THE HOT ISSUE
You picked them. You voted. Now Style presents the Best of the Best in Lake and Sumter counties! p.064
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AUG'19 V.15
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CONTENTS 1 of 2
FEATURES
036 Hot topics
For the annual Hot! issue, Style searched the cities and towns in Lake and Sumter counties for what’s trending in fun, fashion, and photos. These aren’t trends from the big cities; they’re shops, games, athletes, and activities to do in your hometown. COMPILED BY LEIGH NEELY, JAMES COMBS, THERESA CAMPBELL, CHRIS GERBASI, AND PAULA F. HOWARD
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You nominated. We tallied votes and presented the most popular contenders. You voted again. Now it’s time to reveal who you picked as the Best of the Best businesses and professionals in this area.
Fly away home Aviation communities are a popular trend, and there are several in this area. Instead of the convenience of parking your car in a garage, you can park your plane in your hangar. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
We Listen. We Care. We Educate.
352.350.1161 TBFinancialGroup.com 3261 U.S. Highway 441/27, Suite F-2 Fruitland Park, FL 34731
Liz Cornell, CASÂŽ
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Annuities 101 Workshop for August Seating is very limited and by RSVP only
August 6th | 9 a.m. August 22nd | 9 a.m. BEST OF THE
HOT
LIST
WINNER
The Waterfront Inn Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages TB Financial Group Inc. is a licensed insurance agency for life, health, and annuities. We are not securities licensed. We are not tax advisors. Our seminars are very general in nature and not meant to replace the advice of your CPA, Tax Preparer, Investment Advisor or Attorney. We will not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for these matters.
AUG'19 V.15
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CONTENTS 2 of 2
DEPARTMENTS
first
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THE HIT LIST 022 PERSON OF INTEREST 024 OUTSTANDING STUDENT 026 IN THE VILLAGES 028 THIS 'N' THAT 030
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THE TO-DO LIST 100 LOCAL TALENT 104 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT 106 NEAR & FAR 108 HI, SOCIETY! 112
menu
127
columns
IN THE KITCHEN 128 FORK ON THE ROAD 132 SALUTÉ 134 DINING GUIDE 136
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FROM THE PUBLISHER 014 FINAL THOUGHT 160
160
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E ON TH S R C OV E
THE HOT ISSUE
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L AKE & SUMTER
USE OF THE WORD “HOT” TRACKER
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TRACKER of thePOINT best. THE 9 T HA L A N N UOF
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34! 45! Lake and Sumter Style Illustration: Jason Fugate THE HOT ISSUE
You picked them. You voted. Now Style presents the Best of the Best in Lake and Sumter counties! p.064
you’re sure to find bland, HOT WHEELS! The hot neutral selections for any car to drive this year is my occasion in the Gerbasi 2009 Honda Accord painted Style This well-worn Collection! in hot gold with hot gold Village Edition Quality Moving Services line Rao of clothes literally is interior! The four doors Photo: Anthony Photo Illustration: Jason than Fugate some Akers staff older make it sexy! Special feature: members (and making fun of state-of-2009 technology to people who overuse “literally” play red-hot “compact discs” peaked in 2012 on “Parks & (created in 1982). Recreation”). HOT MUSIC! Sure, I know
y i e t
r l j u f t
fi t p y w y y r b K d
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It’s the Hot! Issue! You can tell it’s exciting by all the exclamation points in the stories! And who better to bring you all the hottest, hippest trends in Lake and Sumter counties than a hot, hip writer who still remembers typewriters (an 1860s invention) and people yelling, “Hot off the press!” (“hot metal” typesetting ended in the 1980s). I always have a finger on the pulse of today’s ever-changing culture! I also keep one finger on my own pulse to make sure I don’t get overstimulated! Of course, as a highly trained journalist, I know how to research information. I consulted with a group of computerliterate infants to find out what’s “trending” (that’s social media jargon!) First, they told me what year it is. Otherwise, I’d keep using variations of the phrase “Some Like It Hot” (1959 film), our fashion list would include hot pants (1970s style), and I’d tell you that this issue will leave you “feeling hot, hot, hot!” (1987 song). In fact, if it were up to me, the Hot! List would look like this:
find a good disc golf match to watch, try the national pastime: baseball! It’s 150 years old and I’ve been watching it for most of those years! Here’s a hot tip for youngsters: You can send and receive 3,500 text messages between each pitch! In fact, Ken Burns’ 18-hour “Baseball” documentary is only slightly
BUILDER OF THE YEAR
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breads, salad dressings, dairy, cereal, or anything that looks appetizing. Hot diggity dog! (1920s expression).
Mike Neace
HOT HANGOUT! Don’t Award Winning Home Designer / Builder / Licensed Contractor follow the crowd to the new bar with a “Game of State License Number - CBC058306 Thrones” theme or the trendy restaurant with menu items you can’t pronounce. You’re a
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Hot! Issue There’s a lot of sizzling going on—and it’s not just the weather!
’m excited to give you our annual Hot! issue presenting the Best of the Best in Lake and Sumter counties. Our writers have been sweating over these stories, digging in every corner of both counties to find out what’s trending in our hometowns. We’ve found some fun, exciting, and interesting topics for you to read about. Lake County is one of the top bassfishing destinations in the country, and this year history was made as Leesburg High School organized its first bass fishing team. We believe they’re hooked on this exhilarating sport. We’ve got a famous dog in our midst. Billie Green and her black and tan coonhound named Carlin Black Tie Affair, or Tux, wowed the judges at the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this year. Here’s something so cool it’s really hot: an ice-skating rink called Winterland Adventures at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. Everybody’s talking about virtual reality, and you can try out Mind Immersions Virtual Reality Experience in Clermont. The changing trends in our area keep things adventurous and right up there with what’s happening all over the country. See the latest fashions and hairstyles. Learn about the latest video games and why so many people are taking up dancing and using vegan makeup. We’ve even scouted out the best places for photo ops around the counties. The Hot! issue is always fun and we hope you enjoy this year’s edition. Until next month,
Have a story to tell? We’re always looking for stories about people who live and work in our area. Send suggestions to leigh@akersmediagroup.com.
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Kendra Akers Doug Akers
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DESIGN
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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EDITORIAL
Jason Fugate Leigh Neely
CREATIVE DIRECTOR jason@akersmediagroup.com
MANAGING EDITOR leigh@akersmediagroup.com
Michael Gaulin James Combs
SENIOR DESIGNER michael@akersmediagroup.com
STAFF WRITER james@akersmediagroup.com
Volkan Ulgen Theresa Campbell
ART DIRECTOR volkan@akersmediagroup.com
STAFF WRITER theresa@akersmediagroup.com
THE HOT ISSUE
You picked them. You voted. Now Style presents the Best of the Best in Lake and Sumter counties! p.064
THE HOT ISSUE
You picked them. You voted. Now Style presents the Best of the Best in Lake and Sumter counties! p.064
STAFF WRITER chris@akersmediagroup.com
RUN LIKE A
GI RL
of the best.
Megan Mericle CON TRIBUTIN G WRITER S Anthony Rao Joe Angione Mary Ann DeSantis Paula F Howard Nicole Hamel
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER nicole@akersmediagroup.com
SA LES
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THE 9 T HA L A N N UOF
LIST ING EVERYTH MELTS THAT US
PEACE OF MIND Your mind should be
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your best friend.
TALKING TATS Safety tips to remember before being tattooed.
VOTED BEST OVERALL MAGAZINE
by Florida Magazine Association
Local beer that’s truly local. Fresh hops, fruit and other ingredients grown in Lake County.
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FRESH TODAY!
WHERE THE LOCALS GO
BIRDWATCHERS UNITE
Enjoy food picked fresh at a farm café, pick your own fruit, or take a hayride to relish agritourism.
Find the best places for outdoor fun, downtown adventure, and lazy life on the water.
Lake County is home to hundreds of bird species, including the native scrub-jay.
Hot off the press! The latest editions of Lake & Sumter Style, Village Edition Style, Healthy Living, and Welcome to Lake County.
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TO LA KE COUNTY
LAKE COUNTY IS HOPPIN’
Author and runner Mina Samuels inspires women to excel in athletics.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER megan@akersmediagroup.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER anthony@akersmediagroup.com
SPONSORED BY
AUG '19
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POUNDING THE POUNDS | For an Akers employee, weight loss is his gain p.66
AUG '19
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A D M IN IS TRATION
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Lake & Sumter Style. Published monthly by Akers Media, 108 South Fifth Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2019 by Akers Media. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Akers Media. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call 352.787.4112. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Paid Promotional Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media.
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Extra Help for Your Immune System
C
ancer can deliver a one-two punch against your immune system. First, certain types of cancer, like leukemia and other blood-related cancers, suppress the immune system more than solid tumors do, leaving one open to additional diseases. Second, certain cancer treatments suppress the
immune system. Chemotherapy is often accompanied by shots to boost the immunity that chemo has knocked down. Bone marrow transplants and prolonged steroid use also lower immunity. Being immunocompromised means taking extra precautions. These can include frequent hand washing and carrying hand sanitizer at all times, wearing a respirator mask, avoiding crowds, and avoiding certain activities like manicures or dental procedures. It can even mean spending less time with your pets.
Did You Know?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends certain vaccines for cancer patients. Vaccines offer protection against disease, but some vaccines are not recommended for people with suppressed immunity. Vaccines containing a live virus pose too much of a risk, so the CDC instead recommends inactivated vaccines for cancer patients. For example, the nasal spray flu mist contains the live flu virus and should not be given to cancer patients. Instead, the CDC recommends getting a flu shot, which contains the inactive virus. A patient should ideally be vaccinated against flu at least two weeks before starting treatment. Alternatively, a flu shot might be given between chemo cycles if the oncologist approves. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you.
The TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis [whooping cough]) vaccine is recommended for cancer survivors. The pneumonia vaccine (given in two shots, PCV13 and PPSV23) is recommended for anyone with a weakened immune system. However, the pneumonia vaccine should be given before cancer treatment starts or three months after treatment ends.
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A New, Safer Shingles Vaccine
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles because both come from the varicella zoster virus. Until recently, the shingles vaccine posed a problem for cancer patients. Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to shingles, but had access only to a live vaccine. In some cases, that vaccine was not recommended even for people whose immune systems had recovered after treatment. Now an inactivated shingles vaccine is available, called Shingrix. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is still reviewing the data on Shingrix and does not yet recommend it for immunocompromised patients. But the vaccine is approved for people who have not yet received treatment that will suppress their immune systems, and for those whose immunity has recovered. Shingrix is given in two doses and some supplies are limited, so check with your doctor. SOURCE: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/hcp/shingrix/faqs.html
by the numbers
67%
Estimated reduction in flu risk in vaccinated people during the 2018-2019 flu season.
10
YEARS Recommended time between doses of the TDaP vaccine for adults.
The Risks from HPV Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major risk factor for multiple cancers. Two HPV types in particular, HPV16 and HPV18, are responsible for most HPV-related cancers. Those include cancers of the anus, cervix, oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the mouth, including the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils), penis, rectum, vagina, and vulva. A vaccine is available to guard against HPV infection. Your doctor can provide more information.
BEST OF THE
HOT
LIST
68.9% Percent of adults aged 65 and over who had ever received a pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccination.
Perspective "Not only should those with weakened immune systems get u shots, their families and caregivers should too." -- Mary Engel, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
33,700 Cancer cases per year caused by HPV
Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home The Villages 352.259.2200 Ocala 352.732.0277 Timber Ridge 352.861.2400 Inverness 352.726.3400 Lecanto 352.527.0106 RBOI.com
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AU G ' 1 9 • L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M
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FINALIST
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THE HIT LIST News and notes from Lake and Sumter counties.
PERSON OF INTEREST Councilwoman and duathlete Diane Travis.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT Julia Dumont from Tavares Middle School.
IN THE VILLAGES Making sure students have what they need for a great year.
THIS N' THAT From the seat of his La-Z-Boy, he knows what’s hot and why.
THE HIT LIST
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A PURR-FECT IDEA: Operation Community Caturday, an ongoing program offered by the Lake County Animal Shelter, is now offering surgical sterilization of cats on the last Saturday of each month to help reduce overpopulation. Surgery costs $10 per cat, according to a county press release. Felines should be brought to the shelter from 6-7pm Friday or 7:30-8:30am Saturday. The shelter is located at 28123 County Road 561 in Tavares.
LOVE BACON? Aug. 20 is National Bacon Lover’s Day and a good reason to dig into a hearty BLT, just in case you need an excuse. Here’s a little bacon trivia: • It’s one of the oldest processed meats in history. The Chinese began salting pork bellies as early as 1500 B.C. • Bacon is said to cure hangovers.
FUN AND GAMES: Fans of board games have a new hangout: Happy Troll Games, 155 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont. The store, which opened recently, hosts game demonstrations and playing rooms, and also sells puzzles, collectibles, fan art, and more. Visit Facebook or call 352.460.2621.
• Pregnant women have the best reason to enjoy bacon. Choline, which is found in bacon, reportedly helps fetal brain development. Source: foodimentary.com
NEW LAW OFFICERS: Lake County Bar Association officers began their term on July 1: President: Stephanie Modica, partner, Crawford, Modica, & Holt, Chartered Attorneys, Clermont; Vice president: Zachary McCormick, owner, Zachary McCormick Attorney at Law, Tavares; Treasurer: Matthew C. Frey, associate, Campione & Hackney, Tavares; and Secretary: Assistant State Attorney Jonathan Olson, Lake County State Attorney’s Office. Judge James R. Baxley will be the bar’s judicial liaison. Assistant State Attorney James Argento is immediate past president. Board of directors: Freya McLain, of the law firm of Zachary McCormick Attorney at Law; Tavares and Assistant Public Defenders Sara Frick, Mona Payne, and George Singeltary, from the Lake County Public Defender’s Office.
A HOT PROPERTY: The Villages’ Public Safety Department is growing along with the community. A new facility, Station 47, is located at 4856 S. Morse Blvd., south of State Road 44, a newsletter reports. The 11,000-square-foot building houses three fire apparatus, dorms for up to 10 firefighters, and a district customer service center satellite office.
IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL! Classes in Lake and Sumter counties’ public schools begin Monday, Aug. 12. Parents.com suggests these steps to make every first day a great beginning: • See school from your child’s point of view. • Visit the school and find the new classroom, nearest bathrooms, and so on.
• Be sure everything is set on getting to and from school: carpool, bus, or mom takes and dad picks up. • Shop with your child for school supplies.
• Discuss the various new subjects your • Try to meet with parents of other student will have. children in the Each grade has class so there will its own. be a familiar face • Discuss getting to on the first day. know new people and review rules about sharing.
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HOT LATE NIGHT: Who’s “The King of Late Night”? None of those talk-show wannabes. It’s Donut King, the 24-hour bakery and diner where customers can eat doughnuts for dinner or Castle burgers for breakfast. Mmm, Castle burgers. They always hit the spot on the way home from the bar; just beware of the gut punch the morning after. Donut King, at 208 S. Highway 27 in Minneola, also serves New Orleans-style cuisine, wings, wraps, and more when those midnight munchies kick in. Bon appétit. While many areas of Lake County roll up the sidewalks early, late-night imbibers and cravers can find signs of life if they know where to look. Among the 2am nightly haunts are McGregor’s, 502½ N. Highland St., and Big Dog Saloon, 4060 N. Highway 19A; both in Mount Dora; Copperhead Lodge Saloon, 1850 U.S. Highway 441, and Shamrock Lounge & Package, 1120 W. North Blvd., both in Leesburg; Graffiti Junktion, 2400 S. Highway 27, Clermont; and Ruby Street Grille, 221 E. Ruby St., Tavares. Who needs work? Eat, drink, and be tardy.
HOW COOL: Though school starts this month, parents still need practical ideas on how to keep kids entertained a little longer. Splash parks may be ideal boredom busters, especially if children have been cooped up inside all summer due to the sizzling heat. The following cities offer splash parks: Eustis, 250 Ferran Park Drive; Tavares, 100 E. Ruby St.; Clermont, 330 3rd St.; and Leesburg, 610 9th St.
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PERSON OF INTEREST
PEO PLE
Diane Travis Councilwoman and duathlete INTERVIEWER: CHRIS GERBASI
≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL
MONT CLER C IT Y MAN C ILW O . CO U N 2 0 14 S IN C E
VITAL STATS
• Born in Chicago; settled in Orlando in 1986. • Won gold medal at 2019 national duathlon championship and silver at worlds in 65-69 age group. • Founder of Travis Realty Group.
Best part about working in real estate? My favorite part is meeting new people, getting to know them and their families, and then helping them accomplish their goal.
How long have you competed in duathlons (runningcycling-running)? Well, my first World Championship was back in 1998 in St. Wendel, Germany, but I started doing duathlon races in Clermont in 1995 when Fred Sommer would put on a duathlon race series in the winter months. We were a much smaller
town then, and it seemed like all my friends were trying it and it looked like fun and it was easy being local across the lake from where I lived. Then, when I started competing in other U.S. cities, I met so many new friends from across the U.S.A. and I got really hooked.
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Wow, I have so many and I love all sports. Lindsay Vonn (snow skiing), Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Sarah Haskins (triathlete).
Favorite Clermont events?
toughest challenges is determining what is good for the whole city and how it will impact our future. It is tough and you can’t please everyone, you just do the best you can.
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hamburger is always a favorite. It could accompany a beer or glass of wine.
Favorite athlete?
Toughest part of the city council? One of the
Know a person of interest? Fill us in!
Favorite post-race meal? A large
Email your
Taste of South Lake and the Gran Fondo cycling event.
Three words to describe you? Fun, intense, happy.
Pet peeve? Negative people.
Most prestigious victory? I
have won the USA Nationals before, but the World Championships I have medaled in I would say are the most prestigious because of the increased competition. This year’s silver medal in the World Championships was very rewarding because getting older, it doesn’t get any easier.
person of interest recommendations to chris@akersmediagroup.com
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OUTSTANDING STUDENT
PEO PLE
Julia Dumont Tavares Middle School student puts her love of science to work.
L V I TA AT S ST
• Born: Port Charlotte. • Parents: Paul and Martha Dumont. • Age: 11. • School: Sixth-grader at Tavares Middle School.
What I enjoyed most about this project: I loved building the actual light bar.
INTERVIEWER: THERESA CAMPBELL
When I grow up, I want to be:
PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL
Aerospace engineer for SpaceX.
My heroes: My mom and dad. She won first place in engineering at the Lake County Science Fair by creating a flashing light bar for school buses. Made of a 7-foot PVC pipe and equipped with two 2 1/2-foot flashing LED bars and an additional stop sign, the device is designed to put extra lights on school buses so cars will stop as they are supposed to do by law. Julia interviewed a longtime Lake County bus driver for her research.
Additional honors • She won first place at Astatula Elementary School’s Science Fair in third, fourth, and fifth grades. • She has been on a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) team since third grade, and her team won a competition last year.
Best advice I’ve been given: The sky is not the limit if you are reaching for the stars.
If I could meet any celebrity or historical person, it would be: Elon Musk and/or Stephen Hawking.
What is important to me: Family,
• Julia’s VEX Robotics team won a state competition and was invited, based on its STEM research video, to the world competition, where it placed 29th out of 82 in teamwork for its division.
What I would tell fellow students:
• She earned straight A’s throughout elementary school.
My favorite food: Fruit.
EXTRA! EXTRA! Julia was inspired to make the flashing light bar for school buses because: she saw news reports of kids being injured or killed because people do not see the stop signs on the bus, and they do not stop to let the kids cross the road.
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One word that describes me: Kind.
L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • AU G ' 1 9
friends, and school.
Don’t let anything get in the way of doing what you love. Always believe in yourself, even when no one else does.
What I want to be doing 10 years from now: Attending college at MIT. What makes me happy: Spending time with my family, friends, and in nature.
Email your recommendation to leigh@akersmediagroup.com
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IN THE VILLAGES
CO MMENTARY
Pack the backpacks Many students in the area need help with supplies. STORY: JOE ANGIONE
ore than 15 million children live in extreme poverty in America, and many arrive the first day of school without the supplies needed to do their work, recent surveys show. Many of these students live in Lake and Sumter counties. School begins Aug. 12, and these youngsters are in need of your help. Schools often can’t cover the costs of providing necessary items like paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, rulers, index cards, and other items kids use every day. Too often, teachers must resort to providing these items, paying for them out of their own salaries that barely meet the needs of their own families. For a list of what students need, check the websites of Lake and Sumter County schools. If you’d like to provide assistance to kids in nearby neighborhoods, it’s rather easy to do, particularly when you band together with friends and neighbors. Since each in
Want to help?
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The Villages operates a social club or association that meets frequently, this is the perfect place to get a school supplies fund drive going. Donations from members don’t have to be lavish. Asking for $10 or $15 from each member would build quickly into a fund totaling hundreds of dollars. Better yet, buy the supplies on tax-free days provided by the state of Florida and bring backpacks loaded for the students. Simply introduce the supplies drive during a meeting, and select a school particularly in need of funds. The club votes for a school or perhaps two or three to receive the supplies. This requires no more than four volunteer workers: one to collect the donations, one to call the school principal to get a list of urgently needed supplies, and another one or two to purchase the items and deliver them. The National Retail Federation promotes school-supply discount promotions all across the country. Locally, chains like Office Depot, Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, and others offer deep discounts on these items, including backpacks at bargain prices. It’s easy to find the best buys to maximize the variety and quantity of products that fill your donation packages. A school supply drive like this gives you the deep satisfaction of making a positive impact on local students and their learning success. Another option is to make this a project for the entire school year because supplies are always needed.
If you’d like to help ensure students have what they need, contact a school near your neighborhood.
L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • AU G ' 1 9
A Lasting Memory It is our goal to help you say goodbye to your special friend in the most caring and understanding way.
“A way to provide the respect and loyalty after death that your pet freely gave in life�
Central Florida Pet Crematory has been serving Lake and Marion Counties since 2002.
Lisa Elliott
Crematory Director
352.307.2256 // 10725 SE 36th Ave www.cflpetcrematory.com
THIS 'N' THAT
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Hotorornot? not? Hot
Hotness is in the hands of the holder. Hotness is in the hands of the holder. ≈
STORY: CHRIS GERBASI ILLUSTRATION: MEGAN MERICLE STORY: CHRIS GERBASI ILLUSTRATION: MEGAN MERICLE
≈
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USE OF THE WORD “HOT” TRACKER
EXCLAMATION POINT TRACKER
34! 45! HOT WHEELS! The hot car to drive this year is my 2009 Honda Accord painted in hot gold with hot gold interior! The four doors make it sexy! Special feature: state-of-2009 technology to play red-hot “compact discs” (created in 1982). HOT MUSIC! Sure, I know a lot of today’s top musical artists: Lil’ This, Lil’ That, Bacardi B, Juice Box, Ariana from “The Little Mermaid,” James Taylor Swift, Chance the Riddler. And I know everyone’s dancing this summer to the “Thong Song” (2000 reference). But the most recent concert I saw was the Who, which formed in 1964 and has been playing on its 50th anniversary tour for five years! Long live rock! (1972 song). HOT FASHION! Whether you’re lying around the house or dozing at the office,
you’re sure to find bland, neutral selections for any occasion in the Gerbasi Collection! This well-worn line of clothes literally is older than some Akers staff members (and making fun of people who overuse “literally” peaked in 2012 on “Parks & Recreation”). HOT TECHNOLOGY! Modern communication is defined by my sizzling Tracfone LG flip phone—the LG stands for “long gone.” This phone provides highfidelity connections on a level just above two cans and a string! No more bulky smartphones or buttdialing! No worries about data charges because you can’t navigate the internet or take photos on the quarter-inch screen! Special feature: a clock! HOT SPORTS! It’s the dog days of sports, so if you can’t
It’s the Hot! Issue! You can tell it’s exciting by all the exclamation points in the stories! And who better to bring you all the hottest, hippest trends in Lake and Sumter counties than a hot, hip writer who still remembers typewriters (an 1860s invention) and people yelling, “Hot off the press!” (“hot metal” typesetting ended in the 1980s). I always have a finger on the pulse of today’s ever-changing culture! I also keep one finger on my own pulse to make sure I don’t get overstimulated! Of course, as a highly trained journalist, I know how to research information. I consulted with a group of computerliterate infants to find out what’s “trending” (that’s social media jargon!) First, they told me what year it is. Otherwise, I’d keep using variations of the phrase “Some Like It Hot” (1959 film), our fashion list would include hot pants (1970s style), and I’d tell you that this issue will leave you “feeling hot, hot, hot!” (1987 song). In fact, if it were up to me, the Hot! List would look like this: find a good disc golf match to watch, try the national pastime: baseball! It’s 150 years old and I’ve been watching it for most of those years! Here’s a hot tip for youngsters: You can send and receive 3,500 text messages between each pitch! In fact, Ken Burns’ 18-hour “Baseball” documentary is only slightly longer than an actual game (1994 reference). HOT HAIRSTYLES! DIY all the way! Scissors and a handheld mirror are all you need for that chopped, hot mess style that’s in vogue today. Never pay high salon prices again! Add coloring for that distinguished salt-andpepper look that takes most people decades to perfect! HOT FOOD! Fad diets come and go but the No Salt, No Fun diet is here to stay! Restrictions: no processed meats, pizza, sauces, spreads,
breads, salad dressings, dairy, cereal, or anything that looks appetizing. Hot diggity dog! (1920s expression). HOT HANGOUT! Don’t follow the crowd to the new bar with a “Game of Thrones” theme or the trendy restaurant with menu items you can’t pronounce. You’re a big, La-Z-Boy and you know it! (reference to chair company founded in 1927). Stay in, get comfortable, channel-surf, and taunt your friends: “At least I’m not outside!” Nope, you’re home! And don’t forget your… HOT BEVERAGE! Who needs Cajun-flavored vodka or papaya blueberry energy drinks? Nothing’s hotter than ice-cold Rolling Rock, your smooth buzz since 1939. Enjoy the Rock in your hot hangout as you read the new Hot! Issue! You know the one, the issue that’s hot as blazes! (1850s expression).
