Style Magazine, October 2023

fostering FUTURES

THE STRUGGLE TO PROTECT AND PROVIDE FOR ABANDONED AND ABUSED KIDS

MODERN-DAY

SLAVERY

HUMAN TRAFFICKING ISN’T SOMEONE ELSE’S PROBLEM

THE-WRITE STUFF

AREA’S HAUNTED AND ABANDONED PLACES BRING CHILLS AND THRILLS

CLERMONT ORGANIZATION PROMOTES CHILDREN’S LITERACY

IF ONLY THEY COULD SPEAK

“We can honestly say that whilst we were somewhat reluctant to sign with Wiseman owing to the long lead time from contract signing to completion, the finished product was well worth the wait. The custom design is exactly what we asked for and we maintain that the craftsmanship of the pool, spa, equipment, pavers, screen enclosure, and summer kitchen are second to none.”

— TOM & LYNDA MURPHY

Wiseman Pools is a family-owned-and-operated, licensed residential and commercial swimming pool builder with an extensive portfolio of projects. From the small—fountains and in-ground spas. To the large—million dollar installations with multiple pools and spas. Our customers, large and small, demand a quality swimming pool for a fair price. And we deliver.

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CONTENTS

044 Innocence shattered

The despicable crime of human trafficking affects millions of people worldwide, including victims right here in Central Florida. Inaction is no longer an option.

050

‘Wheelie’ good idea

The national All Kids Bike program has rolled into Lake County. Thanks to a community partnership, kindergartners are learning to ride.

058 Loving literacy

The Sarah Tirri Children’s Foundation puts kids on the road to becoming better readers and writers.

STORY: JAMES COMBS

064 Hauntingly cool

Looking for chills and thrills doesn’t mean traveling far. Lake County is home to many eerie and fascinating haunted and abandoned places.

028 System overload

Abused and neglected children languish for months, sometimes years, as an overcrowded/ understaffed/underfunded child welfare system struggles to place them with stable families.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN

STORY: GARY CORSAIR

STORY: CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

STORY: CINDY PETERSON

We are looking for caring & dedicated mentors to inspire public high school students in Lake and Sumter Counties

Take Stock in Children is Florida's flagship and most meaningful mentoring, college readiness, and scholarship program for financially and academically qualified students. Our scholars pledge to meet regularly with their mentors, maintain academic standards, and remain drug and crime-free on the way to achieving a high school diploma. The reward for fulfilling these commitments is a scholarship to a Florida state college, university, or technical college to continue their educational pursuits.

Raising awareness

The realities of foster care.

icture this nightmarish scenario. Two strangers come to your door and demand that your child leave with them . . . immediately.

Your child isn’t allowed to take his dog or favorite toys. The person he loves the most—you, the parent—can’t go with him either.

If your child is lucky, he might get to stay with a caring relative; if he is a little lucky, his next home might be with a caring family.

But many youngsters aren’t lucky. They end up with other scared children in a group home or in a succession of temporary foster homes.

By now, you’re probably wondering why I’m talking about foster care. After all, most of the stories in Style are lighthearted, positive, and fun. That’s who we are. But we’re also an advocate for change. And that means that we must sometimes delve into the dark side of Lake and Sumter Counties and examine heartbreaking topics.

As of September 2022, 425 Lake County children were in foster care according to Florida Child Welfare Measures. Most of those kids were placed into foster care for reasons that make me shudder: physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, caretaker drug or alcohol abuse, inadequate housing, and neglect. In many

cases, the child experienced more than one of those cruelties.

This month’s feature story presents an in-depth examination of the local foster care system. Be forewarned, you may be moved to tears. I was.

We present this no-holds-barred expose not to shock, but to open eyes and encourage couples to become foster parents themselves.

No calling is more noble. Foster parents provide vulnerable children with a stable living environment, physical and emotional care, and unwavering support—all critical needs that a child lacked in his own home.

On a lighter note, I think you’ll nd our other feature story spook-tacularly stimulating. Since this is October, we want to introduce you to several abandoned or seemingly haunted buildings in Lake County. Long past their heyday, some of these places include creaky old buildings covered in vines and boarded-up churches. Other buildings have a history of unexplainable sights or sounds that scream “Ghosts!” But you decide for yourself. You may want to sleep with the light on after this read.

I hope everybody has a fun and safe Halloween. Also, I’m excited that we’ll soon enjoy a much-needed break from the sweltering Florida heat and humidity.

Sincerely,

Kendra Akers OWNER/PUBLISHER kendra@akersmediagroup.com

Doug Akers PRESIDENT doug@akersmediagroup.com

DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHY / EDITORIAL

Michael Gaulin CREATIVE DIRECTOR michael@akersmediagroup.com

Shawnee Coppola DESIGNER shawnee@akersmediagroup.com

Alejandra D’Jermanos DESIGNER alejandra@akersmediagroup.com

James Combs STAFF WRITER james@akersmediagroup.com

Roxanne Brown STAFF WRITER roxanne@akersmediagroup.com

Nicole Hamel STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER nicole@akersmediagroup.com

Brittany Fogt DESIGNER brittany@akersmediagroup.com

DIGITAL MEDIA

Kyle Coppola DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST & SPORTS WRITER kyle@akersmediagroup.com

Cindy Peterson DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR & PHOTOGRAPHER cindy@akersmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Cynthia McFarland Richard T. Bosshardt, MD Gina Horan

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Gary Corsair

SALES / MARKETING

Tim McRae VICE PRESIDENT, SALES tim@akersmediagroup.com

Melanie Melvin ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE melanie@akersmediagroup.com

Shaena Long ADVERTISING COORDINATOR shaena@akersmediagroup.com

ADMINISTRATION

Emily Gaulin OFFICE MANAGER emily@akersmediagroup.comm

Aubrey Akers Simmons ACCOUNT & CLIENT SERVICES aubrey@akersmediagroup.com

DISTRIBUTION

Frank Suarez DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Akers

of

Kendra

Winner of 200+ Awards for Excellence

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THE SURGEON

Our newest surgeon, Owen Kieran, D.O., joined Mid Florida Surgical Associates in 2023, specializing in Osteopathic surgical care. Dr. Kieran proudly began his medical career as an Active Duty General and Trauma Surgeon in the United States Army. He is Board-Certified by the AOBS and a member of multiple professional organizations. Today, Dr. Kieran and his wife have called Central Florida home since 2017 and spends time enjoying the beach and watching his children compete in sports.

To learn more about Dr. Kieran, please our website at midfloridasurgical.com

Not Just Lumps:

“I found a lump in my breast.” We hear this line most often concerning breast cancer detection, but breast cancer can exhibit other signs, too. Some may be due to benign causes, but see your doctor if these signs persist or worsen:

1. A thickening inside your breast or in your breast skin.

2. A dimple or indentation in your breast.

3. A crust on your nipple.

4. Redness, swelling, or heat in your breast that doesn’t go away with antibiotics.

5. Nipple discharge not associated with developing breasts, infection, cysts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

6. Skin sores developing on your breast, usually associated with a hard lump.

7. A bump on the breast. (These can also be benign lumps or cysts.)

8. A nipple that flattens or turns inward.

9. Newly appearing blood vessels or veins on the breast or near the collarbone (if not connected to weight gain, breastfeeding, or Mondor’s disease).

10. Changes in breast size, flattening, swelling, or drooping, not due to breastfeeding or menstruation.

11. Your breast looks like the dimpled skin of an orange and might change color. This is a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.

12. A hard, immovable lump deep in your breast is the most common breast cancer symptom, though it may also be a cyst.

Eight Ways to Lower Your Risk

RBOI radiation oncologist

Dr. C. Joseph Bennett recommends the following to lower your breast cancer risk:

1. Avoid being overweight. Try to maintain a body-mass index under 25.

2. Eat a healthy diet, including vegetables, fruit, lean protein, whole grains, and vegetable oils. Try to avoid sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates, fatty foods (including animal fats), and red meat.

3. Keep physically active. A 30-minute walk, five days a week, can reduce your risk.

4. Avoid alcohol: no more than one drink per day.

5. Don’t smoke. RBOI tobacco cessation specialist Wendy Hall, LCSW, can help you quit. Call her at 352-527-0106.

6. Avoid hormone replacement therapy if possible.

7. If you give birth, breast-feed your babies for as long as possible.

8. If you are at high breast cancer risk, consider taking an estrogen-blocking drug. Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer or are over age 60.

by the numbers

297,790

Estimated new cases of U.S. women’s breast cancer in 2023.

13%

Women expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2017-2019 data.

Supporting Each Other

RBOI’s support groups are available at no charge during and after treatment. Our Breast Cancer Educational Group meets in Lecanto. Our Women’s Cancer Support Group meets online via Zoom.

RBOI’s resource rooms in Lecanto and Ocala offer wigs, hats, and blankets free to any Citrus County resident undergoing cancer treatment, regardless of where they receive care. Residents can also obtain financial assistance from the Citrus Aid Cancer Foundation. Marion County residents can use RBOI’s resource room in Ocala and receive financial assistance from the RBOI-sponsored H.U.G.S. charities.

RBOI sponsors Michelle-O-Gram, which provides access to mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRIs, BRCA gene testing and counseling, breast biopsies, and referrals for procedures and other treatments.

1 in 100

Breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. in men.

1.3%

Annual drop in the death rate for women with breast cancer, from 2011 to 2020.

Call us for more information about these and other resources helping our community.

Patient-centered radiation oncology close to home

The Villages 352.259.2200

Ocala 352.732.0277

Timber Ridge 352.861.2400

Inverness 352.726.3400

Lecanto 352.527.0106

RBOI.com

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DECADES OF DELICIOUSNESS: Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Lady Lake has the distinct honor of being a true familyowned restaurant. In fact, ve generations of family members have operated the restaurant since its humble beginnings in May 1962. Many generations of customers have enjoyed outstanding service and scrumptious dishes such as Spaghetti a la Bruzzi,

everything from scratch, crafting everything with love to satisfy your taste buds.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: High school teams in Lake and Sumter counties have provided fans with unforgettable memories over the years. In fact, we are home to a number of state champions:

• Leesburg High School 2023—weightlifting

• Leesburg High School 2021—bowling

• Wildwood High School 2018 and 2021—basketball

• Wildwood High School 2017 and 2018—women’s basketball

• Eustis High School 2000 and 2003—baseball

• Leesburg High School 1977, 2011, 2017, 2018—basketball

• Leesburg High School 1977—baseball.

• Wildwood High School 1964 and 1970—football

• Eustis High School 1963 and 1983—football

TRADE YA!: Having problems nding something to wear in your closet? Your favorite out ts don’t t anymore? Thinking about getting rid of a few things or looking to freshen up your wardrobe? If any of those thoughts hold true, then head to the new Plato’s Closet in Clermont, 240 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite C in the Publix Plaza where Blockbuster once stood. You may be able to sell your gently used pieces (clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories) or trade them for other items.

The Forward n—a not-for-pro t organization—helps homeless youth and those aging out of foster care secure housing, personal necessities and more. On the morning of Aug. 17, the organization celebrated the groundbreaking of “The Cottages on Grove,” a tiny home community in Eustis where youths will stay while they aim towards independence.

The estimated time of completion for the project is early spring (2024).

STILL UNSOLVED: One of Central Florida’s most notorious cold cases involves “Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee,” the name given to a young woman murdered in February 1971. Her body was found under a bridge by two hikers, and an autopsy revealed that her cause of death was strangulation. In October 1992, the case was featured the show Unsolved Mysteries. Despite media coverage, multiple investigations, and her body being exhumed twice, Little Miss Panasoffkee has never been positively identified. Her body is interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Wildwood with a metal marker reading: “Jane Doe—1971.”

KEEP TRICK OR TREATERS SAFE: Remember safety first before sending your trick-or-treaters out on Halloween to ensure that your memories of the spookiest night of the year remain ‘boo-tiful.” Safekids.org suggests following the following guidelines:

• Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.

• Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.

• Slow down and be alert. Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to help you spot kids from further away.

• Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.

• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.

THE BIG 3-0!: The 2023-’24 school year marks a milestone anniversary for South Lake High in Groveland as it turns 30. Rumor has it the Screaming Eagles may continue celebrating all year long. Best wishes to teachers, students, administrators, and staff. Enjoy!

awareness month, the Mascotte Police Department’s 4th Annual ‘Cruiser for the Cause’ fundraiser is set for Oct. 7 from 1-4pm. This FREE fun-filled event will take place in the Mascotte PD’s parking lot at 529 E. Myers Blvd., where guests will be treated to music, kids’ games, food, refreshments, resources, and more. A special event T-shirt will be available for purchase to benefit the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation (GCCF). Additionally, Mascotte’s pink police cruiser will be on site and pictures are encouraged.

SAY ‘BOO’ TO DECORATIVE CONTACT

LENSES: Halloween is here. Lake Countians desiring to complement their costume with zebra-striped or glow-in-thedark decorative contact lenses may want to think twice. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says purchasing contact lenses without an eye examination and prescription from an eye care professional can cause serious eye disorders and infections that could lead to permanent vision loss. Remember, any type of contact lens is a medical device that requires a prescription and proper fitting by an eye care professional.

Jessica Davis

The new face of United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties.

INTERVIEWER: KYLE COPPOLA ≈ WRITER: JAMES COMBS

• 52 years old

• Bachelor’s degree in child development from Florida State University

• Master’s degree in business leadership from Nova Southwestern University

Past working experience: I have spent my entire career working in the nonpro t industry. For over 25 of those years, I served in multiple leadership positions for children and family services, including case management, residential group care, early childhood education, mental health, substance abuse treatment programs, and community solutions programming. Prior to UWLS, I served for four-and-a-half years as regional executive director for Children’s Home Society.

My new career: As chief executive o cer of United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties, it is our mission to collaborate with local community leaders to address critical needs, providing opportunities to improve the quality of life for all.

My goals as CEO: My goals are simply to strengthen our community, improve lives, to close gaps and open opportunities so that everyone can thrive. These goals can only be achieved through collaboration and partnership.

Greatest professional achievement: I would say this position! I am super excited to serve Lake and Sumter communities because Lake County is where I live, work, and play.

First job: Working at a grocery store (Kash n’ Karry) as a bagger.

Dream vacation: I would love to visit Europe, speci cally Paris and the Ei el Tower.

Know a person of interest? Tell us!

EMERSON DICUS

Leesburg grad’s love for ag inspires her hopes to instill that passion in the next generation.

This experience shows me: important agriculture is. It’s become my passion and I want to teach the younger generation so they know how important it is. The number of kids I’ve met who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows is just unbelievable. It’s scary to think no one knows about agriculture. Agriculture is life; it gives you everything.

Favorite school subject: Ag Technologies.

My closest friends describe me as: Strong-willed. Bold. Caring.

Outside school, the majority of my time was spent: With my cows. My champion steer, Kahuna, a Charolais cross, was about 6 months old when I got him in April 2022. He was a big puppy dog; I would just play with him for hours.

My future plans: I’ll be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia and plan to become a high school ag teacher.

• Florida native, third-generation Lake Countian

• 2023 Leesburg High School (LHS) graduate

• Showed 2023 FFA Grand Champion Steer

• Won 2023 Reserve Champion Senior Showmanship

• LHS FFA President

• Grand Champion in Skillathon (a test of cattle knowledge)

INDIVIDUALIZED CARDIAC CARE That Puts Patients First

onnection. Interaction. Support.

We prioritize those qualities in our personal relationships, but it can be challenging to nd them in health care. This can be both frustrating and concerning, especially when dealing with cardiac issues.

When Dr. Georg Couturier founded Village Heart and Vein in 2011, his mission was to recruit a team of doctors, who are not only highly skilled in their areas of cardiac expertise but are also approachable and compassionate doctors who put their patients rst.

As the full-service cardiology team at Village Heart and Vein has expanded to meet the community’s needs, the most recent addition is Joel R. Garcia, MS, MD, FACC, FCCP, a board certi ed cardiologist and internist.

An expert in most cardiac imaging modalities, Dr. Garcia focuses on general and invasive (non-interventional) cardiology and advanced heart failure.

Having completed his fellowship in cardiology from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Dr. Garcia has held academic appointments as an assistant professor of medicine at Florida State University College of Medicine and University of Central Florida College of Medicine, where he received the Educator of the Year award. He is a past president of the American Heart Association in Orlando.

PRIORITIZING PATIENTS

At Village Heart and Vein, patients bene t from the warm personal setting, as compared with a large hospital system. The practice’s patientdriven approach is right in line with Dr. Garcia’s own philosophy of quality, a ordable, evidence-based care.

“In private practice, care can be more intimate,” he notes. “The doctors can be closer to their patients and practice medicine on a smaller scale, which establishes long-term continuity of care.”

PROACTIVE MEASURES

Medicine is often reactive, instead of proactive, but it doesn’t have to

be that way. Instead of waiting until a cardiac event has happened, the team at Village Heart and Vein seeks to identify and address issues before they become a crisis.

“I’m a big believer in prevention in terms of seeing patients routinely and screening appropriately,” says Dr. Garcia. “With the imaging we have available now, we can diagnose and treat patients much earlier than we could historically. We can get a patient treated before a disease burden or cardiac event happens at 2am.”

He explains that the practice uses speci c tests and programs to identify problems—even when a patient is asymptomatic--so they can be treated proactively.

“We can change the impact on patients because of the imaging and diagnostic modalities we have,” he notes.

As some patients have discovered the hard way, insurance restrictions can be a roadblock.

“We work with patients to fine tune their overall cardiac risk and find screening tests that are affordable, cost effective and

wouldn’t be limited by insurance restrictions,” says Dr. Garcia.

extend patient longevity and also reduce health care costs.”

INDIVIDUALIZED CARE

Dr. Garcia views every patient as a VIP and treats them as if they were family members. This attentive individualized care means patients never feel “like a number.”

He urges patients to do their homework when choosing a doctor.

“I feel strongly that patients should research their doctors. The internet makes this possible. Look up their reviews and see what people say about them,” he advises. “We do this when buying products, so do the research and read the reviews when nding a doctor.”

Living on a lake means boating and plenty of water activities. That makes for a great time with the family, which is Dr. Garcia’s main focus when he’s not working.

Village Heart and Vein is a trusted resource for both prevention and treatment. Services include all areas of cardiology, electrophysiology and vascular disease.

Being proactive can also change the nancial picture. Dr. Garcia points out that one reason health care expenses are so high is because many patients aren’t treated until after they’ve had a heart attack or other cardiac event.

“This is why it’s so important to have that relationship with a physician who knows you and can nd the right prescription of care for you,” notes Dr. Garcia. “This can

Dr. Garcia began seeing patients at Village Heart and Vein on September 7, 2023. He will practice primarily at the Leesburg location but will also see patients at the UF Health Leesburg Hospital.

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Garcia moved to central Florida in 2006 and his family loves the lifestyle here. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Beth, for 24 years. The couple has three sons--two in college and one in high school.

“FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR PRACTICE, WE’VE MADE IT VERY AFFORDABLE TO CATCH PLAQUE BURDEN WITH CALCIUM SCORE SCREENINGS. THEN WE CAN TREAT IT BEFORE THE PATIENT HAS A CARDIAC EVENT.”

SYSTEM

Foster children travel a rocky road.

