STYLE Magazine, Villages Edition, October 2020

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PAWS-ITIVE TAILS Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

HAIL TO THE CHEF Allison Fogarty gets tails-a-wagging with her healthy and delicious Doggy Delights by Allison.

AL SO

DON’T BE CHICKEN Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

A PAIN IN THE NECK Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

Take care.

And know we’re doing the same.

Take care of yourself. Take care of your family and your loved ones. Take care of the important things in life that get you through each day. Take care of your health and don’t delay seeking medical care.

At UF Health, we’re taking the necessary precautions and investing in resources to protect you — our patients — inspiring confidence, so you can access the care you need. Our three full-service E.R.s, conveniently located in The Villages® and Leesburg, are here for you.

We’re helping our patients, protecting our communities and conquering today’s toughest challenges in medicine, because as problem-solvers, we rise up.

Take care of yourself. Take care of your family and your loved ones. Take care of the in life that get you through each day. Continue to take care because So please,important take care,things and be confident that we’re doing the same — for you. that’s exactly what we’re doing. At UF Health, we’re taking care of our health care providers to ensure they are getting the resources and protective measures they need to serve you. From providing routine health care to addressing seriousmore. conditions or Visit CentralFloridaHealth.org to learn illnesses, taking care is what we do.

UF Health Leesburg Hospital E.R.

UF Health The Villages® Hospital E.R.

UF Health Brownwood Freestanding E.R.

C O M M E R C I A L

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R E S I D E N T I A L

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9/4/20 2:44 PM

L HIL AK TO A VE ER ES PR

ES AG ILL V E TH

9060 NW 19TH ST, WILDWOOD, FL 34785 Let’s Build your Custom Dream Home right here.

LOT 78 features 10.08 Acres nestled in the Cul-de-Sac with rolling hills. This Prestigious & Gated Equestrian Community’s Deed Restrictions allow for your barn and horses with open pastures. Surrounded by horse farms, four board fencing and 100 acres of horse riding trails, underground utilities and street lights. $110,000 | MLS# G4838375

LD SO

6010 POLOCHECK PLACE, THE VILLAGES, FL 32163 Dynamite location! This LIGHTLY LIVED IN 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath “SUNFLOWER 5” Designer home is perfectly located in the Village of Southern Oaks. Featuring; Gable roof, 2-Car and Golf Car Garage, leaded glass front door, foyer, white GOURMET style kitchen, gas, ceramic tile throughout the main living area, recessed lighting, Roman shower, and nova purified water system. TWO New Golf courses are coming SOON! $345,000 | MLS# G5031948

ES AG ILL V E TH

1203 W. MAIN STREET, LEESBURG, FL 34748 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN LEESBURG! FANTASTIC LOCATION! Downtown Leesburg is conveniently located with an easy commute to Orlando, Florida Turnpike and I-75. Property is perfect for Commercial, Mixed use, Professional, Office and Retail Opportunities with approximately 1.87 ACRES with so MANY possibilities! Property is fenced, fronts Main Street and 12th Street with a Warehouse, Pole Barn and room to build. Offered at $275,000 | MLS# G5015726

ES AG ILL V E TH

1104 BECKER AVE, THE VILLAGES, FL 32163 BEAUTIFULLY-APPOINTED 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath “Avondale” Bungalow Courtyard Villa nestled in The Village of Pine Ridge on a CORNER Home site. Solid Block and Stucco construction with a Two-Car garage, privacy wall, completely “Turnkey furnished”! Income producing/Tenant Occupied w/2-Year Lease $1,000/ Month. $339,000 | MLS# G5027614

9899 NW 26TH ST, WILDWOOD, FL 34785 Build your Custom Dream Home on LOT 48 at the end of the Cul-de-Sac. These Gorgeous 13.95 Acres are located in the Gated PRESERVE AT OAK HILL Equestrian Community! Deed Restrictions allow for your barn and horses. The Preserve at Oak Hill offers quiet country living right in the Heart of Sumter County. $149,000 | MLS# G5015190

1.352.307.2925

321 CHULA VISTA AVE, LADY LAKE, FL 32159 BEAUTIFUL 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath newly RENOVATED and furnished Home nestled on the 4th Hole of the Mira Mesa Golf Course. Private Homesite with Dynamite views, NEW vinyl plank floors, white Kitchen cabinetry, GRANITE, Stainless Appliances, and Gas Golf Cart! NO BOND! $279,900 | MLS# G5029159

BassettPremierRealty.com

Spruce Creek Professional Plaza | 10935 SE 177th Place, Suite 201, Summerfield, FL 34491

Rosanna Holmes Sharon Bassett,

ABR, RENE, SFR, SRES

Jenelle Littizzio

Kyle Willman Realtor®

Broker Assistant

RS STO VE N I N TIO TEN AT

LD SO

5031 SE 115TH STREET, BELLEVIEW, FL 34420 SIX GORGEOUS ACRES centrally located in Belleview!

ZONED R-3 with a Retention pond at the backside of the property designed for MULTI-HOUSING. Seller provided Plans, TOPO and ENGINEERING reports. Perfect site for apartments, duplexes and/ or townhomes. Great location near shopping, restaurants, medical, and much more! The Two-story home on site can be remodeled for your Sales Center! $349,900 | MLS# G5031672

Chris Szymanski

Director of Marketing

Realtor®

Owner/Broker

FR, RENE, MRP, SRES, HSE

Bookkeeper

Maria Covella

0000 W MAIN ST, LEESBURG, FL 34748 INCOME PRODUCING PROPERTY! Retail Storefront with SIX retail Storefronts! Centrally located on Main Street in Downtown Leesburg with a Convenient commute to Orlando, the Turnpike, I-75, and much more. BRAND New Roof was installed in August 2020. Walking distance to Venetian Gardens, Plenty of parking spaces for easy accessibility and direct Main Street Frontage. Annual Income $31,800. $275,000 | MLS#G5028270

ING ND PE

4972 NE 73RD DR, WILDWOOD, FL 34785 BREATHTAKING VIEWS! 3/2 Estate Home with 1/1 Cottage. Both privately nestled on 2.05 ACRES on the 900-acre natural spring-fed LAKE DEATON. Canopy of towering Oaks, old southern charm, Roof 2017, vinyl plank floors and fresh paint. Adjacent 7.51 Acre lot also available! $395,000 | MLS# G5032256

S! OT 4L

LOT 2

2297 NW 81ST AVE, WILDWOOD, FL 34785 Build your Custom Dream Home in the Gated PRESERVE AT OAK HILL. LOT 2 Features 4.20 Gorgeous acres with 4 board fencing, Deed Restrictions allows for your barn and horses. Offering quiet country living right in the heart of Sumter County. 100 acres of Equine riding trails, underground utilities and street lights, internet, and phone. $79,500 | MLS# G5021264

16151 SE SUNSET HARBOR ROAD, SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491

12 GORGEOUS ACRES near Lake Weir! Zoned A-1. Let’s Build your Forever home right here! Enjoy the serene COUNTRY LIVING amongst the Towering Oak trees, 5-Stall Barn, Three board fencing, well, septic, water and electric available. Just minutes to The Villages, Shopping, Medical, Restaurants and much more! (4) 3-ACRE parcels are available. CALL FOR DETAILS!

14329 SE 170TH ST, WEIRSDALE, FL 32195 Private and Secluded! 10 Absolutely Gorgeous Acres of Land to build your dream home and bring your animals. Surrounded by citrus trees and farms, this Dynamite location in Weirsdale is just minutes to Lake Weir, The Villages, Grand Oaks Resort, Carriage Museum and Orange Blossom Opry. The Owner has already cleared a portion of the property to build your home and has poured the 20’ x 46’ slab for your pole barn. $175,000 | MLS# G5033687

OCT'20 V.16

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CONTENTS 1 of 2

FEATURES

036

Anything is paws-ible

To the rescue

Inspired by television personality and celebrity cook Rachael Ray, 29-year-old Allison Fogarty makes homemade treats for dogs in the community.

Lake County animal rescues are involved in a life-or-death battle.

And they desperately need your help.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

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STORIES: GARY CORSAIR, JAMES COMBS, VICTORIA SCHLABIG, AND ROXANNE BROWN

TB

F INANCIAL G ROUP I NC .

We Listen.

We Care.

We Educate.

Liz Cornell, CAS®

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

352.350.1161

TBFinancialGroup.com 3261 U.S. Highway 441/27, Suite F-2 Fruitland Park, FL 34731

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OCT‘20 V.16

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CONTENTS 2 of 2

DEPARTMENTS

first

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agenda

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THE HIT LIST 024 PERSON OF INTEREST 028 OUTSTANDING STUDENT 030 MY FIRST TIME 032

028 078

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JAMS 076 LOCAL TALENT 078 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT 080 HI SOCIETY 082

healthy living

090 094

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INSPIRATION 088 HEALTHY SPIRIT 090 HEALTHY BODY 094

menu

088

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108

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IN THE KITCHEN 102 FORK ON THE ROAD 108 SPIRITS 110 DINING GUIDE 114

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102 PAWS-ITIVE TAILS Local rescues unleash a new life for animals. DON’T BE CHICKEN Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm. A PAIN IN THE NECK Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS

Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

DON’T BE CHICKEN

Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

A PAIN IN THE NECK

Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS

Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

DON’T BE CHICKEN

Cluck, moo, and a llama, too, at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

A PAIN IN THE NECK

Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

columns FROM THE PUBLISHER 016 AT YOUR SERVICE 017 FINAL THOUGHT 124

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E ON TH R C OV E

124

Hail. chef

to the

Allison Fogarty gets tails-a-wagging with her healthy and delicious Doggy Delights by Allison.

Lake and Sumter Style Photo: Douglas Tyler Model: Allison Fogarty

FE ATURIN G

AL SO

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

HAIL TO THE CHEF Allison Fogarty gets tails-a-wagging with her healthy and delicious Doggy Delights by Allison.

DON’T BE CHICKEN Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

A PAIN IN THE NECK Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

Village Edition

C

A n m b u f w

K

“ A i i u b 1

AMERICAN FAMILY HOMES CUSTOM CHANGES BENEFIT YOU

CHANGE IS GOOD

At American Family Homes we believe you deserve your new home, your way. This includes custom changes that make your home personal and special to you. That’s always been part of the American Family Homes experience. Bring us your ideas. Let’s collaborate on style, color and design features to create an energy efficient custom home, within budget, just the way you want it.

KNOW YOUR BUILDER

“Designing and building a custom home is a long process.

A thousand decisions need to be made, one just as important as the next. The first decision you need to make is to hire the right builder with the right experience. Don’t underestimate the importance of the relationship with your builder. American Family Homes is Committed to Quality and 100% Satisfaction. We invite your inquiry today.” - Mike Neace CUSTOM HOMES “ON YOUR LOT” FROM THE $200s OFFICE/DESIGN STUDIO 312 South Bay St., Eustis FL 32726

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF LAKE-SUMTER

BUILDER OF THE YEAR Let’s get started. Call me today.

Mike Neace: 352-589-6004 Award Winning Home Designer, Builder, Licensed Contractor

“Committed to Quality & Satisfaction” AmericanFamilyHomesInc.com State License Number - CBC058306

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Animal Tales Love a furever friend; you’ll get more than you give.

hey say dogs are a man’s best friend... I am not sure who came up with that, but I’d like to amend it. A dog is a man’s AND a woman’s best friend.

I know this is true from personal experience. I am the proud owner of two West Highland White Terriers—Myles and Mando. Both dogs have left a permanent mark on my soul because they offer company, love and undeniable loyalty.

Spending time with them is one of the greatest joys in my life. I take them swimming in our pool, bathe and blow dry them, and go on walks with them. They deserve to be loved and cared for just like children.

They’re a gift from God. You might be wondering why I’m starting my publisher’s letter off by talking about my furry friends. I’ll tell you why. For the first time, we are dedicating an issue of Lake and Sumter Style almost exclusively to animals. I’m extremely excited about this, and I’m sure others will be too because I know there are countless animal-lovers out there.

We’re sharing the heartwarming story of Allison Fogarty, a 29-year-old Clermont woman with Down syndrome who was inspired by celebrity cook Rachael Ray to start her own company, Doggy Delights by Allison. She makes healthy, homemade treats for dogs in the community.

This month, we are also featuring five local animal rescues that go above and beyond to provide a happy, healthy life for abandoned and neglected animals. These rescues include the Cat Protection Society, Triple C Pit Bull Rescue, the Wild Horse Rescue Center, Chase Rescue Sanctuary and A Forever Home Animal Rescue. Reading these stories will surely pull at your heartstrings.

Our Outstanding Student, Sofia Prieto-Rodriguez, is a 15-year-old girl who serves as a pet sitter at Harbor Hills. And we’re also highlighting Uncle Donald’s Farm, an attraction in Lady Lake that houses a unique mix of farm animals and wildlife.

I’d like to end my article with this: If you’re a pet owner, give your furry friend an extra big hug to let them know how much they’re loved. If you’re not a pet owner, adoption is an excellent way to provide a needy animal with a fur-ever home.

Here’s to a happy and prosperous October.

God bless,

Have a story to tell?

We’re always looking for stories about people who live and work in our area. Send suggestions to editorial@akersmediagroup.com.

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Kendra Akers Doug Akers

OWNER/PUBLISHER kendra@akersmediagroup.com

DESIGN

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EDITORIAL

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STAFF WRITER james@akersmediagroup.com

Michael Gaulin Theresa Campbell

SENIOR DESIGNER michael@akersmediagroup.com

STAFF WRITER theresa@akersmediagroup.com

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS Local rescues unleash a new life for animals. DON’T BE CHICKEN Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm. A PAIN IN THE NECK Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS

Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

DON’T BE CHICKEN

Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

Volkan Ulgen Victoria Schlabig

ART DIRECTOR volkan@akersmediagroup.com

A PAIN IN THE NECK

Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS

Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

DON’T BE CHICKEN

Cluck, moo, and a llama, too, at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

A PAIN IN THE NECK

Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

SPONSORED BY

STAFF WRITER victoria@akersmediagroup.com

TO LAKE COUNTY

Megan Mericle Roxanne Brown

GRAPHIC DESIGNER megan@akersmediagroup.com

STAFF WRITER roxanne@akersmediagroup.com

Hail. chef

Douglas Tyler CON TRIBUTIN G DIRECTOR OF WRITER S

to the

PHOTOGRAPHY douglas@akersmediagroup.com

Joe Angione Anthony Rao Diane Dean

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER anthony@akersmediagroup.com

CON TRIBUTIN G ED IT OR

Nicole Hamel Gary Corsair

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER nicole@akersmediagroup.com

FE ATURIN G

PAWS-ITIVE TAILS

Allison Fogarty gets tails-a-wagging with her healthy and delicious Doggy Delights by Allison.

Local rescues unleash a new life for animals.

HAIL TO THE CHEF Allison Fogarty gets tails-a-wagging with her healthy and delicious Doggy Delights by Allison.

Perfect

THE

AL SO

DON’T BE CHICKEN Come see the farm animals and wildlife at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

A PAIN IN THE NECK Thyroid cancer is rising quickly in women.

+

PICK

Lake County has bushels of berries and a bounty of agritourism sites.

ON THE WATERFRONT

GO FISH

MUTUAL ATTRACTIONS

Launch yourself into endless waterways and discover scenic wildlife areas.

Explore a fishing mecca with countless hot spots for anglers of all skill levels.

By land, sea and air, visitors can find adventure, sightseeing and recreation.

Hot off the press!

The latest editions of Lake & Sumter Style, Village Edition Style, and Welcome to Lake County.

Get yours Subscriptions: Order a subscription of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly

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to your home for just $84. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Lake & Sumter Style and Village Edition Style. Choose 2 or more magazines for $108 per year.

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Lake & Sumter Style. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2020 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” 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.

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“

As a General Motors employee, we always expected and received good service. Now as a retiree, Plaza Cadillac has been our dealership for the last sixteen years.

The service on our Cadillacs has been outstanding, but the respect and the time that the staff takes with their customers is what keeps us coming back.

“

— DALE & NORITA STILES

P L A ZA Dale & Norita Stiles

8893 US HWY 441 LEESBURG, FL 34788 352.787.1323

P L AZACA D ILLAC.COM ILLAC .COM

Tony Pagano, General Sales Manager (left) Colt Cyr, Salesperson

“

We just bought our new Lincoln MKZ (with the beautiful grill) at Plaza Lincoln. We moved to Florida a few years ago, and we won’t go anywhere else! My salesman Scotty even came in on his day off to make sure the pinstriping was done the way we wanted it. That’s what we call great service!”

“

— DOMENIC & PEGGY DE CAPUA

PLAZ A Peggy & Dominic De Capua Tony Pagano, General Sales Manager (right) Scott McCarty, Salesperson

8925 US HWY 441 LEESBURG, FL 34788 352.787.1255

P L AZA AZALL I NC O L N O F L E E SB U RG . C O M

Cancer Care Shouldn’t Stop for COVID-19 PA I D

I

P R O M O T IO N A L

F E AT U R E

t’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. How does one balance pandemic risk with cancer risk?

Avoiding cancer care can have serious consequences.

“Fear of contracting the coronavirus in health care settings has dissuaded people from visits,” says National Cancer Institute (NCI) director Norman Sharpless, MD. “Routine screening has plummeted.”

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Decreased screening can result in delayed diagnosis and in cancer being detected at a later stage, when it is harder to treat and has a poorer prognosis. In addition, cancer treatments are being postponed or reduced, which can also impact patient health.

Those impacts can be significant. Together, breast and colorectal cancer account for about

L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • O C T ' 2 0

one-sixth of all cancer deaths. NCI modeled the effect of the pandemic on those two cancers and found that missed screenings, delays in diagnosis, and reduced care could lead to about 10,000 additional deaths over the next ten years.

“If you are scheduled for cancer treatments, have a discussion with your oncologist about the benefits and

risks of continuing or delaying treatment,” writes Dr. Merry Jennifer Markham, Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “If you are not scheduled for cancer treatment but are scheduled for an appointment with your oncologist, it may be possible for the doctor to conduct the visit using videoconferencing or telemedicine.”

Taking Extra Care ”In order to protect our patients and staff, we are following the CDC’s recommendations to help prevent the spread of this virus.” Radiology Associates of Ocala’s (RAO’s) message, “Our Response to the Coronavirus,” reflects steps being taken by many facilities.

“Masks are required for all staff and patient encounters,” explains Dr. Amanda Aulls at RAO. “Staff have their temperatures taken every day. We are screening patients at scheduling and before they come in the building regarding exposure and symptoms.

Social distancing is encouraged in the building, and we have removed and rearranged furniture to accommodate distances of 6 feet apart. We have added time to our appointment slots to allow for additional cleaning of the rooms in between patients. And we are also limiting the number of people/families in the waiting rooms and also allowing patients to wait in the car. So far, patients seem happy and pleased with the response and we have not had any issues.”

