatures are roasted peanut, walnut, or grape seed. There are also oils that highlight cold dishes or need only a little heat to burst with flavor.

Linda loves to share the simple recipes made with the flavorful ingredients in the store. “I like to make coleslaw with the sesame oil. I cook some linguini or lo mien noodles, put the sesame oil on it, and put it in the fridge for a couple of hours,” Linda said. “Then I open a package of coleslaw, put our gingergrape balsamic with lemon on that, and let it marinate an hour or two.

Then I marry the two, chop a little scallion, and crumble some crispy

bacon on it and it’s wonderful.”

The balsamic vinegars add another dimension to the flavors in your meals. “We have four traditional balsamic vinegars, but we also have Traditionale, the expensive balsamic vinegar people often buy in Italy,” Linda said.

“Our traditional balsamic vinegars are incredibly versatile. Our most popular balsamic, Maletti, is thick and flavorful and great drizzled over strong cheese, caprese salad, or even strawberries.”

All the vinegars at vomFASS are from fruit made into wine and barrel-aged into vinegar. A selection of the fruit balsamic vinegars has additional fruit pressed into them so they’re thicker and sweeter. Linda said one of their best sellers is the Fig-Chili Balsam made with Serrano chilies. “You taste the fig up front and get the heat in the back.”

Choose your favorite oils and vinegars and they are bottled at the store. While there are decorative bottles for purchase, Linda said a bottle brought from home is fine as long as it is glass, clean, sealable, and dry. It is essential that the bottle be dry.

“We have everything from 100 milliliters to a liter,” Linda said.

“These are all Italian glass bottles and there are different bottle sets here. The other thing people can do is if they purchase an inexpensive bottle and decide they want a different bottle, they can bring it back clean and dry, and we’ll give them full credit toward a more expensive bottle.”

Linda stresses that vomFASS is all about the product because it is so good. After moving through the delightful array of oils and vinegars, there are the spices, chutneys, bruschetta, and garlic pepper. Fragrant and fresh, these are delicious added to your favorite dishes or with oil for dipping fresh bread while you enjoy one of the

domestic or international wines. The staff is happy to do pairings for you so the wine and foods complement each other in the best possible way.

If you have trouble deciding what to take home, you can purchase a gift set such as The Villagers’ Favorite, with the store’s three biggest sellers.

The selection of wines, liqueurs, and liquors amazes, especially when you realize you can taste any of them before buying. This includes ginger liqueur, nut chocolate liqueur, latte macchiato, nine scotches from four regions of Scotland, three Irish whiskeys, three cognacs, two brandies, and Calvados Napoleon, which is a rare find.

Plan a day of shopping at vomFASS, which also does private tasting parties for groups of 8-12 people in their private tasting room.

“After the event, they can wander around the store to taste more and decide what to buy. We offer a discount for those participating in the event,” Linda said.

In the heart of Spanish Springs Town Square on Main Street, vomFASS is the place to go for a true shopping experience. Watch for events like Tasting Twosday when you can taste various products matched with complementary food items for just $2. However, if you make a purchase, the $2 goes toward the cost.

Divertiti! Amusez-vous bien!

GenieBen Sie selbst! Disfrute usted mismo! Enjoy yourself.

________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION VOMFASS THE VILLAGES

1105 Main Street The Villages, FL 32159 352.775.2055 vomFASSthevillages.com III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

IN BUSINESS

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Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa:

LOOK GREAT… FEEL GREAT…

BE HEALTHY W

ith the new year already here and the holiday season behind us there is no better time than the present to get started on a path of achieving a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you put on a few extra pounds over the holidays and want to fit back into your favorite clothes or maybe you were recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or sleep apnea and are concerned about your overall health? Perhaps you don’t have the energy you used to have or suffer from knee, hip or back pain and just want to feel energized and pain free again? Eighty to ninety percent of common medical issues are weight and lifestyle related.

The good news is if your weight and overall lifestyle are corrected many of those medical problems improve or are totally eliminated and you can feel better about yourself and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa specializes in helping people achieve and maintain a healthy weight through physician-directed individualized programs that teach you how to achieve a healthy, realistic, sustainable lifestyle. “We educate, motivate, inspire, and hold people accountable so that each person starts feeling better about themselves and starts to develop a new healthier routine without

feeling like they are on a “diet” or part of a “diet program”, says Dr. Michael Holloway, medical director and founder of Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa, “With over 12 years of experience in this field we have become very good at what we do... most people who start our program are very successful and achieve good outcomes. We have helped people get their blood pressure and diabetes under control without the need for medication as well as help people reduce or eliminate many of their common medical conditions so they can feel healthy and confident.

The MedSpa takes the approach that focusing on the individual and establishing a positive, up-beat attitude is key. You will feel the difference from the minute you pull up to the facility and walk through their doors...it is unlike most anything you have experienced...a far cry from the typical sterile, bland, medical facility. You will also be greeted by their warm and friendly staff. “We raise the bar high in the area of customer service”, says Shannon Holloway, the MedSpa’s executive director and co-founder, “We see ourselves as much in the hospitality industry as the medical field. We want each and every client to feel uplifted and happy about coming to see us. Emotional health and well-being is a large part of one’s daily attitude which makes a huge

difference as someone works towards their goals of losing weight and developing a revitalized feeling about themselves.”

Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa offers much more than just weight-loss programs. The menu of services they offer include numerous FDA approved facial and body aesthetic treatments and procedures all of which are non-invasive and have the benefit of little to no downtime but deliver incredible results. “If someone is looking for a total body make-over we can make that happen”, says Dr. Holloway, “We offer everything from Botox® and Restylane® to laser hair removal, facial resurfacing, rosacea and sunspot reduction to Coolsculpting® which dramatically reduces that undesirable diet and exercise resistant body fat we accumulate as we age. We also have a fabulous permanent make-up artist from Japan who has been with us for over five years. She performs some of the best eyebrow and eyeliner results I have ever seen.”

The MedSpa also offers a simple and effective way to “escape” from the busy stressful world and take an afternoon to just pamper yourself or you and your spouse or just have a “girls’ day out”.

There are two adjacent amazingly adorned spa rooms that can be

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booked for a “spa party” where each person can choose from a list of massages, facials or other desirable relaxing treatments and then enjoy a healthy revitalizing lunch while sitting just outside on the private French-style patio all while enjoying relaxing music, soothing sounds from a nearby waterfall and watch the butterflies mingle around the flower garden.

If all this sounds too good to be true, well, it isn’t...Dr. Michael Holloway and wife, Shannon, challenged themselves over the past two years to design and construct a new facility in the heart of the Villages® community that they consider to be one of the top MedSpas you will find anywhere around the world. And once you experience the facility and everything they have to offer we think you will agree. You just simply need to come experience Lifestyle Solutions MedSpa. They have two equally unique facilities located in Ocala and Lady Lake. Call and make your appointment for a free consultation TODAY! Lady Lake

8550 NE 138th Lane

Ocala 2139–B NE 2nd Street 1-844-LIFESTYLE LSMedSpa.com

are affordable and are available in both custom and standard sizes.

Clients can also choose from a wide selection of colors and styles.

Cabinets

WILD ABOUT KITCHENS & BATHS For clients of Wildwood Kitchen and Bath, it’s a breath of fresh air to enter the company’s beautiful 10,000 square-foot showroom. The showroom boasts an extensive selection of designer cabinets, countertops, and custom showers.

The company offers a two-year warranty for all parts and labor.

Countertops and kitchens With more than 120 colors and 400 slabs of granite in stock, Wildwood Kitchen and Bath offers one of the largest granite selections in Florida. More importantly, customers can view all the granite selections onsite. Plus, the company offers lines of quartz, solid surface, and laminate countertops by the world’s leading manufacturers.

Those who are long overdue for a kitchen remodeling also rely on the expertise of Wildwood Kitchen, III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

which provides clients with the latest remodeling design trends.

The company also designs and installs outdoor kitchen cabinetry.

Baths and Showers

For those of you who want to renovate or install a new shower in your bathroom, it is important to know that Wildwood Kitchen and Bath offers three types of solid surface showers with 90 colors to choose from.There are no grout lines to clean on this durable, sanitary, non-porous surface. The showers

Wildwood Kitchen and Bath offers all the newest and most popular styles of kitchen cabinetry for all tastes and budgets. The company carries an extensive selection of better quality lines of cabinetry that are sure to please and can help clients achieve any specific design they are looking for.

As one of the largest and most trusted kitchen cabinetry and remodeling firms in Central Florida, Wildwood Kitchen and Bath offers the area’s lowest prices on beautiful, top lines of cabinetry. The company backs its sales with experienced service and professional installation that is unmatched. The desire to be the best is evident in every finished kitchen and bath installation.

An in-house team of designers and installers provide the personal attention and quality service clients expect and deserve.

Another reason to choose Wildwood Kitchen and Bath is because you can find a selection of cabinets made by leading manufacturers such as Merillat, Shiloh, Mid Continent, Home Crest, and others.

TOM’S TALE

At Wildwood Kitchen and Bath, superior products only tell half the story. Truth is, the company’s friendly employees make the overall experience at Wildwood Kitchen and Bath fantastic.

One of those employees is Tom Hart, a salesman/designer who has been employed at Wildwood Kitchen and Bath since October 2013. There is no mistaking his friendly hello, infectious smile, and contagious laugh. He has a way of making a positive impact on co-workers and clients alike by spreading positive energy throughout the workplace.

And he continually provides a level of service that exceeds customer expectations.

Those qualities helped Tom become the company’s top salesperson in 2015.

“It’s all about making customers’ dreams come true,” Tom said enthusiastically.

In addition to sales, Tom uses a specialized computer program to ensure a customer’s kitchen remodeling dream becomes reality.

He helps them visualize and plan what their new kitchen will look like—whether it’s a complete kitchen makeover or a smaller remodeling job.

“I can do the entire layout on the computer and show them glass cabinets, stoves, refrigerators, and pantries,” he said. “It’s a very detailed computer program. For me, it is an awesome experience to see what their kitchen looks like before the project and then seeing it once we’re finished. I understand that this is a big investment, and that’s why I pay close attention to detail throughout the entire process.”

His remarkable accomplishments

and positive attitude are even more impressive when you consider Tom has battled multiple sclerosis since 1989.

“The doctor who diagnosed me told me to get my affairs in order,” Tom recalled.

Not only did he refuse to succumb to the disease; he remains a shining example of how someone can persevere in the face of adversity.

Although he uses a motorized scooter for mobility and requires assistance getting in and out of a vehicle, he refuses to succumb to the disease.

In fact, he plays golf several times a week with assistance of a specially designed golf cart that allows mobility-impaired people to continue playing the game.

“I don’t consider myself handicapped. I never quit.”

His can-do attitude has certainly left an ever-lasting impression on co-workers.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve,” said Denise Berlin, who owns the company along with her husband, Greg. “When he interacts with clients he is personable, friendly, and sells himself. They trust him because

he’s honest and loyal.”

Tom has equally glowing praise for Greg and Denise, who opened Wildwood Kitchen and Bath eight years ago.

“They treat their employees like family, and that is why I enjoy working here,” he said. “They go above and beyond to satisfy their clients and have thrived in this industry because of their attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality service. I also respect how they go out of their way to support charitable causes in the community.

They are not only wonderful bosses but also great friends.” ________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION

WILDWOOD KITCHEN AND BATH 368 Shopping Center Drive Wildwood FL, 34785 352.539.0220 wkandb.com

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THESE BOOTS KICK @SS! Eustis’ Ridge Outdoors walks the walk when customers talk, helping it to thrive in a competitive market.

S TO R Y M A R Y A N N D E S A N T I S

/// P H O TO G R A P H Y F R E D L O P E Z

C

hances are, if you’re in law enforcement or the military, you own a pair of Ridge Outdoors footwear. The Eustis-based company produces 20,000 pairs of boots per year along with other footwear products, including rubber-souled sandals, Oxford shoes, socks, and massaging insoles.

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“Our largest markets are police, firemen, and EMTs,” says Jeremy Granger, vice president for Ridge. “We have some mechanical and industrial clients, but the business we are best at is military and law enforcement.”

Ridge Outdoors provides many styles of boots, including black and brown tactical boots, waterproof and bloodborne pathogen-resistant boots, and motorcycle boots.

The company also produces a line of lightweight shirts,

and serves as the main distribution center for products that are shipped worldwide. In addition to U.S. markets, Ridge footwear also has large markets in Australia, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.

Ridge Outdoors was founded in California, but in 1996, Eustis resident Rob Granger and his then-partner Roy Baker bought the company. The long-time friends and Eustis High School graduates knew that

table,” remembers Rob. “He asked if I’d like to do something different. I was sort of stepping outside the box… with boots.”

Rob serves as company president and owns Granger-Carter Construction Company, while Roy eventually took a buy-out to do other things. The new face of the company is Rob’s son, Jeremy, whose videos on the company’s website tout the benefits of Ridge Outdoors footwear.

The company is the

because there is so much competition for the boot market. Staying competitive with pricing also means the products are mostly manufactured in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

“We wish we could build our products in this country, but there is very little footwear production in the U.S. Less than 5 percent of footwear is manufactured here,” says Rob. “Look at your other major names, like Nike, and you will see they also manufacture their

“We want a good-looking product, but comfortable product for people who — Rob Granger

called “packin’ tees,” that are big sellers among undercover agents, police, and security personnel who often must carry a concealed weapon.

The Eustis facility is the company’s headquarters

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to run the business successfully, they would need to bring it home to Lake County where they both had other interests.

“Roy is the one who brought the idea to the

.com

innovator of the tactical boot air heel system, which many competitors have tried to imitate because of its comfort and durability.

Rob says the company has to be continually innovative

products in those same countries.”

Early on, Ridge Outdoors offered some hiking products, but the company decided to focus on the black boot market.

at the same time we want to focus on making a are going to be on their feet all day.”

“People don’t realize how much fashion is tied to the hiking industry,” explains Rob, who wears boots often but not every day. “We want a good looking product, but at same time we want to focus on making a comfortable product for people who are going to be on their feet all day.”

Jeremy came into the business in 2007 after selling his own business.

“My dad and his partner were looking for young blood to bring in new ideas,” says Jeremy, who handles the company’s mar-

keting and sales.

One of his ideas came to fruition in 2008 when he helped develop a Guatemalan Mission-Ridge Outdoors partnership. Boots that cannot be sold are sent to the Central American country.

“Most of the locals have no shoes or just one pair that has to last years, so the donated footwear is appreciated,” says Jeremy. “We supply mostly new gear but even shoes that have been returned or have slight defects are much better than anything they would normally get to wear.”

Not only are the boots given to Guatemalans in need but also to five native pastors who spend their days traveling by foot to local communities for ministering and helping. Ridge supplies the pastors with footwear that helps them be as comfortable as possible while walking hundreds of miles each month.

Rob believes his son’s youth brings a different kind of insight to the company and that they play off each other’s strengths.

“Jeremy and I had years of being in a great relation-

ship, long before he became involved in the business,” says Rob. “We might not always see eye-to-eye, but the lines of communication are always open.”

Between 500 and 600 retailers carry Ridge products, and the father-son duo hopes to see Ridge Outdoors become even more of a nationally and internationally recognized name in the black boot market. First and foremost, their ultimate goal is customer satisfaction.

From the reviews on retailers’ websites, such as

March 20 16

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“My dad and his partner were looking for young blood to bring in new ideas.”

— Jeremy Granger

Amazon, the company is well on its way to achieving that goal: “These Ridge boots are the best I’ve ever

owned. I’ve worn everything from combat boots to cowboy boots and motorcycle boots,” said reviewer

ANOTH E R R I DG E SUCCE SS

Among Ridge’s most popular items is the “packin’ tee” consealment shirt, which is a big seller with undercover agents, police officers, and security personnel who carry a concealed weapon.

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.com

Joseph E. Donahue III of Wesley Chapel. “They are waterproof, supportive, and comfortable. Best of

all, they weigh no more than a pair of good running shoes.”

Featuring

LOVE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY

It was an adventure that brought this pair of Villagers to a shared love so deep and strong, it transcended their fear of judgment, physical limitations, age, and circumstance.

