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$189K grant to benefi t Beacon makeover

Thanks to a $189,375 grant from the Edward C. Fogg III and Lizbeth A. Fogg Charitable Trust, Beacon College will undergo an extreme makeover of the school’s academic buildings in downtown Leesburg. The grant will help defray an exterior re-facing of the one-block strip of storefronts the college acquired two decades ago to serve as the school’s academic mall. The nearly 12,000-square-foot space houses around 90 percent of the college’s classroom and laboratory space, and more than half of faculty offi ces. In line with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Beacon’s with distinctive educational mission, the renovation distin includes installing an elevator. Pending permitting i and blueprinting, school offi cials expect renovations and to begin this spring. to b

Time to make a splash!

The children’s splash park in Tavares, a seaplane-themed attraction at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St., opens for the 2017 season from 10am to 6 pm April 10, and remains open during those hours on weekends through May 24. After that, the park is open daily from May 25 to Aug. 9, and then goes back to weekends Aug. 10 to Sept. 30. The cities of Clermont and Eustis also have splash parks for children to enjoy, and Leesburg is expected to debut its new splash pad this spring.

Local bank builds veterans home

United Southern Bank employees, executives, and board members are helping Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter build one of 14 houses at the Veterans Village in Umatilla.

“We are honored to be able to continue our partnership with Habitat and to build affordable homes for our veterans in the city of Umatilla,” Mike Stephens, United Southern Bank senior vice president, says in a news release.

The groundbreaking was in November, and the Village was planned to provide safe housing for those who served their country. Plans are for the team from United Southern to continue its work in the coming months.

“We are grateful for United Southern Bank’s continued support,” says Habitat CEO Kent Adcock. “It’s wonderful to have a local bank, based in Umatilla, get involved in this community project. We couldn’t be more thankful for USB’s investment.”

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6 A perverted Lake County man “shopping” in an Oviedo Walmart was arrested after using his cell phone to take a picture up a woman’s skirt. Does becoming more technologically advanced leave less privacy for our privates?

A Lake County mail carrier is off the job due to allegations she was stealing mail from residents along her Eustis route. In fact, one mom said her daughter had ordered something online more than a month ago and never received the item. When she found out a mail carrier stole it, I bet she went postal.

As local bear sightings increase, some Lake County residents have figured out a temporary solution to keep the animals off their property. They have drilled holes and added clips to their trash cans. Smart idea. However, I would love to see a bear venture into my yard just once because I’ve always been fascinated with them. It would definitely be a Kodiak moment!

A 20-year-old Wildwood man was arrested after allegedly throwing a cup of coff ee at his mother. Apparently, the two had been arguing, so something bad was defi nitely brewing. Hopefully the youngster learns this isn’t a mature way to espresso himself.

A 20-year-old Fruitland Park resident was arrested after stealing two motorcycles and selling them through Facebook. Does this make him a cycle-path? He needs to learn the Golden Rule: Behind every successful criminal is a deactivated Facebook account.

A 72-year-old Villages resident was arrested following an altercation with her husband over dog excrement in their home. Hey, lady, they didn’t name the breed Shih tzu for nothing. There’s no need to be so ruff toward your husband.

Josh Takes On: AN ADMITTEDLY ASKEW POINT OF VIEW FROM THE MIND OF ILLUSTRATOR JOSH CLARK

A new class of 19 Lake County Fire Rescue firefighters graduated recently. During the intensive five-week training program, the trainees learned search techniques, survival, wildland firefighting, advanced and basic life support, and more.

Mount Dora

Monday

If you’re on the mailing list of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce, you’ll be getting an email with a video embedded. “Mount Dora Monday,” featuring Rob English, chamber president, brings you what’s new in Mount Dora every week. For more information, visit the chamber website: mountdora.com.

5,250

scholarships in 8 years! 32nd gala fundraiser for college scholarships

More than 350 of Lake and Sumter counties’ philanthropists, and business and civic leaders will gather for the 32nd annual Gala Auction for the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation at 6pm April 15 at the Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages. Live entertainment, an auction, and multimedia presentations are on the program. “An Evening at the Masquerade” is the theme.

More than 5,250 students have received scholarships in the past eight years from the foundation. “We have invited some of the students we have provided scholarships to so donors and attendees can see the big difference their donations make in people’s lives,” says Erin O’Steen Lewin, development manager for the foundation. “Our goal is to raise $70,000 so we can help more students start the journey to an accessible and affordable quality education at Lake-Sumter.” Individual gala tickets cost $150. To learn more, call 352.365.3506.

Headed to Wally World

A 28 percent increase in families taking vacations is expected this year, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). “Families continue to see the value of traveling as a way to bond and reconnect in today’s busy world,” says Kevin Bakewell, AAA vice president of corporate public affairs.

MOST POPULAR VACATIONS

79%

Road Trips

51%

National Parks 40%

Theme Parks 33%

International Destination 22%

Guided Tours 20%

Ocean Cruises

College welcomes new vice president

The new vice president of administrative and fi nancial services at Lake-Sumter State College is Heather Bigard, EdD. Her doctorate in higher education and organizational change and master’s degree were earned at Benedictine University and her bachelor’s degree is from Lambuth University, according to a news release.

“Dr. Bigard has a strong background of developing high-performing teams and managing the fi nances and operations of higher education institutions,” LSSC President Stanley Sidor says. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and a welcome energy to the leadership team as the college continues to fi nd innovative ways to do more with diminishing fi nancial resources.”

After serving in the same capacity at Midway University in Kentucky, Heather says, “I am excited to join a new executive team at LSSC and support Dr. Sidor’s vision for our college.”

Make plans for summer camp

Lake County Children Services announced Quest’s Camp Thunderbird Summer 2017, and this year they’re off ering new and returning campers seven sessions of summer fun!

Now is the time to register and submit forms. The application, financial aid, and medication policy forms are diff erent from last year’s, so please read them thoroughly.

Quest’s Camp Thunderbird is accredited by the American Camp Association. For questions, contact Bethany Frazier, director, at

bethany.frazier@questinc.org

or call 407.889.8088.

Onesies of a kind

ActressMegan Boone, daughter of Jennifer Parr of The Villages, was stunned at the amount of gifts she received for her new baby, Caroline, in April 2016. Dealing with the recycling and donation piles as baby Caroline grew made Megan think about the environmental impact of all this.

Like her visionary family, the founders of The Villages, she took it a step further and decided to create a line of onesies that are safe for baby and environment friendly. “The Blacklist” TV star also made sure they could be passed on with no problem because they all have unisex colors and messages on them.

And fi nally, this is a fundraising project with all proceeds going to Earthjustice, a nonprofi t law organization whose sole purpose is tackling environmental issues. Most recently, the fi rm has worked on matters related to the Dakota pipeline and the Flint, Michigan, water issue.

Summer 2017 Dates:

SESSION 1: June 4-9 SESSION 2: June 11-16 SESSION 3: June 18-29 SESSION 4: July 2-7 SESSION 5: July 9-14 SESSION 6: July 23-28 (inclusive) SESSION 7: July 30-Aug. 10