Whether or not to delay a screening mammogram depends on the individual. “Certainly patients in the high-risk category should be extra careful in public spaces,” adds Dr. Aulls. “Putting off their screening exam for a month or two likely would not make a difference in the long run. My real concerns are the patients that missed their screening exam this year and decide to skip it for a whole year. A delay in treatment that long could make a real-life and death difference for some patients.”

More information about RAO is at raocala.com.

40% Breast cancers found because women felt a lump during a breast self-exam

5

Breast cancers found for every 1,000 screening mammograms

20%

Together, Remotely RBOI offers free support groups and wellness activities via Zoom. We can help set you up if you have not used the program before. You can also join us via telephone. Click the Cancer Support tab on RBOI.com for more information.

Drop in breast cancer deaths as a result of screening mammograms

92%

Drop in mammography between January 2019 and May 2020 in a study of community radiology practices

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home The Villages 352.259.2200 Ocala 352.732.0277 Timber Ridge 352.861.2400 Inverness 352.726.3400 Lecanto 352.527.0106 RBOI.com

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Country Club Living

MAIN CLUB HOUSE

FITNESS CENTER

GOLF COURSE

SPORTS COMPLEX

BISTRO RESTAURANT

Water Oak Country Club Estates is an all-inclusive, pet-friendly gated

resort-like community that provides residents with luxurious and tranquil privacy at an affordable cost. Spend your days enjoying our 18-hole championship golf course, state o the art ďŹ tness center ith sauna and private sho ers, and our lakefront clubhouse with an Olympic-size heated swimming pool and spa area.

Live vibrant and enjoy active adult living in the heart of Central Florida just minutes away from The Villages and local area attractions. Come see us today and tour our model home center and community.

888.321.6013 | WaterOakCountryClub.com | 224 Magnolia Drive, Lady Lake

A golden moment.

Breeder Anne Rowe recalls delivering 14 puppies.

first PEOPLE. COMMENTARY. NEWS.

THE HIT LIST

PRESIDENTS COME TO LAKE COUNTY With the presidential election a month away, there’s a good chance we’ll be visited by President Trump or challenger Joe Biden. That’s because candidates know that Central Florida is the key to winning Florida. Through the years, several candidates made campaign stops in Lake County and The Villages to schmooze over voters. Here’s a little trip down memory lane.

• Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton visited Lake-Sumter State College (then Lake-Sumter Community College) during a campaign stop in October 1992.

• Republican vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, strolled down Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages in October 2000.

• A large crowd gathered at Lake-Sumter Landing in The Villages to hear President George W. Bush deliver a campaign speech in October 2004.

• In September 2008, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin attracted a crowd of 30,000 supporters in The Villages.

• In January 2012, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited The Villages and sang “America the Beautiful.”

• In March 2016, Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio spoke at a campaign rally in The Villages.

• In September 2016, vice presidential candidate Mike Pence spoke in front of 850 supporters at the Savannah Center in The Villages.

OCTOBER IS FOR THE ANIMALS October is a month for celebrating multiple animal and pet-related occasions. National Animal Safety and Protection Month, National Pet Wellness Month, National Pitbull Awareness Month are all celebrated throughout the entire month of October each year. The first week of October recognizes National Walk Your Dog Week and Animal Wellness Week. Other notable dates are as follows: Oct. 1: National Fire Pup Day and National Black Dog Day Oct. 4: World Animal Day Oct. 16: Global Cat Day Oct. 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day Oct. 29: National Cat Day

DIGGING UP HISTORY Did you know that the inspiration for the Indiana Jones character retired in Eustis?

That’s right. Edgar James Banks, a novelist, American diplomat and antiquarian, discovered the City of Eustis during one of his many lecturing trips in 1921, and liked it so much that he decided to retire here.

During his career, Banks was an antiquities enthusiast and entrepreneurial archaeologist who focused on artifacts from the final days of the Ottoman Empire.

He bought hundreds of Ottoman cuneiform tablets and resold them to museums, universities and libraries across the U.S. He also had a book published in 1912 about his excavations in the ancient Sumerian city of Adab, located in what is now Iraq. In the book he recalls “lively” stories of his excavations and discoveries.

Edgar Banks died in Eustis in 1945 at age 79. You can find many exhibits of Banks’s discoveries in the Eustis Historical Museum.

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HOLLYWOOD COMES TO LAKE COUNTY Lake County’s natural beauty and charming small towns caught the eye of Hollywood location scouts throughout the years. Here are some of the more popular movies filmed here: • Honky Tonk Freeway (1981). Every building in downtown Mount Dora was painted pink during the filming, which featured notable Hollywood stars such as Beau Bridges, Beverly D’Angelo and Teri Garr.

• Rosewood (1997). Scenes in this movie about a racially motivated massacre were filmed in east Lake County towns, including Cassia and Mount Plymouth. The movie starred Jon Voight, Ving Rhames and Esther Rolle.

• The Waterboy (1998). The scenes of the cabin where Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) and his mother (Kathy Bates) live were filmed along the Palatlakaha River in Clermont.

• Jeepers Creepers (2001). While most of this horror movie was filmed in Ocala, the scenes of the elderly “cat woman” were filmed in Lake County. The movie starred Justin Long and Gina Phillips.

900 CATS ADOPTED IN FOUR YEARS The Lake County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed September 8, 2020 as “Orlando Cat Café Day” in Lake County.

Not familiar with cat cafés? They’re themed cafés whose attraction is cats that can be watched and played with by patrons who pay a cover fee, sort of a supervised pet rental.

Orlando Cat Café was the first cat café in Florida when it opened four years ago. The café has welcomed over 70,000 visitors from all over the world and adopted nearly 900 cats and kittens to

forever homes. The Orlando Cat Café houses between 12-20 spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated cats and kittens, all available for adoption.

The Orlando Cat Café is located at 532 Cagan Park Avenue in the Cagan Crossings Town Center, about 4 miles west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at orlandocatcafe.com.

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THE HIT LIST

EX-STRAW-ORDINARY Since we’re talking about animals, let’s not forget that plastic – particularly plastic straws – can be extremely damaging to wildlife and ocean creatures, such as sea turtles, as many of us have seen in photos online. Pasta Life has created the world’s first gluten-free pasta drinking straw, for those who may not be a fan of metal straws. The pasta straws last up to 40 minutes in a cold drink and are 100 percent biodegradable, breaking down in less than 90 days. The straws are certified gluten-free and

vegan, made from 100 percent plant-based ingredients, and are available in eight colors and three different sizes. The Pasta Life variety pack comes with 20 colorful straws of three sizes, and are perfect for smoothies, iced coffee, at-home happy hour and many more beverages. The best part – a portion of proceeds are given to an ocean cleanup and conservation foundation. A 20 pack of straws sells for $12.98, or, you can get a 190 for just $16.95. Purchase your pasta straws at pasta.life.

Two years ago, while walking in a Tavares park, Adam Meyer and his daughter Kayla came across a lending library filled with books left for the taking. Noticing that the majority of options were adult books, Kayla, an avid reader, requested that her dad build a kid-friendly lending library in their hometown of Eustis.

Though Adam started the project two years ago, “life happened” and the family welcomed their third child into the world, so the project was put on hold.

In August 2020, the Little Lake Gracie Library was finally completed and now sits on the edge of Lake Gracie in Eustis near Fernshaw Ave. “We thought since so many people walk around this lake it might be a great location for us,” Adam says. The library includes a top shelf for adult books and a lower shelf for kids books.

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Kayla’s parents have always read to their children, since they were infants, and her mom used to be a kindergarten teacher, so the family had a surplus of books to share with the community.

Kayla, an 11-year-old 6th grader, loves to read fantasies.

One of her favorite authors is Chris Colfer, who is known for his role of Kurt on the TV show “Glee.” “He has a series called ‘The Land of Stories’ where these kids go into the fairy tale world, and it’s really cool,” Kayla says. “She’s a read-aholic. She’s really read thousands of books. She doesn’t stop,” her dad adds.

So far, father and daughter say the library is pretty popular. Next time you’re on a walk with your family, consider the scenic 1.1-mile walk around Lake Gracie, where you can grab a read along the way. And don’t forget to bring one of your favorite books to share!

Photo of the Little Lake Gracie Library is provided by Adam Meyer.

TAKE-A-BOOK, LEAVE-A-BOOK

IF YOU COULD BE ANYONE…

DID YOU KNOW? Leesburg hosted the country’s first national bass fishing tournament in 1928. The National Fresh Water Bass Tournament ran from Jan. 10 through March 10 and was only open to fisherman from outside of Florida.

The tournament included several categories, including the largest bass caught on artificial lure, largest bass caught by trolling and largest bass caught on fly rod. The overall winner received a cash award and trophy, which was called the “Silver Cup.” Apparently, word spread quickly about this prestigious tournament. By 1930, the event drew 2,000 fishermen representing 38 states.

Halloween is around the corner, though the coronavirus has stolen some of its thunder now that face masks are an everyday part of life in most places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Still, dressing up as someone completely different appeals to adults as much as children, especially this year.

The excitement surrounding the holiday is due to October 31 falling on a Saturday for the first time since 2010, and that for the first time in 18-19 years, Halloween will be accentuated by a full moon.

According to almanac.com, “we will see two full moons this October: the first occurs on Thursday, Oct. 1, and the second occurs on Saturday, Oct. 31. Halloween’s full moon will be extra special, since it will be the second of the month and, therefore, a ‘Blue Moon.’”

Not sure what to wear on this special Halloween?

Here are some ideas from a stylecaster.com article that predicts the most popular adult costume trends for 2020: • Any character from Hamilton, Tiger King or Little Women, Rosa from TikTok, cheerleaders from Cheer and the 3 BFF’s from Netflix original Never Have I Ever.

•

Costumes of celebrities like Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly, Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga from the “Rain on Me” music video, or a Folklore-era Taylor Swift.

•

A 2000’s girl, a classic E-girl, or the costume that would have to take the prize for the most ‘sign-of-the-times’ related choice – a quarantine couch potato.

The bottom line, however, is that whatever persona one ultimately chooses to embody this Halloween; have fun with it and stay safe.

Experts say social distancing and caution should be practiced if trick-ortreating. And this year people may want to consider the layering of a preventative face mask or shield on top of one’s chosen holiday mask for added protection.

Could be an interesting look.

To find costumes locally, visit Spirit Halloween, a seasonal Halloween costume store that pops up at various locations throughout Central Florida every year. As of August, Spirit Halloween opened its Lake County doors in Clermont, at 4425 S. Highway 27, across from the Marathon Gas Station, and in Leesburg at 10401 U.S. Highway 441, Suite 2002 in the former Sears building. For hours, phone numbers and additional information visit spirithalloween.com and click on “find a store.”

PERSON OF INTEREST

PEO PLE

For the love of pets Dr. Tracie Wilson treats every dog and cat with extra dose of TLC at Animal Medical Center in Eustis.

INTERVIEWER: ROXANNE BROWN

≈ PHOTO: DOUGLAS TYLER

L V I TA AT S ST

• One of few American Animal Hospital Association accredited • Owns two dogs: Babe and Rowdy; vets in Lake County. and cats Dublin and Sun Tzu. • Grew up in Central Florida.

Inspiration for becoming a vet? My Uncle Terry, who

Advice for prospective vets? It is just as important

is now a retired veterinarian.

I was around 8 years old when I went on my first farm call with him and waited in the truck while he worked on a “down horse.” I was absolutely inspired when that mare got up and walked away!

to look at people and listen to people who love their pets as it is to look at and listen to the pets.

Schooling? Veterinary technician school at St. Petersburg Junior College, University of Central Florida for undergrad work and the University of Tennessee for vet school.

Most memorable case?

A wonderful client rushes in with an injured kitten she found beside the road on her way to work. With tears in her eyes, she says: “I don’t want him to die alone in the ditch.

Should we put him down?”

I look at this bedraggled, flea-ridden, skin-and-bones, seizing kitten that has a head injury and my heart is torn so I say, “We can try to save him, but don’t get your hopes up.”

But with a little TLC and a lot of work, the little guy made it, and I can smile because he is now about 12 pounds and lives a pampered life in a loving home.

Why Eustis? The community is amazing! I love the “old-town” feel when you walk through downtown.

Advice for prospective pet owners? Take time and share your lap or go for a walk with your prospective housemate.

After all, you will share your house, your bedroom, your couch, (and yes, your wallet) but most of all your heart – so choose wisely!

Animal organizations you are a part of? Member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), who we are accredited by, the American Veterinary Medical Association, Florida VMA and the Humane Society VMA, supporter of the Golden Retriever, Boxer, Newfoundland and Pug Rescues and board member with Companions for Courage, a program that provides dog or cat companions to help children through having to testify on the witness stand.

Best compliment you have received? The highest compliment is a referral to friends and family – it is a token of trust.

Hobbies? Reading, walking on the beach, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

Know a person of interest? Tell us! Email your recommendation to roxanne@akersmediagroup.com

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OUTSTANDING STUDENT

PEO PLE

Going to the Dogs Teen owns doggone trustworthy pet-sitting company.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

t’s the little things Sofia Prieto-Rodriguez does for her clients that count.

A gentle rub on the head. A tickle on the belly. A treat for good behavior.

Sofia is a 15-year-old who turned her love of dogs into a thriving business.

Her pet sitting company, Sofia’s Pet Emporium, operates out of Harbor Hills in Lady Lake. More than 30 clients in the retirement community have given Sofia their garage codes and house keys so she can come into their homes and care for their furry friends when they’re gone.

“They like the fact that their pets can stay in their houses, have their own food and stay on the same schedule,” Sofia says.

She started her company in March 2019. Like any successful entrepreneur, she began spreading brand awareness by making business cards and passing them out to neighbors. Word of mouth has also been helpful. Clients such as Paul McHugh

readily offer up glowing praise for Sofia, who watches his two dogs, Lana and Archer, every Thursday when he’s golfing.

“I pay her a month in advance because I trust her so much,” Paul says. “And earning trust with me isn’t easy because I was a cop in California for 27 years. She’s very professional, very polite and always arrives 10 minutes early.”

Sofia performs different duties for each client. Some only require her to feed their dogs and take them outside for a bathroom break. Others have her administer medications such as arthritis pills, topical skin drops, and eye drops. There’s also the occasional overnight stay.

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≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL “I had one client who had me stay at her home for two straight nights so her dogs wouldn’t feel alone while she was gone,” Sofia says.

It’s a demanding, seven-days-a-week job. Some mornings she’s up at 5 a.m. But Sofia doesn’t mind if it cuts into her time being a teenager. She’s just happy to give pet owners peace of mind while they’re away from home.

“When pet owners are gone for more than a day, I text them a photo of their dog so they know everything is OK,” she says.

That’s why Harbor Hills resident Bill Smith doesn’t have to worry about his poodle, Bentley, when he’s on vacation or going on a cruise.

“My dog loves Sofia,” Bill says. “As a pet owner, it is very important to me that they have such a strong bond.”

Sofia feels her pet sitting experience will ultimately springboard her to a gainful career. She plans on operating a pet hotel inside a veterinary office.

Email your recommendations to james@akersmediagroup.com

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PEO PLE

Anne Rowe Sorrento breeder will never forget night she delivered 14 puppies.

INTERVIEWER: ROXANNE BROWN

y first litter of golden retriever puppies was the largest litter I have ever had.

The mom, Katie, whom I’d bred, was 2-3 years old. I knew she was getting close by the way she was shredding the newspapers in her whelping box. I called my friend to come over (it was midnight) and for the next nine hours we delivered 14 puppies.

Each time one would arrive, I felt excited; I wanted all of them to be born and I kept telling the mom to push. I was very proud of her; she worked really hard.

Unfortunately, three were born dead and two more I was able to resuscitate. It was a very hectic night to say the least!

What about your first time?

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

Golden retrievers are known for being good moms, but it only takes a few seconds for her to lay on a pup and suffocate it, so I had to keep watching for that whenever she’d get in the box because with 11 puppies, it was hard for her to find a place to lay down without squishing a pup.

Besides that, the puppies had to be bottle fed because mom didn’t have enough milk. Every two hours I would bottle feed half the pups and she would nurse the others and then we would switch.

My goal was to keep eleven puppies alive for the next eight weeks until they left for their new home.

By five weeks they had been moved to a big play pen and were starting to interact with each other. They had also

been introduced to puppy food and like most puppies that age, were pooping as much as they were eating!

The next stage of a new litter is sending puppies to their new home and that is bittersweet; you have loved, cared for, cleaned up after and lost hours of sleep to get to this point. But I knew the owners I had picked would give these pups a great home, so it made it easier to let them go.

I did keep a little girl from that first litter, Abby, whom I had for 13 years.

Today, delivering puppies is still done the same way. It is always a nerveracking experience but very rewarding.

In about 35 years doing this I have probably delivered over 40 litters counting mine and other folks I have helped.

To share a story about your first time doing something significant, email roxanne@akersmediagroup.com.

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≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER

hose looking for the magical ingredients for success will find them in Allison Fogarty’s kitchen in Clermont.

There, Chef Allison uses allnatural peanut butter, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, coconut flour, rice, chicken, salmon and other ingredients to make tasty treats her company – Doggy Delights by Allison – is known for locally and nationally.

You’ll also find extra big heaping servings of strength, determination, beauty, positivity and most of all, heart.

“She shows me time and time again she is a fighter,” says Pat Fogarty, Allison’s mom.

Pat and her husband John are understandably proud of their daughter for overcoming so many hardships and achieving so much despite serious adversities.

In 1991, Allison was born with Down syndrome and Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula (TEF), a condition that made swallowing impossible because her feeding tube was connected to her breathing tube, Pat says.

Allison had surgery to correct the problem when she was four days old, but her condition continued to affect her life. She was always coughing, suffered from aspiration pneumonia, and for 23 years, needed a tracheal tube in her neck to breathe.

Allison spent years at various hospitals undergoing reconstructive surgeries.

At one point, doctors discovered she had a cleft larynx, but she was not strong enough for surgery, so they put a feeding tube called a gastronomy tube (or g-tube) in her stomach to help her gain weight and strengthen her system.

The downside of the procedure was that Allison could not eat or drink anything by mouth for two whole years.

During that bleak time, Allison discovered her dream job – cooking.

“She couldn’t eat so we thought we had to hide food from her; we didn’t even want to eat in front of her, but Allison told us, ‘It’s OK. You don’t have to hide, I’ll be fine,’” Pat says.

Pat and John began noticing that through every trial, Allison’s spirit was brighter when she watched cooking shows, especially the Rachael Ray Show, her favorite. Even though Allison couldn’t eat, watching others cook and eat actually inspired her.

Looking back, Allison says, “I knew I wanted to become a chef like her,” adding that Rachael Ray helped her more than she’ll ever know via her show.

“Rachael is my hero. She saved my life,” Allison says matter-of-factly.