STORY: GARY CORSAIR ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL AND SOURCES

lorida’s child welfare system is like a wheezing, back ring bus overloaded with scared, hurting youth traveling a rutted road riddled with potholes.

Most of the state’s 23,000 foster children desperately hope the “bus” will turn around and return them to the home they were removed from, a place deemed de cient, unstable, or unsafe by strangers bearing court.

“The phenomenon is that children always love their parents no matter what it is they’ve done. They always have a belief that their parents are their parents and they’re drawn to them,” says Susan Chesnutt, who was “somewhere between the ages of 5 and 7” when she was initially taken from her mother’s Marion County home.

It’s no surprise Susan can only estimate her age.

“It was sexual abuse, and physical abuse, domestic violence exposure, substance abuse exposure, quite a few reasons,” Susan recalls.

“I watched my father rape my mother when I was a child.”

As terrible as Susan’s childhood was, more pain was ahead of her.

“For me, I remember the trauma of the removals more than the reasons. Being removed is traumatic,” Susan says.

That trauma is multiplied by being placed, only to be removed and placed somewhere else over and over again.

Susan lived in eight di erent foster homes — some good, some bad — before “aging out” of the system at age 18.

THAT TRAUMA IS MULTIPLIED BY BEING PLACED, ONLY TO BE REMOVED AND PLACED SOMEWHERE ELSE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SUSAN CHESNUTT, ATTORNEY SUSAN, FOSTER CHILD

“So we’ve taken them from their home, from people that love them, who may be struggling in how they’re caring for them, but usually folks who love them, and we’re putting them somewhere else,” Florida’s Children First Deputy Director Robin Rosenberg told an interviewer. “We’re implicitly promising that we’ll put them some place better, but we often fail. The state often fails to put children in places where they have a safe, stable, nurturing relationship . . . the system does not always do a good job of keeping them connected to those people.”

And there are no short journeys on the foster care road.

Ashley Rhoades-Courter lived that painful truth. She was placed in 14 di erent homes, some worse than the home she was taken from.

“While I was in foster care, I was placed with people who had problems with drugs, alcohol, and violence. At least one caregiver later became a convicted pedophile,” Ashley says. “One foster home had 16 kids, sharing

two bedrooms in a trailer. We were beaten, starved, locked outside, and subjected to horri c tortures.”

Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) guidelines dictate that no family should have more than ve foster kids, which begs the question, “Why was such blatant rule bending allowed?” Answer: too many kids and not enough host families.

Kids appear to be entering the system faster than they are “aging out.” According to a June 2023 DCF report, 22,599 child intakes were received, while 896 children/young adults exited out-of-home care.

So the state grants waivers . . . or caseworkers ignore safety guidelines, not out of disregard for the child, but because there’s no halfway house for kids awaiting placement. They need a place to sleep. Now.

Approximately 54% of kids removed due to neglect or abuse are placed in one of Florida’s 4,561 licensed homes. Around 40% are adopted by relatives. About 7% end up in a group home.

Few of the children reach their nal destination in a timely manner. In Florida, the median length of stay in foster care is 17.1 months. In Lake County, the median journey to permanency is 19.9 months.

Waiting a year-and-a-half for what DCF calls “permanence,” seems like a lifetime for a child in his/her formative years.

Especially when you’re being passed around like a football on a playground. That’s not what anyone wants.

DCF’s stated goal is “reuni cation,” which is understandable since child welfare experts stress that keeping biological families together is an iron-clad priority.

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of parents (37%) turn their lives around and earn another opportunity to raise their esh-and-blood.

Too often, returning a child to its family is the worst thing the state can do.

ASHLEY RHOADES-COURTER TODAY

ASHLEY WITH HER YOUNGER BROTHER, A FOSTER CHILD WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE AS AN ADULT.

ASHLEY (MIDDLE) THE DAY SHE WAS ADOPTED BY PHILIP AND GAY COURTER

Case-in-point: 9-year-old Jenica Randazzo, one of 20 children Ashley and her husband Erick Smith fostered. In February 2015, Jenica was beaten to death with a tire iron by the schizophrenic uncle she was placed with after living with Ashley.

That brutal murder came on the heels of a Miami Herald investigation that revealed that 477 children died because DCF left them in abusive homes.

That newspaper report got the attention of lawmakers in Tallahassee. Legislators unanimously mandated adding 270 additional child protective investigators to identify abusive and neglectful parents. Additionally, a critical response team was formed to ensure prompt interventions.

Gov. Rick Scott’s stated goal was to decrease caseloads, provide support for child welfare workers, and do everything possible to protect children.

The reforms made for good press but ended up clogging the child welfare machine. The number of foster homes caring for four or more kids nearly doubled between 2014 and 2018 as the system reached an all-time high of 24,000 kids – a 34% increase in ve years.

The problem of where to put all those kids led to tragic consequences.

An in-depth investigation by USA Today revealed that DCF and the 17 private agencies that manage the child welfare system across Florida “sent nearly 170 children to live in foster homes where the state had some evidence that abuse occurred.”

We won’t detail the shocking speci cs (Here’s the link if you want to be sick to your stomach: www.usatoday.com/storytelling/ orida-foster-care-abuse-tracker/), we can only ask how so many atrocities occurred?

For one, the screening process, while thorough, isn’t foolproof. And evil people are often adept at deceiving, as Ashley is well aware.

“These foster parents had the community fooled and even took foster parent training classes,” Ashley said

of the couple who punished children in their care by forcing then to drink hot sauce. “They were considered to be saintly for taking ‘kids that nobody else would.’ Behind the scenes, we were being terribly abused and neglected.”

Thankfully, such scenarios are the exception, not the rule. Most people who open their homes and hearts love children and want to make a di erence.

People like Leesburg resident Jamie Abbott.

“I’ve had about 31 foster children come through my house over the past 15 years. Of the 31, we’ve adopted three boys; all the others were either reuni ed or went with another family member,” says Jamie, president of the Fostering Faith Hope and Love association, which provides support and resources to 115 local foster families.

Jamie’s experience sounds idyllic, but each child was a challenge.

Fostering a child is extremely di cult, even when the kid doesn’t have mental, emotional, or physical problems. But most every child is damaged in some way, usually multiple ways.

In Lake County, 176 children were removed to foster care from October 2021 through September 2022, Consider the damage inflicted on those 176 children:

111

REMOVED FOR CARETAKER DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE

66 REMOVED FOR NEGLECT

18 REMOVED FOR ABANDONMENT

18 REMOVED DUE TO INADEQUATE HOUSING

16 REMOVED FOR PHYSICAL ABUSE

8 REMOVED BECAUSE OF CARETAKER INABILITY TO COPE

7 REMOVED FOR INCARCERATION

6 REMOVED DUE TO SEXUAL ABUSE

If you’re wondering why those numbers add up to more than 176, it’s because some children were removed for more than one reason.

Obviously, our mistreated youth need counseling as well as medical treatment.

Too often, they aren’t getting either.

Florida is hampered by “not enoughs.”

“There is such a shortage of homes and caseworkers that children fall through the cracks,” laments Ashley, who chronicled her foster care journey in her book Three Little Words.

According to Florida’s Children First, DCF needs to attract 1,300-1,500 new foster homes annually.

The caseworker situation is just as critical.

“The workforce is very low,” Jamie Abbott said. “The problem is that all these case workers are getting burnt out because their caseloads have doubled, which means they’re not going to be as e cient. They don’t make much, they’re getting burnt out, and they’re having parents complain to them. I don’t know where it goes from there.”

According to the Florida Institute for Child Welfare: 23% of child welfare workers left within 12 months on the job; 57% percent lasted less than 18 months; 81% percent left within threeand-a-half years.

The revolving door is being oiled by low pay. Florida has the second highest number of foster care workers in the nation, yet the Sunshine State ranks 49th in foster care workers pay.

A $40,000 salary isn’t chicken feed, but it’s obscenely low when you consider the crucial role caseworkers play.

“The average case worker is making like $20 an hour. That’s just not acceptable,” Jamie remarked. “They’re driving all over the place. And a child’s life depends on their notes, their documentation. If they don’t document properly, things can go wrong for that child when they really should have gone the other direction.”

needs to provide that,” says Geori Seldine, executive director of Florida’s Children First, an award-winning nonpro t organization that advocates for positive systemic changes to improve children’s lives.

“We need more funding. We need more funding for caseworkers, and judges, and then we have to make their salaries more bene cial to them,” Jamie says.

And more money for foster parents. The per child monthly stipend of $429-$515 (depending on the age of the child) DCF pays doesn’t go far enough in most households.

Florida is also short on child protection investigators (CPI), the people who determine if physical or sexual abuse has occurred. The state needs 1,623 CPIs, but 20% of the positions are vacant.

Central Florida is no exception. Only 362 of 409 child protection investigator positions are lled.

And the foster child su ers.

“Our kids aren’t going to say, ‘I don’t have a good case manager because they don’t get paid enough.’ They’re going say, ‘I haven’t heard from my case manager in a month and I need to speak with them.’ The number one thing kids tell us is, ‘I haven’t heard from my case manager.’ The system

“It’s not much. It’s like $517 a kid,” Jamie says. “But we have found that if they are not school age, probably half to three-fourths of the stipend is going to daycare. Most of these daycares are $165 to $175 a week. So you have to pay the di erence. So when you have a couple of kids in your home that adds up.”

By now, you’re probably shouting, “Overhaul the foster care system!” You may be surprised to learn that system has been overhauled; this is the reformed version.

Prior to 2000, child welfare services were administered by DCF, which was plagued by one scandal after another. Gov. Jeb Bush sold legislators on the idea of shifting oversight from DCF and giving it to 17 private, communitybased care (CBC) organizations aligned with Florida’s 20 judicial districts.

The result is a complex partnership between DCF, state agencies, the courts, law enforcement

THERE ARE 4,561 LICENSED FOSTER HOMES IN FLORIDA.

1,776 OF THOSE FOSTER HOME CARE FOR MORE THAN ONE CHILD.

THE ABBOTT FAMILY

agencies, service providers, and local communities.

Wildwood-based Kids Central Inc., which was formed in 2004 from a consortium of North Central Florida mental health, adoption, and child assistance organizations, serves Circuit 5, which is comprised of Lake, Sumter, Marion, Citrus, and Hernando counties.

So how well is Kids Central Inc. caring for the 1,600 children in crisis daily in Circuit 5? Better than some CBCs, not as well as others. In the third quarter of 2023, Kids Central Inc. met state targets in ve of 12 categories.

On the plus side, Kids Central Inc.:

• Was the only CBC in the state to meet the national standard (90.90%) of children with no recurrence of verified maltreatment within 12 months, 2017-July 2022;

• Ranked 3rd among state CBCs in lowest instances of abuse in out-of-home care;

• Ranked 4th in siblings all being placed together (63.05%)

On the flip side, Kids Central Inc.:

• Ranked 18th in the state in children in care 12-23 months achieving permanency within 12 months (37.05%);

• Ranked 17th in children receiving dental services (61.62%) and medical services (77.59%)

• Ranked 16th in children under supervision being seen every 30 days (98.45%)

Florida allocates $2.8 billion to DCF, yet the child welfare system

is obviously struggling. And there is no clear x, no magic bullet. But progress is being made.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ADOPTING A FOSTER CHILD?

For one thing, decision makers at the highest level are nally listening to the kids who actually lived in the system who are represented by Florida Youth SHINE, a youthdriven, peer-led organization that empowers current and former foster youth to become advocates for all youth in care.

“They’ve been ghting for ve years to ensure that young people are educated about the laws and policies in place in Florida. The legislation was just signed, e ective as of July 1st,” Seldine says. “Now it will be required for young people to be advocated about the law and resources in ways to protect Florida youth . . . That was the most pressing thing on their wish list. The people we are ghting for weren’t at the table. Now they are.”

All things considered, everyone wants the same thing – an e cient system where children are placed in the proper place, whether it be back with their parents, relatives, a nurturing foster family, an adoptive family.

No matter what the scenario, the goal is to prepare children for life as an adult, to make sure they are standing on their own two feet when they age out.

That’s certainly true in Eustis, where the non-pro t organization Forward Paths opened two homes for 27 young adults who have aged out of the system.

Lawmakers have shown they are listening by passing significant legislation in recent yeras. A few examples:

• SB 204 created a task force to monitor children in out-of-home care;

• SB 272 requires case managers and others to educate children about laws and regulation on key topics;

• HB 1577 allows oncampus liasions for youths experiencing homelessness so that they can have more success being college students.

“We began renovation of one or two homes on property through the generosity of First United Methodist of Eustis. We’ve completed site plans for 10 small homes to be built on the same property,” says Denise Burry, who credits local contractor Joe Ziler with spearheading the project.

Little by little, Florida seems to be making progress in improving outcomes for foster children. But those on the front lines say that little gains aren’t enough.

“This ship is not going to be turned,” Jamie says. “You can ght all you want, but without help from higher up – way higher than DCF – it’s a big battle to turn the ship. It really needs to come from higher up, like the governor. The system needs xed and we have a lot of frustrated foster families right now because they’re just not getting the resources they need. So many foster families have said, ‘Once this child leaves, I’m closing.’ It’s hard to stay positive, but you have to stay positive.”

PRIVATE DUTY CARE OFFERS

PEACE OF MIND AND ASSISTANCE

WHEN AND WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST

SOONER OR LATER WE ALL NEED A HELPING HAND

This may come when you’re discharged after surgery or an illness that requires hospitalization. It can also happen simply as ageing makes it more challenging to do some of the tasks we always took for granted—with both personal care and around the home.

Where do you turn when you need that extra help?

Some of us have family members living close by who are able to help. But for many people, this isn’t a realistic option. They may not have family, or if they do, they’re out of state.

This reality is front of mind for the women at the

LAKE COUNTY CONNECTIONS

The women of Lake Centre Home Care have a passion for helping our older population. These Florida natives have called this area home for a lifetime and are dedicated members of our community.

Shayna Grunewald’s leadership as CEO of Lake Centre Home Care since 2017 has guided the agency

than 200 patients every month. A third-generation Floridian, Shayna is a Lake County native.

Lori Davis spent 28 years in the financial services industry, which fully prepared her to take on the role of COO of Lake Centre Home Care. A Lake County native, Lori is a second-generation Floridian

helm of locally owned and -operated Lake Centre Home Care in Leesburg.

Shayna Grunewald, Lori Davis, and Andrea Smart have made it their mission to maintain a patient-centered approach while delivering the highest standards of care.

Andrea Smart brought 21 years of experience in home health and private duty care when she joined Lake Centre Home Care in March 2022 to help open the Private Duty division. A Florida native, Andrea grew up in Sumter County.

Lake Centre Home Care offers a full range of

“WE SAW A VOID THAT NEEDED TO BE FILLED, AND IT JUST MADE SENSE FOR US TO TAKE THIS STEP AND OPEN THE PRIVATE DUTY ASPECT.”

SHAYNA

GRUNEWALD

ANDREA SMART

LORI DAVIS

Lake Centre Home Care’s licensed health professionals include registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and physical, occupational, & speech therapists.

SKILLED SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Home health aides

• Skilled nursing

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech therapy

There are times when skilled nursing care is essential, even when the client is not in a

There are times when skilled nursing care is essential, even when the client is not in a health care facility.

Lake Centre Home Care’s staff are fully equipped to provide these services in the client’s own home, including post-surgical management, wound care, cardiac care, intravenous therapy, and much more, including managing disease and medication.

and medication. is skilled

When additional personal care is needed in conjunction with skilled nursing, a home health aide (HHA) provides this help.

Sometimes a client needs a combination of both skilled and private duty services for a period of time.

FINDING HELP IN TIME

As often happens, it was a cascade of issues that led Joni W. and her siblings to contact Lake Centre Home Care.

Care.

daily care on a regular basis. Nor could they get there quickly in an emergency.

In May 2023, the family realized outside care was a necessity.

Although she knows more care may become necessary in the future, at this point private duty care is perfect.

“Our parents are 84. They had started to fall a lot and there was a time they both had problems at the same time,” says Joni. “Dad has dementia, and our mother had a stroke and cracked a vertebra when she fell, so she needed physical therapy.”

so she needed physical therapy.”

Even though two of Joni’s siblings reside in Florida, they are still working and don't live nearby. This makes it impossible to be

Even though two of Joni’s siblings reside in Florida, they are still working and don't live nearby. This makes it impossible to be at their parents’ home to help with their

after ended up in the hospital at the same time.

“Lake Centre Home Care came through for us in a crunch after both my parents ended up in the hospital at the same time. We needed full care after they got out of the hospital,” says Joni.

While they had used a private nurse in the past and really liked the individual, there was no one to replace her if she had a family crisis or got sick.

the hospital,” says Joni. While they had used a private nurse in the past and really liked the individual, there was no one to replace her if she had a family crisis or got sick.

Choosing Lake Centre Home Care relieved Joni of any worry about caregivers not being available whenever they are needed.

Right after their release from the hospital, her parents needed skilled care.

needed skilled care.

“Now we’re down to just private duty care every day for five hours,” says Joni.

for says Joni.

“It’s a big relief for us and has taken a lot of stress and anxiety off our plate because I’m out of state and both my sisters still work,” says Joni. “It’s very comforting knowing someone is there making sure our parents are eating right, taking their meds, and are supervised with bathing.”

and

sisters still work,” says Joni. “It’s very comforting knowing someone is there making sure our parents are eating right, taking their meds, and are supervised with bathing.” a

Joni and her siblings opted for Lake Centre Home Care because of reliability and how the business is set up. Joni emphasized that it was very important to have complete trust in the quality of caregivers.

“It’s been a godsend,” she says. “We’ve worried and worried about this for a while. Our parents want to be together and refuse to go to assisted living. Now that they’ve gotten used to people coming, they are very happy. They’re in their home and still feel like they have freedom.”

“LAKE CENTRE HOME CARE CAME THROUGH FOR US IN A CRUNCH AFTER BOTH MY PARENTS ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL AT THE SAME TIME. WE NEEDED FULL CARE AFTER THEY GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.”

As Joni and her siblings discovered, using one agency to fill both the skilled nursing and private duty care needs of their parents was the ideal solution.

Many times, a client doesn’t need skilled nursing services permanently, but still requires assistance with everyday activities. That’s when private duty care comes into play.

Lake Centre Home Care expanded their services to offer private duty non-skilled care early in 2022. The need was strong, and they were compelled to fill it.

“We found every time we had a patient seeing one of our nurses or therapists, they were asking about additional care after recovery if they still needed some level of care,” says Lori. “We saw a void that needed to be filled, and it just made sense for us to take this step and open the private duty aspect.”

Unlike skilled nursing care, private duty non-skilled services do not require a physician’s referral.

PRIVATE DUTY SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Personal care

• Transportation

• Homemaking

• Companionship

Private Duty Home Care includes a variety of non-skilled services provided to you or a loved one in the comfort of your/their own home by a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Home Health Aide (HHA) or Companion with the oversight of a Registered Nurse.

You may be wondering if you or a loved one could benefit from private duty home care but aren’t sure just what is covered.

A wide range of services are provided. Some of these services include assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting or brief changes, transfers, and ambulation. Services also include light housekeeping, taking out the trash, meal preparation (includes assisting with feeding, if necessary), and medication reminders.