PAGE 8

Plus

MEET A VILLAGER A band of brothers PAGE 2

IN THE VILLAGES A celebration of women PAGE 6

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meet a villager STORY: PAT JOCELYN

“It’s the camaraderie— when you hear some of the stories that these vets have gone through, it was very traumatic.

This group gives them the opportunity to bond with other members.”

— VIETNAM VETERAN JOHN THOMSTATTER

JOHN THOMSTATTER

There are more than 1.5 million veterans living in Florida; 515,110 of them are Vietnam-era vets according to the United State Department of Veterans Affairs. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1036 estimates that at least 17,000 veterans currently reside in The Villages.

With statistics like that, it’s no wonder there are a number of clubs and organizations in The Villages that provide support to veterans and the communities they live in.

One of them is Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 1036.

With membership of more than 450 strong, it is the largest chapter in Florida and the ninth largest in the nation. Named National Chapter of the Year for 2013–2014, their accomplishments are numerous.

They routinely send chapter representatives to Tampa’s James A. Haley

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Veterans’ Hospital to visit wounded veterans. Funds are provided for local student scholarships. Food and assistance are provided to area food banks.

They support numerous veterans’ programs, including Operation Shoebox, Combat Veterans to Careers, Emergency Aid to Veterans, Honor Flight, Flags for Fallen Veterans, and others.

It’s those programs and more that caught the eye of Vietnam veteran John Thomstatter when he moved here in 2013. “I was impressed,” he said. “It seemed like an interesting group and I thought I could make a meaningful contribution.”

John immersed himself in the chapter and is now their secretary and in charge of the newsletter. He frequently attends events like the Tuesday morning breakfast at Bob Evans Restaurant. “Some of the original chapter founders would meet

there for breakfast,” the Pennsylvania native said. “Now they provide us with a separate dining area each week. It’s a good opportunity to get together and for new people to get to know each other.”

One Tuesday morning at the restaurant something unexpected and very special occurred.

“Bob Evans Restaurant flies a POW/MIA flag (along with the United States flag), so when we saw it start to deteriorate, we got a new one for them. They let us raise the new flag,” John explained.

To the uninformed, replacing that flag might have gone unnoticed, but to any veteran or family member of a veteran that was present, the flag-raising ceremony reflected something much more. It provided another opportunity to demonstrate ongoing respect and support for veterans, to acknowledge veterans are worthy of our thoughts, prayers, love, and community pride.

For more information about VVA Chapter 1036, visit their website at www.vva1036.org.

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this ‘n’ that STORY: FRED HILTON

The world as we know it is being threatened by a vicious, insidious plot. One of the key underpinnings of our free society is under attack by a gang of thugs.

Everything was going well until a few years ago when technocrats and cyberbullies united and assaulted the long-held truth that you always put two spaces after a period when you’re typing. They have the audacity and gall to pontificate that you only need to use one space after a period. They spout some psychobabble about typewriters using monospaced type while computers don’t. If you use two spaces after a period, they say you’re an ignorant Neanderthal and unfit to live in their sophisticated world. They ignore the fact that the two-spaces rule has been around forever. I’m pretty sure it’s even in the Bible. I think it’s in the book of Numbers.

Technology writer Farhad Manjoo went so far as to say, “Typing two spaces after a period is totally, completely, utterly, and inarguably wrong.” That was hurtful. We two-spacers do have feelings, you know.

Mr. Manjoo obviously never met Mrs. Arthur. She would have jerked him into line in a hurry. Mrs. Arthur

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was my high school typing teacher. She was a stern, no-nonsense lady who did not suffer fools gladly.

When she said you put two spaces after a period then you jolly well better put two spaces after a period if you valued your wellbeing.

I took typing my senior year since my brain was about to explode from chemistry and physics and geometry and stuff like that. I thought a typing class would give me an hour a day to relax and pick up an easy “A” at the same time. As a bonus, there were plenty of good-looking girls in the typing class and I might get to sit next to that cute blonde we all remember.

As I recall, I did get an “A,” but no blonde.

Despite biblical admonitions and the intimidating spirit of Mrs. Arthur, the geeks are continuing their attack against our precious tradition of two spaces after a period. We must unite and fight back against the unholy assault. The civilized world is depending on us.

Fortunately, we have a powerful ally in our struggle. The brilliant cartoonist Berkeley Breathed recently brought his wonderful comic strip “Bloom County” back to life after 25 years. Shortly after the new strip

began appearing online, the lovable and pudgy penguin Opus announced he is running for president as the Meadow Party’s candidate. He vows that he will bring back two spaces after a period. “We will return what has been taken from our lives…taken without asking us! Ripped from our souls! As God as my witness…I will bring them back!” You have to admit Opus makes a lot more sense than most of the yahoos who are running for president.

We can’t back down on this fight.

It’s too important. All that is precious and sacred in life is depending on us.

Will I ever relent and use only one space after a period? Of course I will.

When they pry my dead, cold thumb from the space bar.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Okay, Fred, just this one time, we’ll wave the white flag and allow double spaces so fellow two-spacers can enjoy this small (but far from permanent) victory.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Fred Hilton spent 36 years as the chief public relations officer/spokesman for James Madison University in Virginia and 10 years prior as a reporter and editor for The Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia.

He is now happily retired in The Villages with his interior designer wife, Leta, their Cadillac Escalade golf cart, and their dog, Paris. (Yes, that makes her Paris Hilton).

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in the villages STORY: PAT JOCELYN

A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN

International Women’s Day is March 8. It’s an annual day that recognizes women around the world for their social achievements and political and economic contributions.

For me, it’s not just about national or international notables receiving accolades. It’s also about celebrating and recognizing the day-to-day accomplishments of regular women— women we work with, play with, and visit with every day.

Ironically, it’s often how these women face and deal with individual challenges that, when added up, tip the scales from impossible to possible, from commonplace to exceptional, and from limiting to liberating. These women proudly and quietly live their lives the best way they know how, with little fanfare, recognition, or expected payback. Still, it’s their very actions that inspire and challenge other women to live their lives with courage and promise.

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My neighbor, Kay Harris, has macular degeneration, limited mobility, and several other physical challenges that kept her housebound for more than a year.

Increasing health problems forced Kay to significantly adjust her lifestyle. Over the last several years, worsening eyesight meant giving up some enjoyable hobbies, including working on puzzles and coloring with pencils. Watching television is often a challenge and is dependent upon the type of programming offered. Golf cart or car rides with her husband Larry are too painful for her to endure and are now out of the question. Then there is the other kind of challenges—several years ago one of Kay’s four sons committed suicide.

When I asked Kay if I could write about her in my column, the 86-yearold said she wasn’t worthy of any special recognition; after all, she just lives the life she has been dealt,

leaning heavily on her spirituality and her God. What she doesn’t tell you is how she chooses to live that life—with grace, good humor, and gratitude for what she does have rather than ruminating on what she doesn’t have.

She mentors other women, not by preaching or teaching, but by example. I enjoy my visits with Kay because I always walk away with at least one new insight, often as the result of listening to one of her real-life stories.

Thank you, Kay, for being you and for living your life with gusto, honesty, and a spirit that transcends circumstance.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Pat Jocelyn worked at IBM for 28 years and held several staff and managerial positions and taught management and employee development classes. After her retirement, she started a second career in journalism and has won several Florida Press Club awards for her insightful and heartfelt feature writing.

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o LVe ALWAYS FINDS A WAY STORY: PAT JOCELYN PHOTOS: PAT JOCELYN+MIKE BUSA+WENDY VERNER

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d i amre

Mike Busa found himself visiting his parents, who live in The Villages, more often. Living alone in Tennessee’s Cumberland Mountains, Mike’s life was quickly evolving into a solitary existence. He was lonely—very lonely.

One evening Mike decided to

“People have come up to us and said how they admire that we’re dancing. It took my fear away of being out there (in a wheelchair) and having people stare at me.”

– VILLAGER MIKE BUSA

visit Spanish Springs Town Square to listen to the nightly entertainment while watching other people dance. As one of his feet rhythmically tapped the footrest of his wheelchair matching the beat of the music, Mike noticed three women who were obviously having a great time dancing together.

Each time they returned to their chairs they passed Mike. Then one of them stopped. Her name was Wendy Verner. She smiled at him and, pointing to his power wheelchair, commented, “If I could work those controls, I’d get you out there dancing.”

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The attraction was immediate for both of them.

So began an unexpected adventure that neither one had anticipated. It was an adventure that brought the pair to a shared love so deep and strong, it transcended their fear of judgment, physical limitations, age, and circumstance. It became a true story of how love will find a way.

Mike explained how he ended up in a wheelchair.

“I worked in a metallurgical lab and really loved my work,” he said.

“But I started having back problems that required several surgeries. The

second one went really bad and I was pretty much stuck in bed for a year.

“I was living in New York at the time when we found another surgeon in Massachusetts. I traveled there to get my last two surgeries.

They took three levels of my spine out, actually vertebras.”

Mike was in constant pain, and in February 2009, he became officially disabled. “That’s when I really started being a loner,” he said.

Years earlier, Mike’s wife died, leaving him to raise his 10-year-old son alone. The two became very close. Later, when his son married

e

and moved to Tennessee, it seemed natural for Mike to follow him there. His move to the mountains proved disastrous. “That was a horrible move because I was so lonely.

My home was two hours away from my son but I saw him about as much as I did when I was living 12 ½ hours away. That’s when I began visiting my parents a lot.”

And that’s when he met the love of his life.

Now back to that beautiful evening on Spanish Springs Town Square. Mike and Wendy managed

to squeeze in a few short conversations before Mike decided it was time to leave. He asked one of the women if Wendy was single. When she said yes, he left his name and telephone number with Wendy’s friend, asking that she pass the information on to Wendy. Mike began saying his goodbyes and as Wendy tilted her head up to him to say goodbye he assumed she wanted a kiss, so he kissed her.

“It was the most perfect kiss you could ever imagine. It was just perfect,” Mike said. “We joke about it now because I say she kissed me and she says I kissed her.”

“Well, maybe it was our angels at work,” Wendy interjected. “You see why I love him? Do you see how he

s i

“It was the most perfect kiss you could ever imagine.”

– VILLAGER MIKE BUSA

beams when he tells our story? He just comes alive again.”

Even though Wendy was smitten with Mike and couldn’t forget that perfect kiss, it took several weeks for her to garner enough courage to call him. One call followed another, and then another still. Hours on the phone went by like seconds. Wendy and Mike shared things they had never shared with another soul.

“The more we got connected, the more we liked,” she continued. “He touched my heart. He’s a good and caring man. He tries to hide it but I think that’s for his own protection.

I have a lot of respect for Mike and what he’s accomplished. I’ve seen him blossom in front of me.”

Mike was as taken with Wendy as she was with him. “I could see how much Wendy loved life,” he explained. “She enjoys people; she’s someone who isn’t afraid to go out and do things. I’ve had a hesitation for a long time, and there was something about her that just took all the hesitation away.

“I don’t think I ever had true love in my life until I met Wendy. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. There was definitely something stronger at work than either one of us or anyone else could explain. It’s a time to be happy, not a time to be alone.”

Wendy smiles as she recalls one of their relationship hurdles.

“When I hear him say that, I go back to the day when we were going to split up,” Wendy said. She explained that the proposed split was due to the couple’s “significant” age difference, which was something that initially created some rough moments. “But Mike told me to just let my heart lead my life.”

“There is an age difference, a considerable age difference that was hard for both of us,” Mike added. “Was it the right thing to do? Being judged, we worried about that. We were judged and people asked us a lot of questions I thought they never should have asked, but love prevailed.”

Wendy assured him the relationship was an important step for both of them and something neither of them took lightly.

“I told him I’m not into this because he was a boy toy. I’m not a cougar,” Wendy said. “I really, really care…I’m in love with him.

It had nothing to do with making me feel younger because I never felt older anyway. I don’t feel my age.”

Turning and looking at Mike with love clearly reflected in her eyes, she continued, “People may

be curious about our age difference but this is a wonderful season that we’re in and it’s not going to end.

He says it’s forever.”

That same rationale of leading with the heart was evident regarding Mike’s physical challenges.

“I never focused on the chair but rather the man. That chair doesn’t define the man. I really care for him and know we have something unique and special,” Wendy said.

“Fear has no place in our lives.

I’ve got family members who have challenges and it’s because of those challenges they are not allowing themselves to go out and enjoy their lives.”

Mike and Wendy chose to take a different route and live their lives to the fullest. One of Wendy’s favorite things is stargazing, with Mike of course. “We go out at night and I’ll sit on the edge of his seat in his scooter, and we’ll go around and look at the stars,” Wendy said. “It’s just awesome.”

Then there’s the evenings spent dancing at the town squares. “He does have limitations but he doesn’t let that stop him,” Wendy said.

“He’ll suffer for a couple of days after going to the square.”

“I’m in constant pain,” Mike

added matter-of-factly. “I pick and choose what I do because I’m going to suffer no matter what.”

“You never went out on the square [and danced] before, did you Mike?” Wendy asked.

“Never,” Mike answered. “I was content to just people watch, but Wendy got me up and moving a little. I can stand up on a slow dance but can’t make it through the whole thing and have to sit down. But it’s worth every bit of pain the next day to be able to dance with her.”

“He’ll hold me and we just move a little bit,” Wendy said. “We have a good time. (On the faster music) I dance my legs off and Mike dances his arms off.”

There’s also been a very rewarding benefit from dancing at the square. “People will say how they admire us dancing,” Mike said.

“Some very touching moments happened out on that dance floor.”

One evening in particular really touched Mike’s heart. A man who suffered a stroke that confined him to a wheelchair was visiting the square with his wife. The couple used to dance all the time but since his stroke, they hadn’t attempted it.

“Seeing us out there gave him the courage to once again dance with his wife,” Mike said in a voice thickened with emotion. “Later, the wife came over and was in tears as she thanked me. That brought tears to my eyes.”

Mike and Wendy have been together for two years and became engaged a year ago. To even the casual observer, there’s a strong flow of love and energy that moves back and forth between the two that’s almost tangible. It’s an appreciation of what each freely gives the other: untethered love and gratitude, and a passion for life that only grows with time.

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book club STORY: KATHY PORTER

THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY

A CHARMING ODE TO BOOKS AND THE LOCAL BOOKSTORE Widower A.J. Fikry owns the only bookstore on remote Alice Island, a summer tourist destination off the coast of Massachusetts. Part curmudgeon, part literary connoisseur, and short story aficionado, Fikry isolated himself from the world since his wife’s death. He has no patience with customers and only stocks books he wants to sell, not what the public wants. Enter a new publisher’s rep, the rather quirky Amelia Loman, who specializes in persnickety bookstore owners. A.J. is characteristically curt and rude to her but she triggers something in A.J. Those feelings immediately take a back seat when a little girl just over 2 years old is left in the bookstore with a note pinned to her Elmo doll. The note merely says “To the Owner of This Bookstore” and begs that Maya “grow up in a place with books and among people who care about those kinds of things.” When the body of Maya’s mother washes up on the island a few days later, A.J. decides to adopt the very smart little girl. Not only is there room in his heart for Maya but soon his deep-rooted feelings for Amelia rise to the surface.

Our highly skilled facilitator Ann Schooley took 10 quotes—all very evocative of the flavor of the story—and distributed them. The noise level reached a crescendo as the groups tried to identify the speaker. As each passage was attributed to one of the characters, an examination ensued of their strengths and weaknesses.

It proved to be the perfect discussion vehicle to involve all the members.

While most of the discussion centered on the idiosyncrasies and attributes of A.J., many in the group commented on the character of Chief Lambiase, head of the local police force.

They delighted in his development as a reader, wanted to be a member of his book club, and admired his steadfast friendship with A.J. and Maya. They also were smitten by Amelia’s character and her insights into book publishing.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK CLUB

Club chairwoman Kathy Porter can be contacted at 352.259.8196 or kathyporter@comcast.net.

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A bookstore is more than bricks and books. It is the heart of a town. The people who come and go form a bond that can turn a town into a home.

