NOEASYFIX NOEASY EASYFIX The opioid epidemic spans the country, and statistics show Lake and Sumter counties are no exception to its reach.
STORY: LEIGH NEELY
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INVITES YOU TO A SIMON G. JEWELRY
MEET THE DESIGNER THURSDAY, NOV. 1ST
ABOUT SIMON GHANIMIAN
When I first came to America, I had $200 in my pocket and a dream of going to college to be an engineer. But when I tried to sign up for classes in New York, they were thousands of dollars! I couldn’t afford that. Luckily, I had a relative working in the diamond district who invited me to work there to save up for school. I started setting diamonds, and soon fell in love with the process, artistry, and details of jewelry making.
Simon started in the jewelry business through his relative who was working the Diamond industry. From there, his Before long, what in started as a hobby became a passion. I began passion for jewelry making and making love for setting diamonds my own in my spare and grew intodesigns something more. Hetime began to create his own saving up for more jewelry making designs and soon enough opened his own business. materials instead of classes. At one Today, Simon G. provides the highest quality jewelry with point, I visited Southern California for a vacation, and never returned! I fell in love the most exquisite pieces to choose from. Both Simon G. with the weather, the city, and also met my wife there! and Arden’s Fine Jeweler’s understand the importance of familyand values. These valuesG.allow to create pieces of In the beginning, it was just my wife, Silvia, I. Now, Simon has us many made to lastwork a lifetime establish a relationship designers from all around the world, andjewelry our hand crafted is soldand in over 900 stores across North America. Sittingwith down out an idea is as youand for sketching the years to come. magical to me now as it was the very first time I did it. SIMON G. JEWELRY
Each one of Simon's designs are made with the highest level of craftsmanship and quality, varying from options such as stunning gemstones, radiant diamonds, and intricate designs. Whether you are looking to browse for the very first time or seeking to add to your collection, Simon G. has the perfect piece you have been looking for.
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The contest is open to youths ages 3-18, each competing in their age group. “This is the most down-home type of festival. It is the epitome of a smalltown feel with arts and craft vendors, food vendors, fireworks, and it all comes together in one event,” Rebecca says. Rebecca enjoyed attending the Bushnell Fall Festival as a teenager and later with her own children, and the festival began as a way for Bushnell residents to celebrate the city’s birthday. City records note Bushnell was founded with the establishment of the post office on Oct. 28, 1885, and incorporated 26 years later in 1911. Bushnell was named after John
W. Bushnell, who was responsible for bringing the railroad to the community. Bushnell is the county seat of rural Sumter County. Attracting crowds of more than 10,000 people, Bushnell Fall Festival is the largest city event that occurs each year besides the Sumter County Fair, Rebecca says. “It’s a one-of-akind event for where we live,” she says. “It also brings a lot of outside business to the county, and we really think that’s a great thing. We have people as far as Brooksville, Inverness, and beyond who come to the festival.” The event starts with a 9:30am parade that begins at South Sumter High School. The parade route travels down Main Street and ends at
Parkhill Avenue, and it is expected to be filled with floats decorated in the festival’s Medieval Magic theme of kings, queens, knights, nobles, dragons, and castles. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top floats. “We want people to put as much into it as possible,” Rebecca says of decorating the floats. Businesses, nonprofit groups, civic organizations, politicians, horses, school groups, and walkers are expected to participate in the parade. Afterward, visitors can head to the Kenny Dixon Sports Complex, 824 Noble Ave., for the opening ceremonies, festival activities, and a “melting pot” of ethnic foods provided by food trucks, nonprofit groups,
and churches, Rebecca says. Food offerings in the past have included Caribbean dishes, tamales, gourmet corn dogs, Italian sausage, and more. Music from the 1950s to ’80s, provided by Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs, will highlight the street dance, and the festival will culminate with fireworks slated to begin at 9pm. The festival is a Sumter County Tourism Development Council event, funded by a TDC grant, vendor application fees, and support from city employees. “This event would not be possible without the city of Bushnell public works,” says Rebecca, noting the importance of employee involvement. “They’re instrumental in helping the day go off without a hitch.”