Private duty is especially helpful for those who aren’t driving themselves and need transportation. The caregiver can drive you to medical appointments, as well as to other

locations, such as the barber shop or the beauty shop to get your hair or nails done, and also to church services.

If you need assistance with grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions, consider it done.

Maybe it’s gotten harder for you to make the bed, change linens or keep up with laundry. Your home health aide can take care of this, in addition to helping with pet care, tidying up the home and getting meals ready.

Sometimes we just need companionship and private duty addresses this beautifully. Going for walks or reading together, assisting with hobbies, playing cards, board games or working puzzles can all be part of the schedule.

As Lori points out, it can be extremely reassuring to the son or daughter who lives out of state or several hours away to know that their loved one here is being checked in on and helped with their everyday needs.

For private duty care, there is a minimum of four hours a day, up to 24 hours.

But what if you don’t need that much assistance?

Private Duty is not covered by most insurances; however, some Long-Term Care insurances have policies that cover a percentage of the costs. For those without Long-Term Care policies, it is an out-ofpocket private pay expense.

The good news is that private duty care is more affordable than people think.

“We do work with patients who have long-term care policies that cover this sort of care who need help submitting their claims. This way they don’t have to worry about the paperwork,” notes Lori.

“We offer a ‘bath program’ for a flat fee for people who don’t need four hours of private duty care. This is when we send an aide or CNA who helps them get out of bed, bathed, dressed, have breakfast, and get ready for the day,” says Andrea.

caregiver assists in many six hours, but when I need more 040 / LAKEANDSUMTER STYLE .COM OCT'23

a day. Because Lake Center doesn’t use an answering service, all calls are answered by staff answers and arrange for

but with unsatisfactory results.

When caregivers are in your home, or your loved one’s home on a regular basis, it’s crucial that you can rely on the agency you’re using to send trustworthy, capable individuals.

Clients give Lake Centre Home Care high scores in this

Unlike some agencies that use contract help, all the nurses, caregivers, and aides at Lake Centre Home Care are employees. The agency hires the very best individuals to meet their clients’ needs.

“Confidence in our staff's ability to care for our clients is one of our top priorities,” says Andrea.

“All of our employes are CNAs or HHAs and are employed by Lake Centre Home Care, which is a drug-free workplace.

There are no contracted staff,” she explains.

All employees are required to pass a

Level 2 FBI fingerprint background check, have a valid driver's license, know CPR, pass a National Sex Offender search, and pass at least two reference checks. A Florida Board of Nursing license verification is required for CNAs and a 75-hour HHA certification is required for all HHAs, as is annual training.

These stringent requirements ensure that every Lake Centre Home Care employee is qualified to fulfill their duties. It also means they have clean driving records, which is reassuring when clients rely on them for transportation to medical appointments and running errands.

“Our staff are well trained and qualified to do hands-on care for every patient, no matter what kind of needs they have. They’re compassionate, caring and dedicated,” says Andrea.

“People who do this work have a calling to do it. It takes a special

GETTING STARTED

If you feel that you or a loved one need extra care, call today to learn how Lake Centre Home Care can provide the services you require—whatever that may be.

Many questions can be answered over the phone during that first call. You can also arrange for Lake Centre Home Care to send someone to your home to bring information and discuss their services in person.

Once you’ve decided what services you want, there is no delay.

“If you know you’re ready to go ahead and set up services, we set a date for the RN to go out and do the start-of-care paperwork,” says Andrea.

For this initial visit, the agency sends an RN to your home to do an assessment and create a care plan. There’s no charge for this courtesy visit. People often have an idea of what is needed, but at the nurse’s visit, this can be clarified exactly to determine what is needed and a scheduled is then created.

“We don’t do any contracts like some

person to be a caregiver. Not everybody can do this, and we know that,” says Lori. “When we hire staff, we identify the people who are gifted for this. You can tell who is called to do this.”

Lake Centre Home Care is accredited, licensed, and bonded. The agency is also accredited through ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care) which is a national commission. ACHC has become synonymous with value, integrity, and the industry’s best customer service.

To achieve this accreditation, the agency is held to a higher standard than that required by the state. It reflects dedication and commitment to meeting standards that demonstrate a higher level of performance and patient care.

For clients, this provides assurance and peace of mind, in addition to top quality care.

other agencies, so when you need us, we’re there,” says Andrea. “It can be one day a week, once a month, or seven days a week. It’s totally up to the patients’ needs.

How soon can you expect to set up a care schedule?

“We usually just need 24 hours’ notice to start services,” notes Andrea.

“You can get in touch with someone 24/7. Your call doesn’t go to an answering service. You will actually reach a person from our agency,” assures Andrea. “We always have someone on call for both skilled and private duty care.”

“OUR STAFF ARE WELL TRAINED AND QUALIFIED TO DO HANDS-ON CARE FOR EVERY PATIENT, NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF NEEDS THEY HAVE. THEY’RE COMPASSIONATE, CARING AND DEDICATED.”

THE UGLY TRUTH

Eyes

nyone can fall prey to human tra cking. That harsh reality nearly destroyed Umatilla resident Savannah Parvu, who was 11 years old when her drug-addicted mother traded her for a $10 rock of crack. For two years, Savannah was sold and exploited.

At age 13, after witnessing her parents’ suicide attempts, she entered foster care. But she still wasn’t cared for. Her exploitation persisted. Tra cking connections existed within the very system that was supposed to protect her.

Despite facing further challenges, she eventually sought counseling, recognized herself as a tra cking survivor, and became a key advocate against human tra cking.

“What people don’t understand is that tra cking doesn’t look the same here as it does overseas,” Savannah says. “I didn’t know any di erent and no one ever talked about it.”

Savannah knows rst-hand that human tra cking is a grave violation of human rights that strips victims of their freedom and dignity.

trafficking

It is one of the most deplorable crimes against humanity.

Savannah transforms her trauma into advocacy as a champion for policy change and awareness after being appointed to the Florida Alliance to End Human Tra cking board of directors by the Florida attorney general.

Sadly, Savannah is not Lake County’s only victim.

According to the Lake County Sheri ’s O ce (LCSO) Human Tra cking Task Force, Lake County averages 25 to 50 reported cases each year.

“Reported” is the key word. How many cases go unreported?

“It’s the fastest growing industry,” LCSO Detective Deanna Cameron says. “There’s no overhead, no investment. With guns and drugs, you can only sell them once. But with a human, you can sell them over and over again and it goes relatively unnoticed.”

It’s time to expose these ugly truths and get people the help they need.

Contrary to popular belief, tra ckers rarely rely on physical violence to capture their victims.

Instead, they weaponize psychological tactics, such as deception and manipulation. Victims are often baited with false promises that lead them into situations where they lose control over their fate.

Women are frequently targeted for domestic labor and coerced participation in the commercial sex industry. In contrast, men often su er forced labor under brutal conditions. Heartbreakingly, children and young adults, sometimes betrayed by their own families, become ensnared in child sex tra cking.

Those with unstable homes, economic hardships, or health issues, are especially vulnerable.

The National Human Tra cking Hotline’s records underscore the indiscriminate nature of this crime. The average age for a victim’s rst commercial sex exploitation stands between 12 and 14 years. Some victims were as young as 9.

Florida’s human tra cking statistics are also alarming. The state ranks third in the U.S. for human tra cking incidents, and a signi cant number of cases involve minors.

wide open . . . human

abounds all around us.

STORY AND PHOTO: CINDY PETERSON

IDENTIFYING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Florida is combatting this crime with a task force partnership comprised of law enforcement, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and various non-governmental organizations.

“We work with a lot of local organizations on training people what exactly to look for,” Deanna says. “Signs are di erent depending on if it’s a child or adult. And tra cked for labor is even more di cult to pinpoint. So you have to know what to look for.”

Tra cking isn’t always about a child being taken from one location to

another. In many situations, victims are tra cked locally. Events like sports and conferences become hotbeds for such activities.

And tra ckers aren’t always shadowy, unfamiliar gures. Many victims are exploited by family members.

In fact, in Deanna’s ve years on the Lake County force, every con rmed child tra cking case was by a family member or close friend.

Task force members aren’t the only ones making a di erence locally.

Carolyn Goad Pankalla, founder of Courageous and Free, is on a mission to establish an emergency shelter for girls who have been tra cked, forced

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR:

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

Victim appears fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid.

Victim exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior when law enforcement is mentioned.

Victim avoids eye contact, appears hesitant to speak or is constantly monitored.

Victim does not self-identify as a victim or ask for help.

Child victims may be with an adult who isn’t a guardian and seems to control their every movement.

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

Victim has unexplained injuries, signs of physical abuse or torture.

They might bear signs of “soft branding,” like specific jewelry or tattoos, indicating ownership by a trafficker.

Signs of malnourishment or poor physical health.

CONTROL AND COERCION

They’re not free to come and go as they wish.

They have no passport, identification, or other travel or immigration documents.

Victim is often watched and/or followed, or has someone else who insists on translating or speaking for them.

They owe a large debt and are unable to clarify repayment terms.

LIVING CONDITIONS

They live in unsuitable conditions, often in cramped spaces or with multiple people. They live and work in the same place. They are not allowed to speak about their living conditions and may not have knowledge of the city or region they’re in.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Their earnings are taken by someone else. They work excessively long and/or unusual hours.

They are not allowed to keep their earnings or are only given a small allowance.

Signs of high security at their workplace, such as boarded-up windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.

AGE AND RELATIONSHIP DISCREPANCIES

Inconsistencies in their stated age or date of birth.

Their romantic partner is noticeably older (power imbalance).

They reference traveling to other cities or states where they have “clients.”

LIMITED FREEDOM OR MOVEMENT

They’re not allowed to socialize or attend activities, including religious services. They can’t speak for themselves, their activities are restricted, and they have set routines.

into prostitution, or have aged out of the foster care system, a circumstance that makes them more at risk for tra cking.

“We bring our anti-tra cking ght to anyone who will listen,” says Carolyn, who has been visiting organizations and businesses around the county to conduct training on how to identify victims. “What human tra cking really is and what it looks like because people really don’t know. So many think it’s when kids are taken, but that only equates to about ve to 10 percent of cases. Sixty percent are groomed through social media and gaming. The majority are tra cked within their own community.”

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ISOLATION

They have little or no personal possessions. They seem disconnected from their family, friends, or community.

They’re not aware of local events, establishments, or their current location.

CONTRADICTORY STORIES

Their personal narrative or history seems scripted, rehearsed, or inconsistent.

They are unable to clarify details of their address or provide specifics about their daily routines.

FEAR OF AUTHORITIES:

They are fearful of law enforcement or authorities, possibly due to trafficker’s manipulation.

They believe they will be penalized or deported.

HOW TO REPORT

If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of human tra cking, call the National Human Tra cking Hotline at 1.888.373.7888. Suspect a child is a victim? Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1.800.96ABUSE. While some of the indicators on the previous page may not turn out to be actual tra cking cases, Deanna says she would rather investigate a thousand cases that are nothing than miss one that is.

20,415 SIGNALS SINCE INCEPTION OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE

16,605 HOTLINE CALLS

1,942 SMS REPORTS

1,235 ONLINE REPORTS 410 EMAILS RECEIVED

223 WEB CHATS

6,168 CASES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND 15,063 VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN THESE CASES SINCE INCEPTION OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE

SAVANNAH KNOWS FIRST-HAND THAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A GRAVE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS THAT STRIPS VICTIMS OF THEIR FREEDOM AND DIGNITY.

*Savannah’s full story can be found in this month’s issue of Healthy Living.

LAKE COUNTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING SHELTERS AND PREVENTION ORGANIZATIONS

Christian Care Center 115 N. 13th St. Leesburg, FL 34748

Phone: 352.314.8733

Email: bill@christiancarecenter.org

Find, Feed & Restore 830 W. Montrose St. Clermont, FL 34711

Phone: 352.617.8484

Email: Info@ ndfeedrestore.com

Haven Of Lake And Sumter Counties

2600 South St. Leesburg, FL 34748

Phone: 352.787.5889

Email: havenlscnty@aol.com

RED APPLES MEDIA makes ‘WHEELIE’ BIG COMMITMENT

STORY: CYNTHIA MCFARLAND ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

hen it comes to rites of passage, learning to ride a bike is a significant accomplishment in a child’s life. At least that was the case in the 1950s and ’60s. Not so much today.

In 2008, only 27.7 percent of U.S. kids ages 6-12 regularly rode bikes. Unfortunately, that number dropped to 17 percent by 2020.

Screen time, however, has markedly increased among American youth. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that children ages 8-12 average four to six hours daily in front of a screen.

Pandemic lockdowns also negatively impacted children across the country. Even kids who didn’t get sick missed out on physical activity, spending time with friends and maintaining normal routines.

Marc Robertz-Schwartz, president and founder of Leesburg video production and marketing company Red Apples Media, grew up in the era when every kid had a bike. Today, he’s doing his best to introduce today’s youth to the joys of the two-wheeler.

On April 17, 2023, he came across a newspaper article on All Kids Bike®, which teaches

bikes in kindergarten PE classes. Launched in 2018, the national program was created by the Strider Education Foundation and partnered with Strider® Bikes.

“One reason this resonated with me is that one of the most challenging times for me was teaching my daughter Cadi (Acadia) to ride a bicycle. She was around 4 when we first started teaching her,” Marc says.

Today, Cadi, a graduate of Lake County schools, is currently a senior at the University of Florida, and Marc and wife Nanci remain committed to educating children.

Marc is a board member of the Education Foundation of Lake County, which connects the community with public education and secures resources “to enhance the quality of education.”

The more Marc learned about All Kids Bike®, the more he believed the program should be a reality in his town.

“As a local business, we know there’s direct correlation when it comes to the quality of schools, and the impact it has on the community and developing future leaders,” he notes.

As an active member of the Leesburg Area Chamber of

“It was a sobering reality check to learn that many of these second graders didn’t know how to ride a bike,” he says. Marc has faith that the All Kids Bike® program will change that.

“As a local business, we know there’s direct correlation when it comes to the quality of schools, and the impact it has on the community and developing future leaders.”

—MARC

Superintendent of Lake County Schools Diane Kornegay, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Lake County Carman Cullen-Batt, President and Founder of Red Apples Media Marc Robertz-Schwartz, Principal Susan Jordan and Coach Wayne Watkins

ALL KIDS BIKE®

Although the cost of the All Kids Bike® Kindergarten PE Program is underwritten by the Strider Education Foundation, it requires local support through donations from individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies.

Once a school administration applies for All Kids Bike®, the program is purchased through donor funds and/or school fundraisers.

Physical education teachers at participating schools then undergo training for program certification. After their training, bikes and helmets are shipped to the school.

The All Kids Bike® Kindergarten PE Program includes eight lessons, starting with learning how to walk a bike and gain balance. After the teacher converts the bikes to pedal mode, kids are soon riding. Training wheels aren’t part of the process.

As of late 2022, All Kids Bike® Kindergarten PE Programs existed in all 50 states, with more than 100,000 students impacted annually.

Across the country, there are now 1,014 schools teaching kids to ride through the program, with 566,375 students projected to learn to ride in the next five years.

LOCAL IMPACT

The majority of the investment for the program in Leesburg was carried by Red Apples Media and the Education Foundation of Lake County. The Lake County School District also donated.

Red Apples Media contributed $2,500 per school for three Leesburg elementaries: Leesburg, Rimes, and Beverly Shores.

The Education Foundation matched those amounts, and the Lake County School District contributed the final $1,000 per school, for a total investment of $6,000 per school.

“The $6,000 per school covers 24 bikes, helmets, and the certification course for the designated PE teachers to take. The bikes then belong to the school. As long as they take care of the equipment, they should get several years out of this,” Marc says.

“I fully expect there will be other elementary schools across Lake County that will want this. We had to start somewhere, and these schools are in the backyard of where our business is located,” he says.

Red Apples Media created logos and stickers, which were applied to the helmets and delivered to the schools. The bikes were delivered in late August.

The local program was aptly named “Red Apples Riders.”

MAKING IT HAPPEN

“When the idea of having the All Kids Bike® program was presented by Marc at a meeting of the Education Foundation board of directors a few months ago, I was immediately excited by the possibility of bringing the program to our schools,” says Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay.

“Learning how to ride a bike safely is an opportunity that no child should be without. We are always looking for innovative ways to make school exciting and fun for every student. This program certainly does just that,” she adds.

All Kids Bike® stirred memories of a similar program Diane participated in during her own elementary school years.

“I fondly remember riding my bike around the obstacle course of orange cones set up in the school parking lot and how it felt to successfully complete each task,” she recalls.

“This program is an example of how schools are providing fun and engaging lessons to increase student engagement and self-confidence

The broad smiles on students’ faces as they pedal around the courses are proof that the All Kids Bike® program is a success.

Rhys Williams, Landen Hudson, Avery Byerley, Kameon Dugazon, Zayla Jackson, Britain Warren and Coach Wayne Watkins.

while giving our children an important skill that will bene t them for a lifetime,” Diane says.

In addition to learning to ride, students also learn the importance of bicycle safety.

“I suspect that absenteeism will not be a problem on bicycle class days because it is something no child will want to miss,” Diane says.

JOINT EFFORT

“We speci cally selected neighborhood schools with a higher population of at-risk students,” notes Education Foundation of Lake County Executive Director Carman Cullen-Batt. “We anticipate that the program will stimulate attendance rates. Safety is a priority on all fronts for our students, so the program touched on multiple areas of our funding criteria.”

Attendance data and the number of students who successfully participate will be used to evaluate program e ectiveness.

“The bikes we have purchased have an anticipated life span of ve years. If the data shows the program to be successful, the board of directors could potentially fund additional schools,” Carman adds.

“Our school has been very fortunate to be on the receiving end of a community who wants to support our students,” says Susan Jordan, principal of Leesburg Elementary Leadership Academy, where all 133 kindergarteners have the opportunity to participate in the program.

“We have funds to take care of the educational needs of our students, but we do not have funds to incentivize them for coming to school or reward them for their hard work and e orts. These funds come from constant fundraising or donations,” Susan explains. “If our students can associate school with enjoyable and memorable activities like learning to ride a bicycle, then they are more likely to have a positive attitude toward school and, consequently, better attendance.”

“Students love riding bicycles, and I think we all know what that sense of freedom and independence feels like when you are on a bike. If we can marry that excitement with coming to school to learn, then that’s one more skill we can teach that our students will carry with them the rest of their lives,” Susan says.

To better understand the program, Susan completed the All Kids Bike® training certi cation along with her school’s P.E. teacher and two P.E. teacher assistants.

LOOKING AHEAD

“Thanks to sponsors such as Red Apples Media and the Education Foundation of Lake County, we are able to get the program started at three elementary schools,” says Diane Kornegay.

Expanding the program into the future would require additional funding. To that end, the county welcomes the support of other organizations and local individuals who are interested in starting a program in their schools.

“It’s my hope to inspire other area businesses to help put the program in all Lake County elementary schools,” notes Marc Robertz-Schwartz. “If this is a catalyst for other small businesses to jump on board, wouldn’t that be an awesome problem to have?”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The broad smiles on students’ faces as they pedal around the courses are proof that the All Kids Bike® program is a success.

