FOCUS Magazine March 2016 by Focus

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LAKE’S SCENE

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GUN CONTROL IN THE CROSSHAIRS STORIES OF THE UNIVERSE

THE UNIVERSE GOES TO BAT... IN PITTSBURGH FOCUS ON EDUCATION

A CRASH COURSE ON CLOSING THE FUNDING GAP MORE • LEGACIES: THE ADVENTURES OF ANN DUPEE • FOODIE: PUDDLE JUMPERS • IN PHOTOS: HUGE HEART & INSPIRING WOMEN

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March 2016 | Volume 9 • Issue 3 | FocusLakeCounty.com

FEATURES

8 10

8 Lake’s Green Scene

What Lake County is doing to “go green.”

10 Here Comes The Sun

A solar farm could be coming to Lake County.

12 Lake Legacies: The Adventures of Ann Dupee

MONTHLY

4 Marc’s Remarks: Yeah. Let’s Celebrate the ‘B’ 5 FOCUS On Philanthropy: Inspiring Extraordinary Women 6 FOCUS On the Issues: Gun Control in the Crosshairs Carey Baker and Marvin Jacobson

13 FOCUS On Mind: Green is More Than Just a Color 14 FOCUS Foodie: Puddle Jumpers

Enjoy lakeside dining while watching seaplanes take off and land.

18 FOCUS On Education: Lake’s Schools Funding Imbalance

Lake County Schools are getting short-changed. We explain why and the impact.

Stories of the Universe: Introduction

Stories of the Universe: The Universe Goes to Bat 22 FOCUS On Events: Calendar

Hidden Gems: Emeralda Marsh Birds, a hidden lake, and lots of hiking trails.

FOCUS On Home: The Cost of Green Building

FOCUS In Photos: Heart Health, Inspiring Women, 6 Hands

FOCUS On the Arts: Richie Q

FOCUS On Lake County: The Putt Stops Here

FOCUS Flashback: Clermont Citrus Tower

From entrepreneur to author to saxophone player...

FOCUS On Better Living: Eat to the Beat of a Different Drum

33 Suzy Boggus: Live in Lake County Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in FOCUS? Contact us for more information:

Scan the code to watch March’s FOCUS TV.

Red Apples Media 734 N. 3rd St., Suite 119 Leesburg, FL 34748 Ofﬁce 352.801.7106 Email info@RedApplesMedia.com FocusLakeCounty.com Standards of accuracy: The goal of the writers at FOCUS Magazine is to

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You can download an app, such as Barcode Scanner, on most mobile phones from the App Stores on Android or Apple. Scanning the codes throughout this issue will take you deeper into the story with video content.

March 2016

Green building is tied to another green.

Local courses are honored by Golf Advisor rankings.

Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. FOCUS Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to FOCUS Magazine become the sole property of Red Apples Media and may be reproduced therein. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Red Apples Media. Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Red Apples Media.

Publisher Marc Robertz-Schwartz Marc@RedApplesMedia.com

provide compelling stories that are accurate from the start. Being human however, we sometimes make mistakes. Please forgive us.

Managing Editor Anthony Rao Anthony@RedApplesMedia.com

If you notice anything that is incorrect, please do not hesitate to contact the editorial department and inform us. Call 352.801.7106 or e-mail info@ RedApplesMedia.com. The staff will ﬁx the error in a timely manner.

Editor/Proofreader Stephanie Sherman SSherman@RedApplesMedia.com

FOCUS Magazine publishes 8,000 copies monthly and is available free at local Lake County businesses, ofﬁces, restaurants and other venues. Look online at FocusLakeCounty.com for location distribution listings. FOCUS Magazine assumes no responsibility for photos and ownership of those provided or submitted by third parties. Any violation of ownership, copyright or intellectual property is solely the responsibility of the submitter.

Writers Lori Farfaglia; Bruce Brown; Stephanie Sherman; Tom Kubala; Jim Gibson Photography Bonnie Whicher Photography; Devin Collins Contributors Don Magruder; Bob Blanchette; Jaime Alonso

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PUBLISHER: MARC’S REMARKS

CONGRATULATIONS are in order! In case you missed it, the Lake County School System improved from a C-rated to a B-rated district for the 2014-2015 school year! Within that increase, eight individual schools earned As for that year and 19 earned Bs. That’s compared to the previous year, in which only six schools earned As while 10 earned Bs. And on top of that, as we’ve previously reported, Lake is also at a signiﬁcant funding disadvantage, ranked 66th of Florida’s 67 counties for per-student funding. Some, including two school board members who were quoted in the Daily Commercial, “expressed reservations” about the improvement, sighting a lower threshold to achieve these grades. To that I say, are you kidding me? In fairness, Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart also cautioned against comparing the 2014-15 grades to previous years. But to take anything away from the students, teachers, parents and faculty, who are constantly tasked with “teaching to the test,” is offensive and counterproductive; an improvement is an improvement. Neither the teachers nor the students changed the benchmarks, and in fact, had to adapt their curriculum and learning yet again, as the state test was changed, yet again. When a baseball team moves their homerun walls in a few feet (within MLB regulations) to improve the chances for all who play in that stadium a better chance of hitting homeruns, fans don’t care – they enjoy the homeruns and they count just the same.

I was recently at a luncheon for the Lake 100 and asked Robert Chandler IV, Lake County Economic Development & Tourism Director, how important a district’s school rating is in recruiting new business and he indicated it was among the top three factors. I don’t know about you, but if I’m looking at relocating to the area, the forward momentum to a B from a C looks pretty appealing to me. Do we still have enormous opportunities to improve? Of course we do! But one way to improve is to build upon momentum. The psychological impact of the district-wide B on the teachers and students should not be taken lightly. Rather, it should be celebrated by all who have even a small part in that improvement and success. The Leesburg City Commission recently addressed the idea of throwing a parade for Danny Trevathan, former Leesburg High School football player and member of the 2016 Super Bowl champs, the Denver Broncos. I even noticed a full-page insert in the Daily Commercial congratulating him. Not to take anything away from Danny and his professional success, but perhaps we’d be better served spending whatever time and resources we would invest in a “Danny Day” into a celebration of the schools that improved. Should every school be honored? Nope. We covered that a few months ago in our “Participation Awards” column. For those who improved, harness that emotion and success and continue to build upon it. For those who did not improve or slipped, look to those with success and strive to be among them when the next grades come out. In the meantime, few things deserve more attention and support within our community than education. Especially when grades improve!

Marc Robertz-Schwartz Publisher, FOCUS Lake County

Viaport Florida ViaFest 2016 & The New Viaport Haljoe’s Get Off The Bus Concerts

Be sure to watch the show on

M/W/F – 8am, 2:30pm Tue/Thu – 12pm, 6pm Sat – 9:30am, 7:30pm Comcast 13 Bright House 498 Florida Cable 4

Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Receives $5,600 from Red Apples Media The Lake-Sumter State College Foundation has received $5,665 from Leesburg marketing and video production company Red Apples Media. The donation was the result of revenue sharing agreement Red Apples Media has with Lake Sumter State College as part of its contract to manage Lake Sumter Television (LSTV).

“Since assuming management of LSTV in 2013, Red Apples Media has designated a percentage of revenue generated from third-party production agreements and other media opportunities to the LSSC Foundation,” said Marc Robertz-Schwartz, President of Red Apples Media. “Last year, our company donated $1,185 to the Foundation as a result of 2014 revenue generation. We are thrilled to have

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increased the annual donation signiﬁcantly this year.” “This innovative revenue sharing partnership with Red Apples Media is a win for Lake-Sumter State College students who rely on scholarships to further their education and earning potential,” said Rosanne Brandeburg, Executive Director of the Lake-Sumter Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Executive Director Rosanne Brandeburg accepted a $5665 donation from State College Foundation. Red Apples Media president, Marc Robertz-Schwartz.

March 2016

Philanthropy

Organization: Inspiring Extraordinary Women Year Established: 2015 What is your not-for-profit status: 501(c)3 Address: 13794 CR 109, D-3, Lady Lake FL 32159 Web Address: IEWomen.com Email for information: InspiringExtraordinaryWomen@gmail.com Contact Name: Theresa Rao Description of Organization: Inspiring extraordinary women is our focus; to provide women with the tools they need to sustain themselves, such as programs, luncheons, expo workshops and health and wellness seminars. Who do you serve and how: As a woman your natural instinct is to be a giver, but not everyone can do what women do and do it well. Our goal is to support women by providing programs to help keep women from being worn out, angry or running on empty. We bring beneficial and fun programs to help women focus – stay focused – and be invigorated. Think of us as a B12 shot! What are you most in need of and why: Volunteers for our 2017 luncheon. Sponsorships. Visit our website to purchase items, the proceeds go to support our organization. Inspiring words: Inspiring Extraordinary Women is a nonprofit organization that will always have a charitable organization featured with our programs. It’s only natural for women to look after children so we’ve adopted the Clean Kids Backpack Program and are helping them collect items and find more drop-off locations.

