20 minute read
LOOK GOOD FEEL GOOD
Debbie& Luke
Matamo Designs owner appreciative of customers’ support when her son was ill.
PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
hen Debbie Belton opened her downtown Mount Dora boutique, Matamo Designs, fi lled with exotic, hard-to-fi nd furnishings and accents in 2008, her son Luke had just turned 5. He was always his Dad’s helper with the buildout picking up nails, to breaking down boxes and making runs to the dumpster. His face has become a standard in the shop as his pictures are featured in the shop’s photo frames available for purchase.
Three years ago, Luke became very ill. Specialists diagnosed that he had Ulcerative Colitis, an infl ammatory bowel disease. “It’s a livable disease, but when you are very young, it can be deadly,” says Debbie. “We dealt with the diagnosis the best we could, in and out of hospitals for 2 years.” Debbie’s mother had Ulcerative Colitis and was aware of the detriment that the medications to treat can ultimately destroy other organs later on in life. Biologics were extremely expensive and honestly, just a temporary bandaid. Debbie and her husband, Bobby, wanted to give him a better chance at a quality of life and was desperate for a better solution.
Luckily, the husband of one of her customers, a colorectal surgeon, advised Debbie to have Luke’s colon removed, and he connected them with a surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in South Florida. That was the answer to all of their prayers.
“Luke had his surgery a year ago, lived with a temporary colostomy, then had a J-Pouch installed in place of his diseased colon. Luke is living his best life right now, 16 years old and now starting football practices with the MDHS team,” says Debbie. Three years ago, we never dreamed Luke would be working out and building muscles, driving a car, and playing sports; all the while continuing his studies without skipping a beat. Amazing!!!
Debbie is forever grateful for her family and friends, employees and customers, and Luke’s core group of friends for their wonderful support. “I have customers who come in almost daily asking how Luke is,” says Debbie, adding the customer support has been extremely meaningful in her life and business. “It’s another extension of my family.”
Debbie followed her heart when she opened Matamo Designs, and she loves when customers fi nd that special piece or two for their home or the perfect gift for special occasions. As the owner of Matamo Designs, Debbie also provides decorating tips, color guidance and space planning suggestions for customers who seek her expertise.
LUKE IN RECOVERY AFTER HIS SECOND SURGERY AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC.
352.735.4800 / matamodesigns.com / 100 E. 5th Avenue, Mount Dora
agenda
EVENTS. TRAVEL. PEOPLE.
Find out how Dawn DiNome became a cherished performer in The Villages and throughout Lake County.
2020
aug.JAMS
Move to the beat of one of your favorite performers at one of these great concerts or local venues!
8/6@7pm
GREG PANDO
Mojo’s, Belleview
8/7@9pm
MANFREDI ROCKS
JJ’s Lounge, Sorrento
8/7@9:30pm
PAPA WHEELEE
Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
8/8@9pm
MANFREDI ROCKS
JJ’s Lounge, Sorrento
8/8@9:30pm
THE CYCLONES
Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
8/13@7pm
GREG PANDO
Mojo’s, Belleview
8/14@9:30pm
SKID RODEO
Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
8/15@5pm
C.O.D. FLORIDA
Hurricane Dockside, Tavares
8/15@5pm
MANFREDI ROCKS
Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille, The Villages
8/15@9:30pm
SKID RODEO
Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
8/20@7pm
GREG PANDO
Mojo’s, Belleview
8/21@9pm
MAD HADDER BAND
Frank’s Place, Leesburg
8/22@7pm
THE BEACH BUOYS
Mount Dora Plaza Live, Mount Dora
8/21@9:30pm
OVERKILT
Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
8/22@7pm
MAIDEN VOYAGE BAND
Gators of Umatilla, Umatilla
8/22@9:30pm
OVERKILT
Oasis Saloon, Sorrento
8/25@8pm
BOOTH BROTHERS
Lake Yale Conference Baptist Center, Leesburg
8/27@7pm
GREG PANDO
Mojo’s, Belleview
8/28@5pm
MANFREDI ROCKS
Lighthouse Point Bar and Grille, The Villages
* Dates and time are tentative due to COVID-19 guidelines. Contact the venues for updates.
PEOPLE
Sings like an angel
Popular Villages performer Dawn DiNome eager to take the stage as Sandy in musical ‘Grease.’
STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL ≈ PHOTO: NICOLE HAMEL
o matter the venue, when Dawn DiNome sings, her goal is to provide a delightful experience. “I always try to give my best,” says the soprano singer who prefers singing mezzo.
“Sometimes it’s just about the audience’s response to a particular performance that makes it a magical event, where it all seems to fl ow.”
