STYLE Magazine, Village Edition, January 2019

WE’RE LOCALS

There’s no place like home in Lake & Sumter counties

BEER HERE

Craft beer has raised hops to a new level

DATA PRIVACY

How to protect your online information

THE FUTURE OF EYE CARE IS

NOW

Dr. Kaushal of Comprehensive Retina Consultants provides quantitative analysis to better your eyesight.

Life can feel like a holein-one when your heart’s in the right place

V I S I T U S O N L I N E TO L E A R N M O R E A B O U T O U R P H YS I C I A N S A N D M E D I C A L P RO F E S S I O N A L S

The Right Place is Village Heart & Vein Center Our physicians and medical professionals have been treating Central Floridians for years with a level of exemplary cardiac and vascular care that comes straight from the heart.

The Oaks Professional Center, 8575 NE 138th Lane | 352.674.2080 | villageheartandvein.com

When your Health is an urgent matter.

AFTER 20 YEARS OF CARE, we understand health issues can happen at any time. To serve those urgent needs, we are proud to introduce our new urgent care center.

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New You

See a SAVE + in the NEW YEAR $150 THE VILLAGES MAGAZINE FULL PAGE BLEED

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JANUARY 2019 // VOL.15 NO. 3 // F e a t u r e s

40 Everybody knows your name There are those in Lake and Sumter counties who have never left their hometowns. They were born, grew up, married, and continue to live and work here. These are the people who believe home means a lifetime connection.

January 2019

LAKE & SUMTER

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

+

WE’RE LOCALS

There’s no place like home in Lake & Sumter counties

DATA PRIVACY

48 It’s all in the taste

54 Keeping your secrets a secret

Craft beer breweries are growing like hops! They keep Lake County’s beer drinkers happy and ready to taste an exciting new brew. Learn what makes these smaller breweries such inviting places for beer lovers.

Technology is always at your fingertips, and everything you use should be protected to keep it safe. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep hackers from stealing your personal information and using it for their own dark purposes.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

STORY: CHRIS GERBASI

How to protect your online information

Feel a new level of health care with AdventHealth Waterman.

WE’RE LOCALS

There’s no place like home in Lake & Sumter counties

BEER HERE

Craft beer has raised hops to a new level

and more!

DATA PRIVACY

How to protect your online information

THE FUTURE OF EYE CARE IS

NOW

Dr. Kaushal of Comprehensive Retina Consultants provides quantitative analysis to better your eyesight.

On the covers LAKE & SUMTER STYLE ADVENTHEALTH WATERMAN VILLAGES EDITION COMPREHENSIVE RETINA CONSULTANTS, DR. KAUSHAL

January 2019

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21 Up Front

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Hit List Person of Interest Outstanding Student This ‘N That My First Time

67 ON THE SCENE

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The To-Do List In Concert Local Talent Social Spotlight Near & Far Hi, Society!

91 food & drink

92 94 96 98 100

In the Kitchen Fork on the Road Now Serving Salutè Dining Guide

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COLUM NS

16 From the Publisher 104 Final Thought

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Beautiful Hand-Woven Rugs for Today’s Decor

Cyrus Rug Gallery brings you a selection of old-world artistry with fashion forward patterns, fresh color palettes, and elegant designs to create stunning works of art. These stunning, exceptionally unique pieces of art are ideal for the contemporary or traditional home. Whether you are looking to add subtle texture to your rooms or want to make a deďŹ ned statement, our gallery of hand-knotted rugs is sure to provide you with the perfect artistic edge for your space.

352.629.3200 | 20 SE Broadway St., Ocala, FL | Cyrus-Rug.com

Cyrus Rug Gallery Downtown Ocala on the Square

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From The Publisher

Kendra Akers PUBLISHER kendra@akersmediagroup.com Doug Akers PRESIDENT doug@akersmediagroup.com Jamie Ezra Mark CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER jamie@akersmediagroup.com

A clean slate

Editorial // Design // Photography

he New Year always presents an opportunity to begin anew. That’s why people make resolutions and say, “Things will be different this year. I’m going to be a better…” You fill in the blank.

At Style, we enjoyed getting to know some long-time locals better. Many people think of this area as a haven for snowbirds, but for many people, it’s been home all their lives. From Yalaha to Tavares to Mount Dora, Eustis, and Leesburg, we found people who love this area and this state for what it has provided them and their families. They may have dipped a toe in the snow up north, but they prefer the Sunshine State for living.

Another story that may spark debate among locals is searching for the perfect craft beer. Lake County has an array of these small breweries that produce craft beer with almost the same attention and detail as a fine wine.

They look for aroma, what’s infused in the beer, or the citrusy pale ales. Flavors are limited only by the mind of the brewer, and some people have made a hobby of tastings at many places in the area.

Now to point out what is a growing concern for all of us: data security. If large companies like Target, Under Armour, Tesla, and Facebook are being breached, it seems impossible for individuals to protect their privacy and still enjoy the value of social media and buying on the internet. We worked with local law enforcement to provide information for readers to protect online data.

As you start the new year, remember there’s something you can share with everyone: a smile and a kind word.

Both are free and always available. Style hopes 2019 is your best year yet!

Until next month,

Kendra

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Leigh Neely Jason Fugate MANAGING EDITOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR leigh@akersmediagroup.com jason@akersmediagroup.com James Combs Josh Clark STAFF WRITER SENIOR DESIGNER james@akersmediagroup.com josh@akersmediagroup.com Theresa Campbell Volkan Ulgen STAFF WRITER DESIGNER theresa@akersmediagroup.com volkan@akersmediagroup.com Chris Gerbasi Michael Gaulin STAFF WRITER PRODUCTION DIRECTOR chris@akersmediagroup.com michael@akersmediagroup.com Paula F Howard Anthony Rao STAFF WRITER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER paula@akersmediagroup.com anthony@akersmediagroup.com Nicole Hamel STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER nicole@akersmediagroup.com contributors

Joe Angione Mary Ann DeSantis sales // marketing

Tim McRae VICE PRESIDENT, SALES tim@akersmediagroup.com Melanie Melvin Shaena Chastain DIRECTOR OF MARKETING SALES ASSISTANT Melanie@akersmediagroup.com shaena@akersmediagroup.com Administration

Deb Matlock Aubrey Akers Simmons DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES OFFICE MANAGER deb@akersmediagroup.com aubrey@akersmediagroup.com distribution

Scott Hegg DISTRIBUTION MANAGER scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com digital social media

Garrett Reardon DIGITAL SPECIALIST garrett@akersmediagroup.com Lake & Sumter Style is a proud member of

Florida Magazine Association

Leesburg Partnership

Leesburg Tavares Chamber South Lake of Commerce Chamber Chamber of Commerce of Commerce

WINNER OF

Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce

Sumter County Chamber of Commerce

American Advertising Association

150+ AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Lake & Sumter Style. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2017 by Akers Media. All rights reserved.

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

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OF THE VILLAGES® 2909 Traverse Trail, The Villages 352.674.EYES (3937) // eyesite-thevillages.com DR. PAUL E. COLLINS | DR. JOHN CHIARAMONTI BOARD CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS COME SEE US NEAR BROWNWOOD | CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

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Up Front

Go with the flow.

SEE STORY on PG 22

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FRESH FROM THE FARM: Clermont dubs itself the “Choice of Champions.” If you want to eat like a champion, consider a trip to the Downtown Clermont Farmer’s Market from 9am-2pm Sundays.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables decreases your cancer risk and lowers cholesterol, according to the American Cancer Society. Also purchase seafood, honey, pasta, organic products, and more.

Visit clermontdowntownpartnership.com.

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CRAZY SWEET: Feel like a kid in a candy store at Krazy Kandy, which promises “Sweets for every sweet tooth.” The Clermont store sells old-fashioned, novelty, giant, and bulk candy, according to its Facebook page.

Krazy Kandy: 648 8th St., 352.536.2901.

PADDLE TO BETTER HEALTH: As part of your 2019 New Year’s resolutions, you’ve vowed to become healthier. If so, take advantage of the lakes and enjoy a kayaking trip.

TRANSFORMING IDEAS: The community is invited

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to hear 14 local speakers discuss their views on the theme “Transformation” at TEDxLSSC on Feb. 15 at the Paul P. Williams Auditorium at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg. See tedxlssc.com for info.

A COLLAGE OF CREATIVITY: From brilliant, vivid paintings to eyecatching photography, the Mount Dora Arts Festival is a popular event in its 44th year. Coming Feb. 2-3, more than 300,000 people are expected. In 2017 it was ranked as the country’s seventh-best fine arts show by Sunshine Artist.

Visit mountdoraartsfestival.org.

Kayaking increases cardiovascular health, provides a superior upper-body workout, and improves mental health, according to the Better Health Channel website. Eustisbased Central Florida Kayak Tours offers kayak trips in a variety of places.

Visit centralfloridakayaktours.com.

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YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: People who move to a new area often have a difficult time finding their way into the community. If you’re new to Eustis, Tavares, Mount Dora, or East Leesburg, try the Newcomers and Friends Social Club at luncheons the second Tuesday of every month.

Reservations by the first Monday. Contact Margie Lamb (352.552.0614) or Kathleen Tucker-Perez (856.498.5628) for information.

A TASTE OF ASIA:

The South Lake Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Sushi Storm as a new member. The Clermont restaurant serves signature Thai items such as Volcano Chicken and Storm Salmon, and Japanese dishes including chicken katsu and steak teriyaki. Sushi Storm: 13900 County Road 455, Unit 109A, 407.614.3944, sushistorm.com.

NO FLY BY NIGHT: Florida has more than 80 species of mosquitoes.

That means they’re a problem year-round, even during the “cold” months. January has been mild in recent years, providing great atmosphere for mosquitoes. To protect yourself or your home, try BugBand Insect Repellent, which comes in a variety of forms. BugBand is waterproof and DEET-free, meaning it’s safe to wear in any environment to keep the dreaded flying biters from dive-bombing you! Style staff received a sample and found it to be effective and welcome, especially on muggy nights. See bugband.net for more information.

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PLEASE HELP YOURSELF TO THE BOUQUET: Edible Arrangements had an open house and ribboncutting ceremony, according to the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. The Clermont Landing shop, at 2413 S. Highway 27, is making life a little sweeter with fresh fruit bouquets, centerpieces, gifts, wedding favors, and boxes of chocolate-dipped fruits. See ediblearrangements.com.

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SAVOR THE GOODNESS: January

calls for comfort foods and Southern Gourmet & Café, 314 W. Main St., Leesburg, is one place to enjoy hearty lunch fare. Style writers find the restaurant’s broccoli and cheese potato with a cup of fresh fruit a filling, tasty, and nutritious combo.

January 2019

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nt * PUEpR S FO Nr o OF INTEREST

Mike Hein Groveland city manager V I TA L

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Named city manager in March 2018.

Born in Milwaukee.

Holds degrees from University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and University of Arizona; completed program for government executives at Harvard University.

Wife Anne-Marie Russell is executive director of Sarasota Museum of Art.

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You formerly managed Tucson, Arizona; population 500,000-plus. How does that compare to managing a small community?

All communities are comprised of people with unique cultures and histories.

Successfully managing a municipality requires that one learn, understand, and embrace the past as well as the future.

I’m particularly fond of medium and smaller organizations because it affords the opportunity to get to know the employees and the citizens to a much greater extent.

Otherwise, the scale between managing an organization of 120 employees versus 6,000 isn’t that much different.

New projects in Groveland? The community is poised to break ground on three significant capital projects that have been in the works for a number of years. The mayor and council will start construction on a new park on Wilson Lake Parkway and a new public safety facility on State Road 50.

Also, improvements to Lake David Park will get underway. Not

only is the community going to see physical improvements, the community will engage in conversations about the future and see a community committed to the environment and inclusive participation.

Better barbecue— Arizona or Florida?

Long-term goals?

Philadelphia Story,” with Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, and Cary Grant.

The collective vision of Groveland is to be the city of choice for those who value economic, social, and cultural success through the celebration of Groveland’s history, natural beauty, diversity, and community engagement.

Well, Florida, of course! But, Arizona still has the Sonoran hot dog, which simply cannot be beat among culinary treasures.

Favorite movie: “The

Hobbies: Motorcycles, tennis, and visiting museums.

Pet peeve: I find that a lack of gratitude contributes to lessappealing behavior among human beings.

Celebrating 20 years 1998-2018 Specializing in: • Mini Face and Neck Lift with Smartlipo of Neck and Jowls • Xeomin/Botox/Belotero/Radiesse Facial Enhancements • Direct Neck Lift • Torn Earlobe Repair • Smartlipo (Laser Assisted Liposuction) • Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) • Arm Lift • Thigh Lift • Body Contouring After Weight Loss • Breast Augmentation • Breast Reduction and Lift • Skin Cancer Removal and Reconstruction

* OUUpT SFTrA NoDnI NtG S T U D E N T

Shelby Taylor

V I TA L

Age: 15.

Residence: Eustis.

School: Freshman at Umatilla High School.

S TAT

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Family: Mom, Ronda Taylor, and brother, Jesse Taylor.

Boys & Girls Club: She’s been a mentor/member for four years.

Boys & Girls Club mentor What I enjoy most about Boys & Girls Club:

shots you don’t take,” from Nancy Glass.

Volunteering. Helping with homework, teaching painting, and reading with the kids.

Personal philosophy: It’s based

I love teaching and making a difference in any way. When kids come to our B&GC, I have no clue what goes on in their home lives, but I do know the smile they get on their faces when they get involved in activities. Being a part of that is an amazing experience.

Biggest influence in my life: My mom. She’s a strong, beautiful, independent, single mother who constantly does her best in everything she puts her mind to. I hope to be as good of a mother and person as she is one day and have children that love me as much as I love her.

Hobbies: Reading, singing, ROTC drill, aviation, and art.

Pet peeve: When people try to argue with no clue what they’re talking about.

One word that describes me: Ambitious.

Best advice I’ve been given: “You miss 100 percent of the

Something no one knows about me: I find it’s really hard to feel like myself in high school. It’s really hard to stay true to yourself and what you believe in, especially when it’s different from what everyone else does.

Future goals: To have a happy, healthy family. I want to have a stable job doing something that helps people. I also want to travel and experience all the things I dream of.

I attribute my nearly 50-pound weight loss: To my mom and I working together to feel better about ourselves and not worrying about how other people think of us.

If I could meet anyone living or dead, it would be: My great-grandmother. Everyone always says how amazing she was and how much she would have loved me.

Photo: Nicole Hamel

Why this is important to me:

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T

he start of a new year is an important time.

A time for reflection. A time for inspiration. A time when people think about changing their lives.

But many of us don’t know how to find guidance. If you want to adjust your attitude, one “expert” might suggest meditating while another tells you to go bungee-jumping.

If you’re concerned about your diet, one “nutritionist” might recommend soy milk while another tells you to drink grain alcohol—grains are good, right?

Who can you trust?

Fortunately, we have a wonderful opportunity today to bask in the wisdom, the insight, the genius of a great guru. If you want to change your life, he can be your life coach. He’s an expert in mindfulness, cosmic connectivity, atomic nutrition, how to beat stress (especially during the holidays), and traffic school.

His name is Dr. Joseph Schmo, and his latest book is entitled, “$29.95 for a Happier You.” It’s another in his series of 77 self-help books detailing 14,675 steps to life fulfillment.

It’s available in print, online, audiobook, DVD, podcast, download, upload, sideload, streaming, rippling, babbling, and telepathy.

Q: Welcome, Dr. Schmo. What have you been up to lately?

Schmo: Thank you, glad to be here.

I’ve just returned from an 18-month sabbatical in the mountains of Kathmandu, the plains of the Serengeti, and the casinos of the Mississippi River.

Q: That sounds enlightening. For the uninitiated, or anyone who’s been living in a sensory deprivation chamber, let’s establish your credentials. What did you study in college?

Schmo: Interpretive dance. Comes in handy when you’re flying on organic beet juice.

Q: Where did you get the title “doctor”?

Schmo: That’s just an ironic nickname I picked up, like when you call a tall person “Shorty” or a one-armed man “Lefty.”

Q: What title would you give yourself?

Schmo: I used to be a health empowerment conversationalist. Then I became a soul purpose sherpa. Today, I consider myself a holistic, intuitive healer of the mind-body continuum.

Q: What does that mean?

Schmo: I have no idea, but doesn’t it sound cool?

Q: When I was a kid, I don’t remember the concept of “mindfulness.” It was called “thinking.” Can you explain your philosophy?

Schmo: Mindfulness is a concept in which you open yourself up as a receptor to the message of your being and entering the light of your soul.

Q: How do you unlock this concept?

Schmo: “Open, Sesame!” I’m just messing with you. Mindfulness merely requires intense concentration and the guidance of 77 or so books. Mindfulness is big business.

Q: What’s your tool for coping?

Schmo: The “positivity pebble.”

Everyone should carry a pebble. When you’re down, at your lowest, squeeze that pebble and think to yourself, “I may be a speck in the universe, but at least I’m not a pebble.”

Q: Inspiring. What about nutrition? I suppose you recommend natural foods?

Schmo: Anything you can find in your yard.

Q: Like garden vegetables?

Schmo: Nope, Bermuda grass. Just go grazing. I learned that when I was a greenskeeper at Hilton Head. If you suck up a bug or two, all the better.

Q: Is there more to life than pebbles and bugs?

Schmo: We all share something I call a “heart.” It’s an organ in the body.

Everybody gather ’round your magazine or computer screen. Grab your spouses and neighbors. No, not your pets. Get in closer. Get over here! We’re going to get very close and very quiet. Feel our hearts beat as one. Feel our universal connection. Hear the rhythm of our breathing. Someone had a chimichanga for lunch. Quiet, everyone. Shhhhhhhh.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Q: Wake up, Dr. Schmo!