Do you think I’m hot? Comment on this article or share ideas for new stories by emailing chris@akersmediagroup.com.
CHRIS GERBASI
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“I LIKE IT BECAUSE YOU CAN PICK OUT AN OUTFIT, AND LEIGH ANNE HAS SHOES, JEWELRY, AND A PURSE TO MATCH IT.” —GABBY BROWNELL, UMATILLA
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PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
ear Friends of Prominent Fox Boutique, Thank you to all the wonderful customers who have kept Prominent Fox going since October 2017. I am thrilled to have customers who’ve been coming to the boutique since it opened. Some of them drive three hours just to shop at Prominent Fox. I want you to know I don’t take that for granted. I deeply appreciate your loyalty and friendship. Since I always wanted to be in fashion and design, I’m going to work every day doing what I love. I enjoy getting to know customers and their style. It pleases me when I go to market to be able to shop for specific customers and find when I get home that I’ve brought them something they love to wear. Since I grew up in Wildwood and have lived here all my life, I know what appeals to women in this area. My goal is to ensure their shopping experience is special enough they look forward to coming back again and again. I know how important it is to offer customers variety, style, along with
great service. I know that style isn’t just what you wear, it’s how you live and enjoy life because you feel so good about how you look. I feel good when my customers feel good. It makes me happy when they’re happy. We’re very honored our customers nominated us for Best of the Best with Lake & Sumter Style. We’re so grateful for the support and encouragement we receive from all our customers. Being in business where I grew up and sharing my love of fashion with friends means the world to me. I’m thrilled to be a part of this area of Central Florida and appreciate the amazing people who live here. I love it when people share my Facebook posts. I feel like I have a whole army behind me. Please come by and visit Prominent Fox Boutique. Whether you’re there for shopping, browsing, or just want to say hello, we’d love to see you and visit for a while. Sincerely, Leigh Ann Berry, Owner
“THEY HAVE A LIMITED QUANTITY OF EACH SIZE SO YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SEE YOURSELF EVERYWHERE WHEN YOU’RE DRESSED IN SOMETHING FROM THE BOUTIQUE.” —SUZY O’DONELL, LEESBURG
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4313 County Road 466, Suite 103, Oxford / 352.661.3170
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Revolutionizing chronic pain care EPAT is a non-surgical option to deal with chronic pain. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
ach day, chronic pain patients face conflict with what their mind wants to achieve and what their body allows them to do. Of course, they face an additional dilemma. Some desire alternative medical solutions beyond the standard approaches of surgery, drugs, and injections. They wish to avoid side effects associated with opioids or the risks, complications, and lengthy recovery time associated with surgery. Fortunately, Alpha Medical Group, which has offices in Leesburg, Jacksonville, and Palm Coast, offers breakthrough pain management relief without surgery, medication, and injections. Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology, or EPAT, is a FDA-approved, noninvasive technology that uses acoustic pressure waves to initiate a healing response in specific areas. During the procedure, a doctor or his trained medical staff applies gel to the targeted area and then moves the device applicator in circular motions over the area. This directs precise shockwaves
to the source of the pain. These shockwaves produce an inflammatory effect, promoting the formation of new blood vessels and blood flow, as well as damaged tissue regeneration. Unlike pain medications or injections, which only mask symptoms, EPAT stimulates the body’s natural self-healing process. That’s why it has proven effective in treating chronic conditions, as well as acute pain. Alpha Medical Group uses AcuteWave protocols, a leader in pain management and EPAT. “This procedure works wonders on carpal tunnel and plantar fasciitis,” says Dr. Scott Hollington, MD, of Alpha Medical Group. “It is also very effective for osteoarthritis, lumbar back pain, shoulder pain, muscular pain, skeletal pain, and other chronic conditions. Patients benefit because their condition is treated extracorporeally, meaning outside the body. As a result, there is no downtime or side effects.” Depending on the condition, the inoffice treatments may take 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes. Patients require a minimum of three treatment sessions. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Orthopedics and Traumatology refers to EPAT as “one of the great advances
in orthopedics over the last 20 years” and touts it as an “effective treatment for several musculoskeletal disorders, allowing satisfactory pain relief and improvement of function ability.” “This technology is the wave of the future when it comes to pain treatment,” Dr. Hollington says. “We are big believers in EPAT because we have seen it work on many patients. We had one patient in here who couldn’t rotate his shoulder. After about three treatments he had full range of motion. It is so rewarding to get patients out of pain and provide them with an alternative to surgery or pain medication.”
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL "For 10 years l"ve had mid back pain when walking. Chiropractors, massages, shoe inserts were just temporary relief for a few days at most. I made a choice and went to Alpha Wave to have a session of treatments performed on my back. It's been a month and I can walk farther and longer than before. 7 miles the other day and I didn’t have to bend down to stretch at all. Before the treatment I would have to every 30 mins at least. I’m hugely impressed!” — D.W.
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The ninth annual
LIST of everything that melts us in Lake & Sumter. STORIES: LEIGH NEELY, JAMES COMBS, THERESA CAMPBELL, CHRIS GERBASI, PAULA F. HOWARD
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Hot looks HOT BRAIDS Forget everything you think you know about braids. “These are not your momma’s hair braids. Our braids make our clients a trendsetter and star,” says Danielle Daugherty, co-owner of Mia Bella Salon and Spa in Fruitland Park, who notes braids are stylish for all ages, and even men are requesting faux braids for the “Viking look.” Danielle and some of her stylists have traveled the country doing braids at motorcycle show—as many as 100 a day, with each one taking 15 minutes to an hour to do. Locally, the shop does about five to 10 braids daily and more on weekends. “Braids are edgy, romantic, trendy, and fun,” Danielle says. Photos: Douglas Tyler; Hair: Danielle Daugherty Gabby Lindberg, Amber Baxter, Marcus Anthony; Makeup: Savannah Zuk
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HOT MAKEUP Sometimes all you need is a little gluten-free foundation with wheatfree mascara. Chamomile Skin Care & Makeup Studio, 346 Dora Dawdry Way in Mount Dora, is a unique place where customers can find a variety of services and products that they won’t find anywhere else. Amy Dornsife is a master esthetician, which means she has advanced knowledge of skin care and hands-on training about cells and skin. In addition to providing facials and oxygen infusion, microneedling, and organic microdermabrasion, Amy operates the Mount Dora Lip Lab. She will sit down with you and create a lipstick or lip
gloss that is uniquely you. You select a color, and she makes your bespoke lip product while you wait. You can also add a bit of shine to your gloss and pick from a variety of
flavors or scents. Looking for a fun girls’ night out? Join Amy at the Lip Lab and get new, luscious lips for everyone. “This is not a cookiecutter makeup store,” Amy says. In addition, Amy’s makeup products are vegan, gluten-free, and organic. Choose from an array of concealers, mascaras, and other cosmetic items that are safe and good for your skin. “I hand-pour foundation and match your skin tone so that you have a nice, smooth finish, and it’s not too sheer or too heavy. All my products are talc-free, too, because talc mimics gluten,” she says.
HOT EYES
Eyelash extensions are hot at Renew Day Spa in downtown Leesburg. “It’s like hair extensions for your eyelashes and it makes the eyes look brighter. It’s a desired look,” says technician Christina Pizzimenti, who applies a single synthetic lash on top of a client’s natural eyelash to make lashes look fuller and thicker without the need for mascara, a technique that women love. She says they also love not messing with adhesive strip of false eyelashes, which can be cumbersome. Clients first choose the length of the lashes they want, ranging from 9 to 15 millimeters (from natural to Kardashian length) and the “desired curl,” ranging from natural to dramatic. “I usually tell people to allow at least two hours, and don’t come in with any makeup on. Be prepared to fall asleep because your eyes are going to be closed the whole time and it’s relaxing,” Christina says. Clients are treated in the spa’s personal care room as calming music plays in the background “and then they wake up with nice, full lashes,” she says. Christina notes the eyelash extensions are so lightweight that clients don’t even notice feeling them. With proper care, the synthetic lashes can last 1½ months, and touch-ups can be performed every two to four weeks. The cost for a full set of eyelash extensions at Renew begins at $150; and $65 for fill-in lashes.
HOT DÉCOR: UPLIFTING MESSAGES Do you have a favorite author’s quote or inspirational verse? One of the hottest new trends at Love Home Harmony shop in downtown Mount Dora is customized metal signs that people can have made with cut-out phrases or quotes that are meaningful to them. “The metal signs are really popular, and people like that the metals are made here in the Southeast,” says Carolyn Wood, owner of Love Home Harmony. “Most of the metal is recycled, and they love that they can customize it with quotes.” One requested custom sign made for one couple reads: “Paris is always a good idea.” “They love going to Paris, so we did a little Eiffel Tower on it,” Carolyn says. Her shop is filled with several ready-made signs, including the beloved words of the late poet and playwright Robert Browning: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” Under the Cherry Blossoms in Mount Dora also has inspirational signs in tie-dye, and store owner Lynn Wisniewski has created 20 uplifting cards filled with inspiring quotes that people can place on their desks, carry around with them, or give as gifts. One of the shop’s popular quotes is from the late author Wayne Dyer: “I intend to take time for myself to live the life that I came here to live.”
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dance? SHALL WE
Ballroom dancing is very popular in the United States and it’s going to get hotter at Dancin’ Ballroom and Event Center in Leesburg. The center is preparing to move from a strip-store location to a more spacious 8,221-square-foot building with a 6,500-square-foot dance floor for aficionados of the waltz, foxtrot, samba, salsa, swing, mambo, chacha, and tango. Dancin’ Ballroom’s new home will be in the Publix Supermarket plaza at Shoppes of Lake Village, 10601 U.S. Highway 441, by Lake Square Mall. “We are very excited to become the largest ballroom dance studio in Florida,” owner Chris McCain says. He’s thrilled that the new venue provides more room for dance parties and lessons, plus plenty of parking. “We will be hosting more open-tothe-public dances,” Chris adds, “along with offering the studio as a wedding venue on Saturdays and Sundays.” The three squares in The Villages also offer public dancing each evening outdoors (weather permitting) as bands and performers entertain on
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stage. Dancing runs from 4-9pm at each square. Dancers also can dance the night away in The Villages from 7-10pm at Garvino’s Wine Bar, 1081 Canal St.; till 11pm at the two City Fire restaurants, 1018 Canal St. and 2716 Brownwood Blvd.; and until 2am at Margarita Republic, 1102 Main St. Dancing is touted as a fun way to get into shape for people of all ages; it can improve muscle tone, strength, balance, endurance, and fitness. Dancing also provides a great way to meet new people.
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Former Eustis High School baseball standout Brady Singer is one step closer to the major leagues. As a pitcher for the High-A minor league Wilmington Blue Rocks, he posted a 5-2 record with a 1.87 earned run average. As a result, Brady, the Kansas City Royals’ top pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft, was promoted in late May to the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
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S When people think of college basketball royalty, Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke immediately come to mind. Those elite programs are among a handful of schools hoping to land Montverde Academy basketball player Cade Cunningham. The 6-foot, 7-inch combo guard is ranked as the No. 3 player in the Class of 2020 by 247Sports.
Hot fashion While buying online or shopping at national retailers is common, Style staffers really love the personal service and personal aspect of buying local, along with discovering unique or one-of-a-kind fashions and accessories at local shops. Dell Ross, owner of DOGGIBAGS BOUTIQUE, which has been at its current downtown Leesburg location for 36 years, looks after her customers and her boutique has stylish designer jackets, pants, jackets, dresses, and tunics that can be mixed and matched. Many items are in easy-to-care-for fabrics and resemble works of art. “I have customers who have been coming here for years and years,” Dell says, adding that one benefit of shopping local is that the tax dollars stay in Lake County, “and it keeps small business owners surviving.” Leigh Ann Berry, owner of the PROMINENT FOX BOUTIQUE in Oxford, has trendy fashions with a bit of country chic, such as off-the-shoulder denim rompers, cheetah-print pants, bralettes, jumpsuits, and maxi dresses, that appeal to young women and fashionable Villagers. “Forget the rules. If you like it, wear it” is one of the boutique’s mottos. The Fox also carries lightweight faux leather earrings that are popular. UNDER THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS in Mount Dora has original, one-of-a-kind off-the-shoulder silk dresses and scarves made from ice chip tie-dye by local artist and designer Karen Simmons, and Spartina fashions, jewelry, and purses are exclusively sold in Lake County at Chamomile Studios in Mount Dora. LOVE HOME HARMONY SHOP, also in Mount Dora, has unique cork handbags and accessories that are organic, lightweight, eco-friendly, waterproof, and very stylish, too.
Sprinter Justin Gatlin will be 38 by the time the 2020 Summer Olympics roll around, but he appears to have enough gas left in the tank to be a serious contender in the 100 meters. He started his career with a gold medal in the event in 2004 and hopes to finish his career achieving the same feat. In 2017, Justin, who lives and trains in Clermont, defeated legendary Jamaican track champion Usain Bolt at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in London.
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal is hoping to bounce back from a season-ending injury that left him sidelined during the 2018 season. The former South Sumter High School star tore his ACL in the first game and spent months in rehabilitation. Keanu, who was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2017 season, has recorded 220 tackles, eight forced fumbles, and one interception during his career.
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Hot on the horizon OLYMPUS
This innovative development in Clermont will combine sports, wellness, entertainment, and residences as part of the Wellness Way Area plans in South Lake County. The 243-acre complex will include multi-sport competition and training venues; leading-edge wellness, fitness, and sports medicine facilities; and world-class dining, shopping, and office/conference venues. Olympus, to be built over the next several years, is estimated to create more than 5,000 jobs and generate over $1.4 billion in local economic impact during a 10-year period. “Olympus aligns perfectly with our Choice of Champions brand and our reputation as a world-class haven for athletes,” Clermont City Manager Darren Gray says in a news release. “This is a historic moment for Clermont.”
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MOUNT DORA MARKETPLACE There’s no place like this place in Mount Dora: an indoor marketplace featuring food, crafts, and eclectic businesses under one roof in the heart of downtown. Owners Michael Ross and Peter Burgess, who hope to open in September, have lined up about 40 vendors, anchored by a bar serving 28 craft beers and a New York-style deli.
“The most exciting thing about it is that we’re creating an opportunity for young entrepreneurs who normally would not be able to open a business in Mount Dora because of the rent, because they can do it on a small scale (in the marketplace),” project manager Dawn Williams says. The 9,000-square-foot marketplace includes the main building at 100 E. 4th Ave., which formerly housed
the Pisco Sour and Lost Parrot restaurants, and a building next door at 334 N. Donnelly St. Among the vendors are P Is for Pie Bake Shop, Aunt Gingibread’s Bakery, Cassie’s Cupcakes, the Ceviche Mix, a ceviche and guacamole bar, White Orchid plant and flower sales, and Yumm Popsicles, as well as a mimosa bar, gourmet chocolatier, crêperie, candlemaker, and jeweler.
VENETIAN GARDENS The city of Leesburg has steadily improved Venetian Gardens on the shores of Lake Harris. The cornerstone of the master plan, a new community center, soon will make Venetian Gardens a destination for public and private events, entertainment, and recreation. The $7.8 million project includes: the 20,700-squarefoot multipurpose center, under construction with a Nov. 1 target date for completion; and a 6,500-square-foot Ski Beach waterfront restaurant, designed by the same developer of Eaton’s Beach Sandbar & Grill in Weirsdale, expected to open in 2020. “We hope that investing in that (area) brings more people to the region, and bringing more people to the region is obviously good for economic development,” City Manager Al Minner says. “We’re real excited about the investment and excited to see the impact that it will have.”
Olympus development plans
Hot video games Here are 10 of the most anticipated video game releases for the rest of the year: “Madden 20,” Aug. 2 “Life Is Strange 2, Episode 4,” Aug. 22 “Conan Chop Chop,” Sept. 3 “Gears 5,” Sept. 10 “Doctor Who: The Edge of Time,” September “World of Warcraft 15th Anniversary Collector’s Edition,” Oct. 8 “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” Oct. 25 “Death Stranding,” Nov. 8 “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order,” Nov. 15 “Pokémon: Sword and Shield,” Nov. 15 Source: gamesradar.com
MILLENNIALS AND VIDEO GAMES BY THE NUMBERS
66 71 6 54 43 $58K
Percentage of millennials in U.S. who play video games every month. Percentage of millennial gamers who watch gaming video content (online videos about games). Average number of hours millennials watch gaming video content each week. Percentage of millennial gamers with fulltime employment. Percentage of millennial gamers with bachelor’s degrees or higher. Millennial gamers’ average household income.
HOT THINGS TO DO AT LAKE SQUARE MALL Via Entertainment at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg has always attracted families. The addition of Adrenaline Rush Raceway karts created a new rush of fun. Now, there are more exciting entertainment additions that will please parents and kids looking for fun. Paradise Lost, featuring a jungle theme, is a laser tag adventure that just opened. Teams Alpha and Delta battle each other to get to the other team’s base and destroy it. Score sheets are available at the front desk when the teams are finished, and participants get a bit of a workout going through the “jungle.” “There’s a competitive edge to everything we do,” says Darrell Kainer, operations director at the mall. “This is the biggest laser tag arena on this side of Florida. We’re developing packages for families so they can enjoy all the entertainment. In addition to laser tag, we’ve got the Escape Room, which is also challenging.” The Escape Room has two playing options for participants and a morgue with the actual smell of death misted in to make it more real. “It’s exciting and a total immersion in what you’re doing,” Darrell says. A lot of anticipation surrounded Winterland Adventures, an ice skating rink that debuted recently and will be open year-round. “We’re going to go from ‘it’s hip to be square’ to ‘it’s hot to be cool,’” says Meir Benzaken, owner of Lake Square Mall. “The rink will be run by championship skater Jean-Louis Lacaille and his wife, Sarah Abitbol, who was an Olympic skater.” According to Meir, the couple will be doing a performance at Winterland Adventures that fans normally would see only on TV. “This is an exceptional skating rink, very high-tech, and the food will feature tastes of Europe—lots of things you can’t find anywhere else,” Meir says. Virtualize is open now and ready for virtual reality adventurers. Owner Brett Baldwin, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, says he wanted to venture into a business that gave him a positive experience. “This is a great date-night activity or something the whole family can enjoy,” Brett says. “I have 140-plus programs with everything from a pirate ship to a haunted house to a fantasy game. The headsets are lightweight and you’re not just sitting like you do with video games. You’re moving around and doing stuff.” Brett says Virtualize has received many positive reviews, and he’s looking forward to more visitors coming in when the new entrance to the mall opens, as his business is just inside the doors. Here’s a sneak peek: Plans are underway to create the scariest of haunted houses this year at Lake Square Mall. Keep your eyes on Style for updates.
Source: The Nielsen Company
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Hot spots, new trends The Villages never goes out of style.
HOT PLACES TO MEET FRIENDS
What makes a hot spot hot? It’s a place where fun and laughter meet, a place where people want to be seen. Sometimes, the best hot spots are classics that stand the test of time. People also like new experiences. They want action and new places making it happen. Mostly, hot spots are where magic begins, like meeting someone special… maybe this time…maybe tonight.
HOT PLACES TO PLAY THIRD BASE ON ANY SOFTBALL LEAGUE “Third base is a hot spot, it’s the closest position to the batter,” says Dan Walters, of the Village of Summerhill. “You have to have good hands to play the position.” Voted into the Softball Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio, in 1998, Dan says, “I believe there will be softball in heaven. I’m looking forward to it.” GOLF’S MOST CHALLENGING HOLE
GARVINO’S CIGARS, FINE WINE & GIFTS, affectionately
known as GarVino’s Wine Bar, 1081 Canal St., Lake Sumter Landing. Get there by 5pm to snag a seat for the music at 7pm.
Known for: • Classy atmosphere • Great wine selection • Great meeting place
“There’s a group of about 30 of us who get together there,” says Pat Barnes, from the Village of Duval. “We’re thinking of hiring an artist to draw us all into a caricature map to commemorate our friendship.” There’s a hot idea!
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CITY FIRE RESTAURANT, 1018 Canal St.,Lake Sumter Landing. People come prepared to dance, be seen, be admired, and appreciated. They come in all shapes, sizes, looks, and experiences. They mingle and enjoy the atmosphere of being together. Music is played from 7-11pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Known for: • Dancing • Good bands, including Alan Darcy, the Core, Joe Hand, Stephanie • Place to be seen: on the dance floor • Good food • Trivia on Tuesday nights • Karaoke on Thursday nights • Best bartender: Liz
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“All the courses in The Villages are fantastic, but there’s one hole that’s really challenging,” Pat Barnes says. “You hit the ball onto an island and hope it stays there.” It’s the eighth hole on the Tequesta course at BELLE GLADE COUNTRY CLUB, 434 Moyer Loop. Try it. Villagers play on executive courses and championship courses and even attend the Golf Academy. All courses are at golfthevillages.com. FENNEY PUTT AND PLAY at Fenney Recreation Center, 3200 Fenney Way, is a great place for people of all ages. It’s a hot idea for families, visiting relatives, and date nights.
HOT THINGS TO DO Attend a performance at The Sharon Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St., The Savannah Center, 545 N. Buena Vista Blvd., and The Studio Theatre, 806 San Marino Drive. Top-name talent appears in The Villages every night of the week. Perform yourself at the Showcase of Talent at La Hacienda Recreation Center, 1200 Avenido Central. On the third Friday of each month, you can showcase your talent before a live audience. There’s a different
theme each month. The $5 entrance fee goes toward scholarships for young performers in and around The Villages. More than $70,000 has been donated to date. Attend the Resident Academy. The Villages is divided into community development districts. If you want to know how it all works, the Resident Academy should be your first stop. Offered just a few times annually, the next opportunity is Nov. 13, 8am-1pm. Register on districtgov.org or call the District Customer
HOT PLACES TO EAT Food cannot be ignored in The Villages, which has more than 350 restaurants and counting. Among the favorites: BONEFISH GRILL, 3580 Wedgewood Lane, a chain but still a favorite, “is one of the best dining places to take a date,” says Phyllis Walters, of the Village of Summerhill. METRO DINER, 4110 Wedgewood Lane, a newer place where lots of locals frequent. “I like their fish sandwich,” says Claire Rahn from the Village of Gilchrist. “Their breakfast menu is outstanding and reasonably priced.” LAZY MAC’S TACO SHACK in the Old Mill Playhouse, 1000 Old Mill Run, Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, is a new trend of opening a stand inside a movie theater with a walk-up window serving the public outside. It’s open from 11am-9pm seven days a week.
Service Center at 352.753.4508. Attend the Enrichment Academy. Learning never is out of date. Find courses on an array of topics on a fee-based platform. The courses complement the existing resident lifestyle and recreation services. Find courses online at districtgov.org. Join The Villages Homeowners Advocates (VHA), which offers programs, support, and education to residents. Programs include Golf Cart Safety Clinic,
Operation S.A.F.E., and a presentation on how to protect yourself in a dangerous situation. Visit thevha.net. Attend a class, club, or seminar. With more than 3,000 lifestyle clubs in The Villages, there’s a place for you. Access available offerings by visiting districtgov.org and then scroll to departments, recreation, then
resident lifestyle clubs. One choice could change your life. Volunteer. More than 100 organizations and groups in The Villages need you. In retirement, skills and experience offer so much.
HOT PLACES TO GO THE VILLAGES GROWN, 7275
East County Road 44, coming soon. This garden-to-table farming operation is designed to provide restaurants in The Villages with the freshest foods by using growing methods that meet and exceed U.S. Department of Agriculture organic standards for chemical-free produce. Eventually, there will be a marketplace for the public.
THE VILLAGES POLO CLUB, 703 N. Buena Vista Bvd., is in a class of its own, becoming the newest great location for large events. In February, the Country Western Hoedown and Bar-B-Q hosted by The Villages Homeowners Advocates was a hit. In June, the inaugural Hot Air Balloon Festival (what could be hotter?)
was there. Watch for it next year when this beautiful spectacle will again fill the sky. In June, it was the location for the fifth annual Florida High School 7-v-7 Association State Championship. Around 35 high school football teams competed in the tournament. Polo championship matches are played during two annual polo seasons.
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The historical Lady Lake Log Cabin is delightful at 106 U.S. Highway 441.
Ferran Park Lake Walk in Eustis offers many photo spots, but the iconic heron sculpture at 250 Ferran Park Dr. is perhaps the most popular.
Though the Tavares Marina & Seaplane Base is still under repair from hurricane damage, you can get a photo beside a seaplane or grab a ride from Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures, 210 E. Ruby St., Tavares.
Hot pics If you love candid photos, there are plenty of places around Lake and Sumter counties to get some great pictures and make memories:
When the city of Umatilla couldn’t save some trees, the trees became art at 4 Cassady St.
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park has a variety of great photo spots at 7200 County Road 603 in Bushnell.
The cattle sculptures at the entrance to Brownwood Paddock Square off State Road 44 in Wildwood is a prime attraction for photographers.
Get your photo made with the mammoth live oak tree in Lake Griffin State Park, 3089 U.S. Highway 441 in Fruitland Park.
You’ll find a picturesque fountain in front of City Hall or a great photo spot beside the Towne Square clock at 501 W. Meadow St. in Leesburg.
The Mount Dora Lighthouse actually is an inland navigational aid located off Tremain Street on Lake Dora.
Waterfront Park at 330 3rd St. in Clermont offers an array of great photo opportunities.
