22 minute read
ATTRACTIONS
DINING TRENDS
In 2020, people used to dining out at restaurants, had no choice but to visit fast food drive-throughs or place online orders for curbside pick-up and delivery from their favorite places.
And while 2021 has seen people flocking back to inside dining rooms, many customers are still opting to take the food and eat at home, at nearby parks, in their offices or elsewhere.
In Leesburg, a resource called “Leesburg Eats,” originally started by the Leesburg Partnership as a service to gather the menus of local restaurants and digitally house them in one place to make it easier for business people looking for lunch options and to save their desks from clutter, is still available.
According to Leesburg Partnership officials, the website enjoyed an uptick of users during the pandemic that has continued.
Those interested in using the service can visit leesburgeats.com. Restaurants interested in having their menus included, should call 352.365.0053 to inquire about joining and what’s involved in doing so.
VACATION RENTALS
Now that most COVID restrictions and travel bans have been lifted after a long year, people are eager to plan their next vacation. Still, the pandemic changed the way many people will travel in the near future. People continue to enjoy outdoor trips, visiting natural getaways and camping or glamping settings over extravagant all-inclusive resort stays.
In the past few years, airbnbs were popularized, giving the option of renting entire homes or apartments in locations all over the world. This remains a trend, as it allows travelers to stay close to their own group, and away from strangers. Domestic travel is popular this year, as many countries still have strict requirements for visitors. Also, “workcations” have become a thing, because companies have decided to continue a work-from-home status. Employees bring their work with them to a cabin-in-the-woods type getaway, or even a condo near the beach.
After a year of financial hardship for many, people still want their vacation, so frugality is key when planning. Though airbnbs have perks, many are finding that with rising cleaning and other fees, a hotel is a better option, if money is a concern. After all, unless you find yourself with a bad sunburn, you probably won’t be spending a lot of time in your room anyhow.
Nail biters
Throughout the years nail trends have changed, whether in popular nail shape, colors, designs, and otherwise. While dip powder nails gained traction for a while, many people are choosing to return to acrylic nails, and are asking for creative and colorful designs.
Daniela Libreros of Howey-in-the-Hills is a nail tech experienced in intricate designs, and says what’s popular now is abstract art and line work. Whether different shades of one color, or multicolor, Daniela often finds herself painting precise shapes on her clients’ nails. Coffin shape remains popular, but almond nails have been getting popular during the last few months as well.
Medium and short length almond nails are often paired with the abstract designs Daniela mentioned, but painted tips are Daniela mentioned, but painted tips are also becoming a fad. Whether on coffin also becoming a fad. Whether on coffin or almond shaped nails, many people are or almond shaped nails, many people are asking their nail techs for a “French tip” asking their nail techs for a “French tip” look, but with a more eye-catching tip, look, but with a more eye-catching tip, and a neutral color on their nail beds. To and a neutral color on their nail beds. To see more of Daniela’s work or to book an appointment, visit her Instagram @heavenlysets.bydani.
popular during the last few months as well. Medium and short length almond nails are often paired with the abstract designs see more of Daniela’s work or to book an appointment, visit her Instagram @heavenlysets.bydani.
RIDIN’ IN STYLE
Tricked-out golf cars are all the rage in The Villages. They can be customized to re ect an owner’s personality. Among the golf carts customized to re ect an owner’s personality. Among the golf carts you’re likely to see include: you’re likely to see include:
• • A GOLF CART DECORATED WITH COLORS AND A GOLF CART DECORATED WITH COLORS AND
PARAPHERNALIA OF AN OWNER’S FAVORITE TEAM. PARAPHERNALIA OF AN OWNER’S FAVORITE TEAM. • A GOLF CART REPRESENTING SOMEONE’S A GOLF CART REPRESENTING SOMEONE’S
FORMER PROFESSION, SUCH AS A MINIATURE FORMER PROFESSION, SUCH AS A MINIATURE
FIRE TRUCK OR AN OLD ARMY JEEP FIRE TRUCK OR AN OLD ARMY JEEP • A GOLF CART THAT IS A SCALED-DOWN A GOLF CART THAT IS A SCALED-DOWN
VERSION OF SOMEONE’S FAVORITE VERSION OF SOMEONE’S FAVORITE
AUTOMOBILE, LIKE A CHEVROLET AUTOMOBILE, LIKE A CHEVROLET
CORVETTE OR A FORD 1929 MODEL A. CORVETTE OR A FORD 1929 MODEL A.
NEW
BUSINESSES
These are some of the newest places in Lake and Sumter that opened their doors in 2020/2021 according to local officials:
Best Smiles Orthodontics – Mount Dora – Mount Dora
Black Bear Kitchen – Montverde – Montverde
BTW Crafted Concoctions – Tavares – Tavares
Butcher Block – Groveland
Community Collision — Leesburg — Leesburg DiversiTech – Leesburg
Foxtail Coffee Co.
