The September 2013 issue of STYLE Magazine, Villages edition. by Akers Media Group

W TERVIE YLE IN T S E TH

Featuring

JOHNComes ANDERSON out a swingin’

September

against cancer at the Cattle Baron’s Ball in Mount Dora

2013

THE CHATTER ABOUT CHESTNUTS These nuts are hard to crack TAVARES Next up in

state of the heart When it comes to understanding nding the t heart, o it. all you need to do is putt ice on SEE THEIR GATEFOLD FOR MORE

Plus

WHAT’S COOKING? STYLE unlocks the sizzlin’ secrets to the perfect steak!

our City Series, we ﬂy high in “America’s Seaplane City”

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EUSTIS Eric Blamick 352.357.2204

LEESBURG Jeananne Niemann 352.787.7782

MOUNT DORA Rebecca Sargent 352.357.2282

MOUNT DORA John Stewart 352.383.4539

Member SIPC

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For parents, back-to-school season means it’s time to stock up on school supplies. But it can also be a good time to think about how to save for your child’s future education.

cont September

201 3 // VO LU M E 1 0 N U MB E R 1 1

Featuring THE STYLE INTERVIEW

JOHN ANDERSON

It’s time to ﬁght cancer with a little bit of country ﬂair. At this year’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, legendary country music singer John Anderson will be a singin’ and a ‘swingin’ in an effort to raise money and fund cancer research. It will be a foot-stomping, knee-slapping good time as the Central Florida native performs some of his greatest hits, including “Straight Tequila Night” and “Seminole Wind.” STORY: JAMES COMBS

CITY SERIES

TAVARES

A few years ago, Tavares was known as the city where Lake County residents went for jury duty. Today, it’s called “America’s Seaplane City.” Read how the waterfront city reinvented itself to become a tourist destination for the thousands of pilots who land on Lake Dora’s virtual runway. The city’s growth would not surprise its founder Alexander St. Clair Abrams, who believed Tavares was destined for great things. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK

Mighty forests of American chestnut trees once covered the eastern U.S. from Canada to Georgia, but by the mid20th century, the trees had disappeared from the landscape because of blight. Restoring the American chestnut tree to its former glory has been a passion since 1989 for Jim Casto and Jim Ellis, whose Chestnut Grove Nursery near Groveland is yielding hundreds of pounds of the nuts that nutritionists love. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

56 46

johnanderson THE STYLE

INTERVIEW

COMES OUT A SWINGIN’ AGAINST CANCER AT THE CATTLE BARON’S BALL IN MOUNT DORA

Featuring

THE CHATTER ABOUT CHESTNUTS These nuts are hard to crack TAVARES

Next up in our City Series, we ﬂy high in “America’s Seaplane City” Plus

WHAT’S COOKING? STYLE unlocks the sizzlin’ secrets to the perfect steak!

September

On the cover JOHN ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY: PROVIDED BY THE BOBBY ROBERTS COMPANY

2013

September 20 13

tents

Departments 20

FROM THE PUBLISHER

FIRST THINGS FIRST 24 #TRENDING Read all about the people, places, and upcoming events that make Lake and Sumter counties the best place to live. 28 PERSON OF INTEREST Co-founder/owner of Hound Dogg Entertainment, Susan Snell has proven she has a nose for bringing national stars to Lake County and promoting stars on the rise. 30 OUTSTANDING STUDENT Eighteen-year-old Tyler Brandeburg is not only an exceptional student; he is also an ace on the golf course and extremely passionate about his hometown.

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68 THE TO-DO LIST Event season is kicking off in Lake and Sumter counties. Find out what to add to your personal to-do list this month.

92 RESTAURANT REVIEW Quarterdeck For consistently good service and fresh seafood, look no further than Quarterdeck restaurant in Umatilla. Story: Shemir Wiles

ON THE SCENE

72 HI, SOCIETY! Catch all the social scenes from Stepping Out for Education, the 20th anniversary celebration of Gator Harley-Davidson, and other local happenings. 80 SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT Nurture yourself in nature If you love nature and the great outdoors, the

EATS!

second annual Wings and Wildﬂowers Festival will give you the opportunity to become acquainted with Lake County’s natural beauty and local wildlife. Story: James Combs 82 OUT+ABOUT Rocky top adventures If you are tired of sand on your feet or the long, hot theme park lines, the Great Smoky Mountains may be calling you. Fall is the perfect time to plan a getaway to the Tennessee mountains. Story: Mary Ann DeSantis

.com

96 SALUTE Classic wines: Left to right Bordeaux often conjures up images of persnickety wine snobs, but that’s not the case as southern France’s winemakers awaken to a competitive and international world of wine. Story: Mary Ann DeSantis 98 IN THE KITCHEN ‘Meat’ me If you love meat, you most likely love steak. However, if you are a true meat connoisseur, any old steak just will not do. Vic’s Embers Supper Club in Leesburg shares just what it takes to cook the perfect steak. Story: Shemir Wiles

237 West 4th Ave. Suite 2 * Mount Dora, FL 32757 * 352-383-3600 We are located in the Arbors & Eyebrows complex at the corner of Alexander and 4th Ave. in Historic Downtown Mount Dora. Open 7 days a week

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

Doug Akers

Gourmet Kitchen Products

VICE PRESIDENT doug@akersmediagroup.com

Unique and Hard To Find Specialty Kitchen Products

Jamie Ezra Mark

Make Us Your 2013 Baking and Cooking Headquarters

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EDITORIAL // DESIGN Tina Morrison

EDITORIAL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR tina@akersmediagroup.com

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DISTRIBUTION Scott Hegg

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com

LAKE & SUMTER STYLE IS A PROUD MEMBER OF

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION

LEESBURG PARTNERSHIP

LEESBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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AMERICAN ADVERTISING ASSOCIATION

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SOUTH LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WINNER OF AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Lake & Sumter Style, September 2013. Published monthly by Akers Media Group, 1450 E. North Blvd, Leesburg, Florida 34748. All editorial contents copyright 2013 by Akers Media Group. All rights reserved. Lake & Sumter Style is a registered trademark of Akers Media Group. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. For back issues or billing information, call (352) 787-4112. Return postage must accompany all unsolicited manuscripts and artwork if they are to be returned. Manuscripts are welcomed, but no responsibility can be assumed for unsolicited materials. “Special to Lake & Sumter Style” and “Special Promotional Feature” denotes a paid advertising feature. Publisher is not responsible for claims or contents of advertisements. The ideas and opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily reﬂect the thoughts or opinions of Akers Media Group.

September 20 13

This month on What’s happening beyond the print edition

IN THE KITCHEN

If you’re in the mood for a delicious steak, look no further than Vic’s Embers Supper Club. Featured on the 2013 Style Hot List as the place with the Hottest Steaks, this Leesburg restaurant has set the bar high when it comes to grilling meats. In the Kitchen correspondent Alyson Rogers met up with co-owner Vic Donahey to see what is takes to make the perfect steak.

BON APPÉTIT

If you live in Umatilla, it’s no secret where to ﬁnd the best grouper sandwich in town or all-you-can-eat quail. This month, Bon Appétit correspondent Jana Wheeler stops by Quarterdeck for a taste of some good, oldfashioned Lake County home cooking.

CITY SERIES

Home to more than 6,700 residents and four major highways, Wildwood has always been called Florida’s Transportation Hub. For this month’s city feature, city correspondent Nikko Tan takes viewers through this remarkable city to learn a little history and ﬁnd some fun stops along the way.

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HI, SOCIETY!

It’s harvest season and that means it’s grape-stomping time! The 19th annual Harvest Grape Stomp at Lakeridge Winery in Clermont was another fun-ﬁlled family event. Social correspondent Tina Morrison was in on the action and got to experience ﬁrsthand this exciting and messy tradition.

HEALTHY LIVING

“Style TV” host Tori Petry shows you how to sculpt sleek and sexy abs with this month’s exercise demo at Anytime Fitness.

THIS MONTH’S SPONSOR:

With more than 100,000 residents now calling The Villages home, you can imagine there is no shortage of places to purchase a golf cart. However, “Style TV” talks to one local vendor, Advantage Golf, about how they have slowly built a large yet very loyal customer base one sale at a time.

CAMPUS WANTS TO SAVE CONSUMERS

$5 MILLION IN 2013 … and we’re starting with YOU!

MOVE your Auto Loan (from another institution)

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AUTO LOAN

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APPLY NOW!

Apply online at www.campuscu.com, visit any CAMPUS USA Credit Union Service Center or call us at 352-237-9060 and press 4.

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY. 1. Variable rates do not qualify. Savings based on current rate and outstanding balance from another financial institution. $12,000 minimum loan balance required. Existing CAMPUS loans do not qualify. Refinances only, new purchases do not qualify. Proof of existing rate may be required to receive bonus. Credit application required to determine savings amount and/or receive bonus. One per household. 2. Credit approval and initial $5 deposit required. Mention this ad and we’ll waive the $15 new membership fee. Other restrictions may apply. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

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At your service Where to ﬁnd us

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Order a subscription of your favorite magazine to be delivered directly to your home for just $24. Each subscription includes 12 consecutive issues of Style or Healthy Living magazine. Choose both magazines for $36 per year. To order, call 352.787.4112, go to www.akersmediagroup.com or mail us at Subscriptions at Akers Media Group, P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749.

We do what others promise.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you are a seasonal resident or have moved and need to change your address, send your address change request to general@akersmediagroup.com or mail us at: Subscriptions at Akers Media Group, Inc. P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749. BACK ISSUES: Order by mail for cover price at $4.95+ sales tax and shipping. To pick up a back issue from our ofﬁce, please call 24 hours in advance.

We’re looking for

a Few good story ideas Let us know what you would like to read in

Lake & Sumter STYLE magazine.

* SEND YOUR IDEAS TO: Tina@akersmediagroup.com OR MAIL US AT: AKERS MEDIA GROUP, INC. P.O. BOX 490088 LEESBURG, FL 34749

Commercial Cleaning Services & Supplies CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

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THE NATURAL NAIL SPA TH Fo a relaxing and enjoyable spa experience, try the Natural For Nail Spa, a podiatrist-owned and certiﬁed modern nail lounge Na that maintains a pampering, relaxing atmosphere and the tha utmost sterilization and safety techniques. Even the nail polish utm bo bottle goes home with the client — just another step to hei erience. heighten the “safe pedicure experience.”

PINPOINTE LASER TREATMENT

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ORTHAHEEL SHOES

The Center for Ankle & Foot Care uses the state-of-the-art PinPointe Laser to cure embarrassing and unsightly toenail fungus. This FDA-approved treatment is a safe and effective way to kill fungus and improve the appearance of your nails. Our practice also sells the SteriShoe. This patented ultraviolet shoe sanitizer kills the microbes that cause athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and offensive shoe odor.

Board-certiﬁed foot surgeons Dr. Michele McGowan and Dr. Timothy Henne offer a number of foot and ankle services for comprehensive foot care and ankle disorders. They are trained to handle problems as small as ingrown toenails and warts to as large and complex as bunions, hammertoes and heel pain.

Having proper support, comfort and pain relief for your feet doesn’t mean having to wear shoes that lack style. The Center for Ankle & Foot Care proudly offers a wide variety off fashionable Orthaheel shoes, which are designed to help restore the foot’s ot’s natural alignment and offer relief elief to individuals who suffer from plantar fasciitis or heel pain. ain.

Center for Ankle & Foot Care TAVARES y 2515 Dora Ave CLERMONT y 3150 Citrus Tower Blvd Suite B SUMMERFIELD y 16920 Hwy 441 Suite 104 (Laser Foot Center)

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From the publisher

EXCITEMENT ON THE HORIZON Style has a lot going on. There is lots of excitement within this month’s pages, and we also will be bringing them to life in the September episode of “Style TV.”

This past month was very exciting and interesting for Akers Media. We had a lot going on within the company. After 10 years of publishing, Style received a complete makeover and now has a new look from cover to cover. We also released our very ﬁrst reader survey with the “Hot List,” launched “Style TV,” and attended the Florida Magazine Association publishing conference and received 11 awards for publishing excellence. Now moving on to September, it doesn’t seem the excitement is subsiding just yet. As you can see on the cover, Style had the amazing opportunity to interview country music star John Anderson. I grew up listening to some of his biggest hits, such as “Swingin’,” “Seminole Wind,” and “Straight Tequila Night.” John Anderson will be coming to Lake County on Sept. 21 to perform at the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball. Our “Style TV” team will have the honor of going backstage and meeting Mr. Anderson for a second interview to be aired in the October episode of “Style TV.” Needless to say, we are very thrilled. But the excitement doesn’t end there. As most of you know, Tavares made national news with the explosion at the Blue Rhino gas plant in July. As it happened, writer and editor Mary Ann DeSantis was deep into her research for the City Series article about Tavares. Therefore, we have the latest up-to-date information on the explosion and tons of information about Tavares, how it received its identity as “America’s Seaplane City,” and much more. Our magazine team also traveled to Umatilla for a look behind the scenes at the very popular Quarterdeck restaurant. This restaurant is a local favorite and very possibly one of Lake County’s best-kept secrets. You can learn how the restaurant’s owner Glen Key has made this small, off-the-beaten-path restaurant a true staple within its community. Speaking of delicious food, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we also visited one of our “Hot List” winners: Vic’s Embers Supper Club. We went “in the kitchen” with owner Vic Donahey for a demonstration on how to prepare an awardwinning and mouth-watering steak. Style has a lot going on. There is lots of excitement within this month’s pages, and we also will be bringing them to life in the September episode of “Style TV.” As always, we hope we’re keeping you entertained and informed while enjoying your experience with Style. Until next month,

Publisher Kendra Akers, Publ kendra@akersmediagroup.com kendra@akersmedia

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feedback Tell us like it is!

REDESIGN REACTIONS VIA FACEBOOK

“Love the more modern style of the cover!” — Barbara Sackett

“Looks HOT!!!” — Linda Joanne Way Wright

“Very edgy and clean!” — Olivia Ashton

______________

IN GREAT SPIRITS

What a delightful surprise to ﬁnd photos in Style magazine with the dandy article about our Spirit Night at Chick-ﬁl-A! The girls did a great job with photos and James, as always, with the writing. We so appreciate your support of our big ride next year. Thank you truly.

able Garden. As she was taking the picture, the photographer had a beautiful, attentive, and caring attitude. It was a nice moment and a wonderful photo. We appreciate Lake and Sumter Style’s community spirit and your dedication to highlighting the new happenings and feelings of the people in Lake County. — Melinda Joy Miller

______________

TUNED IN, TURNED ON

Just watched “Style TV” and it looks great. You guys are rocking.

— Tracy Draper

— Dean Simmons

______________

IT’S SHOWTIME!

Congratulations on such a ﬁne magazine, Lake and Sumter Style. We look forward to reading it each month. Every best wish for continued success,

— Karen Monte

— Dodie Jerz & Bonnie Janssen

Excellent show as I knew it would be! I think “Style TV” is going to be a huge hit! We’re excited to be included in your endeavor!

Operating Manager, KaDee Kay Gourmet Kitchen Products ______________

A PICTURE’S WORTH

Thank you so much for including me in Style’s Hot Issue. The caption “sustainable and edible gardening” relates to my newly published book, Shamanic Gardening: Timeless Techniques for the Modern Sustain-

WE LOVE LETTERS! We really do! Whether it’s something you love (or hate) in our magazine — tell us!

Trips N Tours Coordinators, Appleton Museum of Art

We love feedback! Send your letters and comments to: letters@ akersmediagroup.com or mail us at: Letters at Akers Media Group, Inc. P.O. Box 490088 Leesburg, FL 34749. (Letters may be published. If you prefer not to be published, just mark your correspondence “not for print”).

SEND YOUR LETTERS AND COMMENTS TO: letters@akersmediagroup.com OR MAIL US AT LETTERS AT AKERS MEDIA GROUP, INC. P.O. BOX 490088 LEESBURG, FL 34749 (Letters may be published in whole or in part. If you prefer not to be published, just mark your correspondence “not for print”).

September 20 13

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HOT DIGGETY DOG! When it comes to entertainment, Susan Snell is all ears. Read more about her ON PAGE 28.

First Things

f1rst #TRENDING PERSON OF INTEREST OUTSTANDING STUDENT

September 20 13

24 28 30

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

BY THE NUMBERS:

Drive Time How much time do commuters spend behind the wheel?

25.4 average commute time to work in the U.S. (in minutes)

27.6 LOCAL MOTION

KISS YOUR GAS GOODBYE

Are you sick of shelling out money at the gas pump? Does it seem like you need that regular oil change more often? There may be a solution for you. Lake County has formed a partnership with reThink, a commuter-assistance program based in Central Florida, to offer residents an alternative to using their personal vehicles to travel to and from work by way of a vanpool program. Vanpool consists of a group of people who commute to work together on a regular basis in a vehicle leased by a local vanpool provider. Vanpool vehicle providers in Lake County include Enterprise and vRide. Both companies’ monthly lease fees cover maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance costs. This program is most beneficial to those who have at least a 30-minute, one-way drive to work. When compared to the cost of driving alone, vanpoolers save an average of $5,000 per year. Other benefits include reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, and conservation of nonrenewable resources. For more information about the program, contact Michelle Agatstein at 407.482.7856.

Did you know? Lake County residents spend an estimated $63.66 every week on transportation and have an estimated travel time of 27.6 minutes to work each morning.

average commute time to work in Lake County. (in minutes)

10.8 million people commute more than an hour to work.

600, 000

people nationally are “mega commuters,” traveling more than 90 minutes or more to work. SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

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FOOTBALL FEASTS

IT’S GAMETIME You may not have tickets to the game, but you can still cheer on your favorite team with other football fanatics. Don your team’s colors and enjoy the numerous venues throughout Lake and Sumter counties where you can watch a football game while enjoying good food and camaraderie among friends.

COUSIN VINNIE’S FAMILY SPORTS RESTAURANT

Watch the game on one of six big-screen television sets while enjoying Cousin Vinnie’s famous wings. The restaurant offers more than 30 homemade wing sauces. 10700 U.S. HWY 441 LEESBURG, FL 34788 352.253.2442

HURRICANE DOCKSIDE GRILL

With the restaurant’s waterfront location, the full pound of peeland-eat jumbo shrimp ($16.99) might be the perfect choice. 3351 W. BURLEIGH BLVD. TAVARES, FL 32778 352.508.5137

BIG DOG SALOON

Enjoy the game on the “biggest big-screen TV” and take advantage of the 50-wing special for $42.50.

With nine satellite TVs, you can watch the weekend’s greatest games simultaneously. After the game, enjoy a game of pool or darts and take advantage of the drink specials.

1200 OAKLEY SEAVER DRIVE CLERMONT, FL 34711 352.242.1825

4060 N. HWY 19A MOUNT DORA, FL 352.589.2442

GATOR’S DOCKSIDE

BEEF O’BRADY’S

This popular sports pub is famous for its award-winning wings. Order them with extra hot, nuclear, teriyaki, or sweet jalapeno ﬂavors. 353 COLONY BLVD. SUITE #110 THE VILLAGES, FL 32162 352.750.5975 27405 U.S. 27 LEESBURG, FL. 34748 352.728.3233 1642 STATE HWY. 50 CLERMONT, FL 34711 352.242.9700

CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP

FARMING THE FUTURE The Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter at South Sumter Middle School is one of only four chapters nationwide to be recognized with the National Outstanding Middle School Chapter Award. The chapter successfully completed and received superior ratings in 15 FFA events that encouraged members to grow as individuals, to work as part of a team, and to serve others. One of those events included the Beef and Boogie Festival, where FFA members made butter and educated more than 200 attendees about agriculture. The school joins four other U.S. ﬁnalists: Chatham Middle School in Virginia; Signal Knob Middle School in Virginia; Tomlin Middle School of Florida; and Lincoln Middle School of Florida. The school will send two delegates to the National FFA Convention in Kentucky to participate in a presentation and interview process, which will determine the overall winner.

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

9 N. CENTRAL AVE. UMATILLA, FL 32784 352.669.6970 840 S. MAIN ST. WILDWOOD, FL 34785 352.689.0048

15241 U.S. 441 EUSTIS, FL 32726 352.357.1255

September 20 13

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

SUMMER ‘SCHOOL’

Into the

nation’s capital

Zachary Payne did not take a vacation from learning this summer. In June, the sixth-grade Christian Home and Bible School student was in Washington, D.C., to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference, an invitation-only conference. The ﬁveday conference provides opportunities for high-achieving middle school students to learn about leadership. By studying leaders of the past and focusing on social advocacy, students are equipped to make a positive impact in their homes and communities. “I was nervous about going, but I had a great time and learned how I can help people in my community,” Zachary says.