—Beth Hicks

Santiago

Don’t dismiss this book as just a sweet love story. Woven into the fabric of the novel is a bit of mystery and suspense, as well as scores of literary references and a discussion on the fate of bookstores with the advent of e-readers. Each chapter begins with a review A.J. has penned for Maya about one of his favorite short stories. Some felt this was too much of a gimmick but others delighted in the reviews and planned to read all the stories mentioned.

Without question this book was a big hit among the members and they felt anyone who loves reading, books, and bookstores would relish this novel.

FICTION BESTSELLERS AS OF FEB 23

About the Author Born in New York in 1977, Gabrielle Zevin is the daughter of an American father of Russian-Jewish ancestry and a Korean mother. Zevin began her writing career at age 14 as a music critic for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. She received degrees in English and American literature from Harvard University in 2000. In addition to eight best-selling novels for both adults and young adults, she is an award-winning screenwriter. A lover of bookstores, she feels we are at a moment in time when we are making a lot of valuable decisions about print versus digital and buying locally versus online. Zevin lives in Los Angeles.

WHAT CLUB MEMBERS THOUGHT A.J. admires the short story format because it captures the very essence of his life in only a few pages. Consequently, he comes to realize the length of one’s life is less important than the intensity with which it is lived.

—Karen Morrison, Hadley

This is a heartwarming story of a lonely man who blossoms with the love of a child. It will leave you feeling good.

—Brenda Bobay, Hemingway

A novel that takes place in a bookstore! It doesn’t get any better than that. It has references to stories I now need to read. If you are a book lover, you will love this book. The main character, A.J. Fikry, says, “If it’s gotta be one word, it’s gotta be one word.” Read the book to find out the word.

—Diane Dean, Buttonwood

The heartwarming story is about a bookstore, its depressed owner, a sales rep, and an abandoned child. Love, romance, and a passion for writing and reading are celebrated. Highly recommended!

—Charlotte Priestner, Rio Ponderosa I thought today’s book was just a really good book. It had great characters who changed as the story progressed.

There was romance, mystery, and an interesting setting. The book made me want to visit the fictional Alice Island and go to Island Books to meet the characters in the story.

—Kay DeRousse, Country Club Hills

by Paula Hawkins

2. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE

by Anthony Doerr

3. THE NIGHTINGALE

by Kristin Hannah

With numerous references to other books and insights into bookstores and publishing, this is a book lover’s delight. With a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a lesson in empathy, this is a book that will stay with you.

—Pam Vukelic, Winifred

I want to visit Island Books housed in the purple Victorian on Main Street on Alice Island off the coast of Massachusetts. I want to meet the characters, participate in their book groups, and share their lives. The life of bookseller A. J. Fikry unfolds between the titles of 13 short stories he recommends. He considers short stories the purest form of literature. The selection is not random; each is related to the segment of his life being revealed. This is a book for book lovers and lovers of life.

—Jo Fenstermaker, Winifred

1. THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

This is a multistoried and multilayered book about life, loss, and reading. If you love books, you will love this one.

—Barbara Fisler, Amelia This is a very popular read with book clubs because of the characters and the unusual story with an interesting setting and a happy ending, which leaves the reader with a good feeling.

Linda Ferens, Caroline An entertaining read with some charm, but not a book that you walk away from feeling you have learned something new…or even one that makes you keep thinking about it for a day or two after finishing the last chapter. I wouldn’t recommend it with enthusiasm to a friend, just a light read to pass the time when not occupied otherwise.

—Jacque Schrock, Pennecamp

4. COMETH THE HOUR

by Jeffrey Archer

5. NYPD RED 4

by James Patterson

6. FIND HER

by Lisa Gardner

7. BROTHERHOOD IN DEATH

by J. D. Robb

8. MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON

by Elizabeth Strout

9. BREAKDOWN

by Jonathan Kellerman

10. MORNING STAR

by Pierce Brown

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SEE OUR LATEST VIDEO

THANK YOU, WENDY! YOUR KIND WORDS CONTINUALLY INSPIRE US TO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

THANKS LAKE COUNTY FOR 35 YEARS OF SUPPORT!

d a water pump replaced that was under warranty and the service was very fast and we were kept well informed. • Our service rep, Bra iley was very efficient and courteous. • Quick service on Volt. Had a water pump replaced that was under warranty and the service was v t and we were kept well • Our serviceLIKE rep, Brad BaileyTHAN was very cient and courteous.

Quick service on Volt. Excellent jo WHERE THEinformed.

ONLY THING YOU’LL BETTER OUReffi PRICE IS THE BUYING• EXPERIENCE ITSELF ff is very attentive. • Lenny was great to work with and was on top of my service. • We have experienced all facets of your dealership. d our old car serviced there and Brad Bailey was great and the reason we came to VG when we decided to buy a new vehicle. Our salesm ke Bradner was outstanding and explored every option to get us the price we wanted. Tony, in Finance was also great. All in all the best ca ying experience we have had in a long while. We would highly recommend VG to anybody. • Service dept got the truck in and out in reco e. Everyone is always very professonal and friendly. • Doug Tutin always delivers, my father deals with him and so do I. Our family will al e him for our vehicle needs. • Wayne was amazing and I will go back to him and Vann Gannaway Chevy for future vehicles. Have already sales to salesman service, Vann Gannaway gan recommending to friends. Best dealership ever. • Doug Tutin is by far the most courteous From and helpful I have met. His kindn Chevrolet has my business for many pressure tactics and great demeanor made for the most pleasant car buying/leasing experience.

Great They assetaretoprofessional your company. reasons. (with aWill refer a l come back! • Rick and Tony made me feel very comfortable and confident about buying my new truck.feel), Theyqualifi bothed,went out of their hometown considerate of way WHAT I HAVE TO SAY mytime time, was and actually what sayand I am ke it a great experience! Thank you Rick and Tony! • Roc did an excellent job on my car. • The finally do right forthey a me ABOUT VANN GANNAWAY they do aWHEN sayas they’ll doThank it. ppy with my purchase and the experience. So much so that I brought my mother in today and we gotwillher new they Chevy well. you Unfortunately, that’s not often the case in the WENDY LYN PHILLIPS ug and Tony (finance) for making thisEUSITIS, a streamlined and pleasurable experience. • Rick was great with being patient the amount marketplace anymore.

But on it doesn’t stop of ti FL eded to make a purchase. • Wow! What a difference after visiting other dealers in the area. Everyone was friendly and helpful with doing justvery what’s expected in their job:witho it withthey personal attention ing pushy to sell something. Thank you very much! • Great friendly service. They’ll get the job they donedowhen tell you.

• and My really husband a striveat to Vann make the customerChevrolet feel important.” ded in our 2011 Silverado for a new 2015 Silverado. This is our 3rd purchase with Delores Herman Gannaway and as al s a great experience. I recommend this dealership for any car buying needs. • Awesome experience. Delores did an excellent job showin vehicles and helping us make a good decision. • Once again the tech at Vann Gannaway went out of their way to repair the shifter in my rvette. They got the parts overnighted and had me back in the car the next day. I was very pleased with the the sevice manager as well as hs. • I needed a new key FOB and didn’t have an appointment but Dwayne and Brad took care of me right away. Can’t say enough abou ality of service and the friendliness of sales at this dealership. I would highly recommend it. • Service was great! Brad in service took car and Melvin made sure I was taken care of. Yolanda in Accessories took care of getting my windshield tinted since my sunvisor was not lo ough. I love the great service I always receive at Vann Gannaway! I am so very glad I bought my car from them! God bless them all! • Thi

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“Criminal Justice Day is one of my favorite days,” beamed Leah Norris, president of the Board of Regents for Leadership Lake County and Class of 2012 participant. “We got to shoot guns within the sheriff’s office shooting range.” Her thrilling day also involved demos by a SWAT team, canine unit, and bomb squad. In her normal life, Norris is the assistant manager of the Lake County Fair Association.

“I really enjoyed the internships,” said Sheri Olson, Director of Development at South Lake Hospital and Class of 2003 member. Class participants chose two internships that were outside of their normal profession. Olson visited the Medical Examiner’s Office and observed an autopsy. “I have a new appreciation for TV shows like CSI,” she said.

It’s not everyday you get a chance to witness a police SWAT team in action, maneuvering armored vehicles and surveillance robots, or observe an autopsy. Yet both are standard procedure for those lucky enough to participate in Leadership Lake County, a county-initiated program begun in 1991 are not only exciting and insightful, but serves a significant purpose.

According to Norris, Leadership Lake County is a program that educates, inspires, and ultimately develops impassioned leaders within the county.

The membership application states the goal “to provide a forum for participants to increase their awareness and commitment to the development of the Lake County community, providing a greater understanding of the complex social and economic issues that are shaping the future of Lake County and its residents… [so that] class participants are better oriented to direct the county in the future.”

HOW IT WORKS

CLASS IN SESSION

Leadership Lake County is a twoyear program. The first year begins in September with a “Meet & Greet,” followed in October with orientation, and then by a team-building exercise.

For the next seven months, members participate in day-long class sessions centered around a specific Lake County industry.

During these one-day classes, Leadership Lake visits different aspects of the county, such as education, media, health and human services, health care, agriculture, criminal justice and law enforcement, government and economic development, plus a quality-of-life day that wraps up the last session, followed by graduation in May. During the second year, the class does a project to give back to the community. Class of 2014 made a monetary donation to build a playground for the Early Learning Coalition. Class of 2015 donated to Building Blocks. Another previous class planned a concert to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Norris and her Class of 2012 established a scholarship for future prospective participants who wanted to experience Leadership Lake County.

The material covered is extensive and intensive. Consider some of the session agenda provided for the Class of 2014: On Criminal Justice Day, they visited the Public Safety Complex in Astatula, with presentations by the Sheriff Gary S. Borders, Fifth Judicial Circuit Public Defender, Mike Graves, and Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney, Walter Forgie. After the SWAT, HDT, and K-9 demonstrations, the class visited the Lake County Jail.

On Government Day, the Class began at the Lake County Administration Building, and traveled by bus to Senniger Irrigations in Clermont, followed by a visit to Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park in Groveland. They lunched at Wooton Park Pavilion, followed by a tour of the city’s Pavilion on the Lake and a return to the County Administration Building for a mock public hearing.

The extensive coverage and detail surpasses the awareness of even the most seasoned Lake County native.

“I am a lifetime resident of Lake County, so what really caught me off guard was how much I learned about Lake County,” said B.E. Thompson, Director of Development, LifeStream Behavioral Center, Inc. and class member of 2005. “I have been thoroughly involved with the community most of my life. Going through the experience really gave me a broader view of what Lake County has to offer.”

Thompson added, “For me that was an eye-opener because I would have gone into it saying ‘I know everything there is to know about Lake County.’”

He’s not the only one.

“I have lived in South Lake County since 1992. Leadership Lake County took me to areas of the county I haven’t been

“[Our program] educates, inspires, and ultimately develops impassioned leaders within the county.”

—LEAH NORRIS, PRESIDENT

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(Clockwise from top left) Demonstration during Class of 2013 Media Day; Class of 2013 attends presentation during Education Day; Mock injury at a stunt school outside of Groveland; Class of 2013 greeted by the Band at Leesburg High during Education Day.

to before, and it also allowed me to meet a wonderful network of business leaders, community leaders, advocates for Lake County residents throughout the county, many of whom I am still very close to today,” Olson added.

Members learn a great deal about business, beyond what they thought they knew. “What Florida Foods manufactures right here in Lake County was a big surprise to me,” said Thompson. “GT Conveyors was another business surprise. At one time, they were supplying conveyor systems that moved luggage in airports around the entire world.”

challenging situation, both in and out of my profession,” said Olson.

Thompson agrees.

“When I think back to my time at Leadership Lake County — from cruising Lake Harris to visiting Camp Boggy Creek, as well as other nonprofit programs offered to those with special needs — all of those were memorable experiences. But my real takeaway is not only the connections I have been able to make with my class a decade ago—most of whom I am still in contact with—but also the relationships established with graduates from long before, because of the strong alumni association.”

BENEFITS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS Leadership Lake County is a great way to network and meet people who are passionate about the county and want to learn more. Around since 1991, the alumni base one can network from is expansive.

“Leadership Lake County exposed me to a variety of people I have built personal relationships with, who possess useful leadership skills and valuable connections throughout the county that may be useful in my professional or personal endeavors. I feel confident that I may call on them for consultation on how to handle a

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“Going through the experience really gave me a broader view of what Lake County has to offer.”

—B.E. THOMPSON , 2012 PARTICIPANT

In addition to invaluable connections, Leadership Lake County exposes members to experiences and situations they will never forget, and can pass on to others.

Thompson will always remember Media Day. The session’s activities included reporting on a mock disaster, a bus accident. “We created our own news story on the event, from gathering information on the field, to drafting the story, to publishing it in The Daily Commercial in a limited edition, not available to the general public, only class members,” he recalled.

This past year, the class visited a local TV news station to watch a live broadcast. Every year the curriculum is updated, so no two experiences are ever quite the same. However, the spirit of comradery while learning is always present.

COMMUNITY IMPACT According to Thompson, the benefits of the participant and the impact to the community go hand-in-hand, improving the quality of life for everyone that lives here, and growing our future leaders.

Norris agrees. “I think it really molds people’s understanding of what goes on in the county, and how many different

(Clockwise from top left) Class of 2012 in front of LCSO truck during Criminal Justice Day; Class of 2010 touring Long and Scott Farms during Agriculture Day; Class of 2010

civil subsections there are. It gives the leaders a broader view of what is going on so they can make more informed decisions,” she said.

Olson shared Leadership Lake County taught her how to comprehend and discuss county resources more intelligently. “If I am talking to a patient, visitor, or guest at South Lake Hospital, or anywhere where someone asks generally, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if Lake County had…’, because

C L A S S O F 2016 PA R T I C I PA N T S

of Leadership Lake County, I can respond, ‘Well, as a matter of fact, we do have…’”

Indeed, an alumni’s insight is keener than most, and applicable in highly specialized situations.

“One of the sessions I attended with the Class of 2015 that I will never forget, was Human Services Day at Camp Challenge,” said Norris. The participants partook in the same types of courses the students of Camp Challenge do, and

Brian Charles, United Southern Bank Chris Cheshire, Mulberry Integrative Medicine David Coté, Akers Media Group Justin Crouch, LC Schools Chris DeLibro, LC Sheriff’s Office Kim Frazier, Lake Technical College Joe Iozzi, Leesburg Police Dept.

Mike Latham, GatorSktch Corp.

Architects Chris Love, CenturyLink Danny McLaughlin, Seacoast Bank Al Minner, City of Leesburg

had to do so with a simulated handicap.

They would shoot a bow and arrow, but were unable to use their arms, for instance. “The purpose was to get future leaders to better understand the daily challenges those with physical handicaps have to work through,” she said.

Leadership preparation and its impact doesn’t get much better than that.

James A. Myers, Bowen & Schroth P.A. David Porter, LC Sheriff’s Office Ricardo Rojas, Insight Credit Union Karen Sartele, ReMax Premier Realty Sarah Thielen, LC Farm Bureau Brett Tobias, Booth, Ern, Straughan & Hiott, Inc. Tyler VanAlstine, LC Sheriff’s Office Charles Vitale, Clermont Police Dept.

Vicki Ward, Lake Sumter State College Jan Wilson, Lake Eustis Area Chamber Barb Yaussy, CenterState Bank Vincent Zaun, South Lake Hospital

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2017

Congratulations to the

2017 Lake County Teacher of the Year

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On the

scene THE TO-DO LIST LOCAL TALENT SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT OUT + ABOUT HI, SOCIETY!

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On the scene // the to-do list

MARCH To have an event considered for the calendar, send a short text description along with a color photo (if available) 45 days in advance of event to: calendar@akersmediagroup.com or Lake & Sumter Style Calendar, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749

EVENTS MARCH 5

BIRD COUNT & NATURE WALK

It’s great weather for a nature outing! Join expert birders, Bob and Mary Wexler, for this month’s bird survey at Trout Lake Nature Center. There are many sights to see. Florida during the cooler months is a perfect time to see birds in large numbers; catch them before they leave in the spring. 8 a.m. at 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis.

For more information, call 352.357.7536.