After several surgeries, years later, doctors were able to remove Allison’s g-tube. When she was 23, Allison finally had her trach tube removed. Since then, she has been a lot healthier.

Allison does not like to think about those times. She explains, “It makes me feel so sad what happened in the past.” But today, she counters sad memories by focusing on her bright future.

In 2017, the Fogartys moved from Illinois to Florida.

They soon discovered the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida and immediately joined the organization’s first Entrepreneur Academy for adults with the condition.

Allison, who already liked cooking for friends and family, says she noticed that there were a lot of dogs in her neighborhood, so she looked into baking doggy treats to give out when owners walked by with their fur babies on leashes in the afternoons.

After seeing how much most dogs seemed to love them, Allison decided to turn her newfound trade into her new business and Doggy Delights by Allison was born.

Pat says Allison began experimenting with different recipes and after numerous tweaks, had about six or seven combinations down pat.

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Pat’s advice to other parents of Down syndrome children is to “never give up.”

She said sometimes it takes talking to multiple doctors, asking questions and searching for answers even when things seem tough, bleak, or out of reach.

“It’s your child you’re talking about,” Pat says.

She also said encouragement is key, adding, “I never stopped pushing her (Allison); maybe even a little too hard,” but in return, seeking encouragement is just as important.

Pat suggests parents consider joining a support group to interact with others going through similar situations.

Allison likes to sing and dance in her spare time. She even participates in musical theater groups and shows.

In fact, her favorite quote comes from Hairspray, a musical she appeared in: “’You have to think big to be big’ and that’s what I always do,” Allison says.

Words of wisdom from a woman who once had trouble finding a job because of her condition.

Today, Allison, 29, is happy with her life.

She loves baking and making her doggy treats and values special moments like when her boyfriend comes over to help her fill the molds with fresh mixture before baking. And she especially enjoys hearing about the treats from satisfied customers.

Most of all, Allison likes seeing dogs get all excited about getting a treat and cherishing every last crumb.

“Dogs really like my treats and it makes me feel good and happy,” she says.

Dogs even get a personalized letter signed by Allison with every purchase that reads, “Dear Doggy Friend, I am so happy that your human loves you so much and spoils you with treats! I hope you enjoy your delicious and healthy biscuits, homemade with LOVE by me – Allison.”

If interested in ordering treats, visit doggydelightsbyallison.com.

Rachael Ray photo provided by Doggy Delights by Allison.

Allison with Rachael Ray, and Pat on the set.

Allison began selling her creations at the local farmer’s market in downtown Clermont and online – freeze-drying the treats to ensure freshness when shipping.

In between all that, Allison received a dream phone call from Rachael Ray after they’d sent an email in response to an announcement on the show calling for people interested in appearing on Rachael’s show.

“I couldn’t believe it, I was so happy,” Allison says, adding, “I told her ‘yes, yes, yes;’ I was thrilled.”

In February 2020, Allison and Pat flew to New York to film a segment of the Rachael Ray Show, but its release was delayed when production ceased because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The episode finally aired on Aug. 21, 2020. The Fogartys, who had not yet seen it, were ecstatic.

In the episode, which can be found on the Rachael Ray Show’s YouTube channel or website, a vibrant Chef Allison presented and baked her all-natural, grain free recipe for sweet potato dog treats.

Pat also appeared, and at one point, Rachael Ray even popped one of the dog treats into her mouth, deeming them “delicious” at least three times.

During the show, Rachael told Allison, “Chef Allison, I have to say, you’re my new hero,” before inviting her back to concoct a special pasta recipe for their moms to cook together.

“It was so fun meeting Rachael and she was so nice,” says Allison.

Pat and John, Allison’s Doggy Delights sidekicks and supportive parents of her every hope and dream, say what pleases them most is seeing Allison smiling and living life to the fullest pain free, for the most part.

“She wasn’t even supposed to live past the age of 11, so to see her happy and healthier than ever is so wonderful.

She’s had a life of pain, such a hard life,” says Pat as she tears up. “I am just so proud of her.”

John says he’s no longer afraid for his daughter and longer fears that she can’t have a life like any other child. “It was all worth it to see her now.”

Rachael Ray photo provided by Doggy Delights by Allison.

“’YOU HAVE TO THINK BIG TO BE BIG’ AND THAT’S WHAT I ALWAYS DO.” — ALLISON FOGARTY

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(not)

Chelsea Mudd of Triple C Pitbull Rescue opens heart and home to displaced pit bulls.

STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

Chelsea Mudd of Triple C Pit Bull Rescue opens her heart and home to some beautiful beasts.

STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

Chelsea Mudd and Puma

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mix. The dog was gone for two months and she had signed the lease to go into her new house that didn’t allow pets. Well, the day after they signed the lease, the dog came home. So, she reached out to me and was like ‘Can you help me?’ And that’s really what flipped the switch for me. I took her in, and I got her adopted and I was like, ‘You know what? This is what I wanna do,’” Chelsea recalls.

That is how Triple C Pitbull Rescue came to be. The rescue is not yet a nonprofit, but Chelsea has applied for a 501c3 and hopes to have it by the end of the year. Now, the rescue takes in stray, neglected or abused dogs, or dogs from shelters that are a high-kill risk. They take in owner surrenders occasionally, but don’t always have available space for the extra dogs.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of high-kill shelters in the area, so dogs from those facilities are Chelsea’s first priority.

There are currently 16 dogs in her rescue. One of them is at a foster home but the other 15 live in Chelsea’s home.

“We have a few extra bedrooms so the dogs can spread out, and then we have five dogs of our own,” she says. All the rescues are pit bulls, and Chelsea’s own dogs are pit bulls or mixes.

When Triple C takes in a dog, the main goal is to get him or her healthy, to the vet, up to date on vaccines, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and Chelsea and Kitty then adopted. The whole process takes

Office photo provided by Chelsea Mudd

it bulls and pit bull mixes make up over half of the dogs in Central Florida shelters, but they unfortunately are the least likely to get adopted, and often get put down quicker than smaller dogs and other breeds.

Basically, pit bulls are overbred and overpopulated.

There are more pit bulls than people who want them.

That’s why Chelsea Mudd began Triple C Pitbull Rescue in Dunnellon. Plus, she grew up a dog-lover – more specifically, a pit bull lover.

Chelsea received her first pit bull for Christmas when she was 18, when she and her sister each got a pit bull puppy from the same litter. Chelsea’s dog Diamond, now almost 7 years old, has been with her ever since.

Chelsea worked her way up to tech in two years at Northgate Animal Clinic in Leesburg, just based on experience. She still works at the clinic part-time, but the bulk of her time is dedicated to her one-and-ahalf-year-old daughter and to the dogs Chelsea fosters.

“I had a friend reach out to me...

Her dog went missing, a pit bull-boxer

“IF IT’S A PUPPY I DON’T MIND PEOPLE CHOOSING THE DOG BEFORE THEY COME BECAUSE PUPPIES CAN USUALLY ADJUST TO PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO OLDER DOGS, YOU CAN’T JUST PICK ONE YOU LIKE. ”

Office photo provided by Chelsea Mudd

—CHELSEA MUDD

Chelsea with Elvis, Penny, Rollie, and Grey

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6M Wa

Nala

Chelsea’s dogs

know about the breed or have never experienced having one themselves,” Chelsea says.

“They’re very misunderstood, that is very clear. It’s all about how they’re raised, in my opinion. I’ve taken in dogs that can’t be helped, you can’t save them all, unfortunately. But nine times out of 10 with the proper rehabilitation and patience, time and care, they can and will be very good household pets for kids and adults,” she says.

Everyone should do research before adopting any breed of dog. Reading up on

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the breed, Chelsea learned that pit bulls can be stubborn, so she’s always been very stern with them. Being stern and letting them know that you are boss is the best thing, she says.

Triple C doesn’t have a trainer; Chelsea works with all of the dogs personally. “They all know how to sit, stay, lay, speak, roll over, play dead, so I’m pretty good at the whole training thing and we’ve been doing pretty good with that so far,” Chelsea says.

What does a day in the life look like for Chelsea at her pit bull rescue? First, when her daughter is up, everyone’s up. The dogs go in and out constantly as she feeds the baby and the dogs. “Most of them are pretty good with her,” she adds. Pit bulls can be kid-friendly pets when trained properly. “We try to only bring in dogs that are kid-friendly because we do have a daughter, but there are just some that take a little time to adjust before we do interactions with our kid.”

The rest of the day consists of cleaning dogs, feedings, baths, toenail trims, vaccinations, and anything else Chelsea can do at home like socialization and training sessions with them.

As for the adoption process, meetand-greets take place at Chelsea’s home.

You’ll schedule an appointment to go over requirements and paperwork and meet the dogs. “If it’s a puppy I don’t mind people choosing the dog before they come because puppies can usually adjust to pretty much anything. But when it comes

to older dogs, you can’t just pick one you like. I like to make sure that the dog is a good fit for the family,” Chelsea says.

It’s important each dog fits a person’s lifestyle. If you have cats, you need a pit bull that gets along with cats. There are also a lot of questions during the adoption process. How many kids do you have? How active is your household? Do you have a yard? The answers to those questions will determine which dog may be a good fit for you, your family and your home. “Some dogs I don’t require to go to a fenced-in yard, but there’s some dogs that yes, you have to have a yard. So, it’s really just going over what your lifestyle looks like, what your day looks like, what you can handle and what will work for you.”

The most important thing after getting the dogs out of the high-kill shelters is finding them a proper and fitting home so that Triple C can keep available space for new dogs and continue its mission. For more information, photos, reviews and to contact Chelsea about adoption, visit facebook.com/ TripleCPitBullRescueofCentralFL or email Chelsea at triplecpitbullrescue@ gmail.com to set up a visit.

DISCLAIMER! While pit bulls are excellent pets for some, they’re not right from everyone.

Make sure to do your own research about pit bulls and any breed of dog you may be interested in before deciding to adopt.

Dogs on the porch photo provided by Chelsea Mudd

place with each dog, including training, and then the adoption application has to be approved by Chelsea. As of now, the rescue has saved almost 25 dogs since Chelsea started Triple C in April.

Chelsea deems pit bulls “the most misunderstood breed.”

“I wasn’t really a fan of them until I had one myself, so I think that’s a lot of what it is. People hear ‘Oh, they’re so aggressive’ and they don’t really

Dogs on the porch photo provided by Chelsea Mudd

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THE WILD OUT OF THEM Rescue center in Webster transforms wild horses into trusting companions.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

iane Delano has a huge heart for the majesty of wild horses she freely welcomes to her ranch in Webster, the Wild Horse Rescue Center (WHRC).

It’s especially true when the sounds of their joyous neighs and thunderous galloping hooves are replaced by scared yelps and panicked outbursts brought on by neglect, abuse or failed attempts to tame the animals.

“Mustangs are very spiritual, very beautiful animals and I want people to see that,” Diane says. “Mustangs belong in the wild as North American wildlife as they originated in North America, but when taken from it, they deserve to be treated with respect, loved and cared for with dignity.”

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≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

The wild mustangs come to the WHRC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to their welfare, rescue and preservation.

Diane, founder and operator of the center, says some of the horses come to the WHRC scared of people, very thin and neglected, or in need of a safe place for a new start after being deemed untrainable.

“It’s so important to rehabilitate the mustangs, not just so they are physically healthy but emotionally healthy, too,” Diane says, explaining that it’s partially the fault of adoption programs facilitated by the United States’ Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that have made Wild Mustangs a hard-to-pass-up bargain.

“Sadly, people who cannot afford one horse elsewhere will buy four horses, since they are only $25 each,” Diane says.

Once purchased, new owners discover that caring for the wild mustangs is not as easy as they thought it would be.

Additionally, it takes about $200 per

month in hay and grain to feed one horse, so with those things in mind, many people sell, give the horses up or worse – they forget about them.

Diane picks up the pieces and turns their lives around.

“If you gentle one up to trust you, I can say that the Mustang horse will give you his heart,” she says.

The history of wild mustangs in the U.S. dates back to the 1800s when millions of them roamed free. Today, there are nearly 70,000 wild horses still roaming public lands, but they are protected by the Wild-Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. The BLM has to protect the public lands, so it has taken to controlling the population of wild horses through roundups and private adoptions as a way of relocating them.

Sometimes people who adopt them cannot properly gentle and train them, or they go about it too aggressively. In turn, the mustang can become afraid and

Kokopelli, Ho-Zo, Aquaman, Tarpman, and Burrita the Donkey

so wild that no one can touch, catch or handle it. They can also become reclusive, depressed, fearful and even physically sick from stress.

Just take Mr. Hollywood, a now very healthy 6-year-old mustang who sits with confidence at the WHRC. He will be featured at an art show spanning the entire month of October at the Ginsburg Gallery at Advent Health Orlando by Elie Wolf, a local wildlife photographer, who befriended him after visiting the center.

But Hollywood was afraid of being touched when he arrived. He didn’t want anyone on his right side, was difficult to halter and was head, neck and poll shy.

And he would not allow anyone to brush him. He would not touch or take anything from a person’s hand.

Diane said the person who had Hollywood for more than a year adopted him wild; however, being that he was the first mustang she’d ever handled, it didn’t work out. Hollywood was being cared for

physically, but the woman was not happy with the way he was still not trusting her and put him up for sale.

Diane acquired Hollywood, and with a clearer understanding of how wild horses think, started him on music therapy, used equine massages, reiki, craniosacral therapy and natural horsemanship methods to ease his fears.

Diane says it was all to help him become knowledgeable and brave and confident, as well as to be healthy in mind and spirit.

“One day Hollywood will make a great riding horse. He may even stay at the center and be one of ours,” Diane says.

“He’s a whole new horse.”

Then there’s Awana. She, with two other mustangs, were sold (for $75) to a person in Jacksonville. All three were malnourished and completely fearful of humans. It has taken over a year to gain her trust and get her gentled, but Diane is confident that she too, will make a nice riding horse.

Lil Black the Pony and Jade Rinna

And Phoenix, a 3-year-old, was rounded up from Nevada and sold for $25 in Ocala in January. The people who bought him had him for six months. In June, he came to the center afraid, totally wild and terribly underweight to the point that his back and hip bones were showing, and you could count all his ribs.

Diane says today, “Phoenix is learning to trust and accept being handled. It’s like all of the sudden you have this horse that was so afraid wanting to interact and it’s wonderful. It’s extremely heartfelt working with these animals.”

At her center, Diane has about 31 mustangs, 11 other types of horse breeds

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like Tarpans, Quarter Horses, Paso Fino, Tennessee walkers and mini horses, plus three burros (or donkeys).

Diane also has 15 mustangs that could not be gentled that live free and wild on their own private sanctuary-type setting on a friend’s 600 acres of hay and cattle fields just eight miles away.

But that’s not all. Diane runs an international volunteering program where people age 18-80 from around the world stay at the ranch to learn how to gentle and train American Mustangs and help with daily care of the center and other animals there.

Proceeds from what the volunteers pay for lodging helps keep the ranch afloat and the animals fed and taken care of, though the coronavirus pandemic has put the program on hold. The center is primarily funded by donations from the public and seasonal events.

Historically, Diane says she’s been around horses since she was about three, but she did not become hooked on Mustangs until 1975 when she saw her first tame giant.

She started working with mustangs in 1989. As her love and appreciation grew, she started to help mentor people about caring for them. In 2001, Diane took in her first rescue, starting first on 2.5 acres in Mims, which grew to 39.8 acres. In September 2019, she moved to 42 acres she owns in Webster.

“I love working with the mustangs and they’re just like potato chips, you can’t have just one,” Diane says.

In September, Diane celebrated one year in Webster with a two-day open house for the community. At that time, Diane debuted her recently built educational center people can visit. It will include a museum about American wild horses, which will include maps showing Herd Management Areas in 10 western states where wild horses live. She said the museum will also include a lifetime collection of books and pictures featuring WHRC mustangs, along with information about which ones are available for adoption or in need of sponsorship.

Additionally, the museum is a homebase for a reading program called Horse

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Burrita the Donkey, Diane Delano, Aquaman, and Tarpman

Tales, featuring Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books; a program donated to her by the owner of Arabian Nights when it closed in 2015. Diane says the program encourages children to read, plus they actually get to meet a couple of the characters in the books – Little Black and Big Red – who live there.

Future plans include a resale store with horse tack and items for sale, tractor equipment, barn fencing for wild Burrita the Donkey and Diane Delano

horses, and a riding arena. She’s also looking to build some little cabins on site for people to rent for a unique Airbnb experience, and she’s always looking for volunteers to visit or help with the animals.

Diane says whatever people visit for, it’s wonderful to see them fall in love with the mustangs time and time again.

“It is truly a life-changing experience for some. They come here to help the horses but in turn the horses really help them,” Diane says.

Diane has also come a long way. Today, it seems even the wildest of horses is no match for her magical, gentling ways.

“I use what I call pat-butt therapy, because when I can gently pat their bottoms like a baby and they don’t flinch or get afraid, I know they are completely tame and that I’m getting trust,” Diane says, adding that if anyone would like to contribute to the upkeep of a horse, the expansion of the rescue center or the museum build-out, donations are always welcome in her life’s mission.

“I have a will; I’ll find a way. Mustangs are our living heritage. They helped the West become what it is,” Diane says.

For more information about the Wild Horse Rescue Center, to book a tour or to donate, visit wildhorserescuecenter.org or call 321-427-1523.

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ABOUT LEMURS, MONKEYS, MACAWS AND MORE Sanctuary provides haven for exotic primates in need of forever homes.

STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

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“IF YOU’RE OUT TO BUY A BABY PRIMATE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT PRIMATE BEING STOLEN AND RIPPED AWAY FROM ITS MOTHER.” —NINA PLAIL

or 11 years in a breeding facility, year after year, Zeus and Athena had their babies taken from them.

Unfortunately, that’s the life many endangered primates are forced to live, as laws regarding the breeding and selling of exotic pets are essentially non-existent in Florida.

Today, Zeus and Athena have a happy family life at Chase Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Webster, where the black-and-white ruffed lemurs live with adopted baby Toko.

Primates like lemurs and marmoset monkeys, otherwise known as “finger monkeys,” are often bred in the pet trade industry for people to purchase, which is legal in this state. When Chase Animal Rescue acquires a new lemur, the goal is to make sure the animal’s social dynamics are fulfilled, as they would be in their natural habitat of Madagascar.

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“We neuter the males. We also take in surrendered pets, (from) the people that spend $4, 5, 6 grand on a baby (lemur),” says Nina Plail, who runs the sanctuary with the help of her partner Donna Vassallo, and many volunteers.

Lemurs are critically endangered. In fact, only about 2,000 of them are left.

“What happens after people spend a ton of money to get them as pets is around age two when the hormones kick in, they get very aggressive. So, we have a whole ward of them that have put people in the hospital,” Nina says.

The rescue started about 12 years ago with dogs and cats, but the arrival of Tracy, a lemur, changed everything.

