TRENDING

from Style Magazine, August 2015

by Akers Media Group

FINAL THOUGHT

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

BEACH BOUND

Want to take a mini-vacation without breaking the bank on airline tickets, car rental and gasoline? Then consider a trip to one of Florida’s fabulous beaches, where you will enjoy white sand, balmy breezes, and swaying palm trees. Considering we live in the heart of Central Florida, the state’s beaches are within a reasonable drive. So treat yourself to a piece of paradise while splashing in the ocean and soaking up the sun.

According to The Travel Channel, the Sunshine State’s top 10 beaches are:

1) DELRAY BEACH 2) CLEARWATER BEACH 3) NAPLES 4) SANIBEL BEACH 5) SOUTH BEACH 6) SIESTA KEY 7) ATLANTIC BEACH 8) KEY WEST 9) PALM BEACH 10) CAPTIVA ISLAND

Local police offi cers and fi refi ghters will square off in a celebrity softball game August 21 at the National Training Softball Fields in Clermont. New Beginnings and PFX Athletic Fields sponsor the game. Gates open at 5 p.m. with entertainment, and the game begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for those 12 and older; admission for children under 12 is free. For more information, contact Sandy Farnsworth at 352.617.8788,

MAKING FIRST

Francisco Lindor, 21, has reached base in the majority of his fi rst 15 games playing Major League Baseball. The Montverde Academy alumnus is a rookie shortstop for the Cleveland Indians.

It’s playtime!

The City of Eustis recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for a new playground in Ferran Park. Attendees had an opportunity to play on the new playground equipment while enjoying hot dogs and slushies.

The new area represents the fi rst phase of improvements to Ferran Park. Future projects include replacing sidewalks, installing new irrigation and landscaping and adding additional parking.

Ferran Park is the fi rst public park constructed in Eustis. It is named after Eustis pioneer and local businessman, Edgar L. Ferran. It also is home to the Alice B. McClelland Bandshell, constructed in 1926.

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

Lakeridge Winery and its sister winery, San Sebastian in St. Augustine, won 38 awards at these prestigious competitions this summer: the 2015 Los Angeles International Wine Competition, the 2015 Riverside International Wine Competition and the Pacifi c Rim International Wine Competition.

Ross Dress for Less offi cially opened in July. The 26,000 square-foot store is located on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Mount Dora in the site of the former K-Mart.

Eileen Scates, Broker/Owner at Scates Realty & Investment Properties, Inc. in Clermont, recently was the recipient of the Homes for Heroes Outstanding Service Award. Selected from a fi eld of more than 1,500 Realtors, Eileen was one of only fi ve to receive the honor.

Clermont’s First Friday Family Food Trucks and Music on Montrose is August 7. Families can enjoy a fun-fi lled evening of live entertainment, as well as gourmet burgers, lobster rolls, and Philly cheesesteaks.

The First National Bank sponsors the 17th Annual Professional’s Seminar, in partnership with the Florida Hospital Waterman Foundation, on August 28, 2015, 7:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Magnolia Room on the Leesburg LSSC Campus. This is an educational opportunity for professionals to receive Continuing Education credit in CLER, CPA and CTFA. Space is limited, so RSVP required. Contact Erin O’Steen Lewin at Lewin@LSSC.edu.

A WHEEL TO HELP

It’s never too early to begin training for Camp Boggy Creek’s fourth annual Challenge Ride, coming up Sept. 12. Bicyclists can ride a 40- or 60-mile route through scenic Lake County or a 15-mile off-road route through Seminole State Forest. Following the ride, Golden Corral will provide lunch. Participants in the 40- and 60-mile rides must be 18 or older and raise a minimum of $250. All riders will pay a $25 entry fee. Proceeds benefi t Camp Boggy Creek, which provides fun-fi lled camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. During the camps, these children engage in activities such as fi shing or paddle boating, creating beautiful artwork, climbing a rock wall and descending a zip line. Call 352.483.4200 for information.

In hoops heaven

Montverde Academy alumnus Dakari Johnson will test his skills against the country’s most elite basketball players. The Oklahoma City Thunder picked the 7-foot center as the 48th selection in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Dakari played two years for the University of Kentucky, where he averaged 6.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

JAMES COMBS’ AUGUST

THEHITLIST

1 // A FLORIDA MAN IS SUING Doctors

Hospital in Coral Gables for throwing his amputated leg in the trash. The normal practice is to burn it. Some fear he’ll lose the lawsuit because he hasn’t a leg to stand on.

2 // AN ARIZONA WOMAN IS SERVING

three and a half years in prison for running over her husband with the family car because he failed to vote in the 2012 presidential election. In an ironic twist, she adamantly opposed President Obama being re-elected but was relieved to hear that Obamacare covers mental insanity.

3 // IN MAY, A 65-YEAR-OLD GERMAN

GRANDMOTHER gave birth to quadruplets at a Berlin hospital. She faithfully changes their diapers, knowing the favor might be returned in coming years.

4 // WILTS ALEXANDER, OWNER OF

KING’S TASTE BBQ, recently convinced the Eustis City Commission to allow a barbed-wire fence to remain around his business. The decision came after he was cited by city code enforcement in April. What a bunch of hogwash. I’m glad commissioners fi nally woke up and smelled the bacon.

5 // A MOUNT DORA WOMAN WITH A

CRAVING for beef traveled to Volusia

County to steal steaks from Winn-Dixie.

She was charged with grand theft and robbery. She should have known that paying for the beef would have been cheaper than paying bail, court costs, etc. I think it’s time this beef lover buys a cow-culator.

6 // A CLERMONT WOMAN WAS CITED

for leaving her dog inside of a parked vehicle on a hot day. This is a sad tail because animal cruelty is deplorable.

Sometimes pet owners make life ruff on their furry friends.

SMASHING VOLLEYBALLS

The Hickory Point Beach sand volleyball complex, managed by the Florida Region of USA Volleyball, celebrated its anniversary July 5. The complex makes Lake County home to the biggest volleyball complex in the state.