MARCH 5

VIAFEST

Leesburg will kick off its very first Viafest at ViaPort Florida. A day of music and vendors that will be fun for all ages. For kids, there will be face painters, balloon artists, jugglers, bounce houses, and a pirate show! Adults can enjoy multiple bands, food trucks, and a beer and wine tent. Also, take the opportunity to check out the new Via Entertainment, which includes bowling lanes, arcade games, and Cousin Vinny’s Burger &

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Sports Bar. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 10401 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg. For more information, visit viaportflorida.com.

vided by Sommer Sports.

Participation is $23. 8 a.m. at 330 Third St., Clermont.

For more information, visit pigonthepond.org.

MARCH 11-13

MARCH 12

18TH ANNUAL PIG ON THE POND FESTIVAL

Rides, food, games, music, vendors, and racing pigs!

Something tells us you’ll be wallowing if you let yourself miss this event.

Plus, proceeds help provide scholarships and mentoring opportunities for students. Make a day of it, or a whole weekend.

Daily entry fee is $5, $3 for children ages 6 to 8. Gates first open Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Waterfront Park.

Palm Street, Clermont. For more information, visit pigonthepond.org.

MARCH 12

RIB RUN 5K

As a part of the Pig on the Pond fundraiser, proceeds from the 5K go toward four-year scholarships to South Lake students in need. Walkers and runners are welcome. Single runners are welcomed also but teams are encouraged.

It is a chip-timed race pro-

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15TH ANNUAL GCCF ROUND RED ROBIN TENNIS TOURNEY

Volley for a valiant cause—an event that benefits the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation, going strong in its 15th year.

GCCF is a nonprofit that helps families in the South Lake community who are affected by cancer. The tournament will be at the Summit Greens Tennis Courts in Clermont. $45 to enter. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 407.352.5054.

MARCH 12

4TH ANNUAL WILDWOOD IDES OF MARCH 5K

Sign up to run or walk 3.1 miles through Wildwood’s historic streets. Sponsored

by Wildwood Rotary, the race raises funds for the Refuge of Jumper Creek.

Register on the event’s Facebook page, by going to RunSignUp.com, or by picking up a race packet from 4 to 7 p.m. March 10, at the Wildwood Community Center in the Lincoln Room.

On race day there will be a DJ and Zumba warm-up to get you going. And medals will be given in age and gender groups. 8 to 11 a.m., 100 N. Main St. For more information, visit facebook.com/events /1054387887937179.

MARCH 17

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AND RIBBON CUTTING

Join local dignitaries and the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce for their Business After Hours and ribbon cutting at AAA of Leesburg. Call the chamber at 352.787.2131 for more information. 5 to 7 p.m., 1708 Citrus Blvd., Leesburg.

MARCH 19 MARCH 13

MAC N’ CHEESE COMPETITION

The cheesiest competition since the “Singing Bee” on NBC. Got a showstopping recipe? Enter to win the title of “People’s Choice.” Our taste buds will thank you, and so will the students you help pay for college. This Pig on the Pond affiliated event will funnel proceeds to their worthy cause. Tickets are $5. Noon to 6 p.m. at Waterfront Park, Clermont. For more information, visit pigonthepond.com.

ALL AMERICAN VETERANS TRIBUTE

Presented by Post 2006, a full celebration of the men and women who serve will be at ViaPort Florida in Leesburg. Plan for a full day of entertainment, live music, guest speakers, food, vendors, and even prizes. 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit amvets.com.

masters’ favorite recipes.

Start assembling the crew and converge on Leesburg Towne Square. 5 to 10 p.m. at 111 S. Sixth St., Leesburg. For more information, call 352.365.0053.

MARCH 19

MOUNT DORA SPRING SHOW

Didn’t make it to February’s art show? Come back downtown for another weekend of antiques, collectables, arts, and crafts. There will be more than 200 vendors, along with your favorite shops and restaurants.

The event is free, unless of course you spot some treasures to take home.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fourth and Donnelly streets. For more information, call 352.217.8390.

MARCH 23

NATURE SPROUT MARCH 19

DOWNTOWN LEESBURG BBQ, BLUES & BREWS

This triple treat is sure to be this month’s No. 1 calendar event for Lake County foodies. For only $10, sample the pit

It’s important for little ones to have outdoor experiences. The Trout Lake Nature center offers a unique playtime for ages 3 to 5, which includes the exploration of nature, walks,

MARCH 22

Coloring & Coffee

Your childhood pastime is now great for unwinding. The trend of adult coloring has been proven to cut stress because it provides a creative outlet we deprive ourselves of. Haven’t tried it? Come join the folks at the Tavares Public Library and see what it’s all about, no judgments! There will be coffee, so it’s definitely for grownups. Please register ahead of time. 10 a.m. to Noon at 314 N. New Hampshire Ave., Tavares. For more information, call 352.742.6203.

songs, stories, and crafts.

To register, visit universe. com/naturesprouts. 10 a.m. at 520 E. County Road 44, Eustis. For more information, call 352.357.7536.

MARCH 24

SUNRISE BREAKFAST Come join the city of Leesburg for their monthly breakfast at the Community Building, sponsored

by Mathias Foodservice Equipment, LLC. Stay tuned in; it’s good for your health. 7 to 8:30 a.m. 109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg. For more information, call 352.787.2131.

MARCH 28

2016 EYE RUN

Living with low vision is a huge challenge but organizations like New Vision work to make it easier for individuals facing visual impairment challenges.

Here is an opportunity for you to challenge yourself

and help others with a run around Silver Lake. Just choose a course: 5K, 10K, and a half-mile blindfolded sensory walk. Shirts awarded to 5K and 10K participants who register

by March 13, and all finishers will receive a custom Eye Run medal. Prizes will be awarded for most money raised and biggest team! 7 a.m. at 9501 U.S. Hwy 441, Leesburg. To register, visit runsignup. com/Race/FL/Leesburg/ EyeRunforNewVision.

MUSIC+THEATRE MARCH 4

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

A pretty little parody, this play within a play is a hysterical throwback to 1920s musical comedies and is chockful of glitzy gimmicks of the golden age we adore. The Melon Patch Players will guide you to a bygone era for a

good laugh. Join them for opening night. 8 p.m. at 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg.

For more information, visit melonpatchplayers.com.

MARCH 5

BEST OF BROADWAY—THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBER

The theatre is not only a place where striking stories are played out for us; it has always been a place for music. Some of our favorite songs captured us first on stage, and very few have seized our imaginations like the work of Andrew Lloyd Weber.

From dancing cats to operatic phantoms, this night of music celebrates the iconic music from Weber’s beloved shows. Tickets are $25, $39 for VIP. 7 p.m. 520 N. Baker St., Mount Dora.

For more info, visit whattodoinmtdora.com.

MARCH 17

FLORIDA LAKES SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “SOMEWHERE IN TIME”

Filled with Irish melodies and Gypsy ballads, enjoy this night of musical storytelling at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The always-accomplished musicians of Florida Lakes present “Somewhere in Time,” a place where classical and folk music meet.

Tickets are $42 in advance, $45 at the door, and $15 for students. 7:30 p.m. 6803 Old Hwy 441 S. (Highland Street), Mount Dora. For more information, visit floridalakessymphonyorchestra.com.

MARCH 21

STARDUST MUSIC JAM

A homegrown music experience you must see. Join B.J., Donny, and Sandy at the Stardust General Store & Wine Shop. Entry is only

$7. 2 to 5 p.m. 2022 N. C-470, Lake Panasoffkee.

For more information, call 352.569.0407.

ARTS+EXHIBITS MARCH 3

PAINT NIGHT AT LG CAFE

Ever wanted to try your hand at painting? Living Green Cafe in Leesburg hosts a paint night every Thursday; participants are provided materials, as well as encouragement and guidance. The LG kitchen will be open and serving delicious raw and organic dinner choices, but the best part is wine! You can purchase a bottle or bring your own, just make sure to pay the $20 corking fee.

It’s $20 to join with your reservation. 6:30 p.m. at 9726 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg. For more information or reservations, call 352.356.8646.

MARCH 12

2ND ANNUAL CRAFTS ON THE CORNER

This is an event with some serious curb appeal.

Bushnell is excited to be continuing the craft show for its second year in downtown Bushnell Park.

Sew? Draw? Make mini piñatas of 15th century paintings? Join the fair and show off your stuff!

And don’t forget to check out the unique products others have to offer. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, contact Kellie Mason at Bushnell City Hall 352.793.2591.

MARCH 26

7th Annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Plastic eggs galore! Wildwood is throwing down Easter-style with its annual hunt in Wildwood Millennium Baseball Park. With inflatables, face painting, barrel train rides, and games, it’s a sure to be a full day of excitement. Not to mention, the Easter Bunny will be there! This event is free. All you need is an Easter basket. 9 a.m. to noon, 6500 County Road 139, Wildwood. For more information, call 352.330.1330 ext. 104.

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INCONCERT

Willie Nelson

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID MCCLISTER

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7:30 p.m.

Suzy Bogguss Defenders of Daisies Southern Breeze Restless Heart Restless Heart Southern Breeze Kelly Jarrard The Crests with Tommy Mara Disney FANTASIA Live in Concert Smooth Country Band Willie Nelson Jeff Whitfield Little River Band Jon Cabrera Tommy and the Guns Blue Stone Circle Moe Bandy Moe Bandy Da Boys Tommy and the Guns Dennis Gallo Defenders of Daisies Smooth Country Band Jeff Whitfield Blue Stone Circle Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Charlie McCoy Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Blue Stone Circle Ronnie McDowell Ronnie McDowell Kings County Kelly Jarrard Defenders of Daisies Smooth Country Band Jeff Whitfield Dangerous Dave Merrill Kings County Boggy Creek Collin Raye Collin Raye Da Boys Boggy Creek Kelly Jarrard Defenders of Daisies Smooth Country Band Jeff Whitfield Jon Cabrera

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Shamrock Lounge, Leesburg Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Shamrock Lounge, Leesburg Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale The Sharon, The Villages Olympia Banquets and Events, Mount Dora The Sharon, The Villages Ruby Street Grille, Tavares The Sharon, The Villages Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Shamrock Lounge, Leesburg Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Shamrock Lounge, Leesburg Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Olympia Banquets and Events, Mount Dora Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale First United Methodist Church, Clermont Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Olympia Banquets and Events, Mount Dora Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grill, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Shamrock Lounge, Leesburg Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Shamrock Lounge, Leesburg Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Olympia Banquets and Events, Mount Dora Ruby Street Grille, Tavares Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

Bands subject to change. Email inconcert@akersmediagroup.com to submit an event for In Concert. Submissions must be received by the ninth of the month prior to month of the event (example: March 9 for April issue).

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Collin Raye

Little River Band

LOCAL TALENT

GARY MCKECHNIE

PAGES FROM THE PAST STORY: LEIGH NEELY PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

The bright yellow cottage on McDonald Street in Mount Dora is the Coconut Cottage Inn, a delightful bed and breakfast owned by husband-andwife innkeepers Gary McKechnie and Nancy Howell. As innkeepers, they have studied the history of Mount Dora and love to regale guests with tales of how this special town is able to retain its historical ambiance while embracing all the modern amenities. Now they’ve taken it a step further and published a book, “A Brief History of Mount Dora.”

“Jim Clark is the editor of Orlando magazine, and he has written a couple of books for the History Press,” Gary said.

“He said we knew so much about Mount Dora history we should be able to write this book in two weeks.”

Several months later, Gary and Nancy

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were still heavily involved in research and verifying facts. “You can’t just write it down and not fact-check it. You have to put it in order and verify it,” Gary said. “Then you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s only 1950.”

Their hard work paid off, however, and “A Brief History of Mount Dora” came out in January.

The two are well known in the area due to their extensive community work, and both thought they had a good grasp of local legends.

“You can live around here a long time and think you know it,” Nancy said.

“Having a bed and breakfast, we talk to people all the time about local history.

We moved here in 1992 and have been on the boards of the chamber of

commerce and Lake County tourism.”

After learning more than they knew they could ever use in one book, Gary and Nancy faced the next obstacle. “We looked through archives of historical papers, read microfiche, and read numerous books,” Gary said. “How do you decide what’s important?”

They began to focus their research.

“When we’d see things that came up again and again, we’d know that was important,” Gary said. “We also found we could use a lot for filler stuff, little bites of history and pictures of people who came to town like Calvin Coolidge’s wife, Grace, who planted a tree beside the community building.”

Nancy was especially intrigued by Anna Stone Donnelly’s story. “You always hear stories of Dora Ann Drawdy, but Annie Stone Donnelly played a big part in the town’s history, too.”

The intrepid pioneer moved to Mount Dora in 1875 as the young wife of William Stone. She came with her parents who hoped the change of scenery would help their daughter’s troubled marriage. Though the couple had a son, William had repeatedly left Annie while they lived in Georgia.

When he permanently abandoned her, the judge who granted her divorce also granted her the property.

“J.P. Donnelly borrowed money to buy the land beside Annie’s property,” Nancy said. “They’re neighbors living close to each other and romance ensues, and they married. She not only became his wife, but she also became his business partner. She also had her land paid off before she married him. I found her extremely fascinating.”

J.P. built the beautiful Queen Annstyle house for her that’s now called The Donnelly House, a town landmark near Fifth Avenue. J.P. eventually became the first mayor and in 1924, sold the town the land that became Annie Donnelly Park.

“A Brief History of Mount Dora” is available on Amazon, as well as at Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million.

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On the scene // social spotlight Where you want to be

FLORIDA‘FACE-OFF’ Top lacrosse teams come to Clermont STORY: MICHELLE CLARK PHOTOS: PROVIDED

Spring break is when most college students head to Florida, usually for the beach, but for many student-athletes it means heading to warm weather and high-tech training facilities like the one in Clermont. The National Training Center (NTC) at South Lake Hospital attracts top collegiate lacrosse teams every year. Men’s and women’s teams from both Division 2 and Division 3 come to the facility to train and compete with games open to the public.

In 2011, there were 19 teams participating in the program.

Now, the NTC is hosting 39 teams, all ranked within the top

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50. Some notable teams include Trinity College, ranked women’s No. 3, and Salisbury College, which came in at No. 8. These teams come to the NTC because of what our community offers.

“There are other Florida options for these teams, but they choose to come here,” said Kate Powell Wojciechowski, the center’s sports business coordinator.

She believes the center offers a level of convenience that’s hard to beat.

The NTC itself is top notch and game management is outstanding with its use of digital recording methods.

The center also brings in local company Vidoou to do the required game recording in HD. This gives teams the freedom of attending without having to lug their own equipment and staff.

The center partnered with local housing options to give teams a variety of lodging options. Some restaurants also participate in the partnership and grant discounts to the teams.

This draws business and recognition to the Clermont community.

Another great reason to welcome these teams to town is the games themselves. Because these are top competitors, games tend to be exciting and rowdy. Kate says a lot of alumni come out because these games count toward their official season and ranking. Games run from Feb. 28 to March 23, and it is only $5 at the gate to attend.

March 15 and 17 are the biggest days with six intense scrimmages each day.

Food trucks will be at the fields on these days. Expect some local favorites like Kona Ice. Philly’s Best will be there on the 15, and Big Hot Box will be serving up Mexican on the 17. Others are still in the works.

For the women, you don’t want to miss Trinity vs. Salisbury. With a healthy rivalry, they were matched at finals last year, and will meet again at the NTC fields. In addition, for the men’s, be sure to see Springfield vs.

Bowdoin and Bowdoin vs. Stevens Institutes of Technology. These matches are sure to be high energy and are a load of fun for spectators.

2016 LACROSSE NTC SPRING GAMES DATE TIME HOME

GUEST

Mar. 2 11 a.m. Capital

Saint Vincent

Mar. 17 9 a.m.

Westfield State

RPI

Mar. 3 7 p.m.

Saint Vincent

Johnson and Wales

Mar. 17 9 a.m.

Endicott

Trinity

Mar. 5 6 p.m.

Roger Williams

Methodist

Mar. 17 11 a.m. Babson

McDaniel

Mar. 7 4 p.m.

Methodist

Franciscan

Mar. 17 11 a.m. MCLA

Goucher

Mar. 8 7 p.m.

Nazareth

Emerson

Mar. 17 3 p.m.