“When Tracy came in, she just kinda changed the tide for us,” Nina says. “We kinda fell in love with her, we learned how to take care of her, and then people learned that we do lemurs, they sent a couple to us, and from there it’s grown.”

Tracy, believed to be the oldest lemur on earth at 38 years old, still resides at

the sanctuary. The typical lifespan of a lemur is 25 years. “She’s super cool, she’s everybody’s favorite. When the volunteers make food in the morning, they open the window and she goes in and helps herself to whatever she wants,” Nina adds.

When Nina and Donna first got Tracy, they learned about lemurs, and their fate, and that they’re critically endangered and about to go extinct. Trees cut down for logging in their habitat of Madagascar have wiped out their home, and the animals are also still hunted for bushmeat.

Nina and Donna learned about the robust pet trade and slowly grew into becoming a home for rescued exotic pets.

“About two years ago we really started becoming known as the place where if you have a wayward lemur, we’ll take it,” Nina says. There are currently 28 lemurs living at Chase Rescue Sanctuary.

“People reach out, sometimes FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision) reaches out if they have

one that bites and someone gets hurt, they’re either gonna put it down or send it somewhere like this, so that’s where all these guys came from,” she adds.

There is also a feral cat colony that the rescue takes care of. “Cats just show up here or get dumped here. We spay or neuter them and then we let them live here,” Nina says. There are also a few antelope that were meant to go to a game farm where people will go to “hunt” so they can put the head on their wall and pretend they went to India.

And, they have a three-legged deer that will live out the rest of his life with them. He’s 9 years old and came from another sanctuary that closed. “We also have some raccoons that we rehabbed and then we released them, but they don’t always wanna leave,” Nina says, as she introduces me to racoons named Thelma and Louise.

Chase Animal Rescue Sanctuary is also home to 32-year-old Rufus and seven additional African Sulcata tortoises.

Rufus was raised in a loving home from a baby, about the size of your hand, and now tips the scales at nearly 100 pounds.

Rufus came to the sanctuary when his owner got cancer. “These guys are really personable, and his owner’s biggest concern was what’s gonna happen to Rufus. So, she sent him here. He’s been here about eight months, he’s doing really well,” Nina says.

There are also four big birds – including cockatoos, amazons and macaws, which are beautifully colored – and mini pigs. “That’s the other thing people do cause it’s cute. They get little piglets that “oh it’s so cute,” and then they end up being a couple of hundred pounds, they’re huge. We have three of them in the back that were people’s mini pig pets and they’re probably 600 pounds or something,” Nina says.

Many of the animals at the sanctuary, including the bigger birds and tortoises, came from owners who became terminally ill. They will usually send the animals before they pass, and many still come to visit while they can. One owner continues to visit his bird often.

“Humans are a little shortsighted. You see an adorable little baby primate, and they will cling to you and coo, and drink the bottle. I mean, it’s the cutest thing on earth, anyone would want one. And if you could end up having an extra $5,000 then you can get one,” Nina says.

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She blames the breeders as well, because of the way the animals are advertised. “They say, ‘They’re socialized, they love people, look how cute they are,’ and that combined with not doing your research is the issue.

I’m buying this today, what’s this gonna look like in five years? So, they buy the adorable little thing, and then they get aggressive,” Nina says. This is why so many pets are “surrendered” to animal sanctuaries.

Chase Rescue is surrounded by the Withlacoochee State Forest. “So, the hunters that have hounds, a lot of times if they don’t hunt, they just abandon them.

So, for the first probably four or five years, at the end of every hunting season we’d get five or six hounds that we’d find around the forest, totally emaciated, skin and bones. So, we’d take them in and train them, spay and neuter them, and then we worked with Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue to go to their events and get them homes. We won’t turn our back on

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something that a volunteer finds or we find,” Nina says.

Chase Rescue has a volunteer staff that Nina raves about. Many are retirees and residents of The Villages, and their volunteering adds to the animals’ lives as well as their own. The rescue had a rejected baby lemur last year and some volunteers who live in The Villages helped raise her.

You can help the rescue by donating or getting the word out via social media. Something Nina also says is so important is that people need to get educated and learn that primates do not make good pets.

“So, humans are really lying to themselves or only seeing what they want to see, so obviously if you’re gonna cook a nice juicy steak you’re not really thinking about what that cow went through,” she says. “And that’s a human flaw. I think people, if you’re out to buy a baby primate you need to think about that primate being stolen and ripped

away from its mother. But that kind of education that, ‘No, it’s not a good pet,’ would be really helpful.”

FOR YOUR INFO

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To book private tours of 2-20, purchase tickets, or for more information visit chasesanctuary.org.

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SKIN IN THE

game

Lori’s spent her life helping innocent animals, now she needs our help.

STORY: GARY CORSAIR

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

A Forever Home Animal Rescue specializes in small dogs

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here is no nice way to say it.

Dogs die because most so-called animal lovers don’t lift a finger to help people like Lori Mastrantoni, president of A Forever Home Animal Rescue, a Tavares-based 501(c) (3) established “to give homeless dogs a place to be loved, cared for, trained and hope for a home.”

For 15 years, Lori’s been walking the walk, expending copious amounts of time and money on small dogs facing abandonment, or worse, death.

“It’s a lot of work. I work, maybe 90 hours a week. I take phone calls all the time. I have a kennel manager who’s awesome, she’s probably working 60 hours a week,” Lori says. “Sometimes we have 50 dogs.”

Most dogs are in and out.

“If they’re cute and fuzzy they go immediately,” Lori says. “The average stay is three weeks.”

No dog, no matter how cute or fuzzy, leaves until it is healthy.

“The dogs have to be up to date on everything, and they have to have a monthly heartworm prevention,” Lori said.

“I work with vets. I even work with a specialist vet in Tampa who does orthopedics.”

Best scenario: Lori spends $200-$300 on a dog. Worst? “I’ve spent $6,000, but I’m not going to deny anyone care because of money… I take care of everything, whatever they need,” Lori says. “I use my own money. We get donations yeah, and adoption fees, but I have a huge credit card bill. It’s pretty much out of pocket.”

She must be independently wealthy, huh?

“Not anymore,” Lori says. “I was a Realtor, which is now dead. And I had a vacation rental, which is also dead now because of COVID. I have no money anymore. COVID hasn’t hurt adoptions, but it has hurt as far as our income.”

She receives something much more valuable than money – the joy of a

Lori Mastrantoni and Noah photo provided by Lori Mastrantoni

Debbie Glines with Willy and Nilly

matchmaker. Every week, Lori writes happy endings, rather, beginnings, for people like John Briggle.

“We recently adopted Dexter from this pet rescue. Everyone was awesome and we love our little pup! This dog is a blessing,” John says.

Dexter was Lori’s blessing first.

“These innocent babies depend on us.

They’re so innocent, and they’ve been through hell and they need us. If we’re not going to do it, who’s going to do it? All these animals would have been killed for no reason,” Lori says.

You may be surprised where the innocents come from.

“The majority we’ve been getting now are from high-kill shelters because they are trying to keep their numbers low. So we get them out before they are about to be killed. We actually went up to north Florida and brought back 18 dogs,” Lori says. “And we get a lot of our dogs from hoarders. They have the best intentions in mind, they just get carried away, so the dogs aren’t cared for. The last bunch we took in was 17 dogs. Three have congestive heart failure, some have no teeth now.”

Now would be a good time to grab a box of tissues, dear reader.

“We have some puppy mill dogs and we still have five we can’t socialize,” Lori says. “I have some that have been bred so much that they practically have no insides. And they lived in crates. We have some that their feet are deformed from living in a crate and peeing on themselves. It’s horrible… We take as

many puppy mill dogs as we can, but we have to socialize them.”

What’s a puppy mill? A place that breeds, raises – in many cases as cheaply as possible – and sells the animals to your friendly neighborhood pet store.

“Pet stores are the worst. I’ve seen people spend $3,000 for a dog and they have to spend another $4,000 to get them fixed up. There are private breeders that are good, but the puppy mills are not.

They don’t care. Four hundred fifty dogs were taken from one puppy mill and they were in horrible, horrible shape,” Lori says in a voice tinged with anger.

Thankfully, most dogs Lori and her staff place in forever homes are healthy and happy. And adoptive parents are happy as well. Sixty-nine reviewers on A Forever Home Animal Rescue Facebook page rate the organization 4.9 out of 5.

“We took Heidi home three months ago and it has been a most wonderful experience. All she wanted was to be loved. Heidi is a delight! She enjoys her walks, playing with a ball, and, of course, her lap time,” Terry Mara, says.

“Please consider adopting from this rescue home.”

No dog leaves until a healthy relationship is assured through a thorough screening process. Everyone wishing to adopt must fill out an application, participate in a supervised meet-and-greet, and submit to a virtual or in-person home visit.

Obviously, placing the right dog with the right family is a priority.

Blossom and Petals

Owner Lori Mastrantoni holding Noah

“WE NEED DONATIONS. OF COURSE, WE NEED SUPPLIES. WE NEED ADOPTIONS, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. WE NEED IT ALL.” —LORI MASTRANTONI

“The staff was friendly and amazing. They were very helpful and patient. We adopted Oso. She is just so sweet!” Amy Lee says.

The screening process is time-consuming, but most people are pleased with the pet, and the process.

“A Forever Home Animal Rescue in Tavares, Florida is just the best place. We have adopted two dogs from them and I have to say that they made the experience wonderful. Both our dogs couldn’t be happier. We found a welcoming, professional place that really cares about their dogs and places them very carefully with the right families.”

Dogs too sick to be adopted live out their lives at the A Forever Home Animal Rescue facility at 2950 County Road 561 in Tavares, where Lori and her staff of three paid employees and a handful of volunteers provide love and care in a 3,000 square foot, 14-room facility.

Sick dogs like Beamer.

“Beamer has been here four years.

He doesn’t want to go anywhere.

He’s 14 years old, he’s blind, and any time people came to see him he’d bark at them. He came to us when

he was 10. Beamer, he’s my little boy. He’s a lhasa apso, but he’s 40 pounds. I spoil him rotten. He’s a sweetheart,” Lori says.

Beamer’s not her only sweetie.

“Right now we have all the special needs dogs at my house. One that has three legs. She was thrown over a fence after her leg was broken six months ago. She’s about to be adopted. I have some dogs that are paralyzed. Some older, some blind,” Lori says. “My husband is very understanding.”

Lori’s always been a sucker for a sad story.

“I’ve always loved animals,” she says. “My parents were not really pet-friendly, so I used to sneak them in. I’d be like, ‘Mom, I’m going to my room. I want some milk’ or ‘I’m still hungry.’”

Today, she needs more than dinner leftovers.

“We need donations. Of course, we need supplies. We need adoptions, we need volunteers. We need it all,” Lori says.

A Forever Home Animal Rescue is open daily, noon-4 pm. Social distancing is being practiced. Only one family is admitted at a time.

Visit aforeverhomeanimalrescue.org to learn more, donate, or view dogs.

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Purr-fect

COMPANIONS Cat Protection Society lives up to its name.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

et those tissues ready when visiting the Cat Protection Society, a no-kill shelter that provides a safe haven for cats. There are many heartwarming tales.

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL AND ANTHONY RAO

When Stacy was brought to the shelter, she had suffered a miscarriage. One stillborn kitten remained inside her body, and she would have died without medical intervention. Recently, a family decided to adopt Stacy and provide her with a loving forever-home.

Andrew was abandoned on the steps of a Miami courthouse. He arrived at the shelter shy and skittish. Today, he is a furry bundle of love that loves to be petted.

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Persia was a stray cat found on the streets of downtown Orlando.

She was pregnant when she arrived at the facility. Her six kittens have all been adopted, and Persia is now waiting for a loving family to adopt her.

Stories with happy endings are common at the Cat Protection Society, a nonprofit organization where 300-400 cats are adopted each year. Potential cat owners need not go from place to place to shop for a new furry friend. The shelter offers a great selection of colors, temperaments, ages and activity levels.

Just ask Melissa Dawkins, an animal lover who resides in Eustis.

During the past 13 years, she has adopted eight cats from the shelter.

She also serves as one of the shelter’s foster parents, allowing cats to stay in her home until they’re adopted. For Melissa, the joys of bringing cats into her life are limitless.

“I used to be a hospice nurse who had to deal with the emotional aspects of death,” she says. “The cats gave me comfort. Now, I’m a registered nurse care manager for Humana, and I work from home.

The cats give me companionship.”

Anyone looking for comparable feline companionship is encouraged to visit the shelter at 2700 Getford Road in Eustis. All cats are spayed or neutered and brought up to date on vaccinations before being released to families.

Most of the shelter’s cats are housed in a spacious 15,000-squarefoot facility with a long hallway of rooms serving different purposes.

The “Quiet Room” is for newlyarrived cats needing to adjust to

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“HERE, THEY HAVE A SAFE HAVEN WHERE THEY CONSTANTLY RECEIVE FOOD AND WATER AND MEDICATIONS TO HELP THEM MAINTAIN A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.” — G E R RY CO T T L E

shelter, while the “Kitten Room” houses babies ranging from 12 weeks to a year old. Tables and chairs are found inside the “Observatory Room,” where the public interacts with cats in a home-like setting.

Since some rooms are connected to large open-air pavilions, cats can run, climb and experience the outdoors.

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“Here, we don’t cram cats into cages and make them live on top of each other,” says Jonathan Hutzler, manager of the Cat Protection Society.

“Cats don’t like crowding. We provide them with plenty of space and let them move around. We have a real homey atmosphere here.”

Cats that come to the facility are abandoned, homeless or stray.

However, the shelter does not accept personal pets.

“A pet cat is used to being a big fish in a small pond,” says Lois Lanius, director of the organization. “When a pet cat comes here, he becomes a minnow in a big ocean. They stop eating, go into kidney or liver failure and die of a broken heart.”

Not all cats are up for adoption.

A separate 7,500-square-foot annex building opened in 2018 houses approximately 70 cats that are feral or have medical conditions like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia. Shelter employees administer medications when necessary, including antibiotics for colds and creams for abscesses.

FIV progresses slowly, so cats with the disease live relatively long, happy lives. The cats live out their lives inside the annex building with plush beds and linens, as well as outside

porch areas conducive to lounging in the sun.

“If not for our shelter, these sick cats would be out in the streets getting rained on or hit by cars,” says Gerry Cottle, who manages the annex building. “Here, they have a safe haven where they constantly receive food and water and medications to help them maintain a good quality of life.”

“If something happens beyond our control—like if a cat starts breathing hard—then we take the cat to a veterinarian,” says Janet Wilson, an employee in the annex building.

For more information about the Cat Protection Society, call 352.589.6228 or visit thecatprotectionsociety.org.

HELP WANTED The Cat Protection Society is looking for volunteers to perform the following duties: 1) Brushing and petting cats.

2) Cleaning rooms.

3) Cleaning laundry.

4) Serving as foster moms.

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Lake Sumter Landing Professional Plaza | 910 Old Camp Rd. Suite 142 | The Villages

LAKE SUMTER LANDING PROFESSIONAL PLAZA | 910 OLD CAMP RD., SUITE 142 | THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

villages Goblins or gifts?

Is Halloween more popular than Christmas in The Villages?

Hammering home philanthropy Learn about Habitat for Humanity’s mission.

Just a bunch of goofy idiots Meet the Goofy Villagers and Village Idiots.

PEOPLE. PLACES. EVENTS.

IN THE VILLAGES

CO MMENTARY

Ghosts and goblins challenge Santa The race is on to be Villagers’ top holiday.

STORY: JOE ANGIONE

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hen I was a kid (many decades ago), there was no holiday that came close to Christmas as the nation’s favorite. But today, witches, ghosts and goblins are running a close race with Santa, Christmas trees and candy canes.

Both are commercially-driven holiday spectacles focused mainly on children, but they’re so very different. One plays on kids’ love of being scared by loads of frightening specters; the other spotlights kids’ love of gifts, Christmas lights and snowy winter fun.

The strange thing about Villagers’ response to both holidays is that children aren’t allowed to live here. Some may visit grandparents here now and then, but on any given day kids are scarcer in The Villages than buffaloes.

Regardless, most Villagers still decorate their homes inside and out like they did when their kids were young and living at home.

These days, Villagers are spending as much time and money on Halloween as they are for Christmas. Some of this is because Halloween is being pushed harder than ever in advertising and promotion that says it’s now the “kids’ favorite holiday.” And there’s nothing dearer to Villagers than their grandkids.

This year, there could be even more emphasis on decorating for Halloween during the time leading up to October 31. Some say the coronavirus pandemic is driving Villagers to use Halloween to take their minds off COVID-19 and ease into a happier frame of mind. There may not be any “trick-or-treaters” parading through Village streets this Halloween. I haven’t seen any of them in years.

But, still, you'll more than likely see lots of blow-up monsters on Village lawns, ghost balloons hanging from trees and shrubs and scary-faced illuminated pumpkins sitting next to front doors.

In our house, my wife features a big witch riding a broom on our front door and this year will be no different; she’ll set out life-size stuffed versions of “Frankenstein” and “Beulah the witch” holding hands on our living room couch, then she’ll also display her collection of seven lavishly dressed witches—all nearly two-feet tall—each in a menacing pose sitting on the mantel of our fireplace.

Halloween will treat retailers well this year. It’s expected American families will purchase $86 in “scary” goodies beginning in early October; that’s not much less than the $107 the typical family spends on Christmas decorations.

Joe Angione loves to share stories of his adventures.

If you want to contact him, email joeangione@aol.com.

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MEET A VILLAGER

PEO PLE

B.J. Durkin “Down time” isn’t a concept she’s familiar with.

VITAL STATS

INTERVIEWER: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

• Originally from Ohio.

• 77 years old.

• Lives in the Village of Palo Alto.

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

• A mixed family, B.J. and her husband, Mike, have a total of 6 sons, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

B.J. with teammates from the Ladies Softball Recreation League

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What are your favorite things to do in The Villages? My husband and I liked to go down to the squares when they were playing the music and all that.

If they have anything in the Savannah Center that we’re interested in, we’ll go to that, too.

You’re very active, what are some things you spend time doing each week? I usually go about 8 or 10 miles every day on my bike. I do a two-hour exercise every morning that’s kickboxing and weights, and then I play softball four days a week. I’m in a rec league and a neighborhood league. I take walks in the evenings, a mile or more. I love working in my flower beds, and I love to cook. We play cards a lot – we play in 12 different groups with cards – and I play golf twice a week. We keep very busy.

What do you like to cook? Every Christmas, usually there's about 24 of us, and I cook dinner. Our children come in April every year for my birthday and there's about 16 of us so I cook for all of them. I cook lasagna and all the stuff they like.

Do you know an interesting Villager?

Favorite TV show or movie? I like the Hallmark shows and the movies.

