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Combating brain drain
Nationally recognized psychiatrist and pediatrician Dr. Joe Bates inspired Villages residents with his prescription for “brain cardio” from his bestselling book, “Making Your Brain Hum.” He says a person can have a healthy fi nancial life, spiritual life, physical health, family and career, but the one prerequisite to all of these is a healthy mind.
“We spend billions as a whole for body workouts,” he says. “A healthy body is great, but it doesn’t do us any good if we don’t have a healthy mind, and we don’t need any expensive equipment to nourish it.”
The doctor created more than 500 games, puzzles, and questions that work out every part of the brain, and he believes brain workouts help people of any age, but specifi cally seniors who want to keep a mental edge.
Breaking ground
New Beginnings of Central Florida recently broke ground for Woodwinds Community, which will feature 96 affordable apartments on a 10-acre site on South Grand Highway in Clermont, near the intersection of Citrus Tower Boulevard.
The lack of affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness, according to New Beginnings’ president and founder, Steve Smith. Woodwinds residents will have access to New Beginnings’ social services, including classes on budgeting, career counseling, parenting, wellness, life skills, computer lab, and afterschool programs for children. Completion of the project is expected by spring 2018.
CFB’s big plans for 2018
During the fi rst quarter of 2018, Citizens First Bank in Leesburg will be leaving its familiar yellow building for new offi ces at the corner of U.S. Highway 441 and Lee Street. Construction will begin on the property soon. CFB will also be opening a new branch offi ce in Fruitland Park at the corner of U.S. Highway 441 and Palm Street, a new convenience for these customers.
Learning about veterans
Summer students of Lake Montessori School were impressed during their recent visit to Veterans Memorial Park in Leesburg. Donald Van Beck, executive director of the memorial, talked to the children about the many names on the memorials and what it means to see them there. There are more than 9,000 names of local veterans inscribed on the wall. “This is for kids and grandchildren,” Don says. “In the schools today, they don’t know much about the wars. I would like to see all the schoolchildren come down for us to do a program.” Any teachers or parents who would like to take groups for a visit can contact Don at 352.343.1529.
The fashion of aging
The median age in The Villages is 68 and in Sumter County, it is 65. The defi nition of old is maturing right along with the population. According to recent studies, most Americans want to live to 100 (at least). No one can defi nitively say if it’s good genes or plenty of money for good care, but Kirk Douglas is 100, and Betty White and Carl Reiner are 95. Delphine Gibson of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, is now listed as the oldest person in the United States at 113. Aging in Place Technology Watch says technology may play a role in keeping people alive longer as it becomes customized. Right now, 46 percent of women who are 75-plus and live alone use the alert systems worn around the neck that can bring help at the push of a button. Better hearing and vision technology also help seniors live better and longer.
The night they drove down Old Dixie
Leesburg is benefi ting from a Florida Department of Transportation program. Dixie Avenue will look and feel a little more “complete” after a $4 million makeover beginning this summer. The FDOT Complete Streets project runs the length of Dixie Avenue (State Road 44) from U.S. Highway 27 to East Main Street, just south of U.S. Highway 441, city spokesman Derek Hudson says, to improve roadway access for all users—drivers, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Last year, the city received an $85,000 grant that enabled engineers to design a concept. The new design adjusts turn lanes, improves road safety, incorporates intermodal transportation features, and enhances roadway aesthetics with landscaping. The project includes roadway resurfacing, sidewalk improvements, and a concrete median separating opposing traffi c lanes, a news release states. Construction should last about a year.
Dream big
Dreaming is free, as Blondie sang, but fulfi lling dreams doesn’t come cheap. That’s why the Central Florida Dreamplex, with a little help from Tim Tebow, is having its fi fth annual gala fundraiser and silent auction from 6-11pm Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center, 3700 S. U.S. Highway 27. Proceeds benefi t the more than 1,000 children and adults annually served by Dreamplex in Clermont. The facility provides “ordinary sports to extraordinary people,” meeting the fi tness, recreational, social, and employment needs of children and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Tim, the former Florida Gators quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner and now minorleague baseball player, is guest speaker. The evening will include dinner and dancing. Support Dreamplex by buying a ticket, donating auction items, sponsoring a table, or volunteering. Call 352.404.4085 or visit cfl dreamplex.com/gala for more information.
James Combs’
1
A German shepherd that serves as part of the Mount Dora Police Department K-9 unit is recovering from a stroke suff ered during a run. Hang in there, my furry friend. Things might be a little “ruff ” right now, but with the proper rehabilitation you’re destined to make a paws-itive recovery.
A line, a pole, and a good cause
A fun day of fi shing may also reel in some much-needed help for a serious situation. The St. Johns River Showdown Benefi t Tournament is 6am-3pm Saturday, Sept. 16, at Powell’s Campground, 25716 Powell Drive, Astor. Registration is $100 per team with proceeds going toward the medical bills of Olivia Geiger, a local toddler being treated for brain cancer. Next door, Astor Landing will host a free Kids Fishing Tournament along with food, live music, raffl es, and more. For more information, call Vernon Kemp at 352.258.9734 or Astor Bait and Tackle at 352.759.2600, or astorbaitandtackle@gmail.com, or visit gofundme.com/help-with-olivias-medical-expenses.
2 Police recently busted 30 Lake County businesses for selling alcohol to minors. These business owners have raised the bar in stupidity. Going forward, I think law enforcement off icers should keep closed tabs on them.
3 Robbers at a Leesburg Burger King attacked three employees and afterward forced them into a freezer. I hope the perpetrators are arrested. If they land in prison, they’ll be getting all the “whoppers” they can handle.
4 After drinking wine at a community pool, a resident of
The Villages went for a wild ride in her golf cart and was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. This was definitely a pour decision on her part.
5 Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell wants to bring the D.A.R.E. program back to Lake schools after it was dropped in 2013 due to budget concerns. I know someone who was once part of this program. He repeatedly said “no” to drugs, but the drugs wouldn’t listen.
6 Given the rash of armed robberies in Lake County in recent months, concerned business owners met with law enforcement off icers and expressed the need to keep guns in their workplaces. In other words, anyone trying to rob a bar will receive free shots.
Dedicating Veterans Village
Reed Vohhold, retired Coast Guard, and his wife of 43 years, Michele, became the fi rst couple to move into Veterans Village in Umatilla, one of 13 homes being built for military members, veterans, or widows of veterans.
More than 100 people attended the dedication of the Vohhold home, including U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster and Lake County Commissioners Sean Parks, Tim Sullivan, and Leslie Campione.
“Our vision is to be able to create quality homeownership,” says Kent Adcock, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, builder of Veterans Village. “Habitat, probably more so than any other organization, has the capability of leveraging dollars so we might be able to provide quality affordable housing.”
Construction of the Vohhold home was made possible by numerous volunteers and house sponsors RoMac Lumber & Supply and Watson Realty.
REED AND MICHELE VOHHOLD