Amherst

Dickinson

Roger Williams

Mar. 17 6 p.m.

Fitchburg State

WNEU

Mar. 10 12 p.m. Methodist

Nazareth

Mar. 18 12 p.m. Rowan

Mar. 14 10 a.m. RPI

Endicott

Mar. 18 3 p.m.

Mar. 14 12 p.m. Babson

Ithaca

Mar. 20 11 a.m. Eastern Conn.

MCLA

Mar. 15 9 a.m.

WNEU

Rowan

Mar. 21 11 a.m. RIT

Williams

Mar. 15 9 a.m.

Trinity

Farmingdale State

Mar. 10 10 a.m. Emerson

Ithaca

SUNY Fredonia Skidmore

Salisbury

Mar. 22 11 a.m. Buffalo State

Mar. 15 11 a.m. McDaniel

Amherst

Mar. 22 5 p.m.

Mar. 15 11 a.m. Mt. Holyoke

Fitchburg State

Mar. 15 4 p.m.

Skidmore

Westfield State

Mar. 23 12 p.m. Williams

Mar. 15 6 p.m.

Goucher

Babson

Mar. 24 10 a.m. Farmingdale State RIT

Bowdoin (Men)

Mar. 24 12 p.m. Williams

Mar. 16 2:30 p.m. Springfield (Men)

Bowdoin (Men)

Stevens Inst. of Tech.

(Men) Union Buffalo State

PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS Business & education come together STORY: LEIGH NEELY

Current and future business leaders will come together Tuesday, April 19, at Lake Reception for the second annual Partners for Success. A coalition of business and education in Lake County, this networking event will be an evening of dialogue intended to highlight jobs and the workforce.

Nancy Muenzmay, director of the Business Opportunity Center at LakeSumter State College, said, “Many of our students think there’s nothing available for them in Lake County that could be a career, and I want them to know there are good jobs available right here.”

Sponsors of Partners in Success include the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, Lake County Schools, Lake-Sumter State College, Lake Technical College, and the Lake County Chamber Alliance.

“We have it in April so the students have the school year to prepare projects or work on different software or different pieces of equipment,” Nancy said. “It’s sort of a reverse business expo. The students are displaying what they’ve learned during the course of the year—from the culinary departments to auto collision to graphic design to cosmetology—then we bring in the

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On the scene // social spotlight Where you want to be

PARTNERS FOR SUCCESS LAKE RECEPTIONS TUESDAY, APRIL 19 5 – 7 P.M.

business community, and that’s why we partner with the county and the chamber alliance.”

The perception of education is not always positive, and Nancy hopes this event will create a change of perception for students, local businesses, and even parents.

“We all work in a vacuum, so when we don’t get together,” Nancy said, “it’s easy to get tunnel vision. You’re just working day to day to day, so you are too centered on your own business.

You’re thinking this isn’t working well and we don’t have the workforce for this.”

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By putting students, parents, and business representatives in one room, Nancy will be able to highlight the training offered at the various schools, the businesses looking for qualified employees, and students who have the skills needed to meet those qualifications. Parents are encouraged to attend to see what local schools and colleges have to offer their children, and higher education offers a number of options.

“We’re working with the county, and the county is trying to bring in new businesses. Two things prospective business owners always ask are what

is the work pool like and where will my children go to school. If their only source of information is news articles or any other type of press, they don’t get the whole story.”

Representatives from Goodwill Industries, CareerSource Central Florida, and the Lake County Public Library system will also be on hand to provide information a how they can aid career choices.

There will also be demonstrations of projects and work done by the students in various programs, including refreshments prepared by culinary students.

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On the scene // out+about A travel companion for points near and far

THE SCULPTURE “CELEBRATION OF READDING

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THE SOUTH’S LITERARY LEGENDS STORY+PHOTOS: MARY ANN DESANTIS

T

he South is known for its stories, especially those written by legendary writers whose works transcend time. Some of these great authors have left behind homes in the South that became mythical destinations for generations of readers.

The late poet and author Maya Angelou said, “When I look back, I am so impressed again with the lifegiving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading…”

Spending a day at the homes of these literary legends provides a glimpse into how they lived, found writing inspiration, and gained their own sense of self. You also might discover your own reading muse!

MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS Cross Creek, Florida

If the “official” Southern Literary Trail ever expands into Florida, the first stop should be the home of Pulitzer Prizewinning novelist and longtime Cross Creek resident, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, whose land and homestead are now a Florida state park. Best known for her classics, “The Yearling” and “Cross

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HARPER LEE

Monroeville, Alabama

WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Rawlings’ home offers an accurate glimpse of Florida cracker life with chickens still running around the yard and oranges and grapefruit that are yours for the picking. Seriously, park guides insist you “take home some fruit from one of Marjorie’s trees.”

TOURS: Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and on the hour from 1–4 p.m.

F. SCOTT & ZELDA FITZGERALD Montgomery, Alabama

“The Great Gatsby” author may not have been Southern, but his stunningly beautiful wife Zelda Sayre was a Montgomery native, and during one of their saner moments she talked him into moving to her hometown where they could have some semblance of a normal life. After all, the Fitzgeralds were

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WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Most visitors are surprised to learn that Zelda was a talented artist.

Many of her works were destroyed, but a sizeable collection is displayed in the home. After Zelda’s death, scholars reappraised her artwork, which shows influences from Vincent van Gogh and Georgia O’Keefe. One noted curator said the surviving art “represents the work of a talented, visionary woman who rose above tremendous odds to create a fascinating body of work—one that inspires us to celebrate the life that might have been.”

TOURS: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m. –3 p.m., and Sunday, Noon–5 p.m.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The 1904 courthouse is a beautiful example of Romanesque and Georgian architecture. Lee often sat in the courtroom’s balcony to watch her father, who was the model for Atticus Finch, practice law. The room was replicated in Hollywood for the 1962 movie starring Gregory Peck.

TOURS: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m. –4 p.m.

EUDORA WELTY

Jackson, Mississippi For me, a Mississippi native, the Southern Literary Trail could start and end with Eudora Welty’s home in Jackson’s Belhaven area. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author captured the emotions of growing up in the South as well as a sense of place that few writers ever achieve. However, her treatment

PHOTO OF FITZGERALD MUSEUM COURTESY OF CODY EASON, DEPT. OF ALABAMA TOURISM

Creek,” Rawlings came to Florida in 1928. She found her “place of enchantment,” as she called it, in rural Alachua County surrounded by orange groves.

Her first husband, Charles Rawlings, did not find it as charming. The couple divorced in 1933 and Rawlings, quite an independent woman for her time, kept up the property while writing a string of successful books and stories. She remarried Ocala hotelier Norman Baskin in 1941, and it was Baskin who returned many of the home’s original furnishings and Rawlings’ beloved books when the house was opened to the public.

known for living like gypsies, averaging only five months per stop during their two decades of marriage. Although they resided in Montgomery less than a year, it is the only existing home where the Fitzgeralds lived as a family. The home is a showcase of historical materials from the Jazz Age and Fitzgerald’s writing career. It’s also where the seeds for the Southern Literary Trail — which officially runs from Georgia to Mississippi — were planted when the organizational meeting was held there in 2005.

Just down the road from Montgomery is Monroeville, the hometown of legendary writer Harper Lee. The author’s roots run deep in this southeastern Alabama town that was the model for her fictional Maycomb in “To Kill a Mockingbird” and the more recent “Go Set a Watchman.” Lee’s childhood home was demolished years ago and a historical marker stands at the corner, but the Old Monroe County Courthouse is now a museum dedicated to Lee and her childhood best friend Truman Capote, who lived in Monroeville and inspired her character Dill in her most famous novel.

THE TRAIL CONTINUES Writer’s Garden,” offers an explosion of camellias that were planted by Welty’s mother.

Entire books have been written about Southern writers, and the list keeps growing. Here are other literary legends whose homes or historic sites are also worth visiting: ERNEST HEMINGWAY Key West

of universal themes such as justice, adversity, and grace crossed all regional boundaries. She had a lot in common with Florida writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings: Both women were fiercely independent and loved the company of other writers. Coincidentally, they both graduated from the University of Wisconsin. Any book lover would feel at home at the Eudora Welty House and Garden, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2004. Books are stacked everywhere, and Welty’s guests often remarked that they had to move her books to sit down. The beautiful garden, featured in the book “One

WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The Eudora Welty House is one of the most intact literary houses in America in terms of its authenticity. The exterior, interior, and furnishings are as they were in 1986 when Welty bequeathed her home to the State of Mississippi with paintings, photographs, objects d’art, furniture, and thousands of books left in place. She did not want a “house about her” but about literature and the cultural arts.

TOURS: Tuesday–Friday by appointment

ZORA NELL HURSTON Eatonville

WILLIAM FAULKNER Oxford (Rowan Oak home) and New Albany, Mississippi (Faulkner Literary Gardens)

MARGARET MITCHELL Atlanta, Georgia

FLANNERY O’CONNOR ABOUT THE WRITER Mary Ann DeSantis has written features for Style publications since 2006. She was recognized with a first place Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award for Travel Writing in 2012 and a second place Travel Writing Award in 2015.

Savannah, Georgia

THOMAS WOLFE Asheville, North Carolina

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On the scene // Hi, society!

SALUTING OUR TROOPS

The Leesburg Noon Rotary Club presented its fifth annual Veterans Charity Ball, which included a buffet dinner and live performances by the LC Swing Big Band and Dave Boyer.

The event benefitted three local veterans’ organizations: Project S.O.S. (Support Our Soldiers), Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter Veterans Initaitive campaign, and the Florida National Guard Strong Bonds program.

DON AND JULIA VAN BECK WITH JEANNIE HAYS AND SENATOR ALAN HAYS

ED AND BEV NANCE WITH SENATOR ALAN HAYS AND JEANNIE HAYS

MIKE AND JOANNE MERRILL

PHOTOS: RON VANDEVANDER

ALI DICKSON

FRAN AND TIM SULLIVAN DON AND JULIA VAN BECK D. J. LYNCH, RONALD PSONAK, FRANK KEASER, AND AL SCHUETZ

BRUCE SAYLOR GARY AND BARBARA KADOW

JOHN SOTOMAYOR AND MICHELLE CLARK BETH BUNN AND MICHAEL PABIS

JERRY BRUNO

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On the scene // Hi, society!

DON AND MARGARET FURLONG

REUNION WITH CLASS

The InterCommunity Cancer Center recently held their fifth annual Cancer Survivors Reunion at the American Legion Post in Lady Lake. More than 200 survivors, family, and friends enjoyed the celebration with food and entertainment. It was open mic night, giving survivors an opportunity to share their unique stories of surviving cancer.

ROY AND KITTY BRUENS

DAVID BILLS, JUILA BILLS, NOREEN SIDENER, AND HOWARD KEPPLER

BOB O’CONOR AND REBECCA GROHLER

ROBERT MRAOVICH

RALPH AND DIANE SULLENBERGER

PAT AND MARY BIONDOLILLO

EILEEN MC COLGAN

MARY ANNE HECTOR

PHOTOS: JARROD CLARK

DIANE BACHMAN, GAIL MORTON, EMILY MENDELL

RICARDA PARAS AND HERLINDA CANTU

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What does The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley do?

We proactively serve a select group of families with the distribution phase of their retirement by offering rigorous, relentless discipline seeking to bring a higher level of predictability.

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With financial planning tools and discretionary portfolio management, we build plans based on our client’s risk tolerance. As portfolio managers, we manage our clients’ portfolios on a daily basis and guide their objectives, which range from developing a health care strategy to attending to estate planning needs.

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Gregory Prevatt, CLTC, CFP® Senior Vice President Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor gregory.prevatt@morganstanley.com

The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley

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What makes your group passionate about what you do?

Our clients have spent their working years building a legacy. We enjoy helping them build the next phase of their lives. Having an advisor who can walk that path with them can mean the difference between living, and enjoying, their retirement.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates. This material is intended only for clients and prospective clients of the Portfolio Management program. It has been prepared solely for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument, or to participate in any trading strategy. The individuals mentioned as the Portfolio Management Team are Financial Advisors with Morgan Stanley participating in the Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management program. The Portfolio Management program is an investment advisory program in which the client’s Financial Advisor invests the client’s assets on a discretionary basis in a range of securities. The Portfolio Management program is described in the applicable Morgan Stanley ADV Part 2, available at www.morganstanley.com/ ADV or from your Financial Advisor. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and Federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US. © 2015. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. CRC 1386730 01/16

On the scene // Hi, society!

MELANNIE HACK AND JAMIE BROWN

FULL-COURT FUNDRAISING

HOOPS Life program helps at-risk youth develop much-needed leadership and life skills. Recently, the program held a gala to raise money for its scholarship fund. The HOOPS Life program is the creation of former Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns NBA player Pat Burke.

GREG FURNAS AND GERRY GUENTHER AND MIKE WELTER

TONY BATTIE, JOHN MORGAN, AND PAT BURKE

KELLY AND BRAD VERKAIK

JORDAN O’HARA AND PHYLLIS KENNDY AND MISSY BLACKMON AND DONNA POTTER

JESSE AND JUILA CLEARBOUT

LEIGH ANN VALANTE AND BETH PORTER

NIALL BURKE AND MARTY WATERS

CHANNA LLOYD AND DAN CROSS

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PHOTOS: JARROD CLARK

JON WANBERG AND LESLIE COMPIONE

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On the scene // Hi, society!

A WING AND A PRAYER

Angel Flight held its 19th annual golf tournament at Arlington Ridge Golf Course in Leesburg.

Participants were treated to breakfast and lunch, and the event also included a helicopter ball drop raffle and an opportunity for four people to win a $1 million hole-in-one. Angel Flight Southeast provides free air transportation to adults and children requiring out-of-state medical care.

JAY KLAHN, CHRIS BULL, AND STEVE PURELLO

ANNA AND STEVE ZITNICK WITH MEL CYNDI JOANNJONES HOLLAND, JANE STROPES HORBAL AND GENEVIEVE MATOS AND MARY RHODES

KEN JORGENSEN, GREG FIELDER, AND BRAD SHAW

PHOTOS: RON VANDEVANDER

JAN AND HARRY NELSON

RAE CHARTIER

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Experience food, drink and conversation as you may never have before – without your sight. In this unique dining experience, you will eat dinner in total darkness. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, as part of a training exercise, will serve you wearing night vision goggles. The sixth annual Dining in the Dark event is designed to raise awareness about blindness and raise funds for New Vision for Independence, our local non-profit serving people with low vision or blindness and their families in Lake and Sumter Counties and The Villages.

April 1, 2016 Lake Receptions, 4425 N. HWY 19A, Mount Dora $70 per person or sponsor a named table of 8 for $600

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Questions? Contact Shelly at sgerig@newvisionfl.org or (352) 435-5040

www.theflb.com // 3132 Ranchwood Terrace, The Villages March 20 16

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“Men no longer need to suffer from frequent urination because they are getting older,” says Dr. James Young, a down-toearth urologist with 33 years of experience in treating men with prostate problems in Lake County. Although the cause of these symptoms is most likely an enlarging prostate (BPH), a normal part of the aging process in men, treatment options are more numerous and less invasive than those offered to our fathers and grandfathers.

Years ago there were two options for treating an enlarged prostate: surgical excision via an open operation (knife) or much more commonly by performing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), commonly referred to as a “roto-rooter” by patients and physicians. Both required hospitalization as well as major anesthesia and could be fraught with complications such as bleeding, infection, loss of bladder control and even death.

“In my career I have performed over 3,000 TURPs; however, I no longer perform any,” says Dr. Young. “There are presently too many excellent alternatives to consider a hospital operation for the vast majority of patients with BPH.” “When I see a new patient I perform a physical examination and properly evaluate the patient’s symptoms, thus diagnosing the underlying problem(s),” he says. “Next, I describe to the patient what’s normal and then explain what is abnormal with him.

Lastly, I teach him his treatment options.

If I’ve done a good job of teaching, he will select the correct option for himself.”

While prescribing medications for BPH can be done by primary care physicians, only urologists are trained to thoroughly

evaluate the bladder and prostate (including ruling out prostate cancer), as well as providing extremely effective minimally invasive, office-based therapies as alternatives to lifelong medical therapy.

