Style Magazine, Village Edition, August 2022

Best of the Best 2022

Y O U A S K E D F O R I T. S T Y L E I S D E L I V E R I N G .

AUG'22

VILLAGE EDITION

Village Heart & Vein Center VILLAGE HEART AND VEIN ALLOWS YOU TO BYPASS THE HOSPITAL FOR A MORE PERSONABLE AND SAFER SURGICAL SETTING.

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PERFORMANCE. IT’S WHAT WE’RE ABOUT. At Advanced Orthopedics Institute we specialize in hips, knees, shoulders, ankles, wrists...and tennis players.

We’re national leaders in reverse shoulder replacements for those whose rotator cuffs are no longer functioning, performing more in a year than most surgeons perform in a lifetime. We also have a full range of non-invasive procedures to help relieve shoulder pain and improve function.

Return to the activities you enjoy most.

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1400 N US Hwy 441, Suite 552 | The Villages, FL 32159 phone 352.751.2862 | fax 855.420.1047 | goaoi.com

Alfred J. Cook, Jr., MD

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Kathy had a Laser ImageLift. Results are typical and do vary.

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*Patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hrs of responding to ad for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.

AUG'22 V.18

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CONTENTS 1 of 2

FEATURES

038 Toddler Woods Millions of TikTok fans are following the exploits of 3-yearold Grady Simmons, a golfer extraordinaire swinging his way to social media stardom.

STORY: GARY CORSAIR

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Simply the best You asked for it. Style is delivering. It’s time to unveil our “Best of the Best,” a list of the best places and faces, businesses, events, restaurants, and medical services that Lake County has to offer.

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Don’t lose sight of children’s eye health August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Learn why wearing sunglasses during the day helps keep the ‘eye doc’ away.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

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TB

are.

C e W . n e t We Lis e.

We Educat

Liz Cornell, CAS®

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ANNUITIES 101 CALL TO REGISTER!

August 18th @ 9:30 a.m.

BROWNWOOD HOTEL & SPA 3003 BROWNWOOD BLVD, THE VILLAGES Seating is very limited and by RSVP only.

352.350.1161 | TBFinancialGroup.com 3261 U.S. Highway 441/27, Suite F-2, Fruitland Park, FL 34731 TB Financial Group Inc. is a licensed insurance agency for life, health, and annuities. We are not securities licensed. We are not tax advisors. Our seminars are very general in nature and not meant to replace the advice of your CPA, Tax Preparer, Investment Advisor or Attorney. We will not provide tax or legal advice.

Please consult your tax or legal professional for these matters.

AUG’22 V.18

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CONTENTS 2 of 2

DEPARTMENTS

first

019

022

THE HIT LIST 020 PERSON OF INTEREST 022 OUTSTANDING STUDENT 024 MEET A VILLAGER 026

agenda

024 077

073

TO-DO LIST 074 LOCAL TALENT 077 ATTRACTIONS 078 BOOK CLUB 080 HI, SOCIETY 082

healthy living

095

096

074

026 078

098

INSPIRATION 096 HEALTHY BODY 098

menu

105

112

106

IN THE KITCHEN 106 FORK ON THE ROAD 110 DINING GUIDE 112

110 Best of the Best 2022

YOU VOTED. NOW SEE THE RESULTS. AUG'22

L AKE & SUMTER

FROM THE PUBLISHER 014 FINAL THOUGHT 128

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E ON TH R C OV E

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Y O U A S K E D F O R I T. S T Y L E I S D E L I V E R I N G .

AUG'22

VILLAGE EDITION

Young golfer Grady Simmons swings for social media fame. Page 38

TikTok

columns

Best of the Best 2022

Mastering her art Meet painter Gina Tyquiengco.

Page 77

All aboard Boat tour unveils Lake’s picturesque waterways.

Page 78

Good pupils Maintaining children’s eye health.

Page 98

Village Heart & Vein Center VILLAGE HEART AND VEIN ALLOWS YOU TO BYPASS THE HOSPITAL FOR A MORE PERSONABLE AND SAFER SURGICAL SETTING.

Lake and Sumter Style

Village Edition

Design: Michael Gaulin Photo: Nicole Hamel On the Cover: Grady Simmons

On the Cover: Village Heart & Vein

My me

Doctor by heart

knows .

oks at o l r e i rds outur “Dr. C edical reco ing m o all my ws what’s g le o ho and kn h me as a w just on wit rather than e is H person rt patient. has d ea as a h rsonable an er.” n e very p edside man b illages great , The V orah — Deb

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352.674.2080 | villageheartandvein.com 8575 NE 138th Lane, Suite 203, Lady Lake 708 Physician Court, Suite 2, Leesburg

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Happy trails Don’t focus on the worst, let’s celebrate the best!

Kendra Akers Doug Akers

OWNER/PUBLISHER kendra@akersmediagroup.com

PRESIDENT doug@akersmediagroup.com

DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHY / EDITORIAL Michael Gaulin James Combs

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR michael@akersmediagroup.com

STAFF WRITER james@akersmediagroup.com

Volkan Ulgen Theresa Campbell

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR volkan@akersmediagroup.com

STAFF WRITER theresa@akersmediagroup.com

Megan Mericle Roxanne Brown

as prices continue rising, inflation has hit its highest mark in 40 years, mass shootings are becoming a weekly occurrence. And America is facing a historic crisis at its southern border.

I could go on, but I’d rather focus on the sunny side of life.

Staying energized and upbeat during these challenging times can be difficult. Yet, I believe in being optimistic even when the world around me isn’t. As bad as things are, there’s still so much to celebrate.

That’s why I’m overjoyed to bring you our 2022 “Best of the Best” issue!

For those of you who are new to our annual “Best of the Best” competition, each year we task our faithful readers to vote for their favorite medical providers, restaurants, events, hairstylists, and real estate agents in Lake County. We tabulate votes and publish the results in August.

I can say without hesitation that this is one of our most anticipated issues each year. Why? Because “Best of the Best” reminds everyone how blessed we are to live in a community with so many talented people. Tireless event organizers. Passionate restaurateurs. Caring medical providers.

Savvy businesspeople.

The list goes on and on. Simply put, we’re fortunate to have a vast amount of talent across a wide range of professions.

There was a time when we were primarily known for bass fishing and orange groves. Today, we’re home to four hospitals, the largest retirement community in the country, and a stateof-the-art Olympic training center. We host events such as Leesburg Bikefest, Pig on the Pond, and the Mount Dora Arts Festival that draw hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country.

Yes, the world can be a depressing place, but I feel blessed to live in my own little world of Lake County, where I’ve spent my entire life. Each day, I’m afforded the opportunity to interact with dedicated staff and intelligent businesspeople. On weekends, I can attend a local event and catch up with old friends. At night, I can visit one of our many magnificent restaurants and enjoy tantalizing culinary creations.

Try not to let the news dictate your mood. Choose optimism. Be thankful. Smile at someone and make their day.

Sincerely,

SENIOR DESIGNER megan@akersmediagroup.com

Shawnee Coppola Nicole Hamel

DESIGNER shawnee@akersmediagroup.com

Have a story to tell?

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER nicole@akersmediagroup.com

CO NT R I BU T I NG W RITER Kathy Porter Cindy Peterson CO NT R I BU T I NG E DIT OR Gary Corsair CO N T R I BU T I NG P H O T OG RA PHER Anthony Rao Cindy Peterson SALES

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M A R K E TING

Tim McRae

VICE PRESIDENT, SALES tim@akersmediagroup.com

Melanie Melvin Shaena Long

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING melanie@akersmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR shaena@akersmediagroup.com

A D M I N I S T R AT I ON Aubrey Akers Simmons

ACCOUNT & CLIENT SERVICES aubrey@akersmediagroup.com

D I S T R I BU T I O N Scott Hegg

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

Akers Media is a proud member of

Kendra

We’re always looking for stories about people who live and work in our area.

Send suggestions to editorial@akersmediagroup.com

STAFF WRITER roxanne@akersmediagroup.com

Winner of 200+ Awards for Excellence

Lake & Sumter Style. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2022 by Akers Media. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Akers Media. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call 352.787.4112. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Paid Promotional Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Melvin Mckee Melvin has been a salesperson for Vann Gannaway since 1989 and is retiring this month after 33 years of dedicated work!

HWY 441, Eustis FL 32726 / VGChevy.com / 352.343.2400

Who Are RBOI’s

Social Workers?

PA I D

PROM OT IO N A L

F E AT U R E

“B

lessed” is the word both Wendy Hall, LCSW and Amy Roberts, LCSW, use to describe how they feel about their work at the Robert Boisonneault Oncology Institute. Both have been licensed in clinical social work since the 1990s and have been at RBOI since 2011.

Both have a passion for advocacy. Wendy says that a priority at RBOI is to meet every person in treatment or every family as soon as possible. “When somebody’s calling in, we’re going to talk to them that day. People don’t fall through the cracks.”

Community outreach is key. “People who are financially in dire straits or devastated because of cancer know to call us,” she adds. For example, “I get calls from people who haven’t had a mammography.

They don’t have insurance and they wonder what to do. We can always get them a mammography. People have so many hurdles to fight dealing with the health care system. I just feel it’s imperative that we help walk people through these very stressful times in their life.”

As chair of the Cancer Alliance of Marion County, Amy works to ensure that everyone dealing with cancer, including their families, should have access to healthcare, mental health support, and resources during and after treatment. “The purpose of the

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Cancer Alliance is to determine what are the greatest needs for our cancer community, and then work together to improve the lives of those affected by cancer,” she says. Through this collaboration, Marion County’s agencies share resources and find solutions more quickly and efficiently.

While Amy sits on the board of HUGs Charities in Marion County, Wendy helped establish the Citrus Aid Cancer Foundation and sits on its board. Both organizations assist those in financial crisis during cancer treatment. “Keeping their lights running, keeping their bills paid, keeping gas in their car for treatment,” Amy explains.

Between them, they are certified in advanced hospice and palliative care, cancer navigation, grief therapy, mindfulness meditation, and tobacco cessation. They facilitate and co-facilitate support groups and wellness classes.

“We’re probably the only medical social workers that work in oncology outside of a hospital in Florida,” Wendy says. “And it’s because Dr. Anderson started his practice with that type of an approach, which I think is awesome. We really just like working together.”

You can reach Wendy at 352-527-0106 and Amy at 352-732-0277.

by the numbers

What does an Oncology Social Worker Do?

2004

Wendy Hall is named one of Citrus County’s Most Admired Women in Healthcare

Citrus County, Timber Ridge

2011

Amy Roberts, LCSW

Wendy Hall, LCSW

Amy and Wendy can help you: Make sure your health care needs are addressed Cope with emotional reactions around diagnosis and treatment Secure financial assistance, lodging, and transportation

Wendy Hall is named a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow for exceptional service

Coordinate with support agencies Deal with physical changes like fatigue, pain, sexual health issues, and sleep disorders Learn (and educate your loved ones) about your cancer and treatment Manage work concerns Make quality of life decisions in step with your treatment goals

2016

Our support is provided free of cost to the community, whether or not you have been treated at RBOI. Support can begin prior to diagnosis and extend far beyond the end of treatment. Call us to learn more.

Our on-site Licensed Clinical Social Workers meet with each patient to help them and their family members navigate through the physical, emotional, and practical demands of a cancer illness and also help connect them to additional and appropriate resources, support, and services.

Amy Roberts receives Florida Oncology Social Worker of the Year Award

Arrange for home health care, hospice care, and securing medical equipment Perform crisis intervention, including counseling related to grief and loss.

Ocala, The Villages

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home

2019 Amy Roberts receives the national Lane Adams Quality of Life Award

The Villages 352.259.2200 Ocala 352.732.0277 Timber Ridge 352.861.2400 Inverness 352.726.3400 Lecanto 352.527.0106 RBOI.com

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SWITCH TO USB!

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first PEOPLE. COMMENTARY. NEWS.

Talented student Jaydn Bowers has a ball achieving success in the classroom and on the softball field. She has a championship ring to prove it.

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THE HIT LIST

BACK TO SCHOOL TIME: Drivers, be on the lookout for school buses as the 2022-’23 school year begins this month. Lake County Schools’ first day of classes is Aug. 10, and Sumter County students head back to class on Aug. 15.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Despite no longer qualifying to receive funding for a free meals program, Lake County Schools announced it will continue providing free breakfast and lunch to all students into the 2022-’23 school year.

SUPPLYING SUCCESS: Leesburg Elementary and Eustis Elementary are two of six schools that won the XL 106.7 Baby DJ - School Supply Giveaway.

Johnny Magic, host of Johnny’s House Morning Show, created Baby DJ, Inc. (a non-profit) 30 years ago to assist the community in various ways. Johnny asked his listening audience to nominate a Central Florida Title I school to receive student supplies for the entire school. Leesburg Elementary and Eustis Elementary were selected from over 1,000 nominations.

LIVE MODEL DRAWING: Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 West Magnolia St., Leesburg, will ofter artists the opportunity to draw a clothed live model, 5:30-7 p.m., Aug. 17. The cost is $10 for CFA members, $15 for non-members. For information, contact Maria Stefanovic at 352.365.0232 or email director@leesburgcenterforthearts.com.

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BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES: You’re invited to assist Lake County Parks Dept. staff survey birds and butterflies that inhabit the county’s conservation areas at Lake May Reserve, 36300 County Road 44A, Eustis.

For more details about this free event at 7:30 a.m on Aug. 13, call Gallus Quigley at 352.253.4950 or email gquigley@lakecountyfl.gov.

ELECT TO VOTE: Election season is here. Don’t forget to exercise your American right and privilege to vote. The 2022 primary election is August 23. Early voting will be held August 11-20 at various sites throughout Lake County. Please check the Lake County Supervisor of Elections website lakevotes.com for a list of early voting locations.

GOING UP: Just call it the Rocky Mountains of Florida. Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, located off County Road 455 in Minneola, is a 132-foot elevated boardwalk that offers exceptional views of the 312-foot Sugarloaf Mountain, one of the highest points in peninsular Florida.

The overlook is ideal for bird and butterfly watching, with nearly 100 species of birds and 20 species of butterflies.

GET PADDLED IN PAISLEY: Nature lovers are invited to Ellis Acres Reserve, 25302 County Road 42, Paisley, at 9 a.m., Aug. 20, for an open house at the Nature Center.

You can hike the trail to Lake Akron, where kayaks and canoes will be available to paddle along the shoreline and enjoy nature.

Available seats are limited and will be on a first come, first serve basis. For more details, contact Wendy Poag at 352.516.7456 or email wpoag@lakecountyfl.gov.

BE BEARY AWARE: There has been an increase of black bear sightings near residential communities in Lake County. If you encounter a black bear, please follow these tips provided by the National Park Service.

1. Do not run. Bears chase fleeing animals.

2. Do not climb a tree. Black bears can also climb trees.

3. Make yourself look as large as possible.

4. Stay calm. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack.

SAY ‘NO’ TO HOT DOGS: The Humane Society of the United States reminds us that the summer months can be uncomfortable – even dangerous – for dogs and other pets.

The organization’s top tips for keeping pets safe in the heat include never leaving them in a parked car, limiting their outside exercise on hot or very humid days to early mornings or evenings, providing them with plenty of shade and water, watching for signs of heatstroke (plus seeking help immediately if needed), and walking pets on grass whenever possible, especially in the heat of the day when asphalt can be hot enough to burn their paws.

For additional tips and information visit humanesociety.org.

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PERSON OF INTEREST

PEO PLE

Brian Bulthuis Clermont’s new city manager breaks from retirement to live, work, play, and make a difference in Lake’s largest town.

VITAL STATS

INTERVIEWER: ROXANNE BROWN

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

• Born in Michigan • Family includes dad Ronald Bulthuis, brothers Scott and Doug Bulthuis, and son Brandon Bulthuis

• Holds bachelor’s in business administration and master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University

Career highlights: I worked for 25 years as the city manager of Acworth, Georgia, before retiring in July 2021.

Before that, I was city manager of Mount Morris, Michigan for six years, and assistant city manager of Whitehall, Michigan for three years.

I am a member of:

I applied for the city manager position in Clermont because:

The Atlanta Braves.

After retiring from Acworth, I was looking for a new challenge in a growing, dynamic community.

My favorite spots in Clermont include: Waterfront Park and the South Lake Trail.

The International City Management Association (ICMA), and the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA).

Favorite sports team: Four words that best describe me: Open-minded.

B R IA N M OV E D TO CLERM O N T IN D EC E M BER 2021

Purposeful. Pragmatic.

Adventurous.

Best advice I’ve ever been given: It’s OK to trust people.

Favorite destination I’ve traveled to: The Grand Canyon, because of its vastness and sheer beauty.

As city manager, I enjoy: Being able to see projects develop from an idea to completion.

Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan.

My vision/goal for Clermont:

On my bucket list: A trip to Hawaii.

I want to help with smart growth and provide the best possible services for our residents.

Words to live by: Always do the right thing – no matter what.

Know a person of interest? Tell us!

Email your recommendation to roxanne@akersmediagroup.com

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BEST OF THE

HOT

LIST

WINNER

OUTSTANDING STUDENT

PEO PLE

JAYDN BOWERS

L V I TA AT S ST

• 17 years old • Dual enrolled at Lake Sumter State College

Incoming Eustis High Senior inspires others with can-do attitude.

• Member of EHS 2021 State Champion Girls Softball Team • Part of EHS Girls Weightlifting Team • Silhouettes of Criterion Miss Debutante

PHOTO AND INTERVIEW: CINDY PETERSON

About being named Youth of the Year:

J AY D N

My future plans: I have always dreamed of attending Florida State University. I have plans of obtaining my associate degree in arts by the end of the summer going into my freshman year of college. After undergrad I want to go to medical school, and I have always had hopes to become a rheumatologist.

IS

A N AT Officially being IO N A L S O C IE TY OF named Boys & Girls H IG H SCHOO L SCHO Club of Central LARS MEMBE R Florida’s Youth of the Year was not only life changing, but the experience I had with all the youth created a drive in me to do whatever I could to inspire others.

Favorite movie: The Blindside because it is so easy to have prejudgment on people based off of where they come from and the way they look. This movie taught me to see the potential in everyone because that may be all someone needs in order to achieve ample accomplishments.

What I learned from the experience: I can stand for the fact that I will not back down from any fight. I can confidently say that for anything I truly want, I am going to do everything in my power to strive and get it.

A saying or mantra I live by: A quote that I will forever live by reads, “But with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26. This quote has created great qualities I have built in myself when it comes to faith, from confidence, patience, and most importantly strength, to giving me confirmation that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

Go-to restaurant: My all-

be at more than one place at a time.

time favorite restaurant is the Cheesecake Factory, and I will never walk out of there without Oreo Cheesecake!

