STYLE MAGAZINE, Village Edition, October 2016

October

2016

VILLAGE EDITION

, e c i t s c a r r r p age a l u p scula Vill es. o p v The rdiova of the ig mo ca eart ing b H mak E INSIDE is AD MOR RE

BMW of Ocala

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PLAZA —HARRY AND JO FENTON

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(L–R): GREG YAGER, GENERAL MANAGER; JO FENTON; LYNN SPARKS, SALES REPRESENTATIVE; HARRY FENTON; TONY PAGANO, GENERAL SALES MANAGER

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

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All items displayed at actual size.

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Rose & White Gold .54ctw Diamond Rose & White Gold Pendant

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3/4ctw Diamond 2-Tone Gold Fashion Ring

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1/2ctw Diamond Rose & White Gold Filigree Band

Inlaid Gemstone & Diamond Omega Back Earrings

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.69ctw Floral Design Diamond Ring

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Black Inlaid Opals 14K Gold Sandal Pendant

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Sandal Earrings

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14K White Gold Ammolite Ring

$1,635.00 18K Yellow Gold Ammolite Pendant

$12,492.00* Ammolite Jewelry

@YOUR SERVICE October

2016

ED BY

VILLAGE EDIT ION

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

October

SPONSOR

2016

KE TO LA

They came. ed.

They struggl . stories.

They survived share their Five people

g light on Sheddin Lake issues of s, the dark ter countie and Sum elessness, g hom ng, includin trafficki human sm. hunger, alcoholi and teen s man, Local homeles Alan Jeffries Michael too knows all (pictured), can quickly you well how the dream go from living streets. the to living on

S SURVIVOR

tice, pular ar prac es The poiovascul e Villages. card art of th g mov He aking bi is m INSIDE READ

CO UN

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NEW OVE RTIM E AND CLASSIF ICATION CHA WOR KER INTO EFF ECT DECEMBNGE S GO ER 1ST

MORE

ET ILL G AT W S TH NEW

YOUR

T HEAINRG! V O M Including survivor, Barbara Augustine (pictured), whose life took a different asthma, direction after severe back pain, and breast cancer.

04 06 10 16 20

COMMIS SIONER’S CORNER BUSINE SS BRIEFS STATE OF THE ECONOM Y FOR LOCAL MONEY MATTER CITIES S AFFECTI MADE IN NG SMALL LAKE BUSINE SS

OUGH PEDAL THR LAKE RT OF THE HEA ON THE COUNTY T O-COAS COAST-T TOR CONNEC

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

Digitize your life.

visit our website and cast your nominations for

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

nominations end Oct. 10 and voting starts oct. 15

SHOW YOUR LOVE. Become a fan of Healthy Living, or Lake & Sumter Style by liking our Facebook page, following us on Twitter (@GetStyleMag or @GetHLMag) or visiting our YouTube channel.

GET YOURS. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Order a subscription of

your favorite magazine to be delivered directly to your home for just $72. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Lake & Sumter Style, Village Style or Healthy Living. Choose 2 or more magazines for $85 per year. To order, call 352.787.4112 or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749.

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al resident or have moved, send your address change request to general@ akersmediagroup.com or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749.

.com

mail for $7, or 2 or more single issues for $9. To pick up a back issue from our office, please call 24 hours in advance.

From the publisher

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

Doug Akers

IT’S TIME FOR US TO SEE

VICE PRESIDENT doug@akersmediagroup.com

Jamie Ezra Mark CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER jamie@akersmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY

Leigh Neely Steven J. Codraro

MANAGING EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR leigh@akersmediagroup.com steve@akersmediagroup.com

James Combs Josh Clark

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Theresa Campbell Volkan Ulgen

STAFF WRITER DESIGNER theresa@akersmediagroup.com volkan@akersmediagroup.com

Debbi Kiddy Michael Gaulin

STAFF WRITER PRODUCTION DIRECTOR debbie@akersmediagroup.com michael@akersmediagroup.com

Fred Lopez

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER fred@akersmediagroup.com CONTRIBUTORS

Dondi Coté Pat Jocelyn Diane Dean Christopher Holmes Mary Ann DeSantis Ron Vandevander Fred Hilton SALES // MARKETING

Tim McRae

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING tim@akersmediagroup.com

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DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES melanie@akersmediagroup.com ADMINISTRATION

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Scott Hegg DISTRIBUTION MANAGER scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com LAKE & SUMTER STYLE IS A PROUD MEMBER OF

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION

LEESBURG PARTNERSHIP

LEESBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

TAVARES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SOUTH LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Every morning I come into work, I see the same homeless man standing outside Walgreens with a sign that says, “Homeless, will work for food.” He is walking back and forth beside the line of cars, as the traffic light turns red, hoping to grab someone’s attention. Then as I get closer to work, I see a woman sleeping on a bench at veteran’s park, her belongings bundled up underneath her head and used for a pillow. When I leave the office for lunch, I typically see the same young man sitting on a bench in front of my office, and each day he politely says “hello” to me as I leave and then greets me when I return.

As I am driving around town taking care of my errands, I see the man we’ve all come to know as Willard, who is scouring the area for cans or recyclables so he can collect them and turn them into a nearby recycling center for cash.

Each and every day I pass by these people as I am out and about, doing my daily duties, coming to and from work, which is ironically the place I go to put together stories for this magazine. It’s a publication that represents all that is great about our community. It’s my job to highlight the wonderful people, places, and events that make this community a great place to live.

After many years of doing the same old routine, it finally hit me. There is a dark side to our community. A hidden side right before our eyes and it is begging to be seen. Unfortunately, I had been doing nothing at all to help. I ignored it. As guilt settled in, I realized I am an accomplice to these ongoing travesties. Here I am, owner and publisher of the area’s most widely read magazine, and I have done nothing to bring awareness to issues such as homelessness, hunger, teen alcoholism, and have written very little about the human trafficking epidemic. All of which are happening right here in this community.

So now, it is time. It is time to look into the side of Lake and Sumter counties that have been in the shadows far too long. It is time to bring awareness to these uncomfortable issues and look into the reality of our society.

Most of us have a home, we have food readily available to us, and we have people around us who love us and look after us. But what about those who are not as fortunate? Do we cast them out, and leave them to fight the struggle on their own? I certainly hope not.

My hope is that through these very real stories being shared with you this month, we, as a community, will find a way to make living in our community truly wonderful for everyone—not just for some of us, but for all of us.

Until next month,

WINNER OF

LAKE EUSTIS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SUMTER COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

100+ AWARDS

AMERICAN ADVERTISING ASSOCIATION FOR EXCELLENCE

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

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

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

Kendra Akers

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Come see us for all of your designer eyewear needs

Call Us Today 352.728.8318

1128 Bichara Blvd., The Villages (golf cart accessible) 1320 Shelfer Street, Leesburg beaconadvancedeyecare.com

Focusing on your eyecare needs for 29 years!

Doctors pictured above from left to right: Dr. James K. Berry; Dr. Albert R. Ducharme

First Things

f1rst 18

#TRENDING PERSON OF INTEREST OUTSTANDING STUDENT THIS ‘N’ THAT

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

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR

Oh, October! Just breathing the cool, crisp fall air makes you want to get outdoors and enjoy the many fairs and festivals around Lake County. Historic Downtown Mount Dora will host its fun and famous 32nd annual Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22-23.

With 350 of the best crafters in the country, this nationally-ranked juried event draws more than 250,000 festival enthusiasts each year. This event has everything from sculptures to woodworking, ceramics to paintings and rare gifts (artist-made jewelry) for early-bird Christmas shoppers. If the autumn air, laden with smells of Kettle Korn, corn dogs, and waffle cakes whets your appetite for festival food, the many food vendors will be on hand to make your wish a reality.

You may find the streets are a bit crowded, so there’s always time to visit the eclectic shops that make downtown Mount Dora so special. To learn more, go to visitmountdora.com or call 352.217.8390.

MORE TO COME There’s a new Sumter County public safety building going up on Powell Road near the Pinellas Plaza library and government center. This building will be used as the sheriff’s office northern headquarters, the emergency operations center, ambulance services and the dispatch and emergency call center as well as fire and emergency services offices. The plan was approved during the July meeting of the Sumter County commissioners.

I Like to Ride My Bicycle Remember the exuberance and freedom you felt the first time you pushed off on a solo bicycle ride? More than 1,000 cyclists will attend as Mount Dora hosts the 42nd annual Bicycle Festival Oct. 7-9. It is the oldest and largest bicycling event in the state.

Bicycling is becoming more and more popular, it’s estimated there are almost 100,000 riders in the United States (data.gov). Lake County is famous for its numerous and varied biking trails, rated from easy to moderate to hard.

Whether you choose the easy 11mile Lake Gracie route with amazing views of Crooked Lake, or the more challenging 103-mile route deemed the

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“Countryside Century,” which winds through the Ocala National Forest by De Leon Springs to the banks of the St. Johns River, you’re bound to rekindle exhilarating childhood memories—and find some new ones along the trail.

COOL, CLEAR WATER

Tavares residents and businesses now know the end is in sight. Work began just after Labor Day on the site of a stormwater treatment area. City utility customers are paying $2.4 million of a project costing $5.3 million thanks to grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Lake County Water Authority. Though work will continue for about a year, ending at Wooton Park, enhancing the area, according to John Drury, city administrator. This new work replaces the old pipe systems and uses the 8-acre park to treat water before it is discharged into the lake.

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

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

JAMES COMBS’

THE HIT

LIST

1 // ANGRY BECAUSE his mother refused to pick him up at a local hospital, a 36-yearold Umatilla man fought with police and ended up in the Lake County Jail. Now, he’ll be able to call his mother from his “cell.”

2 // A 30-YEAR-OLD LAKE COUNTY POSTAL worker was charged with possession of

child pornography after Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents raided his home.

Because of his bad decision, he’ll be the one experiencing “special deliveries” in prison.

3 // WHILE ARGUING how to shut off a car alarm in a Tavares parking garage, a Clermont couple drew the attention of police and landed in jail after a significant amount of marijuana was found in their vehicle. The lesson learned here? When you’re out in public, try not to stir the pot.

4 // ALTHOUGH DOC IS A DOG with only three working legs, a Lake County woman is teaching him to be a therapy dog so he can inspire special-needs kids and disabled veterans. That is paws-itively awesome!

5 // AN UNDERCOVER prostitution operation in Polk County landed 128 suspects in jail—three of which are Lake County residents. Prostitution is a whore-able occupation.

6 // LAKE COUNTY middle school students showed remarkable improvement on state

assessments in mathematics. In fact, they improved nine percentage points in Algebra I and eight points in Algebra 2. All the studying and hard work is starting to add up!

ANGLERS READY FOR BIG CATCHES IN LAKE Professional Bass Angler Scott Canterbury of Springville, Alabama, has won more than $1 million as a fishing pro, and he will be in Lake County with other anglers in March vying for a tournament win.

The Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) has revealed that one of its six broadcast tournaments will be filmed March 9-12 in Leesburg during the 2017 Walmart FLW Tour, on NBC Sports Network, the Pursuit Channel and the World Fishing Network.

Lake County Economic Development and Tourism Manager Adam Sumner, who’s also an avid angler, says the tour stop in Leesburg will allow Lake County “to show the world” just how great fishing is on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

Lake County has already reeled attention for being home to seven of the top 11 lakes in the state for quantity and size of bass fish.

Adam says the FLW will be involved in hosting community events during tournament week, including an expo on Ski Beach at Venetian Gardens.

Additional tournament details closer to the event will be available at FLWFishing.com.

Those interested in learning more about bass fishing in Lake County can visit lakebigbass.com.

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TRICK -ORTREAT Batman, Superman, Star Wars and Marvel’s Captain America’s characters may knock on your door this Halloween, along with youngsters dressed in traditional favorites of witches, vampires, and sweet Disney princesses.

And don’t be surprised if some politically minded trickor-treaters are ready to make you laugh or twinge by wearing a Donald Trumpstyle wig or Hillary Clinton mask—both new items for Halloween 2016.

RANDY FINK, MD, FACOG

PAMELA COOK, MSN, NP

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First things first // outstanding student

Natorie Williams was recognized by Congressman Daniel Webster as Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties Youth of the Year.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST VISIT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB? In the summer after fifth grade, my mom wanted my sister and me to go.

WHY DO YOU KEEP COMING BACK? The support of the staff. In the sixth grade, I was bullied physically, mentally, and emotionally by a girl who lived in the same neighborhood, rode my bus, and was in some of my classes in school. At the club I got very quiet and seemed depressed. One of the staff members, Miss Charlene, pulled me aside. She said, “Tell your bully tomorrow what you have to say, so this won’t continue. Once you stand up and tell her what’s on your mind, she will be scared of you, because now you will not be affected by her bullying.” I took her advice the very next day and the bullying stopped. I was amazed that they cared, stuck by my side the whole time and never left.

HOW HAS THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB IMPACTED YOUR LIFE? It has helped me find my own voice, being able to say what I need to say when I need to say it. It has helped me with my grades … not being scared to take AP (Advanced Placement) classes, with college planning, job experiences, so I can be prepared for what I will be facing when I leave.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB NOW? I am a junior staff member, and I enjoy helping other kids the way I was helped.

NATORIE “TORIE” WILLIAMS

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

AGE 17/ EUSTIS HIGH SCHOOL

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WHAT ARE YOUR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES? I serve as the vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America, a member of the Glee Club, the Beta Club, and the Best Buddies Club.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I plan to attend Lake-Sumter State College, and then on to either FAMU or UCF to pursue a degree in business management. I want to complete my MBA in business and go into the fashion industry in New York.

WHY FASHION? One day I noticed my mother’s Betsy Johnson purse.

It was purple and black and had a zebra print, and it said Betsyville on it. I thought, “What’s that?” I looked it up and all of a sudden a whole new world opened up for me. She uses patterns and polka dots and I was so shocked. I said, “I want to do that!”

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First things first // This ‘n’ that

WARNING: CRAZY MAN ON AISLE 6 STORY: FRED HILTON

Pringles put me over the top.

It began as a pretty normal day. I was ambling down aisle 6 in the grocery store, headed to pick up a can of Pringles.

Since they came out, Pringles have been among my all-time favorites. You can stack a whole bunch of them, and it looks like you’re not eating much, but you’re gobbling down more chips than a big bowlful of the regular kind.

All I wanted was my faithful old red Pringles can. But there, staring at me from the shelves, were at least 25 different kinds of Pringles. In addition to my friend the red can, there were green, orange, blue, brown, and one in a goofy color with a strange name I can’t remember. There were Pringles with cheddar cheese, salt and vinegar, sour cream and cheese, tortillas, and other weird things.

I lost it and began muttering, “Why, in the name of all that’s holy, do we need 25 kinds of Pringles? What’s wrong with red-can Pringles? Have you no sense of decency?”

Several shoppers rushed to the store manager and frantically reported “a crazy old man on aisle 6 yelling at the Pringles cans.”

It became abundantly clear to me. What I long dreaded was finally true. I was officially a curmudgeon—a grumpy old man.

For years, I resisted the urge to give in to my inner grumpiness. However, there were obvious signs long ago of early onset curmedgeonliness.

The biggest giveaway was that I liked Andy Rooney. You remember Andy, the rumpled little man with the bushy eyebrows who appeared at the end of CBS’s “60 Minutes” every Sunday night. Each week, good old Andy whined and complained about something he thought was particularly bubble-headed or pretentious. Many people believed Andy was a grumpy old buffoon. Creepy eyebrows or not, Andy was my hero and I cheered him on each week.

The best thing about publically admitting my curmedgeonliness is I no longer have to suffer fools gladly. I can criticize, gripe, and whine to my heart’s content, and people can’t legally get mad at me. It’s discriminatory.

Curmudgeons have their rights clearly spelled out the in U.S. Constitution. The section on Curmudgeons Rights

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was placed there by our Founding Curmudgeon, Benjamin Franklin. At least that’s what it says in the curmudgeons’ newsletter. If it’s in the curmudgeons’ newsletter, it must be true. Curmudgeons can’t lie. They can grumble and grouse, but they can’t lie. Again, according to the newsletter.

One of the great things about being a curmudgeon is discarding your verbal sensor. For years, that sensor kept you from blurting what you really thought when you saw something stupid. Now you disregard all efforts to be tactful and say exactly what you think. People won’t get mad at you.

They’ll simply write it off as a grumpy-old-man babbling.

You can safely say things that would have earned you a punch in the mouth years ago. For example, if you’re watching people oohing and aahing over some fat little baby, you don’t have to join the gushiness. You can be honest and mutter “Geez, that kid looks like Winston Churchill on steroids.”

Sitting in front of the TV is a great place to satisfy these curmudgeonly instincts. When one of those silly ads comes on and says, “These are real people, not actors,” you can go into a rant. If actors aren’t real people, what are they? Aliens? Androids? Waxed figures? Holograms?

An election year is a wonderful time to be a curmudgeon. There’s no limit to the moronic things shrilly blared by a huge variety of dim-witted candidates. You can happily grumble about all of them.

My trip to the grocery store the other day went pretty well after I left the Pringles section. I did, however, go into a brief rant in the cereal aisle when I saw the various Cheerios and Corn Flakes.

They said I could come back to the grocery store. I just can’t go to aisle 6 anymore.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Fred Hilton spent 36 years as the chief public relations officer/spokesman for James Madison University in Virginia and 10 years prior as a reporter and editor for The Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia. He is now happily retired in The Villages with his interior designer wife, Leta, their Cadillac Escalade golf cart, and their dog, Paris. (Yes, that makes her Paris Hilton).

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AN INSPIRED LIVING EXPERIENCE FROM

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Physicians and staff at the Heart of the Villages will soon be taking the next step in the evolution of this very popular cardiovascular practice—and they can barely contain their excitement.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON.

H

earts are beating faster at the Heart of the Villages because something BIG is in the wind, and they can’t wait to share it with you! After only seven years as an integral part of the medical community in The Villages, patient numbers have increased and the practice has evolved to the next level—and that has everyone very excited.

With this outstanding growth, the demands for the signature compassionate care have increased.

There finally came a point when decisions had to be made—so they made them. Heart of the Villages is moving! Not far at all as the golf cart cruises—only five minutes. But miles away in terms of what the new location will mean to the doctors and staff and more importantly, to their patients.

Dr. Georg Couturier, founder and head cardiologist puts it this way, “Sometimes, when you are so involved in your practice of medicine, you don’t have time to lift your head up a bit and look around to be sure you are doing all you can for your patients and your staff. We always want to be better, and this move allows us to make the necessary changes to do that.”

The new location will be in The Oaks Professional Building at 8575 NE 138th Lane, still close to The Villages of course, but also accessible from Spruce Creek and Del Webb.

The new “Heart” will be significantly

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closer to the The Villages Regional Hospital, and that is an important point Dr. Couturier wants to stress: “It is certainly a benefit to our patients should an emergency situation arise. We are closer to the hospital, which is important when minutes count. But close proximity also helps patients waiting with office appointments. Less time the doctor spends going back and forth to the hospital means more time with patients during appointments.”

The move will also result in a dramatic increase in office space— with room to expand in the future.

What that means for physicians and staff is literally a lot more room to work—the new facility is a much more spacious 7,000 square feet.

They will be adding to their numbers of exam rooms—11 exam rooms up from seven. The number of treatment rooms will double—from three to six. Everything from administrative offices to waiting will be larger and more accommodating, making things more comfortable for staff and patients.

But the real excitement comes from looking closely at what this next evolution means for Heart of the Villages patients. From the outset, the new facility provides a more comfortable setting with improved patient flow. The increased space and more efficient floor plan means shorter wait times for patients.

Perhaps the most dramatic improvement patients will find when they

drive in! The parking situation has been dramatically improved—an improvement long overdue. Patients now will have their choice of 140 parking spaces reserved just for them!

Heart of the Villages always maintains a close relationship with the leading edge of medical technology and changing locations presents an ideal opportunity for the practice to selectively add more of the exciting technologies and improved patient treatment options that are developing today. “Because of the increase in space, we will have the room to integrate newer technology and services like cardiac rehab, medical supervised weight loss, and dietary counseling.”

