HL examines a statewide foster care crisis and shines the spotlight on an organization dedicated to finding the families so many precious children are missing.
At the Surgery Center of Mount Dora, we are proud to offer quality care, specialized equipment, and advanced technology in a safe, family friendly environment with three operating rooms and 12 pre-operative bays. We are committed to providing quality healthcare in a convenient location where you are in and out the same day.
In our state-of-the-art, Joint Commission accredited facility, we perform many orthopedic procedures— arthroscopic shoulder surgery including rotator cuff, partial knee replacements and fractures such as wrists and ankles by our four board certified orthopedic surgeons who meet the specific needs of our patients allowing a comprehensive approach which provides the best possible treatment for outpatient surgical procedures.
In Affiliation With:
If you would like more information on our physicians and facility, please call (352) 383-1268.
Dr. Jon Radnothy, Dr. Don Perry, Dr. Vrej Manoogian, Dr. Samir Guru“That’s why I’ve developed a proprietary approach to hip joint problems that involves an integrated combination of minimally invasive surgical procedures, pharmaceutical intervention and pain management. This results in faster healing times, fewer complications and less pain.”
— Donald Perry MD
Specializing in joint reconstruction and sports medicine
2051 Mayo Drive
Tavares, FL 32778
352.343.2171
rpocenter.com
Swelling, discoloration and pain in the lower extremity, all symptoms of Venous Insufficiency, are serious indicators of a potentially limb-threatening, even life-threatening condition. Samantha had all three of them and missing a dance at her daughter’s wedding was the least of her worries. Limbstitute was there to help. Our team located the four damaged veins that were causing her problems and treated them. Six months later, Samantha got rave reviews for her fox trot at her baby’s wedding.
Locations OCALA, TAVARES, SUMMERFIELD, WILLISTON AND THE VILLAGES
For more information, call 352.854.0681
As we look forward to a bright future in health care, we want to see to it that we continue to do well and serve the community we value so much. We want to grow and continue to meet the needs of The Villages and surrounding areas. I commend our staff and physicians on the premier level of care they provide every day. After all, at Promise Hospital, OUR PRIMARY FOCUS LIES IN QUALITY CARE AND EXCELLENT PATIENT RESULTS…
Mid Florida Eye Center is giving patients new opportunities for restored sight.
DEDICATED RETINA INSTITUTE
Mid Florida Eye Center’s Retina Institute has been selected for high-profile clinical trials.
TWO RETINA SPECIALISTS
Dr. Shawn C. Wilker has joined Lake County’s first retina specialist, Dr. Ray D. Maizel, to bring additional breakthroughs in retinal eye care to Central Florida.
ADVANCED OUTPATIENT VITREORETINAL SURGERY IN A CONVENIENT, COMFORTABLE OUTPATIENT SETTING
Mid Florida Eye Center’s Surgery Center of The Villages offers advanced vitreoretinal surgery, a revolutionary procedure that allows patients a faster recovery and improved comfort.
MACULAR DEGENERATION SPECIALISTS
The two Doctors are also available to provide leadingedge treatments to patients with retinal diseasessuch as macular degeneration, retinal detachments, and diabetic retinopathy.
Visit Mid Florida Eye Center’s Retina Institute to learn how these and other recent breakthroughs could change your life.
C. Wilker, M.D.
Kids Central, helps ensure foster children receive much-needed doses of love, guidance and security. This is accomplished by placing them with foster parents who provide emotional support and stability so the children can become happy, productive adults.
WRITER: MARYANN DESANTIS
C r c -n g s ng nts o it m AT s t s u ro n
s. R:
In our souls is a deep, burning desire to have a place and purpose in life. But what is that purpose? We interviewed numerous Lake County residents and asked how they derive joy from fulfilling their life’s purpose on a daily basis.
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WRITERS: JAMES COMBS AND SHEMIR WILES
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GRATITUDE
54 HOW TO BE HAPPIER
There are certain things you can do to achieve a happier, more fulfilling life.
DAVE SAYS
WRITER: SCOTT
WRITER: RUTH STERN
MENCOURAGEMENT
55 MARRIED WITH RESPECT
Don’t be unhappily married with children like Al Bundy.
60 TEACH HER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FIRST Renowned financial expert Dave Ramsey provides readers with common cents advice.
WRITER: DAVE RAMSEY
WRITER: RICHARD
JOY
56 LIFE IS LIKE A RAINBOW Learn how rainbows are apt metaphors for life.
WRITER: JEN AND LEAH, CREATING YOUR OWN MASTERPIECE
The average American family’s savings account balance is $3,800, It could be more if you use “PYGG.” Never heard of “PYGG”? check out page 60. Until then, check out this little gem. This “Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe” penny bank was one of the most sought-after banks sold at public auction in 1998 for $426,000. Now that’s a pretty penny.
“Happiness lies
effort.”– Franklin D. Roosevelt
This month’s feature is very near and dear to my heart. Having longed to grow our family for many years, my husband and I decided to become foster parents a couple of years ago.
It’s a tough decision and one that we gave much consideration. We already experienced the joy of adoption, but the thought of fostering brought a different set of fears.
• What happens when we become attached to a child and he or she leaves our home?
• Can we handle being foster parents?
• How will our biological children be affected?
• What if a child comes in with larger issues than we can handle?
• What if the birth parents cause trouble?
The list could go on and on forever.
After considering every what if we could think of, our decision to foster came down to knowing there were many kids in our community that needed safe, loving homes, and God would give us the strength to help them through whatever bad situation they came out of.
And that’s exactly what’s happened.
The past two years I have experienced the most growth in my life. Being a foster mom has strengthened me in ways I didn’t even know possible.
It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions since the day I took in a 2-day-old baby boy.
Every day since June 10, 2013, when I first held my precious Anthony, I have cried for him, for his mother and for myself.
At first, I just wanted to love and protect him. I cried every week when he would leave me for visitations with his mother.
Back then, I didn’t know if I wanted to meet the birth mother because I wasn’t sure how I really felt about her. I loved Anthony like he was my son and wanted with all my heart for him to stay with me,
yet he had a mother that also loved him and was fighting to get him back.
I eventually decided to meet his mother and I grew to care for her. She was a kind, loving mother, yet couldn’t get things corrected in her own life to be able to raise Anthony safely.
After close to two years of court dates, we are finally scheduled to adopt Anthony, and we couldn’t be happier. And we still have a good relationship with his birth parents.
We had other foster children in our home during our time with Anthony, and I loved every one of them, even if they were only with us for one night.
They are so innocent. I have cried happy tears when my foster kids have been reunited with a family member. You always hate to see them go, but when they are going to a loving family, you can have peace in knowing you helped that child in the interim, and now he is going to the best place for him.
I entered into fostering to adopt children that needed a forever home and learned quickly the best thing for a child is to be reunited with his or her parents — if the situation is safe and loving. I would have never said that two years ago. I never thought I would genuinely say I love my foster kids’ parents.
I have truly grown as a person. I have learned I am stronger than I thought. I have learned I can love the unlovable. I learned when God leads you down a path — even a path that seems impossible to travel — He will walk you through it.
I welcome emails from anyone who has questions or wants to chat about fostering and/or adoption. Please write me at Sabrina@akersmediagroup.com.
ina@
KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com
DOUG AKERS vice president doug@akersmediagroup.com
JAMIE EZRA MARK chief creative officer jamie@akersmediagroup.com
SABRINA CICERI associate publisher sabrina@akersmediagroup.com
EDITORIAL // DESIGN // PHOTOGRAPHY
GARY CORSAIR executive editor gary@akersmediagroup.com
SHEMIR WILES senior staff writer shemir@akersmediagroup.com
JAMES COMBS staff writer james@akersmediagroup.com
MATTHEW GAULIN staff photographer matt@akersmediagroup.com
STEVEN J. CODRARO creative director steve@akersmediagroup.com
JOSH CLARK senior designer/advertising josh@akersmediagroup.com
ANTHONY CASTO senior designer/editorial anthony@akersmediagroup.com
MICHAEL GAULIN production director michael@akersmediagroup.com
RHEYA TANNER designer rheya@akersmediagroup.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS//PHOTOGRAPHERS
RICHARD T. BOSSHARDT, MD, FACS
DAVE BRABHAM
RICHARD BURGUET RUTH ANN BYRD
STEPHANIE CLUNN GREG FRESCOLN CAL GAINES MATTHEW GAULIN
ANNA GUNTER
KRIS HALL
MARYANN HOLDEN, LPN FRED LOPEZ
SCOTT PERKINS DAVE RAMSEY RON VANDEVANDER
SALES // MARKETING
TIM MCRAE vice president of sales and marketing tim@akersmediagroup.com
MIKE STEGALL senior account representative mike@akersmediagroup.com
ANDREW AKERS account representative andrew@akersmediagroup.com
MELANIE MELVIN director of client services melanie@akerscreative.com
HEIDI RESSLER account representative heidi@akersmediagroup.com
DAVID COTÉ account representative david@akersmediagroup.com
DEB MATLOCK account coordinator deb@akerscreative.com
ADMINISTRATION
TINA MORRISON office manager tina@akersmediagroup.com
AUBREY AKERS receptionist aubrey@akersmediagroup.com
DISTRIBUTION
SCOTT HEGG distribution manager scott.hegg@akersmediagroup.com
We Floridians bristle when Yanks try to tell us how they do things “up north,” but I’m hoping you’ll indulge me as I tell you how people conduct themselves out West.