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‘This is the most downhome type of festival. It is the epitome of a smalltown feel with arts and craft vendors, food vendors, fireworks, and it all comes together in one event.’ — REBECCA MORRISON
Want to be in the parade? Bushnell Fall Festival coordinator Rebecca Morrison says the cutoff date to be in the parade is Oct. 15. Those interested may call her at 352.874.5175 or send an email to rmorrison@cityofbushnellfl.com.
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people. commitment. dependability. growth. “Commitment isn’t just a word for the people at PCDG Construction. It’s part of our name—people, commitment, dependability, growth. When we commit to a project, it comes from every employee and is reflected in the quality of everything we do. Excellence at every level is our goal and complete satisfaction is the key. PCDG Construction is wholly committed to any project every step of the way. We make it happen.” —J.J. Cunningham, GM
Construction and development that is woman-owned, locally grown, and veteran-run.
Facilitating growth to communities through construction excellence. We add value through innovation, dependability and foresight. 4130 United Avenue, Mt. Dora FL 32757 phone (407) 502. 2939 email info@gopcdg.com gopcdg.com
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The Florida Porch Café 706 W. Main St. 352.365.1717 The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250 Turners 114 S. 5th St. 352.530.2274 Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe 410 W Main St 352.435.9107 Vic’s Catering 352.728.8989 Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777 Wrapsody 712 W. Main St. 352.801.7239 Mascotte Minneola Grill 117 W. Washington St. 352.394.2555 Napoli’s Pizzeria 556 Hwy. 27 352.243.7500 Rainbow Restaurant 704 E. Myers Blvd. 352.429.2093 The Surf Bar and Grill 650 Hwy. 27 202.527.0100 Minneola Jack’s Barbecue 100 S. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.2673 Lil Anthony’s Pizza 205 N. U.S. Hwy. 27 352.394.1516 Tiki Bar & Grill 508 S. Main Ave. 352.394.2232 Mount Dora 1921 by Norman Van Aken 141 E. 4th Ave. 352.385.1921 Anthony’s Pizza 17195 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.357.6668 Barnwood Country Kitchen and Smokehouse 3725 W. Old US Hwy 441 352.630.4903 Beauclaire Restaurant at Lakeside Inn 100 N. Alexander St. 352.383.4101
Bocce Pizzeria 925 E. First Ave. 352.385.0067 Breezeway Café 411 N. Donnelly St. 352.702.7898 Cecile’s French Corner 237 W. Fourth Ave. 352.383.7100 Cody’s on 4th Cafe 111 E. 4th Ave. 352.735.8426 Copacabana Cuban Cafe 320 Dora Drawdy Way 352.385.9000 Eduardo’s Loko Tacos Mexican Restaurant 226 Alfred St. 352.742.1181 Frog & Monkey English Pub 411 N. Donnelly St. 352. 383.1936 Highland Street Café 185 S. Highland St. 352.383.1446 Jeremiah’s 500 N. Highland St. 352.383.7444 J.K. Thai & Sushi 116 E. 5th Ave. 352.385.5470 Let’s Do Lunch 426 N. Donnelly St. 352.735.4577 Mount Dora Pizza & Subs 2718 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441 352.383.5303 One Flight Up - Coffee, Dessert & Wine Bar 440 N. Donnelly St., Ste. 100 352.758.9818 Pisces Rising 239 W. 4th Ave. 352.385.2669 PizzAmore’ 722 E. 5th Ave. 352.383.0092 Shiva Indian Restaurant 140A W. 5th Ave. 352.735.4555 Sidelines Sport Eatery 315 N. Highland St. 352.735.7433 Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Que 1305 N. Grandview St. 352.735.7675