JAMIE MARK’S SEPTEMBER

THEHITLIST

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1 // THE SUMMER BAY RESORT SINKHOLE Or as they refer to it, their golf course’s new nineteenth hole! 2 // MILEY CYRUS’ VMA PERFORMANCE People are really twerked; she ruined what is always such a classy, highbrow show. 3 // NO COURTESY SCHOOL BUSES On the bright side, students can one day tell their children how they had to walk miles to school — uphill in snow up to here. 4 // THE VILLAGES WALL DEMOLISHED Describing it as their “Berlin Wall” happy residents now turn their attention to the bridge, or as they call it “The Golden Gate”. 5 // EUSTIS MAN SURVIVES IN THE GULF The Takis II restaurant owner treads water to avoid drowning, but not this Greek tragedy quip. 6 // BEN AFFLECK CAST AS BATMAN Maybe if they cast Syria as the Dark Knight, it would get the same attention. 7 // ZIMMERMAN WANTS $200M IN LEGAL FEES First homicide, now robbery. 8 // GROVELAND RESIGNATIONS We’re all for smaller government, but this is ridiculous!

SHINING BRIGHT

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

For 27 years, Fruitland Park resident Linda Watts has molded young girls into caring, compassionate adults. As director of Florida Hometown USA, she has taught youth about the importance of volunteering. The youth volunteers who participate in the Florida Hometown USA program represent 140 hometowns throughout Florida. “Their volunteer efforts focus on helping children and the elderly who are needy, abused, or neglected,” she says. “We do things such as toy drives, diaper drives, and school supply drives. Every time we hug someone who is lonely or different,

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kiss someone who won’t be here tomorrow, or provide a necessity item to someone who has nothing, it makes everything we do worthwhile.” Another component of the program is the Miss Leesburg Scholarship program. Each year, the organization awards $10,000 in scholarships to help further the education of local students. The Miss Leesburg Scholarship Pageant will be held Sept. 28 inside the Leesburg High School auditorium. Winners from ﬁve age divisions will represent Leesburg at special events, parades, and community activities throughout the year. The pageant is a fundraiser for the scholarship fund. For more information, please call Linda Watts at 352.326.4217.

9 // 93 YEARS OF WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE But it doesn’t look a day over 80 years old.

DID YOU KNOW?

Former Florida Hometown USA volunteers have included 2004 Miss America Ericka Dunlap, Howie D of the Backstreet Boys, actress Dreama Walker of the television show “Law and Order,” and 2012 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Elizabeth Fechtel.

SHINING STARS

CON‘GRAD’ULATIONS Montverde Academy’s 100th graduating class of 2013 made quite a mark on the school academically. The list of accomplishments seems endless.

• Academic Team 2013 LakeSumter Hi-Q League champions. • Academic Team 2013 state and national qualiﬁer. • Math Team 2013 Lake-Sumter State College champions. • Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores exceeded state and national averages. • Advanced Placement (AP) scores exceeded state and national averages. • Graduating students were accepted into prestigious institutions such as Princeton, Wake Forest, UCBerkeley, Rice, Georgetown, and the University of Florida. As a new school year begins, we can only wonder whether future graduating classes can live up to these high standards. Stay tuned.

HEARTFELT ART

ART TAKES A FRONT SEAT Children may soon discover their hidden artistic talents by simply hopping on a bus. For years, the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County has utilized the Big Blue Bus as a mobile classroom to teach school-age children to read, use computers, and even complete science projects. In September, the bus will have an additional purpose. The Leesburg Center for the Arts is bringing free art activities to children and youth in Leesburg who live in low- to moderate-income housing neighborhoods as designated by the Community Development Corporation (CDC). The Big Blue Bus will roll into these neighborhoods after school and on Saturdays so children can easily access programs provided by the Leesburg Center for the Arts.

“This is a fantastic way of reaching students who have no other means of utilizing our programs,” says Amy Painter, executive director of the Leesburg Center for the Arts. “Many kids grow up without discovering what they are good at because they were never given opportunities like this. We would like to thank the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County for being so generous.” Amy says students will be introduced to painting, drawing, sculpture, music, drama, and theatre. Because the bus is already equipped with a DVD player and computer stations, children will also watch cartoons about famous artists and learn about art history. For more information, call Amy at 352.365.0232.

CLASS ACTS

SHAPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS Recently selected student ambassadors for Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) are as follows: Nicole Brannen, Emily Carlson, Tyler Daly, Sydney Glenn, Benjamin Heggie, Christina Navarro, Brad Newman, and Jasmine Scott. The LSSC Foundation selected the eight students from among 33 applicants. The students will serve as liaisons between the college and the community during the 2013-2014 academic school year. Their activities will include conducting campus tours, participating in special campus events, speaking to community leaders, and assisting during fundraising events. In addition to scholarships to help pay for tuition and books, the students also receive a stipend for their service.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dr. Henry P. Carpenter ofﬁcially opened Montverde Industrial School on Sept. 23, 1912, as a co-educational industrial, trade, and preparatory school.

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First things first // person of interest Acts of service

VITAL STATS AGE: 51 HOMETOWN: Eustis STAR-STUDDED LINEUP: Through her company, Hound Dogg Entertainment, Susan has attracted national musicians to Lake County such as John Anderson and Chris Cagle, as well as rising musicians like Michael Ray and Jason Michael Carroll. INTERESTING FACT: Organized the Picks & Stix Music Jamboree, the ﬁrst true concert in Lake County since 1984. The event was held at the Lake County Fairgrounds. LOCAL TIES: A lifelong Lake County resident, Susan was born in Leesburg and graduated from Eustis High School in 1980.

PROUD ACCOMPLISHMENT: Three years ago I started Hound Dogg Entertainment with my partner Steve, who is a Lake County firefighter. We named the company after our two hound dogs Snickers and Reese. Our company does everything—planning events, providing stage and lighting for concerts, and bringing in local and national musicians. Locally, our services have been utilized for street festivals, arts and crafts shows, and Christmas events. It’s a fun business that keeps my adrenaline flowing. IN FIVE YEARS: If I have anything to do with it, Lake County will become Little Nashville. DESIRED TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTION: “The party has moved to another location.” SMALL TOWN OR BIG CITY: Small towns because you can walk to any street corner and see someone who knows your name. WEAKEST LINK: I’m not a behind-the-scenes person. I hate paperwork because it is very boring. That is something I have to make myself do. I am much better at communicating and being around people.

SUSANSNELL BRUSH WITH FAME: My brother used to drive an entertainment coach, so I spent my 18th birthday with Ricky Van Shelton. I’ve also met Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and Alan Jackson.

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BEST ADVICE: Never give up. When you live by this advice, it gives you the opportunity to move forward and create your own way in life. LAST BOOK READ: I don’t read books. Even if I tried, as soon as I closed the cover I would instantly forget what I just read. BIGGEST INSPIRATION: My later father, James. He always told me I could achieve whatever I put my mind to. He instilled that value in me at a young age.

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

CO-FOUNDER/OWNER OF HOUND DOGG ENTERTAINMENT

ROCK STAR

GUILTY PLEASURE: Chocolate, hence the names of my dogs. It’s my comfort food. I can make all types of excuses as to why you should eat chocolate. It does have cocoa and dairy!

First things first // outstanding student Making the grade

I AM ATTENDING the University of Florida in August as a college freshman. I will earn a bachelor’s degree in ﬁnance and then a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

VITAL STATS IT’S ALL ACADEMIC: 4.7 weighted grade-point average CLUBBIN’: National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta HITTING THE BOOKS: Tackled 10 advanced placement classes during his four years at Leesburg High School. LET’S GO SWINGIN’: Competed on the Leesburg High School golf team from grades 10–12. WHAT AN HONOR: One of only three boys in his class to attend the Florida American Legion Boys State in Tallahassee in 2012, where he learned how local, state, and national governmental bodies operate.

I CHOSE UF because both my parents graduated from there. It has become a family tradition. Plus, I have been attending home Gator football games for as long as I can remember. AFTER COLLEGE, I want to move back to Lake County and work here. I’m a lifelong Lake County resident and love the people and small-town atmosphere. ONE OF MY FONDEST childhood memories was raising $5,425 for the Lake County Sheriff Ofﬁce’s K-9 Unit as a sixth-grade student. I sent out hundreds of letters to residents all over the county and received many donations. As a result, I won the Lake County Sherriff’s Gold Star Award for community service.

AGE 1 8 / 2 0 1 3 LEESBURG HIGH SCHO OL G R A D U AT E

B WOoy NDE R

LAST MARCH I hit my first ever hole-inone on the eighth hole at Harbor Hills. I was golfing with Harbor Hills’ head golf professional Tom Leimberger. I’m glad he was there to be a witness. The hole is 170 yards. We watched the ball hit onto the green and go all the way in. The ball teetered on the edge of the hole before finally dropping. I PRIMARILY READ biographies on interesting people such as Steve Jobs, Ronald Reagan, and Nikola Tesla. MY FAVORITE ALL-TIME MOVIE is “The Shawshank Redemption.” Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors. I could watch that movie 10 times in a row and never become bored.

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PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

TYLER BRANDEBURG

FOR FUN, I GOLF almost every evening at Harbor Hills with Dr. Carl Ollivierre, an orthopedic surgeon in Leesburg, and Dr. Kevin Chun, a dermatologist in Leesburg. We have a lot of fun, but the atmosphere is competitive. They enjoy playing mind games with me, and most nights, they beat me!

Five reasons you should choose

Cardiac and Vascular Consultants Bryant Pate, MSN, ARNP, RN, ANPBC

Scott Wojciechowski, PA-C

Saleem Saiyad, MD

Shrikanth Upadya, MD, FACC

Vishnu Yelamanchi, MD, FACC

We offer in-office comprehensive cardiac care and specialize in: • Cardiac Consultation • Surgical Cardiac Clearance • Cardiovascular Risk Factor Assessment and Disease Prevention • Cardiac Catheterization • Angioplasty and Stenting • Atherectomy and Thrombectomy • Coronary Artery Disease • Peripheral Vascular Disease

• Carotid Artery Blockage • Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) • Cardiomyopathy • EKG • Pulse Volume Recording • Nuclear Testing • Echocardiogram • Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound • INR Testing

• Nuclear Cardiac Stress Test • Monitoring (Holter/Event) • Pacemaker/ICD Checks • Venous Ablations • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stents • Treatment of Leg Swelling and Ulcers

Treatment from board-certified cardiologists

M.D., P.A. The Villages 1050 Old Camp Rd, Suite 270 | Leesburg 709 Physicians Court | Lady Lake 510 C.R. 466, Unit 105

352.633.1966 www.cvcfl.com

I N N O VAT I O N • C O M PA S S I O N • E X C E L L E N C E

state of the heart Getting back to basics of understanding the heart, where it’s going and how to keep it a priority.

Facts, ďŹ gures,

heart

ICE shares heart innovations, history and basics of whole body health

and future of

care

FAST FACT

120 over 80 I N N O VAT I O N • C O M PA S S I O N • E X C E L L E N C E

Your heart 101 Make a ﬁ st — your heart is about that size. It has four chambers — the left and right atria on top and the left and right ventricles on the bottom. Blood enters the heart through the atria and is discharged through the ventricles. Oxygen-depleted blood comes into the right atrium, passes into the right ventricle, and is discharged to the lungs. Oxygen-rich blood comes from the lungs, into the left atrium, passes through the left ventricle, and then out to the rest of the body. That beating in your chest keeps the process going and will, on average, do so 2.5 billion times in a 66-year life span. Making your heart beat more eﬃciently, keeping it beating in the face of adverse health conditions, and preparing it for a life span well beyond the averages has been the focus of doctors and scientists for thousands of years.

Your blood pressure reading is a measure of the blood pressure in your arteries. The ﬁrst number — the systolic pressure — is a measure of arterial pressure during a heart contraction. The second number — the diastolic pressure — is your arterial pressure between contractions. A consistently higher systolic number is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for persons over 50..

Healthy advancing Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in America today. Practically 1 in every 4 deaths in the U.S. is attributable to heart disease. Even with all of our medical advances, more than 715,000 Americans will have a heart attack next year. It’s not because we’re not working on the problem. In fact, one day, we may be able to shrink those numbers dramatically. Heart Disease Vaccine. Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology are finding mounting evidence that heart disease is, in fact, an autoimmune response. They have identified a specific cell, the CD4 T-cell, that attacks artery walls where it senses a plaque buildup, causing inflammation. A vaccine to suppress

that cellular response could dramatically reduce the deadly effects of heart disease. Blood Pressure apps. There are many of them. One developed by the French company Withings involves plugging a blood pressure cuff directly into your iPhone. It reads your numbers, saves them to a database in the app, and will even send them to your doctor. Heart Rate apps. Turn your smartphone into an automated pulse checker. Instant Heart Rate by Azumio uses a phone’s camera. Just place your finger over the lens and your heart rate appears onscreen. Many apps available will help track your rate during exercise.

heart care through history 4th Century B.C. A physician in the Hippocrates school was the ﬁrst to discover heart valves, though with no idea what they were for. The ancients believed veins carried blood and arteries carried air around the body.

2nd Century A.D. Galen, a Greek Physician correctly identiﬁed venous blood and arterial blood. But he believed blood was actually sucked by the heart and moved around the body by the actions of arteries themselves.

17th Century The oxygenator was ﬁrst conceptualized by Robert Hooke and later developed for practical use by French and German experimental physiologists in the 19th century.

19th Century First heart operation — to repair the pericardium (sac around the heart) — was performed, despite textbooks of the time that claimed operating on the heart was too risky.

1895 First surgery on the heart itself performed by Norwegian surgeon Axel Cappelen on September 4, 1895 at Rikshospitalet in Kristiania (Oslo today). The patient died from complications.

1896 First successful heart operation where the patient lived without complications. Performed by Dr. Ludwig Rehn of Frankfurt, Germany, who repaired a stab wound to a right ventricle on September 7, 1896.

1899 The ﬁrst experiments in which application of an electrical impulse to a non-beating human heart caused a ventricular contraction and that a heart rhythm of 60–70 beats per minute could be sustained with regular impulses.

CPR app. Not sure exactly what to do in an emergency? Pocket First Aid & CPR from the American Heart Association will guide you through the steps of performing CPR and using a deﬁbrillator. (You may want to study this before you need it.) In Case of Emergency apps. A great investment, they store contact info, medical histories, known allergies, blood type, and more. Upgraded versions put an icon on your start screen. Heart Stem Cell Therapy. Utilizes nanoparticles of silica to track stem cells through ultrasound so doctors can see if they’re getting to the right spot or not. So far, results of stem cell treatments are inconclusive because of doubts about where an injection of stem cells ﬁnally ended up. Grow Your Own Heart. Scientists are already growing tracheas and bladders in the lab by using stem cells. They’ve now turned their focus to other organs like heart valves and intestines. No risk of

1919 Artificial heart first conceived of by a science fiction writer — Homer Eon Flint — in the novel The Devolutionist and the Emancipatrix.

rejection or need for immunesuppressant drugs when it comes from your own cells. Red Blood for Everyone. The universal donor is type-O negative blood, but only seven percent of the population have it. Researchers have discovered how to make more by removing the stem cell nuclei from type-O blood to create nuclei-less red blood cells that can then be transfused into recipients. Human testing is likely to start in 2014.

10 pathways of blood ﬂow through the heart

Print A Heart. The advent of 3D printers has some scientists looking at creating “printed organs” by combining a patient’s own cells with a biological “scaﬀolding.” We’re still decades away from this ever becoming a reality. There are many, many more innovations just over the horizon, including a vaccine for clogged arteries, hearts that heal themselves with stem cells, and the Holy Grail – a truly permanent artiﬁcial heart. All we need to do is keep our heartss healthy in the meantime.

1925 First heart valve operation. A young woman with mitral stenosis was operated on successfully by Dr. Henry Souttar. He opened her left atrium and inserted a ﬁnger into it to palpate and explore the damaged mitral valve.

1926 First heart-lung machine for total body perfusion developed by Soviet scientist Sergei Brukhonenko.

1948 Four diﬀerent surgeons carried out successful operations for mitral stenosis resulting from rheumatic fever.

1949 An early form of the modern artiﬁcial heart pump was built by doctors William Sewell and William Glenn of the Yale School of Medicine using an Erector Set, assorted odds and ends, and dime-store toys.

1950 External heart pacemaker was designed and built by the Canadian electrical engineer John Hopps. Crude and painful to the patient, it utilized vacuum tubes and plugged into an A.C. wall socket.

1953 First cardiac surgery under local anesthesia. Soviet surgeon Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Vishnevskiy exposed the heart and circulated the patient’s blood on a bypass.

steps to prevention

ONE — Exercise regularly. It comes as no surprise. Just be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any new strenuous workout schedule. Regular is the key — at least three times a week. Start slow and build up to a regiment you enjoy and can maintain.

FOUR — Diet appropriately. That means avoid fatty foods, especially those high in unsaturated fats. Stay away from foods high in cholesterol like margarine, high fat dairy, and fried foods. Eat more lean meat, fruits, vegetables, juices, and whole grains.

TWO — Reduce stress. This is easier said than done with today’s rush-hour lifestyles, but it’s important. Chronic stress releases hormones that are harmful to heart health. Try yoga, meditation, or any relaxing, fun activity to help you unwind after a stressful day.

FIVE — Lose weight healthily. If you need to shed some pounds, do it responsibly and don’t get impatient. Slow and steady wins the race. Less excess weight lightens the burden on your entire cardio system.

THREE — Watch your blood pressure. If you know that yours is elevated, or even borderline high, consult with your doctor. You may be a candidate for heart pressure medication to help keep things under control.

1954 Dr. Lillehei developed the technique of using a patient’s mother or father as human “heartlung machines and had a series of successes.

1958 First clinical fully implantable pacemaker into a human performed at the Karolinska Institute in Solna, Sweden.

1960 Nazih Zuhdi performed the ﬁrst total intentional hemodilution (conserving of a patient’s whole blood by using a solution to maintain blood volume) open heart surgery on Terry Gene Nix, age 7, in Oklahoma City.

1967 First human heart transplant performed by Dr. Christian Barnard. The operation lasted nine hours and used a team of thirty people.

1982 First artiﬁcial heart implanted in a human by Dr. Jarvik. (American ventriloquist and inventor Paul Winchell invented an artiﬁcial heart with the help of Dr. Henry Heimlich (the inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver).

SIX — Quit smoking. You know it. Everyone knows it. Science has proven it repeatedly. Smoking thickens the walls of your arteries, which increases blood pressure and is the number one contributor to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and not to mention, cancer. Enough said.

1996 World’s ﬁrst total artiﬁcial heart implantation performed by Dr. Jeng Wei at Cheng-Hsin General Hospital in the Republic of China (Taiwan).

2013 Heart surgery without a scalpel. Tiny tools inserted in a leg or arm vein by catheters are being used to repair heart valves, irregular heartbeats, heart defects, holes in the heart — without major surgery.

THE VISIONARY

Dr. Asad Qamar began his distinguished career at Cambridge and continued his education through a number of institutions including the University of Punjab and Yale, where he was named a Fellow in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Your heart’s in good hands Dr. Asad Qamar and a small group of healthcare professionals opened the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence in 2009 to be a new kind of comprehensive cardiovascular care facility. One as grounded in medical innovations as it was devoted to the compassionate care of its patients. What began as an idea in 2009 has grown to become a much larger family. Now, the Institute of Medical Excellence has several locations and is a fi rst line of defense for patients in need of regular checkups and medical services. The newest addition — The Limbstitute — is a revolutionary resource for limb care that combines all the specialized needs for patients at risk under one roof. As different as the separate clinics may be, they all share a single vision defi ned by the acronym — ICE. Innovation. Compassion. Excellence. While it’s a reflection of Dr. Qamar’s original ideas for a different kind of cardiovascular facility, it’s also a refi nement of what it truly means to be a premier cardiovascular and medical resource. Never has “put ICE on it” meant more to the people of Florida than it does today.

