TRENDING

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

SENIORS GO FOR POKEMON GO!

Pokemon Go now has seniors on the go! Groups of seniors can be seen all over town throwing Poke Balls at a Zubat and stopping to chat at various Poke Stops! Therapists working in rehabilitation and physical therapy centers have begun to use Pokemon Go as part of their therapy to encourage seniors to increase their standing balance, eye-hand coordination, problem solving—all while chalking up points! Pokemon Go is also a great way to socialize with other seniors, but also be the “cool” grandparent with the youngsters who say, “Look, Grandma, there goes a Cloyster!”

Top 20 Small Towns to Visit

If you are looking for a day of strolling through manicured parks, charming shops with creative and funky knickknacks, and countless choices of culinary delights, Mount Dora is the perfect place for you. The quaint town of Mount Dora has been ranked on two national lists: Smithsonian Magazine’s “Top 20 Small Towns to Visit” list, and in the “Top 50 of Best Small Downtowns in America” by bestchoicereviews.org. It’s no wonder since Mount Dora boasts 10 major festivals annually, including the nationally renowned Mount Dora Arts Festival in February and, for those of you more active enthusiasts, the 42nd annual Bicycle Festival, held Oct. 7-9. Perhaps Rob English, president of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce, sums it up best on their website, “Our town is ‘Someplace Special’ and our people have a passion to make it better.”

SILVER SHEETS FOR HEALTH

Gandhi once said, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” But what if strands of silver can add to your health? A new brand of sheets and pillowcases engineered with silver fi ber claim to inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria on the fabric surface, and the precious minerals will not wash away, according to https://www.silvonsleep.com/, which provides information. Even though you may pay a little more gold initially, you’ll save on water and energy as the sheets don’t need to be laundered as often as regular sheets.

HOLIDAY SPLENDOR

The 21st annual Christmas House is a “must-see” attraction at ViaPort Florida Mall, where shoppers can select from more than 50,000 items made by 100 crafters. Everything from holiday décor, toys, dolls, quilts, fl oral arrangements, jams, jellies, and baked goods is showcased.

“Every year there are so many new and wonderful designs and new artisans, and I always look forward to seeing all the items and all the creativity that we have in this community,” says Cat Reel, offi ce manager of the Leesburg Partnership, which hosts the holiday tradition.

The Christmas House is open Nov. 5 to Dec. 10; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

SOUTH LAKE FUN

The hit show “How to Do Florida,” returned to Lake County to highlight South Lake-area adventures and attractions.

“Central Florida is not all theme parks and crowds. Not far from all that hustle and bustle is beautiful Lake County,” says show host Chad Crawford, who was fi lmed getting a bird’s eye view of local waterways, via Seminole-Lake Gliderport in Clermont. For the past two years, “How to Do Florida” has fi lmed several other county attractions.

For more information about what makes Lake County “Real Florida. Real Close.” check out www.visitlakefl .com.

NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE GATHERINGS

Lake-Sumter Chapter of American Association of University Women (AAUW) gathered informally this summer for Tuesday breakfasts at Perkin’s in The Villages. Now the group is expanding to monthly neighborhood coffees at members’ homes.

AAUW is a national organization of women with higher educational degrees, dedicated to promoting equity and education for women and girls. Call Diane Jacobson at 352.750.0032 or Linda Carpenter at 352.259.1464 to learn more about the chapter, or call Jacquie Latzer at 704.451.9886 regarding neighborhood coffee gatherings.

A BOOK A DAY

A recent study by Yale University School of Public Health researchers suggests that book readers live longer than those who don’t read. Scientists have found that reading lowers anxiety levels and cholesterol numbers, and leads to longevity.

“I agree with that,” says Marsha Brinson, director at Lady Lake Public Library. “I believe reading keeps the mind active and keeps people engaged in everyday activities even if they’re not able to leave home.”

The study says reading just 30 minutes a day can lead to a longer life so grab a good book and plan what you’ll do with their extra years.

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON

After receiving bad news from an Inspector General’s audit refl ecting defi ciencies in management of the Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization, the board of directors is considering outsourcing staff duties. Commissioner Tim Sullivan says the lack of changes for more than 10 years is refl ected in this recommendation. These changes would result in fi ve staff members losing their jobs, but T. J. Fish, executive director, is a contract employee and would remain at the helm.

LESS TAXING

After learning Lake County property values increased 6.8 percent from 2015, the county commissioners decided to roll back the property tax rate. With this rate, the same amount of property tax revenues will come in as last year. This came after millage rate was lowered last year. Good news for property owners!