Her favorite music genre is Broadway musical theater and contemporary Christian music. “I usually feel a connection to the words,” she says. “There’s always a story told in a song, and I try to connect the audience to the story within that song.”
She’s looking forward to playing Sandy in “Grease” at the Savannah Center on Jan. 6-8. The musical was initially slated for last March, yet had to be rescheduled because of COVID-19.
Soon after moving to Fruitland Park in 2008 from New York, Dawn’s beautiful voice was noticed at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood, Villages’ social clubs, restaurants, on stage at Savannah Center, Katie Belle’s, and also at town squares accompanied by her father, Ralph DiNome and his band, Flashback.
“I tend to get the compliment that I sing like an angel,” says Dawn, 41. “I usually reply with ‘I’m no angel, just ask my mom.”
She also sings with the trio, The Amazing Grace Notes, at St. Vincent de Paul.
“We’ve done several shows at the church to raise money for the building fund and I’ve also sung on a few cruises in the last few years,” says Dawn. “The Villages has kept me so busy work-wise in a variety of ways for several years that I haven’t needed to go elsewhere. I am blessed that I get to work in a place where I can share my gift.”
One of Dawn’s favorite times was a CD release concert in 2012 at her church.
“It was the fi rst time doing a solo performance rather than being a guest in someone else’s show. The response was overwhelming. There was standing room only, and the performance went so well,” she says. “It’s defi nitely a performance I’ll never forget.” Her parents noticed her vocal talent as a young child. “I was really shy growing up, so as much as my dad tried to push me to sing publicly, I resisted a lot,” says Dawn. She began musical training in her 20s. “He has always pushed me to succeed,” she says of her father. “I’m sure in part because he didn’t take the chance on himself when he was younger, but also, I know he’s always seen my potential and tried to foster it. And now that he’s a Villager, he’s had a second chance at it himself, which is great. I’m proud to see him succeed at what he’s always wanted to do as well.”
Do you know talented people in the community? Send recommendations to editorial@akersmediagroup.com.
2018 / 2019 / 2020
Roy Carter, who founded the family's first Ace Hardware in 1964, passed two years ago. However, his legacy of superior customer service and family values remain strong.
Acing great service
Carter family have been treating customers right since 1964.
PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
he Carter family knows the nuts and bolts of the hardware business better than most. In fact, you might just say they are “aces” of their trade. In 1964, Roy Carter opened the family’s first Ace Hardware location in
Tavares. Since then, Roy and his son, Cadie, have opened eight additional sites, including five in Lake County, two in Citrus
County, and one in Orange County. “The first five stores were existing hardware stores that we purchased,” says Cadie. “We kept them going. The other stores were started from the ground up.”
Today, Cadie’s children are part of the third- generation company, which is now called Carter’s Ace Hardware. That includes his sons, Cade and Zach, as well as his stepdaughter, Brittany Kraemer. Each child was born and raised in Lake County.
The influx of large big-box retail stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot has changed the face of the hardware business in Lake County. But it has not changed the way the family conducts business.
“My dad always taught me to treat people like I want to be treated,” says Cadie, a 1978 graduate of Eustis High School. “We’ve always prided ourselves on doing things the right way by taking care of our customers and treating them with respect.”
While the family has kept old-fashioned customer service intact, they’ve also adapted to a rapidly changing industry. For instance, the family continually introduces new merchandise lines and they sell Stihl® power equipment.
The Umatilla store is their third location, while the Mount Dora, Tavares, and Eustis stores are in their second sites. Customers have followed them to each new location.
“It’s all about building relationships,” says Cadie. “And making a point to go above and beyond for the customer.
CARTER’S ACE: SERVICE, QUALITY, EXPERIENCE.
TAVARES - EUSTIS - UMATILLA - MT. DORA - SORRENTO - S. LEESBURG - APOPKA - BEVERLY HILLS - CRYSTAL RIVER
CartersAceHardware.com
ATTRACTIONS
Friends, food and fun!
Variety and entertainment draw people to Eustis First Fridays every month.
STORY: VICTORIA SCHLABIG ≈ PHOTOS: NICOLE HAMEL
he City of Eustis’ First Fridays have been something for locals to look forward to each month since the fi rst event in 1997. Originally organized by the Downtown Merchants Organization, First Fridays take place on the fi rst Friday of every month, though the last few have been cancelled due to COVID-19. Finding entertainers and vendors for First Friday is the responsibility of Erin Bailey, who was raised in Ormond Beach and took over as the City of Eustis’s events coordinator when she moved to Eustis in February of 2014. “Some of the bands have been playing at First Fridays for years, some I’ve booked previously to my working with the city, and others are recommended by the community or other event planners. Genres have ranged from Country and Southern Rock, to Reggae, Celtic and Bluegrass,” Erin says.