We will soon have a new and more robust website that will improve things for all of us. New patients will be able to access docu-

ments online before their first visit.

Established patients, in the spirit of full disclosure, will have access to their doctor’s actual progress notes! Plus, all patients will be able to receive important communications from our doctors whenever it becomes necessary.

“Our new location also puts us in closer proximity to other physicians and other medical specialties, which will make things much more convenient for our patients. We like to help make the most of a patient’s time wherever we can.”

One new development the practice has already begun to implement is a brand new information technology system to keep patients up to date and informed about their treatments. A system of several closed circuit video touchscreens is currently slated for the new facility—to be available in exam rooms as well as in the waiting room. Patients can scroll through

digital content to educate themselves about their specific condition.

Physicians will use the video screens to call up specific content during an exam to help explain to a patient exactly what the condition is and the scope of treatment.

All this talk of change and growth may cause some to worry that the quality of care they’ve known and become comfortable with might suffer. If anything, Dr. Couturier says, it will get much better. “This gives us a chance to adopt the best protocols and procedures, to embrace the best medical practice. We expect to be even better than we’ve been so far!”

The faces of The Heart of The Villages are not going to change.

Dr. Georg Couturier is not going anywhere. Neither is Dr. Mark Rothschild or Dr. Vatsal Inamdar. Bryan Carter will continue treating and improving the venous health of his patients. Erica Harden, the newest addition to the “Heart” family, will provide her overall wellness and nu-

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trition guidance. Devin Di Scala and Scott Wojciechowski will still be on the front lines providing in-hospital support. Nothing will change except the location and the opportunities to help patients even more than before.

After the move to the new location, the final evolution of the Heart of The Villages will be a new brand and a new image. “Heart of the Villages” will change its name and a team of marketing experts is hard at work, in discussions with the Heart of the Villages, developing the new name and new look even as this article goes to press.

“We had a good seven years in our location in The Villages, and we

will always be grateful for our time there. But a new state-of-the-art facility that we control and fit to our patients’ needs is better for all of us. I am looking forward to a more comfortable, more pleasant working environment where we can all do our best work. I know in the end, it will pay off for us and our patients!”

Heart of the Villages is empowering their patients to take an active role in their health. Our patient exam rooms are equipped with an interactive digital wallboard that allows for active, visual dialogue between our patients with their physician. The exam room also comes with a CardioTablet where patients can learn about their cardiac condition and treatment procedures while they wait.

________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION

HEART OF THE VILLAGES 1149 Main Street, The Villages, FL 32159 352.674.2080 www.heartofthevillages.com

“I’m looking forward to a more comfortable working environment…where we can all do our best work.”

— Dr. Georg Couturier, MD FACC

Congratulations Congratulations are in order for the accomplishments of Broker and Owner of RE/ MAX TOUCHSTONE’s own Addie Owens.

Addie has earned the distinguished RE/MAX Platinum Club and Hall of Fame awards. She has also been recognized as being in The Real Trends Real Estate top 1% ranking in the nation!

Her persistent efforts to always rise above her last success has propelled her to a new level of performance. Now transitioning from Top Producing Associate to Broker/Owner, Addie is committed to the continued growth and success of her company and agents. Under her direction, RE/MAX TOUCHSTONE is customer centered, development focused and results driven. Addie’s mission is to raise the bar in Real Estate, and she is well on her way with the expansion of the team!

Please welcome Ashley Selph, Jaime Edmondson, Randy Mason, and Amy Farrell! They recently made the decision to join RE/MAX TOUCHSTONE and are excited to grow their business!

NOW HIRING AGENTS•BUYERS•SELLERS

SERVING CENTRAL FLORIDA ll 352.223.0053 www.touchstonegroupinc.com 32

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LEADING THE WAY IN SUPERIOR CATARACT SURGERY 7ITH "REAKTHROUGH 4ECHNOLOGIES THAT 2ESTORE 6ISION &ROM %VERY $ISTANCE As the first local practice to offer the industry’s most accurate laser cataract surgery and the only FDA-approved extended depth-of-focus lenses for crisp multi-range vision, Lake Eye remains at the forefront of advanced cataract treatment. Drs. Scot Holman, Scott Wehrly and Vinay Gutti combine world-class surgical experience and breakthrough technologies to restore healthy vision - and better lives - to countless satisfied patients.

Lake Eye – the clear choice for clear vision.

Board-certified ophthalmologists (from left to right):

s ,AKE%YE COM s

VINAY GUTTI, MD, SCOTT R. WEHRLY, MD and SCOT C. HOLMAN, MD

Pictured from left to right: Scot Holman, MD; Scott Wehrly, MD; and Vinay Gutti, MD

LAKE EYE ASSOCIATES – The Technological Leader in Advanced Cataract Surgery If you’re one of the roughly 25 million Americans suffering from blurred, murky vision caused by cataracts, you may be wondering what options are available to restore healthy vision and return your world into focus. For answers, let’s turn to Lake Eye Associates’ Board Certified ophthalmologists and experienced cataract surgeons, Drs. Scot Holman, Scott Wehrly and Vinay Gutti.

“Cataracts are the most common cause of vision deterioration in people 55 and older,” says Dr. Wehrly. “People find they’re unable to see clearly, which causes many to give up things like reading, tennis, golf and driving, which can lessen one’s quality of life.”

Because cataracts are common and can be dangerous when left untreated, the doctors of Lake Eye remain at the forefront of advances in cataracts surgery and replacement lens technologies. Lake Eye was the first local provider to offer a series of breakthrough cataract procedures, including the LenSx® surgery system, which captures high-resolution 3D images of the eye for superior cataract isolation and unparalleled surgical planning.

LenSx® utilizes computer guidance and a femtosecond laser to remove the cataract-damaged lens with impressive accuracy, without blades or cutting. “It is the safest and most accurate cataract surgery system ever created,” says Dr. Holman. “It is

painless, effective and typically takes under 10 minutes.”

Another first employed by Lake Eye is the ORA™ System with VerifEye+™ Technology, which allows Lake Eye’s surgeons to assess the eye during surgery and obtain measurement and alignment data in real time, for the optimal selection and positioning of the intraocular replacement lens, or IOL. “ORA facilitates incredible accuracy in the placement and selection of the right IOL for each patient,” says Dr. Gutti, “and gives me superior analysis of astigmatism, improving outcomes by nearly 54%. That is a huge advance.”

Selecting the IOL best suited to each patient is paramount in long-term satisfaction, and Lake Eye specializes in the most advanced IOLs in the industry. Lake Eye leads the way by being the first local provider to offer the Tecnis Symfony®, the first and only FDA-approved extended depth-offocus lens, which creates seamless multi-range vision correction at all distances, even in patients with astigmatism. “The Symfony

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operates more like a normal, healthy lens than any IOL ever created,” says Dr. Wehrly. “It is optimized to produce elongated focus for an uninterrupted range of vision, from close up to far away and everything in between. The majority of patients report no longer needing glasses or using them only occasionally. We’re excited to be the first in the area to offer this IOL to patients.”

Once upon a time, cataracts meant a lifetime of poor vision, even blindness. But thanks to progress in cataract technologies and the extensive training, experience and technical savvy of Lake Eye’s team of surgeons, bright, clear, healthy vision is here to stay. Lake Eye is Lake County’s unrivaled frontrunner in cataract surgery and vision restoration lenses – because when it comes to something as important as your vision, second best is never an option.

Tavares | The Villages | Lady Lake | Leesburg 3525.750.2020 www.LakeEye.com

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HWY 441 / EUSTIS FL 32726 WWW.VGCHEVY.COM 352.343.2400

— SCOTT AND SHARON DUNCAN UMATILLA

“We like our relationship with Vann Gannaway.

There’s no high pressure. Wayne Davenport worked it three different ways to give us the best deal.

They don’t have a big turnover—it’s like ‘Cheers,’ everybody knows your name.”

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We live in a beautiful area—lakes, forests, urban growth. But there is a part that we don’t always see: the dark side of what’s happening in our community— homelessness, human trafficking, hunger, teen alcoholism. When we become aware, we find ways to respond in a manner that helps and builds a sense of hope for the future.

STORY: LEIGH NEELY+THERESA CAMPBELL+ DEBBI KIDDY PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ+PROVIDED

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HOMELESSNESS

A place to call home

L

iving in the woods and looking for food can be a dangerous way to live, and it has taken its toll on one homeless military veteran who is tired of it all. “Being homeless is not as bad as what people think—it’s worse and it’s treacherous—I wouldn’t wish this on anybody,” says U.S. Air Force veteran Michael Alan Jeffries, 50.

He was brutally attacked and knocked unconscious on Aug. 5 while walking on the bike trail adjacent to 717 N. 14th St., Leesburg around 6 p.m., and when Leesburg police officers arrived, they found Michael on the ground under a picnic table in a pool of blood.

He was airlifted to Ocala Regional Medical Center where surgeons reconstructed the left side of his face.

According to a Leesburg police report, Brian Edward Jenkins, 43, of Leesburg, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and bodily harm on a disabled person.

Witnesses told police the two men had gotten into an altercation before they went separate ways. The LPD report states Brian returned and started a second altercation when he struck Michael with his fist, knocking him to the ground. The beating reportedly continued while he was down.

“I don’t know how I survived. It’s by the grace of God that I’m alive,” says Michael, speaking from his

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hospital bed on Aug. 12, just a couple of hours before he was released.

His left eye was swollen shut, and Michael grimaced as he touched his reconstructed face. “There’s nothing but pain, swelling, plates, and screws.”

Last-minute attempts were made to get him a ride from the hospital, food, medication from a pharmacy, and a temporary place to recuperate.

“I was really surprised to see the shape that he’s in.

No human being should be beat on like that,” says Jack Spivey, a close friend and Vietnam War veteran. “Me and my wife think a lot of him.”

Michael was noted as being among the growing number of individuals in Lake County who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence—a definition for homelessness.

It’s challenging for officials to pinpoint the exact number of individuals in the county sleeping in woods, motels, cars, abandoned buildings, or on the sofas of friends, yet Lake County

.com

Schools identified 1,947 students as homeless on the last day of the 2015-16 school year.

“However, when the survey 5 number is provided by the state (this month), it will reflect that count to be increased by 300-500 students,” says Kristin McCall, Families in Transition Liaison for Lake County Schools Student Services.

Just days before his recent attack, Michael shed some light on the dark side of homelessness—a situation he never expected to happen to him.

“I was on top of the world, making close to a quarter-ofa-million a year,” he says, recalling back when he was working 12-hour days in the construction field in New Jersey.

“I had the American dream, a two-story house with three bedrooms and a white picket fence,” he says.

Once the economy tanked and construction jobs diminished in the Great Recession, his life began to spiral downward. He also found himself in a messy divorce

that he claims cost him over $400,000, and he lost his home when he learned the mortgage payments had not been paid in 1½ years.

Alone and broke, he chose to come to Lake County, the place he spent summer vacations as a young boy.

The area was struggling to rebound in the recession, and being homeless has been Michael’s way of life since 2009. Certified to design wastewater systems, alternative systems, and replace pumps, Michael says a felony on his record—stemming from being attacked and stabbed by four homeless men in 2010—doesn’t look good with employers and disqualified him from HUD housing.

“You have to be more than protective out on the streets,” Michael says.

“There are homeless people who steal from homeless for something as small as Ramen noodles that cost 25 cents at Wal-Mart.”

He meets people shocked to learn he’s homeless. He doesn’t fit the stereotype.

“I’ve had people tell me that I’m not homeless because I didn’t stink,” he says. “It’s called a little bit of personal pride. I will stand under a hose and bathe myself at least twice a day, if I have to.”

Michael doesn’t want to be homeless forever.

“My goal is to get off the streets and be able to stay off,” he says. “I’m too old for this.”

His life became brighter four years ago, he says, when he met his significant

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other, Tabitha Crosby, 42, who is also homeless. He calls her his “wife,” even though they are not legally married.

The couple is their own little family unit with their beloved dog, Jayden, who was born in the woods.

Michael hasn’t told

a job!’ ” Michael says. “There are people willing to give, but for the most part, there are people who don’t want to give.”

He understands the skepticism towards panhandlers.

“You’ve got some homeless doing it so they can afford to get drugs and their alcohol.”

“But then we had people come to our tent and take advantage of it,” he says, adding it all came to a halt when they found their tent and belongings burnt to the ground.

Michael believes the burning was out of revenge for not supplying beer.

through a regimented program at a Eustis shelter for homeless vets, Veterans Organization of Resource and Recovery for the Homeless (V.O.R.R.H.), but he doesn’t want to leave Tabitha.

Lloyd Thorne, a Vietnam War veteran and executive

“Being homeless is not as bad as what people think—it’s worse and it’s treacherous—I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”

—MICHAEL JEFFRIES

his 31-year-old son in Jacksonville that he’s homeless. “I’m not going to bring that on him. It’s not his problem, it’s mine,” he says.

He keeps busy doing odd jobs around the county to generate money for him and Tabitha to live day by day, such as mow grass, cut trees, painting, construction work, and fixing things.

He was off the streets a few years back, paying $400 a month for a three-bedroom house on the lake, only to discover the property owner wasn’t paying the mortgage or taxes.

“They sold the home in a tax sale, and the gentleman who bought it raised the rent to $900,” Michael says. That was more than he could afford, and he was homeless again.

During desperate times for money, he has been on the street corner “flying the sign” about his plight.

“I’ve had people pelt me with garbage a few times, throw food at me, yell ‘go get

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Some of those in the woods are highly educated people, he says, suffering from substance abuse and mental disorders.

“There is one guy I know who has a bad crack and cocaine habit, and this man graduated with honors from MIT, and he has his doctorate in mechanical engineering,” Michael says.

“I’ve seen him eating out of a trash can.”

Among the growing number of homeless he sees are families with young children.

“There are people who have had children born out in the camps, and there are little babies. Some use their own children to get money off of people for sympathy,” Michael says, adding he feels that’s so wrong.

“You’re not supposed to let your kids provide for you; you’re supposed to provide for your kids,” he says.

There was a time when Michael and Tabitha were feeding 15 to 20 people at their campsite.

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“Things have been taken away from me and Tabitha so many times that it’s unreal, down to a pair of shoes,” he says. “You have to have the guts to stand up for yourself and when you fall, pick yourself back up.”

Nowadays, the couple finds it can be difficult in knowing who to trust.

There are local shelters Michael and Tabitha could go to for help, but they wouldn’t be able to stay together, and Michael says he doesn’t want to be separated from Tabitha or their dog.

“I’m not going to leave them on the streets,” he says, fighting back tears.

“I could get in the Men’s Mission (Men’s Residence of Christian Care Center), but to get in there, you have to be a recent alcoholic or drug addict; we can’t go to the Samaritan Inn, because we don’t have kids; and she can’t go to the Haven because she’s not a battered woman,” says Michael.

He’s been invited to go

director of V.O.R.R.H., understands Michael’s concerns, and has helped him get his DD214, veterans services, and other essentials.

“This man has a heart of gold, and there are not many people out there like him,” Michael says of Lloyd.

A hospital official filed a disability claim for Michael to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) after his neck was broken in a physical attack last February, and the funding would provide the steady income Michael and Tabitha need to obtain permanent housing.

His prayers were answered Aug. 26 when he opened a letter from Social Security and learned his SSI benefits were on their way, and it was just a matter of Michael having a bank account for direct deposit of the funds. The first monthly check was deposited in late September.

“This is a big relief. It’s kind of hard to believe, and I’ll

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A brighter day for Michael, Tabitha, and Jayden as they enjoy the summer sunshine on a trail in downtown Leesburg.

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believe it when I see it, even though I know it’s happening,” Michael says, sitting inside Wells Fargo in Leesburg, where he opened a checking and savings account.

“This is the first time I’ve had a bank account in seven years,” he says.

Lloyd plans to help Michael and Tabitha reintegrate into the mainstream of society and help them explore housing options.

As co-founder of V.O.R.R.H. with Helen Shaut, they began the program in 2010 to provide transitional housing for 50 homeless veterans, outpatient counseling, and helped vets get connected with Veterans Affairs’ services.

Lloyd and Helen also make visits to homeless camps to provide clothes, food, tarps, can openers, socks, and baby wipes.

Lloyd also checks to see if the veterans and other homeless individuals need medical attention.

“A lot of homeless vets

don’t have anybody,” says Lloyd. “We have traumatic issues that homeless veterans are dealing with, depression, post-traumatic stress, and some drink to numb the pain, and we hear from veterans all over the state wanting to go through our program.”

As Lake County’s only shelter for homeless veterans, it relies heavily on community support for the shelter and the V.O.R.R.H. Thrift Store, 1614 S. Bay St., Eustis.

One of V.O.R.R.H. successful graduates is U.S. Air Force veteran Norman Peterson, 64, who was homeless before he went through the two-year structured, sweat-equity program.

Norman now has his own home, a car, and has reunited with his family. He returns to V.O.R.R.H. regularly as a volunteer and strives to motivate the homeless with encouragement that they can rebuild their lives.

“I don’t know how I survived. It’s by the grace of God that I’m alive.”

CARING FOR HOMELESS Salvation Army, food pantries, and several Christian ministries in Lake County aim to provide services for the homeless, based on Matthew 25:35-36. ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

SAMARITAN INN, LEESBURG As one of eight ministries of the Christian Care Center, the inn is a shelter for up to 17 homeless families who pay nothing for to stay as they work to rebuild their lives. One resident is a homeless grandmother raising her grandchild.

“We offer personal and family counseling to all our residents,” says Director Josh Gussler.

Some 150 families have gone through the program since 2010.

Residents have a case plan they must follow, along with career counseling, parenting classes, and financial accountability.

“Our hope is when families leave the Samaritan Inn they have a solid foundation,” says Josh.

THE OPEN DOOR, EUSTIS The daytime drop-in center is a LifeStream program. It provides access to showers, laundry, food, and connections to other services in a safe, comfortable environment.

“Most say they are grateful we are here,” says Diane Popieski, outreach specialist, who sees about 25 clients a day. The oldest homeless client is 75.

COME AS YOU ARE MINISTRY, LEESBURG Pastors and founders Derrick and Joanne Knight provide daily breakfast and lunch meals for the homeless, a food pantry, classes, and help them with a wide range of services. “We had a 62-year-old gentleman who was living in the woods,” says Joanne. “We submitted his application for widower’s benefits, SSI, and he got approved. The first words out of his mouth: ‘I can get off the street now.’”

NEW BEGINNINGS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, CLERMONT Founded by retired banker Steve Smith in 2007, New Beginnings provides transitional housing and job skills training. More than 300 formerly homeless single men, moms with children, and families have been helped, and now is in the works to build 96-unit Woodwind Apartments in efforts to bring affordable housing to South Lake.

Homeless expert Dr. Robert Marbut told Leesburg city leaders that homeless individuals “must be engaged and no longer enabled,” and that it was vital for the community to “embrace a culture of transformation” to help the homeless integrate back into society.

Dr. Marbut’s report was very enlightening,” says Leesburg City Manager Al Minner, who notes finances is the biggest challenge in addressing the homeless effort. “There’s uncertainty about whether an investment will fix the issue, and the lack of regional investment going in to address the problem.”

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING

A prison without bars

M

ost Americans will tell you slavery ended with the Civil War. In fact, the exact date it became illegal to own human beings in the United States is Dec. 18, 1865. However, it still exists today—in the world, in Florida, and in Lake County. Of the calls received at the National Human Trafficking Resource Center in 2015, most of them were received from the United States, and Florida ranks third.

Modern slavery is thriving with victims being exploited in forced labor, debt bondage, human trafficking, forced and servile marriage, and child slavery. Walk Free defines modern slavery as “one person possessing or controlling another person in such a way as to significantly deprive that person of their individual liberty, with the intention of exploiting that person through their use, management, profit, transfer, or disposal.”