Any last words of wisdom?

Schmo: You want to be happier? Stop whining, man up, and enjoy each day.

And buy my book.

Words to live by, Dr. Schmo, words to live by.

*

He’s an expert in mindfulness, cosmic connectivity, atomic nutrition, how to beat stress (especially during the holidays), and traffic school.

January 2019

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* MUYpFFI RrS ToTnI Mt E

Reese Chavis Teenager recalls a 300 game in bowling.

INTERVIEWER: JAMES COMBS // PHOTO: ANTHONY RAO

eese Chavis did not let the big moment get the better of him. He was intensely focused as strikes started piling up Sept. 25 at Spanish Springs Lanes during The Villages High School’s match against Tavares. Entering the final frame with a chance to achieve a perfect score and break a school record, he felt calm and relaxed. He knew he was about to achieve greatness the moment the ball left his hand.

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“I knew it was going to be a strike,” he says.

Reese bowled a 300.

This was his third perfect game but the first in a high school competition.

“It was a big deal,” Reese says. “I jumped up and down, and then my teammates all came up to hug me. The coach for Tavares congratulated me and asked, ‘Why did you have to have your best game against us?’”

Bowling accomplishments are nothing new to Reese, who began participating in the sport six years ago. He has traveled to Cleveland and Dallas to compete in the Junior Gold Championships, an annual national tournament for top male and female youth bowlers in the United States. This month,

he is flying to Las Vegas to compete in the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials, hoping to earn a spot on Team USA. He practices five times a week at various bowling alleys in Lake and Sumter counties.

“It’s good to mix it up because every alley is different,” he says. “They have different oil patterns, and some coat the lanes heavier than others. You have to be able to adapt to all bowling alleys.”

That dedication is why his game is never in the gutter.

Scott Windsor Scott Windsor

Bill Campbell, CFP®® Bill Campbell, CFP

Scott Dyer Scott Dyer

Andy Patrick Andy Patrick

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J ANUARY

The Most Successful Cancer Screener The Pap test is the most successful cancer screener for early detection and prevention. An increase in Pap tests can find cervical changes before they turn cancerous. This detection is important because precancers usually exhibit no signs or symptoms.

In the past, Pap tests were sometimes hard to read because sampled cells

were dried out, clumped together, or covered in mucus or blood. Today’s tests clean and preserve cells and transfers them to a slide. Computer screening can find abnormal cells that a human might miss.

Despite these improvements and the test’s great success, it’s not perfect. To help make your Pap test as accurate

What is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer, but not all types of HPV are cancerous. Of the more than 150 HPV varieties, two (HPV16 and HPV18) present the greatest risk. HPV can spread by skin-to-skin contact,

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including sexual activity. Chronic HPV infection, especially from high-risk HVP types, can lead to cervical cancer.

An HPV test is similar to a Pap test and both can be done together. HPV currently has no cure but it can be treated, and often the body can clear an infection by itself.

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

2019

EDI T I O N

as possible, schedule it at least five days after your menstrual period stops. For two to three days before your Pap test, do not douche, have vaginal sex, or use vaginal objects or remedies (such as tampons, birth control foams or jellies, creams, moisturizers, lubricants, or medicines).

The American Cancer Society recommends that women not otherwise at risk have a Pap test every three years from age 21 to 29, followed by a Pap test combined with an HPV test every five years from age 30 to 65. Alternatively, women age 21 to 65 should have a Pap test every three years.

A pelvic exam, part of a routine checkup, is not a Pap test. Pap tests are often done during pelvic exams, but not always.

Check with your doctor.

50 by the numbers

percent

The drop in new cervical cancer diagnoses from 1975 to 2004

35 to 44 The age range in which cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed.

13,420

The number of women estimated to be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018.

2x

Increased risk of getting cervical cancer in women who smoke versus those who do not.

What is the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 prevents infection from multiple types of HPV (including HPV16 and HPV18) linked to cervical cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncologists recommends vaccination for girls, but not for boys.

Two doses are typically administered between ages 9 and 14, but this can vary depending on age, medical history, and vaccine availability. For example, the vaccine works better in younger people, so older people may need three doses rather than two. Also, it works only if you haven’t already been exposed through sexual contact to the HPV strains in the vaccine.

Better Health Care Access = Lower Risk.

Socioeconomic factors are among the risks for cervical cancer because they affect access to screening. According to the National Cancer Institute’s SEER program, cervical cancer is more common in black women in the south, Hispanic women along the US-Mexico border, white women in Appalachia, Native Americans, and some other population groups, due in part to less screening.

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

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January 2019

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Waterman

the name you know. the specialists you trust.

Feel a new level of health care with AdventHealth Waterman.

lake county legacy

That October, Umatilla resident Mike Graham was born on the top floor of the A Lake County healthcare hospital. With only 18 beds, icon is celebrating its the hospital was staffed 80-year anniversary at the by just three same time doctors and it is making a few nurses. history with “After my the launch of a generation, comprehensive all my kids approach were born at to healthcare.

Waterman,” In 1938, said Graham, Mount Dora Frank Waterman who is among businessman many longtime Frank Lake County Waterman residents who have counted turned his downtown on the community hospital Eustis Fountain Inn over for health care. to a group of doctors to use In 1992, the hospital as a hospital. It became joined the Adventist known as Waterman Health System and became Memorial Hospital.

During a time when many medical treatments were as harmful as the diseases they were intended to cure, the medical pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church looked to the healing ministry of Christ to establish a philosophy of care which they first put it into practice in Battle Creek, Michigan. They not only treated diseases, but taught people how to prevent them through good nutrition, exercise and hygiene. The Battle Creek Sanitarium became known as a healing environment focused on providing extraordinary whole-person care.

Florida Hospital Waterman.

It moved to its current location in Tavares in 2003.

Now Lake County’s largest employer, the hospital has grown into a full-service campus with 269 beds, more than 1,800 employees and over 400 physicians on its medical staff. It treats tens of thousands of patients annually.

“All the progress is mindboggling. Things I can’t even comprehend, they’re doing right now. I’d go to Waterman in a heartbeat,” said Graham. “I’ve been in the hospital two times in 80 years. One of them was when I was born and then when I had open heart surgery. That’s a pretty good

Exercising at the Battlecreek Sanitarium

record. It is probably one of the most caring places I’ve ever been in.”

a legacy of whole-person health AdventHealth has a heritage of innovative health care. The concept of whole-person health was first put into practice in 1866 by the Seventh-day Adventists and has been an integral part of the organization’s nationwide health care system.

a promise of whole-person health As of Jan. 2, 2019, one of the nation’s largest, faith-based leaders in healthcare, comprised of nearly 50 hospital campuses and 80,000 employees in nine states, including the Lake County team, is now known as AdventHealth. The Tavares hospital’s name retains a familiar ring: AdventHealth Waterman.

“The word ‘Advent’ literally means ‘coming into being, or use.’ When combined with ‘health,’ we believe it perfectly encompasses our commitment to whole-person health and our mission to serve,” said Abel Biri, president and CEO of AdventHealth Waterman. “Our Lake County friends can continue to expect the same quality of care they’ve received from Florida Hospital Waterman.”

In fact, AdventHealth Waterman has anticipated the needs of our diverse and growing community.

Soon Lake County residents will benefit from the hospital’s expansion that doubles the size of the emergency department and adds a four-story patient tower dedicated to women’s services, pediatrics and future growth.

The new name comes with a new logo which is a symbol of wholeness that illustrates the breadth and diversity of the connected system of care.

“At its core is the Christian cross,” said Biri. “The cross connects and unifies how we care for each other, seeking balance and harmony within every sphere.

It marks the advent of a new kind of caring: the promise to help you feel whole.”

what is feeling whole?

What is whole-person health and why is it important? It means a more personal level of care than ever before— physically, emotionally and spiritually.

For years, Lake County residents have benefitted from the whole-person

health philosophy based on CREATION Health.

It’s an approach that has been in practice within the hospital walls and throughout the AdventHealth network for decades.

feel safe Franchetta Honer, an employee with a 32-year career at AdventHealth Waterman, says she came to truly understand the hospital’s mission when her husband suffered a medical emergency in 2011. Simeon Honer, a City of Leesburg firefighter and former Leesburg High School coach, wanted only “They kept me safe. to go to the Tavares emerThey offered love. gency department.

Even from 2011 to now, “He was experiencing kidney failure and they it’s the same spirit and worked so fast and they are progressing stabilized him and made us forward.” him comfortable,” said Franchetta, who is the —Franchetta Honer AdventHealth Waterman Home Care Services Operations Manager.

Simeon was transported by air ambulance to a sister hospital in Orlando where he was on life support for nine days and ultimately hospitalized for 30 days. Franchetta never left the hospital.

Franchetta Honer

“They really extended the healing ministry of Christ each day. I was given a place to shower and each shift would come in and give a report on him. The staff was so compassionate,” said Franchetta.

Franchetta’s boss told her to take whatever time she needed, and the employee assistance program paid her bills while she focused on Simeon’s recovery. She was told of numerous prayer huddles held by coworkers at the hospital for her family’s benefit.

“They kept me safe. They offered love. Even from 2011 to now, it’s the same spirit and they are progressing us forward. It shows how they are about patients and employees,” said Franchetta. “Being faith-based is what sets us apart. It’s why we hire qualified, good people who know the mission up front.”

Richard Glass

feel loved Richard Glass of Leesburg embraced the concept of whole-person health after being diagnosed with brain cancer. The tumor was removed surgically, followed by several weeks of chemotherapy and radiation.

Glass found that the multidisciplinary team at what is now called AdventHealth Waterman had many resources to help him through the treatment and recovery.

“It’s an awesome “I sat with the nutritionist, and the thing to have so many nutritionist recommended some things people and services to build up the protein even higher. By behind you.” following those directions, I think that has helped me with energy,” said Glass.

—Richard Glass “I’m doing every aspect I can because it was a free service. Why would I not take advantage of talking to a nutritionist to help me heal better and faster?”

After his surgery, Glass said a physical therapist came to his home to help him regain muscle strength after being bedridden.

“I said, ‘Build me up so I can get healthier faster.’ It makes so much difference. It’s an awesome thing to have so many people and services behind you,” said Glass.

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Home Sweet

ME Longtime locals are proud to be native Central Floridians.

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL

Warmer weather, sunshine, quieter lifestyle, slower pace, Southern hospitality, sweet tea, and, of course, no snow all draw Northerners to Lake and Sumter counties.

Photo: Nicole Hamel

For natives, however, this is simply home sweet home. They don’t want to live anywhere else.

For seven longtime locals who were born and raised here, along with generations before and after them, they’ve found newcomers and visitors often are stunned to learn they are natives—which spurs questions. “Really? They still have natives around here? You never wanted to live anywhere else?” And the biggest question of all: “Have you ever seen snow?”

TAVARES-

I “

Kirby Smith

’ve seen snow,” says Kirby Smith, 50, of Tavares, an engineer manager for CenturyLink and a member of the Tavares City Council since 2009. “A couple things I have learned about snow.

You don’t walk in snow in tennis shoes because your socks get wet. You have to wear gloves, and snowball fights seem like a lot of fun, but it’s cold. Too cold.”

He’s more of a warmweather person, and so is his wife, April, their son, Wade, and extended family members, including Kirby’s parents, four siblings, and several nieces, nephews,

and cousins, who all call Lake County home.

“When I was growing up, there were no streetlights.

Dirt roads were half of the city,” Kirby says. “The smell of orange blossoms was intoxicating because there were all the orange trees around us. I miss the smell.”

Back-to-back freezes in the late 1980s and early 1990s killed a majority of the orange trees, yet Tavares still has the small hometown feel that Kirby appreciates. He’s pleased his favorite city has grown to become “a robust destination” with a downtown entertainment district, a seaplane base, restaurants,

hotels, a wedding venue, special events, and a premier sand volleyball court that is ranked second in the nation.

“The entertainment district was my first vote, by the way,” Kirby says, recalling the 3-2 decision. “I was the deciding vote. The entertainment district and seaplane base has made the most economic impact for the city of Tavares, and the seaplane idea came from a

series of workshops done by the citizens saying, ‘We have all this beautiful waterfront.

Let’s do something about it.’

“There is something special watching the seaplanes land and take off,” Kirby adds. “You can sit right at Puddle Jumpers (restaurant) on the second floor, have a burger, and watch the planes come in and land. I never get tired of watching the seaplanes.”

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Tim & Carolyn Green

hroughout their 35-year marriage, seventh-generation Floridian Tim Green, 60, and his wife, Carolyn, 62, of Mount Dora, have a long-standing tradition of eating at Mount Dora Pizza nearly every Friday night. They often run into regulars and friends from their high school days.

“We seldom go to an event where we don’t know many of the people there,” says Tim, an architect and land planner.

“There are so many people we both know from high school,”

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Carolyn adds. “We have those relationships that you just can’t get everywhere. The nature of Lake County is so many people really do stay. A lot of people realize what a special place it is.”

The second born in her family, Carolyn was raised in Eustis by her single mom, who became a widow when Carolyn and her three siblings were ages 3, 4, 5, and 6.

“We had orange groves and mom was in her early 30s trying to run a business,” she says. “It was our livelihood. Mom was very frugal and ran a tight ship.”

Carolyn graduated in Eustis; Tim in Umatilla.

LEESBURG-

at 17 restaurants in downtown Mount Dora.

“We like to try them all,” Carolyn says, adding her husband has been on the board of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce for 20 years.

He was chairman of the restoration committee for the historic 103-year-old train depot that houses the chamber.

The Greens also are thrilled that their enthusiasm for Lake County is shared by their son, Matthew, a training officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

“I don’t know why we would move,” Tim says.

“There is no inkling of ever going anywhere else in my body,” Carolyn adds.

David Knowles

D

avid Knowles, 69, of Leesburg, was born in Dr. Howard G. Holland’s little clinic on Main Street before Leesburg Regional Medical Center was built. His two siblings, Steve and Mary, live in Leesburg, too.

“My grandfather left North Dakota during the Depression and reportedly said, ‘We may starve to death in Florida, but we are not going to freeze to death in North Dakota,’ so they came to Florida,” says David, a Leesburg High School graduate who went on to earn an agriculture degree from the University of Florida in 1973.

He was an adult when he experienced seeing snow on a trip to Seattle. “My first impression was it’s slippery, and if you’re not careful, you’ll hurt yourself,” he says.

David realized his granddad had the right idea moving to the Sunshine State.

“The best part of living in Leesburg and Florida is the sunsets are amazing. The good Lord is a Florida Gator because when you see the sunset, it is orange and blue,” David says, grinning.

After college, he worked for a mining company, followed by working in the citrus fields for eight years. He made a

Photo: Fred Lopez

Photo: Anthony Rao

T

MOUNT DORA-

Both are University of Florida alums, and they met when Tim and Carolyn’s brothers were in the same UF program. Carolyn went on to teach kindergarten for 34 years in Umatilla and found it special to teach in the classroom where her husband had been a first-grader.

“As a child, I used to play in an orange grove that was here,” Tim says of the land in Mount Dora that houses his business, Green Consulting Group Inc., and his wife’s photography studio, Green Images.

In their spare time, the Greens enjoy driving around Lake County to savor nature, as well as take time to dine

Photo: Nicole Hamel

career change 31 years ago, following the citrus freezes, and got into the insurance business as an Allstate agent.

“I talk to people who are new to the area and a lot of my clients these days are moving here from New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and all over the Northeast. They comment how friendly the people are and I always say, ‘Welcome to Leesburg!’”

David was involved in Leesburg city government for 14 years, serving as mayor three times.

“The best I saw Leesburg function was when I was mayor in 2004, when we saw three hurricanes come through,” he says, recalling each department shifted gears to get power restored and debris cleaned up.

Nowadays, the father of two grown sons says he cherishes spending time with Cheryl, his wife of nearly 40 years. He also enjoys boating, being involved in St. James Episcopal Church, and dining in Leesburg at Naples, Bloom’s, and Sip. “It’s all good,” he says.

Ashley Bryan, left, with Meagan Sullivan

YALAHA-

Ashley (Bennett) Bryan

A

shley (Bennett) Bryan, 34, of Yalaha, was born in Leesburg and recalls enjoyable times as a baton twirler and Leesburg High School cheerleader.

Her parents also graduated from LHS, and she’s happy to be raising her three young children in the area, too.

“I love the hometown feeling,” says Ashley, who met her husband, Jared,

of Wildwood, through mutual friends. They’ve been married 14 years.

“Everywhere you go, you know someone just because you were born and raised here.”

One of her favorite stories revolves around her birth.

“My mom and the mom of one of my best friends shared a delivery room and we were both the maid of honor at each other’s wedding,” Ashley says of the special bond

January 2019

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EUSTIS-

Barbara McConnell

B

arbara McConnell, 74, of Eustis, says one of her earliest childhood memories was when her family’s home in Tavares caught on fire and they moved to Eustis.

“I was at school and got the call that my mom went through flames to save my baby brother,” says Barbara, the secondborn of seven children.

She marvels that her late mother was a single parent after Barbara’s father left the family. Her mother worked two jobs to support her children.

“She worked at the hospital and worked at a restaurant, too,” Barbara says. “She worked to take care of us and she really did a great job.

Every day, I thank my mom for teaching me how to cook. I used to stand on a crate box and

Photo: Anthony Rao

she shares with Jennifer (Buckner) Miller.

Every time Ashley goes to Ramshackle Cafe in Leesburg, the restaurant she loves for chicken wings, she runs into people she knows.

“I also love to go to Two Old Hags for a glass of wine with girlfriends,” she says, including Meagan Sullivan, a friend for more 20 years and her bridesmaid. “Our mothers were friends prior to us becoming friends.”