Show time
Photo: Douglas Tyler
Umatilla teen makes her mark as young dog show handler at Westminster and Royal Canin. Dog show trainer and handler, Billie Green, 17, of Umatilla, proved as a little girl she has the poise and confidence in the dog show ring and in front of judges. “When I was 7, it was my first show,” Billie recalls of showing at the United Kennel Club in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “I had little ballet slippers on, and one flew off and I did a little circle and slipped it back on. I kept going like nothing happened and ended up winning.” Another unforgettable thrill was winning the Best of Breed title with Tux, a Black and Tan Coonhound, at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City last February. It was Billie’s fourth time at Westminster; a first for Tux, yet he was able to compete at Westminster since he won the championship status at previous, smaller venues.
“His breed has a special place in my heart,” Billie says, recalling she won her first breed award with another Black and Tan at the Royal Canin in Orlando. The Umatilla High School senior and daughter of Bobby and Tricia Green shows her own dogs or canines she has bred, and she credits her aunt and uncle, Deanna and Rick Donohue, of Umatilla, for exposing her to the world of dog shows. Billie says the best show advice she’s ever received came from handler and family friend, Marylynn Jensen, who said: “Breathe and have fun!” These days, Billie is having fun showing Bebe, a German Wirehaired Pointer, at dog shows every other weekend. She enjoys meeting new people and seeing other dogs. “It takes a lot of love for the animals, and patience because you can’t win every time, so you have to think of it as there’s always another show and judge,” Billie says. “Also, you have to be a good sport.” When she’s not showing dogs, Billie enjoys hunting and playing volleyball for her high school. “I love what I do, but it will be a hobby once I graduate,” says Billie, who aspires to become a pediatric nurse. Billie Green and her dog Tux
HOT REALITY
Once in a while, everyone needs to escape reality, let off a little steam, and blow away some zombies. Mind Immersions Virtual Reality Experience can be your playground. The entertainment center opened in December
2018 at 2410 E. Highway 50, Suite B, in Clermont. The center offers four gaming rooms, five racing/ coaster simulators, a large battle arena for multiple players to fight zombies and cowboys, plus free games on tablets.
Mind Immersions is the only multi-experience VR gaming facility of its kind in Florida, owner Jesse Domeracki says. “We brought together many VR companies and designed a unique place to experience VR,” Jesse
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says. “There is truly nothing like it out there.” The center recently enhanced the five racing simulators so drivers can compete against each other, and as additional competitive VR games evolve, Jesse plans to introduce them as well. The Cartoon Network’s developers also chose the company to
launch a new series of games to hit the market. “Our venue offers the atmosphere for a company like that to showcase their product,” he says. Nearly 25 eye-popping games listed on the center’s website include VR Fun House, a virtual carnival; No Limits 2, the “ultimate” roller coaster; Rapid Fire, a gunman battling villains in the Old
West; To the Top, a climbing/platforming game that gives players superhuman abilities; Waltz of the Wizard, which provides magical powers to players; Time Zombies, a zombie survival shooter game; and Gorn, described as “a ludicrously violent VR gladiator simulator.” The center has tamer stuff for younger minds as well, and games are designed for all ages.
Mind Immersions also hosts gaming and racing tournaments, date nights, parties—the place is “birthday party central for Lake County,” Jesse says—and special events such as a summer camp for robotics and STEM (science, technology engineering, math) learning. Mind Immersions’ hours vary by season, so call 407.559.1090 or visit mindimmersions.com.
Homework is a little different for students on the bass fishing team.
Students spend countless hours mastering the three Rs: reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic. For some, two other Rs are factoring into the learning process. Rods and reels. In August 2018, avid angler Jeff Chastain convinced administrators at Leesburg High School to let him form Lake County’s first high school bass fishing team. The 14 team members fished in tournaments organized by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). “This was my way of giving back to the community, and the fact that it has to do with fishing is right up my alley,” says Jeff, a Tavares resident who competes in 20 fishing tournaments each year. “We had three kids on the team who had never caught a bass before, and others on the team probably won’t have an opportunity to fish the rest of the year without our tournaments. This is a great way to introduce them to a sport that they might not have participated in otherwise.” Tournaments were held on weekends at popular fishing destinations such as the Harris Chain of Lakes, as well Jeff Chastain
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as the St. Johns River and Lake Tohopekaliga near Kissimmee. Jeff and other members of Lake County Bassmasters volunteered their boats and their time to serve as captains. “We’d give the kids some pointers the night before the tournament, but once the boat was in the water, we could not give them any advice,” Jeff says. “It was up to them as to where they wanted to fish on the lake and what type of bait they wanted to use. I really appreciate our captains because without them this team wouldn’t be possible.” Two students from last year’s team—Dillon Humphrey and Spencer Williams—competed in the high school state championship held May 4-5 at Lake Tohopekaliga. The duo finished in 47th place among 98 teams. “It was a great experience to be part of the team,” says Spencer, 18, a lifelong Lake County resident. “Going out of town, sleeping in a hotel, and fishing with the guys is a complete win in my book.” Learning how to reel in largemouth bass wasn’t the only lesson he learned from being part of the team. “I also gained knowledge about conservation and taking care of the environment,” Spencer says. “We have to keep the ecosystem alive so future generations can enjoy our lakes and participate in this wonderful sport.” Dillon Humphrey
Photo: Douglas Tyler
Something’s fishy at LHS
Campgrounds: So hot they’re cool There’s nothing quite like camping during summertime and practically drowning in your own sweat. If your idea of a true camping experience consists of roasting marshmallows around a blazing campfire, then you might want to consider holding off for a few months. But if you cannot resist the urge to disconnect from the technologically advanced world, here are a few cool camping spots for hot weather:
Lake Louisa State Park: This park, which has 60 campsites, has come up with the ultimate summertime solution. For $120 a night, campers can choose to sleep in a fully furnished, luxury bell tent that has air conditioning. The tents also include a queen bed, interior sitting area, a chandelier, and bedside tables with lamps. See, there are ways to camp without roughing it and sacrificing the comforts of home. 7305 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont / 352.394.3969
Wekiva Falls Resort: With 800 RV sites and 100 tent sites, finding a camping spot likely won’t be a problem. When the day starts heating up, venture into the resort’s lagoon-style swimming area and stand under a 40-foot cement waterfall. It provides a misty reprieve from the sizzling summer sun. 30700 Wekiva River Road, Sorrento / 352.383.8055
HOT TOPIC:
Because the plant is so aggressive, FWC encourages resident to clean all boats and trailers, live wells, and diving gear before entering or leaving the water.
Hydrilla is an invasive weed that’s bad for our lakes. Lake County has more than 1,000 lakes and residents love life on the water—boating, skiing, fishing, and just enjoying the beauty of a sunrise or sunset over glistening waters. However, hydrilla is making that difficult in many places. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has a “weed alert” on its website, myfwc.com, to keep residents aware of hydrilla. The submerged plant was introduced to Florida in the early 1950s and now is found in more than 140,000 acres of public lakes and rivers. Stems can be 35 feet long below the water, keeping the sun from native plants, reducing oxygen levels, and degrading water quality. The weed can grow as much as an inch per day and is spread by boats and even diving gear, according to the website. Michael Perry, executive director of Lake County Water Authority, says action is ongoing to subvert the problem. “Back in May, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission did treatment, and the water authority applied an additional $1.5 million to help. Now, we’re in monitoring mode.”
Environmental damage caused by hydrilla from the FWC:
Hydrilla threat
Alexander Springs Recreation Area: In addition to a 67-unit campground, campers can swim or snorkel in a crystal-clear, 72-degree spring. Yes, 72 degrees. Finding the perfect temperature is certainly one way to beat the heat. 49525 County Road 445, Altoona / 352.669.3522
• Hydrilla canopies lower dissolved oxygen concentrations, reducing aquatic life. • Hydrilla decay doubles the amount of sediments that accumulate in a water body. • Dense hydrilla infestations can restrict water flow resulting in flooding along rivers and canals. • Hydrilla canopies produce ideal breeding environments for mosquitoes. • Dense hydrilla canopies shade out native submersed vegetation, lowering biodiversity. • Hydrilla infestations restrict recreational activities such as boating, swimming, and fishing.
It’s not an enemy to all, Michael says. “Bass fishermen like it because it’s an instant habitat for bass.”
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U N O VA Compassionate, experienced doctors. State-of-the-art facility. Latest in orthopaedic treatments and care. All geared to give YOU the best outcome. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE Dr. J. Mandume Kerina
nter the immaculate UNOVA Health Clinic, 539 Rolling Acres Road, in Lady Lake, and one immediately senses this is no ordinary physician’s office. At UNOVA, the bar has been raised. The state-of-the-art facility was designed with patients in mind. The ability for patients to receive orthopedic care from board-certified physicians along with a variety of support services, ranging from x-ray and MRI imaging to laboratory services, urgent care, and physical therapy under one roof was paramount in the building design. The name UNOVA was coined from the words “unique” and “innovative.” “Our focus is totally patient centric; as such we are constantly looking at innovative ways to improve our capacity for delivering orthopedic care”. The best compliment from patients is ‘you’ve
“IN THE LAST EIGHT TO TEN YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ARTHRITIS THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO DELIVER MANY, MANY DIFFERENT TREATMENT OPTIONS, AND THAT MAKES IT VERY EXCITING.” —DR. J. MANDUME KERINA
made my life better,’ ” says Dr. J. Mandume Kerina, who specializes in adult reconstruction, an orthopedic subspecialty that encompasses partial and total joint replacement of the knees and hips. Dr. Kerina is an internationally recognized Unicondylar or Partial knee replacement surgeon. He was the lead surgeon on the development team responsible for the first “Third Generation Partial Knee Replacement”, which was granted FDA approval for implantation in 2017. “We have a ‘less is more’ philosophy, so we are looking at innovative ways to better deliver joint replacements in our community, this is true of, shoulder and ankle replacements as well as hip and knee replacements. Everything we integrate into our processes is designed to allow the patient to achieve their highest functional clinical outcome.” There are far more, less invasive treatments available in Orthopaedics today than ever before. “In the last eight to ten years there has been tremendous growth in the knowledge of the pathophysiology of arthritis and the biomechanics of the joints involved.” This has opened the door to the development of treatment alternatives that were not available just 10 years ago. The surgeons of UNOVA have all been thought leaders in their areas of expertise, having been involved in
the development of patient selection criteria, surgical instruments and surgical implants utilized in knee and shoulder replacement as well as hip, wrist and foot and ankle fracture treatment. “A lot of patients are surprised at the number of options they have,” says Dr. Kerina, adding many come to UNOVA thinking they will need surgery, which is not always the case. “They don’t understand that there are many, many other options besides the total knee, even if they do have the dreaded “BONE-ON-BONE CONTACT,” says Dr. Kerina. Dr. Cedric Tankson, Dr. Claudia Thomas, Dr. Isaac Mitchell, and Dr. Jason Wilt are just as passionate about providing optimum care for their patients. “Orthopaedics is constantly evolving; there are a lot of new treatment modalities,” says Dr. Tankson, who’s specialty is the non-operative and operative treatment of conditions involving the foot and ankle. “We always try to do all of the conservative measures first before any surgery. Some patients can get better with injections, anti-inflammatories and or physical therapy. Each patient’s treatment plan is unique and developed following a comprehensive evaluation.” One of Dr. Tankson’s favorite success stories involved treating a man who lost the use of both of his
Dr. Isaac Mitchell
Dr. Cedric Tankson
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“AT UNOVA, WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF DOCTORS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE GET SURGERIES, IF THEY NEED IT, AND NONSURGICAL OPTIONS.” —DR. JASON WILT
Dr. Jason Wilt
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ankles. The surgeon was pleased his patient, a former water polo player, was able to resume an active lifestyle. “That’s the most interesting thing about orthopedics; you can address a problem, you can improve the outcome,” he says. One of Dr. Tankson’s areas of interest is accelerated bone healing and functional return after fractures. The development of new materials, which can be used to improve products to allow for earlier entry into physical therapy and return to normal function has impacted fracture care and recovery. Dr. Tankson has allowed patients in the area to benefit from this type of technology. Dr. Mitchell holds the honor of being the most experienced shoulder replacement surgeon in the area as well as having the distinction of performing the areas first reverse shoulder replacement. He performs both total shoulder replacements for arthritis and reverse shoulder replacements for especially bad fractures and nonrepairable rotator cuffs to restore shoulder function. He also does revisions of those surgeries, which is needed when parts wear out; a patient has a fall resulting in loss of function a fracture and/or pain. He has worked with international companies on their shoulder product lines. This involves also training surgeons in how to do shoulder replacements. Dr Mitchell was instrumental in the first live surgical broadcast to a national meeting from this area. As the operating surgeon Dr. Mitchell and the surgical team were broadcast live into the
meeting hall at the National Medical Association Annual Meeting, where surgeons could ask questions in real time as surgery was performed. Dr. Claudia Thomas is hailed as one of the leaders in the country in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. She also made her mark as the first African-American female in history to become an orthopaedic surgeon. “UNOVA was a dream come true, and the doctors who are here have great faith in the ability to take care of people with musculoskeletal needs better than anyone else,” says Dr. Thomas, who evaluates and diagnoses patients. “I hear several times a day from patients ‘no one has ever examined me so thoroughly,’ ” she says. “I very commonly see people who think they have a back problem because they have back pain, and they end up having hip arthritis.” Her goal is always to identify the root cause of patients’ pain. “We do conservative things first,” she says. “A cortisone injection in the hip joint can relieve hip pain, even in the case of a patient who has suffered with arthritis for months or years, and patients are always delighted.” Dr. Thomas also diagnoses and treats many cases of osteoporosis, which is an age-related disease, that generally occurs after the age of 50 in men and women. “It’s under diagnosed, and osteoporosis may not be evident until you break a hip, you break your wrist, or you break your shoulder. Fractures are deadly and hip fractures kill more women than breast cancer does,” says Dr. Thomas, who strongly encourages
Dr. Claudia Thomas
people to request a bone density scan from their primary care physicians, which she adds is allowed by Medicare and insurance companies. “I have become passionate about osteoporosis since living in Central Florida where we have a lot of senior citizens,” she says. Dr. Jason Wilt serves as the family practice and sports medicine physician for UNOVA, and he also manages the urgent care center, handling many of the non-surgical emergency orthopaedic cases that people experience, including sprains, strains, and minor fractures. He also sees patients with common medical conditions such as UTI’s, colds, and coughs. A patient can come to UNOVA’s Urgent Care Center with a fracture and be diagnosed and set up for any intervention that they might need from casting to surgery within 24 hours. This is due to the unique nature of the facility, with laboratory, digital x-ray, MRI, Orthopedic and family practice under one roof. “I’m all about the nonoperative options to treat patients’ musculoskeletal problems like arthritis. “Some people are certainly relieved to find out there are options besides surgery for a lot of the problems they have, with some patients even asking
me if I can be their primary care doctor’, although UNOVA is strictly an Urgent Care facility. He’s pleased UNOVA’s urgent care center has been instrumental in patients getting the immediate medical attention that they need. “Sometimes people who come to the Urgent Care Center do not realize they have something serious going on. There was a case when someone came in with some bad leg pain and a fast heart rate.” Dr. Wilt was concerned there was a blood clot in the leg, and he advised immediate testing, yet the patient was skeptical. “It turned out after evaluation, the patient had a blood clot in the lung and we were able to get him to the hospital and the care he needed,” says Dr. Wilt, adding in this particular case, the visit to urgent care center was a lifesaver. “At UNOVA, we have a great team of doctors as well as the resources to help people get the interventions they need whether they be non-surgical or surgical.” “We help people get back into their sports and things that they care about,” says Dr. Wilt. Pleased he and his UNOVA colleagues are with patients every step of the way.
“UNOVA WAS A DREAM COME TRUE, AND THE DOCTORS WHO ARE HERE HAVE GREAT FAITH IN THE ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL NEEDS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.” —DR. CLAUDIA THOMAS
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AEGIS MEDICAL GROUP
WELCOMES Dr. Yadira Perez Dr. Yadira Perez is our newest family physician. Dr. Perez is a bilingual provider, she comes from Puerto Rico, where she earned her B.S. in biology from Pontifical Catholic University. She earned her medical degree from Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Mexico. She has over 15 years of experience in Primary Care.
BEST OF THE
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WINNER
DR. BOGGUS
As a family physician, Dr. Perez prides herself on being empathetic with family, patients, and coworkers. She is committed to top-quality work and is always looking for better ways to help her patients maintain good health and well-being.
aegismedicalgroup.com 235 Hatteras Ave #100, Clermont
L-R: Scott Rhodes, Mary Rhodes, David Hatmaker, Carolyn Maimone, Angela Sheppard, Randy Sheppard Gowns provided by Frugals “the collection�, Main Street Leesburg.
dynasty a local
There is a dynasty in this area, and they don’t make duck calls. This group takes care of all aspects of a Real Estate Transaction, and make your Real Estate ventures safe, smooth and fun. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Scott Rhodes
David Hatmaker
Angela Sheppard
Real Estate Appraiser
Home Inspector
THE MARKET CONNECTION
TRUEVUE INSPECTION SERVICES
Business Development Executive
Scott Rhodes of The Market Connection has been a residential real estate appraiser for 17 years. He prepares comprehensive reports on the market value of a home or land. His clients appreciate his straightforward, reliable valuations and his attention to detail. His clients come from referrals from banks, lenders, realtors, and attorneys to mention a few. His business partners at The Market Connection can accommodate commercial and business appraisals as well.
Protect your family…protect your investment is more than a slogan for TrueVue Inspection Services. It is the motivation for the service and peace of mind that David provides to his customers. This multi-service inspection company offers full residential evaluations, wind mitigations, water quality testing, *WDO/ Termite (20/20pi), swimming pool, thermal imaging, engineer reports for manufactured homes, and documents for your insurance provider. We also offer Discounts for Veterans and First Responders.
1900 S Bay St., Eustis 352.308.8644 office
Mary Rhodes Senior Mortgage Consultant & Reverse Mortgage Advisor
P. O. Box 13, Yalaha 352.459.4670 office 863.307.5019 cell
Carolyn Maimone Realtor®
THE MORTGAGE FIRM
ERA GRIZZARD REAL ESTATE
Mary Rhodes is the Branch Manager of The Mortgage Firm serving Lake County as well as the surrounding areas of Florida. With more than 20 years of experience she has helped more than 1,000 families in Lake County purchase homes. The Mortgage Firm is a direct lender of conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages. Most of her clients come from customer referrals, realtors, and the business community. She actively networks with a number of associations in the area and volunteers with local organizations and charities as well.
A Lake County native, Carolyn Maimone takes great pride in working, volunteering and playing in the county she lives and loves. With her knowledge of the area, dedication to the individual communities, 10+ years of Real Estate training, 8+ years’ service as a board member for the Lake County Water Authority, 15+ years of Waterfront Property ownership and lifetime of boating knowledge, Carolyn provides her customers with an experience most just can’t. Carolyn is skilled in navigating each unique real estate transaction. Having served on a variety of community boards and volunteer organizations, her connection to the community runs deep. Her compassion for her customers stands out and she works hard to earn the right to be your advocate, for life.
MortgageFirmPros.com 620 E 5th Ave., Mount Dora 352.383.3046 office / 321.689.5754 cell
CHELSEA TITLE
As business development executive with Chelsea Title, Angela Sheppard is responsible for the growth and development of Chelsea Title in North and South Lake County. Chelsea Title is part of Fidelity National Financial, a Fortune 300 Company and the highest ranked in the title insurance industry. The products and services Angela provides are beneficial for real estate agents and loan officers. She is committed to the success of the people she works with and diligent in her endeavors to provide what they need. 1209 N Donnelly St., Mount Dora 352.729.8380
Randy Sheppard Owner SHEPPARD’S LAWN CARE
Randy Sheppard offers a full-service lawncare and landscaping business with Sheppard’s Lawn Care. “Referral is the key to my business,” Randy says. “I grew up here so how I know important a good reputation is.” He maintains that with competitive pricing, quality and consistent work, and dependability, customers will do his advertising for him. Your lawn in your introduction to friends, neighbors, and visitors to your community. You want it to always looks its best, and Sheppard’s Lawn Care ensures your lawn makes your home stand out for its beauty. 21427 Rollingwood Trail, Eustis 352.978.0905
600 North Donnelly St., Mount Dora CarolynMaimone.com / 352.223.6519
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Dr. Jack Cassell
Quality for life HIFU is a successful, non-invasive option for treating prostate cancer. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
ne in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and about 200,000 new cases will be diagnosed each year. Men facing the fear of radical surgery or radiation for prostate cancer now have a new option for treatment that matches the success rates of traditional treatments thanks to a medical breakthrough called HIFU. Dr. Jack Cassell, owner of Urology of Mount Dora, offers HIFU, which stands for high intensity focused ultrasound
to treat men with localized prostate cancer. HIFU is a non-invasive procedure that destroys the cancer permanently and preserves a higher quality of life for patients by largely eliminating side effects such as incontinence and impotence. “If a patient has cancer limited to a certain area in the prostate, that area can be selectively treated,” Dr. Cassell says. “There is such incredible surgical precision involved that any small portion or the entire gland can be eliminated without any harm to surrounding structures.”
The procedure, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015, offers the equivalent five-year survival rate achieved with traditional prostate surgery or radiation, according to a study of 625 prostate cancer patients conducted in the United Kingdom. According to Dr. Cassell, HIFU is less invasive than a prostate biopsy. During the outpatient HIFU procedure, he obtains real-time, three-dimensional ultrasound images of the prostate and surrounding areas. From these images, he sends high-frequency ultrasound waves through the walls of the rectum
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with pinpoint accuracy, generating enough thermal energy to destroy cancerous cells. All of this is done during a one-time treatment lasting one to four hours and without any incisions, invasive needles, radiation, or blood loss. The prostate, which is roughly the size of a walnut and sits between the bladder and penis, remains intact. Because of its precision, the procedure does not damage muscles that control urinary function or nerves that control erections. “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,” Dr. Cassell 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
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nerves that allow men to have an erection without damaging the nerves.” The 10-year survival rate for men with prostate cancer is 98 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. But selecting a treatment is influenced just as much by quality of life. While traditional 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. Some patients end up having to wear adult diapers, while others suffer mentally and physically from a loss of sexual ability. “If the prostate cancer is less than aggressive, a lot of people opt to just
watch it and monitor it with blood tests and additional biopsies,” Dr. Cassell says. “HIFU provides these patients with a way to get their disease treated and behind them without the risk of impotence or incontinence. “You only have one body,” he continued. “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 minimizes the risk for the disastrous side effects of traditional prostate cancer treatment.” HIFU patients also enjoy minimal downtime of a day or two. For example, Cuthbert Terro Nelson, of Eustis, had a three-hour procedure done
“IF A PATIENT HAS CANCER LIMITED TO A CERTAIN AREA IN THE PROSTATE, THAT AREA CAN BE SELECTIVELY TREATED.” —DR. JACK CASSELL
one morning in June. The next day he was able to drive to the grocery store and get around fine. He chose the procedure because it’s non-invasive with less severe side effects than other options. “It was painless,” says Nelson, 60. “Dr. Cassell made me feel comfortable, he told me everything about it and what to expect. I put my trust in him and it went very successful. “I’m telling everyone about it, and my experience has been amazing,” he adds. “HIFU is magical and a miracle at the same time.” When Charles Tackett, 76, found out he had prostate cancer, Dr. Cassell offered three options. Tackett didn’t want to endure radiation, so he chose the HIFU procedure in June 2018. He went in at 7 a.m. and was back home relaxing on the couch by 1 p.m. “As far as recovery time, things improved day after day. I had no bad experience of anything,” says Tackett,
also of Eustis. “I’d highly recommend it to anybody.” Bill Pelick, a Mount Dora resident and musician, desperately wanted to dodge diapers and erectile dysfunction. After being diagnosed with a localized but aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2016, he opted for HIFU. Dr. Cassell performed the procedure on a Tuesday. The following Sunday, Bill was back onstage playing guitar and bass. Since undergoing HIFU, Pelick 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 HIFU done on them, too.” Dr. Cassell has performed HIFU for nearly a decade. Before FDA clearance, he would accompany patients to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Dominican Republic and complete the procedure at local hospitals. In November 2017, Dr. Cassell began performing the procedure at Florida Hospital Waterman (now AdventHealth Waterman) in Tavares. He also does the procedure at Surgery Center of Mount Dora, 3710 Lake Center Drive. 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. “It’s a real game-changer,” Dr. Cassell says.
Scan the QR code to learn more about us! BEST OF THE
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WINNER 352.383.3773 / urologyofmountdora.com / 717 N. Donnelly Street, Mount Dora
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Transform The Light In Your Home
BEST OF THE
Window Reflections provides you with a one-of-a-kind design based on the style and personality of your home. Every window treatment is customized to your needs and desires, then comes to life in the in-house work room. If you are need of inspiration, you may visit the showroom Monday through Friday 8am-4pm where you can browse through various displays of drapery, valance treatments, or learn about the top of the line and energy efficient Hunter Douglas shades and shutters. Window Reflections has decades of experience, give them a call for a complimentary home estimate.
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Alexa and Roxanne Stafford
352.330.2055 103 N Main Street, Wildwood windowreflections.net
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Retirement lifestyles
are better with
planning.
Tracy M. Belton, CFP®, CDFA™ 531 W Main St., Tavares • 352-253-5244 Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC
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Best of the 064 /
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. The readers have spoken, and here are the Best of the Best. No doubt you’ll find some of your favorites on this annual list. The best of everything in Lake and Sumter counties.
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Key: Percentage of total votes in category, number of votes received. Want to see the full list of results? Check it out at lakeandsumterstyle.com.
The
health care.