Other than the unique bands on the main stage, attendees can also fi nd “community-minded vendors, family-friendly activities, downtown businesses and restaurants, local entertainment and FUN!” Erin adds.
Depending on the time of year, Eustis First Fridays bring in anywhere from 900-2,000 guests. Erin surveyed First Friday attendees in 2019 and found that visitors’ favorite parts of First Fridays include the bands and entertainment, vendors, meeting friends, aff ordable activities, ease of parking, classic cars and variety of food choices.
Seminole PowerSports North is one of the many vendors participating in First Friday. Seminole PowerSports North, located on US-441 in Eustis, is a powersports dealership that sells things like four wheelers, dirt bikes, side by sides, personal watercrafts and motorcycles. The company usually sets up a tent and tries to bring a motorcycle or two, personal watercraft, or something for kids each month, depending on what’s new or the time of the year. Jace Appleby, marketing manager of Seminole PowerSports North, says he likes First Fridays because he gets to actually interact with customers. “Being in the community kinda brings the small-town business feel to what’s actually a pretty big business here,” Jace says. “It’s nice to actually interact with folks on a more personal level, because it’s a big street party, as opposed to just sitting at your desk talking to them, where it’s strictly business here (in the offi ce).”
Kelly Fessenden, a consultant for the wickless candle company Scentsy, has enjoyed interacting at First Friday for fi ve years. “I’ve been doing it for so many years, I’m very fortunate because it’s something people always need to replace, and I enjoy seeing these people over and over again. I like the interaction, I love the people, the entertainment is wonderful, they’ve got a good selection of food vendors, a good selection of vendors period,” says Kelly, who brings her whole “set-up” to First Fridays, including wax, warmers, diff users and other items for customers to view. “I’m totally on display,” Kelly says.
—CARL WOODWORTH
You’ll fi nd an array of food vendors at First Fridays, including the Sweet Blessings by Sindy food truck or Fillin Good Food Truck, which off ers specialty burgers, subs and sandwiches.
Carl Woodworth, owner of Woody’s Grille, a mobile food truck, has been participating in First Fridays since right after he opened the truck around April of 2019. Woody’s Grille specializes in American-style sandwiches, the main item being a pot roast sandwich. They also serve philly cheesesteaks, hamburgers, one-fourth pound hotdogs and a deep-fried hotdog wrapped in bacon, as well as deep fried desserts like Reese’s and cheesecake during the street parties.
Carl usually sees around 80 customers at each event and loves to see the community all together. “Everybody’s having a good time, they usually have at least one band there and it brings everybody out,” Carl says. Asked what he loves about the events, he replied, “Just getting together and making new friends and seeing old friends.”
Vendors include crafters like Yvette’s Jewelry Box and Kimber Lights decorative outdoor lighting, as home improvement and real estate businesses, including All American Gutter, Home Performance Alliance, Mortgage Financial Group, Bath Fitter, Timberline Log & Timber Frame Homes, Secured Dock Builders and Cifelli Real Estate. You can also look for Praise Cathedral Church of God, Umatilla SDA Church and the United States Coast Guard. Health care providers attending will be United Health Care and Mid Florida Agencies. Those with RVs should check out the Southern Palms RV Resort booth.
With all of these options for food, shopping, entertainment and more, you’ll have to mark Eustis on your calendar for every First Friday!
Want to see your event in Social Spotlight?
Contact us at least three months in advance and provide all the details to victoria@akersmediagroup.com.
VICTORIA SCHLABIG
The Most Interesting Podiatrist in the World.
Dr. Zimmermann doesn’t always fix feet. But when he does, he does it in Lake County.
PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
s a kid growing up in South Florida, Dr. Erik Zimmermann dreamed of being a cowboy, pilot, fi reman, Capt. Kirk or GI Joe. “The only foot-related thing in my childhood that I remember was when my mom would constantly break her toes and scream and curse,” the doctor says. That said, his road to becoming a podiatrist wasn’t an obvious one. After growing up in South Florida, Dr. Zimmermann’s family moved to Texas and he joined the Marines at nineteen. In boot camp he sprained his ankle on a run and was sent to see a navy podiatrist, who fi xed his ankle so that he could fi nish his basic training on time. “That was the fi rst time I had ever even heard of a podiatrist, and the only time I was not sworn at during boot camp” Dr. Zimmermann says.