Ashley works as patient care coordinator for Mesos Plastic Surgery and Laser Center in The Villages.

“People are amazed that I am a native,” she says. “They say ‘Really?’

They want to know what made me stay, and then they always ask if I’ve ever seen snow.”

“The first time I saw snow I was like, I’ve had enough!

I like the warm weather better,” she says. “My kids have not seen snow, so we are taking them to Tennessee with hopes to see snow. I think they’ll be excited because they have been asking to see it. And I think they will be over it really quick because it’s cold and I can’t even get them to wear jeans.”

Ashley also keeps busy serving as president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Carver Middle School.

Her two daughters twirl baton competitively and her son plays basketball.

The best part of having hometown ties is “there is always someone I can count on,” Ashley says. “There are so many friends and family that if I’m ever in a bind, I can call someone.”

watch her, and that is how we all learned.”

Married for 47 years to her husband, Jesse, Barbara says the cooking skills passed down by her mother helped in raising eight children. Six of their kids still live in Lake County.

Barbara also worked for 35 years with Head Start, a federal social services

program for low-income children and families, and she was a proud foster parent for 20 years.

“I loved taking care of children,” Barbara says, recalling she and Jesse had more than 150 foster children come through

their home. One of the foster children lives in Japan and he continues to keep in touch with her by phone. “They all called me ‘Mom,’” she says.

The great-grandmother of three now works for Lake Community Action

Agency and she never tires of promoting Head Start or being involved in projects with young people. Barbara also cherishes being active in church, meeting new people, and being involved in projects to feed the homeless.

TAVARES-

Photo: Anthony Rao

S

“I love working with children and elderly people,” she says. “I still enjoy working and love helping little ones grow up right.”

Sarah Coursey

arah Coursey, 37, of Tavares, takes pride in knowing that her daughter, Kaelyn, 5, is the fourth generation to call Tavares home.

“I’m enrolling her at Tavares Elementary because I went there and my parents both went there and I went all through Tavares’ schools,” says Sarah, the daughter of Amanda and Jody Coursey, who have owned a construction company since 1970.

“I actually had teachers that taught my dad and mom when I was going to school. It was good that the teachers liked them,” she says. “If not, I was already in trouble.”

Sarah remembers her father volunteered his time to help build Wooton Park, and she delights over the growth that has taken place the past few years. She’s eager to see what the next 10 years bring.

“The downtown didn’t have much in my high

school career, so it’s nice to see Tavares in the forefront now. My daughter loves sushi, so we always go to the sushi restaurant on Main Street, and we like listening to the live bands on Ruby Street and go to Kalua Beach Bar that’s right on the water. The best part of living here is year-round sunshine,” says Sarah, a sergeant who has been with Tavares Police Department since 2009.

She has traveled to Colorado and New Hampshire on winter vacations to go snowboarding, but she found Kaelyn wasn’t overly impressed with snow at age 3. Much like Sarah and other longtime locals, she preferred a different place.

“She liked playing in it, but she was ready to get back home,” Sarah says.

January 2019

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Share your smile with the world Wollenschlaeger Orthodontics gives you the confidence to keep smiling.

Y Wollenschlaeger Orthodontics 33050 Professional Drive, Leesburg, FL 34788 352.787.6800 drdaveortho.com

Dr. Chris Wollenschlaeger Dr. David Wollenschlaeger

our smile is your greeting to the world. It’s also a window to an important part of your dental health — the alignment of your teeth. Not everyone is born with picture perfect teeth. Crooked teeth or spaces may be a source of embarrassment or self-consciousness. Improper alignment of the teeth and jaws is called a “malocclusion.” Malocclusions can contribute to tooth decay and a host of sometimes painful dental disorders. The good news is that orthodontic treatment can correct malocclusions and help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that’s good for life®. What would you like to know about orthodontics?

What causes orthodontic problems?

Most orthodontic problems (malocclusions) are inherited.

Examples of these prob-

lems are crowding, spacing, protrusion, extra or missing teeth, and some jaw growth problems. Other problems are acquired as a result of thumbor finger-sucking, dental disease, accidents, the early or late loss of baby (primary) teeth, or other causes.

Why is treatment so important?

Orthodontic treatment can help create a better bite, making teeth fit better, and decreases the risk of future, and potentially costly dental problems.

Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain, and can contribute to tooth enamel wear, difficulty in chewing and/or speaking, and excess stress on supporting bone and gum tissue. Without treatment, many problems simply become worse.

How much does treatment cost?

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity

and length of treatment. Dr. Wollenschlaeger offers a free consultation to discuss treatment options and costs. Many patients find that orthodontic treatment is more affordable today than ever. Dr. Wollenschlaeger offers a variety of payment plans. Employers may offer dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits, and/ or the option to set aside pre-tax dollars in a flexible spending account or other health savings account.

Why select an orthodontist?

Orthodontists are dental specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. They receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those who successfully complete this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists may be members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

Source: © 2014 American Association of Orthodontists.

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Cheers! Lake County is enjoying a growing craft beer scene.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

F

rom the long, chrome tap, a golden liquid cascades into a glass with milky white bubbles rising to the top.

Craft beer enthusiast Gary Ashcraft brings his nose to the glass, inhaling the wonderful fruity aroma.

TAPPING INTO CRAFT BEER Like Gary, countless Floridians have no qualms about shelling out that kind of money, which is why the state’s craft beer industry has enjoyed increasing popularity. The Sunshine State is home to 243 craft breweries that produce 1,408,032 barrels of craft beer each year, according to the Brewers Association, a nonprofit

trade association for small and independent brewers. The industry contributed more than $3 million to Florida’s economy in 2017.

In Lake County, craft beer’s popularity is hopping equally well.

With four microbreweries, several tap houses, and a festival all dedicated to craft beer, connoisseurs can soak up camaraderie with like-minded people and have a world of creative

For Gary, a resident of Eustis, there was a time when Miller Lite and Busch Light were his go-to beers. But since being introduced to craft beer in 1999, he typically shuns anything produced by big beer companies.

“There are so many more flavors with craft beer and, unfortunately, name-brand beers lack those flavors,” says Gary, a mortgage broker with Homespire Mortgage. “Most craft beer costs $5 or $6 a pint, so you really have to enjoy it to spend that much.”

flavors and innovative ingredients at their finger— and tongue—tips.

There are no signs of the local craft beer wave fizzing out anytime soon.

More than 900 tickets were sold for the 2018 Leesburg Craft Beer, Wine, and Food Festival, an annual event staged in November by the Leesburg Partnership. Festival visitors such as Meagan Sullivan, of Eustis, sampled various styles of craft beer

produced at breweries throughout Florida.

“I go to different breweries and events like this one because I love trying new craft beer,” she says. “In fact, I have a beer date once a week with my lady friends because we’re always looking

January 2019

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Photo: Anthony Rao

for ones that are richer and more complex. For me, craft beer is a hobby.”

It’s a hobby for many others, too. That’s one reason why owners of the 24 Tap Room in Leesburg are expanding the existing facility and opening a brew house, Mammoth Oak Brewery.

The expansion will allow the company to offer an even larger selection than the 24 draft beers currently on tap daily.

Having more options is attractive to beer geeks, a term describing anyone openminded enough to try any beer at least once.

“My doctor tells me to quit drinking. I tell him as soon as he makes something as good as craft beer is the day I’ll quit drinking,” says “Biker” Larry, a 70-year-old regular customer of the 24 Tap Room who declined to share his last name. “I’m always trying new styles of craft beer because you never know what you’ll like until you find one and drink it.”

MICHAEL, BARTENDER AT WOLF BRANCH BREWING COMPANY SERVES A PATRON

Finding a new craft beer is an easy task. With 6,300 breweries in the United States, the styles and flavors are endless.

Hearty stouts. Fruit- and herb-infused ciders. Citrusy pale ales. No two beers have the same aroma, body, flavor, and finish, making diversity one of craft beer’s biggest appeals.

Chris Roeder, a bartender at the 24 Tap Room, embraces that diversity with weekly rotations of his beer selection.

“There are not as many people who drink the same beer day in and day out,” he says. “People’s palates are really changing, and it is exciting that so many people are being exposed to all these different flavors.

For some, finding a new

craft beer is one of life’s greatest pleasures.”

There’s also a sense of pleasure in being one of a select few craft beer drinkers to enjoy a certain brand. For instance, one that is locally brewed, such as Rumberra at Wolf Branch Brewing Company in Eustis, might be sold only at a limited number of venues.

“It’s really cool when you’re drinking a beer that only 200 other places have,” says Matt Eastwood, a bartender at Wolf Branch Brewing Company. “It’s a proud moment to hold that beer, and you won’t get that same feeling and experience by purchasing a 12-pack of Budweiser.”

That experience is further enhanced when brewing is

“WHEN COMPARING CRAFT BEER TO BEER PRODUCED BY LARGE COMPANIES, I USE A ‘STAR WARS’ ANALOGY. THE EVIL EMPIRE HAD ITS RUN; NOW IT’S ‘RETURN OF THE JEDI.’ HOW CAN YOU NOT ROOT FOR THE LITTLE GUY?” —MATTHEW BECK, LEESBURG

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done with carefully timed and executed precision.

While there are many types of craft beer, the process involves four main ingredients: malt, hops, yeast, and water. Using different amounts of those ingredients determines the variation in flavor, aroma, bitterness, and taste.

Todd Nystrad is head brewer of Great Chicago Fire Brewery and Tap Room in Leesburg. His most popular craft beer, a house India Pale Ale, harnesses the power of a superspecialized instrument: the human nose.

“That beer is in high demand because it has a nice, tropical, floral smell,” says Todd, a self-taught brewer who learned the craft in the garage of his Minneola home. “A good amount of what you perceive as good or bad taste comes from what you smell beforehand.”

Jose Villafana Jr., owner and brewmaster of Wolf Branch Brewing Company, uses a hybrid of creativity and technical skill. Some of his distinctive creations include an eggnog-based craft beer and an India Pale Ale milkshake.

“Being a small company gives you more room to be creative and take more risks,” says Jose, who in 2015 completed the master brewer program at Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago. “Here, I use real ingredients. There are no shortcuts like the big breweries.”

SOCIALIZATION: ANOTHER IMPORTANT INGREDIENT Of course, there’s more to the craft beer scene than merely trying palate-pleasing flavors. The local tap rooms and breweries are gathering places where strangers can pull up a chair or barstool, order a drink, and socialize with fellow craft beer enthusiasts.

Forget the traditional bar mentality. Patrons are not hypnotized by their cellphones or giant television screens blaring a big ballgame. Nor are they there to get hammered.

They banter about work, families, local music spots, and, of course, craft beer.

Gary, the mortgage broker from Eustis, makes occasional after-work visits to Brü Tap House in Tavares, Mermaid Juice in Mount Dora, Wolf Branch Brewing Company, and the 24 Tap Room.

“The tap rooms and breweries are like coffeehouses except you order beer,” Gary says. “I enjoy drinking craft beer better at one of these venues instead of a restaurant because the culture goes along with the beer. People frequent them so much that you get to know each other well. You feel like Norm walking into Cheers. Things are laid back and people are open to conversation.”

Some venues go above and beyond to help strangers come into contact with people they might never have met otherwise. At Wolf Branch Brewing Company, employee Victoria Rooney coordinates special events such as trivia night on Tuesday, bingo night on Thursday, occasional yoga sessions on Saturday, and food-and-beer pairings with local chefs.

“It’s important to us that everyone feels comfortable and cozy—like they’re a part of our family,” she says. “It’s all about everyone having a good time.”

The dimly lit Brü Tap House incorporates that same philosophy. While patrons can order one of 200 craft beer styles readily available, they also are encouraged to participate together in board games and video games.

“We want people to socialize when they come here,” says Craig Williamson, who opened Brü Tap House three years ago with his wife, Rebecca Doherty. “It’s like a piece of home—sitting, playing games, and drinking beer.”

Flavor. Variety. Social time.

Craft beer is more than a trend. It is becoming part of Lake County’s culture.

LOCAL BREWERIES AND TAP ROOMS Wolf Branch Brewing Company 119 N. Bay St., Eustis 352.602.4564 Chicago Fire Brewery and Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St., Leesburg 352.474.2739 Rocking Rabbit Brewery 405 S. Highland St., Mount Dora 352.735.1111 Suncreek Brewery 790 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont 407.850.8810 The 24 Tap Room 1107 W. North Blvd., Leesburg 352.315.0198 Mermaid Juice 458 N. Highland St., Mount Dora 352.556.1030 Brü Tap House 143 E. Main St., Tavares 352.508.9321

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As cybercrime increases, consumers need to be more careful with personal data.

STORY: CHRIS GERBASI

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T

he phrase “dark web” may conjure up images of some mystical, mythical place in the cyberworld.

But the dark web is very real, says Detective Jeffrey Cohen, of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigations division. It’s an online location, requiring special browsers to reach, where criminals sell credit card, bank account, and Social Security numbers, logins and passwords, mothers’ maiden names, dates of birth, driver’s licenses—everything a cybercriminal needs to destroy someone’s financial life.

Once criminals obtain the information they need, they can go through credit bureau files and bank and investment accounts, change your phone numbers and email addresses, clean out credit cards and create new accounts, and get personal loans in your name. These actions might slip past the victim for months depending on how closely they monitor their finances.

“After knowing the process, it’s really not hard to duplicate somebody’s financial credit cards,” Cohen says.

In the ever-changing electronic era, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to maintain privacy for personal data. People not only need to keep their personal information safe online, but with new phone and household technology, almost everything we do is tracked by one company or another.

“Whenever there’s new, legitimate technology, criminals find a way to use it to their advantage,” Cohen says.

The result is more opportunities for fraud, identity theft, credit card theft, and the theft of any other information that is stored electronically. In just the first

half of 2018, for example, 945 data breaches exposed 4.5 billion records worldwide, according to Gemalto, a digital security company. Under Armour, Orbitz, Panera Bread, Macy’s, and Sears, among others, reported data breaches.

ID fraud in the United States hit an all-time high in 2017, victimizing 16.7 million consumers, and fraud losses totaled nearly $17 billion, says Javelin Strategy & Research, an advisory firm based in California.

Criminals can strike on a global scale or right at your desk. Anyone who works in an office environment has probably required the services of the “IT guy” at one time or another. Occasionally, a computer technician may ask an employee to type in a password that allows him to work on the computer remotely.

But what if someone had this same remote access to your computer at home? An ongoing trend in cybercrime is the use of a software program that enables a criminal to have constant remote access to someone’s computer without the need for a user name or password.

Detective Cohen says the software program is unknowingly downloaded when a victim purchases antivirus software from a disreputable website. Then the criminals can access the victim’s financial accounts.

They call the victim and say, “We overcharged you for the software, we’re sending you a refund.”

Then they move $1,000 or some other amount from one of the victim’s accounts to another, usually a checking account. They call the victim again and say, “We put too much money into your account, hurry up and send us $1,000 to correct it.” The victim sees that there is $1,000 too much in their account, and they mail cash to the unknown criminals, never realizing it was their own money that was moved into the account.

“I would urge people to be very conscientious

of what you’re downloading onto your computer, and make sure you’re getting your antivirus software from a trustworthy source,” Cohen says. “If you’re not sure, it’s best to ask a professional.”

Identity theft is prevalent everywhere, Cohen says. ID information can be compromised in a variety of ways, including gas pump skimmers, the theft and duplication of personal checks, or stolen credit cards. But a lot of personal information is simply “out there” on the internet, and criminals using phone scams can

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FREEZE: A free security freeze on your accounts with the three credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) restricts access to your credit report and helps prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

cover their tracks by creating internet-based phone numbers that may appear to be in Florida but actually could be anywhere in the country.

“A lot of times, it’s not as easy to discover how their identity was compromised in the first place, so we try to figure out where the crimes occurred and try to track it that way,” Cohen says.

That’s why it’s important for people to closely monitor their financial accounts because if they don’t know there’s been illegal activity, then they don’t know to cancel their card and they may not realize it for months. By then, their information could be sold on the dark web and criminals could run up an exorbitant bill, Cohen says.

Older people are considered top targets for cybercrime—presumably, they have more money and better credit scores than many younger people—but Cohen says that’s not necessarily true.

“Everybody has an equal opportunity to be a victim,” he says. “These scams know no boundaries for income level, race, religion, education level—nothing.”

However, both Sumter and Lake counties have generally older populations, including The Villages retirement community.

“A couple reasons why I think Villagers are targeted is they typically have more financial resources that suspects can go after, and they’re a very trusting generation,”

ALERTS: Set alerts to get messages whenever there is activity on your financial accounts and check the accounts weekly.

PASSWORDS: MONITOR: A password An identity theft monitoring manager is a service can digital service keep an eye that stores all your passwords on credit reports, public in a secure online “vault,” creates records, and some websites. hard-to-hack You also can passwords, and check your notifies you if credit reports there’s a breach once a year at at a company no charge. with which you do business.

ANTI-SOCIAL: Be careful with information you place on social media sites and set privacy settings to restrict who is able to see your information.

Cybercriminals can glean information that may help them answer your personal security questions.

Cohen says. “They come from a generation where your handshake or your word was your bond and that’s all you needed.”

The sheriff’s offices in Sumter and Lake educate the public and businesses about cybercrime by distributing pamphlets and crime prevention packets, providing speakers at community events, and posting alerts on social media.

For example, in November 2018, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported security breaches in the U.S. Postal Service’s informed delivery/visibility service, which allows customers to receive messages with images of all of their mail on the day of delivery. Hackers were obtaining this information and intercepting mail at the delivery point.