NURSE
OPTOMETRIST
PEDIATRICIAN
PHARMACIST
Cindy Paynter,
Dr. Kristine Verkaik, Central Florida Eye Center,
Dr. Rafael A. Cheas, Silver Lake Pediatrics,
George Warren, Bay/Lake Pharmacy ,
23.09%, 689
RUNNER UP: Kathy
Chastain, 18.50%, 552
32.80%, 969
RUNNER UP: Dr. Brian NURSE PRACTITIONER
Aimee Gilmet, 20.06%, 619
RUNNER UP: Danielle
Mathis, 19.81%, 611
RUNNER UP: Dr. Alex
Jones, Mid Florida Eye, 26.68%, 788
Uson, 23.52%, 959
Dr. Doug Moffett, Lake Ob/Gyn Associates Of Mid-Florida, 28.96%, 1467
RUNNER UP: Dr. Steven
Pillow, Lake Obstetrics & Gynecology, LLC, 15.00%, 760
Dr. Keith Charles, Mid Florida Eye,
Dr. Maen Hussein, Florida Cancer Specialists, 50.61%, 1251
RUNNER UP: Dr. Jennifer
Cultrera, Florida Cancer Specialists, 20.31%, 502
Dr. Hector Garcia, Florida Cardiovascular Specialist, 27.60%, 843
RUNNER UP: Dr. Jeffrey
Baumann, Mid Florida Eye, 18.17%, 693
RUNNER UP: Dr. J. Henry
Lesmes, Cardiovascular Associates, 20.24%, 618
ORTHODONTIST
Dr. Dave And Chris Wollenschlaeger, Wollenschlaeger Orthodontics, 41.57%, 966
RUNNER UP: Dr. Christopher ONCOLOGIST
36.30%, 1272
Escott, Escott Orthodontics, 36.06%, 838
DENTIST
Dr. Michael Morgan, Michael M Morgan. DMD, PA, 16.06%, 644 RUNNER UP: Dr. Kim
Karvasale, Karvasale & Lacquaniti Office, 12.81%, 514
46.00%, 1518
RUNNER UP: Dr. Kurt
Burry’s Pharmacy, 31.93%, 1119
Wagner, Lake Primary Care Associates, 17.91%, 591
NUTRITIONIST/ WEIGHT LOSS
PSYCHIATRIST
UROLOGIST
HOSPITAL
Dr. Jack Cassell, Urology Of Mount Dora, 33.07%, 936
Advent Health Waterman,
RUNNER UP: Dr. Michael
RUNNER UP: Leesburg
Fountain, Advent Health Medical Group Urology At Waterman, 25.83%, 731
50.83%, 2963
Regional Medical Center, 29.87%, 1741
MEDICAL IMAGING
Lori Esarey, ARNP, 44.18%, 994 RUNNER UP: Keith Hester,
Dr. Hector De Leon, 25.84%, 433 RUNNER UP: Dr. Thomas
Valente, 24.05%, 403
PA, 32.13%, 723
PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT
Larry Blevins, PA, 32.10%, 879 RUNNER UP: Keith Hester,
PA, 28.27%, 774
Lake Medical Imaging, 80.07%, 4065
RUNNER UP: Advanced
Imaging Centers, 8.92%, 453
PSYCHOLOGIST PLASTIC SURGEON
Dr. Richard Bosshardt, Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates, 32.25%, 1037
RUNNER UP: Dr. Peter
Marzek, Bosshardt & Marzek Plastic Surgery Associates, 20.09%, 646
ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
Dr. Jon Radnothy, Radnothy-Perry Orthopaedic Center,
Dr. Dan Boggus, Aegis,
RUNNER UP: Jim Burry,
CARDIOLOGIST OPHTHALMOLOGIST
27.40%, 1045 OB/GYN
26.59%, 1084
PRIMARY CARE/ INTERNIST DOCTOR
Dr. Isaac Deas, Deas Consulting, 43.41%, 827
RUNNER UP: Wendy Kraus,
Advanced Behavioral Health Center, 18.43%, 351
PERSONAL TRAINER
Pedro Roman, Breakthrough Training, 34.96%, 1755
RUNNER UP: David Iturrino,
BJJ Academy, 19.48%, 978
DERMATOLOGIST
Dr. Colleen Macinnis, Macinnis Dermatology,
CHIROPRACTOR
RUNNER UP: Dr. Kevin
RUNNER UP: Dr.
PODIATRIST
23.28%, 775
Dr. Felix Esarey, DPM, 22.74%, 685
Chun, Lake Dermatology, 15.86%, 528
Dr. Jonathan Wise, Wise Chiropractic, 29.28%, 1338
Jeffrey Glover, Glover Chiropractic, 24.38%, 1114
RUNNER UP: Dr. Victor
23.50%, 754
Torres, Lake Health Care Center, 22.31%, 672
RUNNER UP: Dr. Vrej
Larry Blevins, PA
Manoogian, Manoogian Othopaedics, 19.14%, 614 Dr. Richard Bosshardt Dr. Doug Moffett
Dr. Isaac Deas
Dr. Jack Cassell
Advent Health Waterman
Dr. Dave and Chris Wollenschlaeger
Lori Esarey, ARNP
Tiki West Raw Bar & Grill Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant
The food & drink.
Goblin Market
SUSHI
ITALIAN
WINGS
DESSERT
COFFEE
Sakura, The Villages,
Stavros, Fruitland Park, 23.35%, 1449
Cousin Vinnies Family Sports Restaurant, Leesburg,
Cotillion, Wildwood,
One Flight Up, Mount Dora,
RUNNER UP: La Petit Sweets,
RUNNER UP: Roosters
29.54%, 1557
RUNNER UP: W A V E Asian
RUNNER UP: Vincents,
Mount Dora, 21.35%, 1325
32.48%, 1780
Bistro & Sushi, Mount Dora, 26.03%, 1372
PIZZA BURGERS
Burgers, Tacos & Waffles (BTW), Tavares, 57.01%, 6289
Stavros, Leesburg,
29.43%, 2007 RUNNER UP: Mount Dora
Pizza & Subs, Mount Dora, 24.31%, 1658
RUNNER UP: Ramshackle
Cafe. Leesburg, 10.48%, 1156
STEAK
MEXICAN
Goblin Market, Mount Dora,
Plaza Guadalajara, Mount Dora, 50.15%, 5396
RUNNER UP: Fiesta Grande,
Mount. Dora, 16.29%, 1753
38.71%, 1611
RUNNER UP: Turners,
Leesburg, 25.66%, 1068
BBQ/ RIBS
Oakwood, Lady Lake, 31.58%, 2009 RUNNER UP: iBar-B-Que,
Fruitland Park, 14.38%, 915
29.73%, 1250 Mount Dora, 28.42%, 1195
RUNNER UP: Ramshackle
Cafe, Leesburg, 27.74%, 1520
Tiki West Raw Bar And Grill, Tavares, 20.86%, 1142
RUNNER UP: Eatons Beach,
Weirsdale, 18.50%, 1013
59.60%, 2316
RUNNER UP: Whispering
Oakswinery, 19.38%, 753
Oakwood Smokehouse, 36.88%, 1569
RUNNER UP: Mojo’s
Grill, 23.62%, 1005
SWEET TEA
Mason Jar, Dona Vista, 35.04%, 1544 RUNNER UP: Oakwood,
Lady Lake, 33.92%, 1495
CRAFT BREWERY
Wolf Branch Brewing, Eustis,
FOOD TRUCK
RUNNER UP: Bru House,
RUNNER UP: Fillin
69.37%, 5819 CATERER
On Oxford, Oxford, 22.38%, 776
WINERY
Lakeridge Winery, SEAFOOD
42.28%, 1466
Tavares, 13.97%, 1172
Joy Donuts, 48.04%, 1486
Good, 22.41%, 693
COCKTAILS
Goblin Market, Mount Dora, 19.63%, 769
RUNNER UP: O’Keefes,
Tavares, 16.75%, 656
Wolf Branch Brewing
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Key: Percentage of total votes in category, number of votes received. Want to see the full list of results? Check it out at lakeandsumterstyle.com.
The
ATTORNEY
TEACHER
POLICE OFFICER
POOL CONTRACTOR
AJ Rohe, Rohe Law, 16.03%, 704
Kelly Raley, Eustis Middle School,
Sarah Coursey, Tavares,
T & D Pools,
RUNNER UP: Ashley Hunt,
Hunt Law Firm, 13.14%, 577
RUNNER UP: Barbara
places &pros.
HAIR STYLIST
Rockefeller, The Villages Elementary, 9.88%, 838
Kara Sparks, LaRue Kay Salon,
COACH
11.95%, 621
RUNNER UP: Michael
Thomas, Phoenix Salon , 11.38%, 591
Lauri Grizzard, ERA Grizzard, 24.11%, 849
RUNNER UP: Lauren Ficket, BANKER
Morris Realty, 14.42%, 508
Chef Brenton Hillman, Goblin Market,
Apryle Perry, Renew Day Spa,
Lyndsi Johnson, United Southern Bank, 64.85%,
MORTGAGE BROKER
RUNNER UP: Chef Jack
Braton, Turners, 25.50%, 912
BARTENDER
Victoria Rooney, Wolf Branch Brewing, Eustis, 60.53%, 5215
RUNNER UP: Cherish
Glaze, Bella Toscana Spa, 26.24%, 629
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Nikki Lord,
20.02%, 529 RUNNER UP: Trista
Hobbs, 17.68%, 467
5589
RUNNER UP: Misty
Ware, Citizens First Bank, 9.22%, 795
FOOD SERVER
Chrissy Davis, Turners, 35.39%, 917
PLUMBER
Dunstan & Son Plumbing,
Jeff Moore, Leesburg,
28.86%, 973
RUNNER UP: Mike Scott
24.92%, 967
Plumbing, 20.70%, 698
RUNNER UP: Brian Gamble,
Lake County, 22.40%, 869 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Lori Davis, Insight Credit Union, 29.36%, 742
PHOTOGRAPHER VOLUNTEER
Christine Cruz, 70.92%, 5219 RUNNER UP: Linda
Watts, 10.01%, 737
Bonnie Whicher Photography, 33.84%, 1603
31.81%, 808
RUNNER UP: Pikes
Electric, 21.81%, 554
RUNNER UP: Sierra Ford
Photography, 20.22%, 958
ARTIST
AUTO DETAILER
Krysta Smith,
BP Auto Spa,
59.11%, 1223
Lenhart Electric,
FLOORING
The Floor Shoppe,
32.11%, 828
30.00%, 826
RUNNER UP: Pats Sales Of
RUNNER UP: Steve Koller,
RUNNER UP: Julia
Sandy Stokes,
INTERIOR DESIGN
LOCAL BAND/ MUSICIAN
ROOFING CONTRACTOR
Bryce Mauldin,
RUNNER UP: Karen
Fleur De Lis Home Design,
Eustis Roofing,
Granger-Carter Construction,
RUNNER UP: Scott’s
RUNNER UP: Specifics
American Portfolio Mortgage, 22.44%, 567
ACCOUNTANT
38.35%, 770
Berryman, 19.37%, 389
RUNNER UP: Terence
O’keefe @ O’keefe’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Tavares, 11.14%, 960
RUNNER UP: Annie
Iturrino, Mount Dora BJJ, 32.58%, 863
AESTHETICIAN
26.73%, 956
Pools, 19.99%, 493
Kitchen, Leesburg, 35.07%, 1435
FIRE FIGHTER
Rich Billings, LSSC, 40.62%, 1076
42.38%, 1045
RUNNER UP: Blue Moon
RUNNER UP: Travonte
REALTOR
CHEF
27.37%, 656
67.84%, 5753
41.06%, 1680
42.27%, 881
RUNNER UP: Leah
Ratcliff, 26.63%, 551
26.54%, 973
RUNNER UP: David Oliver
Willis, 24.00%, 880
Leesburg, 25.67%, 662
RUNNER UP: Detailing
Unlimited, 28.91%, 796 CUSTOM CARPENTRY
33.37%, 1212
Roofing, 28.33%, 1029
28.51%, 402
Woodwork, 23.55%, 332
D. Connor Interior Design, 33.93%, 707
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Liz Cornell, TB Financial, 41.15%, 1770
RUNNER UP: Tracy
Belton, Raymond James, 16.74%, 720
RUNNER UP: Rachel Kohler,
Oyster Troff, 32.69%, 847
Liz Cornell
Kara Sparks Bryce Mauldin
John Snyder of Dunstan & Son Plumbing
NAIL SALON
Alina Nails, Mount Dora, 22.34%, 604
RUNNER UP: Golden
First Academy LAWN CARE SERVICE
PRIVATE SCHOOL
Scott Doree Services,
44.72%, 1449
20.14%, 406
RUNNER UP: Lake Lawn &
Nails & Tanning, Leesburg, 19.67%, 532
First Academy,
BARBER SHOP
Razor Sharp Cutz, Eustis,
RUNNER UP: Mount Dora
Christian Academy, 28.02%, 908
23.91%, 641
Landscape, 18.35%, 370
RUNNER UP: Kay’s Barber
& Beauty, Leesburg, 23.50%, 630
DAYCARE HOME BUILDER
Kevco Builders, Inc., 71.24%, 5824 RUNNER UP: BP Smith
Construction, 10.91%, 892
First Academy, 28.39%, 806
FUNERAL HOME
RUNNER UP: Christian
Beyer’s Funeral Home,
Academy Preschool, 19.94%, 566
62.57%, 2153
RUNNER UP: COMMERCIAL BUILDER
Lee Woods Construction, 26.80%, 535
RUNNER UP: Mark Cook
Builders, 24.45%, 488
RUNNER UP: Harden GYM/FITNESS CENTER
Planet Fitness, 28.74%, 1200
RUNNER UP: Mount Dora
BJJ/Mma Academy, 21.24%, 887
HAIR SALON
United Southern Bank, 60.84%,
Phoenix Hair Salon, Eustis,
RUNNER UP: Insight Credit
RUNNER UP: Michael’s
Union, 12.71%, 1261
29.15%, 399
Southbay Automotive,
Pressure Cleaning, 25.79%, 353
RUNNER UP: Vann
CAR WASH
Couture, Leesburg, 12.87%, 626
Ace Hardware, 60.86%, 2401
RUNNER UP: Village Car
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
HEATING & AIR
Rapture Heating & Air, 61.80%, 5252 RUNNER UP: Munns Heating
& Air, 11.97%, 1017
PEST CONTROL
Massey Services, 44.77%, 1039 RUNNER UP: Eagle
Exterminating, 20.42%, 474
INSURANCE AGENCY
Merrill Insurance, 86.31%, 5971
RUNNER UP: Hillcrest
Insurance, 5.03%, 348
SELF STORAGE BUILDING & HOME SUPPLIES
RUNNER UP: Romac
Wash, The Villages, 22.48%, 831
Spray Mobile Tanning, Lindsey Mallory, 31.35%, 594
RUNNER UP: Advanced
Superwash Express, Mount Dora, 38.14%, 1410
TANNING SALON
RUNNER UP: Tan Time,
Way Too Bright Cleaning,
37.90%, 951
13.24%, 644
40.47%, 767
CLEANING SERVICE
AUTO SERVICE
Gannaway, 31.13%, 781
BANK/CREDIT UNION
6036
Pauli, 18.51%, 637
The Floor Shoppe
Lumber, 22.71%, 896
Rolling Acres Self Storage, 40.06%, 516
RUNNER UP: Harris
Mini-Storage, 32.30%, 416
GRAPHICS & SIGNS
ERA Grizzard, 30.98%, 853
RUNNER UP: Morris Realty &
Investments, 22.92%, 631 RUNNER UP: Connie Mahan Real Estate Group, 9.88%, 272 MOVING SERVICE
Quality Moving Services,
Hunter Signs, 79.34%, 5980 RUNNER UP: Sign
Crafters, 7.35%, 554
PRINTERS
A+ Printing, 76.13%, 5323 RUNNER UP: Ford
Press, 15.96%, 1116
34.79%, 1009
PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
RUNNER UP: Mitchell’s
Tip Tops,
Moving, 22.00%, 638
28.91%, 701 RUNNER UP: Ford
Press, 21.03%, 510
Joe Ziler of Kevco Builders, Inc.
Travis Long & Richard Brown of Quality Moving Services
Apryle Perry
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Key: Percentage of total votes in category, number of votes received. Want to see the full list of results? Check it out at lakeandsumterstyle.com.
The entertainment. Prominent Fox
The Brü Tap House GUYS NIGHT OUT
MOVIE THEATER
GALA/FUNDRAISER
CIGAR BAR
Brü Tap House, 27.94%, 940
AMC, Lake Square Mall, 67.08%, 7041
Hemingways, Tavares,
RUNNER UP: iPinball,
RUNNER UP: Epic, Mount
Lake County Sheriff’s Boots & Buckles,
15.16%, 510
Dora, 15.42%, 1618
75.15%, 5518
RUNNER UP: Boys & Girls GIRLS NIGHT OUT
PERFORMING ARTS
Painting With A Twist, Mount Dora, 31.57%, 1204
Bay Street Players, Eustis,
RUNNER UP: Two Old
RUNNER UP: The Sharon,
Hags Wine Shoppe, Leesburg, 21.89%, 835
30.84%, 1206
The Villages, 21.81%, 853
SPORTS BAR DATE NIGHT
The Goblin Market, Mount Dora, 34.66%, 1344 RUNNER UP: Turners ,
Leesburg, 19.93%, 773
Ramshackles, Leesburg, 22.44%, 907
RUNNER UP: Gators
Dockside, Eustis, 20.22%, 817
64.30%, 1270
RUNNER UP: Garvino’s, The
Villages, 35.70%, 705
Club Black & White Ball, 7.86%, 577
FURNITURE ATTRACTION
FESTIVAL/EVENT
Eustis Georgefest, 61.14%, 5778
Via Entertainment, 37.25%, 1319
RUNNER UP: Gator
BOWLING
Lake Square Mall Entertainment (Via Port),
Break Point Alley, Tavares,
73.60%, 6327 RUNNER UP: BTW,
Burgers, Tacos & Waffles, Tavares, 9.21%, 792
Babette’s Furniture,
66.40%, 2012 RUNNER UP: City
Furniture, 14.92%, 452
World, 34.28%, 1214
RUNNER UP: Leesburg
Shoe Biz,
33.64%, 1012
WINE BAR
RUNNER UP: Prominent
Two Old Hags, Leesburg,
Fox, 25.66%, 772
48.01%, 1462
64.68%, 1765
Prominent Fox, 27.54%, 968
RUNNER UP: Salty
Mare, 26.46%, 930
34.60%, 1307
BOAT DEALERSHIP
Nobles Marine, 48.21%, 1024
Hibbetts Sports, Lake Square Mall Entertainement
Antique Mall, 16.33%, 483
RUNNER UP: Brooker’s Bait
& Tackle, 30.41%, 620
Dora Boating & Marina, 25.42%, 540
Vann Gannaway Chevy, 31.87%, 1075 RUNNER UP: Phillips
Toyota, 20.07%, 677
RUNNER UP: Alada’s Chine &
Gifts, Leesburg, 8.46%, 736
JEWELRY
Gold In Art, RV DEALERSHIP
Camping World, 51.14%, 716
18.81%, 768
RUNNER UP: Prominent
Fox, 18.07%, 738
RUNNER UP: Alliance
PET ITEMS
Paws & Effects, HEALTH FOODS
The Health Basket, Mount Dora, 40.63%, 1309 RUNNER UP: The
AUTO DEALERSHIP
Peddler’s Wagon, Eustis, 70.34%, 6117
RUNNER UP: Mount
SPORTING GOOD/ OUTDOORS
Mall Entertainment (Via Port), Leesburg, 33.70%, 1273
RUNNER UP: Wildwood
, Wildwood, 20.74%, 566
Coach, 25.93%, 363
RUNNER UP: Lake Square
Rennigers, Mount Dora, 58.22%, 1722
RUNNER UP: Lucky U Cycles
CLOTHES
House & Wine Bar, Tavares, 20.95%, 638
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Gator Harley, Leesburg,
ANTIQUES
GIFT SHOP
38.70%, 789
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MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP
SHOES
Bikefest, 20.13%, 1902
RUNNER UP: Bru Tap FAMILY NIGHT
shopping.
Green Apple, Lady Lake, 26.72%, 861
70.29%, 5141
RUNNER UP: Leesburg
Pet Center, 9.11%, 666
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a growing
ravis Long and Richard Brown say they’re often asked how they make their business partnership work so successfully. The answer is simple: they’re more like brothers than business partners. They’re not actually related, but family comes first at their business, Quality Moving Services. The Lake Countybased moving company will celebrate its fifth anniversary in September, giving the co-owners an opportunity to reflect on the
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roads they’ve traveled to arrive where they are today. The success of Quality Moving Services has far exceeded Travis and Richard’s expectations, both professionally and personally. They both enjoy being able to help people and treating customers like family, as well as creating a family-like environment on the job. They’ve learned and grown and overcome serious obstacles. Travis and Richard were working together at a local moving company but weren’t satisfied with the direction of the company. They thought
the business should have more of a “family feel” to it. They also had young children at home and were thinking about their futures. “When we move a family, we literally try to become your family, and we weren’t feeling that at the company anymore,” Travis says. So, they decided to start their own business and went all in: Richard traded in his only car for a pickup truck, and they both maxed out their credit cards to buy a trailer. “We put stickers on the trailer and drove around empty just so
family
people started seeing us and thinking we were actually moving around here,” Travis says. Travis and Richard met at 6:30 each morning, went to a gas station to buy some snacks, and then hit the streets. Eventually, they started getting calls and about six months in, they hired their first employee. Wordof-mouth has propelled the business ever since. “From there it’s just been growing nonstop and we’ve started picking up many
large accounts and very high clientele,” Travis says. Quality Moving Services now employs 15 full-time workers, including managerin-training Josh Craine. The company is truly familyowned and operated: of those 15 employees, four are family members. Quality Moving Services is fully licensed and insured to move in-state and long distance to 48 states. The company has completed hundreds of out-of-state
Family-owned Quality Moving Services is celebrating five years of serving the community. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
moves, and recently covered most of the country with moves to Maine in the North and California in the West, Richard says. The owners maintain workman’s compensation insurance on all employees. The company utilizes six truck-and-trailer setups that are new, clean, and well-maintained, and offers a full line of packing materials. Quality Moving specializes in moving one person’s belongings, baby grand
A big congrats and thank you to our team for making us the greatest moving service in Lake & Sumter counties! — Travis Long and Richard Brown
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pianos, gun safes, and other hard-to-move items. “We do pretty much anything, from packing up stuff into boxes to unpacking it. We’re a full-service company,” Richard says. The company requires no money down from the customer regardless of how big the move is—customers pay only when the job is done and they’re happy with it. That shows how much the owners believe in their work. Travis and Richard keep tabs on customers’ online reviews and promise complete satisfaction. The company receives five stars on many sites. They recall only one bad review and they immediately reached out to the customer to make things right. Travis and Richard’s dedication to the industry and care with each job have won over customers. “We go out of the way to make sure they’re definitely happy before we leave the house,” Travis says. “We don’t treat it just like a job. We actually get to know the customer and what they’re going through.” The owners recall one woman who they moved five times and her husband died during the process. She continued to call them afterward to keep in touch with them because she felt like a family member. “That’s why we’re in this business,” Travis says. “There are tons of movers out there, and everybody can just hire anybody for the lowest dollar, but I think that we get a lot of the work we do because we stand out as a family mover.” Quality Moving Services started in
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“If somebody asks me, I don’t refer anybody but Quality Moving.” —MICHAEL GIRARD
business about the same time as Michael and Joy Girard opened Rolling Acres Self Storage in Lady Lake; they also own 44 Self Storage in Wildwood. Mutual cooperation and referrals between the two companies helped both businesses grow. Quality Moving, which also has moved the Girards personally six times, is now the storage companies’ “unofficial mover.” “We liked what they were about and seeing how hard they were charging, their customer service and quality control,” Michael says. “They’re professional, their vehicles are nice and clean, all their equipment is up to date, all their insurance is up to date. If somebody asks me, I don’t refer anybody but Quality Moving.” “Our customers like them, too,” adds Joy, whose family and
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friends also have hired Quality Moving Services. “We get good reviews from our customers and then they use them again. I can’t tell you how many people I have referred to them.” Travis and Richard are not only business partners on the job, they’re also best friends away from work. Their families get together regularly, including vacations. Travis and fiancée Angela Harman have four kids: Tripp Long, 5; Lucas West, 5; Travis Long Jr., 1½; and Theo Long, 3 months. Richard and his wife, Sandy, have a 5-yearold daughter named Emma. Together, they’re one big happy family. Richard leaned on that family support in
2018 when he had to take three months off work for chemotherapy treatment of colon cancer at Florida Cancer Specialists in The Villages. He currently is cancer-free. The health scare helped the two friends forge an even stronger bond. “If it wasn’t for him, I would have nothing,” Richard says of Travis. Quality Moving Services also plays a big role in the community by donating time, money, or goods to groups such as Toys for Tots and The Villages High School; paying electric bills for people in need at Christmastime; providing water to residents after hurricanes; distributing pink shirts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and organizing gift card giveaways. From an empty trailer to a load of success, Travis and Richard have established Quality Moving Services as a trusted family business in the community.
Quality Moving Services Travis Long and Richard Brown, co-owners and managers of Quality Moving Services
Based in Lake County and serving 48 states 352.430.7393 qualitymovingservicesllc.com facebook.com/qualitymovingservices
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Staying true to a philosophy A wealth of knowledge for clients who are handled with compassion and care. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
hough The Villages has continued to grow and Fross & Fross has grown with it, you’ll find they still offer the same compassionate and caring service each client has always received. Their objectives have not changed, nor has the process. The relationship with the client comes before the financial aspects. The business, which was founded 18 years ago, works much the same today as it did then. Twin brothers Robert “Rob” and Thomas “Thom” Fross say the growth they’ve experienced is reflected in better service and availability for clients. “We are staying true to our philosophy of being selective with the people we work with,” Thom says. “But we’ve added people to better serve our clients, not due to more clients. It’s better service to clients that’s our aim.” Rob adds, “Every client is so important to us, and all of their needs are unique. We wanted to make sure we were able to scale the anticipation that a growing, aging clientele brings with it.” The two men also offer advice to a growing audience as Forbes columnists and CNBC and Fox Business contributors. When advisors from Fross & Fross meet with a client, there is a clear objective in every meeting. There are four phases of establishing what clients need and fulfilling those goals and objectives.