My message to the world: Anyone is capable of anything. No matter what someone looks like, who they are, or where they come from, they 110% have the ability to accomplish spectacular things.

Know an outstanding student? Fill us in!

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If I could have one superpower, it would be: To have the ability to

Email your recommendations to editorial@akersmediagroup.com

17160 SE 104TH AVE, SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491 Dynamite Location! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS CUSTOM SALT WATER POOL HOME perfectly nestled in Bridle Trail Estates Equestrian Community on 2.7 manicured acres, three board fencing, decorative wrought iron electric gated entrance, expansive split bedroom layout, volume ceilings and bonus rooms. Completely remodeled with new roof, A/C, water heater, garage and interior doors, hardware, pool screen enclosure, Gourmet Kitchen, two-sided gas fireplace, barn doors, ship lap, crown molding, chair railing, hand-scraped wood looking ceramic tile floors, beautifully remodeled guest bath, 30 AMP RV outlet , gutters, downspouts, water softener, oversized garage, pull-down attic stairs, attic storage, epoxy finished garage floor, large shed, single carport, landscape curbing, fresh “green granite” rocks, plants and shrubs all around the home.

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11137 SE 174TH LOOP, SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491 Beautiful and “Turn Key” FURNISHED! 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, plus Den nestled on a perfectly manicured corner homesite in the Hills of Stonecrest, 55+ Active Adult Community. Many features include: architectural details, vaulted ceilings, vinyl plank flooring, spacious kitchen, solar tubes, inside laundry, drinking water filtration, recess lighting, enclosed lanai,attic access, pull-down attic stairs, ceiling fans,Roof (2018), attic fan, water heater (2018), A/C 2018, gutters and downspouts. Come live the dream, right here enjoying all of the amenities Stonecrest has to offer! $290,000 | MLS# G5057521

8201 SW 132ND LOOP, OCALA, FL 34473 BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION! Fabulous 3 bedroom, 2 bath, open and spacious, split bedroom home in Marion Oaks. Featuring; block and stucco, walk-in closets in all the bedrooms, interior laundry room, vaulted ceilings, insulated double pane windows, knockdown textured walls and ceilings, blinds, beautiful kitchen, island, self-closing doors and drawers, closet pantry, breakfast bar, and stainless steel appliances. This home is conveniently located near shopping, medical, restaurants and I-75. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE 7/31/2022. $259,927 | MLS# G5056771

Sharon Bassett, Owner/Broker 352.307.2925 / BassettPremierRealty.com Spruce Creek Professional Plaza / 10935 SE 177th Place, Suite 201, Summerfield

MEET A VILLAGER

PEO PLE

Capturing moments Valerie Begley keeps busy photographing fellow Villagers, pets, families, events, and weddings.

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

hotography has been a lifelong passion for Valerie Begley, who delights in living in The Villages where she continues “capturing the joys of life.”

She’s in demand to photograph family groups, couples, portraits, weddings, special events, pets, etc.

And she loves doing it all, including the hours she spends after photo shoots editing each image and “making everybody look good.”

Valerie regards portrait photography as her specialty, and she enjoys incorporating special effects, costumes or props to reflect her subjects’ interests. In one photo shoot of a Villages couple’s vintage 1920s car, the owners were dressed in Gatsby-style attire, and Valerie enhanced the portrait with a backdrop of an art deco window from the Savannah Center.

“I love the creativity of it, and it’s challenging. I fell in love with photography when I was 10.”

After graduating with a degree in photography, she worked in the photo/ graphics department of Procter & Gamble for 20 years.

She’s now active in The Villages Photography Club, where she serves as a mentor, and relishes being

around fellow award-winning photographers who are happy to share their expertise. The group is a “teaching club,” she says.

Valerie also serves as a team leader of The Villages Butterfly Club, and she enjoys enhancing her butterfly photos to look like paintings with little touches of glittery sparkles.

She also paints photo mats with watercolor designs to complement the butterfly photos.

“One thing I really want to do is more glamour-type of photography, and fantasy photos,” says Valerie, adding that she’d love to partner with a makeup artist for these shoots.

Valerie and her husband, William, moved to The Villages 12 years ago from Winchester, Kentucky. The pair initially toured different southern states and other parts of Florida before they were told to check out The Villages.

“We had a personal tour with a Realtor in February 2010 and made arrangements to come back in April to do The Villages Lifestyle Preview Plan,” recalls Valerie. “And on that trial visit, we ended up buying a house the first day!”

To see some of Valerie’s photographs or for contact information, visit valeriebegley.com.

Know an interesting Villager? Fill us in!

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≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

Email your recommendations to editorial@akersmediagroup.com

ON THEIR TOES Anyone suffering from pain below the knee can take an important step by visiting Ankle and Foot Center of Central Florida.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

hether it’s a sports injury, a fracture, arthritis, diabetic ulcer, or a congenital deformity; foot and ankle issues can be debilitating to someone’s quality of life. Nobody wants to be bedridden with debilitating pain or limp to the kitchen just to get a glass of water.

Fortunately, the skilled team of podiatrists at Ankle and Foot Center of Central Florida use the most innovative surgical and non-surgical techniques at their state-of-the-art Tavares facility.

That team includes Dr. Joanne Balkaran, Dr. Larry Suecof, and Dr. Rikesh Patel. They work together to provide the highest quality of compassionate, patient-centered care.

There’s another benefit to patients. The doctors vary in their specialty areas.

Dr. Balkaran treats pediatric patients and performs both reconstructive and minimal-incision surgeries. Dr. Suecof focuses exclusively on wound care. Both Dr. Balkaran and Dr. Suecof are certified wound care specialists. Dr. Patel, who recently joined the practice, concentrates on treating fractures in the leg, ankle and foot trauma. He also treats patients in the hospital. Dr. Balkaran and Dr. Patel specializes in trauma, deformity correction and sports-related injuries and trained under the same mentor at Palmetto General Hospital in Miami.

“We have three doctors who subspecialize in different areas,” Dr. Balkaran says. “That is particularly important for patients who come to our practice because they can switch

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doctors if their diagnosis require someone who is more specialized in a certain area. Patients can also have peace of mind knowing that we have a high level of expertise under one roof, allowing us to successfully treat all problems below the knee.”

The doctors at Ankle and Foot Center of Central Florida also utilize a vast array of treatment options, ranging from surgical to non-surgical techniques. For instance, minimally invasive surgery allows patients to undergo an in-office procedure under local anesthesia. Unlike traditional foot and ankle surgery, it does not require a long incision with plates, screws, or some other form of hardware and long, non-weight bearing periods.

“We have a surgical suite, so we can perform minimally invasive surgeries in our office,” Dr. Balkaran says. “When surgery is performed through tiny incisions, patients enjoy less scarring and a faster recovery time. In fact, patients are usually up and walking within a few days. Before we perform any surgery, we want to make sure patients have proper healing potential. That’s why we perform circulation testing and bone panel in order to optimize the bone healing process.

We’re not going to perform surgery on patients if they’re not going to benefit it.”

Of course, not all conditions and injuries require surgery.

In some cases, the podiatrists use regenerative medicine to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. A Class 4 Multiwave Locked System (MLS) laser that is FDA approved uses concentrated light to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow to promote healing, and eliminate pain. The laser can treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, arthritis, tendinitis, tendon tears, sprains, and wound care.

Other regenerative treatments include adipose injections into the fat of the foot to repair diseased or injured tissue.

These injections can also be used to treat diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and tunnelling wounds. A separate procedure call platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, uses injections of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate healing of tendon tears and muscle tears. Also, Hyaluronic acid joint injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis. It’s a natural part of the fluid that helps lubricate and cushion joints to work smoothly.

The doctors at Ankle and Foot Center of Central Florida also utilize conservative treatments. They are licensed to dispense medical supplies such as scooters, knee walkers, braces and walking boots for post-operative care, as well as compression socks, custom orthotics, foot products and orthopedic arch supports. In addition, a prosthetist comes to the practice to measure patients and custom-make diabetic inserts and shoes.

“We provide a full spectrum of coverage at our practice,” Dr. Balkaran says. “We offer conservative treatment, alternative treatment to surgery, and we can perform minimally invasive surgeries in the office and more invasive extensive surgeries in the hospital setting. We also follow patients who are in the hospital from admission to discharge. Once they return to our office and we follow them through till they are healed.”

For Dr. Balkaran, providing medical care to patients comes with a big dose of empathy. She lost her father when she was 19 and recently lost her mother to breast cancer. She treats her patients with the same kind of care and compassion. And her patients are not

L-R: Dr. Rikesh Patel, Dr. Joanne Balkaran, Dr. Larry Suecof

limited to the United States. Dr. Balkaran has completed medical mission trips in Jamaica, Santo Domingo, and Trinidad.

Moreover, she provides consultation to patients and doctors abroad.

“On those mission trips, you don’t have all the luxuries you have here to make a surgery happen, so you learn to

compromise or improvise and make the best of the situation,” she says. “However, it’s all worth it because the people are so grateful. They wouldn’t have been able to afford the surgery otherwise.”

She encourages every doctor to experience the joy of mission work if the opportunity arises.

Ankle and Foot Center of Central Florida is located at 1865 Nightingale Lane in Tavares.

For more information, call 352.383.7718 or visit theankleandfootcenter.com.

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IT CAN HAPPEN IN an instant

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE Last year alone there were more than 56,000 distracted driving crashes in the state of Florida. Of those crashes 300 individuals died and another 2,700 suffered from serious bodily injury.

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TEXTERS more

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You want a healthcare partner who makes life easier. With Orlando Health Medical Group FHV Health, you get access to comprehensive primary, heart and vascular care tailored to your needs. With locations in your

community, we promise a lifetime of convenient care with a human touch.

For care, closer to you, choose Orlando Health.

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I N T R O D U C I N G

90 Second Style Spotlight New episodes premier every Friday on the Style and LSTV Digital Facebook pages.

With host Marc Robertz-Schwartz

Listen to the Style Spotlight every hour on the hour all weekend long on:

Red Apples Media production support provided by:

WE ARE GROWING! PL E ASE D T O ANN O U N C E A D D I T I O N A L S TA FF & E X PA N S I O N O F B U S I N E S S H O U R S Citrus Hearing Clinic is a locally owned and operated full-service audiology clinic treating patients of all ages. Founded by Dr. Laura Pratesi, Au.D., a bilateral hearing aid user herself, Citrus Hearing Clinic specializes in aural rehabilitation, tinnitus management, balance therapy, cochlear implant mapping, hearing aid fittings and patient education. Our goal is to better understand your listening needs and provide patient-centered care in order for you to make the most well-informed decisions about your hearing healthcare.

NEW PROVIDER: Dr. Teresa J. Parsons graduated from the University of South Florida receiving both her Doctorate of Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) in 2020 and Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders in 2016. You may recognize Dr. Teresa from when she worked as a student clinician with us in the spring of 2019. Now, Dr. Teresa has moved to Clermont to rejoin the Citrus Hearing Clinic team.

Lisanne Strauss has received her certification to be a licensed Audiology Assistant. Lisanne will be helping clean and repair hearing aids, review history and medical changes, and assistance with connectivity and accessories for your hearing devices.

Now open 5 days a week!

Mon - Fri

9:00am - 5:00pm We are HEAR for you!

352.989.5123

835 Seventh St, Suite 2, Clermont

DISABILITY CONSULTANTS

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WE MAKE SSDI EASY!

ALSO OFFERING HELP WITH MEDICARE INSURANCE PLANS

352.326.5009 CHRIS BELL, A.D.R. | JEFF BELL, A.D.R.

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CBELL.COM | 101 E BERCKMAN ST, FRUITLAND PARK | 1020 NE 8TH AVE, OCALA

Michael and Dawn Dolan

THE NEXT GENERATION

of boating Holiday Marine in Leesburg creates a pathway to help customers get out on the water or buy their dream boat.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

magine riding through the Dora Canal and seeing blue herons standing statue-like under a cypress tree dripping with Spanish moss.

Picture yourself fishing on Lake Eustis when a largemouth bass suddenly strikes your lure. You reel as hard as you can and finally catch the trophy bass you’ve dreamed about for years.

Visualize yourself cruising Lake Harris on a pontoon boat celebrating your birthday with family members and friends You’re immersed in great conversation and share lots of laughs.

These possibilities can be much more than an exercise in imagination.

Even if you don’t own a boat, Michael Dolan and his wife, Dawn, can help get you on the water and create memories that last a lifetime. The Dolans are owners of Leesburg-based Holiday Marine, a company that has kept Central Floridians afloat since 1949. They purchased the company from Michael’s parents one year ago and officially became owners on July 1, 2021.

Since that time, they’ve created Holiday Marine Group, which encompasses the dealership, a boat club named Adventure Boat Share, and a boat rental company called Lake Harris Boat Rentals.

There are many advantages to renting boats or becoming a boat club member.

It’s certainly easier on a boater’s wallet because you can skip the insurance premiums and forget about maintenance and repair costs. Moreover, boats are unlike any other vehicle because they require some training and experience to operate. It’s a great way to learn how to safely drive boats and successfully navigate busy waterways.

The Dolans find that some Holiday Marine Group customers follow a common path. They start out renting boats, later become club members, and then purchase their own boat. Michael and Dawn offer them incentives.

“If you are renting boats and decide to join our club, we’ll deduct the rental free from the Boat Club initiation fee,” Michael says. “And if you join the club and decide to buy a boat, we’ll let you use your initiation fee toward the purchase of a boat at our dealership. Simply put, we offer you different options to get you on the water regardless of what your needs are.”

ADVENTURE

BOAT SHARE Days spent out on the water boating bring about some of the most memorable times in one’s life. Unfortunately, the cost of boat

ownership hinders many people from creating these memories.

However, Adventure Boat Share offers an opportunity to newcomers to enjoy the boating lifestyle. The club is geared toward individuals looking for a more accessible, affordable option, as well as former boat owners who prefer boating without the responsibilities of ownership.

Members pay a one-time initiation fee and then monthly dues. Members have to pay for their fuel used, however, all other expenses are covered, including maintenance, insurance, dock fees, and cleaning. From there, all club members have to do to enjoy a day on the water from sunrise to sunset is make a reservation and show up at one of the company’s four locations: Lake Harris, Lake Griffin, Lake Dora, and Crystal River.

Adventure Boat Share’s fleet includes everything from pontoon boats, bass boats, bowriders, pontoons, sailboats, deck boats, and bass boats with trolling motors and fish finders.

“If you’re a club member, you can do whatever you want out on the water, whether it’s skiing, fishing, or riding around,” Michael says. “It’s a hasslefree experience because you don’t have to worry about storing, cleaning, or

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Adventure Boat Share

Lake Harris Boat Rentals

HOLIDAY MARINE

SALES AND SERVICE Holiday Marine Sales

maintaining your boat afterward. You just show up, take the boat out, come back, and get in your car. We call it the next generation of boating.”

LAKE HARRIS

BOAT RENTALS Of course, many people may only take a boat out once or twice a year at most and cannot justify paying monthly fees to belong in a boat club. For those boaters, Lake Harris Boat Rentals comes in handy.

Lake Harris Boat Rentals, located at Venetian Cove Marina in Leesburg, utilizes a fleet of boats separate from Adventure Boat Share. Instead of a membership, boaters are billed by the hour and have the convenience of doing everything online, including reservations, payments, and signing waivers. The fleet includes pontoon boats specially made for cruising or fishing that can be rented for four or eight hours. Fuel is included in cost.

“Our boat rental company is great for special occasions such as anniversaries or birthday parties,” Michael says. “This is the fastest way for you to get on the water and allow you to cruise the lakes with comfort and convenience.”

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Customers come to Holiday Marine for multiple reasons. Maybe they’re browsing at the wonderful selection of new, shiny boats. Others may be there for maintenance work. And some may show up with intent to purchase a boat.

Regardless of their reason for visiting, customers leave with a smile that beams with pride—a smile created by the hospitality and friendliness of the Holiday Marine team.

There’s a reason for this. Michael and Dawn understand that happy employees create happy customers.

They believe that camaraderie and

collaboration are the building blocks of a functional, productive, and engaged team. Therefore, they go above and beyond to foster a strong sense of spirit and teamwork.

It’s common for the Holiday Marine team to spend a fun-filled night together out on the town. That may entail eating dinner at a restaurant, going to a local bowling alley, or playing miniature golf.

Each Friday, Michael and Dawn host a game where employees spin a wheel and win gift cards.

“These activities get everybody together,” Dawn says. “They create strong intercompartmental relationships and help our employees feel connected to their job and their colleagues.”

Holiday Marine is a Yamaha 5-star Certified Marine dealership featuring an award-winning service department. They are very proud to announce the addition of a master marine technician with over 25-years’ experience. The company sells boats from leading manufacturers such as Ranger, Monaco, Hurricane, Sweetwater, NauticStar, and Bayliner.

A CLOSE-KNIT

FAMILY

Michael is a Lake County resident and 2001 graduate of Leesburg High School. Dawn graduated from West Orange High School in 2002.

The Dolans, who have been together since 2014 and are proud parents to three children, are deeply rooted in their Christian faith. “We owe everything to God,” Dawn says, “We strive to glorify him in all we do.”

Michael spent 15 years working at the dealership under his parents and eventually was promoted to general manager.

Dawn, formally an elementary teacher, joined Holiday Marine to

work alongside Michael full-time and is excited about her role.

“I love the freedom and being involved in several different aspects of our business operations throughout the day,” says Dawn. “It’s very exciting for me to help our customers fulfill their dream of boat ownership and get them on the water.”

Michael and Dawn are excited about the future. They are currently working on improvements at the dealership, adding more boat lines, investing in more club locations, and growing their fleet. Put your sunglasses on because the future is looking very bright at Holiday Marine Group.

Holiday Marine Group headquarters is located at 1126 N. Blvd. in Leesburg. For more information, call 352.787.4824 or visit www.deckboats.com.

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TikTok TODDLER Videos propel a 3-year-old boy to social media stardom. #Story: Gary Corsair #Photos: Nicole Hamel

+ 6.9M

468

72.8K

Austin and Grady Simmons

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“Whatever he wants to do, he puts his mind to it.

He figures it out.

He’s a determined little boy.”

—AUBREY AKERS SIMMONS

rady Simmons.

Remember the name.

There’s a strong probability you’ll be hearing it again.

And again, and again, and …

Grady the Golfing Great. Or BassBustin’ Grady. Maybe Grandstand Grady, baseball slugger. Or … you get the idea.

“He’s a natural, not just with golf but anything he wants to do,” says Grady’s mother, Grand Island resident Aubrey

Akers Simmons. “Whatever he wants to do, he puts his mind to it. He figures it out. He’s a determined little boy.”

You’re probably thinking, “Suurrreee he is. Every mom has an inflated opinion of their kid.”