With forced labor, people are often recruited with the promise of a good job to send money back home to family. When they reach the site of the new job, passports or identification papers are taken, and they are forced to work in horrible conditions without pay. Debt bondage occurs when the promise of relocation is costly and those looking for a better life can never work off the “debt.”

Forced and servile marriage, thought to be in the past, still happens in poverty-stricken countries. Fathers bargain their daughters or outright sell them to be wives.

According to Florida Abolitionist, a nonprofit group from Orlando, there were two incidents of human trafficking as recently as July. First, a human trafficking ring in Seminole

County, sold women online.

Forced into prostitution, they used hotels and motels across Central Florida.

Second, a woman ran a drug house from a room at an EconoLodge in Atlantic Beach.

Awareness and education are key to the battle in the state today. According to Kristi Gray, MSW, “Child protective investigators and case managers responding to these victims must complete an initial six-hour specialized training course and quarterly training. Furthermore, this past January, DCF published the Florida Administrative Code 65C-43, which defines placement and service requirements for sexually exploited children.”

Kristi is communications director for Florida Department of Children

and Families, (DCF) Central Region. She says the DCF has responded to reports of human trafficking since May 2009. “This was a collaborative effort with the Department of Juvenile Justice and other partners as a statewide Human Trafficking Screening Tool,” Kristi stated.

The screening identifies young victims of labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children.

“Along with identifying trafficking victims as early as possible, the HTST also wants to fill the gap in research on how many potential victims and verified victims of labor trafficking and commercial exploitation enter our child welfare system,” Kristi says.

Since the DCF began providing reports of incidents, numbers have steadily risen in the state. Perhaps the scar-

iest fact of all is the majority of victims are trafficked by someone they know.

Education and raising awareness in the community resulted in increased allegations of human trafficking reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline. In 2015 there were 16 reports investigated in Lake and Sumter counties. The first six months this year, 12 allegations were reported.

“Identifying the victims is the first step in matching children with the services they need,” says DCF Secretary Mike Carroll. “Every citizen should learn to recognize and report the signs of human trafficking.”

There are many ways to be lured into human trafficking, but one key element— vulnerability. A woman’s request for a ride from a trucker led to two years in forced prostitution.

The Florida Trucking Association is actively involved in teaching drivers to know the signs of sex trafficking or abuse seen at truck stops. They’re also training truck-stop workers to recognize the signs.

“As an association, we decided to become a strategic partner with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) a couple of years ago,” says Ken Armstrong, Ph.D., president of the group. “Our board of directors formally adopted the cause, and we’ve made huge strides in getting carrier member companies to commit to training their drivers and employees on the TAT materials.”

Mary Katherine Fechtel was Miss Florida 2015.

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Her platform was human trafficking. “Trafficking is a trendy topic in recent years, but we can’t stop at awareness. It was my honor to foster awareness as Miss Florida, but now that I have no crown, my work is not done,” Mary Katherine says. “Everyone has a part in standing up against exploitation. It is crucial to understand the cycle of our involvement in trafficking.”

Online safety was her tool to educate youth and parents about exploitation on the internet.

“Traffickers have easy and anonymous access to youth seeking attention online. It doesn’t take much to get them to send an inappropriate photo and then use it for coercion,” she says. “This is how trafficking and sextortion cases begin.”

Parents or teachers of teenagers must watch for the signs. Monitor time on the internet and be aware of content they peruse. Block a child’s access to inappropriate websites, know who they contact on cell phones.

Take advantage of parental controls.

“Every time we accept the idea that a woman or girl’s worth depends on appearance, we perpetrate trafficking. Every time we accept vulgarity we normalize exploitation,” Mary Katherine says. “The internet revolutionized exploitation.”

There are countless state, county, and local groups that create awareness and educate. Check out the Florida Statewide Taskforce on Human Trafficking or find a

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45.8 MILLION

people are enslaved worldwide —––––––——

68% are subject to forced labor (International Labour Organization)

—––––––——

NEARLY

1 in 3

detected victims of slavery is a child (UNODC Global Report on Trafficking Persons)

—––––––——

SLAVERY GENERATES

150

$

BILLION

in illegal profits per year.

—––––––——

If you suspect a child is a victim, please call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.

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local program.

Surf the web for information on things like House Bill 99, which passed in 2012. It allows teens to be “dependent” rather than “delinquent.” That means officers may take them to a safe house or shelter instead of jail. Many are still in high school, yet they must find a way to support themselves, secure housing, and continue school alone.

The Lake County Human Trafficking Taskforce, established in 2012, includes members from the sheriff’s office, various police departments, Florida Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, State Attorney’s Office and many more.

“Detective Daniel Morales and I are on the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force, which meets every other month,” says Detective Amber Warren of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “We do presentations for various organizations,.”

It was reported that as many as 98 percent of children survivors of sex trafficking were in legal or foster care.

Forward Paths Foundation is dedicated to helping those aging out of foster care and other homeless or abandoned youth. Created by local Guardians ad Litem, attorneys, DCF case managers, and other executives and entrepreneurs, they know what happens to young people thrust into an adult world with no support.

Denise Burry, is president.

She knows the realities and

statistics that surround these kids.

More than 3,000 teens aged out of foster care without a family according to the DCF. These numbers break down like this: 1 in 4 will be incarcerated within two years; more than 20 percent are homeless after age 18; less than 3 percent earn a high school degree by age 19.

“Through Forward Paths, we provide housing, mentoring, help with GED studies, and life-skills training,” Denise says. “ The foundation’s goal is to buy a 16-unit apartment building in Leesburg to provide temporary housing.

There will be an on-site resident manager to ensure a safe environment while they pursue education and job-training.

Tabatha Williams has experienced the horror of abandonment. She was given up for adoption at eight months; her adopted mother had a drug problem that led to years of abuse and foster care at 17.

“I tried to overdose, and I was raped while I was in foster care, and moved around a lot,” Tabatha says.

Now, thanks to Pam Marshall, Tabatha is headed in the right direction.

“They encourage me to do better, and they don’t judge me,” Tabatha says.

She is currently a student at Lake Tech, studying to take her GED and has plans to be an occupational therapist in the future. “I feel like it’s going to be good. I wake up happy every day, and I feel like I have a bright future.”

A soup kitchen and a food pantry blossom from Seeds of Hope.

HUNGER

Helping hands

T

he aroma of Mexican spices fills the air of Wildwood Soup Kitchen while volunteers prepared large pots of Pedro’s Surprise, a taco-type casserole of cooked hamburger, tomatoes, salsa, lettuce, onion, cheese, and tortilla chips to feed nearly 300 people, including 170 meals delivered to homebound residents. Sumter County’s only soup kitchen is housed in the fellowship hall of Wildwood First Presbyterian Church and the kitchen is operated as a shared, ecumenical ministry of one temple and several Christian churches.

Many of the “guests,” as diners are called, mingle with one another before the cafeteria-style lunch meal is served Monday through Saturday. A nearby table is often filled with donated grocery store breads and bakery items for guests to take home.

“The food here is very, very good, and being seniors, we are thankful that we can come to a place where the food is fresh,” says Roberta Harvey, 81, of Lake Panasoffkee. Her husband Curtis joins her.

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THE DARK SIDE OF LIFE

Enjoying a meal at the Wildwood Soup Kitchen.

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“I love what they have,” says Ricky Patterson, 58, of Wildwood, who has been dining at the soup kitchen off and on for 12 years. “It’s real nice to have somewhere to go to for a meal. A lot of cities don’t have that.”

Joseph Silva, 92, of Wildwood, appreciates dining with other guests.

“There’s a nice social atmosphere here,” he says.

Conversations are jovial in the kitchen, too, where

ful, and they also provide us with thousands of pounds of food,” Dana says, adding it’s the largest fundraiser for the soup kitchen and began more than 20 years ago.

Volunteers begin making plans this month for the 12th annual Seeds of Hope, according to Villages resident Bonnie Kusky, one of the organizers, who noted the 2017 Seeds of Hope concerts will be hosted in February and March 2017.

who have been with us mostly the whole time. We hear, ‘You don’t realize how much this helps us.’ ” The pantry serves 350 North Sumter County families a month; distribution days are hosted on the fi rst and third Friday.

“In three hours from 9 to 12 o’clock on pantry day, it’s a madhouse, but it’s a controlled madhouse,” Marlene says of 40 volunteers giving out bags

hash, canned chicken, salmon, tuna, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese.

Many of the pantry’s clients are the working poor, according to Don, where the head of household is working, but because of low wages or reduced hours, it’s hard to make ends meet.

Marlene agrees with one homeless man who noticed food pantry donors are more generous and giving at holidays and Christmastime.

“The food here is very, very good, and being seniors, we are thankful that we can come to a place where the food is fresh.”

—ROBERTA HARVEY

a crew of volunteers work away, following the lead of Dana McCarthy, the Thursday captain, and his wife of 47 years, Diane, the Thursday cook. The couple has been volunteers at the soup kitchen for 13 years.

“It’s the highlight of our week,” says Dana. He praises community support for the kitchen and the Seeds of Hope benefit, which annually raises money and collects food for the soup kitchen and also the Wildwood Food Pantry.

Each organization recently received $27,748.98 from the fundraiser, and the money was raised during Seeds of Hope concerts hosted at area churches and Temple Shalom.

“Seeds of Hope is wonder-

Don and Marlene Huggins, coordinators of the Wildwood Food Pantry, housed on the grounds of Wildwood United Methodist Church, say Seeds of Hope funds are a blessing for the pantry during lean summer months when food donations and monetary contributions are down.

The Huggins have been involved with the pantry since it began in 2005.

“It has been a labor of love,” Don says inside the pantry’s air-conditioned warehouse filled with neatly organized boxes of popular food staples, including boxes of pancake mix.

“Our clients are very grateful. A majority of them are families of one or two,

of food. Families of one (mostly widows and widowers) get 40 pounds of food, along with cereal and juice. Families of 9 to 11 receive 125 pounds or more of food.

“We provide what I would say is a balanced diet. It’s not just a lot of useless carbs,” says Marlene, pleased that the pantry is able to give families several protein meals.

The pantry also makes efforts to provide items clients cannot purchase with food stamps, such as toiletries, hygiene products, paper products, and soap.

The need for toiletries never ends, and there’s also the constant demand for canned fruits, canned pasta, pork and beans, chili, stew, or

“It really should be Christmas year round because the need does not go away,” she says.

The Huggins are appreciative of groups and individuals who do recognize the need. Tax-exempt donations can be sent to Wildwood Food Pantry, 300 Mason St., Wildwood, FL 34785, or by calling the church at 748-1245.

The coordinators say the food pantry is thankful for its loyal volunteers, and support from New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages.

“We have been richly blessed, and we are able to pass these blessings on to our clients,” Don says.

“Being here is a blessing and a passion.”

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TEEN ALCOHOLISM

Think before you drink

A

lthough teen alcoholism in the United States has been slowly declining over the last few years, according to the 2015 Monitoring the Future Survey, and Responsibility.org, it’s still an issue. “It is still a major problem in our community,” says Debi MacIntyre, executive director, Be Free Lake, formerly called the Safe Climate Coalition. “We are a community coalition focused on keeping kids away from alcohol and drugs.”

If you were raised in a household where the alcohol flowed freely, even to younger members of the family, you may be surprised at the negative consequences. The

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National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports, “Alcohol abuse constitutes one of the most serious public health issues for young people in the United States, creating

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negative health, social, and economic consequences for adolescents, their families, and communities, and for the nation as a whole.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA) adds that “adolescent alcohol use is a serious threat to adolescent development and health.”

“Teenagers and alcohol is just not a good mix.

Nothing good can come from it,” says Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders. “It’s an issue we take very seriously and that’s why we routinely conduct undercover operations targeting those who sell alcoholic beverages to minors.”

In 2014, SAMHSA reported that more than 1.6 million youth between 12 and 20 years old admitted to drinking and driving.

Wrecks are the leading cause of teenage deaths in America and almost 25

percent of those crashes involve an underage driver who’s been drinking alcohol. This should be a concern for anyone who drives.

Debi says drinking is often generational, and in order to prevent teens from abusing alcohol and becoming addicts, it is important to educate parents about the effects of alcohol on a teen’s stilldeveloping brain.

“For a long time, drinking has been very much a part of a growing up ritual here. What we’ve done is try to change that mentality,” she says.

Be Free Lake creates awareness and provides education and programs for the prevention and reduction of substance abuse among teens.

“We have been very involved with the community regarding social norms campaigns to help educate not only kids but parents,” Debi says.

BFL uses a variety of means to accomplish its goals. To counter statistics, BFL distributes a pamphlet and DVD titled, “Know the Law—A Guide for Youth and Parent,” that defines an alcoholic beverage, explains the laws regarding alcohol and minors, and conveys penalties involved for underage drinking and getting a DUI. In 2015, 4,000 pamphlets were distributed through the Lake County School Board and 4,000 went to Sumter County schools.

The consequences of

Every day in the United States, more than

4,750 KIDS UNDER AGE 16

have their first drink of alcohol —––––––—— Youth who start drinking before the age of 15 are

5

TIMES MORE LIKELY

to develop alcohol dependence or abuse in their lifetimes than those who begin drinking at age 21 or later —––––––——

1 in 7 About

TEENS 1 IN 100 PARENTS binge drinks, yet only

think their teen binge drinks

an arrest for underage drinking or driving under the influence of alcohol are often long term.

“You can’t get into the service. You can’t be a teacher, a lawyer, a fireman, or an EMT if you have a felony,” Debi says. These negative consequences are in addition to legal costs, which could add up to more than $10,000.

In an effort to spread the word, BFL has conducted programs for the Boys and Girls Club, with Outward Bound students, and in local school systems. Debi also speaks to students in a Social Problems class at Lake-Sumter State College every semester and takes a state attorney with her to discuss “Know the Law.” One program BFL fosters is a non-alcoholic approach to coping with life’s stresses, called Friday Night Done Right, with activities to help teens have fun with friends without alcohol or drugs.

BFL also touts a campaign called “Parents Who Host Lose the Most,” which shows the risks and consequences of serving alcohol at teen parties.

Other campaigns geared toward parents include the “Be the Wall” and “No One’s House,” which calls for written pledges that alcohol will not be served to teens in their home or any of their friends’ homes.

In addition to BFL’s preventative measures, LifeStream Behavioral Center offers Turnabout, an

outpatient substance abuse treatment program for young people (group and individuals) and the Youth and Family Recovery, a home/school youth and family intervention that addresses early-stage use of alcohol and other drugs.

The pamphlets, policies, and programs do work, according to the local officials.

LifeStream Behavioral Center reports progress in the percentages of students who believe it is wrong to drink regularly, up from 59 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in 2014. Alcohol use in the past 30 days is slightly lower in Lake county at 19.5 percent versus the 20.5 percent state average.

Binge drinking reported in Lake county was 8.3 percent versus 9.5 percent statewide.

A survey completed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration reports underage drinking among youth in the U.S. from age 12-20 declined 21 percent and underage binge drinking dropped by 26.4 percent.

Statistics look good in Lake County as well. “We have moved the needle on the underage drinking from sixth in the state to 46th in the state,” Debi says.

“We have not had a death due to teen drinking and driving since 2005.”

October 20 16

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PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PROSTATE? Does this sound familiar? As you grow older, do you realize you are getting up more often at night to urinate? Have you come to accept this as in inevitable part of aging as your father did or his father before him?

There is no need for men to suffer from frequent urination because they are getting older. Dr. James Young, a down-to-earth urologist in Lake County since 1982, has successfully treated thousands of patients who suffer with enlarged prostate (BPH).

What’s even better is that treatment options are more numerous and far less invasive than those offered to our fathers and grandfathers.

Dr. Young is internationally recognized as one of the leading experts in Prostiva RF Therapy, an in-office procedure for the treatment of enlarged prostate in men. Prostiva utilizes low-level radiofrequency energy to destroy the obstructing component of the enlarged prostate The procedure allows men to stop taking medications for their prostate issues without undergoing major surgery.

That distinction has placed him on Castle Connelly’s prestigious Top Docs list for five consecutive years.

“Dr. Young is one of the pioneers

and current leaders of in-office BPH therapy, particularly with the Prostiva RF therapy system,” said Greg Fluet, former CEO of Urologix, Inc. “He has been a consistent and committed champion. For that, I have significant respect and admiration.”

Dr. Young has performed more Prostiva procedures than any urologist in the United States and possibly the world. In 2014, he performed nearly 400 Prostiva procedures, accounting for approximately 5 percent of the 8,000 performed worldwide.

The procedure is performed in Dr. Young’s office under local anesthesia. “I am very happy with the results I have achieved for many patients using Prostiva RF Therapy,” says Dr. Young, who has successfully treated nearly 3,000 patients with this procedure.

Not only is Dr. Young happy; patients are extremely satisfied, as well. That’s evidenced by the glowing reviews he receives on healthgrades.

com and vitals.com from patients who underwent the procedure.

“His revolutionary procedure was easy with very little discomfort,” wrote one patient.

“My urinary problems have disappeared, I sleep better, and have significantly more energy,” another patient wrote.

Dr. Young encourages all patients to visit vitals.com and healthgrades. com to find for themselves what patients are saying. Dr. Young’s Healthgrades online profile was visited 2,311 times between January 2015 and January 2016, ranking him 18th among 978 urologists in Florida.

Always striving to be on the cutting-edge of therapies to treat enlarged prostates, Dr. Young will soon be offering a new procedure called Rezum. This safe and efficient treatment uses thermal energy in water vapor to remove obstructive tissue surrounding the prostate. The procedure is performed in-office

III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

under local anesthesia or oral sedation. Dr. Young will be the first urologist in Central Florida to offer this cutting-edge treatment.

“It takes less time to perform and destroys even more of the obstructive tissue. It also has rapid symptom relief and minimal discomfort. I’m usually not a doctor who jumps on new technology, but I’ve talked to many urologists who have studied this procedure in clinical trials and are now using this therapy at their practices today.

They are extremely pleased with the results they’re receiving.” ________________________________

JAMES W. YOUNG III, M.D. Board-certified Urologist

Practicing in Lake County since 1982 with extensive experience in evaluation and management of prostate problems.

Comprehensive care If you are a first-time patient of Dr. Young, you will receive a detailed examination.

“When I see a new patient I perform physical examinations and properly evaluate the patient’s symptoms, thus diagnosing the underlying problem(s),” Dr. Young said. “Next, I describe to the patient what’s normal and then explain what is abnormal with him.

Lastly, I teach him his treatment options. If I’ve done a good job of teaching, he will select the correct option for himself.”

While prescribing medications for enlarged prostate can be done by primary care physicians, only urologists are trained to thoroughly evaluate the bladder and prostate (including ruling out prostate cancer), as well as providing extremely effective minimally invasive, officebased therapies as alternatives to lifelong medical therapy.

With an office staff with nearly

as much experience as the doctor (many have worked with Dr. Young for 25 years), you don’t spend a great deal of time waiting to see him. “We pride ourselves in being timely in seeing our patients.

We respect our patients’ time as much as we do our own. Patients appreciate this; many of our patients tell me I have the best office staff on the planet. I consider that a huge compliment.”

So if you are waking up at night and have difficulty falling back asleep because you’re worried what may be wrong, then it is time to check in with Dr. Young and have him examine you.

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

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III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

What does The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley do?

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

How does your group achieve that?

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

How do you help your clients achieve their objectives?

Focusing our attention on our clients’ financial details means working toward their goal of living the lifestyle they have always envisioned. Having the resources in place to enjoy the next stage of their lives is important in achieving those goals. Perhaps they want to master a new language or travel to see family.

Moving financial worry away from the front of their minds can put big concerns to rest.

What specific strategies do you offer your clients?

Our focus is on financial planning which includes retirement planning, retirement income planning, estate planning strategies, college education planning, custom portfolio management, long term care planning and life insurance planning.

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

Nicole Silberstein

Client Service Associate nicole.silberstein@morganstanley.com

Michael Monteith

Financial Planning Specialist Portfolio Manager Financial Advisor michael.monteith@morganstanley.com

The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley

832 Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages, FL 352.751.7845 • Toll free 800.447.6036 morganstanleyfa.com/LakeSumter

What makes your group passionate about what you do?