The four phases are: discovery, strategy, implementation, monitoring and adjusting. Discovery for Fross & Fross means getting to know you personally: your family, your hobbies, your future plans, your ideal financial perimeters. You’ll notice the financial element of this process is at the bottom of the list because it’s important to the wealth advisors at Fross & Fross that they know their clients on a personal level. “We must always anticipate growth,” Thom says. “However, we also strive to provide the same personal touch we’ve always given our clients.” With strategy comes the development of an effective, long-term investment plan. With constant communication, research, and the work of their highly skilled staff, Fross & Fross strives to make this process quick and easy for you. In 2018, the company became a part of LPL Financial, the largest * independent broker/dealer in the United States for 21 years straight. LPL shares the same philosophy that Fross & Fross does by stating on their website that “social responsibility is integral to who we are as a company, how we interact with each other, our communities, and our planet, and how we conduct business.” “The reputation Fross has developed by giving white-glove treatment to clients means we’ve had to grow to continue to provide the personal service clients appreciate,” Rob says. The implementation phase of the Fross & Fross process is meant to be done
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fastidiously but in a stress-free and prompt manner for the client. This phase is when the staff comes together as a team to successfully execute your investment strategy. “We don’t go into any meeting thinking of one product to fill every need of a client,” Thom says. “We provide a personalized plan for every household. There is no cookie-cutter plan at Fross & Fross.” The final phase of this process is where the relationship with the client is most important. Accounts are monitored regularly to ensure they perform according to the intention of the client. When
work centers on research and overseeing all of the trading department. “He’s an integral part of our investment committee,” Thom says. “His skill with research and asset allocation are very important to us.” Casey loves being able to create a strategy for retirees as well as monitoring their well-being. “I treat them like my parents, and give them the best resources they can possibly have. My parents live in The Villages, so I can relate to our clients in that way,” Casey says. “I am always putting my best foot forward to help
“WE MAKE SURE WE’RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ON INVESTMENTS. WE SEE CLIENTS AS REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL NEEDS, AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THOSE NEEDS ALWAYS REFLECT POSITIVE GROWTH AND SUCCESS.” —THOM FROSS
circumstances change or a shifting global market requires a different approach, Fross & Fross never hesitates to make adjustments and keep clients informed. “It’s a team effort,” Thom says. “We make sure we’re all on the same page on investments. We see clients as real people with real needs, and we want to ensure those needs always reflect positive growth and success.” One of those team members is Casey O’Rourke, who often works as a co-advisor with clients of Rob and Thom. Casey’s
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clients improve their lives.” One way he does this is by getting to know clients better through the client social functions offered by Fross & Fross. “This is a way of deepening the relationships on a personal level,” Casey says. At this point in their growth, Fross & Fross is especially concerned with helping women who are recently widowed or divorced. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, men have a 60 percent higher mortality
than women. The wealth advisors are Fross & Fross have noticed this playing true in The Villages and have taken steps to anticipate the needs this fosters. Focusing on financial planning and investment for women is essential, and Reneé Hutchings is their main resource. She first came to Fross & Fross as a client following a divorce. “I know personally as you’re going through this kind of difficulty, it’s good to have a team on your side,” Reneé says. “I realized how what they do here aligned with my fundamental belief system. I knew working at a place like that would make my job more enjoyable.” A long-term employee now, Reneé has been promoted to wealth advisor, and her primary concern will be working with female clients. “We looked for a female because we appreciate diversity,” Thom says. “We believe women who come to us will appreciate her too. Reneé’s responsibilities are not in a support role, but as an elite financial advisor to provide a positive impact on the firm.” Reneé understands she will be working with women who may be facing the most difficult times of their lives. She is set to assist them and make the process of what they need to do easier. “This is a very fulfilling role. I know how important it is to have a place to turn to, have someone to help you through situations you’ve never faced before,” Reneé says. “I appreciate the growth of a wife who was totally uninvolved in the financial planning who becomes confident and walks in here knowing what she wants to do.” Reneé sees herself as a team member with these women to explain everything while providing them the finer points of budgeting and financial planning and helping them transition to a new way of life. “As you deepen these relationships, the women become more comfortable with the financial aspects, and I feel I become their teacher, counselor, and confidante as well as a shoulder to cry on when needed,” Reneé says. “No one has to put that in our job descriptions. Having the type of personality where you want to help people is an expectation here.”
Patrick Fross, RICP, vice president and wealth advisor is the much-appreciated older brother of Thom and Rob. He holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation**. “I feel the team approach we have adds value to what we do. Growth is a natural, evolutionary part of business,” Patrick says. “Rather than turn clients away, we’re increasing staff making us able to handle new clients and still provide the Ritz-Carlton experience for those already with us.” Patrick stresses that the firm is always looking for areas to improve, and he firmly believes the “one size does not fit all” philosophy. He provides in-depth financial planning for those newly retired or about to retire. “Clients need to know if there is sustainability in a portfolio for the next 30 years,” Patrick says. “Everything changes at retirement—wealth distribution and wealth protection. We don’t pigeon-hole clients into one specific products. Their goals, objectives, and needs dictate our plans.” Patrick compares financial planning to the important task of selecting a doctor: you can go to your favorite family
“EVERYTHING CHANGES AT RETIREMENT— WEALTH DISTRIBUTION AND WEALTH PROTECTION. WE DON’T PIGEON-HOLE CLIENTS INTO ONE SPECIFIC PRODUCT. THEIR GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND NEEDS DICTATE OUR PLANS.” — PAT R I C K F R OS S
physician for most problems. However, if you’ve had a heart issue, you want to see a cardiologist. “Our goal is to help people plan for retirement, and then retire and stay retired.” One way Fross & Fross is focusing directly on retirement issues is by their creation of a Retirement GPS: growth, protection, and spending. “We want to determine what direction you want to go in, so we can create a strategy based on the answer to those three significant parts of retirement,” Thom says. They’re also planning seminars on why retirement planning is different for women.
“It’s possible some of our clients will spend more years as a retiree than they did working to get here,” Rob adds. “How to you make sure they don’t run out of money before they run out of breath?” One single message comes through when talking to Thom and Rob and the other members of the team at Fross & Fross—they really do care what happens to their clients. “We view our clients as fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents,” Thom says. “We fall back on our Midwestern values that our grandmother and great-grandmother taught us. We’re able to use our experiences to make the trip down this road not scary at all.”
Fross & Fross w ea lt h
m a n a gem en t
352.205.7800 / frossandfross.com / 910 Old Camp Road, Lake Sumter Landing Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2018, based on total revenue. **Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) conferred by The American College.
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LAKE COUNTY’S #1 CUSTOM HOMEBUILDER
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Building on a legacy Serving You First: We succeed by serving our clients, our community and each other. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
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“WE PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH THE MOST TALENTED INDIVIDUALS IN THE INDUSTRY.” —DOUG CHILDERS, PRESIDENT AND CEO
ven after more than 100 years, selling insurance never gets old at LassiterWare, a broker that has been ingrained in the Leesburg community since its origins in 1912. With the slogan “Serving You First,” LassiterWare employees continue to build on the foundation of the past by dedicating themselves to finding new ways to serve their clients and the community today and in the future. Privately held LassiterWare is one of the largest and top-performing independent insurance agencies in the country. The agency has expanded to four other locations—Ocala, Maitland, Tampa, and Jacksonville—and 90 employees, including 35 at the Leesburg headquarters. “Our history speaks for itself and we are proud of it. We now shift our focus to the future and the progression that is taking place,” President and CEO Doug Childers says. “The company’s growing at a fast clip. We are more focused than ever today on the client. Performance is strong, and the agency is extremely healthy.” LassiterWare specializes in commercial insurance, which represents 63 percent of the agency’s revenue. Policies for businesses both large and small include property and casualty, specialized industries, and employee benefits. LassiterWare also offers personal lines for home, auto, life, and estate planning, with discounts available when policies are bundled. G.G. Ware formed Johnson and Ware with L.M. Johnson in 1912 before partnering with Paul Lassiter in 1943 to create Lassiter-Ware. Ted Ostrander Sr. became president in 1946 and his son, Ted Jr., joined the team in 1972 and served as president from 1983 until his retirement two years ago. Ted Jr., the company’s longest-running President and CEO, is a friend and a great mentor to Doug, who has worked at LassiterWare for 13 years. The Florida State University graduate was the agency’s top producer during his first 8 years before rising to President and CEO in 2013.
Doug admits to feeling a little pressure to uphold Ted’s legacy and meet his responsibilities to shareholders. “I’ve been able to surround myself with some great leaders. I’m very happy with my leadership team and the team in general.” Among the leaders is John Bruneau, the vice president of insurance operations who holds the key role of overseeing property and casualty, the largest division in the company. He has 25-plus years of industry experience. “John has done a great job,” Doug says. “He makes sure our reputation in the marketplace with our carriers is upheld.” LassiterWare protects clients’ assets with unique services such as i3Risk™, a patented three-step evaluative process: identify risks, innovate solutions, and implement programs. LassiterWare also has its own team of claim liaisons working on the clients’ behalf. “We bring resources to small businesses that typically were not available in that space, such as legal assistance, human resources, and technology platforms,” Doug says. He encourages people to speak to LassiterWare’s quality agents so they avoid common mistakes such as not reading the policy, not purchasing a personal umbrella that covers all of their assets, and not shopping around for the best policy. “We provide customer service with the most talented individuals in the industry,” Doug says. “We think there’s value in face-to-face conversations versus buying insurance over the internet, where people really don’t know what they’re buying.” LassiterWare’s biggest goal is to double its $18 million revenue and become the largest privately owned agency in Florida. Doug believes his team can accomplish that goal in the next 10 years. “We’ll do it with a combination of writing new business, keeping the business we’ve got, acquiring other agencies or books of business, and cultivating a positive work environment,” he says. LassiterWare prides itself on a positive work environment, winning accolades such as the top award in the Southeast for the 2017 Best Agencies to Work For by Insurance Journal, and the 2018 Top 100 Best Workplaces in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel. Yet the agency (and the industry as a whole) often has trouble finding and retaining employees. To address this concern, LassiterWare has developed an internship program and Building on the Best, a program that trains people with minimal experience, and also is working on a sales mentorship program.
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“We have to figure out a way to ‘grow our own,’ and those are three ways we are doing that,” Doug says. “The hirings have been meticulous in the way we bring new people to the agency, how we check backgrounds, how we check references, and we do several different screens. It’s paying off as the people that are joining LassiterWare are talented and blend in very well with employees who have longevity with LassiterWare.” LassiterWare offers flexible work schedules and paid birthdays off in addition to regular paid days off and 10 holidays. Each of the five company offices has a “Culture Champion” who helps maintain high morale by planning special occasions such as pizza day, ice cream socials, or happy-hour get-togethers.
Susan McClodden
Caring extends beyond the job LassiterWare Insurance is dedicated to much more than just insurance. The agency and its employees extend a helping hand through LassiterWare Cares, a foundation that supports three pillars: children, feeding the hungry and veterans. All five LassiterWare offices—Leesburg, Ocala, Maitland, Tampa, and Jacksonville—band together to raise funds and donate items. The foundation also receives grants as well as contributions from insurance carriers, Executive Director Susan McClodden says.
In return, employees give back to the community through LassiterWare Cares, a charitable foundation. “No agency our size has ever done anything like that,” Doug says. For its 107 years of service to clients and the community, its favorable workplace, and its generous philanthropy, LassiterWare maintains a great reputation in the insurance industry. In the near future, he expects to only enhance that reputation. “We want to start thinking bigger as an agency, start thinking bigger as individuals,” he says. “We want to leave a legacy like the legacy that was left behind to me for the next generation.”
In the past year, LassiterWare Cares has collaborated with prominent charitable organizations. Each office adopted a soldier, and the Leesburg office adopted two, through Operation Shoebox, which supports troops deployed overseas and returning home. “Culture Champions” in each office collect donations of hygiene items and other supplies, and care boxes are shipped to the soldiers every six weeks. “We hear from some of our soldiers through emails and share that communication with all employees…it definitely feels good knowing that we are making a positive difference.” Susan says. In March, employees packed hygiene kits in collaboration with Clean the World and kits were distributed to the homeless. In July, over 20,000 meals were packed to aid in disaster recovery for Feeding Children Everywhere, a national nonprofit headquartered in Longwood. “It’s really great to come together as a company,” Susan says. The foundation also donates toys, books, games, toiletries, and other items every year to Lake Academy Leesburg, an alternative school run by LifeStream Behaviorial Center for children with special academic and therapeutic needs. While LassiterWare Cares focuses on local assistance, it also helps disaster recovery in other states. LassiterWare Cares received a Humanitarian Award in 2016 from the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce. This year, the Chamber Alliance of Lake County presented the foundation with the President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service. Of course, charity begins at home for LassiterWare employees. “Any employee in need comes first,” Susan says. “I love the people here,” she says. “I do think we’re a family.”
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LEESBURG • 800.845.8437 / 352.787.3441 www.lassiterware.com LEESBURG • 800.845.8437 / 352.787.3441
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"Contact LassiterWare to determine eligibility for property insurance in the state of Florida from a member of the "Contact LassiterWare to determine eligibility for property insurance Auto-Owners Insurance Group SM.”
in the state of Florida from a member of the Auto-Owners Insurance Group SM.”
Experience the difference La-Z-Boy Galleries in Ocala offers appealing array of furniture choices, and stellar customer service. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
a-Z-Boy no longer looks like your granddad’s overstuffed recliner. Today the popular La-ZBoy brand has expanded to include attractive, contemporarydesigned reclining sofas, chairs, loveseats, sleepers, and sectionals in a variety of fabrics and color choices. You owe it to yourself to see and feel the difference! “When people think La-Z-Boy, they think reclining rockers and chairs that their families have had forever. When in reality we have about 500 items. Pretty much everything that La-Z-Boy carries, we have on our floor,” says Christopher White, sales manager, at La-Z-Boy Galleries at 2530 SW 19th Avenue Road in Ocala.
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Among the popular pieces are the Duo, a two-seat sofa, which many women say they love that it looks like a sofa than a recliner, yet it has a footrest that lifts for comfort. Another attractive piece is the Rowan Rocking Recliner, which has a sleek look with flared arms to maximize the seating area. When it’s not used in a reclining position, it’s a relaxing rocker with smooth, graceful motion. La-Z-Boy also receives kudos from customers for providing reclining chairs and rockers that offer personalized comfort and support based on one’s height, ranging from petite, small, tall, and extra tall. Ever since La-Z-Boy Galleries opened in 2002 in Ocala—the exclusive store for the area—it’s popular with residents in Lake and Sumter County, and as far as Daytona and Lake City.
Customers are drawn by the comfort, top quality, craftsmanship of the La-ZBoy brand of furnishings, and they praise the personalized service the Ocala store staff provides. “The biggest compliment we get on a day-to-day basis is about our service. When you call us, you get a real person you don’t have to talk to a machine, and we don’t give you a run around as far as service or helping people out,” says Christopher, the third-generation of the White family in the furniture business. Christopher’s father, Lee White, is store manager of the La-Z-Boy Galleries in Ocala, and Christopher’s grandfather, Arthur White, founded White’s Furniture in Summerfield in 1957, which he still runs. “I wanted to carry on the family legacy,” says Christopher, who started working in the furniture warehouse in
“THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT WE GET ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS IS ABOUT OUR SERVICE. WHEN YOU CALL US, YOU GET A REAL PERSON YOU DON’T HAVE TO TALK TO A MACHINE, AND WE DON’T GIVE YOU A RUN AROUND AS FAR AS SERVICE OR HELPING PEOPLE OUT.” —CHRISTOPHER WHITE
2004 while in high school. After college, he began doing deliveries and then moved inside the store to work in sales before becoming sales manager. “I’ve worked my way up the company, and it feels good to hear all the customer service stories through the years,” he says. “Even here at the LaZ-Boy Galleries, we have hundreds of customers who have purchased from us in the early 2000s, and they are repeat customers with us as well.” Lee White has devoted over 40 years in the family’s furniture business, starting in 1977, and he values what he has learned from his father, Arthur White, about life, business, and treating customers as you want to be treated. “My dad is a sweetheart,” he says. “When I was younger, I thought I knew more than my dad,” Lee says with a chuckle. “I would try to get him to do things,’ and he’d say, ‘no you can’t do that,’ and now I’m older, I’m actually my dad and my son, Christopher, is me. Christopher thinks we ought to do things this way, and I’m saying, ‘No, that’s not the way Papa did it.’ So, it’s funny how it just kind of rolls.” The Whites are proud to have provided the La-Z-Boy to customers for decades.
Lee recently found a receipt for $125 for his father’s first La-Z-Boy order in 1975, which he had framed to be placed on the wall of his dad’s Summerfield store. “My dad is going into his 63rd year, and I’ve been doing it over 40, and Christopher will probably be doing it over 40 or 50 years,” says Lee, proud
of his family’s legacy in providing top quality furniture. To see the latest in La-Z-Boy furnishings, the Whites invite residents to visit La-Z-Boy Galleries at 2530 SW 19th Avenue Road in Ocala from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
352.861.3009 / la-z-boy.com/ocala / 2530 SW 19th Ave Rd., Ocala
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Devoted airplane pilots find a home in Lake and Sumter counties. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
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Photos: Nicole Hamel Left & Above: John Shubert, of Grass Roots Airpark, takes Style photographer Nicole Hamel up in his Murphy Elite Tailwheel. Inset: The clubhouse at Grass Roots Airpark.
Grass Roots Airpark Outside the 1920s-style bungalow clubhouse at Grass Roots Airpark is a marble compass engraved with the inscription, “Seek and ye shall find.” It’s an apt phrase for pilots looking for space to roam or a place to land. Lake and Sumter counties are home to fly-in communities, small public airports, and private grass airstrips that may be overlooked by passing motorists but are well-known to anyone flying overhead. The counties’ rural nature, open spaces, and great flying weather attract
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recreational pilots. And aviation communities, where residents park in a hangar rather than a garage, cater to diehard enthusiasts who find passage to the open skies in their own backyards. “I’ve been flying around all my life and looking down and thinking, ‘Wouldn’t that be a great place to have an airport?’” says David Gay, an architect who fulfilled his dream by designing and building Grass Roots Airpark in Groveland. David spent two years looking for property before he found a cow pasture east of County Road 33. He built homes and a 3,400-foot-long turf runway from scratch, and in 2005, opened a beautifully designed and maintained airfield at 20201 Whistling Wire Lane in a scenic locale surrounded by lakes and ranches. Homes and hangars have a vintage touch. The site includes 18 residential lots on the runway; 12 wooded residential lots with runway access via a grass taxiway; nine hangar lots owned by pilots; rental hangars for 32 planes; and the home of David and his wife, Ann. He designed the airpark with fly-ins in mind: an open, central area comfortably parks up to 40 antique biplanes and Piper Cubs, and periodic fly-ins attract anywhere from 100-300 people. The nine hangar lots, known as the Low & Slow Flying Club, come with attached
“I’VE BEEN FLYING AROUND ALL MY LIFE AND LOOKING DOWN AND THINKING, ‘WOULDN’T THAT BE A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE AN AIRPORT?” — D AV I D G AY
pilot lounges that include a game or hobby room, full kitchen and bath, dining area, and enclosed patio—a great hangout for pilots and friends who fly in to visit. Rich Feroldi, of Winter Springs, owns one of the hangars, which holds his transportation toys: 1929 American Eagle biplane, Champ airplane, antique Ford truck, radio-controlled model planes, and a motorcycle. “We like the vintage ambience. That’s what we like the best, and it’s just a beautiful place with a great group of people,” Rich says. “It’s a great social life, too. I’ve met more friends out here than I met in 25 years where I live.” Jim Danbom, Don Disher, and Terry Sharp are friends from Tavares who rent hangars. The three of them spent one morning swapping stories about planes, pilots, and flying incidents. “This is a great little airport,” says Don, noting that his concern over rental fees was eased by a philosophical observation from his girlfriend: “She’s like, ‘You’re not paying rent, you’re paying country club dues.’ You come out here, it’s a nice gathering, nice people.” David has carved out an idyllic life for himself and fellow pilots. The Orlando native says he’s glad to be out in the country because “it just smells better out here.” “I enjoy living here,” he says. “You know, it’s old Florida.”
Umatilla Municipal Airport Drive east off State Road 19 onto Cassady Street and through a neighborhood and you will dead-end at a small, out-of-the-way airfield. But Umatilla Municipal Airport is anything but a dead end for fliers. In fact, the future of local aviation can be found there. The city, Umatilla High School, and Lake County Schools have formed an Aviation Club at the school and Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1632 at the airport. The city-owned public airport acquired a flight simulator with the help of an educational grant and set up a training room, City Manager Scott Blankenship says. Students soon will construct an experimental kit plane, a Van’s RV12 two-seat, single-engine model, and they also have access to free ground school training online. Airport events such as Young Eagles Day also attract students for free plane rides and other activities. It’s all part of the city’s proactive approach to stirring youngsters’ interest in aviation. “We’re just trying to stay engaged in the community,” says Scott, who manages the airport and is a licensed pilot. Umatilla Municipal Airport, 480 E. Cassady St., has one of only two paved runways, along with Leesburg International Airport, in all of Lake County. The hangars contain about 25 aircraft, and the city plans to add hangars on adjoining property to accommodate owners on a wait list. Pilots like the airfield’s low fuel prices, and between fuel and hangar revenue, the airport supports itself, Scott says. “One thing nice about our airport is we’re to the north of all the major metro area, so pilots that fly out at the airport pretty much immediately are in a nice environment to fly,” Scott says. The majority of the users are recreational aviators, City Clerk Karen Howard says. For example, around 11am each Wednesday, several pilots from the Spruce Creek aviation community in Port Orange fly in and use an airport courtesy car to go to lunch in Umatilla. One recent morning, pilot and instructor Tom Eby, of Sanford, and students Luis Ruiz, of Orlando, and Reuben Nusbaum, of Sanford, arrived in a single-engine plane for a lesson. Tom says the Umatilla airport is ideal for training because it’s quiet, has far less traffic than Orlando airspace, and the
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Love’s Landing Calvin Reynolds can relax on his porch and watch planes take off—his beautiful home is situated alongside the northsouth airstrip at tranquil Love’s Landing aviation community. “It’s the ultimate,” he says. “If you’re an aviation enthusiast, it just doesn’t get any better than this.”
L-R: Randy Hartigan, Michael Arthur, Judie Betz, and Denis Jacques of Love’s Landing.
Love’s Landing, at 41524 Kittyhawk Drive, has a Weirsdale mailing address but is partially in both Lake and Marion counties, says owner/manager Sam Love. It’s bound to the north by Southeast 160th Avenue Road and to the south by Marion County Road. More than 60 residences are home to active pilots, airplane builders, and restorers. Every homeowner is required to have a pilot’s license. The community looks like any other neighborhood except the custom-built homes have either attached or detached hangars. Airplanes have the right of way on the
“IT’S A MOTORCYCLE IN THE AIR IS WHAT IT IS. I LIKE TO GO UP AND JUST CRUISE AND LOOK AT THE COUNTRYSIDE.”
streets, which are taxiways to two grass runways. The community is still growing, as several new homes are being built and Sam has plans for 10 more lots on the west side of the north-south runway. Calvin splits his year between Maine and Love’s Landing, where he chose to live because of its rural similarity to his home state. “I like being able to look out my back door and see cows,” Calvin says. “My wife (Marianne) and I, if we can’t smell cow manure, we ain’t happy. We’re country people. Love’s Landing is more like a Maine community. It’s very tight-knit, it’s country, more laid-back people.” The large hangar next to his house contains a Carbon Cub Light Sport SS bush plane and an experimental, homebuilt plane that reaches 200 mph. “It’s a motorcycle in the air is what it is,” Calvin says. “I like to go up and just cruise and look at the countryside.” For the Love family, the countryside was all citrus groves until severe freezes in the 1980s wiped out their business. Sam, his brother, John, and their late father, also named Sam, ventured into the airpark concept in the mid-1990s. John, who died in 2018, was the pilot in the family, always trying to land his Super Cub in a hayfield, says Sam, who taught agriculture for 40 years at
— C A LV I N R EY N O L D S
Photo: Anthony Rao
short 2,500-foot runway and crosswinds offer a good test for student pilots. The students say training is not cheap and not easy, but it is a lot of fun. Reuben, studying for his private pilot’s license, says the Umatilla airport is a well-kept secret that provides great preparation for flight evaluations. Luis, who wants to be a commercial airline pilot, says he wouldn’t trade the thrill of flying for anything. “It’s always been my passion since I was a little kid of 6,” he says. “My mom would take me to the airport to watch the airplanes.” In many ways, the Umatilla airport is bridging the past to the future. Steve Austin, who volunteers as an airport ambassador, says his father, Elmer Austin, helped construct the airport in the late 1940s. “It’s the best little airport in the area,” he says.
local high schools and, ironically, never learned to fly. “We were trying to find something that we could be passionate about,” Sam says. “We just thought it’d be a great idea to do. It wasn’t a necessity; we could’ve turned it into cow pasture or planted palm trees.” Clinton Goodhue, also a Maine snowbird, has lived at Love’s Landing for 16 years, settling there after looking at many similar communities. “I thought, ‘This is the one,’” says Clinton, a Piper Cub owner who flies with his neighbors each week to DeLand for lunch. “It’s the neatest and cleanest, and it’s also close (to The Villages).” Everybody seems to know each other at Love’s. If one resident is outside tinkering with his plane, a small group soon gathers. “We’ve got some really great people here, we really do,” Sam says. “The comradeship among pilots is like any interest group. They all have a common interest and a common goal and that’s what makes it work.”