That may be so, but millions of people agree that Aubrey and husband Austin Simmons’ blue-eyed, blond-haired firstborn son is truly special.

That’s no misprint. Three-and-a-halfyear-old Grady “Bubba” Simmons has millions of admirers.

Most of his fanbase live in cyberspace, on TikTok, a short-form video sharing app with 500 million monthly active users.

Aubrey barely qualifies as an “active user.” “Casual user” would be a better description.

“I just thought I’d put one video on TikTok and it went viral,” Aubrey recalls. “I decided to post another one, and it also went viral.”

Grady’s mom didn’t realize the power of TikTok. “A recent study showed that the average watch time was two-and-a-half hours a day,” says Jason McDonald, author of the Social Media Marketing Workbook 2022. “It’s very addictive.

You just swipe and look through it and your brain is getting a little dopamine rush. It’s kind of like a drug

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“He was born with it. He’s a natural. He just has natural hand-eye coordination.”

—“PAP PAP” DEAN SIMMONS

pusher – it figures out what you like and gives you more of it.”

In the case of Grady the Golfing Great, his videos were pushed to TikTokers who enjoy golf videos and to people who like watching kids do grown-up things.

“Viral,” for those of you thought TikTok was the sound made by a grandfather clock, relates to an image, video, piece of information, etc., that is circulated rapidly and widely from one internet user to another.

In accordance, the debut video Aubrey posted captured 18-monthold Grady sitting on the lap of his grandfather, “Pap Pap” Dean Simmons, “helping” him drive a zero-turn riding lawn mower (blade disengaged).

A year later, Grady became a bonafide TikTok sensation.

“I didn’t really know what TikTok was,” Austin recalls. “Aubrey was like, ‘Let me record him.’ He was hitting balls in the front yard, still in his diaper. It was first thing in the morning.”

After Aubrey augmented the adorable video with a snippet from a song by country singer Walker Hayes, things really went crazy.

“That’s when we posted the first golf video,” Aubrey says. “He went from having 8,000 watchers to 22.9 million of the golf video. It was crazy. My husband was like, ‘Take that video off.’”

For those of you scoring at home, the population of the State of Florida is 22 million. Imagine every person in the Sunshine State glued to a video of a kid in a diaper hitting a golf ball, long and straight.

It was certainly hard for Austin to fathom.

“My wife is social media conscious, but I really didn’t pick up on the TikTok thing. I was a little iffy at first,” Austin says.

Austin got educated in a hurry. “A lot of people told me, ‘I saw the video.’

It took off.”

At least a few people were introduced to the pint-sized TikTok sensation by grandpa Dean.

“Pap Pap is very proud. He’ll show videos to people he doesn’t even know,” Aubrey says.

Millions found Grady all by themselves.

Grandma Teresa Simmons, aka NiNi, will never forget the moment she realized Grady was an internet celebrity.

“We were at the pet store when this young lady says, ‘That’s the little boy from TikTok!’ She recognized him right away.”

The craziness reached a new level when companies began sending Aubrey products because they considered her “an influencer.” Each gift-giver intimated that they wouldn’t mind if Aubrey made a video of Grady using their product.

Talent agencies also offered to help build the little golfer’s following and Fox News even sought an interview.

Aubrey made a few videos, but said no to most companies, all would-be promoters and Fox News. No, no, no.

“It’s cool to get the products, but being an influencer is a full-time job, and I don’t want that,” remarks Aubrey, who works in an office two days a week. “I’m not the influencer type. We like to be behind the scenes.”

Aubrey wouldn’t fret for a second if Grady’s followers dropped from 22 million to 22 friends and family members – the intended audience of every video she posted on TikTok. Aubrey never envisioned her videos going viral. After all, there are lots of cute kids on TikTok. But videos of cute kids doing grown up things? Not so much.

“I’ve never seen any kid I’ve been around – except children of professional athletes – who can hit a ball like he does. He smokes it,” says Dean, a pretty good golfer himself. “He was born with it. He’s a natural. He just has natural hand-eye coordination.”

Austin says, “I’m proud because I know how hard golf is and Grady has totally grasped it. He hits the ball straight every time. I don’t hit it straight every time.”

Grady was just 13 months old when he opened Pap Pap’s eyes. “He was at the house swinging a little plastic club and hitting it pretty good,” Dean recalls. “Me and Teresa went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and bought him real clubs with special grips. And it went from there.”

Austin had already reached that conclusion.

CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE

Aubrey, Grady, Austin, and JoJo Simmons

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“That’s when I first started working with him,” Austin says. “It’s all been play and fun.

For now, it’s just going to be for fun.”

“Work” is a misnomer. Time with dad and golf clubs, whether in the front yard of the Simmons’ Grand Island home, or at the nearby Wedgewood Golf Course, is play all the way.

Left unsaid is the possibility that golf may someday be Grady’s line of work.

“People on TikTok call him Toddler Woods,” Aubrey says with a chuckle.

Thankfully, Grady is too young to feel the weight of being compared to the great Tiger Woods, who shot a 48 for nine holes at age 3, was featured in Golf Digest at age 5, and has earned roughly $118 million playing professional golf tournaments.

Speaking of tournaments, Grady’s played in a few. No foolin’.

“He plays with his dad and Pap Pap in tournaments. He plays best ball and he stays strong,” Aubrey says.

Austin says they’ll consider sending Grady to golf camp when he turns 5, but they’ll be perfectly happy if he loses interest in golf by then.

Aubrey and Austin say they absolutely will not pressure Grady either way.

“His dad is excited to see him grow into an athlete, but his education will come first,” Aubrey says. “We will let our children be what they want to be — with guidance and within reason, of course.”

That’s right, children. And little sister JoJo also appears to have a bright future.

“She’s 17 months old and she’s a daredevil.

She’ll climb all kinds of things,” Aubrey reveals. “And she follows Bubba around and does whatever he does.”

That includes golf.

“JoJo is coming up in the shadows of Grady,” Dean claims. “She’s going to be something!”

Could the Simmons kids one day rival the brother/sister golfing tandem of Carolina and Eugenio Chacarra, the Madrid, Spain siblings who won collegiate golf tournaments within three days of each other in February?

Grady and JoJo have a good start, but a lot can happen in the next 15 years.

Austin’s take: “We’ll see what’s best for him.

I want him to do what he wants to do.”

What Grady wants – right now – is … everything.

“It’s not just golf; he enjoys any kind of sports. He’s really into fishing at the moment,” Aubrey says.

“I’m proud because I know how hard golf is and Grady has totally grasped it.”

—AUSTIN SIMMONS

Fishing. Baseball.

Kicking balls. Driving – yes, driving – zero-turn mowers and Can-Ams. Forget Tiger Woods. Grady may become the next Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson.

“He’s not a kid who sits around and plays video games,” Dean said.

Today, Grady excels at sports. But his parents and grands are also seeing talents beyond hand-eye coordination.

“You kind of show him one little thing and he’ll pick right up on it. And he just has the biggest personality,” NiNi says. “The other night I made him his favorite food, rice with alfredo sauce and he said, ‘This is good, NiNi.’ And he gave me a thumbs up. He gave me the name NiNi; I was supposed to be Grammy.”

Speaking of Grammys, don’t be surprised if Grady wins one.

“He’s a great kid. His personality is over the top.

He’s a wild man,” Austin says.

Scientist? Statesman?

Professor? Movie star?

President of the United States of America? Whatever is in his future can wait.

“We have discussed future steps, but he’s only 3-anda-half years old. We’ll have to get advice when he gets older,” Aubrey says.

Grady’s biggest fans don’t focus on what Bubba will become; they’re concerned with who he will be.

“I love watching him hit golf balls, but you never know, he might get tired of golf and give it up,” Dean muses.

“Whatever he decides to do, as long as he’s healthy and

doing well in school, that’s all that matters.”

“I think he’ll be a good role model,” Aubrey says.

Having a TikTok sensation has been fun, but it’s not fulfilling; it’s nothing compared to being the mother of a precocious, 41-inch tall dynamo who can’t go a waking hour without asking, ‘Why?’

“I’m a proud mama,” Aubrey says. “I feel like I’m living a dream. We’re determined to enjoy each day with our children. You blink and it’s gone.”

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Your heart is in the right place Village Heart and Vein offers a one-stop shop for elite cardiac care...hospital not required.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

“I’m very grateful for our staff, our doctors, our facilities, and proud because I see our patients so happy and healthy, and if your patients are satisfied, then it makes you feel like, ‘OK, nice, we were really able to do a good thing.’”

—DR. GEORG COUTURIER

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death, above all cancers, for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

With that in mind, Village Heart and Vein, a full-service cardiology group located in Lady Lake, has been focused on prevention since the day it opened its doors more than 12 years ago.

Dr. Georg Couturier, the group’s founder and head cardiologist, says it’s very important for people in their 50s or 60s, even if not having obvious symptoms, to undergo a cardiac evaluation and to establish a baseline for future health comparisons. People with a known family history of heart

disease should also be seen by a cardiologist since it’s hereditary.

“The point is prevention. You really want to be working on things before they happen. You want to prevent the stroke, you want to prevent the heart attack, prevent the stents,” says Dr. Couturier. “It makes a big difference, especially since the alternative is waiting until you have your first heart attack or stroke, and then it’s too late.”

The award-winning doctor adds that since the practice is located so near The Villages, many of their patients are interested in keeping hearthealthy to remain active and enjoy their retirement doing all the things they love.

“People can’t go back in time to undo things that may have contributed to heart damage, and they certainly

can’t help it if heart disease runs in their family, so we encourage that everybody, especially as they get older, get an assessment of where their heart stands,” adds Dr. Couturier. “Then, if we need to address issues, work on reversing any damage, or focus on certain preventatives, we can get started immediately.”

HERE TO STAY Dr. Couturier has been practicing cardiology for over 20 years, so when he opened Village Heart and Vein in 2010, it was an extension of what he was already so passionate about.

His vision started with aligning himself with like-minded doctors at the top of their fields so that together, they could provide residents of

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surrounding communities with the best care possible in every branch of cardiology, electrophysiology, vascular and arterial medicine.

Today, the practice has become a staple in the area it serves, and all the credit goes to the foundation from which the group was founded, the technology and state-of-the-art equipment it incorporates, and a longterm commitment from the group’s team of dedicated doctors, which as of Aug. 1, grew by one to make six.

The doctors work hand-in-hand to serve each patient, regardless of their needs, with quality care under one roof with help from the group’s nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

“We take a comprehensive approach to cardiology that with it, encompasses many fields, including electrophysiology, general cardiology, invasive cardiology and interventional cardiology, so that patients with any cardiac disease can be taken care of in our office by people in our office,” Dr. Couturier says. “We’re able to take care of all the functionalities of the heart, all

the problems and all the conditions the heart can create, along with all your vascular and arterial needs.

Robert Howard, Village Heart and Vein’s practice administrator, says the group is proud of the footprint it

they are met with respect, knowledge and a full staff eager to attend to their every need.

“Our doctors not only show care with the patients in the room to be seen, but they have a staff with the ability to

“Village Heart and Vein is a collaboration of six established doctors who for years, successfully cared for patients individually.”

— R O B E R T H OWA R D

has established in The Villages and beyond by taking the practice from a sole doctor to a team of six who all beat as one.

“Village Heart and Vein is a collaboration of six established doctors who for years, successfully cared for patients individually,” says Robert.

“Since then, the doctors, committed to taking cardiac patient care to a whole other level, have come on board to lend their expertise and help grow our practice into what it is today.”

With that, perhaps the greatest part of the team is that each and every doctor at Village Heart and Vein takes pride in building solid relationships with patients.

Regardless of whether a patient calls with questions, requires additional assistance after a visit, or comes to the office to be seen for an appointment,

communicate with them when needs arise outside of normal office visits,” Robert explains.

TOP-NOTCH OUTPATIENT FACILITY In this day and age, a trip to the hospital for an emergency or surgical procedure is riskier and more complicated than ever.

Patients of Village Heart and Vein, however, need not worry about the possibility of an unwanted hospital stay.

Instead, the group has a partnership with an outpatient cardiac surgical center – a state-of-the-art facility in Wildwood designed for outpatient surgery called Outpatient Surgery Center of Central Florida – where its doctors can perform any procedure

MEET OUR DOCTORS GEORG COUTURIER M.D., FACC, CARDIOLOGY

that can be performed in a hospital but in a manner that is more enjoyable, more personalized, safer, and less expensive.

Patients are also discharged on the same day following most procedures.

“The surgical center is very, very good and we are very proud to have it. People love it and they tell me all the time that it’s the best experience they’ve ever had,” Dr. Couturier says, explaining that the surgery center is not only equipped with all the latest technology and state-ofthe-art equipment, but is an accredited facility with accredited cardiologists.

Procedures performed there are heart catheterization, pacemaker

implants, stenting of the heart, loop implant, surgery for peripheral artery disease, and many more.

Dr. Couturier, after 12 years of molding, shaping, and successfully growing Village Heart and Vein, and being able to partner with the other doctors involved in the surgical center says: “I’m very grateful for our staff, our doctors, our facilities, and proud because I love seeing our patients so happy and healthy because if they’re satisfied, then it makes you feel like, ‘OK, nice, we were really able to do a good thing.’”

SAROJ TAMPIRA M.D., FACC, INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY VATSAL INAMDAR M.D., ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY CHRISTOPHER JONES M.D., CLINICAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY VISALI KODALI M.D., CARDIOLOGY SAURABH PATEL M.D., INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY

352.674.2080 | villageheartandvein.com 8575 NE 138th Lane, Suite 203, Lady Lake | 708 Physician Court, Suite 2, Leesburg

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

E B OF THE

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

ST THE READERS HAVE SPOKEN, AND HERE ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST.

No doubt you’ll find some of your favorites on this annual list. The best of everything in Lake and Sumter counties.

Want to see the full list of results? Check it out at lakeandsumterstyle.com

Key: Percentage of total votes in category, *Runner-up | Check the full list at lakeandsumterstyle.com

CARDIOLOGIST

AUDIOLOGY

Dr. Theresa Mills, Cardiovascular Associates 18.90% Dr. Samuel Goss, *Cardiovascular Associates

Lake Ear, Nose & Throat 76.24% *Citrus Hearing Clinic

17.73% CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Jeffrey Glover, Glover Chiropractic 22.99% Dr. Jonathan Wise, *Wise Chiropractic 20.47%, DENTAL HYGIENIST

Ashley Morton, Main Street Dentist 29.56% Mary Brooker, Main Street *Dentist & Tavares Dentist

12.42%

MASSAGE THERAPIST

ONCOLOGIST

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE/ NUTRITIONIST

Gretta Ellis, Ellis Integrative Medicine 50.03% Esarey, Total Nutrition *&Lori Therapuetics

Dr. Maen Hussein, Florida Cancer Specialists 37.34% *Dr. Jennifer Cultrera, Florida Cancer Specialists

49.97%

24.63%

Dawn Coulliette, Mia Bella Salon & Spa 31.33% Diedre Healey, *Hand & Stone Massage

OPTOMETRIST

Dr. Glenn Pieschke, Mid Florida Eye Center 37.70% *Dr. Adria Young, Lake Eye Associates

22.39% PHYSICAL THERAPIST

31.47%

Cheryl Harris, Lake Centre For Rehab 39.65% David Moulder, *Mount Dora Physical

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Dr. Keith Charles, Mid Florida Eye Center 30.77% *Dr. Greg Panzo, Mid Florida Eye Center

Therapy Specialist 38.64%

22.36%

23.55%

BEST HEALTHCARE

EL GRETTA

S LI

PROVIDERS DENTIST

NURSE PRACTITIONER

OB-GYN

Dr. Teddy Bland, Mid Florida Pediatric Dentistry 32.68% Dr. Stephanie Lacquaniti, *Lacquaniti Dental

Danielle Mathis, Advanced Primary Care 16.90% Michelle Reisman, *Silver Lake Pediatrics

Dr. Doug Moffett, Lake OB-GYN Associates of Mid-Florida 22.94% Dr. Mamie Rogers, *AdventHealth Medical

15.51%

Group OB-GYN at Waterman

13.51%

20.25%

Dr. Christopher Escott, Escott Orthodontics 41.21% *Dr. Dave Wollenschlaeger, Wollenschlaeger Orthodontics 27.01% ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

Dr. Jon Radnothy, Radnothy Orthopaedic Center 29.71% *Dr. Alfred Cook, Advanced Orthopedics Institute 21.99% PEDIATRICIAN

Dr. Rafael A. Cheas, Silver Lake Pediatrics 32.16% *Dr. Denis Diaz, AdventHealth Pediatrics 19.96% PHARMACIST

Jim Burry, Burry’s Pharmacy 19.76% *George Warren, Bay Pharmacy / Lake Pharmacy 17.97%

DERMATOLOGY

PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT

Dr. Colleen MacInnis, MacInnis Dermatology 28.39% Dr. Kevin Chun, *Lake Dermatology

GENERAL PLASTIC SURGEON

Keith Hester, PA Hester Family Care & Bariatric Medicine 36.18% Larry Blevins, *Village Institute

Dr. Richard Bosshardt, Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates 32.38% *Dr. Peter Marzek,

26.34%

Of Plastic Surgery

Lake Medical Imaging 67.91% AdventHealth *Imaging

24.91% HOSPITAL

AdventHealth Waterman 51.55% *UF Health Leesburg Hospital I H AT M E

S

20.04%

DANIELL

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

Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates

26.93%

MEDICAL IMAGING

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ORTHODONTIST

22.60%

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON

HAIR SALON

Dr. Dino Madonna, Face 2 Face Aesthetics & Wellness 43.77% Dr. Danny Soares, *Village Institute of

Mia Bella Salon & Spa 23.92% *Style Diva Color Spa

Plastic Surgery

TATTOO PARLOR

36.43%

Forever Stained 31.35% *Mr Williams Tattoo Co.

13.67%

PODIATRIST

26.94%

Dr. Erik Zimmermann, Zimmermann Podiatry 21.10% Dr. Victor Torres, *Lake Health Care Center

GYM / FITNESS CENTER

Infinity Fitness 57.51% *CF Fitness

17.69%

15.82%

HEALTH / MEDICAL SPA

Renew Day Spa 30.45% *Bella Toscana Luxury Med Spa 28.45%

PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC

Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates 40.68% *Village Institute of Plastic Surgery 32.46%

DR. ERIK

BARBERSHOP

Razor Sharp Cutz 31.63% *The Country Barber

ME ZIM

17.76%

R M

AN N

PRIMARY CARE/INTERNIST DOCTOR

Dr. Dan Boggus, AEGIS Medical Group 24.32% Danielle Mathis, *Advanced Primary Care Associates 17.30% UROLOGIST

BEST HEALTH BEAUTY FITNESS

Dr. Jack Cassell, Urology of Mount Dora 34.64% Dr. Michael Fountain, *AdventHealth Medical Group Urology at Waterman

32.45%

NAIL SALON

Alina Nails 30.95% *Golden Nails & Tanning 19.58%

CA SS EL L

TANNING

CK JA DR.