The heart of man The artiﬁcial heart has been called the Holy Grail of heart care — a truly permanent solution to the desperate need for a new heart experienced by more and more people at an alarming and ever-increasing rate. Heart disease continues its reign as the No. 1 killer of both men and women, and it has not showed signs of abdicating that position anytime soon. The statistics are stark: about 600,000 people die every year of heart disease in the U.S. alone. Also, there are approximately 715,000 heart

attacks in the U.S. every year. Heart disease, in hard dollars and cents, costs the United States about $108.9 billion every year! The incentive is certainly there and our lack of developing a truly viable artificial heart is not from a lack of trying. The dream has been alive from the first time electric current was shown to be able to stimulate a heartbeat in inert heart tissue. However, the problem has always been blood clots. The “artificial” parts of an artificial heart — plastic, titanium, and other materials

— cause clotting where blood is exposed to them. A team in France may have ﬁnally solved the riddle with a bio-prosthetic heart design that incorporates heart tissue from a cow heart for those surfaces critical to blood ﬂow. The half-

animal half-manmade heart has been approved for human trials in four clinics. We may be closer to creating a permanent artiﬁcial heart than ever before. Nevertheless, eat right and continue exercising until the dream comes true.

put ice on it.

Ocala 4730 SW 49th Rd. 352.854.0681

The Villages 1950 Laurel Manor Dr. Building 240 352.509.9295 The Villages 8489 SE 165th Mulberry Ln. 352.259.7900 Williston 412 W. Noble Ave. 352.528.0790

Summerﬁeld 10435 SE 170th Place 352.854.4582 limbstitute.com

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Dr. Paraiso’s number one priority is patient care, and he treats his patients with compassion, empathy, and knowledge. He takes pride in seeing his patients live active and enjoyable lives. Specializing in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for: • Spinal Stenosis • Herniated Discs • Failed Laser Spine Surgery • Back & Leg Pain

Clinical Assistant Professor University of Florida Department of Orthopedics - Spine Surgery Published Author and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Instructor/Health Grades® Five Star Recipient Board-Certiﬁed & Fellowship Trained

OCALA MEDICAL PARK

1500 SE Magnolia Extension Suite 104 Ocala, FL 34471

THE VILLAGES

920 Rolling Acres Rd. Suite 208 Lady Lake, FL 32159

352-873-7700 • f 352-873-7704 www.centralﬂoridaspine.com

Dr. Paraiso received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1995. He then obtained his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1999. In 2004, Dr. Paraiso completed his internship and orthopaedic surgery residency at Michigan State University/ Genesys Regional Medical center in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He received further advanced spinal surgery training during a 12-month fellowship at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute’s Center for Spinal Disorders in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Paraiso was specially trained in and practices minimally invasive spine surgery using tried and proven methods.

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W ERVIE T N I E TYL THE S

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’ ingin e ﬁght w s ‘ h , is in t opka d help ing p A an om of ride n’s Ball his upc oot! p e t ou eb n, th Baro erso Cattle o talk ab ancer th d n A t c he John orm at t nderson giving d n d f n A er ege sic l nty to p up with music, a u m ght Cou ntry ntry Cou gh Lake We cau od, cou o r. u thro st cance s childh i n agai rance, h a e app Y: JA STOR

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Lake & Sumter Style:

you are bound to know a family member or friend who will. Cancer does not discriminate; it has an impact on everybody at some point.

Hello, John. It’s an honor and privilege to talk with you. You will be performing at the Cattle Baron’s Ball, which is being held at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora. How do you feel about having the opportunity to raise money for cancer?

John Anderson: For me, it is always a pleasure to be involved in any type of beneﬁt. I do numerous ones throughout the year for various worthwhile organizations. It is a very good feeling. But the Cattle Baron’s Ball is especially near and dear to my heart because my wife, Jamie, is a two-time breast cancer survivor. I’m so proud of her because she was so courageous in the way she battled the disease. It is not an easy battle, and she certainly went through highs and lows, but she never wavered in her determination to overcome it. Also, one of my best friends and songwriter Lionel Delmore died of lung cancer. He helped me write what became my most popular song, “Swingin’.”

STYLE: Since you grew up

DID YOU KNOW?

In July 2013, John Anderson joined Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, and other country music stars in a beneﬁt for the Oklahoma tornado victims. The Twister Relief Concert raised more than $2.5 million.

that. Well, at least you are doing your part in helping raise money to ﬁnd a cure so future generations hopefully will not have to deal with this disease.

ﬁshing on the lakes there with my dad when I was growing up. Some of my bigger bass were caught on Lake Dora, Lake Harris, and Lake Beauclair. Lake County is an absolutely beautiful part of the country, and the ﬁshing was always great. I always think of home when I’m in Lake County. For that reason, it is always one of my favorite places to visit.

ﬁshing often?

JA: Well, ﬁshing is one of my favorite pastimes. Sometimes, I get to do more of it than other times. It still remains one of my favorite things to do. I’ve been ﬁshing all over the world. It’s great!

STYLE: Tell me what it was like growing up in Central Florida back in the 1950s and 1960s.

JA: Central Florida was a

JA: We can only hope.

great place to grow up as a boy. Back then, it still had the small hometown feel, yet it was advanced enough that we could still be as cool as

Everyone is going to be affected by cancer in one way or another. Even if you don’t get cancer yourself,

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JA: Absolutely. I spent time

STYLE: Are you able to go

STYLE: I’m sorry to hear

in nearby Apopka, I assume you are familiar with Lake County. Did you ever spend any time in Lake County before becoming a country music star?

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FUN FACTS

BIRTH DATE: Dec. 13, 1954 PARENTS: George, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant, and Juanita, a homemaker. EARLY CHILDHOOD BANDS: The Weed Seeds (middle school) and Living End (high school). MARRIAGE: Married wife, Jamie, in 1983. CHILDREN: Brionna and Alexa Kate. FIRST SONG WRITTEN IN NASHVILLE: “Long Cold Winter.” GRAND OPRY DEBUT: 1981 FAVORITE GUITARS: Gibson Les Paul, Martin D-35 acoustic, and Gibson J-1000. INTERESTING TIDBIT: In the early 1970s, John worked on a construction crew that built the roof of the new Grand Ole Opry House. FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Fishing, hunting, and gardening.

September August 20 13 20I13 I 5 39

the kids from California. We had the best of both worlds. You could listen to bluegrass music and go surﬁng at the same time!

STYLE: You are a legend in the world of country music. Tell me how you became interested in music. John writing music with fellow country artist Josh Thompson.

JA: Growing up, I listened to lots of bluegrass music, as well as the old traditional country music, folk music, and rock ‘n roll. I started playing guitar when I was 7 and never stopped. By the time I was in junior high, I performed in a couple different bands. However, we played mostly rock ‘n roll or other music kids danced to at the time.

STYLE: So, while you were a fan of country, you don’t recall many of your friends listening to country music back then?

JA: No way! Trust me; country music was certainly not the most popular type of music when I was growing up. As a matter of fact, in those days country music was for all the old people!

STYLE: Yet, you decided

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 40 of Anderson’s singles reached the Billboard country music charts. • 5 of Anderson’s singles climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts: “WILD AND BLUE” “SWINGIN’” “BLACK SHEEP” “STRAIGHT TEQUILA NIGHT” “MONEY IN THE BANK” • After “Swingin’” was released, he won the County Music Association’s prestigious Horizons Award in 1983. That same year, he earned nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. • In 1991, his famous song “Seminole Wind” rose to No. 2 on the Billboard country music charts. • In 1993, he received the Academy of Country Music Career Achievement award. SOURCE: COUNTRY MUSIC TELEVISION (CMT.COM)

was just following my heart because I loved country music.

to pursue a career in country music, even though it wasn’t considered hip and cool among the youth at that time.

STYLE: At what point did

JA: When I was in my mid-

in 1972 at the age of 17. As I’m sure you already know, Nashville is the capital of country music.

teens, I had decided music was all I ever wanted to do. I was sure of it. There were many types of music to be inspired from, but I decided to settle on country music. I

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you seriously begin to pursue your musical career?

JA: I moved to Nashville

STYLE: Wow, you moved up there before you were

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Back in those days, there were very few songwriter showcases like they have these days. Every now and then we had what we called a guitar pulling where a few writers would get together, have a little party, and play our new songs to each other. From there, I started performing at some local nightclubs and got to know some people. I slowly worked my way into the business.

STYLE: Looking back, is there any one person whom you can thank for helping you break into the industry?

legally considered an adult! What challenges did a young person like you face trying to break into the country music industry?

JA: I knew it was going to be a challenge. My older sister Donna had moved there to become a singer several years earlier and told me how tough it would be. Yet, I went prepared to stay. I ended up getting various daytime jobs to pay rent and buy groceries.

JA: Absolutely. I always credit the late Al Gallico, who was a very successful music publisher from New York. He had offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, and London. Around 1975, he had heard a record I made that had yet to be released. He was obviously impressed because he sent his people out to find me. They ended up finding me, and he signed me to a songwriter’s contract. He told me he would help me find a label, and nine

months later, I signed a contract with Warner Brothers Records. I understand he did the same thing for Tammy Wynette, so I certainly wasn’t in a club all by myself.

STYLE: You would have been around the age of 20 at the time. What was it like for you to sign with a major music company at that age?

JA: It was very exciting at ﬁrst, but it did not take me long to realize how low on the totem pole I was. Of course, that aspired me to work harder because I knew my music was as good as some of the music the studio was spending money promoting. In time, I was proven right.

STYLE: What do you mean? JA: When my song “Swingin’” was released in March 1983, it became the biggest-selling record in the history of Warner Brothers Records. It also won the Single of the Year award from the County Music Association. This being 2013, we’re celebrating 30 years “just a swingin’!”

STYLE: Of course, you have produced numerous hit songs throughout the years, including ones like “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank,” both of which helped re-energize your career in the early 1990s. Is there one song that is your absolute favorite?

JA: It is a toss-up between “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind.” I helped write both of them and for that reason, they will always be close to my heart. I love all my songs, but these two songs in particular helped me make more money and garner more success than any of the others.

STYLE: You have been a successful country music singer now for a long time. How do you describe your lifestyle?

JA: It is a great lifestyle. It can be very hectic and busy, but when you’ve been doing it as long as I have, you can pick and choose your ways as far as doing the things you want to do and letting some of the other things go. Obviously, you have to love to travel, but for me, being able to perform around the country is one of the things I truly love about being a country music singer. As a matter of fact, I’m getting ready to leave for the airport and ﬂy out to Idaho. STYLE: Before you leave, would you share ﬁve things about yourself nobody else knows?

JA: I’m not sure there are ﬁve things about me nobody else knows. I’m not that big of a secret keeper. I guess most folks don’t know I’m basically a shy person. I don’t know how I ended up doing what I did for a living. But I’m glad I got over my shyness enough to perform in front of large

“All of us have been affected by cancer, whether it was friends or family. Those of us blessed enough to be able to help should make an effort to ﬁnd ways to battle this disease. I am honored to be a part of this event. Please join us at the Cattle Baron’s Ball and help support the American Cancer Society in its ﬁght. Your time and generosity will be greatly appreciated.” — JOHN ANDERSON

crowds. Also, I love the outdoors. Always have, always will. These days I really enjoy living a good country life in Smithville, Tenn., in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. It is a wonderful place to call home.

CATTLE BARON’S BALL: CORRALLING CANCER The Cattle Baron’s Ball gives participants an opportunity to don their favorite jeans, cowboy boots, and belt buckles to enjoy an evening of fun-ﬁlled activities and help in the ﬁght against cancer. This is the signature event of the American Cancer Society Lake/Sumter Unit. Executive Director Dorothy Hardee hopes the event will raise $100,000. When: Sept. 21 from 6p.m. until the cows come home. Where: Lake Receptions in Mount Dora. What: Casino-style games, Irish derby, Nintendo Wii bull riding, live and silent auctions, dancing, and a Diamonds and Decadence contest where attendees have an opportunity to win a diamond ring and a diamond tennis bracelet. In addition, various food vendors will set up stations throughout Lake Receptions, and guests can enjoy huckleberry lemonade and Patron shots throughout the evening. Cost: $150 per person, or $1,000 for a table of eight. Why: The money raised goes directly toward funding cancer research, as well as providing local patient services.

GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH COUNTRY MUSIC STAR JOHN ANDERSON ON THIS MONTH’S Tune in every Saturday at 6p.m. on Bright House channel 49, Saturday and Sunday at 6p.m. on Comcast channel 20 or visit our website at lakeandsumterstyle.com

September 20 13

Fancy

FOOTWORK

hen Natalia Alejandro attended a Christmas party hosted by Starlight Ballroom Dance Center last December, she was amazed as she watched married couples move with effortless grace across the dance ďŹ&#x201A;oor while displaying a great deal of poise, timing, and balance.

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Although she had never danced in her life, she decided to take the next step and give ballroom dancing a whirl. A gynecologist in Leesburg, Alejandro ofﬁcially began taking lessons in January under the tutelage of internationally recognized dance instructors Jose Isaac and his wife, Beatrix. It did not take her long to grasp the basics of ballroom dancing and become comfortable on the dance ﬂoor. By August, she was competing in the Florida State DanceSport Championships held in Sarasota. She credits her success to the superb instruction provided by Jose and Beatrix. “They teach me on a very individualized level,” she says. “They learn my strengths and weaknesses and center my lessons on that. I never thought I would be able to dance, so what they have been able to do for me is amazing.”

HAVING A BALL

Long before Dancing With the Stars became a hit show, the Isaacs were proving their mettle in the ballroom dancing industry. The couple, who married in 1982, has spent their lives two-stepping between competing and teaching. When they met in the late 1970s, both were professional dancers and instructors in North Carolina. They danced together in prestigious competitions throughout

the country and won many titles. In addition, they also managed and operated numerous studios for Fred Astaire Dance Studios, including ones in Vero Beach and Melbourne. When an opportunity arose in 1984 to open a Fred Astaire studio in Leesburg, the couple packed their bags and moved to the Lakefront City. Even though the area was not exactly a hotbed for ballroom dancing, they knew they had landed somewhere special. “Leesburg is where we wanted to raise our two daughters,” Beatrix says. “We loved the area and were impressed with the friendliness of the people. We wanted to set our roots and grow with the town.” In 1992, they decided to open an independent company, Starlight Ballroom and Dance Center. Since then, they’ve churned out regional and international ballroom dance champions, while also easing novices into the sport through a supportive, caring environment. They make learning easy and fun, and also treat students as individuals. “We’ve produced more amateur champions than any other ballroom dance school in the country,” Jose says. “When our students compete, we tell them that the goal is to better themselves and just have fun.” They’ve also attracted topnotch instructors to teach at the studio. One of them is Anastassia Abramenko, a

native of Russia who began dancing at age 6. She has won dance competitions throughout Europe and the United States. “The most important thing about teaching dance is to have patience,” she says. “Everybody who starts here has two left feet. But before long, they are enjoying themselves and becoming much better. I believe everybody can dance. My job is to explain things in a way they can understand.” Glenda Weber of Grand Island has been taking lessons for two years. As a literacy coach at Umatilla High School, she is more than qualiﬁed to judge the quality of teaching. “The instructors at this studio know how to layer instruction so each piece builds on the next piece,” she says. “They teach you in a manner where you are always learning but never feel confused.”

STEPS TOWARD BETTER HEALTH

Ballroom dancing offers numerous physical and mental health beneﬁts. It is an excellent cardio workout, helps build muscle tone, improves core balance, enhances self-esteem, and increases mental clarity. Just ask Rosemary Purdum, who has been dancing at Starlight for 25 years. The 86-year-old Leesburg resident has scoliosis and ﬁve bulging discs in her lumbar spine. “My doctor told me that if I hadn’t danced all these years I’d probably be in

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a wheelchair,” she says. “Instead, I’m one of the few residents at Lake Port Square who doesn’t have to walk around with a cane or walker.” Ballroom dance lessons have been equally beneﬁcial for Frank Winger, who in recent years was diagnosed with dementia and suffered from balance problems. Since joining Starlight nearly two years ago, his balance problems have subsided considerably. “Dancing has helped me with my posture, which, in turn, has helped with my balance. Also, since I’m always using my brain to learn new dance moves, I feel more mentally alert than I did before. Dancing has done wonders for me.” The socialization aspect is also important. Once a month, the couple invites all students to their studio to enjoy an evening of dancing in a nightclub-like atmosphere. “I enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship of being around other dance enthusiasts,” says Sharon McBroom, who has been dancing at the studio for 14 years. “Also, I always had a hard time getting in front of other people, but dancing makes that much easier and gives me so much fulﬁllment.” Starlight Ballroom and Dance Center is located at 414 W. Main St. in Leesburg. For more information, please call 352.326.3833 or visit www. starlightdancesport.com

city series STYLE’s guide to the places we call “home”

TAVARES S

AMERICA’S SEAPLANE CITY //

pend an afternoon sitting in the Tavares Waterfront District and you will see something very few people have the opportunity to watch — seaplanes landing and taking off on a 3,000-foot virtual runway on Lake Dora. Only a few short years ago, the 4,500-acre lake was just a backdrop for government buildings in the town where Lake County residents went for jury duty. Tavares certainly wasn’t known for waterfront attractions. That all changed in April 2010 when the Tavares Seaplane Base opened and started attracting not only seaplanes but also businesses that cater to the pilots who gently glide into Lake Dora and onto the tarmac. Other kinds of family-friendly businesses followed, and today, ﬁnding a parking spot near the historic Wooton Park in the waterfront district can be challenging, especially on weekends. Children are squealing with delight inside the splash park, families are boarding the Orange Blossom Cannonball steam train, and adventurous souls are taking seaplane rides. And don’t forget the boaters who dock in the new marina near the seaplane base. “In 2005, the economy was great everywhere in Lake County

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STORY:MARY ANN DESANTIS PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

VITAL STATS CURRENT POPULATION: 13,993 POPULATION CHANGE SINCE 2000: +44.3 percent *MEDIAN RESIDENT AGE: 52.5 *MEDIAN HOUSE OR CONDO VALUE: $120,386 *Source: city-data.com/city/Tavares-Florida

CITY OFFICIALS MAYOR: Robert Wolfe CITY COUNCIL: Bob Greinier, Norm Hope, Lori Pﬁster, Kirby Smith CITY ADMINISTRATOR: John Drury FIRE CHIEF: Richard Keith POLICE CHIEF: Stoney Lubins

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THE GREEK REVIVAL BUILDING OPENED IN 1922 AND IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. IT IS NOW HOME TO THE LAKE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

00) 1/5 4 Lake /4 44 Juniata

THE STEAM ENGINE LOCOMOTIVE PULLS INTO A BRAND NEW TRAIN STATION NEAR WOOTON PARK. THE HISTORIC TRAIN HAS BEEN USED IN HOLLYWOOD MOVIES FOR DECADES.

Drive

HISTORIC LAKE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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SPLASH PARK

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OPEN DURING SUMMERS, THIS COLORFUL WATER PARK WITH A SEAPLANE THEME HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 70,000 CHILDREN AT $2 EACH SINCE IT OPENED IN 2010.

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The City of Tavares is like the children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could.” Instead of one mountain to climb, the city had several, but the power of positive thinking among city leaders transformed a non-descript and economically challenged county seat into one of America’s unique communities.

W. Alfred St. W. Main St.

E. Alfred St. Lake Dora Drive

SEAPLANE BASE TERMINAL THE SMALLEST AIRPORT TERMINAL IN THE WORLD IS A REPLICA OF TAVARES’ BELOVED WOODLEA HOUSE, WHICH WAS BURNED BY ARSONISTS IN 2007.

Lake Dora

Woodlea Road

September 20 13

city series // tavares STYLE’s guide to the places we call “home”

to be the city administrator. Prior to his career as a city administrator in Stowe, Vermont, he had managed airports in Collier and Hillsborough counties, as well as in New England. It was just kismet that he was a pilot. As he ate lunch one day, he watched a seaplane land on Lake Dora. The pilot climbed out and walked through the mud and weeds to reach O’Keefe’s Irish Pub. “I thought to myself, ‘What if we give pilots a ramp so they don’t have to walk through muck and water,’” he remembers. “The idea was lock, step, and sync with the committee’s vision for a civic and entrepreneurial approach to rebranding the city. We wanted to become Lake County’s waterfront capital and at the same time, build

Number of seaplane bases in Florida:

41 Of the 491 seaplane bases in the United States, Florida, Alaska, and Minnesota have the most.

A VISION TO THE FUTURE Tavares City Administrator John Drury looks over Lake Dora from what has become the symbol of the city.