Susan Jordan, principal of Leesburg Elementary Leadership Academy, points out that learning to ride a bicycle helps boost students’ con dence and self-esteem, fosters social interaction with their peers, increases problem-solving skills and helps relieve stress and anxiety that may come along with academic pressures.

“As students come home from school and parents ask what they learned today, they can go outside and demonstrate what they have learned,” she adds.

“For our families, this can help promote quality bonding time through shared activities, help create joyful memories together, and also promote healthy lifestyle choices for parents and siblings.”

The All Kids Bike® Kindergarten PE Program includes eight lessons, starting with learning how to walk a bike and gain balance.

After the teacher converts the bikes to pedal mode, kids are soon riding. Training wheels aren’t part of the process.

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Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) has built a national reputation for providing world-class cancer care in community settings. From genetic screening to immunotherapies and access to the latest clinical trials, our top-ranked cancer experts provide the most advanced treatments available — increasing cure rates and extending lives.

Supporting patients and families through every step of their cancer journey

Despite rapid advancements, cancer treatment can be complex and span months and years. That’s why it’s so important for patients to have convenient access to the comprehensive care they need in a single location, close to home and loved ones, without the need to drive long distances or travel out of state.

At FCS, every interaction is focused on each patient’s experience and well-being, minimizing disruption to daily life. Newly diagnosed cancer patients are seen within 48 to 72 hours of referral. Beginning with your first appointment through your last round of targeted treatment and survivorship, our dedicated team will provide expert guidance and support.

At the forefront of science and research

FCS’s physicians and patients are part of leading-edge cancer innovations and discoveries through participation in clinical trials. In fact, the majority of new cancer drugs approved for use in the U.S. in recent years were studied in clinical trials with FCS participation prior to approval. No other community-based oncology practice in Florida matches the clinical trial opportunities we make available to patients close to home.

Embracing innovation to deliver truly personalized care

FCS’s in-house pathology laboratory provides cutting-edge clinical next-generation genomic testing that can rapidly detect mutations in hundreds of different genes simultaneously. Physicians are able to personalize treatments based on each patient’s unique genetic makeup and provide the best matches for clinical trial opportunities.

With access to 99% of all oral oncology drugs on the market, Rx To Go, our in-house specialty pharmacy, provides convenient and timely home delivery of medications and 24/7 patient support.

Leading the transition of oncology care reimbursement

FCS continues to advance and receive recognition for initiatives that are helping to contain soaring healthcare costs and improve clinical quality and performance accountability. We consistently outpace industry targets and benchmarks for quality and value.

Experienced doctors you can trust to treat your unique cancer

In Lake and Sumter Counties, 18 board-certified hematologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, and an expert team of clinical and support staff, deliver exceptional and compassionate care for all forms of cancers and blood disorders.

Providing care at eight locations in Lake and

FL 32778 | (352) 343-1117

1503 Buenos Aires Blvd., Bldg. 140, The Villages, FL 32159 | (352) 750-5105

1400 U.S. Hwy. 441 N., Bldg. 500, Ste. 540, The Villages, FL 32159 | (352) 753-9777

1400 U.S. Hwy. 441 N., Bldg. 920, Ste. 924, The Villages, FL 32159 | (352) 633-8319

Learn more or schedule a consultation today: FLCancer.com

Our Services*

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Palliative Care

Radiation Oncology

Radiology

In a younger face, we typically see the heart-shape or V-shape look of youth. With age, gravity, and loss of skin elasticity, we can observe the stigmata of old age: nasolabial and marionette lines, jowl formation, and a turkey gobbler neck.

We can reestablish that heart-shaped look of youth with Face and Neck Lift with Smartlipo. This procedure combines a face and neck lift with laser liposuction along the jawline and neck using Smartlipo technology.

In a younger face, we typically see the heart-shape or V-shape look of youth. With age, gravity, and loss of skin elasticity, we can observe the stigmata of old age: nasolabial and marionette lines, jowl formation, and a turkey gobbler neck.

With today’s modern technology, you can truly look on the outside the way you feel on the inside. Call for your free consultation with Dr. Serra to find out if Face and Neck Lift with Smartlipo is right for A New You!

We can reestablish that heart-shaped look of youth with Face and Neck Lift with Smartlipo. This procedure combines a face and neck lift with laser liposuction along the jawline and neck using Smartlipo technology. With today’s modern technology, you can truly look on the outside the way you feel on the inside. Call for your free consultation with Dr. Serra to find out if Face and Neck Lift with Smartlipo is right for A New You!

RETIRE IN S T Y L E

Whether it’s exceptional dining in our signature eateries, special events, or personalized care you’re seeking, our luxury senior living community allows you to thrive.

This is HarborChase. Come celebrate with us.

VILLAGES CROSSING

SCAN TO EXPERIENCE HARBORCHASE

Readers Writers RAISING AND

Local organization combats children’s illiteracy.

PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

Foundation, a Clermont-based promotes children’s literacy.

Noah became an author after winning a writing competition sponsored by the organization’s

Sarah writes the beginning and ending of a book, and students use their writing skills and imaginations to ll in the middle. She publishes the winning book through Amazon.

book can be purchased on websites such as Amazon and Goodreads.

Of course, the most important aspect of the competition is encouraging students like Noah to embrace writing.

“I’d like to write some books

The 12-year-old student at The Villages Charter School is a published author.

“I spent three to four months writing the book,” Noah says. “It was a fun experience because I had never really written a book before; I had only written paragraphs. When I told my friends at school that I had a published book, they were amazed.”

For Noah, this incredible opportunity was made possible by the Sarah Tirri Children’s

“For children, writing can help them feel happier, more con dent, and relaxed,” Sarah says. “Writing also helps inspire their creativity and helps them express their thoughts and feelings. That’s why I launched this new writing competition.”

She provides plenty of incentives. Noah was awarded $500 for winning the competition and will receive 50 percent of royalties. The other 50 percent goes toward the foundation. Noah also has a nationwide audience since his

sleeping in Travis the Tent, the Her books have been converted to e-books and audio picture books. Ideally, she hopes parents will read

“When you read books to your she says. “It helps them develop language and listening skills and the written word. It is easy for a child to slip through the net in the classroom. And if it’s not backed up at home with a parent reading, a child may fall a year behind. At parents have the time or will to

read to their children. With that in mind, she hopes to distribute her books to area schools. Another ambitious goal is pairing underprivileged children with reading devices like Kindle or iPad.

“Electronic learning is the wave of the future and something that is undeniably happening now,” she says. “We want children to grow, flourish, and be happy. There are a lot of spokes on the wheel that contribute to that, but reading is a big one.”

Meanwhile, Sarah is preparing for the organization’s second writing competition, which is open through December 31, by distributing informational fliers. Each flier has a scan code that takes students straight to the competition website and walks them through the process of writing. The winner will be announced in January.

Sarah hopes the next winner is as creatively gifted as Noah. “There’s nothing like creating a story to set children’s imaginations free,” Sarah says. “I certainly saw that with Noah. His imagination was great. There was a charm to his story that I liked, and how he described the setting was fantastic. He’s like an old man in a child’s body. When I met him, I was amazed by his confidence.”

Certainly, Noah has wowed plenty of others since becoming a published author.

“My teachers, friends, and classmates have asked me for autographed copies of the book,” Noah says.

Publishers are always on the lookout for their next hit. Thanks to the Sarah Tirri Children’s Foundation, they might just find a bestseller from someone still in grade school.

WHEN YOU READ BOOKS TO YOUR CHILDREN, YOU STIMULATE THEIR AND EXPAND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD.

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Theresa Morris

Broker/Owner

352.360.3736

Theresa@MorrisRealtors.com

Theresa sells a property every 29 working hours!

HOTPROPERTY

FURNISHED TURN KEY….MOVE IN READY! Unit has had exterior fronts/sides remodeled to include new roof, siding, windows, doors and balconies!! Great room with beamed vaulted ceiling & wood burning fireplace that has never been used! Separate dining area with triple sliding doors open to “Sun Room” Den entertainment area! Master bedroom with double wall closets and views of the golf course! Master bath with tub/shower combo with glass door remodeled to include raised vanity with “granite look” cultured marble counters and new lighting. Oversized bedroom 2. Separate exterior door entrance to bedroom 2! MLS# G5065883 // $143,900.

“UNMATCHED ELEGANCE” WITH GOLF COURSE & LAKEVIEWS! Discover this remarkable residence where security and tranquility converge in this 24/7 manned guard-gated community. This distinctive end-unit townhome on a tranquil cul-de-sac is a “maintenance free” Fully remodeled home with upgrades, revitalized interiors, and thoughtful redesigns. Enter through the courtyard, guided by an elegant iron gate. A foyer leads to the Great Room, crowned by tray ceilings adorned with crown molding, and a bespoke wet bar that escorts you to the sunroom. Formal dining with custom storage and shelving. A remodeled kitchen boasts an abundance of cabinets, fresh granite countertops, and a suite of “Energy Star” appliances plus built-in microwave. Pendant lights grace the snack bar, opening to an expansive breakfast nook. Master Suite, crowned by a vaulted ceiling, o ers a private courtyard retreat also accessible through an external iron gate. Master bathroom featuring a walk-in closet and a separate mirrored wall closet. Enjoy the freestanding tub or refresh in the raised vanity with dual vessel sinks. The walk-in shower boasts a rain showerhead and body jets! New flooring graces the bathrooms and kitchen, with every corner illuminated by fresh lighting, fixtures, and fans. Bedroom 2 and 3 share access through dual pocket doors, enjoying the remodeled guest bath. Revel in a contemporary circular shower with a rain head and body jets, with the raised vanity. Whole-house water filtration and upgraded electrical work from 2021, along with new window screens. The garage features a new door from 2020 and an added keypad entry for the golf cart space. The HOA includes exterior maintenance, roof repairs, lawn water irrigation, and complete yard care. Professional landscaping, and added gutters with screens enhance the curb appeal. Minutes from THE VILLAGES and local shopping. Social and Golf memberships, available for a separate fee. With open arms, welcome the idea of turning this residence into your “Home Sweet Home”. MLS# G5072039 // $469,000.

MAJESTIC MODEL…LIKE NEW! Built custom completed in 2022, this 3/2 home boasts a versatile separate den/o ce with a double door entrance The 2-car garage is accompanied by a separate golf cart garage, with a brick paver driveway. SECURELY GATED AND MANNED 24/7 golf community o er sidewalks for your “walking pleasure” in the utmost peace of mind! Welcome guests on the charming front porch before entering the foyer, which flows into the great room adorned with tray ceiling with recessed lighting. The great room also features triple sliding glass doors that recess and open onto the lanai, surrounded by a birdcage sanctuary. The kitchen shines with an island housing a built-in dishwasher, disposal, and an abundance of cabinets. A side-by-side refrigerator with bottom freezer, smooth-top range, and built-in microwave complement the kitchen, complete with tile backsplash. This culinary haven extends to an oversized dining/breakfast area. The large master suite o ers separate his and her walk-in closets. The master bath featuring dual shower heads to include one handheld. Dual sinks with separate raised vanities, a generous linen closet, and a private water closet complete the master bath. The Master bath conveniently connects with a pocket door leading to the laundry room, equipped with a built-in utility sink and cabinets with extra space for an additional refrigerator. Bedrooms 2 and 3 feature a hallway pocket door for split plan privacy and also share a guest bath with walk-in shower. Upgraded details include laminate wood flooring throughout the home and tile flooring in the bathrooms. No Carpet! Enjoy the luxury of top-of-the-line plantation shutters, and rest assured with the included “whole house” HOME GENERATOR. Indulge in the ultimate combination of style, security, and sophistication in this stunning property! Social Membership is required for Bella Vista which includes the use of clubhouse, pool, and fitness center. Golf and Racquet memberships in addition to RV storage and boat slips (if available) for a separate fee. Minutes to The Villages, restaurants, shopping, entertainment! Call today for a showing and have no regrets. MLS# G5071563 // $567,000.

LUXURY POOL HOME LIVING IN SECURE COMMUNITY! Step into your “like new” 4 bedroom 4 bath pool home through the grand iron gates, accompanied by a captivating rock waterfall that sets the tone for a warm welcome. Nestled in a private enclave, yet conveniently close to town, this residence boasts a brick paver driveway leading to an expansive 3-CAR GARAGE with a side entrance. Be greeted by an inviting front porch and elegant double doors that open into a spacious great room/dining, area complete with a gas log fireplace and custom shelving. The oversized den/o ce or formal living room provides versatility for your needs. Ideal for entertaining, the kitchen o ers abundant cabinet space, a generous snack bar, and a cozy breakfast area! The primary suite is a true sanctuary, featuring a tray ceiling adorned with double crown molding, His/Her walk-in closets, separate raised vanities, a glass walk-in shower, a water closet, and a luxurious soaking tub with relaxing jets for the perfect bubble bath experience. French doors open up to the lanai, granting direct access to the stunning screened-in pool, complete with a built-in spa that comfortably accommodates six. A convenient tri-split plan leads to bedroom number two, accompanied by a guest bath featuring a tub/shower combination and a single vanity. Bedroom three boasts a walk-in closet and its own private bath with a tub/shower and single vanity. Bedroom four o ers a deep walk-in closet and private access to the pool bath, which boasts an oversized shower, dual shower-heads, a raised vanity, and a French door leading to the lanai/pool area. This home is loaded with upgrades, including granite countertops, volume and tray ceilings, crown molding., 8 ft. interior doors, and tile floors throughout (no carpet!) The interior laundry room features custom cabinets and a stainless steel sink. Experience the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and functionality in this remarkable home. There’s room for everyone to enjoy, with NO REGRETS! MLS# G5068943 // $879,900.

POPULAR WESTGATE COMMUNITY house on Lake Eustis. Built in 2002, this 4/2 home with 2,300 sq. ft. of living space has had one owner. Formal dining and living room lead to the family room, open to the kitchen with sliding glass doors to the lanai. Kitchen has wood cabinets, island, desk, closet pantry, and the laundry room is conveniently located. Split bedroom plan o ers privacy with the second bathroom. Owner’s suite is spacious with sliding glass doors to the lanai and two walk-in closets. Owner’s bathroom has double vanities, shower, garden tub and water closet.

WELCOME TO YOUR SECLUDED OASIS! Built in 2013, this prestigious five-bedroom, three full and two half bathrooms estate home site gracefully on over five acres of gated privacy at the end of a tranquil cul de sac. The gourmet kitchen features granite countertops, a gas stove, a spacious island, and a closet pantry. With a seamless integration with the living room, you’ll enjoy cooking while embracing the serenity of the outdoors. The master suite features walk-in closets and a sitting room that opens up to the pool area. The luxury bathroom boasts heated floors, a stunning tub, a separate shower with dual sinks, and elegant granite countertops. Host poolside, with the spa, fully equipped kitchen, and a convenient pool bath. The three-car garage o ers ample space. Four additional bedrooms and bonus room o er endless possibilities. Elegance and Luxury: Every inch of this home exudes elegant charm and luxury. From the high-end finishes to the meticulous attention to detail, this property truly o ers a living experience unlike any other. Don’t miss the chance to own this spectacular home that has it all-privacy, sophistication, and the finest amenities. Witness the allure of this award-winning Parade of Homes winner in 2014. Call Today!

ENJOY THE COUNTRY CLUB LIFESTYLE in this 3/2 villa with peek a boo views of Lake Gri n in Harbor Hills which is gated with sta 24 hours. Beautiful views with a maintenance free lifestyle including the exterior of the home from outside walls, roof repairs (excluding replacement), lawn/water irrigation plus complete yard care included in HOA. The moment you enter this home you will see that the 2000 square feet of living space is well cared for and move in ready. The living, dining and bonus/family room are open to one another with custom built in cabinets and a FIREPLACE. Call today!

ELEGANT LUXURY AT ITS FINEST in this executive Lake Myrtle Pool house on approximately 4.14 acres gated and fenced nestled between Lake Myrtle Shores and Wingspread. Upon entering the double leaded glass front doors you will see the infinity edge grotto pool with waterfall, views of Lake Myrtle and the upgraded finishes. This open floorplan has 10-foot ceilings and crown molding throughout the house, with porcelain tile floors everywhere except the guest rooms. The formal dining room has 12-foot ceilings and is open to the formal living room that has a 16-foot lake front window, custom beams and stone-faced propane gas fireplace. Call Today!

WELCOME TO OAK RUN! This two bedroom two bathroom residence is perfect for both seasonal living and full-time residency. Enjoy views of the serene pond right from the comfort of your living space. The dining area seamlessly flows between the living room and kitchen. Oak Run o ers an array of amenities including a pool, golf course, tennis courts, and fishing options. Park your vehicle securely in the single-car garage, providing ample storage space for your belongings. This home comes equipped with a convenient washer and dryer setup in the garage. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing retreat or an active lifestyle, this Oak Run home has it all.

CHARMING HISTORIC POOL HOME perfect for a family, home business or bed and breakfast in what is known as Millionaire’s Row area of Eustis. Walking distance to Ferran Park, Lake Eustis, dining Historic Theatre and all that downtown Eustis has to o er. Upon driving up to this lovely home you will immediately be enchanted with the architectural details of the house, Tower, large .7095 lot, cottage and resort style pool with pool house. Come enjoy the front porch to the inviting living room to the fully equipped kitchen with island to the pool side patio to the large fenced backyard. This home has modern southern historic charm just waiting for you.

WELCOME TO A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY! It is the PRICE that makes this 3/2 very noticeable. Located in Royal Oak Estates with an oversized screened in patio, and open floor plan, complemented by a split floor plan. NEW interior paint and carpet. NEW ROOF will be in place soon. Kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tile floor, and overlooks the dining/living area. The en-suite is just o the interior entry and features a private bath with double vanity sinks, walk in shower, and plenty of storage. Bedroom #2 is a nice size and #3 could be used as a flex room. Other features are indoor utility, outdoor storage room, 2 covered carports. Conveniently located to downtown Leesburg, The Villages, and more! MLS# G5072606 // $205,000.

A FLOOR PLAN TO FLOOR YOU! Exciting Home Opportunity with a Spacious Backyard Retreat. get ready to be amazed as you step into this enchanting residence that combines style, comfort, and functionality. This four bedroom, 3 bath home is situated on a peaceful cul-de-sac featuring NO REAR NEIGHBORS backing up to Lake Gri n State Park and boasts an open layout and split floor plan, o ering both privacy and ample space for everyone. The open layout seamlessly connects the living, dining, and kitchen areas. This creates a sense of togetherness and makes entertaining a breeze. Natural light pours in through large windows, highlighting the beautiful interiors. The well-appointed kitchen showcases stainless-steel appliances, lots of cabinets, ace all while overlooking the family room and kitchen nook with built in bench. The split floor plan places the master suite in a private corner of the home, two walk in closets and features a door to the back patio. Master bathroom features separate vanity sinks, shower, and garden tub. Three additional bedrooms are strategically placed on the opposite side of the home, providing privacy and versatility for family members or guests. Guest bath features double sink vanity, shower/tub combo, and door leading to the back patio that is perfect as a pool bath in the future. Work from home? Need additional living space? No problem, you’ll love the bonus room in the front of the home that is flexible for anything you need. One of the standout features of this home is its expansive backyard paradise. Imagine sipping your morning co ee on the back patio, surrounded by lush greenery and the serenity of nature. There is plenty of room for outdoor gatherings, BBQs, or simply enjoying the open air with loved ones. As if this is not enough the home also includes a security system with ADT on all windows, & doors, smart thermostat, ring doorbell, and smart garage door opener. Do not miss out on the chance to make this incredible property your own. Located in a sought-after area with easy access to The Villages, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and more, it is the epitome of comfortable and convenient living. Solid decision; Solid house! MLS# G5072141 // $394,900.