A month earlier, LCSO Lt. Michael Marden reported that a family-owned hotel was left on the hook for a refund after it was scammed in an elaborate credit card ruse. In this type of scam, a “customer” using a fake name and invalid email address and phone number charges a reservation to a stolen credit card. Later, the “customer” cancels the reservation and requests that the refund go to a different credit card because the original was lost or stolen and the account has been closed. The business agrees and issues the refund to a different card.

Days later, the business receives a charge-back and fraud complaint from the original credit card company disputing the charge. The company informs the business that the charge was made by a fraudulent third party. The business’ attempt to charge the second credit card to recoup its money is rejected because the second card is a prepaid

card linked to a European bank with no traceable user information. The charge-back stands and the business is out the money for the refund it provided.

As technology changes and scams evolve, Cohen acknowledges that law enforcement may have to play catch-up when a new trick of the trade emerges for criminals. But agencies bridge the gap through networking and sharing information.

For example, the SCSO recently worked with federal agencies on an investigation of a national syndicate ring that used stolen credit cards at gas stations to fill diesel fuel into illegal fuel bladders in their vehicles, and then sold the fuel to private trucking companies. The syndicate was raking in millions of dollars a day around the country, Cohen says.

He also recently encountered a case where a credit card reader inside the store of a gas station was illegally altered.

A skimmer plate that looked just like the real face of the reader had been placed on top. Usually, one guy distracts the store clerk while another guy pops the fake plate onto the machine. When customers swipe their cards, the transaction goes through normally, but their information is stored in the skimmer, which criminals pick up later.

“They’re very skilled,” Cohen says. “These criminals practice. It’s not just everyday local criminals. That’s their full-time job. They know what they’re doing.”

The detective then adds one piece of bottom-line advice: “Don’t be scared of technology, just be cautious with it.”

IF YOU’RE A VICTIM OF CYBERCRIME LOOK FOR THE LOCK: Before entering financial information online, be sure the web address includes “https” and has a padlock icon next to it to indicate that the site is secure.

CHECK THE PUMP: To avoid card skimming at gas stations, use a fuel pump where the security strip seal is in place on the face of the pump, showing it has not been opened up.

JIGGLE IT: Before swiping a credit card at a counter, make sure the face plate of the machine isn’t loose; that could indicate it’s a skimmer plate placed on top of the actual face.

PICK A CARD: If you shop online, make sure you’re using legitimate websites and consider using a credit card rather than a debit card—challenging credit card transactions are much easier than challenging debit transactions.

Sources: Sumter County Sheriff ’s Off ice, Lake County Sheriff ’s Off ice, AARP

STAY CURRENT: Keep antivirus software up to date and use antimalware software.

1. Contact your bank and other credit card issuers and close any account that was used fraudulently.

2. Contact all three major credit reporting bureaus and have a “fraud alert” placed on your file: Equifax, 800.525.6285; TransUnion, 800.680.7289; Experian, 888.397.3742.

3. Contact all creditors that provided credit or opened new accounts for the suspect.

4. File a complaint report with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov or call 877-IDTHEFT. 5. File a report with the appropriate law enforcement agency if you want to prosecute the criminals and are willing to testify in court.

Source: Lake County Sheriff ’s Off ice

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THE VILLAGES:

EPICENTER OF RETINAL CARE

D

r. Shalesh Kaushal has developed a world-class retina center in his clinic, Comprehensive Retina Consultants, right here in The Villages.

He combined his passion for taking care of patients with intensive basic and clinical study of retinal diseases to develop a practice where patients receive both treatment and education. “The opportunity to help someone with a vision problem is an honor and blessing,” he says.

Dr. Kaushal goes on, “Beyond the technology, testing and treatments, to be really effective in helping patients,

PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

it’s important to develop a partnership and friendship with them. I really enjoy that because it’s a one-to-one connection with another person.”

His practice is ideal for treating patients with various retinal disorders like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, inflammatory conditions of the eye and retina, inherited retinal disorders, glaucoma, MS, and chronic infectious diseases of the

THE

retina like Lyme. Dr. Kaushal also treats surgical problems of the retina including retinal detachments, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and bleeding in the eye.

But there are other components to his practice that add another dimension to the understanding of retina diseases and care for his patients. Indeed, patients come from across the country to seek his evaluation and treatment.

FIRST COMPONENT

more or less sensitive to light, which in turn This involves cutting-edge diagnostics and helps us monitor the progression of disease and new instrumentation. As Dr. Kaushal explains, correspondingly, the effects of our treatments.”

“All physicians essentially do two things, nameAnother instrument allows Dr. Kaushal to ly measure structure and function. As a retina quantitatively measure the contrast sensitivity specialist, there are novel, clinically impactful of the macula. How good is it at separating diagnostic devices that give us important quanthe black letters on an eye chart from the titative insight into the structure and function light background they’re printed on? This is a of the retina. These new approaches and tools fundamental function of the retina. Still another are a perfect match for the academic in Dr. tool, much like an EKG for the heart, gives Kaushal, whose background includes a B.S. a direct measure of the electrical responses of in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from the retina and optic nerve.

Yale University, an M.D. from Johns Hopkins These types of cutting-edge diagnostic tools and finally a Ph.D. in biochemistry from MIT with a Nobel Laureate. “Science and medicine are really about carefully measuring a person’s biochemistry and physiology in a reliable and reproducible way with results. The new tools and techniques we are using at our clinic help me do just that,” he says.

“As an ophthalmologist and retina specialist we —DR. SHALESH KAUSHAL all use the eye chart to determine a person’s acuity. But that is really a very limited measure of a person’s vision.”

In reality the eye chart are certainly exciting and impactful. When measures only one of the eight visual pathways combined with the latest drugs for retina from the eye to the brain. There are other tests care—Dr. Kaushal introduced four of the that more robustly measure vision. He goes on newest drugs to the field of retina health in his to explain, “for instance, we can quantitatively clinic—the implications for eye patients are measure the sensitivity to light of the visual significant… And that is only one component cells in the macula, the area of central good of his practice. vision. We can map out which regions are

“We can quantitatively measure the sensitivity to light of the visual cells in the macula... which in turn helps us monitor the progression of disease and correspondingly, the effects of our treatments.”

MAIA - Macular Integrity Assessment MAIA represents the latest advance in confocal microperimetry.

This technique allows us to measure light sensitivity of the macula.

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Heidelberg - Spectralis Multi-Modal System This instrument can determine the structure as well as measure the blood flow in the retina and quantitatively determine the debris that collects underneath the retina.

Diagnosys Electrophysiology System This state-of-the-art instrument determines the electrical response from the retina and optic nerve.

THE

Twenty20 Soup This is an eye health soup formulated by Dr. Kaushal with a professional soup chef. Find more at ahapurefood.com

Nutritional supplements available at Comprehensive Retina Consultants

SECOND COMPONENT

Dr. Kaushal has a special passion for the second stage in his treatment protocol.

“The retina has the largest blood supply per unit volume in the body and is extremely metabolically active. Changes that occur in the body can be transmitted to the retina through the systemic circulation. Indeed, nearly all diseases of the body manifest themselves in the retina,” he says.

Part of the doctor’s strategy for developing a treatment for a patient with a retina problem is assessing the patient’s overall health, first.

Is there something going on outside the eye that may be causing problems? Is there a deficiency? A chronic disease? A genetic influence at work? Dr. Kaushal often reviews the patient’s blood work and recommends additional blood testing himself.

As he explains, “ We know that at their core, chronic diseases in general and those of the retina are caused by 5-6 important cellular pathways. Our treatment of patients recognizes this. It has evolved into using a combination of pharmaceutical agents along with the thoughtful, evidence based use of nutraceuticals and supplements. Dr. Kaushal goes on to explain, “The drugs are to rapidly treat the immediate symptoms of the

retinal disease while the nutraceuticals and supplements treat the root biochemical causes of the disorder. In this way, we can relieve the acute symptoms rapidly while simultaneously improving the overall health and function of the retina. Such an approach is novel but has produced wonderful results for our patients.”

Indeed, Dr. Kaushal was invited both nationally and internationally to share his approach and results for treating retina patients with his peers.

THE

THIRD COMPONENT

Clinical trials, perhaps the one stage that appeals most to the scientist in Dr. Kaushal, is the third way he is pushing the leading edge further.

“We are involved in a set of novel, firstin-the-world clinical trials,” he says. For instance, Dr. Kaushal measures blood vessel health to predict, stop, and potentially reverse retinal disorders. What can we learn from dysfunctional blood vessels? The lining cells of blood vessels communicates with the wall of vessel to determine elasticity and how well they dilate. In many chronic diseases these important cells no longer work optimally.

Using a non invasive device, we can measure how well blood vessels dilate at the tip of the finger where there are tiny blood vessels like those in the retina.

Separately, we’re doing clinical studies to accurately determine the amount of debris (lipofuscin) in the nourishing cells of the retina.

This debris material affects vision especially in patients with macular degeneration. We are separately testing treatments to reduce and eliminate this debris,” he says.

Genomic testing is another area being actively pursued. We examine DNA variations in critical genes associated with retinal

THE FUTURE OF EYE CARE IS 64

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diseases and how genetic weaknesses can be overcome with targeted, custom treatment protocols. The test itself is easy to do. The challenge is organizing and analyzing the vast amount of data we get from those studies,” he adds.

THE

FOURTH COMPONENT

In addition to all his clinical/surgical practice and research interests, Dr. Kaushal has started a yearly meeting entitled, “Can Chronic Diseases be Reversed?”

“It’s something that my wife and I both feel passionately about. Diseases like Alzheimer’s, glaucoma, macular degeneration, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoarthritis, and others are rising exponentially in the U.S. and worldwide. This meeting is dedicated to creating understanding and awareness of treatments that can help mitigate these disorders and in some instances reverse them. The Kaushals invite world- renowned clinicians and scientists from the premier medical and research institutes including places like Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Duke, NIH, UCLA, Cleveland Clinic to name a few.

Artwork from Dr. Kaushal’s foreign travels adorns both locations

NOW

“February 1-2, 2019, will be our third one at Mission Inn Resort. We again have outstanding clinicians and scientists in different areas of medicine and For more information on basic research. We want the event “Can Chronic both health-care profesDiseases be Reversed?”, visit sionals and the curious reversalchronicdiseases.com lay person to learn from these talented people. The previous attendees have really enjoyed listening and interacting with the speakers. We purposely keep the registration fee to a minimum so that’s not a barrier for people to participate,” he says.

Why does he do it? What keeps Dr. Shalesh Kaushal in the clinic, treating patients, and designing new tests and dividing his time between so many worthy projects?

“I have been blessed to receive so much in my life and I want to give back to my patients and society,” he says. It is something I learned from my parents and my mentors. The goal is to make as large and positive dent in the uni—DR. SHALESH KAUSHAL verse by helping as many people as possible!”

“This unique meeting brings brilliant clinicians and scientists to discuss the latest research and treatments for chronic diseases.”

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Meet our staff member of the month, JORDAN SIX. Jordan and his wife, Samantha, have been together for 9 years and recently celebrated their 4th year wedding anniversary. Jordan has been at Arden’s since 2014 and has been working his way into his role as our Manager. Below are some of Jordan’s favorite pieces from our men’s jewelry line, William Henry.

Q&A

WITH JORDAN FROM ARDEN’S

What brought you to Arden’s?

My father has been a jeweler since before I was born, so I have been exposed to jewelry my entire life. It wasn’t until the end of my high school years that I started to take a deeper interest in it. Working at Arden’s allowed me to not only build on that interest, but to also pursue what has become a passion.

Who is your favorite designer in our store or do you prefer custom work? Please explain why.

I can easily choose Simon G, but not because I don’t prefer custom. I put those two into one category because of the option of picking a piece that they already make, or Simon G will help create a custom piece that is truly and uniquely yours.

Arden’s Fine Jewelers specializes in jewelry repairs performed by our in-house master jeweler. Additionally, Arden’s offers appraisals executed by our certified appraiser through GIA (the Gemological Institute Of America).

Appraisals serve a great benefit for insurance, fair market values, estate, and liquidation purposes.

Share how you became talented in the jewelry industry.

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* MVESEtT yAlVeI L L A G E R

Recalling The Villages’ early years Donna Fenster has sold thousands of homes since 1991.

STORY: PAULA F. HOWARD // PHOTO: ANTHONY RAO

D *

“I love meeting all these wonderful people and helping them find homes.

It’s really an addiction. I’ll never stop.”

— DONNA FENSTER

2

onna Fenster began selling real estate in The Villages when the prices for houses were below $20,000. That was back in 1991. (When you probably wish you’d invested in a new stock called Apple, too.)

“I came to The Villages then to visit a girlfriend,” she says, “and never went home.”

Originally from McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Donna lived in Columbus, Ohio, and was a real estate agent. During her 1991 visit, an agency in The Villages learned that she knew how to sell houses and hired her.

“My first month, I sold six houses, and that was it, I stayed. The Villages was just beginning to grow. There were 8,000 residents, and Spanish Springs wasn’t even built, or anything else. There were three golf courses, four restaurants, a Winn-Dixie which had just opened, and a tent where everybody went to dance at night. Everything else was just dust in the wind,” she says.

“At the time, there were two agencies: Coldwell Banker and ERA,” Donna continues. “Eventually, I worked for each

one, then The Properties of the Villages bought the other firms and I’ve been selling for them ever since.”

She joined a sales staff of eight people who sold pre-owned homes, with 20 more people selling new ones. Today, there are 300 salespeople in the company selling thousands of homes annually.

As top salesperson at The Properties of the Villages for 20 of the past 27 years, Donna continues to sell 100 or more houses per year. Her best year was about five years ago when she sold more than 200 homes.

She stays in touch with her customers by sending a personal quarterly newsletter and annual calendars.

“I love meeting all these wonderful people and helping them find homes.

It’s really an addiction. I’ll never stop,” she says.

Donna has lived in the Village of Silver Lake for decades. Her daughter, Zina Fenster-Beasley, moved to the area a few years ago and also sells homes.

“I love seeing all the growth,” Donna says. And, it isn’t slowing, not by a long shot.

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No Shoveling Heat!

The worries of Northern Januarys melt away in The Villages.

STORY: JOE ANGIONE

J

*

Unlike people up North, we can comfortably play golf and tennis, sun ourselves at Villages pools, do some casual gardening, and take leisurely walks whenever we like.

4

anuary is here. When I lived up North, it signaled the start of the coldest, bleakest part of the year. During my 30 years of living on New York’s Long Island, I went through three expensive snow blowers, about a dozen heavy, steel shovels, and hundreds of hours of backbreaking work to clear my driveway and the walkways around my home. It was a freezing, finger-numbing exercise that sometimes had to be redone several times before the snowstorms ended and the white stuff melted away.

And when the sheets of ice and snow finally turned to flowing liquid, my basement usually received about three inches of floodwater that took many painful hours to vacuum up, carry upstairs, and dump away from the house. January was one of the messiest months of the year.

Hooray for Florida. One of the January joys of living in The Villages, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 50 degrees, is, of course, there’s no snow to shovel and you don’t have to shovel away the warm rays of the sun. And who would want to do anything about Central Florida’s delightful winter weather?

January is also the peak of the snowbird season, which receives a lukewarm reception from some of our “yearrounders” who find Villages thoroughfares extra-heavy with traffic, long checkout lines in stores, and extra-long wait times to get seated at favorite restaurants. But that’s a small price to pay for a time of year when, unlike people up North, we can comfortably play golf and tennis, sun ourselves at village pools, do some

casual gardening, and take leisurely walks whenever we like.

Another bonus that winter brings to Central Florida is a nice reduction in our electric bills. For me, this means no more need for air conditioning and almost no need to ever heat the house. My energy bill drops by more than 20 percent from January through April.

Occasionally, I’ve spent a few January days up North visiting family members who have a “macho” mindset that says suffering the rigors of freezing winter weather toughens you up, improves hardiness, and helps you live longer. But the longevity here is nothing to complain about. And the North’s “healthy” frigid weather can’t top the quality of life we have here, living in the warm winter sun in “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.”

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5

THE VILLAGES OF THE FUTURE

There is no end in sight to the community’s economic development.

STORY: PAULA F. HOWARD

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ens of thousands of new homes, a state-of-the-art medical complex, first-time apartment homes, driverless cars, a shooter’s gallery with firing range and training facility, an industrial park, several new recreation centers, dog parks, restaurants—all of these additions are coming soon to The Villages.

Statistically, The Villages has added some 5,000 new residents annually and has been the nation’s fastest-growing area for four of the past five years, according to a report on growth in The Villages. As a census-designated place in Sumter County, it consistently ranks as a high-growth area in the U.S. Census.

“Several seven-acre plots of land, like small farms, were offered this past year on a trial basis, and all immediately sold,” says Donna Fenster, sales and marketing representative for the Properties of The Villages. “They’re also going

to develop an industrial park and predict 20,000 jobs will be created. It will be near the Coleman Correctional Facility.”

One of the newest inhabited areas, the Village of Fenney in the southernmost part of The Villages, opened just over a year ago and already has 1,100 residents. Some 500 homes—both new and pre-owned— sell each month. Zillow.com reports there were 12,640 recent real estate transactions in The Villages.

In November, the developer received approval from the city of Leesburg for development of up to 2,800 more homes on a recently purchased parcel of 1,127 acres north of County Road 470 near the Florida Turnpike, within Leesburg city limits. Known as the Village

Connectivity will be everywhere, by golf cart. From the established areas of the community to the new developments, construction of multiple bridges, including one over the turnpike, will assure connectivity to every part of the approximately 34 square miles of The Villages and all its amenities.

One bridge will cross over State Road 44 in an area between Brownwood Paddock Square and the Village of Fenney; the second will cross over the turnpike a few miles south near the Okahumpka Service Plaza, connecting both golf cart and vehicle traffic to the newly acquired acreage in Leesburg. Thousands of new homes are planned for that area, the developer says.