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on our history.” That history, according to Drury, included seaplane landings on Lake Eustis in early 1914, only four years after the aircraft was invented in France. The ﬁrst — a Benoist airboat — was piloted by Tony Janus, the ﬁrst licensed airline pilot in the world. A month later, a “Thomas Flying Boat” landed with passenger Clara Adams, who became known as the “maiden of maiden voyages.” A friend of Amelia Earhart, Adams spent her life proving airplanes were the future for passenger transportation. Although Lake Eustis could claim those historical seaplane landings, the folks around Lake Dora

SOURCE: STATEMASTER.COM/GRAPH/TRN_SEA_BAS-TRANSPORTATION-SEAPLANE-BASES; USA.COM

except Tavares,” says City Administrator John Drury. “We had only one restaurant, and our challenge was to turn a vacant downtown into a vibrant downtown.” Then-Mayor Nancy Clark organized community conversations about the future of Tavares. She invited the city’s stakeholders, including residents, business leaders, governmental agencies, and others to answer a fairly simple question: where should the city go over the next ﬁve to 10 years? For more than a year, the diverse committee held “visioning workshops,” took photos, and made notes about what they liked and didn’t like. Their conversations evolved into a total rebranding of the city. In 2006, Drury was hired

AN ILLUSTRIOUS FOUNDER

quickly realized seaplanes were the “niche and wow” they needed for the future. They also wanted a strong economy that wasn’t dependent on just one thing, like housing. “We took a very civic and entrepreneurial approach,”

FUNFACT

In 1922, mules were used to move the Pioneer Building to make room for a new courthouse. The Pioneer Building was eventually torn down to make room for the “Big Round” county administration building.

explains Drury. “We knew if we provided jobs, parks, and entertainment the rest would come.” And it didn’t hurt that Tavares was smack-dab in the center of the state. “What better place to stop and refuel your seaplane on the way to

the Keys or Bahamas,” says Drury. Tavares ignored the naysayers and skeptics and moved forward with its vision and plan to become “America’s Seaplane City,” a tagline that was immediately copyrighted when city

By the time 31-year-old Major Alexander St. Clair Abrams arrived in Lake County in 1876, he had already had an illustrious career as a Confederate soldier, a newspaperman, and a lawyer. The New Orleans native was also a wise businessman who knew the value of getting and honoring early investors. He named the streets in Tavares after people who helped him build the city after it was founded in 1880. St. ClairAbrams also invested $500,000 of his own money to develop Tavares, which eventually included an opera house, sawmill, hotel, and ofﬁce buildings. “St. Clair Abrams was conﬁdent that Tavares would be a huge city of 100,000 people someday,” says Bob Grenier, who was president of the Tavares Historical Society for seven years and is a current city councilman. “The Major would be delighted to see what the city has become. I believe he would be front and center if he were here.” One of St. Clair Abrams biggest disappointments was that Tavares, named after one of his Spanish ancestors, did not become the state capital. To him, moving the capital made perfect sense because of Tavares’ central location, and he lobbied hard to make it happen. He was instrumental, however, in the creation of Lake County in 1887 from parts of Orange and Sumter counties. “He competed with Leesburg and spent a lot of money to make Tavares the county seat,” says Grenier. Back-to-back freezes in 1894 and 1895 drove many investors and residents out of Tavares, including St. Clair Abrams. He moved to Jacksonville to resume his career as a lawyer in 1895, but his legacy in Tavares remains. Read more about St. Clair-Abrams at www.lakeandsumterstyle.com.

September 20 13

city series // tavares STYLE’s guide to the places we call “home”

leaders knew their idea was about to take off. With an $8.3 million investment, funded mostly by a utility bond, Tavares was able to build the seaplane base and an aviation fueling station. Wooton Park was also revitalized with a colorful splash park that has attracted more than 70,000 children since it opened. “Some people felt we were taking out loans, but the majority of the community supported the plans,” says Drury. “Everything we built is selfsustaining so we are not dependent on tax dollars.” Nearly 6,000 seaplanes — more than anyone estimated would come — have ﬂown into the Tavares Seaplane Base. Florida pilots are regulars, but it has also attracted pilots from Mexico and Europe, many looking to buy fuel. “We’ve sold hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel,” Drury adds. The city asked voters a year ago if they wanted to purchase more land for the waterfront, and the answer was a resounding yes. Today, a new conference and event center on the site of Tavares’ historic pier that was demolished decades ago is under construction. Drury predicts the twostory facility will become a premier wedding venue with its spectacular views of Lake Dora and will attract the kinds of businesses associated with weddings. “Once we started investing in ourselves, then others started investing in us. Growth is happening very rapidly now,” he says. “It’s amazing the amount of private investment dollars that have come into the city. Our economy is completely refocused on business rather than housing.” He proudly recalls when the seaplane base was ﬁrst discussed. “We didn’t just develop a plan and let it sit on shelf,” he says. “After all, a vision without implementation is just a hallucination.”

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MAKING NATIONAL NEWS The thunderous booms of propane tanks exploding at the Blue Rhino Propane plant during the late evening of July 29 catapulted Tavares into the national news. Approximately 53,000 20-pound propane tanks used for gas grills popped like popcorn, and the noise awoke county residents as far as 20 miles away. Eight plant workers were injured, four critically. As news media focused on the ﬁery glow and possible causes, the behind-thescenes story illustrated Tavares’ community spirit and steadfastness when it comes to getting things done. Within two hours, an incident command center and a victimfamilies staging area were set up. Shelters were opened for those people whose homes were evacuated. “I am so proud of Lake County. I am so proud of this city and the way this was handled so quickly,” said City Administrator John Drury, who had been in Orlando at a conference when the incident happened. “By the time I arrived, (everything) had been taken care of in an exceptional way.” The Tavares Blue Rhino plant, a division of Ferrellgas, opened in 2004 and produces 2.3 million tanks for gas grills annually.

PHOTO: MARY ANN DESANTIS PHOTO: MARY ANN DESANTIS

FUNFACT

The Orange Blossom Cannonball has been used in many award-winning motion pictures including “True Grit,” “Appaloosa,” “3:10 to Yuma,” “There Will be Blood.” “Rosewood,” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

GROWING UP ON

LAKE DORA’S SHORES Lura Messer Hall was only 3 years old when her family moved to Tavares in 1936. She describes it as the perfect place to grow up. “I can’t think of any other place I’d rather have been,” she says. “We knew everyone in town and even knew their dogs’ and cats’ names.” Her father, G.C. Messer, was the only policeman in Tavares for many years. When he first began in 1936, the city could not afford a car for him but gave him a bicycle. “He rode that bike to make his rounds at night,” remembers Mrs. Hall, who married her high school sweetheart T. Keith Hall shortly after graduation. Her father, who served in law enforcement until his death in 1949, was also quite inventive and rigged his “own means of communication.” The family had a telephone but his nearby office did not. He placed a pole with a big yellow light near the front yard. If he received a phone call, one of his children or wife would flip the switch and the yellow light let him know to come home for his message. Read more about growing up in Tavares at www. lakeandsumterstyle.com.

Size of Tavares in square miles: 10.94 9.5 OF THAT IS LAND, 1.44 IS WATER

Cost to build the Tavares Seaplane Base: $8.3 million Number of seaplanes that have landed on Lake Dora: 6,000 SINCE 2010

Size of Lake Dora, in acres: 4,502 THE LAKE IS APPROXIMATELY SIX MILES LONG AND ABOUT 3/4 MILES WIDE.

GET A BIRD’S EYE LOOK AT “AMERICA’S SEAPLANE CITY” IN THE OCTOBER EPISODE OF

Tune in every Saturday a 6p.m. on Bright House channel 49, Saturday and Sunday at 6p.m. on Comcast channel 20, or visit our website at www.lakeandsumterstyle.com.

* September 20 13

this issue MEET A VILLAGER CLUB OF THE MONTH THIS ‘N’ THAT IN STEP WITH GORDON JOHNSON BOOK CLUB

PAGE V2 PAGE V4 PAGE V6 PAGE V8 PAGE V14

PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

MEET A VILLAGER WRITTEN BY JAMES COMBS PHOTO BY FRED LOPEZ

MARY LEVITT NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT: My most life-changing achievement is my Master of Business Administration degree from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. My husband and I attended school at night while working full-time and raising our two children. It took a long time — so long that some of the students thought I was an instructor! EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: I love being a Silver Star. Silver Stars are a group of Villagers who perform during timeouts at Orlando Magic home games. It’s exciting to perform for 18,000 screaming fans! We have a great choreographer, a great team of guys and gals, and we start our ninth season this fall. Go Magic! FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Lopez Legacy Country Club is our favorite Friday night spot to dine and dance. We have met a lot of friends in the past 10 years and celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries there. I love their crab cakes and breadsticks. FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Six years ago we visited South Korea and stayed with friends who worked at the Army base in Daegu. Every day was an adventure because we visited museums, temples, and the opera. We saw many school groups and were delighted when the children wanted to practice their English with us. My hairdresser in The Villages is Korean, and she taught me several important phrases to use on the trip such as, “Where is the bathroom?” FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU’VE MET: Astronaut Eugene Cernan is the “last man on the moon.” I danced with him in 1991 at a Navy Ball in Pensacola.

V2 I V V2 VLIFE LIFE LIF

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VLIFE I V3

CLUB OF THE MONTH WRITTEN BY JAMES COMBS • PHOTOS BY PINKY O’ NEIL

SINGLE,

NOT SOLITARY BEING A SINGLE PERSON IN A SOCIETY STRUCTURED FOR COUPLES CAN BE DIFFICULT. Single people sometimes

feel alienated and lonely. What is a spouseless person to do? Plenty, if you’re Ellen Navolio, who divorced her husband in 1975 and never remarried. Since moving to The Villages several years ago from Delray Beach, her life is more fulﬁlling and exciting than ever. That’s because she is part of the Singles Club, where single men and single women become lifelong friends, share fun times, and socialize with peers. This is not a matchmaking club; it’s a group of singles who enjoy meeting new people and trying new activities. “I always receive calls from friends wanting to do this or wanting to do that,” says Ellen, who serves as club president. “I certainly do not feel lonely being a single person in The Villages. There is so much to do here and so many people to do things with. I no longer feel the stigma attached with being a single person.” Although Ellen had not danced for years, she took up ballroom dancing shortly after joining the Singles Club. As one of the club’s most popular activities, ballroom dance lessons are offered at various times throughout the month. The lessons are provided by club members, including one

V4 I VLIFE

who is a former professional ballroom dancer. “As soon as I started taking lessons, I began meeting some wonderful people,” says Ellen. “As a matter of fact, the ﬁrst two people I met are still my best friends today. We all have a wonderful time ballroom dancing, and I particularly love the waltz because it is such an elegant dance.” For those singles with two left feet, there are plenty of other club activities, such as pickleball, bowling, and monthly block parties. The club also has three separate golf groups that enjoy monthly outings at courses in The Villages and surrounding area. In addition, club member Marie Hagood organizes exciting trips, including cruises to the Bahamas and one-day shows in Orlando. This month, members will visit Memphis and the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Miss. “I enjoy giving our members opportunities to travel together and get to know each other,” Marie says.

THE SINGLES CLUB MEETS ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT LA HACIENDA CENTER, BEGINNING AT 6P.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL ELLEN NAVOLIO AT 352.821.2918.

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VLIFE I V5

THIS ‘N’ THAT WRITTEN BY FRED HILTON

EVERYBODY RIDES! WHATEVER IT TAKES! NOT LONG AGO, MY WIFE AND I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO BUY A NEW CAR. Our old car was running fine but was five years old and had more than 90,000 miles. We set off happily to see some car dealers, remembering the good old days when buying a car was actually fun. Sadly, buying a car today isn’t fun. It’s torture. The minute you step on the car lot, eager salespeople with shiny teeth and phony smiles swarm you. They are on you like fleas on a fat dog. They assault you with more car information than you could ever want. We tried timing our visits when we thought everybody had gone home. But, no, there was always a salesman who leaped out of the shadows. I think they designate someone to sleep there in case anybody tries to sneak a look at night. The sales approach doesn’t vary. At one dealership, a scrubbed-up young man who was only slightly older than the shoes I was wearing got in my face and gushed, “What can I do to put you in a new car today?” I first heard that line in 1964. I wanted to slap him silly, but I didn’t for two very good reasons: 1) it would have been socially unacceptable and 2) I’m old and weak and could have been badly hurt. The favorite trick of car dealers is to take your keys while they inspect your car for trade-in value. They then leave you alone for 45 minutes while several of them huddle together in another room. They want you to think they are working on a great deal for you. Actually, they are playing Angry Birds. You want to make a break for it, but they still have your car keys. While sitting and waiting, I realized all the different cars I’d bought in the past could be divided into different phases of my life. It’s like the book Transitions, which deals with different life periods. My first car was a 15-year-old 1949 Chevrolet that my father bought for $95. That wouldn’t fill my gas tank twice now. It was a nice car but, unfortunately, I killed it. I must have missed the memo about having to add oil every now and then. The Chevy was the first car in my “Young and Stupid” period. My daddy was a patient soul, so he then let me have his old car, a 1954 Plymouth. Yes, I killed it, too. That adding oil stuff is hard to remember. My next car was a 1959 Ford, which my friends gleefully called the “crop duster” because of the humongous clouds of smoke it belched out.

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The next phase of car life was “Older and Macho, but Still Stupid.” In this period, there are only two priorities for any car purchased by a male: it must be manly and it must be fast. My first new car was a bright yellow 1966 Mustang that would be worth more than my house today. It was followed by an even faster macho machine, a Pontiac Firebird. The next phase was “All Grown Up and Married with Children.” Cars became larger — an Oldsmobile, a Buick, a Ford, a Mercury. There was also an assortment of second cars — big, clunky things like SUVs, station wagons, and vans to transport everything from Little League players and large slobbering dogs to trees for the backyard. With the kids growing up, I moved to a fun car phase — the “Midlife Crisis.” My crisis car was a Triumph TR-8, a convertible with a massive V8 engine. Unfortunately, it spent more time in the shop than in my driveway. It was often joined in the shop by my wife’s “Midlife Crisis” car, a fiveyear-old Jaguar. Our mechanic in Virginia listened to classical music while he worked and he took frequent vacations to Florida. I’m sure we bought his Mozart CDs and paid for his trips to Key West. We also had a Mazda 929 that could go 95 miles an hour, which was verified by a surly state trooper one night on Interstate 64. My last crisis car was a 1980 Buick Reatta — a wonderful car that had a touch-screen computer and was 20 years ahead of its time. Finally, I moved into the “Old, Fat, and Happy” stage of car ownership. This period is marked by a succession of Cadillacs, putting us in sync with every third person in The Villages. We eventually did buy a new car. By the time we visited our sixth car dealership, we were so exhausted and beaten down by salespeople, we would have bought anything. I then realized the car dealers have a secret pact designed to make sure you buy a car from one of them. They know that after you visit five or six dealerships, you will be worn out and want to end the whole ordeal, so it’s guaranteed that one of them will make a sale. They figure they will all get their turn eventually. Some car dealers chose not to take part in this arrangement. You may have heard of them: Packard, Studebaker, DeSoto, Nash Rambler, Kaiser, Hupmobile, Edsel, and Hudson.

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IN STEP WITH GORDON JOHNSON WRITEN BY: SANDRA FRIEND PHOTOS BY: FRED LOPEZ

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Some people can’t sit still, and so it is for Gordon Johnson. After he moved to The Village of Summerhill in 2010, Gordon jumped into action as program chair for the Florida Trail Association’s Highlanders chapter based in Leesburg. But what most local hikers didn’t know about this soft-spoken man was his long history of inspiring armchair dreamers to get outdoors. “Gordon contacted me when he ﬁrst moved to the Villages,” says Bob Jones, a member of The Villages Hiking Club who serves in a volunteer role overseeing the upkeep of the Florida Trail on the Cross Florida Greenway. “We did a few hikes together, but I had no idea who he was. He asked me if I would be interested in contributing my presentation about the trail work I do. We had a full house that night.”

Okeechobee 20 times. That’s ﬁve million steps, or 2,180 miles, about the same distance as the length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. Granted, the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee is much ﬂatter, but it’s no easier on the feet. “You need good boots and thick wool socks,” Gordon says of the nine-day, 109-mile route. And it was Gordon who instigated the idea of an annual event to walk all the way around the lake, calling it the Big O Hike. Why Lake Okeechobee? For one, it was in his backyard. Settling into the Finnish-American community of Lake Worth in 1976, he worked as a court reporter. To escape from the scandals of criminal court, he joined the local chapter of the Florida Trail Association. “The woods were my outlet,” Gordon says.

“You need good boots and thick wool—socks.” Gordon Johnson

Finding others to provide presentations can be a tricky task, as Gordon knows from years of being on the other side of the microphone. He began his public speaking in the 1960s, presenting narrated slide shows to civic groups, church groups, and hiking clubs throughout the United States and in Europe. Through his photography and storytelling, he has quietly shared a parade of natural wonders, cultural icons, and humorous takes on life to eager audiences. FIVE MILLION STEPS Since 1992, Gordon has walked around the entirety of Lake

He had a long history with walking in the woods — both in the hills of Minnesota and in the wilds of Finland. Southeast Florida was a new territory to explore. He grew to love the hiking community there and volunteered to promote hiking on the Florida Trail, the statewide National Scenic Trail in Florida. In 1991, he met Hank and Irma McCall, who came to his local club the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, and presented a program about their walk all the way around Lake Okeechobee. They had hiked it as a series of day hikes for their 50th wedding anniversary. Sparked by their presentation,

Gordon proposed the group activity to his hiking club and found 20 people willing to take that first trek. “Where else, on what trail, with trail map in hand can you view with the naked eye where you were two days ago and where you will be in two more days?” he asks. The culture around Lake Okeechobee intrigued him, as well. “I planned to go around town and country and interview locals, and I’d make a program on it,” he says. The beauty of this little-known Florida landscape beckoned. His most beautiful morning in Florida came during his first Big O Hike. “Between Clewiston and Belle Glade, the fog was as thick as oatmeal,” he remembers. “It didn’t dissolve for two hours. Everything was smothered with glistening dew.” By the end of that first group hike in 1992, eight people made it around the lake. Within a couple of years, 150 people showed up for the kickoff. “A lot of people were impressed with being able to have such a rugged adventure, yet still swim in the pool and sit in the hot tub at night,” Gordon says. It didn’t hurt that he and other volunteers organized group activities, including pontoon boat rides, agribusiness tours, and meals out at local eateries. Now in its 22nd year, the hike continues to draw participants from around the world and all walks of life. “In 1994, an astronaut candidate walked with me, the oldest woman in the program,” says Gordon. Former Attorney General Janet Reno also joined the group for part of the hike one year. “When I first started it, I thought of going to Finland and getting a large group of hikers to come here in the winter,” he says. He didn’t get the hikers, but what he did end up importing from Finland were Nordic poles for walking. Today, the collapsible poles — found under brand names like Leki and Komperdell — are a mainstay for backpackers and

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day hikers who want to put off worrying about knee replacements in the future. One of the ﬁrst hikers in Florida to use Nordic poles for walking, Gordon still encourages hikers to use them today.

The way his friends looked at life inspired him to photograph and choreograph a multimedia show called “Minnesota Finns.” He toured the presentation to Finnish cultural centers throughout the United States

“His level of professionalism shines through as he shares his life experiences of trail walking and worldwide trail knowledge…” — Bob Jones Villager Bob Jones is among those inspired by Gordon and he has made the trek to Lake Okeechobee to sample the Florida Trail around the lake. “I returned to do some hiking this year,” says Bob, “and ran into what would be a photographer’s perfect setup shot: a medium-sized alligator under the Florida Trail kiosk and bench!” Farther along, among the cattle ranches, he discovered a vignette that could have been in the 1830s. “Off in the distance, a wild boar made his way through a herd of cattle. The cows just parted like Moses and the Red Sea, letting the boar run through at a good pace. We then noticed a few cowboys on horseback taking an interest in the whole ordeal.” A VISUAL STORYTELLER Growing up in in Embarrass, a Finnish enclave in the Mesabi Range of Minnesota, Gordon attended the Minneapolis School of Business, where he met many Finnish exchange students. “I spoke Finnish, so they were quite open to talking about the good and bizarre aspects of life in the United States,” remembers Gordon.