WELCOME TO YOUR DREAM HOME! A Superior Design! Quality others are measured by is found throughout. A Thousand words can’t begin to describe this picturesque and exquisite 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home that has been completely remodeled throughout. NEW, NEW, NEW, almost everything in the home is NEW! Fall in love at first sight with the brandnew curb appeal added to include concrete curbing, new sod, and more. Inside, revel in the beauty of new Cali Vinyl Pro wood flooring with mute step and fresh interior paint that complements the spacious rooms. The thoughtfully designed split and open floor plan creates an airy ambiance and maximizes privacy. Imagine waking up to energy-e cient living with solar panels and BRAND-NEW ROOF. Entertain in style with the brand-new kitchen, featuring stunning Sensa granite countertops that includes a 15-year transferrable warranty, center island with farmhouse sink, state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances, including a co ee-making refrigerator and overlooks the dinette and family room. Retreat to the en-suite and enjoy the brand-new bathroom that includes brand new cabinets that features plenty of storage, granite counter tops, double sinks, brand-new walk-in shower with river rock, shower glass has Enduro Shield making cleaning easy and includes 10-year warranty, and did I mention the oversized walk in closet. 3 additional bedrooms are found on the other sides of the home including another remodeled bathroom that features a new shower/tub combo. Step onto the new extended lanai and experience outdoor living at its finest. The fenced backyard provides a secure haven for your loved ones, complete with a convenient shed. As if this wasn’t enough.... there is also new gutters, toilets, light fixtures, baseboards, attic ladder, ductwork has been sealed with Aerosol that eliminates leaking, and more. Don’t miss the chance to own this showcase property just minutes away from Downtown Eustis. Add this home to your MOST WANTED LIST! Solid decision; solid home. Let’s turn your homeownership dreams into reality! MLS# G5072636 // $450,000.

IN YALAHA. YOUR OWN TROPICAL PARADISE.

NEW RED TILE BARRELL ROOF. Custom Open floor plan with 3 bedrooms 2.5 baths with media/o ce. Upgraded throughout with granite counter tops in kitchen and baths, stainless steel appliances, and engineered wood floors. ROCK FIREPLACE IN GREAT ROOM. Screened Lanai and open patio outback for those nice family gatherings. Beautiful clubhouse and heated screened in pool on the waters edge. Community pier to enjoy those sunsets and sunrises. Boat slips and storage area (waiting list) very a ordable. Located close to the Florida Turnpike and just 15 minutes away to the Tavares Waterfront Seaplane park and unique restaurants and minutes away from downtown Mount Dora with quaint shopping and a variety of restaurants. Enjoy boating on the CHAIN OF LAKES TO ENJOY EATING OUT OR THOSE BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS. YOUR OWN TROPICAL PARADISE. MLS# G506979 // $335,000.

HIDDEN GEM

WATERFRONT COMMUNITY ON LAKE HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES.

RENTAL ANALYSIS:

• Recommendation on how to get the most from your property Analysis based on comparable properties and market movement

MARKETING:

• Online with Multiple Listing Service

• Zillow.com

• Yard Signage

• Local media outlets

INSPECTIONS:

• Move in walk thru inspection in writing along with photographs of the property conditions at the time of lease signing and when tenant vacates

• Bi-Annual inspection of occupied property

FOR OWNERS:

• Monthly and annual income and expense reports along with 1099 statement

• We can pay mortgage payments from rental income if desired by owner

OCCUPIED PROPERTIES:

• All adult applicants are prescreened for credit, criminal and eviction history

• All lease agreements are prepared by an attorney

• Collect and handle all payments (rent, security deposit, pet deposits)

• Post late payment notices

• Handle complete eviction process

• Operate within the Landlord Tenant Law

• Comply with Federal “Fair Housing Act”

• Handle repairs with licensed, insured and bonded vendors

SECURE GATED COMMUNITY! Just moments away from “The Villages,” yet no bond required! This charming and budget-friendly upgraded home is ready for immediate occupancy and is sure to capture your heart in today’s dynamic market. Step onto the petite front porch that guides you into this move-in-ready space. The home boasts an open-concept design, seamlessly integrating the kitchen, living, and dining areas, complete with cathedral ceilings and wood-like tile flooring for a touch of elegance. Take pleasure in outdoor living on the screened porch. The kitchen showcases newer cabinets with a soft-close feature, a built-in pot filler, granite countertops, and a convenient closet pantry. Modern appliances include a newer refrigerator, smooth-top range, dishwasher, and disposal. The clever split-bedroom layout o ers optimal privacy. The master suite is generously sized and encompasses a master bath with double sinks, a spacious shower, and a walk-in closet. The guest bathroom boasts a skylight, a “jetted” tub/shower combination, and a single vanity adorned with a granite countertop. The roof was updated in 2016, the A/C unit was replaced in 2017, and the hot water heater was replaced in 2018, ensuring peace of mind. The indoor laundry room includes a utility sink for your convenience. The expansive attached two-car garage easily accommodates your vehicles. Enjoy the benefits of a low HOA fee in this exceptional community, where homeowners truly take pride in ownership and future rentals are prohibited. Optional social and golf memberships are available for separate fees. Experience serenity and tranquility right here. MLS# G5072384 // $320,000. Contact Holly at 352.516.7933 or email Holly@morrisrealtors.com for more information.

17.5 WOODED ACRES of direct lakefront property on the pristine Lake Deaton. This is a rare opportunity to purchase this large of a parcel directly on an approximately 500 acre Lake. This o ering is for two parcels, Sumter County ID: G23-050 and G23-022, currently zoned RR5 within Sumter County. The adjacent property is zoned R2M, so one may assume the same zoning could be assigned to these two parcels. Upon rezoning, the property could yield seven lakefront lots at almost 80’ wide, then with roads and drainage, the remaining land could possibly be divided into 18 interior one half acre lots, see concept site plan in listing, this is a concept only and has not been approved. Imagine the potential that this type of development could have with its close proximity to hospitals, medical plazas, shopping, The Villages, and so much more. This could be the next exclusive address. Or, it may be possible to seek proper zoning for a lakefront RV park, use your imagination and take advantage of this o ering. There is an old mobile home, barn, and well on site, but the land is the value. All information provided is assumed to be accurate but must be confirmed by the buyer.

MLS# G5065102 // $2,400,000.

Contact Judd at 352.516.7809 or email Judd@morrisrealtors.com for more information.

ALMOST AN ACRE in a well established area of medical o ces and right next door to the new Hotel. This lot can be accessed from S. Lake St. and from the new Venetian Isle Park Rd. and is diagonally located from UF Health Leesburg Hospital.

MLS# G5061046 // $300,000.

Contact Judd at 352.516.7809 or email Judd@morrisrealtors.com for more information.

LOCATED IN THE VILLAGES, Charter School eligible. This well appointed building is suited for medical, dental, or professional use. It includes a waiting room, receptionist with work space, 4-exam rooms, 1-executive o ce, 1-break room, 2 restrooms, and plenty of storage. Great visibility from CR 42 with over 18, 00 vehicles per day. Golf cart accessible. Nearby neighbors include VA Outpatient Clinic, Edward Jones, Lake Center for Rehab, and also major shopping destinations such as Publix, Walgreens, restaurants, and banks.

MLS# G5070286 // $34.00 Per Square Foot

Contact Judd at 352.516.7809 or email Judd@morrisrealtors.com for more information.

THIS IS AN AMAZING investment opportunity to own a completely full, four tenant retail space. The tenants have a long track record of success. 466 is a major corridor for The Villages with over 23,000 vehicles per day according to FDOT. Don’t miss this extremely rare opportunity to own an investment property in The Villages, America’s premier Active Adult Retirement Community.

MLS# G5053930 // $6,600,000.

Contact Judd at 352.516.7809 or email Judd@morrisrealtors.com for more information.

Scott Strem

Realtor®

352.978.3428

Scott@MorrisRealtors.com

Serious About Selling

Multi-Million Dollar Producer

13.28 ACRES W/ 860 FEET HIGHWAY FRONTAGE on US 27/441, the only 6 Lane Highway through the Villages, Florida. Next door to one of the largest Buick/GMC dealers in the Southeast. Virtually the only piece of vacant land of this size in the area on level ground, at roadside eye level. Can be seen from 1000 feet away, coming from either direction. City utilities available. St Johns Water Management permit obtained, to expedite build out. Massive billboard highly visible, provides annual income. Likely Tra c light at northeast corner. Zoned PUD-Industrial with C-2 uses also allowed. MLS# G5047877 // $3,580,000.

FANTASTIC COMMERCIAL VACANT LAND PARCEL! Lust over 1.5 ACRES zoned C3 in City of Leesburg with city water and sewer running along property and available for hook up! Great location with excellent visibility at the corner of Thomas Rd and Martin Luther King Blvd behind Walmart. City of Leesburg COMMERCIAL C3 Zoning allows for a wide variety of approvable uses. MLS# G5067917 // $275,000.

UNDER CONTRACT-ACCEPTING BACKUP OFFERS

3 CONTIGUOUS PARCELS! Parcel 1: roughly 1/2 ACRE with 9,790 sq ft warehouse/gym, restroom and o ce area. Parcel 2: roughly 1/4 ACRE with a 1,225 sq ft residential duplex. Parcel 3: roughly 1/4 ACRE and is leased mo to mo to an auto yard. Great opportunity for large open span warehouse space in Downtown Leesburg, with an income from adjoining buildings! MLS# G5070123 // $1,500,000

PRE-CONSTRUCTION. TO BE BUILT. PRE-LEASING! Phase 2 coming soon! Brand new block & metal o ce/warehouse space for lease. Space range from 2,081 sq.ft., 2,208 sq.ft., 2,250 sq.ft. units, or entire building at 13,163 sq.ft. Spaces can be combined. Large rollup doors for each bay. O ce area & restroom planned for each bay. High quality, custom construction inside and out in very busy business park with easy access and close proximity to The Villages, I-75 and Turnpike. MLS# G5056370 // $14.00/Per SqFt.

NEWLY AVAILABLE SPACE FOR LEASE in growing Downtown Leesburg! 3rd floor approximately 5, 025 sq ft available which owner will consider dividing/building out to suit your specific needs. Rental rate on 3rd floor space TBD/negotiable depending on terms. Upstairs space easily accessible via elevator or stairs. Conveniently located with an easy commute to Orlando, the Turnpike, I-75 and more. Location is walking distance to the multitude of new businesses on Main St. as well as Beacon College facilities. MLS# G5056390 // $18.50/Per Sq. Ft.

DIRECT HWY 441 FRONTAGE in growing Mount Dora/ Eustis Commercial Corridor! Many new ventures recently completed in the area, including WaWa and VyStar Credit Union, and new development nearby is upcoming including medical, retail, and car wash. Site features 340ft of frontage on US Hwy 441 and is zoned C-1 for a variety of uses such as medical, dental, child care, restaurant, bank, fast food, o ces, commercial building etc. Massive tra c count at nearly 50,000 AADT per FDOT data, great exposure for your new venture! MLS# G5066061 // $375,000.

FANTASTIC OFFICE BUILDING centrally located in Leesburg just minutes to The Villages. New roof and windows in 2017-2018, nice sized lot for parking out front and storage in rear. Numerous o ces, breakroom/ kitchen, conference room and 2 restrooms. Much of the building has been renovated inside and out. Great opportunity!!! MLS# G5070392 // $445,000.

ONE OF A KIND PROPERTY with frontage on SR 19 and Lake Idamere! Zoned C2 for a variety of commercial uses, please see attachments for uses allowed by City of Tavares, America’s Seaplane City! Great visibility in expanding area along busy State Road 19. City water and sewer run past property. GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!! MLS# G5059828 // $259,900.

PRIME MEDICAL BUILDING FOR LEASE in excellent high exposure location directly on US HWY 441. 1,845 sq ft first floor available for o ce/medical use. Numerous o ces, exam rooms and restrooms on first floor. Second floor conference room, additional o ces, break room etc. Excellent visibility, with approx 32,743 FDOT Avg Trips per day. Just 6 miles from the growing LRMC hospital with quick access to The Villages as well!! MLS# G5020197 // $12.00/Per Sq Ft

FOR LEASE 2,250 +/- sq ft o ce unit with storage/roll up door in rear. Unit features large reception area, 7 o ces, spacious conference room, 2 restrooms. Move-in ready by July 1st. Great location with visibility right o SR 44/W Main St in Leesburg adjacent to many o ce parks. Great location for The Villages and all of Lake County, as well as easy access to I-75 to the west. Easy terms, well maintained building, and ready for you!! MLS# G5069983 // $2,600 per mo.

FABULOUS FIND! This three bedroom home in the Silver Springs Shores area will not last. The living room features laminate flooring and tile in the kitchen for easy cleaning! With block construction and a 2016(apx) roof, you will be able to purchase with confidence. This home o ers plenty of storage and closet space. Your location is a short drive to shopping, restaurants, and more. MLS# G5054911 // $209,900.

This four bedroom, two bath home has laminate wood flooring in the kitchen, dining room, guest bath and Master bath. The living room feels roomy and there is a small wood deck located o the dining room. A great location on a corner lot, with a fenced yard. Very well maintained. You must see to appreciate this find!

MLS# G5062899 // $189,900

THE PERFECT FIND IN THE SUMMERFIELD AREA!

HOTPROPERTY

Lindsay Sanders

Realtor®

352.661.0232

Lindsay@MorrisRealtors.com

FOUR BED, TWO BATH UNDER 250K!

This Lady Lake hidden gem has a county feel yet is located just a short drive to The Villages, shopping and entertainment. This block/stucco home has been wellmaintained. The roof was replaced in 2021, hot water heater replaced 2021, water softener installed 2021, septic pumped yearly for maintenance, and new flooring installed throughout in 2022. This home is just shy of $1,500 sqft and has a mud room and an inside laundry room. Great floorplan with large living room and kitchen dining room combo which is great for entertaining. The kitchen has been updated with epoxy counters, backsplash,

updated cabinets. This property also features a fenced backyard, perfect for enjoying the Florida sunshine. The back yard has a shed and plenty of space for a large pool. And the best part? There are NO HOA or CDD fees to worry about. Don’t miss the opportunity to be in your new home before summer!! MLS# G5067492 // $240,000.

and

PROPERTY LOCATED less than a mile to the nearest public boat ramp at Herlong Park leading you to Lake Gri n. This property is a hidden gem with no HOA and views of Lake Gri n! No time frame to build and lot is partially cleared. A perfect secluded property at the end of private drive which gives the neighborhood a rural feel and still only a couple minutes to downtown Leesburg and LRMC. Location with quick and easy access to HWY 441. Additional Parcels included are Alt. Key #3868407 & #2866209. MLS# G5065440 // $107,000.

We are committed and passionate professionals who puts our clients' best interests and satisfaction above all else. Our teamʼs determination to cater to our clients' specific needs coupled with our market expertise, attention to detail and superior negotiating skills allows you to receive

class service.

PEACEFUL BEAUTY! This 6+ acres is your slice of heaven. Located in Webster, this property is stunning and ready for you to build your dream home or remodel this two bedroom home to make perfect for you. Located close proximity to the interstate, this property makes for easy commuting yet country living. MLS# G5057535 // $350,000.

352.516.6843

Joan@MorrisRealtors.com Real

RETIRING?...LET’S GET STARTED WITH RETIREMENT! This amazing home is located at COACHWOOD EAST in the Lake Front City of Leesburg, Florida. Lovely 2 bed 2 bath DW manufactured home. Appliances include Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Electric Range and Range hood. Kitchen includes pantry and small breakfast bar. Large Living Room and Dining overlooks front screened in porch. Large Utility Room/Storage/Workshop is attached to home. Attached covered carport with extra parking pad. Extra concrete pad o of Utility area to place a grill. Master Bedroom features 2 walk-in closets, one with shelving for storing shoes, handbags, linens. Master Bath has separate dressing area with sink and closet. Water closet includes commode and Shower & Tub combo. Guest bedroom features 2 closets and built-in dresser. Guest Bath has walk-in shower and linen closet. Entry way into home has walkup steps PLUS a handicapped ramp. Coachwood East features a heated in ground pool, shu eboard courts and clubhouse. Come and enjoy pot luck dinners, ice cream socials, Pizza Night, Cards, Darts, Water Aerobics, and many other activities. Make your appointment now to see this lovely property. MLS# G5071427 // $129,900.

READY FOR A CHANGE? Whether you’re retiring or wanting to make the move for easier living, look no further! Situtated in the lovely community of COACHWOOD EAST (a 55+ Community) this home is located on a beautiful corner lot. Kitchen has a large bay window for lots of light and a breakfast bar. All appliances included, refrigerator, dishwasher, range and rangehood, disposal, washer and dryer. 2 bed 2 bath. Master bed features a walk-in closet. Master bath includes a walk-in shower with sliding doors. Guest bedroom has a bay window, large closet, and cieling fan. :arge living room overlooking the dining room with built-in China cabinet. Large Florida room features lots of windows, and door leading to covered patio. Utility room with storage and laundry area. Well kep tand maintained home and yard. Come enjoy all of the ammenitites of this exceptional home and community. MLS# G5072404 // $141,900.

We are committed and passionate professionals who puts our clients' best interests and satisfaction above all else. Our teamʼs determination to cater to our clients' specific needs coupled with our market expertise, attention to detail and superior negotiating skills allows you to receive first class service.

Lauren Fickett

LAKE WEIR ACCESS! Bring your builder and build your dream home on this 1 acre lot in the beautiful gated community of Orangewood. Property is cleared and ready to be built on! Included in the hoa with this lot is your own boat slip and community beach area for Orangewood property owners only. After a day of boating on Lake Weir all day enjoy dinner at either Eaton’s Beach or Gator Joe’s! Central location near all The Villages amenities! Call today to start enjoy lake life tomorrow! MLS# G5070864 // $130,000.

EVERY HORSE LOVERS DREAM! This one of a kind home sits privately back on almost 22 acres down a long winding driveway. As you enter the property through the double gated entrance, you are immediately taken away by the stunning mature landscaping, lush green pastures and the amazing attention to detail on the cypress wood exterior. Bring your rocking chairs and sweet tea to enjoy this beautiful front porch and cool breezes. The attention to detail most definitely does not stop as you are welcomed inside. The first thing you will notice is the open floor plan and the continued woodwork through out. The spacious kitchen features stainless steel appliances and a great amount of cabinet and counter space plus easy access to the pantry and laundry room. Enjoy your morning co ee in your cozy living area. You will have all the room and more in your dining area to host those large dinner parties and holidays at your home. The oversized family room features a beautiful stone wood burning fireplace, tongue and groove ceilings and a custom barn door. Romantic master suite with walk in closet, his and her sinks and a glass shower. Split bedroom plan. Those hot summer days are now going to be so much more fun to be outside in your beautiful salt water pool and hot tub. You will most definitely make some great memories enjoying the whole outdoor patio area with bar and outdoor fireplace. Every man’s dream workshop barn separate from the main barn. There is so much to say about the amazing horse barn on this property. It features a wash down, tack room, feed room, laundry, workout room that could be used as an o ce if needed as well as a bathroom. Into dressage? This will be the icing on the cake having your own dressage arena. Additional pole barn is great for storing your tractor and hay bales. This home is located just minutes to all of The Villages amenities such as shopping, restaurants, medical plazas and so much more! One more plus is that this home is located within an hour to the World Equestrian Center and the Florida Horse Park. Best of both worlds! MLS# G5069398 // $1,599,000.