March 2016

FocusLakeCounty.com

On the Issues

Gun Control In the Crosshairs

Few issues stir as much passion and debate as gun control. Are we a socitey gone mad with weapons or are we just responsible Americans exercising our 2nd Amendment right? Two passionate advocates face-off this month with two sides of an issue which probably has even more perspectives. What do you think? Weigh in via email at Info@RedApplesMedia.com

Guns Don’t Kill People... Americans are stunningly different than the rest of the world in regards to individual firearm ownership. It is now estimated that Americans own over 360 million firearms of all types. We all understand the human need to feel safe and the desire to protect our families, particularly our children. But the question continues to be, how best to address the violent crime that threatens us? Studies have shown us that in the past 30 years the number of firearms has dramatically increased yet violent crime has dropped in most of America to a 60-year low according to FBI statistics, likely due to the passage of increased penalties for violent crime.

be protected are not innate, they must be taught and learned. Along with learning these values is the knowledge that consequences will occur if these values are broken. The argument over gun control almost always ignores the simple observation that the presence of a ﬁrearm doesn’t change a person’s behavior. An honest and moral person with a ﬁrearm remains honest, and a dishonest person remains corrupt.

If guns are the problem and not individual behavior, let’s ask ourselves the tough questions in regards to most gun control measures - would any measure proposed actually reduce the existing 360 million firearms? Waiting periods, reWe must start this discussion strictions on so-called assault with the understanding that rifle bans, background checks, crime, at its core, is caused and similar proposals will by the corruption of the heart. have virtually no effect on the The important values that access to guns or the number both life and property should of firearms in America. Written By Carey Baker

The answer to violent crime has always been and always will be, to be a community comprised of moral people, that provides swift punishment to those who commit terrible and violent acts against another.

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Understanding the 2nd Amendment To solve a problem, we must ﬁrst examine the root cause. Our gun problems are caused by our wrongful interpretation of the Second Amendment. The amendment was originally written so men called to serve in the militia or Slave Patrols would be able to buy a musket. Nothing more!!! The ﬁrst draft by James Madison read: “The right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed, a well-armed and regulated militia being the best security of a free country, but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.” The South objected to “country” and it was changed to “state” so it would apply to their Slave Patrols. Congress added: “composed of the body of the people,” after regulated militia, but it was removed later because it could include Native Americans and slaves. Written By Marvin Jacobson

The “religiously scrupulous” sentence was removed because the South felt too many would use it to avoid serving on their Slave Patrols. The sentence shows that the clear intent of the amendment applied only to those serving in the militias. The South defeated a motion to add after “to keep and bear arms,” the words “for the common defense,” because Slave Patrols were not for the common defense. The last change adding “being necessary” gave emphasis to the importance of the two militias. The ﬁnal version read: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” In one of the worst Supreme Court decisions ever, in Heller v DC, the Court in 2008 voted 5-4 that the Second Amendment applied to the individual right to bear arms. It basically legalized the slaughter of innocent people with military-grade weapons.

March 2016

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AKE’S GREEN SCENE WRITTEN BY LORI FARFAGLIA

ith the ever-increasing cost of fuel in the changing global economy, consumers are continuing to look for alternative energy sources. Here in the US, the demand for our natural resources is on the rise and the supply is continuing to decrease. Consumers want better fuel economy for their vehicles and greener energy sources for their homes. The choice for green energy sources isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for consumers’ budgets. Recycle, reduce and reuse seems to be a common theme but just what is going on in Lake County and where are consumers making changes?

So what makes a home or project “green?” According to EcoConstruction Group, the term “green” is thrown around a lot in the construction industry. People or businesses trying to be politically correct or trying to gain clients by advertising that they are green because they do one speciﬁc thing, doesn’t make them green.

After weighing the overall savings, it is clear to see the green building structure is the best way to go for long-term cost effectiveness. Don’t forget the overall increase in value to the structure, Rhodes adds. He installed a 10 kilowatt solar PV electric system on his own home and says that for over half the year his energy bill is zero. Going green just makes sense.

EcoConstruction Group says in order to be a truly green builder, the builder must address First Green Bank in Mount Dora is a business all of the issues: energy efficiency, water that is living the green life every single day. conservation, indoor air quality, exterior shell It is one of the first banks in the US that is quality and overall health of the building. dedicated to an environmental and social Building green incorporates total environmission. According to First Green officials, mental consideration and resource efficiency this location is LEED-certified Platinum by the into every aspect of site and construction de- US Green Building Council. The LEED certivelopment. fication stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. The Platinum ranking eople or businesses trying to be politically correct or trying Rhodes is the highest ranking possible. According to to gain clients by advertising that they are green because says that any true the certification, the Mount Dora location is they do one specific thing, doesn’t make them green. eco builder one of the most environmentally sustainable will begin and energy-efficient bank buildings in the Local builder Bobby Rhodes, President of the process with the design phase. southeastern United States. EcoConstruction Group, has been building ecofriendly homes in Lake County since The builder will take into consideration the The Mount Dora location of First Green was 2008. Rhodes is a Lake County native and building site, the building orientation, the built with solar panels that provide 17% of says he feels that building a higher-quality, construction components, the indoor air the total operating energy for the building. more efficient home in Lake County is key to quality and the building’s energy consumpThe flooring in the lobby is made with recylong-term success. He says building homes tion. Rhodes says all of these items will cled shards of glass. The walls are nontoxic and businesses that not only stand the test positively impact the energy and resources natural clay and do not emit any volatile of time, but sustain themselves through bet- consumed by the home or commercial struc- organic compounds (VOCs.) The lobby counter energy efficiency, will attract long-term ture. tertops are made of shredded counterfeit residents and business owners. “Sustainabilimoney. Cabinetry, ceiling panels and select ty is the key,” Rhodes reiterated. EcoConstruction explains that the cost to floor boards are made of bamboo, a rapidly build green isn’t as intimidating as one might renewable natural resource. “We have seen the effects of low-quality think. According to Rhodes, the construction and how it affects each family cost to upgrade your project ccording to the Environmental Protection over their lifetime. As a result of wanting to to a greener structure is norAgency (EPA), this year 40-48% of all new make a change in the homes and businesses mally projected to be 5-10% nonresidential construction will be green. built in Lake County, we want to eliminate of the total building budget. the old building practices that are inefficient The increase in cost to build and out of date and introduce new construc- compared to the overall savings in the utility The branch uses natural lighting throughout tion methods that work more efficiently, to costs is offset the first day an occupant its location, with 90% of the building occuimprove the quality of our homes and the moves in. A more energy-efficient structure pants having windows to capitalize on the lives of our clients,” Rhodes said. He went on creates lower utility bills and reduced mainavailability of sunlight. There is a living green to say that he has made it his mission to im- tenance. wall in the lobby that helps improve air qualiprove the quality of homes in his community. ty by reducing CO2 and VOC emissions.

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March 2016

coConstruction Group says in order to be a truly green builder, the builder must address all of the issues: energy efﬁciency, water conservation, indoor

air quality, exterior shell quality and overall health of the building.

According to First Green officials, the bank is completely dedicated to a greener way of life. As a business, the bank offers discounted interest rates for residential and commercial projects that meet LEED certification. They offer a solar loan program for customers installing solar panels and most branch locations even offer charging stations for alternative means of transportation. Employees of First Green receive quite a few green benefits as well. They receive a 0% interest rate on vehicle loans for vehicles that get 30 mpg or more. They get complimentary use of hybrid employee loaner cars for any purpose, including personal use. There is an onsite gym and the company also offers reimbursement for off-site gym memberships. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this year 40-48% of all new nonresidential construction will be green. The EPA says that buildings are one of the heaviest consumers of natural resources, and account for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions that impact climate change. In the US, nonresidential buildings account for 38% of all CO2 emissions and 73% of electricity consumption. The EPA says the facts are, green buildings consume less energy. Compared to the average commercial building, those with the LEED Gold building status (which isn’t even the highest status) usually consume 25% less energy and 11% less water. They have 19% lower maintenance costs and 27% higher occupant satisfaction. The buildings also have 34% lower greenhouse gas emissions and the overall footprint of a green building is smaller. By doing a little more work on the front end, consumers are saving and the environment is winning. Lake County residents are doing more to make their environmental footprints smaller as well. Leesburg resident Brooke Hwang says she recycles because it’s the least she can do to make the planet better for future generations. Hwang believes in eliminating unnecessary waste by doing small things like

March 2016

taking reusable bags to the grocery store. She’s an art teacher at an elementary school in Lady Lake and loves to make a difference by “upcycling” ordinary household waste items like empty paper towel rolls. Hwang can turn the empty rolls into art projects for her kids.

on anything consumers buy that requires the use of energy. They also recommend to change air filters regularly and have heating and cooling units serviced regularly. Make sure to seal and insulate your home to reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using caulk or weather stripping. Use water efficiently; fix leaky toilets and don’t let the water run while brushing teeth. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per year. Current market trends suggest that building owners and managers will invest an estimated $960 billion between now and 2023 on greening their existing infrastructure. It is possible that these estimates could be surpassed in the event of unexpected gains in the US or global economies. Lake County residents are changing their personal trends

Joe Jarrett says he keeps his thermostat at 78 degrees during the summer in an effort to reduce cooling costs and 68 degrees in the winter to reduce heating costs. Joe says even though he has a home that isn’t as energy-efficient as some of the newer homes, he tries to reduce costs any way he can. Joe and his wife Danielle like to carpool when possible in order to reduce carbon emissions. EcoConstruction says consumers can begin by working to make a he EPA says that retrofitting to water-efficient difference in their own plumbing fixtures in just one out of every one home. Adding a solar grid hundred American homes can reduce greenhouse to an older home that has other energy deficits gas emissions by approximately 80,000 tons. might not make sense, but homeowners can start small. Making and working towards reducing their environsure home appliances are energy-efficient; mental footprint. It takes just one person sealing leaks around windows and doors and to be the change and start the movement. installing water-efficient plumbing fixtures in The county is working towards approving bathrooms can make a big difference; bump- and allowing the use of alternative forms of ing up the thermostat during the summer is energy like independent solar farms. Lake a great energy saver. Rhodes says, “There County and its citizens are on the right path, are all kinds of low-hanging fruit that homeone business, one home, and one builder at owners can pick to make a difference. No a time. change is too small.”