What’s your motto? My motto right now is just everybody stay safe from the virus and everything.

But generally, for everybody to be nice to each other. I think sometimes it's difficult nowadays for some people to get along with everyone and to have fun.

What’s something still on your bucket list? I’ve always thought hot air balloons would be fun to do.

Favorite dessert? It’s called a Chocolate Caramel Turtle Dessert. It’s like a chocolate sundae with ice cream and everything.

Email victoria@akersmediagroup.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

PEO PLE

Paul Barry Can’t Be Tamed Singer on acclaimed record keeps reinventing his rock ‘n’ roll self.

STORY: GARY CORSAIR

ackie Brenston rode to rock ‘n’ roll stardom in a Rocket 88. The Beach Boys rolled in their Little Deuce Coupe.

Paul Barry, 75-year-old resident of Village of Rio Ranchero in The Villages,

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drove to rock immortality in a very uncool AMC Rambler station wagon.

“My dad didn’t want me to have anything to do with rock ‘n’ roll,” Paul recalled. “Just before going to college, I bought a set of drums. My dad came home, and I had them set up in the living room and boy he was upset. So, he says to me, ‘Paul, I don’t want to hear those drums, I don’t want to see them here. I’ll tell you what I’m going to do, get rid of those drums and I’ll let you take the Rambler to college.’

The dutiful son sold the drums, loaded up the Rambler and puttered off to Stout State University in Menominee, Wisconsin, his focus restored to obtaining a college degree.

“I got up to the school, and the first or second day I’m at the dorm there’s all kinds of noise coming out of the basement,” Paul says. “I go down there and there’s guitar players and bass players and no drummers. So, I took the Rambler, drove to Minneapolis, bought a set of drums, came back and we started jamming.”

The Benders were born.

“That’s basically how the whole thing started, just a fluke,” says lead guitarist Gerry Cain.

Before long, Paul, Gerry, Geno Jensen, and Tom Noffke were playing parties, clubs and bars. They were a cover band, but their original composition, Can’t Tame Me, always

“ONE OF THE GUYS KNEW OF THIS LITTLE STUDIO IN WAUSAU, AND SO AWAY WE WENT.”

Photos provided by Paul Barry

— PAU L B A R RY

went over big. A light bulb went off. “It was like, ‘Hey, let’s go make a record!’ ‘Sure, why not?!” says Gerry.

“One of the guys knew of this little studio in Wausau, and so away we went,” Paul says.

“We just did it on a lark.”

Northland Recording Studio was small potatoes. “Little tiny room, I couldn’t even see the guys. I was behind a plywood baffle thing and banged that baby out,” Paul says.

The room was small, but the two-track recorder captured a big sound that April day in 1966. Paul carried the tune with frenetic drumming and a snarling vocal.

Gerry provided a grinding guitar solo distorted by fuzz pedal. The hook “Well, it’s alright” was as irresistible as The Beatles’ “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

A month later, The Benders amicably disbanded. “We all came from different parts of the state. When school was done, we were going to get jobs. Real jobs,” Paul says.

Paul became an industrial education teacher and fronted a show band during weekends and summers. “Barry’s Truckers were a really well-known Milwaukee band that made really good money. Paul was really quite successful,” says Gerry.

Barry’s Truckers were in demand, opening for The Beach Boys, the Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson, and other big-time artists. For years, Barry’s Truckers occupied evening headliner slots at Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest.

Seeing the group was an experience. The Benders dressed in drag to parody The Supremes, donned outlandish costumes, even painted their faces when they raised the roof on I Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll All Night by KISS. “Once you see the band, you’re like, ‘That was really something.’ They’re very entertaining,” says Gerry’s wife Pat, who was a fan long before she became a spouse. “There were some other guys in that group that were as crazy as he was, so it all worked out pretty well.”

Barry’s Truckers worked out well enough that Paul and Pat could retire to The Villages, where he was living when the 1 minute and 56 seconds of exuberance they laid onto magnetic tape rose from the grave.

Can’t Tame Me showed up (without permission) on low-budget compilation LPs and was included in the 2017 film Thirst Street. Cover versions by several bands appear on YouTube. Can’t Tame Me took 50 years to arrive, which makes it the Rambler station wagon of rock ‘n’ roll hits.

Only 300 copies were pressed, which makes the 45 highly collectible. How collectible? An e-bayer in Texas paid $2,024 for a 45 with picture sleeve. Singles without the sleeve have sold for $900.

The three surviving members of The Benders are tickled they’ve been rediscovered. More importantly, they’re thankful their song brought them back together.

“We got together after 47 years,” Gerry said. “We re-recorded Can’t Tame Me and we just picked up like yesterday morning. It came right back.”

But Paul isn’t living in the past. He’s busy making parody videos like Quarantine Man and Bogey in Golf, and split screen videos with songs taken off YouTube, like his rendition of Tequila featuring an Asian woman in a forest playing a melodica.

Pat says, “Sometimes I just look at him and say, ‘Whatever you want to do.’ I just roll my eyes and say, ‘Oh boy, here we go.’ His mind doesn’t ever stop, that’s for sure.”

“I just enjoy doing it. It keeps me rolling. I’m so thankful for the fact I have a studio in my home,” Paul says. “I’m going to continue to make the videos, not only the cheesy ones, but my own songs. I did the live thing for 36 years.

I never took the time to go forward with my original songs. I’ve probably got 300 songs that are waiting for me to finish.”

Eager to promote a Villages entertainer?

Contact us at least three months in advance and provide all the details to gary@akersmediagroup.com.

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CHARITY

NA L NG T Habitat Lake-Sumter Villagers Club members put construction skills to good use for people in need.

V

illager Sally Read felt a strong desire to do something productive and meaningful after her husband died two years ago. She found her calling with Habitat for Humanity of LakeSumter Florida.

“I knew that God had a place for me, and Habitat is what it turned out to be,” she says. “I was searching because I didn’t want to sit in my house all the time or just go out with the girls. Habitat was the answer I was looking for.”

Sally bonded with other Villagers who are just as passionate about the nonprofit organization that works in partnership with volunteers and donors to build new, affordable homes for families and individuals who demonstrate a need, and who have the ability to sustain a monthly mortgage payment.

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“What I have enjoyed the most is meeting like-minded people, the camaraderie,” says Sally, a Rochester, New York native. “We help each other out. If one person doesn’t know how to do it somebody else pitches in. It’s the feeling of doing it together more than anything. There are a lot of hardworking, talented people in the group. It’s quite amazing.”

The Villages is home to “a lot of people with a construction background,” adds Kevin Tucker, a former Ontario County New York resident who is involved in preservation and repair projects for Habitat.

Kevin formed the Habitat Lake-Sumter Villagers Club in October 2019, serving as president, with Sally as treasurer and membership chair. The group began meeting the second Wednesday of each month at SeaBreeze Recreation Center.

Photos provided by Lacie Himes

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

Photos provided by Lacie Himes

G

Since the coronavirus prevented Villagers from being able to meet at recreation centers, the club has relied on Zoom meetings.

“It has been a little bit of a deterrent, but we decided a couple months ago we needed to keep the ball rolling,” Kevin says. “We are looking to grow our club and we actually have been charged with building a new home, which we will start in October, and it looks like the house will be built in Fruitland Park.”

Habitat has been following COVID-19 safety guidelines for volunteers on its housing projects.

Starting in October, Kevin and Sally will share club duties as co-presidents of the club that has a membership of 100 (and counting) Villagers.

Kevin got involved with the local Habitat after moving to Lake County four years ago.

“When I was doing new builds or preservation repair, no matter where I was showing up, I was always bumping into a lot of people from The Villages who were also volunteering for Habitat,” says Kevin, recalling that new builds would go on for four to six months, while preservation and repair tasks would be day to day. “I got to meet a lot of Villagers, but I kind of noticed after a year or two I would see some Villagers and then I’d never see them again.”

He wanted to see Habitat volunteers from The Villages more often, and he knew his community was a great source of volunteers for house builds and repair projects.

“I felt we needed a stronger connection with Habitat on a more regular, structured basis so that we could be more productive,” says Kevin.

The group has been productive.

Last December, the group cut lumber for the Jingle Build-Off, where teams representing businesses in the community were in a friendly competition to build and customize playhouses the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and other organizations gave as Christmas gifts.

“All the playhouses were decorated the way the children wanted them,” says Sally. “Some of them had shingles on it, flower boxes, picnic benches. They were quite amazing.

There was an award for the best playhouses, and we will be doing it again.”

Kevin and Sally are also proud their club hosted a huge block party in Wildwood last January, where they worked on 13 different houses all in a week’s time, all on the same street.

“It was absolutely amazing,” says Sally, adding that it felt good to be of service to others. “We were there the entire week and painted houses, did landscaping, and it

John Holmes working at Jingle Build-Off.

Phyllis Archibald working at Wildwood Block Party.

Susan Barlow painting a Wildwood home.

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CHARITY

was a real community project. People set up tables in front of their houses for food and drinks for us. They were very appreciative.”

Kevin adds that the club has worked on new house builds, participated in preservation and repair projects replacing windows, building new wheelchair ramps, repairing decks and painting houses.

“We have done whatever is necessary and have done a little bit of everything throughout 2020,” he says.

The executive staff of Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter praises the dedication and efforts of the Habitat Lake-Sumter Villagers Club.

Club president Kevin Tucker demonstrates site safety.

“No better group exists to lift the banner of socially responsible service than those who volunteer from The Villages Habitat Club,” says Kent Adcock, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “The club is composed of many persons who don’t have to do this; rather they do it because they elect to impart value to people who simply need some support.

That is the supreme definition of stewardship. The Villagers club participants are wonderful stewards of their time, talent and treasure.”

Lacie Himes, associate development director for Habitat, adds: “The level of dedication and work ethic this group brings to each and every project is impressive.

It’s unique to see a group so fully committed to completing a project and improving the lives of the families who partner with Habitat Lake-Sumter. Each club member goes way beyond the task itself and treats the project as if it were their own home, building or repairing the home with quality work and genuine care.”

She calls the group “an awesome addition” to Habitat’s volunteer

“I KNEW THAT GOD HAD A PLACE FOR ME, AND HABITAT IS WHAT IT TURNED OUT TO BE.” — S A L LY R E A D

and advocacy efforts, and says they raise awareness for Habitat’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope.

“They take action to volunteer their time working on preservation and repair projects, new home construction, and even special events like the upcoming holiday event, Jingle Build-Off,” says Lacie.

The group’s passion, motivation and empathy for those in need “is a testimony to how we are all ‘one community,’” adds Kent. He says the club has been “substantive” in preserving and protecting the housing condition for those with challenges.

The club also has helped homeowners with health and safety risks, including those affected by COVID-19.

“Our seniors and disabled and veteran populations face unprecedented need with housing and The Villages club is helping preserve those who already have housing, but who need a hand up with maintenance needs that surpass their capacity,” says Kent. “I had a homeowner recently that expressed gratitude and even embarrassment, saying they were always on the ‘giving end,’ but that now because of health issues they were on the receiving end and that it was very appreciated and humbling. I shared that sometimes we sow and plant and other times we water and reap the harvest. It takes all of us to make life work sometimes.”

To anyone who believes that Habitat provides support to those who feel entitled, the Habitat CEO says, “To the contrary we see, now more than ever before, that we are serving people who have worked hard, but now, through no fault of their own, due to COVID-19 or a health issue, need someone to help hold them up and provide them with hope and support. Every day there is no more

Sally Palmer and Sally Read at a Habitat event.

satisfying feeling in the world than providing support for deserving families.”

Habitat Lake-Sumter Villagers Club is open to more members. One has to be a Villages resident to join, and those interested are encouraged to send an email to villageshabitat@aol.com. To learn more about upcoming Habitat projects or volunteer opportunities in general, call Lacie at 352.483.0434 ext. 146.

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SOCIAL CLUB SPOTLIGHT

CLUB

Goofy Villager vs.

Village Idiot?

Never judge a club by its name; you may miss out on all the fun.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

Susan Blalock

Village Idiots meeting July 4th, 2018.

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Joke books are a Village Idiot's best friend.

hether your passion is anything and everything Disney or laughing out loud, there is a club for you in The Villages.

One would make you a Goofy Villager and the other, a Village Idiot.

Your choice, but either way, you’ll find yourself in good, and plentiful company.

“The name fits. We are goofy folks. We like fun and get-togethers,” says Rich Leopold, a Villager who formed The Goofy Villagers, a club catered to Disney lovers.

It all started in 2016 when Rich, a longtime Disney lover, aficionado and collector, moved to The Villages. He started looking at all the club possibilities and was thrilled when he found The Mickey’s Fanatics Club, only to learn that the membership was at capacity and the waiting list a mile long.

Rich didn’t fret. Instead, he started his own club, The Goofy Villagers, and in three weeks topped out at 500 members.

Jeff and wife Anni Albert, originally from Southern California and both longtime Disney lovers, joined right up. Jeff, now a board member, says Anni even worked at Disneyland in Anaheim for several summers while in high school and she recalls a time when admission to the park was just $8.

Jeff says they both love being Goofy Villagers and have made many friends through it.

Photos of The Goofy Villagers were provided by The Goofy Villagers // Photo of Susan Blalock by Nicole Hamel // Photos of Village Idiots meeting provided by Village Idiots

“There are a lot of Disney fans in The Villages, and it’s kind of nice because we know a lot of members really well now,” Jeff says.

According to Rich, most Goofy Villagers have annual passes to Disney and they often visit the park or go on cruises in groups.

Pre-pandemic, members met at 6pm the first Monday of every month at the Rohan Recreation Center for meetings, dinner and Disney-related entertainment. Guests have included Disney cast members and employees, the Main Street Barbershop Quartet, Scooter the DJ, and the man behind the hidden Mickeys scattered throughout the parks. Monthly meetings are postponed until further notice due to COVID concerns.

There is also a monthly newsletter and Goofy Villagers Facebook page that lets people know what’s going on at Disney. The Facebook page also features a dose of laughter via its Disney-related Joke of the Day. The club hosts a number of parties each year, including Christmas gatherings in which many members dress up like Disney characters.

Additionally, some club members get together the third Monday of each month to play golf.

“The 10-year-olds would be jealous of some of the outfits we wear. But overall, it’s fun way to meet other people. It’s just a great way to keep us

old folks going,” Rich says, adding that members, including himself, cannot wait until things return to normal to meet again.

Information about The Goofy Villagers can be found at thegoofyvillagers.com or on Facebook.

If laughing is your thing, you may want to consider becoming a Village Idiot.

Members, before pandemic-related shutdowns, were meeting at 10am the first Wednesday of every month at Barnes and Noble for coffee and breakfast, and to solve riddles, talk and tell jokes.

Susan Blalock, who runs the club, says sometimes people come in their pajamas or wear silly hats, but the idea is simple: “We just enjoy one another and try to get in as many laughs together as we can.”

The Village Idiots club has been around for at least 13 years. Susan took charge of activities about one year ago when the previous director died and

left her with loads of books filled with jokes, riddles and quizzes.

She also collects odds and ends, goodies and chachkas; anything that might resemble a small silly prize for the club members who solve the morning’s riddle or quiz on meeting day.

“Whenever I see or get something that I don’t know quite what to do with, it goes in my prize pile,” Susan says.

Hal Blalock, a member of the club even before his wife took it over, says he looks forward to meeting each month.

“We have a lot of regulars, but we are always looking for new people to come join us and they are always welcome.

It’s just a time for fun. Everyone can use a good giggle,” Hal says.

Susan says anyone interested in joking around with good company should give the club a try when they are able to meet again.

“I think we all have fun and that’s what’s important,” Susan says.

There is no formal website or social media source for updates or announcements, but The Villages Recreation News usually carries a blurb about upcoming meetings for the Village Idiots.

Want to see your club in Social Club Spotlight?

Send your suggestions to roxanne@akersmediagroup.com.

ROXANNE BROWN

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BOOK CLUB

CO MMENTARY

'One Day' The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America.

STORY: DIANE DEAN

hat happened on a random Sunday – December 28, 1986 – is the basis for the book One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America by Gene Weingarten.

The usually slow news of a typical Sunday combined with the lull between Christmas and New Year’s might discourage a lesser author, but not Weingarten, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist and master storyteller.

Six years were spent researching events, interviewing the participants and compiling stories. In this book, each chapter begins with a key

event that happened to someone on December 28, 1986 and proceeds to revealing how the event changed the course of their lives.

The topics cover murders, first dates, spousal abuse, rescue attempts, weathervanes and heart transplants.

Americans from Miami to Flagstaff and from California to Rhode Island are portrayed in slices of what went on in the country on that one ordinary day. People grapple with moments of significance that include betrayal, faith, justice, adventure, and of course, love. The author weaves facts and heart, at times with his own brand of humor.

Some chapters, named for the city where the event began, are

uncomfortable, painful, far from endearing, even judgmental on the author’s part according to some readers. Other stories make one smile or laugh out loud. Or one might recall their own memories from that era and how they felt. Each day notes the time of day the story began and moves forward to “the rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey used to say.

In the book, Weingarten states, “The events of a single day are hard to hold on to in the relentless flow of time, the most powerful and mysterious force of all. Everything moves on.” The author is also quoted as saying, “There’s a story in everything, and there’s no such thing as an ordinary day.”

Want to read more about what happened on December 28, 1986?

“One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America” can be found at Target, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.

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A Lasting Memory It is our goal to help you say goodbye to your special friend in the most caring and understanding way.

“A way to provide the respect and loyalty after death that your pet freely gave in life�

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Crematory Director

Central Florida Pet Crematory has been serving Lake and Marion Counties since 2002.

352.307.2256 // 10725 SE 36th Ave www.cflpetcrematory.com

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9/17/20 8:46 AM

G I V E YO U R

A BOOST

Immunity Health Spa helps you live your healthiest life.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

s people, we tend to develop habits that are hard to break.

Most habits come down to simple decisions. Soda or water? Vegetables or pizza? Nap or exercise? We really don’t give too much consideration to our decisions until an illness strikes. Then we call doctors to help us recover.

And that’s how most of us think of health care—as treatment for an existing illness.

Sabrina Ciceri sees health care through a different lens. After spending 25 years as a nurse working in conventional medicine, she became fascinated with preventative health while working alongside medical experts at Hippocrates Health Institute, a worldrenowned, holistic health institute in West Palm Beach. For 10 years, Sabrina has studied, researched and learned about the preventative side of medicine and natural ways of healing the body.

“Instead of treating an illness when it happens, I think we should take the

necessary steps to do our best to avoid getting sick at all,” says Sabrina, a local resident for the past 35 years.

Now, Sabrina is putting this philosophy into practice.

She recently opened Immunity Health Spa, located at 480 U.S. Hwy. 441 in Lady Lake. Yes, it’s a spa where clients can go to relax, refresh and renew their body.

The company offers everything from Wellness visits and Vitamin IV therapy to Detoxifying massages and facials.