10 ACRES!! This beautiful 10 acre parcel is now available for you to bring your builder and start your dream home here! Great location right outside of all of The Villages amenities plus just a short ride to Ocala. Another great perk to this property is it is located right near I75 as well making all of the convivences of travel easy for you. Bring your horses to enjoy the amazing lush green pasture. NO HOA! Call today to start your home building dreams come true! MLS# G5072334 // $345,000.

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME HERE! This beautiful lot is now available in Royal Trails! Located on the outskirts of Eustis with lots wildlife and woods all around you gives you that country feel but yet a short ride to downtown Eustis or Deland. This lot also is HIGH AND DRY! Bring your boat to enjoy lake access to fishing on Lake Norris. So much great potential is here in this lot...call today to make it yours!

MLS# G5069901 // $86,500.

10 ACRES!! This gorgeous 10 acre parcel has all you have been looking for! You will immediately feel peace as you turn onto the majestic oak tree road that leads you to this completely cleared property. Location is everything and this property is just minutes to all of The Villages amenities such as shopping, restaurants and more! Storage barn and well already on site. FENCED! No HOA! Bring your builder and start your dream home here! MLS# G5067959 // $350,000.

GORGEOUS FOUR BEDROOM HOME in the GATED community of Majestic Oaks! This beautiful community sits right on Lake Gri n with convenient access to the chain of lakes by way of your own community boat dock. Enjoy safety and security with a completely gated community. Sitting on just shy of a third of an acre, you arrive to a spacious front yard and gorgeous double entry doors. Once inside, you will appreciate the tasteful decor and functional floorplan. The Main living room o ers sliding doors to the rear porch and a stunning electric fireplace. Entertaining is easy with a formal dining room and a dinette area as well as a spacious center island kitchen. You will love cooking here with a gas stove, granite countertops, a convenient wall oven, plenty of cabinet space, tile backsplash, and a ton of workspace. Opening directly to the Family room and dinette area, this kitchen makes a great gathering space! Your Master bedroom features a spacious en-suite bathroom with a garden tub, separate his/her sinks and plenty of closet space. You will appreciate the bonus sitting area in the master that could be used as o ce space or a cozy reading nook. Separated on the other wing of the house, the guest bedrooms share a separate bathroom with double sinks. You will also love the three-car spacious garage, inside laundry area, and back patio. Enjoy peace of mind with a 2023 AC unit that comes with a 10 year warranty. This home has it all and with close proximity to the growing downtown Leesburg area with restaurants and shopping. MLS# G5067863 // $550,000.

Lena Williams

352.636.4488

Lena@MorrisRealtors.com

LUXURY IN LADY LAKE! This incredibly remodeled home has everything you could want...and it sits beautifully on the 1st hole of The Lakes Golf Course! From top to bottom, you will appreciate the details of the upgrades put into this HOME. Let’s start with a convenient side entry garage, mature trees, and easy-to-maintain landscaping that greets you as you arrive. The front porch is the perfect spot for rocking chairs and a cup of co ee! As you enter the home, the open floorplan takes your breath away with vaulted ceilings, light and bright colors, plenty of windows for natural light, and more. The Main living area is a spacious place of gathering for you and all of your guests. The brightest spot in the house may be the kitchen with a stunning waterfall quartz island as the focal point, crisp white cabinetry with custom handles, upgraded fixtures and lighting, top of the line appliances, artistic backsplash tilework, and a kitchen window overlooking the beautiful backyard and golf course. The upgraded luxury vinyl flooring throughout is a nice neutral color and allows for easy maintenance. The Master Suite is separated from the guest bedrooms and o ers spacious closets and a stunning en-suite bathroom with double sinks, a freestanding soaking tub, and a large walk-in custom tiled shower that even o ers a rain shower! The bedroom itself has a cozy area by the window that is spacious enough for a desk or reading nook...could even be a great nursery spot! Separated by a convenient pocket door, the guest bedrooms share a completely remodeled bathroom as well as a bonus room that could be a great o ce, playroom, or fitness area. The newly installed sliding doors feature built-in blinds and open to your breezy screened lanai. Bring the grill and be ready to relax with beautiful golf course views in your own backyard. There’s so much beauty and so much peace of mind here with every major component including the roof, Air Conditioning system, and Water heater, all being replaced within a year! Don’t wait on this one! MLS# G5067244 // $474,900.

PALMORA PARK! This Classy four bedroom home is full of character and sits on a beautiful corner lot boasting over 1/3 of an acre in the sought after neighborhood of Palmora Park. With the recently remodeled public boat ramp and dock being walking distance to your home, this is the perfect place for the Lake Lovers! The inside of this home has been well maintained. The 2005 remodel gave this home the facelift it needed and the perfect Master Suite addition. The Master is over 215 square feet and has beautiful natural light with the windows, a large walk-in closet, and an en-suite bathroom with double sinks and an over-sized Garden Bath. There is a formal living with a cozy fireplace plus a bonus room that is currently used as a den and has endless possibilities...could be a great o ce as well. The three guest bedrooms are separate from the Master and share a spacious and remodeled guest bathroom that has a fully handicap accessible shower. As you walk thru this stunning home, you will constantly notice the stunning wood floors. There’s space for a formal eating area and also eating space in the kitchen. There is no lack of storage with this oversized two car attached garage. Additionally, the spacious side yard features a nice entertaining spot-perfect for the grill, a firepit, and some adirondak chairs! You are just a few blocks from growing downtown Leesburg featuring several restaurants and shopping. Stroll along the sidewalks of Palmora Park from your home and take in the natural beauty around you with stunning lake views and homes that are full of character all around you. MLS# G5065991 // $399,900.

Lena Sells!

Orlando Health Medical Group

Family Medicine

Dr. Tanya Diaz, a board-certified family medicine physician, will provide wellness and preventative care at our new location. In addition, she will offer treatment for acute and chronic conditions to children, adults, and seniors. Her areas of interest include adolescent and women’s health, weight management, geriatrics, and research. She earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency in family medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Angela Tatro, a certified family nurse practitioner (FNP-C), will also be working at our new location. She brings more than 20 years of nursing experience to her position and has looked after adult and pediatric patients in settings such as intensive care, emergency medicine, and urgent care. She received her Master of Science degree in nursing with distinction from Chamberlain University in Illinois. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Florida Chapter of Nurse Practitioners. To learn more, visit

Tanya I. Diaz, MD

Angela Tatro, APRN, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practitioner

This will allow us to serve even more residents of The Villages and surrounding areas. We look forward to establishing meaningful relationships with these patients and help them achieve optimal health so they can live the active lifestyles they desire.

FHV Health is excited to announce our new location at 3425 Warm Springs Avenue, The Villages.

YOUR FOOTBALL HEADQUARTERS

Theft Identity NFL SUNDAY

When your personal information has been used fraudulently to open credit accounts, bank accounts, obtain loans, etc., you are the victim of the crime of “Identity Theft.” Use caution to keep this from happening:

• Never share personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth

• Collect your mail every day and place a hold on your mail when you will be on vacation or away from your home.

• Monitor your credit score and closely review credit card and bank account statements. Watch for and report unauthorized or suspicious activity.

• Don’t use public Wi-Fi networks.

• Store personal information, including your Social Security card, in a safe place. Never carry it in your wallet.

If you think you may already be a victim of Identity Theft, you can obtain an Identity Theft and Fraud Packet or file a report

AGENDA

oct. 2023

Pig out on fun

Everything is swine and dandy at Pig on the Pond, one of Clermont’s longest-running events. The festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, includes a carnival, kid’s zone, pig races, barbecue contest, chili cookoff, live music, vendors, and more.

FESTIVAL LIFE BEHIND BARS

Looking for a “wheelie” good time? Consider participating in the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, which offers varying rides through Lake County’s countryside. The event debuted 47 years ago, which makes the event Florida’s oldest and largest bicycle festival.

October 14-15 / 850 Liberty Ave., Mount Dora / www.cyclemountdora.com

RUNNING SCARED

Don’t worry if you’re not motivated to run. The Nightmare on the Clermont Trails 5K provides enough scares that you might not be able to stop running. The event provides several interactive spook zones, and participants receive a glow-in-thedark medal. Wearing Halloween costumes is encouraged.

October 28

Victory Pointe 938 Victory Way, Clermont 352.394.1320

oct. ON STAGE

Enjoy quality entertainment on the many stages of Lake and Sumter counties.

GLEN-SATIONAL 10/7

Jeff Dayton, who spent 15 years as bandleader and guitarist for the legendary Glen Campbell, will perform all of Glen’s hits. In addition, Jeff will tell stories behind the songs and discuss Glen’s country upbringing.

Clermont

352.394.4800

BUNDLE OF JOY OR BUNDLE OF NERVES?

10/27 – 11/12

Bay Street Players presents “Baby,” a musical that examines how three couples experience the stresses, triumphs, desperate lows, and comic highs that accompany the arrival of a child. Bay Street Players 109 N. Bay St., Eustis / 352.357.7777

HOT ROD

10/28

Relive Rod Stewart’s timeless hits “Maggie May,” “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” “Forever Young” and other classics Rob Caudill’s tribute show to the legendary rocker. The show features stunning visuals and costumes that add to the overall experience.

Clermont Performing Arts Center 3700 S. Hwy. 27., Clermont / 352.394.4800

OCT 28-29

Craft a memorable experience

In 2021, Sunshine Artist Magazine ranked the Mount Dora Craft Fair as the best classic/contemporary craft festival in the U.S. With beautiful downtown Mount Dora as the backdrop, the fair features several hundred crafters from all over the country who display and sell everything from sculptures and ceramics to paintings and woodworks.

October 28-29 / Downtown Mount Dora / mtdoracraftfair.com

Let us help you get the word out!

10/7 @ 2:30 & 7pm

ROD STEWART TRIBUTE

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

10/8 @ 7pm

THE VILLAGES

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The Sharon, The Villages

10/13 @ 6pm

MANFREDI ROCKS

Eduardo’s Lokos Tacos, Tavares

10/13 @ 7pm

CARL AND KAT

Ski Beach Bar and Grill, Leesburg

10/14 @ 2pm

ANDY SHREEVE

The Cove Bar, Clermont

10/14 @ 2:30 & 7pm

FLEETWOOD MASK

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

10/14 @ 6pm

THOM JOHNSON

Royal Highlands, Leesburg

10/14 @ 7pm

MICHELLE INGRHAM

10/21 @ 5pm

C.O.D. FLORIDA

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

10/24 @ 7pm

A SALUTE TO THE EAGLES

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

10/25 @ 7pm

A SALUTE TO THE EAGLES

Lakeridge Winery, Clermont

10/27 @ 7pm

BOBBY RANDALL AND THE OBO BAND

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

10/27 @ 8pm

MACEY MAC

Lake County Fairgrounds, Eustis

10/27 @ 9pm

SOUND THEORY BAND

Clermont Brewing Company, Clermont

10/28 @ 6pm

THOM JOHNSON

Bonfire Mobile Village, Leesburg

10/28 @ 7pm

LINDA RONSTADT TRIBUTE

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

along

photo

available) 45 days in advance of event to: calendar@akersmediagroup.com or Lake & Sumter Style Calendar, P.O. Box 490088, Leesburg, FL 34749

ONGOING

Catfish Johnny’s Restaurant, Lake Panasoffkee

10/21 @ 2:30pm

JOURNEY TRIBUTE

Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale

10/29 @ 1pm

JIMMY HUNTER

Lake Harris Hideaway, Tavares

EVENTS Events are subject to change and cancellation.

Working Magic Behind the Bar

Taylor Boyd turns his passion into a business while creating memorable cocktails and serving with style.

any people consider waiting tables and bartending as “ ller jobs” while attending college.

Taylor Boyd felt so at home in the hospitality industry, that he made it a career.

Born in Ocala and raised in Lady Lake, he was among the rst students to attend The Villages High School. After graduating in 2007, he studied hospitality and event management at UCF.

Having started out bussing tables at a country club in The Villages, Taylor worked his way up to waiting tables and then bartending.

“In the food and beverage industry, culinary artists are in the back-of-house like a scientist in a lab, but I get to be ‘on stage’ and interact with people. That’s my favorite aspect of bartending,” 34-year-old Taylor explains.

“I love to eat and cook, but I’m more of a ‘liquid chef’ for the front-of-house,” adds Taylor, who turned his passion into a business as a beverage caterer.

In 2019, Taylor launched his company Bartender Rental, which provides full bar services for any type of event — from weddings and private parties to corporate and customer appreciation events.

Of course, he serves whatever the client requests, but if he had to name a favorite drink, it would be the 1944 Mai Tai, which he describes as “a masterpiece of a cocktail, and the most botched drink in history.”

When he’s not mixing a killer cocktail, he’s an avid skateboarder who plays guitar, loves music and

Do you know of a talented person in our community? Email their story to editorial@akersmediagroup.com.

concerts. He also does cosplay for fun, and is a big movie and music geek.

“I’m outside of my generation in that respect,” he admits. “I grew up watching ’50s and ’60s TV with my parents and

INTERVIEWER: CYNTHIA MCFARLAND ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

STEPPING UP FOR A CAUSE

@ LEESBURG ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL & CINDY PETERSON

The Education Foundation of Lake County’s 17th annual Stepping Out for Education, a local version of Dancing With the Stars, was held July 28-29 at Leesburg’s Venetian Center. Professional dancers paired with six local celebrities learned/performed two dance routines based on ‘A Tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood.’ Citizens First Bank CEO Lindsey Blaise was voted top female dancer both nights and won the Mirror Ball Trophy. Eustis City Commissioner Willie Hawkins was named best male dancer Friday, while Leesburg City Manager Al Minner earned the award Saturday. A record-breaking $84,000 was raised for Lake County teachers and students.

Professional Dancer Johnny Boulware and Celebrity Performer Amanda Nethero with Professional Dancer Jose Ricky Colon and Celebrity Dancer Erin Craig

Ryan and Shaunna Purdy

Lori Chmielewski, Taylor Campbell, Missy Minner, Celebrity Dancer Al Minner, John Key Judge Anastassia Abramenko and George Morrison

Kaitlyn Ware and Christina Pizzimenti

Professional Performer Johnny Boulware, Celebrity Performer Willie Hawkins, Dr. Wade Winker and Celebrity Performer Tyler Brandeburg

Sarah and Brig Bjorn

Ryan, Evan, Eveyln Purdy, Kurt Hoag, Hayden, Shaunna Purdy, Cheryl Hoag, Marla Dagle and Clayton Purdy

2023 student performers Addison Bernier, Jenna Sasson, Anamary Santiago, Presley Brayman, Summerlyn Hardy, and Destiny Davenport

WHERE'S MY PIC?!

GOING AGAINST THE LAW

@ FRUITLAND PARK ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

How often can you shoot at a cop and not be placed in handcu s?

Fruitland Park’s Battle of the Badges on Aug. 5 answered that question. People of all ages participated in a game of laser tag against members of the Fruitland Park Police Department during the event at the Fruitland Park soccer eld.

Leanne Humble of Humble Slice Bakery and Deli Food Truck

Elijah Memmoli, Henry Rains and Kyra Spivey

Henry Rains, Courtney Corman, Brian Hilberer, Back Row: Philip Reger, Anthony Buehler, Gavin Heffler

Kevin Milhorn, Judy and Jim Bell, Sheila Delgado and Sherri Clemmer

Michelle Justiniano, Luciano Perez, Victoria Perez, Ash Wurth, Ari Ranisate, Isaiah Viars and Kenneth Wise

Rivers Family Medicine

Meet our Nurse Practitioner

JUSTIN LENHART

Justin is a native Lake Countian who graduated from The Villages Charter High School in 2011. He lived on the outskirts of The Villages and always enjoyed interacting with residents.

Now, he embraces the opportunity to treat them. Justin became an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) after graduating from Chamberlain University in 2011. He spent eight months completing a clinical rotation at Rivers Family Medicine before joining the practice in June 2022.

As a primary care provider, Justin can prescribe medications, order tests, and make referrals. His philosophy is to practice in a way that improves the quality and longevity of life for each of his patients.

Proudly serving The Villages® area since 2004!

Services:

Scan this code to view all photos on lakeandsumterstyle.com.

A HEART FOR SERVICE

@ WILDWOOD ≈ PHOTOS: ALEJANDRA D’JERMANOS & CINDY PETERSON

Orlando Health Medical Group FHV Health o cials, doctors, and guests celebrated the July 26 grand opening of the practice’s new Health Pavilion in Brownwood. The 10,000-square-foot medical facility in Sumter County has 12 exam rooms and ve pre/post recovery rooms. Services o ered include primary care, cardiology, vascular surgery, CT, and ultrasound, including stress echo, and a diagnostic catheterization lab.

WHERE'S MY PIC?!

City of Wildwood Commissioner Joe Elliot, Sumter County District 4 Commissioner Jeff Bogue

Sumter County Commissioner Don Wiley and Orlando Health South Lake Hospital Senior President Lance Sewell Al Brady and Lance Sewell

Cindy Brown, Zachary Hoover and John Temple

Cath Lab Team with Dr. David Lew

Lance Sewell, Dr. David Lew, Joe Elliot and Jeff Bogue

Christopher Minello

Sandi Wommack, Liz Wiencko, Michael Dusseau and Dr. David Lew

Kimberly Couch, Sandi Wommack, Liz Wiencko, and Jeanne Adam

As the largest authorized Newmar Dealer in Central Florida, we bring you a great selection, volume pricing and award-winning service. Let our knowledgeable sales team assist you in finding the right model to fulfill your RV lifestyle dreams.

Hurry in while autumn leaves are changing to take advantage of huge savings on new 2023 Newmar models now at close-out prices!

My husband and I purchased a vehicle recently from Plaza Cadillac in Leesburg and we worked with Joe Welch as our Salesman. Joe was informative, patient and very helpful throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Joe and the entire team at Plaza Cadillac of Leesburg, they made the car buying process very e cient and hassle-free.

Mike Killngsworth

CATHI LAMBERT

Sales Representative JOE WELCH

General Sales Manager TONY PAGANO

ANTHONY AND ROSE CURIALE

We purchased a new 2020 Lincoln Nautilus from Plaza Lincoln. What a pleasure dealing with the sta of the dealership, very polite and professional, especially our sales agent Jay Bitzer. He is very knowledgeable and courteous, and really works hard to get your business. This is not the first Lincoln we purchased from them and it probably won’t be the last.

Sales Representative JAY BITZER

General Sales Manager TONY PAGANO

MENU

FOOD DRINKS REVIEWS

IN THE KITCHEN Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant offers fall-off-the-bone, fingerlicking wings that are absolutely delicious.