“Several seven-acre plots of land, like small farms, were offered this past year on a trial basis, and all immediately sold.”

— DONNA FENSTER

of West Lake, it sits next to the previously announced Village of Southern Oaks in Wildwood, where up to 26,950 homes may be built on 13,637 acres of land. The way has also been paved for possible future construction of cellphone towers in the Village of West Lake, more homes, and a fourth town square, all according to announcements from the developer.

The new bridges will be constructed of corten steel, which “weathers to form a rust-like appearance that eliminates the need for painting,” according to The Villages website.

Recreation centers continue to sprout as centerpieces to the newly planned villages of Marsh Bend, Linden, Monarch Grove, DeLuna, Bradford, De Soto, and McClure,

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among others. Recreation centers to open in 2019 are named Swallowtail, Cattail, and River Bend. Expected to arrive in the fall is Magnolia Plaza shopping area, a golf course named Lowlands, an 18-hole short course named Marsh View Pitch ‘n Putt, and a major addition called Everglades Recreation Complex & Hogeye Nature Trail, which will feature a sports pool, meeting rooms, theater, soccer field, boat

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dock, softball complex, basketball, pickleball, platform tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, corn toss, and 16 miles of walking trails, according to a promotional brochure from The Villages.

New restaurants continue to open, and Lazy Mac’s Taco Shack will be inside the Old Mill Playhouse movie theater at Lake Sumter Landing. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is expected to open in the first quarter of 2019 with 1,200 square

feet leased at Grand Traverse Plaza, next door to Brownwood.

“Cornerstone Hospice House is adding a new 12-bed hospice house, chapel, and pavilion to its existing site,” Donna adds. That location is at 601 Casa Bella, near Morse Boulevard and County Road 466. “Ground has also been broken for a 120-bed skilled nursing facility on Route 42 next to the First Baptist Church of The Villages.”

Additional projects under construction are the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood, according to the developer’s annual presentation to residents. This 198,000-square-foot, six-story multi-specialty facility is at 2910 Brownwood Blvd. A 150room resort hotel, 10,000 square feet of conference space, a Wolfgang Puck-licensed restaurant, and a spa also will be constructed there.

The health-care center and hotel

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are close together in case there is a need for family or friends to stay nearby.

Brownwood Cancer Center is coming in 2020, as well as the first planned apartment facility, the Lofts at Brownwood, located at 2660 Trillium Ridge on the northern edge of Brownwood Paddock Square.

Shooter’s World will offer a firearms retail store, shooting range, and training center within its 52,177-square-foot facility at Powell Plaza in Brownwood. Some 2,500 memberships, which give access to the range over walk-in customers, have already been sold pre-opening.

The Villages Grown is a self-sustaining agricultural project coming to the Southern Oaks region at 7275 State Road 44. Installation of greenhouses will offer garden-to-plate controlled agriculture that

will furnish food to some area restaurants, according to Villages announcements.

“Voyage, a driverless transportation company, will start accepting passenger rides in the Virginia Trace neighborhood as its pilot program in early 2019,” says Fred Briggs, president of The Villages Homeowners Association. By late summer, the company hopes to have a fleet of 20-plus self-driving taxis servicing all 750 miles of roads that run through The Villages, according to The VHA Voice.

Where will it end? One word that always has been bandied about in The Villages is “buildout,” when there’s no more land on which to build. The truth is, The Villages won’t reach buildout anytime soon; there are just so many plans still in the making. Stay tuned.

LADY LAKE AND FRUITLAND PARK ALSO ARE GROWING The Villages encompasses parts of the town of Lady Lake and the city of Fruitland Park, but those communities have their own commercial developments coming in 2019.

Town Manager/Town Clerk Kristen Kollgaard says Lady Lake projects include:

• Basics Range & Gun includes a 9,600-square-foot shooting range, 5,940-square-foot gun store, and 3,780-square-foot retail space. It also includes a 62-space RV storage lot, and seven storage spaces for boats at 315 S. Highway 27/441.

• Green Key Village, where 27 age-restricted cottage lots will be constructed in a subdivision development on Lake Ella Road.

• WaWa convenience store and gas station, with a 6,119-square-foot store and eight fueling islands, will be located at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 27/441 and County Road 466.

• Tanner Building, a 10,000-squarefoot general retail store, will be located at the intersection

of West McClendon Street and CR 466.

• Teague Plaza will offer a twostory, 11,805-square-foot space with a diner and retail stores on the bottom floor, and six apartment units on the second floor near county Road 25 at Griffin Drive.

• Village Veranda, a 116-unit assisted-living facility with 30 memory care units, is under construction at 955 S. U.S. Highway 27/441.

• Lady Lake Commons is a 19-acre development with an 85,000-square-foot shopping center and four commercial outparcels at the southeast corner of Fennell Boulevard and U.S. Highway 27/441.

• Griffin View Commercial is a 2,400-square foot, two-tenant location being remodeled from an abandoned convenience store at the corner of Griffin View Avenue and U.S. Highway 27/441.

• City Manager Gary La Venia says Fruitland Park projects include: • A new city library, a one-floor, 12,000-square-foot facility, will open on Berckman Street sometime in the first quarter of 2019. The current library will become the city’s first new community center.

• First Baptist Church of Leesburg will open its new Village Park campus in 2019.

• County Road 466A will be widened to four lanes. The expected completion date is July.

Statistically, The Villages has added some 5,000 new residents annually and has been the nation’s fastestgrowing area for four of the past five years, according to a report on growth in The Villages.

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* LVI VSItNyG lHeE A L T H Y

Do you believe in magic?

Dr. Jack Cassell does, thanks to a procedure that has revolutionized prostate cancer care.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

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* Prostate Cancer Foundation found that 25 percent of men experience frequent leakage or no bladder control at six months after a prostatectomy.

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echnically, Dr. Jack Cassell isn’t a magician, but he does utilize a medical breakthrough in treating prostate cancer that creates magical outcomes.

His trick is to make localized prostate cancer permanently disappear without long-lasting, confidence-draining side effects like incontinence and impotence.

In November 2017, Dr. Cassell, owner of Urology of Mount Dora, began offering high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares for men with localized prostate cancer.

The procedure, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2015, offers the equivalent fiveyear survival rate achieved with traditional prostate surgery or radiation, according to a study of 625 prostate cancer patients conducted in the United Kingdom.

“This procedure truly is magical in the miraculous way the treatment can be transmitted through tissue without harming anything but the targeted tissue,” he says. “If doctors would’ve told me 20 years ago that we’d be able to cure prostate cancer this way, I would not have believed them.”

During the noninvasive procedure, Dr. Cassell obtains real-time, threedimensional ultrasound images of the prostate and surrounding areas. From these images, he sends high-frequency ultrasound waves through the walls of the rectum with pinpoint accuracy, generating enough thermal energy to destroy

cancerous cells. All of this is done without a single incision or blood loss.

“With each burst of an ultrasound wave, we destroy tissue that is roughly the size of a grain of rice without damaging surrounding tissue and cells,” he says.

“The ultrasound waves are atraumatic to anything other than the specifically targeted prostate tissue. Also, we can get within a millimeter of the little nerves that allow men to have an erection without damaging the nerves.”

As a result, the prostate, which is roughly the size of a walnut and sits between the bladder and penis, is kept intact. That’s significant because the 10year survival rate for men with prostate cancer is 98 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Therefore, selecting a treatment is as much about how the treatment affects quality of life as it is about survival.

While traditional medical procedures like surgery and radiation are effective, treating the entire prostate can lead to risks of incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

In fact, the Prostate Cancer Foundation found that 25 percent of men experience frequent leakage or no bladder control at six months after a prostatectomy.

There is a trade-off: the cancer is gone, but so is a man’s self-esteem. Some end up having to wear adult diapers, while others suffer mentally from a loss of physical sexual ability.

“You only have one body,” Dr. Cassell says. “Your lifestyle should be the most

important thing to you. If having an erection and having the ability to hold your urine is important to you, then there’s no better investment that you could make than choosing a treatment that avoids the disastrous side effects of traditional prostate cancer treatment.”

Bill Pelick, a Mount Dora resident and musician, desperately wanted to dodge drippy diapers and erectile dysfunction.

After being diagnosed with a localized but aggressive form of prostate cancer in December 2016, he opted for HIFU. Dr. Cassell performed the procedure on a Tuesday. The following Sunday, Bill was back on stage playing guitar and bass.

Since undergoing HIFU, Bill, 63, remains cancer-free and his parts are working fine.

“The great thing about HIFU is that there’s no cutting involved,” he says. “I only had a little discomfort immediately after the procedure. There’s nothing that can take the place of feeling like a total man.”

That’s a far better outcome than the one experienced by a close friend who underwent traditional prostate surgery.

“He went through misery,” Bill says.

“In fact, I had to drive him to the hospital because he could not pee. He had to get catheterized. I’ve had other friends who underwent surgery to have their prostates removed or underwent radiation. They see how well I did and tell me they should’ve had the HIFU done on them, too.”

Dr. Cassell has performed HIFU for nearly a decade. Before it became FDAapproved, he would accompany patients to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Dominican Republic and complete the procedure at local hospitals.

“I would treat a man that morning and then go out to dinner with him that very night,” Dr. Cassell says.

Today, he serves as a proctor for North Carolina-based HIFU Prostate Services, the leading provider of HIFU technology to physician practices in the United States. Teaching the technique to other urologists throughout Florida is a point of pride because he feels HIFU will become the standard of care for cancer that is confined to the prostate and has not spread.

“It’s a real game-changer,” Dr. Cassell says. “And in addition to no incontinence or erectile dysfunction, patients enjoy little downtime and a faster return to normal activities. With surgery, my patients had to avoid vigorous exercise for four to six weeks and wear a catheter for 10 to 14 days.”

For prostate cancer patients, HIFU seems like a magical alternative.

* BVOSOtK yR lE VeI E W

‘Dark Sacred Night’

By Michael Connelly. Harry Bosch returns and gets an unlikely partner in his search to solve a cold case.

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Harry Bosch is a complicated but fascinating character study which Connelly does so well.

STORY: LEIGH NEELY

“D

ark Sacred Night” is about the pragmatic former Los Angeles police detective who does more to solve the case than he does to follow procedure:

Harry Bosch. The series has more than 20 books and features some characters that author Michael Connelly has used to create other series.

This book is another compelling story that keeps you turning pages. It opens with the introduction of Detective Renee Ballard, who is working the “late show,” or night shift, in Hollywood division. She arrived there as the result of filing a sexual harassment suit against a superior officer.

No one will admit that publicly, but everyone knows.

She and Harry cross paths when she discovers him in her department going through old patrol car reports to find notes on a cold murder case he feels compelled to solve. She gets caught up in

his fervor to solve the crime (the night shift in Hollywood division is pretty slow), and decides she wants to help him.

Harry also is working as a reserve detective for the San Fernando Police Department and checking the cold case in his free time. He’s estranged from his beloved daughter because he took the murder-victim’s mother into his home after drug rehab. It’s a complicated but fascinating character study which Connelly does so well.

A prize-winning journalist, this author used his experience from covering various police beats across the country to create a world that’s believable and just outside the realm of possibility with Harry Bosch. I admit with every book, I worry. Harry is a Vietnam veteran, and the books stay true to his age.

I don’t want these stories to end. “Bosch” also is a successful TV show on Amazon Prime in case you’d like to check it out.

When you retire, your money should keep working.

Someday you’ll stop working, and at that point, you’ll have to depend on your retirement income. To work toward building that income, you’ll need a strategy.

The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley can help you create a strategy for goals like retirement, estate planning and leaving a legacy. Let’s put your money to work. Call us today to set up an appointment.

(l to r): Gregory, Nicole, Michael

The Lake Sumter Group at Morgan Stanley Gregory Prevatt, CLTC, CFP® Portfolio Management Director Senior Vice President Financial Advisor gregory.prevatt@ morganstanley.com

Michael Monteith, CFP® Senior Portfolio Manager Vice President Financial Advisor michael.monteith@ morganstanley.com

Nicole Silberstein Client Service Associate nicole.silberstein@ morganstanley.com 832 Lake Sumter Landing The Villages, FL 32162 352-751-7845 • 800-447-6036 fa.morganstanley.com/lakesumter

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP,® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US. © 2018 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 2119557 MAR013 05/18 CS 9253230 05/18

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THE TO-DO LIST //

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Photo: Anthony Rao

SEE STORY on PG 74

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LOCAL TALENT //

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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT //

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NEAR & FAR //

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HI , SOCIETY

On the Scene

Don McLean comes back for seconds.

IN CONCE RT //

* TOHnE TTOh- DeO SL cI S eT n e

January Jan JAN. 12-13

A bit of Florida history The annual Mount Dora Florida Highwaymen Art Show, Sale, and Benefit is 11am-5pm at Donnelly Park Pavilion (5th & Donnelly). Contact Heron Cay at 352.383.4050 for info.

JAN. 7

Guest pianist joins orchestra The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra has guest pianist Laurent Boukobza.

Get tickets at thesharon.com for $25$65. Showtime is 7pm at The Sharon.

JAN. 10-11

JAN. 1

Take a hike!

The Dade Battlefield Historic Park invites residents to start the new year off with a hike through the trails of the battlefield. Without an annual pass, cost is $3 per vehicle. 7200 County Road 603, Bushnell.

A night of classics Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra presents a night of Hollywood classic songs from beloved movies. Tickets at floridalakessymphonyorchestra.com; shows are at Family Christian Center, 2500 S. U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, on the 10th and Epiphany Celebration Anglican Church, 1724 S. Bay St., Eustis, on the 11th.

JAN. 11-12

JAN. 5

Music man!

Lakeridge Winery Music Series has live music from Mike Quick. Free admission, noon-4pm, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont.

Rock on!

“Rock of Ages,” the popular Broadway play, is playing two nights at The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages. Showtimes: Jan. 11, 7:30pm, and Jan. 12, 2 & 7:30pm.

Get tickets at thesharon.com for $55$100 or $45 with obstructed view.

JAN. 5-6

Annual art and craft fair The 10th annual Lake-Sumter Art & Craft Festival is 10am-5pm at 1000 Lake Sumter Landing. Admission is free.

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JAN. 12

Happy with the blues Lakeridge Winery Music Series has live music from Beautiful Bobby Blackmon & The B3 Blues Band. Free

admission, noon-4pm, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont.

JAN 15-31

Putting the fun in dysfunctional!

“It Shoulda Been You” is a hilarious musical comedy about family secrets, drama, plot twists, and a Jewish bride and a Catholic groom. Tickets at thesharon.com. The Studio Theatre at Tierra del Sol, 806 San Marino Dr., Lady Lake.

JAN 16-17

Flying cows and killer rabbits “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” the Tony Award-winning musical, comes to The Sharon in Spanish Springs Town Square. Enjoy the tale of King Arthur and the Knights. 7pm. Get tickets at thesharon.com for $65-$100, $50 for obstructed view.

JAN. 18-20

Can you handle the truth?

Two Marines are on trial for their complicity in the death of a fellow Marine in “A Few Good Men.” Melon Patch Theatre, 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg, 352.787.3013 for info.

JAN. 18-31

Who will be next?

Ten strangers are brought to a home on a remote island, each with a secret in their wicked past that marks them for murder. “And Then There Were None” is at the Moonlight Players Theatre, 735 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont. Call 352.319.1116 for showtimes and ticket information.

JAN. 21

Don’t look away!

Masters of Illusion, the hit CW television series and touring show, is coming to The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages. Showtimes: 4 & 8pm. Get tickets at thesharon.com for $50-$75, $40 obstructed view.

JAN. 24

JAN. 18-31

Why am I here?

“Over the Tavern” features a PolishCatholic family in Buffalo, New York, in 1959. It’s at the IceHouse Theatre, 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora; 352.383.3133 for ticket info.

Goals for Mount Dora The city of Mount Dora, Visit Mount Dora, Lake County Economic Development & Tourism, and the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce come together to focus on goals for the city. Lake Receptions, 5-8pm. Call for information at 352.383.2165.

Band. Free admission, noon-4pm, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont.

JAN. 29

Comedy showcase Jim Belushi & The Board of Comedy is unusual stand-up comedy. The group of comedians includes the audience, sometimes getting suggestions before performing. See it at The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages.

JAN. 19

Sultry, assertive, roaring Shemekia Copeland, the well-known blues-rocker, is at The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages. Get tickets at thesharon.com for $20-$47.

JAN. 26

Music from New Orleans Lakeridge Winery Music Series has live music from Gypsy Elise & The Royal

Brownwood Farmer’s Market Saturday, 9am-1pm 2726 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood

1st Saturday: Wine Tasting Stroll Starts at Maggie’s Attic at Alexander Street and 4th Avenue. 6-8pm

JAN 24

An opera symphony The Shaghai Opera Symphony Orchestra was established in 1956 when the Shanghai Opera House was built. Showtime is 7pm at The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages.

Farmer’s Markets: The Saturday Morning Market Saturday, 8am-1pm Leesburg Towne Square

Lady Lake Farmer’s Market Tuesday, 9am-1pm 106 S. U.S. Highway 27/441

JAN. 19

A man and his guitar Lakeridge Winery Music Series presents the Ronnie Duncan Band.

Free admission, noon-4pm, 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont.

Ongoing Events

JAN. 30

The famous ‘play within a play’ The Aquila Theatre presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages. Get tickets at thesharon.com for $30$50, $20 obstructed view.

2nd Friday: Art in the Alley Features artists and performers on the sidewalks of downtown Mount Dora, 6-8pm Acoustic music Hear local musicians free, 7-9pm. Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W. Magnolia St. Movie in the Park Free family movie starts at dusk in Donnelly Park, downtown Mount Dora.