However, the primary focus of Immunity Health Spa is helping clients achieve a stronger immune system and offering services that allow clients to be preventative in their health care.

“People are living longer than they used to, but some of those people are not enjoying the quality of life that they hoped to as they get older,” Sabrina says. “They have conditions that stop them from enjoying their daily activities.

Practicing preventative health care is the best way to prevent disease from happening in the first place so people can enjoy life to the fullest as they age.”

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IV: The superior way to take your vitamins One of the services Immunity Health Spa offers is IV therapy. This an excellent way to boost the immune system and help it function optimally. When immune system-boosting vitamins and antioxidants are administered intravenously, they bypass the digestive system and ensure a 100 percent absorption rate. At the same time, IV therapy detoxifies and hydrates the body, eliminating free radicals that contribute to toxin buildup and impaired immune function.

More importantly, vitamins and antioxidants are delivered directly to cells. The human body alone has trillions of cells.

Cells form body tissue and make up the organs in our body such as the heart, liver and lungs. Without proper nutrition, cells cannot operate efficiently, and the functions of

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tissues and organs become compromised. This can result in disease. Conversely, when cells are being fed proper nutrients, the entire body can function optimally and do what it was designed to do and fight off disease.

Immunity Health Spa provides an array of IV therapies. Performance Hydration strengthens muscles and joints before or after intense physical activity. Fountain of Youth helps deliver healthier skin, hair and nails. Natural Defense protects the body or speeds up recovery from airborne illnesses. Rise and Shine reduces headaches and stops feelings of fatigue after a sleepless night, and The Executive promotes mental clarity and focus during work hours and beyond. The Liquilift combines many more nutrients than in other IV drips for maximum impact.

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Be in touch with your health Immunity Health Spa also offers massages, which in the past were mainly utilized for their relaxing, feel-good benefits. Today, however, more people in the U.S. are utilizing massages for their therapeutic benefits. Truth is, countries in the East have been practicing massages for centuries because they understood how massages help maintain health in the body.

Most people already know how massages reduce stress and anxiety, increase range of motion in stiff joints and Improve coordination and pain. However, until recently, many were unaware that massages also help boost the immune system, flush toxins and increase blood flow throughout the body.

Research conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) in 2015 says that gentle massages, such as a Swedish massage, improve immune system function. These benefits show improved response to fighting off colds, flu, and other seasonal illnesses. Massage stimulated the lymphocytes (WBC) to go to work in the body, and these white blood cells fight off viruses specifically.

Further tests have shown massage increases immunity against all diseases, even cancer.

Breathe in new life Another fascinating treatment found at Immunity Health Spa is a salt room. Salt therapy has been extremely beneficial for people suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, allergies and COPD. During salt therapy treatments, clients lie on zero-gravity chairs and

listen to soft background music inside a dimly lit salt cave where walls are covered in Bahamian sea salt. They breathe in salt particles, which act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent and help remove mucus and pollutants inside the respiratory tract.

Salt therapy is equally effective as a preventative treatment. It can help patients avoid respiratory viruses such as the common cold and flu and strengthen the body’s entire immune system.

Be comfortable in your own skin Most people dream of youthful, glowing skin. The team at Immunity Health Spa helps clients achieve this dream, thus enhancing their personal appearance, self-esteem and health. For Sabrina and her team, nothing is more satisfying than beautifying patients on the outside to help them experience satisfaction and harmony on the inside. Skin is our largest organ so it’s very important that we put clean nourishing products on our skin. We use only a high quality skin care line from Hungary where the standards of excellence to become organic is 4 times more difficult to obtain than an organic status in the USA. Eminence is exclusive to high end luxury spas and ingredients are all derived from fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices and not watered down with water so they are highly concentrated and results driven.

“I have searched for over 10 years to find a skin care line that is clean and healthy but gave the results for anti aging we all look for and with the plant based sources of collagen, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, etc. This line is amazing,” Sabrina says. You can order online at our website immunityhealthspa.com.

Another product used by the Immunity Health Spa team is Botox, which diminishes or eliminates the appearance of wrinkles. They also use fillers of hyluronic acid (naturally made in all of our bodies, but as we age we slow production).

For clients looking to restore volume and structure to their faces. A variety of facial treatments are offered to fight premature signs of aging and allow clients to enjoy glowing, healthy skin all year long.

“When you are satisfied with your skin’s health and appearance, it can have a positive effect on everything from confidence to self-esteem and overall quality of life,” she adds. The vital nutrients we make when we are younger, to have healthy glowing skin, begins to drop off in our 20’s— the noticeable appearance of this effect isn’t seen until usually in our 40’s so the sooner you can replenish and protect your skin, the less aging you will see as you mature over the years.

Come visit Immunity Health Spa Living a long and enjoyable life is something we all strive to do. To accomplish that goal, we have to take care of our health and wellness. Because many diseases are related to stress, Immunity Health Spa offers treatments like vitamin IV therapies, salt inhalation sessions, massages and facials. Which are some of the most affordable and relaxing ways to lower stress levels, detoxify and hydrate the body with vital nutrients needed to keep the immune system strong.

Combined, these treatments are preventative medicine for your body, mind and spirit.

352.750.9909 / immunityhealthspa.com / 480 N US HWY 27/441, Lady Lake

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FACIAL COSMETIC SURGERY | BOTOX | LASER TREATMENTS | PEELS | SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

Treat yourselF to Our Platelet-Rich-PLasma Facial This treatment combines microneedling and your own platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) to activate cell regeneration. This stimulation of collagen, tissue repair, and stem cells help reduce the appearance of scars, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and much more.

$350 Special Introductory Treatment Offer Expires October 31, 2020

352.259.5126 | Face2FaceFL.com The Villages | Leesburg | Tavares

CTS

agenda EVENTS. TRAVEL. PEOPLE.

The write stuff.

Carl Scharwath authors poems and short stories.

JAMS

oct.JAMS 2020

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Move to the beat of one of your favorite performers at one of these great concerts or local venues!

10/3@9:30pm

10/15@11:30am

DONNIE LEE Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

AUDIENCE OF ONE Fellowship Church, Leesburg

10/9@5pm

10/16@9pm

MANFREDI ROCKS Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille, The Villages

MANFREDI ROCKS JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento

10/9@7pm

MANFREDI ROCKS Lighthouse Point Bar and Grill, The Villages

DIVAS THROUGH THE DECADES The Sharon, The Villages

10/10@9am ALLISON SPEER Village of Faith Baptist Church, Wildwood

10/10@9:30pm PAPA WHEELEE DUO Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

10//1@1pm MAIDEN VOYAGE BAND Lake Harris Hideaway, Tavares

10/11@3pm and 7pm THE VILLAGES PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA The Sharon, The Villages

10/17@5pm

10/17@7pm MAIDEN VOYAGE BAND Gators of Umatilla, Umatilla

10/17@8pm BAR FLY Oasis Saloon, Sorrento

10/23@5pm MANFREDI ROCKS Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille, The Villages

10/23@7pm SHADOW CABINET Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

10/24@5pm C.O.D. FLORIDA Hurricane Dockside, Tavares

* Dates and times are tentative due to COVID-19 guidelines. Contact the venues for updates.

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LOCAL TALENT

PEO PLE

Jack of all trades Poet, writer and runner says it’s never too late to start working on your goals.

STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

≈ PHOTO: DOUGLAS TYLER

ne night, when Carl Scharwath was on a run, he heard voices down the road. He turned his head and was immediately greeted with two bright headlights, so he quickly sprinted, barely making it out of the car’s path. The scary incident sparked an idea, so the next day, Carl wrote both a poem and a short story about the night before. He had never been a writer or written poetry, but both the poem and the short story ‘The Sinful Runner’ ended up getting published in 2014.

Since then, Carl has had poems, short stories, essays, interviews and photographs published in over 170 journals worldwide, with seven of his photos appearing on the covers of journals. “I wrote poems for maybe about four years, and then I decided to write more short stories,” Carl says.

He describes his poetry as “minimalist,” short poems of 12 lines or so. He writes “philosophical” poetry. His goal is to help people see the beauty of life rather than just to get published, although that feels pretty good, too. Carl has also written a 10-minute play he hopes to get on stage.

“I think I became a writer because I’ve always been a reader. Basically, every day I read an hour, consistently since college. But when I read, I like reading older classics. I figure, I don’t wanna read modern books because I can watch it on TV,” Carl says. His favorite author is Hermann Hesse, and Sylvia Plath is his favorite poet.

Carl has two big goals he’d like to accomplish.

Number one, to get published in The New Yorker, the magazine he submits his poetry to twice a year.

Second, he wants to get his 10-minute play on stage.

He has corresponded with some local theatres and he hopes to organize a 10-minute play festival featuring local actors performing his and other local playwrights’ works.

Carl recently checked a big goal off his list when the Mount Dora Center for the Arts featured his photography as part of its “Be a Part of It” online auction in September.

Do you know talented people in the community?

Send recommendations to victoria@akersmediagroup.com.

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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT

ach time 2-yearold James Luciani of New York flies down to stay with his grandparents in The Villages, a trip to Uncle Donald’s Farm is always on the agenda.

“Papa, E-I-E-I-O,” is the cute way the boy lets grandfather James Luciani know when he’s ready to visit the Lady Lake farm.

On an August morning, his wish comes true. The boy’s eyes light up as he’s surrounded

AT TR AC TIO NS

Baa! Moo! Quack!

A world of fascinating critters awaits at Uncle Donald’s Farm.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

by different species of animals. Reaching into a small brown bag, he pulls out small pieces of corn and gently throws the food to a white-tailed deer standing in an enclosed pen.

Fifteen minutes later, he takes a hayride through a cow pasture. As the tractor stops, several cows of varying colors approach. James stands up, grabs a handful of hay and allows cows to eat out of his hands.

“Our grandson loves it here because there are so many animals to see,” says the boy’s grandmother, Joanne.

For 40 years, Uncle Donald’s Farm has provided an equally enjoyable experience for countless children and adults. The 50-acre property is a working farm where the owners sell fresh eggs and produce products such as goat milk soap. However, the farm doubles as an attraction, allowing the public to see more than 250 animals that include both livestock and wildlife.

In these trying times of coronavirus and civil unrest, a little animal therapy might be just what the doctor ordered.

“People are far removed from agriculture in this country,” says Beth Morris, who owns the farm with her two sisters, Donna and Jeannette Morris. “When they come out here, they enjoy learning about the

“CC IS AN ABBREVIATION FOR COWARDLY COUGAR. HE’S AFRAID OF EVERYTHING, BUT ACTUALLY HE’S A BIG SWEETIE.” —DONNA MILLER

operations of our farm and being able to see animals in a farm setting. It’s peaceful and relaxing.”

From the parking lot, visitors walk down a short path shaded by leaning oak trees.

Before long, a symphony of animal sounds

Florida panther. At first glance, CC may look intimidating. Actually, he’s just a big scaredy cat.

“CC is an abbreviation for cowardly cougar,” Donna Miller says. “He’s afraid of everything, but actually he’s a big sweetie.

true performer on the farm is Harley, a rescued parrot whose owner was forced to give him up because the bird made too much noise inside an apartment complex.

Now, Harley can be himself without fear of repercussion. He sings the song “Happy

fills the air. Turkey gobbles. Duck quacks.

Geese honks. Rooster crows.

“People ask me how I can stand the noise from the roosters,” Beth says. “I tell them if the roosters ever become quiet, I get worried. Once they start crowing all the other animals begin making noises.”

Themed areas separate the typical barnyard residents from wildlife. The farm’s “Poultry Path” leads visitors past chicken coops containing various breeds.

Marvel at the beauty of Rhode Island Reds, a stately chicken with a chestnut red body and glossy black feathers. Admire the sheer size of the Jersey Giant, the largest chicken breed in the U.S. that can weigh up to 15 pounds. Learn about the French Black Copper Marans, which lay chocolatecolored eggs.

Entering into the “Wildlife Area” is an equally exciting adventure. This section of the farm is home to CC, a rescued

Florida cougars are more reclusive and shier than Western cougars, which can be aggressive.”

Yodi, a rescued coyote, lives in a cage adjacent to CC’s. He’s more entertaining than CC, pacing back and forth in circles and letting out an occasional yodel. But the

Birthday” and dances to children’s songs.

“He’s our entertainer of the year,” Donna says. “He loves children, and the more they sing to him, the more wound up he gets.”

Other animals include a 200-pound African tortoise, a Nubian goat, miniature horses, and red-tailed hawks. Generous donations and money from admission fees help the Morris family keep the animals well fed and ensure they have a permanent home.

Like most business owners, the Morris sisters have been forced to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. While the farm’s popular hayride is still operating, visitors can no longer pet the animals, milk a goat or ride a pony due to COVID-19 concerns until further notice.

That’s OK, though.

For children like James, just being close to the animals brings tons of smiles and lasting memories.

IF YOU GO

UNCLE DONALD’S FARM 2713 Griffin Ave., Lady Lake / 352.753.2882 uncledonaldsfarm.com Cost: $10+tax per adult and child 3 and older.

Children 2 and under are admitted for free.

Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Want to see your event in Social Spotlight?

Contact us at least three months in advance and provide all the details to james@akersmediagroup.com.

JAMES COMBS

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HI, SOCIETY!

Ribbon Cutting

Ally Wright, Donna Oats, and Sierra Aldana Krista Campbell and Janet Fraley

Joe and Sabrina Ciceri Ally Wright, Lisa Gonzalez, and Sierra Aldana

Luke Emerson

Jeanne Lazo

R E V I TA L I Z I N G S PA ≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER. Immunity Health Spa, 480 N. U.S. Highway 27/441, Lady Lake, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 10 with the Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce. Sabrina Ciceri and Lisa Gonzalez gave guests a tour of the new spa, which includes a salt room, IV lounge and massage room. @ IMMUNITY HEALTH SPA

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See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety

Deb Matlock

E 'S WHER ?!

M Y P IC

S ?!

T P O AD

& y n n e P llie Ro

Would you like to adopt one of these dogs?

Contact TripleC Pit Bull Rescue of Central Florida!

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HI, SOCIETY!

Betty Travick Ward and Lieutent Thomas Jr.

Gonzalo Alonso and Jemir Aguayo

John Hayes

Leo Restrepo

Kylee, Gatlin, and Addy Craine

L A DY L A K E FA R M E R’ S M A R K E T

Tonya Marandola and Alphonso Webb

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@ LADY LAKE FARMERS MARKET ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. The Big Red Bus from OneBlood hosted a blood drive Sept. 15 at the Farmer’s Market at the Log Cabin Park in Lady Lake. The event was a chance for participants to give to a good cause, enjoy the fresh air, and see booth displays of a new car, flowers, fresh produce, seafood and sweet treats from merchants and crafters.

See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety

Debi and Anthony

E 'S WHER ?!

M Y P IC

S ?!

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Would you like to adopt one of these dogs?

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L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • O C T ' 2 0

Contact TripleC Pit Bull Rescue of Central Florida!

healthy living MIND. BODY. SOUL.

Wheel power: Shawn Lukens is helping people pedal off the pounds.

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INSPIRATION

PEO PLE

From fat to fit Roly poly deputy rolled into new body, new life.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

≈ PHOTO: ANTHONY RAO

ooking at Shawn Lukens, one might consider him a good fitness role model.

He eats healthy, he appears fit and trim and he is an avid cyclist. But it wasn’t always that way.

Rewind about 10 years and Shawn was 100 pounds heavier (230-250 pounds) and known as “fat cop” or “fat sheriff ” by his peers at the Lake County Sheriff ’s Office where he served as a deputy.

But one day something clicked.

“I came home one night from work and just decided to go running and that stuck,” Shawn says. “I was tired of being out of shape, I was tired of not being able to chase after the bad guys and I knew sooner or later we were gonna have kids; I’d been married probably five years at that point, and I was just tired.”

Shawn began eating better, he continued walking and jogging and then, made a $500 purchase that changed his life forever: a hybrid (road) bike.

“I got into biking and started getting addicted,” Shawn says, explaining that later, he switched to mountain biking and lost 100 pounds. He then joined the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association to be on bike patrol and became an instructor and board member with them.

In September 2019, Shawn, now 38, retired from the LCSO and in October 2019, opened Adrenaline Bike Works, a 6,000-square-foot bicycle centric retail and service repair shop located in the former Mount Dora Museum of Speed building at 206 N. Highland Street.

There, Shawn touts all kinds of cruiser, mountain and road style top brand bicycles ranging in price from $500-$10,000, and also, his passion for riding.

Everyone, including children, are encouraged to try them before renting or purchasing one. And there are two bars, one where people can sit and order wine and draft beers, and another for sitting and watching bikes being repaired.

There is also a wide selection of accessories and an indoor bike jump and wooden pump track (A circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders “pumping”—generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedaling).

Additionally, Shawn organizes group rides to nearby trails and participates in community events. He says he delights in how biking brings people together, especially parents and children.

For more information, including hours of operation at Adrenaline Bike Works, visit rideabw.com or their Facebook page.

Do you know someone who is a healthy inspiration?

Email your recommendations to roxanne@akersmediagroup.com

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Meet some of our 5 star team

We have highly skilled clinicians dedicated to all aspects of managing your home care safely and effectively.

Skilled Nursing (RN, LPN) Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Certified Nursing Assistants Medical Social Services Medicare Assignment Accepted Private insurance Accepted with Pre-Authorization

L-R: Ashley Bailey, RN, ADON - Jackie Stanfield, RN, DON - Haley Smith, RN - Chrissy Nichols, COTA - Steve Van Dyke, DPT Shanitia Brown, LPN - Shayna Grunewald, CEO - Lory Baxley, Business Development - Jenny Stinson, PT - Renee Piryk, PTA - Kristin Coons, RN, Clinical Manager - Baylie Treves - Pam Balthaser, CNA - Ashley Tatum, LPTA - Cindy Bahoot, PTA

For more information about our services, staff and quality of care, contact us: 310 Market St., Leesburg, FL 34748 Phone: 352.315.0050 | Fax: 352.315.0059 www.golchc.com HHA299992424

LAKE CENTRE HOME CARE

SPIRIT

FOUNDATIO N

A hand up Coping with cancer can be tough, but you don’t have to face it alone.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

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ancer not only indiscriminately attacks your body, but every other part of your life, which is where organizations like the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation (GCCF) prove beneficial.

Just ask Clermont’s Oscar Martinez, 62, whose life was turned upside down a couple of years ago by a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis following a visit to the hospital because he “just wasn’t feeling good.”

“I tried to be as optimistic as possible through it all, but cancer, it’s tough,” Oscar says, adding that it would have been an even tougher journey to endure without help from nurses and doctors, his friends, family, and people from the GCCF he met along the way.

At the hospital ER in October 2018, Oscar found out he was septic, and later, that he had cancer.