Sumter County Rural Sumter County makes a perfect setting for numerous grass airstrips laid out alongside cow pastures and horse farms or dropped in the middle of neighborhoods. FreeFlight Airport operates out of rustic offices at 1511 Taylor Ave. in a Coleman residential subdivision, where a children’s playground and baseball diamond are across the street. The airport’s 4,170-foot runway is one of the longest private turf airstrips in Florida, according to its website. Owner Frank Arenas, who bought the airport in 1995, helped create the Village Flyers, a club for pilots of light-sport aircraft. The two-seaters weigh just a bit more than 1,300 pounds and don’t exceed 138 mph. Light-sport pilots can prove their medical fitness simply by having a valid driver’s license. “They’re pretty docile airplanes,” Frank says. “The nice thing for the pilots around here, as we all age, if you’re on a light-sport, you don’t have to worry
about your medical as long as you can drive a car.” Frank also lives on the grounds, about 800 feet from the runway. The former professional skydiver guided a skydiving school at the airport for 10 years. On the horizon, he plans to build 200 hangars on the site to meet high demand in Central
“IT’S JUST AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE. YOUR OFFICE IS IN THE SKY.” —FRANK ARENAS
Florida. He says it’s a “blast” to operate an airport in his backyard. “It’s just an absolute pleasure,” he says. “Your office is in the sky, as a lot of the skydivers say.” Backyard runways come in all varieties. Though Connell’s Wahoo Airport runs along the east side of Interstate 75, it’s still in the “ruralest” of rural areas of Bushnell. Drivers on County Road 614A pass a sign that reads, “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Connell’s Brangus. Cattle—Hay for Sale.” Cattle graze in the distance on the property owned by Jim and Patricia Connell. The 160 acres include their home and hangar, and a 3,000-foot private airstrip that hosts fly-ins attracting as many as 80 airplanes, Jim says. Just west of I-75, along County Road 48 in Bushnell, motorists may notice an airport road sign and wonder, “Where?” But a short drive north on County Road 316A reveals Flying W Airranch Airport, a fly-in community of several homes with detached hangars for single-engine planes. A short grass runway sits smack dab in the middle of the tiny neighborhood. No one would know the airfield is there without stumbling upon it. But as pilots in Lake and Sumter counties know, seek and ye shall find.
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June 1 - August 31
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Apply today at campuscu.com Call 237-9060 and press 5 Visit any CAMPUS Service Center Summerfield 17950 S. US Hwy. 441 Grand Traverse 2945 Traverse Trail Membership is open to anyone in Alachua, Marion, Lake, and Sumter counties! 2 There are costs associated with the use of this card. Credit approval required. For specific information call 800-367-6440 or write us at P.O. Box 147029, Gainesville, FL 32614. The annual percentage rate may vary with the market based on the Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal “Money Rates” table on the last day of each calendar month. The APR is determined by adding together the index and the margin applicable to the card type and the consumer’s credit. The APR could change without notice. APR not to exceed 17.99%. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. 1. Bonus CURewards points are eligible for Lodging, Travel, Dining, and Entertainment purchases from June 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019. Points on all other purchases and balance transfers will continue to accrue at one point for every dollar spent. CAMPUS shall determine which purchases qualify and will not be responsible for merchant misclassifications. Points will be posted to your account at the close of each billing cycle. Cash advances and finance charges do not earn points. 2. Credit approval and initial deposit of $5 required. Federally insured by the NCUA.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR! PLAN YOUR TRIP! BE SEEN IN LAKE AND SUMTER! | EVENTS. TRAVEL. PEOPLE.
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THE TO-DO LIST What’s happening this month.
LOCAL TALENT The sounds of Scotland ring through the hills.
NEAR & FAR Great getaways for the whole family.
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Great drinks and salsa dipping...or dancing!
HI, SOCIETY! Honors, splashing golf balls, Juneteenth, purple feet, and more.
THE TO-DO LIST
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2019
Once upon a time An eerie talking groundhog has stolen young Ellie’s homework. She takes off down a hole after it and ends up in the land of Rejected Fairy Tale Characters. Aug. 2-11, Fri.-Sat. @ 8pm; Sun. @ 2pm / Mimi’s Community Theater, 17404 6th St., Montverde.
EVENTS
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ORIGINAL FLORIDA ART It’s time for the annual Mount Dora Florida Highway Art Show, Sale, & Benefit. From 11am-5pm at Donnelly Park Pavilion on the corner of 5th and Donnelly. Not only will you see the beautiful artwork of the famous Highwaymen, known for selling their paintings to businesses along A1A, but you’ll meet members of the original group. Mary Ann Carroll (the only woman), James Gibson, Isaac Knight, Robert Lewis, and Roy McClendon. The second generation artists include Kelvin Hair and Roy McClendon Jr. Aug. 10 and 11 @ 11am-5pm / Donnelly Park Pavilion, Mount Dora
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BELOVED WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
ON STAGE Enjoy quality entertainment on the many stages of Lake and Sumter counties.
This is a conference for women centered on the woman’s identity in Christ—who God says you are. Enjoy a refreshing two-day conference filled with worship, God’s word, and fellowship with other women.
8/23 @ 7pm “REZA: EDGE OF ILLUSION” The Sharon, 1051 Main St., The Villages
Aug. 30 and 31 @ 7pm / King of Glory Ministries / 19250 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont
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FESTIVAL S
Getting’ Squishy
8/5-28 @ 4&8pm, Mon.-Wed.
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“THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES” The Studio at Tierra Del Sol, 806 San Marino Dr., The Villages
8/1-11 @ 4&8pm, Thu.-Sun.
The 25th annual Harvest Grape Stomp at Lakeridge Winery. Harvest season has arrived and everyone loves to feel the grapes squishing between their toes. This is a great family outing and includes a weekend of great music from terrific local musicians. There’s also plenty of food, wine beer, and soft drinks along with tours. Adult admission: $10; children 12 and under free. Grape stomping is for all ages.
“THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ENTIRE WORLD AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF COLE PORTER” The Studio at Tierra Del Sol, 806 San Marino Dr., The Villages
8/16-31 @ 4&8pm, Fri.-Sun. “SYLVIA” The Studio at Tierra Del Sol, 806 San Marino Dr., The Villages
8/1-4 @ various times “THE DROWSY CHAPERONE” Sonnentag Theatre at the Ice House, 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora
8/9-25 @ various times
Aug. 17 and 18, tour and tasting hours: 10am-5pm / Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards / 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont / lakeridgewinery.com
ONGOING EV E NTS Events are subject to change and cancellation.
“NOISES OFF” Melon Patch Theatre, 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg
EVERY MON
EVERY TUE
EVERY SAT
1ST MON
3RD WED
Webster’s Farmer’s Market 6am2pm, 524 North Market Blvd., Webster
Lady Lake Farmer’s Market 9am1pm, Lady Lake Log Cabin, 106 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27
Brownwood Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, 2726 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood
Senior Shakedown 1-3pm, Tavares Civic Center, 100 E. Caroline St.
PAWS Reading Dogs W.T. Bland Library, Mount Dora.
3RD THU
Mount Dora Food Trucks downtown Mount Dora.
1ST FRI
Street Party Downtown Eustis, 6-10pm
Night Market 5th and Magnolia Streets, Leesburg, 5-8pm
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aug.JAMS Move to the beat of one of your favorite performers at one of these great concerts or local venues!
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EVENTS
FOOD & WINE SOCIAL Pack a picnic basket and join the Women of Lake County Fun Circle for a complimentary wine tour and tasting. Following that, enjoy a picnic overlooking the beautiful vineyard. Aug. 3 @ 11:30am - 1:30pm / Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards / 19239 U.S. Highway 27 N., Clermont / lakeridgewinery.com
8/4 @ 1:30pm
8/11 @ 1:30pm
8/24 8pm
ADAM GRAYFORD Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
DENNIS GALLO Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
LONIE CARTER Crossroads 44, Eustis
8/8 @ 7pm
8/15 @ 7pm
8/24 @ 9pm
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
8/8 @ 7:30pm
8/15 @ 7:30pm
MANFREDI ROCKS JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento
DANGEROUS DAVE MERRILL Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
DONNIE LEE Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/9 @ 7pm
8/17 @ 2:30pm and 7:30pm
SEPTEMBER DOGS Magical Meat Boutique, Mount Dora
THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
8/9 @ 9pm
8/17 @ 7pm
LONIE CARTER JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento
GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
8/10 @ 1pm
8/22 @ 1:30pm
MAIDEN VOYAGE BAND Lake Harris Hideaway, Tavares
BOBBY FRANCE Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/10 @ 7pm GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
8/23 @ 8pm BLUE STONE CIRCLE Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/23 @ 9pm
8/10 @ 7:30pm KEVIN KINGSTON Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
8/10 @ 9pm LONIE CARTER JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento
MANFREDI ROCKS JJ’s Lounge and Package, Sorrento
8/24 @ 8pm DA BOYS Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/25 @ 1:30pm AL MANFREDI Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/28 @ 7:30pm JEFF WHITFIELD Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/29 @ 1:30pm JOE VAN Ruby Street Grille, Tavares
8/29 @ 7pm GREG PANDO Mojo Grill and Catering, Belleview
8/30 9pm SEPTEMBER DOGS Frank’s Place, Leesburg
8/31 @ 7pm MAIDEN VOYAGE BAND American Legion, Mount Dora
9/7 @ 7:30pm MEL TILLIS JR. Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale
Let us help you get the word out! To have an event considered for the calendar, send a short text description along with a color photo (if available) 45 days in advance of event to: calendar@akersmediagroup.com or Lake & Sumter Style Calendar, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749
2ND FRI
Art in the Alley Features artists and performers on the sidewalks of downtown Mount Dora, 6-8pm
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Acoustic Music Hear local musicians free from 7-9pm at Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W. Magnolia St.
Open House 6-8pm Mount Dora History Museum, 450 Royellou Lane
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1ST SAT
Movie in the Park Free family movie starts at dusk in Donnelly Park, downtown Mount Dora.
Wine Tasting Stroll 6-8pm, Starts at Maggie’s Attic on Alexander Street and 4th Avenue.
2ND SAT
Food Truck N Flick Night Entertainment, Leesburg Towne Square.
4TH SAT
Classic Car Cruise-In downtown Eustis.
BOOK CLUB
‘Carnegie’s Maid’ By Marie Benedict. What if a simple Irish maid aided Andrew Carnegie in building his wealth? STORY: DIANE DEAN
arnegie’s Maid,” by Marie Benedict, is a historical fiction novel that takes place in the 1860s in Pittsburgh. The new maid for the lady of the house, Margaret Carnegie, arrives from Ireland under the guise of another woman. The book details Clara Kelley’s five years in the Carnegie household during the Civil War in the United States and the potato famine in her homeland, where her family suffered and were at opposite ends of prosperity and success. Clara educated herself by reading and listening to conversations in the affluent household. The book focuses on the developing relationship between her and Andrew Carnegie. His business ventures expanded with railroads and the iron and steel industry. Clara often suggested opportunities that astute businessmen had not considered. Her creativeness appealed to Andrew. The rest of the serving staff frowned on the ramifications of their relationship.
Many comparisons were drawn to the “Downton Abbey” television series by readers in the Bookworm Book Club. Ann Fender facilitated the discussion for the club, encouraging attendees to offer their opinions and observations on the characters, plot, and believability of some elements. The powerful Mrs. Carnegie actually was insecure and often criticized Clara in front of others, then turned to her for advice privately. Andrew admired Clara for her simple charm, love of poetry, and business acumen. But their different status would doom a romantic relationship for the long term. The Carnegies had been immigrants from Scotland themselves and were in some ways faking their background, as was Clara. A reader noted a person’s heritage or occupation can be presented with dignity no matter the actual job. However, one loses dignity if they have to hide who they really are. The book suggests Clara influenced Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy in his later years. Universities, concert halls, and, of special appreciation by book club attendees, libraries benefited from his generosity.
Ready to delve into this book?
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LOCAL TALENT
MUSIC
Getting in tune The members of the Mount Dora Pipes and Drums bond over a Scottish tradition. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
usicians don’t have to be Scottish to play the bagpipes but playing the bagpipes might make them feel a wee bit Scottish. Members of the City of Mount Dora Pipes and Drums have a strong connection to the Scottish culture they represent, regardless of their own heritage, says Joe McKie, the band’s pipe major who also happens to be Scottish. “We get fully immersed at the Highland Games and festivals when wearing a kilt is not such a novelty,” Joe says. “But on an everyday basis, we recognize that many of the tunes we play today were written hundreds of years ago, and the skill to play the pipes and drums have also been passed along all those years. So, it is a responsibility, as it were, that we take on the journey of being great pipers and drummers.” The band, formed in June 2017, has quickly become a mainstay at Mount Dora events, including the Independence Day Parade, St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Christmas Walk, Spring Show, Craft Fair, and, of course, the annual Scottish Highland Festival, scheduled for Nov. 15-17.
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≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL
The all-volunteer, nonprofit band also performs at weddings, graduations, memorials, grand openings—dozens of events around Florida each year. Setlists may include patriotic and military songs or traditional favorites like “Blue Bells of Scotland” and “Wearing of the Green.” Mount Dora is a sister city to Forres, Scotland, so organizing a pipe band was a natural idea. “The Mount Dora Pipes and Drums are not only a great representation of the city but are a great showcase for Mount Dora’s Scottish heritage as well as bridging a relationship with our sister city,” says Chris Carson, Mount Dora’s cultural and special events coordinator. The band rehearses Monday evenings at the Mount Dora Community Building, starting with instruction for 11 newcomers learning to play Great Highland bagpipes. The group has 31 experienced musicians, many of whom have law enforcement backgrounds and play or formerly played with the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office pipe and drum band. For example, Kevin Rowe, of Longwood, served with the sheriff ’s mounted unit and was part of many ceremonies where the bagpipes were played. He always felt a connection to them and started playing with the OCSO band in 2008. Now, he’s the pipe sergeant for the Mount Dora band. “I like the camaraderie to tell you the truth,” Kevin says. “There’s something about a big circle of pipers playing a tune that’s really powerful. The sum is greater than its parts.” Camaraderie comes not only from playing together in an individual band, but also from meeting other bands with worldclass musicians. The Mount Dora band competes at the Central
Mount Dora Pipes and Drums
Florida Scottish Games, the Northeast Florida Scottish Games, and the Dunedin Highland Games. “We don’t compete just for the glory,” says piper Larry Lockwood, who also is the pipe major for the OCSO band. “We do compete because it makes us a better band, better pipers.” Sometimes, camaraderie is found on the world stage. Pipers Marion Bolton, of Leesburg, and Pete Linnenkamp, of Oviedo, performed with a variety of bands during the D-Day 75th anniversary services in June at several locales across Europe. Marion, who is half-Scottish and half-Irish, has been playing bagpipes for 20 years and is one of only a handful of women in the Mount Dora band. The band utilizes about a half-dozen drummers, including Mark Triton and Wayne Miller on snare drums. Mark, of Eustis, formerly played in drum and bugle corps but says he had to shake off decades of rust when he joined the band this year. Wayne, of Mount Dora, had primarily done set drumming in the past.
“This is the fourth band I’ve played in,” Wayne says. “This is probably the most laid-back, friendly attitude.” Scott Rayburn, on the other hand, had never played an instrument before he joined the band last year. While the Mount Dora resident is learning the pipe from “very patient” colleagues, they “let” him play the bass drum in parades. “I’m Scottish and I always wanted to play the bagpipes,” he says. “It’s just been a really great experience. Learning is lifelong.” Though some members are Scottish, a shared interest rather than a shared heritage unites them. There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of a mass pipe band playing at an event like the Highland Games, says Kevin McNeill, of Summerfield. Hometown performances are particularly exciting, fellow piper Jerry Mericle adds.
“The bagpipes are so unique. You don’t hear that every day,” Jerry says. “When we go downtown and play, people just erupt. That’s a great feeling to be downtown and playing and they’re going crazy.” Joe, the pipe major, says carrying the bagpipes means carrying on a special tradition: “The sound of the bagpipes is very emotive, and they can take you from the sadness of ‘Amazing Grace’ played at a memorial to the thrill of ‘Scotland the Brave’ as massed bands march across a parade ground.”
Mount Dora Pipes and Drums
Do you have a special talent?
Comment on this article or share ideas for new stories by emailing chris@akersmediagroup.com.
CHRIS GERBASI
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SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
EVENT
Awesomesauce Clermont expands the Sips & Salsa Festival for its second year. STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
hat’s hot in Lake County? For people who like salsa both on the dance floor and on their chips, one of the county’s newest festivals is “en fuego.” Clermont’s Sips & Salsa Festival is a street party that provides music lovers and food lovers with all things salsa. Last year’s inaugural festival was so successful that organizers brought it back for a second run with expanded hours, more music, and a larger kids’ zone. The free event is scheduled from 2-10pm Saturday, Sept. 14, on Montrose Street and City Hall Park in downtown Clermont. The city and the South Lake Chamber of Commerce are partners in the festival, which is expected to attract about 5,000 people. “Sips and Salsa is a great opportunity to showcase our diverse culture,” City Manager Darren Gray says. “We invite the community to come out and enjoy Latin cuisine and entertainment.”
Mambo LeBron Orchestra
Musical acts include returning headliner Mambo LeBron and His Orchestra. Bassist Angel “Mambo” LeBron Jr. is based in Tampa and originally from New York. His 13-to-15-piece orchestra has played at New York City’s Copacabana, Carnegie Hall, and Madison Square Garden. Orchestra Fuego, Awilda Hernandez, Waldo Ivan, and DJ Sammy round out the lineup. A friend of Mambo’s, Marcus Hernandez, is director of Orchestra Fuego, a 12-piece band whose members are split between Orlando and Tampa. Marcus was a musician in New York City “when salsa was on every corner,” he says. “Our music is the old school New York City salsa,” Marcus says. “I just wanted
Clermont’s Sips & Salsa Festival
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to stay true to that sound that I loved back in the ’70s and ’80s, with a little twist, a little more modernized for the younger crowd, but still true to that New York City salsa beat.” Orchestra Fuego hopes to find out soon whether its fourth album, “Vengan Todos a Bailar,” or “Come Everyone to Dance,” is nominated for a Latin Grammy. The same-titled single from the album won a Best Latin Song award from Akademia Music Awards. Another single, “Si No Se Enamora” (“If You Do Not Fall in Love”), features well-known singer Osvaldo Román and attracted 100,000 hits in its first week of release, Marcus says. Sips & Salsa also will offer dancing, a salsa-making competition, chihuahua races, dominoes, cigar demonstrations, and food trucks. “Last year was a tremendous success for not only our business community, but the community as a whole,” says David Colby, chamber president and CEO. “We hope to continue to grow the event in the years to come.”
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2-10pm, downtown Clermont.
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Family plans from babies to boomers Resorts in Florida offer amenities for all generations. Here are suggestions for a summer getaway or a holiday vacation for the entire family. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS
Sirata Beach Resort
Hawks Cay lagoon
ISLAND TIME ON DUCK KEY efore school resumes, families may be looking for one last getaway that includes grandparents, parents, teens, ’tweens, and toddlers. If it is too late for a summer respite, then the time is right to start planning a holiday reunion where everyone can relax. And what better place to relax than on a sunny Florida beach where warm days stretch into late fall. Two of my favorite destinations—St. Pete Beach and the Florida Keys—offer newly renovated resorts that define “family friendly.” It’s up to you whether you want to travel near or far.
The luxurious, yet family-friendly Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key near Marathon underwent a renovation last year, mostly because Hurricane Irma in 2017 decided to wreak havoc on Florida’s middle keys. While Hawks Cay was always a delightful destination, the $50 million “refresh” gives it a much lighter and brighter look than the West Indies style that was popular a few years ago. Attracting families, even extended families, is so important to Hawks Cay that reunion specialists are available to help with planning. With every visit to Hawks Cay, I always notice a number of multigenerational families checking in, including unexpectedly bumping into my husband’s cousins who say they visit as a family regularly. “That’s not unusual,” says Matt Lawrence, director of marketing. “We get many families who return year after year. We’ve even had brides want to marry at Hawks Cay because their parents married here or brought them here every year as children.” On past visits to Hawks Cay, I’ve stayed in villas—first at Sunset Village, later at the Marina Village—when traveling with family and friends. Recently, I stayed in the 177-room resort hotel near the Tranquility Pool, one of five pools on the property and a kid-free zone for those who might need
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NEAR & FAR
Hawks Cay
a little quiet time. The experience was as close to a tropical paradise as I’ve ever experienced with attendants bringing drinks poolside and a friendly iguana peering from the shrubs. The other side of the hotel offers space designed with
OFF-PROPERTY AC T I V I T I E S Although you never have to leave the Hawks Cay property to have a memorable vacation, chances are you’ll want to explore a little of the Florida Keys. Nearby “can’tmiss” places include the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters and the Turtle Hospital, both in Marathon. A little farther south is the historic and picturesque Bahia Honda State Park. hawkscay.com
families in mind. Well-appointed bunk rooms, a new addition, are quite popular but with only 12 on site they need to be reserved well in advance. Kids love the bunks, and parents are comfortable being able to keep an eye on the little ones at night; however, chances are families won’t be spending a lot of time inside at the 60-acre property. There’s just too much to do with activities to entertain every generation. For the children, Camp Hawk offers fee-based environmental education programs and activities taught by trained counselors. Outside, the children’s pool, complete with a pirate ship, entices the resort’s youngest guests and keeps them entertained for hours. A teen room with games and a big-screen television attracts teenagers who want to have their own space away from the adults. Moms can relax at the Calm Waters Spa, and dads will find fishing excursions convenient from the on-site marina. Grandparents can practice a little golf at the 18-hole putting course. Time together can include all kinds of water activities, from paddle boarding and snorkeling in the onsite saltwater lagoon
to arranging kayaking and longer snorkeling trips with Solé Watersports. Although many swim-with-the-dolphins programs line U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay offers its own “Dolphin Connection” that is more about conservation than show. That’s not to say visitors can’t watch the resident dolphins frolic with each other from observation areas but interacting with the bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment is a memorable experience, and one that teaches the importance of protecting Florida’s marine life. Located in an ocean-fed saltwater lagoon at the edge of Hawks Cay, the Dolphin Connection is home to several rescue dolphins that make guests feel like they, too, are part of the “pod.” Finally, don’t let the sun go down on your trip without a sunset cruise. After all, you’re in the Florida Keys and there’s no better way to end the day.
OFFPROPERTY AC T I V I T I E S
BEACH TIME IN ST. PETE If you have only a few days or a long weekend for togetherness, head to St. Petersburg, where you’ll find not only beautiful Gulf beaches but also arts, culture, and family entertainment. The Sirata Beach Resort on Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach has undergone a $15 million renovation that has transformed the 13-acre property into a coastal destination for families. The Sirata’s “Play More” theme carries into the redesigned guest rooms and suites with whimsical decor reiterating that philosophy—just in case you forget why you’re there. The casual redesign extends to two pools, lounge areas, and private cabanas. Young children will love the Sprouts Splash Zone designed just for them. In addition, an activity room for children offers arts and crafts in the mornings and afternoons, giving them a chance to create lasting mementos from their visit. Grownups get to play, too. Yoga, beach volleyball, and Frisbee competitions are among the organized activities, but I found relaxing on Sirata’s private beach to be more my style. Guests can enjoy St. Pete’s gorgeous sunsets at Rum Runners or Harry’s poolside bars or stroll along the new Beachwalk from one end of the resort to the other to enjoy sunset at their own pace.
Staying on St. Pete Beach for outdoor activities is certainly permissible, but it’s worth the time to drive downtown for the world-class museums, including The Dali featuring Salvador Dali’s artwork. Two of the newer museums are the James Museum of Western Art and the Imagine Museum. The little ones will love the Great Explorations Children’s Museum. sirata.com
Sirata Beach Resort
Mary Ann DeSantis has written for Lake & Sumter Style since 2006. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and a fellow of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Napa Valley. Her travel and wine articles have won several first-place awards from the Florida Press Club.
MARY ANN DESANTIS
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JA Z Z Y J U N E T E E N T H ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. The inaugural Juneteenth Jazz and Seafood Festival was held at Ski Beach in Venetian Gardens in Leesburg this year. It featured a performance by “American Idol” star David Oliver Willis, local talent performing in a showcase, vendors, local artists and artisans, and, of course, great food, with everything from cold beer to regional treats and delights. Many also enjoyed learning the history of this significant event, which celebrates the freeing of slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865.
@ SKI BEACH IN VENETIAN GARDENS
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See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
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L R M C WO U N D CA R E C E N T E R H O NO R E D ≈ PHOTOS: ANTHONY RAO. The Center of Distinction Award from Healogics was recently presented to the Leesburg Regional Medical Center Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center. Recipients of this award are recognized for outstanding clinical outcomes, high patient satisfaction, and high healing rate. Only 423 centers nationwide received this award. The LRMC Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center offers highly specialized care, including negative pressure wound therapy, total contact casting, bioengineered tissues, biosynthetic dressings, and growth-factor therapies. An open house and reception was held in celebration of this honor.
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DO M Y FEET LOOK PU RPLE IN THIS? ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. The ever-popular purple foot dance at Lakeridge Winery in Clermont was once again a big hit. The two-day event had live music on an outdoor stage and inside the wonderful Wine & Cheese Bar. The featured musicians included the Smokin’ Torpedoes, Ronnie Duncan Band, Shawline, and Buddy Blues Band. Everyone, including children, had a stomping good time! A portion of the proceeds from the event went to support the Great Clermont Cancer Foundation. @ LAKERIDGE WINERY
The Beautiful Bobby Blackmon Band
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See all the photos for this event at lakeandsumterstyle.com/hisociety
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Dr. Dee, Louis Ederer, Joanne Levy, and Erica Dyce
N O WAT E R H A Z A R D S @ VENETIAN GARDENS ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL. The Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its seventh annual Golf Splash in May at Venetian Gardens, and once again, it was a big success. Each player received two balls per hole for the 18-hole course on Lake Harris, teeing off at Ski Beach. The beauty of this event is that not only can golfers enjoy it, so can people who don’t golf. The day included great music, good food, and terrific networking for members of various businesses in the area.