82PG

Touchdown!

Cousin Vinnie’s new owner shares his favorite tailgating recipes.

ootball season signals the return of a beloved tradition: tailgating. With every kicko comes the thrill of sharing and discovering mouthwatering tailgate recipes. Whether you're a seasoned tailgate chef or just diving into the game-day scene, there’s always a new dish waiting to score a touchdown with friends and family.

And who better to usher in tailgate festivities than Sam Dapena, the new owner of Leesburg's famous wing joint, Cousin Vinnie's Family Sports Restaurant.

“Life is about family, friends and fun, and what better way to bring them all together than football and your favorite tailgating foods?” Sam says. “Wings, dips and chips is the way to go. As the owner of Cousin Vinnie’s, creating new, delicious tasting food is my favorite thing to do, along with football season of course. Cold beer, great food and great friends is what tailgating is all about.”

ABOUT THE RESTAURANT

Sam took over Cousin Vinnie’s in 2021 after a 14-year run by original owner Vinnie Vittoria. The two were actually shooting the breeze one day when Sam jokingly o ered to run the restaurant. Vinnie decided it wasn’t

a half-bad idea and decided to retire, but not before passing on the family secrets that make this restaurant so popular.

Originally a cruise ship remodeler, Sam had to pivot careers due to the Covid pandemic.

“My family worked on remodeling cruise ships, and naturally, I joined in,” Sam says. "We’d work almost around the clock, every day. With the business taking a hit due to Covid, I’d been on the lookout for other work.”

Cousin Vinnie’s was the perfect t.

Sam had never run a restaurant before, so Vinnie took him under his wings — no pun intended — before throwing Sam in head rst.

“Pretty much everything is the same,” Sam says. “All the same recipes and great avors that we are known for.”

That’s not to say there haven’t been any tweaks. Sam introduced a few new items and also brought a personal touch with his favorite jalapeño ranch dipping sauce, among other specialties. His philosophy is clear: “If it’s not broke, don’t x it.”

Did we mention that Cousin Vinnie’s was voted Best of the Best (in the annual Style Magazine poll) for wings and sports bar?

The restaurant is a paradise for sports enthusiasts, showcasing multiple televisions broadcasting various sports, from college football to The Masters.

ON THE MENU

The menu teems with mouthwatering o erings like chicken wings, sausage and cheese re balls, beer battered onion rings, fried green beans, Cousin Vinnie’s Secret Shrimp, and widely popular garlic parmesan fries. Add in subs, burgers and salads, and there's something for everyone.

Aside from their famous wings, the Killer Hamburgers are, well . . . killer. All burgers are freshly made with 80/20 blended patties. Popular options include the Alpine Burger, loaded with sautéed mushrooms and onions, and the ever-popular BBQ Burger.

For a twist, try deep-fried hot dogs, a avor burst that has been showcased on the Food Channel.

The menu also o ers sandwiches like the chicken salad sandwich, a three-generation family recipe, the hearty Ribeye Philly Cheese Steak, and its chicken counterpart. There’s also the spicy bu alo chicken sub and the chickenparmesan sandwich.

No meal is complete without dessert, and Cousin Vinnie’s doesn't disappoint. Options range from fairground-inspired funnel cake fries to rich delights like the Peanut Butter Explosion, Pineapple Coconut Surprise and classic red velvet cake.

STORY AND PHOTOS: CINDY PETERSON

TAILGATING RECIPES:

CROCK POT CHEESE BURGER DIP (HOT)

INGREDIENTS :

1/2 lb. ground beef (or ground turkey for healthier option)

8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese

1 10 oz. can of Rotel undrained

2 cups shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS:

HOMEMADE SPINACH DIP (COLD)

INGREDIENTS :

1 Hidden Valley Ranch dip seasoning packet

1 frozen chopped spinach block

1 qt. of your choice of sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

Microwave spinach in a bowl as directed. Once spinach is done, drain all of the juice and use paper towel to squeeze the remaining juice from the spinach. Allow spinach to cool for 5-10 minutes. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate for one hour. Serve with your favorite game day chips!

Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Mix well. Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with your favorite game day chips

TIP: Use Velveeta cheese for a creamier dip

“Life is about family, friends and fun, and what better way to bring them all together than football and your favorite tailgating foods?”

—SAM DAPENA

SOFT BOILED EGGS:

TONKOTSU RAMEN

UNCLE SAMMIE’S STYLE WINGS

1

INGREDIENTS :

1/2 cup of your favorite noodles, cooked

2 tbsp. of your favorite dashi (Japanese soup stock) or soy sauce

INGREDIENTS :

4 Ibs. chicken wings

1/4 cup of Tonkotsu broth

2 1-oz pieces of pork belly

Wild Mustard Sauce (found only at Cousin Vinnie’s)

Take 2 eggs and boil 3 quarts of water. When water is boiling, add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar. Place eggs and cook for 6 minutes. Have an ice bath ready. Place in ice bath and peel. In a bowl, mix 1 quart soy sauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Mix well. Place peeled eggs in this base until ready to use.

PORK BELLY:

About The Funky Monkey

1 “Kinder’s” Red Garlic Seasoning

1/4 cup mushrooms

3 grams scallions

3 lbs. pork belly

1 cup brown sugar

2 soft boiled eggs

3 oz. Frankenstein Dust (found only at Cousin Vinnie’s)

OPTIONAL:

onion powder

1/2 tsp. of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer

DIPPING SAUCES:

TONKOTSU BROTH:

3 tbsp. salt and pepper mix

1 tbsp. chili flakes

1 cup soy sauce

DIRECTIONS:

• Homemade Ranch (found only at Cousin Vinnie’s)

1 lb. pork neck

• Homemade Bleu Cheese (found only at Cousin Vinnie’s)

1 lb. pork fatback

1 lb. pig feet

• Homemade Jalapeno Ranch (found only at Cousin Vinnie’s)

1 lb. pork bones

1 medium onion

Mix brown sugar with soy sauce, salt and pepper and chili flakes. Cover bottom of non-stick pan with oil. Place pork skin side down and let it get a nice hard sear. Place pork on aluminum foil. Rub soy mixture on the pork belly. Wrap and place in a 400 degree oven for 1.5 hours. Let cool for 30 to 45 minutes and slice.

The Funky Monkey opened in 2021 in the upstairs dining area of the Renaissance Building in downtown Mount Dora. This is owner Rodrigo Morocho’s second restaurant. The first is The Frog and Monkey Restaurant and Pub, located just two floors down.

“Originally my brother-in-law and I opened it to offer a different atmosphere than The Frog and Monkey,” Rodrigo says. “It’s more of a laid-back gastrobar offering tapas, or small, sharable dishes.”

5 mashed garlic cloves

DIRECTIONS:

MUSHROOMS:

1 thumb sized ginger piece

DIRECTIONS:

Run cold water over the bones. Put in a stock pot and cover with cold water. Bring to boil. Empty water. Yes, dump it. Return pot to stove and cover with cold water again. Bring to a soft boil. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and let cook for minimum 18 hours. Broth will get low a lot during this process. Just keep refilling with water. After 18 hours, the broth should be a soft cream color. Allow to cool.

Preheat grill to 350 F. Remove wings from packaging, rinse, and pat dry with paper towel. Once wings are dried, combine wings and Wild Mustard Sauce in a bowl and toss until lightly coated. Place wings on baking sheet or tray. Lightly and evenly dust with onion powder and Kinder’s Red Garlic seasonings, ensuring that the seasoning is sticking to the wings well. Once well coated and grill brought up to temperature, place wings on grill for roughly 20 minutes, turning often to reduce charring. (Keep an eye on your flame as you do not want the skin to burn but become very crispy. Cooking time may vary depending on the size, temperature, and thickness of the wings. Always temperature check your wings before removing from grill and serving) 10-15 minutes into to cooking on the grill, lightly dust with Cousin Vinnie’s Frankenstein Dust before wings become crispy. This will allow the seasoning to stick but not be cooked off during the process. Once grilling is complete, plate wings nicely with serving sides of Cousin Vinnie’s Ranch and Bleu Cheese and celery sticks! Enjoy the best tailgate snack Uncle Sammie’s way!

1 cup black fungus (kikurage mushrooms)

8 cups water

DIRECTIONS:

Boil both together. Mushroom will double in size when it is done. Drain. Add some of egg mixture and sesame seeds. Mix well.

PLATE IT:

In a serving bowl, add the dashi or soy sauce first with the optional MSG. Then add the Tonkotsu broth, followed by the cooked noodles. Top with pork belly, soft boiled egg, mushrooms and scallions. Serve immediately or broth will congeal.

Rodrigo was looking for something that no one else offered in the area, so Dionne was a perfect fit with his extensive culinary skills.

The menu offers four of Dionne’s signature ramen bowls –tonkotsu, spicy miso, short rib and veggie. Other “big eats” include chaufa, a Peruvian-inspired fried rice with vegetables and choice of protein, steak frites (marinated skirt steak with chimichurri and asparagus), and the Funky Burger with a ground beef and pork patty topped with coleslaw, cheddar cheese and chimichurri.

COUSIN VINNIE’S FAMILY SPORTS RESTAURANT

Monday–Sunday 11am–9pm

10700 US Hwy. 441, Leesburg

352.253.2442

www.cvinnies.com

Their signature tapas (great for sharing) include charcuterie, empanadas, chicken or pork bao buns, chicken wings, potato croquettes, braised short rib, loco pulpo (braised and grilled octopus) and gambas (head on prawns with spicy butter).

Hey, readers! Do you have favorite recipes or know a chef we should profile? Comment on this article or send story ideas to cindy@akersmediagroup.com.

CINDY PETERSON

Jarring success

ost people rely on scrapbooks, old photographs or family stories passed from generation to generation to carry on their family’s legacy.

Brothers Glen and Byron Key and their sister Keri Carter, however, have a restaurant.

It’s not just any restaurant they co-own either, but what’s become known as a local landmark. And rightfully so. The Mason Jar has called the exact same spot home since their mom Latrell Key—with help from her sister Paula and her Aunt Lou— rst opened in Dona VIsta more than 41 years ago.

“We share a special connection to this place, not only as her children now running it, but because we know it was one of her biggest accomplishments,” says Glen. “It’s so special to be running it and so nice that people talk about her. They love the food but she’s what people remember most about this place.”

“It’s been family owned and operated since the beginning.”

Upon walking into The Mason Jar, you may notice some unique features: door handles made from ri es, country/ barn décor featuring wagon wheels and sun owers, a stu ed black bear near the entrance, a sign reminding all to “Eat like no one is watching,” old black-and-white framed family photos on the walls of the waiting area, and more.

Most of all, the smells coming from the kitchen may remind guests of their own mothers’ southern kitchens. Days when things like bacon and eggs, meatloaf, chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, liver and onions, fried chicken, beans and rice, shepherd’s pie, biscuits, corn mu ns, chicken and dumplings, and spaghetti were staples.

Glen says the very aromas wafting through the air transport him back in time.

“The type of food we serve here is based on good old homecooked meals. We use a lot of my mother’s and grandmother’s recipes and everything we serve are things we would’ve been served for dinner back in the day,” he adds, explaining that along with traditional southern-style meals, The Mason Jar kitchen produces favorites like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more.

The restaurant opens at 6am daily for breakfast, which is served until 11am sharp.

In fact, Mason Jar regulars Ken and Linda Adams — self-proclaimed area “old-timers” — say be prepared for a bit of a wait if you visit the place on a weekend morning, especially Sundays after church. They also say it’s worth it for what they call the best breakfast around served by the friendliest crew.

STORY: ROXANNE BROWN ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL

“We absolutely love the Mason Jar and appreciate all that it stands for. To have this in our community and know the people here is just amazing, and the food is fantastic,” says Linda. “My favorite is all-you-can-eat fried chicken on Sundays but mainly, the best thing about the

Umatilla siblings joyfully serve comfort food and heaping sides of friendship, love, and memories.

restaurant are its servers because they always make you feel welcome.”

“You have to take care of these kinds of places. They’re jewels.”

perfectly prepared and didn’t taste greasy at all.

Glen says he also cherishes the sta , and credits them for so many repeat customers.

being uncorked, poured into a couple of glasses, and set on the table in front of us.

The best thing, however, was that feeling of home Alisha was so intent on creating that The Sipping Garden exudes. The center of the bistro looks like a living room straight out of Better Homes & Gardens.

And the menu . . . from charcuterie boards, creamy burrata,

“We have employees who have been with us for 20 to 30 years, we have employees who work here together, like mother and daughter, and we have the best and most creative kitchen manager we could ever ask for,” Glen adds. “I want to thank them all; it’s part of the blessing that’s

big for me, so I do a di erent one every day,” Alisha says. Her wellloved avors include tomato basil, sausage potato kale, chicken and dumplings, black bean, and split pea. “Although it’s a lot of work making a homemade soup every day, it’s worth people knowing it didn’t come in a bag from a distributor but was made fresh and with love.”

I followed that with a hamburger steak and a side of candied yams. Nicole had the country fried chicken breast with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Both entrees were delicious, but the servings were so big there was no way we could have nished all of it. Somehow, we made room to split an amazing peach cobbler with no regrets.

when they come in, they can get a seat quickly, eat and go, even if we’re busy,” Glen said. “She was always thinking of everyone, and how she could feed and take care of them.”

Glen and his sta certainly took care of us. I will be back, especially during strawberry season when they feature strawberry shortcake,

Each day, Alisha takes to Facebook and posts The Sipping Garden’s soup of the day, new wines,

With that, the best thing about our visit was learning about Table

THE MASON JAR

37534 State Road 19, Umatilla

THE SIPPING GARDEN AND BISTRO

352.589.2535

Facebook: The Mason Jar

605 West Magnolia St., Leesburg

Open Monday through Saturday 6am-8pm, Sunday 6am-2pm

Tuesday-Saturday 12-9pm, closed Sunday and Monday

Open for dine-in and takeout. Live music (select nights) and daily drink specials.

352.450.0716

Follow us!

Facebook: ‘The Sipping Garden Bistro’

Instagram: @thesippinggardenbistro

Homestyle cooking for dine-in and takeout. Open for breakfast (until 11am), lunch, and dinner. Daily specials, all-you-can-eat fish fry on Fridays, all-you-can-eat spaghetti on Saturdays, and all-you-can-eat fried chicken on Sundays.

www.thesippinggardenandbistro.com

“ The type of food we serve here is based on good old homecooked meals. We use a lot of my mother’s and grandmother’s recipes and everything we serve are things we would’ve been served for dinner back in the day. ”

—GLEN KEY

ROXANNE BROWN

owner / sommelier

eats

From classic diners and lakeside restaurants to fine dining and everything in-between, Lake and Sumter counties culinary scene is booming. Your favorite meal is sure to be served with a side of hospitality. You can find a copy of Lake & Sumter Style at all listed dining locations!

BUSHNELL

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 2586 W. CR 48

352.568.7000

Darrell’s Diner

2237 W. CR 48

352.444.2318

CLERMONT

Akina Sushi Bar & Asian Fusion Bistro

4300 S. U.S. Hwy. 27

352.243.8988

Ay Jalisco

580 Hwy. 50

352.243.1360

Cheeser’s Palace Café

707 W. Montrose St.

352.404.9431

Crooked Spoon

Gastropub

200 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.404.7808

Gator’s Dockside

1200 Oakley Seaver Dr.

352.242.1825

Goomba’s Pizzeria

2395 S. Hwy. 27

352.989.4403

Green Mountain Pizza

303 Hwy. 50

352.432.3380

Guru Restaurant 2400 S. Hwy. 27 Ste. 101

352.241.9884

Oakwood

Smokehouse & Grill

230 Citrus Tower Blvd.

352.394.0036

Robata Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar

1500 Oakley Seaver Dr.

352.404.9688

Sarah’s Greek Cuisine & More

16640 Cagan Crossings Blvd., Ste. 305

352.404.8031

EUSTIS

Gators Dockside

15241 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.357.1255

Stavro’s & Sons of Eustis 2100 W. CR 44

352.589.9100

Taki’s Pizza House 2824 S. Bay St.

352.357.0022

The Tro 936 N. Bay St.

352.357.9939

Tony’s Pizza & Subs 2760 E. Orange Ave.

352.589.9001

FRUITLAND PARK

Stavro’s 3223 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.315.0028

The Rose Plantation 200 Rose Ave.

352.805.4340

GROVELAND

Red Wing Restaurant 12500 S. SR 33

352.429.2997

Barrels & Boards 7965 SR 50 A500 352.557.5007

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS

JB Boondocks Bar & Grill 704 S. Lakeshore Blvd. 352.324.3600

Mission Inn’s La Hacienda Restaurant 10400 CR 48

352.324.3910

Mission Inn’s Nicker’s Clubhouse Restaurant 10400 CR 48 352.324.2718

LADY LAKE

Bamboo Bistro

700 Hwy. 441

352.750.9998

El Ranchito

1 Lagrande Blvd.

352.750.3335

Gators Dockside

1004 Main St. 352.430.1377

Harbor Hills

Country Club

6538 Lake Griffin Rd.

352.753.7000

Marco’s Pizza

13721 U.S. Hwy. 441

352.775.1500

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant 304 S. U.S. Hwy. 27/441 352.753.2722

OakWood Smokehouse & Grill

860 S. Hwy. 27/441

352.751.5640

Takis Greek and Italian Restaurant

13761 U.S. Hwy. 441 N.

352.430.3630

LEESBURG

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria

27405 U.S. Hwy. 27

352.728.2020

Cousin Vinnie’s Family Sports Restaurant 10700 U.S. Hwy. 441 352.253.2442

Donut King 708 S. 14th St. 352.805.4888

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Restaurant

911 W. North Blvd. 352.460.0123

Fire Rock Pizza

712 W. Main St., Ste. 5 352.605.6123

Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room 311 W. Magnolia St.

352.474.2739

Ichiban Bu et 10301 Hwy. 441 352.728.6669

La Palma Mexican Grill 1690 Citrus Blvd. 352.323.1444

Luna Azul 1337 S. 14th St. 352.805.4174

Mammoth Oak Brewing Company 1107 W. North Blvd. 352.326.0100

Mystic Ice Cream 314 W. Main St. 352.812.1366

Naples Italian Restaurant

1107 W. North Blvd. 352.323.1616

OakWood

Smokehouse & Grill

2775 U.S. Hwy. 27 352.435.4633

Prime 3 on Main 610 W Main St 352.314.0015

Rodello’s Italian Restaurant 26736 U.S. Hwy. 27 352.319.8093

Sipping Grounds

Leesburg 201 W. Main St. 352.435.7749

Ski Beach 21 Dozier Cir. 352.973.0793

The Brick & Barrel Public House 209 W. Main St. 352.431.3069

The Co ee Snob 1101 W. North Blvd. 352.460.4570

The Old Time Diner 1350 W. North Blvd. 352.805.4250

The Sipping Garden and Bistro 605 W. Magnolia St. 352.460.0716

Wolfy’s 918 N. 14th St. 352.787.6777

Hurricane Dockside Grill

Whether you arrive by land or water, Hurricane Dockside Grill has whatever floats your boat, meaning the menu is diverse enough to satisfy all patrons. You can order everything from delicious wings and a fried shrimp basket to a buttermilk chicken sandwich and fajita rice bowl. And don’t forget those delicious burgers with cool names—the “Mac Daddy Burger,” the “Hangover Burger,” and the “Impossible Burger.” A tiki hut provides outdoor seating and a spectacular view of the Dead River. Inside, colorful, beachy décor gives the allure of dining on the coast.