The EPA says that retrofitting to water-efficient plumbing fixtures in just one out of every one hundred American homes can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 80,000 tons, the equivalent of removing 15,000 cars from the road for one year. According to the EPA, there are several things that every homeowner can do to reduce their environmental footprint with little effort. By changing the five most-used light bulbs in your home to Energy Star light bulbs, consumers can save an average of $70 on energy costs. Energy Star appears

FocusLakeCounty.com

ere Comes the Sun

rying use

trying ause

rying use

WRITTEN BY JIM GIBSON The vast array of solar panels moves in unison like an army of black, shiny robots. In increments barely discernible to the human eye, acres of panels follow the sun’s steady arc across a clear blue sky. The power of the sun is being harnessed to produce electricity, cleanly and efficiently, while producing no waste and emitting no carbon into the atmosphere. Just the name “Sunshine State” should make ecologists and utility companies alike dream of hundreds of such solar farms filled with countless banks of panels providing an endless, eco-friendly energy source to service Florida’s burgeoning population. So, why aren’t Lake County’s abundant pastureland and abandoned citrus groves home to enterprising solar farms? Why aren’t ambitious entrepreneurs or local utilities taking advantage of this “free” green renewable energy source? When the Price is Right “Solar power is a wonderful and clean way to produce electricity, but right now it can’t quite compete with traditional energy production when it comes to price, especially natural gas,” says Leesburg Electrical Director, Patrick M. Foster, P.E. “Even though the price of solar panels and inverters has come down drastically in the last few years, the drop still isn’t enough to make it truly competitive in today’s market. With today’s technological advances coming so quickly, this could change overnight, but it looks like it might be several years before the significant production of solar power will be cost-effective… but, like I said, that could change overnight.” Such a change could come about through the development of cheaper and more efficient solar panels. Ongoing research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

using graphene and molybdenum disulfide to replace silicon in solar cell production, is hoped to soon produce cells that are more than 1,000 times more efficient than today’s cells, pound for pound… yet cheaper to manufacture. Armed with the knowledge that the technology is moving forward at an unprecedented pace, that the price of solar system components is still falling, and that we all need to be good stewards of planet Earth, Orlando resident and solar entrepreneur Dr. Rufus Holloway is ambitiously planning to build a solar farm on 100 acres of a 250acre parcel of land partly located in Leesburg and partly in Fruitland Park. Dr. Holloway, who grew up in Leesburg, attended Leesburg High School and has extensive friend and family ties to the area, hopes to sell the power produced, to the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), a wholesale power agency that is comprised of 31 Florida cities stretching from the Panhandle to Key West, including Leesburg. “I believe in solar power,” Dr. Holloway says. “It’s important to utilize these types of renewable energy sources if we are going to conserve the Earth’s natural resources. Florida, this area in particular, is very far behind other areas of the country in utilizing renewable energy sources and we need to step up our efforts to develop solar power. The site we are hoping to use is ideal for a solar farm. It has transmission lines crossing the property and it is located near an existing substation, so inputting the power we would produce to the grid could be easily done.” However, it will take more than Dr. Holloway’s passion to produce solar power, to make Holloway Solar Farm a realization. He must first respond to a request for proposal (RFP) issued by the FMPA. This RFP, which is still in the process of being written, will solicit bids from suppliers of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power,

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to supply energy to the FMPA at an acceptable price and in an acceptable manner. Following his response, the members of the FMPA must vote and choose his site over other bidders. If chosen, then Holloway Solar Farm would receive a Purchase Power Agreement from the FMPA indicating they will purchase the power produced by the farm at a set wholesale rate. There may also be other wholesale suppliers such as Duke Energy and Seminole Electric that may be interested in purchasing energy from the solar farm. It is this wholesale rate that makes a solar farm a somewhat risky endeavor. If the wholesale rate is too low, then the construction of the farm simply isn’t cost-effective. Solar farms such as Holloway’s proposed farm, will cost tens of millions of dollars and must produce a minimum amount of power sold at a price high enough to pay for land usage and construction, operation and maintenance of the system. Jumping Through Hoops Foster, a Florida registered professional engineer, is also a board member of the FMPA. He says the FMPA was created to provide more and varied options for its city-members when it comes to purchasing electric power from wholesale distributors. These options allow FMPA members to get the lowest possible price per kilowatt for their customers. Foster is also a member of CREAC, the Conservation and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee, a FMPA committee formed in 2008 to make recommendations to the Executive Committee concerning energy conservation and renewable energy projects. (For more information on “going green,” see Green in Lake, page 20.) “CREAC was formed when renewable energy started to become a feasible source

March 2016

of power supply for our customers,” says Foster. “We recognized that solar and wind farms could soon become cost-effective to build and we wanted to be prepared. We have several goals: we want to provide the cheapest power available to our customers, we want to please our customers and we want to provide the cleanest possible sources of energy.” Dr. Holloway says that a study performed by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communication’s senior marketing program, showed that more than 60 percent of utility customers in this area were willing to pay more for cleaner energy if it was provided as an alternative to more polluting sources. He feels this is proof that the public is interested in conserving natural resources and is also becoming more aware of the deleterious ecological effects of carbon emissions from fossil-fuel-powered energy plants. Foster also feels that the public is becoming more ecology conscious and says that the FMPA is aware of this. “We want to please our customers,” says Foster. “If enough of them are willing to pay a higher price for renewable energy, which many studies have shown, then we will look for a way to accommodate them. We are willing to utilize any renewable energy source that is cost-effective and nothing would suit me better than to be able to provide totally free power to our customers (which of course, isn’t possible), but until that day comes, we will always be searching for the cheapest supplier of energy for Leesburg’s residents.”

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Foster says that once the RFP is issued, then anyone with a serious plan to produce power can respond. He says the RFP can contain very stringent criteria that must be met by the responding parties in order to be considered. Once all responses have been received by a set deadline, the FMPA Executive Committee members vote to accept none, one or possibly more than one of the respondents’ bid proposals. Purchase Power Agreements would then be issued for any proposals accepted. “Dr. Holloway’s proposed farm has many positive attributes and will be considered carefully by the board for acceptance,” says Foster. “Personally, I think renewable energy is the wave of the future and it would be nice for Leesburg and the surrounding area

if Dr. Holloway’s farm is accepted, but it will be entirely up to the voters on the board, who will choose the project with the best overall offer.” A Bright Legacy Dr. Holloway hopes to use the plant to power a proposed educational center he and his wife, Leslie Scales Holloway, a former Marion County School Board member, plan to house in a large barn that already exists on the site.

“Our goal is to construct an educational center that will highlight the onsite solar plant, native Florida vegetation and area wildlife,” he says. “Leslie and I want to create a place for students at every level to learn about solar energy and pursue their own solar projects. It can be as simple as elementary school students seeing solar panels for the ﬁrst time to as complex as Ph.D. students researching solar storage. Our plans are that the solar farm will make it ﬁnancially possible for the center to keep operating far into the future to enrich the lives of the children in this area.” Though he understands that the path ahead is anything but smooth, Dr. Holloway is planning for the future. “I am optimistic. We still have a lot of hurdles to clear, but I feel I am a strong bidder,” he says. “This farm will be a win/win situation for everybody, especially the City of Leesburg, its businesses, and residents. Just think what it would mean for this area to be able to put up billboards that say ‘We are part of the energy solution.’ That is a very strong thing for the community and the city, and in order for projects like this to be successful, we need total community support. I honestly think we have an acceptance of magnitude already in place locally and I look forward to a sunny future for Holloway Solar Farm and the local community.”

Source: Solar power heads in a new direction: thinner; http://news.mit.edu/2013/ thinner-solar-panels-0626 (Accessed February 9, 2016)

It Wasn’t a Career, It Was an Adventure

WRITTEN BY BRUCE BROWN

Clermont’s own Ann Dupee (pronounced Dupay) has had a very interesting life and career, breaking barriers in more than one field and leaving her mark all across the country. As a young career woman, she went to work as part of the publicity department for KGWTV, Channel 8, in Portland, Oregon (an NBC affiliate), which went on the air in December, 1956. She worked on the publishing of their newsletter, called the “Merchandigest” and had the opportunity to rub elbows with many celebrities. Ann also remembers working many late nights and her first night on the job, in particular. She was writing copy and then having to produce it on a mimeograph machine, after waiting her turn behind someone doing the same thing for Speedy Alka-Seltzer. After working at the station for a few years, an opportunity arose. The show Truth or Consequences was being filmed at their studio for a month and Ann became friends with one of the women working on the crew. Not long after, Ann, while visiting her new friend in Hollywood, went searching for a new opportunity and landed a job with the Wade Advertising Agency. After returning to Portland, she was offered another job with NBC, but it was with their engineering department, so she gave her notice and went to Hollywood. Her new position was assistant to the new business account executive, where she wrote proposals for their various products. One day her boss came to her and told her she had an interview in an hour and to report for a new opportunity. It was a job for the Ice Capades.

with the various advertising people and companies.