– Clermont & Eustis locations
Funky Monkey – Mount Dora HandleBar – Mount Dora
Immunity Health Spa – Lady Lake Impact Rage Room – Leesburg
Jonesy’s Escape by
Coffee Shop of Horrors – Tavares Just Love Coffee Café – Clermont
Kroger/Ocado (distribution center)
– Groveland – Lady Lake – Leesburg – Tavares – Clermont
Kroger/Ocado (distribution center)
Lulu Candles – Eustis
Mammoth Oak Brewing Co. – Leesburg Montrose Market (a variety of vendors under one roof) – Clermont Mystic Ice Cream – Leesburg OMG Juice – Clermont – Leesburg (a variety of vendors – Leesburg
Once Upon a Creation Co. – Clermont
Orange Blossom Candies & Cream
– Montverde – Clermont
Orange Blossom Candies & Cream
Peach Valley – Mount Dora Pepe’s Cantina – Clermont Prominent Fox—Leesburg Pure Nutrition – Clermont
RJ’s Dirty Laundry – Mount Dora Southern on 8th – Clermont
Sunshine Book Co. – Clermont
HOTTEST FASHIONS FASHIONS
The Central Florida Hope Center – Clermont The Downtown Exchange (a variety of vendors under one roof) — Clermont The StretchLab – Clermont – Clermont
The Tannerie – Mount Dora
Tray’s Cookout – Leesburg Twisted Sugar – Clermont Water Gypsy Coffee Co. – Leesburg When temperatures are sizzling outside, Prominent Fox Boutique in Leesburg and Em’z on Fifth in Mount Dora carry fashions in lightweight fabrics that are ideal for Florida’s tropical climate. “You can look good and stay cool,” says Clara Schneider, owner of Em’z on Fifth.
5 HOT STYLES AT PROMINENT FOX: 5 HOT STYLES AT EM’Z ON FIFTH: 5 HOT STYLES AT EM’Z ON FIFTH:
• Ombre acid wash shorts • Cami dress with ruffled hem • Cold shoulder tops • High-rise button denim shorts • Rompers • Lace-up ankle pants • Lace-up ankle pants • Off the shoulder tops • Off the shoulder tops • Gauze cold shoulder tops and dresses • Gauze cold shoulder tops and dresses • Glitzy tees • Crinkle fabric tops
POLITICALLY ENGAGED ENGAGED
Despite the pandemic, Americans voted in record numbers in last year’s presidential election. Lake Countians also flocked to the voting booth. There were 212,505 ballots cast, and turnout reached 80.28 percent, according to figures from the Lake County Supervisor of Election office.
Part of that was due to a high-stakes election. It also stemmed from the surge in new Lake County voters during the past four years. In 2016, there were 222,390 registered voters in Lake. That number swelled to 264,700 registered voters in 2020. “I’m very pleased,” says Alan Hays, supervisor of elections. “I want every person who is eligible to vote to be registered, take the time to be informed on the candidates and issues, and then exercise their right to vote.” Here’s a breakdown of active registered voters from numbers provided on the Lake County Supervisor of Election website in early June.
REPUBLICAN 118,093
DEMOCRAT 79,622
NO PARTY AFFILIATION 70,479
OTHER 3,915
LAKE AND SUMTER ECONOMIES
The median household income in Lake County (according to datausa.io based on 2018 Census Tract averages) is $52,096. datausa.io based on 2018 Census Tract averages) is $52,096.
The economy of Lake County employs 144k people. The The economy of Lake County employs 144k people. The largest industries in Lake County are Retail Trade (19,694 largest industries in Lake County are Retail Trade (19,694 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,457 people), and people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,457 people), and Construction (13,526 people), and the highest paying industries Construction (13,526 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($51,636), Finance & Insurance ($51,096), and are Utilities ($51,636), Finance & Insurance ($51,096), and Information ($50,755). Information ($50,755).
For Sumter County, the median household income, (according For Sumter County, the median household income, (according to datausa.io based on 2018 Census Tract averages) is $55,228. to datausa.io based on 2018 Census Tract averages) is $55,228.
The economy of Sumter County employs 25.4k people. The The economy of Sumter County employs 25.4k people. The largest industries in Sumter County are Retail Trade (4,109 largest industries in Sumter County are Retail Trade (4,109 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,533 people), and people), Health Care & Social Assistance (3,533 people), and Construction (1,841 people), and the highest paying industries Construction (1,841 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($58,750), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction are Utilities ($58,750), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($53,125), and Information ($53,036). ($53,125), and Information ($53,036).
Statewide, males in Florida have an average income that is Statewide, males in Florida have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,953. The income inequality in Florida (measured is $46,953. The income inequality in Florida (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than the national average.