Waaaaaay out West.
In Hawaii, most locals still practice the Aloha Spirit even though interlopers with fat checkbooks and unbridled love for concrete and asphalt tirelessly try to transform paradise into Pasadena.
The good people of Hawaii don’t blast car stereos. They stop at pedestrian crosswalks. They don’t honk horns or flip the bird when you cut them off.
They may, however, shoot you a shaka — an island wave with pinky and thumb extended, and middle fingers tucked into palms, that means “hang loose.”
Translation: “take it easy.”
In Hawaii, locals don’t fret, even though many work two jobs to afford humble dwellings, $4 gas and $8 milk.
A large number of homes are crammed with families — mom, dad, kids, aunties and uncles, grandpas and grandmas, and sometimes friends.
Housing costs necessitate cramped quarters. But many homes are stuffed by choice.
Ohana — family — is revered in Hawaii. Feeble parents aren’t automatically shuttled off to nursing homes and assisted living facilities; they are embraced by the children they raised.
The Hawaiian culture is permeated by the kokua (kuhkoo - uh) spirit.
Simply stated, “kokua” means “helper.”
But one word falls far short of
capturing the meaning of kokua, a term associated with selfsacrificing love. Healthy people who voluntarily accompanied lepers banished to the island of Molokai in the 1800s and early 1900s were known as “kokuas.”
“Kokua” is a noun and a verb.
“Please kokua” means “be helpful” or “be courteous.”
“Kokua you, kokua me” is the Hawaiian version of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Hawaii residents know what’s truly important.
That’s why they move so slowly.
Hawaiians operate on
“Hawaiian Time,” a relaxed, laissez-faire attitude toward punctuality. That’s “laissez-faire,” not “lazy affair.”
In the book “K—Kanaka, Stand Tall: A Search for Hawaiian Values,” author George Hu’eu Kanahele writes, “The tendency for many modern Hawaiians never to start anything on time, or to arrive late for a meeting, and so on,
Hawaiians have their priorities straight.
But it sounds like a terribly inefficient way to live, right? Don’t knock it. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says Hawaii has the highest healthy life expectancy in the nation. And Hawaii has occupied the top spot in GallupHealthway’s well-being poll for four consecutive years. By the way, Florida is 48th on the list.
is . . . a vestige of an ancient way of looking at the value of time.”
Even governmental agencies operate on Hawaiian time. During a recent vacation, I naively showed up at the post office at 10a.m., when the facility was supposed to open. I learned that 10a.m. in Princeville, Hawaii, is actually 10:12 mainland time.
Another day, I missed out on a fruit smoothie because the owner of the juice stand closed early. Big waves at Tunnels. Surfing almost always trumps making money.
I’m not suggesting you relocate. Hawaii’s housing costs are among the highest in the U.S., Oahu is overcrowded, and sprawl development threatens outer islands.
However, I am suggesting we adopt the aloha spirit and live by “kokua you, kokua me.”
Perhaps we Floridians could learn a thing or two from the islanders.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
HEART DISEASE BY THE NUMBERS
720,000
The number of Americans who suffer a heart attack each year.
$108.9 billion
How much coronary heart disease alone costs the United States each year.
47%
The percentage of cardiac deaths that occur outside a hospital.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
With February being American Heart Month, we figured this would be an opportune time to remind you that heart disease does not discriminate.
VICTIMS
CELEBRITIES WHO SUCCUMBED TO HEART ATTACKS:
FAMOUS HEART ATTACK SURVIVORS:
SURVIVORS
SPEAKING OF HEART HEALTH, Dr. Mehmet Oz shares seven tips to avoid having a heart attack. Dr. Oz is a famous cardiothoracic surgeon, author and television personality.
• Lose belly fat.
• Practice deep breathing techniques.
• Listen to guided imagery CDs.
• Keep your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels low.
• Stop drinking soda.
• Rev up your exercise program.
• Use aromatherapy and music therapy.
75% of Americans experience some type of foot pain, causing many to believe they must learn to live with it, but I’m happy to report that arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, neuromas and other foot and ankle disorders can be improved – even cured – through the specialized reconstructive and reparative surgeries I’ve performed on thousands of revitalized patients.
When we last visited her in 2009, Katie Cowham shared what life was like as a child with Type 1 diabetes.
Today, Katie is a 17-year-old junior at First Academy-Leesburg. It’s safe to say her battle with the disease is going considerably well.
“I’m more independent when it comes to making my own food choices,” she says. “I also give myself insulin shots
The Villages Regional Hospital’s Urgent Care Center is relocating from the hospital’s East campus to the hospital’s main campus at 1451 El Camino Real Drive. The center will be on the hospital’s main floor next to the café. Designated parking for the Urgent Care Center will be conveniently in front of the hospital, and patients are encouraged to use the hospital’s main entrance.
The center, open daily from 8a.m. to 8p.m., will now offer laboratory services and an X-ray.
when necessary and constantly monitor my blood-sugar level.”
Those are big responsibilities for a teenager, but Katie is up to the task.
“I have lived a pretty normal life,” she says.
“I consider diabetes a gift given to me by God because it has made me stronger. I have a younger friend who also has diabetes and I constantly give her advice. I always tell her, ‘One day you’re go-
ing to help someone just like I’m helping you.’”
A big fan of the arts, Katie loves painting, drawing and mixed media. However, her true passion is photography.
“If I see something that catches my eye,” she says, “I’m going to take a photograph of it!”
After school, Katie works at a preschool helping 4-year-olds with arts and crafts, reading and coloring. Last sum-
Residents who have questions or need help enrolling in a health coverage plan can receive free one-on-one assistance from a licensed Affordable Care Act navigator. The navigator will be at South Lake Hospital on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1–8p.m. through Feb. 11.
This is part of the open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, which runs until mid-February.
mer, she worked as a nanny for two boys. Her work experience helped her save money to purchase a 2007 Saturn Ion, which she affectionately named Sophie.
“I love my car!” she says. “It feels wonderful to own something that you’ve worked hard for.”
“South Lake Hospital felt it was important to help residents in our community understand their options in the Health Insurance Marketplace,” says Lance Sewell, the hospital’s chief financial officer. “Being able to have a navigator here at the hospital allows easy accessibility for all those in south Lake County.”
Licensed navigators have completed federal navigator training to help consumers and small businesses look for health coverage options through the Marketplace, including completing eligibility and enrollment forms. An appointment is required, and the meeting will last approximately an hour and a half. For more information, call 877.564.5031.
Want to know where the best bike paths are in Lake County? What about finding important information on diabetes? Where can you sign up your children to play Little League?
The answers to these questions — and many more — can be found on getfitlake.com, a comprehensive website where locals can find up-to-date information on fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Annacelia Gander, chairwoman of getfitlake. com, says the website originally launched in 2008 but has recently undergone
a major upgrade.
“It’s 400 percent better,” she says. “We’ve greatly enhanced it.”
The goal of the website, she says, is to inform local residents about the abundance of resources available in Lake County to help people achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles.
“You’ll find everything on our website — from local
farmers markets and running trails to local parks and health-related events. I think people will be impressed that they can find a wealth of information by simply clicking on the site.”
When Marie Antoinette was guillotined in 1792, onlookers swore the 37-year-old ex-queen had suddenly turned completely gray. The assumption was the stress of waiting for the execution had changed her hair color, which was probably blond or light brown.
The sudden change in the color of Marie Antoinette’s hair can be explained, but scientists are pretty much baffled on exactly why hair turns gray or white with age.
“It is well known that gray hair results from a reduction of pigment, while white hair has no pigment, but why this happens remains somewhat of a mystery,” according to Everyday Mysteries.
The pigment in hair, as well as our skin, is called melanin. As melanin leaves your hair, the color changes.
You have plenty of hair to go gray. An average scalp has 100,000–150,000 strands of hair. In time, everyone’s
hair turns gray. Your chances of going gray increase 10 to 20 percent every decade after you’re 30. Rates of graying vary among ethnic groups. Typically, Caucasians start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s and African-Americans in their mid-40s. By age 50, about half of us will be at least 50 percent gray.
The hard question is why the melanin deserts our hair and turns it gray or white. The widely accepted answer is genetics. You can blame your gray hair on your parents and your grandparents. You’ll probably grow gray at about the same age they did.
Dr. Desmond Tobin, professor of cell biology from the University of Bradford in England, says “Hair turns gray because of age and genetics, in that genes regulate the exhaustion of the pigmentary potential of each individual hair follicle. This occurs at different rates in different hair follicles. For some people
it occurs rapidly, while in others it occurs slowly over several decades.”
A few things, such as anemia and untreated thyroid conditions, can also contribute to graying. Experts have generally dismissed stress as a cause of graying. WebMD puts it succinctly: “Contrary to popular belief, stress has not been shown to cause gray hair.”
Which brings us back to Marie Antoinette. If it wasn’t stress that changed her hair color, what was it? The theory is she had no access to hair dye in prison. Her hair was cut short before the execution, showing she was turning gray. She may have been the first person to lose her head over gray roots.