Over the course of time, she became known as “the little thief” for all the free publicity she worked to get from the various advertisers. The Ice Capades actually had two tours, divided primarily between the larger cities and the smaller ones. Ann was with the group touring the larger cities. Off They Go to Clermont By 1967, George was thinking of a move of his own. He was interested in moving to Miami and buying a printing plant. They put the money down, but the owner’s previous deal fell through so then he decided not to sell the business. Working through an agent, W.B. Grimes, they discovered that the South Lake Press in Clermont was up for sale. George boarded a plane and traveled to Orlando and Clermont to check out the business. He fell in love with the community and decided to buy the paper, telling Ann that she would have to work with him for three or four years to make it happen. They purchased the paper on January 1, 1968. George sold advertising, while Ann was writer, editor and essentially the manager of the business. When people came in with stories or other issues they would normally go to George. He would point to Ann and tell everyone that if they wanted to get the paper to cover their

Does Anyone Remember The Ice Capades? Founded in 1940, the Ice Capades became a household staple and over several decades, an institution. A young Ann Hudson went to that interview and was later hired as an “advanceman” and part of the touring staff in the public relations department. She hopped on a train to New York and another new adventure. Ann traveled to 25 cities each year promoting the Ice Capades, averaging about two weeks in each city. She attended events and met with owners and managers of the various arenas, setting up interviews for some of the stars,

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stories, they would have to talk to her. Ann became a trusted individual within the city of Clermont, even riding with the police and sheriff’s staffs investigating thefts and accidents. During the whole process of investigation and reporting, she was never sued by anyone. On March 29, 1984, they published the centennial edition of the paper. Throughout this time, Ann would occasionally remind George about her time put in working for the paper, which quickly turned into five years, then 10, then 15. George passed away in 1986, and Ann sold the paper in 1992, twenty-five years after they purchased it. The paper was eventually sold three or four more times over the course of just a few years, and was eventually purchased by the company that owned the Leesburg newspaper, the Daily Commercial. Community Service Ann has been a member of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce for a good number of years. She was elected as president (now called Chairman) of the chamber in 1995. During her tenure, she started the “Gem of the Hills” award, which is still given out today. A member since 1968, Ann is the longest active member of the South Lake Chamber. Ann also served the city for 11 years as a city council member, from 1983-2006. In doing so she was a part of and witness to, many changes. Those changes include the development of the area surrounding the South Lake Hospital, which includes Lake-Sumter State College, UCF, and the development of the National Training Center (NTC). As part of her service, Dupee was a member of the South Lake Kiwanis Club, serving as president from 1994-1995. Without a doubt, Ann’s life has been filled with many adventures and experiences that many of us didn’t have the opportunity to share. She is the only woman to be inducted into all four of our local halls of fame: Lake County Women’s Hall of Fame, Business Hall of Fame, Lake-Sumter State College Hall of Fame, and the Lake County Leadership Hall of Fame as one of the first three inductees, in 2015.

March 2016

n the Mind

“Green” is More Than Just a Color

“Going green” refers to taking steps to do your part to protect and sustain our natural resources, including the air we breathe, the water we drink and leaving some space for our wildlife to thrive. So why “go green?” There are hundreds of ways and reasons you might want to consider participating in the nything else you’re interested in “green movement.” The color green is not going to happen if you can’t A good way to begin appears in varying breathe the air and drink the water. is by typing “why go shades everywhere Don’t sit this one out. Do something. green” into your Gooin nature—in grass, —Carl Sagan gle search engine and trees, vegetables, you will be directed fruits and plants; so to 944,000,000 webit’s not surprising sites to visit. Perhaps consider shifting your that the slogan “going green” has also been thinking and ask yourself, “How might I give used to identify a movement. It’s not about back to the planet rather than always taking “hugging trees,” but falling back in love with away from it; what steps can I personally Mother Nature again. So what does it mean to “go green?” There are many ways this slo- take to conserve, replenish and protect the gan has been defined. For this article we will planet for my children and grandchildren so they might enjoy it too in all its richness and operationally define it first of all, as the conscious effort to become aware of and in tune bounty?” with, how our activities of daily living impact “Going green” is not only a movement for our immediate and personal environment as the conscientious and caring individual citiwell as the world at large. With awareness zen to ponder and consider engaging in, but comes action. The everyday definition of “green” is listed in the dictionary as a color on the spectrum between blue and yellow. However, for this article we will use the term green in an entirely different context—instead of “painting green” on a canvas, we will discuss “going green” in our environment.

e have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune. —Theodore Roosevelt

also a movement for governments, industries and business owners to take ownership of. Perhaps the first major and powerful governmental official to “think and go green” was our visionary 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt, who orchestrated a mighty big conservation effort when he officially designated an additional 151 million acres of National Forest be set aside as public domain. The next time you visit Yosemite National Park or greet Old Faithful in California, take a moment to thank one of our greatest presidents for “going green” long before it was cool to “go green.”

hat is the use of a house if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on? —Henry David Thoreau

For business owners reading this article that might need additional inspiration to implement environmental conservation practices in their operation, they need go no further than to take 15 minutes to view the Ted Talk video by Ray Anderson: https://www. ted.com/talks/ray_anderson_on_the_business_logic_of_sustainability Anderson is the founder and CEO of the company Interface that makes Flor carpet tiles. For the business owner worried about their bottom line Anderson discusses how, after implementing his environmentally sensitive polices in 2001, his sales increased and his proﬁts actually doubled. He has made it his mission and has gone around the country and given more than 1000 speeches promoting the moral imperative for businesses and industry to integrate and consider environmental sustainability when doing business. Anderson promotes his “going green” ideas not from the mountains of idealistic academia, but from the real-world perspective of the owner of a company that had $272 million of carpet sales in 2014. Bob Blanchette is a private practice psychologist in Lake County. HumCollaB.B@Comcast.net HumanCollaborations.com 352.217.0131

March 2016

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owner while there, Jon Aramino. He seemed very knowledgeable and made us feel very welcome. I ordered a rack of baby back ribs, served with an ear of corn and french fries. The ribs were delicious and were slathered with a very good, spicy barbecue sauce for $21.99. My companion had the 14 oz ribeye. It was cooked a perfect medium rare as ordered, topped with garlic butter and served with a vegetable medley and garlic mashed potatoes.

Images supplied by Puddle Jumpers

Upon entering Puddle Jumpers Lakeside in Tavares (former location of Al’s Landing), my companion and I were surprised. Our ﬁrst impression was that we were in a sports bar as the atmosphere lent itself to that type of concept. We were greeted by our server Chris and he seated us at a table inside. From our vantage point, we could see the lake outside. It was not only a beautiful view, but while there we saw two seaplanes take-off and land. They have an outside bar and patio where you can order food or drinks, as well as inside. Their happy hour is Monday Friday, 3:00pm - 7:00pm, with $1.00 draft beer, $2.00 wine, and $3.00 well drinks, which is more than reasonable. Our bartender, Samantha, was very pleasant and mixed great drinks. We met the

I inquired about some of the other dishes. Our server had good things to say about their fish & chips. The fish is cod which makes a very good fried fish, at $11.99. They also have the usual assortment of sandwiches that range from a half-pound burger at $9.99 to a jalapeno cornbread BLT at $7.89. All sandwiches are served with fresh-cut fries or house kettle chips. All in all, a pleasant experience and I look forward to a return visit. Puddle Jumpers has a casual dress code although the menu is basically upscale.

As I said before, we were quite surprised as I assumed the food would be of a mediocre quality because of the sports-bar feel. However, the food we were served was outstanding and our server Chris was very attentive. We didn’t order a salad as it was a la carte and we didn’t want the additional food. The cost for the salad is $2.00 with dinner. The ribeye steak at $21.99 was more than reasonable. I doubt you would ﬁnd a ribeye that large and that good of quality anywhere else in Lake County at that price! We skipped dessert as we had no room for another morsel.

Puddle Jumpers Lakeside on Ruby St. in Tavares

FOCUS sends an anonymous, qualiﬁed Foodie to review one Lake County restaurant each month and then gives the local owner a chance to respond to the good and not-as-positive experiences they’ve had. Our Foodies have worked with the likes of Daniel Boulud, Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay. They have owned and operated their own establishments and are happy to ﬁll you in on local eateries. If you would like to nominate a favorite spot where you dine, contact us at Info@RedApplesMedia.com. Enjoy and bon appetit!

Response: Casual Dining at its Finest Casual lakeside dining at its ﬁnest. Our primary goal is to offer our patrons a warm, welcoming atmosphere accompanied with personable and attentive service that highlights our extreme care for the food and drinks we serve. We have a fully-stocked bar, fresh seafood, delicious traditional fares, and experienced and friendly staff to ensure you have a great time. All major credit cards accepted. Come join us for good food, good drinks, and a great time.

Tavares is the seaplane capital of America and you can see on average 5 to 7 Seaplanes take off and land right in front of the restaurant on any given day. We open at 11:00am, 7 days a week and have live music on the weekends. All of our sauces and dressings are made in-house and our cod is wild caught and hand-battered. We also offer balcony seating overlooking the water and are equipped to do banquets upstairs for up to 100 people. We look forward to seeing you at Puddle Jumpers Lakeside!