One such option is Prostiva-RF Therapy, a procedure performed by Dr. Young in his office under local anesthesia that usually takes less than 30 minutes. Prostiva utilizes low level radio frequency energy to ablate (destroy) the obstructing component of the enlarged prostate. “I am very happy with the results I have achieved for my patients using Prostiva-RF Therapy,” says Dr. Young, who has successfully treated more than 2,400 patients with this procedure.

“Medtronic is a $13 billion-a-year, publicly traded corporation that perfected the technology for Prostiva and produces the necessary hardware. Recently, Medtronic produced an educational DVD for international distribution to inform patients and physicians worldwide regarding the benefits of Prostiva therapy. Seven of the eight patients featured on the DVD are my patients. I am very proud Medtronic selected my practice to feature the benefits of Prostiva-RF Therapy. However it is sort of a bad news/good news thing. The bad news is neither my patients nor myself received a penny for our participation. The good news is Medtronic gave us all the DVD’s we want, so if anyone wants one all he needs to do is drop by my office at 801 Northshore Drive in Eustis, and we will give him one!”

And with an office staff with nearly as much experience as the doctor, (many have worked with Dr. Young more than 20 years)

you don’t spend a great deal of time waiting to see him. “We pride ourselves in being timely in seeing our patients. We respect our patient’s time as much as we do our own,” adds Dr. Young. “Patients appreciate this; many of our patients tell me I have the best office staff on the planet. I consider that a huge compliment.”

So if you are getting up at night and can’t get back to sleep because you are thinking about what may be wrong with you, it’s time to check in with Dr. Young and have him check you out.

“Many men accept frequent bladder urges as part of aging. And while it is part of the aging process, it’s not like death and taxes. There is something you can do about it,” he says.

JAMES W. YOUNG III, M.D. Board Certified Urologist Practicing in Lake County for over 33 years with extensive experience in evaluation and management of prostate problems.

For more information, contact

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QUICK BITES FORK ON THE ROAD SALUTE IN THE KITCHEN DINING GUIDE

March 20 16

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EATS // QUICK BITES Bits and Bites of Food in the News

Cooking Gently The Vitality Bistro in Mount Dora has a unique yet varied menu. Owner Chef T, a trained living foods chef, serves all vegan, organic, and living/ raw cuisine. The delicious, fresh food is prepared on site and is gluten free, and cooking classes are available on Thursday evenings.

“When we first opened about three and a half years ago, people kept asking us how we prepared the food,” said Purusha Radha, owner along with Chef T. “We saw a need for education alongside serving the food, and people have really turned out for these classes.”

The class, held every Thursday at 6 p.m., is free with the purchase of an entrée, and participants learn to prepare delicious, high-spectrum, nutritious food. Contrary to popular belief, food is served warm if the dish calls for it. It is “gently heated” no higher than 118 degrees so no nutritional value is lost.

With selections like warm and creamy butternut squash soup and strawberry maca cake with ginger crème, put this bistro on the list of places you must try.

RIPE FOR THE PICKIN’

March is the peak strawberry picking time in Florida, and for those who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor, Oak Haven Farm & Winery in Sorrento is a great U-pick place.

The farm has six acres of strawberry goodness. “We have more than 125,000 different strawberry plants,” says Harry Stauderman, who owns the farm with his wife Karen and daughter, Lynn.

While the farm has regular operating hours during March, Harry advises it is best to call ahead of time for picking days and times to ensure the farm is open (352.735.1996) or visit their Facebook page for regular updates.

In addition to handpicking strawberries, the 20-acre farm has a playground for children, a picnic area, a small zip line, and a country kitchen where people can indulge in delicious strawberry shortcake, homemade milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, and U-roast hotdogs.

“It’s very family oriented,” says Stauderman. “Children can spend the better part of the day running around and parents don’t have to worry about them.”

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This side of Dublin

Many celebrate March 17 as St. Patrick’s Day, but it is also nationally recognized as Corned Beef and Cabbage Day. You may be celebrating your day by wearing green or pasting four leaf clovers everywhere, like a hipster and bird stickers. But for us taste-bud minded, here are a few places to celebrate deliciously:

WOLFY’S in Leesburg, O’KEEFE’S in Tavares DEVENNEY’S IRISH PUB in Clermont WALLER’S RESTAURANT in Bushnell

A MONTH FULL OF MUNCHIES

In case you like themed eating, or just any reason to treat your taste buds, here is a timeline of national celebrations which center around mealtime. Some of the dishes are just an excuse to have our favorites; but some may get you into something new.

March 1 - National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day March 2 - National Banana Cream Pie Day March 3 - National Cold Cuts Day March 4 - National Pound Cake Day March 5 - National Cheese Doodle Day March 6 - National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day & National Oreo Cookie Day March 7 - National Cereal Day & National Crown of Roast Pork Day March 8 - National Peanut Cluster Day March 9 - National Meatball Day March 10 - National Pack Your Lunch Day March 11 - National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day March 12 - National Baked Scallops Day March 13 - National Coconut Torte Day March 14 - National Potato Chip Day March 15 - National Pears Helene Day March 16 - National Artichoke Hearts Day March 17 - National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day March 18 - National Sloppy Joe Day March 19 - National Chocolate Caramel Day March 20 - National Ravioli Day March 21 - National California Strawberry Day, National French Bread Day & Corn Dog Day March 22 - National Bavarian Crepes Day March 23 - National Chip and Dip Day March 24 - National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day March 25 - National Lobster Newburg Day March 26 - National Spinach Day March 27 - National Spanish Paella Day March 28 - National Something on a Stick Day & National Black Forest Cake Day March 29 - National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day March 30 - National Turkey Neck Soup Day March 31 - National Tater Day & National Clams on the Half Shell Day

Soul on the go Nothing hits the spot like genuine, made-with-love soul food. If you’re looking to get your fix for some good ol’ Southern comfort cuisine, call up Ivory’s Take-Out Restaurant in Mount Dora.

Located on Grandview Street, Ivory’s has served up yummy vittles like black-eyed peas, neck bones, ox tail, curry goat, and lima beans since 2008.

Though there are a few patio tables outside the restaurant, owner Maria Thomas says what makes her place unique is it is strictly take-out, and that’s just fine with their steady and loyal customers.

They serve both breakfast and lunch, and Thomas says they’re reasonably priced. For example, most breakfast dishes are around $5 and a cheeseburger and fries is only $4.

“And we hand pat them out, so they are fresh, never frozen,” Thomas explains. “We cook to order so you have to give us some time to make your food, about 15 minutes.”

EATALY

IN INVERNESS Little Italy manager Rosario Cali and his wife Pat say their Inverness establishment is a place “where love shines through all we do.” A familyrun business for decades, some of their recipes date back more than 100 years.

During the week, patrons can order authentic Italian deli and bakery items from their varied menu. But it’s on Friday and Saturday evenings that the real magic reveals itself as the deli transforms itself into a by-reservation-only intimate ristorante. Three- and seven-course meals are prepared and only Rosario knows what traditional Italian cuisine will be served on any given evening.

Rosario also entertains guests with a little Italian opera, although Pat says it’s more like “joyful noise.”

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EATS // fork on THE Road Tasty insights and observations

LAKE DORA SUSHI & SAKE STELLAR SUSHI, SUPERB SERVICE STORY: SHEMIR WILES PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

There are two firm requirements for a great sushi place: It has to serve fresh, quality seafood and it has to be willing to create some daring flavor combinations. Lake Dora Sushi & Sake in Tavares encompasses both these truths, plus more, making it one of the best sushi

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restaurants in the Golden Triangle area.

Owner and sushi chef Takashi Kobayashi and his wife Fumiko present an impressive roster of specialty rolls for those with a sense of adventure. They also offer a nice selection of traditional sashimi and sushi rolls for die-hard pur-

ists. However, if sushi isn’t your thing, Lake Dora boasts a diverse menu of delectable Japanese appetizers and entrÊes.

To start, I suggest ordering the agedashi tofu. These lightly dusted tofu cubes are deep fried and served with tempura sauce and fresh ginger. The

warm tofu melts in your mouth and absorbs the wonder tang of the tempura sauce. Not all agedashi is the same as flavors tend to vary from restaurant to restaurant, but I can say emphatically that Lake Dora Sushi & Sake has the best agedashi I’ve ever tasted.

If tofu is a bit too outside the box, try an order of wonderful tuna tataki, which is sliced tuna that’s been flash seared and served with a tangy ponzu sauce, or a dish of perfectly steamed edamame as an appetizer. And when it comes to drinks, I would encourage diners to skip the traditional hot sake or plum wine and try some premium cold sake. On my recent visit, I had a bottle of junmai unfiltered cold sake. It was slightly sweet in taste, but very light and refreshing.

For my meal, I decided to stick with sushi and ordered tuna (maguro), salmon (sake), and yellowtail (hamachi) sashimi.

Sashimi is slices of fish or meat served raw without rice. All three were extremely fresh, which is easy to discern from sashimi that has been frozen. Previously frozen fish usually lacks the rich tastes of true, fresh sashimi. My favorite was the tuna, which was firm, meaty, and buttery, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed the yellowtail, which was milder than the other two but still high in flavorful fats.

When it came time to pick a few maki rolls, I ordered the Lake Jem and New York rolls. The Lake Jem roll is stuffed with broiled eel and cucumber and comes with raw tuna and teriyaki sauce on top. To me, eel, or unagi, has a similar texture to chicken with an almost swordfish-like savor. It’s a good roll for people who enjoy a more conventional take on their sushi. The New York, however, is on the opposite end of the spectrum.

It’s a cooked roll, so there’s no raw fish.

It’s great for sushi beginners because it features two familiar and safe selections: imitation crabmeat and scallops. This roll is indulgent, as it comes topped with the cooked scallops swimming in a creamy, slightly cheesy sauce. It’s fine to eat alone, or with a bit of wasabi and soy sauce; the choice is really yours.

I also sampled the LA and Snow Bird rolls. The LA has an imitation crab, cream cheese, and cucumber center and is topped with raw tuna, broiled eel, and roe (masago). It’s a scrumptious, solid roll that I could see myself ordering again. However, I really liked the Snow Bird roll because of the slight crunch from the tempura shrimp in the middle, along with the velvety cream cheese and the wonderful broiled eel, avocado, and teriyaki topping.

Lake Dora is a great place for a quiet evening with friends, and the hospitality is sincere. As an added treat, try to grab a seat at the sushi bar and see Chef Kobayashi in action. If anything, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the skill that goes into sushi making and understand why Lake Dora is a genuinely great sushi place.

LA PALMA MEXICAN GRILL

STORY: MICHELLE CLARK PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

5 FORKS

(OUT OF POSSIBLE 5) LAKE DORA SUSHI & SAKE

227 E. Main St., Tavares, 352.343.6313 www.lakedorasushi.com

FORK REPORT:

Casual dining $$//Seated immediately (early evening)//Wait for meal: 15 to 20 minutes (expect a wait with sushi since it is made to order) DELICIOUS STARTERS ($2-$10.25): Uni Shooter (fresh sea urchin with a quail egg, salmon roe and ponzu sauce); Agedashi Tofu (lightly dusted fried tofu cubes served in tempura sauce and fresh ginger); Beef Negimaki (thin ribeye steak rolled around scallions with teriyaki sauce).

ENTREES: ($8-$49): Soft Shell Crab Dinner (two tempura-battered soft shell crabs served with sweet potato and onion); Unagi Don (broiled eel over a bed of rice); Party Platter (25 pieces of sushi, four rolls, and 10 pieces of sashimi).

HOW FORK ON THE ROAD WORKS

Our reviewers are objective and unbiased. This is not a paid feature. Our reviewer makes one unannounced visit and we pay for our meals.

Everyone has his or her go-to for Southof-the-border delights, but all Mexican food is not created equal, or more accurately, served equally. Some make their home in holes-in-the-wall —purist places that don’t believe in sour cream. Others hail the California burrito and see tacos as a creative expression. La Palma in the North Lake Plaza is somewhere in the middle. They have no shortage of authenticity, while still offering unique choices.

When I first walked into La Palma on a Saturday night, I was embraced by the sound of music. A six-piece mariachi band made the place feel alive, and everything was well lit. It felt very Hemingway-esque.

The menu had some familiar fare, such as flautas, enchiladas, and fajitas; however, there were also some nontraditional dishes. A Cajun burrito and Cajun soup are not something you normally see on a Mexican menu, while California tacos seem like a fair jump. After trying several of these options, I can say their titles are deliciously deceptive. The Cajun soup

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SEAFOOD ON THE RIVER No swamp meat, but the gator is fresh!

STORY: LEIGH NEELY PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

had a white base instead of a red and didn’t have the traditional Cajun spices you’d expect. It was more like corn chowder with shrimp and crawfish, but it was hearty, creamy, and now on my I’ve-gotto-have-this list.

The California tacos come with a choice of carne asada, carnitas, or marinated pork. All that tops them are chopped onions and cilantro. These are don’t-need-no-mess tacos! Rice, beans, and guacamole do come on the side for those who find comfort in their condiments. I suggest having the carne asada; the steak is well seasoned.

The best parts of the meal were the kick-starter and the seal-the-deal dessert.

I started with a margarita because, after all, it’s the true test of authenticity. The classic margarita may be a favorite with tequila fans, but there are other flavors for the more hesitant, such as myself. For example, the guava margarita is sure to please.

If you’re looking for something sweet to round out the night, you can’t go wrong with a fried ice cream. It’s served as an individual scoop in a fried tortilla bowl, so you might want to get your own. You can share, but why would you want to?

LA PALMA MEXICAN GRILL 1690 Citrus Blvd., Leesburg 352.323.1444 www.lapalmagrill.com Open daily: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

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My husband and I enjoyed a scenic drive on a lazy Sunday afternoon to have an early dinner at Blackwater Inn Restaurant & Lounge in Astor. Our gracious host put us in what he termed “the balcony” (a booth with a step up), where we had two views of the St. John’s River (one out the window and one in the mirrors). It was the perfect place to watch boats slowly cruise by, some with fishermen and others just sightseeing.

Though the menu featured alligator bites and Blackwater fish fingers, we opted to begin our meal with smoked fish dip. My husband and I are big fans of this smoked whitefish on crackers. Our server suggested we squeeze the lemon on top, spread it on the crackers, and add a touch of hot sauce for great flavor. She was right!

Next, we visited the salad bar with its array of fresh, crisp vegetables and side salads. If you opt not to make your own, you can order a Caesar or classic garden salad. I love making my own with the sweet honey mustard dressing.

The entrees were easy; I feasted on the seafood platter and my husband had catfish.

The shrimp, oysters, scallops, and tilapia were lightly battered and fried perfectly. I always think about getting my seafood broiled or blackened, but being Southern, I love it fried, and I was not disappointed. The homemade tartar sauce was subtle but tasty on the tilapia and the cocktail sauce complemented the shrimp and scallops impeccably. I’m not always a fan of oysters, but they were great, too. I sampled my husband’s catfish and it was delectable. We had baked potatoes to round out our meals and the hushpuppies were great. Filets and sirloins are also on the menu along with prime rib.

Dessert was sharing a piece of key lime pie with just the right amount of sweet-tart flavor and luscious whipped cream.

The drive is relaxing, the meals are memorable, and the staff is gracious and BLACKWATER INN RESTAURANT 55716 Front St., Astor attentive. I suggest you visit Blackwater 352.759.2802 Inn Restaurant & Lounge and William’s Tuesday – Thursday 4:30–9 p.m.

Landing, and if you have a boat, you Friday 4:30–10 p.m. can dock it easily right in front of the Sunday 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. restaurant.

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March 20 16

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EATS // saluté A worldly look at wine

LEGENDARY WINES

Some wines are out-of-this-world good…like a 1975 Chateau Lynch-Bages Bordeaux that was the first wine consumed in outer space.

STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

I

n 1985, French astronaut Patrick Baudry wanted to take French wine on his shuttle mission aboard the Discovery to demonstrate his attachment to France and to the country’s way of life. And not just any old bottle would do. After all, the wine needed to be legendary for this monumental honor. Baudry selected a 10-year-old Bordeaux from Chateau Lynch-Bages, considered to be one of the best quality wines in the world.