2nd Saturday: Food Truck N Flick Night Leesburg Towne Square.

JAN. 24-27

Tell me a story The Florida Storytelling Festival will feature great tall tales and workshops, competition, swappin’ grounds, a story cruise, and a family fun tent. Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander St., Mount Dora. See flstory.com for more info.

Th e re ’ s more !

All seasonal events and celebrations are listed on lakeandsumterstyle.com.

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

3rd Wednesday: PAWS Reading Dogs W.T. Bland Library, Mount Dora.

3rd Thursday: Mount Dora Food Trucks Downtown Mount Dora.

4th Saturday: Classic Car Cruise-In Downtown Eustis.

January 2019

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* IONnC OTNhC EeR TS c e n e

DATE

TIME

ARTIST

VENUE

1/4

7pm

Greg Pando

the Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview

1/5

7:30pm

Sawyer Brown

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

1/6

7:30pm

The Drifters Revue

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

1/7

7pm

Villages Philharmonic Orchestra

The Sharon, The Villages

1/9

7:30pm

Jeff Whitfield

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/10

7pm

Greg Pando

the Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview

1/11

7:30pm

Rock of Ages

The Sharon, The Villages

1/11

8pm

Kings County

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/12

2pm

Rock of Ages

The Sharon, The Villages

1/12

7:30pm

Rock of Ages

The Sharon, The Villages

1/12

7:30pm

Bellamy Brothers Band

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

1/12

8pm

Da Boys

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/13

7:30pm

Billy Haley Jr. and the Comets

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

1/13

7:45pm

The Kramers

New Covenant United Methodist Church, The Villages

1/16

7:30pm

Jeff Whitfield

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/17

7pm

Greg Pando

the Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview

1/18

Noon

Marcille Wallis and Friends

Brownwood Paddock Square, The Villages

1/18

6pm

Marcille Wallis and Friends

Colony Cottage Recreation Center, The Villages

1/19

11am

the band 2PM

Yalaha Bakery, Yalaha

1/19

6pm

Gary West

Lake-Sumter State College, Leesburg

1/19

7:30pm

Shenandoah

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

1/19

8pm

Mad Hadder Band

Puddle Jumpers, Tavares

1/20

11am

Ruth and Max Bloomquist

Haselton Village, Eustis

1/20

6pm

the LaFevre Quartet

Christian Worship Center, Center Hill

1/20

7pm

the Righteous Brothers

The Sharon, The Villages

1/20

7:30pm

Defenders of Daisies

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/24

7pm

Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra

The Sharon, The Villages

1/24

7pm

Greg Pando

the Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview

1/25

8pm

Kings County

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/30

7:30pm

Jeff Whtifield

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

1/31

7pm

Greg Pando

the Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview

2/1

7pm

Don McLean

The Sharon, The Villages

2/1

7pm

Greg Pando

the Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview

2/1

8pm

Defenders of Daisies

Ruby Street Grille, Tavares

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

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.com

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* LOOnC ATL hT AeL ESNcTe n e

Clicking with photography Sierra Ford Jones stays focused at her Mount Dora business.

STORY: JAMES COMBS // PHOTOS: SIERRA FORD JONES

Love of photography: It gives me the opportunity to turn “ordinary” life and connection into art.

Favorite type of photography: It’s hard to choose one type.

One of the best aspects of my art form is the variety of subjects. I adore photographing couples and children because of the connection. Children

are especially expressive and honest in front of a camera. On the other side of the spectrum, I love doing branding photography for other small-business owners.

Favorite camera: I usually use two Canon Mark III DSLRs. The editing process: I have an awesome teammate who helps me with editing, thus reducing our turnaround time for

wedding couples.

An average wedding has more than 500 photos in the gallery.

We have a system. I narrow them down and edit a handful and then she edits the rest and sends them to me during and after the editing process for a once-over. We are actually going to be teaching about this

process in an upcoming online course we are creating.

Photography advice: Be forever curious—curious about people, light, and your style. Also, be curious about the art and business side of things if you want to take photography beyond a hobby. Constant learning is key.

A lifestyle that fits you!

A PLACE WHERE YOUR LIFESTYLE ALWAYS COMES FIRST.

This master-planned community carefully encompasses the lifestyle of both all-ages as well as those 55 and better. With a superior amenity package, you have the freedom to explore your passions at a value you can appreciate. Come discover why thousands of homebuyers are moving to Clermont!

Inspired 55+ Living 1010 Braewood Drive, Clermont, FL 32715 352-415-4237

1,722 to 2,930 Sq. Ft. 2 to 3 Bedrooms 2 to 3 Baths 1 Story Homes 2 to 3 Car Garage From the $230s

Single-Family Homes 516 Bellflower Way Clermont, FL 34715 352-415-4235

HIGHLANDRANCHFL.COM Old Highway 50 and Blackstill Lake Road Clermont, Florida 34715 Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. All information (including, but not limited to prices, availability, incentives, floorplans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change or delay without notice. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Please see a Taylor Morrison Sales Associate for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. Š January March 2018, 2019 Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. All rights reserved.

1,838 to 4,180 Sq. Ft. 3 to 6 Bedrooms 2 to 3.5 Baths 1 to 2 Story Homes 2 to 3 Car Garage From the $250s

* SOOnC I ATLhSeP OST LcI eG HnTe

Another slice of pie Don McLean comes back for seconds on a tour that includes Get Off the Bus Concerts’ latest gig.

STORY: CHRIS GERBASI

T

wo veterans of the music industry have taken very different paths to arrive at the same spot.

Singer-songwriter Don McLean, 73, is in the midst of a globetrotting tour and enjoying a resurgence backed by his first album in eight years. He’ll stop in The Villages to perform at 7pm Friday, Feb. 1, at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St. Joe Bamford, 72, has taken the bus, literally and figuratively, on a winding career that has included managing bands, transporting music stars, and now promoting shows for charity. His company, Get Off the Bus Concerts, is promoting McLean’s appearance.

In 2018, Don played to packed houses and received rave reviews across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. This year, he’s on the road again. He also released “Botanical Gardens,” an

JOE BAMFORD; PHOTO: TED KRUG

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album reflecting on youth, aging, and women.

In the title song, he sings, “It’s getting late and the gates will be closing…Shall I remain in botanical gardens, surrounded by flowers and those beautiful girls.” He reminisces about “the sighs and the kisses” in “Last Night When We Were Young,” a standard from 1935. “Ain’t She a Honey” sounds like an ode to his 24-year-old model girlfriend, Paris Dylan: “Ain’t she a honey, gonna spend all the money I got—why not?”

Of course, Don is forever remembered for “American Pie,” the 8½-minute epic song from the 1971 breakthrough album of the same name that catapulted him onto the charts and into the consciousness of music fans.

“American Pie” is one of the most analyzed songs in rock history—and rightfully so, because it was a quintessential commentary on the times.

Everybody wanted to decipher the song about “the day the music died,” referring to the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson, and spot references to the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, the Kennedys, Charles Manson, and others.

In hindsight, the meaning of the song seems clear. “American Pie” captured the mood after the turbulent ’60s and the end of the country’s innocence: “Bye, bye, Miss American Pie.” Don’s PR representatives declined an interview request, but in a 2015 interview with Christie’s auction house, the singer says: “Basically in

‘American Pie,’ things are heading in the wrong direction. It is becoming less idyllic.

I don’t know whether you consider that wrong or right, but it is a morality song in a sense.”

Don, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004, has a rich catalog that extends beyond “American Pie.” “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” is a heartbreaking elegy for artist Vincent van Gogh; “And I Love You So” is a beautiful love song; and other classics include “Castles in the Air” and “Since I Don’t Have You.” Joe Bamford’s name is less familiar, but he puts butts in the seats, too. He formerly owned Haljoe Coach, which provided bus transportation in the U.S. and Canada for performers such as Willie Nelson, Elton John, Leonard Cohen, Sarah McLachlan, and Snoop Dogg. About seven years ago, Joe returned to his roots as a promoter to stage benefit concerts.

Since 2011, Get Off the Bus has promoted concerts in Canada and at Central Florida venues including the Sharon and Savannah Center in The Villages, and the Mount Dora Community Building. He estimates the concerts have raised more than $300,000 for charities, including PAWS Therapy Dogs, Best Buddies Florida, Lake Cares Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, and Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care.

Though Get Off the Bus is based in Ontario, Joe has a longstanding connection to Lake County. When he opened an American division of Haljoe more than 20 years

*

“Basically in ‘American Pie,’ things are heading in the wrong direction. It is becoming less idyllic. I don’t know whether you consider that wrong or right, but it is a morality song in a sense.”

—DON MCLEAN

ago, his buses were built in Leesburg and he spent half the year there.

“I know the wine bar, Two Old Hags, and several restaurants,” says Joe, who also has an office in Howey-inthe-Hills. “It’s part of my life.”

Early in his career, Joe also managed bands such as Glass Tiger, whose hits in the 1980s included “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday.”

“When you have a band with a hit record, you get known by other agents,” Joe says. “When you have a bus company, we dealt with a lot of managers, a lot of bands, and a lot of agents.”

Those connections serve him well today in promoting concerts for big-name musicians. Joe listened to Don McLean’s music while growing up and is looking forward to meeting the singer at The Villages show. Get Off the Bus also is promoting two other upcoming shows at the Sharon: REO Speedwagon, Feb. 7, in support of Lifestream Foundation; and Travis Tritt, Feb. 8, in support of Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care. For information, go to thesharon.com.

If you go Tickets for Don McLean’s concert cost $55-$89 ($25 for obstructed view) and are available at thesharon.com and all Villages box offices.

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* NOEnA RT&hFeA RS c e n e

Dreamy hotels At grand and luxurious hotels, rates are pricey and bookings can be difficult, but it’s still fun to dream of laying your head on a pillow at one of these properties.

STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

Biarritz, France hotel-du-palais.com

If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a palace and be treated like royalty, the Hotel du Palais is the place. After all, Napoleon III (nephew of Napoleon I) built the palace in 1855 for his wife, Spanish Princess Eugénie

Biarritz, France

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Photo provided by Hotel du Palais/Biarritz

HOTEL DU PALAIS

Photo: Mary Ann DeSantis

I

f I had a hotel bucket list for the new year, it would include a handful of lavish properties where I’ve had some brief interaction—a convention, a meeting, or a meal in an on-site restaurant. My daydreams often took over as I wondered what was happening beyond the darkened conference rooms.

While the rates at these hotels are generally geared to an upper echelon of guests with unlimited budgets, it is always fun to fantasize about a leisurely stay in one of these properties where guests are pampered from the moment they arrive. A special or offseason rate occasionally is offered, making it possible for dreams to come true.

*

Napoleon III (nephew of Napoleon I) built the palace in 1855 for his wife, Spanish Princess EugĂŠnie de Montijo.

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Ernest Hemingway, whose suite is occasionally opened for tours when guests aren’t renting it for well over 1,300 euros a night. Hemingway spent time in Biarritz when the movie based on his book, “The Sun Also Rises,” was filmed there.

My favorite hotels offer not only history but also luxury, and the Hotel du Palais delivers on both. A bowl of cherries is placed in guest rooms each day, as are toiletries from Guerlain, one of France’s most prestigious skincare and perfume companies. Hotel du Palais has its own workshops

THE BROADMOOR

trails or stay in one of the Broadmoor’s retreat properties, like the Emerald Valley Ranch or Camp Cloud; however, you can enjoy the outdoors down below at the historic resort. The Broadmoor “campus” has a variety of activities at the base of Cheyenne Mountain:

Colorado Springs, Colorado broadmoor.com

Colorado Springs, CO

In the dog days of summer, Floridians dream about being somewhere cooler.

The Broadmoor is not on a mountain top, but it’s close enough. Spend a day hiking the nearby mountain

golf, tennis, pools, fishing lakes, and even the ancient sport of falconry.

Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Spencer Penrose in 1918, the

with craftsmen dedicated to refurbishing rooms and furniture as soon as they show any signs of wear.

Spending hours relaxing in the Imperial Spa is a favorite pastime for many guests. And then, there is the beach, the Grande Plage, internationally known as one of the best spots for surfing.

Broadmoor celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Its timeless grandeur, exquisite service, and reputation for excellence are well-known, especially among its wellheeled clientele, many of whom return year after year bringing their children and grandchildren. In addition to classic rooms and suites in the main buildings, the Broadmoor also offers cottages, brownstone vacation homes, and a 12,000-squarefoot, five-bedroom manor known as the Estate House.

With 10 on-site restaurants, Broadmoor guests never have to eat in the same place twice. From the casual Natural Epicurean with its farm-fresh and organic dishes to the fine dining AAA Five Diamond Penrose Room, the most difficult decision is which one to choose during a brief stay.

Hemmingway room photo: Mary Ann DeSantis; T he Broadmoor photos: Tony DeSantis; Epicurian Hotel photos provided by Epicurian Hotel; Hacienda Altagracia photos provided by Hacienda Altagracia

de Montijo, who had spent her childhood summers in Biarritz. Known as the Villa Eugénie, the Atlantic oceanfront property was sold following Napoleon III’s defeat in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. It was transformed into a hotel in 1883 and continued to attract European royalty.

Biarritz was a playground for the rich and famous, including iconic Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Several rooms at the Hotel du Palais are named after celebrities who were regular guests, including Gary Cooper, Gregory Peck, and

THE EPICUREAN Tampa, Florida epicureanhotel.com

Follow Interstate 75 south to one of the most fun boutique hotels that food and wine lovers will ever find. Everything about the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa’s Hyde Park area is designed for foodies, right down to the door handles shaped like kitchen utensils.

As soon as you enter the wine-themed lobby, a greeter hands you a glass of wine and escorts you to your room

HACIENDA ALTAGRACIA

Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica altagracia.aubergeresorts.com If lush, green rainforests and mountain views are your idea of a secluded getaway, Hacienda AltaGracia may be just the place to find “pura vida”—the Costa Rican philosophy of enjoying life slowly and appreciating nature.

Named as one of the world’s best new hotels on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2016 Hot List, this Auberge Resort offers an authentic Costa Rican experience amid luxurious surroundings. Guests have their own spacious “casita,” or private hacienda, at the mountaintop resort near the town of Perez Zeledon in the

where the entire check-in procedure is handled via electronic tablets. The Epicurean has a state-of-the-art culinary theater-style classroom where cooking and wine certification classes are offered.

Although the 137-room hotel is located directly across the street from the famed Bern’s Steak House, the hotel has its own award-winning restaurant, Élevage, where executive chef and James Beard Foundation semifinalist Chad Johnson creates his own

southern part of the Central American country.

Hike to a yoga pavilion, ride horses at the resort’s equestrian center, enjoy a lavish day at the world-class spa, or simply lounge on your own sprawling terrace overlooking the mountains of San Isidro Valley. The resort also has three excellent farm-to-table eateries, including the signature Ambar restaurant.

Hacienda AltaGracia is located three hours from the San Jose International Airport via a scenic mountain road. The resort also offers a charter air package to its own private landing strip, where guests arrive only minutes away from the lobby.

showstopping dishes. Edge, a rooftop bar, offers the latest creations in mixology while the on-site patisserie Chocolate Pi is filled with colorful and delicious creations.

The modern, chic rooms offer the comfort and luxury expected at an Autograph Collection of Marriott International property. The Epicurean is a delightful urban retreat, and special rates are occasionally offered for Florida residents.

Tampa, FL

Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica

Mary Ann DeSantis Mary Ann DeSantis has written for Style publications since 2006. She was recognized with first-place Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards for Travel Writing in 2017, 2016, and 2012.

January 2019

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* HOIn, S OTChI EeT YS! c e n e

Polina Granchena Steve Hayes

Speedy (Chloe) and Jennifer Santiago Zachary Eynard, Camille Herrero and Taylor Wallman

Lady Penelope

Experiencing the 17th century Thousands of people flock to the annual Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire, hosted the first two weekends of November at Lake Idamere in Tavares, and the popular event is a fundraiser for the Educational Foundation of Lake County. Every dollar raised benefits teachers and students in Lake County public schools, according to organizers, and the faire also provides a $2 million economic impact to Lake County.

PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

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Kelsie Preston Emily Honey and Kati Ankrom

SHOW BARN | 615 S. WHITNEY ROAD, LEESBURG

FEBRUARY 14TH

6pm-8pm • $16 per person A NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE

FEATURING

KEITH ALLYNN

8x Branson, MO Show Award Winner Keith Allynn and Diamond look and sound alike, tells the story of Neil Diamond’s life through Diamond’s own songs from the 60’s through today. $10 ITALIAN DINNER AND CASH BAR AVAILABLE

FEBRUARY 15TH

www.aNeilDiamondTribute.com VENUE DATE

TIME

6pm-8pm • $16 per person COST

ANNUAL BBQ DINNER & TOM PAQUETTE A native Floridian musician, Tom entertains summers in New England. Audiences love his up to date blend of new and old-like-gold songs.

MARCH 2ND

6pm-9pm • $21 per person “ANNIE” & THE ORPHANS ‘50s & ‘60s Rock ‘n Roll Dance Party featuring this group from New Hampshire. Not to be missed! $10 BBQ DINNER AND CASH BAR AVAILABLE

352.728.3588

STEWSIHSTUFF.COM • STEWSSTUFF@GMAIL.COM

January 2019

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* HOIn, S OTChI EeT YS! c e n e

Hollywood comes to Mount Dora CenFLO, or the Central Florida Film Festival, made its debut in Mount Dora this year. Guests met and mingled with filmmakers, guest speakers, and panel members at the 13th annual festival. The event featured a wide array of films presented in the Epic Theatres. The international festival attracted a huge crowd of supporters who enjoyed movies and more. For a single night, Mount Dora became the Hollywood of Central Florida.