Spray Mobile Tanning, Lindsey Mallory 46.79% *Bronzed Beauty By Erika 33.50%

LIN RY DSEY MALLO

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ACCOUNTING FIRM

HAIR STYLIST

PERSONAL TRAINER

Sandy Stokes, PLLC CPA 27.52% *Wiley & Wiley

Emelly Rodea, Mia Bella Salon 15.84% *Savannah Zuk, Surface Salon

Al Cardiello, Infinity Fitness 57.72% *Tyrell Rachel, Infinity Fitness

24.05%

14.33%

12.22%

PROFESSIONALS LAW OFFICE

ESTHETICIAN

Mike Graves, Public Defender 21.01% *Campione & Hackney Law 19.04%

Jennifer Shaw, Mia Bella Salon 28.76% *Megan Gregg, Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa

INSURANCE / ANNUITIES ADVISOR

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Kim Varnadore, State Farm 17.44% Allen Bates, Bates *Insurance Group

Tracy Belton, Belton Financial Group of Raymond James 26.90% *Nicole Wortsman, Edward Jones

21.04%

KIM

VA

BEST

Key: Percentage of total votes in category, *Runner-up | Check the full list at lakeandsumterstyle.com

RN A

13.74%

DO R

E

26.01%

AUTO DETAILER / CAR WASH

DAYCARE

PRIVATE SCHOOL

GRAPHICS & SIGNS

BP Auto Spa 24.02% *Hayden’s Detailing Service

Cardiello Family Daycare 47.86% *First Academy Preschool

Mount Dora Christian Academy 31.29% *First Academy

Hunter Signs 26.65% *Eustis Sign Co.

20.51%

13.45%

21.44%

28.43% BANK / CREDIT UNION

PRINTERS INSURANCE AGENCY

Merrill Insurance 24.11% *State Farm Insurance, Kim Varnadore

17.58%

19.42% AUTO SERVICE

South Bay Automotive 35.46% *Lake Sumter Transmissions

CATERING COMPANY

LOCKSMITH

Martin’s Lock Shop 37.20% *Action Locksmith

A NK

32.13%

N ER UN I TED SOUTH

BEST SERVICE PROVIDERS

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

24.33%

B

23.85%

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Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 46.75% *Gourmet Today MOVING SERVICE

Two Men and a Truck 66.16% *Mitchell’s Moving 13.90%

Ford Press 37.72% *Data Graphics 19.10%

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

Striking Effect Promotions 32.75% *Data Graphics 31.02%

REAL ESTATE AGENCY

Morris Realty & Investments 28.41% *ERA Grizzard Real Estate 24.20%

COMPUTER / IT SERVICE

MMD Computers 33.80% *Lake County Computers 29.27%

SELF STORAGE

44 Self Storage 31.39% *Rolling Acres Self Storage 26.88%

M OR

TS

United Southern Bank 36.37% *Insight Credit Union

R IS

REALTY & I

EN TM S NVE

REALTOR

PHOTOGRAPHER

Brittany Knight, Berkshire Hathaway 23.62% Lena Williams, Morris *Realty & Investments

Bonnie Whicher Photography 28.34% *Sierra Ford Photography

15.46%

20.45%

PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST / MICROBLADING

VIDEOGRAPHER

Bonnie Whicher Photography 57.25% *John Coronado Photography

Ashley Daniels, Arch & Ash Salon 44.88% Tasha Williams, *Bladed Beauty Bar

26.12%

33.60% INTERIOR DESIGN

Danielle Daugherty 35.82% *Alan Reisman

Rob Nichols 17.49% Braxton Bennett 17.49% *David Oliver Willis

19.96%

LE

36.03%

VOLUNTEER

I EL DAN

Allison Emily Interior Design 37.10% Leah D. Connor *Interior Design

LOCAL BAND / MUSICIAN

Tie

17.39%

BEST

DA UG HE RTY

IN FL OR I NG DA BUILDI

IN-HOME SERVICE PROVIDERS

ROOFING CONTRACTOR

ELECTRICAL / SOLAR CONTRACTOR

Eustis Roofing 40.93% *Scott’s Roofing

Lenhart Electric 29.84% *Electrical Works

26.83%

CUSTOM CARPENTRY / REMODELING

O’Brien Construction 52.35% *Specifics Woodwork

17.73%

26.97%

S

PE CT O

RZ

BUILDING AND HOME SUPPLY

POOL CONTRACTOR

Carter’s Ace Hardware 67.14% *Romac Building Supply

T&D Pool & Spa Construction 22.91% *Premier Pool & Spa

22.63%

Duct-Man Mechanical 26.54% *Munn’s Heating & Air 22.28%

18.48%

HOME INSPECTOR

Florida Building Inspectorz 36.33% *Landmark Inspections

FLOORING

COMMERCIAL BUILDER

PAINTING CONTRACTOR

Lee Woods Construction 36.66% *RJ Builders

Paynter’s Painting 35.27% *Alleycat Painting

22.12%

HEATING & AIR

The Floor Shoppe 38.49% *Pat’s Sales 31.17%

PEST CONTROL

B&C Pest Solutions 26.34% *Deans Services 20.05%

19.21%

28.59%

POOL SERVICE

Clements Pool Services 46.36% *Patriot Pool & Spa 29.33%

PLUMBING CONTRACTOR

Kevco Builders, Inc. 36.49% *Baumgartner Renovations

Dunstan Plumbing 30.80% *Mike Scott Plumbing

11.70%

25.82%

LAWN & LANDSCAPE SERVICES

Father & Son Landscaping 30.41% *Goney’s Nursery and Landscaping 16.83%

U

D

HOME BUILDER

CT -M A

L N ME CHANICA

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Key: Percentage of total votes in category, *Runner-up | Check the full list at lakeandsumterstyle.com

CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

STEAK

Prominent Fox Boutique 35.99% *Salty Mare

Goblin Market 40.40% *1921 Mount Dora 21.70%

26.68%

BURGERS GIFT SHOP

BTW Burgers Tacos Waffles 29.06% *Ramshackle Cafe

Prominent Fox Boutique 30.68% *Peddler’s Wagon

TIQ UE

21.91%

MEXICAN

Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 36.47% *San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant

BO U

27.89%

SPORTING GOODS / OUTDOORS / FISHING

OX TF N PROMINE

Brooker’s Bait & Tackle 29.37% *Owen’s Fishing & Marine

25.01%

28.01%

BEST

BBQ / RIBS

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 37.55% *Mission BBQ 16.61%

ITALIAN

Stavro’s and Sons 27.98% *Mount Dora Pizza & Subs

SHOPPING MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP

PET ITEMS

Gator Harley-Davidson 57.46% *Seminole Power Sports

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming 28.04% *Piglet’s Pantry

22.20%

25.77% PIZZA

Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 30.39% *Stavro’s and Sons 25.00%

DESSERT / SWEET TREATS

27.41%

Mystic Ice Cream 29.16% *Miz Kathi’s Southern Sweetery

AUTO DEALERSHIP

Vann Gannaway Chevrolet 30.03% Jenkins Nissan, Honda & *Hyundai

BOAT DEALERSHIP

18.64%

24.85%

19.61%

Nobles Marine 40.54% Mount Dora *Boating & Marina RV DEALERSHIP

Campers Corner 42.66% *Lazy Days 42.56%

29.15%

ORGANIC / HEALTH FOODS

RE FURNITURE

Babette’s Furniture & Home Store 51.62% *Furniture Barn

The Health Basket 43.26% *The Green Apple 15.96%

15.33%

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RE AM

C

I RN FU

TU

E IC

Gold In Art Jewelers 38.66% *Merry Jewelers

IC MYST

BABETTE’S

JEWELER

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

BEST

SUSHI

Wave Asian Bistro 43.06% *Momiji Sushi Bar WINGS

Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 37.56% *Ramshackle Cafe 21.65%

LIVE MUSIC

Ruby Street Grill 30.22% *Pisces Rising 24.57%

SPORTS BAR

GR ILL

Ramshackle Cafe 20.80% *Crazy Gator 20.14%

T

S IE’ COU SIN VINN

EE TR S RUBY

GALA / FUNDRAISER

Lake County Sheriff’s Boots, Buckles & Badges 36.83% *Stepping Out For Education

SEAFOOD

Tiki West Raw Bar & Grill 41.29% *Red Crab Juicy Seafood

CIGAR BAR

Hemingway’s Wine Beer & Cigar Bar 65.37% *Garvino’s

23.00%

22.22%

21.08%

CRAFT BREWERY

BOWLING

Wolf Branch Brewing Co. 31.72% *Bru Tap House

Lake Square Mall 46.96% *Lakeside Lanes

25.46%

34.51%

COCKTAILS

29.97%

Foxtail Coffee Co. 22.70% *Water Gypsy Coffee Co. 17.84%

WINERY

Lakeridge Winery 62.24% *Whispering Oaks Winery 22.93%

HA GS W

23.70%

INE SHOPPE

TOURIST ATTRACTION

Sunsational Farms 49.59% *Atwood Family Farm

WINE BAR

Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 44.31% *Bru Tap House

22.57%

24.92%

FESTIVAL / EVENT

Mount Dora Art Festival 27.20% *Leesburg Bikefest 25.02%

AT NS SU

FOOD & DRINK

The Barn at Southern Oaks 23.93% *Sunsational Farms

D OL

COFFEE SHOP

EVENT VENUE

O TW

The Brick & Barrel 31.38% *HandleBar

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST

14.79%

IO N

AL FAR MS

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

Jeanne Lazo

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Cecil and Jackie Clark at the grand opening, May 22, 1972

Nobody, but NOBODY, beats a Cecil Clark deal!!!!

352.787.6888 | 8843 US Hwy 441, Leesburg LakeCountyChevy.com 3 Generations | Family Owned | Since 1972

Education Today, Conservation for Tomorrow A family is preserving 80 acres of beautiful land that will be used for educational opportunities.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

t’s a beautiful Florida afternoon with blue skies and white, fluffy clouds. On a rolling green property in Leesburg, there are huge trees, crepe myrtles with showy summer flowers and stately magnolia trees with large glossy foliage and sweet fragrant blooms.

Dr. Rufus M. Holloway, better known as Dick, and his family have enjoyed many decades at the property. They rode horses and occasionally caught a fish. They’d take leisurely walks and hear loud alligator grunts coming from the wetlands.

“I have many fond memories out here, and the property is dear to my heart,” says Dick, a 1954 graduate of Leesburg High School who spent his career as an otolaryngologist in Orlando. “My sister, Ann Holloway

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Blackmon, and I held many high school reunions at the barn on the property. In fact, our classmates fondly dubbed it The Reunion Barn. I was once asked by a reporter, ‘What was it like growing up in Leesburg?’

I answered, ‘It’s just like heaven is going to be.’”

Dick and Ann’s father, Rufus Holloway Sr., purchased the property, located off Griffin Road, in 1952 to operate a small cattle ranch. Later, it became the site of Holloway Tree Farm.

After the tree farm closed several years ago, the family formed the Holloway Foundation for Alternative Energy and Natural Resources in memory of Rufus Sr. Some of the property was recently

062 /

sold, but 80 acres has been preserved in the Holloway Foundation. This will be natural habitat as Florida used to be. The acreage, fronting Griffin Road, contains wetlands, 300-yearold live oak trees, native grasses, and pine groves.

A large barn designed and built in 1983 will be the future headquarters and contain classrooms for planned activities.

“The goal is to integrate education and conservation,” Dick says. “We want to

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

further enhance the natural habitat so that we can preserve it for the future and not have development.”

If everything goes according to plan, the property will become an outdoor classroom of sorts.

It is anticipated that future

use will include all age groups with safe, hands-on education programs and outdoor activities. A beekeeper rotates several hundred hives and participates in the teaching program.

To date, the foundation’s board members have also

lined up a forester, a geologist, and a botanist to provide education programs for students.

“We want to connect children and adults to nature and foster life-long conservation values,” Dick says.

Various trails will be carved out, allowing visitors to receive an up-close and personal view of the wetlands and sandy uplands that dot the property.

It’s also home to beautiful flowers like passionflower and coreopsis, as well as an abundance of wildlife, including butterflies, foxes, bobcats, fox squirrels, otters, ducks, raccoons, possums, local songbirds, osprey, hawks, and an occasional bald eagle.

In the middle of the property is a 40-year-old, two-story barn built from heart pine wood harvested in Georgia in 1880. The wood was used to build a whiskey warehouse in Kentucky. When the warehouse was demolished, Dick arranged for the lumber to be brought to Leesburg.

Under development is a 10-acre forest of palmettos, long-leaf pines, native grasses, and wildflowers with several trails to be enjoyed.

To help make his dream become a reality, Dick has recruited nine people to serve as board members of the foundation, four of whom are Leesburg natives. The board members include Dick and his wife, Leslie, an educator; Dick’s son, Michael, a physician; Dan Tatro, a realtor; Rick Newman, an attorney; Justin Low, a solar expert; cousin Bill Barry, a businessman, Guy Colado, founder of Commerce National Bank and Trust in Winter Park; and Robert Bowden, curator of Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando.

A partnership has also been formed with Conservation Florida, a collaborative organization working to protect Florida’s land, wildlife, and way of life. Since its founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has saved

WE WANT TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE NATURAL HABITAT SO THAT WE CAN PRESERVE IT FOR THE FUTURE AND NOT HAVE DEVELOPMENT. — DR . RU F U S M . H O L L OWAY

more than 30,000 acres of critical habitat through the acquisition and facilitation of conservation projects.

The organization specializes in helping homeowners navigate the land protection process and finding the best solutions to meet their needs.

“One of our primary services is assisting landowners, like Dr. Holloway, who voluntarily express interest is protecting their land,” says Traci Deen, president of Conservation Florida. “We connect with them, help them determine the conservation value of their property, learn about their protection goals, and try to find a way to protect it in perpetuity.”

Traci says preserving lands like the Holloway property is vitally important.

“Florida is losing 100,000 acres of natural land each year, with over 1,000 people moving to the state every day,” she says. “Florida is projected to grow to 33.7 million residents by 2070. Projects like this provide a vision for Florida as a whole that protects the places we all love, offers habitat and room to roam for our native species, cleans and

stores water, provides ample outdoor recreational opportunity, and connects people with each other and with nature.”

To say she is excited about the organization’s partnership with the Holloway Foundation is an understatement.

“When Dr. Holloway came to us with intentions to protect this property for generations to come, we were taken back by the history behind the parcel,” she says. “The sentiment of the Holloway legacy being left behind is unmistakable and undeniable.”

For Dick, this is a special opportunity to share a natural wonderland that has been in his family for decades.

“People I’ve run into over the years are very much in favor of preserving the property,” he says. “We want people to know that we plan invitation-type events. It’s not going to be a park where folks will walk in and see hundreds of other people. On the other hand, we welcome ideas and volunteers who will help keep the dream alive.”

HOLLOWAY FOUNDATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Volunteers and interested individuals may contact the Holloway Foundation at rmhjr36@aol.com.

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The family of “Aces” The words ‘Ace is the Place,’ are associated with Ace Hardware stores nationwide, but locally, the Carter family name is just as iconic.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

When Roy Cade Carter, Sr. opened his first Ace Hardware store in downtown Tavares circa 1964, he couldn’t have imagined that nearly 60 years later, the community business he started would still be going strong.

Today, however, his grandson Cade Carter says every Carter’s Ace Hardware in Lake County and beyond, is family owned, and proudly operated using the same values Roy (now deceased) instilled from day one.

“The three core values we are known for in the community that we shout from the mountain tops, consist of providing the best service in town, carrying only the highest quality products, and making sure every customer’s shopping experience plays out

as conveniently as possible,” Cade says. “We were here long before box stores or Amazon ever existed, back when everyone went downtown and walked from shop to shop to get what they needed, and the same model that made us successful then, is what we use now.”

Additionally, Cade says he, his brother Zach and sister Brittany, spent a lot of their free time working at Ace alongside their grandfather Roy, and their father Cadie Carter, and today, their own families are following in their footsteps.

With a full staff at every location, the family runs all six of the Carter’s Ace Hardware stores located in Tavares, Mount Dora, Eustis, Umatilla, South Leesburg, and Sorrento, plus other Central Florida locations in Crystal River, Hunt Club, Beverly Hills and Apopka.

“Our family is incredibly proud of serving our community all this

time, but we also want to say thank you, because we wouldn’t be here without their support,” Cade says.

“It’s been a good relationship all these years and the goal is to keep it going another 60 years.”

Merchandise people can find at Carter’s Ace Hardware includes Stihl power equipment, barbecue grills, paint, lawn and garden, plumbing, electrical and house cleaning supplies, tools, nuts and bolts, propane, Costa sunglasses, and more.

The Carters are also known for providing other local businesses with commercial sales incentives to ensure well-rounded and mutually supportive community partnerships, and for being closed on Sundays in line with their strong Christian values.

“We believe that with all of life’s ups and downs, and through good times and bad, God plays a big part in watching over us all, so we want to honor Him,” Cade says.

CARTER’S ACE: SERVICE, QUALITY, CONVENIENCE. TAVARES - EUSTIS - UMATILLA - MT. DORA - SORRENTO - S. LEESBURG - APOPKA - BEVERLY HILLS - CRYSTAL RIVER

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The key to care-free living.

Water Oak: A paradise its residents are proud to call their own as they step over the threshold into life’s next chapter.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

f you’re 55-plus and looking for a beautifully serene, yet activity-filled, friendly place to live, look no further than the Premier Community of Water Oak Country Club Estates. This gated community in Lady Lake, which boosts both affordably priced, luxury residences to call home, is also pet friendly. In addition, the location of the community is close enough to satisfy all the conveniences of The Villages area yet distant enough for peace and quiet to overshadow all the hustle and bustle.

Water Oak’s new Sales Manager, Lisa M. Felix says, “With its unique elevations, soaring oak trees, gorgeous landscaping, restaurant and newly renovated 18-hole Championship Golf course, Water Oak’s new expansion sites will sell out in record time. If one is looking to get in on the action, time is of the essence.”

Water Oak is a perfect fit for anyone looking to take advantage of all the shopping, dining, and entertainment options that The Villages area offers, but would rather live where it is slower paced, to experience life at their own speed without sacrificing cost. Water Oak residents enjoy an active lifestyle with an abundance of special interest clubs and activities to participate in so there is much for a new resident to enjoy.