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

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

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III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

‘BRANCH’-ING INTO THE VILLAGES Sometimes, escaping the hustle and bustle of a larger city is just what the doctor ordered...

…At least that’s the case for Michael Branch, MD, a board certified Otolaryngologist (ENT surgeon). Since leaving his practice in Lake Mary to join the Central Florida Health team, he has enjoyed getting to know the residents from The Villages and surrounding areas.

“The people here have interesting life stories, are upbeat and positive and want to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Branch, who has been practicing since 1993. “I really like having so many amenities nearby.

The centralized location is nice because you are within easy driving distance to larger cities and both coasts. It is also an area that really needed an additional ear, nose and throat surgeon.”

Dr. Branch specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of the ear, nose and throat. He has advanced experience in endoscopic sinus surgery, rhinology, hearing loss and chronic ear surgery.

He practices at The Villages® Regional Hospital.

His vision and goals align well with Center Florida Health - the not for profit parent company of The Villages® Regional Hospital and Leesburg Regional Medical Center – resulting in a partnership that feels like a perfect match.

“Central Florida Health is an excellent company. It is progressive in terms of working to offer high quality care, services and treatment to all patients. The main reason I decided to join the team

is our shared goal to provide high quality medical and surgical care of the ear, nose and throat.”

Dr. Branch earned his MD at Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine; and then completed a six year residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. He served as an active duty Otolaryngologist with the United States Navy for 3 years. He then practiced in the Orlando area for 20 years and joined Central Florida Health in January 2016. He has participated in over 20 medical missions to Pucallpa, Peru, performing ear, nose and sinus surgeries in that community. He is a fellow of the American Board of Otolaryngology.

III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

Services offered by Dr. Branch include advanced nasal and sinus surgery (including the latest technology, the in-office balloon dilation of the sinuses), ear surgery, hearing evaluations, evaluation of hoarseness and other ear, nose and throat concerns. ________________________________

FOR MORE INFORMATION

MICHAEL BRANCH, MD OTOLARYNGOLOGIST

352.751.8960 1501 U.S. Highway 441 N. Suite 1830, The Villages, FL 32159 TheVillagesRegionalHospital.org

THE LAST IN OUR SERIES FOCUSING ON ISSUES FACING LOCAL VETERANS

A PLACE TO CALL HOME STORY: PAT JOCELYN

T

he familiar adage “birds of a feather flock together” works well when referring to how people with similar experiences find a true bond when they’re together.

For many veterans, including those recently re-

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turned stateside, that proverb often helps facilitate a successful re-integration into civilian life and may be a key part of the soldier’s survival. Veterans will tell you there’s something validating and comforting about talking to other men

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and women who have been there and done that. These peers understand what it was like to face daily threats and understand the lasting impact of witnessing unspeakable acts of cruelty.

A fellow veteran will also understand those memories

trigger recurring bouts of past-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Imagine the feeling of kinship coming from being a part of a neighborhood called Veterans Villages, with all the homeowners being active military or veterans. The very act of sitting on the front porch would welcome an impromptu conversation with a person who is familiar with the feelings and emotions. It would also add a different tone to neigh-

FLORIDA ANS VETER -DEPTH A IN E LOOK AT TH CHALLENGES THEY FACE

“I think [the camaraderie that will be established at Veterans Village] will definitely be key — it’s that sense of community, having an understanding of where your neighbor has been, what they’ve gone through, and what it means to come back. That (will be) a huge piece of this community.”

Artist renderings of the Veterans Villages community.

— DANIELLE STROUD, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LAKE-SUMTER, FLORIDA

borhood gatherings. Add to that a nonprofit organization providing classes for residents including assistance in resume writing, job hunting, and education enrollment and navigating issues with Veterans Affairs (VA).

That scenario will soon be a reality through the combined efforts of several nonprofit organizations: Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, Combat Veterans to Careers, and USA Cares.

“Habitat affiliates work at a grassroots level, and we saw a need to serve our veterans in Lake and Sumter County,” Danielle Stroud, director of development for Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, explains.

“We took the Habitat model of affordable housing and

designing the community for a specific group and wrapped around services for them.”

There will be 13 homes and all will be 100 percent compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If an individual’s specific needs go beyond ADA requirements, Danielle says Habitat will work with that homeowner to satisfy those needs.

There are similar communities but they are few and far between. “This is the first with this type of model, the first in our area, and is unique to Habitat,” Danielle says. “The cool thing is the partnerships

we’ve developed so we look at veterans’ needs from a holistic perspective.”

Finding the ideal location for Veterans Village that was not only a safe environment but also affordable was critical to the project’s success. The town of Umatilla in Lake County fit the bill perfectly.

“Originally it was planned for Leesburg, but once we did our studies for the land development costs, it came outside the envelope of affordability,” Danielle says.

“The Umatilla site opened up and owners had already done the infrastructure and underground development and impact fees had been

paid so it made it much more fiscally responsible for us to choose that site.”

The land has been purchased on beautiful Lake Enola and Danielle says there will be a community garden and an area specified for the veterans on the lake.

Groundbreaking for Veterans Village is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5. The event is free and open to the public. “We will be doing a Bob Hope/USO reenactment with a big band,” Danielle says. “At the end, we will raise the first walls of the first veteran homes.”

Considering the expected $2.3 million price tag for this endeavor, Habitat welcomes both individual and team monetary donations and/or volunteers to help build the homes.

If you are active military or a veteran and are interested in applying for Veterans Village residency, or you or your organization/club would like to donate funds or volunteer in the build process, contact Danielle Stroud’s office at 352-483-0434, ext. 133 or email her at Danielle@habitatls.org.

October 20 16

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Featuring

THE UNTOLD STORIES OF THE VILLAGES

Some stories just don’t fit the “happily ever after” of fairy tales.

PAGE 6

Plus

RESIDENTS HELPING RESIDENTS

Most Villagers aren’t shy about speaking up on an issue. But finding the right person to listen may not be as easy for them.

PAGE 4

BOOK CLUB The Worst Hard Time

PAGE 14

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meet a villager STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

A DEMOCRAT IN A REPUBLIC BUBBLE Before moving to The Villages in 2007, Villager Joe Flynn heard the massive retirement community was a predominantly Republican stronghold.

“I was told, but I didn’t believe it,” says Joe, 73. “I was told ‘their values are not your values.’”

The Villages remains a popular stop for state and national GOP candidates, and as much as Villagers enjoyed watching the debates that occur during an election year, some Villages Democrats say they feel isolated.

“There have been some incidents,” says Joe, a director of the Villages Democratic Club. “And some of our members have been spat at.”

Politics in The Villages is bound to get more intense with the Nov. 8 election around the corner, and Joe knows many Villagers—as well as millions of voters around the nation—are overly passionate about who they want as the next commander in chief in the White House.

The Connecticut native is not shy about displaying a large

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“Hillary” sign on his golf cart, yet whenever his wife drives the vehicle, she removes the sign to avoid any kind of confrontation.

“I really never got involved in politics until I moved to The Villages,” says Joe. He was a registered Independent when he owned his insurance businesses, yet during those years he felt a need to stay neutral about his political views.

It was while engaged in conversations at one of The Villages town squares that he felt comfortable sharing his belief in Democratic values, and that inspired Joe to get involved with like-minded residents in the Villages Democratic Club. The group is now 1,800-members strong, and growing. However, Joe remembers when the club only had a couple hundred members.

“We work around restrictions put on by The Villages,” Joe says of Democratic events, and the group makes efforts to bring in speakers, congressmen, senators, etc., and encourage residents to register to vote. Some club members provide transportation to get voters to their precincts on Election Day. Joe proudly notes many club members are involved as mentors to schoolchildren in Wildwood, yet politics is left at home and not brought to the school.

“We live our values,” Joe says

of supporting education, civil rights, gun safety, immigration, the Affordable Care Act, LGBT issues, income inequality, and women’s rights. “Our democratic values are supporting people equally.”

The Villages Democratic Club hosts a social for Democrats and Independents—the Democratic Neighbors Orientation. They meet at 1:45 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. Upcoming socials will be Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4.

“The highlight of the afternoon is when newcomers share their reasons for being Democrats, and how they are adjusting to living in ‘the bubble,” the club notes on its website. “Our friendly, enthusiastic club members (old-timers) are there to share their own Villages experiences and offer entertaining advice on being ‘strangers in a strange land.’”

Joe is eager to see the outcome of the November election.

“It’s going to be interesting,” he says, adding he hopes voters of opposing parties can put their differences aside and come together, even if it means to agree to disagree.

And as much as Joe enjoys the amenities of The Villages lifestyle, would he have moved here had he really known how strong the Republican Party is in The Villages?

“Probably not,” he says.

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IN THE VILLAGES STORY: CHRIS GERBASI PHOTO: PROVIDED

RESIDENTS HELPING RESIDENTS Most Villagers aren’t shy about speaking up on an issue. But finding the right person to listen may not be as easy for them.

That’s where the Community Improvement Council comes in.

The resident-run CIC works to turn Villagers’ ideas into reality by serving as a liaison to the developer of The Villages and local government.

Residents created the CIC in 1985 at the insistence of Villages founder Harold Schwartz, who wanted the organization to be his eyes and ears in the community, CIC President Frank McCarthy says. The council has 35 to 40 active members.

“The goal is to be responsive to Villages residents,” Frank says. “Some people, when they have suggestions, they don’t know where to go with them. We take their suggestions and try to move them forward.”

Residents may find suggestion forms and drop boxes at every postal facility in The Villages.

Several ideas initiated by the CIC

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have become part of The Villages lifestyle: the Adopt-A-Bench program places memorial benches for loved ones around the community; the Brite @ Nite program sells LED safety flashers to make walkers more visible after dark; and the Adopt-a-Wheelchair program places wheelchairs at recreation centers for visitors to use.

The wheelchair program has flourished in the past year, Frank says. The CIC purchases the chairs and accepts donations, or residents may buy one through the council and dedicate it to someone. Wheelchairs have been placed at all regional recreation centers and are filling up neighborhood centers as well, he says.

The Day Break Club of The Villages, which meets weekly at Odell Recreation Center, found itself in need of a wheelchair. Club members entertain residents who have Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease or other disabilities, allowing the residents’ caretakers to take an afternoon off.

“Every now and then, we have a need for a wheelchair because someone faints or feels weak,” says club President Mickey Baughman, of the Village of Virginia Trace.

This year, the club bought a wheelchair through the CIC, which arranged to have it placed at Odell for anyone to use, Mickey says.

The bench program, started by

the CIC and now run by the Village Community Development Districts, has installed hundreds of decorative benches along paths and golf courses.

McCarthy, of The Village of Lynnhaven, recently dedicated a bench to his late wife, Sheila, on the 9th hole at Pimlico Golf Course.

CIC members collect the suggestion forms and meet monthly with District representatives to discuss them.

“We have a very good relationship with all the people in (District) management,” says Frank, who joined the organization for its positive, collaborative approach to matters.

As first vice president of the CIC, Randall Edgar helps review and compile residents’ suggestions. Many of the comments revolve around golf carts, deed compliance, pets, and maintenance. Every idea is pursued to see if it’s practical, he says.

Randall, of The Village of Caroline, says he joined the CIC three years ago because he wanted to give something back to the community.

The council fit the bill.

“It’s been quite interesting,” he says. “The foundation of the CIC is to act between the developer and residents, and be able to take residents’ ideas for improvements and bring them to fruition.”

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THE UNTOLD STORIES OF THE VILLAGES

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The Villages has been lauded as Disneyland for seniors. Though the landscaping stays beautiful, the bluebirds aren’t always singing, and the path definitely gets rocky. Some stories just don’t fit the “happily ever after” of fairy tales STORY: LEIGH NEELY+JAMES COMBS+THERESA CAMPBELL+DEBBI KIDDY PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

E L D E R LY S U I C I D E

A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM The Villages is a great place to live and be happy, but those who deal with depression may see it differently. Depression is a widespread problem among elderly individuals. Elderly is defined as persons over the age of 65. This depression can come from a variety of sources, including loneliness, side effects of medication, or even as a normal part of aging and the stressors that includes.

In Lake County, suicide among this age group has increased significantly since 2007, according to the Florida Department of Health. It’s the ninth leading cause of death for those 65+ in the state, and white men have the highest risk, with white men over 85 at the greatest risk among all ages and genders.

According to Ashleigh Husbands, regional suicide prevention specialist for Linking Individuals Needing Care, elderly persons have the most risk of suicide.

FloridaCharts.com lists the death rate for the elderly by suicide in Lake County at 26.7 per 100,000 in the population in 2014, and Sumter County was 16.3.

“The most effective way to prevent suicide is education,” Ashleigh says. “It’s important that everyone—caregivers, health care workers, family members—know how to intervene, how to ask questions, and know the signs.”

Often undiagnosed, symptoms

ELDERLY PERSONS WHO ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK FOR SUICIDE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE:

Recently lost a spouse or loved one, or a beloved pet • Have a lifethreatening illness • Live with chronic or severe pain • Lose their independence or ability to get around • Cannot live alone • Loss of a job or an activity that is productive • Financial problems • Depression •

of depression in the elderly are very different from what’s seen in younger persons. Where elements of mood and behavior play key roles in diagnosing young people, with the elderly, it’s insomnia, anorexia, and fatigue. Many older adults believe the symptoms are part of the aging process, but if depression is left untreated, it impacts quality of life, adds to health problems, and causes loss of functions.

As part of her job, Ashleigh speaks to clubs and organizations about suicide prevention. “At this time, we specifically target ages 10-24, but our overall mission is to help anyone at risk for suicide.”

Education could aid in reducing these numbers—for the elderly and the family or health care workers who care for them. Getting an older person to discuss feelings and identify emotions is difficult many times, which adds to the depression. Most will talk to the primary care physician, but refuse psychological counseling. It’s estimated that as many as 80 percent of elderly persons who commit suicide visited their doctor the month before their death.

ASHLEIGH HUSBANDS, MA REGIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION SPECIALIST FLORIDA LINKING INDIVIDUALS NEEDING CARE 316 E. PARK AVE., TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301

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seniors, 65 to 100: chlamydia, 5; syphilis, 3; gonorrhea, 2.

Though these numbers are not alarming, the health department offers the following advice for women and men who choose to be sexually active in their older years:

Use condoms • Don’t have multiple sex partners (reduce •

numbers of sex partners) •

SENIOR SEX

LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE (WRONG) PLACES A few Villages residents were arrested for having sex in golf carts, on town squares, and even on a utility box in recent years, generating a national buzz because it didn’t fit the perceived stereotype of seniors living in a retirement community.

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It may not be an amusement park, but a Villages employer once offered this view: “It’s really a college town for seniors.”

The social life college students enjoy in their 20s continues for some boomers in their 60s as The Villages offers nightly entertainment, happy hour, dancing on three town squares, and a plethora of clubs and activities for people to meet, including a variety of singles clubs.

There are those who may feel it’s OK to be carefree and sexually active in the senior years, but the Florida Department of Health in Lake County encourages seniors to use protection—just as the rest of the population is advised.

“Although they no longer have the risk of pregnancy, the risk of STD (sexually transmitted diseases) remains,” Noelda Lopez, public information specialist for the department, says.

She reported the health department’s latest statistics of local STD cases: Among seniors ages 55 to 65: chlamydia, 5; syphilis, 3; gonorrhea, 2; and the number of STD cases in

Always protect yourself

Dr. Mary Anne Horne, a former counselor and university professor who lives in The Villages, says it’s vital for seniors to practice safe sex.

“We are never immune in taking care of ourselves, being responsible, and having self-respect,” she says. “Always start with self-respect and that means starting with self-care and being responsible for your own health.”

She encourages seniors who want to be sexually active to have a sex talk with their doctors.

“We have to be our own parents at this point, and we have to responsible for ourselves, and we are never too old to ask for help and to get the answers that we need,” Dr. Horne says. “Reach out to the people who are the health professionals. Ask the right questions.”

Doctors can provide answers about practicing safe sex, and the Florida Department of Health of Lake County noted its health clinics throughout the county offer female and male condoms free of charge—all aimed at reducing the risk of STD.

WAT E R

NOT IN OUR BACK YARD

SWR Properties of Ocala, also known as Spring Water Resources, was granted a permit in June from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) to pump water from a Sumter County aquifer, yet it generated outcry from hundreds of residents of The Villages.

Numerous emails and letters from Villagers opposing the project were sent to the water management district, and a standing-roomonly crowd of Villagers against the pumping packed a recent Sumter County Commission meeting.

The opponents are against SRW Properties’ state permit allowing them to pump 496,000 gallons of water a day for 20 years from the two springs. SWR owns about 10 acres southeast of the intersection of County Road 470 and State Road 301, northeast of Bushnell, site of Fern Spring and Heart Spring. SWR Properties bought the parcel in 2012.

In the company’s permit application, it was noted the water would be sold to Azure Water, which has a 15,000-square-foot bottled water co-packing operation in Leesburg.

Azure currently supplies bottled spring water from the Heatherwood Spring, part of the Crystal Springs Complex in West Central Florida.

Ally Stewart, president of Azure Water, says there is “a lot of misinformation” regarding her company being connected or partnering with SWR. “We don’t even know how we got involved, but I think in their business plan they mentioned us,” she says, adding her company has not attended any business meetings with SWR. “And the authori-

ties from water management have never talked to us or asked us any questions about the business plan they received.”

She says it’s “normal practice” in the industry to help companies receive renewals or new permits by providing a letter of intent. “It’s not a sales contract and nothing is binding.”

“We are not interested in that water,” Ally says of the water from the Sumter County springs. She’s pleased with the water her company receives from Crystal River Springs Complex, calling it “the best water” with naturally alkaline pH8.3. “It’s such good water, we have no need for any other water—we have our own water.”

However, Villagers’ water concerns about the Sumter springs northeast of Bushnell are still being addressed. Some residents raised questions at the Sumter County Commission meeting about whether the SWR project could lead to sinkholes and low water levels of ponds.

Vivian Bielski, senior project geologist the Andreyev Engineering of St. Petersburg, wrote in her filing with the state Water Use Permit Bureau that it was “very reasonable to assume there will be no effect from this proposed withdrawal on The Villages development area.”

However, the water management district is granting an administrative hearing on the case after two Villagers made a “timely and substantial” request for a hearing by the state Division of Administrative Hearings, similar to an appeals process. If the Villagers are successful, SWR’s permit approval could be overturned.

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SINKHOLES

THE DIRTY TRUTH The word sinkhole is second only to hurricane in evoking fear in homeowners in Florida. They are documented all over central Florida, even in the paradise of The Villages, which means it’s important to be informed before you buy a home.

In June 2012, a sinkhole opened up that was 18 feet deep and 12 feet wide in the Village of Belvedere, and in April 2014, a sinkhole 50 feet deep developed between two houses in the Village of Buttonwood.

According to the Department of Financial Services, Florida law defines a sinkhole as “a land form created by subsidence of soil, sediment, or rock as underlying strata are dissolved by groundwater.

A sinkhole may form by collapse into subterranean voids created by the dissolving of limestone or dolostone or by the subsidence as these strata are dissolved.”

In simpler terms, a huge hole can open up

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beneath your home.

What does this mean for homeowners in The Villages?

It can definitely affect homeowners insurance There are two types of sinkhole coverage in Florida. The first type— known as catastrophic ground collapse (CGC)— is required by the state.

The policy says if your home is deemed unsafe for habitation, you are covered under your normal policy with your regular deductible The second type of coverage is comprehensive and not required for insurance companies to offer. It covers structural damage, but it may add as much as $200 to $600 to your annual premium.

If a claim is made, it costs you a percentage of your Limit-A coverage, depending on the policy.

This coverage may be difficult to get if the home is more than five years old. Be sure to check with your agent to ensure you are covered through your

homeowner’s insurance or with a rider.

Adam Thielen of Farmer’s Bureau, Lake County says his company is still writing comprehensive policies.

“It all really depends on your address,” Adam says.