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March 2016

## with withthe theclassics. classics.

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More seniors rely on the specialists at Florida Hospital Waterman for their emergency care than any other hospital in Lake County. Our team of experts are specially trained and our services are specially designed to care for the special needs of seniors. Should the time ever come when you need us, we’ll be number one for you.

Visit FHWaterman.com to view our average ER wait time. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

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O n Education: Educatio n On Funding Imbalance for Lake County Schools WRITTEN BY TOM KUBALA It appears that the Lake County School System is not getting its fair share when it comes to funding, and State Representative Larry Metz is trying to do something about it. Rep. Metz (R-Yalaha) has filed House Bill 4047, intended to repeal the District Cost Differential in the K-12 funding formula. According to the Florida School Boards Association, the District Cost Differential is a factor used to adjust funding to reflect each district’s cost of living. The Cost Differential for each district is computed annually, based on a three-year average of the Florida Price Level Index as adjusted by various factors. The Price Level Index compares the cost of purchasing a specific list of one hundred goods and services in each county. The District Cost Differential also adjusts funding by an “amenity factor” based on wage data that assumes that the desirability of living in an area makes employees willing to accept lower salaries. The adjustment factor for Lake County Schools in Fiscal Year 2014-15 resulted in the District receiving over $4.5 million less in funding. The factor was 0.9744, which meant that the District received $0.0256 cents less for every dollar it would have otherwise received directly from the Florida Education Finance Program (the funding formula.) Without the District Cost Differential, full-formula funding would have been received by the District in 2014-15, and in earlier years. The District Cost Differential within the funding formula has been used since the early 1970’s. In a telephone interview with Rep. Metz, he said that larger urban school districts benefit financially while applying the Cost Differential due to their richer and more diversified property tax bases. However, for small and medium-sized school districts, with lower property tax bases, they are financially harmed. Rep. Metz said he has 15 co-sponsors for his bill, and he is hopeful that it will be considered during the current legislative session. The Lake County School District is further harmed financially since it does not qualify for the Sparsity Supplement. The Sparsity Supplement is received by approximately half of the 67 school districts, and provides funds to small school districts to compensate for what is called the diseconomies of scale. Funds are allocated based on the total full-time equivalent students in a district, per high school center, and adjusts based upon the wealth of the district. If the funding of the Lake Rep. Larry Metz debates on County School District is comthe House floor during Special pared with a similar district Session B August 18, 2015 in size the inequities become House photo by Mark Foley clear, according to information

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from the office of Rep. Metz. The Sarasota County School District has about the same enrollment as Lake County, 41,000 students. However, in 2014-15, Sarasota had an adjustment factor of 1.0049, which brought in $900,000 more than the funding formula alone would have allocated. In addition, Sarasota received approximately $33.7 million from its Supplementary Discretionary Millage, whereas Lake County only received $12.4 million. According to Carol Macleod, Chief Financial Officer of the Lake County School District, Supplementary Discretion Millage is part of a two-pronged approach to funding a district. There is a State portion and a local portion. The State sets the millage rate for the local share, and the school board acts to achieve the levy. The State Legislature established the maximum millage that each district may levy at 0.748 for 2014-15, as per the Florida School Boards Association’s website. In any district where the discretionary levy generates less than the State average, the State allocates additional funds to that district to bring the total up to the State average. The $12.4 million amount for the Lake County School District was augmented by $4.3 million from the State through the funding formula, which brought the District’s levy from its Supplementary Discretionary Millage up to the State average, as required by law. In combination, the Lake County School District received $16.7 million from State and local sources via the Supplementary Discretionary Millage. However, on that line item alone, Sarasota received approximately $17 million more than Lake. In total, considering all factors, Sarasota received over $22 million more than Lake even though Sarasota has only a few more students than Lake. According to Lake County School Board Chairman Bill Mathias, the student population of the Lake County School District ranks 19th among the 67 districts in the State. Funding for the current fiscal year however, ranks it at 66, simply due to the application of the District Cost Differential. Mr. Mathis further stated that only nine school districts in the State benefit from the Cost Differential. He expressed his disappointment that the bill filed by Rep. Metz has not gotten more support with many more co-sponsors. Rep. Metz said, “Repeal of the District Cost Differential will put smaller and medium-sized school districts in mainly rural areas, on a more level financial playing field with their larger and more affluent counterparts, who benefit from richer and more diversified property tax bases, and do not need the Cost Differential in order to have adequate K-12 funding. Moreover, from a broader policy perspective, these funding disparities highlight the need to study the current K-12 funding formula in its entirety, perhaps by a blue-ribbon commission.”A companion bill, SB 1284, has been filed in the State Senate by Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange.)

March 2016

Introducing

Stories of the Universe For those who have ever visited the Red Apples Media website or offices, you know that Red Apples is also an acronym which represents our core values. The first – and by no accident – is, “Respect the Universe.” Over time I’ve learned that nearly everyone has some belief in the Universe; we may just call it or describe it differently. For some, the Universe is actually based on a deep religious belief. People who “pray on” things for guidance. For others, it’s more mystical or metaphysical. Some would refer to it as Karma, The Butterfly Effect, “The Force” or, at its simplest form, coincidence.

Yes, sometimes the Universe tests us and other times, well, it just screws with us.

For me, personally, the Universe connects things and brings things together that might not otherwise occur. It could be people, opportunity, circumstances, joy, danger, love or heart break. Generally these things are meant to be, even if not immediately obvious as to why or even counter-intuitive to your wants or common sense. It has been my experience that I have no control over the Universe, ﬁghting it is fruitless and when I don’t respect the Universe, it usually comes back to haunt me.

And, as always, if you have a story you would like to contribute to the Stories of The Universe series, we encourage you to contact us at Info@RedApplesMedia.com

That said, I often share a corollary to my theories of the Universe; Just because the Universe leads you to the rapids, doesn’t mean it wants you to jump in.

March 2016

As we begin our next serial series, Stories of the Universe, we have invited area authors and those who have had, and agreed to share, their own encounter with their Universe, however they deﬁne it. So whether you believe in the role the Universe has on your life or not, we hope you enjoy the next several months of stories which cover the gamut of personal impact.

Who knows? Maybe you’re reading this introduction, at this moment in time, in this publication, wherever you are, was the beginning of your Universe opening a possibility in your life. My personal story of the Universe begins with the turn of this page... in Pittsburgh, of all places. Marc Robertz-Schwartz Publisher

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Chapter One The Universe Goes to Bat WRITTEN AND PHOTOS BY MARC ROBERTZSCHWARTZ

side. They could have sat anywhere in the stadium but they chose to sit next to the strangers who gifted them these tickets. As we chatted, Chris and I learned they were in fact, college students, it was his birthday and she had been saving for months to treat him to his ﬁrst Orioles’ game, and we had saved her about $190 which she could then use to get two desperately needed new tires on her car.

I’m not as much a fan of baseball as I am of baseball stadiums. Whenever I travel, I always try to catch a game so I can add another stadium – major league, minor league, college – to my map of visited stadiums. But if I had to pick a team, I would tell you the Baltimore Orioles are my team, dating back to my ﬁve years living in Charm City just after Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the crown jewel Chris and I were feeling pretty good and I of Major League Baseball at the time, opened. suggested to her that the Universe connected us to that couple that night. Back in May of 2012, I was in Baltimore on business, visiting a friend and client. Chris ********* knew there was no way I could come to town and not catch an Orioles’ game so she scored four tickets for us and two of her coworkers. As the temp began to drop and a light rain began to fall, her coworkers bailed on us. We went to the stadium and I suggested we give the two extra tickets away. I’ve done this on numerous occasions and I am always perplexed by those who won’t take them because they think there’s a catch.

marketing network. But not this trip – we would have to do it the old fashioned way… Buy them at the window. I purposely selected the hotel based on their offering a shuttle to and from the stadium for $10 each, round trip. To me, it beat driving, parking and traffic. We had gotten really good at the strategies of Baseball Weekend. We headed down to the lobby two hours before first pitch to get the first shuttle. I like to get to the stadium early, watch batting practice, scout the food, and we still had to buy tickets. We waited for 30 minutes without a shuttle coming to the hotel. As we waited, the crowd of people who had the same plan began to grow and it occurred to me, when the shuttle did come, there would be a mad dash to get on and there were clearly more people than the first shuttle would hold. I really had no patience for that and suggested we check to see if we could get a refund on the shuttle from the hotel and just drive to public transportation. This was the first step in raising my pulse. There was more to come.

After a few rejections, we found a college-aged couple standing in line to purchase tickets and offered our two extra tickets for free. “What’s the catch?” asked the female.