Chateau Lynch-Bages, located in the Pauillac appellation of France on the Bages plateau, was among the 1855 Official Classification of Medoc and Graves—an esteemed and

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much-coveted classification of “Great Growths” of Bordeaux wines established by Emperor Napoleon III. Founded in 1749, the chateau was owned by the Lynch family who had roots in Galway, Ireland. In 1938, winemaker Jean-Charles Cazes purchased the estate, and it has been in his family ever since. Great-grandson Jean Charles renovated the property in 2012 with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure precision winemaking would continue for generations to come. And while the 1975 vintage is legendary because of its trip into space, other more recent vintages are ranked quite high, including 2010 and 2012. Those sell for $205 and $128 a bottle, respectively.

Another legendary chateau, and certainly one of the most famous, is Château Margaux, located on the left bank of the Garonne estuary in France’s Médoc region. According to Forbes. com, a bottle of Château Margaux 1787, insured for $225,000, holds the record as the most expensive bottle of wine ever broken. Currently, a 2009 Château Margaux Bordeaux is reportedly on the market for $1,000 a bottle.

While many Bordeaux wines are the drink of legends, especially those from centuries-old estates, the U.S. is not without some highly esteemed winemakers, as well. Beaulieu Vineyard’s Georges de Latour Private Reserve in Napa Valley has been a leader among Cabernet Sauvignons since 1936. Not every vintage is memorable, but the 2007 received high praise from wine critics, including Robert Parker who said it was the best since 1970. Only about 9,000 cases of the Georges de Latour are produced annually, and it sells for about $125 a bottle.

California’s rise to the top of the winemaking world began with the momentous—and many say legendary—Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 or the Judgment of Paris, a wine competition between California and French wines.

BENCHMARK WINES

While these labels may not be in your wine fridge, they are the wines by which many others are often compared. Some, like the premier crus, are already legends among wine drinkers; others are on their way to becoming classics.

PREMIER CRUS FROM FRANCE: • Château Lafite Rothschild • Château Latour • Château Margaux • Château Haut-Brion (Graves) • Château Mouton Rothschild CABERNET SAUVIGNONS: • Screaming Eagle • Beaulieu George de Latour Private Reserve • Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon • Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa • Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain • Caymus Cabernet Special Select CHARDONNAYS AND PINOT NOIRS: • Rhys Chardonnay Alpine Vineyard, Napa • Jordan Winery Chardonnay, Alexander Valley • Evening Land Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs Pinot Noir, Williamette Valley, Oregon

At a time when wines from France were considered the world’s best, two California wines were rated at the top in blind tastings. Judges from both countries rated the 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon as the best red wine, while a 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay outranked French Burgundies.

Reviewers on CellarTracker.com report that the 1973 Stag’s Leap is “still going strong after all these years,” and is “like drinking history in a glass.”

Indeed, a bottle has even garnered a place in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History collection to reflect the impact that the 1976 achievement had on the U.S. wine industry.

Chardonnays normally do not have the longevity that Cabernet Sauvignons do, but that doesn’t stop collectors from buying the legendary ones.

According to Decanter Magazine, one of the few remaining bottles of 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was sold for $11,325 in 2010.

So what makes these wines “legendary?” Of course, the reputation of the winemaker and a great vintage seem to be the first criteria along with exceptional terroir. The wines also have the ability to age and evolve—as many Bordeaux and Cabernets do.

And in the future, they may even hold up during space travel.

ABOUT THE WRITER Living in Italy was the catalyst for Mary Ann DeSantis to understand more about wine, and she now enjoys sharing what she’s learned.

Since 2010, Saluté has covered topics for oenophiles of all levels — from novice wine drinkers to experienced connoisseurs. The column received a 2014 Florida Magazine Association Silver Award for Best Department and a 2012 Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award for Commentary.

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EATS // in the kitchen Out of the frying pan and onto the page

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IN THE SHADOWS OF THE EMBERS

STORY: LEIGH NEELY PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

Most of Leesburg is still asleep as Victor Donahey III enters Morrison United Methodist Church. Home to Vic’s Catering, the church’s big kitchen is soon a bustling hive as Victor and his crew prepare food for their various catering jobs.

“We’ve had a longtime contract with LifeStream Behavioral Center. We provide three meals a day, seven days a week, year-round,” Victor says. “Morrison has been nice enough to open its doors to let us continue that contract after the fire.”

“The fire” destroyed Vic’s Embers Supper Club, a favorite restaurant among area residents, in December 2013. “We opened the Embers in 1988, and lots of people still miss it. I get emails, texts, and phone calls every week about it,” Victor says.

Dismayed by the loss, Victor and his dad, Vic Donahey Jr., made the tough decision not to rebuild the restaurant at that time. The town rallied around the two men; many local restaurants agreed to take on employees temporarily and a fish fry was organized to provide financial aid for employees.

Squires III was the first restaurant that Vic opened with two other men in 1981, and Victor began working with his dad when he was 8 years old. Now he enjoys the creativity of creating new dishes and preparing unique menus for a variety of clients.

As Victor moves about the kitchen, his calm demeanor is reflected throughout the room as large trays of vegetables, pasta salad, and other delicious dishes are prepared and loaded into the catering van. The rest of the staff moves comfortably through the familiar routine of fixing meals needed for the day.

“We do everything from breakfast in bed for two—with a bottle of champagne and long-stemmed roses—to barbecues for 2,500 people. We have wine-pairing

dinners, wedding receptions, class reunions, and office parties,” Victor says.

“We do fish fries and banquets. The biggest part of catering is ordering and preparing the food. The day of the event, we come in and pull our dishes, china, silver, glassware, and load them.”

They also prepare a weekly meal for the church. The Wednesday night homecooked meal costs only $7.50 and is open to the public. All that’s needed is a call to the church office to make a reservation.

Another element of Vic’s Embers Supper Club that continues involves their famous steaks. “We still cut all our own steaks by hand, so we order whole prime ribs and whole beef tenderloins … ribeyes are still available to purchase.”

Victor also takes pride in keeping the promise to clients that every person attending an event gets hot food on their plate. “So many people think they won’t get hot food when they go to large gatherings. When we serve them, they’re just so surprised, and I always guarantee whether it’s four people or 400, everybody gets a hot plate.”

The chef always has signature dishes, and Victor admits he loves to prepare food with flavored vodkas. “I also enjoy wine pairings and creating new dishes or menus. It won’t be your everyday menu like you find when you go out to a restaurant,” Victor says. “We offer a full bar with liquor, wine, and beer.” To add a touch of elegance to events, Vic’s Catering has chocolate fountains and ice sculptures.

A favorite recipe Victor is often asked about is stewed tomatoes, which was a popular side dish served daily at Embers. “We peel the tomatoes and crush them by hand before we stew them for a long time and add a few ingredients.”

When asked about those “other” ingredients, Victor just smiles and shakes

his head. “It was my grandfather’s recipe, and my father used it at the restaurants he’s had. They’re a little sweet, but the recipe is a family secret.”

The next generation has already stepped up to be a part of the family business. Sheelin, Victor’s 17-year-old daughter, worked at Vic’s Embers so she could buy her car, and her sister, Shannon, who is 15, is right behind her.

Victor married in September. His wife, Lisa, is a mobile notary and closing agent, but she also helps with catering events along with her children, Kimberly, 18, and Trevor, 16.

Victor says the silver lining he found in the cloud of the restaurant fire was having more time with his children.

“They’re involved in softball, and both are making honor roll and taking AP classes. I definitely needed some time with them. As soon as the youngest gets out of school, or maybe in the next year or two, I’m going back into the business. I’ll open an Embers, maybe on a little bit smaller scale.”

The next step for the business is bottling and selling its signature salad dressings from Vic’s Embers. “This includes our specialty Italian, chunky bleu cheese, buttermilk ranch, and Caesar, just like we made in the wooden bowls tableside at the restaurant,” Victor says.

Chef Marvin Cannon has worked with Victor for 17 years. “I’m grateful for him. He’s a dedicated chef who worked with me at a couple of restaurants and has been able to stay on board and help here,” Victor says. “I also appreciate Chef Mike Peterson, who prepares all the food for the LifeStream programs.”

It may seem like Victor always has a full plate, but he definitely enjoys working in the kitchen and creating the foods people enjoy.

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III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III I lakeandsumt er

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THE

TROPICAL ISLE R OF TIKI WEST

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or the freshest taste of Florida, pull up a chair and enjoy a plate of raw oysters at Tiki West Raw Oyster Bar & Grill. Chris and Katie Clark invite you to try a dozen—or two or three—today!

“We have nothing but the best quality oysters that are handled properly,” Chris says. “They are fresh every day. We get the best our oyster vendor has to offer.”

Shucking oysters is an art, and Tiki West Raw Bar & Grill makes eating them another art form. “Our raw oysters are shucked by Chris and his brother Brian, and between them, they have almost 30 years of experience,” Katie says.

For a new twist on this Florida favorite, Chris and Katie make chargrilled oysters, which is one of the most popular items on their menu. Oysters are served raw or steamed and their premium oysters are from around the world.

“We took baked oysters off the menu and we have three specialty grilled oysters: the chargrilled, beer cheese, and the oyster scampi.

The chargrilled oysters are done in a bourbon butter sauce with fresh garlic, a special blend of spices, and a smoky hot sauce,” Katie explains. “We’ve probably sold about 750 dozen since Nov.

1 and more than hundred dozen during our anniversary week. The beer cheese oysters are topped with Colonel’s Snappy beer cheese and Parmesan cheese. The oyster scampi is grilled with white wine butter cream sauce, fresh garlic, lemon juice, along with Asiago and Parmesan cheeses.”

If that doesn’t have your mouth watering, how about All You Can Eat Seafood, all day, every day! Get snow crab legs, peel and eat or fried shrimp, broiled crawfish, fried Mahi Mahi, fried clam strips or tilapia! All You Can Eat Seafood comes with Tiki slaw and fries or rice, and beans.

Whatever seafood delight you order, if you’d like to try something of the same or lesser value on the All You Can Eat menu, just ask for it!

When Chris and Katie were organizing their menu, they went to Ben Yancey to curate it, and he still tends bar at the restaurant.

They’re proud of using well-known products like Poca’s Hottest sauces. These all-natural sauces are made in Orlando and names are inspired by area artists and musicians, with names like Hell’s Fire Sauce and Serenade Marinade.

The staff prides itself on doing everything slightly different from everyone else. That’s why menu items change frequently. The new

ultimate seafood platters include lump crab cake, fried mahi-mahi, clam strips, and oysters.

“Another customer favorite is our amber ale French onion soup,” Katie says. “Changing menu items keeps things interesting, but everything on the menu is really good. Our burgers are a half-pound combo of ground chuck, short rib, and brisket with lettuce, tomato, pickled onion, and a pickle.”

Make it your own special burger with ham, wilted kale, Swiss, cheddar, or provolone cheese, fried jalapeno, onion straws, bleu cheese crumbles, or mushrooms. The sunrise pork belly cheddar burger is one of the most requested and is topped with pork belly, cheddar cheese, and a fried egg.

Like cocktails? Their bloody mary has the glass rimmed with bacon salt from Poca’s Hottest, and their

signature cocktail is the Florida Island, similar to a Long Island iced tea but more tropical. Finish off your meal with Chef Dee’s homemade key lime pie.

Enjoy a good time in the tropics at Tiki West Raw Oyster Bar & Grill!

Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill 118 W Ruby Street, Tavares TikiWestTavares.com 352.508.5783

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

dining Charley’s Grilled Subs 421 N West St. 352.568.1186 $

Calabria Ristorante 13900 County Road 455 407.656.5144 $$

Chuck’s Odd Cuples Café 117 W Belt Ave 352.568.0408 $

Cheeser’s Palace 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431 $

Coyote Rojo 2082 W. CR 48 352.569.0302 $$ Critic’s Choice 8032 CR 476B, 352.568.0008 $ Hong Kong Restaurants 2229 W CR 48 (352) 568-888 $$ Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582 $ Market Street Gardens 311 N. Market St. 352.568.0100 $$ Mia Plaza Pizzeria 6092 CR 609 352.793.4418 $

Astatula Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940 $

Astor Sparky’s Place 24646 State Road 40 352.759.3551 $$ Sterling Restaurant & Lounge 23525 State Road 40 352.759.3833 $$

Bushnell Angelotti’s Pizza 920 N Main St. 352.569.0446 $ Beef O’Bradys 2586 W. CR 48 352.568.7000 $

IN YOUR CITY

Sonny’s Bar-B-Q 2684 W. CR 48 352.569.0200 $ TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877 $$ Waffle House 2571 W CR 48 352.793.5656 $ Waller’s Restaurant 138 Bushnell Plaza 352.793.2592 $ Whistle Stop Café 311 N. Market St. 352.568.7667 $$

Clermont Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988 $$$

Flippers Pizzeria 2523 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.242.2214 $$ G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd.

352.243.8900 $$$ Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077 $$ Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd.

352.242.1910 $$$ Lyn’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe 824 W. Montrose St. 352.536.9935 $ Napolis Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 $$ Robata Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 $$ Rusty Fox 649 12th St. 352.394.3333 $$ Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club Restaurant 2601 Diamond Club Dr. 352.243.0411 $$ Spiro’s Pizza 1203 W. Hwy. 50 352.394.5538 $$ Sugar Mama’s Bake Shoppe 648 Eighth St. 352.241.9738 $$ Troy’s Cuban & Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295 $$

$: $5 – $14 $$: $15 – $24 $$$: $25 – $40 $$$$: $40+

Eustis 1884 Restaurant & Bar 12 East Magnolia Ave. 1.800.856.1884 $$ Barnwood BBQ 50 W. Orange Ave. 352.630.4903 $$ Cafe Gianni 119 N. Bay St. 352.589.1402 $$ Dam Smoker Barbeque 36721 County Road 19A 352.357.6555 $$ Double Take Pizza 403 N. Grove St. 352.343.0990 $$ El Korita Mexican Restaurant 256 W. Ardice Ave. 352.483.0355 $ Jeannie’s Place 209 E. Gottsche Ave. 352.357.0027 $ Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288 $$$ King’s Taste Bar-B-Que 503 Palmetto St. 352.589.0404 $$ La Mandarina Mexican Restaurant 1401 Orange Ave. 352.357.2487 $$

Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022 $$ Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949 $$ The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 $$ The Great Pizza Company 23 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.357.7377 $$ The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 $$$ Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001 $$

Kid’s Menu

Lady Lake Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000 $$$ Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722 $$ Texas Stockyard BBQ 360 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.750.5229 $$

Leesburg Bloom’s Baking House and Restaurant 610 W. Main St. 352.787.1004 $$

Fruitland Park

Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442 $

Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575 $

Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377 $$

Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 Fruitland Park 352.728.0006 $$

Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 County Road 44 352.365.2177 $$

Groveland Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. State Road 33 352.429.2997 $$$

Howey-inthe-Hills

Olivia’s Coffee House & Bistro 113 N. Bay St. 352.357.1887 $

JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd.

352.324.3600 $$

Rhythms Bar & Restaurant 12 S. Bay St. 720.318.5492 $

Mission Inn Resort & Club’s El Conquistador 10400 County Rd. 48 352.324.3101 $$$$

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. County Road 44 352.589.9100 $$

Mission Inn Resort & Club’s Nickers 10400 County Rd. 48 352.324.3101 $$$$

Habaneros 3 Mexican Restaurant 10601 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.315.1777 $$ HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006 $ Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 $ Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 County Road 473 352.343.4663 $ Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 $$ Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.323.1616 $$

Beer, Wine or Cocktails

Osaka 1401 Citrus Blvd.

352.728.0788 $$ San Juan Mexican Restaurant 1341 S. 14th St. 352.787.7575 $$ Stavros Pizza 755 N. 14th St. 352.326.4202 $$ Takis Pizza Restaurant 1324 W. North Blvd.

352.787.2344 $$ The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 $$ The Latin Cafe 400 N. 14th St. 352.365.0089 $$ Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107 $$ Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989 $$$$

Mascotte Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd.