A few days after that, he underwent a necessary surgery. For two years, he has had chemotherapy treatments, and most recently, a colostomy reversal. Today he is cancer free.

Oscar kept working through his ordeal, but he struggled financially. He credits the GCCF for helping him hang onto some very important things – his home of 28 years he’d nearly paid off and his sanity.

“I’m on third base coming towards home now; I am blessed every day. But it was a stressful and interesting journey. You work your whole life for the things you have, and you can lose everything because cancer just takes over everything,” Oscar says, explaining that GCCF volunteers have remained in contact with him throughout his care to ensure his needs are being met.

The GCCF, a non-profit foundation whose sole mission it is to support the citizens of South Lake County as they cope with emotional and financial aspects of dealing with cancer, was founded in 2004 by Phyllis Hutcheson and her husband Vic, now deceased.

The couple moved to Florida because Vic’s sister had cancer. In dealing with her doctors

Bras for the Cause photos by Nicole Hamel, group photo is provided by GCCF.

GCCF Board Members/Advocates Susan Taylor, Joe Holt, Katelyn Braber, Laura Stokes Henry, Kay Simpson, Kelly Cartier, Edward Emrick, Marie Howd, and Deborah Reagan.

and various struggles they recognized the need for places people could turn to for help.

“Most of the time after a cancer diagnosis, if you don’t know the right questions to ask, you don’t get the answers you need. That’s where our support groups, informational centers and mentors come into play,” says Kay Simpson, a longtime volunteer, board member (treasurer) and advocate.

Kay continues, “We’re not able to cover the cost of treatments; we’re not that big of a foundation, but we can help with other things they (patients) need.”

In Oscar’s case, that includes help with mortgage payments. But the help can be in other forms, big and small, including scholarships to young persons of cancer families, and free educational programs and resources for the general public.

In 2019, the GCCF helped patients to the tune of $192,000.

“We try and help with all the stuff that comes up you don’t think about,” Kay says. Things like medical equipment, screening and testing, necessary home renovations, car payments, utility bills, caretaker or hospice fees, groceries, Christmas presents for children of cancer families, wigs for patients who suffer hair loss, prosthetics and more.

Kay says, “We try to give them (patients) some normalcy in their life because when you’re dealing with cancer, there’s a lot of cost involved and sometimes people need help to have a normal life as much as possible.”

To do that, the GCCF, an organization not affiliated with any other area or national organization, relies on the community and local groups for help. They take donations and garner support by way of annual events and fundraisers to provide services not available for people in and around South Lake County, including Clermont, Minneola, Howey-in-the-Hills, Montverde, Groveland and Mascotte.

Perhaps GCCF’s biggest fundraiser, having grown each year since its inception, is “Bras for the Cause, and Boxers Too,” an auction of themed bras and boxers extravagantly decorated by various individuals and businesses who support the cause. The event usually attracts more than 500 guests and raises approximately $70,000-75,000, but this year’s event was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kay said she hopes 2021 will see the event’s return, but in the meantime, GCCF will keep plugging along to help those in need despite COVID-19 concerns because, “We’re a true non-profit doing good for the community.

It’s good to know we’re making a difference.”

Kay says GCCF is applying for state grants to help offset costs of providing ongoing help to local cancer patients, but donations are always welcome.

For more information about GCCF, or to donate, visit gccf.us.

Raymond York and Mary Ann Sawyer

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STORY: JAMES COMBS

Mary Jo Zylowski

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≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL nxious. Afraid. Overwhelmed.

Those emotions hit Mary Jo Zylowski like a ton of bricks as three dreadful words came out of her doctor’s mouth eight years ago.

“You’ve got cancer.”

A tumor had reared its ugly head on her thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. It was a paralyzing moment. Things that consumed her life minutes before suddenly receded far into the background as she faced completely new and terrifying territory.

“When you get that diagnosis, you cannot help but to think the worst,” says Mary Jo, a resident of Fruitland Park who was 39 at the time of her diagnosis in 2012. “I instantly started wondering if the cancer had already metastasized.

Could it be in my voice box or other parts of my body?”

Fortunately, the cancer was localized. Her thyroid gland was surgically removed, and she never underwent chemotherapy or radiation. Today, Mary Jo lives a normal life, working full-time as an environmental service technician at UF Health Leesburg Hospital and spending quality time with her husband, Tom, and 16-year-old son, Conner.

“I’m proud to say I’m a thyroid cancer survivor,” she says.

These days, countless other females are battling to earn that same title. While many women schedule mammograms each year to be screened for breast cancer, some do not realize that thyroid cancer is on the rise. In fact, it is the fastest-growing cancer in women as measured by number of new cases each year, according to the American Thyroid Association. The American Cancer Society expects 52,890 new cases in 2020— 40,170 in women and only 12,720 in men. The disease typically occurs in females who are in their 30s and 40s.

Nobody can say for certain why women are more suspectable to thyroid cancer, but theories exist.

“We do know women are more prone to autoimmune diseases, and that could precipitate an inflammatory state,”

“WOMEN NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER KINDS OF CANCERS OUT THERE OTHER THAN BREAST CANCER.” — M A RY JO Z Y L OWS K I

says Dr. Robert L. Purdon, a radiation oncologist at the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute, which has five offices in Central Florida, including Lake County and The Villages. “Some believe autoimmune diseases may make women more suspectable to getting thyroid cancer. But that’s just a theory.”

The good news is that this type of cancer is rarely a death sentence. The five-year survival rate for thyroid cancer patients is 98 percent, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists.

Moreover, the cure rate with surgery alone is excellent, allowing many patients to avoid having to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.

“When people hear the word cancer, they assume the worst,” Dr. Purdon says.

“But thyroid cancer is a well-behaved cancer that is highly controllable and usually has an excellent prognosis. The key is having a good team. You need a surgeon who is familiar with thyroid surgery. You need a family doctor or endocrinologist who understands thyroid hormone replacement and follow-up care. And you need a radiation oncologist who can administer iodine when indicated.”

Treatment for thyroid cancer varies.

When there is a small lesion and no suspicion of additional tumors, a lobectomy can be performed where only half of the thyroid gland is removed. If patients have larger lesions or received radiation for benign or malignant disease during childhood or their teens, the entire gland is surgically removed.

Patients who have had their thyroid gland removed require thyroid hormone

T H Y R O I D CA N C E R FAC T S :

The two most common types of thyroid cancer are papillary carcinoma, which occurs in

85 12

% of patients, and follicular carcinoma, which occurs in

% of patients.

Patients in early stages of thyroid cancer do not experience symptoms.

However, as the cancer develops, patients may experience symptoms such as a lump or nodule in the front of the neck, hoarseness, difficulty speaking or breathing, swollen lymph nodes and pain in the throat or neck.

Source: American Cancer Society

replacement for the rest of their lives. This once-a-day pill replaces natural hormones produced by the thyroid gland. For Mary Jo, finding the proper dosage was the most frustrating aspect of her thyroid cancer battle.

“I felt fatigue and experienced restless nights for a while,” she says. “Your body is adjusting to a surgery and also adjusting to no longer having a thyroid gland. This medication has to be adjusted up and down until the right dosage is found.”

Depending on their situation, some post-surgical patients may require additional treatment. When indicated, Dr. Purdon administers radioactive iodine, which is absorbed into the bloodstream and destroys microscopic areas of thyroid cancer not removed during surgery.

“The majority of patients won’t need radioactive iodine pills,” he says. “There’s criteria for those who do need the pills.

Usually it’s because they have a larger cancer, extensive lymph node involvement or the cancer has attached to surrounding structures like blood vessels, nerves or thyroid cartilage.”

Dr. Purdon says thyroid screening is usually only recommended for people who have a family history of thyroid cancer.

That was the case for Mary Jo, whose mother battled thyroid cancer years ago.

Mary Jo’s cancer was discovered during a routine visit to her gynecologist.

“Women need to know that there are other kinds of cancers out there other than breast cancer,” Mary Jo says. “You might not hear much about thyroid cancer, but women need to know that it can be an issue.”

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IN THE KITCHEN

RECIPE

Stepping up to the plate Restaurateur and cook Amanda Walsh adds a creative touch to popular dishes.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

heeser’s Palace owner Amanda Walsh receives nonstop praise for nearly every item on her menu.

The only complaints occur when some customers learn what’s not on the menu.

That comes with the territory when you operate a European-style café in the South.

“Sometimes people get upset when they learn I don’t have biscuits and gravy,” she says. “You can’t please everybody.”

But Amanda certainly tries.

As owner, she does everything from making electrical repairs to

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≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

waitressing. A frying pan in one hand and a plumber’s wrench in the other is not unusual.

But her favorite aspect of the job is spending time in the kitchen dreaming up new ways to enhance traditional food. Her cute and cozy café in downtown Clermont offers more than standard restaurant fare. A quick glance at the menu reveals items such as European Muesli cereal, Belgian waffles, crepes, a French Brie cheese plate served with French rolls, a Whiskey Cheddar Burger, and Tomato Basil Florentine soup.

One of the true stars is her eggs Benedict. This dish may not be new or trendy, but the perfect

combination of poached eggs and creamy Hollandaise sauce atop a deliciously toasted croissant has customers raving.

“Most people make eggs Benedict with English muffins, but we use croissants because they absorb the flavor better,” Amanda says.

Her eggs Benedict come in many variations besides the traditional with Canadian bacon.

Other choices include Grilled Spinach and Tomato, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Sausage and Smoked Salmon. However, the most popular variety was born from Amanda’s own creative tastes and is prepared with a Florida twist. It’s affectionately

Tabby, Owner Amanda Walsh, Taylor, Chef Isela, Debbie

called the Florida Citrus Shrimp and Crab Benedict. She has pleased many palates by blending Florida orange juice and lemon juice with sautéed shrimp and crab.

“People want a little bit of Florida,” she says. “When you take the acid in orange juice and marry it with the creaminess of Hollandaise sauce and the richness of the egg yolk, then you have a perfect marriage. For me, it is very satisfying when customers brag about this dish because this is my own creation.”

Never formally attending a cooking school has not impeded Amanda from achieving culinary creativeness in the kitchen. Amanda

credits her upbringing. She was introduced to the food industry at an early age when her parents owned a seafood restaurant in South Florida.

“I started helping out my parents at the restaurant when I was five,” she says. “I’d get to my father’s restaurant at 5am and peel potatoes. Then the school bus would pick me up at the restaurant. After school, I’d go back to the restaurant to clean dishes and do homework.”

As an adult, Amanda worked for Publix for 10 years and received professional training in hotel restaurant management. She eventually got the itch to open her own restaurant, so she called her

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IN THE KITCHEN

C H E E S E R’ S PA L AC E - F L O R I D A C I T R U S SHRIMP A ND CRAB BENEDICT INGREDIENTS

3

cups fresh Florida orange juice

3

tbsp fresh lemon juice

2

tsp blackened seasoning

24

peeled and deveined medium uncooked shrimp

4

oz crab claw meat

4

croissants, 2 oz each (warm in the oven)

8

eggs prepared over easy (you can prepare them any way you’d like)

DIRECTIONS

Simmer first 3 ingredients in medium saucepan. Add shrimp stir about 2-4 minutes until cooked, immediately remove from heat. Add crab. Place opened croissant on plates. Using a slotted spoon, portion 6 shrimp and some crab onto each croissant (feel free to add a little of the juice to the croissant, do not over-do it, it’ll make it soggy).

Carefully place 2 over easy eggs atop the croissant, shrimp and crab. Top with your beautiful homemade Hollandaise sauce.

H O L L A N D A I S E S AU C E INGREDIENTS

mother, Carol Kayser, who was operating a cheese shop in Ohio.

“She had a cheese shop, and I wanted a restaurant. We merged our two ideas and became partners.”

They opened Cheeser’s Palace Café in 2006. The business doubled as a restaurant and specialty shop where patrons could enjoy breakfast and lunch and also purchase imported cheese. In fact, Carol, a certified fromage expert, offered “Cheese Class 101” seminars to teach others about the finer points of making cheese.

Carol retired eight years ago, and the cheese classes are no more. Amanda has done just fine as the restaurant’s sole owner. A big reason for that is her firm belief that every cooking task, no matter how small, should be done with passion and an eye on perfection.

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4

large fresh free-range egg yolks

2

tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 whole lemon)

12

/

cup (1 stick) Firm cold salted butter, cut into 8 pieces

18

/

tsp sweet paprika

/

tsp cayenne or white pepper

18

DIRECTIONS

Whisk (I prefer an Emulsifier) egg yolks, water and lemon juice in small saucepan until blended. Cook over very low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture bubbles at the edges.

Stir in butter, one piece at a time, until butter is melted and sauce is thickened. Remove from heat immediately. Stir in paprika or white pepper. Serve immediately.

Chefs note: Egg yolks thicken the sauce and hold the butter and lemon juice in an emulsion. If the egg yolks are overcooked, the sauce will curdle. It’s important to use very low heat and to stir constantly. Cold butter, added very gradually, slows the cooking process and helps prevent curdling.

“I’m a home cook on steroids,” she says. “How more honorable can it get than to nourish and feed people and then have them come back to eat your food again? Some customers come here to eat several times a week, and I love being part of their everyday lives.”

She instills that passion into her employees.

“It’s exciting to pass on my love of cooking to others,” she says. “I prefer that the people I hire do not have a culinary degree. I want them to drink my Kool-Aid and do things my way.

Cooking food is our love language.”

Amanda does more than make good food. She’s also a self-taught chocolatier.

When entering the facility, customers will likely notice an assortment of tasty treats such as Rocky Road and Double Chocolate Rum winking at them from behind a display cabinet. Many opt for the Chocolate Goat Cheese Truffle.

“The tanginess of goat cheese marries with the richness of chocolate to make a wonderful treat,” she says.

“I actually enjoy using both white and dark chocolate and filling them with peanut butter, Nutella, strawberry and coconut.”

Bakery items such as homemade cakes, strudels and jumbo yogurt muffins are also on the menu. No wonder Amanda can confidently claim that “nobody goes away from here hungry.”

So never fear, country boys and girls. Biscuits and gravy aren’t on the menu, but Amanda serves up a heaping helping of another Southern delicacy— grits. And you’ve probably never tasted any quite like hers.

“I add heavy cream to get a real delicious texture,” Amanda says.

“Otherwise, they’re just grits with water and salt. That’s real boring.”

Chef Isela

Hey, readers! Do you have favorite recipes or know a chef we should profile?

Comment on this article or send story ideas to james@akersmediagroup.com.

JAMES COMBS

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FORK ON THE ROAD

REVIEWS

Raising the (tiki) bar Great food and drinks served with stunning views in Minneola.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER

aves crash against a sandy shoreline. Rays from a beautiful sunset reflect off the water’s surface.

Spanish moss dangling from oak trees blows gently in the wind. Bright tiki torches light up the atmosphere and infuse a tropical vibe.

All this creates the perfect stage for an enjoyable meal at the Tiki Bar and Grill.

The old real estate rule of thumb—location, location, location—does not just apply to homes and commercial buildings. It’s equally important in the hospitality industry. The Tiki Bar and Grill, situated on the banks of Lake Minneola,

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offers something most local restaurants don’t: Key West-style atmosphere with gorgeous lake views and opportunities for a little fun in the sun.

Visitors can swim at a beach area, feed a school of giant catfish or simply sit back and watch boats gracefully glide across the lake.

For many, an outside bar and restaurant with no walls and no roof—just familiar faces, good food and shady spots to watch waves roll in—is akin to paradise. Air conditioning addicts may disagree, but there’s no reason to argue. Picnic tables under ancient cypress trees and umbrellacovered tables on a wooden deck help fend off the hot Florida sun.

Regulars can’t seem to get enough of the Tiki Bar and Grill. That includes manager Sydnee Torre. On her days off, she brings her family and friends there. Seriously, how many people bring

IF YOU GO

TIKI BAR AND GRILL 503 S. Main Ave. Minneola // 352.394.0134 Lakeminneolainn.com Hours: 11:30 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

Bar drinks include beer, craft beer, wine, seltzers, malts, Dos Equis, chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, cabernet and merlot.

their loved ones to their place of employment for a day of fun?

“My daughters love to come here and swim,” she says. “We all just love the atmosphere here.”

Mike Dinkins, of Mascotte, visits six days a week. He cozies up to the bar and, without fail, orders his favorite drink—Yuengling.

“I love the staff here,” he says. “They’re personable and friendly.”

And this tiki bar doesn’t skimp on good food. Each meal is meticulously crafted by Chef Tony, who has worked at the Tiki Bar and Grill for 25 years.

As Jimmy Buffet-style music plays in the background, diners might be inspired to find their cheeseburger in paradise. They’re in luck. The Premier Cheeseburger, Bacon and Swiss Cheeseburger and Mushroom, Onion and Swiss Cheeseburger all consist of a half-pound of Angus Beef on a toasted brioche bun.

Heat seekers should consider the Smokin’ Jalapeno

Burger. The fiery combination of jalapenos and melted pepper jack cheese leave a bit of a kick in the throat. There’s a hint of smoke from the slightly charred edges of the brioche bun, which is dense enough to hold the toppings perfectly without falling apart.

Seafood also goes well with waterfront dining.

The blackened Mahi Mahi, sometimes offered as the market fresh fish of the day, is a real catch. In fact, it’s a moist, flavorful hunk of fish heaven.

This generously sized piece of fish features a firm, melt-inyour-mouth texture with only a mild fish taste.

The real stars of the menu are the chicken wings. The Tiki Bar and Grill’s wings won first place in the South Lake Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Best of South Lake awards.

Rightfully so. The wings here are large and very meaty and come with Chef Tony’s

homemade sauces: garlic teriyaki, sweet mango and tangy barbecue.

For sides, consider beerbattered onion rings or golden tiki tots, better known as tater tots. Diners cannot go wrong with either. The onion rings have a crisp, golden brown breading that doesn’t crumble at first bite. Similarly, the tiki tots feature a special but secretive seasoning that leaves the taste buds satisfied.

“People love our tots,” Sydnee says.

While other area restaurants provide lakeside dining, none offer an outdoor tiki bar experience quite like this. After the sunset fades, tiki torches are lit, lighting a path to the lake and making visitors feel as if they’ve been transported to a remote island.

Visiting the Tiki Bar and Grill is certainly worth the drive, even for those who reside in north Lake County.

After all, a great meal, a few drinks and a side of beautiful views are hard to beat.

Let’s do lunch Tell us about a great restaurant by emailing james@akersmediagroup.com.

JAMES COMBS

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SPIRITS

Alberto “AC” Cisneros, Alexandria P., and Isaac Johnson REVIEWS

Taking the town by storm Restaurateur adds brewery, more nightlife on tap for downtown Leesburg.

STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG

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≈ PHOTOS: DOUGLAS TYLER

he owner of Pint Sized Pub, Main Street Cantina, Brick and Barrel, and the former 24 Tap Room is once again bringing events and nightlife to the City of Leesburg. Alberto “AC” Cisneros’s Mammoth Oak Brewing Company is open for business, offering a selection of craft beers made in-house by head brewer and co-founder, Isaac Johnson.