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before knocking on the door of the United States Embassy in Finland in 1969. They sent Gordon packing — right across the Finnish countryside on a lecture tour. While presenting his American show in Finland, he photographed the beauty of his ancestral country to develop his next multimedia show “Song of Finland.” Developing visual presentations — and the live storytelling to go with them — became his passion. Moving to Florida after seven years in Finland, he continued to tour his programs on hiking and travel throughout the country. Today, his presentations are closer to home. “I showed a Big O presentation at Leu Gardens several years ago,” says Gordon, “and the audience was very responsive.” “His level of professionalism shines through as he shares his life experiences of trail walking and worldwide trail knowledge,” says his friend Bob. “At one meeting, he spoke about hiking in Europe, which sparked my interest tremendously.” To contact Gordon about offering a group presentation, call 352.603.1574 or email gcjﬁnn@aol.com.

THE VILLAGES HIKERS Looking to get outdoors? The Villages Hikers can help. “We’re starting the paperwork to form an ofﬁcial club,” says Debra Landre, an El Cortez resident who resides (and hikes) in France when she is not in Florida. For more information please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ thevillageshikingclub or contact Debra at 352.753.0813 or deblandre@ yahoo.com.

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BOOK CLUB WRITTEN BY KATHY PORTER

BIG TROUBLE : A GENUINELY FUNNY MYSTERY NOVEL Who but a quintessential humorist like Dave Barry could produce such a hilarious read by combining a horde of wacky characters who careen around Miami with corruption, sex, New Jersey mobsters, Russian gunrunners, and a rogue nuclear weapon? In a 180-degree departure from the club’s last three books, this book was an entertaining summer read. Facilitator Ann Harper Fender put together a series of 16 questions and began the discussion by asking for comparisons between Big Trouble and our last book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, which was set in Mumbai. Members were surprised indeed to ﬁnd a comparison between the casts of both books, especially with the tales of corruption. Barry warns the readers in the prologue that the language of some of the characters is not for children. He says he didn’t want them to talk that way, they just did. Members discussed the fact that many authors say their characters take on their own voices and develop their own personalities in the story. The zany characters were discussed at length. Everyone was tickled at Roger the Dog, who was always looking for food and feared the “Enemy Toad” that sat in his bowl. They also had a soft spot for Puggy, a recent arrival to Miami who thought it was a great place to live since he could earn a few dollars by voting several times a day. When asked if they got into the book immediately or if it took time, the members were divided. Some started laughing on the

THE NEXT MEETING The Bookworm Book Club will meet October 15th to discuss Let’s Pretend This Didn’t Happen by Jenny Lawson. Club chair Kathy Porter can be contacted by phone at 352.259.8196 or email at kathymporter@comcast.net.

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Creative characters and interesting levels of social classes. Fast-paced read from fast-paced Miami. —Bobbi Peters Miami

ﬁrst page while others took a bit longer to ﬁnd the humor. The book became a page-turner, however, because no one could imagine where the story and the characters were heading. Published in 1999 and prior to the enhanced security at airports following 9/11, members were a bit incredulous at the antics inside the Miami airport. Members applauded Barry’s use of an epilogue to update the reader about the events and the lives of the screwball characters in the weeks following the climax of the story. They felt it was an excellent way to end this madcap book, which almost everyone enjoyed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dave Barry, the son of a Presbyterian minister, was born in 1947 in Armonk, N.Y. Dubbed the class clown by his high school classmates, Barry always wanted to be a writer. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College near Philadelphia and joined the Miami Herald in 1983. He was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1988. Barry retired from writing his weekly column in 2005 but still produces the occasional column, and his blog has a plethora of quirky stories. He plays lead guitar in a literary rock band called the Rock Bottom Remainders, along with Stephen King, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson, and Mitch Albom. Barry, who lives in Miami, is the author of dozens of books, both fiction and nonfiction. His latest work of fiction is Insane City.

WHAT CLUB MEMBERS THOUGHT Big Trouble was such a relief from the heavier books we have been reading lately. It was fun to laugh out loud at the characters and situations. Certainly an enjoyable summer read. You might think, “What is there to say about this book in a book club discussion?” But, we talked about it for almost two hours! Diane Dean Buttonwood

The farcical story lines in Big Trouble come together on a collision course, and the results are an over-the-top comedy. Writer Dave Barry drew a parallel between the city of Miami and the wacky South Florida culture. Any book that features a dog with “the intelligence of celery” and then attempts to tell part of the story from his point of view is bound to have you laughing out loud. Jo Fenstermaker Winifred

The set of characters in Big Trouble are victims of unfortunate circumstances, each going their own way with different motives. The humor during these tough times and the unusual challenges for everyone, including the family dog, make Big Trouble a book you can’t put down. Carol Reid La Zamora

I enjoyed Big Trouble. It was fast moving, silly, a bit thought provoking, and a compelling read. Quite a good pick for summer reading. I loved some of the characters, and in a word, it was a “fun”book. Paula Kruk Duval

Big Trouble took me back to reading Dave Barry columns and his view of life in Miami. Barry is able to make us laugh at Russian arms dealers, New Jersey hit men, corporate corruption, and a homeless man living in a tree. A fun summer read that, although a bit dated (published in 1999), still rings true in many aspects. Beth Hicks Village of Santiago

I’ve read Dave Barry’s syndicated columns for years, even saving a few. They were hysterical, though laced with a little wisdom. His book made me laugh out loud (and scare my cat). His characters are so innocent and ridiculous that you have to love them and their antics. A great read! Pat Crigler Glenbrook

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8. NEVER GO BACK by: Lee Child

9. THE CUCKOO’S CALLING by: Robert Galbraith, J. K. Rowling

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“Men no longer need to suffer from frequent urination because they are getting older,” says Dr. James Young, a down-toearth urologist with thirty-one years of experience in treating men with prostate problems in Lake County. Although the cause of these symptoms is most likely an enlarging prostate (BPH), a normal part of the aging process in men, treatment options are more numerous and less invasive than those offered to our fathers and grandfathers. Years ago there were two options for treating an enlarged prostate: surgical excision via an open operation (knife) or much more commonly by performing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), commonly referred to as a “roto-rooter” by patients and physicians. Both required hospitalization as well as major anesthesia and could be fraught with complications such as bleeding, infection, loss of bladder control and even death. “In my career I have performed over 3,000 TURPs; however, I no longer perform any,” says Dr. Young. “There are presently too many excellent alternatives to consider a hospital operation for the vast majority of patients with BPH.” “When I see a new patient I perform a physical examination and properly evaluate the patient’s symptoms, thus diagnosing the underlying problem(s),” he says. “Next, I describe to the patient what’s normal and then explain what is abnormal with him. Lastly, I teach him his treatment options. If I’ve done a good job of teaching, he will select the correct option for himself.” While prescribing medications for BPH

can be done by primary care physicians, only urologists are trained to thoroughly evaluate the bladder and prostate (including ruling out prostate cancer), as well as providing extremely effective minimally invasive, office-based therapies as alternatives to lifelong medical therapy. One such option is Prostiva-RF Therapy, a procedure performed by Dr. Young in his office under local anesthesia that usually takes less than thirty minutes. Prostiva utilizes low level radiofrequency energy to ablate (destroy) the obstructing component of the enlarged prostate. “I am very happy with the results I have achieved for my patients using Prostiva-RF Therapy,” says Dr. Young, who has successfully treated more than 1,200 patients with this procedure. “Medtronic is a $13 billiona-year, publicly traded corporation that perfected the technology for Prostiva and produces the necessary hardware. Recently, Medtronic produced an educational DVD for international distribution to inform patients and physicians worldwide regarding the benefits of Prostiva therapy. Seven of the eight patients featured on the DVD are my patients. I am very proud Medtronic selected my practice to feature the benefits of Prostiva-RF Therapy. However it is sort of a bad news/good news thing. The bad news is neither my patients nor myself received a penny for our participation. The good news is Medtronic gave us all the DVD’s we want, so if anyone wants one all he needs to do is drop by my office at 801 Northshore Drive in Eustis, and we will give him one!” And with an office staff with nearly as much experience as the doctor, (many have worked with Dr. Young more than twenty

years) you don’t spend a great deal of time waiting to see him. “We pride ourselves in being timely in seeing our patients. We respect our patient’s time as much as we do our own,” adds Dr. Young. “Patients appreciate this; many of our patients tell me I have the best office staff on the planet. I consider that a huge compliment.” So if you are getting up at night and can’t get back to sleep because you are thinking about what may be wrong with you, it’s time to check in with Dr. Young and have him check you out. “Many men accept frequent bladder urges as part of aging. And while it is part of the aging process, it’s not like death and taxes. There is something you can do about it,” he says.

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A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK A passion to restore the American chestnut tree has yielded not only chestnuts but also hope for the species that almost disappeared from American landscapes in the last century. STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS

* To some people, planting chestnut trees as far south as Lake County may have seemed like a nutty idea. After all, American chestnut trees — even in their heyday — did not grow much farther south than Georgia. For horticulturists Jim Ellis and Jim Casto, however, it was an “experimental adventure” that would have intrinsic rewards. In 1989, the duo planted 200 chestnut trees near Groveland and patiently waited for their ﬁrst crop — a process that took 15 years. The trees began producing nuts around 2004. Last fall, their Chestnut Grove Nursery produced about 600 pounds of chestnuts, more if you count the small ones given to livestock and foraged by wild pigs and deer. This month, their trees are again loaded with spiky, porcupine-like pods about to burst forth with the nuts that nutritionists call “a grain that grows on a tree.” The men know they won’t get rich growing chestnuts but the reward is seeing a comeback of the American chestnut tree that was wiped out by blight brought into this country in 1904. They compare the near extinction of chestnut trees to what is currently happening to citrus crops because of citrus greening. “It took 40 years, but the blight all but destroyed American chestnut trees,” says Casto. “Our main goal was to see their restoration.”

The two men were working in horticulture at Disney World when Ellis approached Casto with the idea of growing chestnuts. Ellis had bought land on a rise near Groveland in 1988 and was looking long-term toward retirement. “I thought it would be great to reestablish the American chestnut, but I didn’t know if I’d be successful or not,” says Ellis. “I knew I’d be happy if I could make enough money to cover the taxes on the property.” He bought the Dunstan Hybrid variety, which is an American chestnut rootstock grafted with Chinese chestnut rootstock that is blight resistant. Other varieties at the nursery include the Revival, Willamette, Carolina, and Alachua. Ellis warns that the initial investment to plant chestnut trees can be quite steep. “And you wait a long time before you see anything happening,” he says. When harvest does happen, the labor can be quite intensive. The pods do not ripen at the same time, and Casto says it’s a race to beat the deer and wild pigs to the grove. The nuts are separated from the spiky pods, washed, bagged, and refrigerated until they go to market. Ellis says they sell both wholesale and retail, and keeping up with the demand can be challenging because so many people have become aware of

chestnuts’ nutritional qualities. Casto’s wife, Barbara, helps with the business when she is not working as a nurse at Orlando Regional Hospital. As a health professional, she is not surprised by the growing popularity of chestnuts. “Chestnuts are great for people with celiac disease because they are gluten-free,” she says. “And everyone wants chestnut ﬂour because of the nutritional value.” Casto talks about a friend’s father who had cancer and had trouble eating. The doctor wanted him to get more protein in his diet, and products made with chestnut ﬂour were the answer. Both Ellis and Casto have since retired from Disney, and their congenial relationship continues as they excitedly talk about the future of chestnuts in Florida. “Our trees probably have another 20 years before they are considered mature, so we hope to see the yields get even better,” says Casto. “We think chestnuts could someday be an alternate crop for citrus growers in this area.” For information about Chestnut Groves Nursery, email Casto at baruhl@comcast.net or visit www. chestnutgrovenursery.com.

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NUTTY NUTRITION • Low in oil, chestnuts are 99 percent fat free • One-third the calorie content of peanuts and cashews!

DID YOU KNOW? • Recording artist Dolly Parton recently released a new song, “Oh, Chestnut Tree,” to celebrate progress in restoring the American chestnut tree, once the most important tree in her native Tennessee. In addition, several hundred chestnut trees have been planted at Dollywood. • Food Network star Chef Mario Batali works with a supplier to get chestnut-fed pigs for his New York restaurants because he believes the chestnut diet gives the pork an intense, woodsy ﬂavor. vor.

• Chestnuts are perishable and must be refrigerated. Handle them as if they were a fruit or vegetable. • Score the rounded side of chestnuts before roasting or they will explode. The safest tool is a rounded chestnut knife, but hand pruners or culinary shears can also be used to make incisions in the shell. • Chestnuts are a true nut, unlike almonds and cashews, which are really fruits.

• High in complex carbohydrates for energy • Cholesterol-free • Contain as much vitamin C as an equal weight of lemons • Nutritionally similar to brown rice • Gluten-free

FLORIDA’S HOPE Chestnuts are not the only crop that may be an alternate for beleaguered citrus growers. Olive and pomegranate trees are being grown in Lake County, as well as other places around the state on an experimental basis. Maria Tracy, who owns Heather Oaks Farm in Lady Lake, planted Arbequina olive trees about ﬁve years ago and is harvesting olives for the ﬁrst time this year. The yield is still small, but Tracy says

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she’ll have enough to make boutique olive oil. Ironically, her farm was originally a citrus grove long before she bought the land in 1989. “There are ﬁve species of olive trees that can grow in Florida and handle our humidity,” she says. “I don’t know what triggered my brain to get the idea to plant olive trees, but I’m glad I did.” Tracy is also growing pomegranates as part of a research project

for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “People like Maria are helping us learn more about which varieties will grow here,” says Dr. William Castle, who began the IFAS study in 2009. “Wild pomegranates grow all over Central and North Florida. We are trying to ﬁgure out how to make them commercially viable, not to replace citrus but to supplement it.”

adapted from Epicurious.com:

Cake ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose ﬂour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 3/4 cups peeled roasted chestnuts (about 12 ounces) or jarred chestnuts (about 8 ounces) 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon (packed) golden brown sugar 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 large eggs Icing ingredients: 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup 3 drops maple extract (optional)

PHOTO: TONY DESANTIS

BARBARA AND JIM CASTO’S FAVORITE CHESTNUT CAKE

Jim Ellis, Jim and Barbara Casto

DIRECTIONS: For cake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking pan. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl. Coarsely chop enough chestnuts to measure one cup. Set aside. Finely mash remaining chestnuts with fork in medium bowl. Add 3/4 cup brown sugar, butter, maple syrup, and vanilla to mashed chestnuts. Using an electric mixer, beat until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in half of chopped chestnuts. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining chopped chestnuts, then remaining one tablespoon of brown sugar.

Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out with some moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack. For icing: Stir powdered sugar, butter, three tablespoons maple syrup, and maple extract, if desired, to blend in small bowl. Mix with remaining maple syrup, one teaspoon at a time, until icing is smooth and forms thick ribbons when poured. Spread icing over cool cake. Let stand until icing is set, about 20 minutes. Cut cake into squares. Cake can be made one day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

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What is the CO2 laser treatment, and how does it work? Laser technology is highly effective for reducing both wrinkles and patches of discoloration. IImageLift offers a variety of laser treatme treatments for the reduction of sun-damaged skin, smokersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lines, wrinkles, and ssun spots. CO2 is a popular treatment, treatm and it can be performed with light or deep settings, the downtime desired. depending on th CO2 laser techn technology has the longest wavelength of aany of the lasers on the market today, ggoing slightly deeper into the skin tis tissue and shrinking

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Meet The Docs At An Upcoming Seminar! 12

Thursday, September 12th @ 1:00 PM The Waterfront Inn

Wednesday, September 25th @ 11:00 PM Ulthera Ultrasound - Laser Luncheon at The Villages

Tuesday, October 3rd @ 1:00 PM The Waterfront Inn

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A HEART FOR SUPERIOR CARE

When Florida Heart and Vascular Center was in its infancy in the 1990s, Dr. David C. Lew, M.D., FACS, FSCAI, and Dr. Jose Rosado worked tirelessly to bring the most comprehensive, cutting-edge cardiovascular and peripheral vascular treatment to Lake and Sumter counties. To say they succeeded would be an understatement. They became the area’s ﬁrst physicians to perform cutting-edge cardiovascular procedures and equipped their practice with the latest technology and state-of-the-art diagnostic services. But Drs. Lew and Rosado are never content to rest on their laurels. Realizing that you do not get to be the ﬁrst

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name in health care by being second to break new ground, they formed Florida Heart and Vascular Multi-Specialty Group. This is undoubtedly one of their most signiﬁcant accomplishments to date. The group features an impressive staff of cardiologists, nephrologists, a surgeon, internal and family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants. Currently, a urology department is being added. Florida Heart and Vascular

Multi-Specialty Group strives to provide quality medical care and comprehensive service. The formation of a multispecialty group provides the patient a more complete medical experience since their overall care can be managed within the practice. This allows for better communication, faster diagnosis and peace of mind. It also permits the practice to offer additional services, which includes everything from

treating varicose veins to conducting sleep study tests. In addition, the practice is now offering positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) scans in The Villages. Both are state-of-the-art imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint blockages in the heart and legs. Its ever-growing staff of boardcertiﬁed, fellowship-trained physicians is leading the way to better health care in our community.

LEESBURG 352.728.6808

THE VILLAGES 352.750.5000

THE VILLAGES AT LAUREL MANOR 352.326.7850 www.ﬂheartcenter.com

Now, Florida Heart and Vascular Multi-Specialty Group is welcoming two new physicians to the practice.

DR. FOUAD SHAMI is a urologist who has spent 41 years proudly servicing patients in Lake and Sumter counties. Throughout the years, he has developed an excellent reputation for his bedside manner, genuine concern, and medical expertise. A graduate of Saint Joseph’s University, Dr. Shami is a board-certiﬁed urologist. This experienced, skilled urologist is excited about the opportunity to serve existing patients and form relationships with new patients.

DR. DAVID MOSKOWITZ,

who specializes in internal medicine and nephrology, is also happy to be a part of Florida Heart and Vascular Multi-Specialty Group with Dr. Fred Davis at Laurel Manor Clinic. He completed medical school at Harvard University and also completed an advanced residency in nephrology at Washington University School of Medicine. His areas of expertise include hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, consultative nephrology, cancer screening, adult medicine, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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FREEDOM to keep the doctor who follows you every step of the way

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INTERNAL MEDICINE From ofﬁce to hospital to skilled nursing facility and rehab, we follow you through every stage of your care. Lab Draws // PT-INR, Coumadin Checks // Echocardiogram Ultrasounds // Men & Women Annual Physicals Diabetes Screening/Glucose Monitoring // Blood Pressure/Cholesterol Screening/Monitoring School/Employment Physicals // Bone Density Testing // EKG Testing

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME Hospital Affiliations

THE VILLAGES REGIONAL HOSPITAL • LRMC HOSPITAL • LADY LAKE SPECIALITY CARE • THE CLUB THE VILLAGES REHAB AND NURSING FACILITY • PROMISE HOSPITAL

352.259.3435

Spanish Springs Medical Plaza, 1400 US HWY 441 N. Bldg. 900 Suite 902, The Villages, FL 32159

www.DrCamogliano.com • Find us out on M–F 8:30a.m.–5:30p.m.

NORMAN S. NOVIS, M.D., P.A. Our patients’ care is our ﬁrst priority. WE OFFER VARIOUS MEDICAL SERVICES:

• Adult medicine - preventative and routine services • Acute care • Blood pressure and heart diseases • COPD and other lung diseases • Dermatology • Minor surgeries • Osteoporosis care • Rheumatology - knee and other joint injections • Diabetes and other endocrine disorders • Nutritional/dietician services • Diabetic teaching • In-house diagnostics and lab

753 Highway 466 in Lady Lake

352.633.7659 // www.pfpconline.com

HOT TOPICS Thursday, Sept. 5th @ 7-8:30 p.m. DRESS COLLECTION PARTY Donate your gently worn dresses that will be sold at the annual “Love That Dress” event for PACE – Believing in Girls. For every dress donated you will receive a $1.00 coupon toward the purchase of a dress at the event. Donate ﬁve dresses and receive a rafﬂe ticket to win a four-pack of tickets to attend the event ($100 value.) The event will take place at The Ocala Hilton on September 12, 2013 at 5 p.m. All proceeds from the sale of the dresses will go to PACE – Believing in Girls

Tuesday, Sept. 17th @ 2:30 p.m. IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS WITH AGING PARENTS Learn how to open the line of communication, know which topics are most difﬁcult to discuss, learn approach methods, how to overcome communication barriers, and ﬁnd the resources to seek help and support. Presented by Jim Samuelson, Samuelson Personal Care, LLC.