He trained as a radio-wireman in a recon unit and stayed in the Marine Corps reserves while he attended Southwest Texas State (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas. He studied biology and took pre-med classes, but
still fancied becoming an offi cer and a pilot. During his senior year (delayed because of his deployment for Desert Storm) he applied for offi cer school when a podiatry school recruiter came to give a seminar to his pre-med class. Remembering the podiatrist that had patched up his ankle in boot camp, he was intrigued and also applied for admission. Torn between the dueling futures of becoming a podiatrist or an offi cer, fate intervened when his military paperwork hit some snags while his podiatry school paperwork went without a hitch. He was accepted to podiatry school at Barry University in Miami, Florida. After graduation, he packed his small car and headed to sunny Miami for podiatry school.
After four years of podiatry school and fi nishing his residency he moved from South Florida and moved to the Lake County in 1999. He started his career by making house calls all over Lake and
Sumter counties, picking up offi ce work where he could, and working in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. As his family grew, he wanted to do less traveling, so Dr. Zimmermann stuck to more offi ce-based work, and eventually opened up Zimmermann Podiatry’s new offi ce in Leesburg. Since then the business has continued to grow signifi cantly,. Dr. Zimmermann credits a lot of the offi ce’s success having to do with the pleasant staff and unique offi ce decor.
“We just try to be a super friendly offi ce. We’re fun and we try to make the visits enjoyable. It’s a family atmosphere here,” Dr. Zimmermann says. Part of what makes Zimmermann Podiatry unique is its Seinfeld theme. “I’m the only one that’s got a Seinfeldthemed offi ce. We play Seinfeld in the waiting room. We have Seinfeld-themed treatment rooms; the Kramer, the George and the Elaine, with specifi c artwork related to each one of the characters,” the doctor says. “I’ve loved Seinfeld since it came out and I still watch reruns. I’m not a Seinfeld fan, I’m a Seinfeld fanatic.”
Zimmermann Podiatry off ers treatments for numerous foot ailments, varying from treatments for diabetic foot care, toenail fungus, ingrowing toenails, skin problems, neuromas, heel pain, fractures, wounds, infections and more. His offi ce is equipped for certain in-offi ce procedures when necessary. “Our overall approach is to solve foot problems without requiring surgery and to keep patients active and on their feet,” Dr. Zimmermann says.
L-R: Lucinda, Hailey, and Michelle
“WE’RE AHEAD OF THE TIMES AS FAR AS LASERS GO”
—DR. ERIK ZIMMERMANN
“In some cases we do minor surgeries in the offi ce. The most common minor surgeries are hammer toe surgeries, they take about fi fteen minutes, and they’re really great for a relief from pain,” Dr. Zimmermann says, “This type of hammer toe surgery gives a good correction of the toe and doesn’t require any open big, open procedures like bone removals, screws or pins.”
As far as new technology, the offi ce is “ahead of the times.” Dr. Zimmermann off ers two lasers; one to kill toenail fungus and another for treating neuropathy, soft tissue injuries, sprains and strains. “The soft tissue laser is a great way to speed up the healing and get patients up and running,” he adds.
Neuropathy is a common issue Dr. Zimmermann is seeing at this time. “The number of new of patients complaining of tingling, burning, numbness in their feet and loss of sensation seems to be exploding right now. We have a really eff ective treatment program for people suff ering with neuropathy,” he says.
Zimmermann Podiatry also carries a lot of oral pharmaceutical-grade supplements for treating neuropathy, as well as a pharmaceutical-grade CBD anti-infl ammatory cream and topicals for fungus of the skin, nails and pain relief. Zimmermann Podiatry can perform in offi ce X-rays for bone examinations and musculoskeletal ultrasound for soft tissue examinations.
Arthritis-related foot problems and plantar fasciitis are common, as are the need for the custom orthotics that Dr. Zimmermann off ers. “The custom orthotics are great for helping relieve most types of foot pain,” Dr. Zimmerman says. The offi ce also off ers diabetic shoes and insoles which are covered by Medicare.
Besides his Seinfeld obsession and his time with the Marine Corps, there are other things that make Dr. Zimmermann “The Most Interesting Podiatrist in the World”. He’s a bit of an artist, writer, a rock and roller (having seen AC/DC eleven times), and has played guitar and sung in multiple rock bands until very recently, “because life just got too crazy.” When he’s not at work, Dr. Zimmermann is a family man. He spends his time with his wife, three kids and three dogs. “Some of our favorite family activities are fi shing around Crystal river, jet skiing, and tubing,” he says.
352.435.7849 / DrZPodiatry.com / 1208 W Dixie Ave, Leesburg