352.429.2093 $$

Minneola Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 $ Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 $$ Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 $$

Mount Dora Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668 $

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

1884 RESTAURANT AND BAR

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–12A.M. // LUNCH, DINNER, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 12 EAST MAGNOLIA AVENUE, EUSTIS // 1.800.856.1884 // WWW.1884RESTAURANTANDBAR.COM Located in the historic Ferran’s building in downtown Eustis, 1884 Restaurant and Bar is a must for all to discover. The restaurant, which is open from 11am to Midnight 7 days a week, has everything from Boar’s Head wraps and pressed sandwiches at lunch to hand-cut filets and the signature double-bone, two-inch thick pork chop at dinner. Sushi Bar 7 days a week, lunch and dinner! With more than 10,000 square feet, 1884 can accommodate an intimate dinner for two to a private event in one of the 3 semi private rooms. Diners can also enjoy the full-service bar while ordering custom craft cocktails and eight rotating beers on tap. “Wine Down Wednesday” features $4 house wines. By using the most local and fresh ingredients, the chefs and bartenders will amaze you with their talent. Dinner and daily specials begining at 5 pm with happy hour from 4:30 - 6:30. No doubt, there’s something for everyone at 1884. This restaurant has won in 4 categories for the 2015 Lake and Sumter Style’s Hot list: Best server - Shelly Jaggers, Best bartender - Chelsea Harkness, Best Cocktail, and Best Girls Night Out. They were also named as Open Table’s Restaurant of the Month.

Call 1.800.856.1884 to reserve your table or book your party now. Join the email list at www.1884restaurantandbar.com to be the first to know of all specials, entertainers and events.

BARNWOOD BBQ AND COUNTRY KITCHEN 50 W. ORANGE AVE., EUSTIS. // 352.630.4903 // WWW.BARNWOODBBQ.COM

Mouth-watering barbecue. A family-like atmosphere. Old-fashioned service. Those are three qualities that patrons of Barnwood BBQ and Country Kitchen in Eustis experience upon each visit. Owners Dan and Elaine Backhaus have discovered that the recipe behind delicious barbecue is cooking meats low and slow over smoldering wood. That method has served them well, both for their restaurant and food truck business. Diners can also purchase Barnwood’s delicious, award-winning barbecue sauces and special seasonings. Popular breakfast items include a ham-and-cheese omelet, smoked sausage omelet, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and a variety of breakfast combinations, which are served all day. The restaurant’s equally delicious lunch items include a three-rib sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, beef brisket platter, smoked country sausage platter, mushroom Swiss burger, and grilled Reuben sandwich. Burgers, soups, and salads are also available. Be sure to top off your meal with one of Barnwood’s popular desserts, which include fruit cobbler and dark-chocolate brownies.

Judges Choice Best Entree for our pulled pork 2014 and 2015 at the Taste of Triangle Food Event.

HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 7A.M. TO 3P.M. LOCATION: 50 W. ORANGE AVE. IN EUSTIS. CONTACT: 352.630.4903 OR VISIT WWW.BARNWOODBBQ.COM.

COUSIN VINNIE’S SPORTS & BURGER BAR

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–LATE // FOOD, LIQUOR, MUSIC, SPORTS! 10401 U.S. HWY. 441, LEESBURG // 352.314.3600 // WWW.LEESBURGSPORTSBAR.COM The New Cousin Vinnie’s is located inside “Via Entertainment” at ViaPort Florida, formally Lake Square Mall. Owner “Cousin” Vinnie Vittoria has created another great bar and restaurant—this time sporting a full liquor bar! This new 150-seat establishment is surrounded by 22 BOWLING LANES, billiard tables, dart boards, Golden Tee Golf ,and a HUGE ARCADE. Vinnie spent 90 days working side by side with three executive chefs creating this flavor-rich new menu! The menu offers: 23 gourmet burgers, several gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, 8 amazing signature appetizers, seared tuna, fish, and shrimp tacos, fresh salads, jumbo wings, and 8- and 16-inch pizzas. The deep fried chicken and fish simply melt in your mouth! Where else in Lake County can you go and let your children bowl or play in the arcade while you sip on a refreshing adult beverage? This new venue also has: free Wi-Fi, 25 bigscreen televisions, and a $50,000 lighting and sound system. The next time you venture out to eat, treat yourself to much more than dinner! You can check out everything on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK.com/CousinVinniesBurgerBar or call 352.314.3600 today.

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

dining Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101 $$$

Operation Deep Freeze Custard 140A West 5 Avenue 352.735.8269 $

Blackbear Smokehouse 18750 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.2327 $$

Palm Tree Grille 351 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.1936 $$

Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 $

Pisces Rising 239 W. Fourth Ave. 352.385.2669 $$$

Cecile’s French Corner 237 W. Fourth Ave. 352.383.7100 $$

PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092 $

Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 $

Saucy Spoon Catering & Bistro 427 S. Highland St. 352.383.1050 $$$

Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 $$

Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 $

Cupcake Delights 122 E. 4th Ave. 352.383.2200 $

Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675 $

Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 $

The Frog and Monkey Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352.383.1936 $$

Incredible Edible Cakes 4295 W. Old Hwy. 441, Suite 2 352.223.3581 $ Ivory’s Take Out 1325 N. Grandview St. 352.735.6797 $ Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 $ Lisa’s Kitchen 3201 N. Hwy. 19A 352.383.9338 $$ Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 $ One Flight Up - Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Suite 100 352.758.9818 $

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IN YOUR CITY

Whales Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.385.1500 $$ Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855 $$

Sorrento Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 County Rd. 437 352.383.8882 $ Gi Gi’s 25444 State Road 46 352.735.4000 $$ Lisa’s Country Cafe 23911 State Road 46 352.735.3380 $

Summerfield Francesco’s Italian Ristorante and Stone Fire Pizza 16770 South U.S. Hwy. 441 352.693.2008 $$

Tavares

The Garden Gate Tea Room 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.735.2158 $$

Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 $$

The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059 $$$

Buzzard Beach Grill 12423 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.5267 $$

The Health Basket of Mount Dora 18834 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.735.1166 $$

Casa Mia Cafe 505 W Main St 352.742.9940 $

$: $5 – $14 $$: $15 – $24 $$$: $25 – $40 $$$$: $40+

O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 $$

Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 $$

Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 $$

Buddy’s BBQ 1210 N. Main St. 352.330.0338 $$

China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 $

Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.391.9939 $$

China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 $

Sinbad’s of Lake County 1050 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.343.6669 $$

City Fire Brownwood Paddock Square 352.561.2078 $$

RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930 $$

Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd.

352.343.7744 $

Olive Garden 3680 Wedgewood Ln. 352.259.0304 $$

Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9938 $$

The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 $$

Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evans Prairie Trail 352.750.2225 $$

Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393 $$

Zac’s Pressed for Time Cafe 110 S. New Hampshire Ave. 352.253.4663 $

Umatilla Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 State Road 19 352.669.3922 $ The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 $$

The Villages Bob Evans 2199 Parr Dr. 352.259.1224 $ Bonefish Grill 3580 Wedgewood Ln. 352.674.9292 $$

Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 $$ Glenview Champions Country Club 3194 Glenview Rd 352.753.0077 $$ Hemingway’s at Havana 2484 Odell Circle 352.753.1475 $$$ Las Tapas Brownwood Paddock Square 352.399.5516 $$ The Legacy Restaurant at the Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd.

352.753.1475 $$$

Bonifay Country Club 1033 Pinellas Place 352.205.7455 $$

The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 $$

Village Coffee Pot 425 Donnelly St. 352.383.3334 $

Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 $$

Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 $$

Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd.

352.753.3824 $$

Wasabi Buffet 16700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.7016 $$

Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 County Road 448 352.343.6823 $

Carrabba’s 650 U.S. Hwy. 441 N 352.430.1304 $$

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994 $$

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Beer, Wine or Cocktails

Outback Steakhouse 710 N. Hwy 441 352.430.2590 $$

Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.508.5137 $$

The Windsor Rose English Tea Room 142 W. Fourth Ave. 352.735.2551 $$

Kid’s Menu

Scooples 2718 Brownwood Blvd 352.750.6263 $ Square One Burgers & Bar 2542 Burnsed Blvd.

352.689.2191 $$ Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 $$ TooJay’s 1129 Canal St. 352.430.0410 $ Toscani’s Deli and Pizzeria 8760 SE Mulberry Ln. 352.693.2237 $$ VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 $$

Wildwood Aztec’s Mexican Restaurant 348 Shopping Center Dr. 352.748.2250 $ Beef O’ Bradys 840 S. Main St. 352.689.0048 $

Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 $$ Dickey’s Barbeque Pit 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.4288 $$ Mel’s Island Café 901 Industrial Dr. 352.748.4105 $$ O’Shucks!

Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 $$ Polly’s Pantry 819 S. Main St. 352.330.4002 $$ Rita’s Oyster Bar 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.399.2987 $$ T Weston’s Smokehouse 1210 N. Main St. 352.748.9378 $$ Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 $$ Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 $$

Yalaha Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48 352.324.3366 $$

EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

THE GOBLIN MARKET RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 331-B DONNELLY STREET (REAR ALLEY), MOUNT DORA 352.735.0059 // WWW.GOBLINMARKETRESTAURANT.COM

Nestled on a back alley in downtown Mount Dora, the Goblin Market Restaurant has been charming locals and tourists alike since 1996. The restaurant, housed in a renovated warehouse, features three intimate, book-lined dining rooms and a full-service lounge furnished in soothing, muted tones with tasteful modern art. The private, tree-shaded courtyard and garden patio are open year-round for al fresco dining. Low lighting and “new age” music add the finishing touches to the restaurant’s casual elegance. Owners Vince and Janis Guzinski embrace a simple philosophy of offering the highest-quality products, served in a unique and romantic atmosphere by a personable and attentive staff.

The Goblin Market’s wine list and menu represent a refreshing mix of ideas from its culinary team. The diversified origins and background of each member ensure exciting menu offerings and nightly selections.

HOURS OF OPERATION: LUNCH: TUESDAY–SATURDAY 11A.M.–3:00P.M. DINNER: TUESDAY–THURSDAY 5–9P.M., FRIDAY–SATURDAY 5–10P.M., SUNDAY 11A.M.–3:30P.M.

JOIN US FOR OUR NEW “LIGHTER FARE” DINNER MENU, GOURMET SOUPS, SALADS, AND SANDWICHES. TUESDAY– THURSDAY FROM 3–9P.M. (REGULAR DINNER MENU ALSO AVAILABLE).

SUBWAY

WWW.SUBWAY.COM Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food.

LADY LAKE // 208 W. Guava St. // 352.750.4929 EUSTIS // 469 Plaza Dr. // 352.357.7827 MOUNT DORA // 18870 U.S. Hwy. 441 // 352.735.4376 LEESBURG // 2013 Citrus Blvd. // 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Suite 4 // 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4 // 352.314.8847 THE VILLAGES // 1580 Bella Cruz Drive // 352.750.9600 8796 S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane // 352.750.9991 1070 Lake Sumter Landing Drive // 352.205.8535 349 Colony Blvd. // 352.391.1657 WILDWOOD // 480 W. Gulf to Alantic Hwy. // 352.748.8800 HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY–SATURDAY SUNDAY

10A.M.–10P.M. 10A.M.–9P.M.

TIKI WEST RAW BAR AND GRILL 118 WEST RUBY ST. TAVARES // 352.508.5783

A fun-filled dining experience and delicious food await patrons at Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill. Owner Chris Clark serves up tasty Key West-inspired food such as homemade crab cakes, mahi tacos, fresh oysters, and our famous chargrilled oysters. We now offer all you can eat specials everyday on crab legs $37.99, peel and eat shrimp $24.99, fried shrimp $24.99, crawfish $19.99, fried mahi mahi $ 16.99, fried clamstrips $15.99, and fried tilapia $11.99. Choose an all you can eat and you get any of the others of equal or lesser value!

Daily specials are also offered, including .60¢ wings on Monday, $2 off dozens of oysters on Tuesday, peel-and-eat shrimp for $9.99 on Wednesday, $16.99 Angus Choice Prime Rib dinner on Thursday, and discounted buckets of oysters on Sunday. Happy hour is all day, everyday. Diners can also sit at the horseshoe-shaped oyster bar and see how shucking oysters is an art form.

HOURS OF OPERATION 11 A.M. TO 10 P.M. SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 11 A.M. TO 11 P.M. OR LATER FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

ZAC’S PRESSED FOR TIME CAFE 505 W. MAIN ST., TAVARES 352.253.4663 // WWW.ZACSPRESSEDFORTIME.COM

Situated in beautiful downtown Tavares across Main Street from the Lake County Courthouse, Zac’s Pressed for Time Café is a popular casual dining restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Zac’s offers indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate every season and the widely diverse menu is flavored to suit all tastes. Homemade biscuits with sausage gravy, breakfast skillets, burgers, Cuban sandwiches, quesadillas, turkey melts and fresh salads are a few of the customer favorites. Daily specials are available including the crowd-pleasing pot roast sandwich with mashed potatoes, black beans & rice and steak tacos! Have a group to feed? Zac’s has a private dining room, which can hold up to 20 of your closest friends or business associates.

HOURS OF OPERATION: OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR RESTAURANT IN OUR DINING SECTION?

CALL US AT 352.787.4112

Final thought // Rheya Tanner

THE GREAT BALANCING ACT From the outside, I’m the poster child of young adulthood. People say I’m bright and full of potential. I’m a Dean’s List student, a loyal employee, and I wear a million other hats in between.

I gather commitments and opportunities like squirrels gather nuts. I do everything a young person ought to do to secure a productive, successful future.

And at night, I cry myself to sleep, wondering why it still isn’t good enough.

Until recently, I’d be the last person to admit I work too hard. Ninety percent of the time, I shoulder my workload with a smile. But thanks to the heart palpitations, the panic attacks, the hair-trigger temper that are becoming alarmingly common, it’s time to face it: I’m stressed out.

Why wouldn’t I be? I juggle part-time work and fulltime college with barely a moment to catch my breath.

My house is becoming foreign, and my dogs are now closer to my mother than to me. When I am home, I deal with errands I forgot to run, places I don’t want to go, and homework I’m too tired to do (so I don’t, which makes me fall behind, which makes me even more stressed).

I accept—like I have a choice—that a lot of this is

my fault. I suck at moderation, I don’t know how to say no, and of course, I like much of my daily busyness.

Certainly, I take on part of my workload because I want to. But I take on the rest because I have to, and I blame society for that.

It wasn’t long ago that I was a high schooler (of the Tavares Bulldog variety). Back in those days, it was easy to measure up: keep a good GPA, march with the band, don’t break the local playground equipment (I wish I was kidding), and everything will be peachy-keen.

Fast-forward to age 20. The game has changed. Good grades and extracurricular activities are only part of my duties. Now I have taxes to pay, deadlines to meet, and scholarships to maintain.

Now I have to commute an hour and a half to get to school when I used to only drive an hour because rushhour traffic is ridiculous, and because some inconsiderate jerk on State Road 46 has decided that 55 is just too fast.

It all happened at once, and I didn’t get time to adjust. In less than two years, it became acceptable—no, expected—that I run myself freaking ragged.

And that’s not fair. I should be allowed to relax

now more than ever. Hell, I should probably still be taking mandatory naps.

In fact, the more I call myself a young adult, the more I realize the term is a misnomer. A “young adult,” though early in its life cycle, is a fully developed and beautifully blooming member of the world.

That’s not even close to what I am. I’m not an adult.

I’m just some stupid kid masquerading as an adult, pretending that life hadn’t just ripped the diaper off my ass and shoved me into the working world. I’m sensitive and afraid, and I only pretend I know what I’m doing because society wants kids like me to have their entire lives planned out by 23.

I wish I had an answer to stop all the tears, but I’m afraid I don’t at the moment.

All I know is that “adult-

hood” feels a lot more like “figure-it-out-hood.” I’ve always got something to learn, and I’m always in the process of learning it.

Because of this stress, I’m learning—slowly—that wellbeing trumps success. What does it amount to, to be “full of potential,” if I crumble behind closed doors? Who cares if my name is on the Dean’s List when my stress makes me a bad person along the way? I’m still figuring out my next steps, but I think they will involve making time for my hobbies, nurturing my self-esteem, and learning how to say no.

The key will be learning how to work hard without working myself to death. A successful person may know how to balance, but a happy person knows their limits.

And I think that’s what will make all the difference.

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