FRED HILTON spent 36 years as the chief public relations officer/spokesman for James Madison University in Virginia and 10 years as a reporter and editor for The Roanoke Times in Virginia. He is now happily retired in The Villages with his interior designer wife, Leta, their Cadillac Escalade golf cart, and their dog, Paris. (Yes, that makes her Paris Hilton).THE SILVER LINING THESILVERLINING
People as young as 8 have been known to have gray hair primarily due to genetics.
Stress does not cause gray hair.
Plucking one gray hair does not cause others to grow out.
thyroid diseases and smoking can speed up the graying process.
There are certainly lots of ups to raising a child with Down syndrome.
That’s what Tavares resident Anne Spuck has learned since giving birth seven years ago to Gabryel.
The blue-eyed boy with dirty blond hair maintains a bubbly personality and heart of gold. A first-grade student at Triangle Elementary, Gabryel embraces his role as class clown and goes out of his way to make others laugh.
And he’s never met a stranger he didn’t like.
“One time we went into a restaurant and Gabryel walked up to a man and hugged him,” says Anne, 39. “The man started crying and told me Gabryel brightened his day. He can sense when others are hurting and goes out of his way to comfort them.”
In many ways, Gabryel is just like others his age. There are mischievous moments, such as the time he left a trail of cookie crumbs from the kitchen to his bedroom. He loves to ride bicycles and play outdoors, and he is responsible for putting dishes in the sink and cleaning his room. Completing
those chores is no small feat.
“There are times when Gabryel is mentally drained,” says Anne, who owns a homecleaning company, Sparkle and Shine. “He has a hard time trying to understand what it is I’m asking him to do, and he gets upset when I do not understand him. It takes lots of patience with him and different ways of communicating. It took me a year to teach him how to put his shoes in the closet when we arrived home every day. The day he finally remembered he came running out of his bedroom ecstatic. But I want him to be a vital part of society and eventually have a job. I refuse to let him be a statistic.”
Just as Anne refused to allow Gabryel to become a statistic when she was 20 weeks pregnant and learned of his diagnosis. Seventy-Five percent of women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to terminate their pregnancies. Although she became unexpectedly pregnant by an abusive ex-boyfriend and was already a single parent to her oldest child, Alyx, aborting her baby was never an option.
“People were telling me I couldn’t raise
the child alone and it wouldn’t be fair to Alyx, who was 7 at the time,” she says. “I thought God was punishing Gabryel by giving him Down syndrome for the things I had done in my past. My self-worth was extremely low. Despite all that, when I first felt Gabryel kick I knew there was something special about him.”
After watching Alyx hold his baby brother for the first time, she knew she’d made the right decision.
“It was an instant bond,” she says. “Alyx said, ‘Mom, I don’t care what he was born with. He’s my brother and I love him.’ Hearing him say that healed a big part of my heart.”
Having a child with Down syndrome has not come without its fair share of struggles. In the first two years of his life, Gabryel was hospitalized many times to battle pneumonia and bronchitis. Feeding him with a bottle proved challenging because of his weak muscle tone. Anne had to hold the bottle and squeeze his cheeks at the same time to help him suck. He continues seeing specialists today to monitor his organs.
Still, the joys far outweigh the hardships.
“He has done more for me than I’ve done for him,” Anne says. “He changed my heart. There’s so much joy to find in a child with such an innocent heart. I know God doesn’t punish us and wasn’t punishing Gabryel. He has Down syndrome due to an extra chromosome.”
“When people ask me how I’ve raised him alone, I want people to know that God has led my path with Gabryel and has been my strength. You never know what you’re capable of doing until it becomes your walk. Single or not, he’s my son and failure isn’t an option.”
Anne was originally going to name her baby Braxton. However, she chose Gabryel after Gabriel the archangel.
The shortage of licensed foster care homes is critical, and children — especially siblings — often have nowhere to go in a crisis. Kids Central Inc. is working to ensure foster children get the care and love they need.
You can’t take your dog or your favorite toys. The person you love the most — your mother — can’t go with you either. If you are very lucky, you might get to stay with a relative; if you are a little lucky, you might be placed with a caring family.
But many youngsters aren’t so fortunate. They fi nd themselves among other scared children in a group home or in a succession of temporary foster homes.
“These are war-torn children,” says Rosey Moreno-Jones, who’s in charge of foster parent recruitment for Kids Central Inc., a nonprofit organization that manages a comprehensive system of care for abused, neglected and abandoned children and their families. “These children are often traumatized and do not know what’s coming next.”
In the late 1990s, Florida transitioned from a government-based
child welfare system to communitybased agencies in each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits. Kids Central, which serves the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando and Marion counties, works with the Florida Department of Children and Families to provide services for abuse-prevention, diversion (when a child is able to remain at home with supervised care) and foster placement.
“We do a lot of prevention and a lot of diversion so children can stay in their homes,” says Nicole Pulcini Mason, director of community affairs for Kids Central. “If protective investigators determine the child needs to be removed from the home, they call us. Foster parents are the backbone of what we do when we get those calls.”
The Foundation for Government Accountability, a free-market think tank, ranked Florida fourth highest in the nation in 2012 for its success in reducing abuse and responding quickly to abuse allegations through community-based agencies such as Kids Central.
“Kids Central is the front door and the back door for these children,” adds
Moreno-Jones. “We manage their care from the time they enter the system until they leave, whether it’s returning to their homes, getting adopted or aging out of system.”
Keeping families, especially siblings, together is a priority. Case managers work with biological parents to assess situations and get the services they need to deal with problems, including domestic violence, drug abuse, mental illness, and neglect and abandonment. In the meantime, children often must be removed from the home.
“We want the children to stay with a family member whenever possible,” says Mason. “Foster care is one of the last resorts, and a group home is the very last resort. Unfortunately, group homes are still a necessity.”
In Florida, almost 8,600 children are in licensed care foster-care homes with a total of 4,727 licensed homes statewide, according to DCF. In the five-county region served by Kids Central, almost 2,000 children are in the child welfare system. Approximately 350 of those children are in actual foster care in 185 licensed foster homes.
Imagine strangers coming to your door and saying you have to leave with them immediately.
mag in com ing and say to im med
‘ Fo F
…
— NICOLE PULCINI MASON DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, KIDS CENTRAL
Chr is A licia more 30 children come their home over the past seven foster children, two sets of
Chris and Alicia Johnson have had more than 30 foster children come through their home over the past six years. They’ve adopted seven foster children, including two sets of siblings. In addition, they have three biological children who embraced having a larger family, and they currently foster a child who possibly will return to her family someday.
“It may sound like we have enough beds for these children, but not all of them work for what we need,” says Moreno-Jones. She cites an example of a willing foster parent who had a cat, but the child was allergic.
On a recent Monday morning, Kids Central case managers were busily calling foster parents to see if any had extra beds for 15 children, including several sibling groups who came into the system over the weekend.
“One of our biggest challenges is
fi nding foster-care homes that can take brothers and sisters,” says MorenoJones. “We refuse to split siblings. A sister or brother is the person you know the longest for your whole life.”
Foster parents Chris and Alicia Johnson of Clermont agree keeping siblings together is imperative.
“We’re passionate about it,” says Chris, who is the senior pastor for Clermont’s Liberty Baptist Church. “These children are already separated from their parents, and staying with
their siblings helps them to better deal with the situation.”
The Johnsons have had more than 30 foster children come through their home over the past six years. They’ve adopted seven foster children, including two sets of siblings. In addition, they have three biological children who embraced having a larger family, and they currently foster a child who possibly will return to her family someday.
The need for more qualified foster care parents hit close to the hearts of everyone at Akers Media Group when Sabrina Ciceri returned as the associate publisher last fall.
Sabrina and her husband, Joe, are juggling careers while caring for three foster children in addition to their three other children.
Sabrina, who was an only child, always wanted a large family.
“At least seven,” she says with a laugh.
She has two biological children, Sierra, 23, and Tristan, 17, and an adopted daughter, Mia, 10. She thought her family was complete until she slowed down and listened to her heart and to God.
“God revealed to me I was now in a position to have a big family,” she says. “I quieted myself enough to hear what He wanted.”
Almost two years ago, she and Joe attended orientation
and training classes at Kids Central. They’ve since fostered eight children, including two newborns at one time, and are in the fi nal stages of permanently adopting one of their foster children, Anthony, who will be 2 in June.
The couple’s older children totally embraced the idea of opening their home to foster children. Fifth-grader Mia, who came to the Ciceri home when she was 10 months old, summed it up best: “It didn’t take long (for us) to realize how important fostering was. Our house often has chaos, but we don’t mind because we’re helping other children.”
Kids Central Inc. recognized the couple’s commitment and named Sabrina and Joe 2014 Foster Parents of the Year.
“Sabrina and her husband are stellar examples of what we want foster parents to be,” says Mason. “They believe this is a calling and live it to create a loving environment for these children.”
Another challenge at Kids Central is placing teenagers, who often bounce from foster home to foster home.
“Being in foster care does make you grow up fast,” says Louis New, a former foster child who now works at Kids Central as an independent living coordinator to help teenagers aging out of the system. “There was no stability in my life.”
From 1991 until 1999, Louis lived in 13 different foster homes, fi rst in New York and then in Florida. When he turned 18, he joined the U.S. Navy and “fi nally found a stable environment.” Now 33, he has two children of his own and a career where he feels like he’s making a difference.