The Goblin Market 331-B Donnely St. 352.735.0059 Whale’s Tale Fish House 2720 W. Old U.S. Hwy 441 352.385.1500 Zellie’s Pub 4025 N. U.S. Hwy. 19A 352.483.3855 Sorrento Del Franco Pizza Place 31436 CR 437 352.383.8882 Gi Gi’s 25444 State Road 46 352.735.4000 Tavares Angelo’s Italian Restaurant 2270 Vindale Rd. 352.343.2757 Buzzard Beach Grill 12423 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.5267 Hurricane Dockside Grill 3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137 Lake Dora Sushi & Sake 227 E. Main St. 352.343.6313 Mary’s Kountry Kitchen 15945 County Road 448 352.343.6823 O’Keefe’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 115 S Rockingham Ave. 352.343.2157 Palm Gardens Restaurant 1661 Palm Garden St. 352.431.3217 Ruby Street Grille 221 E. Ruby St. 352.742.7829 Sunrise Grill 462 E. Burleigh Blvd. 352.343.7744 The Hideaway 11912 Lane Park Rd. 352.343.3585 The Villages Amerikano’s Grill 998 Del Mar Dr. 352.633.8027 Bavarian Brewhaus 2738 Brownwood Blvd. 352.399.5516
Bravo Pizza 1080 Lake Sumter Landing 352.430.2394 Chengs Chinese and Sushi Restaurant 4050 Wedgewood Ln. 352.391.9678 China Gourmet III 343 Colony Blvd 352.750.4965 City Fire Brownwood & Paddock Square 352.561.2078 Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill 297 Colony Blvd 352.751.0400 Giovanni’s 3439 Wedgewood Lane 352.751.6674 Margarita Republic 1102 Main St. 352.753.4600 Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant and Bar 320 Colony Blvd. 352.753.3824 NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgwood Ln 352.750.1994 RedSauce 1000 Canal St. 352.750.2930 Ricciardi’s Italian Table 3660 Kiessel Rd. 352.391.9939 Sakura 265 Colony Blvd 352.205.7393 Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant 13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N. 352.430.3630 The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille 925 Lakeshore Dr. 352.753.7800 VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887 Umatilla Fish & Chix 100 N. Central Ave. 352.669.7145 Gator’s 9 N. Central Ave. 352.669.6969 Greg’s Haystax 526 Umatilla Blvd. 352.669.1555
Nicky D’s Pizza 325 N. Central Avenue 352.669.2400 Old Crow Real Pit Bar-B-Q 41100 State Road 19 352.669.3922 Quarterdeck 801 Central Ave. 352.669.4662 Shanghai 531 N. Central Ave. 352.669.2004 The Mason Jar 37534 State Rd. 19 352.589.2535 Umatilla Tavern 605 N. Central Ave. 352.669.1325 Wildwood China Jade 420 W. CR 44 352.330.5913 Cotillion Southern Café 101 N. Main St. 352.748.1223 Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 346 Shopping Center Dr. 352.461.0577 O’Shucks! Oyster Bar and Grill 1016 S Main St. 352.399.2200 Traditions Café 3107 Hwy. 44 352.748.1077 Woody’s Bar-B-Q 1220 S. Main St. 352.748.1109 Yalaha Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48 352.324.3366
Country Club Restaurants Clermont Sanctuary Ridge Bar & Grille 2601 Diamond Club Road 352.243.0411 Legends Grille & Tavern 1700 Legendary Blvd. 352.243.1118 Howey-in-the-Hills Mission Inn Resort El Conquistador Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.3101 Mount Dora The Country Club 1900 Country Club Blvd. 352.735.2263 The Villages Belle Glade Country Club 446 Moyer Loop 352.205.8208 Cane Garden Country Club 1726 Bailey Trail 352.750.0627 Evans Prairie Country Club 1825 Evan’s Prairie Trail 352.750.2225 Glenview County Club 3914 Glenview Rd. 352.753.0077 Hemingway’s at Havana Country Club 2484 Odell Circle 352.430.3200 Legacy Restaurant Nancy Lopez Country Club 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475 Orange Blossom Country Club 1542 Water Tower Circle 352.751.4501 Palmer Legends Country Club 1635 Palmer Way 352.750.4499 Tierra Del Sol Country Club 806 San Marino Dr. 352.753.8005 Wildwood Continental Country Club 50 Continental Blvd. 352.748.3293
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