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Lake Preparatory School Montessori-based, individualized learning allows students to excel. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
ake Preparatory School may be one of Lake County’s best kept secrets. It offers Pre- K through eighth-grade students an enriching academic environment of individualized, handson learning. A wide array of extracurricular activities and critical thinking skills help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. Located at 1314 Sumter St., in Leesburg, Lake Prep is starting its eighth year with nearly 80 students. The staff includes eight full-time teachers and several part-time instructors teaching art, guitar, sewing, problem solving, physical education, and Spanish. “Many people do not know we are here, because we are a newer school,” says
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Principal Katrina Palmer, who also teaches middle school classes. “We started with a particular academic philosophy and brought it to its current state.” Lake Prep all came about when Mrs. Palmer announced she was going to stop teaching. Former students’ parents came to her and asked her to start a school. They liked her teaching philosophy and trusted their children’s education to her. The school started with ten middle school students and their families. “We promote, we push, and we make it so all children can find success. We are seeing our former students graduating at the top of their high school classes and exceling at the next level as well. Several of Mrs. Palmer’s students have gone on to graduate from high school as valedictorian or salutatorian, and she predicts it will happen again with the 2020 graduating class. They have gone on to earn
degrees in engineering and medicine, as well as the Arts. The principal outlined the Lake Prep way of teaching: The school’s lower elementary classroom consists of students in kindergarten through second-grade. The emphasis is mastering the basic skills so they can succeed at the next level. “We do not issue grades in grades K-5,” she says. “Students continue to work on a skill until it is mastered then they move forward. We administer only one standardized test during the school year for all students.” The school’s Upper Elementary classroom consists of third- to-fifth-grade. “We work on moving the students to more abstract problem solving,” she adds. The middle school consists of sixth- to eighth-grade. “The middle school environment is set up as an academically rigorous
“STUDENTS CONTINUE TO WORK ON A SKILL UNTIL IT IS MASTERED THEN THEY MOVE FORWARD. WE ADMINISTER ONLY ONE STANDARDIZED TEST DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS.” —K ATRINA PA LMER
learning environment. Students receive grades and may receive high school credit for some classes that are taken.” Middle school students also compete in a number of academic competitions. These include science, engineering, speech, and writing contests. Community service is a large part of the middle school curriculum, according to the principal. “The Disney Dreamer and Doer Shining Star winner, their top middle school student of Lake County, was one of our students last year,” she adds. “Students who complete our program will have the skills to succeed in high school and college. Every year our former students are in the top of their respective grade levels.” The principal notes Lake Prep’s eighth-graders have had a 100 percent pass rate on the Algebra 1 EOC for the last seven years, including two perfect scores. Each Lake Prep classroom enjoys “Field Trip Friday” once a month, and the outings are twice-a-month for middle school students. “We are getting the students out of the classroom and into the real world to apply what they are studying in school,” says Mrs. Palmer. During many field trips to Venetian Gardens, the middle school students picked up trash and pulled invasive snails as part of their community service work. The school’s robotics team made it to the statewide robotics competition in Miami, winning a 10th-place ranking. This year the
eighth graders enjoyed a Bahamas cruise as their eighth-grade trip. The younger students have gone to Orlando Science Center, Sanford Zoo, Legoland, and Homosassa Springs for some of their field trip outings. “We continue to grow and improve,” says Mrs. Palmer. “We are adding enrichment and new things to the curriculum.” Yoga was added last year, which was a big hit, along with problem-solving techniques for middle school students. While most of Lake Prep’s curriculum is based on the Montessori approach, the principal proudly notes that special extracurricular events and competitions in science and reading are a vital part of the Lake Prep program. We feel that they are an essential part of the curriculum. Lake Prep’s overall goal is to foster well-rounded students who are inspired to make meaningful contributions throughout their lives. “Our students are being prepared to deal with and adapt to whatever the future holds,” the school notes on its website.
352.787.0686 / lakeprepschool.com / 1314 Sumter St., Leesburg
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t’s speaks well when a company has been in business for six decades, and Arthur White—the man behind the family-owned White’s Furniture—believes in the importance of providing customers with the best service and furnishings.
It’s been his mission since 1957. “Some of our customers first came to us 40 years ago, and they keep coming back,” Arthur says with a smile. “We had a man who came in about six months ago and he said, ‘Mr. White, you did my house in Ocala 35 years ago, and I’m ready to do it again.’ ”
Located 13970 South U.S. Highway 441, in Summerfield, Arthur and his staff of 28 delight in providing customers from Lady Lake, The Villages, Leesburg, Summerfield, Belleview, Ocala, and Dunnellon with beautiful furnishings and accessories for their homes. More than 1,000 furniture styles are in stock in the store’s spacious warehouse for delivery; more than 1,400 items are stocked in the winter months when the snowbirds are in Florida. White’s Furniture also has a master craftsman for any type of repair, an upholsterer on staff, and eight delivery trucks. “Our neighbors told us we had to go to White’s Furniture,” Arthur says of the common refrain he hears from newcomers. He also values hearing raves about the top-quality customer service the White’s Furniture staff provides, everyone from sales to the delivery crew. “We have a good customer service department; it’s probably as good as any in Central Florida,” he says. Store decorator Sherrita James agrees: “We get real good reviews about our delivery guys being very trustworthy and on time,” she adds. “They do all the good stuff that everyone wants for delivery.” For his first 20 years in the furniture business, Arthur recalls he did everything solo. “I did it all by myself. I bought it, I boxed it, put it on the floor, sold it, and delivered it myself. I was a one-man band,” he says. “After 20 years, I began to get enough money to hire people.” The entire staff praises White’s Furniture as being a great place to work. The staff commented that people start there, work there, and they don’t leave, which is a good sign. There is very little turnover. They appreciate Mr. White very much, describing him as a kind,
“SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS FIRST CAME TO US 40 YEARS AGO, AND THEY KEEP COMING BACK.” —ARTHUR WHITE
wonderful person, and a great employer. They said he does everything for them and is generous to his customers. He treats the customers right. He puts them first and is very well respected. Also respected are the top-quality brands White Furniture carries. One section of the store is known as the LaZ-Boy Comfort Studio, the largest in the
Southeast, which features a full line of La-Z-Boy chairs, reclining sofas, love seats, etc. “We also have many different lines of bedroom, dinning room, occasional entertainment centers, and we have great brands, including Kincaid, American Drew, Archbold, and one we are particularly fond of is called Temple,” she says. “It is very popular amongst our customers because you can do all sorts of customizing. The furniture is eight-way, hand tied coil, wonderful, solid frames, and you have 18 arms to choose from and over 300 fabrics. It’s exclusive to the area, so we are the only one to have the Temple line, so we are very proud of that. Customers really appreciate that they have hundreds of choices.” As Sherrita showed the latest decorating trends, she notes gray remains a popular color for furniture. “Gray is very neutral, and you can do a lot of things with pops of color in pillows and accessories,” she says, adding the farmhouse look is also still in style. “Things are very contemporary right now, along with wallcoverings of prints and florals.” White’s Furniture offers customers a decorator-consultant service, and Sherrita finds customers appreciate the American-made brands that are available. Many also appreciate the ability to buy local. “We are that locally owned, hometown furniture store,” she says proudly. “Customers are pleased with the amount of choices they have, the wonderful customer service that we provide, the warehouse boys, and delivery men. Everyone here is just A-1 and really top-notch.” And it all began with Arthur White starting the business more than six decades ago.
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DISABILITY CONSULTANTS
HEARINGS ARE HELD IN OUR OFFICE! CHRIS BELL, A.D.R. + JEFF BELL, A.D.R.
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menu
DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW FOR YOUR KITCHEN, GET THE SCOOP ON EATING OUT, AND TOAST THE WINE! | FOOD. DRINKS. REVIEWS.
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IN THE KITCHEN Get to know Rondo.
FORK ON THE ROAD Vegetarians and meat lovers dining in the same place? You bet!
SALUTÉ Wine tours, great places, and great flavors.
DINING GUIDE Restaurants to engage any appetite.
IN THE KITCHEN
FO O D
Chef finds his Mojo Rondo Fernandez takes concepts he learned from his mom to create the kind of restaurant he loves. STORY: LEIGH NEELY
≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL
ondo Fernandez is a chef who loves to cook. He says he grew up in the restaurant business and it’s all he knows. “My mom used to take me to work with her so I grew up in the restaurant industry,” Rondo says. “I got to play waiter and cook as a kid but got to do it for real. When they needed a hand in the kitchen or on the floor, I was the lucky kid who got called in. It’s the way I found my passion for serving people.” Born in Atlanta and raised in Miami, Rondo learned to love the atmosphere of a restaurant, and he believes a restaurant is a place for gatherings. “Restaurants are places for families, and we believe that everything that comes in is our family. They should be loved on, cared for, and looked after as if they were our own,” he says. “We don’t want our guests to ever lift a finger. We have gotten away from that as we have grown, but we are beginning a huge focus on getting back to basics.” He also feels that way about the community his restaurant is in, making Mojo Grill & Catering Co. a platform for the restaurant’s purpose. “I believe God gave me Mojo’s for more than just making money, so we try to take our resources and influence and impact the community.” He uses his resources to work with disadvantaged youth, the local school system, first responders, and veterans. There are four Mojo’s locations, so this impact is incredible. “Our impact is so far-reaching that it’s hard to find a nonprofit organization we don’t help in Marion County, and we hope one day to be the same way in Lake County,” Rondo says. “We are starting with opening a rock program at Leesburg High. This will ensure all students have the basic necessities
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I BELIEVE GOD GAVE ME MOJO’S FOR MORE THAN JUST MAKING MONEY, SO WE TRY TO TAKE OUR RESOURCES AND INFLUENCE AND IMPACT THE COMMUNITY. —RONDO FERNANDEZ
IN THE KITCHEN
to succeed. We provide food, clothing, hygiene and school supplies, and mentorship.” The restaurant also works with Feed the Need, a group of restaurants who strive to make sure children have what they need. If you’ve been to Mojo’s, you know its menu offers a wide range of choices, and Rondo cheerfully says the basic menu is all the foods he enjoys eating. “When it’s time for a new menu to roll out, we usually collect ideas and concepts throughout the year and keep them on hand,” Rondo says. “We come together to create or recreate the item, and then, if we all like it, we test it at our flagship store. If it tests well, we add it to our menus.” Rondo admits he’s not sure exactly what to call his cuisine but says it’s a great mix of American, Cuban, and Cajun. “I really started with the food I grew up on and love so much. I am Cuban American, so that influence is there,” Rondo says. “I also love wings! That’s why we sell so many. I believe our passion shines through in those items. I guess I would call it food for your soul. We try to show you that you are loved by not only our food but by the whole experience.”
V E RY B E R RY B L U E S S A N G R I A INGREDIENTS
FOR WHITE SANGRIA, SUBSTITUTE HOUSE CHARDONNAY AND OMIT THE RAZZMATAZZ.
14
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oz. peach Schnapps
14
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oz. Razzmatazz
14
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oz. simple syrup
2
oz. house cabernet Splash soda water Strawberries Blueberries Lemons
DIRECTIONS
Fill a pint glass with ice. Add strawberries, blueberries, and lemons. Add simple syrup, peach schnapps, and Razzmatazz and then add cabernet. Shake and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon.
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PEPIN CUBA N PORK (This recipe uses more store-bought items as we make our items from scratch, and it would be a long recipe.) INGREDIENTS
Pork shoulder or pork butt Your favorite adobo seasoning Fresh garlic Olive oil Your favorite Mojo sauce Yellow onion Fresh lime Yellow rice Black beans Frozen sweet plantains
DIRECTIONS
Take the fresh pork poke holes throughout with a knife. Stuff those holes with the fresh garlic. Rub the Adobo seasoning very thoroughly all over the pork. Add about 1 inch of water to roasting pan. Cover with foil. Roast at 325 degrees for three to four hours until the meat is fork tender. Depending on your taste, you can uncover and broil for a bit to make the top crispy. Preheat a frying paSautee onions until they are al dente. Remove onions. Make sure the pan is still hot and add a drizzle of olive oil. Take a serving of pork and sear it in the pan till you get the desired crisp on both sides. Plate with beans and rice; add plantains. Top the pork with onions, Mojo, and lime.
Hey, readers! Do you have a favorite dish or funny cooking story? Tell me about it! Email me at leigh@akersmediagroup.com
LEIGH NEELY
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FORK ON THE ROAD
REVIEWS
Vegging out While its plant-based menu continues to grow on diners, the Loft Café also serves options for meat lovers. STORY: JAMES COMBS
ark Powers, of Eustis, has been a strict vegetarian for 40 years. His wife, Shawn McMalis, is a proud carnivore who could never fathom eating a meatless meal. Finding a restaurant that they both could enjoy was tricky. Dining out usually meant one would have to sacrifice a tasty dinner while compromising for the other’s way of eating. “Either I was going to order a salad with few items on it or I was going to enjoy a great plant-based dinner,” Mark says. “It was difficult to find a happy medium.” Then they discovered the Loft Café in downtown Mount Dora. It’s a place where meat lovers can order a classic Rueben, a black Angus burger, or a traditional shakshouka breakfast, and vegans can
≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL
order inventive plant-based versions of the same meals. Mark and Shawn visit the Loft Café several times each week and now eat together in harmony. “We really love it here,” Mark says. “The menu satisfies both our lifestyles.” Those words are music to the ears of owner Jimberly Staubs. A former restaurateur in Naples and vegan of 33 years, she traveled to Mount Dora several years ago and was disappointed in the lack of restaurants offering plant-based options. “That got me thinking, ‘Maybe there’s a niche here that needs to be filled,’’’ she says. “I spent nine months doing research and visiting different restaurants in the area to find out what they had and didn’t have. I started developing a menu and looking for space.” After discovering an ideal location on the second floor of the Renaissance Building in downtown Mount Dora, she opened the Loft Café in February 2018. She created a restaurant where “everybody can eat together” and she could make “delicious, made-from scratch products at a $12-$13.95 price range.”
The 50-seat restaurant maintains a light, warm French farmhouse feel and is adorned with eclectic chandeliers, a small herb garden along one wall, and repurposed antiques such as a Howard Miller grandfather clock and a trunk once used to ship high-end Italian shoes. Patrons can sit in the main dining room or the garden room, which features a beer-and-wine bar and a lending library. Hungry patrons short on time can visit the Loft Café’s sister restaurant, Fresh by the Loft, located on the first floor of the Renaissance Building. It offers healthy grab-and-go items, including kombucha tea, smoothies, wraps, and sandwiches. Since opening the Loft Café, Jimberly has discovered that the skyrocketing vegan market hasn’t
WHAT OTHERS SAY
ONE CUSTOMER ON THE TRADITIONAL REUBEN:
ONE CUSTOMER ON THE P L A N T- B A S E D R E U B E N :
“The ‘real’ corned beef is delicious. It’s cooked from scratch and brined for 18 hours, giving it a fresh and full flavor. The meat is stacked fairly high and layered with an appropriate amount of sauerkraut and topped with swiss cheese between grilled marble rye bread. The accompanying sweet potato fries are cut in a waffle design and have a sweet and pure taste, unbothered by salt or spices.”
“Although I’m a devout meat eater, I must say that the wheat-based ‘meat’ used in this sandwich was an adequate substitute for the corned beef. The sandwich is grilled, cheesy, crunchy, and gooey. While I have no plans of going vegan, I can see why plant-based enthusiasts enjoy this particular sandwich.”
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“WE REALLY LOVE IT HERE. THE MENU SATISFIES BOTH OUR LIFESTYLES.” —MARK POWERS
skipped Lake County. Although the menu offers an equal number of options for carnivores and herbivores, beef hasn’t staked a claim as the best seller. “Right now, it’s probably about 50/50 on what we serve,” she says. “The plantbased community is growing by leaps and bounds and is becoming more prevalent as the mainstream.” Jimberly does much of the cooking herself. It takes a special talent to engineer a plant-based burger that tastes, smells, looks, and even feels like ground beef. Just don’t ask which meal she enjoys cooking the most. “That’s like asking me which of my kids I like the most. They’re all my babies,” she says.
DID YOU K N OW ?
Those babies include a classic BLT (the traditional comes with applewood smoked bacon and the plant-based version with vegan tempeh bacon), a classic Rueben (the traditional comes with corned beef and the plant-based version with a wheat-based meat called seitan), and a hamburger (the traditional comes with black Angus beef and the plant-based version comes with heme, a plant protein which mimics the texture of ground beef). The Loft Café also serves breakfast items such as French toast, biscuits and gravy, Belgian waffles, and chicken and biscuits. A variety of salads, flatbreads, sandwiches, and breakfast platters round out the extensive menu. For couples who enjoy eating out, dietary differences no longer have to be deal breakers.
• Plant-based diets are associated with lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, according to professors at Harvard Medical School.
• Only 3 percent of Americans are vegan, according to a 2018 Gallup poll. • Plant-based food with high protein includes chickpeas, peanuts, quinoa, tofu, and lentils.
Want to share your favorite dish or restaurant with us? Just send it to james@akersmediagroup.com and tell me why it’s the place you love to enjoy a meal.
JAMES COMBS
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SALUTÉ
D RINK
The business of wine tourism California is not the only place where wine tourism has skyrocketed. Wineries around the country have built picturesque venues that are worth a visit. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS
mericans love to plan their vacations around wine, and with Wine Business Monthly saying there are more than 10,000 U.S. wineries, they have a lot of choices. In 2016, wine tourism in the U.S. generated nearly $20 billion in revenue, and it’s estimated that number has grown by 15 percent in the last three years, according to marketing research firm Mintel Group Ltd. More and more wineries outside of California are quite
serious about producing delicious, award-winning wines in scenic locales. Every state in the nation now has a winery, and I’ve recently found three that are worth a stop and a sip. All three also ship wines to Florida.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards CLEVELAND, GEORGIA yonahmountainvineyards.com
Bob and Jane Miller bought 200 acres of farmland in 2005 at the base of Yonah Mountain in the north
Georgia mountains and set out to create a boutique winery. Quality was always their top goal. “My dad always said, ‘If we are going to do it, we must be first class all the way,’ because we wanted to attract people who appreciated wine,” says Eric Miller, a former college music teacher who now handles marketing full time for the winery. The wines are 100 percent Old World style, and Yonah Mountain produces 3,000to-5,000 cases year. It’s also the first winery in Georgia to
be totally solar-powered. Another claim to Georgia fame is that it offers the most expensive wine in the state at $107 a bottle. But you don’t have to spend that much to find an excellent bottle to take home. My choice was the Genesis 9, a Bordeaux-style blend in its ninth year. The wines are indeed first class, and so is the octagonshaped tasting room, exquisite event center, and picturesque mountain-side vineyards. Even better, Bob often adds to the elegance by playing the piano for his winetasting guests.
TAST I NG RO OM TIPS
Stone Hill Winery HERMANN, MISSOURI stonehillwinery.com
Although I’ve tasted Stone Hill’s estate-bottled wines, I’ve not visited the winery, the largest in Missouri. Friends tell me it’s a stunning property along the Missouri River in what is known as the Missouri Rhineland. Established in 1847 by German immigrants, Stone Hill grew to be the second-largest winery in the entire U.S. The wines were world renowned, winning gold medals in eight world’s fairs. By the 1870’s, the winery was shipping 1,250,000 gallons of wine per year. Then came Prohibition in 1920, which ended the state’s wine industry—at least for a while. Today, Stone Hill Winery produces 300,000 gallons of wine and is once again receiving international acclaim with more than 4,000 awards. The grape of choice is the Norton, which happens to be Missouri’s official state grape. I highly recommend Stone Hill Estate Bottled Norton, which pairs well with a variety of foods including barbecue and smoked meats. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Stone Hill Winery offers guided tours as well as tastings and a German-American restaurant in the restored carriage house next to the winery.
• Avoid boisterous behavior. You’re not at a keg party. • Be contemplative about the wine. Look, swirl, sniff, and taste slowly.
Early Mountain Vineyards Photos: Mt. Yonah Vineyards (Georgia), Mary Ann DeSantis; Early Mountain (Virginia) provided by Early Mountain; and Stone Hill (Missouri) also provided.
Forget the bad behavior you saw in the recent movie, “Wine Country,” and practice a few simple rules of etiquette to make wine tastings more fun for everyone.
MADISON, VIRGINIA earlymountain.com
As the fifth-most popular state for wine tourism, Virginia has a lot of wineries to visit. One of my new favorites is Early Mountain Vineyards in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. And I’m not alone. In 2016, Early Mountain Vineyards was voted the No. 1 tasting room in the nation by USA Today in its 10 Best - Readers Choice contest. Early Mountain grows several Bordeaux-type grapes on its Virginia hillside. My favorite is the Early Mountain Foothills 2017, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng. The winery is exquisite but I’m anxious to try the onsite cottage – billed as the perfect place for a writer’s retreat.
THE E GRAP
• Take mental notes and ask questions, especially if you meet the winemaker, whose expertise is helpful. • Do not wear heavy perfume or cologne so you and the people around you can detect the wine’s subtle aromas. • Pace yourself accordingly. A few small pours add up fast. • Drink water throughout the tasting to prevent dehydration and to clear your palate.
NORTON This grape may sound like it was named for a character in the 1950s sitcom, “The Honeymooners,” or a virus protection program, but the Norton grape has been around much longer. Dr. Daniel Norton of Richmond, Virginia, was cultivating the grape when Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was alive. In the 1830s, Dr. Norton commercially sold the grape to winemakers in Missouri, which was then considered the U.S. wine capital. The grape, which almost became extinct during Prohibition, is making a comeback in Virginia and Missouri. Also known as Cynthiana, the dark, thick-skinned grape produces a bold wine with intense berry flavors and spice overtones. Mary Ann has written for Lake & Sumter Style since 2006. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and a fellow of the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, Napa Valley. Her travel and wine articles have won several first-place awards from the Florida Press Club.
• Select a designated driver or hire a wine tour company to transport you and your group.
MARY ANN DESANTIS
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DINING GUIDE
dine
OUT Whatever your favorite dish, you can find a great place that serves it in this area. Check out what's nearby or take a little drive to a new place! Denotes locations where you can find Lake & Sumter Style
A S TAT U L A Race Car Diner 25641 Monroe St. 352.253.6940 ASTOR Blackwater Inn Williams Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.3802 Castaways Restaurant 23525 US SR 40 352.759.2213 Sparky’s Place Restaurant 24646 SR 40 352.759.3551 William’s Landing 55716 Front St. 352.759.2802 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
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TJ’s Family Restaurant 412 W. Belt Ave 352.793.8877
Friar Tuck 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd. 352.404.6818
CLERMONT
G’s NY Pizza 12346 Roper Blvd. 352.243.8900
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 CR 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 Devenney’s Irish Pub 16909 High Grove Blvd. 352.432.3925 El Cerro Restaurant 811 W. Hwy. 50 352.241.9884 Flippers Pizzeria 2523 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.242.2214
Green Garden 1790 E. Hwy. 50 352.243.2077 Guru Restaurant 2400 S. Hwy. 27 352.241.9884 Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd. 352.243.1118 Lilly’s on the Lake 846 W. Osceola St. 352.708.6565 Napolis Pizzeria 556 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 Robata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar 1500 Oakley Seaver Dr. 352.404.9688 Root and Branch Bistro and Bar 1200 Seaver Dr. 352.708.4529 Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411
L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • AU G ' 1 9
Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More 16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305 352.404.8031 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 Combat Café 1602 N. Hwy. 19 352.483.0250 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 LaCabana Mexican Bar and Grill 2060 S. Bay St. 352.357.4600 Nalan Sultan Mediterranean Grill 1 N. Eustis St. 352.357.4444 NightOwl Caribbean Restaurant 929 S. Bay St. 352.589.0256 Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. CR 44 352.589.9100
G R OV E L A N D Coyote Rojo 214 W. Broad St. 352.557.8999 Ikaho Sushi Japanese 7965 SR 50, #900 352.557.8988 James Barbeque 262 W. Orange St. 352.557.4050 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 7965 SR 50 352.429.7499
God Café 300 W. Main St. 352.801.7447
La Hacienda Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3910
The Crazy Gator 402 N. Bay St. 352.589.5885
Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.2718 L A DY L A K E
The Oyster Troff 936 N. Bay St. 352.357.9939
Bamboo Bistro 700 Hwy. 441 352.750.9998
Tillie’s Tavern & Grill 31 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.602.7929
El Ranchito 1 Lagrande Blvd.
Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave. 352.589.9001
Lady Lake Harbor Hills Country Club 6538 Lake Griffin Rd. 352.753.7000
F RU I T L A N D PA R K
Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 504 S. U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.753.2722
Legends Cafe 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441/27 352.728.0006 Rae Rae’s Restaurant 2468 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.323.1595 The Rose Plantation 200 Rose Ave., Fruitland Park 352.805.4340
Frank’s Place 201 N. 1st St. 352.323.1989
H OW EY- I N THE -HILLS
Thai Sushi America 925 N. Bay St. 352.357.1949
ibar-be-que Express 3170 Hwy. 27 352.315.4227
Dance’s BBQ 1707 South Street 352.801.8885
Gator Bay Bar & Grill 10320 CR 44 352.365.2177
JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd. 352.324.3600
Fruitland Park Café 3180 US Hwy. 441/27 352.435.4575
Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442
Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33 352.429.2997
Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St. 352.357.0022
The Great Pizza Company 23 E. Magnolia Ave. 352.357.7377
Chesapeake Bay Grill 4467 Arlington Ridge Blvd. 352.315.0066
352.750.3335
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
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 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 CR 473 352.343.4663 Magnolia’s Oyster Bar 201 W. Magnolia St. 352.323.0093 Mrs. T’s Place, Southern Restaurant 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
Wrapsody 712 W. Main St. 352.801.7239
Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446
Ramshackle Café 1317 N. 14th St. 352.365.6565
MASCOTTE
Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444
Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 US Hwy. 27 352.319.8093 San Jose Mexican 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174
Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd. 352.429.2093 MINNEOLA Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673
Sip Restaurant and Wine Bar 707 W. Main St. 352.435.7840
Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516
Southern Gourmet 314 W. Main St. 352.409.7512
Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555
Stavro's Pizza 755 N. 14th St. 352.326.4202 Stokes Seafood Market and More 719 W. Main St. 352.787.3474 Sully’s Smokehouse 10820 CR 44 352.483.7427 Takis Pizza Restaurant 1205 N. 14th St. 352.787.2344 Mammoth Oak Brewing Company 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.315.0198 The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 The Mojo Grill & Catering Co. 9925 US-441 352.787.0494 The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250 Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274 Two 09 West Main 209 W. Main St. 352.801.7966 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
Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 The Surf Bar and Grill 650 N. Hwy. 27 202.527.0100 Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 MOUNT DORA 1921 Mount Dora 142 E. Fourth 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 Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 Café Gianni 425 N. Alexander St. 352.735.3327 Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936
J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470 Let’s Do Lunch 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.4577 Magical Meat Boutique 112 W. Third Ave. 352.729.6911 Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 Olive Branch MediterraneanItalian Grille 115 W. 3rd St. 352.729.6734 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 The Bavarian Haus 433 N. Alexander St. 352.735.8387 The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd. 352.735.2263 The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059 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 Lisa’s Kountry Cafe 23911 CR 46 352.735.3380 TAVA R E S Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd. 352.742.4400 Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137 Kalua Hale Sand Bar 111 W. Ruby St. 352.609.5910 Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 CR 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 Puddle Jumpers 111 W Ruby St. 352.508.5862 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 T H E V I L L AG E S Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027 Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208
Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475 Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600 Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd. 352.753.3824
Bravo Pizza 1080 Lake Sumter Landing 352.430.2394 Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678
Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 SR 19 352.669.3922
The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535
Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499
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Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939
Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evan’s Prairie Trail 352.750.2225
Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393
Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200
Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd. 352.669.1555
Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501
City Fire Brownwood & Paddock Square 352.561.2078
Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077
Gator’s 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969
Shanghai 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004
RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930
Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674
Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145
NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994
China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965
Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400
U M AT I L L A
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 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005 VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887
China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd. 352.748.3293 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 YA L A H A Yalaha Bakery 8210 CR 48 352.324.3366
1884 Restaurant and Bar 1884 Restaurant and Bar in Eustis is so named because the building was erected that year. From starters like “build your own fries” to “pork” wings, you know you’re in for a good meal. Move on to great dishes like a roasted beet salad or stuffed chicken breast or build-your-own burger and add a side of buffalo mac ‘n chees or butternut squash pasta. Whatever you do, leave room for triple chocolate cake, key lime pie, or New York cheesecake. 12 East Magnolia Ave., Eustis 352.508.5862 / 1884restaurantandbar.com
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DINING GUIDE
Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant
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10700 U.S. HWY. 441, LEESBURG | 352.253.2442 | CVINNIES.COM
Tuesday Family Night 5pm–8pm Kids 12-and-under eat free.
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 in, you will immediately notice why they are famous for outstanding comfort food and service! Their 30+ wing sauces have awarded them BEST WINGS in Lake & Sumter County every year since opening in 2008. In 2017 & 2018, Vinnie’s was also voted BEST SPORTS BAR! There is no better place on the weekends to see who hoists the trophy or takes home the checkered flag. A few menu items offered are (never frozen – 80/20) 1/2 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! 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. “I absolutely look forward to serving you and your family very soon!” says owner Cousin Vinnie.
Wednesday Trivia Night The fun starts at 6:30p.m. with prizes given to the top 3 teams.
Subway
Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food.
SUBWAY.COM LADY LAKE | 208 W. GUAVA ST. | 352.750.4929 EUSTIS | 469 PLAZA DR. | 352.357.7827 MOUNT DORA | 18870 U.S. HWY. 441 | 352.735.4376 LEESBURG | 2013 CITRUS BLVD. | 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. HWY. 441, SUITE 4 | 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. HWY. 27, SUITE 4 | 352.314.8847
Food, Spirits, Music, Sports Open daily 11am-9pm
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
Would you like to see your restaurant in our dining section? CALL US AT 352.787.4112
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dedicated to your good taste
Visit Florida’s largest Premium Winery
Complimentary Tours & Wine Tastings Daily Enjoy Themed Festivals Every Month
Live entertainment!
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AUG 10th • 5:00pm
August 17th & 18th Grape Stomping, Music, Wine, Food, Free Winery Tours & Wine Tasting, and Our Wine & Cheese Bar!
For more inFormation Visit
WWW.lakeridgeWinery.com 19239 US 27 North • ClermoNt, Fl 34715 352-394-8627 • 1-800-768-WINe AU G ' 1 9 • L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M
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Specials SUN & MON:
$9.99 Large Pizza Deal
MON & WED:
Karaoke Night!
SATURDAYS:
Kids Pizza Party! We make and sauce the dough, they build it with cheese and toppings, then we bake it!
Check out our Early Bird Menus! 7-9AM MON-SAT: Early Bird Breakfast
3-5PM MON-SUN: Early Bird Dinner
sammyjoespizza.com | 352.633.1949 BEST OF THE
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8760 SE 165th Mulberry Lane, The Villages (Mulberry Grove Plaza) L A K E A N D S U M T E R S T Y L E .C O M • AU G ' 1 9
Hours BREAKFAST:
MON-SAT 7-11AM | SUN: 7:30AM - 12PM
LUNCH & DINNER:
MON-SAT: 11AM-9PM | SUN 12-8PM
people. commitment. dependability. growth. “Commitment isn’t just a word for the people at PCDG Construction. It’s part of our name—people, commitment, dependability, growth. When we commit to a project, it comes from every employee and is reflected in the quality of everything we do. Excellence at every level is our goal and complete satisfaction is the key. PCDG Construction is wholly committed to any project every step of the way. We make it happen.” —J.J. Cunningham, GM
Construction and development that is woman-owned, locally grown, and veteran-run.
Facilitating growth to communities through construction excellence. We add value through innovation, dependability and foresight. 4130 United Avenue, Mt. Dora FL 32757 phone (407) 502. 2939 email info@gopcdg.com gopcdg.com
Multi-Family
Commercial
Healthcare
Education
Government
Hospitality
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Bryan Smith
At home in Tavares BP Smith Construction is a family-owned company that prides itself on treating customers like family. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
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lthough Bryan Smith was raised in Western New York, he developed a soft spot in his heart for Tavares many years ago. As a middle school student, he frequently visited the town while staying with his snowbird grandparents. Years later, Bryan decided to purchase a home and raise a family in Tavares. If it was up to him and his wife, Krysta, they’d rarely leave the city limits. They shop at Winn-Dixie. They hang out at Burgers, Tacos, and Waffles. And they have children who attend Tavares Elementary School and Tavares High School. So, moving their company, BP Smith Construction, from Umatilla to Tavares in March 2019 was a joyous occasion.
“It’s the perfect location for us,” Krysta says excitedly. Now, they’re anxiously awaiting an opportunity to tell local residents and business leaders what they do and what they offer. As host of the Tavares Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours, BP Smith Construction will officially celebrate its grand opening Sept. 12 from 5:30-7pm. The event will include complimentary food, complimentary beverages, and door prizes.
in Grand Island, they researched various home-building companies before settling on BP Smith Construction. For them, it turned out to be a wise decision. “The entire building process has gone very smoothly,” Sheiree says. “We liked everything about Bryan and Krysta—they’re personal, professional, and genuine family people. They’ve been in communication with us from the beginning, and throughout the process
“I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE THAT WE’LL BUILD YOU YOUR STARTER HOME AND THEN IN FIVE YEARS WE’LL ADD ONTO IT AND MAKE IT YOUR DREAM HOME.” —KRYSTA SMITH
“We really like it here,” Bryan says. “When you fit in somewhere you just know it. We’ve gotten to know local business owners, and we’ve established a great relationship with the Tavares Chamber of Commerce. The city employees are equally great. Everything lined up for us to be here, and we feel very grateful for the opportunity.” Those who attend the After Hours event will learn about the unique services offered by BP Smith Construction. Unlike other construction companies that focus on building high-end custom homes, BP Smith Construction focuses on whole-house remodeling projects and builds entry-level homes that cost $200,000 and less. Remodeling projects include building enclosed lanais, constructing a mother-in-law suite, and adding a second story to a home. “I like to tell people that we’ll build you your starter home and then in five years we’ll add onto it and make it your dream home,” Krysta says. BP Smith Construction officially opened in April 2017 and was formerly located inside an office in Umatilla. It hasn’t taken long for the Smiths to develop a growing list of satisfied customers. Tim and Sheiree Dardis are among them. When the couple decided to build a home
it has felt like we’re dealing with family. This is the third home we’ve built, but BP Smith Construction is the only company that I’ve referred to other people.” There’s a reason why customers like Tim and Sheiree offer glowing praise for the company. Rather than getting passed off to numerous people throughout the home-building or remodeling process, customers deal with Bryan and Krysta from start to finish. “In remodels there are lots of things that are said that get missed from the transfer of the sales associate to the construction manager,” Bryan says. “From past experiences, I can tell you customers had uncomfortable situations. However, when they deal with me from the sales to the closure, there’s none of that. I can say the price is going to be this much and we’ll go right into contract. You don’t get passed from a salesman to a draftsman to a construction manager to a warranty person.” Bryan and Krysta also take pride in being a true family-owned company. The couple, who will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in December, has no qualms about working together. In fact, their talents perfectly complement each other. Bryan handles the intricate plans and details of home-building and
Bryan and Krysta Smith
remodeling projects, while Krysta serves as marketing director and maintains a social media and website presence for BP Smith Construction. She also has a keen eye for design, as evidenced by the cool graphics on the company’s office window and the business cards made from Eastern Red Cedar plywood. “We stay in our own lanes,” Bryan says. “I know very little about social media, and she knows very little about the homebuilding process. We respect that. Oftentimes, when people work together, they try to be experts in the other person’s job. As long as we stay in our own lanes it’s a great working relationship.” Krysta provides another reason why working with a spouse doesn’t lead to disaster. “He’s hardly ever in the office.” She’s just joking. “Whenever he returns, I always tell him, ‘I’m glad you’re back because I missed you.’” Their children—Dylan, 16, Quynn, 9, and Soryn, 4—accompany them to the office on occasion, making their company a true family affair. “The kids do little things like sorting receipts for us,” Krysta says. “Dylan likes photography so when she gets her driver’s license, she’ll be taking pictures of our projects so I can put them on our social media sites and website.”
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352.609.5979 BPSmithConstruction.com 326 E. Alfred Street, Tavares license#CBC1261677
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WE’RE GROWING! Great People. Great Bank. 12 Convenient Locations. USB Wildwood Branch Opening Summer 2019 1017 S. Main Street, Wildwood
www.unitedsouthernbank.com
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352.805.4340
theroseplantation.com / 200 Rose Avenue, Fruitland Park
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BUILDING UNIQUE POOLS “They built the pool to perfection, and the finished design was better than we ever imagined. The superintendent was willing to answer all our questions before, during, and after the project. Although we have been swimming in the pool for three months, we can still call him with any questions. Wiseman Pools went above and beyond, and the pool is functional and works like we want it to.” —SCOTT STEPHENS, LAKE PANASOFFKEE
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We know that every single customer is unique—Building Unique Pools is our company motto—and so every project we undertake is delivered to a client’s signature set of personal tastes and, where necessary, solves any challenges their property may present.
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352-431-3766 | www.WisemanPools.com | 1517 W Main St., Leesburg Wiseman Pools is a family-owned-and-operated, licensed residential and commercial swimming pool builder with an extensive portfolio of projects. From the small—fountains and in-ground spas. To the large—million dollar installations with multiple pools and spas. Our customers, large and small, demand a quality swimming pool for a fair price. And we deliver.
When it comes to your smile, trust a specialist‌ Trust an orthodontist.
Changing the world one smile at a time! Contact us for a free consultation!
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352.787.6800 | drdaveortho.com 33050 Professional Drive, Leesburg, FL 34788 HOT
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feel confident
Lake County’s #1 ER. Now even better.
Try new things. Explore your world. And feel safe and secure while you do it. Discover an entirely new version of Lake County’s most trusted ER — featuring a spacious, welcoming lobby, all private rooms and nationally accredited chest pain care. So feel free to live your best life. We’ll help you feel safe. Feel confident. Feel whole TM
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Getting You Moving The Way You Were Meant To Move Follow Unova Health Clinic on Facebook for more information.
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Orthopaedic Clinic M-F 8:30am-4:30pm (352) 973-4070
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539 Rolling Acres Road | Lady Lake
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UnovaHealth.com
Urgent Care M-F 8:30am-4:30pm (352) 460-1652
Find ChiroThin™ at:
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352.365.1191 ECDoctors.com
Two Locations: Fruitland Park/Leesburg The Villages (Lake Sumter Landing)
Lose 25-40+ Pounds Quickly, Safely, and Privately with our Doctor-Based Concierge Weight Loss Program*
Benefits of our Concierge Weight Loss Program include: Doctor Supervised: Daily monitoring helps ensure SUBSTANTIAL, FAST and SAFE weight loss! Researched & Proven Results: A recent 573 participant study showed an average weight loss of 22.4 pounds for women and 30 pounds for men in just 6 weeks while following the program. Saves Time: Since exercise is not required, there is no need to spend hours at the gym or with personal trainers every week! Uses REAL Food: You will learn the types and combinations of food that will help you lose a significant amount of weight quickly and help you keep the weight off once and for all. There are no disgusting pre-packaged meals, gritty and messy shakes, cardboard meal-replacement bars or counting “points.”
Visit Us Online & Learn More: ECDoctors.com Or Call 352.365.1191
“MY EMPLOYEES ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE BUILT THIS COMPANY, I’M JUST THE LEADER.” —JOHN SNYDER
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A proud tradition of employee satisfaction Dunstan Plumbing’s philosophy is simple: Keeping your employees means keeping your customers. PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
he success of a company can be measured in a number of ways: profitability, growth, number of clients served, the overall satisfaction rate of existing clients. However, when you ask Dunstan and Son Plumbing owner John Snyder about the key ingredient behind his company’s success, he’ll give you the same answer each time. It’s his dedicated group of 26 employees. Simply put, John goes above and beyond to create a positive environment for his employees. That’s an essential tool in ensuring his properly trained and knowledgeable staff is eager to provide superior pluming and light remodeling services to each client.
John began working at Dunstan Plumbing in 1979 during his senior year at Leesburg High School. He purchased the company in 1998 and has presided over its growth. However, he takes little credit. “My employees are the ones who have built this company,” he says firmly. “I’m just the leader.” But he’s a leader who has garnered the utmost respect of his staff. John isn’t the typical business owner who locks himself in an office and completes endless amounts of paperwork. Instead, he accompanies his technicians on jobs and is more than happy to get dirty and sweaty. “I prefer being out in the field,” John says. “In fact, I recently spent four days in an attic with one of our young employees re-piping a house. You just don’t see that anymore. Clients are surprised when the owner shows up
for a job, but they also find security in that because they know the job will get done right.” Of course, working alongside his technicians is just one way in which John creates employee satisfaction. He covers 100 percent of their health insurance and also offers a matching retirement plan. Each holiday, he and his staff gather for a company breakfast, which is meticulously prepared by his wife, Kim, and his daughter, Keri. Both of them work at the company, making it a true family-owned business. “We want our employees to see the light at the end of the tunnel as regards to retiring here,” he says. The insurance companies cannot believe the things I do for my staff. I’m very pro-employee.” That pro-employee attitude largely explains why the company enjoys a low turnover rate and why 12 of his current employees have worked at Dunstan
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“I COULDN’T ASK FOR A BETTER GROUP OF PEOPLE TO WORK WITH. WE ALL GET ALONG GREAT AND WE’RE ALL WILLING TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT. WE’RE ALL ONE BIG, HAPPY EXTENDED FAMILY.” — G L E N WA R E
Plumbing for more than 20 years. It also explains why his employees are happy to come to work and willing to go the extra mile. “My guys are not obligated to be here until 7:45 a.m., but more than half of them are here at 7:20 a.m. to wash their trucks and talk,” John says. “I’ve never seen a group of people who like each other so much.” Brad Mansell, a master plumber technician, has been employed there since 2002. “I’ve worked for several companies, and I can tell you that John is the sincerest employer I’ve ever had,” Brad says. “He’s a good listener and values what his employees have to say. I wouldn’t work for anyone else.” Glen Ware, who is a parts runner, recently celebrated his 20th year of employment at Dunstan.
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“I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with,” Glen says. “We all get along great and we’re all willing to help each other out. We’re all one big, happy extended family.” Field manager Daniel Disher has spent the past decade at Dunstan. He’ll never forget how gracious John was when he was out for five months following back surgery. “John told me he valued my expertise and let me know immediately that he’d allow me to return to my job when I was physically able,” Daniel says. “I really appreciate how good he has been to me over the years.” In addition to his team of plumbers, John equally values his competent and professional office staff. Their efficiency allows John to leave the office and mentor his new employees in the field.
John’s niece, Katie Snyder, works in accounts receivable. She formerly served as store manager of a large grocery store chain and is happy to have left the corporate world behind. “It’s a completely different environment here at Dunstan,” Katie says. “It’s much more personal and friendly here. Everybody looks forward to interacting with customers and each other.” While John maintains a genuine appreciation for his staff, he also enjoys teaching the trade to aspiring plumbers. He currently has four apprentices training at his company. “There are lots of talented young kids, but nobody is giving them a break and teaching them a skill. My legacy is to teach them a trade. I was hired in 1979 as an apprentice, worked for three years, and then was able to go out to jobs in my own truck.”
About the company Dunstan and Son Plumbing has proudly served Lake and Sumter counties since its humble beginnings in 1922. William Dunstan, Sr. started the company and established a tradition of offering fast, prompt, and efficient service while providing outstanding customer service. Today, John continues to service customers with the same degree of integrity and professionalism established many years ago. The company’s reputation is impeccable, as evidenced by the 70 to 80 service calls received each day. “Integrity and honesty are what Dunstan was built on, and that’s what I strive to achieve each day,” John says. “I feel that’s missing in today’s world. When a customer calls, they get a person on the phone rather than a voice-automated system. We also never charge overtime. It’s always a straight rate.” Dunstan maintains a 17-truck fleet that are essentially “rolling warehouses” equipped to handle jobs of all sizes and challenges and also provide same-day emergency services. In addition, John makes sure the company stays abreast
of the industry’s latest technological developments. For instance, a sewer video camera allows his team to detect draining problems. Of course, not everyone calls Dunstan for plumbing issues. The company also provides bathroom and
kitchen installations for residential homes. Although John is now 57, he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. He continues working 55 to 60 hours a week and still enjoys coming to the same building where he has worked for 40 years.
“There were mornings when I woke up and didn’t want to come to work, but not one day have I ever hated my job,” he says. “It’s not about plumbing; it’s about coming here and being with my employees. The camaraderie is what keeps me going.”
Scan the QR code to learn more about us!
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352.787.4771 / dunstansplumbing.com / 1127 W. Main St., Leesburg
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The new face of skin care A procedure called HydraFacial provides people of all ages with beautiful, glowing skin PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
echnological advances are occurring across industries at a rapid-fire pace. Automobiles now have tracking software for stolen vehicles. Doctors are using robotic machines to assist in complex surgeries. Hotels are now using apps to allow guests to reserve parking spots in advance of their visit. These advances are also occurring in the beauty industry. Residents of Lake and Sumter counties will be
pleased to know that Renew Day Spa stays at the forefront of these advances. The spa, which is located in downtown Leesburg, offers HydraFacial, a noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure that delivers instant results with no discomfort or downtime. Considered the gold standard in exfoliation technology, the procedure is a great solution for anyone desiring smoother, deeply hydrated skin. The HydraFacial treatment removes dead skin cells and extracts impurities while simultaneously bathing the new skin with cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing serums.
Why is this important? Well, skin takes a constant beating. Sun, wind, and cold all leave skin dry, cracked, and damaged. And nowhere does skin take a bigger beating than the skin on your face. Whether you experience lackluster skin due to pollutants or aging skin that is dry and rough, HydraFacial can be a regular and effective part of your skin regimen. Essentially, a HydraFacial draws together various facial treatments into one - the deep exfoliation of a microdermabrasion, the renewal of a chemical peel, and the extraction and hydration of a traditional facial. And yet it’s soothing and gentle. The treatment even helps extend the life of botox and other artificial fillers. During the procedure, Renew Day Spa’s estheticians use a specially designed handheld device to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities while simultaneously introducing the serums that exfoliate, hydrate, and infuse skin with antioxidants. HydraFacial is a three-part process, completed in as little as 30 minutes. The first part is cleansing and peeling, which uncovers a new layer of skin with gentle exfoliation and relaxing resurfacing. The second step, extracting and hydrating, removes debris from pores with painless suction. Clients are nourished with intense moisturizers that quench skin. The third step involves infusing skin with a special medical-grade serum rich in antioxidants and peptides. The serum promotes hydration and elasticity and maximizes your glow. HydraFacial addresses all skin care needs, including fine lines and wrinkles, even tone and vibrancy, elasticity and firmness, and brown spots. With ongoing treatments, clients notice
“NOT ONLY DO THE ESTHETICIANS KNOW EXACT PRODUCTS TO USE ON MY SENSITIVE SKIN, BUT THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS REDUCED WRINKLES AND DISCOLORATIONS ON MY FACE.” —LAURA SMITH
intensely improved hydration, minimized dark spots, and dramatically reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Just ask client Laura Smith, who faithfully undergoes monthly treatments. “Not only do the Estheticians know exact products to use on my sensitive skin, but this new technology has reduced wrinkles and discolorations on my face,” she says. “I have also noticed a difference in firmness and texture! I have received many compliments on my skin and I always tell people my secret is Renew Day Spa and HydraFacial!” Renew Day Spa’s HydraFacial treatments are best experienced in fourto six-week increments and begin with the Signature HydraFacial and work up to a Platinum HydraFacial, which includes the benefits of lymphatic drainage. Clients can also experience the popular Gold HydraFacial because it includes one of three proprietary boosters designed to combat skin problems. The boosters include CTFG™, which improves skin tone, texture, and elasticity; Britenol™, which is specifically formulated to target dark spots and sun-damaged areas; or Dermabuilder™, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you desire healthier and more beautiful facial skin, take action now and
schedule your HydraFacial with Anna Bey or Apryle Perry at 352.787.7722. Renew Day Spa is located at 214 W. Main St. in Leesburg. You can visit the company’s website at renewdayspa.org.
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352.787.7722 / 214 W. Main Street Leesburg, FL 34748 / renewdayspa.org
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Hand In Hand Presents the 2019
“Purses of Purpose Tea” Saturday, September 7th, 2019 Lake Receptions • 4425 N. Highway 19A, Mount Dora, FL 32757 9 a.m. - Noon
To Register: 352-223-6983 Speaker: Kristin Keene, Founder of Rethreaded Inc. in Jacksonville, FL Silent Auction and Live Auction of high-end purses such as Michael Kors, Coach, DKNY, Louis Vuitton, Dooney & Bourke, Brighton and more
Luncheon and desserts served $300/table of eight or $38/person Pearl Necklace drawing for a custom made 20” cultured pearl necklace featuring 7 1/2mm knotted salt water pearls and a 14 Karat White Gold Clasp with 3 cultured pearls and 10 diamonds. On display at Merry Jewelers in downtown Eustis. Valued at $4,000, $20/ticket
Sponsors: MAGAZINE
Merry Jewelers Anne Machamer Bob & Eileen Richards
Wallpapers Fabrics Trims Draperies Shutters Shades
FINAL THOUGHT
August is a great month Celebrate with your favorite foods. STORY: LEIGH NEELY
n addition to being National Wellness Month, Family Fun Month, and National Crayon Month, August also honors an amazing selection of foods. As a result, I decided to share with you some of my favorite places in the area to enjoy these foods. It’s National Catfish Month, and that’s easy. I love the cornflake crusted catfish sandwich at Turners in Leesburg. This deliciously fried catfish comes on a kaiser roll with orange
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blossom honey slaw, tomato, and a side of jalapeño tartar sauce. You may want to make your napkin a bib ’cause things will get messy, but it’s good. It’s National Peach Month and despite the fuzzy peeling, peaches are among my favorite foods. What I really enjoy is one of those fresh, seasonal Chick-fil-A peach milkshakes. They come but once a year but there is heaven on earth for a little while. This year it was in May, so why is this luscious fruit celebrated in August? National Goat Cheese Month also is in August. However, the closest I get to goat cheese is feta, which I love. It’s amazing on the Greek salads from Taki’s, Stavro’s, and Hungry Howie’s (because they bring it to my house!). National Sandwich Month offers a bit of a quandary. I’ve already mentioned the
catfish, but I also truly enjoy the triple decker club sandwich on toasted wheat at Perkins. I also love to dig into a pulled pork sandwich with the Sonny’s sweet barbecue sauce. For National Panini Month, I’ll have to go with Naples in Leesburg, and it’s difficult to choose between the Philly cheese steak or the chicken parmigiana. National Brownies at Brunch Month limits one of my favorite foods. There’s no way you can eat brownies only at a certain time of day. One Flight Up has a wonderful brownie sundae, and the magnificent brownie bites are at Applebee’s in Eustis—good any time of day! That’s all the food celebrations for August, and I must say, it’s a good month for eating.
Send emails to Leigh! Email me at leigh@akersmediagroup.com
LEIGH NEELY
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