Water Oak is a 55-plus Manufactured Housing Community which has been in Lady Lake since the early

1980s. Acquired in 2005, it is one of Sun Communities, Inc. flagship MH communities in the U.S. and has flourished ever since. Sun has invested in expansion at Water Oak with 267 additional sites and resortlike amenities. The residents of Water Oak are captivated by the picturesque community with over three hundred acres of rolling hills, trees, and lakes.

The 18-hole championship golf course, walking paths, a three-story clubhouse and restaurant, has made Water Oak a ‘Stand Out’ amongst the areas premier living options.

Water Oak’s central Florida location is also very favorable to its residents with an abundance of tantalizing Florida attractions nearby. There are numerous destinations which are just a short drive away. Whether residents want to experience one of Florida’s beaches or visit one of the many world-famous attractions such as Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens or SeaWorld, the ease of access to the interstates and highways allows for short day trips to either coast to enjoy and take it all in.

THE VIBE In one word, CHILL. “Everyone waves to each other as they pass. There is a keen sense of community and neighborhood comradery. That sense of belonging goes a long way here at Water Oak” says Lisa. The residents and staff alike, all show a genuine warmth and community welcoming to all who arrive.

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AMENITIES Water Oak offers every resort-style living activity imaginable available to its residents – such as tennis, billiards, arts and crafts, quilting, fishing, shuffleboard, softball, basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, and pickleball. The Clubhouse amenities are plentiful including swimming pools and heated spas, plus a fully equipped Fitness Center with showers and a sauna.

With two Clubhouses on-site, the resort-like community boasts top quality when it comes to swimming and sunbathing poolside or keeping fit at the gym. Water Oak also offers a full-service restaurant with bar, a well-stocked Golf Center, and a recently revamped and stunning championship golf course (discounted for residents).

“In the past 8 months, the 90-acre course has been redesigned and renovated. Sanford and Farris design company, headquartered in Jupiter Florida is leading our team. USGA Championship Golf course will be Par 70 with a yardage of 6300 yards from our Gold Tees. Our Greens will be Tift Eagle with fairways in rough areas Tift Champion Grass,” says PGA/CMAA Member Bob Cooke, in charge of golf course operations, who explains that the semiprivate course will be open to the public, and under the maintenance direction of GCSA/International Golf Management Corporation’s Gary Crowell.

Residents are thrilled with the amenities that Water Oak currently offers. This combined with the ease of

accessibility when it comes to shopping, dining, quality medical care and the value of their homes, seals the deal for them.

With that, Lisa says there are no amenity fees to worry about only an optional $20-per-year home-owners association membership to consider should a resident be interested.

Additionally, the community’s ownership arrangement includes a gated and monitored entrance, general maintenance, emergency services, garbage pick-up, lawn care, and payment of most of the property taxes.

Lisa says Water Oak is considered a land-lease community, so you own the home and lease the land that it sits on.

Residents are responsible for a monthly lot rent so most of their hard-earned money is put into their home. With new homes priced between 200k-300k, that is a savings over 200k+ if one were to build a stick-built home where you purchase the land it sits on.

“Residents of the Villages as well as people across the country and Canada, are flocking to Water Oak because we offer a luxurious way of life at a fraction of the cost. Affordable, wellbuilt housing done right in a resort-style setting. What’s not to love?”

—LISA M. FELIX, SALES MANAGER

A HOME TO MAKE YOUR VERY OWN There is a home at Water Oak for every budget, including pre-owned, newer, and bigger homes with lavish features and many attractive choices. Most residents can live comfortably under $1,000 per month excluding a mortgage payment.

The standard features in a new home at Water Oak – like crown molding, LED lighting, vinyl plank flooring, window fixtures, appliances, ceiling fans, a porch or lanai, double carports, garages and more – are included features that in other communities may cost extra.

A new home buyer can customize their home with one of our knowledgeable salespersons. A multitude of specialty options includes open floor plans, tray and coffered ceilings, fully equipped kitchens, spa tubs, and Roman tiled showers, upgraded landscaping, large walk-in closets, modern decorative accents plus much more.

Water Oak also offers new home buyers the ability to choose their countertops, flooring, paint colors, and shingle colors. The design team can alter features of the home such as move walls and closets; they can modify their new home any way that they want. Water Oak has four beautiful model homes to view options, plus multiple different floor plans and styles to customize the perfect place to live. Once we identify the site a resident wants, all they have to do is find something that fits their needs, and we make it happen for them in the most beautiful and efficient way possible.

“We look to provide top notch service from start to finish,” Lisa says. “Nothing makes our team happier than handing over the keys to a resident’s new home.”

HERE AND YET TO COME Our visually impressive main entrance welcomes residents and future homebuyers with lighted waterfalls, beautiful wall accents and lush landscaping. Our new sales center highlights modern, trend setting models to choose from with various design options as well.

The upper hilltop expansion that began in January 2022, will add 267 new home sites, plus a brand-new recreation facility with several new amenities, including a large pool and bar.

Lisa says those new amenities are set to open in early 2023, but “preconstruction” sale of the new sites has just begun so interested parties can pick and reserve their site now.

“We are currently taking deposits on sites in upper hilltop of the community where prospective residents or current residents, who are looking to trade in

and trade up can pick their own site,” Lisa says. “Much like any new ground up community, the expansion at Water Oak provides an exciting option for a new buyer. The ability to pick the site and exact location where they want their future home built.”

NO ROOM FOR THE “T” WORD We recognize manufactured homes were often referred to as a “trailer” or “mobile home” back in the day.

Technically these types of homes haven’t been built in over 40 years after federal, state, and local building codes were standardized, like how a typical site-built home is constructed. Rest assured, Water Oak homes are well-built, energy efficient dwellings, especially since post Hurricane Andrew standard changed, requiring that homes be able to withstand 130-150 mph winds while offering affordability, quality, and style.

The main home builders that Sun primarily work with for Water Oak, are Palm Harbor and Skyline, known as

two of the best manufacturers in the industry. Additionally, all Water Oak homes are built to be extremely energy efficient, adding high-grade insulation in the ceilings, walls, and floors, including double-paned windows and LED lighting throughout. This allows for cost savings overall on electricity usage for both heating and air conditioning in the home.

“Live the dream and have it all,” says a Water Oak brochure.

If you are looking for that perfect, affordable retirement home offering an all-inclusive resort-like lifestyle, look to the absolute best in manufactured home communities in Florida at Water Oak. Envision the next chapter of your life filled with enjoyment and lasting new friendships. Come fall in love with Water Oak. “It’s quite a spectacular community.

Come visit Water Oak today and see it for yourself,” Lisa says. “We will be more than happy to arrange a personal tour of the growing community and of course, our beautiful model homes. Our knowledgeable salespeople and I will collaborate with you to ensure that you find exactly what you are looking for!”

888.321.6013 / wateroakcountryclub.com / 224 Magnolia Drive, Lady Lake, FL 32159

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Wollenschlaeger Orthodontics Get a healthy smile at any age created just for you!

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Adults who desire healthy, bright smiles are learning that it’s never too late to improve your confidence and self-esteem by correcting gapped, crowded, or crooked teeth! Today, more and more adults are embracing the use of orthodontic appliances. Although they may seem like an adolescent rite of passage, there are many good reasons for people of any age to receive orthodontic treatment.

Did you know that 1 in 3 orthodontic patients are adults?

COMMON QUESTIONS

BY ADULTS Am I too old for orthodontic treatment? Age doesn’t matter.

The key factor in determining a good candidate for treatment is the health of teeth and gums.

How long does treatment take?

It depends on the complexity of the case as well as what the patient wants to achieve. A short-term touch up can be as little as several months, while comprehensive treatment could last for several years.

What’s the cost? Orthodontic specialists customize both treatments and fees. After a complimentary face-to-face consultation you can determine what type of treatment, appliance and results might work best for you. A flexible payment plan, which can include dental insurances, FSAs and HSAs may be used to construct an affordable plan.

Can I get appliances that are less noticeable? Many of today’s orthodontic treatments are designed to minimize the appearance of the appliance and better fit an adult lifestyle. Keep in mind, limiting your treatment option may limit your results. Whether it is clear braces, or clear aligners, you have discreet choices to help achieve your desired result.

Will treatment fit my lifestyle?

Certainly! You can still sing, play an instrument, dine out, kiss and do almost anything. Some temporary adjustments may be necessary, but most patients adapt quickly.

How often are check-ups?

It will depend on the treatment recommendation, but the average is once every six weeks during active treatment.

Can treatment help someone who has missing teeth? Yes! Orthodontic treatment can properly align your teeth and create the proper space for future dental procedures like veneers, crowns, implants, etc.

Does gum disease impact orthodontic treatment? It is imperative to have a periodontal (gum) check-up with either a periodontist or your general dentist to make sure that your mouth is a good candidate for treatment.

Will I experience discomfort?

Treatment is more comfortable than ever, thanks to new techniques and appliances. Discomfort, if any, is short lived and can be managed with overthe-counter analgesics.

Dr. Dave and Dr. Chris Wollenschlaeger, a father-son orthodontist duo who practice in Leesburg, are devoted to the highest standards of care for patients of all ages. With an additional two-to-threeyears of specialized education beyond dental school, these doctors, along with their specialized orthodontic team can help their patients get on the path to a winning smile.

Dr. Dave Wollenschlaeger & Dr. Chris Wollenschlaeger 352.787.6800 / 33050 Professional Drive, Leesburg / drdaveortho.com

agenda EVENTS. TRAVEL. PEOPLE.

Art is in the heart of contemporary abstract artist Gina Tyquiengco, who owns her own gallery in Mount Dora.

THE TO-DO LIST

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ART E XHIBIT

Picture perfect If a picture says a thousand words, then the Lake County Museum of Art’s “Through the Lens” exhibit may render you speechless. The exhibit features the work of photographers Charlene Edwards, Stephanie Macomber, Christine Peloquin, and Juliana Romnes.

August 1-13 / Lake County Museum of Art 213 W. Ruby St., Tavares / lakeartmuseum.com

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WORTH A ‘TRI’ Does your child need less screen time and more green time? If so, let him or her participate in the AdventHealth TriKidz Youth Triathlon. Children can compete in either a duathlon (running and bicycling) or a triathlon (running, biking, and swimming). There are two age divisions: 6-10 and 11-14.

August 6 / Clermont Victory Pointe / 938 Victory Way, Clermont / sommersportsevents.com

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ON STAGE

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Enjoy quality entertainment on the many stages of Lake and Sumter counties.

SH O PPIN G

Paint your world with beauty

A CLASSIC COMES TO LIFE

8/1-8/7

Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse presents “Singin’ in the Rain”, showcasing two men scrambling to save their doomed silent movie by transforming it into the first movie musical.

Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora / 352.383.4616

Simply viewing art can stimulate the brain and help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Those are valid reasons to attend the Mount Dora Art Stroll and Art in the Alley. The free event, held in downtown Mount Dora, allows attendees to browse beautiful artwork displayed in art studios and galleries.

FAMILY FEUD

8/12-8/14, 8/19-8/21, 8/26-8/28 Melon Patch Theatre presents “August: Osage County”, a tragicomedy play that focuses on the dark side of an Oklahoma family. Please note that this play contains strong profanity, drug use, sexual violence, and mild violence.

Melon Patch Theatre 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg / 352.787.3013

August 18 / Mount Dora Center for the Arts 134 E. 5th Ave. Mount Dora / 352.383.0880

EVERY SUN

ONGOING EVE NTS Events are subject to change and cancellation.

EVERY SUN

EVERY MON

EVERY TUE

EVERY THU

Clermont Downtown Mount Webster Lady Lake Lake County Farmers Farmer’s Market Dora Village Market Farmer’s Market Farmer’s Market & Flea Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

6 a.m.-2 p.m.

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

8 a.m.- noon Downtown Clermont Mount Dora 524 North Market Blvd., 250 Rolling Acres Rd., 2101 N. County Rd. 452, Webster Lady Lake Eustis

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THE TO-DO LIST

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

AUG

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SH O PPIN G

Golden oldies Renninger’s Antique and Vintage Fair is perfect for every antique collector, dealer, and enthusiast. The free event features two days of shopping the antique pavilions and tents full of vintage goods.

August 20-21 / Renninger’s / 20651 U.S. Hwy. 441, Mount Dora 352.383.3141

Let us help you get the word out!

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

8/5 @ 5 p.m.

8/16 @ 7 p.m.

C.O.D. FLORIDA Hurricane Dockside Grill, Tavares

IVAN J. MUSIC The Brick and Barrel, Leesburg

8/5 @ 7 p.m.

8/20 @ 8 p.m.

DENNIE AND THE JETS Elks Lodge #1578, Tavares

JIMMY HUNTER Lake Harris Hideaway, Tavares

8/6 @ noon

8/21 @ 4:30 p.m.

SANDY BACK PORCH Edna’s on the Green, Wildwood

C.O.D. FLORIDA Hurricane Dockside Grill, Tavares

8/6 @ 7 p.m.

8/25 @ 7 p.m.

WADE HAYES Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

MICHELLE INGRHAM GarVino’s Cigars, The Villages

8/6 @ 9 p.m.

8/27 @ 7 p.m.

TIME MACHINE Crossroads 44, Eustis

MICKEY ADAMS Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

8/11 @ 7 p.m.

8/28 @ 1:30 p.m.

GOE2GUYZ Legacy at Leesburg, Leesburg

MANFREDI ROCKS Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

8/13 @ 4 p.m.

9/2 @ 5 p.m.

C.O.D. FLORIDA Edna’s on the Green, Wildwood

C.O.D. FLORIDA Hurricane Dockside Grill, Tavares

8/13 @ 7 p.m.

9/6 @ 7 p.m.

TIME MACHINE Kalua Beach Bar, Tavares

THE VILLAGES PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA The Sharon, The Villages

8/13 @ 7 p.m.

JOHN BERRY Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

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1ST FRI

1ST FRI

2ND FRI

2ND SAT

2ND SAT

4TH SAT

Eustis First Friday 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Downtown Eustis

Clermont First Friday Food Trucks 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

685 W. Montrose St., Clermont

Groveland Farmer’s Market 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Lake David Park, Groveland

Plaid in the Park 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

230 W. 4th Ave., Mount Dora

Main Street Classic Car Show 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

510 W. Main St., Leesburg

Eustis Classic Car Cruise-In 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Downtown Eustis

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LOCAL TALENT

PEO PLE

Gina Tyquiengco Contemporary abstract artist and designer says painting allows her to feel creative, free, and be authentic in her work.

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

ina Tyquiengco cherishes being the artist-inresidence at Studio ArtFarm, 120 E. 4th Ave., Mount Dora, where she has a gallery display of her works, including abstract black-and-white acrylic contemporary

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

canvas pieces with striking touches of 24K gold leaves.

“I love everyone there and they are so supportive. It’s really like a beautiful family,” she says of the studio, where several artists have original works and prints exhibited and available for purchase.

Gina also relishes every moment she can be creative, whether it’s at Studio ArtFarm or the time she spends painting at her Minneola home studio with infant daughter Rose by her side.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how my art grows now that I am a mother,” says

Do you know of a talented person in our community?

Gina, adding that she’s noticed that Rose appears fascinated by the sight of colorful paintings. “And I want Rose to be involved in everything that I do.”

Gina moved to Florida in 2015, the same year she began painting. Prior to that, and after graduating from Indiana University in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in media arts and science, she had a few jobs in Indianapolis, all related to design and digital marketing.

Still, she felt stifled in the corporate world and wasn’t even eager about being offered a global manager position.

“I wasn’t able to use my creativity the way I wanted to,” recalls Gina. “I kind of saw what my life would look like if I stayed there, and I thought, ‘I just can’t do this.’”

Gina says she truly believes it’s vital to really love what you do.

“The best compliment is when the people who know me, see me in my work. My paintings are definitely a reflection of me, and painting is when I feel the most free and authentic,” says Gina, explaining how music also inspires her when she paints.

“I use music as a tool to guide my hand and to set the mood. At some point, a song or a beat resonates with me and I just see where it takes me,” she says. “I want the feelings of purity, universality, and love to infiltrate in my work.”

Email their story to editorial@akersmediagroup.com

ATTRACTIONS

E XPLO RE

Float your boat A trip aboard Dreamer Won allows guests to experience Lake County’s beautiful waterways.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

om Widerski’s life was smooth sailing for 14 years.

As a yacht captain, he was at the helm of multimilliondollar luxury boats decked out with everything from bedrooms to gourmet kitchens. Sailing waterways like the Panama Canal and Hudson River while hobnobbing with the rich was all part of an honest day’s work.

Sue, his wife of 43 years, accompanied him on many of those trips. A culinary school graduate, she served as a yacht chef, creating her signature dishes that sparked joy and conversation among guests at the dinner table.

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≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

They adhered to the golden rule of yachting: Loose lips sink ships.

“You have to keep all details of the boat owners and his guests confidential,” Tom says. “Remember, being out on the water is their only escape from fame. As a yacht captain, you build a loyalty factor. You either get purged up or purged out.”

Of course, like so many other pursuits, the yachting world was shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. The Widerskis responded by starting a new business where guests are considerably tamer and secrets are unnecessary. In 2020, the couple moved from Fort Lauderdale to Howey-in-the-Hills, leaving the luxurious world of yachting behind and opening Floatin’ on a Boat Charters.

Their company operates out of Hurricane Dockside Grill in Tavares and offers several private tour packages that take passengers to Lake Harris, Lake Eustis, and Haines Creek. The tours include sunset cruises, shoreline cruises, and private food charters.

Entertaining guests comes naturally for Tom and Sue. They draw not only from their yachting experience, but also years in the hospitality industry as owners of a banquet hall, fine dining restaurant, and bar.

“For special occasions, we’ll decorate the boat with a birthday banner or an anniversary banner,” Tom says. “We customize your party and customize your experience. We

Joa Harpster, Sandi Moore, Sue Widerski, and Deanna McKay

“I HAVE A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE ABOUT OUR WATERWAYS AFTER TAKING THIS RIDE.” — D E A N N A M C K AY, T AVA R E S C H A M B E R O F COMMERCE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

wanted to bring the yacht quality to Lake County because nobody around here does this.”

Their 42-foot-long U.S. Coast Guard-certified charter pontoon isn’t your standard tour boat. Plush, leather seating helps prevent sore rear ends. Music plays from four large speakers strategically placed around the boat. A small bathroom, or head, is there if nature calls.

Taste buds tingle at the sight of Sue’s culinary creations beautifully laid out on a table. There are roast beef sliders with barbeque onions and tomato jam, smoked salmon on

a bagel with cream cheese, chicken on a stick, and quiche with a hash brown bottom.

“I love watching people enjoy my boat-friendly food,” says Sue, who graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale’s culinary school.

“Guests also have the option of bringing their own food or eating at Hurricane Dockside Grill. If they have a large group, I can arrange for the restaurant to have a table for however many people they have in their party.”