Thursday, September 26th @ 2:00 p.m.

VETERANS SEMINAR

Learn how to qualify for the Aid & Attendance Pension Beneﬁt from the Veterans Administration. You may be entitled to as much as $24,648 in Tax-Free money per year. This is valuable information and a presentation you will not want to miss. Presented by Gary Marriage, Jr., Operation: Veteran Aid.

Space is limited. RSVP at 352.873.2036. Reserve your seat TODAY! Personal tours available at each event.

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On the

scene THE TO-DO LIST HI, SOCIETY! SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT OUT+ABOUT

Explore real Florida right here in Lake County.

EDITORS PICK

SEPTEMBER 27-30

RIFLES, RAILS & HISTORY

Hop aboard the Orange Blossom Cannonball #2 Steam Locomotive in the Tavares Waterfront District for three days of living history as guests steam back to the Civil War era. Watch the re-enactors parade down Main Street into Wooton Park for artillery and cavalry demonstrations, drills, historic presentations, and exhibits. A ladies tea and a formal ball will round out this ﬁrst-time event.

SEPTEMBER 21

Cattle Baron’s Ball Featuring country music artist John Anderson, this Denim & Diamonds westernthemed gala includes gourmet western fare, live and silent auctions, casino games, an Irish derby, signature drinks, entertainment, and dancing. One of the hottest events in Lake and Sumter counties, the ball raises funds for the American Cancer Society. 6–11p.m. at Lake Receptions, Mount Dora.

CONTACT: 321.377.8953

who is given his comeuppance by his wife and her interesting friends. We won’t give away the ending, but it involves a bear. Bay Street Players at the Historic State Theatre,109 N. Bay St., Eustis. CONTACT: 352.357.7777

car crash. Returning from the afterlife, they are given a chance to fulﬁll their dreams and ﬁnally perform the show that never was. Enjoy their beautiful harmony and charmingly outlandish choreography featuring pop classics. Melon Patch Theatre, 311 N. 13th St., Leesburg. CONTACT: 352.787.3013

SEPTEMBER 28

BEATLE BEAT Beatle Beat is a retrospective of the Fab 4’s music during the years they were together, complete with period clothes and vintage instruments. 7p.m., Mount Dora Community Building, North Baker Street. Cost: $15. CONTACT: 352.383.1958

SEPTEMBER 27–OCTOBER 13

FOREVER PLAID “The Plaids” are four young, eager male singers who never made it to their ﬁrst big gig due to a fatal

orangeblossomcannonball.com

CONTACT: 352.326.9599 EXT. 5706 OR WWW.CATTLEBARONSBALLLAKE.COM

FESTIVALS/FAIRS

ART/HISTORY EXHIBITS

SEPTEMEBER 7–8

OCTOBER 5

UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY FEST From 9a.m. to 2p.m. at Clermont’s beautiful Waterfront Park, this event features hundreds of exhibitors and vendors. Entertainment, inﬂatable games for children, food vendors, and much more! Free admission and parking to the public.

SEPTEMBER 1–27

CONTACT: 352.241.7910

CONTACT: 352.383.0880

BACK ROADS TO BACK HOME Photojournalist Eric Dusenbury presents this documentary portrait of small town/rural Florida. The exhibition focuses on the power of photography and real-life stories to connect individuals in both urban and rural areas. Mount Dora Center for the Arts, 138 E. Fifth Ave.

WHERE WOMEN CREATE This creative weekend of crafting and seminars is a true recycler’s dream. Women and men create art out of anything old and unusual. From 9a.m. to 5 p.m., Renninger’s Antique Center, 20651 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora. CONTACT: 352.383.8393

SEPTEMBER 27–29

Photo © Shutterstock.com

Inter-Tribal Native American Holiday Pow-Wow

Enjoy native crafts, demonstrations, singing and dancing, storytelling, native food, and a dancing competition with prizes. Bring the whole family and spend the day. Bring your own blankets or chairs. Activities begin at 10a.m. each day at Dade Battleﬁeld Historic State Park in Bushnell. Admission: $3 per person. Children under 12, free. CONTACT: 352.793.5154

September 20 13

On the scene // the to-do list

INCONCERT TICKETMASTER 800.745.3000 TICKETMASTER.COM Dates are subject to change without notice so please call ahead to conﬁrm venue listings DATE

ARTIST

VENUE

09/05 09/06 09/06 09/06 09/07 09/07 09/07 09/08 09/10

Zedd MercyMe Goodie Mob Switchfoot Blue October Everfound Passenger Rancid Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Steely Dan Pepper Against the Grain Joe Satriani Pepper Sean Chambers Title Fight Matisyahu Fun. “Cattle Baron’s Ball” (Mount Dora) Rebelution Russell Brand Yellowcard Il Volo Palma Violets Imagine Dragons Alt-J April Verch Band ZZ Ward Colin Hay Starship Starring Mickey Thomas The Weeknd L.A. Guns Feat. Steve Riley & Phil Lewis The Pretty Reckless “Space Coast Music Festival” Starship Starring Mickey Thomas Kamelot Starship Starring Mickey Thomas Air Supply Charli XCX Air Supply Air Supply City and Colour

House Of Blues Disney World Firestone Live Universal Orlando Resort Music Plaza Stage House Of Blues Universal Studios The Social House Of Blues

09/11 09/12 09/13 09/13 09/14 09/14 09/16 09/17 09/19 09/21 09/21 09/21 09/22 09/22 09/22 09/23 09/24 09/24 09/24 09/25 09/27 09/27 09/28 09/28 09/28 09/28 09/29 09/29 10/02 10/02 10/03 10/04 10/05

Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live House Of Blues Hard Rock Hotel Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live House Of Blues McWell’s Backbooth Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live UCF Arena Lake Receptions Riverfront Park Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live House Of Blues Amway Center The Social UCF Arena House Of Blues Eustis Community Center House Of Blues The Plaza Live Disney World Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live Green Parrott The Social Manatee Sanctuary Park Disney World House Of Blues Disney World Disney World The Social Disney World Disney World House Of Blues

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BOARD-CERTIFIED SPINE SURGEONS SPECIALIZING IN THE TREATMENT OF BACK AND LEG PAIN DUE TO: • • • • • •

Failed Laser Spine Surgery Spinal Stenosis Herniated Disc Degenerative Disc Disease Scoliosis Spinal Fractures Due to Trauma or Osteoporosis

THE VILLAGES 785 Hwy. 466 INVERNESS 2300 E. Norvell Bryant Hwy.

DR. FRANK K BONO

RONZO DR. JAMES RON

CALL TOLL FREE 1-855-GULFCOAST (1.855.485.3262) GULFCOASTSPINE.com

SPRING HILL 7101 Mariner Blvd.

2012

LEADERS IN SHOWCASE

SPINE SURGERY

On the scene // Hi, society!

SATURDAY JULY 27, 2013

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING Several hundred people attended the 20th anniversary celebration of Gator Harley-Davidon, which was opened in 1993 by John Sr. and Arlene Malik. The event included a mini bikefest, a hula-hoop contest, a bikini contest, a tattoo contest, and other activities. Live entertainment was provided by the Bobby Friss Band, as well as the Neon Truckers. Today, Gator Harley-Davidson is housed in a 70,000-square-foot facility, which includes an 8,000-square-foot showroom.

DWAYNE JAYROE AND FERNAND ROUSELLE

ED BUDD, GARY MULLINS, AND DARRELL MCFARLAND

ANDRE, NICHOLA, AND PAT DESFORGES

— Bob Rogers

VALERIE EYRING AND JOHN NOVAK

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PHOTOS: SHAENA CHASTAIN

“I’m gonna be famous in Lake and Sumter counties.”

On the scene // Hi, society!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013

ROCKIN’ THE HOUSE

“It was a great show, and people were talking about it a week later!” — Susan Snell (Owner of Hound Dogg Entertainment)

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PHOTOS: RON VANDEVANDER PHOT

The band Bad Boys of Southern Rock performed in front of a standing-room only crowd at Beef O’Brady’s in Umatilla. The Bad Boys of Southern Rock is comprised of musicians from the following bands: Marshall Tucker, Pure Prairie League, Lynyrd Skynard, and the Jimmie Van Zant Band. The event served as a fundraiser for Ruth House, a shelter for battered women in Umatilla.

Let us help you get back in the game

Villages Rehab & Nursing Center The brand new and state of the art Villages Rehab and Nursing Center is now open and accepting seniors in need of a helping hand recovering from a recent hospital stay to quickly and thoroughly return to their previous active lifestyle. We are proud to bring to the area pioneering concepts to make rehab a personalized and positive experience for the patient and their family.

Rehab & Nursing Center

For more information or to schedule a visit please call 352-430-0017

JASON AND JOANIE SMALLEY, LAURI AND GUS GRIZZARD, AND RICHARD AND SHARON WOOTEN

On the scene // Hi, society!

LIVIA GOMEZ AND BRUCE MONSANTY

SHARON NOBLES AND SHAWNDA DAVIS JOHN AND ROSANNE BRANDEBURG

FRAN AND TIM SULLIVAN

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2013

STEPS TO BETTER EDUCATION

FRONT: LYNN KAWAMOTO, KIA MALONE, AND CINDY PARNELL REAR: J. SCOTT BERRY STEPHANIE MCCULLOCH AND PAT BRACKIN EDDIE RIVERA AND SHARON NOBLES YADI NIEVES AND ROBIN MITCHELL

The Educational Foundation of Lake County held its Stepping Out for Education event at Lake Receptions on July 27th. A local version of Dancing with the Stars, six local celebrities were partnered with professional dancers and spent 20 hours learning ballroom dances such as Fox Trot, Rumba, and Swing. The six celebrities included Ricardo Rojas, Stephanie McCulloch, Paul Rountree, Robin Mitchell, John Pease, and Rachel Brown.

“A great turnout for a great event.” PHOTOS: RON VANDEVANDER

— Scott Blankenship

JESSICA STEPHENSON

JA’QUAN FLOYD

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On the scene // Hi, society!

MONDAY, JULY 29, 2013

HAVING A BALL Six Starlight Ballroom dancers twirled their way to glory at the Florida State Triple Crown Dance Sport Championships. The Leesburg-based company’s six competitors brought home 58 out of the possible 62 Triple Crown awards at the event, which was held at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. Starlight Ballroom owners Jose and Beatrix Isaac have produced hundreds of championship dancers since opening the studio in 1984.

MARCEL MANNING AND ANASTASSIA ABRAMENKO

MARIA MANNING AND JOSÉ ISAAC

MICHAEL ATLEY AND ANASTASSIA ABRAMENKO

INSTRUCTOR ANASTASSIA ABRAMENKO AND DR. DAVID LEW

STARLIGHT BALLROOM OWNER JOSÉ ISAAC AND ROSEMARY PURDUM

DR. NATALIA ALEJANDRO AND JOSÉ ISAAC

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MARIA AND MARCEL MANNING

For the most advanced and comprehensive eye care available right here and close to home, the name to know is Lake Eye. Each of our three state-of-the-art offices features everything from a full-service optical department with stunning designer eyewear to the most advanced treatments for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and sagging eyelids. We were even the first local facility to offer the latest in laser cataract surgery. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re confident that once you meet us, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know you picked the right partner for a lifetime of healthy vision. Drop by and see what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been missing.

Revolutionary Eye Care: s -OST ADVANCED LASER GUIDED CATARACT SURGERY offering ReSTORÂŽ, ToricÂŽ and TecnisÂŽ multifocal lens implantation. s /UR FULL SERVICE OPTICAL CENTERS FEATURE A complete line of designer and specialty glasses and contacts. s -ANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA corneal diseases, diabetes, eyelid problems and macular degeneration. s -EDICALLY NECESSARY AND ELECTIVE COSMETIC procedures.

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On the scene // social spotlight Embracing the community with open arms

NURTURE IN NATURE Take a two-hour pontoon boat ride through the breathtaking Dora Canal. Step into the majestic Ocala National Forest and discover the elusive red-cockaded woodpecker. Come face-to-face with Smokey the Bear and learn how to prevent wildﬁres. STORY: JAMES COMBS PHOTOS: COURTESY OF DEBI DYER

development and tourism department. “Many of them came from outside the state. This is a wonderful way to get people outdoors and let them appreciate the abundance of beauty Lake County has to offer. We are excited about promoting ecotourism in Lake County.”

BIRDS, FLOWERS AND MORE

he second annual Wings and Wildﬂowers Festival, set for Oct. 4-6, will give nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts many opportunities to familiarize themselves with Lake County’s natural beauty and local wildlife. While the festival is being held at Hickory Point in Tavares, programs and specialty trips are being offered at some of the county’s most picturesque natural areas, including the Green Swamp, Dora Canal, Ocala National Forest, and the Scrub-Jay Trail. Organized by the Lake County Ofﬁce of Economic Development and Tourism, the event is a wonderful way to explore real Florida — the one without screaming theme parks, crowded beaches, and endless tourist traps. “Last year, we had more than 3,000 people attend,” says Debi Dyer, program supervisor of the economic

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James Currie, host of NBC Sports’ Nikon Birding Adventures, is returning to the event. The South African-born birding expert’s popular television show focuses on rare and unusual birds in exotic locations such as Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, as well as parts of Florida. He also hosts Aerial Assassins, which airs on National Geographic. Currie will be the keynote speaker during a dinner at Lakeside Inn on Oct. 4. The following two days, he will lead a Hobie kayak paddle trip that launches at 7:30a.m. at the Astatula Boat Ramp. Jeffrey Gordon, who is president of the American Birding Association and ﬁeld editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, will also appear at the event. He will talk to the public at a Meet-the-Experts reception on Oct. 4 at Lakeside Inn. In addition, attendees can have lunch with Gordon on Oct. 5 at Mission Inn Resort and Club for $25. Other notable guests will include Dr.

Walter Taylor, a board member of the Florida Wildflower Foundation who will discuss Florida wildflowers; Fred Bohler, a wildlife specialist who will present a workshop about facing fear of spiders; and Cathy Brown, owner of Clermont-based B.B. Brown’s Gardens who will take guests on a tour of the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail. Numerous workshops will be offered throughout the three-day event. Attendees can learn about interesting topics such as Floridafriendly landscapes, endangered plant conservation, tagging Monarch butterflies, basic birding identification, how to grow a butterfly garden, and insider tips for the best Lake County birding locations. In addition, renowned field experts are leading several field trips, allowing visitors to explore some of Lake County’s most natural wonderlands up close and personal. Enjoy guided nature and birding hikes at Oakland Nature Preserve, hike for pitcher plants along the Hilochee Wildlife Management Area, and take pleasure in a guided nature walk at Lake Louisa State Park. Dyer says highlights of last year’s event were the exhibits and shows. Making an appearance this year is Kim Titterton of the popular Swamp Girl Adventures. She will educate festival-goers about some of Florida’s creepy, crawling critters. Attendee

can also meet Trouper the Raccoon, the famous animal from the adventure book Trouper: The True Adventures of a Blind Raccoon, the first in a series of wildlife storybooks detailing the life of this brave animal. Trouper is a survivor of animal cruelty. Numerous activities will be offered for children, including face painting, a butterfly tent, and an appearance by Smokey the Bear. Kids can also attend various workshops and learn about native Florida wildlife, including bees, spiders, alligators, bears, turtles, and snakes. “People who come to this event will fall in love with the real Florida,” says Yvonne Powers, coordinator assistant of the economic development and tourism department. “Putting on an event of this caliber definitely requires a county-wide effort, and we appreciate all the support and help of

those who have given their time and talents to assist in this.” For a detailed listing of all activities, programs, workshops, and field trips, please visit www.wingsandwildflowers. com. You can also call the Lake County Office of Economic Development and Tourism at 352.742.3924.

September August 20 20 13 13 I 8 I 3 1

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

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

ROCKY TOP ADVENTURES

The magniﬁcent Great Smoky Mountains National Park should be the ﬁrst stop for a trip to eastern Tennessee, but the area also offers many other family adventures. STORY+PHOTOS: MARY ANN DESANTIS

he best-laid plans are often disrupted by weather. Massive amounts of rain certainly changed my itinerary during a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee. My guided hike along the Waterfall Trail was more about puddle sloshing than the photographic adventure I had planned. Patience paid off because I eventually did hike in America’s most visited national park. In the meantime, I discovered many other popular adventures that didn’t require hiking boots. “Most families return year after year, captured by the Smoky Mountain mag-

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ic,” says park management assistant Dana Soehn. “Visiting here becomes a tradition and part of their lives.” Such is the case with Leesburg residents Richard and Leigh Neely, who have rented a cabin every fall since 2002 with their grown children and grandchildren. “The week is a wonderful time for our entire family to get together and enjoy so many things about the area,” says Leigh, who visited the national park regularly as a child growing up in Chattanooga. “The ladies love to shop, the guys love to golf, and the grandkids love the attractions. And at the end of the day, the rocking chairs on the cabin porch offer a restful,

peaceful place for us to be together.” With my hiking day a washout, I explored the areas outside the national park like a kid. I wanted to know what brings families back every year. From the little I knew prior to my trip, I had envisioned Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg — the cities that bookend the national park — as tourist traps. While there are the requisite souvenir shops, the east Tennessee towns are also rich with history and offer some unexpected adventures. One of those at-ﬁrst seemingly touristy places was the Titanic Museum with a replica of the ill-fated ship dominating the Pigeon Forge landscape. However, the attraction turned out to be one of

TITANIC MUSEUM PHOTO BY TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; PARKWAY GATLINBURG PHOTO BY GATLINBURG CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

my best and most educational excursions. I received a “passage ticket” at the doorway and entered the grand hallway to embark on a memorable tour. According to my ticket, I was Annie Sage and I would learn my fate on the Memorial Wall at the end of the tour. In the meantime, I walked the hallways, parlors, cabins, and grand staircase of the Titanic surrounded by artifacts and exhibits that respectfully told the ship’s story. More than 2 million present-day “passengers” have visited Titanic-Pigeon Forge since it opened in 2010. The attraction — and its sister museum in Branson, Mo. — represent the largest permanent monuments in the world dedicated to the Titanic’s memory. And what was Annie Sage’s fate? Unfortunately, the 11-member Sage family never made it to their ﬁnal destination, which would have been Jacksonville where they had planned to become pecan farmers. The Sage family was the largest recorded loss of life from one family on board the Titanic. After my sobering experience on an ill-fated voyage, I decided to get my heart thumping again with Flyaway Indoor Skydiving, an unusual experience in a vertical wind tunnel that attracts 20,000 people annually. “A lot of people want to jump out of plane,” says owner Robert Ogle, who helped me don a wellpadded jumpsuit, goggles, and helmet. “This seems more reasonable to them.” I had to reassure Robert and his crew

that I had paid attention to the safety procedures in the training film and that I could remember the hand signals for “Okay,” “Let’s go higher,” and “I’ve had enough, thank you.” Be sure to check Flyaway’s Facebook page for special deals when planning a trip to the area. It was time to put my feet back on solid ground in the mountain village of Gatlinburg. Once called White Oak Flat, Gatlinburg offers unique shopping and family-friendly attractions. It is also the place to sample regional dishes like gourmet pancakes at the Pancake Pantry, where only three people know owner Jim Gerding’s secret recipe, and fresh fish at the iconic Smoky Mountain Trout House, which opened in 1975. Many first-time tourists do not realize Gatlinburg’s major arts and crafts community is located three miles from downtown in “The Glades.” The eightmile loop around the community is packed with potters, weavers, jewelry makers, painters, and more. A trolley to ZORB ROLLING

SOUTHEAST’S LONGEST CHAIRLIFT

PARKWAY GATLINBURG

the area runs continuously from downtown for 75 cents. Now I understand why so many families plan reunions in the Smoky Mountains. The entertainment options for all ages are exciting and endless; yet the serenity and the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park remain unsurpassed. And if you should make the 14-mile roundtrip hike to the national park’s Rocky Top, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views that America has to offer.