An agent will check to see what, if any, sinkhole activity has occurred on the property, and other factors may determine what your rate would be.

Adam says you can get coverage for as little as $20 annually. If you are buying a home, be sure it is insurable, and ask for details regarding coverage and deductibles.

It may help to have an engineer who specializes in sinkholes inspect your property before purchase. You will pay for this inspection.

Mark Santo-Domingo, who is with The CrowneGroup Insurance, says, “I do not have comprehensive coverage on my home. The likelihood of your basic coverage not being sufficient is very small.”

Florida law regarding sinkholes has recently been amended. Senator Jack Latvala (R- Clearwater) sponsored and passed Bill SB 1274, which allows insurance companies to offer homeowners protection for sinkhole damage considered less

than catastrophic. This has been an evolutionary law, with changes being made in 2005, 2007, 2011, and this past July.

The revisions are focused on what must be covered—such as whether it’s land and building, and if it includes the foundation or not.

John Dye, Sr., a geologist for Windermere Engineering Services, studies sinkholes all over Central Florida, and he says, “A possible downside of the new legislation is that insurers would not be required to stabilize the land under the terms of the limited coverage, potentially resulting in the building being only temporarily stabilized, as the underlying sinkhole activity would not have been remediated.”

What this means to homebuyers is the home you’re looking at may have had work done for structural damage but not for the land beneath.

The building could still be sitting atop a possible sinkhole.

Going for the more expensive coverage depends on your ability to manage risk and cost. However, do you homework before buying a home. Talk with Realtors, the seller, neighbors, and maybe even consult an engineer.

The extra cost could be priceless for the peace of mind.

CONTRACTORS

SLAM THE DOOR ON SCAMS

Problems with crooked contractors continue plaguing residents of The Villages and surrounding communities.

Contractors come in and promise the world but end up leaving behind a slimy trail of fraud and poor workmanship. Because homeowners pay for the work up front, they end up being left high and dry with unfinished roofs, unrepaired air conditioning units, and uninstalled home security systems, among other things.

In August, a 39-yearold air conditioning contractor was charged with ripping off two homeowners in The Villages.

He promised to install new air conditioning units in their homes and collected advance payments for $1,700 and $1,300. Sadly, he did not even have a contractor’s license. Also, two unlicensed tree removal contractors let a palm tree fall into power lines causing a power outage on a steamy summer day. In addition, motorists watching the activity on the side of the road were involved in a traffic accident. Tree workers can get less expensive permits if their work meets the standards set by the town of Lady Lake.

Stories like these are hardly surprising to Bryan Lifsey, office manager of Sumter County’s Seniors vs. Crime unit.

“We receive anywhere from 100 to 150 calls each year regarding crooked contractors,” he says. “Some of the more common complaints include building new lanais, doing home repairs, and paving driveways. However, the most notorious scam we hear about is air conditioning tune-ups and repairs.”

Unfortunately, elderly people make easy targets.

“Seniors are very proud of their homes and property and want them to look as nice as possible. Therefore, when a contractor says he can improve a home, older people are very enticed. Plus, elderly people have lots of time and enough money to pay the bills, which is very important to scam artists,” he says.

Lifsey cautions people to consider red flags before signing a contract.

“Be wary of anyone who wants to be paid in cash, wants a large deposit up front, or asks you to make a check out to them personally instead of the company,” he says. “Also, be suspicious of anyone who will not show you their license, workers’ comp, and liability insurance cards. Finally, any contractor who is reluctant to put a start and end date in the contract should be avoided.”

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book club STORY: DIANE DEAN

THE WORST HARD TIME:

THE UNTOLD STORY OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED THE GREAT AMERICAN DUST BOWL

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f the high temperatures in Florida are wearing you out, reading “The Worst Hard Time” will give you a reality check on suffering.

The Great Depression of the 1930s was tough, yet the majority of settlers in what became known as the “Dust Bowl” endured the hardships of farming during the environmental disaster of a decade-long drought.

This cautionary tale could be a warning related to depleting the Ogallala aquifer now used to irrigate the same region.

Sally Melton and Diane Rich brought the story home to us with plates of dirt and artificial insects resembling the critters that plagued the land and their homes. The song “So Long, It’s Been Good to Know Ya” by Woody Guthrie was played to start the discussion, a song one might recognize from “Prairie Home Companion.”

The maps provided by the facilitators showed the massive area affected by the lack of rain, raging wind, and the damaging effects of removing the grassland. Primarily the four adjoining corners of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas were devastated, though it stretched beyond those borders.

The introduction of farming tractors tore up the prairie turf to the tune of 50,000 acres a day. A gamble the farmers knew, but bet on anyway to return to the profits of production that existed a few years before. Book club attendees remarked that farming is a gamble and always has been. But the farmers never anticipated the illness their families would suffer with “dust bowl pneumonia.”

People moved there because the land was cheap and they were bamboozled by a fraudulent depiction of a “city.” More than 250 million people left their homes eventually, but most Dust Bowl residents stayed.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOK CLUB

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

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Life before food stamps, Social Security, and Medicare!

- Annie Uhler Duval

“Why did they stay?”

Book club members offered their views: there were no jobs anywhere else, family members were there, and they had invested so much and hated to give up.

It was offered that hard times aren’t about losing money, or the drought. The real hard times are about losing hope and spirit.

Black Sunday occurred on April 14, 1935, when the wind blew so badly it was like “three midnights in a jug.” Five days later the Soil Conservation Act passed, and President Roosevelt directed The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) to the dust bowl area “to the task of ending the waste of our land.”

Facilitators Sally and Diane read segments and poems from the book “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse. The book was a Newberry Medal winner in 1998 and highly recommended by Sally as a book to understand the time period for adults or young adult readers. The verse displayed the many emotions of a young girl growing up in the mid 1930s in the Oklahoma panhandle.

Most attendees felt the disaster was partially manmade. There was concern that current fracking methods may generate an environmental disaster. As Texas farmers today realize the limited aquifer supply could be in serious jeopardy by 2028, many are growing crops that need less irrigation.

As we sifted the dirt through our hands we could only imagine the discomfort, frustration, sorrow, and grief the era of the dust bowl brought to those “choked by the dust in the dirty thirties.”

About the Author Timothy Egan born in 1954 resides in Seattle. He contributed to a story series “How Race is Lived in America” and received a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2001. Egan was the winner of the National Book Award in 2006. His opinion column on current issues appears in the New York Times. His latest book is “The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero,” a story of the relatively unknown and extraordinary Thomas F. Meagher.

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5. A GREAT RECKONING

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6. STING

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7. RUSHING WATERS

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WHAT CLUB MEMBERS THOUGHT We remember our history class and the “Dust Bowl.”

This book puts a human face on the day-to-day life of an era that was so much longer and devastating for so many!

— Beth Hicks, Santiago Although this book is as dry as sawdust to read, it’s also the kind of book you can’t stop thinking about for days afterwards. The degree of human suffering was staggering. The hardship, unimaginable living conditions, starvation, disease, and the worst nature has to offer, was not in some foreign third world country 100 years ago. It was our parents’ generation on the plains of America. You don’t know whether to

admire these people for toughing it out, or think them foolhardy for staying through almost a decade of misery without moving on to greener pastures. If you missed this extraordinary event in history class, take the time to read about it now. It will make you wonder if Americans today would ever have the strength to endure what these people did.

— Jacque Schrock, Pennecamp I was happy to read this book about the “Dust Bowl.”

I learned so much about a time period in the western states that was a depressing and truly hard life for the people who lived through this disaster.

— Joyce Maher, Sunset Pointe

8. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE

by Anthony Doerr

9. TRULY MADLY GUILTY

by Danielle Steel

10. BULLSEYE

by James Patterson

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On the scene // the to-do list

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

EVENTS OCTOBER 1

LADY LAKE ART IN THE PARK

This 12th Annual Lady Lake Art in the Park promises to be another great weekend full of arts, crafts and music. The festivities start at 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the Log Cabin Park in Lady Lake.

OCTOBER 1

THE LEESBURG SATURDAY MORNING MARKET GREAT SCARECROW BUILDOFF AND EXPO

The Saturday Morning Market in Towne Square invites families, individuals, organizations and businesses to showcase their scarecrow-making abilities in the Great Scarecrow Build-Off. Enjoy the Scarecrow Expo on display through Oct. 31. Enjoy live Music from 9:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Downtown Leesburg.

young Korean to the United States and entered into a good school. Based on the movie and television show of the same name. For tickets and info, go to baystreetplayers.org

OCTOBER 1-9

SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL

The Moonlight Players present a kid’s favorite, Seussical! The story of Horton, an elephant who faces ridicule and danger, protects a speck of dust containing the Whos, and guards an egg left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.

His friendship with the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz and the powers of loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant. For tickets and more information go to moonlightplayers. com

OCTOBER 2

BIKE, BLUES & BBQ

OCTOBER 1-2

M*A*S*H

Come on down to the Bay Street Players Theatre in Eustis to see your local talent shine! “M.A.S.H” is the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, featuring two unpredictable madcaps, Hawkeye and Duke who are also two of the best chest surgeons in South Korea. They decide to wage a campaign to get a

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Bikes, Blues & BBQ is a fundraiser to benefit The Bradley Summersill Foundation. Pay a $15 cover charge to enjoy a rib cook-off dinner, live music with Jeff Howell Blues & Kim Hartmand Bands and more. Festivities are 8:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. at South Lake Moose 1615, 17335 U.S. Highway 27, Minneola.

I lakeandsumt er

.com

OCTOBER 14-16

5th Annual Wings & Wildflowers Festival

This festival offers more than 100 activities and programs over the course of three days and will feature more than 25 birding, wildflower and nature experts. This fun is from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Venetian Gardens 201 E. Dixie Avenue, Leesburg.

R

OCTOBER 5-9

CORPSE!

The IceHouse Theatre presents the comedic thriller, “Corpse!” This show is about an out-of-work British actor who plans to do away with his suave, sophisticated, wealthy twin. Things do not go as they should, and people are not what they seem.

This show is rated PG and starts at 8 p.m. For tickets and more information go to icehousetheatre.com

and Mary Tischbien. The fun starts at 8 p.m. at the Clermont Performing Arts Center, 3700 South U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34711

OCTOBER 8

ROCKTOBERFEST

Tavares Rocktoberfest 2016 is a street party kicked off by the Tavares High School Band, with live music from Bluestone Circle, and Hypersona! There will also be German food and a Jeep show. Free and open to the public. Parking is available all about the city including a five-story free parking garage. Rocktoberfest starts at 5 p.m. at Wooton Park, Tavares.

ing the big band hits of the World War II era. This event brings together the legendary 15-piece Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and vocal group hall of famers, The Pied Pipers, the No. 1 vocal group of all time for six consecutive years as named by Billboard magazine. The program is filled with recognizable classic songs to be enjoyed by all ages. Enjoy an evening of the hits that inspired many of the greatest recordings ever made. Zoot suits are optional! Performance time: Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $27 for a reserved seat. To purchase tickets, call 352.365.3506

OCTOBER 8 OCTOBER7

42ND ANNUAL MOUNT DORA BICYCLE FESTIVAL

The 42nd Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival may attract more than 1,300 cyclists for Florida’s oldest and largest bicycling event.

With rides of varying lengths and skill levels, cyclist of all ages see why Lake County is recognized as one of the best places in the world to ride. See www.mountdorabicyclefestival.com for schedule of events and times.

Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce 341 N. Alexander St., Mount Dora, 352.383.2165.

LEESBURG FOOD TRUCK-N-FLICK/ CLASSIC CAR CRUISE IN NIGHT—LRMC COMMUNITY APPRECIATION CELEBRATION

Join us for a special “Food Truck N Flick & Cruise In” night on Main Street as LRMC hosts a Community Appreciation Celebration.

More Gourmet Food Trucks assemble at Leesburg Towne Square and Classic Cars line Main Street in downtown Leesburg. Remember to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Mark your calendars now to come to and grab dinner and a movie! For details on this event visit foodtrucknflick.leesburgpartnership.com.

OCTOBER 7

CLERMONT COMEDY SERIES Come on down to Clermont for a night full of laughter with Frankie Paul, NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” finalist, Carmen Vallone,

OCTOBER 22

AMERICA’S HITS ON PARADE

Kick off the Lake-Sumter State College Performing Arts season by celebrat-

OCTOBER 27

BEAST FEAST

Under the oaks of the historic Mote Morris House, this all- you- can- eat feast features a great variety of exotic and unusual meats along with sides, beverages, and live entertainment.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, the fun starts at 5:30 p.m. This event is presented by the Leesburg Center for the Arts. For more information, call 352.365.0232 or visit www.leesburgcenter4arts.com.

OCTOBER 28

HALLOWEEN BALL TO BENEFIT LSSC

Join us on the dance floor and bust a move with music provided by DJ Rick Rojas while you enjoy festive hors d’oeuvres, delightful drinks, dancing, and cavorting along with a costume contest. Cost is

$50. It will be at Paquette’s Barn, 615 S. Whitney Road, Leesburg. For more information, call Erin O’Steen Lewin at 352.365.3506.

OCTOBER 29

THE LEESBURG SATURDAY MORNING MARKET BOO BASH

The Saturday Morning Market shares Leesburg Towne Square with children of all ages having a smashing good time at the Boo Bash. No contestant is too young to parade across the stage for the Children’s Costume Contest. Other activities include a pumpkin decorating contest and other fun children’s activities. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To get details and applications for this fun event presented by the Leesburg Partnership, visit www.LeesburgSaturdayMorningMarket. com.

OCTOBER 11, 20, 25

Give Your Image A Lift The Villages ImageLift invites you to a free seminar to introduce you to their double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Rich Castellano.

Meet the staff and get questions answered about ImageLift. Seating is limited, so call and make your reservation now. Receive Dr. Castellano’s book free when you register. Go to imagelift.com/events or call 877.346.2435.

OCTOBER 11: 8630 E. County Road 466, The Villages OCTOBER 20: Holiday Inn Hotel, 3600 SW 38th Ave., Ocala OCTOBER 25: Waterfront Inn, 1105 Lake Shore Dr., The Villages

OCTOBER 29

CLERMONT HARVEST FESTIVAL Enjoy a fun-filled day in Historic Downtown Clermont for the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival. Browse more than 75 crafts, products, and cottage industry vendors and food trucks.

There will be a kid’s zone with a petting farm, pony rides, and face paintings, and you don’t want to miss out on the Halloween costume parade! The festival is 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

685 West Montrose Street, Clermont.

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INCONCERT

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

DATE

TIME

ARTIST

VENUE

10/1 10/1 10/1 10/2 10/2 10/2 10/3 10/4 10/5 10/5

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

9 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

8 p.m.

Steel Horse Band Singing For Second Base Tommy & The Guns Bobby France David Vece Rick Melvern Band Kathleen Kane’s 007 Band Four Divo Four Divo Orlando Transit Authority

10/5 10/6 10/6 10/7 10/7 10/9 10/10 10/12 10/13 10/14 10/14 10/15 10/15 10/16 10/16 10/19 10/20 10/21 10/22 10/22 10/23 10/23 10/26 10/27 10/28 10/28 10/29 10/29 11/1

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

3 p.m.

8 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

9 p.m.

8 p.m.

9 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

9 p.m.

8 p.m.

9 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

9 p.m.

8 p.m.

9 p.m.

7 p.m.

Jeff Whitfield Four Divo Donnie Lee Four Divo Defenders of Daisies Defenders of Daisies Villages Philharmonic Orchestra Jeff Whitfield Dangerous Dave Merrill TC & SASS Power Play Kings County Power Play Kelly Jarrard Defenders of Daisies Jeff Whitfield Donnie Lee The Missin’ Piston Band Rox Da Boys The Missin’ Piston Band Rox Dangerous Dave Merrill Defenders of Daisies Jeff Whitfield Kelly Jarrard The Accuzed Orion Kings County Orion Lina Eder

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

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

HOLIDAY RETREATS Do you go north or south for the holidays—as in south to the Florida Keys or north to the Florida Panhandle? Either direction is within a half-day’s drive of Central Florida, and you will find family friendly options where everyone from children to grandchildren and maybe even an aunt or uncle will have fun.

STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS PHOTOS: MARY ANN DESANTIS+PROVIDED

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our entire family wants to get together for the holidays this year. What are you going to feed all these people and where are they going to sleep? More importantly, how are you going to keep all the generations entertained? We’ve got holiday getaway suggestions to make everyone happy.

HAWKS CAY RESORT, FLORIDA KEYS Everything about this 60-acre resort on Duck Key near Marathon is about family. In fact, it’s so family oriented that my husband and his brother unexpectedly ran into their cousins in the lobby on a trip last spring. It seems those Atlanta cousins—along with their parents and children—have known for years that Hawks Cay is the place to gather for family getaways.

Hawks Cay says even Santa Claus likes to rest in the Florida Keys before and after his big journey. Where else can he spend the cool months in shorts and flip-flops? If your family wants both warm weather and holiday spirit, then sun-drenched Duck Key could be the place.

December weather in the Florida Keys averages a perfect 75 degrees.

Watch the dolphins at the on-site “Dolphin Connection” or take a Segway tour around the island. In the evening, mom and dad can get away for a Christmas-inspired cocktail by one of the fire pits overlooking the Atlantic Ocean while Mrs. Claus reads a story to the little ones and Santa’s elves arrive for a “tuck-in.”

Hawks Cay offers both large hotelsize guestrooms in the main building or two-and-three-bedroom villas, which have full-size kitchens. The villas also feature porches or balconies— great places for quiet family meals.

If you don’t want to cook, there are several restaurants from a casual pizzeria that delivers to the fine-dining Alma restaurant near the main lobby.

The new Angler and Ale restaurant at the Hawks Cay Marina offers fresh

Florida seafood or you can even bring in your own catch for the hook-andcook option.

Since you’re in the middle of the Florida Keys, go off property to visit nearby sites. Only 12 miles from the resort is the Marathon Turtle Hospital, the world’s only state-certified veterinary hospital for sea turtles.

This acclaimed attraction rescues and rehabilitates injured and sick turtles.

A nonprofit corporation, the Marathon Turtle Hospital offers three tours daily but requires reservations.

Drive just a half-mile farther south to Pigeon Key, one of Florida’s most historic islands. Chances are you have seen this tiny island lying in the shadow of the Seven-Mile Bridge and

wondered how people got there. They either hiked the rugged 2.5-mile remnant of the railroad trestle or they took the ferry from the Pigeon Key Visitors Center. The five-acre island also will look familiar to fans of the 1994 movie “True Lies” because it was used extensively during the filming of the Arnold Schwarzenegger classic.

Even Santa knows spending the holidays in the Florida Keys creates special memories. Take advantage of the holiday specials now being offered at hawkscay.com.

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SANDESTIN BEACH AND GOLF RESORT, FLORIDA PANHANDLE Oh, what I would give to be a kid again and get to stay at the Hilton Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort where I could have my own bunk bed in a private alcove and go ice skating (even if the December temperatures average in the low 60s).

Lucky for me, the Hilton Sandestin, the largest full-service resort (2,400 acres) on Florida’s Gulf Coast for 30plus years, offers quite a few amenities for adults, too. It’s a great holiday retreat because there are so many ways for families to reconnect and relax, including a nearby waterpark and zip-line facility.

In addition to scrumptious holiday menus at on-site restaurants, the SunQuest SOLARIS yacht offers holiday dinner cruises. The SOLARIS conveniently docks at Sandestin’s Baytowne Wharf, a charming village filled to

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the brim with shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

Baytowne Wharf is also the best place to enjoy a faux winter wonderland in the Sunshine State with its elaborate Christmas decorations and temporary ice skating rink. You won’t need a stocking cap and mittens as you would at New York’s Rockefeller Center, but in Sandestin you can play at the beach during the day and go ice skating at night.

You can also work off holiday calories with paddleboarding, kayaking, golf, tennis, bicycling, and, of course, shopping. The resort is located near the Silver Sands Premium Outlets. And when it’s time to relax, enjoy the newly expanded Serenity by the Sea Spa, which has been recognized by both Condé Nast Traveler and USA Today.