After a hearty meal, passengers often convert the boat deck into a dance floor. The Widerskis encourage them to bring their phone’s playlist, which can be plugged into the boat’s music system.

“We enjoy watching passengers interact, and that’s why we are not a narrated tour,” Tom says. “They can ask me questions, and I’m more than happy to answer them. However, I’m not going to tell you about every bird or every tree we see. Sometimes, the passengers are having so much fun talking with one another that I don’t say anything.”

He does, however, share a few interesting facts that even locals may not know. For instance, the Dead River that connects Lake Eustis and Lake Harris was aptly named because of its lack of current. Moreover, large ships with three decks once traversed Lake County’s winding waterways.

“Back in the mid-1800s, internal paddlewheel boats that were 60-feet long and 18-feet wide would bring people from St. Augustine to Central Florida,” Tom says.

Tom and Sue affectionately named their vessel Dreamer Won. “You got to have dreams and goals in life,” Sue says. “This is a dream for us and we’re living it.”

Certainly, a job that induces a state of relaxation rather than stress would be a dream for anyone.

“We enjoy aqua therapy,” Tom says.

“It does something wonderful for your body. Your heart rate goes down, your blood pressure decreases, and your mood is enhanced. Getting out on the water is a wonderful way to make your problems melt away.”

For more information, visit floatinonaboatcharters.com.

Know of a cool local attraction you’d like us to feature?

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

JAMES COMBS

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BOOK CLUB

REVIEW

‘Four Winds’

By Kristin Hannah. Story follows immigrants’ fight for survival during America’s bleakest days.

STORY: KATHY PORTER

t’s the 1920s. World War I is over and the United States is in an era of abundance. The well-to-do Wolcott family is highly respected in their Texas town. Their gangly, eldest daughter Elsa is considered sickly, and at age 25, a spinster. She longs for the freedom that new opportunities for women bring along with the right to vote. She lives vicariously through novels, her favorite being, The Age of Innocence.

Along comes Rafe, the only child of Tony and Rose Martinelli, Sicilian immigrants who are wheat farmers in a nearby town. Elsa becomes pregnant and her family disowns her. The Martinellis arrange for Rafe and Elsa to marry.

Elsa discovers she loves life on the Martinelli farm as Tony and Rose become the loving parents she never had. Rafe has other dreams and shares them with their daughter, Loreda.

As the 1930s begin, drought blights the area year after year. The fields are cracked and dry and livestock begins to die. Rafe can no longer live this life and leaves the family.

Loreda is heartbroken and blames her mother for causing her father to leave.

As the frequency and duration of dust storms strengthen, Elsa’s son Anthony contracts dust pneumonia. In attempt

to save Anthony’s life, the decision is made to move the family to California. When Tony and Rose refuse to leave the farm, Elsa and the children set off alone. Little do they know how destitute they will become as their survival depends on becoming migrant workers picking cotton and other crops for big farm owners who consistently cut the pay of the migrants.

Although this novel deals with the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, it is far and away different from many of the other books that have been written on the subjects. The characters are fictional, however, they accurately portray the brave men, women and children who lived through the 1930s and this country’s worst economic and environmental disasters. These people had a will to survive and their strength and courage are examples to all of us as this book so clearly depicts.

Want to read more about these immigrants’ unwavering determination?

“Four Winds” can be found at Target, Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble, and on Amazon

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HI, SOCIETY!

Shaniya Polanco and Franchesca Heredia

Cheryl Rumbley

Tim Baker

John T. Williams Jr. MD and his band John Truth

Lynda Regis and Yvonna Sarjoo Ebo Entsuah, Tim Murry, Brian Bulthuis, Maritza Rivera, and Scott Davidoff

Dr. Edgar Cruz, Frangela Romero, Ashley Murphy-Haynes, and Rodrigo Cruz

ISLA N D FLAVOR @ DOWNTOWN CLERMONT

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL.

Waterfront Park was host to Clermont’s annual Caribbean Jerk Festival, presented by The Caribbean American Association of Lake County. The June 4 event included jerk and curry cook-off competitions, a kids zone featuring a bounce house, face painting, train rides, canvas painting, splash pad, Caribbean and American food vendors, cultural entertainment, and live music by the Lake Steel Orchestra and other musical groups.

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Scan this code to view all photos on lakeandsumterstyle.com.

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Chris Weedman and Miles

The Hammon and Morrison Family

Rick and Liam Hawkins

HON K , HON K! @ WILDWOOD ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. Wildwood’s first-ever Touch a Truck event on June 4 featured all sorts of fun vehicles – including Tonkas, fire trucks, police cars, cement mixers, tractors, etc. – all readied for children eager to touch, climb in and out of, honk, set off sirens, and learn about. The event also included performances and a chance for pictures with “Blippi,” food trucks, vendors, and a quiet hour for friends who don’t like loud noises.

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Rich Gryogo, Mark Rotunda, Kim Morris, Brett Dean, Sadie Haskins, and Kelly Romine

Rick Gryogo, Jim Clark and Mark Rotunda Bob and Cathy Banta

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PONTOON SA LOON SWOON ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. On June 9, the Tavares Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Pontoon Saloon, a beautifully renovated burger/wings/pizza restaurant and bar overlooking Lake Eustis. Guests enjoyed refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, libations, and door prizes while meeting and greeting members of the Tavares business community.

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LASTING

Stacy Jones

BSN, MSN, ARNP-C, Owner & Director of ENVY Med Spa

RES ULTS

After almost 20 years working in the medical field, Stacy Jones, currently a nurse practitioner, felt inspired to take her love of acute medicine to a “happier” level by finding alternate ways of helping people feel good inside and out.

To do that, she brought ENVY Med Spa – a collaboration of six established female business owners who have been servicing Lake and Sumter Counties for years – to the heart of downtown Bushnell, and she couldn’t feel prouder.

“I love medicine and have been very successful on my own, but I began wondering how to combine health

and wellness with beauty,” says Stacy, ENVY’s owner.

With that, Stacy forged a partnership with five other women to offer hundreds of health and beauty-related treatments and services, all under one roof, to meet the needs of each and every client who walks through the door.

“We’ve taken six very successful health and beauty professionals and brought them together to create much more than just your average med spa,” Stacy says, adding that she cannot think of any other place in the area with the

ENVY MED SPA 109 E. Joe P. Strickland Jr. Ave., in Bushnell | 352.282.0800 All booking is done online through each provider’s QR CODE.

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ENVY Med Spa offers an extensive list of treatments and services to improve one’s health and appearance, all with a touch of relaxation and happiness.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

diversity of services and treatments ENVY offers.

Kourtni Mowry, ENVY’s director of operations and marketing, says the team they’ve put together is above and beyond what she could have ever imagined.

“We’ve compiled the very best in our individual fields, and simply combined our talents in one location,” says Kourtni. “We’re very excited and proud of what’s to come and what we can offer our community.”

STACY JONES

BSN, MSN, ARNP-C, Owner & Director OF ENVY MED SPA

Having been in the medical field for almost two decades, including a background in Intensive Care and Emergency, Stacy is now a Board Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and a Master of Cosmetic Medicine. As a highly-trained, licensed and experienced injector, she is dedicated to providing exceptional treatments with the highest regard for safety and ethics. No matter if its your first treatment or one of many, you can expect professionalism, knowledge, and the highest quality care and results. Nominated Best of the Best Nurse Practitioner 2022

TASHA WILLIAMS

MASTER PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST & LICENSED ESTHETICIAN

For the past four years, Tasha has brought Mastery level skills to the Sumter County area in cosmetic tattooing. With over ten certifications, she specializes in natural brow enhancements along with the most advanced services on the market for permanent makeup. She is the only artist in the area offering Nano Brows, the most sought after brow procedure. She offers an array of services, including Areola tattoos for Breast Cancer Survivors and even tiny body tattoos.

Nominated Best of the Best Microblading 2022

ANTONIA “ROSIE” MEYERS LASH ARTIST & LICENSED ESTHETICIAN

Rosie is no stranger to the beauty industry, getting her start over thirteen years ago as a Licensed Nail Technician. She has since added a few new titles to her name and now works as a Licensed Esthetician whose specialty is Lash Artistry. Lashing for her is a perfectionist dream job and she loves how with a little enhancement, you can make the eyes the most predominant feature!

CRYSTAL LITTLE

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After raising her family, Crystal decided to pursue the career that was always her dream.

She graduated from Dolly Monroe Beauty Academy, continued her education with Dermaplane Pro, and soon after, received her certification in Sweet and True Sugaring becoming the only Sugarista in the area! With each customized treatment, she makes sure to bring the mind and body into a place of rest and relaxation. Her main goal is to have her clients leave their appointment feeling like their concerns are taken care of whilst also feeling refreshed and renewed.

KARALYNN BIEL LMT, RAPID-NFR/SP

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Kara has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for eight years. She describes herself as a Functional Massage Therapist because her goal is to restore mobility and function while decreasing pain. This is achieved through Orthopedic/Medical Massage and RAPID NeuroFascial Reset, a brand new manual therapy in which she is only one of ten Speciality Trainers in the world!

YAIMY ALONSO BSN, MSN, ARNP-C

As a Family Nurse Practitioner with a background in Internal Medicine, Urology, Gynecology, and the Emergency Department, Yaimy is well versed in health and wellness! Through the use of IV Hydration, her goal is to be able to help those who need vitamins, minerals, as well as antioxidants and other vital nutrients to feel rejuvenated and of course, relaxed and recharged!

KOURTNI MOWRY

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & MARKETING

Native to Sumter County, Kourtni is using her position to bring attention to some of the most talented women that the area has to offer. With a little grit and a lot of whit, she’s using her skillset and self-taught expertise in graphic design to showcase what ENVY and the team have to offer.

She is a wife, mother of two, and the gal to talk to for all things ENVY!

ENVY Med Spa Nominated Best of the Best 2022

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Jim Miller “Their future is our future” PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Jim Miller is running for School Board District 2. He was formerly elected to School Board District 1 in 2010. There’s no question that he would bring a wealth of experience, wisdom, and expertise to the position.

“Our kids are the future of our country,” Jim says. “I do what I can to help our kids succeed in life and become good citizens. My business background helps me see the big picture and how to help direct the school district’s limited resources to the classroom.”

Jim has been a commercial Realtor for ERA Grizzard Real Estate since 1981. Throughout the years, he has generously volunteered for organizations that serve children.

In the 1990s, he served as executive director of World Class Lake County, a Florida Chamber of Commerce-led school reform program that brought in Superintendents, Principals

and Teachers from around the nation to share best practices with Lake County. He has spent the last 33 years (and he continues) mentoring students in the Take Stock for Children program, and has spent 41 years (and he continues) coaching youth soccer and baseball.

In addition, Jim has served as board member of the Educational Foundation of Lake County for 25 years and was the State Volunteer of the Year for the Consortium of Educational Foundations in 2018-2019.

While Jim has a soft spot in his heart for children, he also gives back to the community in other ways.

Jim is a graduate of Leadership Lake County’s Inaugural Class in 1991, and an inaugural member of the Leadership Lake County Hall of Fame. He served as president of the Leesburg area Chamber of Commerce in 1990 and 2000, and President of the Lake County Chamber Alliance in 2015.

His service to others has not gone unnoticed. The Boys and Girls Club of Lake and Sumter Counties named

him “Man of the Year” in 1997. He is also a three-time recipient of the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Good Egg” award.

And because of his commitment to coaching kids, he was awarded the Inaugural Lake County League of Cities Community Service Award for Sports and Recreation.

Despite his achievements, Jim isn’t content to rest on his laurels. He still has plenty to give. “I’m 73 and I feel like I’m 43 going on 33,” he says.

“I look forward to adding my energy to our school board.”

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jim Miller for School Board District 2

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healthy living MIND. BODY. SPIRIT.

Jay Paynter is half the man he used to be.

Through dedication and perseverance, he lost 100 pounds in eight months.

INSPIRATION

PEO PLE

Healthy overhaul Jay Paynter transforms life and loses over 100 pounds. ‘I now feel like I’m in my 20s!’

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

t’s difficult to recognize Jay Paynter today from the “before” photos of him in August 2021, when he tipped the scales at 305 pounds. He’s now 100 pounds lighter, healthier, and a much happier man.

“Well, it’s been a journey,” says Jay, who turned 55 in 2021, “and literally all of me needed an overhaul.”

≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

Jay says his weight gain was a gradual process. “It just caught up to me. My weight kept skyrocketing from 210, 235, 265, 305. I was a hot mess.”

During a colonoscopy, Jay learned he had sleep apnea. “When I woke up, the doctor told me: ‘Jay, you will be dead tomorrow if you don’t get a sleep apnea CPAP. It’s the worst sleep apnea I have ever heard, and trust me, I have done thousands of colonoscopies.’”

That revelation was followed by a cancer scare, diagnoses of pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, and A-fib, where his heart would stop for several seconds during the night.

“I literally got a call at 4 a.m. and the person on the other end was, ‘Are you OK? Well, we are

calling to let you know your heart keeps pausing.’ That was definitely a wake-up call.”

Jay ended up needing a pacemaker.

“I knew the real problem was my weight, being morbidly obese, and I realized I had to take care of myself.” He went for gastric bypass surgery on Aug. 1, 2021.

“My family and friends were very supportive,” he says. Supportive, yet worried about complications.

Fortunately, there have been no setbacks. “Only a huge success,” Jay says. “I feel absolutely amazing!

No more sleep apnea, no more pre-diabetes, no more high blood pressure, no more dying in the night from heart pauses, no more being grossly obese.”

It took eight months to lose 100 pounds. “It’s been an incredible journey and the best part is I feel like I’m going to live for a good long while and live a healthy fulfilled life.”

As he glances at photos of his heavier self, Jay says they remind him of a time that includes some of the saddest and lowest moments of his life. “I never want to see that guy again.”

Do you know someone who is a healthy inspiration?

Email your recommendations to editorial@akersmediagroup.com

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BODY

Glaring

problem Focus on protecting children’s eyes so future problems never see the light of day.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

pending time outdoors is something most Floridians look forward to, especially during summer months when kids are out of school, therefore allowing extra free time for pool parties, trips to neighborhood parks, lakes, springs, theme parks, zoos and more.

In making preparations and shopping for “must haves” ahead of any outdoor activity however, people should open their eyes to sun protection for themselves and any kids in their lives.

That means giving credence to the fact that sun safety is not just about keeping hydrated or lathering up with sunscreen to protect sensitive skin from harmful rays, but reaching for hats and sunglasses, because eyes are also vulnerable.

“Just like you get sunburned on your skin, you can actually have a sunburn of the eyes, which causes irritation for about 24 to 48 hours afterwards.

That’s the main thing short-term but accumulation of that damage over time can increase risks for other long-term problems later on,” says Dr. Steven Houston, a longtime ophthalmologist

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Photos of Amelia and Daisy provided

by Kristin Nichole Williams.

BODY

Daisy

elia

Am

Willia m

s

ms

ia Will

and vitreoretinal disease ams lia Willi nd Ame specialist with Florida Daisy a Retina Institute locations in smooth, shiny surfaces such as water, Lady Lake, Clermont, Lake sand, or snow.

Mary, Kissimmee, and Orlando.

“When the light reflects off the He goes on to say that protecting surfaces, it becomes polarized and the youngest of eyes to avoid more produces blinding glare. Blinding glare severe problems later in life is just as can block vision to the extent that the important as protecting children’s skin wearer becomes visually compromised,” for the same reason. says the Versant Health website.

“Most of the issues with sunlight or Dr. Houston reiterates: “When you UV exposure can be long-term issues are out on the water, sun exposure can that pop up down the road. You can kind be worsened by the glare or reflection of think about it similarly to skin cancer, off the water and that can directly affect for instance, where short-term you can your eyes. The same can occur in other have a sunburn or other short-term parts of the country where even if it is effects, but then long-term, you can end sunny and there’s a reflection off the up with future issues,” he says. snow, that can exacerbate the short And the more it happens, the higher term, immediate retinal effects.” the risk. “Accumulation of that damage He adds, “Those reflective effects can over time happening at a younger age, cause irritation, it could make the eyes has the potential for a higher risk later red, and it could cause an uncomfortable on in life,” Dr. Houston says. feeling to and around the eyes.”

In Lake County, where so many The good news, says Dr. Houston, is families enjoy boating on lakes, blinding that there are many precautions people glare – which consists mainly of sun’s can take to protect children’s eyes, rays reflecting off the water or snow – is depending on age. something people may not realize could That includes the wearing of harm them and their children, says sunglasses and hats that provide Dr. Houston. sufficient coverage around the face and According to webmd.com and eyes, plus limiting sun exposure. versanthealth.com, that type of glare, “Sunglasses are probably the best which is strong enough to block thing for eye protection, but hats, being vision, results from light reflecting off

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under an umbrella, and other things that are going to keep you in the shade rather than in direct sunlight, are good too,” says Dr. Houston.

“In Florida, we all like to be outside at the beach and other places, or boating, so just be cognizant about taking breaks in the shade and not extended periods of time where there’s exposure.”

Speaking form experience, he understands it can be tricky to get children to wear sunglasses.

“If you can get your child to wear sunglasses, then that’s ideal, but for those 5 and under, having them keep sunglasses on their face can be pretty difficult. You also have to consider that there are some kids that actually like wearing sunglasses and others that just don’t want them on their face, period,” says Dr. Houston.

“The typical baseball cap isn’t bad, but oftentimes, with like my son who is not a huge fan of wearing sunglasses, we have him wear one of those bucket caps that cover all the way around to keep sun out of his face, plus it comes down low enough that it keeps his eyes shaded too,” he says.

Minneola mom Kristin Nichole Williams says she and her husband Bryan Williams, can usually get their daughters Amelia, 4, and Daisy, 6 months, to wear both, although it all depends on what adventure they’re embarking on.

“We wear sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and clothing that is protective,” Kristin says. “Specifically, if we're out in the water then both girls wear long sleeve bathing suits and water hats.”

She says for them, it’s particularly important because both girls have lightcolored eyes and fair skin like her and Bryan. She says they all usually wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Dr. Houston says some people may not realize that light eyes (like fair skin) contain less pigment, therefore making them more susceptible to sun damage.

“We understand it's very important to protect our eyes. Sunglasses are just one level of protection but at least they're an easy choice and stylish,” Kristin says, adding that to ensure

JUST LIKE YOU GET SUNBURNED ON YOUR SKIN, YOU CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A SUNBURN OF THE EYES, WHICH CAUSES IRRITATION FOR ABOUT 24 TO 48 HOURS AFTERWARDS. —DR. STEVEN HOUSTON, FLORIDA RETINA INSTITUTE

cooperation, “I let Amelia pick out any sunglasses that she likes when we're at the store if she sees a pair she wants.

I want her to have options so she will always be happy wearing them.”