While Isaac is the mastermind for most beer flavors, AC and the third co-owner Kenny Romero, are very helpful with tastings. “Isaac used to host a home brewers club at 24 Tap Room, so he wanted to open up his own brewery, but didn’t have the financial status to do it. We (Kenny and I) wanted to open up a brewery, but we didn’t know how to brew beer, so we just merged together, and all the beer you see now is his,” AC says. “We just let him have free range and it’s working out so far because it’s amazing – really good reviews.”

One beer AC likes to brag about is the Lightsaber Dance Party, which he inspired. “So at 24 Tap Room, I’m a big Star Wars geek so I had lightsabers, and I love to dance so I used to do a little show with my lightsabers, so they named that beer after me or my parties,” he says. The Lightsaber Dance Party is a hazy double IPA with tropical notes like lemon, mango and pineapple, although the orange flavor stood out the most to me. I found it to resemble a beer-mosa, if you’re familiar with the mimosa-beer collaborative cocktail.

If you’re into fruitier drinks, you’ll also enjoy the Sunset Beach, “which has a distinct fruity sweetness to it,” says Style writer Roxanne Brown, who is not much of a beer-drinker. I enjoyed the Coffee Snob, a smooth Porter that reminded me of a nitro cold brew coffee because of its smoothness and coffee smell and flavor. I don’t normally drink my coffee black, but for this I’ll make an exception.

An enticing option for many may be the Cookies and Cream Stout, which will greet your nose before your tastebuds with the rich smell of chocolate.

Style writer James Combs had a lot to say about the sweet treat. “Who doesn’t love cookies and cream?

Now, we can try this tasty combination as a craft beer. Mammoth Oak Brewery’s Cookies and Cream Stout comes with a blend of sweet milk brewed with cocoa and vanilla. Truthfully, if it wasn’t for the taste of alcohol, you might think you’re drinking a big glass of chocolate milk.”

Traditionalists need not fret. Mammoth Oak offers the Ultra Bros. James comments, “I have steadfastly refused to budge from the mostly

“BECAUSE WE HAD SUCH A BIG FOLLOWING, PEOPLE STILL CAME IN AND BOUGHT GROWLERS OF BEER.” — A L B E R T O “A C ” C I S N E R O S

watered-down beer I have religiously stuck to since my college days. So when I’m forced to drink craft beer, I always look for a familiar flavor that doesn’t deviate too far from what I’m accustomed to. The Ultra Bros. at Mammoth Oak Brewery is that beer.

It’s smooth, has a low alcohol by volume (ABV) and is refreshing.”

Like a lot of other small businesses, Mammoth Oak had to adapt to survive during the COVID-19 shut down earlier in the year. The brewery opened March 16th and closed its doors on March 20th.

“Because we had such a big following, people still came in and bought growlers of beer. So we bought all the growlers we

FOR YOUR INFO

could in a five-mile radius, we sold out.

We ended up having to go to Orlando and buy some over there,” AC says.

The events calendar at Mammoth Oak Brewing is definitely not lacking. You can find live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays, trivia on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are open mic nights, where anyone is welcome to get up on stage and plug in. The brewery is also trying to bring back virtual reality (VR) games, which were very popular at 24 Tap Room. And, you can come in for Saturday morning yoga, where for just $10 you’ll get a yoga class and a free beer afterwards. Talk about a great start to the weekend.

MAMMOTH OAK BREWING COMPANY 1107 W N Blvd Suite 26, Leesburg, FL 352.326.0100 Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm Sunday 11am-9pm mammothoak.com

Do you know a place where we can drink?

Comment on this article or send story ideas to victoria@akersmediagroup.com.

VICTORIA SCHLABIG

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DINING GUIDE

dine

OUT From classic diners and lakeside restaurants to fine dining and everything in-between, Lake County’s culinary scene is booming. Your favorite meal is sure to be served with a side of hospitality.

Denotes locations where you can find Lake & Sumter Style A S TAT U L A

CLERMONT

Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940

Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988

ASTOR Blackwater Inn 55716 Front St. 352.759.3802 Castaways Restaurant 23525 US SR 40 352.759.2213 Sparky’s Place Restaurant 24646 SR 40 352.759.3551 Williams Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.2802

Cheeser’s Palace Café 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431 Clermont Brewing Co. 750 W Desoto 321.430.2337 Corelli’s Italian Restaurant 1042 E. Hwy. 50 352.989.5924

BUSHNELL

Devenney’s Irish Pub 16909 High Grove Blvd.

352.432.3925

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 2586 W CR 48 352.568.7000

El Cerro Restaurant 811 W. Hwy. 50 352.241.9884

Darryl’s Diner 2237 W CR 48 352.444.2318 Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582 TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877

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Friar Tuck 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd.

352.404.6818

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. CR 44 352.589.9100

Lil Anthony’s Pizza 7965 SR 50 352.429.7499

Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022

Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33 352.429.2997

Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949

H OW EY- I N THE -HILLS

The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 Tillie’s Tavern & Grill 31 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.602.7929 Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001 F RU I T L A N D PA R K Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575

Guru Restaurant 2400 S. Hwy. 27 352.241.9884

Troy’s Cuban Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295

ibar-be-que Express 3170 Hwy. 27 352.315.4227

Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd.

352.243.1118

Uncle Kenny’s BBQ 157 Hwy. 27 352.394.1225

Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.728.0006

Lilly’s on the Lake 846 W. Osceola St. 352.708.6565 Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 230 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.394.0036 Robata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 Root and Branch Bistro and Bar 1200 Seaver Dr. 352.708.4529 Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411

G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd.

352.243.8900

Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305 352.404.8031

Gators Dockside 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.242.1825

The Crooked Spoon Gastropub 200 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.404.7808

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EUSTIS Jeannie’s Place 209 E. Gottsche Ave. 352.359.0027 Gators Dockside 15241 US Hwy 441 352.357.1255 Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288 LaCabana Mexican Bar and Grill 2060 S. Bay St. 352.357.4600 Nalan Sultan Mediterranean Grill 1 N. Eustis St. 352.357.4444 NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256

NY Deli N Diner 3325 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.365.0051 Rae Rae’s Restaurant 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.323.1595 Stavro’s 3223 US Hwy. 441 352.315.0028 The Rose Plantation 200 Rose Ave., Fruitland Park 352.805.4340 G R OV E L A N D Coyote Rojo 214 W. Broad St. 352.557.8999 Ikaho Sushi Japanese Restaurant 7965 SR 50, #900 352.557.8988 James Barbeque 262 W. Orange St. 352.557.4050

Frank’s Place 201 N. 1st St. 352.323.1989 Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 CR 44 352.365.2177 God Café 300 W. Main St. 352.801.7447

JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd.

352.324.3600

Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St. 352.474.2739

La Hacienda Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3910

HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006

Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.2718 L A DY L A K E Bamboo Bistro 700 Hwy. 441 352.750.9998 El Ranchito 1 Lagrande Blvd.

352.750.3335 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 OakWood Smokehouse & Grill 860 S. Hwy 27/441 352.751.5640 Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 LEESBURG Bloom’s 610 W. Main St. 352.787.1004 Brick & Barrel 209 W. Main St. 352.431.3069 Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377 Chesapeake Bay Grill 4467 Arlington Ridge Blvd.

352.315.0066 Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442

Ichiban Buffet 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669 Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 La Palma Mexican Grill 1690 Citrus Blvd.

352.323.1444 Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 CR 473 352.343.4663 Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 Main Street Cantina 205 W. Main St. 352.435.7279 Mamma’s Pizzeria 27405 US Highway 27 352.728.2020 Mammoth Oak Brewing Company 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.326.0100 Mrs. T’s Place, Southern Restaurant 305 Pine St. 352.431.3217 Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.323.1616 Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 2775 U.S. 27 352.435.4633 Arigato Steak House 1401 Citrus Blvd.

352.728.0788 Pine Street Bar-B-Que 408 Pine St. 352.728.1293 Plantation Oaks Restaurant 4720 Plantation Blvd.

352.530.2680

Ramshackle Café 1317 N. 14th St. 352.365.6565 Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 US Hwy. 27 352.319.8093 San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174 Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar 707 W. Main St. 352.435.7840 Stokes Seafood Market and More 719 W. Main St. 352.787.3474 Sully’s Smokehouse 10820 CR 44 352.483.7427 Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 The Kitchen Cafe & Cooking School 712 W. Main St. 352.901.6537 The Mojo Grill & Catering Co. 9925 US-441 352.787.0494 The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd.

352.805.4250 Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274 Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777 MASCOTTE Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd.

352.429.2093 MINNEOLA Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555 Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500

The Surf Bar and Grill 650 N. Hwy. 27 202.527.0100 Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232

Olive Branch MediterraneanItalian Grille 115 W. 3rd St. 352.729.6734

MOUNT DORA

One Flight Up 440 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 100 352.758.9818

1921 Mount Dora 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.385.1921

Pisces Rising 239 W. 4th Ave. 352.385.2669

Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668

PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092

Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903

Shiva Indian Restaurant 140A W. 5th Ave. 352.735.4555

Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101 Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 Café Gianni 425 N. Alexander St. 352.735.3327 Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 Fiesta Grande 421 N. Baker St. 352.385.3540 Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936 Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470 Let’s Do a Maine Lobster Roll 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.3702 Magical Meat Boutique 322 N. Alexander St. 352.729.6911 Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303

Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675 The Bavarian Haus 433 N. Alexander St. 352.735.8387 The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd.

352.735.2263 The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059

Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd.

352.742.4400

Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208

Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600

Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.508.5137

BlueFin Grill & Bar 2738 Brownwood Blvd.

352.571.5344

Kalua Hale Beach Bar 181 S. Joanna Ave. 352.609.5910

Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627

Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd.

352.753.3824

Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313

Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678

Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501

China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965

Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499

Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 CR 448 352.343.6823 O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157

Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939

Puddle Jumpers 111 W Ruby St. 352.508.5862

Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400

Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393

Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829

Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674

Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd.

352.343.7744

Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077

Palm Gardens Restaurant 1661 Palm Garden St. 352.431.3217

Tavares Ice Cream 214 E. Main 352.508.5342

Whale’s Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 352.385.1500

The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585

Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 CR 437 352.383.8882 Lisa’s Kountry Cafe 23911 CR 46 352.735.3380 TAVA R E S Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 Bella Nona Pizzeria 280 Silverado St. 352.508.9370 BTW (Burgers, Tacos & Waffles) 115 E. Main St. 352.508.9287

RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930

Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evans Prairie Trail 352.750.2225

Vincent’s Italian Restaurant 5914 Orange Blossom Trl. 352.735.4578

SORRENTO

Chop House at Lake Sumter 1045 Old Camp Rd. 352.750.6000

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994

Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill 118 W Ruby St, Tavares 352.508.5783 THE V I L L AG E S Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027

Habaneros Mexican Grill 3551 Wedgewood Ln. 352.633.2080 Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200

The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005 VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 U M AT I L L A

Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd.

352.753.1475

Combat Café 831 S Central Ave. 352.483.0250 Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145

Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd.

352.669.1555 Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 SR 19 352.669.3922 Shang Hai Restaurant 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004 The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 W I L DWO O D China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd.

352.748.3293 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 2468 Burnsed Blvd., 352.626.1059 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 YA L A H A Yalaha Bakery 8210 CR 48 352.324.3366

Gators Dockside Grill 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969

O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

GOOD GRUB

THIS MONTH'S EDITOR'S PICK

During a time when restaurants come and go, you have to admire the ones with staying power. Take a bow, O’Keefe’s Irish Pub. The restaurant has been serving Irish pub fare since 1984 in the same town and location. Located in downtown Tavares, loyal customers continue coming back to enjoy traditional Irish dishes such as a corned beef sandwich, Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and fried battered haddock. Other popular items include Black Angus burgers, a 12-ounce ribeye, beef stroganoff, and Tuscany Shrimp Pasta. Thanks to the wonderful food and beautiful view of Lake Dora, Irish eyes certainly smile during a trip to O’Keefe’s.

115 S Rockingham Ave, Tavares / 352.343.2157

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DINING GUIDE

The Kitchen Café

Tuesday-Saturday 9am-2pm

352.901.6537 | 712 W. MAIN ST., LEESBURG GETCOOKINGWITHZE.COM Culinary creativity comes alive at The Kitchen Café, tucked away inside the Southern Gardens Mall in Downtown Leesburg. The “create-your-own-bowl” option allows diners to choose a base product such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, good rice and riced cauliflower. From there, pick your choice of veggies, and a plant or animal based protein options like citrus grilled, herb roasted chicken, or personal meatloaf. Other menu items include thier made from scratch soups, chicken salad, and flavorful breakfast items like sweet potato hash, and a breakfast sandwich made with homestyle yeast rolls.

Partnering with local food purveyors bring “fresh” back to the table.

Mamma’s Pizzeria 352.728.2020 & 352.365.9004 | 27405 U.S. HWY. 27, LEESBURG MAMMASPIZZERIAON27.COM Step into Mamma’s Pizzeria and step into Little Italy. Owners Jimmy and Shawna Pancari have created an authentic, hometown restaurant adorned with an Italian flag, chandelier lighting and photos of New York City—fitting since Mamma’s specializes in New York-style pizza, the thinner the crust the better. Get any toppings you want up to super-deluxe pizza with everything on it. Other favorites include chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, classic lasagna and a variety of salads.

Jimmy and Shawna’s four children also work at the family business. Jimmy spent 31 years in the Coast Guard, and Mamma’s takes care of veterans, residents from nearby retirement communities and Northern transplants, all of whom are a big part of the devoted customer base. The restaurant offers online ordering, catering and delivery.

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 352.753.2722 | 304 US-441, LADY LAKE Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Lady Lake has the distinct honor of calling itself a true family-owned restaurant. In fact, five generations of family members have represented the restaurant since its humble beginnings in May 1962. As many generations of customers have dined there throughout the years thanks to the outstanding service and scrumptious dishes such as Spaghetti a la Bruzzi, Delmonico steak, and lasagna. This food savvy family prepares everything from scratch, crafting everything with love to satisfy your taste buds.

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Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm Friday 11am-9pm Saturday 3pm-9pm Sunday 12pm-7pm

Wednesday-Sunday 4pm-9pm Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Full Gluten-Free Menu

Temporary COVID Hours

Monday-Friday 4pm-10pm Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am-8pm

Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes.

The “healthy” alternative to fast food.

O’Keefe’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 352.343.2157 | 115 S. ROCKINGHAM AVE., TAVARES OKEEFESIRISHPUB.NET Located in the waterfront entertainment district of Tavares, O’Keefe’s Irish Pub & Restaurant has been a local family-owned favorite since 1984.

O’Keefe’s serves traditional Irish cuisine like bangers & mash, corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie and reubens, as well as their popular steak sandwiches and 1/2 lb burgers and delicious steaks and fresh fish selections. O’Keefe’s has a full liquor bar and serves 12 beers on draft, six of which rotate between seasonal beers, local IPAs and “old school” classics.

O’Keefe’s is currently open seven days a week for dinner, and on weekends for lunch. Happy Hour runs from 4pm-6pm Monday through Friday. O’Keefe’s famous Mug Club has over 1800 members. Your lifetime membership includes a personalized mug and discounts on all draft beer. O’Keefe’s offers indoor dining as well as outdoor dining on their covered porch or on their open-air patio with beautiful views of Lake

Subway SUBWAY.COM 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

Open Daily 8am-7pm

Yalaha Bakery 352.324.3366 | 8210 STATE ROAD 48, YALAHA

A German Bakery Like No Other!

The family owned German Bakery since 1995, is an award-winning Bakery that offers to customers high-quality German products made with the highest culinary standards. Fine European pastries and breads are made with organic flours, chocolates, and spices, butter, and imported European ingredients. Take home tortes, tarts, and wonderful pretzels, but before you go home, enjoy something from our delicious deli menu. We serve breakfast from 8-11am and lunch and dinner are served 11am-7pm. Enjoy German specialties like Nurnberger breakfast, Hunterschnitzel with Spätzle, Bratwurst, Reuben, Quiche, typical German soups, and maybe Semelknoedel (bread dumplings with mushroom sauce) for lunch or dinner. We offer a fine selection of German beers and wines. Whatever time of day, you’ll find something you love at Yalaha Bakery.

On the weekends you can come and enjoy various events and music concerts on Saturdays and Sundays at our Beer Garden. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter or via our website www.yalahabakery.com

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FINAL THOUGHT

CO MMENTARY

When politics test friendships Don’t weaponize Facebook’s unfriend button.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

month away from one of the most polarizing elections of our lifetime, we are witnessing the kind of antagonism and name-calling usually reserved for elementary school classrooms. And that’s just the garbage being spewed by both presidential candidates.

Away from the campaign trail, a vicious battle is being waged between Trump and Biden supporters on the social media site Facebook.

Much like the U.S. itself, the Facebook feeds are in total upheaval.

The rhetoric from both sides is nasty.

When battles are being fought behind cell phone and computer screens, it requires a different kind of weaponry. Therefore, users hit a button that is Facebook’s equivalent of a nuclear bomb.

The unfriend button. A destroyer of friendships.

Sadly, many make the decision that relationships can no longer endure—even electronically—when political disagreements arise. Best buddies become mortal enemies.

Once beloved family members get shut out of reunions and holiday gatherings.

There are three reasons why I think we should pause before hitting the unfriend button. First, how can we consider ourselves truly educated and informed when any news story or opinion we disagree with is filtered from reaching our eyes?

This leads to a phenomenon called confirmation bias. When we’re exposed to new information that confirms our existing

beliefs, we buy into it automatically. Conversely, we readily discard information that appears contrary to what we already know. How can anyone who reads only one side of the story be trusted to make an informed vote?

Second, nobody should create a political litmus test to determine whether or not a friendship is worth maintaining.

Remember when your best buddy called you every night as you went through a nasty divorce? Remember when your aunt made a pot of chicken noodle soup to help you overcome a nasty cold? Their caring and kindness are wonderful qualities and should mean more to you than whether they support gun control (or not) or whether they support a wall along the U.S.Mexico border (or not). Don’t embrace ideology over people.

Finally, hitting the unfriend button due to political disagreements means we’d rather frown upon our differences instead of embracing them. We are all different in many ways.

Skin color. Culture. Family history. Life experiences. Education levels. That’s what makes us part of the human race and members of this great country. There’s nothing wrong with political diversity. Rather than unfriend someone for having a different opinion, try to understand why that friend feels the way he or she does about a candidate or political issue.

Yes, we all get frustrated with some of the crap we read on Facebook. When this happens, I’ve discovered that the unfriend button isn’t the most valuable option to consider.

Try a long, deep breath instead.

Keep breathing until the desire to remove someone from your life fades away.

Hey, readers! Is there a particular subject that you would like me to write a commentary about? Tell me, via email, at james@akersmediagroup.com.

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