“I know what it is like to be in their shoes,” says New. “I can relate to struggles foster teens are having. I push them to go to school, but I also hold them accountable.”
Nine of his independent living students (children 18 to 22 who are transitioning out of foster care) are in college and another is in her senior year of high school. Teenagers are no longer automatically turned out of the system when they reach 18. Foster care can extend until 22 if the young person is in school, or age 23 if he or she has a medical disability. Those attending a Bright Futures college can get $1,256 a month for college through Florida’s Post Secondary Education Service Support program.
“Independent Living is a benefit other states don’t have,” Louis says. “It works when it’s used right and not as a crutch. It is central to helping these kids become successful.”
The biggest challenge remains having enough foster parents to take in children and teens who are often caught in inconceivable situations. While many people want to open their homes to help, it’s not as easy as just offering a bed. Florida has strict guidelines for becoming a foster parent and licensing of foster homes. It also takes four to six months to become a foster parent.
“Kids Central holds parents to an even higher standard,” says Moreno-Jones. “They cannot be on unemployment or receive public assistance. They must have the resources to do this.”
Potential foster parents undergo background checks and fi nancial screenings and must attend an orientation followed by 10 weeks of intense training before a child is placed in their care. Home study also continues. They receive a stipend of $17 a day per child to take care of necessities. Florida limits the number of children in foster-care homes to five, with exceptions when siblings are involved.
“There are many myths about being a foster parent,” says Moreno-Jones. “They don’t have to be young, wealthy or a married couple with a stay-athome caregiver. Love, stability and responsibility are what matters most.”
She adds: “Our foster parents are part of a team — a village, so to speak — committed to nurturing a child’s well-being and to strengthening and mentoring the child’s family if and when the child returns to them.”
Meet Dr. John DeGarmo, a foster parent to more than 40 children over the past 12 years and fostering expert who has authored highly-acclaimed books on the subject.
Not everyone has the resources to provide for foster children, but there are many other ways you can help.
• Get involved with a foster family. Be its “honorary” grandparents and help out when you can.
• Invite Kids Central Inc. to speak to your groups or clubs about foster care needs. Call 352.253.5625
• Help provide special things such as prom dresses, tuxedo rentals, school yearbooks or music lessons.
• Check the Kids Central website for periodic wish lists and needs at kidscentralinc.org.
“Men no longer need to suffer from frequent urination because they are getting older,” says Dr. James Young, a down-toearth urologist with thirty-three 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 2,400 patients with this procedure.
“Medtronic is a $13 billion-a-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. JAMES
Practicing in Lake County for over 33 years with extensive experience in evaluation and management of prostate problems.
Seeking
happiness? Look within and above.WRITER T S: JAMES COMOMBS+ BS SHEEMIR W WILES S
You’ve likely experienced that unforgettable moment when you performed a task tailor-made for you. Perhaps you were comforting an at-risk teenager, writing a book or organizing a grassroots campaign. Whatever the case, time seemed to disappear because you felt a sense of harmony and your purpose became alive and clear.
Having a strong sense of purpose in
Director, Lake-Sumter State College Foundation, Leesburg
Q: You experienced a horrible loss when your husband John died unexpectedly from a heart attack last year. How did you cope?
A: My husband died of a heart attack sometime during the middle of the night. It wasn’t until morning when we found him on the floor of our family room. Immediately, we had to start making life-changing decisions. John and I never talked about what our wishes were when this day came. You always think you have time, but when the inevitable happened I turned to God and asked for his strength, wisdom and guidance to get me through.
Q: What kind of support did you receive from family and friends?
life is not only fulfi lling and gratifying; it is also a key to emotional and physical well-being. Studies show that having a clear purpose in life can protect against heart disease and help us form relationships that are more meaningful with family members and friends.
Healthy Living recently conducted interviews with several people in the community and asked what their purpose
in life is. Their passions blend beautifully with their unique personalities and talents and give them direction in life because they know where to focus their energy and time.
Simply put, their passions defi ne who they are and what they are here to accomplish. Read on. You may see yourself in some of their views.
A: We are blessed in so many ways with a large family and many wonderful friends who were there immediately to help in every way possible. For us, we received more than 300 cards, flowers, food, phone calls and people visiting our home. There was an outpouring of love, prayers and support. At John’s “Celebration of Life” ceremony held one week after his death at First Baptist Church of Leesburg, my brother, Frank Biafora, told me that when he stood at the podium to speak, he looked out into the audience and said he saw a sea of people. He talked about how amazing this was. More than 500 people came to pay their respects and provide support to me and my family. I am forever grateful.
spend about six hours together shortly before he died. I will forever cherish that moment.
Q: What is your purpose in life?
A: What motivates me to keep going is first and foremost our son. He is now a sophomore at the University of Florida, which is where John and I attended college. I am also blessed with two jobs that keep me very busy. I am executive director of the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation, and I also serve as a District 2 Lake County School Board member. I love having the opportunity to use my time, talents
much more than you could ever give.
Q: In what ways have you fulfilled this purpose?
A: I grew up across the street from Camp Boggy Creek. When I was eight, I started volunteering in the kitchen and continued volunteering there throughout high school. After earning my bachelor’s degree from Stetson University, I began serving as a camp counselor there for both
the family weekend retreats and weeklong camps. My parents have volunteered there since I was a child and in 2010 received the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award.
Q: Has volunteering at Camp Boggy Creek helped shape you as a person?
Q: Can you tell me about one memory you have about John?
A: John always said how much he loved us and how proud he was of our son, Tyler. The three of us were given the opportunity to
Q: What would you say is your purpose in life?
A: Volunteering and doing good things for other people. You receive so
A: Absolutely. The camp has shaped me in an indescribable way. My goal is to attend medical school and focus on either family medicine or internal medicine. Once I graduate, I want to work with the Indian Health Service. From a medical standpoint,
My purpose is
Native American populations have been ignored for decades. It’s time to recognize their issues such as diabetes, which is extremely prevalent in Native American populations.
Q: It sounds like the camp has taught you the importance of giving back.
A: Yes. My entire life has been about service. Serving others is important because it’s the right thing to do. I could not imagine why anyone would not want to give his or her talent and time toward helping others in need.
clients turn their lives around. I tell people up front I’m a Christian counselor and that they can go somewhere else if that isn’t to their liking.
Q: What are the most heartbreaking problems you see today?
A: Children using drugs. In some cases, parents use their kids to sell drugs for them. I always tell children who are involved with drugs they have three choices: they can stop, they can go to jail or they can die. There are no other options.
Q: You know from experience, don’t you? Can you tell us about that?
Michael Ramesar
Q: Have you gone through tough times, and if so, what helped you succeed?
A: Like everyone, my wife Pam and I have been through some tough times, but in those times the
Q: What would you say to someone who feels like they don’t have a purpose in life?
A: That’s a tough one. I would probably use this Lailah Gifty Akita quote: “Great people faced obstacles in the pursuit of their dreams. The struggles were a motivation to stretch their limits. Be inspired by the story of great people. Know that you are not alone in your struggle.”
Licensed mental health therapist, Tavares
Q: What do you feel is your purpose in life?
A: I have my own practice and love helping people overcome horrible problems. I am an eternal optimist and have a big heart for everybody regardless of gender, age or race. It doesn’t make a difference.
Q: Do you do anything unique as a mental health therapist?
A: I do Christian counseling. I believe God assists me and gives me the right words so I can be an effective mentor and help
A: At the time, I was 36 and working as the Supervisor of Juvenile Probation in Connecticut. I had a good job and beautiful family. One day I decided to try crack. I thought I was strong enough not to become addicted. However, I liked the high that it gave me and for the next two years continued buying more. I blew all my money on it and would take my wife’s money out of the bank without her knowing. I ultimately lost my wife, daughter, job, home and, most importantly, my self-respect.
closeness of the family unit and communication has helped us through.
Q: How does faith play into your everyday life?
Q: How does living through a problem like that help you better relate to clients with drug addictions?
A: In their eyes, it lends credibility to what I’m telling them because I’ve walked down the same path. I know where the path ultimately leads and I attempt to pull them back before it is too late.
A: I put faith in everyone around me and it usually works out. I must say that I am Roman Catholic but haven’t been to church in 20 years. I do believe in God. I also believe that my church is in my heart. I teach all my children and employees to be honest and do the best you can. You are here for a purpose. Make every day count.
Q: Do you think it’s important to have a belief system?
A: I do believe it is important to have a belief system. I also think it is important to treat people the way you would like to be treated. Be fair, honest and respectful.
Retired graphic artist, Lady Lake
Q: Do you feel like faith has always been an important part of your life?
A: Well, I do. You see, I had been a member of organized religion for most of my life. I grew up in the Presbyterian Church. Then after I began working in the office of an episcopal church, I joined that faith. However, after a while I began to notice I didn’t agree with everything they said, especially when it came to Bible stories. I didn’t fit in at all. That’s when I started going to Unity (Church) in Leesburg and finally found where I belonged.
My purpose is
Q: What is Unity?
A: It’s a movement that interprets what Jesus said on a metaphysical level. Through New Thought, we believe organized religion has misinterpreted the Bible and that God is everywhere and everyone. We all have Christ in us. We also believe in living a healthy lifestyle and not focusing on the negative, only the positive.