Along those same lines, Dr. Houston says if a pair of sunglasses is adorned with a child’s favorite cartoon character or superhero, they might be more inclined to wear them.

Kristin says they’ve tried making wearing sunglasses and hats fun — yet normal — since Amelia was little.

“Amelia has a million pairs of sunglasses, so we let her pick which ones she wants to wear. When it comes to water hats, we don't give her a choice, we've just always made it part of her water wardrobe and she goes with it,” Kristin says. “When we're out and about in the sun (not water play) we let her choose which hat she wants to wear. At 4 years old it's best to let her use her voice because the battle isn't worth it.”

Daisy may be too young to choose what to wear, but she already has a variety of outfits for every occasion.

“Amelia has been wearing hats and sunglasses since she was a baby so it's

not too hard getting her to wear them.

Daisy is just getting started, as this is her first summer, but she's a pretty easy baby, and already we’ve been able to find sunglasses that fit her on Amazon,” Kristin adds.

Kristin encourages parents to make hats and sunglasses part of their established “uniform” for being out and about.

“When you're leaving the house, make sunglasses and hats part of your checklist,” she says, adding it’s what she does with Amelia. “I say, ‘You got your shoes? Hat? Sunglasses? Booty?’

And she just giggles and makes sure she has everything,” Kristin says.

“Shoes are actually harder to get on her than sunglasses.”

Dr. Houston says a good pair of sunglasses should specifically indicate UVA or UVB protection. Polarized lenses, though sometimes slightly more expensive, provide even better filtering of sun rays.

Additionally, he says sunglasses for younger children should be made of plastic instead of glass or other materials that could potentially shatter.

A wrap-around variety may be ideal.

He also suggests keeping an eye on babies and toddlers to ensure they do not chew on their sunglasses because a small piece could break off and become a choking hazard.

After all that, if a child ends up with an eye sunburn, he or she should be seen by an eye professional.

According to Dr. Houston, most of the time an eye sunburn — like with a sunburn of the skin — will go away on its own. Until then, certain over-the-counter remedies can help ease discomfort.

“People can see their eye doctor to evaluate if they suspect an eye sunburn, but most of the time, it’s going to be conservative care that’s given. That may include lubricating the eyes with artificial tears to keep them comfortable, and then mainly staying out of the sun for the next 24 to 48 hours,” says Dr. Houston.

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N EW LO CAT I O N

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menu FOOD. DRINKS. REVIEWS.

Simple, fresh and tasty food has been the key to success for Over The Top Pita in Clermont.

IN THE KITCHEN

RECIPE

MEDITERRANEAN TWIST From food truck to franchise, Clermont’s Over The Top Pita serves fresh, simple and delicious eats inspired by unique family recipes and flavor profiles.

STORY AND PHOTOS: CINDY PETERSON

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he Angelidis family has come a long way since first introducing their Over The Top Pita food truck in 2013.

That’s because seven years ago, they opened and still proudly operate a popular restaurant of the same name – located in the Citrus Village Shopping Center in Clermont, just doors down from Publix – run primarily by Johnny and his daughter, Cassie, with help from Johnny’s wife, Kelley, son Alex, and the rest of their “amazing staff.”

“We named it ‘Over The Top Pita’ because we go above and beyond with everything we do, whether in flavor or service,” Cassie says. “We always wanted to be more than just a normal restaurant. We want people to walk away feeling like we did everything we could possibly do and more.”

LOVE OF FOOD RUNS IN THE FAMILY

OV E R T H E T O P G Y R O GYRO INGREDIENTS

1

HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE INGREDIENTS

pita

1

cup sour cream

Roasted lamb or beef, sliced

2

tbsp chopped fresh dill

Sliced onions

12

/

cucumber, shaved

Sliced tomato

12

/

tsp minced garlic

Tzatziki sauce

1

tbsp red wine vinegar

A few fries for garnish

1

tsp olive oil Salt to taste

GYRO DIRECTIONS

Lightly grill pita bread. Top with desired gyro meat, onion, tomato and a few fries. Add house-made tzatziki sauce and wrap.

HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE DIRECTIONS

Chop fresh dill, shave cucumber and mince garlic. Combine in bowl with sour cream, red wine vinegar, olive oil and salt. Stir well to combine.

Johnny’s love of food dates back to his childhood in Greece, his native country, but he didn’t intend to be a restauranter when he came to the States. He moved to Houston with his godfather to go to school and ended up staying to run a restaurant with him.

“I came here just to go to school and never left,” Johnny says. “When I moved to Florida, I actually began working for an air-conditioning business, but our family decided to open a food truck together.”

Cassie was attending school for event management and working as a character performer at Disney when she and her dad decided to pursue their dream of operating a food truck.

“When we started, we still had our regular jobs,” Cassie says. “We traveled around Central Florida with our food truck to all the local events and festivals. We just kept growing, so we finally quit our jobs and decided to do food full-time.”

Two years later, they secured their dine-in location in Clermont, and in June 2022 celebrated their seventh anniversary at that very venue.

FRESHNESS SETS THEM APART

The secret to their success? Cassie believes that their food is exceptional because everything is made fresh and from scratch. In fact, a sign at the ordering counter informs customers

Johnny and Cassie Angelidis

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IN THE KITCHEN

FA L A F E L B OW L INGREDIENTS

“WE NAMED IT ‘OVER THE TOP PITA’ BECAUSE WE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WITH EVERYTHING WE DO, WHETHER IN FLAVOR OR SERVICE.” —CASSIE ANGELIDIS

1

cup of rice

12

/

cup black beans

4

falafels Optional toppings: lettuce, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, fire roasted salsa, fajita veggies, guacamole or sour cream

FALAFEL INGREDIENTS Makes about 12 falafels

2

cups dry chickpeas, soaked and cooked

12

/

an onion

8

cloves of garlic

1

jalapeno Small handful of fresh cilantro Small handful of Italian parsley

/

18

18

/

cup lemon juice

/

cup vinegar

18

Falafel spice mixture with cumin and coriander Salt to taste 12

/

cup of flour

12

/

cup bread crumbs

/

tbsp baking powder

12

cup olive oil

FALAFEL DIRECTIONS

Blend onion and garlic in food processor. Rinse in cold water to remove acid from the onion and garlic and replace in food processor. Add jalapeño, cilantro, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and spices to processor and blend until creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is blended.

For chickpeas, a meat grinder is best, but a blender may be used as well. Grind or blend the beans into a very fine mixture. Place in a large bowl and add flour, bread crumbs and baking powder and mix. Add the wet mixture and stir until it is fully combined. Use an ice cream scoop or form balls from mixture and deep fry until golden brown.

FALAFEL BOWL DIRECTIONS

Cook rice and black beans according to directions. Place rice in bowl first with black beans on top. Place desired toppings, like lettuce, pico de gallo, fajita veggies or cheddar cheese. Top with sliced falafel balls.

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EX

that they can expect to wait 10 to 15 minutes because everything is made to order.

“I think our food is something you can’t get anywhere else,” Cassie says. “We cook it fresh, and we put a Mediterranean spin on everything.

‘Fresh and simple’ is our motto.”

A TR

, EXTRA!

read’s Pita b es back t a d s origin ,00 0 year 4 ke li r e a v o pit w h e n o rd e d a s a g o, s rec dition a w d brea a basic ad being the Middle t. to rn Die Easte

A FUSION MENU

Although every menu item deliciously exudes a Mediterranean twist, Over The Top Pita offers a fusion of many different cuisines, such as Tex-Mex and southern comfort fare.

One of the most popular items is the lamb and beef gyro, slow-cooked on a spit (a rotisserie or skewer) and topped with homemade tzatziki sauce, sliced tomato, onion, and a few french fries for garnish – a tradition in Johnny’s Grecian hometown.

Other pita options include pork tenderloin souvlaki, grilled chicken, fish, fried chicken, falafel, spicy chicken, fajita style, and Philly cheesesteak, another one of their more popular choices.

Pita bowls have been consistently growing in popularity as well. Over The Top Pita offers chicken, taco beef, steak, falafel, and gyro meat atop rice, black beans, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, with roasted salsa and pitas slices on the side.

The menu also features ½-pound and 1-pound Angus beef burgers, as well as their signature smash burger with house-made chipotle aioli.

Taco options include the “chop it like it’s hot” lime cilantro marinaded chicken with homemade chimichurri aioli, “cod father” fried fish, fresh ground beef, and sizzling skillet steak.

Kids even get a treat with tasty kid meals of chicken tenders, chicken or cheese quesadilla, or falafels and fries.

S I G N AT U R E H U M M U S A N D P I TA C H I P S S E RV E S 8 INGREDIENTS

4

cloves of garlic

6

cups of cooked garbanzo beans

14

/

cup garbanzo bean juice

14

/

cup lemon juice

14

/

cup tahini

1

tsp salt

1

tsp capers

4-5 drops of hot sauce Olive oil for drizzle

Over The Top Pita’s signature Greek hummus and black bean hummus options are made fresh daily.

LOOKING TO EXPAND

In 2022, the family decided to expand their options and are now franchising their family recipes for more people to enjoy.

“After years of successful operation, we want to franchise our business and make Over the Top Pita a national sensation,” Cassie says.

8 pitas IF YOU GO

DIRECTIONS

Place garlic cloves in a food processor and chop for 30 seconds. Add garbanzo beans, garbanzo bean juice, lemon juice, tahini, salt, capers and hot sauce. Process for 1 minute, then scrape the sides and process for another minute or until mixture is smooth. Transfer to a dish and drizzle olive oil on top. Warm pitas in oven or lightly grill on stove and cut into pieces. Serve with hummus.

OVER THE TOP PITA 240 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite B, Clermont, FL Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mon-Sat, closed Sunday (hours subject to change) 352.708.6588 overthetoppita.com info@overthetoppita.com

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

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

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FORK ON THE ROAD

A true taste of Mexico La Perla Tapatia adds spice to the Eustis dining scene.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

t’s OK if you have occasional cravings for Mexican food. I certainly do.

Those strong urges usually begin with remembering that last batch of crispy and lightly salted tortilla chips I dipped into a bowl of fresh salsa. Then it graduates to enchiladas covered in sour cream with red sauce dripping down the side. Before long, fajitas, chimichangas, taco salads, and taquitos are dancing through my mind.

To satisfy that craving, I need a restaurant that offers something more than the equivalent of a Taco Bell burrito.

Say “hola” to La Perla Tapatia. Opened in March 2022, this restaurant gifts Lake Countians with some of the most iconic dishes unique to Jalisco, a western Mexican state near the Pacific Ocean.

Co-owners Edgar Meza and Luis de la Torre hail from Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco.

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You might be wondering how the restaurant got its name. Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, is referred to as “The Pearl of the West.”

Male habitants of the city are called tapatios, and females are called tapatias.

Locals are ecstatic that two tapatios found their way to Eustis.

“Customers are always telling me how badly we needed a restaurant like this in Eustis,” says Luis, who has worked his way up from dishwasher to restaurateur during his 20 years in the industry.

“People desire fresh and authentic Mexican food at affordable prices. Before now, that has been hard to find in Eustis.”

Don’t worry. La Perla Tapatia doesn’t skimp on portion size or quality due to lack of competition.

The experience starts with the free salsa and chips. The tortilla chips are fresh and warm, and the salsa has a perfect blend of fresh tomatoes, white onion, and cilantro.

It’s a far cry from the smoke-dominant, overly chunky, or watery salsas

≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL sometimes served at other Mexican restaurants.

Approximately eight minutes later, heads turn and conversations come to a standstill when Edgar walks by holding a cast-iron pan with sizzling hot fajitas. Smoke billows in my face as I excitedly unwind my napkin and release my utensils. On the surface, the fajitas look like what you’d get anywhere else—meat tossed in peppers and onion. The difference is the flavor. I’ve eaten fajitas where each bite tasted like onions or grease. At La

Perla Tapatia, everything on the plate maintained its own flavor. The steak tasted like steak, the shrimp tasted like shrimp, and the peppers tasted like peppers.

I also try the chimichanga. The goldenbrown, pan-fried exterior is smothered in a delicious cheese sauce, while the inside is loaded with seasoned ground beef and savory spices. I add liberal amounts of guacamole and sour cream for a little extra flavor.

As I glance through a paper menu while eating,

Co-owners Edgar Meza and Luis de la Torre

I notice some traditional Mexican favorites—burrito supreme, nachos supreme, and quesadillas. I also discover new items I’ve never tried. Edgar and Luis added dishes found unique to Jalisco and typically not found at other Mexican restaurants. That includes Torta Birria, a braised-beef brisket sandwich filled with beans, onions, and cilantro; La Valentina, small pieces of ribeye steak cooked in a green tomatillo sauce, and Torta Ahogada, a salsa-drowned torta filled with pork, onions, and refried beans.

“We didn’t want to copy everyone else’s menu,” he says. “Our goal was to bring something different to the area.”

Edgar continues filling my water glass and bringing me extra salsa. He’s not the typical restaurant owner who ducks into a small office and immerses himself in paperwork. I appreciate his hospitality. After all, servers become as much a part of a meal as those you dine with.

“I love interacting with customers,” Edgar tells me.

“If they’re having a bad day, I can change it to a good day.”

Edgar’s friendly demeanor isn’t the only reason my day is brightened. Hanging above my booth is a beautiful gourd lamp, a distinctive emblem of Mexico featuring lights of varying colors—light blue, red, purple, orange and green.

The ambiance is further enhanced with Mexican

artwork and cultural music playing the background.

A full-service bar with two television sets is the ideal place to enjoy house-made sangria, various Mexican beers, and, of course, margaritas. For those who prefer a little sunshine, an outdoor, pet-friendly dining area is open on weekends.

Enjoy live mariachi music each Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

La Perla Tapatia offers great-tasting food, generous portions, and heaping service.

Those are the perfect recipes for a repeat visit.

That visit will likely come sooner than later. It’s only a matter of time before I experience a raging craving for Mexican food that probably borders on addiction.

IF YOU GO

LA PERLA TAPATIA 2060 S. Bay St., Eustis Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday laperlatapatiamex.com

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

JAMES COMBS

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DINING GUIDE

DINE

eats

From classic diners and lakeside restaurants to fine dining and everything in-between, Lake County’s culinary scene is booming. Your favorite meal is sure to be served with a side of hospitality.

You can find a copy of Lake & Sumter Style at all listed dining locations!

BUSHNELL

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 2586 W CR 48 352.568.7000

Darryl’s Diner 2237 W CR 48 352.444.2318

CLERMONT

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

Lilly’s on the Lake

NY Deli N Diner

El Ranchito

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

Rae Rae’s Restaurant

Harbor Hills Country Club

846 W. Osceola St. 352.708.6565

230 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.394.0036

Robata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar

Cheeser’s Palace Café

Southern on 8th Kitchen & Bar

Crooked Spoon Gastropub

200 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.404.7808

El Cerro Restaurant 811 W. Hwy. 50 352.241.9884

Gators Dockside

1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.242.1825

Goomba’s Pizzeria

2395 S. Hwy 27 352.989.4403

Green Mountain Pizza 303 Hwy. 50 352.432.3380

801 W. Montrose St. 352.394.7777 EUSTIS

Gators Dockside 15241 US Hwy 441 352.357.1255

NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. CR 44 352.589.9100

Taki’s Pizza House

2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022

The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939

Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001

Guru Restaurant Award-Winning Indian Cuisine 2400 S Hwy 27 Suite 101 352.241.9884

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Stavro’s

3223 US Hwy. 441 352.315.0028

1 Lagrande Blvd.

352.750.3335 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000

F RU I T LA N D PA R K

Mystic Ice Cream 1217 W. Miller Blvd.

352.812.1366

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The Rose Plantation An early 20th Century dining experience.

200 Rose Ave. 352.805.4340 GROVELAND

Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33 352.429.2997

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS

JB Boondocks Bar & Grill

10400 CR 48 352.324.3910

Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.2718

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722

OakWood Smokehouse & Grill 860 S. Hwy 27/441 352.751.5640

Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 LEESBURG

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria 27405 US Highway 27 352.728.2020

Ichiban Buffet 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669

La Palma Mexican Grill Old-school traditions from Mexico combined with inspirations from California and Louisiana.

1690 Citrus Blvd.

352.323.1444

Main Street Cantina

205 W. Main St. 352.435.7279

Mammoth Oak Brewing Company 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.326.0100

Mystic Ice Cream 314 W. Main St. 352.812.1366

Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.323.1616

Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442

Donut King 708 S. 14th St. 352.805.4888

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill 2775 U.S. 27 352.435.4633

Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 US Hwy. 27 352.319.8093

San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant

LADY LAKE

1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174

Bamboo Bistro 700 Hwy. 441 352.750.9998

311 W. Magnolia St. 352.474.2739

13721 US Hwy 441 352.775.1500

704 S. Lakeshore Blvd.

352.324.3600

La Hacienda Restaurant

Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room

Marco’s Pizza

Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More

16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305 352.404.8031

707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431

2468 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.323.1595

1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688

Ay Jalisco 580 Hwy 50 352.243.1360

3325 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.365.0051

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Restaurant 911 W. North Blvd.

352.314.9339

The Brick & Barrel Public House 209 W. Main St. 352.431.3069

GOO GR D

UB T H IS MO E D IT N T H 'S O R 'S P IC K

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria recently celebrated its third anniversary. Owner and chef Roberto Manco, a native of Naples, Italy, makes many of his products fresh every day, including mozzarella and Italian-style bread that customers can buy by the loaf or enjoy as garlic rolls with their dinner. Enjoy specials for lunch and dinner, where you can try the baked gnocchi, eggplant parmesan, shrimp scampi, stuffed chicken marsala, spaghetti carbonara, and a variety of sandwiches and pasta dishes. Your taste buds are sure to be satisfied!

2468 Burnsed Boulevard, The Villages / 352.626.1059

The Coffee Snob 1101 W North Blvd 352.460.4570

The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd.

352.805.4250

Vincent’s Italian Restaurant

5914 Orange Blossom Trl. 352.735.4578 OXFORD

Pho Saigon

11707 N. US Hwy. 301 352.492.9423

The Ranch

10601 US 441, C12 352.901.6193

Wolfy’s

918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777 MOUNT DORA

Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903

Fiesta Grande

TAVA R E S

Bella Nona Pizzeria

280 Silverado St. 352.508.9370

BTW (Burgers, Tacos & Waffles) 115 E. Main St. 352.508.9287

Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd.

352.742.4400

Hurricane Dockside Grill

421 N. Baker St. 352.385.3540

3351 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.508.5137

Magical Meat Boutique

Puddle Jumpers

322 N. Alexander St. 352.729.6911

111 W. Ruby St. 352.508.5862

Tavares Ice Cream

Sakura

Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill

Too Jays Brownwood

214 E. Main 352.508.5342

118 W. Ruby St. 352.508.5783

T H E VIL L AG E S

Cody’s Roadhouse Brownwood 3731 Meggison Rd 352.430.2926

Cody’s Roadhouse Lake Sumter Landing 1041 Lakeshore Dr 352.259.8500

Giovanni’s

3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674

Haagan Dazs Ice Cream

1001 Lake Shore Dr 352.751.0261

Legacy Restaurant 17135 Buena Vista Blvd.