Following the vague directions of the teen at the hotel front desk, we drove to what we thought was a public bus shuttle to the stadium. We parked the car and began to follow the crowds dressed Since 2004, my best friend Mark (I know, in Pittsburgh Pirates black and yellow. We right?!) and I have taken a “Guys’ Baseball Actually, there was one catch. I never hand reached a kiosk… for a ferry to take game atfree tickets to someone and walk away. They Weekend.” Every summer we pick a city, zip tendees across the river to the stadium… $15 have to enter the stadium with us. Not that I in on Friday and come home on Sunday. The each, round trip. Are you kidding me?! So, purpose is simple; visit a stadium (or in some not only did we lose more time and paid for doubted their honesty, but I’ve been burned cases multiple stadiums, when the major by some who took the tickets and I suspect parking, but now we increased our transporleague cities are close enough, such as Hous- tation to the stadium by 50%. Another notch sold them afterwards. ton and Arlington), enjoy the architecture, the on my blood pressure kicked in. Chris and I sat and marveled that the stadium unique nuances and traditions of each stadium, the food, beer, fans and the game. was empty. Forget the “announced attenI tried to convince Mark we should walk away dance,” there were no more than 1000 people out of principle but he convinced me otherIn July of 2012, two months after my visit sitting in the damp, chilly seats. Chris was a wise. We paid, boarded the ferry and waited. to Baltimore, Mark and I visited PNC Park in trooper. And waited. And waited for more than 30 Pittsburgh. This was a rare occasion in which minutes. I never understood why we waitwe didn’t have tickets for the game. For the To our surprise, the couple came and sat in ed so long but it was tormenting to see the their ticketed seats right next to us – ﬁve most part, I was able to secure tickets yearstadium on the other side of the river. I was rows behind the dugout on the third base pretty sure I could have doggie-paddled there after-year through my extensive media and

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March 2016

pressure dropped within minutes. Almost word for word, this young man put the same requirement on the free tickets as I do. We found Mark and the four of us walked through the turnstiles together. I leaned into Mark, “You’re not going to believe this. I’ll explain when we sit.” We thanked the two young men and told them we’d see them at the seats.

and back during that time. My foot started to tap. My head started to pound. I was getting frustrated, anxious and concerned about our ability to get tickets (I had written off batting practice by now.) I’ll admit, once the ferry departed the dock and headed to the stadium, it was a pretty cool sight. This was one of those unique experiences that we would remember. But at the time, I was more overcome with the anger that had built during the hour-plus since we had left our hotel room for the “convenience shuttle.” When the ferry docked, we realized it had left us on the absolute furthest side of the stadium in relation to where the ticket ofﬁces were; with the exception of a single ticket window on our side. We would learn that they only had standing-room tickets remaining. My blood began to boil. I convinced Mark we should split up and look for anyone selling tickets.

March 2016

Out of the corner of my eye I saw two college-aged guys chatting up some tickets with a co-ed their age. Trying to impress or hit-on her was my guess. When she waved them off and walked away, I approached them. “Extra tickets?” I asked. “Yeah. Two.” “How much do you want for them?” He looked at his friend and they shrugged. He replied, “Well, someone gave them to us so I don’t really feel right charging you for them.”

Mark and I stood in the beer line and I recapped our past 90 minutes and began to see how all of these seeming annoyances and detours, in fact, led us to two free tickets. Had we taken the shuttle… Had we found the correct commuter lot with the bus… Had we not swallowed our pride and boarded the ferry…. Had the ferry not sat as long as it did… Had the ferry not docked where it did… Would any of this have happened? As I said, sometimes the Universe just likes to screw with you. With food and beverages in hand, we found our section of the stadium. As we got closer, my eyes began to widen and my heart began to beat faster. We were on the third base side. We walked down our aisle and found our original guys. Mark and I sat next to them, ﬁve rows behind the dugout. Not exactly where I had sat in Baltimore a few months earlier, but within 10 feet. Which goes to show, even the Universe isn’t perfect.

“We’re not old enough to drink but thanks. But we’re kind of ready to head in and I don’t want to just give you the tickets and walk away. Nothing personal.”

Oriole Park at Camden Yards has a seating capacity of nearly 46,000 while PNC Park has a capacity of just more than 38,000. And yet, the Universe seemingly brought us to near-identical seats with extremely similar circumstances, two months apart from otherwise independent events.

I felt my entire demeanor change. My blood

Respect the Universe.

“That would be great. Maybe let me buy you guys a beer?”

FocusLakeCounty.com

On Events March 11; 5 PM - 10 PM March 12; 10 AM - 10 PM March 13; 11 AM - 6 PM Pig On The Pond Festival Waterfront Park, Lake Minneola PigOnThePond.org

March 12; 9 AM - 5 PM 15th annual GCCF Round Robin Tennis Tourney Summit Greens Tennis Courts For more info 407.325.5054 Every Saturday; 8 AM - 1 PM Leesburg Saturday Morning Market Downtown Leesburg LeesburgSaturdayMorningMarket.com

March 17; 7 PM Pastﬁnders Genealogy Society Mary Jackson Fears, Guest Speaker Cooper Memorial Library For more info 352.242.9805 March 18; 7 PM - 9:30 PM Movies Under The Stars “Night At The Museum” Clermont Arts & Recreation Center For more info 352.394.3500

Every Sunday; 9 AM - 2 PM Farmers’ Market Historic Downtown Clermont For more info 352.247.4640

March 20; 7 PM Pop, Rock & Doo Wopp Live! Clermont Performing Arts Center ClermontPerformingArts.com Every Wednesday; 7 PM - 9 PM

March 19; 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM All American Veterans Tribute AMVETS Post 2006 Viaport Florida Mall For more info 352.323.8750 March 19; 5 PM - 10 PM Leesburg BBQ~Blues & Brew Towne Square For more info 352.365.0053 March 24; 11 AM - 12:30 PM Big Kidz Cook-Iron Chef Pasta Teen Chefs (Ages 13-17) Leesburg Public Library For more info 352.728.9790

March 1, 15; 9 AM Board of County Commissioners Meeting Administration Building, Commission Chambers For more info 352.343.9888 March 3; 7:30 PM Tavares Civil War & WWII Roundtable Tavares Civic Center For more info 352.357.8476

Tuesdays; 10 AM - 12 PM Groom and Love a Rescue Horse DreamCatcher Horse Ranch & Rescue Center For more info 407.702.8332 March 4; 5:30 PM - 9 PM Family Food Truck Night Historic Downtown Clermont For more info 352.247.4640

“Julia Cameron - Artist’s Way” Class Leesburg Center for the Arts For more info 352.365.0232

March 4; 6 PM - 9 PM Music on Montrose Downtown Clermont For more info 352.247.4640

Every Thursday; 6:30 PM Yoga Classes at Unity Church 826 East Dixie Avenue For more info 505.967.9312

March 5; 7:30 PM Guy Bavli – Master of the Mind Clermont Performing Arts Center ClermontPerformingArts.com

March 4-6; 11-13; 18-20 The Drowsy Chaperone Melon Patch Players MelonPatchPlayers.com

March 10; 10 AM - 2 PM Job Connection Center Job Fair Goodwill Job Connection Center For more info 352.404.7799

March 7, 14, 21, 28; 11 AM - 8 PM Collecting Care Packages For Our Troops AMVETS Post 2006 For more info 352.430.4355

March 12-13; 10 AM - 5 PM 39th Annual Leesburg Fine Art Festival Towne Square For more info 352.365.0232

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March 8; 2 PM - 4 PM Adult Coloring & Tea Tavares Public Library For more info 352.742.6204 March 14, 28; 6 PM Lake County School Board Meeting Administration Building, Commission Chambers For more info 352.253.6500 March 22; 2 PM - 5 PM Roots and Branches Genealogy Group Tavares Public Library For more info 352.742.6204 March 26; 9 AM - 10 AM Kayakathon - Beneﬁt for Camp Boggy Creek Wooton Park For more info 352.217.7966

March 2016

Every Sunday; 9 AM - 2 PM The Mount Dora Village Market Elizabeth Evans Park MountDoraMarket.com

March 5; 9 AM - 11 AM Ecology Hike Lake May Reserve For more info 352.516.7011

March 12; 8 AM - 12 PM Annual Book Fair Astor County Library For more info 352.759.9913

March 11; 8 PM - 10 PM 2nd Friday Movie in the Park Donnelly Park WhatToDoInMtDora.com March 17; 5 PM - 8:30 PM Family Food Truck Night Sunset Park, Downtown For more info 352.735.7100

March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; 9 AM - 3 PM AARP Tax Aide - By Appt Only Fruitland Park Library For more info 352.360.6561

March 17; 7:30 PM - 9 PM Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Somewhere in Time St. Patrick Catholic Church For more info 352.589.1500

March 10; 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM PAWS Reading Dogs (Ages 1-7) Fruitland Park Library For more info 352.360.6561

March 18; 7PM 6th Annual Eustis School Bands Jazz Revue Mount Dora Community Building For more info 352.602.3726 March 18, 24, 31; 8 PM - 11 PM Gypsy - A Musical The Ice House Theatre IceHouseTheatre.com

Every Tuesday; 9 AM - 1 PM Lady Lake Farmers’ Market Log Cabin Park For more info 352.552.1266

March 19-20; 9 AM - 5 PM Spring Show: Antiques, Arts & Crafts Downtown Mount Dora For more info 352.217.8390

March 8; 7 PM Willie Nelson The Sharon Performing Arts Center TheSharon.com

March 31-April 3 Florida Storytelling Festival Lakeside Inn For more info 800.327.1796

March 19; 9 AM - 12:30 PM Lady Lake Easter Egg Hunt Junior Baseball Field, Hermosa Street For more info 352.430.0451 March 23; 11 AM - 12:30 PM Kidz Cook with Ze Carter (Ages 7-12) Lady Lake Public Library For more info 352.753.2957