Trip

TITANIC MUSEUM

TIP While summer and fall are the most popular (and most crowded) times to visit the Smoky Mountains, more people are discovering “WinterFest,” which begins in late November. The area lights up with decorations and special holiday events. The best part: trafﬁc along the Foothills Parkway between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge isn’t quite so bad. For more information, visit smokymountainwinterfest.com.

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Now may be the best time to visit! mission inn

As cooler weather approaches, come enjoy our lush golf courses, world class spa, four restaurants and marina.With Fall Packages beginning at $109 and the resort just minutes away, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get away and relax! Your hometown resort getaway â&#x20AC;&#x201D; creating memories since 1964! MissionInnResort.com | 10400 County Road 48 | Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida 34737 | 800-874-9053 * Packages are per person, per night, double occupancy. Service charges and taxes additional.

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What residents of The Villages are saying about the staff at Tri-County Podiatry: “Footcare for people of all ages with active lifestyles.”

MEDICAL & SURGICAL TREATMENT OF:

“They are very accommodating, which creates a comfortable environment and makes for a pleasant experience for patients. Everyone was helpful and cheerful. As I was checking out, I noticed that several members of the staff were speaking to some of the longtime patients on a very personable, down-to-earth manner — like they had known each other for years.” — Sandra Groller

“ They make you feel like an individual as opposed to just another number. I have been going there for four years, and the staff certainly sets a high standard for superior health care. It’s a family atmosphere, and they take the time to know me beyond my medical condition. They are also very efficient with follow-up appointments.” — Paige Booth

• • • • • •

Bunions and Hammertoes • Foot Injuries Corns • Diabetic & Geriatric Foot Care Morton’s Neuromas • Sports Medicine Ingrown Nails and Warts • Orthotics Heel and Arch Pain • Diabetic Shoes Thick Painful Toenails • Numbness/Tingling of Feet *NOW OFFERING IN-OFFICE PHYSICAL THERAPY

Same-day appointments often available for emergencies.

“OUR STAFF IS STEPS ABOVE THE REST”

MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED

MEDICARE ACCEPTED

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm and Fridays 8am-12pm Learn more about Tri-County Podiatry when you scan this with your smart phone

1585 Santa Barbara Blvd. • Suite B • The Villages, FL

352.259.1919

www.tricountypodiatry.net

LAKE EAR NOSE THROAT & FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Q&A

By providing quality, comprehensive care that is tailored to the unique needs and desires of each patient, our accomplished board-certiﬁed physicians, physician assistants, and doctors of audiology can effectively diagnose and treat individuals who come to our ofﬁces looking for answers and solutions.

Q: A:

When and what is allergy season? Depending on the allergy, allergies can be seasonal or perennial (year-round). Seasonal allergies, such as grass, trees, and weeds, can occur in the spring and fall, while perennial allergies, such as dust, mold, and animals, can occur at any time during the year.

Dr. Michael A. Freedman

Q: A:

What are some things I should consider before receiving facial plastic surgery? y? Facial plastic surgery targeting rejuvenation of the aging face is a personal decision. Looking good and feeling good about yourself promotes happiness and improves self-esteem. Do it because you want to do it, but be realistic in your goals and discuss the options available to you with your surgeon.

Dr. Dino Madonna Learn more about sinus conditions and the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure at our dedicated website www.LakeSinusRelief.com

Lake Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Scan the code to view Peg’s Sinuplasty success story video.

THE VILLAGES 352.753.8448 LEESBURG 352.728.2404 TAVARES 352.343.7279 LakeENT.net

JoAnn Newmons, ARNP

Michelle Wood, MD, FACOG

Alfred Moffett, Jr., MD, FACOG, FACS

Caring

Douglas Moffett, MD, FACOG

for all Generations

A. Nicky Hjort, MD, FACOG

Lake OB-GYN Associates

of Mid Florida LEESBURG 601 E Dixie Ave., Medical Plaza #401 Leesburg, FL 34748 352.787.1535 THE VILLAGES 1400 US Hwy. 441 N, Bldg. #950 The Villages, FL 32159 352.259.5649 www.leesburgobgyn.com

LLC

2nd annual inter-tribal

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DADE BATTLEFIELD HISTORIC STATE PARK, HWY 476 IN BUSHNELL

Physicians Board Certiﬁed by the AMERICAN BOARD OF ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY

native american SEPTEMBER 27TH, 28TH & 29TH 2013

Offering Care for: Pediatric and Adult Allergies & Asthma Insect Allergies Food Allergies Hives, Sinusitis & More

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10:00 AM-9:00 PM • SUNDAY 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Primitive Camping Some electric available

Admission $3 Per Person Children Under 12 Free

Bring the

Native Crafts Demonstrations

Singing & Dancing

whole family & spend the day Bring

Storytelling Native Food & More

blankets or chairs to sit on

Grand Entry

Friday, 6PM • Saturday, 1PM & 6PM Sunday, 1PM

Family Friendly

No Alcohol, Drugs or Profanity

G. Edward Stewart II, M.D.

Thomas L. Johnson II, M.D.

Beau Caruthers, ARNP

CELEBRATING 30+YEARS!

Dancing Prizes:

1501 US Hwy 441 N., Suite 1406,The Villages, FL 32159 (352) 753-1422 • OPEN FOUR DAYS A WEEK

~1st Place $200 ~2nd Place $100 ~3rd Place $50

CLINICAL RESEARCH DIVISION (352) 629-2223 NOW ENROLLING IN CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDIES!

For more information, contact:

Flu Vaccine Available

CHIEF “RED EAGLE” HOWARD, OXENDINE 352.793.5154 DADE BATTLEFIELD 352.793.4781 This event has been funded in part by a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Sumter County Tourist Development Council.

NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN

1740 SE 18th Street, Suite 1002 Ocala, FL 34471

PLUS:

WE’LL PRESSURE WASH YOUR HOME, DRIVEWAY, WALKWAY, PATIO.

• SERVING LAKE AND SOUTH MARION COUNTIES • RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

DANIEL: 352.229.0107 KYLE: 352.630.9685

*OFFER EXPIRES 9/30/13. LICENSED & INSURED - LIC # L13000059184

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Always rem Mon-Fri HAPPY HOURS

featuring 2 for 1 Appetizers PLUS

Unwind Fridays! Your second drink is FREE AND

MONDAY MADNESS! with 2 for 1 Martinis, Manhattans, Margaritas, Mojitos and Mimosas!

FOR GROUPS OF 30 OR MORE We provide free round-trip transportation. Our 49-passenger bus is available for Sunday brunch or any evening meal at the Embers.

HOURS:

MON-THURS 4:30 TO 10P.M. FRI & SAT 4:30 TO 11P.M. SUNDAY BRUNCH 11:30A.M. TO 2:30P.M. SUNDAY 4 TO 9:30P.M. 7940 U.S. Hwy. 441 Leesburg, FL 34788 352.728.8989 // www.vicsembers.com

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COUNTERTOPS • VANITIES • FIREPLACES • FLOORING • CUSTOM FABRICATION

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QUAR·TER·DECK \'kwo•(r)-tər-' dek\ noun 1: the upper level of a ship’s deck that is located toward the rear of the ship and that is used mainly by ofﬁcers. Read about this uniquely named Umatilla restaurant ON PAGE 92

RESTAURANT REVI REVIEW SALUTÉ SAL IN THE KITCHEN DINING GUIDE

eats

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

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EATS // RESTAURANT REVIEW Tasty insights and observations

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QUARTERDECK Out-of-the-way food joints may not initially catch your eye, but those are the places that most often captivate your taste buds with astonishingly good food and even better service. Such can be said for Quarterdeck, a perfectly quaint seafood (and more) restaurant in the picturesque community of Umatilla.

“We come about three times a month,” says Gina. “We come for the sandwiches and atmosphere. The food is great, and the boys love the burgers, the clam chowder, and of course, the ﬁsh sandwich.”

STORY: SHEMIR WILES PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ + SHEMIR WILES

or almost 22 years, Glen Key has captained this seathemed eatery. He opened Quarterdeck in his hometown after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and thus followed in the footsteps of his mother Latrell Key, who owns The Mason Jar Restaurant down the street. When I arrived at Quarterdeck, I immediately knew I was in for a downhome experience as a lovely couple sitting outside chatted to me about the weather and ended our brief conversation with, “Enjoy your lunch.” Once inside, I felt as if I had truly stepped onto the quarterdeck of a ship as I noticed the nautical décor all throughout the restaurant. The tiki-style bar also injected some fun to the maritime atmosphere. The staff was extremely friendly and courteous and made sure I was comfortable before telling Glen I had arrived. Glen greeted me with a hearty handshake and explained that he wanted me to try a variety

of dishes, including the restaurant’s “world famous” fish sandwich. He also asked how I wanted my fish cooked and being from the South, I replied fried. For those who are a little more health conscious, Quarterdeck also offers it blackened or grilled. While I waited for my food, I talked to a few regulars who shared with me why they love Quarterdeck. The feedback was fairly unanimous: people love the fish sandwich and the welcoming staff. One couple described how Glen always walks around the restaurant welcoming and chatting with patrons. It’s why they say they keep coming back. Sitting in front of a smorgasbord, I first tried the fried, butterflied shrimp. These jumbo shrimp, along with other seafood on the menu, are delivered fresh to Quarterdeck and battered on site before frying. You can taste the difference from the frozen, pre-battered variety served by some restaurants. Freshness means quality. The same went for the fish fillets

I sampled from the day’s fish basket. The batter was light and flavorful while still letting the great tastes of the sea shine through. Quarterdeck’s fish sandwich lived up to its reputation. Aside from being battered and fried to perfection, the swai fish used for the sandwich had a slightly sweet, mild flavor and delicate texture that was nice and palatable. I also tried one of Quarterdeck’s lighter, seasonal menu items — the strawberry pecan chicken. This refreshing and satisfying salad is made with fresh romaine lettuce, strawberries, chopped pecans, mandarin orange slices, feta cheese, and strips of grilled chicken breast. It’s dressed with a sweet, yet tangy, raspberry vinaigrette. Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience at Quarterdeck. The seafood was delicious and the service was impressive. It’s always nice to see businesses that believe good customer service is still important.

— TED, GINA, AND KYLE WATERS FROM UMATILLA

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT QUARTERDECK AND OWNER GLEN KEY, WATCH THIS MONTH’S EPISODE OF Tune in every Saturday at 6p.m. on Bright House channel 49, Saturday and Sunday at 6p.m. on Comcast channel 20, or visit our website at lakeandsumterstyle.com

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“They have the best ﬁsh sandwich in town,” says Scott. “I’ve been coming here for three years about once a week. And the grandchildren love the burgers.” “When they treat you like family.” Marcia adds: “you want to come back.”

— MARCIA AND SCOTT BURDICK FROM UMATILLA WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, ETHAN AND EMMA, FROM FORT LAUDERDALE

ADDRESS: 831 S. Central Ave., Umatilla, FL 32784 PHONE: 352.669.4662 HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday–Saturday 11a.m.–9p.m.; Sunday 11a.m.–8p.m. POPULAR DISHES: Quarterdeck’s World Famous Fish Sandwich: $7.99 QDB (Quarterdeck Burger): $7.29 Strawberry Pecan Chicken salad: $9.99 Ribeye (14-ounce): $16.99 Jumbo Shrimp: Five for $11.99; Six for $12.99; 12 for $18.99

“The people are so nice and the food is good,” says Buzzie. “When we come, we always get the same thing — the ﬁsh sandwich, blackened, with fries. I also like their coleslaw and the management checks on you. Sometimes they stay awhile and talk.” — RICHARD AND BUZZIE ANDERSON FROM EUSTIS

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GET ON THE

BUS SUPPORT LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS

The Educational Foundation of Lake County serves as the connection between our community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education. For information on how you can join our efforts please call 352-326-1265 or visit www.edfoundationlake.com

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EATS // saluté A worldly look at wine

SAINT-ÉMILION CLASSIC WINES

LEFT TO RIGHT M STORY+PHOTOS: MARY ANN DESANTIS

ention Bordeaux and wine drinkers get all gaga… or intimidated. In fact, I can’t think of any wine that has been more daunting for me to purchase. Prices seemed astronomically high and the labels were not much help in letting me know exactly what I was buying.

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And all that talk about left bank versus right bank left me totally perplexed. That is until I actually had a chance to visit the historical city of Bordeaux, long considered the wine capital of the world. My goal was to understand why Bordeaux wines are the standard by which so many other wines are compared. For years, Bordeaux — both

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the wine and the city — were often associated with wine snobbery. People who ordered a glass of Bordeaux seemed to be conﬁdent about what they were getting and didn’t mind telling you. The region’s winemakers were not known for ﬂinging open their chateau doors to tourists, either. That has changed, though, as Bordeaux has awakened to a

competitive and international world of wine. The lovely gardens along the Garonne River have replaced the dingy warehouses of years past, and now tourists, local families, lovers, and street musicians frolic in the world’s largest water mirror near the Place de la Bourse. The revitalized historic city center became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, and more and more chateaux are open for tours and tastings. In fact, Bordeaux has become one of France’s most popular tourist destinations, especially for those who want

to learn about its wines. Embracing the role as a wine educator is the L’École du Vin de Bordeaux, known to Americans as the Bordeaux Wine School. It is here I began my journey through Bordeaux with a two-hour workshop geared for tourists. At only 35 euros, the workshop is a hands-on approach to learning what sets Bordeaux apart from other regions and why its wines are often considered classics. Bordeaux wines are blends of different grape varietals. For reds, the grapes are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and some Cabernet Franc mixed in to make things interesting. Occasionally, winemakers use small percentages of Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Carmenère. White Bordeaux is primarily a blend of Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes.

24 TASTING TIDBIT

bottles of Bordeaux are sold worldwide every second. SOURCE: L’ÉCOLE DU VIN DE BORDEAUX (BORDEAUX WINE SCHOOL)

BORDEAUX RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCAL WINE MERCHANTS Heather Hitson, wine consultant ABC Fine Wine and Spirits, Lady Lake 2010 Rothschild Bordeaux Laﬁte Reserve Speciale, $49.99

Jerome Brouhard, sommelier and manager Maggie’s Attic, Mount Dora 2010 Château de Ferrand, Saint Emilion Grand Cru appellation, $14.99

The soils are much different along the Garonne and Dourdogne rivers that merge to form the Gironde Estuary, which runs to the Atlantic Ocean. Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant grape on the left bank of the region while Merlot is primarily a right-bank grape. The different terroirs and microclimates certainly contribute to making each appellation unique, but knowing how to blend the grape varietals is the secret to Bordeaux’s ﬁnesse. “Blending is an art, which requires experience and know-how,” says Elsa Lejeune, a winemaker for 10 years before she became a Bordeaux Wine School instructor. “The Bordelaise are experts for blending wines with structure, elegance, and longevity.” My wine education continued at the VINIV wine workshop at the Chateau Lynch Bages near Pauillac. One-third of the workshop’s visitors are from the U.S., and some pay big bucks to develop their own personal bottles of Bordeaux. I realized very quickly blending is not just mixing grape varietals. Other factors, like vintages and vineyards, come into play. Nevertheless, my class had fun concocting two red wines:

a Cabernet-dominant blend with 65 percent Cabernet Sauvignon/35 percent Merlot — a typical left bank combination — and a second more right bank influenced wine with 70 percent Merlot/20 percent Cabernet Sauvignon/10 percent Cabernet Franc. Chateau Lynch Bages Director Stephen Bolger, who led us through the blending class, explained, “Merlot is all about fruit; cabernet is all about power.” Blending these wines often smoothes the conflicting characteristics. But just like politics, the class was evenly divided over which sample tasted the best. With more than 7,900 wine estates and 60 different appellations, Bordeaux is France’s largest wine region. The outrageously expensive classified growths that are cellared for years represent only three to five percent of the wines produced. Wine school instructor Elsa confirms what many oenophiles around the world are discovering: 95 percent of Bordeaux wines are affordable and drinkable without years of aging. “Not everyone wants to wait 20 years to drink their wines,” she says with a smile, “and winemakers are accommodating those tastes and budgets.”

ABOUT THE WRITER Living in Italy was the catalyst for Mary Ann DeSantis to understand more about wine, and she now enjoys sharing what she’s learned. Since 2010, Saluté has covered topics for oenophiles of all levels — from novice wine drinkers to experienced connoisseurs. The column received a 2013 Florida Magazine Association Bronze Award for Best Department and a 2012 Florida Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award for Commentary.

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

‘MEAT’ ME A true American classic, steak has always satisﬁed man’s carnal appetite for meat. But just as every artist cannot be Picasso, not every person who cooks can prepare a steak. Luckily for us, we can learn. Voted the place for the “Hottest Steaks” by Style readers, Vic’s Embers Supper Club in Leesburg shares the secrets to making the perfect steak. STORY: SHEMIR WILES PHOTOS: FRED LOPEZ

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irst, you hear the sizzle… then the rich aroma hooks you. And before you know it, you’re ready. That first bite into a flawlessly cooked steak is always the best. Crisp and caramelized on the outside but ever so juicy on in the inside, the perfect steak has long been appreciated by carnivores ever since the first cave dweller roasted meat over fire and thought, “Hey, this isn’t half bad.” Things have changed since those prehistoric times, though. Making the perfect steak isn’t as simple as taking any old cut of meat and heating it with flames. According to Vic Donahey, who coowns Vic’s with his son Victor Donahey III, the key to making the perfect

steak starts with the slaughterhouse. “We only use IBP beef — Iowa beef products,” Vic explains. “They have the best feeding program out there. Their cows are all grain feed.” Because the cows are grain feed, the beef has a more reﬁned taste that customers have come to enjoy for years at Vic’s. “This month, we’re celebrating our 25-year anniversary at this location, but we have been in the Leesburg area for 32 years. During those years, we have built a legacy on great steaks and seafood,” Vic says. “A lot of our regular customers come just for our steaks.” DOWN TO THE BASICS Once the Iowa beef arrives at Vic’s, the meat is stored inside refrigerators until it’s ready to be cut. To avoid having the steaks dry out, the kitchen staff only cuts what they will need for the day — no more, no less. “Every afternoon, we are careful to cut only what we think we will use for dinner. If we want some New York strip steaks, we take a whole New York strip loin, trim the fat and the

AN AUTHENTIC FILET MIGNON RECIPE

PAN-ROASTED FILET MIGNON INGREDIENTS: 2 8-ounce filet mignon filets 4 teaspoons kosher salt 4 teaspoons freshly cracked pepper 1 stick of butter 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Two cloves garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon thyme, chopped DIRECTIONS: • Allow half a stick of butter to soften at room temperature. Then mix well in a bowl with chopped garlic and herbs. Form butter into log using wax paper and refrigerate. • Generously season the filets with salt and pepper, approximately one teaspoon of seasoning for each side. • Heat the other half of the butter and vegetable oil in a cast-iron skillet on high heat until it begins to smoke. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. • Sear the filets for about two to three minutes on each side, or until a nice caramelized crust has formed. • While the steak is searing, continue to spoon the residual butter in the pan on top of the meat while it’s cooking. Once both sides are seared, place pan in the center of the oven for about six to eight minutes, depending upon how thick your steak is. • In the last minute of cooking, slice a thick piece of compound butter and place on top of the steak. For medium-rare, the steak will be ready when its internal temperature reaches approximately 140 degrees, or when you push lightly on the top center of the steak and it slowly bounces back. • Remove the meat from the pan and allow it to rest for five to 10 minutes to allow the juices to return to the center. Slice and then serve. Recipe adapted from: Whit’s Amuse Bouche (whitsamusebouche.com)

FOR MORE “IN THE KITCHEN” TIPS FROM VIC DONAHEY, OWNER OF VIC’S EMBERS, WATCH THE SEPTEMBER EPISODE OF Tune in every Saturday at 6p.m. on Bright House channel 49, Saturday and Sunday at 6p.m. on Comcast channel 20 or visit our website at lakeandsumterstyle.com

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

“I’ve had customers say they haven’t had a steak in New York as good as ours. You could cut our ﬁlet mignon with a fork, and people just love our ribeyes. It’s good when we can fulﬁll people’s expectations.”

vein end, and then cut our 12-ounce steaks for that day,” Vic says. “For filet mignon, we cut it fresh from a whole beef tenderloin that’s been trimmed of its chain, or side muscle.” With the meat cut, steaks are ready for cooking. When an order comes into the kitchen, the steak is first seasoned with a special mix of spices Vic is not willing to divulge. “It’s our secret blend,” he says with a smile. However, for those at home, he says a simple seasoning of salt and pepper with a bit of garlic is all a person truly needs. It’s more important for the flavor of the beef to come through. “Don’t overdo it,” he recommends. “A little can go a long way.” The steak is then washed with butter and broiled using intense heat, which creates a sear that locks in the taste and allows the steaks to be cooked more evenly. Vic cooks his steak for two to three minutes on each side, enough to make it medium-rare. Most steak connoisseurs consider medium to be “pushing it.” And if you mention “well done,” prepare for the dirty looks and low hisses of staunch disapproval. “Anything more than medium leaves the steak dry,” he says. “Medium-rare is perfect because the steaks have a lot of flavor and are still juicy.” After resting for five to 10 minutes, the steak is ready to be delivered to the table and enjoyed. With nearly 50 percent of his business coming from steak orders, Vic says he and his son realize using excellent meat is essential when it comes to good customer service. “I’ve had customers say they haven’t had a steak in New York as good as ours,” he says. “You could cut our filet mignon with a fork, and people just love our ribeyes. It’s good when we can fulfill people’s expectations.” And while the quality of his steaks may essentially boil down to superior beef grades, Vic says it doesn’t hurt to also have a great wait staff and longtime chefs he can trust. “Having a good staff makes all the difference in the world,” he says. “With a broiler full of steaks, it’s good to have people who know what they’re doing, and it shows in the food we serve every day.” Want to try your hand at making the perfect steak at home? Vic’s sells their steaks. For more information, visit vicsembers.com and click on “Vic’s Butcher Shop Take Home” or call 352.728.8989.