Q: Did Unity help you discover your purpose in life?
A: Yes. My purpose is just to be. And as each person begins to think the right thoughts we create an energy. The more people awaken and learn what their purpose is the better things will be. There is a consciousness you gain once you develop your self-awareness.
Q: Thinking positive all the time has to be hard. How do you keep negativity from creeping into your life?
A: You have to look at yourself and ask yourself, ‘How am I reacting and why am I reacting this way?’ The idea is to get out of the negative space. It has really helped how I react to someone talking about politics. I don’t get angry or get into an argument. You just sit back and listen. The biggest test will be when my sister comes to visit. I’ll have to not take things personally and not be on the defensive because she has a way of always being right. My boyfriend says I’m the most grounded person he knows. He’s a screamer because he always feels the need to defend his beliefs. He says I have a calming effect on him.
EDITOR’S NOTE: What’s your purpose in life? What do you believe in, and why? Let us know at gary@akersmediagroup.com
“My purpose in life is serving people. To me, people are the greatest creation God has given us. I love meeting new people who walk into my business. Although I see a great diversity of people, I discover that I have something in common with them no matter where they’re from.”
“I feel that my purpose in life is agriculture and animals. I was in my school’s 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs. Today, I milk cows and spend lots of time on my family’s farm. I also work for a veterinarian office performing lab work. Farming and animals are what make me the happiest.”
— MAKI AGOSTINI, employed at a veterinary office
“My purpose is being a business owner. That’s what gets me up and going each day. Being a business owner, I’ve learned if you only focus on how much money you’re making, you’ll never get anywhere. You should focus on running a company with honesty and integrity.”
“Nothing is more important in life than my family. I have two children and two grandchildren. My grandchildren bring me so much joy in my life. We travel, spend holidays together and even take cruises together.”
“We are Christians, so our passion in life is honoring and serving God. I am a reading specialist, and my husband, Dan, is a school psychologist. We use our skills to volunteer for Rafiki, a wonderful organization that provides educational and training opportunities for orphans and widows throughout numerous countries in Africa.”
EAT FIT/NOT FAT
IT’S GOOD TO BE NUTTY 38 EAT. SLEEP. PLAN WORKOUT 40 DON’T WINCE 42
Overweight adults with type 2 diabetes who ate onequarter cup of walnuts daily had significant reductions in fasting insulin levels compared to those who did not, and the benefit was achieved in the first three months. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Aug;63(8):1008-15.
A small handful of almonds is a better snack choice than a snack high in complex carbohydrates, such as a bran muffin. SOURCE: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/14574348
Nuts are delicious and nutritious when you’re hungering for a crunchy snack.
Nuts are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, which do not raise the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. In fact, eating foods with unsaturated fats can actually help lower your LDL.
Walnuts contain an unsaturated fat called omega-3 fatty acids, which are particularly beneficial for heart health and essential for the body to function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease the risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), decrease levels of triglycerides (fats linked to heart disease when found in high amounts in the blood) and slow the growth of plaque that clogs the walls of the blood vessels. The body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, so all of them must be consumed.
Nuts also provide protein. But unlike meats and other foods that come from animals, nuts do not contain dietary cholesterol because nuts are plant-based.
Nuts provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Almonds provide calcium. Brazil nuts are rich in the antioxidant selenium. Peanuts provide a B vitamin called folate. Almonds, cashews and walnuts provide magnesium.
In addition, nuts are a good source of fiber, which provides satiety, a feeling of fullness after you eat that can help you avoid overeating.
Though eating nuts can have health benefits, you should be aware of your portion size. Nuts are a calorie-dense food, and a 1.5-ounce portion of nuts has 200 to 300 calories. To avoid consuming too many calories, keep your portion size small.
This recipe for Indian-spiced nuts makes a delicious hearthealthy snack:
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 10, serving size ¼ cup)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1¼ tablespoon dark brown sugar
1¼ tablespoon honey
2½ teaspoon canola oil
2½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 teaspoon kosher salt
½ tsp ground cardamom
1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup whole almonds
½ cup cashew halves
1 cup walnuts
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine brown sugar, honey, oil, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Heat gently and stir to combine.
3. Add nuts to the spice mixture and toss to coat.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; spread nuts evenly on baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Then let cool. The spices and sugar create a brittle around the nuts. Break apart into ¼ cup servings or serve in a bowl. Serve at room temperature.
Final position
KEY TO ACHIEVING FITNESS GOAL IS TO APPLY ALL THREE.
WRITER: JON CLEMMONS
Sleeping seven to eight hours can be difficult while balancing family and work. Eating enough calories to promote muscle gain or fat loss can be difficult without a meal planner. An app like myfitnesspal can help determine your required daily caloric intake and track your progress. If you can consistently apply these two principles along with a targeted workout plan, then you will be on the way to building lean muscle and a defined chest.
shoulders and triceps also. This helps burn more calories and increase lean body mass.
My approach to training is to complete three sets of each of these exercises at the beginning of the regimen.
First position
The exercises I believe will help achieve the most muscle stimulation in the pecs are barbell bench press, incline dumbell press and dips. Free weights require more overall muscle stimulation and incorporate the
My repetition scheme is to change the repetitions weekly. One week I may do three to five reps. The next week I will complete 12 reps per exercise. This allows stimulation of both the fast and slow twitch muscle fibers. Low reps will work the fast twitch muscle fibers, while high reps will work the slow twitch muscle fibers. Stick with the same three exercises for four and six weeks to allow yourself to get stronger on each lift before switching.
ast will get
I imagine most people who are hardcore about food and living a healthy lifestyle, like myself, are prone to hearing a small voice saying, “I want something sweet.” Yeah, that’s the voice in my head that sounds much like The Incredible Hulk, practically all the time. I hear it less and less the more I train it to be quiet and eat its vegetables. However, sweet isn’t always bad and listening to your body is wise. For me, a great pre- and post-workout meal is a small bowl of almond butter oatmeal. Steel cut oats are always preferred over packaged, but organic packaged oats work for me. Add a tablespoon of almond butter mixed with warm water. That’s about as sweet as it gets without the guilt.
Don’t let your mind boss you around when it comes to sweets. There is always a healthier alternative to calm the cravings. Don’t just take my word for it. Try it out.
TASTY BONUS: STILL HAVE A ‘HULK HANKERING’? Fine. Along with almond butter, mix a couple strawberries, chopped apple slices and almonds for even more flavor. A small scoop of protein powder will also calm the beast since it’s vitally important to sustain and feed muscles properly.
— Anthony Casto, Senior Designer
BARBELL BENCH PRESS is performed on a flat barbell bench. I like to perform these using a wide grip, meaning that my forearm is perpendicular to my bicep. Lower the bar to your chest while inhaling, and without bouncing the weight, exhale and push the weight to an elbow lock position and repeat.
INCLINE DUMBELL
PRESS is performed on an adjustable bench, where the incline is set to a 45-degree angle. Sit on the bench and bring the weights up to where you are in a benching position. Exhale while you push the weight up, and inhale as you are lowering the weight. Have your forearm be perpendicular to your biceps.
DIPS, if performed properly, are a great exercise for widening the chest. Your body positioning is the most important thing to ensure you hit the chest and not the triceps. If you cross your ankles, bend your knees and lean your body forward, you will be hitting the chest. Make sure your knees are not directly under you and are more behind you at about a 30-degree angle at least.
As you progress through this regimen, add an additional set or two to each exercise when you are doing the low reps for the fast twitch fibers. This is because you will be performing less overall work than the higher rep weeks because more reps equls more work.
FAVORITE SHOES: Nike Free Trainer 5.0
FAVORITE HEALTHY FOOD: Sirloin steak, brown rice, asparagus
WEEK 1
Barbell Bench Press 3x10
Incline Bench Press 3x10
Dips 3x10
WEEK 2
Barbell Bench Press 3x5
Incline Bench Press 3x5
FAVORITE PANDORA: The Black Keys Radio
FAVORITE EXERCISE APP: Jefit
WEEK 3
Barbell Bench Press 3x12
Incline Bench Press 3x12
Dips 3x12
WEEK 4
Barbell Bench Press 4x3
Incline Bench Press 4x3
FAVORITE SUPPLEMENT : Egg protein
FAVORITE MEAL PLANNING APP: myfitnesspal
WEEK 5
Barbell Bench Press 4x8
Incline Bench Press 4x8
Dips 4x8
WEEK 6
Barbell Bench Press 5x3
Incline Bench Press 5x3
Dips 3x5 (weighted if necessary)
Dips 4x3
Dips 5x3
Where did the term dummbell come from? They are neither dumb nor bells. Hmm? Athletes used giant church bells to develop strength by pulling a rope to ring the bells which in turn made training quite noisy. To “dumb” the sound the clappers were removed. Eventually dumbbells (halteres) were solid hand-held stones used to train. Now start pumping some stone - or - iron, which ever works for you.
Joint pain, sore muscles and headaches can be addressed with acupuncture
There are 50 acupuncture schools in the U.S. accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM).
WRITER: MICHAEL VISCONTI A.P., N.D.
Acupuncture has enjoyed a good deal of popularity in recent years following new research and exposure on shows such as “Dr. Oz.”