Every Thursday; 8:15 AM - 1:30 PM Lake County Farmers’ & Flea Market Lake County Fairgrounds For more info 352.357.9692

March 25; 7 PM March 26; 2 PM & 7 PM The Ofﬁcial STOMP The Sharon Performing Arts Center TheSharon.com

March 4-6; 8 AM - 5 PM Vintage Motorcycle Swap Meet and Bike Show Lake County Expo Center/Fairgrounds For more info 904.626.0664 March 4; 6 PM - 10 PM First Friday Street Party Downtown Eustis For more info 352.357.3434

March 2016

March 12; 7:30 AM - 11 AM Quarterly Bird & Butterﬂy Survey Pasture Reserve, Groveland For more info 352.253.4950

March 17; 6 PM - 9 PM Lake County Boy Scout Golden Eagle Dinner Mission Inn, Howey-in-the-Hills For more info 386.506.1853 March 18; 9 AM - 1 PM Stagger Mud Run Paddling Adventure Powell’s Campground, Astor For more info 352.324.6141 March 20; 9 AM - 11 AM Invasive Plant Species ID & Removal Ferndale Preserve For more info 352.516.7011

March 5; 2 PM & 7:30 PM March 6; 2 PM Cirque Zuma Zuma Paul P. Williams Fine Arts Auditorium Leesburg Campus For more info 352.365.3506 March 19; 6:30 AM Eye Run/Walk 5/10K New Vision for Independence Leesburg Campus For more info 352.435.5040

March 5; 10 AM - 3 PM No Duck Left Behind Rubber Ducky Race & Carnival Wooton Park, Tavares For more info 352.326.1265 FOCUS Magazine Lake County

March 6; 3 PM - 4 PM The Living Roots of Music Minneola City Hall For more info 352.432.3921

Go to FocusLakeCounty.com and Like the FOCUS Lake County Facebook page to ﬁnd more events information.

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March 2016

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March 2016

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March 2016

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On the Arts WRITTEN BY ANTHONY RAO

irst in war, then in carpet, now an author and a musician. Richie Quarantello, or Richie Q for short, is an entertainer you can ﬁnd at local venues like Sip in downtown Leesburg. But before he picked up his saxophone and penned his autobiography, he was just a boy in the streets of Brooklyn, New York. Quarantello was born February 6, 1945 to Josephine and Dominick Quarantello in Brooklyn. He is a second-generation Italian American. He was drafted into the Vietnam War when he was 20 years old where he was wounded three times and the recipient of three Purple Hearts during his service. After the war he married, fathered three children and became an entrepreneur in the carpet business.

In his autobiographical book, in which he describes himself as a Brooklyn street ﬁghter, he details his exploits on the mean streets of Brooklyn. It’s called Surviving the Warzone: Growing Up East New York Brooklyn and is published by Xlibris, available in print and online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. At 192 pages, it’s an easy read for those curious about the life and times of a self-described warrior. “Eastern New York was a lawless place during the late 50s and 60s when I was growing up. It made the Wild West look like Disney World,” he recalls of growing up in the long-gone streets of Brooklyn. Quarantello was exposed to street violence in 1958 at just 13 years of age when he became a member of the notorious gang, the New Lots Boys. As a kid he had heard stories about how bad they were, with their cool motorcycle jackets and greased-back hair, but he never thought about joining a gang. Each day on his way to work as a butcher, working for his uncle, he had to pass Elton Street Park where the gang loitered. He would often stop at the park to talk to some gang members he knew, and that’s where his journey began. “My book is an honest account of how my life has turned around since my younger days as a member of that gang in East New York and the unforgettable experience of serving my country during the Vietnam War,” recounts Quarantello as the reason he penned his story. From the streets to the jungle, and all the way to Lake County where he now entertains and serenades audiences with his smooth jazz and familiar standards, Quarantello isn’t a street ﬁghter anymore. Now he shares his tale as an author and an artist through music and the written word.

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March 2016

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On Better Living Eat To The Beat of A Different Drum!

ealing with social pressures that come with living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy. Especially when you go out to eat. Why do you eat like that? You ordered what? From social events, to dinner with family and friends, or even church events. Sometimes we have trouble speaking up for ourselves or just don’t know how to answer the many inquiring minds and are left to feel embarrassed or confused. “Fitting out” is actually a good thing; leading by example is very rewarding and creates a ripple effect in your family and the community. After all, why wouldn’t you want to feel your very best? Here are a few ways to help avoid or redirect such inquiries that have worked for me in the past.

1 2 3

First of all, you don’t need to explain, the only person you have to answer to is yourself!

Google the menu of a restaurant before you go and decide your order before you get there. Sit closest to the server so you can order right away without being bogged down with questions.

4 5 6 7

Redirect: Let’s face it, people like to talk about themselves... redirect the conversation and make it about them. (It works like a charm!) Respond with: “I can eat whatever I want, I’m choosing to eat this way.”

If you are allergic to a food and you are being pressured, at what expense to yourself are you going to take the risk to please someone else? Worried about receiving communion because you have a gluten allergy? Ask your church board if they have an alternative, they may already have one in place.

veryone’s chemistry is unique, what works for one person may not work for another so be sure to seek the advice of a professional that can do the proper testing to see which way of eating is right for you. And until next time, “check, please!”

Jaime Alonso, Health Coach Total Nutrition & Therapeutics TotalNutritionAnd Therapeutics.com

Eat before you go and just enjoy the company!

Still struggling after trying all the above? You may need to re-evaluate your support system and surround yourself with more positive inﬂuences!

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March 2016

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Suzy Bogguss is Real Country WRITTEN BY ANTHONY RAO

It’s been a long road for country star and Grammy winner Suzy Bogguss, who set out on her musical journey in 1989, and she’s not “Letting Go” just yet. Her performance March 4 at the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale will mark the first time Bogguss graces the local stage, performing some of her Billboard Top Ten singles such as “Outbound Plane,” “Drive South,” or “Hey Cinderella.” Bogguss will also be honoring Merle Haggard, a country music hero of hers, by performing songs from her album Lucky, a tribute to his legacy. It was that love of Haggard’s music that first put her on the charts with a cover of his song “Somewhere Between.” Bogguss was raised in Illinois by her parents, Charles “Bud” and Barbara Jean “B.J.” Bogguss, along with her sister Sally and two brothers, Scott and Kerry. The children grew up singing and playing instruments in the church choir. And although most of their musical talent came from B.J., her father was a great dancer who blessed his kids with rhythm. “Dad wasn’t a musician, but he loved music and had real respect for it. So we listened to all types of music growing up,” Bogguss says of the influence both her parents had musically on her and her brothers and sister. The family had a single record player and as the youngest, Bogguss had some trouble getting her turn at listening to music. “Everybody had their own groups they wanted to listen to. So

ﬂy by the seat of our pants and it me when we show up and off. Wetickles you had to arm wrestle for who was gonna get to play the record player. That was the big deal, if somebody else wasn’t around you could listen to your songs,” remembers Bogguss of those childhood days. After graduating high school she attended Illinois State University, where she studied art and graduated in 1980. College was

March 2016

where her love of singing and music blossomed. “I was heavily influenced by folk music. When I first learned guitar it was James Taylor and Carole King. In college I started delving into country more and started playing bluegrass and the like,” she says of how she’s grown into the songwriter, musician and performer she is today. “I was a novice at the arts and through the years I’ve developed a different view. After I made the Merle record, Lucky, it was like going to songwriting school.” Bogguss’ husband Doug Cryder, who originally worked at RCA Records where the couple met, serves as her sound engineer and travels with her on the road now that their son is off at college. Cryder even writes some of Bogguss’ songs, such as her hit “Letting Go.” Bogguss herself also writes her own songs, which she plays from her heart and to her audience. In fact, she doesn’t even have a set list when she performs live on stage. Charlie Chadwick and Craig Smith, who dons a cowboy costume on stage, accompany her on acoustic and electric guitars. They too play from their own experience, adding a flavor to the performance that audiences respond to with enthusiasm. “There’s always a surprise. I feel how audiences respond to particular songs and I try to get my hits in there, but also to dazzle with interesting songs,” she says of her spontaneity onstage. “We fly by the seat of our pants and it tickles me when we show up and off.” A highlight of her career was her first performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee back at the start of her career in 1989. She recalls hoping there wasn’t an eject button to throw her off the stage. “When I go out to play the Nashville Opry, it’s a big place with thousands of people. There are days when my voice still shakes, I’m not over it yet,” Bogguss says of the nervousness she still feels when playing the legendary venue. “Hopefully, it won’t shake at the Orange Blossom Opry.”

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LAKE COUNTY’S

grassland area. From this area, look out at the horizon at sunset and if weather conditions are right, it will appear as if you’re standing on another world, looking out into the vast universe and beyond. Once past the grasslands the trail continues for another mile, taking you through various landscapes of natural Florida. While hiking the trail you’ll ﬁnd yourself at a crossroad. You can either travel to the left or you can travel to the right. At the end of the trail there exists a large lake, hidden away by the natural growth around it. It’s a sight you won’t be able to see from the road. From this point on, it’s recommended that you proceed with caution. During periods of heavy rain, the water can easily rise to be level with the trail. When this occurs, you will likely spot an alligator or two sunbathing right in the middle of the trail. Of course, you will also spot the lake. One of the unique aspects of this location is its ability to support a large and diverse wildlife population, particularly migrating and wintering birds. Multiple species coexisting in the same habitat, utilizing the same resources to survive and thrive. For any bird enthusiast, this lake will provide the ultimate birding experience.