Parents who came here as children are now bringing their own kids to the property, which underwent a $30 million renovation last year.

“I love the fact that you can park your car and never have to leave the property,” says Linda Keng of Jackson, Mississippi. She and her husband, Randy, have visited Sandestin more than 30 times over the past 20 years.

“We particularly enjoy the off-season when crowds are smaller,” says Randy. “The beaches are the best, but our time on the beach is usually minimal because there are so many other things to do.”

Holiday rates are available at hiltonsandestinbeach.com/bestfamily-resorts.

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

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LAKE’S NATURE SHOWCASE: WINGS AND WILDFLOWERS STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL PHOTOS: PROVIDED

T

he fifth annual Wings and Wildflowers Festival, slated for Oct. 14-16, at Venetian Gardens in Leesburg, will feature numerous activities, programs, vendors, and field trips for all ages to enjoy, along with wildlife, nature, and bird experts sharing their expertise.

More than 5,000 people attended the 2015 festival, and this three-day event allows festivalgoers to become immersed in nature and learn about the county’s vast preserves, forests, and passive parklands that attract a wide array of birds, earning Lake County its claim as Florida’s premiere birding location.

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Lake County Parks and Trails Specialist Gallus Quigley says the best part of the festival is there’s something for everyone.

“Whether you like wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies or birds, the festival is simply about the outdoors.

And for Lake County, it’s ‘Real Florida.

Real Close,’” Gallus says, reflecting on the county’s theme.

He will be among several speakers at the event, providing four programs and four field trips, including a Nocturnal Migration tour, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 14, at Green Mountain Scenic Overlook in Clermont.

“If the weather cooperates, you can hear a lot of our migrating songbirds

flying overhead at night doing their flight calls,” Gallus says. “And if we have a full moon, we can actually watch them fly across the face of the moon, and that is awesome.”

His favorite place for birding is the Ferndale Preserve in Clermont.

“It’s one of the best places I know to find a lot of warblers; they are very small, colorful, tropical migrants,” he says. “Most of the birds that migrate are from the tropics, Central and South America.”

The southern birds fly north for the summer, he says, noting October is a great month for birding in Lake County.

“Birding is big money, and bird watching is a big thing,” Gallus says.

“It’s like the second biggest hobby in the U.S., and that includes people who travel for birding.”

Gallus makes it clear he’s a birder, not a birdwatcher, and he compiles data on the number and birds he finds. He has documented more than 1,000 birds.

He found 243 species in Lake County last year, and he recorded 359 birds throughout Florida in 2008.

“I put 50,000 miles on my car chasing birds across the state,” he says of the 2008 trek. “And for my Lake County big year (2015), I probably put at least 6,000 miles on the car running around, and I don’t know how many miles I hiked.”

Gallus is looking forward to sharing his passion with the festival crowd.

“Obviously, I love birding, so the opportunity to get out and show my enthusiasm for what I love to do is a big part for me,” he says.

The festival’s keynote speakers will be Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida, and Janisse Ray, a naturalist and award-winning author.

Both will be featured 6-8 p.m. Oct. 15, at Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora.

With a professional staff of 60, Audubon Florida says its 1,700 volunteers, 30,000 members, and chapters in 44 communities conduct extensive field research, and it relies on residents to steward bird habitats throughout the state.

“Whether you like wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, or birds, the festival is simply about the outdoors…”

— GALLUS QUIGLEY

Janisse’s most recent book, her sixth, is “The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food.” She lectures mostly on nature, community, and agriculture, and strives to live a simple, sustainable life on her family’s Georgia farm.

The festival will also feature plant sales, a butterfly tent, and exhibitors specializing in tourism, nature activities, landscaping, gardening, irrigation, hardscapes, horticulture, nature photography, etc.

Central Florida Zoo will allow for festivalgoers to get up close and personal with some animals they will be showing. Florida Wildflower Foundation will share wildflowers native to the area; and Lake Beautyberry Chap-

ter of Florida Native Plant Society, will promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of native plants.

“The festival keeps growing and the interest keeps going,” says Yvonne Powers, co-coordinator of the Wings and Wildflowers Festival. “We hear from the vendors that they always want to come back, and we have had vendors here all five years.”

One new festival attraction was a photo contest, which generated more than 100 entries of wildlife, flowers and birds photographed in Lake County that were sent in by the Aug. 1 deadline. The winning photos will be in the 2017 Wings and Wildflowers calendar.

Since the first one five years ago, the festival is now attracting visitors beyond Lake County.

“We draw people from all over the country, and we advertise in England’s Birdwatch magazine. We did that last year and had a great response,” Yvonne says. “It was not just to get people to the festival. We want to bring awareness to ‘Real Florida. Real Close,’ and to Lake County.”

“We hear praise that the festival is educational, and that we do a lot of children’s programs that are free,” she says, recalling last year some anglers provided a free fishing program and gave away 150 fishing rods and reels.

For the latest update on festival activities and field trips, visit wingsandwildflowers.com.

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On the scene // Hi, society!

PIG ON THE POND FESTIVAL

In addition to bounteous bar-b-que, attendees of the annual Pig-on-the-Pond festival in Clermont chowed down on bowls of hearty chili from the Chili Challenge and great macaroni and cheese in the Mac-n-Cheese Cook-0ff. Food and fun was enjoyed by all at Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola March 11-13. This festival enables education scholarships for local high school seniors, as well as more than 20 local nonprofit organizations to conduct fundraising efforts.

DUSTIN AND JAMIE LOWE

SHARON COMBALNIK WITH MARIANA, BRIAN, AND TERESA WELKE LINDSAY FINKBEINER, LINDSAY WARREN, AND CASEY POLK

RACHEL HERNANDEZ, ELVIN RODRIGUEZ, KATELYN RODRIGUEZ, AND BRIAN WARDINGLY

STEFFI, MASON, ELLIE AND SAMUEL BEAN

MICHAEL FAGAN AND DEBBIE FAGAN WITH MICHELLE BOTTEX, CAROL CROWE, AND LYNETT & ISABELLA PEREZ

PATRICK AND ALLISON CAREY

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AUL LAIZURE, JOSHUA HARRIS, ALAN RICHARDS, WENDY RICHARDS, KRISTEN BURGER, MATTHEW MABBITT, DEB OSBORNE AND JEN SMITH

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The Amazing Race for Charity once again left participants and

spectators goggling as they watched competitors do events like art and wheelchair races, running, swimming, stacking cans and a dog wash! It was an astonishing experience at times, but in the end, a number of charities won out!

RITA AND SKYLER IRWIN KRISTI MANSFIELD AND KIM WINN

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PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

CYNDI HERANDEZ AND TINA POE

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On the scene // Hi, society!

FUN, FIT, AND FAMILY! The Leesburg Regional Medical Center sponsored a “Family

Fitness & Fun Day” on Saturday, June 4 at the LRMC Urgent Care Center. The event included a ribbon cutting for the revamped walking track and new fitness stations. Vendors were on hard for healthy snacks, free demonstrations of how to use fitness equipment were presented along with music, giveaways, and more!

PENNY TESTERMAN

ELLEN BARBRA JAMIE TIDWELL, BEGAN AND BLAKETHOMPSON MERRILL AND PETE CRAFT

ANNA AND STEVEJULI ZITNICK WITHAND MEL JOANN HOLLAND, JANE STROPES JANICE COLLINS, ROMERO, TAYLOR LEEPER HORBAL AND GENEVIEVE MATOS AND MARY RHODES AUDREY PORTANOVA DAVID LEEPER III

NOREEN HUHN, DEBBIE GUILIANO, MARGARET NOREEN HUHN, DEBBIE GUILIANO, MARGARET BRUNET, AND ROSE MARTENS

NOREEN HUHN AND AMAREE PIERSON

LT. WOODY STRAUB, MARC MATHIS, AND BRETT ROBERTS

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On the scene // Hi, society!

SUITS TO A TEE!

The 12th annual Miss Leesburg Scholarship Scramble was at Arlington Ridge Golf Course on May 7. Following the shotgun start at 8:15 a.m., the day was filled with fun, awards, prizes, and raffles. Everybody went a home a winner as the event collected funds for the Miss Leesburg Scholarship program. This year’s Miss Leesburg Pageant will be Sept 24 at Leesburg High School JIM SHARER

PHOTOS: RON VANDEVANDER

KEVIN AND JACKSON PIZZUTI WITH GREGG MANCINI AND JIM REYNOLDS

KYLE FLEMING, JARRAD CAWLEY, AND DAVID MASS

JOE HEGARTY

JIM SAFFORD AND JIM BOLIEK

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

IN A PICKLE

ALL ABOARD! With breakfast choices like the Conductor, Engineer, and Hobo, you won’t have to be “railroaded” into enjoying a great morning at the Breakfast Station #8. In addition to scrumptious omelets, sausage gravy, and French toast, the Breakfast Station’s menu includes luncheon choices such as Pressed Tortillas, Cattle Car Burgers, Sante Fe Salad, and The Depot Melt Sandwich.

Located at 2229 N. Citrus Blvd, Leesburg, the Breakfast Station is chugging down the tracks every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check it out at thebreakfaststation. com.

Just off County Road 44A at the intersection of Radio Road is The Pickle Barrel General Store and Café, Inc. The menu is limited to sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs, but the food is good, and the atmosphere is entertaining. The café is on one end of the building and antiques are displayed in the other end. If you look closely, you’ll see dollar bills sticking out of random items on display. “That mon-

ey is from a Vietnam vet who comes in occasionally,” says owner Kathy Lokey. “He leaves the money around to bring me good luck, and I really think it does.” Kathy calls herself a “picker,” but she’s finding she enjoys running the café just as much. “We have karaoke on Thursday nights and Bike Night every other Wednesday.” She serves beer and wine, and bikers, of course, are welcome.

Celebrate Oktoberfest Inside a two-story German-style structure at 8210 County Road 48 is the Yalaha Bakery, where scrumptious breads, pastries, cookies, pies, and cakes await. Made daily with organic flours, spices, chocolates, and butter, it makes it difficult to decide which Danish, pastry, torte, or other treats you want to savor from the mouth-watering array. Yalaha Bakery also serves authentic German deli specialties for lunch, accompanied by a variety of beers, just right to celebrate Oktoberfest. Call 352.324.3366 or order online at yalahbakery.com.

Dining out in your own home Don’t want to cook tonight, but tired of the same old Chinese or pizza takeout? Takeout Waiter now serves Lake County. Just go to takeoutwaiter.com and click on North Lake County. Put the time you wish to eat, the delivery address, and then click to view restaurants and see menus.

Choose your meal and provide any special requirements or requests. There’s a $20 minimum for local orders and a $30 minimum for orders outside the city. Deliveries are made 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call 352.272.7576.

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CRANBERRY SALAD REIGNS The Southern Chicken Salad Plate is the most popular menu item at Southern Gourmet Café, in Leesburg, where diners rave over the colorful presentation and tasty chicken salad served with pasta salad, fresh veggies, cheese, crackers, and delicious cranberry congealed salad—proving cranberry salad isn’t just for Thanksgiving.

“It’s our signature item; we make it fresh every day,” says Sandy Maddox, who co-owns the café with her husband and son.

The cranberry salad (and other items) can be ordered in pint and quart containers to take home. Sandy says the café appreciates 24 hours’ notice by calling 352.409.7512.

Sad to see you go Coast 2 Coast Seafood & Smokehouse has closed its doors.

We’re always sorry to see one of our favorite little “hole in the walls” go away!

NO FAUX PHO The fabulous Vietnamese soup is served at the Saigon Fusion in Mount Dora. Get Pho Saigon (Saigon Noodle Soup), Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup), or Pho Tai (Beef Noodle Soup).

The restaurant also serves an intense variety of sushi—Sashimi, hand rolls, regular rolls, vegetables rolls, tempura rolls, and special rolls! Stop by and check out the chef’s combinations as well as the Japanese Hibachi.

Saigon Fusion is also open to suggested food items. Check out saigonfusionmountdora.com.

Halloween candy time!

October means Halloween, and the National Confectioners Association predict Americans will spend about $2.6 billion on the October holiday, which falls on a school-night Monday this month.

So… what is the most popular Halloween candy?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is America’s favorite Halloween candy, according to Influenster, an online platform. The yummy chocolate-covered peanut butter cups received the most votes in a nationwide poll. Kit Kat and Butterfinger also were ranked popular in all 50 states and Washington D.C., while candy corn was listed as the most polarizing in dividing the nation.

The 2015 poll also broke down state-by-state Halloween candy favorites, and Floridians’ top pick was the Nestle Crunch Bar as No. 1.

They’re Just Ribbing You

Backwoods Smokehouse now occupies 18750 U.S. Highway 441, which should make everyone feel right at home. It’s the previous location of Black Bear Smokehouse.

They’re known for their fabulous ribs and great entertainment. Check it out soon!

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

THE BEAUTY OF

CORN ON THE COB Sweet corn, open-air café, maze, and more opens Long & Scott Farm’s fall season STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

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cott’s Zellwood Triple-Sweet Gourmet Corn is the star produce at Long & Scott Farm, which draws folks from across the country, overseas, and even a Japanese farmer’s group that makes an annual U.S. stop in Mount Dora for some freshly picked and irresistibly tender, sweet corn on the cob.

Yes, the corn is that amazingly good. And when it’s gently cooked to perfection, the hot, buttery corn has that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that makes chefs and food writers swoon. Several of Orlando’s upscale restaurants proudly list the corn on their menus by its trademark name.

“People always say this is the best corn they’ve ever had,” says Hank Scott, 60, a third-generation farmer and manager of the farm. His children, Sonny and Haley, are part of the fourth generation of the family’s farming tradition.

“The best thing to watch is when somebody from Indiana or New Jersey comes in and says, “You can’t beat our corn; we have the best corn at home ever,’” says Hank’s sister, Rebecca Scott Ryan, who can’t resist shucking a corn cob for first-timers to taste. “ They eat it raw and their whole face changes, and that’s the best thing,” she says. “The corn is good. I’ve been known to eat six ears for dinner and that’s it.”

Several chefs from Disney’s restaurants make trips to Long & Scott’s Farm for the corn and other produce, and Celebrity Chef Art Smith, recognizable for appearing on “Iron Chef America,” “Top Chef,” and “Top Chef America,” and his years as Oprah’s chef, wanted a portrait from the farm to hang on the wall of his new new restaurant, Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine restaurant at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

The photo shows Hank and his father, Frank, on an old red tractor out in the cornfields, and for Chef Smith, the portrait exemplifies his mission to provide farm-to-fork cuisine.

Frank and his childhood friend, Billy Long, started the farm on 100 acres in 1963. Through the years, it has expanded to more than 1,200 acres in Mount Dora and neighboring fields in Zellwood, where the farm grows its sweet corn, cucumbers, red and green cabbage, sweet onions, kale, and other produce.

Zellwood had been known as the corn capital for years, home of the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival that began in 1968, and Hank says his family didn’t want to lose the Zellwood name.

“So we trademarked the name, and we decided to grow a gourmet-type corn, a really, really sweet and tender corn that’s even better,” Hank says.

The good news for Lake County residents and visitors is that they can

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

SCOTT’S ZELLWOOD SWEET CORN CHOWDER Ingredients: 4 slices bacon, diced small ½ cup diced onion ½ cup diced red pepper 2 cups Scott’s sweet corn, cut from the cob, (reserve cobs for additional flavor when soup cooks!)

3 tablespoons flour 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1 cup medium diced russet potatoes 1 cup heavy cream Coarse ground salt and pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley Directions: Cook bacon until crisp, add onion, peppers and corn, stirring for 2 minutes.

Add flour, stirring 1 minute. Add stock and stir until smooth. Bring to boil, and add potatoes and the corn cobs. Simmer 25-30 minutes, or until chowder reaches desired consistency. Removed corn cobs, add cream, and simmer 2 minutes. Season to taste with parsley, salt and pepper.

Serves 6.

get the corn now—Long & Scott Farm is open for the fall season.

The farm is also open for some family-friendly fun, where all ages can go on a wagon tour on the Sweet Corn Express, maneuver around Scott’s Maze Adventure—a 7-acre cornfield maze, and there’s a new playground area for kids to enjoy.

The Country Market and Country Café, an open-air eatery, are popular sites to visit, too, where the farm’s signature dish, Zellwood Sweet Corn Chowder is on the menu. The chowder recipe, which is being provided for Style readers, is made from the farm’s sweet corn, potatoes, onions, red pepper, and bacon served with a corn muffin.

The café also offers a variety of sandwiches, including: pulled pork with tangy barbecue sauce; Farmer’s Club of roasted turkey breast, baked ham, bacon, lettuce and tomato on a flaky croissant; Buffalo Chicken Wrap of grilled chicken toasted in the farm’s buffalo hot wing sauce, greens, tomato, shredded cheese and homemade ranch; and a Veggie Wrap of green peppers, cucumber, tomato, carrots, red cabbage and the farm’s sweet onion and creamy cucumber dressing.

Also at the café, one can get an oldfashioned root beer float, or Hank’s favorite strawberry milkshake. Breakfast fare is available, too, with cheese grits, croissant sandwiches, and biscuits and gravy on the menu.

“This is kind of a neat place to eat,” says Hank. “As an open-air café, people can look out and see the fields, and they can look over here and see us running the pickles or bringing the corn in.”

The farm activities and café are part of agri-tourism, or agri-entertainment events that many farmers are doing across the country to bring people to their farms.

“We have been averaging about 30,000 people in a 2½ month period,” says Hank. “It’s about 4 percent of our

gross. It’s not a heck of a lot of money, but it’s a heck of a lot of fun to watch families get off the hay wagon and say that it’s the best family outing they have ever had.”

Some families return every fall, and there have been school groups from Winter Park and Maitland who have been visiting the farm for 10 consecutive years.

“It gives kids a chance to get away from computers, video games, TV, and get outside,” Hank says. “They come out here and have a ball all day long.

There’s plenty to eat, and plenty to do.”

The best part for Hank is making the farm trip educational.

“It’s like ag in the classroom, but out of the classroom. Kids learn better when it’s hands-on and visual over looking at a book,” Hank says. “We teach people that their groceries are grown in the field, and not in the back of Publix or Winn Dixie.”

Rebecca adds, “We’ve even had parents who did not know how corn is grown. We’ve opened some eyes for adults.”

The farm will remain open through Dec. 11 for the fall season, and during the weekend of Thanksgiving, Santa Claus will visit along with a big selection of Fraser Fir Christmas trees that will be available for purchase.

“Farming is a tough business,” says Hank, adding Long & Scott Farm is the livelihood for 30 families, so that’s a vital incentive to stay in business and keep the farm going.

“The joy of it all is knowing that you’re feeding so many people, and watching that little seed grow to food that you can take home and feed your family nutritious meals.”

Long & Scott Farm 26216 County Road 448A, Mount Dora 352.383.6900 www.longandscottfarms.com

GOLDEN CORN FRY Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter 3 cups corn, cut from cob ½ cup diced sweet onion ½ cup light cream 2 tablespoons chopped chives 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoons salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions: Melt butter in skillet. Add onions, followed by remaining ingredients, except cheese.

Cover and simmer until corn is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Makes 5 to 6 servings.

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EATS // saluté A Worldly Look at Wine & Spirits

BLACK GRAPES, DARK WINES Malbec, often called ‘the black wine,’ is produced mostly in Argentina, but the varietal has its roots in Cahors, France, where it has grown since the Middle Ages.

STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

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his past summer, New World and Old World winemakers faced off during a masterclass at the 6th Annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. French and Portuguese wines represented Europe—the Old World—while California and Australian wines were the upstart New World wines. The grape varietals compared were the same, but the taste and flavors could not have been more different…and I just could not choose a favorite.

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago, when I took a quiz to see which style— Old World or New World—I liked best.

My results were just as mixed as my preferences at the Atlanta festival. According to the quiz, designed by Malpus.com, I don’t have an established preference between New World or Old World wines. The quiz results nailed it when it came to describing me: “You don’t chose a favorite…one day you may sip a fruity, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with high alcohol content; the next day you enjoy a light-bodied and earthy Bordeaux blend with lowalcohol content.”