Building on a legacy
Serving You First: We succeed by serving our clients, our community and each other.
PAID PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Welcome to LassiterWare
With 100 years under its belt, LassiterWare has not only established a track record people can trust but also has built a solid foundation for a future full of great opportunities for years to come.
In fact, the long-lasting company, who in 2017, partnered with Acrisure – one of the 10th largest privately-owned brokers in the world – is on a forward momentum like never before.
“We are very excited at LassiterWare’s numbers right now as they are indeed historically astounding for our agency,” says LassiterWare’s President/CEO Doug Childers, at the helm since 2013.
“We have a lot of exceptional history, but we’re doing things we’ve never done before,” he says. “We’re growing and we’re doing it with a blend of the past and the future and that’s what I’m excited about.”
Jodi Underwood, Receptionist
History
In 1912, LassiterWare was founded by G.G. Ware, a pioneer insurance agent in Leesburg who handled insurance along with his bank duties as president of First National Bank at the time.
In 1912, G.G. Ware partnered with L.M. Johnson to form Johnson and Ware and became president of the company.
In 1922, Johnson and Ware was sold to the First National Company of Leesburg, when G.G. Ware, still president in 1931, hired J. Paul Lassiter as company manager.
In 1943, both men resigned from the First National Company and formed LassiterWare. Since then, T.R. “Ted” Ostrander Sr. and Ted Ostrander Jr., served as back-to-back company presidents and between them, opened many new o ces throughout Florida.
In 2013, Doug Childers who started with the company in 2006 as a producer, became President/CEO and according to LassiterWare’s website, he “carries the mindset, as well as, tradition of past leaders, and leads the company through economic changes, innovation and growth.”
LassiterWare today
LassiterWare employs over 100 employees in seven locations and continues to meet the needs of clients with commercial, employee bene ts, and personal lines insurance.
LassiterWare’s leaders honor and maintain the tagline of “Serving You First,” a motto the company is known for and is at the heart of everyday dealings with clients.”
Despite the retirements of more than a dozen longtime employees in the past few years, and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, he says the company has remained strong.
“Since 2017, we’ve had over 17 retirements, which is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in, says Doug. “We see each retiree o with a special gathering, but we want them to remain a part of LassiterWare; to leave their legacy even beyond their careers here.”
Additionally, the company has grown with seven acquisitions of books of
—DOUG CHILDERS, PRESIDENT AND CEO
business or other agencies and increased their total number of locations to seven throughout Florida.
Doug says even COVID couldn’t slow them down.
“Like everyone else, we did close the o ce for a time. But what people don’t know is that in the year prior, we had put a lot of focus on making sure everyone was able to work from home,” Doug says. “We have a lot of appreciation for our Senior Leadership team and IT Director Don Campbell because we truly never missed a day’s work. We were prepared and we’ve been able to modify our overall work schedule post-COVID due to the preparations made.”
O erings
LassiterWare has four divisions of service starting with personal lines, which Doug says is home, auto, personal umbrella, recreational vehicles, etc.
Second is its community business unit, which insures Main Street America businesses like garages, real estate o ces, hair salons, restaurants and more.
Next is our employee bene ts division, which has consultants in both the small group and large group space. We consult a wide variety of businesses in this division, ranging from a 10-person group to groups with over 1,000 employees.
And lastly, LassiterWare’s commercial lines division—it’s largest—specializes in contractors, non-pro ts, manufacturers, and healthcare.
“We’re unique because of the resource platform we o er. We provide what most brokerage and consulting rms bring to a Fortune 200 company down to the middle market space, and that includes internal claims support, legal support, expertise in human resources and various other technology resources,” Doug says.
Additionally, the CEO says the company has been very successful in nding creative solutions for large employers. “We have found ways to reduce our client’s overall cost of risk with the “360 Vision” process. We move our clients along the risk continuum from a standard insurance policy to more creative options where our business partners participate in the overall performance and results of mutually agreed upon loss control programs. Also, our employee bene t consultants have found creative solutions to minimize the impact of rising medical and pharmacy costs” says, Doug.
Don Campbell, IT Director
Solutions
One setback in the personal lines marketplace, is litigation stemming from homeowner claims, which are more prevalent in Florida than in any other state in the country right now due to roof claims and the current assignment of bene ts laws.
Because of that, Doug says: “We’re looking for creative partners to come in and assist our clients.”
Commercial lines and umbrella markets, areas already seeing a tremendous amount of litigation in the commercial auto space, were also faced with added challenges when COVID hit.
Whatever the case however, Doug says: “LassiterWare has every client’s best interest at heart.”
“We sympathize with what our clients are going through because it’s been a tough couple of years,” he says.