Exploring Emeralda Marsh WRITTEN BY DEVIN COLLINS Just off the beaten path, there lies a place of pristine beauty and serenity. It’s a place where, at the right time, the lines separating heaven and earth fade. Although the 7,089 acre preserve known as Emeralda Marsh is almost a complete secret outside the sunshine state, local birdwatchers and environmentalists rave about its large and diverse wildlife population. If that doesn’t suit your tastes, there are always the nature trails. After only a decade of rehabilitation, the St. John’s River Water Management District, along with support from the Lake County Board of Commissioners and the Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society, have accomplished an astounding feat of creating a viable conservation area and ecotourism attraction. A single road leads through the heart of Emeralda Marsh. Built atop a series of dikes, the 4.3 mile scenic drive offers a glimpse of the awe-inspiring natural beauty contained in the wetlands of the local area. As you drive, you’ll notice various stopping points along the way where you can pull off to the side of the road, park your car, and go hiking. While each stopping point has a gate preventing vehicles from going inside, this does not prevent you from being able to take a little adventure for yourself on foot. Keep in mind however, that public access, whether by car or on foot, is prohibited on any portion of the area posted as “Closed” or “Restricted.”

Looking out on the lake you may see anything from a family of ducks racing across the water, to hawks that swoop from the branches of trees, ﬂying level with you in what initially appears to be a potential head-on collision. With luck, you will even spot the red cardinals, which seem inclined to follow you all the way back to your vehicle when you leave. When hiking, keep in mind that the area is eco-sensitive. It is recommended that you bring nothing more than a good pair of hiking shoes, binoculars, and a camera. Anything else would potentially risk damaging an already fragile ecosystem. Always remember that when walking these trails, you are passing through their home, not yours. This hidden gem is truly something to witness. Take a few hours and give yourself a break from the stresses of everyday life. Relax and take a walk out onto one of the many trails that Emeralda Marsh has to offer. You’re guaranteed to see something, whether it be a bird, a snake, or merely Florida in its natural state. Altogether, this destination truly represents real Florida, real close.

One trail in particular boasts an impressive variety of different Florida landscapes. This trail, like many others, is a protected conservation area. When you start off it begins by crossing through a small, dense

TAKE AN ADVENTURE THROUGH NATURE Experience ‘Real Florida. Real Close.’

www. R eal F lorida R eal C lose.com/FOCUS 34

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March 2016

n Home

Where is Green Building Heading? Green building was a very hot topic in the construction industry several years ago. In many respects, because of the Great Recession and the cratering of appraisals for new construction, the buzz has somewhat quieted. It is undereen building movement has changed attitudes toward environmentally-friendly building practices, conservation, and recycling—even if it is not on the formal and certiﬁed level many activists sought.

ods used to construct a Florida home just a decade ago are obsolete today. In my view, for green building standards to become the universal norm in the construction industry, they must move from private certiﬁcation programs to government mandated and inspected programs.

Ofﬁcially-certiﬁed green projects still make up a sector of the building industry. However, these projects are typically being constructed for owners who are very committed to the environment or for government entities whose political leadership has committed to green building standards. The main struggle for the green construction industry is cost in a competitive marketplace as it relates to certifying building products and methods through a fairly cumbersome bureaucracy.

conservation, and that message is more palatable to sell to builders and project owners. It is easy to convince a project owner to buy a product or change a construction method when a 15 percent energy savings is the payback, rather than certifying that a piece of wood came from a certain forest in California.

The problem for green building, in one word is “green.” Green, as it relates to the environment, has been negatively characterized by politicians who have successfully linked the word to extremists in the environmental movement. For most people in the construction industry, green building is really energy

The other main reason why the building industry is slowly going green is due to government regulations, which are mandating higher energy standards, recycling of certain waste, and the control of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)—chemical vapors in the home. Construction products and meth-

The downside of mandating green building standards is the negative effect on affordable housing. While products and building methods have changed over the past decade, so has the cost of building. This is counter to costing trends in other industries. Because of technology and automation, costs for many business sectors have deThe success of green building continues to be dependent on cost and creating a product that is priced competitively for the marketplace. creased. However, in the construction industry the costs have dramatically increased because of these green and energy conservation mandates. Recycling costs for many building material products are still more than raw costs and this disparity is creating real issues in affordable housing. The success of green building continues to be dependent on cost and creating a product that is priced competitively for the marketplace. There is little doubt that builders and project owners would immediately switch to green building standards if ultimately it could be done proﬁtably and on a level playing ﬁeld with other projects. The standards of green building will continue to expand in the construction industry, but at a much slower pace than many would hope. Green building changes will continue and will accelerate once the affordability equation is resolved.

Don Magruder is the CEO of Ro-mac Lumber & Supply, Inc. RomacLumber.com

March 2016

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Great Golf? The Putt Stops Here!

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE SHERMAN

Golf courses in Lake County boast scenic vistas of “Old Florida” as well as the natural rolling hills unique to Central Florida. With more than two dozen courses in the area, golfers have plenty of options. Two of the most distinguished courses are Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills and Bella Collina in Montverde. At Mission Inn, El Campeon, or “The Champion,” is the third-oldest golf course in the state. Featuring water on 13 of 18 holes and rare 85-foot elevation changes, the course consistently ranks among the best in the state. Bella Collina is noted for its beautiful clubhouse, gorgeous views, and Italian village atmosphere. The two courses make for outstanding tournament play.

main focus areas are ecotourism and sports. Golf ﬁts both of those in that it’s an outdoor sport that gets you out in nature,” says Robert Chandler, Lake County Economic Growth Department Director.

So it was no surprise when these two courses were recently awarded top honors by Golf Advisor’s 2015 “Best Of” lists, based on thousands of reviews by golfers, for golfers. “It’s always exciting when you get any kind of accolades from a nationally-known publication and it certainly validates what we already knew, that we’ve got pretty nice golf courses around here and they’re unique in terms of the hills and changing landscape and terrain that you might not ﬁnd elsewhere in Florida. Mission Inn was recognized for the course itself whereas Bella Collina won for the offcourse amenities. For us at the county we’re trying to drive visitation here and our two

Golﬁng in the early days. Submitted by Mission Inn Resort and Club The El Campeon course at Mission Inn has been ranked the second-best course in the nation and the best in Florida. “The key point is not only the rankings but the fact that people here are friendly and the unique thing is we happen to be 99 years old. So it’s the consistency of quality, the classic vintage-ness of the course, and that it’s still a very challenging course design,” according to Drew Toth, Director of Sales and Marketing at Mission Inn.

Golﬁng in an Italian village inspired setting.

Submitted by Bella Collina

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“The course was carved out of citrus groves by Mr. Howey over a hundred years ago, and 16 of the original 18 holes are still intact from the original design. There are only a limited number of homes on the course as well. Only on the fourth hole, that’s it. The signature hole is #17, called The Devil’s Delight because it’s a par 5 with the third shot

where you have to hit under a large live oak tree and over a lake, to the green. One of the best things about the course is that you’re rewarded for good shot-making here. And even for average players it’s still a thrill to play,” adds Toth. We also do 16 collegiate events a year with the NCAA Divisions 1 through 3. Bella Collina was ranked number five of the top twenty-five US courses for off-course amenities. It’s a private club but non-members can make appointments for tee times or the full-servicespa on a space-available basis. Once you’re on the property there is fine dining, a pool, tennis courts and fitness center, that can be experienced on a day-pass basis. “The 55,000 square-foot clubhouse is the focal point, sitting on the highest point on the property. The beautiful stone work on the clubhouse and the half-mile long cobblestone entryway leading up to the clubhouse brings the feeling of being in an Italian Tuscan village. We’ve also been voted the #1 wedding venue in all of Central Florida,” says Jim Kroll, Director of Golf at Bella Collina. There is a beautiful wine cellar and both private and casual dining in an architecturally-unique setting. The wine cellar can be rented for events. Aside from the amenities, the course itself is both beautiful and challenging. “We’ve got uphill and downhill lies, a lot of elevation and topography changes and the course runs through the ridge here in Montverde, designed to make the most of the natural terrain,” adds Kroll. Bella Collina is a private community and currently selling real estate. As a property owner you’re automatically a member of the club and there are only about 4 or 5 holes with houses on them along the course. “In our marketing plan, golf is one of the niches to bring people here to Lake County as a golfing destination because we do have some pretty unique courses, some of the best in the state if not the country,” says Chandler. For more information about Lake County’s premier golf courses, visit SportsInLakeFL. com/Sports/Competitive/Golf

March 2016

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Clermont’s Citrus Tower Once the most famous landmark in the Orlando area, the Citrus Tower in Clermont was built in 1956 to allow visitors to observe the miles of orange groves surrounding it. Providing a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, travelers could look out and enjoy the panoramic view of Florida’s rolling hills and lakes in the surrounding area. It remains the highest observation point in Florida. Today, the Citrus Tower is a monument to Florida’s once famed citrus industry. It is still open to the public and people can go up and get a ﬁrsthand look at Florida’s ever-changing landscape.

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