But acupuncture has long been accepted here in the West, most notably for pain relief. In fact, acupuncture is just part of a complex system of medicine that’s been used to treat the healthy and diseased in the Far East for at least 2,000 years.
Western scientists and practitioners of Eastern medicine have different theories on how acupuncture works, but the effects of the treatment are common and well known. The effects include pain relief,
decreased swelling and muscle spasms, improved circulation, improved immune status, increased relaxation, better sleep, lower blood pressure, improved hormonal response, improved PMS/menopausal symptoms and nerve sensations.
According to acupuncture proponents in the West, the treatments work by increasing blood flow and endorphins in the body, thereby increasing the body’s own pain-relieving ability. There is some truth in that; both of those things actually happen when needles are inserted.
But there is much more going on.
For instance, while working on someone’s low back and
shoulder, I don’t always put the needles in the area of the pain. If endorphins were the only reason pain is relieved, the person’s low back and shoulder both should be better. When treating multiple issues, I insert needles to target one area at a time. When pain improves in that area, I insert needles elsewhere on the body to address other painful areas.
The way acupuncture works from an Eastern standpoint is that whenever there is pain or dysfunction, it is due to a blockage or an imbalance in blood flow, nerve conduction, fluid metabolism and energy flow along certain pathways in the body called meridians. The needles are inserted into points on these meridians
Studies have shown acupunture calms the nervous system to help with stress, and many feel more clear-headed.
Acupuncture was introduced to the West around the early 19th century
and their locations determine what effect the needle will have. The needles balance the imbalances and unblock the blockages, thereby restoring function and improving or eliminating the pain.
As an interventional and invasive cardiologist of Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County, Dr. Alejandro Caballero enjoys working alongside a team of physicians who share his same objective: to exceed the expectations of patients and their families. It is Dr. Caballero’s greatest reward to be able to improve patients’ quality of life and save lives.
Dr. Caballero, who completed his fellowship at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Lake Charles, Louisiana, was one of the first physicians in Lake County to perform peripheral interventions, aortic aneurism repairs, carotid stenting and pacemaker placements. He has been performing balloon angioplasties and stent placements for 17 years. Dr. Caballero treats both coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease.
As one of the oldest and most experienced private cardiology practices in Central Florida, at Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County, we are dedicated to bringing innovative and compassionate cardiovascular care to our patients. Cardiovascular Associates of Lake County … your partners for life.
An essential component of making healthy change in our lives is meaningful self-evaluation.
For many, that means phrases such as “I stink,” “I never do anything right,” or “I am worthless.” Those are not evaluations, though; those are selfcondemnations. We wouldn’t say those things to others, but we do not hesitate to say it about ourselves.
And they’re indicative of an identity that is, either in whole or in part, based on performance. A failure to perform or not live up to expectations elicits a sense of shame: the fear of not being loved or accepted that the performance-based identity was covering up.
Making healthy change in relationships, parenting, health, finances, leadership or any other area requires us to break free from the hold performance has over us. We need a system of self-evaluation that will build us up and let us improve.
• W, for WELL. “What did I do well?” There is almost always a positive, no matter how small. Even if it is arriving on time or being enthusiastic, find the things you did well. That will build confidence and give you place to start when you take the next step. Then, repeat the question multiple times. “What else did I do well?” Get at least two or three responses. Make a list and reread it. Noting the things you do well is a step in changing the story you tell yourself, and it will make you want to take your next step quicker.
• I, for IMPROVE. Ask yourself the value neutral question “What do I need to improve?” Pick one thing you did wrong or need to work on. Rather than condemning, notice what needs to be improved. It becomes a constructive question, a time to learn from mistakes.
• N, for NEXT. “What will I do different next time?” Make a plan for the next time you encounter this or a similar situation. You will be prepared. You might make a new mistake or you might be successful, but having asked the question, you’ll know how to avoid what you did previously. This is the most powerful step. It’s encouraging to think about the next time, and it’s also empowering to realize there are solutions and next steps within your reach.
Taking our thoughts captive is an intentional process. It takes effort and practice to form new ways of thinking and reject the lies to which we’ve been conditioned. Finding the W.I.N. is easy to remember and can be one of the tools in your arsenal. Remember, as with anything else, the more you use a tool and the more familiar with it you become, the more skill and power you will have.
— Anonymous
The greatest victory is not winning against people but winning against yourself
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My first and only real panic attack blindsided me, awakening me from a sound sleep.
It had been a full day. My wife and I were on an anniversary trip to Paris, had flown through the night, stayed awake all day and retired at our usual time locally to reset our internal clocks.
We had a lovely apartment, but tiny by U.S. standards.
When I awoke, I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I had a feeling of impending doom. It was beyond terrifying; I had never experienced anything like it. I knew I was having a panic attack. The episode lasted perhaps 10 minutes, then passed.
I think I know why the attack occurred. The flight from the U.S. was crowded and the seats were terribly uncomfortable for such a long trip. I had left behind some loose ends and the sense of disconnect and distance from home was extreme. During the attack I couldn’t see how I would ever get back to the U.S. I actually thought that I might be stuck in Europe for life, as crazy as that may seem.
I did get home without any further
incidents but the experience left me shaken and very hesitant to board an airplane again.
A panic attack can do this to you and as a physician, I knew I needed correct it.
I made an appointment with a psychologist and related the experience. His insights were interesting.
“Anxiety and panic disorder are both due, in large part, to a perceived loss of control,” he said. “Most of the time we feel we are in control of our lives and when we lose that sense, anxiety creeps in. A panic attack is just an extreme expression of that.”
It made sense: Each time I felt the rising panic was when I was in a situation I felt I could not control or from which I could not escape.
“Remember,” he went on, “you have been in similar situations before and everything turned out fine.”
Again, it was true: I’d flown hundreds of times, been on countless elevators and never had a single instance of a real threat.
“A panic attack won’t kill you and really can’t even hurt you, terrible as it may seem,” he said. “It won’t last but a few minutes.”
While panic attacks occur in our minds, our bodies react to the perceived threat as they would to any threat. Our adrenal glands produce a surge of adrenaline in our blood, which leads to physical manifestations: rapid heartbeat, palpitations, difficulty breathing, shakiness, sweating and tingling. Our bodies cannot sustain such a response for long and the reaction soon shuts down.
The psychologist recommended behavior modification, mentally simulating a situation likely to trigger an attack and thinking through it. He
suggested relaxation techniques such as slow, deep breathing; imagery to mentally remove the situation; and focusing on the goal or destination.
Finally, he suggested a “lifeboat.”
It isn’t possible to avert every attack, and he said it was reasonable to have some medication on hand. I got a prescription for a half-dozen Xanax (a mild anti-anxiety medication), which I keep with me “just in case” when I travel. My “lifeboat.”
I have yet to take a single pill. I have traveled on everything from wide-body jets to Caribbean “puddle hoppers” without a hitch. That’s not to say I’ve never welled up with anxiety in a close situation, but I’ve been able to avert escalation of the feeling.
No one is immune to anxiety or panic
attacks because we cannot control every situation we encounter. Stress is endemic to modern life and that isn’t likely to change. The trick is to not let these situations control us. Problems arise when our ability to cope is surpassed.
It helps to recognize what triggers your anxiety and or panic. In my case, it is situations where I am in a tight space surrounded by people or places such as airplanes, elevators and even the backseat of cars — any place I feel hemmed in.
— Thomas à Kempis German medieval Christian monk and author
“What else does anxiety about the future bring upon you but sorrow?”
“Anxiety and panic disorder are both due, in large part, to a perceived loss of control…
DISTRACTION. I always have some interesting reading material with me, or I actively engage someone next to me in conversation, focusing on someone else other than me.
MEDITATION. I close my eyes, focus on my breathing and consciously relax my muscles.
VISUALIZATION. I imagine where I’m going, what I will do there, how much I will enjoy it, etc. In the five years since my episode in France, I have never had to reach for medication.
BE PROACTIVE. Avoid overcommitment. Accept that life is uncertain and you are never truly in control. Get enough rest, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. They all play an important role in our overall well-being, including our mental well-being.
If anxiety and panic attacks, or the threat of them, is affecting your quality of life, don’t hesitate to see a mental health professional.
When it comes to your reflection, you can be your own toughest critic. Even that favorite outfit can feel off-limits because of stubborn fat that resists diet and exercise. But the CoolSculpting procedure shapes what you see without surgery or downtime, so you’ll look great from every angle. With over 1 million CoolSculpting procedures worldwide, people everywhere are getting a better view of themselves thanks to individual treatment plans tailored specifically to their bodies.
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Have you ever asked yourself the following questions: Why can’t I be thinner? Why can’t I make more money? Why don’t the kids behave better? How does she/he attract more friends than me? And there are hundreds more. These questions imply “I am not enough” in some one form or another. And that feeling of not being enough is a huge contributor to not experiencing happiness and joy in your life.
One of the most important lessons I have learned in my research and personal exploration in the pursuit of happiness is the practice of gratitude can overcome these feelings of “not enough.” Gratitude allows you to savor and enjoy what is in your present experience. The unhappy person is always waiting for something better to come along, as they can never be satisfied with now. The belief is when I get that I will finally be happy. Author and lecturer Dr. Wayne Dyer calls it the “disease of more.”