352.753.1475

265 Colony Blvd.

352.205.7393 2835 Brownwood Blvd 352.350.2122

Marco’s Pizza Everything is made daily, even the dough and sauce!

5806 Seven Mile Dr., Ste. 101 352.571.2400

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994

Peachwave

Too Jays Lake Sumter Landing 1129 Canal Street 352.430.0410

VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 UMATILLA

The Mason Jar

249 Colony Blvd 352.750.2238

37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535

Peterbrooke Chocolatier 1087 Canal St 352.391.5877

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 2468 Burnsed Blvd.

352.626.1059

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DINING GUIDE

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant 27405 U.S. HWY 27, LEESBURG | 352.728.2020 & 352.365.9004 MYBROOKLYNPIZZERIA.COM When hit with a craving for authentic New York style pizza, there’s no need to catch the next flight to the Big Apple. Simply visit Brooklyn’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant in Leesburg and Owners James and Shawna Pancari will make you feel right at home with New York inspired vibes, décor, and flavors. Not only have they perfected the New York style thin crust people swear by, but they take pride in ensuring everything they serve is made fresh and from-scratch daily; including their pizza dough and sauces, strombolis, calzones, subs, salads, wings, specialty Italian and pasta dinners.

Additionally, the restaurant is family-run and Veteran-owned, with James having served in the Coast Guard for 31 years. In honor of that, the dining room features a military wall, plus a 10 percent discount for veterans, active members of the military, police, fire, and first responders. Brooklyn’s Pizzeria also offers gluten-free pizza and pasta options, and accepts door-dash, online-ordering, catering, and curbside pickup.

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Restaurant 911 W. NORTH BLVD., LEESBURG | 352.460.0123 ELRANCHITOMEXICANCUBAN.COM Since opening in 1997, El Ranchito has been the go-to place for Lake Countians who desire delicious Mexican food. Although the restaurant was closed for nearly two years due to the coronavirus, El Ranchito’s Leesburg location officially reopened in December 2021. The restaurant is now named El Ranchito Mexican Cuban and serves genuine Mexican cuisine and a variety of Cuban entrees with entertainment on Tuesdays and Saturdays! The menu features many of the favorite dishes diners have grown to love over the years, as well as new dishes. Consider the Molcajete Caliente featuring your choice of meats grilled with onion, potato, and bell pepper, topped with cheese and salsa verde. Or try the Bistec de Palomilla with thin-sliced steak with onions and parsley that comes with a signature steak sauce. El Ranchito fans will appreciate the remodeled restaurant, which now includes a 50-seat outside patio. Despite the changes, the food remains as scrumptious as ever. Enjoy amigos!

Guru Restaurant CLERMONT HILLSIDE TERRACE, 2400 S. U.S. 27, SUITE 101, CLERMONT 352.241.9884 | GURURESTAURANTCLERMONT.COM Owned by Chef Uday Kadam, Guru has a following of fans who savor the delicious, award-winning Indian cuisine inside the restaurant’s beautiful dining room filled with Indian décor and tables with linen tablecloths. Guru earned the prestigious Best Entrée award at the 2021 Taste of South Lake & Business Expo for its Chicken Tikka Masala, featuring boneless chicken pieces cooked in a Tandoor oven with tomato sauce, onion, aromatic herbs, spices, and served with Basmati rice. Guru also has tasty appetizers, Naan breads, vegan dishes, and a wide array of entrees, including Palak Paneer, a dish of homemade cubes of cheese cooked with spinach and fresh spices; Lamb Vindaloo of choice lamb cubes marinated in vinegar with potato and a blend of spices; and Tandoori Chicken Tikka, where the chicken is marinated in mild spices and yogurt. Additionally, Indian alcoholic beverages of Taj Mahal and Kingfisher are served at Guru, and the restaurant caters private functions, parties, and provides many delivery options for orders made online at mygurutogo.com.

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Mon – Thu 11:00am – 8:00pm Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm Saturday 12:00pm – 9:00pm Sunday 12:00pm – 7:00pm

Sun – Sat 11:00am – 10:00pm Follow us on Facebook for daily specials and entertainment!

Visit our Villages location!

El Ranchito Restaurant 1 La Grande Blvd, The Villages 352.750.3335

Mon – Sat 3:00pm – 9:00pm Sunday Noon – 6:00pm

La Palma Mexican Grill

Open Daily 11:00am – 9:00pm

1690 CITRUS BLVD., LEESBURG | 352.323.1444 | LAPALMAGRILL.COM The entire staff invites you to a delicious dining experience at La Palma Mexican Grill. The recipes used for the restaurant’s unique dishes are a blend of old-school traditions from Mexico, combined with culinary inspirations from California and Louisiana. Homemade Mexican entrees such as Tacos Azteca, carnitas, fajitas, Chori Pollo, tamales and more, are flavorful and prepared with only the freshest of ingredients. Sit comfortably in the beautiful dining room, the festive bar, or outside on the patio deck with a serene view of the grounds and of the fun wild animals that can be spotted in the trees. Enjoy fast and friendly service, reasonable prices, three-for-one margaritas all day, every day, and a party room, available by reservation, for large parties or meetings.

Full menu at lapalmagrill.com. Call for daily specials.

K!

Lunch Specials 11:00am – 3:00pm Margarita Mondays!

Enjoy $5 margaritas all day every Monday.

A BWWAA ck ’clo It’s five ohere! somew

Marco’s Pizza 5806 SEVEN MILE DRIVE SUITE 101, WILDWOOD 352.571.2400 | MARCOS.COM

Sun – Thu 11:00am – 9:00pm Friday & Saturday 11:00am – 10:00pm

The most delicious dishes are made with lots of love. That’s certainly the case at Marco’s Pizza, which is owned by business partners Peter Hiles and Roger Mellen. They opened the restaurant last April off County Road 466A in Wildwood and already have plans to open five additional locations. And why not?

Everyone loves pizza, but they appreciate a quality pizza much more. At Marco’s Pizza, everything is made daily, including the dough and sauce. In other words, everything is fresh and never frozen. The popular three-cheese blend is another aspect that makes the pizza so satisfying. Marco’s Pizza also offers calzones, specialty pizza bowls, subs, salads, and wings. Expect to always be welcomed by a warm, friendly staff whether you dine inside the restaurant or call for delivery.

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 352.753.2722 | 304 US-441, LADY LAKE Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Lady Lake has the distinct honor of calling itself a true family-owned restaurant. In fact, five generations of family members have represented the restaurant since its humble beginnings in May 1962. As many generations of customers have dined there throughout the years thanks to the outstanding service and scrumptious dishes such as Spaghetti a la Bruzzi, Delmonico steak, and lasagna. This food savvy family prepares everything from scratch, crafting everything with love to satisfy your taste buds.

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Wed – Sun 4:00pm – 9:00pm Closed Monday & Tuesday

Full Gluten-Free Menu

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DINING GUIDE

Rodello’s Italian Restaurant

Open Daily 11:00am – 9:00pm

26736 U.S HIGHWAY 27, LEESBURG | 352.319.8093 | RODELLOS.COM Chef Amadeo Avila invites you to enjoy authentic and fresh Italian cuisine in a friendly, comfortable dining environment at Rodello’s Italian Restaurant. The recipes used for his dishes are a blend of old-school traditions from Italy—the restaurant is named for a city in the old country—with new culinary inspirations that Chef Amadeo has learned during many years in the restaurant business.

Flavorful, homemade Italian entrees such as Pistachio Crusted Lamb, Salmon Saltimbocca, Lobster Ravioli, Shrimp Risotto, and many others are classics and prepared with only the freshest ingredients. The lunch menu features personal pizzas, calzones, subs, and pasta. Sit in the spacious dining room or enjoy drinks or desserts like delicious gelato in the cozy lounge, which features a full bar, wine menu, and an array of specialty cocktails. Always look for new features on Chef Amadeo’s menu, available on the restaurant’s website, Rodellos.com.

The Ranch 10601 U.S. HIGHWAY 441, LEESBURG | 352.901.6193 The Ranch restaurant, located at 10601 U.S. Highway 441, in the Publix shopping plaza near Lake Square Mall, is known for its cool western vibe and chicken wings Slavko Grguric has perfected over the years, but there’s more! The menu includes international and unique food selections like Schnitzel and Chevapi, an eastern-European delicacy made from pork and beef, Lobster Bisque, Fish and Chips, specialty burgers, Pork Chops, Ribeye, Prime Rib, Peel and Eat Shrimp, and a variety of from-scratch soups. The Ranch also sports a full bar with happy hour every weekday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and live entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to close. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Carry out and dine-in are available. For more information, menu updates, and live entertainment schedules, visit The Ranch on Facebook or call 352.901.6193.

Live Entertainment: Fri – Sat 4:30pm – Close

The Rose Plantation

Lunch: Tue – Fri 11:00am – 2:00pm

200 ROSE AVE, FRUITLAND PARK | 352.805.4340 THEROSEPLANTATION.COM Enjoy an early 20th Century dining experience at The Rose Plantation, located in a home built in 1917. This charming and delightful restaurant on Fountain Lake serves up outstanding dishes with a side of elegant ambiance, starting with the glass-enclosed garden room and veranda, eclectic china, live piano, fine silverware, linen tablecloths, and the rose garden out front. The chefs are given creative freedom to make memorable dishes such as grilled scallops, half-roasted duck with sweet potato mash, rack of lamb, and crab cakes with cauliflower puree, black bean, corn relish, and key-lime avocado crema. All dishes are upscale in both quality and presentation. Customers can also choose from 140 varietals of wine. The restaurant, which seats 128 guests, includes private dining rooms for small parties. Four additional dining rooms will be added within one year.

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Open 7 Days a week: 11:00am – 9:00pm

Dinner: Tue – Sat Taking Reservations 4:45pm – 8:00pm

Window Reflections

Motorized Shades Blinds & Shutters Drapery Valances & Cornices

352-330-2055

Owner, Roxanne

103 N. Main St. Wildwood FL 34785

Visit our showroom:

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Simply Mexcellent El Ranchito opens to the delight of both longtime and new customers.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Admit it. Sometimes, you have a craving for Mexican food. You know, salsa made from fresh tomatoes, enchiladas dripping with cheese, and sizzling fajitas wrapped beautifully in flour tortillas.

It’s perfectly normal to desire Mexican cuisine. After all, Mexico is ranked as one of the best food cultures in the world.

Fortunately, you won’t have to drive far to satisfy your craving. Just make the short trip to Leesburg and say “hola” to the fabulous staff at El Ranchito, which has been a staple in the community since 1997.

That’s right. For those of you who are unaware, El Ranchito officially reopened in December 2021 after being closed for three years due to remodeling and the coronavirus pandemic.

Yes, three years was a long wait for El Ranchito’s diehard fans.

However, they’ll realize that the wait was worth it thanks to changes to the décor and menu.

The addition of high-top tables allows patrons to enjoy a more intimate dining experience and a

better view of their surroundings. In addition, patio dining is now available to anyone who prefers a more relaxed atmosphere under the sun or stars with family and friends. A new tile ceiling, new flooring, and new booths with wooden tables also add to the ambiance. The restaurant will soon offer live mariachi bands, allowing diners to discover one of Mexico’s famous musical traditions.

Of course, loyal El Ranchito customers will also appreciate an expanded menu. Owner Antonio Reyes added popular Cuban dishes such as Fricase De Pollo (shredded chicken cooked with potatoes in a tomato sauce), Pernil (Cuban-style roast seasoned with homemade sauce) and Higado Cubano (grilled liver steak cooked with onions and peppers). The restaurant also offers the ever-popular Cuban sandwich.

“Adding Cuban food gives our menu more of a variety,” Antonio says.

“They can come here and have Mexican food one day and then come a few days later and enjoy a delicious Cuban meal.

Antonio’s daughter, Daniela Reyes, says longtime El Ranchito customers are thrilled about the restaurant reopening.

“We have customers from all over Lake County who are rediscovering us, and we have new customers who are discovering us. We’re excited to be open again because we love interacting with customers and seeing them enjoy our great food.”

El Ranchito / 352.314.9339 / 911 N. Blvd., Leesburg / Sun – Sat, 11:00am – 10:00pm

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Playing it When Florida’s summertime heat sizzles, it’s always a cool idea to get your A/C unit serviced by DuctMan Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating.

The company is owned by Quan Nguyen, a man who brings an extraordinary amount of hard work and dedication to the job each day.

One certainly cannot question his passion for the industry. Just consider that Quan turned down a full college scholarship, Florida Gold Seal funding, and grant money to become a blue-collar worker. He’s been in the field since the late 90’s and now the company has blown up to a multimillion dollar company. It hasn’t been easy, but just like the rest of the guys, he still puts in his time averaging well over 40 hours a week.

Since that time, Quan has remained true to the company’s values. He and his team provide customers with an excellent overall experience—from the initial conversation about designing the perfect duct system for their new house, or replacing one of the system that has stopped working. They are

Customers are blown away by the A/C services that are offered

by Quan Nguyen and the rest of his Duct-Man Mechanical team.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

truly a one-stop shop when it comes to your comfort controls.

That level of dedication has resulted in an enormous list of delighted customers who have happily referred Quan’s business to friends, family members, and neighbors.

“Our customers truly appreciate that we’re accessible,” Quan says. “We’re consistently open for 15 hours straight each day to serve our customers to the best of our ability.”

Duct-Man Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating is based in Eustis and serves five Central Florida counties. With 20 plus employees and 15 service trucks, the company handles everything from new residential construction, preventative maintenance, to routine service calls when a system is not working. Under his leadership, his business has become Lake County’s largest Trane dealer since 2020.

Quan, a 2001 graduate of Eustis High School, says the most rewarding aspect of being a business owner is how word-of-mouth advertising has carried his company throughout the

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years. He and his team love calling customers by name and treating them like family members.

“Our main coverage area is Lake County, and I love the people I meet here,” he says.

“I love the fact that I can make each transaction turn into a relationship.”

Outside of work, Quan enjoys spending valuable time with his family.

That includes Tiffany, his wife of 11 years, and their three children: Ty-Bryant, 15, Alexis, 10, and Ronin, 7.

The Nguyens love mudding, traveling, going to the beach, shopping and eating together.

Tony Pagano, General Sales Manager (left) Robby Giovanetti, Salesperson (right)

Jim & Diane Brill

P L AZ A CA D I L L AC We’ve had a lot of full-size GM SUVs, the new Escalade is by far the best. It’s exceeded all expectations. The tech is incredible, the interior is gorgeous and we get compliments on it everywhere we go. The best part however is the dealer experience. Our salesperson, Robby, is kind, cooperative, understanding, and always has the answer to my questions. Everyone at the dealership - sales, parts, and service, are all helpful and great people.

—JIM AND DIANE BRILL

8893 US HWY 441 | LEESBURG, FL 34788 | 352.787.1323 | P L AZ A C A D I L L AC . CO M

Tony Pagano, General Sales Manager (left) Mitchell Smith, Salesperson (right)

Carmelo and Miriam Quijano

P L AZ A L I N CO L N Our experience at Plaza Lincoln was awesome. Our salesperson Mr. Mitchell Smith is very knowledgeable on all the new features on the 2021 Aviator-it’s beyond reproach! The courtesy and welcoming was very pleasant, we are impressed. To say the least, we left very well satisfied.

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FINAL THOUGHT

CO MMENTARY

Simply amazing Goodbye writing, hello Mr. Right.

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

≈ ILLUSTRATION: MEGAN MERICLE

ow. That’s the one word that comes to my mind as I write this Final Thought column, which is my last one to pen. My 45-year career in the journalism field as a newspaper and magazine writer has come to an end with this issue, and I am beyond grateful for the incredible journey I’ve experienced and the interesting people I have met along the way.

I can honestly say the best and most enjoyable days of my career began April 25, 2016, when I joined Akers Media to become one of the writers of Lake and Sumter Style.

Being in a positive, upbeat work environment was refreshing to experience and the opportunity to be around happy, caring colleagues was good for my soul.

Thank you to my wonderful bosses, Kendra and Doug Akers for hiring me, and a big thank you to my kind

and talented colleagues, James, Roxanne, Nicole, Tim, Melanie, Volkan, Megan, Michael, Aubrey, Shaena, Cindy, and Scott … I adore and respect each one of you!

So, why retire? Well, it is thanks to Kendra. She was a matchmaker two years ago, asking if I, as a widow, would be interested in dating fellow widower, Duncan McRae, the brother of Tim McRae, vice president of sales here at Akers Media.

Duncan and I hit it off on our first date in May 2020, we reconnected last March, and on June 9, we tied the knot aboard Cruisin’ Tikis Lake Dora.

To our delight, we had the honor of being the first couple to marry on the six-passenger tiki hut boat with our vows officiated by the boat captain.

So, as this August birthday gal turns 65, I look forward to more life adventures and experiences with Duncan by my side, and I hope we make the best of our days living poet Robert Browning’s sweet words: “Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be!”

Hey, readers! Is there a particular subject that you would like us to write a commentary about? Tell us, via email, at editorial@akersmediagroup.com

THERESA CAMPBELL

Congratulations!

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute Medical Oncologists Best of the Best 2022 Nominees

Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD

Jennifer L. Cultrera, MD

Maen Hussein, MD

Ram Tummala, MD

Florida Cancer Specialists is a leader in medical oncology and hematology.

Our skilled and compassionate physicians are driven by a shared purpose to provide exceptional cancer care and the best available treatment options, personalized for each patient’s unique needs.

We congratulate Dr. Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, Dr. Jennifer L. Cultrera, Dr. Maen Hussein, and Dr. Ram Tummala for earning the top spots in Style Magazine’s 2022 Best of the Best Oncologists.

Thank you to our patients and everyone in the community who voted for placing your trust in us. It is our privilege to care for such remarkably brave individuals. You inspire us every day.

Proud to serve patients at our eight Lake and Sumter county locations.

Patrick Acevedo, MD Irfan Ahmed, MD, MS Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD Roy Ambinder, MD Jennifer Cultrera, MD Imad El-Jassous, MD Adewale Fawole, MD Ralph Gousse, MD Maen Hussein, MD Meera Iyengar, MD

Vasundhara Iyengar, MD, FACP Sachin Kamath, MD Mohsin Malik, MD Pablo Reyes Jr., MD Rakesh Rohatgi, MD Ibrahim Sadek, MD Sandeep Thaper, MD Ram Tummala, MD Marays Veliz, MD

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