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GRILLING TIMES FOR POPULAR STEAKS: FILET MIGNON (1-INCH THICK): For medium-rare, grill for four minutes on each side, or to 140 degrees internal temperature. For medium, grill for seven minutes on each side, or to 155 degrees internal temperature.

NEW YORK STRIP (1-INCH THICK): For medium-rare, grill for seven minutes on each side, or to 140 degrees internal temperature. For medium, grill for 10 minutes on each side, or to 155 degrees internal temperature.

IS IT READY YET? RARE Remove from heat at 130 to 135 degrees Final cooked temperature: 130 to 140 degrees MEDIUM-RARE Remove from heat at 140 degrees Final cooked temperature: 145 degrees MEDIUM Remove from heat at 155 degrees Final cooked temperature: 160 degrees MEDIUM-WELL Remove from heat at 160 degrees Final cooked temperature: 165 degrees WELL DONE Remove from heat at: 165 degrees Final cooked temperature: 170 degrees

RIBEYE (1 1/4-INCH THICK): For medium-rare, grill for eight minutes on each side, or to 140 degrees internal temperature. For medium, grill for 10 minutes on each side, or to 155 degrees internal temperature.

SIRLOIN (1 1/4-INCH THICK): For medium-rare, grill for eight minutes on each side, or to 140 degrees internal temperature. For medium, grill for 10 minutes on each side, or to 155 degrees internal temperature.

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

T WESTON’S SMOKEHOUSE 1210 N. MAIN STREET, WILDWOOD // 352.748.9378

A dining experience at T Weston’s Smokehouse in Wildwood will definitely get your taste buds smoking! Owners Tracy and Aileen Smith go above and beyond to ensure guests enjoy a wonderful dining experience and delicious food. The lunch menu, designed to cater to the working class, features an assortment of sandwiches (pulled pork, pulled chicken, and smoked chicken salad, etc.), burgers (bacon cheeseburger, green chili and jack cheese burger, etc.), lunch entrees (smoked chicken, St. Louis-style ribs, etc.), and salad. At dinnertime, the Smiths dim the lights to offer a fine dining experience. The dinner menu includes wonderful selections such as filet mignon, smoked prime rib, a brisket dinner, and St.Louis-style ribs. All meats are smoked over two types of wood — pecan and blackjack oak. The restaurant offers catering, as well as a takeout window for those on the go. DINE IN • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY • CATERING HOURS OF OPERATION: TUESDAY–THURSDAY: 11A.M.–8P.M. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: 11A.M.–9P.M. CLOSED SUNDAY AND MONDAY

COUSIN VINNIE’S FAMILY SPORTS RESTAURANT

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: 11A.M.–9P.M. // FOOD, SPIRITS, MUSIC, SPORTS 10700 U.S. HWY. 441, LEESBURG // 352.253.2442

Cousin Vinnie’s is located on U.S. Hwy. 441 across from Lake Square Mall and Home Depot. Owner “Cousin Vinnie” Vittoria has created a unique atmosphere by combining a Sports Bar with a Family Restaurant. With seating for 100 guests, they can easily accommodate any team or organization. Since opening in July 2008, Vinnie’s has become famous for outstanding food and service! The residents of Lake and Sumter counties have voted them BEST WINGS in 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / & 2012. Vinnie’s family has created 38 unique wing sauces to choose from. They also serve up a perfectly seasoned ½ lb. Burger, Personal Pan Pizzas, Chicken Strips, Shrimp, Calamari, fresh Tuna, Chicken and Shrimp Salads, 15 unbelievable Signature Appetizers, the perfect Ribeye Philly Cheese Steak and many different deep fried Desserts! Tuesday from 4– 8p.m. is “Family Night” when kids 10-andunder eat absolutely free. Wednesday night is “Trivia Night” the fun starts at 6:30p.m. with great prizes given to the top 3 teams. Thursday night is Karaoke Night from 7:00-10:30p.m. Cousin Vinnie’s also offers a very comfortable bar, 7 large plasmas, great music covering many different genres, free Wi-Fi, Golden Tee, an electronic Dart Board, Galaga, Miss Pac-Man, and most importantly… a very enthusiastic staff ready to serve YOU! “I hope to meet your family very soon… it is my goal to exceed your expectations on every visit,” says owner Cousin Vinnie.

RUSTY FOX STEAKHOUSE

649 12TH STREET, CLERMONT 352.394.3333 // WWW.RUSTYFOXSTEAKHOUSE.COM If you are looking for a “hidden gem” and something that is family-owned as well, then visit the Rusty Fox Steakhouse. Our diverse menu includes a selection of dinner entrees including Angus steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, seafood dishes including shrimp and grits and whole snapper (when available), and chicken dishes such as roasted lemon rosemary chicken and chicken primavera. Our restaurant prides itself on offering house-made fresh sauces, dressings, and soups. Lunch is served daily offering half-pound Angus burgers, prime rib subs, grilled Reubens and much more. Also served daily are lunch and dinner specials, including the extremely popular prime rib dinner special on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday. HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY – SATURDAY: LUNCH SERVED 11A.M.–4P.M. DINNER SERVED 4P.M.–9P.M. SUNDAY: LUNCH AND DINNER SERVED 11A.M.–9P.M.

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EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

JB BOONDOCKS

704 S. LAKESHORE BLVD., HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS 352.324.3600 • WWW.JBBOONDOCKS.COM JB Boondocks is tucked away in a picturesque setting on Little Lake Harris in Howey-in-the-Hills. JB Boondocks is accessible by land, sea, and air via car, motorcycle, boat, or seaplane. With a full bar and a huge outdoor deck overlooking the lake, JB Boondocks makes for the ultimate setting to relax and unwind. The menu offers fresh seafood, steaks, chops, classic Italian dishes, tasty sandwiches, salads, sinfully sweet desserts, and much more. Each Friday night is our famous ﬁsh fry, Wednesday night features prime rib and Thursday night is Ladies’ Night. Cocktails from the bar are festive and we have a great selection of beer and wine, as well. Situated on ﬁve acres on the lake, JB Boondocks is the perfect place for your car, motorcycle, boat, or seaplane club to gather. We have plenty of dock space and parking to accommodate all your needs. JB BOONDOCKS IS OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY 11A.M.–4P.M., TUESDAY–THURSDAY 11A.M.–9P.M. FRIDAY 11A.M.–10P.M., SATURDAY 11A.M.–10P.M., SUNDAY NOON–8P.M.

BAMBOO BISTRO

700 NORTH HWY. 441 (IN FRONT OF TARGET), LADY LAKE // 352.750.9998 The Villages Bamboo Bistro welcomes you to experience a delightful dining experience with us. Enjoy an impressive selection of Asian dishes from China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as a full sushi bar. Some of the more popular items include Peking duck, pepper seared ﬁlet mignon, the bamboo basil seafood delight, and the Chilean sea bass served in black bean sauce. Of course, there are plenty of other enticing items made with our freshest ingredients, such as the shrimp in lobster sauce, Mongolian beef, and the ever-popular General Tso’s chicken. Noodle soups and noodle dishes are also available; a variety of Asian beers and the extensive selection of wine will complement that perfect meal. Dim Sum Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday Noon–9 p.m. HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY–THURSDAY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SUNDAY

11A.M.–9:30P.M. 11A.M.–10P.M. NOON–9P.M.

THE GOBLIN MARKET RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 331-B DONNELLY STREET (REAR ALLEY), MOUNT DORA 352.735.0059 // WWW.GOBLINMARKETRESTAURANT.COM

Nestled on a back alley in downtown Mount Dora, the Goblin Market Restaurant has been charming locals and tourists alike since 1996. The restaurant, housed in a renovated warehouse, features three intimate, book-lined dining rooms and a full-service lounge furnished in soothing, muted tones with tasteful modern art. The private, tree-shaded courtyard and garden patio are open year-round for al fresco dining. Low lighting and “new age” music add the ﬁnishing touches to the restaurant’s casual elegance. Owners Vince and Janis Guzinski embrace a simple philosophy of offering the highest-quality products, served in a unique and romantic atmosphere by a personable and attentive staff. The Goblin Market’s wine list and menu represent a refreshing mix of ideas from its culinary team. The diversiﬁed origins and background of each member ensure exciting menu offerings and nightly selections. HOURS OF OPERATION: LUNCH TUESDAY–SATURDAY 11A.M.–3:00P.M. DINNER TUESDAY–THURSDAY 5–9P.M. FRIDAY–SATURDAY 5–10P.M. SUNDAY 11A.M.–3:30P.M. JOIN US FOR OUR NEW “LIGHTER FARE” DINNER MENU, GOURMET SOUPS, SALADS, AND SANDWICHES. TUESDAY– THURSDAY FROM 3–9P.M. (REGULAR DINNER MENU ALSO AVAILABLE).

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With the Chamber Alliance: Astor, East Lake, Eustis, Lady Lake, Mount Dora, South Lake, Tavares, Umatilla

Thursday, October 10th • 2–6p.m. Gymnasium - 9501 U.S. Hwy. 441, Leesburg High Tech Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

Accommodation Sponsor:

VIP Sponsors: City of Leesburg; Classic Tents & Events, LLC; Culligan; Downtown Leesburg Business Association; EGP, Inc.; Ford Press; Leesburg Center for the Arts; Leesburg Partnership; Leesburg Self Storage; xclntdesign

EATS // dining guide Destinations of good taste

SUBWAY

WWW.SUBWAY.COM Custom-made, fresh sandwiches, salads, and ﬂatbreads made right before your eyes. The “healthy” alternative to fast food. LADY LAKE // 208 W. Guava St. // 352.750.4929 EUSTIS // 469 Plaza Dr. // 352.357.7827 MOUNT DORA // 18870 U.S. Hwy. 441 // 352.735.4376 LEESBURG // 2013 Citrus Blvd. // 352.787.6442 10135 U.S. Hwy. 441, Suite 4 // 352.326.3234 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27, Suite 4 // 352.314.8847 THE VILLAGES // 1580 Bella Cruz Drive // 352.750.9600 8796 S.E. 165th Mulberry Lane // 352.750.9991 1070 Lake Sumter Landing Drive // 352.205.8535 349 Colony Blvd. // 352.391.1657 WILDWOOD // 480 W. Gulf to Alantic Hwy. // 352.748.8800 HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY–SATURDAY SUNDAY

10A.M.–10P.M. 10A.M.–9P.M.

THE OYSTER TROFF

936 NORTH BAY STREET, EUSTIS // 352.357.9939 “The Troff” is a great place to meet up with family and friends in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Family owned and operated for more than 14 years, we offer something for everybody with our full menu and bar. We have Happy Hour Monday–Thursday that includes ½ pound of peel-and-eat shrimp for $5.99, one dozen middle neck clams for $4.99, and ﬁfty cents off all alcoholic beverages. If you can’t make it for happy hour, don’t worry, we run other specials during the entire week! Monday we have oysters at $7.99 per dozen, Tuesday you can ﬁnd middle neck clams for $14.99 per bucket, Wednesday we have Happy Hour food all night, Thursday offers live Maine lobster with two sides for $17, Friday we have all-you-can-eat fried Mahi Mahi strips for $10.99, and Sunday offers up $6 pitchers of beer and ½ pound of peel and eat shrimp for $5.99. WE ARE NOW OPEN THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY AT 11:30A.M. HOURS OF OPERATION: MONDAY–WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY–SATURDAY SUNDAY

3–9 P.M. 11:30 A.M.–9 P.M. 11:30 A.M.–10 P.M. NOON–9 P.M.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR RESTAURANT IN OUR DINING SECTION? CALL US AT 352.787.4112

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15th Annual Athletics

Golf Classic PRESENTS THE

At Arlington Ridge Golf Course

Friday, September 20, 2013 — Shotgun Start at 8:30a.m.

Sponsorship Opportunities GRAND SLAM SPONSORS $

HOME RUN SPONSORS $

2,000

1,000

DOUBLE PLAY SPONSORS $

ENTRY FEE $

600

125

INCLUDES CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, GREENS FEES, CART, GOLF SHIRT, GOODIE BAG, BEVERAGES ON THE COURSE, PRIZES, AND LUNCH CATERED BY OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE MEDIA SPONSOR

For more information on how you can participate, please contact either Rosanne Brandeburg at 352.365.3518 or Mike Matulia at 352.323.3645.

ice

A SERVICE OF SEPTEMBER 2013 ISSUE www.ocalaice.com

3 pillars of

care

// INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL EXCELLENCE //

The United States of

Hypertension // LIMBSTITUTE //

A new life

for limbs

put ice on it. I N N O VAT I O N • C O M PA S S I O N • E X C E L L E N C E

“What I personally like most about walking and running is that people of all levels of ﬁtness can get something out of it. ” — Dr. Asad Qamar

Our Community I have written quite a bit in the past about giving back to the community. And this month I want to personally invite you to join me and take part in an effort that is particularly close to my heart. This November 16th marks the second annual ICE Walk benefitting the Marion County YMCA. The ICE Walk is a free two-mile walk that my staff and I started to show what we believe: that walking and running is beneficial to those with and without heart disease. Here are four reasons why: First, you do not have to be a pro to do it! Other than comfortable shoes, loose-fitting clothing, and plenty of water, no expensive equipment is needed and there are plenty of shaded parks and streets in our neighborhoods to explore. Secondly, what I personally like most about walking and running is that people of all levels of fitness can get something out of it. Unlike the trendy high-impact, high-intensity workouts we hear about, you can work at your comfort level. Next, running and walking is suitable for all ages. This means that we can come together as a family, across generations and walk and learn and laugh. And finally, it inspires. Seeing my family, staff, patients, friends, and neighbors exercising together for their health and to support each other renews my vision for the ICE Walk. It can help make our community one of the heart-healthiest in the nation. Join ICE in this effort and let’s put our hearts into walking together this November.

Our three pillars of care: Innovation, compassion, and excellence As summer comes to a close, ICE, too, ushers in a new season. Our changes reﬂect years of listening to our patients and responding by evolving our practices to their needs. It is because what guides us is our vision of becoming the ultimate wellness center in the region focused on healing hearts. It is Innovation. Compassion. Excellence. Realized. The result is three pillars of care that allow us to deliver services in the most accessible and specialized way yet. The Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence, Institute of Medical Excellence and the Limbstitute are where the area’s ﬁnest health care professionals

Yours,

Asad U. Qamar, MD FACC, FCCP, FSGC, FACP, FSCAI Cardiologist

A D VE RT ISE M E NT

and cutting-edge technology meet to serve patients from Florida, the region, and from around the world. It’s what we’ve learned you need. First, the Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence, our area’s premier heart care center, remains housed in four locations covering Lake, Sumter, Levy, and Marion counties. In holding true to Dr. Qamar’s founding ideals, physicians and staﬀ continue to provide patients with the physical and emotional care their hearts need to beat on. We use the most advanced medical technologies and have the most highly skilled practitioners in the ﬁeld. We procure and evaluate

I N N O VAT I O N • C O M PA S S I O N • E X C E L L E N C E

put ice on it.

Primary and Family Care Practitioners Clarissa Abrantes, M.D. Julio Ugarte, M.D. Joseph Rosado, M.D. Thereza Tosado-Ortiz, M.D. Anis Shahmiri, M.D. // INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL EXCELLENCE //

Welcome to the United States of Hypertension Have you visited your doctor in the morning and learned that your blood pressure is low, only to retest it at another time of the day and it is high? Or, is your blood pressure consistently high? Your answers to these questions may be the diﬀerence between natural blood pressure variation and hypertension. Blood pressure is the amount of force blood puts on arterial walls as it pumps through the body. This pressure varies depending on time of day and year. But if your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90, you may have hypertension. Left untreated, hypertension can result in damage to blood vessels and vital organs causing a stroke, heart attack, memory loss, and more. There are no symptoms of high blood pressure, so regular check-ups are a must. Julio Ugarte, M.D,. of the Institute of Medical Excellence states, “Fortunately, there are several excellent, low cost, generic classes of agents that can impact blood pressure and reduce the extra risk of heart attack and stroke.” “I limit the use of additional medication through

ocalaice.com

supplements or dietary intervention to help patients. The identiﬁcation and elimination of food intolerances can prevent atherosclerosis,” Dr. Ugarte explains regarding treating hypertension through diet. The Institute of Medical Excellence is here to help you ﬁnd the right exercise, diet, and smoking cessation program to help relieve the pressure so you can live healthy.

“I enjoy incorporating these concepts with my patients that want to be more actively involved in their medical decision making, disease management, and pursuit of their optimal health.” — Julio Ugarte, M.D.

Ocala 4730 SW 49th Rd. 352.854.0681

The Villages 1950 Laurel Manor Dr. Building 240 Bu 352.509.9295 35 W Williston 412 W. Noble Ave. 41 352.528.0790 35

Summerﬁeld 10435 SE 170th Place 352.854.4582 Tavares 2754 Dora Ave. 352.259.5960 The Villages 1050 Old Camp Road 352.259.5960 limbstitute.com

ADV VEE R RTT IIS ISE S E M EEN N NTT

The Event

Stepping Out For Education

Would Like To Thank Its Sponsors and Attendees Hosted by

Benefiting

Presented by

Among the attendees and participants were

The local version of

Dancing with the Stars Local celebrities danced the fox trot, rumba, cha cha, swing, and tango with professional dancers from around the state on July 27th 2013. Each dancer received 20 hours of instruction before performing in front of attendees and nationally renowned judges. Audience votes and judges scores were combined to name the winner of Stepping Out for Education’s local version of “Dancing with the Stars”

Lynn Kawamoto and J. Scott Berry

Kia Malone, Paul Rountree, and Melanie Sandvig

Audience choice winner

John Pease

Best Male

Best Female

Ricardo Rojas

Stephanie McCulloch

Thank you Celebrities of 2013 Rachel Youngs Brown, John Pease, Stephanie McCulloch, Ricardo Rojas, Robin Mitchell, and Paul Rountree Sharon Nobles, Rosita Nobles, Francis Kissinger, and Bobby Nobles

Jean Nassef, Carman Cullen-Batt, and Brady Smith

Randy Macdonald, Kellye Shoemaker, and Mel Baker

Bobby Rhodes, Jenny Cote, Meigan and Terry Bland

LET’S GO PLACES. PLACES Treati customers with honesty and integrity for “Treating 35 3 years! You’ll be treated as an honored guest over 35years!You’llbetreatedasanhonoredguest over3 home!” in our home!” —Frankk DeLuca, President/Owner

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(352) 533-2198

We Love to See You

“I spent years of my life not wanting to smile around others and not able to enjoy the foods I like. I was afraid to do anything about my teeth until Dr. Barr and his team gave me the support and enthusiasm I needed to overcome my fears. I am truly thankful to them because the work they did for me has put the light back in my life again. I now have confidence with a smile I want to share with everyone.” —

Mitchell Barbe

980 Mt. Homer Rd. • Eustis, FL 32726

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