Recently, I was counseling a client who suffers from Lyme disease. She experiences symptoms of fatigue, pain and various other sensitivities. She contacted me because she was chronically depressed over her diminished quality of life. Although I know nothing about Lyme disease, I do know the power of the mind/body connection.
There is much research indicating negative emotions can increase or exacerbate the distress felt when people are ill. Her anxiety and depression increased because she was so focused on what she couldn’t do. One of her goals was to be able to leave her home and enjoy the day. At the onset of treatment, she would feel extremely fatigued after 15 minutes. I asked “Mary” to write a gratitude list every night that included the smallest of things that gave her joy and appreciation. Her list included being grateful she could walk, great eyesight, two loving children and a supportive spouse. A week later she called me and told me this exercise had a profound effect on her and the best news is she was able to spend two hours shopping with no problems. She had not been able to do this for months.
I believe what happened here is that “Mary” took the focus off her physical condition and increased her internal positive vibrations with gratitude. Her focus became appreciation for what is, rather than what she doesn’t have. Imagine if everyone did this on a daily basis, and how it would shift their life from disappointment and sadness to joy. It is the simple act of appreciating all you are and already possess. A wonderful benefit of staying in a place of appreciation is you begin to see and attract even more of that, which is the law of attraction.
Take a few minutes a day and write down your gratitudes. Savor it and feel it as you write — and you might see some miraculous changes as well.
1. Be kind to yourself like you are to others. Realize mistakes are opportunities to learn and focus on things you do well.
2. Ask a friend, family member or colleague what your strengths are and what they value about you.
3. Spend quiet time by yourself so you can be at peace with who
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
— Albert Schweitzer
you are.
Al Bundy was an unforgettable character on the Fox hit sitcom, “Married with Children.” For him, family life proved miserable. He had an unhealthy dislike for his wife and children and, to make things worse, worked at a dead-end job. Because of his misery, he was reduced to continually bring up his “glory days” of high school when he was a star running back and ladies’ man.
Let’s take a look at some famous ‘Bundyisms’ and debunk his miserable outlook on marriage:
• “Hooters, hooters, yum yum yum. Hooters, hooters, on a girl that’s dumb.”
Really, Al? You’d prefer a woman who is intellectually challenged? I’ve always found conversations with my intelligent wife to be quite stimulating, whether we’re talking about politics, sex, religion or whatever. It’s hard for me to believe you’d want your lifelong partner to be brainless. And what happens when her looks fade with age and you’re too old to hook up with a younger woman?
• “A man is a man all of his life, but a woman is only sexy
until she becomes your wife.”
I’ll speak for all happily married men and say sex doesn’t have to be boring. I find it quite interesting to experiment with one person rather than multiple women. I love the satisfaction of knowing one woman is still crazy about me after all these years of marriage. Plus, I don’t have to worry about catching a sexually transmitted disease. Oh, and by the way, in my eyes my wife is still as sexy as she was in her early 20s. Today’s women can be just as sexy at 60 as they were at 20.
• Asked by his wife, Peggy, whether he loves her or not, Al replies: “I love football, I love beer. Let’s not cheapen the meaning of the word.”
I like football and ice-cold beer, too. However, I like beer the most when I’m drinking one with my wife and openly talking about our lives, our jobs, our children, etc. And I certainly do not love football or beer more than my wife, and for any man to say such a thing is extremely ignorant. I don’t want to live without any of them.
of women and never assuming the responsibilities of having a family — should think twice. Being single and going through life without someone to share it with can indeed be quite depressing and lonely. Trust me, plenty of single men have told me this.
I’ll end this article by saying this: The joy that women bring into our lives should be treasured and cherished by all men. And if you think otherwise, you’ll end up like Al Bundy—unhappily married with children.
2. Intelligence: Acting like a bimbo loses its novelty to men after high school. What men want in a girlfriend is a woman who can stand as his equal. So be the smart, savvy woman you are. To him, it’s a total turn-on.
3. Unmaterialistic: He’ll be relieved he doesn’t have to try so hard and surprisingly, this will inspire him to rise to the occasion when he doesn’t have to dedicate his whole paycheck to lavish tokens of his love for you.
4. Honesty: If he can’t trust you, how can he ever see you as his girlfriend … and eventual spouse? Keep things open and honest in your relationship.
Any man heeding Al Bundy’s advice — you know, fantasizing about sex with lots
otball n my o a I without ng Al know, ex with lots
FOUR QUALITIES MEN ARE SECRETLY LOOKING FOR IN WOMEN
WRITER: JEN AND LEAH
If you live in Florida, you know on any typical summer day we are going to get some type of afternoon rain shower. Sometimes the showers are short lived, other times they seem to hover over us, pounding us with rain, lightning and thunder (and they usually strike about 5p.m. just as we are getting ready to drive home from work).
We also know that after these summer showers, we have a pretty good chance of seeing a rainbow in all its colorful glory. There is something magical about rainbows. Remember being told as a kid there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
Rainbows and life have a lot in common: It takes the right combination of sunshine and rain to create a rainbow, and in life, we need a combination of joyful times and challenging times to appreciate the wonder and beauty of our lives.
Have you ever noticed that after you go through a rough patch in life, something wonderful happens to make you appreciate all you went through to get where you are?
Rainbows are signs the storms are ceasing, the sky is brightening and the magic is about to happen.
So, why are there so many songs about rainbows? Maybe because rainbows give us hope for a brighter tomorrow.
morrow.
1. You determine your r way react to the o your may b or That is determ
1. You determine your reality by the way you react to the outside world. Losing your job may be a disaster or an opportunity for bigger things. That is determined by you.
3. Exercise to enjoy all the positive chemicals released into the bloodstream.
5. Hang out with other positive people who constantly reinforce how great life is.
2. Start stron a morning rit reinforces how
2. Start your day strong by creating a morning ritual that reinforces how great life is.
4. Use books, audio and video about people who are inspiring and living the life of their dreams.
6. Live a life of gratitude and appreciate all the great things that have happened to you. Maybe you can even keep a gratitude journal.
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
— Dolly Parton
SOURCE: http://mentalfloss.com/article/54443/why-do-we-put-money-piggy-banks by: Stacey Sklepinski, University of Michigan
“The most common legend of how piggy banks were created dates back to 15th century Europe, where a type of clay called pygg was used to make plates, bottles and vessels. When people threw their spare coins into these types of pygg containers, they started to call them pygg banks.
Eventually, through a misinterpretation of the word pygg as pig, potters began to construct moneyboxes into the shape of pigs. As a result, the piggy bank was invented.”
CAN I AFFORD EATING AT A FIVE-STAR RESTAURANT TONIGHT OR SHOULD I EAT A HOMEMADE BOWL OF SOUP?
RD
BUD
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WRITER: DAVE RAMSEYA:Dear Dave,
uestions suc hese y maintained a ed income and . here
Questions such as these could be easily answered if you maintained a detailed budget of your income and expenses. Making a budget will help you see where you’re spending foolishly so you can adapt and achieve your financial goals. Moreover, your stress levels will decrease because you’ll no longer have to worry whether you have money to buy a brand-new car or take a dream vacation — you’ll already know.
m nth —Ka
My husband and I are following your plan, and we’re trying to reconcile our onpaper budget with what’s going on in our bank account. Most of our bills are due the first half of the month, but we receive most of our income the second half of the month. Can you help us?
Dear Kathy,
a h ud ou of om he
av usband and I a ng nd we’re get goi ount. bi o elp
ourron- il reconcile our ing o e ive e rece he o
—Kathy
If you’re actually making a budget and sticking to it, what you’re describing is a cash-flow bind. You are in charge of your budget until it’s on paper. Once it’s on paper, it has to accurately represent reality. In your reality, that means a cash-flow strain on the first checks and extra money on the second checks.
RITER AVE udg ibing e st
ar Kathy actual nd cash-flow bind. You a our on pape repres train hat means a cash-flow st he e o . m solution. rsecond
I e e s
the 15th to the 15th instead of from the 1st to the 1st. It will help you stay ahead and avoid getting pinched.
pinche
You won’t be able to fix this in just one month, but there is a long-term solution. Move some of the money from your second checks into the first half of the next month. By doing this, you’ll start running from
SOURCE: personalfinance.duke.edu/manage-your-finances/budget/overview
The second part of this equation is that you are in charge of your budget. The budget does not become the boss of you until you get it done. When everything is written and agreed upon by you and your husband, that’s when the budget becomes the boss. You can’t come home with a new shirt or a new purse and hope it fits into the plan. The budget has to be the plumb line by which you build your finances straight and true.
—Dave
More than 85 percent of children ages 8-14 have piggy banks, according to a new survey from T. Rowe Price. Unfortunately, money going into their piggy banks is coming out very fast. More than 40 percent of parents who give their kids allowance say it's gone by the time the next allowance payday comes around.
Dear Dave, My husband and I both work two jobs. Together we make about $53,000 a year, and we’re trying to get out of debt. We have $35,000 in debt, and most of that is on our truck. I’d like to go back to school and become an ultrasound technician so we’ll have more money. Do you think this is a good idea?
—SarahDear Sarah, Getting more education is always a good idea. For starters, I’d begin doing some research to find out what ultrasound technicians in your area are earning. Then, look into the cost of training at a nearby school.
But I would only recommend starting school after you guys have done some work and cleaned up your finances. You have a bunch of debt, and the truck is a big part of the problem.