And so it goes with wines made from the blackest of grapes—Malbec. I cannot decide whether an Old World Malbec from Cahors, France, is my favorite or if I should serve a New World Malbec from Argentina with grilled steak. After all, Argentina is known for its beef, too. Yet, France produces the creamy cheeses and rich sauces that call for the earthy, softer tannins of its Cahors Malbec blends.

Many people—even wine lovers—do not know Malbec originated in France.

However, it is now Argentina that produces more than 70 percent of the Malbecs sold in the U.S., so I should not have been surprised when a young wine store clerk told me there was no such thing as a French Malbec.

A little history lesson about this varietal once revered by kings and popes is in order. Roman emperors planted the first vineyards in South-

west France more than two thousand years ago. Cahors wines became some of the most sought after in the world, especially among Russian Tsars after Peter the Great claimed the tannins cured his ulcer and settled his delicate stomach. The 1850s were the most prosperous for Cahors wines, but that all ended in 1865 when American plants were imported and spread the parasitic bug known as phylloxera.

By 1880, more than 143,000 acres of vineyards were devastated. A handful of cuttings from the pre-philloxera vines were saved, and some of those old vines are now found at the respected Clos de Gamot estate.

Today, only about 12,000 acres of Cahors vineyards remain. The grape, commonly known as Côt in Cahors, is more rustic than its Malbec cousins in Argentina and is often blended with Merlot to smooth out the flavors.

However, for a wine to be labeled AOC, which is the French certification granted to certain geographical locations for wine, cheeses and other agricultural products, the Cahors red wines must contain at least 70 percent Malbec grapes.

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW WORLD

been aged in oak can be held two or three years. French Malbecs with lots of tannins can age well in the bottle for years. In fact, when I recently bought a 2013 vintage from Cahors, the wine shop recommended I hold on to it a few years.

Alas, I really wanted to compare the hard-to-find Cahors side-by-side to a Malbec from Argentina. In all honesty, Malbecs have not been my favorite go-to wine, so I was anxious to see if I fared any better with French Malbec.

My New World choice was a 2011 Nacional No. 7 from Mendoza while the Old World was represented by the 2013 Clos La Coutale, one of France’s leading producers of Cahors. Both wines sold for under $15.

The French wine was subtle and refined while the Argentinean varietal had spicy, intense flavors with a more tannic burn. It was hard to believe they were both produced from the same grape varietal.

The experiment brought me back to the choice between Old World or New World. And the answer was the same: it depends on the food…my mood… and whether or not the background music is a smooth French ballad or a lively Tango.

In the mid-19th century, just as Malbec acreage was declining in France, Argentina’s government hired French agronomist Michel A. Pouget to bring cuttings to the South American country. The grapes adapted extremely well to Argentina’s varied terroir, and today there are 77,000 acres of Malbec vineyards—with 85 percent of those located in the Mendoza region, according to WinesofArgentina.org.

The darkest of all wines, Malbecs from both the Old World and New World share an intense dark purple color. The flavors should evoke cherries, strawberries, or plums, and as it ages more aromas of coffee or vanilla are apparent. Speaking of aging, young unoaked Malbecs should be consumed quickly. Malbecs that have

ABOUT THE WRITER Mary Ann DeSantis is a 2016 fellow of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Napa Valley.

An award-winning journalist, she has written for Lake & Sumter Style since 2006.

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EATS // fork on THE Road Tasty insights and observations

EDUARDO’S LOKOS TACOS

CRAZY DELICIOUS MEXICAN FOOD STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

Craving authentic Mexican cuisine? Then Eduardo’s Lokos Tacos in Tavares is a “must-go” place to enjoy generous servings of fresh entrées in a festive atmosphere that makes dining a pleasant experience.

We began our Saturday evening dinner with a basket of warm, homemade tortilla chips with fresh, roasted salsa and perused the many menu choices. Our server Eddie said two favorites of many diners are Kekas—two tortillas fried with cheese and filled with choice of meat, lettuce, sour cream, and Mexican cheese crumbles.

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The Lokos Tacos—two tortillas with cheese in the middle, topped with choice of meat, onions, and cilantro.

We settled on ordering pork Lokos Tacos and the build-your-own-platter combination of a beef enchilada and a mini chicken burrito (yet there was nothing “mini” about it!) Both entrees came hot with fresh sides of rice and homemade refried beans.

We were not disappointed. The pork was tender and delicious in the

CUBA PICHY’S CUISINE

LIKE DINING IN HAVANA STORY: DEBBI KIDDY PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

If you’re in the mood for authentic, quality Cuban cuisine, then Cuba Pichy’s Cuisine, located in ViaPort Florida Mall in Leesburg, is just what you’re looking for. Named for

deep-fried tortillas complemented by the melted cheese layer. The rice and pinto beans were cooked to perfection. My stepmother and I loved the fresh ingredients in the salsa and in our entrees, and were impressed by the budgetfriendly prices.

Eduardo’s also has great weekday specials that are hard to beat: Tamale Mondays, featuring two tamales (chicken in green salsa or pork in red salsa) for $3, with the same price and ingredient choices for Enchilada Wednesdays. Taco Tuesdays and Thursdays provide diners with a

variety of four tacos for $4, with a choice of meat in corn, flour, or crispy tortillas, and five flautas are offered on Fridays for $6, in either chicken or pork topped with avocado slices. They also have a kid’s menu so the whole family can enjoy.

We’re looking forward to going back to Eduardo’s, but next time we’re going to save room for dessert—Deep Fried Ice Cream, Flan, Churros, ChocoFlan (a blend of cake and Flan), and Raspados (Mexican shaved ice made with homemade syrup and real fruit) are on the menu.

4 FORKS (OUT OF POSSIBLE 5) EDUARDO’S LOKOS TACOS 226 W. Alfred St., Tavares 352.742.1181

FORK REPORT: Casual dining. $$/Seated immediately (dinner hour)//Wait for meal: 15

minutes OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY STARTERS ($3-$10.50) Asada Fries, wings, Chicharron, Chilaquiles, Tortilla Soup, Posole, Picadillo, shrimp cocktail, and salads.

ENTREES: ($8.50-$23) Lokos Tacos, Kekas, Burrito Grande, Grande Chimichanga, Gorditas, Chilles Rellenos, Enchiladas, variety of fajitas.

HOW FORK ON THE ROAD WORKS

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

its owner, the restaurant features a beautiful polished wood bar as you walk in.

We were greeted warmly and there was no wait for our table. The server came quickly for drink orders as we enjoyed Latin music and the seascapes and other Cuban-related artwork. There’s a banquet room that can accommodate up to 40 people, and, as an added bonus, the chef will create a specialty menu just for your group.

The menu includes favorite Cuban cuisine items such as black beans, rice, and plantains, but there were also some creative treats. We ordered appetizers—Cuba’s Gran Combo offered a variety of yummy items including masitas fritas, chicharrones de pollo, ham-croquets, and sweet plantains; and beef empanadas filled with spicy, flavorful ground beef encased in a delicious, flaky baked pastry. While we waited for our starters, we

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EATS // fork on THE Road Tasty insights and observations

THE LOST PARROT had thin slices of Cuban bread with just the right hint of garlic.

I ordered one of the three daily specials, which was baked chicken with black beans and choice of white or yellow rice and sweet plantains.

The baked chicken was marinated in Pichy’s famous sauce to fall-offthe-bone tenderness and tastefully seasoned; the black beans had bits of onion and just a touch of cilantro; the yellow rice was light and fluffy; and the plantains were slightly caramelized to sweet perfection! Other entrées include beef, pork, seafood, and chicken options, and there’s a kid’s menu. My co-workers ordered from the lunch menu, which contains a variety of dishes, and everyone agreed the food was scrumptious.

Among the dishes they tried was the OMG Sandwich, which consists of smoked turkey breast, Swiss cheese, a Spinach-artichoke spread, Pichy’s sweet honey mustard dressing, and sautéed onions on authentic pressed Cuban bread. Add seasoned French fries and you are in Cuban heaven!

Cuba Pichy’s is truly an “upscale,” but affordable establishment to enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine.

CUBA PICHY’S CUISINE

ViaPort Florida 10401 U.S. Hwy. 441, Leesburg 352.365.2822

A PINCH OF CARIBBEAN FLAIR STORY: LEIGH NEELY PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

At The Lost Parrot Bar & Grill, you can expect good American food served with a pinch of Caribbean flair. The legend of the lost parrot is almost as entertaining as the lively restaurant on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora.

The family raised tropical birds, and their aviary became well known for the amazing parrots they kept.

However, sorrow descended when Paco de Garcia, the most famous bird, was stolen. Though the family searched, they couldn’t find their beloved parrot.

Paco found his way back to them and in celebration, The Lost Parrot Bar & Grill was opened in his honor, with parrots everywhere—in vivid paintings, delicate figurines, and even a paper one hanging from the ceiling.

Our meal began with warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa. My husband ordered the Reuben sandwich, which was huge, and perfectly prepared as were the crunchy onion rings served with the tiger sauce. The thinly sliced pastrami was tender and juicy and grilled rye bread was the perfect complement.

I opted for the coconut shrimp. My platter had five golden shrimp in a light batter with coconut and a tangy pineapple pina colada dipping sauce.

It included fresh broccoli and a twicebaked potato with sour cream. We both enjoyed our meals and took half of them home, so we had room for the creamy homemade French silk pie made richer with fresh whipped cream.

The restaurant features indoor and covered patio seating and has great event nights like Tuesday’s Martinis and Smooth Jazz and Wednesdays are a mix of live music and Jam Night.

The restaurant is a great family place with a kid’s menu and a relaxed atmosphere with attentive staff. There’s a full bar with amazing tropical drinks and luscious martinis.

THE LOST PARROT BAR & GRILL 100 East 4th Avenue, Mount Dora 352.729.2685 www.thelostparrotmtdora.com

TWO LOST JOBS ALMOST COST A LIFE CARE FUNDED BY THE NORTH LAKE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELPED SEAN AND TAMMY RICE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET “No one wants to lose their job, but that’s exactly what happened to us. After working for the same company for 20 years, I laid myself off to help save the company. Then my husband Sean was also laid off. We lost both our income and our health insurance.

Many folks in Lake County are casualties of the economy like us.

“Community clinics funded by the North Lake County Hospital District kept Sean’s medical conditions from getting worse. If he hadn’t gotten care, it could have been fatal.

“Now Sean is working again. The clinics make it possible for our neighbors in need to get back to work by providing the care they desperately need during difficult times.”

THE NORTH LAKE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT

EFFECTIVE

ACCOUNTABLE

EFFICIENT

LeesburgRegional.org/Cares SPONSORED BY LEESBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

dining Coyote Rojo 2082 W. CR 48 352.569.0302 $$

Napolis Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 $$

Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582 $

Robata Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 $$

Sonny’s Bar-B-Q 2684 W. CR 48 352.569.0200 $

Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club Restaurant 2601 Diamond Club Dr. 352.243.0411 $$

Waffle House 2571 W CR 48 352.793.5656 $ Waller’s Restaurant 138 Bushnell Plaza 352.793.2592 $

Clermont

Astatula

Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988 $$$

Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940 $

Calabria Ristorante 13900 County Road 455 407.656.5144 $$

Sparky’s Place 24646 State Road 40 352.759.3551 $$

Bushnell

Lyn’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe 824 W. Montrose St. 352.536.9935 $

Hong Kong Restaurants 2229 W CR 48 (352) 568-888 $$

TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877 $$

Astor

IN YOUR CITY

Cheeser’s Palace 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431 $ Flippers Pizzeria 2523 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.242.2214 $$

Beef O’Bradys 2586 W. CR 48 352.568.7000 $

G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd.

352.243.8900 $$$

Chuck’s Odd Cuples Café 117 W Belt Ave 352.568.0408 $

Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077 $$ Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd.

352.242.1910 $$$

Spiro’s Pizza 1203 W. Hwy. 50 352.394.5538 $$ Sugar Mama’s Bake Shoppe 648 Eighth St. 352.241.9738 $$ Troy’s Cuban & Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295 $$

Eustis 1884 Restaurant & Bar 12 East Magnolia Ave. 1.800.856.1884 $$ Barnwood BBQ 50 W. Orange Ave. 352.630.4903 $$ Beach Bums 12 S. Bay St. 352.308.8504 $ Dam Smoker Barbeque 36721 County Road 19A 352.357.6555 $$ Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288 $$$ King’s Taste Bar-B-Que 503 Palmetto St. 352.589.0404 $$

$: $5 – $14 $$: $15 – $24 $$$: $25 – $40 $$$$: $40+

Maria’s Latin Dinner 1 N. Eustis St. 352.357.5555 $ NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256 $ Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. County Road 44 352.589.9100 $$ Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022 $$ Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949 $$ The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 $$ The Great Pizza Company 23 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.357.7377 $$ The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 $$$ Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001 $$

Fruitland Park Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575 $ Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 Fruitland Park 352.728.0006 $$

Groveland Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. State Road 33 352.429.2997 $$$

Howey-inthe-Hills JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd.

352.324.3600 $$ Mission Inn Resort & Club’s El Conquistador 10400 County Rd. 48 352.324.3101 $$$$ Mission Inn Resort & Club’s Nickers 10400 County Rd. 48 352.324.3101 $$$$

Lady Lake Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000 $$$ Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722 $$ Texas Stockyard BBQ 360 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.750.5229 $$

Leesburg Bloom’s Baking House and Restaurant 610 W. Main St. 352.787.1004 $$ Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442 $ Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377 $$ Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 County Road 44 352.365.2177 $$ Habaneros 3 Mexican Restaurant 10601 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.315.1777 $$

Kid’s Menu

Beer, Wine or Cocktails

HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006 $

Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 $$

Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 $

Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 $$

Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 County Road 473 352.343.4663 $ Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 $$ Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.323.1616 $$ Osaka 1401 Citrus Blvd.

352.728.0788 $$ Stavros Pizza 755 N. 14th St. 352.326.4202 $$ Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 $$ The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 $$ The Latin Cafe 400 N. 14th St. 352.365.0089 $$ Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107 $$ Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989 $$$$

Mascotte Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd.

352.429.2093 $$

Minneola

Mount Dora Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668 $ Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101 $$$ Blackbear Smokehouse 18750 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.2327 $$ Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 $ Cecile’s French Corner 237 W. Fourth Ave. 352.383.7100 $$ Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 $ Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 $$ Cupcake Delights 122 E. 4th Ave. 352.383.2200 $ Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 $ Incredible Edible Cakes 4295 W. Old Hwy. 441, Suite 2 352.223.3581 $ Ivory’s Take Out 1325 N. Grandview St. 352.735.6797 $

Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 $ CONTINUED

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

dining Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 $

Village Coffee Pot 425 Donnelly St. 352.383.3334 $

Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303

Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855 $$

Sorrento

$ One Flight Up - Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Suite 100 352.758.9818 $ Pisces Rising 239 W. Fourth Ave. 352.385.2669 $$$ PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092 $ Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 $ Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675 $ The Frog and Monkey Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352.383.1936 $$ The Garden Gate Tea Room 142 E. Fourth Ave. 352.735.2158 $$ The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059 $$$ The Health Basket of Mount Dora 18834 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.735.1166 $$ The Windsor Rose English Tea Room 142 W. Fourth Ave. 352.735.2551 $$

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Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 County Rd. 437 352.383.8882 $ Gi Gi’s 25444 State Road 46 352.735.4000 $$

Summerfield Francesco’s Italian Ristorante and Stone Fire Pizza 16770 South U.S. Hwy. 441 352.693.2008 $$

Tavares Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 $$ Buzzard Beach Grill 12423 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.5267 $$ Casa Mia Cafe 505 W Main St 352.742.9940 $ Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.508.5137 $$ Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 $$ Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 County Road 448 352.343.6823 $

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IN YOUR CITY

$: $5 – $14 $$: $15 – $24 $$$: $25 – $40 $$$$: $40+

Kid’s Menu

Carrabba’s 650 U.S. Hwy. 441 N 352.430.1304 $$

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994 $$

China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 $

Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 $$

Outback Steakhouse 710 N. Hwy 441 352.430.2590 $$

Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 $$

China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 $

Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.391.9939 $$

O’Shucks!

Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 $$

Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd.

352.343.7744 $

City Fire Brownwood Paddock Square 352.561.2078 $$

RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930 $$

Polly’s Pantry 819 S. Main St. 352.330.4002 $$

The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 $$

Olive Garden 3680 Wedgewood Ln. 352.259.0304 $$

Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393 $$

Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 $$

Zac’s Pressed for Time Cafe 110 S. New Hampshire Ave. 352.253.4663 $

Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evans Prairie Trail 352.750.2225 $$

Scooples 2718 Brownwood Blvd 352.750.6263 $

Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 $$

O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 $$ Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 $$ Sinbad’s of Lake County 1050 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.343.6669 $$

Umatilla Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 State Road 19 352.669.3922 $ The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 $$

The Villages Bob Evans 2199 Parr Dr. 352.259.1224 $ Bonefish Grill 3580 Wedgewood Ln. 352.674.9292 $$ Bonifay Country Club 1033 Pinellas Place 352.205.7455 $$ Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 $$

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Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 $$ Hemingway’s at Havana 2484 Odell Circle 352.753.1475 $$$ Las Tapas Brownwood Paddock Square 352.399.5516 $$ The Legacy Restaurant at the Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd.

352.753.1475 $$$ The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 $$ Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd.

352.753.3824 $$

Square One Burgers & Bar 2542 Burnsed Blvd.

352.689.2191 $$ Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 $$ TooJay’s 1129 Canal St. 352.430.0410 $ VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 $$

Wildwood Aztec’s Mexican Restaurant 348 Shopping Center Dr. 352.748.2250 $ Beef O’ Bradys 840 S. Main St. 352.689.0048 $ Buddy’s BBQ 1210 N. Main St. 352.330.0338 $$

Yalaha Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48 352.324.3366 $$

Beer, Wine or Cocktails

EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

1884 RESTAURANT AND BAR

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–12A.M. // LUNCH, DINNER, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 12 EAST MAGNOLIA AVENUE, EUSTIS // 1.800.856.1884 // WWW.1884RESTAURANTANDBAR.COM Located in the historic Ferran’s building in downtown Eustis, 1884 Restaurant and Bar is a must for all to discover. The restaurant, which is open from 11am to Midnight 7 days a week, has everything from Boar’s Head wraps and pressed sandwiches at lunch to hand-cut filets and the signature double-bone, two-inch thick pork chop at dinner. Sushi Bar 7 days a week, lunch and dinner! With more than 10,000 square feet, 1884 can accommodate an intimate dinner for two to a private event in one of the 3 semi private rooms. Diners can also enjoy the full-service bar while ordering custom craft cocktails and eight rotating beers on tap. “Wine Down Wednesday” features $4 house wines. By using the most local and fresh ingredients, the chefs and bartenders will amaze you with their talent. Dinner and daily specials begining at 5 pm with happy hour from 4:30 - 6:30. No doubt, there’s something for everyone at 1884. This restaurant has won in 6 categories for the 2016 Lake and Sumter Style’s Hot list: Best Server - Shelly Jaggers, Best Bartender - Chelsea Harkness, Best Cocktail, Best Dessert, Best Karaoke, and Best Girls Night Out. They were also named as Open Table’s Restaurant of the Month.

Call 1.800.856.1884 to reserve your table or book your party now. Join the email list at www.1884restaurantandbar.com to be the first to know of all specials, entertainers and events.

BUSTER TUBBS

110 N. NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., TAVARES 352.742.7676 // WWW.BUSTERTUBBS.COM Voted the “Best Sports Bar” in the “2016 Hot List” of Lake and Sumter Style magazine’s August issue, Buster Tubbs is the “neighborhood watering hole” in Tavares with comfort foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a great happy hour.

It’s the go-to place to watch football, or enjoy karaoke Wednesday nights with Rudy and Belva on the new stage, music trivia Thursday nights, and live music on Friday nights. Buster Tubbs also has been generating raves from regulars for our delicious bayou barbecue, specialty coffees, Hazelnut Lattes, Peanut Butter Pie, amazing crab cakes, Buster Blue burger, Seaplane Fish, fried green tomatoes and so much more. Fans also rave about the atmosphere and friendly service. Come check out Buster Tubbs!