PHOTOS: PARKER MARTIN

Shonda McGlaughn

Mary Mitchell, Winston Haynes, Brian Mills, Amy Fox, and Becky Jahna

Kirk Simpson

Kevin Boon

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Sonny Dyon Jr. and Patrick Oury Luke Sokolewicz

Dimitri Pantchev

* HOIn, S OTChI EeT YS! c e n e

Sarah Rinne and Maria Bready Tessa Hibbard and Danielle Parker

Lorraine Koehler, Lexie Brewster, Sheri Farago, Ginger Williams, and Mariko Krecklay

Raquel Chun, June Lew, and Sue Foster

Maria Stefanovic, Danielle Parker, and Michelle Harris Shaena Chastain, Deb Matlock, Melanie Melvin, Jacquelyn Singer, and Judi Murphy

Raising money for mammograms Leesburg Regional Medical Center’s Ladies in Philanthropy (LIP) group hosted its sixth annual breast cancer awareness luncheon in the courtyard garden of Howey Mansion in Howey-inthe-Hills. “The luncheon and silent auction raised enough money for 120 free mammograms,” says Ted Williams, president of the LRMC Foundation.

Guest speaker Kris Haukoos, a nurse practitioner who survived breast cancer, shared her moving story.

PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

Lyndsi Johnson, Melody Hayes, Tricia Guido, and Jennifer Rivera

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Nominees

2020 Lake County Teachers of the Year

2020

LAUREN PHIPPS JEANNE HACKLER STUART MILCHMAN Astatula Elementary Beverly Shores Elementary Carver Middle

KARRIE ANDERSON Clermont Elementary

SUZANNE BROADWAY MARIE BRUENER MARGARET HOLLAND Eustis Elementary Eustis Heights Elementary Eustis High

RANDALL MOORE Eustis Middle

ELIZABETH GOLEM JULIA DELACRUZ Imagine South Lake Lake County Virtual School

JEAN GRADY Lake Hills School

BRYON KELSO Lake Minneola High

JOSHUA SMITH Clermont Middle

TIFFANY FORSYTH Cypress Ridge Elementary

MELODY CONNELLY KRISTEN TYQUIENGCO Fruitland Park Elementary Grassy Lake Elementary

ARTHUR SEIDNER Lake Technical College

KAREN LEE Leesburg Elementary

DINA LALLY CYNTHIA ORTIZ NELSON AMANDA BORYSIEWICZ DOROTHY DAILEY-GRIFFIN KAMILLE CHAPMAN THERESA GRAHAM-VANN Mascotte Elementary Charter Minneola Elementary Charter Mount Dora High Mount Dora Middle Oak Park Middle Pine Ridge Elementary

STACY PRIEBE LEW HUMPHREY LISA STANLEY Sawgrass Bay Elementary Seminole Springs Elementary Sorrento Elementary

KAYLI TASKER Treadway Elementary

CYNTHIA HEMPHILL Triangle Elementary

JENNIFER JULIAN South Lake High

JENNA JONES Umatilla Elementary

APRIL ODOM Spring Creek Charter

GLENDA WEBER Umatilla High

JOAN WATSON Tavares Elementary

SANDRA POWERS Umatilla Middle

TESSINE MOSES East Ridge High

DANIEL DILOCKER East Ridge Middle

CHELSEY GISMONDE Gray Middle

WILLIAM BRIGGS Groveland Elementary

BEVERLY GIBSON Leesburg High

SHERRI BOAM Lost Lake Elementary

MARY DICKINSON Rimes ELLC

ASHLEY MILLER Round Lake Elementary

NIKKI SAUERBREY Tavares High

TRACY MEYER Tavares Middle

ELIZABETH MILLS Villages Elementary

MICHAEL TARQUINE Windy Hill Middle

* HOIn, S OTChI EeT YS! c e n e

A celebration of worth The 24th annual Awards & Installation Dinner of the Leesburg Partnership was held at the Leesburg Opera House. Guests enjoyed great food, a live and silent auction, and live entertainment. The partnership has set and met a variety of goals for downtown Leesburg, making it a hub of activity almost every weekend. This dinner presented a great time to celebrate all the work and dedication of the group throughout the year.

PHOTOS: BROOKE AKERS

Jeffrey Tanner and Barb Yaussy with Valarie and Steve Gray

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Terri Folker with Joanie Smalley Outstanding Team Players - Deborah Giordano and Kate O’Sada with Joanie Smalley

Barbara Mittermeier and Rich Billings

Missy Campbell, Al Minner, and David Knowles

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Rosanne Brandeburg, Skellie Morris, Tyler Brandeburg, and Debbie Potter

You come up with the idea.

We turn it into reality.

352.750.9016 // SpecificsWoodwork.com FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

ONE SMALL POSITIVE

CHANGE CAN AFFECT YOUR

WHOLE LIFE!

Our 21 Day Liver Detox Class Begins January 7th.

to Cal fo day l ou ro t ro ur o s ffi ne che ce xt du cla le ss !

This program is a guide to purifying, nourishing, and maintaining a healthy body and weight.

Program Includes: • Recipes • Shopping list • Blender Bottle • Program guide • Purification Kit • Supplement Box • Weekly classroom instruction • Cost of the 4-week Purification Program is $190 • Initial weigh-in which includes: weight, BMI, and body fat %, weekly weigh-ins, and final weigh-in

Dr. Kimberly Besuden

BAY STREET WELLNESS

352.357.7244 | BayStreetWellness.com 2430 South Bay St., Eustis

Dr. Lauren Cooper

• MASSAGE • SKINCARE • ACUPUNTURE • CHIROPRACTIC • FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

January 2019

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* HOIn, S OTChI EeT YS! c e n e

John Thibaut and Scott Turnage

Butch Kolesaar and Mike Nance Gary Williams, Dan Brown, and Tim Former

Deo Persaud and Dan Murphy Brian Greenelsh and James Abel

Butch Kolesaar

Golf benefit for the hungry The Green Valley Country Club in Clermont was site for the Carroll and Barbara Fulmer Charity Golf Classic benefitting the Faith Neighborhood Center, which offers families in surrounding communities assistance with food and training in basic life skills. Founded in 1972, the center provides assistance to more than 950 families monthly and some 48,000 individuals per year.

Proceeds from the golf classic allowed the center to continue its mission to feed and instruct the hungry.

PHOTOS: PARKER MARTIN

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Rob Griffis and Kim Proano

LEESBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 82ND ANNUAL INSTALLATION & AWARDS GALA

Thank you TO THE COMPANIES WHO MADE THIS NIGHT SOMETHING TRULY MAGICAL PRESENTING SPONSOR

Events by Miss Daisy PLATINUM SPONSORS

VENETIAN ISLE DEVELOPMENT GOLD SPONSORS

AVCON,Inc.

Consolidated Minerals

Paquette Company

Ecom Homes

Electric Services Inc.

LPG Urban & Regional Planning

Lake Port Square Firehawk Helicopters Montverde Academy

Beyers Funeral Home & Orange Blossom Opry Plaza Cadillac

Morris Realty & Investments United Southern Bank Ro-Mac Building Supply Insight Credit Union Lake & Sumter Style Magazine

CenterState Bank

Comcast Business

LRMC Deans Pest Control

Stokes Fish, Lake Trucking & Stokes Seafood Market & More

ERA Grizzard

Evergreen Construction

Duke Energy

Lake Square Mall

Lassiter Ware Insurance

SILVER SPONSORS

AVPRO, Inc

Beacon College

Grand Rental Station Sunshine Community Foundation

Citizens First Bank

Elevate Lake County

Ford Press

* HOIn, S OTChI EeT YS! c e n e

Karen Smith and Angie Hughes

Amanda Harper with Lake County Professionals Firefighter’s Pink Truck

Narra Nicoleau Nicole Boyd and Chris Shephard

Diane Thomas

Luncheon benefits cancer services Lake Receptions in Mount Dora was the site for Florida Hospital Waterman Foundation’s Ladies Legacy Luncheon with Melody Hayes, of Insight Credit Union, as emcee, while Kristin Beall Ludecke, a mom, building contractor, former Miss Florida, and a cancer survivor, was the keynote speaker. Proceeds from the luncheon provide cancer care services at the Tavares hospital, which has been renamed AdventHealth Waterman.

PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

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Anita Holliday Jody Walk and Kayla McBath

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Food & Drink

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Rhône Valley brings you variety of wines.

SEE MORE on PG 98

& Drink * IFNoToH d E KITCHEN

Chef Dan Stimpson: ‘The best pharmacy is right out there in the fields.’

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL // PHOTOS: ANTHONY RAO

C

linical dietitian and retired Disney chef Dan Stimpson, 60, grew up 100 yards from Long & Scott Farms in Mount Dora, where he enjoyed whipping up dishes from foods fresh from the fields.

He still savors the local farm’s produce.

“I’ve been cooking farm-to-table, organic, way before it was a trend,” says Dan, who also is a personal chef for five families.

“I was doing organic when we called it food and didn’t have the name ‘organic.’ I was very, very specific about not having chemicals in my foods. I want it to be natural, I want it to be the way God intended it to be eaten.”

Dan recently led a series of cooking seminars at Long & Scott Farms, creating dishes from fresh pumpkin, corn, Southern greens, pickles, and cabbage.

“The freshness from the farm doesn’t get any better because the nutrients are still in it because it hasn’t been sitting in some cooler somewhere for two weeks waiting to get to you,” he says. “The best pharmacy is right out there in the fields.”

Dan’s classes center around produce that is currently being harvested. Long & Scott Farms plans to host a Field2Feast Dinner on Feb. 23.

The chef also intends to do some children’s cooking classes, including tips on how to use a knife safely in the kitchen.

“I teach a lot of children knife safety because I kind of like my fingers where they are,” he says, grinning. “I’m sure their parents would appreciate that, too.”

From Long & Scott Farms

Collard greens with beans Caramelized onions, bacon, and cannellini beans add depth of flavor to collard greens. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients:

3

slices bacon, coarsely chopped

1

tablespoon brown sugar

1

red onion, thinly sliced

2

teaspoons cider vinegar

2

tablespoons minced garlic, to taste

1

Ingredients:

5

cups collard greens, stems and center ribs discarded and leaves chopped

teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste Salt and pepper to taste

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾

cup water, or as needed

1

(15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Directions:

Place the bacon in a large, deep pan with a lid, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon pieces from the pan, and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and stir the sliced onion into the hot bacon fat. Cook and stir the onion until it begins to brown, scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook and stir 4 more minutes. Return the bacon to the pan, stir in collard greens, and toss gently until the greens are wilted, about 3 minutes.

Pour in the water to almost cover the greens, and stir in the brown sugar, vinegar, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low, and simmer the collard greens until very tender, 1 to 2 hours.

About a ½-hour before serving, stir the cannellini beans into the collard greens and return to a simmer.

From chef Dan Stimpson

Fresh pumpkin pie Dough: 2

1

teaspoons sugar

egg yolk Flour for dusting

1/8 teaspoon salt

Filling: 1

sugar or pie pumpkin (about size of a melon)

¾

cup packed brown sugar

3

eggs lightly beaten

1¼ cups half and half

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ½

teaspoon salt

1

teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1/3 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

With a small, sharp knife, remove stem from pumpkin, split in two lengthwise. Scoop seeds and stringy pith from cavity. Place cut-sides down on baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes until fork tender.

Make dough either by hand or with mixer (not food processor) by mixing together the flour, sugar, salt. Add butter and squeeze mix until butter is pea-size bits. Add 1 tablespoon cold water to form dough ball. Wrap and set in refrigerator for 1 hour to rest.

Mix together wet ingredients, adding eggs at the end to incorporate and not froth. Let sit while you roll out dough larger than pie shell, place in shell, crimp edges. Add the filling mixture and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour, 20 minutes or until center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes before serving.

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d & drink * FfOoR o K ON THE ROA D

5

Forks

(Out of a possible 5)

Root & Branch Bistro and Bar 1200 Oakley Seaver Drive, Unit 102 Clermont 352.708.4529 Hours: 11am-2:30pm for Sunday brunch and weekday lunch; dinner 5-9:30pm MondayThursday; 5-11pm Friday-Saturday.

Fork Report:

ROOT & BRANCH BISTRO AND BAR

Casual dining $$ // Seated immediately (lunch hour) SMALL PLATES: ($3.50-$11) Beef tartare, pimento cheese hush puppies, fried green tomatoes, truffle fries, avocado toast.

LUNCH FARE: ($11-$16) Grouper Rachel, pork belly BLT, fried chicken, beet salad, burger.

How Fork On The Road Works Our reviewers are objective and unbiased. This is not a paid feature. Our reviewer makes one unannounced visit and we pay for our meals.

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Fresh, classic cuisine Chefs’ ingredients are fresh from farms within a 200-mile radius.

STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL // PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

A

bit of rustic décor and tables set with linen and brown paper provide a warm welcome at Root & Branch Bistro, where guests are treated to a delightful dining experience.

The menu reportedly changes with the seasons; the bistro relies on locally sourced produce, meats, and fish caught in the local waters.

Even the eggs in my delicious light and airy omelet were billed as “Clermont eggs” filled with a delicate layer of Boursin cheese. It was served with a crisp, fresh house salad of local greens, seasonal vegetables, including thin slices of raw beets, and a perfectly seasoned herb vinaigrette.

My colleague, Paula Howard, and I began our lunch savoring avocado toast where the creamy, mashed avocado was topped with prosciutto, celery hearts, and radishes, which provided a nice variety of texture and taste.

Paula chose the day’s lunch special, a crab cake sandwich on a hoagie roll, which was served with fries. She noted the thick crab patties were “flavorful, delighting the palette with a balance of delicious crab and perfectly blended spices.”

We finished our meal with a seasonal dessert whipped up by the chefs: sweet potato beignets, featuring deep-fried dough filled with creamy sweet potatoes, and it was the perfect finish to a nice lunch.

4

M A R I N AT E D O L I V E B I S T R O

It’s a wrap Leesburg hidden gem offers a delicious alternative.

Forks

STORY: JAMES COMBS // PHOTO: ANTHONY RAO

(Out of a possible 5)

P

eople seldom see my adventurous side. One day recently, it was on full display at Marinated Olive Bistro.

Going there wasn’t the adventure; I walked only several blocks. The adventure was finding the courage to deviate from my personality type and order something outside my comfort zone.

I’m glad I did. I discovered that traditional sandwiches on bread have become toast as more and more people prefer their meat, lettuce, and other toppings packed inside a tortilla.

“Wraps are simple and easy, and people can get them fast,” says Christy Stamm, manager of Marinated Olive

Bistro. “If they call ahead, I’ll have them ready by the time they get here.”

Marinated Olive Bistro certainly wraps its success around these popular sandwiches. Aside from club sandwiches, soups, and salads, wraps are the only item found on the menu at this restaurant located inside Southern Gardens Galleria in downtown Leesburg.

I ordered the bourbon barbecue chicken wrap, which comes with grilled chicken breast, chunks of pineapple, and melted mozzarella. The accompanying sweet-andtangy, lip-smacking bourbon barbecue sauce provides a mild kick with each bite.

Just make sure to hold that

bad boy real tight to keep the sauce from dripping off the tortilla.

My friend went with the classic roast beef wrap, which he said was bursting with fresh ingredients. The lean, thin-sliced beef was topped with crumbly blue cheese, a nice departure from more predictable cheeses. The side of homemade sweet dill pickles were similar in taste to bread-and-butter pickles.

His only complaint: too little meat.

All in all, my dining experience at Marinated Olive Bistro taught me a valuable lesson. Going forward, I’ll try to wrap myself in more new and exciting culinary adventures.

Marinated Olive Bistro 712 Main St., Leesburg 352.801.7239 Hours: 11am-4pm Monday-Friday, and 11am-3pm Saturday.

Fork Report:

Casual dining $$ Seated immediately (lunch hour) Wait for meal: 5 minutes LUNCH: ($3.50$8.75): California club, Santa Fe egg salad, Buffalo chicken wrap, roasted veggie wrap, cheeseburger wrap, chicken gyro wrap, daily soup specials.

How Fork On The Road Works Our reviewers are objective and unbiased. This is not a paid feature. Our reviewer makes one unannounced visit and we pay for our meals.

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Super-duper appetites

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Much like Christmastime for the retail industry, the Super Bowl is equally lucrative for the food industry. Here are a few “super-facts” to support that.

GRAB YOUR SHOPPING CART: Crowded lines will be common in grocery stores, as Americans purchase $979 million in soft drinks, $278 million in potato chips, and $198 million in frozen pizza for the Super Bowl, according to Nielsen, a leading global information and market research company.

3

COUNTING OUR CHICKENS: Americans will consume 1.33 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl weekend, according to an annual report from the National Chicken Council.

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CAN THEY ARRIVE IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS? In 2016, the National Restaurant Association expected corporate pizza giant Domino’s to sell 12 million slices of pizza on Super Bowl Sunday—five times more than a typical Sunday.

POP TILL YOU DROP: On average, Americans consume 3.8 million pounds of popcorn while watching the big game, according to the Calorie Control Council.

5 I’LL DRINK TO THAT: All that scrumptious food goes down a little better with alcohol. That’s not a problem for Americans, who purchase $1.3 billion worth of beer and $597 million worth of wine on Super Bowl weekend, Nielsen says.

* SFAoL UoTdÉ

& Drink

Warm up with Rhône Valley wines Soups and stews are on more menus as temperatures drop, so pair those comfort foods with a ‘winter warmer’: Rhône-style wine.

STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS // PHOTOS COURTESY OF FERRATON PERE & FILS

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hen editors tested chef Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon, or beef Burgundy, recipe before publishing “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” they questioned whether her amounts would be enough to satisfy American appetites, because the taste testers cleaned their plates, declared the dish superb, and wanted more. Child recommended pairing the recipe, one of the most popular in her classic cookbook, with a Côtes du Rhône wine from southeastern France. The right wine pairing, after all, could make a simple dish an elegant feast.