MOUNT DORA

Barnwood Country Kitchen & Smokehouse 3725 W. Old U.S. Hwy. 441

352.630.4903

Fiesta Grande 421 N. Baker St.

352.385.3540

Magical Meat Boutique 322 N. Alexander St. 352.729.6911

Vincent’s Italian Restaurant

5914 Orange Blossom Trl. 352.735.4578

OXFORD

Pho Saigon 11707 N. U.S. Hwy. 301

352.492.9423 TAVARES

TAVARES

Bella Nona Pizzeria 280 Silverado St. 352.508.9370

BTW (Burgers, Tacos & Wa es) 115 E. Main St. 352.508.9287

Fish Camp Lake Eustis 901 Lake Shore Blvd. 352.742.4400

Hurricane Dockside Grill

3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. 352.508.5137

Puddle Jumpers 111 W. Ruby St. 352.508.5862

Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill 118 W. Ruby St. 352.508.5783

THE VILLAGES

Cody’s Roadhouse Brownwood 3731 Meggison Rd. 352.430.2926

Cody’s Roadhouse Lake Sumter Landing 1041 Lake Shore Dr. 352.259.8500

Haagen-Dazs

Ice Cream 1001 Lake Shore Dr. 352.751.0261

Legacy Restaurant 17135 Buena Vista Blvd. 352.753.1475

Marco’s Pizza 5806 Seven Mile Dr., Ste. 101 352.571.2400

NYPD Pizzeria 4046 Wedgewood Ln. 352.750.1994

Peachwave 249 Colony Blvd. 352.750.2238

Peterbrooke Chocolatier 1087 Canal St. 352.391.5877

RJ Gator’s Florida Sea Grill & Bar 1015 Lake Shore Dr., #1693 352.751.6935

Roberto’s Ristorante

Pizzeria 2468 Burnsed Blvd. 352.626.1059

Sakura 265 Colony Blvd. 352.205.7393

Too Jays Brownwood 2835 Brownwood Blvd. 352.350.2122

Too Jays Lake Sumter Landing 1129 Canal St. 352.430.0410

VKI Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 1004 Old Mill Run 352.259.9887

UMATILLA

The Mason Jar 37534 SR 19 352.589.2535

3351 W. Burleigh Blvd. Tavares / 352.508.5137

GOOD GRUBTHISEDITOR'SMONTH'S PICK

Brooklyn’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

27405 U.S. HWY 27, LEESBURG | 352.728.2020

MYBROOKLYNPIZZERIA.COM

& 352.365.9004

When hit with a craving for authentic New York style pizza, there’s no need to catch the next flight to the Big Apple. Simply visit Brooklyn’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant in Leesburg and Owners James and Shawna Pancari will make you feel right at home with New York inspired vibes, décor, and flavors. Not only have they perfected the New York style thin crust people swear by, but they take pride in ensuring everything they serve is made fresh and from-scratch daily; including their pizza dough and sauces, strombolis, calzones, subs, salads, wings, specialty Italian and pasta dinners. Additionally, the restaurant is family-run and Veteran-owned, with James having served in the Coast Guard for 31 years. In honor of that, the dining room features a military wall, plus a 10 percent discount for veterans, active members of the military, police, fire, and first responders. Brooklyn’s Pizzeria also offers gluten-free pizza and pasta options, and accepts door-dash, online-ordering, catering, and curbside pickup.

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Restaurant

911 W. NORTH BLVD., LEESBURG | 352.460.0123

ELRANCHITOMEXICANCUBAN.COM

Since opening in 1997, El Ranchito has been the go-to place for Lake Countians who desire delicious Mexican food. Although the restaurant was closed for nearly two years due to the coronavirus, El Ranchito’s Leesburg location officially reopened in December 2021. The restaurant is now named El Ranchito Mexican Cuban and serves genuine Mexican cuisine and a variety of Cuban entrees with entertainment on Tuesdays and Saturdays! The menu features many of the favorite dishes diners have grown to love over the years, as well as new dishes. Consider the Molcajete Caliente featuring your choice of meats grilled with onion, potato, and bell pepper, topped with cheese and salsa verde. Or try the Bistec de Palomilla with thin-sliced steak with onions and parsley that comes with a signature steak sauce. El Ranchito fans will appreciate the remodeled restaurant, which now includes a 50-seat outside patio. Despite the changes, the food remains as scrumptious as ever. Enjoy amigos!

Guru Restaurant

CLERMONT HILLSIDE TERRACE, 2400 S. U.S. 27, SUITE 101, CLERMONT 352.241.9884 | GURURESTAURANTCLERMONT.COM

Owned by Chef Uday Kadam, Guru has a following of fans who savor the delicious, award-winning Indian cuisine inside the restaurant’s beautiful dining room filled with Indian décor and tables with linen tablecloths. Guru earned the prestigious Best Entrée award at the 2021 Taste of South Lake & Business Expo for its Chicken Tikka Masala, featuring boneless chicken pieces cooked in a Tandoor oven with tomato sauce, onion, aromatic herbs, spices, and served with Basmati rice. Guru also has tasty appetizers, Naan breads, vegan dishes, and a wide array of entrees, including Palak Paneer, a dish of homemade cubes of cheese cooked with spinach and fresh spices; Lamb Vindaloo of choice lamb cubes marinated in vinegar with potato and a blend of spices; and Tandoori Chicken Tikka, where the chicken is marinated in mild spices and yogurt. Additionally, Indian alcoholic beverages of Taj Mahal and Kingfisher are served at Guru, and the restaurant caters private functions, parties, and provides many delivery options for orders made online at mygurutogo.com.

Mon, Wed, Thu 11:00am – 8:00pm

Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm

Saturday 12:00pm – 9:00pm

Sunday 12:00pm – 8:00pm

Closed Tuesday

Sun – Sat

11:00am – 10:00pm

Follow us on Facebook for daily specials and entertainment!

Visit our Villages location!

El Ranchito Restaurant

1 La Grande Blvd, The Villages 352.750.3335

Mon – Sat

11:30am – 10:00pm

Sunday

11:30am – 7:00pm

Guru Indian Restaurant

9Years!Celebrates

lermont Guru Indian Restaurant has been proudly serving authentic and awardwinning Indian cuisine in Central Florida since 2014. Founded by Master Chef Uday Kadam, he launched his Guru Restaurant in Clermont to bring us a superb quality destination food emporium.

Tasteful Diversity!

Guru o ers youa diverse menu with delicious beef, lamb, seafood, poultry, and vegan entrees. Each dish is custom created with fresh ingredients, sauces, and spices and cooked to match your personal taste desires from mild to hot. Their Biryani specialties are made with tender meat and basmati rice combinations in Hyderabadi style. All ten varieties of naan breads are cooked fresh for each serving in their clay ovens. They o er a variety of refreshing desserts. Guru serves very generous portions of the nest quality

A Fabulous Foodies Favorite

foods available, with some savory extras going home for a second meal. Domestic and Indian beers as well as a large variety of house and brand wines, as well as Indian Chai Tea, are available.

Award Winning Cuisine!

Guru Indian Restaurant has earned dozens of ne dining honors, feature stories, and awards from Style Magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, The Tampa Tribune, South Lake Tablet, Clermont News Leader, and many more inclusive of repeatedly earning the South Lake Chamber of Commerce ‘Local Taste Awards’ for being ‘The Best Indian Restaurant in Central Florida.” Guru Indian Restaurant has been named one of the Top Restaurants in Central Florida over the past 9 years by nationally respected Trip Advisor. They were most recently honored as the ‘Best Entrée’ at the Taste of South Lake Festival and ‘Best Lunch Spot’ for 2023 by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. They were

awarded ‘Best Indian Restaurant’ by the 2023 Orlando Sentinel People’s Choice Awards.

Celebrity Servings:

Besides primarily welcoming local area residents and tourists,Kadam, and his restaurant teams have served many celebrities, professional athletes, musicians, politicians, Bollywood and Hollywood stars over the years. This list includes Shaquille ‘Shaq’ O’Neil, Dick Gregory, The Beach Boys,The Robert Q. Lewis Band as well as local dignitaries. Kadam adds, “Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, the King of Malaysia was my favorite regular guest for many years at my former I-Drive Passage to India Restaurant.

Guru Indian Restaurant o ers convenient dine-in, dine-out, ToGo takeout, delivery, and catering services. They are now open from 11:30 AM 7 days a week for lunches and dinners with Monday through Saturday hours until 9 PM and 6 PM on Sundays.

Guru Indian Resturant is located at 2400 US Highway 27, Suite 101 in Clermont, FL 34711. For more information, call 352-241-9884 or visit MyGuruToGo.com.

La Palma Mexican Grill

1690 CITRUS BLVD., LEESBURG | 352.323.1444 | LAPALMAGRILL.COM

The entire staff invites you to a delicious dining experience at La Palma Mexican Grill. The recipes used for the restaurant’s unique dishes are a blend of old-school traditions from Mexico, combined with culinary inspirations from California and Louisiana. Homemade Mexican entrees such as Tacos Azteca, carnitas, fajitas, Chori Pollo, tamales and more, are flavorful and prepared with only the freshest of ingredients. Sit comfortably in the beautiful dining room, the festive bar, or outside on the patio deck with a serene view of the grounds and of the fun wild animals that can be spotted in the trees. Enjoy fast and friendly service, reasonable prices, three-for-one margaritas all day, every day, and a party room, available by reservation, for large parties or meetings. Full menu at lapalmagrill.com. Call for daily specials.

BWWAAAK!

It’s five o’clock somewhere!

Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant

352.753.2722 | 304 US-441, LADY LAKE

Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Lady Lake has the distinct honor of calling itself a true family-owned restaurant. In fact, five generations of family members have represented the restaurant since its humble beginnings in May 1962. As many generations of customers have dined there throughout the years thanks to the outstanding service and scrumptious dishes such as Spaghetti a la Bruzzi, Delmonico steak, and lasagna. This food savvy family prepares everything from scratch, crafting everything with love to satisfy your taste buds.

Prime 3 on Main Steakhouse

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LEESBURG, 610 W MAIN ST, LEESBURG 352.314.0015 | PRIME3STEAKHOUSE.COM

The dream and concept of three lifelong physicians, Prime 3 on Main is a confluence of American, Asian, and Latin influences in one world-class restaurant. Prime meats, prime rib, skirt steak, and seafood are our specialties. Our filet with black cherry port wine reduction sauce, or the Grouper Fromage, is unique and found nowhere else. Our Casa de Rosado Churrasco is a personal family recipe. Homemade Creme Brûlée and ice cream will complement your meal. Recently given the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine as among the world’s top wine and food restaurants, Prime 3 on Main has an extensive wine list and caters to small and large groups.

Open Daily 11:00am – 9:00pm

Lunch Specials 11:00am – 3:00pm

Margarita

Mondays! Enjoy $5 margaritas all day every Monday.

Wed – Sun 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Closed Monday & Tuesday Full Gluten-Free Menu

Mon – Sat

11:00am – 9:00pm

Closed Sundays

Lunch

11:00am – 3:00pm No Reservations Needed

Dinner 4:00pm - 9:00pm Reservations Required

Ask us about our Wine Pairing Event Dinners!

Rodello’s Italian Restaurant

26736 U.S HIGHWAY 27, LEESBURG | 352.319.8093 | RODELLOS.COM

Chef Amadeo Avila invites you to enjoy authentic and fresh Italian cuisine in a friendly, comfortable dining environment at Rodello’s Italian Restaurant. The recipes used for his dishes are a blend of old-school traditions from Italy—the restaurant is named for a city in the old country—with new culinary inspirations that Chef Amadeo has learned during many years in the restaurant business. Flavorful, homemade Italian entrees such as Pistachio Crusted Lamb, Salmon Saltimbocca, Lobster Ravioli, Shrimp Risotto, and many others are classics and prepared with only the freshest ingredients. The lunch menu features personal pizzas, calzones, subs, and pasta. Sit in the spacious dining room or enjoy drinks or desserts like delicious gelato in the cozy lounge, which features a full bar, wine menu, and an array of specialty cocktails. Always look for new features on Chef Amadeo’s menu, available on the restaurant’s website, Rodellos.com.

The Rose Plantation

200 ROSE AVE, FRUITLAND PARK | 352.805.4340 THEROSEPLANTATION.COM

Enjoy an early 20th Century dining experience at The Rose Plantation, located in a home built in 1917. This charming and delightful restaurant on Fountain Lake serves up outstanding dishes with a side of elegant ambiance, starting with the glass-enclosed garden room and veranda, eclectic china, live piano, fine silverware, linen tablecloths, and the rose garden out front. The chefs are given creative freedom to make memorable dishes such as rack of lamb with bourbon berry glaze and cherry gastrique, delicate sacchettini pasta filled with three types of cheese in a brandy cream sauce, colossal crab cakes, and crab stuffed angeloni with parsnip puree and roasted red pepper cream sauce. All dishes are upscale in both quality and presentation. Customers can also choose from 140 varietals of wine. The restaurant, which seats 128 guests, includes private dining rooms for parties of 2 to 50.

Present original ad with purchase to enter monthly $100+

TooJay’s

LAKE SUMTER LANDING

1129 CANAL ST., THE VILLAGES | 352.430.0410

BROWNWOOD PADDOCK SQUARE

2835 BROWNWOOD BLVD., THE VILLAGES | 352.350.2122

TOOJAYS.COM

Serving your favorite New York Style Deli Food since 1981, we offer hearty portions of homemade comfort foods like Shepherd’s Pie and Beef Brisket, handcrafted sandwiches such as our classic Hot Pastrami and Corned Beef, made-from-scratch soups like our famous Matzo Ball and Chicken Noodle, handmade, award-winning cakes including our Banana Dream and Chocolate Killer, just to name a few. Our extensive menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with options for everyone. We have an incredible over the counter offering of deli meats and cheeses, as well as made fresh-daily breads. Our catering menu is one of the best in town, with options for both social gatherings and corporate functions.

Open Daily 11:00am – 9:00pm

Lunch: Tue – Fri 11:00am – 2:00pm

Dinner: Tue – Sat 4:30pm – 8:00pm Reservations Encouraged

Mon – Sun

8:00am – 8:00pm

800-GO4-DELI

HOOKED ON BARTENDING, FISHING

Bartender Mathew Sultan lives the dream . . . schedule.

ack in the 90s, I endured a brief stint working 9 to 5 at my father’s company, where he successfully sold underground utility products and I unsuccessfully pretended to work. Each day, I dreamed of life beyond the sad, beige walls. He eventually caught on, and like the understanding and wonderful dad he was, he set me free with a big hug and a final paycheck.

I drove to the nearest bar and got a job slinging drinks. I don’t miss the beige walls, but these days I wouldn’t mind a cushy set schedule. It’s a rarity as a bartender.

After 18 years in The Villages®, Mathew Sultan has hit the

scheduling jackpot. He works Monday through Friday at Cane Garden Country Club.

“This schedule is perfect for me,” says the 38-year-old. “I can have dinner with my family, take my daughter to school, and, even better, take her fishing on the weekends.”

Mathew met his wife Jessica while they were bartending together. She eventually graduated from nursing school with his support and the help of the community of regulars. They had daughter Joslyn 10 years ago and call her “JoJo.”

Prior to coming on board with Cane Garden Country Club, Mathew worked at Friday’s, The Angler’s Club, and, most recently, Katie Belle’s. He says his schedules were often random, and while he enjoyed the experience, he had to conform to certain rules which he

felt didn’t allow him to show his authentic personality.

“Now I get to work in a place where I can really be myself, which I enjoy,” he says. “Plus, having people know me makes me happy.”

The steady schedule also allows him to see his favorite locals every day.

“Pat and Sandy Brady come in at least five days a week right at 2:40,” he says. “At 2:30, I fill up a carafe of Chardonnay and put it in the cooler so it’s chilled and waiting the minute they walk in.”

Mathew says he has no plans to leave anytime soon. And after getting to know him, I’m convinced he would work the graveyard shift at a dumpy casino if it meant he could always go fishing with JoJo.

GINA HORAN

STORY: GINA HORAN ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL

CANESULTANMATHEWATGARDEN COUNTRY CLUB

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A war of words

Please don’t defund the grammar police. We’re needed!

STORY: JAMES COMBS

ts almost football season. I can’t wait!”

As a member of the grammar police, I cringed when I read that text message from my brother. The missing apostrophe that should’ve been wedged between the t and s in the word “its” was an obvious indication of my brother’s inability to understand the di erence between a contraction and a possessive.

I texted back and corrected him. His response: “I couldn’t care less.” There are some of us who do care. That’s why grammar police like myself are constantly on patrol, busting anyone who cannot distinguish between “Its” and It’s,” “your” and “you’re, “two,” “to,” and “too,” or “their,” “there,” and “they’re.” Contrary to popular belief, we don’t patrol the highways and byways of language as a snobbish form of one-upmanship, but rather a genuine concern for rapidly declining grammar usage.

Grammar matters. Quality is in the details, and correctly using commas, semicolons, and quotation marks

tells readers that you’re careful and competent. A resume free of spelling errors and grammatical bloopers will keep it from going straight to the trash. Also, using correct punctuation can make the di erence in the message you’re trying to convey and how the message is interpreted. For instance, imagine a man sending an apologetic text to his wife.

“I’m sorry. I love you.”

“I’m sorry I love you.”

The second sentence may land the husband in divorce court.

Unfortunately, not everybody is down with conveying ideas with clarity and precision. I blame some of this on technology. First, while texting is one of the most popular forms of written communication, we’re hardly authoring Pulitzer Prize-worthy masterpieces. Most texts read like this: “C u 2nite at the par-t.” This type of informal communication becomes ingrained in our writing skills.

Second, the younger generation has displayed an overreliance on spell-check instead of developing

their proofreading skills. Spell-check never catches typos that are actual words. Example: “I’ll drive the care to the beach.” Third, social media sites sometimes limit your number of characters (Twitter’s limit was once 140), so why waste one on a comma?

Of course, we cannot pin all this on technology. Some people genuinely don’t think grammar matters and erroneously assume they will still be clearly understood in their own ways of writing and communicating.

Sorry, but that logic simply doesn’t y. Grammar rules are a necessity because they ensure clear communication and understanding.

Going forward, please don’t call us grammar police. Think of us as protectors of punctuation, supervisors of spelling, correctors of comma splices, and regulators of run-on sentences. Just know that there’s no ill will and we have your best interest at heart.

Still think we’re uptight snobs? I couldn’t care less.

Hey, readers! Is there a particular subject that you would like me to write a commentary about? Tell me, via email, at james@akersmediagroup.com.

JAMES COMBS

Awareness is power.

DID

It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. About 85% of breast cancers result from genetic mutations and occur in those who have no family history of the condition. Understanding breast cancer is key to protecting your health.

During Breast

Awareness Month this October, UF

is offering FREE CONSULTATIONS with our new breast surgeon, Chand Rohatgi, MD.

Get answers to your questions about breast health disease prevention and advances in breast cancer treatment. Limited number of appointments available.

BIGGER.