Sell the truck and move down to something very inexpensive to drive for a little while. Then tear into the remainder of the debt and get it paid off as fast as you can. After that, save up a bunch of money so you can go to school debt-free.
I know that may seem like a long time before you can start school, but chances are you can get this done in less than two years. And trust me, going to school debt-free will feel a whole lot better than having another bunch of payments buzzing around your heads for years to come.
—Dave
Don’t buy your expensive dream car unless you can afford it. Otherwise, you’ll simply be financially enslaved to your automobile.
When you do buy a car, try to put at least 20 percent cash down so the monthly payments are cheaper.
Avoid long-term financing. Shorter term equals larger payments but will save you money down the line.
If possible, pay more than the minimum payment each month so you’ll have less interest in the long run.
If baggy, drooping eyelids are impacting your vision or appearance, you may want to consider blepharoplasty, a safe, effective surgery that removes excess tissue from the upper and lower eyelids, and is often covered by insurance. Locally, one of the most respected providers is Board-certified Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Shelby Terpstra, DO, who helps patients enjoy improved peripheral vision and a more refreshed appearance.
“Everything about Dr. T and this procedure exceeded my expectations. There was no pain, no bruising, the healing process was extremely quick. My friends have all commented on how wonderful I look, and requested Dr. T's information so they could get it done as well.”
– Simone Hasker“I didn’t even recognize myself, that’s how significant the change was! I honestly can’t believe how much better I see, feel and look now.”
–Kathy Lee
Read more detailed testimonials on our website, www.LakeEye.com.
While the majority of patients report a positive result, surgical outcomes may vary.Simone Hasker
THE LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE PRESENT THE COUNTY WIDE 90-DAY BUSINESS WELLNESS CHALLENGE!
• March 3RD to May 26TH
• $100 per person for chamber members
• $125 per person for non-members
• 5 person teams
• Prizes will be awarded to winning teams
• See individual chambers for details
• For more information call your local chamber:
Eustis 352.357.3434
Leesburg 352.787.2131
South Lake 352.394.4191
A group of trained surgeons performing minimally invasive surgeries with the use of robotic technologies.
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One of the many procedures performed is the treatment for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). The most common signs and symptoms of GERD are frequent acid reflux and heartburn.
For more information regarding this minimally invasive procedure, along with other surgical procedures performed by the group, please visit our website www.MidFloridaSurgical.com
Clermont
1804 Oakley Seaver Dr. Suite A
Clermont, FL 34711
352.243.2622
10000 W. Colonial Dr. Suite 288
Ocoee, FL 34761 407.521.3600
Since its humble beginnings, Santa Fe Surgery Center has developed a reputation for providing first-class surgical services in a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. Because no more than two surgeries are ever performed simultaneously, the staff can devote more time and attention to patients and their families.
• General surgery
• Podiatric surgery
• Minimally invasive neurosurgery
• Laser cataract surgery
• Corneal transplantation
• Oculoplastic surgery
• General ophthalmology
• Interventional pain management ________
DR. FELIX J. ESAREY finds the Santa Fe Surgery Center to be a fantastic asset for both patients and his thriving practice Tri-County Podiatry.
“The great thing about Santa Fe is the relaxed atmosphere,” says Dr. Esarey. “When a patient is in a hospital setting it can be a bit overwhelming, as there can be several operating rooms being utilized at the same time. The surgery center isn’t like that at all; it’s calm and very patient-friendly. When the patient’s appointment time arrives, everyone and everything is ready. Nothing is hurried or late.”
When it comes to orthopaedic procedures as complex as total ankle replacements, reverse shoulder replacement and joint replacements of the hip and knee, why trust anyone besides a specialist?
Our board certified orthopaedic surgeons are specialists who are fellowship trained in their areas of expertise. They are known for their advanced skill, training and experience. It’s their names you will find scrawled on referral notes from physicians from across the state or featured on the front covers of a surgeon’s training manual. From conservative care for sports injuries to advanced ankle, shoulder, hip and knee replacements, trust the specialists trusted by other surgeons.
Tired of just making a living?
FEBRUARY 4
Fundraiser at Savannah Center in The Villages lets guests sample food from 19 area restaurants and participate in live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit Lazarus Medical Clinic in Wildwood, which serves uninsured residents. Information: tasteofthevillages. info/contact-us.html
FEBRUARY 5
Stroke survivors find available resources and participate in group therapy. Topic: How seniors can protect themselves against scammers. 2:30–4p.m., LRMC North Campus conference room. Information: 352.323.5658
FEBRUARY 5-6
Attended by hundreds of nurses and clinical professionals who care for cardiovascular patients, to learn about the most up-todate evidence-based practices. Mission Inn Resort and Club. Information: 352.323.5490
FEBRUARY 7
This inaugural event, hosted by Howey Horse Haven Rescue, ensures ongoing rehabilitation of rescue horses and ponies. Lake-Sumter State College Magnolia Room, 9501 U.S. Hwy. 441, Leesburg. Information: 352.223.8761
FEBRUARY 7
Chili tasting contest, raffle prizes and entertainment by Todd Brown and the River Junction Band. Proceeds benefit Lane Purcell Hospice House and Cornerstone Hospice patient care. 11a.m.–2p.m., downtown Bushnell. Information: cshospice.org
FEBRUARY 10
American Lung Association support group for those who suffer from lung diseases. Participants learn techniques to manage disease. 1–3 p.m. National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. Free. Information: 352.241.7109
FEBRUARY 14
Raises money for South Lake High School’s Screaming Eagle band. $30 per person, or $20 per person with a team of 10 or more members. South Lake High School, 15600 Silver Eagle Road, Groveland. Information: slhsband.com/slhsband/ Screaming_Eagle_5K.html
FEBRUARY 14
Leesburg Regional Medical Center’s Ladies in Philanthropy holds event to recognize women and cardiovascular disease. Lake Port Square, Leesburg. Information: 352.323.5503
FEBRUARY 14
Explore Pear Park Nature Center and learn about rocks, minerals, fossils, sands and shells. 4800 University Ave., Leesburg. Information: 352.253.4950
FEBRUARY 17
Come together for story time geared toward children and families impacted by autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
10:30a.m. East Lake County Library, 31340 County Road 437, Sorrento. 6:30p.m. Free. Information: 352.383.9980
FEBRUARY 18
Share stories with others facing challenges with disease of central nervous system. 10a.m.–noon. National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. Free.
Information: 352.242.2350
FEBRUARY 21
Hosted by Sunrise Rotary Club of Leesburg, event offers blood screening tests for $40. For an additional $25, men can have PSA test. Leesburg
Community Building, 109 E. Dixie Ave. Information: leesburgsunriserotary.org.
FEBRUARY 24
Learn how to properly care for your newborn. 6:30–8:30p.m. National Training Center, 1935 Don Wickham Drive, Clermont. $15. Information: 352.241.7109
FEBRUARY 28
Sponsored by South Lake Presbyterian Church and Granny Nannies, event includes blood pressure screenings, free healthy lunch and door prizes. 11a.m.–1p.m. Information: 352.394.2753
MARCH 1
5K course is on Lake Dora Drive. Half-marathon course starts with 5K loop followed by 5-mile course along Lakeshore Drive from Tavares to Mount Dora. Information: 352.394.1320
Bill Brooks, Amy Bolt, Lori Ross, Shawna Sherman, and Andrew Kurtz
Does the average bank loan feel like it’s structured to serve the bank’s interests or yours? At First National, our number one priority is to help you turn your goals into realities. Lets talk about what you want – whether it’s a new home, a new business or a new chapter – and ways we can help you get there on your terms.
When you want a bank that does more, come to one that cares more. First National Bank. The
National, you’re not a number, you’re someone whose name and ambitions matter.
The indomitable spirit and courage of local cancer survivors were on full display during InterCommunity Cancer Centers’ fourth annual Cancer Survivors Reunion. The event, held at the American Legion post in Lady Lake, featured music, food and light refreshments. More importantly, cancer survivors had an opportunity to share their stories of support with recently diagnosed patients.
Lake Sumter Medical Society recently held its annual expo, a private trade show for physicians, clinicians and practice management. The event, held at Mission Inn Club and Resort, featured a variety of exhibitors who showcased their products and services to the medical community. Attendees enjoyed door prizes, games and hands-on activities.
Do you use the bathroom more than eight times a day or two times at night? Do you go to the bathroom whenever you’re near one just in case? You may have a condition called "overactive bladder." The good news is that the condition can be treated -- without drugs or surgery! The better news? You can spend more time shaking your groove thang on the dance floor.
Love a child today and foster a bright tomorrow.
A little dust. A lot to love.
We’re paving our way to progress; making big improvements! See all that’s happening and say hello to your favorite merchants while you’re here. Their doors are open—if a tad dusty.
Waiting for and welcoming a new arrival is a milestone for every family. Florida Hospital Waterman now makes the experience even more exciting with our new and improved Center for Women & Children. Our remodeled and upgraded private rooms now feature refrigerators and free Wi-Fi, and are sized to allow family members to celebrate with mom and dad. There are prenatal, lactation and other specialty courses to prepare you for the big event, and mom and dad enjoy a gourmet meal the night before returning home. Visit FHWaterman. com to view a tour of the new center and to sign up for classes.