HOURS OF OPERATION OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK AT 7A.M. SAT-TUE: OPEN UNTIL 3P.M. WED-FRI: OPEN UNTIL THE MUSIC STOPS

COUSIN VINNIE’S FAMILY SPORTS RESTAURANT OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–9P.M. // FOOD, SPIRITS, MUSIC, SPORTS 10700 U.S. HWY. 441, LEESBURG // 352.253.2442 // WWW.CVINNIES.COM

Cousin Vinnie’s is located on U.S. Hwy. 441 across from Home Depot. Owner “Cousin” Vinnie Vittoria and his family have created a unique atmosphere by combining a sports bar with a family restaurant. As soon as you walk into Vinnie’s you will immediately notice why they are famous for outstanding comfort food and service! They also have been voted BEST WINGS in Lake County every year since opening in 2009. Additional menu items offered are killer ½ lb. burgers, personal pan pizzas, amazing ribeye cheese steaks, healthy wheat wraps, fresh homemade salads, chicken strips that totally melt in your mouth, 16 awesome appetizers and their signature deep fried Ice Cream and Snickers Bars! Every Monday is “Texas Hold’em” from 6–10p.m. Tuesday night is “Family Night” from 4–8p.m. when kids 12-and-under eat free. Wednesday night is “Trivia Night” when the fun starts at 6:30p.m. with prizes given to the top 3 teams. There is no better place on the weekends to see who hoists the trophy or takes home the checkered flag. Cousin Vinnie’s also offers, free Wi-Fi, great music and an enthusiastic staff, ready to exceed your expectations. Vinnie’s has been open eight years, if you have never been there… it is absolutely time for you to check it out!

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

GREAT CHICAGO FIRE BREWERY & TAP ROOM 311 W. MAGNOLIA ST., LEESBURG 352.474.2739

It’s a fun, friendly place to hang with friends and to meet new ones. Our Chicago/Firefighter themed Tap Room offers 6-8 of our own “session” beers featuring fresh Florida fruits and other local ingredients. Our beers are brewed on premise. We also offer (10) guest taps featuring beers from small craft breweries across the U.S. There is something for everyone. Our “Chicago” Style food menu features items like real Italian Beefs with Giardiniera peppers. Italian Sausage, the Maxwell Street Polish Sausage, Gyros, Pizza Puffs, Tamales and even the original Chicago Hot Dog “Run through the garden.” All your favorite footballs teams are playing on (6) TVs with the NFL Package. Enjoy our spacious outdoor seating area with live music many weekends. We are located Historic Downtown Leesburg which offers a great shopping experience with specialty shops, antique stores, and a host of unique food and drink establishments. Every third Thursday, we partner with Gator Harley in Leesburg for our Bike Night; Live music, beer and food specials, BBQ, prizes and more, right here at the brewery!

HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY-THURSDAY 11 A.M.-10 P.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY 11 A.M.-12 A.M. SUNDAY 12 P.M.-6 P.M.

FIND US ONLINE:

JOIN US FOR BIKE NIGHT ON OCT. 20TH

SPONSORED BY:

THE GOBLIN MARKET RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 331-B DONNELLY STREET (REAR ALLEY), MOUNT DORA 352.735.0059 // WWW.GOBLINMARKETRESTAURANT.COM

Nestled on a back alley in downtown Mount Dora, the Goblin Market Restaurant has been charming locals and tourists alike since 1996. The restaurant, housed in a renovated warehouse, features three intimate, book-lined dining rooms and a full-service lounge furnished in soothing, muted tones with tasteful modern art. The private, tree-shaded courtyard and garden patio are open year-round for al fresco dining. Low lighting and “new age” music add the finishing touches to the restaurant’s casual elegance. Owners Vince and Janis Guzinski embrace a simple philosophy of offering the highest-quality products, served in a unique and romantic atmosphere by a personable and attentive staff.

The Goblin Market’s wine list and menu represent a refreshing mix of ideas from its culinary team. The diversified origins and background of each member ensure exciting menu offerings and nightly selections.

HOURS OF OPERATION: LUNCH: TUESDAY–SATURDAY 11A.M.–3:00P.M. DINNER: TUESDAY–THURSDAY 5–9P.M., FRIDAY–SATURDAY 5–10P.M., SUNDAY 11A.M.–3:30P.M.

JOIN US FOR OUR NEW “LIGHTER FARE” DINNER MENU, GOURMET SOUPS, SALADS, AND SANDWICHES. TUESDAY– THURSDAY FROM 3–9P.M. (REGULAR DINNER MENU ALSO AVAILABLE).

MOM & DADS

304 U.S. HWY. 441, LADY LAKE // 352.753.2722 This little place in the heart of Lady Lake is a local favorite. All the food at Mom & Dad’s is authentic and homemade, from the famous sauce to pastas to the incredible desserts. Made from scratch in-house ravioli and lasagna. Many diners automatically order Spaghetti al la Bruzzi, which is the house specialty. This baked spaghetti has a meat sauce, mushrooms, and three cheeses. Add to that the homemade bread Papa prepares every day, and you’ve got a memorable meal. You can’t stop with the entrée, however. Mama’s homemade cakes are amazing! Moist and delicious German Chocolate, creamy, luxurious Red Velvet, Cannoli, and who doesn’t love Spumoni. If you’re looking for a great Italian dinner that will remind you of home and all the goodness of eating there, try Mom & Dad’s.

Mom & Dad’s also offers a full gluten free menu featuring pizza, lasagna, ravioli, and desserts all made in-house from scratch.

HOURS OF OPERATION: TUESDAY - SATURDAY 4 P.M. – 9 P.M. CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

PUDDLE JUMPERS

111 W. RUBY ST., TAVARES 352.508.5862 WWW.INFO@PUDDLEJUMPERSLAKESIDE.COM Casual lakeside dining at its finest is what patrons experience at Puddle Jumpers overlooking Lake Dora in Tavares. The restaurant is a local favorite and has generated raves of being a great place for good fun with friends and private events. Come check out the offerings of delicious food and drinks from a fully stocked bar, including a wide array of fresh seafood specialties, appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, homemade soups, steaks and ribs from the grill. Puddle Jumpers is also the “go-to” place to enjoy live music and entertainment on most weekends. If you’ve never been to Puddle Jumpers, it’s absolutely time to take the plunge!

HOURS OF OPERATION: 11 A.M.-10 P.M. MONDAY-THURSDAY 11 A.M.-12 A.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY 11 A.M.-8 P.M. SUNDAY

SUBWAY

WWW.SUBWAY.COM Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food.

LADY LAKE // 208 W. Guava St. // 352.750.4929 EUSTIS // 469 Plaza Dr. // 352.357.7827 MOUNT DORA // 18870 U.S. Hwy. 441 // 352.735.4376 LEESBURG // 2013 Citrus Blvd. // 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Suite 4 // 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4 // 352.314.8847 THE VILLAGES // 1580 Bella Cruz Drive // 352.750.9600 8796 S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane // 352.750.9991 1070 Lake Sumter Landing Drive // 352.205.8535 349 Colony Blvd. // 352.391.1657 WILDWOOD // 480 W. Gulf to Alantic Hwy. // 352.748.8800 HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY–SATURDAY SUNDAY

10A.M.–10P.M. 10A.M.–9P.M.

TIKI WEST RAW BAR AND GRILL 118 RUBY ST., TAVARES 352.508.5783

Daily specials draw large groups to Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill. Diners are thrilled the upbeat, colorful Tavares restaurant overlooking Lake Dora has expanded its outdoor dining area with live music on the patio. Diners also love the “all-you can eat” crab legs (available with fries and coleslaw or rice and beans) for $39.99; peel-and-eat-shrimp—hot, cold, or fried—for $24.99; boiled crawfish for $20.99; fried Mahi Mahi fish, $16.99; or fried clams, $15.99. Among the lunch specials are $1 off sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and oysters, and $2 off half pound of peel-and-eat shrimp. There are discounted oyster buckets and $10 buckets of domestic beer on Sundays that draw football fans to watch their favorite teams on more than 10 flat-screen TVs. Happy Hour is all day, every day!

HOURS OF OPERATION: SUNDAY—THURSDAY 11 A.M.-10 P.M. FRIDAY—SATURDAY 11 A.M.-11 P.M.

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Our team… …has the highest level of education and skill. …uses top-notch technology and equipment. …provides the best possible care to our patients. …is getting bigger.

Meet the newest team members.

DR. ROBERT L. PURDON

Dr. Robert Purdon, a radiation oncologist for 30 years, loves being part of RBOI. While he feels honored to offer patients advanced technologies and techniques, the most rewarding part of the job is interacting and forming genuine relationships with patients.

DR. HERMAN FLINK

We’re excited to announce the addition of Dr. Herman Flink, a radiation oncologist for nearly 40 years who is board-certified in both radiology and radiation oncology. He completed his residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

THE VILLAGES 352.259.2200 OCALA 352.732.0277 TIMBER RIDGE 352.861.2400 INVERNESS 352.726.3400 LECANTO 352.527.0106 RBOI.COM Scan the QR Code with your smartphone to find out more about RBOI.

WITH AWARDS LUNCHEON HONORING MICKI BLACKBURN, CATHERINE HANSON, EMOGENE STEGALL JACKIE TALLEY AND ERMYNE PEARSON

Attendees will have a choice to participate in two additional educational sessions: Plastic Surgery: Separating Fact from Fantasy RICHARD T. BOSSHARDT, M.D., FACS

The Formula of Champions: The secret to getting more, better and different in your life!

KAREN SPAULDING, R.N., LIFE COACH

The Dynamics of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: Warning Signs, Effects and Affects on Women & Children

Aging Gracefully with Exercise SHEILA WEST, LRMC WELLNESS CENTER

KELLY SMALLRIDGE, THE HAVEN

Friday, November 4, 9am–2pm /// Lake Receptions /// 4425 N. Hwy 19A, Mount Dora Genene Rawls, Chairman of the Board /// 352.787.7470 /// genene3@embarqmail.com Sue Ellen Ibach /// 352.735.2933 /// $50 ($75 after Oct 21st) All proceeds to benefit: patient care at Cornerstone Hospice SPONSORS

SPONSORS

3RD ANNUAL

PINK OUT 5K Run/Walk

Join Florida Hospital Waterman for the 3rd Annual Pink Out 5k Run/Walk. Proceeds help promote breast cancer awareness, diagnosis and treatment including mammograms for women in need.

rst Our Fi nset Su g n i n e Ev lk! a W / n Ru

Thursday, October 13 Wooton Park Tavares, FL 32778

REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK-UP Wednesday, October 12 at hospital main entrance: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Day of 5K Run/Walk at Wooton Park: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Race start: 6:00 p.m.

Awards ceremony: 7:15 p.m.

ENTRY FEES:

Youth 17 and under: $20 | Adults 18 and over: $25 | Day of Race (check/cash only): $30

CDT FHW-2016-0802

Sign-up by visiting FHWaterman.com.

For details, call (352) 253-3479.

Join us for the 2nd Annual

to benefit

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 • 6:30–8:30pm Akers Media at the Leesburg Opera House

Toast The Night at

Two Old Hags is hosting a Champagne Fountain pre-event for those attending!

Where Leesburg Gathers For A Good Time

The winner will be featured on the cover of our December issue!

You can nominate until Oct. 10 and voting will start on Oct. 15

Cover charge:

5 at door

$

(no cover for nominees)

Full Cash Bar (A portion of the proceeds goes towards the event’s charity)

Hors d’oeuvres Visit LakeAndSumterStyle.com to nominate!

Together we can make a brighter future.

The Miller Grimes Group Financial Advisors SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. 352.227.5085 352.561.3393 millergrimes@suntrust.com

For 17 years, The Miller Grimes Group has been helping clients make the most of their financial situation. That experience, paired with the broad range of products and solutions offered

by SunTrust Investment Services, will help them develop and implement a personalized investment strategy for each of their clients. Because their goal, just like ours, is to help you shine.

Investment and Insurance Products: Are not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured • Are not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value Securities, insurance (including annuities) and other investment products and services are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser and broker-dealer, member FINRA, SIPC, and a licensed insurance agency.

SunTrust Bank, Member FDIC. ©2015 SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust and How can we help you shine? are federally registered service marks of SunTrust Banks, Inc.

Serving the community for over 90 years.

Residential Lending Team Natasha Dykes, Amy Bolt and Margarita McCartney

Let us help you get the lowest rate on your home loan.

Call Today

352-383-2111 www.fnbmd.com "1 /Ê ", ÊUÊ " Ê/, - 1, ÊUÊ-",, /"

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The Lake County Farmers & Flea Market offers crops cultivated locally at U-pick fruit farms, citrus groves and nurseries.

With more than 150 vendors selling a wide variety of goods and services, indoor and outdoor exhibitors, free onsite parking, live music, and an onsite ATM, Farmers & Flea Market is the place to bargain shop beginning at 8 a.m. every Thursday.

The Farmers & Flea Market is located at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 2101 N. County Road 452 in Eustis, Florida.

For more information, visit facebook.com/lakecountyflfairgrounds or call 352-357-9692 for facility rental information or to become a vendor.

Peyton C. Grinnell (Republican) CANDIDATE FOR LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF

For Chief Deputy Peyton Grinnell being of service to Lake County is a legacy. He was born in Eustis, grew up in Leesburg, and graduated from Leesburg High School. His father and grandfather retired from Minute Maid, and his roots are deep as is his desire to give his best to the people of Lake County.

He is a Marine Corps combat veteran with distinguished service in the Republic of Panama during Operation Just Cause and in the Middle East during Operations Desert Shield/Storm.

After completing basic law enforcement training at the Lake Technical Center, he joined the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in 1994. His work includes criminal investigations, uniform patrol, organized crime and intelligence, training director, community services, and public information.

As the current Chief Deputy, he worked closely with retiring Sheriff Gary Borders, who has endorsed his campaign for sheriff, since 2006.

Chief Grinnell earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice, a bachelor’s degree in organizational management, and is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Course (111th) at the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville.

He was a graduate of the 244th session of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia, and the Chief Executive Seminar (43rd), Florida Department of Law Enforcement, completed

Leadership Lake in 2008, and is a second-year graduate student at Columbia College.

“We have 700 of the most professional employees at the sheriff’s office, and they go to work with one thing on their mind—to serve the public.” Chief Grinnell says. “Thanks to their hard work and continued public support, we’ve seen a decrease in the crime rate.”

Giving back to the community is a vital part of Peyton’s job, including his work with the Boys & Girls Club of Lake and Sumter and the LakeSumter State College Foundation boards. He’s a life member of Veteran of Foreign Wars and also in American Legion Post 347 and the Lake County Conservative Founders Club. He is past president of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Institute.

He and his wife of 27 years, Jennifer, live in Lady Lake with their two children, Lauren, 21, and Blake, 15.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.PeytonForSheriff.com Like us on Facebook POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY PEYTON C. GRINNELL, REPUBLICAN, FOR LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF

III PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE III

Final thought // Mary Ann DeSantis

SIX DEGREES OF CONNECTION A dear friend told me years ago that I embodied the “six degrees of separation” theory more than anyone else she knew. This revelation came when she learned her son’s guitar instructor was my ex-father-in-law’s nephew—someone I barely knew. As time passed, she encountered more of my “connections,” leading her to the conclusion that I truly was the quintessential example of six degrees.

Originally based on the 1929 short story, “Chains,” by Frigyes Karinthy, the six-degrees theory states that all people are linked by six or fewer connections. A play and a movie, “Six Degrees of Separation” were released in the early 1990s, and many people who were in college then may remember the parlor game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” The movie star even launched the charity, SixDegrees.org, in 2007 to build on the popularity of the small world phenomenon and to raise money for charities.

My uncanny ability to find unlikely connections has served me well as a journalist and certainly made life interesting. This past summer was

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especially serendipitous for proving the six degrees’ theory is true.

First, there was a trip to Atlanta to attend a Jimmy Buffett concert with a good friend and fellow Parrothead. Since lots of traffic and a few Margaritas were going to be involved, we were fortunate one of her running buddies volunteered to drive us across town. I was surprised to learn this very nice gentlemen formerly worked for someone in Chicago who now lives in The Villages and is a good friend of my husband.

A week later, I was in the Turks and Caicos Isles dancing with a giant green conch at a weekly event that is a cultural street party, market-night, and fish fry all rolled into one. No, I didn’t have any connections to Mr. Conchman, but I was introduced to Dave Fenimore, founder of the popular event. When I handed Dave an Akers Media business card, he immediately asked if I was from Lake County. He had attended Florida Central Academy in Sorrento in the ’70s. That brief exchange of cards led to a longer interview, which gave me a local tie to a story I was writing.

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Shortly after I returned home, I met Style’s newest staff writer, Debbi Kiddy, who moved to Lake County from Orlando. When she told me that she had worked for AT&T, I asked her if she had known one of my very best friends who also worked there prior to her death. AT&T is huge, so what were the chances that Debbi knew my friend Deb? “She was my best friend, too,” Debbi said with a laugh as we shared “Deb stories.” These two ladies had even worked in the same department.

For a brief few moments, “our best friend” was with us, making sure we connected in a powerful way.

Today, with so many online connections, the six degrees of separation are shrinking rapidly. I think this is a good thing, and it offers hope to those who may feel disconnected from the mainstream. No matter how lonely we feel or how dark our journey might be at the moment, one of our connections might just be the key to putting us in touch with someone who can light the way—in fewer than six steps.

Minto Florida Communities

Premier locations.

Inspired lifestyles. Unbeatable new home values.

Enjoy the warm Florida sunshine year-round!

Minto offers an incomparable combination of exceptional communities and new home values that you’ll cherish for years to come.

This affordable alternative to Palm Beach County puts active adult resort living on the map!

6 NEW MODELS NOW OPEN!

Port St. Lucie

This friendly neighborhood you’ve always dreamed of features small town charm and amazing resort-style amenities. Enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment at the community’s own Tradition Square town center. Plus uncrowded beaches and championship golf are close by. Come discover LakePark’s vacation inspired lifestyle with a Stay & Play Getaway for only $229!*

Single-Family & Villa Homes from the $190s

(888) 730-9864 ~ mintofla.com

FLORIDA’S NEW

We saved the best for last!

TAMPA

SARASOTA

LAST CHANCE – FINAL PHASE! After 50 years as one of America’s most popular active adult communities, we’re celebrating the release of our final phase. Come experience all the pleasures of this Where to Retire Magazine Hall of Fame Community for only $229!* Tour 8 beautiful new model homes by Minto – Florida’s preeminent homebuilder.

Luxury Paired Villas & Single-Family Homes from the $190s

(888) 347-1779 ~ mintofla.com

For location, hours of operation and further details about our award-winning communities throughout Florida, visit mintofla.com.

Best Floor Plans for 50+ *Costs of trip including airfare and expenses will be reimbursed up to $500 after the buyer closes on a Minto home. Purchase must be made within 90 days of Stay & Play visit. Receipts for airfare and expenses must be submitted in order to be reimbursed for exact expenditures. The reimbursement cost is not to exceed $500. © Minto Communities, LLC 2016. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change without notice. Minto, the Minto logo, LakePark, the LakePark logo, Sun City Center and the Sun City Center logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC1519880 10/2016

Facelift Tummy Tuck Breast Augmentation Liposuction Eyelid Surgery Hair Transplant Botox & Injectable Fillers Spider Veins Chemical Peels

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons James Rogers DMD MD • Navinderdeep Nijher MD Leonik Ahumada MD FACS MEMBER OF American Society of Plastic Surgeons

MEMBER OF American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

C A L L U S T O D AY

(352) 750-0019 REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION

www.VillagesPlasticSurgery.com THE VILLAGES/DANA CENTER LOCATION 11950 CR 101, Suite 205, The Villages, FL 32162

OCALA/PADDOCK PARK LOCATION 3320 SW 34th Circle, Ocala, FL 34474