Community mindfulness
Besides new and expanded services, Doug says one of the most exciting things the agency has to offer the community is LassiterWare Cares – a fully-funded, employee-led program matched by carriers, that focuses on helping children less fortunate, feeding the hungry, and supporting veterans. Susan McClodden, Executive Director of LassiterWare Cares says “We do serve the community, however, employees of LassiterWare are at the top of the list. If we learn that an employee is suffering a financial hardship, we provide a financial gift and a helping hand.”.
The company also has a new internship program starting this summer designed to get the younger generations trained in the industry.
“A concern of mine is getting younger generations interested in insurance, training them, and making sure they continue the legacy beyond my tenure here,” Doug says. “We’re working towards that with our internship program and other mentorship programs in place.”
Pushing forward
The CEO says the future of LassiterWare is looking bright, thanks to dedicated employees and its partnership with Acrisure.
“I’m extremely proud that despite the retirement of a signi cant part of our workforce, we’re able to retain and actually create new momentum. Organic growth combined with our acquisition strategy have allowed us to grow total revenue and the LassiterWare brand at a historically fast pace, and I think it’s just beginning,” Doug says. “This partnership with Acrisure, who has done everything they promised and then some, allows us to bring other agencies into our platform, into our culture and continue to expand and grow.”
Because of that, the company is facing a future lled with new and innovative programs and services, plus a pipeline designed to keep the agency ahead of the game by attracting new employees and leadership.
“The internship program is vital. We will be facing a job shortage in our industry and it is critical to let people know that one can have a very good nancial career in the insurance industry working with an employee-centered company like LassiterWare.
“Where the agency is now is a great blend of new generational talent, and learning from our tenured employees the unique way in which we take care of our clients, which I think is special.”
LassiterWare Cares packed food for Feeding Children Everywhere
LassiterWare Cares packed hygiene kits for Clean the World and kits were donated to a local homeless shelter
Importance
Above all, Doug says the growth LassiterWare is experiencing will bene t clients in unique ways.
“Growth is important because growth protects our culture and if we protect our culture, we can take care of our clients the way we want to take care of them,” Doug says. “We grow our margins by growing our client base, not by cutting expenses.”
The CEO adds: “We want to continue to add to our client resources like we have done in the past year and I have con dence we will be able to do that.”
1317 Citizens Blvd., Leesburg / Office: 800.845.8680 / lassiterware.com Vision-Wisdom-Protection Leesburg•800.845.8437 084 / LAKEANDSUMTER STYLE .COM • lassiterware.com AUG'21
agenda EVENTS. TRAVEL. PEOPLE.
Ruben Vasquez puts his all into shaping unique all into shaping unique works of art that bring works of art that bring chills and smiles. chills and smiles.
aug. 2021
ACTIVITY
Just winging it winging it
Pine Meadows Conservation Area invites the public to participate in its quarterly bird and public to participate in its quarterly bird and butterfly survey. Participants who wish to help butterfly survey. Participants who wish to help with the survey must bring their own binoculars. with the survey must bring their own binoculars. Experience is preferred but not required. Experience is preferred but not required.
2280 Pine Meadows Golf Course Road, Eustis Call 352.253.4950 for more information. Call 352.253.4950 for more information.
FEB 26-28
AUG 21
ACTIVITY
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD
Sommer Sports in Clermont is hosting the third race of the Cool Sommer Morning Series. Participants can choose to compete in one of the following races: a spring, an intermediate distance triathlon, a spring duathlon, a 5K and an intermediate aqua bike.
Clermont Waterfront Park / 100 3rd St., Clermont Call 352.394.1320 for more information.
AUG 14
AUG 5
ACTIVITY
A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Skip the long lines at Central Florida theme parks and venture into a scenic area where there are no wait times. A guided tour is being offered at Ellis Acres Reserve, a 417-acre property offering rolling pastures and woodlands. You might see black bears, sandhill cranes, and wild turkeys.
25302 County Road 42, Paisley / Call 352.431.8798 for more information.
ONGOING EVENTS EVENTS
Events are subject to change and cancellation. change and cancellation.
EVERY SUN
Clermont Farmer’s Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Downtown Clermont
EVERY SUN
Downtown Mount Dora Village Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mount Dora
AUG 21
EVENT
WINE DOWN
Here’s your chance to sip, swirl, and savor wine. Corelli’s Pantry in downtown Clermont is offering a wine stroll. For $20, attendees can make their way to participating businesses for a little shopping and sampling of more than 20 wines while listening to live music.
732 W. Montrose St., Clermont. Call 352.708.4085 for more information.
EVERY MON
Webster’s Farmer’s Market Farmer’s Market 6 a.m.-2 p.m. 6 a.m.-2 p.m. 524 North Market Blvd., 524 North Market Blvd., Webster Webster
EVERY TUE
Lady Lake Farmer’s Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 250 Rolling Acres Rd., 250 Rolling Acres Rd., Lady Lake Lady Lake