The problem for most Americans, besides overindulging on the slow-cooked beef dish,

Look for these highly rated wines: E. GUIGAL 2015 CROZESHERMITAGE: From northern Rhône, this wine is 100 percent syrah. Suggested retail price: $25.

is knowing what kind of Rhône wine to buy. There are so many, and the decision becomes whether to buy a northern Rhône, a southern Rhône, or a Rhône-style blend from another region—or even another country.

The northern and southern valleys in the Rhône have little in common other than sharing the river that gave them the name. The climate is different, with northern Rhone having a cooler, windier climate

FERRATON PERE & FILS, CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES, PLAN DE DIEU, 2017: The Plan de Dieu (“Plan of God”) is a blend of grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, and carignan. SRP: $18.

while southern Rhône is more Mediterranean; the soil in the south is mostly clay, sandy limestone, and gravel while the north’s is more slate and granite. Therefore, the wines taste much different.

Northern Rhône wines, such as Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, and Crozes-Hermitage, are primarily made with syrah grapes.

These wines are big, flavorful, and more full-bodied than the southern counterparts.

The major regions in the southern Rhône Valley are Gigondas and Vacqueyras, but more than 77 percent of all Rhone wines are Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône-Villages (usually a stepup in quality). These signature wines are blends of grenache with syrah and mourvèdre.

Grenache grapes are more dominant in southern Rhône wines, which tend to be medium-bodied with higher alcohol content and lighter in color.

There can be no discussion of southern Rhône wines without mentioning Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine so

ROGER SABON PRESTIGE CHÂTEAUNEUFDU-PAPE, 2016: Prestige is a blend of grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, and other varieties. SRP: $59.98.

delicious that it became the area’s best-known wine and often overshadows all other wines from the area. Named for the castle built by Pope John XXII during his 14th-century residence in Avignon, France, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is rich and full-bodied and most often made from the traditional red blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre grapes.

It is also expensive with some labels going for more than $600 a bottle.

The Côtes du Rhône appellation covers many wines from the Rhône Valley. It’s helpful to know what flavors and attributes to expect when choosing one. If you like big, tannic wines, you may want to try a Hermitage from the northern Rhone Valley. If you prefer a softer, easy-to-drink wine, then a Côtes du Rhône may be the best choice. And if budget is of no concern, then by all means try a Châteauneufdu-Pape because you’ll get a bold, yet elegant wine that will make you want to book a trip to southern France.

The grape: Grenache One of the most widely planted varieties in the world, grenache grapes need hot, dry conditions because they ripen late.

The dark-skin grape is also known as garnacha in Spain, where it probably originated.

Mary Ann DeSantis Mary Ann DeSantis is a fellow of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Napa Valley, and recently received certification from the Wine & Spirits Educational Trust (WSET). An award-winning journalist, she has written for Lake & Sumter Style since 2006.

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Food & Drink DINING GUIDE

Dining in your city Astatula Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940 Astor Blackwater Inn Williams Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.3802 Castaways Restaurant 23525 US State Road 40 352.759.2213 Sparky’s Place Restaurant 24646 State Road 40 352.759.3551 Bushnell Chuck’s Odd Cuples Café 117 W Belt Ave 352.568.0408 Hong Kong Restaurant 2229 W CR 48 (352) 568-8888 Howie’s Family Restaurant 840 N. Main St. 352.793.8582 TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877 Clermont 801 City Grille 801 Montrose St. 352.394.6911 Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro 4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.8988 Calabria Ristorante 13900 County Road 455 407.656.5144 Cheeser’s Palace Café 707 W. Montrose St. 352.404.9431 Corelli Italian Restaurant 1042 E. Hwy. 50 352.989.5924 El Cerro Restaurant 811 W. Hwy. 50 352.241.9884 Flippers Pizzeria 2523 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.242.2214 G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd.

352.243.8900 Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077

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Guru Restaurant 2400 S. Hwy. 27 352.241.9884 Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd.

352.242.1910 Lilly’s on the Lake 846 W. Osceola St. 352.708.6565 Lyn’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shoppe 824 W. Montrose St. 352.536.9935 Napolis Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 Robata Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 The Crooked Spoon Gastropub 200 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.404.4808 Troy’s Cuban & Deli 1200 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.241.4295 Uncle Kenny’s BBQ 157 Hwy. 27 352.394.1225 Eustis 1884 Restaurant & Bar 12 East Magnolia Ave. 1.800.856.1884 Haystax Restaurant 15439 Hwy. 441 352.489.0510 Jeannie’s Place 209 E. Gottsche Ave. 352.359.0027 Kiku Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar 15211 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.483.8288 King’s Taste Bar-B-Que 503 Palmetto St. 352.589.0404 Maria’s Latin Dinner 1 N. Eustis St. 352.357.5555 LaCabana Mexican Bar and Grill 2060 S. Bay St. 352.357.4600 NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. County Road 44 352.589.9100 Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022 Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949 The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885 The Great Pizza Company 23 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.357.7377 The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939 Tillie’s Tavern & Grill 31 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.602.7929 Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001 Valentina’s Sandwhich Factory 132 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.408.9608 Fruitland Park Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575 ibar-be-que Express 3170 Hwy. 27 352.315.4227 Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.728.0006 Groveland Coyote Rojo 214 W. Broad St. 352.557.8999 James Barbeque 262 W. Orange St. 352.557.4050 Ikaho Sushi Japanese 7965 SR 50, #900 352.557.8988 Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. State Road 33 352.429.2997 Howey-inthe-Hills JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd.

352.324.3600 Lady Lake Bamboo Bistro 700 Hwy. 441 352.750.9998

Lady Lake Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000 Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722 The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. 514 Hwy. 441 352.614.9000 Leesburg Cafe Ola 400 N. 14th St. 352.365.0089 Cedar River Seafood 8609 S. U.S. Hwy. 441 352.728.3377 Chesapeake Bay Grill 4467 Arlington Ridge Blvd.

352.315.0066 Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442 Cuba Pichy’s 10401 US Hwy. 441 352.365.2822 Dance’s BBQ 1707 South Street 352.801.8885 El Ranchito 911 W N Blvd.

352.314.9339 Frank’s Place 201 N. 1st St. 352.323.1989 Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 County Road 44 352.365.2177 God Café 300 W. Main St. 352.801.7447 Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St. 352.474.2739 HP Grill 1403 S. 14th St. 352.314.0006 Ichiban Buffet 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669 Irene’s Ice Cream Sandwiches and Deli 4120 Corley Island Rd. 352.315.1118 Jamaican George 2402 W. Main St. 352.455.1898

Johnson’s Pizza Place 4120 Corley Island Rd., Ste. 300 352.801.7250 Kountry Kitchen 1008 W. Dixie Ave. 352.323.0852 La Palma Mexican Grill 1690 Citrus Blvd.

352.323.1444 Lilly’s Super Subs 2339 County Road 473 352.343.4663 Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 Ms. T’s Place 305 Pine St. 352.431.3217 Naples Italian Restaurant 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.323.1616 Osaka 1401 Citrus Blvd.

352.728.0788 Pine Street Bar-B-Que 408 Pine St. 352.728.1293 Plantation Oaks Restaurant 4720 Plantation Blvd.

352.530.2680 Ramshackle Café 1317 N. 14th St. 352.365.6565 Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 US Hwy. 27 352.319.8093 San Jose Mexican 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174 Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar 707 W. Main St. 352.435.7840 Southern Gourmet 314 W. Main St. 352.409.7512 Stavros Pizza 755 N. 14th St. 352.326.4202 Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 The 24 Tap Room 1107 W. North Blvd.

352.315.0198 The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717

The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd.

352.805.4250 Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274 Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107 Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989 Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777 Wrapsody 712 W. Main St. 352.801.7239 Mascotte Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555 Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd.

352.429.2093 The Surf Bar and Grill 650 Hwy. 27 202.527.0100 Minneola Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 Mount Dora 1921 by Norman Van Aken 141 E. 4th Ave. 352.385.1921 Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668 Barnwood Country Kitchen and Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903 Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101

Breezeway Café 411 N. Donnelly St. 352.702.7898 Cecile’s French Corner 237 W. Fourth Ave. 352.383.7100 Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 Eduardo’s Loko Tacos Mexican Restaurant 226 Alfred St. 352.742.1181 Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936 Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470 Let’s Do Lunch 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.4577 Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 One Flight Up - Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 100 352.758.9818 Pisces Rising 239 W. 4th Ave. 352.385.2669 PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092 Shiva Indian Restaurant 140A W. 5th Ave. 352.735.4555 Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675

Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067

The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059

Whale’s Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 352.385.1500 Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855 Sorrento Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 CR 437 352.383.8882 Gi Gi’s 25444 State Road 46 352.735.4000 Tavares Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 Buzzard Beach Grill 12423 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.5267 Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd.

352.508.5137 Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 County Road 448 352.343.6823 O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 Palm Gardens Restaurant 1661 Palm Garden St. 352.431.3217 Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd.

352.343.7744 The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 The Villages Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027 Bavarian Brewhaus 2738 Brownwood Blvd.

352.399.5516 Bravo Pizza 1080 Lake Sumter Landing 352.430.2394

Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 City Fire Brownwood & Paddock Square 352.561.2078 Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674 Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600 Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd.

352.753.3824 NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994 RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930 Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939 Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393 Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 Umatilla Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145 Gator’s 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969 Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd.

352.669.1555 Nicky D’s Pizza 325 N. Central Avenue 352.669.2400

Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 State Road 19 352.669.3922 Quarterdeck 801 Central Ave. 352.669.4662 Shanghai 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004 The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 Umatilla Tavern 605 N. Central Ave. 352.669.1325 Wildwood China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 Yalaha Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48 352.324.3366

Country Club Restaurants Clermont Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411 Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd.

352.243.1118 Howey-in-the-Hills Mission Inn Resort El Conquistador Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3101 Mount Dora The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd.

352.735.2263 The Villages Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208 Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evan’s Prairie Trail 352.750.2225 Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077 Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200 Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd.

352.753.1475 Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501 Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005 Wildwood Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd.

352.748.3293

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YOUR COLLEGE & NFL HEADQUARTERS

Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant Open seven days a week: 11am–9pm // Food, Spirits, Music, Sports 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441, Leesburg // 352.253.2442 // CVinnies.com

any game. any time.

Cousin Vinnie’s is located on U.S. Hwy. 441 across from Home Depot. Owner “Cousin” Vinnie Vittoria and his family have created a unique atmosphere by combining a “Sports Bar” with a “Family Restaurant”. As soon as you walk into Vinnie’s you will immediately notice why they are famous for outstanding comfort food and service! Their 30+ wing sauces have awarded them voted BEST WINGS in Lake & Sumter County every year since opening in 2008. In 2017 & 2018, Vinnie’s was also voted BEST SPORTS BAR! Tuesday night is “Family Night” from 5–8p.m. when kids 12-and-under eat free. Wednesday night is “Trivia Night” when the fun starts at 6:30p.m. with prizes given to the top 3 teams. On Saturdays, this is the place to watch the college football playoffs (including the SEC Package). Sundays they offer “The Sunday NFL Ticket,” catch any game… any time! A few menu items offered are (never frozen – 80/20) ½ lb. burgers, personal pan pizzas, amazing rib-eye Philly cheese steaks, healthy wheat wraps, fresh homemade chicken salad and 15 awesome appetizers, including Cousin Vinnie’s Signature Secret Shrimp! Central Florida’s families simply can’t get enough of their deep-fried Ice Cream! Cousin Vinnie’s also offers, a small arcade for the kids, free Wi-Fi, great music, and an enthusiastic staff ready to exceed your expectations. To learn more go to www.CVinnies.com.

Fish Camp on Lake Eustis 901 Lakeshore Blvd., Tavares // 352.742.4400 // fishcamponlakeeustis.com The Fish Camp on Lake Eustis is your spot for sampling the best locally sourced foods, liquors, craft beers, and wines of Central Florida. In addition to the local fare, Fish Camp serves up Southern classics like Gullah-style shrimp & grits and signature favorites like our blackened grouper Reuben. Our Central Florida dishes include swamp cabbage ceviche, Florida grass-fed burgers, Cedar Key clams, kale Caesar and farm salad from Aquaponic Lynx Farm in Yalaha, and Zellwood sweet corn from Long & Scott Farms. Come enjoy the view with our full bar featuring local moonshines from Yalaha Bootlegging Company, local craft beers, and our fresh-squeezed margaritas. Voted Best Seafood in the Lake & Sumter Style magazine and Daily Commercial newspaper contests in 2018.

Stokes Seafood Market and More 719 W. Main St., Leesburg // 352.787.3474 Facebook.com/StokesSeafoodMarketandMore The freshest seafood available, custom-made party platters, and many delicious “grab and go” meals are available from Stokes Seafood Market and More every day, and we now have outdoor seating so you can enjoy a delicious lunch at the market! We also serve freshly made lunches every Wed.-Fri. from 11-2pm…check out our scrumptious lunch menu! We are located at 719 W. Main Street at the corner of 9th Street in historic downtown Leesburg. Come try our wonderful house-made seafood dishes at the market, including lobster rolls, fish tacos, sesame-seared Ahi tuna, salad with blackened salmon or Ahi tuna, the best seafood gumbo, New England clam chowder, shrimp and lobster bisque around, and so much more. When you pick up your fresh seafood you can sample some of the wonderful house-made seafood salads, spreads, and dips, and wine and beer, and take some home to go with your dinner. We specialize in hard to find Northern fish and shellfish, live Maine Lobster and Blue Crab, Salmon, Tuna, Snapper, Grouper, Mahi, Ipswich Clams, Oysters, Mussels, Mullet, Catfish, Tilapia, Swordfish, Crab, and so much more! Every day there’s something new to pick up for lunch and “grab and go” home to enjoy. We are your one stop seafood shop…we carry everything to make your seafood meal and appetizers perfect! In addition to the fish brought in fresh from the boats daily, there’s also a great selection of shellfish and frozen fish. Ask about our fun and informative cooking demonstrations…just call or check the schedule in the store for times and dates.

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Subway Subway.com Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food.

Lady Lake // 208 W. Guava St. // 352.750.4929 Eustis // 469 Plaza Dr. // 352.357.7827 Mount Dora // 18870 U.S. Hwy. 441 // 352.735.4376 Leesburg // 2013 Citrus Blvd. // 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Suite 4 // 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4 // 352.314.8847 The Villages // 1580 Bella Cruz Drive // 352.750.9600 8796 S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane // 352.750.9991 1070 Lake Sumter Landing Drive // 352.205.8535 349 Colony Blvd. // 352.391.1657 Wildwood // 480 W. Gulf to Alantic Hwy. // 352.748.8800

The Whistle Stop at Zellwood Station 2728 Cayman Cir., Zellwood // Tue-Sat 11am-7pm // Sun 11am-5pm // 407.814.7005 Located in the rolling hills of Zellwood Station is Whistle Stop Restaurant and Lounge. With a scenic view of the community’s beautiful golf course, the restaurant is open Sunday morning for breakfast, Wednesdays and Fridays for dinner, and Tuesday through Sunday for lunch. Diners can satisfy their taste buds on various food items prepared by a former Disney Chef, including Reubens, burgers, Caesar salad, and a large pork sandwich.

Yalaha Bakery 8210 State Road 48, Yalaha // Open daily 8am-7pm // 352.324.3366 The family owned German Bakery since 1995, is an award-winning Bakery that offers to customers high-quality German products made with the highest culinary standards. Fine European pastries and breads are made with organic flours, chocolates, and spices, butter, and imported European ingredients. Take home tortes, tarts, and wonderful pretzels, but before you go home, enjoy something from our delicious deli menu. We serve breakfast from 8-11am and lunch and dinner are served 11am-7pm. Enjoy German specialties like Nurnberger breakfast, Hunterschnitzel with Spätzle, Bratwurst, Reuben, Quiche, typical German soups, and maybe Semelknoedel (bread dumplings with mushroom sauce) for lunch or dinner. We offer a fine selection of German beers and wines. Whatever time of day, you’ll find something you love at Yalaha Bakery.

On the weekends you can come and enjoy various events and music concerts on Saturdays and Sundays at our Beer Garden. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter or via our website www.yalahabakery.com A German Bakery Like No Other!

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F i na l T h oug h t

It’s that year Can it really be 50 years since high school?

STORY: LEIGH NEELY

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e know it will come. It does for everyone, but we never expect it so soon.

This is the year I will celebrate the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation. Sigh.

The only reunion I’ve attended since graduation was my 15th. Actually, it was the 16th year since graduation because we couldn’t get things organized to do it the year before.

What do you remember about those wonderful high school days? I remember that I thought my sophomore year was the happiest ever, but, for the life of me, I can’t remember why. I was

I’ll probably try to lose weight, whiten my teeth, and buy current fashions so I’ll look my best.

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never part of the “in” crowd as we called it then. Still, I’m happy to know I had such a good year.

As a junior, I began working on the school newspaper. It wasn’t much, true, but it was the beginning of what became my passion and my career— writing. As you can see, I’m still doing it today.

My first writing attempts began in junior high school when we had to sit in the cafeteria when it rained during gym class. The boys had the gym on those days, while we basically had a study hall in the cafeteria. There was a group of us who made up stories

about ourselves and the Beach Boys. My true love was—ironically—Mike Love.

I still have the composition notebooks with those stories in them.

Anyway, plans are already under way for the big 50th reunion. I do plan to go to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and enjoy three days with old classmates.

I’ll probably try to lose weight, whiten my teeth, and buy current fashions so I’ll look my best. However, don’t bet on my chances of succeeding with the weight loss. After all, it has been 50 years—they must know I’ll look a little different!

A New You for the New Year C ALL FOR YOUR CONSULTATION AND UPLIFT YOUR LOOK TODAY!

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